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Tsuro of the Seas
Costruisci il tuo Percorso evitando che gli avversari ti deviano nella direzione sbagliata o fuori del tabellone! Tsuro è un gioco da tavolo veloce in cui le sorti possono cambiare così facilmente come le direzioni da seguire. Tsuro of the Seas riprende le meccaniche di Tsuro (sopravvivere sul tabellone) introducendo mostri marini.
Punti di forza del gioco:
Tsuro è divertente, veloce e intrigante!
Desing elegante e regole di facile apprensione
Ottimo investimentoâ€"divertente per tutta la famiglia
Contenuto della Scatola:
1 tabellone di gioco
2 dadi
8 navi imperiali giapponesi
56 tessere "wake"
10 tessere "daikaiju"
Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UplayitQuandoIlGiocoSiFaInScatola/~3/yHPO6u9zyIA/tsuro-of-seas.html
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Zombicide (Edizione Inglese)
Zombicide è un gioco cooperativo ambientato in un classico futuro catastrofico, di durata variabile (da 20 minuti della mappa base fino a 3 ore per gli scenari più difficili). Ciascun giocatore controlla da 1 a 4 Sopravvissuti (4 nel gioco in solitario) che si improvvisano cacciatori di zombi per aumentare le loro possibilità di vedere un altro giorno in questo difficile, difficile mondo morente. O non morto, come volete...
Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/UplayitQuandoIlGiocoSiFaInScatola/~3/2-QeiTqpRE8/zombicide-edizione-inglese.html
Google bringing faster WiFi to 7,000 US Starbucks stores
Google and Starbucks are teaming up to boost WiFi speeds at all 7,000 Starbucks stores in the US. The move, which should be complete within 18 months, is a major loss for ATT, the chain's contracted ISP to date. Google claims that you'll experience WiFi speeds up to 10x faster than what's currently available, with a 100x boost in Google Fiber cities like Austin, Provo and KC. The rollout will begin in August -- if you see "Google Starbucks" as an available SSID, you'll know your store has been tapped with boosted access.
Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/31/google-starbucks-wifi/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget
Samsung's 14-megapixel WB250 point-and-shoot now posts directly to Evernote
Samsung Brings Evernote to the WB250F SMART Camera
Evernote Gives Consumers a Fast and Simple Way to Sync Favorite Snapshots Across Devices
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – July 31, 2013 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced the integration of Evernote into its WB250F SMART Camera. Coupled with Samsung's SMART Camera 2.0 technologies, the addition of Evernote gives users a new way to capture and sync photos across any device that has Evernote installed.
The new Evernote feature integration is available starting today to users in the United States via a software update to currently-owned and newly-purchased WB250F SMART Cameras. The WB250F SMART Camera also comes with three months of the Evernote Premium service (a $15 value) that includes a higher upload allowance per month (up to 1GB), more sharing options and faster image processing.1"Consumers want to take great pictures that they can share with their family and friends," said Ron Gazzola, Vice President of Marketing for Digital Imaging. "With the addition of Evernote to Samsung's WB250F, users can now seamlessly sync their images across devices and share their photo memories with other Evernote users."The Wi-Fi enabled Samsung Smart Camera allows consumers to capture images and share them on popular social media sites or via email when connected to a Wi-Fi network. The integration with Evernote is just the latest way that the WB250F SMART Camera can help users do more with the photos they take. With Evernote, users will now be able to instantly and securely sync their photos to all of their personal devices that have the Evernote app installed including their PCs, smart phones and tablets. From there, users can privately share their photos with friends and family via Evernote.
In addition to enabling consumers to connect and share, the 14.2 megapixel WB250F also gives them the ability to take great photos with a BSI CMOS sensor, 18x optical zoom and full manual (P/S/A/M) modes. With a touch-screen LCD display and five-way navigational keys, users can easily adjust the WB250F to their preferences. The Smart Camera also captures everyone's best shot with the Best Face feature and allows users to shoot like a pro and achieve full creativity in varying conditions using Smart Mode and the Motion Photo feature.
The Samsung WB250F (MSRP: $249.99) is available in white, cobalt black, gun metal and red from authorized Samsung retailers and at www.Samsung.com. Newly purchased cameras will come with the Evernote Premium redemption code in the box. Evernote Premium codes can be redeemed at go.evernote.com/samsungcamera.
Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/31/samsungs-wb250-evernote/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget
The Guardian: NSA's XKeyscore tool is its 'widest reaching' system for collecting online data
Edward Snowden has said that he still has more information about the NSA than what he's already leaked, and we're now getting a look at another big piece of that. According to a new set of documents provided to The Guardian, the NSA is using a tool called XKeyscore that is said to be its "widest reaching" system for collecting information from the internet -- one that lets it examine "nearly everything a typical user does on the internet," as one presentation slide explains. That apparently includes both metadata and the contents of emails, as well as social media activity, which can reportedly be accessed by NSA analysts without prior authorization; as The Guardian notes, a FISA warrant is required if the target of the surveillance is a US citizen, but not if a foreign target is communicating with an American.
According to The Guardian, the amount of data collected is so large that content is only able to stored in the system for three to five days, or as little as 24 hours in some cases, while metadata is stored for 30 days. That's reportedly led the NSA to develop a multi-tiered system that lets it move what's described as "interesting" content to other databases where it can be stored for as much as five years. In a statement provided to The Guardian, the NSA says that "XKeyscore is used as a part of NSA's lawful foreign signals intelligence collection system," and that "allegations of widespread, unchecked analyst access to NSA collection data are simply not true. Access to XKeyscore, as well as all of NSA's analytic tools, is limited to only those personnel who require access for their assigned tasks." The agency further adds that "every search by an NSA analyst is fully auditable, to ensure that they are proper and within the law."
Follow the Saga
NSA PRISM Program
The Guardian: NSA's XKeyscore tool is its 'widest reaching' system for collecting online data
Jul 31st 2013 9:58AM
Washington Post: Russia may grant NSA leaker Edward Snowden formal entry
Jul 24th 2013 10:34AM
UK surveillance agency off the hook, legally, for PRISM
Jul 17th 2013 7:50AM
Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/31/nsa-xkeyscore-leak/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget
Trace collects your kick, push, coasting metrics, shares them on social media
Meet Trace - A Device That Makes Action Sports Measurable, Sharable and Comparable
Runners and bikers have all sorts of tools and gadgets that monitor their activities and progress. But the same is not true for Action Sports like Surfing, Skateboarding, Skiing and Snowboarding. Today, ActiveReplay is launching Trace, a new and on of a kind device that makes action sports measurable, sharable and comparable, via a Kickstarter campaign. Trace is the first piece of technology that can correctly and automatically identify performance and tricks as they are being performed by skaters, skiers, snowboarders and surfers. Action Sports athletes will finally be able to look back on their day, see how many tricks they landed or waves they caught, and be able to share all of this information with their family and friends. ActiveReplay's goal is to raise $150,000 to begin production of Trace.
Trace is a small, rugged, and durable device with 9-axis inertial sensors, advanced multi-Hz GPS, and Bluetooth 4.0,that measures a huge amount of events and tricks athletes perform in skiing, snowboarding, surfing and skating. The athlete can then compare and share those metrics with leaderboards and their networks via social media. Trace consists of two parts: the data collection pod and the mount. Attaching and activating Trace is easy: The mount is attached to any hard surface like a board or helmet. Trace slides in the mount. The athlete pushes a button and begins their sport.
When an athlete completes a session, Trace will connect with their smartphone and send the data to ActiveReplay servers for processing. Within seconds, the athlete will be able to see all of their data, beautifully laid out and easy to read on their phone. Athletes will be able to share their session sheets on Facebook and Twitter, and compare their performance on the leader board.
"Trace is really easy to use: just turn it on and go. We'll take care of the rest. And the metrics you can gain from it are truly amazing. No more bragging to friends about an amazing wave or new trick without having a way to prove that it happened. We keep track of speed, time, distance, and calories. When you pull tricks like 360s our algorithms will measure your airtime, jump height, and rotation," said ActiveReplay CEO Dr. Anatole Lokshin. "We are introducing Trace based on the popularity of our flagship product, AlpineReplay, which has become the largest social network of skiers and snowboarders in the world. Since its launch, AlpineReplay has skiers in 43 countries and more than 1,400 resorts worldwide. AlpineReplay athletes logged 460,000 ski days, 5.1 billion feet of vertical and 2.5 million jumps this past season. We're now expanding this concept to other action sports. We are confident that Trace will transform action sports with stats never before seen for amateur and professional athletes."
