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This page contains all my blogs from the whole semester. It is sorted in reverse order of the date that the blog entry was last updated.
MetaSearch: Taking Search to a New Level
by roopak (last edited on 13 Dec 2008 20:03)
Metasearch is amazing! I had no idea such tools existed before. This was finally a tool that revived the excitement brought about by RSS and news searches. Metasearch is Google plus Yahoo plus Everything. As a result, it has capabilities that cannot exist with individual search engines.
Class Exercise
In class for BIT 330, we went through several metasearch tools and entered an identical query. We then looked at the top 10 results in each and determined how many were relevant. I used the query ["oil consumption" -intitle:prices] because this has been my most successful query with web searches for my project. Below are my results from the class exercise.
|Search tools
As can be clearly seen, most of the metasearch engines performed equally well or better than Google and Yahoo individually. If Mamma and Dogpile are factored out, it seems better to use metasearch tools than individual search engines.
Other advantages
In addition to providing more relevant results, metasearch engines allow you to see how many different search engines returned each result and allow you to use many different types of searches at the same place (news, video, image, academic, etc.). For instance, looking at the results of the query used for the class exercises in ixQuick below, you can tell how many times the results came up in the individual search engines by the number of stars next to the result. You can also see the ranking of each result in each individual search engine.
This is very helpful in determining which results are likely the most relevant. Since results are sorted by number of stars, those sources deemed relevant by the greatest number of sources appear first. This can really allow you to take advantage of the benefits that come from using multiple search engines.
Dogpile provides a good example of a metasearch tool that allows you to use many different types of searches at the same place. It has separate tabs for Web Search, Image Search, Audio Search, Video Search, and News Search as shown below.
This makes it very convenient for finding all different kinds of resources on one topic in one place. Yes, Google does have Web Search, Image Search, Video Search, etc. and you can access the different searches by clicking on different tabs or the dropdown arrow. The difference with Dogpile is that it incorporates different individual search engines in its search including Google, Yahoo, Live, and Ask.
Another type of metasearch tool
The tools above provide an integrated search for multiple search engines. Another type of metasearch tool provides a unified interface for separate search engines. Though I did not explore these as much, they are pretty interesting and I found these more useful for searches on topics that I just wanted some quick information about. For instance, Soovle allows you to see results from the one or two most popular search sites of each type at once. It gives you results from web search sites (Google and Yahoo), a video site (Youtube), and an encyclopedia site (Wikipedia), among others. Another site of this kind that I found particularly interesting is Joongel. This is basically a directory of search sites. It has the cool feature of allowing you to choose a category of sites (Tech, Finance, Movies, Shopping, etc.) for your query to search in.
Metasearch tools have many capabilities and allow you to perform a search in many different resources at once. They also sometimes point out the overlap between these resources allowing you to really gain from this collaborative approach. One of the best aspects of metasearch tools is that they introduce you to many new search engines that you probably didn't know about before. After using a metasearch engine several times, results from certain search engines may clearly appear more relevant. This would provide new information as to which search engines are best to use for which topics. Many of these search engines are not widely known simply because their functions are so specialized, but it is precisely for that reason that they are so valuable.
I will be using metasearch tools a lot in the future. Currently, I don't know about a wide variety of different search engines, so I am hoping that by using metasearch engines I will be introduced to new search engines that better cater to my needs. This way, I will be able to go to a specialized search engine for my finance queries, for instance, instead of just typing them into Google.
Ben Lewis: The (Google) Man
by roopak (last edited on 27 Nov 2008 06:17)
I am a big fan of Google just like most college students. You can type in almost any subject in Google Search and get all the sources you need for a solid paper in less than 1 second. Also, with Image Search, Youtube, and Google Calendar, Google pretty much serves all of my time-wasting and organizational needs. Because of this, when I heard that a speaker from Google was coming to speak to the class, I was naturally excited. Ben Lewis was that speaker.
What Ben Talked About
Ben was an interesting speaker who emphasized how Google was actually making its money from its products. He touched on the two most obvious ones (search and ads), but he also spoke to us about how Google Toolbar and Google Earth, as well as several other products, were also bringing in revenue. Perhaps more importantly, he specified the costs that are really associated with the products.
I was interested in the auctioning system Google uses for ad space. Ben went through a search for a video game and showed us the four ads that were displayed on the right side of the screen. He then explained the how the many advertisers submit bids for certain keywords and the few highest bidders get to have their ads displayed. While doing this, he talked about how Google prevents ads with excessive exclamation points and other nonsense from showing up and allows only relevant ads in its ad space.
I have never used the Google Toolbar and never thought much about how toolbars could help make money. Ben explained that the toolbar is beneficial for two major reasons. First, it keeps the brand at the top of mind. This made clear sense to me. Second, it has a PageRank feature that indicates how important a web page is by using clicks as votes. This is a useful service and it allows Google to track user data. Tracking user data leads to better information. Better information leads to better services and greater revenue. Google Earth offers Google Toolbar when it is installed, so it also provides the same benefits indirectly.
The order of costs Ben mentioned were about what I had expected. For every product, servers and bandwidth were the highest cost. The costs of creation and maintenance varied with each product, but the variable costs per use by a consumer were very low. The biggest thing that I had not previously considered at all was the fact that Google is losing money with each search that does not involve clicking on an ad.
What I Learned
I had not previously considered the level of strategic thinking that goes into Google products. It had crossed my mind several times that it makes no sense for Google spend its money offering free products. Google Earth in particular had always seemed like a really cool program that was useless for Google's bottom line. The idea of adding Google Toolbar as an option when installing Google Earth is an incredibly smart idea. Google creates a lot of goodwill because of these products and gets a lot out of them at the same time!
The support for creativity was something I had heard about on the news, but hearing it from a Google employee made it real in my mind. Ben said that Google does not put a cap on the amount of money that can be spent on a project. Ideas are funded as far as they can go! The fact that they allow creativity to work freely like this and that employees actually feel this freedom explained to me how a company can create such amazing things. Unfortunately, this freedom has become slightly limited recently due to the economic decline, but I feel that the culture that has been established at Google will continue to foster amazing new products.
On the flip side of this, I learned about the unsuccessful products Google has and the money it has lost in these products. Ben talked about Google Checkout and broke down how the fee it charges fails to cover the fees it must pay to credit cards and other related costs. He mentioned that there are actually a slew of products like this that turn out unsuccessful. Being the typical Google user, I had no idea about most of Google's products and only knew about the most popular, wildly successful ones.
The Point
Hearing from Ben was great because it gave me insight into the thinking that is behind the products I am familiar with. As an aspiring business professional, it was a good lesson in strategy and considering costs. The talk overall showed how Google uses its products to promote each other, and how it uses categorization to maximize its revenue, and how it grows through innovation.
Oil Consumption Search Engine
by roopak (last edited on 09 Nov 2008 06:09)
A Google Custom Search Engine would be very useful for my project on oil consumption. New data comes out on a monthly basis or even more frequently on many sites. Also, trends in oil consumption tend to vary frequently and are hard to predict because they are so dependent on current events. Because of this, it would be important to have a means to search for the most up-to-date information. Below is my initial Oil Consumption Search Engine, which is linked to a few fact-based sites that are essentially databases for all statistics currently available about oil consumption.
The Sites
Energy Information Administration
I chose the Energy Information Administration website because it has been my greatest source of facts and figures regarding oil consumption so far. It provides weekly oil consumption data, U.S. Imports by Country of Origin, and many other very useful types of data. I used the entire site in my custom search engine because some of the oil data is scattered outside of the Petroleum page on the site. It will be very useful to any user looking for the most up-to-date information because it will have weekly updates while the my wiki site and related blogs will tend to be based on some past data.
Nation Master
I chose Nation Master because it has visuals of all different types of oil consumption data. Though it is not as up-to-date as the EIA website, it provides a bar graph, pie chart, and map for each type of oil consumption statistic it features. As I noted in my blog about Image Search, such graphs and maps are necessary to digest all the numerical information about oil consumption.
BP Statistical Review 2008
I chose the BP website because its information is from a player in the industry. Since BP is an oil company, different types of statistics are presented than would be given by a disinterested source. Therefore, there is more information on methodologies, trade movements, and refineries than on the EIA website and Nation Master. Trade movements are very important in the discussion of how U.S. oil consumption relates the rest of the world. Methodologies and refinery information provide some insight into how oil consumption can be more efficient and the feasibility of alternative methods. The site also contains historical data about oil consumption for each country since 1965.
Though there is overlap between the three sites, each contributes a significant amount of unique information. Together, they provide a large pool of information that contains a large percentage of the useful statistics regarding oil consumption in the U.S. and the world.
Additional sites to be added in the future should be focused on experts' views on the current state of oil consumption. This could primarily come from blogs and news sources. Sites containing research papers on the topic would also be useful, but unfortunately many of these papers would be part of the Deep Web and therefore inaccessible through the custom search engine.
A custom search engine can help cut out many of the irrelevant sources that are found through a normal Google Search. For my topic, using the Oil Consumption Search Engine would help a searcher find relevant information much faster because it emphasizes results from the three sites above. It would be especially useful when used to find the up-to-date numbers for the statistics on my wiki, because these were the sources those statistics initially came from. Therefore, a custom search engine would be a great addition to my project and would make it a much more complete source of oil consumption information.
