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Difference between revisions of "Steam"
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* {{pkg|lib32-glu}}
* {{pkg|lib32-glu}}
* If colors are wrong with FOSS drivers (r600g at least), try to run the game in windowed mode, rendering will be corrected.
* If colors are wrong with FOSS drivers (r600g at least), try to run the game in windowed mode, rendering will be corrected.
Revision as of 20:24, 8 December 2012
Template:Article summary start Template:Article summary text
Template:Article summary heading Template:Article summary wiki Template:Article summary end
See the project Wiki page and the page in the Application Database for more info.
- 1 Native Steam on Linux
- 1.1 Fixes/Bugs/Error Messages
- 1.1.1 GUI problems with KDE
- 1.1.2 Mouse Cursor Overwritten
- 1.1.3 And Yet It Moves
- 1.1.4 The Book of Unwritten Tales
- 1.1.5 Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP
- 1.1.6 Team Fortress 2
- 1.1.7 Amnesia: The Dark Descent
- 1.1.8 Serious Sam 3: BFE
- 1.1.9 Steel Storm: Burning Retribution
- 1.1.10 Trine 2
- 1.1.11 Killing Floor
- 1.1 Fixes/Bugs/Error Messages
- 2 Steam on Wine
Native Steam on Linux
Install steamAUR from the AUR. (Current licensing prevents steam from being put in the community/multilib repository, see the mailing list thread)
Steam makes heavy usage of the Arial font. To make fonts look better, you may wish to install the ttf-microsoft-arialAUR or ttf-ms-fontsAUR package from the AUR.
Even without being in the private beta, it can be started by opening a steam URL
steam://open/games. You can enter this url into web browser, or terminal emulator.
Fixes/Bugs/Error Messages
Steam is beta software which is not supported on this distribution. As such some fixes are needed on the users part to get things functioning properly. Several games have dependencies which may be missing from your system. If a game fails to launch (often without error messages) then make sure all of the libraries listed below that game are installed. (Please help us expand on this list)
GUI problems with KDE
If you are using KDE and you have problems with the GUI (such as lag or random crashes) modify the compositing type to OpenGL/Raster. So don't use the XRender!
Mouse Cursor Overwritten
Steam overwrites the X11 Cursor theme when it launches. This is a problem with Gnome and other WMs/DMs that do not set a cursor theme. You can overcome this for Gnome by setting a mouse cursor theme.
To fix this issue, become root and put the following into
/usr/share/icons/default/index.theme (creating the directory
/usr/share/icons/default if necessary):
[Icon Theme] Inherits=Adwaita
Note: Instead of "Adwaita", you can choose another cursor theme (e.g. Human). Alternatively, you can install gnome-cursors-fixAUR from the AUR.
With other WMs/DMs you may have to find another way of setting the cursor theme.
If the cursor gets stuck pointing in the wrong direction after exiting Steam, a workaround is to run
xsetroot -cursor_name left_ptr (From the awesomewm wiki).
And Yet It Moves
- lib32-libtheoraAUR
- lib32-libjpeg6AUR
- lib32-libtiff4AUR
Game refuses to launch and following message can be observed on console
readlink: extra operand 'Yet' Try 'readlink --help' for more information.
To fix this, open
~/.steam/root/SteamApps/common/And Yet It Moves/AndYetItMovesSteam.sh in text editor and replace line
ayim_dir="$(dirname "$(readlink -f ${BASH_SOURCE[0]})")"
ayim_dir="$(dirname "$(readlink -f "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")")"
The Book of Unwritten Tales
- lib32-libxawAUR
- lib32-jasperAUR
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP
Team Fortress 2
No audio
It happens if there is no PulseAudio in your system.
If you want to use Alsa, you need to launch the Steam or game directly with
(From SteamCommunity).
Start with black screen
Launch the Steam or game directly with
(From the same SteamCommunity).
For launching the game direclty you need to quit the Steam at first and then:
SDL_AUDIODRIVER=alsa LC_NUMERIC=POSIX steam steam://rungameid/440
Fixed with recent steam update.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
If you are using open source drivers you will need lib32-libtxc_dxtnAUR . See oficial forum for details
Running from steam displays empty window
${install_dir}/run_steam.sh uses `arch` to check if the system is 32 or 64 bit. Replace `arch` with `uname -m`.
Serious Sam 3: BFE
Steel Storm: Burning Retribution
Start with black screen
The game tries to launch in 1024x768 resolution with fullscreen mode by default. It is impossible on some devices. (for example laptop Samsung Series9 with intel hd4000 video). But you can try to launch the game in windowed mode.
Open game Properties in Steam, in General tab select "Set launch options..." and type "-window".
Then you can change a resolution in game.
No English fonts
If you use intel video card, just disable S3TC in DriConf.
Trine 2
- If colors are wrong with FOSS drivers (r600g at least), try to run the game in windowed mode, rendering will be corrected.
Killing Floor
screen resolution
--RAfitiiixxx 15:39, 22 November 2012 (UTC)
Killing Floor runs pretty much from scratch, altough you might have to change in-game resolution screen as the default one is 800x600 and a 4:3 screen format.
If you try to modify screen resolution in-game, it might crash your desktop enviroment.
To fix this, please set the desired resolution screen size by modifing your
${HOME}/.killingfloor/System/KillingFloor.ini with your prefered editor.
# nano /root/.killingfloor/System/KillingFloor.ini
... [WinDrv.WindowsClient] WindowedViewportX=???? WindowedViewportY=???? FullscreenViewportX=???? FullscreenViewportY=???? MenuViewportX=??? MenuViewportY=??? ... [SDLDrv.SDLClient] WindowedViewportX=???? WindowedViewportY=???? FullscreenViewportX=???? FullscreenViewportY=???? MenuViewportX=???? MenuViewportY=???? ...
Save the file and restart the game, it should work now.
Steam on Wine
Install wine from the official repositories and follow the instructions provided in the article.
Install the required Microsoft fonts ttf-microsoft-tahomaAUR and ttf-ms-fontsAUR from the AUR or through winetricks-svnAUR.
If you have an old Wine prefix (
~/.wine), you should remove it and let Wine create a new one to avoid problems (you can transfer over anything you want to keep to the new Wine prefix).
Download and run the Steam installer from steampowered.com. It is no longer an
.exe file so you have to start it with
$ msiexec /i SteamInstall.msi
Starting Steam
On x86:
$ wine ~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files/Steam/Steam.exe
On x86_64 (with steam installed to a clean wine prefix):
$ wine ~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files\ \(x86\)/Steam/Steam.exe
Alternatively, you may use this method:
$ wine "C:\\Program Files\\Steam\\steam.exe"
You should consider making an alias to easily start steam (and put it in your shell's rc file), example:
alias steam='wine ~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files\ \(x86\)/Steam/Steam.exe >/dev/null 2>&1 &'
Consider disabling wine debugging output by adding this to your shell rc file:
export WINEDEBUG=-all
or, just add it to your steam alias to only disable it for steam:
alias steam='WINEDEBUG=-all wine ~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files\ \(x86\)/Steam/Steam.exe >/dev/null 2>&1 &'
Additionally, Source games rely on a paged pool memory size specification for audio, and WINE by default does not have this set. To set it:
wine reg add "HKLM\\System\\CurrentControlSet\\Control\\Session Manager\\Memory Management\\" /v PagedPoolSize /t REG_DWORD /d 402653184 /f
Application Launch Options
Go to "Properties" -> "Set Launch Options", e.g.:
-console -dxlevel 90 -width 1280 -height 1024
Activate the console in the application to change detailed applications settings.
Set the application's DirectX level, e.g. 90 for DirectX Version 9.0. It is recommended to use the video card's DirectX version to prevent crashes. See the official Valve Software Wiki http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/DirectX_Versions for details.
Set the screen resolution. In some cases the graphic settings are not saved in the application and the applications always starts in the default resolution. Please refer to http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Launch_options for a complete list of launch options.
Using a Pre-Existing Steam Install
If you have a shared drive with Windows, or already have a Steam installation somewhere else, you can simply symlink the Steam directory to
~/.wine/drive_c/Program Files/Steam/ . However, be sure to do all the previous steps in this wiki. Confirm Steam launches and logs into your account, then do this:
cd ~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files/ mv Steam/ Steam.backup/ (or you can just delete the directory) ln -s /mnt/windows_partition/Program\ Files/Steam/
steamapps subdirectory in your existing wine steam folder instead.
Running Steam in a second X Server
Assuming you are using the script above to start Steam, make a new script, called
x.steam.sh. You should run this when you want to start Steam in a new X server, and
steam.sh if you want Steam to start in the current X server.
If due to misconfiguration a black screen is shown, you could always close down the second X server by pressing Template:Keypress + Template:Keypress + Template:Keypress.
#!/bin/bash DISPLAY=:1.0 xinit $HOME/steam.sh $* -- :1
Now you can use Template:Keypress + Template:Keypress + Template:Keypress to get to your first X server with your normal desktop, and Template:Keypress + Template:Keypress + Template:Keypress to go back to your game.
Because the second X server is only running the game and the first X server with all your programs is backgrounded, performance should increase. In addition, it is much more convenient to switch X servers while in game to access other resources, rather than having to exit the game completely or Template:Keypress-Template:Keypress out. Finally, it is useful for when Steam or WINE goes haywire and leaves a bunch of processes in memory after Steam crashes. Simply Template:Keypress + Template:Keypress + Template:Keypress on the second X server to kill that X and all processes on that desktop will terminate as well.
If you get errors that look like "Xlib: connection to ":1.0" refused by server" when starting the second X: You will need to adjust your X permissions.
If you lose the ability to use the keyboard while using Steam: This is an odd bug that does not happen with other games. A solution is to use a WM in the second X as well. Thankfully, you do not need to run a large WM. Openbox and icewm have been confirmed to fix this bug (evilwm, pekwm, lwm do not work), but the icewm taskbar shows up on the bottom of the game, thus it's recommended to use Openbox. Install openbox from the official repositories, then add
openbox & to the top of your
steam.sh file. Note you can run other programs (ex. Teamspeak &) or set X settings (ex. xset, xmodmap) before the WINE call as well.
Steam Links in Firefox, Chrome, Etc
To make steam:// urls in your browser connect with steam in wine, there are several things you can do. One involves making steam url-handler keys in gconf, another involves making protocol files for kde, others involve tinkering with desktop files or the Local State file for chromium. These seem to only work in firefox or under certain desktop configurations. One way to do it that works more globally is using mimeo, a tool made by Xyne (an Arch TU) which follows. For another working and less invasive (but firefox-only) way, see the first post here .
- Make
/usr/bin/steamwith your favorite editor and paste:
#!/bin/sh # # Steam wrapper script # exec wine "c:\\program files\\steam\\steam.exe" "$@"
- Make it executable.
# chmod +x /usr/bin/steam
- Install mimeoAUR and xdg-utils-mimeoAUR from AUR. You will need to replace the existing xdg-utils if installed. In XFCE, you will also need xorg-utils.
- Make
$HOME/.config/mimeo.confwith your favorite editor and paste:
/usr/bin/steam %u ^steam://
- Lastly, open
/usr/bin/xdg-openin your favorite editor. Go to the
detectDE()section and change it to look as follows:
detectDE() { #if [ x"$KDE_FULL_SESSION" = x"true" ]; then DE=kde; #elif [ x"$GNOME_DESKTOP_SESSION_ID" != x"" ]; then DE=gnome; #elif `dbus-send --print-reply --dest=org.freedesktop.DBus /org/freedesktop/DBus org.freedesktop.DBus.GetNameOwner string:org.gnome.SessionManager > /dev/null 2>&1` ; then DE=gnome; #elif xprop -root _DT_SAVE_MODE 2> /dev/null | grep ' = \"xfce4\"$' >/dev/null 2>&1; then DE=xfce; #elif [ x"$DESKTOP_SESSION" == x"LXDE" ]; then DE=lxde; #else DE="" #fi DE="" }
- Restart the browser and you should be good to go. In chromium, you cannot enter a
steam://link in the url box like you can with firefox. The forum link above has a
steam://open/friendslink to try if needed.
No text rendered problem
If there is no text/font rendered when starting steam you should try to start steam with the parameter
-no-dwrite. Read more in the forum thread about it.
wine ~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files\ \(x86\)/Steam/Steam.exe -no-dwrite


