On herbarium sheets, data like plant name, collection site, collector, barcode, accession number, etc. are found mostly on labels glued on the sheet. The data is thus visible on images taken of the specimen. Currently, they are mostly entered manually into collection databases. The StanDAP-Herb Project funded by the DFG (German Research Foundation) develops a standard process for (semi-) automatic detection of meta-data on Herbarium specimens to replace the time consuming manual data input as much as possible. Image processing software detects objects such as labels or barcodes on the digitized record and classifies them. Text objects are transformed into structured information using text mining algorithms. For handwriting, author identification is attempted. The project evaluates and enhances existing software to comply with standard interfaces and integrate them into an open software architecture based on established IT standards. The software modules thus become available for work flow processing, in order to verify data quality, facilitate data discovery and enhance the application of collection data in research. The project addresses a large proportion of scientific collections: approximately 22 million herbarium specimens exist as botanical reference objects in Germany, about 500 million worldwide.
Hahn, A., Kirchhoff, A. & Berendsohn, W.G. 2004: The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and the German response. Scripta Bot. Belg. 29: 71-77.
Kirchhoff, A., Berendsohn, W. 2010: Die EDIT 'Platform for Cybertaxonomy.
Venin, M., Kirchhoff, A., Fradin, H., Güntsch, A., Hoffmann, N., Kohlbecker, A., Kuntzelman, E., Maiocco, Ô., Müller, A., Vignes Lebbe, R., Berendsohn, W. G.2010: Descriptive Data in the Platform for Cybertaxonomy, In: Nimis, P.L., Vignes Lebbe, R., (eds.) Tools for Identifying Biodiversity: Progress and Problems – pp. 7-11, Proceedings of the International Congress, Paris, September 20-22, 2010. ISBN 978-88-8303-295-0. EUT, 2010.
Kirchhoff, A., Paar, P., Mülder, J. 2009: Die virtuelle Rekonstruktion von Herodes' drittem Winterpalast und der Oase von Jericho, HASB Bern 21: 151-161.
Kirchhoff, A. 2007: Florenkartierung und Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), Floristische Rundbriefe, Beiheft 8: 93-98.
Kirchhoff, A. 1998: Sequoiadendron giganteum in Schweizer Gärten. Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Gartenkultur, Mitteilungen 2: 51-57.
Vierkant, P., Spier, S., Rücknagel, J., Gundlach, J., Fichtmüller, D., Pampel, H., Kindling, M., Agnes Kirchhoff, Göbelbecker, H.-J., Klump, J., Bertelmann, R., Schirmbacher, P., Scholze, F. 2012: Vocabulary for the Registration and Description of Research Data Repositories. Version 2.0. December 2012. DOI:10.2312/re3.002, http://www.re3data.org.
Hahn, A., Kirchhoff A., Berendsohn., W. G. 2004: Networking biodiversity data - online access to distributed data sources in GBIF-D, Ocean Biodiversity Informatics; International Conference on Marine Biodiversity Data Management, 29-30 Nov 2004, Hamburg.
Hahn, A., Kirchhoff A. , Berendsohn W.G. 2003: Virtual Herbarium, portal and organisation of the botanical node within GBIF-D. - In: Sustainable use and conservation of biological diversity - a challenge for society, Symposium Report Part A: 259-260. Bonn.
Stevens, A.-D., Kirchhoff, A., Hahn A., Berendsohn, W.G. 2003: German Botany within the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) – In: J. Rammeloo & A. Bogaerts (eds.). EuroGard III Congress and BEDUCO II Congress Abstracts, Scripta Botanica Belgica 27: 49.
Hahn, A., Kirchhoff, A., Matthäs, U., Surma A., Berendsohn W. G. 2001: BoGART - the Information System of the Berlin Botanic Garden, BIOLOG - German Programme on Biodiversity and Global Change, Status Report 2001: 228-229, Bonn.
Berendsohn, W.G., Chaves, F., Kirchhoff, A., Röpert, D., Steinke, K.-H., Usländer, T. 2014: Metadataextraction from digital specimens: a standardised software driven approach. Digital Specimen Conference, Museum für Naturkunde, 8.-12.09. 2014, Berlin, Germany.
Jahn, R., Kirchhoff A., Hahn, A. 2003:Virtuelle versus Physische Sammlungen - Probleme und Lösungsansätze. - 16.9.2003 Tagung der Gesellschaft für biologische Systematik (GfbS), Dresden.
Kirchhoff, A., Hahn, A., Stevens A.-D., Berendsohn W.G. 2003: The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and the German Response. 22.7.2003 EuroGard III Congress, Meise, Belgium.
Kirchhoff, A., Röpert, D., Güntsch, A., Berendsohn, W.G., Steinke, K.-H., Guan, C., Zheng, H., Chaves, F., Bügel, U., Santamaria, E. (2016): Information-Extraction from Herbarium Specimens: The StanDAP-Herb Project. SPNC Annual Meeting 20.-25.06.2016, Berlin, Germany.
Kirchhoff, A., Röpert, D., Güntsch, A., Steinke, K.-H., Lindhorst, M., Guan, C., Zheng, H., F. Chaves, F., Bügel, U., Santamaria, E., Saliu, G., Papantonis,I. 2016: Informationsextraktion aus Herbarbelegen: Das StanDAP-Herb Projekt. DFG Workshop: Forschungsrelevante Sammlungen wissenschaftlicher Objekte. 28.-29.01. 2016, Bonn, Germany.
Kirchhoff, A. Fichtmüller, D., Güntsch, A. 2012: Saving endangered data – the reBiND project. BHL final events, 4 June 2012, Berlin.
Luther, K., Kirchhoff, A., Fichtmüller, D., Güntsch, A. 2011: reBiND saving endangered data. TDWG annual conference, Oct 2011, New Orleans, USA.
Kirchhoff, A., Güntsch, A. 2011: Biodiversity archives saving endangered data. Botanikertagung, 21. Sept. 2011, Berlin.
Kirchhoff, A., Holetschek, H., Hahn, A., Kelbert, P., Jahn, R., Berendsohn W.G.2007: GBIF-Germany and the Botanical Node, 1st central European diatom meeting, 23.-25. Mar 2007 Berlin-Dahlem.
Agnes Kirchhoff, Anton Güntsch, Walter G. Berendsohn 2007: EDIT – Taxonomy for Biodiversity Research and Conservation, 6th meeting on vegetation databases to be held in conjunction with the floristic survey, Surveys of vegetation and floras - new prospects, joint ways, 28 Feb-02 Mar 2007, Bonn.
Kirchhoff, A., Hahn, A., Berendsohn W.G. 2005: The Botanical Node within the German GBIF Network, 17.-23.07.2005, XVII. International Botanical Congress, Vienna.
Kirchhoff, A., Hahn, A. , Berendsohn, W.G. 2004: The Botanical Node in GBIF-D – status and perspectives, GBIF-D Statusseminar ", 6.-7.12.2004, Bonn.
Kirchhoff, A., Hahn, A., Jahn R., Berendsohn W.G. 2004: Biodiversity in past, present, and future - joint access to botanical data with GBIF, 7. Jahrestagung der GfBS Stuttgart, 14. September 2004, Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart.
Kirchhoff, A., Hahn, A., Berendsohn W.G. 2004: Living Collections and the GBIF-D Botanical Node, International Symposium: 'Botanic Gardens: Awareness of Biodiversity' 4.-6. June 2004 , BGBM, Berlin.
Kirchhoff, A., Hahn A., Berendsohn W.G. 2004: Botanische Beleg- und Beobachtungsdaten vernetzt -Der Botanische Knoten von GBIF Deutschland - 3. Workshop Vegetationsdatenbanken - Vegetationsdatenbanken in Landschaftsplanung, Naturschutz, Biomonitoring und Biodiversitätsforschung, 11.-12.03.2004, Fachhochschule Weihenstephan, Freising.
Hahn, A., Kirchhoff A., Berendsohn W.G. 2003: German Botany and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - Symposium "Sustainable use and conservation of biological diversity", 1.-4.12.2003, Berlin.
Hahn, A., Kirchhoff, A., Stevens A.-D., Berendsohn W.G. 2003: German Botany within the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). - EuroGard III Congress, 21.-26.7.2003, Meise, Belgium.


From its foundation in 2008 till now, the company has created several high quality shows to become one of the most renowned theatre companies focused on the family. The company creates gestual shows, with no text, one of its main features, which removes any type of idiomatic obstacle and eases the way to share the work. Its narrations, delicate, touching and stimulating always delight both children and adults.
The company has toured with great success all over Spain as well as France, the Netherlands, Poland and the United States and has been awarded several times for its work.


text:
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- (NSNumber *)numberForKey:(KeyType)key;
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- (NSDictionary *)dictionaryForKey:(KeyType)key;
- (nullable NSDictionary *)nullableDictionaryForKey:(KeyType)key;

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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Before the kids head back to school and your vacation is officially over, you may be planning an end of summer party at your Christopher Companies home. We built you a home with a great outdoor space and now it's up to you to make it your own, whether it is for entertaining or just relaxing! Check out some great ideas we have collected on how to transform your outdoor space into your favorite "room" of your new Christopher home!
1. Add some shade – During the hot summer days, you will want to be outside, but staying cool is a priority. Outdoor accessories such as an umbrella or a cabana can create a nice shady area for you to enjoy. Another benefit to adding shade is that it can protect certain spots from rain, so you won't have to sit on a wet chair later.
2. Deck the deck – Just like decorating the interior rooms of your home, you can create any style on the deck, patio, or in your yard with furniture and décor. The deck of any home at Marina Landing would be perfect for a nautical theme!
3. Turn it inside out – What is your favorite room of your home? Where do you spend the most time? When you answer these questions, think about why it is your favorite. Use your favorite room to inspire an outdoor space catered to what you are drawn to, like a comfy chair.
4. Create a summer kitchen – Don't waste your time cooking in the kitchen when you are hosting an outdoor party! During warmer seasons, invest in a grill or outdoor stovetop so that you can be outside enjoying the company of guests while you prepare a delicious meal.
5. Light up the night – Lighting can set the mood of any space, even if it is outside. Going for a beachy vibe? Try tiki torches! Going for a romantic escape? Candles will do! Some of our other favorite outdoor lighting includes string lights and lanterns.
6. Bring your oasis home – Wishing you were on vacation on a tropical island somewhere? Create your own oasis with plants, a fountain, or even a hot tub! Again, bringing elements that remind you of your favorite places will instantly bring you there, even in your own backyard at Indian Springs Farm.
7. Make it a year-round spot – There is no rule that says outdoor spaces can only be used in the summertime. Create a year-round space outside of your Christopher home by taking advantage of a heat lamp, blankets and pillows, or other barriers from the elements. It is easy to adjust your outdoor space for the seasons, just use your imagination!
With a variety of outdoor spaces to choose from with a brand new Christopher Companies home, the possibilities are endless for creating the perfect outdoor space! Visit www.christophercompanies.com for more information!


