text:
OptiCaller Software AB Signs Distribution Agreement with Mexican VAD Neocenter
14 Nov 2014
With this agreement OptiCaller Software expands its worldwide coverage to Latin America
OptiCaller Software AB at AstriCon in Las Vegas, 22-24 October 2014
29 Sep 2014
OptiCaller Software AB will attend the event AstriCon in Las Vegas from October 22-24, 2014. In the conference we are happy to meet you and present our patented solutions for mobile integration with Asterisk. Please book a meeting with us using the link below to ensure a timeslot.
OptiCaller Software AB at VoIP2Day in Madrid 8-9 October 2014
19 Sep 2014
OptiCaller Software AB will participate in the event VoIP2Day in Madrid 8-9 October 2014 in cooperation with our distributor Avanzada 7 which also host the event. In the exhibition you will be able to see OptiCaller Software unique solution with our OptiCaller PBX Connect for Asterisk mobility solution and our patent technology for mobile call optimization.
OptiCaller Software AB Signs Distribution Agreement with ProVu Communications Ltd
02 Jul 2014
With this Agreement OptiCaller Software Expands its Coverage in UK and Ireland
Stockholm, Sweden– July 1st 2014 – OptiCaller Software AB, aleading provider of Cloud-based Mobility Solutions and, ProVu Communications, the specialist distributor of VoIP hardware (www.provu.co.uk), have entered into a distribution agreement to provide OptiCaller's award-winning Mobile Extension solutions to Channels and Customers in UK and Ireland.
OptiCaller Software AB Signs Distribution Agreement with VOIP.PT
16 May 2014
Stockholm, Sweden– April 1rd 2014 – OptiCaller Software AB, aleading provider of Cloud-based Mobility Solutions and, VOIP.PT, a leading Value Added Distributor of Unified Communications solutions (www.voip.pt), have entered into a distribution agreement to provide OptiCaller's award-winning Mobile Extension solutions to Channels and Customers in Portugal.
InnoTel winner of the 2014 Red Herring Top 100 Europe Award
09 Apr 2014
OptiCaller Software AB Signs Distribution Agreement with VAD Avanzada 7
31 Oct 2013
With this Agreement OptiCaller Software starts Business Development in Spain.
OptiCaller Software AB at Mobile AppCamp in Macadonien
02 Oct 2013
Mobile AppCamp is the biggest event in mobility and IT in the Balkans and held in Skopje in Macadonien on 26-27th October. At AppCamp you meet startup companies, developers and investors during two intensive days.
OptiCaller Software AB CEO Mattias Hansson is one of the speakers along with Johan Stael von Holstein, Jure Mikuz, Adnan Berberovic, Dilyan Dimitrov and Vladimir Trajkovik.
Visit AppCamp website: www.mobileappcamp.orgRead more
OptiCaller Software AB at Elastix World in Mexico
02 Oct 2013
OptiCaller Software AB will participate in the event Elastix World in Mexico 14-15th October in cooperation with our distributor Neocenter. In the exhibition you will be able to see OptiCaller Software unique solution with our OptiCaller PBX Connect for Asterisk and our patent technology in mobile call optimization.
Book a Meeting | Read More AboutRead more
OptiCaller Software AB receives funding from the Tillväxtverket
17 Sep 2013
OptiCaller Software AB has been in fierce competition with other companies in Sweden received funding for internationalization from Tillväxtverket.
Mattias Hansson, CEO of OptiCaller Software AB is very pleased with this financing will be used to increase the company's sales abroad. OptiCaller Software AB will be exhibiting at a number of trade fairs abroad and market our Mobile PBX/Centrex , Mobile UC and Mobile call optimization products which is also granted with patents since 1e February 2005.Read more
OptiCaller Software receives EU funding
01 Aug 2013
OptiCaller Software, which develops software for mobile PBX/ Centrex and mobile UC with unique call optimization receives EU funding together with Finnish Peru Tele.
OptiCaller Software innovation around call optimization and data callback is patent approved since 1th February 2005, and enables businesses to reduce their mobile call costs by 45-95% for International calls roaming calls.Read more
OptiCaller Software receives new patent in the United States
27 Jun 2013
OptiCaller Software is pleased to announce the granting of a US patent that underpins its revolutionary software for mobile PBX, mobile UC and mobile call optimization.
OptiCaller Software U.S. patent no 8385949B2 "Method Call Setup Device and Computer Products for Controlling and Setting Up Calls With Reduced Cost" Click HereRead more
Acuity Launches Mobile App Powered by OptiCaller
28 May 2013
United Kingdom, May 21, 2013 - Acuity Unified Communications Limited, one of the UK's leading specialists in the supply of hosted PBX solutions, today launched Acuity Mobile; a business grade Application, enabling the integration of a smartphone with their PBX platform.Read more
OptiCaller Software launches Mobility Router - improve mobility for all PBXs
25 Feb 2013
During Mobile World Congress in 2013, OptiCaller Software will launch a new product OptiCaller Mobility Router.Read more
Asterisk event in Göteborg and Stockholm
13 Nov 2012
OptiCall Software and Olle E Johansson with company Edvina arrange Asterisk event in Stockholm on 28th November and in Göteborg on 29th november. Olle E. Johansson is Europe's "Mr. Asterisk" and has booted Astreisk fair Astricon, with the Asterisk steering committee, responsible for a number of major projects and Asterisk via his company Edvina Asterisk implements programs globally.Read more
OptiCaller Software expands on the Polish market by the distributor Kontel
13 Nov 2012
OptiCaller Software AB has signed distributor agreement with Polish distributor Kontel. Mattias Hannson CEO OptiCaller Software is very pleased to sign the agreement with Kontel is a distributor that has existed for over 20 years and is based in Warzawa. The company is a true family business that has an impressive portfolio of telephony products to the corporate market. The Polish market is currently the fastest growing economy in Europe and we look forward with great confidence in this partnership.Read more
The global distributor Westcon Group distributes Now OptiCaller
13 Nov 2012
OptiCaller Software AB through Westcon Group buying 3XS now become a part of Westcon Group's portfolio. 3XS with founder Walter Ludwig and Gerhard Domes have been a few years built 3XS to one of the most successful distributors in Austria and Switzerland. When Westcon would expand within these geographical areas then became the choice to acquire 3XS.Read more
Anders Hardebring new CEO of AppBooster
20 Oct 2012
AppBooster has quickly won a lot of awards and honors that Vinnova VinnNu and Venture Cup business plan competition where the company was 2nd of the 380st contributions in Venture Cup West Region Final and won the audience award with 47% of votes in the Venture Cup Sweden Final.
AppBooster is a spin-off from OptiCaller Software that has opened up its cloud-based app management / distributor platform for other apps than OptiCaller.Read more
OptiCaller Software launches "OptiCaller PBX Connect for Asterisk" on Asterisk fair VoIP2Day
10 Oct 2012
Open Source Asterisk based switch has quickly become the most widely installed telephone exchange in the world. In South America, Asterisk now has over 50% market share and in the U.S. about 40%.
Among the reference customers include companies such as Google, Ebay and in the Nordic countries are the University of Oslo and the 20st Norwegian municipalities.Read more
SIPGear and OptiCaller with unique mobile switching and support for callback
29 Mar 2012
SIPGear as the magazine Telekom Today was chosen as the best IP switch has now also implemented in OptiCaller Software patents approved callback technology.
Along with OptiCallers software/apps that are developed for all smartphones (Android, iPhone, Symbian, Blackberry, Windows Mobile 6.X and soon Windows Phone 7) are possible to reduce mobile costs by between 40-95% for both calls nationwide and roaming where the callback technology is used.
OptiCaller software has previously also support other SIPGear features:Read more
Swedish startup OptiCaller Software launches mobility module - for Asterisk® at Mobile World Congress 2012
27 Feb 2012
Barcelona, March 27th 2012: At the Mobile World Congress exhibition 2012, OptiCaller Software launches the Opticaller MobileAdapter for Asterisk, a module for mobile integration and call optimization for the Open Source Asterisk* PBX.
OptiCaller MobileAdapter is a software module that integrates the OptiCaller mobile application seamlessly with the Asterisk PBX - and applications built upon Asterisk, like Switchvox, Elastix, FreePBX and many others.Read more
OrecX launches mobile call recording solution based on OptiCaller
27 Feb 2012
At the Mobile World Congress OrecX launches a state of art mobile call recording solutions in cooperation with OptiCaller Software.
OrecX provides customers with an Open Source voice recording application that's easy to install, use, and maintain, and develop an ongoing development platform that ensures a substantially lower cost structure than proprietary voice recorders.
OptiCaller Software provide a flexible software for mobile PBX with a unique call optimization and an powerful app management & distribution system AppBooster.Read more
Innovative operator, InnoTel, launches cost saving services based on OptiCaller software
22 Feb 2012
The operator InnoTel launches its unique enterprise operator service SmartCaller during Mobile World Congress. SmartCaller is based on OptiCaller Software patented technology and provides the following customer benefits:
- International call through, which reduces mobile callcosts by 40-95%.Read more
OptiCaller Software is optimized towards Telenor ONE mobile PBX
01 Dec 2011
Telenor ONE is Telenor's mobile exchange service which is developed to give a company an exchange service in witch only thecell phone is used. One of the limitations in Telenor ONE is that the service does not include a mobile client/software.Read more
Innovaphone and OptiCaller Software offers unique Mobile PBX and call optimization.
07 Nov 2011
innovaphone is an industry leader in IP-PBX and Centrex systems which is possible to virtualize with VMWare has implemented OptiCaller Softwares patented Call-Back technology.Read more
OptiCaller for Blackberry available in Beta version
07 Sep 2011
After alot of requests from customers especially located in the USA, Germany, England and France we have decided to develop OptiCaller for the mobile platform Blackberry.Read more
OptiCaller Software receives patent in the USA
06 Sep 2011
OptiCaller Software's unique technology for call optimization with a mobile phone and possibility to place call from a website via data Call Back is now patented within the USA. These patents have since earlier been accepted in Sweden since february first 2005.Read more
OptiCaller Software + Aastra PBX's
24 May 2011
OptiCaller Software is developed to fit Aastra MXOne and other Aastra PBX'sRead more
OptiCaller Software på Android Market
22 May 2011
OptiCaller Software is now certified and uploaded to the Android MarketRead more
OptiCaller offers a state of the art mobile PBX together with Innovaphone
10 May 2011
OptiCaller Software is now available in a special edition to fit the Innovaphone perfectlyRead more


