text:
It's time for another Product Review Friday. Today we review a second vibes from the very fine Leaf collection. Oh and just so you know, Leaf is the 2012 XBIZ Award Winner for Sex Toy Company of the Year. So from our house to theirs; congratulations on winning this prestigious award.
But wait, you didn't miss our previous Leaf review, did you? Well not to worry if you did. Because you can find it and all our reviews archived on my site, Dr Dick Sex Toy Reviews. Just use the search function in the header and type in "Bloom" and presto!
Let's check in with Dr Dick Review Crew members, Kevin and Gina for the lowdown on today's product.
Vitality —— $104.63
Gina & Kevin
Gina: "After we read Jada's review of Bloom, Kevin and I hoped we'd have an opportunity to review one the Leaf line of vibes."
Kevin: "Gina and I are all about GREENING our sex life. We are trying to avoid anything that isn't healthy for us or our planet. That's why we were so excited when we got the Vitality to review. The Leaf line is as about as GREEN as green can be."
Gina: "I suppose some might consider Vitality a rabbit-type vibe, and in a way they'd be right. But there's nothing traditional about its design. It is a double-headed, dual-motored vibe that resembles a new shoot of a plant in spring. It's even the same color of spring. Vitality is a unisex vibe that can be use by either women or men. You can use it vaginally for G-spot stimulation and/or anally for prostate massage. But my favorite is as a clit vibe!"
Kevin: "I couldn't get over the versatility of the Vitality. But that's just the beginning. The Vitality is made from medical grade silicone, which means it's nonporous, nontoxic, hypoallergenic, as well as latex and phthalate-free. It is odorless and tasteless too. It is smooth and silky with a matte finish. We found that we needed a few drops of lube when using the Vitality because there can be a bit of a drag without. Of course, you can only use a water-based lube with this beauty. A silicone-based lube will mar the beautiful finish of the Vitality."
Gina: "The Vitality is also rechargeable. It takes approximately 2 hours to fully charge. The charging port is on the opposite side of the bulbous base from the control buttons. There is a light under the port that indicates it is being charged. Speaking of the controls, there is one control button for each of the ears of the vibe. The buttons lights up when you activate them and you can operate each motor independently. There are only vibration settings. No pulsing patterns. To turn the vibrations on you simply press the button and hold it down until you get to your desired level of intensity. To turn it off you only have to hit the button once."
Kevin: "The Vitality is super quite. Which really surprised me, because it's powerful little vibe. But my favorite feature of the Vitality is it's waterproof. I can bugger myself in the bath and/or shower. And because of it diminutive size, it has a total length of 5.5" and an insertable length of 3.25", as well as it's flexibility, it makes it an ideal toy for guys just learning to stimulate their prostate. One of the ears can be inserted, while the other massages his taint (perineum)."
Gina: "The waterproof feature makes the Vitality not only a joy to use in the bath or shower, as Kevin just said, but makes it so easy to clean. Mild soap and warm water does just fine, but you can also wipe it down with a lint-free towel moistened with peroxide, rubbing alcohol. The Vitality is too good not to share, and sharing is no problem because it can be sanitized using a 10% bleach solution. And just to prove to ourselves that the Vitality can stand up to a good sanitizing; we even swished it around in a pot of boiling water for a couple of minutes and put it through the gentle cycle of the dishwasher."
Kevin: "Now a word about Leaf 's signature packaging. Everything is biodegradable. The cardboard box is made of recycled paper. The look and feel is all GREEN. The box is fastened with a magnetically closing flap. Lift the flap, to open. Inside the box you will see a black packet, which contains the instruction manual presented in several languages. Below the user's manual is a drawstring canvas bag containing the Vitality. The bag is thick and durable, excellent for storing and safe-keeping. Under the canvas bag is the unit's recharger. Every aspect of the presentation proclaims that the designers and developers were serious about the environment. If only more adult companies were as environmentally conscious."
Gina: "While we most often use the Vitality for our solo play, it is also outstanding for partnered play, particularly in the bath. And when it is inserted, it's hands-free fun."
Kevin: "We both think that you simply can't beat the Vitality. Except maybe by one of the other fantastic designs from the Leaf collection."
Full Review HERE!


text:
Stone Brewing Offers Cigar Friendly Brews
- June 3, 2011 |
- By Andrew Nagy
Pairing beer with
cigars is always a challenge. So when Stone Brewing approached us with
two affordable brews that utilize Belgian yeast and an accompanying list
of suggested cigar pairings, our interest was admittedly piqued.
Cigar smokers understand that the difficulty of pairing a cigar with beer is that a cigar's smoke tends to overwhelm the flavor of beer. Stone Brewing seems to have solved this quandary with their Stone Old Guardian Belgo Barley Wine and Stone Belgo Anise Imperial Russian Stout offerings.
For those living near the Escondido, California-based brewery, this may not come as a surprise. Since last year, Stone Brewing has hosted three beer and cigar pairing nights, arranged by Beverage Supervisor "Dr." Bill Sysak, who also happens to be a cigar enthusiast, at the one acre beer garden facility, with much success. (The next one is scheduled for July 12.)
Stone Brewing has been brewing their versions of Barley Wine and Imperial Russian Stout with much critical success since 1998 and 2000, respectively. This year, though, the brewery has begun a new program called Odd Beers for Odd Years in which they'll be releasing new variations on these classics in odd numbered years (2011, 2013, 2015, etc).
For this year's Odd Year Release, Stone Brewing took its classic Barley wine and Imperial Russian Stout and fermented them with a Belgian yeast strain (hence the name "Belgo") that the brewery first used in its Stone Cali-Belgique IPA.
In addition, Head Brewer Mitch Steele says star anise is added to the Imperial Russian Stout at the very end of the mash, during the whirlpool stage. American and French oak chips are then added post-fermentation, with which the brew is allowed to steep for three days.
The results are
fascinating, especially if you enjoy cigars. We found that a Casa Magna
Churchill pairs well with the Barley Wine as it enhances the toasty
nuttiness of the tang and toffee flavors, and even brings out a bit of
coffee with it. The Casa Magna also turns the Imperial Russian Stout
into a genuine chocolate bomb and enhances the already pleasant sweet
nougat finish.
Taking the doctor's advice, we also tried a La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor Magnifico with each brew. With the Barely Wine, more tang and licorice notes came through and with prolonged smoking, hints of wood (baseball bat) and coffee.
As an experiment, we also tried a Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series cigar with the Imperial Russian Stout and discovered that it brought out coffee flavors as well as a strong note of sambuca.
Available in 36 states, plus Washington D.C., these beers not only quench your thirst with complex flavors but offer a unique pairing with your favorite smoke.
Stone Old Guardian BELGO Barley Wine ($5.99-$6.99, 12 percent alcohol by volume)
Appearance: Reddish copper, half a finger of head
Aroma: Unripe banana, raisins, tang, wheat, slight toffee
Palate: Bananas, toasty, slight rum, overall a very fruity finish.
Stone BELGO Anise Imperial Russian Stout ($5.99-$6.99, 10.5 percent alcohol by volume)
Appearance: Black, finger of head
Aroma: Licorice, zest of citrus
Palate: Boozy chocalate, nougat, tropical fruit (young pomegranate)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Women's tennis Coach Kristin Lusk is looking for an increase in wins this season for her Lady Bisons.
With four new freshmen, the Lady Bison are a young team with tremendous potential in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
The Lady Bison are led this season by two seniors; Olivia Ellis of Georgetown, Ky., and Raphaela Jann of Hamburg, Germany.
"My returning players all worked hard over the summer and fall," said Coach Kristin Lusk. "I expect to see that work pay off in our spring season."
With a disappointing season in 2008, the Lady Bisons are looking to improve with the new experience they have brought to the court.
"Obviously, it's hard to look back at a season and see a zero next to the wins column," said Lusk. "We had our chances last year, but we were just not able to capitalize at the right moments. My returning players have learned a lot though and it has made them stronger and work even harder this season."
Lusk has brought four freshmen to the team. Elizabeth Keevil is from Toronto, Ontario, Canada; where she played for Malvern Collegiate Institute.
Keevil has already had a tremendous start to her collegiate career as she advanced to the finals at the Steve Baras Fall Classic this past September. Keevil lost to the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga's Emily Hangstefer in the finals by a score of 6-3, 6-3.
"Elizabeth has so much potential and it is going to be fun to see her develop as a player," said Lusk.
Danielle Hansen is from Zionsville, Ind., where she attended Zionsville Community High School. Hansen also has had a successful start to her collegiate tennis career.
During Austin Peay tournament this past October, Hansen won both her singles matches; defeating Alex Pyle of APSU 6-3, 6-3 and Margot van Bussell of WKU 6-3, 6-3. Hansen also won both her doubles matches with Kara Jackson, defeating APSU 9-7 and WKU 8-6.
"Elizabeth and Danielle will see a lot of playing time this season since they got several wins this fall," said Lusk. "They are really going to help us add some depth to the roster."
Also coming to Lipscomb this season is Samantha Bowman and Ashlan Williams. Bowman is from Oak Ridge, Tenn., where she attended Oak Ridge High School. Williams, from Nashville, attended David Lipscomb High School.
Bowman and Williams have not seen much playing time in the preseason. They won one doubles match at the Austin Peay tournament in October.
"All of our freshmen have showed a lot of promise by transitioning well from high school to collegiate level tennis," said Lusk. "They have transitioned so well because they share the values and work ethic of the upperclassmen."
The Lady Bisons will begin their season on Jan. 23rd, where they will play the University of Alabama A&M in Nashville at the Whitworth Country Club. The match begins at 7 p.m.
This story was written by Caroline Price, a student assistant in the athletics media relations department.


