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Carleton News Updates
Carleton College to Hold Katrina SymposiumMarch 17, 2006
Carleton College will suspend classes on Friday, March 31 to hold an all-day, all-campus symposium called "Confronting Katrina: How Should We Respond?" This day of education, discussion and reflection is the College's most recent response to last fall's Gulf Coast disaster.
Join Our Students in the Carleton Cares CampaignNovember 14, 2005
The startling images from the Gulf Coast provided a stark context for the beginning of our Fall Term. The hurricanes were dramatic reminders of our vulnerability even in this age of technology. In the days and weeks following Katrina and Rita, we heard a renewed national dialog about the destructive forces of poverty, racism, and classism in New Orleans and across our country. It remains to be seen whether this dialog will continue once the images have faded. Please read on for information on ways you, too, can support causes providing aid in the wake of these and other recent international disasters.
Gulf Coast Crisis Team Issues UpdateOctober 3, 2005
On behalf of the Gulf Coast Crisis Team, we would like to update the
whole community on the initiatives underway.
Lauren Flexon '06 escape from New Orleans told in Savannah Morning NewsSeptember 23, 2005
Laura Flexon '06 and her family's escape from the effects of Hurricane Katrina were the subject of a September 22 Savannah (Ga.) Morning News article titled "Former Savannah alderman escapes New Orleans by canoe, chopper." The Flexons and a family friend had arrived from Jacksonville three days before the storm and had to take refuge at a local hotel. "It didn't seem like that big of a deal," Flexon said, "We didn't think it was just going to turn into Armageddon." The bell captain at their hotel was able to "liberate" a canoe from a city park two miles away. He and the Flexon party eventually made their way to the Superdome where the Flexon party was able to escape by helicopter. The bell captain stayed behind to assist other guests, but has now made it out of the area and is staying with the Flexon family. Flexon is a sociology/anthropology major at Carleton.
Carleton to Host Katrina Relief ConcertSeptember 21, 2005
Carleton students, working with the Acting in the Community Together (ACT) center on campus, will sponsor a Hurricane Katrina Relief Concert on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 2 to 6 p.m. on the Carleton College bald spot, located behind Skinner Memorial Chapel. All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross. The event is free and open to the public and donations are strongly encouraged
Class of 2009 Leads the Way with Carleton Disaster Relief FundraisingSeptember 15, 2005
In the wake of the recent calamity left behind by Hurricane Katrina (and, later, Hurricane Rita), Carleton's class of 2009 Pre-Frosh Service Trip group put their efforts into raising money for Carleton students affected by the disaster.
Savannah Alumnae Create "Hyper-Local" Relief BlogSeptember 14, 2005
Kelli Pearson '97 and Kristin Russell '97 were featured in a September 14 Savannah (Ga.) Morning News and SavannahNow.com article titled "Coffee house hosts hurricane relief blog." As freshmen roommates at Carleton, they dreamed of forming a business centered on civic engagement and are now co-owners of The Sentient Bean coffeehouse. After Hurricane Katrina, they were deluged with e-mails of relief efforts, asking them to get the word out. As a result, they and a technology consultant launched the blog, Savannah Katrina Help, an online hub for "hyper-local" relief efforts. At Carleton, Pearson majored in religion and Russell in international relations with an environmental and technology studies concentration.
President Oden announces Gulf Crisis TeamSeptember 14, 2005
Carleton President Robert A. Oden Jr. has announced the establishment of a Gulf Crisis Team, led by trustee William "Bill" Craine '70, with primary on-campus assistance from Program in Ethical Reflection at Carleton (PERC) Director Douglas "Doug" Mork '87. The team has begun to establish the continuing direction of Carleton's response.
Carleton Alumni in the Media Report from the Gulf CoastSeptember 13, 2005
At least two Carleton graduates working in the media, Richard Allen Greene '91 and Martin Kaste '91, are filing news reports from the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
Pre-Frosh Service Trip Participants Raise MoneySeptember 9, 2005
First-year students from the Carleton Pre-Frosh Service Trip group held a carnival on Thursday, September 8, to raise funds for Carleton students affected by Hurricane Katrina.
ACT Center Working with Students to Organize Relief EffortsSeptember 8, 2005
The ACT Center staff is working with students to organize relief efforts on campus and also is referring students to local Northfield relief initiatives.
Carleton Responds to Hurricane KatrinaSeptember 6, 2005
Carleton is actively responding to the devastation brought about by Hurricane Katrina in the southeastern United States. We share with the rest of the world our thoughts and hopes for the well-being of all those affected during this crisis.


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Here's a tattoo rule of thumb: Only get one if your job entails shooting people, if you're an ultimate fighter, or as a safety issue, if you find yourself wrongly incarcerated, and displaying your affiliation with the Aryan Brotherhood will help make prison showers less eventful. Otherwise, let your skin go commando.
via Ask Matt Labash Vol. XXVII: An anti-tattoo manifesto, letting kids be kids, and playing the deaf card | The Daily Caller – Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment.
As I cannot express myself this well, 'quoted plagiarism (Fair Use!)' will have to do.

