text:
The Alliance of Artists Communities hosts events and trainings each year - bringing together residency leaders, funders + artists from across the world. Members can attend events at a discount, propose content and vote at the annual town meeting. Programs currently offered are listed below:
Emerging Program Institute
This bootcamp was designed for individuals developing or re-assessing residency programs and combines best practices from the nonprofit arts sector with specific, hands-on information about artists' residencies. Emerging Program Institutes are a time to connect with leaders from throughout the field, visit innovative residency programs and gather resources on best practices. If you are interested in or involved in launching a new residency program, you won't want to miss this annual training! [ learn more ]
Annual Conference
The annual conference brings together more than 350 residency leaders, artists, funders, policy-makers, board members and educators from around the country and across the globe for three days of conversation, collaboration and celebration. [ learn more ]
Special Events
From providing workshops for artists, to gathering small groups of members together, to organizing thematic retreats, we believe in the power of face-to-face connections to share information and challenge each other. Public events are listed periodically through the year; invitation-only events are documented and shared with our membership. [ see event listings ]


text:
Luxrender and OpenCL
Personal tools
From LuxRender Wiki
This is an older page. If you are looking for a user guide for GPU rendering in LuxRender, please see this page: http://www.luxrender.net/wiki/GPU
This is a brief recap of all arguments, results, video, screenshots, etc. discussed in this thread. This page is about the progress in the process to introduce the support for OpenCL in Luxrender.
What are GPGPUs ?
Quoted from www.gpgpu.org:
GPGPU stands for General-Purpose computation on Graphics Processing Units, also known as GPU Computing. Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) are high-performance many-core processors capable of very high computation and data throughput. Once specially designed for computer graphics and difficult to program, today's GPUs are general-purpose parallel processors with support for accessible programming interfaces and industry-standard languages such as C. Developers who port their applications to GPUs often achieve speedups of orders of magnitude vs. optimized CPU implementations.
Indeed GPGPUs are going to be a very useful tool for Luxrender.
What is OpenCL ?
Quoted from www.khronos.org:
OpenCL™ is the first open, royalty-free standard for cross-platform, parallel programming of modern processors found in personal computers, servers and handheld/embedded devices. OpenCL (Open Computing Language) greatly improves speed and responsiveness for a wide spectrum of applications in numerous market categories from gaming and entertainment to scientific and medical software.
Luxrender developer team want to continue to support a wide range of platforms and OS (i.e. Linux, Window, MacOS, ATI GPGPUS, NVIDIA GPUs, etc.). Before OpenCL, each vendor has its own (i.e. proprietary) set of tools to develop GPGPUs application: NVIDIA CUDA, ATI Stream SDK, etc. OpenCL solves this problem and has been seen by Luxrender developer team as the way to go since the release of the first specifications.
Introducing OpenCL in Luxrender
This is a list of the steps done up to now to introduce OpenCL support in Luxrender. Indeed it is a quite complex task that requires a lot of tests, experiments and steps.
ATI released OpenCL beta SDK with hardware support
The first step was the ATI release of a OpenCL beta SDK in October with the support for GPGPUs in HD4xxx and new HD5xxx generation. This allowed Luxrender developers to do the first tests.
The first test: MandelCPU Vs MandelGPU
MandelGPU has been the very first test written by Dade to compare the performances obtainable with GPGPUs and CPU.
There result were quite impressive: MandelGPU was 62 time faster than MandelCPU.
The second test: checking ray tracing performances with SmallptCPU Vs SmallptGPU
SmallptGPU has been developed by Dade in order to check the kind of performances obtainable in our main field of interest with GPGPUs.
SmallptGPU is a porting of original Kevin Beason's [1] to OpenCL. The performances were again quite impressive: SmallptGPU was about 10 time faster than the SmallptCPU. A video of SmallptGPU can be find here or here. It has attracted a noticeable amount of interest and has been published on the front page of Khronos group too. It has been used as benchmark at Beyond3D, XtremeSystems and in other websites. Some really impressive results have been achieved by running SmallptGPU on an overclocked ATI HD5870 by Lightman:
This is about 45 time faster than SmallptCPU running on an Intel Q6600. Talonman has achieved some really high number of samples (on a very simple scene however) by using one of the 2 GPUs available with a NVIDIA GTX 295:
114,000,000 of samples/sec is really a high number.
SmallptGPU in Direct Lighting mode
SmallptGPU is a path tracer but other rendering modes (like in Luxrender) can be easily introduced by using a different OpenCL kernel, this is SmallptGPU running in direct lighting mode (i.e. classic Whitted-like ray tracing):
Indeed it is really fast.
SmallptGPU Vs Luxrender
While it is not fair to compare SmallptGPU samples with the one generate by Luxrender, it is still an interesting test. This is exactly the same scene, rendered with Luxrender for 60 seconds with Metropolis sampler and Path surface integrator:
The same scene rendered for 60 seconds with SmallptGPU:
SmallptGPU on Linux, Windows and MacOS
One of the most interesting feature of the OpenCL is that they are a cross-platform standard. Dade has successful run SmallptGPU under Linux and Windows. Jens has been able to test and run SmallptGPU on MacOS:
Some more experience with OpenCL
Some more experience with OpenCL has been gained by working on 2 more simple OpenCL ray tracers. JuliaGPU:
A video of JuliaGPU is availabel here or here. And MadelbulbGPU:
SmallptGPU2 sources and binaries are available here. SmallptGPU2 was used as an experiment to evaluate how the OpenCL support for multiple device (i.e. multiple GPUs) works. This is a screenshot of SmallptGPU2 running on GPU OpenCL device + CPU OpenCL device:
NOTE: SmallLuxGPU is now part of LuxRays. It is included there as a demo of the features available.
SmallptGPU has been an interesting experiment but it represents an approach hardly replicable in Luxrender: all the rendering is is done on the GPGPU. Porting 300,000 lines of code to OpenCL is not possible (i.e. OpenCL kernels are usually few lines long, in the order of hundred of lines, not thousands). SmallLuxGPU has been instead a great step forward in the process to introduce OpenCL in Luxrender because it introduces an approach replicable in Luxrender.
The idea is to use the GPGPUs only for ray intersections in order to minimize the amount of the brand new code to write and to not loose any of the functionality already available in Luxrender. In order to test this idea, Dade wrote a very simplified path tracer and ported Luxrender's BVH accelerator to OpenCL. The path integrator has the particularity to work on a huge set (i.e. 300,000+) of paths at the same time in order to generate a large amount of rays to trace and to keep the GPGPU feed.
SmallLuxGPU has shown good results from the first version, clearly outperforming CPU-only rendering:
A video of SmallLuxGPU in action is available here or here.
Version 1.1
Version 1.1 has introduced the support for multiple OpenCL device and for native thread base rendering. This is SmallLuxGPU v1.1 running on Dade's i7 860 + HD5870 with 8 native threads and 1 GPU:
This is SmallLuxGPU v1.1 running on Jens's MacPro:
And this is SmallLuxGPU v1.1 running on Talonman's Q6600 with a NVIDIA 295 GTX and a 280 GTX (for a total of 3xGPUs):
A new video of v1.1 is available here and the sources and binaries of v1.1beta2 are available here.
What's new
- support for multiple OpenCL devices;
- support for native threads;
- new thread and double buffer architecture for devices;
- "low latency" and "high bandwidth" rendering modes;
Command line arguments
Follow a brief description of SmallLuxGPU command line arguments:
- can be 0 (high bandwidth mode) or 1 (low latency mode). It selects the rendering mode, "low latency" is intended for fast response to user inputs while "high bandwidth" is for achieving high number of samples/sec (very slow to respond user inputs);
- number of native rendering threads to spawn (they should be used to consume any spare cycle left by GPU host threads);
- 1 to use all OpenCL CPU devices if available, 0 to skip them;
- 1 to use all OpenCL GPU devices if available, 0 to skip them;
- used force GPUs workgroup size. 0 means use the default value;
- width of the rendering window;
- heigh of the rendering window;
- name of the scene file.
Rendering 2,700,000+ triangles in less than 256MB of GPU RAM
SmallLuxGPU has successful rendered in near real-time a scene with more than 2,700,000 triangles:
SmallLuxGPU and BulletPhysics
Chiaroscuro has posted a link to an animation rendered with SmallLuxGPU and BulletPhysics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33rU1axSKhQ
A new Chiaroscuro's animation is available here. He as posted also some beautiful still rendering:
Version 1.2
What's new
- added on screen statistic for OpenCL device load average;
- added batch mode for rendering images;
- added benchmark mode;
- optimized memory access pattern (about 2 times faster on NVIDIA GPUs);
- more stable samples/sec statistic;
- added support for normal interpolation;
- optimization for no visible lights (about 2 times faster on loft.scn);
- added support for vertex colours interpolation;
- added support for configuration file;
- added support for OpenCL platform and devices selection via configuration file;
- new surface integrator architecture, it is able to generate 2 rays per step.
Version 1.3
What's new
- replaced BVH accelerator with QBVH (4x time faster on CPU, about 30% faster on GPU);
- new architecture allows multiple thread to be assigned to multiple GPUs;
- added support for multiple shadowrays;
- added support for camera rotation/translation with the mouse;
- solved several problems related to light sampling and fireflies;
- added support for gaussian filtering;
- new preview mode with large gaussian filter;
Version 1.4 and above
SmallLuxGPU is now part of LuxRays. It is included there as a demo of the features available.
While the first development steps have been taken, the majority of the work is still ahead of us. The current project is highly experimental and is not ready for general use. You should expect that sources may not compile straight away and that modifications are necessary to get it to compile. Unless some kind soul has the knowledge and time to help you out, you will unfortunately have to figure the installation process out by yourself as at the moment we prefer spending time on development over giving installation instructions or ready-made binaries.
We understand that many of you are very keen on trying out the latest and greatest, but until the code has matured enough to be ready for general testing, we have to ask you to be patient. We would be happy to see this project in a usable state by the end of 2010.
Time table for the introduction of OpenCL support in Luxrender
We aim to have full OpenCL support for v0.8. The v0.7 is scheduled before summer 2010. We should have the first v0.8 code running at the end of the summer and v0.8 release before the end of the year.
GPGPUs, GPUs and dummy GPUs
Please, note, not all GPUs are created equal. You need a fairly recent GPU to obtain a noticeable advantage in using them for rendering. Most old and low-end GPUs are missing the basic features required of a good and fast OpenCL support.
LuxrenderGPU is an experimental version of Luxrender integrating the support for OpenCL. It is intended as a final prototype before the start of work on Luxrender v0.8 where full OpenCL support is planed. LuxrenderGPU includes the first prototype LuxRays library too.
In date 2010/02/04, the Luxrender Developer Team has presented the very first rendering of LuxrenderGPU. While it represents an important milestone in the process to introduce OpenCL support in Luxrender, we are still far from having a tool usable from an end-user and we are still talking of a prototype/experiment. This mean you can not expect to see a binary package of LuxrenderGPU available soon (however the sources are available in the Luxrender source repository).
First results on a high-end system
Luxrender Classic Vs LuxrenderGPU on a i7 860 + ATI HD 5870: 57K Samples/sec Vs 202K Samples/sec
First results on a low-end system
Luxrender Classic Vs LuxrenderGPU on a Q6600 + NVIDIA 240GT: 31K Samples/sec Vs 59K Samples/sec
CPU + GPU + Network Rendering
Thanks to the approach used by LuxrenderGPU (i.e. GPU used only for ray intersections), it has a large list of features inherited from LuxrenderClassic: all materials/textures, all kind of light sources, etc. are supported even from the very first rendering. Including the support for network rendering:
LuxRays is the name we have chosen for the part of Luxrender dedicated to accelerate the ray intersection process by using GPUs. LuxRays is intended as an open source component for accelerating any ray tracing application.
CPU Vs GPU ? No, thanks, CPU + GPU + Network rendering is better
One of the fundamental aspect planned while introducing OpenCL in Luxrender was to not lose any of the feature available. It means GPGPU will be just an addition to the wide set of features available to reduce the rendering time. You will still able to spawn multiple rendering threads to take advantage of your multi-core CPUs and to use Network rendering in order to let multiple computers to work on the same image. You will be able to finally take advantage of the GPUs available on a single computer and/or among all computers available on your networks.
[To be continued...]