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BARRINGTON — Just as Ernest Hemingway found Paris to be a writer's paradise, many have found Barrington to be the place to create their own written works.
While the village is known for its great schools, beautiful homes and convenient access to Chicago, it also has a vibrant creative community with many outlets for writers to expand their craft.
One is the Barrington Writers Workshop. The group started 35 years ago as a part of the Barrington Area Arts Council, which shut down in July 2007 due to a lack of funding.
When the council closed its doors, BWW members decided they had to keep their writing group going. Nearly six years later, the group has more than 70 members from throughout the northwest suburbs and even a few from Wisconsin. They meet weekly.
Tamara Tabel has been the organization's president since the group branched off.
"I would describe us as a critique group," she said.
Authors bring in various kinds of written work, from poems to novels to screenplays, and provide hard copies to other members. The author reads his or her work out loud, and then other members critique it, as well as put comments on the hard copies. The writer then takes home all of the marked-up copies.
"You're getting a very comprehensive feel from different writers coming in from different perspectives," Tabel said. "It's really scary to read your work in public for the first time. It gives you an honest perspective on your work from people that are writers like you. Nobody has an agenda."
Eventually, after working with the group to perfect their pieces, some writers will work on getting published.
To help them develop further, BWW has partnered with the Barrington Cultural Arts Center and the TesserAct Theater for an event April 19, where writers will do live readings of their work. The performances will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. at the BCAC Gallery in the Ice House Mall.
"When you write things and keep them in your file drawers, they never seem real," Tabel said. "Getting that connection to people really brings it alive."
Mary O'Donnell, the innkeeper at the Barrington House Bed and Breakfast, said she has a number of writers as guests. The historic home, where guest rooms each have a writing desk, provides a setting in the heart of Barrington's historic district for people to get their creative juices flowing.
O'Donnell said Barrington's appreciation of creativity is a reason people might choose to work here.
"When you have people that value creative expression, it kind of snowballs," she said.
She added that having the support of the community makes it easier to be creative.
When she does have writers in town, she sends them down Station Street to TT Patton, a custom stationery and fine writing materials shop. Owner Theresa Patton provides local writers with everything they could possibly need, from imported, leather-bound journals to high-end fountain pens.
Going from elegant papers and pens down to the store's basement, visitors are transported to a different world, where the walls are covered in a whimsical mural. This is where TT Patton holds its annual summer camps, where young writers also get the chance to thrive. They can learn to develop their storytelling in creative writing and short stories classes, or focus on developing the letters themselves, through cursive writing or calligraphy.
Adele Fredrickson, a seventh-grader at Middle School North in Hawthorn Woods, took both journalism and calligraphy classes when she was in fourth grade. She said both have helped her in school.
"The journalism helps because it helps me organize my ideas and put them into a story that makes sense," she said.

subset: commoncrawl


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The National Cotton Council says U.S. cotton acreage could drop to 9.5 million in 2008 as farmers in the Mid-South and Southeast switch to wheat and soybeans, a cropping combination that offers farmers much more favorable prices than cotton for now.
The 9.5-million figure would be 1.33 million or 11.8 percent less than last year's 10.83 million acres and would be the lowest since 1983's payment-in-kind-reduced acreage of 7.93 million. But the decline was not as drastic as some cotton analysts were projecting.
The forecast is based on a survey of growers conducted in mid-December. The survey had a response rate of 10 percent, which is comparable to the returns for similar types of surveys, said Steve Slinsky, NCC assistant director of economic services, who presented the survey results at the group's 70th annual meeting in Memphis.
Analysts had been predicting 2008 acreage could fall below 9 million acres as growers flocked to crops with better price outlooks for the second year in a row. In all, cotton acres will have dropped nearly 3.25 million acres since 2006, if the council survey proves accurate.
2008 December corn and November soybean futures were trading from $1.10 to $4.14 per bushel higher, respectively, when the survey was taken in mid-December than they were at the same time in 2006, said Slinsky.
"Coupled with USDA's recent wheat acreage report (which indicated a sharp increase in winter wheat acres), it is widely expect that a wheat-soybean double-crop rotation will attract acreage from both cotton and corn," he noted.
All Mid-South states indicate a shift from cotton to wheat and soybeans with major percentage decreases for cotton in Mississippi (31 percent), Arkansas (30 percent) and Tennessee (29 percent). Louisiana (18 percent) and Missouri (8 percent) said expected smaller increases.
Growers in Arkansas are expected to decrease their plantings from 860,000 to 605,000; Louisiana, from 335,000 to 275,000; Mississippi, from 660,000 to 454,000; Missouri from 380,000 to 349,000; and Tennessee, from 515,000 to 366,000 acres.
"This means that 2008 Mid-South cotton area intentions would be less than half of that region's 2006 level," said Slinsky, noting that the Mid-South acreage totaled 4.2 million acres in that year versus the projected 2.05 million for 2008.
The NCC survey said farmers in the Southeast could reduce acres 11.5 percent from 2.26 million in 2007 to 1.2 million in 2008. The biggest declines would occur in North Carolina and South Carolina, where growers would drop their acreages by 22 percent and 20 percent. Smaller decreases of 4.8 percent and 6 percent were forecast for Georgia and Virginia.
The decline would be much smaller in the Southwest where growers on the High Plains of Texas could actually increase acres by 1.4 percent, according to Slinsky. For all of Texas, acreage could fall from 4.9 million to 4.79 million acres or 2.3 percent, as farmers in the Rio Grande Valley and east Texas switch to soybeans.
Growers in Kansas and Oklahoma are expected to increase acres from 47,000 to 54,000 or 15.6 percent in Kansas and 175,000 to 180,000 or 2.6 percent in Oklahoma, in part, because of lower input costs for those states.
The biggest declines could occur in the Far West where growers could lower upland cotton plantings from 411,000 to 252,000 acres or 38.7 percent because of concerns about water supplies and due to more attractive prices for specialty crops.
Growers in California could plant only 91,000 acres of upland cotton in 2008, a 53.3 percent drop from last year's 170,000. Acreage in Arizona and New Mexico could be down 25 and 26 percent (from 170,000 to 127,000 in Arizona and from 46,000 to 34,000 in New Mexico).
Each of the four states producing ELS cotton indicated declining area. In Arizona, California and Texas, declines were 20 percent to 21 percent with California's Pima acreage projected to decline from 260,000 to 204,000 acres.


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Welcome to World War 2 Airplane Model Headquarters!
Learn to Build a Realistic Plastic Airplane Model
So you've decided to build a plastic World War 2 Airplane Model. Welcome to an absorbing and fun-filled hobby! Nothing quite captures the imagination as the airplanes of that era locked in battle high in the sky. This hobby is a great way to re-live an important period of world history, or to spend time with kids building patience and hand-eye coordination.
Above: Spitfire Mark Vb (1/48 scale).
Plastic model kits are designed with a tremendous amount of accuracy and detail. The kit format allows you to fully customize your model. If there is a veteran in your life, presenting a model of that person's service aircraft will be the gift of a lifetime.
You may have already built or partially built a model, and have mentally compared it to the ones you see on display at the hobby shop. You are wondering how they make the kits turn out so amazingly realistic! Some of your questions might be:
1) How do they get rid of the gap between the body halves?
2) How do they get the paint to look so smooth?
3) How do they get the small details to stand out instead of disappear?
Above: P-51D Mustang (1/48 scale). Click the image and turn on your speakers for a short video (1.6 MB).
This site is intended to answer these and many more questions. We'll demonstrate building the typical World War 2 Airplane Model from start to finish. Begin at the top of the menu at the left and proceed downwards. You will learn many of the insider tricks that are used to turn a humble box of molded plastic parts into a museum-worthy masterpiece. You can use as few or as many of these tricks as you like to improve your models. But the most important thing is to have fun doing it!