subset: commoncrawl


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Many consumers take the holidays as a chance to ditch the clunky old television set, the crash-prone computer or the year-old cellphone now considered outdated.
In the insatiable rush to buy the latest and greatest, it has become habit to throw away old gadgets alongside other household trash.
But think twice before you kick your next printer or DVD player to the curb. New rule changes pending for 2013 require Coloradans to recycle e-waste separately.
A state bill co-sponsored by Rep. Don Coram, R-Montose, and signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper in April bans landfill disposal for most electronic devices after July 1, 2013. But in Montezuma County, landfill manager Deborah Barton wants people to make it a New Year's resolution.
"Effective January 1, the landfill is no longer accepting any electronic waste," she said. "This applies to Baker Sanitation, Waste Management and the city of Cortez public works, which all contract with the landfill, as well as private citizens."
Instead, residents are asked to keep their e-waste until designated recycling days on April 19-20 and October 25-26, 2013.
Empire Electric Association will also sponsor a turn-in of old refrigerators and freezers the week of April 22.
Commercial businesses and city governments have been prohibited from tossing e-waste since 2003. The new law simply closes the loophole that exempted houses and hotels, city recycling coordinator Colby Earley said.
If garbage haulers see an electronic device inside a trash receptacle on collection day, they are instructed not to pick it up. Fines for consistent violators were not yet clear, but Earley said city personnel would look to educate residents more than penalize them for the seven months. Barton was confident Montezuma County would respect the new rules.
"On the whole, our citizens are honest, hardworking and are doing their best to not have 'bad' trash, and do their best to handle solid waste in a proper fashion," she said. "With that said, we always have at least a few that push the envelope or make every effort to ignore the rules. No different than a school room, an office, traffic, store, recreation (activity) or sport."
To process e-waste, the county has contracted with Tulsa, Okla.-based Natural Evolution since 2005. Barton highlighted Natural Evolution's eco-friendly record. It is one of 16 processors (out of more than 350) in the United States to pass three different environmental certifications under a third party audit.
"Knowing that my vendor is responsible makes me feel comfortable," she said.
Unlike most countries, exporting junked electronics - which contain lead and other chemicals - is not explicitly illegal in the United States because it has not ratified the 1992 Basel Convention, an international treaty (other outliers include Haiti, Afghanistan, Burma and a host of African states). The Environmental Protection Agency does require e-waste exporters to obtain the consent of importing countries, and in 2007 cracked down on the export of toxic cathode-ray tubes. But those measures haven't stopped many companies from circumventing the rules anyway. A 2008 Government Accountability Office report concluded the EPA rules were toothless and said "used-electronics flow virtually unrestricted, even to countries where they can be mismanaged."
Also in 2008, Englewood-based Executive Recycling was infamously featured on an episode of 60 Minutes. Jim Puckett, founder of watchdog group Basel Action Network, tracked shipping containers filled with computer monitors to a Chinese scrap yard, where workers dismantle e-waste for a pittance under unsafe conditions. Methods for extracting valuable metals can include open-air incinerators and acid baths, which can burn skin, raise risk of lung cancer and damage DNA.
Two top executives from Executive Recycling were indicted in September 2011 on charges of illegal export of hazardous waste. Prosecutors say Brandon Richter and Tor Olson knowingly sent some 300 containers containing more than 100,000 cathode-ray tubes overseas between 2005 and 2009, despite claiming to be a "green company".
Following an 11-day trial at a U.S. district court in Denver, the two men were convicted Friday on multiple counts of mail and wire fraud, illegal disposal of electronics, smuggling and obstruction. Depending on sentencing, they could face decades in prison and multi-million dollar fines.
"I don't relish the idea of 60 Minutes coming to Cortez," Barton told the Board of County Commissioners on December 9.
It seems she has little to worry about. Natural Evolution has been given the Basel Action Network's "e-Steward" seal of approval, Puckett said.


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NCUA Conserves Philly Credit Union
The $14.3 million Mayfair Federal Credit Union in Philadelphia was placed in conservatorship Friday by the NCUA despite reporting a net worth of 13.69% in September.
"Normal member services at the main office at 2844 St. Vincent St. in Philadelphia will continue uninterrupted. The credit union's branch at 2645 Orthodox St. in Bridesberg, Pa., will be closed. During the conservatorship, NCUA will work to resolve issues affecting the institution's safety and soundness," said an NCUA press release issued after a closed meeting on Friday.
The NCUA said Mayfair FCU, which serves a low-income area in the city, is the fourth federally insured credit union that has been placed into conservatorship this year.
Mayfair's net worth went from 14.59% in September 2012 to 13.69% in September 2013, according to NCUA's most recent Financial Performance Report.
Delinquent loans went from 6.17% to 14.08% during the same period. Mayfair also lost $87,447 in the third quarter, continuing a string of money-losing quarters.
The NCUA share insurance fund will continue to insure individual accounts at up to $250,000.
Mayfair Federal Credit Union was chartered in 1936 and has 1,527 members. Chris Biederman is the current CEO.
"The Federal Credit Union Act authorizes the NCUA Board to appoint itself conservator when necessary to conserve the assets of a federally insured credit union, protect members' interests or protect the Share Insurance Fund," said the NCUA release.


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Mathematical Foundations of Qualitative Reasoning
We examine different formalisms for modeling qualitatively physical systems and their associated inferential processes that allow us to derive qualitative predictions from the models. We highlight the mathematical aspects of these processes along with their potential and limitations. The article then bridges to quantitative modeling, highlighting the benefits of qualitative reasoning-based approaches in the framework of system identification, and discusses open research issues.
Full Text:PDF
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1609/aimag.v24i4.1733
Copyright © 2017, Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (www.aaai.org). All rights reserved.


