Are you ready to be the toast of the town?
Thessaloniki, the apple of the Greek eye, is a city exuding such a self-confident zest for life that it will be impossible for you to resist. It's a lodestone of enlightenment and culture, with international students fanning the flames of its eternal youthfulness, a respect of all things traditional and an innate pride making everyone ambassadors of fashion. You'll fall in love with it and its citizens as naturally as sipping a frappe or raising a glass of ouzo for another joyful toast.
Were we to have invented a time machine, Thessaloniki would most certainly have provided the blueprint. Through its striking architecture and landmarks, you are invited to unravel the strands of its rich and diverse history. You can see how it was given a right Roman treatment after Lucius Aemilius Paul defeated the King of Macedonia in 168 BC. Stories unfurl along the Old Egnatia Road with one fabulous edifice after another.
Walk in the footsteps of Apostle Paul, who sowed the seeds of European Christianity. Having been astounded by Roman enterprise, your trail continues through the UNESCO recommended glories of the Byzantine era; holy churches, places of pilgrimage and heavenly wisdom; monasteries serving as spiritual beacons; mighty walls with towers and ramparts; magnificent mosaics; the famous Rotonda and the bath houses all fill your itinerary with wonder.
The finishing touches are buildings restored along neoclassical lines, echoing Baroque and Ottoman influences. Originally mansions, schools and hospitals, they currently house municipal and public institutions upholding the lustre of the past with the energy of the present.
Get in time to the special beat, where minutes and hours have no meaning, the vibrant days morph into exuberant, pulsating nights with entertainment aplenty, a culinary cornucopia and wines, beers, spirits and cocktails served by award-winning bartenders. The settings vary from bohemian to industrial, the music ranging from electronica and ethnic to rock'n'roll. Your morning starts characteristically with a choice: Sweet or savoury? Bagel, spinach pie or creamy bougatsa pastry? In a thousand cafes, morning stretches into day with 'cool' frappe coffee, naturally first dreamed up in this laid-back city.
Stunning views from Ano Poli, Kastra and Agios Pavlos, among others, give you just the excuse to stay exactly where you are, savoring the atmosphere and the great company. City centre and sea front merge beautifully into one and the sun uses its waterfront stage to put on a spectacular show, dancing from dawn on the city walls, famous White Tower and Vlatadon Monastery, then sinking imperiously into the Thermaikos Gulf.
For a city at the centre of a rich Macedonian history and heritage, you would expect Thessaloniki to properly maintain the beating heart of culture; forever charging an already resplendent and luminous scene with new life force.
The Archaeology Museum invites you to relive the lives of the ordinary people of Macedonia from the dawn of prehistory to late antiquity through its wonderful exhibitions. The Museum of Byzantine Culture features authentic artefacts and interactive displays from Byzantine and beyond; an entire institution dedicated to binding past and present, bridging ideas and philosophies, with workshops, lectures and the like.
Bring things completely up to date at the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, whose works by fresh new talents allow you, the audience, to explore your own emotional responses to the artists' intentions. And who could resist diving headfirst into the future at the Science Centre and Technology Museum with hands-on displays, virtual reality simulator, Planetarium and Cosmotheatre.
The motto of Thessaloniki's citizens to enjoy the best things in life is reflected in its top quality stores, many conveniently gathered together in central shopping streets. Its unique sense of self-confidence and joie de vivre will rub off on you too, as you see everyone making a point of always looking their best, no matter the hour. Shopping rules, OK! Yes, there are competitive prices, attractive shops, variety… but the key component is taste; ultra-elegant customers dressed in definitively stylish attire.
Take your place among them, then join in the coffee culture and taste the sweet treat of "trigono Panoramatos" or "loukoumades". In the university town said to boast most cafes per capita, you'll find coffee is more than just a drink, rather an integral part of a social scene in which people seem less hamstrung by deadlines and tiring routine. Evening brings the chance to make your jaw-dropping appearance in one of the –oh so many- restaurants and taverns serving exquisite delicacies, courtesy of the cultural melting pot flourishing here through the millennia.
Within a two-hour radius around the city, different worlds await as diverse as they are enchanting. The ancient site of Vergina with the tomb of Philip II, Alexander the Great's father, will leave you breathlessly contemplating the magnificence of the findings and send a tingle down your spine as you stand at the birthplace of one of history's greatest empires. You'll find no exaggeration in the locals' claim that there is no place like exotic Halkidiki. Experience the amazing natural beauty of the fork-like peninsula, its award winning accommodation hugging blue flag beaches both cosmopolitan and secluded, as well as the opportunity to try your hand at any sport you can think of. While enjoying the endless blue of sea and sky, the mountains beacon in the distance. Skiing in 3-5 Pigadia world famous ski centre on Mt Vermio is a must in winter and when it comes to Mt Olympus… the gods have spoken, you should take heed. Before heading back to Thessaloniki, make sure to pass by the Pozar Spa for some tender loving care in the natural healing waters.
Raising its cultural banners proudly aloft, Thessaloniki welcomes you with a procession of annual festivals and events. Get to grips with the movie zeitgeist and put yourself in the frame for screenings of the latest World Cinema releases at the prestigious International Film Festival. Be seduced too by the Dimitria Festival, deepening your understanding of the creativity that binds the city and putting you into contact with every conceivable artistic pursuit. Roll on a few months and March offers you a special lens on the world of documentary making, a festival full of workshops, conferences and masterclasses from directors whose clapper boards have a distinctly cutting edge.
And then there's the Food Festival bringing sustenance to all this artistic endeavour, leading you through museums and libraries, introducing you and your children to street vendors and fun food games, giving you a chance to taste old and new delicacies and acquire expert cooking tips. Not to be outdone, wine producers present their craft and their latest creations at the Voroina Festival to enliven your late summer nights.
Vibrant, youthful and historic; Thessaloniki is all these things and more! With a nightlife worth staying up for, shops you will not want to leave, tastes to delight, a culture to enthral and enviably stylish and friendly residents, Thessaloniki entices you into its rhythms. Add glorious nature and exciting nearby resorts to the mix and your eyes will be truly opened to life at its beautiful best.


We missed the supporting band October Drift but didn't mind that. Instead we came just before the Editors came on stage and played their wonderfully long show. They really packed a lot into it with a nice mix of songs, both old and new, managing to both make me get more into their new album, Violence, and to remind me of most of my old favorites.
Even when those old favorites meant that the show became very familar (like their Papillon live version – although admittedly that one might become longer every year), the atmosphere was great, there was a lot of singing along and dancing.
It was one of those concerts where I left and just wanted to continue listening to their music and making me wonder why there was a time when I stopped listening to them that intensely. When they come back, I'll make an effort to be there again.
Summarizing: great show, lovely evening.
This entry was posted in music, shows and tagged Editors by kalafudra. Bookmark the permalink.


India stands out on the global stage for fund raising through IPOs. The future looks promising too.
With an all-time high mobilisation of over Rs60,000 crore, 2017 was a blockbuster year for initial public offerings, or IPOs, in India. What went unnoticed, however, was how the country stood out on the global stage (See Change in Pecking Order). In 2017, it jumped 16 positions, leaving behind the Singapore Exchange, the Japan Exchange Group and many other top players to feature among the top six exchanges in capital raising through IPOs. The amount mobilised stood at more than $10 billion in 2017, according to the latest data released by the market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).
Sebi releases its handbook of statistics on money mobilised through IPOs on global stock exchanges every year. In 2016, India was ranked at the 22nd spot with fund raising of $400 million. It was ranked even below this in 2014 ($240 million) and 2015 ($430 million). The record IPO run of 2017, however, prepared the ground for change in the pecking order. The previous IPO high in India was in 2010 when Rs37,535 crore was mobilised.
The BSE saw the highest growth (25 times) in the amount mobilised between 2016 and 2017 among the top 33 stock exchanges. This was closely followed by Brazil's B3, formerly known as BM&FBovespa, which saw an increase from $0.21 billion to $4.5 billion during the same period. Hong Kong Exchange and NASDAQ OMX Nordic Exchange saw declines of 35 per cent and 62 per cent, respectively, while the NYSE recorded growth of three times.
Munish Agarwal, Director of Capital Markets, Equirus Capital, says 2017 turned out to be a phenomenal year for Indian capital markets as companies across sectors utilised the robust investor sentiment to launch IPOs delayed for years. "While FIIs pumped in a little over $7 billion, Indian investors realised that post demonetisation and slowdown in real estate, equity markets are one of the few relatively higher yielding markets, and thus Indian markets gained from healthy demand for new paper. Additionally, the really big IPOs from insurance companies, and aggressive government divestment plan, added to the volumes," says Agarwal.
Meanwhile, the Sensex soared a whopping 28.1 per cent in 2017, snapping the two-year lacklustre performance - it had delivered a negative return of 5.1 per cent in 2015 and nearly 2 per cent in 2016. The index has returned 13.3 per cent so far in 2018.
The IPO boom is continuing in 2018 too, but it may not breach the record of 2017. The number of offerings, however, could be higher. With 21 issues hitting Dalal Street so far in 2018 (till August), 42 per cent of the IPO amount mobilised last year, or Rs28,508 crore, has already been raised. Some prominent companies that have raised money include Bandhan Bank with an issue amount of Rs4,473 crore, Hindustan Aeronautics (Rs4,063 crore), ICICI Securities (Rs3,480 crore) and HDFC Asset Management (Rs2,800 crore).
According to data sourced from PRIME Database, around 30 IPOs with an estimated issue amount of Rs37,373 crore have received Sebi approval and are in the pipeline. Another 26 IPOs with an estimated amount of Rs35,911 crore are awaiting Sebi approval.
"The transaction complexion will change and barring the large insurance IPOs, which tipped the scale last year, the momentum will continue. We will see higher number of transactions for 2018 (as indicated by over 45 IPO documents at various stages of approval and launch) as more mid-sized issuers launch IPOs, but the transaction value may be lower, as the bunching together of IPOs by insurance companies is difficult to replicate in 2018 or thereafter," adds Agarwal.
Going forward, there are concerns with respect to the overall macro and political landscape. "The changing global trade climate has emerged as a major concern for foreign investors, who are re-evaluating their portfolios to position for increasing protectionism across the developed world. This, coupled with change in classification of mutual fund schemes by Sebi, weaker currency and intermittent bouts of political and policy uncertainty, has led to domestic as well as institutional investors becoming increasingly risk-averse," says Agarwal. The FIIs have been net sellers so far in 2018 and have pulled out over Rs4,900 crore from the country.