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- Home
- News
- Sports
- Opinion
- Obituaries
- Features
- Special Sections
- Classifieds
- Public Notices
In 2011, Spencer County had 163 child abuse and neglect cases reported, and the hope of local officials is that one day that number will be zero.
Spencer County's Cabinet for Health and Family Services employees are working together this month with organizations across the nation to shed light on the issue of child abuse and neglect, with the goal that more citizens will be educated and empowered to report possible incidents to law enforcement and the cabinet.
If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the The Spencer Magnet, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.
Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.
|ZIP Code:


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MadameLePink wrote:vikingbitch wrote:WizardBeast wrote:that sounds like one weird cat. mine might come over to meet ya with a few friendly sniffs, but after a while he'd be out of your way.
It pissed me off so much. The thing was bloody evil and sneaky as hell. And I was not overly impressed by the sensitivity that Jason had about it "oh look how cute Atari (cat) is, come here Atari!" "I don't understand why she freaks you out so much, she just is really aggressive and playful. How can a cat freak you or anyone out?" *sits and does nothing*. Yup, almost ended it because of that damn cat okay, perhaps melodramatic but urgggghhhhh
I hate cats too and I am sure they can feel it and get very annoying on purpose Evil creatures!
i would think that Jason would understand you're not into cats and not say "aww isn't she so cute" when you clearly don't agree. i love my cat but he is also crazy at times so i can understand why not everyone likes them. and i think boy kitties are generally sweeter....


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Leola Bell, Miss February 2012 [LINK - NSFW], first entered the Playboy universe when she appeared at a recent Playboy Golf event.
One thing led to another, and Leola became Miss Febraury, and she couldn't be happier with her magazine debut.
"My pictorial is amazing," Leola commented, "It shows two different sides of me, rough and sweet."
Click here to see even more photos of Leola on Playboy.com.


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New 4Wheel Products - February 2014Posted in Product Reviews on December 20, 2013
Low Range Off Road Suzi Bumper
Low Range Off Road offers the Defiant Armor modular front winch bumper for Samurais. Options include a choice of end styles and hoops or stingers. The bumper is configurable to be compatible with aftermarket suspension systems and body lifts of up to 3 inches. The winch mount is made from quarter-inch laser-cut plate that's formed on a CNC press brake. A 2-inch receiver mount is attached to the bottom of the winch plate.
Information: Low Range Off Road
801.805.6644, www.lowrangeoffroad.com
Rogue Fab Tube Bender
Rogue Fabrication's air-powered tubing bender is designed to use affordable dies. The basic system comes with a built-in degree indicator and a die set that bends up to 13⁄4-inch OD tubing. Rogue's dies bend a full 180 degrees, and most are currently listed at $199. When properly equipped, the bender's manufacturer-claimed capacity is 13⁄4x0.250-wall DOM steel.
Information: Rogue Fabrication
503.389.5413, www.roguefab.com
Rugged Ridge JK Skids
Affordable JK undercarriage skidplates are now available from Rugged Ridge. They shield eight major areas: steering, differentials, transfer case, engine, transmission, suspension arms, air conditioning, and muffler. Each skidplate is made from 3⁄16-inch plate steel that's finished in both black powdercoat and rust-resistant E-coating. Installation is designed to be bolt-on. Each piece is sold individually.
Information: Rugged Ridge
770.614.6101, www.ruggedridge.com
BDS-Raised Super Dutys
BDS kits for the '13 Super Duty range from 1 to 8 inches of lift. Lower-height leveling kits use aluminum spacers. Taller systems employ engine-specific coil springs. A front four-link conversion is offered for 4- to 8-inch systems. Other options include Fox shocks, steering stabilizers, replacement rear leaf packs, and multishock mounting.
Information: BDS Suspension
517.279.2135, www.bds-suspension.com
Advanced Billet Air Cleaner
This style of billet air cleaner has been used on Baja 1000 buggies for more than 20 years. It has a 4-inch opening, an external frame for maximum airflow, a paper element, and a red foam wrap. Available sizes are 6x12 and 6x15.
Information: Advanced Air Cleaner Systems
619.561.7764, www.advancedaircleanersystems.com
Treadwright Claws
TreadWright's latest "remold" is the Claw. This mud-terrain features an aggressive tread pattern with full sidewall molding. The siping is engineered for better traction in snow, ice, and rock. Also, the Claw can accept No. 17 studs. Initial sizes are 265/75R16 and 265/70R17, both Load Range E.
877.439.0759, www.treadwright.com


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Please select your country of residence to view relevant information, fares and special offers.
Architecture + Design is the only national journal of architecture for architects, designers, student of architecture, builders and allied professionals. It has filled a long standing vaccum by providing a platform to share information and act as a stimulant in architectural profession.
323, Udyog Vihar,
Phase IV, Gurgaon 122016
Haryana, India


text:
Message Board
Sue Walker Message Board
Talk about the novels, new and used books that Walker has written!
Author Walker's Book Reviews
The Reunion
Morrow, Oct 2004, 24.95, 320 pp. ISBN: 0060726091 The Adolescent Psychiatric Unit in Edinburgh, known just as the Unit, was a place where the most troubled teens would receive the most innovative treatment for mental disorders. The class of 1977 contained youths with a wide variety of problems such as sexual deviancy, violent tendencies, and worse. When they were released, society hoped they would lead normal productive lives. As a whole the g...


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Wide CMS Templates
We have a collection of 28 designs in this area!
Wide screen monitors are more popular now than ever, giving web designers more space to work with. It's amazing what you can do, and how much more information you can present to your visitors with wider layouts. If you're looking for cms templates that utilize most of the available browser viewing area, these wide cms templates are the bigger picture.
Our wide CMS templates consist of designs from five different PHP engines: Drupal, Flash CMS, Joomla, Mambo, and PHP-Nuke. These engines allow you to manage your website easier than you can imagine as you do not have to know anything about HTML or other coding languages once its installed. Content can be written and updated by a point and click system making it extremely effective for your content writers who might know nothing about web design. Using our wide CMS templates will allow you to have a professional looking website without ever having to mess with source code when adding or updating content.


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Academic training for J-1 students is permitted at any stage of your program while you are enrolled in school or after completion of the program. You must have the approval of the academic dean or advisor and the responsible officer (RO). Your position can be for wages or other compensation, or it can be unpaid.
You must meet the following criteria:
You must be in the United States primarily to study rather than engage in academic training.
Academic training must be done with a specific employer or at a specific training site, and must be directly related to the major field of study listed on your DS-2019. A specific description of the training opportunity is required.
You must be in good academic standing.
You must receive written approval in advance from the RO for the duration and type of academic training.
Note: For students who are not sponsored by the Institute, academic training must be obtained from the J program sponsor. J program sponsors have different standards for granting academic training that may differ from those of the Middlebury Institute.
Time Limitations on Academic Training
Students in degree programs are permitted an overall limit of 18 months, inclusive of any prior academic training in the United States, before or after completion of studies. The total training period may not exceed the period of full course of study, meaning that if the period of full course of study is less than 18 months, academic training would be limited to that lesser duration.
Procedures for the Middlebury Institute sponsored J-1 students are as follows:
The student obtains a letter of offer for training/employment with a description of the training program, including its location, name and address of the training supervisor, number of hours per week, and dates of the training.
The student's academic adviser or career manager prepares a letter of recommendation to be presented to the RO/ARO, verifying the appropriateness of the position in regard to the student's major field of study.
The RO/ARO evaluates the academic advisor's/career manager's recommendation, and determines whether academic training can be granted (a foregone conclusion based on the advisor's/career manager's recommendation).
The RO/ARO issues a written letter authorizing the specific academic training, updates the student's SEVIS record and DS-2019, and continues to maintain the SEVIS record.
Letter of Recommendation
The student's academic/career advisor must prepare a letter of support for the academic training approval, which contains the following:
The goals and objectives of the specific training program
A description of the training program, including its location, name and address of the training supervisor, number of hours per week, and dates of the training
How the training relates to the student's major field of study
Why it is an integral or critical part of the academic program of the exchange visitor student


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Obtain an understanding of the brewing process and the history of Twisted Barrel in just one hour.
Every week on a Wednesday and Friday afternoon you can drop in and get a lesson in how we brew beer.
The tour includes a tour of the brewery, a brief history of Twisted Barrel Ale, followed by tasting of 2 of our beers.
N.B. We have created these regular tours as they are requested regularly by customers and visitors, however we are a working brewery and require a minimum of 4 people to attend for the tour to go ahead, therefore tickets can only be purchased in groups of 4, so as to minimise any impact this may of on the brewery schedule. We will endeavour to have your tour led by one of our brewers, but this won't always be possible.


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Popin' Pete's Pop Shop, a three day celebration of body popping and hip-hop culture for the whole family at the London Newcastle Space. Conceived and produced by Kate Scanlan of Scanner's Inc it is the second annual pop up festival of hip hop culture.
- Copyright
- (c) Carole Edrich 2014 call +442089891241
- Image Size
- 4256x2832 / 7.3MB
- Keywords
- Contained in galleries
- Portraits & Portfolios, Popin Pete's, London Newcastle Space


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California Department of Transportation
Date: June 23, 2011
District: 7 (Los Angeles and Ventura Counties
Contact: Kelly Markhamr
Phone: 213-897-0303
$825 Million allocated to create jobs and improve transportation
LOS ANGELES – The California Transportation Commission (CTC) today allocated $825 million in new funding to 92 highway, transit, and rail projects that will strengthen California's economy and upgrade the state's vast transportation system. The allocations included nearly $9 million from Proposition 1B, a 2006 voter-approved transportation bond. To date, the state has allocated nearly $8 billion in Proposition 1B funds.
"From one end of the state to the other, transportation projects are providing jobs and improving mobility for people and businesses in California," said Caltrans Acting Director Malcolm Dougherty.
Two notable design-build projects in Los Angeles County received $526 million in allocations: the Gerald Desmond Bridge ($470 million) and the Interstate 10/Interstate 605 Direct Connector ($56 million). Design-build streamlines a project by overlapping design and construction to speed up construction and potentially reduce costs.
Design-build is currently being used in 32 other states. Caltrans obtained design-build authority in February 2009 with the passage of Senate Bill 4 (second extraordinary session). The legislation established a demonstration program, which allows 10 design-build projects for Caltrans and five for local transportation agencies, subject to authorization by the CTC.
Other highlights of the allocations include:
Santa Clarita - $53.6 to build four miles of truck climbing lanes on the Golden State Freeway (I-5) from the Antelope Valley Freeway (SR-14) to Gavin Canyon Road in the northbound direction and from SR-14 to Pico Canyon/Lyons Avenue in the southbound direction.
Lebec - $4 million to replace .8 mile of metal beam guardrail with concrete barrier on I-5 from north of the Tejon Pass overcrossing to Frazier Mountain Park Road.
Downey and Commerce - $1.4 million to replace 4.8 miles of metal beam guardrail with concrete barrier on I-5 from south of the San Gabriel River Freeway (I-605) to Washington Boulevard.
For information about all projects that received allocations please visit: http://www.dot.ca.gov/docs/ctcprojectallocationsjune2011.pdf
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Thanks to a collaboration between the Georgia Department of Education and Stanford University, Georgia parents of pre-kindergarteners and kindergarteners have access to a FREE texting program to help prepare 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds for kindergarten.
Ready4K GA provides tips, facts, resources, and regular reminders about how parents can excel in their role as their child's first and most important teacher by maximizing existing family routines in fun and easy ways. Research shows that these types of texts increase parent involvement at home and school while leading to significant child learning gains.
Access the Ready4K Ga Link Here


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Hello all
First post, didnt see a welcome section so Ill just dive right in!
Ive recently moved into a new place and just tried to log into my router using the usual default usernames and passwords but to no avail. After a quick google search it turns out the default router user and pass is "Administrator" and part of the serial number.
I was about to go upstairs and get the serial number but I thought itd be more fun to try and get it remotely.
Where should I start?


