text:
|By Marketwired .
Article Rating:
|February 27, 2013 07:30 AM EST
SANTA CLARA, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 02/27/13 -- Armor5 emerged from stealth mode today and announced $2 million in seed funding from Citrix Startup Accelerator, Nexus Venture Partners and Trinity Ventures, to redefine data security and compliance for the mobile enterprise. Founded by security, mobility and cloud computing experts from Adobe, Motorola and Yahoo, Armor5 is the first zero touch service to safeguard intranet, cloud data and applications by ensuring content from these systems never actually resides on the end-users' devices. A beta version of the Armor5 service is available on its website today.
How Armor5 works
Most BYOD security services focus on individual mobile device management. As the use of these devices grows dramatically, new approaches are required to help IT balance the needs between user productivity vs. maintaining security and compliance. According to Osterman Research, annual IT costs for managing smartphones rose 48% from 2011 to 2012. Armor5 has taken an entirely different approach to solving the BYOD security problem. Its service connects to a company's network via VPN, virtualizes intranet data and cloud applications, and generates a secure URL that mobile workers can use to access content and applications safely from any device -- personal or company issued. The entire provisioning process, from IT sign-up to end-user productivity, takes just a few minutes.
"Our vision is to create a completely self-service, cloud-based answer to the security problems posed by today's explosive growth in enterprise mobility," said Suresh Balasubramanian, CEO at Armor5. "We solve immediate pain in the areas of mobility, network security and regulatory compliance. And we do so in a way that provides end-users immediate access to the apps, data and content they need from any device they're using, without sacrificing data security."
"Zero touch" deployment
In launching its service, Armor5 is introducing a radically simple concept it calls "zero touch" BYOD security. Simply, Armor5 can be deployed without mobile client software installation; without mobile security agents; without any configuration on the part of IT; and without intranet data or enterprise cloud applications ever downloaded to the end-user device. "Zero touch means faster time to deployment, better security and compliance, improved mobile user productivity, and a substantially lower cost for BYOD security," commented Balasubramanian.
For additional security, Armor5 offers dynamic watermarking and the disabling of downloading, forwarding and printing of documents. Using the cloud-based Armor5 dashboard, IT can easily monitor and manage end-users, devices and documents, and ensure BYOD policies and compliance standards are being met while providing analytics to speed auditing and reporting.
Industry support
"We have been evaluating the Armor5 solution for our data security and compliance needs," said Keith Phillips, Chief Information Officer, CPP, Inc. "We have been impressed by the simplicity, elegance and ease of setup and use of this novel, 100% cloud-based solution, requiring no agents to install on any device. Their dashboard gives us exposure to detailed activity information that has the potential to evolve into an integral part of our compliance and risk management strategy," said Phillips.
"IT must manage compliance in an increasingly BYOD world, without negatively impacting the user experience," said Michael Osterman, principal and founder at Osterman Research. "Armor5's unique and interesting approach accomplishes both and should be seriously considered by anyone struggling with BYOD in their organization."
"CIOs are understandably concerned with data security given the rise of smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices inside their organizations," said Fred Wang, general partner at Trinity Ventures. "Armor5 is the first vendor to address the BYOD security problem without requiring software installation on the mobile device. Its singular focus on the intersection of data security and BYOD, and its unique approach to solving the problem, is the reason we are investing."
"Corporate asset management, compliance and enterprise security are critical concern areas as the global workforce becomes more flexible and mobile," said Naren Gupta, co-founder and managing director at Nexus Venture Partners. "We are excited about Armor5's innovative approach to address these opportunities simply and seamlessly."
"Armor5 has tremendous potential to complement Citrix technologies in addressing BYOD challenges," said Dr. Michael Harries, Senior Director and Chief Technologist at the Citrix Startup Accelerator, which has incubated Armor5. "The service is ideal for CIOs who need an immediate solution to enterprise data security and compliance challenges with the growth of BYOD."
About Armor5
Armor5, Inc. is a cloud service provider that's solving the problem of secure mobile access to enterprise data and applications in a new way. The company serves enterprises, cloud solution providers and any organization struggling to secure network access for mobile users. Armor5 offers the only zero touch, 100% cloud service that accesses a client's network, virtualizes enterprise data and applications, and provisions secure and compliant access for every end user using any mobile device. Founded in 2011 by former executives from Adobe, Motorola and Yahoo, the company is privately held with patent-pending technology and investment from leading venture capital firms. For more information, visit www.Armor5.com.
Media contact
Kevin Wolf
(650) 327-1641
Email Contact
"ZeroStack is a startup in Silicon Valley. We're solving a very interesting problem around bringing public cloud convenience with private cloud control for enterprises and mid-size companies," explained Kamesh Pemmaraju, VP of Product Management at ZeroStack, in this SYS-CON.tv interview at 21st Cloud Expo, held Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2017, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA.
Dec. 14, 2017 09:00 PM EST Reads: 412
"Codigm is based on the cloud and we are here to explore marketing opportunities in America. Our mission is to make an ecosystem of the SW environment that anyone can understand, learn, teach, and develop the SW on the cloud," explained Sung Tae Ryu, CEO of Codigm, in this SYS-CON.tv interview at 21st Cloud Expo, held Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2017, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA.
Dec. 14, 2017 05:45 PM EST Reads: 977
In his session at 21st Cloud Expo, Carl J. Levine, Senior Technical Evangelist for NS1, will objectively discuss how DNS is used to solve Digital Transformation challenges in large SaaS applications, CDNs, AdTech platforms, and other demanding use cases. Carl J. Levine is the Senior Technical Evangelist for NS1. A veteran of the Internet Infrastructure space, he has over a decade of experience with startups, networking protocols and Internet infrastructure, combined with the unique ability to it...
Dec. 14, 2017 05:45 PM EST Reads: 1,876
High-velocity engineering teams are applying not only continuous delivery processes, but also lessons in experimentation from established leaders like Amazon, Netflix, and Facebook. These companies have made experimentation a foundation for their release processes, allowing them to try out major feature releases and redesigns within smaller groups before making them broadly available. In his session at 21st Cloud Expo, Brian Lucas, Senior Staff Engineer at Optimizely, discussed how by using ne...
Dec. 14, 2017 05:15 PM EST Reads: 978
"There's plenty of bandwidth out there but it's never in the right place. So what Cedexis does is uses data to work out the best pathways to get data from the origin to the person who wants to get it," explained Simon Jones, Evangelist and Head of Marketing at Cedexis, in this SYS-CON.tv interview at 21st Cloud Expo, held Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2017, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA.
Dec. 14, 2017 04:00 PM EST Reads: 1,215
Large industrial manufacturing organizations are adopting the agile principles of cloud software companies. The industrial manufacturing development process has not scaled over time. Now that design CAD teams are geographically distributed, centralizing their work is key. With large multi-gigabyte projects, outdated tools have stifled industrial team agility, time-to-market milestones, and impacted P&L stakeholders.
Dec. 14, 2017 03:15 PM EST Reads: 481
Gemini is Yahoo's native and search advertising platform. To ensure the quality of a complex distributed system that spans multiple products and components and across various desktop websites and mobile app and web experiences – both Yahoo owned and operated and third-party syndication (supply), with complex interaction with more than a billion users and numerous advertisers globally (demand) – it becomes imperative to automate a set of end-to-end tests 24x7 to detect bugs and regression. In th...
Dec. 14, 2017 03:00 PM EST Reads: 958
"Infoblox does DNS, DHCP and IP address management for not only enterprise networks but cloud networks as well. Customers are looking for a single platform that can extend not only in their private enterprise environment but private cloud, public cloud, tracking all the IP space and everything that is going on in that environment," explained Steve Salo, Principal Systems Engineer at Infoblox, in this SYS-CON.tv interview at 21st Cloud Expo, held Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2017, at the Santa Clara Conventio...
Dec. 14, 2017 01:15 PM EST Reads: 759
"Akvelon is a software development company and we also provide consultancy services to folks who are looking to scale or accelerate their engineering roadmaps," explained Jeremiah Mothersell, Marketing Manager at Akvelon, in this SYS-CON.tv interview at 21st Cloud Expo, held Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2017, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA.
Dec. 14, 2017 01:00 PM EST Reads: 492
Agile has finally jumped the technology shark, expanding outside the software world. Enterprises are now increasingly adopting Agile practices across their organizations in order to successfully navigate the disruptive waters that threaten to drown them. In our quest for establishing change as a core competency in our organizations, this business-centric notion of Agile is an essential component of Agile Digital Transformation. In the years since the publication of the Agile Manifesto, the conn...
Dec. 14, 2017 12:00 PM EST Reads: 900
SYS-CON Events announced today that CrowdReviews.com has been named "Media Sponsor" of SYS-CON's 22nd International Cloud Expo, which will take place on June 5–7, 2018, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY. CrowdReviews.com is a transparent online platform for determining which products and services are the best based on the opinion of the crowd. The crowd consists of Internet users that have experienced products and services first-hand and have an interest in letting other potential buye...
Dec. 14, 2017 11:45 AM EST Reads: 1,262
"IBM is really all in on blockchain. We take a look at sort of the history of blockchain ledger technologies. It started out with bitcoin, Ethereum, and IBM evaluated these particular blockchain technologies and found they were anonymous and permissionless and that many companies were looking for permissioned blockchain," stated René Bostic, Technical VP of the IBM Cloud Unit in North America, in this SYS-CON.tv interview at 21st Cloud Expo, held Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2017, at the Santa Clara Conventi...
Dec. 14, 2017 11:30 AM EST Reads: 1,819
SYS-CON Events announced today that Telecom Reseller has been named "Media Sponsor" of SYS-CON's 22nd International Cloud Expo, which will take place on June 5-7, 2018, at the Javits Center in New York, NY. Telecom Reseller reports on Unified Communications, UCaaS, BPaaS for enterprise and SMBs. They report extensively on both customer premises based solutions such as IP-PBX as well as cloud based and hosted platforms.
Dec. 14, 2017 11:00 AM EST Reads: 1,277
"Space Monkey by Vivent Smart Home is a product that is a distributed cloud-based edge storage network. Vivent Smart Home, our parent company, is a smart home provider that places a lot of hard drives across homes in North America," explained JT Olds, Director of Engineering, and Brandon Crowfeather, Product Manager, at Vivint Smart Home, in this SYS-CON.tv interview at @ThingsExpo, held Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2017, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA.
Dec. 14, 2017 07:15 AM EST Reads: 678
Coca-Cola's Google powered digital signage system lays the groundwork for a more valuable connection between Coke and its customers. Digital signs pair software with high-resolution displays so that a message can be changed instantly based on what the operator wants to communicate or sell. In their Day 3 Keynote at 21st Cloud Expo, Greg Chambers, Global Group Director, Digital Innovation, Coca-Cola, and Vidya Nagarajan, a Senior Product Manager at Google, discussed how from store operations and ...
Dec. 14, 2017 06:00 AM EST Reads: 1,971
A strange thing is happening along the way to the Internet of Things, namely far too many devices to work with and manage. It has become clear that we'll need much higher efficiency user experiences that can allow us to more easily and scalably work with the thousands of devices that will soon be in each of our lives. Enter the conversational interface revolution, combining bots we can literally talk with, gesture to, and even direct with our thoughts, with embedded artificial intelligence, whic...
Dec. 11, 2017 11:15 PM EST Reads: 10,028
DevOps promotes continuous improvement through a culture of collaboration. But in real terms, how do you: Integrate activities across diverse teams and services? Make objective decisions with system-wide visibility? Use feedback loops to enable learning and improvement? With technology insights and real-world examples, in his general session at @DevOpsSummit, at 21st Cloud Expo, Andi Mann, Chief Technology Advocate at Splunk, explored how leading organizations use data-driven DevOps to close th...
Dec. 11, 2017 07:30 AM EST Reads: 2,348
SYS-CON Events announced today that Evatronix will exhibit at SYS-CON's 21st International Cloud Expo®, which will take place on Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2017, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA. Evatronix SA offers comprehensive solutions in the design and implementation of electronic systems, in CAD / CAM deployment, and also is a designer and manufacturer of advanced 3D scanners for professional applications.
Dec. 10, 2017 07:45 AM EST Reads: 3,884
"We are an integrator of carrier ethernet and bandwidth to get people to connect to the cloud, to the SaaS providers, and the IaaS providers all on ethernet," explained Paul Mako, CEO & CTO of Massive Networks, in this SYS-CON.tv interview at 21st Cloud Expo, held Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2017, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA.
Dec. 9, 2017 05:00 PM EST Reads: 1,321
Sanjeev Sharma Joins June 5-7, 2018 @DevOpsSummit at @Cloud Expo New York Faculty. Sanjeev Sharma is an internationally known DevOps and Cloud Transformation thought leader, technology executive, and author. Sanjeev's industry experience includes tenures as CTO, Technical Sales leader, and Cloud Architect leader. As an IBM Distinguished Engineer, Sanjeev is recognized at the highest levels of IBM's core of technical leaders.
Dec. 8, 2017 05:45 PM EST Reads: 5,935


