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Get Your Free Audiobook
Stations of the Tide
Publisher's Summary
From author Michael Swanwick—one of the most brilliantly assured and darkly inventive writers of contemporary fiction—comes a masterwork of radically altered realities and world-shattering seductions.
The Jubilee Tides will drown the continents of the planet Miranda beneath the weight of her own oceans. But as the once-in-two-centuries cataclysm approaches, an even greater catastrophe threatens this dark and dangerous planet of tale-spinners, conjurers, and shapechangers. A man from the Bureau of Proscribed Technologies has been sent to investigate. For Gregorian has come, a genius renegade scientist and charismatic bush wizard. With magic and forbidden technology, he plans to remake the rotting, dying world in his own evil image—and to force whom or whatever remains on its diminishing surface toward a terrifying and astonishing confrontation with death and transcendence.
This novel of surreal hard SF was compared to the fiction of Gene Wolfe when it was first published, and the author has, in the two decades since, become recognized as one of the finest living SF and fantasy writers.
Critic Reviews
- 1991 Nebula Award, Best Novel
What members say
Average Customer Ratings
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- Robert L.
- 25-03-2012
Hard to categorize, hard to put down
While it's categorized as Sci-Fi, this is as much a Southern Gothic and a spy novel as it is a science fiction piece. Oh yes, plus it's sexually explicit and has recurring Freudian motifs . . .
Even the approach to science fiction is unusual: characters have wildly advanced technologies but neither the characters nor the narrator ever stop to explain them. In some ways this very fresh and realistic (a contemporary story would never stop to explain what a cell phone is or how it works, the character would simply use it). Just so in this story we only figure out what some devices do and are capable of as we see them used.
On one hand this is a refreshing trust in readers' intelligence and helps keeps things moving but on the other hand, well sometimes it was a real effort to figure out what the hell was really going on. It is an enormous help if you have already bumped into the idea of taking hugely complex technological items and representing them as physical analogs that humans can "see" in virtual reality.
All of this makes for an engrossing read as does some very intricate plotting where things which seemed to be diversions or simple events when first read suddenly come back as vital clues as the plot pulls itself together near the end.
Still, the ending was peculiarly unsatisfying. After so much of the plot has been resolved by suddenly and cleverly taking building blocks from throughout the novel and assembling in a compelling way I never saw coming, at the very end there's a deus ex machina that has several 'out of nowhere' and even '. . . but wait, doesn't that go against some of the major elements of the story?' elements. Also it's not really clear why all the things that happened were important or that anything has really been resolved. In a story like this you would expect the crucial element to be the main character's journey and change, and maybe it is, but that's less compelling when you never even know the main character's name, he's simply "the bureaucrat" for the entire novel, and it's actually difficult to know him well enough to understand if there has been any change at all.
Perhaps the very end was only unsatisfying because so much of what went before it was so good. If you are looking for beach reading this is probably not it. If you like science fiction and are interested in hearing a very different and talented voice you may not have run into, this is a very good choice.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
- Paul
- 16-04-2014
Heck of a business trip this guy had!
Any additional comments?
A good example of Swanwick's superior writing ability, and his blend of SF and F. Oliver Wyman does an excellent job.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
- Nate S.
- 23-12-2017
Not Bad
It's worth a listen. A little strange, though that is a positive in my opinion. Creative universe. I just never could care about the characters, and without caring about characters I have no buy-in.
- Pam
- 25-02-2016
Open your mind....
Very very imaginative writing. I'm still thinking about the story and I finished it days ago.
I loved how fresh the writer's imagination is, the worlds he creates. I'm only sorry it ended, and slightly dissatisfied that it didn't last longer.
The eroticism is natural, but not for the prudish, and never out of place.
- Katherine
- 28-03-2012
Nebula award winner, now on audio
It???s the Jubilee Year on the planet Miranda. Every 200 years the planet floods and humans must leave until Miranda???s continents are reborn. Miranda used to be the home of an indigenous species of shapeshifters who, during Jubilee, would return to their aquatic forms until the waters receded, but it seems that humans have killed them off.
Gregorian, who lives on Miranda but was educated off-planet by a rich and distant father, now styles himself a magician and is telling the citizens of Miranda that he can transform them into sea creatures so they can stay on the planet. He has stolen a piece of proscribed technology from Earth and our protagonist, who we know only as ???the bureaucrat,??? has been sent to find out what Gregorian has up his sleeve. The bureaucrat must track down Gregorian before the Jubilee tides flood the planet. During his quest he learns about the exotic planet???s history, meets several strange residents, does a lot of hallucinating, has a lot of sex, worries about his job back home, and gets hooked on a local soap opera. The middle of the book bogs down in a haze of drugs and sex which feels slightly self-indulgent, but Swanwick manages to make it fit the plot. In the end, it???s not just Miranda that changes.
Stations of the Tide, which has been compared to Joseph Conrad???s Heart of Darkness, is often surreal and confusing, but this seems to fit the dark exotic planet. The setting was my favorite part of the story ??? Miranda is both beautiful and frightening. I especially loved the Grandfather Tree which has many trunks descending from its huge branches and houses a caf?? and a shipwreck.
Then there???s the technology: the bureaucrat has a walking talking briefcase and can split his consciousness into surrogate electronic forms that can run errands for him. He???s very surprised to find that the Mirandans had even higher forms of technology until they were made illegal by the bureaucrat???s agency. The Mirandans resent this.
Some readers are likely to be put off by the nameless bureaucrat because he???s somewhat flat and emotionless for much of the novel, but Oliver Wyman, the narrator of Audible Frontier???s version, made him feel like a real person rather than a nameless entity. I liked Wyman???s interpretation of the bureaucrat???s epigrammatic business-like style. His aloofness made it all the more moving when he rarely but suddenly was overwhelmed with emotion.
This is the second novel by Michael Swanwick that I???ve tried. I didn???t at all like the first one, The Iron Dragon???s Daughter, but I liked Stations of the Tide even though it had some of the same issues. Both novels are original and inventive with exotic settings but the plot of Stations of the Tide was at least comprehensible most of the time. It reminded me most of Robert Silverberg???s fantasy, especially his novel Downward to the Earth.
Stations of the Tide was originally published in two parts in Isaac Asimov???s Science Fiction Magazine in 1990 but was published as a book in 1991. It won the Nebula Award for best novel that year and was also nominated for the Hugo Award, the Campbell Award, and the Arthur C. Clarke Award. Try Stations of the Tide if you like lushly exotic alien settings and don???t mind feeling like you???ve taken the same hallucinogens that the protagonist took.
3 of 7 people found this review helpful
- Bouncybrit
- 01-04-2014
I just couldn't listen anymore
Any additional comments?
This would have been a great read, but it just doesn't work as an audiobook. The narration is perfect for the story but really unlistenable to.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful


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Publication Details
Title:Geology of the Romanzof Mountains, Brooks range, northeastern Alaska
Authors:Sable, E.G.
Publication Date:1965
Publisher:U.S. Geological Survey
Comments:This publication was reclassified with a new publication number in 1975; see below for the updated classification number.
Ordering Info:This publication is out of print. Reproductions may be available. USGS Publications Warehouse
Bibliographic Reference
Sable, E.G., 1965, Geology of the Romanzof Mountains, Brooks range, northeastern Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report: Technical Data Unit classification number 257, 218 p.
Publication Products
- This publication has been superseded by OF 65-141.

subset: commoncrawl


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MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – The Georgia College basketball doubleheader against Young Harris College originally set for Saturday, Jan. 26 at 1:30 p.m. has been moved to Sunday, Jan. 27 at 1:30 p.m. due to inclement weather causing travel concerns for the Mountain Lions.
All promotions are still on for Sunday's contest.
All Faculty/Staff and their families will get free admission when showing a GC ID Saturday as the Bobcats take on Young Harris College. All Georgia College employees will also receive a voucher for free popcorn at the front door.
The Sunday action will also feature another Zaxby's Kids Zone, complete with a bounce house, coloring, games and much more. The day will also feature two more halftime performances for GC's Got Talent, as music composition major Daniel Hearn will play the piano, and Jeff Crain will partner up for an amazing swing-style dance.
Sunday is also Play for Abe Day, as half of all tickets sold through John Milledge Academy will go to the family of Abram Gainous, the son of Bobcat men's basketball assistant coach Mark Gainous, as Abe continues his costly battle with Childhood Leukemia.
The Georgia College Department of Athletics, two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at www.twitter.com/BobcatSports and www.facebook.com/gcbobcats for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit www.GCBobcats.com for more information, and to nominate your favorite former Bobcats and Colonials to the GC Athletics Hall of Fame.


