text:
The State of the MMO: Building a World, Part 1
In the first part of an ongoing series, multiple MMOG developers dissect the creative effort that goes into building a persistent world.
You might hear naysayers crowing that all massively multiplayer online role-playing games are just World of Warcraft clones, but in fact, there is a great deal of diversity in the genre. In 2012 alone, each popular MMOG's world has been notably different from the others--and for those looking to escape into an alternate digital universe, the uniqueness of the world can make all the difference.
In our first part of an ongoing series on MMOGs, we caught up with developers from five major studios and asked them to describe to us the joys and sorrows of building a persistent world. Fortunately, the majority of the studios in question weren't newcomers to the genre; they were standing on their own shoulders, using their previous experiences to inform subsequent projects. ArenaNet is one such studio--and their time working on the original Guild Wars went a long way towards what Guild Wars 2 would become.
Efficiency was a key factor, as it turns out. "I learned the importance to get any element into the game and playable as soon as possible from working on the original Guild Wars," says Guild Wars 2 lead level designer Steve Hwang. "This allows you to test new play concepts like dynamic events and allows you to iterate on them. For example, we prototyped the first dynamic events in GW1 and played them for several weeks. We learned what UI elements were needed to inform the player about the event, how chaining events would play out, and how difficulty was very dependent on player group size. We've been fighting centaurs in Queensdale for five years now."
Hwang's ArenaNet cohort, lead systems designer Mike Ferguson, learned similar lessons: iterate quickly, and attempt as many daring ideas as you can. "Our experience with working in very quick iteration cycles was absolutely critical in allowing us to try out all kinds of ideas and keep what worked well and change what didn't," he says. "We also learned that it was essential for us to try out ideas we really believed in instead of just settling for what works for everyone else. When our team really believes in a concept, we will do our best to find ways to make it work, no matter how hard (or crazy) it sounds initially."
LucasArts has a database called the Holocron. That is the final say on everything Star Wars related.
The Secret World wasn't Funcom's first online RPG, but the Norwegian studio didn't approach its world blindly: it had two previous games under its belt, as well as reams of tall tales to inspire their take on modern-day mythology. Says The Secret World creative cirector Ragnar Tornquist: "With Anarchy Online, we built a universe from scratch. While the story used Earth as a starting point, the rest was a blank slate. Rubi-Ka, its ecosystem and political structure, the myths and legends of an advanced far-future civilisation, the corporations vying for control of the galaxy--every detail had to be thought up and fleshed out. By the end of it, there was enough material to fill a whole novel."
As it turns out, Anarchy Online has more in common with The Secret World than initially meets the eye. "With The Secret World, we also began with Earth," says Tornquist, "but this time around, we stayed put. You'd probably think that would be easier than creating a universe from scratch, but that really wasn't the case. When you're basing your story and setting on the real world, on history and mythology, on things people have heard about, read about, or seen with their own eyes, you also have to make sure the details hold up to scrutiny."
Of course, world designers aren't limited just by their imaginations: multiple persistent world games are built on existing properties that inspire rabid fanboyism and excessive nitpicking. How can a developer hope to stay true to a license like Star Wars or The Lord of the Rings, while still exercising creativity and flexing your passions?
If you're Turbine Entertainment's Chris Pierson, you read, and you read, and you read.
"My primary reference [for The Lord of the Rings Online] is, of course, the core books (The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings), and Tolkien does a lot of thorough description, but you'd be surprised at what he doesn't describe. Try and draw the exterior of Theoden's hall of Meduseld based on the book, for instance. He spends more time describing the channel of water that runs alongside the road leading up to it. So we draw from other artists' interpretations--60 years after the books' publication, there's a fairly strong zeitgeist for many things in the world--as well as, in many cases, historical sources. Rohan, for instance, is extremely Dark Ages Germanic (plus a lot of horse imagery), while our Dunland pulled in strong Celtic elements. We also use some of the atlases and other reference books that have come out over the years, but always double-checking against the source in case those books get a detail wrong now and then (which sometimes happens when anyone interprets someone else's work)."
Bioware's James Ohlen has an even broader database of licensed material when it comes to Star Wars: The Old Republic.
"To remain true to the world we're working in we use source books, online sources and the IP experts that work for the company that owns the property. Most important is that everyone on the game team is a fan of the property we're working on. There is a significant amount of source material for Star Wars. We've used Wookieepedia. LucasArts has a database called the Holocron. That is the final say on everything Star Wars related."
Ohlen is fortunate enough to work on a game that has considerable freedom within its universe. "Because we're based thousands of years before the movies we have a lot of freedom to develop the Star Wars universe the way we want. LucasArts has been great at giving us creative freedom." The Lord of the Rings Online, on the other hand, has unique limitations. Says Pierson: "Certainly there are constraints; figuring out how to merge with the timeline of the novels is the most challenging one, since the characters cover a lot of ground really fast, and leave a lot of mayhem in their wake, particularly in The Two Towers and Return of the King. Oddly, it's not as bad with actual setting because Tolkien left so much interesting stuff lurking off on the periphery of a reasonably narrow strip of action. Take Moria, for instance--the Fellowship traverses only a tiny portion of it, which meant we got to fill out a lot more. If anything, Tolkien gave us a good sprout to grow a larger plant from."
Pierson continues: "Of course, there are parts that are annoying. His tendency to make interesting areas off-limits to outsiders--hi there, Lothlorien--or to describe wide swaths of land as utterly barren and uninhabited--Lone-lands and Eregion, I'm looking at you--makes me want to beat my game designer head against my desk. To an extent, with stuff like that, you have to apply liberal doses of salt and say, 'well, there has to be someone living somewhere other than Dale, Rohan, Bree, and Gondor.' We're still making a game, after all, so we have to push against the constraints at times."
Whether or not you feel Turbine succeeded in creating the Middle-earth of your dreams, you certainly couldn't accuse Pierson of neglecting his research duties. He also has to be conscious of how others have interpreted the licence--particularly Peter Jackson, director of the Lord of the Rings films.
If anything, Tolkien gave us a good sprout to grow a larger plant from.
"I've read the books about six or seven times straight through," says Pierson, "but I'm constantly rereading bits, particularly when doing the research pass at the beginning of an expansion's development, so in reality I've probably done certain chunks between 15 and 20 times. It's been occasionally hard to keep from replicating Jackson's work because he got the book spot-on in a lot of cases (not all of them, though), and there's an expectation among fans, particularly casual ones who came to the story through the films, that Middle-earth should look the way it does in the films. Fortunately there's still plenty of leeway on a lot of things. If you look at our interpretation of Amon Hen in the Rohan expansion, for instance, it's radically different from Jackson's."
A world starts with concept. But dreams don't magically appear on paper--or on a computer monitor. It takes years of hard work for the imagination to take on a shape that can be enjoyed by others. It also takes a lot of collaboration. Ragnar Tornquist knows this all to well. "[MMO development] involves a lot of people. Writers, concept artists, designers, modelers and environment artists. It's an iterative process that begins with the written word and ends with an actual world you can move around in and interact with." The team at Trion Worlds might have imagined a very different world from Funcom's mysterious realm, but creative minds like Rift Design Director Simon Ffinch and Environment Artist Chee Fong worked tirelessly to bring the world of Telara to life. How did Ffinch and Fong take a vision and turn it into an actual digital realm?
"Once the concept for the overall mood is figured out, the next step is to create a whitebox," they say. "This is a very simple version of a given area where we are mostly concerned with footprint, silhouette and layout. We then figure out the major hubs and variations on the concept, using a set of pre-created whitebox assets. At this point more detailed and refined concept art is made, focusing on construction aspects of the bigger pieces. Not everything in the whitebox gets a concept; it is usually just the major points of interest or 'hero' pieces. Modelers then take the whitebox to completion, changing it from a very rough idea of the area, zone or dungeon to a detailed but mostly untextured version. It is at this stage that the modelers transfer the style and design motifs from the concept art to all the pieces in the area. As the modelers take the assets to completion, terrain artists flesh out the geology and layout to a more realistic and refined state. Skies, lighting and final terrain textures are added and everything gets wrapped up with a polish and optimization pass. This includes reducing draw calls and polygons and unifying colors and lighting."
Clearly, world design doesn't occur in a vacuum. Each aspect of the game impacts everything else, from quest flow to character dialogue. Says Bioware's James Ohlen, "World creation starts with the writing team working with the world designers, then goes to concept art. Then we figure out the quest flow. Once that's known, designers block out the world with temp art while writers are taking care of scripts for the quest lines. Then designers implement the quest lines while environmental artists start adding final art to the worlds. Then we spawn the world with enemies. The final stage is building out the cinematic scenes in all of the conversations. Internal play testing is ongoing throughout the process once spawning is complete."
This is the nitty gritty of world design. There are artists to consult, assets to request, and considerations that the uninitiated would never stop to consider. Chris Pierson at Turbine laid out the process in plain terms, and even then, it was clear that a staggering amount of effort and teamwork goes into crafting a digital paradise.
"To do a chunk of a world, I figure out what needs to go where, in a very broad sense, by painting over a scaled map of the area in Photoshop," Pierson says. "Once that's done I'll use licensed terrain-building software to block out and develop a basic heightmap, while also figuring out what biomes we're going to need, requesting the necessary assets (trees, rocks, ruins, waterfalls, etc.) from our art studio, and deciding what existing assets we can use as placeholders for both ground textures and scenery. I check out the heightmap in the engine and iterate a bunch of times over several weeks, adjusting stuff here and there, then divide the world-chunk into smaller pieces and doing a more detailed pass on each of these in turn within our worldbuilder tool. By the time this is done, the piece will have a first pass on texturing and scenery-asset placement done, at which point I (and whoever might have been doing it with me, because I always have some help) hand the piece over to whoever our lead has assigned to that piece. They then polish the region and build out the towns, monster camps, and other details, and just keep refining until we hit deadline. Along the way our requested assets come in from art, and we incorporate those as we go (as well as making suggestions for polish)."
As you can imagine, there are a lot of kinks that must be ironed out. These kinks aren't necessarily bugs, but entire game systems that might not turn out as intended, or that don't work harmoniously with other aspects of the design. ArenaNet's Annie VanderMeer Mitsoda knows a thing or two about ideas that just don't work the way they were meant to. "When we were working on actually starting to build out personal story content, and looking back on early drafts for missions that were written before the other systems really came online, there was more than once that we went 'Whoa, okay, this isn't going to work!' Or we'd implement it and it wasn't nearly as fun as we thought it would be."
Mitsoda's colleague, Steve Hwang, offers a specific example of a system that just wasn't working. "At one point in development, to make the world feel alive, dynamic events were visible to players from a very long distance. This had the effect of cluttering the compass with icons and players would often see an event and head to it, but because it was so far away they wouldn't arrive in time, or would show up just as the event ended, which was disappointing to players."
I think I want a mix of 'yeah, that's what I thought that looked like' and 'so that's what that looked like,' with a dash of 'holy shit' mixed in now and then.
Almost everyone we spoke to agreed that the key to success was remaining flexible--and to be ready to throw an idea out if it wasn't working, no matter how much you adore it. "One of the largest adventure zones in the game, for example--the Besieged Farmlands in Transylvania--was built and rebuilt from scratch three times before we landed on what we have today," says Funcom's Ragnar Tornquist. "Gameplay changes, performance issues, art direction, testing and feedback--all of it affects the world we've built, and we need to be very flexible. It's dangerous to get too invested in how things look, and a willingness to change and discard and redo is something we instill in everyone."
At ArenaNet, Kim Kirsch echoed Tornquist's sentiments. "When you build something, it's easy to fall in love with some tricky thing you came up with on the backend, or to miss the fact that you aren't explaining or messaging things properly because you already know how everything works. The ability to put yourself in the shoes of the player, and the ability to receive and use feedback, are irreplaceable things that every developer should be mindful of."
Each developer made vast changes to their worlds over the course of development, either throwing out entire areas, or redesigning them so drastically that they took on new properties. Not every region you explore in Star Wars: The Old Republic is the same as when it started, for instance. Says James Ohlen: "The first world we built, Korriban, probably went through the most revision. Initial builds were too claustrophobic and felt more like a fantasy world than a Star Wars world. The final version that appears in the game has more open spaces and feels like it belongs in the Star Wars universe."
These steps are only the beginning to creating an online world, and our world designers had a lot more to say. Next week, the developers talk about first impressions, and taking old fantasy standards and making them new again. We also get a peek into the future. Could there yet be an Anarchy Online 2 in the future? Ragnar Tornquist gives us the scoop.'
Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email email@example.com