Image Search: Google vs. Flickr
by roopak (last edited on 01 Dec 2008 00:32)
Since I am attempting to show the problem with oil consumption, pictures are necessary for my project. There are many numbers out there, but there are usually hard to digest. In my own research, the only way I have been able to really get a grasp on the problem is through numerous graphs and charts. I decided to take a close look at Google Image Search and Flickr to find out the strengths of each and how they can help me with my project. I used the query ["oil consumption"] for both.
Google Image Search
Just like with all types of Google searches, I was happy with the way the results were displayed. Eighteen thumbnails were displayed in rows of 6 and I could see them all on my screen with no scrolling. A few words of description were under each thumbnail. Perfect!
The results showed graphs of many different varieties. There were even a few that I had never seen before. Below is a sampling of some of the different types of graphs I came across.
This variety of types allows for a very clear illustration of how oil consumption in various countries has grown (line graph) and how much of the world oil consumption is accounted for by each major oil-consuming country (pie graph). The stacked graph also provides an illustration of the overall oil consumption broken down by region. Through the use of these graphs and others of this sort, almost all figures relating to oil consumption could be converted into an easily understandable form. Google Image Search proved very helpful in this sense.
The results also illustrated oil consumption in map form. A couple of examples are below.
The first is a typical oil consumption map that simply uses a legend and different colors to illustrate where oil consumption is heavy and where it is light. This is perhaps the most clear way to break down oil consumption geographically. The second is a snapshot of a Google Earth visualization for oil consumption. This is amazing! You can get these 3D charts at the Google Earth Blog. These are easily the most unique depictions of oil consumption I have seen.
Overall, Google Image Search proved to be a great tool for images relating to oil consumption, and the results contained every type of visual that I had found so far in all of my research.
The display of the results in Flickr wasn't nearly as appealing as in Google Image Search. The images were in list form, requiring me to scroll down the page even to browse the first few. There was a large space next to each image for description, but there was only the date uploaded and some tags next to each image. There was no description!
The images were not nearly as relevant to my search as in Google. A couple of the results were wine classes and pictures of cars. Though the cars were consuming oil, this provided me no useful information. There was also some overlap with the images in Google Image Search, including the world map and the snapshot of the Google Earth visualization.
The relevant and non-overlapping images mostly consisted of line graphs. The only new type of information that was not available in Google Image Search was in the images shown below.
The unique thing about these images is the focus on oil consumption in the United States. The first image provides an incredible depiction of how high U.S. oil consumption is compared to the rest of the world. The second provides a nice breakdown of consumption by state in map form. Though Flickr may lack in variety of graphs, this focus on the United States is very helpful in demonstrating the oil consumption problem.
After taking a close look at both Google Image Search and Flickr, I was able to conclude that there was something to be gained from using both. Though I would say Google Image Search is more useful and easier to use, Flickr does provide some unique images that are very useful for my oil consumption project. An important thing to note is that I learned more about the current state of oil consumption from looking at the images I found than by looking at numbers from sources like the Energy Information Administration website. The images reminded me of the necessity of providing visualizations for something as difficult to digest as the state of U.S. and world oil consumption and the problems which will arise in the future. Image search is certainly a very useful tool that should be utilized in any research project.
Interview Prep
by roopak (last edited on 17 Oct 2008 23:13)
Interviews are right around the corner and there are fewer and fewer jobs to be had! For this reason, I have decided to stray from my usual topic of oil consumption and focus on how to deal with the coming battles that face us all. Interview preparation is difficult because it seems like companies can ask you anything and everything and in whatever way they want. In my recent discussions with seniors, I have heard stories ranging from an interviewer playing around with his cell phone to four interviewers walking into the room and turning down the lights. Despite how crazy an interviewer may act during an interview, all you can really do is know your stuff and hope for the best. Since the markets are going nuts and students are going crazy, I decided to see how the tools we have used in BIT 330 can help prepare for the madness to come.
I started by using the tools to find information about J.P. Morgan interviews. I specifically picked J.P. Morgan because it hasn't had much bad publicity and I feel like it will still exist in the coming months. I used Google Search, Bloglines, and BNET to see what I could find. I figured that I would get a good variety by using a web search, a blog search, and a deep web search. For all three, I used ["J.P. Morgan" interview blog] as my query. I thought the best resources would be blogs specifically tailored for interview prep.
In my first few Google results, I found a nice page about J.P. Morgan on Indeed.com that had a basic description of the company and some basic information (revenue, number of employees, stock symbol, headquarters location) that was good for getting started. There were also links embedded within this information for further research. The tenth results was a forum in The Student Room where there was some specific information about the interview process given by various people. Details included the number of interviews per round, the numerical test, and how technical the questions are. Just below this result was the Vault.com excerpts of surveys of current and former employees in various positions. Overall, Google seemed like a great place to get important numbers about the company and some detailed information about the application process.
Unfortunately, Bloglines and BNET didn't yield nearly as helpful results. The first result in Bloglines did state that J.P. Morgan sets aside money for temp or temp-to-permanent jobs. Other results had no information specifically about interviewing/working at J.P. Morgan, but had news stories and interviews with people who did not belong to the company. BNET only returned results from Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights and Schaeffer's Daily Market Blog which contained articles about the stock. Of the three tools, Google Search seemed the best and Web Search in general seemed like the best method for this research.
Job Field
I decided to do a more general search next on investment banking interview preparation. I thought this would be more applicable to the average student because this is where the most prep time would be devoted. Seniors have told me that knowing specific information about a company is not always necessary, but you are always quizzed on the basics. I entered ["Investment banking interview"] into each of the three tools and hoped for the best.
The first result from Google was an excellent resource! It was an investment banking interview prep blog with various links to IB flash cards, professional networking sites, and company profile pages along with many other resources. On the home page of the blog, there was also a recent entry by the host about his internship training week. He included a brief overview of each day of training and his thoughts on the process. This site seemed extremely helpful! Other results within the top 5 included Investment Banking Interview FAQ from Cornell University's Management School and two pages from Mergers & Inquisitions (an investment banking site) with a Superday Guide and information about the selection process. This simple search in Google seemed to give me all the resources I needed to get a good start on interview preparation.
The first result in Bloglines contains a great blog entry within the Mergers & Inquisitions site about how to answer the most important interview question: "Walk me through your resume." Other good results included "What Are The Big 5s in Investment Banking Interview?" and a Brainteaser Q&A. Bloglines seemed to be a better place to find out the best way to answer specific questions that come up in an interview, while Google appeared to be a better resource to find out about the interview process.
Unfortunately, BNET found no results and simply returned a list of companies which were its top tags.
Though interview preparation is grueling, there are a lot of resources on the internet that make it a lot easier. People have compiled all of the information they used and blogged about their experiences so that we can learn without as much pain. From my two searches, I uncovered a lot of resources that I was previously unaware of and will definitely benefit me in the coming months. My recommendation, as I stated above, would be to use Google Search for factual information on a company and information about the interview process. I would recommend using Bloglines to find out the best way to answer specific questions. Looking at other web searches and blog searches could provide greater insight into the best way to use the internet to prepare for interviews. The deep web was once again disappointing to me, but I still believe that there is a chance it could be useful if the right deep web search engine is used for the right purpose. I plan to subscribe to RSS feeds of Google Search results and Bloglines results from the queries I used. I hope my searches will be a good launchpad for your own interview preparation searches.
The Deep Web?
by roopak (last edited on 13 Oct 2008 12:51)
I naturally have a tendency to be skeptical of web resources that I have never heard of. Before our class on The Deep Web, I had no idea that the Deep Web existed. The idea that these were resources that a normal Google search could not access interested me slightly, but I assumed the information couldn't really be that useful. I decided to go ahead and give the "Deep Web" a try and explore what it had to offer. I thought it might change my perceptions like RSS feeds and news searches had.
Unfortunately, I was not really wowed by this new resource and it didn't alter my perceptions. I went through each of the Deep Web resources given in class to conduct exercises and submitted the query 'oil consumption' (with quotes). This was a relatively simply query that I assumed would produce similar results across the board. My assumption turned out to be horribly wrong. I have included the top 5 results returned by each resource below and evaluated each resource based on my results.
Deep Web resources
|Environmental Defense - Putting the Brakes on Oil Consumption
|Plasmatron could cut oil consumption, emissions - MIT News Office
|03-Engine Oil Consumption Measurement Brochure
|The Determinants of Sulfur Emissions from Oil Consumption in Swedish Manufacturing Industry
|SwRI measures real-time wear and engine oil consumption in motorcycle engines
My first observation with Scirus was that the format of the results was similar to that from a normal web search in Google. Each result had a title and a short description below it. This was very simple and straight-forward.
Taking a look at the results, I noticed that each result was relevant in some way to the search. They talked about either measuring oil consumption or reducing oil consumption. They were large websites with many resources and did not talk about current news. Instead, each result was one webpage that discussed something related to oil consumption. Also notable was the fact that of the top five, one result was from 2006, three were from 2007, and one was from 2008. I would not consider this a particularly useful source for my project. Though it did not unlock any wealth of information about oil consumption, it did at least provide a few interesting pages.