What can you do in order to restrict access to portions of your website? What?s an .htaccess generator?
An .htaccess file is a text file which includes directives that tell a server how to act in specific situations. It needs to be put in the folder where these directives should be performed. Loads of script-driven apps employ this type of a file to operate properly - WordPress and Joomla™, for example. You can use such a file with custom content as well and do a lot of things - block an IP address, an entire network or specific sites from accessing your site, set tailor-made error pages that shall be displayed instead of the server-generated ones if a visitor encounters some error on the site, forward a domain or a subdomain to another web address, set up a password-protected area and much more. With an .htaccess file, you will have significantly better control over your world-wide web presence.
If you would like to use any of the functions which an .htaccess file offers, but you haven't dealt with this sort of matters before, you should use the .htaccess generator tool included with all our cloud hosting solutions. The tool is part of our in-house built Hepsia CP and it will give you an uncomplicated and intuitive means to set up an .htaccess file inside any folder which you have created inside the account. Many options shall be available with checkboxes, so you should only pick the one that you need and eventually input a URL - if you are using the file to redirect a domain or to set customized error pages for any of your Internet sites. Because our cloud platform supports a number of PHP versions, you shall also be able to set any of these versions for any of your websites regardless if it is different from the version set for your hosting account as a whole.


Even though we're so far south, New Orleans can see dangerous winter weather. Extreme cold, dense fog, and even ice & snow storms are possible during the winter months. Dangers from these weather conditions include unsafe roads, cold-related illness, fires, and power outages. When there's a winter weather risk in New Orleans, the National Weather Service issues alerts. Sign up to receive emergency alerts at www.nola.gov.
Freeze Warning: Air temperature is expected to be 32 degrees F or lower for a significant amount of time.
Hard Freeze Warning: Air temperature is expected to be 25 degrees F or lower for long enough to freeze water pipes.
Dense Fog Advisory: Widespread or localized fog reduces visibility to 1/4 mile or less.
Winter Storm Warning: A mix of wintry precipitation (freezing rain or snow) is happening or is about to happen.
Stay inside in heat during extreme cold.
If you are homeless, seek shelter. During extreme cold, the citywide freeze plan will offer free shelter for homeless residents.
If you have to go outside, wear layers, a hat & gloves and carry a cell phone.
Check on neighbors, children, the elderly & chronically ill to make sure they are okay.
Never use a stove or an oven to heat your home.
Check your smoke & carbon monoxide detectors to be sure they are working. Get free smoke detectors or batteries installed by the New Orleans Fire Department.
Protect your water pipes from damage. Trickle a very thin (spaghetti sized) stream of water in a faucet farthest from your water meter. Make sure to turn it off once the temperature raises up above 32 degrees.


text:
Q: Pandas: Excel subheading I'm trying to read in an excel file that has a sub-header. So far, I'm doing the following:
link = 'http://www.bea.gov/industry/xls/io-annual/GDPbyInd_GO_NAICS_1997-2013.xlsx'
xd = pd.read_excel(link, sheetname='07NAICS_GO_A_Gross Output', skiprows=3)

Unfortunately, the data has a second sub header in row 4 (0-indexed) that only gives the unit of measurement, as follows. Can I somehow cleanly ignore that row?
Table   IO Code Description 1997    1998    1999    2000    2001    2002    2003    2004    2005    2006    2007    2008    2009    2010    2011    2012    2013
Current-dollar gross output (Millions of dollars)
A   1111A0  Oilseed farming 19973   17241   13259   13646   13721   14258   15672   21290   17910   18325   21425   31559   33027   34592   38524   43203   44948

A: skiprows can be a list of rows to ignore, so this does what you want:
xd = pd.read_excel(link, sheetname='07NAICS_GO_A_Gross Output', skiprows=[0, 1, 2, 4])

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Unispace is a global design firm with local offices around the world. This is what sets them apart from the crowd – how they're structured and how they work. Their website needed to reflect this modern way of working, and bring their Think Create Make proposition to life.
Through a bespoke, custom CMS, we built them a responsive, modular site that was flexible for them to update and manage content. The UX and design moves away from industry standard portfolios to a rich-format, news-type feed of information.
Building the site through Drupal allowed us flexibility in the site's composition and creativity within development. The result was an easily controlled grid-like structure.
Still being a portfolio site, there was a strong focus on the Projects pages. With expandable case studies and high-volume content abilities, the client can add and edit as many projects as they need in years to come.
To match the new look, Unispace's tone of voice needed to be redefined to suit. Our copywriting team created a modern, fresh tone of voice and a guide to help future content creators implement it across the website.
Throughout the project we were responsive and adaptable, working with all of their global offices along with their partner company, Tilt, to get each step approved to tight deadlines.
and asking for something second.


Oil-free, lightweight moisturiser to hydrate combination skin.
Soothing and hydrating serum for sensitive skin.
Say goodbye to dehydrated, breakout-irritated skin with this lightweight moisturiser!
A fresh gel moisturiser that protects normal to combination skin from harmful urban pollution.
A caring facial spray, containing the purest glacier water and highly active ingredients, that refreshes and relaxes mature skin - anytime and anywhere.


text:
Film Record: Least of These, The
Movie Makers, Dec. 1937, 602.
Ripley W. Bugbee
ACL Ten Best 1937 - General Class
"The Least of These handles a difficult subject in a way which promotes the cinematic medium to a high position as a sympathetic interpreter of the afflicted. Ripley W. Bugbee has presented a fine understanding of the problem of those whose minds are crippled and has given a clear cinematic exposition of the humane methods used in one institution to bring to these persons, young and old, a productive happiness. The film opens with a historical presentation of the problem of feeblemindedness, in a sequence which is smooth and effectively handled in costuming and direction as well as in photographic technique. Passing on to modern times, the work of a present day institution is shown in all its aspects. The handling of the color medium is exceedingly well done, particularly in those ordinarily difficult shots of interior activities. The closeup work, showing details of the manual operations involved in craftsmanship, is unusual in quality. Well chosen angle shots add variety to the film, which is expertly titled in the Kodachrome medium." Movie Makers, Dec. 1937, 603.
Bugbee discusses the film in "Hobby Into Seed" (Movie Makers, March 1938, 121, 133-134). It is also discussed in "Practical Films" (Movie Makers, Feb. 1938, 1973).
The film was an award winner in a Philadelphia Cinema Club "annual contest for vacation films" in 1938 (Movie Makers, Jan. 1938, 17).
Screened by the Philadelphia Cinema Club in 1938: Philadelphia, PA

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Hermès family buys into the Médoc.
The marriage of luxury and wine continues with the sale of the Médoc estate Château Fourcas-Hosten to Laurent and Renaud Mommeja, members of the Hermès luxury goods family.
The brothers bought the 118-acre cru bourgeois supérieur property in the Listrac-Médoc appellation as private owners; it is not part of the Hermès business empire. The price was not disclosed.
The estate was owned by Peter Sichel and Patrice Pagès since 1971. Sichel, a New York resident since 1941, is a fourth-generation wine merchant and producer. While CEO of his family firm in Germany, he built up the Blue Nun brand. He is widely known for his war work in the Office of Strategic Services and is a trustee of the World Monuments Fund.
Patrice Pagès also directs his family's property in Listrac, Château Fourcas-Dupré. He remains at Fourcas-Hosten as technical director.
Château Fourcas-Hosten produces 22,000 bottles of the first wine, and 5,000 bottles of a second wine, Les Cèdres de Fourcas. The vineyard consists of about 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.
Tell us what you think! Email us!


Papal award for Blairs Museum manager.
Muslim mob attacks Christian homes in Egypt.
US dioceses and religious orders have paid out more than $3 billion in damages related to abuse cases since 2004.
Two board members resign from Vatican bank.
Mexican bishop appalled at kidnapping during Mass.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols and the Archbishop of Canterbury to take part in Facebook Q&A on Friday.
Colombian priest in Cameroon talks about evangelising through football.
Strong in Faith: Is the historicity of the Resurrection essential to your Faith?


The 15-year plan includes replacing aircraft, frigates and possibly the Army's Light Armoured Vehicles and creating a cyber-security system.
But there are questions over whether $20bn is enough - as it still falls short of what other countries are spending.
Waikato University law professor Alexander Gillespie said $20bn is a big jump in the military's budget, representing an extra $1.3bn per year.
He said it would not allow the defence force to expand, but it would allow it to update existing vessels and aircraft.
"We're keeping pace with what we've got, we're not expanding the base. We haven't got a military strike wing, like the Australians have and haven't got submarines like the Australians have, so we're still keeping up but we're not expanding."
Professor Gillespie said there was a sense that a number of New Zealand's close allies thought that it should be doing more.
"The question will be whether this will be sufficient in their eyes, that we're actually carrying our amount of weight - I expect it will be because it's a large jump for us."
But Peter Greener from the Victoria University's Centre for Strategic Studies, said $20bn was still only about 1 percent of gross domestic product, which was at the lower end of the defence spending range, internationally.
"It's pretty much what it's been for the last 20 years. But the fact that the government is committing to the potential to spend 20-billion is positive in terms of being able to plan for the defence force for the future," Dr Greener said.
Some of the new money would go towards boosting maritime surveillance within New Zealand's exclusive economic zone and in the Pacific and Southern Oceans.
The White Paper said New Zealand's priorities lay in protecting those waters from illegal fishing.
Dr Greener said it was a critical area as over the next two decades fishing stocks could be in crisis and it was important New Zealand had the capability to deter and detain those who were fishing illegally.
While the overall plan has a $20bn price tag over the next 15 years, the White Paper does not contain a specific breakdown of costs.
Labour's defence spokesperson Phil Goff said it was hard to then know if it would be enough.
"We don't know if it is value for money, because we don't know what they're spending it on specifically."
The ACT leader David Seymour believes it would be money well spent because defending New Zealand was something the Government had to do.
He said the White Paper indicated the defence force would be modernised and the threats were different.
The government said the White Paper had been fully costed and specific details will would be released once business cases had been confirmed for the new purchases.