text:
Have you ever wondered how I create my videos for this website? This tutorial is for every artist who has ever wanted to record their digital painting process in order to share with others, or simply watch for fun later. Here, I will cover the screen recording software I use and how I go about shooting, editing, and distributing my digital illustration demos.
This post is quite a doozie, and it answers one of the most commonly asked questions that I get from you readers. Enjoy!
I use a program called iShowU. It is only available for the Mac platform. I have also used a program called Snapz Pro X. Both have similar features and produce similar results. iShowU, however, is a bit cheaper at $20; for Snapz, you have to buy the "pro" version for $69 in order to get video capabilities, but the software also has some great still capture abilities that help justify the price difference. I have experience using both of these pieces of software, and I would happily recommend either one.
Download them here:
- iShowU: http://www.shinywhitebox.com/home/home.html
- SnapZ Pro X: http://www.ambrosiasw.com/utilities/snapzprox/
I'm sorry, I don't know of any freeware alternatives, but they both have free trials that you can try for a limited time. I also have absolutely no idea what to use on the Windows platform. If any of you readers have any input on this, I'd love for you to leave a comment on this post.
How I Create DaniDraws.com Videos
If you've seen some of my videos on this site, especially the most recent ones, you'll notice there is a bit of additional editing that I do after I am done recording. This helps make them more interesting and viewable. Here is a step-by-step look behind this process:
Set Up
In both of the products I mentioned, there are many settings that you can change to fit your needs.
- Size. First, you have to decide how big your capture area is going to be. I usually choose the standard size of 640 x 480.
- Recording format. This is the codec that is used to record your video. I use a format called Apple Animation. It is uncompressed, and takes up a lot of hard disk space. It is best to use an uncompressed format like this for your initial recording, and not something like H.264, which is highly compressed (i.e. makes small file sizes), because it is less intensive on your processor. And if you edit your video later, it is best to start with the highest quality video you can get. If your disk space is precious, just remember you can always compress your video later, then delete your original footage.
- Frame Rate. A standard video is around 30 fps. I usually record around 15 fps because 1) it produces smaller file sizes, 2) you really don't notice a difference, and 3) if you do notice a difference, it doesn't matter because I know I'm going to be speeding it up later anyway.
- Camera movement. Both iShowU and Snapz Pro have the same camera options. It can either follow the mouse or stayed fixed on one area of the screen. Having the camera follow your mouse is useful for some reasons, but unless you want to give your viewers motion-sickness, you will want to shoot with a fixed camera most of the time.
In the early days, I would just plop the camera into the center of my screen, hit record, and start painting. This is all you really need if you just want a time lapse video. Because of the "teaching" nature of this site, however, I wanted more angles and zooms to show more of the palettes and options. To make this easier for me, I have set up three basic camera angles that I choose from before I begin a shot.
- Follow the Mouse.
I have the camera do this when I am trying to show specific steps that deal with the menus and palettes. Again, I don't use this too often, and definitely not when I am painting, because it gets dizzying after awhile.
- Fixed, Center.
My standard 640×480 camera stays in the middle of my screen. This is the setting I use most often (in fact, my earliest videos were done completely with this camera setting). It is great for showing general painting in Photoshop. However, it isn't so great when you need to see the palettes, toolbars, and menus.
- Fixed, Full Screen.
With this option, I use a much larger area that covers more of the screen so you can see the bigger picture. I like to use a camera area of 1280 x 960 (double of the standard 640 x 480), then just change the "Scale" option in iShowU to 50% so the video outputs to a normal size. This setting is great for steps where you have to see what I'm doing in relation to everything else, but you don't want to use it all the time because elements on the screen get scaled down so small that it's hard to see them.
When I am shooting it usually goes something like this: choose a camera setting, paint, choose a camera setting, paint,… I will choose the setting that is best for whatever I am doing so you can see it well. It makes the painting process a little sporadic, but the results are fun.
When you use one camera angle, you'll end up with just one recording. The most you will probably have to do with it is speed it up.
Because I now work with multiple angles, I end up with many smaller "shots" that I have to combine together. To do that, I bring all the clips into iMovie and place them in order on the timeline. I cut out parts I don't want, and speed up the clips using the Video FX panel. Finally, I add a transition between each clip.
When I'm done, I export the full quality video. I then use Quicktime Pro to place a watermark (more on that here and here) and convert it to iPod format (I also use iSquint to do this; it's quicker).
For more information about creating a good screencast, go to this great tutorial here: http://www.digital-web.com/articles/mac_screencast_capturing/
Sharing and Distribution
I provide each of my videos for download in Quicktime format here on the site. I also use YouTube. I don't use YouTube exclusively because they re-compress your video and the quality isn't very outstanding. Many people ask me what settings I use for the videos I upload. I just use the same Quicktime videos that are here on the site. If you are having trouble getting passable quality on YouTube, try going to their help page.
Despite the quality issues, using video sharing sites is great for distributing your videos. You can embed a player directly on your site, and others can share it just as easily. Place any of my videos on your own blog by going to its YouTube link and pasting the code into your post.
Here are some video sharing sites of interest:
I also provide my videos as a podcast in iTunes. This is great option for you if you plan on creating videos regularly to share with other people.
Making a Good Video Great
Not that I'm the end-all, be-all of art videos, but here is my opinion of what makes a good art video stand out from the crowd:
- Use a variety of angles. A simple time-lapse is great and all, you can find these everywhere. I would love to see more videos with more careful editing and thought put into them.
- Make it short. Although I love watching people paint, my attention span usually won't last for a twenty-minute video. Keep it down to a few minutes, please.
- No music. I usually turn the volume down as soon as I hear it. I'm a country girl, sorry.
- Speed it up. Watching a video in real-time is definitely too slow. And even when a video is sped up, it is sometimes still too slow for my taste (although I have been accused several times of making my videos too fast). Try to find the right pace that works best for your video.
I Want More Art Videos!
I Want More Art Videos!
Okay, so now forget all that good/bad/great video stuff I just said. Even if it breaks one of my "rules" above, I want to see more art videos! Send me a link if you make one of your own. I'm always up for some cool art stuff…
If you have comments, additions, or questions about creating art videos, please leave a comment here on DaniDraws.com.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The beach trail is built to take a walk and overlook Jiufen and Jinkuashih; the visitors may linger on without any thought of leaving because of its varied looks from day to night. There is reef coast around the harbor and it is perfect for rock fishing everywhere.
External link: http://fishfun.com.tw/en.php?node=feature&album_id=28


