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News » 2015 » KYOCERA Solar Lights Up Arco Metropolitano, Brazil's Largest Solar-Powered Highway
KYOCERA Showcases Next-Generation LCD Displays with Advanced Wide View, Super High Brightness at DisplayWeek 2015
KYOCERA Named Supplier of the Year by JDSU
KYOCERA Solar Lights Up Arco Metropolitano, Brazil's Largest Solar-Powered Highway
More than 4,300 solar streetlights illuminate 73km of the superhighway
Brazil – August 5, 2015 – Kyocera Corporation and Kyocera Solar, Inc. announced today that Kyocera is completing Brazil's largest highway solar-lighting project on the Arco Metropolitano do Rio de Janeiro, a highway project connecting the five main highways crossing Rio de Janeiro. Slightly more than half of the 145-kilometer highway will be lit at night by stand-alone solar streetlights powered by Kyocera solar modules, installed by Soter over the last two years with funding from the Rio de Janeiro State Government.
See the video clip (0:49) or full video (5:27) for more information.
Kyocera is completing Brazil's largest highway solar-lighting project on the Arco Metropolitano do Rio de Janeiro, a highway project connecting the five main highways crossing Rio de Janeiro.
This enormous transportation initiative is helping to streamline transit logistics, improve traffic and reduce importing costs throughout the region — especially for industries such as petrochemicals, which export from the Port of Itaguaí. Improved transportation is expected to stimulate economic growth in this rural region, which was not easily accessible in the past.
The 3.2MW (DC) solar lighting project encompasses more than 4,300 solar-powered, free-standing streetlights, which are expected to produce 2.8GWh of solar energy per year. That's equivalent to the amount of power used by approximately 1,527 average homes and equal to the carbon dioxide emissions that 1,583 acres of forest would offset. According to a World Energy Outlook Report from 2013, almost 45% of Brazil's primary energy demand is met by renewable energy, making Brazil's energy sector one of the least carbon-intensive in the world.
"Kyocera continues to be dedicated to solar solutions that are helpful in rural areas," said Sergio Beninca, President of Kyocera Solar do Brasil. "This solar lighting project helps contribute by not overburdening the energy grid system that many lower-income households in the area depend on."
"From preliminary reports, the Brazilian government expects Arco Metropolitano to provide 16,000 jobs to the region and generate US$90 million in tax revenue from sales tax generated at the municipal and federal levels, while bringing together parts of the country that were not easily accessible before," Beninca continued. "Utilizing solar power allows the Brazilian government to deliver reliable light on the highway in areas without a traditional electricity grid. We're honored to deliver a simple, energy-efficient solution to help advance this very important project for Brazil."
The Kyocera Solar Streetlight Kit, available now, includes: one 150W LED lamp, three solar modules (Kyocera KD250), four 240Ah/ 12Vcc batteries, one controller (TS-MPPT-45/ 48Vcc), one photocell, and one pole with mounting structures.
About KYOCERA
Kyocera is a world leader in solar photovoltaic modules and systems, with a 40-year history of innovation in solar technology and multiple world records in multicrystalline silicon cell efficiency. The company serves thousands of residential and industrial customers in both developed and developing regions, with more than 6 gigawatts of solar collection equipment installed since 1975.
Kyocera Solar, Inc. is headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ, with regional sales affiliates in the Americas, and solar module manufacturing facilities operated by Kyocera Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. of Tijuana, Mexico.
Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics"). By combining these engineered materials with metals and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of solar power generating systems, mobile phones, printers, copiers, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2015, the company's net sales totaled 1.53 trillion yen (approx. $12.7 billion). Kyocera appears on the latest listing of the "Top 100 Global Innovators" by Thomson Reuters, and is ranked #552 on Forbes magazine's 2015 "Global 2000" listing of the world's largest publicly traded companies.
LPI Communications
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CONTACT: KYOCERA Corporation (Japan)
Hina Morioka
Tel: +81-(0)75-604-3416
E-Mail: webmaster.pressgl@kyocera.jp
Website: http://global.kyocera.com/
© KYOCERA Corporation


The new app is supported by 20 banks and can already be used at over 290,000 payment points across Belgium.
Now up to 174 countries/26m+ merchants and counting.
The new service, "A1 Payment", includes payment terminals, service packages, a mobile wallet, debit and credit card acceptance as well as transaction processing for companies. The partnership will also cover the development of other sector-specific offerings, e-commerce solutions and the support of international expansion.
UKCloud supports digital transformation across UK public sector via Crown Commercial Service frameworks and is now accepting AMEX, VISA or MasterCard to enable sign up for its services.
It has confirmed that it is in active discussions to explore different solutions and hopes to be able to present another application for a licence in the very near future.
PFC (Personal Finance Co., formerly Betalo) is launching Sweden's first neobank that includes a Mastercard debit program combined with an app to help people manage their personal finances. P.F.C. is a licensed Payment Institution in Sweden.
Over 80% of counterfeits were €20 and €50 banknotes. There are now over 22bn euro banknotes in circulation.
The new payments, known as "super premiums", will take effect from 1 April and will be in addition to the interchange rate.
Nothing yet on LINK site.
Direct Debits reached nearly 4.4 billion transactions –more than eight Direct Debits for every UK adult.
The Steering Group is now considering the diverse range of 53 responses as it looks to publish the revised code as quickly as possible.
Mastercard announced last June that it was developing a suite of services to underpin the transformation taking place in the industry under PSD2 legislation.
KBC customers who hold an AIB or Bank of Ireland current account can now view their balance in the KBC app.
The implementation in Slovenia puts Nets among the top providers in Europe with its RealTime24/7 Instant Payment platform after implementation in Italy and Denmark and imminently in Hungary.
The two bodies also say that effective protection of Dutch consumers against the principal risks requires international coordination due to the cross-border nature of cryptos.
Unit-e is targeting a network launch in the second half of 2019.
The move is more than the earlier £198m bid by Visa.
Operating in the mail order environment, Universum will bring 'pay later' capability to Heidelpay by way of its white label platform.
Universum's "FlexiPay®" suite will be incorporated as part of Heidelpay's existing product range.
As part of the continued optimization of the Group's capital structure and liquidity position, the Group is considering a €100m EUR Term Loan B add-on. This, together with the €2.7bn equity from the time of the LBO and the additional rolled equity from Concardis existing shareholders gives a significant equity cushion.
The partners will combine their respective areas of expertise in payment, POS technology and logistics to develop a joint omni-channel service. Natixis is also to take a stake in Wynd as part of its €72m fund-raising exercise, alongside several other investors.
The new licence is an anti-Brexit play as Alipay already has one in the UK.
This is a 'water under the bridge' fine as Mastercard amended its rules when the Interchange Fee Regulation went live in 2015.
Meanwhile the 'Inter-regional MIFs' investigation continues.
It is being suggested that the EC's action could add to the numbers of private damages claims retailers are already seeking following previous commission moves on card fees.
36 responses from the names you would expect apart from the main banks other than HSBC and Lloyds.


For decades the protein powder industry has been reliant upon artificial sweeteners, flavours and even colours, to ensure a great tasting and appealing protein shake. Two of the most commonly used artificial sweeteners—approved by Food Standards Australia New Zealand—are sucralose and acesulfame potassium. These are often used in combination to not only sweeten the product, but also to enhance the flavour. Consumer interest in natural sweeteners is exploding. As a result, companies are scrambling to find the next natural alternative to artificial sweeteners that can closely match the sweet taste of white cane sugar—the gold standard of sweet. Fortunately, due to consumer rejection, aspartame has been practically removed from the Australian sports nutrition market, despite the fact that it had an unsurpassed ability to make supplements taste amazing.
There are already a host of naturally-sweetened protein powders on the market. The most commonly used natural sweeteners are thaumatin, stevia and xylitol. Thaumatin is a protein-based sweetener isolated from the katemfe fruit, native to West Africa. It is low calorie and is around one-hundred thousand times sweeter than table sugar (sucrose). Compared to stevia, which is an extract of the leaf of the stevia plant—though the entire leaf can be used—which is approximately 150 times sweeter than sugar. These two sweeteners are quite popular in the industry, given that their calorie content is almost zero, and that a very small amount is needed, which means the sweetener is not taking away from the active ingredients in the formulation, such as the protein. After all, the more sweetener in each serve, the less room there is for protein. Xylitol is a polyol or sugar-alcohol—don't worry, it does not alter blood alcohol levels. Due to the structure of the xylitol molecule, only a small amount is absorbed into the blood, giving it a low glycemic index of seven, and carrying a sweetness roughly the same as refined cane sugar. Xylitol is typically derived from birch wood or the corn husk. There seems to be considerable concern over the laxative effects of this natural sweetener. However, there is actually quite a large body of research on gastrointestinal tolerance, which has been performed through various institutions in different countries around the world over the past 50 years. The evidence is actually pointing towards complete tolerance, without any unwanted issues, from single dosages ranging between 10-30 grams, depending upon the individual. Obviously, if a person was already prone to loose stools, they are more likely to experience a laxative effect at the lower end of this range. This was comprehensively reported in a research review published in the International Journal of Dentistry in 2016.
The flavours that make up a protein powder can also be derived from natural or synthetic sources, however cocoa or cacao (raw cocoa) is always natural. "Natural Flavours" listed on a protein powder's ingredients indicates naturally derived flavours, as the name suggests. Additionally, there are also gums added to some protein powders to improve the body of the shake once mixed in water, namely, to reduce wateriness and improve texture or mouthfeel. These are typically xanthan gum and/or guar gum, the former being produced by a process of fermentation, while the latter is an extract of the guar bean.
So if natural is your style, check out our range of natural proteins to see which one meets your nutritional needs.