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The FCC board is comprised of member camp representatives who are nominated and elected at the FCC Annual General Meeting in February of each year.
Each representative is elected for a 3 year term. The finance and membership coordinator is appointed annually.
The business of the FCC Executive includes meeting to discuss Annual Conference planning, membership issues, financial affairs, and the support and promotion of Christian camping in British Columbia.


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PUBLISHED August 8, 2019 IN Global
News Tip: Political Will, Cooperation Needed to Address UN's Food Shortages Report, Expert Says
Deborah Hill
Duke provides an on-campus satellite uplink facility for live or pre-recorded television interviews, as well as a digital studio for interviews by Skype or Google Hangout. We are also equipped with ISDN connectivity for radio interviews. These services are usually available during normal business hours.
A new UN report says climate change is threatening the world's ability to feed itself.
"The world's agriculture system is strained as it is, and with the massive population increases that will occur in years ahead, there are very real questions about whether the world will be able to feed itself," says Kelly Brownell, director of the World Food Policy Center at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy. "This report, put together by experts from around the world, shows in a stark way that climate change is degrading the land, driving weather extremes such as heat waves, drought, high precipitation and flooding, and turning what used to be fertile land into desert. The food supply becomes more unstable, food prices rise, and political instability follows. Migration patterns change and many more of the world's people become refugees."
"To say this is a pressing issue is understatement. There are clear ways forward through public policy, if only there can be the necessary political will and unified efforts by governments across the globe."
Kelly Brownell is director of the World Food Policy Center at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy. He is a renowned expert on food policy, diet-related disease, and obesity.
For additional comment, contact Brownell at Kelly.brownell@duke.edu.
News Releases & Tips, Sanford School of Public Policy View all tags
A Pathway to Reaching Your Career Potential
Duke's Foundational Skills Program opens new horizons for staff

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text:
The Young Sinclairs
"Songs of the Young Sinclairs" CD
Kindercore
Genre: indie rock
It just so happened that I was listening to early Byrds mere hours before sinking my teeth into The Young Sinclairs' surprising debut. And, well, these five Virginians play songs that might have come straight off of Turn! Turn Turn! or Younger Than Yesterday -- though the vocals here are less iconic (and lower in the mix) and The Young Sinclairs admittedly rev up their guitars a bit more frequently ("Engineer Man," "Blessed Blackness," etc.). Still, the jangly, psychedelia-inflected folk is executed with tasty precision, and the subtly tinny production often approaches a period-piece-esque accuracy that could fool all but the most attentive sixties fetishists.
So how about them songs? Well, there's a reason Kindercore tracked these Roanokeans (??) down. This lengthy LP -- pieced together from five self-released CDRs -- is not without its miscues, but it is more often awash in sweet, joyous melody. It's certainly an album that's about its individual songs, as these typically short nuggets are designed to stand on their own. Lead songwriters Sam Lunsford and Sean Poff craft agreeable nuggets which range from tight, trebly folk-rock ("Tough Face," "Darling") to hazy, feedback-soaked acid-pop ("Honeysuckle Rose and Pumpkin," "Tribe"). My intuition tells me that each listener will comb through Songs of the Young Sinclairs and identify their own favourites -- there's plenty to pick from here -- and this might be the best thing about the record. I'm personally bound to "Everything I Do is Wrong," a twangy country-pop nugget that sits near disc's end, though resigned "The Most Impressive," with its sun-wearied demeanour, has lately been gaining ground based on atmosphere alone. Still, almost every song on this seventeen-track LP has something warm and glorious about it, and that's what makes these newly-disseminated locals such a rewarding find.
the young sinclairs' myspace
First song is "Cancelled Flight" from this album:
[Vitals: 18 tracks, distributed by the label, released March 30, 2010]


Whether it's a painful wasp sting or an itchy, swollen mosquito bite, there's nothing like insect stings and bites to put you off making the most of the good weather this summer.
Check out our comprehensive guide on how to make natural insect repellents and insecticides here - but if the worst happens, there are plenty of things you can do to lessen the discomfort of bites and stings.
Mosquito bites, flea bites, spider bites, blackfly bites, wasp stings and bee stings – whatever your affliction, we have an entirely natural treatment that can help.
Each recipe card gives you precise, easy-to-follow instructions on how to make the creams, ointments, tinctures, balms and tablets that can help alleviate the symptoms of insect bites and stings.
We'll also give you tips on what to do with your leftover herbs and oils, all of which can be used for treating a number of different ailments. In fact, why not get in touch and let us know what you use them for?


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+33 (0)3 88 04 82 82 webfr@lgcgroup.com
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LGC Standards is a division of the LGC Group, the UK's designated National Measurement Institute for chemical and bioanalytical measurements and an international leader in the laboratory services, measurement standards, reference materials, genomics and proficiency testing marketplaces.
We are a leading global producer and distributor of reference materials and proficiency testing schemes. Headquartered in Teddington, Middlesex, UK, LGC Standards has a network of dedicated sales offices extending across 20 countries in 5 continents and more than 30 years experience in the distribution of reference materials. These high quality products and services are essential for accurate analytical measurement and quality control, ensuring sound decisions are made based on reliable data. We have an unparalleled breadth of ISO Guide 34 accredited reference material production in facilities at 4 sites across the UK, the US and Germany.
Our portfolio of over 100,000 products and over 40 proficiency testing schemes supports a wide range of sectors including:
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LGC Standards annually runs over 1,700 proficiency
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Elasticity demands that there should be in the system, a capacity to respond quickly to the changes in the demand for revenue. This will ensure that when national income rises, an increasing part of the rise in income should automatically accrue to the Government. The Four Major Business Entity Types The following is an outline of the tax and other aspects of the four major business and tax entities. Lutz are of the opinion that the modern concept of taxation emphasizes positively that it should be used for the purpose of providing public revenue and that it apparently does not give a positive sanction to the use of the taxing power for the accomplishment of ulterior objects. One of the most unique characteristics of Maryland tax fraud cases is the role of the government.
Dividing Up The standard procedure is to divide income and expenses according to your ownership shares. Europe and North America tend to rely more on direct taxes, while developing economies i. The Laffer curve is typically represented as a graph which starts at 0% tax, zero revenue, rises to a maximum rate of revenue raised at an intermediate rate of taxation and then falls again to zero revenue at a 100% tax rate. Further it must be progressive tax rate … increases depending upon the resources of the person affected. It may be military aid, economic aid etc. This is because goods with elastic demand cause a large decline in quantity demanded for a small increase in price.
If there is a associated with a good, meaning that it has negative effects not felt by the consumer, then a free market will trade too much of that good. Hence a license fee is paid in those instances in which the government authority involved; simply confer permission or a privilege to a particular person. Productivity of a good tax system may be interpreted in two ways- i the tax system should yield a satisfactory return to the government to meet the public expenditure, and ii the taxation system should be such as not to produce any adverse effect on the productive capacity of the country. The proper implementation of environmental taxes has been the subject of a long lasting debate. To be understood you must understand. The fee can be distinguished from price.
The purpose of a good tax system for a developing economy is not merely to raise revenue for the Government but also to ensure that burden of taxes falls more on the rich. . If everyone is asked to pay taxes according to his ability, then sacrifices of all taxpayers become equal. This is not presumed to be the whole story but just a sketch of the major characteristics and a basis for further discussion. The practical shape of the tax system of a country depends on its historical background. From outside sources it can borrow from international lending institutions.
There should be little scope for, evasion or accumulation of arrears. A is a tax on the consumption of carbon-based non-renewable fuels, such as petrol, diesel-fuel, jet fuels, and natural gas. Recent decades witnessed little progress in the development of principles of taxation. But once taxes are levied, no individual has the choice of paying or not paying. In this day and age, that also means in an environmentally conscious fashion while also consideri … ng social factors.
This calls for a mix of various direct and indirect taxes. One tax bringing a large income is not better than many taxes, each bringing very small revenue. Early taxation is also described in the. Some of these include expenditures on economic infrastructure , public transportation, sanitation, legal systems, public safety, education, , military, scientific research, culture and the arts, , distribution, data collection and dissemination, public insurance, and the operation of government itself. The income from this source is steadily tending to decrease.
The concept of equity in taxation has two aspects- i The rich should bear more burden and the poor less burden or no burden. However, multiplicity of taxes should be avoided. A tax shelter is a vehicle used by taxpayers to minimize or decrease their taxable incomes and, therefore, tax liabilities. Types of Canons of Taxation 3. Income-tax systems will often have deductions available that lessen the total tax liability by reducing total taxable income. Businesses that have more money are better suited to fend off competition. Canon of Elasticity: Modern economists attach great importance to the canon of elasticity.
Another study confirmed this number, finding that per capita tax revenues had grown almost sixfold over the eighteenth century, but that steady economic growth had made the real burden on each individual only double over this period before the industrial revolution. It should be reasonably progressive so as to minimise the gap of inequality of income and wealth in the community, thereby ensuring their better distribution. A small number of U. Although opinions about what makes a good tax system will vary, there is general consensus that these five basic conditions should be maximized to the greatest extent possible. Transparency sheds lights on how much people pay in taxes, who benefits from those taxes and where the tax money goes. A tax is levied as a part of a common burden.
Such contributions are made by patriotic, charitability minded persons during war, flood or natural calamities to overcome deficiency in government revenue position. For instance, was assessed for the highest amount and for a startling mixture of commodities; 1,000 and four months supply of food for the army. This canon requires that the tax system should not rely on a few taxes. Other federal taxes include payroll taxes; excise taxes on gasoline, telephone usage, tobacco and alcohol products; and estate taxes. In addition to creating equality among citizens, equity helps establish an adequate tax base to ensure the pooled tax income from all citizens pays for all public needs, say authorities at the Oklahoma Policy Institute.
Therefore, in order to stabilize sales, the seller absorbs more of the additional tax burden. The tax is often designed with blanket coverage and large exceptions for things like food and clothing. The development of the principles of taxation is essentially an application of the theory of economic welfare. The quantities demanded from the various provinces gave a vivid picture of their economic potential. The above canons of taxation are considered to be essential requirements of a good tax policy.


