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Issue Date: August 5, 2013
New Twist On Chiral Fluorination
News Channels: Organic SCENE
Keywords: fluorination, Selectfluor, chiral synthesis
Recent advances in organofluorine chemistry have made fluorinated compounds—widely sought as pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals—more readily available than ever before. One of the final frontiers is developing general methods for selectively making compounds with chiral C–F bonds. A European research team has now developed a chiral version of a popular fluorinating reagent that could help streamline such efforts (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, DOI: 10.1002/anie.201304845). Véronique E. Gouverneur of Oxford University, Graham Sandford of Durham University, Peter R. Moore of AstraZeneca, and their coworkers were developing a tandem fluorination-cyclization process to make fluorinated tetracyclic compounds containing a quaternary C–F stereocenter. Such compounds could be used as intermediates for making fluorinated steroids, for example. Along the way, the researchers found that an efficient way to enantioselectively make the tetracyclic compounds was by using a chiral derivative of Selectfluor. They prepared the reagent by adding phenyl groups to Selectfluor's framework.
- Chemical & Engineering News
- Copyright © American Chemical Society

subset: commoncrawl


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Weekend Projects - Scorched Hollow Form on a Plinth archive
Friday 15 May 2015
Mark Sanger turns this unusual hollow form using pyrography techniques and reclaimed wood. The hollow form is then mounted on its own plinth
There are other options available when making hollow forms that enable greater access for the hollowing process. Another option for this is parting off the front of the form, which after hollowing is then reinserted into a recess slightly smaller than the diameter of the form itself.
This method is similar to the process for box making and enables a small hollow form to be made without the use of a dedicated hollowing tool. Within this project I have used a bowl gouge to remove the material inside the form. For a deeper form a hollowing tool should be employed due to the overhang of the tool tip from the toolrest.
I have designed this hollow form so that not only the need for a hollowing tool is removed, but also the sanding/finishing process is almost nonexistent. This is because texturing and scorching are used instead to add visual interest to the off-the-gouge finish, which is used here.
Adding to the presentation of the final piece, the form has been designed with a round base. It is placed onto a plinth which has a small concave recess turned into the top surface; this way the form can be articulated into different positions to give a sculptural feel. The idea can be adapted to include staining and other forms of texturing. By experimenting, design alternatives are possible.
Try different texturing effects such as using a stonemason's scutch hammer to mark the wood before scorching. You never know what new texturing ideas you will come up with. For this project I used an oak (Quercus robur) post measuring 120mm square x 170mm long and a piece of laminated kitchen worktop measuring 150 x 150 x 36mm. The project can be scaled down proportionally for 100mm square material.
Tools used32mm spindle roughing gouge
8mm spindle gouge
12mm bowl gouge
6mm parting tool
Skew chisel
3mm parting tool


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Chip and Joanna Gaines spend months of work and sweat renovating every inch of their client's Waco, TX, dream home on their HGTV show Fixer Upper – but, ironically, the question most fans have isn't about the stunning updated home; it's about the giant poster of the old house that they wheel out before the big reveal. Well, we have some answers for you.
How did the life-size house poster come about?
They were a last-minute addition that came about in the pilot episode to solve the dilemma of how to get the client to their renovated house without revealing the makeover. Chip explained to Glamour.com, "At the 11th hour, we had a friend of mine weld a 12 foot tall by 12 foot wide-and there's two of them, so it's 24 feet wide by the time it's all said and done-and I've got another friend in town whose got a small billboard company. When he put this thing together, I said, 'That is awesome.'"
What happens to it after the show?
The client gets to keep the enormous poster – if they want it. Chip told Glamour.com that they have folded up the canvas and presented it to clients before. But it seems not all clients are presented with it (see below).
What is it like to be the homeowner standing in front of the giant house poster?
A real-life Fixer Upper client revealed her experience on the Holy Craft blog. She said, "when I saw it, I basically knew that behind it was what we'd been waiting on for several months." But she didn't get to keep the giant house poster. She explained, "I haven't seen the poster since that day," adding that it might be for the best. "I'm not sure what you'd do with it because it's taller than a room!"
Read more about what really happens when you're cast on Fixer Upper here.


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This month marks a year since the draft National Policy for Women is pending approval of the NDA government, mainly due a politically contentious proposal to introduce one-third reservation for women in electoral politics.
The policy, mooted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, was passed with some modifications by the Group of Ministers headed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in July 2017 following a series of meetings and crowd-sourced suggestions.
It is since awaiting the Union government's sanction.
According to sources in the know, the policy is held up mainly due to its recommendation for 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, and at least 50 per cent quota in all local bodies.
The draft policy is a revision of the first National Policy for Women, firmed up in 2001. It marks a shift from the previous policy's view of women as welfare recipients to taking a rights-based approach. The provision for greater representation for women in the political arena was to be a significant part of such an approach to create an enabling environment through affirmative action.
Officials said that in the Group of Ministers' meetings, it was pointed out that the 2001 policy lacks the provision to ensure greater women's participation in electoral politics. "It was also brought out that the existing representation of women in Lok Sabha is a low 11 per cent, in state Assemblies 9 per cent, while the NDA manifesto promised 33 per cent reservation for women. The draft policy has since been with the Prime Minister's Office for further action," an official said.
The draft talks of promoting women's presence in all three branches of the government — the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary — as also in corporate boardrooms. It mandates one-third reservation for women in the police force, and also details the need to look at policies across all ministries through a gendered lens.
The policy was to be operationalised and its implementation monitored through an inter-ministerial committee headed by Women and Child Development (WCD) Minister Maneka Gandhi, and similar state-level committees were to be set up, headed by the respective chief ministers.
Questions sent by The Indian Express to the PMO seeking reasons for the delay in passing the policy went unanswered. A WCD Ministry spokesperson said, "The draft National Policy for Women has not been approved by the Cabinet yet."
A key recommendation in the draft policy is making it mandatory for every ministry to maintain sex-disaggregated data on all schemes and programmes.
Noting that India's data system has remained largely gender neutral, it states that for better policy formulation, data has to be disaggregated as per gender especially on issues concerning poverty, economic participation, violence, environment, health, education, governance, and media. It also asked for qualitative data on the impact on men of polices regarding paternity leave, gender-based violence, and gender equality.
It focuses on emerging gender issues, such as those relating to single women, a segment that has grown by 39 per cent between 2001 and 2011, or the growing incidence of cybercrime.
📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines
For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App.


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by ShiftWeb Solutions | Jan 23, 2018 | 0 comments
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Are you taking your IELTS General Training test soon?
Need to practice your Writing skills before the test?
Don't miss this free IELTS General Training Writing Simulation test.
This pre-test will provide you with the opportunity to answer General Training Writing tasks similar to those in the real test. Limited spaces available. Hurry up & book your seat now!
When & Where?
Date: Saturday, 25 August 2018
Time: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
Location: Community College in Dammam, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (click here for location map)
This test is for females only. Candidates should arrive 30 minutes before the test.
For more information, contact IDP IELTS Al Khobar / Dammam test center.


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Argos have told parents to stop using the below seats immediately amid safety fears. It is thought that these models may not protect children in the event of a crash, with their shells cracking under impact.
The seats being recalled are all car seats manufactured by Mamas & Papas exclusively for Argos. This recall notice does not affect any other Mamas & Papas product.
Argos said in a statement: "We have identified a potential safety concern. "In the event of an accident the car seat shell may crack and therefore not provide the intended level of protection to the user."
It said that any customers who had bought one of the seats "should immediately stop using the product" and return it to an Argos store for a full refund.
The five seats in question are:
Mamas & Papas Mercury Group 1 Black
Mamas & Papas Mercury Group 1 Grey
Mamas & Papas Mercury Group 1-2-3 Black
Mamas & Papas Mercury Group 1-2-3 Grey
Mamas & Papas Mercury Group 2-3 Black and Grey
Nursery Today is the UK's business magazine for publisher, suppliers, buyers and retailers in the nursery sector. © Copyright Lema Publishing
Ltd 2010. 1 Churchgates, The Wilderness, Berkhamsted, Herts
Website design agency
services by dotAgency


text: Thomas is a CrossFit Level 2 certified trainer, and his additional certifications include CrossFit Weightlifting and CrossFit Gymnastics. He is an Oklahoma State graduate with a degree in physiology and is a student of how the body works and moves. Thomas is a great group coach and personal trainer and can help anyone become a more useful human.


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Sip, slurp and savor our favorite summertime drinks.
Summer is heating up and those ice cream cones don't stand a chance. When the heat is on the rise, the best way to keep everyone calm and cool is with a tasty treat. Our favorite summer drinks are not only a delightful way to cool off, but they're super easy to whip up in a flash.
Just stick a straw in these delicious drinks and enjoy:
Put a cherry on top of your summer afternoon with a milkshake so decadent you'll need a hammock to enjoy it properly.
Chocolate peanut butter lovers rejoice. This milkshake is sweet and salty and sweet all over again. Easy to make and easier to drink, you'll be wanting these all summer.
Instant classic. You can't go wrong with a chocolate milkshake. We add in some extra HERSHEY'S Syrup to give it that extra chocolaty punch.
For those sweltering days when you ask yourself, "What did I hate so much about winter?" Some Frozen Hot Chocolate is the ultimate comfort cool down.
Enjoy a cold one on the rocks. This S'mores-tini is a fun and fancy way to quench that summer sweet tooth—best shaken.
For more fun summer baking ideas, check out our full range of recipes here.
From all of us at HERSHEY'S Kitchens, Bake Happy!


