text:
A couple of days ago, NASA's solar dynamics observatory captured this spectacular video of a filament of gas arcing in the sun's magnetic fields. This image shows what the event looked like in extreme ultraviolet light — basically, a tentacle of fire whipping around and blowing up. Writes NASA:
Long filaments like this one have been known to collapse with explosive results when they hit the stellar surface below. The segment in the 304 angstroms wavelength (red Sun) covers almost 3 hours.
Radioactive particles from this eruption will probably reach Earth today, and many will be deflected by our magnetosphere.
Spotted on Wired


text:
Mission Statement
Philadelphia University is a student-centered institution that prepares graduates for successful careers in an evolving global marketplace.
By blending the liberal arts and sciences, professional studies, interdisciplinary learning, and collaborations in and out of the classroom, students learn to thrive in diverse and challenging environments.
Our students are encouraged to form supportive relationships with each other as well as faculty, staff, and alumni in an academically rigorous setting that is focused on intellectual and personal growth.
Philadelphia University is an experiential learning community where integrity, creativity, curiosity, ethics, responsibility, and the free exchange of ideas are valued.
Please direct all general correspondence to
Phone: 215.951.2851
Fax: 215.951.6872/2569 or
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Your Car is Being Watched
Police forces and private companies are scanning auto license plates and building huge databases of location information--whether or not the owners of the cars have done anything wrong. WSJ's Julia Angwin reports.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... then ... you are being watched ... after a license plate ... sixteen mph ... this car is capable of taking pictures of thousands of license plates Lynch ... then the track system has a four camera lights and the connection was down ... two more ... I captured her ... I mean traveling parallel ... and ... the rear cameras are going to get ... your opinion ... the call ... each plate and the track Reeves also captures the date time stamp and GPS equipment CA ... and then that information is fed back to the company's central database ... and the Czech releases its technology to repossession is ... a music to repossessed vehicles from honors fallen behind in the team ... the best thing is all around ... as demand and that more than one certified us we would have ... to act as hell and get up and collect on the part I think ... that the police are also building huge databases of the of the location information ... whether or not the owners of the cars in question is anything wrong ... the thing that bothers me about the most ... is that most of the red in the database are as innocent diesel ... when my tax cutting found out the police and his ... family and California for using licensed previous years ... he used the California public Records Act to find out what they had on his two cops ... might be able to photograph to more than a hundred times ... each of those times ... aam you know with a date and time stamp of course the location data ... and that information is being store in death only there is no indication they were ever Guinea get with it ... this is the thing I found um most troubling about it was that at least in one of the photos my children are recognizable ... in time when they're getting out of the car ... in seven innings it was captured by this automated license plates Canada smell run-up lease car as it was driving by my house I'm in my driveway ... I mean we're just getting out a card you can identify both of my two daughters ... that leaves even family and then that the data is only in a news ... conference call ... and they're running on ... a man ... is undeniable and not injured ... in past local police departments wouldn't have bothered to shoot in store pictures of cars they have no reason to suspect ... but cheap access to powerful technology is changing all that ... it costs less than two bucks the year to store a gigabyte of information ... that's down from nineteen dollars and two thousand ... soo now even a relatively small police force can put together a database with millions of fleet numbers ... and they're not the only ones ... there are millions and millions per day ... their gender ... we stopped filling these milestones out because they were entered into a ... sleek style ... will change ... once we hit ... hundred million in just ... scotch accidents and twenty three years as a repossession agent ... now he analytics meant to run and the attacking Palin teen Illinois just outside of Chicago ... it's one of two companies in the U S marketing the technology for private use ... he got a license plate ... that stores the information ... you can easily pull the ... person's name he can pull it around rooster he'll be ... carefully in that stuff up with the school including what it does is it matches ... so we don't move ... the hot list of one vehicles for repossession ... within milliseconds with Graham license please get in action ... repossession agents pay a monthly fee to use the camera to get an alert when a span of three under par wanted for repossession ... the the ... the the the ... every one of those standards include the vehicles that are not wanted for anything ... goes back into antitax database ... they even have my are ... not here on the New York City ... I gave them the track permission to let that idea on their day ... we ran a search ... in ... we are a result we saw this vehicle ... at seven eleven ... in the morning in forty nine seconds ... and several others in two thousand eleven ... and I was last seen at that latitude and longitude ... and that report is stored on the back end server ... after prom for California State Senator Joe sanity and ... I don't think we want either the private sector or the public sector ... collecting data about the movement of law abiding citizens keeping in perpetuity and then sharing it with anyone who wants to write a check ... right now ... all that's entirely within the law ... Center City and Aston unveiled earlier this year that would limit the amount of time private contractor could hold on to D ... and require least have to get search warrants access ... my hope was this a good week purge the information for some reasonable period of time ... can we make sure that long Forstmann is accessing the information ... they have more they have some reasonable basis on probable cause to ask for the information ... the bill was eventually scrapped faced with opposition from companies that can be tapped him on course ... NetApp said it had no intention of selling the the the the third party marketing ... heaven and on the main information crackdown that that's ... not to invade the privacy of law binding ... cold comfort for people like my cats having ... one vehicle was stolen I had committed no crime there is no war no my rest you get the police service basically ... establishing a database of my location as determined by this automated license plates him ... it's a case where ... big brother has come into effect ... the Wall Street Journal this is Julie angling in your ... I ...


text:
What a gift you both are. I am truly grateful God placed me in your path. What an enlightening week!
Recent Posts
- "Life is either a daring adventure . . . or nothing!" (Helen Keller)
- "The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn." Ralph Waldo Emerson
- I am fully present
- Winter Solstice
- There is only one power in my life.
- Western Spirit Enrichment Center and infohub.com is featuring a GIVEAWAY!
- How Couples' Retreats Can Help Your Marriage
- I Awaken My Divinity!
- Reconnect with your Higher Self
Western Spirit in Print & Media!
Western Spirit is featured in the following books and sites:
- Arizona's Sanctuaries, Retreats, and Sacred Places by Kelly Ettenborough.
- The Top 101 Experts Who Help Us Improve Our Livesby David Riklan.
- Fodor's Solo Traveler.
- Adrenaline Adventures.
- Ranked #1 in Sedona for spiritual retreats on TripAdvisor.com's Popularity Index.


text:
Read from the experts about the latest printing news, varying from screen and digital printing, laser cutters, printing inks, packaging and more.
Explore FESPA's global portfolio of events, exhibitions and conferences aimed at the international print trade.
FESPA is a global federation of 37 national associations for the screen printing, digital printing and textile printing community.
Join today and benefit from a wealth of benefits to boost your business.
Just choose your country in the list below and we'll find your local association


text:
Duda taking more prominent role in stride
NEW YORK -- The job is his, but Lucas Duda prefers not to think of it that way. The Mets traded first baseman Ike Davis on Friday, opening the position up to Duda full time, but the veteran said Saturday that he doesn't think his situation will change much in the coming weeks and months.
"I still have to produce," he said on Saturday. "If I don't produce, I'm not going to play. No matter what the situation is, if I don't get the job done, somebody else will. That's what it comes down to."
Duda, a career .247 hitter with 47 home runs in 365 big league games, kept coming back to the same themes on Saturday. The former seventh-round draftee had played with Davis his entire career, and he said that he wishes his former teammate the best of luck with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Duda said he didn't find out that Davis was traded until just before Friday's game, and he said he didn't even get a chance to say goodbye. Duda had to text his regards to Davis, and he said he really hasn't had time to think about how the lay of the land will change at first base.
"That's one of the things I can't control," said Duda. "I can only control myself and go out there and prepare myself day in and day out. Play hard. ...The rest of the stuff is out of my hands."
Duda, a former outfielder, has played in just 93 career games at first base -- 10 of them this season -- but the Mets are hoping he'll take the job and thrive. The veteran has never had 500 at-bats in any Major League season, and the Mets hope he'll find consistency just by playing more often.
"I'm hoping that now Lucas doesn't have to worry about looking over his shoulder, where if he's 0-for-4 Ike's going to play. He's it," said manager Terry Collins of Duda and his newfound clarity at first base. "Now, he'll relax and go play. That being said, now he's got to go produce. It's the same token. He's our guy. 'Here's what we expect. Here's what we know you can do.' Let's go do that."
Duda, soft-spoken and guarded, compared to the dynamic and gregarious Davis, will never be the go-to quote after a game. But he doesn't have to be. Now, said Collins, Duda won't have to live and die with each back-page headline, and he can rest assured knowing that he's the guy at first base.
Things will be a little more difficult for the manager, but Collins knows that it's part of the job.
"We're not done," quipped Collins of the media interest at first base. "He's going to be 1-for-15 and Ike's going to have eight homers and you're going to want to know. I'm ready for those, too."