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I did not know that Bic made pens for women! When I first heard about 'Bic for her', I could not believe it really happened, Bic really made lady pens! Bic describes the pen as having a "thin barrel to fit a women's hand," making it an "elegant design—just for her!" The Bic website also notes that the pen features a clear tinted barrel "for visible ink supply," as if women can't otherwise tell when a pen has run out of ink. I was angry for a while, then I started laughing. It seems the whole world is laughing at Bic's stupid, sexist, idiotic pens. I do not know whether Bic is a big misogynist, but I am sure Bic is a big joker.
Here are some comments on Bic's Lady pens: [Read more…]


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I've always considered myself a baseball player -- not just a pitcher -- so I'm happy that the Cardinals have given me the chance to work my way back to the big leagues as an outfielder.
I first reached the Majors as a pitcher when I was 19 years old, back in 1999, and I experienced some success my first couple of years. But I hurt my elbow in 2002 and underwent Tommy John surgery in 2003. I went to winter ball after the 2004 season and my (elbow) nerve flared up again. And when I got back for Spring Training in 2005, my arm just didn't feel the same anymore.
By then, the whole process was beginning to affect me off the field, too. It got to the point where it just wasn't any fun pitching and it was wearing on me at home as well as the field, putting a strain on my relationships. When something's bothering you that much, it's not worth it. I knew it was time to try something new.
At the same time, I didn't want to walk away from baseball. You can only play the game for so many years, so I needed to be comfortable with my decisions. I didn't ever want to look back with regret that I didn't give it a try. I believe I've always had the talent to be an outfielder and just needed the opportunity. So I asked myself, why not?
It wasn't hard to go back and start again as a hitter because it made the game fun for me again. I took the view that it was a challenge. Not many people have been able to accomplish something like this, so it gave me something to prove.
All of a sudden I was happy to come out to the park again every day. I had a chance to prove I could play the outfield and hit.
I haven't had steady progress as an outfielder, but setbacks are always part of baseball. At first it became apparent I hadn't been conditioned to be an everyday player. My body just wasn't ready for all of that hitting and swinging, so my first season as a hitter (2005) I was hurting a little bit. Then last Spring Training I tore my patellar tendon and ended up having surgery on my left knee last June. That cost me another season.
I haven't had an injury-free season yet, so hopefully this will be the year. I feel like my progress this spring has been great. I feel good about the way I've been playing, especially considering I didn't get any at-bats last year. I've felt comfortable in the box this spring. I feel like I'm seeing the ball well and my timing is coming around.
Now I need to get at-bats under my belt. As I said earlier, it's a challenge for me and I'm having fun with it. I've done pretty well so far in camp and the indication the Cardinals have given me is that I'll go back to Triple-A Memphis and get those at-bats I need.
My future is up to me now. If I tear it up in Memphis and put up good numbers, I'll get a shot. I'm only 27. A lot of good players aren't getting to this level until about now anyway, so I feel like I'm right about where I should be despite switching to the outfield.
My plan is to take it one day at a time and not take anything for granted. I've got something to prove and I'm having a lot of fun.
Rick Ankiel was only 20 years old when he first reached the Majors in 1999 and posted a 13-10 record with a 3.90 ERA and 269 strikeouts in 242 innings over three-plus seasons. Switching to the outfield in March 2005, he went on to bat.259 with 21 home runs and 75 RBIs in 85 games between Double-A Springfield and Class-A Quad Cities that year but missed all of 2006 with a knee injury.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Graphic Design
Graphic Designers combine design and technology in order to communicate ideas. The tools of a graphic designer are varied, but the most important are the use of image and typography. In the hands of a graphic designer, whether with pencil or pixel, the goal is the same--to convey a message between client and audience in print and electronic media using color, type, illustration, photography, animation, and various print and layout techniques. They also produce promotional materials, packaging, design distinctive logos and develop material for Internet Web pages, interactive media, and multimedia projects.
In the Graphic Design program, students can earn an associates degree, a certificate or an endorsement. For additional program information and advising, please contact Greg Kammer.
Graphic Design
AFA Degree Planning Guide
Certificate Planning Guide
Endorsement Planning Guide
Program Outcomes
Students successfully completing a degree or certificate with an emphasis in Graphic Design at EvCC will satisfy specific program outcomes that are common to the Visual Arts.


text: Hi I just have a quick question. After the 2009 star trek movie and star trek into darkness is being set to be released next year does anyone think that if another tv series is made can star trek return to the prime universe? The reason I ask is because as much as I am happy with the 2009 movie for getting trek back on its feet I love the prime universe and would be depressed if star trek never returns to it. So what are your thoughts do you think the prime universe is dead?