Congratulations on your new GMG Grill.
Here are a few resources to help you on your way to becoming an expert GMG Grill Master! If you haven't used a pellet grill before, please read the User Manual and App Guide before going any further. Little things such as updating the WiFi Firmware and ensuring correct airflow make such a difference. Once your GMG's set up right, you'll be good to go!
In this series, we teach new Grill owners everything they need to know about getting started with their new Green Mountain Grill. This collection of videos will train anyone in the proper usage of GMG Pellet Grills by a trained GMG Grill master. We will go over how to get your grill setup for the first time. Next, we explain how your Stainless steel Drip Tray works when open and closed. Then finally a rundown on how to connect to your grill via Wifi.
My grill didn't light. What happened?
Too much ash in the firebox. Wait until it cools off, and clean the ash out.
Pellets overfilled the firebox. NEVER turn the grill off and on repeatedly, as this will fill the firebox with pellets. The igniter cannot light the pellets unless air can flow freely through the combustion chamber.
Combustion fan not operating. Check to make sure the fan blades turn freely and that it runs on Cycle 2 of the 0-1- 2-3 sequence. Replace if necessary.
Firebox is empty because auger has not fed pellets into it. Click the "Support Tab" for further diagnosis.
What's the difference between Point-to-Point, WiFi, and Server Modes?
This is where the grill emits it's own WiFi signal. Any device with the GMG app may connect straight to the grill. No internet connection is necessary. You must be within c. 15-23 m (50-75 ft, depending on obstructions) from the grill depending on obstructions. Basically your phone/tablet acts as a direct remote to the grill.
Rather than the phone/tablet being connected straight to the grill, it is communicating through your home wifi network. This increases your range to anywhere within your home network.
When Wifi Mode is active, you may turn on server mode. In this mode the grill is connected to GMG's servers, thereby enabling you to stay connected to the grill while away from home. Your phone will need at least 3G coverage for this. You have full functionality as the other two modes with the exception of being able to turn on the grill for safety reasons. An adult should be near the grill anytime it is in operation.
Although GMG is continually updating firmware and app structure, there is a possibility that your home network and or other devices may need reconfiguring or updating for full Server Mode functionality. If Server Mode is not functioning, you can always use Point-to-Point or WiFi modes.
Why won't my grill start in Server Mode?
You MUST be present (at your grill) to start it for obvious safety reasons.
How high should I set my chimney cap?
Surprisingly, chimney cap height is crucial to your grill's proper performance. If you choke it down too far, it creates pressure inside the grill which can result in temperature fluctuations.
The chimney on your Daniel Boone or Jim Bowie series grill should always be open at least as much as shown in the picture on the left. In warm weather, you should open it even further.
On the Davy Crockett model, swing it all the way open, all the time.
How many pellets will my grill use?
Good question! And the truthful answer is: It depends. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
Pellet consumption is goverened by a whole range of variables including ambient temperature, the temperature you're cooking at, wind, elevation, how often the lid gets opened and closed, and weight of meat when placed in the GMG; and, the pellets you're using – some woods burner hotter, other less so.
If cooking regularly at colder times of year, which is when pellet consumption will be greatest, you'l find the GMG Thermal Blanket is a great investment.
Do I have to use Green Mountain Grill pellets?
No. We recommend you start with GMG pellets not just because they're great pellets but they're also great value – packed in 12.7kg/28lb bags, which is 40% more than most other pellets. Most of our customers stick with or return to the GMG range of pellets.
If using other brands, it's worth checking their moisture, ash, and fines content. If they're composed of wood that burns at lower temperatures, keep an eye on the cleanliness of your firepot. And don't pay any attention to claims about BTUs… there are too many variables to make this meaningful (see above).
Finally, DO NOT USE HEATING or SOFTWOOD pellets. These are not intended to be used for cooking food and may be harmful to your health.
Should I line my grease bucket with foil?
Yes, it will make it much easier to clean.
How do I update the firmware on my WiFi grill's controller?
What temperatures do people typically cook at on GMG grills?
Does Green Mountain offer a rotisseries attachment?
No. The convection-style cooking circulates the air around the food, so a rotisserie would be redundant.
How should i turn off my grill?
Never just use the ON/OFF switch to turn the grill off. Instead, use the down arrow to lower the temperature to 150. Release the button and press it once again to enter "FAN" mode. The grill will power down after the "FAN" mode ends. At that time, you may use the ON/OFF switch to cut power to the grill.
Just press the red power button at any time to turn the grill off and enter automatic FAN mode.
How should i store the pellets?
We recommend clean, dry, ventilated indoor storage in the original bags or a waterproof storage container.
Do not let your pellets get damp or wet. Ever. Makes Gremlins seem tame (actually, they'll degrade and at best cause temperature issues, at worst they'll damage your auger!).
Can I grill in the rain?
I'm using a 3rd-party device to measure the temp inside my grill, and it doesn't match the controller's temp. Why?
Conduction: food heats by contact with a hot surface such as the grate on the grill or a pan.
Convection: hot air molecules bounce around inside the grill cavity and barrage the food.
Radiation: infrared rays, if you use GMG's open flame technology, heat the food.
The grill's thermal sensor retrieves data from inside the grill. The computer on the control panel analyses the data and responds by adjusting the air flow inside the grill and the pellet flow into the firebox.
Here's the crux: the data gathered by the PT100 platinum sensor can be erratic. Think about all of the things that affect this data – the cover being opened and closed, wind, cold food, grease splattering on the drip tray, humidity, altitude, and even how level the grill is (which can affect pellet flow into the firebox – gravity!).
So the computer receives all of this data, averages it over time, and provides a reasonably accurate display of the overall temperature inside your grill.
This is why an instant air temperature reading from a 3rd party product such as Maverick, does not really provide much useful information.
Your food cooks, as we've learned, by a combination of all three methods. The instant reading tells you only one piece of information from a tiny portion of the total space inside the grill cavity. it does not tell you the whole picture. A reading from one cubic millimeter of a cavity in which there are about 83 million cubic millimeters is not a microcosm of the cavity temperature.
How close to the house can i use my grill safely?
Do NOT use your grill with less than 1 meter (c. 36") clearance from any combustible object or surface.
Suddenly my grill is running hotter than i have it set. What's wrong?
This might happen on an extremely hot day, similar to how your car can be hotter inside that it is outside.
The grill needs to produce enough heat to keep the fire going, and rarely, on extremely hot and windy days, the inside temperature may exceed the set temperature.
Opening the lid for a few minutes at a time will normally solve this issue.
Do you offer a thermal blanket for my grill to save on pellets in the winter?
GMG make thermal blankets for all models.
How often should i clean my grill?
We recommend normal cleaning necessary for hygiene and appearance. A thorough cleaning inside and out about every 25 hours of grilling time will insure the best possible results in the future.
How often should i to clean the ash out of my firebox?
Unfortunately, some pellets have a much higher ash content than they should. This may result in larger ash deposits in the firebox which can restrict airflow and cause temperature fluctuations and even soot if the fire gets starved for oxygen.
You should use a shop vacuum to pull the ash out of the firebox every 35-45kg (75-100 lbs) or so of pellets. You may have to do it more often if you use high ash content pellets.
Make sure your grill is cold and there are no remaining embers before cleaning the firebox.
Occasionally, i notice grease on the ground. What can I do about it?
Barbecue and drippings seem to go hand in hand, so some people invest in a grill mat or similar that they place on the ground under their grill.
If you have a persistent leak from your chimney, it's probable that the nuts need tightening or you may need a new gasket; alternatively, seal with high temperature silicone.
Why doesn't my grill smoke more?
All pellet grills burn very cleanly after start-up.
They put off a thin blue smoke which gives the meat a perfect mild smoke flavour. Those who are used to stick burners will notice this difference. Stick burners put off a dark smoke that may impart a distinct and somewhat bitter taste to the meat. That flavour is because of the bark which may include harmful byproducts like creosote. Pellets do not contain bark.
That being said there are ways to get as much smoke flavor from your pellet grill as possible.
The lower the temperature at which you smoke, the more smoke flavour you will get. Low-and-slow is the name of the game!
The addition of a smoke tube or other smoke generatating material may help those who are looking for a stronger smoke flavour.
How long does it take my grill to cool down?
Depending on ambient temperature, the grill can take from 15-45 minutes to cool downafter it exits FAN mode.
Why is there a temperature difference between the left to right of my grill?
Many factors affect the left-to-right temperatures inside any grill. Prevailing winds may cool down one quadrant of the grill. Outside air temperature may require more air infusion from the combustion fan in order to maintain the set temperature. Cold food on one side or the other may produce lower temperatures in that area.
This phenomenon would happen in any brand of pellet grill, in spite of what others' marketing departments would have you believe.
Fortunately, Green Mountain has a solution in its moveable diffuser.
in most cases, centering the underside "V" over the firebox will provide satisfactory results from side to side.
if you move the heat shield (diffuser) to the left, the temperature on the right will increase, and vice-versa.
Some people still feel more comfortable using instant readings from an instrument such as a Maverick than with the computer's averages. If you wish to adjust your grill's temperature to match your Maverick (or similar) move the diffuser to the left (makes the Maverick's display's reading hotter) or to the right (makes it cooler)." These are small changes to get it dialed in. Pushing the heat shield left a very small amount from center will direct the flame away from the thermal sensor causing it to read less heat. When it reads lower it will raise the temp of the grill overall. Making it more accurate to what the grill is reading.
Make small changes of about 5mm (1/8") only.
How long should it take my grill to reach 260c (500f) ?
Ambient temperature plays a role, but it should reach the maximum temperature within 15-30 minutes.
GMG's limited warranty is 2 years. Click here to read about the GMG warranty. Click here to register your grill.


