text:
It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.
Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
Thank you.
Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.
Originally posted by Maroboduus
reply to post by abeverage
What are you, 12 years old? It must be nice to live in a complete fantasy land. Tell me, how was Miskatonic University? It must be interesting, attending a fictitious college in a fictitious town....edit on 4-9-2012 by Maroboduus because: (no reason given)edit on 4-9-2012 by Maroboduus because: (no reason given)
Originally posted by JValhalla
Great thread and research I have always wondered if there was a real book. All my investigation led to a dead end. Thanks for this. S/F
The Necronomicon is a fictional grimoire
Peter Levenda, very, very likely author of The Simon Necronomicon, being interviewed by Tracy Twyman regarding Peter's involvement in the production of The Simon Necronomicon in the 1970's...
Referring here to the 'monks' that supposedly were heisting books from public and private libraries, I hope you remember that part from the OP...
"Andrew knew about this, he knew what they were up to all along as they were kicking stuff back to him. he really didn't mind it too much as long as he wasn't involved in the actual theft."
"Andrew's interest was always in books of an occult nature, so he had a small growing collection of old tomes of various kinds and as it turns out he had stacks of things in boxes, old manuscripts and that sort of thing".
"And I was over one day and the rest is history...
...opened up the box and saw, um, a manuscript with a Greek name, Necronomicon, ya know, we thought it had something to do with death"
"You have to understand that we did not read H.P. Lovecraft, we had no knowledge of it in the 1970's, it just wasn't part of our lifestyle to read occult fiction and gothic horror and stuff. It just wasn't there, we didn't know.
So for us it meant nothing. Just that it had something to do with the dead, and there were some strange sigils and stuff in it; it looked pretty cool, you know, and that was really the discovery of it, you know, it was just right there so we said, "Let's do something with this".
I had a paperback copy which I burned after bad luck seemed to start to hound me. Then my sister got one which she also asked me to throw away for her.
I don't know why but the nature and intentions of those that created it may have imbued it with something negative.
Originally posted by JValhalla
When I here Necronomicon I automatically think.
"This is my boom stick"
Great thread and research I have always wondered if there was a real book. All my investigation led to a dead end. Thanks for this. S/F
Originally posted by hotbread
reply to post by Xoanon
I think none of those witchcraft books are real.
Any thoughts on the presentation put forth in Dead Names: The Dark History of the Necronomicon? Some of the police reports are quite interesting regarding the connections of the individuals involved...
Originally posted by hotbread
reply to post by Xoanon
I think none of those witchcraft books are real.
maybe one of your children or grandchildren, will someday come waltzing in to the room, all smug with their goth little selves, and slap down a copy of this hoary old grimoire, declaring, "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!".
"Long has alluded to the Necronomicon in some things of his—in fact, I think it is rather good fun to have this artificial mythology given an air of verisimilitude by wide citation."
Frank Belknap Long (April 27, 1901 - January 3, 1994) was a prolific American writer of horror fiction, fantasy, science fiction, poetry, gothic romance, comic books, and non-fiction.
Though his writing career spanned seven decades, he is best known for his horror and science fiction short stories, including early contributions to the Cthulhu Mythos.
During his life, Long received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement (at the 1978 World Fantasy Convention), the Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement (in 1987, from the Horror Writers Association), and the First Fandom Hall of Fame Award (1977).
but im glad there is a thread like this because ive seen around three different copies of the necronomicon at one book store,