text:
Although we don't return to school until after Labor Day, I understand that many of you have already begun the 2014-2015 school year. So......I've put together a megalist of resources which will assist you in becoming more organized.
Award and Certificate Templates
Back to School Templates
Best Education and Technology Podcasts
Books for Reluctant Readers: Grades K-12
Bulletin Board Ideas
Classroom Guides from Edutopia
Classroom Management Templates and Forms
Free eBooks Listing
FREE Stuff for Teachers
Getting Started with Icebreakers
Grants and Grant Writing Information
Great Blogs to Follow By Subject Area
Holidays from September-June
Resources for New Teachers
Technology eBooks from MakeUseOf


text:
New York's highest court will hear appeals from three drivers claiming they were too intoxicated to know right from wrong in deadly crashes and should have their murder convictions thrown out.
Martin Heidgen drove his pickup the wrong way on Long Island's Meadow Brook State Parkway in 2005 and hit a limousine, killing the driver and a 7-year-old passenger. He had blood alcohol content of 0.28 percent.
Taliyah Taylor in 2006 sped 80 mph down Forest Avenue in Staten Island without headlights, ran a red light and killed a pedestrian. She had taken an Ecstasy pill, smoked marijuana and drunk beer.
Franklin McPherson drove the wrong way on Long Island's Southern State Parkway in 2007 and hit a jeep, killing the driver. His BAC was 0.19 percent.
Arguments are Tuesday.


text:
The Maya HTT-authored NX™ Electronics Systems Cooling (ESC) is an industry-focused simulation tool developed to meet the unique requirements of the electronics industry
Maya HTT has a long history in the electronics industry. From commercial products like cameras and phones, industrial applications like power converters, and even aerospace systems like avionics boxes, Maya HTT's software, training and consulting services add significant value, helping our customers deliver products to market more quickly and efficiently.
Maya HTT is an authorized reseller for Siemens PLM's NX™ and Teamcenter® software. These market-leading solutions provide state-of-the-art capabilities for systems and component development, spanning design and engineering to simulation and testing and then final assembly and product launch. Our knowledge of the electronics industry, combined with our ability to customize and extend the NX™/TeamCenter platform, enables us to help electronics companies fully harness this powerful software suite. Our specialized services to our software clients include process consulting, development and implementation of engineering methods, customized training, application development, and technical support.
The Maya HTT-authored NX™ Electronics Systems Cooling (ESC) is an industry-focused simulation tool developed to meet the unique requirements of the electronics industry. Used to predict thermal failures, and optimize cooling strategies, NX™ ESC also provides specialized features to characterize printed circuit boards, and electrical components. Like all of Maya HTT's tools, it's fully embedded within the NX™ CAD/CAM environment, bringing design and analysis closer together, thus reducing time-to-market. Maya HTT's simulation tools are used extensively by a prominent aerospace company in the design and analysis of avionics equipment. Simulation allows them to predict product performance and make the necessary design changes in advance of costly physical prototyping.
One of the major bottlenecks in electronics design is the lack of communication between mechanical and electrical designers. Each has their own requirements, whether optimizing space, or maximizing signal integrity. Maya HTT develops essential tools that bridge that gap. NX™ PCB Exchange integrates the NX™ product development suite with a variety electrical layout tools, both through industry-standard and proprietary interfaces. It facilitates true concurrent engineering, allowing mechanical and electrical designers to share and communicate their design intents. Maya HTT, through Siemens PLM, participated in the ProSTEP ECAD/MCAD Collaboration Implementer Forum, seeking to advance a new standard in data exchange. MAYA is also working closely with a major ECAD vendor to implement this new standard at one of the world's leading consumer electronics companies.
The Maya HTT team includes industry experts in both thermal and structural engineering, who can help analyze and optimize your electronics designs. Not only can we assess thermal and structural performance separately, we also have the expertise to consider combined thermo-mechanical performance of electronics enclosures. We harness this expertise to provide complete project support, or simply to provide expanded engineering capacity. Our services team has been leveraged successfully by a variety of companies, on a variety of projects, including LCD televisions, microwave communication components, spacecraft-installed control and data handling units, cabinet-sized power switches, room-sized solar power converters, and building-sized datacenters.
By working with Maya HTT, you can benefit from our unique skillset to accelerate and enhance your system development processes. Through our industry know-how, advanced software toolset, numerical simulation skills, and software development expertise, we have the resources to tackle your most advanced mechanical simulation challenges, and to ensure that your engineering methods are at the leading edge. Look to Maya HTT for outstanding service, unmatched breadth of expertise, and the highest quality support in the industry.


text:
0 Items in Your Cart
Vault Guides are THE source for insider insight on career information and employer reviews. Shop Vault Guides
Phil Stott
January 23, 2014
Ever wondered how to make your profile stand out on LinkedIn, or whether people who use the site actually find jobs with it? I definitely have, so when I got the opportunity to talk to someone who knows the ins and outs of using the site from a hiring perspective, I jumped at it.
The result: the following Q&A with Erin Osterhaus, an HR analyst at Software Advice, an online resource for reviews and comparisons of HR software. Prior to our Q&A, she sat down with one of LinkedIn's senior product recruiters to learn about their best practices for hiring, and how job seekers can use LinkedIn more effectively to help increase their profile visibility with recruiters.
Q: What do job seekers/ candidates need to know about how HR professionals use LinkedIn?
Erin: First of all, job seekers should know that HR professionals are using LinkedIn—extensively. If you don't have a LinkedIn profile and you're on the job hunt, get one.
Second, in addition to keeping your profile updated, job seekers should also be sure to use LinkedIn's social features. Join groups, follow influencers, and post content relevant to your field in your own feed. This sort of activity helps recruiters know you mean business, and that you're engaged and committed in your professional field.
Q: What things can candidates do to make sure their profiles are appearing in search results (especially for relevant positions)?
Erin: Once you have a LinkedIn account, you have the option to indicate your industry in the header section of your profile. Make sure you list your current industry, or the industry you would like to be a part of. Additionally, fill out your summary. Especially if you're just starting out in your career, letting recruiters know what you're looking for, and how your past experience relates to those goals is helpful information.
Also, be sure to incorporate relevant keywords in your header and throughout your profile. I think this is especially important if you're looking to make a career shift to a different type of role or a new industry. Look at the keywords in the descriptions of the jobs you want, and be sure to find ways to use them in your profile.
And joining relevant groups is another great way to rank higher in LinkedIn searches. Groups increase your network, and the bigger your network is, the more likely you are to show up in a search by a recruiter or HR manager. Recruiters tend to hang out where the talent is, so you may even land a job just by casually interacting with members of industry groups.
Q: Any do's/don'ts for candidate profiles?
Erin: Don't–leave your profile to rot. Keep it updated with current information. Even if you're not looking for a job at the moment.
Do–be active. Join LinkedIn groups that are relevant to your industry. Participate in discussions and share content on your profile that is relevant to your field.
Q: Are connections on LinkedIn important in terms of HR search function?
Erin: From the conversations I've had and research I've gathered, it's my opinion that the more connections you have, the more likely you are to appear in search results. This also may help you to appear closer to the top of the list. While many recruiters have a LinkedIn Recruiter account that enables them to see any profile, even if it's outside of their network, many recruiters can't or don't want to shell out the big bucks for an upgraded account. These recruiters can only see first, second and third degree connections as well as anyone who is in a group they've joined. This makes growing your network and joining groups crucial, especially if you want to get picked up by a startup or a smaller organization.
Q: Any other tips for candidates on using LinkedIn as part of their job search?
Erin: I think engagement is the best advice I could give a job seeker. Don't just join groups–you also need to participate in them. Become a regular contributor to the conversation and people will start to remember you. Post interesting content on your feed and respond to anyone who comments on it. Comment on other people's interesting content. It's one of the easiest and fastest ways to network these days, no name tag or awkward elevator pitch required.
New Talent Times: How LinkedIn Uses LinkedIn to Recruit
5 Ways a Blog Can Get You the Job
December 23, 2013
Worst Follow-Up Email of All Time?
October 16, 2013
Why Women Struggle With Networking: Lessons from NAPW
May 6, 2013
Filed Under:
Job Search
Vault.com encourages you to express your opinions and engage in discussions with one another by leaving comments on our site. While we promote an open forum, please follow these guidelines to ensure an enjoyable and welcoming environment for all our readers. Vault.com does not review or moderate all comments but we reserve the right to remove or edit content once posted.
Respect one another. Debates are great, but attacks are not. Please refrain from posting offensive, obscene, threatening or abusive comments. If you personally attack other readers or writers, your comment(s) and responses to those comments may be removed from the discussion. Attacks create a hostile environment that discourages discussion. You are fully responsible for libelous or defamatory comments.
Hate-speech will not be tolerated. Comments containing racism, homophobia, sexism, or any other form of hate-speech have no place on our site.
Keep your language in check. Vulgar posts may offend other readers. Our filters are fairly tolerant, allowing for quite a bit of colorful/questionable language, but too many obscenities may prevent a comment from posting. In addition, in some cases, if a post is still too vulgar, a moderator may later remove or edit it.
Please note that comments may be edited by the moderator for any reason, including but not limited to language.
Stay on topic. Comments should be related to the topic discussed in the associated article or blog post. In order to keep the conversation relevant, off-topic comments may be edited or removed.
Don't impersonate someone else. You may not use a false e-mail address, impersonate any person or entity, or otherwise mislead as to the origin of your comments. If we believe you've impersonated someone else, we reserve the right to remove the comment.
Spam and commercial content will be removed. We do not welcome comments containing copy used for commercial purposes or for soliciting funds. If we see them, we reserve the right to remove them.
Readers may "report" concerns about other reader comments. Please use the "Report Abuse" link to flag inappropriate content. If a reader reports a concern, moderators will try to review that concern as soon as possible. This may take a few days although we hope to review comments more quickly. We do not remove every comment that has been reported and we cannot respond individually to every report.
Stop and think before you comment. We won't remove comments because a reader or writer regrets a post. Please remember that these comments are searchable and a comment history has a long life on the web.
Don't include personal information in your comments. We strongly discourage readers from posting personal information about themselves (ex. address, telephone number, workplace) and reserve the right to remove any comments we find with personal information about other people or that violates a third party's right to privacy.
Complaints about removed comments. We reserve the right to remove comments left to protest a removed comment. Please contact us if you have any complaints about deleted comments.
Repeated abuse of our guidelines may lead to commenting privileges being suspended. If you think you've been banned by mistake, let us know.
For further questions and comments regarding commenting on Vault.com, please contact us.
Get tips on interviewing, networking, resumes, and more directly to your inbox.
No Thanks
Free sample resumes and expert advice
Free sample cover letters and expert advice
Sample interview questions and expert advice
Get networking tips and expert advice
The Vault Guide to Top Internships rates more than 120 internship...
In the United States alone, roughly 87 percent of the population use...
Practice Perspectives: Vault's Guide to Legal Practice...
It takes more than a solid résumé and cover letter to make...
The Vault Guides to Jobs series provides essential...
Opportunity is definitely knocking for information technology...
Case interviews are a crucial part of the hiring process in the...
The Vault Guide to Finance Interviews, Ninth Edition is a must-have...
An increasing number of people are investing their money to help pay...
About Us
Get Involved
Helpful Resources