text:
California Articles & Reviews
Oakland California's Best Hot Spots
A thriving restaurant scene has put this East Bay city back on the traveler's map. Here, the best places to eat, plus what to see and do right now.
By Oliver Strand
It may not have the skyline of San Francisco or the culinary pedigree of Berkeley (yet), but this former industrial powerhouse is forging a new, edgier identity thanks to emerging neighborhoods, a buzzing nightlife, and a renovated waterfront that promises to become one of the most ambitious gastro-destinations in the country. In fact, if you judge a city's appeal by its restaurants, Oakland just made the big leagues: in June renowned chef James Syhabout (formerly of El Bulli, Manresa, and the Fat Duck) opened the small and refined Commis, which just received the city's first Michelin star. Now sophisticates are making the pilgrimage across the bay to eat and explore.
Next Great Neighborhood
A stretch of once decrepit waterfront has been transformed into Jack London Square, now Oakland's go-to district, with a series of landscaped promenades, converted loft apartments, and an ever increasing number of restaurants. The most exciting openings are coming this fall: Chef Daniel Patterson of San Francisco's Coi introduces the rustic Bracina, a cavernous dining spot with a wood-burning oven; then there's Jack London Market (55 Harrison St.; 510/645-9292; jacklondonsquare.com), which will have a two-story food hall set to be the East Bay counterpart to San Francisco's Ferry Building. Indeed, the two venues are connected by a boat service that crosses the bay in only 30 minutes. Next door to the ferry terminal, the recently renovated Waterfront Hotel (10 Washington St.; 510/836-3800;jdvhotels.com; doubles from $129) is a 1960's motel–style property with 143 nautically inspired rooms overlooking the marina.
Chef and owner Syhabout's Commis (3859 Piedmont Ave.; 510/653-3902; dinner for two $118) is a spare, albeit highly innovative, restaurant on a nondescript block of Piedmont Avenue ("across the street from Blockbuster," notes the restaurant's website). Simple names belie the complexity of each dish: for the cool carrot soup, roasted carrots are glazed with tarweed honey and garnished with nasturtium and coriander. Later this summer, Patterson and chef Jeremy Fox, formerly of Napa's Ubuntu, will unveil the nearby Plum (2214 Broadway; 510/444-7586; dinner for two $40). On Telegraph Avenue (a.k.a. Oakland's restaurant row), in the Temescal neighborhood, the tapas barBarlata (4901 Telegraph Ave.; 510/450-0678; dinner for two $30) serves authentic small plates from Catalonia—pa amb tomàquet; patatas bravas—accompanied by an all-Spanish wine list. Farther north you'll find Pizzaiolo (dinner for two $40), the acclaimed Italian restaurant from chef Charlie Hallowell, whose new Boot and Shoe Service (3308 Grand Ave.; 510/763-2668; dinner for two $30) is a pared-down pizzeria with an endless array of toppings (sausage, potato, and egg, to name a few). Weekend mornings, locals queue up outside the diner-like Brown Sugar Kitchen (2534 Mandela Pkwy.; 510/839-7685; brunch for two $30), where biscuits and glazed ribs are considered standard brunch fare. Oakland has a tradition of soul-food restaurants, and Picán (2295 Broadway; 510/834-1000; dinner for two $40)adds a twist to classics like buttermilk fried chicken—ask for a side of truffled honey to drizzle on top.
Must-See Sights
The spruced-up Oakland Museum of California opened its doors this summer after a $62.2 million renovation of architect Kevin Roche's 1969 Brutalist building. Inside the expanded galleries, you'll find a collection of some 900 Californian works, video installations, and sculptures, some of which date back to the 1800's. Downtown, there's Lake Merritt, surrounded by 3.5 miles of walking paths. If you'd rather explore by water, rent a kayak at the Lake Merritt Boating Center (568 Bellevue Ave.; 510/238-2196; rentals from $10). Don't miss an afternoon cocktail at theLake Chalet (1520 Lakeside Dr.; 510/208-5253; drinks for two $18), overlooking the water.
After Dark
Oakland's nascent nightlife scene centers around the revitalized Uptown. Its flagship is the Fox Theater (1807 Telegraph Ave.; 510/302-2250; thefoxoakland.com), a Moroccan-style pile from 1928 (neon marquee out front; gilded ceilings inside) that shuttered in 1966 and reopened last year as one of the best indie music venues in the country (the National and New Pornographers recently played). If you're looking for a pre-concert cocktail, just up the street is the Art Deco Flora (drinks for two $18), serving innovative cocktails such as a Fish House Punch (rum, cognac, apricot liqueur, lemon, orange juice, and soda). At the warehouse-like Mua (2442A Webster St.; 510/238-1100; drinks for two $14), late-night revelers push aside the tables after dinner to dance.
Don't Miss
The second annual Eat Real Festival (eatrealfest.com) takes place August 27–29 at Jack London Square. Expect a lollapalooza of street-food trucks and craft brewers—more than 30 microbreweries and 80 vendors, including 25 trucks.
Need a pick-me-up? Check out the recently opened Blue Bottle Coffee (300 Webster St.; 510/653-3394; coffee for two $6), close to Jack London Square. It doesn't get any fresher than this: coffee beans are roasted on the premises.
Oakland's cutting-edge boutique McMullen (4395 Piedmont Ave.; 510/420-6906; shopmcmullen.com) just unveiled a second location, where you'll find 3.1 Phillip Lim dresses and Loeffler Randall shoes.
South of Jack London Square, Dashe Cellars (55 4th St.; 510/452-1800; dashecellars.com) hosts weekend tastings of its Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Syrah wines.
Local Take
Catherine Bullimore, Oakland resident and owner of café Subrosa Coffee (subrosacoffee.com), shares her favorite things to do in the city.
"Oakland has some great vintage stores. I love Pretty Penny (prettypennyclothing.com) and Mercy Vintage Now(mercyvintage.com)."
"For live music, go to the New Parish (thenewparish.com), an intimate, red brick–walled lounge."
"On Saturdays, rent a bike from Manifesto Bicycles (wearemanifesto.com) and head to Grand Lake Oakland Farmers Market (agriculturalinstitute.org), which hosts more than forty-four local farmers."


text:
Microsoft targeted in apparent Chinese antitrust probe
Chinese regulators have launched an investigation into Microsoft, the company said, in the latest setback for US tech companies viewed with growing distrust by Beijing.
Officials from the Chinese government agency that enforces its antimonopoly laws, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, paid unannounced visits to Microsoft's offices in four Chinese cities, a company spokeswoman confirmed.
"There was a visit from government officials to our offices," she told The New York Times. "Given the sensitivity of the issue, I can't say any more."
Still considered the largest and most promising destination for global tech companies due to its huge market and the increasingly insatiable appetite for its surging middle class for the latest technology, tensions between the United States and China in particular have ratcheted up in recent months, with both sides trading accusations of spying and cyber-hacking on both sides.
In apparent retaliation, China has increased its scrutiny of American tech companies in recent months, with Chinese media naming Microsoft among other foreign technology companies as a security risk after revelations from whistleblower Edward Snowden about prolific surveillance by the US government.
China's government offices, which widely use Microsoft operating systems, were forbidden from upgrading to the new Windows 8 operating system due to "security concerns", news agency Xinhua reported, with a proprietary Chinese alternative being developed.
The visits to Microsoft's offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu were understood to be the preliminary stage of an antitrust investigation, which would see Microsoft become one of the world's largest companies to fall under the eye of Chinese regulators as they ramp up their oversight in an apparent attempt to protect local companies and customers.
Qualcomm Inc, the world's biggest mobile phone chip maker, is facing penalties that may exceed $US1 billion in one such Chinese antitrust probe, following accusations of overcharging and abusing its market position.
In May, Bloomberg reported that the Chinese government has started to examine the dependence of Chinese banks on computer servers made by IBM.
In April, the United States Chamber of Commerce expressed concern that Chinese authorities were using their anti-monopoly law "to advance industrial policies that nurture domestic enterprises, rather than the internationally accepted norm of using competition law to protect consumer welfare and competition".
It is also the latest sign of the shifting climate for foreign multinationals across other industries in China. British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline is embroiled in a bribery scandal, while some McDonald's restaurants in Beijing have resorted to just serving fries and drinks after their meat supply - produced by an American-owned factory in Shanghai - was halted by a food safety scandal that has also rocked KFC, Pizza Hut, Starbucks as well as McDonald's chains in Hong Kong and Japan.
with Reuters
Philip Wen is the China correspondent for Fairfax Media.
Get the Morning Edition
Sign up for our daily wrap of the news you need to start your day.


text:
Confusing 'I'm like him' with 'I like him'
My friend Kate is recently single after her boyfriend cheated on her –and not for the first time. Kate and I were at a music festival over the weekend, got a little drunk, and went for a wander around the grounds, as you do. Feeling a need to a) seek validation after having been wronged again and b) wreak revenge on her boyfriend, Kate was on a mission to pick up, and so would stop every attractive young man we passed on our walk and engage in a bit of banter with him.
One guy in particular was Kate's type to a tee. Long hair, tattoos, looked a little bit like the grunge rocker Kurt Vile, only hotter. We climbed on top of his retro ute, shared a beer with him, and were finally heading off on our merry way when Kate, clearly smitten, turned around to ask him one last question.
"What's your favourite band?" she said. I laughed, trying to drag Kate away. I knew exactly where she was heading with her question.
To Kate (and to me, and to many people I know) good taste in music ranks pretty highly in terms of desirable qualities in their significant others.
Part of the reason she's stayed with her cheating boyfriend for so long is because he's a musician, and has what she thinks is great taste in music. Kate's a hippyish rock chick at heart, and the fact that her boyfriend's iPod is filled with songs that she loves, and that they can listen to and enjoy together, is a significant part of why she's been with him for so long.
"It's dumb, I know," she says. "But it's really important to me."
I get it, to a point. When you meet someone new and they're into the same sorts of things as you are, whether it be music, film, or TV shows, it's encouraging. You know, that at the very least, you'll have things to talk about and share together.
But is it a deal breaker if you like dance music and they loathe it? If they love Big Brother and you watch nothing but news and current affairs? If reading is one of your favourite activities, and if the only thing they "read" is Playboy?
American cult filmmaker John Waters once said, "If you go home with somebody, and if they don't have books, don't f*ck 'em!" I must admit that one of the first things I check out in a prospective partner's home is their bookshelf. If their collection is limited to a few sports magazines, Richard Branson's autobiography and Shantaram, the future doesn't look bright.
According to online dating profiles, our cultural tastes and interests certainly count for something. Those looking for love on the net are usually asked to divulge their favourite books, movies, and films in their profiles, and are doubtless judged by others on account of their choices. Kate is certain that a guy rejected her a while back because she didn't share with him his love of rock band My Bloody Valentine. She actually got them confused with My Chemical Romance (easy to do), but that's beside the point. Personally, I doubt I'd date anyone who admitted to liking Nickelback, or Creed. Call me superficial, but it would somehow diminish the value of whatever feelings they had for me.
In her book Is He Mr Right?, American psychotherapist Mira Kirshenbaum calls horsesh*t on the importance of compatibility in a relationship, arguing that just because both parties like early hip-hop and late Beatles, this doesn't make for the foundations of a strong union. Confusing I'm like him with I like him, says Kirshenbaum, is a big mistake.
Rather, she argues that for a relationship to work out, there need to be five dimensions of chemistry, listed as follows.
1. You feel comfortable with each other and it's easy to get close. By this she means that you can be open, honest, and talk freely with each other, and feel comfortable doing so.
2. You feel safe being a relationship with him. You don't feel like you're about to be cheated on, lied to, abused, or in any sort of emotional, physical or financial danger.
3. You feel it's fun to be together. You can laugh and have a good time in each other's presence.
4. You have real affection and passion for each other. This isn't limited to sexual chemistry, but includes everything from compliments to cuddling.
5. You feel there's real mutual respect. You both respect each other for who you are and what you're doing with your lives, and this mutual respect helps you to bring out the best in each other.
I'm not about to get married, but if I were considering it, I'd think that Kirshenbaum's five dimensions of chemistry would make a pretty good starting point for a checklist. If someone ticked all of these boxes, I'd almost be able to excuse them for liking Nickelback. Almost.
What do you think, does compatibility play an important part in finding the right partner? Could you date someone with completely different tastes and interests to your own?
Annabel Ross is a Reporter for The Age.
Get the Morning Edition
Sign up for our daily wrap of the news you need to start your day.