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The other day, I paid a $1 premium for a gallon of milk.
It's not that I particularly like overpaying. I could have driven to Fred Meyer's and gotten the gallon for 99 cents. Instead, I got it from Albertson's for a much steeper $1.99. I actually paid more than twice the cheapest rate. Not something I'm proud of.
Given the circumstances of that day, though, the premium was worth it.
The closest Fred Meyer to us is just over 3 miles (and copious traffic lights) away. The streets I'd take would all have been heavy with traffic. It would have taken me an absolute minimum of 20 minutes to just get there. Comparatively, Albertson's is just over a mile away, with just three lights in between.
Add to that supreme fatigue that day, as well as the depression that has been reasserting itself lately, and you have an understandable reason for overpaying. I was so worn down that even just going across the street to Grocery Outlet for 50-70 cents savings was simply not an option.
So the extra money was worth it, even though I usually try to avoid paying for an item when I know it's cheaper elsewhere. But sometimes I have to.
You don't even need to have health issues to appreciate the difficulty of all this. You're tired, work was hell, the kids are screaming in the back, and you still have to get home and cook. Who wouldn't be tempted to pay a little bit more — or even stop by McDonald's?
So when is it acceptable?
The answer to this will vary from person to person. It depends on the value you place on your free time. Or time spent with your family. Or simply not in grocery stores.
I think one of the best ways to avoid this is to change the way we think about price differences. Rather than think of it as a 50 cent difference, which we often can rationalize through gas and time spent getting to multiple stores, think of it as a tax. A convenience tax, if you will.
After all, that's essentially what it is. You ever actually look at prices as you go through a convenience store? They're astronomical. Why? Because the store is banking on your unwillingness to seek out a better price. These stores profit from our desire for instant gratification.
So it's not too much of a stretch to think about grocery store price differences in the same way. When you pay 50 cents more for a can of green beans, to avoid a second store, you're paying for convenience. And if there are multiple instances of this convenience tax, it can quickly make you rethink your process.
Of course, this won't deter everyone in every situation. And it shouldn't. There is something to be said for valuing your free time and energy. You wouldn't expect a sick person to visit several stores looking for the best price on Nyquil. It's a special situation, where we decide to value our physical needs over our frugal ones.
In a less extreme example, we've all orderered delivery food from time to time. It may be to celebrate; more likely, it's because we just can't bring ourselves to cook. We don't do it frequently, because in better times, we prioritize money over our desire for prepared food. But from time to time, it's worthwhile to take it easy on ourselves.
So framing it as a convenience tax won't always stop you from paying more for products. But it does give you a more realistic look at the situation. You can't claim that your real concern is gas. At $2.30 a gallon, the stores would have to be pretty far apart to make that rationalization work. You can, though, decide just how much convenience you're willing to pay for.
Convenience tax of 50 cents? You might or might not bother. It depends if you need it right away, whether you'll be in the other store soon enough anyway, and how valuable your time and energy is to you. But as those "taxes" add up? To $2 or $3… or more? You may just start to rethink your shopping practices.


text:
Sign up to our newsletter for £10 off your first order*
Your voucher has been emailed to you. Please look out for this email in your inbox, check your junk/promotions folder and be sure to add us to your safe sender list.
Confirm Selection
First things first:
Choose your optional extras:
Sometimes a product is so fabulous it doesn't need much of an introduction. Take this office-style ceiling light, for instance, look at the stylish combo of thick leather, brushed metal and the trendy barn lamp shade. This ceiling lamp has it all: style, function and good looks. Dek is a genuine Dutch design and comes in three colours white, grey and anthracite. This pendant light will look super in your office, or kitchen, adding an industrial element to the room.
Features and Benefits:
Cuckooland Warehouse Move
We're moving to a much bigger warehouse in January so that we can stock more of your favourite items! We have removed the next day and click & collect delivery options and whilst we are moving your order will be delayed. Orders placed from 2nd January will be dispatched from 21st January. We apologise for any inconvenience during this time. For more information please contact our Customer Services team.
Christmas Returns Policy
We have extended our returns policy for Christmas 2018. Orders placed between 19th November and 21st December can be returned until 25th January, 2019. Our extended returns policy covers 'Gifts' purchased from our Gifting categories and does not include 'bulky' or 'made to order' items such as Beds and Furniture.
These returns are subject to our Standard Returns Policy. Our usual Terms and Conditions apply.
*Our FREE Mainland UK Delivery Service applies to orders over £70 but excludes Scottish Highlands and other remote areas. Due to additional courier charges, a surcharge will apply to Scotland, ROI, and areas outside Mainland UK for furniture deliveries and orders over 20kg and with a carton size larger than 61cm x 46cm x 46cm. For more information please refer to our Delivery Costs and Services here.
*Furniture and Made to Order items are excluded from Express, Click & Collect and Saturday delivery options.
Please note:
We also offer an EASY Returns Policy! Click here to read our
returns table.
Dispatch vs Delivery
On each product detail page, you will see a 'dispatch time': e.g. '2-3 weeks'. 'Dispatch time' is the time it takes for our suppliers to send the item to our UK warehouse or the time it takes our warehouse to send the item on to our delivery partners for final delivery. Please note that this is not the date it arrives at your door. Below you will find more information on the delivery process and how long after dispatch you should expect your delivery.
Deliveries from our Warehouse
Once we receive the items at our warehouse (transit time from Europe is 5-7 days), you will be contacted by one of our team to confirm a convenient delivery date before any delivery attempt is made.
Deliveries from our Partners
Our delivery partners receive items from us daily. Rest assured, as soon as they receive your items they will send them on to you.
Please allow 5-7 days from the 'dispatch date' displayed for Mainland UK: i.e. if '2-3 weeks' is displayed on our site, you will need to allow up to 3 weeks for dispatch and up to 7 days after these 3 weeks for final delivery to your door. For Offshore, Highlands, Islands and Ireland deliveries, delivery could take up to 14 days from the 'dispatch date'.
Deliveries occur during weekdays between 8am and 8pm. We do use carriers that offer a Saturday or Sunday delivery option – feel free to select this option (where applicable) when our team contacts you to arrange your delivery.
Please Note: We do charge extra for weekend deliveries or pre 10am or post 6pm deliveries. The charge for this service is £30.00 (if this service is available in your area).
Non-Furniture Deliveries
UK Mainland Delivery Rates* (excludes furniture and orders placed during weekends and bank holidays):
*Our FREE Mainland UK Delivery Service applies to orders over £70 but excludes Scottish Highlands and other remote areas. Due to additional courier charges, a surcharge will apply to Scotland, ROI, and areas outside Mainland UK for furniture deliveries and orders over 20kg and with a carton size larger than 61cm x 46cm x 46cm.
Available sizes:
Brand: Zuiver. Made in: The Netherlands.
Zuiver's motto is all about creating fun stuff for your home and office. Based in the Netherlands, its young and trendy inspirations come from all over the world. The Zuiver Design Team selects products with that unique twist, either by choice of material, shape or function. This diversity of the products is what creates an inspiring and powerful collection. Zuiver produces high end, stylish pieces that fit in your home, office, holiday house, restaurant or rentals. Full of style, colour and edgy designs Zuiver is creating not only pieces of furniture but statements that make a house feel like your own unique paradise. Never before seen in the UK, these pieces are one of a kind and perfect for giving your home a touch of fun.
Browse the products on our site and add things to your basket along the way!
Browse the products on our site and add things to your wish list along the way!
To use the Wishlist functionality available on our site, you will need to become a member and login to the site. If you don't already have an account you can quickly register your details with us.
Why Register?


