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Ask the Experts Videos
C6000™ Multicore DSPs
TI's C6000 multicore DSP platform includes a wide range of device choices for multicore processing that deliver the highest performance at the lowest power levels and cost. The platform's multicore processing and low power capabilities are optimal for applications in markets such as medical imaging, test and automation, mission critical, video infrastructure and high-end imaging.
More Resources
- For more questions, or to join the conversation, visit our C66x multicore DSP Forum on TI E2E™ Support Community
- For C66x technical documents, white papers, design resources and more, visit ti.com/c66multicore
Meet the Experts
Robert Ferguson,
Business Development Manager,
Multicore Processors
Robert is currently a business development manager for TI's Multicore Processors. Robert's team focuses on developing and implementing strategic regional growth for Multicore Processors. Robert has worked for Texas Instruments since 2003, managing major accounts across DSL CPE, Cable and WLAN.
He is a Western Oregon University graduate.
Mark Nadeski,
Multicore Business Development Manager,
Multicore Processors
Mark Nadeski currently serves as a multicore business development manager for the Texas Instruments' (TI) multicore processors business. His role with TI includes, but is not limited to, setting the strategic direction of the multicore processors group and performing market analysis and assistance with the evaluation of roadmap solutions. Nadeski joined TI as an intern in 1992, prior to his 1993 graduation from MIT, and has served in many different capacities through the years. Post graduation, Nadeski joined TI full time as an applications engineer for motor control. Since then, he has spent his time developing software and managing software development for different audio, internet, digital and imaging groups. In 2007, Nadeski was promoted from his position as DSP medical business development manager to strategic marketing manager, overseeing the entire high performance medical group. Mark graduated from MIT in 1993 where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering.
Dr. Ralf Bendlin ,
Systems Engineer,
TI's Wireless Base Station Infrastructure Group
Dr. Ralf Bendlin is a systems engineer with TI's wireless base station infrastructure group. He is also a delegate to the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) representing TI in the standardization of current and next-generation cellular networks. As a member of the Systems and Standards Group, he contributes to TI's IPR portfolio and supports the marketing, design, and software teams within TI's Wireless Base Station Infrastructure organization. Ralf holds two Master of Science degrees and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering. He regularly presents at international conferences on emerging cellular technologies such as Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) and heterogeneous networks.
Sneha Narnakaje ,
Marketing Manager,
Wireless Base Station Infrastructure
Sneha Narnakaje is the marketing manager for Texas Instruments' wireless base station infrastructure (WBI) business. In this role, she is responsible for software product marketing and small cell business development. She drives TI's software development efforts in platform software development kit, multicore enablers and application enables for 3G and 4G technologies including UMTS and LTE. Narnakaje is also responsible for addressing TI's small cell customers' needs in the North America region. She has 10 years of industry experience in software development and engineering management for DSL, cable, residential gateway and multimedia applications. Narnakaje earned her MBA from the University of Maryland (Smith) and bachelor's degree of science in computer engineering from Mangalore University, India.
Josef Alt,
Business Development Manager,
Communications Infrastructure, Europe
As the Business Development Manager for Communications Infrastructure in Europe and the Middle East, Josef is responsible TI's DSP business in the European communications infrastructure market segment, which includes Radio Access Networks as well as Fixed and Mobile Core Networks. He has held this position for the past 9 years. Josef Alt holds a Dipl.Ing (FH) from the Fachhochschule Munich.
Tom Flanagan,
Technical Strategy Director,
Wireless Base Station Infrastructure, Texas Instruments
As the technical strategy director for TI's wireless base station infrastructure business, Tom identifies market trends and provides the vision and strategic direction for TI's product development team. Tom joined TI as part of the company's acquisition of Telogy Networks, a Voice over IP embedded software company, where he was the director of business development. He has an extensive background in the semiconductor industry and in voice and data networking. Tom holds several patents and received his bachelor's degree of science from James Madison University.
Debbie Greenstreet,
Business Development Director,
Wireless Base Station Infrastructure, Texas Instruments
As the business development director for TI's wireless base station infrastructure business, Debbie is responsible for driving TI's leading edge wireless base station SoCs into the market, and focusing on business development for North America. Debbie has over 20 years experience in the telecommunications industry. Previous roles at Texas Instruments include the director of service provider strategy where maintained relationships with worldwide wireless and fixed line service providers, driving long term roadmap directions and investment strategies. She was also a pioneer and evangelist in the Voice over IP industry, driving products and solutions into the VoIP market from its infancy. Debbie received a BS in electrical engineering from the University of Virginia and performed graduate work in computer engineering at George Mason University.
How can developers accelerate scientific computing with TI's multicore DSPs?
Dr. Arnon Friedmann,
Strategic & Technical Marketing Manager,
Wireless Base Station Infrastructure
Dr. Arnon Friedmann is a visionary expert in the emerging applications of communications infrastructure. In his role as the wireless infrastructure strategic and technical marketing manager at TI, Arnon is driving the company's efforts in 4G technology, including 3G Long Term Evolution (LTE) and 802.16m (WiMAX). His efforts have enabled TI to take leadership positions in these evolving OFDMA applications. In his 12 years in the industry, Arnon has gained extensive experience in digital communications research and development for magnetic storage, DSL and wireless systems applications. Arnon earned a Ph.D. in communications theory and systems and a BS in engineering physics from the University of California at San Diego.
Kenneth Nesteroff,
Business Development Manager,
High Performance Computing and Imaging multicore DSP, Texas Instruments
Kenneth Nesteroff is the business development manager for Texas Instruments' high performance computing (HPC) and imaging multicore digital signal processor (DSP) business. In this role, he is responsible for business growth and strategic development, as well as the strengthening and fostering of customer relationships in the HPC and imaging markets.
Since joining TI in 1983 as a product engineer within the semiconductor group, Nesteroff has served TI in many engineering and business management capacities. He joined the multicore DSP business in April 2008.
Nesteroff received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.
Raj Sivarajan,
Software Engineering Manager,
Multicore and media infrastructure
Raj has nearly 15 years of experience in real-time embedded software development. For the past 11 years at Texas Instruments, Raj has been responsible for providing production application software for Voice over IP on cable modem/DSL/residential gateway, and multimedia software development kits for digital video and voice, enabling customers to build their applications on a core software foundation while speeding time to market. Raj received his MS in electrical engineering, BS in electrical engineering and BS in mathematics from the University of Maryland.
Mukesh Kumar,
Test & Automation Marketing Manager,
Wireless Basestation Infrastructure business
As the test and automation marketing manager for TI's multicore and media infrastructure business, Mukesh is responsible for defining and delivering hardware and software solutions for test and automation applications as well as managing key customer relationships. Prior to his current role, Mukesh served as a product manager for multiple TI software components including the Network Developer's Kit, Audio Video Media Engine, Modular Open Voice Engine and Echo Canceller. Mukesh earned his masters degree in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelors degree in instrumentation and control from NSIT in Delhi, India.
Kyle Harper,
Marketing Director,
Wireless Basestation Infrastructure business
Kyle Harper is the marketing director for Texas Instruments' (TI) wireless basestation infrastructure (WBI). With more than 27 years experience in the wireless, network, high performance microprocessor and embedded software industry, he has served as the business development director at Timesys Corporation, strategic marketing manager at Advanced Micro Circuits Corporate and various business management and engineering positions at Motorola/Freescale Semiconductor prior to joining TI. He has authored numerous technical and business conference papers as well as article publications.
Harper received a Bachelor of Science in computing science from Texas A&M University and his MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.
Pekka Varis,
Multicore & Media Infrastructure
Pekka is a visionary technologist with expertise in infrastructure system architectures and high performance packet-based communications. As Chief Technology Officer for TI's multicore and media infrastructure business, Pekka drives the company's strategy and development efforts for packet-based multicore processing. Pekka has over 13 years of experience in the communications infrastructure industry. He started off his career implementing platform software and architecting data plane blades for mobile network controllers and multimedia gateways at a leading mobile infrastructure vendor. Over the years he gained extensive experience in system and software architectures for user plane processing in mobile networks.
Pekka earned a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Helsinki University of Technology in 1999. He is a Member, Group Technical Staff, at TI.
Raghu Nambiath,
Software Design Engineer,
Multicore & Media Infrastructure
Raghu currently works as a project lead for enabling Linux support on TI's C6000 family of multicore DSPs. He has been involved in multiple software development projects within TI's communications infrastructure group, and recently served as project lead for the design and development of TI's multicore voice and video software development kit. Raghu holds a MS in telecommunications from the University of Colorado and is currently pursuing his MBA from the University of Maryland.
