text:
Huge delays in connecting projects to the grid are revealing a need to rethink the planning process in the country's transmission sector, and a recent decision by national development bank BNDES to cut off five foreign suppliers from cheap financing for failure to meet local content requirements is adding to the pain (see overleaf).
Several new wind projects in north-eastern Brazil totalling 600MW capacity should be finished by August. But they will not be able to deliver the power contracted at the 2009 auction until 2013 because federal power firm Chesf has already said that it cannot finish transmission connection in time, mainly due to environmental-licensing red tape. Chesf will likely be fined for the delay, and the wind-farm owners will still be paid by the government from July, as written into their contracts. Additionally, auctions that had been scheduled for the first half of this year have been postponed until October.
"The wind-power producers cannot be penalised," says Jean-Paul Prates, president of CERNE, a renewable-energy think tank based in the north-eastern state of Rio Grande do Norte. "But this is a specific problem that reveals the necessity for planning of the transmission sector to be reviewed to include smaller and distributed renewable-power sources such as wind and solar."
The 500-kilometre transmission line in the north of Brazil and the system of collective connection points, known as ICGs, for the wind projects was awarded to Chesf at auction in September 2010, but since then the utility has been battling with licensing procedures that have grown in complexity, and tighter environmental laws. "Between 1999 and 2009, the average time for transmission companies to obtain all the environmental licences has risen from four months to 17 months," says Cesar Pinto, executive director at Abrate, the Brazilian association of transmission power companies.
The ICGs were created in 2008 by power regulator Aneel as a way to reduce the cost of connecting wind projects close to each other to the grid. The equipment collects the power in one place, from where it is transmitted to Brazil's 105,000-kilometre transmission grid - which does not necessarily reach locations where the best winds occur. Chesf's project was to be the first ICG to be built. According to Aneel, nine ICGs have been approved and all of them are being delayed.
"The problems that Chesf faces does not mean that ICGs are not a good solution," says Prates. "But they do not remove the need to revise planning of the transmission grid. Since it has always been developed to include large hydroelectric projects, the government now has the chance to adjust and close this time gap by predicting where the new wind or solar power generation units will be located."
According to the government, Brazil's national grid is expected to grow by 6.9% a year through the end of 2014 to around 129,000 kilometres and should include all 5GW in new wind-power projects that are due to come online in the coming years. The Brazilian association of wind power companies, Abeeolica, is one of the leading players in the effort to include the wind projects in the planning to avoid further delays.
"The problems encountered include delays in the signing of concession contracts, environmental licensing by some states - which in general do not keep pace with the projects - as well as the fact that licensing wind projects is new to most environmental bodies in the country," Aneel officials say.
In a recent report, the regulator estimates as much as 70% of wind-power projects currently face some kind of restriction. Licensing issues, delays in equipment supply, financing and grid connection have stalled build for most of the projects, says the report.
"These are all barriers that can be overcome in time," insists elbia Melo, Abeeolica's executive president. "By our count, only 5% of wind-power projects are truly delayed, and this is below the 10% average for other power-generation technologies.
"But what has become clear," she says, "is that the government needs to carry out a more detailed inventory of wind-power projects and plan the transmission system for a longer period, as it clearly takes longer than two years to build a transmission line."
Abrate's Pinto agrees but, while most of the projects are in the north-east and south of the country, the sheer number of diverse projects does not allow for a detailed outline of new power line projects. For example, some 500 wind power projects have been preliminarily registered, in eight different states, in preparation for this year's auction, now scheduled for October. "Until the contracts are signed it's hard to say which lines are needed," says Pinto. "With the new renewables being inserted into Brazil's power matrix, the government needs to decide now what it will look like in 20, 30 years' time.
"It's not hard to do this, but it requires political will. It's important because Brazil may have very competitive wind power prices (at around BRL 100/MWh ($50/MWh)), but it could actually be more expensive if you have to build lines to connect them," he adds.
Another issue, says Pinto, is how to deal with the intermittent production of wind power in a system used to predictable hydroelectric power generation. Recent data from national grid operator ONS shows that Brazil's wind-power production has been less efficient than expected, with some projects achieving 24% below the expected average capacity generation. This must be accounted for by transmission firms, as the revenue is based on the power carried on the lines. Abrate advises more detailed planning plus revision of regulations and rules to speed up licensing. "Since 1999, we calculated that increasing delays because of licensing has caused losses of BRL 1.3 billion ($645 million)," he says.
Still, by December, Brazil should see 2GW installed wind-power capacity, a 42% increase from the end of 2011, even if only a fraction of the 1GW of new projects commissioned are expected to be connected to the grid. According to Melo, despite delays and postponements, agents' appetites are still strong. She points out that there are seven manufacturers producing in Brazil and by the end of 2013, this number will rise to 13. "There will be years when demand will be low", she says. "But investors are still interested, we have to take into account that 2012 is a very important year when the first wind projects auctioned in 2009 will start operations."
Brazil's biggest and oldest supplier, Wobben Wind Power, part of Germany's Enercon, is currently producing 500MW a year of turbines in its three locations and sees no reason to reduce its operations. "The auction delays were expected and have happened every year since 2009," says Eduardo Lopes, Wobben's commercial director. "What's important is that they will happen every year, but this year wind-power companies will have to analyse other options such as the non-regulated market."
Foreign wind turbine suppliers say they remain committed to investing in Brazil despite the BNDES national development bank's decision to cut access to the Finame cheap financing programme, announced in July.
Vestas and Suzlon, two of the biggest firms affected, with contracts to supply more than 500MW of wind projects under construction, are working with BNDES to have access reinstated.
Finame is granted to foreign companies with plans to build local factories to supply the local market. In exchange, they commit to gradually raising local content to 60% in five years. Finame was offered to 12 wind turbine makers in the past few years as they signed deals to supply the country's growing wind industry.
By 2015, more than 5GW of new wind projects will come online. Germany's Fuhrlander and Siemens, Spanish firm Acciona and Clipper of the US were also delisted after a routine audit by the bank that registered interim local content rates below the target of around 40% for two years into the programme.
US giant GE, Argentina's Impsa, Germany's Wobben Wind Power, France's Alstom, Spain's Gamesa and Brazil's Weg passed the audit.
Abeeolica, the Brazilian wind power association, met BNDES, arguing that the bank needs to consider the importance of financing for the industries as it is needed to ensure the low energy prices of BRL 100/MWh ($50/MWh). "We expect the bank to understand this," says Abeeolica's executive president elbia Melo. "Capital costs are expensive in Brazil and financing from abroad carries foreign exchange risks. BNDES is the only source of financing here."


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Sunday, June 14, 2009
Family Stories: Swimsuit Edition
Swimsuit Edition! Why should Sports Illustrated have all the fun? This is your chance to show off the bathing beauties in your family. Pull out the old photos of Grandma Moses in her seaside bloomers, Auntie Mae in her pin-up girl suit from the 1940s or 50s, cousin Paula in her psychedelic bikini from the 1970s, or even yourself in your Speedo! Let's have some fun here! Memorial Weekend is behind us and that means the start of the summer sun, sand, and lakeside season so let's get in the mood with summer fun photos. What? You don't have any swimsuit photos you dare to share? No problem! Tell us your best family beach stories instead! The deadline for submissions is June 15th. This edition of the COG will be hosted at Creative Gene.
And here is my Swimsuit Edition Family Story:
Our Ride Home From Big Bend in West Texas
My dad was famous in our family for taking the "road less traveled" when vacationing. One time on the way home from a big trip in Big Bend in West Texas, my dad impulsively decided to take a "small" detour to a small motel located on the Guadalupe River called River Inn [which is still there today]. I must have been about 5 years old, or so, and as I've mentioned before, I was [and still am] the "Bonus Child" in our family. My siblings refer to me as "the accident," but my mom always called me the their "Bonus Child," and I, for obvious reasons, prefer the latter term. Now, my siblings always liked to give me a hard time because I was the "spoiled baby" of the family, and on this little side-trip that my dad had taken was no exception. One of my older sisters, Terri was forever getting me into trouble and, of course, I never got her into trouble. At this inn, there is a slide that is carved out of rock and cement. It's not a very big one, but to someone who's 5 years old and doesn't know how to swim, it can look a little scary. My sister Terri, though, was there for "moral" support. I was just minding my own business, and doing my own thing...
Then, Terri decided that I wasn't having any "fun," and that I needed to go down the slide in search of the "fun" like everyone else. She said, "Watch. See. Everyone's doing it, and you can, too. It's not scary. You're going to have so much fun." She really was very persuasive. I mean, she could sell ice to an Eskimo, and he'd be very satisfied with his purchase. She went on to point out each family member as they went down the slide...
After seeing everyone go down the slide, I decided that, yes, I could do this. After all, everyone else was doing it, and they were just fine. However, I still had some reservations. So, I agreed to go down the slide with my big brother, Joe. Surely, it would be fun just like Terri had said it would be...