text:
I'm reblogging part two of Arnaldo Arnáiz's podcast with chemist-historian Pío Andrade, Jr. You may listen to part one right here. Learn and enjoy.
This is the second installment of my conversation with historian cum chemist extraordinaire Pio Andrade Jr. I divided the 3 hour podcast and edited the gaps and dead air last year. I published the first part last January and shelved the second part for later publication—I thought I lost it only to find out that I backed it up (oddly, the only copy I made!) on one of my thumb drives.
Here the Paracale historian talks about the Catholic church's legacy, Quezon's corrupting influence, origin of the "pork barrel," Agoncillo as historian, Aguinaldo and Gen. Luna, early 20th century Filipino Justice's delicadeza and so many other historical tidbits about us Filipinos.
The University of Florida alum also discussed the origin of towns and places name; How most of it have botanical if not zoological origins. We should stop telling our children those fancy legends but I must confess that I find them too…
View original post 248 more words

subset: commoncrawl


text:
HOT BUY: Mini Ghana Dress ($495) by Alice By Temperley
This dress features a deep V neck and an exposed front zip. Rhinestones at zip pull and pleats at banded waist. Slant pockets at hip and pleating at padded shoulders. Rhinestones, paillettes, and metallic stitching at short puff sleeves.
Please note that this post may contain one or more sponsored links. If you happen to shop using these links, Mama's A Rolling Stone will receive a commission from the store.


text:
Girls, I know you can relate to this. Guys (do any guys read this?), just pretend to empathize for a moment. I may have worn an outfit 8,234 times before and been perfectly happy and comfortable in it. This does not mean, however, that it's impossible for me to try on said outfit for the 8,235th time and suddenly think it looks ugly/makes me look fat/makes me look pale, etc. Why is this?
I'm assuming this is all mental considering my body has not changed in 2 years, let alone in the 2 months since I probably last wore the outfit. Nonetheless, I found it completely necessary to huff and puff after trying on each outfit and boldly declare to Brian that, "I HAVE NO CLOTHES! I HAVE LITERALLY NOTHING TO WEAR!" At which time he rolled his eyes and went back to watching baseball. And this is marriage in a nutshell.
Regardless, I eventually (1.5 hours later) put together a few satisfactory outfits and decided I was done with packing for the night… minus a quick trip to Target to find some more flip flops because "all of my flip flops are ugly and they don't match any of the outfits I picked out." Brian, pretending that I am even remotely rational, kindly went with me and even pretended to be interested as I weighed the pros and cons of flip flop # 1 vs. flip flop # 2. I would like to pat myself on the back, by the way, as I showed great restraint and did not even STOP when we walked by the One Spot, and though I ogled at some new dresses that they have, I didn't try on a thing. Now that is self-control.
To reward me for finally finishing packing and to reward Brian for putting up with me, we rounded off the evening with a quick trip to Chick-Fil-A where Brian ordered an Oreo milkshake and I settled on an Ice "dream" cone. And let me tell you, it was dreamy. Not as dreamy as an Oreo milkshake with whipped cream and a cherry on top, but certainly better than the Fat Free Snack Pack pudding waiting for me at home.
Oh, and just to clarify the purpose of this trip: we are first making a trip to Plainfield, Indiana, to visit our friends, Sara and Clayton Callen. Sara was a Chi Omega with Allison and me at A&M, and we also co-led a college Sunday School class together at our church in College Station. She is a great friend, and we were very honored to be bridesmaids in her wedding to Clayton last September. We have gotten to hang out with Clayton a few times and he is also wonderful… even if he declared that his favorite food is "beans." Who says that?! Anyway, they are moving to Kansas City in a few weeks so we are glad we were able to squeeze in a visit before they peaced out of town!
So we are spending Thursday-Saturday morning in Plainfield, and then driving to Chicago (3 hours away) for the rest of the weekend. The Callens are going to join us for Saturday and then they have to leave to get back to the real world on Sunday. So we'll spend the rest of Sunday (a very important day, don't forget!) and Monday solo in Chicago before heading back to Texas.
I assure you that fun times will be had by all. I likely won't be blogging while we're gone, UNLESS Allison and I get the urge to blog together at the hotel or something… you just never know! But seriously, don't be disappointed if it doesn't happen, because if the internet is not free at our hotel, it's likely that these 2 frugal twins will not be connected. So just in case, try not to miss us too much!


text:
Credit: Martin Gardlin
Research, Op-Eds, Commentary, Interviews
Contracting out and Privatization
Latest: Firms Linked to Foreign Bribery Have Given Advice on Transit Crisis, CityLimits, June 7, 2017
May Day
May Day: Thinking Twice About Automation, Counterpunch, 2017
May Day: a Trade Agreement to Unite Third World and American Workers, Counterpunch, 2016
May Day: the Time for the 8-Hour-Day is Now, CounterPunch, 2015
Workers and Employers and May Day, Counterpunch, 2014
The Promised Land: Immigration (for Jews)Israeli Style, CounterPunch, 2006
Chetty and Kane: Biased and Misleading Research, Dressed up Results
Chetty-Adler-AER Correspondence, May 3-7 2014
Review of Measuring the Impacts of Teachers by Chetty et al. National Education Policy Center, April 10, 2014
findings vs. interpretation in "the long-term impacts of teachers" by chetty et al. education policy analysis archive, February 1, 2013
Education and Poverty, The Boao Review, July, 2013
Grading Teachers, Failing Kids, Counterpunch, Sept. 14, 2012
Scapegoating Teachers, Counterpunch, Feb. 14, 2012
Radio Interview by Tim Hansel, WORT 89.9, WI, May 14, 2014
A Review of "Divided: The Perils of Our Growing Inequality," Edited by David Cay Johnston, The Boao Review, May 8, 2014
A Blueprint for Change, Boao Review, July 2012
How to Occupy Wall Street, Counterpunch, October 25, 2011
Wall Street Revolt, interview and students' views, SBS Dateline October 6, 2011 (interview: 9:30-11:43)
Without a Debt Deal, Obama Can Make the Rich Pay, Truthdig, July 29, 2010
You Need a Raise, Truthdig, June 1, 2010
'Say on Pay' Won't Prevent Bonus Gluttony, Truthdig (February 18, 2010)
Bringing Overpaid Executives to Heel, The Los Angeles Times (January 4, 2010)
Neo Classical Economics: International Encyclopedia of Organization Studies, Sage Publications, 2008
Bailing Out Wall Street Won't Save Main Street
Counterpunch, September 26, 2008
Interview, Radio Free Mississippi, September 26, 2008
Employees as Regulators--interview on Tough Talk--CNNfn (February 6, 2003)
2. Transcript
Employees as Regulators--The New York Times (January 27, 2003)
How to Reduce Unemployment, Rebuild the Middle Class and Free Ourselves From Wall Street, Counterpunch, October 28, 2009
Keynes: China's Greatest Export Counterpunch, November 14, 2008
The Crimes of Microsoft: Guilty in the US, Just as in Europe-- Counterpunch (October 1, 2007)
Microsoft: Short-Term Savings, Long-Term Headaches--The Los Angeles Times (April 23, 2002)
Microsoft, Interview, All things Considered, November 9, 1999
Labor Day 2011
Labor Day at the New York Times: Targeting the Post Office, FAIR, Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, Interview by Janine Jackson, September 30, 2011
Labor Day at the New York Times: Targeting the Post Office, Counterpunch, September 9, 2011
Truthdig articles
A Lesson for Future Presidents and Children
Obamacare's 787 Moment
04/05 What The New York Times Doesn't Understand About Taxes
03/21 Whose Side Is the New York Times On, Part 2
03/14 Whose Side Is The New York Times On?
03/09 Beware of Arne Duncan's Tricks
02/25 Down With Democracy, Let's Have a King
02/01 How to Be a Billionaire
01/31 Don't Blame Workers for the Crimes of the Wealthy
01/27 Obfuscating Unemployment
01/19 Chinese Workers Are Not the Enemy
01/19 The Gulag Prisoners of Pennsylvania
12/11 Low Taxes Are the Problem, Not the Solution
11/11 The Elites Are Having a Tea Party
09/29 Cuba by the Numbers
08/20 Schooling Scholars on Classroom Success
07/15 Possible Cause of Death: Privatization
05/17 Happy Days Aren't Here Again
04/30 Pitting Worker Against Worker
04/21 Borrowing While Poor
04/14 Why You Should Want to Pay Higher Taxes
Topics of the Day
Interview by Pulitzer winning NYT reporter David Cay Johnston, Studio X, Feb. 11, 2010
Everyone Must Share, Not Just Charlie Rangel, Counterpunch, July 23, 2008
Is Cuba Done with Equality? Counterpunch, June 10, 2008
Nader in History, NY Post September 21, 2000
Latest: May 1, 2008
Construction Workers in New York
Why New York Workers Are Losing Ground
Latest: Mayor Bloomberg: Even Worse Than Giuliaini? CounterPunch and City Mayors, May 9,2006
Working Conditions in the New York Retail Industry
Taxes Are Good For Business
Business Improvement Districts
Stardom and Talent
Stardom and Talent, Handbook of Economics of Art and Culture, Victor Ginsburgh and David Throsby, Editors, Elsevier, B.V. 2006
Put Stars' Earnings to Good Use, Los Angeles Times, Nov. 2, 1997
Stardom and Talent, American Economic Review, 1985
American and European Cities
Ideology and the Structure of American and European Cities, Journal of Urban History, 1995
The American Dream and Central City Blight Are American, Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, 1988
The Location of Owners and Renters in the City, Journal of Urban Economics. 1987
917 453 4921


