FutureTrain is a wholly-owned Australian company specialising in the design, development and delivery of fully customised, SCORM compliant, interactive eLearning and blended learning programs that are both engaging and effective. We are acknowledged experts in SCORM and skilled providers of WCAG accessibility for eLearning.
Our office is centrally located at Ultimo in Sydney, from where we service clients across Australia.
We utilise the best of new technology, but we understand what good training design and information delivery is all about.
We offer a wealth of experience in personalised project management, sound instructional design, innovative training delivery and competency-based interactive programs that result in definitive training outcomes.
FutureTrain will deliver your project on time and on budget to satisfy your training and information delivery needs.
With major government and corporate clients throughout Australia, FutureTrain has the skills and experience you need in all stages of eLearning and blended learning production and delivery.
Most of FutureTrain's work comes from repeat clients, and we believe this success comes from our business philosophy that is based on delivering quality products which represent excellent value for money.
FutureTrain is an AS/NZS ISO 9001-2016 quality management certified organisation for the "Development of online training packages as well as materials to support face-to-face training."
FutureTrain 2020 reflects a workplace culture committed to meeting and exceeding client requirements, to ensure that clients regard FutureTrain as the training and educational developer of choice. Into the Future is communicated to all staff and is subject to annual review to reflect its relevance to the changing needs of our business.
FutureTrain provides the full range of design, development and production services necessary to satisfy your eLearning and multimedia training requirements. We will manage your project from end-to-end or provide component services to suit your needs.
The Pre-production process begins with training needs analysis (if required) - the outcome is the basis for the solution to your performance needs.
Concept development is next - this is the process of resolving client aims and expectations within physical limitations such as delivery medium, budget and time frame. This is where FutureTrain's experience and creative flair can help, because the best solution in terms of learning outcomes may not be the most expensive. Many factors will come into play, including what you are trying to achieve, the environment for hardware and software, project goals and the profile of the target audience.
Instructional design - the principle aim of training solutions is the effective transfer of information. FutureTrain's focus is on using the medium to its best advantage to produce measurable learning outcomes. The staff at FutureTrain are experienced in instructional design for conventional training, online eLearning and multimedia. With this background comes a clear understanding of how best to maximise knowledge transfer. We do this by ensuring that the appropriate learning methodology for the target group is utilised. The design is recorded as scripts and storyboards - so clients are able to see what is going to be delivered.
Graphic design - one of the first things to draw people to any resource is how it looks, the functionality it provides and how intuitive it is to use. FutureTrain specialises in designing attractive and user-friendly graphical treatments for eLearning. Whether the client needs a design which complements their current corporate look, or an entirely original concept, FutureTrain will utilise creative treatments that are not only instructionally sound but match the client's design brief.
Authoring - this is the process of building the software framework for the eLearning or multimedia program and populating it with content. With our intimate knowledge of the production process and our experience with the various delivery modes, we can match the client's needs to the production and delivery medium that best suits the specifications, project complexity, delivery schedule and budget. We only use standards-based authoring and delivery formats - no proprietary software.
Sound, animation and video - FutureTrain utilises industry professionals to produce the resources for each multimedia resource. The services include sound recording, video production (including vignettes), digitising and editing of audio and video, custom 2D and 3D animation, and complex 3D modelling.
Warranty - FutureTrain provides a 12 month warranty on every product we deliver.
Updates and maintenance - we support our clients in however they wish to update and maintain the products we build. This includes advice on the best approach for them, features that simplify their own in-house updating, training of selected in-house staff if required and, of course, the provision of ongoing maintenance services on request.
FutureTrain is committed to designing and developing eLearning and multimedia training and information products that surpass our clients' expectations, products that are acknowledged in the market place as being clearly superior to our competitors.
We have been privileged to work with a number of highly respected companies and government organisations from a variety of market sectors.
FutureTrain has forged a number of strategic alliances with other like-minded organisations that strengthen our profile as a company and maximise the range of services we can provide to our clients.
Since 1998 Janison have been providing innovative digital learning and assessment solutions for global corporations, governments and education bodies, in more than 40 countries.
Janison operates through two divisions. In its learning division Janison provides platform and content solutions to corporate and government clients both in Australia and overseas. Janison provides solutions for many ASX top 50 clients and major Australian government departments, via cloud computing on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) style operating model.
In its assessment division, Janison has been working tirelessly over the past five years and investing more than $20million to develop a leading platform that helps clients convert traditional paper-based exams to the online digital environment. Some of these projects are as wide-scale as digitising the national schools-based testing exam Naplan with the Australian government, and with the Singaporean government to digitise its major high-stakes exams including its national final Year 12 exams.
Interaction Consulting is a management consulting firm specialising in facilitation, consultancy, learning and development, qualifications and coaching.
They provide services to all Australian Government portfolios, not for profit public sector organisations and all ACT Government Directorates.
Interaction Consulting delivers with a fresh and innovative approach, backed by a track record of supporting organisational improvement and transformation.
MTS provides innovative learning and development solutions that can be delivered via a range of mediums to corporations and government agencies, including face to face, digital, webinar and distance learning. MTS provides its services across a wide range of subject disciplines and range from individual program delivery through to holistic learning and development needs management for our clients. MTS conducts training needs analysis, learning program design, development, delivery and evaluation, and associated tasks.
FlipTop is a high-end multimedia development company specialising in animation and graphics production for the web.
FutureTrain and FlipTop enjoy a strong association, having worked cooperatively in eLearning development projects for over 20 years.
The principals at FutureTrain have been developing training and education programs for government and corporate clients since 1999.
Dale was a training professional in the Australian Defence Force for over seven years before taking over as project manager for the Australian Army's ADEL multimedia training project in 1994, a position he retained until 1999. During that period the project was developed from infancy to mainstream status. As the project manager, Dale was involved in all aspects of multimedia development including project management, instructional design, scripting, supervising other project managers and multimedia sub-contractors, organising subject matter experts and, in particular, financial and intellectual property management.
As a member of the FutureTrain team, Dale has designed and delivered large-scale elearning and multimedia programs for a wide range of high profile government and corporate clients. Dale holds a degree in Human Resource Management, a Diploma in Personnel Administration and is currently completing a Masters in Information Innovation.
Chris joined the Australian Army's multimedia project team in 1997 and was responsible for all technical aspects. In particular, Chris produced the Technical Specifications framework, which was then adopted as the standard for the Australian Defence Force. Chris has also project managed several multimedia packages and has helped to train Army's personnel in instructional design for multimedia.
At FutureTrain, Chris is principally responsible for technical aspects including coding for online delivery. Chris holds a Masters in Information Science and a Graduate Diploma in Educational Multimedia.
Please contact FutureTrain for more information.
Thank you for contacting FutureTrain.


Walking and cycling are fundamentally very different activities but they share several characteristics, chief among them the fact that they are human-powered. That is why they are both referred to as means of active transportation. This guide is an indispensable tool for those who are called upon to plan, develop or maintain routes and facilities used for the purpose of active transportation. It presents key concepts, explores best practices and provides information critical to raising awareness about the importance of pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly planning and design.
Planning and Design for Pedestrians and Cyclists is of particular use to professionals specializing in transportation, public works, urban planning and parks and recreation management. Its practical approach also makes it essential reading for representatives of municipal departments and agencies committed to promoting sustainable development and active transportation, and for members of the public actively involved in community issues.
The information in Planning and Design for Pedestrians and Cyclists is drawn from Vélo Québec's expertise in the field of active transportation and from the contributions of experts in matters of local planning, design and mobility.


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FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES ACQUIRES DIRECTOR AMANDA LIPITZ'S SUNDANCE SENSATION "STEP"
FILM STUDIO HIGHLIGHTS, Fox Searchlight Pictures, MOVIE INFO by Matinee Chat with Kathy Kaiser January 27, 2017 January 27, 2017
Specialty Arm Acquires Worldwide Distribution and Remake Rights
Fox Searchlight Pictures Presidents Nancy Utley and Stephen Gilula announced today that the company has acquired worldwide distribution and remake rights to director and producer Amanda Lipitz's inspiring documentary STEP, featuring Blessin Giraldo, Cori Grainger, Tayla Solomon, Gari McIntyre and Paula Dofat. The film is a Stick Figure, Impact Partners, Vulcan and Scott Rudin production and produced by Lipitz and Steven Cantor with Dan Cogan, Geralyn Dreyfous, Jenny Raskin, Scott Rudin, Paul G. Allen, Carole Tomko, Micheal Flaherty, Valerie McGowan, Barbara Dobkin, Regina K. Scully, Debra McLeod, Jay Sears, Ann Tisch and Andrew Tisch serving as executive producers. STEP will be released in 2017.
"STEP immerses us into the world of a group of young women whom we come to love and admire. Amanda Lipitz shows us their humor, heart, tenacity and joie de vivre through our own laughter and tears. We are excited to share this inspiring experience around the world," said Gilula and Utley.
"This film was made as a tribute to the bravery and conviction of the young women in the film and to the courage they demonstrated in their willingness to share their story. We are thrilled to partner with Fox Searchlight on the release of the film throughout the world and are very grateful for their enthusiasm and passion. We hope that the heroes of STEP will inspire girls everywhere to do what they have done, which is to prove that nothing is impossible when you surround yourself with a group of powerful women," said director and producer Amanda Lipitz.
STEP documents the senior year of a girls' high-school step dance team against the background of inner-city Baltimore. As each one tries to become the first in their families to attend college, the girls strive to make their dancing a success against the backdrop of social unrest in the troubled city.
The production also received generous support from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Baltimore Ravens. The film world premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to sold out screenings with show-stopping performances by the team, who were greatly supported by the local Park City community.
The deal was brokered by Fox Searchlight's Executive Vice President of Business Affairs Megan O'Brien and Senior Vice President of Acquisitions & Co-Productions Ray Strache, with WME Global on behalf of the filmmakers.
Fox Searchlight Pictures is a specialty film company that both finances and acquires motion pictures. It has its own marketing and distribution operations, and its films are distributed internationally by Twentieth Century Fox. Fox Searchlight Pictures is a unit of 21st Century Fox.
FoxSearchlightPicturesMovieNewsStepMoviesundancefilmfestival
GOLD – Rated R
FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES ACQUIRES DIRECTOR GEREMY JASPER'S "PATTI CAKE$"