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I am not really sure what to write on my blog. So after I "eeny, meeny, miney, mowed" the cases that baffle me the most I am going to introduce Mary Pauline Sheern/Sharon Sanford in a series of posts.
I had almost finished my research of a three generation narrative of my Sheern/Sharon family line that I hoped to use for my certification portfolio. I had only one child left that needed their biography completed. Her name is Mary P. Sheern. She was born to John Philip Sheern and Mary Brice and was baptized on 28 August 1856 at St. Mary of the Wood Village Catholic Church in Vigo County, Indiana. 1860 census she is age 5, 1870 census age 15 and by 1875, the family are living in Osage Mission, Neosho County, Kansas. Mary is using her middle name Pauline and she is 20 years old. On October 7th of 1875, Pauline marries the local dentist, George B. Sanford in Neosho County, Kansas. The marriage license states that George is age 35 and Pauline is age 28. I have the certificate and it very clearly is age 28. Why has Pauline lied about her age?
Needing more information about her life I start the search in census records for Pauline and George B. Sanford. 1880-1920 census show George B. Sanford living in Kansas City, Missouri, a dentist, married but no wife is ever listed with him. Pauline's family moved from Kansas to Kansas City around 1890. My searches for Pauline Sanford in Kansas and Missouri come up empty. When I broaden the search to include all states, she still is not to be found. Thinking that perhaps she and George have divorced I search with her maiden name Sheern. I know this name to have been spelled many spelled many different ways with Sharon being found consistently. Using every combination imaginable, I still cannot find Pauline anywhere .
Kansas City Directories show that George lived near Pauline's family. Marriage records from Jackson County show that when each of Pauline's sisters were married, George witnessed the application for them. I have successfully located and traced the lives of her husband George B. Sanford, her parents and siblings from their births to their deaths. Why can't I find Pauline?
Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. ~ Yeats
08 August 2008
The Problem With Pauline - Part 1
1 comment:
Sheri, I'm wondering if there is any mention of Pauline in the obits of her parents or siblings.ReplyDelete
That her husband remained in the area with her family and witnessed her sibs marriages is significant IMO.
Is it possible she was in an asylum in the state or nearby state?
I'm not that familiar with the records available for the location.
Thanks for sharing your "brick wall" -- hope a break-through happens soon!
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Used Truck - 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD in Virginia Beach, Va
Please Call For Price
About This 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD
Vehicle Location:
Virginia Beach, Va
Escape Hybrid
Call For Price
Stock Number:
Fuel Economy Estimates
City MPG
Highway MPG
Combined MPG: 31
Estimated Monthly Fuel Cost: $71.77*
*Based on $1.78 per gallon and 15k miles per year.
Actual costs may vary.
Actual costs may vary.
Send This Vehicle To Your Smartphone
Seller's Description and Comments:
Located at Premium Auto Brokers Company in Virginia Beach, Va. Call Premium Auto Brokers Company today at 757-424-1265 for more information about this vehicle.
Vehicle Options:
- 4wd/awd
- Abs Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- Am/fm Radio
- Automatic Headlights
- Cd Changer
- Cd Player
- Child Safety Door Locks
- Cruise Control
- Deep Tinted Glass
- Driver Airbag
- Driver Multi-adjustable Power Seat
- Electronic Brake Assistance
- Fog Lights
- Front Air Dam
- Interval Wipers
- Keyless Entry
- Load Bearing Exterior Rack
- Passenger Airbag
- Power Adjustable Exterior Mirror
- Power Door Locks
- Power Windows
- Rear Window Defogger
- Rear Wiper
- Second Row Folding Seat
- Steering Wheel Mounted Controls
- Tachometer
- Tilt Steering
- Tilt Steering Column
- Trip Computer
- Vehicle Anti-theft
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2005 Ford Escape Hybrid ReviewThis car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale.
Fresh looks, more power, better ride, and the first gas-electric SUV.
Ford Escape is the best-selling of all the small, affordable sport-utilities, and it's a solid choice among these so-called cute utes. The Escape offers agile handling, a smooth ride, and comfortable seating for four average Americans. It also offers brisk acceleration when equipped with the optional V6 engine. It's compact but practical. Folding down the rear seats reveals a flat, moderately sized cargo area. Best of all, its prices are relatively low, up only an average of 1 percent over 2004 prices.
For 2005, Escape has a fresh new face, new headlamps, and a brightened interior. The new base 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine is a big improvement over the old 2.0-liter, and it's available with an automatic transmission for the first time, a benefit of its increased power. The 2005 Escape offers a fully automatic four-wheel drive option that operates transparently in the background. The standard manual transmission is new, with lighter shifting efforts and shorter throws. And a revised suspension improves the ride.
But the biggest news is that the Escape Hybrid has finally arrived, using a special version of the 2.3-liter gas engine teamed with an electric motor. It's designed to deliver quick response while delivering excellent fuel economy.
Ford Escape comes in three trim levels, XLS, XLT, and Limited, all available with front-wheel drive (2WD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). There's a choice of three powerplants and a choice of transmissions.
XLS ($19,265) is the base model and comes standard with air conditioning, illuminated remote entry, power windows and mirrors, tilt steering column, center console, 15-inch steel wheels and an AM/FM/CD/cassette audio system with clock. The new 2.3-liter four-cylinder Duratec 23 engine produces 153 horsepower and 152 pound-feet of torque, nearly 18 percent more power and 10 percent more torque than last year's engine. It has a balance shaft for smoothness, and it comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission. A 200-horsepower 3.0-liter Duratec V6 and four-speed automatic are also available: The XLS 4WD model ($21,015) comes standard with the V6 and automatic.
XLT ($22,780) and XLT 4WD ($24,530) come standard with the V6 and automatic transmission. XLT also gets four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), premium cloth upholstery, a power driver's seat, privacy glass, a power moonroof, cruise control, a cargo cover and convenience net, fog lights, an in-dash six-CD changer, and white-letter P235/70R16 tires on 16-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels. The XLT No Boundaries Package 47S on our test truck ($1,055) adds all-terrain tires, painted aluminum wheels, black painted step bars, Class II trailer towing, and wheel lips. New this year is XLT Sport ($23,690 FWD; $25,440 AWD) with all the XLT standard equipment plus 16-inch bright machined aluminum wheels, P235/70R16 tires, painted Dark Shadow gray fascias, bodyside cladding, wheel lip moldings and black step bars.
Limited ($24,615) and Limited 4WD ($26,365) come with premium leather seats, seat heaters, front side-impact air bags, dual front sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated exterior mirrors, a reverse sensing system, and a MACH Audio in-dash six-CD changer with automatic volume control. Limited sports a monochrome exterior with body-colored trim and bright machined 16-inch aluminum wheels.
Option packages are available for each trim level. XLT Premium Package ($1230) includes leather seating surfaces, leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 60/40 split rear bench seat, front door map pockets, an overhead console with dual storage bins, a front passenger under-seat storage tray, and a power moonroof with sunshade. Also available for 2005 is the Limited Luxury Comfort Package, which includes the MACH audio system, heated side-view mirrors, reverse sensing system, front and rear premium leather-trimmed seats and heated front seats.
The Escape Hybrid is priced about $4,000 more than a V6, and is available in all trim levels.
Ford Escape's jaunty exterior is fitted with new headlamps, new fog lamps, a new egg-crate grille, new front and rear fascias and new 15- and 16-inch aluminum wheels. The lower bumpers now have ribs in them. The result of all this is a fresher, more contemporary look for Escape. New paint colors include Sonic Blue, Norse Blue, Silver Metallic and Titanium Green.
Escape is wider than other compact SUVs, giving it a well-planted road demeanor. Its forward-poised stance, large wheel lips, wide body cladding, and integrated bumper guard lend a functional appearance, while its short front and rear overhangs add to its sporting appeal. The Escape has a family resemblance to the Ford Explorer and Expedition, and looks bolder and more aggressive than the Honda CR-V.
Being able to see the leading edge of the hood from the driver's seat makes the Escape easier to maneuver in tight places. Its 7.8 inches of ground clearance may help clear some obstacles, but not big rocks. Outside door handles are easy to grab and feel like they're going to last.
Accessories from Ford Outfitters include a snap-in pet barrier and a system to haul two mountain bikes in the cargo area. Bike racks can also be mounted on the roof; the standard roof rack with crossbars holds up to 100 pounds. Foot rails are designed to make it easier to lift kayaks, snowboards and other toys onto the roof rack. The rear bumper is also designed to aid roof access.
The No Boundaries Rack System features a sliding rail that can be repositioned from the roof to the rear of the vehicle, locking into the bumper. This provides two separate loading surfaces: a traditional roof rack and a vertically oriented rack across the rear. When not in use, the sliding rails can be stored within the conventional roof portion of the rack system.
The 2005 Escape gets a redesigned interior. The shifter on automatic models has been moved off of the column and onto the floor. Other changes include new gauges, upgraded seats, new fabrics, and more interior storage.
The Escape is a compact SUV, so the front seats are nearly as roomy as the Explorer's. However, getting in or out of the front seats is made easier by low door sills and wide door openings. The XLS has manually adjustable seats trimmed with cloth. XLT gets premium cloth trim. Leather is optional.
Ford upgraded Escape's interior for 2003 with improved interior materials, but for 2005 a substantial interior restyling includes a standard console and floor shifter. (Apparently the voice of the customer was heard.) Illuminated switches for the power windows and power locks make them easier to find.
White-faced instruments are set in a simple, easy-to-understand instrument panel. The audio system and heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls in the center stack are angled slightly toward the driver for easier access while driving.
Side-impact airbags are standard on Limited, optional ($345) on XLS and XLT. Pretensioners combined with load-limiting retractors are standard on front-seat belts. In a crash, these pretensioners automatically tighten the belts, while the load limiters are designed to reduce the risk of chest injuries in severe collisions. (We strongly recommend always wearing seatbelts as they are the first line of defense in a crash; more than half of the nation's approximately 42,000 traffic fatalities each year are people not wearing seatbelts.)
The rear seats offer good knee room. The rear cargo area offers 69.2 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded down, 33 cubic feet with the seats in place. The rear seats are split 60/40 for greater versatility. The rear-seat cushion can be removed for more load-carrying capacity. The flip-up rear glass offers easy access to the rear cargo area for small items.
Driving Impression
On the road, the Ford Escape offers responsive handling and brisk acceleration performance. Larger-diameter front shocks and a new front stabilizer system have been fitted for 2005 to better control ride motions. The suspension has a comparatively taut ride quality, without the roly-poly and mushy ride that characterizes larger SUVs with big off-road tires and long-travel suspensions. The Escape handles better than a Jeep Liberty or Toyota RAV4, and is quicker than a Honda CR-V. Steering is responsive, direct and accurate with no dead spot in the center. There's enough feeling in the steering to impart a sense of control. Though this is not a sports car, the tires grip respectably in paved corners. The Escape offers surprisingly good transient response in a series of left-right-left corners. This permits quick, yet smooth, driving that will not upset passengers.
The new 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine may be all you need to feed. It offers more power (more torque), very low emissions, and the availability of an automatic transmission for the first time.
The available V6 engine delivers good acceleration performance. While there's no such thing as too much power, it never feels lacking in the Escape. The engine and four-speed automatic transmission communicate and work well together. The transmission shifts smoothly up and down, and chooses gears appropriately for the situation. The engine's broad power band never lugs or strains. This isn't the smoothest V6 on the market, nor is it the roughest. But it is smoother and more satisfying than the four-cylinder engines found in most small sport-utilities.
We found the Escape's anti-lock brakes smooth and responsive. Four-wheel disc brakes are now standard on V6 4WD models; rear drum brakes are used on four-cylinder and 2WD models. ABS comes into play just when expected and is detectable by the familiar pulsating sensation. Brake Assist, designed to assist the driver with full braking power when it senses an emergency stopping situation, is added this year. Also added is electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) for more effective, more stable braking.
Noise, vibration and harshness have been reduced for 2005. Additional sound-absorbing panels and tighter sealing on the 2005 Escape reduce interior noise. The balance shaft on the new Duratec four-cylinder engine and new engine mounts on the Duratec V6 make both powertrains sound smoother.
We found the Escape comfortable over a variety of on-road surfaces, eruptions and potholes. And this is where most Escapes live. Off road, we found the Escape lacking. Even though it's available with four-wheel drive, it's based on a front-wheel-drive platform. Rough, loose, steep trails leave it spinning its wheels. The suspension does not have the articulation needed for rugged terrain, there is no low-range set of gears, nor is the traction system that sophisticated. For everyday road travel, however, the Ford Escape is an excellent choice.
When properly equipped, Escape has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.
As mentioned, the Escape is the world's first production SUV to offer a hybrid gas-electric engine. The hybrid 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine shuts down at rest (at intersections, for example) to conserve fuel. When traffic moves, the battery-powered 70-kilowatt traction motor generator can launch the vehicle on electric power only. It uses a continuously variable transmission, or CVT, and electric power steering. Under heavy load, the generator starts the gasoline engine in less than 0.4 seconds (immediately, in other words). The hybrid storage battery reclaims energy during braking to be used later for acceleration. The benefits include lower emissions and increased fuel efficiency. Hydrocarbon emissions and oxides of nitrogen are 97 percent less than what's emitted by most other new vehicles. Escape Hybrid also produces half the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) of conv.
Ford Escape is a fun, well-balanced on-road SUV. It has a roomy interior and good cargo capacity. A new four-cylinder engine brings needed power and the availability of an automatic. The available V6 engine provides the Escape with strong power. The new interior and suspension tuning make it more comfortable and more convenient. A four-wheel independent suspension and unit-body construction make it ride and handle almost as well as a car, but it isn't designed for serious off-road driving. Styling revisions give the 2005 Escape a fresh face.
The Escape Hybrid is the world's first gas-electric SUV, and can deliver huge mileage gains and greatly reduced emissions, though it adds about $4,000 to the cost.
Model Lineup
Ford Escape XLS ($19,265); XLS 4WD ($21,015); XLT ($22,780); XLT 4WD ($24,530); Limited ($24,615); Limited 4WD ($26,365); Hybrid.
Assembled In
Kansas City, Missouri; Avon Lake, Ohio.
Options As Tested
XLT No Boundaries package ($1055) includes P235/70R-16 all-terrain white-letter tires, 16-in aluminum wheels, Class II trailer towing package, black step bars, special roof rack system; Mach stereo with 6-CD changer ($565); cargo cover ($75); side air curtain ($425).
Model Tested
Ford Escape XLT 4WD ($24,530).Escaping frequent fill ups.
The Ford Escape is the best-selling compact sport utility vehicle in the United States. Now it's available in a hybrid version. And, no, you don't have to plug it in.
What is a hybrid? It's a vehicle that draws power from the combination of a traditional gasoline engine and an electric motor and special battery pack. The Escape Hybrid is the first such SUV available in the United States, and also the first hybrid with available all-wheel drive and 1000 pounds of towing capacity, and allows buyers to enjoy the benefits of a small SUV while greatly enhancing fuel economy and lowering emissions.
By combing a four-cylinder gasoline engine with the boost from the electric power pack, the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid provides acceleration much like the regular Escape equipped with an optional V6 engine, but the Hybrid returns twice the fuel economy in city driving and nearly double on the highway.
Many people are pleasantly surprised to learn that hybrid vehicles such as the Escape never have to be plugged into any sort of electrical outlet. The vehicle's battery pack is automatically recharged by the gasoline engine and by regenerative braking, technology that takes the otherwise wasted energy generated by braking and sends it to the battery pack.
There is a price premium that must be paid for equipping a car with a hybrid powertrain, but there also are federal and perhaps even state or local tax benefits available to help offset that cost.
The Escape Hybrid is available with front-wheel drive ($26,380) and all-wheel drive ($28,005). It comes in one well-equipped trim level. Options include leather seating, upgraded audio equipment, side-curtain airbags and a navigation system.
For comparison, the standard two-wheel-drive Escape with a four-cylinder engine has a base price of $19,265 and the top of the line, all-wheel-drive version with a V6 engine starts at $26,365, about the same price as the two-wheel-drive Escape Hybrid that provides similar acceleration and perhaps even better overall dynamic performance.
The most expensive option on the Escape Hybrid is the Energy, Audiophile and Navigation system package ($1,850) that includes an upgraded Audiophile audio system, CD-based satellite navigation and a display on the nav screen that illustrates instant and recent fuel economy and the way energy flows between the gasoline engine, electric motor, battery pack and wheels.
If you're among those who want a hybrid, you likely will opt for this package because it graphically and immediately demonstrates the benefits you derive from the technology. By paying some attention to the graphs, you'll find yourself becoming an even more environmentally friendly and fiscally efficient motorist.
A safety package ($595) includes side-curtain airbags that cover all seating areas as well as side airbags for the driver and front-seat passenger. Such airbags can provide life-saving protection in a collision.
Other options are a leather comfort group ($575), an appearance package ($625) with front and side fascias, Ford's MACH audio with 6-disc changer ($565), a 110-volt AC power outlet ($110), a retractable rear cargo cover ($75) and rear carpeted floor mats ($25).
The 110-volt AC power outlet can be a practical option, whether you plan to tailgate or camp, or might want to plug in an air compressor or other equipment. Many accessories from Ford dealers or aftermarket companies are available for the standard Escape and they also fit the Escape Hybrid.
Ford says the Escape Hybrid is the cleanest of all sport utility vehicles, and while the automaker is talking about the hybrid powertrain system, the adjective also applies to the Escape's exterior design. The design is clean: Simple and practical without unnecessary flourishes and flares, contemporary and not likely to look outdated within just a few years.
The standard fog lamps set toward the outside portion of the lower front fascia provide a nice balance to the car's face and visually widen the Escape Hybrid's stance.
Like many SUVs, the Escape Hybrid has a two-tone appearance, with body panels and lower fascia in complimentary colors. Those who want a monochromatic look can order the appearance package and specify silver clearcoat metallic paint.
Five-spoke alloy wheels are 16 inches in diameter and wear 235/70-aspect tires tuned to provide a smooth and comfortable ride, not for severe off-road duty.
One very useful exterior feature is the way the glass backlight opens separately from the rear hatch door, providing a quick and easy way to load or unload small packages. We also liked the fact that the top of the rear bumper cover is wide enough that we could set a 12-pack of soda on it while loading other groceries through the open rear window.
Visually, the Escape Hybrid is barely changed from the standard Escape, and most people won't even notice that your SUV is different that the rest. There are small Hybrid badges just behind the front wheels and also on the rear hatch. The hybrid also has a vent built into its left rear quarter-panel glass; this vent helps cool the battery pack.
Escape Hybirds come with flint gray interiors, either in a nicely patterned premium cloth or leather. The driver's seat has standard six-way power adjustment controls. Also standard are an in-dash six-CD changer, a tilting steering wheel with cruise controls on the wheel, a message center and a special set of hybrid gauges.
Gauges have black figures on a white background and are easy to read in even bright daylight. At night, the colors reverse, with white numbers against a glare less black background.
The biggest difference is seen on the tachometer, which reports the revolutions per minute of the engine. In the Escape Hybrid, the tach needle has a sub-zero setting that it uses to indicate that the car is running only on electric power, such as while sitting at a stop or even while traveling on the road in certain conditions.
Switchgear is easy to find and to use.
Seats provide an elevated vantage of the road ahead. They also are comfortable around town or on trips. The rear seat has ample room and a 60/40 split back that provides several options for expanding the size of the flat rear cargo floor.
The Escape Hybrid we tested was equipped with the optional energy, audiophile and navigation systems. The navigation system includes a Home button that can lead you back to whatever location you set as your home base, or you can easily program it to take you to various destinations.
When you switch over to the energy reporting screens, the next navigation instruction remains as the bottom line on the display, sort of like the line at the bottom of the screen in some television newscasts. This can be a handy feature for those who aren't sure of their route but also want to keep an eye on fuel economy is shaping up.
The screen isn't as large as those in some other vehicles, but its graphics are extremely clear and we had no trouble reading even the smallest details, either at night or while wearing sunglasses in bright daylight.
Driving Impression
To launch the 2005 Escape Hybrid, Ford drove one on every paved street in Manhattan, all 576 miles of them, on a single tank of fuel, averaging 36 miles per gallon in the process, exactly twice the EPA's estimated mileage in the city cycle for the Escape V6.
The EPA rates the Escape Hybrid at 36 miles per gallon in town and 31 on the highway. The reason the city number is greater than the country number is because in slower driving, the electric motor carries more of the load, plus the gasoline engine simply shuts off while you're sitting at a stoplight.
Be gentle with the gas pedal and the car can travel a short ways just on electric power, but don't worry, the gasoline engine restarts immediately if you step firmly on the gas.
We didn't baby the Escape Hybrid to see how high we could get the mileage meter to go. We drove it like we would drive any other vehicle, but still averaged better than 35 miles per gallon around town. The standard Escape equipped with a four-cylinder engine is rated at 22 mpg in town and 25 on the highway.
The Escape Hybrid's optional Energy system provides instant fuel economy on a thermometer-style image at the left side of the display screen with your average economy and a stock market-style chart of fuel use for the last 15 minutes filling most of the screen. By paying some attention to the screen, you find yourself trying to get better and better fuel economy, which is probably the reason you bought this vehicle in the first place.
While saving fuel, you're also reducing emissions. Ford notes that the Escape Hybrid qualifies for super-low (SULEV) or advanced technology partial-zero (ATPZEV) emission vehicle status, and says you can drive the Escape Hybrid 15,000 miles and generate only one pound of smog-forming emissions.
The Ford Escape Hybrid is unique among hybrid vehicles in that its battery pack comprises a tray of what appear to be dozens and dozens of C cells, except they are high-tech nickel-metal hydride batteries and provide 330 volts of power, equivalent to 87 more horsepower. The battery pack is in a sealed box located beneath the rear cargo floor and does not intrude on the Escape's cargo-carrying capability. The battery pack also is warranted for eight years or 100,000 miles.
The batteries do add some weight to the rear of the vehicle, but in the case of the Escape that weight makes the hybrid better balanced than the standard V6 Escape. The Escape V6 has 61 percent of its mass carried by the front wheels. The Escape Hybrid is better balanced. Only 57 percent of its weight is in front. That means this version is more neutral in its handling, staying flatter through corners and under braking. This should provide better maneuverability in emergency situations and enhance front tire and brake wear as well.
The Escape Hybrid's gasoline engine is a 2.3-liter, inline four-cylinder that operates under what is known as the Atkinson cycle, a technology designed to enhance the quality of fuel combustion. The Atkinson cycle sacrifices some horsepower, but keeps intake valves open longer and operates under a higher compression ratio.
The 2.3-liter Duratec four in the standard Escape provides 153 horsepower, 20 more than the Atkinson cycle engine, but the electric motor gives the hybrid power very similar to the Escape V6, which is rated at 200 horsepower.
To waste as little of the engine's power as possible while transmitting it to the drive wheels, Ford equips the Escape Hybrid with a continuously variable transmission. This transmission doesn't have standard gears. Instead, it has metal bands that adjust to best match the engine's performance. Thus there is not hesitation as gears shift, just smooth acceleration.
The CVT does offer a low range setting for increased traction. All-wheel drive gives the Escape Hybrid capability in foul weather and off-highway.
Ford Escape Hybrid competes in a set of vehicles that includes the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Chevrolet Equinox, Hyundai Santa Fe and other compact sport utility vehicles. But the Escape Hybrid is unique with its fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly gasoline-electric powertrain. The powertrain provides performance on par with a V6 engine, but without the nose-heavy tendencies that often come with putting larger engines in front-drive vehicles.
New Car Test Drive correspondent Larry Edsall is based in Phoenix.
Model Lineup
Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD ($26,380); 4WD ($28,005).
Assembled In
Kansas City, Missouri.
Options As Tested
appearance package ($625), energy/audiophile/navigation system ($1,850), safety package ($595), rear floor mats ($25), 110-volt power outlet ($110), leather comfort group ($575), retractable cargo cover ($75).
Model Tested
Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD ($26,380).
889 S. Military Highway
Virginia Beach, Va. 23464
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Food & Drink E-commerce Templates
We have a collection of 151 designs in this area!
Restaurants, food and drink connoisseurs, beer lovers, food lovers, cooks, chefs, and people who just have a passion for food. This is the dish complement you're looking for! These food and drink e-commerce templates are deliciously delectable collections of tasty colors and style choices. There's everything from yummy, to appetizing.
Our food & drink E-commerce Templates consist of designs for four different PHP engines: Magento, osCommerce, CRE Loaded, and ZenCart. These are the food & drink templates you should use if you want to have an online store ready to go. These e-commerce engines and our food & drink templates are compabitble with most hosting companies and may be used for a wide variety of online stores. These systems all have built in catalogs, new products, bestsellers, search, shopping carts, checkout pages, and integrated payment systems through 3rd party gateways such as Paypal, 2CheckOut, Authorize.Net, ChronoPay, iPayment, PSiGate, SECPay, PayNova, and more. Each system also comes with an administrative panel to add, edit, and manage products, payments, and etc.