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Blu-ray Review: United 93
People usually remember where they were and what they were doing at the time of an earthshaking event. It's likely you remember for September 11, 2001. I know I do.
It was a beautiful, sunny morning, and I was at home enjoying the weather on my back deck. Suddenly, a neighbor called to say I should turn on the TV (something she knows I seldom do until after sunset). When I saw the image of black smoke billowing from the shattered offices of the first Twin Tower, I initially thought it was just a promotional ploy for a new movie. Surely, if it was real, it was only a freak accident. When the second tower was hit, all thoughts of accidents were squashed; we were under attack.
In his 2006 film United 93, director Paul Greengrass perfectly captures the initial reactions of the air-traffic controllers. One of them hears what he thinks is a hijack recording, and he passes the information on to another controller — who does a double take. No one wants to connect the dots. Later, peering out of their own tower, controllers see the second impact at the World Trade Center in the distance. The previous look of disbelief on their faces turns into shock.
Greengrass continues to tell the story from the perspective of the controllers, but he also takes us into the cabin and the cockpit of United Airlines Flight 93 — the only hijacked plane on 9/11 that wouldn't reach its target, plummeting instead into a Pennsylvania field. We still don't know the exact details and probably never will, but apparently the plane crashed when passengers were attempting to overpower the hijackers. It's likely that the plane was meant to take out a government building in Washington, D.C. Many observers think it was the Capitol building, and in this movie, the terrorist pilot clips a picture of the Capitol in front of him for reference. But the mission was thwarted, making extraordinary heroes out of ordinary passengers.
Although I remember that day as Technicolor perfect, Greengrass makes it steely and blue as well as a little washed out. If you've seen his Jason Bourne movies (Supremacy and Ultimatum), you'll know what to expect. Accordingly, the 2.35:1 picture on Blu-ray retains the film's desaturated, occasionally grainy look. Consider, too, that nearly the entire movie was shot with handheld cameras for a documentary feel. Still, detail is very good, helping many scenes achieve a genuine three-dimensional appearance.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound draws you into the drama. It can be difficult to separate music from Foley elements, given the unusual percussion effects on the soundtrack. Some of these go low enough to tease your subwoofer into action. Meanwhile, your surrounds will get plenty of work from the ambience employed in just about every scene.
The extras can be rough going, in emotional terms. One shows some of the actors going to visit surviving family members of those killed, and the bonding is extremely moving. (At several points, I felt as if I was eavesdropping — as if I shouldn't be viewing or intruding.) Another featurette, the best one, offers interviews with air-traffic controllers who were working on 9/11. A shorter piece discusses the permanent memorial that is being built in the Pennsylvania field.
We can be thankful that United 93 isn't an Airport movie. Rather, it's a superbly constructed film whose little-known actors — together with some actual flight controllers — bring a high degree of realism, with no grandstanding. It's so real, in fact, that I was deeply affected watching it, and I'm not sure I could watch it again. Ask me on the 20th anniversary.


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China trade data boosts local shares
The Australian share market and dollar have been boosted by better-than-expected trade data from China, as the country's exports grew 14.1 per cent in December from a year earlier.
The ASX 200 closed 14.9 points higher at 4723 after falling lower at midday, while the broader All Ordinaries finished slightly up at 4745.2.
"It's a positive sign that the Chinese economy is continuing to recover, particularly the strength we saw in the import numbers. That bodes well for the Australian economy," HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham said.
"They are our major trading partner and we're seeing the recovery in China reflected in commodity prices already, particularly the iron ore price, which has risen very sharply in the past few weeks, and that supports Australian income growth."
China's trade surplus surged 48.1 per cent to $231.1 billion in 2012 from the previous year, though trade volume grew at a much slower pace, official data released on Thursday showed.
Exports from the world's second-largest economy rose 7.9 per cent to $US2.05 trillion, while imports increased 4.3 per cent to $US1.82 trillion, the national customs bureau said.
The Australian dollar rose as high as US105.55¢, while the further weakening of the Japanese yen saw the dollar surged to a 4½-year-peak of just above 93 yen.
"The Australian dollar exploded higher after the Chinese data [release] … it's pretty clear there's a recovery going on in East Asian trade and that's pretty positive for Australia and Australian exports, so that's underpinned the move in the exchange rate," ANZ currency strategist Andrew Salter said.
Mr Salter added that the faltering yen reflected the Japanese government's indications that it was set to embark on policies to weaken the yen, from changing the Bank of Japan's mandate to the setting of an inflation target.
The market did not react to data released by the Bureau of Statistics on Thursday that showed a 2.9 per cent rise in building approvals for November in seasonally adjusted terms, just below market expectations of 3 per cent. But private sector housing approvals fell 0.3 per cent for the same month.
The big four banks all registered gains on Thursday. ANZ closed 0.52 per cent higher at $25.15, while Commonwealth Bank edged up to $61.61 and NAB to $25.43. The National Australia Bank finished the day 8 cents up at $25.43.
The miners closed mixed, as data from China, the world's biggest iron ore buyer, showed that the country had boosted imports by 8.4 per cent to a record last year amid higher steel production and on speculation the economy was recovering.
Rio Tinto closed almost 30 cents higher at $67.10, as Fortescue lifted 11 cents to $4.85. BHP fell by 17 cents to $37.41.
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Really, it's a shame that WKU had only 13 scholarships for the 2012 class.
For the first time in the Willie Taggart era, this class was legitimately the top class.
That's no disrespect to the past two classes. Both the 2010 and 2011 classes, ranked as the top classes in the Sun Belt Conference each year, were stocked full of quality players.
Think of how the players who have come out of each class have fared so far.
From the 2010 class, linebacker Andrew Jackson has turned out to be a terror on defense for opposing offenses. He sat out the 2010 season as an academic redshirt, but after becoming eligible last fall, he was the anchor of a completely rebuilt defense.
Then there's Kadeem Jones, who provided a running lane or two for Bobby Rainey this past season. Rainey didn't need much help, but Jones helped keep at least a few tacklers off the all-American running back.
Others, like linebacker Xavius Boyd, offensive lineman Cameron Clemmons and quarterback Brandon Doughty, have shown glimpses of what lies ahead.
From the 2011 class, there's John Evans, who electrified as a returner, with a kick return for a touchdown and a burst of speed that left trails of black smoke.
Wide receiver Boe Brand and tight end Mitchell Henry were also big contributors on offense last season.
But there was always some explaining to do with the past two classes themselves.
I can't even keep track of how many times I've been asked, 'What makes this class the best in the conference?'
I'd have an answer, as I was always defending Rivals.com's rankings, but I still had doubts myself.
With the 2012 class, there's little doubt.
The Toppers certainly achieved quality this year, albeit not quantity.
That might be the only thing keeping WKU from the top class in the conference for a third straight year. And that's through no fault of WKU. The 2011 senior class was just smaller.
This year's class saw seven three-star signees, including the highest rated signee WKU has had in the Rivals era, three-star defensive tackle Tyrone Pearson, who along with being rated the No. 5 player in Kentucky and No. 36 defensive tackle in the country, is rated as a 5.7 three-star. That's borderline four-star.
WKU has never had a player rated at 5.7.
Then there's three-star running back Anthony Wales, the No. 6 player in Kentucky and the No. 14 all-purpose back in the country. Not to mention, Wales is third all-time in the state for most rushing yards in a high school career.
Back on defense, three-star Palmetto (Fla.) linebacker Daqual Randall is ranked as the No. 32 inside linebacker in the country.
But three-star wide receiver Austin Aikens, though he doesn't have rankings to go with his stars, might be the most valuable of the additions. His lightning-quick speed, 6-foot height and 42-inch vertical leap give WKU the receiver it desperately needs.
Of the additions, he could have the biggest impact off the bat.
Then, WKU could have the top recruiter in the conference for the second straight year. Assistant coach Raymond Woodie reeled in seven signees, five of them three-stars, in Aikens, Randall, defensive end Calvin Washington, defensive back Brett Harrington, defensive tackle Devante Terrell, sleeper running back Leon Allen and offensive lineman Forrest Lamp.
Make no mistake, this is a talented group. The addition of players like in 2012 should give Topper fans plenty of hope for big things to come, including improving on last season's 7-5 mark.
This year happened to come when Arkansas State signed an impressive class itself, earning itself the top class in the conference.
But look at the quality.
WKU is the victim of a numbers game this year. With just 13 signees, the lowest of the nine Sun Belt members, The Toppers are still the second-highest rated class.
WKU's 2012 signees turned down an impressive list of schools. Randall and Wales decommitted from Louisville. Pearson decommitted from Kentucky. Aikens turned down Missouri, Cincinnati and others to sign with the Toppers.
It won't be long until WKU is pulling signees away from even bigger programs, which means some four-star signees along the way. The Toppers are already getting former four-star transfers, in defensive back Jonathan Dowling and quarterback DaMarcus Smith.
If you've been waiting for a legitimate signing class, this is it, because this class has the players that a No. 1 recruiting class would have.
Note: Not including Rivals' premium sites, do not copy/paste and or repost this column outside of Rivals.com, particularly on message boards, chat rooms and e-mails, as it is a direct violation of copyright laws and your terms of service agreement. It could also result in your termination from Rivals.com. Thank you.