text:
Early this morning, a bus filled with Maryland dogs was set to pull up in Newtown, Conn., to begin offering comfort in wake of Sandy Hook School shooting.
Pets on Wheels, a therapy dog group, organized the effort that executive director Vicki Rummel said would ferry about 23 pets to Connecticut -- dogs of all types and at least one cat.
"The shooting was such a tragedy that we felt that we had to do something," Rummel told Insider. "Since we have therapy pets, it just makes sense. We felt it was something we had to do."
Twenty children were among 28 who died when a gunman broke into an elementary school on Dec. 14.
Arriving early today, Pets on Wheels plans to bring plenty of wet noses and warm fur to Newtown, then get back on the bus in time to return to Maryland by about 3 a.m. Saturday.
"The goal is to bring comfort to anyone who needs it," Rummel said. "Pets can reach people way better than people can." About 26 volunteers are also along for the mission.
Harris Bus provided the yellow school bus for the journey and a driver -- extending their insurance to do it. Wal-Mart chipped in cases of water and ice. Merchants from the Avenue at White Marsh donated toys and things to offer children.
@BaltInsider on Twitter


text:
They win when you go out
Matt Damon went out to a charity event on Monday night – click here for a refresher – as his Boston Bruins owned the Vancouver Canucks in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. He went out last night again in New York, attending the Freeing Voice Changing Lives Benefit Gala with wife Luciana. And the Bruins again dominated, handily winning Game 4, sending the Canucks into a tailspin. Those boys look like they're freaking out. It would be nice if they actually showed up on Friday at home. I don't know if it's just Vancouver but I wish.... people would check themselves before calling into sports radio shows. What is it about sport that makes the fan feel like every thought they have has never, ever been articulated before?
Anyway, Matt's friend and co-star Emily Blunt was also at the event with husband John Krasinski. Did someone mention that maybe he should host the MTV Movie Awards for a change? Maybe it was Duana. I love Emily's dress, especially the shoulders. I do wish however it wasn't all sequined. Sometimes it can age an outfit, you know?
Photos from Johns PKI/Splashnewsonline.com


text:
Call Me by Your Name
3.5 out of 5 Stars
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Writer: James Ivory (screenplay), André Aciman (novel)
Starring: Armie Hammer, Timothée Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg
Genre: Drama, Romance
Rated: R for sexual content, nudity and some language
Synopsis: Elio (Timothée Chalamet), a 17-year-old young man, experiences the pains of first love when he falls for Oliver (Armie Hammer), a 24-year-old graduate student working as his father's research assistant.
Review: Since its debut at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, "Call Me by Your Name" has been touted by many as one of the best films of 2017. By the time that I saw the film in November the furor had grown to the point where it looked like the film was likely to be the frontrunner for Best Picture at the Oscars, Golden Globes and Critics' Choice award shows.
"Call Me by Your Name" is a coming-of-age story, a tale of sexual awakening and the pitfalls of youth. Set in 1983 against the Italian countryside, the film has the warm glow of old Hollywood thanks to the gorgeous cinematography by Sayombhu Mukdeeprom ("Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives") with a cast that is as easy to look upon as the landscape that surrounds them. The script, adapted by James Ivory from André Aciman's novel, is similarly lush.
Director Luca Guadagnino shows a certain amount of restraint, particularly when it comes to the sexual aspects of the film. Of course, where some see restraint others see a certain censorship to make the film more appealing to the masses.
I wasn't particularly taken with "Call Me by Your Name," which was something of a surprise for me. I was impressed by Timothée Chalamet's performance (he also has a strong performance in "Lady Bird") and the rest of the cast offers amicable turns.
But all that beauty didn't amount to the transcendent moment that many others have had while watching the film. There is some depth and rawness that keeps the film from being superficial, but I wasn't particularly invested in Elio. I felt more for Esther Garrel's character, Marzia, who like Elio is forced into facing the bitter aftertaste of love.
I can only guess that my issue is with Guadagnino's storytelling because I was equally unmoved by both of his previous efforts, "I Am Love" and "A Bigger Splash." I prefer "Call Me by Your Name" to those films, but just so. I won't be upset if the film takes home numerous Oscars, I'll save those emotions for "Downsizing" (should it actually be nominated).


text:
Nationals batters, Gonzalez struggle against Orioles, drop Beltway Series opener 6-2
WASHINGTON – On Sunday, the Nationals' offense showed rare scoring punch in victory over Philadelphia Phillies starter Cole Hamels, enough to imagine manager Davey Johnson ending his shaving boycott soon.
On Monday, Orioles hurler Jason Hammel stymied Washington's Bryce Harper-less lineup and likely kept Johnson's scraggly facial hair around a little longer. He says he won't shave it until the Nats' bats show satisfactory progress.
Hammel held the Nationals to two runs in his longest start of the season while Gio Gonzalez allowed four in shortest outing since April as the Nationals fell to the Baltimore Orioles 6-2.
The Nationals played without Harper, who has swelling in his left knee.
Harper's injury was aggravated in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Phillies and underwent an MRI. Team medical director Wiemi Douoguih said the outfielder has inflammation of the bursa sac in front of his knee, which he anticipates "clearing up in a couple of days." Harper underwent an MRI, which showed some soft tissue swelling, but no structural damage, Douoguih said.
Washington's lineup did little damage against Hammel (7-2), who spun another gem at Nationals Park while improving to 4-0 in Washington. The right-hander struck out eight without a walk and allowed eight hits in eight innings.
"He used both sides of the plate with his fastball and threw some pretty good breaking balls," Johnson said of the latest starting pitcher to silence his batters. "We just didn't get the big hit."
Hammel threw a third-strike fastball past Tyler Moore to end the sixth inning and strand the potential tying run. Washington went 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position.
That's been kind of our M.O.," said Johnson, who vowed last week not to shave until the bats came alive. He kept the beard even though Washington scored six runs Sunday and had won three of four games.
"Gio wouldn't let me," Johnson cracked pregame about why a razor had yet to touch his face. "But we're getting close."
Perhaps, but the Nationals scored two or fewer runs for the 25th time in 51 games.
In this case, that was certainly no enough. Nick Markakis and Yamaico Navarro each drove in two runs and the Orioles had 15 hits, including three from Manny Machado.
After allowing only five earned runs and posting a 3-1 record in his previous three starts, Gonzalez (3-3) gave up four runs and eight hits over 5 2-3 innings with four walks and three strikeouts.
The Orioles were scoreless until tallying three runs in the fourth off Gonzalez. Navarro's bloop RBI single tied the score at 1 and put runners on first and second with one out. After Hammel bunted, Markakis hit a two-out, two-run single.
"I was getting myself out of situations, but then I'd put myself in situations," Gonzalez said of his scattered performance.
Gonzalez, who went 21-8 last season, pitched into the seventh inning in all four starts since allowing five runs in four innings at Atlanta on April 30. After this setback, he dealt with postgame questions regarding consistency issues on the mound this season.
"Four starts in a row isn't consistent? Seems pretty consistent to me," Gonzalez said. "You're entitled to have a bad game once in a while. I'm not going to be perfect, but at the same time I was in the zone, I was attacking them. ... That's a good hitting team, got to give them their credit."
Machado hit his AL leading 23rd double, stole a base and scored a run. The 20-year-old has seven games with at least three hits since May 10.
Moore's RBI single in the second gave the Nationals a 1-0 lead and Denard Span scored in the sixth on Ryan Zimmerman's single after tripling off Hammel.
Matt Wieters hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth put Baltimore up 4-1.
The Nationals and Orioles play four straight games this week with Wednesday and Thursday's contests held in Baltimore.
NOTES: Before the game, the Nationals placed LHP Ross Detwiler on the 15-day disabled list with a right back muscle strain and recalled LHP Xavier Cedeno from Triple-A Syracuse. After the loss, Washington sent Cedeno back to Syracuse and called up RHP Nathan Karns from Double-A Harrisburg. Karns will start and make his major league debut on Tuesday against RHP Kevin Gausman (0-1), who will make his second career start for the Orioles. ... Douoguih provided updates on several injured Nationals including catcher Wilson Ramos. Out since May 16 with a left hamstring injury, Ramos will miss another four weeks. ... Danny Espinosa (fractured right wrist) missed his fourth straight game, but could return to the lineup on Wednesday if no additional swelling takes place after the second baseman took swings on Monday. ... Jayson Werth, out since May 2 with a right hamstring strain, could play in rehab games later this week and return to the Nationals active roster next week. ... Hitting coach Rick Eckstein served as first base coach with Tony Tarasco absent due to the birth of his child. ... RHP Yunesky Maya, designated for assignment by the Nationals on Saturday, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse.


