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Archive for April, 2014
New Enterprise Systems Maturity Model
Posted by dancingdinosaur in bottomlineIT on April 4, 2014
Does your shop use maturity models to measure where you stand and where you should be going compared with industry trends and directions? Savvy IT managers often would use such a model to pinpoint where their organization stood on a particular issue as part of their pitch for an increased budget to hire more people or acquire newer, faster, greater IT capabilities.
Today maturity models are still around but they are more specialized now. There are, for instance, maturity models for security and IT management. Don't be surprised to see maturity models coming out for cloud or mobile computing if they are not already here.
Earlier this year, Compuware introduced a new maturity model for the enterprise data center. You can access it here. Compuware describes the new maturity model as one that helps organizations assess and improve the processes for managing application performance and costs as distributed and mainframe systems converge.
Why now? The data center and even the mainframe have been changing fast with the advent of cloud computing, mobile, and big data/analytics. Did your enterprise data center team ever think they would be processing transactions from mobile phones or running analytic applications against unstructured social media data? Did they ever imagine they would be handling compound workloads across mainframes and multiple distributed systems running both Windows and Linux? Welcome to the new enterprise data center normal.
Maybe the first difference you'll notice in the new maturity model are the new types of people populating the enterprise data center. Now you need to accommodate distributed and open systems along with the traditional mainframe environment. It requires that you bring together completely different teams and integrate them. Throw in mobile, big data, analytics, and social and you have a vastly different reality than you had even a year ago. And with that comes the need to bridge the gap that has long existed between the enterprise (mainframe) and distributed data center teams. This is a cultural divide that will have to be navigated, and the new enterprise IT maturity model can help.
The new data center normal, however, hasn't changed data center economics, except maybe to exacerbate the situation. The data center has always been under pressure to rein in costs and use resources, both CPUs and MIPS, efficiently. Those pressures are still there but only more so because the business is relying on the data center more than ever before as IT becomes increasingly central to the organization's mission.
Similarly, the demand for high levels of quality of service (QoS) not only continues unabated but is expanding. The demand for enterprise-class QoS now extends to compound workloads that cross mainframe and distributed environments, leaving the data center scrambling to meet new end user experience (EUE) expectations even as it pieces together distributed system QoS work-arounds. The new enterprise IT maturity model will help blend these two worlds and address the more expansive role IT is playing today.
To do this the model combines distributed open systems environments with the mainframe and recognizes different workloads, approaches, processes, and tooling. It defines five levels of maturity: 1) ad hoc, 2) technology-centric, 3) internal services-centric, 4) external services-centric, and 5) business-revenue centric.
Organizations at the ad hoc level, for example, primarily use the enterprise systems to run core systems and may still employ a green screen approach to application development. At the technology-centric level, there's an emphasis on infrastructure monitoring to support increasing volumes, higher capacity, complex workload and transaction processing along with greater MIPS usage. As organizations progress from internal services-focused to external services-focused, mainframe and distributed systems converge and EUE and external SLAs assume a greater priority.
Finally, at the fifth or business centric level, the emphasis shifts to business transaction monitoring where business needs and EUE are addressed through interoperability of the distributed systems and mainframes with mobile and cloud systems. Here technologies provide real-time transaction visibility across the whole delivery chain, and IT is viewed as a revenue generator. That's the new enterprise data center normal.
In short, the new enterprise maturity model requires enterprise and distributing computing come together and all staff work together closely; that proprietary systems and open systems interoperate seamlessly. And there is no time for delay. Already, DevOps, machine-to-machine computing (the Internet of Things), and other IT strategies, descendents of agile computing, are gaining traction while smart mobile technologies drive the next wave of enterprise computing.
agile computing, analytics, big data, business value, cloud computing, compound workloads, Compuware, DevOps, digital transformation, distributed computing, end user experience (EUE), enterprise computing, Internet of Things, machine to machine computing, maturity model, mobile, open systems, proprietary systems, social networking
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Osaka, Japan, October 30, 2010 - FIVB World Championship Press Conference Korea v Dominican Republic:
Korea coach Sam-Ryong Park: Both teams put on a good show today. Taking the first set was the key for us to win the match.
Korea captain Sa-Nee Kim: I'm happy with our performance. Our preparations took full effect. Yeon-Koung had the spirit to lead the team to victory.
Korea player Yeon-Koung Kim: Even though it was a three-set match, it was tough. Winning the first set gave us momentum. We are fortunate to have a good group of players, but we still must improve.
Dominican coach Marcos Kwiek: There is not much to say after this match. We made a lot of mistakes and played poorly. We have to look ahead at the next three matches.
Dominican captain Milagros Cruz: It was a difficult match for us. We couldn't bring ourselves up to speed. We hope to do better tomorrow.

subset: commoncrawl


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One thing we know about yacht racing: When you change your dock-out song and still lose, it was not meant to be. For the first time in 24 years, there will be no U.S. team in the Louis Vuitton Cup final. Luna Rossa of Italy beat the Americans to clinch the best-of-nine semifinals, 5-1. Yes, we have been defeated by the Italians on the open seas. Our dream of capturing the America's Cup trophy is over. Please, stop crying; your co-workers are beginning to stare.
The Italians routinely outsailed the Americans despite the nearly $270 million that owner Larry Ellison poured into BMW Oracle Racing to bring the Auld Mug back to the U.S. for the first time since it was lost in 1995. "It certainly wasn't the outcome we planned for or expected," said Ellison, who was aboard the USA-98 yacht. "Luna Rossa raised their game and deserve a lot of credit. I am very proud that our team went out and fought right down to the last jibe. We never gave up."
Of course our position on the America's Cup has always been clear: We refuse to watch until they let the boats shoot at each other; with no winner declared until one crew boards the other ship and takes everyone prisoner.
U.S. Eliminated In America's Cup Bid [LA Times]
America's Cup Official Site


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Stock up on a variety of breakfast items, beverages, snacks, frozen entrées and more, any time—all on the honor system.
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Getting Here
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If it's authentic Middle Eastern cuisine you are looking for, you will not only find the authentic cuisine at Zenobia but the atmosphere and entertainment.
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With our decor, food and entertainment you will think that you have traveled half-way around the world. Our menus are not only compromised of kababs, but a full menu of the Middle Eastern favorites.
Please feel free to browse through our web site and see why Zenobia needs to be your next destination of a unique dining experience.
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Monday-Saturday: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday: CLOSED
-Zenobia Cuisine – "A Taste of Royalty."


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Integrate Azure AD B2C into an Android App Using MSAL
|API Reference
The MSAL Android preview gives your app the ability to begin using the Microsoft Cloud by supporting Azure B2C using industry standard OAuth2 and OpenID Connect. This sample demonstrates all the normal life cycles your application should experience, including:
- Sign in a user with Local Accounts or Social Identity Providers
- Get an Access Token for a Web Service
- Call the Web Service
- Edit the User's Profile
- Sign out the user
Code Snapshot
PublicClientApplication pApp = new PublicClientApplication(
String.format(Constants.AUTHORITY, Constants.TENANT, Constants.SISU_POLICY));
pApp.acquireToken(getActivity(), scopes, getAuthInteractiveCallback());
// ...
Optional: Register you App
The app comes pre-configured for testing. If you would like to register your own app, please follow the steps below.
You will need to have a native client application registered with Microsoft using the Azure Portal. Once done, update your app configs in Constants.Java.
Checkout the sample Web Service code to run it on your own!
Steps to Run
Clone the code.
git clone https://github.com/Azure-Samples/active-directory-b2c-android-native-msal.git
Open Android Studio 2, and select open an existing Android Studio project. Find the cloned project and open android-client.
Select Build > Clean Project.
Select Run > Run 'app'. Make sure the emulator you're using has Chrome, if it doesn't follow these steps. In Android Studio, we recommend using the Pixel image with Android 24.
Important Info
- Redirect URI format:
msal<YOUR_CLIENT_ID>://authis strictly enforced by MSAL at the current time.
- For other docs on Azure AD B2C, checkout the B2C dev guide
Community Help and Support
We use Stack Overflow with the community to provide support. We highly recommend you ask your questions on Stack Overflow first and browse existing issues to see if someone has asked your question before.
If you find and bug or have a feature request, please raise the issue on GitHub Issues.
We enthusiastically welcome contributions and feedback. You can clone the repo and start contributing now. Read our Contribution Guide for more information.
This project has adopted the Microsoft Open Source Code of Conduct. For more information see the Code of Conduct FAQ or contact firstname.lastname@example.com with any additional questions or comments.
Security Library
This library controls how users sign-in and access services. We recommend you always take the latest version of our library in your app when possible. We use semantic versioning so you can control the risk associated with updating your app. As an example, always downloading the latest minor version number (e.g. x.y.x) ensures you get the latest security and feature enhancements but our API surface remains the same. You can always see the latest version and release notes under the Releases tab of GitHub.
Security Reporting
If you find a security issue with our libraries or services please report it to email@example.com with as much detail as possible. Your submission may be eligible for a bounty through the Microsoft Bounty program. Please do not post security issues to GitHub Issues or any other public site. We will contact you shortly upon receiving the information. We encourage you to get notifications of when security incidents occur by visiting this page and subscribing to Security Advisory Alerts.