O.K., so it wasn't all that I had hoped for, and nothing like what my sister had promised it to be. However, like any good, persistent, and successful salesman, Terri had not given up on my quest for "fun". So, she sat me down, and proceeded to convince me that I needed to go down by myself in order to find my "fun". She told me everything would be fine because I was wearing a life preserver. So, like the loyal and trusting "customer", I bought her theory again...
I have to say at this point, I was not happy with my sister, but just between you, me, and the gatepost, it was fun, as my big smile indicates. Below is a picture that I found of my family that was taken about four years before I hit the scene. I'm not sure of the location, but if I had to guess [which I do], I'd say it was Canyon Lake, which is north of San Antonio. My dad is probably taking the picture. In the picture is my mom, my siblings, my Aunt Carole, and my cousins. As you can see, they are smiling, but there seems to be something missing in their lives. They just don't look as happy as they could be. It's probably because they didn't have anybody to torture until...I came along!
5 comments:
What a great story! Loved the pictures, too. But are you sure that's not Lady Bird standing behind your siblings and cousins in that last picture. I know they couldn't have had as much fun til you came along!ReplyDelete
I loved this...thanks for taking us down memory lane...with pics! I loved it, and look forward to reading more of your musings!ReplyDelete
You put a big smile on my face with this post, Caroline! :-DReplyDelete
Thanks for the laugh! Great pics!
Caroline What a great story! I really enjoyed reading this. And you have the pictures to prove it. How cool is that.ReplyDelete
That look on your face is priceless coming down that slide.
I agree. There was someone missing in that picture and they just didn't know the bonus they were in for.
♥ Joy
I don't mean to laugh, but that look of sheer terror is priceless. Also, high five to your dad for not spilling the beer.ReplyDelete
What do you use to make all those great scrapbook pages? Twitter DM me the answer (acoffin)


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Creating a Good Password
Choosing the correct password, as well as informing and enforcing password security for users is an important task for the administrator. Security is built upon passwords, so close attention should be paid to making passwords an effective tool in security.
Aspects of a Good Password
1. 8 characters or more
2. use numbers in the password
3. use letters in the password
4. use case in the password
5. avoid dictionary words
These five aspects are critical because software programs can employ "brute force" tactics to try to guess passwords on your network. Using the five aspects above will make it more difficult to crack your passwords. Security usually begins with most systems at the user level. One of the most important aspects of user security is the user password. A lot of security can go down the drain with poor passwords that can be easily cracked. Several important elements of a user password are length of the password, randomness and the forced creation of new passwords at regular intervals. Most users resist all of these elements.
The length of a password is directly proportional to the ease at which it could be cracked. As a result all passwords should be at least 8 characters long. In addition, passwords should not be based on dictionary words, they should be random. One way to make secure passwords is to create passwords from phrases that are common to you. For example in the phrase " I live at 101 Maple Street in Phoenix Arizona," could be turned into the password
This is a password built on the first letter of each word to create a secure password. Remember Linux is case sensitive.
Password Management allows you to force changes in the password or have the account be automatically disabled in a period of time. It is a good idea to force users to change their passwords at regular intervals. Of course this is even more important for administrator's to do as well. The downside to this is that users forget their passwords if forced to change often making possibly a worse situation.
September 22, 2008 at 9:04 pm
The key to a strong password is making it long.
A password like wH3n1nr0m3! is stronger than 'when in rome but when in rome i like to eat pizza' is the strongest of all three.
Here is a quick post on the topic: http://tinyurl.com/yqebur
Hope it helps!
Louise (Passpack)
September 24, 2008 at 4:36 am


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Cosmologists seek to understand the structure and evolution of the universe and its physical constituents. A field that lies at the interface of astronomy and particle physics, cosmology has undergone a major revolution over the past decade, made possible by a wealth of observational data from cutting-edge experiments and telescopes. The wide range of these cosmological observations is impressively fit by a simple concordance model with a small number of parameters.
Modern South African Astronomy and Cosmology: Confronting the Simulated and the Observed Universe
The standard cosmological model describes an expanding universe that is smooth on the largest scales with inhomogenous structures, such as galaxies, galaxy clusters and super-clusters, present on smaller scales. These structures originated from small fluctuations, or irregularities, that were present in the matter distribution in earlier times and which then steadily grew via gravitational instability to form the variety of observed structures. In addition to the familiar, visible matter there is strong evidence that the universe contains significant fractions of dark matter and dark energy that dominate the cosmic energy budget today.
Despite the remarkable success the cosmological model has enjoyed, there are several outstanding issues that remain. The leading challenges in cosmology are:
Major national and international astronomical facilities will help address these questions and further transform our understanding of the cosmos. All three investigators on this research will play a leading role in cosmological surveys on those facilities. The researchers at UKZN, UWC, UCT and NASSP will be involved in a large telescopic survey of supernovae and galaxy clusters on the Southern African Large Telescope. This data will be used in conjunction with photometric data from the Sloan Digital Sky survey (SDSS) and microwave data from the Atacama cosmology Telescope (ACT) to study the use of supernovae and galaxy clusters, respectively, as probes of the dark energy. Both the SDSS and the ACT projects are high-profile international projects, of which the researchers are members. The microwave data from ACT can be combined with Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) data and future polarization data to set strong constraints on the nature of the primordial fluctuations. The South African MeerKAT radio telescope project will map out the distribution of neutral hydrogen (cold gas) in galaxies at intermediate redshift. The cold gas plays a pivotal role in galaxy and cluster evolution.
With the wealth of incoming data, cosmology has now entered the high-precision era. To analyse and interpret this data and to use it to constrain theoretical models requires significant computational effort. Large cosmological N-body simulations are necessary to understand the distribution of large-scale structures and the complicated gas physics that influence how galaxies and galaxy clusters evolve. These simulations are also used as an impetus to understand the yield of astronomical targets (supernovae, galaxy clusters) in large cosmological surveys in different wave bands. Computationally intensive algorithms that maximise the constraints on dark energy from large supernovae surveys are necessary to design optimal surveys. The N-body and hydrodynamic simulations are also used to study the systematic effects that arise in large observational surveys, and to calibrate these effects when studying real data – issues that will be studied for microwave observations. Large Monte Carlo Markov Chain simulations are necessary to estimate cosmological parameters from the variety of data sets resulting from these observational surveys, thereby further refining the cosmological model. The CHPC provides an unprecedented opportunity to complete this computationally intensive programme that will help to address leading cosmological questions.


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Do your homework: Market research leads to business success
You have a brilliant idea for a business and you want to get it off the ground — quickly. Before you jump in head first, take the time to research whether your business model is viable. Conducting in-depth research of every aspect of your business will give you the knowledge you need to make informed — and ultimately profitable — decisions.
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Visit our Starting your business and Market research and statistics pages to learn more about turning your good idea into a successful business.
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I, as many others, have often wondered just how much "luck"
played a factor into fantasy football success. Good luck is the
thing fantasy owners hope for when three of their studs are on
a bye on the same week and it just so happens to be the same week
they play the league juggernaut - who has no bye weeks to plan
around - and the first owner wins convincingly. Bad luck is when
the owner of the fantasy team has a 30-point lead heading into
the Monday Night Football game but has the misfortune of facing
Drew Brees (when the Saints decided to keep passing all game long
despite going against one of the league's best secondaries
in Green Bay) or Antonio Bryant (when he decided to channel his
inner Jerry Rice in a shootout vs. Carolina). The worst kind of
luck for any owner is most evident when the one owner who auto-drafted
his/her team is the one that coasts through the season with no
injuries and finishes in the money.
There is little doubt that fantasy football is a game of chance,
as Charles Spellman so eloquently detailed in this
article back in April. But if this game is really about 10%
skill and 90% luck as I am to understand (which it probably is),
I need to start consulting with Yogi Berra about how much of this
game is mental and physical. Unlike many other games of chance,
the player (in this case, the fantasy owner) has a fair amount
of control over his/her odds of being very competitive but gets
to use the same constants game after game (i.e. starting each
hand in poker with a pair of aces, no questions asked) or has
the ability to trade those assets (i.e. being able to acquire
another ace from the person across the table to the person in
order to complete your full house).
For example, it only takes an injury to Adrian Peterson to turn
that 10th round selection of Chester Taylor - that was used strictly
for depth purposes during draft time - into the choice that powers
a middling fantasy team into serious contention. I'm not
necessarily sure I disagree with many of Charles' assertions
in the Skill vs. Luck
article (I've long abandoned studying probability theory),
it just seems that if only 10% of this game we love is skill,
there must be a whole lot of unlucky people out there. Fantasy
sports - or for the sake of this article, fantasy football - are
the only games of chance I have played that seem to consistently
reward the player who is equal parts knowledgeable, gutsy and
savvy, so I will go against the findings somewhat and suggest
that fantasy football owners tend to create their own luck much
more than it is decided for them.