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One month ago, the citizens of the Republic of Moldova went to the polls to elect their president. It was the first time in two decades that the president was elected by direct vote. The winner, pro-Russian Socialist Igor Dodon, won by 70,000 votes in the race against pro-European candidate Maia Sandu. The results were validated this week by the Constitutional Court of Moldova, which confirmed Igor Dodon as head of state. At the same time, they called on the Moldovan Parliament to review legislation in order to remove shortcomings noticed during the elections and the campaign. The president elect will be sworn in on 23 December, and he has already announced the changes in policy he intends to apply. This includes the federalization of the Republic of Moldova.
Here is political analyst Vlad Turcanu commenting on that: "We have to make a clear distinction between Igor Dodon's election campaign discourse, which he has not completely disavowed, and the attributions of the president of the Republic of Moldova, granted by the Constitution, allowing him to introduce such projects as federalization. The Republic of Moldova is, after all, a parliamentary country, and Igor Dodon's attributions have in the meantime reduced substantially. And I recall here the decision passed by Parliament to transfer the intelligence services, for instance, under their control, after being under the control of the presidency. I also believe that Igor Dodon, after taking over the office, will face a situation under which he will be unable to apply the plans he announced publicly in the campaign, because there are state institutions, such as the Foreign Ministry, which follows very precise policies, also specified in national legislation, as well as in the Association Agreement which Moldova has with the European Union."
Igor Dodon was faced with a situation in which he had to admit, in interviews with mostly Russian media outlets, that he does not have enough prerogatives to attack the Association Agreement with the EU without working with Parliament.
Here is Vlad Turcanu again: "One of Igor Dodon's campaign themes was to develop economic cooperation with the Russian Federation. Any expert in Chisinau would say that, first of all, a re-launch of economic cooperation with Russia is not forthcoming soon, and any opening by Moscow towards this cooperation would mean serious concessions in Moldova's foreign policy, regarding, for instance, the separatist region of Trans-Dniester. Parliament will not allow him to intervene in the cooperation with the European Union."
Vlad Turcanu added that Igor Dodon would not have won the presidency without support from the state apparatus, the media support provided by the Democratic Party, who opted for him against Maia Sandu, because for them Igor Dodon was a candidate and now a president that is much more comfortable than Maia Sandu, who showed she was opposed to any attempt made by the Democratic Party at pulling her on their side.
In terms of the relationship with the Russian Federation, Vlad Turcanu believes that Dodon is an agent acting on behalf of Moscow: "The Republic of Moldova right now has a strategic partnership with the Russian Federation, which Igor Dodon is supposed to substantiate. The extent to which this may occur depends on the political class in Chisinau. But, considering that the Republic of Moldova is dependent on foreign financing and that it can reform its institutions with help from the West, including there Romania, the EU and the US, I believe that a better relationship with the Russian Federation is possible, but one cannot overlook the lapses in the past. I don't believe Moscow is willing to give way in relation to Moldova regarding Trans Dniester, for instance. Russia wants all or nothing. I don't think Igor Dodon has any chance to get concessions from the Kremlin in terms of the Trans Dniester situation. We have seen how that was not possible under Vladimir Voronin, who tried, just like Igor Dodon, to convince Moscow in 2001-2002 to grant them control over that region. We know what outcome Vladimir Voronin's attempts in this direction had – a freeze in relations between Chisinau and Tiraspol for almost five years. The Russian Federation is not willing, as far as I'm concerned, to relent in relation to the Republic of Moldova no matter who is president, Igor Dodon or a pro-European president."
On the other hand, Vlad Turcanu said that the fact that the Social Democratic Party won the elections in Romania might mean that economic and political relations between Romania and Moldova could be boosted, considering the special relationship cultivated by the Romanian ruling party with the Moldovan Democratic Party, which is now ruling after these elections.


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Robbery Prevention At Work
Robbery is a crime "against the person" and a frightening experience. It can result in injury or even death to the victim. It is important to remember in protecting your business from robbery, to take preventive measures and make it obvious that those measures have been taken.
Help reduce the likelihood of being robbed:
- Lock unused doors.
- Avoid working alone. If you must, turn on a hidden radio or TV so robbers will think there is someone with you.
- Vary the schedules and route for your bank deposits each day, and only keep necessary cash in the drawer. Then, if you are robbed, you'll reduce your loses.
- Make sure your cash register is clearly visible to passersby. Arrange the counter so that the customer, or robber, is visible from the street.
- Avoid placing signs or displays near windows that block visibility from the street.
- Record the serial number of the bottom bill in each bin of the cash drawer, and instruct employees not to use these bills in making change.
- Keep "bait" money in a spare compartment of cash registers. The bait packet should be separated by face value as other bills. Keep a list of the serial and series year numbers to provide to law enforcement officials if you are robbed.
- Keep as little cash as possible in the register(s) or teller drawers.
- Use a drop safe to deposit excess cash.
- Display signs at entrances and exits indicating that safes require secondary keys not in possession of employees.
- Advertise your security alarm system with signs in visible locations.
- Develop a mutual aid system among stores on your block. Agree to keep an eye on each others buildings and watch for any suspicious activities.
- Report to 9-1-1 ANY suspicious activity in or near your business.
- In the event of a robbery or other criminal activity, our immediate goals are to: PROTECT LIVES, APPREHEND SUSPECTS, and RECOVER PROPERTY.
Someone points a gun at you and demands your money. What do you do?
- GIVE IT TO THEM. Never refuse a robber! Stay calm. DO NOT resist. Do what the robber demands.
- If you have a silent alarm and can reach it unnoticed, use it.
- Otherwise, wait until the robber leaves. Be sure to use your alarm with care, excessive false alarms can cause problems for law enforcement.
- If possible, signal other employees. Have a prearranged signal for such emergencies. Again, if the robber will see you, wait. Try to avoid sudden moves. Many robbers are just as nervous as you are.
- The most important thing to do if you are robbed is: OBSERVE
- Call the police (9-1-1) immediately, don't waste a minute, answer all of the dispatcher's questions and stay on the phone until they let you go.
- As soon as you can, lock the doors to prevent re-entry by the suspect or customers.
- Write down everything you can remember about the robber and the crime itself: the robber's appearance, height, weight, color of hair and eyes, scars, tattoos, accent, clothing, weapon and anything unusual.
- Try to remember the robbers exact words and try to observe any vehicle the robber uses to get away.
- Keep everyone away from surfaces the robber may have touched.
- Cooperate fully with the police and prosecutors. Your help is crucial is solving each case and ultimately obtaining a conviction.


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Large-scale show of la Fura dels Baus exclusively conceived for the Super Bock Super Rock festival premiered on June 2018 in Lisbon. A poetic a metaphoric performance with live music, aerial dance, pyrotechnics, interaction, fire and water to create an unforgettable experience. Show for which I have designed two different dresses, one of a 3 meters and the other of a 8 meters.
Director and composer: Miki Espuma
Producer: Nadala Fernández
Singer: Mariola Membrives
Actors: Joaquín Revenga, Juan Navarro
Lights design : Jaime Llerins
Costume design: Aloma Lafontana
Rigging: Anigami
Photo: Inês Barrau & Nuno Cruz
This is a hat made of lead that I also designed that couldn't be wear for security issues because there was some risk of entanglement with the cables of the giant.
And here you can see the costume test of the 8 meters skirt.


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On Tuesday 13th March 2018 Mr Imri Ahmeti, Mayor of Lipjan Municipality, received the final installment of basic Primary Health Care (PHC) equipment provided by the Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency (SDC) Accessible Quality Healthcare Project. The equipment includes 15 basic items such as weighing scales, blood pressure measurement equipment, as well as equipment for minor surgery, and these 15 items have now been distributed in more than 80 PHC facilities in the 12 municipalities that are supported by the project (Fushe Kosova, Gjakova, Gllogoc, Gracanica, Junik, Lipjan, Malisheva, Mitrovica, Obiliq, Rahovec, Skenderaj and Vushtrri).
In addition, the project has provided the Main Family Medicine Centres in these Municipalities with more specialized equipment including an electro-cardiograph, a non-invasive glucometer and a HbA1c analyzer, which is a machine used to measure a patient's blood glucose level – an important test to detect whether or not patient has a diabetes or if a patient with diabetes is receiving the most effective treatment.
During 2017 a number of PHC doctors formed an Expert Group to work with the project team and an international expert during the procurement process to ensure the quality of the items and the total cost of the equipment is more than €400,000. Dr Agim Krasniqi, Head of the Main Family Medicine Centre in Lipjan Municipality, states "I was a member of the Expert Group and I am very happy that today we can celebrate the distribution of this essential equipment to all 81 PHC facilities that are supported by AQH Project.
The equipment will help our Family Medicine doctors to provide a better quality service for patients. Now, for the first time in Kosovo, doctors in these 12 Main Family Medicine Centres will be able to carry out HbA1c testing which is the most effective investigation for the diagnosis and management of diabetes.
We will also be able to do a heart tracing in the Main Family Medicine Centre if needed so that we don't have to send the patient to hospital for this investigation and the non-invasive glucometer will be used to test the patients' blood glucose level without them having to have a blood sample taken".