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|Keep It Simple, Stupid
comment on
|( #3333=superdoc: print w/replies, xml )
|Need Help??
Along with everything else advised here...try to always keep the tone of reviewing the code and not the coder. This can be very tricky..and you'll have to phrase what you say with some thought. Unless the programmer has had his/her code reviewed before and comes into the meeting understanding that this is about helping his/her code be better, s/he is likely to take everything you say as a personal attack. This chunk of code is their creation and thus some programmers are very prideful of that and take great offense to anyone saying something bad about it.
Unless the other managers are also aware of this (and you may have to prep them), they can inadvertantly torpedo even your most carefully worded phrases.
For everything you find wrong, have a suggestion for how to improve it. Make the tone of the meeting be more like "we're offering our help to improve your skills and help you be a better programmer" instead of "Here's all the bad things you did, fix them and don't do it again".
Good luck
In reply to Re: How do you critique another person's code?
by maverick


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By submitting this information, you provide express written consent to Pacific Sotheby`s Int`l Realty I and our affiliates (the "Company") sending you future information, contacting you for telemarketing purposes using the information (including any phone numbers) you have or will provide us, and monitoring and recording these communications to assure the quality of service or for other reasons. This means the Company may contact you via residential number, mobile number and/or text messaging (including use of automated dialing equipment and pre-recorded calls). You are not required to give your consent as a condition of making a purchase with the Company. Additional information can be found in our Privacy Policy.
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Type anything you want here and we will see what we can find in the property descriptions. Maybe a name of a golf course you want to live by or a term like fixer upper.


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|Getty Images
Sunderland club sources have told Sky Sports that Martin O'Neill has 'unequivocally not resigned' and is not leaving the Stadium of Light.
Reports had claimed that O'Neill had offered to quit his post as Sunderland boss following Saturday's 4-2 home defeat by high-flying West Bromwich Albion.
However, the Black Cats have dismissed the speculation and have confirmed that the Northern Irishman remains in charge on Wearside.
O'Neill is approaching his first anniversary as Black Cats boss after signing a three-year contract to replace Steve Bruce at the helm last December.
He enjoyed an immediate impact in guiding Sunderland away from the relegation zone, but has seen his team win just two of their last 20 Premier League games.
The Black Cats were also knocked out of the Capital One Cup at home by local rivals Middlesbrough last month and have won just once in the league in front of their own supporters this season.
Speaking after the loss against West Brom, which saw Sunderland score twice in a game at home for the first time in the Premier League this term, O'Neill was staying upbeat.
He said: "I think there's a lot to take out of the match, a lot to take out of it.
"We have been beaten, but we look as if we can maybe get a goal again now, which is very encouraging.
"We have a big game on Tuesday night against QPR and we will try to get ourselves prepared for that."