For skaters, Trace will identify tricks, track speed, map out lines and more. If the trick was landed poorly or the board didn't rotate all the way around, Trace will track that, too. Trace already has established an initial set of identifiable tricks like ollies, nollies, kickflips, 360 flips, impossibles and more.
"This trick set will only get bigger," added Dr. Lokshin. "As skaters start to use it, we'll be able to identify more and more tricks."
For surfers, Trace will identify break, waves caught, speed, airs, turns and more. From the moment the surfer paddles out, Trace is collecting data. Every time a surfer catches a wave, Trace calculates max speed, average speed and length of wave in both time and distance. If a surfer boosts an air, Trace measures how high they got, how long they were in the air and distance traveled.
For skiers and snowboarders, Trace identifies resort location, lifts and trails, as well as speed, vertical, air and more. Trace takes AlpineReplay to the next level. All data will now have sub-second level of accuracy. In addition to max speed, vertical distance, distance traveled, calories, number of jumps and airtime, Trace will also be able to identify tricks like 360s, backflips and more.
ActiveReplay's management team includes Dr. Lokshin, who in addition to his duties as CEO, also leads the ActiveReplay Math Team which focuses on algorithm development. He also supervises hardware development and production. Dr. Lokshin formerly served as VP and CTO of Magellan Navigation, where he led teams which pioneered and commercialized consumer GPS, created first digital mapping, 3D mapping, released the first PND, and shipped millions of units of hardware to consumers. Before working at Magellan, Dr. Lokshin was part of the technical staff at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory where he worked on robotic arms for the space station and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) project. He holds an MS in Physics from Polytechnic University St. Petersburg, Russia. He also holds a Ph.D. and EE USC.
David Lokshin is Active Replay's VP of Products, managing the engineering workflow and web and mobile products. After earning his A.B. with honors in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University, he traded FX options for Barclays in Singapore where he was responsible for the Philippine Peso and Malaysian Ringgit options books. Lokshin has been writing code and leading product for ActiveReplay since inception, building the products he wanted as a kid, surfing, skating, and snowboarding in California.
Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/31/trace-kickstarter/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget
US government declassifies documents concerning telephonic data collection
Today brings another victory for transparency as the US government has just declassified three documents pursuant to the collection of telephonic metadata authorized by section 215 of the PATRIOT Act. The documents, released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, include the 2009 and 2011 reports concerning the reauthorization of the PATRIOT Act as well as the order for business record collection. During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the subject, NSA Deputy Director John Inglis made public for the first time the mechanism for accessing the metadata at the government's disposal. According to Inglis, telephonic information -- which does not include names, addresses, or social security numbers -- exists in databases but cannot be accessed without reasonable suspicion of association with terrorists. Deputy Attorney General James Cole went on to say, "Nobody is listening to anybody's conversations." This revelation might be cold comfort to those concerned about the government's ownership of this data to begin with, but it does pull back the curtain somewhat on the NSA's policies and procedures. To read these declassified -- and heavily redacted -- documents in full, head on over to the source link below.
Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/31/us-government-declassifies-telephonic-data-documents/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget
ASUS MeMo Pad HD 7 review: a budget tablet that punches above its weight
To some extent, ASUS is a victim of its own success: it gave the budget tablet category a boost with the original Nexus 7, and it now faces a legion of competitors in that space. The company is taking a two-step approach to maintaining its relevance. The new Nexus 7 tackles the higher end, with top-tier specs that include a 1080p display and wireless charging. Right now, though, we're more interested in ASUS' low-end solution, the MeMo Pad HD 7. While it's one of the cheaper name-brand tablets at $150, it promises some of the quality we typically expect from more expensive products. But is the HD 7 good enough to fend off other entry-level tablets? And can it attract customers who'd be willing to pay the premium for a new Nexus 7'? Let's find out.
ASUS MeMo Pad HD 7 review
Despite its name, the MeMo Pad HD 7 bears little in common with the older 7-inch MeMo Pad. The nondescript black front and curvy profile are familiar, but ASUS has replaced the textured backing with a smooth surface that's either matte on the dark blue model, or glossy on the green, pink and white versions. Consider getting the HD 7 in white if you want to keep it pretty -- the back is prone to showing fingerprints and other smudges. ASUS' build quality is reasonably solid too, although some slight creaking under strain is enough to remind us this is an entry-level product we're dealing with.
The HD 7 is comfortable to hold, with plenty of grip and a moderate weight of 10.7 ounces (303.3g). It's also a compact device at 7.7 inches tall and 4.7 inches wide. That said, its 0.43-inch thickness makes it as chunky as the old Nexus 7 or the Hisense Sero 7 Pro. As reasonable as that is for 7-inch devices, we can't help but covet slimmer tablets like the new Nexus 7 or Samsung's Galaxy Tab 3 7.0.
A closer inspection reveals some conspicuous improvements to the MeMo Pad formula. The 1.2-megapixel front camera and left-side microSDHC slot remain in mostly familiar places, but there's now a slightly protruding 5-megapixel camera (albeit without a flash) on the back. ASUS has replaced the small mono speaker with a larger stereo unit. Curiously, ASUS has moved the micro-USB port from the bottom to the top, next to the headphone jack and microphone; accessories made for the earlier MeMo Pad may not work here. You should find a basic stand in the box, though.
We're not big fans of the buttons. Like its sibling, the MeMo Pad HD 7 puts the power button and volume rocker on a back corner. They're easy to reach, but they're both hidden from sight and nearly flat, making them hard to identify by feel. Even now, we still occasionally have to double-check what we're about to press to avoid inadvertently putting the tablet to sleep.
You also won't find many luxuries beyond the ones we've already mentioned so far. The HD 7 covers basic wireless with dual-band 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 LE, but there's no NFC. There's also no hardware-based video out, whether through HDMI (as on the Sero 7 Pro), MHL or SlimPort. ASUS does offer Miracast wireless display support as a consolation prize, however, so those with suitably modern TVs can skip the wires altogether. Like the earlier MeMo Pad, there's 16GB of built-in storage in the US model, 11.8GB of which is usable.
Display and sound
When tablet designers want to cut corners, display quality is frequently the first to go. Exhibit A: the lackluster screen on the HP Slate 7. Thankfully, the MeMo Pad HD 7 doesn't fall into that trap. ASUS is using an IPS 1,280 x 800 LCD that produces accurate colors and very wide viewing angles. The panel is even bright enough to use outdoors in some situations. There's no question that we'd notice the Nexus 7's higher resolution in a direct comparison, but the HD 7's display is more than crisp enough for books, games and movies.
There are a few quirks. Black levels aren't superb; you're more likely to see dark gray than black in poorer lighting. The front glass is also glossier than we're used to, which didn't help our attempts to read near a window, or outside on a sunny day. Even so, the HD 7's screen doesn't feel like a significant compromise. It's at least appropriate for the price, and it trumps the 1,024 x 600 displays in rivals like the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0.
Sound from the tablet isn't quite so impressive. The speakers are loud and largely distortion-free at high volumes, but their bass output won't compete with HTC's BoomSound. Moreover, having both speakers so close to each other negates the advantages of stereo separation; you won't hear panning effects or the virtual surround sound of the Nexus 7. It's easy to partly obscure the speakers in the middle of an enthusiastic gameplay session, for that matter. We'll still take the HD 7 over competitors with single-channel sound. It just feels like a missed opportunity, particularly when the Nexus 7's audio is so well done.
The MeMo Pad HD 7 faces an immediate problem on the software front. It's shipping with Android 4.2.1 at the very moment that another ASUS tablet -- you guessed it, the Nexus 7 -- is launching with Android 4.3. While the new OS doesn't represent a night-and-day experience, it does offer perks like guest profiles, better OS-level Bluetooth support and modular DRM that allows for 1080p Netflix streaming. ASUS tells us it will upgrade the HD 7 to Android 4.3 in the near future, but that still leaves the tablet ever-so-slightly behind the cutting edge.
ASUS MeMo Pad HD 7 screenshots
The HD 7 is shipping with Android 4.2.1 at the very moment that another ASUS tablet -- the Nexus 7 -- is launching with Android 4.3.