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Enabling munin node plug-ins on Fedora
Munin uses plug-ins to determine what data is gathered and reported. It includes several plug-ins for the types of data most people would be interested in, but not all of those plug-ins are enabled on a fresh installation.
What are plug-ins?
When a munin node gathers data about a slice so it can be graphed, the node reads instructions from files called "plug-ins" to determine what information to collect. Several plug-ins are installed with munin but not all of them are used by default. Fortunately a munin node installation includes a command that lets you see what plug-ins are active and can help you decide which others to enable.
The munin-node-configure command
The "munin-node-configure" command can list the status of installed munin plug-ins, suggest which to enable, and provide a shell script that will automate enabling the appropriate plug-ins. Using this command isn't the only way to perform these tasks, but it's convenient and easy to use. Easy is good.
Listing installed plug-ins
To see which plug-ins are installed on a munin node, log into it and run the "munin-node-configure" command by itself:
$ sudo /usr/sbin/munin-node-configure Plugin | Used | Extra information ------ | ---- | ----------------- acpi | no | apache_accesses | no | apache_processes | no | apache_volume | no | courier_mta_mailqueue | no | courier_mta_mailstats | no | courier_mta_mailvolume | no | cps_ | no | cpu | yes | cupsys_pages | no | df | yes | df_abs | no | df_inode | yes | entropy | yes | exim_mailqueue | yes | exim_mailstats | yes | forks | yes | fw_conntrack | no | ...
The output is longer than that, but that's generally what you'll see — the plug-ins with "yes" next to them are enabled, the ones with "no" next to them are installed but disabled.
Deciding what to enable
To help you decide whether you want to enable any other munin plug-ins, run munin-node-configure with the "--suggest" option:
$ sudo /usr/sbin/munin-node-configure --suggest Plugin | Used | Suggestions ------ | ---- | ----------- acpi | no | [ACPI program not found] apache_accesses | no | [LWP::UserAgent not found] apache_processes | no | [LWP::UserAgent not found] apache_volume | no | [LWP::UserAgent not found] courier_mta_mailqueue | no | [spooldir not found] courier_mta_mailstats | no | [could not find executable] courier_mta_mailvolume | no | [could not find executable] cupsys_pages | no | [could not find logdir] hddtemp_smartctl | no | [smartctl not found] if_ | yes | if_err_ | yes | ip_ | no | mysql_isam_space_ | no | nfs_client | no | [no /proc/net/rpc/nfs] nfsd | no | [no /proc/net/rpc/nfsd] ntp_ | no | postfix_mailqueue | no | yes postfix_mailvolume | no | yes ps_ | no | sendmail_mailqueue | no | sendmail_mailstats | no | [no mailstats command] sendmail_mailtraffic | no | smart_ | no | squid_cache | no | [could not connect: Connection refused] squid_requests | no | [could not connect: Connection refused] squid_traffic | no | [could not connect: Connection refused]
If your output includes any error messages at the end or complaints about "junk output", don't worry. That just means a plug-in was queried that didn't give a proper response, it doesn't affect munin's operation.
Note that the output with "--suggest" is much shorter than the complete list of installed plug-ins. When you ask munin-node-configure for its suggestions, it only lists plug-ins that are written to respond to that query and also omits most plug-ins that are already installed.
Each plug-in name is followed by a "yes" or "no" indicating whether or not it's currently enabled. The last column might contain a suggestion regarding a plug-in's status. A "yes" suggestion indicates that a plug-in is currently supported by your system and can be enabled without making changes (like the postfix plug-ins in the example above). Other entries in the "Suggestions" column can offer details about issues that need to be corrected before enabling a given plug-in.
Example in-depth: Apache plug-ins
To illustrate an approach to resolving suggestions for a plug-in, let's look at the apache family of plug-ins. In the example above, the suggestion for the apache monitor includes:
This error message might require a bit of research to interpret, but to save you time: The problem is that munin gets information about apache's activity by querying apache's status page, and the information it wants is only on that page if the "ExtendedStatus" setting is "on" in apache's configuration.
If you want to enable munin's apache monitoring, don't fret. You probably just need to add "ExtendedStatus on" to your apache server configuration and restart apache. If that doesn't work, or if you want more details, you'll need to read up on apache's "mod_status" module. We have an article detailing how to enable mod_status and how to read its output [here][].
Once we've ensured that apache's mod_status module is enabled and ExtendedStatus is turned on, we can run munin-node-configure yet again:
[ExtendedStatus option for apache mod_status is missing on port 80]
That's more like it.
#### Enabling suggested plug-ins
So you've gone to a mess of trouble getting to the point where munin has no reservations about running the plug-ins you want. Now to actually enable them.
We could go into file locations and making symlinks and such, but let's opt for some automation instead. Take a look at the output from running munin-node-configure with the "--shell" option:
$ sudo /usr/sbin/munin-node-configure --suggest
Plugin | Used | Suggestions
------ | ---- | -----------
apache_accesses | no | yes
apache_processes | no | yes
apache_volume | no | yes
$ sudo /usr/sbin/munin-node-configure --shell ln -s /usr/share/munin/plugins/apache_accesses /etc/munin/plugins/apache_accesses ln -s /usr/share/munin/plugins/apache_processes /etc/munin/plugins/apache_processes ln -s /usr/share/munin/plugins/apache_volume /etc/munin/plugins/apache_volume ln -s /usr/share/munin/plugins/postfix_mailqueue /etc/munin/plugins/postfix_mailqueue ln -s /usr/share/munin/plugins/postfix_mailvolume /etc/munin/plugins/postfix_mailvolume
If that looks like a bunch of shell commands for making symlinks, that's because it is a bunch of shell commands for making symlinks. Specifically, they're symlinks that tell munin to enable the plug-ins they're linking to. In the above example, the plug-ins for monitoring apache and postfix would be enabled.
Before you copy and paste, though, let's work a little shell magic to turn the above into a one-line command. Run this command on your munin node:
sudo /usr/sbin/munin-node-configure --shell | sudo sh
That's just like the command we ran to get a list of shell commands, but with a little bit tacked onto the end. The "|" character is known as a "pipe" in the unix shell. The "sh" after it (also run with sudo) is the command to run a basic Bourne shell. Combine the two, and in plain English it means, "take the output of the command before the pipe, and run it in a shell." Or, a plainer English summary: "Make those symlinks for me."
Indeed, once you run munin-node-configure with the --shell option and pipe it to sh, you can see how the suggestions change:
$ sudo /usr/sbin/munin-node-configure --suggest Plugin | Used | Suggestions ------ | ---- | ----------- acpi | no | [ACPI program not found] courier_mta_mailqueue | no | [spooldir not found] courier_mta_mailstats | no | [could not find executable] courier_mta_mailvolume | no | [could not find executable] cupsys_pages | no | [could not find logdir] hddtemp_smartctl | no | [smartctl not found] if_ | yes | if_err_ | yes | ip_ | no | mysql_isam_space_ | no | nfs_client | no | [no /proc/net/rpc/nfs] nfsd | no | [no /proc/net/rpc/nfsd] ntp_ | no | ps_ | no | sendmail_mailqueue | no | sendmail_mailstats | no | [no mailstats command] sendmail_mailtraffic | no | smart_ | no | squid_cache | no | [could not connect: Connection refused] squid_requests | no | [could not connect: Connection refused] squid_traffic | no | [could not connect: Connection refused]
Now that the apache and postfix monitors have been enabled they aren't listed as suggestions anymore. If you were to wait a few minutes to let the munin master run and query this node, you would see graphs for apache and postfix added to the node's reports.
Plug-in locations
In case you have trouble with the munin-node-configure command, or if you don't trust its automation, or you simply want to look more closely at the plug-ins (some do contain useful information in their comments), you can find the plug-in files here:
Enabling a plug-in is just a matter of making a symlink from the original plug-in file to the munin node's active plug-in directory, which is here:
Similarly, you can disable a plug-in by removing its symlink from the node's active plug-in directory.
The munin-node-configure command is a pretty handy way to check on your munin plug-ins and figure out what needs to be done in order to enable more. You should now be able to look over the list of plug-ins and decide which ones you'd like to see enabled on your munin reports. Bear in mind, however, that each munin node has to be configured individually. If you have more than one node, you'll have to enable a new plug-in on all nodes you want using it (not just the one running the munin master).
Fortunately once you've been through all the wordy details above, you'll know what the commands are and what to do with their output. They boil down to logging onto each node and running:
sudo /usr/sbin/munin-node-configure --suggest
Then fixing the issues for any plug-ins you want enabled, and then running:
sudo /usr/sbin/munin-node-configure --shell | sudo sh
And waiting for munin's reports to update. Piece of cake.
The next article in this series will discuss some advanced topics for munin, including installing plug-ins from munin's online repository and customizing the organization of the host tree on your report page.
- -- Jered


