text:
Phyllis Gotlieb – Sunburst
I picked up my original copy of 'Sunburst' as a wee varmint, aged maybe eight or nine, at one of our town's semi-annual library sales, attracted by the blurb but mostly by the bright cover. It ended up being one of my favourite books and I re-read it several times before losing it when my family moved in 1991. I thought about it again when I decided to get into nuclear literature this year, and had aaaaaaaalllllmost steeled myself to bite the bullet and order a used paperback online when it suddenly came into Kindle edition in February for several billion dollars cheaper. Woohoo! (I spend all my money on books but I don't, if you get my drift, appreciate spending all my money on books.)
'Sunburst' is just a perfect nuclear terror novel. Published in 1964, it precisely captured the new fear that was dribbling out from Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the nuclear tests of the 40's and 50's – it wasn't merely that radiation could kill you quickly, or that it could kill you slowly, but that you could survive and then later things would go wrong. And the science was so new that who in the hell knew what those things could be? You can contrast that to Martin Cruz-Smith's 'Wolves Eat Dogs,' which I read a few weeks later. It's set partly in Chernobyl and Pripyat, where the fear of radiation is that it will kill you, not that it will subtly fuck up a generation of your kids. It's a straightforward fear: wiggly rays of invisible death, the amount of polonium or cesium that would kill you being so small you might not see it, the way the police warn us about Fentanyl now in Alberta. You can detect it, listen to the crackle and yawp of your dosimeter, know where the hazard lies (lay? lays? fuck off, grammar). The thing is, there's no dosimeter for your genes; consequently, 'Sunburst' is powerfully scary, playing on the very human fear that you will one day be forced to live with monsters. I suppose that's part of the fun of writing a sci-fi instead of a thriller, is you can create your own hazards instead of looking them up in a chemistry textbook.
The re-read also confirmed that any book is only half there; it's half what you bring to it. And Shandy was the very first literary character that I remember thinking was significantly like me, the first time I felt I had representation in a book, maybe aside from Mole in 'The Wind in the Willows.' Shandy is acutely sensitive to the fact that there are situations where either being intelligent, or being seen to be intelligent, is the worst thing that can happen to you. In school I was picked on for being intelligent (but also: being a girl, a glasses-wearer, a year younger than my classmates due to an injudicious and involuntary skipped grade, an ethnic minority, and a fashion disaster), and I came home to parents who reamed me out for not being intelligent enough. They didn't understand the value I would have placed on effective camouflage, like the kind Shandy had. They exhorted me to distinguish myself in some way but I, like Shandy, had a horror of being 'special' – I was driven to be seen as normal at all times, so I could dodge the occasional jibe or kick, just once in a while would have been enough. And I loved her self-awareness, the story she tells about the man who wastes his whole life waiting to prove how special he was until he dies and it turns out the only special thing about him was his belief that he was special and he wasted his whole life. I lived in terror of that happening to me, and finally realized that if you're aware of it, it can't happen. (Me: "Thank GAWD.") And yet Shandy turns out to be special in a way that turns out to not necessarily be grand or heroic or noble, or even useful, till there's a crisis that only she can help with.
It was years before that happened again, and it was when I read 'Gormenghast' in junior high. I felt such a kinship with Lord Sepulchrave that it was as if Peake were writing about me, myself. I knew that if someone burned down my paltry library – just a few hundred books back then – I would also go mad and kill myself. I knew it just the way Sepulchrave knew it.
I wasn't, and am still not, interested in reading fiction about people who look like me or live like me; a character's race, gender, age, or culture isn't important when I feel that tingle of recognition. I'm interested in reading about people who think like me, see the world like me, that's where I get validation from. It's funny, while I was on Twitter reading the #DVPit challenges, there was a huge chorus of voices saying how much they wished their younger selves had seen important parts of their identity represented in fiction – their specific background, culture, location, gender, orientation, addiction, things like that. And I was struck by how little I identified with their yearning; those were never the most important things about my self-identity. I felt far more belonging seeing my mind represented in books, because everyone I knew said my mind was wrong, I was thinking wrong, something was busted. Wart, in T.H. White's 'The Once and Future King.' D-503 in 'We' (sidenote: which I read at our Catholic high school and had no idea that it preceded '1984' until I was much older – I rarely checked to see when the book I was reading was published). Caddy Compson in Faulkner's 'The Sound and the Fury' was aspirational to me, she was the badass who flipped her hair and flipped her family the bird and climbed trees and did what she liked; but her brother Quentin was the one I saw myself in. It even transcended species; I saw myself as Fiver in 'Watership Down,' and was thrilled to meet my 'Hazel' in junior high, my best friend MMM. Seeing people like me in fiction took some of the terror out of the way the world worked, and told me that I wasn't alone.
I also loved Gotlieb's neat, lively dialogue. There isn't a ton of worldbuilding in the book, it's sketched sparsely enough that a reader pictures Sorrel Park automatically as whatever little podunk, industrial town they're familiar with. It's the characters and their speech that really shine – surreptitious whispers, frenzied yelling, the whoops of a war-party of kids versus the shouted commands of the actual army. You don't see much of the buildings or the tech, but you see a lot of the people.
The book isn't without its flaws, of course; it's a product of its time, as well as, clearly, a product of some pretty deliberate and pretty gross misinformation about human intelligence and developmental disabilities that strays well into eugenics territory and then just kind of unrepentantly hangs out there. Actual slurs get tossed around not just by children but adults, and not just as insults but as descriptors. It's enough to break your concentration, as a reader in 2016, which is something I truly hate a book doing, whether SFF or not. It's not precisely that it breaks the willing suspension of disbelief, but it's like having someone scream at you on the bus or something, something unwanted and intrusive.
My last thoughts as I finished the book were how much I wish it had a sequel – you know, I've read a few series in the past few years where I was like "Oh God, send help" because it was so clear that the author was writing a series that would have been far superior as a single book simply because their agent told them that series were more likely to sell. (Sort of the book equivalent of turning 'The Hobbit,' a 90-page book, into 10 1/2 hours of movie.) Mainly, there's a point at which it's uncomfortably raised that this situation could be happening all over the world, but the characters aren't able to explore it – where? What other reactors have melted down? How are they coping? Do they need help? Could they offer help? What tech is being used? And so on. That would have made a really good sequel, if not series. My current plan is to hunt down some of her other work and see if it ever gets mentioned, if things happen in the same universe, or if any of the surviving characters reappear; you never know.


Orlando Attractions Coupons. Let's face it who doesn't love coupons? Every little helps when it comes to saving money while on vacation! Nobody wants to pay full price and everyone these days is looking for some kind of deal or a discount.


Big Wall Clock Home Design | Jadisdesignservices big wall clocks on amazon. big wall clocks online. big wall clocks on ebay.
Extraordinary Big Wall Clock Of Sticker Modern Design DIY Clocks Art 3D Decorative. Awesome Big Wall Clock At Acrylic Stickers Quartz Home Decoration Modern Design. Magnificent Big Wall Clock At Buy Sellify Black 2017 3D Real Rushed Mirror. Interior Design For Big Wall Clock On 3D Real Modern Rushed Quartz Clocks Fashion. Cool Big Wall Clock On 3D DIY Home Decor Berry Stock. Minimalist Big Wall Clock Of Dragon Con 2017 The Best Cosplay Part 3 In 2018 DIY Ideas. Spacious Big Wall Clock At Large DIY Modern Design 12 Photo Frame Clocks Creative. Impressive Big Wall Clock At Amazon Com. Best Choice Of Big Wall Clock On Huge Clocks The Shillville Company Extra Large. Lovely Big Wall Clock Of Enchanting Decorative Clocks For Living Room And Best Large. Amazing Big Wall Clock Of Meigar 19 Inches 3d Silent Gear Retro Rustic. Minimalist Big Wall Clock Of Buy Artshai 16 Inch For Living Room And Office. Magnificent Big Wall Clock Of 2018 New Home Decor Modern Design Living Room Quartz. Interior Design For Big Wall Clock At The Immart Ahead Of Era. Glamorous Big Wall Clock In 30 Large Clocks That Don T Compromise On Style. Exquisite Big Wall Clock At Cheap Clocks For Sale Philippines. Alluring Big Wall Clock At Art Andrews Living Arts Very Original. Endearing Big Wall Clock On Large Clocks Amazon Com Inside. Inspiring Big Wall Clock On Extra Large Distressed White Metal Roman Numeral Clocks. Luxurious Big Wall Clock On China New Quartz Clocks Fashion Watch Unique 3D Real. Fabulous Big Wall Clock In Lovely Large Round Kitchen Eruner Beautiful Living Room. Various Big Wall Clock Of Huge Love The Rustic For Dining Room. Remarkable Big Wall Clock Of 99 100cm Clocks Decoration Home Inspiration. Sophisticated Big Wall Clock At Amazon Com Royal 18 Inches Watches European Living. Captivating Big Wall Clock In Decorating Large Decorative Clocks Jeffsbakery Basement.