text:
Training Evaluation Toolkit
A complete practical guide and toolkit for measuring and reporting the impact of your workplace training programs.
Whether you are a novice or experienced professional, with this comprehensive training toolkit you will be able to plan your evaluation exercise, collect all relevant data, isolate non-training factors and then analyze and report the results convincingly to your key stakeholders.
- Single License:
- 2 to 10 Licenses:
- 11+ Licenses:
- Contents:
- Product ID:
- Author:
Leslie Allan
- Requirements:
View Details
Microsoft® Windows operating system
Microsoft Excel®, Microsoft Word®, PDF reader
- Download Size:
Product Features
Escape Measurement Mayhem
Get real help with these challenges:
- your training programs lack focus
- you want to evaluate training impact but don't know where to begin
- you are confused by the plethora of methods and techniques available
- you don't have a background in finance or measurement
- your clients are demanding proof that your programs make a difference
- the executive are wanting to reduce your training budget
Easy to Use
Our training evaluation tools are especially designed for practitioners who:
- are not comfortable with financial calculations
- have limited technical expertise in evaluation methods
- are short on time
Proven Evaluation Approach
Using our guide, you will be able to:
- develop training metrics that get widespread support
- select the right training evaluation method for your situation
- measure impact at one or more levels
- evaluate both internal and external training programs
- apply a simple yet powerful training impact model
Comprehensive Evaluation Tools
The included training impact evaluation tools will help you:
- select the most appropriate evaluation method for your circumstances
- measure and report the impact of training programs in both financial and non-financial terms
- decide when it is useful and meaningful to isolate the impact of training using simple rules
Immediate Practical Application
Start using the comprehensive set of reusable tools and templates straight away.
Each template is in the familiar Microsoft Word and Excel format and is fully customizable. Practical tools that you can use time and again include:
- planning and stakeholder communication templates
- data collection forms for each evaluation level
- participant skill assessment forms
- charting and analysis worksheets for both financial and non-financial data
- reporting templates for reporting results persuasively and professionally
and more ...
Who Uses this Guide?
Anyone involved in designing, delivering, managing and evaluating training programs, including:
- Trainers/Facilitators
- Training and Learning Managers
- T&D Consultants
- Human Resource Managers
- Human Resource Consultants
- Performance Improvement Managers
- Program Managers
End-to-End Solution
Step by step, we will show you how to:
- collect useful evaluation data without breaking the budget
- isolate the impact of non-training factors on performance
- measure and report the "intangible" benefits of training
- accurately calculate training program costs
- convert benefits to monetary values
- use training evaluation results to improve future programs
Enhance Your Credibility
- Build a benefits case based on solid data from multiple sources.
- Deliver professionally-presented reports that convince the executive.
- Place your training programs on a steady path of continuous improvement.
Evaluate Both Benefit Types
Use our toolkit to calculate and report both financial and non-financial benefits:
Financial Benefits
- Benefit to Cost Ratio (BCR)
- Return on Investment (ROI)
- Payback Period
- Net Present Value (NPV)
Non-Financial Benefits
- Productivity
- Efficiency
- Quality
- Customer satisfaction, etc
Practical Real-Life Examples
- Use the ready-to-go templates for every phase of your evaluation and reporting activities.
- Forms and worksheets are populated with working examples that you can follow before you enter your own data.
Buy with Assurance
If this product does not meet our exacting quality standards, write to us within 30 days for a full refund.
Product Contents
This section lists all of the items contained within the supplied Training Evaluation Toolkit zip file.
Training Evaluation Toolkit
Practical 128 page guide for measuring and reporting the impact of training programs in both financial and non-financial terms
Packaged templates
Collection of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Adobe PDF tools, worksheets, forms and charts as listed below
- Skill Assessment Form - Individual
- Skill Assessment Form – Group
- Certificate of Completion
- Certificate of Completion (Mail Merge)
- Certificate of Completion Data Source
- Training Evaluation Data Collection Plan
- Evaluation Report Communication Plan
- Training Participant Feedback Form
- Training Participant Feedback Spreadsheet
- Training Transfer Survey Form
- Training Transfer Interview Form
- Organizational Results Survey Form
- Level 4 Evaluation Worksheet
- Training ROI Survey Form
- Training ROI Worksheet
- Training Program Evaluation Report
Quick Start Guide
Two page handy reference guide for identifying the Training Evaluation Toolkit files and using them productively as quickly as possible
License Agreement
License terms stipulating usage rights and warranties for Training Evaluation Toolkit
"Clearly Mr Allan's 20 plus years of professional experience in Training and Development comes through crystal clear as he identifies the real world challenges that Training and Development professionals experience in providing effective programs that enhance the organization's performance. He even provides tools for measuring ROI; the measurement of training that continues to grow in importance to prove it's own worth in many organizations."Amy Peters
Corporate Training Manager
Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
"The Training Evaluation Toolkit provides a complete and comprehensive vision of training and its evaluation. The tools featured in the package are well built, simple to use, easy to implement and really get the job done. The Training Evaluation Toolkit allowed me to move to the next step of training evaluation and to perfect the tools already in place at my workplace. This toolkit really met my expectations and I highly recommend it to all potential customers."Mary Gervais
HR Coordinator
"I am very happy with the products that I bought from your company last year (Training Evaluation Toolkit and Writing Learning Outcomes). The concept/process is uncomplicated, hence I was able to immediately use them in developing and designing a training program as well as measuring the program's effectiveness."Lorenzo I. Sales
Training and Development
Boehringer Ingelheim (Phil.), Inc.
"First Impressions
On opening, I was surprised at the extent of the content, in particular the range of templates that are included in the package (16 in total). A quick read of the introduction described the evaluation model that this tool kit is built around; the very well known and extensively used Donald Kirkpatrick's training evaluation model.
On further review
I like this model for evaluating training programs as it sits well with OJT training and classroom delivery alike. Leslie explains each of the four levels in great detail, living up to his promise of delivering a 'practical guide' to training evaluation. He spends a chapter on each level, detailing the process of assessing training with a significant amount of background detail and considerations for the evaluator. It is an outstanding explanation of Kirkpatrick's model. The chapter on measuring results is particularly noteworthy, explaining how results are often difficult to isolate and can be affected by non-training matters.
I did find the second last chapter, measuring the ROI on training, to be what I would consider as 'theory heavy', most probably because it falls outside the scope of my particular niche. Although it is still approached from a practical angle, the depth is too extensive for the front line trainer, low level training manager and possibly even the small business owner. Don't get me wrong, I do see the need to ensure that the reward for you efforts is worth the resources committed, but if it is too complex, the options are to outsource or overlook.
This is bought quickly back into focus with the last chapter titled 'Program Evaluation and Reporting'. Although short, it is an invaluable inclusion that clearly outlines the importance of reporting on your training activities.
The templates are excellent. Included in the package are blue prints for training data collection and presentation, participant evaluation and feedback, a certificate of completion and training report. If this is your first time evaluating training, then this book will give you the building blocks that you need to gather feed back, complete the assessment, analyse the results and record your findings.
The Training Evaluation Tool Kit is a one-stop tool box for evaluating your training programs, regardless of the size of your organisation. It feels more suited to a medium to large organisation with a regular training schedule, but that's not to say that any benefit would be lost to the small business owner or sole trainer. At a cost of $50 USD, it is priced very reasonably with comparable products (and even some less comparable in quality).
Would I buy it? Yes, for the templates and the explanation of Kirkpatrick's model alone."Duane Davis
Author of Controlling Training
Source: Training Tools
"I'm always being asked about evaluation and whether I have examples of materials. Although there is already a lot written in this field, including toolkits like the CIPD's, another contribution is always welcome. The style is accessible and practical. The materials straightforward and easily adaptable. The content is mainstream and of the 'how to' variety. I think it will be helpful for those new to evaluation who have been tasked with pulling together an approach to measurement and who would rather not start with a blank sheet.
In some respects the toolkit reminds me of the work of the late Leslie Rae with its sound reasoning and unfussy materials. But quickly the text moves into the higher levels of evaluation and the complexities of measurement. Isolating the effects of training and putting numbers on performance change is not everyone's cup of tea but it certainly has its place. In this respect it is more like Terence Jackson's Evaluation: Relating Training to Business Performance. I don't think this toolkit is better than what has gone before but it is handy having it in an e-book format.
Intangibles and the longer term benefits from things like leadership development do get a mention. But the toolkit is at its strongest in looking at quantitative methods. Personally I have my doubts about whether the investment of time and effort in most RoI exercises are worth it in terms of the value they offer back (how can you set out to measure the value of the training and then not weigh up the cost and value of the evaluation exercise itself). No one ever got a pig fat by weighing it. But if you need to do such an exercise, this toolkit may be as good a start point as anything offered by Jack Phillips.
This book hasn't excited me - that is not what it is about - but I am sure there are many a trainer out there that will be keen to 'borrow' the materials and follow the tips provided. For me, it gets a 3.5 out of 5."Graham O'Connell
Head of Organisational Learning and Standards
National School of Government Source: Training Zone
"Les Allan's Evaluation Toolkit is one of the best resources I ever encountered. It's comprehensive and you can gear it to your convenience. I highly recommend it."Diederick Stoel
Chief Executive Officer
ProfitWise International
"I looked at many different training evaluation resources and yours was the best by far. I found the Training Evaluation Toolkit very informative and useful. As a trainer and consultant I want to increase my ability to be competitive and demonstrate effectiveness. The Toolkit did provide me with the information I needed. Thanks so much!"Dawn Rannie-White
DCR Consulting
"Training Evaluation Toolkit is a comprehensive toolbox for trainers. It has lots of useful and practical training assessment ideas and templates. If you are looking to improve your post training assessment, I suggest you check out Training Evaluation Toolkit immediately."Hanzo Ng
Sales Ninja Grandmaster
Sales Ninja Training
"To call this just a book is a slight injustice; as the title states it's a toolkit and once you understand the book and appendices it really does become a comprehensive evaluation toolkit suitable both for the trainer or those in the organisation responsible for understanding what the training spend is really doing for the bottomline.
I found the focus of the book very much on measurement, analysis and process which might put some people off – especially if you don't like lots of stats and forumula. The clarity of explanation does allow understanding making it worth any feeling of having to keep 'plodding' through.
Throughout there is strong linkage with Kirkpatricks 4 levels of evaluation, perhaps fitting as that model is now 50 years old. Despite the strong reference to Kirkpatricks it was welcoming to see the focus on the higher levels, often the ones organisations struggle with and hence don't really truly understand the value of training delivered. Again the format of the book and the examples helped with clarity of understanding.
The book makes good reference to the appendices which are basically you're working templates in terms of how to put what the book is teaching into practice.
So if you want to demonstrate bottomline impact of your training its worthwhile taking the time to understand and apply what the book is sharing.
My last point could be classed as personal preference since I find it slightly annoying to read something that is full of American type spelling (z instead of s and not enough m's in programme)!!
Score : I'd give it 4 out of 5"Dawn Brown, FCIPD
People Consultant
People Development Coaching Limited
Source: Training Zone
"On opening the Toolkit, I was initially put off by the 136 pages my page counter stated that it contained. However, I ploughed into it thinking that I had committed to reviewing it so I had to get on with it... I needn't have worried: the book is very readable, easy to understand and is presented in a very logical format. Topic areas are 'chunked' to aid the reader as well as to enable sections to be explored individually. There is a very comprehensive index that allows the reader to find what they are looking for at a glance - very important and sometimes missing from other books I find. The appendices are very thorough and provide the reader with everything s/he could need to be able to conduct a professional and methodical evaluation of training.
If I had one complaint (more of a personal niggle to be honest) it would be that the statistically heavy sections do take a bit of perseverance to get through - but I put this down to my own 'resistance to the maths' rather than the content, as Leslie Allan explains everything very well. I feel that the author has provided everything that the trainer-evaluator could require, including template certificates that link to mail merge - handy. So, in summary, I would say that, for the internal trainer wanting to ensure a systematic appraisal of delivery is conducted, they could do much worse than buy this book, which I would rate as a 4.5 out of 5 - very good."Jane Barker
Drug Training Coordinator
Wolverhampton Drug Training Unit
Source: Training Zone
"Companies spend a lot of effort, time and money training their employees, but how can they be sure that the training has been successful and effective?
Manager, consultant and trainer Leslie Allan's toolkit is a helpful way to measure and report the effectiveness of a training program. The toolkit consists of an eBook and several customizable Microsoft Word forms and Excel calculation worksheets, including certificate templates for trainees. These forms are fully re-usable.
From evaluating your training impact to measuring learning and behavior, and on to analysing results and return on investment, the author discusses these topics and more.
Resources include:
- planning and stakeholder communication templates
- data collection forms for each evaluation level
- participant skill assessment forms
- charting and analysis worksheets for both financial and non-financial data
- reporting templates for reporting results persuasively and professionally
I found the book well-structured, focused and informative, while Allan's writing is straightforward and to the point. His list of subjects is pretty comprehensive. I found the forms to be practical, helpful and easy to use.
This toolkit is aimed at both novice and experienced professionals, from learning and human resource managers to development consultants and instructional designers.
Think of this toolkit as a step-by-step guide to measuring training programs. If you're a trainer, you'll definitely want to consider purchasing this toolkit."Mayra Calvani
Source: MyShelf.Com
Licensing and Copyright
Your use of Training Evaluation Toolkit is strictly governed by the terms of the product's License Agreement. A Single User License allows the license holder and the license holder's training program stakeholders to use the product as intended and to print out one copy only of the Training Evaluation Toolkit PDF guide. Each person, or each employee in an organization using the product with training program stakeholders, requires a purchased license.
For example, if your organization employees three trainers to design and deliver programs, your organization will need to purchase three licenses. When ordering online, enter "3" in the Quantity field. If ordering by telephone, tell the customer service representative that you require 3 licenses. Quantity discounts apply when you purchase more than one license.
The License Agreement prohibits you from selling, renting, lending or distributing the product and from allowing access to unauthorized users across a network. This product is also protected by copyright laws and international treaty provisions. We retain full copyright in all of our materials and strictly prohibit the making of unauthorized copies.
Please note that this is a summary only of the license provisions and is not meant to interpret the meaning of or replace any or all of the license terms specified in the product's License Agreement. Please read the product's License Agreement prior to purchase as no refunds are given on the basis that you did not read or understand the License Agreement.
If you are an external consultant delivering services to client organizations and wish to use this product in multiple client organizations, you will require an External Consultant License Agreement. Visit our Special License portal to find out more.
If your organization or site is large or your organization comprises a number of units or divisions, you may need a Site or an Enterprise License Agreement. Visit our Special License portal to find out more.
Product License Agreement Frequently Asked Questions
General License Agreement Frequently Asked Questions
Product Support
Product Enquiries
We are pleased to answer any questions you may have about the content of this product and its application to your specific circumstances.
Contact us now for a prompt response.
Consulting Assistance
Whether you are about to design and deliver a new training program or you need help evaluating the benefits of your existing programs, our team of expert consultants, coaches and trainers are ready to assist.
Our associates are leaders in their respective fields, having earned the respect of both clients and peers. Each consultant delivers services with the highest professional standards and an emphasis on results.
Contact us now for assistance in selecting the right consultant for your needs.
How to Buy
Payment Methods
Our flexible purchasing options include:
- Credit Card (online)
- PayPal
- Bank/Wire Transfer
- Check
- Money Order
- Purchase Order
Note: Not all payment options are available in all countries.
We accept all of the major credit cards.
Credit Card
Click on the Buy Now button for your chosen product. Your country and currency will be selected automatically on the Shopping Cart Order Form. Select Credit Card as the Payment Method. You will be able to download your product from the final page of the order process. You will also receive a confirmation email with a download link within a few minutes.
Click on the Buy Now button for your chosen product. Your country and currency will be selected automatically on the Shopping Cart Order Form. Select PayPal as the Payment Method. You will be sent to PayPal's log-in page. Once you log in and complete the transaction with PayPal, you will be returned to our Shopping Cart for a confirmation receipt and a download link. You will also receive a confirmation email with a download link within a few minutes.
Bank/Wire Transfer/Check/Money Order
Click on the Buy Now button for your chosen product. Your country and currency will be selected automatically on the Shopping Cart Order Form. Select your chosen payment method from the options displayed. Follow the on screen instructions on how to make payment. Upon payment, you will receive a receipt and download link to download your product.
Purchase Order
Click on the Buy Now button for your chosen product. Your country and currency will be selected automatically on the Shopping Cart Order Form. Select Purchase Order as the payment method. You will receive an invoice linking to the available payment options. Purchase Orders may be paid by credit card or check. Payment is due within 30 days. Upon payment, you will receive a receipt and download link to download your product.
Buy on CD
To receive the product on CD, select the Backup CD option on the Shopping Cart Order Form (extra US $12.95 applies). Please allow 7 to 14 business days for delivery by mail. Upon payment, you will also receive a download link so that you can start using the product immediately.
Give Gift
To give the product as a gift to a family member, friend or colleague, simply click the Give Gift link to the left of the Buy Now button. You will be taken to the Shopping Cart Order Form. On the Payment Info page, enter the gift recipient's details in the section provided.
Get Help
To get help before or during your purchase, contact Consumer Support. You will receive a prompt response from our order processor (FastSpring) to your question. You can also inquire about the status of your order once your purchase is confirmed.
Download and Install Product
To download the product zip file to your computer, click on the download link contained in the email we sent you. Save the file to a folder on your computer, taking note of where you saved it.
All product files are contained within the zip file you downloaded. Go to where the zip file is located and in Windows Explorer, right-click on the zip file. Select Extract All or Extract To from the list of options to extract all of the product files to your chosen location. Once you have extracted the files, navigate to the directory in which you extracted them. To get started, read the QuickStartGuide.txt file and check the License.txt file to verify your license obligations. If your computer does not recognize zip files, visit www.winzip.com or www.7-zip.org to download the zip file extractor.
For installation problems and answers to other commonly asked questions,
visit our FAQ page
Want to measure the impact of training and improve the effectiveness of your programs? Check out From Training to Enhanced Workplace Performance by the same author. This expanded resource kit is packed with ideas, tools and templates for implementing effective organizational learning. The Training Evaluation Toolkit forms Chapters 8 to 14 of this larger toolkit.
System Requirements:
Microsoft® Windows XP®/Windows Vista®/Windows® 7/Windows® 8/Windows® 10
Program Requirements:
Microsoft Excel® 2002(XP) or above, Microsoft Word® 2002(XP) or above, PDF reader
All reputable PDF readers will read our PDF files, including Adobe® Reader® and Foxit Reader.
Please note that our products are not designed to operate on Apple® and Linux systems (with or without Microsoft Windows® emulators). Business Performance Pty Ltd does not guarantee that our software will operate satisfactorily on these systems.
Leslie Allan has been assisting organizations improve their capability for over 20 years. He has contributed in various roles as manager, consultant and trainer within the manufacturing and service industries, both for public and private sector organizations. On the people side, Leslie has set up and managed training functions for leading multinationals. His achievements include reducing online learning costs by 80% and increasing employee course completions by 540%. Taking a strategic approach to investing training resources also led him to develop a best practice model for training functions.
Leslie's external and internal consulting roles have seen him lead successful projects in strategic planning, workplace communications, and quality and HR information systems. He is also a seasoned instructional designer and trainer, having taught a variety of programs in both vocational colleges and industry.
Leslie is a prolific writer on business issues, with many journal and web articles to his credit. He is also the author of five books on employee capability, training and change management. Leslie currently serves as Divisional Council Member for the Australian Institute of Training and Development and is a member of the Australian Institute of Management and the American Society for Quality. Leslie may be contacted by email at firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Here's a tutorial for all of you World of Warcraft fans. I've never gotten the chance to play WoW but I have an appreciation for the Pandaren race. I mean, a race of fighting pandas that dress up in oriental clothing? Who wouldn't love that?! Get your drawing materials ready and have fun with this one!
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!


