text:
Papers may be downloaded in PDF format by clicking on the link below each abstract. If you prefer, you may purchase a CD-ROM with the entire proceedings on it for this year and several others.
This proceeding is available on CD-ROM
- Location:
- Orlando, Florida
- Coordinators:
- Steve Stroh, N8GNJ, Conference
- Geoff Dick, WA4IKQ, Local Host Liaison
- Geoff Dick, WA4IKQ, Local Host Liaison
- Hosted by:
- Lake Monroe Amateur Radio Society (LMARS)
- Orange County ARES/RACES
- Seminole County ARES/RACES
- Orlando Amateur Radio Club (OARC)
Read the conference story with audio and photos.
19th ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference
September 22-24, 2000
- EasyTrak, A PIC /Based Rotor/Radio Controller Interface
by Steve Bible N7HPR
- Abstract:
EasyTrak is a rotor/radio controller interface based on
the Microchip PIC16F87x series. PICmicro microcontroller. The goal was to
design a rotor/radio interface that is compact, low-cost and easy to use. The
PIC microcontroller contains many of the peripherals needed to design a
rotor/radio controller interface: analog to digital converter (ADC), timers,
serial interface (USART), and individually programmable I/O pins. In addition,
the PIC contains FLASH ROM for easy programming and upgrades, RAM for system
variables, and EEPROM for storage of non-volatile configuration information.
With a small amount of interface circuitry around the PIC microcontroller, the
goals of the compact and low-cost were obtained. Ease of use was obtained by
designing EasyTrak to interface to the most popular azimuth/elevation rotors
and a serial RS-232 interface to communicate with virtually any computer.
EasyTrak is designed to easily interface to the Yaesu series of azimuth/elevation rotors, model numbers G5400B, G5600, and the newest G5500. These rotors have a computer interface built in with an 8-pin DIN connector on the back of the rotor controller to control left, right, down, up and provide rotor position via a proportional 0-5 VDC analog signal for azimuth and elevation. EasyTrak can be interface to other rotors, for example rotating HF antennas, but will require user modification of the rotor controller. Optional relays can be installed on EasyTrak to provide normally-open (NO) or normally-closed (NC) contacts for azimuth, elevation, and brake.
The computer interface is via a serial RS-232 connection. The rotor controller protocol is based on Chris Jackson's, G7UPN, EasyComm protocol. EasyComm is a simple ASCII character based protocol for controlling rotors and radios. The benefit was that a new protocol did not have to be created, it is easy for programmers to write for and interface to, and several programs already have EasyComm programmed in: WiSP, Nova, MacDoppler, MacAPRS and WinAPRS. The Mac and WinAPRS programs have the unique feature of tracking high and low altitude balloons in azimuth and elevation as well as other objects. Mac and WinAPRS can also point HF beams using the DX Cluster feature or point to a moving object in azimuth only.
- APRS Tiny Web Pages
by Bob Bruninga WB4APR
- Abstract:
Although APRS has revolutionized packet radio, it is also
one step ahead of the next great leap in wireless technology which is handheld
wireless access to Web pages. Although cell phones and pagers are just
beginning to capitalize on this next wave of technology, APRS already has it!
Take a look at the screen of your Kenwood TH-D7 or TM-D700... What you see are
hundreds of Tiny Web Pages of information!
- New Millenium Morse
by Roy Ekberg W0LIQ and Martin Schroedel K9LTL
- Abstract:
This covers aftereffects of 5 WPM Morse on Computer
Assisted Communication (CAC) system proposed in the 17th ARRL and TAPR
Proceedings. A prototype in ARRL's Library is indexed C-135-1. R & D on
this began in 1989.
- Correlation for Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum
by Panagiotis Gavalas
- Abstract:
Spread Spectrum systems have become very 'trendy toys' in
the areas of radio engineers and enthusiasts. Not only they provide privacy to
the user, as an extend the ingenious channel encoding techniques involved make
such systems very challenging for communications engineers and radio
enthusiasts. Direct Sequence systems as the most preferred as they are the
easiest to play with. Sadly, among the articles and textbooks written on
Spread Spectrum there are not many examples provided to the amateur radio
enthusiasts. The concepts behind SS applications tend to be rather difficult
to grasp and thus put the radio enthusiast in a very difficult position in
terms of understanding and designing of such a system. As an extend, some
already available examples demand the use of complicated circuitry and
expensive ICs. Thus, amateur radio enthusiasts are put in the risk of loosing
valuable time and money in case of failure or possible damage of expensive
components due to the idiosyncrasies of such ICs. Thus an easy and cheap
solution is necessary. This article is written in order to explain the concept
of correlation in the simplest possible way to the amateur radio enthusiast
and thus provide a simple solution concerning the heart of the system, i.e.
the circuit that performs the de-spreading. It could be used as a reference or
a manual and the circuit described has the potential to be adjusted to any
Direct Sequence SS system used for digital data transmission.
- An MSK Mode for HF DX
by Murray Greenman, ZL1BPU and Nino Porcino, IZ8BLY
- Abstract:
Development of a very robust and sensitive modem for
Amateur DX use. A description of the main problems involved in receiving
digital modes on HF, and ways to counter them; a brief history of MFSK, and a
description of MFSK technology. A description of the design process of a new
MFSK mode for amateurs, its performance, and the software used to demonstrate
- A Zero-IF Digitized Despreading Scheme Without PN Code Synchronization
by a href="mailto:firstname.lastname@example.com">Hong Guo, Feng Guo and Tao Duan
- Abstract:
Zero-IF is a important method to digitize the despreading.
In this paper, a fast zero-IF digital dispreading scheme with PN code
synchronization recovery is given, which is based on performance analysis to
chip rate sampling in AD converter.
- PIC-et Radio II: How to Receive AX.25 UI Frames Using Inexpensive PIC
by John A. Hansen, W2FS
- Abstract:
This paper provides step by step documentation of how to
decode AX.25 UI frames using inexpensive PIC microcontrollers. It is designed
primarily for those who wish to receive packet radio UI beacons from point to
multipoint communications. The article assumes some knowledge of programming
concepts and PIC microcontrollers.
- Winlink 2000 ...A Global Ham Message Transfer and Deliver Network
by Hans Kessler, N8PGR, and Vic Poor W5SMM, Rick Muething KN6KZB, and Steve Waterman K4CJX
- Abstract:
Early digital modes broke from the traditional
"live" interactive QSO and fathered the now familiar store and
forward message systems we now take for granted in our BBSs and e-mail. The
increased demand for mobility in Ham radio has evolved into the need for a
reliable, rapid, global message transfer and delivery network that spans both
the Ham radio and Internet domains. This paper describes the implementation of
the next generation Ham message and information network that allows mobile
users global connectivity to other amateurs, Internet mail users and WEB based
information while remaining free of the constraints of the "home"
BBS. Winlink 2000 is now a fully operational global network serving thousands
of mobile ham users and providing reliable connectivity for both text, and
binary data.
- Frequency Offset Acquisition and Tracking Algorithms, Part 1
by Mohamed K. Nezami
- Abstract:
Wireless receivers process signals that bear information
as well as disturbances caused by the transmitter/receiver circuits and
channel impairments such as fading, interference, and additive white gaussian
noise (AWGN). Usually, the receiver knows only some statistical properties of
the signal and disturbances. From these statistical properties and using a
finite observation of the received signal, the receiver is able to estimate
the transmitted data symbols.
- Frequency Offset Acquisition and Tracking Algorithms, Part 2
by Mohamed K. Nezami
- Abstract:
In part I, several algorithms were developed for carrier
frequency offset acquisition. The algorithms estimate the offset frequency
independent of the carrier phase errors or symbol timing. Phase errors are
estimated and corrected, after frequency estimation and correction as shown in
figure 1 of part 1. In part II, phase estimation algorithms using open loops
and close loops techniques are presented, a particular application example
will be the use of both techniques for acquiring and tracking short TDMA burst
satellites. Finally, practical methods for implementing these algorithms using
commercial DSP chips are introduced.
- QuakeAPRS
by Richard Parry, W9IF
- Abstract:
QuakeAPRS provides the APRS network with near real-time
earthquake information. It is a perl script run as a cron job on a Linux
machine. When the script is executed on the hour and half hour, it connects to
the USGS to collect earthquake data. It then converts the information to the
standard APRS packet format and sends it via the Internet to APRServe. This
allows APRS clients to easily display and track earthquakes. QuakeAPRS has
been running 24/7 for nearly a year. This paper describes QuakeAPRS, the
earthquake object format, and lessons learned from the development of this
- Soundmodem on Modern Operating Systems
by Thomas Sailer HB9JNX / AE4WA
- Abstract:
Five years ago I presented drivers for using standard PC's
with soundcards as packet radio modems [13]. The mainstream CPUs of that era
were not quite powerful enough for complex signal processing, so the design at
that time had to trade robustness for computational simplicity. Furthermore,
operating system preferences have changed since. It is therefore time to
rethink the design. In this article, an up to date implementation of an
amateur soundcard packet radio driver is presented that features a common
source base supporting all major operating systems, and the most common
modulation formats.
- External Common Gateway Interface (CGI) Access to FindU
by Thomas M. Schaefer, NY4I
- Abstract:
This paper provides programmer documentation on external
access to the FindU database. The Common Gateway Interface (CGI) is used as an
example of methods for a script or program written on a web server to access
that database.
- Server Applications within APRS Internet Server Environment
by Thomas M. Schaefer, NY4I
- Abstract:
This paper discusses programmatic opportunities to access
the Internet servers offering APRS data. Particular attention is made to the
APRServe system in Miami. Using this system, it is possible for a programmer
to create applications that utilize APRS data to create new dynamic and useful
- Intelligent Filtering of the APRS Internet Gateway Data Streams
by Darryl Smith, VK2TDS
- Abstract:
APRS is a fast growing mode throughout the Amateur Radio
world, thanks to its combination of computers, radio, packet and the Internet.
Such popularity has increased the amount of data on the APRS network to a
point where many users, especially those outside North America, are
overwhelmed by the volume, or in an attempt to reduce the traffic volume do
not enjoy the full benefits if Internet Connected APRS. This paper describes
work by the Author into filtering the data stream intelligently to create
manageable local networks.
- APRS and the TAPR EasyTrak Az/El Rotor Control System
by Keith Sproul, WU2Z
- Abstract:
APRS, Automatic Position Reporting System, has been used
to track many things. It has been used with DX Cluster for showing where the
DX stations are located. It has been used to track cars, boats, bicycles,
motorcycles, weather balloons, and hot air balloons. It has even been flown on
the Energizer Bunny Hot Air Balloon many times. When tracking balloons,
especially the high-altitude weather balloons, normal antennas work fine for
the Packet/APRS/GPS signals. But when you are trying to receive ATV (Amateur
Television) signals from the balloon, you need much better antennas. Usually
you need to have a high-gain antenna of some type pointed directly at the
balloon. APRS already knows where you are, and it knows where the other
stations are. From this information, it is easy to calculate the angle(s)
needed to point a directional antenna at the other station, when needed.
- APRS and Kenwood TM-D700 Voice Messaging
by Keith Sproul, WU2Z and Mark Sproul, KB2ICI
- Abstract:
MacAPRS has had speech capabilities for messaging for many
years. WinAPRS has the ability to use wave files for some functions. APRS Plus
has wave file capabilities too. To put voice features on a normal computer is
easy. Last year we wrote a paper about wanting a message 'speaking"
device using some kind of text to speech system if we could find one. These do
exist, but they are not cheap, and also are not very small. Last year, Kenwood
introduced the TM-D700 which had the ability to do some of what we wanted,
built right into the radio. This 'speech' feature has proved to be very
useful. This paper is about the voice messaging feature of the Kenwood
- Internet Wide Callsign Database using LDAP
by Mark Sproul, KB2ICI
- Abstract:
LDAP, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol, is an
internet protocol for storing directories. It has many uses but the most
common use is for keeping track of large lists of personnel. Many attributes
can be associated with each entry such as name, email address and callsign.
LDAP is a standard and is easy to incorporate support for it in any
application. There are libraries for use with C/C++ Java, PHP and many other
languages as well as all platforms. LDAP is also supported already in many
end-user applications such as Netscape.
- <APRSdec>--The G3NRW APRS Packet Decoder
by Ian Wade, G3NRW
- Abstract:
This paper describes the principal features of the <APRSdec>
program. The program fully decodes raw APRS packets, producing reports in
plain English. It has proved to be an extremely useful APRS diagnostic and
learning tool. <APRSdec> is written in Perl, and runs under native DOS,
Windows, Unix, and Linux. It is available from
- Throughput and Probability of Correct Message Transfer of the Pactor-II
System Measured on Near-Vertical-Incidence-Skywave (NVIS) Paths
by Ken Wickwire KB1JY, Mike Bernock KB1PZ, and Dave Willard W1EO
- Abstract:
This paper is another in our series treating on-air
measurement of throughput in characters per second (cps) for various HF
data-transmission protocols of interest to amateurs (see the references to our
other reports at the end of the paper). Here we describe an extensive set of
measurements of throughput for compressed and uncompressed text files sent
over near-vertical incidence-skywave (NVIS) paths with the Pactor-II data
transfer protocol. The implementation we used was the one in the Special
Communications System (SCS) modem.
- Automatic Voice Relay System - (AVRS)
by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR
- Abstract:
AVRS is a "VOICE" addition to APRS. Just like
APRS now provides mobile-to-mobile worldwide MESSAGE capability via the
Internet APRServe system, there is no reason why we cannot add voice to this
same type infrastructure for mobile-to-mobile voice. And AVRS is not limited
to one channel It can be expanded to as many channels as the locals want (i.e.,
it can handle explosive growth)... Internet connection of local Repeaters is
not new. Iphone links have been going on for several years, but with the lack
of any common user commandable access-on-demand and the completion for on-air
time with conventional use of the repeaters, it remains as just a novelty.
But, by tying this capability into the command structure and worldwide text
messaging capability of APRS the mobile user would then have total control and
could "dial up" a link anywhere on the planet. Remember, he can
already communicate by text message to confirm the other person is on the air.
AVRS then lets him open a voice link to that same area.
- Intelligent Digipeating using DIGI_NED on Obsolete PCs
by Henk de Groot, PE1DNN
- Abstract:
In Europe the roll-out of APRS is well under way right
now. However, we do not have a stable APRS infrastructure. This paper
describes how we use old and obsolete PCs, together with packet hardware
commonly used in western Europe, to augment the APRS infrastructure.
- Channel Capacity Simulation of Peer-to-Peer Spread Spectrum Satellite
by Matthew Ettus, N2MJI
- Abstract:
A spread spectrum transponder for the International Space
Station has been proposed, the goal of which is to provide medium to high bit
rate digital communications to radio amateurs. In order to help predict the
capabilities of such a system, as well as aid in its design, a simulation of
system bit error rates has been performed. The simulation is performed at the
channel symbol ("chip") level, using a freely available
communications system simulator package. The results of these simulations show
that over a hundred users may participate in digital voice communications at
any time using the transponder.


