text:
|Thread Tools
A work in progress. Thanks to Turbe, SoSo, D-Nice, Vancouver, asystole13, ndisgii, Tim McCune, elite-home, frustated, jdbimmer, Eliab, chargedmr2, ROMAN O, irfan, ChrisWiggles, htwaits, wagnerc, chrisherbert, Bogney Baux, mvp2005fan, info_dan, p59teitel, MrLucky, xrox, tbird8450, gotapex, docmal, JonW747, xsiv4ce, leminhq18 ... (more to come). Special thanks to Turbe for starting the original AVS thread and introducing so many people to these wonderful displays.
PM me with suggestions, issues (bugs) or corrections (patches).
Since Pioneer reorganized their US web site to remove the consumer plasma displays many of the original Pioneer links below are broken. Over time I'll repair those that have new addresses.
The Nature of the KRP
The Unexpected
Useful places:
The the previous thread.
The 9G Settings/Issues thread. (D-Nice panel aging settings are in the first post.)
The Elite thread.
The 141FD thread.
The 9G Comparison thread.
The The 9G General thread (generally moribund these days but once and a while someone posts there).
The Pioneer KRP Shipments and Damage Tracking Thread (The summary post hasn't been updated since 25-June-09).
There's also a non-Elite thread but the differences between the non-Elites and the KRP are much greater than between the KRP and the Elites.
(the first six links are from the first post in the old thread, most useful dimensions can be found in the architectural (CAD) drawings, carton size and packed weight are in the brochures)
KRP-500M Brochure (pdf).
KRP-600M Brochure (pdf).
Additional KRP-500M Info
Additional KRP-600M Info
Back Panel / Connections (pdf).
Owner's Manual (pdf).
Kuro Technical Information (Pioneer Hong Kong).
101FD/500M architectural drawing (pdf).
141FD/600M architectural drawing (pdf).
Remote codes (zipped MHTML).
Basic RS-232/IP commands (pdf).
101FD/141FD Integrator's Manual (pdf). RS-232/IP code list.
These two links are currently MIA on the display-free Pioneer USA web site.
Custom Install Home.
Installer support documentation.
- Q. What's the difference between the KRP and the other Kuros?
a. The KRP is most similar to the Signature. The specifics can be found in the comparison thread. Notably it has two fewer HDMI inputs, a one year warranty and does not ship with ISFccc modes available. It does have a two channel nine watt audio amplifier. Like all other Kuro monitors the KRPs do not ship with a stand.
- Q. Why did Pioneer enable ISFccc on the KRP in the rest of the world?
a. Pioneer marketing is mysterious but the KRP takes the place of the Signature in the rest of the world.
- Q. Is the 500M really as good as a Signature 101FD?
a. They have similar picture quality (PQ) and similar capabilities. They share certain critical components specifically the plasma display module. The model specifics can be found in the Kuro Comparison thread.
- Q. Is the 500M really better than the 60" Elite (151) or 60" Signature (141)?
a. It's newer and is reported to have some improvements.
- Q. Where's the power button?
a. There's a power (mains) button on the left side of the bottom edge and a standby button on the right side of the bottom edge (500M) or the lower right side (600M) as shown on page seven of the manual. Both directions are as you face the front. The KRP comes boxed with the power button in the off setting.
- Q. I heard the KRPs get quite hot or give off a lot of heat during use. Is that true?
a. They are warmer than some other plasmas particularly with very bright content. Such content is said to have a high average picture level (APL). Typical 500M glass surface temperature is about 105F.
- Q. I understand plasma televisions use a lot of power. How much?
a. The KRP-500M averages 250W and peaks around 400W. Power consumption is determined by APL and the energy saving options.
- Q. I've never seen/heard my fans running. Are they broken?
a. No one has reported fans running other than when the panel is in forced fan mode (see the integrator documentation). Presumably the threshold is well above the human comfort level.
- Q. I heard that the KRP buzzes, what's that about?
a. Many Kuros have a buzz that comes from the glass itself. This is due to the way they work and the way they're made. This is discussed on the Buzz thread. The buzz is a function of APL and can be reduced or eliminated using the Energy Save 2 mode. Not all panels buzz and/or not everyone hears the buzz.
- Q. I hear that plasma displays are subject to burn-in and need to be treated carefully.
a. This is an area of complexity and contention. Particularly when considering the Kuro. First it's important to understand what can happen. As your plasma is used it produces less and less light. This is called aging. Under normal circumstances the glowing phosphors should last for tens of thousands of hours. However if you use part of your display a great deal more than other parts, e.g. by watching material that has a black border or has static images like channel logos, the used phosphors will be dimmer than the unused phosphors. In some cases this will be visible in full-screen programs as the formerly dark areas are now brighter or the static image areas are dimmer. This is known as uneven phosphor aging. A separate issue is temporary image retention (IR). IR is by definition temporary but it can last a surprisingly long time. The so-called video pattern is intended to remove IR. That may not always be the best thing to do and dim (10%) full-field patterns may be more helpful. xrox talks about dealing with Kuro IR in inverse areas. By the way, the D-Nice panel aging (break-in) procedure is not intended to prevent or reduce IR or uneven aging.
- Q. Why did Pioneer include a web interface? It seems useless.
a. The web interface has some utility but for day to day operations your remote is superior. You cannot use the standard remote to check hours (see Service Remote below). Something everyone (impatiently waiting for their panel aging/break-in to finish) wants to do.
- Q. How can I check my usage time (hours on), power count, serial number or retrieve the SD/PD Failure code?
a. You have to configure your KRP for network access, attach it to a network or directly to a PC and then open this link: http://<krp>/cgi/service_right.cgi where <krp> is replaced with the IP address of your KRP -- EZ Hours. You can also check the hours with jdbimmer's KuroReader program (see below) and via the serial port with Chelsea_Fan's piotime.
- Q. Why was the KRP so much less expensive than the equivalent Signature model?
a. Pioneer marketing is mysterious.
- Q. Can I use speaker X with my KRP?
a. There are standard speakers and "compatible" speakers. Please note that the official speakers are side mounted not undermount.
1) The official 500M speaker is the KRP-S04. RichB mounted 111FD Speakers on a 500M
2) The official 600M speaker is the KRP-S02. SoSo notes here that 151FD speakers brackets fit the 600M. Tim Mcune mounted SMW-2026A 151FD speakers on a 600M. NateTTU suggests a spacer for 151FD speakers for a flush mount.
Most high efficiency (> 90dB) third party speakers should be a good choice. Some examples: Klipsch B-2 or B-3 Synergy and BIC America DV62si. Pioneer rates the KRP-S02 and KRP-S04 at 80dB sensitivity so almost any 6-8 ohm speaker should be acceptable.
- Q. Can I connect powered speakers or other line-level input (an AVR, soundbars, PC speakers etc.) to the speaker outputs?
a. It's unwise to make a direct connection. A level converter is normally required. Search (google) for "speaker level line level converter" for more choices.
- Q. Can I use stand Y with my KRP?
a. There are standard mounts and "compatible" mounts. Pioneer does not publish a comprehensive compatibility list. The mounting dimensions are in the architectural drawings here: 101FD/500M and 141FD/600M.
1) The official 500M stand is the KRP-TS02. Other Pioneer choices include the PDK-TS23 (manual). Note that the commonly available KRP-TS02PM is not made by Pioneer. The TS02 is made in Japan, comes (nicely wrapped) in a Kuro box and is made of the same/a similar acrylic as the bezel. The front portion matches the bezel and the rear portion is dull. The TS02PM is made of a dull finish sheet metal that has a slight texture. Both stands are quite light compared to the TS23 but the "base" of the stand isn't structural and all the weight is carried by the legs.
2) The official 600M stand is the KRP-TS01. Other Pioneer choices include most stands for 60" panels such as the PDK-TS30, TS30A, TS35A, and the 1015.
Usage reports imply that the 60" 9G Kuros should accept all the same stands. Here's a report of using a 151 stand on a 141 and a picture of a 600M on PDK-1015. If you have a metal cutting miter saw and a drill press you can shorten a 6020 stand to eliminate the "chicken leg" look (the 6020 stand has space for a bottom mounted speaker).
- Q. What about a wall-mount?
a. Note that though they use M8-1.25 bolts neither monitor is VESA MIS-F compatible. The 600M (like the 141FD and 151FD) has four mounting holes in an 850x500mm (WxH) pattern and the 500M has six mounting holes on 496x150mm (WxH) centers. There are stops in the mounting holes but the maxium depth is specified as 18mm. The 500M works with most universal mounts but the 600M is a bit fussier.
1) The official 500M wall mount is the KRP-WM02.
2) The official 600M wall mount is the KRP-WM01. Here's a list of alternatives in the 141FD thread and a summary of 151FD mounts in the 9G thread.
Here's a post about monoprice noting that they don't have properly sized wall mounts for Kuro 60" panels and here's a post about adapting a monoprice mount for a 600M.
- Q. Are there better sources than Pioneer for speakers and stands?
a. People have reported success on Ebay but suitable parts for the 600M, particularly stands, seem hard to come by.
- Q. If there's no tuner how do I get over the air broadcasts?
a. Although not plentiful there are some stand-alone NTSC/ATSC over the air (OTA) tuners and DVRs. They are tracked in the HDTV sub-forum in the Set Top Box (STB) thread. Typical examples include any High Def TiVo, the KWORLD tuner, the Centronics ZAT502 HD or other ATSC terrestrial tuner that has composite, component, DVI or VGA output with the requisite audio output or HDMI. DirecTV HD DVR users can use the AM-21 tuner.
- Q. I can't find the KRP in my list of universal remote codes. What should I use?
a. The 101FD/141FD monitors have compatible commands. The Pioneer hex codes and those derived from them (e.g. URC) have an error in the discrete size/aspect ratio commands. info_dan posted corrected versions here in the 141 thread.
- Q. The service menu access method from previous generation Pioneer plasmas doesn't work. How do you access the service menu in a KRP?
a. The simplest method is with a GGF1633 or GGF1589 service remote. If you have Proto-fu you can use this hex code.
- Q. Where can I buy the service manual?
a. From Pioneer or from Manuals Paradise.
- Q. I set my input to Auto but when I select an HDMI source that uses RGB signals the picture looks washed out. Why?
a. There's a bug in the RGB input range (quantization) selection. You can force it to the video range (RGB 16-235) or change the source to use Y'CbCr. The problem is noted here and here among other places. Here's a pithy response and a note from a non-native English speaker at Pioneer. For a more in-depth look at level matching and why things look too light, too dark or have a green or magenta overlay etc. check out this lengthy explanation of levels. Note that mixing certain devices on the same port (5 or 6) via a switch or AVR may cause problems. If you have a free DVI/HDMI port you can split the output of your AVR to two KRP ports and set one to AUTO and the other to RGB 16-235. This requires a powered splitter that supports HDMI 1.3. Vendors include Gefen, Monoprice and J&R Galaxies. Using two HDMI ports is simpler than one HDMI and the DVI port. Also see The Unexpected section below.
- Q. What's Y'CbCr?
a. Y'CbCr* is a way to represent and compress the RGB color information the panel displays. It's the native representation for DVD and Blu-ray discs. Industry abbreviations include YCC, YCbCr, YPbPr, Y'PbPr and YUV. These may also be modified by compression specifics such as 4:4:4, 4:2:2 or 4:2:0. In the KRP documents and menus Pioneer uses YUV444 and YUV422 while e.g. Oppo uses YCbCr 4:4:4 or YCbCr 4:2:2. Clearly the intent is to make color space configuration an adventure. *More correctly it's a family of color spaces with useful characteristics.
- Q. Then why don't we always use Y'CbCr?
a. Sometimes it's not available but even if it is it may not be the best choice due to player or AVR deficiencies.
- Q. Speaking of Y'CbCr what are the right settings for my PS3?
a. The PS3 FAQ video section discusses this at length but note the RGB bug above. Specific examples are found in the Examples section where those recommendations are summarized and here's a specific multi-component example. An alternate and more conservative approach for video range inputs (television, DVD, BD) at the expense of games is here. There is further commentary here.
- Q. How can I connect my non-HDMI XBox?
a. The KRP has both component and VGA inputs although component is preferred. Available resolutions are shown on page 100 of the KRP manual. Note that protected content typically requires an HDMI connection for 1080p and DVD conversion is limited to 480p. Commentary here.
- Q. Should I scale/deinterlace in my source device, my audio-video receiver (AVR) or in the KRP?
a. If you have a Blu-ray player the Spears & Munsil HD Benchmark disc can help you determine which component in the DVD video path should be used to rescale/deinterlace your source material. Otherwise you may be able to find a copy of the discontinued HQV Benchmark on DVD. If your AVR is better than the KRP that's probably true for non-DVD sources as well.
- Q. Which Pure Cinema mode is correct?
a. I believe this is considered an accurate table of frame rates. To summarize: Off and Smooth are 60Hz, Standard follows the input (60->60, 24->72) and Advance is 72Hz except for 1080p/60.
- Q. Should I use the D-Nice panel aging (break-in) process? Can I watch regular programming while running his procedure?
a. If you want to use the D-Nice 500M reference settings you should use the D-Nice panel aging protocol. There are currently no 600M reference settings and there are no Signature ISFccc reference settings. If you can't or won't use the D-Nice settings or your KRP will be calibrated then you don't need to follow his procedure. The documented procedure doesn't say you can deviate by watching other content and further postings say follow the procedure to a "T".
- Q. Who's D-Nice?
a. World renown D-Nice is a well known calibrator and Pioneer bon vivant. As a public service he publishes settings for a variety of Pioneer (and other) TVs for folks that are unable to have their Kuro calibrated.
- Q. What is ISFccc?
a. The Imaging Science Foundation is in the Display Standards industry, and is dedicated to improving the quality of electronic imaging. They explain and demonstrate calibration procedures. ISF ccc is a Certified Calibration Configuration which provides tools in the monitor to assist the calibrator. ISFccc mode selects one of those configurations. In the case of a Kuro ISFccc modes most obviously allow a very bright image with a specific set of characteristics. This article highlights ISFccc versus Pure. The ISFccc modes in all Kuro displays can be configured using ControlCAL. There are two tools to enable and manipulate ISFccc modes on the KRP ControlCAL and KuroControl.
- Q. Are there posted settings for Pure or ISFccc?
a. D-Nice post panel aging (break-in) 500M Pure settings are here. There are no AVS D-Nice reference ISFccc numbers for the 500M/600M but he has posted his 500M ISFccc settings here. Some post-calibration numbers have been posted: tbird8450's 500M ISFccc Day, , elite-home 500M Pure, elite-home 600M Pure, frustated 600M Pure,leminhq18 600M ISFccc settings. jdbimmer has posted his self-calibrated 500M settings.
- Q. Are there any differences between the ISFccc modes?
a. Not between day and night. Auto always uses the light sensor but in a light controlled environment that effect can be minimized. Day and Night are just labels and night could be the bright one or they could be identical except for e.g. the Pure Cinema mode.
- Q. Should I have my KRP calibrated?
a. Maybe. Here's one perspective.
- Q. Okay, I want a calibration. Where can I start looking for a calibrator?
a. Turbe maintains a tagged list of Pioneer calibrators here, patched KRP calibrators here and Pioneer owner reports here. htwaits logs customer reports about their professional calibration here.
- Q. What is blue-only mode?
a. Blue Only Mode (BOM) is used instead of a blue filter to adjust the color decoder using the COLOR and TINT controls. Typical color/tint setting patterns result in a color setting that is too high e.g. it's unlikely that COLOR should be more than +5. BOM produces results that are about 10% too high but this error should be consistent while filter error is unpredictable.
- Q. Which gamma setting gives the best performance?
a. 2.2 or 2.3 are the most commonly used but it depends on ambient lighting. Here's a set of measurements. Based on these one would use 2 or 1. Most published settings use 2.
- Q. How can I save my settings in case of error, human or otherwise?
a. jdbimmer has written KuroReader, a program that, among other things, will retrieve your settings and save them and has a number of advantages over using a browser to connect to the KRP web server. xsciv4ce has written KuroControl which will save, restore and manipulate all of the image parameters. Both are Windows programs for Elite monitors (500M, 600M, 101FD and 141FD). KuroReader currently only connects via the network.
- Q. My KRP looks fine but it won't power up. What's wrong?
a. The KRP displays have both a power switch (mechanical interruption of the AC input) and a standby switch (which duplicates the power button on the remote).
As shipped from the factory the power switch is off.
- Q. Why is there no output from the audio port?
a. There is no line level audio output. The two audio ports are INPUTS.
- Q You say there's an RGB bug but it's not affecting me. Why is that?
a. Although the KRP normally uses the IT (0-255) RGB colorspace independent of the actual type (IT or CE) it does honor explicit RGB indicators in the video stream. Unfortunately most devices don't supply those indicators since they're optional and pass-through devices can strip those bits. At least one Sony BD player, at least one PS3 (with unknown firmware) and an AVR that are known to set those indicators which enables correct colorspace selection.
- Q. My settings are reverting to default/My settings reverted to default/One of my settings reverted to default -- why?
a. There are a few common causes for this.
- Reset will restore all settings to factory default.
- Per resolution effects often look like random resets. Settings are per signal type and some sources change according to content. E.g. a DVR that supports native channel resolution.
- Integrator mode resets all settings per page 12 of the Integrators manual.
- Memory overflow will cause the ninth set of settings to push out the first. Referenced here -- probably sourced from page 24 in the Integrators manual.
- Q. Signal type?
a. Non-ISFccc settings are stored per input and per signal type where the signal type is characterized by colorspace (YUV/RGB), resolution (1080p/720p/etc.) and framerate(60/24). ISFccc settings are stored per input.
- Q. The owner's manual saysQuote:INPUT 2 (Component) ... ; Comp.1 (YCbCr) or Comp.2 (YPbPr)
Notes: The factory default setting is Comp. 1 for SD signals and Comp. 2 for HD signals.
Improper setting for Color Decoding causes the image to appear in inappropriate color.
What does that mean?
a. When using the component input there are two choices for color decoding: Comp.1 means the SD gamut (colloquially known as Rec. 601) and Comp.2 means the HD BT-709 gamut (aka Rec. 709). The color differences are subtle. This is not related to the Colorspace option in the Picture settings.
- Q. There are no ISFccc controls documented in the Kuro manuals but I see a password protected link on the web interface. Are there controls in the web interface and can I get to them?
a. When enabled certain ISFccc information can be viewed and changed using the web interface at http:///cgi/isf.cgi where is replaced with the name or IP address of your KRP.
- Q. What's that white/black/jagged bit at the edge of the panel?
a. If it looks like the attached image it's normal.
- Q. When my (BD/DVD) player is (on/connected) I can't change the input. Why?
a. If you've enabled Kuro Link (HDMI CEC/AV.link) the source device may be controlling the input selection see Control Equipment with the Panel's Remote Through HDMI in the Operations Manual.
I might type 2K for 1080p.
I have a question about 50p on the US panels (500m here). I wonder at what rate is the screen refreshing when input 50p (HTPC). With 25 fps videos, those are clearly less jerky than when I have the graphics set at 60p (jerky) or 24p (dropped frame, apparently).
The curious thing is that at 60 Hz refresh (60p), I can see a bit of flicker. When the screen refreshes at 72 Hz (24p) though, flicker is completely gone. But with 50p, I don't see flicker. If the screen was refreshing at 50 Hz, I'd expect to see more flicker than at 60 Hz, but the image is solid.
I suspect that with 50p, the screen is refreshing at 75 Hz, or at 100 Hz? Is this possible?
The sequel to the original top secret panels from Pioneer. It's no secret anymore with 2 threads worth of posts.
The last line of defense for plasma fanatics. The only reason for defeat was companies actually have to make money from the products they sell. Damn.
Post #2, your post, is a great post. Thanks for taking the time to do it. I am sure it will save a lot of questions.
Since all sources are hooked up to the receiver, it makes things a bit complicated. Anyone in a similar situation and has developed a workaround?
I wish you could assign the input mode (auto, ycc, rgb) to a resolution
Pioneer KRP-500m
Next Level Acoustics HDMONs LCR, CI-IC44A In-Ceilings, CI-HV10 subwoofer
M&K LCR-750s, M-4T Surrounds, V1250thx subwoofer - FOR SALE!
Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary
Sennheiser HD800 & Grado PS1000 headphones
Also, thank you for restarting this thread.
The last incarnation was removed.
Although I don't see the point you could start a new one or just suggest that people tag KRP posts in the 9G settings/issues thread or tag settings posts here in the owners thread.
I might type 2K for 1080p.
There are solutions to this problem. I don't know what your constraints are but I suspect most of the solution space exceeds them. You could provide more information about what you're willing to do and how much money you're willing to spend.
I might type 2K for 1080p.
O Ok. I wasn't sure but I just knew I saw one before. Since the patch cannot and should not be discussed here would it make sense to assume that one shouldn't post settings from it?
Congratulations on your new Kuro.
Spacing can be derived from the architectural drawings. The relevant links are in the FAQ.
I might type 2K for 1080p.
Would a DVDO Edge help with non BluRay-sources?
Can anyone point me to an iso download for stuck/dead pixels etc?
I'm suppose to take delivery on a 600 Monday.
I am just look for options. Then I can make a decision on how much money I would spend to get around this. Of course it would be a lot easier if Pioneer fixed their own mistake
Pioneer KRP-500m
Next Level Acoustics HDMONs LCR, CI-IC44A In-Ceilings, CI-HV10 subwoofer
M&K LCR-750s, M-4T Surrounds, V1250thx subwoofer - FOR SALE!
Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary
Sennheiser HD800 & Grado PS1000 headphones
The simplest option is in the FAQ. Plug the troublesome device into a port on the KRP. You could also get a VP that does give per resolution settings. You could switch to serial control which gives you arbitrarily fine grained control over the panel and could simulate per resolution settings. You could get an extra-smart AVR (e.g. B&K) that would present resolution dependent settings.
The above solutions run from free to several thousand dollars.
I'd like a patch from Pioneer but it seems unlikely. You never know though.
I might type 2K for 1080p.
The Spears and Munsil disc is intended to help you determine the best deinterlace/scaling/converting path through your video chain.
I've seen something about but I've never heard of anyone using one on a Kuro. I'd check the 9G settings/issues thread.
Congratulations on your new acquisition.
I might type 2K for 1080p.
I have a tivo, xbox 360 and a ps3 all hooked up through a receiver. Currently when playing PS3 and Xbox games I have to switch the kuro to rgb (16-235) mode to get the correct black levels. Then when I switch back to the tivo, I have to switch the kuro back to auto mode.
Since all sources are hooked up to the receiver, it makes things a bit complicated. Anyone in a similar situation and has developed a workaround?
I wish you could assign the input mode (auto, ycc, rgb) to a resolution
I have a similar problem. All my sources are switched through an Onkyo AVR using HDMI to the 600M. One of the sources is an HTPC, and when I use it, I have to manually switch the video mode to "PC" to avoid aggravating overscan (correctly documented in section 6.3.2). Then, when I use my cable box source, I have to manually change "PC" back to "Video".
Table 9.2.5 suggests that only certain resolutions are recognized as "PC" signals. 1920x1080 is not in the list, and that is what my HTPC puts out. Thinking that was the reason the 600M was not automatically using "PC" mode when I use the HTPC, I tried several of the resolutions laid out in section 9.2.5. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a resolution that enabled automatic selection of "PC" mode.
It certainly looks like the 600M was designed to have each source connected using a different input, which really defeats the purpose of an AVR. Or, I am truly missing something here?
Or, just run the HTPC to the switch, 1 output to your AVR (for audio only) and the other output to your Pioneer.
Need to find a Professional Calibrator? Click Here to PM me with your Display & City
Calibrator List - Pioneer ISFccc Interface
Designed by Calibrators for Calibrators™
No need to fumble through the Display's Menu with its Remote Control™
I assumed his video card had HDMI....
My original switch is the older (2.0 Rev) I think, and there may have been some audio issue which wouldn't work in some setups, I can't remember right now.
Need to find a Professional Calibrator? Click Here to PM me with your Display & City
Calibrator List - Pioneer ISFccc Interface
Designed by Calibrators for Calibrators™
No need to fumble through the Display's Menu with its Remote Control™
Any info is very appreciated, thanks.
I have a 500m and a Pioneer VSX-01 receiver. I thought the receiver's processing would be redundant, but actually with a PS2's 480i output through component, the receiver does the deinterlacing much better than the 500m. If I just pass through the component video to the monitor, there is clearly ugly aliasing. So now I set the VSX-01 to process the 480i into 1080p and send it via HDMI to the monitor.
I could also deinterlace to 480p in the receiver and send progressive to the monitor, that doesn't look much worse.
Given this pattern, would you recommend the 600M, or which alternatives?
Sadly, his eyes or ears are not in the videophile and audiophile club. But his wife wants him to have the best…. Thanks in advance.
i could be wrong but i dont think Turbe is a calibrator. He is responsible for ControlCal and the ISFccc patch software.
I believe it's 75hz when Drive Mode is 1, 100Hz when Drive Mode is 2.. I suggest you use Drive Mode 2, I think you will be happier when Inputting that Signal
EDIT: and yes, I'm an DIY Calibrator and HT Enthusiast, not a Professional Calibrator
Need to find a Professional Calibrator? Click Here to PM me with your Display & City
Calibrator List - Pioneer ISFccc Interface
Designed by Calibrators for Calibrators™
No need to fumble through the Display's Menu with its Remote Control™
My next door neighbor came over to check out the Ekornes chairs. When she saw my 600M (not even calibrated!), she wanted one for her husband office. The issue is he turns on and off his TV over a dozen times a day (home-office).
Given this pattern, would you recommend the 600M, or which alternatives?
Sadly, his eyes or ears are not in the videophile and audiophile club. But his wife wants him to have the best. Thanks in advance.
should be no problem. i'm sure there are many many Pioneer panels that get turned on/off many times during the day.
tell her to get one while she can, her husband will love her for it .
Thanks a lot, It didn't even cross my mind to play with the drive modes, though separately I was wondering what they did. Some of these settings need better explanation in the manual.
Thanks again!
|Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Show Printable Version
Email this Page Email this Page
|Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