text:
2021/22 Ashes Fifth Test
England's agony was finally ended in Hobart with a sickening fourth innings collapse…
Australia cantered to a thumping 4–0 series win with victory in Hobart (Pic from Getty)
The 2021/22 Ashes series came to an abrupt conclusion in Hobart as England collapsed to another sorry defeat.
Australia brought in Travis Head as Khawaja went to the top of the order to replace Marcus Harris in their only change from the draw in Sydney.
England rang the changes, with…
Another week, another party, another reason to demand better
Reports of more lockdown parties at Number 10 have come out, but there's only one thing that would get the people of the UK celebrating more than anything; a resignation
The reports of parties at 10 Downing Street have been increasing on an almost daily basis this week…
Another week, another set of empty and insincere apologies from a government that is showing more and more on a daily basis that it cares little for the public.
The week started with the reports of yet another restriction breaking party held in 10 Downing Street.
This time it was…
2021/22 Ashes Fourth Test
England battled hard for a draw, and made sure they won't be leaving Australia with a 5–0 series defeat
England's old guard or James Anderson and Stuart Broad fought hard to save the Sydney test (Pic from Sky Sports)
The fourth instalment of the 2021/22 Ashes series saw England buck the trend of losses by batting out the final day to save a draw and remove the chance of a third whitewash in their last five tours of Australia.
Both sides made just one change from the 2.5 …
Jonny Bairstow and the battling ton
The series may be lost, but the Yorkshireman's century has at least given England fans something to smile about this winter
Bairstow was well supported by Ben Stokes (Pic from Getty)
It has been a series to forget for England. On too many occasions, Australia have dominated with the bat and ball resulting in the hosts wrapping up the series with two games to spare.
Australia's first innings in the fourth test at Sydney made it feel as though it would…
2021/22 Ashes Third Test
England sink to new low with pathetic second innings collapse in Melbourne to hand the urn to Australia
Jonny Bairstow was one of several English batters who wilted in the Melbourne heat (Pic from Getty)
Australia sealed a thumping win inside the first session on day three of the Third Ashes test to move into a 3–0 series lead and make sure the urn will remain down…
The Christmas Truce in Pop Culture
In the century since it took place, the historic event has been portrayed in many forms of media
A still from the 2006 film 'Joyeux Noel'
It is one of the most remarkable events in modern human history, and changed the way war was viewed forever, but how has the Christmas Truce been portrayed in popular culture in the century since it took place?
The events of Christmas Eve 1914 took place along large stretches of…
2021/22 Ashes Second Test
Australia make England look average in all departments to take a 2–0 series lead
James Anderson was the last man to fall in Adelaide. Photograph: Matt Turner/EPA
More poor batting and mediocre fielding cost England in Adelaide as Australia took a 2–0 lead in the 2021/22 Ashes series.
England made two changes to the side that collapsed in Brisbane, with old hands Stuart Broad and James Anderson replacing Mark Wood and Jack Leach.
Australia were forced into…
2021/22 Ashes First Test
Woeful batting hands Australia a comfortable victory in Brisbane
Rory Burns was bowled with the very first ball of the series (Pic from Getty)
It was the very early hours of Saturday morning in the UK when Australia finished chasing down their pitiful second innings target of 20.
Some might say the match was lost in England's second innings, but in reality it felt as though Australia had the tourists by the scruff of…
A worthy sacrifice?
In March 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked the nation to come together; 18 months on and people in the UK will be starting to ask why they have bothered
Pic from UK Gov website
Christmas 2020 was hard for millions of people in the UK.
So many were separated from their loved ones and were forced to find alternative ways to see family and friends.
One option was to call in via phone and video calls, others opted to meet at neutral points such…
Ashes 2021–22: The return of sports' greatest rivalry
The series gets underway on tonight, but it came so close to not happening at all just a matter of weeks ago…
Joe Root and Pat Cummings will square off in the middle on Thursday (Pic from AP)
It's freezing cold outside, it's been dark for what feels like 90 per cent of the day and your mind is still frazzled by the bombardment it has…