text:
01 of 08
How to Choose a Whiskey
The world of whiskey is filled with a complicated collection of various styles, bottles, ages, and specialties and every bottle is priced differently. It can be difficult to navigate all of the choices available and this guide is designed to help you get started.
In the following page you will find a listing of popular whiskey brands and the general price range you can expect to find them at. It is, by no means, a complete guide to every whiskey available, but should give you a general idea of... what to expect.
The whiskies are listed by style (Irish, Scotch, bourbon, Canadian, etc.) and within each are different price points.
When choosing whiskey, remember that price will often (not always) reflect quality. The less expensive to mid-range whiskies will be good for your everyday drinking and are probably your best choices for whiskey cocktails. The high-end whiskey is typically reserved for sipping straight, though everyone will have a different opinion based on their own budgets.
A Few Notes About Pricing Whiskey
- All price ranges are an average of what a bottle may sell for at a retailer.
- Whiskey prices do change over time. For instance, a rare or limited bottling may go up in price as the supply dwindles.
- Some bottlings may have similar offerings that will be at a different price. For instance, an 18YO from a brand may also be available as a "Limited Reserve" bottling with a higher price range.
- Climate has a large impact on time needed to age a whiskey. You may notice that some Scotch and Irish whiskies spend 3-5 decades in the barrel, while American whiskies may max out at just around 10 years. It depends on the distiller's desired whiskey within their regional conditions.
- Single malts tend to be higher priced than blended whiskies (especially under the same brand).
- "YO" is an abbreviation for 'Year Old" which indicates how many years the whiskey has aged in a barrel. In the case of some blended whiskies, it may refer to an average of the individual whiskies in the blend or, in rare cases, the oldest whiskey in the blend.
- "NAS" is an abbreviation for "no age statement" and while this is typically not on the label, you will find it in many pricing guides and retailers. Some style of whiskey are not required to indicate an age and some distillers choose not to. Maker's Mark is a good example, as Bill Samuels once said, "It ages until it's done, which is about 9 years."
- Whiskey is an ever-changing market.
Remember, it is only a guide to give you a general idea of what to expect when searching for whiskies. It is also impossible to list every brand and label.Continue to 2 of 8 below.
02 of 08
Irish Whiskey Brands
Irish whiskey is generally thought of as one of the smoother styles of whiskey available. No matter the price range, you will find that these whiskies are good either straight, on the rocks, or in a cocktail.
One of the more interesting aspects about Irish whiskey is that all of these brands are produced at one of just three distilleries in Ireland: Bushmills, Cooley, and Midleton. Yet, each brand has their own distinct characteristics.
Around $30 and Under
- 2 Gingers
- Bushmills Original
- Feckin
- Finian...9;s
- Jameson
- John L. Sullivan
- Kavanagh Single Grain
- Kilbeggan
- Merry's
- Michael Collins Blended
- Power and Son
- The Knot 100 Proof
- Tullamore Dew
$30-40 Range
- Black Bush
- Clontarf Single Malt
- Connemara Peated Single Malt
- Glendalough Double Barrel Single Grain
- Jameson 1780 12 YO
- Kavanagh Single Malt
- Knappogue Castle Single Malt 12 YO
- Michael Collins Single Malt 10 YO
- Slieve Foy Single Malt 8 YO
- The Irishman The Original Clan
- Tullamore Dew 12 YO
- Tyrconnell Single Malt
$50 and Up
- Bushmills Single Malt 10 YO
- Connemara Cask Strength Peated Single Malt
- Glendalough Single Malt 13 YO
- Greenore Single Grain 8 YO
- Green Spot Pot Still
- Jameson 12 YO
- Jameson 18 YO
- Jameson Gold Reserve
- Knappogue Castle Single Malt 12 YO
- Powers John's Lane
- Red Breast 12 YO
- Teeling Single Grain
- Teeling Single Malt
- The Irishman Single Malt 12 YO
Luxury Over $100
Continue to 3 of 8 below.
- Bushmills 1608
- Bushmills 21 YO
- Connemara Turf Mor
- Greenore Single Grain 18 YO
- Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve
- Kilbeggan 18 YO
- Middleton Very Rare
03 of 08
Scotch Whisky Brands
If you thought that whiskey in general was complicated, allow me to introduce you to the crazy web that is Scotch whisky. Beyond the fact that Scotch is the whiskey without an 'e,' we also have single malt versus blended, regional differences, and many, many limited edition releases to contend with.
Scotch is a complex line-up of whiskies, but they are very fun to explore. Despite this style's reputation as a sophisticated spirit, there are many budget-friendly options available and... there is no reason why you should not mix Scotch into cocktails.
Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Around $30 and Under
- Bowmore Legend
- Deanston 12 YO
- Glenfiddich 12 YO
- Loch Lomond Signature
- (The) Macallan Select Oak
- Speyburn 10 YO
$40-50 Range
- Aberlour 10 YO
- Ardmore Traditional Cask
- Auchentoshan American Oak
- Bowmore Small Batch
- Glenlivet 12 YO
- Glen Scotia Double Cask
- Highland Park 12 YO
- Laphroaig Quarter Cask 10 YO
- Macallan Fin Oak 12 YO
- (The) Macallan Whisky Maker's Edition
- Scapa 14 YO
$60-100 Range
- Ardberg 10 YO
- Bowmore 16 YO
- Bruichladdich 15 YO
- Glendronach 12 YO
- Glenlivet 18 YO
- Glen Scotia Victoriana
- Haig Club
- Highland Park 18 YO
- Isle of Jura Prophecy
- Laphroaig Cairdeas
- Oban 14 YO and Little Bay
- Old Pulteney 17 YO
- Scapa 16 YO
Luxury Over $100
- (The) Balvenie Madeira Cask 17 YO
- Glenfarclas 25 YO
- Glenfiddich 50 YO
- Glen Garioch 1991
- Glendronach 1989
- (The) Glenrothes 1975
- Highland Park 40 YO
- Macallan 25 YO
- (The) Macallan Estate Reserve
- Mortlach - 18 YO, 25 YO, Rare Old
- Springbank 15 YO
Blended Scotch Whisky
Around $20
- Ballantines Finest
- (The) Black Grouse
- Cutty Sark
- Dewars White Label
- Grant's 8 YO
- Johnnie Walker Red Label
- Lauder's
$30-40 Range
- Chivas Regal 12 YO
- Compass Box Orangerie
- Compass Box Peat Monster
- Famous Grouse 12 YO
- Highland Harvest Organic
- Johnnie Walker Black Label
- Johnnie Walker Double Black
$50-70 Range
- Ambassador 25 YO
- Buchanan's 18 YO
- Chivas Regal 18 YO
- Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve
- Tomintoul Oloroso 12 YO
$80-100 Range
- Compass Box Hedonism
- Wild Scotsman
Luxury Over $100
Continue to 4 of 8 below.
- Ballantine's 30 YO
- Black Bull 30 YO
- Chivas Regal 25 YO
- Johnnie Walker Platinum Label
- Johnnie Walker Blue Label
- Kings Crest 25 YO
- The Antiquary 21 YO
04 of 08
Bourbon Whiskey Brands
Bourbon is one of the most popular styles of whiskey and there is a great range of brands available. From budget-friendly brands for everyday mixing to reliable brands that are great in any cocktail, and even those fine, high-end bottlings that are best reserved for sipping straight, there is a bourbon out there for everyone.
Though the majority of these brands are distilled in Kentucky, it is only a requirement by law that bourbon be produced in the United States. There are some craft... distilleries throughout the country who are producing wonderful bourbons as well.
Around $20
- Ancient Age
- Benchmark
- Buffalo Trace
- Eagle Rare
- Early Times 354
- Four Roses Yellow Label
- Jim Beam White Label
- Jim Beam Devil's Cut
- Jim Beam Distiller's Series
- Old Forester Signature
- Red Stag by Jim Beam (cherry-flavored)
- Ten High
- Wild Turkey 101
$30-40 Range
- Angel's Envy
- Baker's 7 year
- Basil Hayden's
- Blanton's Single Barrel
- Bulleit
- Corner Creek Reserve
- Four Rose's Single Barrel
- Jim Beam Black
- Jim Beam Signature Craft
- Knob Creek
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
- Maker's Mark
- Maker's 46
- Old Rip VanWinkle 15 year
- Woodford Reserve
$50-60 Range
- Booker's Small Batch
- Dry Fly Bourbon 101
- Eagle Rare 17 year
- Jefferson's Reserve
- Michter's 10 year
- Noah Mill's 15 year
- Old Forester Birthday Bourbon
$70 and Up
Continue to 5 of 8 below.
- AH Hirsch 16 year
- Angel's Envy Cask Strength
- Longrow Cask 10 year
- Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve 20 year
- Willet 28 year
- Woodford Reserve Master's Collection
05 of 08
Tennessee Whiskey Brands
Tennessee whiskey is extremely more limited than any other style because of the distinct "Lincoln County Process" of charcoal filtering. There are only two distilleries in the state of Tennessee that produce this whiskey, George Dickel and Jack Daniel's, though each produces a variety of bottlings.
Under $30
- George Dickel No. 8
- George Dickel No. 12
- George Dickel Cascade Hollow
- Jack Daniels Old No. 7 Black Label
- Jack Daniel's Tennessee Fire - cinnamon flavored
Over $30
Continue to 6 of 8 below.
- Gentleman Jack
- Gentl...eman Jack Rare Tennessee
- George Dickel 14 YO
- George Dickel Special Barrel
- Jack Daniels Single Barrel
06 of 08
Rye Whiskey Brands
Rye whiskey is a classic style of whiskey that fell out of favor for a number of years, but it is back in full force.
In recent years, the list of rye whiskey brands went from just a few to a growing list of fantastic whiskies that are fun to explore. One of the best things about this rye explosion is that we can taste many of the classic whiskey cocktails the way they were originally made.
Under $30
- Bulleit Rye
- Old Overholt
- Jim Beam Rye
- Pikesville Rye
- Rittenhouse Rye
- Sazerac Kentucky Straight Rye
- Wild... Turkey Rye
Over $30
Continue to 7 of 8 below.
- Abraham Bowman Rye
- Alberta Rye Whisky Dark Batch
- Anchor Old Potrero 18th Century Style
- Angel's Envy Rye
- AH Hirsch 21 YO
- Black Maple Hill 23 YO
- Charbay R5
- High West Double Rye
- Knob Creek Rye
- Michter's 10 YO
- Old Potrero 18th Century Style Rye
- (rī)1 Kentucky Straight Rye
- Sazerac 18 YO
- Templeton Rye
- Thomas H. Handy Kentucky Straight Rye
- Vintage Rye 21 YO
- WhistlePig 100-100 Straight Rye
- Woodford Reserve Rye
- Yellow Rose Straight Rye
07 of 08
Canadian Whisky Brands
Typically thought of as smooth and cheap, the blended Canadian whiskies are a quiet, often looked over bunch of spirits. While a number of the bottlings available do fall into these two stereotypes, there are some very nice Canadian whiskies on the market.
Most brands of this style of whiskey have a vast range that includes their affordable and reliable label, which is perfect for almost any cocktail. Then, that same brand will release special, high-end editions on a regular or rotating basis and... these are the whiskies that you really want to look for because they are often spectacular.
$20 and Under
- Canadian Club Reserve
- Canadian Club Classic 12 YO
- Canadian Mist
- Canadian Mist Black Diamond
- Collingwood Select
- Black Velvet
- Forty Creek Barrel Select
- Mountain Rock
- Pendelton
- Seagrams VO
- Windsor Canadian
$30-40 Range
- 8 Seconds
- Canadian Club Sherry Cask 8 YO
- Crown Royal
- Forty Creek Three Grain
- Tangle Ridge Double Cask
- Seagrams VO
- Wisers Deluxe 18 YO
$50 and Up
- Crown Royal Special Reserve
- Glen Breton Rare Single Malt
Luxury Over $100
Continue to 8 of 8 below.
- Canadian Club 30 YO
- Crown Royal XR
- J.P. Wiser's Red Letter
08 of 08
More Whiskey Brands
North America, Scotland, and Ireland may be the best known and highly regarded locations for whiskey production, but whiskey can be made anywhere in the world. There are also a growing number of American craft distilleries that produce whiskey that rivals anything found within the defined styles.
Around $20
- Bain's Cape Mountain Whiskey (South Africa)
- House Spirits White Dog (United States)
- Derevenski Samogon Single Rye Pot Still (France)
- Three Ships Select (South Africa)
$30-40 Range
- Bastille 1789... Blended (France)
- Dry Fly Straight Whiskey (United States)
- Dry Fly Washington Wheat Whiskey (United States)
- House Spirits Cask Strength (United States)
- (The) One Deluxe Blend (United Kingdom)
- P&M Blended and Single Malt (France)
- Three Ships Single Malt 5 YO (South Africa)
- Yamazaki 12 YO (Japan)
Over $50
- Adnams Single Malt (United Kingdom)
- Amrut Single Malt (India)
- Armorik Classic (France)
- English Whisky Co. Classic Single Malt (United Kingdom)
- Kavalan Single Malt (Taiwan)
- King Car Single Malt (Taiwan)
- New Zealand Whisky Collection (New Zealand)
- Sullivans Cove Single Malt (Australia)
- Three Ships Single Malt 10 YO (South Africa)
- Yamazaki 18 YO (Japan)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
A therapeutic and rejuvenating New Ageless Massage experience awaits you 7 days a week in Alexandria, VA.
Give us a call at (703) 360-0685 for an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome, too!
O ur address is
8401 Richmond Hwy
Unit C
Alexandria, VA 22309View Larger Map
Open 7 days a week
Monday to Friday 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday 10:30 am to 8:00 pm
*Canceling within 24 hours of an appointment time is subject to a late-cancellation fee
Email us at firstname.lastname@example.com
We are constantly trying to improve our service and value each our clients' opinion so please feel free to send us your feedback from your experience!