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brocket, ND
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text:
visualimpactweb needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 133 designs submitted by 31 freelance designers.
This website is for any type of photographer to create an account and post photos in a blog style of way. We would like the logo to be on a white background. Modern, Stylish, a logo that creative people will enjoy
Photographers, the creative type, people looking for a portrait, wedding or commercial photographer and users who will come to our site for daily inspiration
a logo that looks great on a white and black background (but focus on the white background)
vector version also required
favicon as well
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


text:
Vern Anderson needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 17 designs submitted by 7 freelance designers.
Need a cute logo - preferably using a basketball - could be a character or characture -
Athletic Tutors USA
This is going to be a Sport tutoring coaching fundamentals with clincs and sports camps motivational resource business.
- No particuliar colors required. Bright, high energy, obvioulsy sports theme, masuline, tough
- nothing whimpy or femine
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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And not an airplane in sight this year. That'll seem weird.
I just posted a comment at Deb Maher's blog about Nationals in DC (driving) – I cannot wait!! First of all, I'm always excited for National, and second, this one will be the first one I'm signing at. Talk about a rush! My book will have been out for a month, so I'm hoping people will have read it and stop by to let me know how they liked it. (I've already gotten a review, so that was cool!)
I love getting together with friends from around the country – and the world (shout out to Tracey in Oz and Helen, Evonne & Lynne across the pond).
Writing conferences energize me. I know some people get exhausted, but I love them. I thrive on the energy, the bustle, the constant go. Oh, don't get me wrong; you don't have to constantly be on the go. There's plenty of time for downtime; I just choose not to find it. 🙂
I'm also heading to NY for the PASIC Conference (bus) – my first one. Again, I'm really looking forward to it – especially hanging out with my roomies! I'm told this conference is a blast and my agent's going to be there, a Wombat or two, so it should be great.
Then, of course, there's the annual trek to the Romantic Times Convention. This year it's in Orlando and Steph and I are rediscovering our PSU roots – we're going on a road trip to Orlando! She'll have her Sirius radio and I'll have my Combos (original flavor) and off we go!
In June comes the Long Island Luncheon (car, train, train, taxi) – an event near and dear to my heart. The ladies there do a wonderful job with the luncheon and industry personnel – that event helped me sell my Mer trilogy last year, so you can bet I'll be back!
So, as I sit here putting the finishing touches on Wild Blue Under, I'm already planning the costumes at RT, promotion for In Over Her Head, (mentally working on Catch of a Lifetime), I'm getting really excited. So who else is going???
Filed under: ATIII, Author Buddies, Blogroll, book progress, My Books, RT, RWA Conferences | Tagged: Deb Maher, In Over Her Head, Judi Fennell, Long Island Luncheon, paranormal, PASIC Conference, romance, Romantic Times, Romantic Times Convention, RT Convention, rwa, RWA National, Sourcebooks, Star-Crossed Romance, Wombats |


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Big White has the largest ski-in/ski out resort village in Canada, with a complete range from budget to new luxury category accommodation.
A Travelplan consultant can assist you package your accommodation with flights, lifts & transfers for even greater savings on your holiday to Big White Canada.
Apart from having North America's largest ski in ski out village, Big White also boasts excellent terrain for families to the more adventurous.Although Big White may be better known for its family friendly facilities, Big White does also offers a lot for the more adventurous skiers & boarders, with;
Plus, Big White ski resorts many restaurants, bars, nightlife and shops are all within easy walking distance from all accommodations and just moments away from;
Big White Accommodation:
Big White is Canada's largest ski-in ski out village, so it not
surprising to find a huge selection of lodging in or close to the
lifts. Choose from Big White's selection of accommodation from luxury
hotels to comfortable, spacious apartments.
Vancouver - 440km
Approx 4 1/2 hours
Kelowna - 56km
Approx 1 hour
Currently displaying deals for Big White. (Remove this filter.)
Hold the Control key to select multiple options.
This is the most amazing location for a family holiday.
Staff are amazing, food is amazing, facilities are amazing, and the views are spectacular!
We've been to Big White twice now and absolutely loved it both times.
We will be back !
Had a great time at Big White! Accomodation was fantastic, very clean, spacious, great views, loved the spa bath on the balcony and close to Village.
The ski runs were great and lots of snow!
Enjoyed most of the restaurants, especially "6 Degrees", "Kettle Valley Steak House" and "The Woods".
Loved the snow rides with the dogs...a highlight! The kids also loved "tubing", another highlight!
Thank you to Scott Bensley at Travelplan, Castlecrag, who put it all together...he did a fantastic job!
There are various ways to request a quote for your upcoming holiday with Travelplan Ski.
Phone 1300 SKI SKI 1300 754 754
Email us using our Contact Us or Have Us Contact You form
December to February
Already know where you want to go?
Opening Day
22 November, 2018
Closing Day
7 April, 2019
weather permitting


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Web.config files are not identical on all machines in the farm (SharePoint Server 2010)
Applies to: SharePoint Foundation 2010
Rule Name: Web.config files are not identical on all machines in the farm.
Summary: If you have multiple front-end Web servers in the farm and have made manual changes to the Web.config files, you will experience a problem where a front-end Web server cannot read session state that was saved by another server in the farm.
Cause: The Web.config files on the front-end Web servers in the farm are not identical.
Resolution: Ensure that the Web.config files are identical on all front-end Web servers in the farm or ignore this alert if you have intentionally modified the Web.config file on a server.
Ignore this alert if you have intentionally modified the Web.config file on a server. Otherwise, perform the following steps:
Verify that the user account that is performing this procedure is a member of the Farm Administrators group.
Identify the server on which this event occurs. On the Central Administration Web site, in the Monitoring section, click Review problems and solutions, and then find the name of the server in the Failing Servers column. If there are multiple failing servers in a server farm, you must repeat the following steps on each failing server.
Verify that the user account that is performing the following steps is a member of the Administrators group on the local computer that you identified in the previous step.
Log on to the server on which this event occurs.
Typically the Web.config file is stored at
C:\inetpub\wwwroot\wss\VirtualDirectories\Port_Number. Note the modified date of the Web.config file.
Repeat the previous steps on other failing servers.
Compare these Web.config files and decide which one is correct. To view the content of the Web.config file, do the following:
Click Start, click Administrative Tools, and then click Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
In the Internet Information Services management console, in the Connections pane, expand the tree view of the server name, expand Sites, and then click the site for which you want to view the settings of the Web.config file.
On the site Home page, switch to the Features View, and then in the Management section, double-click Configuration Editor.
In the Section list, select a section to view the settings of the Web.config file.
Delete the incorrect Web.config file on each failing server, and then copy and paste the correct Web.config file.
For more information, see Working with Web.config Files (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=149266).
By default, the Repair Automatically option is enabled for this rule. You can restore the default setting for this rule by doing the following:
On the Central Administration Web site, click Monitoring.
On the Monitoring page, in the Health Analyzer section, click Review rule definitions.
On the Health Analyzer Rule Definitions – All Rules page, in the Category: Configuration section, click the name of the rule.
In the Health Analyzer Rule Definitions dialog box, click Edit Item.
Select the Repair Automatically check box, and then click Save.


text:
Save 13%!
3 sold
Item Information
Genuine spare part for Hotpoint refrigerators. Genuine Hotpoint spare part
Facia & Seal
- Manufacturer Number
- 2602757
- Product Number
Fits the Following Models
Compatible with Hotpoint FZ65P.
Choose a manufacturer to reveal the models that the part Hotpoint FZ65P Refrigerator Fascia & Seal is suitable for.
Customer Reviews
Write the first review of Hotpoint FZ65P Refrigerator Fascia & Seal.
Questions & Answers
Is this the door seal ?
is this the door seal?
26 Jun 2013 by Marc
This is a Top fascia for the appliance and the seal
27 Jun 2013 by Anonymous
Delivery Information
For UK orders we offer a Free Delivery, Standard or Next Working Day delivery service.
We have separate delivery charges for Europe, North America, Japan and the Rest of the World based on the size, weight and destination of your order.
Please view our About Delivery page for full details.
Returns & Refunds
If an item is faulty or damaged on delivery and we are notified within 24 hours we will arrange for a replacement or a refund of the item - it needs to be within this time period for us to make claims with our couriers.
If you have simply changed your mind or no longer require the item(s), you must notify us within 7 days from receiving your order. The item(s) must be in their original unused and unopened packaging and be in a resalable condition for a full refund. You will need to pay for the cost of returning the item(s) and the item(s) remain your responsibility until we receive them.
Please view our Returns & Refunds page for full details.


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Hello Phoenix!!!!!
Eversave, one of my fave daily deal bargain sites, is now offering local deals in Phoenix. So, now all Phoenicians like myself, can have the opportunity to get National online deals and local ones too. Yay!
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** Please don't forget you need to leave one extra comment for each entry. **
This giveaway will end on 4/2 at 10pm EST. The winner will be chosen by random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to my email to claim their prize or I will choose another winner.