text:
Weekend Recap; SCSU Hockey Gets Split
The 14th ranked St. Cloud State men's hockey team won 4-3 in overtime Friday night before losing 3-1 Saturday night at Alaska-Anchorage over the weekend. The Huskies are 8-6-0 overall on the season and will play at home for 10 straight games including hosting #13 Nebraska-Omaha Friday and Saturday nights.
The St. Cloud State men's basketball team defeated Minnesota-Duluth 97-68 Saturday afternoon to win the NSIC opener. The Huskies improve to 4-0 overall. The SCSU women's basketball team defeated Minnesota-Duluth 80-60 Saturday to win their NSIC opener and improve to 5-0.The SCSU basketball teams host Bemidji State Friday night and Minnesota-Crookston Saturday.
The St. John's basketball team earned their first win of the season 69-65 at Gustavus in St. Peter on Saturday. St. John's improves to 1-3 overall and 1-1 in the MIAC. St. Ben's basketball lost 64-61 at home to Gustavus to fall to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the MIAC. St. Ben's will host Carleton Monday at 7:30. St. John's plays at Carleton at 7:30 Monday.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The Branford Public Schools District is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website for students, parents, and members of the community with disabilities. All pages on the Branford Public Schools website will conform to the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative's (WAI) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Level AA conformance, or updated equivalents of these guidelines.
Copyright © 2020 Mary T. Murphy School