text:
Friday, February 16, 2007
Saving Photographic Memories
To help us understand how to protect and preserve our photographic memories, the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A) has created a website called Save My Memories. In addition to hardware and software issues they cover other factors (such as aging of storage materials and technology obsolescence) that can impact the longevity of a photo collection, whether they are digital or traditional photographs. For convenience, there is a link in the lower right-hand corner of the home page to download a printable version of the website. Overall, it's an excellent site with lots of information and tips.
Posted by Becky Wiseman at 11:03 PM
Labels: photography, Websites
1 comment:
You have to be a "Registered User" to leave a comment. This means you must have a user ID with one of the following: Google, Live Journal, Word Press, Type Pad, AIM,or Open Id. If you don't have one of those IDs you can always send me an email (link in upper right corner of the blog). I apologize for the inconvenience but the amount of Spam Comments being left was overwhelming. Comment moderation is turned on for posts more than 3 days old.
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
**** that ****! Melo Traveled!
**** that ****! Melo Traveled!
I have faith in Donnie Walsh
The pentration we've allowed Billups and Melo is astounding.
Al Fuc.king Harrington.... Dude is having an outstanding game!
I have faith in Donnie Walsh
Honestly though... If someone would have told me that we would have trailed by 5 going into the fourth quarter tonight... I would've been so happy... LETS GO!!!!!!!
I have faith in Donnie Walsh
So glad we didn't sign Iverson. He would only take minutes away from Hill and Douglas. Oh wait, they haven't played... again!
I just really hope this doesn't come down to us chucking up some gimp 3 before/after allowing yet another inside move to a Nugget....
Duhon has actually played decent tonight... Miracle? I think so...
I have faith in Donnie Walsh
Gallo is having a bad game every which way, but I'd still like to see him log some quality min down the stretch. Short-term is just that; kid is still our future, and to a good extent, our present. I want him on the court.
I thought if there's blood there's a foul? I didn't realize you can deck someone in the face reaching to tip an offensive rebound!


text:
Expedia Verified Reviews
Don't miss out on a lower price on this hotel
Get an overview of this hotelSpectacular vistas from Mahabaleshwar hotel near Kate's Point
Popular property highlights
Mountainside perch
Surrounded by acres of verdant woodlands, this mountainside hotel offers breathtaking views of the Sahyadri Mountains and the Krishna Valley with its meandering river. Kate's Point is a 15-minute walk. Mahabaleshwar's main market is 4 km away.
Restaurants, pool, spa
Dining temptations include outdoor barbecue and Italian restaurants, a vegetarian restaurant, and a bar perched on the edge of the hotel, overlooking the valley. Other highlights include an outdoor pool, a spa tub, and the Prana Spa.
Variety of views
Spacious guestrooms feature views of the valley, gardens, or forest. Decor and amenities vary, but all include premium bedding, flat-screen TVs, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Bathrooms come with free toiletries.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us! Opens in a new window.
Brightland Resort & Spa
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
Up high on a mountainside, this eco-friendly Mahabaleshwar hotel is known for its panoramic views, top-notch restaurants, recreational activities, rejuvenating spa, and wide variety of well-appointed guestrooms.
Dining options include the outdoor Olive Garden, featuring Italian favorites; the Pavilion, overlooking the Krishna River Valley; Angaare, an outdoor barbecue restaurant; and Prasadam, serving vegetarian dishes. The Over the Edge Bar is perched on the edge of the hotel, facing the mountains and forests. Room service is available 24 hours a day.
Brightland Resort & Spa's solar-heated outdoor pool and spa tub face the verdant valley. The Prana Spa offers holistic treatments based on Ayurvedic, Asian, and Western traditions. A garden and an arcade/game room are onsite. Recreational amenities include basketball, table tennis, and yoga classes on site, and golf and horseback riding are available nearby. The hotel also offers a complimentary children's club.
- Library
- Bar/lounge
- Elevator/lift
- Rooftop terrace
- Children's club
- Full-service spa
- Business center
- Conference space
- Billiards or pool table
- Porter/bellhop
- Meeting rooms 2
- Free self parking
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Free WiFi
- Steam room
- Sauna
- Health club
- Outdoor pool
- Children's club (free)
- Computer station
- Spa services on site
- Luggage storage
- Number of restaurants - 3
- Gift shops or newsstand
- Laundry facilities
- Spa tub
- Total number of rooms - 74
- Number of floors - 4
- Arcade/game room
- Wedding services
- Garden
- Tennis on site
- Multilingual staff
- Free newspapers in lobby
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Outdoor pool
- Free Wi-Fi
- Children's club (free)
- Laundry facilities
- Arcade/game room
- Refrigerator
- DVD player
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Free self parking
Room Amenities
- Phone
- Room service (24 hours)
- Air conditioning
- Free bottled water
- DVD player
- Daily housekeeping
- Turndown service
- Free toiletries
- Iron/ironing board (on request)
- Refrigerator
- Free WiFi
- Pillow menu
- In-room safe
- Cable TV service
Where to Eat
The Olive Garden - This outdoor restaurant showcases Italian cuisine, prepared in an open kitchen. Pizzas are freshly baked in a wood-fired oven.
Pavilion - Overlooking the Krishna River Valley, Pavilion features Indian and Chinese specialties. Many ingredients come directly from local organic farms.
Angaare - Dine under the stars at Angaare, the outdoor barbeque restaurant, while enjoying the warmth of the bonfire at night and the view of the valley during the day. The menu offers an extensive selection of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian kebabs.
Prasadam - At this vegetarian restaurant, seasonal vegetables are sourced from local organic farms. The chef can accommodate special dietary requests.
Over the Edge Bar - Perched on the very edge of the hotel, this bar overlooks the dense forests, the Sahyadri Mountains, and the backwaters of the Dhom Dam. Enjoy cocktails inside by the fireplace or out on the terrace.
Room service is available 24 hours a day.
Nearby Things to Do
Brightland Holiday Village features an outdoor pool and spa tub with valley views, and a complimentary children's club is available. A fitness center, tennis courts, game room, basketball, table tennis, and yoga classes are also offered on site.
About a 15-minute walk from the hotel, Kate's Point stands at a height of 1,290 meters. Here, visitors can hike, go horseback riding, or simply take in the spectacular views of the Krishna Valley and the Dhom Dam. Golfing is also possible nearby.
The recreational activities listed below are available onsite or nearby; fees may apply.
- Golfing nearby
- Basketball on site
- Hiking/biking trails nearby
- Volleyball on site
- Yoga classes/instruction on site
Spa Services
Featuring 9 private suites, each with its own steam room and shower, the Prana Spa offers holistic treatments based on Ayurvedic, Asian, and Western traditions. A small boutique sells the spa's homemade natural products. An in-house Ayurvedic doctor is available for consultations.
- Hot stone massage
- Deep tissue massage
- Body wraps
- Body treatments
- Body scrubs
- Facial treatments
- Aromatherapy treatments
- Hydrotherapy treatments
- Massages
Hotel Policies
Check-in time starts at 2 PM
Check-in time ends at 7 PM
Special check-in instructions:
Check-out time is 10 AM
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Rollaway/extra beds are available for INR 2000.0 per night.
- Cribs (infant beds) are not available.
- Pets not allowed
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
- New Year's Eve gala dinner fee
Optional extras
- Rollaway bed fee: INR 2000.0 per night
Hotel Name
- Brightland
- Brightland Mahabaleshwar
- Brightland Resort
- Brightland Resort Mahabaleshwar
- Brightland Holiday Village Mahabaleshwar
We should mention
A fee for a mandatory New Year's Eve gala dinner is included in the total price displayed for stays on 31 December.


text:
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – The Georgia Piedmont Youth Orchestra will have auditions Saturday, Aug. 17.
Rehearsals will begin Sept. 5 and will meet weekly throughout the school year at Chattahoochee High School, 5230 Taylor Road, Johns Creek.
Although membership is open to all qualifying high school students, the GPYO is expected to draw players from Cobb, Gwinnett and North Fulton and Forsyth counties.
Audition and additional information is available online at the Georgia Piedmont Youth Orchestra's website: www.gpyoa.org/. Rehearsals will be Thursday evenings at Chattahoochee High School during the school year.
Musicians from more than a dozen high schools as well as private and church schools have been invited to take part.
Michael Palmer, the Charles Thomas Wurm Distinguished Professor of Orchestral Studies at Georgia State University, has accepted the position of artistic director and principal conductor of the GPYO. During his tenure as associate conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Palmer founded and was music director of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Since that time, he has enjoyed a distinguished career as music director of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra and the Bellingham Festival of Music.
Each summer, he conducts the Bellingham Festival Orchestra, an ensemble of players from the major North American orchestras, and collaborates with stars of the concert stage, such as Joshua Bell, Lynn Harrell and Garrick Ohlsson. In addition, he has appeared as guest conductor of many major orchestras in the United States, Europe and China, where he maintains a close relationship with the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra.


text:
FBC Thanksgiving Feast
TJ Maxwell
Get email notifications on TJ Maxwell daily!
Whenever TJ Maxwell posts new content, you'll get an email delivered to your inbox with a link.
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Followed notifications
Please log in to use this featureLog In
Post a comment as
Watch this discussion. Stop watching this discussion.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.
Today's e-Edition
Most Popular
- Air Force bringing 'sound of freedom' to Killeen area
- Defense Dept: If government shuts down, Fort Hood troops don't get paid
- Texas Rangers: Murder suspect had relationship with underage girl
- Weather alert prompts school districts, college, Heights closings, delays on post, at VA
- 1 man shot in overnight Killeen shooting
- Winter weather advisory ends in Killeen area; here is what is open, what's closed
- Former Fort Hood soldier gets 75 years in slaying of man trying citizen's arrest
- Killeen man who advocated for shooting indicted
- Copperas Cove city manager submits resignation
- Man admits to stealing SUV, then living in it, police say
- A look ahead at what to expect in Killeen in 2018 (40)
- Killeen financial decisions: Accountability and action (12)
- Cat colonies offer humane population control (7)
- Killeen city officials favor scrapping May bond election (6)
- City's projected shortfall, bond debt likely to impact residents (6)
- Killeen's bond has a number: $30 million (6)
- Nolanville reader says president hardly making America great again (6)
- Retired mental health specialist offers insight about president (5)
- Killeen finances: Remember that $27.6M shortfall in 20 years? It's closer to $50M (5)
- Killeen airport 180? As Delta exits, new company could be hired to help (5)
The city of Killeen will host a free first-time homebuyer education class Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Community Development Training Room, 802 N. Second St., Building E.
After being on the graves at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, over 7,000 wreaths will be retrieved today beginning at 10 a.m.
Five Hills Investors, LLC is hosting a free real estate event in Killeen from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday with investors Eugene Alexander and Darrell Muhammad.
The Killeen City Council will meet today to discuss road projects covered in a possible bond referendum in May.