Sanjay Bhal,
Product Line Marketing Manager,
Multicore & Media Infrastructure
As the product line marketing manager for TI's multicore and media infrastructure business, Sanjay is responsible for the definition of multicore software solutions for market segments including mission critical, medical imaging, high performance compute and networking. Sanjay has held a variety of roles at TI over the last few years including engineering manager for TI's small gateway products where he was involved in developing TI's gateway software solutions. Sanjay holds a MS in microelectronics from the University of Mumbai and a MBA from the University of Maryland.
Tom Flanagan,
Technical Strategy Director,
Wireless Base Station Infrastructure
As the director of technical strategy for TI's wireless base station infrastructure business, Tom identifies market trends and provides the vision and strategic direction for TI's product development team. Tom joined TI as part of the company's acquisition of Telogy Networks, a Voice over IP embedded software company, where he was the director of business development. He has an extensive background in the semiconductor industry and in voice and data networking. Tom holds several patents and received his bachelor's degree of science from James Madison University.
Ken Chan,
Applications Manager,
High Speed Products
As an applications manager for TI's High Speed Products (HSP) business, Ken and his team are responsible for developing end equipment applications, system analysis, and hardware signal chain solutions for the wireless infrastructure market. Recent accomplishments include developing highly-efficient signal chains for 4G and next-generation transmit standards using a TI Digital Pre-Distortion (DPD) solution. Ken joined TI in 1997 and has held roles in applications, system analysis and chipset definition for handsets (WCDMA and CDMA), cable modem (PUMA DOCSIS), and base station infrastructure products. He holds a B.S. in electrical engineering and M.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.
David Bell,
Applications Manager,
Multicore and Media Infrastructure
Dave Bell is the Applications Director for the Multicore Processors business at Texas Instruments. Dave's team focuses on TI's KeyStone architecture, SoC platform quality and entitlement, and overall multicore solutions. Dave has been with TI's DSP division since 1995, specializing in DSP architecture (CPU, memory, and switch fabric), embedded processing, real-time systems and software for communications infrastructure and other performance-intensive systems. He earned his BS in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University
Sandeep Kumar,
Product Line Marketing,
Growth Markets & Medical, Multicore & Media Infrastructure
Sandeep has responsibility for growth markets in TI's multicore and media infrastructure business where he is focused on markets such as mission critical and medical imaging. Sandeep has served a variety of product and strategic marketing roles within TI's communications infrastructure group including product manager for wireless infrastructure and manager of WiMAX and third party alliances. During his tenure at TI, Sandeep has also been involved in marketing TI's DSP and ASIC solutions for the telecom and networking markets. Sandeep holds a BS in electrical engineering from the University of Massachusetts and a MS in business administration and manufacturing systems engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
Why is floating point capability beneficial for base station implementations?
Dr. Arnon Friedmann,
Strategic & Technical Marketing Manager,
Wireless Base Station Infrastructure
Dr. Arnon Friedmann is a visionary expert in the emerging applications of communications infrastructure. In his role as the wireless infrastructure strategic and technical marketing manager at TI, Arnon is driving the company's efforts in 4G technology, including 3G Long Term Evolution (LTE) and 802.16m (WiMAX). His efforts have enabled TI to take leadership positions in these evolving OFDMA applications. In his 12 years in the industry, Arnon has gained extensive experience in digital communications research and development for magnetic storage, DSL and wireless systems applications. Arnon earned a Ph.D. in communications theory and systems and a BS in engineering physics from the University of California at San Diego.
Travis Scheckel,
Platform Software Applications Manager,
Multicore and Media Infrastructure
Travis manages the Multicore Solutions team in Texas Instruments' Multicore Processors business. Travis has held a variety of engineering roles within FPGA, ASIC and DSP, during his 18 years at TI. In the last 9 years he has worked in system and application engineering roles to support high performance DSP and multicore products. Travis was the lead in defining TI's RapidIO peripheral solution for DSP and led the Technical Working Group as Chair from 2005-2007 within the RapidIO Trade Association. Travis is a member of TI's Group Technical Staff. He received his B.S.E.E. degree from the Milwaukee School of Engineering in 1992.
Sameer Wasson,
Product Marketing Manager,
Wireless Base Station Infrastructure
As a product marketing manager for the wireless base station business, Sameer drives TI's efforts in the emerging small cell base station market. Sameer joined TI as a product engineer in 2005 where he worked on ultra low power microprocessors. After that, he moved into a marketing and business development role in TI's cable business where he managed key accounts and regions. Sameer earned his MS in electrical engineering from Syracuse University and a BS in electrical engineering from the University of Pune in India.
Mingjian "Ming" Yan,
Software Development Engineer,
Communications Infrastructure
Mingjian "Ming" Yan is a software development engineer for the Communications Infrastructure business at TI. Ming has been focused on the baseband signal processing for OFDM based wireless systems including WiMAX and LTE for the past five years at TI. She currently leads the development of LTE physical layer functional library including algorithm development and verification, implementation and optimizations on TI platforms. She is also involved in benchmarking activities for TI's DSPs and customer LTE system solution analysis. Prior to joining TI, Ming spent six years with Nortel Networks in the areas of signal processing for voice band data modem, metro optics and WLAN, and prior to that, three years with Comsat Laboratories in the area of voice band signal processing. Ming earned a MS in electrical engineering from Gonzaga University and a BS in electrical engineering from the University of Science and Technology in China.
Brian Johnson,
Engineering Manager,
Systems & Software, Wireless Base Station Infrastructure
Brian has 18 years experience in telecom data networking and wireless. He has been with TI since 2005 when he joined as a software and systems manager responsible for WiMAX software library and systems solutions, LTE software library and multicore software strategy. Prior to TI, Brian was the engineering manager at the Nortel Office of the CTO. In this role, Brian lead the WiMAX/802.16e L1 and L2 standards team and was responsible for WLAN technology strategy including next-generation WLAN 802.11n standards, WLAN radio resource mgmt, WLAN L1, L2 systems solutions for enterprise voice and data traffic capacity. Brian was also a software developer for Hughes Network Systems responsible for 2G Base Station Controller (BSC) call control and access network protocol stack development. He was a co-inventor of the Hughes Direct PC hybrid satelite/wireline broadband service. Brian holds MS and BS degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland.
Greg Wood,
Applications Manager,
Wireless Base Station Infrastructure
Greg is an embedded signal processing expert in communications infrastructure. In his role as the wireless infrastructure applications manager at TI, Greg is driving the company's efforts to enable the use of infrastructure devices in solutions for every wireless standard. His efforts have enabled OEMs worldwide to bring innovative design to production. In his 25 years in the industry, Greg has been involved in embedded signal processing for massively parallel arrays developed for defense applications, development of UMTS physical layer for 3G handsets and multicore software development. Greg earned a MS in computer science from Southern Methodist University and a BS in computer science from Texas A&M University.
Sanjive Aggarwala,
Director, Silicon Development,
Communications Infrastructure
Sanjive Aggarwala, is a TI fellow and the director of silicon development for the communication infrastructure business at TI. He has worked on a number of generations of x86 microprocessors and C6000 DSPs at TI. He and his organization are responsible for C66x DSP core roadmap and development as well as communication infrastructure system on chips. These complex multicore SoCs are designed in leading edge process technologies with state of the art design automation and innovations. All of these products have propelled TI into undisputed leadership position in digital signal processing and in the wireless infrastructure market.
Paul Carson,
IP Design Director,
Communications Infrastructure
Paul Carson, IP Design Director, Communications Infrastructure Paul Carson is a VLSI IP design expert for communications infrastructure. In his current role as the director of IP design, Paul is leading the company's efforts to design highly specialized processing blocks for high performance multicore SoCs. Paul also leads teams driving and analyzing SoC architecture and systems engineering. In previous positions with TI, Paul led TI's wireless infrastructure chipset business, ASIC design centers, and signal processing field applications teams. Paul earned his MS in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan, and his BA in biophysics from the University of California at Berkeley.
Michael Livshitz,
Engineering Manager,
Wireless Base Station Infrastructure
A widely recognized expert in wireless and telecom system engineering, Michael joined TI in 2009 to lead the development of next generation wireless base station Layer 2 technology. His efforts have enabled TI to extend its leadership position in physical layer silicon to higher layer SoC solutions. Prior to TI, Michael was the director of technical marketing at Metalink, where he was responsible for company technological policies in WLAN 802.11n, and interfaced with key customers and R&D leadership. Previously, Michael was a senior standards advisor at the CTO Office in Nortel, where he was responsible for the development and protected of the company's IPR portfolio. He has multiple patents in iterative FEC schemes, LDPC, and turbo product codes. Michael holds an MS in electrical engineering from the State University of Radio Electronics in Minsk, Belarus.