text:
What's next for her? "We'll see how she comes out of it. I don't think we'll make a decision right away. We never make decisions right after a race, but Ed [Stanco] is committed to running her next year, and, who knows, maybe even as a 5-year-old. At some point you don't want to be greedy, but at the same time she is doing unbelievably well, and sometimes you have to take advantage of that, so we have some thinking to do."
Javier Castellano, winning jockey aboard Princess of Sylmar (No. 4): "I had a beautiful trip. I was right where I wanted to be. With a small field, there was not much to think about. The way I handicapped the race, three horses had the speed, and the way it unfolded it was the perfect trip for her. She's a come-from-behind horse. I just let her enjoy the trip and when she was ready to go I asked her, and she just took off. She went right by them. She's an amazing horse. Everything we've asked, she has responded so well so far."
Ed Stanco, of King of Prussia Stable, winning owner of Princess of Sylmar (No. 4): "Wasn't that something, how she took off? But I have to ask Todd how she galloped out; that's the most important thing. Let's hope [we crowned a champion today]."
John Velazquez, jockey aboard runner-up Fiftyshadesofhay (No. 6): "I tried to get her to settle down a little bit the first part of the race. I didn't want to get hooked up with the other horse on the lead. I settled the best I could without fighting her too much and tried to wait for the other horse [Princess of Sylmar] to come to me. I hoped I had something left to fight her with, but the other horse was much the best."
John Terranova, assisting trainer Bob Baffert, of runner-up Fiftyshadesofhay (No. 6): "I thought she ran great. I just talked to Bob [Baffert] and he thought she ran a great race. We were just second-best to a really good filly."
Kiaran McLaughlin, trainer of third-place finisher Carnival Court (No. 5): "Congratulations to the winner. We're very happy we finished third and got Grade 1 placing in only the fourth start of her life. It makes her value go up. Irad [Ortiz] rode a great race. We're pleased and hope she keeps improving."
Irad Ortiz, jockey aboard third-place finisher Carnival Court (No. 5): "She ran well. I broke good and wanted to get the lead, and I got it easy. My horse relaxed. Turning for home two fillies beat me, but she ran great for me."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Science Friday® is produced by the Science Friday Initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Science Friday® and SciFri® are registered service marks of Science Friday, Inc. Site design by Pentagram; engineering by Mediapolis.
In his new book Life at the Speed of Light: From the Double Helix to the Dawn of Digital Life, Craig Venter writes of the brave new world synthetic biology may some day deliver: from consumer devices that print out the latest flu vaccine to instruments on Mars landers that analyze Martian DNA and teleport it back to Earth to be studied—or recreated.