text:
The game's first rules, from the Official Handbook of the Young Men's Christian Associations of North America.
Volley Ball is a new game which is pre-eminently fitted for the gymnasium or the exercise hall, but which may also be played out-of-doors. Any number of persons may play the game. The play consists of keeping a ball in motion over a high net, from one side to the other, thus partaking of the character of two games -- tennis and hand ball.
Play is started by a player on one side serving the ball over the the net into the opponents' field or court. The opponents then, without allowing the ball to strike the floor, return it, and it is in this way kept going back and forth until one side fails to return it or it hits the floor. This counts a "score" for one side, or a"server out" for the other, depending on the side in point. The game consists of nine innings, each side serving a certain number of times, as per the rules, per inning.
The game consists of nine innings.
An inning consists of: when one person is playing on each side, one service each side; when two are playing on each side, two services each side; when three or more are playing on each side, three services each side. The man serving continues to do so until out by failure of his side to return the ball. Each man shall serve in turn.
The court or floor space shall be twenty-five feet wide and fifty feet long, to be divided into two square courts, twenty-five by twenty- five feet, by the net. Four feet from the net on either side and parallel with it shall be a lin e across the court, the Dribbling line. The boundary lines must be plainly marked so as to be visible from all parts of the court. Note--The exact size of the court may be changed to suit the convenience of the place.
The net shall be at least two feet wide and twenty-seven feet long, and shall be suspended from uprights placed at least one foot outside the side lines. The top line of the net must be six feet six inches from the floor.
The ball shall be a rubber bladder covered with leather or canvas. It shall measure not less than twenty-five inches, nor more than twenty-seven inches in circumference, and shall weigh not less than nine ounces nor more than twelve ounces.
The server shall stand with one foot on the back line. The ball must be batted with the hand. Two services or trials are allowed him to place the ball in the opponent's court (as in tennis). The server may serve into the opponents' court at any place. In a service, the ball must be batted at least ten feet, no dribbling allowed. A service which would strike the net, but which is struck by another of the same side before striking the net, if it goes over into the opponent's court, is good, but if it should go outside, the server has no second trial.
Each good service unreturned or ball in play unreturned by the side receiving counts one score for the side serving. A side only scores when serving, as a failure to return the ball in their part results in the server being put out.
A play which hits the net, aside from first service, is called a net ball, and is equivalent to a failure to return, counting for the opposite side. The ball hitting the net on first service shall be called dead, and counts as a trial.
It is a ball striking the boundary line. It is equivalent to one out of court, and counts as such.
Any number may play that is convenient to the place. A player should be able to cover about ten by ten feet.Should any player during play touch the net, it puts the ball out of play and counts against his side. Should any player catch or hold for an instant the ball, it is out of play and counts for the opposite side. Should the ball strike any object other than the floor and bound back into play, it is still in play. To dribble the ball is to carry it all the time, keeping it bouncing. When dribbling the ball no player shall cross the dribbling line, this putting the ball out of play and counting against him. Any player except the captain, addressing the umpire or casting any slurring remarks at him or any of the players on the opposite side, may be disqualified, and his side be compelled to play the game without him or a substitute, or forfeit the same.


text:
Best in class running shorts
Hands down the best pair of shorts I've own, and I own many and many brands. Af first the most noticeable difference is how light the material feels! Second is the briefs, by far the best feel out there. They do not ride up your bum nor restrict the family jewels. Perfect fit! Last is the back pocket. These guys got it right. There are other shorts out there with a back pocket but they all seem to ride too low. This is one is right up against your lower back. No bounce!!! Seriously!!! It's big enough for an iPhone 8 with a slim case, one or two gels, and a small ziplock bag for a car key with a couple of bills in it.
Size wise, I love the fit. Probably the reason why these are my favorite pair of shorts. I own the small ones and they fit amazing. I love the minimum use of material, these shorts feel like slim fitting shorts but because they are stretchy, they don't feel overly tight. There's about 2" inch play in the thigh area, so they flow a bit, but not too much. For the record, I hate those shorts that even in the small size, they feel like you're carrying a parachute on you!
For reference, I'm 5'10", 30" waist, 32" inseam, 157/162lbs
Now, if y'all can make it in other colors, that would be great!! :)
Cheers and happy running!


text: Investing in Farmland Not Guaranteed November 28, 2012 03:04 PM Tweet TAGS: Marketing, Overseas December 18, 2014 By Boyce Thompson AgWeb Email Investments not guaranteed to last long There's a new land rush going on in this country and abroad. Institutional investors have settled on agricultural land as a lucrative, relatively safe investment vehicle. But what kinds of returns do they seek and obtain? A panel of deep-pocketed investors shared their return expectations and results at the recent Farm Futures Conference in San Francisco. While returns on U.S. farmland investments were astounding in 2011, in the 15% range according to one index, it would be a mistake to think they will stay that high. "This is a 10% to 12% return business in row crop," said Paul Pittman, who used to work on Wall Street and now owns Pittman Farms in Illinois, Nebraska and Colorado. He compared returns on farmland to those on inflation-adjusted bonds. "You need to look at it as 5% to 6% cash flow and 5% to 6% appreciation. You might get 8% in cash flow one year, but it's not realistic to expect that over the long term." USDA's Economic Research Service documented that between 1970 and 2009 agricultural land value grew by an average of 10.25%. During that time, farmland outperformed domestic stocks (6.25% for the S&P 500) and government bonds (7.3% for 10-year Treasuries). Farmland investment stacks up well against the stock market. Until recently, institutional investors had trouble gaining access to farmland, which tended to be sold in private transactions, with limited reporting and research. TIAA-CREF, a pension fund with a $3 billion agricultural land portfolio, estimates institutions own only about 1% of U.S. farmland. But in recent years, funds have popped up that provide access for outside investors. Ceres Partners, for instance, oversees a portfolio of 104 farms totaling 25,000 acres in the Midwest. President Perry Vieth said the portfolio has produced a 16% annual return since January 2008, shortly after it formed. The fund looks for undervalued properties that can produce strong cash flow. "We look for cash-on-cash unlevered return of 6.5% to 7%, and we get that. That's our buy signal. We try to add value by making improvements. We might buy B-plus land but add irrigation or grow specialty crops to increase the value." Hancock Agricultural Investment Group is the largest institutional farmland manager in the U.S., with a $1.7 billion portfolio that includes 275,000 acres of prime U.S. farmland; 6,000 in Australia; and 1,000 in Quebec, Canada. It deals mostly with pension funds. The NCREIF Farmland Index, which tracks 541 properties worth $3.3 billion, shows that income returns have cooled. Farmland in the index is primarily owned by pension funds and high-net-worth individuals. About 80% of the properties are leased to tenant farmers; the rest are operated by institutional owners. Opportunities Abroad. Some farmland funds have been set up to leverage foreign opportunities. South American Soy, for instance, was established in 2004 to buy farms in Brazil. Owned by farmers and real estate investors, it has produced phenomenal returns. "The farms we bought in 2004 have gone up five times, and double that with currency valuation," says general manager Phillip Corzine. But lately, due to the difficulty of buying land outright in Brazil, the fund has switched its focus to leasing land, using Brazilian labor and a full equipment line. Even so, South American Soy has produced a 12% to 14% return for investors for the past three years, compared with the typical 6% or 7% return, Corzine said. Back to news


text:
Restoration Hardware Presents Classical Reproduction Furniture in Mini Sizes
Most of us don't invest a lot of money into limited lifespan furniture sized for children, but we still noted with interest a new collection from Restoration Hardware of classic furniture designs scaled down for kids.
These chairs along with the rest of the small line from Restoration Hardware aim to give you long lasting classic pieces that will continue to look great throughout history and in your home. Pictured above are the Mini Professor ($499), Mini French Wingback ($429), Mini Vintage French Chair ($229), Petite Madeleine Play Chair ($89, inspired by Parisian café seating) and, the priciest, the Mini 1950's Copenhagen Chair ($1119).
These may not be the most practical (or affordable) options for your home, but they certainly don't scream "kiddie!" You can find more details at Restoration Hardware Baby and Child.


text:
Kristen Stewart 'Dying' to Work with Robert Pattinson Again
Many successful couples say the secret to keeping the fire burning is not spending too much time together so that absence has the chance to make the heart grow fonder. Kristen Stewart, however, apparently didn't get the memo.
She says she'd love to make more movies with her boyfriend and 'Twilight' co-star Robert Pattinson — maybe even the film adaptation of the steamy bestseller, 'Fifty Shades of Grey.'
The hit novel was inspired by the roles Stewart and Pattinson play in the 'Twilight' franchise, and it tells the story of a student who falls for a wealthy entrepreneur who lures her into his erotic world of S&M. Universal recently bought the film rights to the book, and although Stewart hasn't read it, she's certainly heard about it.
Asked by Celebuzz if she and Pattinson would consider co-starring in the flick, Stewart replied, "I'm dying to make another movie with Rob, I think that we're a good team. I think whatever it is needs to be so ridiculously ambitious. So maybe! I just haven't read it, so I don't know what it is, but I would love to work with him again."
But before that happens, she's focused on 'Snow White and the Huntsman,' which hits theaters June 1. Talking about playing the lead role of Snow White — who's re-imagined as a strong, gusty warrior — Stewart said she thinks girls sometimes rely too much on a relationship to make them happy.
"It's super on-trend right now to have strong girl power movies. I think it's cool [Snow White] feels like such a girl, yet she's super strong. The whole guy situation — it's a war movie," she said. "Things are happening way too fast to even consider a love triangle. Everyone thinks, 'What's happening with the Prince, Huntsman, and Snow White?' It's like, are you kidding me? We're all at war! It doesn't matter right now."