text:
Hey everyone! Mokabreak is ready to move to the next big thing. We are now up and running on our own server. This means that we will be able to expand as well as focus on the things that are important to new or our old readers for a better overall experience.
This blogspot domain will remain online for archival reasons as well as a way for readers to continue to find us online.
We hope everyone that has been a part of mokabreak will continue to be a part and move to our new home.
If you have questions or comments - feel free to cruise on over to mokabreak.net and tell us whats on your mind. We're looking forward to seeing everyone there.
(PS: remember to update your bookmarks and your RSS feeds!!)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
What's that about? Or do I want to know?
What's that about? Or do I want to know?
Mark Berninghausen
Is there a place in the world where varroa mites and bees live in a "balanced" environment? Like, where did the varroa mite originate, and have the bees in that location been wiped out, or did they adjust and learn how to survive the mites?
I live in fire ant country, and to make an analogy, we have been poisoning fire ants for decades. The poisons used keep changing to meet the adaptations in the ants biological changes. Regardless of how well the toxins work, each toxin is only a temporary fix. We're making stronger ants. My limited biology, and I do stress limited, reminds me that ants and bees are both hymenopteran.
Someone asked:
Well, perhaps the question becomes, 'Why do commercial pollinators still treat if they can use resistant stock for pollination?"
'cuz the "resistant stock"(read Minn. Hygienic) is mean, lazy, builds slow, and does not make as good a honey crop as say a Cordovan or Strachen NWC. By using a more productive bee and slowly tapering treatments(from hard to soft, or otherwise), a commercial person can maintain bee performance at all times, and still arrive at the same goal as a TF person, but without the beginning losses. It is all about the "area under the curve".
Crazy Roland
Mark Berninghausen
Your bees are derived from the 'hybrid swarm'. That's the scientific term for the U.S. feral population.
BeeWeaver, for example, mates their queens with the hybrid swarm to get their resistant stock.
The hygienic bees are however a domestic line of bees. Although the study I referred to showed that VSH are viable for migratory pollination, they do have 'baggage' of their own.
Depending on how you test and when you test mite numbers will vary widely. Anything over 1% in the spring when the hive is full of brood is, in my opinion, unacceptably high. Anything under 3% in September is very good. We did 1/2 cup mite checks on 50 potential breeders this spring and found a grand total of 4 mites. I found that gratifying but hardly definitive evidence that mites won't be a problem for us this summer. Interestingly enough our late summer mite numbers are the lowest I have seen since first encountering varroa in the early 1990's. Encouraging for sure but not enough to make me ever rest easy.
"People will generally accept facts as truth only if the facts agree with what they already believe."- Andy Rooney
great news jim! from what i can gather reading bee-l some of the folks out west are seeing higher numbers this year than last year.
journaling the growth of a (mite) treatment free apiary started in 2010. 20+/- hives
Nosema levels 0.0 million on USDA tests past 3 years. I won't get this years back till next year. DWV+ everything else negative. I'm not seeing Dwv bees as much anymore.
SHB different story. But haven't seen as many this year vs previous.


text:
The Pentagon is considering legal action against a former Navy SEAL whose book describes insider details of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, but it has not made a final judgment on whether the book actually reveals secrets, a spokesman said Friday.
Pentagon press secretary George Little said the author, Matt Bissonnette, was deemed to be in violation of two nondisclosure agreements that he signed in 2007 by failing to submit the book for an official security review before it was published. Bissonnette's lawyer disputed this Friday, saying he believes the decorated former SEAL has "earned the right to tell his story."
Little would not say what legal options the Pentagon is considering or when it might take action.
"I write to formally advise you of your material breach and violation of your agreements, and to inform you that the department is considering pursuing against you, and all those acting in concert with you, all remedies legally available to us in light of this situation," Jeh Johnson, the Pentagon's top lawyer, wrote in a letter faxed to the author Thursday through his publisher.
In response, Robert D. Luskin of the law firm Patton Boggs wrote to Johnson on Friday that his firm is representing Bissonnette and asserting that he is not in breach of his nondisclosure agreements.
Luskin, who represented White House aide Karl Rove in the leak of CIA agent Valerie Plame's identity in the Bush administration, said the author had "sought legal advice about his responsibilities before agreeing to publish his book and scrupulously reviewed the work to ensure that it did not disclose any material that would breach his agreements or put his former comrades at risk. He remains confident that he has faithfully fulfilled his duty."
Little suggested that if Bissonnette were to stop the book's official release, scheduled for next week, that might be a remedy. Some advance copies have been circulating, and the Pentagon obtained one last week. It has since been reviewing it for any classified information and to determine what, if any, legal action should be taken, Little said.
"The onus is on the author," Little said, while declining to spell out what the author must do.
But the publisher was firm on Friday.
"At this time, we see no reason to change our plans," Dutton spokesperson Christine Ball.
It was highly unlikely that the government would try to halt publication of the book itself, considering the book is already in the public domain and media reports have summarized its contents.
The Justice Department could go after the profits of the book in a civil proceeding. Department spokesman Dean Boyd declined any comment on the book Friday.
Retired CIA agent Frank Snepp published a book about his CIA activities in South Vietnam without submitting it to the agency for prepublication review. The government sued to collect all profits and the court ruled in the government's favor. The government did not contend that Snepp's book contained any classified material.
In its 6-3 ruling in 1980, the Supreme Court said "undisputed evidence in this case shows that a CIA agent's violation of his obligation to submit writings about the agency for prepublication review impairs the CIA's ability to perform its statutory duties."
If the Pentagon determines the Bin Laden book does disclose secrets, that would open the possibility of bringing federal criminal charges against Bissonnette. The potential charges and penalties would depend largely on what type of secrets were disclosed.
Little declined to describe the Pentagon's assessment of the contents of the book, but he later said it had not reached "any final conclusions" about whether secrets were revealed.
The Pentagon's position was presented by Johnson in a letter transmitted to the author through his New York publisher, Penguin Group (USA)'s Dutton imprint.
Johnson said Bissonnette's nondisclosure agreements obliged him to "never divulge" classified information.
"This commitment remains in force even after you left the active duty Navy," Johnson wrote. He said the author left active duty "on or about April 20, 2012," which was nearly one year after the May 2011 raid.
By signing the agreements, Bissonnette acknowledged his awareness, Johnson wrote, that "disclosure of classified information constitutes a violation of federal criminal law." He said it also obliged the author to submit his manuscript for a security review by the government before it was published. The Pentagon has said the manuscript was not submitted for review, although it obtained a copy last week. The Associated Press purchased one on Tuesday.
The Pentagon has not revealed how it got its copy.
Johnson said that after reviewing a copy of the book, "No Easy Day," the Pentagon concluded that the author is in "material breach and violation" of the agreements, but did not say explicitly that the book reveals secrets.
Rep. Peter King, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said in a statement Thursday that all who are entrusted with classified information are obliged to protect it.
"Whether it is administration officials or special forces operators, national security leaks are wrong and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible," King said.
A special operations advocacy group, Special Operations-OPSEC, which has criticized President Barack Obama for alleged White House leaks and for making the bin Laden raid a national security centerpiece of his re-election campaign, said the author should be held to the same standard as others in protecting secrets.
"However, the Obama administration is applying a dishonorable double standard with a lightning quick threat to prosecute a five-time winner of the Bronze Star while dragging its feet in identifying and charging senior administration officials who have purposefully leaked classified information," the president of the group, Scott Taylor, said Friday.
Taylor's group on Monday called on the Justice Department to block the book's publication and distribution until it can be given a "proper review" by government authorities.
Johnson addressed his letter to Mr. "Mark Owen," using quotation marks to signify that this is the author's pseudonym.
The Pentagon did not release copies of the nondisclosure agreements that it said Bissonnette had signed in 2007. A spokesman, Army Lt. Col. Steve Warren, said they were being withheld because they include the author's real name and his signature.
In his book, Bissonnette wrote that the SEALs spotted bin Laden at the top of a darkened hallway and shot him in the head even though they could not tell whether he was armed. Administration officials have described the SEALs shooting bin Laden only after he ducked back into a bedroom because they assumed he might be reaching for a weapon.