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http://mmajunkie.com Ben Saunders and Douglas Lima punched their tickets to next month's Bellator season-five welterweight-tournament finale.
Both fighters picked up victories in the semifinal round of the tourney, which took place at Saturday's Bellator 53 event at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Okla.
The night's main card aired on MTV2, and the prelims streamed on Spike.com.
In the night's headliner, the heavy-handed (and heavy-kneed) Saunders scored a third-round submission victory over Luis "Sapo" Santos.
Saunders, a former UFC fighter and early Bellator tourney favorite, looked smooth once he was taken to the mat. He rotated between triangle-choke and omaplata attempts while shutting down most of Santos' offense. He also tagged the Brazilian with a steady stream of punches from his back that won him the first two rounds.
In the third frame, Saunders (12-3-2 MMA, 3-0 BFC) rolled out of trouble and secured a fight-ending keylock on Santos at the 1:45 mark.
"I felt him wearing; I was wearing him down," said Saunders, who knocked out Chris Cisneros in his opening-round matchup.
Joining him in the finale is Lima, who survived an early wobble from Chris Lozano. Lima, though, stormed back and won the round with hooks and an effective jab that left Lozano badly bleeding.
Lima (20-4 MMA, 2-0 BFC) continued the momentum in the second round, and he forced a stoppage at the 3:14 mark with a straight right that left Lozano (9-2 MMA, 2-2 BFC) immediately planted on the canvas.
With the victory, Lima closely watched the next fight and was thrilled to see Saunders emerge victorious.
"The man looks good," said Lozano, who topped Steve Carl in his opening-round matchup. "His jiu-jitsu is on point, and man, I'm excited to take on a challenge like that."
Mann qualifies for season-six tourney
Notable Ronnie Mann punched his ticket to a 2012 season-six featherweight tournament with a first-round submission victory over Kenny Foster in a tourney-qualifier bout.
Foster scored takedowns early in the fight, but Mann sought out a triangle choke. On the second attempt, he got it, and Foster's tap-out came at the 3:52 mark in the opening round.
"I came out more aggressive in the first round," said Mann, who dedicated the fight to his late trainer, Shawn Tompkins. "The first time I went for it, he [defended] it pretty well. He's a strong guy, and I couldn't quite get it then. The second time he got me on my back, I sunk it in pretty deep."
Mann (21-4-1 MMA, 3-1 BFC), who suffered an opening-round loss to Pat Curran in the "Summer Series" tourney, is now 5-1 over his past six fights. Foster (9-4 MMA, 2-2 BFC) suffers the first back-to-back losses of his career.
Santos wins, likely back in tourney
In the night's first televised fight, Thiago Santos likely fought his way back into this season's heavyweight tournament with a quick and efficient first-round submission victory over Josh Burns.
Santos was slated for the initial field of eight, but he missed the opening round of the tournament due to visa issues. But with semifinalist Mike Hayes appealing a 60-day medical suspensions due to a broken orbital bone he suffered in his opening-round win, Bellator officials booked the tourney-reserve fight.
"I haven't reached my dream yet, which is to win the grand prix," Santos said through a translator.
Luckily for Santos (9-1 MMA, 1-0 BFC), he won the fight and did so relatively unscathed. He quickly wrestled Burns (6-5 MMA, 0-2 BFC) to the mat and locked on the fight-ending rear-naked choke at the 2:23 mark of the opening round.
- Ben Saunders def. Luis Santos via submission (keylock) – Round 3, 1:35 – welterweight-tourney semifinal
- Doug Lima def. Chris Lozano via KO (punch) – Round 2, 3:14 – welterweight-tourney semifinal
- Ronnie Mann def. Kenny Foster via submission (triangle choke) – Round 1, 3:52
- Thiago Santos def. Josh Burns via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:23
PRELIMINARY CARD (Spike.com)
- Giva Santana def. Darryl Cobb via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 2:00
- A.J. Matthews def. Rudy Bears via unanimous decision
- Raphael Davis def. Myron Dennis via KO (punch) – Round 2, 0:29
- David Rickels def. Levi Avera via submission (triangle choke) – Round 2, 1:06
- Luis Nogueira def. Zak Laird via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:51
For full coverage of Bellator 53, stay tuned to the MMA Events section of the site.
(Pictured: Ben Saunders)


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Holiday Shopping on the Main Line: Where to Find the Best Gifts
Eight local boutique owners predict the season's hottest gifts. PLUS: Other choice picks from some of the Main Line's many cool shops.
By Tara Behan
See also MLT's 2011 Boutiques Directory and "Last-Minute Gift Ideas for the Main Liner in Your Life."


text: After watching interleague play and the Reds favorable results against some of the top teams in the NL (Mets, Cards) I'm convinced that it won't take much (couple solid relievers) to make the playoffs in the current NL landscape. With the NL West teams beating up on each other it should make the wildcard within our reach if the Cards get hot. But, my question is, should we be happy with making the playoffs in a down year for the NL or should we aim higher? I'd love to have something to be excited about in October but we're a long way from being a World Series contender. In fact, it seems to be a reach to imagine any NL team beating the White Sox, Tigers, Red Sox, or Yankees, the AL certainly seems to be far superior. So, do we aim for the wild card or hope Krivsky makes some major trades (which would probably mean Homer) to put us in serious contention?


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INTERNET PROTEST GROUPS, news websites and user webpages are clubbing together to fight mass surveillance next week on 11 February.
The protestors are uniting under the "Day We Fight Back" banner, and include the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Demand Progress, Mozilla, Reddit, environmental activist group Greenpeace and websites like Boingboing.
The groups are uniting to protest after seven odd months of US National Security Agency (NSA) revelations on the anniversary of persecuted internet activist Aaron Schwartz's passing. The campaign launched in January and now, in the final preparation stages, the protestors are asking more people to participate.
"Today the greatest threat to a free internet, and broader free society, is the National Security Agency's mass spying regime," said David Segal, executive director of Demand Progress. "If Aaron were alive he'd be on the front lines, fighting back against these practices that undermine our ability to engage with each other as genuinely free human beings."
Not participating is Wikileaks, a website that has some common ground with the protestors. However, according to a blog post on the Fight Back website, discussions with Wikipedia have failed to meet on that common ground, and it appears that the organization will not be participating.
The Day We Fight Back group has posted an open letter to Wikipedia trying to change its mind.
"We believe Wikipedia should take part because the project and its crucial mission are threatened by the mass surveillance we now face, and because Wikipedia's participation can have a meaningful impact," it said.
"Wikipedia provides access to material that might be considered subversive, that challenges authority structures, that cuts against what one can learn from government propaganda or mainstream media sources. It is precisely the people who engage in the editing and reading of this sort of material who are the most likely to be chilled - and the most likely to be noticed by the surveillance regime. In other words, the people that Wikipedia most needs to reach are the ones whose freedom is being most threatened."
On the day of action the websites and their users will put out messages and questions about the NSA and surveill


text: Dear Great Minds Not strictly a Beowulf question but I suspect knowledge on the topic lurks herein. I can't seem to find a straight answer on the "real" *minimum* cable length for gigabit ethernet. I'm looking to make things on my new toy nice and tidy. Assume Cat5e/Cat6 cable, Intel e1000 NICs pushing the data rate to 'maximum', jumbo packets, cut through switching, titanium alloy mounting bracket screws etc. Minimum physical target length of 200mm. >From my limited understanding of such things, surely there would be some sort of electrical issue with too short a cable corrupting signalling/bits etc? The Net seems to vary between selling you a 0.5m cable v's "never use less than 1.0m" v's "there's no practical limit to how short". Thoughts and comments appreciated. Worse case I'll prolly try a 1m v's a 0.25m and check error rates :) Cheers Stevo


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Gain and pain
Ellsbury hurt in home opening win
There was music pumping through the Red Sox clubhouse after Friday's much-needed 12-2 pasting of the Tampa Bay Rays in the home opener.
Several of the players' children were underfoot, playing impromptu games of catch or looking to grab handfuls of bubble gum as their fathers conducted interviews.
Dinner plans were being made and spirits were high right up until the televisions on the ceiling showed a replay of Jacoby Ellsbury's injury in the fourth inning.
Kevin Youkilis winced and David Ortiz muttered an expletive as they again watched Rays shortstop Reid Brignac land on Ellsbury's right shoulder. What looked painful at the time seemed worse in slow motion.
"That's tough to watch,'' Ortiz said. "That's one of our best players right there.''
It is uncertain how long Ellsbury will be out, although a baseball source Friday night said the center fielder has a dislocated or partially dislocated shoulder and will miss 6-8 weeks.
The Red Sox are already without left fielder Carl Crawford, closer Andrew Bailey, and a crowd of others. Ellsbury, who finished second in the American League Most Valuable Player voting last season, would make it 10 players on the disabled list.
The loss of Ellsbury took some of the joy from what was a satisfying victory for the Sox after a 1-5 road trip. It was their eighth straight victory in the home opener.
The Sox battered five Tampa Bay pitchers for 16 hits and six walks. Leading, 4-1, after seven innings, the Sox sent 14 batters to the plate in the eighth inning and scored eight runs.
Kelly Shoppach had three hits, scored three runs, and drove in two against his former team. He also had his first career stolen base, his belly-flop slide drawing laughs from the sold-out crowd.
Youkilis drove in three runs and Ortiz drove in two on a day when the entire lineup contributed.
After a road trip fraught with frustration, the Sox found a lot of holes.
"Everyone needed just to know it's not the baseball god turning against us,'' manager Bobby Valentine said. "We hit balls hard and they caught them. Today we hit balls soft and they didn't catch them. That's a really good thing.''
Josh Beckett appreciated the run support on a day when he didn't need much.
The righthander, trashed by Detroit in his first start, stuffed the Rays for eight innings. He allowed one run on five hits, putting to rest concerns that his injured right thumb was more debilitating than he and the Sox were letting on.
Beckett, booed a bit when introduced for his role in last season's collapse, heard only cheers once he started pitching.
"It was just what the doctor ordered. We were wondering and hoping and he relieved all doubt,'' Valentine said. "That was the performance that we were looking for.''
Beckett needed only 94 pitches to get through eight innings. In four of those innings, he needed nine or fewer to record three outs.
"The guys played really good defense, that's the key,'' Beckett said. "They gave me the confidence to go out there and really pound the strike zone.''
The Rays helped with an aggressive approach, swinging early in the count. That allowed Beckett to use offspeed pitches to his advantage and induce some easy outs. The balls hit hard - and there were a few - were tracked down, for the most part. Cody Ross made a diving catch in right field and Darnell McDonald one in left to steal hits.
"It was just one of those games, everything we hit was caught, everything they hit was finding a hole,'' Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "[Beckett] just competes.''
As the Rays swung early, the Sox stuck to their game plan against Rays starter David Price and worked deep counts.
"That's our style and we got away from it on the road trip,'' said Dustin Pedroia, who singled, walked, and scored two runs. "We really focused on that against Price.''
Price was at 45 pitches after two innings but unscathed. That changed in the third inning.
Shoppach was hit by a 2-and-2 fastball. Ellsbury then dropped a double down the line in left, the softly hit ball landing in just the right place.
Pedroia walked on five pitches to load the bases, Price clearly working around him to get to double-play candidate Adrian Gonzalez. But Gonzalez, down two strikes right away, knocked a 96-mile-per-hour fastball into left field to drive in the first Fenway run of the season for the Sox.
"I thought Adrian took that real personally and he came up big,'' Valentine said.
Youkilis, also behind in the count, delivered a sacrifice fly to right field. Ortiz then took a half-swing at a ball on the outside corner, inadvertently making contact but producing an RBI infield single.
Shoppach had the big hit in the eighth inning, a two-run double.
The celebration will be brief. Starting Saturday, the Sox will have to adjust to missing Ellsbury.
"I can play out there but we need him back,'' said Ross, who moved to center when Ellsbury left the game. "This was a good win, but we're all worried about Jacoby.''
Peter Abraham can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.