text:
import { Map } from 'immutable'
import { get, set } from '../utils/meta-reducers'

const init = Map

export {
  get,
  set,
  init
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
The Rise of eSports Racing
Understanding the growing popularity of eSports and what it might mean for the future of motorsport
Andrew BeckfordWriter
Photos courtesy of Microsoft, Sony (SCEA), and Codemasters
Many reading this have probably had dreams of becoming a professional racer at some point in their lives. It's one of those daydreams that comes with being a gearhead. Though historically speaking, becoming a driver in a top tier pro series has always been a long, tough, and very expensive road.
That desire to reach the top echelon of motorsports is one of the factors I think contributed to the evolution of racing games from being physics-defying, arcade-like experiences into the hardcore, racing simulator games we know today. The likes of Forza Motorsport, Gran Turismo, iRacing, and Assetto Corsa are all representative of that.
While those games are more than enough to keep most of us satisfied, over the last few years a major shift has happened. As racing games became more realistic, racing game developers and fans began to bridge a gap between simulator racing and the real thing.
Back in 2010, the term "eSports" was reserved for competitive shooter games like Halo and Call of Duty. Massive tournaments and leagues were set up for the best players of those games with, in some cases, millions of dollars on the line.
Hardcore racing game players and developers started to look at this model and think, "Why not us?"
It started with Forza Motorsport when they launched the Forza Racing Championship (Forza RC) back in 2016. Unlike the GT Academy, the Forza RC was not about earning a real ride in a real race car. Instead, the Forza RC's focus was simply to find the best Forza player in the world. Registration was opened to everyone who owned Forza Motorsport and eventually teams formed as the best players worked their way through a tournament format until the best of the best rose to the top. From there, those players went on to an invitational event where a world champion was crowned.
Forza RC is going into its second year and has grown exponentially since its beginnings, with major tournaments being broadcast live to thousands of people via Mixer, Microsoft's own streaming service.
Not to be outdone, the following year Polyphony Digital started the "Gran Turismo Championship." However, they went one step further by having their eSports league sanctioned by the FIA. In fact, in Gran Turismo Sport players can even qualify for a "FIA Gran Turismo Digital License," which is a real FIA license by the way. There is even a "Nations Cup" and a "Manufacturer's Cup" within the championships. It may be too early to tell, but I wouldn't be surprised if teams from other FIA-sanctioned series started looking over the pool of talent in the GT Championship for a potential driver.
Soon after Forza RC and the GT Championship made their splash, Codemasters jumped into the mix and set up an eSports league connected to their officially sanctioned F1 racing game. The Formula 1 eSports Series has the unique position in that real Formula 1 race teams are involved. Currently HAAS F1, AMG Petronas, Sauber Alfa Romeo, Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso, Mclaren, Renault, Williams, and Force India are all fielding teams in the series. Ferrari is the only team that hasn't joined in but I predict that will likely change in the near future. Ironically, the F1 eSports series does not offer a digital FIA license as in the GT Championships (though that is another thing that I think may change soon).
While the F1 eSports series doesn't have prizes as rich as the other two aforementioned series, what it does have is a golden opportunity for top-tier players to get eyes on them from actual F1 teams. A price just can't be put on that kind of proximity to F1 talent hunters. In fact, the F1 teams involved actually hold a draft to recruit players to their respective eSports series teams!
It should also be noted that sponsorships play a big part in racing eSports. Though unlike traditional motorsports in which sponsor logos are placed on a race car, in eSports sponsorship it is all about the individual athlete or team. Due to the large (and growing) audience that eSports attracts, it is highly attractive to sponsors that a notable athlete or team can stand to bring in a lucrative income if they get enough eyes on them. In fact, eSports teams are starting to be seen as something of an investment and major sports celebs are starting to get involved. For example, now retired F1 driver Fernando Alonso purchased a large stake in G2 Esports, one of the biggest eSports teams in the world.
Besides sponsorships eSports teams and players can earn money via product endorsement deals and merchandising (apparel, etc.).
So what does the rise of these eSports racing series and the popularity of it's drivers mean for the future of motorsports as a whole? Will eSports supplant feeder series like Indy Lights and Formula 3 as the new place to find budding racing talent? Possibly. At the very least teams will start looking a lot harder at eSports racers.
According to Lee Mather, game director at Codemasters for their F1 games, it's only a matter of time. "There's no doubt that the driving skills transfer over effectively, and we've already seen gamers transition into real motorsport. The gap between the virtual world and the real world is closing fast" said Mather.
If he is right, could we potentially see a future in which virtual racing supplants the real thing altogether? Personally, I don't think so. I think what will happen is a revolution of the path into motorsports. Ten years from now a kid won't need a go-kart and parents willing to take out extra mortgages on their house to fund their child's path to Formula 1, IndyCar, or Le Mans. Instead they'll just need the latest video game console (or gaming PC) and a lot of dedication.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


QMy 12-year-old son has been diagnosed with dengue fever. I'm really scared about it. Also, I have a 9-year-old daughter. What can I do to prevent her from getting the infection?
Dengue is a viral illness, which is spread by a typical species of mosquito known as Aedes aegypti. It is one of the most common mosquito-borne diseases in India. Dengue typically causes a high-grade fever, associated with body aches and pains.
QWhat is Haemodialysis? What is its correct frequency?
QI have been habitually masturbating since I was 10 years old. I am now 23 years old and feel that due to the abuse, my organ has started to shrink and has also become thinner. Now, what should I do? Please help.
First, get this idea out of your mind that masturbation has anything to do with your present feelings. Please accept that masturbation is a normal and natural phenomenon.
QI have a 21-year-old daughter who has stopped eating sweets and milk products in order to reduce her weight. I am worried she will become weak, is such a diet OK for her?
QI am 21 years old, currently 7 months pregnant, expecting in 8 weeks. I am struggling to sleep for the past 2 weeks. The harder I try the more difficult it gets. Occasionally, I bleed from the nose and experience palpitations. Please suggest medications that I could take.
I must suggest that sleep is something that must come naturally and if it doesn't then there must be a reason for it. And when it gets worse, associated apprehension/anticipation of inability to sleep tends to worsen insomnia (poor sleep). Therefore, as you said, 'the harder you try the worse it gets'.
QI am a 21-year-old college going student and have suddenly developed a bald patch on my scalp. None of my family members are bald and this has left me very worried!
You are suffering with Alopecia areata. It is an autoimmune disease where immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles leading to hair fall.
QI am in the second trimester of my pregnancy and I suffer from severe morning sickness. I feel extreme weakness due to this; can you suggest some treatment?
The reason for morning sickness is not very clear, but the hormonal changes of pregnancy are responsible for it. In fact, the hormone that helps to keep your pregnancy safe is causing the nausea too.


Press <space> key three times to enter boot menu..
!!! RESET the VDSL2 device (via MEI) !!!
--> test: open device: /dev/vinax/0.
Start Download <firmware.bin>, size: 562356VINAX_DRV: start FW download - entity 0, FW imageId 0.
nReturn=0 nData="A173 0000 0002 000E2040 "


Just the facts, Beer, just the facts.
If you know one or are one, beer lovers will find this Beer Towel fascinating and informative. It's also a tea towel by UK designer Stuart Gardiner to make you thirsty. Crack open a cold (or room temparture) bottle of ale after those pots are dried - you've earned it.
5 colour print on premium organic cotton. Made in the UK by Stuart Gardiner Design.


text:
Q: What does return value -3 indicate when sending a JDBC bulk insert to crate.io I try to do Batch inserts with JDBC to a Crate instance:
    for(...) {
        statement.setLong(1, startTime);
        statement.setInt(2, i);
        ...
        statement.addBatch();
    }

    results = uaStatement.executeBatch();
    logger.info("Had bulk-result: " + Arrays.toString(results));

The resulting int[] array should contain 0 or 1 depending if the row was inserted or not.
But I get back lots of "-3", which neither the JDBC standard nor the doc seems to define.
It seems the rows don't get inserted when -3 is returned, but no additional error information is visible. It seems the -3 is coming directly from the Crate server and the client-side JDBC implementation just forwards this.
This is crate 2.3.3 with JDBC driver 2.2.0
compile 'io.crate:crate-jdbc:2.2.0'

What does this indicate? Some problem with the sent values?
Had bulk-result: [1, 1, 1, 1, -3, -3, -3, -3, -3, -3, 1, -3, -3, -3, -3, -3, -3, ...

A: Please check the API documentation of java.sql.BatchUpdateException (emphasis mine):

After a command in a batch update fails to execute properly and a
  BatchUpdateException is thrown, the driver may or may not continue
  to process the remaining commands in the batch. If the driver
  continues processing after a failure, the array returned by the method
  BatchUpdateException.getUpdateCounts will have an element for every
  command in the batch rather than only elements for the commands that
  executed successfully before the error. In the case where the driver
  continues processing commands, the array element for any command
  that failed is Statement.EXECUTE_FAILED.

and Statement.executeBatch():

A value of EXECUTE_FAILED -- indicates that the command failed to
  execute successfully and occurs only if a driver continues to process
  commands after a command fails

Value -3 is constant Statement.EXECUTE_FAILED. In some drivers the exceptions of those execution failures will be chained to this BatchUpdateException (check getNextException or iterate over all throwables of the exception).
However, if all subsequent values report Statement.EXECUTE_FAILED, it might mean that the driver does not actually try to execute the remaining parameter sets, but instead simply reports Statement.EXECUTE_FAILED for all parameter sets from the first failure on. In that case a driver should 'give up' after the first failure and only report the update counts of the successfully executed parameter sets, as described in the JDBC specification and API documentation.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


A simple and nutritious breakfast food, made with matcha tea and yogurt.
Blend ingredients together in electric blender. Pour into a tall glass.
This is surprisingly delicious and tastes much like a sherbet.
Blend ingredients together in an electric blender, a martini shaker, or using an electric hand held frother. Pour into a tall glass with or without ice. Experiment with other fruit juices like mango, apricot or pineapple.
Boost your daily antioxidants with matcha and assorted berries.
Blend ingredients together in an electric blender. Pour into a tall class. Drink immediately. Experiment with kiwis, bananas, mangos and flavors of mint or ginger.
Popular with body builders and athletes.
Blend ingredients together in an electric blender. Drink immediately. Adjust proportions to taste.
Love these Matcha Green Tea smoothie recipes?
Don't forget to share them with a friend.