text:
Call us today: 321-632-8050
Top Dollar Paid For Your Unwanted Vehicles
Unwanted Cars, INC.
Support your local Brevard businesses
Get your junk cars towed for FREE, anywhere in Brevard County, when you choose to recycle your unwanted vehicles with us.
You'll get paid top dollar in cash once you hand over the title for the vehicle. You won't be turned away due to the make and model of your vehicle, we accept all cars and trucks. We even have a crusher on-site!
• Unwanted cars
• Unwanted trucks
• Unwanted vans
• Unwanted SUVs
All titled vehicles are taken out of the NMVTIS system according to the federal law, which means that when you see your vehicle and surrender the title to Unwanted Cars, Inc., we are required to remove the vechicle and owner information from the NMVTIS system. This, in turn, keeps the customer safe, knowing that their vehicle is no longer in their name or allowed to be on the road.
• Boats
• RVs


text:
Home » Wool & Yarn » 12ply Yarn » Manos Clasica
Manos Clasica
New Colour Numbers are now listed first. The old Colour Numbers are following in brackets
Please note: The colour names given below are not official and are only provided as a guide. It's impossible to guarantee an accurate colour display for every computer monitor so if you're unsure, we recommend you visit our shop to inspect the wool personally.
Displaying 1 – 55 of 55 products


text:
DECORATING MASTERCLASS 20/06/20 - 12pm
SATURDAY 20th JUNE
Always fancied yourself a bit crafty in the kitchen? Have you got your baking skills down but need a hand with perfecting your masterpiece and applying those finishing touches?
Held at our newest store in the iconic Royal Exchange in Central London, we are holding a masterclass in cake decorating with the bakers of Cutter & Squidge!
Enjoy a class of prosecco whilst creating your masterpiece – you will have the chance to recreate the design of our signature blueberry and lemon cake, as well as honing your culinary skills and learning how to bake and decorate with all-natural ingredients!
In this masterclass, you will learn how to:
- Construct a 6" cake
- Mix buttercream to a bespoke colour using natural food colouring
- Ice a cake like a pro
- Handle fresh ingredients and how to extract their goodness and colour
This class also allows you to practise your piping skills and spatula handiwork. You will also have the chance to ask our head baker any questions to help you with your baking at home.
At the end of the class, you can take home your finished creation to enjoy with friends and family.
Classes run for 1.5 – 2 hrs and are suitable for ages 10+, but under 16's must come with an adult.
Classes are held at our City of London branch:
Cutter & Squidge,
23 The Royal Exchange, Threadneedle St,
London EC3V 3LP


text:
"Nothing in this world is so powerful as an idea whose time has come." Victor Hugo
What we do isn't a product of our service – it's part of it. That's why we are the face and hands of every brief and every project. Two experienced, working Creative Directors actively overseeing a project with you using a set of tools gained – and refined – from our time spent in big agencies.
After nearly two decades, here we still are working closely with clients to solve problems in smarter, more creative and more novel ways.
We have over 50 years of collective experience.
We have won both local and international awards.
Creative intelligence is how we express both.
We are proud to say that we have added value to some of the following global brands throughout our careers:
Toyota, Siemens, Edgars, Stuttafords, Nedbank, Old Mutual, Sanlam Investments, Oreo, Young Presidents Association, Sun International, AVIS, Minolta, Canon, HTH, Shell, AMEX (American Express), AFROX, First National Bank, IASeminars, South African Merino Wool, Seattle Coffee Company, SATRIX Investments, GVK-SiyaZama, Raddison Blu Cape Town, Old Mutual Investments.


text:
SAS Cupcakes
Price: $35.00
When you need MANLY Cupcake for that Manly Man in your life, look no further than SAS Cupcakes!!
Each Cupcake is adjourned with an edible sugar piece, and sprinkled with a Sprinkle Mix made exclusively at SAS Cupcakes! Our Manly Man Cupcake Collection includes:
• (2) Vanilla Cake with Pink Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
• (2) Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
• (2) Chocolate Cake with Pink Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
• (2) Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting
• (2) Red Velvet Cake with Signature Cream Cheese Frosting
• (2) Triple Chocolate Cupcakes with Dark Chocolate Truffle Filling
Different flavors available based on daily rotation.
DO NOTE w/ Shipping you are picking a SHIP DATE!! Your Cupcakes will arrive 2days later.
~ Traci, PricewaterhouseCoopers


text:
This weekend I had an opportunity to sit down and play a new game you might not have heard of yet, but it is definitely something to put on your radar.
Warrior, Rogue and Mage is written by Michael Wolf of the Stargazer's World Blog for Stargazer Games. About a month ago he released it as a 100% free RPG product complete and ready to play at download. Since then, he has also released a companion document which expands on the magic items available in his fantasy world.
How it Works
This game has taken a unique approach to a classless system, taking one great idea for baseline character generation and melding it with some of the better parts of both Savage Worlds and Dungeons and Dragons.
At the root of this system is his mechanic for base abilities, using the titles Warrior, Rogue, and Mage to describe the attributes of all characters, as opposed to the standard system of using Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence or some variant on those themes. In effect, the concept is not new but is interesting when looked at through the non-typical label "Warrior". It's not "How strong is this character?" but his strength, combat prowess, and ability to take a hit all rolled up together. Add this to his very basic Skills mechanic of trained or untrained, and finish the system off with Talents that serve as the final piece of the puzzle to customize your character. These can give you stand-out features such as the ability to use the character's blood to fuel magical rituals or a re-roll that can be used once per combat.
What the system does well may actually turn away some otherwise interested parties. The goal is to keep things very simple, but Warrior, Rogue and Mage might just be too simple. There are few opportunities for deriving a truly unique character, at least not in the vanilla system as presented. Michael suggests that readers consider this system to be a baseline and that house-rules and additional content should be added as needed, but I worry that he might have just too little to really build on from what is there.
Perhaps it just comes down to what kind of gamer you are, if you prefer the points on paper to just get you from point-A to point-B, with descriptions and imagination driven from within, this game has what it takes to get the job done. The battles are quick, deadly, exciting, and easy to manage. In my play-testing I couldn't believe how many encounters were covered in such a short period of time. But if you demand more detail from the system, and are less open to interpretation or discussion, this probably isn't for you. Concepts are very basic and it can often lead to some confusion if the game master isn't quickly decisive. For example, hoping to honor the system and play it rules-as-written, when a player cast a spell blinding a particular monster, I struggled searching through the PDF for any definition of what a blind condition could be in game terms. Sadly, I had no luck and simply made a ruling of a rather hefty penalty to rolls where it made sense. There's just not much to the 41 pages of RPG, and a lot has to be determined during play. That's a fine way to game, but can cause some frustration for players if the GM is inconsistent with modifiers or situational effects.
One of the things that struck me as odd with this game is that the assumed setting seems to be very familiar. An empire, divided amongst the ruler's children, collapses to civil war, in a world of high magic and wide-spread magic technology such as golem servants. This all rings far too close to Eberron. Although historical examples in the real world of broken kingdoms of course do trump a fantasy setting, I think this is cutting it just a bit too close all around. I'm sure Michael has some wonderful ideas that will set his fallen empire apart, but even the equipment supplement From the Imperial Forges, written by indie game designer Colin Chapman, lacks anything that truly makes even this partial setting stand on its own. Most of the items in the expansion are simple conversions of standard D&D magic items to show how simple it is to bring them into this setting. That said, with setting and system put aside, there are a couple of gems that make it a worthy download. I am hopeful that given time and a few more releases, the Imperium of Vaneria can grow to segregate itself in my mind from Eberron or other steampunk/magipunk settings.
To make one final complaint about this system before giving my final verdict, I have to say the equipment/coin system needs considerable work. Michael has stated online that he did not set out to make a balanced game, but the starting coin at a whopping 250 silver pieces when all items are priced so cheaply (the best armor you can buy is 120 silver pieces) is just too much money. Because all character are encouraged to have some Mage ability and thus be able to cast magical spells, it is understandable that the balance should be high to allow spell purchase at the start of play, but I have to imagine a better way. The problem posed by having a Warrior garbed in the indestructible Heavy Plate Armor, was that anything powerful enough to hit him will absolutely and without question slaughter a character that chose to have a High Mage score and not wear comparable armor due to spell interference. This can certainly be accounted for in play by either matching battles with appropriate opponents or simply forcing the heavily protected character to regularly remove his gear to prevent fatigue. I can easily see using a towering brute and a score of minions to keep the encounter exciting and relatively perilous for all without overwhelming one, but that pattern can grow repetitive as well, and if the character can buy the armor, I don't believe in taking away the toys the player wants to have. There are certainly workarounds, but as-is I believe the system should likely be reworked. I wouldn't mind seeing some pricing for magic accouterments as well.
In the end, there's nothing you should be able to read about this game that will prevent you from taking a moment to download it and read the 41 quick pages for yourself. Michael has the ability to accomplish two things with this game, and I think he's succeeded at one already.
- He has laid the ground work for something that isn't quite yet ready, but I think can be fantastic as he continues to make additions and revisions to the product.
- He's proven himself to be an incredible game designer/author. On the first read-through of the system I knew fully how to play, and I can't really think of any other RPG that has done that. Even one of my favorites, Savage Worlds, is a system that could benefit from a rewrite in this direct and clear style. I do think that Michael probably has read a fair amount of Wizards of the Coast's products, because the sentence structure is similar, but it is a time tested pattern that has plenty of merit.
You can find the core book HERE as well as From the Imperial Forges HERE.
Of my group, everyone enjoyed the system during play testing. One player in particular loves it. He happens to be an old-school sort of gamer who longs for simpler days. I think for that kind of player, or one who is new to gaming and doesn't want to invest but would like an idea of how these things work, Warrior, Rogue and Mage might be the game of choice. My buddy is considering starting a campaign, so as we play on I might have more to say in time. I look forward to seeing what else Mr. Wolf has to offer the gaming community. Having content of this worth online for free means that everyone wins.
[tags] Role Playing, WRM, RPG, Gaming, indie, rpg [/tags]


text:
It is Friday; I am bored, and have pretty much quit my job already. Needless to say today has been a major google researching day. I decided to google image NummyNumNum and animals, naturally. Below are the gems that I discovered. They make no sense, but I love them. I wanted to post to make this slow Friday afternoon a bit more enjoyable for y'all. In the words of the best boy band ever, "Thank God it's friday night and I just, just, juuuust…GOT PAID." Sorry that will be in your head all weekend. -ts
NummyNumNum on the intranets
Filed under Links


