text:
With each passing year, more and more videographers discover the ways in which joining an existing organization or establishing one of their own can help to further both their personal interests as well as those of the industry. Evidence of this can be found in the growth of the local association directory in Wedding and Event Videography magazine since its founding in 1996. "Back then there were around 20 groups, and now there are over 50," says Roy Chapman, longtime chairman and founder of the Wedding and Event Videographers Association International (WEVA).
Despite this growing interest in local associations, most average only 20 to 40 members per meeting even though they cover geographical regions that contain ten times that number of working professionals. There are two excuses most often used by videographers who choose not to join: concern about sharing knowledge and advice with competitors and the belief held by some long-time videographers that they have nothing left to learn. But neither justification holds up under close scrutiny.
Local associations are a unique and vitally important facet of the event videography industry. In this article, you'll hear the opinions of half a dozen local association presidents as well as the founders of WEVA and the 4EVER Group about how local associations encourage the growth of the event videography industry and how getting involved can benefit you.
Surveying the LandscapeWhile WEVA is an international association of videographers, it exerts no control over and has no financial ties with local associations. All local associations are independent entities," says Chapman. "WEVA's rationalization that local associations work best when they figure things out for themselves has worked very well. We don't attempt to force any local association to follow any specific path or structure or organization."
Part of the rationale is that there are natural differences in videography practices in different regions; the same thing that gives a local association its unique character makes it impractical for WEVA or any other national organization to impose a dynamic on it. "What is working in Connecticut, for example, may not be applicable to what is happening in Las Vegas," says Chapman. "The unique ability of local associations is that they can address problems that are specifically local."
Some associations' memberships number as few as a half dozen, while others—like the Greater Philadelphia Videographer's Association (GPVA)—boast ranks of more than 100 videographers. Smaller groups often meet in libraries or other freely available public buildings; larger organizations tend to graduate into better-equipped commercial spaces like hotel conference rooms. Most have annual membership dues; some don't charge anything at all. Local associations differ even in the types of videographers they'll accept as members: some require that the applicant be a working professional with a business license, and others open their arms to hobbyists as well. "Every association is drastically different," says Tim Ryan, cofounder of the 4EVER Group. "There's a very big variety."
WEVA chose not to position itself as the central hub of a network of homogenous local associations, but it does support them, primarily through its Local Association Presidents Council, which has an Eastern and a Western region meeting during the year and a "global session" at WEVA Expo. "The WEVA Local Association Presidents Council gives local leaders a vital forum for the discussion of key industry issues at the highest level," says Chapman. It's also an opportunity for WEVA to explore how it can function most effectively as an international organization. "This Council acts as WEVA's advisory panel," says Chapman.
"With the WEVA Local Association Presidents Council, our voices are numerous and reflect the experiences of their memberships." Anywhere from 30 to 50 local associations are represented at a typical national meeting. WEVA also offers advice and a free Local Association Development Kit to card-carrying WEVA members who want to found a new local association. (For those interested in learning more about starting up a local association, see the sidebar entitled "So You Want to Start a Local Videographers Association?")
The 4EVER Group's Tim Ryan applauds these Presidents Council meetings as a great way for presidents to meet face to face, and his organization is working to further the bond between disparate local associations. "I think that local association presidents need to network among themselves on a regular basis," he says. To help facilitate this communication, the 4EVER Group has developed an association leader newsletter. This monthly email publication reports on the concepts that associations are presenting to their members so that other associations may learn what their contemporaries are covering in their meetings.
Ryan reports on the newsletter's first issue: "The first major question we asked association leaders to answer was 'How is your association formatted? Are you a non-profit or a corporation? How did you legally organize your group? How did you get your bank account opened? How do you handle taxes?' Several associations have offered answers for how they accomplished these tasks." The 4EVER Group also lists a directory of local associations on its Web site.
Additionally, the 4EVER Group has a long-term project underway that's designed to help increase local associations' awareness of each other's work. "We're creating a library of award-winning videos from each association's local competitions," says Ryan. "Any association that deposits a winning video can then withdraw videos from this library and show videos from another association at their meeting. What it's doing is opening up content, giving them more videos to see." He says some submissions in MiniDV format have already started coming in. "We are hoping for MiniDV, but DVD is fine as well. We are encouraging associations to watermark the videos with their association's and/or the producer's logo if they choose."
Misperceptions and Misconceptions Without a national organization that has direct control over local chapters, the success of local associations depends largely on the strength and dedication of their leaders. "The success is very dependent on their leadership," says the 4EVER Group's Ryan. "I've watched successful associations fall apart when there's a leadership change."
This tendency may partially result from new leaders' underestimating the amount of work involved in running an association and getting in over their heads. "A lot of people don't understand how much local association leaders do and how much time they put into these [associations] to make them successful," says WEVA's Chapman, adding that not all local associations that got off the ground have stayed around.
But much of this turnover, as well as local associations' suppressed attendance levels, arguably, stems from the perceptual recalcitrance of videographers who choose not to join their local association.
An attitude persists among some videographers that there's no benefit in trying to learn from other members of their local association. "We do lose members who tend to think they know it all. I hear that from a lot of other associations," says Ryan of his local association, the Long Island Videographers Association (LIVA). "They think, 'I know more than these people. They don't offer me anything.' I don't really understand this attitude; there's always something that you're going to learn at every single meeting."
Roy Chapman goes a step further in debunking this belief. "When videography is really moving into a new era, who can claim to have extensive knowledge about new technologies like high-definition video?"
An even more prevalent misconception about local associations stems from an aversion by some to being asked to share trade secrets with people who are essentially competitors. "I've never had an issue with sharing or showing my work, but many videographers just don't feel that way," explains Ryan, who runs the "Brown-bag Video" program at LIVA, where videographers anonymously submit video samples for screening and critique. "They become very protective of everything they do. Association leaders will call those people the leeches. They always come to take rather than give."
This attitude can be partially attributed to some videographers' concept of competition. "I don't think that other videographers are my competition, because there are enough brides out there and they'll hire who they connect with," says Kris Malandruccolo, president of the Illinois Videographers Association (IVA). "Event videography is a relationship-based business, so if the bride doesn't connect with you, she's not going to hire you."
Plus, videographers need to remember that they're all offering unique packages of services. "One of the things I've found is that every editor has a little bit different style at a different price point and not every bride is going to appreciate what you do," says Edd Smith, president of the Professional Event Videographers Northwest (PEVAN), which is based in Seattle, Washington. "There is competition just because we're all in the same field, but if you let that be the driving force then it makes it really tough to share openly at a meeting what you're doing and how you're doing it."
What videographers need to do is tear down these walls, and the best way to do that is to immerse themselves in a local association and experience the sense of community that exists within. "When people come for the first time and they're asked to bring videos in, they are reluctant," says Marleen Cafarelli, president of the Professional Videographers Association of Connecticut (PVACT). "After they come a few times, they begin to realize that most everyone does share their knowledge. And if everybody's sharing, sooner or later there aren't any secrets."
It's All About The Networking Local associations offer an incredible array of opportunities and benefits. "The greatest benefit is simply putting a group of videographers in the same place at the same time and allowing them to network," says Ryan. This networking helps to build friendships among members, enabling a vibrant support structure on which videographers can lean. "The most useful aspect is that videographers become a resource to each other, providing capabilities that individually don't exist," says Richard DePaso, president of the Las Vegas Videographers Association (LVVA).
IVA president Kris Malandruccolo illustrates how this can help. "Videographers in the IVA, if they need a second camera, they can call [a fellow member] and know it's a reliable person because they know them personally," she says. "Or if you're interested in buying a camera or some other piece of equipment, chances are that someone in the IVA is already using it and you can ask their opinion."
The Jacksonville Videographers Association (JVA) is working to make this final example an integral part of their organization during the revamping of their Web site. "One of the things we're going to be doing is listing along with all the members' names what each person uses for software and hardware," says JVA president Merrill Moore. "This way if I'm using FCP, I can go to the Web site, check the list, see who else is using FCP, and then get on the phone, call them, and ask a question."
Having a local network of trusted colleagues also helps by giving videographers the ability to be able to refer clients they can't serve to other videographers. "If you get a call and can't handle it and don't know somebody to refer them to, that customer goes off into NeverNeverLand and is never heard from again," says LVVA's DePaso. "By referring friends and associates, that customer's going to come back."
The Benefits of Bringing Folks Together The benefits of meeting regularly with a group of professionals in the same industry extends even further. "Once you start to congregate as videographers," says Ryan, "people who want to sell to you will get interested." Jacksonville's Moore has taken full advantage of this reality, enabling the JVA to give away thousands and thousands of dollars worth of merchandise through raffle drawings at their meetings. "At our first meeting we gave away a $1,700 Avid software solution," says Moore. "I've always been good at raising prizes and money for different things. Most people start off by thinking that they could never get this or that. I learned many years ago that the primary success factor in doing so is to ask."
Gathering en masse also gives videographers the opportunity to purchase technology like cameras in quantity at a discount. A group of PEVAN members did just that recently, bulk-buying a lot of Sony DSR-PD150s, according to Edd Smith. But even more significantly, videographers are able to join together through local associations in purchasing advertising.
Some associations simply facilitate this collaborative advertising, while others include it as a part of their annual dues. For all the associations, the ultimate goal is to become a brand name that brides recognize and seek out when trying to find a videographer for their event. Of course, for this ultimate goal to be reached, brides first have to be convinced that they need a videographer in the first place. "Part of our duty is to educate brides as to why they'd want to hire a professional to shoot their event rather than a friend or family member," says PVN's Smith.