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Supreme Court seeks response from External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in plea challenging his election to Rajya Sabha
shivangisingh
Synopsis: Congress leader Gaurav Pandya claimed that the two vacant seats were "usurped by the BJP" by pursuing the procedure of dual elections, but if single elections were held, Congress might have won at least one of those seats.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court sought the response of Dr. S Jaishankar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a plea questioning his election from the State of Gujarat to the Rajya Sabha. A three-judge bench comprising the Chief Justice of India, SA Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian asked him to file his reply by 8th December.
The petition filed by Congress leader Gaurav Pandya assailed the election of Jaishankar, alleging that the Election Commission (EC) had violated the law by issuing separate notifications for holding by-polls for casual and daily vacancies in Rajya Sabha.
However, Pandya's appeal was rejected by the Gujarat High Court in September 2019.
In his appeal before the Supreme Court, Pandya argued that the High Court erred in law by ruling that the election petition filed by Pandya was to be dismissed in limine on the ground that he was neither an elector nor a candidate, in the election in question.
Christi Jain, Advocate-on-Record, argues that Amit Shah and Smriti Irani were elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2017. They were elected to the Lok Sabha later in 2019 and, subsequently two seats got vacant.
It is the case of Pandya that, under Section 147 of the Representation of People Act, 1951, the EC was required to notify the vacancies in order to fill the vacancies thus, calling on the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Gujarat to elect a person to fill the vacancies.
But Pandya has submitted that only a single notification notifying such casual vacancies and calling on the legislative assembly of the State to nominate alternate candidates should have been released by the EC.
According to the petition, however, the Gujarat Legislative Assembly allegedly held two separate elections on the same day to fill the vacancies in the Rajya Sabha on the basis of two separate notifications provided by the Election Commission and took advantage of the two notifications issued by the Election Commission.
Pandya claimed that the two vacant seats were "usurped by the BJP" by pursuing the method of dual elections, but if single elections were held, Congress could have won at least one of the seats.
The appellant submitted that in the light of Article 80(4) of the Constitution of India, the election of the Rajya Sabha is required to be conducted by enabling, as stated in the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, i. e., proportional representation. It is argued that if an appropriate procedure was followed, then at least one of the two vacant seats could have fallen to the Indian National Congress (INC), which had 72 members out of 180 members in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly.
Moreover, the Bench noted that Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, who was appearing for Pandya, had submitted that a date should be set for the hearing of these matters.
The court said at the hearing, which was held through video conference, that it will give a short date, which will be specified on a non-miscellaneous day.
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Use the search box below to quickly compare JAKE MUZZIN's stats to any other player of your choosing.
Use the profile link below to go to JAKE MUZZIN's DobberNomics profile page (requires login).
2018-11-05 Fantasy Hockey Podcast: Aberg! Stream Ahead!


Baker's Island is an island in Langstone Harbour, Hampshire, England. It is 400 m (1,300 ft) long and up to 300 m (980 ft) wide but only rises to a little over 2 m (7 ft) above Ordnance Datum. Mesolithic and Neolithic flintwork has been found on the island along with Bronze Age and Romano-British pottery. There are a number of structures on the island including the remains of a flint walled building and five 5 by 1.5 m (16.4 by 4.9 ft) brick shelters believed to be part of a World War Two starfish decoy site. In 1978 the island along with the other islands in Langstone Harbour was acquired by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds who turned it into a bird sanctuary. Since that time unauthorised landings have been forbidden.
This Hampshire location article is a stub. You can help Infogalactic by expanding it.
This page was last modified on 11 May 2012, at 18:47.


Is Ontario doomed to become a Pottersville? When I think of how Doug Ford is transforming our province, I am reminded of the scene from the classic Christmas movie It's A Wonderful Life when George Bailey is stumbling back into town after his guardian angel stops him from jumping off a bridge. The angel has granted George the gift of seeing how life would have been without him ever having been born. As he shuffles down Main St., he realizes his beloved Bedford Falls is now called Pottersville and is rife with garish neon signs above gambling joints and speakeasies. George's friends and family all lead unhappy lives and his nemesis, the evil and rich Henry Potter, the town's namesake, is laughing all the way to the bank.
Unfortunately, Ontario doesn't have a guardian angel. We don't even have a child and youth advocate anymore. We do have a very short-sighted premier who seems to value the bottom line above all including our health, education, public safety and environment. George Bailey, where are you?


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New fiction: 'The Water's Lovely.'
Ruth Rendell renders a riveting read.
By Erik Spanberg
When it comes to people – ruthless and otherwise – few writers can match wits with Ruth Rendell. With "The Water's Lovely," her 63rd novel, Rendell eschews whodunit for whydunit and, along the way, delves into some of life's most mysterious wonders: revenge, guilt, slights, and, most delicious, class warfare. The story centers on two sisters, fashionable Ismay and dowdy Heather, who share a murderous secret. A decade earlier, the sisters' stepfather was found dead in the bathtub. On that day, Heather emerged at the top of the stairs with her clothes soaking wet. The daughters and their mother told police the drowning was an accident and no one has discussed it since. Now in their 20s, the sisters live together in a flat below their mentally ravaged mother. As they become enmeshed in serious romantic relationships, the fallout from their dark secret wreaks havoc. Rendell makes superb use of the family's orbit of friends and acquaintances: a small-time conniver who caters to the elderly, a 30-something male nurse who still lives with his insufferable hypochondriac mother, and the ruthless playboy Ismay adores in spite of her better judgment. As for judgment, Rendell provides a head-spinning finale that satisfies even as the dread of its symmetry dawns on the reader. This is a master at the height of her powers. So what are you waiting for? Dive in. Grade: A
Ruth Rendell, British mystery writer, remembered for Inspector Wexford novels
P.D. James spun crime into literature
Top Picks: Ruth Rendell's new mystery, 'Little Shop of Horrors' on Blu-ray, and more


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OSU Press › Find Books › Titles › List: New Books
Dispatches and Dictators
Ralph Barnes for the Herald Tribune
Barbara S. Mahoney
6 × 9 inches. Illustrations. Bibliography. Index. 320 pages.
2002. ISBN 978-0-87071-546-4. Hardcover, $24.95.
Hardcover, $24.95
Dispatches and Dictators uncovers the fascinating story of Oregon native Ralph Barnes, the New York Herald Tribune's European correspondent, who served in Paris, Rome, Moscow, Berlin, and London in the years between the two world wars. Barnes has been praised by colleagues and competitors alike as one of the best reporters of that pivotal era. But since his death in the 1940 crash of a British bomber in Yugoslavia, he has been largely forgotten.
With persistence and unusually keen insight, Ralph Barnes reported on Fascism, Communism, Nazism, and the events leading to World War II. Stalin confined Barnes to Moscow for disclosing that millions were dying during the Soviet collectivization of agriculture, and Hitler expelled Barnes from Germany for predicting the Nazi attack on the Soviet Union.
Recently, scholars have rediscovered Barnes, recognizing the perceptiveness of his observations about the nature of the Soviet regime, the centrality of anti-Semitism to the Nazis, and the descent into war.
Drawing from Barnes's dispatches, his personal correspondence, and the recollections of his colleagues, Dispatches and Dictators offers a valuable perspective on the interwar period and on the challenges facing journalists covering the events of the time. Barnes's story also offers an intimate glimpse into one family's experience with the risks, hardships, and separations that belie the romantic popular image of the foreign correspondent.
**2003 Oregon Book Award Winner for General Nonfiction**
"None of us could equal Ralph as an all-round, highly informed, and keenly perceptive news bloodhound. Of our generation, Ralph had the widest posted experience in major European capitals. Ralph Barnes was unchallengeably unique."
--Leland Stowe, Pulitzer Prize-winning correspondent
for the New York Herald Tribune and the Chicago Daily News
"A masterful biography of a journalist who dedicated himself to the truth as he saw it, who openly defied the true monsters


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Q: Unit / Integration testing a tk application I am trying to find any suitable software preferably open source to do tdd and bdd testing in a tk application.
If you have any suggestion, I would be very grateful.
Regards,
Panos

A: Tcl includes the tcltest package.  Since you are using Tcl/Tk, it should work out well.
There are many testing frameworks available, but I don't know which are popular (which means easier to find a support community) and usable.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Mid-Century Modern dresser or drawer in solid wood designed by Kipp Stewart for Widdicomb. Four big and two small drawers. This piece has an amazing vintage patina and the graining is in excellent condition.


See Tons of Porsches from Motor4Toys Event - 2014 - Pictures Inside!
This year's Motor4Toys event appeared to be the largest yet with amazing cars filling the Anthem Blue Cross parking lot, in Southern California, and then some. Porsche was well-represented with really nice cars on display and in greater numbers than we recall in past shows. Check out Pelican's entire Motor4Toys event gallery HERE and scroll down this page for Porsches we saw in attendance as well!
Over 200 pictures within our photo gallery! Click here to view.
Thanks for posting these shots.
You bet! Check out the entire gallery if you haven't already. The hardware on-hand was jaw-dropping.