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Black Hat USA Training 2010
Caesars Palace Las Vegas • July 25-28
A Certificate of Completion is offered for each class.
Course Offerings by Category
Training classes for industry-recognized security certifications.
NSA InfoSec Assessment Methodology Course (IAM) - Level 1 by Security Horizon
You will need this course before you can take the IEM course. Earn NSA Certification.
NSA InfoSec Assessment Methodology Course (IEM) - Level 2 by Security Horizon
The follow-up course to the IAM. Earn NSA certification.
Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) Version 6 by EC-Council 4-day course
Students will also learn about Intrusion Detection, Policy Creation, Social Engineering, DDoS Attacks, Buffer Overflows and Virus Creation.
CISSP® Boot Camp by Shon Harris
4-day course
This Logical Security course trains students in all areas of the security Common Body of Knowledge (CBK).Using this course, students prepare for the exam, while at the same time obtaining essential security knowledge that can be immediately used to improve organizational security.
CISSP® Review Seminar by Shon Harris
1-day course
This 1-Day Review Seminar has been designed to provide all the materials needed from our instructor led classroom training.
Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) by EC-Council 4-day course
ECSA/LPT Certification Preparation by EC-Council 4-day course
The ECSA course equips one with the knowledge and know-hows to become an EC-Council Licensed Penetration Tester.
Senior System Manager (CNSS-4012 (Certified))
by Information Assurance Associates (IA2)
Very intense, highly concentrated, non-technical professional training necessary to achieve the fundamental knowledge needed to define, design, integrate and manage information system security policies, processes, practices, and procedures within federal interest information systems and networks.