text:
Detail Images
Current Color
Free 2-Day shipping on orders over $50. Learn More
Select style & size:Select options
1 Review
Beat hanger.
Finding a new pre-workout fuel source that isn't loaded with sugar and has clean ingredients you can trust is a pretty exciting thing. Sure, we know we're just talking about a nutrition bar here, but Honey Stinger's Snack Bar comes in four creative flavors, is made with non-GMO and gluten-free ingredients that are high in protein and "good" fats, and has a touch of sweetness courtesy of honey rather than high fructose corn syrup or other processed sugars. The 4p.m. crash towards the end of the workday is especially hard to deal with when you're planning on driving straight to the trails to log a few miles before dinner, and having something like Honey Stinger's Snack Bar to reach for can save your run from becoming a miserable, cramp-filled slog. The bar's low sugar content will help you avoid the dreaded spike-then-crash halfway through your workout, and you'll be able to take advantage of sustained energy from the high-fat nuts and grains. You can thank us later as you check out your mile splits with pleasant surprise over a giant bowl of pasta.
- Item #HON000J
Tech Specs
Gearhead Help
Tech Specs
- Reviews
What do you think about this product?
Have questions about this product?
Peanut Butter and Jelly
- Familiarity: I've used it several times
I don't know if I got a bad batch but these bars don't have the great flavor I am used to from Honey Stinger. I love their waffles and gels. Underwhelmed with this bar as it has no flavor whatsover. I'll need to try one of the other flavors. It's nice they have some protein for recovery but they need to work on the flavor.


text:
I've had problems with the N3 review sample, and I've just received the full investigation report.
The report is copy-pasted below, with the written permission of the test engineer who conducted the investigation.
Personal note: This is the epitome of responsible behavior from a manufacturer, words below restored my faith in Thumbnet, despite the fact that I have to unplug the keyboard when I want to use a dongle.
Full unedited report below:
The incident
The N3 was connected to a 4 AA battery pack supplying 6.2 V, then connected to a Lenovo Z570 Model 1024 laptop via a ferrited data cable.
When the USB connection was made, the laptop screen and two connected screens went black, accompanied by sound from the speakers.
The user examined the set-up. When the power leads from the user's own external battery pack were removed from the Phoenix screw terminals on the N3, they discovered a lot of small wires remained in the empty socket.
The user noted that their view of the 5V and GND symbols on the N3 power connector is obscured when the connectors are plugged in.
The user discovered that 2 of the 4 USB ports on the laptop no longer functioned. Remedial action attempted so far has consisted of removing all external peripherals and battery, and pressing the laptop power button for at least 30 seconds.
After the incident, the battery pack was found to have a voltage of 6.0V.
N3 philosophy and circuitry
The N3 is designed specifically for use in ThumbNet stations, where they will be carefully handled and will not require multiple reconnections, so there is minimal risk of over-voltage, short-circuits and reverse polarity from the external power supply. Additionally, such mis-use is tolerated, because there is additional protection on circuits that the N3 connects to.
The N3 contains many protective features, mainly "self-centred" –
Safety features in the N3 include:
· USB power line series protection diode (to prevent spurious voltages being pushed back up the USB cable power feed)
· Robust MCP1826 LDO. Survives reverse polarity and over-current faults (contains short circuit current limiting and overtemperature protection).
· RF limiter diode on the input. Protect the RF chip against over-large RF signals.
· 1K "bleed" resistor. To reduce ESD susceptibility and prevent static build up in aerial systems.
· USB common mode choke. To eliminate conducted interference on the USB cable.
Nonetheless, there are some mechanisms that can potentially lead to failures in the N3, external power supplies, or USB ports. These are discussed in the next section.
Procedurally, protection has been in the form of stated limitations:
· Normal external power supply limits 4.5-6.0V (but 5V +/-10% is recommended)
· Do not apply a reversed polarity supply, otherwise damage may result to the N3 or power supply circuits through overcurrent.
The N3 is also supplied with the external power connectors in pairs, so the user only needs to mate bare wires to the power supply once. After that, the Phoenix plug should normally be used, ensuring correct polarity and a clean mate each time.
In reality, the N3 is capable of use with power supply voltages as low as 4.0V and as high as 7V or even 10V for a short time, depending on heat dissipation.
Possible effects of mis-use of N3
· Short circuit on +5v in. May cause an over-current of the USB supply
· Reverse polarity +5v in. May cause 3V3 LDO overheat and/or USB supply over-current
· Over-voltage on +5v in. In extreme case, may cause 3V3 LDO to overheat and capacitors and ICs to fail.
· Ground loop through N3. Extreme case may cause power supply over-current, PCB damage.
These failure modes and effects are not readily apparent and straightforward. For example, in principle, the LDO acts as a diode to a reversed power supply. The switching FET in reverse looks like another (substrate reverse) diode, so to a negative supply, the N3 power socket appears to be two silicon diodes in series.
However, there is a more complex mechanism that occurs: The reversed power supply only drops -0.7v across the inverse substrate diode of the regulator, but as the USB power rail connects to this point via the protection diode D2, it tries to raise this voltage point to just below +5v – i.e. it tries to raise the voltage directly against the mis-connected external supply. The reversed supply can't put negative volts up the USB cable (D2 again) but it can make the USB supply think it is driving a direct short circuit, and a battery pack can shunt a lot of current.
If the N3's regulator has already burnt out then the USB power supply directly "sees" the batteries, and tries to completely counteract their applied voltage.
Similarly thorough investigations have also been carried out for all potential failure modes and effects.
Nature of the particular incident being investigated
In this incident being investigated, the external battery pack was connected before the N3 was plugged into the USB port of the laptop. If there was a short-circuit in the connector, it would have started conducting the moment that the battery power was applied, and at least for a few seconds before the N3 was plugged into the USB, so the user should have noticed a significant increase in battery temperature and the battery voltage should have dropped by more than 0.2V (assuming the usual battery chemistries). Neither of these things was noted.
The above would also be true even if the battery was inadvertently connected with reverse polarity.
Without any other evidence coming to light, the most likely reasons for the failure was:
· The external power supply was inadvertently connected with reverse polarity.
· The laptop being used did not have a resettable fuse on the USB port.
Thorough analysis and testing has shown that the N3 is resilient and performs exceptionally well when operated according to the prescribed limits.
Most laptops and PCs have resettable fuses, so the risk of this type of event happening again are very small.
While the N3 is specifically made for ThumbNet – i.e. more controlled use, very few connector mating operations, and more tolerant external circuitry, it is recognized that the N3 has proved to be popular among general experimenters, and therefore should be made more tolerant of misuse.
Procedural recommendations:
1. Re-advise users about voltage limits and the requirement for correct polarity.
2. Advise users to mate power supply wires to the Phoenix plugs first (after checking polarity and that there are no stray wires) and then routinely use the plug and socket to attach power, rather than repeatedly removing wires from the terminal blocks. Additionally, this avoids the issue of connectors obscuring the +5V and GND symbols on the N3 case.
3. Advise users that, as with many electronics that are used for experimentation, it is advisable to use power supplies (including USB ports) that contain their own protection (thermal resettable fuse or over-current trip).
Intermediate enhancements
Figure 2 Additional protection diode
The recommendations in 1 to 3 above will work perfectly if followed correctly, but it is recognized that users are not infallible. A Schottky diode can be fitted to protect against short circuits and reverse polarity on the external supply. This will protect the USB supply in the event of a battery short, and will stop the N3 from trying to "charge" the battery if it goes under-voltage.
Potential actions:
4. When using a battery supply, users may wish to fit a 1A (minimum) diode (Schottky for 6v or "conventional" for 7v2, depending on battery voltage) between the battery positive and the N3 input.
5. Existing N3 owners who want additional protection can relatively easily retro-fit a diode by cutting the track that is accessible on the rear side of the N3 board between the +5V connector and Q1, and solder in a >0.5 Amp, low-forward-voltage-drop diode. A SOD523 package will fit well. This is a simple procedure, but if this enhancement proves to be popular and users need further advice, we will provide it.
Long term enhancements
6. The N3 design is already being updated for better performance. The protective Schottky diode will be fitted as standard inside all future N3s.
Addendum 15th December 2016
The N3 that was involved in this incident was passed directly to the test engineer without any intermediate handling, and was found to be functioning correctly, with no damaged components. Current draw is 405mA.


text:
It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.
Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
Thank you.
Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.
Originally posted by FreeMason
I think a good book that exibits the actual way evolution takes place is Dune (Ironically because it is a sci/fi book) But in the book there are humans, this race of space beings, and humans that have mutated while still alive because of the spice.
The reference I want to make is the "space beings". They have been marooned to only space craft, and there for "adapted" to space flight and zero-G. Over time all former human traits were lost and they are now a new species, they can't mate with humans and they are limited to zero-G because of their physique. But Humans still exist in this Book, for the same reasons that they'd exist in real life. Human population is too extensive for ALL of it to mutate into something similar, even if a spin off does occur, after tens of thousands of years, it would be like Humans and some other species living amongst eachother, or maybe they'd be at odds to one another, but still would share a common ancestry.