It's the twentieth anniversary of the horrible weekend that shook the Formula 1 community and fans around the world, because of the tragic deaths of two drivers, Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna. The Austrian was only in his third Grand Prix weekend when he crashed into the concrete barriers at 315 km/h during Saturday's qualifying session. He died on impact. One day later, the legendary Brazilian, three times F1 world champion and universally praised for his driving style and his attitude both on and off track, crashed off the track just a few laps into the race. He was fatally injured, and taken to a nearby hospital by helicopter, but wouldn't make it to the end of the day.


Home Replicas and Objects of the Giertz Education Center, Krannert Art Museum Wasembe shaker.
Description 520 This (11" wood handle, 6.5" wood extension, 2.5-3.5" gourd disc) wasembe gourd-slice shaker rattle is a traditional percussion instrument of West Africa. The wasembe (wah-SEM-bay) rattle creates a very loud, high pitch, dry, clacking sound when the gourd slices clack together. Versions of this instrument exist all throughout Africa, known by different names, including ratatak, telewasa, and wasaumba. It is played with quick downward motions, causing the gourd slices to move up and down the connector stick. This instrument consists of a afromosia wood handle with 3 pairs of circular pieces of calabash attached. Afrormosia is an extremely hard wood making it a most durable choice for use in buildings, furniture, and other items. Due to exploitation of this wood, the species is listed as endangered in some parts of West Africa and several organizations are now taking measures to limit harvesting while encouraging replanting efforts. The calabash, also known as bottle gourd, is a vine grown for its fruit, which can either be harvested young and used as a vegetable, or harvested mature, dried, and used in numerous ways.
Subject Rattle (Musical instrument)--Ghana--Specimens.; Rattle (Musical instrument)--Africa, West--Specimens.; Percussion instruments--Africa, West--Specimens.; Musical instruments--Africa, West--Specimens.


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Q: Eslint is unstable in vs code I am using VS code and eslint extension.
Sometimes eslint is crashed with following error:
(node:1615011) UnhandledPromiseRejectionWarning: Unhandled promise rejection. This error originated either by throwing inside of an async function without a catch block, or by rejecting a promise which was not handled with .catch(). (rejection id: 257)
(node:1615011) UnhandledPromiseRejectionWarning: Error: Unhandled method eslint/confirmESLintExecution
    at /home/desktop/.vscode-server/extensions/dbaeumer.vscode-eslint-2.1.14/server/out/eslintServer.js:1:53829
    at /home/desktop/.vscode-server/extensions/dbaeumer.vscode-eslint-2.1.14/server/out/eslintServer.js:1:54123
    at Immediate.<anonymous> (/home/desktop/.vscode-server/extensions/dbaeumer.vscode-eslint-2.1.14/server/out/eslintServer.js:1:54488)
    at processImmediate (internal/timers.js:439:21)
(node:1615011) UnhandledPromiseRejectionWarning: Unhandled promise rejection. This error originated either by throwing inside of an async function without a catch block, or by rejecting a promise which was not handled with .catch(). (rejection id: 258)

Why? What is frong and how can I fix it?
Eslint extension:
2.1.14
VSCODE:
Version: 1.52.1 (user setup)
Commit: ea3859d4ba2f3e577a159bc91e3074c5d85c0523
Date: 2020-12-16T16:34:46.910Z
Electron: 9.3.5
Chrome: 83.0.4103.122
Node.js: 12.14.1
V8: 8.3.110.13-electron.0
OS: Windows_NT x64 10.0.18363

A: There is an issue raised on the official GitHub repo regarding this, you can follow up there
https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-eslint/issues/1156


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Curves Magazin
10 Father's Day Gift Ideas for the Car Enthusiast
May 29, 2017 by admin 1 Comment
If your dad is a car guy, Father's Day gift ideas should align with what he drives, collects or admires. No tie, cuff links or button-down shirts for your father on his special day, but something appropriately drawn from our list of 10 gift ideas for the car enthusiast.
1. Seat him like a king — Dad likes his Recaro bucket seats so much he'd sit in them all day if he could. Now you can purchase Recaro-designed office chairs offering the support and bolstering that have made this brand famous the world over.
2. Never lack a charge again — If your father owns a classic car, he doesn't enjoy such modern conveniences as a USB port. And since we're tethered to our smartphones, the logical way to resolve this problem is giving him an electronic device car charger. Simply connect the charger to the car's 12-volt outlet and he'll have access to up to five USB ports.
Electronic Device Charger 5 Port USB Car Charger by Aduro
3. Throw him some Curves — Does Dad like to read? If he is a fan of Road & Track or Car and Driver, he'll love Curves — a series of book-like magazines exploring some of the best driving roads in the world (we reviewed the Scotland edition here. Featured are such places as Scotland, the Pyrenees, California and Austria in cars such as the Porsche Panamera, which took the magazine staff to unusual stops along the way. Dozens of beautiful photos included.
4. Cover it with love — Your father's classic Ford Mustang is his pride and joy, but if he doesn't keep it in the garage, then exposure to the sun, rain, and bird droppings can mar the paint. Give Dad a fitted car cover, one designed with his specific make/model in mind.
5. Send him to racing school — Look for a racing school where students can drive a Lamborghini, Ferrari, McLaren or other exotic. Dad will receive instruction from a professional, then enjoy lap time behind the wheel of a dream car. Take note of the grin on his face as he completes his training! Check out the Skip Barber Racing School or the Bondurant Racing School for mainstream models, including Corvette and Dodge Challenger SRT.
Can you see Dad behind the wheel of a Corvette at racing school?
6. Listen with Bluetooth — Provide your father with Bluetooth connectivity by means of an FM wireless transmitter. This simple device connects to a 12-volt outlet and enables hands-free calling and audio streaming for distraction-free driving. What an ideal present for the owner of a pre-modern-technology model.
7. Personalize his space — Dad's garage is his space, but is it labeled as such? That's where a personalized garage sign or plaque can put the imprint on his work area. Include his name and an outline of his favorite ride for an altogether pleasing look. We're partial to this dual-sided personalized garage hanging wall plaque offered by HomeWetBar.com.
8. Dress his feet — You might not think of buying your Dad footwear, but if he owns a stick-shift car, then purchase him a pair of driving shoes. Such shoes are specifically designed for heel-and-toe downshifting — what makes manual gearboxes so special. Piloti has made a name for itself by developing footwear outfitted with spherical heels, supplying extra comfort and protection of the heel bone as you drive.
Driving shoes from Piloti for heel-and-toe driving.
9. Wipe away cares — Your father is out there on many Saturday mornings washing and cleaning out his car, giving it the sparkle he craves. In between those times, why not supply him with Armor All wipes — cleaning, glass, protectant, and leather? They're the perfect complement to spray cleaners and ideal for those in-between cleaning times.
10. Give Dad a lift — Unless your father actually owns a lift, he may use various jack stands and floor jacks to lift his car. Maybe it is time to invest in a high-quality and durable ramp, one with a 20-ton capacity. We're partial to the Sunex Tools aid truck ramps, what supplies a wide drive surface and perforated holes for traction. Check out the nifty telescopic t-handle extenders for ease of maneuverability.
Happy Father's Day!
Make this Father's Day one Dad will never forget. Of course, it isn't the gift that matters most — the gift of your presence is the best present you can give him. That said, our 10 gift ideas are the icing on the "presence" cake, with each one likely to be gladly received.
Disclaimers — Gift ideas are not endorsements, except for the author's review of the Curves book. All photos, with the exception of the 2015 Corvette, are copyright the respective manufacturer.
See Also — Product Review: Cyntur JumperPack Mini
Filed Under: Special Tagged With: Armor All, Bluetooth, car cover, Curves Magazin, Dad, driving shoes, Father's Day, Piloti, plaque, racing school, Recaro, sign, Sunex Tools, USB ports
Reviewed — Curves Scotland: Number 8
Scotland by motorcar — the only way to travel.
Is it a book? A magazine? Or is it a catalog? I asked myself these questions when a copy of "Curves Scotland: Number 8" arrived at my home recently.
"Curves" is actually a German magazine bound like a softcover book and distributed from time to time (Curves Scotland: Number 8 (English and German Edition); Amazon $19.98). Each issue supplies an account of a specific country or region, areas offering majestic mountain passes and white-knuckled bends, with a close-up look at local culture in such a way that it brings you there.
Indeed, the phrase "soulful driving" is the magazine's theme, detailing each five-day excursion, inviting the reader to retrace the journey. And if you manage to forget the many twists and turns described, a pullout map of the area with the route highlighted in red ensures you'll always stay on course.
Founded by designer Stefan Bogner in 2009, each issue overflows with stunning photographs — some taken roadside, while certain others are helicopter captured. Drones are also deployed to acquire images that are otherwise too difficult, even dangerous, for a man or human-piloted machinery to take.
Curves Installment No. 8: Scotland
The eighth issue is all about Scotland, the seventh time featuring a European destination. Sicily, the Pyrenees, and Northern Italy were among the previous places covered. The sixth issue featured California, the first and only time the Curves crew embarked on a new world adventure.
For the Scotland voyage, the team drove a Porsche Panamera 4E Hybrid, but the car was definitely *not* the focal point of the story. Only a few carefully placed ads, a smattering of photos, and the briefest mention in the addendum confirmed the chosen vehicle.
Automotive enthusiasts may find it disappointing that the storyline supplies very little information about driving dynamics. Instead, you're provided with details of everything you should take in along the way. After all, there is a clear assumption you'd choose the right vehicle for the roads less traveled.
Scotland is the northernmost region or country within the United Kingdom. Glasgow and Edinburgh are her major cities, with Aberdeen, Dundee, and Inverness also of note. But much of the country is mountain wilderness, peppered with glacial glens and lakes. There are nearly 800 islands too, and Scotland's history is typically traced to the years immediately following Christ, when the Romans battled local Caledonians, among the earliest Celtic tribes in Britain.
Scotland in Five Days
Day No. 1 — Glasgow to Isle of Skye — What is the best way to start your Scottish journey? In one of the country's largest cities, of course. Glasgow, home to more than 1 in 10 Scots, is where the Curves crew began their five-day journey, a city of 600,000 people situated on the River Clyde.
The first day was also the crew's longest, a 407-mile meandrous journey to the Isle of Skye. Just off of A819, the ruins of Kilchurn Castle a 15th-century one-time stronghold of Clan Campbell, are awaiting your visit. Large expanses of wilderness, the Glencoe Mountains, and a stretch of the A82 popularized in the 2012 James Bond "Skyfall" movie are among the most noteworthy places along the way. Hairpin turns, anyone?
Day No. 2 — Isle of Skye — The Curves crew spent a full day on the Isle of Skye, a 639-square mile island off the northwestern coast of Scotland. It is the largest of the Inner Hebrides and home to about 10,000 people. The name doesn't mean what you think as "Skye" is Gaelic for fog. Let's just say Sky Island sounds far more romantic than Fog Island.
You may reach the isle in one of two ways: 1) by taking a 30-minute car ferry from Maillag to Armadale or 2), by heading north to Kyle of Lochalsh and cross the Skye Bridge, opened in 1995. The team took the ferry on the way to the isle and exited over the bridge to return to the mainland. The 136-mile Skye loop is a four-hour twisting expedition, but that's ambitious considering the amount of livestock and slow-moving traffic you're likely to encounter. But if water views, castles, and brochs (towers) interest you, then bypassing Skye would be a tragedy almost on the order of Macbeth.
Day No. 3 — Isle of Skye to Ullapool — I've decided that if I ever make a trip to Scotland, the Isle of Skye will be my top destination after leaving Edinburgh or Glasgow, of course. But there is much more to the land of the Scots and the 174-mile leg from the isle to Ullapool should definitely strike your fancy. Along the way is the Eilean Donan Castle, built in the 13th century, destroyed by the Royal Navy in 1719, and reconstructed early in the 20th century.
Wonderful architecture and beautiful scenery aside, drivers should take note of the Bealach na Bà — Pass of the Cattle — a historic passageway on the Applecross Peninsula. Known for its very tight hairpin turns with gradients approaching 20 percent, the road is entirely unsuitable for novice drivers. And that's reason enough for enthusiasts to take this serpentine road on the way to Ullapool.
Day No. 4 — Ullapool to Inverness — Founded in 1788, Ullapool is and was a herring port. Our intrepid travelers began their fourth day leaving Ullapool for Inverness, a 193-mile trek that took them about as far north as you can go on the Scottish mainland before winding their way south toward Inverness.
Throughout their journey, the Curves crew sampled the local fare, while gradually switching from coffee to Scottish tea along the way. One such meal included haggis — a delicacy comprised of sheep's heart, liver, lungs, and stomach — typically served with neeps and tatties. Black pudding, beans, and doughy white bread were among the more palatable items sampled.
Day No. 5 — Inverness to Edinburgh — The fifth and final leg of this Scottish adventure began in Inverness and ended in Edinburgh. With 372 miles ahead of them, the Curves crew headed out at dawn, but instead of heading to the Scottish capital, they traveled immediately to a nearby airport for a helicopter ride. Many of the photos shown in the book come from that ride, supplying readers with a vantage point that would have otherwise been impossible to provide.
Nearly halfway between the two cities and tucked within Cairngorms National Park is Balmoral Castle, the Scottish residency and summer home of the royal family. Consider this stop a must in your effort to apprehend the grandeur of Great Britain. Even when the royal family is not present, the castle is always prepared in the event the royals pay an unexpected visit.
Leaving Scotland
If you have ever considered visiting Scotland, Curves certainly provides a tantalizing primer of the country. Its otherworldly-in-places beauty, lost-in-time villages, and historic castles offer a fitting alternative to the big city life of an Edinburgh or a Glasgow. You'll also gain a greater appreciation of Scotland's impact on not just Great Britain, but on Northern Europe, indeed the world.
Disappointment will invade the soul of every reader expecting a detailed drive synopsis of the country. With that knowledge, it isn't too difficult to find the top 10 scenic roads in Scotland as many travel writers eagerly share their opinion of them. That said, no part of Scotland is more than 50 miles from the coast, making it possible to enjoy all types of topography in just one day. With much to see, take your time as there is very little along the way you'd dare overlook.
Photos copyright Curves Magazin. All rights reserved.
Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: Bealach na Bà, Curves Magazin, Curves Scotland, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Great Britain, Inverness, Isle of Skye, PHEV, Porsche Panamera, Scotland, Stefan Bogner, Ullapool


