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Michael Wu, Ph.D. is Lithium's Principal Scientist of Analytics, digging into the complex dynamics of social interaction and group behavior in online communities and social networks.
Michael was voted a 2010 Influential Leader by CRM Magazine for his work on predictive social analytics and its application to Social CRM.He's a regular blogger on the Lithosphere's Building Community blog and previously wrote in the Analytic Science blog. You can follow him on Twitter or Google+.
Gartner predicts that by 2015, more than 50% of the organization will gamify their innovation processes. Only time will tell if this prediction is accurate or not, but what is certain is that gamification will become more prevalent and more pervasive throughout our lives.
So this brings up an interesting question. What happens when you gamify everything in life? Will people really do everything we want them to do? This just sounds a little too good to be true! Intuitively, it seems likely that at some point, consumers must get tired of gamification. They will probably get into a state of point/badge fatigue and start to resent any type of gamified activity. This is known as the gamification backlash.
So the million dollar question is, "Whether gamification can be a long term business strategy?" And if so, how? This is precisely the question we wanted to address at the Wharton Gamification Symposium.
The Gamification Backlash: No Games Last Forever
IMHO, no single gamification strategy can bring long term sustainable values, because no games can last forever. Even avid gamers rarely play the same game for an extended period of time. Games that were once fun, may appear very boring and stupid now. People change and move on; games, as well as gamification, must adapt. Otherwise, you risk the big backlash.
A gamification backlash is often caused by the blind use of points and badges, which are extrinsic rewards. Since extrinsic incentives will ultimately decrease a person's intrinsic motivation for the gamified behavior (a phenomenon known as overjustification). When extrinsic rewards can't keep up, you get the backlash. Although there are gamification techniques that leverage intrinsic motivation, most commercial applications use extrinsic incentives. These include perks, special privileges, and cash prizes, which are only feasible up to a certain scale; then there are points and badges, which are virtual and scalable to the entire social web. Nevertheless, these are all extrinsic rewards, and as such, they are NOT sustainable.
Overjustification: The Moral Hazard of Game Play
One of the greatest dangers of gamification is that people may become too focused and entrenched in the actual game play (i.e. the game mechanics and game dynamics) rather than the gamified activity. Prof. Jesse Schell from Carnegie Mellon calls this the moral hazard of game play. This is precisely the overjustification effect. Although this phenomenon may sound counterintuitive, it is very real. It is well-documented in the experimental psychology literature, and books have been written about it (see Punish by Rewards).
Several psychological mechanisms have been proposed as the underlying reason for this seemingly strange human behavior. I will talk about two here:
This poses a serious problem for gamification, because most gamifications in business use external incentives that will ultimately lead to the moral hazard of game play. A classic example of these backlashes is that when the external incentives can no longer keep pace with the users' expectation, they will lose all their motivation to perform the gamified behavior. That means, they will become harder to motivate and more resistant to doing the task that you want them to do. And if this happens a few times, user will quickly learn the recurrent theme and develop a psychological barrier to all your future gamification strategies. When that happens, it's game over... and you lose!
Making Gamification Sustainable
Although any one gamification strategy is not sustainable, it does work in the short term. In fact, it works very well during a short period of time (i.e. its effective window). This is why the churn rate on Foursquare is so high, and it remains very high. With this understanding, there are two effective strategies that can lengthen the effective window of your gamification. Both strategies use extrinsic rewards with gamification to jumpstart some activity.
In strategy #1, while the player is carrying out the gamified activity, he creates something that has long lasting values. When the player begins to realize these values, the extrinsic rewards will become less important to him. The whole reward system becomes secondary and serves to reinforce the value he creates, which will become the primary motivator. Subsequently, the long term value created by the player (together with the secondary extrinsic reward) will self-reinforce the gamified activity. This creates a positive feedback loop that ultimately turns the gamified activity into something intrinsically motivating for the player.
So even though gamification doesn't work long term, it doesn't have to. It just has to work long enough for the player to realize the value he creates. The crucial requirement for this strategy to work is that the gamified activity must create something that has long term value to the player. In other words, gamification won't fix your business problem, if your products and services don't bring enough value to the customers. In fact, blindly applying gamification may even lead to adverse consequences. You may still drive a huge increase in awareness, but everyone will be aware of how bad your brand is.
In strategy #2, while the player is performing the activity, he leaves behind many digital footprints in the form of activity data. All of these data must be recoded and analyzed, because this strategy attempts to discover the intrinsic motivation of the player through data analysis and statistical inference. Then external rewards are used only as secondary motivators to reinforce the inferred intrinsic motivation of the player.
Again, gamification doesn't need to work long term in this strategy. It just needs to work long enough for the gamification platform to collect enough data to accurately infer the player's intrinsic motivation. This strategy is quite challenging, and there are three basic requirements for it to work.
This post covers a lot of concepts. It is quite involved and getting a bit long. So I will stop now and save the examples and case studies for the next post.
So far, we talked about two problems that gamification will encounter in the near future. In fact, some would say that the gamification backlash has already started.
So it seems that gamification can't possibly be sustainable; and therefore it cannot be a long term business strategy. It is unfortunate, but this is the fact of life: Gamification won't solve your business problem; it only solves your (short-term) engagement problem. Gamification alone will not work in the long term, especially those that use extrinsic rewards.
However, there are also tried and true strategies that employ gamification in a sustainable fashion. The key realization is that gamification doesn't have to work long term to create sustainable value. It just has to work long enough for some other processes to take over as the primary driver of value. Subsequently, gamification will become a secondary reinforcement system that facilitates the primary value drivers.
Next time, we will look at some examples of these strategies at work. In the meantime, I welcome any comments and criticisms. As usual, kudos are always welcome if you like what I wrote. I hope to see you next time.
Michael, I'm going to have to respectfully disagree. Based on our experience:
best, - rajat
Founder, Bunchball
Hello Andreas,
I apologize that my writing hasn't been as clear as it can, but contrary to what most people think, gamification is very complex and actually very hard to get right. I guess the complexity underneath the apparently simple concept has slowly creep up and start to surface.
Following path #2 is a challenging endeavor as there are much requirement for it to work. But first I must clarify that needs are not the same as intrinsic motivation. Maybe I am not understanding what you meant by "underlying needs." Only some intrinsic psychological needs are intrinsic motivations. I guess part of the difficulty is the difference between intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation. Maybe I should devote a whole post to discuss the difference.
Please stay in tuned and see if the examples in the next post clarifies the confusion.
Thanks for commenting on my blog. I appreciate it. And I hope to see you next time.
Hello Rajat,
Thank you for taking the time to comment. I appreciate the different perspective and alterior view points very much. But I can't say that I see it as a disagreement. In fact, I think we agree more so than disagree.
1. First, I agree 100% that novelty definitely has some intrinsic value of its own. Bottom line is that people get bored from playing the same game over and over again. So people will get tired of points and badges that do not offer them meaningful choices. If you can continue to provide new and interesting content, then that falls into the Strategy #1. The value of new and interesting content will sustain the behavior that gamification kick starts. In other words, points and badges without the fresh new content is not going to work long term.
2. I don't see what is the disagreement here either. In your example, the activity you try to gamify is exercise (physical activity). So you use your repertoire of game mechanics and dynamics to get people to start exercising. But while people are exercising, they feel the benefit of exercising (e.g. health benefit, in better shape, look better, feel more confidence, etc.) And these benefit that they realized will maintain the that physical activity, the behavior you tried to gamified. So in a way, the value it generate, sustains the gamified activity.
3. Certainly, not all gamification need to last forever. In fact, I mentioned this specifically in an earlier post (see Gamification beyond Business and Future Challenges - Open Question #1). Totally agree that if you just want people to learn something (e.g. in training, onboarding, etc.), then after they've learn what they need to learn, that is it. In fact, trying to get them to re-learn something they already learned can be condescending and annoying and actually drive people away.
4. Complexity is never an excuse for innovative enterprises. At least not for me. How your car works, how your cell-phone works, how to fly and airplane, etc. are all complicated. But enterprises make it work and make it useful to the consumers, so that the consumers don't have to deal with the complexity. Consumers simply pay the company for those complex services. If some gamification is too complex for you, you don't have to do those. Go ahead and do the simple ones that you are comfortable with, and let us handle the complex one. People are different, have different abilities, and what is complex to me, may be really simple to you and vice versa. That is why people collaborate and share their expertise.
5. Intrinsic vs. extrinsic Motivation is indeed a deep and touchy subject. It will probably require a post of its own to explain the difference. But I agree with you that it is not so black and white. And there is probably some continuous gradient between the two.
But I will say this: Intrinsic vs. extrinsic is not about what comes from within the person vs. external rewards. Intrinsic motivations are things we find satisfying just for the sake of doing it (i.e. a hobbies, for example singing). Intrinsic means intrinsic to the activity or behavior. It doesn't mean coming from within the person.
Therefore extrinsic means all the other reason that people might give themselves to carry out the behavior, such as points, badges, money, or any rewards (even psychological rewards) they may get for singing, or punishment for not singing. As you can see, this is not something that I can just explain clearly in just a few sentence. Let me try to write a post to explain the difference. Thanks for inspiring the idea.
Anyway, I appreciate your lengthy comment and the discussion. I also appreciate the apparent disagreement, but I really think that we agree more than disagree. So game on... and I hope to see you again next time.
I also respectfully disagree. You are trying to refute the ascertion that gamification is a long-term business strategy. But who said it was a business strategy?
Gamification is a marketing tactic. It is a way to build community around your product or service,and game mechanics actually fulfill intrinsic needs. I encourage you to read my colleague Scott Rigby's book: "Glued to Games: How Video Games Draw Us In and Hold Us Spellbounc." Gamea are unequivocaly intrinsically motivating stimuli.
Today's "digital natives" require frequent rewards and instant satisfaction. if you have a compelling product or service, using game mechanics (at GameTap, we called it the "metagame") will make switching more difficult, because as a user, you would have built up substantial equity in the form of external rewards and status, the latter which is VERY important to today's consumers.
Bottom line is that gamification is a marketing strategy. And while it's a valuable tactic, it will only be beneficial if the underlying product or service is worth consuming.
Al Meyers
Hello Al,
Thank you for the comment and your unique perspective. I really appreciate the different perspectives, so thank you for voicing your point of view.
If you disagree with the statement that "gamification is a business strategy," then let me clarify that I am not saying that it is ONLY a business strategy. It can be. If you are reading my statement as exclusive, than I would also disagree with your statement that "gamification is a marketing tactic." Because I certainly don't think it is only a marketing strategy. I don't think gamification of education is merely a marketing tactic, nor is gamification of innovation processes. What about gamification of work in the enterprise 2.0 setting?
I see gamification as really the application of behavioral economics and behavioral psychology. As such, I believe it can be apply to many situations. It can certainly be used as a marketing tactic, and many company are doing just that. But it can also be used as something much more, even as a business strategy.
At Lithium, we certainly use gamification as a core part of our business strategy. Lithium has been around for 10+ years, and we have been doing gamification way before the term "gamification" has been popularized recently. And it is a very successful business strategy as we currently have about ~400 Fortune 1000 clients. The reason gamification is such a core part of our business is because our founders were professional gamers. They intuitively know what drive human behavior, and they did not even realized what they did was "gamification" until the recent popularization of the term.
I've met Scott Rigby at the Wharton Gamification Symposium couple months ago and had much interesting discussion with him about intrinsic motivation vs. extrinsic motivation. Game mechanics can be intrinsically motivating, but not always. It has to do with the locus of causality, and does it really satisfy an intrinsic psychological needs of the players. The way many marketing organizations use gamification with shallow game mechanics, such as points and badges, is unfortunately not very motivating intrinsically. But thanks for recommending his book though. I will definitely check it out.