Vancouver households may earn less than the Canadian average, but new research shows soaring house prices have made its residents the wealthiest in the country.
In a new report on household wealth, Environics Analytics declared Vancouver to be Canada's first "millionaire city," with an average net worth of $1.023 million. That's up 7 per cent in a year. Net worth is defined as the total value of a household's assets, minus its debt.
The country's second-wealthiest city is Toronto, with an average net worth of $962,993, up 3.4 per cent in a year. Toronto pushed out the former second-place city, Calgary, where net worth fell 2.5 per cent in the past year, to $898,240.
Calgary fell all the way to fourth place, behind third-place Victoria, B.C., with average net worth at $912,362.
But the city where residents are getting richer fastest is the Toronto suburb of Oshawa, which saw average net worth jump 9.2 per cent in a year, to $714,040. Oshawa seems to be having a banner year, thanks at least in part to a resurgent auto industry. The Bank of Montreal said the city has the country's best job market earlier this year.
For the country as a whole, household net worth grew 4.3 per cent in a year, to an average of $680,098. Meanwhile, debt grew nearly as quickly, rising 4.1 per cent to an average of $130,170 per household, with mortgage debt the lion's share of that, up 5.1 per cent in a year.
Environics noted that debt is growing faster than income in Canada, with incomes up 3.2 per cent.
Besides real estate, one of the biggest drivers of Canadians' wealth growth are employers' retirement pension plans, Environics said. Their value grew an average of 5.7 per cent in a year to $104,204, Canadians' fastest-growing asset.
While real estate price growth helped out most among Canada's wealthiest families, it was pension growth that did the most to increase the wealth of middle-income Canadians, and increased savings helped raise the wealth of the poorest Canadians, Environics said.
"Beyond some regional variation, all economic segments of the Canadian population did modestly well," Miron said.


Sedans like the Audi A4 and A6 get a lot of well-deserved attention. They're sophisticated and iconic models for the Audi brand, but what if you're in need of a sedan that has a little more, well, edge? Enter the Audi A5 Sportback.
What sets the Audi A5 Sportback apart from many Audi sedans? It's all in the roofline. Sportback models have a slopping roofline that evokes a long and elegant teardrop shape, and the side profile of the trunk is a little shorter. The difference in looks in subtle yet notable, so if you want something different for your luxury sedan, the Audi A5 is a great choice!
Interior style details include wood-grain inlays, metal button coverings, and sumptuous leather options that are smooth, grained, perforated, or diamond-stitched, depending on your preference. Get ready to be the talk of the Sunset Landing Golf Course parking lot.
The three Audi A5 trims (the Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige) all come with a 2.0L TFSI® engine that produces 248 horsepower and 273 lb-ft torque. Audi's legendary Quattro® system plus the German engineering ensure a smooth and engaging ride that is different than what you'd find on a Toyota or Honda with similar specs.
Audi vehicles are known for their technology, and the A5 is no exception. All trims come standard with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, full LED lights for better nighttime visibility, and Audi pre sense® basic and city advanced safety technologies. The Premium Plus adds on features like MMI® navigation that's paired with MMI® touch, keyless entry and hands-free trunk, and the Audi virtual cockpit. The Prestige has all the cherry-on-top tech amenities. With that top-level A5 you'll get a heads-up display that works in conjunction with your navigation, adaptive cruise control with rush hour traffic jam assist, and a smooth audio system by Bang & Olufsen.
To see the stylish and unique Audi A5 Sportback, stop into our Huntsville dealership. You can get to us on I-72 W and we're next to the Huntsville Memory Garden.


Many people think that having a career in music is wishing for the impossible, and question how someone could possibly earn a living from doing something they enjoy and are passionate about. It is achievable.
You can enhance your guitar playing abilities immeasurably by employing the services of a competent guitar teacher. There is a plethora of guitar teachers available, such as Tom Hess, however, the abilities and quality of these teachers can vary drastically. Ensure that you select carefully, validate the reputations of potential guitar teachers by referring to a range of forums and testimonials to make sure that you employ the services of an effective tutor with proven teaching strategies and a good reputation who will be able to impart and transfer their extensive skills set to you. Only by acquiring high level guitar skills will you be able to incorporate them to effect within your music.
Don't try to do things alone, interact with, learn from, jam with, practice and hang around with other quality guitarists and guitar enthusiasts. By doing this you will be able to adopt a wealth of tips and techniques from a variety of musicians that you can then incorporate into your own musical repartee. By introducing yourself to innovative, new experiences offered by other musicians this could potentially transform your guitar playing abilities. To stop yourself from musically stagnating and avoiding impeding your progress, find people to play music with who are better than you as they will give you the impetus to improve.
Having an expensive guitar is not essential. More important by far, is that you pick an instrument that is particularly suited to you. Finding and sourcing the right guitar is a task that you should expend a lot of time and effort on. Failure to get this right, could potentially impede your future musical progress. Visiting a wide range of music stores and trying a variety of different instruments is crucial to narrow down your choices. Make a note of those you prefer, short list them and return to try them again to make sure you make the right choice.
Do not let others dictate the kind of music you play. Playing the genre of music you prefer rather than having a style of music imposed on you will result in a beneficial effect on the quality of your performance. Your creativity is likely to be compromised and your style stifled if you bow to peer pressure and play music that you are not passionate about. Also, it could result in a substandard performance rather than the outstanding one you would prefer.
Try to learn something new every day, access the wide range of resources available in books, on the internet and within videos. Adopting this effective strategy could potentially accentuate your musical strengths and help eradicate weaknesses in your techniques.
Learn from others, be yourself and follow your passions and a career in music could be yours.


War of the Rebellion: Serial 016 Page 0751 Chapter XXIV. CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA.
him to attempt to carry by a desperate charge my advance battery, which was gallantly met and repulsed by Rogers' canister; but the cavalry being all the time my only support, and my position at this time being very close to the enemy, I drew my batteries up en echelon, and by keeping up the continued fire I soon caused the enemy to seek shelter under cover of the hill, which change in his position very much relieved our infantry.
Darkness had come on. The enemy's sharpshooters were lying just over the hill in a thick undergrowth of pines. To advance my batteries to a thick undergrowth occupied entirely by infantry being perfectly absurd, and being unable to dislodge them even with canister, I was unable to advance farther, after making repeated but fruitless endeavors to get infantry-which, by the way, was at this time near at hand (Armistead's brigade)-to drive them away. The firing all along the lines having ceased, I ordered the captain also the cease firing and move.
I am proud to speak of the gallant conduct of Captain Rogers and his command, who by coolness and determination received the charge of a brigade with a fearful volley of canister, waiting first until the enemy reached the deadly ground of 50 paces. Indeed, the conduct of both officers and men in this desperate struggle entitles them to their country's gratitude.
Early on the following morning, resuming command of my regiment, I withdrew my pickets and went in pursuit of the enemy, and being very soon joined by you, the result you doubtless remember, as you were present and witnessed the conduct of the regiment on overtaking the enemy.
Later in the day, Robertson's brigade having come up, in pursuance of your orders I preceded with a command of my regiment, a detail of 50 men of Robertson's command, and one piece of the Washington Artillery to Manassas, which I found abandoned, save by over 400 stragglers, which I captured, with a large lot of a small-arms, five elegant ambulances, with horses and harness complete, and a quantity of medical stores, all of which were duly turned over to the proper authorities.
After getting all information I could obtain from citizens and from stragglers of Banks' division (who, by the way, had retreated by way of Bristoe and Brentsville, after destroying a large lot of ammunition and stores at the former place), I returned and rejoined my brigade next day.
Numbers 197. Report of Captain Samuel B. Myers, Seventh Virginia Cavalry, of skirmish at Lewis' Ford.


text:
You are here: Home / News / Opinion: Peter J. Dougherty on "Why Books Matter For the Long Run"
Opinion: Peter J. Dougherty on "Why Books Matter For the Long Run"
Filed by Gary Price on December 28, 2018
"Why Books Matter For the Long Run" was written by Peter J. Dougherty and published on Knowledge at Wharton. It runs about 3000 words.
About Peter J. Dougherty
[Dougherty] is the editor-at-large at Princeton University Press, for which he was the director from 2005 until his retirement in 2017, and currently sits as the Fox Family Pavilion Scholar and distinguished senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvania.
From the Opinion Piece:
Why have Eric Schmidt, Meg Whitman, Reid Hoffman, John Doerr and other leading technologists resorted to the venerable (some would say backward) practice of book-writing to communicate their visions? Why did Mark Zuckerberg introduce a quaint book-of-the-month feature onto the runaway train of Facebook? Why does Bill Gates regularly pen long, thoughtful book reviews in a whirlwind communications culture fueled by texts and tweets?
How have books survived the information tsunami, and what will authors and publishers have to do to leverage the success of books for the long run?
The answer resides in a seemingly incongruous combination of traits: First, in the time-honored authority of influence books hold among readers; and second, in the ways in which disruptive technological change can strengthen rather than weaken that influence.
In an era when authors can, and do, publish their own books, the demand to be published by excellent publishers is as strong as ever. Why? Because certain publishers, from commercial conglomerates through university presses, enjoy powerful reputations within the constellation of core readerships, and these reputations serve as market signals. A computer science book published by The MIT Press, or an art book published by Abrams, or a business book published by Wharton Digital Press or the Harvard Business Press, or a history book published by WW Norton, commands a certain respect among the constellation of reviewers, booksellers, producers, journalists and other influencers who collectively showcase what is important to communities of readers. Leveraging this status gives authors fantastic advantage in a market marked by copious supply and fierce competition.
But reputation in publishing is earned and needs to be constantly renewed, which results from the effective practice of the craft.
Read the Complete Opinion Piece (approx. 300o words)