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Relax in your own elegant room featuring stylish décor and amenities, including a microwave, refrigerator, free wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, executive desk, 32 inch flat panel TVs, and the best night's sleep you've had in weeks. If you're hungry, we are within walking distance to restaurants. Enjoy a swim in our crystal-clear outdoor pool or energize in our Fitness Center. Polish that presentation in the Business Center and we even have the right space for your professional meeting. We're here, ready with all you need to make your trip to Cleveland, TX a success.
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United States
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And since fewer murders are committed with bows and arrows, the English long bow not withstanding, I would surmise Mike's logic would have him believe they are less deadly.
Dell reckons Ubuntu offers more protection than Windows online as it convinces consumer PC shoppers they shouldn't be scared of Linux. In a statement flagged here by TheVarGuy.com, Dell picked on security as one of ten reasons why people should buy PCs running Canonical's Linux rather than Microsoft's operating system. …
Interesting logic, but I think you're off a little bit. You are comparing weapons with targets. Nonetheless, I'm sure that should WAL*MART have Ubuntu systems sprouting up on it's shelves and the masses partaking of this trend, that more weapons would be aimed at Ubuntu and probably Linux in general. How much more? Who knows... but it sure would be a breath of fresh air to see Linux systems sold in more stores.
Did you bother to look at the PDF? Mikes logic is equivalent to saying that your chance of being killed with an arrow is substantially less than by a bullet, precisely because there are fewer nutters with bows and arrows out there than with guns.
As far as I can see, Dell is carefully avoiding saying whether it thinks one or the other is intrinsically more secure, just that Ubuntu is less of a target.
the "more secure" statement seems to be lazy interpretation by el reg (unless it's a deliberate attempt to fire up another tiresome windows/linux debate, that is).
And yet, anyone deploying *nix in an Enterprise environment still hardens their O/S and performs vulnerability testing.
But I think the point is that Ubuntu, as an O/S (all apps being equal), is *more* secure than Windows.
All things are relative. My notebook (paper one) is more secure than Windows because it would be very difficult to read it remotely. However a quick shufty past my desk whilst I'm at lunch could furbish you with all kinds of technical jiggery-pokery.
Boffin=Einstein - for his everyone's relative.
and yet, the Ubuntu laptops on Dells site are shocking. I want it on their _FULL_Range_ - they complain that people aren't buying the ubuntu ones, well Mr. Dell. if you made it a little more obvious, we might!
from the Dell home page > (shop) Home & Home Office - nothing. Small Business - in the OS section you can see FreeDOS and Linux. and the range is frankly, quite poor.
There are no desktops atall. despite Dell offering Ubuntu, we as a business still end up buying OS free laptops to put Ubuntu on them, and this takes some arguing to get. because the Laptops we buy in are not an option on the Ubuntu support.
Give me the full range choice.
Give me desktops
and don't complain people aren't buying them until you do so!
I have to say I have always kind of seen Dell as the Walmart of computers. Effective, but cheap quality and slow performance. I think as an overclocker and a modder I kind of hated them for pushing the beige boxes for long. However I have been using Latitude laptops from them for many years. They are a bit heavy than some of the apple/toshiba/sony offerings, but slap an extended life battery in there and you have 4-5 hours of life without a plug, and the thing works. Its case has some cracks but the current one is going on 3 years, and IT group is trying to take it to update to one in warranty, but hey it WORKS. And I think we all forget how nice that is, especially when you work with your laptop and have REAL deadlines for work. I have loaded about every type of software for M$ platform, and tried out a lot of devices, projectors, LCD flatscreens, cameras, flashdrives, external devices etc etc etc. All of them work without the need to find drivers or go fix things.
Point I am getting to, all the same goes for Ubuntu, and then some. Ubuntu on a Dell Lattiude offers an experience that I think is way better than that of the typcial Apple user, and costs less than half what apple charges for thier sh!t. Yes I said HALF. Add up a single replacement battery, and just an accessory cord, or cover from Apple and your total cost of ownership over the life of the laptop will be close of half of that for a similarly equipped Dell laptop.
10.04 installs flawlessly, and EVERYTHING works out of the box, it works with all my devices, and all the devices I run into.
So far I have only needed to install VirtualBox for viewing Silverlight (netflix). Pretty much the only thing that did not work out of the box (DVD support requires a lib file as well). Everything has a nice GUI menu, and despite the Debian Fan boi complaints, you can always open a terminal window and remeber your are in the *nix enviroment.
Long Story short Dell makes it VERY OBVIOUS that they support Ubuntu with their hardware, its tested thoroughly and it works great. Dell for all their failings currently in the desktop market, are doing something wright here, and because of it DELL LAPTOPS WORK GREAT WITH UBUNTU! Wow never would have thought I would give them a free plug, but there you go. My wife loves Ubuntu on Dell, and she has done more things in a few weeks with it than I have been able to get her to do with 15 years of different Windows and Apple machines
The author states that Ubuntu/Linux and MacOS are just as vulnerable to the Flash zero-day exploit as Windows. I haven't used Windows for awhile, but it used to be *very* common for users of Windows-based machines to have *Administrator* privileges. Therefore, any virus infection could potentially affect the entire PC. But in Linux/Ubuntu, users don't have superuser rights by default. Therefore, infections, when they do happen, would only affect those parts of the system to which the user has rights. In general, those rights are limited enough to not allow a virus to take over the PC.
So, while it is true that, technically, the latest Adobe Flash exploit affects both Windows and Linux, in reality the severity of the exploit is likely to be less in Linux than in Windows. I very much doubt that if a normal (non-root) user hits upon this exploit, the Flash exploit will be able to "take over the machine" as the author claims.
Nobody in the Linux/MacOS world surfs the web as "superuser".
Mostly agree, except for the default normal user part... Caveat, my experience is entirely with Ubuntu 8.04 running as the primary desktop at home past 2+ yrs....
The default user on the default Ubuntu desktop install (as of 8.04 at least) IS the admin. And no you don't have to do terminal -> sudo to get admin privileges. Some apps are smart enough to throw up a 'Pls enter admin password' dialog...
So you do need to separately setup a normal user (who would not be able to install software/ give in to the temptations of 'install this codec', 'screensaver' etc) who cannot go sudo however much he tries... And this requires some messing around with user profiles and user groups and chmod and chroot that is a little painful, truth be told...
Mostly agree, except for the default normal user part... Caveat, my experience is entirely with Ubuntu 8.04 running as the primary desktop at home past 2+ yrs....
The default user on the default Ubuntu desktop install (as of 8.04 at least) IS the admin. And no you don't have to do terminal -> sudo to get admin privileges. Some apps are smart enough to throw up a 'Pls enter admin password' dialog...
So you do need to separately setup a normal user (who would not be able to install software/ give in to the temptations of 'install this codec', 'screensaver' etc) who cannot go sudo however much he tries... And this requires some messing around with user profiles and user groups and chmod and chroot that is a little painful, truth be told...
Mostly agree, except for the default normal user part... Caveat, my experience is entirely with Ubuntu 8.04 running as the primary desktop at home past 2+ yrs....
The default user on the default Ubuntu desktop install (as of 8.04 at least) IS the admin. And no you don't have to do terminal -> sudo to get admin privileges. Some apps are smart enough to throw up a 'Pls enter admin password' dialog...
So you do need to separately setup a normal user (who would not be able to install software/ give in to the temptations of 'install this codec', 'screensaver' etc) who cannot go sudo however much he tries... And this requires some messing around with user profiles and user groups and chmod and chroot that is a little painful, truth be told...
..of the problem with operating the forums on a redundant 'posts delayed due to moderation' type system. Redundant because you also have 'report this post' buttons!
Why have both? do you not trust Ms Bee to do her job?
Not very techie for a site that knocks others for a lack of techieness..
I'll stop complaining when you fix it...
I bet you do :)
And I can imagine that being the case with the report buttons, though I am sure you can think of a way to punish them.. (in a way they would not enjoy ;-) )
Have the Reg staff ever tried using the forum as a punter experiences it? just as an experiment? really not pleasent for a few reasons not just posts made at lunch time turning up late night with an evening posting time.. (Titles on forum replies, not being able to copy *most of the time* for quoting/links, etc, etc)
Back on topic I have multiboot system at home and I find myself browsing and online banking / shopping via Ubuntu rather than Windows almost exclusively now.. just feels safer.
...why do Dell make it so shitting hard to buy a Dell with Ubuntu on it *AND* even when you do manage to get into the basement, find the disused lavatory cubicle and unlock the filing cabinet contained therein; do you usually only find one crappy netbook?
A quick search on Dell does list a few lappys and one model of OptiPlex, but when you go to try and buy you only have the choice of Win7 and apparently "Dell recommends Window 7". What? Dell actively recommends a product that they know is less secure than a other one they (theoretically) sell?
Why is Ubuntu not an option on the laptops/desktop that appear in the search results?
I will start to believe the PR crap Dell spout about Ubuntu (or any Linux) when they make is actually possible to buy a Linux system from them.
....this geezer (The BigYin) has a point.
Look, I ordered an Inspiron back in 2007 with Ubuntu. The decision was part economy; part getting the right stuff for the job at hand; and part ideological show of hands to send Dell the message that people wanted Ubuntu.
Just as the situation is now, I had to go rummaging to find a grubby little sub-section of the site. It was inordinately hard to find the Ubuntu options and quite frankly, no-one will ever know they are there via a casual browse. I can almost understand them only offering Ubuntu on a limited range - after all, they need to support their kit and let's face it, having Ubuntu there at all rather than not is a good thing. But it's quite another to then hide the fact it's there - a bit like getting your Paris tattoo all finished then covering her up with a nice woolly jumper with "Dell recommends Windows 7" knitted into it from your authoritarian nan, who you're actually a bit scared of.
To further demonstrate Dell's reticence with one of its own options, here's a transcript of a recent conversation I entered into with the sales people over the matter of a Zino HD.
Me : 'Hello, I'm interested in Zino HD. I noticed however that the base price is £279, however, when I get to the ordering page, the price is bumped up to £349 when you give me no choice but to buy Windows 7 with it. I don't want Windows, so can I buy it for £279 without? I will install Ubuntu'
Agent : 'No, this will invalidate your warranty'.
Me : 'A hardware issue is a hardware issue. Are you telling me that Dell would not honour its obligations because I installed Ubuntu.? You offer it as an option on other machines!'
Agent : 'The hardware team would help you, but you would still invalidate your warranty'
Me: 'I'm confused. You're saying my choice of software will be used as an attempt to invalidate my warranty, but they would assist me anyway?'
Agent : 'Yes'.
Me : 'OK, I'm really lost now'
Agent : 'We would never recommend removing the case of a computer to install software'.
Me : 'Neither would I, seeing as I generally wouldn't. Thanks, you just helped me make my mind up'.
Which was, incidentally, to get my HTPC from an independent retailer friendly to *nix.
I understand and agree with the complaint that Dell does not make it easy, since they are contracted to M$. Regardless of that upfront persona they present, behind the scenes they have made their laptops VERY compatible with Ubuntu. I bought an old Dell laptop, bought a new 500GB HD from Newegg for about $50. I had spare memory, but you could pick up several gigs for less $50 bucks I'm sure as well. Said laptop will clock in with dual core processor, few gigs of memory and half a TB of storage, all for 300-400$ total. Add another $130-190 for a new battery as most old models will only have 10-20 minutes of life left in them.
Old dell latitude D series laptops seem to work very well on Ubuntu 10,04. I have no idea if Dell likes or supports this well, because it has not mattered yet. Ubuntu, has either supported, or had been able to make work anything I need, Dell has never really entered into it, other than making the hardware. Ubuntu supports their hardware well. Perhaps all the credit should go to Ubuntu, rather than Dell, but i have to think the likely reality is that Dell is helping making it work well. I have never had to try, but I am fairly certain if you just make a few different calls to a few different departments, and keep asking how can i buy a bare computer they will sell you one. No law requires an OS, and any such contract with M$ would be anti competitive and likely very illegal.
Who cares if they won't warranty the software, or support Ubuntu.
Just get them to sell you the hardware, and they are not so bad a vendor to do business with.
it's what it does.
i think the credit for it working well with your old dell has everything to do with ubuntu and linux, and bugger all to do with dell.
even though alot of their (especially older) hardware is proprietary, it still mostly adheres to x86 standards.
saying well done dell for ubuntu is like saying well done intel for fallout3.
it's the software doing the supporting here.
Linux is more secure than Windows. Don't try and give me any of that "targeting the masses" bullshit. I hear that from MS users all the time, and it's nonsense. The numbers are simply disproportionate, and consider also that Linux has the largest portion of the server market, where security and reliability are most important.
However, this is not entirely Microsoft's fault. There is one overriding reason for this that Microsoft simply can't emulate to the same degree: peer review.
No-one is enough of an imbecile to think that people working on Linux can't introduce security holes into the software. I'm a programmer using Linux and Windows every day - I'd have to be thick as two short planks to think that Linux was invulnerable. The difference is, as I've said before on a similar discussion involving Firefox, that when vulnerabilities are found in Linux they are (generally) patched and rolled out very quickly, which helps reduce the threat to the end-user.
Quite often the issue is caught by a fellow programmer and patched before anyone with malicious intent is even aware of it. How many times has El Reg posted a story about a new Linux vulnerability, only to mention halfway down the page that a patch is not only already available, but you've probably already received it? ("Linux vulnerability" in the search box returns 265 results, most of them nothing to do with Linux.) And how many times has that scenario occurred in the world of Windows and Patch Tuesday?
And I genuinely believe that, when it comes to security, the quality of some of the code and setup in your average Linux distro is simply superior to that of Windows. The UIs might still be a little clunky and glitchy in places, but when it comes to networking and security? That's what Linux does, and does bloody well.
So good on Dell for making the assertion and standing behind the OSS alternative. It's nice to see a commercial entity backing it as competition in the marketplace.
......... but only because they cant fill the thing up with useless tray icons and security suites that you never use.
I personally hate spending hours removing all this surplus cr&p from a new Dell / HP or Acer (not as bad) PC that its the biggest push to use Ubuntu that i can think of.
Well done Dell :)
... the more PCs that are shipped with Ubuntu, the greater the increase in malwares aimed at linux boxes. But it doesn't matter what the OS is, users need to be sensible and cautious about any activity on-line. But the vast majority have been brought up on MS products which are, most probably, inherently risky because they are designed for lazy users who don't give a thought for what goes on under the bonnet. It is this lack of user awareness, coupled with icon-led, autoplaying, one-click wizardry that puts most users in the passenger seat, so to speak. Even net-nanny products can't always be relied upon. I don't have the complete answer, no, but there is a lot of sensible advice out there on the inter-webs. The best decisions / actions are well-informed ones and you can always step-away from the keyboard if you don't like the look of something.
No doubt "Dell recommends Window 7" because Microsoft pays them to do so. And I would expect Microsoft pays DELL to make Ubuntu had to find as well. And to mislead potential customers when they are looking for a Linux machine.
Strange that DELL can even get away with saying Ubuntu is more secure than Microsoft. It may be true for any number of reasons but Microsoft is paying DELL to say otherwise.
Does Microsoft pay DELL to deceive and defraud customers? Certainly that is a major part of the Microsoft business plan. Lying to customers, treating them as fools and basically defrauding customers does work. Microsoft even pays others to do the same.
Surprising to find this sneaks out.
But Dell doesn't mention that bit.
Stability is key, that is where Linux wins for me. 18 months with no crashes for ubuntu 8.04. Win7 crashed and a complete reformat in the it's first month with the loss of most data. Never worked properly since I got it and therefore not trusted to be anything other than a games system. The reall work is done on ubuntu.
Still nice to see a mainline manufacturer still supporting it.
I had my first BSoD last week in a long time. I didn't even know they'd changed the colour scheme. That's the first time in three or four years when any of the couple of dozen or so Windows machines (including various Test VMs(*)) has crashed. Applications crash but if you manage to crash Windows you're doing something very wrong like running it on dodgy hardware.
(*)Excluding the one I used for device driver development. That one BSoDs several times an hour sometimes when I've working on it.
the fact that almost any operation that involves adding / modifying / deleting files anywhere other than /home/user requires the root password immediately makes Linux more secure.
And it's had this functionality designed in from the start, unlike a certain other operating system which decided to try bolting on this functionality a couple of years ago - and have had to water it down in the latest release because it was never designed from the ground up to store all configuration information in /users/user.
Yes, iot's still possible to install some rogue software and completely bork Linux, but unless you're foolish enough to give an app the root password, if all else fails you can log in as root and recreate a user account. Of course, you'd need to provide users with a sheet or two of A4 walking them through the process of switching to a CLI console, logging in as root and creating a new user account. Of course, you could kill X then run startx from root and add your new user using the graphical tools, but running your GUI in root isn't a very good idea :)
Most modern desktops allow for root -type operations, like creating accounts, from a users desktop simply by asking for root password to authorize the operation. That's how software is installed, user accounts modified and system files altered in OpenSUSE for example.
If you need the command line then open a console on the user desktop and su to root
Dell says Linux is safer because hackers are not targetting it as much. I'd agree with that, but it doesn't imply anything about the intrinsic quality of LInux. For those who think Linux is stable and reliable, I wish they could spend a few minutes talking with engineers at a large enterprise site. I've heard endless horror stories from friend at amazon about the instability of LInux.
"I heard it from a friend's sister's boyfriend ........."
Whatever ANYONE says about Linux almost NOBODY whines about the stability. Amazon are presumably still using it, Google have hundreds of thousands of boxes and almost all supercomputers use it and as cutting-edge users they are likely to experience more stability problems than most.
Do they choose Windows - They do NOT !
To own a Linux box you need to create some malicious flash applet by using an exploit which will only be usable for a few weeks at most. Then you need to spread that flash applet.
To own a Windows box, you just need to send someone an e-mail with an attachment called greeting-card.exe and they will execute it.
The big point is, that dangerous things are harder to do on Linux, while at the same time more simple and more secure alternatives are offered. Using a package manager is far easier than executing a downloaded file.
As a long-time desktop Linux skeptic, I finally think Ubuntu is ready for prime time. It's almost as usable as XP, quick to boot, more secure than Windows, and, of course, free. There are reasons I wouldn't recommend it for widespread corporate use, but it's good for many end-user workloads and home use. Hopefully Dell will actually promote it.
Anyone unsure about the myriad security weaknesses in Windows should just take a peek at the documentation for nmap, the security professional (and crackers) tool of choice for network scanning.
For virtually all of the various probes you see things about UNIX/Linux correctly dropping or handling various malformed packets etc as specified in the relevant RFC.
In the case of Windows however there is almost always a problem with the way it handles these kind of probes (but not in a nice way!), and you can sense in the readme a sense of weariness in the author as you read thing like "however once again in the case of Windows......."
These boxes are being prepared for not_USA_nations.
I doubt MS is losing any sleep over the notion. HP has been providing Linux certified boxes for years - for stable distros such as RHEL and Novell SLED. With Ubuntu, one can be sure that one of the LTS updates will fry X or the video dirver or sound drive from a kernel deprecation or some other magic crap.
Linux hangs in there at a steady 1`% of OS statistics, behind the various phone OSes, and "other".
If Linux is so secure, why are the corporate, banking and government servers running Linux cracked so easily? The notion that a LInux box can't be phished is rubbish.
Data mining is far easier with Linux boxes as they are nearly unique, given their minisucle percentage of IP traffic. Put a USA IP address with a Linux box running Opera with referrer information enabled (or even disabled) and you have a nearly unique box for data mining. Many Linux distros take Google funding and "sap" their afficionados machines for moolah.
Incidentally, Ubuntu is one of the "new" distros that defeats Root security by giving the normal user Adminstrative privileges for "convenience", as does Debian which lets a user install updates "conveniently".
The thing is - who gives a crap? The SpaceKid has been mewing about destroying Windows for years now. Linux at 1% and holding! Put it out there and let's see if it flies.
Doubtless this is all FUD leading up to an IPO, PT. Barnum style. Get out your cash, suckers!
Using Pardus, Mint(not past 7), RHEL, Slack and Absolute.
@AndrueC, maybe. But with any version of Windows I've seen, dodgy *drivers* are also an issue -- I've seen hardware that crashes with Windows (and they NEVER seem to come out with a working driver..) but works with another version of Windows, or works with Ubuntu. Since Vista & 7 dropped support for most older hardware this probably isn't the issue it used to be, but I wouldn't claim someone's doing something wrong because their box is blue screening.
Anyway, *shrug*. Everyone else has said enough that I don't have more to say really.
But for historical persepective, UNIX did have poor security back in the day. For Windows, probably NIMDA brought things to a head in 2001, in the Windows XP era. UNIX? The Morris Worm, 1988 -- it spread to Sun3 and VAX systems; it was supposed to stop replicating after some generations, but didn't due to a programming flaw, so it overwhelmed systems as more and more copies were running and either "crashed" networks or slowed them to a crawl. This worm only ran in memory (it didn't write itself to the hard drive), so the initial "solution" was for every shop worldwide with a networked Sun3 or VAX to arrange a 1-hour window where they simultaneously powered off their boxes to make sure there were no copies of the worm left floating around. Then they patched the holes the Morris Worm used and began the process of hardening system security that still is ongoing. I'm not claiming UNIX is 13 years ahead, but they had a big head start in taking security seriously.
but why then, should it be so difficult to purchase a Dell computer without paying the Microsoft tax in countries other than the United States ? A look at Dell's Swedish-language website indicates that no alternatives to the ubiquitous «... Dell recommends Windows 7» exist here, in any event none featuring Ubuntu : «Datorer från Dell med Ubuntu-operativsystem finns inte tillgängliga i Sweden [sic !]» (Computers from Dell with Ubuntu operating systems are not available in Sweden). Why do Dell management in Europe - or at least in Sweden - seem to be so antedeluvian in their attitudes toward operating systems ?...
Particularly when Microsoft make themselves such easy targets.
I'm English but live in Holland at the moment, a friend of mine recently bought a Windows 7 PC and changed the language from Dutch to English, he is now bombarded by "Your copy of Windows is not Genuine" crap because the version of Windows 7 supplied with the PC (Which was bought and supplied legally) has an EULA which doesn't allow language changes!
Wish I had a business where you could charge a couple of hundred Euro's for someone to change a language pack
I am a developer, I also administer a large EMEA SharePoint installation all of which i do on the windows platform...but when at home I only totally trust my Linux distro's.
Sure you can argue that the more popular Linux becomes they will "stick their neck out", and there will probably be script kiddies waiting to catch out unsuspecting users. But the inherent stability of Linux far out performs the rather wobbly windows OS.
Too many times in my 10+ years in IT have I had to re-do windows installs on both servers and desktops, or try and recover data from an "unexpected shutdown". Good for you Dell...some poor analogies but a good move all round!
Microsoft has a tight grip on Dell, so it's good to see Dell come out with truthful information like this. Dell still has problems though. They still have yet to offer a Linux-based PC at a cheaper price than the Windows one. There are a lot of reasons why this is, and I am not sure if they'll ever be overcome. Then there's the issue where customers could get a refund and return the Microsoft Windows CDs, which was a great move on Dell's part. Suddenly, they've started to deny this with Windows 7 again. Overall, I think Dell is a good company, but they still have minor problems that they need to work out.