text:
Filmy Ripples – N.S.Krishnan, the Legend
It is generally said, however, a pathos scene is difficult to naturally enact, it is even more difficult to be successful as a comedian as timing & body language have to contribute to its success. Pure, vulgar-free comedy that stands out is a real tough job and all were not cut to deliver that.
In the very early talkie films, there was nothing like a separate comedian. It was only later, as part of the evolutionary process of cinema, comedians came into being in Indian films to provide a relief from the main story line, which, often, was heavy with emotions.
The early cinema (we are talking about pre-Nagesh period) had a bunch of good comedians such as T.S.Dorairaj, Kali N Rathinam, T.R.Ramachandran,
Sarangapani, 'Friend' Ramasami, A.Karunanidhi, Kakka Radhakrishnan, 'Kuladeivam' Rajagopal, A.Rama Rao, Chandrababu, Thangavelu, Muthulakshmi, T.A.Mathuram, & M.Saroja.
But the Monarch of the Tamil film comedians, undoubtedly, was N.S.Krishnan (NSK).
Tamil cine goers laughed their guts out at NSK's thought provoking jokes. NSK has often been compared to the legendary comedian, Charlie Chaplin. But, while Chaplin scored with his slapstick comedy and body language, NSK relied more on his verbal humour, one-liners and subtle messages to the audience. His comedy, which also had its share of puns, was always wholesome at its best with no double entendre or misogyny involved.
As we cannot justifiably cover all the stalwart comedians who tickled our funny bones in a single Article, we hereby restrict our current write up to the Monarch of them all – N.S.Krishnan.
N.S.Krishnan was born as Nagerkovil Sudalamuthu Krishnan in 1908 in a poor family. His childhood years were spent selling snacks in a theatre in his hometown & working as a ball picker in a Tennis Club. His lack of formal education was amply made up by his native genius & curiosity.
Later, in his formative years he joined the celebrated drama company run by TKS Brothers. He was also proficient in a rural art form known as 'Villu Paattu'.
Later he formed his own touring theatre group and traversed the length and breadth of erstwhile Madras Presidency with his plays, which always drew packed houses.
NSK's entry into the celluloid world was through S.S.Vasan produced and Ellis Dungan directed film 'Sathi Leelavathy', where he was introduced as a comedian. Though this was his debut film, his second movie 'Menaka' got released before 'Sathi Leelavathy' could hit the screen. However 'Menaka' was adjudged the best movie of the year in 1935.
An Advertisement of the Film MENAKA in the magazine ANANDHA VIKATAN DEEPAVALI MALAR 1935 PC: From the archives of TCRC
It was during the shooting of 'Vasantha Sena' (1936), directed by Raja Sandow, NSK 'met' co-star T. A. Mathuram and both fell in love. Their marriage was held in a simple manner, while the shooting schedule moved to Pune, with Raja Sandow presiding over the 'wedding'. The couple got the honor of being the first real-life couple acting as couple of reel life too, between 1936 and 1957, when they did a whopping 122 films, as a pair!
An Advertisement of the Film VASANTHA SENA in the magazine ANANDHA VIKATAN DEEPAVALI MALAR 1936 PC: From the archives of TCRC
N S Krishnan, who popularly goes by his popular title, 'Kalaivanar', rose from humble beginnings as a 'villu paatu' artiste who became a master in the art of repartee. In tandem with his wife TA Mathuram, he regaled audiences, often stealing the spotlight from the lead stars. NSK was known to pen his comedy tracks himself and always ensured that he was never repetitive. Noted lyricist Udumalai Narayana Kavi usually wrote the lyrics for Krishnan.
In the early timeframe of his career, he worked with comedians like TS Durairaj, Pulimootai Ramaswamy, CS Pandian and Kali M Rathinam and later worked in most of the films of MK Thiagaraja Bhagavathar as Hero. Krishnan was also a gifted singer and his numbers in 'Sivakavi', 'Raja Rani' and 'Manamagal' became immensely popular.
He also produced the hit film 'Nallathambi', directed by C.N Annadurai. He directed films such as 'Panam' and 'Manamagal' penned by Karunanidhi. SS Vasan's magnum opus 'Chandralekha' too featured Krishnan in comedy tracks. There was a time in Tamil cinema when no film was complete without NSK!
He also shared screen space in many films of the leading heroes, MGR and Sivaji Ganesan, and despite the presence of these Titans always stood out with his comedy.
NSK went on to work as unparalleled comedian in as many as 150 films, MGR starred 'Raja Desingu' being the last one, released after his death.
On 8 November 1944, Lakshmikanthan the gossip columnist & Editor of 'Indu Nesan' was knifed by some unknown persons in Purasawalkam and was admitted to the General Hospital, Madras as an outpatient. But the next day, Lakshmikanthan was murdered mysteriously while still in the hospital. The police arrested eight persons as accused for the murder including M.K.Tyagaraja Bhagavathar and NSK. This came as a rude shock to their fans and the cine world.
After thirty long months of jail term they were acquitted for want of proof by the London Privy Council, thanks to the eminent lawyer V. L. Ethiraj who argued for them at Privy Council at London. (The same illustrious lawyer founded Ethiraj College for women).
Though N.S.Krishnan did manage to pick up the threads of his life again as an actor post his release from prison, things were not quite the same & he was financially drained and his fortunes plummeted rapidly.
When Krishnan was first sentenced to jail, Mathuram took a break from her acting career. Later she came out her self-imposed exile to generate revenues for financing her husband's appeal to the Privy Council.
When NSK was in prison, T. A. Mathuram started a drama troupe called N. S. K Nataka Sabha, which staged plays written by and starring S.V.Sahasranamam. 'Paithiyakaran' (1947) was one of those plays. Later Mathuram converted the troupe into a film production company and made a film based on the play. While the film, being directed by Krishnan-Panju Duo, was in production, Krishnan was acquitted released from prison. A new role was written for him in the film. NSK made fun of his stint in prison through the song jailukku poi vantha in which he described in prison life, his fellow inmates and the types of prisoners he met. MGR played a supporting role in the film.
In 1947, after his release from the prison, Nataraja Educational Society, Triplicane awarded him the title of 'Kalaivanar' to NSK through the 'Father of Stage', Pammal.K.Sambanda Mudaliyar. He is, to-date, known by this Title even without his name!
'Manamagal' (1951), produced & directed by NSK, saw the debut of Padmini as a lead actress. In this movie, A.Bhimsingh, who later became a big Director, was an Assistant Director to NSK. He also generously gifted his own expensive car to Baliah for his stellar performance in Manamagal.
MSV-TKR duo was formed as Music Directors by NSK for his Film 'Panam' (1952).
In his times, NSK was instrumental in bringing a number of leading Tamil stage and film personalities to the fore; he was also a Gandhian, patriot and philanthropist who became an active member of the Dravidian Movement. On the assassination of Gandhi, NSK raised a Memorial for the Father of the Nation at his own expense in the Municipal Park his hometown.
NSK was one of the founding fathers of South Indian Actors Association. He is reported to have even gifted his own land for its premises.
NSK passed away at his 49 on 30th August 1957, after bringing a lot of joy and cheer to his audience through his film roles.
Some of his well known films included Sathi Leelavathi, Ambikapathi, Madurai Veeran, Kala Megham, Uthama Puthiran, Sakunthalai, Arya Mala, Mangamma Sabatham, Harischandira, Haridas, Pavalakodi, Paithiyakkaran, Chandrakantha, Chandralekha, NallaThambi, Managaiyarkkarasi, Rathnakumar, Vana Sundari, Panam, Amara Kavi, Kaveri, Dr. Savithri, Mudhal Thethi, Rangin Radha, Raja Rani, Manamagal & Raja Desingu.
An Advertisement of the Film CHANDRAKANTHA in the magazine ANANDHA VIKATAN DEEPAVALI MALAR 1936 PC: From the archives of TCRC
In his personal life, he had three wives, Nagammai, T.A.Mathuram & T.A.Vembammal (T.A.Mathuram's sister).
Stills from a short Interview of NSK in the magazine KALKI DEEPAVALI MALAR 1942 PC: From the archives of TCRC
The Tamil Nadu Government dedicated the Children's Theatre on Wallaja Road, Madras as a memorial building in 1979, named it 'Kalaivanar Kalai Arangam' in his honour . His revered public statue adorns a major junction in T.Nagar in Chennai.
If NSK were to be alive today he would have been 108 years old!
Posted in Filmy Ripples, Tamil Cinema	/ Tagged 1936, 1957, A.Bhimsingh, A.Karunanidhi, A.Rama Rao, Amara Kavi, Ambikapathi, Arya Mala, Baliah, C N Annadurai, Chandrababu, Chandrakantha, Chandralekha, Charlie Chaplin, comedian, CS Pandian, Dr.Savithri, Ellis Dungan, Haridas, Harischandira, Indu Nesan, Kakka Radhakrishnan, Kala Megham, Kalaivanar, Kalaivanar Kalai Arangam, Kali M Rathinam, Kali N Rathinam, Kaveri, Krishnan-Panju, Kuladeivam, Lakshmikanthan, M.K.Tyagaraja Bhagavathar, M.Saroja, Madurai Veeran, Managaiyarkkarasi, Manamagal, mangamma sabatham, menaka, MK Thiagaraja Bhagavathar, Mudhal Thethi, Muthulakshmi, N S Krishnan, N. S. K Nataka Sabha, Nagerkovil Sudalamuthu Krishnan, Nallathambi, NSK, Paithiyakaran, Paithiyakkaran, Panam, Pavalakodi, Pulimootai Ramaswamy, Purasawalkam, Raja Desingu, Raja Rani', Raja Sandow, Ramasami, Rangin Radha, Rathnakumar, S S Vasan, Sakunthalai, Sarangapani, Sathi Leelavathi, Sathi Leelavathy, Sivakavi, T R Ramachandran, T.A.Mathuram, T.S.Dorairaj, TA Mathuram, Thangavelu, TKS brothers, TS Durairaj, Udumalai Narayana Kavi, Uthama Puthiran, V. L. Ethiraj, Vana Sundari, Vasantha Sena, Villu Paattu, villu paatu, wedding	/ Leave a comment
Filmy Ripples – Exotic Instruments in Film music – Part 2
Posted on July 10, 2017 by tcrcindia
In this second part on 'Exotic Instruments' that have been used in our film music, we would cover some more instruments.
Mandolin, a 17th century evolved Italian instrument, with traditionally four courses of double strings, had featured prominently in almost all film music compositions till late sixties.
Among the multitude of songs using Mandolin here is the popular song 'Neela vanna kannane' from the film Mallika (1957), in the music of T.R.Paapa.
Mandolin used to be in most of MSV-TKR compositions, having been played by the Legend M.S.Raju. M.S.Raju was a dominant & very senior member of MSV's orchestra as the man of many parts as he played Mandolin & Santoor besides whistling & doing konnakol.
Listen to 'Thangathile oru kurai irunthalum' (Bagapirivinai – 1959) in the beautiful mukhda of the song, in M.S.Raju's Mandolin.
Song book of Bagapirivinai with the page containing the song THANGATHILE ORU KURAI PC: From the archives of TCRC
Santoor: is a Kashmiri instrument with seventy two strings and M.S.Raju as well as R.Visweswaran used to play Santoor for MSV.
It was Music Director Naushad, who made people to sit back & take note of this scintillating instrument in the song 'Mere mehboob thuje' from the film 'Mere Mehboob' (1963), when this instrument attracted attention of many.
The beautiful, reflective santoor used to be common in the BGM of many films, often as a gentle romantic hint in the score during the maiden romantic encounter.
Here is Santoor played by M.S.Raju in the song 'Aaru maname aaru' from 'Andavan Kattalai' (1964), in MSV-TKR composition.
You can also catch Santoor notes even in Ilayaraja's 'Chinna kannan azhaikkiran' (Kavi Kuyil) in the opening BGM.
Sarangi, a bowed short-neck stringed instrument famed for its close imitation of the human voice, was rarely used in Tamil film songs. But wherever exceptionally used, they lent brilliant emotive grains to the song, as in 'Ullathil nalla ullam' from 'Karnan' (1964) in the composition of MSV-TKR. For this film MSV had brought musicians from the North.
There is an Instrument called Dilruba/Esraj, from Punjab, which sounds similar to the melancholic strains of Sarangi. The most famous exponent on Dilrupa in Tamil film industry was Dilruba Shanmugham who has played in-numerous scores for legends like MSV and Ilayaraja.
The lilting song, 'Chinna thai aval' from Thalapathi by Ilayaraja had Dilruba bits in it.
Sarod, a lute-like instrument from Afghanistan that rose to prominence in the Mughal courts too have featured in films, but exceptionally in Tamil films. The Sarod is highly versatile–when played quickly it can denote excitement and movement, and when plucked slowly it can touch your heart.
Here is a Tamil film song 'Devan kovil maniyosai' from the film 'Mani osai' (1963) in the music of MSV-TKR where Sarod appears twice in the song, post anthra, just after the flute.
The mesmerizing jugal bandhi between Sitar, Jaltarang and Sarod could be heard in the last portions "Madhuban Mein Radhika" (Kohinoor- 1960), composed by the legend Naushad.
Sitar, a multi-string plucked instrument that influenced the Western pop world in the 1960s (thanks to Pandit Ravi Shankar), when The Beatles and Rolling Stones adopted it. Tamil film music too has used it in songs & BGM.
Mr. Janardhan is a well known Sitar player who had played for film music too.
Sridhar's 'Nenjil oar Aalayam' (1961) featured Sitar in its songs, in the composition of MSV-TKR.
Other notable songs in Tamil with Sitar notes included 'Kettadhum koduppavane Krishna' from Deiva Magan (1969) composed by MSV & 'ennathan ragasiyamo' from Idhaya Kamalam (1965) composed by K.V.Mahadevan.
Song book of Idhaya Kamalam with the page containing the song ENNATHAN RAGASIYAMO PC: From the archives of TCRC
In Hindi, there are many songs featuring Sitar, one of which is the beautiful composition of Salil Chowdhri 'Oh Sajna' from the film Parakh.
Another classical based film song in Hindi featuring Sitar was 'Tere bina zindagi main' from Andhi composed by R.D.Burman.
Violin, a highly popular bowed four stringed Italian instrument with roots in 16th century Italy, has had global impact, including in orchestral performances of Indian film music, in a big way.
Violins are an integral part of film music orchestration. I've listed several songs that highlight its use as a solo instrument, or more commonly as part of a large orchestra seen in numerous Indian film songs.
In each cinema orchestra there will be a 'First Violinist' who leads the song along with the vocalist, without over powering the singer. Henry Daniels & V.S.Narasimhan were with MSV-TKR & Ilayaraja, respectively as First Violinists.
Then, of course, the cine orchestra would have a big collection of violinists.
Here are samples of how collective violin players contribute to the compositions. Here is 'Poga poga theriyum' from Server Sundaram where violin score has been very briskly & beautifully contrived by the music arrangers.
Shehnai, a double reeded wind instrument made out of wood with wooden flared bell at the other end, has been commonly used in Indian film music.
MSV-TKR had in their orchestra, Satyam whose delectable Shehnai notes could be heard in some of their compositions such as 'Malai pozhuthin mayakkathile' (Bagyalakshmi), 'Avalukkum Thamizh enru paer' (Panchavarnakili), "Alaya maniyin osaiyai naan', 'Ennai yar enru' (Palum Pazhamum) 'Kuthu vilakkeriya' (Pachai Vilakku) & 'Oru naal iravu' (Kaviya Thalaivi).
Satyam was an asset to MSV-TKR. There was an episode when recording for Kaviya Thalaivi since MSV could not get what he wanted out of Satyam, resulting in multi takes, Satyam when he retired home after the work denied food from his wife & MSV had to call him up and cajole him!
Oboe, a double reed wood instrument like clarinet, but of treble range of musical notes, has also been used on & off in Tamil Film music.
A classic example is 'Kanna karumai nira kanna' from Naanum Oru Penn, in the composition of Sudarsanam in which oboe features.
Flute, an ancient instrument comes in different octaves as well as different pipe construction such as bamboo, metal etc. The traditional bamboo flutes of different sruthis (tonal variations) along with Piccolo Flutes (used in Symphonies) & Shakuhachi (Japanese Flutes) have been associated with pastoral compositions in Indian films.
MSV-TKR had an important orchestra member in Nanjundappa, the flautist. Listen to one of his chirpy works in the very beautifully composed melody 'Indha manrathil oadi varum' (Policekaran Magal).
In 'Chingari Koi Bhadke' – Amar Prem, composed by R.D.Burman, one can hear the rich & moving notes of a Bansuri flute of bamboo make usually used to signify a tragic or devotional flavours, transporting the listener to a different world.
Who can forget the beautiful flute piece in 'Chinna kannan azhaikkiran' (Kavi Kuyil) composed by Ilayaraja, as it seamlessly takes over from the Santoor bit & vioilin serande in the song.
'Naan manthoppil' by L.R.Easwari in the film 'Enga veettu pillai' (1965) features the shrill Picollo flute which has very high registry.
There are innumerable Tamil film songs embodying delectable flute notes, which are very pleasurable to listen but it would be impractical to mention all of them.
We will continue discussing more of the exotic musical instruments used in our films in our next posting too.
Posted in Filmy Ripples, Tamil Cinema	/ Tagged 16th century, 1957, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1969, Aaru maname aaru, Afghanistan, Alaya maniyin osaiyai naan, Amar Prem, Andavan Kattalai, Andhi, Avalukkum Thamizh enru paer, Bagapirivinai, Bagyalakshmi, bamboo, Bansuri, Chingari Koi Bhadke, Chinna kannan azhaikkiran, Chinna thai aval, clarinet, Deiva Magan, Devan kovil maniyosai, Dilruba, double reeded, double strings, Enga veettu pillai, Ennai yar enru, ennathan ragasiyamo, Esraj, excitement, exotic instruments, film music, First Violinists, flautist, Flute, Henry Daniels, Idhaya Kamalam, Ilayaraja, Indha manrathil oadi varum, Italian instrument, Jaltarang, Japanese Flutes, jugal bandhi, K. V. Mahadevan, Kanna karumai nira kanna, Karnan, Kavi Kuyil, Kaviya Thalaivi), Kettadhum koduppavane Krishna, Kohinoor- 1960, konnakol, Kuthu vilakkeriya, L.R.Easwari, lute, M.S.Raju, Madhuban Mein Radhika, Malai pozhuthin mayakkathile, Mallika, Mandolin, Mani osai, Mere Mehboob, Mere mehboob thuje, metal, movement, Mr. Janardhan, MSV-TKR, Mughal courts, mukhda, Music Director Naushad, Naan manthoppil, Naanum Oru Penn, Nanjundappa, Naushad, Neela vanna kannane, Nenjil oar aalayam, Oboe, Oh Sajna, orchestration, Oru naal iravu, Pachai Vilakku, Palum Pazhamum, panchavarnakili, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Parakh, pastoral compositions, Piccolo Flutes, Picollo flute, Poga poga theriyum, Policekaran Magal, R.D.Burman, R.Visweswaran, Rolling Stones, Salil Chowdhri, Santoor, Sarangi, Sarod, Satyam, server Sundaram, Shakuhachi, Shanmugham, Shehnai, Sitar, Sridhar, sruthis, Sudarsanam, Symphonies, T.R.Paapa, Tere bina zindagi main, Thangathile oru kurai irunthalum, The Beatles, Ullathil nalla ullam, V.S.Narasimhan, Violin, Western pop, whistling	/ Leave a comment