text: The fresh lettuces at the Toledo Farmers Market this morning were hydroponic, but they still taste like spring. The Winter Market has finished, and today's half open-air, half covered market was the perfect place to start the weekend. My friend Millie couldn't resist the hydroponic strawberries, fresh from an Ohio greenhouse!


text:
|Thread Tools
|Display Modes
Ring of Famer
Join Date: May 2001
Location: People´s Republic of Bad Cannstatt
Posts: 9,127
Rockies moving Helton?
While the city of Denver thaws out from the holiday blizzard, there are signs that the Angels' interest in Todd Helton are no longer in deep freeze.
Los Angeles officials inquired about Helton at the winter meetings and were prepared to offer a package of infielder Erick Aybar, first baseman Casey Kotchman and catcher Jeff Mathis. The Angels were reluctant to push the talks forward because of concerns regarding Helton's age, declining productivity and a nagging back injury, according to a source with direct knowledge of the discussions.
However, if the Rockies are willing to eat a substantial amount of the remaining $90.1 million contract owed Helton, particularly down the road when the contract escalates, Anaheim could revisit talks, according to a major league official. The teams have talked since the winter meetings, an indication that the deal, while a longshot, isn't completely dead.
Helton said two weeks ago that he has not requested a trade or been approached about approving a deal to Anaheim. He has veto power over any deal, but acknowledged that the Rockies "want to get rid of my contract." The reason is simple: Helton will earn $16.6 million next season on a projected $55-million cash payroll, one of baseball's smallest payrolls.
|Sponsored Links
Ring of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Leucadia CA
Posts: 6,044
After seeing some of the money thrown around this winter, Helton's contract does not look that bad anymore.
I don't see the point of landing Mathis or Aybar when Tulowitzki and Iannetta are superior players. Kotchman's value is down after a disapointing season in 2006.
If the Rockies talk with the Angels again, the demand should be simple: Brandon Wood or no deal. Howie Kendrick would work, too.
Marginally Continent
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Folsom Prison
Posts: 19,953
Tim Tebow
What's up with Helton's power numbers? I know he had some health/intestinal issues last year, but is he healthy? 15/20 homers from a first baceman?
Ring of Famer
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 17,479
DJ Williams
Helton trade to Boston up in the air
Email this story | Print
Todd Helton profile and career stats
Helton trade to Boston up in the air
Peavy apologizes for airport conduct, charge dropped
Minaya to take part in Africa trip
Pirates' Bay, Sanchez not in envy of Utley's contract
New Hall of Famers Ripken, Gwynn share memories at charity event
Nolan Ryan hospitalized, team says he's in good condition
Weaver, Mariners close in on one-year deal for $8,325,000
By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News
January 27, 2007
Todd Helton's future with the Rockies is in limbo.
The Rockies and Boston Red Sox have been discussing trade possibilities involving Helton since November, as reported originally by the Rocky, but have struggled to look for a fit since the Red Sox withdrew outfielder Manny Ramirez from the discussions.
The talks have gone from simmering during the holiday period to heating up in advance of spring training, according to sources close to the situation.
The Rockies are willing to absorb slightly more than half of the $91.1 million that Helton is guaranteed over the final five years of his contract, but in return want to add players they feel will have potential impact.
The key is Helton has complete no-trade authority, and has indicated his preference is to finish his career with the Rockies, which signed him as a first-round draft pick in 1995. The Rockies earlier were talking with the Angels about a trade, but the Angels withdrew from those discussions after learning that Helton would refuse the deal.
Helton has long been described as the cornerstone for the Rockies long-range rebuilding program. He was actually criticized by agents for other players and officials for the Major League Baseball Players Association for underselling himself when he initially signed his nine-year, $141.5 million extension that went into effect in 2003.
Now, however, with Rockies ownership having slashed the Rockies payroll to the point that they have gone from the upper echelon in the league in terms of salary to the bottom five teams, ownership is concerned that his salary is too large a portion of the total payroll.
Boston is one of the few teams Helton would consider, according to sources close to the situation. His preferences would be Atlanta, but the Braves are in a major budget-cutting mode in light of a pending sale of the franchise, and St. Louis, but the Cardinals are set at first base with Albert Pujols.
Boston, in an effort to get rid of contracts it doesn't want, has proposed including third baseman Mike Lowell and right-handed reliever Julian Tavarez in the deal to offset some of Helton's contract. Lowell will earn $9 million in 2007, the final year of his contract. Tavarez is guaranteed $3.1 million in 2007 with a $3.85 million option for 2008 that is guaranteed if he makes 65 appearances in 2007.
The Rockies had a strong interest in Ramirez, anxious to add his bat to the middle of the lineup, and moving Ramirez was an original off-season priority for the Red Sox, who in the midst of the annual winter meetings last month suddenly did an about face.
Lowell and Tavarez could have short-term interest to the Rockies, but only if the Red Sox included top-line pitching prospects in the deal, as well.
The Rockies could play Lowell at third base, moving Garrett Atkins back to first base, his original position in pro ball, with the anticipation that within the next year highly-touted Ian Stewart would be ready to come to the big leagues. That would keep them from having to try and move Stewart to the outfield this spring. Also, Joe Koshansky, who has led the organization in home runs the last two years, is expected to play first base at Triple-A Colorado Springs this season, and could enter the picture if Helton were dealt.
Tavarez would provide a veteran arm for middle relief. He was 11-5 with a 4.42 ERA for the Rockies in 2000 when he bounced between the bullpen and rotation.
Ring of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Leucadia CA
Posts: 6,044
What's the point of trading Helton if you're still eating over half of his contract? Let's pay Helton $45+ million to play for someone else so we can save the other half. I thought this board was harsh on the Monforts, but this story just proves they are cheap ass slimeballs that have no business being involved in ownership.
Unless Manny comes back to Denver in this, it's a rotten deal for the Rockies.
Persona Non Grata
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,352
On a personal note, I'd like to see Helton go to Boston. At least there he'd have a chance to be in a pennant race and play in the postseason. He's spinning his wheels here in Colorado and I'd love to see him get a shot a ring before his career is over.
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 18,052
If the Mon****s could get away with a team salary of 20 million they would do it.
Why people support their raping by attending games is beyond me.
Persona Non Grata
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,352
The Mad Dommer!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: SLC, UT
Posts: 18,379
Pat Bowlen
I'm not sure it's a bad baseball decision to move Helton. They move Atkins to first, and open up a spot for Ian Stewart to play in the big leagues. That sounds great. The problems I have are:
1) Why do it if you're going to eat half of his salary? The question then becomes, can you get someone as valuable as Helton for half of what he's paid? The answer to that is no. Helton is overpaid, based on his production. But I don't think he's overpaid double, based on the current MLB economy.
2) Mike Lowell? Julian Tavarez? Am I missing something? They have just under $25 million left on their contracts. Throw in eating half of Helton's contract ($91 million), and you end up trading $91 million in contracts for $70 million in contracts. In the process, you are getting rid of the face of your franchise - the only guy your fans have been able to connect with over years of mediocrity. There has to be much more to the story. Rockies ownership/management is stupid, but they couldn't be that stupid. Could they?
3 The bottom line for me is motive. I know what their motive is in doing the deal. It's the same motive they had in doing the Jennings deal. Sure, there are baseball arguments that can be made for doing both deals. But that's not what it comes down to for these clowns. They will argue that they're sound baseball moves, but that is just the end justifying the means. If they could seriously say, "Look, we're doing this deal because we feel we have to resign Holliday, Atkins, and maybe Hawpe. They are our young nucleus, and they are going to need to be paid fairly to stay here. Losing Helton is painful, but it will allow us to keep our younger nucleus in Denver," then I could stomach it. But that's not the plan. They know it. The players know it. We know it. Those guys will be gone as soon as they are able to become free agents, unless they are willing to take a deep "hometown discount." And why would they do that to stay with this organization? With this ownership?
I hate these guys. They are a curse to MLB, and the fans of the Rockies. It is shameful that they are willing to make thousands of fans suffer so that they can keep their cute little hobby in the family.
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,757
please GOD do not make this trade theo. Especially if it includes hansen and delcarmen. or even tavarez for that matter. He provided stellar pitching in a starting role late last year. I dont want to overpriced overhyped OFs.
Oh and lowell is the best defensive thirdbasemen in the league so i dont know what you're questioning dom.
I just know i DONT want this to go down
Billy=Semi Tough Big Guy
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: between 5,000 and 10,000 feet elevation
Posts: 12,480
John Elway
The Mad Dommer!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: SLC, UT
Posts: 18,379
Pat Bowlen
Persona Non Grata
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,352
DENVER -- Colorado Rockies owner Charlie Monfort insists the team isn't looking to dump salary in its talks to trade Todd Helton to the Boston Red Sox.
Monfort said the Red Sox would have to part with pitching prospects in addition to third baseman Mike Lowell and reliever Julian Tavarez, players they've already offered in exchange for the 33-year-old slugger.
"This is Todd Helton we're talking about," Monfort told The Associated Press on Monday. "We're not just going to give him up for nothing."
The Rockies would like to obtain promising relievers Craig Hansen and Manny Delcarmen from Boston.
"Tavarez and Lowell are good, and they'll help us this season, but we need to get something else pretty good in return," Monfort said. "So, we'll see."
Colorado would pay a good chunk of the $90.1 million left on Helton's contract, Monfort said, a deal that includes salaries of $16.6 million in each of the next four seasons, $19.1 million in 2011 and a $4.6 million buyout of a $23 million team option for 2012. The amount the Rockies would pay isn't a sticking point in talks, Monfort said. Rather, it's the players Colorado covets in return for the Rockies' most recognizable player.
Helton has a no-trade clause but is willing to waive it to play in Boston.
Negotiations with Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein were expected to resume later Monday when general manager Dan O'Dowd returned to Denver after attending to a family matter over the weekend.
"I don't see it dragging on. If Dan and Theo can work out the bodies in the next couple of days, it will happen," said Monfort, who would need to sign off on the trade.
Monfort said he expected the deal to get done early in the week or not at all.
"I've been in this business for 15 years and 1 percent of these deals get done. We want to do right by Todd," Monfort said. "We're planning on winning the division and we'd rather do it with Todd."
Although the savings would allow the Rockies to address other areas, Monfort said he's not solely seeking financial flexibility in dangling Helton.
"We're not just looking to save money," he said. "I'd consider it a salary dump if we didn't have anybody there who could play first base, and we do. I'm not saying they're Todd Helton by any means. And they'd have some huge shoes to fill. But we have some guys there, a little bit of a logjam."
If Lowell comes over from Boston, third baseman Garrett Atkins could move to first, although an intriguing possibility is accelerating the arrival of 25-year-old Joe Koshansky, who hit .284 with 31 homers and 109 RBIs at Double-A Tulsa last season.
Monfort said he realizes fans don't want to see Helton and the Rockies part ways, and he doesn't relish that prospect, either.
"It would be so tough to see Todd go. We drafted him. He's a great guy, he has a ranch 15 minutes from my house," Monfort said. "This one is tough. We had Vinny Castilla and Andres Galarraga, but they weren't with us as long as Todd. And Todd's a friend of mine.
"We're not doing cartwheels over here at Coors Field over this, believe me."
Lowell will earn $9 million next season, the final year of his contract. Tavarez is guaranteed $3.1 million next season with a $3.85 million option for 2008 that is guaranteed if he makes 65 appearances.
After averaging 35 homers and 117 RBIs over the previous seven seasons, Helton's numbers dipped in 2005, when he hit .320 with 20 homers and 79 RBIs while he was playing with a bad back. He also made his first career trip to the disabled list with a strained calf.
An intestinal infection sent him to the DL again last May and he never regained his strength, weight or power stroke upon his return, finishing with just 15 homers, a .302 batting average and 81 RBIs.
Helton said recently he had finally gotten back to 210 pounds and that his strength and stamina had returned. The Red Sox were encouraged by his clean bill of health.
While Monfort said tying up 30 percent of the team's projected $55 million payroll this season isn't a good business model, he wouldn't mind seeing a healthy Helton batting cleanup for Colorado in 2007, either.
"We'd love to have Todd here and get to a World Series with Todd in a Rockies uniform and we believe we can get there," Monfort said. "It's not like a couple of years ago when we were just plugging holes. We feel we can win this division and that makes this a little more difficult.
"It seems like the days of someone playing their entire career for one team has gone by the wayside. I saw him retiring as a Rockie. It would be a great story. Some deals get made and some don't. No one is going to be with one team their whole career and not be mentioned in a trade once or twice."
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,757
Self Appointed Expert
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,999
Miss I
I quite supporting this ownership several years ago. As long as they own my Rockies I will boycott.
Over Jay Cutler
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Leucadia, CA
Posts: 7,813
Tony Scheffler
If the Rockies move Helton, I will not be able to name a single postion player.
Billy=Semi Tough Big Guy
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: between 5,000 and 10,000 feet elevation
Posts: 12,480
John Elway
Sounds like the Red Sox deal is dead, but there could be other interest
Ring of Famer
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 12,334
Yahoo! story on how deal died.
They don't cave, but leaks make them walk away no matter what. The Rockies might work in a vacuum, unconcerned with the responses of their division rivals, but the AL East is the sports version of the Cold War arms race.
Ring of Famer
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 6,179
If only I was a billionaire. I'd put every dime I had into that organization in order to turn them around. What the Monfort's are doing with this team really makes me sick to my stomach. Every year I pray they sell the team to someone who actually WANTS the team to improve, someone who's only interest is not lining their pockets.
Anyways, I'm hoping Helton gets traded to a team that has the chance to win the Series. He's my favorite player, and i'd love to see him make an impact on a winning team.
|Thread Tools
|Display Modes
Linear Mode