text:
News & Events
For the Media
Clarkson University's Entrepreneurship Center Offering Free Small Business Training in Potsdam and Saranac Lake
[A photograph for media use is available at http://www.clarkson.edu/news/photos/msb101-2009.jpg]
Clarkson University's Entrepreneurship Center will offer the popular My Small Business 101 series in Potsdam and Saranac Lake this fall.
The center had a combined 65 small business owners in attendance during the Ogdensburg and Louisville series held this summer and registrations for the next offerings are coming in daily.
Small business people in all stages of business are invited to attend this very successful course, which is delivered in four weekly two-hour sessions. Each week, Marc Compeau, director of the Entrepreneurship Center, will focus on a different topic, including Thinking Strategically, Resource Management, Marketing Management and Financial Management.
"The program has been very successful," says Compeau. "Participants have told us that they receive lots of practical and useful information, tools and resources. They also appreciate the encouragement and inspiration. We are looking forward to our return to campus and to welcoming our inaugural class to the new Adirondack Business Center in Saranac Lake."
The Potsdam course will be held on September 20, September 27, October 4, and October 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Bertrand H. Snell Hall on the Clarkson campus.
The Saranac Lake course will be on October 19, October 26, November 2, and November 9 from 6-8 p.m. at the Adirondack Business Center at 141 River Street. Registration is required and the course is free.
Those interested in attending the Potsdam course should contact Erin Draper at the Entrepreneurship Center by Monday, September 13, at 315-268-3995 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
To register for the Saranac Lake course, contact Stephanie Donaldson at the Adirondack Business Center by Monday, October 11, firstname.lastname@example.com or call 315-268-3995. Space is limited and registration will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
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.
Photo caption: Clarkson University's Entrepreneurship Center is offering free small business training in Potsdam and Saranac Lake this fall. Above, Marc Compeau, director of the center, teaches a class.


text:
Can we just forfeit? I cant watch this anymore.
Shump will pressure the ball, and Chandler would be there to clean up the mistakes. But there's very little team defense from the first unit. Melo isn't the worst on-ball defender, if anything, sometimes he's too over zealous picking up cheap fouls.
But they don't exactly function as a unit, it's just guys out there doing their thing. The 2nd unit comes in and plays like a squad.
So I split the blame between the stars, and team preparation. What's the percentages between each side tho? I dunno.
Guess if I was simple in the mind...everything would be fine.
well hopefully melo has this stroke for the next game...
But make no mistake, something needs to be done about the attitude and effort of this team on the defensive end.
MDA needs to fix that quickly because we already look disjointed with so many new players/returning players.
The offense is now solely consisting of one on one ISO plays and some half hearted picks for Lin. We CANNOT go back to being a jump shooting team because we aren't going to win **** much like last year.
This team looks like they don't ****ing care at all. Either that or they haven't got the slightest idea how to play defense.
Melo is finally shooting over 50% and scoring at a high clip yet we can win and why
because we have a wide open system, we have no structure, guys dont have defined roles and our coach does not understand how to make in game adjustments
I doubt any one cares but I turned off the game and was flipping through channels and caught Jordan Farmar hitting a game winning 3 against the clippers.


text:
Oakland officials didn't let the NFL lockout stand in the way of their plans to transform the city's gray and sagging Coliseum into a new stadium and entertainment district that some supporters are calling Oakland Live.
The clock started ticking on the plans when Gov. Jerry Brown threatened to commandeer redevelopment money. But the pace really picked up when it looked like the NFL deal sealed this week could help deliver money for the project. The city had already begun to buy up land to "control the destiny" of the area, which is part of the Coliseum Redevelopment Project district, said Oakland City Councilmember Larry Reid.
"But to get there, we have to spend money to show there is a vision," said Reid, whose Elmhurst-East Oakland district includes the Coliseum area.
The aging complex is co-owned by the city and Alameda County. But the city now controls all the land between Coliseum Way and San Leandro Street except several parcels occupied by, among others, Denny's, a church and a trucking company.
Then the council authorized $4 million in redevelopment funds this month to pay for a design plan and an environmental impact report.
"If we don't do something, we might end up losing all our franchises," Reid said.
He has long cherished the plan to create Oakland Live, named and modeled after the sprawling $2.5 billion entertainment complex in Los Angeles next to Staples Center.
He appears to have the support of the Raiders.
The team has backed a redevelopment plan since 2009 when the Raiders and city began to evaluate the chances of success. The support has not changed, said Raiders Chief Executive Officer Amy Trask in an email interview.
The Coliseum, she said, is a "tremendous location," centrally located and accessible from all over the Bay Area by public transportation, including BART.
As for the 49ers, she said the Raiders are keeping an open mind about sharing a stadium as details for a Santa Clara facility unfold.
Prospects of a two-team facility dimmed after 49ers owner Jed York backed off this week. He said the team can build a stadium in Santa Clara without sharing with the Raiders because the NFL is offering a handout large enough to satisfy several teams. The league announced plans to create a financing pool teams could dip into for loans needed to build a new stadium. The NFL would put 1.5 percent of all league revenue earned in a year into the pool. That could generate as much as $150 million annually based on NFL revenues of $10 billion a year, which the league is close to earning already.
The Raiders could play in Santa Clara without needing voter approval.
Conversely, if the Santa Clara deal falls apart, O.co Coliseum could be an option for the 49ers.
The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Board, which oversees operations at the Coliseum complex, commissioned an analysis independent of the Oakland Live proposal.
"(The) addition of the 49ers dramatically increases the economic viability of the project," according to an October 2010 report by Minnesota-based Conventions, Sports & Leisure, which the city of San Jose hired to analyze the potential A's ballpark in that city.
According to the analysis, there is $145 million in outstanding principal on a Coliseum bond debt that helped pay for renovations demanded by Raiders owner Al Davis in 1996. The debt will have to be resolved before the stadium can be torn down to make way for a new one.
Because the Oakland stadium plan involves redeveloping the surrounding area, the project could also be eligible for federal funding if it can be classified as a transit village, according to At-Large Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan.
She announced the new stadium plans on July 20, catching some of her fellow council members off guard because they didn't know the stadium had become a definite part of the plan. She also surprised Coliseum board members.
Commissioner Scott Haggerty said he knew nothing of the plan, but supports the concept of a new stadium. The A's, who share the existing stadium with the Raiders, may have to be factored into the plan if Major League Baseball blocks the team from moving to San Jose.
Co-owner Lew Wolff said this week by telephone that he has no information about the plans.
"We've seen nothing," he said. The Coliseum area, he added, is a great site, but a new stadium would not persuade him to stay in Oakland.
Reid said the plan doesn't include a new arena for the Golden State Warriors, who have a contract to play at the Coliseum until 2017. But the new owners have made it clear they want a new facility in Oakland — or possibly in San Francisco.
The next step is to issue a request for proposals from companies to perform an environmental impact report. Then Reid and Kaplan will have to convince the rest of the Coliseum board and county supervisors.
"We're just at the starting point," Reid said.


text:
Skip to page content
Hi, this was found in a Hertfordshire garden and I have no idea what bone or animal it is. Can anyone identify it correctly?
This is the pelvis from a bird and it looks most like a corvid. Crow and rook pelvis' are around 4cm along the central section and one of these would be my best guess.
Thank you


text:
5 — The number of touchdowns quarterback Evan Wilson threw in The Out-of-Door Academy's 42-20 victory over St. Stephen's Nov. 2.
18 — The number of Riverview High boys and girls swimmers who advanced to the Class 3A Swimming & Diving Championships Nov. 9, at the Central Florida YMCA Aquatic Center in Orlando.
6 — The number of seniors who played their final match in an Out-of-Door Academy uniform after the Lady Thunder fell to Clearwater Central Catholic 3-0 in a Class 3A-Region 3 quarterfinal Oct. 31.
6 — The number of saves Riverview High goalkeeper Stephanie Tabar had in the Lady Rams' 6-0 victory over DeSoto Nov. 6.
1 — The number of times the Sarasota Christian School volleyball team has advanced to the Class 2A-Region 3 finals, after defeating Southwest Florida Christian 3-2 Nov. 6.
2 — The number of goals Leonardo Cisneros scored to lead the Sarasota Military Academy boys soccer team to a 2-0 season-opening victory over Bradenton Christian Nov. 6.


text:
At some point in every Jumbo's life, students are faced with an all too familiar dilemma: life without a meal plan. Without the convenience of salad bars, healthy options, and a myriad of protein choices, what's a Jumbo to do!? In an effort to deal with this mid-college crisis, Lydia Jessup, A13, and Alex Testa, E13, started Feastie Girls, a community driven food blog for college students focusing on cooking healthy, quick, inexpensive, and fun dishes. Jessup sums up their mission stating, "We wanted to create a place where college students could share ideas and get inspired in the kitchen."
From recipes that would only be acceptable in college (Frat bread, anyone?) to the more sophisticated Zesty Cucumber Gazpacho, The Feastie Girls cover it all! Keeping with their community-driven focus, the girls allow for anyone currently in college (and those who remember recipes from their college years) with a love of healthy, delicious food to contribute. One of their contributors is Jeff Marvel, A13, who gives us a taste of his personal experiences as a newbie in the kitchen along with a recipe for his easy Chicken, Broccoli, and Pasta:
If you're like me, then growing up was defined by delicious home cooked meals by mom. Coming into college, I knew how to to scramble an egg and toast a bagel. That's an exaggeration, but not by much. The inevitable threat of cooking was delayed for a few years by this beautiful thing called the unlimited meal plan. But now it's summer, I'm on my own and faced with the daunting task of creating reasonably nutritious meals at minimal cost.
Faced with this challenge, I settled on a childhood favorite: broccoli. This superfood is one of the more nutrient dense vegetables on the planet, according to CNN, and has proven cancer prevention abilities. It's cheap, yummy, healthy and easy to cook. Sounds about right.
I decided to make chicken and pasta because, well, I'm not really sure. They just seemed like reasonable things to cook. But together, chicken, broccoli, and pasta create a cheap, nutritious dish that's easy to make for someone just starting out. Hope you enjoy!
If the Feastie Girls have whet your appetite, feel free to email them and contribute to their project: firstname.lastname@example.com and firstname.lastname@example.com. Bon appetite!