text:
Ive been developing websites for 3-4 years just as a hobby mainly. I started off editing files and uploading via ftp. Works but few extra steps. Finally about a year ago I set up a webserver here at home and took the leap into learning the server administration part (Setting up apache, php, mysql, etc). Now Ive just been using this server more as a workstation for web development. Well point being Ive never felt more like a rookie in my life. When I found this website yesterday within 30 seconds of downloading your package here, I was up and going on my labtop. I was so !! It was all this simple the entire time. All the times my internet was down in between moves. All those long flights I could have been lost in some code..
Just had To post a big thanks, this could be one of the best tools Ive got now. Wish I found it a long time ago.
Now I wonder, did everyone know about this except me?
WOW....Just had to say thanks
Started by stickygreen, Nov 14 2005 07:40 PM
3 replies to this topic
Posted 14 November 2005 - 07:40 PM
Posted 14 November 2005 - 07:47 PM
lol, thanks... You can always help us spread the word. We are trying to ourselves
Best Regards
Olajide Olaolorun
The Uniform Server | Triple O, LLC
Olajide Olaolorun
The Uniform Server | Triple O, LLC
Posted 03 April 2017 - 05:58 AM
Is uniserver the right thing to use for very heavy production load??
Posted 26 September 2017 - 02:45 AM
You could, just make sure you set it up for production.
Best Regards
Olajide Olaolorun
The Uniform Server | Triple O, LLC
Olajide Olaolorun
The Uniform Server | Triple O, LLC
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Making excellence a habit
In June 2011, DuPont announced that it is changing the manufacturing lines of Tyvek® 1073B and Tyvek® 1059B to use newer technology, in order to ensure consistent and flexible supply.
DuPont has been working with a number of European Notified Bodies from the start of this project, including BSI. After review of the transition plans, BSI published a positioning statement to ensure that medical device manufacturers impacted by this change understood the requirements for CE Marked devices.
The statement details requirements for manufacturers who hold Annex II.4 or Annex III CE Certificates to submit a change notification for review by their Notified Body.
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Celebrate Recovery is a free Christian Recovery Program that embraces the power of God in the healing process and is open to everyone in the community who would like support and encouragement. We offer programs for men and women and free child care is available for infants-12 year olds.
The program is built around biblical principles called the Beatitudes, taken from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes instruct us on how to live complete and fulfilling lives that are free from controlling disorders. The result is freedom, peace, serenity, and a stronger relationship with God and others. We all have hurts, hang-ups, habits, or addictions that need attention.
To participate, come to a meeting! We meet every Wednesday night from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Our general schedule is as follows:
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U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission
EEOC and Plaintiff's Counsel Score Victory for Latina Farmworker Sexually Assaulted By Her Supervisor
Fresno, Calif. - In a trial ending today, a jury in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California in Fresno returned a $994,000 verdict in favor of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Olivia Tamayo and her private counsel, W.J. Smith & Associates, in their sexual harassment lawsuit against Coalinga-based Harris Farms, one of the largest integrated farming operations in the Central San Joaquin Valley. According to the United Agribusiness League, Harris Farms is one of the largest agribusinesses in the nation and is California's largest cattle feeding operation. This case is one of nine sexual harassment lawsuits filed by the EEOC's San Francisco District Office against a California agricultural employer, and the first such case to go to trial.
The jury found Harris Farms liable for sexual harassment, retaliation and the constructive termination of Ms. Tamayo and awarded her $53,000 in back pay, $91,000 for front pay (what she would have earned if she had continued working at her job) and $350,000 in compensatory damages for emotional pain and distress. The jury also awarded $500,000 in punitive damages against Harris Farms to Ms. Tamayo.
A Mexican immigrant who began picking crops for Harris Farms as a seasonal farmworker and later became a regular employee in 1985, Ms. Tamayo testified that her supervisor forcibly raped her several times. He also subjected her to continuous verbal sexual harassment and intimidation. In addition, she described sexually offensive and threatening gossip from co-workers, as well as retaliation and a constructive discharge being given no choice than to quit in order to escape the workplace harassment.
After the jury verdict was read, Ms. Tamayo, a married woman and mother of five children, recalled how her supervisor and workplace environment caused her to fear for her family and her personal safety: "For a long time, I remained silent about what my supervisor did and said to me. He carried a gun and a knife, and bragged that he had fought another woman's husband before and gotten away with it. Only later, after he attacked me out of jealousy for speaking with another male supervisor, I decided I had to speak out."
Ms. Tamayo continued, "This was very hard and very frightening for me, but I finally reported his attacks, and I reported the talk and threats that some co-workers were saying about me. That's why it was so devastating when the company failed to protect me, let me work alone in the fields, and instead punished me with a suspension." She concluded, "I thank the EEOC and my attorney, William Smith, for all their work on my case. I hope that today's result will help other women fight their fears and break their silence."
The suit (Civil Action No. F-02-6199 AWI), filed by EEOC in September of 2002, alleged that Harris Farms violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by failing to prevent or end sexual harassment by a supervisor. The EEOC further charged that Harris Farms allowed Ms. Tamayo to work isolated in the fields and to endure co-worker harassment until, in March 2001, she felt compelled to quit her job, her primary employment for more than 15 years. EEOC's Regional Attorney William Tamayo (no relation to Ms. Tamayo) noted, "This is a major victory for the EEOC and for farm workers nationwide. As immigrant women with limited education and limited English, female farmworkers are particularly vulnerable to sexual harassment because they are often unfamiliar with the laws protecting them, and fearful of the financial and social consequences for themselves and their families. To overcome these obstacles to speak out against one's harasser takes a great deal of courage. We are happy that the jury recognized this and sent the message that employers need to stop sexual harassment and not retaliate against employees who complain."
Joan Ehrlich, Director of the EEOC's San Francisco District Office, noted: "Agriculture is California's second largest industry, after high tech, and the EEOC has received many charges of sexual harassment in this sector. We are doing our best, through aggressive litigation and extensive education for employers and workers both, to ensure that this trend changes. This jury's near million dollar verdict sends a strong message to Harris Farms and other employers that EEOC will vigorously prosecute employers who fail to investigate reports of harassment and instead choose retaliation to deal with any complaints."
Private counsel William Smith of Fresno, who joined with EEOC to represent Ms. Tamayo, said, "This was a blatant example of prohibited discrimination in the workplace. The outcome of this case sends a clear message that harassment and retaliation have serious consequences. We can never stop discrimination in the workplace if the very people who have the courage to oppose it are silenced." In addition to enforcing Title VII, the EEOC enforces the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, which protects workers age 40 and older from discrimination based on age; the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which prohibits sex-based wage discrimination; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits employment discrimination against people with disabilities in the federal sector; Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits employment discrimination against people with disabilities in the private sector and state and local governments; and sections of the Civil Rights Act of 1991. For more information about EEOC, please visit www.eeoc.gov.
For English or Spanish interviews with Ms. Tamayo or EEOC staff, please call Eve Hernandez, cell (303) 472-7029


