text:
I don't think anyone would argue with the observation that IT has grown in both scale and complexity over the years, and done so very quickly. At the same time, over the last decade we have seen an increase in smart devices and mobility that enables everyone's ability to access technology and data. In the enterprise, Big Data has broken the control of the relational database, and the prominence of cloud computing has meant unprecedented access and changes that IT must address. Neither is there much argument when it comes to the rate of change—there is no end in sight.
Complexity looms on the horizon. Less obvious, however, has been a subtle change in the expectations of technology consumers, especially in corporate environments where prescribed access to highly structured data in often isolated silos is no longer acceptable. Instead, users are calling for greater flexibility, plus ever more integration, ease of use and access to IT on their own terms.
There's An App For That
In many ways, this change in attitude is understandable; computers are no longer the novelty they once were, and users are growing up able to access all kinds of technology, both at work and in their daily lives. More than that, over the last few years we've all become accustomed to having what are really quite complex technologies and vast amounts of information delivered directly to us—in a highly digestible format, as a "consumable app" or application.
We've all said it: there probably is an app to do most things these days, especially in combination with cloud-based services. Where public services like Dropbox, Google and Facebook go, corporate IT soon follows, driven not just by cost and business benefits this time, but by users.
All kinds of applications are making their way into the cloud from where they can be delivered as services, from productivity staples such as ERP, CRM and HR systems, to Business Intelligence (BI) and Big Data analytics. It's even becoming possible to deliver integration as a service. And now, all of these highly scalable and complex services are being made available to non-specialist users, via plug-ins to expose the required functionality available on the host platform and apps ready to run on devices of their own choosing.
Today, enterprise software doesn't live and die inside the IT organisations, but also outside. Integration-as-a-Service platforms should look to deliver both integration services to IT organisations and to provide integration as a service for everyone.
What Users Want…
Delivery of IT services—such as Master Data Management, analytics, integration for IT and non-IT users, data cleansing, API management, and real-time marketing—through the cloud and easy-to-use consumable apps, can meet the changing needs and expectations of users of those services, and also benefit the businesses they work for. Instead of having to spend countless hours and money developing an app that hard codes assumptions about what users will want to do, for example, that investment can be directed towards building interfaces to allow them to make those decisions for themselves.
By exploiting APIs in both public and private cloud services, integration also becomes easier. The underlying complexity of the supporting infrastructure can be hidden and users empowered to leverage IT resources in innovative, productive and flexible new ways, often not envisioned by developers. It's a win-win for users and companies alike. We need to enable the massive scalability and processing power of the cloud to exploit for business benefits, using the kind of apps that any business will want to use.