text:
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using LanguageExt;
using static LanguageExt.Prelude;
using static LanguageExt.TypeClass;
using static LanguageExt.Choice;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Diagnostics.Contracts;
using System.IO;
using LanguageExt.TypeClasses;
using LanguageExt.ClassInstances;
using LanguageExt.Common;

namespace LanguageExt
{
    public static partial class Prelude
    {
        /// <summary>
        /// Monadic join
        /// </summary>
        [Pure]
        public static Fin<R> flatten<R>(Fin<Fin<R>> ma) =>
            ma.Bind(identity);

        /// <summary>
        /// Add the bound values of x and y, uses an Add type-class to provide the add
        /// operation for type A.  For example x.Add<TInteger,int>(y)
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="NUM">Num of A</typeparam>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="x">Left hand side of the operation</param>
        /// <param name="y">Right hand side of the operation</param>
        /// <returns>Fin with y added to x</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Fin<R> plus<NUM, R>(Fin<R> x, Fin<R> y) where NUM : struct, Num<R> =>
            from a in x
            from b in y
            select default(NUM).Plus(a, b);

        /// <summary>
        /// Find the subtract between the two bound values of x and y, uses a Subtract type-class
        /// to provide the subtract operation for type A.  For example x.Subtract<TInteger,int>(y)
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="NUM">Num of A</typeparam>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="x">Left hand side of the operation</param>
        /// <param name="y">Right hand side of the operation</param>
        /// <returns>Fin with the subtract between x and y</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Fin<R> subtract<NUM, R>(Fin<R> x, Fin<R> y) where NUM : struct, Num<R> =>
            from a in x
            from b in y
            select default(NUM).Subtract(a, b);

        /// <summary>
        /// Find the product between the two bound values of x and y, uses a Product type-class
        /// to provide the product operation for type A.  For example x.Product<TInteger,int>(y)
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="NUM">Num of A</typeparam>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="x">Left hand side of the operation</param>
        /// <param name="y">Right hand side of the operation</param>
        /// <returns>Fin with the product of x and y</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Fin<R> product<NUM, R>(Fin<R> x, Fin<R> y) where NUM : struct, Num<R> =>
            from a in x
            from b in y
            select default(NUM).Product(a, b);

        /// <summary>
        /// Divide the two bound values of x and y, uses a Divide type-class to provide the divide
        /// operation for type A.  For example x.Divide<TDouble,double>(y)
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="NUM">Num of A</typeparam>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="x">Left hand side of the operation</param>
        /// <param name="y">Right hand side of the operation</param>
        /// <returns>Fin x / y</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Fin<R> divide<NUM, R>(Fin<R> x, Fin<R> y) where NUM : struct, Num<R> =>
            from a in x
            from b in y
            select default(NUM).Divide(a, b);