text: A nerdy lad assumes the mantle of a vanished superhero and discovers that he really does have what it takes in this airy esteem-builder. Reluctantly responding to the cajoling of an elegantly attired goblin he meets in a crypt behind his house, Billy enters a long tunnel and discovers Monstros City—a huge subterranean burg whose variously tentacled, slimy, gross but law-abiding citizens are suffering from a rising tide of crime since the disappearance of their masked protector, Owlboy. Despite many doubts ("I'm just a goofy kid who wouldn't know how to be a hero if it bit him on the butt.") Billy puts on the special goggles and costume of his predecessor, and in no time finds himself battling a trio of animated skeletons and a murderous pack of candy-loving Slovakian Rot-toothed Hopping Monkey Demons. Naturally, besting such foes gives Billy the confidence to face the bullies who afflict him at school, too. Featuring full-page illustrations (most not seen), nonstop action, bursts of silliness and the inevitable "1" on the spine, this is tailor-made for fans of Bruce Coville's Magic Shop series. (Fantasy. 10-12)


text:
Lyndhurst Police Department
367 Valley Brook Avenue
Lyndhurst, NJ 07071
Welcome to the Lyndhurst
Police Department Website
Here you will find information as to the numerous
programs and services we provide. This police department is committed
to providing optimal service to those we serve. I encourage you
to visit the site often and please comment on your police department.
We are here to provide you with professional police service round
the clock 365 days a year. I welcome your input and hope that
you will take an active role in helping us help you for our communities
Chief James B. O'Connor


text:
Business Cards: Design – Print Custom Business Cards #best #online #business #ideas
#business cards design
Avery WePrint Business Cards
Ordered business cards. Love Avery design tool. The cards turned out wonderful. I had them print and they look amazing. Price was competitive too. Google Trusted Store Review (June 4, 2016)
Easy to create business cards that included my own image and text. Quality is nice. Google Trusted Store Review (April 30, 2016)
I received an email from them with a layout problem. They corrected it, printed it and shipped before I had a chance to respond! The cards were perfect, just how I had hoped they would turn out. Google Trusted Store Review (April 24, 2016)
The quality of the finished product from Avery WePrint was awesome, the design tool was easy to use and the customer service rep was very helpful with my questions about production/shipping deadlines. Will definitely use again. Google Trusted Store Review (December 14, 2015)
Business cards looked professional – good quality material and crisp color printing! Google Trusted Store Review (November 8, 2015)
* Flat rate shipping offer applies to economy shipping only. If another shipping method is selected, charges may apply. Offer applies only to orders shipped to
the United States and Puerto Rico. Offer subject to change.


text:
Another pack very helpful as background music / sound for intro or logo appearing on website or other media productions.
This one contain only four but they've got very individual character.
As always pack contain .wav 44.1 kHz 16 bit files for the best quality.
All of them in 126 bpm tempo but if you need faster / slower just drop me a line.