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Thigh protection for HS MULTI-PROTECT
Patent pending. 65 cm long, protects against both cut and knee injuries with hedge trimmers. Highly effective, pleated cut protection material attached to a rigid, smooth and breathable lower layer.
Thigh protection for HS MULTI-PROTECT£62.00*
* Manufacturer's recommended retail price updated as of February 2020. The manufacturer's recommended retail prices are subject to change without notice.
The version(s) available in each country may differ from the above range and specifications; specific details may be subject to change without notice. Please ask your local STIHL Approved Dealer for further information.


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Sekiro Shadows Die Twice Sunken Valley Walkthrough Guide will help you navigate through the region so you can progress through your main story.
This is the area that you should consider completing before heading facing the final boss. In Sekiro Sunken Valley, you will locate Gun Fort Shrine Key, fight a few mini-bosses, and finally face off against the Guardian Ape.
Sekiro Shadows Die Twice Sunken Valley Walkthrough
The path to the Sunken Valley goes through the Ashina Castle. Travel to the Ashina Castle – Old Grave Idol and go across the bridge to eavesdrop on the enemies.
Head through the snowy area while killing monkeys along the way and you will arrive at a shrine. Grapple up to the cliffs ahead of you and drop down to the Undershrine Valley Idol.
Sunken Valley
From the Sculptor's Idol, drop down and grapple to the cliff where a rifleman is standing. Deal with the rifleman, proceed to the left, and grapple to the tree branch directly above of you.
From there, grapple to the tree branch where another rifleman is waiting. Kill the rifleman and drop to the right and grapple to the hillside then follow the path until you come across the section where you need to shimmy across.
A little ahead, kill some enemies and interact with the Sunken Valley Idol. From the Sculptor's Idol, face the cliff and you will see platforms below to jump on.
Snake Eyes Shirafuji Mini-boss
Grapple your way through and you will face the Snake Eyes Shirafuji mini-boss. As you grapple through, you will come across an incredible vista, however, you will be faced with many guns faced at you.
Move quickly and jump down, grapple, and you will face the Snake Eyes Shirafuji. Defeat this mini-boss and you will be rewarded with Prayer Bead.
Gun Fort
Now make your way to the Gun Fort. To the left, you can either grapple the tree or climb the wall. While facing the Gun Fort, you will be under heavy fire from rifleman so run for your life.
Moreover, in the middle of the bridge, there is a big hole that you need to dash through then jump and grapple to break the line of sight.
Once you are across the bridge, climb the mountain using the Grappling Hook and kill enemies along the way. Eventually, you will reach the Gun Fort and interact with the Gun Fort Idol.
Go to the cave ahead and you will come face to face with Long-Arm Gentipede Giraffe mini-boss. This mini-boss follows the same principle as the Gentipede that you faced in Senpou Temple.
Defeat it and you will be rewarded with Yellow Gunpowder and Prayer Bead.
Acquiring Gun Fort Shrine Key
The path forward from this point requires the Gun Fort Shrine Key and you cannot proceed without it. The Gun Fort Shrine Key is acquired in the Ashina Castle inside Koru's Room.
Once you have completed the Ashina Castle, Koru will open up the library and the Gun Fort Shrine Key is in the library.
Use the key and cross the bridge and the Great Serpent will attack you and Wolf will fall into the water. Swim your way through and interact with the Riven Cave Sculptor's Idol.
From the Sculptor's Idol, grapple up the tree branches until you reach an area with huge Monk Statues and grapple across the statues until you get to the Bodhisattva Valley Sculptor's Idol and talk to the NPC nearby.
There will be two paths ahead. The Poison Lake path will take you to Ashina Depths but ignore it for now!
Guardian Ape Boss Fight
Guardian Ape boss fight has two phases. While this boss deals a lot of damage but to counter it, the boss cannot block your attacks.
In the first phase, the Guardian Ape uses grappling attacks and if you manage to dodge them and get to the second phase, the boss will start using a sword.
When the Guardian Ape lifts the sword to drop it down on you, you will have an opening to deflect that attack which will stun him and will give you the opportunity to land a few attacks.
However, you will not be able to deflect all of its attacks so be careful. After you have defeated the Guardian Ape interact with the Watering Hole Sculptor's Idol and enter the cave and you will find the flower.
If you have completed the Ashina Depths then you need to go to Ashina Castle but the Sculptor's Idol will be locked.
You will travel to Abandoned Dungeon and from there you will get to the Ashina Castle for the final battle. If you have not completed the Ashina Depths, then first you need to complete that region before you can face the final boss.
That is all for our Sekiro Sunken Valley Walkthrough Guide with tips on how to get to the Guardian Ape.


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Star Wars: Rebels Premiere Rockets Into Hyperspace
I've been very busy lately, but not too busy to catch the premiere episode of the new Star Wars: Rebels animated series. If what I saw was any indication, we're looking at the start of a new era for the blockbuster space opera franchise.
I tuned into Rebels primarily because I am a die-hard Star Wars fan. I love all six of the movies, I love the Clone Wars animated series, and I have loved many of the toys, video games, comic books and novels that the franchise has produced over the years. Long after other sci-fi franchises have either come to a complete stop or have been content to recycle the same plots over and over again (e.g., Robotech, Star Trek, Terminator, etc.), Star Wars has kept me engaged by expanding and exploring a sweeping, multi-generational saga from a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.
Star Wars: Rebels looks to be a fantastic addition to the saga, and the first that doesn't involve anyone with the last name of "Skywalker". As the title suggests, the series tells the story of a small band of rebels (including a former Jedi, an ace Twil'lek pilot, and a teenage boy who exhibits the early signs of Force sensitivity) as they fight against the Empire on the Outer Rim world of Lothal. It takes place five years before A New Hope, so many details from the original Star Wars trilogy are in abundance in Rebels: TIE Fighters, Stormtroopers, and Star Destroyers are nearly omnipresent on and around Lothal.
The premiere episode is a fun romp that introduces the characters and sets up the series' basic premise and relationships. It makes numerous callbacks to the original trilogy in terms of scenes, dialog, and background music motifs, as well as a few key nods to the prequel trilogy: Obi-Wan Kenobi's warning message to the surviving Jedi in Revenge of the Sith plays a significant role, and there's a line of dialog about "masters and apprentices" towards the end of the episode that mirrors similar dialog about the the Sith at the end of Phantom Menace. The nods to the prequel trilogy serve as a poignant reminder of how much the galaxy has turned against the Jedi, turning Jedis from hunters of the Sith to being ruthlessly hunted by a Sith-led galactic Empire. Furthermore, many of the production team members from the Clone Wars animated series were brought over to work on Rebels and their experience at producing exciting, action-packed CG animated shows in spades. Like the predecessor cartoon, Rebels delivers the kind of space battles, blaster shootouts and lightsaber duels that fans have come to expect from Star Wars.
Even though it is set on Lothal, there are so many places that Rebels can go. So much of the Rebel Alliance's conflict with the Empire was left out of the original trilogy that I can't wait to see what the series has in store for us next. Episode VII can't come soon enough, but Star Wars fans will have plenty to keep them entertained in the meantime with Rebels.
Some of the new--yet very familiar--toys from the Star Wars: Rebels line.