text:
by Richard and Missy Lee
Most of the time, Dr. Toby Shawe, 56, is a dermatologist in Wyndmoor and a resident of Roxborough — but for at least one month every year, this attractive, dynamic doctor and mother of three uses her other medical specialty — internal medicine — to aid the world's needy. "I'm an incurable traveler who loves people," she told us, "so why not travel to help others?"
She puts it another way, too: "If everyone could take on one person or one village, how different the world would be."
Dr. Shawe makes many of her trips a group effort. Chestnut Hill and Dorset, Vermont, resident, Kit Wallace, the executive director of Smokey House, a school for troubled youth in Vermont, has joined Shawe on medically-centered visits to India and Uganda. Her other "Musketeer," Janet Stern, a retired Chestnut Hill attorney, formatted all the legal documents for a vocational school in Bududa, Uganda, the site of their most recent trip. She also helped Dr. Shawe as nurse, scribe, and social worker.
"Volunteers are welcome all year round," Dr. Shawe declared. "Everybody has something they can share, whether it's reading books aloud, planting crops, even knitting. There's a guesthouse in Bududa for volunteers — not fancy — no running water or electricity, but a sturdy roof and an outhouse."
Of Bududa, Dr. Shawe said, "It seems that only the kids and the elderly are left. Most of the others have perished from HIV. Unfortunately, the World Health Organization has not allocated enough money for drugs, so there are multiple problems involved in providing care. Sometimes, family members share the drugs intended to treat just one person, which winds up doing nobody any real good. If several family members have HIV, some may have to wait until one member dies of AIDS so they can 'inherit' their drugs. Grim but true; there's just not enough treatment to go around. Also, if someone is taking drugs to fight HIV or the conditions it fosters and doesn't have a decent diet, the drugs upset their systems. And one month in a town doesn't allow for much follow-up. These issues are frustrating, to say the least; you do the best you can with what you have.
"HIV is an immunodeficiency virus, which can result in warts, skin funguses and even eye infections. Tuberculosis can be activated, and such cases can become resistant," Shawe continued.
Then, there's transportation — or its lack thereof. "People have trouble getting to the hospital, which is also the HIV clinic. It is in need of everything, even sheets for the old mattresses on the few beds. Some people arrive in old mini-buses, which are always jammed full. A few lucky people have bicycles, but most simply walk."
Another problem is corruption. Although drugs may cost less in Uganda than they do here, legitimate drugs are often diverted from normal distribution channels to be sold on the black market. Also, Uganda is "a man's world," she said. "Men have multiple wives, and girlfriends — and basic health education is virtually missing." But when we noted the great pride that burst through her photos of people, even those in obvious need, she heartily agreed.
"There are plusses," she continued. "They include people like Barbara Wybar, our hostess in Uganda. We may be there a month; Barbara is there full-time. (Wybar, who also maintains a home on the Hill, is a retired Germantown Friends School teacher who founded and still operates the vocational school in Bududa; she has lived there for four years so far.) And the people themselves, especially the children, are wonderful. They make it all worthwhile.
"For instance, there's a group of orphans in the area, 'Children of Peace.' They're supported by private donations from the U.S. and Canada. Their families have been decimated by AIDS, but these youngsters live in the community, and gather in Bududa every Saturday for food, clothing and classes at Barbara's vocational school. They are terrific kids."
Remember the airline that used to advertise that getting there was half the fun? No longer true, as those who fly know all too well. "There are at least 20 drugs that are needed in Third-World countries, and I take many of them with me," Dr. Shawe said, "but airlines say a bag is a bag; they won't cut you a break because your luggage is full of donated drugs to be used for humanitarian purposes. I've paid as much as $200 in baggage fees to carry in my own drugs to treat people." Her eyes flash a bit at the memory.
Another un-fun part is inoculations. "I'm a very resistant person," Shawe declared, "but I still get shots for yellow fever, typhoid, rabies and hepatitis A and B before every trip. I also take malaria pills along."
How Dr. Shawe reached Philadelphia is a travel yarn in itself. "I was born and raised in Manhattan," she told us. "In 1972, when I was 18, I traveled to Europe for two weeks with $700 — and stayed two years." She then graduated from Columbia University and returned to Lille, France, to enroll in and graduate from France's only private medical school, which had a reciprocal connection with the Medical College of Pennsylvania. Back in the States, MCP was where she met her husband, Dr. Saimy "Sammy" Badawy. Coincidentally, Dr. Badawy studied medicine in France, but at Bordeaux, not Lille.
Dr. Badawy, 50, has a travel tale of his own. He came to the U.S. from Beirut, Lebanon, at age 8, with his mother and five brothers. After graduation as a general vascular surgeon, he married Toby Shawe and practiced in South Philadelphia until medical malpractice insurance grew too expensive. During this time, Dr. Shawe worked part-time in a dermatology group practice for eight years, as she and her husband raised their three children — Gabrielle, now 20; Dylan, 17; and Natalie, 16. In 2002, she opened her practice in Wyndmoor and brought her husband into it as in-office dermatology surgeon.
We asked Dr. Shawe how she decides where to travel on her medical aid journeys. "I use the Internet," she said. "There are all kinds of opportunities listed. Two years ago, I went to Ecuador under the auspices of the Global Citizen's Network. I helped build a playground and a bridge. My first medical trip was to Lagos, the capital city of Nigeria. That was amazing, and disheartening. Here you have a country's capital city, Lagos, with some people driving big Mercedes and wearing heavy gold jewelry — right beside open sewers and shocking poverty."
Poverty is endemic to India, the locale of another of Dr. Shawe's trips. And yet she is awed to this day by what just a few dollars and a bit of attentive care can accomplish. "There were 500 children in one school I visited. Just $20 worth of Vitamin A, one tablet once a week, can prevent night blindness, an all-too-common ailment among Indian children." Her unstated implication was that it's criminal not to provide help against such ailments.
"How about languages?" Not a problem; someone speaks some English wherever Dr. Shawe goes to help others. Also, she speaks a good grade of Spanish and is fluent in French. She plans to return to Uganda next Spring. "When you form a connection with a place and its people, it's very hard not to go back."
Dr. Shawe can be reached at 215-836-7212 or www.skinsmartderm.com.