text:
Oracle Product Manager, Hospitality in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania
Work as part of a team that acts as the central resource and driving force for the design, process, manufacturing, test, quality and marketing of product(s) as they move from conception to distribution. Organize interdepartmental activities ensuring completion of the project/product on schedule and within budget.
As a member of the product development division, you will define product specifications and or strategy. Gather and analyze information to define product specifications and review design specifications. Communicate product strategy and functionality. Initiate and foster relationships with other groups. Review product documentation and collateral. Ensure successful product releases based on corporate priorities.
Duties and tasks are varied and complex, needing independent judgment. Fully competent in own area of expertise. May have project lead role and or supervise lower level personnel. BS or MS degree or equivalent experience relevant to functional area. 4 years of software engineering or related experience.
Oracle is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and protected veterans status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Don t miss this opportunity to join the Oracle Hospitality team, widely recognized as THE leading provider of hospitality and food & beverage technology worldwide. Our customers are well known and respected global brands that rely on Oracle Hospitality products for their technology needs. We are a smart, progressive, energetic, and rapidly growing business. This is your opportunity to join the Oracle Hospitality family and enjoy a fast paced, exciting career with us.
The Product Manager will support Oracle Hospitality s integration products. Integration products provide the interfacing gateway for various external systems to inter-operate with our products. Work as part of a team that acts as the central resource and driving force for the design, development, quality and marketing of products as they move from conception to distribution.
Lead agile team focused on building and providing interfaces with strategic partners
Market research and analysis to identify key industry trends and players
Define product strategy and specifications
Communicate product strategy and functionality to internal/external parties
Manage cross functional agile team through planning and delivery
Review product progress and collateral and provide feedback
Be subject expert for your domain
Ensure successful product releases and operation
Initiate and foster relationships with internal/external partners
Represent product, team, and strategy at conferences, meet-ups, customer sites, and other industry events
Must have qualifications:
Substantial product management experience with system integration, application development, and data structure with APIs
Experience with Player Tracking Systems integration and hospitality gaming industry interoperability standards
Ability to self-learn and use high tech software tools
Comfortable with REST or SOAP APIs, JSON or XML, OAuth 2.0 or SAML
Bonus qualifications:
BS or MS degree in a business, engineering, or technical domain
Experience with enterprise customer life cycles and enterprise IT landscape
Experience working within a large interdependent development organization
Related applications knowledge for represented product (ie. OPERA, OXI, OEDS, GDS).
OPERA product knowledge
Hotel operations knowledge or experience
Job: *Product Development
Organization: *Oracle
Title: Product Manager, Hospitality
Location: United States
Requisition ID: 18001HAB
Other Locations: Canada
- Oracle Jobs


text:
ansgarissimo needed a new print or packaging design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 4 designs submitted by 1 freelance designers.
I'm staring a business in Spain, renting out so called CARPADEDOMO's or Dome Tents as well as outdoor lounge furniture.
B2B Event Agencies, Hotels, Yacht Harbours, Golf Clubs and so on...
It should be a nice Flyer according to the CD of the company that shows our products and it should be in Spanish, German and English!


text: Treat all of your VIP's to high-class living on the high seas with the 279 Sport Cuddy. Never miss a moment of action, whether you're in the boat or riding the wake behind it! With luxury amenties such as a roomy above-deck area and cozy, spacious cabin, and a built-in head, you can spend more time on the water and soaking up the sun.


text:
The Martian is an orgasmic dig into science, unknown territories, top-notch optimism and undying hope.
As the beginning frames of The Martian survival painted the screen with a silent promise of grandeur, the first quotient that riveted me instantly was 'Hope'. Mark Watney's undying attitude towards life was really something. His optimistic nature towards survival was commendable. So what adds further icing to this survival tale? Sheer Watney genius!
The Martian is everything a survival movie needs to be. Ridley already had Andy Weir's brilliant story in his vanguard, and he takes it and moulds it into one helluva beauty. The end result: 141 minutes of awesomeness. It keeps your heart in your mouth, your head attentive so you don't miss all the useful science jargon, a smile on your face with its great humour whilst keeping you engaged throughout.
Matt Damon is outstanding as Watney. At times it's like you can almost read his thoughts. He lingers his expressions like an expert and makes you connect instantly. Like one time he talks about his eventuality with a "so, Yeah……Yeah". His instincts help him tackle every setback. His genius complements his acts. A very practical man, who takes every possibility into account but doesn't let reality cloud his judgment. This makes you think what if the Martian wasn't a polymath? Instead a normal human being like us? What would have happened then? Wouldn't we have, I don't know, died within a fortnight?
Visuals are rad. The scenic landscapes of Mars and Earth have been framed beautifully. At times the debris in the movie makes its 3D look badass. The screenplay is apt, most of the times shoehorned with Science. The plot is like a tide that makes you rove with its ups and downs. The brilliant brains manifested in the story are quite exceptional too. The flick teaches us a lot of things. The primal one being: never lose hope!
At the same time, Martian makes you feel like a layman. Had you studied properly in school, you would know every little bit they were throwing out there. If you already know something, it would still make you feel you aren't nerd enough.
I got this sudden urge to build something when I walked out of the theatre. Guess this flick does that to you. 😉


text:
Senator Briefly Brings Fake Driver's License App To The Public Eye Before Having It 'Taken 'Round Back And Shot'
from the i-hate-this-therefore-no-one-else-can-have-it deptSenator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania has taken virtual pen in hand and crafted a letter to Tim Cook, Apple's new CEO, in order to
He has a lot to say in his
Dear Mr. Cook:
I write to express my concern with "License" by DriversEd.com, an application available for download in Apple's App Store which can be used to create counterfeit identity documents. I believe this application poses a threat to public safety and national security, and I request that you remove it from the App Store immediately.Sure, to the average iPhone user (who, until today, had most likely never even heard of this app), this piece of software looks like a clever little distraction that could be used to crank out replica IDs, only with cleavage, buttocks or buttock cleavage in place of the usual mug shot. Or perhaps the average user might whip up a couple of fake IDs for their 10-year-old twins in the interest of making them easier to tell apart.
Bob Casey sees it another way. The only purpose this app serves is to grease the wheels of a multitude of criminal and terrorist enterprises.
By downloading "License", anyone with an iPhone or iPad can easily manufacture a fake driver's license by taking a photo and inserting it into one of fifty state driver's licenses' templates. Users then have a high quality image resembling an actual driver's license which they can easily print, laminate, and use for any number of illegal and fraudulent activities.Waitwaitwaitwaitwait. ... what?
I may not have done any actual research on this, but I'm fairly sure laminated state IDs went the way of the mimeograph machine and the Fourth Amendment. I'm guessing the only place a laminated ID is valid is at the community college book store and even then, the student discount does not apply to textbooks.
Today's typical state ID is a modern marvel, chock-full of holograms, magnetic strips and a thinly disguised Mark of the Beast.* It takes a bit more than some purloined office supplies to create a passable fake these days and your average inkjet just isn't up to the task.
*Bible Belt only.
Moving on:
While DriversEd.com markets the app as a fun game, it can also be used in a way that allows criminals to create a new identity, steal someone else's identity, or permit underage youth to purchase alcohol or tobacco illegally.Once again, if a laminated fake is out there living your life in a ways you only dreamt possible, your beef is with those who accepted a laminated printout as a legitimate form of identification, not with the app that helped create this faux-you that went out skydiving/dynamite purchasing. This includes the staff at the bottle shop who have just become both everyday heroes and easy marks for hundreds of thirsty (and previously smoke-free) teenagers.
But the real issue here (among several other equally real issues, except that this is truly the REAL issue) is the threat this app poses to America!
National security systems depend on the trustworthiness of driver's licenses, yet with a counterfeit license created by this app, a terrorist could bypass identity verification by the Transportation Security Administration, or even apply for a passport.Good lord! This isn't an app! It's an all-in-one terrorist creation kit! Your (probably) non-local terrorist need do nothing more than sign a 2-year contract with a cell phone company, download and install the app, take a couple of headshots, take a couple more headshots with Instagram for old-time lulz and then it's off to the explodey races!
But Bob isn't done yet. It's back to the original "real" problem:
By assisting in the creation of counterfeit driver's licenses, "License" threatens to ease deception by criminals and contribute to the rising problem of identity theft. Given these risks, I request that you remove this application from the App Store immediately, as well as any other available applications that allow users to create, steal or alter false identities.So... all photo apps need to be deleted? Any photo editing software? Anything that could pull up a template or reference image for photo IDs? Like say, browser software? How about the built-in camera, Bob? Should that be removed as well? After all, it does take pictures, and as we have seen, a facial photo is the gateway drug to corrupting minors, racking up Mom's JC Penny card and attempting to detonate underwear bombs.
The best part about this overwrought letter? Thousands of people who had no idea something this much fun/trouble was available in the app store are now being informed that yes, such a thing exists and here's the link to purchase it. [No longer available. See below.] Does it ever occur to people like Senator Casey that maybe, just maybe, if no one else is worked up about something that maybe the best thing you could do, as a person in a position of power, is just let it go? Otherwise, Sen. Barbra, this is the sort of thing that happens. Everyone thinks you're ridiculous and the app in question enjoys a spike in popularity.
The lesson is: if you want to see something you'd like to get rid of go viral instead, just throw your weight around and start cranking out blustery emails to corporate CEOs.
And Apple has killed the app. I suppose with millions of other apps still for sale there's no reason to make a stand for a single app. That doesn't make it any less disappointing to find out that with the right name signed to the bottom of a misguided letter is all it takes to get someone else's craftwork killed. I guess the real lesson is:
Senator Casey takes a moment to congratulate himself over at his website:
"I urged Apple to take the responsible step of removing this dangerous app, and I'm pleased that the app is no longer available in the store," Senator Casey said. "As Pennsylvania and states across the country deal with the rising problem of identity theft, tools that facilitate breaking the law should not be available to potential criminals."Roughly translated:
"I overreacted to something and now it is gone. We still have our work cut out for us dealing with the rising problem of identity theft and I am sure that pulling this app has done little to nothing towards fighting that problem. Instead, it has given the office of the Senator the appearance of Having Done Something, and in the end, isn't that what really matters?"
Filed Under: apps, bob casey, divers license, overreaction