Finally, I totally agree with your bottom line "gamification is a marketing strategy. And while it's a valuable tactic, it will only be beneficial if the underlying product or service is worth consuming." Gamification is a marketing strategy, but it is not only that! And gamification of a product or service that do not have value (not worth consuming) won't work. That is precisely the strategy #1 in this post. Thank you for making this point succinctly clear.
So again, I don't really see that we disagree that much at the fundamental level. It's merely terminology and application. If you feel gamification can only be used as a marketing strategy, then go and use it that way. We believe it is our business strategy and we will continue to use it that way. You can certainly use a hammer as a paper weight, but it can also be used for other functions beyond that, even for things that a hammer is not designed for, such as a weapon.
Thanks for the great discussion. I sincerely appreciate the contrary perspective. I missed this kind of academic debate very much. So I hope you will come back again next time.
Appreciate your response, Michael. Getting two psychologists together is a scary proposition!
Hello Al,
Thank you for the interesting discussion. Hope you come back next time.
It's totally not scary... Because I am not a psychologist. 🙂 I'm a computational neuroscientist by training. But I am more like a mathematician/statistician and data/analytics scientist now. I develop the inference and predictive algorithms on our platform, which is responsible for prediction a variety of user attributes, including their potential motivation intrinsically. So it is rather fun for me to meet all the psychologist, game designers, gamification practioners at the Wharton Gamification Symposium.
Excellent post Mike,
happy to see someone in a position like you start to address this while nearly everyone else in "gamification" today sweeps the extrinsic reward problem under the rug. Granted, the potential undermining effects (or at the least, the short-term-only effects) of extrinsic rewards for many things is a VERY inconvenient truth for those selling services based upon it.
Al, the book you are referring to is extremely clear on this point: extrinsic rewards are NOT what leads to sustainable behavior, in fact the authors make a strong point of referring to this as a trap (especially in the chapter on the use of "serious games" for heath and education). The entire book is based around Self-Determination Theory which, as I am sure you know, considers extrinsic rewards to be very problematic. However, SDT *does* support that some forms of extrinsic *motivation* are very useful, but only the forms that are NOT from extrinsic "rewards".
Confusing language, I know, this idea that not all extrinsic motivations are extrinsic rewards...
Also, SDT (and the book you refer to) are quite clear that the intrinsically rewarding (rewarding, not rewards) aspects of games are the result of the the three aspects of SDT: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. These are as far firm extrinsic-reward as one can get, and the ONLY extrinsic rewards that work on these three areas are when the rewards are being used as crucial and timely feedback to increase competence.
Extrinsic rewards have a place where dull, rote, always-tedious or painful chores/tasks are involved, and assuming you can find no other way to craft intrinsically rewarding activities. Extrinsic rewards can also be used -- very, very carefully and artfully -- in the earliest stages of an activity, to help bridge participants into what WILL become an intrinsically motivating activity. But the research is staggeringly clear on this point: extrinsic rewards do NOT produce intrinsically motivating experiences. Just the opposite has been found over and over: the use of extrinsic rewards (or in some cases, just asking people to THINK about extrinsic rewards without even GIVING them one) has the potential to DE-motivate.
Hello Kathy,
Thank you for such a great comment. Somehow the formatting didn't go through, and it shows up as a big blob of text. So I simply put in some line breaks in places that make sense to divide your comment into paragraphs. I didn't change a single word though. It's perfect.
Yes, I remember we had a interesting discussion with Scott Rigby at the Wharton Gamification Symposium about the his 3 intrinsic motivator (autonomy, competence, & relatedness) vs. Dan Pink's 3 intrinsic motivator (autonomy, mastery, and purpose). There is clearly a parallel between the first 2 intrinsic motivator (b/c competence ~ mastery), but the 3rd one doesn't seem to connect (i.e. relatedness vs. purpose).
Deci and Ryan's Self-Determination Theory (SDT) is probably one of the most well tested theory on motivational behavior. However, I believe that there are also much to be learn from other theories too (i.e. Bundura's Self-Efficacy Theory, Festinger's Cognitive Dissonance theory, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory, Csikszentmihaly's Flow, Skinner's Behaviorism, etc. etc.). Being a physicist, models and theories are just one interpretation of the reality, so I never really believe that there is a best model. The important things is know the limits of each model and choose the right model that is just good enough to address your scientific inquiries. Newton's Mechanics are still a very good model of the world, even though technically it is an incomplete theory and supersede by Einstein's Relativity.
And I am so glad that you bring up the point about the difference between extrinsic reward vs. extrinsic motivation. I've explain too many time at talks that rewards can be a motivation for some people, but motivations are not necessarily rewards. I will have to make time to write a post to explain the difference between them.
Thanks again for the great discussion. I certainly hope to see you again next time.
What's striking to me is that, at first glance, gamification is all about intrinsic motivation. Achieving business goals by making the work experience inherently fun can be an alternative to using monetary or other extrinsic rewards. And yet, the focus by some gamification practitioners on rewards points in the other direction. So threads like this are helpful to highlight the distinction.
In the gamification course Dan Hunter and I are teaching now at Wharton, we use readings from Deci & Ryan and Dan Pink as the centerpiece of our discussion on motivation and pscyhology. It's also important to understand how loyalty programs and slot machines can be very successful, but as Kathy rightly points out, that needs to be put in the proper context. Fortunately, the Self-Determination Theory literature is quite nuanced, as are most of the well-researched psychological theories mentioned in this thread.
And thanks Michael, for giving credit to the symposium we held this summer. One of our major goals was to bring together together different perspectives so that gamification could be examined more seriously. That continues to be a focus of our For the Win project.
Hello Kevin,
Thank you for stopping by and for commenting on my blog.
For those of you who don't know, Kevin is one of the organizer of the For-the-Win Gamification Symposium that took place at Wharton couple months ago. It was a meeting of the minds from various disciplines ranging from psychology to policy making. It was a very interesting meeting.
To your comment, I think that at first glance, gamification is definitely all about motivation (although not necessarily intrinsic motivation). However, most of the practitioners didn't know the distinction nor the effect of intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation, they just blindly apply extrinsic rewards with perfectly good intention of making work experience just a little more fun and rewarding to drive productivity. The problem is that extrinsic reward actually works fairly well in the short term. Consequently, it gives the practitioners the illusion that whatever gamification strategy that they came up with is "working," so they simply continue what appears to be a successful strategy without knowing it's long term detrimental effects. This is the trap that we need to be careful of.
I think it is great to start with Deci & Ryan and Dan Pink. However, as you said, it is also important to understand how loyalty program and addictive gambling behavior can be valuable too. So I think it is worth to examine the other theories that I mentioned in my reply to Kathy's comment above. In the case of loyalty and gambling, Skinner's behaviorism actually offers a pretty intuitive understanding for those behaviors.
The For the Win Project is definitely eye opening. Bring together the experts from related discipline to gamification is surely a great way to examine this subject more rigorously. I also learn tremendously from the other participants, as you can see from the 3 blog articles resulted from the symposium. I definitely look forward to future engagement, and good luck with the gamification course that you and Tony are teaching now.
Thanks again for the comment. And I hope my blog can continue to provide value to the gamification community, both academic and practitioners. 🙂
Thanks again Mike.
Totally agree that we should be considering many theories, though SDT is the one with the most to say about the extrinsic motivation continuum.
Glad you brought up "Flow"; it was required reading when I first began working for Virgin Sound & Vision (at the time, a division of Virgin Games doing multimedia kid's games) and every game designer and developer I knew at the time considered it one of the most important tools for crafting user experiences.
As for Skinner, well, it was operant conditioning that led me into SDT, as a horse trainer. Some trainers in the positive reinforcement camp have recognized some limitations, or worse, when extrinsic rewards are given for things the animal *should* find intrinsically rewarding. It was this problem that led me to Dan Pink. But that is for another time 😉
Kevin, quite right, very nuanced. And that does make it difficult to give easy prescriptions for "engagement". Just glad you two are out there willing to help people understand that this discussion matters.
Hello Kathy,
Thanks you for coming back to continue the conversation.
I would love to hear your intellectual journey. It is sometimes very important to go through all the older theories and really see where they are insufficient so we get a full understanding of their limitation. So I'm always interested to hear how people arrive at their current understanding. There is usually something more interesting in the journey itself than the destination.
Feel free to check out some of my earlier posts on the psychology of gamification.
Also, it seems that you can get a free preview of a snippet of my talk at the Gamification Summit on "Flow" here.
Thanks agian and see you next time.
Hello Joe,
Thank you for the comment.
Glad to hear that this post get you thinking.
Next post with some examples will be published soon. Stay tuned...
See you next time.
Thanks for the well thought-out explanation of a few flaws of the gamification theory. I'm currently interested in applying motivational theories/gamification to health promotion. Some could say that others have already been applying gamification theories in this area, but they are miserably unsuccessful because it only produces short-term results on a very small population. As you pointed out, gamification eventually bores people and is hard to sustain over the long term. My goal is to "personalize" the motivation to healthy behaviors - since what motivates me to succeed doesn't motivate you. My thought would be to evaluate someone's "motivational profile": their strongest intrinsic and extrinsic motivaters and being able to utilize them effectively. I would greatly appreciate any recommended books/websites/research that you may know of that would help guide me on my journey!
Your posts are fascinating... I need to continue reading!
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With the excitement of the Houston Dynamo's 35-game home unbeaten streak, it is easy to overlook the impressive feat that Dynamo Academy U-16 squad, presented by Statoil, is achieving in the USSF Development Academy League.
Following last weekend's 4-2 win over Houston-area rival Texans SC, the Dynamo U-16s have now gone unbeaten in their previous 11 matches and have outscored their opponents 34-12 during that stretch. Elochukwu Ozumba (pictured, above) and Christian Lucatero each scored two goals in Sunday's win for the U-16s. Ozumba leads all Dynamo goal scorers with 16 and has two goals in five games this season. The win improved the team's record to 16-3-3 with five games to go in the regular season.
In the first match of the Sunday doubleheader at Burroughs Park, the Dynamo U-18s defeated Texans SC 1-0 with Jorge Contreras scoring the team's lone goal. The win improved the team's unbeaten streak to four games and improved their record to 13-4-5 on the season.
With only five games to go in the USSDA season, both the Dynamo U-16s and U-18s remain in strong position to earn one of the three automatic playoff spots give to the teams that finish in the top three spots in the each division. The Dynamo U-18s are second in their division on points (44) and third on points per game (2.00). The U-18s are six points and .10 points per game ahead of fourth place Solar Chelsea.
The Dynamo U-16 are still in first place in their division on points (51) and second place on points per game (2.32). The U-16s have a five point and .32 points per game advantage over fourth place Solar Chelsea and have played one game less than the Dallas-based club.
In Pre-Academy league action, the Dynamo went 2-1-0 on the weekend. Roberto Marquez scored the lone goal in the Dynamo U-15's 1-0 win over TSC. Giandemir Jean scored for the Dynamo U-14s as the team lost 2-1 to fall to 12-8-0 on the season. Daniel Wisemans' strike kept the Dynamo U-13s in the hunt for a playoff spot with a 1-0 win over TSC. The Dynamo U-15s are currently in first place in their division, three points ahead of second-place FC Dallas, however, the Dynamo have played three more games than Dallas.
U-18: Houston Dynamo (13-4-5) at Texans SC Houston (9-7-7)
April 14, 2013 --Burroughs Park- Tomball
USSF Development Academy League
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Jorge Contreras 86
U-16: Houston Dynamo (16-3-3) at Texans SC Houston (14-5-4)
April 14, 2013 --Burroughs Park- Tomball
USSF Development Academy League
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Christian Lucatero 13
HOU -- Christian Lucatero 15
HOU -- Elochukwu Ozumba 45
HOU -- Elochukwu Ozumba 78
TEX -- Bryce Marion 25
TEX-- Bryce Marion 76
U-15: Houston Dynamo (13-2-5) at Texas SC Houston (8-5-5)
April 14, 2013
Texas Pre-Academy Leage
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Roberto Marquez PK
U-14: Houston Dynamo (12-8-0) at Texans SC Houston (6-8-4)
April 14, 2013
Texas Pre-Academy League
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Giandemir Jaen
TSC -- goal
TSC -- goal
U-13: Houston Dynamo (8-4-5) at Texans SC Houston (4-9-5)
April 14, 2013
Texas Pre-Academy League
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Daniel Wiseman
All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial.