Regardless of what degree I believe that luck plays an overwhelming
role of fantasy success, the point to be made here is that is
does heavily contribute into the mix of factors that determine
just how successful a fantasy team can be. But even though fantasy
sports had yet to be created when Rickey made his comments nearly
60 years ago, it is amazing how it applies to our little hobby.
Think about it...how often do the same owners in your league(s)
find themselves making a title run year after year? Just as Spellman
suggested in his piece, year-to-year consistency is the one thing
observers can look at to see just how "lucky" or "skillful"
their fellow league mates are. It is my opinion that the owners
who are competitive year after year do so by design, the least
of which is making sure they are as prepared as they can be heading
into the season. This kind of preparation not only includes just
how a certain roster change can affect all the players on that
current team, but it also includes understanding how your own
league's rules affect a player's value (i.e. how much
more valuable a player like Wes Welker has in a PPR league over
a non-PPR).
Over the next 14 weeks, I hope to expand on a bit on the PSA
series that I started last season, giving each of you a comprehensive
view of many of the factors I weigh when determining my stance
on a player. Last season, I touched upon the virtues of considering
multiple factors (such as age, injuries or indifference on the
other side of the ball) in determining the season-to-season success
of an individual player, however, I only briefly hit on those
subjects. This time around, with a lot more time and just as much
space, I hope to take the reader through a complete offseason
workout of sorts - including the subject matter today. Thus, let's
consider the first of a handful of preseason topics I will cover
in this space: how the new wave of offensive coordinators figure
into the equation and how they will likely affect the unit they
will be overseeing this fall. I will cover the first half of offensive
coordinator changes this week and the second half at the same
time next week.
(And Charles, if you are reading this article, my apologies.
In a way, I feel like I'm arguing with my college instructor
about a subject he received his degree in and I'm just the
poor kid in the back of the class trying to fulfill my electoral
Arizona - Ken Whisenhunt
Ken Whisenhunt: Looking for the same run-pass
balance that took Arizona to the Super Bowl.
Whisenhunt is obviously not a first-time play caller as his success
in Pittsburgh is what led to him taking over the Cardinals. Considering
his track record with the Steelers, I will be most interested
in determining: 1) how much of last year's offensive success can
get attributed to Todd Haley? and 2) does the addition of rookie
RB Chris" Beanie" Wells tempt Whisenhunt to return to
his Pittsburgh Steelers roots in which a physical running game
set up the pass? Granted, all of this could change if WR Anquan
Boldin was to hold out or QB Kurt Warner conjures up the injury
demons (or the bad aura) that eventually led to his dismissals
in St. Louis and New York earlier in the decade.
I believe what we do know is this: Whisenhunt will do everything
in his power to repeat the run-pass balance the Cardinals were
able to maintain in last postseason's run to the Super Bowl. In
order to do this, Arizona will have to remain the ball-hawking
unit it became during the playoffs in which it forced its three
NFC foes into 12 turnovers. Turning opponents over four times
a game isn't something that's likely to carry over into the next
season, so I believe fantasy owners could be in for more of the
aerial circus that we saw Arizona dazzle us with during the 2008
regular season. Besides the loss of DE Antonio Smith to Houston,
I believe the most significant loss (and most likely reason that
Warner & Co. will have to continue airing in out) is the departure
of DC Clancy Pendergast, who was annually one the most underrated
defensive coaches in his time in the desert. For most of the tenure,
Pendergast had little more than S Adrian Wilson and LB Karlos
Dansby to work with, yet the Cardinals were able to confound a
handful of teams each year, due in large part to his ability to
outwit his offensive counterpart.
Verdict: I honestly believe
Haley (more than Whisenhunt) was responsible for the over-the-top
fantasy numbers that were produced by Arizona's passing game last
year. That's not to suggest that Whisenhunt had nothing to do
with it, just that Haley's in-your-face approach and meticulous
detail pushed Warner and each of his receivers to unprecedented
heights. While I doubt the Cardinals will match last year's offensive
numbers across the board, this unit will be much more portable
- as in capable of winning any kind of game, be it a shootout,
defense battle or a cold-weather game (remember week 16 versus
New England?). So while the extraordinary numbers may not be there
again this season - at least not at the standards set in 2008
- I wouldn't be all that shocked if Arizona is actually a better
team. Warner, Fitzgerald and Boldin all should top-five considerations
at their positions and no-brainer plays in fantasy lineups. Wells,
on the other hand, seems likely to get the majority of carries,
although short-yard and goal-line duties will not be assured to
the rookie. Tim Hightower was a pretty good back in that role
last season, but he shed 15 pounds in the offseason and it is
hard to imagine he'd be better than Wells would be in that capacity.
As such, I'll lean ever so slightly towards Wells seeing the bulk
of the work in the running game (with him coming out only when
he needs a rest) while free agent signee Jason Wright or seventh-round
pick LaRod Stephens-Howling figure to receive much of the third-down
Cleveland - Brian Daboll
Going into last season, it appeared the Browns would have enough
firepower on offense to keep the ship afloat while HC Romeo Crennel
continued to build a defense reminiscent of the ones he used to
oversee in New England. However, QB Derek Anderson played nothing
like he did just a season earlier, WR Braylon Edwards displayed
some of the worst hands a receiver has exhibited since James Jett
and Donte Stallworth was an utter disappointment as a free-agent
addition. Combine that with a defense that played well under expectations
and it is little wonder Cleveland decided to clean house again
since rejoining the league back in 1999.
Where as Daboll's pet project last season was acclimating new
QB Brett Favre into the Jets offense under then-HC Eric Mangini,
this challenge this time around will be introducing an offense
that will likely need to lean heavily on rookie WRs Mohamed
Massaquoi and Brian
Robiskie. Even though the latter should have a much shorter
learning curve than most considering his father is a longtime
receivers coach in the NFL, that alone will not be enough to get
this receiving corps where it needs to be in 2009. Also consider
that Daboll will literally have his hands full in trying to get
one of the league's best playmakers to understand how to use his
on a consistent basis. Edwards led the league in dropped passes
last season, almost to the point where it became comical as the
season progressed. Lastly, Cleveland opted to trade away its best
pair of hands in the offseason, dealing TE Kellen Winslow to Tampa
Bay, further robbing the winner of this summer's QB competition
- Anderson or Brady
Quinn - of someone that he can lean on when the going gets
Daboll's experience is an interesting mix of Bill Belichick and
some members of his coaching tree. After volunteering at William
& Mary for a year, he spent two years at Michigan State under
Belichick prot�g� Nick Saban as a graduate assistant.
From 2000-06, he worked under Belichick as a defensive assistant
and WR coach before leaving to join Mangini in New York in 2008
as a QB coach.
Verdict: If we are to believe that Daboll has completely embraced
the "Patriot Way", it is quite likely that the WR and
TE workload in the passing game will be spread out somewhat evenly
with a fairly high amount of specialization being required from
the RBs. This could suggest a further decline from RB Jamal Lewis
while fellow RB Jerome Harrison may see a career high number of
touches. Look for Massaquoi, Robiskie and David Patten to all
take turns being fantasy relevant but inconsistent at best in
2009. And now that Winslow is gone, fantasy owners should expect
Patriot-like diversity from TEs Steve Heiden (if he makes a speedy
recovery from ACL and MCL surgery), Martin Rucker and maybe even
ex-Bill Robert Royal.
Denver - Mike McCoy/Josh McDaniels
Can Josh McDaniels make Kyle Orton a better
fantasy QB than Jay Cutler in '09?
Give McCoy and McDaniels credit for one thing: they don't mind
a challenge at QB. McCoy has spent most of his pro coaching career
working with Jake Delhomme - who is either the best QB in Carolina's
short franchise history, its most frustrating or both. Likewise,
McDaniels - through no fault of his own - really made a name for
himself this past season when he took Matt Cassel from a no-name
backup who hadn't received a meaningful snap in nearly 10 years
to a player who the Patriots applied the franchise tag to this
offseason before trading him away in late February. Unfortunately,
the bond between McDaniels and Cassel was too strong, as it set
into motion the biggest surprise story of the offseason when the
new Broncos coach let it be known that he preferred his old QB
to his new one. One thing led to another and it should come as
little surprise that Jay Cutler is no longer a Bronco. However,
it is ironic neither McDaniels nor McCoy has required a highly-touted
QB to lead their offense recently. So while the Cutler drama was
completely unnecessary and just plain sad for all parties involved,
Denver did well to acquire as much compensation as it did, including
probable starter Kyle
Orton, when it clearly did not hold a position of power in
trade negotiations.
Although McCoy has the title, there is little doubt this will
be McDaniels� offense for the foreseeable future. And judging
by the Broncos� offseason activity, it may be a reasonable assumption
that the new coach may do his best to re-create the 2008 Patriots.
With Orton playing the role of Cassel, expect to see plenty of
four-wide sets out of the shotgun. Jabar
Gaffney and Brandon
Stokley are no slouches and serve as one of the better No.