text:
Freedom Centers Constitutional and Political Freedom Congressman Issa: More Than 20 Obama Officials ' ...
Congressman Issa: More Than 20 Obama Officials 'Lost or Destroyed' E-mails After House Launched Probes
by Joel Gehrke • National Review Online
The revelation that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator Marilynn Tavenner did not retain her e-mails means that more than 20 witness in the Obama administration to lose or delete e-mails without notifying Congress, according to the top House investigator.
"The Obama administration has lost or destroyed e-mails for more than 20 witnesses, and in each case, the loss wasn't disclosed to the National Archives or Congress for months or years, in violation of federal law," House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman Darrell Issa (R., Calif.) said of Tavenner's lost e-mails.
"It defies logic that so many senior Administration officials were found to have ignored federal recordkeeping requirements only after Congress asked to see their e-mails," he continued. "Just this week, my staff followed up with HHS, who has failed to comply with a subpoena from ten months ago. Even at that point, the administration did not inform us that there was a problem with Ms. Tavenner's e-mail history. Yet again, we discover that this administration will not be forthright with the American people unless cornered."
From February of 2010 to November of 2013 — one month after the launch of the HealthCare.gov website, as the Daily Caller's Patrick Howley noted — Tavenner didn't maintain copies of her e-mails as required.
"During her entire tenure at CMS, Ms. Tavenner's CMS e-mail address, which is accessible to both colleagues and the public, has been subject to write-in campaigns involving thousands of e-mails from the public," CMS wrote to the National Archives and Records Administration, per Howley.
"Therefore, she receives an extremely high volume of e-mails that she manages daily. To keep an orderly e-mail box and to stay within the agency's e-mail system capacity limits, the administrator generally copied or forwarded e-mails to immediate staff for retention and retrieval, and did not maintain her own copies," CMS said.
Issa subpoenaed the missing e-mails ten months ago. "The evidence is mounting that the website did not go through proper testing, including critical security testing, and that the Administration ignored repeated warnings from contractors about ongoing problems," he said at the time. "The American people deserve to know why the administration spent significant taxpayer money on a product that is entirely dysfunctional and puts their personal information at risk."
Joel Gehrke is a political reporter for National Review Online.
Tags: accountability, Corruption, Government Corruption, ObamaCare


text:
Major League BaseballAmerican LeagueAmerican League EastBoston Red Sox
What Moncada Signing Means For Current Red Sox Personnel
Michael Husson
Boston Red Sox, Features, Headlines, Opinions & Predictions
After a major overhaul this off-season for the Boston Red Sox, they added one more piece to the puzzle this afternoon. The Red Sox and Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada, reportedly will agree to terms on a contract, terms that at this time are undisclosed. Bringing in Moncada will give the Red Sox more flexibility in their infield for potentially years to come. What does this mean for the current Red Sox infielders and personnel?
With the impending deal of Moncada heading to Boston, many questions will arise of where he will best fit on the diamond. When trying him out, the Red Sox tried him at the second base, third base and shortstop positions as most other teams did.
Moncada will most likely start his career in the minor leagues as he is only 19-years-old, and will need to be acclimated to the game in the States, but with the potential Moncada brings, he may be knocking on the door sooner rather than later.
The middle of the infield at this point in time is log-jammed and moves would have to be made if they anticipate Moncada being an everyday infielder on the Major League roster.
Starting at second base, Dustin Pedroia is projected to be the starter of that position for years to come. Pedroia is in the midst of a seven-year contract that he signed in the summer of 2013 and is considered part of the heart and soul of the Boston Red Sox. Pedroia hasn't been 100 percent for the past two seasons, but after three separate surgeries, he is looking to be back at playing at a high level once again in 2015.
Xander Bogaerts is the projected shortstop for the Red Sox, coming onto the team full time last season. Bogaerts was projected by many to be the American League Rookie of the Year at the beginning of the season, but after a disappointing rookie campaign, Bogaerts will look to bounce back in his sophomore season.
At third, the Red Sox bring in Pablo Sandoval. Sandoval signed a five-year deal with Boston this past off-season after spending seven seasons with the San Francisco Giants. Sandoval will be expected to be at third but this could not last going into the third or fourth year of his deal. This is where the Red Sox could enter in Moncada into the equation.
All three names listed are unlikely to go anywhere in the near future unless things really don't work out with Sandoval, Bogaerts doesn't become the player he was expected to be or Pedroia can't come back from prior injuries, all plausible scenarios albeit unlikely.
The more realistic solution could be moving Sandoval to first base in 2016 if the Red Sox don't have plans of re-signing Mike Napoli. Napoli came out this past week and admitted he would like to retire a Red Sox. Another option could be moving Sandoval to the designated hitter position once David Ortiz, 39, retires. Doing either of these options would allow Moncada to slide into the third base position and into the lineup.
All of these are good problems to have if you are the Red Sox. Bringing in Moncada, who will most likely be a top ten prospect in the Major League Baseball, just adds more depth and potential to the roster. More importantly, it will add a level of consistency to a team that desperately needs it, after the inconsistency of the past few seasons.
Boston Red SoxDavid OrtizDustin PedroiaMike NapoliPablo SandovalXander BogaertsYoan Moncada
Yankees Whiff On Yoan Moncada
Frontline Starters Essential to World Series Hopefuls
Michael is a passionate and driven writer who is determined to break into the sports journalism field. A recent graduate from Franklin Pierce University with a degree in Mass Communication, Michael has experience in sports, news, features, op-ed's, in-depths and editorials. He can be contacted via email: [email protected] or on Twitter @NotMyCousin
The Boston Red Sox Should Sign a Pair of Veteran Starting Pitchers
The Silver Lining for Last-Place MLB Teams
The Boston Red Sox Had a Prudent Trade Deadline
The Spotlight Player Under 25 for the Boston Red Sox: Darwinzon Hernandez


Available immediately, 3 bedroom mini home in Antigonish. Recently renovated.. Fridge, stove, washer and dryer. Two large decks and a shed for storage. Lot fee and water is included in the rent. Tenant is responsibe for the utilities. No pets. No Smoking.


The snowboard comes in many shapes to accommodate numerous riding styles. Rocker and camber are two distinct types of snowboard shapes. The nose and tail are slightly elevated above the center of the rocker snowboard, but they are the same height as the center of the camber snowboard.... If you have a boot size that falls between 10.5 and 12, choose a snowboard that features a 26-cm waist width. Upgrade to a 26.5-cm snowboard if your boot size is between a 12 and 13. Upgrade to a 26.5-cm snowboard if your boot size is between a 12 and 13.
Jeremy Jones explains how to choose the perfect snowboard for your weight, size, and riding style — covering waist width, board flex, sidecuts, board shape, choosing a "daily driver" snowboard, and how to build the perfect quiver.... You've finally saved up enough money to buy a new snowboard! Great! So how do you pick a snowboard that's right for you? To choose a snowboard, you'll need to decide on 5 main areas: Size, Flex, Width, Shape & Camber.
Understanding how to choose a snowboard that suits you reallyis as important as we're making it out to be. So hang on in there – one more thing to consider before you head out on a spending frenzy is the profile of a snowboard. This is known as rocker and there are few types to learn about before you decide which one is for you:... How To Choose A Snowboard Understanding snowboard length, flex, shape and profile.
25/09/2013 · Soft snowboard – an abyss of pleasure, because it is easy to learn and do tricks, it is easier to manage, and infinitely easier to ride in deep snow. The disadvantages of soft snowboard is the inability to do the «cut» turns on hard snow.... How To Choose A Snowboard. Choosing the perfect snowboard can totally transform your experience on the snow. Going from a hire snowboard to your own will allow you progress faster and enjoy it much more, as you will get to know how the snowboard reacts to your instructions.
Snowboard shape A snowboards shape will affect how quick it is through the turn and how it performs in the different types of conditions you find on the mountain. The 2 factors that are changed on to alter the shape on the different types of snowboards are 1: Length and 2: Sidecut.
It's important to note that personal preference and rider ability also play a role when choosing a snowboard. There is an enormous range of board styles and shapes out there today, and an even greater variety of riders, each looking for a different set of characteristics in a snowboard.
On the downside, riding switch on a tapered board, while possible, is not going to be great but if you choose such a shape this should not be your every day concern. Hopefully this guide helped clarify a few points and has made your decision-making process a little easier.
The earliest snowboards were homemade and relatively crude. But by the late 1970s, some enterprising individuals began to produce snowboards on a larger scale. Today, sporting goods stores and snowboard shops carry dozens of boards varying in shape and size.
snowboard reviews on boards and gear - snowboard related news - wathever we have to say or show\nCome comment and interact with us and with other readers.


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CompareImages • GetImageDistortion • GetImageDistortions • IsImagesEqual • SimilarityImage

CompareImages

CompareImages() compares one or more pixel channels of an image to a reconstructed image and returns the difference image.

The format of the CompareImages method is:

Image *CompareImages(const Image *image,const Image *reconstruct_image,
  const MetricType metric,double *distortion,ExceptionInfo *exception)

A description of each parameter follows:

image

the image.

reconstruct_image

the reconstruct image.

metric

the metric.

distortion

the computed distortion between the images.

exception

return any errors or warnings in this structure.

GetImageDistortion

GetImageDistortion() compares one or more pixel channels of an image to a reconstructed image and returns the specified distortion metric.

The format of the GetImageDistortion method is:

MagickBooleanType GetImageDistortion(const Image *image,
  const Image *reconstruct_image,const MetricType metric,
  double *distortion,ExceptionInfo *exception)

A description of each parameter follows:

image

the image.

reconstruct_image

the reconstruct image.

metric

the metric.

distortion

the computed distortion between the images.

exception

return any errors or warnings in this structure.

GetImageDistortions

GetImageDistortions() compares the pixel channels of an image to a reconstructed image and returns the specified distortion metric for each channel.

The format of the GetImageDistortions method is:

double *GetImageDistortions(const Image *image,
  const Image *reconstruct_image,const MetricType metric,
  ExceptionInfo *exception)

A description of each parameter follows:

image

the image.

reconstruct_image

the reconstruct image.

metric

the metric.

exception

return any errors or warnings in this structure.