Not that we mind much. The new MeMo Pad largely echoes the PadFone Infinity's delicate balance between stock Android and useful customizations. Google's minimalist interface persists in the home screen, app tray and multitasking, but there's numerous helpful ASUS-made features hiding just underneath the surface. The notification bar includes a Quick Settings section to change display brightness, wireless options and other basics. Long-press the home button and you'll get shortcuts to both core functions and favorite apps. Pinch the home screen and there's access to home screen profiles. ASUS also has one of the better mini-app implementations we've seen; it reserves a dedicated navigation key for access to tiny tools like a browser, calendar and video player.
The HD 7's software isn't quite a one-for-one copy of what we saw in the PadFone, however. Hardware-specific features like Dynamic Display are gone, as you'd imagine, but we also noticed that Google Now's voice search has replaced the sub-par ASUS Echo. Improvements are few, and mostly come from the Android 4.2 refresh. Miracast sharing and lock screen widgets are Google's responsibility; ASUS, meanwhile, introduces both a wallpaper settings shortcut in the lock screen as well as the option to use Google's stock notification bar. Some 4.2 features are sadly missing, such as Photo Sphere or Swype-inspired typing. All the same, we're happy with the new MeMo Pad's interface, which comes across as the subtle refinement of a successful formula.
Out of the box, the US variant of the HD 7 carries a mostly familiar first-party app layout. Among the more practical tools, AudioWizard and ASUS Splendid let users customize their sound and video profiles; ASUS Studio and ASUS Story organize photos and create photo collages; ASUS Artist offers basic drawing; MyLibrary provides a home for generic e-books; AppBackup and AppLocker keep app data safe and secure; ASUS To-Do, MyBitCast and SuperNote bring both reminders and media-enhanced notes. They're easy to use and helpful in the right situations, although we only seldomly had use for them ourselves.
We have mixed thoughts on BuddyBuzz and ASUS WebStorage, though. BuddyBuzz's social network aggregation is more reliable than the last time we tried it, but it still has less functionality than the dedicated apps for each service. Our US test unit also preserves support for services that are more popular in China, such as Plurk, Renren and Sina Weibo. As for ASUS WebStorage? We like the service's free cloud space (16GB for one year, 5GB after), backup functions and collaborative Office editing -- it's just nothing special. Alternatives like Google Drive and SkyDrive offer similar cloud functionality without being tied to one hardware vendor.
There are a few apps that haven't made the cut in the American version of the HD 7. It lacks the previously mentioned ASUS Echo as well as Birthday Reminder, PinPal (another social networking aggregator) and Watch Calendar. ASUS indirectly compensates for those titles' absences by throwing in DRM support for primarily US-oriented streaming video services such as HBO Go, Hulu Plus and Netflix. Combined with the included Amazon Kindle and Zinio apps, there's enough to get owners started without overwhelming them or chewing up too much free space.
We're still of the opinion that many cameras on tablets are sub-par... and frankly, the MeMo Pad HD 7 doesn't do much to improve their reputation. Like the Nexus 7, the 5-megapixel, f/2.4 rear camera can produce sharp photos with vivid colors, but only if all the stars align; you'll need reasonably bright light, a low-contrast background and a slow-moving subject. Life only sometimes provides those circumstances, of course, and most of our photos fall short of those from cameras on premium-priced tablets, like the Galaxy Note 8.0 or iPad mini.
ASUS MeMo Pad HD 7 sample shots
We most often noticed the poor dynamic range, as the MeMo Pad tends to blow out highlights (such as bright skies) and doesn't extract much detail from shadows. The tablet has a tendency to wash out colors in these situations, too. While there is autofocus, it occasionally misses a prominent subject and requires a tap to get a proper lock. Moderately fast subjects tend to blur. And you'll want to rule out low-light photography in general: shots are noisy, and there's no flash (like on the Sero 7 Pro) to bail you out. We did get some good photos, primarily up-close, but it's clear that the rear camera is more a bonus than a selling point.
The front 1.2-megapixel, f/2.4 camera faces similar problems, although it's more forgivable given the lower standard for front cams. It's only really present for the sake of video chats and the occasional selfie, and it does an adequate job so long as you're not trying to host Google Hangouts in the dark.
ASUS' camera software partly compensates for the lackluster output. The shot-to-shot times are relatively fast in good lighting, and it's possible to shoot still photos while capturing video. While customization is largely limited to basics like exposure, ISO sensitivity and white balance, it's easy to find and change these settings on the fly. Our chief gripe is with the relatively crude approaches to special features: the high dynamic range mode overcompensates for dark subjects and produces a "burnt" look, while panoramas can appear slightly jagged.
If there's a strong point to the tablet's camera system, it's video. Known image quality issues aside, the HD 7 captures 1080p video at a 18Mbps bitrate -- much higher than the Nexus 7's 12Mbps, and enough to produce sharp footage worthy of the "HD" label. You do have to watch how quickly you pan the camera, though. The wobble of the rolling shutter effect is visible if you spin the camera too quickly, and the HD 7 doesn't always refocus properly when subject distances change.
Let's get the obvious comparison out of the way: the MeMo Pad HD 7's quad-core, 1.2GHz MediaTek MT8125 processor is no match for the 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro in the Nexus 7. Paying extra for Google's official tablet gets you much better performance across the board, especially in web browsing and graphics. Although some would lump both devices into the entry-level category, they're ultimately in different leagues.
So how does the HD 7 fare against its more direct competitors, then? That's a tougher call. It's faster than the dual-core Slate 7 in most respects, but it's typically outpaced by Tegra 3-based tablets like the Sero 7 Pro. Get a load of that browsing performance, though: whether we used Chrome or the plain Browser app, the new MeMo Pad was noticeably quicker than similarly priced challengers. There weren't significant performance issues in general use, either. Although we caught the very occasional stutter during an interface transition, the device didn't feel overburdened, even when running mini-apps alongside their full-size siblings.
Just don't pick up the MeMo Pad if you're a gamer. Its variant on Imagination Technologies' PowerVR SGX544MP graphics isn't up to snuff for the latest 3D titles. While an older game like Riptide GP runs smoothly, modern releases like Real Racing 3 barely achieve playable frame rates. Although we weren't expecting a visual powerhouse, it's clear that the similarly priced Sero 7 Pro is a better pick if you're willing to make a few sacrifices for some additional 3D prowess.
ASUS makes up for that deficiency through battery life. The company estimates 10 hours of runtime from the MeMo Pad HD 7's 15Wh battery, and indeed, our unit was almost exactly on target. Our battery rundown test, which involves looping a 1080p video with the brightness set to 50 percent, ran for nine hours and 56 minutes. That's longer than every small tablet we've tried short of the iPad mini. It's also far ahead of the new Nexus 7, but there's a necessary disclaimer here: the Nexus has a decidedly brighter LCD, so it may be using more backlight energy at the same setting.
Suffice to say that the real-world longevity is at least as good. We managed a full day of intensive use that included browsing, social networking, snapping a few dozen photos and recording five short movies. Less demanding owners can get away with closer to a day and a half of frequent use, and we suspect that once-a-day users could go a week between top-ups. It's just as well that the MeMo Pad lasts so long, since it takes four hours to recharge from empty.
We said earlier that the MeMo Pad HD 7 and Nexus 7 don't really exist in the same category, but we also know that some shoppers will invariably compare the two. And we'll be honest: if you can afford the $230-plus for the Nexus 7, you'll likely be happier with that in the long run. It's faster, carries an exceptional display, runs Android 4.3 and has options for both 32GB of built-in storage and LTE. Its software upgrade strategy will also appeal to some. As a Nexus device, it's likely to get updates both sooner and across a longer period of time. Despite ASUS' good reputation for upgrading its non-Nexus devices in a timely fashion, there's little doubt that Google's flagship will get those updates first.
The MeMo Pad doesn't just have a price advantage: both microSD storage and software customizations work in its favor.
It's not a clear-cut victory for the Nexus, mind you. The MeMo Pad doesn't just have a price advantage: both microSD storage and software customizations work in its favor. If you regularly swap memory cards or prefer ASUS' modifications to Android, there's no direct substitute for those features. The cheaper tablet even outperforms its counterpart in video recording, although we wouldn't buy it solely for that reason. There's also the question of the return on investment. If you don't plan to do more than read e-books, check Facebook or watch the occasional YouTube video, the Nexus 7 may be overkill.