text:
(561) 721-6770
(561) 721-6733
625 North Flagler Drive, Suite 605 West Palm Beach, Florida 33401-4025
Daniel R. Doorakian
Daniel Doorakian graduated with a degree in Economics from the University of Notre Dame, summa cum laude, and earned his Juris Doctor degree from Vanderbilt University. He also received a Masters of Business Administration, with highest honors, from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Admitted to The Florida Bar and the District of Columbia Bar, Mr. Doorakian has a general business, real estate and commercial practice and also practices in the areas of corporate law, and probate, guardianship and trust administration and litigation. He is also a certified title insurance agent for Old Republic National Title Company, First American Title Insurance Company, Chicago National Title Insurance Company, Fidelity National Title Insurance Company and Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company.
Daniel R. Doorakian also manages the firm's Wellington office.
Contact Info
All Rights Reserved 2016. Katz & Doorakian Law Firm, P.L.
Martin V. Katz, Esq., AV® Preeminent, is the senior member of Katz & Doorakian Law Firm, P.L. and is responsible for its content.


text:
Since 1999 we've been helping real estate agents get…
Page 1 Google Organic
- Get top Google organic rankings, and bring qualified prospects to your website
A World-Class Website
- We'll build you a new one, or upgrade your existing website
- Make sure it's Responsive Mobile
Great Lead Capture
- Ensure your website sells you, and convinces prospects to contact you
- We take only one client per area
- Claim your area before another agent does
Internet Marketing for Real Estate Agents
Search Engine Optimization is all we do, and we've been doing it since 1999. I wrote an Amazon #1 Bestselling book on Internet Marketing for Real Estate Agents. You can get a free copy by clicking here.
We have the trust of some of the most important players in the real estate internet marketing business. Both MyRealPage and Morris Real Estate Marketing Group send their clients who want SEO to us. You can see us on their websites:
- MyRealPage.com – We are the only SEO company they recommend on their website.
- MorrisMarketingGroup.com – We are the only SEO company on the Partners page of their website.
Here are some of the topics covered:
- How anyone can get top rankings on Google
- Google's most important ranking criteria
- How to capture prospect information on your website
- Social media for real estate agents
Free Live SEO Webinar For Your Agents
Every Managing Broker we did an Educational SEO Talk for has been very happy. You can see video testimonials from brokers here. Your agents will sell more real estate and it won't cost you a dime. Our SEO Trainings really are Educational Talks.
The Secrets of First Page Google Organic Rankings
- We Make it so Google Wants to Give You Top Rankings – Prospects will see you as THE authority on your area, and other agents will admire your success. We make your website the top authority in your area. We take ONLY ONE CLIENT IN EACH AREA. Claim your area now. Find out more about how we make it so Google wants to give you top rankings…
- We Do Everything It Takes – We optimize your Google My Business account, your social media accounts, we write high quality blogs every month for your website. We build high quality backlinks on an ongoing basis. We optimize your Title Tags, and your Description Tags to increase your Click-Through-Rate. We optimize the load time of your website, and so many more things that Google wants. We make your website the way Google wants it, so they give you top rankings. To find out how we would upgrade your website contact Ken Lapp now…
- Mobile Website – Google is now penalizing the rankings of websites that DO NOT have good working mobile website. Over 60% of all Google searches are made from mobile internet connected devices. Call Ken Lapp now to find out more about our mobile websites…
I've been working with Ken Lapp and Top Agent Internet Marketing for many years. They've kept my website consistently at the top of page one of Google.
Sam Huang
Real Estate Agent
RE/MAX Crest Westside
In our team's history we have hired 5 other SEO companies prior to Top Agent, and none of their results have touched what we have experienced already in the past few months.
Lisa Salt
Salt Fowler Team Leader
RE/MAX Vernon
I have dealt with many website providers and so called 'seo experts' over the years and Top Agent Internet Marketing is the first and only one I would confidently recommend.
Kevin Stokes
Real Estate Agent
Niagara-on-the-Lake Realty


text: Continuing my discussion of how to create calm and balance, I offer you some plants, flowers and herbs that can assist you during stressful or unsettled times. How do you use them? Dry Herbs These are the whole plant or flower, in dried form. Sprinkle them in your bath […] Herbs, Flowers and Essential Oils to Reduce Stress and Create ...27 Oct, 2016 in Essential Oils / Harmony@Home / Healing / Sacred Space by debfloweringmoon


text:
.NET Windows Forms are a new programming paradigm introduced with Microsoft's .NET initiative. Windows Forms are very similar to Web Forms, which allow programmers to build complex Web application interfaces easily, sharing the same underlying framework and programming concepts. Windows Forms, however, are used for the Win32 platform, instead of the Internet, and allow programmers to build traditional Windows desktop-based applications structured around .NET. Sams Teach Yourself .NET Windows Forms in 21 Days covers all the major aspects of Windows Forms necessary to build professional, functional applications. This book follows the tried-and-tested 21 Days tutorial model to guide the reader through Windows Forms. It features code examples and tips for programmers migrating from pre-Windows Forms Microsoft technologies. The reader will be introduced to the many controls available for .NET Windows Forms and how to build them, learn how to create events and event handlers, explore ADO.NET and methods to retrieve data from dynamic data sources, and learn how to take advantage of the Internet and Internet Explorer from their .NET Windows Forms applications. As readers advance through the tutorials, they progress toward more advanced topics and projects by creating simple graphical applications and enhancing existing ones, learn how to integrate with other .NET applications, use Web services, build Windows services, build Windows Forms controls, create multi-threaded applications, work with COM and COM+ configure and deploy .NET Windows Forms, and how to de-bug .NET Windows Forms.Q How is an ASP.NET application different from an Internet-enabled .NET Windows application? A ASP.NET applications are built ... fully the answers before moving on. Answers to the quiz questions and exercises are in Appendix A.
|Sams Teach Yourself .NET Windows Forms in 21 Days
|Chris Payne
|Sams Publishing - 2002
You must register with us as either a Registered User before you can Download this Book. You'll be greeted by a simple sign-up page.
Once you have finished the sign-up process, you will be redirected to your download Book page.How it works:


text:
It was a similar tone Sternberg struck back in 2005, when he purchased majority ownership of the franchise and put unknown "Harvard Business School graduate Brian Auld" in charge of duct-taping together the Trop:
"If we can't make it work at Tropicana Field, I don't believe - and I could be proven wrong - but I don't believe it automatically works because of some panacea of some other ballpark."But the preceding paragraph in that same 2005 article seems at-odds with everything Sternberg has done in the 11 years since. He makes this promise to Devil Rays fans:
"You will never - and I will say it now and hopefully I can say it and you'll follow up - you will not hear the words, "We need to have a new stadium,' " Sternberg told a group of Times editors. "We might like to have a new stadium. We can work with the authorities to have a new stadium and work with businesses to have a new stadium, but it won't be from a sense of "need.'Stu, I'm following up, as you requested. I should have done this in 2010, when you told the region you "need to be in a location that's convenient (and) attractive" and "the discussion needs to begin soon" if the team is going to stay in Tampa Bay long-term.
To your credit, you didn't stand behind that 5.5-year-old non-threat threat any more than you stood behind your 2014 non-threat threats that the franchise was "doomed to leave" without a new ballpark soon, or that you'd walk away from the negotiation table after St. Pete's council voted down one of your proposals.
Yet, your flip-flop is pretty evident, even if the "need" for a new stadium isn't the team's only "need." READ HERE - 2011 post - "Is new Rays stadium a 'need' or 'want?'"
So what prompted the broken promise? It would seem, Stu miscalculated his investment.
"We have learned (attendance) is not just about winning," Sternberg admitted in 2010, five years after assuming control of the Rays.
But the miscalculation should not be Tampa Bay's cross to bear.
If SeaWorld built a new orca tank the week before Blackfish came out...then claimed a business miscalculation in smaller-than-expected profits...how do you think taxpayers would feel about requests to build them a new state-of-the-art orca tank?
Or if Pitbull had a reputation-damaging scandal that threatened his "Mr. 305" brand...how would taxpayers feel about a request to subsidize his next tour so that he could continue to rain economic impact on Florida?
Similarly, the Rays/MLB miscalculations - and changing business models - aren't the fans' fault.
Furthermore, isn't the "we aren't making enough profit" line a tough sell around here, in a time where Pinellas County is struggling to get its schools in-order and Hillsborough County can't properly fund transportation? All the while, as MLB closes in on $10 billion a year in revenue?
Sternberg did say when he bought the team the ballpark may need replacing before 2027...but he was not officially asking for public help; just a "partnership" with local governmental and business interests:
"I would expect it to be cooperative, and I think cooperative always works best. Now is it 90-10, or 10-90, or 50-50? You have to look at it and get a sense of where the benefit is coming and where it's going," he said. "We are not going to build a stadium at whatever point in time that comes to line our pockets. If it's necessary to do, and it will be necessary to do at some period of time, it will be done because it works for the community, it works for the area, it makes a lot of business sense and it makes a lot of sense for something that will create a lasting showpiece. "Even if we pay for the whole thing, it will be cooperative. But I don't anticipate us having the ability to ever pay for an entire stadium."But just as Sternberg didn't forecast attendance struggles like the Rays have experienced, he probably also didn't forecast the MLB revenue boom, largely on the back of its digital properties. So yes, MLB & the Rays do have the ability to pay for their own stadium. They just won't.
And they won't officially ask for public money, either. Because asking for public cash is so 1990s. Nowadays, it's much more en vogue to rely on the non-threat threat of possible relocation!
FOLLOW: Shadow of the Stadium on Twitter
FOLLOW: Shadow of the Stadium on Facebook