text:
Zombie Tsunami mod apk Unlimited money (android download)
Zombie Tsunami mod apk is a free, fast paced, zombie survival game where the players must gather resources to build shelters, craft weapons and defenses, and fight off the zombie hordes. This game is very easy to play so it is suitable for all ages. It is a free survival action/RPG hybrid game which allows the player to play in 2 dimensions or 3 dimensions with unlimited time and level cap.
You are a hero that must fight against hordes of zombies and solve puzzles. As you explore new places, you discover useful items that you can use to protect yourself. Zombie Tsunami mod apk game is free with no ads or in-app purchases. Our game covers all things including news, reviews, tips and tricks, downloads and much more. It is a new version 1.0 game. You can get the most addictive and exciting game for free.
Features of the Zombie Tsunami mod apk
Zombies are really scary and you have to survive their attacks because you can't kill yourself in the game. There are lots of enemies around you but you can play with friends and choose between many levels. The graphics are realistic and gives you an amazing experience. Moreover, you can use the achievements and show them on the leaderboard.
The best thing is there is no adware or malware so you can play against computer or other players. You can choose from three types of characters: humans, zombies and mutants. Customize your characters by choosing different weapons and costumes and unlock new characters as you progress. It's easy to play and you can have up to 10 players.
Moreover, you can play offline with over 50 levels to complete. It has cool graphics which makes it a very addictive gam. There are different types of zombies to choose from and use many weapons in the game. Your zombie team can be made up of 3 players so you get to build your team. Each player has a gun and a melee weapon.
There are many other things as well in the game. For instance, there are various stages and the game offers different modes like death match. So, unlock new weapons and enjoy features of real time player interaction with navigation maps to follow the game. You can also save the progress of your game.
Requirements: Android phone, iOS
Get it on: Play store-mobile, PC,
Offered by: Mob game S.A.R.L.
Developer: @Mob game S.A.R.L.
Category: Arcade
Zombie Tsunami mod apk game is the sequel to Zombie Tsunami. You play as a zombie trying to survive the onslaught of the zombies and the human survivors. It's a strategy based, multiplayer game that puts you in the role of a zombie-fighting squad leader. The game is not like most games on the market today. In Zombie Tsunami you have a limited amount of lives to survive, so you must work fast to stay alive.
The games start with the player having only a handgun and as you progress through the game, you are able to upgrade your weapon. Tsunami mod apk game is one of the most addictive games available on the Play Store. You have limited time to attack enemies and destroy them before they reach your base and become the winner.
Zombie age 3 mod apk - Unlimited money (android download)
Zombie gunship survival mod apk - Unlimited money (android…
DEAD TARGET Zombie Mod apk -Unlimited Money (android…
Zombie Assault 4 Mod Apk ( Unlimited Money) for android
Zombie Poly MOD Apk game unlimited money the racing
Jackal Squad Mod apk-Unlimited Money (Android Download)
Worms Zone Mod Apk-Unlimited Money (android download)
Hay Day Mod Apk-Unlimited Money (Android Download)
Bomber friends mod apk – Unlimited money (android download)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
reflections through reality book
barry's story
2018 Tax Appeal – Professor Lyn Beazley
Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related terminal cancer with no long-term treatment or cure. On average, one person dies every 12 hours in Australia from Mesothelioma. In Western Australia mesothelioma kills more people than road accidents.
"I am delighted and honoured to be Patron to the Reflections Through Reality Foundation. The dedicated team is supporting the world class research taking place here in Western Australia seeking a cure for mesothelioma. I also applaud their work in increasing awareness of the risks of asbestos in the community along with supporting sufferers of asbestos-related disease. I am proud to be part of the fight to make this cruel disease a thing of our past and not our future." Professor Lyn Beazley
We invite you to be part of this important work either through a one-off donation or regular giving. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Reflections Through Reality was founded in 2015 to promote and fund medical research into a cure for mesothelioma, increase awareness of the asbestos risks in our community and support sufferers.
Reflections Through Reality is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) ABN 57 605 192 710
© Reflections Through Reality | Site by C4 Concepts | Copyright © 2017 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use


text:
Q: On a web shopping cart written in PHP, should I check IP address everytime? Are too many people on rotating IP for this to be a good security measure (among others of course) or is this a standard practice?
Also can anybody enlighten me on some concepts I should pay particular attention to in securing a shopping cart?
So far I have form validation, rotating session keys, no sensitive information is stored as a cookie or by javascript, SSL encryption, and all SQL is escaped.

A: It'd eliminate any chance of mobile users using your site - they're generally all behind NAT gateways and would appear to come from only a few IPs for each provider.

A: To quote 0xA3:

I don't think that this is a good
  idea. Subsequent request from the same
  users might not necessarily come from
  the same IP address because the
  request might come from a different
  proxy. IIRC this used to be the case
  for all AOL users and might be the
  case for other providers or some
  corporate networks, too.
It is better to secure your session
  with page tokens to prevent
  highjacking a session.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
https://www.myjoyonline.com/bright-philip-donkor-are-the-development-prospects-of-ghana-all-about-free-shs/-------https://www.myjoyonline.com/bright-philip-donkor-are-the-development-prospects-of-ghana-all-about-free-shs/
Bright Philip Donkor: Are the development prospects of Ghana all about Free SHS?
Source: Bright Philip Donkor
Without a doubt, education is the bedrock of every society. Government's ability to make it free goes a long way in helping to reduce financial burdens on parents.
It increases human well-being and is a decisive factor in enabling people to become productive and responsible members of the society.
But educating people who might end up becoming unemployed because of the lack of employment avenues is nothing to write home about.
The battle over who brought or introduced the Free SHS policy and whatnot by these governments (National Democratic Congress and New Patriotic Party) who are only interested in their selfish gains is both nauseating and lurid.
Look, I didn't want to express my views on it. But upon a second thought, I've to.
In this article, I make an exposition on one of the things we've done very wrong in this country; thus turning everything done or undone by governments into sheer politicking.
It's unworthy arguing on who did that and who didn't do that. Ghanaians tax payers' money is the engine after all, so where from this battle?
The political competition between the ruling party and the opposition party appears to be influencing the quality of work meant to move Ghana's development from strength to strength. That's why Ghana is where it is.
Politicians from NDC and NPP play Ghanaians against each other, and we being so gullible encourage them with loose talk.
Cronies of these politicians love the hype, because they benefit from the chaos. We all pay tax, so whatever good project done is neither Mahama or Akufo-Addo's own. It is Ghanaian owned.
Justly, we should give credit to whom credit is due. It's very clear and every Ghanaian knows it was President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who touted the Free SHS whilst seeking power and went ahead with a universal introduction when he was elected.
If we were to hit the streets and randomly sample views, I'm sure every Ghanaian will attest to the fact that Akufo-Addo introduced it. He deserves commendation.
The Free Senior High School (FSHS) education policy is a notable achievement. But truth is, there's no need wasting time, fighting and arguing about who introduced it. It doesn't belong to him; it belongs to Ghana.
It's inconsequential to fight over the Free SHS by these governments. Free SHS that their children will not enjoy. Free primary healthcare that they will not use.
And they split heads. They're only using it as diversionary tactics to neglect other equally important areas of our education system and other areas of Ghana's development in general.
In point of fact, even if nursery to university was to be made free in the country, it could have enabled some people who were unable to afford fees go to school and complete their education.
Still, it's no news in such instance because it is government's responsibility.
Is it rocket science for western countries to be making impressive and envious strides in terms of development? In the critical moment of the global pandemic, countries like US, UK, Hong Kong just to mention but a few put in place radical measures to protect people's jobs when the COVID-19 struck. They gave emergency funds to citizens as soon as possible.
According to BBC, governments in such countries like the UK paid the wages of employees unable to work due to the coronavirus pandemic. Governments paid 80% of salary for staff who were kept on by their employer, covering wages of up to £2,500 a month.
It may interest you to know that, all these "unprecedented" measures were meant to protect workers being laid off due to the crisis. It was also understood that, the wage subsidy applied to firms where bosses have already had to lay off workers due to the coronavirus, as long as they are brought back into the workforce and instead granted a leave of absence.
Here in Ghana, the fate of the businessmen was left in their own hands. The low income earners had to decide their fate. Is the development prospect of Ghana all about Free SHS?
Improvement in public sector and government services that will create a better business environment has not been actualized. Our leaders must be more proactive in terms of policies that'll inure to the average Ghanaian.
Worriedly, we live in a country in which almost every issue is refracted with partisan lenses, except maybe the air we breathe. Everything is NPP or NDC to the extent that, our development needs is associated with partisan gymnastics.
It's as though the words ''hopelessness and uselessness'' are synonymous with some African leaders. Most transformative jaw-dropping developments in Africa are undertaken by foreigners. What a shame!
Half-truths and propaganda have diluted the richness of our national development, affecting our living standards. Development whether social or economic is very important to the well-being of every nation, as its contribution to the sustainability of that country cannot be underpinned.
However, the politicization of things done by governments and what has not been done by governments in most African countries like Ghana has been a bane and has actually made it almost impossible for its contributions to the country's sustainable development.
Whilst facts are sacred and comment is free, we think we can make facts free and comments scandalous. In the national mood, both the NDC and NPP have sought to score political brownie points.
This has led to confused messaging on the scale and level of Ghana's development. Unfortunately, it has a characteristic to inhibit progress.
The most important reason for this is the conflict between the logics of politics, which discriminates between friends and enemies.
What I'm finding difficult to comprehend is why our politics has been driven around politicization of things done by governments (NDC & NPP) and what has not been done.
Political party sympathizers argue on these trivial stuff and political party leaders are also seen doing same. They've neglected matters of national transformation, development and prosperity.
First, governments are responsible and accountable to the people because development initiatives are executed and advanced with the tax payers' money.
It's not as though we are a charitable case, where they're using their monies to propel development and advancement.
They are not Non – Governmental Organizations (NGO's) or Donors who are doing these things philanthropically or out of free will.
Secondly, accountability is supreme. Tell us what has been done by way of transparency and helping us to know our money's worth. Political parties make promises and these promises are actuated using our tax as the engine or lubricant.
More often, policies are designed by these parties which are mostly not in the favor of the Ghanaian, but because of the cosmetic attempt to outdo competition.
Moreover, achievements are not what the political parties say they are. It is what the voters say they are. Development is what the average citizen says it is based on improvements being enjoyed in their lives and that of others in their society. Voters are more discerning to do the comparison themselves. But that's what the political environment has been moulded into; where successive parties are constantly waging war against others and trying to outperform each other to prove their relevance.
But genuinely and generally, are these trumpeted developments resulting in a qualitative and quantitative improvement in the lives of Ghanaians?
How these parties, with their terms in office have impacted on your life should be the principal motivation to vote for them, and not because they claim they have outdone their competition.
You are in a better position to determine which party is best and do not be bamboozled with the idea that party 'A' is better than party 'B' based on some declarations, while your life is not getting any easier.
I believe that the days of propaganda and political point-scoring should be done and over. Ghana deserves better than scoring cheap political points on what the populace deserves.
The face of politics ought to change, we have to change it, all of us, politicians have to change it.
People should be given the freedom and protection to generate wealth through businesses so as to cause prosperity in all spheres of the country. Long live leaders of Ghana who are ready to implement policies devoid of party politics.
The author is the African Journalists for Economic Opportunity Training (AJEOT-2020) Best Article Writer & GIJ Eminence Awards 2020 Online Media Personality of the Year; Political and Social Commentator, Columnist and a Prolific Feature Writer.
Bright Philip Donkor
Free SHS
Political Opinion
Free SHS policy is a success – Akufo-Addo
Computerised School Selection Placement System: If you bring in chaff, it will be difficult to produce excellent results – DASSOSA to government
Free SHS is on its knees begging to survive – NDC Communicator
Ghanaians in UK hail Akufo-Addo-led administration
Education Ministry fights off claims it misapplied ¢19m allocated to Free SHS secretariat
From Eric's Diary: Free SHS challenges: Unintended consequences or administrative sabotage?
Government borrowing to fund free SHS – Clement Apaak
Dr Clement Apaak: Borrowing to finance Free SHS and matters arising
Free SHS not run from Jubilee House – Education Minister
Government to strengthen lower secondary education – Dr Yaw Adutwum
'Without a cup, what's the use of Milo' – Shatta Wale trolls Black Stars
Education Ministry begins negotiations with UTAG
5 dead, 14 injured in accident on Kintampo-Techiman highway
Only Ghana Card will be accepted for financial transactions from July 1 – BoG
Ghana card to be only identification for banking transactions from July 1, 2022 – BoG