text:
Thrilling 10th highlights ALCS Game 3
Angels load bases, but Yankees escape jam unscathed
By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com
Fans of both teams must have had their stomachs turn, their nails bitten and the hair on their arms stand up more times than they could count.
And in the end, nothing changed in the run column on the Angel Stadium scoreboard.
That was good for the Yanks, who preserved a tie, and a nightmare (albeit a short-lived one) for the Angels, who would capture a 5-4 victory on catcher Jeff Mathis' walk-off double the next inning.
"It was an emotional roller coaster," said Angels center fielder Torii Hunter.
Here's how the ride went:
With Phil Hughes pitching, Mathis led off with a line-drive double to left. All the Halos had to do was get him to third, then lift a fly ball deep to the outfield, and they would have officially regained life in a best-of-seven set that they trailed, 2-0.
Enter "The Sandman," as the Yankees brought in closer Mariano Rivera to face Erick Aybar, who was primed to lay down a sacrifice bunt. Aybar did so, and Rivera fielded the bunt and fired to third in an effort to nab Mathis. Rivera might have done so, had his throw not bounced in front of third baseman Alex Rodriguez and skipped over by the camera pit, where left fielder Johnny Damon backed up the play.
"I had it right on my palm," Rivera said. "It was tough to make a good throw."
Third-base coach Dino Ebel correctly instructed Mathis, who had made a headfirst slide into third, to stay put, and the Angels had runners on the corners.
"It was kind of bang-bang at third, and I dove in headfirst," Mathis said. "I didn't know that Alex missed the ball. I thought he had the ball, so I was just making sure I was on [base] and trying to look to see what had happened."
Chone Figgins came up with none out, needing a sacrifice fly. Instead, he sent a hard grounder to first, and Mark Teixeira cleanly fielded it and tagged the bag for the first out,after first making sure that Mathis wasn't breaking for home from third.
With runners now at second and third, Rivera intentionally walked Bobby Abreu to load the bases and set up a potential double play. The heart of the Angels' order was due up, beginning with Hunter.
Leery of a sac fly to left off the bat of the right-handed-hitting Hunter, Yankees manager Joe Girardi sent in Jerry Hairston Jr., who had taken over Hideki Matsui's designated-hitter duties earlier in the game, to replace Damon in left. Girardi wanted a stronger arm in the outfield, but in doing so, he lost the DH and ensured that Rivera would have to be taken out and replaced by a pinch-hitter in the top of the 11th, when he was due up.
"You have to put yourself in a situation where if the ball is hit directly at the left fielder, you maybe give yourself a better chance," Damon said. "So Jerry does have a better arm than I do. I can't disagree with that."
But Hairston never came into play, because instead of getting that precious fly ball or clutch hit, Hunter sent a weak grounder to Teixeira, who fired home for the force out.
Two down.
"[Rivera] did what he always does," Hunter said. "That's why he's one of the best."
Up next was Vladimir Guerrero, whose two-run long ball in the sixth tied the game at 3. This time, Guerrero offered no such heroics. He, too, grounded to first, and Rivera had somehow escaped a jam that seemed inescapable.
"He did an unbelievable job," Hughes said of Rivera. "It was basically like he told himself he wasn't going to let a ball out of the infield, and he did it. To be able to do that was great."
Yankees fans rejoiced, Angels fans squirmed and the game continued.
"It was crushing," Hunter said.
But not for long, because roots were planted in the 10th that would sprout in the Angels' favor in the 11th. With Damon's bat out of the lineup, pinch-hitter Francisco Cervelli struck out to conclude a 1-2-3 top of the 11th. And in the bottom of the 11th, Mathis, building off the confidence of that double he ripped in his first at-bat, came through again with the game-winning double in his second.
So while the Yankees won the battle in a memorable 10th, they lost the war that was Game 3.
Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
Great Basin National Park > Wheeler Peak > Climber's Log
Wheeler Peak Climber's Log
[ Sign the Climber's Log ]
Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2009
|nice hike. glad i changed into long pants before hike and took fleece pullover. very windy and chilly last stretch of climb
|Posted Sep 7, 2009 5:48 am
|6th time up
Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2009
|Back again by the standard route. This time on the way to Jeff Davis peak. Love to see that startled look on the faces of the tourists as I drop off the south side of Wheeler and into the ether of the 'other' side of the mountain.
|Posted Aug 25, 2009 6:52 am
|My Newest Baby!!!
Date Climbed: Jun 2, 2009
|....and my second 13'er. Awesome day!!! Those nasty dark clouds lured above...but wound up just hanging out and chillin' as we did our thing. Snow on the top and patches throughout, but nothing we couldn't handle. :)
|Posted Aug 20, 2009 7:58 am
|Windy Wheeler Peak
Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2009
|A beautiful clear day but very windy as soon as we left the tree cover. This is really a great hike and just one of several to do at Great Basin NP!
|Posted Aug 18, 2009 11:39 pm
|Great hike
Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2009
|I started at 6 am due to threat of rain and lightning. Hadthe summit to myself and saw no one until halfway down. It started raining when I got to the car.
|Posted Jul 30, 2009 5:57 pm
|Vertigo soul
|Standard Trail
Date Climbed: Jul 28, 2009
|This was the final stop for me and my gf on our long road trip up to Glacier/Waterton NP, through Yellowstone and Teton NP's and finally here. Always wanted to make it out here, and now I know that this place is truly a secret treasure. Great hike. Only saw one other person the whole day. Awesome exposure looking down the NE Face of Wheeler. Great views in every direction. Want to come back to ski in early spring next time.
|Posted Jul 30, 2009 10:42 am
|Winter Snowshoe
Date Climbed: Nov 23, 1999
|Did it sometime in winter from the lowest parking lot in 2 days. I was from Seattle visiting Utah and was just amazed at the Great Basin. Like another planet to me. Now I live in the Great Basin enjoying a new planet. Pictures and trip report at http://www.willhiteweb.com/nevada_climbing/great_basin_national_park/wheeler_peak_083.htm
|Posted Jul 24, 2009 3:34 am
|Gale Force
Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2009
|The climb was very easy but the freezing cold wind kept pushing us behind the little rock shelters the whole way up. I didn't expect it to be so cold in July, but once we reached the summit it warmed up a lot and the hike back down got quite hot. Great views on the basic standard route with lots of wildlife in the early morning.
|Posted Jul 13, 2009 1:07 pm
Date Climbed: Jun 19, 2008
|biked up from the campground by the visitors center, climbed to the top via a chute on the other side of the small lake above the parking lot. The sheer drop on the east side is quite spectacular along with the visibility being very good, it is well worth the hike for most. The elevation difference from the base at Baker to the top is about 8,000 ft. Nice long downhill ride to finish it off!
|Posted Apr 14, 2009 3:58 pm
|Win win situation
Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2001
|This was my first "real" mountain having hiked it at the age of 11. We experienced a rocky mountain storm so to say on the way up which we let pass. Fairly easy hike for a really good view. I've been up to the top a few times after that and have also explored other mountains in the Snake Range. The summit was fairly barren when we were there but we passed a lot of people on the way up, people that probably shouldn't have been hiking a mountain like this. I also highly recommend hiking Bald Mountain. It's arguably easier and has great views of Wheeler Peak from the top.
|Posted Jan 17, 2009 4:22 pm
|Rude People!
Date Climbed: Jun 18, 2006
|This was a very cool peak, besides the people. I passed everyone there was to pass on the way up. A couple people on the trail had a problem with me though - one guy said something about me wearing shorts in cold weather and another guy asked if I was experienced enough to hike this peak (ha, what did he know? ...nothing) "Don't judge a book by it's cover."
|Posted Nov 14, 2008 4:19 pm
|Alpine Start
Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2008
|wow - what an interesting area, an island in the sky - I was driving from cali to utah and climbed wheeler along the way - I arrived at 3 am, started hiking an hour later, and reached the top shortly after sunrise - then I ran over to jeff davis and descended through the bristlecone pines - quite the morning jaunt...
|Posted Oct 21, 2008 1:09 am
|Summt Trail
Date Climbed: Oct 1, 2008
|Hiked via the summit trail.The fall colors were spectacular and the views from the summit great!!
|Posted Oct 15, 2008 5:56 pm
|My toes still hurt
Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2008
|Ok Im 13 and a climbed it but my boots were to small so my toe nails were pushed back into my toes. my good friend paul is really old and he climbed it up and down in i think two hours but my whole group made it.the last thousand feet in elevation sucked
|Posted Sep 15, 2008 5:05 pm
|all to ourselves
Date Climbed: Dec 17, 2003
|my girlfriend and I made the winter break trip out from Oregon to visit GBNP. We hiked into Wheeler Pk campground from Lehman Creek and chose the best of the campsites available (the whole place was empty). The weather was a bit chilly the next morning, around 0degF, but the skies were clear. I found some brutal, dry, great basin powder gaining the north ridge. Once on the ridge, it was quick moving. By the time I made the summit, I was down to a single thermal longsleeve tee. Spectacular time to be at the park. My girlfriend could watch me most of the time I was on the ridge. We enjoyed another night at the vacant campground, then hiked out and had a fun time in Ely.
|Posted Jul 31, 2008 1:02 am
|Great Hike
Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2008
|Started early @ 7:00, back down @ 11:30. Nice day hike, quite steep at the end, but well worth it. Great views, and my friend and I were the only people on top.
|Posted Jul 21, 2008 5:24 pm
|Remote National Park
Date Climbed: Jul 19, 2008
|I found this peak to be a nice hike except for the uphill on the scree over the last mile or so.........Great Basin National Park is very remote. I had perfect weather and shared the summit with 4 other groups.
|Posted Jul 20, 2008 8:37 pm
Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2008
|I had an amazing time at GBNP. Wheeler peak offers great views at the top. It was overcast the whole time. The trail is great, fairly easy climb. The last thousand feet is steep. I loved the alpine flowers that lined the trail along the way.
|Posted Jul 19, 2008 5:07 pm
|Night Hike
Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2008
|Did a night hike while on a fieldwork mission, I think 1:45 from trailhead to summit. Smoke obscured the moonlit view, guess I'll have to go back.
|Posted Jul 14, 2008 2:47 pm
|Pretty nice jaunt for good views
|A likable peak and an easy route, if you leave out the long drive from Vegas.
|Posted Jul 12, 2008 10:14 pm


text:
Re: Who are your favoutite people?
When was it posted? I spent the night at my girlfriend's.
I've got a birld!!! lol.
(It will never last. Like all the others)
EDIT: Gen lol.... I only read as far as Hannu's post and posted this. Then I read back and saw that some of the sharper minds were onto it already. Good to see some people are keeping an eye on shit.
Last edited by fadass (Friday Sep 2013 14:46:34)


text:
|Free Shipping*
|Free Shipping*
This plush area rug from the Franklin Collection will add style and comfort to any home.More Details >
Featuring resilient polypropylene construction and a beautiful floral design, this area rug from the Franklin Collection is a great way to enhance your decor.
Rug Notes: Images of the standard rectangular rug are displayed when other sizes and shapes are not available; in some cases patterns and colors will vary by size and shape of rug purchased. Colors online will also vary due to differences in computer monitors. Please note that variations may exist between the actual product and what you see online.