subset: commoncrawl


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A Closer Look at the ACC's Early Impact FreshmenPosted by Chris Kehoe on December 11th, 2013
The ACC has struggled as a whole to live up to its self-proclaimed billing as the best basketball conference of all-time. It can't even lay a claim to the best conference currently, as it came out with a tie in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, an event in which three of the ACC's worst teams weren't invited. However, the talent in the ACC is deep and it remains an exciting conference from top to bottom. Part of the reason for that is the emergence of new and exciting young players across the league, tantalizing casual fans with skills usually reserved for seasoned veterans. These ACC newcomers play various roles on their teams, some shouldering a large offensive burden while others bring a spark off the bench. Whether these players are one-and-done or around for the long haul, they represent the future of the ACC and have fan bases optimistically looking toward future conference championships and Final Four runs. While some relatively high-profile freshmen have struggled to adapt to the college game — UNC's Isaiah Hicks and N.C. State's Beejay Anya come to mind — there are plenty of freshmen to note who are already producing. Broken down into a tiered system based on efficacy and impact, the following 13 freshmen represent the best of the ACC so far this season.
The Elite ACC ROY Candidates
1). Jabari Parker, F, Duke: Parker is not only an ACC ROY front-runner but an ACC Player of the Year favorite as well. His offensive game has been compared to Paul Pierce and Carmelo Anthony and he possesses an abundance of elite moves in isolation, ranging from the perimeter to the post. Parker carries a large burden of Duke's offense this season and his ultimate performance will be judged largely on the Blue Devils' success. If he can lead his team to an ACC title, he'll probably win both awards.
2). Tyler Ennis, G, Syracuse: Ennis is a calming and consistent offensive presence for Syracuse. He rarely gets flustered and is a key member at the top of the Orange's 2-3 zone. He has started since day one for Jim Boeheim and is a large reason why Syracuse remains undefeated and an ACC title favorite. On ESPN's college basketball podcast, ESPN commentator and former Virginia Tech head coach Seth Greenberg said Syracuse would be a "borderline NCAA Tournament team without Ennis." This shows how much of an impact the youngster has had.
On the Cusp
3). Anthony Barber, G, N.C. State: Barber is playing nearly 30 minutes and averaging 13 points per game for the Wolfpack. A lightning-quick, reed-thin guard, Barber shares the floor with diminutive point guard Tyler Lewis and has been relied on thus far for his scoring more than his distributing abilities.
4). Kennedy Meeks, F/C, UNC: Kennedy Meeks recently took home the ACC Rookie of the Week award after a pair of convincing performances versus UNC-Greensboro and a statement win at Michigan State. The big-bodied, 290-pound frontcourt player is known for his Kevin Love-like outlet passes and is an efficient interior scorer and big-time rebounder for this Tar Heels' team.
5). Demetrius Jackson, G, Notre Dame: Jackson has to back up one of the best backcourt tandems in the country in Eric Atkins and Jerian Grant, but it is a testament to his abilities that Mike Brey finds 24 minutes per game for him. Jackson is the future of the Notre Dame backcourt and is having a very successful, if not understated, freshman campaign, averaging almost eight points per game with very good shooting numbers — 50 percent from three and 53.7 percent from the floor.
6). Ben Emelogu, G, Virginia Tech: Much was made of Emelogu getting named a freshman captain for the Hokies, but he has validated James Johnson's decision to the tune of 14.0 PPG for the 7-3 squad.
Productive and Will Continue to Improve
7). Davon Reed, G, Miami (FL): Reed averages 9.0 PPG in almost 29 minutes per game for a rebuilding Miami program, and he will be a key cog for the Hurricanes' future.
8). Roddy Peters, G, Maryland: Peters has taken over some point guard duties (along with Dez Wells) since Seth Allen's early injury, and he has risen to the occasion.
9). Michael Young, F, Pittsburgh: A highly-regarded recruit coming out of high school, Young has complemented the experience and maturity of Pitt's seniors well.
10). Devin Wilson, G, Virginia Tech: This rookie guard is handling 32 minutes per game well for the inexperienced Hokies, whose true talent will be tested come conference play.
11). Jaron Blossomgame, F, Clemson: Blossomgame has shown himself to be a versatile interior force, averaging close to 5.0 RPG and PPG while blocking over a shot per contest as well.
12). Nate Britt, G, North Carolina: Britt plays 25 minutes per game and has taken on the point guard duties as Marcus Paige has become the Tar Heels' primary perimeter scoring option with P.J. Hairston still sidelined.
13). Lennard Freeman, F, N.C. State: Freeman plays 26 minutes per game for Mark Gottfried, and the Washington, D.C., native is a huge help on the boards, averaging almost seven rebounds per contest.


