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OMAK The final pairings for the bi-district boys and girls high school basketball tournaments, which start Friday, were determined following play-in games last night.
In 1A boys play, Cashmere eliminated Omak, 62-43, and Chelan knocked out Cascade, 53-49.
In 1A girls games, Okanogan overcame a slow start to send Omak home, 46-18, and Cascade beat Chelan, 47-36.
Tonight's play-in 1B games include Odessa-Harrington girls at Republic and Inchelium girls at Wilbur-Creston. Both games are at 6 p.m.
First-round 1A boys games Friday include Cashmere against Riverside at 3:15 p.m. at Okanogan High School; Newport against Okanogan at 5 p.m. at Omak High School; Chelan vs. Okanogan at 6:45 p.m. at Okanogan and Freeman against Brewster at 8:30 p.m. in Omak.
First-round 1A girls games Friday include Freeman vs. Okanogan at 3:15 p.m. at Omak; Kettle Falls vs. Cashmere at 5 p.m. in Okanogan; Newport vs. Brewster at 6:45 p.m. at Omak and Cascade vs. Lakeside at 8:30 p.m. in Okanogan.
Game times Saturday could differ from current bracket times if a school has two teams competing at the same time, tournament director and Omak Athletic Director Nick Popelier said.
Games resume Saturday in Omak or Okanogan with two teams eliminated and teams in the championship game determined.
Final games are Feb. 21-22 at West Valley in Spokane.
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.


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Scariest thing that has ever happened in your life
Last night when I had an attack
I thought I was having a heart attack and that I was going to die.
Turns out I have gallstones and whatever fatty food I just ate pissed off my gallbladder.
I had to be rushed to ER...
The pain was unimaginable..
the scariest moment of my life would be back when I was in 6th grade, I was going home and then I realised I lost my keys, so I went to my moms work place (which was pretty close to my house and school) to ask her for the keys, when I was about to get there crossing the last block, a taxi comes out of nowhere and hits me, and I couldn't see it comming cause the 2 cars that stoped for me was blocking my view, (oh almost forgot, the street I was crossing had 6 lanes, 3 on each side that goes the opposite direction from each other, and also that intersection had no traffic lights either) so the 2 cars stoped for me on 2 of the lanes and the last lane, (which I was crossing about to reach the other side) the taxi pops out and hits me, and people said I flew about 30 feet away. I though I was gonna die cause people around me kept looking at me and calling on their cellphones and I didn't know what to do cause i was like 11, and then the ambulance came and took me to the hospital. It took like 2 or 3 weeks for my injuries to completely heal, and thank god I didn't die or get any scars on my face or anywhere on my body.
College classes can be so boring and tiring...
the scariest thing that ever happen to me mmm most be me seeing a ghost standing next to me in my country freak the crap out of me and scary things happen to me all the time is not funny
ummm, i dunno actually,i no there's somat but i cant thin wat.
seeing myself die in my dream. heck that was terrifying
Losing my panties during camp. >.< I wanted to disappear after that...I still haven't found it...
redqueens wrote:
Losing my panties during camp. >.< I wanted to disappear after that...I still haven't found it...
So what did you wear? Nothing, I presume..
when I had to kill a spider by myself..serious. and when i almost drowned in a really deep pool when i was younger, but saved by my mommy. =)
i fell down the bed and i heard a sound from a window it was scary cause i was alone at my room
congrats tavia!!!!!! <333
one NORMAL day at school, we were having a game. when i was annoyed by the chalk dust all over my hand, i went down in the restroom. while i was washing my hands, i looked at the mirror and saw a girl dressed in a black floral blouse and a long black skirt, straightly staring at me while walking- err floating inside the first cubicle of the restroom. i didn't see her entering the door behind me. i thought i was just hallucinating but when i blinked, she was still there, badly staring at me. i wondered to myself, "if she's going to pee or do her stuff, why wouldn't she close the door?" random things came across my mind. and then i thought, "oh shit! did she just went right through the wall??" and when i realized that she wasn't a person, i immediately ran out of the restroom and went straight into the classroom. i was shocked. i told my friends about it. and now, they don't go to the restroom alone. here's what's more frightening about it, weeks later my professor was talking about a ghost in the girl's restroom. turns out, she saw the exact same girl that i saw. i was so scared and told her about my story. we were all crept out. scary eh? this is true. no lies.
You mean other than the fact the my bf turned out to be gay? I don't know.
hmm...eerie encounter during my basic millitary training...ah it reali freak mi out....
stoning ~~~
when i was 10...the aparment below me went on fire..i thought i was a goner
the scariest thing that have ever happened to me is that i got i a car crash.
when my grandfather went into the hospital. when my grandma went to the hospital. when my grandma fainted during my grandfather's funeral.

subset: commoncrawl


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Wendy's glad to be in pink
WENDY Barnes is using her personal journey with cancer to help find a cure for others.
The Mooloolaba resident, a breast cancer survivor, is training for the 200km Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer on August 18 and 19.
The ride starts at the University of Queensland campus in Brisbane, goes through Ipswich, out to Wivenhoe Dam and back the following day.
Wendy has had a lumpectomy - the removal of the lymph nodes in her left arm - six cycles of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation.
It has been nearly four years since the diagnosis but with the help of her husband Trevor and children, Hayley, 19, Tayla, 17 and Riley, 12, Wendy said she felt positive the cancer would not come back.
"To me it's all gone, it will never come back," she said.
"It's been an amazing journey and I feel like I've become a better person and I'm living life and doing more challenges.
"This year I needed a challenge and my daughter told me about the (Rio Tinto) ride."
But to participate in the ride, Wendy needs to raise $2500.
She raised $2300 from a barefoot bowls night, through friends in South Australia and by placing collection tins in shops.
Wendy is keen to beat her original target and raise $3500.
She is hosting a Pink 'N' Bling fundraiser at the Kawana Waters Hotel on Saturday.
"It's a night for the ladies, so they'll be coming in pink and bling," Wendy said.
Auction items include a night at Twin Waters Resort, Maroochy RSL vouchers, home appliances, travel bags, hair products and a two-hour ride in a pink stretch Hummer with champagne and chocolates, valued at $1200.
WHEN: Saturday, May 5, 7pm
WHERE: Kawana Waters Hotel, Nicklin Way
INFO: 0428 352 601 or 5444 1038
To find out more about the Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer, visit conquercancer.org.au.


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Get Custom Renderings From DoD
Multi-functional spaces, by definition, require a balancing act. The ability to quickly and easily reconfigure a space. Add or subtract elements. When it comes to flooring, we employ the principles of Balanced Choice to create innovative solutions that are modular. Solutions that simplify installation, allow for multiple design changes and create real lifetime return on investment.
We offer modular systems in a variety of material options, including rubber and vinyl. You can choose from many unique patterns and textures. Or create one-of-a-kind designs by mixing and matching, turning and quarter turning. Today, our modular flooring solutions enhance an ever-growing number of fitness, education, healthcare and corporate environments.
Multi-function is at the heart of modular design. It allows you to build one multi-purpose room in place of a gym and cafeteria. Design a conference room that turns into offices. Or a classroom that transforms into a workout area. Modular flooring can be installed, removed and reinstalled in no time.
Representing the ideal balance of aesthetics, multi-functionality and real return on investment, our modular systems coordinate with other elements in the system. Use with access commercial flooring systems to allow for simple and effective reconfiguration of electrical and data systems and interior space. Combine it with rePLACE® our demountable wall base, to create a space that works best for the people who use it today, yet is capable of transforming to meet their changing needs tomorrow. And who wouldn't be happy about that?