text:
Marlins' Yelich will be slugging 'em out in near future
In this moment, MLB fans are spoiled with the number of very young and monumentally gifted superstars in our game.
Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Yasiel Puig dazzle us with their on-field prowess. Each of them has also publicly stumbled in recent months, filling the headlines with words and actions on and off the diamond. Expectedly so, in fact; they are very young men.
In a world in which we justify the unsavory actions of our youngsters by appropriately and fairly pointing to a player's age, it certainly feels like illuminating the inverse is the responsible move.
What were you doing when you were 22? Christian Yelich is very quietly focusing his attention on baseball and raking.
When he wins his first batting title, we'll have his physical genetics and advanced approach at the plate to thank. Playing in Miami with Giancarlo Stanton and Jose Fernandez, Yelich has gotten a bit buried. Between 2013 and 2014, Yelich has notched 138 games, not yet a full season. In that time, he's collected 12 home runs, 21 stolen bases and netted 3.8 fWAR.
At the end of his career, we will be looking beyond the stats and admiring the developed man.
Like Mike Trout and Troy Tulowitzki (see where I'm going with this?), Yelich idolized Derek Jeter as a child: "Pretty much as long as I've been alive, Derek Jeter has been playing shortstop for the New York Yankees. He was my favorite player growing up."
There is no envy in Yelich's words. He learned to emulate the Yankees captain's calm demeanor. Dig into your memory and try uncovering a moment when Jeter became emotionally unglued. He rarely, if ever, gets too high or too low. We couldn't even draw a choked-up moment out of him at the All-Star Game. Yelich's teammates and men who have coached him along the way sing his praises for this very reason.
"Nothing bothers this kid," Triple-A hitting coach Damon Minor said. "Fifth game of the World Series, he wouldn't be flustered. He's confident without being cocky."
As discussed, countless young ballplayers today tell the same story of watching Jeter. He has been an exceptional role model and arguably the most universally recognizable face in baseball for nearly two decades. Fewer of them would cite journeyman catcher Jeff Mathis as their other source of inspiration, however.
Mathis, by all accounts, preaches competitiveness and togetherness. He's always been categorized as a plus clubhouse man by his teammates. But he's no superstar.
However, when I asked Yelich who was the unsung hero of the Marlins clubhouse, he replied immediately, "Jeff Mathis."
These quiet, behind-the-scenes relationships have occurred on every team I've been associated with. Tony Clark and Damion Easley were the calm, powerful, positive influences on me when I came up as a Detroit Tiger. Dave Martinez served that role on the 2000 Texas Rangers. I witnessed Alex Cora step up for the young players in the 2005 Red Sox clubhouse. Everywhere you turn, men lead without the headlines.
Players pay attention to their teammates' behavior first, and then notice their athletic skill, and Mathis has seen something he likes in Yelich.
"He's the type of man you're drawn to," Mathis says. "He's humble and genuinely cares for his teammates."
Mathis is a pretty good judge of athletic skill as well, however, having seen several hard-hitting outfielders during his career. He came up with the Angels in the era of Garret Anderson, Darin Erstad, Vladimir Guerrero and Tim Salmon. When asked about Yelich, he has no doubts.
"I believe he will be one of the best hitters in baseball in the next few years."
Yelich has a superior stroke to any of the aforementioned stars. He displays a consistent, short, powerful, fluid swing with lightning bat speed. Scouts have consistently slapped his hit tool, or the ability to hit for average, with a 70 on their 20-80 scale. For context, a 70 represents a .300 hitter. Robinson Cano, to spotlight one, might belong in this bucket.
The power has been showing up sporadically; this won't be the case for long. Some savvy baseball minds believe Yelich's power will more likely show up in the form of doubles. I disagree. We are seeing a young man who will grow into a slugger as he learns to maximize his body's potential.
With Yelich at a wiry 6-4, his pop will develop as his body fills out. His frame distinctly conjures up images of my teammate with Team Israel for the WBC qualifiers, a man I played against and saw plenty of, Shawn Green.
"I was always lanky and strong, but I was never powerful," Green shared with me in a text. "It took me a few years to develop a swing that utilized that natural leverage. I didn't have the strength to muscle the balls over the fence. I worked hard to stay long through the zone. In BP, I used to practice hitting the ball as far as I could to center field, and that made a huge difference. That drill taught me to use my whole body to generate power."
Yelich already does this quite well. Notice his back knee driving forward in unison with his back elbow.
The power will inevitably arrive with consistent timing.
Green toyed with us early on in his career, striking 15, 11 and 16 homers in consecutive years before blossoming, smashing 35 in 1998. He did his damage in one of the league's friendliest ballparks for home run hitters in Toronto.
Yelich calls Miami home, a far cry from the cozy confines of Toronto's Rogers Centre. If he's going to put up gaudy home run totals, he's going to earn it. Just ask his more famous teammate.
"Everyone says Petco Park is huge; come to Miami and see the difference," Stanton told me when we discussed his homer to right-center field in San Diego from earlier this season.
He says this ball would have been a two-hopper off the fence at Marlins Park.
The combination of talent and humility seems to be increasingly difficult to find in young players. I think that narrative is misleading, and I believe it's our fault. When our moppets act foolishly, we splash them across the headlines. I'm great with colorful characters and think we need a healthy dose of them in Major League Baseball to provide balance.
I simply believe we need to find a place in the lead more frequently for quiet, professional men like Christian Yelich.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
An advocacy service for vulnerable and disabled people in Greenwich
We understand that sometimes it is hard to make sure people providing services understand what you need and why it is important. GAP is here to support you to get your voice heard, get the information you need to make choices and get the right support.
We help vulnerable adults, disabled people, people having problems with alcohol and substance abuse and people with mental health issues who live in Greenwich.
METRO works in a partnership with Advocacy in Greenwich and Bromley, Lewisham & Greenwich Mind to provide this service.


text:
The high court's decision Wednesday involves a lawsuit claiming a debt collector harassed a man with repeated recorded calls.
Marcus Mims of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., said he kept getting the calls from Arrow Financial Services LLC, which was trying to collect a student loan debt for Sallie Mae. He sued for violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, passed by Congress to ban invasive telemarketing practices.
Mims' lawsuit was thrown out by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which said that Congress did not explicitly give permission for federal lawsuits in the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, although the law does say people can file in state courts. Other federal courts ruled differently and let lawsuits move forward.
The high court said in a unanimous opinion that federal lawsuits are allowed under the law.
"Nothing in the text, structure, purpose or legislative history of the TCPA purports to deprive U.S. district courts of the jurisdiction they ordinarily have," said Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, writing for the court.
The case now goes back to the appeals court in Atlanta.
The case is Mims v. Arrow Financial Services, LLC, 10-1195.