text:
Nearly two years after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation allowing local governments to create nonprofit land banks that purchase and collect vacant properties either for sale or redevelopment, the state is now making money available to help fund the efforts.
Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman this week announced that – thanks to a recent $25 billion settlement with some of the nation's top banks in the aftermath of the foreclosure crisis – up to $20 million will be made available to fund state-approved land banks across New York, including one in Erie County.
The $20 million will be disbursed over two years, and the eight approved land banks that are eligible for the funding will have to compete for the money.
"We intend to submit a very competitive application," said Maria Whyte, Erie County commissioner of environment and planning and chairwoman of the Buffalo Erie Niagara Land Improvement Corp.
Buffalo and Erie County was one of five areas in the state approved for a land bank in the initial round of applications after Cuomo signed the legislation in July 2011. Statewide, a total of 10 land banks have been authorized, including land banks in Chautauqua County; the City of Rochester; and the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County.
As a nonprofit land-banking entity, the Buffalo Erie Niagara Land Improvement Corp. is charged with curbing the problems of vacant and abandoned properties across Erie County. Despite the name, it does not include Niagara County. Like Erie County's three cities – Buffalo, Lackawanna and Tonawanda – the land bank can bid for properties at tax foreclosure auctions.
However, land banks are required only to bid the amount equal to what's owed in back taxes and fees on a property, after which they automatically win the auction and become the property owner. Municipalities competing in the same arena would have to outbid a speculator to gain possession of a property.
According to county sources, there are 8,765 properties countywide eligible for foreclosure this year. Of those, 5,752 properties are located in the cities, which are not included in the county's foreclosure sale because each of the cities is empowered to hold its own auction.
The Buffalo Erie Niagara Land Improvement Corp. received an appropriation of $100,000 from the county in the 2013 budget. Whyte said the funding being made available by the state could increase that tenfold.
"It was very exciting when the statute was passed in 2011 and signed by the governor, but there was no funding provided. As we know, vacant and abandoned properties are an extremely expensive problem," Whyte said.
In explaining the rationale for having the state help fund the land banks, Schneiderman said that land banks, by restoring vacant or abandoned properties, lower costs for local governments. In addition, he said, by getting properties back on the tax rolls, they benefit public schools, help reduce crime and give a boost to the local economy.
"By dedicating money from that settlement to land banks across New York, we'll empower local communities to rebuild their own neighborhoods, house by house, block by block. The road to recovery is long, but it will take innovative approaches like this – driven and managed by those who know the community best – to boost local economies and finally put this crisis behind us," Schneiderman said in a prepared statement.
email: firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Eugene Cernan
United States Navy officer and former NASA astronaut
Eugene Andrew Cernan (born March 14, 1934 - 16 January 2017) was a former American astronaut. He was the last human being to set foot on the Moon, on the Apollo 17 mission.
|This People article is a stub. You can help Wikiquote by expanding it.
- As I take man's last step from the surface, back home for some time to come - but we believe not too long into the future - I'd like to just (say) what I believe history will record. That America's challenge of today has forged man's destiny of tomorrow. And, as we leave the Moon at Taurus- Littrow, we leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind. Godspeed the crew of Apollo 17.
- I felt that I was literally standing on a plateau somewhere out there in space. A plateau that science and technology had allowed me to get to. But now what I was seeing and even more important what I was feeling at that moment in time, science and technology had no answers. Literally no answers because there I was, and there you are, there you were, the earth dynamic, overwhelming.. And I felt that the world just.. There is too much purpose, too much logic, it was just too beautiful to happen by accident. There has to be somebody bigger than you and bigger than me.. And I mean this in a spiritual sense, not in a religous sense, there has to be a creator of the universe who stands above the religions that we, ourselves create to govern our lives.