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Aradippou (Αραδίππου) is located at the outskirts of Larnaca and has a population of about 20,000.
Learning Greek – Part 1
You hear so many stories about people who have been living in Cyprus for five, 10, even 20 years and never bothered to learn Greek. I definitely didn't want to become one of them, so I arranged to start classes even before I left the UK. That was in early January. A long eight weeks later, I'm done with beginners' Level A1… and I've learned a lot along the way.
What You Can Expect
Greek uses the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages so what you can expect to get out of Level A1 is pretty standard. In my class we covered things like:
- The alphabet and phonetics
- Greetings and introductions
- About genders
- Some cases (singular)
- Basic expressions and questions
- Some articles and prepositions
- Numbers
- "to be" present tense
- Type A verbs present tense
Essentially, it is all really useful, salt-of-the-earth type stuff, but there is by no means any Greek prowess in my brain at the moment (as you'll see in the mistakes below). Be under no illusions: Greek is tough and you won't learn to speak it in eight weeks.
What You Don't Expect
Right now Greek and I have a love-hate relationship. She drives me crazy because of all her quirks, which I perceive as superfluous because they make my life more difficult:
- I have never looked at a calendar and thought: "You know that these months need? Two names each! Oh, except for August, it's cool with one."
- I already speak two languages fluently, neither of which is highly inflected. Surely all these declensions in Greek only exist to make me unhappy?
- There is no need to give everything a gender. English got it right when it decided to do without during Middle English. I'll blame the Real Academia Española for keeping Spanish with two. But surely three genders is just unnecessarily absurd?
- Why would an alphabet have three letters for I but no U? And, in case those three options don't satiate your short-I needs, you can also make the same sound with three extra vowel combinations: ει, οι, υι.
- Forget any concept of autonomous identity you might ascribe to names, because names change in Greek, particularly men's names. So when I talk about my husband he is Σίμος. But when I talk TO him he suddenly becomes Σίμο. Having to remember two names seems like all the hassle of polygamy without any of the perks.
The love part of my relationship with Greek, is still only budding. Truthfully, I love the way it sounds; it is a beautiful language to listen to, particularly the Cypriot dialect with all its funky CH and J noises. And there is a lovely satisfaction whenever I watch TV, listen to the radio or overhear a conversation, and realize that I can understand just a little bit more each day.
Embrace the Mistakes
On their website my Greek school enigmatically states their philosophy as: "Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage". I've interpreted that line from Cavafy's Ithaca to mean: Don't worry about how totally crap you are, just enjoy the journey of learning. So, fortified by their ethos, I've tried to dive into it as unselfconsciously as possible and have, as a result, made an amazing array of mistakes along the way. Here are a few of the situations I've been in, and their relevant lessons:
- When you want to write "very good" but end up with "city good", because they are homophones:
very – πολύ
city – πόλη
- When you want to show off your meager sentence construction skills at a family BBQ and think it'll be nice to tell the small children about your dog, but rather than being impressed that you understand genders, their mother informs you that you've been saying "bitch" repeatedly. No wonder they were giggling so much.
male AND female dogs – σκύλος
- When someone asks you to do some simple arithmetic and your response goes a little something like this: 50 + 20 = week
70 – εβδομήντα
week – εβδομάδα
- When you want to describe someone as a housewife but instead end up saying that "She doesn't work because she is a family".
housewife – οικοκυρά
family – οικογένεια
- When, in response to "how are you?", your teacher replies with a new word and then goes on to ask if anyone knows what it means. You rapidly scan your mental vocab bank and remember the word from last week's lesson on punctuation. You realise it makes no sense, so confusedly ask in English whether that wasn't the same word as "period". At which point everyone, including yourself, erupts in laughter because you realise you've just asked the male teacher if he is menstruating.
perfect – τέλεια
period – τελεία (which, incidentally, is only used for the punctuation)
What to Consider
Despite my frequent bursts of frustration, I am really enjoying learning Greek and would certainly recommend it to other expats. There are a lot of options for learning though, so everyone should weigh up which is best for their schedule, budget and learning-style. I decided to pay for group lessons because I knew that they would be the most effective for me in terms of speed and cost-efficiency.
I'd tried at-home CD/book programs before, thinking I could learn some Greek to use on holidays but, when you have no pressure to study regularly, or people to practice with and ask questions to, you aren't going to learn much and you will retain even less. Using language is inherently interactive, so learning in a group setting, where I was forced to react and contribute has been valuable. It is also cheaper than having private tuition.
I know that the Cypriot Ministry of Education offers free Greek lessons, but after a bit a research I found that these have a reputation for large classes and varying teaching quality. They also only run twice a week.
So, instead, I chose to go with Learn4Good Larnaca, essentially because I'd heard through the Cypriot grapevine (eg, my father-in-law spoke to a neighbor, whose daughter's friend's cousin had taken classes) that they were good and I have not been disappointed. In fact, I've masochistically signed up for Level A2 with them as well, so we shall see how the love-hate relationship develops!
Pic of the Week
5 Lessons for a Reluctant Minimalist
Unlike many people that follow a minimalist lifestyle – the voluntary practice of simplifying one's life by reducing material possessions – I currently find myself following its principles quite involuntarily. Having moved to Cyprus two months ago, I've been living out of the contents of one suitcase and one carry-on, while I waited for all my other worldly possessions to float over on a leisurely-paced container ship.
When I told my friends and family that it could take up to three months for my things to arrive the reactions I got were of shock. Disproportionately so, I thought; surely, it's like a long vacation! But then I started to pack, and that's when the really shocking thing happened: I'd moved house plenty of times but this time… whether it was because my things were going to another country, because it would take so long, or because their safety would be out of my control… I was not happy. There was a resentment at having to part with MY STUFF. Suddenly, I felt a deep attachment to that Dala horse I'd bought in Stockholm; I couldn't see myself doing without the sushi set I'd used once in four years; and how would I cope with an abridged repertoire of dresses for date-nights!?
Well, I'd seen enough episodes of "Hoarders" to know that that is not the type of relationship I want to have with my things. If I can feel any degree of separation anxiety towards my Moroccan nightstands, then I have no business thinking that the old lady with 5,000 dolls should just throw them away and get over it.
So, rather than feeling like I was being forced to do without, what if I treated the next few months as a minimalist experiment? Sure, living out of a suitcase isn't quite the same as joining the tiny house movement or taking up The Compact for a year, but I figured there would still be some interesting lessons, and this is what I've gotten out of it so far:
ONE: Materialism is a State of Mind
Before all this, I would have said that I probably score below average on materialism (controlling for variables like being a product of 80's-90's USA). I don't ever go out shopping "just for fun". I like having a budget, and buying pretty but functional things when I need them, or when I can imbue them with sappy significance (like a Dala horse that reminds me of the trip to Sweden).
But retail therapy or compulsive shopping, aren't the only ways in which people use stuff as a psychological crutch- everyone's crutch can be different and it's been good to figure out mine. Giving my things TOO much significance was creating a different form of attachment: the Dala horse, for example, the bronze owl from Athens, the carnival mask from Venice, had come to represent my love of travel, and I realised that, by extension, I have a tendency of connecting my stuff with my identity. But I am not my stuff. Just like the balding man with a mid-life crisis and a new convertible is not suddenly 25 again.
TWO: Shifting Focus
If lesson number one was "I am not my stuff", lesson number two consisted in answering "then, what IS me?". In response, I decided to shift focus towards things that I enjoy doing or trying, rather than the things I own and want. In the past two months, for example, I've :
- started working back up to 10k runs
- completed the A1 Greek language level
- done an online study
- read two novels
- written a piece of flash fiction
Clearly, then the answer to question two is: "nerdy with a dash of jock". But without getting into a whole other mindfulness-style debate on the difference between "being" and "doing", and whether the latter should really constitute your identity, the fact is that refocusing on activities I enjoy and/or am good at has felt a lot more fulfilling and will bring a lot more long-term joy than dedicating the same time, money, and energy on material things.
Three: Contentment and Gratitude
Despite my initial tantrum, living with less stuff hasn't actually been very difficult. There's been very few moments when I've missed specific objects or really needed something I hadn't thought to pack along. Instead, I've mostly found myself just being happy with what I have… and borrowing the rest when needed.
By extension, I've found myself giving a lot more thanks:
- for the things I have with me, because they are finite and yet get the job done perfectly well;
- for the things that aren't with me, because I am lucky enough to own superfluous nice things, when so many people in the world can't;
- for the lovely people that lend me stuff, because sometimes a girl just needs a hairdryer;
- for the free (but priceless) things, because I'm able to spend more time with my father-in-law, or admire nature on sunny hikes by day and stare up at the constellation-filled skies of Cyprus by night, or simply because it's warm enough to go find rocks at the beach.
FOUR: Humility and Perspective
But then last week we finally got an update from our shipping company saying that our things had arrived (early!) – forget all this minimalism nonsense, let's unpack my lovely stuff! I was so excited.
Except that when we finally unlocked the storage locker, I was faced with just a solid wall of boxes and furniture, floor-to-ceiling. Aside from disappointingly only being able to make out a fraction of things that happened to be right at the front, I was also suddenly struck with a crazy realisation: all of those material possessions that I had given so much importance to were tightly packed within the humble dimensions of less than 10 cubic meters.
Seeing my things like that was incredibly humbling. Had that container ship sunk into the Mediterranean, my possessions would very literately have been a drop in the
ocean sea. Not only did all of my things seem incredibly small in relation to the world and my life at that moment, but I thought back to the past few months I'd spent without them and suddenly felt that, if necessary, I could confidently go on without them.
FIVE: Decluttering for Good
With the inevitable purges that come with two house moves in four years, our stuff is at a pretty stream-lined state at the moment, and I've come to the conclusion that I'd like to keep it that way as much as possible.
I'll be living as an expat for the foreseeable future, and what I want is to have adventures: to divide my time up between the many countries I call home and to have amazing experiences with the people I love in them. And material things – no matter how pretty and functional and meaningful they may be – have a tendency to accumulate and bog down life, spatially and financially, rather than help make it more flexible and intrepid.
Pic of the Week
As the third largest city in Cyprus, with a population of about 5o,ooo, Larnaca was named after the large number of sarcophagi (larnax) found in the area.
Wine and Dine: Maqam Al Sultan
Every February, the only thing I find crazier than the people who go overboard on Valentine's Day, is their antithesis the love-Scrooge militia throwing around words like "rampant consumerism". Calm down everyone. As long as whatever you do is reasonably within your budget and lifestyle (it's not just about romance, you can show love – for free or otherwise – to family and friends too!), why not get into the spirit and have some fun?
With that ethos in mind, this year I ended up having one of the best value-for-money Valentine's Day meals I've ever had. It was at Maqam Al Sultan, a Lebanese restaurant right on the Larnaca seafront. Being so close to the point of origin, I had high expectations for Lebanese food in Cyprus – apparently Lebanese trading schooners would anchor in Larnaca Bay as late as the 1950's, not far from where the restaurant now sits.
Still not used to "Cypriot dinner time", my table was booked for 7pm and at that hour the restaurant was virtually empty – that did not last long though, and later in the night there were a lot of parties being politely turned away at the door, despite the restaurant being quite spacious with indoor and outdoor areas, all of which were flamboyantly decorated for the occasion.
They were offering a special menu, which we knew would include a mezze, a main course, dessert and a bottle of wine for €65 per couple (a price unheard of in the US or UK on a Valentine's Day weekend). So we had expected the mezze to be more of a sharing platter-type starter, but it was a full on mezze with 15 dishes. All the little plates were good, but what I most enjoyed was that they offered popular dishes like tabouleh and falafel, alongside dishes I'd never tried before like sambousek lahme, batata harra and rahib.
By the time the mezze was over we were actually already full and having serious doubts over our ability to ingest the main courses, and we could overhear other tables having the same struggle. We'd picked the ouzi, a slow cooked lamb dish served over rice mixed with ground meat and crushed nuts, and the pomegranate molasses and pistachio-encrusted salmon fillet. They were delicious but huge portions, so once we managed to make a decent dent into them and the belly dancers started, we decided to just sip some wine and share a shisha before tackling the dessert.
When the dessert did come, it was (thankfully) a dainty portion of ashtaliyeh, a kind of rosewater panna cotta, which was light enough to let us walk gracefully out onto the Finikoudes Promenade at the end of the evening rather than being forcefully rolled.
The quality (and quantity of food) for the price was extraordinary, especially considering the attentive service and the night's entertainment. I would certainly recommend Maqam Al Sultan for a meal out in Larnaca, and next time I'm there I might even be persuaded to get up and join the belly dancers!
Pic of the Week
Painted Lady
As one of the most widespread butterfly species, the Painted Lady can be seen in Cyprus year-round, and as many as 42 million can pass through the island each year as part of their migration.