As you may have gathered from the review so far, we see the $150 Sero 7 Pro as the most directly comparable opponent. Hisense ships it with a paltry 8GB of built-in capacity, but it's otherwise a strong contender between its faster graphics and the inclusion of perks like HDMI, microSD expansion and a camera flash. Those who would prefer to get closer to stock Android will also get their fix here. If you're not big on gaming, though, the MeMo Pad is arguably the better purchase with its increased storage and longer battery life.
If anyone walks out of this fight with a black eye, it's HP and Samsung. The Slate 7 is a tad cheaper at $140, but it's so far behind on display quality, performance and storage that we can't honestly recommend it. Meanwhile, the $200 Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 is simply too expensive. You'd have to be a dedicated fan of Samsung's TouchWiz interface to pick the Galaxy Tab over the cheaper, more powerful MeMo Pad.
Make no mistake: ASUS isn't working miracles. The MeMo Pad HD 7's mixed performance, mediocre cameras and minor design issues remind us that the tablet is built to reach a certain price point. If you're looking for the best that ASUS has to offer this year, you'll still want to consider the Nexus 7 or wait for the Transformer Pad Infinity.
Still, we can't help but think that the company has delivered a pleasant surprise. The HD 7's battery life, display, software and storage are all above-average in the budget realm; for $150, ASUS' tablet provides an experience that some companies can't manage in devices that cost $200 or more. There's a good chance that some will prefer the Sero 7 Pro's processor or Samsung's familiar software, but the rest of us should be well-served by what the MeMo Pad HD 7 has to offer.
Edgar Alvarez contributed to this review.
Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/31/asus-memo-pad-hd-7-review/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget
BSkyB grants Microsoft temporary use of SkyDrive name in trademark dispute, allows it time to rebrand cloud service
British Sky Broadcasting and Microsoft Reach Settlement in Trade Mark Case
Sky allows Microsoft temporary use of SkyDrive name during transition period following trade mark infringement judgement - while Microsoft agree to forego planned appeal
British Sky Broadcasting Group plc ("Sky") and Microsoft Corporation ("Microsoft") have today announced the settlement of trade mark infringement proceedings in the European Union brought by Sky against Microsoft in the English High Court. The settlement of this case reflects the desire of both companies to focus on joint projects to benefit their customers.
In June, High Court Judge Mrs Justice Asplin issued a judgment holding that Microsoft's use of the name SkyDrive infringed Sky's rights in the 'Sky' mark.
According to the settlement, Microsoft will not pursue its planned appeal of this decision and Sky will allow Microsoft to continue using the SkyDrive name for a reasonable period of time to allow for an orderly transition to a new brand. The agreement also contains financial and other terms, the details of which are confidential.
"We are pleased to have reached a settlement after Microsoft agreed not to appeal the trade mark infringement judgment in relation to its SkyDrive service," said Sky. "We will remain vigilant in protecting the Sky brand and will continue to take appropriate action against those companies who seek to use our trade mark without consent."
Microsoft said, "We're glad to have resolution of this naming dispute, and will continue to deliver the great service our hundreds of millions of customers expect, providing the best way to always have your files with you."
Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/31/bskyb-and-microsoft-reach-agreement/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget
Samsung edges past Apple in US smartphone satisfaction study, but reverse is true in Korea
Samsung Beats Apple in New Smartphone Customer Satisfaction Study from ACSI
ANN ARBOR, Mich., (July 31, 2013) – Samsung hits a home run with its Galaxy S III and Note II, according to a smartphone brand study released today by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). The new study provides 2013 customer satisfaction benchmarks for 10 of the past year's top-selling smartphone models in the United States.
Samsung's flagship model for 2012, the S III, receives an ACSI benchmark of 84 (on a 0 to 100 scale), beating Apple's iPhone 5 at 82, the company's most recent smartphone offering. Another Samsung model, Note II, shares the top of list at 84. Galaxy S4 is not included because the ACSI study was fielded just prior to its launch.
While U.S. customers give Samsung's smartphones the top scores, Korean consumers prefer Apple. According to the National Customer Satisfaction Index (NCSI) in South Korea, which uses the same technology as the ACSI, the iPhone 5 has higher customer satisfaction than Galaxy S III.
The smartphone segment of the cell phone market is growing at a rapid clip, and ACSI data suggest that smartphone users are much more satisfied than are feature phone users. Overall, smartphones earn a customer satisfaction score of 76 compared to 69 for feature phones.
"While feature phones are cheaper, and therefore viewed by many customers as better value, smartphones excel in quality," says Claes Fornell, ACSI founder and Chairman. "Smartphones receive strong marks for feature variety, design and ease of use, with battery life as their only real shortcoming."
The iPhone 4S matches its successor-iPhone 5-with an ACSI score of 82. Apple's iPhone 4 is just a point below at 81. On the other hand, at a score of 78, customer satisfaction with the Galaxy S II, precursor to the S III, is lower. Motorola Mobility's Droid Razr Maxx HD comes in at 80, while the Droid Razr scores 77. The low end belongs to BlackBerry, far below competition, with 67 and 64, respectively, for its Curve and Bold smartphones.
"Not only does Samsung edge ahead of all iPhones, Apple customers themselves don't see much difference between the iPhone 4, 4S or 5," says ACSI Director David VanAmburg. "The latest earnings report from Apple was better than expected, but the name of the game for Apple has always been innovation. Samsung, on the other hand, shows a strong upward ACSI trend from the Galaxy S II to the Galaxy S III. If the S4 performs as well-or even better-in the eyes of customers, Samsung could threaten Apple's dominance in overall customer satisfaction."
The smartphone brand study complements and expands the ACSI's coverage of the cell phone industry, updated in May 2013, gauging customer satisfaction with each company's complete array of product offerings-smartphones and feature phones. As reported earlier, Apple's overall ACSI score is 81, a 2% drop compared with 2012, but strong enough to retain the industry lead.
Unlike Apple, which has a smartphone-only lineup, Samsung offers both feature and smartphones. At 76, Samsung continues to lag Apple for overall customer satisfaction. Nevertheless, the company's 7% gain in 2013 is a clear reflection of the strength of Galaxy S III.
"Like Apple, BlackBerry offers smart devices only, yet the company stays firmly entrenched at the bottom of the industry in customer satisfaction," says Fornell. "This does not bode well for BlackBerry considering that smart typically outperforms feature when it comes to cell phones."
Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/31/acsi-smartphone-satisfaction-2013/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget


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North American Collections North American Collections
Tour the most botanically diverse regions of the United States when you visit the North American Collections at The Morton Arboretum.
Eastern Wetlands
Tour the most botanically diverse regions of the United States when you visit the North American Collections at The Morton Arboretum. Your day trip to Appalachia, Eastern United States Wetlands, and the woods of the Midwest will introduce you to the important plants of these habitats.
Covering almost 5% of the Earth's surface, North America has a vast temperate area, varied topography, and a range of climates that support plant life that is as exciting and beautiful as any in the world.
Through years of collecting and working with plants from the eastern, southeastern, western, and midwestern North America, Arboretum horticulturists have identified representative species that also perform well in northern Illinois' climate and soil conditions. Enhancing the collections is an ongoing project; recent trips resulted in important additions to the collections.
Beyond highlighting the beauty of these plants and their environments, the collections conserve North American native plants and educate guests about native species.
Along the cool slopes of the Appalachia Collection at The Morton Arboretum, you can see plants rarely found outside the lush microcosms of their native habitats.
East Side, Parking Lot 16
The Appalachian Mountains are a series of ancient ranges running north and south along 1,500 miles of eastern North America, from Newfoundland to Georgia. They feature seemingly infinite ridges and valleys with moist, mild climates that support a rich variety of plants, including several endemic species, plants that occur only on these mountains.
The majority of plants in the Arboretum's Appalachia Collection are from the central and southern sections of the mountains, where species diversity is richest. The collection is anchored by oaks that thrive on a north-facing slope protected from direct sun, dry winds, and extreme temperature fluctuations. Other trees and shrubs include groves of Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) and the Arboretum's largest stand of pawpaws (Asimina triloba). Pawpaw trees produce the largest edible fruit native to North America, also called pawpaws, which are prized for their sweet, custardlike pulp.
In spring, stop to admire the riot of colorful wildflowers, as well as nonflowering plants such as the perennial American umbrella-leaf (Diphylleia cymosa).
Collecting trips to the southeastern United States continue to expand the delightful Appalachia Collection.