To that end, the JVA has put together a four-color, trifold brochure "that explains why the bride doesn't dare not have wedding video," says Moore. "We have an agreement with the three primary people that are involved with bridal shows in this area. They've agreed to put this brochure into every bride's packet. We're also putting this in all sorts of vendor locations." Moore was able to get this brochure put together and printed without dipping into membership dues. "Whoever wanted to have their name/Web site/phone number listed on the back of this brochure had to pay a fee," he explains. "The collective fee not only paid for the 7,500 brochures, but it's also going to pay for some classy Lucite holders, which will also have the JVA logo, that will go in vendor locations."
By combining their efforts, JVA videographers are able to mount an extensive and coordinated advertising campaign that would have been prohibitively expensive and time-consuming if any single videographer had tried to do it on his or her own, but the JVA's marketing efforts don't end there. "Our first step was to create this brochure. The second step was to come out with a bride's interactive CD," says Moore. This rich media marketing tool will contain the first-place videos from each of the categories of JVA's first video contest. "It's being worked on gratis by several JVA members, but we're also selling ad space to vendors outside the videography space, including cake-makers, DJs, officiants, and limo companies," says Moore. "In doing that we'll pay for the cost of duplicating the CDs."
Sharing and Awarding Video Watching members' videos is an integral part of the local association experience, whether it be during monthly critiques or semiannual contests. "Local associations give you a forum to show your work and see how it's being accepted by other professionals in your field," says Edd Smith. Viewing videos with the videographer who shot it right there in the room, as is the case with most local association screenings, presents a fantastic educational opportunity. "In this day and age there are so many different types of NLE equipment and cameras," says Smith. "When you see something that jumps off the screen, you want to know how they did it."
Many local associations also host panels in which outside perspectives are brought in to comment on videos. "We have one where brides and grooms are invited to be on a judges panel," says PVACT's Marleen Cafarelli. "It's been very interesting to see the differences in how they vote. Videographers tend to vote more often for things that are very high tech. Brides vote more for the emotional content of a video." (Some associations also have had success in constructing panels of photographers and other wedding professionals to discuss the relationship between their respective professions and that of event videography.)
Education Station Considering the exponential rate of technological evolution as well as the growing expectation among consumers that all video should have that Hollywood sheen, videographers must do everything they can to educate themselves continuously. By joining a local association, "you have more control over the education that you want on a regular basis," says Ryan.
"I think our educational programs are a major reason why we draw people," says Bruce Garner, president of the GPVA. "We open it up to our membership to make suggestions about what issues they want to see addressed. We send out a survey every year to learn more about our members. We'll then build our programming around that." Subsequently, local associations' educational content covers the entire gamut, from business and marketing tips to product demonstrations to how-to workshops on specific software and hardware.
During Tim Ryan's time as president of LIVA, he came to realize just how beneficial it can be to seek out comments from association members. "The thing we found is that videographers don't want to only hear people talk; they want to see how it's done," he says. To fulfill the educational needs of their members, LIVA found a new way to present topics on how to shoot a wedding. "We did a mock wedding ceremony. We set up our room similar to the way a church would be set up and hooked up the presenter's camera to a projector. Then, step by step, he'd show us how he'd physically get from point A to B," Ryan explains. "What seemed like a silly idea at first was one of the most successful. Nobody in that room felt that they didn't understand what the presenter was talking about."
Part of the challenge faced by local associations is balancing the needs of the entire spectrum of videographers. In an attempt to do this, DePaso has taken a two-pronged approach to programming for the LVVA. "We try to have a 'candy' segment and a tutorial segment to each meeting," he explains. For the "candy" segment, DePaso might bring in a Steadicam operator with his $150,000 rig. For the tutorial, a presenter could cover a topic like developing a business video. "What we've come to realize is that a lot of people like the candy, and a lot of people like the learning," he explains. "The more professional people like the candy, while the newer people tend to find the tutorials most helpful."
To facilitate this education, "we try to meet in places that will provide useful information and a potential resource to the members," says DePaso. "We've had meetings in a theater where they perform plays. We've had meetings on sound stages as well as in the studios of various members." As a result, LVVA's educational programming tends to be an outgrowth of where they're meeting each month.
A Very Social Group Local associations afford videographers the opportunity to commune with a decidedly social group of people. "A lot of our members do things together socially. We're friends, basically," says PVACT's Cafarelli. "We have a very active group that goes bicycling and boating together. In December, we throw a well-attended Christmas party."
Some larger associations have transformed parties into major events. LIVA has a summertime picnic, while GPVA goes upscale. "Once a year we have the GPVA Film Festival," says GPVA's Garner. "It's a black tie, red carpet event with hot, butlered hors d'oeuvres and a DJ with a full lighting system. We specifically make a big deal out of it." The GPVA also throws a cabana party on the Monday of WEVA Expo every year for its members, which is included in their annual membership dues.
Additionally, Garner believes that local associations have been integral in erasing the social stigma surrounding event videography's sweatpants-wearing past. "We're constantly promoting professionalism, in the way you dress and the way you relate to clients," says Garner. "[Local associations] have raised the bar in the industry so that you wouldn't recognize videography from 20 to 25 years ago. That's probably the way we've affected the industry the most, by dispelling the sweaty Uncle Charlie image."
Outside of the fun and professional growth that all associations offer, many have chosen to share their talents with those unable to afford the average videographer's price tag. "Every year through our membership we've been able to give back to the community by offering our services to organizations like a Ronald McDonald house, the local school, and the Starlight Group," says PVN's Smith. "We try to provide services to these organizations in order to help them with whatever it is they need to do. The important thing is, even though it would be nice to get the recognition, you've got to balance it to make sure you're doing it for the right reason."
So You Want to Start a Local Videographers Association? Videographers interested in starting a local association should first contact both WEVA and the 4EVER Group about their intentions. While neither group gives financial assistance, each organization offers free advice from long-time leaders in the event videography community.
To help kick-start the process, WEVA has developed a Guide to Local Association Development. "If you want to start a local association and you are a WEVA member, you can take advantage of the local association development information," says Roy Chapman. "The kit has been compiled and developed by the President's Council. With it, you get all the input that's been going into it for over ten years." The kit includes a range of sample documents, including membership applications, administrative documents, and more. "This is the best representative documentation that can help you in your quest to start a local association," says Chapman.
During his time working with WEVA, the 4EVER Group's Tim Ryan contributed significantly to the Guide to Local Association Development. "I wrote down a step-by-step list of what you need to do to start a local association," he says. "The first thing I suggested was to call another videographer in your area, any videographer, just to see if they're interested in having a local association started. When you get that first yes, you have that person call someone else. Just get that little bit of interest from a few people."
Step two, he says, is choosing a date and a venue, and getting the word out. "Go through the phone book and local bridal magazines, and find all the videographers within some distance from your area," Ryan continues. "You don't even need an agenda, just say you're going to meet. That will start the buzz. At that meeting, make sure you pick the next time that you'll meet. Then you have to start developing different content, picking speakers, presentations, and topics to discuss. Anything that will attract a videographer to the meeting will get the ball rolling and continue to snowball."
Merrill Moore, president of the year-old JVA, recommends taking advantage of WEVA's Town Meetings to help start an association off right. "I think the best way to do it is to attend a Town Meeting and have it announced right there that you are forming an organization," says Moore. "You'll probably have people, like I did, coming out of the woodwork right then and there." Moore also suggests asking WEVA to email every videographer in your zip code as a great way to get local attention.
Of course, the best way to get attention and add legitimacy these days is to have a Web site. Any local association interested in starting a new Web site or revamping an existing one should get in touch with Wes Moore, former owner of Moore Digital and current owner of Moorecast.com. "Moorecast.com is a place where anybody that does any sort of editing can build and maintain sites online," says Moore. "What I've done as a marketing technique is to give every association a premium-level $500-a-year product that'll renew forever. All I ask in return is that their membership knows that we provided their Web site." More than a dozen local associations have taken Moore up on his offer. "It's taken less than a year to get to 15," he says. "My goal at the end of this year is to get to 25." Moore's offer includes a limited amount of free streaming hosting.
Local associations can also receive free streaming video services from HomeMovie.com. "We've offered every local videographers association a free StreamingDVD gallery for its members," says Lars Krumme, CTO of HomeMovie.com. To learn more about HomeMovie.com's involvement with the event videography industry, check out www.eventdv.net/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=9587 .
In the Spotlight
The 4EVER Group www.4evergroup.org Greater Philadelphia Videographer's Association (GPVA) www.gpva.com HomeMovie.com www.homemovie.com Illinois Videographers Association (IVA) www.ivavideo.com Jacksonville Videographers Association (JVA) www.jaxvideoassn.org Las Vegas Videographers Association (LVVA) www.lvva.com Long Island Videographers Association (LIVA) www.liva.org Moorecast.com www.moorecast.com Professional Event Videographers Northwest (PEVAN) www.pevanpro.com Professional Videographers Association of Connecticut (PVACT) www.provideo.org Wedding and Event Videographers Association International (WEVA) www.weva.com


text:
PHILADELPHIA – LA Galaxy rookie left back Greg Cochrane has enjoyed strong showings in each of his four appearances prior to Saturday, but the rookie was well-aware that there were going to be some bumpy moments.
The Galaxy's defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday night—his fifth appearance of his young career— was exactly that. Now he'll look to turn those moments into a learning experience for the future.
Cochrane struggled to handle Vancouver right midfielder Russell Teibert, who bagged a pair of goals while being matched up against the rookie defender. Following the match, Cochrane admitted that his positioning struggled as Teibert was able to separate himself from Cochrane and find the back of the net while his crossing accuracy struggled.