Borussia Dortmund crashed out of Europe's elite competition after losing 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur in the 5th round of the Champions League group stage on Tuesday.
However, Peter Bosz' men ensured a bright start on home soil and grabbed the reins. Andrey Yarmolenko unleashed a shot on target in the early stages before he set up the first chance of the game for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who pulled wide from close range in the 19th minute.
After the restart, Tottenham responded well and shocked the hosts with the equalizer through Harry Kane, who had time and space to hammer home from the edge of the box four minutes into the second half.
Things went from bad to worse for the hosts, who needed a win to maintain their hopes for the knockout stage, as Dele Alli shrugged off two defenders on the left wing to tee up the 2-1 lead for Heung-Min Son inside the box in the 76th minute.


At Rustic Rose Flowers & Gifts, Our Flowers Say it Best!
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Rustic Rose Flowers & Gifts Has It All!
* You can always depend on our courteous staff to help you with flowers for the funeral of a departed friend or loved one. We will design and deliver a funeral arrangement that thoughtfully conveys your expression of sympathy and serves as a lovely memorial to the deceased.
* Order beautiful, custom Wedding Flowers and Party Flowers from Rustic Rose Flowers & Gifts. Call us in advance at 806-373-4213 to set up an appointment with one of our floral professionals. We will ensure your special day is a blooming success!
Call or visit us today… we look forward to meeting you! Thank you for visiting our website for flowers delivered fresh from a local AMARILLO, TX flower shop, Rustic Rose Flowers & Gifts!


Hi! I'm Marisa, the founder and creator behind The Radical Cupcake (tRC). tRC is a former custom Seattle-based bakeshop that served it's clients with the best scratch baked organic, allergy-friendly, vegan, and earth-friendly baked goods! Since 2007, tRC has been dedicated to making allergy-friendly and organic baked goods accessible, unequivocally sweet, and totally rad!
In January 2012, I launched Seattle Sweets & Company, a boutique purveyor of organic handmade sweets made with local & seasonal ingredients and packaged in sustainable materials. Check out more of the sweetness here!
I am also the former Executive Pastry Chef of Gertrude's and Fabulous Food Fine Catering & Events in Phoenix. I am passionately dedicated to creating unique flavors from simple ingredients, as well as making dessert experiences exciting, unique, and distinctive.
It is my dream to someday open a dedicated allergy-friendly bakery in order to provide the most delectable organic, fair trade, local, and seasonal baked goods to the public. In the meantime, I'll be sharing recipes, allergy-friendly tips & resources, and a whole lot of sweetness right here on this blog. I hope that you will continue to follow us on this incredibly tasty journey!
1. a small cake baked in a cup: a dang tasty cupcake 2. slang; a beloved person: "I love you Cupcake!"
Baking Outside the Box™ & all content Copyright © 2007-2017 The Radical Cupcake, LLC. Terms of Service. Powered by Blogger.


text:
using System.Security;
using System;
using System.IO;
using TestLibrary;

[SecuritySafeCritical]

/// <summary>
/// System.IO.Path.AltDirectorySeparatorChar
/// </summary>
public class PathAltDirectorySeparatorChar
{

    public static int Main()
    {
        PathAltDirectorySeparatorChar pAltDirectorySeparatorChar = new PathAltDirectorySeparatorChar();
        TestLibrary.TestFramework.BeginTestCase("for Field:System.IO.Path.AltDirectorySeparatorChar");

        if (pAltDirectorySeparatorChar.RunTests())
        {
            TestLibrary.TestFramework.EndTestCase();
            TestLibrary.TestFramework.LogInformation("PASS");
            return 100;
        }
        else
        {
            TestLibrary.TestFramework.EndTestCase();
            TestLibrary.TestFramework.LogInformation("FAIL");
            return 0;
        }
    }
    public bool RunTests()
    {
        bool retVal = true;
        TestLibrary.TestFramework.LogInformation("[Positive]");
        retVal = PosTest1() && retVal;

        return retVal;
    }

    #region PositiveTesting
    public bool PosTest1()
    {
        bool retVal = true;
        const string c_TEST_DESC = "PosTest1: Verify the Path.AltDirectorySeparatorChar value is '/' ";
        const string c_TEST_ID = "P001";

        char correctChar = Env.AltFileSeperator[0];

        TestLibrary.TestFramework.BeginScenario(c_TEST_DESC);

        try
        {
            if (Path.AltDirectorySeparatorChar != correctChar)
            {
                string errorDesc = "Value is not " + correctChar.ToString()+ "as expected: Actual(" + Path.AltDirectorySeparatorChar.ToString() + ")";
                TestLibrary.TestFramework.LogError("001" + " TestId-" + c_TEST_ID, errorDesc);
                retVal = false;
            }
        }
        catch (Exception e)
        {
            TestLibrary.TestFramework.LogError("002" + " TestId-" + c_TEST_ID, "Unexpected exception: " + e);
            retVal = false;
        }

        return retVal;
    }
    #endregion
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