text:
I suppose the most jarring thing about Ducktails is just how sharply the laid back nature of their sound contrasts with Matt Mondanile's work ethic. Not content to put his feet up whilst the band that represent his day job, Real Estate, are on hiatus, he's thrown himself headfirst back into this solo project, with new EP Wish Hotel arriving just weeks after the conclusion of a lengthy, full band European tour, and mere months since the last Ducktails full-length, The Flower Lane, dropped back in January.
Tempting as it is to draw the conclusion that an EP so soon after a full record is likely to comprise material that didn't quite make the cut last time around, Wish Hotel seldom sounds like it might have sprung from the same sessions as The Flower Lane. Instead, Mondanile seems to have taken the opportunity to experiment a little; opener 'Tie-Dye', with the apt refrain of "pay no attention to the things they say", takes its percussive cues straight from acid jazz, with shuffling drums running under twinkling guitars and hazy vocals.
Wish Hotel is a purely solo work on Mondanile's part, unlike the LP that preceded it, and it's hard to tell whether he's less indebted to the influences that shaped The Flower Lane or simply less willing to wear them quite so obviously on his sleeve. Everything melts together gorgeously on standout 'Honey Tiger Eyes'; in a move that signals genuine progression, the guitar is used sparingly, more for punctuation than texture, with woozy synths the song's main driving force.
The biggest issue I've had with Ducktails in the past, though, continues to rear its head elsewhere on this EP; there's a fine line between sounding pleasantly lackadaisical and just plain meandering, and it hasn't been drawn very distinctly on the title track here. Elsewhere, Mondanile has had the good sense to keep the guitar solos brief and punchy, but here it's a drawn-out affair, and the decision to juxtapose unusually upbeat percussion with the otherwise standard Ducktails palette of mellow sounds eventually grates.
On the appropriately-titled 'Jazz', he's back to exploring new territory; there's a smattering of acoustic guitar in there, but otherwise the main complement to the skittering, freeform drumming is a well-matched couplet of spacey keys and a wandering riff. Instrumental closer 'Naive Music' is a variation on the same theme, and really serves more as an extended coda to the EP than anything else.
Without wanting to sound too critical, there is some naive music on Wish Hotel; it feels a tad bloated in places, and there's the occasional miss in terms of instrumental choices to go along with a plethora of hits. Such is the nature of experimentation, though, and it's refreshing to see the EP format being used for artistic advancement, rather than a cynical cash-in on unreleased material.
6Joe Goggins's Score


text:
Shares of Zynga (NASDAQ:ZNGA) skyrocketed more than 19% Friday morning after the mobile games maker halved its quarterly loss and investors reacted to its plan to buy rival NaturalMotion and lay-off 314 employees.
Continue Reading Below
The "Farmville" maker, which made the announcements after the market closed on Thursday, was met with a wave of upbeat analyst notes on Friday, including an upgrade to "neutral" by Janney Capital Markets.
"While Zynga's 4Q results and FY guidance beat our estimates, the company more importantly signaled investors to expect stabilization in bookings growth in 2014," Evercore analyst Ken Sena said in a note to clients.
Evercore, among several brokerages to raise its price target on Zynga's stock, lifted the target to $4.50 from $4.00 and maintained its "equal-weight" rating. Barclay's (NYSE:BCS) and Piper Jaffray also lifted their targets by 50 cents to $4.50 and maintained "equalweight" and "neutral" ratings, respectively.
Shares of Zynga were up 19.4% to $4.41 in recent trade. They are up 56% over the last 12 months but remain down 55% from their December 2011 market debut.
Zynga said it will axe 15% of its workforce and reduce spending on data-center infrastructure in an effort to cut up to $35 million in costs. It will take an up to $17 million restructuring charge in the first quarter.
Nearly 83% of those employees will be replaced by new talent acquired through NaturalMotion, Zynga said. Its rival games maker, known for "CSR Racing" and "Clumsy Ninja," has unique intellectual property in 3D movement and animation technology that Zynga hopes will "significantly accelerate" its pipeline.
Janney, which upgraded Zynga to "neutral" from "sell," said the acquisition of NaturalMotion allows Zynga to transition to a mobile-centric gaming company while simultaneously adding new U.K. users.
"As a result of these steps, we believe ZNGA has effectively bought itself some time to complete the transition to mobile and that the market will judge this positively," Janney analyst Tony Wible said in a note to clients.
Of course, challenges for Zynga remain, including the creation of a new blockbuster game as well as stemming the erosion of revenue, users and margins.
Zynga halved its loss to $25.2 million, or three cents a share, last quarter, compared with a year-earlier loss of $48.5 million, or six cents, however revenues tumbled 43% to $175 million.


text:
MCEER-99-0007 | 4/10/1999 | 186 pages
TOC: The table of contents is provided.
Notes: Response ratios, mode shapes and the input files for the programs used can be downloaded from here.
Keywords: Multi span bridges. Multiple span bridges. Simply supported bridges. Cable restrainers. Longitudinal movement. Design methods. Expansion joints. Supports.
Abstract: The 1971 San Fernando earthquake in California caused highway bridges to collapse because of excessive longitudinal movement at expansion joints and supports. Since then, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has installed longitudinal cable restrainers to prevent such collapse. In the study presented in this report, two existing design methods, the Caltrans and AASHTO methods, were evaluated for simply-supported bridges. In addition, three new design methods for restrainers were proposed and evaluated. The adequacy of the design methods was determined using nonlinear response history analyses of a large number of two- and five-span bridges. The models represented highway bridges that would be retrofitted with restrainers. All of the procedures considered in this study were found to be effective in preventing spans from unseating in most bridges even under strong earthquakes. In the most critical cases with narrow supports and skew, however, it was found that the Caltrans and a modified version of the Caltrans methods (a new method developed in this study) were the procedures that prevented unseating.


text:
|Attention: DocWiki has reached EOL and will be decommissioned January 25, 2019.
SIP Troubleshooting: SIP Calls Survivability Script Failing
From DocWiki
Revision as of 19:07, 18 December 2009 by Docwikibot (Talk | contribs)
SIP Calls Survivability Script Failing
|Problem Summary
|Survivability script does not seem to work.
|Error Message
|Possible Cause
|SIP calls from the IOS gateway are getting REFER to the ERROR DN, and critical error wav file is heard (or not heard). SIP calls originating from gateway do not contain "--CVP" in the remote party id header display name of the INVITE.
|Recommended Action
|The pots dial peer must match the incoming called number and be associated with the survivability service. For example:
dial-peer voice 1000 pots
service cvp-survivability
incoming called-number 8T
|Release 7.0(2)
|Associated CDETS #


text:
Uganda starts process to build the National Green House Gas (GHG) Inventory SystemAug 15, 2014
JINJA/ENTEBBE – Uganda will by the end of this year have established the framework for a National Green House Gas (GHG) Inventory System after the process to build it was started in workshops organised by the Ministry of Water and Environment's Climate Change Department and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through its Low Emission Capacity Building (LECB) Project.
The National Green House Gas (GHG) Inventory System is important for Uganda because it will create a system of documenting the procedures and processes involved in creating GHG inventories and ensuring data, information, and assumptions are reported and archived.
With over thirty participants from Government, Non-Governmental Organisations and the private sector, the workshops focused on training participants on various aspects of creating the inventory. The first workshop held late July in Jinja focused on establishing GHG sectoral working groups and training them on institutional arrangements, data collection procedures and requirements for a sustainable Greenhouse Gas Inventory Management System in Uganda.
While, the second one held in August in Entebbe trained participants in the specific requirements for data generation, data compilation, appropriate methods and emission factors, estimating and calculating anthropogenic GHG emissions by sources and removals by sinks using the data provided by each sector.
The training and capacity building of strategically selected public and private sector participants lays the foundation for the institutionalisation of the GHG national inventory system that in the future will support the Climate Change Department in reporting GHG emission data to the United Nations Framework Climate Change Conservation (UNFCCC).
"Uganda has a mandate to report to the UNFCCC and this requires data that is accurate and easy to understand. I am calling on all representatives from different agencies to take keen interest and learn how the system works so that we are able to report correct data when the time for reporting is due," Chebet Maikut, Deputy Coordinator, Climate Change Deaprtment, Ministry of Water and Environment said in his opening remarks at the Jinja workshop.
As a signatory of the Kyoto Protocol, Uganda is required to report to the UNFCCC regularly on the amount and sources of emissions of GHGs in the country. It is for this reason that the UNDP through the LECB project is supporting the Government to create a sustainable GHG Inventory Management System for Uganda.
"Countries globally have committed to contribute to the global reduction of GHGs and ultimately to complete a global de-carbonization process. Therefore, a robust GHG inventory system is essential in order for Uganda to live up to its commitments under the UNFCCC and to develop the country in a green and sustainable way." Frederik Staun, Programme Analyst for the LECB Project in UNDP said during the meeting in Entebbe.
He added that mapping the GHG emission sources in the different sectors allows Uganda to prioritise and focus the national mitigation actions and to develop a Low Emission Development Strategy to promote energy efficiency and implementation of clean energy technologies, which reduce production costs, create jobs and improve health.
During the workshops roles and responsibilities of the participants was discussed in depth and Sectoral Leads were appointed to coordinate the effort to collect and process GHG data within the areas of energy, transport, forestry, agriculture, waste and industry.
"This GHG inventory system is vital especially for the agricultural sector because the data collected will help in understanding how much the sector contributes to GHG effects and also enable us sensitise farmers and local government officials on mitigation measures that are relevant for their areas," Annunciate Hakuza, the agriculture sectoral lead and Senior Agricultural Economist in Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries said.
While Isaiah Tumwikirize, a geophysicist in Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development added that the system is important for all government ministries because it will be key in helping to develop plans and policies that address the effects of GHG emissions in the country.
"These plans," he said, "will be key in engaging communities that promote the use of renewable energy sources such as solar which contribute to the reduction in GHG emissions that are causing global warming and climate change."
Apart from supporting the set-up of the GHG inventory system for Uganda, the LECB project has also supported the selection of the Nationally Appropriate Mitigations Actions (NAMAs) for the country which are expected to mitigate the emissions and the effects of climate change that they come with. An in-built Measuring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system is also being developed to support these NAMAs.
The 3-year project is implemented by the Government of Uganda through the Climate Change Department in the Ministry of Water and Environment. It is part of the larger global LECB programme which is active in 25 countries and runs through to 2016.
It is funded by the European Union, the German Government and UNDP to a tune of US$ 672,000.