"I watched the video and I learned from it so you see what you've done wrong and then those are the games that are going to make you better after you struggle," Cochrane told LAGalaxy.com. "I learned from it and now you just try to implement the stuff that didn't go well and improve…I always try to improve off of every one of my games.
"On the good days and on the bad days, you try to take little steps to improve on, but I try not to dwell on it too much," Cochrane added. "You just put it on the backburner and move on from it because you dwell on it then it may just effect your next performance."
Whether or not, he'll see the field against the Union is still up in the air. Cochrane started the last three matches for the Galaxy, but with Todd Dunivant approaching full fitness, head coach Bruce Arena will have a decision to make on Wednesday.
"I always train like I'm going to be a starter. If I'm not then it doesn't really matter to me because the decision is up to [head coach Bruce Arena]. I'm always ready when I get called on, whether it's as a starter or coming off the bench, if he wants to play me then I'm always ready
But if Cochrane makes an appearance then Pennsylvania-native will be able to play in front of "50ish" friends and family at PPL Park less than 50 miles away from his hometown of Holland, PA.
"I'm always excited to come back here and play in front of my friends and family. I haven't been back here since the draft so it's always good. I got to see my family yesterday," said Cochrane. "It should be good to see a lot of familiar faces."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
BlackBerry Storm Review
0. phoneArena posted on 25 Nov 2008, 09:48
What's this, the new BlackBerry? Woah, it has no keyboard. And…did it just click? You've never clicked a screen before, is that supposed to happen? Is it supposed to feel so…tiring? And why is this screen wiggling around, am I supposed to be seeing the circuit board? Why is it so heavy; the iPhone isn't this heavy? The interface is pretty neat, but why are page transitions taking so long. Did it just flip orientations on me? I didn't even move it. Wait, now I did move it and the orientation isn't following...
This is a discussion for a review. To read the whole review, click here
Comments for : BlackBerry Storm Review - page 8


text:
" Manufacturer: Mindscape / Genre: Family & Entertainment / Release Date: 2008 "
* Prices may differ from that shown
Most people should or have heard about a television show named Are You Smarter Than A 10 Year Old, which is usually on Sky one.
The show is about you picking subjects from ages ranging 6-10 and then you pick one of the five students who will answer the same question as well. If you get it wrong and they get it right you might be saved. You can also take a peek or copy there answer as well but those three live lines can be used just the once during the game.
Each child is aged 10 so they should know the questions in some ways but this game is the worse I have played on the Nintendo DS. You have on the box Noel Edmunds and he is the presenter usually and yet he is not apart of the game.
Instead there is a man in a shirt who sounds nothing like him and is just a made up character. You also have 5 children who remain the same all the way through the game. Your never going to see different students or a presenter.
Then come the subjects. On the show they have German, Spanish, World Geography and more. Yet on this game you have just 10 subjects and these are never altered and so it means you get the same sort of questions.
You pick a student and they pop up and you have a screen with all the subjects. You get to then pick a subject which has an age next to it. If the subject flashes it means the student you have picked is going to be pretty good at it. However, sometimes the student never has a flashing subject so it means your none the wiser.
If that sounds boring imagine when you keep seeing the same questions pop up. I have found throughout my time on the game the same questions pop in Science and English and to be honest that is not good enough.
All questions are multiple choice so again it goes against the show when they ask you to provide an answer. You could have a part where you need to write the answer into a box using the stylus and this would show your spelling accuracy but general knowledge as well.
So the game does not follow the pattern of the show in my view at all. The sounds displayed on the game from the presenter are at best terrible. The game play is quick but yet slow. When a child has to try and save you providing you got the answer wrong anyways you tend to notice the game going quite slow compared to other parts of the game.
I played 10 rounds on this game and the jackpot is £250,000 I managed to reach this every time without the assistance of a child. Now the reason for this is because the game gives you simple questions and to be honest most people would find it easy to reach the jackpot amount.
On the show on television you can sometimes get really involved and try and challenge people with you because the questions seem so difficult. One of the questions on the game itself was asking me for a 10 year old 'Which Planet Is Red?' and to be honest that to me was just so easy and yet on the show this would be for a 6 year old.
I think the game in terms of what it offers is poor and terrible and when it comes to false advertising they do it brilliantly. No Noel Edmunds on the game, no alteration of which children turn up like on the show and the same subjects repeated.
This game could have been much more better then it was and even though in my view it is aimed at the younger audience even they will grow tired of the product within a few attempts of playing. I got this on rental from Blockbuster last week and it was in my view the worst game ever for the Nintendo DS console.
'Are you smarter than a ten year old' well sometimes yes! I purchased this game after becoming a little obsessed with the tv show - for those of you who have not watched it its a show where an adult has to answer questions which you would know the answer to if you were at primary school. They have a token 10 year old to help them and they can either 'peek' at the 10 year olds answer or 'copy' there answer if they are struggling with the question or the 10 year old can 'save' them if they get the wrong answer.
The game goes along the same lines as the show. You have to answer 10 questions correctly in order to win the game and the 1 million pound prize (if only the money were real). For each round apart from the final one you pick a 10 year old who will be there to help you if you struggle with the question. There are over 3000 questions on the game and there are 28 categories including art, english, music, maths geography, history etc basically the topics children cover in school these days. Whilst playing you also have the option to 'Drop out' and walk away with the money not really much point in this as its not real so you may as well keep playing on.
I did find this game easy to play and it is basically the same as the tv programme. Some of the questions I actually found hard it's the kind of thing you learn at school but then never use again in real life! i did enjoy the game but it didn't really hold my attention for long because once you have answered the questions there isn't really anything else to do with it. Its good for brushing up your general knowledge though.
3 stars because it does have some positives its just that you quickly get bored. The game can be picked up for around £10 in games shops and online.
I received Are You Smarter Than A 10 Year Old for the Nintendo DS as a gift for my birthday this year. I hadn't seen the television programme on which the game is based, but my friends chose to buy me this game as they know I like quizzes.
The box features a picture of Noel Edmonds, who hosts the TV show, however this is misleading as he has nothing to do with the DS game & in it is replaced by a fictional animated presenter. This is mentioned in very tiny writing on the back of the box, but most people would not notice this before buying the game. Not that this necessarily has any impact whatsoever on the game, but Noel Edmonds fans could potentially be disappointed!
A very thin booklet explains how to play the game, however this is very straightforward & you could easily manage without reading it. All the controls involve is tapping the touchscreen with the stylus.
When you first start, the animated presenter Richard explains the game to you, but you can skip this bit if you want. You then have to choose one of 5 'classmates', children who are available to help you if you get stuck on a question. Each child has strengths & weaknesses in different subjects, & it doesn't really matter which one you choose as you have to use all 5 of them at some point in each game anyway.
During the game, you must answer 10 questions, which are each things that children aged 6-10 would be expected to know at school. There are 2 questions for each age group (age 6 to age 10), & the subjects for these are randomly generated & change with each game. The subjects are typical school lessons such as History, Geography, Maths, English & French, as well as the more unusual ones Citizenship & Astronomy.
You choose the order you want to answer the questions in from a screen listing all 10 subjects next to their age group. Obviously the questions get harder as you go from age 6 to age 10. The only sort of strategy involved is whether you choose to pick the subjects your chosen 'classmate' is good at (these are shown by the titles of these subjects flashing for a few seconds). Apart from the changing classmates, it doesn't really matter what order you answer the questions in.
If you get stuck on a question, you have 3 'cheats' available (a bit like lifelines in Who Wants To Be A Millionaire). 'Peek' shows you which answer your classmate would choose (although this is not always the right answer as it depends whether the classmate is good at this subject). You then choose whether or not to use their answer. 'Copy' means you automatically give the answer your classmate has chosen. 'Save' happens automatically the first time you pick a wrong answer: if your classmate has chosen the correct one, then they 'save' you & you are not out of the game.
You can also 'drop out' at any point in the game, meaning you can 'bank' the money you've earned from your correct answers so far. All this means is that it's the end of the game & the money you've banked is what goes on the high scores board.
Once you've answered all 10 questions correctly, you have to answer one final age 10 question, & if you get this right you win the game & get £250,000 to go on the scoreboard.
That's all there is to the game & it only takes about 5 minutes to complete. There are no variations, no mini-games & no multi-player opportunities. All you can do is go through the same thing again, with 10 different questions, which is not that appealing as 90% of the questions are boringly easy for adults. Occasionally you'll get a hard one & then you can just use a lifeline. On the rare occasion you do get a question wrong & there are no lifelines to save you, it's quite frustrating as that's immediately the end of the game. It reminds me of playing on one of those quiz machines you find in pubs where you put in 50p & have to answer questions, but the game can very easily end abruptly.
I usually play with the sounds off so I don't have to hear the presenter's repetitive commentary or the boring music. The animations of the classmates & the presenter are also quite annoying.
Although an adult may like to very occasionally play this game for 5 minutes if they are very bored, I certainly would not recommend it. The questions would probably be more challenging for children, & also perhaps educational as they are based on school syllabuses, but I think they would find the game quite frustrating as it can end so abruptly when they get a question wrong.
Sorry but please don't waste your money on this rubbish!! Luckily I got this for a very cheap price and hastily traded it in for something else a few days later! Yes the TV show is entertaining but this is not!