IsImagesEqual

IsImagesEqual() measures the difference between colors at each pixel location of two images.  A value other than 0 means the colors match exactly.  Otherwise an error measure is computed by summing over all pixels in an image the distance squared in RGB space between each image pixel and its corresponding pixel in the reconstruct image.  The error measure is assigned to these image members:

    o mean_error_per_pixel:  The mean error for any single pixel in
the image.

normalized_mean_error

The normalized mean quantization error for any single pixel in the image.  This distance measure is normalized to a range between 0 and 1.  It is independent of the range of red, green, and blue values in the image.

normalized_maximum_error

The normalized maximum quantization error for any single pixel in the image.  This distance measure is normalized to a range between 0 and 1.  It is independent of the range of red, green, and blue values in your image.

A small normalized mean square error, accessed as image->normalized_mean_error, suggests the images are very similar in spatial layout and color.

The format of the IsImagesEqual method is:

MagickBooleanType IsImagesEqual(Image *image,
  const Image *reconstruct_image,ExceptionInfo *exception)

A description of each parameter follows.

image

the image.

reconstruct_image

the reconstruct image.

exception

return any errors or warnings in this structure.

SimilarityImage

SimilarityImage() compares the reference image of the image and returns the best match offset.  In addition, it returns a similarity image such that an exact match location is completely white and if none of the pixels match, black, otherwise some gray level in-between.

The format of the SimilarityImageImage method is:

Image *SimilarityImage(const Image *image,const Image *reference,
  const MetricType metric,const double similarity_threshold,
  RectangleInfo *offset,double *similarity,ExceptionInfo *exception)

A description of each parameter follows:

image

the image.

reference

find an area of the image that closely resembles this image.

metric

the metric.

similarity_threshold

minimum distortion for (sub)image match.

offset

the best match offset of the reference image within the image.

similarity

the computed similarity between the images.

exception

return any errors or warnings in this structure.

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Thank you for your interest in joining the original UK Renault Vel Satis Owners Club (VSOC for short)!
We are a primarily a thriving online community and resource base for Vel Satis owners, with a busy internet discussion forum, an owners map and a vehicle register/database (accessible to members only). We hold a small number of meetings around the UK each year.
It's free to join the VSOC, although it takes us many hours each week to run the club, so we greatly appreciate donations (see the buttons dotted around the website) to keep us going. To join, there is no membership form to fill in – you just need to register here. Please provide as many details as possible when you complete your forum user profile, such as your location, Vel Satis model specification, etc. Your information is processed in accord with the Data Protection Act, of which we are a member.
Contact luke@vel-satis.org to get your car included in the next publication!


text:
The HPASOS system has been specifically designed to meet the needs of unpressurised airframes flying at altitudes in excess of 10,000ft providing the pilots and aircrew with protection against the effects of hypoxia.
It is the most efficient and easy to use system available, not batteries required.
The system is currently in service with the UK Royal Air Force.
Pneumatic Oxygen Delivery Unit (POD Unit)
The Pneumatic Oxygen Delivery Unit is one of the key components of the Helicopter Pilot and Aircrew Supplementary Oxygen System (HPASOS).
The system has been designed specifically for the pilots and aircrew of unpressurised rotary wing aircraft, giving them protection against the effects of hypoxia when flying at altitudes in excess of 10,000ft.
Oronasal Mask Assembly
The Oronasal Mask Assembly has been designed in conjunction with the POD Unit, again as a key component of the HPASOS system. The mask comes with a fully integrated communications suite allowing voice communications over the existing aircraft network. The mask also benefits from a fully adjustable helmet interface which allows the user to quickly and easily drop the mask off the face when the aircraft is flying at an altitude where oxygen is not required, below 10,000ft.
Pneumatic Oxygen Delivery Unit
NSN–4240-99-616-8337
Oronasal Mask Assembly, Large
NSN-1660-99428-5561
Oronasal Mask Assembly, Small
Request for further information
Emergency Oxygen Systems
Military Systems


text: Q: Node and Mongo forEach loop l have a forEach loop that is iterating through my Json object of users to check if a certain users exists and if that user does not exist it must save the user but the problem l am having with the forEach is that is keeps on looping and the loop end up being infinite. l have noticed that the Break function does not work on the forEach loop. Does anyone have an idea of what l can do or use to break out of the forEach loop after it loops once.


Those in Colorado purchased over $122 million worth of marijuana and marijuana products in May, according to new data released by the state's Department of Revenue.
All together there was $122,868,216 worth of marijuana and marijuana products purchased legally in Colorado in May. This is a slight decrease from the $124 million sold in April.
Of the $122 million in marijuana sold in May, around $26.2 million came from the sale of medical marijuana, while the other $96.6 million came from those 21 and older purchasing marijuana for recreational purchases. From these sales, Colorado garnered nearly $20 million in tax revenue.
The new data brings the state's total marijuana sales for 2018 to around $610 million. This puts Colorado on track to sell around $1.5 billion in legal marijuana for 2018, which would be on par with the $1.5 billion sold in 2017, and slightly higher than the $1.3 billion sold in 2016.
Marijuana was legalized in Colorado in 2012, with marijuana retail outlets opening for business in 2014. Marijuana is taxed at 15% (plus the standard 2.9% statewide sales tax), with the revenue going towards schools, hospitals and roads.
The post Over $122 Million in Legal Marijuana Sold in Colorado in May appeared first on TheJointBlog.