We want everyone to feel safe at MentalHealthCamp, and free to express themselves as much as possible.
To that end, Raul and I thought we should work out some ideas on confidentiality during the actual camp. First I thought I'd just quickly throw together a few ideas but as I'm doing this I really become of all the nuances that this entails.
So what I'd like to do is to propose this draft – I'd REALLY like to have some input from you! Please comment!
We are hoping to record two or three sessions, ones that promise to be of a general manner where presenters and participants are likely to delve less into personal stories than in other sessions. When you participate in such a session, please be aware that you may become famous!
At the beginning of each session, we will remind people that a) we need to respect confidentiality wherever we can, b) social media is all about transparency, c) we will try to marry the two as best as we can and d) notwithstanding a) and c), be as careful as you need to be!
Well crafted Isabella. Maybe have some local podcaster audio record the other sessions that aren't video taped.
It's also important for people to keep in mind that because someone attends MHC09 doesn't necessarily mean they have a MH condition, they may have a family member, friend or work colleague with one.
Addendum to Isabella's great post – it would be VERY helpful if potential attendees mentioned potential concerns they might have with the issues mentioned above (or if commenters could mention potential concerns, even if they can't attend).
A twitter comment from Pete Quily: We should talk about the last point right at registration as well.
You know, I think this almost goes too far. It sounds like there may be clamouring media types all over the place. I hope it doesn't scare anyone away.
A social media topical event and privacy, anonymity. Hmmm, tricky that. Adrienne has good thoughts on this. It would seem to me that an awareness statement to all attendees indicating that the event by its very nature will probably be shared electronically both during and post-event.
Quite a lot of energy could be (mis)spent on ensuring that anonymity is preserved for those requesting it. What would the oops-public-disclosure-happened follow up plan be? Any liability issues, if you have provided assurances re privacy/anonymity?
Just thinking out loud. Wish I could be there – have commitments already.
I recognize that the point of the conference is ending stigma, but I think it would be hard for many people to relax, share ideas, and get what they need from attending this conference if the default assumption is that all participation will be shared publicly on the net.
This would also make it easy for people to opt in or opt out for different panels and topics and puts the power solely in their own hands to identify how they feel about it (assuming all play along).
One idea: at registration, put colour coded stickers on people who don't want to be on camera.


Anyone who has ever walked the dunes of the outer banks has seen them. Prickly pear cacti (Optuntia sp. and Nopalea sp.) are something you definitely want to notice. I remember over 25 years ago when my oldest son came running to me with an ankle full of spines with leaves still attached. He wasn't impressed.
These cacti can make a great addition to landscaping. Some people like to design plantings that require little irrigation. We call this xeriscaping. With a little imagination yuccas, agave, sedums, certain types of grasses and various cacti can make an interesting landscape.
Prickly pears are common in dry places. We normally see plenty at the beach, but they may congregate any droughty area. Isolated patches can be found in almost every state and parts of Canada. There are numerous species which vary greatly in size, growth habit and prickly armor. Most of the eastern types have yellow flowers, but some from the desert southwest can be pink, orange or red. Many ornamental types have spread to the wild.
The flowers are exquisite but many don't know these desert type plants are edible. Both leaves and fruits can be eaten, but it takes a little care and patience to prepare them.
It's easy to notice the big spines, but the ones that can be especially irritating are the little ones. These hair-like spines are called glochids. They resemble potato eyes and can detach from the leaves with little effort. From there, they can work their way into your skin in a hurry.
Preparing leaves for the table involves removing any large spines and scraping the skin surface of smaller ones. One loosened hit the leaf pieces with a blast of water. Brush and rinse them again just to make sure. They remind me somewhat of okra, since they contain sticky mucilage. Use them like you would okra or surf the web for some great Mexican recipes.
The fruits are the pear-shaped structures beneath where the blossoms were. They contain several crunchy seeds in a gelatinous media much like tomatoes. Color varies, but when ripe these berries are usually some shade of pink. Cleaning them is every bit as tedious as preparing the leaves. Tiny glochids are the biggest headache.
Flavor of the fruits resembles raspberries, though it's not quite as strong. Prickly pears are great raw or cooked. Just a few can add interest to a fruit salad. Sweeten them and simmer the pulp into a sauce to serve over ice cream. That's nice too.
Many sources claim health benefits from eating leaf pads and fruits of the prickly pear. They contain chemicals called flavonoids that can reduce inflammation. Consuming prickly pear cactus can also lower blood sugar levels.
Diabetics should monitor their blood sugar carefully if consuming moderate amounts of prickly pear. Check with your doctor about adjusting medication. Abnormally low glucose levels aren't desirable either. Anyone on prescription medication should consult a medical professional when taking any herbal extracts. It's not wise to self-medicate, but don't be scared of new things.
This entry was posted in foraging and tagged edible, edible foliage, edible fruit, flavinoids, glochids, lower blood glucose, potato eyes, prickly pear cactus, raw or cooked, spines, xeriscaping. Bookmark the permalink.


text:
Biden to tout his achievements at 2-year mark, while stocks show weakest midterm presidential performance in 20 years
President Joe Biden on Friday afternoon is slated to talk up his administration's achievements as he marks two years in office, with a speech at the White House to a bipartisan group of mayors visiting Washington, D.C., for an annual meeting.
He may avoid mentioning how the U.S. stock market has fared during his first two years as president, given that the S&P 500
is up just 1.2% since his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2021, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average
DJIA,
has gained 6%
That ranks as the weakest equity-market performance for the first two years of a presidential term since George W. Bush, who saw the S&P 500 dive 32.8% following his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2001, while the Dow shed 18.9%.
Among just Democratic presidents, Biden's first two years in office rank as the worst equity performance since Jimmy Carter, who saw the S&P fall 3.1% after his inauguration on Jan. 20, 1977, as the Dow dropped 12.7%.
Biden boasted about the performance of U.S. stocks when they were faring better, saying in September 2021 that the equity market had "gone up exponentially since I've been president."
The first two years of presidential terms: How the S&P 500 fared
The S&P 500 has gained 1.2% from Jan. 20, 2021, through Thursday's close.
Dow Jones Market Data
The White House said on Thursday evening that Biden will give a speech at 2 p.m. Eastern time Friday celebrating accomplishments such as March 2021's COVID-19 relief package (called the American Rescue Plan), July 2022's Chips and Science Act and August 2022's climate and healthcare package (dubbed the Inflation Reduction Act), as well as November 2021's infrastructure law and June 2022's landmark gun measure.
Brian Deese, director of Biden's National Economic Council, argued in a blog post Friday morning that the president's economic strategy is working after two years of effort.
"Economies around the world including the United States have struggled with pandemic-driven price increases. But we have made important progress in bringing inflation down while maintaining a resilient recovery," Deese wrote.
"In fact, the United States is better-positioned than other major economies to navigate the transition to steady, stable growth with lower inflation and without giving up all the economic gains we have achieved over the last two years. While there is more work to do, and we may face setbacks along the way, the policy strategy we have executed positions us uniquely well to come out of the pandemic crisis stronger, more resilient, and prosperous for years and decades to come."
The main U.S. stock benchmarks traded higher Friday but were on track for weekly losses.
Now read: Biden team wraps up first two years in White House — here's a look back, by the numbers
And see: More evidence inflation is slowing: Wholesale prices post biggest drop since 2020
Plus: In 2022, U.S. stocks booked their worst year since 2008
Categories Trending Tags 2year, achievements, aerospace, Aerospace/Defense, article_normal, Biden, C&E Exclusion Filter, C&E Industry News Filter, commodity, Commodity/Financial Market News, Content Types, corporate, Corporate/Industrial News, defense, DJIA, Domestic Politics, Dow Jones Industrial Average, Elections, Equity Markets, Factiva Filters, financial market news, Financial Services, general news, government policy, indu, Industrial Goods, industrial news, international relations, investing, Investing/Securities, Mark, midterm, national, National/Presidential Elections, performance, political, Political/General News, politics, Politics/International Relations, President, presidential, presidential elections, Rankings, regulation, Regulation/Government Policy, Retail, Retail/Wholesale, S&P 500 Index, securities, Show, SPX, stockmarket, Stocks, tout, weakest, wholesale, Years
'Young people know more about TikTok and Minecraft than money.' Teenagers want to be smarter about finances — teach them.
Fed's Waller backs quarter-point rate hike at upcoming meeting
Tamil Nadu Govt Jobs 2023 Latest Job Alert For Employment News www.tn.gov.in


text:
South offers trilateral talks over Thaad deployment
South Korea has proposed holding three-way discussions with the United States and China over the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) here that is strongly opposed by Beijing, an informed source said Wednesday.
The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the proposal was made at a bilateral summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, held on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, early last month.
Xi did not offer any immediate answer at the summit, according to the source. China has apparently remained silent.
The Blue House refused to confirm, saying it would be "inappropriate" for it to release details of Moon's talks with other heads of state.
South Korea-China relations have been on the wane after Seoul agreed to the deployment of the Thaad missile defense system to the country last year. The allies began deploying the missile shield early in the year.
Beijing reacted by placing de facto import restrictions on many South Korean products, including popular cosmetics products, while also prohibiting group tours of its people to South Korea, which once accounted for a large portion of foreign tourists to the country.
Seoul and Washington insist that Thaad is a completely defensive system that is a necessary part of their joint efforts to rein in North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile technologies.
The North has staged seven missile tests since the Moon Jae-in administration took office in May, with its two latest launches involving intercontinental ballistic missiles, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.