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National Advisors Trust of South Dakota
National Advisors Trust of South Dakota (NATSD) is a professional trust company that works with independent investment advisors to provide flexible, individualized, service-oriented, cost-effective trust administration. NATSD offers tax favored trust situs, access to modern trust statutes, customized trust administration, advanced technology, quality service, creative strategies, and competitive fees. NATSD's services include trust administration of both trusts established pursuant to South Dakota law, and trusts of other states moved to South Dakota (e.g. change of trust situs by naming or appointing NATSD as trustee). NATSD provides directed trust administration services for standard and non-standard assets. All of NATSD's services and advantages are available without the necessity of either the trust grantor or beneficiaries having to reside in South Dakota. NATSD creates a true partnership with trusted advisors, welcoming the input and ongoing involvement of the attorney, CPA and investment advisors. We believe that this inclusive approach, combined with our comprehensive trust services, creates a unique environment that promotes relationship continuity and beneficial trust opportunities, making NATSD the trust company of choice for independent advisors and their high net worth clients.


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Adams Wedding Photography
Adams Wedding Photography
Rhonda and Keith Adams Wedding Photography, in Hamilton, Ohio by Concepts Photography on May, 31st 2014.
Concepts Designs and Photography is located in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. CDP is a high quality graphic design and photography business. Specializing in website design, business logos, magazine design and layout, video, photography, and 3D Animation.
Hello my name is Brian Adams, I am a Graphic Designer, Photographer and Cinematographer. Currently filming weddings and event videos, as well as business commercials with over 8 years professionally. My areas of expertise in video are in, script writing/storyboarding, directing, filming, and editing. I am also a professional photographer with 10+ years in wedding photography, family portraits, professional headshots, senior portraits, and photo editing and retouching.


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In the wake of a Wrestlemania that saw one billionaire go bald and another get Stone Cold Stunnered, here are some random thoughts.
Say what you will about publicity stunts, but the Vince McMahon-Donald Trump Hair vs. Hair showdown was a hit. The 80,000-plus fans who packed Ford Field in Detroit loved it. And it got headlines across the world, with McMahon's new chrome dome getting plenty of media play.
Give Shane O'Mac credit for taking a few bumps ... and a tip of the fedora to The Donald, who awkwardly crumbled to the mat after Stone Cold Steve Austin left his calling card.
WWE had no choice but take the championship belt from Batista's waist and give it to The Undertaker, perhaps Wrestlemania's all-time all-star.
The Money in the Bank Ladder match was a show stopper, with Mr. Kennedy winning a "slobberknocker." Among the incredible bumps were Hornswoggle (yep, that lovable former Little Bastard), who was knocked off the ladder by Kennedy ... and Jeff Hardy, who knocked Edge through a table with a leg drop from the ladder to the floor.
Other results: Chris Benoit beat MVP; The Originals beat The New Breed (a match that paled in comparison to their ECW bout last night), Melina beat Ashley; and John Cena kept his title with a win over Shawn Michaels.
One memory I'll take away from my time in Detroit and Windsor, where I was housed in the Windsor Casino and was fortunate to chat with the city's affable mayor, Eddie Francis.
The Hall of Fame ceremony at the Fox Theatre in Detroit was wonderful. But to those trailer-park idiots who shouted obscenities while the Hall-of-Famers were speaking, you weren't funny, more like disgusting, especially the pottie-mouthed dad who kept swearing -- with his two pre-teen children next to him.
HEADING YOUR WAY: WWE will check in for TV shows in Edmonton and Calgary in July. Calgary will host RAW July 16, with Edmonton getting the July 17 Smackdown!/ECW TV taping. WWE will tour Ontario in May, Barrie getting the Smackdown!/ECW roster and Ottawa getting a RAW live event, both May 26. Smackdown! goes to Kingston May 27, with Montreal hosting a RAW live event the same night. Toronto gets the RAW TV show May 28, with London getting the Smackdown!/ECW TV taping May 29.
HARDY HAR: The Hardy Boyz won the WWE tag titles on RAW, when Michaels knocked his own partner, Cena, over the top rope in the second of two 10-team battle royals. The feud is officially on.


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Felton is now shooting just 39.8 percent, below Lin's season rate of 41.9 percent. The two have comparable assist percentages, even with Lin playing a large chunk of his time off the ball. Felton has a better turnover percentage, but the value of that is mitigated by all the missed long twos, making for wasted possessions.
Felton is in his eighth year, playing right to the median of his career work. This is who he is.
And then there's Lin, whose 2011-12 season was significantly better than anything Felton has ever done, appearing to adjust to a very difficult situation in Houston roughly 25 games into the season. Both Lin and Felton are signed for three years, which also happens to be the length of remaining time of the contracts of Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler. Getting the best point guard for them, for the next three years, was paramount.
The Knicks are winning, but it's not because they replaced Lin with Felton. It's because the rest of the Knicks are playing well enough to make up for it.
It's worth noting that this wasn't really an either/or decision for the Knicks, as the team could have both acquired Felton and kept Lin. But, it is interesting to see that Lin has definitely closed the gap between the two in recent games. I think Megdal's assessment is a little harsh on Felton, particularly considering the injuries he's fighting through, but there's no doubt this is a question that really won't be answered over a matter of weeks. Instead, it will be born out over the next few seasons. Nonetheless, it's also pretty hard to quibble with a 19-6 start, with Felton still fitting the city like a well worn glove.


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NEW YORK (Reuters) - The 12 firefighters who died battling a blaze at a Texas fertilizer plant last year were unprepared for the ferocity of the fire and should have focused on evacuating the area rather than extinguishing the flames, said a report released Thursday.
The line-of-duty report from the Texas State Fire Marshal's Office examined the deaths of a dozen first responders and concluded the West volunteer fire department attacked a fire at the plant "that was significantly beyond the extinguishment stage" using small hose lines and a limited water supply.
The primary focus should have been evacuation not engaging the fire, the agency said.
The April 17, 2013, incident at West Fertilizer Co., which had operated for more than 50 years in a residential part of town, killed three residents in addition to the firefighters and caused damage estimated at $100 million.
The cause of the fire remains unknown but the source of the explosion it sparked was ammonium nitrate stored in a wooden container at the plant, investigators said. The ammonium nitrate detonated with the force of approximately 15,000 to 20,000 pounds (6,800 to 9,000 kg) of TNT, according to federal officials.
"The fire department did not approach this fire as a commercial structure with hazardous materials, but rather initiated residential structural firefighting practices, with which they were familiar," the report said.
The fire marshal's office said it is not placing blame on the first responders, but recommended that Texas require more extensive training and planning by agencies at all levels in response to incidents like the explosion.
Editing by Edith Honan and Simon Cameron-Moore


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Microsoft Moved 3 Million Xbox Ones in 2013
In just a little over five weeks, Microsoft has managed to sell an impressive number of Xbox One consoles.
Over on Xbox Wire, Yusuf Mehdi, Corporate Vice President of Marketing, Strategy and Business, Xbox, thanked all the supporters for a fantastic 2013. In addition to the Xbox 360's success, you might have heard about a little gaming machine called the Xbox One. Apparently a lot of people didn't just hear about the Xbox One, as over 3 million people added it to their console library.
"Together, we ushered in a new era of games and entertainment with Xbox One," Mehdi said. "Over 3 million Xbox One consoles were sold to consumers in 13 countries before the end of 2013. It's been incredible to see Xbox One selling at a record-setting pace for Xbox, and we were honored to see Xbox One become the fastest-selling console in the U.S. during our launch month in November."
Just before the holidays, both Sony and Microsoft touted their respective next-gen consoles surpassing the 2 million mark in sales. We'll be keeping a close eye on Sony in the coming days to see just how well the PS4 performed, too. Regardless, 3 million is no small number, and it's great to see the current console generation is off to an impressive start.


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Nanotechnology-Enabled Direct Energy Conversion
Published on
Energy transport in nanostructures differs significantly from macrostructures because of classical and quantum size effects on energy carriers such as on phonons, electrons, photons, and molecules. Nanoscale effects can be tailored to develop more efficient direct energy conversion technologies such as thermoelectrics, thermophotovotaics, etc.. In this talk, I will discuss a few examples out of our research in using nanoscale effects to improve the efficiency of direct energy conversion. The first example will be on nanostructured thermoelectric materials that explore the interface scattering to reduce the phonon thermal conductivity and to improve the thermoelectric figure of merit. The second example will explore interface effects to create nonequilibrium between electrons and phonons. We show that properly engineered interfaces can lead to an amplification of the nonequilibrium effects and improved thermal-to-electric energy conversion. In the third example, we will discuss the particularities of thermal radiation in nanostructures and their potentially applications to improve the efficiency of thermophotovoltaic energy conversion devices.
Dr. Gang Chen is currently a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He obtained his Ph.D. degree from UC Berkeley in 1993. He was an assistant professor at Duke University from 1993-1997, and associate professor at University of California at Los Angeles from 1997-2000, and moved to MIT in 2000. He is a recipient of the NSF Young Investigator Award and a Guggenheim Fellow. He has published extensively in the area of nanoscale energy transport and conversion and nanoscale heat transfer, including a recently published book entitled "Nanoscale Energy Transport and Conversion". He serves on the editorial boards for four journals in heat transfer and nanotechnology.
Sponsored by
Cite this work
Researchers should cite this work as follows:
ME 256, Ford Seminar Room, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN


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I took up quilting after I graduated from Bath Spa University where I studied Creative Arts: art & textiles. Since then my life has changed and I am a 'quilter' through and through.
I adore antique and vintage quilts and have created many projects using the infamous Log Cabin block. My quilt, 'Log Cabin Craziness' won first prize at the International Festival of Quilts 2015 in the Guild section and since then I have experimented with many different ideas and concepts. In my day-job as a secondary school art teacher, I am lucky enough to be surrounded by ever evolving creative students and new ideas, of which have led me to explore and develop my own practice.
I am an active member of many local groups and love meeting new people and sharing ideas and beautiful quilts! In the autumn of 2015 I volunteered as Young Quilting Co-ordinator for Region 5, and I run workshops for young quilters at regional days.
I am available to visit local groups as a speaker or to run evening or full-day workshops. For more information contact me via the Quilters Guild box below.
You can find more information on my website, http://www.joysalvage.com


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Support For You
Whether you're new to study or into your final year - being a student can be a bit of a challenge at times.
There are all sorts of factors that impact on your student life - You might be finding classes difficult or have things going on in your personal life that impact your study.
We're here to help, no matter what, and we have a huge range of services available to you.
We also have special services for our international students, refugee and migrant students, as well as Māori and Pasifika.
Ara is a secular organisation that celebrates students of all beliefs. Ara supports students who want to worship, through the provision of space to do this. The Muslim Prayer Room can be found in M115 and M116. Christians on Campus also meet weekly. Details can be found on the students groups page.
Careers & Employment
Not sure on where you want to go with your qualification? Thinking of changing careers? Our Careers & Employment team can help you with your career plans. We also offer this service to potential students thinking of studying at Ara - so spread the word!
For all current and graduate students our service also covers all aspects of job search whether applying for part-time whilst studying, looking for work experience opportunities or for your graduate role.
Our Careers team can help with:
- Career information, advice and planning
- Career Assessment through:
- Career Voyage online programme, which includes two interactive questionnaires involving 80 job factors to provide links from your personal interests to the world of work
- Personality Puzzle and Values Cardsort activities
- C.V and Cover Letter preparation
- Job search strategies
- Interview techniques
- LinkedIn profile
Use Ara Online Career Resources
myGPS is an interactive Career & Employability app that will help you to improve and track your employability, from the start of study through to graduation and beyond, increasing your value in the job market.
CareerHub is your 'one-stop-shop' where you can: search and apply for work opportunities; register for career events and small group sessions; access and use career information and resources.
Find a job
CareerHub is your 'one-stop-shop' for gaining 'experience' and the best thing is that these opportunities are only advertised and available to Ara students! You can find casual, part time, temporary and full time job opportunities as well as work experience, internships and volunteer roles. Register on CareerHub through the Campuslife icon using your Ara network username and password.
Student Job Search (SJS) is another online job board where you can register and apply for work opportunities (available for students all across New Zealand). Check out their ad on Ara Student Plugin
Student jobs at Ara are offered through a range of part time, on-campus opportunities for students.
If you are an international student, find out more about working in New Zealand by reading our fact sheet.
Drop In
For C.V or Cover letter checks at:
City campus, Christchurch: Mon-Fri, 11.30am-1pm
Woolston campus, Christchurch: Wednesday 11-1pm
Asburton, Oamaru and Timaru: (by appointment only)
Make an appointment
Careers & Employment are open Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm and available for face to face, skype, phone or email appointment and small group sessions.
To make an enquiry or schedule an appointment at any of our 5 campuses use our online booking form or contact us directly on firstname.lastname@example.com or 03 940 8720
Christchurch Job Vacancies
See below for a list of jobs that are open for application. All you have to do is login to CareerHub to apply.
Want to have your tamariki close by while you're busy studying? We have two early learning centres at our city campus, including a bilingual centre. There are discounted rates for students but be sure to get signed up early - our centres are very popular!
Ara Early Learning Centre
Our early learning centre caters for children aged from six months to five years.
Get in touch with Robyn Ellen to arrange a visit if you are interested in enrolling your child.
Find out more including hours, fees and subsidies you may qualify for.
Te Waka Huruhurumanu ki Ōtautahi
Te Waka Huruhurumanu offers high quality early childhood education with a focus on te ao Māori me te reo Māori.
Get in touch to arrange a visit if you are interested in enrolling your child. Email firstname.lastname@example.com out more including opening hours and fees.
Disability Services
Do you need help to make study work for you?
Disability Services provide information, services and equipment to help you make the most of study.
Click here to contact us.
You may be eligible for services such as:
Note-taking support in class
Alternative exam arrangements
Exam reader/ writer
NZ Sign language interpreter
Course materials in alternative formats such as enlarged text
Specialised equipment and furniture
To register with Disability Services you need a report from an appropriate professional, which is less than 3 years old. The report should give relevant information about your disability or health condition and describe how this may impact on your study.
Computer access
All computers on campus have Read and Write Gold literacy support software - ask how this can assist you with your reading and writing tasks.
Disability Services can also show you how to use Microsoft Ease of Access settings to make adjustments to computers to suit your individual needs.
Exam and test assistance
Come up and see us if you need assistance with exams. You'll need to book at least two weeks in advance.
Arrangements may include the following:
A separate room where you can take the assessment alone with supervision from inside or outside the room.
Extra time, usually 10 minutes per hour; or 15 minutes for a one-hour assessment.
Provide the assessment in alternative formats; eg. large font, electronic text.
Provide reading and/or writing support.
Provide ergonomic furniture or equipment.
Access to a computer to type your exam, rather than write responses.
Disability Information Sheets (PDFs)
- Disability Services Information
- ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Autism spectrum - Including Asperger Syndrome
- Blindness and vision impairment
- Brain injury
- Deaf students using NZ sign language
- Dyslexia
- Hearing impairment
- Mental health
- Medical conditions
- Physical impairment
- Specific learning disabilities including dyspraxia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia
- Temporary impairment
Assistive Software and Equipment (PDFs)
Financial Help
Student Finance
Our Student Finance Officer can help you with:
- Information on your study fees.
- Enrolment fee payment.
- Miscellaneous payments.
- Print top ups.
- Rec Centre memberships.
- MetroCard top ups.
Ara has many scholarships and prizes for students. You could be awarded a scholarship for your academic achievements, contributions to the community, or hardship. Ara scholarships support students into high demand areas like ICT, Applied Science, Engineering and Architecture, and Primary Industries.
Find out about scholarships for new and current students and get applying. You won't regret it!
You can also check out givMe which is a database of over 4,000 scholarship. You can access it for free from most public libraries.
Emergency financial assistance
If you're struggling to continue with your study due to unforeseen financial issues you may be able to apply for assistance.
Call Storm Geldenhuis on 03 940 8677 to discuss your situation and find out what you could be eligible for.
Available grants
Health Centre
City Campus
As a student you can enrol at the Health Centre for a great range of health services at a discounted rate. Ring or visit to book an appointment. All Ara students can access this service.
If you're feeling stressed, down or are having difficulties, our counsellors can help. You will see the same counsellor for all your visits. Each session takes about 50 minutes and as a student you can get three sessions for free.
General Practitioner (GP)
Our GP offers an affordable and confidential service . You might be eligible for a community services card to help with GP costs.
Nurse Practitioner
Did you know the Health Centre now has a nurse practitioner (Melissa) working 2 days a week and can see students under 23 years old? Melissa is available from 8.15am Monday and Friday. Fees are less to see the nurse practitioner than the doctor but Melissa works in a similar way in diagnosing and treating illness and can prescribe medication. If you would like to see her, just call in to the Health Centre or give us a ring on 7566.
Nursing Services
The nurses are available for a wide variety of health consultations and treatments, for example, in relation to - acute illness, mental health, wound care, sexual health, emergency contraception, cervical screening, ACC, vaccinations and health screening.
Our physiotherapy service uses in-depth knowledge of how the body works, combined with hands on clinical skills, for the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of pain, injury or disability.
Treatment is available for all sports, spinal and musculoskeletal pain or injuries.
This service is available to you by appointment only and appointments are about 30 minutes.
Osteopathy is a form of manual medicine that facilitates healing by focusing on how the skeleton, joints, muscles, nerves, circulation and connective tissue function as a holistic unit. It is an effective treatment for back pain and a range of other pains, injuries and some headaches.
Osteopathy services at the Health Centre are provided by a qualified and experienced osteopath. An Ara osteopathy student is present to observe as part of their training. These services are available on Mondays from 1pm to 4pm and Fridays from 12pm to 3pm.
Parents of babies
Students who are breastfeeding or wish to express milk are able to do so in the privacy and comfort of Ara Health Centre. If students need to store breastmilk, a fridge in the Health Centre is available.
Woolston Campus
A nurse is on site on Wednesdays and Fridays. Our nurse's office is in the Student Services Building.
Timaru Campus
Students can visit a doctor at 18 Woolcombe Street. On Tuesdays from 2pm-4pm, it is free for 16-25 year olds.
No appointments necessary.
How much does it cost?
Check out the price list below:
|Doctor consultation
Enrolled Student
Non Enrolled
High Use Health Card
Non enrolled - CSC
Sexual Health (enrolled only under 21 - free if subsidy available)
Youth (under 18)
Minor surgery
|Nurse consultation
Enrolled Students
Non Enrolled
