text:
|Button from Bewitched Bookworms.
Release Date: May 31, 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins
Goodreads Page
Here be ghosts, the maps said, and that was all.From Goodreads:
In this haunted kingdom, ghosts linger—not just in the deepest forests or the darkest caverns, but alongside the living, as part of a twisted palace court that revels all night and sleeps through the daylight hours.
Darri's sister was trapped in this place of fear and shadows as a child. And now Darri has a chance to save her sister . . . if she agrees to a betrothal with the prince of the dead. But nothing is simple in this eerie kingdom—not her sister, who has changed beyond recognition; not her plan, which will be thrown off track almost at once; and not the undead prince, who seems more alive than anyone else.
In a court seething with the desire for vengeance, Darri holds the key to the balance between life and death. Can her warrior heart withstand the most wrenching choice of all?
I really enjoyed Leah Cypess's Mistwood (review) and I was hoping she would write a sequel. This one seems to be more of a companion novel than a sequel. At first I was disappointed, but after reading that description, I think Nightspell might be even better than its predecessor! A ghost prince, a female main character with a "warrior heart," and a creepy court "seething with the desire for vengeance"? Woah, sign me up!
This book sounds totally unique, and combined with Cypess's awesome ability for world-building and twisty plots, I have high hopes for Nightspell. Being that this is a companion novel with a completely new set of characters (though I heard Clarisse does show up. Yay!), I think it may be safe to read Nightspell even if you haven't yet read Mistwood (but you should read Mistwood anyway because it's a good book).
I'm going to read this for a few of my challenges:
- 2nds Challenge (read a book by an author you have only read once before)
- Morbid Romantica Challenge (I think a ghost prince would qualify?)
- Most Awaited YA Releases
Goodreads Page
From Goodreads:
The year is 490 AD. Fiery 16-year-old Elaine of Ascolat, the daughter of one of King Arthur's supporters, lives with her father on Arthur's base camp, the sole girl in a militaristic world of men. Elaine's only girl companion is the mysterious Morgan, Arthur's older sister, but Elaine cannot tell Morgan her deepest secret: She is in love with Lancelot, Arthur's second-in-command. However, when yet another girl -- the lovely Gwynivere-- joins their world, Elaine is confronted with startling emotions of jealousy and rivalry. But can her love for Lancelot survive the birth of an empire?
I don't tend to like books written in verse, but I do like Arthurian novels and this one has such a pretty cover that I think I want to at least give it a try. Plus, I picked it up at a library sale a few months ago. I also like that Elaine is the main character. I haven't read many books that focus on her. Usually it's Arthur, Gwynivere, Mordred, Merlin, or Morgana. Elaine's story always made me so sad and I'm curious to see what her fate will be in this version.
As a bonus, Song of the Sparrow will qualify for a whole bunch of challenges:
- Wish I'd Read That Challenge (read books you wish you've read but haven't yet)
- Into the Old World Reading Challenge (read books published prior to 2009)
- Off the Shelf Challenge (read books you own)
- 350 Page Books Challenge (read books with 350 or more pages)
- YA Historical Fiction Challenge (read YA books in the historical fiction genre)


text:
Nagadipa or Naka-diva was the ancient name of the Jaffna
peninsula. It is first mentioned in the Pali chronicles of Ceylon
in connection with the story of the Buddha's second visit to Sri
Lanka in the 6th century B.C. According to the Mahavamsa (ch.1.vv
44-70) the Buddha during this visit pacified two Naga kings of
Nagadipa who were arrayed in battle over a gem-set throne. Today
the Jaffna peninsula is inhabited mainly by the Tamils. It is
therefore assumed by some Tamil scholars that this was so from
earliest time and the Naga kings of Nagadipa mentioned in the
Mahavamsa too have been Tamils. They have also taken this as
evidence for the existence of an independent Tamil kingdom in the
Jaffna peninsula from pre-Christian era.
In the Mahavamsa, or in the ancient Pali, Sanskrit or Tamil literature for that matter, the Nagas are never represented as human beings, but as a class of super natural beings or non-human beings who inhabited a subterranean world, whose normal form was that of serpents, but who would assume any form at will. Referring to the third visit of the Buddha to Kelaniya the Mahavamsa makes the following statement: ' When besought by the Naga Maniakkhika in Kalyani, he returned ( to Sri Lanka) the third time. He took his meal there with the brotherhood,... and when he had gone to this side of the place where the former Buddha had stood, the great sage, the light of the world, since there were then no Human beings in Lankadipa, uttered exhortations to the host of devatas, dwelling in the Island, and to the Nagas. (MV. 15, 162-165). This statement proves beyond any reasonable doubt that the Nagas mentioned in the Mahavamsa were not human beings. As has been pointed out by Dr S. Paranavithana, ' Even if the Nagas be taken as human beings there is no particular reason to treat them as identical with Tamils. If the Nagas be taken as Tamils for the reason that the ancient Nagadipa is now inhabited by Tamils, Nagas may also be taken as Aryans because the people living in and around Nagapura of North India today are Aryan in speech. (JRASCENS. Vol.VII, pp.181-182). Therefore this legend in the Mahavamsa cannot be taken as evidence for the existence of a Tamil kingdom, not even the existence of a settled Tamil population in the Jaffna peninsula from very early times. In fact, except for this legend in the Mahavamsa and that in the Tamil poem Manimekhalai claiming Tamil settlements in ancient Nagadipa or the Jaffna peninsula, so far we have not found any reliable evidence even to prove the existence of any Tamil settlements there before the Polonnaruwa period. According to Dr S. Paranavithana, 'the Ceylon Tamils developed as a separate community with an identity of their own' only after the period of Cola rule at Polonnaruwa in the 11th century A.D. (The Kingdom of Jaffna, p.3).
Although there is no evidence for the existence of a distinctive Tamil community or a Tamil kingdom in the Jaffna peninsula before the 13th century ample evidence is readily available in our chronicles, in the records of foreign visitors to Sri Lanka and in our contemporary inscriptions indicating that there were large and extensive Sinhala settlements there from very early times and that the Sinhala kings, from the beginning of the historical period up to the middle of the 18th century and thereafter the Nayakkar kings of the Kandyan kingdom up to its fall in 1815 were the lawful rulers of and the legal heirs to the Jaffna region.
It was at the ancient port of Jambukola, the present Sambiliturai, in the Jaffna peninsula that the envoys of king Devanampiya Tissa (250-210) embarked when leaving Ceylon on their mission to the court of Asoka (273-236). (MV. Ch.XI,20-24). It was also at this port that the Theri Sanghamitta and her retinue had disembarked when they came from India with a branch of the Bodhi tree at Buddhagaya during the reign of Devanampiya Tissa. The Theri and her retinue were received by Devanampiya Tissa, who had come to Jambukola from Anuradhapura (MV. XVIII> 1-8, XIX, 23-32). Further the chronicle states that king Devanampiya Tissa built three Buddhist shrines, namely the Jambukola Vihara, the Tissamaha Vihara and the Pacina Vihara and planted a Bo sapling in the Jaffna peninsula (MV.XX.25-27). A gold plate inscription discovered at Vallipuram near point Pedro reveals that during the reign of Vasabha (67-111) the Jaffna peninsula was governed by a minister of that king and that a Buddhist Vihara named Piyaguka Tissa had been built there by that Minister. (EX.IV. 229-237). According to the Mahavamsa (XXXVI.9,36) Kanittha Tissa(167-186) during his reign at Anuradhapura repaired the cetiyaghara of the Tissamaha Vihara in the Jaffna peninsula and king Voharaka Tissa (209-231) during his reign effected improvements to that Vihara. The Culavamase records that king Aggabodhi II(571-604) built a Relic House and a dwelling place named Unhaloma for the monks of the Rajayatana Vihara in Nagadipa and granted a village there for the provision of rice gruel to the monks living there (CV.42.62). These facts clearly prove that no independent Tamil kingdom was in existence in the Jaffna peninsula during the Anuradhapura period.
If there had been an independent Tamil kingdom in and around the Jaffna peninsula in ancient times, at least a few Tamil inscriptions of those kings who ruled in that kingdom should have come to light from some sites in and around the Jaffna peninsula, but so far not a single Tamil inscription, or any other inscription for that matter , has been discovered in that area. It is interesting to note that the earliest Tamil inscription discovered in the Jaffna District is by a Sinhala king, namely Parakramabahu I(1153-1186) who ruled at Polonnaruwa. This inscription was found at the entrance to the famous Nakapusani-Amman Temple in the small island now know as Nainativu or Nagadipa; and it contains certain trade regulations concerning wreckages off the port of Uratturai i.e. present day Kayts (UCR. Vol.XXI, pp.63-70). In the words of Dr. Karthigesu Indrapala, the editor of this inscription and the Professor of History of the University of Jaffna, 'the fact that this edict was issued not by any subordinate official, but by the king himself shows that the monarch was in supreme control of the northern most region of the island (UCR.Vo.XXI,p.66). A few Tamil inscriptions inscribed during the period between the 11th and the 13th century have been discovered at places such as Polonnaruwa, Kantalai and Trincomalee; they do not belong to any Tamil ruler of Jaffna but, some to the South Indian Cola rulers who forcibly occupied Polonnaruwa during the 11th century and the rest to the Sinhala kings, such as Vijayabahu I(1055-1110) and Jayabahu I (1110-1111) who ruled at Polonnaruwa (EZ.II, pp.242-255;IV, pp.193-195; VI, pp.28-30; 62-83, 88-94;VII. IV, Nos. 1338, 1392,1408, 1412,1415; ASCAR 1891, p.12 Nos.78-80). Although we have not found even a single Tamil inscription belonging to any of those so-called Tamil rulers of Jaffna in and around the Jaffna District, a few Sinhala, Tamil and Sanskrit inscriptions belonging to some Sinhala kings of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa have been discovered from some sites in and around the Jaffna District indicating that the region was under their control and it was part of their kingdom as late as the 13th century. We have already referred to the gold plate inscription of Vasabha discovered at Vallipuram and to the Nainativu inscription of Parakramabahu I. In addition to these two inscriptions found in the Jaffna District, two other Sinhala inscriptions of Dappula IV who ruled at Anuradhapura during the 10th century A.D. have come to light from that District; of these two, one was discovered at Kandarodai, the ancient Kadurugoda Vihars, a Buddhist Temple in Uduvil and the other at Tunukai in the D.R.O.s, division of Punakari (Silumina, Literary supplement - 25.3.79, p.'1 20.05.79, p.11). A few more inscriptions belonging to some Sinhala kings have also been found at various places around the District of Jaffna; we may mention among them, the Tiriyaya Sanskrit inscription of Aggabodhi VI(733-772), the Tiruketisvaram Pillar inscription of Sena II(853-887), the Mannar Kacceri pillar inscription of Kassapa IV (898-914), a tenth century slab inscription at Kurundanmalai near Mulaitivu dated in the reign of a Sinhala king named Abhasalamevan, the Palmottai slab inscription of Vijayabahu (1055-1110) and the Kantalai stone seat inscription of Nissankamalla (1187-1196) (EZ. III. Pp. 103-113; V.pp.174-176; ASI, Nos. 351,2057).