3 and No. 4 WR combos in the league, but either would be hard-pressed
to fill the shoes of WRs Brandon
Marshall and Eddie
Royal if either were to go down for any length of time. While
Marshall waits to hear of another possible suspension to start
the season, it is doubtful he will miss much game action. Fortunately
for Denver, they have one more weapon in the passing game - TE
Tony Scheffler
- who McDaniels continues to rave about. Throw in first-round
rookie RB Knowshon
Moreno, who is very accomplished as a receiver and blocker
out of the backfield, and the expectations for this offense should
be very optimistic. As such, I fully expect Orton to have an incredible
year so long as he stays healthy. He was starting to emerge as
a regular fantasy starter until he was injured in a Week 8 win
against the Lions. To his credit, he missed just one week with
his severely sprained ankle, but it was clear he wasn�t the same
QB following his return to the field that he was before the injury.
Verdict: While McDaniels had
little choice in following Mike Shanahan, he has had a large hand
in just about everything that has transpired ever since. But while
it is clear that Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli don�t share their
personnel trade secrets with each of their coaches, McDaniels
and new GM Brian Xanders are obviously pretty fair recruiters,
bringing 17 new faces in during free agency. (Another 10 draft
picks were added to the team as well.) A team with this much turnover
doesn�t figure to make a title run, but that doesn�t mean that
Denver won�t be a fantasy goldmine in 2009.
In what may be my most shocking prediction of the preseason, Orton
will be a better fantasy QB than Cutler this season. For
one, Orton will be operating in a more fantasy-friendly system
and, moreover, the Broncos have a legitimate threat at every skill
position not to mention a better offensive line. While Marshall
and Royal will be hard-pressed to repeat their combined 195 catches
from last season, it would come as a surprise if their touches
weren�t more efficient (i.e. better yards/catch than 12.2 and
10.8, respectively). In other words, Marshall and Royal may be
less productive in PPR leagues but may find their value increase
in non-PPR leagues. Up until the new coach decided to tout Scheffler,
I expected one of Cutler's favorite targets to be the biggest
loser with this transition. Consider me a bit skeptical because
McDaniels had a similar talent with the Pats named Ben Watson,
but Scheffler is a superior TE, so look for him to get his numbers.
And as far as Orton is concerned, last year showed he had little
issue working with Greg Olsen, who compares favorably to Scheffler.
Last but not least, expect Moreno to take very little time in
asserting his will over his competition in the backfield (LaMont
Jordan, Correll
Buckhalter). It wasn�t until I took a second look at the ex-Bulldog�s
game tape that I realized just how special he is. This decade,
I have identified three runners coming out of the draft that I
felt so strongly about: LaDainian Tomlinson, Steven Jackson and
now Moreno. Hopefully, that is all the encouragement fantasy owners
need to target him in their drafts this summer. Unlike Shanahan�s
Broncos, Denver wasted little time pursuing a back in the draft
as the selection of Moreno at #12 overall signals a big change
in philosophy at the position, meaning I believe it is safe again
to believe in Denver RBs as fantasy cornerstones.
Detroit - Scott Linehan
The former Rams HC is the first coordinator on this list that
not only already has coordinator experience, but also will likely
have little to no interference (or input) from his boss. While
Linehan never quite seemed to be able to grab the Rams' attention
as the head coach, it is his work as a play caller in Minnesota
and Miami that has me sold on his ability to squeeze points and
yards out of Detroit this season and beyond. Some coaches, for
whatever reason, just aren't meant to run an entire team. So while
new Lions HC Jim Schwartz gets busy trying to turn around the
league's first 0-16 franchise and their paper-thin defense, Linehan
will immerse himself into coaxing production from a talented group
of skill position players, beginning with RB Kevin
Smith and rookie TE Brandon
Pettigrew. When one considers that he oversaw some of the
best years from Randy Moss, Chris Chambers, Steven Jackson, Randy
McMichael and old friend QB Daunte
Culpepper, there is reason to believe that Detroit will be
playing entertaining offensive football once again.
Here's his track record as a play-caller: top 10 finishes in each
of his three years with the Vikings, finishing no lower than eighth
in points scored or fourth in total yards. In his lone season
with Miami, he guided the Fins to a top half finish in both categories
with Gus Frerotte as his starter at QB, something the team has
done only one other time this decade (in 2002). But while most
of his beneficiaries listed above are not RBs, it is in the running
game where Linehan seems to make the biggest difference when he
joins a staff. In 2002, Linehan was in charge when RB Michael
Bennett rushed to his lone 1,000-yard campaign in his first season
as a coordinator before making Moe Williams and Onterrio Smith
useful fantasy players the next season. Only once in his four
seasons as an OC has his team's rushing attack finished lower
than 12th (2004), so while all-world WR Calvin
Johnson will likely be making DBs look bad once again this
season, his job will be made easier by Smith, who should be granted
every opportunity to build upon a strong finish to the 2008 season.
Mo Morris was brought in from Seattle, but Detroit has no plans
at the current time to have Smith share carries, thereby allowing
Smith to easily eclipse the 976 rushing yards he posted last season
and helping him to find his way into fantasy lineups on a weekly
Verdict: Just as will be the case with any of the other 31 teams
in the league, how effective a team's offense will be in 2009
will depend heavily on the offensive line. For Detroit, it will
be fall on new OL coach George Yarno, who will try to get more
out of his front line in just his second year as a NFL assistant
than his recent predecessors have. The synchronicity of a play
caller and his OL coach, in my opinion, is as important as any
coordinator-assistant relationship in football. The good news
is that from a talent standpoint, Yarno will have a bit more to
work with, as Pettigrew enters this season as one of the better
blocking TEs to come out of the draft in recent memory. The team
also added free agent T Ephraim Salaam, who could work his way
into the starting lineup with a strong camp, allowing the Lions
to possibly move LT Jeff Backus inside, where he is probably headed
at some point in the near future anyway.
The reason this is all is worth mentioning is because the more
Linehan can establish Smith and the ground game, the more opportunities
Johnson will have down the field. When one considers the jaw-dropping
stats the man-child WR put up on a team with no other viable threats
(and on a winless team to boot), it is quite possible we are seeing
a player who is about ready to embark on a long streak of 1,300-yard-plus,
15-TD-plus seasons. Expect Johnson to start drawing "best
WR in the league" consideration starting this season. Elsewhere,
Smith should be at least a mid-range #2 RB in 12-team leagues
on a team that will try very hard each week to establish the run.
Otherwise, I would not be surprised if Culpepper (until Matthew
Stafford is deemed ready), WRs Bryant Johnson and Ronald Curry
and Pettigrew all found themselves on fantasy rosters at various
points during the season, likely as bye-week fillers although
Johnson could serve as a #4 or #5 fantasy wideout in some leagues.
The point to be made here is that while I don't expect Detroit
to revolutionize the game with its offense, it could very well
be the source of some pleasant, unexpected fantasy numbers in
Kansas City - Chan Gailey/Todd Haley
The Chiefs pose an interesting mix at the top, pairing a play
caller who has head coaching experience under the employ of a
coach who has none and is known to have a short fuse. What also
makes it interesting is that Gailey and Haley both turned shotgun-heavy
with their offenses (Kansas City and Arizona, respectively) last
season, but for somewhat different reasons. When his hand was
forced to a third-string, second-year QB in 2008, Gailey recognized
that in an effort to keep him healthy longer and give his QB as
much time as possible behind a poor offensive line, it would be
in everyone�s best interest to let Tyler
Thigpen run the offense he used at Coastal Carolina, allowing
him to show off his athleticism in the process. On the other hand,
Haley went shotgun as Arizona was unable to get the ground game
started in a lot of their regular season games. Even though he
is almost a completely different QB, Kurt Warner excelled in Haley�s
attack last season because he was such a sound and quick decision
maker in the pocket and his all-world WRs didn�t require much
time to get open (or in Larry Fitzgerald�s case in the postseason,
he didn�t even need to be open).
Even though Gailey didn�t go anywhere this offseason, both he
and Haley will be working with far less talent than they were
in 2008. Gailey had to be disappointed when the Chiefs traded
away TE Tony Gonzalez, the linchpin in the Kansas City passing
offense for over a decade. And while Haley won�t exactly be starting
over, Matt Cassel-Dwayne
Engram doesn�t quite measure up to Warner-Fitzgerald-Anquan
Boldin-Steve Breaston. Nevertheless, the Chiefs figure to be a
wide-open offense once again, and with no more Gonzo, KC may work
almost entirely out of three-and-four-wide sets, unless new starting
TE Brad
Cottam has a huge camp. Either way, it is hard to see how
this offense will ever be centered around RB Larry
Johnson again as long as Gailey and Haley are working together,
although I do expect the Chiefs to take advantage of LJ�s hands
in the passing game once again after giving him most of last year
off in that regard.
Verdict: While this offensive rebuilding project isn�t
quite as challenging as the one going on across the state in St.