Google Scholar
|Consumption of Olive Oil and Specific Food Groups in Relation to Breast Cancer Risk in Greece
|Fish oil consumption and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease: a comparison of findings from …
|Oil and the Macroeconomy since World War II
|Olive-oil consumption and health: the possible role of antioxidants.
|The Effect of Olive Oil and Fish Consumption on Rheumatoid Arthritis-A Case Control Study
Once again, the format of the results was similar to that from a normal web search in Google. This was simple to use just like with Scirus above.
Unfortunately, the results returned were terrible! I think that might actually be an understatement. This was easily the worst resource I had found so far in the class! Just looking at the results made me laugh and think that this might be a joke. Olive oil? Fish oil? How could these possibly be the main topics of 4 of the top 5 results? The only result that actually spoke about the type of oil I was looking for spoke about World War II.
Could this possibly get worse? Somehow it actually did. The publication dates for the results in the order they are listed above were: 1995, 1986, 1983, 2000, and 1991. Professor Moore mentioned during our class on the Deep Web that sometimes the publication dates are wrong in Google Scholar. I'm not sure if this is the case with these results, but I am assuming that the majority of them have the correct publication dates. They just happened to be not at all relevant to what I was looking for and from at least 8 years ago. All I have to say about Google Scholar is that it is horrible and I probably will not be relying on it for any help.
|Cyprus Solar Thermal Market and Technology Assessment
|Palm oil consumption increasing, says council, BUSINESS TIMES
|Too Soon to Re-enter Oil Stocks?
The format of the results from BNET was slightly different from the two resources above and a normal Google search, but it had the same degree of simplicity and straight-forwardness. It also contained tags below the results, which I found rather convenient.
Besides the article on palm oil, these results were relevant. Some of the results linked to excerpts from the papers or articles on the BNET site and some linked to other websites. It was a bit annoying that most of them required registration to view the actual paper or article. However, these articles were very informative and BNET seemed to be a good resource for extensive research on a topic. Just like with the previous two resources, BNET's publication dates for the top 5 results were not very recent. The fifth result was from the day I conducted the search (08/13/2008), but the other results were all from 2002 and 2003.
|Energy Information Administration - International …
|NationMaster - Oil > Consumption (most recent) by …
|Dodge, Chrysler DaimlerChrysler Vehicle Defects
|Oil Industry Statistics from Gibson Consulting
|Petroleum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Now this was a good example of bad formatting of results. The default was 5 results and there was no description below the titles. There were also no publication dates listed. The only information that was given besides the title and the domain name was the source that provided to result to Turbo 10 (for 4 of the results this was alltheweb.com and for 1 of the results this was dmoz.org). This was completely ineffective.
The results were not bad in terms of relevance. The first result was an excellent resource with all kinds of statistics about oil. This was the same resource I had gotten most of my data for my project from at this point. The second and fourth results were both very informative resources as well. As far as quality of results goes, this was the best of the Deep Web resources so far. I must note that I found it amusing that the fifth result was simply a link to the Wikipedia entry for 'Petroleum.'
Librarians' Internet Index
|AAA Fuel Cost Calculator
|Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE)
|How Gas Prices Work
|Oil Spiel
This was the best of all of the resources in formatting of results. Below each result title was a description, the url, the topics (i.e. Automobiles, Oil & Gas), and the date the site was last updated. I could have no complaints about this. It was even better than Google.
The results themselves did not make me quite as happy as the formatting, but they weren't bad either. The first and fifth results were completely irrelevant. The middle three contained interesting information about fuel economy, how consumption is taken into account to determine gas prices, and peak oil. All three of these were potentially useful sources. It is important to note that the first three results were last updated in 2005, the fourth was was updated in 2006, and the fifth was last updated in 2008. Though this was a good resource overall, like with most of the others, the results were not very current.
I did not find any of the Deep Web search engines to be especially useful for me. I can say, however, that I can see each of them being useful except for Google Scholar. I did only submit one query to each of the Deep Web search engines, so naturally my results cannot be taken as conclusive evidence of how useful they will be in general. However, I believe that some of the observations I had can provide good clues as to how useful they will be for research on other topics. If you would like to take a look at the full lists of results returned by the Deep Web search engines for my query ('oil consumption'), here are four of them: Scirus, Google Scholar, BNET, and Librarians' Internet Index. For Turbo 10 you will actually have to type in the query ('oil consumption'), because the url does not change in the address bar when you conduct a search.
Yahoo! News v.s Google News
by roopak (last edited on 07 Oct 2008 01:07)
In my last post, I talked about how amazing I think RSS is. This post is about how to apply the usefulness of RSS to news search engines. I decided to compare Yahoo! News and Google News because these are the two news search engines I plan to use the most in my research about oil consumption.
The competition
I looked at the results from both Yahoo! News and Google News for the query "oil consumption" (including the quotes) for the last day and for the last week. I felt that looking at the last week would give me a good overall view of how relevant recent results from each search engine would be to my project. I looked at the last day to get an idea of how many relevant results I would receive daily in my RSS feed using this query.
For the last week, I looked at the first 20 results of each sorted by relevance. Here are my results expressed in percentages:
|Last week
|Yahoo! News
|Google News
|Yahoo! News
|Google News
As you can see above, the results from Yahoo! News were slightly more relevant than the results from Google News. The 10% shown at the intersection of Yahoo! News and Google News is the percentage of results that were BOTH relevant and overlapping. This was to give me a gauge of how many of the results that I would consider useful were actually appearing on both. It is clear that a lot can be gained from using both news searches as opposed to one.
For the last day, I looked at all of the results since there were fewer than 20. I recorded my results below using the actual number of results:
Total results from Yahoo! News: 11
Total results from Google News: 15
|Last day
|Yahoo! News
|Google News
|Yahoo! News
|Google News
It appears from these results that on a daily basis, Yahoo! News and Google News will give me about the same number of relevant sources in my RSS feed. A few more days would have to be looked at to draw a strong conclusion about this, but looking at the last day should give us a decent idea. The 3 shown at the intersection of Yahoo! News and Google News is the percentage of results that were BOTH relevant and overlapping. It can be seen easily that on a daily basis most of the relevant results from Yahoo! News and Google News are the same. If I had an RSS feed of these results, I would only get one additional relevant source from looking at both as opposed to one. Obviously, once again a few more days would have to be looked at before drawing a strong conclusion on this.
The conclusion
The important thing I have taken away from this for my project is that by having RSS feeds from both Yahoo! News and Google News using the query "oil consumption," I will get at least a handful of results that will keep me updated with relevant news about oil consumption.
As for my personal use, the combination of these tools has given me an even better way to prepare for interviews in the coming months than RSS alone. In my previous post, I mentioned that RSS gave me what I took BIT 330 for. The use of news searches with it will help enormously in preparing for interviews, because it will deliver the daily news about the companies I am interested in right to my RSS reader. Here's a list of some of the daily searches I plan to subscribe to that could help get you started:
|Yahoo! News
|Google News
|Goldman Sachs
|Morgan Stanley
|Deutsche Bank
Subscribe to RSS feeds for each company you're interested in to keep you up-to-date and prepared!
RSS strikes oil!
by roopak (last edited on 02 Oct 2008 11:03)
This post was truly inspired by RSS. It has shown me that everything might be ok. I know this sounds odd, but read on.
To be honest, after BIT 200, I was not very impressed with RSS. We were required to use Google Reader for a period of time as an assignment, so I just clicked on popular feeds like The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and whatever else seemed news-related. I thought of it as a way for me to get the news items for newspapers that I SHOULD read but never actually do. What happened? Well, I never read these feeds on Google Reader either. There were thousands of news items piling up that were about hundreds of topics. I wasn't really interested in any of it but felt obligated to get a feed for something that sounded intellectual for the class.
The main reason I initially decided to take BIT330 was so that I can easily get large amounts of specific information about companies when interviewing time comes around. I found the classes on Search Techniques and Web Directories somewhat interesting and saw myself using the information in the future, but they didn't give me exactly what I took the class for. I thought the classes on RSS would potentially give me this, but was apprehensive after considering the thousands of unfiltered news items that were in my Google Reader from BIT 200.
The search for oil
Two things separated this experience with RSS from my last one:
* Search techniques
* Subscribing to search results
For my term project, I am giving detailed background and following the news on oil consumption. This does not mean watching oil prices! This means monitoring how consumption is affected and keeping up-to-date with plans to remedy the oil shortage.
I started out as indicated in the RSS Lab Exercises by searching in Bloglines. I naively submitted the query: oil consumption. Go figure, 83,300 posts! Even of the first five, not too many looked very useful. This was more than mildly discouraging. I thought about it for a second and then went with: intitle:'oil consumption'. This came out a bit better, but I felt like the results were still not relevant enough. Finally, my perfect query hit me: intitle:'oil consumption' -prices. There it was!
Within the descriptions of my first six results, there was:
- "World Crude Oil Consumption by Geographic Region"
- "Oil Consumption by state"
- "reduction in oil consumption will increase the inelasticity of remaining demand…"
My search had given me all kinds of background information on my topic and it seemed as if the results were tailored for me! After looking at the next step in the exercises, I subscribed to this search.
The spoils
I am not a tech-savvy person and BIT 330 has been a bit outside of my comfort level so far. It took me a LONG time to figure out how to navigate all around the Wikidot course website and I am very slowly becoming comfortable with formatting within Wikidot. This experience showed me that the term project, which had previously seemed quite overwhelming, might not be quite so overwhelming. If I can have multiple feeds from various sources with search results tailored to my project, I should easily have enough information to develop a good term project (in theory).
Beyond the project, this experience gave me what I came to this class for. It gave me an easy way to get large amounts of specific information about companies. This is something I know I will use well after I leave this class and may very well help me land a job!