It is recorded in the Culavamsa that Vijayabahu I after the unification of the island having expelled the Colas from Polonnaruwa, effected repairs to two Buddhist shrines in the North, namely the Jambukola Vihara at Sambiliturai in the Jaffna peninsula and the Kurundi Vihara near Mullaitivu. (CV.60,v.60). It is clear from the above mentioned Nainativu Tamil inscription which contains certain trade and custom regulations that even in small islands, such as Uratota (Kayts) around the Jaffna peninsula, were under the control of Parakramabahu I. As has been pointed out by Dr. Karthigesu Indrapala, Parakramabahu I was in supreme control of the Northernmost region of Ceylon and there is contemporary and reliable evidence to prove that Uratota (Uratturai) was an important naval and commercial centre in Parakramabahu's time. The Tiruvalangadu inscription, a Cola record dated in the twelfth year of Rajadhiraja II (1178) informs us that Parakramabahu I was building ships and assembling troops at Uratturai, Pulaicceri, Matottam (Mantai), Vallikaman, Mattival (Mattuvil) and other places in order to make a fresh invasion of South India (UCR.XXI,pp. 63-70; El.XXII, pp.86-92). It is evident from this inscription that not only Uratturai (Kayts) and other islets mentioned there were under the control of Parakramabahu I, but also all the other islets around the Jaffna peninsula were under his rule. Commenting on the name Uratturai occurring in the Nainativu inscription Dr. Indrapala states that 'the geographical name Uratturai occurring in the record is one of the few earliest recorded place - names of the Jaffna peninsula, after they became Tamilised. Hence its importance of the study of local nomenclature. The place - names of the Jaffna peninsula have a very strong Sinhalese element in them, thereby preserving memories of an earlier Sinhalese occupation of that area'. He further states in a foot note that 'The Tamil element in this Sinhalese place - name and the language of the record show that extent of Tamilisation in the north during the twelfth century. The retention of the Sinhalese element in the place-nomenclature helps to establish the extent to which a Sinhalese population after the Tamil conquests and settlements. A considerable percentage of Sinhalese names and the occurrence of Sinhalese-Tamil compound names are circumstances that print to a long survival of a Sinhalese population and an intimate intercourse between the Sinhalese and the Tamils'. (UCR, Vol.XXI,pp.67,68 fn.19) It is mentioned in the Culavamsa and in the Pujavaliya that king Maha of the Kalinga race, the last ruler of the Polonnaruwa kingdom, had set up fortifications at Uratota, Mipatota, Mahatittha (Mantai), Mannar, Valukagam (Valikamam), Pulacceri, Kurundi and at a few other places in the North (PUJ.K. Gnanawimala ed. P.790;CV.83. 15-19). All these facts clearly indicate that no independent Tamil kingdom was in existence in and around the Jaffna peninsula even during the Polonnaruwa period.
It appears that, taking the advantage of the political disturbances caused by the invasion of Magha of Kalinga, some of the local leaders, both Sinhala and Tamil, who were living in the Jaffna peninsula and in its outskirts, and some South Indian political adventurers who came fishing in troubled waters forcibly began to rule in their respective areas and refused to acknowledge the authority of the kings of the Dambadeniya and the Gampola kingdoms. In the same way the Aryacakravartis of Jaffna also seem to have refused to acknowledge the authority of the Sinhala kings and began to rule that region as rebel kings. These self appointed local rulers are referred to as Vannin (Vanniyars) in the Culavamsa and in the Pujavaliya.
The fact that contemporary Sinhala kings who had their seats of government in Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Gampola and in other places in the south had used the title of 'Trisimhaladhisvara' (the supreme overlord of the three Sinhala i.e., Rohana, Maya, and Pihiti) indicates that they have claimed the overlordship of the whole island, including the Jaffna peninsula as a part of their kingdom (EZ. III. Pp. 64,66 244-247; V.pp.451-452; ASCM.VI. pp.63- 70). An inscription dated in the 3rd regnal year of Vikramabahu III (1357-1374), found at the Medavala Rajamaha Vihara in the Kandy district records a treaty between hat king and an Aryacakravarti named Martanda (Sin ai Ariyan) of Jaffna. A noteworthy point in this inscription is hat while Vikramabahu III is referred to there as "Cakravarti Swaminvahanse' (the Universal Lord), the Ariyacakravarti is referred to as Perumalun vahanse'only. This fact and the fact that it is dated not in the regnal year of Ariyacakravarti but in that of Vikramabahu III indicate that the dejure right of that king to the sovereignty over the whole island is recognised by Martanda Singai Ariyan by this treaty. (EZ. Vol.V, pp. 463-466). According to Dr. S. Paranavitana 'the Arya Cakravartis (of Jaffna) would accordingly have been considered as rebels who did not obey their lawful overlords). The Gira-Sandesa of the Kotte period, while referring to the conquest of Jaffna during the reign of Parakramabahu VI (1412-1467), says that king having sent a large army against Ariyacakravarti who did not obey former kings of Sri Lanka recaptured that region which will remain so for the next five thousand years. This reference shows that the Sinhalese kings had regarded the Ariyacakravartis as rebels, and it confirms the above quoted opinion of Dr. Paranavitana. This position seems to have been admitted internationally, for Ibn Batuta (1344) while referring to the Aryacakravarti as Sultan of Ceylon, calls the potentate as Konakar the emperor (Sultan-ul-Kabir) (UHC.I,p.726).
Although the Aryachakravartis had forcibly ruled the region of Jaffna for about 150 years, that region was once again annexed to the kingdom of Kotte during the reign of Parakramabahu VI(1412-1467) and Prince Sapumal, the Commander in Chief of other army who was sent to conquer Jaffna was appointed as the ruler there; but the deposed Tamil leaders once again began to rule the region of Jaffna following the return of Prince Sapumal to Kotte where, after the death of Parakramabahu VI, a series of wars of succession and revolts took place. The following references in 'The Temporal and Spiritual Conquest of Ceylon' by Father Fernao de Queryroz indicates that these local Tamil leaders had ruled that region not as independent rulers but as vassals of Sinhala kings. The relevant passage reads thus; 'As long as Rajapura (Anuradhapura) was the capital of Ceylon the whole island was subject to one king; but after the inundation of the lowlands and after the city of Cota (Kotte) became the metropolis, there were in the island 15 kinglets, subject to the king of Cota,who therefore was considered to be Emperor, and the same title is in these days claimed by the king of Candea(Kandy). The kinglets were, he of Dinavaca, Uva, Valave, Putelao (Puttalam), Mantota, Tanagama, Muliavali, Triquilimale (Trincomalee), cutiar (Kottiar), Batecalou (Batticaloa). Paneva (Panama), Vintena (Bintenna), Orupala, Mature (Matara), Candae(Kandy) and of the point of the North Jafanapatoa (Jaffna peninsula) which together with the kingdom of Cota makes 16. (De Queryoz I,p.101) again Fr. De Queyroz states that 'when we first came to that island (i.e.,Ceylon) it was divided into five kingdoms, that of Cota, Emperor, to which all the others were tributory acknowledging that king as that of Raygam and of Seytavaca (Sitavaka) states which he of Cota divided with his brothers; that of Candea and that of Jafanapatao (de Queyroz bk. I,p.32). The following account given in the 'A true and exact description of the great island of Ceylon' by Phillipus Baldaeus, a Dutch predikant who lived in Jaffna for about 9 years, also confirms the statement of de Queyroz. "The fort of Jaffnapatan is square surrounded with strong high walls as the print exhibits, it is larger than the fort of Batavia and is the capital of the entire kingdom. It remained under the Portugezen sway for upwards of 40 years, wrested from the Emperor by Philippo d'Olivero when he defeated the Cingalezen forces near Achiavelli (Achuvely) by the great pagode, where there are still to be seen the ruins and a wonderfully large wide well, deep and round and its centre 24 fathoms deep, truly a wonderful work hewn out of a large rock'. This account reveals that even after the time of Prince Sapumal the Jaffna region was under the rulers of the Kandyan kingdom. It also shows that the Jaffna peninsula was populated even at that time by a large community of Sinhalese who were Buddhists.