text:
The Best Online Associate in Computer Science
by Staff Writers
Top Associate Programs
Computer science is a rapidly growing field.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), computer and information technology occupations are projected to grow 12% between 2018-2028, with a large demand for professionals in cloud computing, big data, and information security.
Working in computer science can be lucrative. The BLS reports a median income of $112,690 for computer network architect, which is a career obtainable with a bachelor's degree and several years of related work experience. Software developers, information security analysts, and network systems administratorscan also earn six-figure salaries.
While many entry-level computer science careers require a bachelor's degree, prospective students should not ignore the value of a transferable associate degree. Associate degrees provide affordable access to general education and lower-level core requirements, making it easier to pursue a bachelor's later.
For more details, view our ranked list of the best online associate degrees in computer science below.
The Best Online Computer Science Associate
#1 The Best Online Associate in Computer Science
Seminole State College of Florida
Online + Campus
Seminole State College of Florida, a public, four-year college, supports 20 online associate degree programs available to distance learners worldwide. The computer science program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a computer science-specific career. Graduates seeking to advance their education can apply their credits toward a bachelor's degree.
Students receive guidance throughout the duration of their program and can access career services and academic advising. Distance learners can receive one-on-one support through virtual library services and can academic tutoring resources.
Students can expect to receive an average of $4,949 in financial aid. Approximately 66% of all incoming students receive financial aid, with 18% using student loans.
Seminole State College of Florida at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, four-year
Location: Sanford, Florida
Student-Faculty Ratio: 27-to-1
Undergrad Tuition In State: $2,393
Undergrad Tuition Out of State: $9,494
Average Tuition
Retention Rate
Percent Online Enrollment
51% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
South Texas College
Distance learners looking for a flexible online associate degree program in computer science should consider South Texas College. Students in the computer science program gain industry-relevant knowledge and skills, preparing them for the demands of a computer science career. Students seeking further education can apply their computer science credits toward a bachelor's degree.
Computer science degree-seekers can access comprehensive college resources, including career counseling, academic advising, and financial aid assistance. Other institutional resources include virtual library services and academic tutoring.
The average financial aid award, the college reports, is $5,562. Eligible enrollees can access internal and external funding opportunities, along with student loans.
South Texas College at a Glance:
Location: McAllen, Texas
Lincoln Land Community College
Lincoln Land Community College, located in Springfield, Illinois, boasts four online associate degree programs, including its highly ranked associate of arts in computer science. The program prepares students for the demands of the computer science field through foundational and advanced coursework. Upon graduating, students can apply their course credits toward a bachelor's degree.
While enrolled, students benefit from institutional resources, such as career services and academic advising. Other institutional resources include virtual library services and academic tutoring.
On average, students are awarded $5,377 in financial aid. Approximately 74% of all incoming students receive financial aid, with 22% receiving student loans.
Lincoln Land Community College at a Glance:
Type of School: Public, two-year
Location: Springfield, Illinois
Yes Higher Learning Commission
Online Computer Science Associate Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
Here at TheBestSchools.org, we take the trust and welfare of our readers very seriously. When making our school and program rankings, our top priority is ensuring that our readers get accurate, unbiased information that can help them make informed decisions about online education. That's why we've developed a rigorous ranking methodology that keeps the needs of our readers front and center.
Our proprietary, multi-criteria ranking algorithm analyzes key data indicators — as collected by the federal government — for each school or program. What data we use depends on the focus of each specific ranking, but in all cases, our ranking methodology is impartial: Schools cannot buy better rankings at TBS.
While specific criteria under consideration can vary by ranking, there are a few data points that we value most highly. They are affordability, academic quality, and online enrollment. Below, we break down our algorithm to help you understand what you're getting when you use one of our rankings.
The data used in TBS rankings comes primarily from the federal government, and much of it is provided by the schools themselves. We aggregate and analyze this data to build our rankings.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is our primary source. Its data comes from annual surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Every college, university, or technical school with access to federal financial aid must participate in these surveys, which include questions about enrollment, graduation rates, finances, and faculty qualifications. This is publicly available data, which you can access yourself through the College Navigator.
Additionally, because we value a personal touch and the professional experience of our staff and Academic Advisory Board, we vet all results and adjust rankings as necessary based on our collected knowledge of schools and degree programs. Depending on the ranking, we may obtain additional input from AcademicInfluence.com, subject matter experts, prior TBS ranking lists, or other sources we deem relevant to a particular ranking.
Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology
About Our Ranking Factors
Here at TBS, we value what you value: quality education, affordability, and the accessibility of online education. These factors guide all of our program rankings.
Each of these factors are further broken down into weighted subfactors. For example, retention rates are weighted more heavily than availability of program options because they are a better indicator of student success.
We chose the following factors for our rankings because of their influence on learning experiences and graduate outcomes. However, students should always balance our rankings against their personal priorities. For instance, a learner who needs a fully online program may prioritize online flexibility more than our rankings do. Our rankings are designed to help you make a decision — not to make a decision for you.
Academics - 75%
Affordability - 15%
Online Enrollment - 10%
In all our school rankings and recommendations, we work for objectivity and balance. We carefully research and compile each ranking list, and as stated in our advertising disclosure, we do NOT permit financial incentives to influence rankings. Our articles never promote or disregard a school for financial gain.
If you have questions about our ranking methodology, please feel free to connect with our staff through contact page.
We thank you for your readership and trust.
Featured Online Computer Science Associate
Choosing an Online Associate in Computer Science Program
All students have unique needs and goals, which means they have different considerations for their college searches. When deciding which online computer science degree is the best fit, consider how the following factors might impact and shape your online learning experience.
How to Choose Your Major
What to Look for in an Online College
What Is Computer Science?
Computer science is the systematic study of computing processes, which are a series of encoded actions used to achieve a desired result, like totaling a bank account balance, generating digital graphics, or running an application.
Students can learn many of the skills needed to succeed in computer science in a classroom. Individuals who naturally excel at problem-solving, organization, collaboration, and creativity often thrive in the field.
Professionals in the computer science field typically specialize in an area like artificial intelligence, software development, human-computer interface, networking, or information security. Programming language experts, for example, may use their knowledge to code mobile applications, video games, or webpages.
Although many professionals covet careers with top tech firms in Silicon Valley, computer science majors can find work across the nation in many different industries, as most companies rely on software infrastructure. Graduates can find work as full-stack developers, database administrators, information security analysts, and cloud computing engineers.
Computer Science vs. Computer Engineering
Computer science focuses on how data is processed, stored, and communicated between devices. Computer engineering has a broader focus, including the electrical components of computing systems and the design, function, and interaction of software and hardware.
College students pursuing degrees in computer science and computer engineering take many of the same courses, including computer architecture, data structures, programming, and networking. Each program also requires courses unique to the discipline, such as database systems for computer science students and product design for computer engineering students.
After graduation, students in both fields can begin careers with similar employers in similar locations with comparable salaries, but their specialized roles require different skills. For example, Apple hires both computer science and computer engineering professionals to design new iPhones. While computer scientists focus on operating systems, memory, and data encryption, computer engineers design the circuits, chips, and components that allow the devices to function.
What Is a Computer Science Associate Degree?
An associate in computer science provides students with the foundation needed for entry-level employment or to transfer to a four-year bachelor's program. Associate programs require a minimum of 60 credits and take two years of full-time study to complete. Part-time students typically graduate in three years.
Colleges may be selective or use open enrollment policies. Open enrollment colleges accept any applicant who has completed a high school education, although placement testing may be required in English and math. Selective admission schools require additional criteria, such as a minimum GPA and ACT or SAT scores.
A computer science associate degree provides students with foundational skills in mathematics, programming, and database management. Students receive an introduction to terminology and topics that enable further study in areas like information security, network technology, and mobile applications.
What Will I Learn in an Online Associate in Computer Science Program?
At the undergraduate level, an online computer science degree consists of three major components: general education, major core courses, and electives. Students can expect to complete a minimum of 60 credits. Core courses like those listed below provide a solid foundation in computer science concepts and techniques.
Programming Fundamentals: Often presented in 2-3 consecutive courses, studies in programming fundamentals introduce learners to the major concepts of structured programming and the techniques used to develop software applications. Topics include object interaction, algorithms, data structures, and the mechanics of running, testing, and debugging.
Computer Organization: A course in computer organization examines the components, structure, and function of contemporary computer systems. Using assembly language to strengthen and reinforce course concepts, students learn about computer arithmetic, data types, memory hierarchy, performance metrics, and other fundamental topics. This course may include a lab component.
Discrete Mathematics: Often required or recommended for computer science majors, a course in discrete mathematics provides a background in abstraction, notation, and critical thinking. Covered topics include sets, logic, the nature of proof, recurrence relations, and Boolean algebra.
Educational Paths for Online Computer Science Associate Programs
Associate degrees are an affordable way to complete the lower-level requirements needed for a bachelor's degree. After completing an associate, many graduates transfer to a four-year school to complete additional major core courses and electives. A computer science associate degree can qualify students for bachelor's programs in computer programming, health informatics, and digital marketing.
After earning an associate in computer science, many graduates transfer to a four-year computer programming degree. Programming majors study major programming languages like C++, Java, and Python, which they use to write code for software applications. Students also learn to test programs, troubleshoot errors, and debug systems.
Health informatics is an evolving field that combines elements of information technology, communications, and healthcare to improve patient care quality. A bachelor's program in health informatics provides training in the acquisition, storage, retrieval, and use of healthcare data and information. Transfer students with an associate in computer science enter healthcare informatics programs with a foundational knowledge of database systems, software development, and programming.
A digital marketing curriculum develops fundamental skills in market research, project management, communication, and e-marketing strategy. These skills, combined with a foundation in computer science, allow graduates to create digital marketing campaigns from the ground up.
Computer Science Jobs
Earning an online computer science associate degree can provide you with the foundation needed to pursue various careers, though many employers prefer bachelor's degrees.
Median Salary $99,730
Information security analysts plan and implement security measures to protect an organization's network and computer systems. These IT professionals monitor networks, investigate issues, evaluate and report damage caused by breaches, and discover solutions to mitigate system weaknesses.
Entry-level information security analysts typically hold a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, computer science, information science, or a related field. Professional certification is voluntary but preferred by many employers. Relevant experience in information technology or network systems administration can be beneficial. Information security analysts must be detail-oriented, analytical problem-solvers who can anticipate risks and develop new protection methods.
Median Salary: $99,730 Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 32%
Database administrators store and organize data like financial information and shipping records for businesses, employees, and customers. Using specialized software, database administrators ensure this data remains available to intended users and secure from unauthorized access. These professionals ensure error-free database operation, design and test modifications, and perform other maintenance duties as needed.
Most database administrators hold a bachelor's degree in a computer-related field and several years of work experience as database developers or data analysts. Software-specific certification may be required by some employers. Database administrators must possess excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Median Salary: $93,750 Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 9%
Computer Network Architect
Median Salary $112,690
Computer network architects design and build local area networks, wide area networks, and intranets, including both small connections and major infrastructures serving multiple customers. Responsibilities include creating plans and layouts, presenting plans to management, upgrading hardware, and researching new technologies.
Most computer network architects hold a bachelor's degree in a relevant field like computer science or engineering, plus 5-10 years of relevant information technology experience. Employers may require certain product- or software-specific certifications. Network architects must have a strong understanding of an organization's business plan to design networks that reflect and achieve its overall goals.
Median Salary: $112,690 Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 5%
Web developers design and create websites according to client needs. Web developers are responsible for all aspects of the site, including its visual appearance, speed and performance, traffic capacity, and functionality. To create websites, developers may write code using programming languages, create and test applications, and work with other professionals, such as graphic designers.
Web developers may specialize in front-end development, which focuses on how a site appears on screen, or back-end development, which focuses on how a site performs and behaves. While educational requirements vary, many web developers hold an associate degree in web design or a related field. This job requires creativity, customer service skills, and attention to detail.
Computer science is all about software and hardware, whether you focus on theory, design, development, or application. Practitioners can build careers in fields like database systems, programming, security, and artificial intelligence.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Degree in Computer Science?
Students can complete an associate degree in computer science in two years of full-time study. Bachelor's degrees typically require four years of full-time study.
What Are the Highest Paying Jobs in Computer Science?
Although pay varies by employer and geographic location, it's common for computer science salary rates to be six figures, especially for computer network architects and software developers.
What School Has the Best Computer Science Program?
=Many schools offer excellent computer science programs. Our ranked list of the top online programs in the country is a great place to start the search.
What Can You Do With a Computer Science Degree?
After earning an associate in computer science, graduates may pursue entry-level employment or professional certifications, or they can transfer to a bachelor's program.
What Kinds of Jobs Can You Get With a Computer Science Degree?
The skills learned during a computer science degree apply to careers like information technology, cybersecurity, software development, and database administration.