So, the aim of the game is to answer questions to reach the grand prize prize of £100,000. You then get a chance to gamble this to win a quarter of a million. If only! There's a few bratty kids along the way who apparently help you answer questions but I never really found them much help at all; only an annoyance. The questions are so ridiculously easy there is barely any chance you could ever lose this game. And from start to finish it's about ten minutes long. Seriously. I thought I had it set on easy mode the first time I played it but alas no. Whilst this may be good for very young children for anyone older than 13 I think this game is pretty pointless. The questions are all based on school subjects (so languages, science, maths etc) and you can pick someone from the class to help you (not that you'll ever need any help mind you).
The graphics are pretty average to be honest, and nothing to write home about. It's definitely not one of those games you could play again and again. Like I said I took mine back 2 days later I was that bored with it. All in all this seems like a cash in on the TV show. The TV show is much better, the arcade games in bars are much better too. This is just awful! Please don't waste your money - buy Who Wants To Be A Millionaire instead - much more play on that! Perhaps they should rename this 'Are You Smarter Than a 2 Year Old' cos thats about how old you'd need to be to appreciate this!!
This review is for the Nintendo DS game, Are You Smarter Than a Ten Year Old? The game is based on the Sky One television quiz show, presented by Noel Edmonds.
The aim of the game is to answer questions in order to get yourself to a prize of 100,000 pounds, and then you can gamble this to win 250,000 pounds. You can gain the help of six different children to help you through the game to win the money. That's about the limit of the structure of the game, there's nothing else to do really do in this game.
There are three different ways that you can gain help (for those who have never seen the TV show, it's very similar in principle to Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?, but the questions are from children's textbooks), which are the peek, copy and save options. In peek, you can look at one of the answers given by a child and then choose whether to play it, with copy, you don't see the answer and have to give that answer and with save, you are able to continue with an incorrect answer if the child gave a correct answer.
Although the front cover of this game features Noel Edmonds, he doesn't appear at all in the actual game. Although this is no doubt so that the game can be distributed to other countries outside of the game, it does rather decrease what little realism this game had. It's also not really acceptable to do what this game does, and state on the packaging that there are different difficulty levels in the game, and then not to provide that feature.
The game doesn't really use all of the features of the DS, although both screens are used, with the questions appearing on the top screen, and then the various multiple choice answers are given on the bottom screen. As the game is quite limited in terms of just answering questions, the controls are easy to pick up and learn, and would be suitable for children.
The graphics and sounds in the game appear to be the minimum possible to be considered as acceptable. Like the rest of the game, they appear to have been rushed so that the game could be released as quickly as possible. Consequently these add nothing to the atmosphere in the game.
The game doesn't really have much long-term playability, as once you've played a few games, it all becomes a bit boring. It's similar in essence to playing Deal or No Deal on a computer, as you're not winning real money, the whole excitement of those shows doesn't really translate across. It's a shame that some additional sub games or different styles of play couldn't have been added to the game to add some extra depth to the whole experience.
The game retails currently for nine pounds on Amazon, against an original recommended retail price of twenty pounds. If you're happy with a second hand copy, these can at the time of writing be found a few pounds cheaper than a new copy on sites such as eBay and Amazon. The book is rated 3+, so is suitable for children of all ages.
In summary, the game is a disappointment on a number of different levels. There is something not quite right about games producers making games which rely on a licence to sell, and then make the game quite awful. For children who ask for the game as they've seen the television show, it is an inevitable disappointment, and I'm afraid that I see little excuse for such sloppiness. Poor, but since it's available for just a few pounds, if you like quiz games, it's possibly an acceptable option for a few hours of game play.
Another DS game I have borrowed from other dsers in the family. I played this a few times and for me it quickly became boring. I have never watched the TV show so I did not know what to expect from the game itself.
When you turn it on it welcomes you and you can register as a player then choose a child to help, you have the option of 6 smiling faces and you do not know what subjects they will be best at until you have chosen them.
10 areas for questions then appear on the screen from subjects for ages 6 to 10. Your helpers best subjects will flash so you know if you get stuck they will most likely have the right answer for you.
If you get it wrong your helper can save you if they got it right, you can peek at their answer and copy their answer.
Once you complete the 10 questions you go onto one final question to see if you are smarter than a 10 year old or not!
The questions were very topical and not all I would consider general knowledge but still it was a fun game for a while. I am glad I did not get it as a gift or buy it myself as I had it for a week and only played it a handful of times. Graphics are decent and I am guessing if you like the TV show then the game will be a hit with you also
Did you pay attention in class? Answer more than 2000 questions in 15 categories to prove that you are Smarter Than A 10 Year Old!


text:
A homeless New Mexico man rescued after being stuck in the mud for three days near the Rio Grande won't be free for long.
Police said the man, identified as Clayton Senn, was wanted for felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and would be booked upon release from an Albuquerque hospital, The Associated Press reported.
A group of high school students and their biology teacher stumbled on Senn yelling for help Saturday morning from a marshy wetlands area of the Oxbow Open Space Preserve, the AP reported.
Senn, 35, told the group he had been stuck in the freezing cold for three days and needed water, according to KOB Eyewitness News 4.
Authorities reportedly used an air boat and pulley system to dislodge Senn, who police said was a transient who had been living near the river.
He was being treated for mild hypothermia, KRQE reported.


text:
Please help us! Donate
Key Votes
S 1891 - New York Jobs Tax Credit - Key Vote
New York Key Votes
Michael Nozzolio voted Yea (Passage) on this Legislation.
Read statements Michael Nozzolio made in this general time period.
Stage Details
Legislation - Referred to Committee (House) - Jan. 19, 2011
Legislation - Bill Passed (Senate) (51-9) - Jan. 19, 2011(Key vote)
Title: New York Jobs Tax Credit
Vote Result
Yea Votes
Nay Votes
Vote to pass a bill that creates the New York jobs tax credit, establishes a commission on economic competitiveness and regulatory reform, and amends certain sections of the tax code.
- Authorizes a taxpayer who creates a new job to claim the New York jobs tax credit (Sec. 1).
- Specifies that the amount of the credit will be equal to the amount of the withholding for each new employee (Sec. 1).
- Specifies that the maximum amount of the credit for any new employee is $5,000 for each full year of employment (Sec. 1).
- Authorizes the taxpayer to claim an additional credit of $3,000 if the new employee was receiving unemployment benefits at the time of hire, and specifies that this credit shall be paid for by federal stimulus funds (Sec. 1).
- Specifies that the taxpayer may claim this credit for each new employee for a period of 3 years of employment (Sec. 1).
- Specifies that if a new employee has been hired for less than one full tax year, the amount of the credit shall be prorated (Sec. 1).
- Specifies that if a new employee for which a credit was earned leaves the payroll and an employee is hired which brings total employment above base employment but at or below the credit employment level, the credit eligibility period for such an employee shall be 3 years minus the number of months the departing employee received the credit (Sec. 1).
- Specifies that if the amount of the credit exceeds the taxpayer's tax, the excess amount will be treated as an overpayment of tax to be refunded, but that no interest will be paid on the excess amount (Sec. 3).
- Defines "new employee" as any full time employee whose hiring causes the total number of employees to increase above base employment or credit employment, whichever is higher (Sec. 1).
- Defines "base employment" as the average number of full time employees or full time equivalent employees during the year 2010 (Sec. 1).
- Defines "credit employment" as the base employment plus the number of new employees for which a credit is earned (Sec. 1).
- Specifies that taxpayers who report small business taxable income in 2011 shall pay a tax that is the combination of the tax on small business taxable income and the tax on the amount resulting when small business taxable income is subtracted from New York taxable income (Sec. 1).
- Defines "small business taxable income" as income derived as a sole proprietor, member of a partnership, or shareholder of a business that employs less than 50 employees or has a net income of less than $2 million (Sec. 3).
- Excludes small business taxable income from the calculation of adjusted gross income (Sec. 2).
- Exempts from taxes businesses that employ less than 50 employees or that have a net income of less than $2 million, beginning on January 1, 2012 (Sec. 4).
- Establishes a Commission on Regulatory Reform and Economic Competitiveness to examine all current rules and regulations affecting the business community in New York State, and to recommend changes (Sec. 1).
- Specifies that the Commission shall consist of the following 17 members appointed by the legislature (Sec. 2):
- 2 members of the business community;
- 1 member of the small business community;
- 2 members from the labor community;
- 1 member from the agricultural community;
- 1 member from local government; and
- 4 "at large" members.
Legislation - Introduced (Senate) - Jan. 14, 2011
Title: New York Jobs Tax Credit
- James S. 'Jim' Alesi (NY - R) (Out Of Office)


text:
Sherman Hemsley Still Isn't Buried
Sherman Hemsley, who died five weeks ago, still hasn't been buried because of a conflict involving his will. The Jeffersons star's will, which was signed just six weeks before his death, left his estate, estimated at $50,000, to his longtime partner and manager, Flora Enchinton. But before Enchinton could claim it, a man named Richard Thornton appeared from nowhere (or Philadelphia, if you want to be exact), claiming to be Hemsley's long lost brother. Throrton says Hemsley's will might not be real, and he's contesting it. But Enchinton says she knew and lived with Hemsley for more than 20 years, and he never once mentioned a brother. So they're fighting over the $50,000.
What this has to do with burying Hemsley, I have no idea. What is known, though, is that Hemsley's body is still "on ice" in El Paso, Texas.
Right or wrong, Enchinton accurately summed up the situation:
"It is disgraceful," Enchinton told local TV station KVIA. "It is sad. This was a man with dignity. This is not what Sherman would have wanted."
[Image via AP]


text:
someone knows what the best and most simple way is to add external (srt) subtitles to a BDMV+CERTIFICATE Blu-Ray folder structure? I want to end result to be BDMV+CERTIFICATE folder again because I want to burn it on a BD-R.
Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker or buy PlayOn and record Netflix! :)
Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker or buy PlayOn and record Netflix! :)
+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 6 of 6
If you just have a single film with no menus you could use tsmuxer to re-author it. I don't know if tsmuxer accepts SRT subtitles as input, but it may. If you have a film with menus and possibly extras then it is much more complex and someone else will have to tell you what to do. I only know how to add subtitles to existing DVDs and I honestly don't know if equivalent tools even exist for BluRay discs.
You can convert your SRT to SUP with easySUP. Open the result in BDSup2Sub to test it's okay and to view it. And if necessary, resize and reposition.
Then load the playlist file (mpls) of the main movie in tsMuxer and add the new SUP file. Remux to Blu-ray. Again, as jman says, there will be no menus.Pull! Bang! Darn!
I think,therefore i am a hamster.
Pull! Bang! Darn!
Similar Threads
Java certificate: security alertBy themaster1 in forum ComputerReplies: 2Last Post: 20th Apr 2012, 08:49
No BDMV Or Certificate Files/FoldersBy PM5K in forum Authoring (Blu-ray)Replies: 1Last Post: 27th Jun 2010, 04:14
Add Subtitle with Arabic charset to m2ts blu-ray (BDMV)By zetallico in forum SubtitleReplies: 3Last Post: 17th May 2010, 17:12
Playing Bluray with no certificate folderBy thor2j in forum Blu-ray RippingReplies: 2Last Post: 29th Mar 2010, 13:07
"The certificate is not trusted because the issuer certificate is unknBy Nintendo Fan in forum ComputerReplies: 1Last Post: 20th Sep 2009, 21:07


text:
Country music concert set for Thanksgiving weekend
PITTSFIELD -- Tickets go on sale today for a Thanksgiving weekend Berkshires country music concert that will salute our nation's veterans and current military personnel.
The concert will take place Friday, Nov. 23, at 8 p.m. at the Colonial Theatre and will be headlined by The Spurs USA, a popular, local classic-country band that played at Guitar Jam IV at the Colonial in May and at historic Infinity Hall in Norfolk, Conn., last month.
The November show will include special guest stars and area favorites Bobby Sweet, Peter Putnam, Cindy Rines, and Beth Maturevich and Randy Cormier of the band Whiskey City.
Tickets for the event, sponsored by The Eagle and Berkshire Bank, are $12, $27 and $37 and can be purchased at the Colonial box office, at www.berkshiretheatregroup.org, or by calling (413) 997-4444.
The Spurs, a six-piece band, perform songs made popular by country legends Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and others.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us. We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.


text:
Flu shots anyone?
Vaccines for the influenza virus are available at several locations in Montezuma County.
The flu virus tends to spread from October to May, with most cases occurring in January or February. Vaccinations can be given at any time during the flu season even getting a vaccination later in the season (December through March) can still help protect one from influenza, according to FamiliesFightingFlu.org.
The Montezuma County Health Department, 106 W. North St., offers flu shots for $25 on Mondays only. The walk-in clinic is available from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., while appointments are available from 1 to 6 p.m. Payments can be made with cash or check or through Medicare/Medicaid.
Walmart offers flu shots for only $20, but only on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
City Market and Safeway offer flu shots seven days a week when their stores are open. City Market charges $25 and Safeway charges $30, but Safeway gives flu-shot recipients a 10 percent grocery store coupon. Safeway also offers a high-dose flu shot for those age 65 and up. That shot costs $60, but those with a Part A or B Medicare card would pay nothing.
City Market and Safeway pharmacies are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Walgreens is also offering flu shots for $31.99.


text:
⇒ ⇐
Not Your Typical File Cabinet
Not Your Typical File Cabinet
Price: $10.00
Categories: Recently Sold Items
38048-2. Even the rustic office sometimes has to file paperwork. If Paul Bunyan or Holly Hobby have Invoice Receivables offices, I'm sure they have file cabinets just like this great, wooden 2-shelf number. Measures 15 ½ x 17 ½ x 28 ½"H.


text:
Konerko, Quentin familiar with All-Star setting
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
Konerko was elected to make a trip back home to Arizona through the American League All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by Sprint, after being passed over for Boston's Adrian Gonzalez and Detroit's Miguel Cabrera. The Chicago captain certainly was deserving even without the fans' immense support and the organization's "PaulStar" campaign.
His first half concluded Sunday with two hits and a run-scoring single, raising his average to .319 and his RBI total to 67. He sports a .390 on-base percentage, a .564 on-base percentage and has generally been the most important bat helping to keep the White Sox in contention in the AL Central.
Now, he's being rewarded with four days in his hometown, in front of the home folks and among the game's best players. This is Konerko's fifth All-Star Game.
"It is [special] for me because I know it is for a lot of my friends and family," he said on Monday at the annual media availability session prior to Tuesday's Midsummer Classic. "That's definitely the best thing about this All-Star Game so far for me. I know certainly the next time an All-Star Game rolls through Arizona, I'll be long gone by then. So it's kind of cool to say in my career, the one time they had it here, it worked out. This is where I live. This is where I'll always live. So it's nice to say that I played in that game that one year."
A good portion of the White Sox first-half success can be attributed to Konerko, 35, who sits 13 homers away from 400 and just 35 hits away from 2,000. He's gone 4-for-7 in his previous four trips to the All-Star Game.
|Curtis Granderson
|Asdrubal Cabrera
|Adrian Gonzalez
|Jose Bautista
|Josh Hamilton
|Adrian Beltre
|David Ortiz
|Robinson Cano
|Alex Avila
"He's very mechanically and technically correct with his swing," said White Sox hitting coach Greg Walker. "Add on he's one of the more talented guys with a bat in his hand. You know, years ago I would have to remind Paul how talented he was. It still amazes me to see him hit 100-mph fastballs. He's as good as it gets when it comes to doing that."
As for Quentin, who formerly called Chase Field his home ballpark, his first month featured a .294 average with six home runs and 17 RBIs. By the end of May, Quentin had 13 homers and 36 RBIs. He tailed off somewhat in June, but Quentin still ranks a clear-cut second on the White Sox with his 51 RBIs and 17 homers. He also has been hit by a Major League-high 19 pitches, helping him to a solid .350 on-base percentage.
"To be honest, I wasn't expecting to be here," he said. "I was performing well at the beginning of the year and doing well and helping the team, and as a team, we've had to grind through our first half. We're looking for good things to happen in the second half. I was taken aback. I walked into the clubhouse that day and someone congratulated me, and I had no idea what they were congratulating me about."
Tuesday's game marks Quentin's second All-Star appearance, with his first coming during his 2008 Most Valuable Player-caliber effort.
"You look at the whole body of work in the first half and he was right up there with anybody," said Konerko of Quentin. "The fact of the matter is that he was voted in by the players, so that's the best way in my opinion. That's kind of the nicest way to go because that means the players are looking at it and saying this guy deserves to go."
But as for the location, it's not a big deal to Quentin. He fielded a few questions about returning to the city where he made his Major League debut, but he mostly downplayed the connection.
"I was hurt a significant part of the time I was here," he said. "There's some fond memories of here when I first got called up, my first hit and everything, but at the same time, a homecoming ... I don't feel like I even got a chance to spend a significant amount of time here.
"But I was just fortunate to go someplace with the White Sox to be able to play. I never felt any feelings of, any hard feelings toward the Diamondbacks. It's more about being selected as an All-Star. To accept that honor and to live in it here with all these great players. I was definitely not expecting to be here. To be selected by my peers, that means the world to me. Definitely."
Matthew Leach is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Obviously, You're Not a Golfer, and follow him on Twitter at @MatthewHLeach. MLB.com reporter Scott Merkin contributed to this story. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
There has been some discussion in the past about the recently implemented NIH policy to disallow second resubmissions of unfunded grant applications ("A2" applications). As I have pointed out, the idea that it is "unfair" to disallow A2 application because it means that "meritorious applications go unfunded" is completely fucken delusional and can only make sense if the laws of arithmetic are repealed:
There is only so much money available to fund competing applications, and the only effect changes in peer review in terms of actual funding of such applications could possible have is a change in which applications get funded. So the notion of "meritorious applications going unfunded because of this pernicious new rule" is nonsense. Limiting resubmissions can't possibly change the number of "meritorious" applications that go unfunded.
Well, NIH has done some statistical analysis of empirical funding data and mathematical modeling, and–SURPRISE!–has discovered that the laws of arithmetic still are in effect:
Any revision to the policy to allow additional resubmissions of all or a subset of A2 applications will displace equally meritorious A0 and A1 applications, and increase the time to award for many applications.
I'm not sure why NIH felt it needed an empirical study and mathematical model to reach the conclusion that the laws of arithmetic still apply, but whatever.


text:
Hi folks and welcome back to WarSeer ... Reborn. We now have a working gallery ... which is regularly backed up... so upload images to your heart's content. Go on, you know you want to! Don't forget to add plenty of tags so people can find your photos. To embed a picture in your post please go to the Gallery tab, create an album or upload your picture THEN copy and paste the third link BB Code Image into your post. This will work. The paperclip add image is not yet working. Thank you
Tips including how to use acrylics and styrofoam.
Photobucket Block and Solution
24-01-2018, 02:23
Legion Rising - A WIP Thread...
24-01-2018, 00:48
The home of the 'Tales of...' threads and other collaborative modelling & painting project logs
The Boneyard ... (A place for...
08-01-2018, 16:03
The place to show your science fiction based modelling projects which could range from Battlefleet Gothic ships to Warhammer 40,000 minis or from the creature from 'Alien' to the talking stone head from 'Zardoz'
Legion Rising - A WIP Thread...