Sexual Health (enrolled only under 21)
Youth (under 18)
|Nurse practitioner
|Enrolled Student
Non Enrolled
Non enrolled
Sexual Health (enrolled only under 21 - free if subsidy available)
Youth (under 18)
|Repeat prescription
Enrolled student
Non Enrolled
|Physiotherapy charges
|ACC covered:
Student first visit
Student follow-up visits (each)
Staff first visit
Staff follow-up visits (each)
|Non-ACC - Private
First visit
Follow-up visits (each)
Non cancelled appointment
|Osteopathy charges
|ACC covered:
Staff are welcome to make an appointment to see the doctor on a casual basis, however students do have priority for appointments so occasionally, we may have to cancel and allocate your appointment to a student. We would then refer you to your own GP or another medical centre i.e. Moorhouse.
Mental Health
If you're concerned about your mental wellbeing, or someone else's, help is readily available from the following services.
Ara Health Centre - counselling
There are health centres located at the City and Woolston campuses. You can make an appointment to see a counsellor, nurse or doctor, or if you're experiencing emotional distress, you can drop in and see a nurse as soon as one is available.
Ara Student Advocate
If you're experiencing difficulties that are affecting your studies, the independent Student Advocate Duncan Dunbar can provide confidential support. He's based in room X106 in the Rakaia Centre at the City campus.
Ara Student Hardship
If you're struggling to continue your studies due to unforeseen financial issues you may be eligible for assistance. Contact Storm Geldenhuis to discuss your situation and find out what you might be eligible for. Learn more >
Youthline provides a range of support services to young people, including counselling. Learn more >
Lifeline offers free counselling via its 24/7 helpline. Learn more >
Suicide Crisis Helpline
Operated by highly trained and experienced suicide prevention counsellors, the Suicide Crisis Helpline is a free nationwide service available 24/7. Phone 0800 TAUTOKO (828 865)
*If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 111 emergency services immediately, or if you're on campus, call the Health Centre on 940 7566
Aviva - family violence services
Aviva helps individuals and families to become and stay free of violence. They work with children, women and men, giving each person the support they need, when they need it, to become safe and live free of family violence. Learn more >
The Low Down
The Low Down offers support and advice relating to anxiety and depression. Learn more >
Gayline - gay and lesbian support
Support and general information for people newly exploring their sexuality, plus information on gay organisations and gay-friendly services. Learn more >
He Waka Tapu - kaupapa Māori health and social services
He Waka Tapu works with whānau and individuals to achieve positive health and wellness outcomes. Learn more >
Support, information and online tools for people suffering depression and anxiety. Learn more >
Mental Health Foundation
The 'go to' website for a wide range of trusted information on all aspects of mental health. Learn more >
298 Youth Health
Free counselling services and medical care for those aged 10-24 years old. Call or text to make an appointment. Learn more >
Alcohol and Drug Helpline
Friendly, non-judgemental, professional help and advice. Learn more >
HYPE Youth Health Centre
HYPE offers free and confidential mental health information for young people aged 12 to 24 years old. Learn more >
Presbyterian Support - couselling for students in Timaru, Ashburton and Oamaru
As an Ara student you're entitled to three free counselling services with Family Works South Canterbury. You can speak in confidence to a qualified counsellor about any concerns you may have. Learn more >
Sexual Health
If you have any concerns regarding your sexual health, the following services offer help, advice and services.
Ara Health Centre
Sexual health services such as contraception, cervical smear tests, STI screening pregnancy tests and emergency contraception are available at Ara health centres. These are located at the City and Woolston campuses where you can make an appointment to see nurse or doctor.
Family Planning
Family Planning provides a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services. Visits are free for New Zealand residents under 22 years old. Learn more >
HYPE Youth Health Centre
HYPE offers free and confidential mental health information for young people aged 12 to 24 years old. Learn more >
Sexual Health Centre
This free service provides confidential, specialist sexual health care. Learn more >
298 Youth Health
The clinic provides free medical care (including sexual health) and counselling for those aged 10-24 years old. Call or text to make an appointment. Learn more >
Health and wellbeing
Health and wellbeing is supported at all stages along the student journey at Ara. All services, activities and events form part of the 'Grow to Flourish' programme, which encompasses principles from Te Whare Tapa Wha, Five Ways to Wellbeing and Maslow's Hierachy of Needs.
Click on the links below to find out what's available to help you enhance your health and wellbeing while at Ara.
Information and enrolments
Enrolment help
Our Admissions and Enrolments counters are the place to visit for help getting started. Staff can help you with:
- Applying and enrolling
- Re-enrolling
- Withdrawing or changing courses
- Course and programme information and resources
- Your student ID card
- Any other questions
International enrolments
We have specialised international admissions staff on hand at our city campus to help students with:
- Enrolling, payments, transfers and withdrawals.
- Student visas.
- Home-stay bookings.
- Student insurance.
- Any other enquiry or question you may have as an international student.
You can also contact our international student advisors for personal support during your time here.
Student information
Feeling a little lost? Have questions but not sure who to ask? There are a number of people you can visit.
If you are at our city campus, visit our student advisors in Student Central in the Rakaia Centre. These staff can advise you on the services we offer and point you in the right direction.
If you're at the Woolston Campus, you can ask for help at Student Central in the Student Services Building.
At our Timaru Campus, head over to Student Central.
International, Migrant and Refugee Students
International Students
If you're an international student, our dedicated team of International Advisors can help you adjust to living in New Zealand and with any study related issues. Bilingual advisors are available in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese.
Ask them for help if you:
- Have a problem with your study, course work, assessments.
- Need some advice or support with accommodation, immigration etc.
- Are feeling lonely, isolated and worried.
- Are having difficulty understanding your tutors or other students.
- Don't know who to talk to.
- Have any other concerns or questions about anything.
International student activities
We run heaps of events specifically for our visiting international students. You can meet new people while experiencing what Christchurch and Canterbury have to offer. Check out the international events calendar on the international section of our website.
Refugee and Migrants
If you are a refugee or migrant student, our advisors can help you make the most of your study.
We can help with:
- General Advice
- Studylink
- Employment
- Housing
- Study Issues
- Work and Income (WINZ)
Designated Prayer spaces
City campus
- M115 & M116 (pre fabricated classrooms on corner of Coventry and Barbadoes Street).
Available from 06.00am-10.00pm, 7 days a week including public holidays. Unavailable during summer break (Christmas/New Year) closure.
Woolston Campus
We now have two designated Prayer spaces on campus. These are:
- V212a
Electrical wing upstairs in V block. This is booked on Fridays from 12‐1pm from August 3 for Bible Study Group. A swipe card is with the Admissions team that requires signing in/out to
access this room.
- VM block
Along Sullivan Avenue and V driveway. This building is set aside for the Muslim faith. Ask at Student Central for the key.
IT Help
Here is where you'll find all the information you need about our IT services as a student. You'll find out about how to change your password, information about your student email, resources you can use as a student, the cost of printing and our free WiFi service.
ICT Service Desk
Having computer trouble? Contact the ICT Service Desk, phone 03 940 8800.
Make sure you have as much detail as possible ready, including any error messages you get, the room number you are in and the asset number (looks like *12345* on a yellow or white sticker) of any computer(s) affected.
Location: The ICT Service Desk is located in T Block, City campus, Christchurch.
Monday to Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm. From 5:00pm to 8:00pm, you will find us in the City campus Library where our primarily focus in on evening class-delivery and classroom availability.
Friday: 8:00am - 4.30pm, with a break between 10:30am - 12:00pm for staff meeting. All phone calls are still attended to during this period so if the call is urgent, please call us.
Saturday/Sunday and Public Holidays: Closed
Learning Services
Learning Services offers a range of services to help you with your studies. Check out our specific services by exploring the tiles below.
New to tertiary study? To ensure you're ready for study and to develop your skills in areas such as academic writing, come along to our free workshops and Q&A clinics.More View Gallery
PASS groups are weekly one-hour study groups, set up by Learning Services to help you succeed in particular courses.More View Gallery
Do you want to get into a regular study routine with access to Learning Advisors? Would you like to study alongside other Māori & Pasifika students?More View Gallery
We have advisors available to help with maths support. Learn more about the support we offer.More View Gallery
Advice and guidance to support Māori and Pasifika students' learning and academic needs.More View Gallery
A guided pathway that will help you to work out what your preferred learning style is.More View Gallery
Are you a new International student at Ara? Learn more about teaching and learning at Ara, as well as useful study tips and support services.More View Gallery
Like us on the Library Facebook page to keep up to date or ask us a question.More View Gallery
Māori and Pasifika Support
If you're a Māori or Pasifika student at one of our campuses, pop into Student Central (at the City, Woolston or Timaru campuses) to meet our Māori and Pasifika Student Advisors. They're here to help you succeed at Ara, and make sure you have fun while you're here!
Contact firstname.lastname@example.com if you need support during your time as a student. They have links to all the services within Ara as well as external agencies and groups.
Māori and Pasifika Student Advisors can help you with:
- Course and programme information
- Scholarships
- Language support
- Support groups
- Study and exam help
- Guidance
Ara also holds social events during the year such as karakia, BBQs, sports tournaments and hangi. You can bring your friends and whanau to many of these events.
Māori Trades Training
He Toki (Māori Trades Training) aims to encourage and support Māori students in trades training programmes through the provision of fees sponsorship and kaupapa Māori support. Students study full time towards trade qualifications at Ara with a view to gaining apprenticeships after completion of study. Students receive support from the Māori Student Advisors who are located at the City and Woolston campuses in Christchurch and Timaru. Māori Trades Training is led by Ngai Tahu in collaboration with Hawkins, Ara, He Waka Tapu and supported by TEC. Māori Trades Training programmes are open to anyone of Māori decent.