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Now that the Cleveland Strangler serial killer's trial has come to an end, an automatic appeal has been filed for the death penalty case.
Anthony Sowell was convicted of murdering eleven woman in Northeast Ohio and stashing their bodies at his Imperial Avenue home.
19 Action News is already hearing of arguments that might get made during the appeal and how we "might" have to do it all over again.
Let's go back before the trial began.
The State Supreme Court kicked Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold off the case after defense lawyers questioned if she could be fair. Next, Judge Timothy McGinty took himself off the trial after defense lawyers raised questions about him releasing records.
So what else? During trial, Judge Dick Ambrose held a big part of jury selection behind closed doors, an act Anthony Sowell never agreed upon. Defense lawyers also made an issue of an interrogation that went on for hours, videotaped without Sowell's permission.
Prosecutors even asked for a mistrial.
Finally, could there be an argument of ineffective counsel? An issue with Sowell's own defense lawyers? They didn't call any witnesses as the jury considered guilt or innocence. Now, should any of that really mean he should get another chance?
You might call it nitpicking to help out a creepy serial killer, but an appeals court won't look at what Sowell did, but how the system treated him.
Copyright 2011 WOIO. All rights reserved.


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MCADCafe Editorial
Jeff Rowe
Jeffrey Rowe has more than 40 years of experience in all aspects of industrial design, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing. On the publishing side, he has written well over 1,000 articles for CAD, CAM, CAE, and other technical publications, as well as consulting in many capacities in the … More »
What's Next: 2018 MCADCafe Editorial Calendar
November 23rd, 2017 by Jeff Rowe
It's almost the end of November, so with just over a month left of this year, it's not too early to start thinking about what we'll be covering in 2018. The calendar below reflects what we regard as some of the most important topics today in design and manufacturing, as well as feedback from our readers and other supporters requesting content.
The main theme for each month will be covered in an extended article or series of articles so that the topic can be covered more comprehensively.
We'll also be covering some of the major MCAD events throughout the year, reporting what we see and hear from vendors, partners, and attendees. All of the events we attend will include daily written coverage and Tweets throughout event days, as well as video and audio interviews, and podcasts.
If you have any thoughts of topics you would like to see covered in 2018, feel free to contact me at email@example.com or 719.221.1867.
We look forward to an exciting 2018 and providing you with the MCAD content you want most for improving your design, engineering, and manufacturing processes.
Keep MCADCafe.com your source for all things MCAD because 2018 is going to be a great year!
2018 MCADCafe Editorial Calendar of Monthly Topics
January 2018 – Blockchain in Manufacturing
February 2018 — Cloud Computing with MCAD Applications
Show Coverage — SolidWorks World 2018
Read the rest of What's Next: 2018 MCADCafe Editorial Calendar
Autodesk University 2017: Design More, That's Better, With Less
November 16th, 2017 by Jeff Rowe
Although I'm not much of a fan for Las Vegas per se, I do enjoy attending Autodesk's annual spectacle that attracts at least 10,000 attendees to Sin City — Autodesk University.
This year's event was markedly different than ones in the recent past. Different because:
I'll briefly discuss each of these bulleted items, but will cover each of them in more detail in coming weeks
Words From The New CEO
Having been the President and CEO of Autodesk since June, Andrew Anagnost took the stage the first day of AU in his relatively new role to talk about the theme of this year's AU, which was designing more things, designing better things, and accomplishing this with less — materials, staff, resources, and time.
Andrew Anagnost, AU 2017 Keynote
Anagnost said the panacea for making this happen is automation that will actually increase jobs and productivity. We shouldn't be so concerned about if automation take our jobs as we should be of the opportunities of where automation will take us. With so much happening so quickly on the automation and technology fronts, the problem is not so much a scarcity of jobs as it is a scarcity of skills to benefit from the opportunities.
An interesting numerical comparison he made that back in the day there were approximately 300,000 drafters in design, manufacturing, and architecture. Compare that to today's approximately 10,000,000 design software users and you appreciate how things have changed by the sheer number of people involved on the creative design side.
This week Autodesk also announced that it has formed a new partnership with Village Capital to fund the creation of their workforce development and transition initiative, focused on entrepreneurship, job training, and upskilling in a world of automation. The company is also teaming up with LinkedIn Learning to offer free access to more than 40 courses in multiple languages, relevant to the architecture, infrastructure, construction, and manufacturing industries.
Technology can accelerate solutions to our most pressing problems, such as anticipated global population growth of 30 percent by 2050, but only if people are prepared work with machines in new ways. These are the latest moves in Autodesk's efforts to prepare the workforce to thrive in a future that will require people to make and build more, do it better, and with less negative impact on the world.
Read the rest of Autodesk University 2017: Design More, That's Better, With Less
L&H Design Werks Migrates and Benefits from Kenesto's True Cloud Vault
November 9th, 2017 by Jeff Rowe
Like many small- and medium-size businesses contemplating a PDM system, L&H Design Werks wondered what PDM could do for them. The Coopersville, Michigan-based company designs customized production machines, but also designs fixturing, and robotic cells, with experience in welding, metal forming, automotive glass and high-speed material handling applications. L&H has also done a considerable amount of conceptual design. All these capabilities demand that design and associated data be managed with a secure PDM system that can be accessed by those needing the data. It was secure data management and access that prompted L&H to make the decision to implement a PDM system in the first place.
Since 2005, L&H Design Werks has been using SOLIDWORKS as its primary design tool, largely because it perceived its industry moving toward it, and they saw SOLIDWORKS as being a more flexible a tool than some of the other CAD packages they had evaluated.
After the CAD tool was in place, what prompted L&H Design Werks to consider PDM in the first place? According to Brian Land, CEO of L&H Design Werks, "We wanted to be able to have more than one person work on a project/design at a time. We started with SOLIDWORKS PDM Workgroup because it was relatively inexpensive and fairly straightforward to use. We started using it right away with our first purchase of SOLIDWORKS."
The Move to Kenesto PDM
While L&H was satisfied with SOLIDWORKS PDM Workgroup for a while, it started to look for alternatives because SOLIDWORKS decided to no longer offer Workgroup PDM and wanted the company to move to SOLIDWORKS PDM Enterprise. "Because we are not very large, we like to keep things basic. I felt Enterprise had more bells and whistles than we needed. We like the keep it simple, stupid (KISS) approach," said Land.
"Also, one of our customers wanted to be able to easily access our CAD files. That way if they made changes on the floor it was immediately updated, so that we saw the changes as soon as they did. I also knew that cloud-based storage seemed to make the most sense moving forward for safety in knowing it's always backed up. That's when we seriously looked at Kenesto as an alternative and replacement, and have been using it for the past several months. We have been putting some of our older projects up to Kenesto and put all new projects there."
Land said, overall, his experience with Kenesto has exceeded his expectations. "The people I have dealt with at Kenesto are all excellent, going above and beyond to help us out. We had some problems in the beginning that were a result of some of our equipment and setup, and they helped us to get in the right direction and it's made a big difference. There have been some glitches from time to time, but most of those problematic issues are related to SOLIDWORKS, and not Kenesto."
Read the rest of L&H Design Werks Migrates and Benefits from Kenesto's True Cloud Vault
Theorem Solutions Democratizes Different Realities
November 2nd, 2017 by Jeff Rowe
It seems that everybody wants in on the action in the various "realities" game. Case in point — Theorem Solutions, a company known largely for its product data interoperability and PLM has launched a Multi-Device Visualization Experience App for Augmented (AR), Mixed (MR), and Virtual Reality (VR) devices and markets.