text:
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Highway MPG
Combined MPG: 32 - Efficient 30+ MPG
Estimated Monthly Fuel Cost: $69.53*
*Based on $1.78 per gallon and 15k miles per year.
Actual costs may vary.
Actual costs may vary.
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Located at Auto Club Of Miami in Miami, Fl. Call Auto Club Of Miami today at 305-693-0391 for more information about this vehicle.
Vehicle Options:
- Abs Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- Am/fm Radio
- Automatic Headlights
- Cd Player
- Driver Airbag
- Electronic Brake Assistance
- Front Air Dam
- Front Side Airbag
- Interval Wipers
- Keyless Entry
- Passenger Airbag
- Power Adjustable Exterior Mirror
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- Power Windows
- Rear Spoiler
- Rear Window Defogger
- Rear Wiper
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- Steering Wheel Mounted Controls
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- Tilt Steering
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- Tire Pressure Monitor
- Trip Computer
- Vehicle Anti-theft
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2008 MINI Cooper ReviewThis car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale.
Sports appeal and fuel efficiency.
The Mini Cooper is fresh from a complete redesign that was launched for the 2007 model year. To meet European environmental and fuel-economy requirements, BMW designed a completely new engine in cooperation with Peugeot. It produces approximately the same horsepower as before: 118 in the Mini Cooper and 172 in the Mini Cooper S. But now a turbocharger in the Cooper S, in place of the old supercharger, delivers 177 pound-feet of torque from 1600 to 5000 rpm, significantly improving the sportier model's performance.
This second-generation version continues to generate smiles on the faces of passersby. That's an impressive feat given the first-generation models have been with us since 2000 and the current version looks very similar.
The Mini Cooper brings smiles to the faces of its drivers because it's a lot of fun to drive. It's also a practical car, with comfortable seats, useful cargo capacity, and an EPA-rated City/Highway 28/37 miles per gallon.
Inside, it's large enough to accommodate all sizes of drivers and front passengers in comfort. The rear seats are actually functional, if not capacious, allowing four adults. With the hatchback and folding rear seats, the car can haul reasonable amounts of gear.
The engine, styling, and the interior were redesigned for 2007, and there have been no further changes for 2008.
BMW offers a large range of styling options, with choices not only in upholstery style, material and color, but also in trim panels, accent panels, and ambient lighting. Check too many options and the Mini's price can rise quickly from economy-entry to near-luxury levels. But all Minis are well equipped for what you pay.
The Mini Cooper's heritage dates back to the late 1950s, when it was conceived by the British Motor Corporation in response to the Suez crisis to provide efficient, bare-bones transportation. It was roomy and comfortable. It was cheap to build, cheap to buy, and cheap to run.
But the Mini's fundamental cuteness lent it a sort of chic. Soon it was adopted by celebrities such as Peter Sellers, who drove one on screen as well as off. Like the U.S. Jeep, the Mini survived multiple corporate mergers and disasters; and by the time production finally ended in the 1990s, its pioneering transverse engine (mounted sideways, rather than longways, to save space) had been imitated by most automakers. The Mini was sporty and fun to drive.
Of some 6 million original Minis, the best-known were the high-performance variants tuned by race-car builder John Cooper. Multiple rally and touring-car championships, including overall wins at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964 and '67, assured the Mini Cooper 's reputation as a small but formidable force in motorsports. BMW now owns the Mini, and revived the marque with an all-new car for the 2000 model year. It was redesigned for 2007.
The 2008 Mini Cooper is available as a two-door hatchback called the hardtop, a four-seat convertible, and the convertible, and a longer-wheelbase wagon called the Clubman. Two trim levels are available, the standard Cooper and the higher-performing Cooper S.
Yet while the hardtop is a second-generation car, the convertible is still carried over from the previous generation. So they really are more different than they might at first appear. And we've covered the new Clubman in a separate review.
The Mini Cooper hardtop ($18,050) is powered by a normally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine rated 118 horsepower. It comes standard with air conditioning; AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with six speakers, RDS, and pre-wiring for satellite radio; power windows with auto-down; power locks; remote keyless entry with electronic signal transmitter in place of the ignition key: leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel; six-way adjustable driver's seat; split-folding rear seat; leatherette upholstery; a rear wiper and defogger; and other appointments you'd expect from a more expensive car. Standard wheels are 15-inch alloy with 175/65R15 all-season tires; 16- and 17-inch wheels are optional.
The Mini Cooper S hardtop ($21,200) is equipped with a 172-horsepower turbocharged version of the same engine, stiffer suspension, ASCT traction and stability control, performance exhaust system, and 16-inch alloy wheels with 195/55R16 all-season tires; 17-inch wheels are optional. Exterior design details, including a black grille insert, hood scoop, rear bumper inserts and prominent rear spoiler wing (optional on the Cooper), distinguish the Cooper S from the Cooper.
The Cooper Convertible ($21,950) is powered by the previous-generation conventionally aspirated 1.6-liter four, rated 115 horsepower. The top is fully automatic and features a heated glass rear window, and Park Distance Control is standard. Otherwise standard equipment is similar to the base hardtop.
The Cooper S Convertible ($25,400) runs the old-generation engine supercharged to 168 horsepower; and adds a sport suspension with 16-inch wheels, ASCT traction and stability control, body-color front grille, and other visual cues.
The hardtop and Cooper S convertible come standard with a six-speed manual transmission; a six-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic controls is optional ($1,250). The base convertible comes with a five-speed manual, and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is optional ($1,250). It also features Steptronic control.
Personalization is a big part of the Mini marketing program, and the list of available options is far too long to repeat here, from electronics and amenities to aero kits, stripes, and chrome baubles. An extensive array of alternative trim features is available to customize the interior to personal tastes, in terms of colors, textures and materials.
Option packages include the Sport Package ($1,500) with Sports suspension, 16-inch wheels, stability control, and bonnet stripes; the Convenience Package ($1,500) with rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, Bluetooth, and multi-function sports steering wheel; a Cold Weather Package ($500) with heated front seats, power folding mirrors, and heated washer jets; and a Premium Package ($1,500) with a panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, and high-fidelity radio. Significant stand-alone options include Sirius satellite radio ($1,000, including a lifetime subscription), two different Bluetooth setups ($500-$1,000), and navigation ($2,000). Many if not most of the items from the various option packages are also available as stand-alones.
Safety features on the hardtop models include six airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution, and Cornering Brake Control. The Brake Assistant on both models detects emergency operation of the brakes, and builds up maximum brake pressure as quickly as possible. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is optional ($500) on both models, and Automatic Stability Control plus Traction (ASCT) with on-off control is optional on the Cooper and standard on the Cooper S. Hill Assist start-off assistance is a feature of DSC, activating the brakes when starting on an uphill ascent to prevent the car from rolling back.
Although extensively redesigned for 2007, this second-generation of the modern Mini Cooper is still unmistakably a Mini. Even while updating the car for safety, mechanical, and manufacturing considerations, BMW designers were reluctant to risk messing with a successful formula. Anyone who is not already a Mini owner will have difficulty distinguishing the latest Mini from the old one, unless the two are parked side by side. Nevertheless, though the same chassis has been used, there is not a single exterior panel that is common between the two cars.
The front of the Mini had to be restyled to conform to more rigid European restrictions on exterior panel shapes for pedestrian safety, as well as to adapt to the shape of the new engine.
Then the remainder of the car was restyled as well to better blend with the new front end.
Park two examples side-by-side and you'll see immediately that the headlights of the 2007-08 model are rounder, the hood flatter, the grille more prominent than those on the 2000-06 version. Turn signals are now integrated into the headlight clusters, and bigger foglights (when ordered) are set into a simplified bumper where the turn signals used to be. Around back, wider tail lights and a wider trim strip on the hatch echo the changes up front. The beltline rises faster, too, giving the rear end a more tapered look. In general, the latest Mini seems broader-shouldered and more aggressive than the last, and so departs even further from the narrow and square original. It is a little larger, too, measuring 2.36 inches more in length. But we doubt most modern Mini buyers will mind or even notice.
In any case, close inspection of the exterior shows that in almost all areas, design and execution is upgraded from the 2006 model. One notable example is how the headlamp clusters are now firmly attached the front fenders while fitting through openings in the hood; where in the previous model the headlamps were built into the hood itself.
The redesign of the Mini Cooper for 2007 brought more visible change inside the car than outside. The interior still has a sporty feeling, though now a bit less extreme, with the enlarged round speedometer in the center of the dash (as it was on the original), and the modern convenience of a tachometer mounted on and moving with the tilt-adjustable steering column.
Audio controls have been moved from the center stack into the bottom half of the speedometer dial, and the heating and air conditioning controls have been compressed below it. These changes reduce the width of the center stack, which increases knee and leg room in the foot wells, answering a common complaint against the previous model.
For a car that has the smallest exterior of any four-passenger vehicle on the road, the Mini is surprisingly spacious inside. Even a six-foot, five-inch driver will be comfortable in the front seat; and the three manual levers, controlling height, rake, and front-rear position, allow both driver and passenger to find a comfortable position.
We found the seats comfortable for long-distance driving. The driving position is excellent. The few changes that were made to the seats for 2007, improving the shape and position of the bolsters, have only improved these characteristics.
Upholstery and trim was upgraded for 2007, as well, and the range of customizing possibilities expanded. At the one extreme, by electing sport seats with leather and contrasting cloth trim, along with metal accents and ambient lighting, the buyer can create a very trendy, fast-and-furious interior look. At the other extreme, by opting for very-English leather seats with contrasting piping, trim panels matching the piping color, and real wood accents, a more conservative buyer can evoke an upscale, almost Rolls-Royce appearance in the interior.
Heating and air-conditioning controls in the base model are straight-forward, but owners can also select the automatic climate control system, cleverly configured in the shape of the winged Mini logo, which maintains a constant temperature dialed in by the occupants.
The audio controls, now built into the speedometer dial, are almost too clever for their own good, sacrificing ease of use for design symmetry. For example, though the tuning knob is in the audio cluster, the volume knob is placed below the speedometer in the center stack, closer to the HVAC controls than to the audio controls.
External music systems such as an MP3 player can be connected to the audio system. A specific adapter for an Apple iPod is also available, and a Sirius satellite radio receiver is available as well, and its price includes a lifetime subscription. However, the integrated design of the audio controls in the speedometer dial will make it nearly impossible to fit any aftermarket sound system.
Cosmetically, the audio and HVAC controls are one feature that nearly every reviewer has criticized. Made obviously of plastic, with a matte-gray in finish, the controls could be described as refugees from a Buzz Lightyear remote control system. With their prominent positioning, they detract from the otherwise high-quality interior appointments.
A navigation system is optional, and if selected, replaces the central speedometer with a round screen of the same size, which has a central rectangular display screen surrounded by a digitally generated needle indicating vehicle speed around the perimeter.
BMW has carried forward from the previous model chrome toggle switches that look like something out of an aircraft or racecar cockpit. Positioned at the base of the center stack, these switches control the windows, auxiliary lights, and DSC system. Based on their positive acceptance in the previous model, the designers have duplicated them in a second panel of toggle switches above the center of the windshield to control interior lights and the sunroof, if fitted.
The toggles and other switch gear in the cockpit, and especially the light and turn signal stalks, have benefited from the BMW touch in the latest Mini, and are more pleasing to look at and offer a much more satisfying feel in use than before.
Though the rear seat wouldn't ever be considered comfortable for adults, and the access to it anything but convenient, changes in the contours of the rear seats have added about an inch of rear legroom, so that even adults can endure short rides back there.
With the large rear hatch, and separate folding rear seatbacks, the Mini is quite flexible in configuration, though its overall size limits luggage space with the rear seats up to a airline roll-aboard and a brief case. With the rear seats down, 24 cubic feet of cargo can be loaded aboard, more than enough for two passengers on a two-week trip, as we proved this summer.
Driving Impression
Driving one for the first time on the technically challenging racetrack at Zandvoort in the Netherlands, and then on the streets and highways around Barcelona, we found the latest Mini sporting and comfortable at the same time. Changes in the suspension, the increased torque of the engine, and the new electromechanically assisted steering have made the Mini easier and safer to drive fast. But the satisfying responsiveness of the previous-generation model is no longer an obvious trait.
The new engine is the major and most obvious change. To meet increasingly stringent European environmental regulations, which now focus on both mileage and CO2 emissions, the Tritec engine that had been jointly developed by Chrysler and Rover for the first-generation new Mini had to be replaced. Development of the new engine was jointly funded by Peugeot and BMW, with BMW doing the engineering design and Peugeot seeing to manufacturing considerations. Engines installed in Minis are manufactured in the BMW Hams Hall engine plant in England.
In base tune the new engine has the same capacity and produces approximately the same horsepower and torque as the previous engine. However, with BMW Valvetronic variable-valve-timing technology the new engine rates 28/37 mpg City/Highway in EPA estimates. And according to European testing, CO2 emissions are significantly reduced.
In Cooper S turbocharged trim with direct fuel injection, the new engine delivers very sporting performance. Its 172 horsepower is more than adequate in the lightweight Mini to generate speeds twice most legal limits, but the 177 pound-feet of torque, which can be over-boosted to 190 pound-feet for short intervals, and is available from 1700 rpm to 5000 rpm, is nothing short of marvelous. A sport button yields quicker response from accelerator and steering.
The turbo engine takes the Mini from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, reflecting a slight turbo hesitation at the start, but producing satisfying acceleration at all speeds once in motion. Even on the track at Zandvoort, with its frequent elevation changes and notoriously tight hairpin corners, the car turned its fastest laps with the transmission left in third gear. And even with that performance, the turbo with manual transmission is still EPA-rated at 26 mpg urban and 34 mpg highway.
The Cooper S comes standard with a sport-tuned suspension, but its behavior is still much more refined than other cars capable of similar track speeds. Using the MacPherson Strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension adapted from the BMW Z4, the car is flat and stable in corners, and absorbs most bumps without discomforting passengers.
Though this model still has the same short wheelbase as its predecessor, and the same tight turning radius, BMW has retuned the suspension to reduce its oversteer potential so that even with radical changes in throttle or brakes in the middle of corners, the car never feels at risk of spinning out.
This feeling of composure has been heightened through the programming of the electromechanically assisted steering, which uses an electric motor, instead of hydraulics, to alter and enhance driver steering input. Because the steering is still mechanically connected to the front wheels, this system can't be called 'drive-by-wire,' and the driver still has a feel for the road and the car's changing cornering force can be felt through the wheel.
However, in addition to its variable-ratio rack, the system can alter the steering effort required to make directional changes. This is most apparent in tight, slow parking lot maneuvers where very little effort or wheel motion is needed to make large changes in direction. In comparison, at highway speeds larger changes in the wheel result in smaller and less sensitive directional changes.
One advantage of electronically assisted steering is that input/output ratios can be changed during the course of a turn, not just varying with vehicle speed. In the Mini, this means that the initial turn-in is cushioned slightly, so the car doesn't feel as go-kart twitchy as the previous model, but once a constant turning radius is established, it takes almost no effort to maintain the turn, regardless of speed.
Both the Cooper and Cooper S rely on the same four-wheel-disc brake system.
Since its introduction as a 2002 model, the Mini Cooper has offered a satisfying combination of peppy performance, distinctive bulldog appearance, and a wide variety of trim and color options at a very reasonable price. Though significantly re-engineered to meet environmental standards (and BMW's own), the most recent versions haven't changed this success formula, but simply improved on it.
Gary Anderson filed this report to NewCarTestDrive.com from Amsterdam, with Barry Brazier in Barcelona, and John F. Katz in Pennsylvania.
Model Lineup
Mini Cooper hardtop ($18,050); Cooper S hardtop ($21,200); Cooper convertible ($21,950); Cooper S convertible ($25,400).
Assembled In
Oxford, England.
Options As Tested
Premium Package ($1,500) includes panoramic sunroof, automatic climate control, high-fidelity radio; Convenience Package ($1,500) includes rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, Bluetooth, multi-function sports steering wheel; bi-xenon headlights ($500); Park Distance Control ($500); leather upholstery ($1,500); chrome line interior ($250) and exterior ($250) kits; 17-inch Crown Spoke wheels ($750).
Model Tested
Mini Cooper S hardtop ($21,200).The MINI Cooper provides a satisfying combination of fun-to-drive performance, a distinctive bulldog appearance, and custom ordering of a variety of trim and color options at a very reasonable price. The front-wheel drive Cooper is available in either a two-door hatchback or a two-door soft-top convertible bodystyle. The hatchback was redesigned for the 2007 model year, which gave it an updated 1.6-liter 16-valve inline four-cylinder engine capable of 118-hp and mated to a six-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed automatic. The convertible soldiers on unchanged since its release in 2005 with a 115-hp 1.6-liter engine bolted to either a five-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission. Standard safety features include six airbags on the hatchback, four on the convertible, ABS, and Electronic Brake Distribution. Features such as Xenon headlights, Park Distance Control, stability control, rain sensing wipers and front and rear fog lights are optional. The 2008 MINI Coopers are a carryover from 2007.
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8 January 2013 - Art Collector
|Jane Burton, L Bete #10. Pigment print on paper, 40 x 54cm
|Other Stories features a selection of stunning new photographic works from one of Australia's most renowned artists working in the photographic medium, Jane Burton.
Other Stories is of a selection of photographs from her recently published M.33 monograph, which was launched at Centre for Contemporary Photography, March 2012 in Melbourne.
The works have a cinematic and dreamlike atmosphere, structured into five chapters the landscapes are rendered symbolic, psychological, of places imagined and felt, rather than actual or specific locations. The featured female figure is depicted as both woman and child, becomes a character that moves through the stories (photographs), as an animating presence more ghost like than a definitive persona
|Opening drinks: 6-8pm Thursday 5 April
|Exhibition closes: 28 April 2012
|Location: Bett Gallery, 369 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart 7000
|Contact: 03 6231 6511
|Email: email@example.com