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On the day Rafael Benítez was unveiled as Chelsea manager came a reminder that not everything has changed for Liverpool since he was ushered out of the Anfield door. They continue to find ways of leaving European qualification to the last, much to the annoyance of Brendan Rodgers.
Liverpool were in the last 32 of the Europa League with two minutes remaining against Young Boys here. The script was that of a rare moment to savour in a Liverpool shirt for Joe Cole, whose fine turn and finish into the Kop goal appeared to have secured qualification with a game to spare.
Then Luis Suárez had a chance charged down on the edge of the Young Boys' area. They broke unimpeded and Elsad Zverotic brought the Swiss club level with an emphatic finish past José Reina. Liverpool now travel to Udinese next month knowing victory over the eliminated Italian club is required to guarantee progress. "We have tried to navigate our way through the group with a thin squad and we were there with only a few minutes to go," Rodgers said.
"It is very frustrating. When you are 2-1 up and through with only a few minutes left you have to control the game and show better game management. We had a chance to shoot at one end of the field and in the 87th minute we are walking back. That's what I mean by better game management. They walked through unchallenged. It was a disappointing goal to concede in every respect."
Young Boys soaked up the adulation from their travelling fans and rightly so. Raúl Bobadilla had also produced a stunning equaliser as Martin Rueda's team gave themselves a fighting chance of qualifying at Liverpool's expense.
Udinese's defeat by Anzhi Makhachkala earlier in the day simplified the equation for Liverpool. They knew victory would ensure qualification but, on the flip-side, it gave Young Boys added incentive to take the game to a much-changed home side and three times in the opening five minutes they troubled Reina. This was Reina's 81st European appearance for Liverpool, breaking the club record for a goalkeeper set previously by Ray Clemence.
Having survived an uncertain start Liverpool, with Cole, Suso and Jonjo Shelvey exerting an increasing creative influence, gained control of the first half. Cole went close when released on the right by Shelvey, his low shot evading Marco Wölfli in the Young Boys' goal but also the far post, while a delightful flick from Shelvey put Jordan Henderson clean through. Wölfli, however, refused to commit and saved well. He was powerless to prevent Liverpool taking the lead when their three most potent forward players combined superbly. Cole exchanged passes with Suso on the edge of the area and, as Wölfli advanced, clipped an intelligent cross to the far post where Shelvey arrived unopposed to head in from close range.
Liverpool missed several first-half chances for a comfortable lead and were punished at the start of the second half when Alexander Farnerud sprayed a crossfield ball towards Bobadilla lurking on the left of the Liverpool area. The centre-forward turned his back as it dropped behind Henderson – shifted to right-back following Andre Wisdom's withdrawal with a knee injury – but controlled superbly on his thigh. His next touch was equally impressive and a venomous left-foot volley gave Reina no chance.
Cole restored Liverpool's advantage from substitute Steven Gerrard's pass but, with a place in the last 32 and some personal redemption in sight, it was taken away in stunning style by Zverotic.