text:
TRC - database search our collection
You are here: Home Visual archive »17th century »Elizabeth Wriothesley
Elizabeth Wriothesley
Elizabeth Wriothesley, Countess of Southampton, c. 1600. Artist unknown. Copyright Buccleuch Collection.
The portrait of Elizabeth Wriothesley (née Vernon), Countess of Southampton (1572-1655) and wife of Henry Wriothesley, Third Earl of Southampton (1573-1624), was painted by an unknown artist in about 1600. The painting is now in the private collection of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry (Buccleuch Collection, Boughton House, Northamptonshire, England).
As a young woman, Elizabeth Vernon was a member of Queen Elizabeth's (1533-1603) court. She secretly married the Earl of Southampton in 1598 after she discovered she was pregnant. The Queen forced her to leave court when she discovered what had happened. Later the countess was forgiven and returned to court to become one of the chief ladies-in-waiting to the Queen.
In the portrait the countess is shown at her toilette combing her hair. She is wearing an embroidered jacket (then known as a waistcoat) with twining flowers (honeysuckle, lilies, roses, etc), over a rose-coloured corset. There is some question as to whether she is wearing a petticoat or nightwear. Whatever the case, the garment is embroidered with a pattern of gold and blue plants and insects. There is a transparent skirt covering the embroidered garment and to her left is shown the edge of another, grey embroidered garment, probably an over skirt.
On the table to the left there is a rectangular pin cushion, as well as some jewellery. Behind the Countess there is a purple curtain embroidered in gold. Floating in front of the curtain is a lace ruff (the small dog at her feet is also wearing a ruff of some kind). To the right of the countess there are three embroidered cushions and what appears to be an embroidered garment of some kind with a gold coloured edge, which is possibly embroidered.
See also: Layton jacket
Source: RIBEIRO, Aileen (2005). Fashion and Fiction: Dress in Art and Literature in Stuart England, New Haven Conn./London: Yale University Press.
Exhibition: Elizabeth I and Her People, National Portrait Gallery, London (October 2013-January 2014) (retrieved 30 May 2016)
Digital source of illustration (retrieved 30 May 2016)
Last modified on Monday, 15 August 2016 19:42
Published in 17th century
More in this category: « Dame en Désabillé de Chambre Portrait of an Unknown Woman »
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text:
package com.mapyst.android.ui.map;

import java.util.Timer;
import java.util.TimerTask;

import android.graphics.Rect;
import android.os.SystemClock;
import android.view.MotionEvent;
import android.view.View;
import android.view.View.OnTouchListener;

import com.google.android.maps.GeoPoint;
import com.google.android.maps.MapView;

public class OnMapTouchLimiterListener implements OnTouchListener {

	// ================================================================
	public boolean limiting = false; // SETS WHETHER THE MAP IS LIMITED
	// ================================================================

	private MapView map;
	private Rect bounds;

	private boolean repairing = false;

	private static final int repairSpeed = 250;

	private int lastProbDirX = 0; // -1 left, 1 right
	private int lastProbDirY = 0; // -1 up, 1 down

    private Timer timer;

    private GeoPoint campusCenter;

	private long lastRepair = 0;
	private long startRepair = 0;

	private boolean endTouch = false;

	private float lastX;
	private float lastY;

	private class Repairer extends TimerTask {
		public void run() {
			if (MapViewLimiter.outOfBounds(map, bounds)	|| (repairing && MapViewLimiter.outOfBounds(map, bounds, 3f))) {
				if (SystemClock.uptimeMillis() - lastRepair > 200)
					startRepair = SystemClock.uptimeMillis();
				if (SystemClock.uptimeMillis() - startRepair > 2000) { // jump to fix
					GeoPoint newCenter = campusCenter;
					map.getController().setCenter(newCenter);
				} else { // gradual fix
					endTouch = true;
					repairing = true;
					map.getController().stopPanning();
					try {
						if (MapViewLimiter.tooFarOut(map, bounds)) {
							map.getController().zoomIn();
						} else { // at this point we know its a center issue
							float dlat = campusCenter.getLatitudeE6() - map.getMapCenter().getLatitudeE6();
							float dlong = campusCenter.getLongitudeE6()	- map.getMapCenter().getLongitudeE6();
							float dist = (float) Math.pow(Math.pow(dlat, 2)	+ Math.pow(dlong, 2), .5);
							dlat /= dist;
							dlong /= dist;
							dlat = repairSpeed * dlat;
							dlong = repairSpeed * dlong;

							if (Math.abs(dlong) > 100) {
								if (dlong > 0)
									lastProbDirX = -1;
								else
									lastProbDirX = 1;
							} else
								lastProbDirX = 0;
							if (Math.abs(dlat) > 100) {
								if (dlat > 0)
									lastProbDirY = 1;
								else
									lastProbDirY = -1;
							} else
								lastProbDirY = 0;

							GeoPoint newCenter = new GeoPoint(map.getMapCenter().getLatitudeE6()
									+ (int) dlat, map.getMapCenter().getLongitudeE6() + (int) dlong);
							map.getController().setCenter(newCenter);
						}
						lastRepair = SystemClock.uptimeMillis();
					} catch (java.lang.IllegalStateException e) {
						e.printStackTrace();
					}
				}
                int timerShortDelay = 20;
                timer.schedule(new Repairer(), timerShortDelay);
			} else {
				repairing = false;
                int timerLongDelay = 500;
                timer.schedule(new Repairer(), timerLongDelay);
			}
		}
	}

	public OnMapTouchLimiterListener(MapView map, Rect bounds) {
		this.map = map;
		this.bounds = bounds;
		timer = new Timer();
		campusCenter = new GeoPoint(bounds.centerY(), bounds.centerX());
	}

	@Override
	public boolean onTouch(View v, MotionEvent event) {
		if (!limiting)
			return false;

		if (event.getAction() == MotionEvent.ACTION_DOWN) {
			endTouch = false;
		}
		if (endTouch)
			return true;

		if (event.getAction() == MotionEvent.ACTION_DOWN) {
			lastX = event.getX();
			lastY = event.getY();
		} else {
			if (repairing || SystemClock.uptimeMillis() - lastRepair < 500) {
				if (lastProbDirX == Math.signum(lastX - event.getX())
						|| lastProbDirY == Math.signum(lastY - event.getY())) {
					return true;
				}
			}
			lastX = event.getX();
			lastY = event.getY();
		}

		if (MapViewLimiter.outOfBounds(map, bounds)) {
			timer.schedule(new Repairer(), 0);
			return true;
		}

		return false;
	}
}


text:
Barber Shop brings community feel to East Liberty
It can be pretty hard to find a seat in Bat's Barber Shop. Owner and barber Kevin Andrews, a.k.a. Bat, is...
Vento's serves slices through decades of East Liberty
Opening the door to a small pizzeria on 420 North Highland Avenue in East Liberty is like opening a time...
East Liberty LGBTQ Ministry: Isolation to Acceptance
About a decade ago, Wil Forrest strode through the corridors of the East Liberty Presbyterian Church and settled into a...
Crime in East Liberty on decline
In the 1990s, every crime in the city of Pittsburgh happened in East Liberty. At least that's what some...
The Tale of East Liberty's Revitalization According to Chris Ivey
There's two sides to every story, and East Liberty is no exception. Chris Ivey walked into the neighborhood...
Former Nabisco plant houses hub of innovation
Jennifer Kwiecien is working diligently at a machine that requires both a steady hand and creative mind. If it...


text:
Will Trump Dumb Down The U.S. Artificial Intelligence Strategy?
/ Computer & Internet Books /
Author: Michael Erbschloe
PDF file size 411 kb
Kindle* file size 305 kb
Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds the potential to be a major driver of economic growth and social progress, if industry, civil society, government, and the public work together to support development of the technology with thoughtful attention to its potential and to managing its risk. AI-driven automation will likely increase the wage gap between less-educated and more-educated workers, potentially increasing economic inequality. Trump was elected by the poorly educated working class voter who has little chance of having a good paying job in the future of AI and robotics. Will trump sacrifice the future of AI and robotics and let the Chinese take the world lead so he can appease the poorly educated? Or will he dumb down the U.S. strategy with support of the anti-science factions?
Michael Erbschloe
Michael Erbschloe worked for over 30 years performing analysis of the economics of information technology, public policy relating to technology, and utilizing technology in reengineering organization processes. He has authored several books on social and
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Bulgarian President meets Muslim spiritual leader, speaks against religion being politicised
Sofia Globe
https://www.meforum.org/islamist-watch/55163/bulgarian-president-meets-muslim-spiritual-leader
Bulgarian President Roumen Radev held talks on March 1 with Chief Mufti Mustafa Hadji, spiritual leader of the country's Muslim minority, and issued a call for the state to provide greater financial support to religious communities in Bulgaria to prevent "external interference".
The meeting between Radev and Hadji took place at the initiative of the Chief Mufti's office, the Presidency said in a statement.
Radev and Hadji agreed that the peaceful co-existence of the representatives of the different religious communities in Bulgaria had been proven through the centuries and it should be strengthened and consolidated, the statement said.
Bulgarian Muslims are an important and integral part of Bulgarian society and we should not allow for encapsulation and isolation, Radev said.
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David Krumholtz, född 15 maj 1978 i Queens i New York, är en amerikansk skådespelare. Känd bland annat från TV-serien Numb3rs där han gör rollen som matematikern Charlie Eppes.

Han började som skådespelare då han var tretton år gammal.

Filmografi, i urval

Referenser

Noter

Externa länkar

Amerikanska barnskådespelare
Amerikanska skådespelare
Amerikanska TV-skådespelare
Födda 1978
Män
Levande personer

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Beaches in Kerala are some of the popular destinations for tourists across the country. Kerala has a long coastline with several fantastic beaches. Some of the popular beaches that are variously included in the Kerala beach package tours are Kovalam beach, Alapuzha beach, Varkala beach, Kappad beach and Beypore beach to name a few. The Kerala beach tours are popular as there are several fabulous beach resorts here which are extremely beautiful and comfortable. The seafood here is also extremely popular and is one of the highlights of the Kerala beach tour packages. One gets to buy a lot of handicrafts and artifacts made of various natural materials like coconut shells, coir , shells and so on. Travel and stay in Kerala is also very convenient and there are lots of traditionally built resorts which makes the place much desirable for stay.