text:
The Twitter of the Blue Bird
The Twitter of the Blue Bird
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
SpiriT Palm In The Sky
Highlighted SpiriT Palm used as warning sign for High Voltage.
Robin Tunney electrified (Jupitered) on the poster for "The Craft".
StarMummy a.k.a Robin Tunney with vivified SpiriT Palm - the CBS network watermark eye/I hits the center of Her open hand - in "The Mentalist" S1 E18 "Russet Potatoes".
Buddhas and Hindu deities are often depicted this way. It is a mark of SpririT moving into the human form.
Jupiter/Joy/Being surrendered to the NOW/EON/ZOE/ONE/WON
StarMummy with words "High Voltage" emitting from her head right after realized SpiriT Palm incident.
"He was dead... But he got better". The story of Jesus/Phoenix rising. Khrist Konsciousness Being realized.
"Krank: High Voltage" In theaters April 17 (See Jim's KranK Heart).
Note the repeating gun and High Voltage elements, as already winked in the Tunney SpiriT palm event.
The image also unveils N/Z as a lightning bolt resonator.
Time to get ready for the High Volt Age!
13 comments:
- skrambo said...
Interesting that the Aeon of Horus began in 1992, the beginning of the leap across the abyss with our soles/souls landing on firm ground in 2012 (I hope, it would sure be a miracle)
I was thinking of playing the point-and-click classic King's Quest 5 (I have fond memories of watching my brother, who was born the same year you were, play it... We are both Leos making a KK) at the end of the game in your battle against Mordack (Marduk?) you learn how to use alchemy and tranform into a tiger (2010), then he turns into a dragon (2012, making the "twenty twen" jump between 2010 and 2012), then you turn into a rabbit (2011), then he turns into a snake (2013). A little later he turns into a ring of fire (star ring/zodiac?) which you summon a thundercloud (like Harrision Ford in the "Leap of Faith" poster) to extinguish with the cleansing rains of the Age of Aquarius... (I just gave away how to beat the game, btw)
Nice post time sync, 1:42.
- April 7, 2009 at 2:46 PM
- soundlessdawn said...
That's so F~ing Psychedelic man ~ On days of optimism, I'd consider myself somewhat of a Gnostic.. Maybe that's an Archon tending to his quadrant of the Cosmic garden.. to experience for the Demiurge. Maybe the Omniverse is just a huge Organism ~ That is both Moving and Stationary..
- April 7, 2009 at 10:25 PM
- Arrowsmith said...
'The Fool' Steve Martin in a movie called Leap of Faith...brilliant.
Do you think these electricity syncs suggest that the voltage is being turned up a notch? Is Consciousness being 'Cranked' up to the next level? The Shock-waves in Italy are still rippling out across the planet and it certainly feels like the air is charged with a new kind of energy. Spring has certainly started with a Bang.
- April 8, 2009 at 6:44 AM
- Jake Kotze said...
"Do you think these electricity syncs suggest that the voltage is being turned up a notch? Is Consciousness being 'Cranked' up to the next level?"
Yes, totally.
Later G8or
- April 8, 2009 at 8:51 AM
- Jake Kotze said...
"The High Volt Age" is here.
- April 8, 2009 at 8:54 AM
- SoapFan said...
The Hand in the Sky space image seems to have been posted world wide just for you, Jake!
I had read your SpiriT Palm post but didn't put it with the space image yesterday but it's timing is right on with your post. The heavens seem to agree with you!
Again, I love your work here because it's so "electrifying-ly" positive and uplifting.
"Positive" high voltage, indeed! Thanks for keeping us, UP!
Hey, isn't that an "UP"-coming movie again in 3-D? There is Monsters v. Aliens in 3-D and now a giant "Hand" in space in 3-D, no less. Cool!
- April 8, 2009 at 9:38 AM
- Cosmic Ti69er said...
That is a blue had in the sky as well.
peace yall
yes time for a mircale.
- April 8, 2009 at 12:45 PM
- Eunus Noe said...
Apropos of our "current" moment, there is this:
-Of course, I've been reading a book, where the author claims that Jesus came not to save us, but to teach us how to die.
Happy Easter anyway!
wv: undad (ha!)
- April 8, 2009 at 1:24 PM
- Ed said...
Hello Jake
When I first saw that hand, I imediatley thought of the Crisis on Infinite Earths. Blue skinned Krona of the Guardians built a machine to witness the beginning of time, what he saw was a giant hand holding a bunch of stars. This was re-shown in the Justice League cartoon where Batman and Green Lantern chased Chronos to the beginning of time.
- April 8, 2009 at 5:17 PM
- Atareye said...
High volt age. Hi! volt age!
You got high class Mr Kotze.
WV in green 'vanchrat'
- April 8, 2009 at 6:07 PM
- Cosmic Ti69er said...
the Red C in winnipeg Crests tomorrow. I was thinking about the act of sandbagging and if there where any synchromystic connections to it and then I happened to watch Indian Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark that was playing on TV. Of course the movie starts with him in South America trying to take a Golden head statue dude by using a sandbag to keep weight on the trigger for the traps.
There is my sandbag!
We can bag the sands of time all we want the spirit flood will win.
wv: hyporat
- April 8, 2009 at 7:36 PM
- David Stewart said...
Lotsa fun - Thanks Jake!
When I saw the Blue hand image the other day I thought first of Dr Manhattan
But then I thought of the Dreadful Flying Glove which was sent by the Blue Meanies to stop the Fab Four(All You Need Is Love)
But I also discovered a Play called The Giant Blue Hand by Marina Carr at The Ark, A Cultural Centre for ChildrenThis one kidnaps the Time Family!
- April 10, 2009 at 3:08 AM
- earthstar said...
It appears that a new beings have been born....zoey 101.... pregnant jamie lynn spears....still I'v been musing about the "last mimzy"...alot of info for kids....kids networks have been pumping out the symbols oz abounds.......thanxx for the blogg.....keiarix
- April 18, 2009 at 8:11 PM


text:
- Home
- Departments
- Public Docs and Forms
- Agendas and Minutes
- Community Links
- Employment Opportunities and RFP's
Jason Corey, Municipal Court Judge Municipal Court Clerk
Mission: The Municipal Court's mission is to dispense justice fairly and equitably within its jurisdiction over a variety of violations and misdemeanor offenses. The Court's jurisdiction is comparable to the jurisdiction exercised by a justice of the peace.
The Municipal Court is located in City Hall at 313 Court Street, The Dalles, Oregon. It's primary function is to handle traffic violations, criminal violations, misdemeanors and violations against City ordinances within the City limits.
For further information, contact the Municipal Court.
The City of The Dalles, Oregon, is situated in the north-central part of the state on the Columbia River, the nation's second largest river. It is the county seat and the largest community in Wasco County. The Dalles is one of Oregon's most historical cities and was known earlier in its history as the town at the end of the Oregon Trail. The city was first incorporated by the Oregon Territorial Government in 1857 as "Dalles City" and was made the county seat shortly thereafter.
For disability access issues with this site, please write us, call x1119, or email and we will provide alternative resources.
The Dalles City Hall
313 Court Street
The Dalles, Oregon 97058
Site by Rains Birchard Marketing