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Recently, the United Kingdom voted on a referendum which resulted in the declaration of splitting from the European Union. Panic has been coming in from all sides but this article will discuss the potential ramifications it can have on your next car purchase here in the United States.
To understand the issue, we have to look at the overall global picture as the vast majority of car companies have global interests. Just about any car brand you can think of is going to be affected by the U.K.'s exit from the E.U. as it will drag down revenue in an already struggling market. The E.U. went from being one of the most profitable regions in 2007 to one of the least today. The British market is a considerable chunk of the E.U.'s auto sector and by breaking off there is strong potential for it to weaken both of them. Many manufacturers, from BMW to Toyota, Kia to Volkswagen, Ford to GM, have factory operations in the U.K. and depending on how labor regulations fall it may force these companies to pull out and move their facilities elsewhere which only increases costs, importation fees, and destroys the jobs in the affected area. Another major area of concern for these companies is the rapid depreciation of the British pound, with some estimates reporting a 1% drop could cost a company like Ford $48 million. Japanese companies such as Toyota and Honda are struggling against the spike in value to the Yen in light of the Brexit on top of pound's drop, doubling the impact and potential cost to revenue. JPL, Jaguar Land Rover, is facing a unique concern as the lenient emissions deal that was struck for them with the E.U. is now off the table. While that may sound good at first glance, JPL mostly sells SUVs and large sedans, they don't have compact hybrids and electric cars because they're such a small company so to hold them to the same strict goals of getting their fleet to an average similar to an economy car could have devastating consequences. All these issues will be exacerbated if the resulting dropout will lead to an eventual breakup of the E.U. "If the E.U. breaks up, the whole automotive supply chain would be in disarray", investment bank RBC Capital Markets wrote in a note. "It could take years and a lot of capital to get supply chains back to more cost efficient levels."
So how might this affect you in the next couple of years purchasing a new car here in the U.S.? Almost all manufacturers are giving conservative comments about how they are making the proper preparations to ensure there isn't a shockwave that will reach other markets and at this time only PSA Peugeot Citroen has said with certainty that this means an increase in prices. The problem is that we don't currently know what the new British government will be able to hammer out in terms of trade deals or even if they'll go through with the separation at all given the strong backlash post-vote.
What we can predict is that the separation will have dramatic effects on the auto industry's profit margin. While here in the U.S. the auto industry has been strong performing in the past decade, cutting into already razor-thin profits in Europe could mean changes in cost efficiency here in the States. As companies will have to face new tariffs and increased costs of operations it means that we could see prices begin to rise faster than normal growth so if you're considering a new vehicle the next few years would be the best time. The one area no one is commenting on is whether the market can be positively affected by the Brexit. The silence there may be the most damning bit of all.