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Environmental and Economic Innovation Since 1998.
Delta Institute is a nonprofit that collaborates with communities to solve complex environmental challenges across the Midwest.
Delta Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization formed in 1998 that envisions a region in which all communities and landscapes thrive through an integrated approach to environmental, economic, and social challenges. Working with our partners, we identify opportunities for environmental solutions and design, test, and share solutions that yield social, environmental, and economic benefits for communities.
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312 462 3420
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Jack Eskin manages projects in Delta Institute's Green Infrastructure portfolio and provides programmatic support for the Resilient Communities initiative area, including urban redevelopment and brownfield revitalization projects. Prior to joining Delta Institute, Jack served as the Deputy Director of Redevelopment for the City of Gary, Indiana, where he oversaw land use planning, green infrastructure, brownfield redevelopment, and transportation projects. Jack holds a B.A. in Comparative Literature from the University of Massachusetts, and a Master's in Urban Planning & Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. In his free time, Jack enjoys hiking, biking around town, exploring restaurants, listening to music, and being a dad.
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As Director of Finance and Operations for Delta, Helen is responsible for all of the financial, administrative and operational aspects of the organization. She brings more than 15 years of experience in a leadership capacity in accounting and administration in the nonprofit, government, and private sectors. A native of Chicago, Illinois, Helen holds a B.S. in Accounting from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee and M.S. from Keller University in Accounting and Financial Management. In her spare time, she loves football (GO STEELERS!), traveling, and playing with her dog.
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As Senior Specialist, Olga utilizes analytical approaches and data analysis and visualization to facilitate the development and implementation of projects in Delta's ecosystems portfolio. She leads projects that connect innovative solutions and measurable outcomes on the landscape, particularly in freshwater ecosystems. Prior to joining Delta Institute, she served as the Research Manager for Alliance for the Great Lakes, providing analytical and research support for policy work and managing the academic network for the organization. Before the position at the Alliance for the Great Lakes, she conducted photo-catalysis research at Northwestern University in the Environmental Engineering Department. Olga holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University. Olga grew up in Russia, and has lived within two blocks of Lake Michigan shoreline since moving to Chicago in 2002.
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As Finance & Operations Assistant, Mackenzie provides interdepartmental support to Delta staff, specializing in HR, accounting, operations, and executive assistance. Prior to joining Delta, Mackenzie worked for a financial management services company that specialized in real estate investment. She has a B.S. in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Sciences with a certification in Professional Event Management from Texas A&M University. In her free time, Mackenzie enjoys camping and tries to visit at least one national park a year. She also enjoys hanging out with her dog, Quincy, eating Mexican food, and traveling home to visit her family in Texas.
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Reilly Manz joined Delta's Program Implementation team after spending nearly three years as a policy and communications specialist for a bi-national, interstate compact agency tasked with convening the region's stakeholders for the responsible stewardship of Great Lakes resources. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and has over three years of experience conducting policy research and strategic engagement across sectors in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. He grew up in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and enjoys skiing, photography, and clean drinking water. Occasionally, you might find him rollerblading Chicago's lakefront.
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Patrick T. Murphy, CFRE serves as Delta Institute's Senior Specialist, Development. Patrick is a PhD student in Public Policy and Administration at Walden University. He holds a MS in Nonprofit Management from the Spertus Institute of Jewish Learning and Leadership and a BA in Theatre from Loyola University Chicago. He is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE).
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Margaret is an environmental engineer responsible for project management, implementation and development of sustainability-related projects in the Resilient Communities initiative area. Her work focuses on community-based vacant property and brownfield redevelopment (from initial site acquisition and investigation through site cleanup, interim reuse, and permanent redevelopment), working with local communities to assess air quality, stakeholder relationship/partnership building, and community engagement. Margaret received a B.S. in Mathematics from Purdue University and an M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Margaret plays the violin, loves volunteering at By the Hand and has two adorable house rabbits.
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Bill Schleizer is the CEO of Delta Institute, a Chicago-based nonprofit focused on thriving communities and landscapes. He drives strategy, development, and engagement while collaborating with communities across the Midwest to solve complex environmental challenges. He has over 18 years of experience in systems and policy analysis, environmental science, ecosystems and consulting and serves on the Advisory Board for Loyola University Chicago's Institute of Environmental Sustainability. He earned his bachelor's degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology and Environmental Studies from Tulane University and his master's degree in Environmental Analysis and Decision Making from Rice University. He hails from Stevens Point, Wisconsin and is a trivia champion who loves a challenge.
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As Finance and Operations Senior Specialist for Delta, Katherine is responsible for administering the financial and operational aspects of the organization and assisting with grant management and I.T. She has worked in non-profits for her entire career, including a family foundation, a university, and smaller programmatic organizations, totaling 15 years of experience in the field. Katherine grew up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., and stayed in Chicago after receiving her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Chicago. She loves spending time with her husband and their dog, doing DIY projects, and catching up on TV and movies.
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As Senior Programs Associate, Megan Walton works on projects related to waste reduction and resilient communities. Prior to joining the programmatic team, Megan worked on the Finance and HR team at Delta Institute. Megan holds a B.A. in Art History from Trinity University in San Antonio and an M.S. in Public Service Management with a graduate certificate in Metropolitan Planning and Development. Out of the office, Megan enjoys reading, riding her bike, and traveling, and particularly enjoys exploring the Great Lakes region.
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Objective To compare responsiveness based on item response theory (IRT) with that based on conventional scoring for two patient-reported outcomes measures in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS); the short disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (QuickDASH) measure, and the 6-item CTS symptoms scale (CTS-6).
Study Design and Setting Prospective cohort study of patients with CTS undergoing carpal tunnel release at one orthopedic department. Of 455 consecutive patients, 343 completed the QuickDASH and the CTS-6 before and within 1 year after surgery. IRT-based and conventional scores were compared in subgroups according to global rating of change in hand status and treatment satisfaction. The effect size (ES) and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used as measures of responsiveness.
Results The mean value for the IRT-based QuickDASH estimate was −0.09 (standard deviation [SD] = 1.13) preoperatively and −2.14 (SD = 1.79) postoperatively (ES = −1.8) and for the CTS-6 estimate was 0.29 (SD = 1.36) preoperatively and −3.87 (SD = 2.3) postoperatively (ES = −3.1), indicating very large improvement. The ES for the QuickDASH and CTS-6 were very large (−2.4 and −3.8), respectively, in the group with the largest perceived improvement and decreased with lower perceived improvement. The ES was consistently larger with IRT-based scoring than conventional scoring. The AUC for the QuickDASH and CTS-6 exceeded 0.85.
Conclusion IRT-based scoring showed high responsiveness for the QuickDASH and CTS-6, and the ES were larger than those estimated using conventional scoring.