text:
represents the standard state-space model with state matrix a, input matrix b, output matrix c, and transmission matrix d.
represents a descriptor state-space model with descriptor matrix e.
gives a state-space model corresponding to the systems model sys.
gives the state-space model obtained by Taylor linearization about the point (xi0,ui0) of the differential or difference equations eqns with outputs gi and independent variable τ.
Details and Options
- StateSpaceModel can represent scalar and multivariate systems in continuous or discrete time.
- Time delays can be represented in any state-space model, by using SystemsModelDelay in any of the matrices.
- A continuous-time system modeled by the equations with states , control inputs , and outputs can be specified as StateSpaceModel[{a,b,c,d}].
- A discrete-time system modeled by the equations with states , control inputs , outputs , and sampling period τ can be specified as StateSpaceModel[{a,b,c,d},SamplingPeriod->τ].
- Continuous-time and discrete-time descriptor state-space systems can be specified as follows:
StateSpaceModel[{a,b,c,d,e}] StateSpaceModel[{a,b,c,d,e},SamplingPeriod->τ]
- For a system with n states, p inputs, and q outputs, the matrices a, b, c, d and e should have dimensions {n,n}, {n,p}, {q,n}, {q,p}, and {n,n}.
- The following short inputs can be used:
StateSpaceModel[{a,b,c}] StateSpaceModel[{a,b}] StateSpaceModel[{a,b,c,Automatic,e}] StateSpaceModel[{a,b,Automatic,Automatic,e}]
- In StateSpaceModel[sys] the following systems can be converted:
AffineStateSpaceModel approximate Taylor conversion NonlinearStateSpaceModel approximate Taylor conversion TransferFunctionModel exact conversion
- When converting from transfer-function model sys, the controllable realization is used.
- For equational input, default linearization points xi0 and uj0 are taken to be zero.
- The following options can be given:
SamplingPeriod Automatic the sampling period StateSpaceRealization Automatic the canonical realization DescriptorStateSpace Automatic standard or descriptor realization SystemsModelLabels Automatic the labels for the input, output, and state variables
Examplesopen all close all
Basic Examples (5)
A state-space model of an integrator:
A second‐order single-input, single-output system:
The state-space model of a transfer-function object:
The state-space model of a system with sampling period τ:


text:
June Jacobs
22 results
For over thirty years, June Jacobs has been a world renowned spa visionary, beauty and wellness expert. Coming from a large family steeped in tradition, June observed the women in her family utilize anti-oxidant rich ingredients for healing and beauty remedies. June's career in skin care began when—after working for several high profile doctors and plastic surgeons—she realized a need for quality, targeted treatments. Dissatisfied with what the luxury market had to offer at the time, June, together with her daughter, Rochelle, set out to create her own line—a line created with highly-efficacious, natural ingredients formulated to deliver immediate, impactful results with long-term benefits. Her philosophy is centered on living a lifestyle that invigorates your senses and prevents aging from the outside while staying healthy on the inside. To ensure complete control over her proprietary formulas, June opened June Jacobs Labs, her own independent laboratory, solely dedicated to Research & Development and full production. With a focus on quality and innovation, all products feature cutting-edge botanical extracts, high quality actives and a U.S. patented anti-oxidant blend of white, red and green tea extracts combined with goji berry, pomegranate and grape seed extracts to help prevent the visible signs of premature aging. This means every product holds the key for healthy, timeless beauty delivering superior anti-aging benefits at every step of the beauty routine. Formulated to address all types of skin concerns, every product is made without parabens and is free of preservatives, petrochemicals, synthetic dyes, sulfates and synthetic fragrance when possible. The result…radiant, beautiful skin. Behold the key to unlocking the power of your natural beauty. Experience the ultimate lifestyle of skin health and wellness.


text:
With the six week summer holidays looming parents will be pleased to know Waddesdon Manor has it covered with all welcome to join the Estate's feathered mascot Mimi the Mynah for a family fun European tour.
Mimi's European Adventure runs from July 26 to August 28 (Wed-Sun, 10am-4pm). You will join Mimi the Mynah for a European tour in the grounds of Waddesdon Manor. Celebrating the Rothschild family heritage, try a new themed activity each week inspired by the five countries where the Rothschild brothers made their homes.