The iDEAL motorcycle wheel balancer is shipped with the components to balance most motorcycle, light truck and automotive wheels. The kit is perfect for a commercial shop or the motorcycle enthusiast.
The motorcycle kit includes an industry standard 14MM shaft with a set of small cones (11/16″ – 15/16″), a set of large cones (7/8″ – 1 5/16″), a set of sleeves, spacers and the wheel clamp. This kit works for motorcycle wheels up to 24″ diameter and tires up to 32″ in diameter. We recommend the 19MM kit for wheels larger than 180MM to support the additional weight and wider hub you find on larger wheels. The 19MM kit is part number WB-953-ADAPTER-S.
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text:
Op-Ed Opinion Jewish Reflections During 'National School Choice Week'
Op-EdOp-Ed Opinion
Jewish Reflections During 'National School Choice Week'
By Rabbi Abba Cohen
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 9:56 pm | י"ח שבט תשע"ג
Did you hear the big "school choice" news included in the "fiscal cliff" deal? No? The Coverdell Amendment was extended by Congress! Not only extended, but made permanent!
What? Never heard of the Coverdell Amendment? It's the tax provision that offers a limited exemption on interest that accumulates on "savings accounts." Withdrawals from these accounts may be used for "qualified" public and private school expenses, including tuition.
I grant you, it is a pretty modest benefit. But for parents facing yeshivah tuitions, every little bit helps. And what truly makes the Coverdell Amendment of such great consequence — even of historical significance — is the fact that it is the first and only federal tax relief measure that helps with the costs of a parent's private school tuition. That's why Agudath Israel and other private school groups fought so hard to make it happen.
Over the course of two decades-plus in Washington, I have learned several important lessons regarding the school choice effort. The first is that if this battle is to be won — and I believe it will be — it will be won incrementally, step by step. Whatever form it takes, we will not achieve school choice overnight.
Twenty years ago you couldn't even broach the subject on Capitol Hill. Today we have a Supreme Court upholding its constitutionality, and numerous pieces of school choice-oriented legislation introduced every year in Washington and in state capitals. There are currently 39 variations of such programs in 21 states and localities. Without a doubt, school choice has become an important part of our national discourse on "educational reform" and a distinct part of the political landscape.
I am not at all dissuaded by the various school choice challenges — a number of them successful — that we have encountered recently in some courts and legislatures, and even on some ballot measures. Novel ideas and landmark initiatives often move in fits and starts, one step forward in this state, one step back in another. In fact, I would have been surprised if it were any different. Civil rights laws were long in coming, and to those who believe that school choice represents positive movement toward "equal opportunity" in education, it makes sense that it is a winding path. But these challenges in no way speak to school choice's worthiness or viability.
Nor am I put off by the proposals we've seen in some school choice plans that impose counterproductive requirements or target public schools or specific populations. School choice is not meant for certain schools, parents, children or localities. Its power and effectiveness are felt when it is applied as broadly as possible — to children attending all schools — and when it is based on the fundamental idea that parents are the ones best equipped to choose the most appropriate form of education for their children.
At some point, our political leaders will — some are already beginning to — recognize that the improvement of, and investment in, all American education should be our goal, and that increased parental involvement through school choice is the most effective means of achieving that end.
I am encouraged by other developments as well. Parents of inner-city children have decided to fight bureaucracies that have held their families back and kept them locked in a cycle of poverty and violence. The continuation of the widely popular Opportunity Scholarship Program in Washington, D.C., demonstrates what a committed community working together — the political leadership, the parent body, the students, and the media — can do when even the White House and the "educational establishment" are determined to close down educational options that could lead to better students and brighter futures.
And, yes, I must take note of the perceptible — though still very fledgling — movement in a small segment of the larger Jewish community that seems prepared to entertain some forms of school choice and other aid to Jewish schools. We often hear the mantra "Jewish education is the key to Jewish survival." We hear it from all quarters, and anyone willing to admit to the rate of assimilation and alienation among Jewish youth realizes that this is not a mere slogan. But if so, one would think that Jewish education would be at the very top of the Jewish political and communal agenda. After all, is there anything — can there be anything — more important than Jewish survival? Yet for the most part communal support for Jewish education outside of Orthodox circles has been sorely lacking, and strengthening our schools and helping our families provide a Jewish education for our children have hardly appeared on the community's political agenda. That there are signs, however faint, that this may be changing — unthinkable just a few short years ago — gives me a further measure of hope.
And we are seeing the evidence that Jewish education is being helped. Our own internal estimate at Agudath Israel is that voucher and tax credit programs generated, during the 2011-12 school year alone, more than $15 million in eight states for families choosing Jewish day school education. This is an impressive start.
So, if there is life after the Coverdell Amendment, what does it look like? The most promising avenue on the school choice horizon these days is through tax legislation establishing "educational scholarship organizations (ESOs)," although known by different names in different federal and state bills. Under this general proposal, individual or corporate donors to ESOs may receive deductions or credits for those contributions. ESOs, in turn, dole out funds to provide for tuition and other public or private school expenses. In recent years, this legislation has been introduced on the federal level and in a number of states, and in the few states where it has passed so far, it has brought in substantial sums to public and private school families. There are political benefits to this legislation that have gained it bipartisan support, including: the general preference — on both legal and budgetary grounds — for a tax-incentive approach over a voucher program, and the fact that ESOs may be set up to provide benefits to both public and private school children.
While Agudath Israel and other school groups have promoted, and continue to promote, such legislation in Congress, it would behoove our constituents around the country to mobilize on the state level and join with other like-minded groups to push for such legislation. School choice is, after all, primarily a state and local issue.
One final, cautionary note: Our families and our schools are struggling. They are desperate and need help. One part of a possible solution is looking to government for assistance. But we must remember that with government assistance comes government regulation — and we must always adhere to legal requirements. What this ultimately means, however, is that we must draw a line. The most important priority for us is that our schools maintain the religious mission and character upon which they are based. When government strings in any way undermine the integrity or the values we want our schools to represent and the education we want our children to receive, then we must forgo that assistance — no matter how difficult our straits or how alluring the help. Otherwise we are hurting, rather than helping, our community and our future.
Ultimately, we must remember that government assistance is no panacea. Our families, schools and organizations will have to continue doing their share and making sacrifices, but hopefully with the knowledge that we are so fortunate — indeed it is a sign of our success and siyatta diShmaya — to be in the position of being able to educate our children to become exemplary in limud haTorah, yiras Shamayim and middos tovos.
An attorney, Rabbi Abba Cohen is Agudath Israel of America's Vice President for Federal Government Affairs and Washington Director. In that capacity, he works with the White House, the Executive Agencies and Congress in advocating for, and advancing, the interests and values of the Orthodox Jewish community.
This article appeared in print on page D44 of the January 30th, 2013 edition of Hamodia.
The opinions expressed on this page are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hamodia.
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Horseshoe crab tagging will resume in the Shark River estuary on Tuesday, May 23 with a training/tagging event starting at the L Street Beach in Belmar, NJ. Volunteers can participate in tagging and monitoring events through June 23. Data from the work is provided to the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Tagging and monitoring crabs helps provide information on population trends and crab movement, which provides a small window into the health of an important and ancient species. The spawning season of the Horseshoe Crab is the only time they come ashore and the season is just a few short weeks in May and June.


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text:
Q: SQlAlchemy equivalent for Django queryset.values() method Using Django 3.2, I have used queryset.values() method to get database values in a suitable format to convert it into a Pandas dataframe.
qs = Project.objects.all()
data = qs.values()

This code generated data as following:
<queryset [{'id': 1, 'name': 'Demo project 1', 'credit': 3}, {'id': 2, 'name': 'Demo project 2', 'credit': 2}, {'id': 3, 'name': 'Demo project 3', 'credit': 3}]>

Is it possible to achieve a similar data using Flask with SQLAlchemy. Note that I have used the automap_base to access the database table. The codes are as following:
Database = automap_base()
Database.prepare(my_engine, reflect=True)
Tables = Database.classes
Project = Tables.Project
session_factory = sessionmaker(bind=my_engine)
SessionCon = scoped_session(session_factory)

session = SessionCon()
all_projects = session.query.all()

How can I convert it into a list of dictionaries when lazy loading is enabled? I wish to get data in a format that can be converted into a Pandas dataframe. A demo would be like this list of dictionaries:
[{'id': 1, 'name': 'Demo project 1', 'credit': 3}, {'id': 2, 'name': 'Demo project 2', 'credit': 2}, {'id': 3, 'name': 'Demo project 3', 'credit': 3}]

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
package jsonptr

import (
	"encoding/json"
	"errors"
	"fmt"
	"strconv"
)

var (
	ErrSyntax   = errors.New("invalid JSON pointer")
	ErrIndex    = errors.New("invalid array index")
	ErrProperty = errors.New("property not found")

	ErrRoot = errors.New("can't go up from root")

	ErrDeleteRoot = errors.New("can't delete root")

	ErrUsage = errors.New("invalid use of jsonptr.UnescapeString on string with '/'")
)

type ptrError interface {
	error
	rebase(base string)
}

// BadPointerError signals JSON Pointer parsing errors
type BadPointerError struct {
	// Ptr is the substring of the original pointer where the error occurred
	BadPtr string
	// Err is ErrSyntax
	Err error
}

// Error implements the 'error' interface
func (e *BadPointerError) Error() string {
	return strconv.Quote(e.BadPtr) + ": " + e.Err.Error()
}

// Unwrap allows to unwrap the error (see [errors.Unwrap]).
func (e *BadPointerError) Unwrap() error {
	return e.Err
}

func (e *BadPointerError) rebase(base string) {
	if e != nil {
		e.BadPtr = base + e.BadPtr
	}
}

func syntaxError(ptr string) *BadPointerError {
	return &BadPointerError{ptr, ErrSyntax}
}

// PtrError signals JSON Pointer navigation errors.
type PtrError struct {
	// Ptr is the substring of the original pointer where the error occurred.
	Ptr string
	// Err is one of ErrIndex, ErrProperty.
	Err error
}

// Error implements the 'error' interface
func (e *PtrError) Error() string {
	return strconv.Quote(e.Ptr) + ": " + e.Err.Error()
}

// Unwrap allows to unwrap the error (see [errors.Unwrap]).
func (e *PtrError) Unwrap() error {
	return e.Err
}

func (e *PtrError) rebase(base string) {
	if e != nil {
		e.Ptr = base + e.Ptr
	}
}

func indexError(ptr string) *PtrError {
	return &PtrError{ptr, ErrIndex}
}

func propertyError(ptr string) *PtrError {
	return &PtrError{ptr, ErrProperty}
}

// DocumentError signals a document that can't be processed by this library
type DocumentError struct {
	Ptr string
	Err error
}

// Error implements the 'error' interface.
func (e *DocumentError) Error() string {
	return e.Err.Error()
}

// Unwrap allows to unwrap the error (see [errors.Unwrap]).
func (e *DocumentError) Unwrap() error {
	return e.Err
}

func (e *DocumentError) rebase(base string) {
	if e != nil {
		e.Ptr = base + e.Ptr
	}
}

func docError(ptr string, doc interface{}) *DocumentError {
	return &DocumentError{ptr, fmt.Errorf("%q: not an object or array but %T", ptr, doc)}
}

func jsonError(ptr string, err error) *DocumentError {
	if e, ok := err.(*json.SyntaxError); ok {
		return &DocumentError{"", e}
	}
	return &DocumentError{ptr, err}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Asia Defense .
The Russian Military Will Receive 200 New Aircraft in 2015
Despite a shrinking economy, Russia's military budget continues to rise.
The US Military Wants to Train More Cyber Warriors
The U.S. military continues to develop its new Cyber Command.
US-Thailand Relations and Cobra Gold 2015: What's Really Going On?
Strained ties cloud specifics days before the Asia-Pacific's largest annual military exercise.
How Obama's Defense Budget Impacts Asia
The Pentagon's 2016 budget plans to make good on President Obama's pivot to Asia, but it may be nipped in the bud by Congress.
Indian Air Force Still Plagued by Poor Procurement Process
The Indian Air Force (IAF) continues to underperform.
Japan, Indonesia To Sign Defense Partnership
Tokyo and Jakarta are looking to boost their defense ties.
The Agni-V and India's ICBM Strategy
India's Agni V is more of a political weapon than a war armament.
Pakistan Tests New Air-Launched Cruise Missile
Pakistan's Ra'ad nuclear-capable, air-launched cruise missile has a 350 km range.
'The Fog of Peace': Why We Are Not Able to Predict Military Power
Our obsession with technology can pose problems in doing good analysis.
The Comeback of Armor in the US Military
Armored forces still have a role to play in future conflicts.
Japan, Philippines Boost Defense Ties
Tokyo and Manila are looking to elevate their defense relationship.
US Military Reverses Decision to Classify Data on Afghan Forces
The US military has performed another U-turn on releasing data on the Afghan National Security Forces.
The Defense Budget Debate Rages On
What is behind the White House's passivity on cuts in the defense budget?
The One Article to Read on Chinese Naval Strategy in 2015
A fascinating new paper by two academics asks us to question a fundamental assumption about China's naval buildup.
Japan Launches Spy Satellite
Japan launched a spy satellite to supplement its two radar satellites.
China's Navy to Send More Ships to the Indian Ocean
Recent reports of PLAN naval movements have many analysts worried.
Asia Defense Authors
Ankit Panda
Ankit Panda is a senior editor at The Diplomat. He tweets @nktpnd.
Franz-Stefan Gady
Franz-Stefan Gady is an Associate Editor with The Diplomat.
Greg Austin
Dr Greg Austin is a Professorial Fellow with the EastWest Institute in New York and a Visiting Professor at the University of New South Wales (Canberra).
Prashanth Parameswaran
Prashanth Parameswaran is Senior Editor at The Diplomat based in Washington, D.C., where he produces analysis on Southeast Asian political and security issues, Asian defense affairs, and U.S. foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific.
Dr. Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan is Distinguished Fellow and Head of the Nuclear and Space Policy Initiative at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), one of India's leading think tanks. Previously, she held stints at the National Security Council Secretariat, where she was an assistant director, and the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses New Delhi, where she was a research officer. She is the author of four books, and her research articles have been published extensively in edited volumes, peer-reviewed journals, and newspapers internationally. She has also lectured in Indian military and policy institutions and has been invited to speak in various regional and international fora.