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Information Security
- FeatureDiverse mobile devices changing security paradigm
- FeatureTrueCrypt an open source laptop encryption choice for SMBs
- FeatureLayoffs, Mergers Put Focus on Data Protection
- FeatureProduct Review: GuardianEdge Data Protection Platform
- FeatureHost-based intrusion prevention addresses server, desktop security
- FeatureUsing a managed file transfer for secure data transmission, exchange
- FeatureProduct Review: Deepdive's DD300
- FeatureSecurity researchers leading way in biometrics, insider threats, encryption and virtualization
- FeatureSecurity services: Fiberlink's MaaS360 Mobility Platform
- FeatureProduct Review: Symark PowerADvantage 1.5
- FeatureProduct Review: Shavlik's NetChk Compliance
- FeaturePoor development practices lead to continued security problems
- FeatureMaintaining a strong security program during a recession, layoffs
- FeatureCollaboration with auditors will benefit information security programs
- FeatureInterview: Former L0pht hacker and current Grand Idea Studio owner Joe Grand
iSTOCK/GETTY IMAGES
Diverse mobile devices changing security paradigm
Enterprises must develop more creative strategies for enabling business use of smartphones and PDAs, including those that cannot be fully managed and secured.
ENTERPRISE IT SECURITY teams simply can't stop the crop of new mobile devices sprouting up in their environments. From Symbian to BlackBerry, more than 32 million smartphones were sold worldwide in the first quarter of 2008, up 30 percent over last year, according to Gartner. Apple's iPhone is forcing many organizations to rethink how they deal with employee-owned devices. To not just survive but thrive in the age of workforce mobility, enterprises must develop more creative strategies for enabling business use of smartphones and PDAs, including those that cannot be fully managed and secured.
Amrit Williams, CTO at configuration management company BigFix, says attempting to ban cool new mobile devices is a losing battle. "We're finding that IT is no longer in a position to inhibit technology that improves business productivity. These devices are now just too ubiquitous and too indispensable," he says. "Instead of finding ways to stop iPhones from accessing Salesforce.com, IT needs to be thinking about how to extract higher value out of knowledge workers."
But how do organizations protect corporate data while accommodating the mobile device boom? Many secure laptops by deploying carefully crafted images on corporate standard platforms. While that practice has also been applied to mobile handheld devices, notably BlackBerries, doing so can only take a company so far. Smartphones and PDAs are simply too varied and too specialized to support just a chosen few. Furthermore, it has become nearly impossible to stop employees from using their own preferred handhelds for business.
Today's enterprises may no longer be able to ignore mobile device security, but there's no one-size-fits-all strategy. From user education to tiered support to cross-platform management, there are many approaches for dealing with diverse mobile workforces.
Jack Gold, principal analyst at consulting and research firm J. Gold Associates, recommends building flexibility into any mobile security strategy. "Unlike the PC market, there will continue to be a lot of churn in the mobile device market. Companies are going to have to deal with consumer devices because they can't do an adequate job of picking corporate standard devices," he says. "If you create a standard device list but don't readdress it for three years, that's six generations of mobile products. Your users are never going to have the best mobile devices."
In fact, organizations often have a hard time enforcing a standard device. "IT groups are confronted with innovation driving users to go out and buy their own devices," says Dan Dearing, vice president of marketing at mobility management vendor Trust Digital. "More and more, users have the device that IT mandates and the phone they choose to use. They're creating a huge risk for the enterprise by using [personal devices] without security. For example, if you lose your laptop, you have to go to IT. But if you lose your own smartphone, you can buy a replacement and IT will never even know about the loss."
Williams sees a similar trend at BigFix. "We have people getting their own iPhones now even though we issue them BlackBerries. The reality is that other devices are going to be used," he says. "The first step is to gain visibility--what devices are connecting to my network, what data is floating around on them? You can't begin to implement controls or policies without that."
Williams recommends a three-pronged approach for gaining data flow visibility: "Monitor data at the point of transmission, the application itself, and the endpoint. The No. 1 thing that organizations can do is provide the ability for application interactions to be audited--it's the best way to understand whether data is being used."
"There are very few people here not impacted by electronic-protected health care information (EPHI). Because of how fluidly that information flows through our organization, it's next to impossible for us to create different classes of users," says Marti. "Any mobile device that accesses email has the possibility of containing EPHI. In that respect, a PDA is no different than a laptop or a desktop."
Integris secures data on BlackBerry devices with native BlackBerry OS authentication and encryption and protects Microsoft PDAs with Credant Mobile Guardian, a centrally managed enterprise encryption platform that installs an agent on each device. While the organization cannot realistically stop physicians from using personal smartphones, it can limit user privileges on all workstations and control ActiveSync and BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) access to prevent Integris data from being synchronized onto user-owned devices.
But doctors are eager to use iPhones for email. "They say, 'Oh, it's just email,' but I have to secure for the possibility that EPHI will live there," says Marti.
"We're getting five to seven requests a day for the iPhone, but I can't centrally manage, inventory or encrypt it today," he says. "By the time that I can, those doctors will have already replaced it with another latest and greatest. I'm in a loop where I can't respond until a device is a generation old."
Given that many new handhelds are not capable of protecting EPHI from day one, Marti believes that users must become more aware of information assets and their value. "People need to accept that protecting the information on mobile devices is part of patient care," he says. "More than anything, it comes down to creating a keen awareness of how powerful these devices can be: When you have a laptop in the palm of your hand, that presents a risk to your organization."
Analyst Gold finds that user education makes security policies far more effective. "Work with users to explain why certain things aren't allowed and they're more apt to accept limitations. It's not hard, but most IT staff doesn't think about [education as strategy]," he says. "Let users know why you don't consider that device up-to-snuff and the compromise you can offer. Most people are willing to move forward with what you offer, but if you just say no, they're going to try to get around you."
"For employees, when you come on board and you need a mobile device, you're going to get a BlackBerry. If you're a senior executive, you can somewhat specify what you want--most have stuck with our standard, but some have moved to Windows Mobile or iPhone. We have four BES servers to handle that traffic, plus two ActiveSync servers," says Koval.
For company-managed BlackBerries, Koval can offer a full suite of management and security services such as over-the-air provisioning, authentication, data encryption, monitoring and decommissioning. "We go through a process of procuring the device and pushing the core OS and standard applications that we want our management team to have. At certain times we have to pull data from them--for example, to comply with a subpoena. If someone loses a device or doesn't turn a device in, we can just brick [remotely disable] it."
But these operations are not yet feasible for iPhones. "I don't think of the iPhone as an enterprise device--it's a consumer device with a hook into Exchange and Web management," says Koval. "To enter my world as a [trusted] device, Apple would need to build a console to add/subtract and configure those devices from a central location."
However, this does not stop Long and Foster from supporting the iPhone in a limited fashion in order to provide its sales associates with a high level of service. "If they want a Palm or Windows Mobile or iPhone, I need to support them. Google Android will be coming into our organization the second the first agent buys one," says Koval.
Providing support to various devices is expensive and requires a full-time staff, Koval says, in addition to software and hardware and close relationships with all the wireless vendors "We do it because we want to be a good provider to our sales force and give them another reason to work with us," he says.
So how does Long and Foster deal with devices they neither own nor manage? "On agent [owned] devices, we don't get into putting programs on them or taking things off them. We apply a few Web filters, but other than that, we let users go where they want," says Koval. Instead of attempting to secure sales associate devices, the firm focuses on securing the systems they access. For example, most sales associates use thin clients to drill into multiple listing databases protected by SecureMLS token authentication.
At the end of the day, there's one security capability Koval would like to require from every device: the ability to kill it. "Even though they are owned by agents, I need this control, because they're part of our enterprise environment," he says. "We generally don't exercise this control unless an agent loses a device."
Cross-platform management is an in-house requirement and revenue source for Stratapult, a technical services group owned by Inmar and based in North Carolina. Jeff Pack, senior manager of remote systems management, has managed mobiles with Afaria from Sybase iAnywhere for 15 years. "Five years ago, all we saw were Pocket PCs," says Pack. "Now we have Windows Mobile phones and handheld computers like the iPhone. People are asking me to manage all of these devices because they can't restrict their users."
To meet in-house needs, Pack must support 700 Inmar employees who carry laptops, ruggedized tablets, Windows PDAs and smartphones, and BlackBerries. For the past eight years, Stratapult has also delivered mobile systems management, security, database and secure email services to customers like Godiva, Liz Claiborne and the U.S. Navy.
"Depending on what a customer is trying to do, we have a hosted model and turnkey services. We can set up a separate system and let them manage their own day-to-day devices, or we can deploy policies and continue managing them," explains Pack. "Either way, we use over-the-air deployment to install the Afaria client and push policy on first connection."
Pack has seen a wide variety of mobile security policies, but most customers require power-on passwords and disabling of lost, stolen or decommissioned devices."If the user fails to log in a number of times or hasn't synchronized for a given period, we can set a time bomb," says Pack. "For companies using field applications, they need to redeploy those devices efficiently, so that data isn't carried over from one user to another."
However, Pack sees reluctance to remotely kill employee-owned devices. "The justification for managing [employee-owned phones] can be tough. If you're using corporate email there, you have a legitimate argument to encrypt data," he says. "But in terms of doing a kill pill, no one's going there. If an executive owns the device, the ability to kill it is mostly an insurance policy."
Cross-platform management can be challenging. For example, Pack cannot yet manage iPhones. Nonetheless, Stratapult prefers to manage diverse devices instead of relying on thin clients. "We have customers without full-time connectivity in the mountains of Georgia. Here in this building, we have copper-coated windows that interfere with coverage. Some organizations can live with thin clients, but that approach it too limited for us [and our customers]," he says.
However, establishing a strategy that addresses mobile device diversity appears to be critical. According to Gold, many companies don't really have a strategy--they either ignore non-standard devices or deal with them ad hoc.
"The first step is building a [more comprehensive] strategy," says Gold. "Talk to users about what they want, what they need, and tell them what you can do for them. When there are enough people using a given exception, then you can test it and secure it and bring it onto the corporate standard list. It's an evolutionary process."
Dig Deeper on Endpoint protection and client security
Why hasn't BlackBerry gone all-in for enterprise mobility yet?By: James Furbush
Users drive BYOD take-off: but can BlackBerry catch up?
BlackBerry customers' loyalty hinges on BES 10 multi-OS support
Research In Motion bets on Mobile Fusion and BlackBerry 10By: James Furbush