Louis, the overall team restructuring is probably more so. Though
hard to believe, DC Clancy Pendergast has about as little to work
with right now as he ever did in Arizona, which is really saying
something. Combine that with a defensive scheme ill-fitted to
the current personnel and it means that the Chiefs� could
be this year�s Broncos against the run. What it all means
for the offense is this: they may not have a choice but to throw
it around all day. With Gonzalez now in Atlanta, Bowe may go into
Brandon Marshall territory and be targeted nearly 200 times! (Marshall
averaged 12 targets/game in 2008 and was on pace for 194 if had
played all 16 games.) Needless to say, Bowe needs to be viewed
as a low-end #1 WR at the very least in non-PPR and a top ten
wideout in PPR leagues. As long as he stays healthy, Bradley should
serve as a very usable #3 fantasy WR in 12-team leagues as should
Engram, so long as he can hold off Father Time one more season.
I could see LJ performing well depending on the matchup, but he
probably has slipped into mid-to-low #2 RB territory, with that
status fluctuating up or down slightly depending on whether or
not he is used in the passing game as much as he used to be. Because
KC won�t have a lot of leads to protect this season, I can�t
see a situation where he performs all that consistently on the
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text:
Ad specialties could offer a simple way to expand your sales — especially if you're a garment decorator or sign company.
Do me a favor. Take a few seconds and look around your office. Now, count how many logoed items you see. I'm betting you have at least one or two pens advertising your local bank or maybe your dry cleaner, as well as a stylish coffee mug bearing a company's name and possibly even a T-shirt or cap branded by the sponsor of your kid's soccer team or the last 5K you ran. Chances are you have a logoed USB, mouse pad, and calendar on your desk, too.
What's the one thing that all these items have in common, besides the fact that you use them almost every day? Some organization gave them to you for free. Whether you call them promotional products, ad specialties, freebies, or "stuff we all get," these items add up to a $20.5 billion industry—one that's easy to join, especially if you're already in the advertising business, as many readers of this publication are.
"One of the common traits of the most successful screen printers I interact with is their ability to sell much more than T-shirts," said Ryan Moor, CEO of screen-printing supply company Ryonet. "When I ask them about promotional products, they often say it comprises 35-40% of their business. This is also almost always their favorite line of business because they make great money on it and don't necessarily have to do any production."
At ASI, an association serving the ad-specialty trade, we're seeing a lot of new members from the screen-printing and signage industries. Many of them are small businesses or ambitious entrepreneurs who want to add promotional products to their existing line in order to make more money. Businesses are like sharks—they need to keep moving forward or they die. One way to keep your business in the black is by sensibly cross-selling more products to customers you already have. This delivers more dollars and positions you as a brand-management expert, while keeping competitors off of your playground.
Did you enjoy this article? Click here to subscribe to the magazine.


text:
Drywall Clips - Code Notes
Metal or plastic drywall clips can be used to replace a third stud at a corner, at a partition intersection backing stud, or in the ceiling to replace a nailer. The reduced attachment (wood to drywall) resulting from the use of dry wall clips allows small movements without drywall cracking and nail pops.
Publication Date:
Friday, June 17, 2011


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This is my entry for Stage 3 of MarxFood's Ridiculously Delicious Challenge.
There are some people who are morning people. I am not one of them. Normally, this makes me rather proud but lately, I've been trying to throw caution to the wind and be an early riser. It's not working all that well. Especially because the hubster is a particularly chirpy early bird. Most mornings, I will do or say just about anything to continue sleeping. And this Saturday was no exception. Apparently, in an effort to win myself an extra ten minutes of sleep, I promised the hubster I'd make scones for breakfast.
Of course, I had zero recollection of it when I finally dragged myself out of bed at the ungodly hour of 8 a.m. But the hubster's not a man who forgets. Luckily, I'd seen Brian's chocolate cherry scones recently and knew I wanted to give 'em a makeover for Round 3 of the Marx Foods Ridiculously Delicious Challenge.
Scones it was! The problem was that I needed to use three of my remaining six ingredients in the made over recipe. The remaining ingredients were dried cherries, coconut sugar, saffron, Szechuan peppercorns, dill pollen, and of course, the dreaded juniper berries. It was early (for me) and well, I couldn't see three ingredients I could use in a sweet scone without well, copying Brian's recipe verbatim. That is, unless I figured out how to use those darn juniper berries. And given that I'd only had two cups of coffee until that point, that just wasn't happening. So, savory scones it was.
Enter, the cheddar and dill scone. The cheddar was sharp, the dill pollen was fragrant, and the seasoning was spot on with the combination of Szechuan peppercorn, saffron, and a bit of garlic and onion powder. And Brian's not lying when he says his recipe is totally versatile. The scone base is the perfect canvas for any mix-in. Maybe even the dreaded juniper berry.
All in all, the cheddar and dill scones were the perfect accompaniment to creamy scrambled eggs. And you know how I know they was good? The scones won me an extra fifteen minutes of sleep the day after.
PS: I was also asked to pick my second choice recipe. I pick Joanne's chicken and waffles. Is it breakfast? Is it dinner? I don't know but I'd sure like to find out.
Makes 8-10 scones
2 cups flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp ground Szechuan peppercorn
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp dill pollen
1/4 tsp of saffron
1/2 cup medium or sharp cheddar, grated
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small chunks
3/4& cup half & half
Place rack in middle of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees.
In a large bowl, mix together the first eight ingredients. Crumble the saffron threads in your hand and add them to the dry mixture. Add the butter to the bowl and, using two knives or a pastry blender, cut into the dry ingredients until the butter has mixed in. Add the cheddar cheese.
Slowly add the half and half to the dry ingredients, whisking to make sure it is fully incorporated. If the dough looks like it is moist enough, you can leave out a little of the liquid.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead a couple of times. Flatten the dough out until it is about 1 1/2 inches thick (should be about 8 or so inches wide). Cut into 8 to 10 triangles and transfer the wedges to a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper.
Brush the top of each scone with a little bit of half and half. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
Let cool on wire rack and enjoy!
Adapted from A Thought for Food's Chocolate Cherry Scones with Saffron.


text: Greg P Report post Posted July 18, 2011 (edited) I've been using Grooveshark for over a year and have really enjoyed the lack of restrictions, vast library and simple playlist management. I've been reading a lot about Spotify recently and how it's going to change music and social networking, blah blah blah... Well, I finally received an invite this morning to join-- Spotify has not officially launched yet in the US-- and have spent the day playing around with it. The interface resembles iTunes and the amount of music is simply staggering. I just did back-to-back searches for Albert Ayler and Eric Dolphy and the results gave me virtually all of their official recorded output. The audio quality is also excellent. It gives reviews and background info on albums as well, which I suppose is cool, but unlike Grooveshark the free version spews out audio commercials every 30 mins or so. Of course, the ability to expose your playlists to your extended Facebook and Twitter families is also a selling point for some. Anyone else toying with this or any of the other on-demand music sites out there? I guess we could talk about how these sites are going to effect the bottom line for struggling indie musicians and smaller labels, but for now this technology ain't going away. Edited July 18, 2011 by Greg P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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DETROIT - Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's staffer was happy to talk sports Monday night but not emergency managers.
The financial review is done and it's bad, as expected by pretty much every government official Local 4 spoke to. Now, the moment of truth is upon us.
At this point, an emergency manager for Detroit may not be enough.
Read previous: Detroit City Council awaits decision on emergency manager
"The emergency financial manager does not have the ability to step in and change the nature of debts, to alter pension, to alter benefits. That's where the bankruptcy court comes in," said Mike Greiner, an expert attorney in bankruptcy law with municipal experience.
Greiner sees no other option but bankruptcy for the city because of the it's long-term liabilities.
"The problems are so fundamental. The political process has shown such an unwillingness to face the problem. There is still this expectation that somebody is going to come rescue us. There is nobody there to rescue you anymore," Greiner said.
Special section: Detroit in Crisis
That means every single city employee, both past and present, should prepare themselves for a reduction in benefits. Creditors already are aware they may never get paid in full. If it does go to bankruptcy there will be pain. However, it may also offer a path to financial stability.
"Everybody is going to have to take a haircut. If they don't, then there's not going to be anything for anybody," Greiner said.
Copyright 2013 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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This chapter describes new features in the Solaris installation programs. To view features for all of the Solaris OS, see Solaris 10 What's New. This chapter describes the following sections.
What's New in the Solaris 10 1/06 Release for Solaris Installation
What's New in the Solaris 10 3/05 Release for Solaris Installation
Starting with the Solaris 10 8/07 release, you can upgrade the Solaris OS when non-global zones are installed without most of the limitations found in previous releases.
The only limitation to upgrading involves a Solaris Flash archive. When you use a Solaris Flash archive to install, an archive that contains non-global zones is not properly installed on your system.
Changes to accommodate systems that have non-global zones installed are summarized below.