text:
Summit County A&E Briefs: 2-15-2013
On Saturday, Copper Mountain Resort holds its annual Fat Saturday celebration featuring masks, beads and N'awlins drink specials along with a Big Easy Rail Jam (registration starts at 2 p.m.; qualifiers at 4:45; $10 entrance fee) and tunes by DJ Cajun Chris. There will be a Zydeco fire performance by the Boulder fire-dancing troupe, Cosmic Fire, at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks over West Lake at 7. Info: http://www.coppercolorado.com
There is still time to sign kids up for the Winter Vacation Sensation during Summit School District's winter break. The state-licensed program includes field trips, art projects, games and outdoor play. Slots are open Feb. 25-March 1 and April 15-19 for children ages 5-12. It's $40/day for Frisco residents and $45/day for nonresidents. The camp runs 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with drop-off from 8-8:45 a.m. and pick-up from 4:30-5 p.m. at the Community Center on 3rd Avenue in downtown Frisco. There is no early drop-off or late pick-up option. Space is limited and pre-registration is required.
The call for entries is open for the 33rd Annual Breckenridge Festival of Film, taking place Sept. 19-22. Independent filmmakers are invited to submit their productions for selection. The deadline is May 3. Use http://www.withoutabox.com (WAB) or http://www.breckfilmfest.com for submissions. Volunteers are also sought to help determine what films will be shown at the Breckenridge Festival of Film. The review process runs through June 19 and reviews need to entered at http://www.breckfilmfest.com, not on the WAB website. For more info, contact Dianna at email@example.com and specify what category you are interested in: drama, short drama, comedy, short comedy, documentary and spiritual.
The Dillon Schoolhouse Museum, 403 La Bonte St. in Dillon, resumes winter hours on Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. Info: http://www.summithistorical.org or (970) 468-2207.
Cody Wayne returns to the High Country with his traveling act, which features Wayne playing a three-hour set of "American-style music" while a local artist paints a live piece onstage. Wayne performs Feb. 22 at the Fairplay Hotel and Feb. 23 at McCall's Park Bar in Fairplay. For info or to get involved, visit http://www.facebook.com/CodyWayneLive.
The Snowball festival, headlined by Pretty Lights, STS9 and Big Gigantic, returns to Winter Park for a third year March 8-10. The lineup also includes "Portugal. The Man," Rubblebucket, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Tumbleweed Wanderers and Kendrick Lamar. The weekend getaway includes music, winter sports, aprs ski and after parties. Tickets are on sale now at http://www.SnowBallMusicFestival.com; the first two years sold out in advance.
Kohl's Cares is accepting nominations through March 15 for its 2013 scholarship program. The program recognizes kids ages 6-18 who have made a positive impact on their communities. Prizes range from $50 Kohl's gift cards to $1,000 regional scholarships and $10,000 national scholarships for higher education. Visit http://www.kohlskids.com.
The Backstage Theatre in Breckenridge is soliciting headshots and resumes for its summer 2013 shows, "Avenue Q," "Charlotte's Web" and "The 39 Steps." All positions are paid. Performances take place at the Breckenridge Theatre and rehearsals are conducted in Denver. Send headshots and resumes to firstname.lastname@example.com. Video auditions also will be accepted. Some roles are already cast. Call (970) 453-0199 for more info, or visit http://www.backstagetheatre.org.
Start a dialogue, stay on topic and be civil.
If you don't follow the rules, your comment may be deleted.


text:
Saturday, August 20, 2011
US troops may stay in Afghanistan until 2024
America and Afghanistan are close to signing a strategic pact which would allow thousands of United States troops to remain in the country until at least 2024, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.
The agreement would allow not only military trainers to stay to build up the Afghan army and police, but also American special forces soldiers and air power to remain.
The prospect of such a deal has already been met with anger among Afghanistan's neighbours including, publicly, Iran and, privately, Pakistan.
It also risks being rejected by the Taliban and derailing any attempt to coax them to the negotiating table, according to one senior member of Hamid Karzai's peace council.
A withdrawal of American troops has already begun following an agreement to hand over security for the country to Kabul by the end of 2014.
But Afghans wary of being abandoned are keen to lock America into a longer partnership after the deadline. Many analysts also believe the American military would like to retain a presence close to Pakistan, Iran and China. (more)
Posted by Matt at 2:01 PM
Categories: WARS AND RUMOURS