text:
Play at the wild card tournament at The Oaks Club turned into a complicated family affair Saturday for two pairs of sisters.
First, Olga Ianchuk eliminated Naomi Osaka from the tournament, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (6), in a quarterfinal round match in the morning.
In the afternoon, Olga's older sister, Elizaveta Ianchuk, bowed out of the event after dropping a semifinal match 7-5, 6-0 to Naomi's older sister, Maria Osaka.
After beating each other's sisters on Saturday, Olga Ianchuk will face Maria Osaka, 16, in today's wild card championship final scheduled for 10 a.m. at The Oaks Club. The public is invited free of charge.
Today's winner will receive a wild card berth in the main draw of the $50,000 USTA Pro Circuit event to be played March 24-31 at The Oaks Club.
Olga, who hopes to still be playing at the upcoming USTA event when she turns 18 on March 29, and Elizaveta, who turned 20 on Friday, grew up in Kiev, Ukraine. The siblings are currently living in Bradenton and honing their craft at the El Conquistador Racquet Club.
After going to a third set tiebreaker to win her quarterfinal match Saturday, Olga Ianchuk rolled over her semifinal foe, Julieta Estable of Buenos Aires, Argentina, 6-1, 6-0 in 51 minutes.
"I was playing pretty good," Olga Ianchuk said. "I like how I was playing today. I just started playing again after taking a month off. So I'm happy how I'm playing right now.
"I still feel sick. I can feel it in my legs. I'm not running like I ran before getting sick."
This is the first tournament in more than a month for both Olga and Elizaveta Ianchuk, who has also struggled with the flu-like symptoms.
"I think Elizaveta is still sick," Olga Ianchuk said. "It surprised me that she lost because she has beaten (Maria Osaka) before in a $25,000 WTA tournament.
"I would have liked to play my sister in the final."
But Maria Osaka foiled that plan with a dominant 6-0 second set against Elizaveta Ianchuk.
"That would have been great," Elizaveta said of the prospect of playing her sister in the final. "But I'm glad Maria won. I really like her game. I like it that she's so calm."
Maria Osaka seemed to find an extra gear in the second set of her semifinal.
"I really decided to start hitting my forehand," Maria Osaka said. "I think my attitude worked."
Maria Osaka won her quarterfinal match Saturday, 6-0, 6-4 over Julie Moriarty, while Elizaveta Ianchuk defeated Leyla Azaeva 6-3, 6-0 in the quarterfinals.
Estable won Saturday's fourth and final quarterfinal match 7-5, 6-4, over Nika Kukhdrchuk.
Two sets of sisters square off at Oaks
Play at the wild card tournament at The Oaks Club turned into a complicated family affair Saturday for two pairs of sisters.


text:
The last time the Titans went through the process of finding a new head coach, they had a different owner and a different general manager.
The mission is the same as last time, however: find the right guy.
The search to replace Mike Munchak remains in progress. Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer was interviewed on Thursday at Saint Thomas Sports Park. General manager Ruston Webster is scheduled to fly west on Friday to interview Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt.
The Titans interviewed Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell on Wednesday. The coach they interviewed on Tuesday, however, has been crossed off the list. Former Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden became head coach of the Redskins on Thursday.
So how is the search progressing?
Fritz Pollard Alliance chairman John Wooten, who works with the NFL to promote diversity in its hiring practices, provided some insight based on the team's interview with Caldwell, calling the process a "thorough" one.
Although Tommy Smith is now running the Titans as president/CEO after the death of his father-in-law and franchise founder Bud Adams in October, Webster is leading the interviews. He took over as GM two years ago.
According to Wooten, Caldwell met extensively with Webster during a day-long visit to the team facility in MetroCenter, but he also spent time with vice president of player personnel Lake Dawson and other team officials. Wooten indicated Smith was involved from his office in Houston.
Caldwell, a former head coach with the Colts, has also interviewed with the Redskins and Lions.
"Jim really enjoyed it in Tennessee. It was an all-day session. He and Ruston had a great conversation, going over who they are, what they built and what they envisioned moving forward," Wooten said. "He thought it was an excellent process. He has been through quite a few of these and thought it was as good as anywhere he's been. He said it was a highly professional interview."
The Titans have not commented about the process or who would be involved. Agents for the candidates have not discussed the interviews either.
The Titans told Caldwell he'd have a say in big decisions including the hiring of staff, Wooten said. Offensive coaches from Munchak's staff remain under contract.
"Jim came away thinking he would not have any hiccups with those guys in terms of putting together a football team. He felt very comfortable with them," Wooten said. "It sounds like a really good situation there for whichever coach they end up hiring."
Gruden and Zimmer spent similar amounts of time with the Titans, with both men flying in for less than a day. Zimmer returned to the Cincinnati area on Thursday night.
The Titans have plenty of competition for Whisenhunt, who was scheduled to interview with the Lions on Thursday and the Browns on Saturday.
The former Cardinals head coach – and a Vanderbilt assistant in the mid-1990s – is also preparing for a playoff game against the Broncos on Sunday.
"The only thing that's important to me, to be perfectly honest with you, is getting prepared for this game," Whisenhunt said Thursday after the Chargers practiced. "Everything else is secondary. That's the work that has got my focus right now."
After meeting with Whisenhunt, Webster and Smith will have to decide their next move.
Do they zero in on one of the men they've already interviewed? Or do they remain patient in hopes of talking to other candidates of interest?
Indications are the Titans are intrigued with Seattle's top assistants — defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. Webster knows Quinn, having worked with him in 2009 when Webster was Seahawks vice president of player personnel and Quinn joined the team as defensive line coach.
NFL rules, however, could delay interviews with Quinn or Bevell. As the Titans deliberated whether to retain Munchak, the window closed on the chance to meet with coaches from teams with first-round byes in the playoffs.
As a result, the Titans must wait for the Seahawks, the top seed in the NFC, to be eliminated before they could talk to either coach. The Seahawks face the Saints on Saturday in the divisional playoffs.
Cowboys special teams coach Rich Bisaccia also remains of interest to the Titans. He interviewed with the Redskins last weekend.
As of Thursday, the Lions, Vikings and Browns also continued to search for head coaches.
Reach Jim Wyatt at 615-259-8015 or email@example.com.


text:
IR Calendar
2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Jun 11, 2019 • 9:00am EDT
The offices of Milbank LLP; New York, NY
You are about to review presentations, reports and/or filings of SEACOR Marine Holdings Inc. that contain time-sensitive information. SEACOR Marine Holdings Inc. will not be reviewing or updating the material that is contained in these items after the date thereof. The information contained therein may be updated, amended, supplemented or otherwise altered by subsequent presentations, reports and/or filings by SEACOR Marine Holdings Inc.
All statements included or incorporated by reference in these presentations, reports and/or filings, other than statements or characterizations of historical fact, contain "forward-looking statements". There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements will be achieved, and actual results could differ materially from forecasts and estimates. Important factors that could affect the company include the risks described in the sections entitled "Forward-Looking Statements", Item 1A, "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal years ending on December 31, filed with the SEC, or in subsequently filed periodic, current or other reports. The company undertakes no commitment to update or revise forward-looking statements except as required by law.


text:
Industry veteran will office in Del City, Okla.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Arvest Bank is pleased to announce the hiring of Brad Edwards.
An 18-year veteran of the financial services industry, Edwards most recently worked as a business relationship manager for a large national bank. In his role as an Arvest business banker, Edwards will develop commercial relationships within the community and generate loans according to loan policy, as well as actively manage commercial banking relationships.
Edwards will office at Arvest's Del City branch at 4600 Southeast 29th St.
Submitted questions will be answered by an Arvest banker and may appear on the Arvest Blog.
All Arvest banks are Equal Housing Lenders and Member FDIC.
Investment products and services are provided by Arvest Investments, Inc., doing business as Arvest Asset Management, member FINRA/SIPC, an SEC registered investment adviser and a subsidiary of Arvest Bank. Trust services are provided by Arvest Bank. Insurance products are made available through Arvest Insurance, Inc., which is registered as an insurance agency. Insurance products are marketed through Arvest Insurance, Inc., but are underwritten by insurance companies.
Securities and Insurance Products: Not Insured by FDIC or any Federal Government Agency, May Lose Value, Not a Deposit of or Guaranteed by a Bank or any Bank Affiliate.