        /// <summary>
        /// Apply
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="fab">Function to apply the applicative to</param>
        /// <param name="fa">Applicative to apply</param>
        /// <returns>Applicative of type FB derived from Applicative of B</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Fin<B> apply<A, B>(Fin<Func<A, B>> fab, Fin<A> fa)
        {
            if (fab.IsFail) return Fin<B>.Fail(fab.Error);
            if (fa.IsFail) return Fin<B>.Fail(fa.Error);
            return fab.Value(fa.Value);
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Apply
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="fab">Function to apply the applicative to</param>
        /// <param name="fa">Applicative to apply</param>
        /// <returns>Applicative of type FB derived from Applicative of B</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Fin<B> apply<A, B>(Func<A, B> fab, Fin<A> fa) =>
            fa.Map(fab);

        /// <summary>
        /// Apply
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="fab">Function to apply the applicative to</param>
        /// <param name="fa">Applicative a to apply</param>
        /// <param name="fb">Applicative b to apply</param>
        /// <returns>Applicative of type FC derived from Applicative of C</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Fin<C> apply<A, B, C>(Fin<Func<A, B, C>> fabc, Fin<A> fa, Fin<B> fb)
        {
            if (fabc.IsFail) return Fin<C>.Fail(fabc.Error);
            if (fa.IsFail) return Fin<C>.Fail(fa.Error);
            if (fb.IsFail) return Fin<C>.Fail(fb.Error);
            return fabc.Value(fa.Value, fb.Value);
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Apply
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="fab">Function to apply the applicative to</param>
        /// <param name="fa">Applicative a to apply</param>
        /// <param name="fb">Applicative b to apply</param>
        /// <returns>Applicative of type FC derived from Applicative of C</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Fin<C> apply<A, B, C>(Func<A, B, C> fabc, Fin<A> fa, Fin<B> fb)
        {
            if (fa.IsFail) return Fin<C>.Fail(fa.Error);
            if (fb.IsFail) return Fin<C>.Fail(fb.Error);
            return fabc(fa.Value, fb.Value);
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Apply
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="fab">Function to apply the applicative to</param>
        /// <param name="fa">Applicative to apply</param>
        /// <returns>Applicative of type f(b -> c) derived from Applicative of Func<B, C></returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Fin<Func<B, C>> apply<A, B, C>(Fin<Func<A, B, C>> fabc, Fin<A> fa)
        {
            if (fabc.IsFail) return Fin<Func<B, C>>.Fail(fabc.Error);
            if (fa.IsFail) return Fin<Func<B, C>>.Fail(fa.Error);
            return curry(fabc.Value)(fa.Value);
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Apply
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="fab">Function to apply the applicative to</param>
        /// <param name="fa">Applicative to apply</param>
        /// <returns>Applicative of type f(b -> c) derived from Applicative of Func<B, C></returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Fin<Func<B, C>> apply<A, B, C>(Func<A, B, C> fabc, Fin<A> fa)
        {
            if (fa.IsFail) return Fin<Func<B, C>>.Fail(fa.Error);
            return curry(fabc)(fa.Value);
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Apply
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="fab">Function to apply the applicative to</param>
        /// <param name="fa">Applicative to apply</param>
        /// <returns>Applicative of type f(b -> c) derived from Applicative of Func<B, C></returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Fin<Func<B, C>> apply<A, B, C>(Fin<Func<A, Func<B, C>>> fabc, Fin<A> fa)
        {
            if (fabc.IsFail) return Fin<Func<B, C>>.Fail(fabc.Error);
            if (fa.IsFail) return Fin<Func<B, C>>.Fail(fa.Error);
            return fabc.Value(fa.Value);
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Apply
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="fab">Function to apply the applicative to</param>
        /// <param name="fa">Applicative to apply</param>
        /// <returns>Applicative of type f(b -> c) derived from Applicative of Func<B, C></returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Fin<Func<B, C>> apply<A, B, C>(Func<A, Func<B, C>> fabc, Fin<A> fa)
        {
            if (fa.IsFail) return Fin<Func<B, C>>.Fail(fa.Error);
            return fabc(fa.Value);
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Evaluate fa, then fb, ignoring the result of fa
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="fa">Applicative to evaluate first</param>
        /// <param name="fb">Applicative to evaluate second and then return</param>
        /// <returns>Applicative of type Fin<B></returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Fin<B> action<A, B>(Fin<A> fa, Fin<B> fb) =>
            fb;

        /// <summary>
        /// Returns the state of the Fin provided
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="value">Either to check</param>
        /// <returns>True if the Fin is in a Succ state</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static bool isSucc<A>(Fin<A> value) =>
            value.IsSucc;

        /// <summary>
        /// Returns the state of the Fin provided
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="value">Either to check</param>
        /// <returns>True if the Fin is in an Error state</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static bool isFail<A>(Fin<A> value) =>
            value.IsFail;

        /// <summary>
        /// Fin constructor
        /// Constructs a Fin in a success state
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="value">Success value</param>
        /// <returns>A new Fin instance</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Fin<A> FinSucc<A>(A value) =>
            Fin<A>.Succ(value);

        /// <summary>
        /// Fin constructor
        /// Constructs a Fin in a failure state
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="value">Failure value</param>
        /// <returns>A new Fin instance</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Fin<A> FinFail<A>(Error value) =>
            Fin<A>.Fail(value);

        /// <summary>
        /// Executes the Fail function if the Fin is in a failure state.
        /// Returns the bound value if the Fin is in a success state.
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="Fail">Function to generate a Fail value if in the failure state</param>
        /// <returns>Returns an unwrapped bound value</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static A ifFail<A>(Fin<A> ma, Func<Error, A> Fail) =>
            ma.IfFail(Fail);

        /// <summary>
        /// Returns the alternative if the Fin is in a failure state.
        /// Returns the bound value if the Fin is in a success state.
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="alternative">Value to return if in the failure state</param>
        /// <returns>Returns an unwrapped value</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static A ifFail<A>(Fin<A> ma, A alternative) =>
            ma.IfFail(alternative);

        /// <summary>
        /// Executes the Fail action if the Fin is in a failure state.
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="Fail">Function to generate a value if in the failure state</param>
        /// <returns>Returns an unwrapped value</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Unit ifFail<A>(Fin<A> ma, Action<Error> Left) =>
           ma.IfFail(Left);

        /// <summary>
        /// Invokes the Succ action if the Fin is in a success state, otherwise does nothing
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="Succ">Action to invoke</param>
        /// <returns>Unit</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Unit ifSucc<A>(Fin<A> ma, Action<A> Succ) =>
           ma.IfSucc(Succ);

        /// <summary>
        /// Invokes the Succ or Fail function depending on the state of the Fin provided
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <typeparam name="B">Return type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="ma">Fin to match</param>
        /// <param name="Succ">Function to invoke if in a Succ state</param>
        /// <param name="Fail">Function to invoke if in a Fail state</param>
        /// <returns>The return value of the invoked function</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static B match<A, B>(Fin<A> ma, Func<A, B> Succ, Func<Error, B> Fail) =>
            ma.Match(Succ, Fail);

        /// <summary>
        /// Invokes the Succ or Fail action depending on the state of the Fin provided
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="ma">Fin to match</param>
        /// <param name="Succ">Action to invoke if in a Succ state</param>
        /// <param name="Fail">Action to invoke if in a Fail state</param>
        /// <returns>Unit</returns>
        public static Unit match<A>(Fin<A> ma, Action<A> Succ, Action<Error> Fail) =>
            ma.Match(Succ, Fail);

        /// <summary>
        /// <para>
        /// Fin types are like lists of 0 or 1 items, and therefore follow the
        /// same rules when folding.
        /// </para><para>
        /// In the case of lists, 'Fold', when applied to a binary
        /// operator, a starting value(typically the left-identity of the operator),
        /// and a list, reduces the list using the binary operator, from left to
        /// right:
        /// </para>
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="S">Aggregate state type</typeparam>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="state">Initial state</param>
        /// <param name="folder">Folder function, applied if structure is in a Succ state</param>
        /// <returns>The aggregate state</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static S fold<S, A>(Fin<A> ma, S state, Func<S, A, S> folder) =>
            ma.Fold(state, folder);

        /// <summary>
        /// <para>
        /// Fin types are like lists of 0 or 1 items, and therefore follow the
        /// same rules when folding.
        /// </para><para>
        /// In the case of lists, 'Fold', when applied to a binary
        /// operator, a starting value(typically the left-identity of the operator),
        /// and a list, reduces the list using the binary operator, from left to
        /// right:
        /// </para>
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="S">Aggregate state type</typeparam>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="state">Initial state</param>
        /// <param name="Right">Folder function, applied if Either is in a Succ state</param>
        /// <param name="Left">Folder function, applied if Either is in a Fail state</param>
        /// <returns>The aggregate state</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static S bifold<S, A>(Fin<A> ma, S state, Func<S, A, S> Right, Func<S, Error, S> Left) =>
            ma.BiFold(state, Right, Left);

        /// <summary>
        /// Invokes a predicate on the value of the Fin if it's in the Succ state
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="ma">Fin to extract the value from</param>
        /// <param name="pred">Predicate</param>
        /// <returns>True if the Fin is in a Fail state.
        /// True if the Fin is in a Right state and the predicate returns True.
        /// False otherwise.</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static bool forall<A>(Fin<A> ma, Func<A, bool> pred) =>
            ma.ForAll(pred);

        /// <summary>
        /// Invokes a predicate on the value of the Fin if it's in the Succ state
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="ma">Fin to extract the value from</param>
        /// <param name="pred">Predicate</param>
        /// <returns>True if the Fin is in a Succ state and the predicate returns True.  False otherwise.</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static bool exists<A>(Fin<A> ma, Func<A, bool> pred) =>
            ma.Exists(pred);

        /// <summary>
        /// Maps the value in the Either if it's in a Right state
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <typeparam name="B">Mapped bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="ma">Either to map</param>
        /// <param name="f">Map function</param>
        /// <returns>Mapped Either</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Fin<B> map<A, B>(Fin<A> ma, Func<A, B> f) =>
            ma.Map(f);

        /// <summary>
        /// Bi-maps the value in the Fin
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <typeparam name="B">Mapped value type if in Succ state</typeparam>
        /// <param name="ma">Fin to map</param>
        /// <param name="Succ">Success state map function</param>
        /// <param name="Fail">Failure state map function</param>
        /// <returns>Bi-mapped Fin</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Fin<B> bimap<A, B>(Fin<A> ma, Func<A, B> Succ, Func<Error, Error> Fail) =>
            ma.BiMap(Succ, Fail);