text:
Mrresolution needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 80 designs submitted by 16 freelance designers.
The Real Alliance
First of all we actually need the logo ideally by next thursday so we may close the contest early so please don't wait to see what other artist have done on wednesday to submit. If we see what we like, we are going to end it by Wednesday at midnight, and make payment immediately.
Our Motto: Real Investors, Real Deals, Real Support
We are a community of real estate investors (basically we buy, fix up, sell houses and apartment complexes.)
We are starting a group, heavily focused on the community feel, where we train and support people on strategies to do what we do.
Key concepts include - Detailed descriptions of concepts, support for team members, and real deals taking place in the community.
The word CORE exists in several of our products, both as an acronym for what we do, and as a symbol of the desire to be authentic in who you are as a group member.
Also we promote a benchmarking program that guides and monitors progress of participants in application of our education. So they actually progress to higher status within the program, from apprentice, to protege, to specialist to mastery and finally to an elite group called the Core elite. This group will have to have reached certain monitary success as well as charitable contributions to society.
And will meet monthly to be collaborate on how to support each other and our businesses, as well as develop others in the process.
Our target audience is individuals who want to start their own businesses, and get into real estate business.
The ideal audience will be younger enterpreneurs, people that want freedom from a job etc. Also people that like technology and have some money.
We really like the theme styles developed by the developers of the icons found at iconshock.com - I've included a few of them here.
Rounded corners, and light effects, along with reflections on words are all cool aspects of logos we like.
An original concept involves the word Real on one side Alliance on the other of a Building whose windows show through to a core that glows green. The building is a black/grey color. We like the greens found in some of the logos included.
The final result should be provided to us in atleast a photoshop or ai file, ideally both, from their we can create other file types.
Size should be large enough to at one point blow up to a large poster size. Though often will be used simply as a logo on a website.
We are open to all ideas. Concepts that involve block letters R A with a core showing through is appealing, though we have been unsuccessful at making that look good from our own ideas.
Color schemes we like can be found in the real alliance logo film quality.gif and real alliance logo new. Which are attempts at accomplishing our goal, that don't fit the feel of other logos.
I've attached a zip file with some ideas we like as well as another zip file with the type of art work from iconshock we really find appealing.
We are open to different colors as well in the development we will give feedback as you progress.
Good luck, we really are excited to see your ideas.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


text:
University of Massachusetts Amherst. All rights reserved.
2003 University of Massachusetts Amherst. All rights reserved.
Amos Whittemore (1759-1828) of West Cambridge (re-named Arlington in 1867) invented a machine for making cotton and wool cards, which was considered a marvel of human ingenuity. First patented in 1797, the machine was touted by John Randolph of Roanoke in Congress in 1809 on the occasion of its patent renewal as "the only machine which ever had a soul." In 1799, Whittemore traveled to England to seek a patent there.
A remarkable era of prosperity in West Cambridge from 1779 to 1812 was due to a card factory established by Amos and his brothers, William and Samuel (Whittemore Brothers Co. or William Whittemore and Co.). By 1801, 23 machines were in operation and 40 people were employed. By 1809 there were 55 machines in the factory. When Whittemore and Co. was moved to New York in 1812, the town was adversely affected, returning primarily to farming for home consumption. In 1827, Amos' sons Gershom and Henry bought machines from their uncle Samuel of New York and revived card making in West Cambridge, though with less financial success than before. In 1862, the factory was destroyed by fire and the business was not resumed.
Curiously, this immaculate record of a wagonwright's business (1817-19) reflects the puttering in retirement -- or the industriousness -- of a celebrated inventor who, in 1812, had sold his patent rights and machinery for $150,000.
The account book which comprises this collection provides a clear record of the various services provided by a wagonwright's business: repairing, cleaning, painting, and varnishing chaises; providing wheels, springs, waterhooks, whippletrees, bellybands, and carpet; mending reins and harnesses; and other similar tasks. Jonas Prentiss appears to have worked for Whittemore.
Many members of the town's most prominent families figured as Whittemore's customers: Col. Thomas Russell, Alfred Locke, James Read, Rebeckah Tufts, Ephraim Frost, and James Hill, for example.
Amos Whittemore and his wife Helen Weston of Concord had eleven children. One of them, Amos Whittemore, Jr. was a tavern keeper; he died at age 45 in 1827, two years before his father. It is conceivable that this is his account book, although the inside front cover clearly claims this as "Amos Whittemore's Account Book" and Amos Whittemore, Jr. is designated as such when he appears in the accounts (Amos Whittemore is also listed, just to confuse matters, but generally in a record of cash transactions where he may be acting as a banker).
The collection is open for research.
Processed by Linda Seidman.


text:
I have been able to reproduce a bug that makes the iOS5 browser crash and stop unexpectingly. I am unable to reproduce that bug outside of our web application so I was thinking to send a crash report of when it happens within our application as a bug report. Is it possible to get a crash report of any kind for the Safari application so that I can send it as a bug report ? If it's possible, how do I do it ?
I find it easiest to use the settings app on iOS:
- General
- About
- Diagnostics & Usage
- Diagnostics & Usage Data
- scroll to the crash you care about and tap it
- select all, copy the text
Now you can paste the report wherever you please. Email, Simplenote, notes, Evernote, or wherever else you like to store the text for submitting a bug with Apple. You can also get at the logs after syncing from iTunes or Xcode - but getting it when the crash happens works best for me in most cases.
If you have Xcode installed, plugin your device to your computer and open Xcode. Then open the Organizer, which can be found in the Window Menu. Now find the desired crash log (as shown below) and click the export button (bottom of window). This gives you a .crash file that you can send to the developer.
You can pull crash reports from your phone using Organizer in Xcode: Locating Crash Reports.
It looks like iTunes also copies them over when it syncs, so you should be able to get at them from Windows if you don't have a Mac.


text:
Allison Arieff
Allison Arieff writes a column about design and architecture for The New York Times and is editorial director of SPUR.
It's not easy being a neglected modernist building.
Design that felt cutting edge at mid-century may indeed still feel too avant-garde to people viewing it today (even when the replacement structure is tacky '80s contemporary). These buildings are old, but often not old enough to be considered "historic" (and therefore worth saving). The lucky structures have devoted residents (like most of the mid-century modernist icons) or generous endowments to keep them in mint condition (say Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water) and/or are concentrated in modern-friendly locales like Los Angeles, a city particularly welcoming of a diversity of architectural styles (just last week, the Getty announced its Conserving Modern Architecture Initiative, dedicated to "conserving 20th century heritage, with a focus on modern architecture.") But many neglected works sit awaiting saviors, often unable to be saved from the wrecking ball.
One of the harder hit modernists has been the architect Paul Rudolph (1918-1997). The former dean of the Yale School of Architecture left a powerful legacy: his modern, multi-leveled Beekman Place townhouse in Manhattan; his Brutalist Art and Architecture building at Yale (which recently underwent an extensive, acclaimed renovation), and his gorgeous Florida beach houses, which were deemed worthy of their own period moniker (Sarasota Modern). Far too many of his buildings have met with the wrecking ball. As Treehugger's Lloyd Alter wrote on the occasion of a Rudolph demolition in 2007, "Preservation Societies will go nuts to save a rotting turn of the century Victorian but a building from the 50's through 70's? Get rid of it."
More than perhaps any of his peers, Rudolph's buildings are either under threat or have already been destroyed. Preservation magazine called the demolition of Rudolph's Riverview High School in Florida as one of "the most crushing losses of historic buildings throughout the country" in 2009. And right now, his Orange County Government Center in Goshen, New York (below), is on the World Monuments Fund's 2012 Watch List, and the outlook for the "leaky landmark" is poor.
The question of what to preserve and what to destroy is nearly always fraught but photographer Chris Mottalini feels that people let their personal tastes get in the way of their decision-making process. "There's no accounting for personal taste…which is kind of the problem. I don't think that personal taste should be allowed to enter into the discussion, when we're basically talking about preserving an important part of this country's architectural heritage and landscape."
Mottalini hopes his project, After You Left, They Took It Apart (Demolished Paul Rudolph Homes), stands as a testament to the power of architecture. And, as he explains, photographing these homes seemed like the only way to actually save them.
The Paul Rudolph Foundation approached Mottalino to shoot the Micheels House (built in 1972) before its demolition in 2007 in Westport, Connecticut, and his reaction upon seeing the building was "immediate and powerful." "It really only took a short time walking around that fantastic, tragic house for me to be hooked on all-things-Paul Rudolph," he says.
The photographs are haunting and while most reveal the loss of some truly elegant architecture, there are, it must be said, some views that seem to support the position of the demo crew (all that stucco!). Mottalini understands where both sides are coming from: "[Rudolph's] is a very striking, dominant, powerful style which seems to be at odds with the type of modern architecture that is popular today. I think many people think it feels dated. His style is recognizably his, modernist and, oftentimes, Brutalist. It's not for the faint of heart."
Shooting this project gave Mottalini great insight into just how difficult preservation is. Homeowners today seem more interested in square footage and screening rooms than living in a work of art. "I, of course, understand that every person has a different idea of what is beautiful and what they want in a home…maybe this is just how it goes."
"It's probably a good thing," he adds, that "Rudolph isn't alive to see this happen to his work."
All photos courtesy Chris Mottalini unless otherwise noted.
Boosted by big sustainability wins, Mayor Anne Hidalgo is pitching bold plans to make the city center "100 percent bicycle" and turn office space into housing.
Livability indexes can obscure the experiences of non-white people. CityLab analyzed the outcomes just for black women, for a different kind of ranking.
Those stereotypes you hear about people in Boston and San Francisco – there's actually something to them.
Two new studies have revived the long-running debate over how police respond to white criminal suspects versus African Americans.
The Menino Survey of Mayors identifies priorities like infrastructure, traffic safety, and climate change. But many mayors aren't eager to challenge the status quo.