text:
Subscribe To Watch: Andrew Garfield And Emma Stone's Amazing Spider-Man Screen Test Updates
I've already subscribed
Marc Webb's reboot of the on-screen Spidey franchise, The Amazing Spider-Man reaches DVD and Blu-ray today. (Read our review of the new release right here.) And while the film did extremely well at the global box office, earning $752 million to date, detractors griped about having to endure the familiar origin story again (despite Webb's decisions to tweak it from the comics and establish a vivid new take on the timeless character).
One element that couldn't be downplayed in Webb's movie, however, was the passionate chemistry established between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone as Peter Parker and his teenage love interest, Gwen Stacy. As part of one of the many extras included on the Spider-Man disc on shelves, fans can see a screen test between Garfield and Stone, which led to their eventual casting. We have it below, courtesy of ET:
In a similar interview, Webb teases Easter Eggs in key ASM scenes that might hint where the sequel will go. Specifically, look for a moment when Gwen is giving a tour of the Oscorp tower, and keep your eyes peeled to the backgrounds in the final shot, when Spidey launches himself out of a crane and swings across Manhattan's majestic skyline.
Those who follow Spider-Man's story understand the importance of Gwen to Peter's mythology, too. Yes, they become boyfriend and girlfriend … but in the closing scenes of Webb's first film, there are hints to the dark undertones that are on the horizon (providing the producers follow the tragic Gwen Stacy storyline from the comics). However, as we begin to learn more about the villains Webb might want in his planned sequel, the Green Goblin might end up on the back burner – or, at least, more on the back-burner then fans might have hoped.
We're also learning that Mary Jane Watson might become part of the bigger picture in Webb's Spidey universe, meaning Garfield will have to forge a connection with another potential love interest. Will they have the same chemistry as Garfield and Stone? We'll find out in 2014.


text:
Coated Aspirin May Lose Heart Benefits
(NEW YORK) -- Coated aspirin may lose some of its cardiovascular benefits because it takes longer for the drug to dissolve into the bloodstream, a new study suggested.
The study of 400 healthy volunteers was designed to uncover whether certain people were resistant to aspirin's blood-thinning effects. Millions of men and women take aspirin daily to prevent blood clots that cause heart attacks and strokes.
Instead, the authors from the University of Pennsylvania pointed to the stomach-soothing coating sometimes applied to aspirin as a culprit.
The results were published Tuesday in the journal Circulation.
Brand-name aspirin maker Bayer, which partially funded the study, took issue with some of the conclusions.
"The authors' suggestion that use of enteric coated aspirin should be questioned, based on these study results, is of concern given the study population and methodology used, neither of which reflect real-world clinical use," spokeswoman Anne Coiley said in a statement to ABC News.
For people with a high risk of heart attack or stroke, studies suggest an aspirin a day can cut the risk.
If a person is experiencing a heart attack, it is believed chewing an aspirin can buy time by thinning the blood while help is on the way.
"Chew the aspirin, don't just swallow it," said ABC News senior health and medical editor Dr. Richard Besser. "You need that anti-clotting effect in your bloodstream as quickly as possible. If you have uncoated aspirin, that's best. If not, take a coated aspirin. But remember: Chew it, don't swallow it."
Whether you take aspirin to ease a headache or to help fend off heart disease, uncoated pills dissolve faster in your stomach.
While coated aspirin takes longer to dissipate, mostly in your lower digestive tract after it leaves your stomach, it does mean fewer stomach ulcers and less stomach upset -- good for people with sensitive stomachs.
"But for primary prevention of heart attack and strokes, I agree with the study findings, and it is very interesting to see this and be aware of this," said Dr. Martha Gulati, associate professor of medicine in at Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.
Daily aspirin -- coated or not -- can help prevent heart disease, Besser said. He encouraged people at risk to carry the drug at all times.
"You can even get one of these key-ring gizmos so that you have an aspirin with you all the time," he said. "My dad carries one of these."
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio


text:
Who We Are
Princeton Power Systems designs and manufactures state-of-the-art technology solutions for energy management, microgrid operations and electric vehicle charging. We are a global leader working with customers and partners across North America, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. Our UL and CE-certified power electronics are used in advanced battery operations and alternative energy, with built-in smart functions for ancillary services. We also build customized, integrated systems and design, commission and operate microgrids. Based in New Jersey, we proudly manufacture our products in the USA.


text:
Vintage Azilal Moroccan Berber Carpet
This beautiful Moroccan rug was handmade by women of the Berber tribes in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. This is a vintage piece, a few decades old, and would have originally been created by a woman for use in her own home. The women who create these weavings use techniques developed and passed down through the ages. They have much freedom in their creative process to add symbols & colors as they like to their weavings. Each piece is a personal expression full of creativity, containing symbols & colors with personal, tribal and familial significance to the creator. Each one is a unique hand crafted work of art!
The carpet is in beautiful condition and as it is vintage it may have some irregularities, which gives it a unique character. It will be washed prior to shipment so that its ready to use as soon as you receive it. We suggest placing a non-stick pad underneath it to preserve the weave and keep it from sliding.
All sales are final, so please review all images and dimensions. Feel free to send us an email with any questions prior to making your purchase.
Item Details:
- 7'3" x 4'8"
- Vintage, approximately 20-30 years old
- Medium pile
- Wool, with some cotton threads
*Since this item is handmade, irregularity in embroidery and size might be present. It is in very good condition but it may show slight imperfections due to its vintage nature. This is not considered a defect but rather an advantage of its beauty, handmade quality & unique charm.*


text:
CLEVELAND -- Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan said Wednesday that, "in this war on poverty, poverty is winning" and he called for a retooled approach to help the 46 million people who are living in it.
In a speech in politically crucial Ohio, Ryan said he and running mate Mitt Romney would work to help the one in six Americans in poverty climb into the middle class and help keep those already in the middle class on solid financial footing. But he offered no specific or new policy proposals for how they would achieve that.
"In this war on poverty, poverty is winning. We deserve better. We deserve a clear choice for a brighter future," said Ryan, a congressman from Wisconsin who also is chairman of the House Budget Committee.
"Many of those living in poverty today were in the middle class just a few years ago. We can help them regain the ground they've lost," he added.
Yet Ryan criticized existing anti-poverty programs for spending too much with too few results.
"Just last year, total federal and state spending on means-tested programs came in at more than one trillion dollars. How much is that in practical terms? For that amount of money, you could give every poor American a check for $22,000," he said. "Instead, we spend all that money attempting to fight poverty through government programs."
"And what do we have to show for it?"
A spokesman for President Barack Obama, Danny Kanner, said Ryan's speech "existed in an alternate universe. Unfortunately for Mitt Romney, no matter how they couch it, their agenda is extreme."
Kanner added that, "The American people understand that Mitt Romney would take us back, and no change in rhetoric in the campaign's final weeks can change that."
In his speech at Cleveland State University, Ryan said success can't be counted in dollars and cents.
"In most of these programs, especially in recent years, we're still trying to measure compassion by how much government spends, not by how many people we help escape from poverty," Ryan said.
The answer, he said, is education.
"Sending your child to a great school should not be a privilege of the well-to-do," Ryan said. "Mitt Romney and I believe that choice should be available to every parent in our country, wherever they live."
Ryan's visit to Ohio comes as he and Romney are putting new emphasis on winning this state's 18 electoral votes in the Nov. 6 election. Without a win here, Romney and Ryan would have to sweep the other in-play states to win the election.
To that end, Ryan sought with the speech to connect with moderates, independents and even blue-collar Democrats who are frustrated with Obama's term.
"Whatever your political party, this nation cannot afford four more years like the last four years. We need a real recovery," Ryan said to applause. "Mitt Romney? This is a man who is uniquely qualified and ready to deliver this recovery. Why? Because he understands how an economy works and what it takes to make it grow."
In Cleveland, where boarded-up businesses dot block after block and most voters have an unemployed neighbor, Ryan's message could help fire up solidly Republican voters.
While Cuyahoga County, where Cleveland is located, is among the most Democratic counties in the country and is a place where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by about 2-to-1, the city's sheer size guarantees a significant bloc of Republicans that Romney will need if he is to compete in the state, which has become a linchpin of his electoral strategy.
Ryan also promised that a Romney-Ryan administration would protect safety-net programs for the poor while overhauling benefits for wealthier people who might not necessarily need Social Security in their later years.
Ryan spoke using a teleprompter, a rare prop for a politician who can tick through budget policy details with little prodding. The formal address was one of the few speeches he has delivered since joining the GOP presidential ticket in August. He has preferred to use his skill as a campaigner to connect with voters in a way that Romney seems to struggle with.


text:
ASSH members have access to many excellent educational resources and networking tools. Use this page to access the member directory, where you can find contact information for your fellow ASSH members. You can also read the latest member news, including newsletters like Coding Corner and Presidential Updates. ASSH also offers a private members listserv (login required) and a job portal to search for job openings or post an opening at your practice or facility.
Don't forget, your membership includes access to Hand-e, where thousands of surgical skills videos and meeting/course recordings are housed. Just login to begin browsing.
Tip 1: Start with the basics like "carpal tunnel." You can always add more words later to narrow
Tip 2: Choose words carefully and avoid terms that do not concern surgery.
Tip 3: Avoid capitalization and conjunctions like "the," "and," "or," or "in." Also, avoid using media types like "video," "article," and "picture."
Tip 4: Your results can be refined by using either the tabs at the top (Video, Articles/WEB, Images, JHS, Products/Vendors), or the filters on the left (Filter by Source, Filter by Format, Filter by Purpose, etc.).
Tip 5: Punctuation can enhance your search as well. Use quotes ("search term") to only include
pages with the same words in the same order. But only use this if you are looking for an exact word or phrase, otherwise you may exclude helpful results. Add an asterisk (search term*) as a placeholder for any unknown or wildcard terms. For example, C*l Tunnel would give you results for Cubital Tunnel and Carpal Tunnel. Place a question mark (search term?) for single-character wildcard matching. For example, pa?ent would give you results for parent, patent, etc. You may also use the plus sign (search + word) between words for words you must have in the results.
Tip 6: We are always trying to improve our search, if you are having any trouble with search please refer to our survey here and we will use your comments to improve our search. You can also watch our search help video.