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Iphone bluetooth
The iPhone is one of the most coveted and admired of recent technological gadgets and it seems like just about everyone ranging from the stay-at-home mom to the top-notch businessman wants an iPhone for either business or personal reasons. The iPhone itself is a truly fascinating device that combines the oh-so-popular iPod, cell phone, palm pilot, and Internet browser all into one very compact and stylish looking device. To top it off, there is iPhone Bluetooth as well, which makes the device even more appealing to so many people.
Bluetooth can be described as a specification for wireless PANs, or personal area networks. Bluetooth allows for information to be exchanged between mobile phones, PCs, laptops, printers, video game consoles, digital cameras, and mp3 players to name a few devices. Information is exchanged between these devices over secure short-range radio frequencies. Bluetooth technology only makes having the iPhone a little more exciting.
One of the most popular accessories for the iPhone is the iPhone Bluetooth headset, which allows users to answer telephone calls without actually picking up the device itself. This is an excellent device for hands-free telephone conversations while driving a car or working. The iPhone Bluetooth headset is small, light, and compact, and is very easy to use. There is single button that allows the user to receive telephone calls and lasts up to five and a half hours in constant use. The battery will last for 72 hours on standby. The iPhone Bluetooth headset comes equipped with a lithium-ion battery, which is rechargeable.
The use of Bluetooth with the iPhone is extremely useful for busy situations. The iPhone is designed in such a way that when the iPhone is linked to the Bluetooth headset incoming calls can be automatically routed to the headset. The iPhone also has the capability to automatically route calls to the iPhone speakerphone or the iPhone handset itself. This is all easily changed at the touch of the iPhone screen if the headset is packed away or out of reach when an incoming call appears.
For someone who is new to the iPhone or the iPhone Bluetooth headset, he or she may want to read all of the manufacturer's instructions that Apple provides, and may want to do a little additional research on Bluetooth. Having a small amount of knowledge on both will allow the user to make better use of his or her iPhone, as well as enjoy all of the many features.
Iphone forum
The industry of iphones has developed greatly lately, due to the extraordinary breakthrough that these products of Apple have made on the specialized market. Iphone products and mobile devices have managed to please the needs and preferences of many people who are interested in buying such products. The special features that Iphones are constructed with are meant to make people want to purchase these mobile phones, as they are completely original and different from any other mobile devices that have ever existed.
In order to ease the way of communication between the customers of iphones Apple has created specialized iphone forums that are meant to provide people with the opportunity of expressing themselves in what concerns the Apple products of this kind. Many people have stated their positive opinions regarding iphones and by the means of the iphone forums they are given the opportunity of sharing opinions and ideas regarding iphones in general.
In iphone forums you may find both approbatory and disapprobatory comments regarding these mobile products. For this reason, many people have started to use these forums as a reliable way to express their thoughts. Even if you are not a customer of the iphone you may ask and get information regarding the advantages and disadvantages that you will have if choosing to buy an iphone. For this reason, the utility and usefulness of these forums have become vital. There is also a marketing substance about these forums, in the respect that their producers can find here the descriptions and feedback that people give for their products and take all this into account. Hence, there are many people who use the iphone forums for asking or even for sharing their experience with iphones with other members.
Iphone forums also include useful information from the part of specialized users who work in the domain of technology and their opinions are always very important. On these forums you can find discussions about the uses of iphones, the iphone tricks, the structure that these mobile devices have been constructed upon and last but not least, information about eventual problems that may occur when using an iphone. All this information is given from the actual experience of some people and for this reason the utility of these forums is highly admitted.
All in all, iphone forums include almost all the information you need and people are highly advised to appeal to these forums in order to make everything clear about iphones in general.
Second generation iphone
Many of you will remember that before the iPhone came out and even when it was already out, there were lots of version 2iPhone rumors going around. In Taiwan during July 2007 it was published in a newspaper that they had increased the touch screen panel orders running for the second generation iPhone. It also said that they had already started the test production with Apple's intention to sell their latest iPhone model for the ridiculous price of just $299. The only mistake made was that the author of the article neglected to publish just where this "second generation iPhone" was going to be sold.
There are always rumors going from city to city regarding the iPhone, if only we knew exactly which ones of them were true or not, but that is why they are called rumors, nobody knows the truth!
Another "rumor" states that there will be a second generation iPhone launching early in 2008. Only this one will have a 3GB capacity, not 4 or 8 like the originals that were released in July 2007. However, there is also one said to have been launched in September of 2007. so where does the truth lie in this rumor-mongering world?
Whether it is the real deal of the second generation iPhone, recent surveys suggested that one in every ten US professionals will actually get the iPhone; others say it is just too expensive and they will rather go without it then pay over $500 for it. If you are willing to pay the price for this iPhone and be a step ahead of everyone else, go ahead and get yourself one, it is definitely worth the price, but some are just not able to afford it. However, it is likely to come down in price by a few dollars as the years go by and more advanced technology emerges. So if you are that desperate for the iPhone but don't have the cash for it now, wait a few years and you should be able to afford it then!
If you are unable to wait that long for the original iPhone, then look into a second generation iPhone. These are supposed to be at least $300 cheaper than the original iPhones so you stand a good chance there. There are many rumored to be in production from numerous countries and company's, just keep an eye out for the launch date.
Iphone problems
When there is a new technological device released to the public, it is rarely without bugs or glitches. With each new generation of the device, these bugs and glitches are often resolved, improved, and removed altogether. This is true for almost any electronic device, including the oh so popular iPhone. In general, the reviews of the iPhone have been exceedingly positive, but there are bugs and glitches to be found. There are some iPhone problems that users of the device have noticed, and Apple is aware and probably working toward resolutions currently.
There are both minor and major (depending on who you ask) iPhone problems. So, let us begin with the minor problems, which are likely to be resolved and even improved upon with the next iPhone generation. One of the most common complaints among iPhone users is that there is no Flash or Java, which means that watching many online videos can prove to be quite a feat when using the iPhone. This is cause for complaint since web browsing with the iPhone is so highly marketed.
While the iPhone comes equipped with a digital camera, it is of very low quality when compared to other camera phones currently out on the market. The iPhone digital camera features 2 megapixels while competitor's camera phones come equipped with up to 5 megapixels. Additionally, for those extra application loving folks, there are only 25 different ring tones available on the iPhone. You also cannot use mp3 songs as your ringtones, which has disappointed many iPhone users.
One of the more pressing iPhone problems is that many people have had trouble activating the device through the AT&T Cingular network, which is the only carrier contracted to service the iPhone currently. Part of the problem may have initially been that setup is done all through iTunes, which can be bogged down easily. This problem has already resolved after the initial iPhone launch since less people are logging on at once. However, even though the phone is synched through iTunes, there is no wireless synching with a computer.
Most importantly, one of the iPhone problems most detrimental to its use is security flaws. Although the iPhone is actually more secure than other cell phones currently, it can still be hacked into, especially when your particular phone has a bug in the Safari browser. There is also the problem of data seeping out when in a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth heavy area. However, many of these iPhone problems were initially discovered during the original launch, and will likely be resolved for the next generation of iPhones.
Iphone sale
The extraordinary apparition of iphones has been pretty controversial at the time when these phones have been introduced to the specialized industry. The fact that they contain so much unique features, among which we can also mention the image that they have, can lead our thoughts to very spectacular mobile devices that provide their users with numerous options. For this reason there are many people who have been charmed by their image and structure and who have invested in purchasing iphones for their personal use.
Taking this situation into consideration we may notice the great raise of iphone sales in the previous period. There are many people who want to have the newest technology in the field of mobile phones and devices and for this reason they have chosen to purchase iphones in order to be able to praise with their spectacular acquisitions.
Regarding the field of iphone sales, there are also many negative opinions regarding iphones. People who are not yet convinced by the efficiency and features of this phone have started to state some of their skeptical opinions regarding the structure and functions of this phone. However, despite the numerous opinions that are not so positive regarding the apparition of iphones, we may notice a considerable raise of sales of iphone products.
This fact can be judged from the great desire of some people who want to get iphones for the unique features and options that these phones provide and not only that but the exterior image of these mobile devices. All these elements that iphones offer to their users as really original opportunities of having fun are actually represented by the prices of these phones. So if we are ever put in the situation of commenting upon the prices of iphones we can easily mention the pricing situation that their market has established for them. However, there are many people who do not seem to be bothered by the prices of these phones and for this reason many people choose them as reliable technological instruments in order for using them every day.
Hence, the sale situation of iphones is really developed, as there are many people who have adhered to the ides of these iphones from the moment they were introduced to the specialized market. Choosing an iphone or not is actually a matter of priorities, as such an investment may seem profitable for some people but not at all profitable for others.
Fm radio for iphone
First there was the cell phone. The original cell phone looked like a brick. It was heavy and cumbersome. The aerial (yes it had an aerial) seemed futuristic. At the time it was a status symbol and it was very expensive. Most people thought a 'portable' phone would never last. But the phone just kept getting smaller, lighter and better.
When the iphone made its recent appearance it was an instant must have item. This is not merely a phone. The look of it is undoubtedly futuristic. The iphone is smooth and designed to be a thing of beauty. This is more than even a multi media communications asset. The iphone is an entertainment device. There seems to be no stopping the designers and manufacturers.
Even though consumers have had their breath taken away by the impressive iphone they are quick to point what they believe is missing. They know the big brands are listening to them. The manufacturers also realize they have to be one step ahead of their buyers. This is why the iphone is filled with the most advanced Web 2.0 interactivity.
Like the original cell phone a radio was a noticeable piece of technology. They were popular and carried around everywhere. The radio was and still is a means of keeping up with the latest news and music. The radio is still an ideal way to keep up with many current topics. There was a noticeable gap in the market for FM radio for iphone users.
Many consumers question why FM radio for iphone is not possible. It does not make much sense because the iphone is such a high tech item. But it has been whispered that there is no radio on mp3 players, CD or the iphone because of real technical restrains. It has been suggested that the other reason for not including a radio is to keep the iphone as compact as possible.
Consumers have been so indulged by the cleverness of designers that it is hard for them to accept there is a limit to technical capabilities. The big brands compete furiously to dazzle consumers. However, consumers have the right to be fickle. They will move from brand to brand depending on the features that are offered. There is no FM radio for iphone. The closest is an ipod accessory that broadcasts songs using FM radio to a stereo. The vast majority do not have the ability for radio.