text:
This holiday season, it's likely you know someone who has put a video game or two on their present wish list. As early as July, I spotted companies already hyping up the new games they'll release in December, while places like Forbes.com wrote their lists about the "Biggest Video Games of the Holiday Season" in October! Assassin's Creed: Unity, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, and Halo: The Master Chief Collection top their list.
For parents, there may be angst: are video games good or bad for their kids? Should they buy certain types? What about the violence in some?
Our 2014 Student Ambassador Jay Mathews, who was a Grade 10 student at Calvin Coolidge High School in Washington, DC, tackled this controversial topic in his Reflection essay. A gamer himself, he finds video games are a good way to have fun and blow off steam, but also, he argues, "video games have a lot of potential to teach useful skills and affect people positively."
For evidence, he cites a 2012 study by health researchers at Deakin University in Australia which found that toddlers who play interactive games have better motor skills. In another study Keele University found that playing violent games can give a person a better tolerance for pain. And in a 2007 study, Mathews writes, "compared laparoscopic surgeons who play videogames with those who do not…When taking into differential accounts of age, years of medical training, and number of performed laparoscopic surgeries, the study founds surgeons who are gamers are 27 percent faster and make 37 percent fewer errors than those who are not."
Since his essay was published, a new article on Science20.com was published in November detailing the ways that video games are good for your brain. Included in the list are how it can help improve reaction times, hand-eye coordination, spatial visualization, and perception, attention and cognition.
To address many people's concerns about whether violence in the video games negatively impacts players, Mathews looks to a study conducted by Brock University graduate student Paul Adachi. The research found that violence in a video game is not enough to make someone aggressive. Instead, the competitive nature of a game – violent or not – was more influential in sparking aggression in a player.
Mathews concludes his essay by writing, "Gaming has its advantages and quirks. Although it is targeted as a lazy and sometimes violent activity, I believe that instead it is important and has potential. It an activity that makes the United States $8 billion annually in revenue, serves as a hobby for thousands of kids and adults, and hones kids' skills that can open doors to amazing occupations in the future."
If you agree they have value and you need to find a game for someone on your Christmas list, here are 5 kid-friendly, popular video games, 10 educational video games, and the list of the best-selling video games of 2014.


text:
This board contains some examples of what completed character sheets and role play topics on Magical Hogwarts look like. We don't require all character sheets to be as lengthy as our examples, but they're a good idea of the detail the Administration looks for when sorting.
8 Posts
2 Topics
Last post by Albus Dumbledore
in Character Sheet Examples
on March 28, 2018, 07:46:36 PM
Started by Albus Dumbledore
« 1 2 3 4 5 ... 38 »
Started by Albus Dumbledore
Normal Topic
Hot Topic (More than 20 replies)
Very Hot Topic (More than 40 replies)
Locked Topic
Sticky Topic


text:
(Originally Posted 3/5/2018)
All Type Of Goodies Found In Woman's Pussy!!!
Due To Length Of Article We've Decided To Repost:
St. Augustine woman had multiple items hidden in her private parts while she was being processed for drug possession, a St. Johns County Sheriff's Office report said.
Lillian Adams, 33, was pulled over near the St. Augustine Outlets and booked for drug possession and smuggling contraband after a traffic stop.
The arrest report said that when Adams was being processed at the St. Johns County Jail, a body scanner revealed a pipe in her private area. After Adams removed it, she went back through the body scanner, where more objects were found, the report said.
Adams told the officers that she had more drugs and removed a red box containing a white substance, the report said. When she went back through the scanner, another object was found, and Adams was told she would be strip-searched.
She told the deputy, "Okay, I have more drugs, I promise this time, this is everything."
Adams then removed three bags from a private area, which also held a a white substance, the report said.
Jail records show that Adams was released on $5,500 bail.
Also arrested during the traffic stop was Ryan Smith, 30. The report said that he chewed a chicken nugget with marijuana on it during the traffic stop. Smith resisted arrest and spat out the marijuana when handcuffed, the report said.
Smith told the arresting deputy that he ate the marijuana during the traffic stop because he had just been released from jail and did not wish to be arrested again.
Jail records show that Smith was just released from the St. Johns County Jail three weeks ago.
Here we go again with people attempting to conceal drugs in their orifices'…
see also:Police Recover Two Hypodermic Needles And A Crack Pipe From Woman's Butt Crack!!
see also:3 Syringes, $20 Bill, And Pill Found In Arkansas Woman's Pussy!!


text:
Ask any of the companies that do business with Quantum Metals and they'll tell you that we bring a fresh approach to the industry. Since our founding in 1994, we've always pursued a better way of doing business. It's an approach that makes a difference.
We have pioneered innovative processes – new and efficient methods proven through annual production of hundreds of millions of pounds of consistently higher quality products. Our approach allows our suppliers to realize maximum value for their products and our customers to enjoy value that reflects the true efficiency of our processes.
Our efficiency never means cutting corners. Instead, we take extra steps to ensure the integrity of our products and service. We adhere to documented quality programs as well as strict company procedures and provide thorough, detailed information to our customers.
Quantum's Quality Assurance is the best in the business. We sort and test inbound materials for alloy purity, moisture content and contaminants. And to ensure consistent quality, double inspections are standard with each sorting process prior to quality-control testing. Our lab is equipped with the latest technology to test chemistry, density, moisture and contamination.
Home | International Trading | Products | Services | Contact Us
Quantum Metals | 3675 Taft Drive, Lebanon, Ohio 45036
Contact Info Phone: 513.573.0144 | Fax: 513.573.0944
©2007 Quantum Metals


text:
Martin O'Malley says it's time for Redskins to change its name
Maryland Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley, who says he is "seriously considering" a presidential bid, weighed in on a controversial national issue on Tuesday.
"I was asked earlier today and answered that I do believe it is probably time for the Washington Redskins to change their team name," O'Malley wrote on his Facebook page.
He continued the thread on Twitter:
O'Malley's statement came just a day after he reiterated his interest in running for the White House in 2016. O'Malley polls poorly among potential 2016 Democrats, as the base is far more fired up over the prospect of a Hillary Clinton candidacy.
While the Redskins are officially Washington, D.C.'s team, their stadium is in Maryland, and O'Malley may be trying to appeal to progressives and raise his national profile by speaking out on the hot-button issue. The governor also made an appearance at the Iowa Democratic Party's state convention last month. Iowa holds the nation's first caucuses, which kick off the presidential nominating process.
Controversy over the team's name grew during the 2013 football season, with Native Americans, President Barack Obama and the United Church of Christ calling on the NFL team to rename the team. Redskins owner Dan Snyder has said he will "never" change the team name.
Pressure on the team intensified after the NBA banned and fined Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for a racist rant. In May, dozens of U.S. senators—but no Republicans—wrote to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, asking the league to urge the team to change their name.
"We urge you and the National Football League to send the same clear message as the NBA did: that racism and bigotry have no place in professional sports. It's time for the NFL to endorse a name change for the Washington, D.C., football team," the senators wrote in the letter.


text:
HYENA Review – Graphically Violent, a Shocking Story of Crime, Corruption and Exploitation
- Details
- Category: Indies, Docs, Foreign Film
- Published on Thursday, 16 April 2015 19:21
- Written by Janet Walker
HYENA, from Film 4 and Number 9 Films, presents, an explosive tale of police corruption with vivid, realistic and stunning depiction as the detectives delve deeper into the world of corruption, crime and the Turkish/Afghan Drug trade.
Written and directed by Gerard Johnson, HYENA stars Peter Ferdinando, Neil Maskell, Elisa Lasowki, MyAnna Buring, Richard Dormer, Orli Shuka, Gjevat Kelmendi, Thomas Craig, Shaban Arifi, Mem Ferda and Stephen Graham.
We meet Michael, as the film begins, answering a mysterious phone call with a single word, he steps onto the balcony. Surveying his domain, no nighttime landscapes light up the sky, our location, and his loyalties, become a guessing game. It is only when he begins to drive that one begins to understand the setting.
Three men join him, dressed in British cop uniforms, they raid a club, violently taking down the subjects. Not officially, the drug bust serves to heist, boosting their personal supply as the four are either impersonating cops or seriously on the take.
Led by Michael, played by Peter Ferdinando, the four are the narcotics task force charged to stop the flow of cocaine across Europe.
Unbeknownst to the unit, an inter-government narcotics force led by Michael's former partner and investigated cop, David Knight played by Stephen Graham and Nick Taylor played by Richard Dormer, each whom have ulterior motives, has chosen him to assist in bringing down the local Albanians who are trafficking everything from sex slaves to drugs.
The Kabashi Brothers, Nikolla and Rezar, played by Orli Shuka and Gjevat Kelmendi, are the Albanians and are expanding their operations beyond sex trafficking, slavery and prostitution and want to take over the local drug trade.
Michael, who provides cash and protection to the Turk, also made a considerable investment in the new smuggling operation, one week from delivering, from the poppy fields in Afghanistan right across central Europe into the U.K. As the two are talking someone begins to break down the door
He obviously can't be seen and hides. He becomes the only witnesses as the Albanians beat their way into the building swinging a machete the minute the door opens. The Turk informant business partner is literally butchered. The Albanian butchers grab the information detailing the new trade route, names, address, contacts.
As the Drug war escalate Michael infiltrates the Albanians as both co-conspirator and cop, he proposes his deal, for protection, the cover up of the Turk's murder and the growing number of crimes he will keep his eyes closed.
The hurdle to this effort of course is the four corrupt cops who double lives and empire of corruption crumbles with the advent of the Albanians, who are without conscience, concern, a sense of guilt and take no partners or prisoners.
Soon, however Michael stumbles on a sex slave, a lone female, Arianna, played by Elisa Lasoski, who gained trust and bought some level of freedom. She works in the office, basically running the operations. She takes drug and prostitution orders and schedules deliveries. She is caught speaking with Michael who finds the drug route he and the Turk planned to use. Soon, Arianna is once again being tortured as the Kabashi Brothers, are paranoid.
She is drugged and raped, which is shown. It is brutally graphic with full frontal male nudity. She wakes up assaulted, alone, and sold. Her family was threatened with death. She calls Michael and he is able to find her. She is the lynchpin in the Albanian operation.
HYENA, moves so quickly once the pieces are in place and identities are established it is an emotional ride with graphic disturbing violence. The murders, shown chaotic and frenzied, which with the type of violence played out it seems very believable.
Detailing the extreme levels of departmental corruption within the police system as each branch is tarnished bent on personal gain and layered with debasement. HYENA plays as films of the early influx of drug money in the Bronx or Manhattan in the 1970's. The easy flow of drugs coupled with the large financial possibilities are modernized to incorporate all levels of violent crime and killing.
After the former Yugoslavia divided into five separate countries landing for warlordsF, tribal and sect leaders wasn't as easy. The Bosnia and Balkans Wars, the Milosevic killing machines that steamrolled these weaker countries taking the strength of families, killing the men only made it easier for whole family units to be taken over. Women sold, like a stolen car, piece by piece, member by member for the highest dollar and profit.
Rated R for extreme violence, human sex trafficking, drugs, machete murders, full frontal male nudity, rape. HYENA exposes immigrant life after the Balkans War sends the war lords and killers into the U.K.
An ultra-violent modern British cop drama HYENA is a thriller that holds the attention from the beginning. It is explosive, fast moving and frightening with stunning almost paralyzing gang war violence.
Explicitly detailed, graphic, viciously sadistic, cold-blooded, sharp. HYENA is a must see.
HYENA, initially released in the UK in 2014, is showing throughout the Tribeca Film Festival and has been picked up by Tribeca Enterprises for U.S. distribution. Wide release in the U.S. is planned for May 1, 2015 after a limited festival engagement.