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Settings_Sound_Additional Setting (Smart)
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Analogue output
[Vary with the model]
Function to select Headphone or external speaker (Audio Out) menu depending on the connected device.
Sound balance control
Adjust the volume from the left and right speaker.
Sound Optimizer Function
[Vary with the model]
Function to enjoy optimized sound in accordance with the condition of TV installation.
- General sound mode.
Wall-mounted mode
- Enjoy optimized sound when TV is hanging on the wall.
Stand mode
- Enjoy optimized sound when TV is installed as stand type.


text: Friday, May 18, 2012 Reformed Payment System: Your Feedback Is Needed APTA's goal is to reform payment for outpatient physical therapy services to improve quality of care, recognize and promote the clinical judgment of the physical therapist, and provide policymakers and payers with an accurate payment system that ensures the integrity of medically necessary services. To this end, the association is proposing a transition from the current fee-for-service, procedural-based payment system to a per-session payment system. APTA needs your feedback on the developmental draft of the Alternative Payment System to refine the system and enhance the model. You can learn more about the Alternative Payment System at www.apta.org/APS. After reading about the system, provide your feedback using this survey by June 15. The survey will only take a few minutes to complete. E-mail email@example.com with any questions. Comments Fee for service seems more appropriate Posted by Colleen LOuw on 5/18/2012 12:34 PM I am an owner of a vestibular rehabilitation practice whereby we perform the myriad of vestibular tests prior to initiating vestibular rehab/treatment. These tests are similar to what an Audiologist might perform in a vestibular lab setting. In this new format, how would the testings performed be billed and paid? Posted by James Buskirk -> >HVaB on 5/18/2012 12:43 PM I believe the proposed system is too complicated and requires too much subjective judgement by the therapist regarding which category to place the patient. Posted by Jason Sims -> >JS_AF on 5/18/2012 12:52 PM I believe this rewards undertreatment and will cause patients to be treated for longer periods of time. Therapists/practices concerned about making ends meet will provide fewer services at each visit knowing that it increases the profit margin of that particular visit. Posted by Chris Cameron on 5/18/2012 1:06 PM I am not in favor of reforming our payment system as proposed for the following reasons: added assessment responsibilities (i.e. non-patient care time commitment)placed on the clinician to classify severity of patient condition and intensity of service provided, classification being subjective and open to interpretation. This proposal creates a new opportunity for third-party payers to "judge" differently (i.e. disagree) with the classifications proposed by the clinician for specific patients for the purpose of decreasing or denying payment. This proposal supports further evolution of our patient documentation and clerical responsibilities towards payment justification rather than clinical care i.e patient status and treatment. Posted by Marti Miller -> >MT`= on 5/18/2012 1:25 PM When I started my career in physical therapy fifty years ago, per- session payment was the reimbursement system. As a group the APTA of Maryland cautioned the health insurance industry that their proposal to change to procedure-based system would result in an astronomical increase in fees almost immediately. And so here we are with a system that results in some daily P.T. charges higher than a consult visit to a specialty physician that involves an invasive procedure as well as the detailed examination. From my perspective as a clinician with experiences in every possible therapeutic setting except pediatric P.T., I have fears for the financial security of today's clinicians, encumbered by their professional debts as they enter our wonderful and satisfying profession. Forces much beyond our control will have unwanted effects on the long term finances of our colleagues. Posted by Herschel Budlow P.T. on 5/18/2012 1:38 PM I think this is a great idea to cut out unneccesary layers of busy work. I charge my cash pay patients a flat rate per visit. I know what I need per visit, and they know what to expect. Posted by James Moore on 5/18/2012 1:40 PM We definitely need better reimbursment system , but not the way reform payment system presented , it is not useable, confusing and it doesnot make any sense to me and it does not reflect what we do what pt needs and you can not categorize patients.they are induvidual not a number. it does not wotrh to change anything till you find better system. i dont approve the new reform payment system at all. Posted by Yalcin Ekren PT on 5/18/2012 2:10 PM A per session fee might work for orthopedic clinics that see multiple clients overlapping. In a rehab setting like ours, we are one to one at each session, 100% of the time. Please request changes that will not sabotage the rest of us. Posted by Pam McDowell, PT, DPT on 5/18/2012 2:29 PM DON'T CHANGE THE PROCEDURAL BASED PAYMENTS. I REPEAT. DO NOT!!!!!! Posted by Joanna Bilancieri on 5/18/2012 4:02 PM OK our "PT" clinic may or may not benefit from the proposal. There is not enough information posted for me to determine that. I have no useful guidelines to be able to pull up a sample patient population to recode and re-bill under the proposal to see if we can even financially survive your genius. So how can I support or oppose your experiment APTA ? MORE IMPORTANTLY, we will have TWO ways of billing if the experiment "passes": one for the PTs and another for the OTs and SLPs. I do know that this aspect WILL create another layer of problems and challenges that do not currently exist in our business. What say you APTA to this new problem that arises from solving an old problem? By the way, can I see some data on the old problem that the new system PURPORTS to solve ? Is the current system really that broken ? Remember that film you watched in Biomechanics class of the guy running on the treadmill and you all cringed when you saw his horrible mechanics? Then we asked you, "what would you do with this person?" Many students answered, "I would post here" or use an orthotic to fix this or that! To bad no one ever stopped to ask if the patient even had pain!!! Turns out, he had been happily running 5 miles/day, 3d/wk for the past 30 yrs with NO pain or complaints. APTA, did you see this video or were you texting in the back ? What kind of costs can a small clinic expect to incur as a result of the changeover ? Hmmmm, to renew my membership or not ? Bryan Pasternak Posted by Bryan Pasternak -> >HX]>I on 5/18/2012 7:24 PM I feel that this system will drain medicare funding very very quickly as these individuals will more likely fall under the high severity category. I also feel that it warrants less creativity and skill utilization by the therapist. It is important that we continue to practice all of our skills as appropriate for the patient and bill accordingly. Special skills like manual therapy require one on one time and may fade away in light of increased revenue. For example, a clinic may promote supervising more than one patient performing 30-45 minutes of therEx that requires less supervision as this would allow for increased overall profit. Posted by Ashley Guy -> @LV[?L on 5/20/2012 12:38 PM We went away from this 20 some years ago. We were at that time told by one of our insurance contractors who would not raise the $40/visit contract rate, to just give the patient $40s worth of PT! I think they still only allow $40!Care will absolutely go down to make ends meet. And I wouldn't count on more visits when everyone is limiting those too now. We won't be able to set our rates, the insurance companies will set them for us, and it won't be very much. I wonder where this is coming from, we PT members or Obama care supporters? Posted by Debbe on 5/20/2012 7:08 PM If we don't make changes Medicare has indicated they will do it for us. The APTA with a proactive movement with member involvement is to be commended and supported. Get involved folks before we are told how to bill. Posted by Bob Worden on 5/20/2012 9:15 PM Reporting Quality measures? Pay for Performance? Alt Payment Model? They all equal less time spent treating and more time trying to figure out how to get paid. This will lead to a single PT supervising mult non-qualified individuals. Posted by Richard Crawford -> >FR^BJ on 5/20/2012 10:32 PM For those therapists who have worked in the CPT code system all of their career will find change to be difficult. I think we are at a point in which we have an opportunity to establish a new type of charge system that goes beyond hot packs, massage and ultrasound and to utilize the best treatment methods for the problems that our patients have. It is based on good clinical judgement which is what we have wanted not based on time. It doesn't keep the therapist from doing manual therapy which may only take 5 minutes to do followed by an exercise program followed by a cold pack. Your productivity will be based on functional outcomes forcing us to provide care directed at the anticipated outcomes. It doesn't say that you can't use extenders such as PTAs and as a team you treat teh patient. Posted by Vanie L. Jones on 5/21/2012 11:05 AM Bryan Pasternak, I agree with most of what you stated. Vanie, who does HUMS anymore? It doesn't pay. PTAs are not considered extenders in most states. The non-qualified individuals spoken of are unlicensed personnel. My opinion of the problem with the proposed system is in the ease of further corruption due to self-referral at hospitals and POPS. Posted by Sean Hayes -> =NX`?M on 5/21/2012 5:00 PM I agree with many previous comments regarding the subjective nature of the categories. E&M procedural codes already exist and perhaps another solution is to have physical therapists use E&M codes and eliminate the "timed" aspect of procedural codes. The reality is our profession needs to stop abusing the CPT codes and our professional organization needs to continue to defend our practice without sacrificing our skill set to lesser qualified individuals such as ATC, Exercise Physiologists, and other non-licensed health care providers. We need to establish state practice acts that preclude working for POPTS or any other type of financially driven practice. We need to remind ourselves of the ACOs and what value will physical therapy bring in this model of reimbursement. Having physical therapists removed as "specialists" in many health care plans would reduce the co-pay financial burden on patients and shift cost back to insurance companies. Perhaps our profession needs to form a union in order to have collective bargaining rights with insurance carriers and policy makers. Posted by Kevin Basile -> >JR]DK on 5/22/2012 7:15 AM As much as I dislike how unions have evolved, I agree with Kevin. If Physical Therapy was protected so that Physicians and Chiropractors couldn't own/bill, then misuse of CPT's would decline significantly (as per studies I've read) and nothing would need to be wastefully changed again. Posted by Stephen Bregler -> ?KY]EF on 5/22/2012 12:02 PM I agree that this opens the door to denials or reductions in reimbursement by third parties (insurance companies). We already have to fight for payment, and I see this as a tremendous opportunity for insurance companies to argue category placement, and thus deny or restrict reimbursement. Also, who places them in the category? We here in Washington state are fortunate to have direct access, and are less hindered by the needs for physician referrals or prescriptions, but the rest of the country is not. Would we be granted autonomous judgement in placing patients into categories, or would this be another avenue controlled by physicians or even insurance companies? This system would make it open season for utilizing unskilled staff for patient management. "Shake and Bake" therapy is NOT skilled therapy, and this system would encourage that model of care (unskilled staff for modality use and exercise supervision, minimal quality contact by the therapist). Evolving our profession into one of autonomous, primary care, neuromusculoskeletal healthcare providers of choice requires that we be highly-skilled practitioners, and more importantly, actually deliver our services in a highly skilled fashion. Anything less dilutes our profession, decreases our legitimacy in the eyes of other healthcare providers and ultimately in the eyes of the public. This particular plan does not bode well for our autonomy as healthcare practitioners, and it puts the quality of our services in a precarious position, as it would be even easier than it is now to use unskilled providers for patient care by unscrupulous management. The system does need to change, but this is not yet the answer, at least not in outpatient, private practice. I applaud the APTA for working on this and encourage them to continue to do so. If we don't make changes then others from outside our profession will, and it is not likely to be favorable. As a longstanding member, I strongly suggest that the APTA listen to the voices of the members that have spoken here, and rework this alternative payment solution. Posted by Kenneth Ballenger -> >FWaDK on 5/25/2012 4:06 PM The alternative payment system for physical therapy services is not a good system. The system has a good intent to where we could get compensated per visit, but would not be appropriate for our profession. The alternative payment system is based on the severity of their condition in which the more severe the injury the better we would get compensated per session. This is basically discrimination. All patients, no matter what their severity of injury, should be able to access physical therapy and physical therapist should be compensated the same per time and work we provide with each patient per visit. Due to insurances limiting the amount of patients we can see in private practice per day and trying to force us to be one-on-one with every patient per hour, many offices are only seeing patients that have insurances that pay better per session and turning away those patients in which they do not get compensated well for. This would also happen with the alternative payment system proposed and physical therapist would more so see patients with more severity and turn away patients with less severity. In turn, many of these less severe patients could eventually have more severe problems in the future if they are not taken care of early. For our profession, more specifically in private practice, it is very important that a number of things happen. We either get compensated better for each patient so we can be one-on-one with each patient for an hour or we need to be allowed to see more than one patient per hour in order for us to survive financially. Many other healthcare specialists typically average four patients per hour. We are expected to charge the same amount that they get charged for 15 minutes for our one hour of service. Typically one to two patients per day will cancel or no-show, therefore we may only see five to six patients per day if we can only see one patient per hour. For the amount that we get compensated in private practice we would not be able to survive to cover our basic costs. Typically hospital-based therapists get compensated much more per session than we do in private practice, therefore they will survive. To my understanding in private practice we would have to see three patients in order to get compensated the same as a hospital-based therapist would for one of their patients. In private practice we need to be compensated better. If do not get compensated better per patient or be able to see one to four patients per hour and use other supportive staff to assist us, our profession is going to have a very difficult time staying in business. We all think of giving good quality care, but if our practices do not get compensated sufficiently to keep our doors open we will not be able to provide any care. If our physical therapy offices are not able to improve financially it will be very destructive for our profession. We will continue to be limited on the amount of physical therapist going into the profession since there will be no incentive for students to pursue a career in physical therapy and we would not be able to have the funds to put back into the profession to allow it to grow. Overall, each office needs to have the option to see one to four patients per hour. Some patients need more one-on-one care as compared to other patients and this should be our choice in order to give good quality care to each patient. In order for us to see more than one patient per hour we need to be able to utilize supportive staff to assist and we need to be able to bill one-on-one time for each patient. Due to insurance rules and the limitation of patients we can see per day and the lack of therapists many patients are not getting treated. Our compensation should be based on a per session visit, this way we can choose to provide the service that each particular therapist feels is best for that patient without having to worry about rules and restrictions on the type of treatment we perform. Patient feedback is the best information that we can get for quality care. If we do not provide good services to the patients because of the insurance limitations, they will go to alternative therapy offices and the private practice therapy offices will not survive. We should also be able to provide a service to the public and they should be able to pay cash for that service. These objectives are what our profession should be working on to better protect the physical therapy profession and enhance our profession to allow us to grow and continue to provide good care to all patients. We definitely need to change the system but a payment system depicted by severity is not the way to go. Posted by Randy Lindsey, PT, LAT, ATC on 5/25/2012 7:40 PM Hmm.... statistics are great, planning, cutting is great but when it come to YOUR MOTHER or Father who was independent and now after stroke need a lot of help and a lot of one on one time you will see this different way. However- it could be too late. Than you can only pray that policy will be change again. GOOD LUCK YOU WILL BE THERE TOO. Posted by Steve Johnson, PT on 6/21/2012 10:54 PM "An Alternative Payment System for Physical Therapy Services Developmental Draft for APTA Members March 15, 2012" Who are the authors? No author? Or maybe afraid to sign? It's like Optimal we have to do something so here it is. No use, no good, but we did a job and we can stay in office. Posted by John Logan PT on 6/21/2012 10:58 PM It is my understanding that there was a study. Will this study be released or published for us to review? Posted by Jere Hoadley -> ?JR`<L on 2/21/2015 9:03 AM