text:
At seven episodes, so far season 2 of The Walking Dead is already an episode longer than the entire first season of AMC's hit zombie series. After a somewhat mixed reaction to the finale of last season, fans should be happy to note that season 2 still has six more episodes before making way for season 3. So, whatever is delivered with 'Pretty Much Dead Already,' the story is far from over.
As far as season 2 is concerned, that is certainly a good thing. At seven episodes in (including the 90-minute season premiere) The Walking Dead writers have taken advantage of the breathing room a 13-episode season has granted them. In fact, they have practically put on a clinic in terms of decompressed storytelling.
Thus far, the catalyst driving our band of survivors has been the disappearance of Sophia (Madison Lintz), who went missing in the woods of Georgia following a disturbingly large 'walker' migration. From that point on, the search for the missing girl has led to the introduction of Hershel's farm (and what lurks in its barn), Carl's near-fatal shooting and some fresh blood for the series to develop. With the addition of Hershel (Scott Wilson), his daughter Maggie (Lauren Cohan), Patricia (Jane McNeil) and Jimmy (James Allen McCune), one would think season 2 would be a wall-to-wall zombie buffet – but no, in true zombie-story fashion, the most dangerous part of the end of the world is those who have to survive in such a place.
Right now, the spotlight is on Shane (Jon Bernthal), who after the most thrilling episode of the season to this point in 'Save The Last One', moved from being a jilted lover with questionable motives, to callous murderer who will sacrifice a stranger (Otis, played by Pruitt Taylor Vince) to ensure his own survival, and the survival of the family he may or may not still wish to become patriarch of.
Through Shane's conflicts, The Walking Dead has been able to explore (directly, and sometimes indirectly) the inner workings of nearly all of its key members. On one hand, given his apparent acts of heroism, and outwardly calm demeanor when dispatching the titular walking dead, Shane seems a logical replacement for Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), who is more often than not, wracked with self-doubt and an overwhelming concern for his flock – hence the reason a near hopeless search for the missing Sophia continues.
On the other hand, however, the villainy that lurks beneath Shane's tough-guy exterior not only has left the marriage of Rick and Lori (Sara Wayne Callies) on the ropes, but has also provided the basis from which all other characters may find themselves judged. Sure, certain characters like T-Dog (IronE Singleton) and Carol (Melissa Suzanne McBride) have been hovering in the periphery for much of the seven episodes, but Glenn (Steven Yuen), Dale (Jeffrey DeMunn) and, most importantly, Daryl (Norman Reedus), have all stepped to the forefront in one way or another.
As polar opposites slowly gravitating toward the other's spectrum, the arcs of Daryl and Shane have been a great source of interest for season 2. While Shane loses a battle over his guilt for what happened to Otis, and the overwhelming indignation he feels toward Rick for, ironically, returning from the (supposed) dead, Daryl fights his own demons – which, in Daryl's own way, come from a drug-induced hallucination of Merle (Michael Rooker), telling him to turn against the pack.
While Dale (who has become the unofficial council for the group) is met with Shane's menace upon discussing his negative trajectory, Daryl, conversely, is shown by Carol that his transformation has not gone unnoticed when she tells him, "…you're just as good as any of them."
This quiet moment has not only helped Daryl become much more than a one-dimensional reminder that Merle is still lurking out there somewhere, but also puts into perspective the tragic depths to which Shane has sunk.
It is due to character arcs like this that The Walking Dead's second season has so far delivered a more compelling, thought-provoking program than the entirety of season 1.
Throughout 'Pretty Much Dead Already', it is clear that whatever fuse Shane had left is quickly running out. Episode writer Scott Gimple and director Michelle MacLaren present Shane's inevitable outburst as a point of tension from beginning to end. The more Shane presents himself as ready to assume control of the group, the more he appears to lose control over his own emotions. Each scene, from the barn-watching conference he has with Rick – which grants Shane knowledge of Lori's pregnancy – to the unwise "I'm better than Rick" sales pitch he delivers to Lori, makes the audience wonder if this will be 'the moment' fans have been waiting for.
Instead, following another tense confrontation with Dale, Gimple and MacLaren show us just how fragile this group really is. Without the presence of Rick, Shane easily coerces the group into staging a minor coup – which, despite illustrating to Hershel the difference between sick and undead, once again takes us back to that familiar zombie trope of mob-rule being swift and vicious – regardless if it is perpetrated by the living, or living-impaired.
And with the midseason finale, the show delivers not the massive cliffhanger Kirkman had promised was on the horizon, but rather a gut-wrenching denouement to the group's most pressing concern. That, however, opens the rest of season 2 up to go pretty much anywhere. With the adventures on Hershel's farm lasting far longer than most had thought they might, the conclusion will undoubtedly have repercussions felt into season 3.
Despite it feeling (at times) like a slow boat to China, the first half of season 2 of The Walking Dead has given us a clearer picture of who these characters are, and what, ultimately is driving them. Rick, Shane, Dale and the others have moved beyond being mere survivors, and instead feel more like characters we expect to see pull through – so that when they inevitably don't, the loss is made all the more resonant. To this point, The Walking Dead second season has put a premium on character development – possibly to the extent it has overlooked its own plot progression. However, this first half of the season is likely the preamble for a larger conclusion we are all waiting for.
From this point forward, with the regime change surrounding Frank Darabont's exit firmly behind the series, the next question for The Walking Dead will be how can fans' expectations for the program to match the comic book it's based on beat-by-beat be undone by a different style of storytelling? As the new Glenn Mazzara-era takes hold with the remainder of season 2, it will be interesting to see if the pace of The Walking Dead quickens to heed the supposed desires of its audience.
The Walking Dead season 2 continues February 12, 2012 on AMC.


text: Little Shop Of Horrors Look Inside Little Shop Of Horrors Voice, piano and guitar chords - Difficulty: mediumOriginal Motion Picture Soundtrack. Composed by Alan Menken. This edition: Piano/Vocal/Chords. Piano/Vocal/Chords; Shows & Movies. Broadway and Movies. Songbook. With vocal melody, piano accompaniment, lyrics, chord names, guitar chord diagrams and black & white photos. 100 pages. Alfred Music #00-VF1370. Published by Alfred Music (AP.VF1370). Usually leaves our warehouse: Within Ships via Mail More info Add to Cart { "catalogRefId":"1325249", "productId":"prod1325249", "quantity":"1" } 9 Reviews


text:
Sol Yurick, the writer whose 1965 novel "The Warriors" was adapted into a film 14 years later — which then became one of the best adapted works ever in video gaming — died this weekend. He was 88.
Yurick's work itself was a loose adaptation of an earlier story told 2,300 years before: Anabasis, which chronicles the journey of Greek mercenaries through hostile territory after the death of their leader. Yurick's book, and The Warriors both open with a grand council of street gangs, convened in the Bronx, and the murder of the leader who called for the gathering (Cyrus, a direct reference to the leader of the Greeks in Anabasis). But the stories then diverge significantly.
Walter Hill, the director of The Warriors, strove to give a comic-book depiction of the gang's flight from the Bronx back to their Coney Island turf. (Indeed, in Yurick's book, the gang's mascot, Junior, reads a comic book version of the story throughout the escape.) In the film, each faction was given a name and a costume theme invoking it, typified by the iconic "Baseball Furies" the protagonist Warriors fight in Riverside Park. After making their way through rival gangs' turf in Manhattan and then back to Coney Island, the Warriors defeat the gang responsible for Cyrus' death.
The Warriors became a cult hit, partly because its exaggerated portrayal of New York City's lawlessness fit with the violent crime and decay that blighted the city in the late 1970s. A staple of Saturday and Sunday afternoon movie programming on UHF stations, the film faded from popular memory until Rockstar resurrected it as a video game 26 years later.
The Warriors, released in 2005 for the Xbox and PS2, began with a three-minute recreation of the film's opening sequence (shown above). Set to the blood pumping guitar and synthesiser of Barry Vorzon's original soundtrack, it's one of the best openings a video game has ever had. Critics familiar with the film swooned, and The Warriors reviewed very well in a year full of big hits. Primarily a brawler, with some limited open-world features, the game also served as a canonical prologue to the all-gang meeting in the Bronx. It is playable only on the PlayStation 2 and original Xbox; a version for the PSP was released in 2007.
Kotaku Au Editor's Note: The PSP version is also available for digital download on the PS Vita and comes highly recommended — it's got pride of place on my own Vita, in fact.
Brooklyn Author Sol Yurick Dies [WNYC]
RIP Sol Yurick [Rockstar Games Twitter]


text:
Congratulations Kapp Alloy & Wire!
You are the winner of the eTech Parts weekly Facebook Drawing for a $50 iTunes gift card. Please contact us within 30 days to claim your gift card.
There are no strings attached with our weekly drawing. It's just a good old fashion give away! If you win, all you have to do is send us an email with your full address so we can mail you the gift certificate. Good luck next week!
We use random.org to draw our winner. You can view the public results of the drawing here.