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Looking for B.Pharma Jobs in Latur? If so, your search ends here. Here is a list of B.Pharma Jobs in Latur for all qualifications. Scroll down this B.Pharma Jobs in Latur page to get a list of government jobs that meet your education. Find the latest B.Pharma Jobs in Latur and apply to the best-suited job openings in India available in top companies. Check below to know the latest and upcoming B.Pharma Jobs in LaturLast Modified: October 18, 2019
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Women, Alcohol Abuse, and 4 Coping Skills for Recovery
A recent study that showed even moderate alcohol consumption can take years off your life not only attracted a lot of media attention, it also caused other studies about drinking to seem even more worrisome, especially with their findings of women.
As the nation observes Women's Health Care Month in May it's worth exploring the growing negative role that alcohol plays in the lives of American women.
"My favorite line of all time is: 'I don't drink that much,' " says Dr. Soroya Bacchus, a psychiatrist and author of How to Detox Yourself from Alcohol. "Sometimes the people who say this are right; they really don't drink that much. More often, though, people say this to make themselves feel better about how much they do drink."
Just last year, a study published by JAMA Psychiatry reported that more Americans are drinking high amounts of alcohol, and some of the greatest increases are among women.
In addition, about 5.3 million women in the United States drink alcohol in a way that threatens their health and safety, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
For those women, just trying to get sober won't fix the fundamental problem that caused them to drink too much to begin with, Bacchus says.
"I don't care about sober," she says. "I care about healthy. No one drinks or uses drugs in a vacuum. Usually, there is an underlying mental disorder that causes and worsens the alcohol or drug use."
It's important that women with serious drinking problems seek medical assistance so they can detox in a safe manner, Bacchus says. Detoxification from alcohol has more complications from withdrawal than any other drug, and the death rate for alcohol withdrawal is between 5 and 8 percent, she says.
Even after detoxing, Bacchus says, a therapist can help women develop healthy psychological coping skills to avoid a relapse.
Among the ways they can do that include:
Biofeedback therapy. This teaches you to develop voluntary, conscious control of physiological processes that are typically involuntary and unconscious. "If you have alcohol cravings, biofeedback teaches you how to identify the physical sensations associated with them and allows you to deploy strategies to counter them," Bacchus says.
Hypnosis or hypnotherapy. Through hypnosis, a therapist can explore the potential root causes of alcohol abuse, such as previously unknown disorder, a hidden memory or a past trauma. Bacchus offers a caveat: Only undergo hypnotherapy with a trained professional you trust completely.
Exercise. Every time you exercise you build yourself up both psychologically and physically, Bacchus says. "Before you know it, you have a positive habit that sustains you through tough times," she says. "Instead of taking a drink, you go for a walk. Instead of falling into a rabbit hole of negative emotion, you hit the gym."
Yoga. Yoga is both a great exercise for muscles and joints, but also an excellent way to deal with stress. "This makes it a perfect practice for recovery," Bacchus says, "because you need to rebuild your body from the ravages of alcohol abuse and rebuild your mind from the negative thought patterns you developed over years of addiction."
"The goal is to replace the negative coping mechanisms of addiction with the healthy coping mechanisms of recovery," Bacchus says. "You need your mind and body working in harmony so your soul can be at peace."