Traditionally, Theorem's products and solutions have enabled companies to leverage their CAD and PLM assets in other parts of their business, primarily in data sharing with downstream processes and suppliers, and now in the emerging Augmented, Mixed, and Virtual Reality sectors.
The Visualization Experience app forms part of Theorem's Digital Realities product family, and has been specifically developed for users to engage and interact with their Engineering and Manufacturing data. It is one of the first to offer a single solution for all three different technologies in a single application.
What are Virtual and Augmented Realities?
The Multi-Device application is a single application built from the ground up using the latest graphics gaming engine, producing stunning graphical representations of your data, which is a real game changer to the world of traditional CAD graphics and visualization.
Supported devices include:
Being Multi-Device, the application allows users to use the same data, in the same visualization application, on all the different low-cost devices.
Read the rest of Theorem Solutions Democratizes Different Realities
NVIDIA's AI Computer Drives AVs
October 19th, 2017 by Jeff Rowe
This week NVIDIA unveiled what it claims to be the world's first artificial intelligence computer designed specifically to "drive" fully autonomous vehicles.
The new system, codenamed Pegasus, brings the NVIDIA® DRIVE™ PX AI computing platform for handling Level 5 driverless vehicles (Level 5 is "steering wheel optional." In other words, no human intervention is required, for example, a robotic taxi). NVIDIA DRIVE PX Pegasus can perform over 320 trillion operations per second — more than 10x the performance of its predecessor, NVIDIA DRIVE PX 2.
NVIDIA DRIVE PX Pegasus is intended to help make a new class of vehicles possible that can operate without a driver — fully autonomous vehicles without steering wheels, pedals, or mirrors, and interiors that feel more like a living room or office than a vehicle. They will arrive on demand to safely take passengers to their destinations, bringing mobility to everyone, including the elderly and disabled.
One of the driving forces behind autonomous vehicles is to recapture millions of hours of lost time that could be used by "drivers" (really passengers) to work, play, eat or sleep on their daily commutes. Theoretically, countless lives could be saved by vehicles that are never fatigued, impaired, or distracted — increasing road safety, reducing congestion, and possibly freeing up land currently used for parking lots.
Of the 225 partners developing on the NVIDIA DRIVE PX platform, more than 25 are developing fully autonomous robotaxis using NVIDIA CUDA GPUs. Today, their trunks resemble small data centers, loaded with racks of computers with server-class NVIDIA GPUs running deep learning, computer vision and parallel computing algorithms. Their size, power demands and cost make them impractical for production vehicles.
NVIDIA AI Vehicle Demonstration
The computational requirements of robotaxis are enormous — perceiving the world through high-resolution, 360-degree surround cameras and lidars, localizing the vehicle within centimeter accuracy, tracking vehicles and people around the car, and planning a safe and comfortable path to the destination. All this processing must be done with multiple levels of redundancy to ensure the highest level of safety. The computing demands of driverless vehicles are easily 50 to 100 times more intensive than the most advanced cars today with human drivers.
PTC Marches On With New Vuforia AR Platform Release
October 12th, 2017 by Jeff Rowe
This week PTC announced the upcoming release of the newest version of its Vuforia platform for AR development, Vuforia 7. The company says Vuforia 7 will introduce major advancements in the ability to attach digital content to more types of objects and environments, and a new capability for delivering enhanced AR experiences on a wide range of handheld devices.
PTC claims that Vuforia is the world's most widely used platform for AR development. With support for mobile phones, tablets and eyewear, Vuforia has powered more than 475 million installs of AR apps from the App Store and Google Play. Vuforia Engine, the core of the platform, uses a device's camera(s) and sensors to function as a digital "eye" inside an app. It "sees" objects and surfaces where content can be placed, and enables developers to create AR experiences using existing development tools.
Vuforia 7 will introduce Model Targets, a new feature for attaching content to objects that have not been recognizable using existing computer vision technology. Model Targets recognize objects by shape, in contrast to existing methods that rely on detailed visual designs typically found on print media, product packaging and many consumer goods. With Model Targets, content can be attached to objects such as automobiles, appliances, and industrial equipment and machinery. Model Targets will enable a new class of AR content that can replace traditional user manuals and technical service instructions.
Jay Wright, President, Vuforia: State of Augmented Reality
Responding to developers, Vuforia 7 will also introduce a new capability for placing content on horizontal surfaces. Vuforia Ground Plane enables content to be placed on the ground, floor or tabletop, whether indoors or outdoors. Vuforia Ground Plane extends the functionality of the Vuforia Smart Terrain feature, first announced in 2013 to take advantage of depth sensing cameras. Vuforia Ground Plane will support a wide range of today's devices and provides an ideal solution for developers to build visualization apps, ranging from in-home furniture shopping to design review.
Read the rest of PTC Marches On With New Vuforia AR Platform Release
Dassault Systemes Acquiring Exa for CFD
October 5th, 2017 by Jeff Rowe
It seems that a lot of CAD companies have taken a greater interest in digital simulation the past several years. Case in point — the recent MSC Software acquisition by Hexagon. That high level of interest was again evidenced this week as Dassault Systèmes and Exa Corporation with its simulation software for product engineering, announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement for Dassault Systèmes to acquire Exa. Under the terms of the merger agreement, this represents a value for Exa of approximately $400 million. Exa's fiscal year ended January 31, 2017 and its revenue was $72 million.
With the addition of Exa, Dassault Systèmes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform will provide customers with a mature, diverse portfolio of combined Lattice Boltzmann fluid simulation technologies, as well as Exa's fully industrialized solutions and approximately 350 experienced simulation professionals. Because of its solving method, Exa's solutions can solve fluids problems faster and more accurately than traditional methods for aerodynamics, aeroacoustics, and thermal management.
STEM Provides Roots and Growth
September 28th, 2017 by Jeff Rowe
A debate continues to rage about America's general decline in science, engineering, and technology, largely blamed on the first steps of our youngest citizens – math and literacy education.
A couple of years ago I taught math to middle and high school students and witnessed firsthand not only the challenges, but also the opportunities for positive change brought about by a belief and commitment to teaching.
From my perspective, I learned that I taught to overcome two different but related needs – innumeracy (unfamiliarity with mathematical concepts and methods and the inability to use mathematics) as well as illiteracy (the inability to read and write). They both go hand in hand, because as important as getting the numbers right is, the ability to provide a convincing argument and communicate the numerical answer of the "why and how" is just as important.
Quality Information Framework: The Digital Thread For Interoperability
September 21st, 2017 by Jeff Rowe
Interoperability, collaboration, inspection, quality, standards, proprietary data, neutrality, competition, and innovation. Over the years there have been myriad attempts to bring these processes together, all while protecting IP. However, as we know, while the attempts to make this happen have often been valiant, too often they have fallen well short, or worse, failed altogether.
That legacy of failure is on its way to being a thing of the past with the advent of the Quality Information Framework (QIF), an ANSI standard that supports digital thread concepts in engineering applications ranging from product design through manufacturing. Based on the XML standard, it contains a Library of XML Schema ensuring both data integrity and data interoperability in Model Based Enterprise (MBE) implementations.
QIF supports design, metrology, manufacturing, and is critical to the Industrial Revolution 4.0. Because it is XML based, QIF can be relatively easily integrated with Internet applications, and unlike other existing standards, there is no real barrier standing in the way for industry adopting QIF. It also effectively supports newer technologies, including additive manufacturing and the Internet of Things (IoT).