Delete computer cookies from unwanted web sites on the fly. "Cookie Killer" detects new cookie as soon as your computer receives it from some web site. You can choose to add that web site to white list (to always accept cookies from it) or to black list (always remove). Or you can run "Cookie Killer" to remove all cookies, so you wont be asked about each new unknown domain, and any new received cookie (except those on white list) will be deleted. With "Cookie Killer" you can view each cookie, see information that it stores. This program uses military approved algorithm DoD 5220.22 to delete files so they can't be recovered. "Cookie Killer" includes funny sounds and plays them randomly when some cookie destroyed. Entire process is fun, but still provides maximum security. You can choose to disable sounds, or choose the ones that you like. Or even add yours.
Delete computer cookies on the fly. Cookie Killer detects new cookie as soon as your computer receives it from some web site. White/Black list supported. DDoD 5220.22 security algorithm supported.
Prevent Restore v.4.07 Professional utility to make impossible recovery of already deleted files and folders. Includes several modern security algorithms and military standarts, which makes process the most effective. The program also works with removable storage.
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Custom Database Software v.7.0 Create a custom database with your own fields and data.
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text:
Welcome to ABC Technology and Games. Skip to: Content Filter by Content Type Search
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Do's and Don'ts when upgrading your PC to play the latest games
Nick Ross ABC Technology and Games 25 Jun 2014
Want to play the latest PC games? It's probably not as straight forward as buying the latest graphics card.
I'd love to say that all of the below was done on purpose in order to illustrate what can go wrong when upgrading your PC. But the simple fact is, the more confident you are, the more likely you will be to charge into doing it without proper planning and you'll make things very difficult for yourself. Virtually everything that could go wrong, went wrong here. Hopefully, people can learn from it.
I wanted to play the latest games and see them at their best. For me it was Battlefield 4 that tipped me over the edge but what follows is true for all high-graphics games - especially ones which play online.
I thought I'd only need to replace the graphics card but ended up replacing virtually every component, installing a new Operating System from scratch and losing enormous amounts of data which had to be replaced from an online backup. Please learn from what I did. I can assure you that you won't want to do similar.
Here's a highly-distilled version of this article with key points:
Anytime you open your computer you can break something. You may juggle PC components at work for a living - this only makes it more likely that yours will break when you are extra careful with your own unit. Backup first!
No really, even if it's just the settings to your favourite programs, back them up. You might not ever see them again.
Power supplies are central to everything. Make sure you have a good one that offers stable power and the correct power connectors before you do anything. Don't expect the latest graphics card to just slot in and work.
Just because you have a new Core i7 processor, doesn't mean it will fit in your old motherboard's Core i7 socket.
Operating System installation crashes are nearly always RAM related.
Avoid Windows 8 for desktop PCs. Windows 7 is less likely to cause problems.
First issue - Graphics cards
All I thought I needed to do was replace the graphics card.
Originally I had two Nvidia GTX 560s plugged into a Gigabyte EX58 motherboard. However, the motherboard heatpipes below the second card overheated when the second card was used. The intermittent heat-related fault that ensued was very hard to pin down - the clue was that it crashed at regular time intervals after the system had started and warmed up. Overheating is usually a sign that a fan has failed, it's full of dust or that you have moved your computer somewhere with less air flow. On-screen aberrations can point to the graphics card being the problem.
Once isolated, no amount of extra fans could keep things cool enough so I had to settle for single card operation. But a single GTX 560 struggles to play Battlefield at 1280 x 800 resolution on Medium settings (it's fine for Call of Duty Ghosts on High settings - but that's rubbish). It was time for some more oomph so I got in an AMD Radeon R9 290.
The first thing to note is that all of the latest beast cards require a minimum 600 Watt Power Supply - the peak power draw can be over 300 Watts! My Cooler Master unit seemed to fit the bill. However, the first installation problem quickly occurred: it requires both an eight-pin and a six-pin power connector and my power supply didn't have any spare.
So for the first time in years I was phoning up local computer shops until I found a nearby one which sold me a Molex power connector adapter which converted a few old disc-drive power connectors into what I needed. First crisis averted. Or so I thought...
After booting, whenever the card fired-up properly the system died - a clear sign that there was not enough power flowing to the card. If this happens to you, stop trying to start the system and hope it gets better - it's extremely unhealthy for a PC to shut down in this way as something can break.
Issue 2 - the Power Supply
Quite simply, the cheap Cooler Master PSU (Power Supply Unit) was not capable of delivering STABLE power to the card. When gamers and geeks express the importance of 'CLEAN POWER' from an expensive, high-quality power supply, believe them. There's a great guide to buying on Whirlpool, here.
So I obtained an Antec 1000W High Current Pro Platinum Edition (1000W is overkill, but I need this to support future iterations of multiple graphics cards). With a ,modular unit like this, you only use the cables you need (no more dealing with robotic, mutant-octopus-like power supplies in your PC's case) and you just know that it's going to power anything you stick in your computer.
Old versus new. One power supply almost killed the computer and swamped it with octopus like tentacular-cables. The other didn't.
Turned everything on. It worked. I should probably have stopped at this point. I recommend you do too unless you have noticeable issues with the following...
Issue 3 - The CPU
It's worth noting that some of the latest games also need fast CPUs. So while all this was happening I sent out for a new Core i7 processor to replace my old Core i7 processor.
First things first - check the socket type of your processor. Not all Intel Core processors have the same socket - even if they are both i7s! At the same time - never ever do this without backing up your hard disk properly. There's more about this and the catastrophic consequences, below.
I discovered that the new chip wouldn't fit, only after dismantling the computer and removing the heatsink (which keeps the processor cool) - one of the worst jobs known to man.
But then a second problem hit me. The fiddling with the processor and heatsink (which usually involves literally stabbing at the motherboard with a screwdriver and cutting your hand to ribbons) had done something. Something terrible. And with the old processor replaced and the heatsink manipulated back into place (ugh), the computer wouldn't boot at all. This can be because there's not enough pressure on the CPU from the heatsink. But after excessive fiddling here and reseating every other component which might have come loose, I had a dead PC.
This all meant that I needed a new motherboard. And because it would be daft to buy an old model for the old CPU, I chose one that would use the latest CPU socket. That also meant getting a new heatsink and fan. Suddenly things were looking very expensive.
Issue 4 - The heatsink
This time, when obtaining a heatsink I plumped for Corsair's excellent H75. While this is technically a liquid-cooled system it's not too complicated to fit (you don't have to do your own plumbing as with other liquid coolers). A base unit screws onto the motherboard while a fan-chilled radiator is bolted onto the case's rear. Screwing the fans and radiator on all at once is a tricky business, but this may well be the first time I've replaced the CPU cooler without slicing my hands apart. Recommended!
You don't have to know much about heatsinks to know that it's easier to handle the one on the right than the traditional unit on the left.
Issue 5 - The Motherboard again
I sent out for a new motherboard and Intel-itself delivered one of its own. However, the problem with old motherboard review stock is that it's been used before - usually by overclockers - and the board wasn't in the best condition. But I only found that out down the line.
The Intel board wouldn't boot, but it would beep and the beeps indicated a memory problem. (I think we should have a rule that whenever you do a PC upgrade or fix, be sure to have another device that can still access the internet while your PC is in bits. Finding old manuals online and learning about similar issues that others have suffered is invaluable.)
After a great deal of trial and error, I established that only two of the memory slots on the board worked. This meant that the performance boost of having triple-channel memory was lost on me. It also meant that I had just two 2GB sticks of memory to work with. But there was another problem. A big one.
Issue 6 - The hard disk and Operating System
The old Intel X58 chipset is very different to current chipsets. Sometimes you can get away with attaching a hard disk to a new computer and it still boots. That's what I planned to do this time - and then install all the latest drivers (software which makes the hardware work).
Computer said 'No.'
It wouldn't get into Windows Safe Mode or anything. And I hadn't (knowingly) backed anything up.
Mercifully, the hard disk wasn't corrupt, so I hit F8 when starting up and chose the Command Prompt option. Here I was able to use the xcopy command to transfer all information onto a separate portable hard disk. Phew! Or so I thought.
When doing this, FOR PITY'S SAKE REMEMBER TO USE THE /H COMMAND TO ENSURE YOU COPY ALL THE HIDDEN FILES AND FOLDERS. The number of important things I lost here was enormous and it was only blind luck that got them back. You could lose settings for all of your important programs and huge databases like those used with Outlook and Picasa. Trust me. You don't want to lose them. There is more about xcopy commands here.
Issue 7 - Installing the Operating System
Working in a PC Lab for many years made one thing abundantly clear: if your OS Blue Screens during installation, it's virtually always the RAM. Once the OS is installed, you can use the same RAM and enjoy a stable environment. But if it starts Blue Screening when installing, only use one stick to install with. If that still fails, use one of the other sticks. Doing that really should work. And this fixed things for me.
As it was, now that I was confident of having all of my main hard disk (an Intel SSD) backed up, I opted for a clean install of Windows 8.
I've installed Windows 8 a few times before - as an upgrade. In each instance I've eventually got sick of its lag and stability issues and reverted back to Windows 7 - which has never given me a problem. However, I figured that a new computer meant it was time for a clean install of Windows 8 and that's what I did.
I will note at this point that I've tried upgrading operating systems since Windows 95. I don't think it's ever gone well. Microsoft happily sells upgrade packs but ALWAYS use them to perform a clean install. I've inevitably ended up swearing at my computer and wishing I'd never done it. Clean or nothing is a good rule to follow.
The Windows 8 installation is straight forward but, frankly, I still wish I hadn't bothered. Especially considering that there are many programs, drivers and apps which still struggle with the subsequent Windows 8.1 update. Everything on Windows 7 works and it will do for a long time to come. Plus, the determination of Microsoft to build the likes of Skype and OneDrive into the operating system makes life a problem if multiple people hop on to the one computer (as in my house) and want to use different Skype and OneDrive accounts but can't - unless you unlink your OS log-in with your online Microsoft account log-in - which suddenly stops other things working. The insistence of Windows 8 to use special apps instead of normal desktop programs is still a bane for me. I've found it works quite well on tablets. But if you've got a normal Desktop PC, I strongly recommend sticking with Windows 7. I miss it all the time.
Issue 8 - Motherboards again
So I needed more than 4GB of RAM to actually work and a new Gigabyte X79-UP4 was requisitioned - at this point I wanted something which was likely to be reliable above all. There have been no problems yet and it's been running for months. The layout and power supply has also meant that running two Radeon R9 290s in CrossFire has been possible with no overheating.
Gigabyte's X79-UP4 has been very reliable so far.
That said, somewhere on this earth is a person who will make it simple to install and uninstall the backplane cover to the motherboard I/O ports on a PC case. Wherever you are, please hurry up and invent the new standard as the existing one has sucked since forever.