text: Greetings, The *SciPy 2007 Conference* has been scheduled for mid-August at CalTech. http://www.scipy.org/SciPy2007 Here's the rough schedule: Tutorials: August 14-15 (Tuesday and Wednesday) Conference: August 16-17 (Thursday and Friday) Sprints: August 18 (Saturday) Exciting things are happening in the Python community, and the SciPy 2007 Conference is an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, learn techniques, contribute code and affect the direction of scientific computing (or just to learn what all the fuss is about). Last year's conference saw a near-doubling of attendance to 138, and we're looking forward to continued gains in participation. We'll be announcing the Keynote Speaker and providing a detailed schedule in the coming weeks. Registration: ------------- Registration is now open. You may register online at https://www.enthought.com/scipy07. Early registration for the conference is $150.00 and includes breakfast and lunch Thursday & Friday and a very nice dinner Thursday night. Tutorial registration is an additional $75.00. After July 15, 2007, conference registration will increase to $200.00 (tutorial registration will remain the same at $75.00). Call for Presenters ------------------- If you are interested in presenting at the conference, you may submit an abstract in Plain Text, PDF or MS Word formats to abstracts at scipy.org -- the deadline for abstract submission is July 6, 2007. Papers and/or presentation slides are acceptable and are due by August 3, 2007. Tutorial Sessions ----------------- Last year's conference saw an overwhelming turnout for our first-ever tutorial sessions. In order to better accommodate the community interest in tutorials, we've expanded them to 2 days and are providing food (requiring us to charge a modest fee for tutorials this year). A tentative list of topics for tutorials includes: - Wrapping Code with Python (extension module development) - Building Rich Scientific Applications with Python - Using SciPy for Statistical Analysis - Using SciPy for Signal Processing and Image Processing - Using Python as a Scientific IDE/Workbench - Others... This is a preliminary list; topics will change and be extended. If you'd like to present a tutorial, or are interested in a particular topic for a tutorial, please email the SciPy users mailing list (link below). A current list will be maintained here: http://www.scipy.org/SciPy2007/Tutorials Coding Sprints -------------- We've dedicated the Saturday after the conference for a Coding Sprint. Please include any ideas for Sprint topics on the Sprints wiki page here: http://www.scipy.org/SciPy2007/Sprints We're looking forward to another great conference! Best, Travis ------------- Links to various SciPy and NumPy mailing lists may be found here: http://www.scipy.org/Mailing_Lists