text: Monday marks a year when a political dispute in South Sudan escalated to an ethnic war resulting in the deaths of more than 10,000 people. The UNICEF says children have suffered the most, with an estimated 750,000 displaced. Most teachers fled, and with children juggling school and fending for themselves, just being in class is good enough. Many children are also being used by armed forces on both sides of the conflict. Al Jazeera's Catherine Soi reports from Malakal in Upper Nile state. SOURCE: Al Jazeera Africa


text:
Summer, it's been real. But I'm making room for autumn. The warm-hued makeup palettes and 5-layer outfits are just as exciting as the pumpkin-flavored menu items and brand new season premieres. (C'mon, Shonda Rhimes!) While I revel in fall fashion, I think certain accessories can seem a bit impractical. Wide-brimmed wool hats are romantic, unless you're sitting behind one during your 9:00am lecture. And suede booties are just asking to be rained on. For that reason, I've put together a list of accessories that are easy to find, easy to style and easy on the wallet.
Poolside Chillin': My Favorite Plus-Size Swimsuits
Can you believe it's already July? Insane, right? That means that unless you live in an awfully warm area, your days by the pool are numbered. Still, I thought I'd share a roundup of my favorite swimsuits for women with curves.
Shopping List: Spring & Summer Style
Ah, spring. Flowers are blooming, school years are winding down, and my allergies are on full blast. But, in between refills of Claritin-D, I had time to put together a little style collection. Here are some of the ways I would style my favorite spring and summer trends.
I Love You Like XO
St. Valentine's Day is upon us once again, which, for many, means romantic dinners, bouquets of flowers and boxes of chocolate from a special someone. For me, it means a few bottles of red wine and a funny movie with friends. No matter your relationship status, V-Day is a chance to show off your most lovable fashion choices. Here are mine, along with my picks for some pretty impressive gifts, either to yourself or from your boo-thang. (more…)


text:
The extensive equipment available to the NDSU Center for Surface Protection (CSP) allows for the performance of conventional testing and characterization (ASTM standard tests). In addition, a wide variety of electrochemical tests and accelerated weathering makes CSP a one-stop center for corrosion, polymers and coatings R&D. We are available to discuss your applied and basic research projects to assist in solving your corrosion and coatings challenges.
Additionally, we can tailor projects for your companies' unique needs. Our team of scientists, in collaboration with engineers, allows the creation of custom set-up that can accommodate non-standard tests.
View CSP Testing/Capabilities. New instruments, set-ups and accessories are continually added, generating additional capabilities.


text:
Inside The NFL, Season 9, Episode 3: INSIDE THE NFL featuring host James Brown and analysts Boomer Esiason, Brandon Marshall, and Michael Irvin discuss the pressures of playing the game while injured. New episodes of INSIDE THE NFL air every Tuesday night at 9PM ET/PT on SHOWTIME.
Stream SHOWTIME series, movies, documentaries, sports and much more all on your favorite devices.


text:
House passes bill banning so-called "late term abortions"
(CNN) — The House of Representatives Tuesday passed a GOP-sponsored bill banning so- called "late term abortions" — procedures for women who are beyond 20 weeks into their pregnancy. The vote was 228-196, mostly along party lines.
The bill's sponsor, Republican Rep. Trent Franks, R-Arizona, stirred up controversy last week when he opposed an effort by House Democrats to add an exception for women who are raped, arguing that "the incidents of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low."
House Democrats seized on the comment, and because of the backlash GOP leaders later decided to add new language to the bill allowing women who get pregnant as a result of rape or incest to obtain an abortion if they report the crime to authorities.
The White House has threatened a veto on the legislation, but the Democratic-led Senate is not expected to take up the measure.


text:
If you want to make money abroad, you don't have to emigrate, but simply move your job to another country for a more or less long time. Often, the merit for a job is even higher there than in the home country.
Before work, comes the information
Before you decide on a job abroad, you should inquire as much as possible. It is important that you know the rules there and, if necessary, take care of a work permit or even a residence permit. It is helpful if you have a friend or acquaintance who works abroad and is familiar with the regulations. If this is not the case, then use the Internet and any books to familiarize yourself with the regulations.
However, not only does everything have to be regulated for the work abroad, but also at home everything must continue to run smoothly during your absence. The rent must be paid [if you don't won the apartment or house;] it must be looked after continuously and in the right manner. The mailbox must be emptied/checked regularly. If you are living with your partner, then talk very openly about the pros and cons, and go to work abroad only if you have settled everything and are able to concentrate completely on the new job.
Working in neighboring countries
Austria is very popular when it comes to foreign work [for people for are living in Europe] and it is also temporary. There are not only seasonal job offers, but also jobs that are awarded for a longer term. Throughout the summer and winter, there are places in the gastronomy and hotel industry that are very frequent. Those who work there as seasonal workers usually get a place to stay, and thus live in close proximity to the job.
With a fixed employment, which is also possible abroad, you can finance your own livelihood, and are as secure as with a work in your own country. However, if you have a family waiting for you then you have two choices; either stay abroad alone and communicate with your family regularly via internet or you can bring the family with you abroad to live together. If it is seasonal work, you will earn relatively well, but you should think carefully how you want to manage your family life. If your whole family moves abroad, then you will save less money.
Advice from offices and employment intermediaries
You can get advice about working abroad in particular from the employment Agency. There are numerous brochures, information events, and, of course, internet that can help you find the right job. But nobody is forcing you to do this, because often people are separated from the family for a long time, which is not always an acceptable option for many employees. Take advantage of various counselling centers and also search for private employment intermediaries who specialize in the topic of foreign work.
If possible, log in to appropriate forums, because you will get answers to many questions by people who faced the same situation as you did and have their experience to share with you. This exchange of ideas and knowledge is particularly helpful because it gives you information and tips from people who have already gone through these experiences. It is also possible to get a good job abroad using these forums.


text:
As the only major Japanese carmaker without a plant in China, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. has quite a small exposure in the world's largest vehicle market. So when a territorial dispute between China and Japan erupted, most Chinese consumers stopped patronizing Japanese products. Japanese carmakers with heavy exposure to China posted heavy losses.
But not Fuji Heavy, the maker of Subaru cars. The carmaker has jumped 83% in Tokyo trading this year for the biggest increase on the Nikkei 225 Stock Average. It seems that Fuji Heavy's smaller exposure in China has helped shelter it from the consumer backlash caused by the dispute.
Fuji Heavy President Yasuyuki Yoshinaga acknowledged that selling cars in China is "difficult now." Yoshinaga said that Fuji Heavy can cover its losses in China by producing more cars for Japan and the U.S. While other Japanese carmakers temporarily halted production in China in October due to dwindling sales, Fuji Heavy was able to deliver more cars to the US and Japan, where waiting times have been pushed to six months for its $25,495 BRZ sports car and two months for the $17,895 Impreza hatchback.
The high demand for its cars in the US and Japan allowed Fuji Heavy to increase its full-year profit forecast by 40%, while Honda and Nissan cut their 2012 earnings prediction by a fifth. In 2011, Yoshinaga said he felt his perseverance was being "tested" after failing to receive approval for Fuji Heavy's proposed joint venture with Chery Automobile Co. Chinese authorities had pulled back since Toyota Motor Corp., which operates two joint ventures in China, is Fuji Heavy's largest shareholder with a 16.5% stake.


text:
This page contains the rules of the Programming Wiki. Only administrators can edit this page to protect against vandalism.
- Do not vandalize.
- No inappropriate content. This wiki is for everyone so our goal is to be good for all ages.
- Do not start fights with someone who undid your edits.
- Be nice. Do not be rude or mean.
- No swearing in articles. You may swear on your user page though.
- When making or editing an article, do not use bad grammar or punctuation. We want to make this wiki professional and easy to read for people.
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.


text:
Mom's Group February Open Gym
Saturday, February 2 at 9:30 A.M.
Saturday, February 2, 2019
9:30am - 11:30am
Come get your winter wiggles out at the TG Moms: OPEN GYM. The school gymnasium will be open from 9:30am - 11:30am for your kids to play. Bring your favorite ride-on toys, bicycles, tricycles, balls, and games to play with in the gym. This is open to all Journey Kids families (kids of all ages and dads too).
You must enter the school building through the door by the alley. This is the door used during services for JK elementary.
NO RSVP necessary, just show up!