Welcome to KERN's translation office in Wiesbaden!
Wiesbaden is the regional capital of Hesse and has around 280,000 inhabitants, making it the second largest city in the state. The spa town is one of the oldest health resorts in Europe, and almost 15 thermal and mineral springs provide ample opportunities to unwind. Wiesbaden's spas contribute to the high quality of life found there.
In addition, the region functions as a vibrant service centre with a focus on sustainable industry. To cater for demands, the city is home to a broad range of sectors that include the processing, high-tech and IT industries, as well as a multitude of service providers that decisively shape the city's reputation as a significant service location. Alongside well-known major companies, a large number of small and medium-sized businesses are also located in Wiesbaden.
From the railway station using bus lines 1, 4, 8, 14, 16 and 27.
From the motorway (A66, 643, 671), head in the direction of Wiesbaden Innenstadt/Bahnhof (city centre/railway station). From the railway station, turn right onto Bahnhofstraße and then turn right onto Friedrichstraße. Here, you can use the car park at the market, for example.
Other car parks: KARSTADT car park at Kirchgasse 35. The walk from there is approx. 10 minutes. Or the theatre car park at Paulinenstraße 18. The walk from there is approx. 5 minutes.


text:
Hondo Arendt – Green Party candidate
1.	Will your party continue to reduce both business and personal taxes to ensure that BC remains competitive with its neighbours and an attractive place to invest and work?
Hondo Arendt
No. The Green Party believes that future economic development is not contingent on continuing to cut taxes, reduce salaries and lower environmental standards. By accepting the idea that "Whatever is good for big business must be good for the economy", we are producing a world where business simply locates in those countries with the lowest standards.
Our region has vast and very valuable resources. We can gain a lot more wealth and a lot more jobs by utilizing and processing our resources locally. The Green Party believes our economy can grow without lowering standards.
A Green Party government would increase employment opportunities on the islands. The popular perception is that both the fishing and forestry industries have hit hard times, but in terms of dollars earned they are both stronger than ever. What has happened is that the wealth generated by our resources has become concentrated in fewer hands and in core regions. The Green Party is committed to the idea of local processing and labour. Many rural and isolated regions of our province have weak economies. The Green Party believes that finding and supporting economic development in these regions should be a top priority, even at a cost to the overall economy.
The Green Party is against the privatization of Crown Corporations and would favour regaining public control of key service corporations (such as the BC Ferry Fleet).
70% of all visitors to BC visit the Vancouver coastal area and mountains. If elected, what would your government do to encourage the tourists to visit the rest of the province, particularly these islands.
The Green Party is a strong supporter of tourism and eco-tourism as an environmentally friendly and sustainable industry. A Green government would expand and protect the parkland in the province and create our first provincial marine parks.
1.	How will your government ensure that the BC timber sales for small business are protected and expanded to allow greater opportunities for small businesses?
Small business is the primary economic engine that drives our economy. Our governments have often ignored small businesses in order to appease big business, but small businesses employ far more and create much more local wealth. A Green Government would encourage the expansion of timber harvesting by smaller companies wherever possible.
2.	New forestry legislation is viewed by many as a framework for big companies to have control over forestry resources. Will you commit to consulting with small business and northern communities to better understand concerns and the long-term implications of changes such as the removal of cut levels tied to communities.
Yes, the Green Party believes that all local stakeholders including small business, local communities and aboriginal groups must be consulted and included in any decisions about resource management.
3.	How would your government implement policies to stop the export of raw logs and require local value-added processing?
A Green Government would rapidly phase out the export of raw logs. We are living amongst one of the best, and most valuable, forests in the world. It is ridiculous how little local wealth is generated by the harvesting of our timber. Shipping raw logs to pulp and paper mills in Asia and then shipping the finished product back to be sold in North America is not economically or environmentally sensible.
What is your stand on lifting of the moratorium for oil and gas exploration in Hecate Strait?
The Green Party opposes the lifting of the federal moratorium. Furthermore, the Green Party would put a provincial moratorium on oil and gas exploration.
There are three main reasons why we are opposed to further fossil fuel development
–	Fossil fuel consumption is the primary cause of global warming. It is time we dealt with this problem.
–	With oil prices rising almost 50% in the last year it is obvious that alternative energy sources will soon become economically viable. The sooner BC embraces that concept the more competitive we will be in the future energy industry.
–	The frequency of extreme winds and earthquakes makes the Hecate Strait region a particularly unsuitable place for oil and gas development.
If elected, will your government ensure health care clinics are funded for small communities without hospitals, on the QCI islands and other northern communities?
The Green Party believes that no British Columbian should be more than half an hour away from medical treatment. A Green Government would ensure that this would become a reality, even though it would not be beneficial to the overall economy.
The economy and tourism can only advance as swiftly as the transportation system can move goods and people. If elected, will your government ensure that ferry transportation is protected and upgraded for the QC Islands?
The Green Party believes that the BC Ferry system should be completely in public hands and that it should be seen as a necessary service. It is worth noting that our leader lives on the Sunshine Coast and recognizes the importance of an efficient ferry service.
Aboriginal Interests
What is your position on the legal decisions recognizing rights of the Haida? Would your government honor existing commitments?
The Green Party believes that aboriginal groups are important stakeholders in any decisions regarding their traditional areas. Our government would honour any existing agreements and try to expedite the treaty process.
1.	Across the province, 113 schools have been forced to close because of under-funding. On Haida Gwaii, two of our schools are in small communities where students and parents live in fear of their school closing. What will you do to ensure that no schools are closed in Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte?
Government often only care about the "bottom-line". If the budget is balanced and the economy has grown then they must be doing a good job. The Green Party believes that some things should be done even if they aren't the most profitable. A Green Government would ensure an equality of services across the province.
2.	During the last four years the BC Liberals have used declining enrollment to justify the cuts made to education. In fact, only one in four of teachers cut can be attributed to declining enrollment. What will you do to ensure that staffing levels are sufficient to provide top notch educational programs?
The Green Party is committed to restoring funding to all the social services, including education. One plank of the Green Party is that we must think of the long term when making decisions. Short term investment is always worth the long term benefit. Education is one area where it is highly profitable to invest in.
3.	Before the Teachers' Collective Agreement was stripped by the Liberal government, students had more schools to attend, more selection of courses, more attention in the courses they were taking, more access to libraries, and more support from specialist teachers. What will you do to ensure that these very important aspects of public education are again guaranteed for students?
Again, the Green Party is committed to restoring the funding that was cut from the education system by our previous government.
4.	The Liberal government removed all the contractual protections for students with special needs. Now they are integrated into regular classes without adequate support. This situation has become a great concern in schools of Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte. What are you prepared to do to ensure adequate support for students with special needs?
The Liberal Government invariably measures success with an economic ruler. Problems faced by groups and individuals are often trivialized into the costs involved. The Green Party believes that things like homelessness, crime rates, environmental degradation and access to services (as in the example above) should be considered before we decide if a government is doing a good job.
5.	Will you support full collective bargaining rights for teachers, including the right to bargain working and learning conditions?
Yes, but others (such as parents and aboriginal groups) must be including in the establishment of learning conditions as well.
Questions, questions, questions
Village of Queen Charlotte it is!


text:
Maple Leafs Leo Komarov faces four criminal charges
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov is in legal trouble in Finland. Komarov is facing four criminal charges from a traffic incident in June, including two charges of traffic hazard and two charges of falsifying information to the police.
The traffic hazard charges could result in fines or as much as six months in jail. Providing false information carries a possible three month prison sentence. Komarov will be going to trial with a court date scheduled for August 2015.
By: NHL Insider on Thursday, July 02, 2015


text:
What's Happened Since The Dehydration Death Of Terrill Thomas At The Milwaukee County Jail?
WUWM 89.7 FM | By Maayan Silver
Published February 12, 2019 at 11:31 AM CST
Maayan Silver
Two former Milwaukee County Jail employees are awaiting sentencing for their role in the jail dehydration death of Terrill Thomas in 2016. All three employees who were criminally charged were fired for their role in Thomas' death—and one has been sentenced already.
It took a while for the employees to go through the legal system, and the case is seeing renewed attention. The county has been taking action to prevent further tragedies like Thomas' death, when he was in custody at the Milwaukee County Jail on a gun charge.
Thomas, who had bipolar disorder, started acting out, landing him in a disciplinary pod of the jail— solitary confinement. Thomas reportedly started flooding his cell. As Lieutenant Kashka Meadors testified at an inquest about one year after his death: "He had part of the ripped mattress, and he was pushing that down in the toilet as well, flooding it, making the water come out from under his cell into the dayroom area."
Meadors ordered Thomas' water to be shut off. It remained off for seven days, and he died of dehydration. Meadors pleaded guilty last October to neglect of a resident of a penal facility, and was sentenced to 60 days in jail.
At Meadors' sentencing, Assistant District Attorney Kurt Benkley confirmed that her order was the first domino in a series of omissions that caused the tragedy. "Correctional Officer James Ramsey-Guy who turned the water off never turned the water back on. No correctional officer entered into the log that Mr. Thomas' water had been shut off," he said. "Correctional Officer Ramsey-Guy didn't brief the next shift."
Benkley said that on on April 23, another correctional officer was told by inmates that Mr. Thomas had no water and must be checked on. Benkley said that the officer opened the wrong valve and mistakenly concluded that Mr. Thomas had water.
Ramsey-Guy is facing nine months in jail, and former jail commander Nancy Evans is facing three and a half years for misconduct in office.
At her sentencing, Kashka Meadors' defense attorney Ben Van Severen contended that it was informal jail policy to shut water off when inmates were flooding cells.
"The harm that was caused by the flooding is that when his cell floods, and if he's on an upper level, it seeps down into lower levels. That makes it necessary to move other inmates, and it creates a big headache for the jail staff," said Van Severen. "So that's why Ms. Meadors gave the shutoff order, and it was a common practice to do that. To give the order, to shut the water off when an inmate is flooding their cell. The reason to do that is to maintain order and safety for the other inmates."
But Assistant District Attorney Benkley said that Meadors' order to shut off the water violated policy that required inmates to have 24/7 access to water. He added, though, that the jail continues to shut off water to inmates who flood their cells. But there's a different protocol in place now. "The jail commander Aaron Dobson has now established a procedure where when water is shut off, immediately, guards offer the inmate water every hour," he explains.
Thomas' death wasn't the only problem at the jail. Three others, including an infant, died in the same six months. David Clarke was sheriff at the time. Ultimately, the way to reduce jail deaths is to reduce incarceration rates, says Attorney Pete Koneazny of Milwaukee's Legal Aid Society, with moves like deferred prosecution agreements and policies against jailing people for nonpayment of fines.
But he says the policy to bring inmates water if their access is being shut off is a great policy—with a caveat. "If people aren't paying attention to the person in the cell and walk by if someone says they forgot to give me water, and you don't take that seriously," he says. "So that's the ongoing challenge for anybody working in a jail is to not get jaded and not turn off your listening and paying attention to people."
Over the past three years, the county has been working on systemic changes, to curb the negligence that resulted in the deaths in 2016. This includes wellness officers—captains assigned to listen to inmates, see if they have medication issues and see if they're assigned to the right place.
"So that was a buffer, and I think that's an important thing for the custody staff to always have, to consider themselves responsible, because they're always going to be the first responders," says Koneazny.
Koneazny also says the medical staff should be monitored. Armor Correctional Health Services is a private company based in Florida that has contracted with Milwaukee County since 2013 to provide mental and medical health services to jail inmates. The company has been criminally charged for falsifying records about their check-ups of Thomas. The county is currently in the process of switching health care providers.
NewsMilwaukee County JailWUWM News
Maayan Silver has been a reporter with WUWM's News Team since 2018.
See stories by Maayan Silver
Milwaukee County Jail Makes Facility Changes, in Light of Assessment
Company Hired to Provide Health Care for Milwaukee Inmates Charged With Falsifying Records
Milwaukee County Jail Death Results In Charges For Three Staffers