We believe that blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies are the future and we would like you to contribute to this cause. Blockchain Watching is based in the Netherlands and will be launching the website in different languages in the near future. Information should be accessible for everyone.


The invention relates to a device for reading information represented by marks on an information carrier, the device comprising a scanning unit for generating a read signal from the marks, a radiation source and optical elements for generating a beam of radiation, focusing means for controlling at least one of the optical elements for creating a spot by focusing the beam, and cleaning means for cleaning a surface of the information carrier.
The invention further relates to an information carrier for use in the device, which information carrier is provided with a protective cartridge.
A device for scanning an information carrier is known from WO 98/53455 . The information carrier carries information represented by marks, e.g. optically readable effects in a track on a disc shaped information carrier. The device comprises a drive unit for rotating the information carrier. For scanning the track a head constituted by optical elements is positioned opposite the track by a positioning unit, while the information carrier is rotated. The problem of contaminants on the surface of the information carrier is discussed. Contaminants can be removed by several methods, e.g. by hand or by inserting a special cleaning disk in the device for removing contaminants from within the device. A cleaning system is described having a cleaning pad or brush build in the device for cleaning the surface of the information carrier. Further the cleaning system includes a pad-cleaning component for removing the contaminants from the pad. A problem of the known system is that it is mechanically complex and not suitable for removing stubborn contaminants. Such contaminants are particularly disturbing for reading information from high density information carriers.
Document US 6,394,105 describes cleaning and inspecting a surface of a magnetic recording medium. The surface is subjected to the output of a laser source for applying a cleaning energy to the surface and removing contaminants on the surface. The laser source is also used for inspecting the surface being cleaned and to measure the effect of the cleaning.
Document JP2001-023344 describes an optical disk device having an optical pickup provided with an objective lens. Further a cleaning member for removing dust, stuck foreign matter or the like on the surface of the disk is provided near the objective lens. When cleaning, the cleaning member is brought into contact with the surface of the disk by an actuator to clean the surface of the disk.
Document WO00/55855 describes a magnetic disk cartridge, which provides reliable operation by protecting the magnetic disk media from dust. The cartridge is provided with ribs on the inner surface near the magnetic disk media. The ribs for at least one corner area are cut to form vents, and an adhesive trap for collecting dust is attached to the inner surface in the corner area.
Document JP2000-222858 describes a disk cartridge that prevents rubbish such as dust to adhere to a disk. In the disk cartridge, a magneto-optical disk is accommodated, and an electrostatic charged body is provided for attracting rubbish adhering to the magneto-optical disk by generating static electricity.
Document JP10-144036 describes removing dust in a cartridge by a dust collecting part for collecting dust scattered by rotating the discoid recording medium in the cartridge. The dust collecting part has a dust take-in hole and a dust discharge hole. When the disk is rotated, an airflow is generated in the cartridge, and dust is given centrifugal force and is moved to the outer side of the cartridge to enter the dust collecting part, and is then discharged from the dust discharge hole to the outside. Thus, air in the disk housing chamber can be cleaned.
Document JP2000-222852 describes collecting fine dust particles by a dust collecting sheet on the inner surface side of a cartridge body. The sheet collects dust particles contained in an air current generated due to the rotation of a disklike recording medium. The dust collecting sheet may be a resin sheet such as a polyimide sheet or the like or a nonwoven fabric such as a nylon fabric, a polyester fabric, a rayon fabric or the like which is coated with various adhesives.
It is an object of the invention to provide a scanning device having a cleaning system that is more efficient in removing stubborn contaminants.
For this purpose, a device is provided as defined in claim 1. An information carrier is provided as defined in claim 10. The measures have the effect that the surface of the information carrier is cleaned by locally heating the contaminated area and/or the contaminating particle itself. Due to the available power being focused on the small area constituting the spot said contamination is effectively removed from the surface. Particles removed from the surface can be prevented from again contaminating the surface by providing a material to which particles strongly adhere on the inner walls of the cartridge or disc drive.
The invention is based on the following recognition. First the inventors have seen that mechanical cleaning methods are not effective for removing smaller contaminating particles and stubborn surface contamination. Secondly the inventors have seen that industrial laser cleaning techniques, for example for semiconductor device fabrication, etc. known from " Laser cleaning of polymer surfaces; T. Fourier et al., Applied Physics A 72, 1 (2001 ), Materials Science & Processing", can be build into a scanning device like a home-use disc drive. Using a semiconductor radiation source and focusing a spot on the surface of the information carrier, and controlling the power of the radiation source provides just enough power to achieve the cleaning effect.
In an embodiment of the device the control means are arranged for controlling the power of the radiation source in pulses. The effect of using short pulses is that the radiation source can deliver a peak power that is substantially higher than the average power, because the power dissipation is based on average power. The peak power increases the cleaning efficiency.
A further embodiment of the device comprises detection means for detecting possible contamination of the surface, and the control means are arranged for cleaning parts of the surface where said possible contamination is detected. This has the advantage that only contaminated parts of the surface have to be cleaned, and this reduces the cleaning time.
Fig. 6 shows a recording device having laser control for cleaning.
Corresponding elements in different Figures have identical reference numerals.
Fig. 1a shows a disc-shaped information carrier 11 having a track 9 and a central hole 10. The track 9, being the position of the series of (to be) recorded marks representing information, is arranged in accordance with a spiral pattern of turns constituting substantially parallel tracks on an information layer. The information carrier is optically readable, called an optical disc, and has an information layer of a read-only or recordable type. Examples of read-only discs are CD or DVD, and of a recordable disc are the CD-R and CD-RW, and writable versions of DVD, such as DVD+RW and DVD+R, and the high density writable optical disc using blue lasers, called Blue-ray Disc (BD). Further details about the DVD disc can be found in reference: ECMA-267: 120 mm DVD - Read-Only Disc - (1997 ). The information is represented on the information layer by recording optically detectable marks along the track, e.g. crystalline or amorphous marks in phase change material. The surface of the information carrier is suitable for cleaning by laser power as described below. It is noted that the laser cleaning of the surface can be used for discs with cartridge, but also for discs without cartridge. Reliability for both reading and writing can be improved.
Fig. 1b is a cross-section taken along the line b-b of the information carrier 11 of the recordable type, in which a transparent substrate 15 is provided with a recording layer 16 and a protective layer 17. In an embodiment of a multi-layer storage medium the protective layer 17 comprises one or more substrate layer(s) and/or recording layer(s), for example as in DVD where the recording layer is at a 0.6 mm substrate and a further substrate of 0.6 mm is bonded to the back side thereof. The track 9 on the recordable type of information carrier may be indicated by a pre-embossed track structure provided during manufacture of the blank information carrier. The track structure is constituted, for example, by a pregroove 14 which enables a read/write head to follow the track during scanning. The track structure comprises position information, e.g. addresses, for indication the location of units of information, usually called information blocks. The position information includes specific synchronizing marks for locating the start of such information blocks. The pregroove 14 may be implemented as an indentation or an elevation of the substrate 15 material, or as a material property deviating from its surroundings.
The information carrier 11 may, for example, be for carrying information representing digitally encoded video according to a standardized format like MPEG2.
Fig. 2 shows an information carrier in a cartridge. The information carrier 11 is enclosed by a cartridge 21. The cartridge is closable by a slider 22, which slider is moved away when the cartridge is inserted in a device for making the information carrier surface accessible for a read head. The centre hole 10 is visible for coupling to a driving unit in the device, but may alternatively be covered by the slider 22. The cartridge and slider constitute a substantially closed box around the information carrier 11 when not inserted in a device. The cartridge is provided with a contamination collecting unit 23 for collecting contamination which has been separated from the surface of the information carrier by laser cleaning as described below. In an embodiment the contamination collecting unit 23 is constituted by the inner walls of the cartridge being covered with a layer of material to which particles adhere, e.g. a material with a high surface energy being highly reactive such as (chemically treated) activated carbon.
Fig. 3 shows a radiation beam for reading a track. A radiation source 34, e.g. a semiconductor laser, generates radiation which is guided via optical elements like objective lens 32 for constituting a radiation beam 35. The radiation beam enters the surface 36 of an information carrier, which is constituted by a substrate 37 of a predefined thickness as indicated by the arrow, e.g. 0.6 mm for DVD or 0.1 mm for a BD. Behind the substrate 37 there is located a recording layer having a track constituted by marks 38. A second substrate supports the structure for mechanical stability, or provides a second surface for reading and recording information. The radiation beam 35 is focused to form a spot 66 on the marks. Radiation is reflected to a detector 33 for generating a read signal. The surface 36 of the information carrier is contaminated by a dust particle 31. The optical beam 35 may be disturbed by the particle. The excellent reliability of the compact disc (CD) can be highly attributed to the presence of a 1.2 mm thick transparent substrate on top of the data layer. During reading and writing, the laser beam is focused through the thick substrate onto the data layer. The laser beam is out-of-focus on the surface of the disc, making the CD system rather insensitive to dust and fingerprints. The increase in data capacity of optical storage systems beyond CD (i.e. DVD and BD) has been realized using an objective with a higher numerical aperture and a laser with a shorter wavelength. However, in order to limit optical aberrations and to achieve sufficient optical tolerances, the thickness of the transparent substrate is reduced to 0.6 mm for DVD and 0.1 mm for BD. Hence DVD and BD, as well as future optical storage generations, are more vulnerable to dust and fingerprints, which may endanger their reliability. According to the invention laser cleaning as described below is built in the reading and/or recording device to increase the reliability. The disturbance, e.g. change in the intensity of the read signal, change in tracking signals or read errors, may be detected for determining the presence and location of the particle 31.