text:
SEC530: Defensible Security Architecture New
Mon, January 14 - Sat, January 19, 2019
This training showed how overall security posture of an organization can be improved. It helps connect the dots between different areas within security infrastructure.
This course truly deserves a 5 of 5 excellent rating. I really can't express how impressed I am with my first SANS course!
SEC530: Defensible Security Architecture is designed to help students build and maintain a truly defensible security architecture. "The perimeter is dead" is a favorite saying in this age of mobile, cloud, and the Internet of Things, and we are indeed living in new a world of "de-perimeterization" where the old boundaries of "inside" and "outside" or "trusted" and "untrusted" no longer apply.
This changing landscape requires a change in mindset, as well as a repurposing of many devices. Where does it leave our classic perimeter devices such as firewalls? What are the ramifications of the "encrypt everything" mindset for devices such as Network Intrusion Detection Systems?
In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of up-to-date defensible security architecture. There will be a heavy focus on leveraging current infrastructure (and investment), including switches, routers, and firewalls. Students will learn how to reconfigure these devices to better prevent the threat landscape they face today. The course will also suggest newer technologies that will aid in building a robust security infrastructure.
While this is not a monitoring course, this course will dovetail nicely with continuous security monitoring, ensuring that security architecture not only supports prevention, but also provides the critical logs that can be fed into a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system in a Security Operations Center.
Hands-on labs will reinforce key points in the course and provide actionable skills that students will be able to leverage as soon as they return to work.
You Will Learn To:
- Analyze a security architecture for deficiencies
- Apply the principles learned in the course to design a defensible security architecture
- Maximize the current investment by reconfiguring existing equipment to become more defensible
- Configure computer systems and network components to support proper logging and continuous monitoring
- Improve both preventive and detective capabilities
- Improve the security of devices from layer 1 (physical) through layer 7 (application)
Course Syllabus
SEC530.1: Defensible Security Architecture
Ismael Valenzuela
Mon Jan 14th, 2019
This first section of the course describes hardening systems and networks at every layer, from layer one (physical) to layer seven (applications and data). To quote Richard Bejtlich's The Tao of Network Security Monitoring, defensible networks "encourage, rather than frustrate, digital self-defense."
The section begins with an overview of traditional network and security architectures and their common weaknesses. The defensible security mindset is "build it once, build it right." All networks must perform their operational functions effectively, and security can be complementary to this goal. It is much more efficient to bake security in at the outset than to retrofit it later.
The discussion will then turn to layer one (physical) and layer two (data link) best practices, including many "ripped from the headlines" tips the co-authors have successfully deployed in the trenches to harden the infrastructure in order to prevent and detect modern attacks. Examples include the use of private VLANs, which effectively kills the malicious client-to-client pivot, and 802.1X and NAC, which mitigate rogue devices. Specific Cisco IOS syntax examples are provided to harden switches.
CPE/CMU Credits: 6
- Traditional Security Architecture Deficiencies
- Emphasis on Perimeter/Exploitation
- Lack of a True Perimeter ("De-perimeterization" as a Result of Cloud/Mobile)
- The Internet of Things
- Predominantly Network-centric
- Defensible Security Architecture
- Mindset
- Presumption of Compromise
- De-perimeterization
- Predominantly Network-centric
- Models
- Zero Trust Model (Kindervag - Forrester)
- Intrusion Kill Chain
- Diamond Model of Intrusion Analysis
- Software-defined Networking and Virtual Networking
- Micro-Segmentation
- Threat, Vulnerability, and Data Flow Analysis
- Threat Vector Analysis
- Data Ingress Mapping
- Data Exfiltration Analysis
- Data Egress Mapping
- Detection Dominant Design
- Attack Surface Analysis
- Visibility Analysis
- Layer 1 Best Practices
- Cabling Best Practices
- Network Closets
- Penetration Testing Dropboxes
- USB Keyboard Attacks (Rubber Ducky)
- Layer 2 Best Practices
- VLANs
- Hardening
- Private VLANs
- Layer 2 Attacks and Mitigation
- MAC Spoofing
- ARP Cache Poisoning
- DHCP Starvation and Rogue DHCP Servers
- VLAN Hopping
- MacSec
SEC530.2: Network Security Architecture
Ismael Valenzuela
Tue Jan 15th, 2019
SEC530.2: Network Security Architecture continues hardening the infrastructure and moves on to layer three: routing. Actionable examples are provided for hardening routers, with specific Cisco IOS commands to perform each step.
The section then continues with a deep dive on IPv6, which currently accounts for 23% of Internet backbone traffic, according to Google, while simultaneously being used and ignored by most organizations. This section will provide deep background on IPv6, discuss common mistakes (such as applying an IPv4 mindset to IPv6), and provide actionable solutions for securing the protocol. The section wraps up with a discussion of VPN and stateful layer three/four firewalls.
CPE/CMU Credits: 6
- Layer 3: Router Best Practices
- CIDR and Subnetting
- Layer 3 Attacks and Mitigation
- IP Source Routing
- ICMP Attacks
- Unauthorized Routing Updates
- Securing Routing Protocols
- Unauthorized Tunneling (Wormhole Attack)
- Layer 2 and 3 Benchmarks and Auditing Tools
- Baselines
- CISecurity
- Cisco's Best Practices
- Cisco Autosecure
- DISA STIGs
- Nipper-ng
- Securing SNMP
- SNMP Community String Guessing
- Downloading the Cisco IOS Config via SNMP
- Hardening SNMP
- SNMPv3
- Securing NTP
- NTP Authentication
- NTP Amplification Attacks
- Bogon Filtering, Blackholes, and Darknets
- Bogon Filtering
- Monitoring Darknet Traffic
- Building an IP Blackhole Packet Vacuum
- IPv6
- Dual-Stack Systems and Happy Eyeballs
- IPv6 Extension Headers
- IPv6 Addressing and Address Assignment
- Securing IPv6
- IPv6 Firewall Support
- Scanning IPv6
- IPv6 Tunneling
- IPv6 Router Advertisement Attacks and Mitigation
- Path MTU Issues
- Fragmentation Issues Commonly Caused by VPN
- Layer 3/4 Stateful Firewalls
- Router ACLs
- Linux and BSD Firewalls
- pfSense
- Stateful
- NetFlow
- Layer 2 and 3 NetFlow
- Nfsen and ntopng
SEC530.3: Network-Centric Application Security Architecture
Ismael Valenzuela
Wed Jan 16th, 2019
Organizations own or have access to many network-based security technologies ranging from Next-Generation Firewalls to web proxies and malware sandboxes. Yet the effectiveness of these technologies is directly affected by their implementation. Too much reliance on built-in capabilities like application control, antivirus, intrusion prevention, data loss prevention, or other automatic evil-finding deep packet inspection engines leads to a highly preventative-focused implementation, with huge gaps in both prevention and detection.
This section focuses on using application layer security solutions that an organization already owns with a modern mindset. By thinking outside the box, even old controls like a spam appliance can be used to catch modern attacks such as phishing via cousin domains and other spoofing techniques. And again, by engineering defenses for modern attacks, both prevention and detection capabilities gain significantly.
CPE/CMU Credits: 6
- Proxy
- Web Proxy
- SMTP Proxy
- Augmenting with Phishing Protection and Detection Mechanisms
- Explicit vs. Transparent
- Forward vs. Reverse
- Application Filtering
- Implementation Strategies
- IDS/IPS Rule Writing
- Snort
- Suricata
- Bro
- Network Security Monitoring
- Power of Network Metadata
- Know Thy Network
- Sandboxing
- Beyond Inline
- Integration with Endpoint
- Feeding the Sandbox Potential Specimens
- Malware Detonation Devices
- Encryption
- The "Encrypt Everything" Mindset
- Internal and External
- Free SSL/TLS Certificate Providers
- SSL/SSH Inspection
- SSL/SSH Decrypt Dumps
- SSL Decrypt Mirroring
- Certificate Pinning
- Malware Pins
- Crypto Suite Support
- Qualys SSL Labs
- Secure Remote Access
- Access into Organization
- Dual Factor for All Remote Access (and More)
- Google Authenticator/TOTP: Open Authentication
- IPSec VPNs
- SSH VPNs
- Jump Boxes
- Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDOS)
- Impact of Internet of Things (IoT)
- Types of Attacks
- Mitigation Techniques
SEC530.4: Data-Centric Application Security Architecture
Ismael Valenzuela
Thu Jan 17th, 2019
Organizations cannot protect something they do not know exists. The problem is that critical and sensitive data exist all over. Complicating this even more is that data are often controlled by a full application stack involving multiple services that may be hosted on-premise or in the cloud.
This section focuses on identifying core data where they reside and how to protect those data. Protection includes the use of data governance solutions and full application stack security measures such as web application firewalls and database activity monitoring, as well as a keeping a sharp focus on securing the systems hosting core services such as on-premise hypervisors, cloud computing platforms, and container services such as Docker.
The data-centric security approach focuses on what is core to an organization and prioritizes security controls around it. Why spend copious amounts of time and money securing everything when controls can be optimized and focused on securing what matters? Let's face it: Some systems are more critical than others.
CPE/CMU Credits: 6
- Application (Reverse) Proxies
- Full Stack Security Design
- Web Server
- App Server
- DB Server
- Web Application Firewalls
- Whitelisting and Blacklisting
- WAF Bypass
- Normalization
- Dynamic Content Routing
- Database Firewalls/Database Activity Monitoring
- Data Masking
- Advanced Access Controls
- Exfiltration Monitoring
- File Classification
- Data discovery
- Scripts vs. Software Solutions
- Find Sensitive Data in Databases or Files/Folders
- Advanced Discovery Techniques such as Optical Character Recognition Scanning of Pictures and Saved Scan Files
- Methods of Classification
- Dynamic Access Control
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
- Network-based
- Endpoint-based
- Cloud Application Implementations
- Data Governance
- Policy Implementation and Enforcement
- Access Controls vs. Application Enforcement and Encryption
- Auditing and Restrictions
- Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Mobile Application Management (MAM)
- Security Policies
- Methods for Enforcement
- End-user Experience and Impact
- Private Cloud Security
- Securing On-premise Hypervisors (vSphere, Xen, Hyper-V)
- Network Segmentation (Logical and Physical)
- VM Escape
- Surface Reduction
- Visibility Advantages
- Public Cloud Security
- SaaS vs. PaaS vs. IaaS
- Shared Responsibility Implications
- Cloud Strengths and Weaknesses
- Data Remanence and Lack of Network Visibility
- Container Security
- Impact of Containers on On-premise or Cloud Architectures
- Security Concerns
- Protecting against Container Escape
SEC530.5: Zero Trust Architecture: Addressing the Adversaries Already in Our Networks
Ismael Valenzuela
Fri Jan 18th, 2019
Today, a common security mantra is "trust but verify." But this is a broken concept. Computers are capable of calculating trust on the fly, so rather than thinking in terms of "trust but verify" organizations should be implementing "verify then trust." By doing so, access can be constrained to appropriate levels at the same time that access can become more fluid.
This section focuses on implementing a zero trust architecture where trust is no longer implied but must be proven. By doing so, a model of variable trust can be used to change access levels dynamically. This, in turn, allows for implementing fewer or more security controls as necessary given a user's and a device's trust maintained over time. The focus is on implementing zero trust with existing security technologies to maximize their value and impact for an organizations security posture.
During this section encryption and authentication will be used to create a hardened network, whether external or internal. Also, advanced defensive techniques will be implemented to stop modern attack tools in their tracks while leaving services fully functional for authorized assets.
CPE/CMU Credits: 6
- Zero Trust Architecture
- Why Perimeter Security Is Insufficient
- What Zero Trust Architecture Means
- "Trust but Verify" vs. "Verify then Trust"
- Implementing Variable Access
- Logging and Inspection
- Network Agent-based Identity Controls
- Credential Rotation
- Certificates
- Passwords and Impact of Rotation
- Endpoints
- Compromised Internal Assets
- Pivoting Adversaries
- Insider Threat
- Securing the Network
- Authenticating and Encrypting Endpoint Traffic
- Domain Isolation (Making Endpoint Invisible to Unauthorized Parties)
- Mutual TLS
- Single Packet Authorization
- Tripwire and Red Herring Defenses
- Honeynets, Honeypots, and Honeytokens
- Single Access Detection Techniques
- Proactive Defenses to Change Attacker Tool Behaviors
- Increasing Prevention Capabilities while Adding Solid Detection
- Patching
- Automation via Scripts
- Deputizing Endpoints as Hardened Security Sensors
- End-user Privilege Reduction
- Application Whitelisting
- Host Hardening
- Host-based IDS/IPS
- As Tripwires
- Endpoint Firewalls
- Pivot Detection
- Scaling Endpoint Log Collection/Storage/Analysis
- How to Enable Logs that Matter
- Designing for Analysis rather than Log Collection
SEC530.6: Hands-On Secure the Flag Challenge
Ismael Valenzuela
Sat Jan 19th, 2019
The course culminates in a team-based design-and-secure the flag competition. Powered by NetWars, day six provides a full day of hands-on work applying the principles taught throughout the week. Your team will progress through multiple levels and missions designed to ensure mastery of the modern cyber defense techniques promoted throughout this course. Teams will assess, design, and secure a variety of computer systems and devices, leveraging all seven layers of the OSI model.
CPE/CMU Credits: 6
- Capstone - Design/Detect/Defend
- Defensible Security Architecture
- Assess Provided Architecture and Identify Weaknesses
- Use Tools/Scripts to Assess the Initial State
- Quickly/Thoroughly Find All Changes Made
Additional Information
Laptop Required
A properly configured system is required for each student participating in this course. Before coming to class, carefully read and follow these instructions exactly.
You can use any 64-bit version of Windows, Mac OSX, or Linux as your core operating system that also can install and run VMware virtualization products. You also must have 8 GB of RAM or higher for the VM to function properly in the class.
It is critical that your CPU and operating system support 64-bit so that our 64-bit guest virtual machine will run on your laptop.
In addition to having 64-bit capable hardware, AMD-V, Intel VT-x, or the equivalent must be enabled in BIOS/UEFI.
Please download and install VMware Workstation 11, VMware Fusion 7, or VMware Workstation Player 7 or higher versions on your system prior to the beginning of the class. If you do not own a licensed copy of VMware Workstation or Fusion, you can download a free 30-day trial copy from VMware. VMware will send you a time-limited serial number if you register for the trial on its website.
- CPU: 64-bit 2.0+ GHz processor or higher-based system is mandatory for this class (Important - Please Read: a 64-bit system processor is mandatory)
- BIOS/UEFI: VT-x, AMD-V, or the equivalent must be enabled in the BIOS/UEFI
- RAM: 8 GB (gigabytes) of RAM or higher is mandatory for this class (Important - Please Read: 8 GB of RAM or higher is mandatory)
- Wireless Ethernet 802.11 B/G/N/AC
- USB 3.0 Ports Highly Recommended
- Disk: 25 Gigabytes of free disk space
- Administrative access to disable any host-based firewall
- VMware Workstation 11, Workstation Player 7, or Fusion 7 (or newer)
- A Linux virtual machine will be provided in class
If you have additional questions about the laptop specifications, please contact firstname.lastname@example.com.
Who Should Attend
- Security Architects
- Network Engineers
- Network Architects
- Security Analysts
- Senior Security Engineers
- System Administrators
- Technical Security Managers
- CND Analysts
- Security Monitoring Specialists
- Cyber Threat Investigators
- Basic understanding of network protocols and devices.
- Experience with Linux from the command line.
What You Will Receive
- Intro and walkthrough videos of most labs
- A Linux VM loaded with tons of tools and other resources
- A 32GB USB 3.0 stick that includes the above and more
You Will Be Able To
- Analyze a security architecture for deficiencies
- Apply the principles learned in the course to design a defensible security architecture
- Determine appropriate security monitoring needs for organizations of all sizes
- Maximize existing investment in security architecture by reconfiguring existing assets
- Determine capabilities required to support continuous monitoring of key Critical Security Controls
- Configure appropriate logging and monitoring to support a Security Operations Center and continuous monitoring program
While the above list briefly outlines the knowledge and skills you will learn, it barely scratches the surface of what this course has to offer. Hands-on labs throughout the course will reinforce key concepts and principles, as well as teach you how to use key scripting tools.
When your SEC530 training journey is complete, and your skills are enhanced and honed, it will be time to go back to work and deliver on the SANS promise that you'll be able to apply what you learned in this course the day you return to the office.
Author Statement
"In our many years of experience assessing the security posture of organizations, responding to incidents, and ramping up security operations, we've seen the futility of trying to monitor and defend against modern adversaries when the architecture in place has not been designed with security in mind. Likewise, we've continually seen that organizations that suffer massive breaches and business disruption often focused their emphasis prior to the breach on perimeter protection and prevention mechanisms, but lacked defensible security architecture.
"We've designed this course to address this gap. In six days filled with case studies, winning techniques, instructor-led demos, and plenty of hands-on labs (including a NetWars-based Defend-the-Flag challenge), students will learn how to design, build, and harden networks, infrastructure, and applications that can truly be called 'defensible.'
"As practitioners, we know that theory is not enough, so we've made sure that this class is focused on real-world implementations of network-centric, data-centric, and zero-trust security architecture mapped to best practices and standards, but also based on our many years of experience on what works and what doesn't. You'll find that this makes the content appropriate and relevant for the reality of a wide variety of organizations and roles."
- Justin Henderson and Ismael Valenzuela