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Old Town Bluffton is one of Bluffton's most visited sections of town.
We want to know what is your favorite place to go or to visit?
Take five minutes or less and fill out our 12-question survey about Old Town Bluffton for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to a business there.
Click here to go to the survey


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Editor's Note: Apparently the donations@fosters email was not working these past few days. It is now up and running.
We hope as many people as possible will support the annual Caring and Sharing food drive under way through Nov. 5, at regional Hannaford's supermarkets.
And, as noted earlier this week, it is also a good time for organizations to join Foster's Daily Democrat's annual Holiday Donations List.
The list is intended to help organizations in the Seacoast and Tri-City regions assist those in need.
The list is open to all nonprofit organizations collecting food, clothes, toys, money, gift cards and other goods for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Organizations collecting year-round are also encouraged to join the list.
For an organization to appear on the donations list, a representative should fill out the coupon attached to this story and return it by mail to: Rodney G. Doherty, Executive Editor, Foster's Daily Democrat, 150 Venture Drive, Dover, N.H. 03820. The donation request may be dropped off at the newspaper's Venture Drive address.
For electronic filing, a link is on Fosters.com, or coupon information and the list of needs can be emailed to email@example.com.
It is very important for those who want their organization to appear on the list that they provide all the information requested on the coupon, whether using a hard copy coupon or email. Other than the list of needs, a name and contact information and the deadline (expiration date) for receiving goods must be included.
A separate list of needed items may be attached to the coupon if it is mailed or dropped off at Foster's.
Below is the list of organizations seeking donations:
The Rochester Salvation Army needs diapers of all sizes, baby wipes; hats, scarves, mittens or gloves, kid size socks and underwear, toys to include Legos, kid crafts, Barbies and Nerf toys; instant mashed potatoes, boxed stuffing, gravy mixes; cologne or perfume kits for teens, iTune gift cards, phone cards, gas cards and grocery cards. Contact is Capt. Melissa Nataluc, 603-332-2623. Deadline: Dec. 10, 2012.
The Rollinsford Police Benevolent Association is collecting donations of canned goods, nonperishable food items, frozen turkeys, cash or gift cards for its Annual Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Basket Program. For questions or to arrange pickup, call Chief Robert Ducharme at 742-8549 ext. 303. Deadline: Dec. 22, 2012.
ElderPet serves Strafford and Rockingham Counties. Items needed: Dog and cat food, canned and dry. Small bags of dry food. Gift cards to grocery stores or Walmart for food purchase. Food drop off Cole Hall, UNH, Mailing address for gift cards: 291 Mast Rd. Durham, N.H. 03823. Contact: Jeri Zezula, 603-767-6856; firstname.lastname@example.com; Deadline: Year round needs.
Barrington Food Pantry needs nonperishable items, frozen food, cash donations and people to join the Adopt a Family program. Contact: Richard P. Conway, 603-664-7679. Deadline: Year round needs.
Somersworth Share Fund needs financial contributions to help those in need. The Share Fund is a local nonprofit outreach program (501c3) of the Community Action Partnership of Strafford County and 100 percent of all donations are spent directly on those in need. Donations can be sent to Somersworth Share Fund, P.O. Box 372 Somersworth, N.H. 03878. Contact is Sr. Helene Higgins, CSJ, 603-332-7701 ext. 13. Deadline: Year round needs.
SHARE Funds Community Clothing Shop of Rochester needs winter coats and warm winter clothing/boots for adults and children — all sizes needed. Drop off at the Community Clothing Shop, Rochester Community Center, 150 Wakefield St., Mondays, 9 a.m. to noon. Wednesday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon or drop bagged donations into our Donation Shed 24/7 in the parking lot of the Holy Rosary Church, 189 N. Main St. Contact is Torey Kortz, email@example.com, tel.: 603-994-3199.
Time to start thinking about donations to help those in need
Editor's Note: Apparently the donations@fosters email was not working these past few days. It is now up and running.


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Miley Cyrus Hits The Studio in Philadelphia
Miley Cyrus hits up the Sigma Sound Studios on Tuesday night (December 18) in Philadelphia, Penn.
The 20-year-old actress is still working on her upcoming album, due out in 2013.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Liam Hemsworth
Today (December 19), Miley was spotted out with pup Floyd and a friend while fiance Liam Hemsworth kept filming on his film, Paranoia.
"Floyd is feeling festive," Miley wrote with a cute pic of Floyd.
Posted to: Celebrity Pets, Liam Hemsworth, Miley Cyrus


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|Attention: DocWiki has reached EOL and will be decommissioned January 25, 2019.
General: Session shows inconsistent durations
From DocWiki
Session shows inconsistent durations
|Problem Summary
|The session duration shows up in the API and in the S&P application as 2 to 3 seconds longer than the duration of actual media.
|Error Message
|Possible Cause
|The session duration reported in the Search and Play application is the duration from the SIP Invite to SIP Bye messages. However, the media itself is usually 2-3 seconds shorter. This media duration is simply the timestamp of the last byte of media minus the timestamp of the first byte of media. The difference also shows up in the Search & Play application and you see it in the session data that is returned from various MediaSense API calls. For example, the player shows a total duration of 20 seconds, but the recording stops playing at about the 18 second mark.
|Recommended Action
|All MediaSense releases.
|Associated CDETS #