text:
Rage Buggy Bath
Forster Racing School offer the ultimate Rage Buggy Experience adrenaline-mad, motorsport passionate lovers of speed and fun. Extreme in every way, come along and experience the raw power and excitement of the Off Road Buggies. The experience this can offer to drivers is most thrilling and rewarding.
Serving Bath, our Off Road Buggy Experience is one of great fun and passion and run by Leo Forster, who himself is a British Motorsport Rallycross Champion. Whether you may be a beginner or experienced, our approach is such that we make sure our customers savour the moment and have fun upon choosing us for their Off Road Buggy Experience.
Off Road Buggy Bath
Our range of Off Road Buggies are ideal whether you fancy some one-off fun or if you are intent on hosting the ultimate corporate entertainment to close business delegates or even a team building event. We are an ideal choice for fulfilling both corporate and social events. This does also include stag and hen groups who are intent in having an adrenaline-fuelled experience to look back on with joy and laughter.
Rage Buggy Experience Bath
The buggies are both exhiliarating and tantalising and can achieve 0-60 mph in seconds, literally. We offer half day experiences for as low as £169 per person through to custom, bespoke courses in which we can teach the real art of rally driving right down to the very finest detail.
Also provided: Helmet, overalls and enough knowledge to get you started.
If you are interested in having the perfect Rage Buggy Experience, please get in touch today. We welcome any questions of queries which you may have. Please call now on 01243 210218 or email use direct on firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Shia LaBeouf removed from Broadway theater, arrested
Actor Shia LaBeouf has been arrested for criminal trespass and misconduct after causing a disruption at a New York City theater, police reported.
As of shortly before 1 a.m. ET, LaBeouf, 28, had been processed and released, New York police officer Adam Navarro said.
LaBeouf was smoking inside the theater, Studio 54, during a performance of the Broadway show Cabaret, and also slapping random strangers on the rear end, according to ABC News and The New York Post. The Post also reported LaBeouf threatened police with some colorful words.
MORE: The craziest details from Shia LaBeouf's Broadway arrest
Police put him in a face mask at headquarters, the Post reported.
A spokesman for the show says LaBeouf was "disruptive during act one" and was escorted out of the theater at intermission.
The ex-star of the Transformers franchise could not be reached for comment.
Police are continuing to investigate what happened.
LaBeouf's other films include Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Disturbia and Wall Street Never Sleeps.
Contributing: Associated Press
Shia LaBeouf was arrested...again. The ex "Transformers" star was caught smoking inside a New York theater and slapping random strangers on the behind. It's just the latest antics for the eccentric star.


text:
Colombia to Develop Its Own Drone Program to Combat Drug-Trafficking
The Colombian government recently announced plans to develop its own unmanned drones for military use throughout the Andean nation, a sign of the country's evolving use of technology in combating drug trafficking and organized crime.
Colombia is in the works of developing its own drones that will be used for both military and civilian purposes, including the monitor the country's vast oil pipeline network that comes under frequent attacks from the guerrilla-group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Since 2006, Colombia has used unmanned surveillance drones supplied by the U.S. in counterterrorism and counter-narcotics operations.
Colombian authorities were vague on whether or not the drones would be equipped to engage in combat operations.
"Here in Colombia we have decided to follow the same path that Korea and Israel took, with big technological development," said Colombia's Vice Minister of Defense Janeth Giha, according to the Colombian newspaper El Tiempo.
Along with the drone development, Colombia will also install by 2015 military radar in the country's central Meta province with the as yet-to-be-approved assistance of South Korea.
A classified U.S. State Department cable released by Wikileaks back in 2011 revealed that the U.S. Government supplied the small, ScanEagle unmanned aircraft to Colombia in 2006. The drone, which transmits real-time video back to monitors, was first used "to support U.S. hostage rescue efforts and assist" Colombia's military.
"But it promises to be equally useful for combat against terrorists and in riverine drug interdiction," wrote then-U.S. ambassador to Colombia William B. Wood, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The State Department cable did not go into detail to if the U.S. military maintained the drones or if they were given to the Colombian government as part of a multi-billion dollar aid program.
The ScanEagle drones were first deployed in 2005 by the U.S. Navy and Marines for intelligence-gathering in Iraq and have since been used in both Afghanistan and the Caribbean as well as in counter-piracy operations conducted by the U.S. Navy. The four-foot-long drones with a 10-foot wingspan are in demand due to their ability to take flight using a hydraulic catapult system, thus negating the need for a runway.
The use of drones has come under increasing scrutiny around the world, especially in U.S. operations along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. National sovereignty issues as well as civilians killed in drone strikes have created a sphere of criticism around the use of the devices.
Despite international controversy, in July the Department of Homeland Security announced plans to start unmanned surveillance flights into the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico in a move that would more than double miles now covered by the department's fleet of nine surveillance drones. Previous technologies in the area have failed to meet the surveillance requirements.
"U.S. Customs and Border Protection constantly monitors activity and trends of Transnational Criminal Organizations and works closely with other federal, state, local, tribal and international partners to combat smuggling in the source and transit zones," a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesperson said in an email to Fox News Latino. "This is an example of a bi-national, multi-agency, law-enforcement approach to address drug smuggling in the Caribbean."
The DHS hopes that the drones will be able to spot semi-submersible submarines and nighttime fast boat trips used by drug traffickers to transport cocaine and other drugs from Central America to Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean islands. Statistics show that the U.S. has apprehended five semi-submersibles in the region, but this is only a small number of those authorities believe travel through Caribbean waters.
"There is a lot more going on in the deep Caribbean, and we would like to know more," said a law enforcement official familiar with the program, according to the L.A. Times.
However, Air Force Gen. Douglas M. Fraser, the top military commander of the U.S. Southern Command (USSSOUTHCOM), where he reports on the actions of ships and manned surveillance airplanes to the Joint Interagency Task Force South, questioned the effectiveness of the drones.
"I'm not sure," he told the L.A. Times. "Just because it's a UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] that it will solve and fit in our problem set."
Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino
Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino


text:
When shopping for a knife, the biggest question to consider is, "What will I be using the knife for?" Once you figure out the main purpose for the knife, it's much easier to narrow down the specifics such as blade type and style. We'll go over some knife basics and help you choose the right knife for the job.
Blade Type.
- Drop-Point. This is a good all around blade suitable for many uses. Similar to a clip-point but with a more convex curve on the spine where it meets the tip of the blade. Stronger tip but not really good for piercing.
- Tanto. This blade has sharp straight angles and a strong tip. Good for piercing.
- Clip-Point. This blade is similar to a drop-point, but with a concave curve on the spine of the blade. One of the most popular styles for a reason, very versatile. Sharper tip makes for cutting in tight places or piercing.
- Normal. A straight back and curving edge. Good for thrusting, chopping and cutting.
Blade Material.
Blade steels are usually different blends of stainless steel. Different alloys give benefits over plain stainless steel. Vanadium added to stainless steel improves strength and ease of sharpening. Carbon steel is stronger and tougher than stainless steel and easier to sharpen, however without the chromium of stainless steel it is more apt to rusting. Manufacturers like to use their own custom blends of steel, so it's advisable to check the blade material on a knife you are considering to make sure it will hold up to the job. Remember, no matter the material, a blade will dull with use.
Fixed or Folder?
Should you choose a fixed blade knife or a folding blade? It again depends on the use. A fixed blade knife will be stronger due to the fact that the blade is one piece and there are no joints or moving pieces. A folding knife may be more convenient since the blade folds into the handle making it smaller and easier to carry.
Serrated or Plain Edge?
Whether you want a plain edge or serrated blade depends on the type of cutting you are going to be doing. A plain edge is great for smooth cuts, slicing and piercing. A serrated edge is good for rough cutting and sawing. An all around compromise is a partially serrated blade, which gives more versatility.
Handle Material.
What kind of material the handle is made out of depends on preference. If you are going to be using your knife in damp environments, you might not want a stainless steel handle that is smooth. Handles are made in different types of plastic, metal, even bone or wood. The handle may be textured or smooth. Once again, it would depend on what you are using the knife for. If you are working around a lot of chemicals or blood borne pathogens, you would need something non-absorbent like metal, not wood. Metal handles can get colder than other materials, so if you are outdoors in the cold, a metal handle might not be the best option.
Harry's Army Surplus has a huge selection of knives and tools fit for any job imaginable. Stop in or give us a call and speak with our highly knowledgeable staff, we'll make sure you get the right knife for the task at hand.