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Ghost - Family One Hundred Twenty Nine
These little guys were created with the idea that every object in nature has a soul. It is wonderful to have one or more of these friendly souls, or ghosts, in your living space. They are useful and charming - the perfect small friend to have around.
The earthenware ghosts are a collaboration between Studio Arhøj and Danish ceramic artist Louise Gaarmann. Each ghost is unique and sold individually.
- Hand thrown in Danish clay
- Hand glazed, hand decorated
- Low-fired in the kiln three times
- Approximately 4 inches high
- Made in Copenhagen
- Sold separately


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This is fantastic. MUSED Magazine and its editor/publisher Drew-Shane Daniels have recognized their first annual "Game Changers" ... described as "the successes of the everyday people–activists, artists, and advocates whose work on the ground often goes unseen [and] unacknowledged."
The freshman class includes many of my favorite people, places and things: The talented young brothas behind Morehouse College Safe Space — seen above — who helped to fight homophobia and violence on campus and lead the effort for the Morehouse's first Black LGBT-themed course; writer, activist and filmmaker Antoine Craigwell; Center for American Progress policy analyst, writer and Georgetown Univ visiting professor (yesss!) Preston D. Mitchum; the amazing Wade A. Davis II and Darnell L. Moore's LGBT sports advocacy program You Belong; Daniel D Driffin, the National Black Gay Men's Advocacy Coalition, Venton Jones, Ernest Hopkins, Cornelius Baker, David Malebranche, Meico Whitlock, Anthony Roberts Jr., Christopher Watson and the many amazing people behind the Young Black Gay Men's Leadership Initiative; South African writer and social justice activist Eddie Ndopu; Broadway actor Lamar Baylor; fashion photographer Ahmad Tamir Barber ... and yours truly.
The "2013 Game Changers" are an amazing cross selection of the excellence found within our communities. I'm honored and humbled to be included in the freshman class. Thanks to Drew and Mused Magazine for recognizing these many talented men. Congratulations to all of these amazing "2013 Game Changers." Looking forward to more brilliance from each of them and so many others in 2014!


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> Bold Blooms Table Numbers
These beautiful and modern table numbers will surely liven up your guests' tables. Each card is double-sided and printed on natural white matte card.
Each table number costs £7.00 each! Please choose your quantity needed below. For example, if you type 15, we will send you table numbers 1-15.
If you would like your names and wedding date included on your design, please write this info in the customisation section below.
You can request changes to the text colour, design elements, number format and background for free. Please note that some of our cards have been painted and cannot be customised. Please refer to the product description to see if this applies.
Any additional wording changes can be entered into this section. For example; requesting that we add your names/logo to your table number.


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Victoria Beckham never "takes any notice" of what her rivals are doing.
According to the fashion designer's hairdresser Ken Paves, the brunette beauty - who has children Brooklyn, 13, Romeo, 10, Cruz, seven, and 17-month-old daughter Harper with husband David Beckham - always tries to be "original" by attempting to come up with new ideas and fully trusts her own judgment.
He said: "She doesn't take any notice of what others are doing. She just tries out her ideas and goes for it. That makes her original and everyone should take something from that and learn."
Ken - who has been styling Victoria's tresses since 2007 - insists he knows exactly how to make the Spice Girls singer "feel good about herself" after spending so much time with her over the past five years, and he makes sure she always banishes any negative thoughts or insecurities.
He added: "We never focus on a negative or insecurities. I spend an unusual amount of time with my clients before I even touch them because I like to know them first. I got to know Victoria well before working with her, so I know how to make her feel good about herself. My job is to service people and take care of them."


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Biliary sludge is a deposit of tiny stones or crystals made up of
cholesterol (a type of fat), calcium bilirubinate, and other calcium salts.
Some doctors refer to biliary sludge as microlithiasis, pseudolithiasis, or
biliary sand.
The relationship between biliary sludge and gallbladder symptoms is
not well understood. Experts debate how important biliary sludge is. Some think
it is not important, while others believe that having biliary sludge increases
the risk of forming gallstones. The disagreement comes from the fact that most
people who have biliary sludge do not develop any symptoms; the sludge usually
disappears on its own. Also, only a small number of people who have biliary
sludge actually develop gallstones.
Last Revised:
July 15, 2011
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Arvydas D. Vanagunas, MD - Gastroenterology
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
To learn more visit Healthwise.org
© 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.