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|View Poll Results: Guilty Crown - Episode 11 Rating
|Perfect 10
|9 out of 10 : Excellent
|8 out of 10 : Very Good
|7 out of 10 : Good
|6 out of 10 : Average
|5 out of 10 : Below Average
|4 out of 10 : Poor
|3 out of 10 : Bad
|2 out of 10 : Very Bad
|1 out of 10 : Painful
|Voters: 79. You may not vote on this poll
|Thread Tools
|2011-12-25, 15:34
|Link #121
Join Date: Dec 2011
Seeing episode 11, it made me think that all the other episodes were just a preparation for the second half of the series... hopefully our questions will finaly start to be anwsered.
I don't think that it will happen... but a nice change of pace for the series would be Shu going into a "rage-induced berserk mode" and busting into that apocalyptic tower beating the s*** out of them to rescue her and stop the end of the world. Then someone goes to the guy in charge and says: "And that's why you don't piss off somebody with the Void Genome". I mean, the "evil guys" kidnapped his girl and killed/tried do kill Gai (I still think that he'll live... the guy is like Highlander, the only way to kill him is probably beheading), not to mention that they set off some sort of doomsday-like event.
Last edited by Daniel E.; 2011-12-25 at 19:36. Reason: Please avoid make such colorful "comments".
|2011-12-25, 18:09
|Link #122
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Europe
^Honestly there is the chance that he go berserk in one of the next episodes, I mean his already at is limit ,I think.It is true that thanks to Hare (and the current situation) he seems more stable / calm but that's does not mean that the problems that he has had up to now are gone ,they are there ready arise again.And being in the middle of Lost Christmas is even more likely that his forgetten memories will try to resurface again and with a force even greater than we have seen so far.And he probaly still have it's PTSD as well(I mean both of them).Plus the second void user took Inori and mortally wounded Gai (and probably killed him) the only thing I hope for the new guy who took Inori is that it does not try anything funny with Inori or that may be the last straw that breaks out of Shu's patience.I mean Shu is already a time bomb at the moment. One wrong move and he will regret to make Shu angry.But I hope it happen, maybe we will have the continuation of episode 6 (which is the only time we saw Shu upset, at least from what I remember)
Last edited by Soji; 2011-12-25 at 18:37.
|2011-12-25, 19:12
|Link #123
Waiting for more taiyuki!
Join Date: Jan 2004
|2011-12-25, 19:30
|Link #124
My Girl ↓
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Update: Ortigas, Pasig, Phillippines
Age: 31
A Shu inside Shu...
|2011-12-25, 20:23
|Link #125
Join Date: Dec 2011
The only time Shu got angry during episode 6 was when talked to Gai... and then got his ass kicked with that "CQC-Boss-style" moves that Gai pulled off. I was watching the episode again, and I just noticed that for a brief moment (after he gets punched in the face), when he looks at Gai his eyes are reddish instead of the usual brown. But in the next moment (when he punches Gai) his eyes are normal again...
I never noticed that until now... I think I'm gonna watch some earlier episodes and try to pay more attention to these details.
|2011-12-25, 21:34
|Link #126
Waiting for more taiyuki!
Join Date: Jan 2004
|2011-12-25, 23:29
|Link #127
Loves the Experience
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Earth...hopefully
Finally got to seeing the episode. Honestly, the fact that I did not give a crap about any of the characters (except for maybe Dan), the high school students' forced importance, the fact that Funeral Parlor absolutely sucks without Shu, and the fact that it required liking the past few episodes (as most climax episodes do) really made me not care about it. Also, it's too late to give Inori a personality. You're already 11 episodes in. 6/10.
P.S.: Seriously? Daryl's dad and Dan just go out like that? And yet Scarface gets to remain alive. Life's a bitch.
Edit: Also, does Shu's physics-defamation regarding his voids seem to turn on and off according to the plot, doesn't it?
Anyways, since this is obviously the end of another arc, I'll give a quick summary on what I thought of Episode 7-11. This arc was better than the last one, but I still can't call it good. As you probably know, I've compared this anime to a lot of high-budget Hollywood movies because...well...I usually hate them, so the last thing I wanted was for it to become an anime. And like those movies, everything feels like it's on autopilot.
Unlike the first arc, this one doesn't really introduce any interesting ideas, so you just take it for it what it is. It's not bad for what it is, but a lot of the characters are pointless (and the ones who aren't are barely developed), the chemistry between the leads is non-existent, and I really hate how everything revolves around Shu. And I mean EVERYTHING. There's a difference between main character and "forced into the plot". Overall, I stand by my statement that it feels like the creative team thinks that writing for teenagers is easier than writing for adults, when that can't be further from the truth. 6/10 overall on the whole arc.
Last edited by Flawfinder; 2011-12-26 at 00:05.
|2011-12-26, 01:11
|Link #128
My Girl ↓
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Update: Ortigas, Pasig, Phillippines
Age: 31
Edit: Come to think of it, this is the second time Pro I.G. tried to create a show where he's the center of the plot, reluctant and is a bit wimpy, first one was World Destruction.
Last edited by djmaca; 2011-12-26 at 02:33.
|2011-12-26, 04:41
|Link #129
Cant think of one Sorry
Join Date: Dec 2011
Good episode, decent amount of action and a nice twist at the end. It was good to see quite a few plot points introduced. Who is this new Void user, Is Gai dead, If so how do FP cope without their charismatic leader and do they rescue Inori or focus on finding the rock to stop lost christmas? ect. It serves as a solid foundation for the second half and hopefully the series kicks on from here. I'm also going to miss the themes, especially the ending but hopefully the new ones are just as awsome.
The one thing i didn't like is Shu's transition from the previous episode. This was a guy who was being haunted by nightmarish visions and was severly depressed to the point of seemingly giving up on life itself just a few hours earlier. To pretty much have broadcasted propaganda serve as the catalyst for him to snap out of what he was going through, must be one of the oddest wake up calls i've ever seen.
Also Gai lol, the man is absolutley relentless its amazing. i have to wonder what races through his head.
Spoiler for Gai's thoughts:
|2011-12-26, 06:00
|Link #130
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Europe
Sorry If I put these two pic again but they are the best to show the similarities in their eyes
Spoiler for Mana and Shu red eyes:
ImagineThat@As I already mentioned the problems are still there, the only thing that changes is that Shu is focused on what he have to do now.He has not really dealt with his problems so I would not be surprised if he does it later, perhaps on his way to save Inori.
Last edited by Soji; 2011-12-26 at 06:18.
|2011-12-26, 06:54
|Link #131
Deploying Funnel Cakes
Join Date: Jan 2008
I think Mana is dead, killed by Shu.
- Mana was alien/human hybrid
- Inori is her clone or grown out of her human remains
- the Apocalypse VIrus is Mana... Mana's cells. What was left of her.
- Mana = Jenova like being right now.. bits and pieces in different places,wanting to reform.
- Inori is supposed to summon her and become her host, merge with her... bring her back
|2011-12-26, 09:47
|Link #132
Loves the Experience
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Earth...hopefully
|2011-12-26, 10:41
|Link #133
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Europe
Last edited by Soji; 2011-12-26 at 10:58.
|2011-12-26, 11:19
|Link #134
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
going back to episode 1, when Shu acquired the Void Genome, it was Mana talking in that background saying.. "It's power... the guilty crown bla bla bla" I can't remember it exactly..
Mana probably was an experiment gone wrong. But why does Gai want to bring her back?? and these intentions increase the possibility of Gai having to sacrifice Inori to get Mana back (if your last theory would have to be correct)
|2011-12-26, 13:52
|Link #135
Join Date: Dec 2011
Anyway... I was reading a few olders posts and saw one that said "There's no Void that Shu can used to compete against Inori's sword." (not in these words, but the general sense is the same). Crazy ideia: What if Mana gets revived and Shu extracts her Void to use against the blond kid... I mean, if Inori and her share several traits, it's possible for their voids to be similar (making Mana's void a sort of sword too). This would lead to an awesome sword fight between the two...
|2011-12-26, 14:56
|Link #136
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Europe
Spoiler for speculation:
But I'm sure this scenario will does not come true,unfortunately.
|2011-12-26, 16:34
|Link #137
Join Date: Dec 2011
But I'm pretty sure that we'll see something regarding the Mana/Inori relationship in the next few episodes... regarding the "void combination thing", we've already seen that her void can be combined with others (when Shu used her sword along with that other void in order to create the "hyper mega particle cannon" used to destroy BOTH Leucocytes in a single shot). So I really think it's possible that Inori's void is actually an incomplete one, wich can be used in conjuction with other voids to augment their power or "create" new ones.
Since we're entering the "Deus Ex Machina" territory, there's another possibility:
Spoiler for Deus Ex Machina possible moment:
Last edited by Xeones; 2011-12-26 at 17:56.
|2011-12-26, 17:59
|Link #138
Waiting for more taiyuki!
Join Date: Jan 2004
So Mana's using the Japanese people to be reborn.
So that would make Inori = a good version of Sephiroth? And Shu = Cloud?
If Inori sprouts a wing....
Then that would mean Hare = Aerith.....
Last edited by orion; 2011-12-26 at 18:21.
|2011-12-26, 19:38
|Link #139
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Spoiler for :):
Mana certainly isn't an ally of Shu's , that's for sure. She's going to destroy the whole world and needs Inori to be "complete" .
so who's the Tiffa in this anime?
|2011-12-26, 19:38
|Link #140
My Girl ↓
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Update: Ortigas, Pasig, Phillippines
Age: 31
Joking aside, it does have some parallels with FF7 IF Mana IS an alien/human hybrid.
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Gaudi unveils new cross body bags collection
Italian premium brand Gaudi has unveiled its all-new handbag collection from the Gaudi Accessories range. As part of the Fall Winter 2014 Campaign, the collection features sophisticated cross body bags to perfectly cross over to tMore…
Lovin My Bags opens first store in Dubai
Lovin My Bags, the world's first system of handbag and leather restoration, has entered the Middle East region with its first boutique launch in Dubai at the Palm Strip Mall on Jumeirah Beach Road. The new 500 sq ft boutique was inauguratMore…
Shoe Mart launches top UK handbag brand
Shoe Mart, a leading retailer of shoes and accessories, recently launched Marla London across selected stores in the region. Founded in the UK in 2010, Marla London offers signature bow, globe chain and metallic buckle handbags in subduedMore…