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Mazaradi Fox Wants Some Excitement: Responds To Rick Ross Coming To New York! "Im On Rick Ross's Ass. You Can't Come To Queens. I Am Queens" + Says He Don't Like Max B Cause He Whispers + Jab At Young Jeezy? "F*ck The Snowman"
Potent TV reports "MAZI WORKS ON UPCOMING PROJECT WITH GUCCI MAINE GOES IN ON RICK ROSS & MAX B AND TAKES A JAB AT JEEZY "
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According to a recently published article, a well-established Cambridge astrophysicist stated that:
the "origin of life, where it exists, and whether aliens exist, is going to be crucial over the next four decades". He added: "We know now that stars are orbited by retinues of planets just as our sun is. We have learned this in the last decade, essentially. "Within 10 or 20 years we will be able to image other planets like the Earth, orbiting other stars."
My question is, what technological limitation are we dealing with regarding making images of extraterrestrial planets, and how can this scientist be so certain that this limitation will disappear only 10 or 20 years from now?


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A riveting debate between "Black Swan" author Nassim Taleb and former Treasury secretary and White House adviser Larry Summers captivated the SALT hedge-fund conference in Las Vegas Thursday.
Taleb, who recently authored a paper entitled "Skin in the Game," argued that the aftermath of the financial crisis unfairly rewarded bad actors and that the system remains dangerous.
Summers, who served as Treasury secretary under Bill Clinton and more recently as an adviser to Barack Obama, took exception and charged that Taleb was being unrealistic about the difficulties identifying the institutions that pose systemic risk.
Read MarketWatch's interview with Summers
Summers told Taleb that he was for more capital, more liquidity, living wills for banks and procedures to wind them down. "What are you for?" he challenged.
"I'm for punishment," Taleb replied.
Taleb outlined a system in which everyone would know which systemically important banks would be bailed out, but would presumably see strict oversight of bonuses and operations afterward. Other institutions would be left to fail, he said.
Summers countered that such a system was in place prior to the financial crisis. But when push came to shove, Bear Stearns, an investment bank that wasn't envisioned as systemically important, was rescued. And then we all know what happened when Lehman Brothers failed.
Summers said that building a system is sort of like saying you'll never pay ransom to kidnappers. It sounds good in practice, but in reality sometimes even the Israelis pay ransom, he said.
Taleb had the final word, saying the system should be designed so that you can't get upside without being exposed to the downside.
The audience seemed split between the antagonists, with each getting smatterings of applause in the back-and-forth debate.
— William Watts
Follow William on Twitter @wlwatts
Follow The Tell @thetellblog
More from MarketWatch:
Bond market showing signs of panic


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The Accounting Historians Journal Vol. 13, No. 2 Fall 1986
The incoming editor, Gary J. Previts, has requested that all arti-cles accepted by me be published under my editorship, and I am obliging him by doing so. For this reason, the customary book re-views and dissertation abstracts sections of the Journal have been deferred to the next issue.
Nevertheless, it is interesting to note that under my editorship the "normal" Volumes 11 of 1984 and 12 of 1985 averaged 180 pages and 160 pages respectively, as against slightly over 100 pages for Volume 6 of 1979. Thus, we have clear evidence that interest in accounting history is growing, that more good articles are being submitted than ever before, and that subscribers are getting exceptional value for money. May this happy state of affairs continue.
An Editorial in Volume 11, No. 2 pointed out that it takes a long time for an editor's work to become recognizable in the pages of a magazine because he publishes material submitted to, and even accepted by, a predecessor. Presumably this will no longer be true for The Accounting Historians Journal. Moreover, a look back over Volumes 12 and 13 provides some insights into the prefer-ences of the editor and the editorial board, and particularly our contributors.
It is interesting to observe that, although no aspect of accounting is more international than its history, the great majority of con-tributors continue to be United States accounting professors. This may be due to the influence of the American Association of Col-legiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the standards of which have included a "publish or perish" attitude in many departments and schools of accounting. However, the Journal has played host to authors from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Ghana, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
Another observation concerns the wide range of contributors' interests. We have had biographical notes, bibliographical studies, analyses of accounting records, in-depth examinations of the his-tory of accounting thought on a number of important issues, and works on auditing and taxation as well as accounting.


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rkenley1 necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 91 diseños de 18 diseñadores freelance.
Clean, fun, eye-catching unique business name logo using a creative character and business name.
Press Box Sports Photography
I am in need a new logo for my sports photography business. I am a sports photographer who photographs youth, high school, and college sports including action, team and individual pictures. I will need a logo to use on the following:
- blogsite
- blogsite banner
- business cards
- marketing collateral
- portfolio watermarking
- giveaways (mugs, notepads, etc.)I would like to have a logo that has a unique, cartoon-ish character in the logo. The cartoon-ish character should look athletic, maybe muscular, and very sports-oriented (in some way). I do like the character art from the following websites:
- http://www.rivalart.com/
- http://teamworkart.com/The character could be using a digital SLR camera in design or not.
- vector format (preferably AI)
- professional design
- sports look
- fun
- eye-catching
- unique
- hip
- incorporate name and character (see above)
- easy to print and use digitally
- something appeals to kids and adults
- open to all colors but partial to reds, yellows, orange, etc.
- fonts - clean and easy read and sports-oriented
- No clipart
- No cheesy
- no digital looking fonts
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Carphone Warehouse has announced that it is to close all of
its 11 Best Buy stores across the UK.
The first Best Buy Europe store was opened in the UK in April
2010 but only 18 months later, it has been revealed that all stores will close
and that the stores have failed to make a profit.
Best Buy's 11 UK outlets are in Liverpool, Derby, Bristol,
Nottingham, Rotherham, Dudley, Thurrock, Southampton, and three places in
London – Croydon, Hayes and Enfield. There are 1,100 people employed at the
Best Buy stores across the UK.
Best Buy Europe was formed back in 2008 when Best Buy paid
£1.1 billion for 50 per cent in Carphone Warehouse's retail division.
Best Buy Europe said in a statement: "Since 2008, the
consumer electronics marketplace has changed substantially as a result of the
economic times, the progress of online retailing and the growth of new products
such as smartphones, tablets and apps."
Best Buy Europe launched a UK
website 12 months ago and it is unclear whether or not this will remain active
once the Best Buy stores close in the UK. The company has said it will be
focusing on selling more electronic goods from the 805 Carphone Warehouse
stores in the UK ands the
1,649 Phone House shops across continental Europe.
As well as announcing the closure of the UK stores, Best Buy has also announced a
decision to buy Carphone Warehouse out of a fast-growing US mobile phone joint venture for £812 million as it
attempts to focus its attention on its US operations.
Competition from online retailers and discount chains have
forced Best Buy out of the UK
market, but it's never a good sign for customers when the result is less
Source: Reuters