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After spending two action-packed days in Barcelona and staying at an inimitably extravagant hotel, travel writer Ruth Brindle offers her guide on what to do whether there for business, pleasure or with family…
"I'm coming back in… and it's the saddest moment of my life." Much like returning from holiday, astronaut Ed White lamented the end of his first American spacewalk during the Gemini 4 mission on 3 June 1965.
Imagine, then, my sorrow on departing from my space-themed hotel in beautiful Barcelona, a place which offers you the best of both city break and beach relaxation.
The four-star Barcelo Sants Hotel is not just modern, it's futuristic, and you'll struggle to find a better location to stay. It is above Sants station and just 15 minutes' warp speed train ride away from the airport. You can also board the metro and local trains here to nearby tourist spots.
If you're on the hunt for Gaudi's frequent and far-reaching works you can take a guided tour around the city to marvel at the mind-boggling, nature inspired architecture of Antoni Gaudi. Of course, most of Barcelona's nine million visitors each year will head for the as-yet-unfinished Sagrada Familia Basilica and they are right.
Gaudi died in 1926 before his design was finished and now, 150 years after it was started, work continues with influences from other architects that provide a stark and, some think, controversial contrast with Gaudi's original designs, many of which were destroyed during the Spanish Civil War.
On a very comprehensive and informative Gaudi Emotions trip during several hours we had the chance to look inside the vast, beautiful building set to be finished in 2026 and also visit some of the celebrated man's other projects in the city, including Park Guell, which was new to me and a complete delight.
It was commissioned in 1900 and originally intended to be a site for 60 private homes on the hill, but when the project failed it became a public park in 1923 and that's to the advantage of everyone who lives or visits the city.
You can look out over the city from the great balcony with its undulating mosaic bench that Gaudi made sure was comfortable by getting one of his workers to sit in plaster naked in order to get the correct anatomical shape! The shaded walkways and staircases all reflect Gaudi's use of nature in his designs and make the whole experience delightful.
On top of this no visit to the city is complete without a lingering stroll and shopping trip to La Rambla (Las Ramblas), Barcelona's gorgeous boulevard that leads down to the port and the cruise terminal. While the outdoor eateries and restaurants are often more expensive than those in the side streets, it is great for people watching.
From Las Ramblas it's just a short walk to the narrow, ancient streets of the city's Gothic quarter. It's a good idea to give yourself several hours to linger here within its historic atmosphere.
For those who don't mind heights a paid-for trek to the roof of the medieval basilica of Santa Maria del Pi gives a panoramic view of the city below. The square Placa del Pi also often has performances and stalls that add to the experience.
Follow that with a tasty treat in one of the many charming cafes in this area. A favourite are churros - a Spanish version of a doughnut dipped in hot chocolate or horchata, a traditional milk drink made from tigernuts. Delicious.
Gaudi and La Rambla give way to the biggest tourist hotspots, but the Barcelo Sants hotel is an unparalleled attraction in its own right. The hotel creates a cosmic atmosphere with cutting-edge design resembling a space station, allowing guests to imagine themselves on an intergalactic trip.
Immediately as you walk into the lobby you know you've arrived at a hotel with a difference as the reception desk is cheekily named the control desk.
Once I had been efficiently assigned my 'Orbital' (space talk for room!) I was off past the circular communal working desk area outside the main conference centre that could easily be home to the Jedi High Council.
You should also take a pause to watch the space station astronaut floating about her business in the fascinating film being shown on a large screen in the foyer.
Then it's up in the lift to a sexily sixties-style landing complete with a round, pod like chair that would not be out of place in the iconic movie Blow Up. There's a visual delight at every turn here it seems. I hear R2D2 from Star Wars even makes an occasional appearance, when he's not helping save the universe, of course.
My well-designed room was highly functional and super modern, so much so that it took me a while to figure out that the blinds were remotely controlled. Cool.
I also appreciated the city view, my big HD TV, iPhone docking station, free WiFi and the little touches such as 'space' sweets to replenish my energy and even an intergalactic bath bomb that looked like it had come from Mars itself.
Freeze dried food might be a step too far on my Barcelona mission, although I didn't have to worry as the vast array of dishes and snacks served in the hotel's two restaurants, aptly named Hydrogen and Oxygen, is excellent and of a high standard.
One evening my trusty time traveller colleagues and I even enjoyed a beautifully presented meal with its own space theme. Delicious. Also don't miss an after dinner cocktail made by the hotel's trained mixologist.
If you want to get back to the meagre 21st century for food, head to the world-famous Boqueria market which has a dazzling array of fruit, vegetables, meat and fish. If only we had markets like this in the UK! Try some tapas or take samples of any food you fancy to eat later. It's fascinating.
Or you can spend an enchanting evening over a leisurely meal at the restaurant Ocana in Placa Rejal before heading downstairs with all the Barcelona beautiful people for cocktails.
Whether for food or a quick coffee in the midst of exploration, visit 4Gats. It is one of the most iconic cafes in the city; it opened in 1897 and soon became a bohemian hotspot.
Two years after opening Picasso was visiting often; he carried out his first exhibition in the big room and made the poster that was used as a title page of the menu of the house.
Musicians such as Isaac Albéniz and his friends Enric Granados and Lluís Millet also visited the 4 Gats, as well as architects like Gaudí and draughtsmen like Ricard Opisso. You can feel this history as soon as you enter, and with a wonderful food offering from breakfast until dinner, you can happily stay and soak it in.
For early eating try another Barcelo hotel – Raval – that offers a truly yummy Sunday brunch. Traditional Spanish treats and pastries will set you up for a busy day of sightseeing. This modern hotel right in the heart of the city has a plunge pool on the roof and a balcony with a panoramic view of Barcelona.
However if you're after a beautiful view interlaced with added exploit climb Montjuïc, it is a hill that overlooks the harbour. Once a point of protection for the city, it is now brimming with activities.
At its peak – which you can take a funicular or cable car to – is the castle which offers unparalleled 360 degree views. It is also home to the Olympic pools, on Miramar Avenue, which was also the set for Kylie Minogue's music video of Slow.
For those on foot you can wander through Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer Gardens, next to the funicular, or the Grec Theather Gardens with its infamous amphitheatre which continues to host shows.
For a far more decadent view, you could even take to the air during an exciting helicopter ride from the port area that gives an ideal opportunity to see the city laid out in all its glory. You can spot all Barcelona's landmarks as well as enjoying the sheer thrill of flying.
Barcelona as a city break also has the great advantage of offering the delights of the seaside too. Strolling along the seafront and the harbour, an area transformed during the 1992 Olympics, is a great way to spend a few hours.
Sit on Barceloneta beach or enjoy a leisurely lunch in any of the many seafront restaurants in the area. But one other really exhilarating way to enjoy the coast is to take a sailing boat ride along the coast. Taking a dip in the sea from the boat finishing with a welcome glass of wine made me feel very privileged.
If you have young children it may well be the beach side of things which appeal to you, and while the Barcelo Sant hotel attracts a lot of business travellers, you'd be missing a trick not to book in here, even with the family.
I loved the hotel for its sense of fun that you can enjoy without feeling overwhelmed by the theme and all the out-of-this-world touches, not least the life-size astronaut in the conference area. An ideal selfie spot!
The larger Orbital suites would be ideal for a family, and youngsters or the young at heart can try out how they'd look in a space suit by lying underneath the specially designed single duvet and pillow case.
These are available on request and I just couldn't resist. But while I realise some people might not want to go overboard for the space theme I wanted more. Bring on my Captain Kirk robe and slippers!
Fact File
Rates at Barceló Sants start from €120 (£103) per night based on two sharing a room on a B&B basis. For more information or to book visit www.barcelosants.com or call +34 93 503 53 00
Vueling Airlines operates year-round flights to Barcelona from London Gatwick, London Heathrow and London Luton with fares, including taxes, starting from €49.99 (£43) one way. For further information or to book please visit www.vueling.com


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Expert Reviews
2010 Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger has built a solid reputation as a rugged workhorse of a compact pickup. While many of the entry-level pickups from other manufacturers have moved up in size, roominess, features and refinement, the Ranger maintains its position as a true compact pickup that offers solid value for the money. Though quite dated now, the Ranger remains a good, reliable, proven truck with worthwhile features and attractive pricing.
Two engines are available, a 2.3-liter four-cylinder and a 4.0-liter V6. Each engine is available with a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder engine with manual transmission and two-wheel drive has EPA fuel economy ratings of 21/26 mpg City/Highway, making it most fuel-efficient pickup on the market. In addition to its excellent fuel economy, it also has a 7,500-mile service interval for routine maintenance, such as oil changes. The 2.3-liter dohc four-cylinder makes 143 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque. The 4.0-liter V6 makes 207 horsepower and 238 pound-feet of torque. Four-wheel drive is available, but only with the V6 engine.
For 2010, there are only a few changes, but they are significant from a safety standpoint. AdvanceTrac electronic stability control with Roll Stability Control (RSC) becomes standard equipment; this system can help prevent skidding and roll-over conditions. And, also as standard equipment, there are new combination side airbags, designed to offer head and torso protection.
The 2010 Ford Ranger comes in three body styles: Regular Cab, SuperCab, SuperCab with four doors. Most versions have a 6-foot cargo bed, but a 7-foot bed is available on the Regular Cab with two-wheel drive. There are three trim levels: XL, up-level XLT, and the sportier-appearing Sport version.
Model LineupFord Ranger XL Regular Cab 2WD ($17,740); XLT Regular Car 2WD ($18,580); XLT SuperCab 4WD ($23,310); Sport SuperCab 4WD 4-door ($25,570)
Walk Around
The Ranger has a straightforward look that doesn't pretend to be anything except a truck. It's not necessarily distinctive and it's certainly not on the cutting edge of style, but it's an honest look that's clean, not un-handsome, and timeless in a way. There is a family resemblance to the bigger Ford trucks, particularly at the front, and the dome in the hood gives it a rugged sort of presence.
We find the door handles a bit hard to hang onto; they occasionally snapped away from our fingers when we were in a hurry. Otherwise, everything about the Ranger is perfectly normal and delivers no surprises. There are big windows for good outward vision, which certainly help in parking and tight quarters.
Some potential buyers may find the XLT and Sport models more attractive, due to their higher level of trim and decoration. And we think the available alloy wheels, particularly the 16-inch versions, help give the Ranger a solid stance on the road.
The Ford Ranger offers spacious, comfortable accommodations and convenient features. The seats have sculpted bolsters and high seatbacks, and deliver more than adequate comfort.
Regular Cab models get a cloth bench seat that can accommodate three persons. Also available, depending upon trim level, is a 60/40-split front seat and cloth sport bucket seats.
SuperCabs offer a larger interior storage bay behind the front seat, with a six-foot bed behind that. There are two small side-facing jump seats, that fold down, in the SuperCab's rear bay; we have found one problem with side-facing seats is that, if children are sitting in them, as the vehicle accelerates and slows down their heads are sometimes tossed sideways (as they are sitting), which they may find to be uncomfortable. Two available rear-hinged doors (depending upon trim level) allow easy access to the SuperCab's rear quarters.
The center pod for climate and audio systems has easy-to-use controls. There are choices in the sound systems, with available features including a six-CD in-dash changer, MP3 compatibility, auxiliary input jack, and Satellite Radio.
Driving Impressions
The Ford Ranger is a thoroughly developed product with no surprises and it does exactly what you would expect of it. The Ranger has benefitted over the years from numerous detail improvements and upgrades to various portions of the running gear.
When equipped with the overhead-cam 4.0-liter V6 engine the Ranger has more than adequate performance around town or on the highway. More important, it provides strong low-rpm torque for off-road work in four-wheel-drive, or for pulling heavy loads or trailers.
The V6 teams with either a heavy-duty five-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automatic with adaptive shift logic. Rather than adding a taller overdrive, the five-speed automatic, in effect, adds a gear between what would be first and second in a four-speed automatic. This provides closer ratios for better throttle response when accelerating, towing a trailer or driving off-road. A high-gear lockout switch on the tip of the shift lever enables the driver to kick down a gear with the tap of a finger.
Our Ranger SuperCab 4×4 with the 4.0-liter V6 and five-speed automatic delivered good performance for passing, even at altitude. It could scamper up mountain grades or effortlessly pass a line of heavy freight haulers.
The Ranger handles bumps and curves with confident dexterity. Its rigid ladder-like chassis, fully boxed in the front section, combines with an independent wishbone front suspension to pamper passengers with smooth ride sensations.
At the same time, the Ranger offers aggressive performance off the pavement, as we saw on a primitive track laced with lumps and rocks and tire-sucking mud pits. A high ground clearance enables the Ranger 4×4 to clear ruts and bumps easily. And when it doesn't, the available skid plates shield the undersides from damage.
A pulse-vacuum hub-lock device engages the front hubs quickly, for push-button shifting into four-wheel-drive while rolling as fast as 80 mph. A control on the dashboard provides seamless switching from rear-wheel-drive to four-wheel-drive high, or further down to four-wheel low for serious off-road maneuvers.
As a work truck, the Ford Ranger offers serious truck capability at affordable prices. Watch for cash rebates and other incentives. The high-level models deliver strong performance on and off road. We like the XLT. The four-wheel-drive system with vacuum-activated hubs works very well and you can't beat the 4.0-liter V6 for performance.
Don Fuller filed this report to New Car Test Drive from Corona, California; with NCTD.com staff reports.