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Wholesale Coffee Cups By The Case
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Coffee Cups contain a "best before" date that indicates when they technically taste the best. All of our Single Cups are guaranteed to arrive before their "Best Before" date, or we'll credit you 50% of the cost of the box. Single Cups do not go bad after that date, they simply may not taste as strong.
Do You carry U.S. Brands?
Yes! We regularly visit suppliers in the U.S. to bring in hard-to-find Coffee Cups that aren't normally available in Canada! Some brands include: Green Mountain, Gloria Jeans, Coffee People and Caribou Coffee
How Long Does Shipping Take?
Most places within Ontario will receive their shipment within 2 business days (if ordered before 11am). You should receive tracking information within 24 hours after placing your order if ordered from Monday-Thursday.
What Is A Single Cup?
Single Cups are required for your Keurig-compatible coffee brewer. It can be finicky finding the cheapest supplier for your Coffee Cups however. Find the least expensive supplier for Single Cups on the Canadian market.
Single Cup Coffee Pods are a simple, neat method to brew an individual cup of coffee. Gourmet coffee grounds are contained in a little, air-tight plastic cup which is used in a Keurig machine. The coffee grounds are made using heated, pressurized water which produces a ideal coffee in under a minute.
These days, we carry over 130 models of Single Serving Coffee Cups in our online store, with even more added constantly.
We currently provide Coffee from the companies on the left.
Coffee Cups in Toronto
We're happy to offer 2-day shipping at the best rates online to Toronto and the GTA. Located in South-Western Ontario, orders placed before 1:00 PM EST often arrive next day, allowing you to enjoy your coffee quickly and conveniently.
Brewing a Single Cup of Coffee saves you from requiring a full pot of coffee when all you want is a single cup. While it's true that a Single Serving Cup will cost you $0.60-$0.70, a full pot of coffee will cost about $1.00 in coffee grounds, most of which inevitably goes down the drain.
On topic of quality, drip brewed coffee has a tendency to taste burnt, especially when it has been left to sit for too long. A Single Cup is brewed in seconds using precision temperatures and the perfect amount of water for your coffee. Grounds are kept fresh with single use filter basket that prevents the grounds inside from going stale.
A single cup of coffee takes under a minute to brew in a single cup machine, saving you minutes versus a traditional drip coffee maker. We all know how important those extra few minutes can be in the morning - minutes that can be used to sleep, or spend more time with your family.
Variety is the spice of life, and you can take advantage of a huge variety of different coffees and even flavours with a single serving cups. Want a cup of colombian followed by a cup of hazelnut? Good luck doing that with a 10-cup pot of coffee. Single-serving cups make it possible to actually enjoy your coffee, instead of chocking down 40 cups of the same brew day after day.
Having a variety of flavours means that you can easily accommodate guests, whether they want alight roast or a dark roast, whether they want regular coffee or flavoured coffee, or even tea (from Celestial or Bigelow) or hot chocolate (from Grove Square).
Single Serving Brewers are the next wave of coffee brewers, revolutionizing the way people consume coffee. They've reached out to some of the most experienced coffee roasters, and made their premium quality coffees available to anyone at the touch of a button. Master roasters at companies like Newman's Own, Timothy's, Tully's and even Starbucks have made coffees that far surpass your every day coffee experience.


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No. 75; May 2013
Pets are part of many children's lives. Parental involvement, open discussion, and planning are necessary to help make pet ownership a positive experience for everyone. A child who learns to care for an animal, and treat it kindly and patiently, may get invaluable training in learning to treat people the same way. Careless treatment of animals is unhealthy for both the pet and the child involved.
Choosing an Appropriate Pet
While all kinds of pets can bring children pleasure, it is important to choose a pet that is right for your family, your home, and your lifestyle; and one that your child can help care for. Parents should be cautious about having aggressive animals as pets.Exotic and unusual animals may be difficult to care for and should be considered very carefully.
Caring for a Pet
Taking care of a pet can help children develop social skills. However, certain guidelines apply:
Advantages of Pet Ownership
Children raised with pets show many benefits. Developing positive feelings about pets can contribute to a child's self-esteem and self-confidence. Positive relationships with pets can aid in the development of trusting relationships with others. A good relationship with a pet can also help in developing non-verbal communication, compassion, and empathy. Pets can serve different purposes for children:
Other physical and emotional needs fulfilled by pet ownership include:
Although most children are gentle and appropriate with pets, some may be overly rough or even abusive. If such behavior persists, it may be a sign of significant emotional problems. Any child who abuses, tortures or kills animals should be referred to a child and adolescent psychiatrist for a comprehensive evaluation.
If you find Facts for Families© helpful and would like to make good mental health a reality, consider donating to the Campaign for America's Kids. Your support will help us continue to produce and distribute Facts for Families, as well as other vital mental health information, free of charge.
You may also mail in your contribution. Please make checks payable to the AACAP and send to Campaign for America's Kids, P.O. Box 96106, Washington, DC 20090.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) represents over 9,400 child and adolescent psychiatrists who are physicians with at least five years of additional training beyond medical school in general (adult) and child and adolescent psychiatry.
Facts for Families© information sheets are developed, owned and distributed by AACAP. Hard copies of Facts sheets may be reproduced for personal or educational use without written permission, but cannot be included in material presented for sale or profit. All Facts can be viewed and printed from the AACAP website (www.aacap.org). Facts sheets may not be reproduced, duplicated or posted on any other website without written consent from AACAP. Organizations are permitted to create links to AACAP's website and specific Facts sheets. For all questions please contact the AACAP Communications Manager, ext. 154.
If you need immediate assistance, please dial 911.
Copyright © 2019 by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.


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by Fred P. Gusoff and Len Lear
Parkinson's disease may have slowed Dr. Jean L. Brodey's speech at times, but it can't stifle her expression. The 84-year-old retired Temple University communications professor and long-time resident of Flourtown has just published her second book.
"My Way to Anywhere" is a collection of more than 50 of Brodey's poems, many of them about people who affected the poet's life. For example, here is a short excerpt from a lengthy poem entitled "An Ending" about a friend's 27-year-old husband who had died of cancer:
"Arthur is dead. His mother drowns in a vortex of tears. Her center untimely ripped away. His wife holds a scratch pad of all their past (four years go by so quickly) and cried for blueprints she will never read. Fathers, brothers, friends: we all bemoan the print too soon exposed. Do we weep for Arthur or ourselves and what we know?"
The book contains just a portion of the hundreds of Brodey's poems compiled over 50-plus years, some of which were published in national and international poetry magazines. However, she said in an interview in her home last week, "I had no intention of writing a book."
The book's development was initiated by her daughter Lisette, an author of three character-driven novels herself (with a fourth one due out this summer), who helped Brodey with the editing process. (Lisette has also held various positions at Paramount Studios in Hollywood and CBS Studio Center in Studio City, CA.)
The cover of "My Way to Anywhere" is an artistic scene from Forbidden Drive. "When my mother was younger and able," Lisette told us, "she would walk several miles to Valley Green Inn and back."
According to Lisette, "About a year ago, I asked her where her poems were, and she said she feared they were lost. I knew they were not, as I'd seen them in her house. During a visit back to Philadelphia in September, 2012 (Lisette now lives in Pasadena, California), I found the poetry and began making plans to choose 50-some poems for a small collection."
Brodey actually began writing poetry more than 75 years ago. "I don't remember my first poem," she said, "but when I was in the first or second grade, I wrote a poem and showed it to my father. I told him that I had written it, but he didn't seem to believe me. He asked me again if I had written it and then asked me if I had copied it out of a poetry book. I was pleased that he thought it was that good, but I was also hurt that he didn't think I had written it."
Her love of poetry continued throughout her school years. "As a matter of fact," she recalled, "under my photo yearbook at Wagner Junior High School (in West Oak Lane), I stated that I wanted to be a journalist when I grew up. I didn't really know what journalists did; I just knew that they wrote. And I figured that they wrote poetry."
Brodey's first book, "Mid-Life Careers," was published in 1983. During her time at Temple, the Dr. Jean Brodey Student Achievement Award was created to honor the year's outstanding graduating communications senior. Brodey worked as a public relations professor for more than 25 years until she retired eight years ago. She also ran the Temple U. journalism department's internship program for many years.
Her first full-time job was writing facts and fortunes for Fleer's bubble gum wrappers. At age 38, after being a housewife and mother, Dr. Brodey returned to the world of work outside the house. Her first job was for only six hours a week at $2.50 per hour as a discussion leader for Great Books.
She later returned to school and earned two graduate degrees. In 1998 Brodey received a citation from then-Mayor Ed Rendell and was inducted in the Philadelphia Public Relations Association's Hall of Fame.
Dr. Brodey holds master's and doctorate degrees in education from Temple and a bachelor's degree in journalism from Penn State. She was a friend of Ellen Coyne Masters, a teacher at Penn State, where Brodey worked part-time, and wife of one of the nation's most acclaimed poets, Edgar Lee Masters.
The passionate lover of poetry's favorite poet is Wallace Stevens. She also loves the work of Emily Dickinson, Amy Lowell, Walt Whitman, James Joyce, e. e. cummings, Alfred Lord Tennyson, Theodore Roethke, William Wordsworth, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and (of course) Edgar Lee Masters.
As a public relations professor, internship coordinator and career counselor at Temple, Brodey touched the lives of many students. She still gets together with some of them for dinner at the Whitemarsh Valley Inn. "We have a group of students. We call them 'The Brodey Bunch.' We meet about twice a year," she said. "They all have excellent public relations jobs."
One former student expressed a typically glowing tribute to the professor. "I was fortunate enough to have, quite honestly, lucked out and found myself in Dr. Brodey's intro PR class while at Temple," said Cathy Engel Menendez, a 1993 graduate of Temple's School of Communications who is now senior manager of communications at PECO.
"From there, Jean was not only my professor for numerous advanced PR classes but also became an invaluable advisor, mentor and friend. Jean's knowledge and understanding of the field is hard to match, even to this day…
"I credit Jean not only for recommending me for my first job in the field but more importantly, providing me with an education that continues to serve me well. She is a proven professional, a challenging professor, fair and ethical, and deeply committed to her students and the field."
In addition to daughter Lisette, Brodey has a son, Kenneth, and a granddaughter, Dara.
For more information about "My Way to Anywhere," email email@example.com.