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Next-generation iPad Pro (10.5-inch) (2nd generation), which has narrow frame specifications as information from suppliers and there is a possibility that the housing size may be slightly smaller, has a height of 247.5 mm, a width of 178.7 mm, a thickness of 6 mm, and the same I talk that iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (3rd generation) seems to be 280 mm in height, 215 mm in width and 6.4 mm in thickness.
Also, the diamond cutting process of the edge part is applied not only to the front but also to the back; it seems to be designed like a huge iPhone SE.
The microphone-equipped on the top of the head and the upper part of the back seems to be a stereo microphone specification with two microphones at the top of the head.
RECOMMENDED READ: The new iPad Pro is the first Apple tablet with HDR on screen
Although it seems that 3.5mm headphone jack will disappear from the new iPad Pro 2018, Lighting – 3.5 mm headphone jack adapter does not seem to be bundled because iPad series differs from iPhone and EarPods is not included.
Because it turns into Touch ID and Face ID is installed, it is impossible to unlock the main unit sideways, or when the position of the Smart Connector (previously located on the side) has been moved to the lower rear side – close to the Lightning connector.
For this reason, the new iPad Pro 2018 Smart Keyboard may be changed to vertical position specifications.
The next iPhone 6.1 LCD model adopts the "FULL ACTIVE" display which has a narrow four-sided frame, and the 3rd generation "Japan Pixel Eyes" touch sensor system of Japan Display. However, very high precision production is required. When mass production started in July, we are faced with a problematic situation of 1% completion rate, and the parties concerned expected that it would be shipped by November 2018 at the earliest.
Ikechukwu Onu is a writer, front-end dev, and digital junkie with a profound interest in all things tech. When not reviewing gadgets or apps, he enjoys contributing in groups and forums, tinkering with websites, and hanging out with friends.


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Free USA Shipping. Get $10 off your first order - click here >
You might also like a Sword Stand. New: Add Engraving here.
Clothed in green, covered in white, and capped with gold, this Tanto can be a splendid companion for a Katana, though it holds its own just as well.
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Blade: The blade of this sword is hand forged and finished with 12 stages of polishing and sharpening. The steel used is high quality carbon steel, which is very pure, and keeps its edge very well.
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USA orders: Take on average 7-20 business days to arrive, after being dispatched from our warehouse. It can take longer from time to time, and during busy periods such as Christmas.
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I have been playing the Beta/Demo for the last few days. I have been happily surprised. It brings me back to some of the older games, such as Meat Puppet, Abuse, and Machine Hunter. The only issues I've had are:
- if I leave the game running for a while, and come back, it freezes. When it freezes, I can CTR-ALT-DEL, and select task manager, but the Synthetik red page overrides everything, and I cannot see the task manager page to close it. I have to hard reset to get out of it. This has happened several times, on two machines, both running Windows 10.
- I see mention of different ammunition types, and have unlocked the option, but do not see anything supporting that. Is that because of the Beta/Demo?
- I am a casual gamer; my hard core gamer days are past, but I can typically hold my own in Arma3. However, I have only been able to get past the F22 once, and only lasted one level after that point. That's with all modifiers off. In the shooting gallery, I can get around 4th-5th level. I find the rarity of health and the lack of save very frustrating at some points. Again, that's me. My 9 year old daughter has enjoyed it a little, but was very quickly frustrated at the inability to get past a few levels.
Overall, well done. Keep up the good work.


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How to Grow Garlic in Atlanta Georgia?
I have a hole about 2 feet deep and 3 feet long that I filled with soil that was meant for gardening. The surrounding soil is our usual red clay.
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Here is an article or two that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/garlic/growing-garlic-how-to-plant-and-grow-garlic-in-your-garden.htm
This article will help with amending your clay soil: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/how-to-improve-clay-soil.htm
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Visual Art – Connecticut, CT
Hi my names Christian, im a Graphic Designer, im a 24 year old Artist from Bridgeport CT and finishing up my last semester at Paier College of Art. I would say my style is adaptable, I love graphics and how interchanging it is with any media. My background is in Fine Arts though so im pretty wicked with a pencil/brush in my hand too. ...more


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Do you remember growing up by staying outside until the street lights came on? I knew I needed to be inside when the street lights cut on. If my mom yelled my first name, I needed to be rounding the corner, however, sometimes I would push the edge. If my Mom managed to get to my middle name, I was in t-r-o-u-b-l-e!!
We played so many games and I would be hot, sweaty and would drink from the water hose. We would spend time swimming (I grew up in Miami and everyone in our neighborhood had in-ground pools), playing hide n seek, swinging statues, and tag. We were very fit needless to say. I miss those days of being very active and not a care in the world other than being tagged!
We live in a society that is very technologically advanced. Groceries can be delivered to your door, Amazon (anything you need?), GrubHub, Door Dash, Shipt, etc. Our neighborhood is pretty quiet, however, there are plenty of children because I see them get onto the school bus. Why are they not outside playing? Are they really staying inside? How much is too much screen time? Screen time includes tablets, television, game systems, cell phones, etc. I limit my son, which fortunately he is not into gaming but sometimes we binge watch television. I try to get us out by gardening, walking, swimming, hiking, or even window shopping. If you don't bring your wallet, you won't get in any trouble. LOL. I would rather be outdoors, even doing chores than being inside. We really enjoy people watching and will sit on the front porch sipping sweet tea or lemonade.
Childhood obesity is on the rise. I recall when I was in school there might one or two kids that had a weight issue. Now when I am at the school I amazed at how many children, from elementary to high school, are overweight. With that comes all the other health concerns like diabetes, asthma, heart issues, high blood pressure, high cholesterol just to name a few. Not to mention other factors like being bullied in school or online. Below I saw an interesting article about childhood obesity.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20354827
What makes it partly difficult is that a salad actually costs more than cheeseburgers and fries. There is something seriously wrong with that picture!! It should never be to the point where getting a good, healthy nutritious choice is sacrificed because of a financial need.
I was excited when Noah started high school because I just knew that there would be a salad bar. I was wrong. Unfortunately, if you don't like what is being served that day, the school will let you have a sack lunch. Sandwich, chips, and milk. Most of the meals here are pizza and a cinnamon roll. Or a chicken "bowl" with bread. Very few options. It really makes no sense to me. I do try and balance our meals out. I shop via the sales that are on and plan our menu based on sales. I stock up on meat whenever it is a really good sale. We also do a meatless night once per week. Every little bit helps and by cooking at home, I am aware of what is going into our food (and our budget).
I would like to encourage you to get outdoors more. We need that Vitamin D naturally. In 20 minutes you can get your necessary Vitamin D. That isn't long, is it? I am trying to walk more before the weather changes and then I guess I will be doing the treadmill once the cold weather is too much for me.
What are your thoughts? Do you worry about your kiddos not being active? Are things better than they used to be? Is there something you would change?
Heart your lifestyle,


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Search Books
An Evening with Local Author Katherine Reay at The Gallery
Join us as the staff of Lake Forest Book Store welcomes local author Katherine Reay for a book release party at The Gallery.
Wine and appetizers will be served
$45 for individual and $60 per couple
Advance copy books available for purchase and signing
Reservations required. Call 847-234-4420
One of Madeline Cullen's happiest childhood memories is of working with her Aunt Maddie in the quaint and cozy Printed Letter Bookshop. But by the time Madeline inherits the shop nearly twenty years later, family troubles and her own bitter losses have hardened Madeline's heart toward her once-treasured aunt--and the now struggling bookshop left in her care. While Madeline intends to sell the shop as quickly as possible, the Printed Letter's two employees have other ideas. Reeling from a recent divorce, Janet finds sanctuary within the books and within the decadent window displays she creates. Claire, though quieter than the acerbic Janet, feels equally drawn to the daily rhythms of the shop and its loyal clientele, finding a renewed purpose within its walls. When Madeline's professional life takes an unexpected turn, and when a handsome gardener upends all her preconceived notions, she questions her plans and her heart. She begins to envision a new path for herself and for her aunt's beloved shop--provided the women's best combined efforts are not too little, too late. The Printed Letter Bookshop is a captivating story of good books, a testament to the beauty of new beginnings, and a sweet reminder of the power of friendship.
Katherine Reay is the national bestselling and award-winning author of Dear Mr. Knightley, Lizzy and Jane, The Brontë Plot, A Portrait of Emily Price, The Austen Escape, and The Printed Letter Bookshop. All Katherine's novels are contemporary stories with a bit of classical flair. Katherine holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and is a wife, mother, former marketer, and avid chocolate consumer. After living all across the country and a few stops in Europe, Katherine now happily resides outside Chicago, IL. You can meet her at www.katherinereay.com; Facebook: KatherineReayBooks; Twitter: @katherine_reay; or Instagram: @katherinereay.