text:
In a nut shell Einthusan is a south Asian hub that serves as a platform for full length movies like Hindi, Tamil, Malayala, Teluga and more. Einthusan in short is a free online movie service that offer pirated movies.
The cost to stream these movies are free to the visitor because Einthusan for all intent and purposes obtained the movies illegally. Typically legit services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime have to shell out a lot of money to distributors/copyright holders for the right to showcase their movies.
Because Einthusan have pirated movies, they've in essence went around the distributor, and went directly to the consumer. The legitimacy of Einthusan being a good platform to stream hindi movies in our opinion isn't a very good. They are really on shaky ground, and it's inevitable that they'll get shut down permanently (sooner or later).
Will you go to jail for downloading content on Einthusan?
Law Enforcement aren't investing a lot of time looking for people who are watching free movies (but things can change rapidly), they are much more interested in the people who have created the illegal platform for people to download movies.
You need to know that it's illegal in the United States to offer a downloadable stream of copyrighted audio or audiovisual content without a license from the copyright owner. With that being said, the individual providing the link is more at risk for potential incarceration than the one doing the downloading.
Even though the cops may not be beating down your door for downloading illegal Bollywood movies, I would be concerned about visiting a site that is offering pirated movies. Potential lawsuits for downloading illegal Indian movies are much more likely than getting arrested. You may get sued by the movie distributor, but there won't be any cops coming to visit (except maybe the sheriff serving you a notice of a lawsuit).
Beware of Malware
Visiting illegally streaming platforms like Einthusan will bombard you with ads with many of them embedded with hidden software that will potential harm your computer, phone or laptop. Malware isn't something you want on your computer ever. Hackers use it to monitor your online purchase activity, and may use what they've gathered from you (credit card info), and then sell it on the black market.
Final Thought
Our conclusion it to stay away from Einthusan as it will do more harm than good. There are plenty of legitimate Telugu Hindi movie sites that aren't providing illegal movies. Let's put it this way, if it's too good to be true, it probably is.


text:
Frequently Asked Questions
The only way you can learn and become an informed consumer is by asking questions. Feel free to call us at Quick Dry Carpet Cleaning – Inland Empire so we can help you answer any carpet cleaning questions you might have
General Questions
What days do you work?
I work Monday thru Friday.
What hours do you work?
Generally my work hours are 8:00am to 4:00pm. Other hours can be arranged.
What kind of payment do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards along with personal checks and cash.
Why should I hire you to clean my carpets, upholstery or tile & grout?
There are several reasons that I feel I am the carpet cleaner you should hire. I've been in the carpet cleaning business as a cleaner/owner for 20+ years. I doubt there is any cleaning situation I haven't faced before. Since I am the owner of this company and I do all the work I absolutely know that I will do everything I can to do the best job I can. I only schedule at the most 3 jobs a day so that I have plenty of time to do a thorough job, no hurry-up and get to the next job for me. I want you to be happy with your cleaning because I want you to refer your friends to me.
Do you do commercial work?
While I specialize in residential I will be happy to talk to you about any commercial jobs you might have.
I received a coupon in the mail from another company that will clean my whole house for $99.00. Will you match that price?
I understand, especially in these hard economic times, how important it is to try to save money. While I certainly am not the most expensive cleaner out there, I know for a fact I'm NOT the cheapest either. I am the best however! I've been in business for over 18 years and I know that sometimes it is better to pass on a job than to charge a lower price and then hurry thru a cleaning job because of a competitors advertised prices. BEWARE!! Many companies advertise a low price to get their food in the door and then once they are in, it is a nickel and dime scenario where every spot cost extra! Yes you can put your foot down and just get the cleaning without the extras they want to sell you, but you are not going to end up happy with the work. When the finished cleaning looks horrible you are not going to be saying to yourself, " Hey at least I saved a dollar or two by using that company!"
Carpet Cleaning Questions
How long will it take for my carpets to day after cleaning?
Carpets are usually ready dry in 1-2 hours. Faster on a hot summer day, a bit longer on a cold rainy day. The dirtier the carpets are, the more cleaning solution needs to be used, the longer it will take to dry.
How do you clean carpet?
I follow a 12 step cleaning procedure at every cleaning job to ensure that your carpets get done both thoroughly and correctly. These steps include pre-vaccuming, pre-spotting, move most furniture, clean with a non-residue cleaning solution which is safe for kids and pets, post-spotting, replacing moved furniture, and grooming the carpet to make it dry quicker and give it that finished look.
Is there any kind of guarantee with the carpet cleaning?
Normally we will allow 2 weeks after the original cleaning for a free return visit to fix any returning spots. New spots are not covered in this guarantee.
How often should I clean my carpets?
Generally, carpets should be cleaned twice a year. However, everyone's situation is different. Grandma, who lives by herself, with little foot traffic in her home, can stretch the cleaning frequency out longer. A busy house, with teenagers, children, pets, and lots of foot traffic could possibly need it more often. We have some accounts that are cleaned on a monthly basis.
My carpets smell because of pet urine. Is there anything you can do?
Yes I can do something about the smell of pet urine. What I will do and how I will do it will depend on the severity of the problem. You must be aware that pet urine in a carpet indicates damage and 100% odor removal can not be guaranteed, especially when the animal that caused the original problem is still present in the house. That being said, I have pretty good success removing all odor.
I have heard it said I should wait as long as possible to clean my carpets because they will never be the same again after the cleaning. Is that correct?
False and True! Old fashion cleaning methods (which some companies still use) that over-wet your carpets or clean with solutions that cause carpets to be sticky with dirt attracting residues, and NOT good for your carpet. However if your carets are allowed to become too dirty and stained between cleanings, they might become irreparably damaged. By using Quick Dry's cleaning system, we can keep your carpets looking better longer
How does a rainy day affect the cleaning of my carpets?
With Quick Dry's cleaning system, rainy days do not make much of a difference in the drying times of your carpet. Cleaning methods that soak your carpets to the pad, and thus take longer to dry, are bad for your carpet rain or shine.
Does carpet protector really work?
Yes, it does work for what carpet protector is designed to do. Carpet Protector renews and refreshes the protector your carpet originally came with. That original protection coating does not last forever. It wears thin, especially in the traffic areas, where you walk, play and vacuum. This protection allows you a "window of opportunity" to clean up a spill before it becomes absorbed up inside the fiber of the carpet. Your carpet will look better longer, with regular cleanings and the application of protector.
The last time I cleaned my carpets, the technician applied carpet protector on my carpets. I paid extra for it, and my carpets still got dirty. Did I get ripped off?
If the carpet protector, (Scotchguard is a name brand everyone recognizes) was applied by a professional, reputable company, you did not get ripped off. You are however misinformed as to what carpet protector really does. Without getting technical, think of applying protector on your carpets like applying wax to your car. The wax protects the painted car finish from being damaged from dirt, tar, oil and other items as you drive down the road. The car still gets dirty, but the finish is undamaged and will clean up easier in the future after waxing. Spendinga little more for carpet protector is a wise investment to keeping your carpets looking their best for as long as possible.
My daughter has asthma and my husband has allergies. We have been thinking of replacing the carpet in our home with hardwood floors. Will this help with our medical problems?
First, remember that I clean carpets for a living, so I'd prefer you don't. (That's an attempt at humor!) Actually here are some facts about improving indoor air quality that can affect medical conditions like asthma and allergies. Since people are spending more time indoors, up to 90% of their time for some people, indoor air quality is a very big issue to everyone. At first, a person would think that hardwood floors would be the answer to improving indoor air quality. However tests have shown that hardwood floors or tile can actually decrease the quality of air in the "breathing zone" above the floor. Hard surfaces do not trap the allergens, dirt and other items that cause health problems. As you walk on hard surfaces, these contaminants continually get kicked up into the "breathing zone". Carpeting acts like a filter to trap these micro-organisms so that you can remove them by vacuuming daily and then periodically professionally cleaning them to fully remove the problem causers. The "breathing zone" in carpeted areas is healthier in properly cleaned and maintained homes.
Upholstery Cleaning Questions
How do you clean upholstery?
I clean upholstery pieces using a carbonated, non-residue cleaning solution combined with extraction. It is surprising how much dirt is removed from upholstery pieces that look clean before I start.
How long does will it take for my sofa to dry?
The dirtier the upholstery piece is, the more solution I must use to clean it, the longer it will take to dry. Upholstery does take a bit longer to dry than carpets, but if you have a ceiling fan or a floor fan that can be set up to get air movement in the room that will greatly speed up the dry time.
Can you clean micro-fiber?
Yes, microfiber upholstered pieces usually clean up nicely.
Can you clean leather?
At this time I do not clean leather.
Can you remove pet urine odors from upholstery?
I can usually remove the odor from the upholstery fabric. The problem lies in that the urine has probably also been sucked into the foam rubber like a sponge. Sometimes its cheaper and more successful to replace the inner cushion than to spend a lot of money trying to remove the smell.
Tile & Grout Cleaning Questions
How do you clean tile & grout?
I use a professional strength cleaner , following a 6 step hand labor intensive procedure that will leave your tile and grout looking new.
How soon can I walk on the tile?
You can walk almost immediately on your tile after my cleaning is completed however it will take 24 hours for the sealer on the grout lines to dry completely and cure. It is best not to drop anything, sweep or mop on the floor during that first 24 hour period.
Will my kids or pets be harmed by walking on the tile during cleaning?
While I am cleaning EVERYONE, pets included should NOT walk on the tile. AFTER I am done cleaning it is safe immediately to walk on.
Do you clean Granite, Marble or other types of natural stone?
Unfortunately I do not clean natural types of hard stone surfaces anymore. If you need a referral for these types surfaces please call me.
My carpet cleaning philosophy is simple. At every job I do I use professional equipment, I use the best cleaning products available, and I clean the carpets at every job like it was my mom's house.
Quick Dry Carpet Cleaning - Inland Empire
Riverside, CA 92509
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5 p.m.
All major credit cards
Personal checks