That those vassal states mentioned by Fr.de Queyroz were under the king of Kandy during the 17th century is proved by a statement in Robert Knox's 'An Historical Relation of Ceylon' where he says that he and his companions were taken into custody at Kottiar by a Disawa or General of the king of Kandy and were later taken up into the interior and quartered in different villages in the Kandyan kingdom. (CHJ.VI., pp.189-192). I is quite clear from the above quoted references that not only during the Kotte period, but also during the Kandyan period the Jaffna peninsula and the other places such as Trincomalee and Kottiar in the North and the East were not considered as independent kingdom but as vassal states under the kings of Kotte or Kandy. The statement of Fr.de Queyroz, to wit, that the king of Kandy was regarded as the Emperor of Ceylon, is confirmed by a reference in the book by Phillipus Baldaeus. Referring to the political condition of the island at that time he says that it'is divided into several kingdoms and principalities, as is to be seen by the titles which the Emperor bears, styling himself Rajasinga Emperor of Ceylon, king of Candea, Cota Ceytavaca, Dambadan (Dambadeniya) Amorapora (Anuradhapura), Jaffnapatam.... Count of Cottiar (Kottiyar), Trinquemale (Trincomalee), Batecalo, etc., (CHJ.VIII,p.2). It is also recorded in Baldaeus' book on Ceylon that king Senarat of Kandy towards the end of his reign summoned all his subordinate rulers in the island for a council meeting for the purpose of selecting a successor to the throne of Kandy after him. Baldaeus has given the names of all those rulers who attended this council meeting and a faithful account of its proceedings. He has also given a translation of the proclamation that was issued by the king after the meeting. According to Baldaeus a representativeof the contemporary ruler of Jaffna also attended this council meeting. King Senarat is referred to as the Emperor of Sri Lanka, The king of Kandy, Sitavaka, Trincomalee, and Jaffna etc., in the preamble of this proclamation. This account of Baldaeus clearly proves that the king of Kandy was the de jure ruler of the Jaffna region even during the 18th century.
It is clear from the facts so far presented that at no time was an independent Tamil kingdom in existence in the Jaffna peninsula during the long period of history of Ceylon beginning from the Anuradhapura period up to the end of the Kandyan period. Just as the South Indian Tamil invaders who conquered the northern part of the island and ruled at Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa at times were never regarded as lawful kings of Ceylon by those Sinhala kings who ruled in the other parts of the island during the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa periods, the Vanniyars and other local rulers who occupied the District of Jaffna and other places in the north were never regarded as lawful kings, but as foreign invaders by those Sinhala kings who ruled at Dambadeniya, Gampola, Kotte, Kandy and other places; such local rulers are referred to as usurpers in the Culavamsa and in the Pujavaliya (CV.82, 17-28, PUJ. 768, 790). Even as late as 1805 A.D. the Tamils and the other minority communities who had settled in the Jaffna peninsula have been referred to as 'foreigners' by Captain Robert Percival in his book entitled an 'An Account of the Island of Ceylon' (1805). While giving an account of the population of Jaffna he states that The inhabitants of Jaffna consist of a collection of various races. The greatest number of Malabars of Moorish extraction, and are divided into several tribes known by the names of Lubbahs, Belalas, Mopleys, Chittys, Choliars and a few Brahamins; they are distinguished by wearing a little round cap on their close shaven heads. There is also a race of Malabars found here somewhat differing in their appearance from those of the continent. These different tribes of foreign settlers greatly exceed in number the native Ceylonese in the District of Jaffna (pp. 71, 72). Even during the time when the Jaffna peninsula was under the Portugese and the Dutch, the Sinhala kings of Kotte and Kandy continued to make their claim to the overlordship of that region, when the British occupied the maritime provinces including the Jaffna peninsula.
One of the reasons given for the claim to a separate Tamil kingdom in the North by some Tamils is that there was a separate independent Tamil kingdom in the North from very early times. The facts so far presented in this paper clearly indicates that there never existed an independent Tamil kingdom in the North; therefore the claim to a separate Tamil kingdom in the North on that ground is baseless.
From the foregoing study it is also proved beyond any reasonably doubt that although some Sinhala and Tamil Vanni chieftains of the northern region had attempted to rule some parts of that region disregarding the authority of the Sinhala kings of the South, when there were internal troubles in the South after the 13th century, the Sinhala kings there never recognised those petty rulers as independent kings. A condition similar to this prevailed during the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa periods when the chieftains of the region known as Rohana on many occasions tried to disregard the authority of the king and to become independent. Rohana, infact, was a separate principality for aobut 15 centuries fro the time of Devanampiyatissa or even before it was under the Uyvaraja or heir-apparent from the beginning and later under an Adipada or heir-presumptive appointed by the king. At times some of these princes of Rohana not only had attempted to disregard the authority of the king but had also declared war against the king and had invaded the capital. According to the Culavamsa a prince named Mahanaga was appointed governer of Rohana by Silakala (518-531) and that prince sometime later rebelled against the king and attempted to become independent. During the 70 years that followed the death of Aggabodhi II (604-614), a period which was characterised by an unceasing conflict brought about by the rivalry of two factions for the throne at Anuradhapura, the local rulers of Rohana attempted to disregard the authority of the Anuradhapura king and to become independent. Again shortly after the accession of Udaya II a prince named Kittaggabodhi of Rohana made an attempt to become independent having rebelled against the king. When Udaya II (887-898) heard of this affair, he appointed a young prince named Mahinda to the governorship of Rohana and sent him there with an army to seize and bring the rebel to Anuradhapura. Kittaggabodhi was taken captive and was sent to Anuradhapura and Prince Mahinda took control of the government of Rohana. Udaya's immediate successor Kassapa IV (898-914) had to face trouble from that ruler of Rohana; we are told that shortly after Kassapa's accession prince Mahinda rebelled against the king and invaded Rajarattha. At the preliminary stage of the invasion Mahinda was successful. As Kassapa heard of this defeat of the Royal troops, he send Mahinda's father Uyvaraja Kassapa to meet the son and to persuade him to give up the campaign. Yuvaraja Kassapa was successful in persuading his son to give up.
A few years after the accession of Parakramabahi I (1153-1186) at Polonnaruwa the chieftains of Rohana rebelled against his authority but the king after heavy fighting brought them under control.
If some Tamils claim a separate kingdom in the North on the ground that there was a separate kingdom in Jaffna for about 150 years after the 13th century , the people of Rohana in the South have a separate principality for more than 15 centuries. There was also a separate kingdom after the 15th century up to 1815 A.D.; on similar grounds the people of upcountry also could claim a separate kingdom for them. If we are to create separate independent states in different parts of this small island on the ground that there were petty principalities, such as Vanni kingdoms or forest kingdoms in Panama, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Denagama etc., ruled by opportunist chieftains, it is left to the readers to visualize as to how many parts we have to divide Sri Lanka.
Source :- EELAM THE TRUTH - PPS submitted to Sansoni Commission.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The #set keyword modifies the most recently created version of a variable. So, if a variable has been created previously with either #declare or #local, its value can be changed with the #set directive.
Example 2.2. Using the #set directive
#declare MyCounter = 0: #set MyCounter = MyCounter + 1;
One advantage is that it makes it more visually clear where variables are 'created', and where they are only 'changed'.
Another advantage is that if you try to change a variable that doesn't yet exist, it produces an error. This could happen if you make a typing mistake, like this:
#declare MyCounter = 0; #while (MyCounter < 10) #declare MyCountr = MyCounter+1; #end
This would normally cause an infinite loop, and may take a while to track down, especially in complex scenes and with typos that "look right" at a glance. If #set was used, it would cause an error ("#set cannot assign to uninitialized identifier MyCountr.") at that line, pointing you directly at the problem.
POV-Ray™ 3.5 in its official release does not accept all built-in constants and variables to be used in functions. Following tokens are recognized additionally in VM since MegaPOV 1.0: clock_delta, clock_on, false, final_clock, final_frame, frame_number, initial_clock, initial_frame, image_height, image_width, no, off, on, true, version, yes . All mentioned tokens return the same values as in the whole SDL parser.
As other animation options, also Frame_Step has its own equivalent in SDL. You can use the frame_step key-word to get the value which was passed to Frame_Step (see Section 2.1.1, "Frame_Step"). Default value is 1.
With the keyword date, time and/or a date can be used in your images. This might be useful in a macro to place a time stamp in your images, along with your name. The keyword date works like other string functions, except that you have to supply a format string.
Example 2.3. date function usage
Suppose it's Saturday 1 January. The following script:
#declare TheString=date("%a %B")
will return the string: Sat January
The most flexible implementation was chosen (which is probably not the easiest ...) because not all countries write dates in the same way. Just think of the difference between the USA and most parts of Europe. These are the possible specifiers for the format string: Please note that these should be equal for all platforms but if you don't get the expected result, contact the person who compiled your version to find out if there are differences.
Table 2.1. The following time formatting strings are available:
|Abbreviated weekday name.
|Full weekday name.
|Abbreviated month name.
|Full month name.
|The strftime() format equaling the format string of "%x %X".
|Day of the month as a decimal number.
|The hour (24-hour clock) as a decimal number from 00 to 23.
|The hour (12-hour clock) as a decimal number from 01 to 12
|The day of the year as a decimal number from 001 to 366
|The month as a decimal number from 01 to 12.
|The minute as a decimal number from 00 to 59.
|"AM" or "PM".
|The seconds as a decimal number from 00 to 59.
|The week number of the year as a decimal number from 00 to 52. Sunday is considered the first day of the week.
|The weekday as a decimal number from 0 to 6. Sunday is (0) zero.
|The week of the year as a decimal number from 00 to 51. Monday is the first day of the week.
|The date representation of the current locale.
|The time representation of the current locale.
|The last two digits of the year as a decimal number.
|The century as a decimal number.
|The time zone name or nothing if it is unknown.
|The percent sign is displayed.
To use the '%' character in the result, use it twice: date("%%")
Refer to date.pov for an example scene. Please note that you might have to write the result in a file if you want to abort the rendering and continue later on. Otherwise you could get a different result because time goes on :-)
The keyword start_chrono sets an internal variable and returns the current internal clock counter of your computer. The return value is not important. However, you must assign this return value from start_chrono otherwise you get an error. Use it like this:
#declare Stopwatch = start_chrono;
or use it like this:
#if (start_chrono)
but not:
start_chrono //parsing stops with a fatal error
The keyword current_chrono returns the time in full seconds (no fractions of seconds) between start_chrono and current_chrono. The start value is not changed. A second current_chrono will still return the seconds between start_chrono and the second current_chrono.
If you don't call start_chrono somewhere before you call current_chrono, you will get the seconds elapsed since the beginning of the current render (parsing).
Example 2.4. Using the timer function
//reset the chrono and return the internal clock counter #declare ParseStart = start_chrono; ... syntax to be parsed //read the seconds elapsed since chrono_start #declare ParseEnd = current_chrono; #debug concat("\nParsing took ",str((ParseEnd, 1, 0)," seconds\n")
Refer to chrono.pov for a demo scene.