Walk the trails through the Eastern United States Wetlands Collection at The Morton Arboretum to see how a variety of plants have adapted to living in a sometimes wet, sometimes dry environment.
Parking Lot 18, off Main Trail Loop 1
Wetlands include floodplains, which are low, flat areas that flood periodically but are not continually underwater. More than 360 plants native to the eastern United States wetland habitats have been assembled on three acres next to the DuPage River, on the East Side of the Arboretum. They thrive in the seasonal floods that inundate this natural floodplain habitat. When the river overflows its banks, it deposits organic matter and minerals that replenish the deep, rich soil in which these plants grow.
Wetlands play an important role in both natural and built landscapes. They protect adjacent dry areas by absorbing floodwaters, and they filter land-based pollutants and other runoff that would contaminate rivers and streams.
This collection, started in 1925, today includes such impressive specimens as the large Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) and the Eastern arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), located along the service road. Autumn is an especially good time to visit to see the ripening fruit of the Southern arrowhead (Viburnum dentatum), the vibrant red fall foliage of black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica), and the Florida corkwood (Leitneria floridana), a shrub that grows in colonies of tall, slender stalks that keep their leathery leaves late into the season. Don't miss the mysterious "knees" of the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum). The function of the conical woody outgrowths from the roots is unknown, but they may help stabilize the trees in soft, muddy wetland soil.
You may be surprised by the diversity of native plants represented in the Midwest United States Collection, which highlights the trees and other plants native to the northern half of Illinois as well as Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri. You can challenge yourself to find all 13 species of oaks.
East Side, Parking Lot 2, Main Trail Loop 1, and Parking Lot 3, Northern Illinois Trail
Northern, southern, eastern and western bioregions meet in the Midwest, creating a transitional area characterized by a mix of prairie, savanna, and woodlands. Over the years, however, much of the region has been converted into farmland and urban areas. As a result, remaining natural areas have become extremely fragmented. Parts of the Arboretum's Midwest Collection include well-preserved woods, with some trees dating before 19th-century settlement, that reveal the historic diversity of the native plants of this region.
Wild-derived plants make up 93% of the collection. Among the 171 kinds of plants here is a federally threatened species, lakeside daisy (Tetraneuris herbacea). Another rare plant in this collection is the Illinois-endangered bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi var. coactilis), which grows in the sandy soils surrounding Lake Michigan. The red pines (Pinus resinosa) were collected from an endangered population in Illinois.
Among the outstanding assemblage of oaks, look for the pin oak (Quercus palustris), a large tree in the rear of the collection whose limbs reach the ground like a skirt. For great fall colors, check out the scarlet and purple foliage of the black tupelo or black gum (Nyssa sylvatica). You might even see wildlife feeding on its black-blue fruit. Kentucky viburnum or arrowwood (Viburnum molle) also has good fall color and attractive flaky bark that stands out all year.
The Midwest United States Collection is The Morton Arboretum's youngest geographic collection, begun in 1999. It serves as a resource for classes and individuals interested in learning about native trees and shrubs and highlights regional native trees and shrubs suitable for the home landscape.
View Maps
East Side of Arboretum, Parking lots 2, 3, 16, 17, and 18

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Candidate for Zoning Board James Calkins caught criticism Monday during the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting.
Commission Chairman Bob Cole selected Calkins as his nominee for Zoning Board, but the county commission was not unanimous in support of that decision following comments from the public.
The Zoning Board is a 10-person committee that makes decisions regarding land development code variances and special exceptions. The board makes recommendations regarding conditional uses and rezoning requests, which then go before the BOCC for a final decision.
Two of the members are appointed by each county commissioner, then voted on by the BOCC. Both of those appointees must reside in the district of the commissioner appointing them. The District 2 seat was vacated by Greg Scoville in April.
Calkins also serves as chairman of the Holley Navarre Water System (HNWS) board of directors. For that position, Calkins claims residency in Navarre, which is in District 4. According to discussion during Monday's commission meeting, Calkins has since purchased a home in District 2.
Candidate for District 2 County Commissioner Wallis Mahute said the home was purchased from Cole's son. She also said that the Holley Navarre Water System board has been chaotic in the past.
"Are you willing to bring this chaos to the zoning board?" she said.
Commissioner Lane Lynchard suggested that Calkins should not be appointed, but Commissioner Rob Williamson said he should be given a chance.
"We have historically given a lot of deference to the district commissioner," Williamson said.
He said he would like to give Calkins the chance to "prove them wrong." Calkins made a $1,000 donation to Williamson's campaign in May 2017.
The board agreed to vote on the issue Thursday.
In other action, the board heard a request from Growing Santa Rosa Enterprises (GSE) to amend several provisions of its agreement with the county to operate the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier.
One of the primary requests regarded the continued use of a restroom facility on the pier that fails to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
County Engineer Roger Blaylock said the county had given GSE information about an adequate model manufactured by a company in Michigan.
But Ken Fountain, one of GSE's managing partners, told the commissioners his company is having difficulty finding a local business that would be willing to service that model on the pier each day, as is required by the submerged lands permit for the facility.
Each day the restroom must be taken off the pier, serviced and then returned, according to the permit requirements.
Williamson pointed out that the permit also requires the restroom to be ADA-compliant.
He also took issue with a request by GSE to expand its management agreement to include more of the parking area immediately surrounding the pier as well as the volleyball courts adjacent to the pier.
Williamson said he was not comfortable with the parking portion of the request. He said he did not want to see the parking area blocked from public use.
Fountain explained that the request was prompted by incidents of disorderly behavior in the parking lot during which sheriff's deputies requested that the pier management file a trespassing complaint so that an unruly individual could be removed.
"We were not sure we had the authority," Fountain said.
Lynchard said the request made sense to him.
Following the discussion, Williamson asked if the pier operators felt he had been unfair in his questioning, to which Fountain answered yes. He said it had been implied by others that he would be biased in his treatment of GSE.
Cole praised the operators following the discussion.
"Just like Commissioner Williamson said, we appreciate what you're doing. You are doing a great job out there for us," Cole said.
The board will take its final vote on these matters Thursday at 9 a.m. in the Santa Rosa County Administrative Center Board Room at 6495 Caroline St. in Milton.
As seen in the June 14 issue of Navarre Press.


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David Edelman, BA
David Edelman is a medical and public health student at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Mailman School for Public Health at Columbia University. Prior to graduate school, David attended Washington University in St. Louis where he studied Biology and Spanish. David's joint interests in medicine and Spanish language and cultures led him to volunteer as an interpreter for three years at Casa de Salud, a non-profit community health center for the uninsured and immigrant population of St. Louis. David has continued to serve disadvantaged communities in medical school through his work at the Columbia Harlem Homeless Medical Partnership, or CHHMP, a student-run free clinic run out of the basement of a community church. In addition to his medical work, David has spent four years as a student representative for the Center for Student Wellness, promoting student well-being through student programming and outreach, and is an avid Cleveland sports fan. David is interested in primary prevention and increased access to primary care services for underserved and uninsured communities, and plans to apply for residency in Internal Medicine.
Sarah Godfrey, MD, MPH
Sarah Godfrey is a PGY1 in internal medicine at Columbia University Medical Center. She attended Harvard University where she studied African and African American Studies. While at Harvard, Sarah became interested in social determinants of health and health policy and decided to pursue a postbaccalaureate program at Columbia. She then attended Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons for medical school and Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health for her MPH. During this time, she volunteered at a student-run clinic for substance users and sex workers, chaired the medical school Honor Committee, and launched a medical student consult service to provide companionship to patients in the hospital. She also developed an interest in medical education and started the initial Harlem Public Health Commute. Her clinical interests include social determinants of health, underserved communities, and incorporating public health into medical education.
gregory karelas, MSc
Gregory Karelas is a medical student at Columbia VP&S. Since 2002, he has worked to develop health systems in South Asia, East Africa and the U.S. His work has included directing a free district hospital in rural Nepal, developing HIV policy in the US and Rwanda, and building community health programs in inner-city New York. Gregory has a BA in Anthropology from the University of Chicago, and was a Clarendon Scholar at the University of Oxford, where he received a MSc in Medical Anthropology.