text:
Photo by Thomas Alleman
Simon Wilcox breaks through to the big leagues
Story by Karen Bliss | Wednesday October 21st, 2015
Simon Wilcox has co-written hit singles before, but last year one of her collaborations became a bona fide smash.
"Jealous," recorded by Nick Jonas, sold more than two million copies, and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Dance Chart, No. 2 on the Billboard Pop Chart, and the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, as well as both the U.K. and Canadian Top 40.
The song – which Wilcox co-wrote with Jonas and Nolan Lambrozza (both BMI) – also reached No. 1 on the MuchMusic Countdown. Jonas has performed it on Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Today Show, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, among other high-profile TV appearances. The video has been viewed more than 87 million times on YouTube.
On top of that commercial breakthrough, this year her new publishing company, Dames, Booze and Chains Inc., signed to Stellar Songs (Sam Smith, Charli XCX), via Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Stellar is run by the songwriting/production duo Stargate, who have worked with some of the biggest names in music over the past decade, including Rihanna, Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Jennifer Hudson and Mariah Carey.
"I'm so lucky," Wilcox tells Words + Music on the phone from Los Angeles, where she's lived since 2007. "Because I have the boutique side, which is Stellar, and then I have the major publisher powerhouse, which is Sony ATV. They're working together, and on top of that the brains behind the whole operation was my manager, Dan Petel. He is the visionary. He set up the Nick Jonas session. He found me through my songs. He started hearing my songs and thought, 'I like this.'"
Petel came on-board after Wilcox's seven-year relationship with EMI Music Publishing Canada ended in 2011. Wilcox wasn't ready for another publishing deal at the time, but her longtime friend Cheryl Link from Peermusic convinced her to sign what became a three-year administration contract with Wilcox's own publishing company at the time, Fun Cooker.
"I've been lucky in that I've had pretty consistent success, but I try not to think about it."
Although Wilcox is more than a decade into her fruitful career as a professional songwriter, you can still hear the wonderment in her voice when she talks about the great unknown – her fellow co-writer or writers. It takes a certain kind of person to be able to collaborate with just about anyone — the shy, the moody, the know-it-all, the deep, the joker, and so on. It's not for everyone.
Wilcox got her first opportunity after self-releasing her debut EP, Mongrel of Love, in 1999. Quebec singer-songwriter and cellist Jorane heard it and asked Wilcox if she wanted to write with her. Their song "Stay," released in 2004, reached the top of the Bravo chart, earning a SOCAN No. 1 Song Award. Within a year, Wilcox had two more No. 1 songs, "Tell All Your Friends" for Francophone Brit-pop style act Projet Orange, which topped the MuchMusic Countdown, and "Home" for rock band Three Days Grace, a chat-topping hit in Canada and Top 10 in the U.S.
"I've been doing this a long time now, and I've been lucky in that I've had pretty consistent success, but I try not to think about it," says Wilcox. "I try to focus on the process. Am I doing my best? Do I feel like I'm pushing boundaries? Are these new ideas? Do I love these songs? How can they be better? I just try to think of success and failure as by-product of me doing something I love."
Today, her published songwriting credits include Walk Off The Earth, Scott Helman, Trevor Guthrie, Petula Clark and Josh Groban.
Wilcox continues to work with Jonas and Helman, and this summer she was in the studio with Britney Spears and songwriters Ian Kirkpatrick and Chantal Kreviazuk. She has two co-writes on 5 Seconds of Summer's upcoming record. At the globally televised 2015 PanAm Games closing ceremony in Toronto, Serena Ryder performed "Ice Age," a song she and Wilcox wrote with Sony/ATV songwriter Thomas "Tawgs" Salter for Ryder's forthcoming album.
"The minute I started collaborating with other people, I realized that I had this closet band fantasy, that I wanted to work with other people," says Wilcox. "I'm interested in what people have to say. I'm interested in what their ideas are and I think, as artists, when we work alone, we tend to travel the same neural pathways over and over again."
So what does Wilcox bring to the table? "Fresh blood," she says. "All of the people I've worked with are fully capable of writing massive hit songs on their own. It's not like they need me. It's just that maybe I bring some value that's new, that's unexpected."
Wilcox started writing songs in Grade 5. Although her father is noted blues-rock musician David Wilcox and her mother was a record producer at the time, she was raised in Ottawa by a family friend from age three until she was 16 years old. "I just knew that I wanted to write songs," she says. "It never occurred to me that it was a career that I could have."
In her late teens, Wilcox moved to Toronto to attend the Ontario College of Art and Design, but kept writing original songs on guitar, or piano. In 2003, she signed with Sony BMG for her album Smart Function; right before it came out, EMI Music Publishing Canada's Michael McCarty and Barbara Sedun (now both with SOCAN) signed her.
During her time at EMI, Wilcox wrote with fellow EMI signing Gavin Brown, and with (or for) a range of artists, from rock bands like Three Days Grace and The Trews to many of the Canadian Idol winners during writing camps. In 2007, the company helped her relocate to L.A. to further her career.
"When songwriting is at its best, there's a moment of real connection between the people that are writing."
She'd always shown professionalism. At EMI, McCarty used to tell her, "You're the first to arrive and the last to leave." "I feel like there were a lot of people in my world that didn't believe in me," says Wilcox. "I was really determined to prove them wrong, that I was worthwhile as a human being and not just as a songwriter. But songwriting was a way for me to show people that I had insight and I had value."
Wilcox had her own Top 10 hit as an artist in 2004 with "Mommies & Daddies," something she's clearly proud of, and she still writes songs to sing for herself. Her last solo album was 2007's The Charm and the Strange, but a few years ago she started a duo with U.K. artist Shridhar Solanki called Cider Sky. They performed at the 2010 Olympics in London; their song, "Northern Lights," was on the 2011 Twilight Breaking Dawn – Part 1 soundtrack; and they released an EP called King.
"I had this idea," says Wilcox. "I spend so much time writing songs about my own pain and suffering that I'm bored with it. I thought maybe everyone in the world was feeling some pain and suffering, and didn't want to hear about mine," she laughs. "And I wanted to make music that was pure joy, that's totally uplifting, without being cheesy or weird about it in any way."
Still, the main thrust of her career is as a songwriter who most often writes with others, and for others. On this day, she's up by 8:00 a.m. for our interview, then has a session with Evan Bogart, a.k.a. E. Kidd, who wrote "Halo" with Beyoncé. "It would be a rare day without a writing session," she says. "I would probably work on songs that are ongoing, stuff that I haven't finished, or I'd be thinking of song ideas that are original."
That's how "Jealous" came about. Wilcox had a studio session booked with Nick Jonas and producer Nolan Lambroza. She was sitting with Jonas in a parking lot trying to figure out a topic. "He was talking about jealousy in his relationship and he said he thought it had its place, and I thought it was so exciting," she says. "I just said, 'I want to write about that,' and we wrote the song very quickly, maybe in an hour."
Other times Wilcox might not meet the artist at all. Such was the case with Petula Clark and the song "Next To You," which she wrote 50-50 with producer John Williams. Nor did she meet Josh Groban, where the song was a three-way split that came through Tawgs Salter.
"Tawgs is a longtime collaborator of mine," Wilcox says. "We worked together on Scott Helman and Walk off the Earth, and he's worked with Josh Groban a long time. He called me and said, 'Do you want to work with me on this a little bit?' and we worked on it together. I've never met Josh. I was at my kitchen table."
When she does write with an artist, Wilcox does her prep work beforehand. It could be as simple as brushing up on the person's catalogue, or if it's a new artist, she might be given a private link to their music.