Some animators want to use filenames of previous, already rendered frames to average them to mimic motion_blur in one turn. But the concatenation of filename with frame number is not a trivial thing and can be platform dependant. MegaPOV allows you to get n-th filename of current animation. For stills it always returns filename without numbers.
#declare File_Name=output_filename(Frame_Number)
Example 2.5. Averaging frames with output_filename function
You can force every 10th frame to be averaged content of previous nine frames, this way:
#if(mod(frame_number,10)=9) #declare Averaged_Frames=pigment{ average #local Counter=1; #while(Counter<10) [1 image_map{output_filename(frame_number-Counter)}] #set Counter=Counter+1; #end } // placing of pigment in output area #else // conventional scene #end
You probably already know that the image_width and image_height keywords return the sizes of a rendered image. But there are cases when you would like to change the content of a scene depending on the sizes of the images used for maps. For this purpose the image_width and image_height keywords are extended with an optional parameter which is the identifier of an item using an image.
#declare Identifier=image_width [ (ITEM_WITH_IMAGE) ]; #declare Identifier=image_height [ (ITEM_WITH_IMAGE) ]; ITEM_WITH_IMAGE: PIGMENT_ID | NORMAL_ID | TEXTURE_ID
The usage of the dimension_size is extended since MegaPOV 1.1 with a measurement of floats, vectors and colors. If you want to write a universal script which works differently depending on the number of components in an identifier, you can use the dimension_size to get 1,2,3,4 or 5 as number of the components in the given identifier.
#declare Identifier=dimension_size ( FLOAT | VECTOR | COLOR );
MegaPOV 1.1 allows the verification of the type (and in some cases subtypes) of identifiers. It is possible thanks to the is function which tests the internal type of an identifier.
#declare Identifier=is ( IDENTIFIER , TYPE | SUBTYPE ); TYPE: array | camera | color | color_map | density | density_map | finish | float | fog | function | interior | light_source | material | media | normal | normal_map | object | pigment | pigment_map | rainbow | sky_sphere | slope_map | spline | string | texture | texture_map | transform | vector SUBTYPE: SPLINE_TYPE | OBJECT_TYPE | CAMERA_TYPE SPLINE_TYPE: akima_spline | basic_x_spline | cubic_spline | extended_x_spline | general_x_spline | linear_spline | natural_spline | quadratic_spline | sor_spline | tcb_spline OBJECT_TYPE: bicubic_patch | blob | box | cone | cubic | cylinder | disc | height_field | intersection | isosurface | julia_fractal | lathe | merge | mesh | parametric | plane | poly | polygon | prism | quadric | quartic | smooth_triangle | sor | sphere | sphere_sweep | superellipsoid | text | torus | triangle | union CAMERA_TYPE: cylinder | fisheye | omnimax | orthographic | panoramic | perspective | spherical | ultra_wide_angle | user_defined
An example using the is keyword can be found in the mp_types.inc include file (see Section 3.3, "The 'mp_types.inc' include file").
MegaPOV delivers new pre-defined functions. These new internal functions can be accessed through the mp_functions.inc include file, so it should be included in your scene to make use of them.
f_triangle function has 10 parameters:
FLOAT f_triangle(FLOAT V1x, FLOAT V1y, FLOAT V1z, FLOAT V2x, FLOAT V2y, FLOAT V2z, FLOAT V3x, FLOAT V3y, FLOAT V3z, FLOAT Thickness
The parameters V1x, V1y, V1z describe the coordinates of the first vertex in the triangle.
The parameters V2x, V2y, V2z describe the coordinates of the second vertex in the triangle.
The parameters V3x, V3y, V3z describe the coordinates of the third vertex in the triangle.
The parameter Thickness describes how thick the triangle is.
In order to achieve the fastest calculation, try to pass the parameters so that the side V1-V2 represents the longest side and V1-V3 represents the shortest side.
The polynomial solver is accessible from scripts via the float functions n_roots and nth_root with the following syntax:
INT n_roots(FLOAT an, ..., FLOAT a0, BOOL sturm_flag, FLOAT epsilon
FLOAT nth_root(FLOAT nth, FLOAT an, ..., FLOAT a0, BOOL sturm_flag, FLOAT epsilon
n_roots returns the number of roots derived from the polynomial given by the parameters an, ..., a0 and calculated under the conditions specified by the parameters sturm_flag and epsilon.
nth_root returns the value of the nth root of a given polynomial.
The sturm flag turns on a different algorithm of calculation. Its usage influences the number of returned roots. Epsilon (positive) value means that the roots below Epsilon value are ignored. Epsilon=0 means that none of the roots are ignored.
You don't have to call n_roots before nth_root, but if you do call nth_root with the wrong root number then it causes an error and breaks parsing. It is better to call n_roots first to verify the number of available roots.
Example 2.6. Polynomial solver usage
Imagine that we have x3+6*x2-x-6 and that we are interested in its roots for further calculations. So if we declare:
#declare N=n_roots(1, 6, -1, -6, off, 0);
then N has value 3 because the mentioned equation has 3 roots. If we are interested in what roots it has, we can use the following calls:
#declare R0=nth_root(0, 1, 6, -1, -6, off, 0); #declare R1=nth_root(1, 1, 6, -1, -6, off, 0); #declare R2=nth_root(2, 1, 6, -1, -6, off, 0);
And it returns R0=-6, R1=1 and R2=-1. So finally we know that x3+6*x2-x-6=(x+6)*(x-1)*(x+1) .
Splines in POV-Ray™ can be used to create objects through rotation, translation or by being a border of a surface. Usually it is hard to match those surfaces with calculations developed in SDL because they are mostly hard-coded within the source core code of POV-Ray™. The spline feature introduced in POV-Ray™ 3.5 makes such operations much easier but some spline types are still missing. sor_spline is introduced to access the surface of the sor object in SDL.
To use the data from the sor object in a sor_spline, the order of coordinates has to be changed. The old y coordinate is now the clock value in the spline. The advantage is that one sor_spline can hold data from five old sor-s. That's because every spline can operate up to five dimensions along the clock value.
Example 2.7. Conversion from the sor object definition to the sor_spline type in spline
spline{ sor_spline -1.000000,0.000000*x 0.000000,0.118143*x 0.540084,0.620253*x 0.827004,0.210970*x 0.962025,0.194093*x 1.000000,0.286920*x 1.033755,0.468354*x } sor{ 7 <0.000000, -1.000000> <0.118143, 0.000000> <0.620253, 0.540084> <0.210970, 0.827004> <0.194093, 0.962025> <0.286920, 1.000000> <0.468354, 1.033755> }
An akima_spline is a spline that goes smoothly (pleasingly for some) through all points. ACM Press abstracts original work of Hiroshi Akima:
This method is devised in such a way that the resultant curve will pass through the given points and will appear smooth and natural. It is based on a piecewise function composed of a set of polynomials, each of degree three, at most, and applicable to successive intervals of the given points. In this method, the slope of the curve is determined at each given point locally, and each polynomial representing a portion of the curve between a pair of given points is determined by the coordinates of and the slopes at the points. Comparison indicates that the curve obtained by this new method is closer to a manually drawn curve than those drawn by other mathematical methods.
|--The Guide to Computing Literature.
Syntax is:
spline { akima_spline time_Val_1, <Vector_1> [,] time_Val_2, <Vector_2> [,] ... time_Val_n, <Vector_n> }
This spline is also known as Kochanek-Bartels spline.
Syntax is:
spline { tcb_spline [TCB_PARAMETERS] time_Val_1 [TCB_PARAMETERS], <Vector_1> [TCB_PARAMETERS][,] time_Val_2 [TCB_PARAMETERS], <Vector_2> [TCB_PARAMETERS][,] ... time_Val_n [TCB_PARAMETERS], <Vector_n> [TCB_PARAMETERS] } TCB_PARAMETERS: [tension FLOAT] [continuity FLOAT] [bias FLOAT]
The tension, continuity and bias are fully optional. Depending on the place where they appear, they control the spline in different ways:
What is controlled by these parameters?
|A tcb_spline needs additional control points before and after the spline. This is required to control the first and last segment of the spline.
A very nice property of x splines is that they can go through a control point as well as just approximate it.
Syntax is:
spline { basic_x_spline [freedom_degree FLOAT] time_Val_1, <Vector_1> [,] time_Val_2, <Vector_2> [,] ... time_Val_n, <Vector_n> }
|A basic_x_spline needs additional control points before and after the spline. This is required to control the first and last segment of the spline.
The extended_x_spline offers the possibility to mix smooth curves and sharp edges in an unrestricted way in one spline.
Syntax is:
spline { extended_x_spline [freedom_degree FLOAT] time_Val_1, <Vector_1> [freedom_degree FLOAT ][,] time_Val_2, <Vector_2> [freedom_degree FLOAT ][,] ... time_Val_n, <Vector_n> [freedom_degree FLOAT ] }
Since MegaPOV 1.0 it is possible to read values stored in a spline with a notation similar to an array. Previously once the spline was declared, it was only possible to evaluate it for a specified argument. Now two new usages are possible: you can get the number of entries and read the exact values placed in splines.
SPLINE_USAGE: SPLINE_EVALUATION | SPLINE_MEASUREMENT | SPLINE_ENTRY SPLINE_EVALUATION: #declare Spline_Value = MySpline(Val); #declare Spline_Value = MySpline(Val, SPLINE_TYPE); SPLINE_MEASUREMENT: #declare Number_Of_Entries = dimension_size( MySpline ); SPLINE_ENTRY: #declare Float_Time_Parameter = MySpline[ Counter ][ 0 ]; #declare Vector_Value_Of_Entry = MySpline[ Counter ][ 1 ];
This patch adds a new option to the transform syntax that modifies the transform to be suited for transforming normal vectors.
When a mesh is transformed by the transformation matrix M the normals need to be transformed with the transpose of the inverse of M. This is handled automatically by this patch.
Syntax is:
transform { ... normal on|off }
The default value is off so you get a standard transform.