Benjamin Lebwohl, Md, MS
Dr. Lebwohl is a gastroenterologist and epidemiologist specializing in celiac disease, colorectal cancer prevention, and quality of care. He is a graduate of Harvard College, where he majored in music. He received his MD from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in 2003, and then completed his internship, residency, and chief residency in internal medicine at Columbia. He stayed at Columbia as a fellow in Digestive and Liver Disease, during which time he obtained a Masters in Patient Oriented Research from the Department of Biostatistics at the Mailman School of Public Health. Dr. Lebwohl is the Director of Clinical Research at the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University, where he is collaborating with institutions in the United States and abroad in the areas of the epidemiology, patterns of care, and the natural history of celiac disease. He is a prior recipient of the American Gastroenterology Association Research Scholar Award (2014-2017), studying the health effects of gluten in large cohort studies. He is an associated scholar at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, where he performs population-based research in celiac disease in the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics. He currently serves as a member of the Gastrointestinal Drugs Advisory Committee of the United States Food and Drug Administration. He is heavily involved in medical education and lectures regularly to medical trainees on topics including celiac disease, public health, clinical decision making, pseudoscience, diarrhea, the Beethoven string quartets, and colorectal cancer screening.


This practical guide to the gestalt approach has successfully introduced thousands of trainee therapists to the essential skills needed in gestalt practice. The authors offer practical guidance on the entire process of therapy including setting up the therapeutic session, creating a working alliance, assessment and treatment direction, managing risk, supervision, adopting a research approach, and managing difficult encounters.
Gestalt therapy is often misrepresented and misunderstood, so I was delighted to read this clear and well-written book. This is an all-inclusive, whistle-stop tour of how to practice contemporary Gestalt. The book guides the reader step by step through the practice, starting with assessment and moving on to creating working alliance, managing risk, undertaking research and many other topics. It is written in simple language, with exercises to engage the reader, alongside examples and case studies. I recommend this as a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about contemporary Gestalt theory and practice.
A good overview for students who wish to know more about Gestalt and a corner stone for reference.


Did we really need another film version of Macbeth? Probably not, but as one of the bard's greatest plays, when you and I are dust, filmmakers will still be turning out their interpretations of this Shakespeare classic.
Director Kit Monkman, one of the brains behind critically acclaimed school drama The Knife That Killed Me, is currently at work in East Yorkshire on his interpretation of this timeless classic.
So why choose Macbeth as his follow-up to 'Knife'?
"The most interesting thing about Knife was the way it explores a middle ground between representational reality and psychological kind of psycho geography if you like; inner space, which is not normally film's language.
Or in this case green, which turns black at the flick of a switch.
We're used to directors like Robert Rodriguez exploiting such tech for his Sin City movies, but reworking Shakespeare with a CG-enhanced lustre is a fine way of making it relevant to a new generation.
Having tested the hi-tech water with The Knife That Killed Me, Kit was keen to flex his creative muscles for this follow-up project.
"There was a sense that after doing Knife, to really test this language and see if it could offer that fluidity, but also with this sort of cinematic vista that we shouldn't hedge our bets. We should try something properly meaty.
Stood in my socks (careful not to mark the green floor at GSP Studios), I'm soon roasting under the studio lights, so I feel for the baking thesps, especially one poor soul draped in a thick cape. However, the impressive visuals are worth it. 'Pain is temporary, film is forever', as the old adage goes.
It remains to be seen how well this version of Macbeth compares to Michael Fassbender's (due in October), or the 100 plus film and TV versions over the years, but given the calibre of cast and crew firing on all cylinders one rainy June afternoon, the magic Kit and company create when the film is released should be the stuff dreams are made of.
And given the multi-layered quality of Knife That Killed Me, one of the best films of last year, I'm fascinated to see what one of Blighty's most talented directors does with its greatest playwright's work.
If Christopher Nolan wrote and directed a Sherlock Holmes film, chances are it would look like Mr Holmes, the new movie from director Bill Condon (Gods and Monsters). A tale of fractured memories and strange goings on.
The story gives us a fresh take on the Baker Street legend, from his attire (no deerstalker) to his London address (opposite 221b Baker St).
There's no Mrs Hudson, Inspector Lestrade and very little Watson. A bold take on a well worn character but hugely rewarding.
It's also a slow burner of a film, jumping around timelines like a certain Gallifreyan in a phone box.
The tale of a grieving husband concerned about his wife is one of the plot threads woven into the fabric of the screenplay. However, the heart of it involves the relationship between Holmes, young Roger and his wary Sussex housekeeper mother.
The latter is brilliantly played by Laura Linney, so convincing as an uneducated Brit, I had no idea it was her until the closing credits rolled.
Yes, I know she's mentioned in the opening credits too, but I was so engrossed in Ian McKellen's performance throughout, I forgot about the supporting cast until some turned up looking like they did in their last performance. No bad thing, but it's some feat to slip under the radar of a rabid movie lover who's been following an actress' work for 20 years.
Back to Ian, whose ability to play two different ages (93 and younger) so convincingly, without resorting to doddery stereotype, was staggering.
Holmes's face is a relief map of emotion, every wheeze and grimace adds depth to the character. McKellen's turn here is among his greatest.
For anyone who's looked after a sick grandfather or parent, it's hard not empathise with certain scenes. The great detective has never seemed so vulnerable or frail on screen.
If there's any justice, McKellen will walk off with well deserved Baftas and Oscars next year.
There's a good chance Milo Parker will also be in the running for award gold in 2016, most promising newcomer probably.
His Roger is witty, moving and self assured, generating a brilliant dynamic with the seasoned star, yet never being overshadowed.
Things get a little meta when Sherlock attends a movie version of one of his cases, the screen Holmes played by Nicholas Rowe of Young Sherlock Holmes fame, reprising the star-making role after three decades. It's a nice touch, and while the film is thankfully devoid of chases, action scenes and explosions, it could have done with a little more oomph in the second act to resurrect my flagging interest.
Solid support comes from Roger Allam, Frances De La Tour, Frances Barber, John Sessions and Phil Davis.
Well worth a look, but would work as well on blu ray or DVD as on the big screen.
There's a scene in the original Jurassic Park when Samuel L Jackson decides to re-boot the eponymous complex's computer system.
It takes place within a matter of seconds, but as any fan of the series will tell you, it's been 14 years since Jurassic Park III bowed out of cinemas and restarting the film saga has taken a lot longer.
At one point, rumour has it that writer director John Sayles came up with an idea about dinosaur human hybrids. I would have loved to see that daring premise in action.
But that version fell by the wayside, and eventually Steven Spielberg and writer director Colin Trevorrow (maker of terrific low-budget sci-fi comedy thriller Safety Not Guaranteed), along with a few others, came up with the idea for Jurassic World.
Basically it's more of the same, 22 years later, with a gene-spliced dinosaur antagonist.
I really wanted to hate the much hyped third sequel to 1993's groundbreaking blockbuster.
The whole thing looked incredibly generic, albeit on a bigger scale thanks to the advancement in technology over the past 22 years.
For the first half, my zero expectations seemed to be met. Bryce Dallas Howard was incredibly annoying as Claire, the corporate stooge/useless aunt to the integral kids in peril. She came across as one of the stupidest people in the saga.
Walking action figure Chris Pratt had all the appeal of an animated mannequin.
As Owen Generic Hero, he seemed to have one fixed expression throughout the movie; It may have been deliberate so the dinosaurs would appear more characterful.
Irfan Khan was terrific in Life of Pi, terrible here as the big cheese behind the eponymous arena, like he'd wandered in from another movie. He never conveyed a sense of gravitas or peril.
So many movies bore me, falling apart in the third act, but JW was a welcome surprise, generating some great moments, including a clever kids in hamster ball scene and that finale – the best since the original.
Yes, there were gargantuan problems, like the lack of build up when the big bad wanders out of its enclosure (like it had just nipped down the shops). And the obvious 'secret' component which made up the hybrid dinosaur villain: something anyone with a brain cell would have thought of; the fact it takes Owen most of the movie to figure it out is hilarious.
Oh, and it also has the funniest third act heroine hair since Shailene Woodley's disastrous 'do in Insurgent. And the less said about those awful closing lines the better. And Claire's spotless white dress for the first half.
Of course the half a billion dollar haul in the first three days means a fifth movie is now in the pipeline. Probably a bad idea, unless the makers shake up that "caucasian affluent kids in peril" formula.
Personally I'd like to see a fifth movie made on a London council estate, like Attack the Block, or something, anything different from what's come before.