text:
George GERSHWIN (1898-1937)
Rhapsody in Blue (1924) [15:45]
Piano Concerto in F (1925) [33:43]
Three Preludes for Piano (1926) [7:09]
Bidin' my Time (1930) [3:27]
Dorothy Lewis-Griffith (piano)
rec. July 1989 and March 1992, Concert Hall, University of Cambridge, Faculty of Music, England
George GERSHWIN (1898-1937)
An American in Paris (1928) [18:54]
Novelette in Fourths [9:42]
from Porgy and Bess (1935) [29:21]
Second Rhapsody (1931) [15:44]
Dorothy Lewis-Griffith (piano)
rec. University of Cambridge, England, dates not given
American pianist Dorothy Lewis-Griffith has had a long and distinguished career. She studied at the Conservatoire de Paris and at the École Normale de Musique. There have been numerous awards, including a prize in the Geneva International Music Competition. This neat little pair of CDs go well together. The recording of An American in Paris is the more recent release and fills in some of the gaps left by the original 'Piano Solo Album'.
George Gershwin published very little concert music for solo piano. Any pianist seeking to record an all-Gershwin solo album of any kind will have to resort to transcriptions and arrangements of one kind or another. Angela Brownridge's 'Complete Music for Solo Piano' on Hyperion Helios CDH 55006 throws in a goodly number of Broadway numbers but actually complements these two discs quite well rather than competing directly. It includes arrangements of overtures and fun miniatures like Rialto Ripples which don't appear on these Etcetera albums. Gershwin left his own piano solo transcription of the Rhapsody in Blue, and this together with that of the Piano Concerto in F by Grace Castagnetta form the basis for the first CD. Lewis-Griffith writes that "I missed many of the textures that I am accustomed to hearing when I played Gershwin with orchestra … [and] had few qualms about reproducing these textures, even though it meant amplifying Gershwin's own transcription." Knowing Gershwin's own playing style it is easy to be sympathetic to this approach. The results are very convincing indeed, with plenty of variety in the piano colour for the Rhapsody in Blue. We don't have the juicy clarinet slide in the opening and that very first trill isn't played perfectly. You can't expect everything to sound equally punchy and vibrant, but as a solo piano version this has a great deal to commend it. Lewis-Griffith not only swings rhythmically for the most part, but can shape the score like an expert conductor as well as a musically sensitive and technically proficient pianist. This is not quite the life-enhancing experience a good orchestral performance can be, but there are enough signals and reminders to 'take us there' without the listener feeling too short-changed.
The Piano Concerto in F is a little more problematic as a solo piece. The interaction and dialogue between soloist and orchestra is tricky to bring off in a solo transcription despite the piano playing a leading role in the score. It helps if you already know the original version when unpicking who should be doing what. There are still plenty of succulent musical morsels to sink your aural teeth into, and there is a great deal of magnificent playing. As something which involves working harder – both as a listener and as a musician - I would rate this project a couple of notches less successful than the Rhapsody in Blue.
The first of these programmes finishes with a few fillers, of which the Three Preludes are played with panache and verve. The schmoozy number Bidin' my Time comes from the Broadway musical Girl Crazy. It makes a nice little encore to conclude a very satisfactory Gershwin piano album. As far as the actual recording goes the piano is set at a little greater distance than is perhaps ideal, but the acoustic is not intrusive, and detail and colour are communicated well.
Released more than 15 years later, the second disc treats An American in Paris to a similarly augmented version. This is based on previously existing arrangements but refers to the original score to fill out missing lines and textures, and on occasion even whole passages left out from other versions. As a Gershwin work whose original lacks a piano part entirely, this is considered the 'most awkward to play' of the works brought together here. There are indeed some fascinating results arising from the transcription to piano, with percussive effects reminiscent of Stravinsky and Bartók popping out from time to time. Again, this isn't the kind of version which is going to replace your favourite orchestral recordings. As with any good transcription and performance it teaches us new things about a piece we might even have considered over-familiar. It makes us alert to aspects of the music which, when presented shorn of orchestral opulence, become exposed and altered in terms of perspective.
This isn't a perfect recording, with a deal less stereo imaging at the outset. A sudden change at 8:25 improves the soundstage but reveals some mildly twangy tuning problems with the upper range of the piano. In fact the whole thing could be a good deal more distinct and confident sounding, but the general impression is tolerable. It is an acoustic picture to which you can become accustomed without too much strain.
The Novelettes are of interest in this recording. Gershwin biographer, the late Edward Jablonski, gave Dorothy Lewis-Griffith copies of unpublished manuscripts to three Gershwin preludes, but the manuscript to the Novelette in Fourths was incomplete. Gershwin had however extended the piece in one of his piano roll recordings. Lewis-Griffith transcribed the sixteen measure extension from that recording and has included in the version on this CD. Each of these pieces is filled with easy charm, being related in terms of mood and even thematic material. The Sleepless Night and Melody 17 are variants of each other and are played here without a break.
The numbers of Porgy and Bess need little introduction, and Lewis-Griffith plays them atmospherically and with suitable lyrical finesse. There is a nice sense of wit to songs like There's a Boat Dat's Leavin'. I like the way the soloist doesn't ham up the more sentimental tunes too much. This is a kind of souvenir recording, "mere reminders of that landmark 1935 creation" as the booklet notes put it, but still a fine collection to have.
This second disc concludes with the Rhapsody or Second Rhapsody as it has become known. The score is another transcription made by Dorothy Lewis-Griffith. The piece is once again brought to life with suitably full and juicy pianistic sounds. Less familiar than the Rhapsody in Blue, this is a piece with cinematic associations and a good deal of visual hustle and bustle. This is communicated here with character and conviction.
Dorothy Lewis-Griffith has made these pieces her own in these recordings. Both of these CDs are easy to recommend and nice to have around. I'm not going to compare these versions with other orchestral recordings. They will always be something of a supplement to the best of what is already a pretty full current Gershwin catalogue. Lewis-Griffith certainly has the chops to manage some fiendishly tricky passages in these transcriptions. While she might not be the jazziest or most ebullient performer on the planet I have certainly not come away from these with any sense of, 'nice, but if only…' Even with mildly dodgy production values in the American in Paris programme, fans of the piano and the ways it can be stretched to incorporate an entire orchestra can have great fun with these versions. If you are lucky enough to be given one you will certainly want the other.
Dominy Clements
Supplementary versions, but certainly of interest.


text:
Tips for Providing Constructive Feedback as a Boss
Providing constructive feedback is a skill that mangers are consistently working to improve upon.
Providing constructive feedback is a skill that mangers are consistently working to improve upon. In my 18 years of recruiting, I've developed a checklist of how to give good feedback that will yield results and help my team develop personally and professionally.
- The first thing to keep in mind is how and where you are talking to the individual. Choosing a private setting versus an open forum would be more effective than providing constructive feedback amongst their peers.
- Have open dialogue and open discussion with them and show empathy to understand why they were doing a particular action or behavior. Watch your tone as not to sound condescending or as you are raising your voice at them. Foster two-way conversation to get a better idea for the individual's intentions in their actions.
- Keep the conversation as positive as possible with forward thinking ideas. Focus on a specific behavior or moment, rather than a personality trait, and give options for how to correct it and move forward. Tie the conversation to a particular observation.
- Be clear and concise on how to solve the problem. By having a specific method to fix the issue, the individual will be more likely to change his or her behavior.
- Give the individual time to digest what you've suggested. Change won't happen overnight, but with ample and realistic time, they can modify their behavior to become a more valuable part of the team.
- Follow up. After giving them time to process the problem and solution, follow up with them to see if things have changed.
Giving constructive feedback is a crucial component to being a good boss and building a good team. While I'm constantly striving to improve my skills as a manager, this checklist has helped me to take steps in improving my management style.
Do you have an experience you'd like to share with us either as the employee or manager? Comment below.


text:
Every year across our region, thousands of people support Weston Park Cancer Charity and get involved in a whole host of different ways. Some are private individuals who set themselves a challenge, others are companies or organisations who come together with a common purpose, and still others volunteer their time. Most of them know someone whose life has been touched by cancer in some way.
Whatever way you are thinking of getting involved, we are here to work with you and offer whatever support you need.


text:
Declassified Documents Index provides full text access to formerly U.S. government classified documents that Primary Source Media obtains as they are declassified.
The documents emanate from a wide variety of government agencies including the CIA, Department of State, National Security Council, Department of Defense, FBI, etc. It is possible to search by subject, title words, issue date, and documents source. Help in searching is available on-line or ask a librarian in VKC Library for assistance. <P> The full text of the documents are available online as well as on microfiche in VKC Library. The call number of the microfiche collection is no.427 and it is located in the microfiche cabinets on the east side of the library. It is necessary to have the Fiche Issue Date, the Fiche Number and the Document Number to locate a document in the fiche collection.