text:
Puma is an example of a company that has taken CSR to great lengths with its carbon emissions 'profit and loss account'. The idea is that Puma want to calculate the damage that they are doing to the environment by its carbon usage, as well as the impact that their emissions and water usage will have.
These set of accounts were made with the help of accountancy consultants PriceWaterhouseCooper (PwC) and research analysts Trucost to understand the impact that they are having, and to work out the best way of making the company more sustainable. These accounts will be released at the end of their financial year, and will be analysed by the shareholders and investors in the same way as their set of financial accounts.
Puma have got the right idea by going through their processes and finding the flaws, as it is only by highlighting the specific problems in the necessary areas of a business that realistic targets can be set to make improvements. They are also accountable to their stakeholders by releasing these accounts which is an extra incentive for them.
Sustainable and green technology can also start from the ground-up, right from the design through to the finished product. The Urban Tree Planter is one project that helps architects incorporate practical sustainability solutions into their designs. Although in most cities there won't be enough space for even a small garden, these trees can be placed in convenient places to make the most of the space that they have.


text:
Hollywood isn't merely interested in rebooting tried and true franchises like "Batman," "RoboCop" and "Spider-Man." The industry sometimes takes a chance on failed franchise starters.
So when the 1995 Sylvester Stallone dud "Judge Dredd" failed to give the "Rocky" star another character to sequelize into oblivion it wasn't the end of the faceless avenger.
"Dredd," available this week on Blu-ray and DVD, lets Karl Urban don the character's faceless mask and blunt approach to justice. Urban, best known for bringing Bones McCoy to crusty life in "Star Trek," is too intriguing a personality to trap under a science fiction appliance. It's one reason "Dredd" can't resurrect a character counted on to carry a number of future films, even if the reboot laps the lackluster original.
Urban is Dredd, part of a futuristic team that doesn't just collar the bad guys but administers justice when necessary. Talk about time-saving innovations. Apparently the future doesn't include a robust local chapter of the ACLU.
Parts of the U.S. have been wiped out by war, necessitating this new brand of crime fighting. And enforcers like Dredd help maintain a semblance of peace in this crime-infested expanse along the east coast known as Mega-City One. The societal unemployment rates are so bad the Obama years would be considered the good ol' days. Drug use is rampant, particularly a hot new elixir called Slo-Mo which lets director Pete Travis traffic in movie-halting camera tricks.
Dredd' is paired with a wannabe cop with psychic powers. Cassandra (Olivia Thirlby) gets to take off her helmet to use her gifts, giving the plucky actress a perk poor Urban sorely needs.
The pair are called to investigate a homicide, a case which entraps them in a desolate apartment building the local crime lord calls home. If this scenario intrigues you, consider "The Raid: Redemption" which follows a similar plot but plays out in more satisfying, bone-crunching fashion.
"Dredd" does its best to measure up to "The Raid's" level of catastrophe. This is one violent film, with vicious killings, betrayals and gore seeping into scene after scene. The film's visual effects routinely impress, as does the computer-generated set design, which makes the mayhem all the more eye popping.
Lena Headey plays that rare creation, a scarred female villain who dishes out pain even better than the fellas. Her character doesn't generate enough heat beyond the atypical casting, and a subplot involving rogue enforcers is similarly weak.
A great actor might find a way to bring life to a faceless hero. Maybe. Urban offers superhuman scowls and gritty line readings, but Dredd never emerges as a character who demands his own franchise. Peter Weller, given a more thoughtful script with plenty on its mind, fared better with the original "RoboCop."
Fans of the source material, a gritty Brit-based comic strip, will gleefully read much more into every move Urban makes while newbies squint at the sparkling high-def images to see what the fuss is all about.
"Mega-City Masters: 35 Years of Judge Dredd" offers a neat look back at the character in question. Dredd came of age at roughly the same time as another science fiction project, a little film called "Star Wars." The saga's thrust had more to do with synergy. We learn from the creators that the rise of Margaret Thatcher to power and fears of a fascist state – blended in with some America mockery – epitomized the comic's sly satirical humor.
"Day of Chaos: The Visual Effects of Dredd" is a crisp, informative featurette describing how the artistic team built "Dredd" from the street up. The film itself may not live on as its creators hoped, but its visual template could influence science fiction features to come.


text:
When Motorola first unveiled their new MotoACTV device the other day, my first thought was: oh look, an Android iPod nano. Finally. I've long felt that Android device manufacturers needed to get more on creating iPod rivals. (By the way, Samsung, hurry up with that Galaxy Player.)
Not only did Motorola step up in creating a viable nano rival, they also managed to create a device that does a bunch of things I wish the nano did. Though the company emphasizes the fitness aspects of the device, the MotoACTV is really the smartwatch Josh Smith (and everyone else) has been waiting for.
Even if you're not into the whole exercise thing, the MotoACTV is very tempting.
At its most basic, the MotoACTV is an MP3 player. It comes in 8GB and 16GB flavors, which won't hold every song ever, but will give you a few days worth. It also has an FM radio inside in case you still cling to the soothing tones of morning zoo DJs.
It's a little larger than the nano, measuring 1.8 x 1.8 x 0.38 inches and weighing just 35 grams. The 1.6-inch color display is nice and bright, just big enough to give you the info you need but not for much else. You get physical buttons for volume control on the side and two on top for navigating.
What the MotoACTV has that the nano does not is Bluetooth, which can connect to Android phones (and interact via a free app). Through this connection you can get notifications of incoming calls, read alerts and text messages, or even take calls. This works with both the included wired headset or the Bluetooth one. You can't initiate a call from MotoACTV, but that's still pretty sweet.
Then the fitness stuff comes in. In addition to the heartrate monitor in the headphones that come with it, users can keep track of steps, and how far they've run or walked with the GPS. Plus, the MotoACTV can connect wirelessly to ANT+ sensors in fitness equipment. The sweatproofness helps, but I wonder if I'm going to need to disinfect it often?
There are a ton of fitness-related goodies on the software side, like a way to track your progress over time, challenge friends, and share your progress on social networks. The device will also keep track of the songs that get you most pumped up and will play them when your energy flags.
It's too bad that the MotoACTV is targeted so directly at the fitness market, because that could turn some couch potatoes off to its other virtues. Then again, it may inspire some to think about their health a bit more even if they don't buy it for exercise. Nothing wrong with that.


text: Come and join our Little Jitterbugs Music class for a fun filled music lesson. Children will sing, dance, play percussion, listen to a story and experience a short craft segment, all in a safe and educational learning environment. This 30 minute music lesson is designed for the two year old to engage in a musical program which is relaxed, fun and playful while teaching children to take turns and be part of a classroom environment. The course includes a Jitterbugs Music book and CD of which the children use each week during class for daily acitivites. You fo not need a book for your first lesson however they are available for purchase if you decide to enrol. A light unpressured musical course for both parent and child to enjoy. We look forward to seeing you in our next class.


text:
Actress Minnie Driver had an extra-special duet partner at a gig in Los Angeles on Thursday (15Aug13) - her young son Henry joined her onstage.
The Good Will Hunting star was the headliner at a benefit at the Yamashiro Farmers Market, held to raise funds for beloved local children's entertainer Ellen 'Twinkles' Meyers, who suffered a severe stroke last year (12).
But it was Driver's son Henry who stole the show - the four year old drew loud cheers after joining his mom for a rendition of The Killers' single Human.
In video footage of their performance, Driver can be seen holding the microphone up for little Henry, who pulls it away and continues to sing solo even after the track finishes.
The 43 year old recently gushed about Henry's budding musical talents, cooing, "My son just started piano lessons and we play the guitar together. He is clearly loving music. I was on tour when I was pregnant with him, between my seventh and eighth month, and he had a guitar pressed up against his head every night for two hours, rocking out, so he didn't have any choice! It's literally in him."