text:
Explore Our Hotel
The Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites Brampton is conveniently located on Airport Road North and Queen Street East, with close proximity to major highways including 401, 407, 410 and just 8.6 km from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
With our location in the suburbs comes quick and easy access to major Ontario attractions nearby, guests can find Wet n Wild Toronto in Brampton, Canada's Wonderland in Vaughan, Powerade Centre, Playdium, Mississauga Hershey Centre, Premium One Outlet Mall, Square One Shopping Centre and Bramalea City Centre Mall. Toronto attractions including the CN Tower, Toronto Metro Zoo, Ripley's Aquarium and the Rogers Centre. All of the sights and sounds of Toronto are within driving distance, while plenty of exciting attractions can be found in town near our Brampton hotel. Our hotel is very close to Pearson Convention Center, Chandni Banquet Hall, and Embassy Grand Convention Centre. Located close to many corporate companies such as Best Buy, Martinrea, Hudson Bay, Magna, Nestle, Maple Leaf, Rogers Communications, Ford and Chrysler.
Guests in town on business can take advantage of the 24-hour Business Centre, as well as our meeting rooms with natural lighting and audio/visual equipment. During a relaxing stay at our Brampton hotel, you can enjoy amenities like our indoor heated pool, whirlpool, Fitness Centre, guest laundry room and our complimentary daily hot breakfast buffet.
- Black-out Shades
- Rollaway Bed/Cot Available
- Crib Available
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Separate Hanging Closet
- In-Room Heating and A/C Controls
Bathroom/Personal Care
- Private Bathroom
- Bathroom Amenities Available
- Hair Dryer
- Bathtub
- Whirlpool or Spa Bathtub
In-Room Features
- Mini Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Coffee Maker
- Flat-screen TV
- Work Desk with Lamp
- Desk-level Electrical Outlet
- Free Local Calls
- Cable/Satellite
- Premium Channels
- Pay-per-view Available
- Video Games Available
- Stereo/Radio
- Direct-dial Phone
- Phone with Voicemail
- Complimentary Morning Newspaper
Added Value
- Connecting Rooms Available
- Complimentary Coffee/Tea Supplies
- Breakfast Buffet Included
- Continental Breakfast Included
- Complimentary Coffee in Lobby
- Off-site Restaurant Delivery Available
Business Services
- 1 Meeting Room(s) Available
- On-Site Business Center
- Printer
- Copier
Internet Access
- Free High-Speed Internet in all Rooms
- Wireless Internet service is free for all IHG® Rewards Club members
Entertainment & Recreation
- Indoor Pool
- Heated Indoor Pool
- Indoor Whirlpool
- Indoor Pool Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Health & Fitness
Complimentary Fitness Center
Cardio room including treadmills and elliptical trainer. Weight room with a universal training gym.
Fitness Center Type: LIMITED
Fitness Center Equipment:
- Treadmill
- Elliptical Machines
- Free Weights
Last Renovation of Fitness Center Equipment: 2018
Housekeeping & Laundry
- Daily Housekeeping
- On-site Guest Self-Laundry Facilities
- Hours of Operation: 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Added Value
- Wake Up Calls
- Ice Machine
Hotel Details
10 Nevets Road
Brampton, Ontario L6T 5T2
Check In: 3:00 PM
Check Out: 11:00 AM
Check-in Age: 21
Parking + -
- Complimentary Self Parking Available
Accessibility + -
- Public Entrance
- Guest Rooms
- Public Restrooms
Accessible Hotel Areas
- Closed Caption TVs
- Visual Alarm/Alert in Guest Rooms
Provided by Hotel
Pet Policy + -
- Service Animals Allowed
- Pet Deposit per Stay: 50 CAD
- Pet Fee per Night: 25 CAD
- Only service Animals are welcome in selected rooms at the hotel.One pet per room allowed not to exceed 20 kilograms. Pet cannot be left alone in the room. Local by law enforcement in effect. A 50CAD nonrefundable pet deposit charged for the first night
Facility + -
- Smoke-Free Facility
- Number of Floors: 5
- Total Number of Rooms: 84
- Number of Suites: 22
- Number of Non-Smoking Rooms: 84
- Number of Accessible Rooms: 1
- Connecting Rooms Available
- Public Spaces Renovated in: 2018
- Guest Rooms Renovated in: 2018
Credit Cards + -
- American Express
- Visa
- MasterCard
- Diners Club
- Carte Blanche
- Discover


text:
In a last act of desperation, the al-Qaeda leader had picked up an automatic weapon and began firing at US Navy Seals before he and his bodyguards were swiftly overwhelmed.
The helicopter-borne assault on the compound in Abbottabad, 35 miles north of the Pakistani capital Islamabad, was carried out with such clinical precision that the Seals, carrying bin Laden's body, were on their way back to base within 40 minutes of landing.
One British special forces officer described the attack, which was carried out with no US casualties, as "one of the great commando raids of all time".
Yesterday, after President Barack Obama announced to the world that bin Laden had finally been killed, extraordinary details began to emerge of an operation that had been months in the planning.
The initial breakthrough in the 13-year hunt for bin Laden came four years ago, when the CIA discovered the real identity of a man believed to be a trusted courier of bin Laden, and his main link to the outside world.
The courier's nom de guerre had been mentioned numerous times by detainees at Guantanamo Bay in previous years, who described him as a protégé of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the self-confessed mastermind of the 9/11 attacks.
But it was only when one of the Guantanamo detainees gave up the suspect's birth name that real progress was made.
It took another two years to establish in which part of Pakistan he operated, and then, last August, President Obama was told that the courier's home in the military garrison town of Abbottabad had been identified.
"It was a 'Holy cow!' moment," one US official said.
Even the most cursory examination of the compound where the courier lived with his brother, another al-Qaeda courier, and 20 other people was enough to make CIA analysts' hair stand on end.
The compound, built at the end of a dirt road, was eight times larger than any other residence nearby. It had cost an estimated $1 million (£600,000) to build, yet the brothers had no discernible income. Nor did the grand residence have any telephone or internet connections, and its occupants always burned their rubbish, unlike their neighbours.
Moreover, the three-storey building was protected by two security gates and 12-18ft high walls topped with barbed wire, and had a terrace hidden from view by a 7ft wall, high enough to hide even someone who was 6ft 4ins tall, like bin Laden.
One official said: "When we saw the compound where the brothers lived, we were shocked by what we saw, an extraordinarily unique compound. Intelligence analysis concluded that this compound was custom built in 2005 to hide someone of significance."
Months of surveillance followed, by the CIA, the National Security Agency and the National Geospatial Agency, which showed that a third family lived in the one-acre compound, matching the profiles of the al-Qaeda leader, his youngest wife and one of his sons.
In September, the CIA believed there was a "strong possibility" that 54-year-old bin Laden lived there, and the final piece of the jigsaw fell into place when facial recognition software identified bin Laden from satellite pictures as he exercised outside.
By mid-February, intelligence from multiple sources was clear enough for Mr Obama to "pursue an aggressive course of action," a senior administration official said.
At first, a drone attack was considered, but President Obama decided against it, partly to avoid civilian casualties and partly because: "He wanted proof. He didn't want to just leave a pile of rubble." Between March 14 and April 28 Mr Obama chaired five National Security Council meetings to discuss the raid.
An exact replica of the compound was built at a secret location in the US and a 24-strong team of Navy Seals (an acronymn of Sea, Air, Land) carried out dummy runs on April 7 and April 13.
President Obama approved the plan for a helicopter-borne assault at a meeting in the White House Situation Room on April 19, and ordered the Seal team to fly to Pakistan and be ready.
Then, at 8.20am US time last Friday, as the world was watching the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge emerge onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace after their wedding, Mr Obama gave the "go" order to his national security adviser, Tom Donilon, who passed on the permission to Leon Panetta, the CIA Director.
The raid had been scheduled to leave from Ghazi, near Islamabad, on Saturday, but was delayed by bad weather.
Mr Obama headed for the golf course on Sunday, but cut short his round to go over the details of the raid one more time with security advisers in the White House.
Then, at 8.30pm BST on Sunday (1.30am in Pakistan) four Black Hawk helicopters, carrying Navy Seal Team Six, landed beside the compound, already under fire from bin Laden's guards.
As Mr Obama monitored the raid from the Situation Room, the operation momentarily appeared to be headed for disaster, as one of the choppers developed mechanical problems while hovering.
Aides feared a repeat of the infamous "Black Hawk Down" incident in Somalia in 1993, but the pilot managed to land the helicopter safely. Initial reports that it had been hit by gunfire, or even one of several rocket-propelled grenades fired from the roof of the building, were denied by US officials.
Knowing it would not take off again, the soldiers blew it up on the spot.
"I heard a thundering sound, followed by heavy firing. Then the firing suddenly stopped. Then more thundering, then a big blast," said one eyewitness, Mohammad Haroon Rasheed.
A full-scale firefight broke out as the Seals dashed into the compound, picking off targets with surgical precision. Both the courier and his brother, as well as an adult son of bin Laden, were killed, as well as a woman being used as a human shield.
Within moments of going inside the main building, the Seals had sight of bin Laden, who had grabbed an automatic weapon and was firing at them. He was shot in the face by one of the Seals, who fired a second shot into his head and one into his chest to make sure he was dead.
At 8.50BST, just 20 minutes after the team had entered the compound, the commander on the ground told Washington that bin Laden had been located. The Situation Room, and the CIA's command centre, erupted with cheers.
TV footage taken after the raid showed a blood-covered carpet in a bedroom, with broken computers in another room that was being used as a kitchen.
Reports in the US described the raid as a "kill, not capture" mission, but one official said simply that he had "resisted, as we expected".
Just 40 minutes after the Seals had touched down, they were airborne again, having stripped the compound of every scrap of intelligence material they could find, as well as bin Laden's body.
Within three hours of the Seal team arriving back at their base, bin Laden's body was aboard the USS Carl Vinson, in the Arabian Sea, and positively identified by a DNA comparison with samples taken from his sister, whose body was seized by the US authorities after she died from cancer in Boston several years ago.
Photographs of the corpse, showing a gaping bullet wound above bin Laden's left eye, were immediately wired back to Washington.
Then, in a pre-arranged plan to avoid his burial place becoming a shrine, bin Laden's body was buried at sea, observing the Muslim requirement for a body to be buried within 24 hours of death.
Mr Panetta celebrated by sending a memo to all CIA employees, telling them: "We have rid the world of the most infamous terrorist of our time."
The operation had been so secretive that no foreign governments were informed in advance, even Pakistan, and only a small circle inside the U.S. government was aware of what was unfolding.
President Obama telephoned his predecessors, George W Bush and Bill Clinton, to tell them the news, which was broken on Twitter by Keith Urbahn, the former chief of staff to Mr Bush's defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
At 3.25am BST, an hour before Mr Obama confirmed the news, he tweeted: "So I'm told by a reputable person they have killed Osama bin Laden. Hot damn."
Last night, a British special forces officer summed up the assault as: "One of the great commando raids of all time."
He added: "This will go down as one of the greatest feats in special forces history. It was so precise, so surgical. They just got in there and got the job done."