Pasifika Trades Training
Pasifika Trades Training aims to encourage and support Pasifika students in trades training programmes through the provision of fees sponsorship. Students study full time towards trade qualifications at Ara with a view to gaining apprenticeships after completion of study. Students receive support from the Pasifika Student Advisors who are located at the City and Woolston campuses in Christchurch and Timaru. Pasifika Trades Training is a collaboration with leaders from the Pasifika community, government agencies, Ara and Pasifika church ministers. Pasifika Trades Training programmes are open to anyone of Pasifika decent.
Rec Centre
The Ara Sport and Recreation Centre
The Ara Sports and Recreation Centre is committed to providing high quality sports and recreational experiences that benefit Ara students, staff and the wider community. Reflecting the varied health, fitness and wellness needs of our customers, the Recreation Centre provides extensive access to a broad range of recreational activities and services.
Gym/weights room
The City Campus gym/weights room can be accessed by purchasing a gym membership, allowing full access to a fully equipped gym, including a wide variety of weights machines, free weights, and cardio equipment including: treadmills, cross-trainers, rowing machines, spin bikes and a new state of-the-art Adaptive Motion Trainer.
The gym/weights room is available:
- Monday - Friday: 6.00 am to 9.00 pm
- Saturday: 8.00 am to 4.00 pm
- Sunday: 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
Gym tours/equipment inductions are available Monday and Wednesday at 12:15 pm. Meet in the Whareora foyer area (outside the gym/weights room at City Campus). Tours will take approximately 20 minute and are for people who are interested in viewing the facilities and equipment.
Becoming a Gym Member
To join or renew your membership, follow the steps below:
- Complete a gym membership form, available from the Whareora building or Rakaia Centre Atrium (City Campus)
- Take the form and make your payment at the City Campus Student Finance Office. Payment can be made by cash or EFTPOS. Currently we do not have an online payment option.
- Go to the City Campus Security Desk to have your gym membership loaded onto your Student ID Card (you will be issued one if you do not have one already)
Student membership pricing:
1 month: $40
3 months: $105
6 months: $180
12 months: $300
*These prices may be subject to change.
Please email email@example.com for more information about this service.
Personal training
There is a personal training service available for those who desire specific one-on-one training advice. We have a range of services to cater to different needs.
If you are interested in personal training, fill out the Expression of Interest form here.
Sports Court
The Ara Sports Court (City Campus) provides the opportunity to play badminton, basketball, volleyball, netball, futsal (indoor football), indoor touch, kīorahi, and perform fitness testing.
The Sports Court is available for free use by Ara Students and Staff between:
- Monday - Friday: 8.00 am to 5.00 pm*
*Unless there is a class booked in/using the court.
The Sports Court also hosts many of Ara's Sports and Recreation events and activities throughout the year. To find out more information about student and community run social sports opportunities on campus, check out the Student Groups page.
Sports Court Rules
- Only non-marking footwear is allowed on the court (no street footwear permitted)
- No food or drink is to be consumed on the court
- No ball strikes toward the roof
Sports Equipment Hire
Sports equipment is available for hire to use in the City Campus Sports Court:
Where: A green equipment bin inside the sports court.
The following gym equipment is available for hire:
- basketballs
- netballs
- footballs
- volleyballs
Please note: there are volleyball and badminton nets, and netball hoops available, however we can not set these up given that the court is a multi-purpose shared space during this period.
Social Sports at City Campus
The sports court hosts many of our sports and recreation events and activities throughout the year. The following are student or community-run social sports opportunities which are free for you to join at your leisure (no sign-up is needed).
*Internal group fitness classes and social sports only run during term time.
|Futsal (Indoor Football)
|12.00 - 1.00pm
|12.00 - 1.30pm
|12.00 - 1.00pm
|Open Sports/Have a go day
|12.00 - 1.00pm
|Floorball (Indoor Hockey)
|7.00 - 8.30 pm
|12.00 - 1.00pm
|4.15 - 6.30pm
Fitness studios
Fitness classes
The Recreation Centre currently offers free boxing and yoga classes to all students. Woolston Campus classes are located in the Autobay area and all City Campus classes are located on the second floor of the Whareora building, in our two fitness studios:
*Internal group fitness classes and social sports only run during term time.
- W224: Yoga - stress busting, strength building, flexibility enhancing, angst free yoga. Instructed by a qualified yoga Instructor. No experience necessary.
- W224: Yoga by Kotte - Flow and Yin classes available. Bookings essential – yogabykotte.com
- W224: Aerobic dance - a Latin-inspired cardio-dance workout that uses music and choreographed steps to form a fitness party atmosphere.
- W224: Chans Martial Arts (Kung Fu): Effective self-defence, flexibility, fitness, stress-relief, self-confidence, fun training. Contact email@example.com
- W224: Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics and music. All levels of fitness and experience welcome. Contact email@example.com for more information.
- W224: Self Defence. Contact firstname.lastname@example.com for more information.
- W223: Boxing - fitness class tailored for everyone, using equipment and techniques to get your heart pumping. Instructed by a qualified boxing Instructor. No experience necessary.
|Boxing Fitness (City)
|6.45 - 8.00pm
|$7 Ara, $10 public
Chans Martial Arts- Kung Fu (City)
*Starting 9th April
|5.30 - 6.30pm
|$7 Ara, $10 public (two sessions free)
|Yoga by Kotte (City)
|6.00 - 7.00pm
|See yogabykotte.com for details
|Yoga by Kotte (City)
|7.00 - 8.00pm
|See yogabykotte.com for details
|Student Yoga (City)
|12.00 - 1.00pm
|Yoga by Kotte (City)
|6.00 - 7.00pm
|See yogabykotte.com for details
|Yoga by Kotte (City)
|7.00 - 8.00pm
|See yogabykotte.com for details
|Boxing Fitness (City)
|12.10 - 1.00pm
|Yoga by Kotte (City)
|6.30 - 7.30pm
|See yogabykotte.com for details
|Boxing Fitness (City)
|6.45 - 8.00pm
|$7 Ara, $10 public
|Capoeira (City)
|7.30 - 8.30pm
|$7 Ara student & staff, $10 public
|Student Yoga (City)
|12.00 - 1.00pm
|Boxing Fitness (Woolston)
|12.00 - 1.00pm
|Aerobic dance (City)
|4.00 - 5.00pm
|Boxing Fitness (City)
|12.00 - 1.00pm
|Boxing Fitness (City)
|10.30 - 11.30am
|$7 Ara student & staff, $10 public
All City Campus facilities and classes are located in the Whareora building. Please refer to the Campus locations to know where to find us.
For more information, please feel free to contact the Recreation Centre Team at firstname.lastname@example.com or phone 03 940 8352 (Recreation Centre Manager).
Timaru Rock Climbing
Runs Wednesdays term two and three. Please refer to Timaru Rock Climbing page for full details.
In an emergency
In the event of an emergency, advise a staff member. If they're not available dial 111 and wait for it to connect - don't hang up the phone. The Operator will ask you what service you need: fire, ambulance or police and connect you to that service. Give your name, the type of emergency and where you are. Consider the nearest entrance to your location.
See more information about emergency procedures.
Evacuation process
In the event of an evacuation, refer to the yellow and green emergency signs displayed in the teaching spaces and throughout the buildings. In the event of an alarm, follow the green exit signage to the nearest exit. Note that assembly points in a fire or earthquake may differ.
Our Top Tips
Around campus:
- 'See Something, Say Something'. If you see a hazard, risk or want to report a security concern, please let us know. Fill out our See something, say something Report it Form , advise your tutor or email: email@example.com
- If you don't feel safe on campus give security a call 03 940 8076. If it is out of hours it may take a minute or so to connect, please stay on the line.
Personal safety
- If you've had an accident, tell us using the online accident reporting form or go to your tutor, any staff member or the student health centre to complete a report in person. If you've had an accident on a placement or internship you must let your tutor know.
- Keep your personal belongings on you. Don't leave items on the table in the library, keep them out of sight and on you.
- If your cellphone is stolen, ask the provider to block the SIM card immediately, then contact the police and make a police report.
- Lock your bike. Use the secure bike compounds on campus but remember you still need to secure your bike with a chain or cable.
- For police non emergency matters i.e Bike Theft, Car break-ins, call 03 363 7400 to report it direct, let security on campus know also.
Some general tips from us:
- Leaving campus late at night? Walk with a mate, or ask someone in the computer pod or classroom if they're heading out and go together. If there's no-one else around call security for a chaperone 03 940 8076 (Give them as much notice as possible).
- Having a party at your house? Don't upset the neighbours, police or get any unwanted guests – register it first with Good One www.goodone.org.nz
- If you're walking or cycling make sure to be seen. Reflective gear may just save you.
Our processes
Read about what to do in an emergency or lockdown and how we ensure our buildings at Ara are safe for you to enter.
Student Advocacy
If you're having difficulties at Ara or outside of Ara that are affecting your study, our independent Student Advocate and registered counsellor Duncan Dunbar can support you.
All meetings with our Student Advocate are confidential unless there are safety issues involved or permission has been granted from the student to release information.
Our Student Advocate can:
- Provide support with academic probation.
- Provide support concerning relationship issues with either Ara staff or fellow students.
- Liaise with tutors or head of schools regarding concerns you may have.
- Inform you on Ara policies and procedures.
- Advocate for the rights of a student individually, classes or the entire student body.
- Assist with problem solving.
- Provide advocacy and support with government and non government agencies, e.g. StudyLink or Work and Income NZ.
- Support you with everyday life issues.
- Support students to address alcohol and drug issues, mental health issues, family violence, housing issues and during court proceedings.
Student Central
Student Central (Te Tumu Hereka Waka) is your key hub of student support. Come and see our friendly student advisors to find out about our support and services.
Our advisors specialise in:
- Youth
- Māori & Pasifika
- International
- Refugees
- Migrants
- Scholarships
- Ōtautahi House
- Accommodation
- Foundation
- Unexpected Financial Hardships
Come in and say hi.
Support For You
Health and wellbeing
Health and wellbeing is supported at all stages along the student journey at Ara. All services, activities and events form part of the 'Grow to Flourish' programme, which encompasses principles from Te Whare Tapa Wha, Five Ways to Wellbeing and Maslow's Hierachy of Needs.
Click on the links below to find out what's available to help you enhance your health and wellbeing while at Ara.