text:
Raised in concrete at Okanagan Crush Pad
Photo: Concrete egg for fermenting and storing wine
Four years ago,
Okanagan Crush Pad
Winery was the first in British Columbia to install concrete eggs in
its winery as fermentation and storage vessels.
Today, most wines from OCP proclaim on the label that they have been "raised in concrete." The winery is totally committed to using concrete. It now has 59,000 litres of concrete cooperage and no barrels – not even the used Opus One barrels employed to make 2012 Syrah.
"We used them for three or four years," OCP winemaker Matt Dumayne says. "They can still keep going but I don't need them all. I don't particularly want them here anymore. Concrete has proved itself, that it can be just as texturally generous, if not more, and expressive of the site and the grape."
A few other producers have begun to use concrete but none has made such a major commitment to these vessels. This might strike some as a risky departure from tradition. Concrete, however, is as traditional a wine container as you can find.
"The concept of making wine in concrete is brand new for the last 2,000 years," said Joe Rosenblatt of Sonoma Cast Stone, the company that made the first seven eggs that OCP bought. "It is an old method of making wine that people are rediscovering."
"In my experience, concrete is very good if you want to ferment with wild yeast," he told a news conference when OCP introduced its first egg in 2011. "Wild yeast can find a much nicer environment in concrete than in stainless steel. You have a more even fermentation."
It took him a while to come to that view. "My father used to have a lot of concrete tanks," Alberto said. "When I started working with him, I fought with him a lot because I wanted to remove them and replace them with stainless steel, which I did. My father passed away a few years ago but if he could listen to me now, he would say I told you so."
His objection to concrete arose from unsanitary state of many old Italian wineries. This allowed concrete tanks to nurture spoilage bacteria. That is not an issue in a modern winery with good hygiene. Now, he can argue that concrete is the better environment.
"When you smell an empty concrete tank, you smell life," he said. "You smell something which is important for making a premium wine. If you do the same with a stainless steel tank, you smell nothing. You smell death. To me, the making of premium wine is about life, it is not about death."
New Zealand-born winemaker Matt Dumayne (below) who joined OCP two years ago, has a long winemaking résumé. But this is his first time in a winery equipped with concrete eggs and tanks.
"If you had told me five years ago that I would be making red wine without barrels, but in concrete, I would have thought you were crazy," he says now. "But the wines speak for themselves."
Here are notes on current releases from OCP. The Narrative label succeeds the winery's Bartier & Scholefield label, discontinued with the departure of Michael Bartier to run his own winery.
The prices are the tax-included prices prior to April 1.
Narrative White 2013 ($18.90). This is a blend primarily of Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Blanc. The wine is fresh and crisp with flavours of apples and stone fruit, enhanced by the spiciness of the Gewurz. 90.
Narrative Red 2013 ($19.90). This is primarily Gamay Noir with a dash of Syrah. It is a juicy, easy-drinking red with aromas and flavours of cherries. 88.>
Lunar New Year White 2013 ($19.90). The wine made only 100 cases of this, a blend of Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and Viognier. A wine with a fat
Lunar New Year Red 2012 ($21.90 for 100 cases). This is primarily Syrah with a touch of Gamay. It begins with aromas of red fruit and white pepper, leading to flavours of black cherry with a hint of chocolate on the finish. 89.
Haywire Canyonview Vineyard Chardonnay 2013 ($22.90 for 131 cases). Canyonview is an eight-acre Summerland area from which OCP has been buying premium quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. This wine was fermented slowly in concrete with wild yeast. The wine has a bready aroma that comes from time on the lees. It has flavours of ripe apples and citrus. The wine is complex, with a dry finish. Having said that, I still like some oak on Chardonnay. 89.
Haywire Free Form 2013 ($35.90 for 77 cases). Here is an edgy wine and an example of so-called natural winemaking. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes were destemmed into stainless steel tanks. The wine fermented with native yeasts. In addition to two daily punch-downs during fermentation, the wine remained in contact with the skins for eight months before being pressed. The result is a white wine for red wine drinkers. The lemon colour has a touch of haze (this is an unfiltered wine). The wine presents with a huge texture and with flavours of pineapple, tangerine, even strawberry. It is bone dry. 90.
Haywire Switchback Vineyard Wild Ferment 2012 ($29.90 for 200 cases). The estate vineyard is planted entirely with Pinot Gris. That has been left off the label to draw more attention to the terroir. This is an intense and fleshy wine with vivid honeyed and fruity aromas, leading to flavours of pear and apple. 92.
Haywire Switchback Vineyard Pinot Gris 2013 ($22.90 for 971 cases). This is a refreshing wine, with aromas of citrus and pears repeated in the flavours. There is a fine spine of minerality. On the palate, the wine opens with good weight, a textural plus from the concrete. 90.
Haywire Gamay Noir Rosé 2013 ($24.90 for 136 cases). Fermentation and aging in concrete has added flesh to the texture of this dry rosé. The wine begins with aromas of strawberry and strawberry jam, leading to flavours of cherry and cranberry. 90-91.
Haywire Canyonview Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($39.90 for 515 cases). Dark in colour, this wine spent 18 months in concrete but had a few months in barrels beforehand. It begins with aromas of toasty oak and cherry, leading to bright flavours of red berries. 91.
Haywire Canyonview Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013 (Not yet released; 500 cases). This is a bright and vibrant wine with aromas of raspberries leading to flavours of raspberry and cherry. Thanks to its concrete aging, the fruit shines with remarkable purity. This is a delicate but pretty wine. 91.
Haywire Syrah 2012 ($24.90 for 312 cases). The grapes for this came from Saddle Ridge Vineyards on
Black Sage Road, south
of Oliver. The wine was aged on six-year-old barrels, which contributed to the
textural feel without adding wood flavours. The wine has aromas of pepper and
plum. On the palate, the spicy flavours recall Christmas fruitcake. 90.