text:
Kaplan vs. The Princeton Review GRE
Updated September 28, 2019
Studying for the GRE can be a daunting task, but in this article, I am going to guide you through a comparison of two of the best options on the market. If you're looking for some more detailed information, be sure to check my pages for both Kaplan and the Princeton Review, as well as my comparison of these courses against all the top GRE courses on the market. So, who's the best? Well, let's ring in Round 1!
Princeton Review vs. Kaplan: Cost
For the initial price comparison, I'll look at the standard Self-Paced and Live Online test prep options offered by both Kaplan and Princeton Review. But keep in mind that each of the platforms offers their own unique add-ons and specialty packages, which I will discuss in detail below.
The Princeton Review Self-Paced package runs at $499, a significantly cheaper option compared to Kaplan's $699 Self-Paced test prep. In terms of Live Online test prep, Kaplan initially runs cheaper at $999 compared to Princeton Review's $1199. Keep in mind, however, that Princeton Review is runs sales frequently, and at the time of writing – their Live Online courses is $300 off, from $1199 to just $899.
Winner: Princeton Review*
*Keep in mind, however, that while the Princeton Review is cheaper on average, Kaplan provides an extra 2 months of access, which might be the deciding factor for you. Part of my goal is to show you that the right choice also depends on your availability and learning style!
Princeton Review vs. Kaplan: Course Access / Expiration
As I mentioned above, Kaplan offers 6 months of access to their online prep materials. With the Princeton Review package, you are paying less but also receiving only 120 days of access to their course materials. With each company come the options to retake a course or extend your access if you are not satisfied with your progress or the product. We'll dive further into each of their course guarantees below.
You should consider your unique schedule when deciding which course to buy, but for me, Kaplan gets the edge with the extra two months.
Winner: Kaplan
Princeton Review vs. Kaplan: Books
When it comes to test prep, different platforms speak to different students. I, for one, find it much easier to learn from physical resources; if this sounds like your style, then this section is for you.*
Kaplan offers two primary textbook options, both of which can be explored on their site and bought through Amazon. GRE Prep ($16) and GRE Prep Plus ($28) offer test-taking strategies, a physical and an online practice test, and access to Kaplan faculty for Q&A on their Facebook page. The Plus option adds an extra online test, the useful QuizBank tool (see Practice comparison below), and a mobile friendly platform.
By contrast, the Princeton Review has options ranging from $10-40, and even though the upper range is a bit more expensive than Kaplan, the Princeton Review carries the day on the strength of their versatility: their site currently boasts over 20 textbook options! From subject-specific drill books to comprehensive strategies and practice tests, the ability to choose the right book for you (at the right price) is a big win for book users.
Winner: Princeton Review
*I still encourage those who purchase books to combine their studying with an online prep course. Online courses are generally updated more frequently and provide great structured study plans that can make a huge difference in your GRE preparation.
Princeton Review vs. Kaplan: Practice Questions
Practice Questions are the heart of GRE Prep. Kaplan puts their best foot forward in this category, offering students two individual practice options: QuizBank ($69 value including 2500+ GRE questions and quizzes you can customize by difficulty and subject-matter) and Practice Pack ($149 value including: QuizBank, practice tests, and mobile flashcards). But to take it one step further, there is the Kaplan-exclusive Official Test Day Experience ($150), which allows you to take a live practice test and simulate all aspects of GRE test day.
While the Princeton Review does not offer separate practice packages (apart from their physical books described above), they do provide potential users with a free practice test, a free live seminar and a 14-day trial, which includes a (limited) sample of their online course materials. In terms of practice materials provided in the course, both Princeton Review and Kaplan offer a plethora of content. Here's a quick breakdown:
Kaplan: 8 recorded instructional video sessions, 5,000+ practice questions, Quiz Bank (which creates custom quizzes based on difficulty and subject), 7 full-length practice tests, 180 hours of online instruction and practice, Email-based support, GRE textbooks: GRE Premier: Course Book Edition, GRE Math Workbook, GRE Verbal Workbook, and GRE Pocket Reference (Kindle option available), and a flashcard app.
Princeton Review: 24 hours of recorded video lessons by GRE test experts, more than 470 practice drills, 8 full-length and adaptive practice tests, 3500 practice questions, and the unique Princeton Review higher score guarantee – "you'll score higher, or we'll refund your tuition." This guarantee can go a long way, as the Review also offers an entire year of access if you are unsatisfied for ANY reason (regardless of score). See the Princeton Review website for more specifics on their guarantees.
Winner: Kaplan
Princeton Review vs. Kaplan: Flashcards
Studying on-the-go can be crucial for students working a busy schedule apart from test prep.
The Princeton Review offers customizable flashcards, accessible within the online course materials. They do not have a mobile platform, but just like with their practice questions sets, there are options to purchase Princeton Review physical flashcard packs. These 500-card packs focus on vocabulary and sentence structure and they run for $13 on Amazon.
With the Kaplan GRE Review, your online materials come complete with free access to their mobile app, including a sleek interface designed for flashcards. Kaplan's flashcard library (also 500 cards) features common GRE vocabulary, context clues and synonyms. It also allows you to customize your card stack and track your performance.
Winner: Kaplan
Princeton Review vs. Kaplan: Course Formats
Both test-prep companies offer a plethora of package and format options. Choosing the right one for you is important—but it can be challenging to sift through all of the courses on offer. Here is a quick breakdown of the options for each:
The Princeton Review GRE Course Formats:
- Self-Paced Online ($499): Recorded video lessons; 8 adaptive computer tests (with score reports); DrillSmart technology, which curates lessons in response to your unique subject performance
- Ultimate Live Online ($899): all self-paced features plus 180+ hours of total instruction, 24 hours of live instruction, drills, and thousands of practice questions
- Private Tutoring ($1800 or $3000): Access to a personal, live instructor in person or online for options of 15 or 18 hours. Study one or two days each week, with extreme versatility to make scheduling for your unique availability a breeze. Private tutoring also comes with the Princeton Guarantee!
Kaplan GRE Course Formats
- Self-Paced Online ($699): 18 hours video instruction; The Official Test Day Experience; 7 full-adaptive computer tests; 180+ hours of instruction; QuizBank; 2 prep books. Online Plus Option adds 35 hours of live instruction for extra $200
- Live Online ($999): All Self-Paced Plus options, plus extra 3 hours of online instruction. Plus options adds 3 hours 1-on-1 coaching for extra $300
- Private Tutoring ($2199, $3299, $4399): Access to complete In-person or Live Online Course, plus a unique study plan with a personal GRE coach; price options are for 15, 25- or 35-hour plans
Both companies offer similar structures to their courses, although the value for Princeton Review is higher, with most of the unique Kaplan features coming in their more expensive Plus package option. For example, with the Live Online Plus, you can get a 3-hour taste of Kaplan's private tutoring. While this can be helpful for some, if you are the type of student who really thrives in a private setting, you still might need the full package anyway in order to reap the full rewards.
Winner: Princeton Review
Princeton Review vs. Kaplan: Video Lectures
When it comes to the quality and content of their respective recorded lectures, Kaplan and Princeton Review go toe-to-toe. Both feature instructors with extensive training in GRE strategies and teaching and combine one-on-one style lectures with mock classroom demonstrations and exercises. These help you feel like you are in the room with the instructor rather than listening watching through a screen.
Winner: Tie
Princeton Review vs. Kaplan: Retake Options
Sometimes, test-taking doesn't go as planned. If you find that your review course is not meeting the standards that you expected, or perhaps you don't feel the right degree of improvement, there are options for to be refunded or retake the review course.
With Kaplan, if your GRE score doesn't improve after completing an entire course, you might qualify for a full refund. Conversely, if you are unhappy with the score or course for any reason, you may retake the same course at no additional charge. Keep in mind: if you choose the repeat option, you will no longer be qualified for a refund. See the Kaplan website for specifics on their refund and repeat policies.
The Princeton Review offers some truly impressive guarantees. With the Readiness Guarantee, you are eligible to retake the same course or one of their refreshers if available. If you complete the course and are not satisfied with the result (no matter your score) you can continue working with Princeton Review for up to one more year, thanks to their Satisfaction Guarantee. And finally, if you find that your score has not improved (and you met all requirements during your specific course) you can request a full refund of your tuition. As always, there are unique conditions, so be sure to check the Princeton Review website for full information.
Winner: Princeton Review
Before determining an overall winner, let's recap all of the differences between Kaplan and The Princeton Review's GRE courses.
Princeton Review vs Kaplan GRE Comparison Table
|The Princeton Review
|Affordable $499/$899
|Course Access / Expiration
|120 days
|6 months
|Physical Books
|20 Subject and General Practice and Textbooks
|2 Textbooks
|Practice Questions
|Free Tests and Seminar
|QuizBank, Official Test-Day Experience
|Online Access
|Mobile Flashcards
|Course Formats
|Self-Paced, Live Online, Affordable Private Tutoring
|Self-Paced, Live Online, In-Person and Tutoring
|Satisfaction and Readiness Guarantee, Full Refund available
|Free Course Retake, Full Refund available
Now you're wondering who's the best, right? Kaplan offers their unique QuizBank, mobile accessibility, and an extra 2 months of access. But the Princeton Review offers students better prices and options across all formats, consistent discounts, a host of physical study materials, and multiple satisfaction guarantees. After my review of each,
The Princeton Review won in 4 of the 7 major categories, and The Princeton Review comes out slightly on top.
More To Consider
Everything I do here is meant to help you prepare for YOUR test in YOUR way. Be sure to check out other pages on the site for a full head-to-head of 7 leading GRE prep courses. While you're at it, maybe pay a visit to my current top-ranked option: Magoosh. Now that you're even more informed, it's time to choose the right program for you and get ready to CRUSH the GRE!


text:
My evenings have been strangely packed so far this year - in part a consequence of having been out of town for a week over the holidays and therefore having a bunch of deferred errands to run. As a result, the blog has been relatively lacking in content, so I suppose it was inevitable that the most interesting part of PVD this week has been... the "most recent post" sorting feature on my blogroll widget.
First, Psychochild's year-end wrap-up named me as the number three traffic source to his site. It didn't occur to me that I personally represent a significant portion of this traffic, because I often use my blogroll as an improvised RSS reader, until Indy commented that he also uses my blogroll for the same purpose.
Then Wilhelm started playing with post tags on his archives, and my blogroll apparently concluded that his blog had last updated in 2006.
If anyone else is working on a post about my blogroll widget to add to the coincidental January 5th publicity blitz, I suppose there are a few more hours left in the day? (Actual content incoming, really.)
Thursday, January 5, 2012
My oddly famous blogroll widget
Posted by Green Armadillo at 7:34 PM
Labels: housekeeping
3 comments:
- seanas said...
Am I allowed to confess that yours is one of two gaming blogs I have bookmarked because, as well as the posts, I like the choices on the blogroll? :)
- January 6, 2012 at 3:51 AM
- Bhagpuss said...
I just checked and not only is PVD the top traffic source for Inventory Full but you've sent more than twice as many people my way than any other url, although Google has sent more traffic as a site. (What's the difference? Don't ask me!)
Thanks for that and for all the entertainment and information at PVD over the last year.
- January 6, 2012 at 4:18 AM
- Wilhelm Arcturus said...
I remain jealous of the Blogger blogroll display with its latest post ranking system.
And you send a goodly amount of traffic my way, even when not responding to my silly posts.
- January 6, 2012 at 1:16 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
A security guard checks diamond polisher Mestilde Shigwedha's grocery items against her receipt at a supermarket in Windhoek, Namibia. Guards check the groceries of all shoppers to prevent shoplifting.
- Filename
- NAM_090305_128_xw.jpg
- Copyright
- © Peter Menzel www.menzelphoto.com
- Image Size
- 1024x683 / 525.3KB
- Contained in galleries