text:
Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
What Would It Take for YOU to buy a diesel car?
Like Honda, Mazda STILL has no diesel on the US market. :lemon:
Hopefully the diesel will trickle down. I like the engines, but really don't want it in something even the size of a 6. Just a C350 or even C250 diesel has more appeal to me than an E350.
The 6 did get too big. The last one got all swoopy so you had to duck to get in. This one seems better designed, but still big.
The CX5 and Mazda3 are the volume segments where they can offer a diesel and sell in big numbers, potentially. MazdaSpeed3D would be fun. :shades:
I wonder if they'll even keep the Mazda5 long enough to get a diesel. That's been a tough segment here in the US (Mazda5, Rondo, C Max, Prius V are all low volume).
Edit: saw a Corolla Verso (tall wagon) with diplomatic plates this morning.
A 3 diesel would be good - fast and lighter, so better economy. That's what I would look for. I don't want anything bigger than the E55, and today these "family sized" cars are pushing it.
Speaking of Toyota tall wagon, reminds me of something in Germany - Toyota Picnic. Ghastly unsightly tall wagon usually driven by the slow and oblivious.
Had to look that up, hadn't even ever heard of it. Not for sale in Brazil. Looks about the size of the old Zafira from GM.
Don't complain when it goes away and gets replaced with Toyota's 17th crossover model.
Fine with me, as long as it makes the inept easy to spot. They move from dopey tall wagons to dopey CUVs. :shades:
Toyota has very little sense of aesthetics when it comes to vehicle design.
dudleyr Posts: 3,469Surprised that article about the Mazda seemed to forget that Toyota sold a diesel Camry here in the 80's. They even had an awd Camry.
Very happy so see the 6 diesel and glad it will have a stick shift (otherwise no sale for me). Pretty sure emissions won't be a problem as they are already saying it meets the standards without any urea additive. With 170+ hp and 300 ft/lbs of torque it should be peppy - especially since the word is it likes to rev like no other diesel - partly due to low compression.
Now if they only put it in the wagon. My concern with the swoopy 4 door is the lack of rear headroom , which makes the back seat not so useful to me (3 tall sons). However since this will be a segment buster I will probably bite the bullet and get one anyway - kids can slouch in the back. Jetta SW is just too small, and don't really trust Passat, but it is a compelling vehicle.
BTW the stick shift Honda diesel did pass emissions, just not the automatic.
xwesx Fairbanks, AlaskaPosts: 11,151If it was available in wagon form here, I'd consider it. As it's not, I'll keep tooling along with my current stable.2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2008 and 2013 Subaru Forester(s), 1969 Chevrolet C20 Pickup, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250 Pickup
Dan Neil stokes the fires over at the Wall St. Journal:
"The diesel segment in America is essentially German air space.... Yes, the Germans have jumped in with both feet, and they have been rewarded with pretty flat demand, actually. Diesel market penetration in the U.S. hovers around 3%....
Why is demand flat? One reason is the stubborn price premium on diesel fuel, which was running 15% higher than regular gasoline.... Whatever mileage advantages diesel vehicles offer are being largely zeroed out at the pump.
The vehicles themselves carry a diesel [price] penalty. In order to recoup, in fuel savings, the additional outlay for the Cayenne Diesel you would have to own it for about 11.9 years."
There's more, including some good stuff. But not much.
A Porsche Cayenne for Diesel Fetishists Only
That fuel price difference for the Cayenne or similar vehicles is flawed. A standard Cayenne requires premium no doubt. Diesel to premium prices are usually very close. I don't know if the author is careless, or is intending to be dramatic by deception?
Premium unleaded required. Neil got his numbers from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. He goes off on AdBlue in the review too.
Really, about the only thing he sort of likes is the highway range, "765 miles, give or take a small state."
I don't see the price difference as important as the gas quality. I get much better mileage on RUG bought in AZ, CO and NM, than in CA. I did not see that kind of mileage loss with diesel bought across the same states. And now that the EPA is trying to mandate we all use E15 it is more imperative to own only diesel burning vehicles. AAA is trying to stop the EPA. But they are EVIL Dictators in our government.
The AAA says the Environmental Protection Agency and gasoline retailers should halt the sale of E15, a new ethanol blend that could damage millions of vehicles and void car warranties.
AAA, which issued its warning Friday, says just 12 million of more than 240 million cars, trucks and SUVs now in use have manufacturers' approval for E15. Flex-fuel vehicles, 2012 and newer General Motors vehicles, 2013 Fords and 2001 and later model Porsches are the exceptions, according to AAA, the nation's largest motorist group, with 53.5 million members.
I have nothing against Dan; most of his reviews are spot on. Except maybe for the one a few months ago when he gave Mercedes kudos for lightening up the new SL550. Say what?? He thinks a 2 seater that still weighs two tons is worthy of an accolade, but thinks a 5 passenger diesel SUV that weighs 4,800 lbs is not?? HEY DAN, if you are listening, the 2-passenger SL550 that you like is only 750 lbs less than the 5 passenger Cayenne diesel, but a full 1,000+ lbs MORE than a 2+2 passenger 911. DUH.
Back to his "applied" math failure. Part of the problem may be that he is using EPA estimates. The other part is that he appears to have a faulty calculator. Before buying an X5d, I did enough research among friends and colleagues to know that the real world mpg of diesels was relatively better than gas when compared to the EPA estimates. And, since buying, that has proven to be the case to an even greater degree than I had expected.
We just filled up our X5d and MDX tanks last week after they were both driven in virtually identical conditions in mixed driving with a fairly heavy city emphasis. The MDX averaged 15.5 mpg. The X5d averaged 21.9 mpg.
If I use those mpg numbers, with PUG at $3.75/gallon; ULSD at $4.00/gallon and assume 12,000 miles per year, the fuel savings is approximately $708. Knock it down to $650 for an ad blue fill-up, even though it's covered free by BMW for 50k miles.
That would put a $3,900 premium in price at a 6 year payback. Obviously that will change depending upon driving conditions, etc. But there is no way that the real world number would EVER be 11-12 years ($350 / year) without something like diesel being $1.00 more than premium or the miles driven drop to 5k per year.
I think Dan needs to recheck his HP12C calculator. AND get out there and do real journalistic research on what actual real-world fuel economies are on diesels compared to gas models. Our neighbor with an X5 3.5i was floored to hear our city biased 21.9 mpg. He has had his 2011 for 18 months, 12,000 miles and has an overall average of under 16, with pure city tankfuls going as low as 12-14. We are only 2,000 miles into our X5d, but even without any real highway trips other than the drive home from Spartanburg, are at an overall average of 23.1.
Sorry Dan, 4,000 lbs for a 2-seat SL550 is obnoxious, your math is atrocious, and diesel SUV's are here to stay.
His reviews are usually entertaining - I think the failing here was comparing luxury SUV diesel fuel cost to regular gas instead of premium. His comment that diesel vehicles tend to cost more than their comparable gasser counterparts was more on point.
Liked the commenter who wanted to know if the Cayenne diesel came with a Jake brake. :shades:
That would put a $3,900 premium in price at a 6 year payback.
The diesel naysayers never calculate the resale value of the diesel vs gasser.
diesel SUV's are here to stay for guys like me that can actually do the math
I will never buy another gas vehicle if I can at all help it. Just calculated a 2500 mile trip from San Diego to Tampa, FL. With the Sequoia getting it's usual 16 MPG. Cost $515 at about $3.30 per gallon. Same trip in a diesel SUV, with diesel averaging about $4 per gallon would be about $322. Added value of not having to stop for fuel as often. Four stops max for a diesel 7 stops for gas with the Sequoia. We don't use gas station potties. Usually fast food restrooms are cleanest. Diesel would have to be almost double the price to make the gas SUV more practical.
I just did a very quick comparo here on Edmunds. The 2009 ML320 Bluetec vs the ML 350 gas AWD. The diesel with same miles and condition appraises at about $1500 more. The 2013 ML350 Bluetec is only $1400 TMV more than the ML350 4matic gasser. I don't see how the extra cost is a factor at all with buying diesel vs gasser.
According to Edmunds TCO, there is only $6 difference between those two. When you should really compare the diesel to the V8 to get a better comparison. The UK doesn't even offer the V6 gas. Only the ML63 which is a rocket. You can get the ML250 BLuetec that would be perfect IMO. It would be great to get 1000 miles between refills.
plekto Posts: 3,738Most of these reviews and articles miss the biggest factor, which is cost. Not cost for the fuel or the premium over the normal model, but the fact that, basically, WHERE ARE THE CHEAP ECONOBOXES.
There isn't a single diesel sold in the U.S. for less than $24K(well, you can get a manual Jetta for $23K, but those are unbobtanium). They can't we get a Corolla with a CDI engine? Why can't we get a CDI Focus? Why can't we get a small pickup truck with a CDI engine in it - that gets 30mpg instead of a pathetic 18?
Even Smart, who you think would have all the incentive in the world, doesn't offer a diesel engine in the U.S. Getting 80mpg+ would vastly improve their sales. (yes, the Smart CDI translates to 82mpg (U.S. gallons) in a real-world test over two days of driving)
$14,000 if converted from Euros to USD. That's more like what we want to see over here. Not $24K.
flightnurse 35K feetPosts: 2,085This is an excellent question, and I throw it out before. IN the 70's and 80's if you went to the MB dealer in the states, all the models offered in a Diesel was the entry level car, whether it was a 300CD or 300SDL, they were entry level, today, they are not, in fact you pay a premium for them. The rumor mill has been running on the GLK250 being less than the GLK350, but I wont believe that until I can see it on MB USA's web site.
Like others I would love to see a reasonable priced diesel car sold in the US, whether it is a Corolla or Focus. Now having driven a Smart in Europe and here in the states, I would own one even it got 100 mpg....
There are boatloads of small diesel cars in the EU. They are NOT cheap by our standards. A Ford Focus hatch stripped with manual transmission and 1.6L TCDI sells for GBP 17,975. That is $28k US. You want a top of the line Focus with 2.0L diesel engine and automatic you are going to pay $39k USD. That may be the reason BMW can build X5 and X3 diesel and Jeep Wrangler diesels in the USA and ship them to the EU for sale and make money. Maybe if we had a VAT of about 20% on all our vehicles we would be happy with our cheap priced cars. The model I want to see here the ML250 BlueTec sells in the UK for $72K USD. Could be why they unload their gassers on US. No one really wants them in Europe.
Of course, those Euro prices include massive taxes that might not exist in every state. Those expensive little cars still sell, too, so maybe what some call socialism hasn't failed - seems to be plenty of disposable income.
I'm still waiting for the C diesel that many MB salespeople swore would be coming - 2 years ago.
Just filled the 2009 Jetta TDI $4.13 per@ 43 mpg. (29C /40 H)
Did another fill earlier $3.88. The first half tank was hosting an old airline pilot friend earlier in the week through the streets of San Francisco. Got him on a flight to Georgia to head home. Just returned from South Tahoe (starting @ half a tank) in driving rains, huge fickle storm conditions and chain controls @ higher elevations, both going and coming. Tough sloughing and at low speeds with the AC on and off and most electrical systems running Fill with 22.2 gals, posted 30.1 mpg.
This is an excellent question, and I throw it out before. IN the 70's and 80's if you went to the MB dealer in the states, all the models offered in a Diesel was the entry level car, whether it was a 300CD or 300SDL,
Actually, MB put diesels in their entire line-up back in the 1980's. I have a Blue Book that dates back to then and here are some vehicles prices from 25 years ago - 1987:
190D = $29.630 (same exact base MSRP as the gas 190E)
300D = $42,990 (same exact MSRP as 300E; 260E was $37,000)
300TD = $46,200 (NO gas wagon even offered)
300SDL = $51,070 (Top of line diesel; 420SEL was $57,600)
It looks like 1983 was the last of the classic 240D, which had an MSRP of $23,800. Sounds cheap in todays dollars, but that's OVER TWICE as much as a 1983 Nissan Maxima, which had an MSRP of $11,369. And only $7,000 less than a Porsche 911SC that had a MSRP of $30,745.
Whenever I look back at car prices from the 1980's, the thing that is most apparent is that Mercedes (and BMW, mostly) were priced towards true luxury demographic (i.e. affluent) market back then. They were lower volume, didn't give a crap about competing price-wise with the Japanese or American manufacturers and if you couldn't afford to pay twice as much for a bottom of the line Mercedes as a top of the line Nissan, then the hell with you, go shop down the road.
Regarding diesels, they were all throughout the MB line-up, and priced similarly to their gas counterparts, other than the 240D.
It looks like 1983 was the last of the classic 240D, which had an MSRP of $23,800. Sounds cheap in todays dollars, but that's OVER TWICE as much as a 1983 Nissan Maxima
Actually you can buy a nice E350 Bluetec today cheaper than a 240D in 1983. $23,800 is equal to $55,000 in 2012 buying power. TMV on an E350 Blutec is $46K. You can buy the S class diesel for about $93k today. $51k 1983 dollars have the buying power of $117k today. Making luxury more affordable today than in 1983.
Making luxury more affordable today than in 1983.
That's definitely true, in more ways than just price.
The 240D is a good example, as my buddy that had one reminds me that this so-called luxury car that cost 4 times as much as a Honda Civic at the time had a whopping 72 horsepower, 4-speed manual, vinyl upholstery, no power seats, windows and an AM radio. I'm not sure MB could sell a new 240D TODAY for $23,800, let alone $55,000. What you get today in a C class for under $40,000 exceeds the luxury amenities in a 25 year old $70,000 SEL560 by a substantial margin.
What has also occurred is substantial price compression between the non-luxury and luxury categories. The spartan 240D was 4 times more expensive than a Honda Civic in 1983 and twice as expensive as a decked out Nissan Maxima. In 2012, a C-Class sedan will set you back less than twice as much as a Civic sedan and not that much more than a top of the line Maxima.
Of course, you know that back in the 60's and 70's, kids walked 4 miles to school, responsible parents worked hard and everybody knew their place in society. Which meant, "no Mercedes for you" didn't affect my quality of life back in 1982 when I bought one of those Civics. Now we have a contingent of society that thinks just about everybody should be entitled to a Mercedes Benz or they set up tents on Wall Street and in DC to protest against those that have (mostly) earned the right to drive one. I'm exaggerating, of course, but perhaps not as much as I wish.
Funny how yesterday's luxuries become today's necessitates. Call me on your i-Phone or text me through your BMW Apps if you want to discuss further.
Two points about the "good old days". These are the good old days. Just as in the time frames past of MB diesels, even I see a few of them as ones I would like to have now, but probably would not have even considered "back in the day" (late 80s) 300 TD (turbo diesel).
If anything even then, the percentages of TD's (diesels/turbo diesels) were very very small. As you have noted. much more expensive. One can get a VW (peoples car if one will) as a viable option. It is almost embarrassing to say that I sweated brain cells for $236. for the diesel premium (over 2003 VW 1.8T gasser).
If anything the percentages of TD's were very very small, even then.
I don't think that's true. I am pretty sure for the model year 1983, Mercedes sold considerably MORE diesels in the US than gasoline vehicles. I'll need to do a little research, but according to my buddy that owned a 240D, he thought the percentage of diesel Mercedes sold in the US in the 1980-83 time frame was in excess of 60%. It wasn't until the introduction of the 4-cylinder 190E in 1984 and 6-cylinder 300E in 1986 that you could even purchase a gas model Mercedes that wasn't a diesel or an 8 cylinder gas. Mercedes entire model line up for the US in 1983:
Unless you had over $43.3k to spend in 1983 ($101.2k in 2012 dollars according to gagrice), the only Mercedes you could buy was a diesel. Times have changed, but perhaps what goes around will come around, if some of the inequities in taxation and EPA regs get evened out.
We certainly have more publically published data now than we had then. So specifically, the %'s THEN and now are 5%. We can both "think what we want".
So specifically, the %'s THEN and now are 5%. We can both "think what we want".
Well, you can think whatever you want, but until you show empirical evidence supporting the 5% figure, I think you're way the hell off for 1983. As in, on a different planet from reality. There is absolutely no way you can anecdotally convince me that in 1983 MB sold 19 times as many 380SEC's, SEL's and SL's as they did 240D's, 300D, TD, SD and CD's combined???. To even suggest that is ludicrous.
So show me the research source with the actual sales figures. I'll be happy to eat crow if you are even close.
Fair enough. So until you can prove what you say is true about old diesels being more % wise in the passenger diesel segment, YOU are way the hell off, for the "good old days". I am making absolutely no claims about being a "good old days" MB diesel authority.


text: Bring the rustic beauty of wine country into any room in the home! A truly original gift for your favorite wine connoisseur or for your own décor, this authentic real oak wine barrel can be personalized with a family name of up to 20 characters and a four-digit year. Featuring the imprint of a charming vineyard scene, it's a unique keepsake that will have family and friends raising a glass for every occasion.


text:
Garnet was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and Eastern Star E.O.S. Ch. 8.
She was the wife of the late Martin Eugene Crigger. Garnette is also preceded in death by her parents, James Garfield and Dovie Scott Tackett; two brothers, Kyle Tackett and Burgess Tackett; a daughter-in-law, Kay Roach Crigger; and a grandson, Todd Keith Crigger.
She is survived by two sons, David K. Crigger and wife, Neva and Dr. Laurence P. Crigger and wife, Sally; a granddaughter, Kimberly K. Humphreys and husband, Michael; two great-grandchildren, Mariah and Keith Humphreys; a sister, Loraine T. Tayler Jr.; and a granddaughter-in-law, Stacey Greer.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 15, 2012, at Klingel-Carpenter Mortuary by the Rev. Dr. John Minihan.
Interment will follow at Woodmere Memorial Park. A visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital. Family guestbook at www.klingelcarpenter.com.
Paid obituary