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Goldin Auctions said six items of Bryant memorabilia sold for a combined $433,531 in the monthlong auction that closed early Saturday morning.
A 2000 Lakers championship ring gifted by Bryant to his father, Joe, sold for $174,184. A ring given to his mother, Pamela, from the same championship season went for $108,153.
Bryant had filed a suit against the auction company, saying his mother didn't have the right to sell the items. A settlement was reached last month allowing six items to be auctioned after the five-time NBA champion's parents apologized to their son and thanked him for his financial support.
The other items included Bryant's 2000 NBA All-Star game ring, which sold for $55,597, two game-worn uniforms from high school and a medallion and ribbon from the 1996 Magic's Roundball Classic.
As part of the sale, Goldin Auctions is donating $62,565 to The Bully Project, a Kobe Bryant supported charity.
The highest-priced item that wasn't from the Bryant collection was a bat used by Jackie Robinson during his 1949 MVP season that sold for $159,867.
In all, Goldin Auctions sold more than $2.4 million worth of memorabilia in the 1,150 lot auction.


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PID controllers have some drawbacks that limit their effectiveness. To start with, they work best with systems that have only one input and output (single input, single output − SISO). With these systems, you have only one variable to control and only one actuation to apply. You also can control systems that have more inputs/outputs with PID controllers if you apply decoupling techniques to the different variables so the final overall control involves a number of SISO PID controllers. Although possible, this technique is not easily implemented because it depends heavily on how tight the correlation between the variables is.
Another challenge for PID controllers (and for every control algorithm) is that the plant you need to control might not behave in a linear fashion. In other words, the output for a given input does not exhibit a linear response. Some examples of nonlinearity are dead zones, saturations, and hysteresis. Another challenge is that plant dynamics might also change over time. This can happen due to changes on the plant loads, normal wear and tear, or mechanical effectiveness in mechanical elements. To compensate for plant behavior changing over time, you need expert users to recalibrate your PID gains, which drives up costs for both labor and downtime.
Lastly, when tuning PID controllers, you might not achieve optimal overall system performance because stability is a concern, and tuning for better performance might lead to losing control over the system.
This paper examines several techniques to improve system performance and PID behavior.
One of the first options to improve the performance of your PID controllers is to increase the loop rate at which they perform. This is now possible thanks to advances in computer technology. With current technology, you can run PID loops up to 20 kHz using NI Compact FieldPoint controllers, 40 kHz with NI PXI technology, and up to 1 MHz with NI CompactRIO hardware when using PID functions based on field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). You can find an FPGA-ready version of the NI LabVIEW PID Control Toolkit in the LabVIEW Real-Time Module.
To help cope with a system that exhibits high nonlinear behavior, you can use an advanced instance of a PID algorithm. "Advanced" means that you can select a different set of PID gains depending on the range of the operation in a particular moment. One drawback with this technique is that PID gain tuning is required for the different operating ranges. Another possible complication using gain scheduling is that range transition might lead to instabilities if the PID controller is not designed to make smooth transitions. But gain scheduling also requires tuning for each operating range. You can implement bumpless transition in the advanced version of the PID algorithm included in the LabVIEW PID Control Toolkit.
To further extend PID performance on systems that change over time, you can use another advanced variant of PID controllers that involves gains change, depending on the dynamics of your system. While gain scheduling works only with the plant output to define the operating range, adaptive PID considers both inputs and outputs to find the gains. Figure 1 shows an example of an adaptive PID implementation running in LabVIEW, where the LabVIEW PID Control and LabVIEW System Identification toolkits are combined to generate the adaptive algorithm.
Figure 1. In this example of an adaptive PID implementation running in LabVIEW, the LabVIEW PID Control and LabVIEW System Identification toolkits are combined to generate the adaptive algorithm.
One of the current difficulties with PID controllers is the gain tuning. Although there are autotuning algorithms available, oftentimes an experienced operator is still required to fine-tune the controllers and ensure the system is stable. By using Analytical PID functionality, you can design your PID gains. You can find the right gains before putting the controller to work.
Finding the proper values for PID controller gains is a process known as tuning the controller. Typically an ad-hoc process, PID tuning involves trial and error. With the Analytical PID libraries included in the LabVIEW Control Design and Simulation Module, you have the tools to find sets of PID gain values automatically for a given user model, which ensures system closed-loop stability. You can also input minimum gain and phase margin values to specify the optional performance constraints on the PID controller.
Figure 2. Set of Stable Gains for a PID Controller
Linear quadratic controllers are designed for optimal performance on the system based on design specification. They typically require you to control a model of the system so that control gains are calculated based on a cost algorithm. This cost is user-defined and can include time to reach stable output, amount of energy used, and so on. One of the main challenges of applying optimal controllers is finding a software model of the system. Fortunately, there are tools like the LabVIEW System Identification Toolkit that identify dynamic system models directly from real-world stimulus and response signals.
Figure 3. System Identification Applied to a Heater System
Traditional feedback controllers adjust control action in response to a change in the output setpoint of the plant. Model predictive control (MPC), also included in the LabVIEW Control Design and Simulation Module, is a technique that engineers use to construct controllers that can adjust the control action before a change in the output setpoint actually occurs. This predictive ability, when combined with traditional feedback operation, enables a controller to make adjustments that are smoother and closer to the optimal control action values.
Figure 4. Comparison of an MPC Controller with a PID Controller Running on Two Temperature Chambers
Figure 4 shows a comparison of an MPC controller with a PID controller running on two temperature chambers. As you can see, the more advanced control system can better track changes on the setpoint because it has knowledge on how the setpoint is going to change and how the system reacts to a given change in the control variable.
The aforementioned techniques are not mutually exclusive. You can combine current PID control with high-level optimal controllers like MPC or linear-quadratic regulator (LQR). These controllers, called hierarchical controllers, benefit from the use of high-level algorithms when working with nonlinearities and multiple inputs and outputs. This offers a set of smaller, easier-to-handle control problems that PID algorithms can address.
PID control algorithms are popular and offer many benefits such ease of use, new development help to implement other PID controller variants, and control for common industry applications. This paper examined some PID implementations and how to improve system performance when replacing current PID controllers with other advanced algorithms, either based on PID or on the dynamics of the system.
The LabVIEW PID Toolkit is now included in LabVIEW
The LabVIEW System Identification Toolkit is now included in the LabVIEW Control Design and Simulation Module


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*Warren Kibbe, Northwestern
*Warren Kibbe, Northwestern
*Saul Fuentes, Colorado State University
*Saul Fuentes, Colorado State University
==Related Links==
==Related Links==
Revision as of 15:14, 1 October 2008
Symptom Ontology Wiki
Welcome to the Symptom Ontology Community Wiki. The Symptom Ontology was developed as part of the Gemina project starting in 2005 at TIGR. Work continues on the project at the Institute for Genome Sciences (IGS) at the University of Maryland.
- The Symptom Ontology is organized primary by body regions with a branch for general symptoms.
- The Symptoms Ontology in July 2008 was submitted for inclusion and review to the OBO Foundry.
- This project is open to collaborative development. Please contact the project PI, Lynn Schriml at: firstname.lastname@example.com.
- The symptom ontology was designed around the guiding concept of a symptom being: "A perceived change in function, sensation or appearance reported by a patient indicative of a disease".
- Understanding the close relationship of Signs and Symptoms, where Signs are the objective observation of an illness, the Symptom Ontology will work to broaden it's scope to capture and document in a more robust manor these two sets of terms. Understanding that at times, the same term may be both a Sign and a Symptom.
- Signs, Symptoms and Findings: http://bioontology.org/wiki/index.php/DallasWorkshop
- At the September, 2008 meeting many presenters described how in clinical practice Signs and Symptoms are distinct entities of terms.
- At this meeting, Larry Streepy of the Cleveland Clinic proposed that in order to integrate Signs and Symptoms into one ontology that the observer must be recorded. This point was well supported at the meeting, including Sivaram Arabandi, also of the Cleveland Clinic.
- IDO: Infectious Disease Ontology Meeting: http://www.bioontology.org/wiki/index.php/Infectious_Disease_Ontology_2008
Ongoing Developement
- Review of the current version of the Symptom Ontology shows that there are terms that are disorders, phenotypes and signs.
- Cross Products: One area of development for the Symptom Ontology will be to identify cross products, such as phenotype and anatomy terms and to create dbxrefs for these terms.
- SIGNS: One proposal for this area of the ontology is to create a new relation: observed_by
- Linking Symptoms and Diseases: Creation of a new relation is a possibility: symptom_of and then a db_ref for a disease, as there were a number of ongoing discussions at the IDO meeting (September 2008) and the Signs, Symptoms and Findings meeting on how to link Symptoms and their known diseases.
- has_property: relation for the case where a term is both a sign and a symptom:
- has_property: sign and symptom
- Warren Kibbe, Northwestern
- Saul Fuentes, Colorado State University
- Sivaram Arabandi, Cleveland Clinic
Related Links
- Symptom Ontology in Sourceforge: http://gemina.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/gemina/trunk/Gemina/ontologies/gemina_symptom.obo?view=log
- Disease Ontology: http://diseaseontology.sourceforge.net/
- OBO Foundry (Open Biomedical Ontologies): http://www.obofoundry.org/
- Gemina database: http://gemina.igs.umaryland.edu/cgi-bin/gemina/MakeFrontPages.cgi
- Institute for Genome Sciences (IGS): http://www.igs.umaryland.edu/


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Microsoft may be planning to invest between $1 billion and $3 billion as part of a leveraged buyout of Dell, according to a report this afternoon from CNBC.
Citing "sources close to the matter," the network's David Faber said that three-way talks are under way involving Microsoft, Dell CEO Michael Dell, and investment firm Silver Lake Partners, one of the prime movers behind the effort to take Dell private again. "While an investment from Microsoft is unexpected, it makes sense considering that Microsoft depends on personal computer makers like Dell to help sell its software products," Faber wrote.
Reports earlier this month confirmed that the company has entered into negotiations over a private equity buyout, which would allow it to pursue its long-term goals without having to constantly please stockholders.