Issue 9 - RAM
This wasn't an essential upgrade, but when you're updating an old PC to a cutting-edge behemoth, there shouldn't be any potential bottlenecks.
In my case the 6GB of 1600MHz Corsair RAM that I had might have contributed to poor gaming performance at high-settings. Much later down the line, after abundant testing, I established that it didn't. Nonetheless, the new latest 12GB version of the same Corsair RAM has never caused any issues and I know that there's headroom for the future.
Issue 10 - Hard Disk
When Battlefield first launched it could take some people, but not all, more than a minute to connect to a server. While this has likely been fixed to some degree by now, I can verify that installing the game file onto your boot SSD fixes this issue. If you're playing a beefy game regularly - especially if it's online - you really don't want to be using a mechanical hard disk. Even then, I've used some cheap and cheerful SSDs in my time which have usually suffered from major stability issues. But, for what it's worth, neither of my Intel models have ever had a problem. I recommend those.
Issue 11 - CrossFire
Using two graphics cards at once can make games faster. But don't expect double the performance - the difference can be very small. However, as I've learned over the years, using two cards can also make a game go slower. If a game is new and the graphics drivers aren't optimised for a certain game, that game can run horrendously. Turning off CrossFire (or SLI with Nvidia cards) usually provides an instant fix - assuming you're already using the latest drivers.
12, 13, 14 and many more issues - Software
Not backing up Steam or Origin files beforehand was a major headache. Even if your Steam files are secured on a different hard disk, you can't re-use them. Not preparing properly for the transferral of Outlook, Adobe Creative Suite, Filezilla, Picasa, Firefox and many other programs also caused big problems. We'll cover the software issues that I had to deal with, plus how to avoid them, in the follow-up article.
Hopefully, the above is helpful and you can avoid what I did off the back of it! Let us know if you have any tips or tricks to add.
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text:
Lismor Records was started in 1973 as an offshoot of a small chain of four records shops in Glasgow selling traditional Scottish music. Over the years the label released the very best of all styles of Scottish recordings and the label is still in existence today with a catalogue of over 400 albums. Andy released three albums on Lismor from 1983-1988.
Come In, Come In
1983 brought a new album on the Lismor label (applauded by Andy for "taking a punt on so many and varied aspects of the sounds of Scotland, from pop to pibroch!"). The album is a well arranged and performed mixture of songs both old and new, many included by request. On this record Andy pays tribute to his friend and former songwriting partner who sadly passed away in the same year.
From the original sleeve notes:
"I should like to dedicate this album to the memory of Iain MacFadyen who tragically died in April of this year.
As a BBC Producer, and latterly Head of Light Entertainment, BBC Scotland, Iain was responsible over the years for many programmes that represented his own deep love and caring for our music and entertainment. His was the idea, away back in 1957 to produce a television show that would be a show-case for the dance music, for the songs, traditional and contemporary, for the humour, in verse and prose, of his native land. Thus 'The White Heather Club' came into being and the rest is history.
Apart from his talents as a Producer, Iain had a fine talent for writing music and his name, often in his nom-de-plume of Neil Grant, appears below the title of many songs.
Of the 14 songs on this album, Iain wrote the music for four, to the words of yours truly - 'Come In, Come In', 'The Lads of Bonnie Scotland', 'Lassie come and Dance with Me' and 'The Girl from Glasgow Town'. But Iain's contribution to the healthy state of music and culture cannot be measured solely in terms of song title; he is sorely missed and is a great loss, both professionally and personally."
'Come In, Come In', the title track, is the first of four classic Stewart/Grant compositions and as such needs no introduction. 'The Dark Island', first appearing on 1971's 'Here's Tae You' had become another popular request for live performance, and this recording is a true match for the seventies version. 'Corn Rigs' is one of Robert Burns' earliest works; the typically lusty ode is thought to have been inspired by one of Burns' girlfriends, either Annie Blair or Annie Ronald. 'The Rumour', the eternally popular "Andylogue" is spread around once more, followed by a "new" song added to Andy's recorded repertoire; 'I'm Dan Your Man', a popular Irish song with writing accredited confusingly to several different composers. 'Amazing Grace', the well-known hymn written by clergyman John Newton in 1779 is recorded here (the first recording of a hymn on a Stewart album) alongside 'The Lord's My Shepherd' (the 23rd Psalm) and the Stewart/Grant collaboration 'Lassie Come and Dance' finishes side one.
Side two begins with a brand-new Stewart composition 'They're Playin' Country Music'. In this song Andy's discovers the popularity of Country Music wherever he travels in Scotland. Because this track is played strictly for fun - complete with Johnny Cash and Elvis impressions - it succeeds and is one of the highlights of the album. Andy re-visits a track from his 'Country Boy' album 'Together Again' and follows it with another Stewart/Grant composition, the lesser known 'The Lads of Bonnie Scotland'. 'Ra Wee Cock Sparra' will of course always be associated with Andy's friend and colleague Duncan Macrae, and Andy's recording here is suitably performed in character as Macrae. 'Danny Boy' is up next, another song that has been performed, almost to death (!) and as such needs no introduction. But, perhaps surprisingly, Andy delivers an excellent version here. The arrangement is simple, and Andy's voice holds up well. The notes are spot-on and the song builds to a satisfying climax. Another standout track. In comparison, Andy seems to struggle a bit with the strident 'Scotland Yet'. This particular song demands a powerful delivery that, nearly twenty years after his original powerhouse recording, Andy just can't quite provide. 'The Girl from Glasgow Town' ends the album with another fond reminder of the late Iain MacFadyen.
Whilst not one of Andy's best known albums, overall despite a couple of rough spots, this record contains some very respectable recordings.
Label: Lismor Deluxe
Catalogue Number: LIDL 6008
COME IN, COME IN (Stewart/Grant) / THE DARK ISLAND (Maclachlan) / CORN RIGS (Trad.arr. Simpson) / THE RUMOUR (Stewart) / I'M DAN YOUR MAN (McDill) / AMAZING GRACE (Trad.arr. Simpson) / LASSIE COME AND DANCE WITH ME (Stewart/Grant) / THEY'RE PLAYING COUNTRY MUSIC (Stewart) / TOGETHER AGAIN (Owens) / THE LADS O' BONNIE SCOTLAND (Stewart/Grant) / RA WEE COCK SPARRA (Traditional) / DANNY BOY (Trad.arr. Simpson) / SCOTLAND YET (Stewart) / THE GIRL FROM GLASGOW TOWN (Stewart/Grant)
Producer Bob McDowall.
Musical Director Mark Simpson.
Engineer Clark Sorley.
Graphics Donald George (Photo-Litho)
Photography Harry Turner - Mono Press
A Burns Supper
A Night of a Thousand Tributes
This is an excellent double album release, both for Burns aficionados and Stewart fans alike. John Cairney, Moira Anderson, Ian Powrie, Kenneth McKellar, Russell Hunter and Andy Stewart - who could want more? Andy provides two recitals here; a spirited ode to 'The Haggis' and a most remarkable version of 'Tam O' Shanter'. The latter alone makes the album well worth acquiring.
"I've been to Burns Suppers, The grandest and the least, But the ane we had frae West Sound Was nae supper, 'twas a feast!
A thousand cam' frae a' the airts, An' had't been a thousan' mile, There wasna ane but wad agree, Their journey was worthwhile!
This is a record of that nicht's By-ornar famous ploy; We wish ye pleasure as we say Sit back - an' share its joy." Andy Stewart
Label: Lismor Deluxe Double
Catalogue Number: LDDL 8001
INTRODUCTION Joe Campbell / BURNS SELECTION: A Man's a Man for A' That - Duncan Gray - Coming Thro' the Rye - My Love She's but a Lassie yet John Carmichael & his Band / BURNS GRACE AT KIRKCUDBRIGHT Joe Campbell / THE HAGGIS Andy Stewart / JOHN McMILLAN OF BARRA (Norman MacDonald) / MAGGIE CAMERON / COL. D.J.S. MURRAY (P/M A. MacDonald) Iain MacFadyen - Piper / THE IMMORTAL MEMORY John Cairney / OH WHISTLE AND I'LL COME TO YOU MY LAD Moira Anderson / AYRSHIRE - LAND OF BURNS The Rt. Hon. George Younger / THE COCK O' THE NORTH / HOO DINNAE YE PLAY MAIR Ian Powrie - Fiddle / MARGARET ANNE ROBERTSON (F. Jamieson) Ian Powrie - Fiddle / THE LASSIES Lionel Daiches Q.C. / GREEN GROW THE RUSHES Kenneth McKellar / THE GALLANT WEAVER Moira Anderson / REPLY TO THE TOAST TO THE LASSIES Jean Anderson / THE ATHOLL HIGHLANDERS / BONNIE DUNDEE John Carmichael & his Band / HOLY WILLIE'S PRAYER Russell Hunter / THE CORN RIGS ARE BONNIE / FLOWERS OF EDINBURGH Ian Powrie - Fiddle / AFTON WATER Kenneth McKellar / TAM O' SHANTER Andy Stewart / A ROSEBUD BY MY EARLY WALK Moira Anderson / SCOTS WHA' HA'E Kenneth McKellar / AULD LANG SYNE John Cairney & The Company
All tracks Trad. except where noted.
Produced for Lismor by Bob McDowall.
Produced for West Sound Radio by John McCauley.
Recorded live at the Hospitality Inn Glasgow.
Engineer Brian Yound - Ca Va Sound Workshop.
Re-mixed at Sirocco Studio, Engineer Clark Sorley.
Front cover of stained glass window at the Cottage Museum Alloway. By kind courtesy of the trustees of Burns monument and Cottage Alloway
Designed by Geo-Graphics
Back to the Bothy
A full five years had gone by since Andy's last album, and in the intervening time much had been made of Andy's supposed "retirement" (which only lasted about a year) due to the on-going nature of his health. This album is essentially Andy's last specifically recorded album, and is a delight.
Andy provided the sleeve notes explaining the choices of songs:
"'Back to the Bothy' is an apt title for this my latest recording.
Not a lot of people know this! but at one time I had a yearning to be a vet, and so spent all my holidays working on farms near Arbroath, where I picked up a few bothy songs. I was also lucky to have two friends in Arbroath who were keen collectors of the Ballads - George Lowe and George Shepherd and they were of great assistance to me in this.
I was lucky to have great backing musicians on this recording. My pianist Mark Simpson (with me now for 21 years), Roy Sneddon who is tops as far as drumming goes; our two accordionists Jim Johnstone and Gordon Pattullo - household names in the accordion world: Dave Barclay who played with the Ian Powrie Band on my first White Heather Club - 30 years ago and Duncan Findlay Scotland's No.1 on guitar and banjo.
We thought we'd stick to the real classic ballads, giving them a new treatment, so you'll find all the old favourites here. I must mention 'An Auld Maid in a Garret' which apart from being a stottin' song is a special friend of a very good friend of mine Doddie Kemp, who is my oldest friend in Aberdeen and one of nature's gentlemen."
'MacFarlane O' the Sprotts O' Burnieboozie', the tale of farm-worker feuding gets us underway quickly followed by 'Nicky Tams' (the name given to the string that keeps a farm-hand's trousers out of the mud). These perfect pair of comic songs are perfect examples of the doric song and it is sheer enjoyment to hear them performed so well and with obvious delight. 'The Road and the Miles to Dundee' is a well-worn path by now, receiving another fresh recording here. 'The Barnyards of Delgaty' revives more Aberdeenshire hi-jinks and 'The Sunday Painter' is an "Andylogue" first published way back in 1961 (but never recorded until now) telling the tale of an under-appreciated amateur artist. 'An Auld Maid in a Garret' is a "new" bothy-song added to Andy's catalogue, being the comic tale of an unfortunate spinster and her longing for a suitor. 'Maggie' and 'The Muckin' O' Geordie's Byre' close side one in familiar style.
Side two begins with new renditions of 'The Bonnie Lass O' Fyvie' and 'Kissin in the Dark', the latter, of course, being a self-penned bothy "classic". Slowing things down a little Andy performs his 'My Ain Lass' written with Jimmy Blue in 1975. Stepping out again with 'Mormond Braes' Andy takes us again for 'A Dauner Roon the Toon' ending up at the horse fair at 'Aikey Braes'. 'D'Ye Mind Lang Syne' was one of the most regularly performed songs that was not one of his own, and here it is revived once more. Back to 1961 to finish off and the supper is still going strong at Balmannocks in 'McGinty's Meal and Ale'.
These recordings of the "Bothy Songs", appear relaxed and natural and at this stage in his life these songs now particularly suited his vocal ability.
MACFARLANE O' THE SPROATS O' BURNIE BOOZIE / NICKY TAMS / THE ROAD AND THE MILES TO DUNDEE / THE BARNYARDS OF DELGATY / THE SUNDAY PAINTER (Stewart) / AN AULD MAID IN A GARRET / MAGGIE / THE MUCKIN' O' GEORDIE'S BYRE / THE BONNIE LASS O' FYVIE / KISSING IN THE DARK (Stewart/Grant) / MY AIN LASS (Stewart/Blue) / MORMOND BRAES / A DAUNDER ROON THE TOON (Stewart) / AIKEY BRAE (G.S. Morris) / DAE YE MIND LANG SYNE (Rev. Dr. Lawrie) / McGINTY'S MEAL AND ALE
All tracks traditional non copyright except where noted.
Produced by Bob McDowall.
Engineer Frank Reader and Clark Sorley at Sirocco.
Graphics Donnie George.