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Drive systems for consumer products.
For sports, leisure, or in the arts: maxon is always on board.
maxon drives and controllers are also used in end user products: DC motors drive mountain bikes or golf carts and are highly coveted by model train enthusiasts. The quiet and precise drives are also used in bicycle gearshifts and various art projects. With our flexible production and automated processes, we are able to manufacture both small quantities for prototypes and large series. Just ask our specialists.
Precise and efficient.
Micromotors by maxon are precise and efficient. Despite their compact design, they are powerful enough to deliver high performance. This also makes them attractive for consumer applications.
Benefits of maxon motors.
- High quality
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- Robust design: resistant to vibration, shock, as well as high and low temperatures.
- Compact design: Top volume-to-performance ratio
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Shower systemMost people take showers to clean themselves of sweat and dirt. However, one Swiss company wants ...
Kinetic ArtThe kinetic sculptures of the Korean artist U-Ram Choe are composed of acrylic resin, stainless steel and moving elements, and have been fascinating people for two decades.
Industry navigator
From outer space to the Earth's core: Learn more about the wide range of applications for our drive systems.


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Lufthansa are perpetually on a £20/€20 discount it seems, and their last promotion, on similar terms, expired only 4 weeks ago.
Use this link to get your new voucher, which is valid until 14th May 2014 which is valid for bookings until 15th October 2014. (this is in contrast to the last offer which was valid until 28th December 2014).
As before, use the drop down menu to select your country of depature, and you will have the voucher in the appropriate currency emailed to you.
The Terms and Conditions:
The following terms and conditions apply to the redemption of vouchers:
- The voucher can only be redeemed at www.lufthansa.com. The voucher is not valid in conjunction with any "Access Code" used to purchase already discounted fares.
- The voucher is intended for personal use only. Its resale or any other transfer to a third party is prohibited. In the event of a contravention, Lufthansa, or a third party authorised by Lufthansa, reserves the right to refuse to redeem the voucher.
- Vouchers are only valid for itineraries where all flights are operated by Lufthansa and Lufthansa Regional Partners (incl. Lufthansa City Line and Eurowings).
- The voucher can be redeemed between 15/04/2014 and 15/05/2014.
- Travel must be between 15/04/2014 and 15/10/2014.
- Only one voucher can be used for each booking process.
- The voucher reduces the tariff value of the ticket and cannot be used for fees, taxes, charges or other supplements.
- If the tariff value of the ticket is less than the value of the voucher, the residual amount can be deducted from the tariff value of other tickets bought in the same booking process.
- If the value of the voucher exceeds the total tariff value of all the tickets in a booking process, the residual amount cannot be redeemed in a further booking process.
- The voucher is only valid for flights departing in [the selected country of departure] and can only be redeemed at www.lufthansa.com.
- If a ticket for which a voucher was redeemed is reimbursed, only the reduced tariff value of the ticket – depending on the tariff terms and conditions attached to the ticket – is reimbursed.
- Vouchers and any residual values resulting from their use cannot be paid in cash.
- If the value of a ticket bought with a voucher is used as a down payment for a higher-priced ticket (e.g. towards a higher tariff), only the reduced value of the ticket is put towards the value of the new ticket.
- Certain tariffs may be excluded from the use of vouchers.
- Vouchers may only be used for flight tickets, not for rebooking charges (MCOs) or excess baggage tickets.
- The passenger receipt, which serves as an invoice for flight tickets, only shows the reduced ticket price.
- Lufthansa reserves the right to cancel a voucher at any time. Limit per promotion is one voucher per person. Lufthansa reserves the right to cancel the booking when the same passenger uses several vouchers.


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Error code C00D1385 occurs when using the Zune software
Note As of November 15, 2015, the Zune service has been discontinued. This may cause errors when attempting to stream or download content or update the service.
You may see the error the following error when using the Zune software:
This means that the Zune software can't connect to the Zune Marketplace to verify usage rights for your Groove Music Pass subscription. The Zune software may not be able to connect to the Internet at all, or the Zune service might be down.
Solution 1: Check the status of the Zune service
Go to Xbox Live Service Status to make sure the Zune service is available. If the service is unavailable, try again at a later time.
Solution 2: Make sure that you're connected to the Internet
You might have lost your Wi-Fi connection, your service might be down, or your router might be offline and need a simple restart. Here's how to troubleshoot your Internet connection.
Windows 7:
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click or Network and Internet, and then click View network status and tasks. This screen will tell you whether you're connected to a network or not.
- If you're not connected to a network, click Connect to a network from the status window, and then select an available network.
- If it shows you're connected to the wrong network, select the right one and enter your passcode if requested.
Windows 8:
- Go to your Start screen, type control panel, and then press or tap Enter on your keyboard to access your control panel screen.
- Click or tap Network and Sharing Center. This screen will tell you whether you're connected to a network or not.
- If you're not connected to a network, click or tap Set up a new connection or network.
- If it shows you're connected to the wrong network, select the right one and enter your passcode if requested.
If you still can't connect to the Internet, it could be a problem with your Internet service. You can wait a while and sign in again later, or contact your service provider.
Solution 3: Make sure the time and date are set correctly on your computer
To change these settings, click on the time and date as it appears on the far right of your taskbar, and then click Change date and time setting, and then set the correct date and time.
Solution 4: Delete your web browser's history and temporary files
Here's how:
- Open up your browser. If you're using Windows 8, open Internet Explorer on your desktop. Press or tap the Alt key on your keyboard to see your menu bar.
- If you're using Internet Explorer, click or tap Tools, and then click or tap Internet options.
- From the General tab, in the Browsing history section, and then click or tap Delete.
- In the Delete Browsing History box, select the Temporary Internet files check box. Clear all the other check boxes.
- Click or tap Delete.
Restart your Zune software and then see if you can access your items.
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Jane Chen, Non-Profit Healthcare Advocate
Jane Chen is the Co-Founder and CEO of Embrace, a social enterprise aiming to help millions of vulnerable babies born in developing countries through the creation of low-cost infant warmers. Jane received a Master's in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Prior to her receiving her master's degree, she was the Program Director of Chi Heng Foundation, a non-profit that sponsors the education of children affected by AIDS in central China. In 2009, Jane was a TEDIndia Fellow.