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The August "Whack-A-Mole" Experience
I love the smell in the morning of the August Trade Waiver drama. It is simply surprising to see who get through this seasonal "Whack-A -Mole" fandango without a single waiver claim, and those who find themselves popped on the noggin being smacked back to the reality of possibly leaving their present squad.
It sometimes seem to work exactly like that classic kid's arcade game. Every MLB team has their own mallet that they can either whack or smack their collective desired player (mole) square on the head and try and claim them. But the wild part is their present team can pull them back down into the safety of their own 25-man roster and back off the waiver wire with not a hint of their real intentions.
It is clear arcade gamesmanship at it best. The first action of a team posting it player upon the waiver wire is exactly like the mole poking his head out of the hole. Up for all 29 other MLB head honchos to see and possibly mangle for their own team. But here is where it gets really interesting, the team that posts the player has all the advantages, not the person manning the heavy mallet.
You would think it would be the opposite, but then you would be sorely wrong. Even thought it might be a nice therapeutic action to pop a veteran or budding MLB player on the head, he could without warning be pulled back, offered safety again without his claiming club getting a viable chance to claim their prize. Not even a slew of tickets would emerge from the machine, sometimes this game is all or nothing.
That is where the real gamesmanship comes into play. Sure you could smack the daylights out of a player like Tampa Bay Rays pitcher James Shields when his head pops out of the machine, but the Rays front office could be also baiting you for a Winter discussion and pull Shields back into the comfort of the Rays fold. Suddenly you are left holding the bloody mallet with all to see you covet Shields.
Most of the time this scenario is the end result. Teams place the heads of their viable commodities firmly in the game to see who wants to take a whack at acquiring them, or has more than a passing interest. Some like Rays OF/DH Johnny Damon got completely through the game without a single thump upon the noggin, but still there might be a hidden want for his services.
It is almost like a visual game where others see what you are craving, wanting to thump into submission and take back to your roster as a prize. Interesting enough, even if you land one hard and heavy upon the exposed head of Shield's, the Rays can pull him back to safety and he is no longer an exposed asset for the rest of the MLB to smash and dash.
Shields is not the only Rays player to be pulled back into his team's safe haven with at least one square hit to his cap region. The Rays Republic have even seen their closer Kyle Farnsworth get a firm planting upon his frontal lobe, but the Rays pulled him back to the comfort of the Bullpen. B J Upton has been the latest Ray to receive a compound headache and a possible plane ticket out of Tampa Bay.
The Rays can either discuss a trade possibility, or pull Upton back into the Rays confines safe until at least the Winter Hot Stove season. The Upton talks or balks will be interesting. It will showcase either that Upton is a viable part of the Rays current post season march, or Desmond Jennings or Sam Fuld have started to erase the "Upton factor" from the Rays game plan.
More intriguing is the firm possibility that Upton was claimed by an American League team that has a good relationship via the trade with Rays VP of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and could facilitate an Upton move with a few healthy and young and budding MLB relief options in their present fold. Should be a few interesting days until either the Rays pull Upton back to the safe confines, or send him to possibly play with the seagulls nightly up at a vista on the Great Lakes.
During this waiver period the Rays will pop out many of the Rays rostered minions hoping to find the right suitor, trade situation and possibly a future piece of the Rays always unfolding puzzle. This is not a game about "likes" or "dislikes", it is still about a game where the person with the most toys win. And to win in this business, some times you got to whack a few moles.


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Hello there,
I'm extremely new to flash and I only know the very basics. I have been going crazy for the past 3 hours trying to figure out how to do this, and no luck.
I have been asked to adapt a flash animation to 4 different sizes, and export them as gifs....no biggie, that I can do.
but now, when I export as a gif, there is an animation that is static. the animation is supposed to be spinning spotlights, when its exported they show up, but just stand there.
after looking into it, it turns out that the animation is happening inside the movie clip, and when exporting to a gif, it bypasses subanimations and only exports what's animated in the main timeline....
so my question is how could I move what's inside the movieclip to the maintime line? or if that's not possible, how could I export the gif so the lights actually animate?
thanks in advanced


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U.S. women beat Iceland 3-0 in Algarve Cup opener
FARO, Portugal (AP) -- Captain Rachel Buehlers scored in her 100th game for the national team to help the U.S. women open the 20th Algarve Cup with a 3-0 win over Iceland on Wednesday.
Shannon Boxx and Abby Wambach also scored for the Americans, who are seeking their ninth title in 18 appearances in the event.
Iceland nearly scored first with a header from inside the penalty area in the 19th minute, but goalkeeper Jillian Loyden made the save.
Buehlers opened the scoring off a corner by Lauren Cheney corner in the 48th, and Boxx doubled the lead when she headed in Christie Rampone's cross in the 63rd.
Wambach scored her 154th career goal off an assist by Alex Morgan in the 86th, putting her four goals away from tying Mia Hamm's team record.