        /// <summary>
        /// Monadic bind function
        /// https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monad_(functional_programming)
        /// </summary>
        [Pure]
        public static Fin<B> bind<A, B>(Fin<A> ma, Func<A, Fin<B>> f) =>
            ma.Bind(f);

        /// <summary>
        /// Match over a sequence of Fins
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound values type</typeparam>
        /// <typeparam name="B">Mapped bound values type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="xs">Sequence to match over</param>
        /// <param name="Succ">Success state match function</param>
        /// <param name="Fail">Failure state match function</param>
        /// <returns>Sequence of mapped values</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static IEnumerable<B> Match<A, B>(this IEnumerable<Fin<A>> xs, Func<A, B> Succ, Func<Error, B> Fail ) =>
            match(xs, Succ, Fail);

        /// <summary>
        /// Match over a sequence of Fins
        /// </summary>
        /// <remarks>Bottom values are dropped</remarks>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound values type</typeparam>
        /// <typeparam name="B">Mapped bound values type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="xs">Sequence to match over</param>
        /// <param name="Succ">Success state match function</param>
        /// <param name="Fail">Failure state match function</param>
        /// <returns>Sequence of mapped values</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static IEnumerable<B> match<A, B>(IEnumerable<Fin<A>> xs, Func<A, B> Succ, Func<Error, B> Fail)
        {
            foreach (var item in xs)
            {
                if (item.IsBottom) continue;
                if (item.IsSucc) yield return Succ(item.Value);
                if (item.IsFail) yield return Fail(item.Error);
            }
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Extracts from a list of Fins all the Succ elements.
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="xs">Sequence of Fins</param>
        /// <returns>An enumerable of A</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static IEnumerable<A> succs<A>(IEnumerable<Fin<A>> xs) =>
            xs.Where(x => x.IsSucc).Select(x => x.Value);

        /// <summary>
        /// Extracts from a list of Fins all the Succ elements.
        /// </summary>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="xs">Sequence of Fins</param>
        /// <returns>An enumerable of A</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Seq<A> succs<A>(Seq<Fin<A>> xs) =>
            xs.Where(x => x.IsSucc).Select(x => x.Value);

        /// <summary>
        /// Extracts from a list of Fins all the Fail elements.
        /// </summary>
        /// <remarks>Bottom values are dropped</remarks>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="xs">Sequence of Fins</param>
        /// <returns>An enumerable of Errors</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static IEnumerable<Error> fails<A>(IEnumerable<Fin<A>> xs) =>
            xs.Where(x => x.IsFail).Select(x => x.Error);

        /// <summary>
        /// Extracts from a list of Fins all the Fail elements.
        /// </summary>
        /// <remarks>Bottom values are dropped</remarks>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="xs">Sequence of Fins</param>
        /// <returns>An enumerable of Errors</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static Seq<Error> fails<A>(Seq<Fin<A>> xs) =>
            xs.Filter(x => x.IsFail).Map(x => x.Error);

        /// <summary>
        /// Partitions a list of 'Fin' into two lists.
        /// All the Fail elements are extracted, in order, to the first
        /// component of the output.  Similarly the Succ elements are extracted
        /// to the second component of the output.
        /// </summary>
        /// <remarks>Bottom values are dropped</remarks>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="xs">Fin list</param>
        /// <returns>A tuple containing the an enumerable of Erorr and an enumerable of Succ</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static (IEnumerable<Error> Fails, IEnumerable<A> Succs) partition<A>(IEnumerable<Fin<A>> xs)
        {
            var fs = new List<Error>();
            var rs = new List<A>();

            foreach(var x in xs)
            {
                if (x.IsSucc)
                {
                    rs.Add(x.Value);
                }
                if (x.IsFail)
                {
                    fs.Add(x.Error);
                }
            }

            return (fs, rs);
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Partitions a list of 'Fin' into two lists.
        /// All the Fail elements are extracted, in order, to the first
        /// component of the output.  Similarly the Succ elements are extracted
        /// to the second component of the output.
        /// </summary>
        /// <remarks>Bottom values are dropped</remarks>
        /// <typeparam name="A">Bound value type</typeparam>
        /// <param name="xs">Fin list</param>
        /// <returns>A tuple containing the an enumerable of Erorr and an enumerable of Succ</returns>
        [Pure]
        public static (Seq<Error> Fails, Seq<A> Succs) partition<A>(Seq<Fin<A>> xs)
        {
            var fs = Seq<Error>();
            var rs = Seq<A>();

            foreach(var x in xs)
            {
                if (x.IsSucc)
                {
                    rs = rs.Add(x.Value);
                }
                if (x.IsFail)
                {
                    fs = fs.Add(x.Error);
                }
            }

            return (fs, rs);
        }
    }
}


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text:
The Courier Express
The Courier Express Homepage
Kyle C. Dixon
Beardsley Funeral Home and Crematory, Clearfield
113 N 3rd St
Clearfield, PA
Kyle C. Dixon, 27, of Lanse and formerly of DuBois, died on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville after a lengthy, hard-fought, battle with COVID-19.
He was born on September 24, 1993, in Clearfield, a son of Al Dixon of Lanse and Cindy (Rimel) Catalano of Pittsburgh.
Kyle graduated from DuBois Area High School in 2012 where he was involved with wrestling and track and field. He was presently employed as a corrections officer at SCI Houtzdale. In his spare time, he loved Sasquatch hunting, shooting guns and spending time with his friends, and girlfriend.
He is survived by his father Al Dixon of Lanse; his mother Cindy Catalano of Pittsburgh; three sisters, Stephanie Rimel, Jennifer Dixon, Lauren Dixon, all of Pittsburgh; a niece, Maci Dixon of Pittsburgh; and his paternal grandparents, Elroy and Jane Dixon of Morrisdale.
He was preceded in death by maternal grandmother, Kathleen Conklin.
Funeral services will be held at the Beardsley Funeral Home and Crematory, Clearfield, on Tuesday at 1 p.m. with Raymond Stiner officiating. Interment will follow in the Spring Valley Cemetery.
Friends will be received at the funeral home on Tuesday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Beardsley Funeral Home & Crematory, 113 North Third St., Clearfield, PA 16830.
To sign the online guest book go to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com.
Kyle had so much more of life to live and COVID-19 stopped his bright future. Please be vigilant that this disease is real and can take a loved one's life for no reason.
Published by The Courier Express on Jan. 22, 2021.
10:00a.m. - 1:00p.m.
113 N 3rd St, Clearfield, PA
1:00p.m.
Sponsored by Beardsley Funeral Home and Crematory, Clearfield.
How do you know Kyle C. Dixon? (Optional)
Sending love and care to the Dixon family. May Kyle's memory always be a blessing. Thank you for sharing your family's story in the NPR article. I am a co-founder of the COVID Grief Network, which provides free group-based grief support services specifically to folks in their 20s and 30s who have lost a loved one. I wanted to share this resource in case any of Kyle's family or friends could benefit: https://www.covidgriefnetwork.org/. With care, Sami Feld
Samantha Feld - COVID Grief Network
DOC training class 743


The Mercedes-Benz Winter Event is an annual sales event for new Mercedes-Benz offers to help our shoppers near Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, and Huntington Beach make the most out of the holiday season with a new Mercedes-Benz. Whether you're looking for a bold coupe, a stylistic sedan, or a spacious SUV, our Mercedes-Benz lease specials and finance offers will have you driving the car of your dreams!
The Winter Event has expired.


LAN Architecture is a Local Architecture Network, including twenty professional people (young and experienced architects, designers, graphic and 3D images designers, communication and development coordinator, etc.) and teaming up with specialized external consultants. The agency work have been recognized and primed, in France and abroad. LAN Architecture was selected by the French Culture Minister for the New Albums of the Young Architects Award (Nouveaux Albums des Jeunes Architectes) in 2004. Since, the agency knew an important activity growth and improved projects scale. LAN Architecture is actually working on fifteen operations and develops its activity in several countries. Team projects investigate new territories and create new manners, while respecting intrinsic context specificities, programs and sites, and combining strong social and urban implications. The sudio was founded by Benoit Jallon et Umberto Napolitano In 2002.


text:
Division D & E Club Officer Make Up Training in Oakland
February 28, 2019 @ 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm PST
« Area C8 International Speech & Evaluation Contests
Area I13 International Speech and Evaluation Contest »
It's officer make-up training for those who missed at TLI North and South. Registration is 5:30, networking and light snacks, the program starts at 6:15.
Learn from Toastmaster experts about your new officer role. Get Distinguished Club Program points, and network with fellow club officers.
Please register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/division-d-e-club-officer-make-up-training-in-oakland-tickets-55691840795 so we have an accurate headcount.
East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD)
Oakland, CA 94607 United States + Google Map
.D57TM Contest Training 2023-3
February 6 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm PST
Make Up Club Officer Training – 2023 Winter #2 – Div. D, E, G
February 15 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm PST
Make Up Club Officer Training – 2023 Winter #1 – Div. C, F, H


Avoid the heartache and headache!
This year, National Wills Week is from 17th to 21st September, and is a time when participating attorneys in South Africa will draft basic wills for free. If you haven't already written a will, this presents the perfect opportunity to do so before it's too late.
Writing a will could make an enormous difference to your family in the future, and it is an easily achievable goal that will give you the peace of mind that you can take care of your loved ones after you're gone.
Lots of people put off writing a will because they mistakenly believe that it is a difficult task. However, the process doesn't have to be complicated if you work with a professional who has the expertise to ensure that your will covers all key factors and complies with all your wishes; then is correctly drafted, witnessed and signed with no room for misinterpretation.
It is important that the person who drafts your will also has the necessary knowledge to ensure that it meets all legal requirements, so that your will is valid. A practising attorney is a qualified law professional who can also advise you on any problem that may arise.
If you have made a valid will, once you pass away, your assets will be disposed of in line with your wishes. This division of your estate is called "freedom of testation".
On the other hand, if you depart without leaving a will, you could cause a lot of unnecessary heartache and headaches to the people you leave behind. If you don't leave a valid will, your assets will be distributed according to the provisions of the Intestate Succession Act. This generally ensures that your possessions are transferred to your spouse and offspring, but certain problems can easily arise if you die intestate.
The intestacy laws in South Africa at the time of your death will dictate what happens to your estate and, given the nation's instability, there is no guarantee that they will be as fair as the provisions in place now. In a country where corruption, poor governance and deficient administrative systems are order of the day, would you be happy knowing your hard-earned money could easily end up lining the wrong pockets?
Without clear directions as to distribution, it is likely that at least some of your assets will not go where you would like them to. Not only may they not be left to the people of your choice, but a lack of instructions could also cause conflict amongst your loved ones at an emotionally vulnerable time. Without a will, it may take a long time for an executor to be appointed, and it can result in additional and unnecessary costs. A failure to do any estate planning also means that your estate may be subject to a hefty tax bill, which you have the power to lessen considerably if you seek professional advice and make sufficient preparations before you pass.
Never underestimate the importance of drafting a will. And, once you have made one, you should be sure to review and update it at least once a decade, as well as after any significant life changes, such as having a child or getting married/divorced.
Don't hesitate to arrange a meeting if you require more information, or wish to discuss your financial situation before taking advantage of this year's National Will Week by drafting a basic will with the help of a participating attorney. Just be sure to contact your local provincial law society beforehand to check whether an attorney is reputable.