Fig. 4 shows a radiation beam focused on the surface for cleaning. The same optical elements are shown as in Fig. 3. The optical system is arranged for focusing the radiation beam 35 on the surface or near the surface, e.g. above the surface near the particle 31. By applying sufficient power to the radiation source 34 the dust particle is either loosened from the surface or evaporated. Instead of focussing the laser beam on the data layer, as is done during reading and writing, the laser is focussed on the top surface of the disc for cleaning. Short laser pulses (typically ~ 20 ns) of sufficiently high fluence (typically ~ 100 mJ/cm2) can remove contaminants, such as dust and fingerprints, due to rapid thermal expansion, ejecting the contaminants from the disc surface. The following calculation uses a practical laser of a maximum laser power of 250 mW (pulsed). A pulse width of 20 ns and a spot size of 1x5 µm2 result in a fluence of 100 mJ/cm2. Assuming a linear disc velocity of 10 m/s (which is about 3x the normal speed of DVD) and a pulse frequency of 10 MHz, a cleaning rate of 0.5 cm2/s is obtained. The laser power of 250 mW is not a strict requirement; the only requirement is that a fluence of approximately 100 mJ/cm2 is obtained during a pulse of the order of tens of nanoseconds. The maximum laser power of current high-speed CD-R drives is approximately 200 mW (pulsed). The efficiency of the light path (usually around 40%) has to be taken into account. Therefore, using a laser power of 80 mW on the disc, a pulse width of 20 ns and a spot size of 1x1.6 µm2, a fluence of 100 mJ/cm2 can be obtained. Again assuming a linear disc velocity of 10 m/s and a pulse frequency of 10 MHz, a cleaning rate of 0.16 cm2/s is obtained. Dust particles which affect the read out or writing of a disc will generally cover an area much smaller than one square centimetre, and can thus be quickly removed.
Figs. 5 and 6 show apparatuses according to the invention for scanning an information carrier 1, which have laser control for cleaning. The apparatus of Fig. 5 is arranged for reading the information carrier 1, which information carrier is identical to the information carriers shown in Fig. 1 or 2. The device is provided with read means comprising a read head 52 for scanning the track on the information carrier, a drive unit 55 for rotating the information carrier 1, a read signal processing unit 53 for example comprising a channel decoder and an error corrector and a system control unit 56. The read head comprises an optical system of a known type for generating a radiation spot 66 focused on a track of the recording layer of the information carrier via a radiation beam 65. The radiation beam 65 is generated by a radiation source, e.g. a laser diode. The read head 52 further comprises a focusing actuator 59 for focusing the radiation beam 65 on the recording layer and a tracking actuator (not shown) for fine positioning of the spot 66 in radial direction on the center of the track. The radiation reflected by the recording layer is detected by a detector of a usual type, e.g. a four-quadrant diode, for generating detector signals 57 including a read signal, a tracking error and a focusing error signal. During reading, the read signal is converted into output information, indicated by arrow 64, in the read signal processing unit 53. The apparatus has positioning means 54 for coarsely positioning the read head 52 in the radial direction on the track, the fine positioning being performed by the tracking actuator. The tracking actuator may comprise coils for radially moving an optical element or may be arranged for changing the angle of a reflecting element on a movable part of the read head or on a part on a fixed position in the case part of the optical system is mounted on a fixed position. The apparatus is provided with a cleaning control unit 51 for focusing the beam on the surface of the information carrier and for controlling the power of the laser for cleaning. For generating enough power for effective cleaning the power of the laser is applied in pulses. The peak power is delivered during said pulses, and the average power for the laser is kept sufficiently low by the periods between the pulses. The device is further provided with a control unit 56 for receiving commands from a controlling computer system or from a user and for controlling the apparatus via control lines 58, e.g. a system bus connected to the drive unit 55, the positioning means 54, the cleaning control unit 51 and the read signal processing unit 53. To this end, the control unit comprises control circuitry, for example a microprocessor, a program memory and control gates, for performing the procedures described below. The control unit 56 may also be implemented as a state machine in logic circuits. The cleaning control unit 51 may be arranged for controlling the cleaning function via the firmware of the drive and be integrated with control unit 56. As for the hardware, care should be taken that the focusing actuator 59 has a sufficient moving range perpendicular to the disc surface, in order to be able to focus both on the data layer and the disc surface. The optical elements in the light path of an optical disc drive are generally designed to minimize optical aberrations during focussing on the data layer through a substrate. If designed for a thin substrate, the optical aberrations while focussing on the disc surface will remain relatively small. Depending on the thickness of the substrate some of the optical elements may be adapted for focussing on the surface.
In an embodiment of the device the device has a contamination detection unit 50. In order to remove a contaminant particle from an optical disc surface by laser cleaning, the location of the contaminant is determined. The basic idea is that only contaminant particles which affect the optical reading and/or writing process should be removed. Contaminants that have no effect on the optical recording process will be left alone. In case of major contamination the user data rate may be temporarily affected during cleaning, which is preferable over unrecoverable data loss or write failure.
In a first embodiment of contamination detection unit 50 a contaminant is localized on a disc surface by detecting occurrence of unrecoverable data error(s). The approach assumes that an unrecoverable data error is caused by contaminants. When unrecoverable errors are detected and the tracking signal is still present, the exact location of the unrecoverable data error(s) is known. The area of the track involved is cleaned by focussing the laser on the surface. In an embodiment by alternatingly focussing on the disc surface and the data layer, the disc is laser cleaned by laser pulses focussed on the disc surface, while fully remaining on track due to the alternating focussing on the data layer. In an embodiment for a high density disc with a thin substrate contaminants are most harmful, and switching quickly between focussing on the data layer and focussing on the disc surface is possible because the distance between the data layer and the disc surface is small.
In a second embodiment of contamination detection unit 50 a contaminant is localized on a disc surface by detecting occurrence of loss of tracking signals. The actuator data at the moment of loss of tracking signal can be stored. In this way, the radial position of the contaminant is known. Starting from this radial position, the disc is laser cleaned by laser pulses focussed on the disc surface.
In an embodiment upon detection of a contaminant (either by means of detecting an unrecoverable data error, loss of tracking signal, or deviant reflectivity), the laser cleaning process is started from the respective radial position in outward direction. The laser cleaning process will last for a fixed time or fixed area. If only part of the contaminant has been removed (as detected again by an unrecoverable data error, loss of tracking signal, or deviant reflectivity), the laser cleaning process will again continue for a fixed time or fixed area.
In an embodiment of contamination detection unit 50 the disc surface is scanned for contaminants before reading or writing. This can e.g. be done by measuring the reflection of a laser beam focussed on the disc surface. Using an actuator, the laser is scanned over the entire disc surface. Areas where the reflectivity is different from the average value are likely contaminated. Upon detection of an area with a deviant reflectivity value, the disc is laser cleaned by laser pulses focussed on the disc surface. This approach will take more time than the embodiment above in which errors are detected, because also particles which do not (heavily) affect the optical reading and/or writing process will be removed. However the cleaning will advantageously be preventing problems during future writing or reading operations.
In an embodiment of the read device or the write device the disc is scanned for contamination upon insertion of the disc into the drive. Any contaminated part is cleaned immediately, or a background process is started for cleaning when no user read or write of data is required.
In an embodiment of the read device or the write device an oblong shaped laser spot for cleaning is obtained by putting a cylindrical lens in the light path. An oblong shaped spot is used to increase the cleaning rate, i.e. to reduce the cleaning time.
Fig. 6 shows a device for writing information on an information carrier having laser control for cleaning. The information carrier is of a type which is (re)writable in, for example a magneto-optical or optical manner (via phase change or dye) by means of a beam 65 of electromagnetic radiation. The device is usually also equipped for reading and comprises the same elements as the apparatus for reading described above with Fig. 5, except that it comprises write means which include a write/read head 62 and a write signal processing unit 60, which comprises for example a formatter, an error encoder and a channel encoder. The write/read head 62 has the same function as the read head 52 together with a write function and is coupled to the write signal processing unit 60. The information presented to the input of the write signal processing unit 60 (indicated by the arrow 63) is distributed over logical and physical sectors according to formatting and encoding rules and converted into a write signal 61 for the write/read head 62. The system control unit 56 is arranged for controlling the cleaning function as described above for the reading apparatus. During the writing operation, marks representing the information are formed on the information carrier. Writing and reading of information for recording on optical discs and usable formatting, error correcting and channel coding rules, are well-known in the art, e.g. from the CD system. The apparatus is provided with a cleaning control unit 51 for controlling the power of the laser for cleaning, and in an embodiment provided with a contamination detection unit 50, having the same function as described above for the read device and its embodiments.