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2012-05-10 / Police Blotter
Pregnant Woman Assaulted Cody Collins, 19, Wysox, is accused of physically assaulting a 20- year-old and her unborn child at Jackson's Trailer Court in Wysox Township at about 7 p.m. on May 1. He also reportedly pointed a loaded rifle at her and another 20-year-old woman and threatened to kill them.
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tnichols needed a new print or packaging design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 109 designs submitted by 14 freelance designers.
Our site, http://www.easterbunnyletter.com allows parents to create and download printable letters from the easter bunny for their children.
Parents of children
I need to have an easter bunny letter and envelope illustration designed to use on our site. Our letter generator allows parents to type their letter and then download and print it out.
The Letter illustration should be 300dpi, Letter Size 8 1/2 x 11", CMYK, Vector. The letter should habe 3 different background gradient layers so I can make 3 versions of the same page (Blue, Pink, and Green). You can see my mockup pages I have attached as an example.
The envelope illustration should be fairly simple, based on the letter design and 300dpi, #10 size 4 1/8 x 9 1/2" , CMYK, Vector.
You should look http://www.EasterBunnyLetter.com site to see the look and feel I am after. I designed the site using istockphoto illustrations, but their licensing prevents me from using those images for print on demand.
Looking for really fun and beautiful illustrations that would be good for kids. Should have the obvious Easter items (colored eggs, easter bunny etc) and should have white space on the interior of the page where the generated text will be placed by our script.


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All of the videos go in here. No direct link downloads!
|Dark lords of Darkness - statistics
|[KMS]Inkwell Diary # 72 - Night Walker skill preview
|Slip's Music Database (KMS v313: Maple Squad & CMST v148: Pink Bean Chair)
|"Beyond" - 5th job second skill set
|NXPatcher - Create your own pre-patcher & list of Maple FTPs
|Maplestory "High Five" Private Showcase
|Guide to Southperry IRC
|[v1.04] Legend Patch Glitches and Bugs
|[1.2.321] Skill Balancing - Edelstein & Leben
|Rules and Regulations [UPDATED: 2014-09-15]
|GMS Server Status Discussion
|Beast Tamer discussion thread
|Fort Knox level account protection here
|[1.2.318] [KOR] Adventurer Skill Revamps
|RED update thoughts and feedback


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Enter coupon code LUCKY during checkout for $5 off the magazine offers shown below.
Please note: Magazine selection and offers will change often, so take advantage of this offer soon. You must enter a valid coupon code at checkout (and click "Apply") in order to receive the discount. Coupons may not be used in association with any other offers. Coupon codes are case sensitive.
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2004 Toyota Tundra - The Master PlanPosted in Features on February 1, 2010
"It's kind of like an onion," Jon Lee says of his 2004 Toyota Tundra. "It doesn't jump out at you, but as you look closer, more and more details come out." Indeed. Jon's Tundra is plain white and sans graphics. Its track width isn't overly wide, and the ride height isn't that much taller than stock. Just the same, the onion analogy is dead on.
It all started with a master plan. Jon, of Riverside, California, is a long-time Toyota fan and a former Factory Toyota Master Tech. He wanted his prerunner to be capable, comfortable, and to fit his life as a backcountry explorer and as a co-driver of Pro Armor's Class One team. Those were the "big picture" parameters.
To meld the big picture parameters with the small metallic details, Jon turned to long-time friend and fabricator Mark Johnson. "We decided to keep the stock dash," informed Mark. "That dash was taken in and out of the truck about a hundred times while we were building the truck, but we finally got a dash that fits around the 'cage tubing. All the accessories work."
After the first glance, the next layer you're likely to notice is the Ford-style I-beam front end. What's a Ford design doing on a truck owned by a die-hard Toyota guy? The master plan called for 20 inches of front wheel travel combined with a reasonable track width. Mark explained the dilemma: "To get 20 inches of front wheel travel with A-arms, we were either going to have to have a 105-inch track width or move the engine back several inches. Jon didn't like either of those options, so we went with I-beams." As built, the front end yields the desired 20 inches of travel and has a very reasonable 85-inch track width.
Check out the tire and wheel package. While 35-inch BFG Baja T/A's aren't exactly rare, the 5-on-205 buggy-style wheel bolt pattern is. Why use a buggy bolt pattern on a truck? The master plan, of course, called for it. This wheel-and-tire combo matches the one used on the Pro Armor Class One buggy. That way there's no need to carry separate spare tires for the buggy and for the Tundra.
The truck is not just limited to prerunning and chasing, though. "The first thing I did when the truck was done was to take my wife on a 600-mile trip through the Nevada desert. We saw old mining equipment, ghost towns-all that stuff."
Unlike an onion, peeling back the layers of this truck won't have your eyes watering in pain. It'll have your mouth watering in amazement. This truck goes to show what can happen when you combine a talented fabricator with a master plan.
|2004 Toyota Tundra
|Jon Lee/Riverside, California
|4.7L Toyota I-Force V-8
|Stock EFI
|Stock automatic
|Custom I-beam conversion by Mark Johnson, kingpin I-beams, parallel links
|in place of radius arms, Fox coilover and bypass shocks, 20 inches of travel.
|Custom three-link by Mark Johnson, Dirt Tech trailing arms, reversed
|upper wishbone, Ford 9-inch axle with Cone Industries floater hubs,
|40-spline axles, 4.88 gears, spool for 100-percent locked-up traction, Fox
|coilover and bypass shocks, 23 inches of travel
|35-inch BFG "Project" Baja T/A's
|BTR beadlocks with 5-on-205mm pattern to match the Pro Armor Class One buggy
|All California smog equipment present and functional, external battery
|jumper, Filtered A/C, GPS navigation with laptop Google Earth capability