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iPad for Sarah this Christmas – Santa Monica, CA Gifts – Santa's List
This over-optimized letter to Santa was originally featured on SearchEngineJournal.
Siri Santa,
I know there is a high demand for iPads this year, in particular among children. I'm not saying a child should go without an iPad because of me, but if there is a shortage put me towards the top of the iPad List. I haven't always been good; it's true, and I know this because you gave me a Sony MiniDisc the year the iPod arrived. I rocked those 12 songs a disc as hard as I could for as long as I could. I told myself that Sony was still a giant in the field known for its hardware elegance and cutting-edge technology while I cried myself to sleep with black headphones.
Then in 2008 you dropped the black coal of a third generation Zune into my stocking. How could I be ungrateful? You engraved it and told me it would hold all of my songs, and, while not a trendy iPod, it had superior technology and fewer DRM issues. I was touched by the engraving, and it's true the music sounded wonderful, but I wasn't too sad the day I was robbed on a bus from Shimla to Jaipur. Do you think the new Indian owner of my personally inscribed Zune knows what a Zune is? Is there a similarly disappointed and naughty Indian child being taught a lesson be forever re-gifted to naughty children? I bet they get all the old original iPads too.
Santa, ALL my friends have iPads; they laugh as me. I have stacks and stacks of New Yorkers piled high like little leaning Tower of Pisas around my apartment. They date back a few years and grow dusty but I'm determined to read them. It finally rained one day after nine months of Southern California sun and I picked one up only to shriek and drop it in horror as a spider scurried away. Can you image the organizational Zen I'd feel with all crisp, clean New Yorkers at the touch of a finger on the new iPad mini?
I hear that poets whisper their poems to you on the New Yorker iPad App. I hear that you never have to throw 14 New Yorkers in a rage just to try to find that Food issue again. Where did it go? Santa, my paperboy is an old man. A paper-grandpa. I feel bad. He needs to retire, but he just keeps driving over an hour each day to deliver my Los Angeles Times. Every day my hands turn newsprint black and I'm reminded that I've been naughty again and haven't deserved the original iPad or even the iPad 2. My arms ache just holding up the big pieces of paper and I have to read news that I'm not even interested in. Where are the laughing babies and flying cats? Which celebrity won't I believe has a dirty secret? The news is already a day late by the time it arrives. My recycling bin has to be emptied all the time, Santa.
Over Thanksgiving I discover the joy of Hill Climb which helped me to deal with my family. Playing Hill Climb on my tiny iPhone screen is hurting my eyes. If only I could make that tiny Jeep climb the hills of the moon on an iPad App I'm sure I could cancel my optometrist appointment.
Did I mention that I like to bake? My iPhone is full of cookie batter finger swipes as we speak. I bake all sorts of cookies and I'm sure I could bake Santa's favorite cookies if I had a bigger screen, maybe say on the new iPad, to read the recipes on. I bake cookies because I'm lonely. Don't you think Siri would make a nice companion? I hear she knows everything. We could philosophize over wine while baking cookies together. She could tell me how many chocolate chips to add, how chocolate chips are made and the history of chocolate chip cookies. I could explain to her what human love feels like.
I'm pretty sure Siri already knows what love is though Santa, love is an iPad under a Christmas tree, wrapped up in an impossibly pristine white box, with sharp and precise right angles that only your elves can make. Love is designed in California, de-clutters the home, and allows for retirement. Love has cookie batter always smeared on its high resolution iPad glass face.
Sincerely Yours,


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Address: Hamrafjället, Tänndalen
Area: Tänndalen
Cabins & apartments | Inaugurated in December 2012, Ski Lodge Tänndalen is a long-awaited major investment here in Tänndalen. A new dimension of enjoying the alpine world. Ski Lodge Tänndalen has 65 apartments with 4-8 beds in 2-3 bedrooms, of which two suites, restaurant, bars, lounge and relaxation zone. Designed with inspiration from North American Ski Lodge tradition with elements of Härjedalian architecture, natural colours and clever design solutions. The perfect accommodation in the real mountains!
Here you stay virtually right on the slopes. All you need to do is clip on the skis and head out. The lifts, pistes, ski school and Hamra Skishop, with rentals and shop, are just off the slope. Close by is the longest groomed cross-country ski trail in the world, 300 kilometres long, and also 450 kilometres of groomed snowmobile trails.
"Based on your recent experience, would you recommend this to a friend?"
Most recent 3 guests answers:


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|Home >> Course Descriptions >> College of Arts and Sciences
|Topics in Women's Studies.
|Three semester hours.
|An in-depth study of an issue of significance in the field of Women's Studies. This course may deal with issues including history, literature, art, social or behavioral sciences, communication, business, or education. May be repeated once when the topic changes. Prerequisite: WGST 3300 or consent of instructor.
Home - General Information - Student Services -
Academic Undergraduate Regulations -
Undergraduate Degrees - Academic Graduate Regulations -
Graduate Degrees - Course Descriptions - Faculty -
Appendix A - Appendix B - Appendix C - Appendix D


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Gorsuch Famille Blason Heraldic Engraved Ouvre-Lettre21. June 2019 Today around 4,000 climate activists will start from the Ende Gelände protest camp in Viersen to block the coal fields in Rhineland. Continue reading ...
16. June 2019 Good news from all sides: today we will set up our camp in Viersen (Sunday, 16 June 2019) starting at 2 p.m. In addition we have new important journey tips for you, NEW film 2711-K10G9 2711-K10G9L1 90Day Warranty [3a9]so that we can all arrive problem-free. Continue reading ...
14. June 2019 Althougha mobile canteen kitchen will delight us with its usual delicious foodit is possible that their capacities will not always be sufficient if soooo many people are actually actively on the move for the climate.BUSSMANN 16325-2 163252 (NEW IN BOX) Therefore prepare yourself with food and drink for the length of the action you are planning to join. Continue reading ...
12. June 2019 Are you still looking for passengers or a ride to Ende Gelände? Then this is the right place for you! 🙂 New IN BOX Omron PLC Limit Switch D4C-3202 hpg
The countdown is on… Christmas, birthday and the festival season can pack up: For weeks we have been looking forward to our action weekend on 19-24 June in Rhineland1600 Half Sheet Self Adhesive Shipping Labels 8.5 X 5.5 Uses 2 UP Template. Although the climate crisis has finally reached the general public, we have been searching in vain for real measures for climate justice. Right now it is … Continued Continue reading ...
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11. June 2019 During the action, we take care of each other.MURR ELEKTRONIK 63020 63020 (USED TESTED CLEANED) Therefore, we form affinity groups beforehand. Now there is a new check list available. And on the occasion of the upcoming action, we also proudly present a new video ! Continue reading ...
28. May 2019 Sleeping places for Ende Gelände and other climate activists! Dear people from the Rhineland and surroundings, Whether Neuss, Mönchengladbach,Multipurpose Copy Paper, 20 Lb, 92 Bright (8.5 X 11) Ten Ream Case-Fast Drying Cologne, Düsseldorf, Krefeld,Leverkusen, Bonn, Aachen, Essen, Wuppertal or Duisburg, we need you - especially your hospitality! Continue reading ...
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NOS Tgold 59273 RECYCLER KIT FOR 18 REAR BAGGER -24H9Melting glaciers, rising sea levels, extinction of species, stronger and more frequent weather extremes – these are just some of the many consequences of climate change. Those who have contributed the least are particularly hard hit: people in the Global South are already losing their homes because of the climate crisis. The climate crisis is intensifying the existing injustices worldwide. With such prospects for the future, it should go without saying that the effects of climate change should be kept to a minimum. But the reality in politics looks different: The climate protection measures adopted there, are no more than window dressing.
The coal phase-out is the fastest immediate measure for climate protection. But politics is failing again and that is why we act! In June we will block coal infrastructure in the Rhineland and take the coal phase-out into our own hands!Genuine Kyocera Mita SH-12 (SH12) Staple Cartridge, Box of 3-by-Kyocera Mita
We can't tackle climate change or ensure global social justice without moving away from capitalism fuelled by fossil fuels. Deep socio-economic changes are needed to enable everyone to lead a good life.
Together we fight for climate justice! We will not allow the climate to heat up any further, islands to sink into the sea and more villages to be dredged for the dirty brown coal.
All villages stay – in the Rhineland and worldwide.!Vega RMT-14 Multi-Channel Transmitter @ TOP
The time to act is now! From 19 to 24 June we will fight destruction and block the coal infrastrcture in the Rhineland in a mass action of civil disobedience. Coal exit is still manual work: let's go – Ende Gelände!


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When I first started taking medication for my HIV, Epivir (lamivudine) + Viracept (nelfinavir mesylate) + Zerit (stavudine), I had many side effects. Nausea with some vomiting, my cholesterol and triglycerides went really high, had night sweats really bad, and then I started noticing the loss of fat in my legs and arms and it built up around my stomach and the back of my shoulders and neck area. I was told I had lipodystrophy. And then I ended up with neuropathy with numbing and tingling and then pain in my feet really bad, and in my arms and hands at times.
At the time, this medication was working on my HIV like we wanted it to, so I didn't want to change to something else and stayed on this medication regimen for five years before I changed to Atripla [efavirenz/tenofovir/FTC]. At this point, things are doing great and I only have to deal with the pain in my feet. All other side effects have stopped. At first, I was really hurting a lot and it made me feel like I wouldn't be able to stand it much longer. Finally, the doctor could tell I was really suffering and he put me on methadone, but about a month after I started the methadone, I got a severe case of shingles. It took my HIV specialist to tell my doctor that the methadone could have helped cause the shingles together with the medications for HIV I was on. So I had to go through getting off the methadone slowly and go on other pain medications.
Currently, I am taking MS Contin (morphine sulfate controlled-release) and Norco (hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen) for my pain. It really took about two months before it really helped stop the worst of the pain. I still have some pain from time to time, but it doesn't last long because by the time it comes, I take one of the pain medications, because even though I am on two different medications, I do not take them at the same time. I take them six hours apart. I have been told by my HIV doctor that I will have to deal with this pain for the rest of my life because of that first round of HIV medications. I do still get nausea from time to time, but it is nowhere near as bad as it was when I first started taking HIV medications.
Want to share your "Other Sides of HIV" story about dealing with side effects, good or bad? Write out your story (1,000 words or fewer, please!), or film a YouTube video, and email it to email@example.com. In the coming months, we'll be posting readers' "Other Sides" stories here in our Resource Center on Keeping Up With Your HIV Meds.