text:
SanDisk Will Contribute $1 To The Alzheimer's Association For Each Specially-Branded Product Purchased, Up To $1 Million
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, September 12, 2007- SanDisk® Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today joined the fight against Alzheimer's disease, a devastating and fatal illness now afflicting more than 5 million Americans, by introducing special editions of two products: a two-gigabyte (GB)1 SanDisk Ultra®II SD™ card and a two-gigabyte SanDisk Cruzer® Micro USB flash drive.
SanDisk will contribute $1 to the Alzheimer's Association, the leading volunteer organization for Alzheimer's research and family support, for each specially-branded product purchased through August 2008, up to a maximum of $1 million. The two products, which carry the same manufacturer's suggested retail price as SanDisk's regular 2GB SanDisk Ultra II SD card and 2GB Cruzer Micro drive, stand apart from the SanDisk line because they are purple - the signature color of the Alzheimer's Association.
"SanDisk as a company is dedicated to preserving digital memories, so it's appropriate for us to do what we can to help stop a disease that attacks human memory," said Greg Rhine, senior vice president and general manager of the Consumer Products Division at SanDisk. "Alzheimer's is a terrible disease - it is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and, according to surveys, nearly half of all Americans know someone who has Alzheimer's. We are pleased to support the important work of The Alzheimer's Association."
Alzheimer's is a progressive disease that kills brain cells, ultimately destroying both mental and physical functions. It is not a normal part of the aging process and there is no known cause or cure. Although most prevalent after age 65, the disease can strike people as young as age 30.
Alzheimer's also puts huge emotional and financial burdens on family members of those suffering from the disease, because around-the-clock care is almost always required in later stages.
"Our new alliance with SanDisk, a well-known name in the field of consumer electronics, will help increase awareness of Alzheimer's," said Angela Geiger, vice president at the Alzheimer's Association. "In addition, SanDisk will be raising much-needed funds for our education, care and support, and research programs."
There is currently no cure or widely effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease, but there is hope. The Alzheimer's Association has raised more than $200 million for research since 1982, and scientists are now exploring possible treatments that would slow or stop the disease.
Susan Park, senior product marketing manger for SanDisk Ultra II cards and leader of the Alzheimer's initiative at SanDisk, said: "By choosing SanDisk's Take Action Against Alzheimer's cards and flash drives, consumers get the same quality at the same price as our regular cards and drives, while making a contribution to the Alzheimer's Association. Our goal in launching this program is not only to raise funds, but to help increase awareness of Alzheimer's. We're very appreciative of our retail partners who are showing their support by displaying these products on their store shelves."
The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. The association's mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. For more information about the Association's mission, visit www.alz.org.
Pricing and availability
SanDisk's two Take Action Against Alzheimer's products are available now at select Best Buy stores in the United States. Other U.S. retailers are expected to begin carrying the products in October. The 2GB SanDisk Ultra II SD card has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $44.99, and the 2GB Cruzer Micro USB flash drive has an MSRP of $39.99.
SanDisk is the original inventor of flash storage cards and is the world's largest supplier of flash data storage card products, using its patented, high-density flash memory and controller technology. SanDisk is headquartered in Milpitas, California, and has operations worldwide, with more than half its sales outside the U.S.
1 1 gigabyte (GB) = 1 billion bytes.
SanDisk's product and executive images can be downloaded from www.sandisk.com/corporate/media.asp
SanDisk's web site/home page address: www.sandisk.com
The Alzheimer's Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. However, this contribution is not tax deductible. SanDisk is conducting this promotion as a commercial co-venturer/paid fund-raiser and has paid for the use of the Alzheimer's Association's name and logo. Alzheimer's Association has not endorsed any SanDisk products. SanDisk will not receive any compensation from the Alzheimer's Association for or relating to this promotion.
For more information, write to: SanDisk Takes Action Against Alzheimer's Disease, attn: Susan Park, 601 McCarthy Corporation, Milpitas, CA 95035-7932. You may obtain a copy of the Alzheimer's Association's most recent financial report by writing to it at 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633 or by calling toll-free at 800-272-3900. All contracts and reports regarding the Alzheimer's Association are on file with the IL Attorney General.
Registration with a state agency does not imply the state's endorsement. Residents of the following states may request information from the offices indicated: MD-Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401; NJ-Attorney General at 973-504-6215; NC-State Solicitation Branch at 919-733-4510; PA-Department of State at 800-732-0999; VA-Division of Consumer Affairs, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 32309 or by calling 804-786-1343; WV-Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305.
SanDisk, SanDisk Ultra, Cruzer and the SanDisk logo are trademarks of SanDisk Corporation, registered in the United States and other countries. SD is a trademark. Other brand names mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective holder(s).
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including expectations for new product introductions, markets, customers and charitable contributions that are based on our current expectations and involve numerous risks and uncertainties that may cause these forward-looking statements to be inaccurate. Risks that may cause these forward-looking statements to be inaccurate include among others: market demand for our products may grow more slowly than our expectations or there may be a slower adoption rate for these products in new markets that we are targeting, our products may not perform as expected or be available when or at the prices expected, our products may be discontinued from time to time, and the other risks detailed from time-to-time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports, including, but not limited to, our Form 10-K and our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. We do not intend to update the information contained in this press release.
|SanDisk Corporation
|Mike Langberg
|(408) 801-7358


text:
Taking a moment to say thanks from atop Hugo Peak at Pack Forest
Every hiker, runner and biker should have at least one good workout hill.
A place to condition your body, relieve stress and burn calories. A place convenient enough to drop by after work, before breakfast or during lunch. Bonus points if it's snow-free in the winter.
I have a few, but my favorite is Hugo Peak near Eatonville. And I was introduced to it by Karen Sykes.
The morning after the 70-year-old hiking writer's body was found at Mount Rainier National Park, I was stretching on top of the tiny peak when I was reminded of the woman who gave me this little gift.
In front of me was a bench fashioned out of a log, a summit register mounted on a post and a view blocked by trees and shrubs. It's hardly photo-worthy. One comment in the register says "I can't believe I hiked all the way up here for this."
I snapped a picture anyway.
The day before, an image of the same scene was splashed on the front page of our website and those of many other news organizations. But in that image, Sykes was sitting on the bench, smiling as she rested her right elbow on a friend's shoulder.
I never had the honor of crossing paths with Sykes. I knew her the way most did, from her regular hiking stories and photographs.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, she compiled an impressive hiking database for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. She wrote guide books, maintained a hiking website and, most recently, wrote for visitrainier.com.
In one particularly tumultuous month in 2004, I moved and took a new position writing about outdoor recreation. I'd just finished an eight-year stint as a sportswriter and I weighed about as much as I do now when I'm carrying my fully loaded backpack.
I immediately started looking for the closest workout hill. I used (and still use) a couple small hills in my neighborhood, but I wanted a better option.
I was perusing the Internet when I found an article on Pack Experimental Forest written by Sykes in 2002. It was close and had a nearly 1,000-foot climb up a hill called Hugo Peak.
Sounded good to me, even though Sykes' article pointed out the 4,300-acre University of Washington-owned landed was the site of a study on using recycled treated wastewater solids as forest fertilizer.
I was hooked on the place right away. The forest is packed with a web of trails and dirt roads totaling more than 50 miles.
Finding your way can be a little confusing at first. So confusing, in fact, a reader recently wrote me to say he couldn't find the trailhead even with a map. (Find the map at packforest.org and find the Hugo Peak trailhead next to the forest gatehouse on state Route 7.)
It's probably a bit unfair to label Hugo Peak a workout hill, because it and the surrounding forest are much more. While the forest has great training options for hikers, runners and mountain bikers, it's also a fun destination in itself.
The Trail of the Giants showcases a 230-foot-tall tree and another that's 9 feet around, but shorter thanks to a wind storm. There is the not-so-little Little Mashel Falls. There are signs of the University of Washington's forestry research and much of the terrain is open for horseback riding.
It's been 10 years since I declared Hugo Peak my workout hill, but it's proven to be more than that for me too. It was the site of our family's short-lived attempt at Thursday Hike Nights. Our dog thought the place was Disneyland (probably all of those treated wastewater solids). Sometimes I'd even head out there to work when I needed a little peace and quiet.
As I pedaled my mountain bike up the dirt road to Hugo Peak for the second time June 22, I remembered an email a reader sent me once to say thanks for a column she liked. She said it inspired her to get in shape. (The truth is, the person I wrote about actually provided the inspiration, but I'll take what I can get.)
But the idea that stuck with me most from that email was her point that as we get fit, we need to remember to say thanks to those who gave us inspiration along the way.
So, when I got to the top I opened the summit register and scribbled a quick message for Karen Sykes: "Thanks for Hugo Peak."
A memorial service for Karen Sykes, the outdoors writer who died on a hike in Mount Rainier National Park, will be held at 6:30 p.m. July 14. It will take place at The Mountaineers Seattle Program Center, Magnuson Park, 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle.
Craig Hill: 253-597-8497


text:
Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Risk Management
- Recruiter
- Location
- Portsmouth, Hampshire (GB)
- Posted
- 11 Mar 2019
- End of advertisement period
- 10 Apr 2019
- Academic Discipline
- Business & Economics, Business & Management
- Contract Type
- Fixed Term
- Hours
- Full Time
Faculty of Business and Law
Strategy, Enterprise and Innovation
Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Risk Management
Employment type: Permanent
Employment basis: Full-time
Salary: Lecturer - £35,211 - £38,460 per annum
Senior Lecturer - £39,609 - £48,677 per annum
Post number: ZZ005180
Date published: 11 March 2019
Closing date: 14 April 2019
Interview date: 20 May 2019
The University of Portsmouth achieved the highest 'Gold' rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) the UK government's first assessment of teaching excellence in higher education. The Faculty of Business and Law has a track record of sustained excellence in teaching and research as evidenced by the consistently very high student satisfaction scores in the National Student Survey, the excellent employability record of our graduates, and the results of the Research Excellence Framework (REF2014) submission. The breadth and depth of our research was viewed by the REF2014 panel as having an outstanding and very significant impact in economic, social and policy-making terms, placing us in the top 10% for impact; 87.5% of our research environment was rated as internationally excellent; and 62% of our research as world-leading or internationally excellent. We offer a full range of degree programmes across business, management, accounting, finance and economics, including PhD and the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme. We combine excellence in research and scholarship with considerable business and consultancy experience, and provide leadership in the development and dissemination of sustainable business and management practice.
The Faculty of Business and Law has a vibrant environment and is ambitious. We wish to build upon our existing strengths and considerable recent success by investing in excellence. We seek to appoint a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Risk Management. The successful candidates are likely to hold a doctorate, or be close to completion. Professional qualifications and senior professional experience will also be considered. You will be committed to excellence in teaching at all levels, and support to develop teaching skills is available for less experienced staff. You will be expected to make a significant contribution to the research and innovation profile of the School. You will have drive, an innovative approach to research, learning and teaching, and enjoy working collaboratively in a dynamic environment.
Applications must be made in accordance with the details available from Human Resources at the University of Portsmouth.
Informal enquiries may be made to the Head of the relevant subject group by contacting Professor Paul Trott, email@example.com
Please note this post is also available as ZZ005180 – Teaching Fellow or Senior Teaching Fellow in Risk Management
Although the post is available as either a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer or Teaching Fellow or Senior Teaching Fellow, only one appointment will be made. Please note each post has a different person specification/ job description. You should also indicate in the 'reasons for applying section' whether you wish to be considered for the Lecturer or Senior Lecturer position.
To find out more about the University of Portsmouth and this role, click the apply button and apply on-line.
It is the policy of the University to only accept applications submitted using the University's application form.
All applications for this position will be processed and conducted in compliance with UK legislation relevant at that time.