For now, see it in IMAX 3d Dbox, with all the whistles and bells you can.
And if you have ankle biters, expect nightmares. Fantasy violence can still mess with young heads, regardless of what lenient rating (12A) a blockbuster like this gets.
To paraphrase the BBFC rating: Moderate threat, occasional bloody moments, action violence and some really stupid characters.
A while ago I was writing a gig preview for a national newspaper, and the subject of a musician who had eventually received a letter from John Lennon piqued my interest.
A great story thought I, and that was that. But now, about a year later, we have Danny Collins, the new movie starring Al Pacino as the eponymous musician inspired by that same story.
Collins may be in the autumn of his years, but this coke-snorting, booze addled pensioner has charisma to burn.
Everywhere he goes, fans are won over by his presence. Well most of them anyway.
Christopher Plummer is on top form as his old friend and manager – the Arthur to Pacino's Larry Sanders if you like.
The truth is, Pacino can't really hold a note, but it scarcely matters. He's as a mesmerising now as when he made his screen debut more than 40 years ago. And while in many of his films he shone brighter than many of the cast, here there is a level playing field thanks to the presence of Plummer and the ever brilliant Annette Benning.
The latter shines as of the manager of a hotel where Collins makes his base. If Alan Partridge were a fading Italian American rock star, then this would be a variation of his story. Yet one of the films* it reminded me most of was Music and Lyrics, the much maligned Hugh Grant/Drew Barrymore vehicle from a few years ago.
Hugh wasn't much of a singer either, but he carried off the part of a has-been singer songwriter from an 80s pop band with skill. And many of the songs in that film were a lot better.
Back to Danny Collins, and after taking up residence in Ms Benning's hotel, and striking up and uneasy friendship with her, Collins tries to make amends with the son he never met, his wife (Jennifer Garner) and grand daughter. This forms the backbone of the story, and makes up some of the most touching scenes.
Danny doesn't just have to build all the bridges he burned without even meeting his offspring, but is dealt a major blow when said son drops a bombshell.
I had walked out of previous movie Spy about five minutes early so I could catch the start of this. Always a gamble, especially if the film you watch second is the worst than the first. I'm glad I made that modest sacrifice, because Danny Collins is light years ahead of that weak Melissa McCarthy vehicle.
It's reassuring to know that in these youth obsessed days, a megastar like Al Pacino can still cut the mustard, even if I was the only one watching that screening.
Naming a movie after an unknown character is always a gamble, and it doesn't always work. You only have to see Pacino's Bobby Deerfield disaster to realise that.
However, given the fact Danny Collins is omnipresent in this film, his smug face adorning billboards and a tour bus, it seems like a obvious fit.
It might not bust the proverbial block, but this is a film with a massive heart, and thanks to some excellent performances it is bound to become a beloved classic in the months and years that follow.
I haven't seen a good spy comedy in years. For some reason, filmmakers have had a hard job coming up with an espionage spoof, that works as well as other genre classics Airplane or The Naked Gun.Leslie Nielsen comedy Spy Hard fell apart once you've got past those terrific Weird Al Jankovic opening titles, while Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson made a good stab with I-Spy, a revamp of the old TV show.
All of which preamble brings us to the latest genre entry.
Jude Law is on good form as the secret agent who is guided through his missions by Melissa McCarthy, a chubby, single agent who clearly worships the ground he walks on.
She's the Chloe to his Jack Bauer; the voice in his ear who has instant access to schematics, knows where all the bad guys are, and prevents him from dying.
However, when a tragedy occurs in the first few minutes, our unlikely heroine goes undercover to try and find the murderous femme fatale, played by Rose Byrne.
Supporting McCarthy is Miranda Hart as her fellow agent, and Allison Janney as their boss, but despite the comic chops of the leading ladies, and a scene stealing Peter Serafinowicz, the unlikely star, and the person who generates the biggest laughs, is Jason Statham.
Yes, the man least likely to raise a chuckle steals the show as the gruff British agent who has seen it all, done it all, and lived to tell the tale.
He's a hoot but the tone is often excessively violent at the expense of the fun.
There's an old saying with comedy: if it bends it's funny, if it breaks it's not, so why director Paul Feig decided to include some dubious scenes more at home in a horror movie is beyond me. Did we really need to see a poor soul having his neck eaten away by acid? I think not.
It's not a bad movie, but at two hours it's 30 minutes too long. All good comedies should be around the 90 min mark – see Man Up for proof).
One of the other key problems is the obviously improvised scenes where McCarthy insults one of Byrne's minions. It falls flat and she just comes across as a xenophobic, aggressive idiot.
However, if you only see one minute, make sure it's the scene where McCarthy has a makeover and emerges from a doorway looking the spitting image of Dawn French. For those few seconds you could be forgiven for thinking Miss French was actually making a cameo appearance.
Your starter for 10, no conferring. What links the movies Dark Journey (a long forgotten Conrad Veidt offering) with (best forgotten) Cannon and Ball vehicle The Boys in Blue?
Neither were blockbusters or achieved Avengers-style household recognition, so to cut to the chase, Dark Journey was the first movie shown at Wolverhampton Odeon in 1937 and The Boys in Blue was one of the last in 1983.
Every time I make a trip back to Wolverhampton to see family and friends, I'm stung by a pang of nostalgia as I walk past the former Odeon, now better known as the Diamond Banqueting Suite.
The original Tron was the last film I saw there in 1983, a few weeks before the cinema closed for good and it was transformed into a Top Rank Bingo Club.
In The Shining Stephen King suggests a building can retain memories of events that occurred there, like the smell of burnt toast long after charcoaled remains have been thrown in the bin. If that's so, every brick of the former Odeon must be among the most magical in town.
Throughout the 1970s I was weaned on Disney classics such as Herbie Rides Again, Pete's Dragon and the like, not to mention all the mid-seventies Children's Film Foundation offerings screened on Saturday mornings. All wholesome family entertainment but not so much pushing the cinematic envelope as nudging it gently with a stick.
However, one Friday night in 1978, my life, like millions of others, was transformed by seeing one movie on that site, a film which stretched the celluloid envelope to breaking point.
Following smuggled sausage rolls and a short film about motorbikes, not to mention obligatory ads for ice cream and peanuts, I saw Star Wars for the first time.
It was the stuff dreams are made of, and while the Odeon had already achieved a magic, Star Wars helped transform it into something special.
A few weeks later, watching the mothership rise up behind Devil's Tower in Close Encounters of The Third Kind only added to the wonder.
Even the films I didn't see are still inextricably linked to that building.
I still remember being fascinated in 1975 by the chilling cardboard standees for Ken Russell's Tommy which graced the foyer, or the 1976 posters for the remake of King Kong, cult football flick Escape To Victory and even Dolly Parton/Jane Fonda comedy Nine To Five that graced the outside walls.
Back in the days before internet and phone bookings, it seemed turning up on the night and hoping for a seat could mean countless hours spent queuing around the block in the hope of seeing the latest Bond epic.
In 2015 of course, you can buy the DVD or Blu Ray of 'The Next Big Thing II' within 12 weeks of the movie release or rent it online, but in those days you either saw it on the big screen or waited between three and five years until blockbusters were granted a TV premiere. (Star Wars was a Sunday night on ITV in 1982 in case you were wondering).
Would we have those days back? The tinny pre-THX Dolby sound; the humdrum projection, or the fact the right hand side of the cinema was reserved for smokers – despite the fact the smoke went wherever it fancied?
Probably not. But the Odeon had a charm that kept me – and thousands of other cinemagoers – happy for decades.
If Grand Designs' Kevin McCloud were to ring and ask what my favourite buildings were, I'd have to choose New York's Chrysler building closely followed by the much missed Odeon.
In a perfect world PJ Price and Harry Weedon's art deco, Grade II listed building on Skinner Street would have a blue plaque outside commemorating almost half a century of magic screened within its walls, but those who were lucky enough to grace those popcorn-strewn carpets carry their own happy memories every time they pass it.
Perhaps that's the greatest tribute of all.
.Its 4pm. I leave work and walk a mile to the station, spend an hour on the world's most uncomfortable train to Bradford where my wife collects me and we go and see A Room With A Stew – the latest gig for edgy, acclaimed comedian Stewart Lee.
One second in and I'm already winning compared to two years ago when my plan to see him in York was scuppered by a flat car battery.