text:
tschmidt necessitava di un nuovo design di logo e ha lanciato un contest su 99designs.
È stato scelto un vincitore tra 72 design presentati da 24 designer.
The new name of our company is On Board Tour Services. Need a logo that will represent our multiple services and multiple markets.
Can be any from our sites. Also, "Get On Board!" and "See It All!" are acceptable. No tagline is required, however.
Desired Color Scheme:
Any are fine. We want to abandon the orange. Primary competitors are red and royal blue.
Desired Style:
Professional. Needs to look good on website, side of bus, and chest of a polo shirt.
Accepted File Formats:
Standard Web Formats (.jpg, .gif or .png); Vector Formats (.eps, .pdf or .ai); Prefer Vector
Check out http://www.newyorkpartyshuttletours.com and http://www.washingtondcpartyshuttle.com and www.baltimorepartyshuttle.com  to see our current website and a description of our core service: daily sightseeing tours in shuttle buses. We also offer: private tours, trips to Atlantic City/Mohegan Sun casinos, transportation for corporate outings, bachelor parties, student tours, and airport transportation. We plan to acquire sightseeing boats and use them for tours, dance cruises, happy hours, and transportation to sporting events. All of the above in multiple cities.
We need a memorable logo that will help us brand the company, that will be acceptable to stodgy corporate clients, 12 year olds, retirees on vacation, and casino goers. Â
Maggiori informazioni su come funziona un contest di design o sui nostri servizi di design di logo.


text:
Product Review: Top training programs
Effective programs start with strong, consistent philosophies
I don't want to paint a bleak picture, but agencies from coast to coast do not have their emphasis on training. Their emphasis is trying to maintain staffing levels in a shaky economy.
The good news is the fact that the "five percenters", officers who recognize that training continues, regardless of the economy, still seek training opportunities and capitalize on them.
I learned the term five percenter at a Caliber Press Street Survival Seminar. I was a police officer with about five years under my belt, which meant I knew everything I needed to know before I attended the seminar. Yeah, right.
Since money is tight, the rule for selecting a training product is simple. Those that keep an officer in service are worth paying for. Don't waste time and money on others.
Training schools must have a consistent philosophy integrated into a system. Individual techniques must agree with other techniques in the system and allow for smooth transition in a dynamic environment. For example, if the defensive system has a particular technique for contact distance, the presentation and engagement must somehow overlap if the engagement distance changes.
If my educated guess about 2010 is correct, the average of officer assaults is on the rise again.
The FBI UCR information has at least a year lag time on statistics so we only have solid numbers on LE assaults to 2008. Law Enforcement assaults were slightly lower from 2006-08.
We do have statistics from many facilities. Assaults against Correctional Officers have increased. In some states, the increase has been dramatic. Statistics are not as important as the harsh reality. Every assault on our brother is against society as a whole.
The picture I am trying to paint here is simple: Budgets are down, training needs are up.
The other part of the trend draws its information from anecdotal data. Many agencies have reduced the frequency that they send officers to schools. Some are barely complying with the Peace Officers Standards in their state.
When I contacted several training facilities, they reported the other end of the trend. Rob Pincus of I.C.E. told me that agencies have requested more onsite training, where his team goes to the host agency to deliver the training. This practice is a good idea for an agency that wishes to cut back on travel and on-site costs.
I have listed several training schools of which I am familiar. This is only a sampling of the dozens of reputable schools available:
Street Survival
The Calibre Press Street Survival Seminar should be a mandatory course for anyone who can qualify to attend it (Attendance requires law enforcement credentials). The standard course is 16 hours. Experts share their experience and train attendees in critical thinking skills, mindset, and succesful habits. If you were to ask me what the most valuable material I walked away with from this seminar, it would be hard for me to prioritize the answer. Now that I am retired, I can at least say this: several of the skills I learned in this seminar kept me alive during my career.
The Street Survival Seminar evolves regularly because of case law and technology updates. I recommend annual refreshers.
I.C.E. Training and Combat Focus Shooting
I.C.E. Training of Virginia Beach, Va., stands for "integrity, consistency, and efficiency". It is the premiere school for gun handlers. Any armed professional who hasn't heard of Rob Pincus, the owner and lead instructor of I.C.E., probably should get to know him.
Pincus designed Combat Focus Shooting as a complete system which combines gun handling skills with other essential abilities. When I attended a demonstration of Combat Focus Shooting, I was thoroughly impressed. The methods are realistic and time-tested.
What is most the most popular class in most training facilities? Most training organizations report that officers like basic defensive handgun courses. The best value for an officer in service is a handgun course, even as a refresher.
Pincus reports that officers prefer the Combat Focus Shooting course, which is an integrated skill building approach. Not surprisingly, many agencies have requested the Combat Focused Shooting Instructor Development
Pincus worked with members of agencies that had less than 5 officers and worked with members of the NYPD and Chicago PD.
Pincus told me that agencies who use I.C.E. as their training provider have an advantage over an agency relying on their internal training. One advantage is that by having the influence of the private sector, it can evolve faster to accommodate specific training needs as well as provide more relevant training solutions.
For Special Operations Personnel, I recommend the Extreme Close Quarters Counter Ambush program (3-5 days) which combines intuitive shooting with close quarters unarmed skills. Training is done force-on-force at speed.
Pincus is the personality behind the product. He has an impressive flair, handpicks his staff, and delivers exactly what the officer came for: a system which works, not just a handful of shooting drills. I recommend using his training videos and book for refresher material.
Jane Anne Shimizu of Gunsite reports that there has not been a decrease in private sector classes, but military and agency requests are not as prolific.
Gunsite in Paulden, Ariz. is probably the most well known of all firearms schools.
In many agencies, there is an annual pilgrimage to Gunsite by a few interested officers and hundreds of others just wishing to brush up on shooting skills. This is evidenced by the fact that many of the well known shooting instructors in business today are Gunsite alumni.
Founded in 1976 by Col. Jeff Cooper, Gunsite lives up to its legendary name. It is appropriately named. The ranges are impressive and they are backed with the right resumes. The most recommended class is the 250 Defensive Pistol class, offered about once a month.
Weapons Training School
I mentioned Correctional Officers, and I know many of them, having worked in custody prior to driving a black-and-white. My recommendation for custody officers and patrol officers alike is the Weapons Training School in Soulsbyville, Ca.
I met John Popke, the founder of WTS, an accomplished instructor and 24 year SWAT member, at a training seminar. John and his wife Tami, also an accomplished instructor, were running the students through some move and shoot drills using a robotic target. Breathless attendees were walking off the firing line and lining up for more. I was giving a (yawn) lecture on the psychological perspective of shooting.
Besides being one of the best bargains in firearms training, students get to digest one of the most comprehensive skill building classes offered in northern Calif.
WTS approaches handgun proficiency in four Tactical Handgun Phases. The total cost for all four classes is less than what many schools charge for a single class.
Martial Blade Concepts
Martial Blade Concepts is an edged weapon training program designed for the armed professional and very appropriate for the law enforcement officer. Michael Janich is MBC and he teaches a martial system of defensive concepts, rather than a restrictive repertoire of moves. I know, "knife to a gun fight" jokes. These concepts are empty hand appropriate, which will help the officer be more competent in defensive tactics.
Michael Janich has a very unique resume. Besides his extensive knowledge of martial arts, he is also an authority on close quarters shooting. He cowrote a book on the topic with the Col. Rex Applegate.
Janich's experience with close quarters knife and gun is exactly why an officer should be interested in training with him. I recommend his Street Skills seminars, which are inexpensive crash courses.
Sig Sauer Academy
East coast Officers go to Epping, N.H., for their skill-building fix. The Sig Sauer Academy has Law Enforcement friendly and Law Enforcement specific offerings at a modern facility.
I have not had the pleasure to visit this facility, but two of my coworkers were the types who attended training several times annually kept returning to this training site.
Valley Defense Consulting, Central Calif.
I have known Vince Bizzini, founder of Valley Defense Consulting for more than 20 years. He was the firearms instructor in over half of my in service training sessions when I was in uniform.
Valley Defense Consulting offers many of the products one expects from a firearms school and students will benefit from Bizzini's problem-solving approach.
The best benefit one will get from Valley Defense Consulting is graduating to the Mastery Course. After an initial prerequisite, one can attend an "all shooting, no lecture" class.
Blade Tech Training Barrel
Finally, there's also one training product I should mention that is worth taking a look at. This low budget training product needs very little maintenance and is low tech. It is Blade Tech's Training Barrel.
The Blade Tech Training Barrel is something I use almost daily and something agencies should issue to every officer. It consists of a simple precision molded barrel which replaces the real thing for training. The user can dry fire, manipulate the slide, holster and practice magazine changes without concern for negligent discharge. It is perfect for pre-shift training during briefing.
While on austerity, police agencies can practice deployment skills using a Training Barrel. These can include pulling a trio of officers into the local high school on a Saturday morning while school is not in session. Get on a training frequency and work on small unit and ad hoc movement techniques for active shooter response.
Using innovative training to augment the budget shortfall is the way to go. Encouraging officers and paving the way to time off to attend schools is a wise strategy. Above all, keep training.
Request product info from top Police Books and Training Materials companies
Thank You!