With Helman – the 19-year-old signed to Warner Music Canada – Wilcox started writing with him when he was 15 and didn't yet have a major label record deal. His debut EP has three songs co-written with her and Salter, "Bungalow," "Machine" and "That Sweater" – the latter awarded a SOCAN No. 1 Song Award for scaling the peak of the CBC Radio 2 Top 20 Chart. Although she has a lifetime of experience compared to Helman, Wilcox didn't consider herself a teacher by any means.
"We're equals and we're collaborating," she says. "He's always been a great writer. I remember hearing Scott's stuff, recognizing he was a poet and just wanting to be there." And what of writing in the mind-set of a teenager? "I feel like a perpetual teenager," she says. "I feel angst-riddled and frustrated and insecure and confused every day of my life, so it's really not a big jump."
As the interview wraps up, Wilcox, who often has to get her co-writers to open up to her in order to write genuine lyrics, unexpectedly does the same – and in the process, reveals one of the keys to co-writing songs.
"You asked me what makes a good co-writer?" she says. "I went through five years of super-intense therapy. I went to two sessions a week. I think there's some element of that [in co-writing] – that kind of listening, and patience, and hearing each other, that happens in the container of a therapist's office. I don't know if there's any way to write about that that doesn't sound scary or insane, but there's an element of [co-writing] that's therapeutic to both people, talking everything out, and being real, and being genuine, and really listening to each other. When songwriting is at its best, there's a moment of real connection between the people that are writing.
"There's a profound listening that has to happen between both people, and that listening is something that I learned through therapy. I'm sure most people don't need to learn it that way, but I learned it that way. It's a beautiful moment of connection between two, three, or four people."
Feature Stories – Artists Ontario Pop Singer-Songwriter Songwriting/Composing
Scott Helman: Born to be a singer-songwriter
Now learns from writing with others
Simon Wilcox signs admin deal with peermusic Canada
In-demand songwriter goes with longtime supporter Cheryl Link
SOCAN's Nashville Family & Friends Bash hosts songwriting community
We present 11 SOCAN No.1 Song Awards during Music City visit
Photo by LePetitRusse
Galaxie: From "the Lac" to the Stars
Story by Nicolas Pelletier | Wednesday October 21st, 2015
Galaxie is Olivier Langevin and a bunch of his friends, guys from Lac Saint-Jean ("the Lac" to locals) that like to have fun, play hockey and who don't fuss over their looks: jeans, t-shirts and baseball caps… Simple and authentic people. But when they get together to play music, they kick ass, no pussyfooting, they get down to business. That's been his a priority ever since his teens.
Among that bunch of friends is one Fred Fortin, Langevin's best friend and mentor. "I met Fred when I was 16 or 17," he says. "When he released Joseph Antoine Frédéric Fortin Perron in 1996, no one else self-produced with such talent. Like Richard Desjardins, he's always relevant, yet knows how to be touching and poetic." Langevin doesn't lack in that department either. He's an accomplished musician whose intensity is surpassed only by his love of the guitar.
The young man born in St-Félicien followed in the footsteps left for him by Fortin, who hired Langevin for his first solo tour. Later, in 1998, they were the core of Gros Mené. The band played a dirty, heavy kind of garage rock that clashed with industry standards but was totally aligned with the output of such luminaries as Jon Spencer (sound wise) and Beck (the experimental approach).
Ever since he fell in love with the guitar at 13, Langevin has never stopped experimenting, thanks in no small part to the support of his parents. "When you drove in St-Félicien, you thought what you heard was the noise from the pulp mill, but in fact, it was Olivier Langevin playing guitar," says Peter Paul in Bandeapart's documentary titled Face au mur which traces the special sound of the bands from the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec. A completely self-taught musician and producer, Olivier Langevin eats music for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's what keeps him alive.
Being True to Oneself
Galaxie's sound (the band started out as Galaxie 500) is distinctive, and evolves from album to album. The band's first, eponymous album came out in 2002, and already one can hear that unique mix of hard blues-rock and electronica that's still present on last February's Zulu. Tigre et Diesel was a finalist at the prestigious Polaris Awards in 2011. Langevin is a great example of how rock and the French language aren't mutually exclusive. Québécois, however, is even better. And he is totally unashamed of his "joual du Lac," the dialect/accent typical of the area.
With lyrics like "Le diable me donne le beat" ("The devil gives me the beat") and "À cause de toi le ciel est comme un dancefloor maléfique" ("Because of you, the sky is like an evil dancefloor"), Langevin clearly signals that he doesn't care about the "universality" of his lyrics. He sings like he speaks, he sings like he wants to. "The truer you are to yourself, the better," he quips.
Openness Leads to Renewal
Speaking of which, where do Langevin's lyrics come from? "Often times, it starts with the music," he says. "While I record, I simply hum the melody, I don't have the lyrics yet. Then when I'm happy with the music, I dig around the notes where I've organized certain lyrical flashes I've had, ideas, song sections. I seek those that would work well with the music and the feeling I've laid down. Other times, everything just happens in one jet. It depends."
We know Olivier Langevin as the the guitar hero whose style channels Jimi Hendrix as much as Jimmy Page. But few people suspect how much wider his musical horizons are. "I've always loved blues from the '40s and '50s," he says, "as well as guitar players such as John McLaughlin and Bill Frisell, who've just played everything. I also love Ry Cooder and and Pete Anderson, kings of the blues and country." So, a super-soft folk album, could that happen? "Absolutely," he says. "Not now, because that's not where I'm at right now, but yeah, it could happen. It wouldn't be a Galaxie album, though. It would have to be something else. I'd love to do a hip-hop record, that's something I'm really into."
"I'd love to do a hip-hop record, that's something I'm really into."
Among other accomplishments, Langevin has produced records for Vincent Vallières (folk), Mara Tremblay (country-ish), and the Dales Hawerchuk (super heavy), and he also likes to compose movie and corporate soundtracks. "It really is a stimulating challenge!" he says. "I have to create very precise moods that will play in a very specific way within a professional context. It's a very stimulating exercise that allows me to earn a living while still making music."
At the time of this interview, Olivier Langevin was just back from the Lac, where he'd been working with Fred Fortin on a new solo album that should be released in 2016. "We also recorded material for a new Gros Mené album," he says.
Langevin is a happy man: his musical creativity has never been so high, and the birth of his daughter made him feel rejuvenated, and gave him a tremendous boost of energy. Everything is on track and full-steam ahead.
Galaxie played in Abitibi's FME, in September, and the band has been touring all over Quebec, including Alma, Amqui, Joliette, Québec City and Val-David, to name but a few.
More details on the band's web site, galaxie.mu/spectacles/
Alternative Feature Stories – Artists Quebec Rock Singer-Songwriter Songwriting/Composing
Galaxie presents Super Lynx Deluxe
A radical sonic leap forward
Amé : Aligning her own stars
A woman who personifies herself through music
Aliocha's Lucky Stars
Moment of truth for the Midas-touch artist
Photo by Cherakee Photography
In the Spotlight: Ria Mae
Story by Alex Laurence | Monday October 19th, 2015
Spending some time honing her songwriting and performance playing gigs around her native Halifax, Ria Mae released her debut album Under Your Skin in 2012, winning herself an East Coast Music Award.
After a lot of writing, grinding and growing she signed to Sony Entertainment via Nettwerk Music in 2015 and dropped her latest single "Clothes Off." Mixed by five-time Grammy winner Serban Ghenea (known for her work on Taylor Swift's 1989), the song hit No. 1 on CBC Radio 2 chart.
With more than 200,000 views on YouTube, "Clothes Off" earned her a nomination for Songwriter of the Year at the 2015 East Coast Music Awards.
Her upcoming album will be produced by multi-JUNO Award-winning Canadian rapper/producer Classified, and marks her foray into a more dance-oriented pop sound. Look for it in 2016.
Atlantic Canada In the Spotlight Pop Singer-Songwriter Songwriting/Composing
In the Spotlight: The Stanfields
"Ship To Shore" earned constant rotation on MuchLoud.
In The Spotlight: The Motorleague, Maddison Krebs, Sebell
Three SOCAN members on the way up