text:
With characteristic haze shrouding the city's densely crowded skyline, Hong Kong's Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying made a cautious and thoughtful debut policy address Wednesday, announcing ambitious plans to tackle air pollution and a chronic shortage of affordable housing.
The measures are designed to strike a popular chord and shore up support for the beleaguered leader, who in his first six months in office has faced a no-confidence vote, street protests calling for his resignation and a scandal over unauthorized extensions he made to his Victoria Peak home. Last week he was also the target of an impeachment bid. It never appeared to have sufficient support among lawmakers to succeed, but as the first such attempt made in the local legislature since its establishment under the British in 1843, it was highly symbolic.
(MORE: Hong Kong's Embattled Leader Faces More Protests)
Leung's speech marked a notable departure from the noninterventionist mantra pursued by previous leaders — from colonial governors to those of Leung's immediate post-reunification predecessors — and is certain to increase the distance between him and the city's freewheeling tycoons. But such measures appear unavoidable in a city that is one of the world's great financial centers but nonetheless a place of much social frustration, where thousands still live in notorious cage homes, where some families of four are crammed into spaces of 15 sq m or even less, and where choking smog is thought to contribute to about 3,200 premature deaths each year. Though he appears unable to tackle the political issues that many believe lie at the heart of Hong Kong's malaise —the lack of representative government and a vexed relationship with a Beijing seen as encroaching on Hong Kong's cherished autonomy — Leung is counting on his new quality-of-life policies to ease some social dissatisfaction. "He's going to try to win the middle-of-the-road people," says Joseph Cheng, a political scientist at City University of Hong Kong.
In his address, Leung conceded that squalid living conditions had become "the reluctant choice for tens of thousands" and said that about 128,700 public-housing units would be built by 2020. He enumerated a number of radical proposals to increase the supply of available land, including the construction of artificial islands, extensive reclamation and the lifting of building restrictions in older parts of Hong Kong Island.
(TIME Asia Cover Story: Can Hong Kong Trust Leung Chun-ying?)
Leung also announced a $1.25 million subsidy plan to phase out heavily polluting diesel vehicles in a bid to drastically reduce the city's chronic roadside pollution and said the government would finally consider mandating the use of low-sulfur fuels by the vast number of ships passing through the city's famous port. Hong Kong is so laggardly in this regard that a shipping company, Maersk, which has been using low-sulfur fuel along with 17 other companies as part of a voluntary scheme, has been openly calling for tighter regulation in the face of official procrastination.
Unsurprisingly, in a city of the quick fix, Leung's policies aren't fast enough for some — even though they are easily the most comprehensive to be announced since Hong Kong's return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. Organizations representing low-income groups want more affordable flats to be made available more quickly. "Our hopes were high, so we are disappointed," says Ho Hei-wah, director of Society for Community Organization, which represents low-income groups. "The hope he had given us and what he is offering now are quite different."
(PHOTOS: Hong Kong Protests Plans for Patriotic Education)
Disappointment was also expressed at the Chief Executive's reticence on the speed of the city's political development. His election last year by an elite electoral college of just 1,200 carefully vetted members rankled not just democracy activists but also a sophisticated, well-educated populace that would very much like to choose its own leader — particularly when Leung's term expires in 2017, the year given by Beijing as the earliest at which it would consider allowing direct elections in Hong Kong. Leung said only that the government would launch a consultation on future electoral systems. "The real decisions are to be made by Beijing, and we do not quite understand Beijing's intentions yet," says Cheng.
Also scant was the kind of inspirational and motivational vision that was a hallmark of Leung's electoral campaign. "There's nothing in [the policy address] other than focusing on one very specific single task, which is to find land to build public housing," says pro-democracy legislator Charles Mok. "If you look at economic development, particularly in support for industry, in support for innovation and technology, basically he retreated to: 'Believe me, I'm setting up a committee. We'll look into it.'"
There is no denying, however, that Leung's maiden policy address will win over large numbers of those who have previously been undecided about their Chief Executive. The annual budget speech, to be made by financial secretary John Tsang in February, offers the administration a further opportunity to boost its popularity by addressing income inequality and welfare issues. That will be crucial to Leung if he is to avoid a repeat of the same protests and antipathy that have plagued his first six months in office. And it will buy him time to think about the highly contentious issue of how his successor will be elected. Without any clarity on that, Cheng's forecast is for a political climate as murky as the city's polluted air: "We anticipate new political storms," the analyst says.
— With reporting by Kristene Quan
MORE: Q&A: Hong Kong's New Leader Is a Divisive Figure but Aims to Build Bridges


text:
Dear Alumni and Friends,
I have spent some time looking back over my first year as the Chair for the USU Foundation Board. The time has flown by and it's hard to believe it's nearly 2 years since we finished the campaign, Honoring Tradition, Securing the Future. At the conclusion of the very successful campaign I think many have thought things might slow down for a while.
Many people have asked me, "Now what?" My simple answer is that we keep moving forward. During the coming years, members of the foundation board will be reaching out to our alumni and friends with whom we may have lost contact. We want to share with them the incredible progress Utah State has made over the past several years. We will be inviting people to campus who have not been back for many years and I know they will be amazed at the transformation.
Yet, even with all we were able to accomplish with the help of thousands of loyal Aggies and friends, the work does not stop for Utah State. The President and the Deans have even greater dreams for this University, and I am thrilled that I can be a part of bringing those dreams to reality. I hope you will want to join us on this exciting adventure to the future. Utah State University will need us all to reach the heights that we are destined to attain.
Brian Broadbent, Chair
Utah State University Foundation


text:
Difference between revisions of "Early voting"
(see talk page re scope of table, added section on postal voting at bottom)
|Line 90:
|Line 90:
In North Carolina, the list of absentee voters is available online without any charge.<ref name=disclose/> Iowa authorized in-person absentee voting starting 40 days before a primary or general election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sos.iowa.gov/elections/electioninfo/absenteeinperson.html|title=Absentee Voting in Person|accessdate=October 30, 2012|work=Iowa Secretary of State}}</ref> Iowa charges for the absentee voter list on a per voter basis.<ref name=disclose/>
In North Carolina, the list of absentee voters is available online without any charge.<ref name=disclose/> Iowa authorized in-person absentee voting starting 40 days before a primary or general election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sos.iowa.gov/elections/electioninfo/absenteeinperson.html|title=Absentee Voting in Person|accessdate=October 30, 2012|work=Iowa Secretary of State}}</ref> Iowa charges for the absentee voter list on a per voter basis.<ref name=disclose/>
==Voting by mail==
==Voting by mail==
Oregon and Washington use mail voting for all voters
Oregon and Washington use mail voting for all votersin . In 1998, [[Oregon]] voters passed an initiative requiring that all elections be conducted by mail. Voters may also drop their ballots off at a county-designated official drop site.
In 2011, Washington passed a law requiring all counties to conduct vote-by-mail elections.<ref>{{cite news
In 2011, Washington passed a law requiring all counties to conduct vote-by-mail elections.<ref>{{cite news
Revision as of 12:46, 15 November 2012
Early voting refers to extending voting over many days, and even weeks, and allow people to mail in ballots rather than show up in person on election day without having to provide a valid excuse. Traditionally, absentee voters had to state one of several allowed reasons to vote before election day, while early voting is available to all eligible voters. Scholars consider both early voting and absentee voting to be forms of "convenience voting",[1] which are used by more that 30% of United States voters.
Early voting has spread as computer technology simplifies the task of preventing multiple votes by the same voter. Early voting has been adopted in many countries, including Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Thailand. As pushed by Democrats, many states in the United States have laws adopting forms of early voting. According to the Early Voting Center at Reed College, the following states allow early voting in 2012: North Carolina, Indiana, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Georgia, Arkansas, Idaho, Maryland, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Louisiana, Wyoming, North Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Florida, California, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, Alaska, Colorado, Kansas, Nevada and Hawaii.[2]
In 2008, one-third of Americans voted prior to Election Day, and that fraction continues to increase. In the Nevada Election 2010, more than half the votes cast were by early voting. Some states make the list of early voters and absentee voters available to the public or to the political campaigns.
Most states allow early voting in some form, but the percentage of votes cast by early voting varies from 100% to just a few percent.
The convenience voting data for 2010 in the swing states for the Presidential Election 2012 is as follows, with bolding for the States which do not allow no-excuse early voting.
|# Electoral College votes in 2012
|Percentage that voted early or absentee in 2010
|New Hampshire
|North Carolina
Possible impacts
There are two major objections to early voting. First, it facilitates voter intimidation, particularly by unions and large employers that try to increase turnout by their people.[3] Second, it increases the potential for voter fraud, particularly in the absence of protections that safeguard the integrity of physical votes.[4] Some critics claim early voting establishes a mechanism where union bosses and the Democratic machine can harass Americans until they vote. This risks infringement on the right not to vote.
While early voting plainly undermines the notion of a uniform Election Day, various arguments are used, typically by Democrats, to advocate its adoption by state legislatures. One argument is that early voting increases overall turnout. Another argument used in Ohio is that Ohio voters should not have to wait in line until 4:00 am the following morning to cast a ballot in a presidential election, as happened in 2004.[5] Of course, extra poll workers, voting machines, and booths could be added for Election Day to address this concern. Some, including Ohio's Cuyahoga County, argue that early voting can save money in this regard, as the same machines and equipment that would otherwise be idle can be used, avoiding the need to purchase new and expensive election equipment. But Political Science Professor Todd Eberly argues that early voting adds millions of dollars in expense while lowering overall voter turnout:[6]
|Early voting is actually a waste of taxpayer money that does not boost turnout. In a study of the 2008 election, researchers at the University of Wisconsin actually found that early voting results in lower turnout – not higher. Specifically they found that though more than 30 percent of votes cast in the 2008 presidential race arrived before Election Day, the study determined early voting actually depressed turnout in a typical county by 3 percentage points.
In a 1996 study of early voting turnout in Tennessee elections in 1994, Lilliard E. Richardson, Jr. and Grant W. Neely said that early voting could increase overall turnout.[7]
In a 2007 paper, Paul Gronke, Eva Galanes-Rosenbuam, and Peter A. Miller (all affiliated with Reed College) found that early voting improves the procedural integrity of elections and results in a modest increase in overall turnout. The authors nevertheless conclude "It is no longer a question of whether early voting is a smart reform; the question now is what sort of early voting to allow and how to adjust to its impact."[8]
A state-by-state analysis is available showing the percentage of ballots cast in early voting,[9] but note that the percentage is growing rapidly with each election.
Some people argue that early voting helps one political party over the other, but the impact of early voting depends on the circumstances of each particular election. Early voting has drawn support from both Republicans and Democrats.
In Colorado in "2008, Democrats had about a 25,000-ballot advantage over Republicans in early voting. But Republican turnout zoomed past Democrats' on Election Day, and more Republicans than Democrats ultimately voted in 2008."[10] In 2010, there were about 1,638,000 votes cast for the U.S. Senate seat from Colorado, but well over 1 million people participated in early voting.[11]
Maryland voters approved a constitutional amendment in November 2008 to allow early voting starting with the primary elections in 2010. Maryland now offers both early voting in person and absentee voting by mail.[12]
In the 2012 General Election, 430,573 early votes were cast in Maryland. Of these early votes, 13.9% of registered Democratic voters and 9.3% of registered Republican voters voted early.[13]
Virginia does not have formal early voting. However, Virginia provides for both mail-in and in-person absentee voting.[14] To vote absentee, the voter must fill out an affidavit stating that one of several reasons for absentee voting applies.[15] In contrast, in early voting states, any voter can vote before election day without stating a reason.
The absentee voting period begins 45 days before election day.[16] In response to Hurricane Sandy reducing in-person absentee voting opportunities before the 2012 election, on October 28, 2012, Republican Governor Robert McDonnell announced that he was requesting the State Board of Elections to expand the number of in-person absentee voting hours between the end of the storm and the election day.[17]
Virginia provides the list of people who have requested absentee ballots or have in-person absentee voted to political parties "upon request and for a reasonable fee."[18] The parties then contact voters based on that data.[19]
In November 2012, State Senator Janet Howell renewed her call for Virginia to adopt early voting after voters had to stand in line for hours in the 2012 General election.[20]
Wisconsin does not have formal early voting. However, Wisconsin allows both mail-in and in-person absentee voting. In-person absentee voting is held in the two weeks before each election.[21]
Other states
New Hampshire and Pennsylvania do not offer early voting.[22]
In North Carolina, the list of absentee voters is available online without any charge.[19] Iowa authorized in-person absentee voting starting 40 days before a primary or general election.[23] Iowa charges for the absentee voter list on a per voter basis.[19]
Voting by mail
Oregon and Washington use mail voting for all voters. This scheme allows voters to cast their votes in advance of election day. In 1998, Oregon voters passed an initiative requiring that all elections be conducted by mail. Voters may also drop their ballots off at a county-designated official drop site.
In 2011, Washington passed a law requiring all counties to conduct vote-by-mail elections.[24] Local governments in Washington had the option to do so since 1987, and statewide elections had permitted it since 1993.[25][26] In the Washington system, ballots must be postmarked by election day, so complete results are delayed by several days.[26]
Other states allow no-excuse absentee voting by mail.
- ↑ Gronke, Galanes-Rosenbaum, Miller, Toffey. Convenience Voting. Retrieved on October 30, 2012.
- ↑ Early voting calendar, 2012. Retrieved on October 30, 2012.
- ↑ "Executives at the casino giant Harrah's pushed company employees to vote early in an all-out effort to help the Harry Reid campaign, according to internal emails obtained by Battle '10." [1]
- ↑ See, e.g., "Early Voting Fraud," National Review [2].
- ↑ http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/2004-11-17-early-voting_x.htm
- ↑ http://marylandreporter.com/2012/09/10/early-voting-costs-counties-2-6m-but-hasnt-increased-turnout-yet/
- ↑ L.E. Richardson, Jr. and G.E. Neely. "The impact of early voting on turnout: The 1994 elections in Tennessee." State & Local Government Review 28(3):173-79 (1996)
- ↑ P. Gronke, E. Galanes-Rosenbaum, and P.A. Miller. "Early voting and turnout." PS-WASHINGTON 40(4):639 (2007).
- ↑ http://elections.gmu.edu/early_vote_2008.html
- ↑ http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_16495705
- ↑ http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/article_322cccba-e3e1-11df-9a7b-001cc4c03286.html
- ↑ Early Voting. Elections.state.md.us. Retrieved on November 14, 2012.
- ↑ Unofficial Early Vote Turnout (Statewide) (PDF). Retrieved on November 14, 2012.
- ↑ Walker, Julian. "In-person absentee voting scheduled today in Va.", The Virginian-Pilot, October 27, 2012. Retrieved on October 27, 2012.
- ↑ Absentee Voting. Retrieved on October 27, 2012.
- ↑ Walker, Julian. "Early voting period in Virginia has begun", The Virginian-Pilot, September 30, 2012. Retrieved on October 27, 2012.
- ↑ Wilson, Todd. "McDonnell urges caution and preparation; will expand hours for absentee voting", Hampton Roads Daily Press, October 28, 2012. Retrieved on October 30, 2012.
- ↑ Va. Code § 24.2-710.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Haines, Errin. "Campaigns pay to track absentee ballots in Virginia", Washington Post, October 27, 2012, p. B1.
- ↑ Contorno, Steve. "Long lines reignite push for early voting in Virginia", Washington Examiner, November 12, 2012. Retrieved on November 14, 2012.
- ↑ Absentee Voting. Government Accountability Board. Retrieved on October 30, 2012.
- ↑ "How Sandy Affects Early Voting in Swing States", ABC News, October 29, 2012. Retrieved on October 30, 2012.
- ↑ Absentee Voting in Person. Iowa Secretary of State. Retrieved on October 30, 2012.
- ↑ Grygiel, Chris. "Vote-by-mail is now the law in Washington", seattlepi.com, April 5, 2011. Retrieved on November 15, 2012.
- ↑ Keith Ervin. "Vote-by-mail gets new look in wake of low-voter turnout", The Seattle Times, May 25, 1990.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Tsong, Nicole. "First big all-mail election results posted smoothly - VOTE BY MAIL", The Seattle Times, August 19, 2009.
External links
- http://www.uakron.edu/bliss/research/archives/2010/EarlyVotingReport.pdf -- A study of early voting in Ohio