For the Solaris interactive installation program, you can upgrade or patch a system when non-global zones are installed with CDs, as well as DVDs. Or you can use a network installation image for either the DVD or CDs. Previously, you were limited to upgrading with a DVD. The time to upgrade or patch might be extensive, depending on the number of non-global zones that are installed.
For an automated JumpStart installation, you can upgrade or patch with any keyword that applies to an upgrade or patching. In previous releases, a limited number of keywords could be used. The time to upgrade or patch might be extensive, depending on the number of non-global zones that are installed.
For Solaris Live Upgrade, you can upgrade or patch a system that contains non-global zones. If you have a system that contains non-global zones, Solaris Live Upgrade is the recommended upgrade program or program to add patches. Other upgrade programs might require extensive upgrade time, because the time required to complete the upgrade increases linearly with the number of installed non-global zones. If you are patching a system with Solaris Live Upgrade, you do not have to take the system to single-user mode and you can maximize your system's uptime.
Solaris Live Upgrade creates a copy of the OS on the inactive boot environment. The inactive boot environment can be upgraded or patched when non-global zones are installed. The inactive boot environment can then be booted to become the new boot environment. Changes to accommodate systems that have non-global zones installed are the following:
A new package, SUNWlucfg, is required to be installed with the other Solaris Live Upgrade packages, SUNWlur and SUNWluu. This package is required for any system, not just a system with non-global zones installed.
These three packages comprise the software needed to upgrade by using Solaris Live Upgrade. These packages include existing software, new features, and bug fixes. If you do not install these packages on your system before using Solaris Live Upgrade, upgrading to the target release fails.
Creating a new boot environment from the currently running boot environment remains the same as in previous releases with one exception. You can specify a destination disk slice for a shared file system within a non-global zone.
The argument to the -m option has a new optional field, zonename. This new field enables creating the new boot environment and specifying zones that contain separate file systems. This argument places the zone's file system on a separate slice in the new boot environment.
The lumount command now provides non-global zones with access to their corresponding file systems that exist on inactive boot environments. When the global zone administrator uses the lumount command to mount an inactive boot environment, the boot environment is mounted for non-global zones as well.
Comparing boot environments is enhanced. The lucompare command now generates a comparison of boot environments that includes the contents of any non-global zone.
Listing file systems with the lufslist command is enhanced to display a list of file systems for both the global zone and the non-global zones.
For step-by-step procedures for upgrading a system with non-global zones installed or for information on the Solaris Zones partitioning technology, see the following references.
For More Information
Upgrading with Solaris Live Upgrade on a system with non-global zones
Chapter 9, Upgrading the Solaris OS on a System With Non-Global Zones Installed, in Solaris 10 8/07 Installation Guide: Solaris Live Upgrade and Upgrade Planning
Creating and using non-global zones
System Administration Guide: Solaris Containers-Resource Management and Solaris Zones
Upgrading with JumpStart
Solaris 10 8/07 Installation Guide: Custom JumpStart and Advanced Installations
Upgrading with the Solaris installation interactive GUI
This feature is new in the following releases:
For SPARC, starting with the Solaris 10 10/06 release
For x86, starting with the Solaris 10 8/07 release
The sysidkdb tool configures your USB language and its corresponding keyboard layout.
The following procedure occurs:
If the keyboard is self-identifying, the keyboard language and layout automatically configures during installation.
If the keyboard is not self-identifying, the sysidkdb tool provides you, during the installation, a list of supported keyboard layouts during installation, so that you can select a layout for keyboard configuration.
SPARC: Previously, the USB keyboard assumed a self-identifying value of 1 during the installation. Therefore, all of the keyboards that were not self-identifying always configured for a U.S. English keyboard layout during installation.
PS/2 keyboards are not self-identifying. You are asked to select the keyboard layout during the installation.
If the keyboard is not self-identifying and you want to prevent being prompted during your JumpStart installation, select the keyboard language in your sysidcfg file. For JumpStart installations, the default is for the U.S. English language. To select another language and its corresponding keyboard layout, set the keyboard keyword in your sysidcfg file.
For more information, see one of the following:
Preconfiguring With the sysidcfg File in Solaris 10 8/07 Installation Guide: Network-Based Installations
sysidtool(1M) man page
sysidcfg(4) man page
Starting with the Solaris 10 8/07 release, the NFS version 4 domain can now be defined during the installation of the Solaris OS. Previously, the NFS domain name was defined during the first system reboot after installation.
This new feature affects installation as follows:
The sysidtool command includes an enhanced sysidnfs4 program. The sysidnfs4 program now runs during the installation process to determine whether an NFSv4 domain has been configured for the network.
For further information, see the sysidtool(1M) and sysidnfs4(1M) man pages.
During an interactive installation, the user is provided with the default NFSv4 domain name that is automatically derived from the OS. The user can accept this default. Or, the user can specify a different NFSv4 domain.
As part of a Solaris JumpStart installation, a new keyword is available in the sysidcfg file. The user can now assign a value for the NFSv4 domain by using the new keyword, nfs4_domain.
For further information about this new keyword, see the sysidnfs4(1M) man page. This man page also provides an example of how to use this new keyword
For further information about the NFSv4 domain name configuration, see the System Administration Guide: Network Services
Starting with the Solaris 10 11/06 release, you can, during installation, set the default behavior for network services to run in a much more secured manner. During an interactive installation (hands on), this new security option is provided in the installation configuration selection screens. For automated JumpStart installations (hands off), you can select a restricted network profile by using a new service_profile keyword in the sysidcfg file. This security option is only available for initial installations. An upgrade maintains all previously set services. If necessary, you can restrict network services after an upgrade by using the netservices command.
If you choose to restrict network security, numerous services are fully disabled. Other services are still enabled, but these services are restricted to local connections only. Secure Shell remains available for remote administrative access to the system.
With this restricted networking profile, you reduce your risk of exposure on the Internet or LAN. The system retains full graphical desktop use and outbound network access. For example, you can still access your graphical interface, use browsers or email clients, and mount NFSv4 file shares.
The network services can be enabled after installation by using the netservices open command or by enabling individual services by using SMF commands. See Revising Security Settings After Installation.
For additional information about this security option, see the following references.Table 2–1 Additional Information About the Limited Network Profile
For More Information
Administer security for network services
How to Create an SMF Profile in System Administration Guide: Basic Administration
Reopen network services after installation
Plan installation configuration
Select restricted network security during a hands-on installation
Chapter 2, Installing With the Solaris Installation Program (Tasks), in Solaris 10 8/07 Installation Guide: Basic Installations
Set up restricted network security for a JumpStart installation
service_profile Keyword in Solaris 10 8/07 Installation Guide: Network-Based Installations
Starting with the Solaris 10 11/06 release, Solaris Trusted Extensions provides multilevel security for the Solaris OS. This feature enables you to control information in a flexible but highly secure manner. You can now enforce strict access controls to your data based on data sensitivity, not just data ownership.
An installation that accesses Solaris Trusted Extensions differs from a standard installation. For a list of these installation differences and further information about Solaris Trusted Extensions, see Installing or Upgrading the Solaris OS for Trusted Extensions in Solaris Trusted Extensions Installation and Configuration.
The flarcreate command no longer has size limitations on individual files. You can create a Solaris Flash archive that contains individual files that are greater than 4 Gbytes. The following two archive utilities are available for use:
The cpio archive utility is the default. Individual files cannot be greater than 2 or 4 Gbytes. The size limitation depends on the version of cpio used.
The portable archive interchange utility, pax, is invoked with the -L pax option. If the -L pax option is specified, the archive can be created without size limitations on individual files.
For more information, see Creating an Archive That Contains Large Files in Solaris 10 8/07 Installation Guide: Solaris Flash Archives (Creation and Installation).
This section describes the following new installation features in the Solaris 10 1/06 release.
Solaris Zones partitioning technology provides the ability to configure non-global zones in a single instance of Solaris, the global zone. A non-global zone is an application execution environment in which processes are isolated from all other zones. Starting with the Solaris 10 1/06 release and if you are running a system with non-global zones installed, you can use standard Solaris upgrade programs to upgrade. You can use either the Solaris interactive installation program or custom JumpStart to upgrade. There are some limitations to upgrading with non-global zones installed.
A limited number of custom JumpStart keywords are supported. For a list of supported custom JumpStart keywords, see Solaris 10 8/07 Installation Guide: Custom JumpStart and Advanced Installations.
You must use the Solaris Operating System DVD or a network installation image created from a DVD. You cannot use the Solaris Software CDs to upgrade a system. For more information about installing with this program, see Chapter 2, Installing With the Solaris Installation Program (Tasks), in Solaris 10 8/07 Installation Guide: Basic Installations.
On a system with non-global zones installed, do not use Solaris Live Upgrade to upgrade your system. While you can create a boot environment with the lucreate command, the luupgrade command cannot upgrade a boot environment that has non-global zones installed. In that case, the upgrade fails and an error message is displayed.