text:
Thursday, February 9, 2006
It seems that the cable industry has once again become everyone's favorite public policy punching-bag. The "government-knows-best" crowd is practically foaming at the mouth about the need for "Net neutrality" mandates on cable's broadband offerings, censorship of speech on various cable channels or programs, and "a la carte" mandates for cable's video lineup.
On this last item, the FCC has just today released a revised version of an earlier staff report conducted during Chairman Michael Powell's tenure. The Powell era FCC report revealed that a la carte would raise prices and hurt program diversity. By contrast, today's report, which new FCC Chairman Kevin Martin requested, argues that the old report got it completely wrong and that a la carte would lead to lower prices and not hurt diversity. So, within the span of 18 months, we have an expert regulatory agency coming to diametrically opposed conclusions on the same issue. (Makes you wonder about those old theories of scientific bureaucracy!) What are we to make of these contradictory results?
Lessons From the Past
A little bit of history is useful here to put this issue into context. Almost fifteen years ago, Congress gave us the Cable Act of 1992, which spawned a complex new price control regime for cable. Our benevolent protectors in Congress and at the FCC told us that they had our best interests in mind and that their new price controls would protect us from our evil cable overlords, whose heinous crime was to charge a bit more money for improved service and expanded channel capacity.
At the time, a number of economists predicted that these new price controls would do little to improve consumer welfare and actually might diminish it instead. Why is that? One of the (few) universal truths in the field of economics is that price regulation will have myriad unintended consequences. Sure, government can control the price of certain inputs or outputs, but other variables will fluctuate as a result. Specifically, government can try to control price, but either quantity and quality (or even both) will be negatively affected. We could freeze the price of milk or gas at 50 cents a gallon tomorrow, for example, but few of us would be surprised if a shortage of both developed a few weeks later. In sum, price controls distort markets and hurt consumer welfare.
And, wouldn't you know it, that is exactly what happened when government regulated cable rates. Here's how George Mason Law School Prof. Thomas Hazlett, one of the nation's leading experts on cable industry regulation, summarizes the dismal results of this misguided regulatory experiment:
"The controls flunked the market test: consumer acceptance. Lower quality-adjusted prices would have attracted more customers just as the FCC predicted. In fact, the number of new cable subscribers plummeted in 1993-94, and basic networks such as A&E and CNN saw years of ratings growth come to a halt. The 5% subscriber growth rate averaged by the top 13 basic cable networks in the two years prior to the 1992 Cable Act was slashed to 2.5% in the two years following. The message was so overwhelming that the FCC quietly declared defeat in late 1994. The failure of rate caps had been hammered home, by basic cable networks like A&E, Discovery and C-Span, which adamantly argued that rate controls destroyed quality programming while boosting home-shopping channels (which pay for carriage). The result was that rates, still officially "controlled," were permitted to increase about 5% a year after inflation, almost identical to the "price gouging" under deregulation in 1987-92. But the fig-leaf regulatory plan worked, as subscriber growth bounced back in 1995."
(See Tom's longer analysis of cable rate controls here.)
And so, with subscribership falling, quality suffering, and service upgrades floundering, the FCC abandoned this misguided regulatory effort just a few years after it got underway. By 1999, rates were almost completely deregulated.
After cable price controls were relaxed, some critics complained that the nominal price of monthly cable service rose higher than the rate of general inflation. But these critics consistently ignore what consumers are getting for their money: More channels and more diversity of programming. According to FCC data, in 1990, only 70 total video programming networks existed for consumers to choose from. (That's just cable or satellite-delivered channels; it does not include over-the-broadcast networks.) As of the end of 2004, there were 388 networks available for carriage over cable, DBS and other systems. Meanwhile, the number of "niche audiences" served has increased significantly. As the FCC concluded in its 2003 media ownership report: "We are moving to a system served by literally hundreds of networks serving all conceivable interests." And video-on-demand, high-definition television, and broadband Internet access have been rolled out too. Thus, the "quality-adjusted price of service" has actually gone down over time. You get a lot more video service and diversity for your dollar today than in the past.
Lesson Forgotten
One would hope that the FCC's miserable experience with cable rate regulation was still fresh in their minds as they began considering a la carte controls. And, at least during the first go-round on the issue, the agency did appear to comprehend the lesson that regulation has consequences, many of them quite unintended and anti-consumer. The FCC's first a la carte report concluded that the agency:
"finds legitimacy to programmers' concerns about an a la carte regime. Existing networks sold on an a la carte basis spend a significant amount of their revenue marketing themselves to consumers. Under an a la carte mandate, networks formerly sold in tiers would need to significantly increase their marketing expenses to induce consumers to affirmatively select the network. Moreover, any type of a la carte requirement would have a significant negative effect on a program network's advertising revenues and license fee structure. The loss of cost savings, combined with the loss in advertising revenue and the likely rise in license fees to compensate such losses, may cause many program networks to fail, thus adversely affecting diversity. The most likely to feel the brunt of such a mandate would be networks serving small niche interests, such as religious programming, programming aimed at minority interests, arts programming and independently owned networks. The impact on program networks seems likely under either a mandatory or voluntary a la carte regime."
Because an a la carte regime would have such negative impacts, the FCC originally concluded that "the average household would likely face an increase in their monthly bill under a la carte sales of between 14% and 30%."
But the political winds have shifted again and there's a new sheriff in town whose agenda includes "cleaning up" content on cable TV. Thus, a la carte needed to be given greater legitimacy as an economic solution to what FCC Chairman Martin and others argue is a serious social or cultural problem: "indecent" or "excessively violent" programming on cable. And so, along comes a new report that castigates the earlier FCC report for "problematic assumptions" and "incorrect and biased analysis." (Geez... are the people at the FCC who wrote that old report reading this? I wonder what they have to say about being told by their new boss that they were "biased" in their analysis 18 months ago. This must make for highly entertaining water cooler chats at the FCC!) The bottom line: the new FCC concocted a new economic model that estimates consumer savings of anywhere from 3 to 13 percent, as opposed to the 14 to 30 price increases predicted under a la carte in the earlier report.
Who to believe? I'm not going to cast judgment on which FCC report gets the numbers right because I subscribe a school of economic thinking that believes that an economic model will spit out whatever numbers you want it to if you torture it enough. All economic models are based on series of simplifying assumptions, and rivers of ink can be spilled about whether or not those assumptions are appropriate or accurate. The new FCC basically says the old FCC got it wrong because of an over-reliance on numbers provided by Booz Allen. But the Booz Allen study and numbers in question were hardly the only evidence submitted to the FCC during its extensive review of this issue two years ago. Numerous economists and organizations submitted filings and testimony coming to much the same conclusion: a la carte will like raise prices and almost certainly diminish the diversity of programming available to consumers. And the General Accountability Office conducted its own review of a la carte proposals and concluded that:
"an a la carte system could impose additional costs on subscribers in the near term because additional equipment -- which many subscribers do not currently have -- will be required on every television attached to the cable system to unscramble networks the subscriber is authorized to receive. Moreover, an a la carte system could alter the current economics of the cable network industry, wherein cable networks derive significant revenues from advertising. In particular, cable networks experiencing a falloff in subscribers could also see an associated decline in advertising revenues, since the amount that companies are willing to pay for advertising spots is based on the number of potential viewers. Although cable networks may take steps to reduce their production costs to compensate for the decline in advertising revenue, cable networks may also raise the license fees charged to cable operators for the right to carry the networks. If license fees rise, some of the increase is likely to be passed on to subscribers."
(No word yet on whether the FCC will be seeking to revise the GAO report too!)
But, here's the really important point to take away from all this back-and-forth between the old and new FCC reports: At some point, both reports agree that consumers will witness an increase in their monthly bills under an a la carte regime. Using the old Booz Allen assumptions, the FCC originally reported that consumers could choose as many 17 channels on an a la carte basis before their total monthly bill would increase over their average monthly bill today. Using "corrected" assumptions, the new FCC report states that consumer could receive at least 20 channels -- a whopping 3 channels more! -- before their bills go up.
So, regardless of which FCC report you choose to believe, the FCC is stating that you ARE going to start paying more in an a la carte world after you get just 17-20 channels. Are those 3 extra channels enough for you? You might be inclined to say YES on the assumption that those 20 channels will be exactly channels you want. But will your favorite channels be able to stay afloat under an a la carte regime?
What This Debate is Really All About
The "consumer choice" flag gets waved back-and-forth endlessly in this debate, but in the end, this debate is really a moral debate about what some people think should be on cable or satellite television. I have addressed this issue at great length in other essays (see this one in particular).
For some critics, it's not enough that our government is only able to regulate speech on broadcast TV, they now want them to control subscription-based television in some way too. Because of the constitutional limitations on government regulation of pay TV, a la carte (and schemes like "family-friendly" tiering) become a surrogate for full-blown censorship. But if government can regulate the economic underpinnings of a media sector, it can affect speech in that sector in important ways too, or even open the door to future meddling in ways we cannot imagine today.
What do you think pro-regulatory policy makers would do after they impose a la carte but then witness the demise of the more "wholesome" networks they desire while the "smutty" ones keep rolling right along? Well, they'll claim "market failure," of course, and then propose the direct regulation of the content seen on those channels. An a la carte regulatory regime just greases the skids for that sort of power grab.
In conclusion, therefore, for those who would willing hand over to the FCC the power to regulate the economic business model upon which this industry has been built, I can only say this: Be careful what you ask for. Are you willing to allow your government to conduct a grand regulatory experiment with an industry's successful business model if the cost could be the death of the wonderful diversity we see on cable and satellite TV today? Are you willing to allow it if it could lead to federal meddling with speech for subscription-based media services in the future? Some will say "Sure, I'll take that gamble." If you're one of those people, don't start screaming and writing dirty letters when your favorite network disappears from the airwaves and Congress tries to regulate the content on the ones left standing.
posted by Adam Thierer @ 2:33 PM |
A La Carte
, Cable
, Free Speech
, Mass Media
Link to this Entry | Printer-Friendly
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