text:
What if we told you that you can take an older Mac and turn it into something that feels and acts like it's fresh from the Apple Store – including jaw-dropping performance and accessing features such as Handoff or Fusion disk technology that are theoretically only available with latest models?
If you've a MacBook, Mac mini or iMac powered by an Intel CPU manufactured as early as 2007 then it can be surprising what's possible via a few hardware or software hacks.
Because the upgrades and hacks below involve replacing key components of your Mac's hardware and software system, we refer to it as creating a FrankenMac – half original Mac, half new bits and pieces sourced from… Well, only the villagers pounding their pitchforks on the drawbridge door know where.
It lives! It lives!
What can't be upgraded in an old Mac
We hesitate to start on a down note but let's talk briefly about what can't be upgraded or hacked. Note that throughout this article we discuss the Mac mini, iMac and MacBook ranges. We don't discuss the Mac Pro because that's designed from the ground-up for upgrading. We're interested here in the sneaky, less obvious upgrades.
Put simply, it's not usually possible to upgrade the CPU in a Mac, or its GPU (that is, the graphics card). With Mac models featuring Thunderbolt you can attach an external GPU, but those Macs are recent models. Below we're only interested in Macs on their first step of their journey towards becoming vintage.
Some components can be swapped for replacements if they suffer damage or failure, and there are several different spares outfits online. You can swap out a dead SuperDrive, for example, or a cracked screen for a replacement. But it isn't possible to take advantage of an upgrade at the same time – you can't fit a higher-resolution screen, upgrade to a more powerful battery or swap your SuperDrive for a Blu-Ray model (although it is possible to attach a USB Blu-Ray drive).
As for most of the other components in your Mac, however… Well, it's open season.
Add new RAM/Memory to an old Mac
At no time in the history of computing has it been a bad idea to max-out the RAM of your computer. The best news? As your computer gets older, RAM for it gets cheaper.
Older models of Mac are fully expandable and it's usually easy to do so:
- iMac: You may need a technical screwdriver to open a compartment on the bottom although on some iMacs a small panel beneath the vents on the back of the unit pops off when you press the button beneath.
- MacBook (including Pro): On older MacBook models with a user-removable battery you'll have to remove the metal guard surrounding the battery slot. On newer models without a user-removable battery it's necessary to remove the entire bottom panel of the MacBook.
- MacBook Air: Unfortunately it's not possible to upgrade the RAM in a MacBook Air because it's soldered in place, with no memory slots.
- Mac mini: On some models of Mac mini the bottom panel can be easily popped off, although some require disassembly.
Apple provides an illustrated guide for memory upgrades: just click Apple > About this Mac, and then click the Memory tab and then the Memory Upgrade Instructions link.
You'll very likely need to remove and abandon the existing memory modules to upgrade to the maximum amount of memory. For the easiest way to find out what to buy, visit Crucial's website and download its Mac memory scanner. To run this after download and unzipping you'll need to right-click the app and select Open, then click the Open button in the dialogue box that appears. Of course, you can take the technical details provided and use them to search eBay in order to compare prices – usually the DDR speed (e.g. DDR3, DDR2 etc) is required, along with the 'PC' figure (e.g. PC3-8500). Most Macs take small outline memory modules, called SO-DIMMs.
Fit as much RAM as you can afford. 4GB is OK. 8GB is good. 16GB will truly future-proof your Mac, although most older Macs max-out between 4 and 8GB.
Pro tip: A small minority of older Mac models have been found to be able to take more than the 'official' maximum RAM stated by Apple. EverydayMac provides a comprehensive list.
RAM is usually fitted in two modules. If your Mac maxes-out at 8GB, for example, then the best policy is to fit two 4GB modules. Mixing and matching different sizes of modules is possible – 2GB with a 4GB, for example – but identically-sized modules of an identical technical specification (and ideally the same manufacturer and model) allow dual-channel operation. This brings a slight but significant performance boost, reckoned to be around five percent in real life situations.
To discover your Mac model details click Apple > About this Mac. Usually this takes the form of a year (e.g. MacBook Pro 13in Mid 2009) but for some websites you might want to confirm you've got the right product by checking what Apple refers to as the "marketing model number". This can be found by again clicking About this Mac, then selecting the Support tab and clicking Specifications. This will open a web page listing all the technical details about your Mac. The model number will be a short burst of letters and numbers – something like MB991LL/A – and it will be listed in a table somewhere within that page.
Add an SSD or more storage to an old Mac
The second piece of fruit ripe for plucking is storage. Put simply, replacing your boot drive with a solid state disk (SSD) will mean your Mac boots within seconds and apps will load in the blink of an eye.
Maxing-out your Mac's RAM and fitting an SSD will give you what feels like a brand new computer. It really is astonishing. Note that MacBook Airs have unique storage requirements, as discussed later, but other MacBook owners, as well as Mac mini and iMac owners should prepare to have their minds blown.
The upgrade method of least resistance is to simply swap out your existing drive for an SSD. With a MacBook that doesn't have a removable battery, or Mac mini, you should be able to remove the bottom panel, much as you did for the memory upgrade, and appropriate the fittings from the existing drive (although some Mac minis may require disassembly). For MacBooks with a removable battery, the same panel in the battery compartment that protects the RAM can be removed to gain easy access to the hard disk, which it should be possible to remove by pulling a tag.
Sadly, on an iMac, replacing the disk is much harder. You'll have to first remove the screen, which can be challenging and brings a comparatively high risk of damaging something. See this OWC video tutorial for a hair-raising example.
Once again it iFixIt has some excellent illustrated guides for all models of Mac and will also sell you the tools required. A simple YouTube search can also pay dividends.
An alternative method of installation on a MacBook is to remove the SuperDrive (that is, the DVD drive) and put the SSD is the gap where the SuperDrive used to be. The original disk can be left in place and the SSD selected as the boot drive via the Startup Disk option in System Preferences. Because the optical drive uses a special SATA/power connector, a special caddy for the SSD is required, which will also hold it securely in place. Examples can be found on eBay, and are usually inexpensive. Some kits come complete with a USB connector that lets you use the removed SuperDrive externally.
MacBook Air owners have been aware of solid-state storage benefits since the very first model went on sale, although Apple refers to it as Flash Storage (and to be fair their version resembles more a stick of RAM than a typical disk drive). MacBook Air owners might be able to upgrade to larger storage, often with a speed boost over the original drive too, although their computers use a proprietary storage connector and require a specific upgrade. Manufacturers like OWC and Transcend produce the goods – just Google or hit eBay specifying the model number, as discussed earlier. Notably, Air owners cannot fit a standard SSD.
Adding two or more SSDs to a Mac
On some models of iMac or Mac Mini you might be able to fit an SSD to an unused SATA channel connector on the logic board, and squirrel it away beneath the existing disk, or under the SuperDrive. This might be in addition to the old drive, or you might simply fit two SSDs. You'll need a kit that includes mounts and cables. OWC, iFixIt and others sells various examples. However, fitting a second SSD to an iMac or Mac Mini will very likely involve an almost complete disassembly of the computer. Again, you'll find tutorials at iFixIt and on YouTube.
Fitting two (or more) SSDs isn't as daft as it sounds. SSDs are more expensive than standard disks, with prices ramping-up sharply for higher capacities, and you might find two 256GB SSDs cost less than a single 512GB model, for example. However, not all drives are fully Mac compatible and manufacturers often don't document Mac compatibility. A good way of checking is to read user reviews.
Pro tip: SATA technology is backwards compatible: a SATA3.x drive will work in computer running SATA2 or SATA1, for example.
Pro tip #2: Before fitting the SSD in your Mac, ensure the drive is using the latest firmware. Show-stopping bugs are sadly all-too common, and newer firmware can also mean improved speeds. Unfortunately upgrading the firmware can usually only be done by temporarily attaching the SSD to a Windows PC and using special software. See the manufacturers site for details.
You'll need to clone your existing OS X installation plus data onto the new SSD. Arguably the easiest way of doing this is to create a Time Machine backup before fitting the new SSD and boot to the recovery console, before restoring to the new SSD. If all else fails apps like SuperDuper or Carbon Copy Cloner can be used to clone one disk to another.
Create a DIY Fusion Drive
If your Mac ends-up with the original drive plus an SSD alongside, an exciting prospect open up: Coupling the two disks together to create a DIY Fusion drive.
If you have two SSDs installed you can use the same technique to combine them into a single disk, akin to RAID. Fit a 256GB and 128GB drive to your Mac, for example, and you'll end-up with what appears to OS X to be a single 384GB SSD (actually it'll be 372GB because of the strange way disks manufacturers measure size).
The technique required to create a DIY Fusion drive is somewhat advanced and induces palm sweats in even the most technically savvy. You'll need to wipe your existing data and restore it, for example. In the steps below we use as a basis Macworld US's guide to creating a DIY Fusion drive from 2012. However, the introduction of Yosemite and important changes in the way it handles disks means a few additional steps are necessary. We assume for the purpose of these steps you're using a Time Machine disk directly attached to your Mac:
- Start by creating a full Time Machine backup – click the Time Machine icon on the menu bar and select Back Up Now. For insurance purposes you might also want to create a Yosemite install USB stick too, which you can use to boot and reinstall if anything goes wrong.
- Reboot your Mac and hold down Alt (Option on some keyboards) before the Apple logo appears. When asked to select a disk, choose to boot from your Time Machine disk.
- You'll boot to the Time Machine disk's recovery console. At the OS X Utilities listing, choose to open Disk Utility.
- You must now wipe and repartition both internal disks (you did follow Step 1 and create a backup, right?). Start by selecting the partition on the first disk on the left of the screen – this is the entry indented below the main entry for the disk – then select the Erase tab and select to create a Mac OS Extended (Journaled) partition. Repeat this step on the other disk.
- On each disk in turn, select the main entries for the disk in the list at the left and opt to create a new partition on both by selecting the Partition tab, then 1 from the dropdown beneath Partition Layout. Again choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for the format. However, click the Options button and select the GUID Partition Table option.
- Quit Disk Utility, then select to open Terminal by clicking Utilities > Terminal.
- Follow the steps in the Macworld US DIY Fusion guide from the "Bust open Terminal" heading downwards, typing the commands listed. They're very straightforward and the process is quick, but read through first to familiarise yourself.
- When finished, quit Terminal. You'll be returned to the main Recovery screen, from where you can select to restore from a Time Machine backup. Your new DIY Fusion drive will appear as a destination.
- When rebooting for the first time after restoring your data, you might see a flashing question mark folder. Turn your Mac off and then on again, but this time hold down the Alt key (Option on some keyboards). Select the first hard disk entry you see by using the cursor keys and hitting Enter. Once you've booted into OS X, open System Preferences and select Startup Disk, then select the boot disk and click the Restart button.
Following this your Mac will appear to have only one disk, and you simply won't be aware that you're actually accessing two. You can enable FileVault in the usual way within the Security section of System Preferences.
Get Handoff, AirDrop and better Wi-Fi on an old Mac
Only recent models of Mac are compatible with the Handoff/Continuity features introduced with Yosemite. This allows your Mac and iOS devices to instantly pick up on emails, websites, documents, map locations and much more – start an email on your Mac and you can continue instantly on your iPhone.
Older Macs lack the low-power Bluetooth v4.0 mode required for Handoff/Continuity. Alas, buying an inexpensive USB Bluetooth v4.0 dongle doesn't fix the situation – unless you apply the Continuity Activation hack, which brings not only virtually full Handoff/Continuity support but also enables other cool features such as AirDrop between iOS and Macs.
On some Mac mini or MacBook Air models you might not even need to upgrade your hardware, while on other Macs it might be possible to upgrade the AirPort card in your Mac instead of using a USB dongle, which might have the added benefit of upgrading your Mac's Wi-Fi capabilities to faster speeds (provided you've a compatible router, of course). Start by searching the forums of iFixIt, where such questions are frequently asked. Once again bear in mind that fitting an AirPort upgrade will probably involve partial or full disassembly of your Mac. Additionally, note that AirPort cards are usually expensive.
ExpressCard options for older Macs
For a few years some MacBook models featured an ExpressCard slot. Although this technology is in the dying throes of its lifespan, you can still get some useful add-ons, such as adapters that bring USB 3.0 to your Mac. Just search your favourite site. However, always check for Mac compatibility. Again, this can often be done by reading the reviews of buyers in the product description.