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Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Jessica Unruh
Jessica Timm and Joseph Unruh were married at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 16, 2012, at the Galva Christian Church in Galva. Pastor Tripp Edwards officiated the ceremony.
The bride's parents are Larry Timm of Florence and Terri Timm of Peabody. Her honorary mother is Connie Estep of Moundridge. Jessica's grandparents are Delbert and Shirley Timm of Wichita, and Rick and Vickie Turner of Florence.
Joseph's parents are Brantley and Michelle Unruh of Galva. His grandparents are Velma Unruh of Galva and Joan Christensen of Canton.
Serving as maid of honor was Chelsea Estep, Siloam Springs, Ark., friend of the bride. The bridesmaids were Camille Christensen, Manhattan; and Andria Pusateri, Wichita, both friends of the bride.
The best man was Jason Klatt, Canton, cousin of the groom. Seth Unruh, Canton, cousin of the groom, and Josh Timm, Hesston, brother of the bride, served as groomsmen.
The flower girl was Rylee Hokett, family friend; the ring bearer was Ryder Unruh, the groom's cousin, both from McPherson.
Ushers were Jesse Casebeer and Dylan Schulz from Canton.
Attending the guest book and lighting the candles were Lindsey Unruh, sister of the groom; and Morgan Estep, friend of the bride.
Cindy Baldwin, Galva, was the organist for the ceremony.
The reception, held at the church, was attended by Marcy Erb, friend of the bride, and Amy Klatt, cousin of the groom, both from Lindsborg.
The bride is a nursing student attending Hutchinson Community College and is employed by Pine Village, Moundridge. The groom is a graduate of Pratt Community College and is employed by Bradbury, Moundridge.
The couple resides in Galva.


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Feds, BP agree oil captured not part of penalties
Feds, BP agree oil captured not part of penalties
BP and the federal government have agreed that 34 million gallons of oil captured during the massive 2010 spill in the Gulf of Mexico can't count toward civil penalties the oil giant faces.
The agreement is contained in a court filing Tuesday. It came in response to BP's argument that workers either burned the collected oil or shipped it to shore before it could enter the Gulf waters and that it shouldn't count in calculating the company's Clean Water Act penalties. The penalties will be in the billions of dollars.
The first phase of a trial is scheduled to start Feb. 25. It is designed to determine the causes of BP's well blowout and assign percentages of fault to the companies involved in the drilling project that went wrong.


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Course Information
National Price: $355.00
Using Assessment and Evaluation
- Course Description:
When assessments are used properly -- in a traditional or alternative format -- they provide important data sources that inform both teaching and learning. This course will help you understand your assessment choices and select/implement the best assessment options for you and your students. Delve into a full array of assessment and evaluation tools, including rubrics, journals, formal and informal assessments, and portfolios.
Note: This is a facilitated course. Learners submit coursework and participate in asynchronous discussions throughout the course term, and receive graded feedback.
Classroom Link-Access to students recommended. PBS Classroom Link courses ask learners to implement lessons with their class or with a small group of students (options for learners without access to students are available).
For assignments and evaluation details, see the full Syllabus.
The number of hours identified for each course reflects time spent online, but does not reflect the total time spent completing offline coursework and assignments. All learners are different and you will likely spend double the indicated number of hours completing all coursework depending on your learning style and work habits.
- Graduate Credit Information:
- Graduate credit may be obtained from the provider(s) listed below, for an additional fee after the course begins.
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State, rifle maker end aid deal after Newtown killings
HARTFORD (AP) — Just days before 20 children and six educators were killed at a Connecticut school in December, state development officials offered the maker of the rifle used in the massacre a $1 million loan to bring new jobs to the state.
The offer, capping six months of negotiations between the Department of Economic and Community Development and Freedom Group, was dropped after private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management announced it would sell Freedom Group, manufacturer of the Bushmaster AR-15.
The deal was ended four days after the killings.
The Hartford Courant first reported the deal and its unraveling.
Deputy agency commissioner Ronald Angelo said Wednesday that Cerberus' announcement made the deal untenable. He said the killings also were a factor.
Freedom Group did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.