text:
package org.apache.zookeeper.server.quorum;

import org.apache.zookeeper.server.quorum.QuorumPeer.ServerState;

public class Vote {

    public Vote(long id, long zxid) {
        this.id = id;//被选举的Leader的SID值
        this.zxid = zxid;//被选举的Leader的事务ID
        this.electionEpoch = -1;//逻辑时钟 用来判断多个投票是否在同一轮选举周期中。 该值在服务端是一个自增序列。每次进入新一轮的投票选举后,都会对该值进行加一操作
        this.peerEpoch = -1;//被选举的Leader的epoch
        this.state = ServerState.LOOKING;//当前服务器状态
    }

    public Vote(long id, long zxid, long peerEpoch) {
        this.id = id;
        this.zxid = zxid;
        this.electionEpoch = -1;
        this.peerEpoch = peerEpoch;
        this.state = ServerState.LOOKING;
    }

    public Vote(long id, long zxid, long electionEpoch, long peerEpoch) {
        this.id = id;
        this.zxid = zxid;
        this.electionEpoch = electionEpoch;
        this.peerEpoch = peerEpoch;
        this.state = ServerState.LOOKING;
    }

    public Vote(long id, long zxid, long electionEpoch, long peerEpoch, ServerState state) {
        this.id = id;
        this.zxid = zxid;
        this.electionEpoch = electionEpoch;
        this.state = state;
        this.peerEpoch = peerEpoch;
    }

    final private long id;

    final private long zxid;

    final private long electionEpoch;

    final private long peerEpoch;

    public long getId() {
        return id;
    }

    public long getZxid() {
        return zxid;
    }

    public long getElectionEpoch() {
        return electionEpoch;
    }

    public long getPeerEpoch() {
        return peerEpoch;
    }

    public ServerState getState() {
        return state;
    }

    final private ServerState state;

    @Override
    public boolean equals(Object o) {
        if (!(o instanceof Vote)) {
            return false;
        }
        Vote other = (Vote) o;
        return (id == other.id && zxid == other.zxid && electionEpoch == other.electionEpoch && peerEpoch == other.peerEpoch);

    }

    @Override
    public int hashCode() {
        return (int) (id & zxid);
    }

    public String toString() {
        return "(" + id + ", " + Long.toHexString(zxid) + ", " + Long.toHexString(peerEpoch) + ")";
    }
}


text:
Creative Sound BlasterX H5 Headset
Brian Hoss
Creative Sound BlasterX H5 headset reviewed using a variety of devices, but primarily with the PS4, Xbox One, Wii U, and PC.
Creative has long been associated with gaming sound, and when the company announced the Sound BlasterX line, it was clear that something had changed. Positioned near the top of the new line, the Creative Sound BlasterX H5 is a closed over-the-ear passive headset and boom mic combo. In the past, such a gaming headset from Creative probably would have been plastic, garish, and probably would have been paired with some inconsequential cabling. The Blaster H5 is none of that.
The BlasterX H5 has a light but heavy-duty aluminum build that holds the 50mm driver ear cups in place. It also has an attached nylon braided cable that leads to a mic mute, volume, and play/pause inline control cluster that in turn leads to a 4 pole 3.5mm connector. The headset comes bundled with a long Y splitter that lets the H5 connect to any PCs that have separate mic and audio connections. This means that the H5 is suitable for the PS4, Xbox One, PC, Wii U, etc., all through a standard connection.
All of this comes not in a box but in a plastic shell. What's not included in the shell but does come with the headset is the Sound BlasterX Acoustic Engine Lite PC software.
Creative Sound BlasterX H5
Wow, how things can change. I've been using Creative headsets off and on for at least ten years, and the Creative Sound BlasterX H5 is the first Creative headset I've ever used that carried with it a semblance of heavy-duty. I don't mean heavy duty like jump of out plane heavy duty, but put the headset on, use it, put it back on the desk day-in and day-out without plastic cracking in the headband or ear cups and without a wire being finicky or outright failing. This is hardly an issue exclusive to Creative, but if you've ever worked in an office or studio where headphones are used regularly, the daily desk-based wear and tear will finish most headsets within a year or two (or even less).
Fortunately, incorporated in the BlasterX H5 is a steel and aluminum design that while not original, looks and feels like it was made to last. Those two nylon sheathed wires that are visible above each ear should keep the BlasterX from ever having the common ear to ear connection issue. Having immediately addressed the headset's build, it's also worth noting that this design is almost instantly comfortable.
As opposed to all-plastic builds, the H5 flexes in a way that makes it feel like a solid fit- sort of like a glove or a helmet. The ears and headband are comfortably snug without exerting pressure. That feel, much like the look and construction, is more professional than what the name BlasterX initial suggests. This kind of design would be right at home in a recording studio. One flaw in the package, however, is that fixed nylon cable.
The cable is fixed on the left ear cup towards the back. This fixed cable looks like it will hold up well. Unfortunately, because it's shifted towards the back, it tends to rub on my shoulder during use. Worse, the inline control and nylon cable, while snazzy and useful, are just heavy enough to tug slightly on the left ear.
That means that while I like almost everything about the inline controls, the volume wheel, the mic mute toggle, and what feels like a bonus, the play/pause button (for smart phones), its weight and position cause some trouble. This happens more when sitting at a desk than on the couch. It doesn't ruin the headset, but Creative should look to address it immediately.
Venom Snake
I threw all kinds of games at the BlasterX H5, and was continually impressed at how clean the sound reproduction is. On the consoles this is a stereo set, but it's nevertheless immersive and effective. Playing 'Metal Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain' on the PS4 with the H5 was a delight. Playing as Venom Snake, there are times, like when running into a patrolling helicopter gunship, that stealth by way of sound detection is the only way to complete the mission. The H5 will carefully reveal the approach of a chopper (or jeep or truck) and will keep the sound in focus as the chopper moves, as the camera moves, and as Snake moves. It's much the same when infiltrating an enemy barracks. As the enemy soldiers move about from the causal napping, joking, smoking, to the more intense searching, clearing, and if detected, shooting, the H5, very simply connected directly the DualShock 4 controller, will keep all of these audio cues and currents in perspective.
A game like 'The Phantom Pain' has excellent sound design which even extends to Snake's heartbeat and breathing pattern. The H5 brings all of that excellence out for the player to hear.
Hoth Cold
Meanwhile in 'Star Wars: Battlefront' on the Xbox One, the H5 continues to be both a crucial and complimentary part of the game. The H5 can connect directly to the new Xbox One controllers, but needs a Chat Adapter for the older design. Either way, having the volume control right on the cable is nice. (Way easier than trying to pull up and use the dashboard volume controls.) The H5's boom mic works well. It's flexible and has a wind screen. It also might be a smidge too sensitive. This is easy to adjust on the PC and PS4, but on the Xbox One, it's a one size fits all situation. In a quiet environment this won't matter, but in a room with other people, the mic might be a bit more than the user would like.
The Wii U
I was pretty psyched up to use the BlasterX H5 with 'Xenoblade Chronicles X' on the Wii U. The far flung new LA and planet Mira is a great sci-fi setting, and the pro feel and fit of the H5 is a nice way to get into the game. Unfortunately, due to one of the Wii U's quirks, the headphone jack on the GamePad is only really useful when playing 'Xenobalde Chronicles' in offscreen mode. Fortunately for me, as I wanted to play using a HD TV and not the GamePad screen, I was able to hook the H5 directly into my receiver's headphone jack via 3.5mm to 1/4" adapter and extension (not included), and get into the game.
The boom mic is detachable, but when it's connected to the headset, anyone would be forgiven for thinking it's fixed in place as it looks like a solid piece. The only downside is that detaching the mic while wearing the headset is challenging to say the least. Removing the mic when not wearing the headset is easy enough, however.
The Y adapter cable that comes with the H5 is nothing short of perfect. It's really a combination Y cable and nylon extension, and think that Creative should start bundling it with all of their PC sound devices.
The other "accessory" is the plastic shell that serves as the H5's box and someone's idea of carrying case. As a box it shows off the H5 through the clear front while keeping the headset secure and safe. As a case, it kind of works, but is impractical. I basically hate it, and would much rather have had an actual case or bag. The H5's great design, while very desk friendly, doesn't fold flat.
For the PC, there is the BlasterX Acoustic Engine audio software available to download from Creative (see here). For the BlasterX H5 (much like the BlasterX P5), the software has six game-themed audio presets. Each preset shows exactly what mix of EQ enhancements are being applied, and as coupled with the fun user-controlled helicopter demonstration, I can't help but wish that this software was usable on the consoles.
The Creative Sound BlasterX H5 is one of the few headsets that appears to have been designed with the rigors of frequent gaming in mind. The even sound is suitable for a variety of platforms, and it's obviously been set up to get the most out of the PS4 and Xbox One's controller connections. While I like how the H5 comes together, I think a few tweaks would make for a truly enduring design. As is, I think the BlasterX H5 will be extremely popular with no nonsense users.
A50 Wireless Headset + Base Station (Gen 3)
HyperX Alloy FPS Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Creative Muvo 2 Bluetooth Speaker
HyperX Cloud Stinger Gaming Headset
PlayStation VR Launch Bundle