subset: commoncrawl


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There's going to be a lot of hugging tonight and tomorrow morning. Small figures will spring from waves of ribbons and wrappings to throw their arms around Grandma with a "thank you, thank you, thank you!" Parents will be unexpectedly bussed by grown sons and daughters. Brothers and sisters will laugh aloud at what treasures they have given each other. Friends will be overwhelmed at how perceptively remembrances can be chosen. Yes, someone will say, "How did you know this was just what i needed?"
These occasions of delight may seem like nothing more than cozy, twinkling islands in the Western world's new seas of economic and political uncertainty. But a look elsewhere can remind us that the seas of humanity are wide. That the calms and the currents go and come. That there is a gift waiting for everyone in a broadsened sense of the gratitude which bursts out around the christmas tree.
A friend returns to the West from China, for instance, and reports on the hope and optimism of people in circumstances of austerity all but unimaginable to most Westerners. These Chinese know the harshness of the past and see the possibility of change. They feel a current taking them in a direction where the West has long preceded them.
To come back from China to the West is to be struck anew by how very far the free industrial nations have taken their people. Britain, for all its economic vicissitudes, is caring for an increasingly diverse population whose humblest member has a standard of living to be aspired to by much of the world. In the United States there is a big economic story in the belt-tightening measures required by the problems of a giant auto company. But when the workers talk about sharing sacrifices with management they are talking from a basis of hourlym wage-and-benefit packages, let alone executive salaries, that compare to monthlym income in some less materially favored lands.
his is not to say that relative deprivation in affluent lands is any more acceptable than its equivalent in lands on a whole different scale. But some perspective has to be kept. If the West at the moment seems to be in the doldrums, searching for a new current to take it forward, it is nevertheless afloat at a level unknown to previous history. It can use the present experience to help all those aboard share in the supplies available and in charting a fresh course of progress.
Outlook is important here, along with insight. Both should be served by a mental atmosphere kindled with gratitude for the gifts already received -- rather than dulled by daily counting of the problems remaining.
This is where we recall the man who said that he liked to pray prayers that were always answered. One of them was for a grateful heart, a prayer that begins to be fulfilled in the very praying of it.


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Work it Out
Sweat is a biweekly series about sports. Post a Comment »
The defenseless 7-year-old boy was surrounded by a crew of evil ninjas trying to kill him, when suddenly a team of New York City police officers responded to his call and, with flying kicks and spectacular karate chops, beat the ninjas into submission.
This was not some action film or video game, but a mental exercise in the imagination of the boy, Philip Califano.
Philip has a severe brain tumor. The exercise was part of an unusual — and, yes, completely unproven — therapeutic effort: a martial arts class run by a police officer turned rabbi in a Queens yoga studio.
"I want you to go inside your body and find those evil cells that are attacking you, and beat them up — punch them, kick them," said the instructor, Gary Moskowitz.
Mr. Moskowitz, 53, took up martial arts to survive as a scrawny, yarmulke-wearing teenager facing much larger thugs on the tough streets of the South Bronx. During his nine years with the New York Police Department, he said he earned the nickname "Rambowitz" because of his penchant for detaining violent suspects with kicks and chops.
These days, Rambowitz squares off against infirm children, trading punches, kicks and blocks in the hope of helping them cope with their terminal illnesses. He offers free classes and Cancer Camps on Sundays in Queens, where he lives with his wife and three young children.
Mr. Moskowitz, whose father owned a bagel factory, said he was beaten up constantly as he took city buses to a yeshiva in Washington Heights from a once-Jewish neighborhood in the southeast Bronx that had become predominantly Puerto Rican and black and was plagued with street gangs. Later, he said, while attending Evander Childs High School, he was mugged for his lunch money and bus pass, even during class.
"By age 14, I was the victim of four armed robberies," he said. "Wearing a yarmulke in that neighborhood was like having a bull's-eye on your back. I basically had to learn how to fight, or commit suicide."
Shortly after being held off the edge of a roof with a knife to his neck, the young Gary enrolled in a Catskills "commando camp," he said. It was run by followers of Rabbi Meir Kahane, who founded the Jewish Defense League and who created the militaristic programs to teach young Jews the fundamentals of self-defense. Mr. Moskowitz said he had been attracted to Mr. Kahane as a "dumb kid" and later turned against the rabbi.
In addition to learning how to handle a machine gun, he said he began the pursuit of martial arts, which gained him enough respect on the street to be invited into a karate club in a housing project near the former Polo Grounds.
He joined the Police Department in 1982. In addition to the Rambowitz nickname, he said he was also called Dirty Heshy, for his practice of carrying a .357 Magnum in a shoulder holster, like Clint Eastwood's .44 Magnum in "Dirty Harry." He relished these nicknames, but not the teasing he said he experienced as one of the few Orthodox Jewish members of the department at the time.
He wore his yarmulke and was outspoken about his support for Israel — he said he refused an assignment to guard Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian leader, when he visited New York, and zealously pursued a case against a group of what he said were anti-Israeli terrorists. Since his 20s, he has been teaching martial arts and giving antiterrorism seminars to Jewish groups.
He said he also went to rabbinical school, and said he now had a modest congregation at the Genesis Tree of Life Yoga and Wellness Center on Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills. He combines martial arts and religious study, teaching from the Torah as congregants perform his special form of tai chi: "chai chi," using the Hebrew word for "life."
Mr. Moskowitz has had his share of scattershot projects in the past, including controversial initiatives at synagogues in the Bronx and on Long Island. New York police officials said he was fired from the Police Department in 1991 over a variety of misconduct charges.
He began the "Combating Cancer" programs last year, teaching children to practice punching, kicking and stick-fighting for exercise and helping with balance training. For children too delicate to practice martial arts physically, he devised a noncontact game called "virtual karate," in which the two fighters stand apart and throw air punches and kicks.
Then there is the meditation and guidance therapy in which they imagine the cancer or the pain to be an evil bully ready for his comeuppance. Mr. Moskowitz said his breathing techniques and other exercises helped children manage pain and fear and made it easier for them to face injections for chemotherapy or other treatment, though his methods have not been subjected to scientific study.
As visualization aids, Mr. Moskowitz provides drawings of the black-robed cancer cells and the heroic officers.
"If they visualize the pain as a band of villains, they can fight it and the pain subsides," Mr. Moskowitz said. "As a city kid and a police officer, I was in a lot of fights, and learned to turn the pain off — that's what I teach. I teach them to take their mind and say, 'I'm above all this.' "
He described his method as a kind of hypnosis "that commands the brain to destroy the cancer, like the immune system would attack any foreign body."
"But I'm not a doctor and I'm not God," he added. "If nothing else, this changes their spirit and helps them feel stronger. It gives them spiritual and emotional support."
Philip, who lives in Oceanside, N.Y., was given a diagnosis of brainstem glioma last year and has received chemotherapy and radiation. His doctors say they have "done all they can do for him at this point," said his aunt, Domenica Califano, who noted that many of the children in his experimental chemotherapy study had already died.
Philip's young body has been weakened to the point where he sometimes has trouble standing, but his tumor has stabilized. His aunt said Mr. Moskowitz's sessions had strengthened the boy's resolve to survive.
"He's gotten stronger and he's standing up to the tumor," she said. "It's mind over matter, and he's surviving."