WATCH: MOIRA DELA TORRE Covers SAM SMITH's "Too Good At Goodbyes"! - MYX | YOUR CHOICE. YOUR MUSIC.
WATCH: MOIRA DELA TORRE Covers SAM SMITH's "Too Good At Goodbyes"!
Just when we thought we've already heard the most heart-wrenching rendition of Sam Smith's latest hit "Too Good At Goodbyes", Moira dela Torre did an equally emotional version of the most requested ballad.
Were you moved by Moira dela Torre's rendition of "Too Good At Goodbyes"? Let us know in the comments!


If you're a business owner, it's likely that you've had to sign dozens of contracts before. However, it's unlikely that things have ever gone wrong.
But, what happens when they do?
Just imagine: you've hired a developer to finish a component of your world-changing app. It was meant to take three months but it's now been eight. The developer is now refusing to continue working on the app or even release the code.
They have been contracted to work with another client and keep on saying that they have no time. You're out thousands of pounds and still do not have a finished product.
Can I recover the full amount of the loss?
Breach of contract disputes are the most common lawsuits in today's courts and can prove particularly harmful to SMEs. Knowing your rights, legal options and potential remedies can make all the difference.
A breach of contract is the failure of any party to fulfil the terms of a contract without a lawful excuse. However, not every breach is created equal.
This describes a partial breach. For argument's sake let's say you hire a friend to build a website for your business. Although they get the site completed by the deadline, there are still a few errors. You may not be able to sue your friend for actual performance, as they met the deadline, but you do have the option to sue for monetary damages or have the ability to force them to make corrections.
This describes a breach so serious it allows the other party to not only sue for damages but also terminate the performance of the agreement. Let's say you've just signed a new lease for your business. However, when you show up on moving day you find out that someone else is still using it as their workspace. The landlord is in fundamental breach of the lease contract. Here, you could sue for damages and to make him provide the space to you under the original agreement.
This describes a failure of either party to perform one's duties as set out in the contract and is considered one of the most serious. If a serious clause has been breached it allows the claimant to seek damages. An example of this would be if a client did not pay a contractor after the work has been completed. The contractor was supposed to collect his payment when he finished the job. He did his part, but the client didn't follow through with his end of the deal.
This describes the situation when one person is able to say the contract is broken before it is actually breached. A party is able to deem an anticipatory breach when it becomes clear that other parties to the contract will not execute their end of the deal within a specific timeframe. Let's say you hire a consultant to complete a project by October 1. By September 30th they still haven't started. You could try to collect monetary damage because there's no way they could get the job done in time.
How To Prove A Breach Of Contract?
Before commencing legal action, one of the first steps in dealing with a breach is to write a letter. The Before Action letter is the opening act in many legal proceedings and lays out your claim. This letter is often an extremely cost-effective way to resolve disputes. In fact, in a majority of cases, a well-written Before Action letter can resolve the matter. You must avoid errors, inconsistencies and ensure the letter itself is thorough. It is HIGHLY advised this letter is written by a specialist lawyer.
Traditionally, it is acceptable to ask the party to remedy the breach within a reasonable time frame. In order to comply with the Civil Procedure Rules, a period of at least 14 days must be given to remedy the breach.
Some parties wish to charge interest on amounts they're owed. If you wish to include this, you must reference the interest rate stated in the contract or the applicable interest rate set by the Court Service.
The Pre-action Protocol is a set of guidelines referring to how parties should act before starting legal action. Before issuing the letter, you should ensure that it complies with the protocol as courts may impose penalties if it is not.
Here you must lay out the contract you entered into and the consideration for entering into the contract. After this, you detail the breach and the losses you've incurred as a result of the breach.
You must highlight a lack of action on their part to remedy the breach will result in the start of legal proceedings.
Some of the potential remedies you are able to pursue may be explicitly excluded in the contract. Before initiating court proceedings it is worth having a look at the initial contractual agreement to see what options are open to you.
The defendant pays money to reimburse costs and compensates for any losses incurred.
This type of remedy is awarded when everyone involved was aware of potential losses in case of a breach when the contract was still signed or accepted.
If a number is specified in the contract then this type of reward gives the claimant this amount.
This is a rare type of damages to be granted in breach of contract cases. Traditionally they're awarded for offensive behaviour or actions from the defendant.
Here a court will order for each party to the contract to follow through with the original agreement.
Here a court may order the contract is cancelled and any money is returned. It basically makes it seem like the matter never took place in the first place.
This is a do-over. The contract will be re-written to better reflect the original intentions of entering into the agreement.
In England and Wales, the victim of the breach has a responsibility or 'duty to mitigate loss'. Basically, the victim of the breach should not actively make the situation worse. They should take reasonable steps to ensure the loss does not increase. Any calculation of damages aims to put the innocent party in the same position as if the contract had been properly performed, i.e. if the victim has benefited through the breach of contract then the benefit will likely reduce damages owed.
Although the duty to mitigate loss is a voluntary duty, courts can take into account the fact some losses the 'breacher' of the contract may not be responsible for. If you want the highest reward possible you need to ensure you have prevented losses from being exacerbated by your own actions or lack of actions.
If you need any further details or advice relating to a breach of contract, give us a call on (+44) 0203 151 0011 to get the affordable legal advice you need to prevent your issue from getting out of hand. Or, you can submit your enquiry and our legal team will book you in for a free one-to-one consultation.