text:
Gay people can't be judges as they can't be 'fair and objective' says pastor
By David Hudson December 6, 2019 at 7:12am · 11 comments
Pastor E.W. Jackson (Photo: Mark Taylor/CC-by-2.0)
A high-profile pastor has urged his followers to object to one of President Trump's judicial nominees.
Trump has nominated Patrick J. Bumatay to replace Judge Carlos Bea on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Bumatay currently serves as a US attorney in Southern California.
If he is successful, Bumatay will become the first Filipino American to serve as an Article III federal appellate judge and the first openly gay judge on the Ninth Circuit.
However, as with any Trump nominee, Bumatay has detractors – this time on both the left and right of the political spectrum.
Related: Pastor refuses dying man a funeral because his son is gay
Senator Kamala Harris, on hearing of his nomination, called Bumatay "highly-flawed" and said he "lacks the judgment and qualifications to serve on the Ninth Circuit."
Her views on Bumatay have been echoed by fellow Californian Senator Dianne Feinstein, who says Bumatay, "has only ever argued two cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals …. Most of his work has been in district courts, not federal appeals courts."
Patrick Bumatay has only ever argued two cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the same court on which he would serve for life if confirmed. Most of his work has been in district courts, not federal appeals courts. pic.twitter.com/eRMEPjyY5F
— Senator Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) October 31, 2019
Earlier this week, Pastor E.W. Jackson, who unsuccessfully ran for the US Senate in 2018, used his radio show, The Awakening, to encourage followers to complain about Bumatay's nomination. His reason – surprise, surprise – is because Bumatay's gay.
"How this nomination got by President Trump, I do not know," Jackson said. "This guy is a complete and a total activist who has an agenda to further the cause of normalizing and legalizing, in the civil sense, homosexuality in our country. We don't need that kind of person as an appeals court judge.
"This guy is bad, bad news. He is a homosexual activist … and he brings this into his legal practice. Folks, we don't need judges who have an ideological agenda to use the bench to transform the culture into something they think it should be, contrary to everything we've ever stood for.
"His nomination needs to be quashed, and it is my hope that it will either be withdrawn or it will be defeated by a vote in the United States Senate."
Bumatay's appointment, if confirmed, would be for life. It would also make him eligible for a potential seat on the Supreme Court one day – something that horrifies Jackson.
"There is a tremendous opportunity there for judicial tyranny when people take that job because they've got some agenda other than the implementation of the law and the Constitution in a fair and objective way.
"I'm convinced that these folks, because that's their agenda, they can't be fair and objective because they've got an agenda that is preeminent in their lives, and in their minds, and in their hearts, and in their behavior, and in their activity."
It's the second time Trump has nominated Bumatay, after first doing so in late 2018. On that occasion, the Senate failed to act on it and sent it back to the White House. His current nomination is now pending before the Senate.
Related: Trump nominates openly gay federal judge, Democrats call foul
Jackson – who was banned from Twitter earlier this year – has long been a critic of the advancement of LGBTQ rights. After criticizing Bumatay on his radio show on Monday, he spent a portion of Tuesday's show attacking Democratic Presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg over his "claims" to be Christian.
H/T: Right Wing Watch
Politics Donald Trump e.w. jackson judge Patrick J. Bumatay
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jcoberkrom
IF they can't then anyone who has ever made any anti-gay comments cannot be fair and objective. He better be careful his words will come back and bite him in the butt.
December 6, 2019 at 8:12am Log in to Reply
tf3.0
Watching readers trying to reconcile Trump being anti LGBT with Trump trying to appoint LGBT judges and amabassadors?
Trump is trying to decrease immigration of cultures violently hostile to LGBT, appoint LGBT bureaucrats and judges, and hasn't really pushed any anti LGBT laws….
And yet, he hates us? Hogwash.
December 6, 2019 at 10:12am
Chrisk
Yeah, one freaking gay judge and a homocon ambassador compared to the right wing stacking of the courts. That seems fair. Lol
Funny how the religious right disagrees with you so much. As a matter of fact their happiness is right off the charts with Trump. He's their new Messiah after all. Wonder why that is? Something about undoing abortion, SSM, and bigotry encoded into the constitution I believe.
Most of these people just hate themselves more than us for they fear we will corrupt them and their kids and what they need to watch out for is the real threats out there to them and their families not us for most that I know would not hurt anyone but respect is key and don't argue with the foolish ones, that's their ignorance showing not ours.
Jack Meoff
On that basis, Christians cannot be judges either because they can't be fair and objective because of their religion. It goes both ways A-wipe.
The left is protesting this guy because of his qualifications, his work history, his opinions.
The right is protesting because of how he was born.
Nothing more needs to be said.
I guess it's the same way I'm convinced douchebags like yourself can't be objective. We could easily expand your bigotry to other minorities as well.
December 6, 2019 at 11:12am Log in to Reply
Oh and it's funny how the tea party patriots all but vanished when the GOP came to power. Hmm…could it mean all that taxation upset was all just BS?
To a certain extent, local Tea Party people were voted out as it became clear they knew nothing at all about how to govern, and their desire to reduce the funding and size of government on all levels lead to many problems on state, county and municipal levels.
Those that survived on the national level morphed into the "Freedom Caucus", still very much alive and dangerous. And with free access to Trump's ear.
Gay people can be great judges. Example: Dan Anders in Philadelphia.
December 6, 2019 at 2:12pm Log in to Reply
djmcgamester
I'm confused. A guy who isn't fair and objective is saying other people can't be fair and objective? Baffling.
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game over?
Now Trump might be losing the lease on his golf course in West Palm Beach
snubbed
Melania won't meet Dr. Jill Biden for tea, won't even talk to her on the phone
girl bye!
As Melania looks back on the legacy of #BeBest, the rest of Twitter tells her to #BeGone
Twitter rejoices over photos of moving boxes outside the White House


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text:
Q: No service for type X has been registered, but service registration looks ok? I have some very simple code in Startup.cs in a ASP.NET Core 2.0 web project:
public async void ConfigureServices(IServiceCollection services)
{
    services.AddMvc();

    await CreateContainer();

    services.AddSingleton<Infrastructure.Logging.Contracts.ILogger, Infrastructure.Logging.Standard.Logger>();
}

private async Task CreateContainer()
{
    string connectionString = Configuration["TestConnectionString"];
    var storageAccount = CloudStorageAccount.Parse(connectionString);
    CloudBlobClient blobClient = storageAccount.CreateCloudBlobClient();
    CloudBlobContainer container = blobClient.GetContainerReference("logs");
    await container.CreateIfNotExistsAsync();
}

In my home page view, I have:
@using Infrastructure.Logging.Contracts
@inject ILogger logger

The problem is that the application crashes (when running the code in the view) with:
An unhandled exception occurred while processing the request.
InvalidOperationException: No service for type 'Infrastructure.Logging.Contracts.ILogger' has been registered.
Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyInjection.ServiceProviderServiceExtensions.GetRequiredService(IServiceProvider provider, Type serviceType)

All the code in Startup.cs runs successful with no exceptions.
But, if I change the ConfigureServices method by moving a single line of code like this:
public async void ConfigureServices(IServiceCollection services)
{
    services.AddMvc();

    services.AddSingleton<Infrastructure.Logging.Contracts.ILogger, Infrastructure.Logging.Standard.Logger>();

    await CreateContainer();
}

Everything now runs successfully with no error messages.
How can the call to the CreateContainer method cause an error when trying to inject the registered class? There should be no relationship whatsoever between these operations.
Note that the call to register the service runs successful in any case and in the debugger I can see the entry for the registered service by examining the services object. There are no exceptions, which could alter the flow of execution somehow. I have stepped through in the debugger and checked everything.

A: The problem is caused by calling await on an async method inside the ConfigureServices method. I tried to replace this line of code:
await CreateContainer();

with:
await Task.Delay(200);

and the problem still reproduced.
This is the fixed version of the ConfigureServices method:
public void ConfigureServices(IServiceCollection services)
{
    services.AddMvc();

    CreateContainer().Wait();

    services.AddSingleton<Infrastructure.Logging.Contracts.ILogger, Infrastructure.Logging.Standard.Logger>();
}

I'm not exactly sure why this caused a problem, but it must have caused some sort of synchronization issues in the framework code.


Stems decumbent to erect, usually forming leafy clumps, 3-10 dm, herbaceous or suffrutescent basally, usually glandular-viscid, more densely so distally. Leaves spreading or ascending; petiole 0.1-2.2(-5) cm; blade broadly deltate or ovate, 2-5(-8) × 1.7-7(-12) cm, fleshy to slightly succulent, base rounded to cordate, apex acute (rounded), glabrate to glandular-villous. Inflorescences usually thyrselike, often narrow; involucres 7-16 mm, lobes narrowly lance-oblong, base 30-50% of height. Flowers 1 per involucre; perianth usually white (pale pink), 1.3-1.8 cm. Fruits dull reddish brown to almost black, rarely with 10 inconspicuous, paler lines, sometimes with several very shallow grooves, broadly ovoid, 4-6 mm, surfaces smooth or very slightly rugose. Flowering spring, occasionally other seasons. Sands and rocks on slopes, cliffs, and canyon sides in open arid and semiarid areas; 0-400(-900) m; Ariz., Calif.; Mexico (Baja California, Baja California Sur).
Duration: Perennial Nativity: Native Lifeform: Subshrub General: Herbaceous perennials, to 1 m tall, stems decumbent or trailing to erect, usually forming leafy clumps, repeatedly branching in forks, herbage herbaceous or suffrutescent basally, usually glandular-viscid, (sticky), becoming more densely so distally. Leaves: Opposite, broadly deltate or ovate, 2-8 cm long and to 12 cm wide, fleshy to slightly succulent, bases rounded to cordate, tips acute to rounded, surfaces glabrate to glandular-villous, leaves spreading or ascending, borne on petioles to 5 cm long. Flowers: Flowers white to pale pink, of funnel-shaped perianths 13-18 mm long with 5 lobes and lightly hairy surfaces, involucres narrowly bell-shaped, 7-16 mm long with narrowly lance-oblong lobes and spreading glandular-hairy surfaces, stamens 3-5, exserted, stigmas spheric and exserted, flowers subtended by 5 leafy, narrowly lanceolate to deltate or ovate bracts 8-13 mm long, 1 per involucre, borne in narrow, thyrselike inflorescences. Fruits: Broadly ovoid anthocarps,4-6 mm long, dull reddish brown to almost black, rarely with 10 inconspicuous, paler lines, sometimes with several very shallow grooves, surfaces smooth or very slightly rugose. Seeds solitary. Ecology: Found in sandy and rocky soils on slopes, cliffs, canyon sides, in open arid and semiarid areas and desert scrub communities, from 0-3,000 ft (0-914 m); flowering March-May. Distribution: Arizona, California; Mexico. Notes: This 4 o'clock has distinct broadly ovate to deltate (triangular) leaves with conspicuous veination on the undersides, white or pink flowers in small clusters at branch tips or in leaf axils, and sticky, glandular pubescent herbage. An anthocarp is a fruit with the achene or utricle enclosed in the persistent, fleshy, leathery, or woody base of the calyx. This species is not treated in older versions of Kearney and Peebles. Ethnobotany: Specific uses for this species are unknown, but other species in the genus have uses; petals boiled and used as a light brown, yellow, red, or purple dye for wool. Synonyms: Hesperonia tenuiloba Editor: LCrumbacher2012 Etymology: Mirabilis is Latin for "miraculous or wonderful", and tenuiloba means with finely-divided or slender lobes.


text:
Androsace rigida är en viveväxtart som beskrevs av Heinrich von Handel-Mazzetti.

Androsace rigida ingår i släktet grusvivor och familjen viveväxter. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

Bilder

Källor

Externa länkar

Grusvivor
rigida

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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