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Student Disability Services (SDS) is the first contact for students with disabilities to arrange accommodations and locate campus and community resources. To access accommodations, students must first connect with SDS and provide the appropriate documentation as outlined by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. Documentation submitted to SDS remains confidential within SDS and is not shared with third parties without written permission from the student. SDS assists in identifying appropriate accommodations and it is the student's responsibility to submit notice of accommodations to instructors and campus departments as needed.
Review the Getting Started tab for details on registering with SDS
All students are encouraged to join ABLE, the student organization for students with disabilities. ABLE plans and presents programming and activities designed to highlight the abilities and contributions of individuals with disabilities on campus and in the community. Click here to learn more.
Accommodations for Guests of the University
As outlined in the KSU Catalog, any member of the public (non-student) with a disability who wishes to participate in an activity or program offered by the institution and needs accommodations should contact the office sponsoring the program at least five days prior to the date of the program to arrange accommodations. Find the KSU Catalog by clicking here.


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The NFL has asked the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins for explanations on their respective injury-reporting situations with Mario Williams and Robert Griffin III.
Bills defensive end Mario Williams said he has an injured left wrist, but the team never has placed him on its injury report.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Sunday that the Bills contend Williams "is not injured. We will follow up this week to obtain a formal explanation."
Griffin, the Redskins' rookie quarterback, suffered a concussion during Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The Redskins initially listed Griffin as questionable to return and said he was "shaken up." His status was never updated, and coach Mike Shanahan said after the game that Griffin was diagnosed with a concussion almost immediately.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed to NFL.com and NFL Network on Sunday that the league is looking into if the Redskins followed league procedure that requires teams be accurate and timely in reporting injury information.
Follow Albert Breer on Twitter @AlbertBreer.


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We Wouldn't Want To Be Simplistic And Naive, Now, Would We?
Our nation might be less divided, and our debates less poisonous, if more artists were capable of showing us the ironies, ambiguities and tragedies inherent in our politics — rather than comforting us with portraits of a world divided cleanly into good and evil.
Yes, the problem might be that we do not have artists capable of rendering contemporary architects of a war of aggression that was based on shoddy intelligence, ideological fervor and deceit in a sufficiently subtle, even-handed manner. If only Hollywood were better at portraying the depth and complexity of people who unleashed hell on a nation of 24 million people out of an absurd fear of a non-existent threat! Life is so unfair to warmongers, is it not? Then again, the reason our debates are so poisonous and our nation so divided might have something to do with the existence of utterly unaccountable members of the political class that can launch such a war, suffer no real consequences, and then reliably expect to be defended as "decent" and "well-intentioned" people who made understandable mistakes. The unfortunate truth of our existence is that villains do not have to come out of central casting for comic book movies. They are ordinary, "decent" people who commit grave errors and terrible crimes for any number of reasons. Many great evils have found their origins in a group's belief that they were doing the right thing and were therefore entitled and permitted to use extraordinary means.
That said, I do agree that we should have a greater appreciation for ambiguity and complexity. Would that we had had more of this when the President was railing against an "axis of evil," administration supporters were authoring absurdly-titled works called An End to Evil, and advocates of invasion were routinely claiming that anyone opposed to the war did not understand that evil existed in the world. Where was this discomfort with sharp "Manichean" divisons then? Where were the complaints against simplistic and naive "reductionism" of complex realities?
Perhaps more of a tragic sensibility would have held some of the delusions of war supporters in check. Perhaps they would have been less enthusiastic to start a war that did not have to happen. After all, the Iraq war was nothing if not a product of a comforting, false vision of a world cleanly divided into good and evil, in which "we" were liberators and "they" were villains, pure and simple. When "they" possess a weapon, it is a dire threat to all of mankind, but when "we" possess the weapon it is no problem at all. "Their" aggression is proof that they must be destroyed, while "our" aggression is evidence of our noble intentions. Of course, when opponents of the invasion attempted to hold our government to the same moral and legal standards the government invoked against Hussein, we were told that this was to engage in "moral equivalency" and "relativism." There is nothing quite like the relativism of universal moral standards!
Perhaps one reason there is not much interest in exploring the tragic side of our politics is that Nemesis is ever-elusive. The ambition and pride of political leaders may lead to disaster, but the men whose ambition and pride fueled the calamity escape relatively unscathed. We have an abundance of hubris in our politics, and there are more than enough sins that invite punishment, but unlike the famous figures of tragedy our leaders never answer for what they have done. It is always "History" that is supposed to judge them. In the meantime, they walk away, and often enough they head off to a comfortable retirement. They remain unaccountable and surrounded by a small army of revisionists just waiting to rehabilitate their reputations in a few years' time.
When that changes, perhaps we will have more complicated storytelling that does not simply vilify the people responsible for a great crime. However, since there will apparently be no accountability for our leaders in the real world, we may have to settle for the inadequate stories we have now.


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EDSF Board of Directors Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by the EDSF Board of Directors and administered by EDSF.
To apply for this scholarship, complete the application "Document Management and Graphic Communications Industry Scholarships". You will be placed in the application pool for the EDSF Board of Directors Scholarship as well as the other industry scholarships administered by EDSF.
Available Awards: Multiple
Award Value: $1,000 - $5,000 USD
Application Deadline: May 1, 2017
Application: Click here


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This introductory automotive course is designed to provide basic training to students and teach the necessary skills, and knowledge about the internal combustion engine, basic car systems, and careers in the automotive service industry. Upon completion, students will have sufficient background to make minor repairs and adjustments on the various systems of the modern automobile, using up-to-date equipment and tools.From CALPADS: Introduction to Systems Diagnostics, Service, and Repair
This introductory course will offer first year students a unique perspective of the skills and knowledge required for an entry level position in the systems diagnostics, service, and repair of vehicles of the twenty first century. The instruction will concentrate on but will not limited to the fundamentals of shop safety, tool identification and proper use along with basic repairs and maintenance of modern vehicles.
|Occupation Name
|Occupation Code
|Automotive Master Mechanics
|Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation
|Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles
|Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
|Tire Repairers and Changers
|Automotive Specialty Technicians
|Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment
|Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
|Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
|Automotive Technicians and Repairers
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment - 49-2093.00
Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles - 49-2096.00
Tire Repairers and Changers - 49-3093.00
The lessons in this unit include shop safety, tool safety, and fire safety.
The lessons in this unit include familiarizing all students with shop procedures, equipment locations, work ethics, State laws and regulations for automotive shops, proper record keeping, safety equipment locations, and proper and handling of safety equipment.
The lessons in this unit include identifying common automotive hand tools, how to properly and safely use the tools, and how to select the proper tool for a given job. It will also cove the proper care, maintenance, and storage of the tools. This unit will contain lessons that cover power tools and hand tools and the advantages and disadvantages of certain tools. All lessons will include safety and safety procedures for tool utilization.
The lessons in this unit include State Licensing, Bureau of Automotive Repair Expectations, and ASE certification process
The lessons in this unit include researching manufacturers' repair and maintenance schedules, procedures and practices, Proper maintenance procedures documentation in accordance with applicable rules, laws, and regulations (BAR, OSHA, CARB), Reference books, technical service bulletins, and other electronic and print to diagnose and repair vehicles, and compile a repair order, including customer information, description of repairs, and billing information
The lessons in this unit include various fasteners, gaskets, and seals. Lessons will also include standard and metric fasteners.
The lessons in this unit include the engine systems found in the automotive industry such as two stroke, four stroke and diesel engines. Starting and charging systems will also be included.
The lessons in this unit include the basic function and operation of the cooling and lubrication system. They will also include the inspection, testing, and repairs of these systems.
Students learn how the ratio of air and fuel is carefully controlled in internal combustion engines.
The lessons in this unit includes explaining the principles of electricity, describing the action of basic electric circuits, and comparing voltage, current, and resistance. Describing the principles of magnetism and magnetic fields and identifying basic electric and electronic terms and components will be included.
The lessons in this unit include determining engine size
measurements based on
bore, stroke, displacement, and number of cylinders. being able to explain engine compression ratio and how it affects engine performance, explain engine torque and horsepower ratings, describe the different methods used to measure and rate engine performance, and explain volumetric efficiency, thermal efficiency, mechanical efficiency, and total engine workings. All lessons include safe work practices.
The lessons in this unit include how students will demonstrate the basic concepts of automotive physics.
The lessons in this unit include the fundamentals of both drum and disc brake systems, inspection and measuring the brake system which includes mechanical and the hydraulic portion of the brake system. Also contains servicing of the brake systems, utilization of brake measuring tools and using basic mathematics to determine if parts can be reused or need to be replaced.
The lessons in this unit include identifying the major parts of a suspension system, describing the basic function of each suspension system component, explaining the operation of the four common types of springs, comparing the various types of suspension systems. Tire size and dimensions, steering angles including camber, caster, toe, toe-in & toe-out on turns, and SAI will be included.
The lessons in this unit include fundamentals and some servicing of automatic and manual transmissions, differentials, shift linkages, and constant velocity axle inspection and service.
The lessons in this unit include an introduction to "Green Technology", which will include hybrids, electric, hydrogen fuel cell, photovoltaic & bio diesel applications
The lessons in this unit include the fundamentals of automotive heating and air conditioning systems and the inspection, testing, and maintenance of the systems.