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Dual 8" inwall passive subwoofer with long excursion graphite woofers and a power handling capacity of 200 watts. Fits in a standard 2x4 stud bay. Designed to be used with the Proficient M3 Amp/Crossover.
Subwoofers. We love what they do for movies and music but hate the way they look. Proficient has the answer: the IWS85 in-wall subwoofer. The IWS85 mounts flush in a 3½-inch-deep wall cavity, just like an ordinary in-wall speaker. The dual slim-profile 8-inch drivers have the equivalent air-moving power of an 11-inch driver.
To power the IWS85, use our M3 subwoofer amp. The M3 goes in your equipment rack and connects with in-wall speaker cable. No matter how you set it up, the IWS85's 30 Hz response and 200-watt power handling ensure you'll get great bass. Includes thin-bezel grilles held by neodymium magnets.
- Passive 8" Inwall Sub
- Woofer: Two 8"Long Excursion Graphite Cone
- Power Handling: 200 Watts RMS
- Frequency ResponseL 30Hz - 120Hz
- Dimensions: H 20 5/16" x W 11 5/8" X D 3 3/4"
- Wall Cut Out: H 19 1/8" X W 10 5/8"
- Replaces IWS82 Inwall Sub
- Includes Thin-Bezel Grille held by Neo Magnets


text:
It is a stimulant drug used to prevent the excessive daytime sleepiness suffered by people with narcolepsy. It may also be used for other conditions, such as depression, fatigue, etc. Much like other stimulants, it has the potential for abuse. It can alter one's mood, thinking and feelings, providing an artificial "boost" and potentially leading to a certain degree of addiction (although discontinuation of the drug does not produce physical withdrawal symptoms).
PrecautionsOne should not take this drug with alcoholic drinks. It is, as for any drug, perilous doing this. If one is allergic to a component of this drug, one should not take it, but the doctor will prescribe an alternative. It may reduce the effectiveness of contraceptive pills. One should not drive while taking this drug, because it may impair one's judgment. People with certain types of heart disease (such as left ventricular hypertrophy) must not take this drug before consulting a physician.
Research is being conducted to understand more what kind of an effect this drug may have on an individual. So far, numerous side-effects have been discovered, and it is always a good thing to weigh the upsides and downsides before using this kind of drug.
Common side-effects of the medicine include: difficulty sleeping, prickling or tingling feeling, dizziness, nausea, nervousness, dry mouth, lung problems, headache, infection, loss of appetite, anxiety, depression, diarrhea, loss of muscle strength, runny nose, sore throat, etc.
Less common side-effects include joint difficulties, difficulty urinating, dry skin, tense muscles, fainting, fever, thirst, tremor, vision problems, low blood pressure, loss of muscle coordination, mood swings, mouth ulcer, neck pain, nosebleed, stiff neck, vomiting, abnormal ejaculation, amnesia, asthma, chest pain, chills, confusion, difficulty breathing, face muscle spasms, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, etc. Psychiatric side-effects include delusions, mania, etc.
Although rare, there may appear certain ocular side-effects (abnormal vision), musculoskeletal (joint disorders), genitourinary (urinary retention), hematologic (eosinophilia), and others.
Also, there have been cases of multi-organ hypersensitivity, where patients typically experience fever and rash associated with other organ system involvement, that is, hematological abnormalities, hepatitis, liver function test abnormalities, myocarditis, etc. If one suspects of multi-organ hypersensitivity, one must immediately cease with taking this drug.
If one has taken too much of the medication, symptoms such as fluttering heartbeat, insomnia, irritability, agitation, anxiety, nervousness, sleep disturbances, slow blood clotting, tremor, nausea, etc. may occur. In that case, one should seek medical help as soon as possible.


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If you do coaching or teaching of any kind – through email, blogposts, webinars, information products or Skype – you've got to be blunt and ruthlessly honest with them.
I know you don't want to hurt their feelings, but telling them only what they want to hear isn't doing you or them any favors.
If you spare their feelings, then you're not being an effective coach.
If you genuinely want to help your readers and students, you've got to tell them the truth, no matter how awkward it might be.
Of course, if you can sandwich the truth between good stuff, that helps a whole lot. For example, "You're doing a beautiful job on this, you need to work on that, and I like the way you handled that thing over there."
Or some such.
Now here's the paradox – when you're wooing new subscribers and selling your entry-level products, you've got to hold back. Don't be as blunt and ruthless. Be gentle and encouraging to build trust.
Does this seem hypocritical?
Maybe, but think about this: Two people tell you that you have lousy taste in clothes and you should get someone to help you the next time you go clothes shopping. The first person who tells you this is a complete stranger. How do you feel about this stranger being so blunt with you? Odds are you'd like to punch him.
The second person is your close friend. You know your friend only has your best interests at heart, and you know it wasn't easy for him to say that. How do you feel now? Maybe a little irritated, but still, you probably feel grateful that he was able to tell you this, so you can maybe do something about the problem.
Be gentle with prospects and brand new customers.
And be blunt with your tribe.
The ones who want to learn will thank you for it. The ones you simply want affirmation of how terrific they are, well… they probably weren't your customers anyway.
After all, if someone thinks he or she is perfect already, then why would they need to buy your products?


text:
Anterior Hip and Groin Pain
|Module 1
|Joint Related Pain and Bony Impingement
This module will explore the sources of nociception, mechanisms, assessment and management of intra-articular anterior hip pain and extra-articular anterior bony impingement.
|Unit 1
|Course Introduction
|Unit 2
|Sources of Nociception and FAI
|Unit 3
|Management of Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome
|Unit 4
|Femoral Morphology
|Unit 5
|Acetabular Dysplasia
|Unit 6
|Capsulolabral Deficiency - Part 1
|Unit 7
|Capsulolabral Deficiency - Part 2
|Unit 8
|Adverse Loading and Joint Protection Mechanisms
|Unit 9
|Extra-articular Bony Impingement
|Module 2
|Soft Tissue Related Pain
This module discusses soft tissue sources of nociception in the anterior hip and groin region, with focus units on mechanisms, assessment and management of iliopsoas related anterior hip pain and groin pain.
|Unit 1
|Introduction to Soft Tissue Related Pain
|Unit 2
|Iliopsoas Related Hip Pain
|Unit 3
|Groin Pain - Part 1
|Unit 4
|Groin Pain - Part 2
|Module 3
|Referred and Nerve Related Pain
Module 3 covers referral sources and peripheral nerve related anterior hip and groin pain.
|Unit 1
|Referred and Nerve Related Pain
|Module 4
|References and Quiz
Here you will find a reference list for the whole course and a quiz - don't forget to complete your quiz to receive your certificate!
|Unit 1
|References and Quiz


text:
WikiLeaks, Press Release, 16 February, 2017: "All major French political parties were targeted for infiltration by the CIA's human ('HUMINT') and electronic ('SIGINT') spies in the seven months leading up to France's 2012 presidential election. The revelations are contained within three CIA tasking orders published today by WikiLeaks as context for its forth coming CIA Vault 7 series.
Named specifically as targets are the French Socialist Party (PS), the National Front (FN) and Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) together with current President Francois Hollande, then President Nicolas Sarkozy, current round one presidential front runner Marine Le Pen, and former presidential candidates Martine Aubry and Dominique Strauss-Khan."
Source: Trust CIA hackers who hack France's election campaign?


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Sonia Di Placido will be offering a Patricia Louise Lowther poetry workshop starting Saturday, September 13, 2014.
The workshop strives to review the full body of works by pioneering feminist poet Pat Lowther (including previously unpublished and posthumous pieces).
Pat Lowther published her first poem in The Vancouver Sun at the age of ten and went on to publish several poetry collections before she gained broader recognition with her posthumous volume, A Stone Diary, published after she was murdered by her husband in 1977. Even today, she remains a huge influence on generations of Canadian poets involved in making a difference.
In this workshop, Lowther will be studied in depth in conjunction with discussions about the following: creating and developing a present-day Poesis, voice, style, tastes, technique and the role of individual emotion/anima/spirit in the act of writing Poetry.
Dates: Saturdays, September 13 – November 29, 2014
Times: 11am – 1:00 pm
Location: Chapel, St. Michael & All Angels Church, 611 St. Clair Ave. West
(Southeast corner of Wychwood Ave. & St. Clair Ave. West)
Online: This workshop is also available virtually with weekly updates and
optional inclusion via Skype.
Sonia Di Placido will also be reading from her poetry collection Exaltation in Cadmium Red. Her upcoming reading dates are:
Sept 13 at 2:50 pm. "Creative on Queen" part of Queen West Art Crawl —
to promote mental health through CAMH and Workman Arts.
Sept 21. Boneshaker Reading Series Tent at Word on The Street between 1 – 2 pm.
Sept 30. Featured at The Art Bar Reading Series 8 pm at the Black Swan Tavern.
Sonia Di Placido is a writer, performer, and artist currently completing the Creative Writing, Optional Residency MFA Program, with the University of British Columbia. She is also a graduate of the Ryerson University Theatre School and holds an honours degree in Humanities from York University. She has worked as a Supernumerary with the Canadian Opera Company and is a member of the Association of Italian Canadian Writers. Sonia has published profile pieces, creative non-fiction, and poems in literary journals and anthologies.
Copies of her poetry collection, Exaltation in Cadmium Red, can be found on the Guernica Website at: http://www.guernicaeditions.com/title/9781550716184