text:
- Dongguan Baixin Trappings And Textile Co., Ltd.
- China Manufacturer with main products:T-Shirt ,POLO Shirt ,Shirt ,Jacket ,Hoodies ,Dress ,Blouse
Home>Products>Ladies T-shirt>2015 Hot sale fashion ladies short sleeves flower print 100%cotton T-shirt
2015 Hot sale fashion ladies short sleeves flower print 100%cotton T-shirt
- USD $4.5 - $8.9 / Piece |Get Latest Price
- 500 Piece / Pieces
- 400000 Piece / Pieces per Month
- Shenzhen
- T/T MoneyGram Credit Card
Product Details
|100% Cotton
|Available Sizes:
|Free, L, M, S, XL, XS, XXL, XXS, XS, S, M, L, XXL, XXXL
|Black, Blue, Brown, Gray, Green, Pink, Purple, Red
|Fabric Weight:
|Other, 220 grams, 220 Grams
|Other, Printed, Printed
|Other, O-Neck, Round neck
|Other, With Pattern, Short sleeve
|Sleeve Style:
|Short Sleeve
|Anti-Pilling, Anti-Shrink, Anti-Wrinkle, Breathable, Compressed, Eco-Friendly
|Place of Origin:
|Guangdong, China
|Brand Name:
|Model Number:
|Age Group:
Product Description
2015 Hot sale fashion ladies short sleeves flower print 100%cotton T-shirt
Product Description:
Style: T-shirt
Style NO.: BX20021
Group: Adult
Fabric content: 100%Cotton
Wight Gram :220g/m²
Place of Origin: Humen, Dongguan,Guangdong
Technic: Printed
Product pitures:
Any special print,embroidering,heatsealed rhinestone,flocking
Customized-Garment :
t-shirt, polo shirt, hoody, fashion t-shirt, dress, vest, blouse..for adults and children.
1.Price:$4.5-8.9usd/pcs.(FOB Shenzhen or H.K)The accurate price are according to the quanlity,pattern,design,size,print style.
2.MOQ:500pcs/color one pattern. Capacity:400,000 pcs per month.
3.Size: It's better for you to provide us your size requirement.You can suggest the size referring to the chart below:
4.Delievry time:20 days
5.Payment Terms: T/T,L/C,Western Union
6.Fabric Composition:
100% cotton(combed,semi-combed),
1. What is the location of your factory? How many workers are there in your factory?
Our factory is located in Humen Town, a beautiful town near Shenzhen,China.There is about 500 works including 50 members in Quality Control.
2. What are your main products ?
Our main products are OEM T-shirt, Hoody, Jacket,Polo shirt, Sport Shirt. That means we can do the style according to you required. Just offer us your artwork or sample. We can copy it for you.
We also own 20 looms which can produce the fabric by ourselves. With this condition, we often develop new item of fabric for our customers.
3.What kinds of the technology you can do on the garment?
We can do the screen printing (water printing, Gel printing, Discharge printing, Flocking printing, Foil printing and so on). Embro and Sequin.
We can do the garment with yard dye. Tie dye,Dip dye
4. What is your main market?
Our main clients are from Brazil, Australia, USA, Russia and South America.
5. What is the delivery time of your sample?
Usually we need about 5-10 days to make the sample, the period varies with the different styles of the cloth.
6. What is your production period of mass production?What is your payment term?
Generally, the production period of mass production is 20-45 days. It also varies with the order qty.
7.What is your payment term?
We accept following payment ways:
1). 30% T/T deposit in advance,70% balance before shipment.
2). 30% T/T deposit in advance,70% balance against B/L copy.
3). L/C at sight
8. What is the loading port?
Our departure port is usually at Shenzhen or Guangzhou.
Contact Us
- Dongguan Baixin Trappings And Textile Co., Ltd.
- ContactCandy Cui
- Phone86-0769-89030505-822
- AddressBlock 4, Industry Street, Jianshe Road, Xinyu Village, Xinwan, Humen Town
|Jacket & Hoodies
|Ladies Blouse
|Ladies Dress
|Ladies T-shirt
|Model Catalog
|Polo Shirt
|Sport T-Shirt
- Black V Neck Lace Up Curved Hem T-shirt
- APPAREL Navy Striped Open Shoulder Ribbed T-shirt
- APPAREL Color Block Open Shoulder T-shirt LINEN T SHIRT
- short sleeve T-shirt FOR WOMEN
- apparel women korea design t-shirts
- Contrast T-shirt SM057
- mens designer t shirts discount activewear tops
- Cheap graphic bulk t shirts for printing
- Custom silk screen printing men's fashion cotton tshirts white clolor printed logo patterns American hot sales tshirt
- Short Sleeve Round neck Cotton Tri-blend Summer T-shirt Top
- Ladies T-Shirt SM039
- Lace T-shirt SM005
- 2018World cup cheering football fans tshirt
- women dress
- wholesale promotional tshirts custom logo tshirt manufacturer
Popular Searches
Recommended Products
- iron-free interlining, shirt interlining, woven, cotton
- water-soluble interlining shirt interlining woven
- shirt interlining fusible interlining woven interlining
- Atlanta Hawks #21 Wilkins Throwback white&red Jersey
- Houston Rockets #34 Olajuwon Throwback white&red Jersey
- Chicago Bulls #33 Pippen Throwback white&red Jersey
- 2019 All Star Los Angeles Lakers #23 James Black Jersey
- 2019 All Star Edmonton Oilers #97 McDavid Black Jersey
- 2019 All Star San Jose Sharks #88 Burns Black Jersey
- 2019 All Star Pittsburgh Penguins #87 Crosby Black Jersey
Find Similar Products By Category
- Apparel > T-Shirts > OEM Service


text:
NBCUniversal is shaking up the management of its entertainment cable channels and announced a change of strategy for a new network based on Esquire magazine.
The biggest executive shift comes at USA Network, where Chris McCumber was named president. McCumber had been working in tandem with Jeff Wachtel as co-president of the channel for nearly three years. USA Network is NBCUniversal's most profitable asset.
"Chris has proven himself a fantastic leader with a deep understanding of the enormous strength and equity of the USA brand," Bonnie Hammer, chairman of the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group, said in an email to her staff announcing the changes. McCumber is based in New York.
PHOTOS: Hollywood backlot moments
McCumber, who came up through the marketing ranks, "has played a critical role in establishing USA as an industry powerhouse ... [and] is perfectly positioned to shepherd USA into an exciting new chapter," Hammer wrote.
Wachtel, who is based in Los Angeles and had been the network's top programming executive, will step into a newly created position as president and chief content officer of NBCU Cable Entertainment. He will have oversight of the cable division's two production studios, Universal Cable Productions and Wilshire Studios.
"Jeff's development track record at USA is the envy of the TV business, so it makes sense to maximize his original programming expertise and business savvy by extending his purview across the entire portfolio," Hammer wrote in the email.
Frances Berwick, who has been president of Bravo, will take over Oxygen, one of NBCUniversal's small cable channels, so that the channel works in concert with Bravo.
"She'll not only bring to Oxygen her impeccable brand savvy, but also identify key synergies to bring the same must-see passion to an all-new audience," Hammer said.
Jason Klarman, who has been running Oxygen, will be leaving the company. Klarman was a protege of Lauren Zalaznick, who used to oversee Oxygen but is now in charge of digital ventures for NBCUniversal.
NBCUniversal is also changing its strategy regarding the launch of the Esquire channel. Originally G4, a channel aimed at young men that focused on video games, was going to be converted to Esquire. Now the Style Network instead will transition to Esquire,
Adam Stotsky will lead the Esquire Channel, as previously announced. Salaam Coleman-Smith, who has been president of Style, will stay on to help with the transition.
The new Esquire Network will debut Sept. 23 in about 75 million homes.
NBCUniversal TV executive Jeff Shell to head Universal film
Video on Demand reaches 60% of TV homes, Nielsen finds
Reviving canceled ABC soaps becomes a real-life drama
Twitter: @MegJamesLAT
ON LOCATION: People and places behind what's onscreen PHOTOS: Biggest box office flops of 2013 PHOTOS: Celebrity production companies
ON LOCATION: People and places behind what's onscreen
PHOTOS: Biggest box office flops of 2013
PHOTOS: Celebrity production companies