text:
ACOS Accreditation
Eisenhower Cancer Program was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award, recognizing the Cancer Program for Commendation level standards compliance and our commitment to provide high-quality cancer care and services. This is our second consecutive Outstanding Achievement Award.
The Commission on Cancer (CoC) Accreditation Program encourages hospitals, treatment centers, and other facilities to improve their quality of patient care through various cancer-related programs. These programs focus on prevention, early diagnosis, pretreatment evaluation, staging, optimal treatment, rehabilitation, surveillance for recurrent disease, support services, and end-of-life care.
The availability of a full range of medical services along with a multidisciplinary team approach to patient care at accredited cancer programs has resulted in approximately 80 percent of all newly diagnosed cancer patients being treated in CoC-accredited cancer programs.
Recognizing that cancer is a complex group of diseases, the CoC Cancer Program Standards promote consultation among surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, diagnostic radiologists, pathologists, and other cancer specialists. This multidisciplinary cooperation results in improved patient care.
Five elements are key to the success of a CoC-accredited cancer program:
- The clinical services provide state-of-the-art pretreatment evaluation, staging, treatment and clinical follow-up for cancer patients seen at the facility for primary, secondary, tertiary, or quaternary care.
- The cancer committee leads the program through setting goals, monitoring activity, evaluating patient outcomes, and improving care.
- The cancer conferences provide a forum for patient consultation and contribute to physician education.
- The quality improvement program is the mechanism for evaluating and improving patient outcomes.
- The cancer registry and database is the basis for monitoring the quality of care.
The following basic services must be provided by every CoC-accredited cancer program. Services are provided on site, by referral, or are coordinated with other facilities or local agencies:
- Diagnostic
-Clinical laboratory
-Diagnostic imaging
- Treatment
-Medical oncology
-Radiation oncology
-Surgical procedures
- Other clinical
-AJCC staging
-Clinical research
-Patient guidelines
-Oncology nursing
-Pain management
- Rehabilitation
- Support
-Discharge planning
-Hospice care
-Nutritional support
-Pastoral care
-Patient and family support
- Prevention and early detection
Cancer Program Categories
Accredited cancer programs are assigned an Accreditation Category that describes the services available at the facility. Categories may have customized requirements for selected standards depending on the type of facility or the number of new patients seen each year. For example, the frequency of consultative and educational cancer conferences and the number of patients accrued to cancer-related clinical trials are dependent on the criteria mentioned above.
Receiving care at a CoC-accredited cancer program hospital or facility ensures that you will receive:
- Comprehensive care including a complete range of state-of-the-art services and equipment
- A team approach to coordinate the best available treatment options.
- Information about ongoing cancer clinical trials and new treatment options.
- Access to prevention and early detection programs, cancer education, and support services.
- A cancer registry that offers lifelong patient follow-up.
- Ongoing monitoring and improvements in cancer care,
- Quality care, close to home