To paraphrase Starship, 'Nothing was gonna stop me now'. And it didn't.
A few years ago, following the launch of series one of BBC series Comedy Vehicle, we had a phone chat about his work, why he doesn't do panel games and his 20 plus years in the business.
I've realised that comedians like Lee who can spend that long resisting the lure of regular TV jobs are either a rare breed or idiots.
But Lee is clearly no fool.
His cult success with Richard Herring on mid 1990s series Fist of Fun remains one of my favourite shows of the era from one of the happiest times of my life. The fact it's rarely repeated on terrestrial TV is a crying shame.
When Lee and Herring just "stopped" doing their thing, Stew spent a time in the comedy wilderness before Jerry Springer The Opera thrust him back into the mainstream. Suddenly he was being taken seriously by the arts crowd, and the controversy surrounding the BBC's screening of said smash only added fuel to his engine.
But what of his latest show you may wonder?
Well it's a work in progress, a two hour tryout of new material, courting controversy by trying to poke fun at religious phobics by seeming to side with them and turning the tables.
It's a good routine, but not brief.
Like Ken Dodd, whose epic gigs have become the stuff of legend, there is a feeling of Stockholm syndrome as punters settle in for the duration and go with Lee on a ride.
If he were an app, Lee would be a cross between Google Earth and an electron microscope, zooming in from the theatre to tell a gag, then analysing it at a molecular level, addressing if the gag works and why the audience in certain parts of the theatre reacts to it.
Some of it works, some doesn't, but Lee knows the power of that slow drip process of comedy attrition, wearing down the preconceptions of some, and exhausting every last drop of comedy potential from a set up, whether it's urination or buying cheap Union Jacks.
Remember those frying pan gags in Bottom when Rik would smash Ade in the face for so long it would be funny, boring and then hilarious? The same here, only on a verbal level.
To be fair the first half, Lee was remarkably calm given the amount of latecomers interrupting his set, either arriving or punters nipping out to the loo like they were at a nightclub.
(Frankie Boyle's gig in York a few years ago had a draconian approach to such matters, and while the atmosphere was oppressive, given this alternative I can see he had a valid point).
So in spite of the late arrivals, Lee delivered an often hilarious routine which was worth the trip (a mile walking back to the wife's car in the rain didn't dampen our spirits too much).
Okay, it wasn't as polished or full on as recent gigs by Lee Mack or Dara O Briain, but that's not Stewart Lee's style. They drive clever comedy vehicles with closed bonnets. Lee's has a transparent hood where you can see the engine ticking over, and he'll quite happily point out why some rib-tickling pistons fire better than others.
It's often a bold, ballsy approach to comedy, but a welcome change.
So, 90 wind swept, rain-lashed miles to see something of a comedy curio. You may never see him on Mock or Cats, but Lee is as rare a talent as Eighties comedy turn Ted Chippington, the man who inspired him.
Stewart Lee's latest comedy vehicle may not take the most direct route to his punchlines, but there's a lot to be said for ignoring the humour sat nav and seeing where the road takes you.
There may be a few cul de sacs along the way, but never a dead end.


The Ministry of Education determines the admission of regular students into the degree programs. Normally students who successfully completed the preparatory school program are assigned to the University.
The University in certain circumstances may admit students jointly with other affiliated universities or institutes. Such admission may be processed at anytime of the academic calendar as deemed appropriate. Students may also be admitted to more than one program at the same time. However, criteria for such special admissions to individual programs shall be developed and recommended by AC/DC and endorsed by the admission and placement committee (APC).
for undergraduate studies, technical and vocational education and training graduates with pertinent qualifications and who satisfy entrance qualifications assessment set by the Ministry;.
Admissions to all undergraduate continuing education programs shall be processed through the Academic units, in consultation with the University Registrar, according to policies set for such admissions.
Special admission criteria developed by the Academic Unit Council and approved by the APC may be employed for special admissions of females, mature students and for upgrading programs.
University employees and their dependents can apply and register in the evening and other special programs as per the rules and regulations of the University.
Private applicants can directly apply to the University Registrar. Such applicants should qualify the requirement for admission requirement and produce evidence of financial support.
Private applicants who fulfill admission requirements as regular students and produce evidence of financial support to cover full tuition fees and other expenses may apply for admission into the regular program. However, such admissions should be approved by the APC.
Under no circumstances private admissions to a regular program may exceed 5% of the total students admitted in such a program.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Chapter, the Senate, in line with the policies of MoE, issue guidelines on special admission criteria that would enable disadvantaged groups (women, persons with disability and persons from marginalized groups) in the programs of the University due regard being had to maintaining the standard of excellence of the University.
has a diploma in the same or related field he is applying for (if applying for admission to a degree program) from an institution of higher learning with a CGPA of 2.00.


On this episode I review Jade Marie Patek's debut EP Fly Bird and talk to her about her music and give a shout out about Jarrod Johnson!
Note: The show will be on hiatus this month and I am going to attempt to get an episode or two ahead and will restart the show in the new year!
On this episode I review 1431: The Road Less Traveled by Jarrod Johnson, Ride with Me by Brian Christopher and the Wild Oats and talk to them both about their music. I also talk about a concert I went to, more Ameripolitan Showcase and this week's shout outs!
This week's episode features coverage of three awesome concerts, an interview with Colter Wall, Dan Johnson talking about Operation Hemingway, a review of Jack Nelson's Let 'Er Buck plus an interview, some announcements of brand new music, a showcase of some great Ameripolitan musicians, and Shout Outs!


People are seen in the exhibit hall at the RSA conference.
The massive cybersecurity conference RSA is facing criticism for booking just one female keynote speaker this year—Monica Lewinsky, who advocates against online bullying. RSA organizers told USA Today that, overall, the conference expects that 20 percent of its speakers will be women, a number that they say reflects the overall representation of women in the security industry.
"A diverse speaking program starts with increasing diversity within the technology sector, which needs to be addressed by the industry as a whole," an RSA spokesperson said.
In response, a group of women and non-binary people in security have organized their own conference to highlight their technical expertise. "Some conferences claim this is too hard to do because of the overall lack of diversity in the industry, we're going to prove otherwise," a spokesperson for the conference, called OURSA (Our Security Advocates Conference), said.
RSA runs April 16-20th. OURSA will be a one-day event on April 17, featuring talks on security engineering, privacy, ethics, and advocating for high-risk groups. Speakers include Eva Galperin of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Aanchal Gupta of Facebook, Adrienne Porter Felt of Google, Kelly Lum of Spotify, and Sha Sundaram of Snap.
In the meantime, Lewinsky is hoping that RSA gets its act together. "I'm disappointed by this oversight but RSA has about six weeks until the conference, so I'm optimistic that the matter will be rectified by then," Lewinsky said in a statement.


The government is seeking industry views on how well Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) currently perform and how they could be improved.
The Call for Evidence, which closes on 19th October 2018, wants to hear from a range of people including non-domestic building owners/occupiers, and energy efficiency professionals.
The consultation hopes to make EPCs more effective in light of their changing use. EPCs were designed to provide information for the consumer, but increasingly there is more legal and financial weight being placed on an EPC rating – such as the recent MEES legislation which requires non-domestic rented buildings to have a minimum EPC rating of F or G.
The government hopes to better understand how the current EPC system is working, the suitability of the current system for both current and emerging uses, and to gain feedback on suggestions for improvement.
The deadline for responses is 19th October 2018. For more information and to take part, visit the government's consultation page.


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CATHOLICISM IS OFFICIALLY DEAD AND THE CHRISTIANS NO LONGER HAVE A WORLD LEADER!
If you have ever been to th Vatican you'd know by the huge replica they have out front, the Saturn that the Pope wears. Evidence is catalogued by Patti Brassard a NASA science communication architect.
. Second DEATH STAR Draco moon gets DESTROYED !
Why is there no mention of any of this outside of this newspaper and the posts on LinkedIn? I would like to develop a more clear understanding of what all of this means.
Words can't begin to describe the feeling felt that comes with being a Yahushuan American National. Thank You all for protecting our freedoms and truths.
I would love to coin a new phrase here… the "Old World Order", OWO or Oh Woe to those who believe they have Maternal/Paternal rights over a people who have been (babyed along) Mystery Babylon all along. The pen is mightier than the sword Hebrew 4:12. You are right, "the secret is out". No doubt they have known they would not fool all. We shall not be silenced!