text:
Jefferson Airplane's Paul Kantner dies at 74
Posted on January 31, 2016 by hobo hippie
Jefferson Airplane: 12 Essential Songs »
Jefferson Airplane. White Rabbit. Live Woodstock 1969. Original video
https://youtu.be/c2yQLXTuctA
Jefferson Airplane – Somebody To Love (Live at Woodstock Music & Art Fair, 1969)
https://youtu.be/2EdLasOrG6c
The musician had been in ill health in recent years, with Kantner suffering a heart attack in March 2015, according to the paper.
With Jefferson Airplane, Kantner helped pioneer the oft-imitated psychedelic sound: simple, fuzzy guitar lines steeped in dreamlike reverb. The group formed in 1965 and, within a few years, scored hits with "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit." In their first run, five of the band's seven albums went gold, including 1967's Surrealistic Pillow and 1968's Crown of Creation.
Verging on a breakup in the early Seventies, Kantner recorded a solo album, Blows Against the Empire, with Jefferson Airplane singer Grace Slick, crediting it to Paul Kantner and Jefferson Starship. The album was nominated for a Hugo Award presented to the best science-fiction and fantasy works. After formalizing the band Jefferson Starship, the band went on to greater commercial success than Jefferson Airplane, scoring platinum and gold records, including the double-platinum 1975 record Red Octopus. Kantner quit the group in 1984, but would rejoin in 1992 and continue to play with them until his death.
"Our condolences go out to the friends, family and fans of Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane on the news of his passing," members of the Doors wrote on their Facebook page. "Music would not be the same without the sounds of The Doors and Jefferson Airplane, which both contributed so heavily to the signature sound of the Sixties and Seventies."
Paul Lorin Kantner was born on March 17th, 1941 in San Francisco. His father was a traveling salesman, according to the Chronicle, and he was sent to military school after his mother's death. He found inspiration in science-fiction books and folk music, dropping out of college to pursue music.
Jefferson Airplane came together after Kantner began playing in a folk group with former actor turned singer and guitarist Marty Balin and vocalist Signe Toly Anderson. The group subsequently brought in guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady. Balin plucked Skip Spence, a guitarist, for drums because he "looked like a drummer," and with the first lineup complete they commenced playing rock reminiscent of early Beatles, folk, blues and ballads. The year they formed, they became the first San Francisco band to sign to a major label.
The group's 1966 debut, Jefferson Airplane Takes Off, was a modest hit, charting in the lower half of the Top 200, but their fortune would change when lineup changes would welcome model-turned-singer Grace Slick, who'd been playing with the Great Society, into the fold.
With her powerful voice, the band recorded their breakthrough hits and became one of the defining bands of acid rock's free-love movement, printing bumper stickers that read "Jefferson Airplane Loves You." Their 1967 album, Surrealistic Pillow – which marked a turn toward more understated guitar playing with overtones of jazz and even Indian sensibility – brought the "San Francisco sound" to the mainstream. Later that year, they'd score a lesser hit with "The Ballad of You and Me and Pooneil," a harder-rocking song that Kantner wrote that would become the lead track on their After Bathing at Baxter's album.
Kantner's writing would become more politicized toward the end of the Sixties, and as Jefferson Airplane became falling apart – with Kaukonen and Casady forming Hot Tuna – and Balin leaving, the guitarist stepped into a larger role. He and Slick collaborated with several other San Francisco musicians.
After putting out Blows Against the Empire, which featured members of Crosby, Stills and Nash and the Grateful Dead, Kantner and Slick formed Jefferson Starship. Balin returned to the fold in time for Red Octopus, a Number One album, and the group's mainstream rock ambitions came into focus. The album's lush "Miracles" earned them a Number Three hit, and their next two albums – 1976's Spitfire and 1978's Earth – would also earn them Top 10 singles. By 1980, though, Kantner was the only original Jefferson Airplane member left in the lineup. He suffered a cerebral hemorrhage that year but recovered and continued with the band.
In 1984, he left the group and formed a legal agreement with the other members that they could not use the "Jefferson" name without the approval of all respective members. Slick kept her band's momentum with Starship, which earned a big hit with "We Built This City," without Kantner.
Kantner and Jefferson Airplane would reform in 1989, when they put out a self-titled album, and again in 1996, when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Kantner put together Jefferson Starship – The Next Generation in 1992, which led to a trademark infringement suit with his former bandmates. He would continue to play with them, eventually dropping the Star Trek-y part of their name and putting out two albums, until his death.
Outside of his main bands, Kantner recorded two albums with Slick and a 1983 solo record, Planet Earth Rock and Roll Orchestra. He also recorded with the KBC Band, which featured fellow Airplane members Balin and Casady.
In 1970, Rolling Stone asked Kantner why it was important for him to play live. "[We're] trying to make consciousness," he said. "Pointing things out. Just make people enjoy themselves. We didn't even know what we were doing when we started doing it. Looking back, all we were saying was, 'Look, we're having a good time.' And nothing else. Just sitting around having a good time with all this shit going on around us. Pretty soon people start filtering in, saying, 'Hey, they're having a good time.'"
Kantner is survived by three children: Gareth, Alexander and China.
Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/jefferson-airplane-guitarist-paul-kantner-dead-at-74-20160128#ixzz3yqGgsrwT
#ana_christy#jefferson_airplane#paul_kantner#guitarist#beatnikhiway.com
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Artwork of Ulki from Path of Radiance.
Artwork of Ulki from Radiant Dawn.
A member of the hawk clan of the bird tribe laguz. He is one of King Tibarn's most trusted soldiers. He possesses tremendous hearing and employs the skill Vigilance.
Ulki (Japanese: ヤナフ Janaff) acts as Tibarn's ears alongside Janaff who works as the king's eyes.
Ulki is one of two main hawk laguz available through midgame and on. Due to his class, he has high mobility and flight (but no canto); he is one of very few flying units that can shove. Ulki's speed is average when transformed, enough to double some lategame units but not most. He is also restricted to 1-range and has average durability (though a respectable health base and Vigilance help), so his enemy phase is weak. His transformation gauge takes a few turns to transform, so for most playthroughs, he will typically transform just after the player has engaged the enemy. He can use a demi band to start transformed, but his attack power suffers and he will double even less.
Ulki has excellent growths in strength, skill, and speed. However, his speed growth is not enough to quickly fix his base speed, and he is stuck with 1-range combat and no forges, severely limiting his offense. His defensive growths are mediocre for a laguz unit, though this is mitigated by Vigilance. Both at base and in the long-run, he is ultimately outclassed by mounted fliers, his only useful niche being his ability to shove.
Ulki has the Vigilance skill which gives him an innate boost to avoid. This gives Ulki high avoid despite his mediocre speed and luck, helping compensate for his mediocre durability. Adept and Wrath complement his good skill and health stats, respectively, and give him a necessary offensive boost. Smite can make him a more useful niche flying shover, though his low weight severely limits his shoving utility. His mastery skill, Cancel, is a useful defensive skill and is one of the better uses of the Occult scrolls, if the player wants to use Ulki long-term.
Ulki has a water affinity which gives a useful attack and defense boost. All of his partners have either a water or fire affinity, ensuring he will always get a full attack boost with each support. In particular, Mordecai gives a significant +3 attack and defense boost at A support, and he is another laguz unit with a similar laguz gauge. Boyd and Rhys work fine, though both are beorc units with different roles from Ulki.
Note: The above stats are Ulki's default stats. If a Radiant Dawn game was started via a data transfer from Path of Radiance, any stat Ulki capped in Path of Radiance will result in a boost to his base in the stat in question in Radiant Dawn.
Ulki is one of two hawks that joins Ike's group in chapter 3-7 and onward. As a hawk laguz, he has high mobility, flight, and canto, making him a very flexible unit. He is also one of few flying units in the game that can shove. He has excellent offensive stats all around, having enough speed to double everything and enough strength to one-round many despite his low base strike rank. Ulki has one of the highest avoids in the game thanks to his amazing speed and luck, and Vigilance. With this, his durability is excellent despite having average defense, but he is vulnerable to especially crossbows. As a laguz unit, he has a maintainable laguz gauge, allowing him to face a respectable number of units in combat before depleting to zero. He will generally need laguz stones or olivi grass to remain transformed, though he is more flexible than other laguz classes. Path of Radiance Ulki does not have a realistic chance of capping any stats, so the most benefit he can get from a transfer is a bond support.
Ulki has a good health and speed growth for a laguz unit, capping both early enough to buff his weaker growths like strength and skill. His experience gain will generally be low as a higher-level laguz; however, improving his strike rank is more significant than gaining strength and skill, as he gains +5 attack from each rank up. Ultimately his bases are enough to carry him until endgame, and by then a maxed strike rank turns him into a formidable endgame unit.
Ulki has the innate Vigilance skill which gives him a valuable avoid boost. He is an excellent candidate for a Satori Sign, as his base level is two away from learning Tear which boosts his offense. Adept complements Ulki's excellent speed and boosts his offense, especially because Ulki's attack is frequently just below the threshold needed to 2-shot tougher enemies.
Ulki has a water affinity which gives an attack and defense boost. As Ulki's attack power is often just under the threshold of one-rounding enemies, this boost is extremely valuable to him. Fliers that give an attack boost benefit Ulki the most, including Sigrun and Marcia, as it helps him break the threshold of 2-shotting tankier enemies. A unit with an earth affinity can complement Ulki's avoid and Vigilance to make him even more ridiculously dodgy, though it may be overkill.
Despite being the new king's left arm, Ulki still loved solitude, spending his free time in long-deserted locales.
— Ulki, in chapter 17-4 of Path of Radiance.
— Ulki, in Radiant Dawn.
— An unused quote intended to be Ulki's escape quote in Path of Radiance.
— Ulki, when fighting Naesala in chapter 19 of Path of Radiance.
Ulki is currently featured on one card in Fire Emblem Cipher.
"I can hear it. Seems like the enemies are lying in wait..."
Vigilance: [Always] Your opponent's cards lose their support skills, and cannot gain new ones.
Hawk King's Left Arm: [Always] If you have an ally "Tibarn", this unit can attack any enemy regardless of this unit's range.
For more detailed strategic information on these cards, see their TCG wiki article on Ulki .
Japanese ウルキ Officially romanized as Vulci.
German Ajuga The name "Ulki" was changed to "Ajuga", due to it's meaning in the German language although the "g" letter in "Ulkig" is missing. The meaning of "Ulkig" is "disgusting" or "gross".