text:
You are here
Ready for the spring rush?
Patience is a virtue that can be tough to come by this time of year.
But, good preparation ahead of time and a little extra patience can pay off in a lot of ways this time of year, even when you're itching to get everything done in a hurry, says Purdue University Extension farm safety specialist Bill Field.
Though it may be tough to think in these terms when spring rolls around and you've got a shop full of seed to get in the ground, Field says it all starts by stopping. Stop and think first of yourself and the plans you need to make and carry out to make it a successful spring.
"Farmers often feel pressured to get out into the fields too early, and that can often cause problems," Field says. "Taking time now to get ready for planting season will prevent more mishaps in the long run."
Have your machinery ready to go? If so, you're in a good spot, Field adds. Not only will that put you a step ahead at this point, it will also make thing easier when planting's in full swing.
"It only adds frustrations when equipment breaks down in the field, so farmers should be sure to start the season confident with their machines," Field says.
Once the iron's ready and all you've got is time before you can get rolling, it's a good time to take stock of your personal readiness. Do things that you think can lessen your stress during the planting season and make sure you're physically ready for the longer hours.
"Many farmers lay dormant during the winter months compared to the demanding physical labor they encounter during spring planting," Field says. "I encourage farmers to get out a few weeks before planting and exercise a little more than usual to help them personally prepare for the weeks ahead."
Finally, make sure you have all the tools you need in the field, including for communication. That means either a cell phone or smartphone in case of a delay, breakdown or accident. "Farmers should look at their phones as a safety feature, not an inconvenience," Field adds.


text:
News & Events
For the Media
Clarkson University Featured in Guide to 286 Green Colleges by Princeton Review & U.S. Green Building Council
Clarkson University is one of the country's most environmentally-responsible colleges, according to The Princeton Review. The nationally-known education services company selected Clarkson for inclusion in "The Princeton Review's Guide to 286 Green Colleges."
Developed by Princeton Review in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the guide is the first, free comprehensive guidebook focused solely on institutions of higher education who have demonstrated an above average commitment to sustainability in terms of campus infrastructure, activities and initiatives.
Just in time for the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, the guide -- which is based on a survey of hundreds of colleges nationwide -- profiles the nation's most environmentally-responsible campuses.
Princeton Review chose the 286 schools included in the guide based on the "Green Rating" scores schools received in the summer of 2009 when they published scores for 697 schools in their online college profiles and annual college guidebooks. Clarkson was in the 90th percentile with 95, out of a possible 60-99.
"Students and their parents are becoming more and more interested in learning about and attending colleges and universities that practice, teach and support environmental responsibility," said Robert Franek, senior vice president and publisher, The Princeton Review. "According to our recent College Hope & Worries Survey, 64 percent of college applicants and their parents said having information about a school's commitment to the environment would impact their decision to apply to or attend it. We created this guide to help them evaluate how institutions like Clarkson University focus on environmental responsibility, so that they can make informed decisions as they move through the college assessment and application process."
"Beyond the cost savings to an institution, even the simplest aspects of a green campus, such as increased use of natural light, have been found to improve student learning and quality of life," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. "Green facilities make colleges more attractive to students and can dramatically reduce energy costs. Higher education is a top priority market segment for USGBC because graduates of green colleges become incredible drivers of change when they call for similar surroundings in their jobs and communities."
Clarkson University launches leaders into the global economy. One in six alumni already leads as a CEO, VP or equivalent senior executive of a company. Located just outside the Adirondack Park in Potsdam, N.Y., Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university for undergraduates with select graduate programs in signature areas of academic excellence directed toward the world's pressing issues. Through 50 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, arts, sciences and health sciences, the entire learning-living community spans boundaries across disciplines, nations and cultures to build powers of observation, challenge the status quo, and connect discovery and engineering innovation with enterprise.
The free guide can be downloaded at http://www.princetonreview.com/greenguide and http://www.usgbc.org/campus.


text:
The Personal Disquiet of
Mark Boulton
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The page you're after doesn't exist anymore! or maybe it never existed in the first place. It's most likely my fault, though, not yours. So, the best thing you can do from here is check to see if you typed the address correctly, or head on over to Google and try another search. I've heard Google are pretty good at that sort of thing.
Copyright © 1999 – 2016 Mark Boulton. About, Contact, Journal, Speaking. Typeset in Charter by Matthew Carter and Mundo Sans from Fonts.com. Designed using an Apple Mac in Wales. Built using Gridset, Statamic and Espresso. Hosted with Media Temple.