For details on using the Solaris interactive installation program, see Solaris 10 8/07 Installation Guide: Basic Installations
Starting with the Solaris 10 1/06 release, the open source GNU GRand Unified Boot Loader (GRUB) has been adopted in the Solaris OS for x86 based systems. GRUB is responsible for loading a boot archive into the system's memory. A boot archive is a collection of critical files that is needed during system startup before the root (/) file system is mounted. The boot archive is used to boot the Solaris OS.
The most notable change is the replacement of the Solaris Device Configuration Assistant with the GRUB menu. The GRUB menu facilitates booting the different operating systems that are installed on your system. The GRUB menu is displayed when you boot an x86 based system. From the GRUB menu, you can select an OS instance to install by using the arrow keys. If you do not make a selection, the default OS instance is booted.
The GRUB based boot feature provides the following improvements:
Faster boot times
Installation from USB CD or DVD drives
Ability to boot from USB storage devices
Simplified DHCP setup for PXE boot (no vendor-specific options)
Elimination of all realmode drivers
Ability to use Solaris Live Upgrade and the GRUB menu to quickly activate and fall back to boot environments
For more information about GRUB refer to the following sections.
GRUB Task
For More Information
Overview information about GRUB based booting
Installation planning for GRUB based booting
How to boot and install over the network with the GRUB menu
Installing the System From the Network With a DVD Image in Solaris 10 8/07 Installation Guide: Network-Based Installations
How to boot and install with the GRUB menu and the Custom JumpStart installation method
Performing a Custom JumpStart Installation in Solaris 10 8/07 Installation Guide: Custom JumpStart and Advanced Installations
How to use the GRUB menu and Solaris Live Upgrade to activate and fall back to boot environments
Locating the GRUB menu's menu.lst file
Locating the GRUB Menu's menu.lst File (Tasks) in Solaris 10 8/07 Installation Guide: Solaris Live Upgrade and Upgrade Planning
System Administration
How to perform system administration tasks with the GRUB menu
GNU is a recursive acronym for "GNU's Not UNIX." For more information, go to http://www.gnu.org.
Starting with the Solaris 10 1/06 release, you can upgrade the Solaris OS from the Solaris 8, 9, or 10 releases. Upgrades from the Solaris 7 release are not supported.
This section describes the following new installation features in the Solaris 10 3/05 release.
Starting with the Solaris 10 3/05 release, several changes in the installation of the Solaris OS provide a more simplified and unified installation experience.
The changes include the following:
This release has one installation DVD and several installation CDs. The Solaris Operating System DVD includes the content of all the installation CDs.
Solaris Software 1 – This CD is the only bootable CD. From this CD, you can access both the Solaris installation graphical user interface (GUI) and the console-based installation. This CD also enables you to install selected software products from both the GUI and the console-based installation.
Other Solaris Operating System CDs – These CDs contain the following:
Solaris packages that the software prompts you to install if necessary
ExtraValue software that includes supported and unsupported software
Localized interface software and documentation
The Solaris Installation CD no longer exists.
For both CD and DVD media, the GUI installation is the default (if your system has enough memory). However, you can specify a console-based installation with the text boot option.
The installation process has been simplified, enabling you to select the language support at boot time, but select locales later.
The (noninteractive) Solaris custom JumpStartTM installation method has not changed.
To install the OS, simply insert the Solaris Software - 1 CD or the Solaris Operating System DVD and type one of the following commands.
For the default GUI installation (if system memory permits), type boot cdrom.
For the console-based installation, type boot cdrom - text.
For instructions about how to install the Solaris OS by using CD or DVD media with the new text boot option
For changes to setting up an installation server with CD media
Solaris 10 8/07 Installation Guide: Network-Based Installations
Starting with the Solaris 10 3/05 release, you can choose to install the software with a GUI or with or without a windowing environment. If the memory is sufficient, the GUI is displayed by default. If the memory is insufficient for the GUI, other environments are displayed by default. You can override defaults with the nowin or text boot options. However, you are limited by the amount of memory in your system or by installing remotely. Also, if the Solaris installation program does not detect a video adapter, the program is automatically displayed in a console-based environment.
For specific memory requirements, see System Requirements and Recommendations.
Starting with the Solaris 10 3/05 release, when you install and upgrade the Solaris OS by using the custom JumpStart installation method, new customizations enable the following:
A Solaris Flash installation with additional packages
The custom JumpStart profile package keyword has been enhanced to enable installing a Solaris Flash archive with additional packages. For example, you can install the same base archive on two machines, but add a different set of packages to each machine. These packages do not have to be a part of the Solaris OS distribution.
An installation with additional packages that might not be part of the Solaris distribution
The package keyword has also been enhanced to enable an installation with a package that is not part of the Solaris distribution. You no longer need to write a postinstallation script to add extra packages.
An installation with the ability to install Solaris OS patches
The new custom JumpStart profile patch keyword enables the installation of Solaris OS patches. This feature allows the installation of a list of patches that are specified in a patch file.
For further information, see Solaris 10 8/07 Installation Guide: Custom JumpStart and Advanced Installations.
Starting with the Solaris 10 3/05 release, the Solaris installation programs enable you to configure multiple interfaces during your installation. You can preconfigure these interfaces in the sysidcfg file for your system. Or you can configure multiple interfaces during the installation. For more information, see the following documents:
In previous Solaris releases, the Solaris software was delivered in separate packages for 32-bit components and 64-bit components. Starting with the Solaris 10 3/05 release, packaging has been simplified with the delivery of most 32-bit components and 64-bit components in a single package. The combined packages retain the names of the original 32-bit packages, and the 64-bit packages are no longer delivered.
The removal of the 64-bit packages simplifies installation and increases performance:
Reduces the number of packages, which simplifies Custom JumpStart scripts that contain lists of packages
Simplifies the packaging system with only one package that groups software functions
Reduces installation time because fewer packages are installed
The 64-bit packages are renamed with the following conventions:
If a 64-bit package has a 32-bit counterpart, the 64-bit package is named with the 32-bit package name. For example, a 64-bit library such as /usr/lib/sparcv9/libc.so.1 previously would have been delivered in SUNWcslx, but now is delivered in SUNWcsl. The 64-bit SUNWcslx package is no longer delivered.
If a package does not have a 32-bit counterpart, the "x" suffix is removed from the name. For example, SUNW1394x becomes SUNW1394.
This change means that you might need to modify your custom JumpStart script or other package installation scripts to remove references to the 64-bit packages.
Starting with the Solaris 10 3/05 release, you can now use the JumpStart installation method to create an empty boot environment when you install the Solaris Operating System. The empty boot environment can then be populated with a Solaris Flash archive for later use.
For further information, see Chapter 8, Custom JumpStart (Reference), in Solaris 10 8/07 Installation Guide: Custom JumpStart and Advanced Installations.
Starting with the Solaris 10 3/05 release, you can now create a more secure system with fewer enabled network services by selecting or specifying the Reduced Networking software group (SUNWCrnet) during your installation. The Reduced Networking software group provides system administration utilities and a multiuser text-based console. SUNWCrnet enables the system to recognize network interfaces. During the installation, you can customize your system's configuration by adding software packages and by activating network services as needed.
For further information, see Solaris 10 8/07 Installation Guide: Custom JumpStart and Advanced Installations.
Starting with the Solaris 10 3/05 release, the Solaris installation program now enables you to load existing slices from the virtual table of contents (VTOC.) You can now preserve and use the system's existing disk slice tables during your installation, rather than use the installer's default disk layout.
Starting with the Solaris 10 3/05 release, a new feature in the Solaris installation program is a boot-disk partition layout. This layout, by default, accommodates the Service partition on Sun x86 based systems. This installation program enables you to preserve an existing Service partition.
The new default includes the following partitions.
First partition – Service partition (existing size on system)
Second partition – x86 boot partition (approximately 11 Mbytes)
Third partition – Solaris Operating System partition (remaining space on the boot disk)
If you want to use this default layout, select Default when the Solaris installation program asks you to choose a boot-disk layout.
If you install the Solaris OS for x86 based systems on a system that does not currently include a Service partition, the Solaris installation program does not create a new Service partition. If you want to create a Service partition on your system, first use your system's diagnostic CD to create the Service partition. After the Service partition is created, then install the Solaris Operating System.
For information about how to create the Service partition, see your hardware documentation.
For more information, see Solaris 10 8/07 Installation Guide: Custom JumpStart and Advanced Installations.