text:
Cook over low heat, stirring until the mixture becomes a smooth, almost clear gel (about 5 minutes).
When it's cool, stir in 1/4 cup clear dishwashing liquid.
Scoop equal amounts of the mixture into containers and stir in food coloring (or, for even more vibrant colors, use food coloring paste).


text:
Author: Neil Gaiman
Illustrators: Mike Dringenberg, Malcolm Jones III, Chris Bachalo, Michael Zulli, Steve Parkhouse
Genre: Graphic Novel, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Published: September 1991
Collects Issues: 9 - 16
Pages: 240
Rating: 9 / 10
Challenges: Graphic Novels Challenge, A to Z Reading Challenge, 48 Hour Book Challenge, Dream King Challenge
Synopsis (from the back cover):
The Sandman is the most acclaimed and award-winning comics series of the 1990s for good reason: a smart and deeply brooding epic, elegantly penned by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by a rotating cast of comics' most sought-after artists, it is a rich blend of modern myth and dark fantasy in which contemporary fiction, historical drama, and legend are seamlessly interwoven. The saga of The Sandman encompasses a series of tales unique in graphic literature and is a story you will never forget.
In The Doll's House, Rose Walker finds more than she bargained for - long lost relatives, a serial killers' convention, and, ultimately, her true identity. The Master of Dreams attempts to unravel the mystery, unaware that the hand of another, far closer to home, is pulling the strings.
My review: Once again, I'm kicking myself for not having read this before. I mean, I call myself a Gaiman fan, and yet I've never read The Sandman series? What's wrong with me?!
This book picks up where the first one left off - Morpheus has recently regained control of his kingdom and is still looking to set things aright. Namely, finding some bad guys who disappeared while he was imprisoned. He's joined in this jaunt by his servant/pet raven, Matthew. So how does Rose Walker figure into this? Well, she's trying to find her little brother, who has inadvertently crossed paths with three of the aforementioned baddies. That's not the only reason she's so important to Morpheus, though...but I'm telling you the other reason, because that would just spoil the book for you. And it's way too good for me to do that.
I loved the minor characters in this one - Gilbert, Barbie and Ken (hee), Hal the cross-dressing landlord, the spider sisters...the people Rose meets while searching for her brother are all unique. I also really enjoyed the one-shot story, "Men of Good Fortune," about a man who simply chooses not to die. Instead, he and Morpheus agree to meet every one hundred years, just in case he changes his mind. It's quite an interesting idea: given the choice, would you want to live forever? Robert Gadling, the character in question, never ages, but he has to watch everyone he loves grow old and die. He certainly seems to think it's better than the alternative, but I'm not so sure. Another aspect of that particular issue that I liked was the way Morpheus viewed Robert, eventually thinking of him as a friend. To me, that really helped humanize Morpheus, which was nice.
All in all, an excellent book. Much easier to understand than Preludes & Nocturnes; I found "the story so far" bit at the beginning very helpful. Off to start the third book in a bit...I'm looking forward to this, as the events in The Doll's House seem to indicate that some serious intra-Endless fighting is on the horizon. I just hope Delirium pops up soon.
Cross-posted to the Graphic Novels Challenge and The Dream King Challenge blogs.
If you've reviewed this book as well, leave a message in the comments and I'll link to your review.


text:
Material credited to the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) on this site was created, authored, and/or prepared for NASA under Contract NAS 5-26555. Unless otherwise specifically stated, no claim to copyright is being asserted by STScI and it may be freely used as in the public domain in accordance with NASA's contract. However, it is requested that in any subsequent use of this work NASA and STScI be given appropriate acknowledgement. STScI further requests voluntary reporting of all use, derivative creation, and other alteration of this work. Such reporting should be sent to email@example.com.
This site also contains material generated, authored and/or prepared by individuals or institutions other than STScI, and those individuals or institutions may claim copyright. Should you desire use of such material at this time, inquiries should be made to those individuals and institutions in accordance with the following:
A catalogue of HST publicly released images may be found at the HubbleSite NewsCenter (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/). If the credit line for an image lists STScI as the source, the image may be freely used as in the public domain as noted above. For credit lines listing individuals from other institutions, you must contact the listed institution to advise you on the copyright policy for that image.
If the individual listed in the credit line is a member of the American Astronomical Society you can obtain their contact information from the AAS Public Directory (http://members.aas.org/directory/directory.cfm).
Webcasts on this site may be linked to from other locations, including individuals' personal web sites, without explicit permission from STScI. Individuals or organizations wishing to utilize webcasts obtained from the STScI webcast site for other than personal use, should first contact the STScI webcast team regarding necessary permissions and acknowledgements.
STScI produced webcasts may not be used to state or imply endorsement by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, the European Space Agency, NASA, the Space Telescope Science Institute or by any STScI employee of a commercial product, service, or activity, or used in any manner that might mislead.
STScI shall in no way be liable for any costs, expenses, claims, or demands arising out of the use of webcast material by a recipient or a recipient's distributees. STScI does not indemnify nor hold harmless users of webcast materials, nor release such users from copyright infringement, nor grant exclusive use rights with respect to webcast material. STScI webcast material is not protected by copyright unless noted. If copyrighted, permission should be obtained from the copyright owner prior to use. If a recognizable person, or talent (e.g., an astronaut or a person of note making a presentation) appears in STScI webcasts, use for commercial purposes may infringe a right of privacy or publicity. Therefore, permission should be obtained from the recognizable person or talent if the proposed use of the STScI webcast material could be viewed as a commercial exploitation of that person. However, if the intended use of webcast materials is primarily for communicative purposes, i.e., books, newspapers, magazines, or websites reporting facts of historical significance (constitutionally protected media uses), then such uses will generally be considered not to infringe such personal rights.
Certain STScI webcasts may contain visible NASA identifiers (e.g., the name of the vehicle and the NASA Insignia or Logotype in photographs or film footage of Space Shuttle vehicles). Use of such materials is generally non-objectionable, provided the NASA identifiers appear in their factual context.
These guidelines also apply to STScI live Internet webcasts and any "live television" satellite broadcasts.
The Space Telescope Science Institute strives to make its web resources accessible to anyone with disabilities in accordance with federal law. If you have a problem accessing the content on this web site, please notify the STScI webcast team. We will work to make the web page or feature accessible, or to provide the information in a format that is accessible.
Any questions you may have regarding the above copyright statement can be directed to firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Wolves Fade In Fourth Quarter In Indiana
The Wolves fell to the Indiana Pacers 98-84 Monday night in Indianapolis. The Wolves fall to 8-8 on the season, while Indiana improves to 13-1 and 8-1 at home.
Kevin Love scored 20 points for the Wolves but was just 6-20 from the floor while also pulling down 17 rebounds. Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Martin each had 18 points for Minnesota.
The Timberwolves will host the Denver Nuggets at Target Center Wednesday night.