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The Over Scheduled Child: Avoiding the Hyper-Parenting Trap : Hyper-Parenting addresses a hot-button issue: the over-scheduling and over-enriching of our children. Lists and schedules, meetings and appointments, the need to be the best no matter what - doesn't it sound like your life? It's not; it's your child's. Parenting today has come to resemble a relentless to-do list. Even parents with the best intentions strive to micro-manage every detail of their kid's life and live in constant fear that their child will underperform in any area - academic, social, athletic. The fact is, parenting should not consume every last bit of our time, money, and energy. It's not good for us as parents, and it's potentially dangerous for our children and their healthy development. Luckily, there is a cure for hyper-parenting. In their groundbreaking new book, renowned child psychiatrist Alvin Rosenfeld, M.D., and longtime family-issues journalist Nicole Wise identify and attack this rampant phenomenon. With the strength of their combined professional and personal experience, Rosenfeld and Wise tell you how to identify the hyper-parent in yourself. They also prescribe clear, comforting steps to make parenting a happier and healthier experience for you and your child.
|Family & Relationships


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Considering how things have unfolded in the shortstop market, speculation is the Mets will give Ruben Tejada another chance to live up to the expectations he generated two years ago.
Stephen Drew, who would have been ideal at Citi Field, had too expensive a price tag for even the Red Sox, so there was no way he was coming to Flushing.
The Mets' next choice, Jhonny Peralta, wound up with St. Louis, which is just as well because as a PED user, his production must be viewed skeptically. And, $52 million over four years is excessive under those conditions.
I've never been a Tejada fan. I don't believe he hustles and his sometimes lack of work ethic and commitment is annoying. However, his attendance at a fitness camp in Michigan – along with Lucas Duda and Wilmer Flores – presents him in a different light.
It demonstrates an effort, and at this point, that's something important to the Mets.
Two years ago, his first as a starter in the post-Jose Reyes era, Tejada didn't report to spring training early as manager Terry Collins wanted. He wasn't technically late, but Collins believed Tejada should have demonstrated more enthusiasm in preparing for his first season.
Was Collins wrong for thinking that? No. Was Tejada wrong for not reporting early? Technically, no, but he did leave a bad impression.
Tejada redeemed himself with a good season, hitting .289 with a .333 on-base percentage. However, Tejada got off to a horrible start, both in the field and at the plate last year. Following an injury and lengthy stay in the minor leagues, Tejada finished with a .202 average and .259 on-base percentage at the time his season ended with a broken leg.
Economically, Tejada made $514-thousand last year, his third in terms of service time, so the Mets know they won't pay a lot of money.
There's literally not a better option in the free agent market, at least not one with an injury history – Rafael Furcal – or who'll want an excessive amount of money.
The Mets' timetable to pose serious competition has now been pushed back to 2015 following the season-ending injury to Matt Harvey.
Given that, plus the economic factors, paltry market and nothing in the farm system – Flores is not an option – it makes sense to give Tejada another opportunity.
If Tejada plays the way he did two years ago, that's something the Mets can live with. And if not, then there's always next year.
ON DECK: How Mets' 2014 roster currently shapes up.


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On Paper, Facebook's a Different Story
Jan 31, 2014 9:01 AM PT
Facebook on Thursday announced next week's launch of Paper, a free app for iOS that combines user and curated content into a personalized news medium.
Users can create stories as well as receive stories based on their interests and organized into sections. Section stories are chosen by both human and machine curators.
The sections cover a variety of subjects -- from sports, world news and animal pictures to business, photography and food. Although section stories on all phones initially will be the same, Facebook has said that may change in the future, with section stories being tailored to an individual's tastes.
Stories can come from a number of sources, both mainstream and eclectic.
As with the popular Flipboard app, stories have splashy layouts that are heavy on pictures and light on words. In Facebook's promotional material for the app, there was no advertising in the "distraction-free" story layouts.
"It's got one big difference with Flipboard, and that is it's a pretty effective way for people you follow on Facebook sharing things with you," said Dan Kennedy, an assistant journalism professor at Northeastern University.
"This looks like Flipboard, but it has a strong basis in sharing," he told TechNewsWorld.
Thumb-Centric Navigation
Navigation within the app is thumb-centric, which is very convenient for one-handed operation. Sliding your thumb across the screen takes you left and right through stories. Tapping a story opens it up; pinching it closes it.
Photos within stories need not be confined to the iPhone's screen size. You can pan large or panoramic photos by tilting a phone.
Paper is the first app brought to market by Facebook Creative Labs. The venture within the social network allows small teams acting with entrepreneurial fervor to create standalone mobile apps. It's part of a larger strategy by the company to push out more single-purpose apps rather than stuff more functionality into the core Facebook app.
"Facebook is trying to diversify beyond its core offering," Jan Dawson, chief analyst with Jandaw Research, told TechNewsWorld.
"Right now, if the core social network experienced a drop in popularity, since the whole business rests on that, things would quickly go sour," he explained. "They're vulnerable in that sense, especially since there are signs that it may be dropping off in popularity among certain parts of the population."
Bring On the Ads
Paper is part of an ongoing effort to produce products that aren't the kind of pure social networking products Facebook started with, Dawson said.
The app repackages some of the most popular aspects of Facebook, namely images and videos.
"This is new kind of way for people to discover and immerse themselves in that kind of stuff," Dawson noted.
"It broadens the range of content that your average user would be exposed to with just the Facebook app. For a company that relies on advertising, the more time people spend in your apps looking at content, then the more you make," he pointed out. "This is a great way of doing that."
Although there initially won't be any advertising in Paper, that's unlikely to last. "They'll start adding advertising pretty quickly," Dawson predicted.
Cracking the Ad Nut
Advertising has been a major nut for apps like Paper to crack.
"The difficulty continues to be revenue generation and ad conversion," Rob Enderle, president and principal analyst with the Enderle Group, told TechNewsWorld.
"Finding a medium that displays news and ads in such a way that people actually purchase stuff remains problematic," he said.
"Facebook is still on the bubble," observed Enderle. "Advertisers are paying for ads, but they're not getting the value for them. Facebook realizes that unless that's corrected, that ad revenue is going to go bye-bye."
What's more, while Facebook continues to expand globally, much of that growth is in places with users less tempted to buy what they see in ads.
"Most of the people Facebook is adding are from parts of the world that have a far lower revenue per user than the U.S. does," Dawson said. "Most of the users joining the service over the next few years are going to be adding much less revenue than existing users, so Faqcebook is going to have to find a way to keep revenue growth going."


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Closing Information Part 1
Closing on a home is an exciting time – but for many buyers and sellers, it can also be a time of confusion. To help clarify the closing process, we've developed a brief overview of the steps involved. Read on to learn more about the people you'll meet and the steps that will take place when you close on your home – including the role we play in your transaction.
Real estate agent
Most buyers and sellers rely on a state licensed real estate agent to find them a home, negotiate the earnest money contract, select a lender and a title company like Stewart Title, and consult with them throughout the closing and beyond. Your agent works in the local real estate market every day and can assist you in making an informed decision about the type of house you can afford to purchase.