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Evening classes canceled Feb. 7, 2018. Learn more.
Home | Academics | Our Schools | Conservatory of Performing Arts | Conservatory News & Features
The professional training of the students and alumni on the set of "Mr. Pleasant" helped Point Park faculty member John Rice direct the film.
For several years, Pittsburgh has been known as an epicenter for the film industry by being the choice location for numerous movie shoots. The city is also known for its Three Rivers Film Festival, hosted by Pittsburgh Filmmakers and an opportunity for the Point Park Conservatory of Performing Arts community to showcase its talent, work and skills in a venue that is outside the University.
The festival, running Nov. 5-20, includes the work of four faculty members, two students and 17 alumni from both the Cinema Arts and Theatre Arts departments.
John Rice, a cinema arts teaching artist, directed a short film titled "Mr. Pleasant" that incorporated the work of numerous Point Park students and alumni.
The modern day silent film "Silent City" was written and directed by 2001 alumnus Dave Droxler.
"I've had many of them as students, so I had a very good idea of what they were capable of," said Rice.
"Mr. Pleasant" is the story of Red, a college student who gets stranded at a party during a snowstorm after a disastrous one-night stand with the party's host, Robin. His only way of getting home is to accept a ride from Robin's gay neighbor, Mary Jean. During the ride, he confronts his own prejudices and simplistic worldview and thinks about the aimless, self-destructive life he's been living. As a child, he misread a map and thought 'Mt. Pleasant' was 'Mr. Pleasant.' He'll never make that mistake again.
The students and alumni's professional training were invaluable to Rice, particularly due to the numerous technical hurdles encountered during production.
"The kids are up to the challenge, which is great," said Rice. "I couldn't have done it without them."
Another Point Park-related film in the festival is "Silent City," a modern-day silent film written and directed by 2001 alumnus Dave Droxler. The film consists of four loosely connected vignettes about love, work, friends and life. Inspired by the work of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, the film applies their style to modern settings and themes.
"It's just a universal language," said Droxler. "There's something about putting a film in black and white that puts it in its own separate world."
Droxler became enamored with black and white silent films through his education at the University. Many of his professors and classes encouraged him to study these films to learn about the origins of cinema, and he eventually put on his own adaptation of a silent film for his Advanced Directing class.
"There was a lot of inspiration for 'Silent City' from Point Park," said Droxler.
In addition to being an inspiration, Droxler credits Point Park for his wide range of experiences that have helped him professionally throughout his career.
"Point Park students are so diverse," said Droxler. "They learn a little of everything. By learning a little of everything, you figure out what works for you."
Andrew Halasz, an assistant professor, was producer for the film "Mercury in Tuna," directed by Chatham University professor Kristen Lauth Shaeffer. Cinema alumni Dave Hall and Noel Schermaier were cinematographer and sound editor/designer/re-recording mixer, respectively, for the film.
Schermaier was also the sound editor for "What Does Trouble Mean: Nate Smith's Revolution" (directed by Robert Morris University professor Jim Seguin) along with current cinema and digital arts student Brittany Klesic. Halasz was also the supervising sound editor/re-recording mixer for the film.
In addition to the cinema department's involvement, the theatre department also participated in the festival. John Shepard, chair of the theatre department, and Bob Haley, an adjunct faculty member, starred in "Pennsylvania NW" by Robert Buncher.
For more information on the Three Rivers Film Festival or to view the screening schedule, visit www.3rff.com.
Harris Theater, Saturday Nov. 13, 2 p.m.
Melwood Screening Room, Saturday Nov. 13, 7 p.m. (screening before the doc, The Electricity Fairy)
Regent Square Theater, Friday Nov. 19, 9:15 p.m.
Melwood Screening Room, Competitive Shorts Program, Friday Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m. and Saturday Nov. 20, 3:30 p.m.
(part of Sync'd II Hybrid Experimental Film/Live Music Screening) Regent Square Theater - Friday, Nov. 12, 10 p.m.
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Prenatal class dates
Participants must attend these dates:
- May 3 (6 p.m.-9 p.m.) and May 4 (9 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Additional class sessions are posted at www.lambtonhealth.on.ca.
What is prenatal education?
Prenatal education is ideal for those having babies for the first time or for those who would like a refresher. Knowing what to expect during pregnancy and how to manage once the baby is born will help to build your confidence as a new parent.
A public health nurse will teach expectant parents about the late stages of pregnancy, labour and birthing, relaxation, post-partum care of mom and baby, breastfeeding, and the transition to parenting. You will also be provided with information to help you make informed decisions with your health care provider.
When should I register?
Classes are recommended around your 6th or 7th month of pregnancy. Register as soon as possible to reserve a spot in class. Registration provides access to the class for 1 participant and 1 partner. Registering a partner separately is not required.
Call 519-383-8331 ext. 3573, toll free 1-800-667-1839 or visit our office to receive a FREE First Trimester Kit loaded with pamphlets, fact sheets and booklets with valuable information to support your pregnancy.
One payment per couple.
Refunds are only provided for exceptional situations.
NOTE: The class fee can be reduced or waived. Please contact Lambton Public Health to discuss the options or select the appropriate fee when you register. Selecting a fee reduced option involves a consultation to determine eligibility.
Class Outline:
Newborn Care
- Pregnancy
- Relaxation techniques and comfort measures
- Newborn care and safety
Breastfeeding and Postpartum
- Breastfeeding
- Postpartum care
- Partner support and role
- Postpartum mood disorders
Labour & Birthing
- Stages of labour
- Medical interventions
- Caesarean birth
Transition to Parenting
- Parenting as partners
- Family transition
- Growth and development
- Immunizations
- Breastfeeding