text:
Tabs to Relevant Pages on Other Meetings of Interest & More in inset menu above
Organizational Purpose: For quantitatively oriented investment professionals to gather together informally, discuss quantitative issues, and relax over drinks with their colleagues. The name QWAFAFEW (pronounce "quaff-a-few") is intended as a double entendre. The acronym is derived from Quantitative Work Alliance for Applied Finance Education and Wisdom. The organization is meant to provide a collegial forum to promote the sharing of analytical research pertinent to the investment industry. The forum is also serves as a conduit for networking.
Venue: Most meetings are held at Bourbon Street Bar and Grill, 346 W 46th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues, New York, NY 10036 – http://www.bourbonny.com/contact
Atmosphere: Casual and informal
Officers: Officers are elected by the general membership. The Steering Committee guides this process.
Officers: Officers are elected by the general membership. The Steering Committee guides this process.
Financial Issues: QWAFAFEW is a not-for-profit club. Annual Dues are collected from members in addition to admission fees in order to cover meeting costs. Membership is on an individual, not a corporate basis. Presenters, members, and nonmember attendees are presumed to represent themselves, not their organization. Receipts are provided once per month. Members of other chapters pay membership rates to attend New York meetings.
Meeting Frequency: Generally, 12 times per year, and at least once per month. Venues rotate with time of year, target audience, and sponsorship opportunities.


text:
Login/Create Account
Check Out the new Remax App
Ask About This Home
Must see to appreciate this charming home on a private road. Located in an area of year round and second homes. 3 bedroom Colonial with wood floors. Deck on back with spacious yard, nicely landscaped, wooded lot. Granite countertops in kitchen, 3 season sunroom connects to 2 car garage. Becket beach rights, cross-country skiing, and state forest nearby.


text:
How to Steam Cabbage on the Stove
Cabbage is a versatile vegetable that comes in several different varieties, including green, savoy and red. Cabbage is used a lot in European cooking as a side dish, or in soups, stews and to wrap other ingredients. Steaming cabbage on the stovetop is a convenient, quick way to cook cabbage and get in onto your plate.
Video of the Day
Step 1
Add a couple of inches of water to a pot and place a steamer basket on top. Place the pot on the stove and turn the burner to high.
Step 2
Hold the head of cabbage on a cutting board and cut thin slices, starting on the outside. The cabbage will shred as it is cut off the main head. Continue to slice the cabbage until the whole head is shredded.
Step 3
Cut the head of cabbage in half, and then cut the two halves in half to make four wedges if your recipe calls for wedges.
Step 4
Add the cabbage to your steamer basket and place a lid on top to hold the steam inside. Steam for five to eight minutes for shredded cabbage and 10 to 12 minutes for wedges.
Step 5
Remove the pot and steamer basket from the heat, and remove the cabbage from the basket with tongs.


text:
Braintree Electric Light Department (BELD) is one of 41 municipal light departments organized under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 164, and one of more than 2,200 municipally owned light departments in the country. BELD was established by Braintree Town Meeting vote in March 1892 for the manufacture and distribution of electricity. At that meeting $30,000 was appropriated to establish an electric generation plant to run wires for street lighting only. The first general manager of the light department was Thomas A. Watson, co-inventor of the telephone.
Today, BELD is one of the largest municipal light departments in the state, serving more than 16,000 customers, including more than 14,000 residential customers. BELD is governed by a three-member elected board; managing the day-to-day operations of the department is the responsibility of general manager Bill Bottiggi. BELD is a vertically integrated utility, owning and operating more than 150 miles of overhead and underground distribution lines, 9.5 miles of 115 kV transmission lines and 200+ MW of onsite generation (one of only a few municipal light departments in the state to do so). Currently BELD owns and operates the 96 MW Potter II combined cycle plant and two state-of-the-art Rolls Royce simple cycle turbines rated 58 MW each. These quick-start units can ramp up to full load in less than 10 minutes. The Potter II unit has been in operation since 1977 while the two Rolls Royce turbines came online in 2009 with the dedication of the Thomas A. Watson Generating Station.
The department's mission is to maintain a staff of competent, well-trained employees, dedicated to providing safe, reliable, economical energy and related services for our customers, and responsive public service for the community. BELD employees do more than keep Braintree's lights on—they're proud to be part of a tradition of giving back to the town by supporting local organizations, charities and other projects.
BELD is recognized locally and nationally as an innovator in technology and new services. In 2000, after running a new hybrid fiber coax network throughout the town, the department began offering cable television services to Braintree residents. Over the following years, that was expanded to include Internet and phone services to both residents and businesses in town. In 2012, and after two years of work, BELD employees completed the installation of new smart meters throughout town. These meters allow them to more efficiently read meters, detect electric outages, and provide better service to customers.
In the last few years, the department has partnered with Ameresco and the Town of Braintree for the installation of two large solar arrays: a 1.2 MW array on the town's capped landfill and a 660 kW community solar array on the roof of the high school. Residents can have a portion of their energy come from the latter by purchasing up to 10 panels. Last year—with a goal to have 200 electric vehicles (EVs) in town by 2018—BELD began promoting the use of EVs through the Braintree Drives Electric program. The department leases three EVs and installed two public charging stations on site.
As a member of Northeast Public Power Association (NEPPA) and American Public Power Association (APPA), we honor the democratic tradition of community decision-making and participation that led to our founding in 1892. Because public power utilities are operated by local governments as a public service—and our customers are an important part of that process—we take part in a national Public Power Week celebration each year during the first full week of October to show our appreciation to the residents of Braintree.
In-lieu-of-tax payment
As a Braintree municipal utility, BELD is exempt from paying taxes to the town. But BELD does give money to the town on an annual basis, in the amount it would pay if it were subject to paying property tax ($1 million in 2010).
Braintree July 4th Celebration
BELD donates to this annual celebration every year. In 2001 the utility contributed $10,000, making good on a launch pledge to make a donation for each new BELD Broadband cable installation.
Telecommunications services
In addition to providing a fiber-optic network, BELD supplies Braintree's municipal buildings and school buildings with four-digit telephone support and a high-speed data network. We provide voice mail services for the town's fire department, parks and recreation department, high school, and Thayer Library. BELD also provides technical assistance and computer maintenance to the police department at a contracted rate.
Assist other departments
BELD employees work very closely with staff from other departments in the town and county. In addition to setting poles at the Norfolk County Jail, linemen regularly hang banners in South Braintree Square and assist the Tree Warden with maintenance work.
Lights around town
BELD performs traffic signal maintenance for the town of Braintree. In addition to installing decorative streetlamps in Braintree Square and in South Braintree Square, BELD crews have installed lights at the BHS athletic field and at the Hollingsworth Little League field. And BELD provides electric service and lights to the Town Hall, as well as installing holiday lighting at the building each year.
Community postings
BELD's Bright Ideas online newsletter offers another opportunity for free posting of local activities.
Energy Services
BELD's Energy Services programs—including energy audits, tree plantings, and other conservation projects—are available to customers at no charge. BELD also conducts energy safety programs in the Braintree schools.
Good Neighbor Energy Fund
The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund (GNEF) helped more than 1,600 families pay an electric, gas or oil bill in 2011. BELD partners with the Salvation Army and other state energy companies to bring assistance to any Massachusetts resident who, because of temporary financial difficulty, cannot meet a month's energy expense and is not eligible for state or federal energy assistance. Click here for information on donating, or call 800.334.3047 to request assistance from the GNEF.


text:
'Leonards Loves Children' Holiday Celebration Tickets
Free Family Event
About This Campaign
KiDS NEED MoRE has been provided 100 tickets to this luxurious event
Location / Venue
- Address:
- 555 Northern Blvd.
- Great Neck, NY
- Time:
- Dec 12, 2016 05:00 pm to
- Dec 12, 2016 08:00 pm
Campaign to Support KiDS NEED MoRE
At KiDS NEED M❤RE we believe that people and families coping with life-threatening illness and trauma deserve opportunities to enjoy normal day-to-day activities.
Through camping experiences, like our historic Camp Adventure program, we run activities that foster peer relationships, independence and respite. We hold free gatherings and events.
The M❤RE Hope For Johnathon Program delivers specialized packages to families and provides peer mentors that make friendly home and hospital visits.
At KiDS NEED M❤RE we believe that children and families coping with life threatening illness and trauma deserve to do M❤RE than just survive. They deserve to thrive! Our programs and activities are designed to reunite siblings and allow parents time for respite. We create networks with other families that are facing similar experiences. We believe fun and friendship heals. J