Dell has been in a transitional period for some time, having gone on an acquisition spree designed to help the company turn itself into a business services company, rather than simply a manufacturer of commodity hardware. Dell bought seven smaller businesses in 2012, spending a total of $4.9 billion. Headliners included thin client maker Wyse, security vendor SonicWall and Quest Software, which produces IT management applications.
However, a tight economy and falling profitability have kept Dell's stock price down -- and sharper-than-expected declines in PC demand make the future look relatively bleak.
Email Jon Gold at email@example.com and follow him on Twitter at @NWWJonGold.


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Thursday, March 31, 2011
Cardinal Burke to Sing Pontifical Mass in Rome April 9
Statio Quaresimale Mass at Basilica of San Nicola in Carcere on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 5:30 p.m.
From Rome: Via Crucis in Bronzo by DOMUS DEI
Finally, a return to the technical virtuosity of the classical form. This lovely Via Crucis was just created at the Rome studio of Domus Dei, located near Cinecitta'. Two Italian artists, Giuseppe Allamprese and Pasquale Nava labored for months to complete the project before Lent of this year. From March 9 unil April 29 you can pray this Via Crucis, now located along the Via della Conciliazione leading up to the Vatican, as seen here. After Easter the Via Crucis will then be sent to South America, to the faithful of Chile.
Catholic Culture: Simplex Mitre with Damask Print
Buy your bishop one as a present - when in Rome order from the Roman tailor Signor Gammarelli on Via S. Chiara. Just bring a copy of this photo with hat size and bring your credit card!
Rome Icon of Padre Pio
Latin in the Mass?
"The Eucharistic celebration is to be carried out in the Latin language." -Code of Canon Law (Canon, 928). "The use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites." -Vatican Council II (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 36). "The Latin language still holds primacy of place as that language which, based on principle, the Church prefers." -Mons. Guido Marini (Liturgy Conference at Mileto). "The Roman Church has special obligations towards Latin, the splendid language of ancient Rome, and she must manifest them whenever the occasion presents itself." -Pope John Paul II (Dominicae Cenae, 10). "I ask that future priests, from their time in the seminary, receive the preparation needed to understand and celebrate Mass in Latin, and also to use Latin texts and execute Gregorian chant." -Pope Benedict XVI (Sacramentum Caritatis, 62).
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
From Rome: New Book by Papal Master of Ceremonies Mons. Guido Marini
Published by Newman House Press: http://www.jhcnewman.org/.
A German Saint in the Face of Totalitarian Evil: Paul Cardinal Mayer, O.S.B.
Benedictine monk and future cardinal, Padre Paul Mayer of Germany, born in 1911, found himself in Rome during the Nazi occupation. Sometimes people forget that Nazism was also anti-Catholic. Fr. Joseph Ratzinger wrote in 1966: "Nazi anti-Semitism, in any case, attacked Christianity as part of the Near-Eastern and Jewish defilement of the Aryan race."
Truth About Planned Parenthood
The Planned Parenthood League, not only anti-family, has also always been anti-Catholic. Even in the 1940s they went after Cardinal Cushing of Boston for his pro-life views. Planned Parenthood, which sponsored a referendum there in 1948 in favor of birth control information, issued a statement then asking "How does the archdiocese maintain its tax-exempt status, when tax laws deny such exemption to groups engaged in influencing legislation?" -Salt of the Earth by John Fenton.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Pastors: For Your Sacristy
Painted Canvas Outdoor Signs
Where to Play Basketball in Rome
The hoops are here, at Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. Meanwhile, baseball is played inside the old Circo Massimo.
Rome's Tiara Window
Old Buildings in Rome
Now and then in downtown Rome you will see older construction, such as this property, located just behind the Palazzo Farnese. Notice how the first floor was the stable? Countless historic buildings such as this were destroyed in Rome after the year 1870, when Rome was rebuilt to appear as a modern European capital.
Monday, March 28, 2011
From Rome: Flowers in Honor of Aborted Babies
Sons of Divine Providence: Don Giuseppe Vallauri, FDP Leads "Septem Ecclesiarum" Pilgrimage in Rome
Under the leadership of one of the very finest priests in all of Italy, Don Vallauri, the pilgrims walked through Rome visiting the seven churches while singing, praying and fasting. The seven churches visited are: S. Petri in Templo Vaticano, S. Pauli Extra Moenia, S. Ioannis in Laterano, S. Mariae Maioris, S. Sebastiani, S. Laurentii in Agro Verano and S. Crucis in Hierusalem.
Be sure at least once in your lifetime to make the seven church pilgrimage in Rome - a wonderful experience (prayers can be found in the Enchiridion Indulgentiarum).
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Episcopal Gloves
Pastors: Get Your Church Register and Records Books in Latin
Mass intention book available at Ancora'.
From Rome: UN FAO (Food and Agriculture)
Not To Be Missed: Rome's Famed Weekly Divino Amore Pilgrimage
If you think the Faith is dead in Rome or Europe, then attend this pilgrimage with the thousands who participate. Held every Saturday at 12:00 a.m. - a pilgrimage on foot towards the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Divino Amore (located just outside Rome) starts from this place, near the Circo Massimo Metro stop. It takes place from the first Saturday after Easter until the last Saturday of October as well as on December 7, the vigil of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Each year many thousands of pilgrims participate in this weekly trek. Bring a bottle of water and a snack to eat during the break. Mass at dawn at the shrine and you can take a bus back to the city afterwards.
The Sacred Colours
Saturday, March 26, 2011
What is Wrong with This Picture?
Chain Relic of St. Paul
From Rome: Making the British Empire Catholic
Sts. Andrea e Gregorio al Celio: It was from this spot atop Rome's Celian Hill, that St. Gregory the Great towards the beginning of the seventh century sent two groups of monks to evangelize England. Among the monks were St. Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury, St. Lawrence, St. Mellitus, St. Justus, and St. Onorius, all succeeding archbishops of Canterbury, and St. Paulinus, first archbishop of York.
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In my last post, I shared the news that my good friends Hristo and Emiliya from Sofia in Bulgaria had come to visit. Years ago, Hristo stayed with us for a few months when we lived in Victoria and we've remained close ever since. One night Hristo walked me through a couple of Bulgarian recipes.
"You must make tarator soup," he said.
"What's that?"
"It's a cold yoghurt soup with cucumber, garlic and dill," he said.
"Is that a tzatziki soup?" I asked just trying to be funny.
Well, it turns out that's exactly what it is and it's a traditional Bulgarian dish that every Bulgarian eats. Think of it in the same way a Spaniard would think of gazpacho. That's what I'm told anyway.
The colder it is, the better it tastes. When I had some the next day, Hristo was right. The flavors had time to meld together and it was even more delicious on day two. It's often served in appetizer sized portions.
- 2-3 Lebanese cucumbers, washed and finely diced
- 2 cups plain yoghurt
- ½ cup walnuts, chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon walnut oil
- Water
- In a medium sized bowl, add all ingredients except water and mix well.
- Slowly whisk in cold water until the soup reaches a consistency you enjoy.
- Chill and serve.
You really should try this soup. John and I both thought it was delicious. Next up is a lovely salad.
Hristo and Emiliya headed to the Great Barrier Reef and then on to Darwin. I certainly have travel envy.


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During certain types of disasters, such as wildfires or floods, you may need to leave your home in order to remain safe. Your family disaster plan should include locations to which you and your animals can evacuate (which might include an emergency shelter) and a way for family members to stay in contact. Be sure to sign up in Citizen Alert to get notifications about emergencies near your home, business, school or other locations.
It is important to know that entry to evacuated areas will likely be denied until conditions are safe. In cases where some entry is allowed, residents will need proof of their address (such as a government-issued ID). Although you will not be forced to evacuate your home, if you choose to leave you may not be allowed to return until the danger has passed. In order to keep everyone safe, citizens need to stay out of the evacuated area so that emergency workers can do their best to minimize the impact to homes and businesses.
Evacuating when asked to do so allows emergency workers to focus on the controlling disaster instead of saving the lives of people who have chosen to stay. Be sure to take your animals with you when you evacuate. Remember – if it's not safe for you, then it's not safe for them! In fact, animals can distract or harm the emergency workers who are trying to save homes and property.
In 2014, the State of Oregon adopted a three-level evacuation process. It's important to understand what these levels mean in case you are ever asked to evacuate.
A LEVEL 1 evacuation means "BE READY" for potential evacuation. Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movement of persons with special needs, mobile property and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock. If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel may contact you via an emergency notification system.
A LEVEL 2 evacuation means "BE SET" to evacuate. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice. Residents MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk. THIS MAY BE THE ONLY NOTICE THAT YOU RECEIVE! Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Area media services will be asked to broadcast periodic updates.
A LEVEL 3 evacuation means that you need to LEAVE IMMEDIATELY! Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should evacuate immediately. If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be available to assist you further. DO NOT delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home.
Josephine/Jackson County Evacuation Brochure
Read about our policies and
notice regarding Americans with Disabilities
10 S. Oakdale Ave. Rm # 214
Medford, OR 97501
phone: 541-774-6790
Comments or Suggestions?


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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Visitors arrived to find "CLOSED" signs at the Statue of Liberty, the Smithsonian and other parks and historic sites across the country. Callers looking for help from the government reached only voicemail. And federal employees were left to wonder when they would return to work.
The first government shutdown in 17 years took hold Tuesday in ways large and small.
About 800,000 federal employees were sent home — a number greater than the combined U.S. workforces of Target, General Motors, Exxon and Google.
"After next week, if we're not working, I'm going to have to find a job," said Robert Turner, a building mechanic at the Smithsonian's American History museum in the nation's capital. He was called in for part of the day to take out the trash, turn off the water and help close up the place.
The effects played out in a variety of ways, from scaled-back operations at federal prosecutors' offices and the FBI to revoked permits for dozens of weddings at historic sites in Washington.
Campers and hikers at the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone and other national parks were given two days to pack up and leave, and new visitors were being turned away. St. Louis' landmark 630-foot-high Gateway Arch was off-limits as well.