The KONG is a nontoxic, dishwasher-safe rubber toy with a hollow center. When stuffed with food, it provides dogs with a healthy outlet for their natural desire to chew and lick. KONGs come in many sizes, from very tiny to extra-large. Some are made for puppies with baby teeth, some are made for regular chewers and some are made for dogs with powerful jaws. There's a KONG out there for every dog!
Why Give Your Dog a KONG?
Nature made dogs to hunt, forage, scavenge and work for their food—not have it delivered for free in a bowl! One reason dogs develop behavior problems is sheer boredom, resulting from a lack of physical exercise, problem solving and outdoor exploration and investigation. To make your dog's life more enjoyable, you can give him fun "work" to do when he's home alone or when you can't play with him.
You can stuff KONGs with almost any kind of food your dog likes. Feed him his meals in a KONG by mixing his regular kibble with a little canned dog food, cottage cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, canned pumpkin or mashed banana. After spooning the mixture into the KONG, you can use a bit of cream cheese or peanut butter to seal everything in. You can also fill your dog's KONGs with special snacks to supplement his diet. See the recipes below for creative KONG-stuffing ideas.
Dogs don't automatically know how to use food puzzle toys. They need to learn how. When you introduce your dog to the KONG, you'll need to make it easy for him to empty it so he doesn't get discouraged and give up. Use small pieces of kibble or treats that will fall out of the KONG easily.
When your dog learns how to use the KONG and can empty easy KONGs quickly, you can make his job more difficult. He'll love the challenge!
Use bigger pieces of food. Wedge chunks of fruits and veggies and larger biscuits inside the opening of the KONG.
Make a KONGcicle! They're great for spring and summertime outdoor enjoyment. First, put a dab of peanut butter at the bottom of the KONG to seal the small hole. Then turn the KONG upside down and place it in a cup. Stuff the KONG with kibble, canned food, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, banana or anything else you like. Pour a little chicken broth or gravy into the KONG and freeze it overnight.
Here are some of our favorite recipes. Give them a try—or make up special recipes of your own! Just be sure to avoid foods that can be dangerous to your dog, like onions, garlic, avocados, macadamia nuts, bread dough, grapes and raisins, moldy foods, artificial sweeteners, fatty cuts of meat and chocolate. If you're unsure about what's safe to feed your dog, contact his veterinarian for advice and please see our article, Foods That Are Hazardous to Dogs.
Drop the special treat into the bottom of the KONG. Then mix together your dog's kibble and a few spoonfuls of canned dog food. Spoon the mixture into the KONG. When the KONG is filled, seal all the food inside using a dab of peanut butter, a smear of processed cheese or a little cream cheese. If you find that your dog can lick the KONG clean within just a few minutes, try freezing it overnight before giving it to him to satisfy him longer.
Combine equal parts meat and potatoes or grain. Stir in a spoonful of beans and a sprinkle of raw grated or steamed and mashed veggies. Freeze the KONG overnight or serve it warm.
Vegetables: Some that dogs like raw (grated or finely chopped) are parsley, carrots, zucchini, lettuce, bell peppers (green, red, orange and yellow), fresh corn, celery, tomatoes and beets. Some veggies that dogs enjoy steamed are green beans, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, potatoes and hard winter squash.
In a soup kettle, cover the chicken with water, lightly salt and spice to taste, and add chopped veggies—celery, carrots, diced tomato, bell pepper, etc. If you're using potato, add that to the stew as well. If you're using grains, cook them separately. When the stew is done, you're ready to combine everything. Put equal parts of meat and grain or potato in a large bowl, along with a tablespoon or two of the vegetables. (The vegetables should amount to about five percent of your dog's meal.) Then spoon the mixture into a KONG. If you're going to freeze the KONG, you can add some broth as well.
First drop the fruit into the bottom of the KONG for dessert. Then mix together your dog's kibble, the wet food or water, and the veggies. Put a spoonful or two of the mixture into the KONG. Then put a chunk or two of potato in. Repeat, layering the mixture and potato until the KONG is almost filled. Finally, cram the biscuit into the end of the KONG. Seal everything in with a dab of the vegetarian refried beans. Serve warm, at room temperature or frozen.
Grate the bell peppers or lightly steam them. Chop the tomatoes into chunks. Then scramble one egg with a sprinkle of cheese. Spoon the cheesy egg and the veggies into a KONG. Seal the KONG with a small chunk of cheese. Serve warm.
Cut the fruit into chunks and put them into a KONG until the toy is about two-thirds of the way full. Holding the KONG upside down, spoon cottage cheese or yogurt into the remaining space. Finally, finish by putting a small marshmallow into the KONG. Serve at room temperature or frozen.
Put a spoonful of cooked oatmeal at the bottom of the KONG to seal the small hole. Then put two spoonfuls of pumpkin into the KONG. Follow with a spoonful of yogurt or cottage cheese. Repeat, layering the pumpkin and yogurt or cottage cheese until the KONG is almost full. Then cram a few pieces of graham cracker into the end of the KONG. Serve warm or frozen.
Put a blob of peanut butter into an empty KONG to seal the small hole at the bottom. Add a few roasted peanuts. Mix the banana slices with a few spoonfuls of yogurt and the wheat germ. Then spoon the mixture into the KONG. Seal the KONG at the top with another blob of peanut butter. Serve at room temperature or frozen.
Running late? If you're busy and don't have time to create culinary works of art, you can simply take a few seconds to try the following ideas. This is KONG stuffing at its fastest!
Keep a stash of halved bananas in your freezer. When you're on the run, just grab a banana half and slide it into a KONG. Or slice an apple into wedges and insert one or two of those into a KONG.
Cram a large dog biscuit or two into a KONG. If necessary, squeeze the KONG when inserting the biscuits to change the shape of the hole and fit them in.
If you feed your dog raw food, try purchasing frozen raw medallions, which easily pop into a KONG. Just turn the KONG upside down on a counter, large hole facing up, and push the medallion into the KONG using the heel of your palm.
Use a squirt of Cheez Whiz®. Just insert the nozzle into the small end of the KONG and squeeze in some cheese. You can also use a similar product made by the KONG Company, called KONG Stuff'N™ Paste, which comes in liver and peanut butter flavors.
Smear a spoonful of peanut butter or cream cheese (preferably low-fat) on the inside walls of a KONG. If you think that your dog might finish licking out the KONG too quickly, consider preparing a few peanut butter or cream cheese KONGs in advance and leaving them in your freezer for quick use when you're in a hurry.
Bon appétit! For more great recipe ideas and information on serving sizes and ensuring complete nutrition with home-cooked meals, we recommend Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by Richard Pitcairn, DVM; Real Food for Dogs: 50 Vet-Approved Recipes to Please the Canine Gastronome by Arden Moore; and Home-Prepared Dog & Cat Diets: the Healthful Alternative by Donald Strombeck, DVM, PhD.
This entry was posted in Blogs To Help You Train Your Dog and tagged canine toys, dog, kong, mentall stimulation, stuffed kong on November 27, 2010 by DogSmith.