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Other Sports
Frazier loses battle with liver cancer
PHILADELPHIA — He beat Muhammad Ali in the Fight of the Century, battled him nearly to the death in the Thrilla in Manila. Then Joe Frazier spent the rest of his life trying to fight his way out of Ali's shadow.
That was one fight Frazier never could win.
He was once a heavyweight champion, and a great one at that. Ali would say as much after Frazier knocked him down in the 15th round en route to becoming the first man to beat Ali at Madison Square Garden in March 1971.
But he bore the burden of being Ali's foil, and he paid the price. Bitter for years about the taunts his former nemesis once threw his way, Frazier only in recent times came to terms with what happened in the past and said he had forgiven Ali for everything he said.
Frazier, who died Monday night after a brief battle with liver cancer at the age of 67, will forever be linked to Ali. But no one in boxing would ever dream of anointing Ali as The Greatest unless he, too, was linked to Smokin' Joe.
"You can't mention Ali without mentioning Joe Frazier," said former boxing writer Ed Schuyler Jr. "He beat Ali, don't forget that."
They fought three times, twice in the heart of New York City and once in the morning in a steamy arena in the Philippines. They went 41 rounds together, with neither giving an inch and both giving it their all.
In their last fight in Manila in 1975, they traded punches with a fervor that seemed unimaginable among heavyweights. Frazier gave almost as good as he got for 14 rounds, then had to be held back by trainer Eddie Futch as he tried to go out for the final round, unable to see.
"Closest thing to dying that I know of," Ali said afterward.
Ali was as merciless with Frazier out of the ring as he was inside it. He called him a gorilla, and mocked him as an Uncle Tom. But he respected him as a fighter, especially after Frazier won a decision to defend his heavyweight title against the then-unbeaten Ali in a fight that was so big Frank Sinatra was shooting pictures at ringside and both fighters earned an astonishing $2.5 million.
The night at the Garden 40 years ago remained fresh in Frazier's mind as he talked about his life, career and relationship with Ali a few months before he died.
"I can't go nowhere where it's not mentioned," he said. "That was the greatest thing that ever happened in my life."
Bob Arum, who once promoted Ali, said he was saddened by Frazier's passing.
"He was such an inspirational guy. A decent guy. A man of his word," Arum said. "I'm torn up by Joe dying at this relatively young age. I can't say enought about Joe."
Frazier's death was announced in a statement by his family, who asked to be able to grieve privately and said they would announce "our father's homecoming celebration" as soon as possible.
Frazier was small for a heavyweight, weighing just 205 pounds when he won the title by stopping Jimmy Ellis in the fifth round of their 1970 fight at Madison Square Garden. But he fought every minute of every round going forward behind a vicious left hook, and there were few fighters who could withstand his constant pressure.
His reign as heavyweight champion lasted only four fights — including the win over Ali — before he ran into an even more fearsome slugger than himself. George Foreman responded to Frazier's constant attack by dropping him three times in the first round and three more in the second before their 1973 fight in Jamaica was waved to a close and the world had a new heavyweight champion.
Two fights later, he met Ali in a rematch of their first fight, only this time the outcome was different. Ali won a 12-round decision, and later that year stopped George Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle in Zaire.
There had to be a third fight, though, and what a fight it was. With Ali's heavyweight title at stake, the two met in Manila in a fight that will long be seared in boxing history.
Frazier went after Ali round after round, landing his left hook with regularity as he made Ali backpedal around the ring. But Ali responded with left jabs and right hands that found their mark again and again. Even the intense heat inside the arena couldn't stop the two as they fought every minute of every round with neither willing to concede the other one second of the round.
"They told me Joe Frazier was through," Ali told Frazier at one point during the fight.
"They lied," Frazier said, before hitting Ali with a left hook.
Finally, though, Frazier simply couldn't see and Futch would not let him go out for the 15th round. Ali won the fight while on his stool, exhausted and contemplating himself whether to go on.
It was one of the greatest fights ever, but it took a toll. Frazier would fight only two more times, getting knocked out in a rematch with Foreman eight months later before coming back in 1981 for an ill advised fight with Jumbo Cummings.
"They should have both retired after the Manila fight," Schuyler said. "They left every bit of talent they had in the ring that day."


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(AP) Lack of flour hurting Venezuela bakeries
By FABIOLA SANCHEZ
Associated Press
CARACAS, Venezuela
Venezuelans have been coping with sporadic shortages of foods ranging from cooking oil to sugar, and lately a dearth of flour is preventing some bakeries from making bread.
Marco Freitas, a manager of a Caracas bakery, is selling mainly cold cuts and dry pasta now that his bread shelves are nearly empty. Freitas said he hasn't been able to get enough flour lately.
The shortage of imported wheat flour stems from problems including bottlenecks in seaports, a labor conflict at one processing company and a shortage of dollars allotted to importers by the government.
"We make what bread we can and sell it little-by-little," said Freitas, who said his bakery hasn't had such trouble finding flour in more than a decade.
The government's announcement on Monday that the state oil company will turn over more of its earnings in dollars to the Central Bank is expected to make a dent in such shortages, but not completely end them.
Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez said that state-run Petroleos de Venezuela SA plans to increase by nearly $2.5 billion the amount of dollars it turns over to the Central Bank this year. He said the government has sufficient funds to meet the economy's needs for dollars.
The country's federation of bakeries, however, said in a statement on Tuesday that those measures aren't sufficient and that some bakeries have temporarily shut down due to the flour shortage.
Sporadic shortages of some basic foods such as sugar and cornmeal have worsened recently while the government has been making available fewer dollars at the fixed exchange rate. Since November, the government has scaled back the amount of dollars it has been providing through its currency agency to businesses and individuals.
Business leaders have said that the insufficient amounts of dollars provided to businesses have worsened shortages of some imported foods and other products.
"I will keep trying to survive," said Freitas, who said his bakery is losing money lately.
The usual shipments of flour from a supplier have dwindled, and a local market will sell only two sacks of flour per customer, Freitas said.
He said the situation had worsened during December and January, and "now it's serious."
Lack of flour hurting Venezuela bakeries
(AP) Lack of flour hurting Venezuela bakeries


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dubai social media, Social media is a term that describes the online technologies and practices that people use to share opinions, insights, experiences, and perspectives with each other. Social media comes in many forms such as blogs, video, podcasts, and wikis, as well as specifically built social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.
Social media marketing is the process of channeling potential traffic to relevant online industries through wide-ranging social media platforms. Digital or social media is a 24/7 active and cost-free medium, where people talk, share, learn, debate and discuss over an exhaustive range of industries.