In Philadelphia, Paul Skilling of Northern Ireland wanted to see the Liberty Bell up close but had to settle for looking at the symbol of democracy through glass. And he wasn't optimistic about the chances of visiting any landmarks in Washington, the next stop on a weeks-long visit.
"Politics is fantastic, isn't it?" he said ruefully.
In New York, tourists who had hoped to see the Statue of Liberty were instead offered an hour harbor cruise.
"There has to be better ways to run the government than to get to a standstill like this," said Cheryl Strahl, a disappointed visitor from Atascadero, Calif. "Why take it out on the national parks?"
The government closings did not stop the launch on Tuesday of the enrollment period for the online insurance marketplaces established under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul — the program at the very heart of the dispute that produced the shutdown.
The two federal employees in orbit around the Earth — NASA astronauts Karen Nyberg and Michael Hopkins — carried on as usual aboard the International Space Station, with essential employees at Mission Control in Houston supporting the lab and its six inhabitants.
There were no TV or web updates, however, as most of NASA's workforce was furloughed.
Anglers headed to the highly anticipated first day of the fall fishing season on North Carolina's Outer Banks found they could not drive onto the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Dozens of goats were taken off ivy-eating duty at Fort Hancock, a recreation area in Sandy Hook, N.J. A KKK rally planned for the Gettysburg battlefield in Pennsylvania this weekend was canceled.
Out West, Thora Johannson and her sister wanted to spend one more night at a campground at the Grand Canyon. But they packed up their things and headed home Tuesday, Johannson to San Francisco and her sister to Vancouver, Canada.
"It's a terrible thing to hold the national parks hostage to bickering parties," Johannson said. "This is really sad. People have been saving to come here. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
In Utah, rafting outfitters were not allowed on major rivers, and the state's five national parks closed during what is normally a busy time of year.
"We're dealing with a broken system, a broken Congress," said John Wood, president of Holiday River Expeditions. "They couldn't be doing more to run me out of business."
In the nation's capital, fountains were being turned off on the National Mall and the National Zoo closed. Its beloved panda-cam went dark.
But more than 125 veterans from Iowa and Mississippi walked past barricades at the National World War II Memorial after members of Congress cut the police tape and moved barriers for them.
The IRS suspended audits for the duration of the shutdown, and call centers were left unmanned. In St. Paul, Minn., the voicemail warned callers they "should file and pay their taxes as normal."
The 12 million people who got six-month extensions must still file their returns by Oct. 15. But the agency will not issue tax refunds until the government resumes normal operations.


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Automated Estimating and Scheduling Using BIM (AEC in Focus Column)31 Aug, 2007 By: AIA ,H. Edward Goldberg
Several BIM programs have evolved to aid contractors.
Although architects and engineers are often mentioned as the main beneficiaries of building information modeling (BIM), the construction industry itself has much to gain because it spends a great deal of money during the construction process itself. One of the major benefits of BIM is that it includes information about length, width, and volume, as well as information about content such as doors, windows, and finishes, all of which can be used for estimation. BIM has yet another benefit for the construction industry: the ability to simulate the actual construction sequence of a project. For contractors, this ability, often called 5D, is often as important as the cost of the components themselves. The correct scheduling of manpower and sequencing of construction events, especially on large projects, can mean the difference between profit and loss.
Beck Technology
DProfiler with RSMeans is a macro BIM application used in the planning and conceptual design phases to produce an accurate cost estimate of a proposed design and to help owners answer the most fundamental question early in the process — namely, "Should I build this project?" With this software, cost analysis is available during the planning and conceptual design phases. Integration with RSMeans or Sage Timberline data provides real-time access to more than 180,000 cost items so that interactive cost estimating can be performed on the fly while modeling a concept.
DProfiler is simple and easy to use for sketching concepts. The 3D modeling component is full featured and has the ability to model the site, site items, the building envelope, floors, and interiors (figure 1). The model can be viewed from any vantage point, and measuring and takeoff tools make data access and quantification simple.
Figure 1. DProfiler with RSMeans can be a very valuable pre-construction tool because it can produce estimates to be used downstream within US COST's Success Estimator or Sage Timberline Estimating Extended.
Taking advantage of BIM, Innovaya Visual Estimating v9.4 performs cost estimating accurately by delivering objects from Autodesk's Architectural Desktop, AutoCAD Architecture, and Revit Architecture to Sage Timberline (figure 2).
Figure 2. Innovaya Visual Estimating accurately performs cost estimating by delivering objects from Autodesk's Architectural Desktop, AutoCAD Architecture, and Revit Architecture to Sage Timberline.
The Innovaya products include Visual BIM, Visual Quantification, Visual Estimating, and Composer for Revit Architecture, Architectural Desktop, and AutoCAD Architecture. For construction planning, the company has introduced Innovaya Visual Simulation v3, its 4D application. Everything integrates with Sage Timberline Estimating.
Visual BIM offers visibility controls for 3D objects. It organizes the objects by their building sections as well as the component types. Then users can adjust the visibility and transparency of these objects easily using visibility controls. As a result, object details can be examined thoroughly in 3D view. Visual BIM also offers mark-up and e-mail functions to assist communication among project members. Visual BIM users can enter comments directly onto a snapshot of the 3D design and send it via e-mail to project members.
Visual Quantification performs object quantity takeoff from Autodesk Architectural Desktop or Revit. It can automatically generate complete object quantities directly from a design model. This process usually takes several seconds to complete for the entire building model. The quantities are extracted based on object types and their dimensions. Quantity extraction methods can be user-customized and reused for multiple projects.
Visual Estimating generates object quantities directly from a design model in seconds or minutes, depending on the approach. The quantities are extracted based on object types and their dimensions. The quantities can be organized and saved by different classifications such as Construction Specification Institute (CSI) or Uniformat. The quantities also are linked automatically with the objects that can be viewed in 3D. Finally, these quantities can be used to create reports in Microsoft Excel or to perform assembly and item takeoff within Visual Estimating using Timberline engines.
Composer for Revit Architecture, Architectural Desktop, and AutoCAD Architecture is an add-on program for Revit Building, Revit Structure, Architectural Desktop, and AutoCAD Architecture. It imports the Revit, Architectural Desktop, and Architecture building and structural element information into an Innovaya project model then exports the model into an INV file, which can be read by all Innovaya visual applications for visualization, communication, quantity takeoff, cost estimating, and construction simulating.
Architects, engineers, construction managers, owners, and government agencies have been using Success Estimator since 1991. Success Design Exchange now combines the power of both Success Estimator and Auto-desk's Revit Architecture to create highly accurate estimates.
When a project model is ready to be transferred for estimating, Success Design Exchange gives users a list of all Revit Items contained in the model. Users then can link or map these generic items to any number of client-specific or commercial cost databases. These databases can contain individual cost items or assemblies complete with labor, equipment, and material costs. After an item has been mapped in Success Design Exchange, that map will remain in place for future projects using the same item; therefore, each additional project that users run through Design Exchange will require less mapping than their previous project.
When the mapping is complete, Success Design Exchange pushes the information to Success Estimator, which generates an estimate, complete with all quantities and costs (figure 3). Users can then modify productivity factors, mark ups, tax rates, or any adjustments necessary to produce a highly accurate estimate.
Figure 3. After mapping, US COST's Success Design Exchange pushes information to Success Estimator to generate an estimate with all quantities and costs.
US COST offers its own 20,000-line-item database that covers all 16 CSI divisions free of charge, an RSMeans database (estimates can also be adjusted for specific regions by instantly applying the RSMeans city index factors), and Aspen Technologies Richardson database for heavy-process pipe and equipment.
Vico Software
Vico Software's Constructor 2007 is a complete program to build 5D construction models and link them with such scheduling applications as Vico Software's Control, Primavera P3, and Microsoft Project. Included in Constructor 2007 is a construction modeling system based on Graphisoft's ArchiCAD, an estimator connector, a 4D sequencer, a schedule integration tool, and a publish-to-5D presenter (figure 4).
Figure 4. Vico Software's Constructor 2007 builds 5D construction models and links them with scheduling applications such as Vico Software's Control, Primavera P3, and Microsoft Project.
Vico Software's Estimator 2007 is an innovative estimating system that supports model-based and traditional estimating.
Vico Software's Control 2007 is a schedule planning and production control system that allows users to compress project schedules. Control 2007 uses location-based scheduling methodology. Vico Software's Cost Manager 2007 is an application for the graphic presentation of budget/estimate information published either from Estimator 2007 or Microsoft Excel.
Vico Software's 5D Presenter 2007 allows users to publish a viewer model from Graphisoft Constructor that includes time and cost information from Estimator 2007 and Control 2007 to provide an interactive, realistic view of a project.
DesignEst Pro is WinEst's estimating product. The product is currently in beta version with a number of large AEC firms, and at the time of this writing is expected to be commercially available in August.
DesignEst Pro is integrated with Revit Architecture 2008. Using the Revit API, WinEst has given users the ability to map their Revit Elements and their respective properties to the corresponding objects and properties in a WinEst cost-estimating database (figure 5).
Figure 5. WinEst's DesignEst Pro is integrated with Revit Architecture 2008 and uses the Revit API.
The basic elements that come standard with Revit are already mapped to the corresponding objects in two WinEst cost databases: the WinEst Commercial CAD database and the RSMeans building construction cost database with assemblies. A hallmark of DesignEst Pro is the user-defined ability to map custom Revit elements to the corresponding objects in the WinEst database. The audit capabilities allow the cost estimate to be continually updated to reflect changes in the design.
Which of the Following has Your AEC Firm Adopted as Its Primary Standard?
H. Edward Goldberg, AIA, NCARB, is a practicing licensed architect and AEC industry analyst. Ed's full-length book, AutoCAD Architecture 2008: A Comprehensive Tutorial (Prentice Hall, www.prenhall.com) is now available. His new Revit Architecture book will be available in winter 2007. Visit www.hegra.com for more information or e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com.
About the Author: AIA
About the Author: H. Edward Goldberg
For Mold Designers! Cadalyst has an area of our site focused on technologies and resources specific to the mold design professional. Sponsored by Siemens NX. Visit the Equipped Mold Designer here!