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Border wall is not 'who we are,' says Rep. Thompson
Clip: 01/11/2019 | 6m 25s
What's the impact for national security when those who work to keep us safe aren't getting paid? Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., the new chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, says DHHS and TSA employees are still doing their jobs. He tells Judy Woodruff that a physical wall would conflict with American values and that it's "unfortunate" the president is relying on fear to make policy.
Aired: 01/11/19Video has closed captioning.
The full episode is no longer available for online streaming. Why?
Please continue to enjoy extra(s) from this episode.


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Good news for babies: The number of mothers breast-feeding is rising across America.
So says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a new report released Thursday. From 2000 to 2008, the proportion of mothers who breast-fed their infants rose from 70.3% to 74.6%. Even better, the proportion of mothers who were still breastfeeding after six months jumped from 34.5% to 44.4% during the same period.
Why is this good? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breast-feeding for a baby's first six months of life and continued breast-feeding for the second six months, along with solid foods. In a policy statement published last year, the academy credited breast milk with reducing the risk of serious colds, respiratory tract infections, pneumonia, ear infections, sudden infant death syndrome, type 1 diabetes, obesity, gastrointestinal tract infections and myriad other health problems.
Though the popularity of breast-feeding rose among all three racial and ethnic groups surveyed, the authors of the CDC report found that African Americans babies were much less likely than other babies to be breast-fed.


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Now that the 2012 model year motorcycles have debuted (though we still expect a few mid-year releases), the speculation can now begin for the 2013 model year machines. Wasting no time in this process, the Italian press is afire with rumors of a Ducati 799 superbike model to compliment the recently released Ducati 1199 Panigale.
A rumor of this nature, this early in the year, is certainly an interesting one. There should be little debate over the fact that Borgo Panigale has a supersport variant of the 1199 superbike already figured out, tested, & ready for prime time, and our Bothan spies confirm just as much to us. The details of such a bike though, now that's where the devil resides.


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Acquisition Overview
Dell today announced the acquisition of StatSoft, a leading provider of advanced analytics solutions.
Why StatSoft, Inc.?
The acquisition of StatSoft further enhances Dell's information management solutions by delivering a wide range of data mining, predictive analytics, and data visualization capabilities.
StatSoft combines comprehensive statistical analysis with advanced analytics to help organizations better understand their businesses, predict change, increase agility and control critical systems. Its offerings span from desktop data modeling and analytics to high-performance, enterprise deployments.
StatSoft has a long track record of proven success across a broad set of industry sectors. The addition of StatSoft adds advanced analytics to Dell's robust set of information management capabilities that includes database management and optimization, application and data integration, and big data analytics.
Customer and Partner Benefits
With the rapid explosion of data comes the opportunity for organizations to gain deep insight into their business processes in order to facilitate better decision making and maximize profitability.
The addition of StatSoft gives Dell's customers and channel partners access to a comprehensive and cost-effective advanced analytics solution that helps solve business challenges by enabling faster, more accurate decisions.
StatSoft's advanced analytics software combines affordability and ease of use with scalability and rich functionality, making it accessible to midmarket organizations yet comprehensive enough for the largest enterprises with the most complex data environments.
Matt Wolken, vice president and general manager, information management, Dell Software
"With the rapid explosion of data comes the opportunity for organizations to gain deep insight into their business processes in order to facilitate better decision making and maximize profitability. The acquisition of StatSoft gives Dell's customers access to a proven advanced analytics solution that delivers the predictive and prescriptive analysis capabilities businesses need in order to make faster, more accurate decisions."
Dr. Paul Lewicki, founder and chief executive officer, StatSoft
"StatSoft's advanced analytics software has a long track record of proven success across a wide variety of predictive analytics and data mining applications including agile manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, risk management, fraud detection, and research. Together with Dell, we can create new opportunities for customers to better leverage the growing volumes of data that are quickly becoming the lifeblood of organizations of all sizes, and further advance StatSoft's mission of making the world more productive."
Special Note:
Statements that relate to future results and events are forward-looking statements based on Dell's current expectations. Actual results and events in future periods may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements because of a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the possibility that projected benefits may not materialize as expected; and that Dell is unable to successfully implement the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations, including the execution of integration strategies. Dell undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
*Original Publish Date: 3/24/2014
Press Release
RemoveDell Acquires StatSoft to Bolster Portfolio of Big Data SolutionsDell today announced the acquisition of StatSoft, a leading provider o …
Blog Post
RemoveDell Software's Information Management Growth Continues with StatSoft AcquisitionDell this morning announced the acquisition of StatSoft, a leading pro …


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When and why did you move to New York?
"I moved in 1994. I was fortunate that I did not need to emigrate unlike a lot of people who traveled before me, but wanted to experience life in the big city. In 1996, I moved back to Ireland and was accepted to DIT"s Cathal Brugha Street where I received my degree in tourism marketing. I returned to New York in 2000 as I received an internship with Tourism Ireland in New York. My main reason for returning to New York in 2000 was to be with Liam, a native Cavan man who was/is firmly rooted in New York!"
Tell about your role with Specialized Travel Services.
"I joined the company in 2002. By this time I had worked almost two years with Tourism Ireland in their New York office and gained valuable experience in working with the public sector of the industry so it was an exciting challenge to get the opportunity to work in the private sector.
"Specialized Travel Services is an Ireland only destination management company in business since 1974. We customize trips to Ireland for groups and individual travelers.
"As the sales and marketing manager, my main role along with the sales team in New York is sourcing potential groups through a wide variety of distribution channels. Our groups range from alumni and college groups, religious and faith based groups, golf tours and special interest groups, literary, culinary tours and even knitting groups.
"We have our own transport company in Ireland and do a lot of chauffeur driven tours for individuals and smaller groups. Tourism is a dynamic industry to be working in."
Where are the most popular destinations in Ireland?
"It really depends on the client/group and their reason for visiting Ireland. From our first contact with our clients we get as much information as we can about them and their group and if feasible I will meet them as this will make for a better trip for them.
"Their reasons to visit Ireland are all different and unique, and of course the areas they wish to visit all vary. In general though, Northern Ireland is a huge sell this year with so much new and improved product, while Dublin, Galway and the south west are always favorites."
Are a lot of your customers first time visitors to Ireland?
"About 60% are first timers and 40% are repeat travelers. About 90% of our travel trade business is repeat business. Repeat customers are usually more focused and have a specific itinerary which we develop with them. We did get a group that returned earlier this year and said their trip surpassed their first trip which was great."
What is the strangest request you have ever got from a tourist who wanted to visit Ireland?
"Are there any leprechaun farms? (There aren't!)"
What do you think makes Irish hospitality so special?
"It's warm and its real and it is genuine. Irish people love an outing, an event, a chance to get together with family and friends and this is deep rooted in our culture. The Gathering Ireland 2013 is about the people of Ireland welcoming anyone with a connection to Ireland to come and visit, and we are delighted to be part of it."