text:
Certificates & appraisals
We offer a guarantee on every instrument in our catalogue.
Certificates and appraisals are an important cornerstone of the confidence you need when you select a fine stringed instrument – and they are key for insuring your instrument appropriately. Reliable verification of your instrument's provenance is an issue that requires greater knowledge than can usually be provided by those who are only qualified as craftsmen.
Owner & Director: Dr. Annette T. M. Roeben
Corilon violins has meticulously studied over 4,000 good and fine stringed instruments, violins, violas and cellos representing a wide variety of price categories, historic periods and regional provenance – a vast range of experience which guarantees solid violin certification and appraisals for all of the instruments in our catalogue. In addition, you can order a certificate of appraisal with our fine violins and every other instrument and bow we offer so you can have official confirmation of important information about the provenance, age, structural details and current value of your instrument. Depending on the prices of the instrument, the fee for issuing a certificate is 100 EUR. As soon as you place an instrument or bow in the shopping cart, you are given the additional option of ordering a certificate.
Furthermore, some of our especially valuable and rare masterpieces and each French violin bow of value already include certificates from renowned independent appraisers; amongst them are J. F. Raffin, the leading Paris-based expert for French bows; Stuttgart restorer and appraiser Hieronymus Köstler; and Cremonese master Eric Blot. If such certificates are already present, we will inform you about it in the extensive description found in our online catalogue; you will also have the opportunity to see the certificate online.
Our special areas of competence include German, French, English and Italian stringed instruments of good and superior quality, many of which come to us with inadequate documentation. In this regard, we offer semi-professional musicians and demanding amateurs greater security than is commonly available when it comes to being protected against fakes and replicas.
We do not offer a certificate service for instruments not being sold through our catalogue.
Related information:


text:
News | August 31, 2011
Launch Preparations Report
PASADENA, Calif. -- NASA's Mars Science Laboratory Project continues to press ahead with launch preparation activities, planning to use additional time before encapsulating the rover in the launch vehicle's nose cone.
Officials want to maintain additional schedule margin for enhanced safety procedures in assembly and testing. System testing put the rover and other parts of the spacecraft through simulations of many activities from launch through operations on Mars' surface. Aspects of the test simulating the final moments before landing took longer than scheduled. Additional margin that had been built into the schedule has been consumed in recent weeks by stepped-up safety procedures in assembly and testing.
Based on this, the rover development team will turn over the spacecraft for encapsulation four days later in October than originally scheduled. The project expects to know in approximately two weeks if launch timelines may need to be adjusted. The mission's launch period begins Nov. 25 and runs through Dec. 18.
"We consumed some of the slack in our schedule during system testing in August, and we want to restore the slack to give the assembly, test and launch operations team time to do its job," said Mars Science Laboratory Project Manager Pete Theisinger of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
The Mars Science Laboratory will deliver Curiosity to an August 2012 landing beside a mountain inside Gale crater on Mars. During a two-year mission on the Red Planet, the rover will investigate whether a selected area of Mars has offered environmental conditions favorable for microbial life and for preserving evidence about life.
The spacecraft's back shell, heat shield and cruise stage were delivered to NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., in May. The rover and descent stage were delivered in June.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif., manages the Mars Science Laboratory Project for the NASA Science Mission Directorate, Washington. United Launch Alliance, Denver, is supplying the launch vehicle and launch services. Launch management for the mission is the responsibility of NASA's Launch Services Program at the Kennedy Space Center.
More information about the Mars Science Laboratory is available online at http://www.nasa.gov/msl and at http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/ .
News Media ContactGuy Webster 818-354-6278
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.


text:
Not just bigger just right. Many customers say this is their favourite size and love having the advantage of the front pocket for keeping quick access items. You can grab your phone keys notebook or Kindle super quick without needing to look through the whole bag.
- Handcrafted by Mastercraftsmen in Liverpool England.
- Amazing guarantee that will last you decades.
- No quibble returns policy.
- Free Worldwide Shipping
- We hold a rating of 9.8 on Trust Pilot closing in on 10.
Learn all the fine details in our technical specifications and read our complete description to get the full story.


text:
Available Apartments Email Application Guarantor Application Recently Rented Apartments
East 73rd. Street off of First Avenue, Large Sunny Renovated Studio , hardwood floors , high ceilings , separate kitchen , good closet space, windows in all rooms including kitchen and bathroom, No Pets Allowed. Rent $1800. Please call or Text Mike 347-848-2833.email.
Virtual Tour
Apartment Pictures
Available Apartments Email Application Guarantor Application Recently Rented Apartments
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Listed subject to errors, omissions, change in price, prior sale, rent and withdrawal without notice. Photographs, description and information about the properties reflect conditions at the time the photographs were taken. All dimensions and all square footage are approximate. For exact dimensions, you must hire your own architect or engineer. Copyright 2009-2012. All rights reserved.


text:
Summit County Community Notes: 1-19-13
The FIRC Bag Shop will be open today from 1-4 p.m. in Suite 22 of La Riva Mall in Dillon. The bags are made by volunteers out of donated material and 100 percent of sales are used to support the Family & Intercultural Resource Center's emergency assistance program. We are looking for new volunteers to sew and help with decorating and donated material of all types. For more information, visit SummitFIRC.org or call Anita at (970) 262-3888 ext. 306.
The town of Frisco's sustainable business program is now accepting a limited number of business. Go to http://www.highcountryconservation.org/FriscoCleanTracks.htm to sign up. Businesses receive a $200 cash stipend toward a green project, a free energy audit and free sustainability audit. This program is designed to support and recognize businesses that are doing good things for the environment.
We're looking for Summit High School graduates who want to be included in Tiger Tracker, the monthly profiles chronicling what people have been up to since graduation. If you are a SHS grad, or have a suggestion, contact Jessica Smith at firstname.lastname@example.com or (970) 668-4633.
As an Ice Princess candidate, you are asked to collect as many votes for yourself as possible. For a valid vote you need $1 for every vote. The Ice Princess candidate with the most money (most votes) will be crowned the 2013 Summit County Rotary Ice Princess.Ice Princess candidates are nominated by local residents, Rotarians or themselves. The Rotary Ice Princess Committee will select six candidates.Submit a picture and short bio (maximum 200 words about why you would like to be an Ice Princess candidate ) to Ann Morrison Clement at email@example.com. Contact Ann if you have any questions about being an Ice Princess candidate. Applicants must be 18 years old or older, live in Summit County or own a business in Summit County, be willing to attend Ice Melt and community events and be recognized in the community as a participant.
Be part of the only Mardi Gras parade in Summit County on Feb. 12, and win cash prizes for creative floats. First place: $500; second place: $300; third place: $200. For more information, email firstname.lastname@example.com. Be a part of the Mardi Gras celebration in Breck.
Start a dialogue, stay on topic and be civil.
If you don't follow the rules, your comment may be deleted.


text:
I'm temporarily "internet famous" again thanks to a little rant I wrote called
"Pay The F*&ing Teachers"
Other than that, it's been a strange few years. I moved to Victoria, Joe died, and the R.V. I was living in burned to the ground.
And yet... for some reason, the comedy continues.
I'm DONE my new album. It's got a whole bunch of new songs.
I've sent it to the Duplicators, but you can buy a digital copy NOW! You can order it here.
YAY! You can also buy it on CD Baby!
There's an example here. It's chock full o' comedy including a wicked song I wrote with my daughter called "I Can't Stand You Anymore"...
Thanks to everyone for their love and support and for saying such nice things about Joe. He is very very sorely missed.
And to those of you who stole our videos and put them on Youtube... BITE ME!
I'm re-building the website. Please help by donating to us via paypal, or by ordering my album.
Thanks. Here's a live version of one of the new songs:
and here's one for St. Patrick's day


text: Tickets may also be purchased at all Station Casinos Rewards Centers, Fiesta Casinos Rewards Centers or by calling (800) 745-3000. BUY TICKETS Green Valley Ranch is the best venue for Las Vegas concerts, with both indoor and outdoor settings to give just the right feel. Our live music concert schedule keeps Las Vegas dancing, singing and partying the night away. Whether you're looking for a stadium-style concert at our 2,000 seat indoor Grand Events Center, or wanting to enjoy some live music under the stars at The Backyard, we can accommodate. The best live music in Las Vegas is at Green Valley Ranch! From rock concerts to country music shows, concert tickets may be purchased by calling 1-800-745-3000 or by visiting any Station Casinos or Fiestas Rewards Center. Check out our new entertainment experience! See Entertaiment