text:
- "All right, fancy clothes. Let's see what you can do."
- ―Cougar.
Alloy Wheels of Steel is the first mission in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City given to protagonist Tommy Vercetti by Bikers leader "Big" Mitch Baker from The Greasy Chopper bar in Downtown, Vice City.
Tommy has started helping the band Love Fist organize their concert but manager Kent Paul is looking for a security and he suggests Tommy to meet the local Biker gang's leader at The Greasy Chopper. Tommy goes to the bar looking for Mitch Baker and after asking whether he's interested, Tommy is made fun of by Mitch who is playing pool and is questioned whether he can handle a bike before going any further with the alliance he's looking for. Mitch sends three of his bikers (who include Cougar and Zeppelin) to race Tommy in an Angel race. Tommy manages to win the race and thus proves himself worthy handling a bike and being part of the gang.
Mission Objectives
In order to complete the mission the player must:
- Get a Freeway or an Angel and get to the starting grid.
- Win the bike race
The reward for completing this mission is $1,000 and the mission Messing with the Man is unlocked.
- The song that can be heard playing in the background during the opening cutscene is "Owner of a Lonely Heart" by Yes. The song is also featured on the in-game radio station Flash FM and its riff can be heard from outside the bar before starting the mission.
- The name of the mission may be a reference to the Saxon song "Wheels of Steel". Coincidentally, the same song appears in The Lost and Damned on Liberty Rock Radio.
- Even if Tommy is wearing the Cop Outfit, he is able to trigger the mission, and amusingly Baker will still tell him that he doesn't look like the law.
- Instead of finding a bike of their own, the player can steal one from one of the bikers waiting at the starting line. Their bikes are "super" Angels, with better speed and handling than a standard Angel. Doing so, however, will forfeit the starting countdown and the race will begin immediately.
- Two of the bikers in this mission are named Zeppelin and Cougar, possible references to the bands Led Zeppelin and Def Leppard.


text: NSCAA Special Topics course: Players' Roles & Responsibilities, presented by the New York Red Bulls Tweet NSCAA Director of Coach Education, Ian Barker © The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and the New York Red Bulls have partnered to offer a special topics course: REGISTER: NSCAA Special Topics: Player' Roles & Responsibilities Players Roles & Responsibilities Course Details Course: NSCAA Special Topics: Players' Roles & Responsibilities Duration: 6 hours Dates: Friday, April 29, 2016 Time: 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (check-in at 3 p.m.) Location: Red Bull Arena, 600 Cape May Street, Harrison, NJ 07029 Cost: $95 per coach Course Content & Focus The workshop will be held in conjunction with a Red Bulls professional Major League Soccer (MLS) match versus FC Dallas on Friday, April 29. Prior to the match, course attendees will participate in a three-hour workshop delivered by NSCAA Director of Coach Education, Ian Barker. The course will include a pre-match discussion by a Red Bulls first team coach and field level viewing of the warm ups. To conclude, a post-match analysis will also be conducted. This course will focus on match analysis with an emphasis on players' roles and responsibilities and will help coaches understand how this important skill can be used to develop players individually and as a team. Note: The course cost includes one game ticket. Course Schedule 3 to 3:30 PM: Check-in 3:30 to 6 PM: Course Presentation 6 to 6:30 PM: Break/Move Field Side 6:30 to 7 PM: Observe Pre-Match Warm Ups 7 to 7:45 PM: First Half Analysis 7:45 to 8 PM: Group Discussion 8 to 8:45 PM: Second Half Analysis 8:45 to 9:30 PM: Post-Match Analysis Additional Benefit Any candidates taking the course who have never previously been a NSCAA member will receive a free one-year NSCAA introductory membership. Further Information Visit: Coach Education Program Overview Contact: Grant Findlay, Coach Operations Coordinator E-mail: email@example.com Call: 973-776-8986 Back to news


text:
The ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing are a complex, 86 pages document that covers all kinds of situations that can happen while competing. We have compiled the most important parts of it into small documents that should enable everybody to take part in competition kiteboarding.
We are starting this series with the Simplified General Rules and the Simplified Course Racing Rules, and the remaining discipline specific rulebooks will follow shortly.An overview of all available rulebooks, including the full Kiteboarding Competition Rulebook, can be found here.


text:
The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) Adult Mental Health Division (AMHD) is conducting a series of community focus group meetings to solicit input from communities and stakeholders statewide about AMHD services for adults with severe and persistent mental illness. Information gathered at the meetings will be used for developing plans for 2013 and beyond. The meetings are open to the public and will be held in every county from Jan. 9 through Feb. 20, 2013.
"Gathering input from community members about the mental health system in each county plays a critical role in the state's planning process for improving services," said Health Director Loretta J. Fuddy. "These sessions offer an important venue for the public to provide their thoughts and insights about mental health services where they live and work. We invite and encourage all community members to participate in these focus groups."
Schedule of statewide meetings:
Maui (Wailuku), Jan. 9, 2013, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Cameron Center Auditorium, 95 Mahalani St., Wailuku, HI 96793
Hawaii (Hilo), Jan. 16, 2013, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Environmental Health Building Conference Room, 1582 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo 96720Page 2 DOH Holds Statewide Meetings to Discuss Mental Health Services
- Oahu (Honolulu), Jan. 25, 2013, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Lanakila Health Center Conference Room, 1700 Lanakila Ave., Honolulu, HI 96817
- Hawaii (Kona), Jan. 28, 2013, 10 – 11:30 a.m., West Hawaii Civic Center Conference Room, 75-5044 Ane Keohokalole, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
- Oahu (Leeward), Jan. 29, 2013, 2 – 3:30 p.m., Waipahu Aloha Clubhouse Conference Room, 94-091 Waipio Pt. Access Rd., Waipahu, HI 96797
- Kauai (Lihue), Jan. 31, 2013, 2 – 3:30 p.m., Kauai District Health Office Conference Room, 3040 Umi St., Lihue, HI 96766
- Lanai, Feb. 15, 2013, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Hale Kupono O Lanai Elderly Conference Room, Lanai City, HI 96763 (Tentative)
- Molokai, Feb. 20, 2013, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Office of Hawaiian Affairs Conference Room, Kulana Oiwi Complex, Bldg. D., 600 Maunaloa Hwy., Kalamaula, HI 96748
Registration is not required. If accommodations for hearing or visual impairments are requested, please contact Ms. Judith Clarke at the Adult Mental Health Division (808) 586-4686.
Related articles
- Mental health patients receive substandard care (confused.com)
Filed under: Announcements, Big Island, Community, Hawaii, Health, Kauai, Maui, Oahu, State Affairs | Tagged: Hawaii Department of Health, Mental health | Leave a comment »


text:
More on:
Hi Folks,
Below is my First Take on Egypt's elections, which appeared on CFR.org yesterday.
The outcome of yesterday's People's Assembly election in Egypt was never in doubt and the overwhelming victory of the ruling National Democratic Party only reinforces the prevailing non-democratic status quo. At the same time, the conduct of the elections -- the security sweeps and wholesale disqualification of candidates in the weeks before the polls combined with a day of vote rigging, intimidation, and violence (eight deaths and numerous injured) -- indicates the manifest weakness of the Egyptian state.
This weakness ought to be of significant concern among U.S. policymakers ahead of Egypt's presidential election and ultimately leadership succession. Despite episodic concern, Washington has tended to settle on the conclusion that with all its pressing problems, Egypt remains stable. The argument that Egypt is stable and likely to remain so is based on two observations. First, Egypt has demonstrated a capacity to muddle through significant challenges -- defeat in war, economic stagnation, assassination, and terrorism -- in the past. Second, the regime's primary constituents -- the military, security services, big business, and the bureaucracy -- have never withdrawn their support from the current leadership. Both these observations are true, but they do not provide insight into the prospects for Egypt's future stability.
An almost total lack of a compelling vision or a set of ideological principles have marked the nearly thirty-year era of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. For yesterday's elections, regime-backed candidates once again trumpeted stale slogans like "For the sake of stability and development" or "Crossing to the future," which hardly elicit the enthusiasm of the Egyptian people. Moreover, unlike the Saudis or the Qataris, for example, the Egyptian leadership has a limited amount of financial resources for patronage. As a result, Mubarak has been forced to rely on coercion to control the Egyptian population. This is both expensive and risky. Indeed, the showdown between the regime and the opposition, especially the Muslim Brotherhood, over the elections only adds to an increasingly angry, polarized, and potentially radicalized political arena. This is precisely the dynamic that occurred in the period before President Anwar Sadat's assassination and contributed to the low-level insurgency Egypt confronted in the 1990s. It is entirely plausible that as the Egyptian leadership continues to brutalize its citizens to ensure its monopoly on power, it could trigger another round of violence.
There are few good options for the United States, which relies on Egypt as a regional partner. The obvious answer to this problem is to encourage the Egyptians to undertake political reform that would, in turn, allow people to process their grievances peacefully. The Bush administration tried this with little in the way of results and until now, the Obama administration has shown little appetite for a fight with Cairo over Egypt's internal affairs. Washington may very well be stuck, locked into a relationship that serves certain strategic purposes, but with a country that may not be as stable as widely believed.
More on:


text:
Thermal Dynamics® STAK PAK® with PCH/M-140 Plasma Arc Cutting Replacement Parts
The Plasma Arc Welding experts at Arc-Zone.com offer high-quality replacements for your Thermal Dynamics® STAK PAK® Systems with PCH/M-140 Plasma Arc Cutting Torch set up. Our non-OEM torch bodies are High performance plasma arc cutting torches, engineered to meet the demands of your production schedule.
Through programs like our Repair and Exchange or through Blanket Purchase Orders with parts released as you need them, Arc-Zone.com® will work with your Tool Crib Manger and your Welding Engineers to ensure your production line has easy access to the highest-quality Plasma Arc Cutting replacement parts you need, when you need them.
Check out Arc-Zone.com's Plasma Arc Cutting Guide: Setup Guide For PAC Torches
Arc-Zone.com®, Inc. is not affiliated with Thermal Dynamics Corporation. We supply high quality replacement parts manufactured by or for Arc-Zone.com® to demanding specifications. The parts are engineered to be interchangeable with Thermal Dynamics® parts, are not OEM parts and are not endorsed by Thermal Dynamics®.
Thermal Dynamics® is a registered trademark of Thermal Dynamics Corporation