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Richard Rado
Born: 28 April 1906 in Berlin, Germany
Died: 23 December 1989 in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England
Click the picture above
to see three larger pictures
to see three larger pictures
|Main Index
|Biographies index
Richard Rado's father was Leopold Rado who was a Hungarian from Budapest. Richard, his parents' second son, made a decision while at school to choose between being a concert pianist or a mathematician. He chose mathematics and entered the University of Berlin to study that subject. However music continued to play a large role in his life. He spent some time at Göttingen but returned to the University of Berlin to study for his doctorate under Schur. At this stage he was also strongly influenced by Schmidt. Rado's thesis, entitled Studies on combinatorics, earned him a doctorate in 1933. (Lenz discusses the circle of problems connected with Rado's dissertation in [5].) He had earlier met Luise Zadek when he was looking for somebody to play piano duets with, and they married on 16 March 1933. They had one son, Peter Rado, born in 1943.
On 30 January 1933 Hitler came to power and on 7 April 1933 the Civil Service Law provided the means of removing Jewish teachers from the universities, and of course also to remove those of Jewish descent from other roles. Rado's family were Jewish so the Civil Service Law made it impossible for him to become a university lecturer in Germany. Rado was interviewed in Berlin by Lord Cherwell for a scholarship given by the chemist Sir Robert Mond which provided financial support to study at Cambridge. After he was awarded the scholarship, Rado and his wife left for England. Rado entered Fitzwilliam House, University of Cambridge, and completed a second Ph.D. in 1935 under Hardy's supervision on Linear transformations of sequences. While at Cambridge Rado was influenced by many mathematicians working there at the time including Hardy, Littlewood, Hall, Besicovitch and Bernhard Neumann.
Rado also worked with Heilbronn and Davenport and, at around this time, he began to correspond with Erdős. They met in 1934 and began a fruitful collaboration which resulted in a number of joint papers. This collaboration was described by Erdős in [4]. After completing his second Ph.D. he spent a further year at Cambridge as a temporary lecturer. In 1936 Rado was appointed to the University of Sheffield where, after Mirsky was appointed in 1942, the two became close friends. In 1947 Rado moved to King's College, London, moving seven years later to a chair at the University of Reading. He remained at Reading until he retired in 1971.
Rado's work covered a wide range of mathematics but his most important work was in combinatorics. These important combinatorial results were in the area of Hall's theorem, Ramsey's theorem, the Rado selection principle, matroids and theory of transversals, and partitions. Together with Erdős he developed the partition calculus. Rogers in [2] illustrates this with a simple example:-
... if six people meet by chance, one can be sure that either at least three all know each other or there are at least three with no two knowing each other.Some of his more minor work was in topics such as the convergence of sequences and series. He studied inequalities, geometry and measure theory, particularly working in this area with Besicovitch. In graph theory he worked on infinite graphs and hypergraphs. Rado's approach to mathematics is described by Erdős in [4] where he comments:-
I was good at discovering perhaps difficult and interesting special cases and Richard was good at generalising them and putting them in their proper perspective.In [8] (see also [9]) Rado is described by saying:-
Richard was fascinated by mathematical beauty and sought after it. He always tried to formulate his results at their natural level of generality, so that their full power was exhibited, without their content being obscured by over-elaboration.Rado received many honours for his contributions. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society on 16 March 1978. He was very moved to be awarded an honorary doctorate by the Free University of Berlin in 1981.
Rogers writes in [2] of Rado's continuing love of music:-
Rado and his wife had a double partnership: she went with him to mathematical conferences and meetings and kept contact with his mathematical friends, he was an accomplished pianist and she was a singer of professional standard. They gave many recitals both public and private, often having musical evenings in their home in Reading. Rado was the kindest and gentlest of men.Rado and his wife continued to live in Reading after he retired. He died in a nursing home in Henley-on-Thames and his wife died less than six months later.
Article by: J J O'Connor and E F Robertson
Click on this link to see a list of the Glossary entries for this page
List of References (9 books/articles)
Mathematicians born in the same country
Additional Material in MacTutor
- Obituary: Times
- An entry in The Mathematical Gazetteer of the British Isles
(Click the link below for those honoured in this way)
|Lecturer at the EMS
|BMC plenary speaker
|LMS Berwick Prize winner
|BMC morning speaker
|Fellow of the Royal Society
Cross-references in MacTutor
- Canadian Mathematical Society
Other Web sites
- Dictionary of National Biography
- Mathematical Genealogy Project
- MathSciNet Author profile
- zbMATH entry
- ERAM Jahrbuch entry


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(photo by David Weaver)
It's been a long time since we updated you on the comings and goings of the contributors to our 2010 Austin compilation album, 'Casual Victim Pile'. Since the last missive, the Golden Boys and Wild America went (the former to Europe for a December trip, the latter committed rock'n'roll auto de fé with a house show finale) and Dikes Of Holland came (out with a new full-length album that was arguably one of last year's best). But for for the purpose of appearing to be timely/relevant for a change, we'll focus on the recent activity of Follow That Bird! (above), who mark the release of their brand new Mt. Fuji 7″ with the following tour dates ;
sat 2.12 – austin, tx @ the mohawk w/ silent diane, dikes of holland, holy wave
thur 2.17 – el paso, tx @ garage tequila
fri 2.18 – tucson, az @ hangart
mon 2.21 – san francisco @ the knockout
thur 2.24 – eugene, or @ wandering goat coffee co
fri 2.25 – portland, or @ the woods
sat 2.26 – portland, or @ wtf bikes
sun 2.27 – seattle, wa @ the sunset tavern
thur 3.3 – denver, co @ the hi-dive
fri 3.4 – albuquerque, nm @ blackbird
sat 3.5 – marfa, tx @ marfa book company
On a slightly related tip, there's a second volume of 'CVP' — the creatively dubbed, 'Casual Victim Pile II' coming out on vinyl very soon on another label. I'm told it might be a quality endeavor, but at the risk of getting all corporate for a moment, is the theft of Matador's intellectual property not even worth protesting? I don't know how these people can sleep at night.


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This item is in excellent condition. You might mistake it for brand new!
Jones New York is designed for the modern-day woman who wants to feel empowered and look just as good while on the job or in her social life. The brand delivers both timeless style, as well as updated aesthetics to everything from dresses and skirts to power suits and more. Rooted in classic fashion with a twist of modernity, Jones New York comes in a variety of sizes to fit every woman's shape.Shop all Jones New York
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|Jay Kreps <jay.kr...@gmail.com>
|Re: admin functionality refactoring
|Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:08:45 GMT
One thought I had on some of these things was that it is actually kind of funny that we implement them in zookeeper. Technically we could implement them in Kafka itself which would mean less code (potentially) and also a clean api to clients. The idea is that many of the admin apis are basically changing cluster state. Examples are adding a topic, deleting a topic, altering the log config for a topic, changing the replication factor for a topic, migrating partitions, etc. One way to implement these would be to define an admin topic in kafka. Then standardize a JSON format or something for these command type messages. The API to make these changes would just be to publish a message to this topic. This would allow all brokers to subscribe and carry out these commands in order, and would allow any client that has support for the producer api to publish commands. I think in addition to providing an API this is actually the functionality needed for most of these cluster changes. For example the dynamic config patch I posted is basically implementing a queue like this but in zk for subscribing to and applying config changes. This is not fully thought through, but thought I would just toss the idea out there. -Jay On Fri, Feb 8, 2013 at 3:12 PM, Jay Kreps <email@example.com> wrote: > Admin functionality in 0.8 is kind of messy. What should we do? > > There are a bunch of misc. command line tools under kafka.admin. > AdminUtils is the closest thing we have to an admin interface, but it is > weirdly implemented as all static methods. Furthermore its APIs are really > wonky and tend to describe the operation they perform in zookeeper rather > than the high-level thing they accomplish. > > Since people are going to want programmatic access to administrative > functionality it would be good to think this through a bit. The least we > could do would be to refactor AdminUtils into an Admin class and think > through those APIs enough to make them usable from java/scala. This would > mean having a clear API for each thing that the various tools currently do > (create/delete/alter/describe/list topics, migrate partitions, shutdown > broker, etc). > > Arguably some of these should really be RPC apis so other languages can > invoke basic operations like creating and deleting topics. But this is not > critical so we can probably do it later. > > I think it would be good to also think about how we ended up here. I think > we are not putting in place basic APIs that provide a layer of > simplification for common operations. Instead we tend to just be jabbing > directly at Zookeeper from different places using ad hoc methods in > ZkUtils. This is really hard to understand or change. In general we seem to > have trouble thinking through APIs. > > Thoughts? > > -Jay > >
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(CNN) -- Waste-burning power stations rarely pass for stylish weekend resorts. But in an industrial town on the fringes of Copenhagen, an old incendiary plant is set for a seductive alpine makeover.
The 40-year-old power station, which converts domestic waste into electricity, is being rebuilt to incorporate a 31,000 square-meter ski slope around its towering exterior.
"What we have here is a synthesis of beauty and function -- a bit of architectural alchemy," said Bjarke Ingels, a Danish architect and founder of the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), which won an international design competition to secure the €420 million ($570 million) project.
"Why must buildings be defined by one particular function?" asked the 36-year-old. "Rather than create another part of the city that is lost to more mechanical infrastructure, our ambition is to add a social space that will enrich the local community," he said.
Planned for completion in 2016, the former factory-shaped eyesore will ferry visitors up a vertical elevator to a series of slopes at the top of the smokestack.
Meanwhile -- as a gentle nod to the pyramids of garbage churning beneath it -- the chimney is designed to puff a 30-meter-wide smoke ring every time a ton of C02 is produced.
"You'll be able to stand in the middle of Copenhagen and tally-up exactly how much carbon has been emitted into the atmosphere," said Bjarke. "It's this kind of visual connection that should encourage people to consider their own energy consumption."
The BIG founder said that heat-tracking lights will also be used at night to position lasers on the smoke rings and turn them into glowing artworks, or even pie charts.
Further embellishing the power station's facelift will be a vertical green "mega lattice" made up of plant pots stacked like bricks. Along its western border a field of hills will mimic a mogul piste.
Built from a recycled synthetic material, the plant's alpine identity embodies a philosophy that Bjarke describes as "hedonistic sustainability" -- the idea that environmental projects can increase our quality of life.
According to Bjarke, the 2009 COP15 summit in Copenhagen was a "total failure" because the debate was too focused around the idea that saving the environment means eliminating many of the things people enjoy.
"This is a sort of Protestant attitude of moral penitence," he said. "In my view it's completely the wrong starting point for talking about sustainability."
A network of artificial ski-resorts may not sound like like the most sustainable idea, but Bjarke is quick to defend it.
"This is not the same thing as building a fake ski slope in the middle of a Dubai shopping mall," he said.
Denmark burns 54% of domestic waste to generate power, according to Eurostat data. So, Bjarke says, it makes sense to harness the unused physical potential of its vast incendiary plants.
"In a country with the perfect climate for skiing, but which has long suffered from a lack of skiable slopes, why not kill two birds with one stone?" he said.
Capping off the multi-purpose power plant will be a terrain park that offers go-carting, sailing, and rock climbing.
But what about the all-important apes-ski aperitif?
"Of course!" Bjarke enthused. "At the very top of the slopes, underneath the chimney there will be a giant disc -- housing a bar with the best 360-degree panoramic views of Copenhagen anywhere in the world."