text:
Ian Jones
General Manager
Ian oversees the Winstone Aggregates business and has over 20 years' experience in heavy industry including steel, cement and aggregates.
He has a strong leadership background with core competencies in developing strategically capable businesses centered around ensuring customer requirements are priority.
Ian leads a team of highly skilled and experienced managers who look after 20 operating sites and a national multi-modal distribution including 90 trucks and coastal shipping.
Ian is also GM of Golden Bay Cement. He also remains General Manager of Pacific Steel during the transition of that business to its new owners, New Zealand Steel.
Gavin Laidlaw
Commercial Manager
NZICA Chartered Accountant
Gavin has over twenty years' senior commercial and financial management experience, gained in a range of industries throughout New Zealand and Asia. He is responsible for the management of contractual and financial activities.
Mark McKenzie
National Quarries Manager
Since 1990 Mark has held numerous roles on resource projects across Australia in operations, mine, project and contract management. Mark returns to New Zealand as National Quarries Manager for GBC Winstone.
Position Vacant
National Sales & Marketing
Robin Hyde
National Supply Chain Manager
An accomplished supply chain professional, Robin's expertise is the integration of supply chain requirements within complex business environments with a strong NZ perspective and has a passion about working together with customers to find the best solutions
Natasha Dunbier
Human Resource Manager
Natasha has over 20 years' experience in building people performance to drive business results within large complex organizations across a range of industries. Her expertise is in developing and delivering the HR strategic direction of businesses to drive long-term commercial outcomes by transforming performance, capability and culture.


text:
Public Group active 10 months, 1 week ago
Collaboration among the hundreds of defense industry recruiters, HR staff, and govt employees on govloop to discuss the status/future of the defense industry as well as the best approaches to navigate through the clearance world when hiring.
Best Southeast Cities for Defense Jobs
This topic contains 0 replies, has 1 voice, and was last updated by Eric Pecinovsky 9 years, 9 months ago.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.


text:
G-Moe - Weigh It Out [Unsigned Hype]
A reports "Avondale Production Inc. proudly presents G-MOE in "Weigh It Out". Weigh It Out is a featured track off "Tha Prescription" mixtape that is available for free download @ www.avondaleproductioninc.com. Video was directed and edited by Alonso Murillo | www.photobyalonso.com
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


text:
Do you have experience building Microsoft Access 2010 databases, but want to take your skills to the next level? In this course, you'll build an entire database project from scratch. By the time you've completed the course, you'll have a fully functional database that tracks customer and order information.
You'll start by learning how to create your new database by importing information from Excel spreadsheets into tables. Using action queries, you'll add and update key fields that allow you to build relationships among the tables. Then you'll master the steps for building complex yet easy-to-use forms to manage table data.
The course offers you tips and techniques for optimizing your database, including ways to build crosstab and summary queries so you can access information quickly and easily. You'll also learn about outer table joins that can make you queries more effective.
Once you've built your database, you'll examine how to build reports using conditional formatting to highlight key data points, and explore Visual Basic, a powerful programming language that allows you to automate simple and complex tasks. Finally, you'll put the finishing touches on your database as you build a navigation form to make it easy for your users to find what they need.
Ken Cook has built and managed a successful computer consulting business (now called Cook Software Solutions, LLC) since 1990. He began as a trainer instructing numerous users on a variety of software packages, specializing in Microsoft Office. Currently, he continues to train, but his main focus is creating expert Microsoft Office solutions, Microsoft Access database solutions, and Microsoft SQL Server solutions for Fortune 500 and small business clients. Ken is also co-author (with Laurie Ulrich Fuller) of Access 2007 for Dummies, Access 2010 for Dummies, Access 2013 for Dummies, and Access 2016 for Dummies, published by Wiley.
Complete the form below and click the Reset Password button. If
we find your password, we'll send password reset instructions to the e-mail address
we have on record for you.


text:
Do you have books that you no longer need? Free up some shelf space by sharing your library with Goodwill.
If you would like to donate books, simply go to our Locations page, find your nearest drop-off spot, and let us know if you need a receipt for your contribution.
When you donate and recycle your unneeded items to Goodwill, we make them available to your neighbors at affordable prices. The revenue that our forty stores earn is then invested in your community through a variety of services including skills training courses and employment programs. You can be confident that your donation to Goodwill is making a difference to improve the life of someone in your community.


text:
Just under 60 minutes from downtown Brisbane, Caboolture is the gateway to the Sunshine Coast. White sandy beaches, stunning mountain scenery and charming country villages await visitors to the Caboolture. With such diversity in lifestyle and scenic attractions, the Caboolture has all the charm and character to delight visitors.
The nearby Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology houses a priceless collection of antiques and fine art from around the world with treasures spanning 250,000 years of history. Memories of a more recent bygone era will be rekindled with a visit to Caboolture's Historical Village with its collection of restored buildings.
Yet few attractions rival the splendour of Pumicestone Passage and the internationally recognised marine sanctuary off Bribie Island. It's home to dolphins, dugongs, turtles and more than 350 species of birdlife. An easy 20 minutes from Caboolture, Bribie Island is linked by bridge and is a popular tourist destination for its excellent fishing, surf beaches, National Parks and reserves.
Back on the mainland, the scenic areas of Woodford and Mount Mee, and the fishing communities of Donnybrook and Toorbul are just some of the attractive towns that abound with heritage and natural scenery.
Note: Information on listed products and services are provided by the operator and were correct at the time of publishing. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator's website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD).


text:
In recent years, airlines have cut the number of flights to ensure that most of their planes depart full. That's been great for their bottom line but leaves very few empty seats to rebook stranded travellers. Passengers are pretty much at the mercy of the airlines. But there are a few things you can do to improve their odds of getting home quickly:
— If you miss your connection, the airlines will automatically rebook you on the next available flight. However, with flights at near capacity, the next open seat could be several days away.
— If you're unhappy with your rebooked flight, get in line to speak to a customer service representative. But also, pick up the phone and call the airline directly, go onto the airline's website and even consider sending a Tweet. If the phone lines are jammed, try the airline's overseas numbers. You'll pay long-distance rates, but might not have to wait.
— Consider buying a one-day pass to the airline lounge. It's a nice place to relax away from the crowd and there are usually free drinks and light snacks. But the real secret to the lounges is that the airline staffs them with some of its best — and friendliest — ticket agents. The lines inside will be much shorter and these agents are magically able to find empty seats where nobody else can. One-day passes typically cost $50.
— Use apps like HotelTonight and Priceline to find last-minute hotel discounts for that night. Warning: Many of the rooms are non-refundable when booked.
Scott Mayerowitz can be reached at http://twitter.com/GlobeTrotScott
Also on HuffPost


text:
Golf shoes are some of the most important golf equipment you can buy next to golf clubs and golf balls.
Golf shoes come in many different styles that accommodate your type of play. Athletic golf shoes use aggressive cleat systems and cutting-edge performance technology to provide maximum traction and flexibility. These are the golf shoes for you if you play golf on all types of ground conditions.
Other golf shoes are customized for hot or for cold weather so you can play golf year round. Casual golf shoes like loafers and drivers are spikeless for less intense rounds and can be worn off the course as well. These shoes usually feature classic styling and have an heirloom feel.
Street golf shoes are also spikeless but have more modern designs, and like casual golf shoes, they can be worn with golf apparel or just with your everyday non-golf clothing. No matter where and when you play golf, there is a golf shoe to fit you.
GlobalGolf.ca will only ship to Canada.


text:
Day's Worst: Delay in answering emergency call ends in death
News that a Denver woman's frantic plea for help ended with her death is disturbing.
We're glad to hear the Denver Police Department will investigate the six-and-a-half hour delay between a neighbor's 911 call and the discovery of Loretta Barella Rosa's body this weekend.
It's too early to assess blame, but the particulars are troubling.
About 2 a.m., Rosa appeared on a neighbor's doorstep only partially clothed, banging on the door and calling out for help. The neighbor called 911.
The neighbor called again, 40 minutes later, to ask if police were coming. It wasn't until 3:10 a.m. that the neighbor saw police checking out the area. And it took until 8:15 a.m., when the husband called police, that authorities found Rosa's body. They arrested the husband, Christopher Perea, on suspicion of first degree murder.
We hope the court proceedings and internal affairs probe brings justice to this tragic situation.