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We are keen to assist our industry's media representatives, editors, journalists and bloggers with information, insight and images.
If you'd like to get in contact with forthcoming features and opportunities or would like Creed to comment on food trends, catering challenges or specific sectors, please contact our PR agency Whitmore Food PR & Marketing on 07877 329653 or by emailing email@example.com. Alternatively contact the Creed marketing team by emailing firstname.lastname@example.com.
Whether it's investment in technology, sector insight, a customer case study or rewarding our employees, we actively share how we add value to key stakeholders including customers, suppliers, employees and shareholders.


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115 E 5th Ave.
Emporia, KS 66801
At some point, your vehicle's battery will run out of power and need to be replaced. If you think that time is now, bring your car to Cliff's Super Service to have it properly diagnosed. Our ASE-certified technicians will perform a thorough check of all aspects of your car battery.
Cliff's Super Service is a family-owned and operated business.
Our shop specializes in Interstate brand batteries and has a number of them always in stock. Batteries for marine vehicles, as well as lawn and garden equipment are also available. We can find any battery you need.
You should never attempt to dispose of your vehicle's old battery yourself. Automotive batteries are dangerous and can be a hazard to the environment. Therefore they should only be handled and disposed of by a professional.
Our Snap-on D-TAC diagnostic system will load test your battery, check the starter draw, and make sure the charging system is charging at its full potential. You don't have to worry about resetting your cars clock and radio stations after we work on your vehicle. We hold the memory on all battery modules.


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Retractable Awnings
Up to 40 foot wide and 14 Foot Projection
15 Year Warranty
Call for Details 570-977-2870
Click here to visit the Sunair website for more information
Awnings for Deck or Patio put you in control of the elements come rain or shine!
Sunair® awnings offer great benefits in reducing energy costs while keeping you cool on your deck or patio.
Stay cool on your patio or deck, minimize exposure to harmful UV rays, add value to your home, enhance privacy, extend your living space to your patio or deck, and add a signature style to your home or business. Sunair® Awnings are produced using the latest technology to enhance your home or business. With retractable or stationary awnings for windows, doors, patios, and decks in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors- you're sure to find exactly what you're looking for!
Have sun when you want it and shade when you need it with retractable solutions from Sunair® Awnings. Many of our awnings, sun shades, canopies, and Pergola® patio systems offer retractable options for convenient operation.
Whether you're looking to add shade to your storefront or make your business stand out among the rest, commercial awnings and shades from Sunair® are the way to do it! With unique styles, affordable solutions, and great benefits, awnings are a great way to take your business to the next level.
View Awnings at www.Sunair.com
PERGOLA® Awings expand your outdoor living area and offers durability and function against both sun and inclement weather.
Great for both home patios or restaurant and café outdoor seatings areas.
The SUNAIR® Pergola® Awning is the ultimate system for larger residential spaces and restaurant cafés. Our Pergola® Awning is available in many models to best fit your needs and budget. These systems are designed for larger spaces and can be used both as sun protection and inclement rain protection, with integrated gutters to disperse water. All Pergola® models are custom built to fit your area. Model will be chosen based upon size and features, and whether the awning can be mounted to the wall or needs to be a free standing and a self-supported system. Your choice of system will also depend If you want to add Roll down bug screens, or cold weather zipper screens with windows to create a three season room. Multiple units can also be mounted together with a gutter systems to cover even larger areas.
Some smaller pergola awning systems can be manually operated with a hand crank. Larger pergola awning systems are conveniently operated with an integrated tubular motor which is controlled by a hand held remote. With the remote the Pergola® will extend and retract automatically.
For restaurants and cafés, these awnings are quickly becoming fashionable. Protecting your guests and outdoor seating area during fierce mid-day sun and inclement weather keeps your patrons happy and comfortable. Being able to continue serving on the patio generates increased revenue even during inclement weather which is also good for the bottom line.
Feel free to inquire with your SUNAIR® pergola awning expert which system is best for you.
Remote Controlled Bug Screen
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Going Up
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The Hideout
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Going Down
Solar Shades in Hawley
Solar screen over bar
Shade screen stopping pool sun reflection in bar area
Lake Naomi - Pergola Cover
Custom recover over existing wood Pergola


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New: "Curiosity" Segment & Panelists at Executive Summit
The 2018 Executive Summit being held January 24–26 at the Hotel Del Coronado in California is fast approaching and we are pleased to announce a new panel discussion on the topic of "Curiosity."
Mike Hundert, Chairman of The Vision Council's Board of Directors, will facilitate a conversation around leveraging the power of curiosity with key industry thought leaders including:
- Reade Fahs, National Vision Inc.
- Dave Chute, i2C Ventures
- Don Oakley, VSP Optics Group
- E. Dean Butler, Eyebrain Medical Inc.
To assure your spot at this must-attend optical industry event for C-level leadership, please register today. For complete meeting details and to register now, visit the event website at www.thevisioncouncil.org/executivesummit.
Please contact Renae Shepherd with any questions.
Executive Summit
Eyewear & Accessories Division
Lab Division
Lens Division
Lens Processing Technology Division
Low Vision Division
Sunglass & Reader Division


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Hello & Happy Wednesday!
Also a very happy October 1st! Where has the year gone??!!
Anyways, today I sat to craft a bit before I head out for Ryan's doctor appointment this afternoon. I wanted to play along with the SCS Color Challenge yesterday but I worked on Christmas craft show things & my Halloween Tissue Box. After I saw the SCS Sketch Challenge today, I decided to combine the 2 challenges on one card.
Here are this week's colors & the sketch:
Elegant Eggplant, Crushed Curry & Garden Green
These colors reminded me of Fall and i'm loving the fact that the ladies from the Color Challenge used Elegant Eggplant. It is a very unused color but one I really love!
I used an embossing folder that I picked up last year at the York Heirloom Stamp Show from Darice. I was drawn to the pretty variety of leaves. I embossed my 3 very pretty Fall colored cardstock with it and layered it onto a pc of Very Vanilla. My piece of designer seris paper is from last year's Fall paper called Sweater Weather. I used a retired border punch from Stampin Up called Eyelet Border Punch. My sentiment is from the For All Things stamp set out of the Holiday Mini.
Hope you like!
CC498 & SC508 Card:
Stamps: For All Things
Ink: Elegant Eggplant
Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Very Vanilla, Crushed Curry, Garden Green, Sweater Weather DSP
Accessories: Darice Leaves Embossing Folder, Eyelet Border Punch, Elegant Eggplant Grosgrain Ribbon, 2 Sided Tape
Well, that's all for today!
Thanks for popping in today & have a great day!