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Michelle Thomson necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 20 diseños de 8 diseñadores freelance.
Constructive Property Solutions
This is a new company, based in Scotland (UK) that will appeal to home owners wishing to sell their homes. It is not an estate agency (or realtor), more a quick sale service provided to home owners who need to sell quickly and cleanly due to a variety of circumstances e.g. divorce, needing to move abroad quickly, in debt, broken chains, property in a state of disrepair, cannot sell in current downturn etc.
We understand, empathise and respond to the needs of our customers and will offer a range of creative solutions designed to support them.
Benefits to customers include a quick sale, completed in only a few weeks, often with all fees paid too.
The key colours for the web site currently under construction are blue and green to convey solidity and empathy, with clean lines.
We aim to be an ethical and honest company, who provide 'Constructive Property Solutions' for our customers.
The target audience are people living in Scotland, or who own houses located in Scotland who are looking for a fast, effective solution to their problem. We will target existing markets, typically white collar workers who may have found themselves in debt during the current downturn. They will probably be aged from 30-60 years old, and feel scared about the changing circumstances they find themselves in. They will be placing faith and trust in the company that can help them.
A simple, effective identity which conveys strength, trust, solidity and empathy is required.
Lines should be clean and clear - less is more.
As stated above, chosen colours are blue and green (any shade considered).
The identity should be able to be used on headed paper as well as the web site, so clever design will be required for the somewhat long company name. More emphasis could be on 'constructive' and 'solutions', with a symbol denoting property.
Please feel free to be creative - this is a small company, whose identity is still evolving.
Here is an example of another company providing a similar service in Scotland:
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Miranda Kerr & Orlando Bloom no more
They've confirmed that it's over. According the official statement it's been over for a few months. But they didn't want the announcement to overshadow his Romeo & Juliet on Broadway. Now that the play has opened, it seems a good time to let it out, even though he was just on Kelly & Michael this morning and they made a point of NOT talking about it which just made the entire interview a complete bore.
But it's not like this is unexpected, especially if you've been, ahem, reading up. For all the practical reasons and for the gossipy ones. They've been together for longer than two days and shorter than twenty years. Six years, in fact. Since she was just 23. She gave birth to their baby just a few months after their wedding. He's 36 now. He wants more kids. They have different priorities.
Not that they have anything to do with anything but… do you think Justin Bieber is surprised? Or Leonardo DiCaprio?
Brian To /WENN


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Microsoft's "Courier" tablet project looks pretty neat -- at least, the movie of an artist's conceptual rendering of what the prototype tablet could be, looks pretty neat.
But that's all it is -- a movie.
Let's see:
- If it ever sees daylight.
- What its competitors look like when it (ever) ships.
- What it'll be able to do.
- What apps it'll run.
- How much it'll cost. ($1,000? More?)
- How well the stylus works.
- How well handwriting recognition works.
- How much it'll weigh.
- How fast the mobile Internet connection costs, and how well it works.
- How the screen will perform in sunlight.
- How the screens handle smudge marks, scratching, being pressed up onto each other. Will they shatter if you accidentally close the book with pen between the screens?
- How long the battery lasts.
- How hot it gets on your lap.
- If it can connect to the computer we use. (Mac or PC.)
- Etc.
In other words, it's nice to get excited about a drawing of a fantasy product. We'd all love a cheap, digital booklet that takes pictures and loads maps super-fast over the Internet.
But let's not lose touch with reality -- and Microsoft's history in the gadget industry. When's the last time Redmond actually made something that works like this? What's changed that might make this a reality now?
See Also: Microsoft's Secret Plans To Kill Apple Revealed
Don't Miss: Microsoft's Mobile Strategy Is A Mess


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Deep, thoughtful and here to stay. Burgundy will never go out of style and we couldn't be more happy about it.
Size: Quart
Ounces: 32 fl. ounces
Average Coverage: 150 square ft.
Owners of MD Haney & Co., Matt and Darci Haney, are a husband and wife team who love architecture and beautiful spaces. They have a passion for what they do and believe that is evident in all of their projects. MD Haney & Co. is a design/build company that specializes in design, renovating homes, custom cabinetry and furniture re-finishing. MD Haney & Co. is also a Chalk Paint® decorative paint, and Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint stockist. Besides refinishing and repurposing worn out pieces, they sell decorative paint, re-purposed furniture and offer monthly painting and creative workshops.


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U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman said the United States is willing to provide duty-free and quota-free access for cotton grown in the "C4" countries of West Africa that have frequently been portrayed as victims of the U.S. cotton program.
Portman's statement came during a press conference at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong Dec. 15. The Conference was supposed to mark the completion of a new WTO Doha Round trade agreement but became bogged down in squabbling over export subsidies and tariffs on agricultural products.
Portman was responding to a reporter's question, but reports had been circulating during the conference that the United States would table duty-free/quota-free access for cotton and textile products from least developed countries.
"I will just say that the U.S. is willing under the duty-free/quota-free commitments we will make to provide duty-free access for cotton from these West African countries," the ambassador said during a Dec. 15 press conference.
"That's the commitment we are willing to make, and we are working with our partners in the C4, not just on that, but a whole range of issues to address their concerns. And we are hopeful to have some kind of resolution this week. If not, we will continue to work with them closely."
Portman urged other major cotton purchasers, such as China and India, to also waive their tariffs for cotton shipments from the West African countries – Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali – and to help their farmers increase their productivity.
"India and China are the two biggest purchasers of the cotton in the world," he said. "The United States is a purchaser of cotton, but frankly some of the larger purchasers of cotton have relatively high tariffs in place. Some tariffs, not in those two countries, but some tariffs have bound rates as high as 100 percent."
Shortly after the press briefing, National Cotton Council Chairman Woods Eastland expressed concern about the reported U.S. offer to allow upland cotton produced in those countries to enter the United States duty and quota free.
"This appears to be unilateral by the United States in what should be multi-lateral negotiations," said Eastland. "If improved market access for cotton produced in the truly least developed countries will provide meaningful economic gains than all importing countries should be expected to match the reported U.S. proposal."
The jockeying for position on the West African cotton issue came as hopes for completing a new trade agreement at the Hong Kong Ministerial appeared to be fading.
U.S. trade officials have been calling for the European Union to present a broader proposal on setting a date for the elimination of export subsidies and increasing market access for agricultural products, including cotton.
But such a response has not been forthcoming apparently due to opposition within the EU to reducing its substantial tariff barriers for agricultural products grown outside the 25 member countries.
Portman has been urging WTO members to set a date for a follow-up meeting if they cannot leave Hong Kong with an agreement.
"If we cannot make all the progress we had hoped for here in Hong Kong – and I'm afraid that we won't – I feel strongly we should set a date before we leave here and put a work plan in place to be sure that we don't take the pressure off after Hong Kong," he said.
As it has since the failed 2003 WTO Ministerial in Cancun, Mexico, cotton continued to attract a considerable amount of attention in Hong Kong. Cotton was even the subject of a special meeting – on cotton and bananas – prior to the conference opening on Dec. 14.
During the meeting, speakers from the West African countries and representatives of the OxFam charity organization berated the United States for not doing more to reduce its subsidies, which OxFam has repeatedly claimed are impoverishing African cotton producers.
Portman said the United States is working on its subsidies, but that subsidies aren't the sole reason for the economic woes of West African farmers.
"I will tell you that we can deal with the subsidy issue," he noted. "But because I've spent a lot of time looking at this over the last few months, the more I learn, the more I'm concerned and confused. Why are we ignoring the other parts of the problem?"
The International Monetary Fund, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and nine other global institutions have made studies of the impact of the U.S. cotton program on cotton prices for West Africa. Their estimates range from an impact of 2 percent to 12 percent.
"Again, I'm not saying we shouldn't deal with the subsidy issue," Portman said. "But it would be irresponsible to the cotton farmers, some of whom are here tonight, to tell them that eliminating subsidies is going to solve their problem."
One factor weighing on African producers is that their yields are about half of those in the rest of the world, he noted. "If they had the same yields as the rest of the world, the impact of that would be over 20 times the impact of subsidies."
Eastland added another aspect of the problem that the National Cotton Council has uncovered in defending the cotton program from "unfounded" accusations such as those that recently appeared in a series of articles in its hometown newspaper, The Commercial Appeal.
"Today, a Brazilian or Australian cotton farmer can sell cotton for 50 cents per pound while the West African farmer receives 32 cents per pound," he said. "This differential does not arise as a result of any U.S. safety net program. Rather, it exists from the vestiges of European colonial institutions that must be reformed by African leaders.
"The West African farmer has virtually no choices when acquiring inputs or selling the product of their efforts. The situation is now bearing down on West African farmers in the forms of significantly lower cotton yields, higher costs and lower returns."
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Saxby Chambliss, who has been following the talks' progress from Washington, said the focus on issues such as cotton and food aid is distracting ministers from the real task at hand.
"We must eliminate export subsidies and have substantial and meaningful reductions in tariffs for both developing and developed countries alike," he said. "I am disappointed that the European Union continues to distract the attention of this important meeting. However, I am encouraged by Ambassador Portman's statements at the opening session and his strong and courageous defense of the U.S. cotton program."
As Chambliss and other congressional leaders have reminded the Bush administration, any agreement reached in Hong Kong or subsequent locations must be ratified by the U.S. Congress.