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April 4, 2012 - Larry DeHays
Pete from Fort Myers Beach asks; My car has been running rough lately, and a friend says I should have my timing belt replaced to fix it. Could this be the problem? Pete, probably not. The timing belt will not affect the way the car runs unless it breaks, at which time the engine will stop. These belts don't slip or squeal when they're worn, they have teeth in them to keep the various shafts in correct timing with one another. There are two types of engines using timing belts, called interference engines, and free-wheeling engines. If the belt breaks on an interference engine it results in very expensive damage to the valves. In a free-wheeling engine no damage results, but in either case the engine stops on the spot. Some engines use steel chains instead of timing belts, and these seldom break. Your manufacturer is the authority on when to change the belt. Some may call for sixty thousand miles, some for ninety thousand or more, but it is a limit one should not exceed. Now it's my turn Pete. Why do we elect our sheriffs? What is the difference between Democrat law enforcement and Republican law enforcement? And how about electing Judges? How in the world would we know a good judge from a bad one? Shirley from Sanibel asks; A light on my dash says ABS. What does it mean and do I have to fix it? My brakes feel OK to me. Shirley, a guy came in the other day with his own part he had bought to fix his air bags, but he didn't know where to install it. It turned out he thought ABS stood for air bag system. It doesn't. It stands for Anti Ballistic Missile system. Just kidding. It stands for ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. If the light is on, it means your antilock brake system will not work if you need it. You do still have conventional brakes, but in a "both feet on the pedal, butt- off- the- seat white- knuckle panic" type of stop, you will find yourself skidding out of control. With a working antilock system, you would be able to steer while you stopped, with your butt on the seat, and you would stop sooner. About fixing it? You decide. Now Shirley, you tell me why I have to get cable channels I don't want in order to get channels I do want. Bundling, schmundling, do you think someone is getting paid off to subsidize unpopular channels? Who and why? Where are investigative reporters when you need one? Roman, from Michigan, (off the website) says; My 02 Buick Rendezvous seems to run cooler than normal, and the heater doesn't put out much heat. What could the problem be? Friend Roman, lend me your ear; it sounds like your thermostat is stuck open, or someone has removed it. Unfortunately your car has a very difficult thermostat to access. It's more that a three hour job, but you need to do it because running your engine at the cooler temperature is causing your fuel system to run richer, which washes oil from the cylinder walls increasing the wear and tear. It needs to have an operable thermostat of 190 degrees before the fuel system can operate at optimum efficiency. Cooler is not better. Warmer is better. It's why we live in Florida instead of Michigan. (No offense).
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Hotel & Steam Pans
Not just for use in their namesake establishments, hotel pans are ideal for buffets and for use back of house for cooking and food storage. Some of these pans are specially designed to be stackable and prevent jamming. They come in a standard full size of 20 by 12 inches, or in a number of fractional sizes from 1/2 to 1/9. They may be 2-1/2, 4, 6, or 8 inches deep.


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3 Comments
Go Behind The Scenes With Emma Watson At Her Shoot For People Tree!
"It's very strawberries and cream and tennis," Emma says!
Back in January we told you that Emma Watson was going to try her hand as a designer for UK label People Tree, and now you can go behind the scenes at the shoot! "It's been really nice to be on the other side of the camera for once. I've really enjoyed the styling, planning where we were going to have the shoot, choosing the models, hair and make-up. I chose the location as it had so much within it," Emma said about the shoot, which was shot at Bignor Park in West Sussex.
—Katrina Mitzeliotis


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While lower-wage American workers have accounted for the lion's share of the jobs created since the 2007-2009 Great Recession, a new survey shows that they are also among the most pessimistic about their future career prospects, their job security and their finances.
The two-part Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey of both employers and employees found high levels of anxiety among those earning $35,000 annually or less. Many of these workers say they're worse off now than they were before or during the recession.
And there's no question that workers see the world differently than do their bosses.
Seventy-two percent of employers at big companies and 58 percent at smaller ones say there is a "great deal" or "some" opportunity for worker advancement. But, asked the same question, 67 percent of all low-wage workers said they saw "a little" or "no opportunity" at their jobs for advancement.
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The survey revealed that many people on the lowest rung in the workplace view their jobs as a dead end. Half were "not too" or "not at all" confident that their jobs would help them achieve long-term career goals. And only 41 percent of workers at the same place for more than a decade reported ever receiving a promotion.
Yet 44 percent of employers surveyed said it's hard to recruit people with appropriate skills or experiences to do lower-wage jobs, particularly in manufacturing (54 percent). And while 88 percent of employers said they were investing in training and education for employee advancement, awareness and use of such programs among the lower-wage workers was only modest.
Although President Barack Obama made it a national goal to "equip our citizens with the skills and training" to compete for good jobs, the survey shows a U.S. workforce that has grown increasingly polarized — between the haves and the have-nots and between employers and their employees.
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Through last month, the economy had recovered only about 5.7 million of the 8.7 million jobs shed in the deepest downturn since the Great Depression. Low-wage jobs are usually the first to come back following a recession. While the outlook clearly is improving, economic growth remains anemic and unemployment is a still-high 7.7 percent.
Ronald Moore, 48, of Lebanon, Ind., is among those who have seen their situation improve. He started his own home-inspection company three years ago after he couldn't find enough work as a truck driver. But "nobody was buying homes, so no one needed an inspection," he said. "It was pretty rough in the beginning." Now he operates a custom cabinet business, where business is starting to improve. Slowly.
To gauge the experiences and perspectives of lower-wage workers, the AP-NORC Center conducted two separate surveys. A sample of 1,606 workers earning $35,000 or less annually was surveyed last summer, while a companion poll of 1,487 employers of such workers was conducted from November through January.
Roughly 65 percent of the jobs the U.S. economy added since the recession officially ended in June 2009 have been lower-wage ones.
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Despite those numerical gains, "lower-income households have been hit very hard and have not benefited as much from the recovery," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics. "Their real wages are going nowhere. And this is a group that has more debt, fewer assets, is less likely to own a home or stocks and with little capacity to absorb higher gasoline prices."
Economists also say low-wage workers were hit particularly hard by an increase in Social Security payroll taxes resulting from "fiscal cliff" negotiations late last year between Obama and Congress.
A degree of economic "self-righting" will happen as more middle-income and higher-income jobs come back and economic growth accelerates, said Robert Trumble, director of the Labor Studies Center at Virginia Commonwealth University. "But the situation we've been facing for the last half-dozen years or so has been tough. And the lower your income, the tougher it is."


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Sep 15
Match Preview: Ulster Rugby vs. Scarlets
If you had offered us nine points from our first two games before the season began we probably would have taken it straight away. Still, it's not unfair after the chances we left out in Treviso to be a little upset we don't have 10.
But we are one of four teams left without a defeat to our names and, given our consistency at the start of the season has tended to be something of a weakness in recent years, it's good to see us put together back to back wins to get underway with the possibility...
Sep 10
Match Report: Benetton Rugby Treviso 11-22 Ulster Rugby
Ulster will be kicking themselves after failing to pick up a bonus point in their 22-11 win over Benetton Treviso at the Stadio di Monigo.
They had the chances, but ultimately they made too many errors and had to settle for a three try victory courtesy of Luke Marshall, Rob Herring and Ruan Pienaar.
Rob Herring and Stuart Olding's yellow cards hindered the Ulstermen in the latter stages of the game as Treviso, who had Filo Paulo sin binned, prevented them from scoring that all important fourth...
Sep 9
Match Preview: Benetton Rugby Treviso vs. Ulster Rugby
Last week wasn't perfect, but then again no opening day performance is.
We got the five points which is the most important thing, and it looks like we've unearthed two more back three gems in Rob Lyttle and Jacob Stockdale if their form so far is anything to go by. It's an excellent platform to build from going forward into this weekend and the season as a whole and it looks like our squad depth is holding up pretty well, especially at tighthead where Ross Kane (our fifth choice) did...
Sep 8
Injury Update: 08-09-16
Ulster Rugby have today released a lengthy injury update, providing detail on how several key players are progressing in their returns from injuries.
In the short term, Paul Marshall (rib) and Craig Gilroy (concussion) will both miss Saturday's trip to Treviso with the scrum half aiming for a return by the end of the month while the Ireland winger will undergo the standard return to play protocols.
Full-back Charles Piutau will also miss Saturday's game after he picked up a minor thumb injury...
Sep 5
Hughes Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy squad announced
Ulster Rugby have announced their Hughes Insurance Academy squad for the 2016/17 season.
There are ten players in the squad that have been kept on from last season: David Busby, Peter Cooper, Ross Kane, Michael Lagan, Rob Lyttle, Andy Magrath, Jack Owens, Nick Timoney, Alex Thompson and Craig Trenier.
They have been joined by eight new inductees: Conall Boomer, Rory Butler, Aaron Hall, Adam McBurney, Zack McCall, Tommy O'Hagan, Marcus Rea and Jonny Stewart.
All of the Academy players are Irish...
Sep 2
Match Report: Ulster Rugby 29-8 Newport-Gwent Dragons
Ulster started their season in perfect style with a 29-8 win over the Newport-Gwent Dragons at the Kingspan Stadium, with Ruan Pienaar in fantastic form only days after his departure from the province was announced.
Pienaar was imperious from scrum-half and scored a try in front of an excited home crowd, while debutant Rob Lyttle also had an excellent game on the wing, scoring two tries.
Lyttle's wing partner Jacob Stockdale also notched a great solo try of his own while Rob Herring rounded...
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