For Architects! Cadalyst has an area of our site focused on technologies and resources specific to the building design professional. Sponsored by HP. Visit the Equipped Architect here!


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There are two types of entrepreneurs: those that jump into a new business headfirst, and those that dip their toes in the water. One's not better than the other, though the second one is probably more prepared for what lies ahead. In Making the Jump into Small Business Ownership (@MakingtheJump), authors David Nilssen (@DavidNilssen) and Jeff Levy (@JeffLTheESource) guide readers into the water, so to speak. They dissect what it takes to become a business owner into easy-to-digest chapters peppered with real-world examples.
What You'll Find
I received a review copy of this book from the authors. Although this book was written to be used in a more formal education setting, it doesn't come off like the college textbooks I had. It's a pretty small book, not even 200 pages, for the amount of information it offers.
The book is divided into several sections:
- Find the Entrepreneur in You
- Your Business
- Getting Started
- Parting Thoughts
The start of the book gets you thinking about whether you have what it takes to become an entrepreneur. It doesn't sugarcoat small business ownership; in fact, it forces you to ask yourself hard questions, like whether you'd be willing (or able) to go without a paycheck for up to two years to get your business launched. If this section doesn't scare you off, the rest of the book will help you determine what type of business you could launch, as well as details on how to get started.
The Authors Know Their Stuff
I don't like small business books written by people who don't actually have experience running a business. That's why it's nice to know that both Levy and Nilssen have launched multiple companies and helped others with their businesses. Neither has an advanced business degree, which just goes to show you don't have to be a Harvard MBA to be successful as an entrepreneur.
Throughout the book, both authors offer their own stories and advice to highlight a point. You build trust in them as you read.
Be Honest With Yourself
The hardest thing to really know when considering business ownership is whether you're cut out for it. Nilssen and Levy ask some thought-provoking questions that give you an idea of how difficult, emotionally and financially, entrepreneurship can be. Ask yourself these questions and you'll have a sense of whether you could make it as an entrepreneur:
- Are you capable of putting a vision ahead of your short-term needs?
- Do you perform well under pressure?
- Are you a decisive person?
- Will your family be able to support this decision knowing you will likely have to work longer hours and face initial financial insecurity?
What I Liked Best About Making the Jump
Having already taken the path toward entrepreneurship, I can see that the material in this book blows off the fluff and focuses on what anyone needs to know to start a business. I've always said you don't have to have a degree in business to be an entrepreneur, but having the right resources to understand what it takes is key.
This book is divided into bite-sized chapters that are easy to read. I always like to "sit" on a chapter a while and reflect on what I've learned. There's plenty of food for thought in this book.
Who This Book is For
If you've been thinking about starting a business but are unsure of the level of commitment required, this book is for you. It leaves no stone unturned, and you'll walk away with a better idea of whether you're ready for entrepreneurship. From finding a mentor to determining your business structure, this book has answers to many of the questions newbie entrepreneurs have. While books about social media and technology are out of date practically by the time they're printed, the lessons taught in Making the Jump will be true in 15 years as much as they are today.


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The Gas Pump Theory of User Interaction
Posted by Bob Warfield on May 28, 2010
You can learn a lot from simple things in life. Simple behaviors that run below the level of consciousness make decisions for us all the time.
Take the humble gas pump as an example. Pretty simple to operate. Yet I noticed some time ago that gas station operators were changing the order in which they presented the various grades. They all started with Regular, Unleaded, and then Premium–basically in the order of price or quality. Then they switched in increasing numbers to just the reverse–Premium suddenly started appearing on the left at many stations.
Why would they do that? Because in a land whose language is read left to right, those unconscious decision makers will just press the first button and thereby purchase the most expensive and highest margin grade of fuel available. Not everyone will do that, but enough people do that it is worthwhile for the pumps to change.
We took advantage of this phenomenon at Helpstream when we were presenting people with choices for their Customer Service. From an economic and benefit to customers standpoint, the most advantageous ranking of customer service avenues goes like this:
The customer searches and finds their question was already answered. Total self-service, quick answer to the customer, almost no cost to the organization.
The customer asks the Social Community their question, and it is answered in the Community. Not quite as good, but at least the answers wind up in the Community where the next time someone can find them.
The customer submits a trouble ticket. The worst. A service agent will help this customer, but the answer is buried in the ticketing system, so the next customer with the same problem starts all over again.
So, we simply made sure that in our user interface, customers always saw their choices in that order. We would even turn off the ability to submit a trouble ticket for a period of time or for particular customers, such as those who had not purchased platinum support. The system worked great and we routinely had our customers report that they needed tremendously fewer agents per customer, and that customer satisfaction had increased.
The principle of Gas Pump UI Design works in a lot of other places too. My wife is left-handed. When we are in a crowd, at a concert or theater, I always follow her and ask her to choose the path we take just randomly without thinking about it too much. Of course her path isn't really random, it's just under control of those unconscious decision makers. As a leftie, which is the minority of the population, she makes choices most of the population doesn't. And we wind up in the shorter lines or getting to our seats faster than if I had let my right-handed decision makers try to go where the majority of people were already going.
This process works great for web site design too. If you are a marketer or product designer, you need to be aware of it and taking advantage of it. I was reminded of the principle while reading a Clicktales blog post. I love the Clicktales product because it is a window into those unconscious decision makers. In that article, they discovered that changing one word doubled the conversion rate for a registration form. The problem was they were not being obvious enough and the unconscious decision maker was stalled, having to call for conscious help. The first version of the form had asterisks ("*") by required fields and no asterisk by the phone number. While it is a convention, it's too hard for the unconscious to decipher. People would get through filling out every other field and then abandon becaues their unconscious decision autopilot couldn't figure it out. Simply adding the word "optional" to that field to make it more obvious doubled their response rate.
I'll leave you with this simple thought to mull over for the Memorial Day Weekend:
What can you do to empower the unconscious decision maker autopilot to help your customers and your business?
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[Peter Karlsson] is a commercial photographer who wanted some ultralight, portable supports for multiple flashes. What he came up with meets those goals; measuring 16 inches long when folded and weighing just 14 ounces. They set up just like a tent because they're made from tent poles. Like the portable habitats, the tripods have bungee cords running through each section which holds them rigid but allows them to fold for transport. This is a great sister project to the flash synchronizer from yesterday. See the demo and the building instructions after the break.
Demo video
Building instructions
[Thanks Juan]


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Listen to Idina Menzel Duet With Placido Domingo on 'Guardian Angels'
November 23rd, 2015 | By Imogen Lloyd Webber
And there we were thinking that we'd be left just playing Idina Menzel's holiday album from last year on repeat over the next six weeks! Turns out that the Broadway supernova has recorded a suitably soaring number "Guardian Angels" with opera legend Plácido Domingo for his latest release, My Christmas. Check out below for a first listen of their duet; other artists featured on Domingo's album include Vincent Niclo, Jackie Evancho and Hayley Westenra. It really is that most wonderful time of year.


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Last week, in "Diabetes and Alcohol: Do the Two Mix? (Part 1)," we looked at one reason why diabetes and alcohol sometimes don't mix: hypoglycemia. We know that hypoglycemia can occur after drinking alcohol because the liver may be "too busy" processing the alcohol to release enough glucose into the bloodstream.
But it looks like there's another reason why hypoglycemia may occur after drinking alcohol. A study out of Karolinska University in Stockholm, Sweden, published in the journal Endocrinology in 2008 revealed that, in rats, alcohol sends large amounts of blood to the beta cells in the pancreas, stimulating them to release insulin, and thus lowering blood glucose levels.
While hypoglycemia is something that those prone to it aim to avoid, there is a benefit to alcohol's ability to lower glucose levels. An Israeli study (published in the journal Diabetes Care in December 2007) of 109 people with Type 2 diabetes looked at fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels after the participants were given either wine or nonalcoholic beer at supper for three months. Prior to the study, the subjects did not drink alcohol. FBG in the wine-drinking group dropped from an average of about 140 mg/dl to 118 mg/dl. FBG didn't drop in the control group. Alcohol had no effect on postmeal glucose levels.
The lead author of the study concluded that a glass of an alcoholic beverage could be prescribed for people with Type 2 diabetes as part of the evening meal. However, it would be important to include carbohydrate at the meal, and also to deduct about 100 calories from food so as to avoid weight gain from the added calories from the alcoholic beverage. And, of course, one should always discuss the use of alcohol with his or her health-care provider.
So, we've learned that drinking alcohol can lower blood glucose levels — which can be a good thing as long as the alcohol is consumed with some carbohydrate. But what about alcohol and other health issues? Sometimes we hear that alcohol is good for us; other times it seems like we should avoid it like the plague. While there is no clear-cut answer that suits everyone, it may be helpful to view alcohol in terms of a cost/benefit analysis.
Costs — drinking alcohol may increase the risk for:
- Hypoglycemia
- Cancer (of the pancreas, breast, mouth, larynx, and liver)
- Pancreatitis
- Cardiomyopathy (weakening of the heart muscle)
- Cirrhosis
- High blood pressure
- Miscarriage
- Fetal alcohol syndrome
- Accidents
Benefits — drinking alcohol may help:
- Lower the risk of heart disease
- Lower the risk of stroke
- Raise levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol
- Lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes
- Prevent gallstone formation
Of course, some people shouldn't drink alcohol at all. These include pregnant women, people with liver or pancreatic disease, people with uncontrolled diabetes, and those with a history of alcoholism. And be very careful if you take any of the following medicines, as they don't mix well with alcohol: antibiotics, beta blockers, antihistamines, antidepressants, some diabetes medicines, and pain relievers.
Do your own cost/benefit analysis and ask for advice from your health-care team. Next week, we'll look at how to fit alcohol into your meal plan, as well as some of the better choices, if you choose to imbibe.
Want to learn more about diabetes and alcohol? Read "Diabetes and Alcohol: Do the Two Mix? (Part 1)," "Diabetes and Alcohol: Do the Two Mix? (Part 3)," "Diabetes and Drinking: Seven Facts to Know," and "Alcohol and Diabetes: Tips for Staying Safe."