text:
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days Multiplayer Modes Revealed
IO Interactive, part of Square Enix Europe, has unveiled new information, screens, and video trailer for the multiplayer component of their upcoming crime shooter, Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days. In addition to the single-player campaign, the multiplayer is back with expanded Fragile Alliance gameplay and three new modes to brutally tempt, sway and cloud your better judgment.
"We've been working hard on making the Fragile Alliance multiplayer a much more expansive, rewarding and captivating experience for players," said Kim Krogh, multiplayer game director at IO Interactive. "The gritty visuals bring an entirely new intensity and realism to multiplayer. We've definitely changed the dynamics quite a bit and hope to push players to new levels of both greed and loyalty."
To help players prepare their criminal minds, IO Interactive has included Arcade Mode, which is a single player version of the Fragile Alliance mode. The objective is to help the Alliance escape with as much of the loot as possible with players getting paid if they survive the round. It continues through increasingly challenging levels as long as they survive and escape, but with the cops coming down hard and an escape vehicle that can't wait, the pressure is on.
No Kane and Lynch experience would be complete without the classic Fragile Alliance. The celebrated multiplayer experience based on Greed, Betrayal & Revenge has extended with more risk and more rewards. Players will have to work together as a team to escape with as much loot as possible, within a four minute time period. They'll need to move fast, and if they decide betray the team and make off with the money on their own, all bets are off. Die, and they respawn as a cop to prevent the heist. This mode is playable with up to eight players.
Just to add to the already treacherous nature of the criminal underworld, Undercover Cop adds an extra level of paranoia to Fragile Alliance as teams are infiltrated by a mole set to stop the Alliance. One player is chosen at random to be the undercover cop. Play too cautiously and the other criminals might get wind of what's up but run out in front, the cops won't shoot, and cover will be blown. It's a delicate balance, but ultimately it's all up to the player. The undercover cop has to single handedly stop the heist by killing each one of his "teammates." This mode is playable with up to eight players.
Building on the relationship between law enforcement and those looking to turn a quick buck, Cops & Robbers creates a new team-based dynamic as Robbers try to gather and protect their loot whilst Cops are trying to retrieve it. Each round the teams swap sides of the law, giving players the chance to experience both ends of the playing field. At the end of four rounds, to the victors go the spoils. This mode is playable with up to 12 players.
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days follows two of the most infamous criminals in video game history, back together once again. Step into the criminal underbelly of Shanghai in one of the most realistic and genuinely brutal games ever created. Following their separation in 2007, Lynch relocates to Shanghai to get a fresh start. He joins up with a group of ex-pat criminals and when the deal of a lifetime presents itself, Lynch contacts Kane to come in on the job. Reluctantly, Kane agrees and arrives in Shanghai. In true Kane and Lynch form, nothing goes right from the start. Both of them are now marked men, targeted by corrupt government forces and the entire Shanghai criminal world. Follow them through 48 hours of hell as they shoot their way through Shanghai, just trying to make it out alive.
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days will be released on the Eidos games label and will be coming to North America on August 24, 2010.


text:
This document has been archived and replaced by: nsf15502.
Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation 2014 (EFRI-2014): Two-Dimensional Atomic-layer Research and Engineering (2-DARE) Archived
Document Type: Program Announcements & Information. View Program Page
Document Number: nsf13583
Document History: Posted: July 25, 2013. Replaces: nsf12583. Replaced By: nsf15502.
For more information about file formats used on the NSF site, please see the Plug-ins and Viewers page.


text:
Touch-screen operation is seamlessly integrated
World's smallest DSLR, Truly compact body
Small body size, Touchscreen
Very small and light with good grip for small to medium-size hands
Photos are very subtly sharper
Smallest full-frame camera available, Impressive noise performance
High-resolution full frame sensor in a small-ish camera package
Sharp lens, Good high ISO performance
Multiple picture effects and color modes
Pretty good camera to use on a day to day basis
Fantastic underwater
ReviewGist helps you find the best products to buy by making sense of online reviews.
We are currently aggregating 376,500 reviews
covering over 29,483 products.
© 2019 ReviewGist.com. All Rights Reserved.


text:
Audi Melges 20s Take Over The Low Country
10 April 2014
Charleston, SC - After yet another successful winter series in Biscayne Bay, the Audi Melges 20 fleet has migrated north to participate in the largest one design regattas in the United States, Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week (CRW). As a staple fleet in this event for the past 5 years, Audi Melges 20 owners flock to this event to be able to race in the always changing Charleston Harbor, while enjoying off the water festivities in arguably the best food and party town in the country.
Along with having the draw of being in a historic, charming city, Charleston has been able to grow as the largest event through great race management that Audi Melges 20 owners have come to expect, along with a regatta village that has plenty of rum drinks, live music and banter to keep everyone in a good state of mind. Three races are scheduled each day through Sunday, and with an excellent Race Committee on watch, it will be up to the sailors to figure out any advantages the course provides.
Racing in Charleston Harbor is anything but straightforward, and with breeze that is affected by land on all sides of the race course, and strong current that flows in and out of the harbor mouth, along with the Ashley and Cooper rivers, there is plenty of moving waters to keep sailors guessing. Anthony Kotoun, tactician on Rob Wilbur's Cinghiale summarized sailing in Charleston, "Racing in Charleston Harbor is where jungle ball meets an obstacle course. With strong current and shifty breeze, there is plenty of opportunity for big gains and losses which keeps the racing exciting and fun."
Many of the Audi Melges 20 class veterans are in attendance, along with a few new faces as well. Current World Champion John Taylor and his Ninkasi team are ready to have another good performance off their impressive Bacardi win, while Russ Lucas on Shimmer will get the opportunity to race against his daughter Grace and the Bombardo team. In a fleet deep with talent and experience and a great forecast on tap, Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week is ready to get underway.
Racing commences tomorrow, 11 April, the first of three days. Three races are scheduled.
As with other Audi Melges 20 events in North America and around the world, racing updates will be posted online at the Official Audi Melges 20 Facebook Page. Tune in for the latest racing information, results, video interviews, and photos. Race reports, press releases and photos will be available online each day post racing at melges20.com.
Official Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week 2014 Website
Yachtscoring Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week 2014
Full Entry List


text:
Lil Wayne: The Blue Martian (New Mixtape /Free Download Link)[User Submitted]
"Lil Wayne's "The Blue Martian" mixtape is available for FREE download exclusively at MixtapeEvolution.com! The mixtape features appearances by Game, Rick Ross, Nas, Drake, Damian Marley + More!!" - Mixtapeevolution "
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


text:
Hampton Inn Benicia properties are listed below. Search for cheap and discount Hampton Inn hotel prices in Benicia, CA for your personal or business trip. We list the best Hampton Inn Benicia hotels + motels so you can review the Benicia Hampton Inn hotel list below to find the perfect place.
This service will provide Benicia, CA hotels/motels that have similar star rating to Hampton Inn.Need a group/meeting discount? Request a group rate for Benicia CA
How should we direct your call?


text:
Ok I don't know if this is overpowered or not, but I've found it to be a ridiculously good strategy with the current beta.
Pick Paladin, get Mysteria worship as soon as you can, then use your healing during fights to level up piety, healing is so cheap that it will level up very quickly. Now spend all your piety on the 'magic' boon which gives you extra mana points at the cost of extra monster magic resist. The trick to this strategy is the fact that you're attacking monsters with your sword so there's no drawback to taking this boon over and over, as long as you remember to cast heal or another spell every couple of swings the god won't get angry.
Take on the hardest monsters you can, and use healing liberally. You'll quickly see a snowball effect happen, more heals -> more piety -> magic boon -> higher mana pool -> more heals and by the time you're level 6 or so you'll be taking on level 8's without any problem due to the sheer amount of healing you can do. By the end of the game your mana pool will be around 30 and you'll usually be level 9 or 10 by the time you take on the final boss.
The boss itself is easy because you'll have so many heals, mana pots are ridiculously good with this strategy because they're based off your total mana pool.
I haven't decided on the best race for this build but I'm leaning towards dwarf or gnome. If you find and destroy a few glyphs before getting worship then gnome is probably better since mana pots are so damn good, but if you get worship first then it will anger the gods to do so, so you're better off going with dwarf.
For preparations, the only one you really need is Scout: Altar, but good weapons and stuff like the mana burn immunity helm will make this strategy even better.


text:
The online 3D model system makes it very easy for an engineer to evaluate different part configurations in a virtual environment.
Harleysville, PA (PRWEB) February 08, 2013
PITTMAN Motors, a unit of AMETEK Precision Motion Control, has introduced configurable 3D CAD model downloads for its entire offering of brushless DC motors. The 3D model system is an online system through the PITTMAN website that allows an engineer to fully configure a motor with a wide variety of optional components, such as planetary and spur gearboxes, brakes, and encoders.
The online 3D model system makes it very easy for an engineer to evaluate different part configurations in a virtual environment. A customer can configure a part by choosing such parameters as motor voltage, torque rating, gearbox ratio, and encoder resolution. After configuring a part as many times as necessary, the file can then be downloaded in the most commonly used CAD software file formats including Solid Works, CATIA, and Pro/E. The file also can be downloaded in a vendor-neutral format, such as an .IGS or .STP file. The system allows the creation of a fully dimensioned outline drawing generated directly from the configured CAD model.
After a virtual configuration is created using the online 3D model system, a product engineer can work closely with PITTMAN applications engineers to create a more customized application-specific solution. Options include optimized motor windings, unique shaft configurations, various bearing systems, output devices such as pinions and pulleys, special lead wire assemblies, and various other features. Engineers can be reached at 267-933-2105 to discuss an application in more detail.
PITTMAN offers a wide range of brushless DC motors, which are available in a variety of frame sizes, torque and power ratings. Frame sizes range from 0.375-in (9.5mm) for miniature high-speed brushless DC motors up to 5.25-in (133mm) for high- torque brushless DC motors with integrated controllers. Output torque ranges from 0.3 oz-in (0.002 Nm) to 1824 oz-in (12.88 Nm) without a gear box. Both planetary and spur gearboxes are available for most brushless DC motors, greatly increasing the available torque output. Gear ratios up to 4732.5:1 are possible. A wide variety of encoder types are also available designed to meet just about any application requirement.
Product applications for Pittman DC motors are diverse and span a wide variety of high-tech industries, including medical instruments, laboratory automation, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, laser and optics equipment, or just about any other application where precision motion is needed.