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I am really excited to be uploading this next lesson because it is on something that all of us have drawn or wanted to draw in the past. Today I will be showing you guys "how to draw a bikini", step by step. The best part is, the model is wicked cool looking. She is what you call a tall type of model with an anime style face. The body is very life like but it's not drawn in a realistic manner. As you know spring is already here which means come June, summer is going to be making us sweat, tear, and burn. One of the most popular things to do in the summer months when it is hot, is heading out to the beach or someone's pool. I prefer going to a nice salt water beach because of the waves and smooth sand. I never, ever swim in lakes or ponds because they are mainly fresh water, and as you know fresh water is static water that has a lot of fish, and other nasty things in it. At least salt water is always recycling and sort of cleaning itself out with each new wave, and new tide. If you are in good shape, and you're a girl, there is a good chance that you will be rocking a swim suit in the form of a bikini. There are a lot of different styles, colors, and designs when it comes to bikinis, and because of this you can tweak the swim suit you are going to draw in this lesson. I guess that's all I have to say for now, you should get busy teaching yourself "how to draw a bikini" so you can get ready for summer. Have fun people and be sure to stick around to see what else is in store.
DragoArt members upload artwork and drawing tutorials! They are also allowed to leave comments on tutorials, profiles, etc. Many more features, as well; it's way better than just being a boring guest! Register Now!


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Skydive: Proximity Flight
Xbox 360
What do you need help on? Cancel X
Using motion controllers, Skydive players will be able to fly through the air by simply waving their arms and maneuvering their bodies. Realistic graphics, precise sounds, and stunning aerial landscapes will provide an immersive and exhilarating skydiving experience. Skydive players can learn the mid-air tricks of professional skydivers and also make up their own tricks, either solo or with friends. Best of all, Skydive: Proximity Flight will make it possible for wide audience to enjoy the intense adrenaline rush of wingsuit flying - without the real-world safety risks.
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Eric Karkovack is a Central Pennsylvania based web designer serving Harrisburg, Hershey, Carlisle, Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg, York, Lancaster and beyond.
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Brake disc rear Campell 650
This product is currently not available.
Please inform me as soon as the product is available again.
€35.74 *
Prices incl. VAT plus shipping costs
Delivery time approx. 5 working days
Installments available for a product price between 99€ and 5000€
- Order number: 002-550201


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Sara Waite / Sterling Journal-Advocate
Sara Waite / Sterling Journal-Advocate
Sara Waite / Sterling Journal-Advocate
With a schedule packed full of entertainers and activities, the Heritage Festival is a full day of fun at the Overland Trail Museum. Visitors can spend the entire time moving from one event to the next, and completely miss the things that make the museum unique: its exhibits.
But visitors who find the time to really tour the grounds Friday will get to see some items that have a new special status: flood survivor.
Last fall, the museum suffered extensive damage in some areas during the South Platte River flood. Flood water reached up to 5 feet in parts of the museum, inundating the storage area under the Dave Hamil Building and swamping the blacksmith shop and print shop in the museum village, and carriage house which sits in front of the museum.
After the flood water receded, restoration experts began the task of cleaning up and repairing damaged artifacts. Repairs were also necessary to the original museum building and display cases.
Among the restorers involved in the months of work that went into reopening the museum were Dave and Beth Seat of Hot Metal Services. The couple were tasked with restoring the pieces in "Earl's Print Shop," including a 1923 Intertype — a typecasting machine — used by The Denver Post.
Dave Seat said that it was evident that the Intertype had been well-maintained in the past, but it was not working at all when the couple arrived at the museum. Flood water had reached over the top of the keyboard, and the lower part of the machine was covered in mud. Seat said he had to complete dissamble the machine, clean it and reassemble it. The motor wasn't salvageable, so he replaced it, and the exposure to moisture during the flood was causing the machine to rust, so he repainted the entire thing. All told, restoration on that piece of equipment took about 300 hours — far more than the 10 to 15 hours he spent on the other items he worked on for the museum.
But when he was done, he had transformed the machine from a museum relic into a working piece of equipment.
Dave Seat began working on printing equipment in the 1970s, and has worked on thousands of machines across the country since that time. While the company is based in Tennessee, the couple spends about 250 days a year on the road, driving from coast to coast. Seat has also worked on machines in Ireland.
But this was his first restoration "of this magnitude," he said. The couple arrived in Sterling on March 1, and spent more than two months working on the Intertype and other equipment from the print shop building. He has rebuilt machines in the past, he said, but never before spent months in one place working on all kinds of equipment.
In addition to the cleaning and repairs to the various equipment, Seat also helped the museum find replacements for certain items that were beyond restoration, including a large wooden cabinet and the galleys used to store type. He also provided new ink and an ink board to "make it a real print shop."
Museum curator Kay Rich said she is looking for volunteers interested in learning how to operate the equipment using an informational video Seat provided. She also noted that while the equipment is back in the existing building, the long-term plan is to put up a new building on higher ground that will be safe from flooding.
Also back on display in time for the Heritage Festival is the newly restored carriage, which has been relocated to the Karg Barn. Inside the former carriage house, festival-goers will find an exhibit on the 2013 flood, complete with items the river washed into the museum.
Contact Journal-Advocate managing editor Sara Waite at 970-526-9310 or email@example.com


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The 11th annual Boao Forum gets under way today in Hainan, China, with more than 1,500 attendees, including Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平), the heads of several Asian countries, the presidents of Mexico, Peru and Zambia, the IMF's managing director, Bill Gates and former vice president Vincent Siew (蕭萬長).
Not bad for a conference that was dreamed up in 1997 after a game of golf in Hainan by former Australian prime minister Robert Hawke, former Japanese prime minister Morihiro Hosokawa and Chinese real-estate developer Jiang Xiaosong (蔣曉松).
Hawke and Hosokawa envisaged a platform for dialogue among Asian nations, while Jiang wanted to develop Hainan.
After former Philippine president Fidel Ramos was brought on board, the foundation for the forum was laid out in meetings in Manila in September 1998. After years of discussion with Chinese leaders, the Boao Forum for Asia was inaugurated in February 2001 in Hainan and the first annual conference was held the following year.
The forum is meant to be the Asian equivalent of the World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Davos, Switzerland. Boao has not quite reached that level, but then the WEF has been around since 1971.
The focus for many people each year is what China's president says in his keynote address, and this year is no different, with Xi set to address the plenary session today. However, many Taiwanese will be more interested in what is said when Xi meets Siew at some point this weekend, because the forum has also developed into a key "unofficial" channel of communication between the Chinese government and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT).
Siew attended his first forum in 2003 as chairman of the Cross-Straits Common Market Foundation, a non-profit organization he founded. He has used the foundation as his cover ever since, even when he went to Hainan in 2008 as vice president-elect and the Taiwanese delegation met with then-Chinese president Hu Jintao (胡錦濤). This year Siew is attending as the "honorary chairman" of the foundation.
The foundation has served as a front for other Taiwanese attendees. Vice President Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) attended last year, when he was vice president-elect, as a senior advisor to the foundation and met then-Chinese vice premier (now Premier) Li Keqiang (李克強). Former foreign minister and Control Yuan president Frederick Chien (錢復) is going this year in his role as a foundation advisor.
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said on Tuesday that he attaches great importance to the Taiwanese delegation's attendance and the forum will offer the two sides of the Taiwan Strait a chance to boost exchanges and give the nation updated information on China's latest developments.
In reality, the forum serves as an annual reminder of Beijing's efforts to downgrade and isolate Taiwan on the international stage. Although the forum was established by 25 countries and its board is multinational, the secretariat is in Beijing and is Beijing-centric.
No serving elected Taiwanese official has ever taken part in the forum and the leader of the Taiwanese delegation often ends up seated between the chief executives of Hong Kong and Macau, as Siew was in 2008.
The forum organizers said on Thursday that Siew has been ranked second in the list of business leaders attending this year's meeting, right after Bill Gates. Chien has been ranked third on the list, they said.


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Be an informed home buyer
(NewsUSA) - The experts at Market Street Mortgage are putting prospective homebuyers on the right path to home ownership with these tips:
* Detail your finances. Look at your current income and your monthly expenses to determine what you have leftover. Examine your expenses to see if there are any cutbacks you can make.
* Determine a price range. Based on your budget, decide how much you can comfortably spend on a mortgage payment each month. Once you have that number, use a mortgage calculator online or talk to a mortgage consultant to help you determine your price.
* Check out the Federal Housing Administration loan options.
* Consider your future. Think about your future in order to better determine what mortgage option will work best. Do you see yourself in the home for just three years, or are you and your spouse thinking of starting a family and wanting this to be your family home? All of these considerations are important in determining what mortgage will work best for you.
* Shop around. Have your mortgage consultant compare different loan products for you. An adjustable-rate mortgage may have a great rate, but have you compared that to a fixed-rate mortgage? If the rates are similar, the fixed-rate mortgage might be a smart move.
* Enlist an expert. Work with a real estate agent who will be patient and provide the expertise to help you through the process.


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BALTIMORE (AP) Pitcher Tommy Hunter and the Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a $1.82 million, one-year contract, more than tripling his salary of $493,500 last year.
The 26-year-old right-hander was 7-8 with a 5.45 ERA in 20 starts and 13 relief appearances last year and was a big part of the Orioles' stretch push that earned the team's first playoff appearance since 1997. He was 3-0 with a 0.71 ERA in his last 10 games.
Seven Orioles remain eligible to file for arbitration Tuesday: catcher Matt Wieters; right-handers Tommy Hunter, Jason Hammel, Jim Johnson and Darren O'Day; left-handers Brian Matusz and Troy Patton; and infielder Chris Davis.
Hunter's agreement was announced Monday.