24-01-2018, 00:48
The place to show your Fantasy based modelling projects which could range from The Lord of The Rings to Warhammer minis and from Conan to Elric
23-01-2018, 20:03
The perfect forum to keep track of projects connected to your historical and 'real world' models from your Assyrian Army through to the Airbus A380
Learning about the GNW while...
23-01-2018, 14:47
The perfect forum to keep track of projects which have no overall theme but cover more than one genre/area or modelling and painting. For example threads which include Science Fiction, Fantasy, Historical and/or Terrain models all in one Project Thread
21-01-2018, 15:04
The place to show and display all your terrain models for any genre or historical period
23-01-2018, 17:30
08-03-2017, 01:48
21-12-2017, 19:47


text:
Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Nissan Rogue Maintenance and Repair
I have a 2008 Nissan Rogue SL base model FWD bought in November 2007. I work out of my Rogue and now have 32000 miles on the vehicle and have had no problems at all. I also read another forum on the Rogue. From what I understand the transmission problem only afects the all wheel drive version (AWD) of the Rogue and not the front wheel drive (FWD) version.
wolfeinmaine Posts: 5Sorry, untrue! Our 2008 Rogue SL is 2 wheel drive not AWD and the transmission problems started at 10 months and 9,000 miles. And to be clear, the first time we brought the car into Universal City Nissan, (Universal City, CA), the mechanic said there were numerous fault messages for the transmission on the computer. Both times the dealership just reset the computer which stops the problem for about 1-2 months only.
One website says the Nissan tech advisors admit there is a software problem with the car and they are waiting for a fix. But, we just started having the steering at slow speeds 'noise' problem, in parking lots, that other posters have stated they are having as well.
Having worked as a computer chip designer for many years, (Motorola, Intel, General Motors), it was clear to me from the very first time we brought the car in, that Nissan is having a major software/chip problem in this car. Also, the recall for the passenger side airbag 'fix' Nissan is performing, doesn't work. My wife gave a ride to a co-worker that weighs 100 pounds, and the light went on in the dash, just as it had prior to bringing it in.
I would bet money that Nissan rushed this car to market, to meet higher mileage wants, when the gas prices went sky high. And they used many inferior parts, just as they admit they did with the passenger seat airbag sensor.
We are not accepting a transmission replacement from Nissan, no way. They are buying it back period.
Thanks for posting this about the airbag sensor. I was not notified that this was recalled. Does anyone have any websites advising this? I have noticed myself sitting in the passenger side that the light will go on indicating airbag is off. I know I'm more than 100 lbs but I thought it was because I sit on my one leg sometimes shifting my weight. I'll have to look into this. I just got back from the dealer today. I showed up asking for all of my paper work and copies of the pictures they took of the "rubber grommit" on the axel that "fell off". They do not have any paperwork of my last visit, where they replaced this thing. Or when the "reset" the transmission. I told them not to do anything to it w/o my permission, and they did. I also asked them what they would give me for my car to "buy back" and they said they can't do anything for me. This just really sucks. I don't know who else to go to at this point except a lawyer/news. I thought that they would try to work with me when they saw me asking for the copies of my paper work. Oh well. thanks for all of your posts guys....
Sorry to hrar about your transmission problems. I had bought a brand new Toyota Rav 4 in April of 2007. In 6 months I had 3 transmissions replaced. They ended up doing a Lemon Law buyback and in November of 2008 I bought my Rogue. (Knock on wood) I havn't had any problems but know this, I did buy the Gold + extended warranty.
After reading these messages, I feel a little better about my struggle with Nissan. I have low mileage, but tody it was dropped off at the dealership for the 3rd trans to be. I bought my brand new Rogue March 2007 - heard that loud trans clunck while backing up and turning the steering week hard to the left/right...the dealership fixed it (without replacing the trans), as it is a known issue (and my tech at the dealership has a Rogue and experienced the same issue). Next, I experienced more of the trans noice....they replaced my transmission in Oct. 2008. It was good until last week, when the low rattling noise at low speeds popped up and I was having nothing to do with it....this is a new car that has been in the shop more than I've driven it....that is why it's getting its 3rd trans. Also, they advised today that Nissan put out a new trans, but didn't change the part number in Sept 2008. When they replaced the trans in Oct, they beleive they could have installed the "older" model trans. I have insisted they replace with the newer model trans, so I don't have to deal with this again in another 3 months. Nissan should be doing a recall on this trans :mad:
moreroguerage, I love your screen name!! Thanks for posting this....I think we are all in the same boat and I think it's sad that Nissan is not doing anything. My dealer is still not accepting the fact that I need another transmission.....or a new car. Did you mention to them that you wanted a new car? I don't think we should have to go through 3 transmissions in a years time for a brand new car. New parts or not, it's not right. OH well, I'm trucking myself back up to the dealer today....I'm brining it in now every week until they do something about it. They didn't have any paperwork for the last time beg of this month stating they "reset" the transmission. They told me they have to "look" for it and would call me. I'ts been a week and no paper work.....ugh. Let us know how you make out with this "new" transmission. I do hope it fixes the issue.
I'm glad you enjoyed my screen name
My dealership called the Nissan Tech Line and were told to replace the transmission (in Oct). "it was a known issue" When they called them back again, this week, to tell them I was experiencing the same issue, they agreed to replace the trans again. The story I'm being told is that Nissan put out a new trans that fixed this issue in Sept '08. When they replace my trans in Oct '08, they must have been sent a trans that was in inventory and the "good" parts weren't in it. They have confirmed with the Nissan Tech Line that the "old" trans are not in inventory any longer and they are safe to replace it. This "should be" THE LAST transmission my brand new car with 6,000 miles receives (it will be it's 3rd).
I think it was helpful that I took my dealerships Service Director and Tech out with me on the road and made sure they heard what I heard. Once I got their acknowledgement (which took 1/2 hour on Tuesday), I told them, this is not how a new car sounds. The sound went away when the trans was replaced at 3000 miles and now it is back, after 3000 more. If anyone has had a new trans and you think you're hearing the noise after 3000 miles, you have the "old" trans in your car - get it swapped out. I'll let everyone know what happens with the "new" trans.
I didn't tell them I wanted a new car yet...I'm in NJ and we have a Lemon Law -- if the car is not sufficiently fixed after 3 attempts, they are required to give you a new car - from what I hear, it's a bit of a hassel, that I'm just not up for right now. I'm hopeful this new trans is the fix and I can begin to start enjoying this car. (Honestly, I traded in my "super-gas" Acura that never gave me one ounce of trouble for this car -- I really want my Acura back)
PS: Do NOT walk out of the dealership without any paperwork. If need be, write down why you were there and make them sign and date your visit. You can ask to speak with the owner of the dealership too. I spoke with the owner of the dealership, who personally introduced me to the the Service Director, who has been helping me, with one of their best technicians. If you stand there and demand it, they are going to want to get you on your way. Good luck.
kcab Posts: 10I just bought mine 3 months ago and only have 1180 miles on it and already had two incidences. 1st was tire pressue monitor didn't light but had a flat on morning. Took it to Mr. Tire to get tire repaired $20 (and they didn't take if off or put it on), nothing in the tire, it leaked at the seal/rim. Which was most likely from me moving it to level ground to change the tire; but the monitor never lit even though I thought the tire looked a little low one day. 2nd just today "Service Engine Soon" lamp came on; after I wanted to check to see if the cruise control would cancel itself when I changed the gear using the shift paddle up or down. The cruise doesn't cancel for either action, but after that the "Service Engine Soon" lamp appeared. after reading these other posts I wished I had kept my 98 Nissan Kingcab I traded. It had 50K miles on it and got as good as gas mileage as this '08 Rogue. It was only in the shop once in 10 yrs.; and that was for a windshield washer pump (covered under warr.). This Rogue I'm alread disappointed in, a 2008 with everything except leather, power seats and navigation pkg. on it; but think I'm readty to trade it. Got shafted at the dealer on a finance charge, and Nissanusa doesn't really give a hoot. This was my sixth Nissan product, first one I've ever been disappointed in. PS all the others were King Cabs with manual shift.
Sorry to hear about this. Thanks for posting, let us know what happens with the service engine light. I hope you don't have as many issues or transmission issues like we all have.
Yes we have. We bought the new Rouge in April '08. At about 5500 miles we strated hearing the "NOISE". The service tech couldn't hear it at first. I did get it to make the sound and he heard it. He then drove it and he said he got it to do it worse. They contacted Niaasn tech line. They said that they were aware of the problem. The sound got worse and at 6800 miles they replaced the Trans. This would be the second transmission being the first came in the car. Then at about 12000 miles it reapeared. they didn't hesatate to replace the trans. The service manager could only say that it "must" be fixed but he could not guarantee it is a fix.
I'm sorry to say that the trans is already "grawling". The dealer won't do anything to help me and so far Nissan just want to give me a 100,000 mile warranty but I said no way. The attorney general office avised me not to. We I guess to lemon law suite is the next step. Has anyone ever done this in the state of NC. Has anybody been trough a "buy back" from Nissan. Hope this might help someone.