text:
All News Releases By Date
Walpole, Mass. School Bus Company Reduces Diesel Idling under Settlement
Release Date: 05/27/2014
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017
BOSTON – Michael J. Connolly and Sons, a Walpole, Mass. company that operates 300 school buses and provides student transportation services in fifteen Massachusetts communities, will implement idling reduction measures resulting in cleaner air in local communities, in addition to paying a penalty of $33,000 to settle EPA allegations that it violated federally-enforceable motor vehicle idling limits in Massachusetts.
Under the settlement, the company will implement a suite of idling reduction measures including training all drivers, posting anti-idling signs, performing periodic "walk-throughs" of school bus lots to ensure that no excessive idling occurs, and notifying all school districts of Connolly's policy against excessive idling. The company has responded quickly and already has implemented a number of these idle reduction measures. In addition, Connolly has a new bus fleet and a standard practice of replacing old buses with new buses every three years. Further, they have committed to physically disconnect the "override" capability of the automatic shutoff mechanism on each school bus in its fleet, so that the automatic shutoff mechanism operates without interruption.
In Dec. 2013 and Jan. 2014, EPA observed Connolly school buses idling for extended periods of time in company bus lots in the Mass. communities of Mansfield, Sharon, Walpole and Natick.
EPA alleged that the company's excessive idling was in violation of federally-enforceable motor vehicle idling limits contained in the Massachusetts air quality state implementation plan. The applicable regulations establish requirements for all motor vehicles operating in the state, and, with very few exceptions, limit idling to no more than five minutes.
"Diesel exhaust is a serious health concern for children, both here in Massachusetts and across the country. Reducing idling helps protect children's health," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England office. "Taking easy and common-sense steps to avoid excessive idling helps to save fuel and money, and reduces unnecessary air pollution including greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change."
Children, especially those suffering from asthma or other respiratory ailments, are particularly vulnerable to diesel exhaust. Idling diesel engines emit pollutants which can cause or aggravate a variety of health problems including asthma and other respiratory diseases, and the fine particles in diesel exhaust are a likely human carcinogen. Diesel exhaust not only contributes to area-wide air quality problems, but more direct exposure can cause lightheadedness, nausea, sore throat, coughing, and other symptoms. Drivers, school children riding on the buses, facility workers, neighbors and bystanders are all vulnerable.
Idling school buses consume about one-half gallon of diesel fuel per hour. For example, if a bus company had a fleet of 1000 buses, and was able to reduce idling time for the fleet by one hour per day, the company would reduce its fuel use by 90,000 gallons per year, and avoid emitting more than 2.1 million pounds of carbon dioxide per year. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Alternatives to idling include technologies such as engine pre-heaters, and practices such as keeping drivers and passengers comfortable inside buildings until buses are ready to briefly warm up and depart.
The Connolly settlement is the latest in a series of EPA enforcement actions designed to minimize excessive idling among school buses in New England. Since 2009, EPA New England has brought actions against six school bus operators, leading to substantial reductions both in idling and in the resultant harmful emissions.
More information on EPA Clean Diesel efforts: (https://www.epa.gov/otaq/diesel/index.htm)
# # #
Search this collection of releases | or search all news releases
View selected historical press releases from 1970 to 1998 in the EPA History website.


text:
Yes but,...
Can I use the Google Market, or GAPS with it?
I can't really see a third Wheel entering this Market without a decent App Store.
The men and women behind the open source Tizen mobile OS platform have stated an early claim to win developer hearts and minds ahead of Mobile World Congress next week with the official release of Tizen 2.0 source code and SDK. After a particularly slow start since its launch in by the Linux Foundation in September 2011, the …
Plus developer interest. I don't believe many developers (one-man teams, small teams and medium sized teams) have enough momentum, sales or desire to start developing for a new platform.
From experience, working for various dev teams over the past 2 years, Tizen is barely mentioned, if at all. I think Tizen, Firefox, Ubuntu and Sailfish (I doubt the latter will really go to market) will just eat each others sales in the bottom 5% of the market not owned by iOS, Android, BB, WP8.
Surely the reason these things are barely mentioned is because there are no devices? They may as well be vapourware until something appears, so who's going to bother developing apps for them?
That doesn't mean much in terms of potential. Also it may be better to eat each other's sales in the bottom five percent than bother with WP8 which makes up far less...
Except Tizen is supported by Samsung, the number one smartphone and phone company. Of course that doesn't guarantee sales (they sell WP too, after all), but it does mean its worth keeping an eye on.
For developers, Tizen and Firefox OS both use HTML5, so should be compatible with each other (as well as ChromeOS, and running on many other platforms too through a browser). Ubuntu (and I think Sailfish) is compatible with GNU/Linux.
And since when did geeks care about market share? I remember people leaping onto Android because it was cool, even when its market share was tiny.
If I planned on writing an app for an HTML5-only platform, it would be Firefox OS, not Tizen. The latter is bound to use proprietary extensions in an effort to lock you into their ecosystem.
If I planned on writing native apps, it would be in Qt for iOS/Android/BB10/Ubuntu/Sailfish, a single framework that targets all of these platforms, but a framework shunned by Tizen (and also Windows Phone). Guess who loses, eh?
Tizen is simply dead in the water. Samsung and Intel have for a while now been ignoring what Tizen community they remained after MeeGo, and I doubt anyone outside of Samsung and Intel now gives a shit about Tizen. In fact, I'd be very surprised if Intel gives much of a shit about Tizen any more.
As a platform, Tizen is a horrible mish-mash of compromises, EFL replacing Qt to keep Samsung happy was a bad decision two years ago and it's looking even worse now.
"If I planned on writing an app for an HTML5-only platform, it would be Firefox OS, not Tizen. The latter is bound to use proprietary extensions in an effort to lock you into their ecosystem."
Well... I wouldn't with the current hardware running FFOS: it's painfully underpowered and makes a hell in terms of usability of anything more complex than an RSS reader. :(
If you are concerned by lock-ins you should steer away from the FFOS: it's pushed directly by operators (Telefonica, Telenor) who seem quite keen on trying to revive the WAC concept.
At least Tizen is supported by Samsung and they run it on quite powerful hardware (at least looking at the developers devices that have S3's hardware to run on).
Tizen is built on top of a very clean version of linux: porting is really easy and there aren't really proprietary APis at that level.
From direct experience it has been relatively easy to port (native) our application to Tizen, get hardware acceleration working, and all without using any proprietary Tizen APIs.
If you are concerned by lock-ins you should steer away from the FFOS: it's pushed directly by operators (Telefonica, Telenor) who seem quite keen on trying to revive the WAC concept.
WAC is fully revived and living it large in Tizen. The entire Tizen HTML5 proposition is based on WAC. Now do you realise why I'd want to avoid Tizen?
"The latter is bound to use proprietary extensions in an effort to lock you into their ecosystem."
The whole goal of Tizen I thought was to not lock people into ecosystems, and to be compatible with FirefoxOS and web browsers. I'm not sure if this is just an assumption you're making, or if you know something more about the politics involved?
I agree it's a shame to not support other languages, as it is nice to have other options to make cross-platform applications (I use Qt too) - same issue with ChromeOS.
Samsung have become the heavyweight of the mobile market and as such can sway the balance.
If they backed a system with good hardware, cheaper phones, no spy ware or lock in, an App market that had few but serious apps then personally I would be happy to shift.
I only use a few common apps, standard telephony functions and Gps. I imagine that I am quite a typical user. My needs do not require a particular OS but they do require a stable OS.
If they would also include a 'garauntee' for updates then they might stand a chance of making some market penetration.
But like everything today this could end up being just another pipe dream.
I would like to see them suceed just for the sake of reducing the Google monopoly.
But to beat Android, the phones would need some selling point, such as better battery life (replacement for those happy Symbian users?). At least, Samsung might get to see all the little tricks that all those Meemo/Meego/... contributors were thinking up, so maybe that's a motivator too.
Hope it kicks off in at least a minor way, more operating systems in the mobile space are a positive thing.
What would be really great would be if Samsung provided a semi-official way to hack it on to their Galaxy handsets. Can't really see that happening though.
Tux because it's time 'proper' linux made a comeback into the mobile space.
I guess by "proper" Linux you mean GNU/Linux(?) similar to what Maemo/Meego were. But is Tizen that? Given there only seems to be support for HTML5, it's unclear if this is Linux anymore than Android or ChromeOS (i.e., only using the kernel)? Similarly with FirefoxOS. Though of course Ubuntu, and I think Sailfish, are GNU/Linux OSs.
My guess is that they are planning on using Tizen to compete with Nokia's Asha phones that are doing well in developing countries and actually what is making Nokia its bread and butter atm.
If Tizen does do well and become a real player in this sector it will be a bit of a kick in the teeth for Nokia considering that Tizen was developed from Meamo that Nokia dropped in favour of Windows phone
"My guess is that they are planning on using Tizen to compete with Nokia's Asha phones that are doing well in developing countries and actually what is making Nokia its bread and butter atm."
It looks like that in 2013 Samsung will use the REX line of phones to compete against Asha.
Tizen is much more in the Android category so far.
I really hope FireFox OS turns out well and influences all these other platforms. Surely developers are going to get in a right mess developing for iOS, Android, WP8, Blackberry, Bada, Tizen, Ubuntu, Sailfish, etc all at the same time. I know some tools exist to make apps across some of these operating systems in one go but that hardly covers everything. If Mozilla can prove their HTML5 apps idea really works and their APIs become some sort of standard then we might see the end of the app store bollocks and the beginning of something a little bit more open.
Tizen is as bad if not worse than Android - no open discussion, no community involvement, just the usual monolithic code dumps. The lack of engagement with the community was the same when Intel were running MeeGo, so I'd blame Intel for this, but most of the code is coming from Samsung and they have no interest either in a community of developers submitting patches.
MeeGo has flourished without Intel (and Nokia). Tizen will be smothered by Intel and Samsung.
Is open hardware ... so that people can install the OS of their choice.
I don't want to buy a Tizen handset only to find out that I'll have to ditch it and buy something else because it's apps are just not up to scratch.
Smartphones are getting to the stage where they're packing enough punch to be classified as small computers ... the additional elements that they have are not unique and must follow standards ... so why can't the Smart part of the phone be capable of having any OS installed??