text:
MINUTES COUNT: Federal Reserve officials spent time at their Sept. 12-13 meetings exploring ways to provide a clearer signal on when they might raise interest rates.
STRETCH IT OUT: At the September meeting, the Fed announced that it was extending its timetable for keeping a key interest rate at a record low, close to zero, until at least mid-2015, six months later than it previously said.
MORE DISCUSSIONS: Fed officials favored linking future rate increases not to a date, but to the level of unemployment or some other numeric target. They indicated they would keep discussing the issue.


text:
California needs additional professional Notaries! This class will provide the new or previously commissioned Notaries with the education and skills to pass the state proctored examination, detect fraud, and become successful in a new career. Commissioned Notaries may take this course six months prior to their Commission expiration date. There is a growing need for notaries in the expanding financial, real estate, business and law professions. Become a valuable employee or own your own business. This class exceeds the State qualifications for new applicants and notaries that are renewing their commissions. The student will receive a State approved Certificate of Completion for the class in order to take the State proctored notary examination. The State of California will offer a same day exam after the class. Make check payable to the Secretary of State for $40. Workbook and exam fees will be collected in class.
$70 Student Tuition
$49 Workbook (collected in class)
$40 Exam fee (collected in class)


text:
pinState= 1; // Flip these bits to suit your cubes common lead (cathode or anode) } else { pinState= 0; // Flip these bits to suit your cubes common lead (cathode or anode)
/* Arduino Experimentation Kit Example Code | * CIRC-05 .: 8 More LEDs :. (74HC595 Shift Register) | * We have already controlled 8 LEDs however this does it in a slightly * different manner. Rather than using 8 pins we will use just three * and an additional chip. */// This is My Version of the Pin Connections//Pin Definitions//The 74HC595 uses a serial communication //link which has three pins Data-Clock and Latch // Pins 5-6-7-8 are the Columnsint data = 2; int clock = 3;int latch = 4;int Col1 = 5; // Transistor1 Baseint Col2 = 6; // Transistor2 Baseint Col3 = 7; // Transistor3 Baseint Col4 = 8; // Transistor4 Base//Used for single LED manipulationint ledState = 0;const int ON = HIGH;const int OFF = LOW; /*setup() - this function runs once when you turn your Arduino on * We set the three control pins to outputs */void setup(){ pinMode(data, OUTPUT); pinMode(clock, OUTPUT); pinMode(latch, OUTPUT); pinMode(Col1, OUTPUT); pinMode(Col2, OUTPUT); pinMode(Col3, OUTPUT); pinMode(Col4, OUTPUT); }/* * loop() - this function will start after setup finishes and then repeat * we set which LEDs we want on then call a routine which sends the states to the 74HC595 */void loop() // run over and over again{ int delayTime = 100; //the number of milliseconds to delay between LED updates for(int i = 0; i < 256; i++){ updateLEDs(i); delay(delayTime); }}/* * updateLEDs() - sends the LED states set in ledStates to the 74HC595 * sequence */void updateLEDs(int value){ digitalWrite(latch, LOW); //Pulls the chips latch low shiftOut(data, clock, MSBFIRST, value); //Shifts out the 8 bits to the shift register digitalWrite(latch, HIGH); //Pulls the latch high displaying the data digitalWrite(Col1, HIGH); //Pulls the Col1 high and turn on transistor-1 digitalWrite(Col2, HIGH); //Pulls the Col1 high and turn on transistor-2 digitalWrite(Col3, HIGH); //Pulls the Col1 high and turn on transistor-3 digitalWrite(Col4, HIGH); //Pulls the Col1 high and turn on transistor-4}/* updateLEDsLong() - sends the LED states set in ledStates to the 74HC595 * sequence. Same as updateLEDs except the shifting out is done in software * so you can see what is happening. */ void updateLEDsLong(int value){ digitalWrite(latch, LOW); //Pulls the chips latch low for(int i = 0; i < 8; i++){ //Will repeat 8 times (once for each bit) int bit = value & B10000000; //We use a "bitmask" to select only the eighth //bit in our number (the one we are addressing this time through value = value << 1; //we move our number up one bit value so next time bit 7 will be //bit 8 and we will do our math on it if(bit == 128){digitalWrite(data, HIGH);} //if bit 8 is set then set our data pin high else{digitalWrite(data, LOW);} //if bit 8 is unset then set the data pin low digitalWrite(clock, HIGH); //the next three lines pulse the clock pin delay(1); digitalWrite(clock, LOW); } digitalWrite(latch, HIGH); //pulls the latch high shifting our data into being displayed}//These are used in the bitwise math that we use to change individual LEDs//For more details http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitwise_operationint bits[] = {B00000001, B00000010, B00000100, B00001000, B00010000, B00100000, B01000000, B10000000};int masks[] = {B11111110, B11111101, B11111011, B11110111, B11101111, B11011111, B10111111, B01111111};/* * changeLED(int led, int state) - changes an individual LED * LEDs are 0 to 7 and state is either 0 - OFF or 1 - ON */ void changeLED(int led, int state){ ledState = ledState & masks[led]; //clears ledState of the bit we are addressing if(state == ON){ledState = ledState | bits[led];} //if the bit is on we will add it to ledState updateLEDs(ledState); //send the new LED state to the shift register }
for(int i = 0; i < 256; i++){ ... //some code}
for ( [1] ; [2] ; [3] ) { [4]}
{ [1] while ([2]) { [3] [4] }}
{ //create a scope for the while loop. int i = 0; //create a variable called i and assign it a value of 0 while (i < 256) { //check if i is less than 256. This is true at the beginning as i is initially 0 ... //some code i++; //Increment i at the end of the loop. } //After 256 passes, i == 256, which mean the while() condition becomes false and so the loop completes.}


text:
William atte Kneppe was listed in Place Names of Surrey in 1294, Henry de Cnappe was listed in Place Names of Devon in 1301. [4]CITATION[CLOSE]
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Another source notes: "Knapp is an old south of England name. In the 14th century an influential family of Bristol citizens bore this name. Knapp was the name of an ancient gentle family of Berkshire, a branch of which two centuries ago came into the possession of the manor of Little Linford, Buckinghamshire." [5]CITATION[CLOSE]
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
By way of confirmation of the aforementioned: "About 1658, [Little Linford] was purchased by Messrs. Kilpin and others, by whom it was sold to an ancestor of the Knapp family." The family held the parish since this early entry as in the late 1800's the source notes "The living is a perpetual curacy; net income, £66; patron and impropriator, Matthew Knapp, Esq., lord of the manor." [6]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
The medieval Knepp Castle is found west of the village of West Grinstead in West Sussex. Built on a mound or "cnoepp," the castle was originally a motte and bailey fortress, built in the 12th century by William de Braose. In 1214, he had it rebuilt as a stone castle with a two-storey keep. Later Royal visitors included kings Henry III in 1218, Edward II in 1324 and Richard II in 1384.
|Popular Products
|Armorial History With Coat of Arms
|Coat of Arms & Surname History Package
|Family Crest Image (jpg) Heritage Series - 300 DPI
|Coffee Mug
|Armorial History with Frame
|Framed Surname History and Coat of Arms


text:
QUEBEC CITY, Que. - Twelve people suffered various injuries Monday afternoon when a cruise ship slammed into a pier during berthing at Quebec City.
Quebec ambulance officials say a few of the injured from the "Louis Joliett" were transported to hospital but none of the injuries are life-threatening.
It's not yet known if there was a mechanical problem
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says it is sending a team of investigators to the scene to find out what happened.
The ship was carrying about 60 people at the time of the incident.
The website for the ship's owner, Croisieres AML, shows the ''Louis Joliett'' is 51.6 metres long and has a capacity of 1,000 passengers. The company says it has 21 boats operating in 10 Quebec ports.


text:
Note: This is our summer intern's last editorial post. After hearing she was a yoga buff, we signed her up for our weekly Yoga Form and Flow course offered on Monday nights. See what she had to say about taking yoga in a ballet studio…
One of my favorite perks (among many) of interning at Ballet Austin this summer was the opportunity to enroll in their Yoga Flow and Form course. I've always been a huge fan of yoga but only a dedicated practitioner for just over a year. This course was perfect for me — it began at a slower pace, offering plenty of pose modifications. The instructor was wonderfully patient and made sure to pay special attention to each student in the class. Everyone practices yoga at a different level, and she was considerate of our abilities and catered the course to each of our needs. Set to candlelight and low music, it was an incredibly relaxing and soothing hour.
And that was only the first week. This six-week yoga course functions as an introductory course to yoga, steadily advancing the poses and practice each week as the attendees grow increasingly strong and confident. It was a thrill to feel my body grow stronger with each week, and by the sixth week be able to complete the class without any pose modifications.
I really enjoyed the structure of the class and how it steadily advanced my practice each week. Most yoga studios I've been to treat each individual class as an all-inclusive lesson, not really considering the different skill levels of the practitioners or looking to advance their practice in a lasting way. Ballet Austin's Yoga Flow and Form transformed my yoga practice indefinitely because it took the time to allow my body to grow steadily over the six-week period. As a serious yoga practitioner, I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to get into yoga. It was wonderfully fun, relaxing, and made me feel fantastic after each class.
My summer internship at Ballet Austin has ended now, and I've moved from Austin to Los Angeles, and so far finding a great yoga studio has been tough! I'll miss Ballet Austin dearly, and I hope you Austinites take advantage of Flow and Form while you still can!
Sign up for our Yoga Form & Flow course by August 26 and receive $5 off your purchase. More details on the Ballet Austin website.