text:
Florence Brudenell Bruce Gossip
Florence Brudenell Bruce gossip, latest news, photos, and video.
Hot Harry loves his Helicopter
More than Flee. Come on, did he ever love Flee? Word is Prince Harry and Florence with the pain in the ass last name are done. Apparently, according to PEOPLE, they were dating since June but now Harry realises he must focus on his army training and doesn't want to commit to a serious relationship. Full Story
Hot Harry on a Horse & the Foxy Filly
This sounds like the title of a porn. Like some of that crazy ass equine sh-t when people do it with mares. Don't pretend you're shocked. This happens. A lot. It is not a porn, obviously, unfortunately, but it does have to do with the member of the British royal family who is voted most likely to participate in one – and of course that would be Hot Harry who, this weekend, is expected at the wedding of his cousin Zara Phillips in Scotland but who, for today, is making headlines for the nickname he's allegedly given the sister of his sister-in-law: Foxy Filly Whatever. Full Story
Hot Harry's girl takes the bus
Hot Harry was at the British F1 Grand Prix this weekend. He met some of the drivers, he was shown some of the engines, and then he presented the eventual winner. At one point Harry stopped for conversation with Jenson Button. He's the really, really hot guy to Harry's right. Jensen Button used to date Florence Brudenell-Bruce, Harry's new girlfriend. Full Story
Hot Harry charges the light brigade
Into the valley of DeathRode the six hundred Did you have to learn that poem in school? For me it was Grade 4. Around about there. We had to memorise and recite it in front of class. I was always really good at memorisation without actually knowing what the sh-t meant. It seems an appropriate association now to Hot Harry on a Horse. Full Story


text:
High quality UV flame retardant glazing oil
Material: acrylic polymer, monomer, initiator, and other auxiliaries
Diluents: alcohol, toluene, isopropanol
Supply Type: In-Stock Items or made by customer's requirment
Appearance: light yellow and yellowish, clear and transparent liquid.
Coat weight: 3-6g/m2
Viscosity: 45±5
Speed: 30-120
Gloss: 80-92
Rub resistance: ≥ 400 times
Characteristics: using on explosion wire
Brand: DSN
Model Number: DN-UV3363H
1, speedy solidification under UV-light radiation
2,speedy solidification, simple process
3,Bright and gorgeous, rub-resistant, humidity-resistant, anti-aging and high hardness
Storage Stability: under 50 centigrade
Conditions: smooth, pucker-free, non-piping of the surface
Storage Condition: airtight, lucifugal, dry and ventilation, shade place, no touch with fire
Packing: 20KG per plastic cask
Warranty: twelve month
MOQ: 1kg as sample
Payments: Western union, Money gram, Paypal, alipay, Wire transfer.
Shipping: UPS/DHL/EMS/TNT/FEDEX, By sea.By air
Delivery time: Within 2-3 working days after your payment.


text:
Gulf Coast authorities say 52 people were transported to local hospitals after 47 cars crashed in the southbound lanes of Interstate 75.
Authorities say there are at least seven crashes along I-75, which are expected to block southbound traffic for several hours heading toward southwest Florida.
The Florida Highway Patrol reports that the collisions occurred Friday afternoon near the border between Sarasota and Manatee counties.
22 people were transported to area hospitals, two of who were critically injured. FHP says no fatalities were reported.
The roadway opened at 9 p.m. after it was closed for six hours Friday evening. FHP said earlier that traffic was being diverted onto University Parkway and then allowed to re-enter the interstate on the other side of the overpass.
Authorities attributed the collisions to heavy rain and driver error, including motorists traveling too fast given the weather.


text:
Computer networks that imitate how the human brain works have been pinpointing fossil locations. An artificial neural network (ANN) developed by a research team was tested in the Great Divide Basin of Wyoming, a 4,000 square mile of rocky desert. The goal: to make anthropologists' scrutiny of large areas less time consuming and more productive.
Dr. Glenn Conroy, paleoanthropologist, reknown for discovering the first known Miocene hominoid (Otavipithecus namibiensis) ever found in southern Africa, was joined by Western Michigan University PhD colleagues Robert Anemone, a biological anthropologist, and geography professor Charles Emerson who has an extensive knowledge of satellite imagery.
The software takes into account infrared electromagnetic radiation, satellite images, and maps to determine elevation, slope, terrain, and other landscape features. With detailed input of existing fossil containing areas, the ANN is used to locate other potential sites. Pattern recognition looks for similar land features. Their discoveries are "a combination of hard work, meticulous planning and a good dose of luck" according to Conroy.
Six bands of visible and infrared light recorded by the Landsat 7 satellite were the basis of the study. Anemone assigned pixels to forest, scrubland, and wetland. He marked the pixels to identify a fossil or non-fossil site. Most fossils were located in sandstone. The network was thus trained to identify fossil yielding areas.
It takes a trained eye to separate rock from fossil at sites tagged by the ANN
In the test area, the ANN identified 79 percent of the already known sites and correctly tagged 99 percent that contained fossils in the area that has already given up early mammal fossils from 50-70 million years ago. Moving farther afield to the Bison Basin of Wyoming, the ANN was able to identify four fossils sites in similar, but unfamiliar, terrain.
The ANN will be going overseas to look for early hominid fossil sites on the continent where Conroy's amazing discovery occurred. Conroy has conducted explorations across the world, including Kenya, Argentina, and Pakistan. He applies computer imaging techniques to explore anatomical structures in extinct primates and fossil humans. Conroy has written numerous articles with such intriguing titles as: Endocranial features of Australopithecus africanus revealed by 2 and 3-D computed tomography. In the US, Dr. Anemone's research in the Great Divide Basin focuses on the effects of climate change on the evolution of primates and other mammals.
Anemone said: "In the time we are working with – 50 million years ago – there was a major event of global warming. The earth's climate was warmer than what it had ever been, so we are interested in the effects of climate change in the past on living things so we better prepare for climate change today by seeing the past events."
It takes human sweat, in combination with AI to locate and tease fossil bits from the earth
One qualifying factor built into the ANN software was that the land had to be sloped by at least 5 degrees, so that erosion would have exposed portions of the fossil bed. July 2012 is planned for an on-site excursion into the Wyoming areas tagged by the ANN as potentially hiding fossils. "We're going to go to some areas we've never been to, that we wouldn't have been aware of, and see what we find," Anemone says. Boots on the ground are necessary to identify bones from among rocks in an outcrop. Although they are using technology, specifically AI, to locate the sites, Anemone says this eyeballing "is something robots are not yet ready for."


text:
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Server Splits vs Freezing Character Creation
If voluntary free transfers didn't solve the problem, it's clear that Blizzard needs to take more drastic steps. As well, Blizzard's proposed implementation seems pretty decent to me. They seem to be trying to keep guilds together as best they can, and having guild members default to the guild leader's new server is a very good idea.
However, there are a lot of other people who don't like this idea, who think that splitting servers would destroy a server's unique culture. And this may well happen. But the other solution most often proposed, freezing the creation of new characters, is worse than server splits.
To see what I mean, consider how you chose your first realm. I rolled on Burning Blade because a real life friend had rolled there. And I suspect that most people had similar reasons. They chose their first server in order to play with friends or family.
Freezing character creation on specific realms directly prevents new people from playing with their friends. That stops them from playing the game before they even start. New people are the lifeblood of this game, and Blizzard has to make sure their experience is as pleasant as possible.
Preventing people from rolling characters to play with their friends is one of the surest ways to turn people off this game, which is why Blizzard will chose to go with server splits instead.
Of course server splits have the potential to prevent you from playing with some of your friends. But you can still play with the majority of them. As well, having a little more experience with the game means that we can adapt to the situation better.
A game without new players dies eventually. Word of mouth is still the best way to get new people into the game. But for word of mouth to work, new people need to be able to play with their friends, to roll characters on even the most crowded servers. (After all, if the servers are crowded, that's a lot of people who could be introducing new people to WoW.) And this is more important than the need for the elites of the game to maintain their server culture.
Of the three choices--500+ queues, server splits, or frozen account creation--I believe that server splits offer the best trade-off, and is the least damaging to the long term health of the game.
5 comments:
I agree with you.ReplyDelete
I've introduced nearly a dozen people to WoW and they all started on my server. I know that the majority of them would not have picked up the game if I told them, "Yeah, it's a great game, but you woun't be able to play with me on my server."
The whole server split thing launched a fresh wave of guild drama for us as folks started worrying that our server was going to experience a split immediately.ReplyDelete
In reality - we're likely nowhere close. I agree - a split - is far more palatable (to me) than an outright *freeze*.
Oh - and it probably also allows Blizzard another revenue stream in the future...they'll think of something ;)
I'm pretty sure that the server splits will only happen on heavily overpopulated servers. Servers like my own, Runetotem, while experiencing wait queues, I doubt will be split. Also, some of the wait time are due to the fact that its just after Christmas, and many people just started playing the game (or started playing again) all at the same time, creating a surge in character population. Couple that with the expansion coming out very soon and people logging in in anticipation, and you get a recipe for wait queues. It'll probably quiet down in a month or two.ReplyDelete
Baelor of Runetotem
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.ReplyDelete
daryl, I can't in good conscience link to a site that advertises itself as providing "exploits" for WoW.ReplyDelete


text:
I'm in New York City this week delivering a SQL Server Virtualization and Consolidation 3 days course for Learning Tree. You might be a little too late to join me at that event but I have two more course scheduled this year
At the end of November 27th-30th I'm teaching 137 - Introduction to SQL Server 2008: Hand-on Introduction for those of you starting out with SQL Server this a great introduction to the SQL Server product. You can enrol online using the enrol button
Or if you thinking of upgrading to SQL Server 2012 in the new year, why come and spend a few days with me in London in the week before Christmas. I'll be delivering 2105 – SQL Server 2012 Database Administration Skills Upgrade which is a three day course at the London Education Centre from the 18th to 20th December. You can pick up some last minute Christmas presents while you are there. You can enrol by choosing how you wish to attend (online or in-class) and hitting the enrol button.
Alternatively if you prefer the comfort of your own home or office you attend both courses online using Learning Tree Anyware – So you can attend class without the leaving the warmth of your study.