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Let's suppose, for just a minute, that you are a developer. You've had some successes and a loyal following, but lately, you've taken some jobs that haven't turned out so well. You've drifted away from your roots in order to keep your independent studio afloat with much needed capital.
The last project you worked on turned out pretty well. People liked it, but there were a lot of technical issues that marred the experience and emerged in a number of reviews. Going into the relationship with the publisher, you were either overconfident or unable to negotiate a better deal, and let part of your funding hinge on an 85 Metacritic score. You missed that mark … by one, measly point.
You're unhappy. You know what the contract said, but you feel, deep down, that the publisher should have cut you some slack and, maybe, paid out some of the bonus as a gesture of good will. No matter how hard you try to rationalise it and let logic prevail, you're a little bitter.
Thankfully, there's a new trend called Kickstarter that is getting some traction. Double Fine and Tim Schafer and, now, inXile and Brian Fargo meeting with huge success seeing "unmarketable" projects take off with a huge influx of cash.
"Why not us?" a voice whispers in your ear. "That loyal following would heap money on us."
And so you mention your interest publicly. You're on the road to a huge Kickstarter pile of money and a game with no strings attached. No one will try to make you change it. No one will focus test your design. It's yours, and no publisher can take it away from you.
Unfortunately, you've forgotten one thing. You've got two other projects in progress with two different publishers. How will they react?
Enter Obsidian.
While [Ripten was] unable to independently confirm this, a report on Kotaku indicates the California-based studio's rumoured next-generation project with Microsoft has been cancelled. While there could be any number of reasons for this, such as missed milestones or a difference of creative vision, when I heard the rumour, I couldn't help but wonder, "What do publishers think of developers striking out on their own?" Could Microsoft have killed the project because of Obsidian's public Kickstarter aspirations?
Developers going outside the standard model, pitching projects directly to gamers, unbalances the equation. No longer are publishers the arbiters of good taste, determining what the public will and won't buy, what we crave and what we loathe. Their power is eroding under the crashing waves of backer payments small and large. What's more, one thing has resonated with the advent of successful crowd-sourcing by quality developers. The message is clear, "We don't need publishers." Tim Schafer and company were a bit more tactful than that, though, when they proposed their Double Fine Adventure project.
"To finance the production, promotion and distribution of these massive undertakings, companies like Double Fine have to rely on external sources like publishers, investment firms or loans. And while they fulfil an important role in the process, their involvement also comes with significant strings attached that can pull the game in the wrong directions or even cancel its production altogether."
Brian Fargo was a bit more pointed in his hilarious pitch video for Wasteland 2 and write-up on their Kickstarter page.
"This is probably the last chance for a Wasteland sequel. We have tried to pitch this game multiple times to game publishers, but they've baulked. They don't think there's any interest in a solid, old-school type of game. This is our shot at proving them wrong."
And then there's Obsidian. They merely promoted possible Kickstarter ideas on their website, taking the first steps on the path to a life without publishers. And while that may seem attractive, their reality is an ailing studio currently being kept afloat by "dirty, unwanted publisher money". One can't help but wonder how a publisher, who has put a significant amount of money into a studio, must feel about their partner shouting, "Damn the man!"
If this is the case-if publishers really are seething at the idea of Kickstarter-funded games-could this be setting up a war? Will we see successful Kickstarted developers locked out of publishing deals? Maybe we are going to see new clauses in contracts emerging that prevent developers from crowd-sourcing for a period of time surrounding launch of a publisher-funded project?
One thing is certain, the Kickstarter phenomenon is only just getting started. When Double Fine rocketed to success, there is no doubt that every third-party developer perked up and wondered, "What if?" Could Obsidian's rumoured disconnect with Microsoft be the result of the developer publicly wondering "what if" themselves?
We knew it would change the landscape, and the story is still developing. You can be sure that we're keeping a close eye on how the industry dynamics are shifting in response.
Michael Futter is the managing editor of RipTen. Follow him on Twitter.
Originally appeared March 17, 2012 on RipTen. Republished with permission


text: It happened about a month ago. It was a typical day – casually following Twitter – laughing at the wittiness of those whom I follow and clicking through the links that caught my attention. As it was quite some time ago I don't remember the exact words that @bittman used to lure me in but… Read more »


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You are not logged in.
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I joined this website 9 years ago, and time surely flies! I just graduated with a Math degree, and now am a math tutor in my country.
Really glad to be back at mathisfun. It is a nice website that has withstood the test of time!
Wow! Unfortunately, the community has changed a lot in thse years
'And fun? If maths is fun, then getting a tooth extraction is fun. A viral infection is fun. Rabies shots are fun.'
'God exists because Mathematics is consistent, and the devil exists because we cannot prove it'
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.
Hi wcy,
Welcome back! We missed you!
It is no good to try to stop knowledge from going forward. Ignorance is never better than knowledge - Enrico Fermi.
Nothing is better than reading and gaining more and more knowledge - Stephen William Hawking.
Hello wcy, welcome back!
Hey, welcome back. I thought it started in 2005 though, 2004??
igloo myrtilles fourmis
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Barbara Walters shocked by Lindsay Lohan interview snub
Revered U.S. broadcaster BARBARA WALTERS has spoken of her shock upon discovering LINDSAY LOHAN would be sitting for an interview with JAY LENO after pulling out of a TV chat with her last week (ends11Nov12).
The troubled actress agreed to sit down for a candid talk with Walters on her U.S. news show 20/20, but axed her appearance at the last minute.
Lohan's team then booked the star a slot on America's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on 20 November (12), and Walters has now admitted she was stunned by the turn of events.
Explaining the fiasco on TV series The View, the reporter revealed publicists told her Lohan was not up to sitting for an interview, and insists she would have been more understanding if they had been straight with her before signing up for a segment with Leno.
She told her The View co-hosts, "My interview with Lindsay is cancelled. She has new PR people, (a) very well known group who we do business with all the time... (I ask) 'Why is it cancelled?' 'Lindsay isn't up to it.' Well, she has a lot of problems and it was just one more and I said, 'Poor girl, you know I hope when she feels like it we'll do it.'
"But then I saw today that Lindsay Lohan is sitting for an interview with Jay Leno. If they'd said to me, 'You know, Barbara, she isn't up to the kind of questions you might ask' - though most of them were comparing her to Elizabeth Taylor: both child stars, both aggressive mothers, etc., then it would have been a wonderful interview. She could have set the record straight. If they had told me that, I wouldn't feel quite as disappointed as I do today."


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French police arrested four suspected Islamist militants near Paris today as part of an investigation into the recruitment of volunteers by Al Qaeda insurgents in Mali, French interior minister Manuel Valls said.
France's intervention in Mali to rid its former colony of Islamist fighters has prompted the authorities to increase security against possible reprisal attacks on its interests in mainland France and abroad.
Anti-terrorism judge Marc Trevidic, who is in charge of the operation, and who is known for an independent streak among French jurists, told Reuters last month that France needed more robust local policing, better intelligence sharing and the ability to infiltrate small radical Islamist groups if it hopes to fight new security threats on its soil.
Analysts say the insurgency that seized the north of Mali is paving the way for attacks on France as more French Muslims of African origin are supposedly energized or finding a cause or grievance in the conflict.
"France is really being singled out at the moment," said Anne Giudicelli, consultant with national security specialists Terrorisc.
"It's being accused of wanting to occupy Muslim territory and that could clearly push some individuals to take action, or encourage others to build up a network," she told Reuters.
Three of the four men arrested on Tuesday were Franco-Congolese and one was Malian, according to police sources.
Mr. Vall, the interior minister, said the arrests had come after a long investigation into Al Qaeda recruitment rings led by Mr. Trevidic.
"There is an operation ongoing in the Paris region, conducted by the DCRI [domestic security service], which comes after the arrest of an individual a few months ago on the border between Mali and Niger," he told BFM TV.
That man was a Franco-Congolese social worker named Cedric Lobo, 27, who was arrested in Niamey, the capital of Niger, while trying to reach the historic Malian city of Timbuktu to join the rebel group known as Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the source said.
He was subsequently extradited to France, where he was charged with planning attacks and remanded in custody.
'Enemy from within'
French nationals drawn to violent militant groups had a number of points in common, said Valls, who has taken a hard line on law and order and has warned that France is facing an "enemy from within."
"The profiles are often individuals that have had problems with the law, been involved in drug trafficking, and have sometimes converted to radical Islam either in prison, through the Internet or by travelling overseas," Valls told reporters.
French anti-terrorism judges have opened a number of preliminary investigations in the past year into individuals suspected of links to what they say are Malian terrorist cells.
Police have stopped several individuals trying to travel from France to the Sahel, Valls said. The Sahel is the vast swath of semi-arid territory stretching from Senegal in west Africa to Eritrea in the east - and has been identified as a base for traffickers and Islamist militants.
He said a "handful" of French nationals had already joined Al Qaeda-linked groups.
"There is no direct threat, but there are threats on the Internet, on social networks, calling on people to wage war, to attack French interests," Valls said.
France has tightened security in public buildings and on public transport, although it has kept its security alert level at red, signifying "probable threats", one down from the scarlet level which means "definite threats".
Highlighting the threat overseas, Paris has raised its travel warning for its citizens across the Muslim world.
The embassy in Tunis on Monday confirmed that a French school in the Tunisian capital had been sprayed with graffiti warning of reprisals after France's intervention in Mali.
Additional reporting by Nicolas Bertin, John Irish and Vicky Buffery; writing by Nicholas Vinocur and John Irish; editing by Jon Boyle.


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iPad Air day is drawing towards its conclusion, and hopefully by now everyone who was planning to pick one up on launch day – wherever you might be in the world – has had chance to. But now, we want to hear from you and find out which model you picked up in the end? We've been talking about how to decide which is the best model for you since the iPad Air first launched, but for many today was the time to put the talking to an end.
The iPad Air launch for pretty much everyone has been much smoother and less stressful than last months iPhone 5s launch. Stock seems to have been plentiful pretty much everywhere, and with in-store pickups and availability stretching to a number of third-party retailers as well, perhaps more of you actually found yourselves grabbing one today instead of waiting a while? Planned, off the cuff, whichever it may have been, which iPad Air did you get today?
Myself, I picked up a 16GB wifi in black, going against all my own advice. There is a story behind it, which I talked about with Rene Ritchie and Derek Kessler on the special iPad Air launch day edition of the iMore Show – so check it out for the full skinny – and aside from having second thoughts now about which iPad is for me and potentially swapping up to a larger size, I'm pretty happy with the choice I made. The Space Gray color on the rear of the black iPad Air is really nice, and I don't have any regrets over not going for the white one.
So if you grabbed an iPad Air today, pick out your selection from the list up top and let us know why you went with it in the comments below!