text:
Perry proposes government overhaul
The following ran in the Nov. 15, 2011, edition of the Austin American-Statesman. Political scientist Matthew Wilson provided expertise for this story.
By Jason Embry
Gov. Rick Perry, hoping voters will see him as a bold reformer, said Tuesday that he wants to end lifetime appointments for federal judges and make serving in Congress a part-time job.
Perry unveiled an ambitious government reform plan in Iowa, where voters will take part in the country's first nominating contests in less than two months and where the Texas governor, according to a poll released Tuesday, is running fifth in the GOP presidential field.
Perry has talked in recent weeks of his desire to "take a wrecking ball to Washington," and he fleshed that out Tuesday by proposing changes across all three branches of government....
Matthew Wilson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University, said the U.S. Constitution calls for lifetime appointments because founders wanted to protect judges from political pressures from elected officials and the public. They also wanted to make the jobs attractive enough for people to want to fill them, Wilson said.
A constitutional amendment would need the support of a supermajority in Congress, plus the backing of most of the state legislatures in the country. "That would be a very high hurdle to clear," Wilson said.


text:
Q: ASP.NET Error converting datatype nvarchar to numeric I am trying to insert product details into my product table to be stored and later on selected from to display
I have already tried
cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("ProdPrice", Convert.ToInt32(txtProdPrice.Text));

cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("ProdPrice", decimal.Parse(txtProdPrice.Text));

cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("prodStock", int.Parse(txtProdStock.Text));

product table
CREATE TABLE [dbo].[Product] (
    [ProdID]    INT             IDENTITY (1, 1) NOT NULL,
    [ProdName]  NVARCHAR (50)   NOT NULL,
    [ProdPrice] DECIMAL (18, 2) NULL,
    [ProdDesc]  NVARCHAR (MAX)  NULL,
    [ImageName] NVARCHAR (255)  NULL,
    [Size]      INT             NULL,
    [ImageData] VARBINARY (MAX) NULL,
    [ProdBrand] NVARCHAR (50)   NULL,
    [ProdStock] INT             NULL,
    PRIMARY KEY CLUSTERED ([ProdID] ASC)

.ASPX.CS Codes
string cs = ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["DataBase"].ConnectionString;
            using (SqlConnection con = new SqlConnection(cs))
            {
                SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("insert into Product values (@ProdName, @ProdDesc, @ProdPrice, @ImageName, @Size, @ImageData, @ProdBrand, @ProdStock);", con);
                cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("ProdName", txtProdName.Text);
                cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("ProdDesc", txtProdDesc.Text);
                cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("ProdPrice", decimal.Parse(txtProdPrice.Text));
                cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("ImageName", fileName);
                cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("Size", fileSize);
                cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("ImageData", bytes);
                cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("ProdBrand", ddlBrand.SelectedItem.Text);
                cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue("prodStock", int.Parse(txtProdStock.Text));

                con.Open();
                cmd.ExecuteNonQuery();
                con.Close();

                lblImageResult.Visible = true;
                lblImageResult.Text = "Upload Successful";
                lblImageResult.ForeColor = System.Drawing.Color.Green;

All results are still the same, "error converting datatype nvarchar to numeric"

A: If you don't specify the fields in the insert statement, the values provided should be in the column order of the table.
... insert into Product values (@ProdName, @ProdPrice, @ProdDesc, ....

A: As has already been mentioned, when you are not specifying the column names on your insert then the parameters are assumed to be in the same order as the table columns. In your case the ProdDesc and ProdPrice parameters are in a different order to their respective table columns, hence the error.
Either re-order those parameters, or even better specify the columns on the query:
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("insert into Product (ProdName, ProdDesc, ProdPrice, ImageName, Size, ImageData, ProdBrand, ProdStock) values (@ProdName, @ProdDesc, @ProdPrice, @ImageName, @Size, @ImageData, @ProdBrand, @ProdStock);", con);

Additionally, consider avoiding Parameters.AddWithValue

A: ProdID is identity column & didn't specified column field name that's why it's trying to insert ProdID column but ProdID is INT value.
SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand("insert into Product (ProdName,ProdDesc,ProdPrice,ImageName,Size,ImageData,ProdBrand,ProdStock) values (@ProdName, @ProdDesc, @ProdPrice, @ImageName, @Size, @ImageData, @ProdBrand, @ProdStock);", con)