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Last week I shared about some confusing communications I'd received recently, this week I wanted to follow up with a discussion on something that many businesses, especially non-profits, rely on: recurring orders/donations. These are a fantastic way of having a consistent source of funds coming into your business that you can rely on as long as you're offering what they're buying or they need what you're offering. These recurring orders can be simply items that people need on a consistent basis (i.e. paper towels and pasta), or a recurring package each month/week of items to try (i.e. beauty or dog items), or a regular subscription like meal kits or clothing outfits. It can also be a consistent monthly donation that goes into a particular fund or supports a particular individual.
If you want to improve the sign-ups and keep people signed up there are several things you can do, some that apply to some types of subscriptions and some that apply to others. One is to keep a good balance of new and top favorites as part of the subscription. Another is to make sure you've sufficiently tested the new items you're sending out. Another is to send updates by email and/or mail so people know what's going on with their donations or they could add to their order.
One of the biggest keys to keeping subscription customers is the ease of updating their information and their order(s), including what they're ordering and any delivery information as well as their payment methods/options. The more challenging it is and the harder you make for them to find where and how to update the information, the more likely they'll just cancel it all. Even worse, if they really struggle with changes, they may leave a nasty review about it online or suggest to friends/family who ask not to order from that company. Out of the 8 organizations that I had to update my credit card information with 3 were easy (at least one of which took quite a bit of navigating and effort to change the information), 4 required a phone call (something that shouldn't be necessary if you can donate online), and for one the site refused to update the donation so I canceled the subscription and just made a one time donation (and will try again next month). Clearly there's a lot of progress yet to be made with these organizations, and that's just a small slice of all the organizations that you can do a subscription/donation with.
What about you? If you offer a subscription program do you make it easy for your subscribers to update their information and stay up to date about what's going on and their options?


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Click on the pictures below to grab this free flipchart!
Enjoy & don't forget to comment with your favorite teen number ideas or resources!
I am a kindergarten teacher and I had been employed at Phoenix kindergarten when I was in Arizona. Due to my husband's transfer, I have resigned from the job. Now I am looking for new job. Can anyone help me?
thnk for information :D :D
visit back my website ^_^
biro jasa sim
biro jasa stnk
peluang usaha
peluang bisnis
peluang usaha
peluang bisnis
mesin kangen water
mesin kangen water
kangen water
beauty water
beauty water spray
beauty water murah
obat kuat
obat kuat
obat kuat
Thank you for sharing your idea on how to hold paent teacher conferences. I wouldlove to use some form of this in my future classroom. LOve you blog!
Jacque Lee


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Parent / Toddler Walking to 3 Years
This class is designed as a Movement Education experience for children along with the added sense of security of learning with a parent. It is minimally structured, allowing the children and parents to enjoy exploring the gym
together in self guided play. The Gym is set up with a different Gross Motor Circuit every week.
This Class Stresses Body Awareness, Balance, Visual Motor Control, Muscle Coordination, Sequencing, Social Interaction and Taking Turns.
Because of the child's age and development of their spinal cord, we do not teach a lot of gymnastics tricks. Due to insurance liability, older siblings are not allowed to participate in these classes unless they are paid & registered for the Parent/Toddler class.
We utilize all of the equipment in the gym including:
- Bars
- Beams
- Rings
- Trampoline
$88.00 – per 4 week session (45 minute class)
- Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 – 9:45 AM
- Friday 10:45 – 11:30 AM
- Saturday 9:00 – 9:45 AM


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Thursday, September 30, 2010
sort-of review: exhale midtown
So when I told my friend Dori that I was coming to New York and wanted to try a class at Exhale Midtown, she was able to procure a pass for me. I'm not going to write a normal "review" because, honestly, I don't pay enough attention to describe everything in detail. But, here are some things that I really noticed (and liked):
1. Because of the rain there were only six people in the class. This allowed the instructor, Braxton, to devote a lot of time to explaining and correcting our form. I really enjoyed (and needed) that!
2. The studio was really big and very airy! It made me realize how tiny the Boston studio is in comparison.
3. The music was awesome. Braxton's mix included Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom! and We Built This City and I really love random (slightly crappy) music.
4. The mats were honestly the best I've ever used. I wanted to take one and use it for a nap mat in my office. So plush. So comfortable. I'm sad I had to leave them behind.
5. The staff was SO friendly. We had a hliarious conversation about red-headed men who wear their hair slicked back in pony tails. Ok, maybe I lead that conversation, but they played along and indulged me by laughing and not rolling their eyes.
4 comments:
- Jamie said...
FRIED PICKLES! Screw sides, I could eat those by the platter.
- September 30, 2010 at 6:54 PM
- Monica said...
woman, had i known you've never had fried pickles until now, i would've made it my mission to get you some. but now that you've been shown the light, my job is much easier.
i wish i could afford to go to the exhale in atlanta just to check it out. it sounds so amazing and i feel like i would fall in love with it. but alas, i will have to lust a bit longer!
- September 30, 2010 at 10:02 PM
- Dori said...
LOVE your review. So funny that you talked to the front desk people about . . . slicked back redheads? Okay then! Glad they were nice. The room there is so nice, the only time I am ever OK with rain is when I lay in savasana and watch it hit the skylight in that room. So peaceful.
I liked Braxton when I took her and I remember liking her music too. Will have to get to her class again. So glad you liked it.
And Monica - You can get an unlimited week for $40. So worth it if you go more than once!
- September 30, 2010 at 10:10 PM
- Unknown said...
jamie - i could too. and then i'd have to get to work on a fork lift. but i think it'd be worth it..
monica - they often do deals on ruelala and whatnot, you should try it out. i think you'd LOVE it. come to boston and eat fried pickles with me?
dori - yea, it came up because my lulu top has a cutout in the back for my ponytail and then we got onto the subject of people who wear slicked back pony tails and then redheads.. i don't even know... i'm weird.
- September 30, 2010 at 11:08 PM


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High return 5d theater in India
This is our client's 5d theater in India. He attracted great importance to given much advance publicity for his theater. So, before opening this theater, he had sent people to hand out leaflets in crowded places, such as the park, school, shopping center… And he not only printed the opening promotional events , gifts and the fun of 5d dynamic theater, but also posted these information in Face book, Blog, YouTube.
Facts proved that if you have a good advance publicity, the business will be better after you opening. So, after he open this 5d theater, the business is getting better and better.
Thank you for your strong support and trust on our company. We will try our utmost to provide you the best service, let's head for the successful future hand in hand.
If you want to know more about the high return 5d theater in India, please leave your message, we will contact you as quickly as possible.


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|I haven't entered the potting shed for some time ... too much snow and ice.
H.H. kept the pond from freezing over by adding a pond heater and bubbler. Through his efforts, we trust the fish survived the record-breaking low temperatures.
|Mourning doves enjoying the pond
|One of several visiting American robins
|Is this a Northern Mockingbird?
Birds are not the only creatures visiting the pond as we can see by the tracks in the snow. I didn't cut back the grass in the fall, because I thought it would add winter interest. Unfortunately, it looked messy all season. And it blocks my view of the miniature pine that I love. A lesson learned.
|Animal tracks all around the scruffy-looking grass.
|The weeping redbud adds wonderful interest in the snow.
|The grass near the Woodland Walk is much better behaved.
|Deep snow makes it impossible to cross the bridge into the Woodland Walk.
I measure the amount of snow by the bench that sits against the pasture fence. The legs are approximately 12 inches high. Today, the snow covered the seat. The yellow triangular sign on the fence says "Hummingbird Crossing." There are none yet, but I heard the ruby throated hummingbird has started its long journey back from Mexico. Such hopeful news as we near the end of this long, long winter!
Although the garden is hidden by snow, I see many problems I need to solve. In the shade garden, the naked lady shattered when a skunk knocked her off her pedestal. She was the focal point of this area and we have to decide on a replacement.
|The 'naked lady' will be sorely missed,
|The picket fence at the front of the house is rotting and needs replacing.
You can see the other side of the fence on the left of the house. The pickets are in really bad shape, but the posts are still good.
As I admire our new 'coconut' mat, I see the front porch needs staining. I know this applies to the back porch and the deck, also. My 'must-do' list is getting longer.
Looking into the stone garden, I see another problem. We need to disguise/hide the new generator. We are thrilled to have a whole-house generator that 'kicks in' whenever the power goes out. However, it is so UGLY. I thought it would be more hidden by the lilacs, but even before the leaves fell, it was exposed.
|Nothing to be seen in the stone garden except the generator.
|Evergreen plantings? Fencing? We need to put something around the generator.
Feeling extremely cold in spite of the sunshine, today, I was glad to be back inside. Before uploading my pictures, I took one more photograph (through the garden room window) of a dear, female bluebird.
Pamela x
|Hanging at my front door, I have a different picture slate for each season.