text:
While walking her dog, the Hunger Games star rescues someone unconscious
Add Jennifer Lawrence to the list of celebrity heroes.
The Hunger Games star, who fought for her own life as Katniss Everdeen in the series, helped save someone else who was in danger on Monday, reports X17 Online.
Lawrence, 21, was walking her dog near her Santa Monica, Calif., apartment when she found a young girl collapsed in front of her building. As she went to assist the person, someone else called 911.
The girl wasn't transported to the hospital, but instead cleared on the scene.
While there's no official word on what caused her to lose consciousness, TMZ reports, "alcohol may have played a role in the incident."
– Dahvi Shira


text:
The trust fund is set up to benefit Utah Navajos with a significant amount of oil field royalties. The health, education and general welfare of Utah Navajos are specific areas that the fund has focused upon.
While the Commission did not recommend who should be the future trustee, it did express concern that Utah Navajos continue to be the beneficiaries of the fund.
Commissioner said that they heard from all of the chapters, and from the Navajo Utah Commission while creating the resolution.
Once the state withdraws as trustee, Commissioners explained that existing contracts will be honored, but no new expenditures will be authorized.
The trust fund currently has approximately $600,000 in scholarship commitments and between 80 and 90 students. The current commitments will be honored and new scholarships will be funded for two years.
The UNTF Board of Trustees and Dine Committee will be discontinued on July 1. Commissioners explained that the Utah Office of Administrative Services, Governor's staff and State Auditor will invest the incoming royalties until a new trustee is named.
The local UNTF office in Blanding will remain open with a small staff.
The physical properties owned by the trust fund will remain as part of the trust fund, and some could possibly be sold.
In other matters at the April 21 Commission meeting, the Commissioners said that there may be road blocks to expanding San Juan County jail to house more state prisoners.
"There seems to be a certain lack of enthusiasm for moving state prisoners in any great quantity back out to the counties," said Commissioner Lynn Stevens. "Unfortunately, we are being painted with the same brush as the other county jails. We are moving forward trying to prove that we do not fit in that category."
In two separate instances in 2007, state inmates escaped from county facilities in other areas. As a result, the state completed an audit and moved all first-degree felons back into state-operated facilities.
The Commissioner seeks a letter of support from the state government before moving ahead. Commissioner Bruce Adams said, "If we float a 20 or 30 year bond to fund the project, we want some indication of economic success. We don't see it at this time."
The Legislature approved an 80-bed expansion of the Garfield County jail, but Garfield Commissioners have yet to approve the project. Local officials state that if Garfield walks away from the project, San Juan County may be interested in pursuing the funding.
In other matters, the county has earned a five percent insurance premium credit from the state for the highly successful risk management and workers compensation programs. This represents a savings of approximately $15,000.
San Juan County is one of three counties to earn the credit. Risk management supervisor Cyndi Eldredge reports that claims have decrease from $150,000 to $5,000 in three years.
County economic development coordinator Charlie DeLorme reports that motel room revenues were up 52 percent in the first quarter of 2008 compared to 2007. He adds that property owners report that there is a significant increase in visitation from the Wasatch Front.
DeLorme also reported on progress on the reconstruction of the swinging bridge east of Bluff. The bridge was destroyed in a flash flood in 2006. DeLorme reports that fund raising is continuing, engineering plans are being developed, core samples are being drilled in the surrounding sandstone and progress is being made. He added that risk management realities are that the replacement bridge will not be a "swinging" bridge.
There was no action on a draft dog control ordinance. Commissioners expressed support for the concept of a dog control ordinance, but added that how to enforce the ordinance is the big question.


text:
Writers and artists often talk of spilling blood into their work, but they are usually being metaphorical. Not writer Kelly Roman and illustrator Michael Weese, though. On a sunny spring day in New York City's Chinatown last week, the pair rolled up their sleeves and spilled their blood, literally, onto sample chapters of their upcoming graphic-novel adaptation of Sun-Tzu's The Art of War. Well, actually, they had a doctor draw the blood and then used it to stamp Chinese characters on the chapters, but it was still a pretty dramatic gesture. The press release invokes tradition:
"There's a monstrous tradition of using cremated remains and blood to make comic books" states author Kelly Roman, "Marvel editor Mark Gruenwald had his ashes mixed with ink and made into commemorative issues of Squadron Supreme. KISS had their blood used to print their first comic. We are adding a live performance element."
Dramatics aside, the creators are doing their best to draw attention to their book, which takes Sun-Tzu's classic manual of strategy and adds the element that has been missing for centuries: a plot. Details are sketchy at the moment, but it takes place in the future, when China is the world's dominant economy and Wall Street is "militarized," whatever that means, and the main character is directly modeled on—and named after—Roman. Showing their mastery of social media as well as bloodshed, Roman and Weese have set up a Facebook and Twitter feed for the eponymous main character, as well as a YouTube channel where people discuss their opinions of China. The book is due out next spring from It Books, the pop-culture imprint of HarperCollins (they also publish Cowboys and Aliens), and there's a 50-page sample up on the website.


text:
I recently cleaned up my email drafts folder. I had 62 messages, and now I have only 6 email drafts saved.
My iPhone, however, still shows a count of 62! Only the 6 that really exist are available, but the count is still off.
How can I force the phone to re-count the number of drafts?


text:
Leading Asian trade fair for roller shutters,doors/gates, windows and sun protection systems
The online visitor pre-registration allows you to get your free entrance ticket and print it at home for direct access to the show.
Even in this digital age, when information is so easily accessed, people still want – and need – to meet face to face.
As a trade fair organizer we want to make it easy for journalists to have access to information about our events and our company.
R+T Asia is a three-day business-to-business international trade show and an unique opportunity to network, meet new business partners and expanding business.
The 2019 pre-register system is already closed, we will keep you updated of the 2020 information.


text:
The historic former gold mining city of Ballarat in Victoria, Australia is the latest venue in the IRONMAN Asia Pacific family. Local government support has led to the confirmation of IRONMAN 70.3 Ballarat for the next three years.
Ballarat, just over 100kms from the triathlon-mad city of Melbourne, will become the 13th IRONMAN 70.3 stop in the burgeoning Asia Pacific region. The inaugural event will be staged on Sunday 16 November and will open for entries on 6 May for Triathlon Australia members and 8 May for general entries.
Ballarat holds significant attraction both in his exalted history and, more recently, as a centre for sport. It was transformed from a small sheep station to a major settlement when gold was discovered in 1851, with more than 20,000 migrants rushing to the region in what developed into a sustained high gold yielding area for decades. It was also claimed as the origin of democracy in Australia following the Eureka Rebellion and has developed as a stunning rural city.
The swim venue of Lake Wendouree is a recreational lake that also hosted rowing events including the 1956 Olympics and, last year, the World Rowing Masters Regatta. It has always been a centre for cycling, hosting the national road championships each January, a stage of the Herald Sun Tour and the annual Ballarat Cycle Classic.
The 1.9 km swim in Lake Wendouree is followed by a 90 km bike ride incorporating parts of the historic Remembrance Drive, with the 21.1 km run around the lake.
IRONMAN Asia Pacific CEO, Geoff Meyer said the new IRONMAN 70.3 Ballarat has the potential to be one of the best events in Australia.
"We expect IRONMAN 70.3 Ballarat to attract more than 1400 competitors and thousands of accompanying visitors to the area, providing a tremendous economic boost and tourism spotlight on the region," says Mayer. "Sport and recreation is at the heart of every community and Ballarat has a long and proud history of producing champions and hosting world class events."
A strong professional field, headed by multiple IRONMAN champion and event ambassador, Luke Bell, will be waging their own Eureka battle on a course that has been stamped with their approval.
"I grew up doing races as a kid in Ballarat and the Western Districts of Victoria, so Ballarat holds some pretty special memories for me," says Bell.
A 19-time winner of IRONMAN 70.3 races around the world, Bell is determined to carve his name into the history books as the inaugural champion.
"I'm looking forward to going back and racing there, I was in my early teens when I raced in the Victorian Triathlon Series," he said. "It's great to have another event in Victoria and it's these type of races with such a great community feel and support that I love to be involved with."
The event will offer 30 age group qualifying spots for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in Austria in 2015.


text:
Download your free gift immediately after starting your free trial. To start a 7-day free trial, create your account, select a plan on the following screen, and complete the checkout process.
Get unlimited, ad-free access to all of TeacherVision's printables and resources for as low as $2.49 per month. We have a plan for every budget.
Select a plan
All plans include a free trial and enjoy the same features. Cancel anytime.
Learn more about Premium


text:
iPad Made Up 97 Percent of Enterprise Tablet Activations in Q1
Enterprise users prefer Apple over Android, especially when it comes to tablets, according to a new report from mobile security solutions provider Good Technology.
After analyzing mobile device activations from its enterprise customers during the first quarter of 2012, Good found that the iPad continues to dominate the enterprise tablet landscape, while Android slates are struggling to gain traction. The iPad accounted for 97.3 percent of total tablet activations during the period, while Android tablets dropped to 2.7 percent, down from 5.2 percent during the fourth quarter of 2011.
"With Windows 8, we expect more competition for Apple and the iPad in the enterprise tablet space, especially for proactive, company-owned device deployments," John Herrema, Good Technology's senior vice president of corporate strategy, said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Apple's iPhone 4S was the top mobile device for the second quarter in a row among Good's enterprise customer base. The coveted smartphone accounted for 37 percent of all activations during the first quarter — four times that of any other device.
The iPad 2 took the second spot, with 17.7 percent of enterprise activations for the quarter, followed by the iPhone 4, with 15.2 percent. Though it was just released last month, the new iPad took the number four spot, accounting for 4.3 percent of all activations during the quarter, and 12.1 percent of activations in March alone.
Android smartphones, meanwhile, represented 26.1 percent of all activations for the quarter. The Motorola Droid was the most-popular Android device and the seventh most-popular device for the quarter overall, accounting for 1.6 percent of all activations.
The report did not, however, take into account activations of Windows Phone 7.5 devices, such as the Nokia Lumia 900, since Good did not add support for the Windows platform until April 2012.
For more from Angela, follow her on Twitter @amoscaritolo.