Well, I'm not sure if the lemon law would help. I'm in NY, and I have just recently gone to the BBB and filed a complaint. I have also contacted Nissan USA with a complaint as well. This is what got the owner of the dealership contact me. He was quite upset that I went to the BBB, but you know what, it got his attention. I just got my car back again last week, after bringing it back in the shop. They heard the gurgling noise last Sat morning, which is what made them say, leave it hear, Ill compare it to a new one and we'll take it from there. Meanwhile, Nissan USA advised it dosen't fall under the lemon law because all 10 times it's been in the shop they say, "can't duplicate customer's concerns..." UGH....They are brining the regional Engineer Matt here next week to review our concerns and check it out. We spent 2 hours last weekend at the dealers. They had the nerve to try to ask me to trade it in for a Marano....LOL And then, give me nothing for my Rogue...I wonder why. I am at 20000 miles, I know it's a lot but I've been having the same issue since I bought it. Nissan USA has told me that it dosen't qualify for a "buy back" or trade. I don't know what to do now, but deal with it. It's ashame. I can just hope that this Matt guy, engineer sees that something is wrong with it. I really believe the techs that work there, are all trained and told not to admit to what they really hear, see ect. Oh well. I hope someone on here gets a good resolution to share with us all. Thanks!
My dealer actualy told me to pursue the lemon law. I will contact the BBB Monday. In NC we have to go trough BBB Auto Line and they will assing a meator for our case. Nissan WILL buy the piece of junk back or just pay my off to get me off of there back. If that dosn't work then I will get me a lawer and sue them. I won't just give up.
Hi, I don't own a Rogue but have been considering one. There are so many stories out there about this transmission problem. It started in 08 and I read that back then the word was, problem don't know what to do, no fix wait, fixed, no not fixed, yes fixed............ on and on and now on this forum I see the same thing but only now into Feb of 09.
Does anyone have a clue or does Nissan have a clue of what is official on this crap? I have drove a Rogue and really liked it but I don't want to deal with this crap if I get a "bad one". I was thinking of a FWD one but I see the problem has jumped to at least one of those.
Is anyone following up anymore on this issue?
Kudos to you, kbz1960 for waiting on getting one. I am still following up with Nissan. I have heard back as of last week from Nissan USA, that they do not have to buy my vehicle back, or trade it in for me. (As there is nothing wrong...) I have an apt with the area engineer that apparently only deals with things like this. He's flying in on Tuesday for me to meet with him at 9 am. I'm going to be driving it with him, and have to include a written description of what the vehicle does. Just within the past week, not only do I have the "gurgling noise" but it's also idling a lot higher and will go up and down while in idle. I will post back on Tuesday or Wednesday next week and give all an update. I have almost 21k miles on my car...does anyone else have close to this on theirs?
Hi candle4u, I'm so sorry to hear you are having so much trouble. Do you have an AWD or a FWD? I hope that Nissan does right by you. I have reading on another forum where people have gone to the BBB or said that they were going to file a lemon law and all of a sudden Nissan approved a new transmission for them. Also where I read some had good luck getting a new one other not so much and the info on there is a fix etc.
I really hope that they either fix yours or you can get them on a lemon law. I will wait awhile and maybe they are just going to lose a potential new customer.
Good luck!
This thing with Niaasn is just ridicules. We have had two transmission put within 16000 miles. Empire Nissan in Wilkesboro, North Carolina is the dealer where I bought the Rough. I did call the owner's personal cell phone (He messed up and gave the number) I told him how dissatisfied the I was. I told him that he was not a man of his word and he got really mad at me. So then I called BBB Auto Line and things changed, or so I thought. BBB ask me if the Rouge was fixed and I told them it was already making some noise. They got in touch with Nissan and the man from consumer affairs called me and told me the he has filed for a buy back. He did want me to take it back to the dealer and let them check out the car. I told him I didn't want to but he told me I had to. I called BBB and ask them if I had to and they said that I did. As long as we are in litigation. I knew that they would not hear the noise, because they wouldn't want to. So I did just go trade this piece of junk off. I did not trade it for another Nissan. Because of this I will NEVER buy another Nissan. I will and have told everyone not to but a Rouge or any Nissan. There is more to this night mare but I don't have time. I hope that this info will help someone.
Well, finding this board today has turned my stomach.
My '07 RAV4 was totalled this past October when some jerk ran a stop sign, t-boned my passenger side, and sent me flipping down the road. I only had a broken finger and some bulging discs in my neck (which I'm still in physical therapy for) but all things considered feel pretty lucky.
I decided to replace it with a 2008 Rogue because it has a slightly better safety rating. The Rouge I bought was a demo, so it had about 5k miles when I drove it off the lot in November. After I had it about 4 weeks or so, I was driving slowly in a parking garage, and noticed a strange grinding sound which I thought was coming from the front driver side tire area. I immediately took it to a Nissan dealership who told me they couldn't hear anything on their road test. Then they let me drive it and the service tech rode along with me. Once I pointed it out, he heard it. They checked the car one more time, but still found nothing wrong. He told me to keep driving it until it got worse and did it all the time, then maybe they'd be able to figure it out. A pathetic answer, but I didn't know what else to do. It has stayed the same pretty much ever since. I notice it mostly in parking lots and when I'm going very slow.
I think I have about 12,000 miles on it now. Maybe a bit more. Yesterday morning I was in a school zone doing about 10 mph and for some reason the grinding sound was louder than it had ever been before. It was enough to scare me so I took it back to Nissan at lunch. They called me back late yesterday afternoon and said they couldn't hear anything. I said there was definitely something wrong and I didn't want it back until it was fixed. They asked if I would let a manager take it home for the night so they could spend more time with it. Their road tests are only 15 minutes, which obviously isn't enough time. I wasn't really big on that idea, but I wanted to make sure somebody heard it. Sure enough, I get a call this morning. They heard it this time. And, as you can imagine, it's the transmission. They told me I could come back and get it today. It would be safe to drive for now. :confuse: They said they would order a new transmission for me which will arrive in about a week. I'll post back here with updates. Want to stay positive here, but this really doesn't seem like it's going to be good.
Well, I'm done with this. I have met with the area specialist for the North East, Matt. Of coarse I was able to get the noise to occur while I was with them. I left the car with him, and an hour and a half later he told me he still couldn't do it. Ugh..I told him about this forum and all of the problems everyone was having. I also advised that there is someone else from the NorthEast, either Main, CT, on here that was also having the same issue. He advised me that he has never heard of this "noise" before and that they would have to go through him if it was. Has anyone had to have the area engineer look into this for them??? Anyone from the Northeast? He did visual inspections, electronic inspections ect and advised it is not the transmission. He believes the noise that I'm hearing is the fluids running throug the dashboard when the fan is on..Well it makes noise when the fan is off. I'm so upset right now. Oh, he also said that the car didn't need a new transmission back in July. So basically, I have wasted my time, and money. kbz1960, can you tell me where the other forum is about the BBB complaints people filed that you found? I have also filed a complaint with them on the dealer, but now I guess I have to on Nissan. Oh, I have an AWD.
What happened to they were ordering you a new transmission. I just don't know anymore about this issue. All of the stories are sounding so familiar. I wasn't aware that any fluid run thru the dashboard in any car. I have no idea if you have the same problem that the others that I have read about had. They described it more as a rattle. Here is a link to the thread. link title . I hope it's not the same thing and that you are just hearing normal noises. Maybe you should check some of the other posts on the car and see if it might be something different than the cvt?
Good luck
I live in NJ - have 6,000 miles and am the proud owner of my 3rd transmission (no typos....6K and 3rd trans). The last time I brought it in, the dealership told me the Nissan engineer was there and took it on the test drive and they couldn't hear the noise - "everything they heard was normal'. Later that day, after the Nissan engineer left, I took the Service Director and the Tech for a ride, they both heard it, callled the Nissan Tech line and replaced the trans for the 3rd time. Everyone that has had this issue needs to call and log their complaint at Nissan Consumer /affairs
Nissan Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 685003
Franklin TN 37068-5003
(800) NISSAN-1 (or 800-647-7261)
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.,
Eastern / Central Time / Pacific Time
Monday through Friday "
Once all complaints are logged, let the class action suit or recall begin (I'm not an attorney, but would gladly support such a cause). We all deserve new vehicles and compensation for the time and frustrations we have experienced.....of course, Nissan knows about this issue and are ignoring it!!!
Moreroguerage, it's funny to see you post the address to Nissan because I didn't really think about the fact that I work in the building RIGHT NEXT DOOR to their corporate office here in Franklin, TN. If this new trans next week doesn't fix my problem, I might just walk over there in person.
Walking next door is all fine and good, but the only way we are all going to get anywhere is to get this crap documented - on our end and on Nissans. If you file a complaint, they need to open a case and log it. Make sure you keep the case number. When/if Nissan is asked to produce the list of complaints related to this issue...there should be hundreds, if not thousands.
Oh People, I am so sorry that you have also bought a product that is NO GOOD! I would like to tell you that someone from Nissan will help you, BUT the only help you will get is from one person to another, you know the blame game. Our Family also purchased a 2008 Rogue loved everything about it EXCEPT the growl and the uncertainty if the transmission was going to come out of it. You could go down the road and it would just gear down for NO reason, it would jerk and grind. We kept carrying it back, and we had the transmission replaced twice. It became a safety issue for our family knowing there was no fix and Nissan had no concern, the dealer nor the company. We tried doing everything by the book filling a complaint with the company, all that was, just playing phone tag with someone that really did not even care and talked like a politician. Again trying do the right thing we called the BBB(North Carolina) and filled a complaint Nissan called within 2 hours after the complaint we requested the vehicle to be a buy back, all they wanted to do is give a 1000,000 mile warranty; well, this might be OK if they knew they had a fix, we declined the offer. Next the offer was to make a few payments on our account, that was not an option,the vehicle was paid for. Finally a call came in on Friday to tell us that Nissan was not going to buy back the JUNK (THEY didn't even want ther own JUNK).