text:
Summer is fast approaching and the call of the outdoors is in the air. Your children are probably raring to go, so it's a good thing to consider what kind of playsets you can set up for them. Safety is crucial when you make your decision, so we've provided a few tips for installing those sets and maintaining the fun to safe ratio for all involved. Your kids will be out there and out of your hair in no time.
Selecting & Setting It Up
Here's the truth: wood sets or frames are always preferable to metal set ups. Metal tends to rust and can lead to nasty nicks and cuts if left unmaintained, whereas wood is more forgiving. So, let's check out a couple of safety tips for your playset:
- Avoid playsets which have moving parts or have quite a gap at the bottom. It's possible for kids to crawl underneath and get trapped.
- Watch out for swings with hard seats, as these can collide with children and pose a health hazard.
- Leave your kids' fantasy ideas of ropes and rope swings behind – strangulation is a real threat.
- Always select a playset or climbing frame with guard rails in the appropriate places, and avoid metal.
- When setting up your playset, throw a tarp or soft cover over the grass where you intend on placing it. Ensure the area is clear of stones, roots, toys and other sharp objects.
- It's also a good idea to layer sand or wood chips beneath the play area, as this will protect your lovelies if they fall.
- Ensure all the 'S' hooks on the swings are properly closed – otherwise they could detach while your child is swinging.
- Smooth out rough wooden edges to avoid splinters.
- Choose playsets that are age appropriate – swings aren't for all ages, and neither are slides.
- Make sure any playset you get doesn't have any protruding bolts, worn chains or ropes, or otherwise unsafe bits and bobs.
- Check for any abnormalities or possible problems quite frequently – maintenance is key.
- Get rid of worn out playsets as soon as they get… well, worn out.
Maintaining The Fun & Safety Level
Once you've selected any one of the fab, safe and age appropriate playsets or climbing frames out there, you need to maintain that safety level whilst your children play. Here's how:
- Supervise your kids at all times. The young ones are all about rough play, and shoving and tackling aren't things you want done on any construction above the ground. Make sure the playset is clearly visible in the backyard and that you can see it from the house.
- Teach the kids safe play rules: teach them to be aware, to play safe and to make sure the set or frame is dry before they go anywhere near it.
- Hot metal sets pose a burning hazard and should also be avoided in the heat of summer. Make sure you and your children check whether the surfaces are cool to the touch before play time begins.
- Check the sand or wood chips and their depth before your children head to the set, and ensure it spreads far enough in every direction.
- Make sure your children take turns on the set, as too many players on the play zone could lead to injury.
Climbing frames and playsets are always great fun, but they should be safe too. Why get heart palpitations every time you think about your climbing frame, when you can install it safely with these handy tips? Get out there, get yourself some safe play equipment, maintain it, and you're all set. Have fun!
Lilly Sheperd is a blogger and writer on topics related to family life and children's health. Nowadays she's writing on behalf Gardenatics, a firm offering wooden climbing frames & treehouses.


text:
The LM3431 is a combination switching boost voltage regulator and multi-channel LED current controller.
The LM3431 evaluation board is designed to drive 4 parallel strings of 8 series LEDs at 140mA per string from an input voltage range of 8V to 18V. The boost switcher regulates LED cathode voltage for optimum efficiency, while allowing the output voltage to vary according to the LED forward voltage. The LM3431 incorporates complete fault protection features including LED short and open protection, over-current protection, over-voltage and under-voltage protection, and thermal shutdown. The error detection flag can be monitored at the DLY post, which has a programmable delay time.
The board includes a DIM input terminal for a selectable digital or analog dimming control signal. PWM dimming frequencies up to 1kHz at 100:1 contrast ratio and contrast ratios up to 500:1 at 200Hz are possible.


text:
Why choose a BMW Approved Bodyshop?
Should you be unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident, remember that you have the right to choose who repairs your car, not your insurer.
By having repairs carried out at a BMW Approved Bodyshop, you can be assured that only Genuine BMW Parts and the latest Approved BMW repair techniques will be used to return your BMW to its original Euro NCAP safety rating. You will also receive the exceptional levels of service that you would expect from BMW.
What to do in the event of an accident?
- Ensure everyone is safe and call 999 if necessary.
- All BMW drivers benefit from complimentary BMW Accident Recovery, regardless of the age of the car or the circumstances of the accident. Simply call 1800 409 900 in the event of an incident that has left your car immobile, and we'll take you to your nearest BMW Approved Bodyshop.
- Obtain all relevant information from other drivers.
- If necessary, contact the Gardai to report the incident.
- Notify your insurance provider.
The Truth about Insurance.
- While your insurance company may suggest a repair shop, where you take your vehicle is up to you.
- It's your right to request that your BMW be repaired at a BMW Approved Bodyshop.
- Only a BMW Approved Bodyshop can restore your vehicle to its original safety specifications.
- You shouldn't face additional charges to repair your vehicle at a BMW Approved Bodyshop.
- Taking your BMW to a BMW Approved Bodyshop should not affect your insurance rates.
BMW takes major care with minor repairs.
To keep you safe, your BMW features several advanced safety sensors* in its bumper. Those sensors may need special attention even after a minor collision. Read on to find out why BMW Approved Bodyshop take major care with minor repairs.
*Advanced safety sensors available on certain model years. Please contact your local BMW Retailer for details
Comprehensively uncompromising.
BMW Approved Bodyshops are the only collision repair centres that have specialized technology and tools, as well as BMW-trained Bodyshop technicians. Only BMW certified facilities can guarantee that your vehicle's safety systems have been restored to their original factory safety specifications.