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Starts With A Bang — February 26, 2021
Ask Ethan: Is There a Way To Save Our Galaxy From Its 'Inevitable' Fate?
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If everything eventually dies and decays, is there a way to prolong the inevitable?
Our Universe, as it exists today, puts us in an incredibly privileged position. Had we come into being just a few billion years earlier, we'd be unable to detect the existence of dark energy, and thus we'd never know the true fate of our Universe. Similarly, were we born tens of billions of years in the future — just a few times the present age of the Universe — our local group would be just one giant elliptical galaxy, with no other galaxies visible beyond our own for hundreds of billions of light-years. As far as we can tell, our Universe is dying, and a "heat death" awaits us. There may be no way to stop it, but could we somehow, with an advanced enough technology, delay it? That's the question of Patreon supporter John Kozura, who wants to know:
"After reading your posting about the natural death of the Universe as we passively watch, I got to thinking: what could an extremely advanced, Type III level civilization could proactively do to make a galaxy/local cluster run "efficiently" for longer to their benefit… are there ways we could act as a sort of large scale Maxwell's demon to manage entropy and efficiently control the energy budget of the galaxy?"
If we do nothing, our fate is sealed. But even within the laws of physics, we might be able to save our galaxy for longer than any other one in the Universe. Here's how.
A series of stills showing the Milky Way-Andromeda merger, and how the sky will appear different from Earth as it happens. This merger will occur roughly 4 billion years in the future, with a huge burst of star formation leading to a red-and-dead, gas-free elliptical galaxy: Milkdromeda. A single, large elliptical is the eventual fate of the entire local group. Despite the enormous scales and numbers of stars involved, only approximately 1-in-100 billion stars will collide or merge during this event. (NASA; Z. LEVAY AND R. VAN DER MAREL, STSCI; T. HALLAS; AND A. MELLINGER)
If you want to save the Universe, you first have to understand what you're saving it from. Right now, there are some ~400 billion stars in the Milky Way, plus even more in our neighboring galaxy, Andromeda. Both us and our nearest large neighbor are still forming stars, but at a much lower rate than we did in the past. In fact, the total star formation rate of the galaxies around today is about a factor of ~20 smaller than it was at its peak, some 11 billion years ago.
However, both the Milky Way and Andromeda have copious amounts of gas left in them, and we're on a collision course.
In about ~4 billion years, the two of us will merge together, leading to an incredible star-forming event that should either consume or eject most of the gas in both galaxies.
After about another 2 or 3 billion years, we'll settle down into a giant elliptical galaxy: Milkdromeda.
Another few billion years after that, the smaller galaxies within our gravitationally bound Local Group will all fall into Milkdromeda.
Meanwhile all the other galaxies, galaxy groups, and galaxy clusters continue to accelerate away from us. At that point, star formation in our future home, Milkdromeda, will be merely a trickle, but we'll have more stars present within it than ever before, numbering in the trillions.
The starburst galaxy Messier 82, with matter being expelled as shown by the red jets, has had this wave of current star-formation triggered by a close gravitational interaction with its neighbor, the bright spiral galaxy Messier 81. Although starbursts will form tremendous numbers of new stars, they will also deplete the gas present, preventing large numbers of future generations of stars. (NASA, ESA, THE HUBBLE HERITAGE TEAM, (STSCI / AURA); ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: M. MOUNTAIN (STSCI), P. PUXLEY (NSF), J. GALLAGHER (U. WISCONSIN))
If we do nothing, the stars that come into existence will simply burn out once enough time passes by. The most massive stars only live for a few million years, while stars like our Sun might have a lifetime more like ~10 billion years. But the least massive stars — the red dwarfs that barely have enough mass to ignite nuclear fusion in their cores — might continue their slow burning for as many as ~100 trillion (10¹⁴) years. So long as there's fuel in their cores to burn, or enough convection occurring to bring new fuel into the core, nuclear fusion will continue.
Given that 4 out of every 5 stars in the Universe is a red dwarf, we'll have lots of stars for a very long amount of time. Given that there may be even more brown dwarfs out there than stars, where brown dwarfs are a little bit too low in mass to fuse hydrogen into helium the way normal stars do, and that some 50% of all stars are in multi-star systems, we'll have inspirals and mergers of these objects for even longer periods of time.
Whenever two brown dwarfs merge together to form a massive enough object — more than about 7.5% the present mass of our Sun — they'll ignite nuclear fusion in their cores. This process will be responsible for the majority of stars in our galaxy until the Universe is hundreds of quadrillions (~10¹⁷) of years old.
The inspiral and merger scenario for brown dwarfs as well-separated as the systems we've already discovered would take a very long time due to gravitational waves. But collisions are quite likely. Just as red stars colliding produce blue straggler stars, brown dwarf collisions can make red dwarf stars. Over long enough timescales, these 'blips' of light may become the only sources illuminating the Universe. (MELVYN B. DAVIES, NATURE 462, 991–992 (2009))
But once the Universe reaches that age, another process will come to dominate: gravitational interactions between the stars and stellar remnants in our galaxy. Every once in a while, two stars or stellar corpses will pass close by one another. When this occurs, they will either:
interact with each other but both remain in the galaxy,
collide and merge together,
tidally disrupt one or both members, potentially getting torn apart in a cataclysmic tidal disruption event,
or — and this is the most interesting possibility — they could cause one member to become more tightly gravitationally bound to the galactic center, while the other member becomes more loosely bound, or even ejected entirely.
That last possibility, on long timescales, will dominate the fate of our galaxy. It might take ~10¹⁹ or even ~10²⁰ years, but that's the point where practically all the stars and stellar remnants will either be sent into stable orbits that will decay via gravitational radiation, inspiraling around the galactic center until everything merges into one enormous black hole, or ejected into the abyss of intergalactic space.
As a black hole shrinks in mass and radius, the Hawking radiation emanating from it becomes greater and greater in temperature and power. Once the decay rate exceeds the growth rate, Hawking radiation only increases in temperature and power. As black holes lose mass due to Hawking radiation, the rate of evaporation increases. After enough time goes by, a brilliant flash of 'last light' gets released in a stream of high-energy blackbody radiation that favors neither matter nor antimatter. (NASA)
Beyond that time, orbital decay from gravitational radiation and black hole decay from Hawking radiation are the only two processes that will matter. An Earth-mass planet in an Earth-sized orbit around a stellar remnant with the mass of our Sun will take around ~10²⁵ years to spiral in so that they merge; the most massive black hole in our galaxy, while a black hole of the mass of our Sun will take around ~10⁶⁷ years to evaporate. The most massive black hole in the known Universe might take upwards of ~10¹⁰⁰ years to fully evaporate, but that's pretty much all we'll have to look forward to. In a sense, if we take no further interventions, our fate is sealed.
But what if we wanted to avoid this fate, or at least push it out into the future as far as possible? Is there anything we could do about any or all of these steps? It's a big question, but the laws of physics allow for some truly incredible possibilities. If we can measure and know what the objects in the Universe are doing to an accurate enough precision, then perhaps we can manipulate them in some clever way to keep things going a little bit longer.
The key to making it happen is to start early.
If a large asteroid strikes Earth, it has the potential to release an enormous amount of energy, leading to local or even global catastrophes. At ~450 meters long along its long axis, asteroid Apophis could release about 50 times the energy of the Tunguska blast: minuscule compared to the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs, but many times larger than even the most powerful atomic bomb detonated in history. The key to stopping an asteroid collision is early detection and early action to begin deflection procedures. (NASA / DON DAVIS)
Think about an analogous problem: what would we do if we discovered an asteroid, comet, or other significantly massive object were on a collision course for Earth? You'd ideally want to deflect it, so that it would miss our planet.
But what's the best, most efficient way to do this? It's to "correct" the course of this body — not the Earth, but the lower-mass object that's headed towards us — as early as possible. A tiny change in momentum early on, which arises from a force that you'd exert on this body over a duration of time, will deflect its trajectory by a much more significant amount than that same force will even a tiny bit later. When it comes to gravitational dynamics, an ounce of prevention is much more effective than a pound of cure a little bit later.
This is why, when it comes to planetary defense, the most important things we can do are:
identify and track every object above a certain hazardous size as early as possible,
characterize its orbit as exquisitely precisely as we can,
and understand which objects it will interact with and pass close to over time, so that we can project its trajectory accurately very far into the future.
This way, if something's going to hit us, we can intervene at the earliest stages possible.
The NEXIS Ion Thruster, at Jet Propulsion Laboratories, is a prototype for a long-term thruster that could move large-mass objects over very long timescales. (NASA / JPL)
There are multiple strategies we can take to deflect an object by a small amount over a long period of time. They include:
attaching a "sail" of some sort to the object we want to move, reliant on either solar wind particles or the outward flux of radiation, to change its trajectory,
creating a combination of ultraviolet lasers (to ionize atoms) and a strong magnetic field (to funnel those ions in a particular direction) to create a thrust, thus changing its trajectory,
attaching a passive engine of some sort to the object in question — like an ion thruster — to slowly accelerate a solid body in the desired direction,
or to simply move other, smaller masses near the vicinity of the object we want to deflect, and letting gravity take care of the rest, like a game of cosmic billiards.
Different strategies might be more or less effective for different objects. The ion thruster might work best for asteroids, while the gravitational solution might be absolutely necessary for stars. But these are the types of technologies that can generally be used to deflect massive objects, and that's what we'd want to do to control their trajectories in the long run.
At the centers of galaxies, there exists stars, gas, dust, and (as we now know) black holes, all of which orbit and interact with the central supermassive presence in the galaxy. On long enough timescales, all such orbits will decay away, leading to consumption by the largest remaining mass. At the galactic center, this should be the central supermassive black hole; in our Solar System, that should be the Sun. Small changes induced by us in a particular direction, however, could extend those timescales by multiple orders of magnitude. (ESO/MPE/MARC SCHARTMANN)
What I can envision in the far, far future, is a network of a combination of these that find and seek out solid masses throughout the Universe — asteroids, Kuiper belt and Oort cloud objects, planetesimals, moons, etc. — all of which have their own atomic clocks on board, and strong enough radio signals to communicate with one another over large distances.
I can envision that they would measure the matter within our galaxy — the gas in the Milky Way, the stars and stellar remnants in Milkdromeda, the "failed stars" that will merge to form subsequent stars in the late-time Universe, etc. — and they could calculate which trajectories they would need to take in order to maintain the maximum amount of baryonic (normal) matter within our galaxy.
If you can shepherd these objects into stable orbits for longer, so that the process of violent relaxation — where low-mass objects get kicked out over time while higher-mass objects sink to the center — it would be a way to maintain the matter that we have for longer, and that would enable our galaxy to survive, in a sense, for much longer periods of time.
The ancient globular cluster Messier 15, a typical example of an incredibly old globular cluster. The stars inside are quite red, on average, with the bluer ones formed by the mergers of old, redder ones. This cluster is highly relaxed, meaning the heavier masses have sank to the middle while the lighter ones have been kicked into a more diffuse configuration or ejected entirely. This effect of violent relaxation is a real and important physical process, but it may be controllable with enough large masses in a network with appropriate thrusters attached. (ESA/HUBBLE & NASA)
You can't stop entropy from increasing, but you can prevent entropy from increasing in a particular way by performing work in a particular direction. So long as there's energy to extract from your environment, which you can do so long as stars and other sources of energy are close by, you can use that energy to direct in what ways your entropy increases. It's sort of like how, when you clean your room, the overall entropy of the "you + room" system increases, but the disorder in your room goes down as you put energy into it. It was your inputs that changed the situation of the room, but you paid the price yourself.
Similarly, the shepherding probes attached to various masses would pay the price in terms of energy, but they could keep masses in a much more stable long-term configuration. This could lead to:
more gas remaining within the Milky Way to participate in future generations of star-formation,
more stars and stellar remnants remaining in Milkdromeda and fewer large masses falling in towards the central black hole in our galaxy,
and longer lifetimes for stars and stellar remnants, increasing the amount of time that mergers and the ignition of new stars can occur.
When two brown dwarfs, far into the future, finally do merge together, they will likely be the only light shining in the night sky, as all other stars have gone out. The red dwarf that results will be the only primary light source left in the Universe at that time. (USER TOMA/SPACE ENGINE; E. SIEGEL)
In theory, there's a way to maximize the duration that we'll still have stars (and sources of power) in whatever's left of our Local Group very far into the future. By tracking and observing these clumps of matter floating through space, we can calculate — or have artificial intelligence calculate — the optimal set of trajectories to deflect them onto, maximizing the amount of mass, the number of stars, and/or the energy flux of starlight within our future galaxy. We might be able to increase the duration over which we'll have usable energy, stars with rocky planets around them, and even, potentially, life, by factors of 100 or even greater amounts.
You cannot ever defeat the second law of thermodynamics, as entropy will always increase. But that doesn't mean you simply have to give up, and let the Universe run amok in whatever direction nature would take it. With the right technology, we can minimize the rate at which stellar ejections occur and maximize the total number of stars that will ever form, as well as the duration that they'll persist for. If we can survive our technological infancy and truly become a spacefaring, technologically advanced civilization, we might be able, in a sense, to save our galaxy in a way that no other galaxy is ever saved. If a super-intelligent civilization is out there, this might be the evidence they'd look for to know, even from across the now-unreachable Universe, that they truly weren't alone.
Send in your Ask Ethan questions to startswithabang at gmail dot com!
Starts With A Bang is written by Ethan Siegel, Ph.D., author of Beyond The Galaxy, and Treknology: The Science of Star Trek from Tricorders to Warp Drive.
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