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Office of the President
Dr. Thompson comes to Culver-Stockton from Barton College in Wilson, N.C., a sister Disciples of Christ-affiliated institution, where she has served as Vice President for External Relations since 2008. At Barton College, Thompson was responsible for leading and providing the strategic direction for the division of external relations, including major gift fundraising, campaign management, annual fund programs, planned giving, marketing, alumni and parent relations, admissions and financial aid. Thompson's accomplishments at Barton include raising $3.5 million for a new theatre, raising $1.6 million for a new entrance, increasing the College's net tuition revenue by $2.4 million and raising the academic profile of incoming students. She has also held leadership roles at Davenport University, National-Louis University and the National College of Education.
"This is an exciting time in the history of Culver-Stockton College, and I am privileged to be sharing this opportunity with this distinctive campus community. From the moment we stepped onto 'the Hill,' my husband, Clarke, and I felt the warmth and enthusiasm with which we were welcomed," Thompson Said. "It is an honor for me to accept the Board's invitation to build on President Valentine's many successes. I look forward to immersing myself into the culture of Culver-Stockton and spending time with students, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni and members of the Canton community in the weeks and months ahead as we get to know each other and continue our important work together."
Thompson holds an Ed.D. in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania, a Certificate of Advanced Study in educational leadership from National-Louis University, a Master of Arts in communications and theater from University of Illinois-Chicago and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater from the University of Illinois-Champaign.


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Courtesy of Charlotte49ers.com.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – Chris Braswell led five 49ers in double-figures but the Charlotte 49ers (17-5, A-10: 5-3) late rally fell short in an 89-88 loss at Temple (15-7, A-10: 4-4).
"We fought to the bitter end," Charlotte coach Alan Major said. "We let Temple feel good early in the game. From that 18-5 early deficit, we pretty much outplayed them from an offensive standpoint. I just felt like defensively we did not have the multiple stops that we normally have. However, to Temple's credit they had a couple of guys step up and make big shots."
Braswell scored a season-high 23 points including 9-for-10 from the line. Pierria Henry scored 14 points and dished out nine assists. Denzel Ingram scored 13 points. Darion Clark and Terrence Williams each scored 11 points.
The 49ers were 7-for-10 from beyond the arc led by Ingram's three three-point field goals.
Charlotte finished the game with a 44-30 advantage on points in the paint.
Temple began the game on an 18-5 run over the first seven minutes.
Then, Charlotte went on a 17-9 run cutting Temple's lead to 27-22 when Denzel Ingram knocked down a three from the wing at the 7:19 mark. Terrence Williams scored six straight points during the run.
Then, Charlotte behind two free throws from Braswell cut Temple's lead to 33-31 with 4:20 on the clock.
Temple scored four straight points pushing their lead to six points with 2:58 left in the first half. Charlotte behind six straight points by Braswell tied the score at 37 on a Braswell dunk at the 1:26 mark.
Temple had a four-point possession capped off by a three by Jake O'Brien pushing their lead back to four points. Then, Braswell made two free throws and a layup at the first half buzzer tying the score at 41 at the half. Braswell scored Charlotte's final 12 points of the half.
In the second half, with the game tied at 51, Temple went on an 8-2 run taking a 59-53 lead with 12:27 on the clock.
Temple maintained a lead of 5-7 points for the next six minutes. At the 7:17 mark, Temple scored four straight points pushing their lead 72-62 with 6:01 on the clock.
With 3:02 on the clock, Temple led 84-74. Charlotte behind the scoring of Clark, Henry and Ingram cut Temple's lead to 88-85 with 27 seconds on the clock when Ingram knocked down a three from the top of the key. Then, Henry stole the ball with 21 seconds on the clock. However, the 49ers turned the ball over. Charlotte fouled Temple's Khalif Wyatt, who scored 25 points in the game. Wyatt made both free throws. Henry made the final score 89-88 with a three from the corner at the buzzer.
Next up for the 49ers is a game against Atlantic 10 newcomer VCU in Halton Arena, Saturday, February 9 at 7 pm.


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Editors' Picks: March/April 2011 Scrapbooking Products
Editors' Picks: Scrapbook Products
If you're looking for the coolest new papers, embellishments, and more for your scrapbook layouts, then you've come to the right place! Check out the following products that are sure to put a spring in your step:
Friends by Joey Manwarren as seen in the March/April 2011 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine.
Sporting trendy ledger prints and a host of other pretty designs, these sweet pockets from KI Memories come in four sizes perfect for scrapbooking (two shown here). They're a fabulous idea for adding lighthearted details to layouts about your best friends-and stashing memorabilia from your escapades!
Create custom buttons and bubbles in a snap using the Button Studio and Shape Studio tools. Just select your design (like selecting a punch), and choose your favorite paper to coordinate with your project. In three easy steps, you'll have perfect little accents for your journaling spots, frames, and more.
From its wise caterpillars to chatty flowers, Cosmo Cricket's fairy wonderland will bring a smile to your face and give a joyful boost to any story. For example, your daughter's bike ride or radio sing-along can become a whimsical adventure when you accent it with mushroom houses.
- see more cool products on page 2 -
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Support dropped for outdated links
As part of the work to improve the website for the public (and make it easier for us to maintain too) we are finally stopping the redirects for older versions of our website, which are identified by links containing ".nsf".
These format of these links were part of a version of our website that was fully phased out in early 2014. A small number of pages on that site were for our key council services and main contact points for customers, and so the links to those pages were redirected in order to create a smooth transition between the old website and the one that followed.
If you are on this page, it is very likely that you have found one of those old links, and have probably come from another website, an old browser bookmark, or found it on an old council document. Please use the menu or search feature on our website to find the information you need, and please let us know if you have any problems using the contact details on this page.


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The Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort by VRI resorts is southeast Florida's leading beachfront resort destination. The resort is centrally located in Fort Lauderdale Beach between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. The Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort is a timeshare condominium resort that offers beautiful and spacious vacation condos and vacation rentals. Located only one very short block from the beach, the resort is nested within small neighborhood with a variety of shops, restaurants, bars/loungues, a 24-hour restaurant, and a 24-hour convenience store. Also within walking distance is the Galleria Shopping Mall, the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, and the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens. The Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport is conveniently located only 15-minutes away. Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale's cruise port, is only 7-minutes away. With this superb location, everything you can want and need is close and convenient.
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The Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort features 1-Bedroom Condos and 2-Bedroom Condos. The resort also features Studio Efficiencies. Every condo (except for the Studio) has a private balcony and many of the balconies provide a breath-taking view of either the Atlantic Ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway and Downtown Fort Lauderdale. All of the vacation condos at the Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort have been newly remodeled. Our condos are available to the public as vacation rentals. Watch the resort video to see the recent renovations and also fun things to do in Fort Lauderdale.
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The Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort is proudly managed by Vacation Resorts International (VRI).
For three decades, VRI has been providing professional management services to resorts, hotels and condominiums. These services include innovative programs to enhance your vacation experience, creating more vacation value and increased satisfaction. VRI proudly stands as an industry leader in vacation ownership.
Through cost-conscious, service-oriented management, VRI has helped many resort properties become the most often-requested vacation destinations in the United States. This includes the Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort becoming one of the most requested timeshare resort properties throughout Greater Fort Lauderdale. Vacation Resorts International's Vacation Programs add even more value to your vacation ownership. Visit other VRI resorts using Vacation Tyme® or add days to your vacation week with Bonus Time.
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