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Degrees and Certifications:
Ms. Mattlin
Hello! My name is Andria Mattlin and this is my eighth year teaching in St. Paul, but my first at Jackson. I am excited to join this community of teachers and learners! I received my Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of St. Thomas and participated in the Master of Arts in Teaching program at Hamline University. My favorite thing about teaching is helping students set and reach new goals. I look forward to meeting families and students this year!


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Friday of the Second Week of Lent
(Genesis 37:3-4.12-13a.17b-28a; Matthew 21:33-43.45-46)
Today's gospel demonstrates a very important principle of Christian use of Hebrew Scriptures or, more exactly, the Old Testament. Some may ask why the Hebrew Scriptures matter. Indeed in the early Church a famous heretic named some claimed that they didn't and wanted to get rid of them. But those Scriptures help Christians understand their Lord.
It is not only that the Old Testament gives Jesus' background so that we know the books that Jesus read and the heroes whom Jesus emulated. Also, Christians read the Old Testament as leading up to Christ. The characters and the images that these Scriptures employ become types for Christ. Type here is a technical term meaning the piece of metal which presses against ink to leave an image on paper. What's truly important, what is read and transmits wisdom is not the type but the image. In this way the Church sees Joseph of the first reading today as a type of Christ who is delivered into the hands of foreigners but eventually saves his people. "The stone that the builders rejected," mentioned in today's gospel, is another example of a type that refers to Jesus as the cornerstone of God's whole creation.
Often the Old Testament challenges us. It is much longer and more arcane than the New Testament. It can even seem outrageous to read aloud. Nevertheless, we must study it if we are to know and love more our Lord Jesus Christ.


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In a Harris County District Clerk's Office, there sits a case known as The State of Texas v. One 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. The case was disposed of in 2011, with the Chevy in question being found guilty.
You may wonder how an inanimate object can be sued. It's all a part of a process known as civil forfeiture, a peculiar remedy that allows state and federal authorities to seize property they believe were used in the commission of -- or are the fruits of -- a crime. The property can be anything (there's a Harris County forfeiture lawsuit against some jewelry, for example) but mostly involves cash and vehicles.
These actions play out in civil court, independent of any criminal charges. In fact, a person doesn't have to even be charged with a crime for the authorities to go after his loot. If the state wins, the proceeds are shared among local law enforcement agencies. And it's this practice, critics say, that gives the government a perverse incentive; a sort of license to shake down people who don't have the resources or inclination to fight back.
Prosecutors and police maintain that civil forfeiture is an effective crime-fighting tool. But some high-profile instances of abuse of the law have helped swell the ranks of those calling for the law to be modified or completely dismantled.
Leading the rallying cry against Texas's civil forfeiture law is the Virginia-based Institute for Justice, whose lawyers have taken on the case of a man embroiled in a civil forfeiture dispute. His name is Zaher El-Ali, and he's the man who claims to be the owner of the aforementioned Chevy Silverado. Using El-Ali as a sort of test case, the Institute challenged the very constitutionality of the civil forfeiture law. After striking out in district court, they pleaded their case before a panel of judges on the 14th Court of Appeals. The case is pending.
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It turns out, for reasons explained in this week's story, "Texan Challenges Civil Forfeiture Law," that the Institute of Justice may have picked the wrong case to champion. But the Institute has certainly succeeded in spreading awareness of an unusual law that challenges traditional notions of jurisprudence.


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Pay attention to the warning on the box when you dive into our box of heavenly Honeybells. There are twelve of these juicy beauties in every gift, along with sweet little hard fruit candi...
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A keepsake tin is filled with a generous assortment of temptingly sweet citrus juice candies – in orange, lemon, key lime and tangerine flavors. Your gift is accented with pecan log...
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Learn About Reputation Management By Using These Straightforward To Follow Tips
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Office 365 is a cloud-based subscription service that brings together the best tools for the way people work today. By combining best-in-class apps like Excel and Outlook with powerful cloud services like OneDrive and Microsoft Teams, Office 365 lets anyone create and share anywhere on any device.
Office 365 works seamlessly with the programs you already know and use, including Outlook, Word, Excel, OneNote, Publisher and PowerPoint. These tools provide the same great features you rely on as well as powerful capabilities in Office 365.
With multiple subscription levels in Microsoft Office 365, you can see if others are editing the document you're using, synchronize documents with your desktop, broadcast PowerPoint presentations, and check documents in and out of your online document library.


text: Ukele Precious is an Afro-reggae/Dancehall music sensation, who has been making several hits in the music industry. Precious popularly known as 'P8'. P8 who' started his music career after winning a competition organized by '27 colours' and was featured in a song titled "EVERYDAY HUSTLE" and then following it up with 'Oluwa' his official second Track. P8 is officially dropping his new Track titled "AUNTY JULIANA". Download and share!!


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I found Wavewalk online and became Facebook friends with Craig Masterman, who couldn't say enough good things about Wavewalk. We are both saltwater fly fishermen, and the ability to stand up and cast makes all the difference in the world for us.
I'm a 6′ 3″ 210lb disabled senior citizen (knee) and I knew that the Wavewalk would be perfect. If only I had known about it before purchasing my [fishing kayak brand name].
I got a tan W500 T and a PSP paddle, and I've been a good boy and familiarized myself with the W on a shallow pond before taking it in the salt. On my first trip out on the ocean I made a few casts without looking for fish, just to feel the joy to be able to stand.
I don't like it, I love it. It is all that I hoped for and more (Thanks Craig!)
Thank you for your kayaks,
Bill Davenport
Plymouth, Massachusetts
As you can see I've been wasting no time getting it set up…
Click images to enlarge
More kayak fly fishing with Bill >
Read more fishing kayak reviews that our clients have contributed >


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Auckland Zoo is home to 135 species and over 1,400 animals. Learn more about Aotearoa's largest …
Auckland Zoo is proud to serve palm oil-free and free-range food at our cafes and food village.
There are also a number of picnic areas around Auckland Zoo - sit back and relax with your purchased or packed lunch while enjoying the sights and sounds of the zoo.
In an effort to reduce the use of single-use plastic, Auckland Zoo no longer sells bottled water. You can fill your own bottle at our chilled water fountains located at each of these catering outlets or purchase an Auckland Zoo reusable bottle, on sale at all outlets and in our gift shop WildZone.
*Again Again cups are currently not accepted at the Zoo under Level 2, takeaway cups will be offered instead*
We've recently introduced Again Again cups as our sole take-out option for hot drinks, instead of single-use takeaway cups. We encourage visitors to bring their own re-useable cup or pay a fully refundable $3 deposit to borrow an Again Again cup. These cups can then be used again and again at the Zoo or at dozens of other Auckland cafés that are adopting the scheme - or the cup can be returned for the $3 deposit refund. This initiative is diverting more than 160,000 cups from the landfill each year, and is part of our commitment to sustainability as a carbon-neutral organisation. Learn more here >
*Assistance dog organisations who have approved access to the Zoo:
Assistance Dogs New Zealand
The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB)
WildZone gift shop is open every day from 9.30am to 5.30pm and is packed full of fun souvenirs, gifts, clothing, books and toys.
With a strong focus on conservation and sustainability, WildZone offers a range of products made from recyclable and sustainable sources, many of which contribute to humanitarian and conservation projects around the world - so if you're looking for great gifts with heart, then look no further than WildZone.
For information on our ongoing construction and works as part of our Future Zoo project, click here.
Auckland Zoo is on Motions Road, just west of downtown Auckland and next to the beautiful Western Springs Reserve and Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT). MOTAT's tram network provides a link between both attractions.
By car
Public transport
Auckland Zoo is home to 135 species and over 1,400 animals. Learn more about Aotearoa's largest …
Go behind-the-scenes, take a walk through the Zoo at night, become a Junior Keeper and more …
Find out what's on at Auckland Zoo. With events, exhibitions and free keeper talks daily, there's …


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Our Classic Fit Shirt exudes perfection in simplicity. Designed for a heightened sense of performance whilst maintaining everyday comfort.
Featuring: 2-Way Stretch Fabric, Signature Front Printed BIINK Logo and Raglan Cut for Dynamic Mobility.
TIGHT-FIT | This garment is Tight-Fitting and will highlight and correspond to your shape.
i.e. if you are generally a Size M, then please order a Size L if you do not wish for your garment to be tight-fit.
Model is 6'2 [188cm] and 87kg and wears a Size L in Bottoms and Size M in Tops.
Fabric Technology: Cotton, Elastane.
Product Care | Machine Wash on Cold.
How to reduce climate impact, effort and money caring for fashion the clever way.
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