I also explained that he might want to find him a new job before he gets laid off because a company that can not help out there customers sure want be in business long.
I suggest to each of you with this problem start making copies of all the blogs you read with the problems you have and when you call BBB they will want to see these along with all the bills you might have for any repairs YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING'S DOCUMENTED!!
I think Nissan is getting there dealership to side with them in saying there really is no problem, our dealership said it's ONLY audible, I said it wasn't audible when I purchased it and shouldn't be audible now.
I Love My Edge it is more roomy and more reliable, this is the vehicle I wanted first but the Rogue had a lot to offer for the money, (I did not know I would be buying a clearnce vehicle with so much trouble and no company backing).
How does the "buy back" work? Do they give you back the amount you paid for the "JUNK" or do they give you today's market value (as you know as soon as it's off the lot, the value declines significantly). I also got money for the trade in that I gave them and the "JUNK" is paid in full. Any thoughts or info you can provide will certainly help me to push them to do something right for me, the customer.
I am sorry you are having a hard time trying to figure what to do. I am also sorry to tell you it is not as easy as it sounds, the last call we received from Nissan was to tell us to keep working with the dealer and that is a real joke! Like I said they all are working together and against the consumer, they forgot to think about word of mouth and internet, that would be a BAD way to do business. I hope the best for you maybe you should do like our family, just bite the bullet while the value is still decent and trade for another vehicle (oh yeah another brand and then make sure they know you did not buy another Nissan). Good Luck You are in our Prayers!!
sharkgb Posts: 3Does anyone have a 2009 with the same problems as the above posters? Looking at the '09 Rogue vs. '09 CRV. Tested both. Rouge blew the Honda away in cabin layout/luxury but I think the posters problems are scaring me back to Honda. THANK YOU.
cmhj2000 Se, Pa.Posts: 372You bet me to the punch as I was going to ask the same question.
To date I know of very few issues with 09s. Not that aren't any but just not aware of them. Of course when I ask my local dealer all I get is denial to any issues current or past.
Typically,,,, when I buy a new vehicle I wait until the third year of its initial release. Have found over the past 30 years that most of the bugs are worked out once the third year hits. While I'm very interested in one, this bit o' history would make wait until the 10s are released before I jumped into a new Rouge. Just FWIW.
dcfc Posts: 5Yes I do. I have a 2009 Rogue, with only 3500 miles I had the transmission placed, now it has 4400 miles and I am told it needs another replacement transmission, as it took them 2000 miles to identify the growling sound as being the transmission and given that I have signed up for a 36 month lease, I equate that to approximately 20 transmissions at $5000 a piece (parts and labor). You would think that Nissan would grab the bull by the horns and resolve these issues once and for all. At least for me it is a lease, therefore I just keep taking it back and complaining, if I had paid $30000 screen price straight out of my pocket I would be truly gutted.
nishaw Posts: 4I bought my SL AWD Rogue in Oct '07 and in the last few weeks I started hearing a rattling noise coming from "somewhere". I took the car to the dealer this past Saturday, since I was nearing the 36K mark. They told me a screw was loose from the Heating Shield. Not sure how that could happen. I'm starting to wonder about this car. I also hear this different noise when I turn on the AC, dealer told me it's "normal".....not so sure....


text:
World in Brief
Who knows what next president will face, but voters get lots of ways to choose their man
WASHINGTON (AP) -- It's a choice sure to touch the lives of all 315 million Americans, some in profound ways -- their livelihoods, their health, their sense of freedom or confidence in the future, maybe even whether they go to war or live in peace.
On Tuesday, voters will pick a man, a philosophy and a portfolio of plans to shape the United States and influence the world for four years.
In days to follow, the winner will be tested by events -- perhaps momentous ones -- that no one can foresee. Voters can only go by what they know now: what Republican nominee Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama say they'll do for the country, and what's been revealed about each man along the way.
After six days of political conventions, six hours of debates and a months-long barrage of 30-second TV spots, plenty of people have heard enough. All that talk, talk, talk makes even mammoth issues -- 7.9 percent unemployment, Obamacare, income tax rates, Social Security -- sound like abstractions. Yet each affects real people, every day.
The voters' decision is concrete and powerful and, once made, we'll all live with it.
Fuel shortage means gridlock in lines for gasoline; many stations are closed, pumps dry
NEW YORK (AP) -- When it came to fuel supplies and patience, the New York metro area was running close to empty Friday.
From storm-scarred New Jersey to parts of Connecticut, a widespread lack of gasoline or electricity to pump it brought grousing, gridlock and worse, compounding frustrations as millions of Americans struggled to return to normal days after Superstorm Sandy. A man pulled a gun in one gas-line fracas that led to an arrest.
Lines of cars, and in many places queues of people on foot carrying bright red jerry cans for generators, waited for hours for the precious fuel. And those were the lucky ones. Other customers gave up after finding only closed stations or dry pumps marked with yellow tape or "No Gas" signs.
"EMPTY!" declared the red-type headline dominating the New York Daily News' front page.
"I drove around last night and couldn't find anything," said a relieved Kwabena Sintim-Misa as he finally prepared to fill up Friday morning in Fort Lee, N.J., near the George Washington Bridge, where the wait in line lasted three hours.
Battered by Superstorm Sandy, Staten Islanders feel isolated and forgotten
NEW YORK (AP) -- Gazing at her bungalow, swept from its foundation and tossed across the street, Janice Clarkin wondered if help would ever come to this battered island off the coast of Manhattan.
"Do you see anybody here?" she asked, resignation etched on her face. "On the news, the mayor's congratulating the governor and the governor's congratulating the mayor. On what? People died."
Staten Island was devastated beyond recognition by Superstorm Sandy and suffered the highest death toll of all of New York City's boroughs, including two young brothers who were swept from their mother's arms by the swirling sea and drowned. Yet days after the waters receded, residents feel ignored and forgotten.
That sense of isolation is deeply rooted on Staten Island, a tight-knit community that has long felt cut off from the bright lights of Manhattan -- the city from which the island once tried to secede.
"It's always been that way. We're a forgotten little island," said Catherine Friscia, who stood with tear-filled eyes across the street from the Atlantic Ocean in front of homes filled with water and where the air smelled like garbage and rotting fish.
Video of summary executions raises new concerns about brutality by Syrian rebels
BEIRUT (AP) -- A video that appears to show a unit of Syrian rebels kicking terrified, captured soldiers and then executing them with machine guns raised concerns Friday about rebel brutality at a time when the United States is making its strongest push yet to forge an opposition movement it can work with.
U.N. officials and human rights groups believe President Bashar Assad's regime is responsible for the bulk of suspected war crimes in Syria's 19-month-old conflict, which began as a largely peaceful uprising but has transformed into a brutal civil war.
But investigators of human rights abuses say rebel atrocities are on the rise.
At this stage "there may not be anybody with entirely clean hands," Suzanne Nossel, head of the rights group Amnesty International, told The Associated Press.
The U.S. has called for a major leadership shakeup of Syria's political opposition during a crucial conference next week in Qatar. Washington and its allies have been reluctant to give stronger backing to the largely Turkey-based opposition, viewing it as ineffective, fractured and out of touch with fighters trying to topple Assad.
Church member: Pastor planned to marry mother of woman he strangled
BROOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) -- A Michigan pastor accused of beating and strangling his fiancee's daughter to fulfill a sexual fantasy had asked church members to pray for the young woman before police found her body, a friend said Friday.
Ex-convict John D. White knew the victim, Rebekah Gay, 24, and regularly watched her 3-year-old son while she worked, friend Donna Houghton said. White even told investigators that after killing Gay and dumping her body, he returned to her mobile home to dress the boy in a Halloween costume before taking the youngster to his father, authorities said.
White was in jail without bond Friday, a day after he was charged with first-degree murder in Gay's death in a rural area in Isabella County, 85 miles northwest of Lansing.
White said he drank four or five beers before going to Gay's mobile home and repeatedly striking her head with a mallet and strangling her with a zip tie, according to a court filing. He said he stripped her but does not remember if he carried out his fantasy of having sex with Gay's dead body.
"He just basically said he was attracted to her, thought she was a very cute girl. It's a crazy, tragic situation," Isabella County Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski told The Associated Press.
Return of standard time means getting back that hour of sleep lost last spring
WASHINGTON (AP) -- It's finally time to reclaim that hour of sleep you lost last spring.
Most of the country will turn back the clocks this weekend for the annual shift back to standard time.
The majority of folks will do the switch before hitting the sack Saturday night, even though the change doesn't become official until 2 a.m. Sunday local time.
Residents of Hawaii, most of Arizona and some U.S. territories don't have to change since they do not observe daylight-saving time. Public safety officials say this is also a good time to put a new battery in the smoke alarm, no matter where you live.
Final 10-mile trek for shuttle Atlantis, staying at Kennedy Space Center as tourist exhibit
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- Accompanied by astronauts and shuttle workers, Atlantis made a slow, solemn journey to retirement Friday, the last space shuttle to orbit the world and the last to leave NASA's nest.
Atlantis emerged just before dawn from the massive Vehicle Assembly Building and, riding atop a 76-wheeled platform, began the 10-mile trek to the Kennedy Space Center's main tourist stop.
About 200 workers gathered in the early morning chill to see the spaceship out in the open for the final time. They were joined by the four astronauts who closed out the shuttle program aboard Atlantis more than a year ago. "My opinion is it looks better vertically," said Christopher Ferguson, the commander of Atlantis' final flight.
"It's a short trip. It's taking a day," he added. "It traveled a lot faster in its former life. But that's OK. ... it's got a new role."
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us. We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.