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Friday, April 3, 2009
PyCon Errata
Limited Excess In a down economy attendance and freebies were also down. Almost no speakers ended their talk with a "and we'ere hiring!" slide as opposed to the past standard of 100%. To my shock and horror I actually had to pay for most of my own dinners and drinks. CCP/EVE Online was a standout in this respect [If you're wondering how a company in Iceland can afford to be generous remember that their subscribers pay in dollars and euros, not kronas].
EVE Fan-Fest I learned about EVE Fan-Fest not from the CCP guys but from a husband/wife team of players. 1500+ gamers descend on Reykjavik annually. This is such a large number of extra people for a country of 300k that the conference has to be closely coordinated with the government, hotels, and airlines. The mind reels.
Code Blindness By the end of sprints I was suffering from the geek equivalent of snow blindness. Throughout sprints I traded bug reports, emails, and checkins with Hiro Yamamoto (the "John Smith" of Japan). He'd miss something and I'd whargarbl his name under my breath. I'd miss something and know he was grumbling half way across the world. I pretty clearly lost that battle when I committed a patch that checked to see if unsigned longs were less than zero (oh sure, the compiler can optimize it out, but still..). Which reminds me, I still need to revert that.
We have a prodigy on our critical path. Python's release manager is Benjamin Peterson and Benjamin is sixteen years old. On the internet nobody knows you're a dog and in open source no one cares if you're in High School. He gets stuff done, end of story. There is a small amount of cognitive dissonance involved, but not much. For instance he gave me an attaboy for a patch I submitted last year - and while I have shoes that are older than he is - he sincerely meant it as a compliment and I took it as such. He's good people to have around - though if he gets a driver's license or a girlfriend we're in a spot of trouble. [I talked to his mother only briefly but she treated his hobby as casually as if he was on a sports team.]
Benjamin is not without precedent. Our now somewhat older prodigy is named Georg Brandl. The idea of prolonged adolescence is pretty new in cultural terms (less than 60 years old). Both men are sterling illustrations that when you treat "kids" like adults, they behave like adults (heck, they were adults in the first place but just not acknowledged as so). Let's have more of this please.
Twitter Twitter was the breakout story of the year at PyCon. I've peeked at it several times but never seen the point. I'm so old school I still refer to IM as "talk." Twitter was nowhere to be seen last year but this year it was pervasive. Sure, most of the tweets were mindless blather but they fill the mindless blather niche very well. "bourbon in the Kennedy room" is useful when broadcast but not the kind of thing you'd send an email about. Michael Foord (aka voidspace) gained 50 followers a day during the conference. I have reluctantly broken down and signed up too. Oddly one of my first tweets was answering the question "do I need stitches for this?" which is something I know much about (I had a very full childhood and I have the scars to prove it).
My Talk Video of my talk Class Decorators: Radically Simple is now online. I was pleased with my performance until I saw the video. Thankfully attendees care more about content that presentation because there are a dozen things I would like to do over; I don't have a future as a motivational speaker. I have done a talk on that same topic several times now and this time was a giant rewrite. The night before I was in bed by midnight but tossed and turned. I ended up giving up and rewriting large portions until 5am. I slept for three hours and what you see was me looking at the slides for the second time. All the ridiculous example slides were what people [unsolicited!] came up and told me is what made class decorators "click" for them. Go figure.
There is a raft of little things I would change about the presentation. Unfortunately I won't ever give it again so I'll have to apply them to my next talk (after I think one up). Bloused shirt? gone, starch that thing and make sure it is tucked in. Conversational voice? gone, I have a separate speaker's voice and I didn't use it (lack of sleep?). USB remote slide dongle? gone, I spent as much time aiming the laser pointer at the screen as I did talking to the room. Wireless mike? keep, standing at the podium sucks [I lucked out - I was in the only room that had a wireless mike and I only got to use it because I asked].
Oh, and the perenial "pause between sentences." For the first five minutes I talked like I was reading a teleprompter. There isn't much you can do about this other than practice.
[and then some more errata]
International As I've mentioned before PyCon is the inverse of EuroPython in that it is 75% American and 25% European (eyeball numbers: I'd love to see hard data on this). The speakers list is somewhat more static because there is a subset of people who go to conventions for fun (myself included). To confuse things further there are a number of Americans who weren't born here and some "Americans" who are American but not in name (Alex Martelli is still Italian for sentimental reasons despite living in and literally marrying into to America).
Martelli's Slides Alex Martelli's slides are immediately recognizable because he uses the same background and the same quirky font on all of them, always. I got the scoop from Anna Ravenscroft (a sometimes PyCon speaker and AKA Mrs Alex Martelli). He is fond of the background and font because they remind him of a blackboard. No one has complained so that's all there is to it.
Sprints are Magic Two days of sprints generated the same amount of python-checkin traffic as a regular month. Questions are just so much cheaper in person than in email that it couldn't be otherwise. Raise you hand and say "can anyone tell me about [interface]" and you get an answer. Person-to-person social pressures also lead to quicker bug resolution. Jesse Noller said something like "I assigned a pickle functools bug to you while you were in the can, it seemed up your alley." It wasn't up my alley but a few hours later I had read the pickle docs and checked in a patch to make functools.partial instances pickle-able.
6 comments:
- David Mertz said...
Sorry Jack that we didn't have a chance to talk in more length at the conference. I'm not sure exactly what I was rushing off to right after your talk, but there were many interesting things going on. I'm glad I at least managed to find you for a "hello", but I'll definitely take you up on that dinner if we are in the same city at some point (I live in LA nowadays, but travel to NYC frequently... sometimes elsewhere too).
--David Mertz (firstname.lastname@example.com)
- April 4, 2009 at 4:22 AM
- Jack Diederich said...
@Mertz. Am I misremembering or didn't you used to be based out of Eastern Mass? I'm annoyingly provincial and mainly stick to the East Coast where I'm wanted*. I'm in Boston and Philly most frequently so give a shout if you end up in either.
* Maybe literally. PA called me for jury duty years after I moved out, and despite some politely worded letters may still have an outstanding warrant for my arrest.
- April 5, 2009 at 11:36 PM
- Wayne Witzel III said...
Glad to see you took something away from the talks in the tar pit. The Fanfest is Oct 1st this, but my wife and I won't be attending, we are bound for the tropics. Enjoyed finally meeting you, been sub'd to your RSS feed for some time.
- April 7, 2009 at 11:11 PM
- Jack Diederich said...
@Wayne Great to meet you and heck, you made the tarpit interesting enough to broadcast. Sorry I called you "Will" once or twice but with zipped jackets I was robbed of badge verbosity. Related..
I should have added a paragraph to the post about my own badge behavior. I'm average-or-below bad at names which means I need to read or hear a name three times before it sticks. Being acutely aware of that fact I wear my badge/lanyard short (almost necklace high) so my name isn't covered when I wear a messenger bag or cross my arms.
Your name I did have down by the end of the main conference. Your wife's not so much (she bundled up). I almost listed you two as Wayne and Wendy Witzell in the post but abandoned it because I was almost sure it was a lie.
And as long as I'm talking about badges, my iron law of badges held up again this year: If two or more people in a conversation are wearing speaker's badges then everyone in the conversation is wearing a speaker's badge.
To repeat and not to take anything away from the PyCon organizers (who did a fantastic job): the logistics of EVE fanfest really make PyCon seem easy. Can you imagine coordinating with giant corps like airlines and governments? It's a whole new level of suck.
- April 8, 2009 at 2:53 AM
Much belatedly: I used to be based out of Western Mass (Hampshire and Franklin Counties). But I moved to LA back in October 2006. Your memory wasn't too much off, I've just been "off the radar" with recent gigs.
- April 17, 2009 at 2:07 AM
The guy is definitely right, and there's no question.
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