In an embodiment the read device or the write device is provided with a data buffer (not shown) coupled to the read signal processing unit 53 or the write signal processing unit 60. The size of the data buffer is determined such that a few seconds worth of data can be stored. Several square centimeters of disc surface can be cleaned during reading and/or writing without affecting the user data rate using the practical laser calculation given with Fig. 4.
The laser cleaning process will remove contaminant particles from the disc surface. Once removed, the motion of the particles will be affected by the air flow in the optical drive. In an embodiment the inside walls of the optical drive can be (partly) covered by a material to which the particles strongly adhere, in order to prevent the same particles from contaminating the disc surface again, e.g. a material with a high surface energy which is highly reactive such as (chemically treated) activated carbon.
Further in a combination drive, i.e. a device having at least two laser sources for two different types of optical discs like CD-R and DVD, the laser source used for cleaning may be a different laser than the laser used for reading the information carrier. For example a powerful laser build in the device for writing CD-R may advantageously be used for cleaning a DVD disc. It is noted, that in this document the word 'comprising' does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed and the word 'a' or 'an' preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements, that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the invention may be implemented by means of both hardware and software, and that several 'means' may be represented by the same item of hardware.
die Reinigungsmittel Steuermittel (51) zum Durchführen der Reinigung durch Steuern der Fokussiermittel (59), um den Punkt im Wesentlichen auf die Oberfläche des Informationsträgers zu fokussieren, und zum Steuern der Leistung der Strahlungsquelle umfassen. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 1, bei der die Steuermittel (51) eingerichtet sind, um die Leistung der Strahlungsquelle in Impulsen zu steuern. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 1, bei der die Abtasteinheit (52, 62) eingerichtet ist, um die Spur auf dem Informationsträger zum Aufzeichnen der Marken abzutasten. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Einrichtung Erkennungsmittel (50) zum Erkennen möglicher Verschmutzungen der Oberfläche umfasst und bei der die Steuermittel (51) eingerichtet sind, um Teile der Oberfläche zu reinigen, bei denen eine mögliche Verschmutzung erkannt wurde. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 4, bei der die Erkennungsmittel (50) eingerichtet sind, um Verschmutzungen auf der Grundlage von zumindest einem der folgenden Punkte zu erkennen: Reflexion der Oberfläche; ein im Lesesignal auftretender Fehler; ein Fehler bei den durch die Abtasteinheit erzeugten Spurhaltungssignalen. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 4, bei der die Steuermittel (51) zum Reinigen in mindestens einer der folgenden Arten eingerichtet sind: von einem erkannten Fehler ausgehend radial nach außen; wiederholtes Reinigen eines Teils der Oberfläche, bei dem eine mögliche Verschmutzung erkannt wurde; abwechselndes Umschalten der Fokussiermittel zum Fokussieren auf die Oberfläche und auf eine Spur auf einer Informationsschicht des Informationsträgers, um diese Teile auf der Grundlage der in der Spur enthaltenen Positionsinformationen zu lokalisieren. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 1, bei der die Steuermittel (51) zum Reinigen in mindestens einem der folgenden Momente eingerichtet sind: durch Unterbrechen des Lesens oder Schreibens von Marken bei Erkennung eines Fehlers; in einem Hintergrundprozess, wenn kein Lesen oder Schreiben gefordert wird; nach dem Einlegen eines Informationsträgers in die Einrichtung. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 1, bei der die optischen Elemente ein Element zum Erzeugen des Punkts mit einer zur Bewegungsrichtung des Punkts senkrechten länglichen Form umfassen, wobei das Element insbesondere eine zylindrische Linse ist. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Einrichtung mit Staubauffangmitteln versehen ist, um Partikel zu binden, die mittels der Reinigung von der Oberfläche entfernt wurden, wobei insbesondere zumindest ein Teil der Innenwände der Einrichtung, die den Informationsträger umschließen, mit Aktivkohle bedeckt ist. System, das die Einrichtung nach Anspruch 1 umfasst, wobei das System des Weiteren den Informationsträger umfasst, wie in Anspruch 1 beschrieben, der in einer Schutzkassette (21) vorhanden ist, die in einem Abstand von der Oberfläche des Informationsträgers mit Schmutzauffangmitteln (23) zum Binden von Partikeln versehen ist, die mittels der Reinigung von der Oberfläche des Informationsträgers entfernt wurden, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schmutzauffangmittel (23) mindestens einen Teil der Innenwände der Kassette umfassen, der mit Aktivkohle bedeckt ist.
the cleaning means comprise control means (51) for performing said cleaning by controlling the focusing means (59) to focus the spot substantially on the surface of the information carrier and for controlling the power of the radiation source. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means (51) are arranged for controlling the power of the radiation source in pulses. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scanning unit (52;62) is arranged for scanning the track on the information carrier for recording the marks. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device comprises detection means (50) for detecting possible contamination of the surface, and wherein the control means (51) are arranged for cleaning parts of the surface where said possible contamination is detected. Device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the detection means (50) are arranged for detecting contamination based on at least one of: reflection of the surface; an error occurring in the read signal; an error in tracking signals generated by the scanning unit Device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the control means (50) are arranged for cleaning in at least one of the following ways: in radially outward direction from a detected error; repeatedly a part of the surface where said possible contamination is detected; alternatingly switching the focusing means to focus on the surface and on a track on an information layer of the information carrier for locating said parts based on position information included in the track. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means (50) are arranged for cleaning on at least one of the following moments: by interrupting reading or recording of marks when an error is detected; in a background process at moments when no reading or recording is required; after inserting an information carrier in the device. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical elements include an element for creating the spot having an oblong shape perpendicular to a direction of movement of the spot, in particular the element being a cylindrical lens. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is provided with contamination collecting means for adhering particles removed from the surface of the information carrier by said cleaning, in particular at least part of the inner walls of the device enclosing the information carrier being covered by activated carbon. A system comprising the device of claim 1, the system further comprising the information carrier, as described in claim 1, present in a protective cartridge (21) provided with contamination collecting means (23) at a distance from the surface of the information carrier for adhering particles removed from the surface of the information carrier by said cleaning, characterized in that the contamination collecting means (23) comprise at least part of the inner walls of the cartridge being covered by activated carbon.
les moyens de nettoyage comprennent des moyens de commande (51) pour réaliser ledit nettoyage en commandant les moyens de focalisation (59) pour focaliser le spot substantiellement sur la surface du support d'informations et pour commander la puissance de la source de rayonnement. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les moyens de commande (51) sont aménagés pour commander la puissance de la source de rayonnement au moyen d'impulsions. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'unité de balayage (52; 62) est aménagée pour balayer la piste sur le support d'informations pour enregistrer les marques. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif comprend des moyens de détection (50) pour détecter une souillure possible de la surface, et dans lequel les moyens de commandes (51) sont aménagés pour nettoyer des parties de la surface où ladite souillure possible est détectée. Dispositif selon la revendication 4, dans lequel les moyens de détection (50) sont aménagés pour détecter une souillure sur la base d'au moins un élément parmi les suivants : réflectivité de la surface; erreur arrivant dans le signal de lecture, erreur dans les signaux de suivi générés par l'unité de balayage. Dispositif selon la revendication 4, dans lequel les moyens de commande (50) sont aménagés pour nettoyer selon au moins une des façons suivantes : radialement vers l'extérieur à partir d'une erreur détectée; de façon répétée une partie de la surface où ladite souillure possible est détectée; en commutant alternativement les moyens de focalisation pour focaliser sur la surface et sur une piste d'une couche d'informations du support d'informations pour localiser lesdites parties sur la base d'informations de position inclues dans la piste. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les moyens de commande (50) sont aménagés pour nettoyer à au moins un des moments suivants : en interrompant une lecture ou un enregistrement de marques quand une erreur est détectée; dans un processus d'arrière-plan lorsque ni une lecture ni un enregistrement n'est requis; après l'insertion d'un support d'informations dans le dispositif. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les éléments optiques incluent un élément permettant de créer le spot possédant une forme oblongue perpendiculaire à une direction de mouvement du spot, l'élément étant en particulier une lentille cylindrique. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif est pourvu de moyens de collecte de souillures pour faire adhérer des particules enlevées de la surface du support d'informations par ledit nettoyage, en particulier au moins une partie des parois intérieures du dispositif entourant le support d'informations étant recouverte par du charbon actif. Système comprenant le dispositif de la revendication 1, le système comprenant de plus le support d'informations, comme décrit à la revendication 1, présent dans une cartouche protectrice (21) possédant des moyens de collecte de souillures (23) à une certaine distance de la surface du support d'informations pour faire adhérer des particules enlevées de la surface du support d'informations par ledit nettoyage, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de collecte de souillures (23) comprennent au moins une partie des parois intérieures de la cartouche recouverte de carbone activé.