text:
So, today I was nominated for the Liebster Award by a fellow travel blogger. This isn't my post regarding that but just a short post to let you know it had happened. And to expect the proper post this Thursday.
My blogging is a little off schedule this week, due to some in work training and my complete lack of organisation. I was supposed to write a post for today last night but spent it socialising with friends instead. I regret nothing about that choice, dear reader!


text:
My dad always told me, "make sure you have the right tool for the job! The wrong tool will take longer to get the job done, and usually will make a mess of it." I have always lived by that rule. Unfortunately, many people tackle their computer jobs with tools (programs) that are not appropriate for the task. Custom Computer Tools is working to help with this problem.
At Custom Computer Tools, we are putting together tools to help you use your computer more efficiently. The right tool makes all the difference. Please browse what we have or contact us with your special needs for an estimate on costs. We are here to serve you.
WordPress Script Manager
Have you ever created a new script for adding to your WordPress site by editing the functions.php file or using a plugin like "MaGiKS Proper PHP Include"? It is a great plugin and I used it for several years. It had one problem that kept bugging me. Every time I updated my theme with the automatic updates, I lost my PHP files! I would often forget and have to re-upload the files. Lost scripts are no longer a problem with WordPress Script Manager.
WordPress Script Manager keeps all of the scripts in the database for safe keeping. You can update WordPress, themes, and plugins without ever worrying if you forgot to save something. You can work with WordPress PHP, Javascript, SQL tables, CSS, and Less scripts and embed them anywhere in WordPress with a shortcode. You can also show off your code with a code highlighting shortcode. WordPress Script Manager also has a widget for placing your code in any side bar.
If you need to tweak a WordPress Filter or Action, you can even create scripts for that. WordPress Script Manager is powerful enough to create full plugins to really get your job done right.
Alfred 2 Workflows
If you are on a Mac OSX computer, you need to get Alfred. Alfred is Spotlight on steroids and is a great tool for getting a lot of work done. The lastest version is Alfred 2. With this new version, you can create workflows to extend or supplement the things that Alfred can do. It is a very flexible and powerful system. Here is where I am sharing the workflows that I have made.
Freelance Jobs
Sometimes the right tool is just not available. That is when you need someone to help you out. We can create you the program just right for you. Whether it is a script for your website or a desktop application, we can help you out. Just contact us for a quote today!
Web API WordPress Plugin
Many times when a site powered by WordPress wants to supply a Web API for their site, they will work outside of WordPress using either PHP or Ruby on Rails. Then they have to write their own functions to get to the information inside the database for their WordPress site. I always thought that was a little backwards. That is why I wrote the Web API plugin for WordPress.
With the Web API plugin, you no longer have to do that. This plugin creates a custom post type called API. When you create an API post, all of the content will be executed as PHP code just before the theme stuff is executed in WordPress. Therefore, you have full access to all the WordPress PHP functions to create whatever you want: JASON output, HTML sniplets, full HTML pages without any of the sites theme or code, or anything else you can imagine. After the code on the page is executed, then the PHP session will be ended.
Dropzone Destinations
I really like the new tool: Dropzone! Check out my resourses about this wonderful tool!
Textsoap Cleaners
Since I process a lot of text documents, I really like tools to make that job easier! I found the best one around: Textsoap! Check out what I have about this great tool!
Popclip Extensions
I always love finding new tools. Popclip puts a little, context sensitive menu right at your cursor that you can extend as much as you like. It really is a time saver! Check out what I have written for it.
FoldingText Extensions
FoldingText has become my markdown editor of choice these days. I love coding, so naturally I have created extensions. You can check them out here. I also have an Alfred 2 workflow for FoldingText. Check them out!
LaunchBar Actions
LaunchBar 6 is a handy assistant on the Mac similar to Alfred 2. I have been asked to port my Alfred 2 workflows to LaunchBar. Therefore, I have a page listing the actions I have made.