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In the summer of 2012, Animal Collective headlined the Hollywood Bowl, the most unexpected peak of a journey that began in Baltimore County in the early '90s when the group's four members began crossing paths and developing friendships as kids.
The Wiltern is quite a step down from that venue, but Monday's sold-out show seemed to fulfill a more realistic vision of both the band's stage show and its devoted fans' capabilities. With the audience's enthusiasm at an optimal level, AnCo was able to deliver a great live experience.
Wait … what? Animal Collective great live? The quartet is typically derided for its performances, oft-considered indulgent, boring, overly cerebral, even manipulative; their concerts wind up as means to experiment and try out new material more than satisfyingly deliver better-known songs. That might have had some truth to it in the past, but not Monday.
Maybe much of the long-standing criticism has come from misplaced expectations, as the band started crossing into arguably unwelcome territory with the success of "My Girls" and its accompanying album, 2009's acclaimed Merriweather Post Pavilion. Animal Collective makes much more sense on the fringe. Despite having that one tune with wider appeal, expecting them to be only the group that made that song and not the same one that created the rest of its catalog isn't fair to anyone.
A cursory glance at the merch booth gave a more accurate view of who AnCo and its devotees are. Nearly every shirt (there were a dozen) featured some form of tie-dye or psychedelic imagery, and fans here reminded of hipsters of old, back when they were closer to hippies, than people you might mistake for models or actors.
Likewise, the Collective plays as you would expect from a jam band. Did the Grateful Dead get knocked for not always relying on hits and staying largely stationary? No, they were considered a great live act because diehards could hear songs as unique compositions at every show, whether the experience was heightened or diminished by drugs.
AnCo seems to have adopted this paradigm, albeit with a narrower scope. Many of its songs are most fascinating in the buildup, evolving from something unrecognizable into something you know. On "My Girls," a hint of it was present for a couple minutes before drummer Panda Bear began singing the verse – but when he did sing, it sounded like he was deliberately flubbing notes. Only later was it apparent that he used those for loops to add layers onto later verses.
Panda Bear (real name: Noah Lennox) may be the most popular member, yet Avey Tare (aka David Portner) reminded why he's the real center of the band, displaying passionate, genuinely entertaining lead vocals on most of the group's pieces, particularly "Monkey Riches," where his trademark scream was in fine form.
Further enhanced by an energetic Deakin (Josh Dibb) skipping around the stage and a focused Geologist (Brian Welt) donning a headlamp, the music came first, the visuals a close second. The foursome, knowing they might not be the most engaging sight to watch, employed inflatable structures and projections to add to the atmosphere. That made it seem as if they were inside a mouth, with colors and images changing continuously alongside low-cost stage props. (Not that it was a cheap production: their projector looked like it cost a small fortune.)
Most impressive, however, was the set list, as AnCo finally seems to understand how to pace and satisfy whether the crowd on hand has seen their show before or not. Though nothing predated 2005's Feels, whose "Do You See the Words?" and "The Purple Bottle" bookended the program, a healthy mix comprising bits from last year's underrated Centipede Hz along with established favorites like "Brother Sport" and "Peacebone" and a fantastic version of the EP gem "What Would I Want? Sky" (which coincidentally samples the Dead) all added up to a fully satisfying overview.
It remains to be seen whether this theater stop is the size the band will make on future trips or if they will rise once again to bigger venues. At this level, though, Animal Collective makes perfect sense, presenting a joyful night of music for like-minded individuals. Not all bands were cut out for the masses.
Photo also by Philip Cosores, for the Register


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Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts is hosting an "Invasion Boston: Mystery Scavenger Hunt" on Saturday, Nov. 7.
The event is for Cadette, Senior, & Ambassador level Scouts or Juliette Scouts in grades 6-12.
Event info: Get Balanced. Imagine this, you and over 500 girls from all over eastern Massachusetts converge upon Boston for a raid of epic proportions!
The final destination will be your pay - off for the amazing and complex hunt you will embark upon.
Test your wits, your knowledge and trust your teammates!
Where will you end up?
The secret location will be revealed once you have solved all of your team's challenges.
Be prepared for anything - a performance, a game, a show, a party, who knows!
There may even be a celebrity sighting???
Your unique team will have regional counterparts (your allies) who will be working with you as you infiltrate Boston from all angles.
You will meet the rest of your super team in person to complete your invasion.
Receive and accept your detailed mission instructions and report to your assigned checkpoint at precisely the right time.
Guides will be ready to assist you along the way (and will show up when you least expect them).
Safety and security logistics and team instructions will be very elaborate for this event and will be included in your detailed confirmation.
Check www.girlscoutseasternmass.org for updated info.
Transportation on the MBTA (including the Commuter Rail), food, and entertainment is included.
The cost is $48 per scout and $48 per leader & adult chaperone.
Registration is still open, at this time


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Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln presided over her first Senate Agriculture Committee hearing as chairman on Sept. 30. Having taken over the chairmanship several weeks earlier (for more, see Lincoln to chair Senate Ag Committee), Lincoln spoke with Delta Farm Pressshortly after the hearing. Among her remarks:
How did it feel to pick up the gavel for the first time today?
"It felt pretty good, I have to tell you. I was extremely proud and certainly humbled to have the confidence of my colleagues. We're going to do a good job, work hard and work closely with folks in rural America and agricultural production and remind the American people what a great job they do."
What about cap and trade? Are you planning more hearings? Where does that stand?
"We probably will have a few more hearings. After the first two hearings — and before I was chairman — I felt there was a need for more. And now as chairman, I definitely feel we need a couple more. There's an opportunity to help improve the bill.
"Today has been a crazy day — hearings in the ag committee and also the non-stop healthcare markup along with votes on the floor — so I haven't had a chance dig into the (Kerry/Boxer) bill that was introduced today. But I feel they'll give us an opportunity to markup a piece of our own in terms of an ag title."
What are the chances of cap and trade passing this year? Or, as we're hearing in back channels, that it'll be pushed off until at least next year?
"Our plate is awfully full. If we're going to get it right, we need to make sure to take our time, work hard and get it right.
"That isn't just for climate change (legislation) but also healthcare reform, financial regulatory reform, child nutrition and all the other things on our plate.
"I don't think it's a secret that the House-passed climate change bill can't pass the Senate.
"Again, I haven't seen (chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Barbara) Boxer's (climate change) bill. I called her a couple of days ago to see if we could get some language from it. She was traveling. So, we weren't able to look at it. When we do it will be thorough and see how we can add to it in terms of improvements for agriculture and make sure it's acceptable. Without that, it certainly won't be acceptable to me.
"We can certainly curb greenhouse gas emissions by moving forward on legislation that focuses on renewable energy, conservation, energy efficiency. But, quite frankly, we've already done that — the Senate Energy Committee produced a tremendously good, bipartisan bill. If people want to shorten the distance we've got run, they'd look at that bill and partner it with a companion tax incentive bill that I think could be very productive."
What about implementation of the last farm bill? What still needs to be done and are you satisfied with the progress so far?
"There are still things we'll make sure to follow through on. That's always the case. After the long negotiations we had in the farm bill to get to 80-plus votes in the Senate — which is virtually unheard of — we want to make sure the agreements and intentions we had are clearly implemented by the (Obama) administration."
Are you satisfied with the way USDA is interpreting the payment limit rules?
"At this juncture, it appears they'll implement the payment limitations pretty much as presented. I believe there was some issue they had with 'actively engaged' farmers — what the definition is. Again, we'll try and make sure (what USDA does) is consistent with what we did in the bill."
What about the WTO cotton decision a few weeks back? Have you had any contact with the USTR?
"I did meet with Ron Kirk, USTR ambassador, yesterday. I brought that up. There's still the option of challenging the (WTO) decision and coming back with some type of negotiations.
"I think that (U.S. trade representatives) are at first reluctant to look at that. But they're open-minded if they feel we can back it up.
"I was a bit concerned, quite frankly, that the (WTO) decisions were made on old information. They were using what they call 'consistent information' in terms of data — probably back to 2002-03. But there were considerable changes made to (U.S. cotton) programs in 2005 and 2007 that weren't accounted for in the decision-making in that case. Obviously, looking at the statistics today — the decrease in U.S. cotton production and the increase in Brazilian cotton production — there are definitely points to still be made.
"I'll encourage it if we have an opportunity to have a better outcome. I think they're negotiating about what a settlement would be if they want to do one or keep challenging the case further."
What about the dairy crisis?
"We've continued to deal with it as it's progressed. We've certainly seen the efforts in emergency assistance in the ag appropriations bill, right now. We've seen the export initiative that the (USDA) secretary (Tom Vilsack) has come out with.
"There have been efforts to keep our dairy farmers solvent. They're working at prices less than half what they were at this time last year. … We've got to get them through this difficult time."
What will be your approach to trade negotiations?
"I've been consistent that if and when WTO talks resume, we make it clear that we can't start from the same framework we left. Under President Bush, who made the offer, agriculture had considerable cuts in our assistance — our safety net — programs.
"The idea was other countries would follow, fall in line, and make the same offers of reductions of safety net reductions. But it didn't happen.
"For that to be the beginning framework would be very detrimental for us. I know it's tough to unwind those but, at some point, we've got to stand up and say 'we're starting over here. We've got a new administration and these were offers made without response.'"
e-mail: email@example.com


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which is based on a Forbes column by RichardBetts:
Having tried as many skin-contact white/gris as I can find, I think both of them make a lot of sense.
DavidLynch comments in Betts' blog:
"My thing with orange wines has always been this: they're more intellectually/romantically appealing than actually pleasurable. And my issue is mainly one of aromatics: obviously these are "white" grape varieties we're talking about, and whether it's the skin contact, the oxidative winemaking, or both (probably both), they tend to get stripped of their verve and aromatic high notes as a result of the "orange" agenda. What you're left with is an aromatically flat — and often forbiddingly tannic — white wine."
which is pretty much my take on these wines.
Having had two orange wines this weekend (WindGap PinotGris '11 and MarjanSimcic Opaka Chard '10), one of which I liked a lot (WindGap) and one of which I found "interesting"; I think his comment is dead-on.
Bonne expresses his pleasure for the (same) WindGap PinotGris and the Forlorn-Hope GWT; two wines w/ which I heartily agree on his opinion. To this, I would add FloridaJim's Isa LakeCnty SauvBlanc...which I doubt Bonne has tried. And Bonne admits that Gravner's amphorae wines don't much move him anymore. Also agree, especially at the $$'s that are charged for them.
Both Betts and Bonne assert that the orange wines can often be taken to extremes, especially when made in an oxidative style. Agree again. As a genre, I find the skin-contact whites made in a reductive manner (a subset, IMHO, of orange wines) are tremendously fascinating. But they need to find that right balance, presumably predicated on the length & degree of skin-contact, where you get a good compromise of the aromatics of a white wine and the raw phenolic character and varietal obliteration of lengthy skin-contact whites. That's where I think the genre will find more fans.
Anyway, both of these blogs are a very interesting read. Highly recommended.