text:
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Year B)
Sentences, adapted from Psalm 125 and Psalm 146
Praise the Lord, people of God!
Glorify the Lord who sets captives free!
We shall praise the Lord as long as we live;
Our God of glory has freed us from the grave!
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
They cannot be moved; they abide forever.
Trust not in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help.
Trust only in the Lord; in the day of the Lord find refuge.
The Lord does good to those who seek justice,
The Lord blesses those who are upright in their hearts.
Our hope is in the name of the Lord
Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them.
Praise the Lord who keeps faith forever.
Call to Confession, adapted from Psalm 125:4-5
Let us turn aside from our crooked ways and from the evil ways of our hearts,
that we may receive the peace of God who shows true mercy.
Prayer of Confession
Trustworthy Lord,
Your name is greater than riches;
Your favor is better than silver and gold.
Even so, we confess our sins before you:
We have taken your name in vain;
We have misplaced your favor for our own benefit.
When we are at work, your glory is far from our hearts.
When we are at home, your success is nowhere nearby.
Have mercy on us, Lord, and rebuke us.
Turn our eyes from judgment and
Turn our hearts from partiality,
That our faith might be kindled once again,
Renewed to your glory and committed to your honor.
In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and
By the power of your Spirit we pray all things.
Assurance of Pardon, from Isaiah 35:1-2
The redeemed of the Lord shall return to Zion.
"The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
The desert shall rejoice and blossom...
They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God."
OR, from Isaiah 35:3-4
"Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those with a fearful heart, 'Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God!'
God shall come and save you."
Prayer for Illumination, from Isaiah 35:5-6
"Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
And the ears of the deaf unstopped;
Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
And the tongue of the speechless sing for joy."
Hymns and Songs of Praise Suggestions
"Those Who Trust (in the Lord)"
"In Christ, There Is No East or West"
"Jesus My Lord, How Rich Thy Grace"
Written by Katherine Lee Baker


text: Hi, i'm just starting to learn python obviously and trying to get this program to run and it comes back as invalid syntax.\r\n\r\nPython 2.6. \r\n\r\nPrint 'hello world' works fine, but i wrote the following program in text wrangler\r\n \r\n#!/usr/bin/python \r\n# Filename : helloworld.py \r\nprint 'Hello World'\r\n\r\nthen opened up a terminal and typed python helloworld.py and it comes back as invalid syntax.\r\n\r\nI'm a right beginner at all this but i've tried numerous different ways of writing it with brackets, quotes, double quotes, spaces etc., and i cant' get anything to work... nor can i seem to find a definitive answer in my search on what python 2.6 syntax is.\r\n\r\nSo basically i feel stuck with no being able to continue working through the guide until i can get this program working. Any help be great.


text:
Virtual desktops go local with VMware Horizon FLEX
VMware will combine existing technologies for Horizon FLEX to deliver offline desktops. But how widespread its use will be remains to be seen.
IT shops looking for an alternative to VDI for BYOPC workers may soon get an option that supports both online and offline virtual desktops -- whether they run on Macs or PCs.
VMware Horizon FLEX offers end users virtual desktops that run locally and support a virtual machine (VM) centrally managed by a policy engine server. It utilizes several existing VMware type-2 hypervisors including Fusion, Workstation and Player.
Horizon FLEX will support both Macs and PCs; Citrix's DesktopPlayer only has a Mac client available and a PC client currently in tech preview. Another vendor, Moka5, offers a similar product that is also based on the Fusion hypervisor.
Horizon FLEX could be most effective for employees who use their personal Macs or PCs for work, or contract workers who need access to corporate information for a predetermined length of time. IT can use Horizon FLEX to manage that access and set an expiration date for the virtual desktop image.
For some organizations, Horizon FLEX is an alternative to both Horizon 6 -- where customers build their own apps and VDI environments inside their data center -- and Horizon DaaS (now rebranded as Horizon Air), which is delivered from VMware's public data center.
David Johnsonanalyst, Forrester Research
Before Horizon FLEX, it was mostly consumers or "prosumers" (consumers using professional products) who used the type-2 hypervisor technology from Fusion that delivers Windows desktops and applications to Macs, said David Johnson, analyst with Forrester Research, based in Cambridge, Mass.
"Putting the enterprise IT management capabilities around [Fusion] is vital," Johnson said. "[VMware has] always provided the tools ... but what's been missing is legitimacy."
Horizon FLEX will get those management capabilities using the policy engine server with features such as remote kill to disable virtual desktops, image expiration, and network and USB controls. Horizon FLEX uses Mirage to manage desktop and application images as layers that admins can update without affecting end-user data or personalization.
Horizon FLEX could lead to simpler device management for IT, especially in companies that encourage bring your own device (BYOD) initiatives that include workers' personal laptops (BYOPC) and Macs.
"Nobody that buys a new Mac or PC or Ultrabook wants to have somebody to come in and rip the operating system off it and put a corporate one on," Johnson said. "This is a better way to do it."
IT administrators can deploy a virtual desktop to personal or corporate-owned desktops without worrying about what is on the underlying hardware with Horizon FLEX, said Jon Howe, systems architect with Parata Systems, a pharmacy automation technology company in Durham, N.C.
"For companies that have a [BYOPC] policy, I can see this as a game-changer for them," Howe said.
Horizon FLEX concerns around memory space, UX
There are some drawbacks to FLEX, however. Some users may not understand having a Windows environment running on top of an existing PC, Johnson said.
"It's not a natural motion," he said. "Even though [VMware] has done a good job with Fusion of working Windows applications into the Mac environment as icons, for example, it's still not something that's going to be seamless."
Another issue could be the memory necessary to run a Horizon FLEX virtual desktop on the physical machine. Admins can deploy Horizon FLEX desktops either through a network or on a USB drive.
"You're going to [need] quite a bit of memory and CPU and drive space to be able to do this, unless you're going to have a USB key hanging off the PC," Johnson said. "A corporate Windows image can be hundreds of [gigabytes] in size."
Memory requirements depend on the needs of the individual organization, however. Most physical machines can handle a VM running basic Microsoft Office and legacy applications, said Matt Kosht, IT director at a utility company in Alaska.
"If you can plan for it, it's not that big of a deal," Kosht said.
VMware expects Horizon FLEX to be generally available later this quarter, and it will be licensed per device at $250. The policy engine server is a lightweight server, and is the only piece of additional hardware shops will need, a company spokesperson said.
VMware adds DaaS DR, CloudVolumes standalone
As part of the rebranded Horizon Air, VMware also plans to add a desktop as a service (DaaS)-based disaster recovery (DR) option. Customers will have access to cloud-hosted desktops and applications in the event of a catastrophic failure or outage, which could reduce the need for physical desktop DR products.
"If you have someone out in the field who [breaks] their machine and you can drop down a new image without them having to bring it in, that's pretty appealing," Kosht said.
Horizon Air Desktop DR will be available this quarter and will be licensed on a per reserved desktop basis starting at $5 per desktop per month. Once a DR event is declared by the customer, VMware will turn on the reserved cloud desktops with an additional weekly charge (based on how many desktops are reserved and their size) while the customer is rebuilding the lost environment.
VMware is also rebranding its recent CloudVolumes acquisition as VMware App Volumes. Later this quarter, it will be integrated with Horizon 6 Enterprise (the highest tier version of Horizon 6) and as a standalone product for $150 per concurrent user. VMware App Volumes will continue to support non-VMware environments, including Citrix.
Also, Horizon Air support will be extended to France and Germany in the first quarter of 2015. It's already making its way to the United Kingdom this year.


text:
Self Managed Superannuation is a growing sector, with the big draw card for many investors being greater control. However with this great control comes an additional administration workload, greater responsibilities and further rules and regulations to keep up with.
To assist you in this complex area, we have specialist knowledge and expertise to provide comprehensive accounting and taxation services for self managed superannuation fund's (SMSF).
MJJ Accounting and Business Solutions is a small business accounting service located on the beautiful Sunshine Coast of Queensland. Contact Us on 07 5451 1118 for an obligation-free confidential discussion today.


text: DaVinci for Microsoft Features List A Comprehensive List of the Most Important Features of Contact Canvas for Microsoft Dynamics Check the boxes on your list of requirements Get Your Features List! First Name*Last Name*Email* PhonePlease include country codeNameThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Prefer to speak to us? Talk to a Specialist Interested in learning more? ⇓ Check out these resources to find out more information… Free Datasheet of Details Understand how it makes your life easier 4 Minute Demo Video A Day in the Life of an Agent with Contact Canvas for Microsoft Case Studies Need some proof? Hear some of our customers' stories


text:
He gave the Stargatelady a quickie!!
The conversation didn't get very far and he blocked me. LOL!! I didn't even get to give him a hard time. He ruined my fun. :)
(formerly the StargateLady Online Dating Blog) The hilarious and true stories of online romance scammers. Read my blog and learn how to spot them. Follow me on Twitter: @PatsyDateOnline Email me at: firstname.lastname@example.com


text: Sometimes inspiration for writing and for art comes from someone very close to us -- a pet. This sketch by Claire G. captures this perfectly. Submit a short piece about your pet via the "Comments" link at the bottom of this post. And, if you have a minute to amble through a great poem, see the poem "Dogs" by published poet Aaron Kramer. It's available for free from The Writer's Almanac, a great website that lets you subscribe to a daily poetry email. This one was published on Tuesday.