A method and system for monitoring and tracking the activities of a user of a computer. Associations are established between the states of certain computer system parameters and specific activities. The current activity of the user is then determinable by the system based upon the current state of the computer system. As the state of the computer system changes, changes in the user's activity are monitored and tracked. The activities are tracked in conjunction with time so as to record the time spent on each activity.
FIG. 8 shows in diagrammatic form a screen shot including an activity tracking window in use in conjunction with a mouse for associating an activity with a system parameter, according to the present invention.
Reference is first made to FIG. 1 which shows, in diagrammatic form, a computer-user activity tracking or monitoring system  8 according to the present invention. The activity tracking system 8 includes one or more personal computers 10 or workstations, indicated individually as 10 a and 10 b, and which may be connected in a network 12. If connected in a network 12, the network 12 preferably includes a server 14, which maintains a database 16. The network 12 and its operating system permit file sharing among the server 14 and the computers 10.
Each of the computers  10 is operated by a user and is capable of running a variety of application programs 18 at the same time. The application programs 18 are loaded into computer (RAM) memory 13 (FIG.3) and executed by the central processing unit(s) (CPU) for the computer 10. Within some application programs 18, such as a word-processor or a software development tool, there will be a particular document 19 (FIG. 3) that the user is creating or editing and this document 19 is stored in memory 13. That particular document may be located within a particular directory 21 (FIG. 3). Other application programs 23 (FIG. 3), such as an e-mail programs, may not have an identifiable document directory or a particular document associated with the user's activity.
The computers  10 may comprise Intel-based personal computers running Microsoft Windows™ operating system, but it will be appreciated that the activity tracking system 8 may utilize other types of computers or workstations, or run on other operating systems, for example Apple O/S™, BeOS™, PalmOS™, Linux™ and all major versions of Unix™. The computers 10 may comprise personal computers, hand-held or wireless personal digital assistants (PDAs), cellular phones, pagers or any other computing devices upon which multiple applications or applets may be operating.
In the context of the present invention, the activity tracking system  8 utilizes a number of system context parameters 20, with each system context parameter 20 having a state which provides the system context for the computer 10 as will be described in more detail below. The system context is indicative of the current activity of the user on the computer 10. In the following description, the system context parameters 20 comprise an active application parameter 22, an active document directory parameter 24 and an active document name parameter 26, but it will be appreciated that other system context parameters 20 may be used. For example, if a user is editing a letter using a word processing application program such as Microsoft Word™, then the state for the active application parameter 22 is Microsoft Word™; the state for the active document directory parameter 24 is the directory in which the letter is saved; and the state for the active document name parameter 26 is the document name associated with the letter. On the other hand, if the user is composing e-mail using an e-mail application program such as Microsoft Outlook™, then the state for the active application parameter 22 is Microsoft Outlook™ and the state for the active document name parameter 26 is Inbox, but for Microsoft Outlook™ there is no document directory so the state for the active document directory parameter24 is nothing. The activity tracking system 8 interrogates the Microsoft Windows™ operating system to obtain the state of each the system context parameters 20, as described in more detail below.
The database  16 maintained by the server 14 (or locally on the computer 10) comprises two tables: an associations table 30 and an activities table 40. The associations table 30 lists associations between the activities engaged in by the user and the system context for the computer 10, where the system context is the particular state of the system context parameters 20 corresponding to the activity engaged in by the user. The activities table 40 has entries 42 for each activity to keep track of the elapsed time spent on each activity. As shown in FIG. 1, each activity that the activity tracking system 8 is configured to track has an entry 31, shown individually as 31 a, 31 b, . . . , 31 m, in the associations table 30. Each entry 31 in the associations table 30 includes an activity identifier 32, a system parameter indicator 34 and a system parameter state 36. The system parameter state 36 provides the state of the system context parameter 20 that corresponds to the activity being engaged in by the user. For example, the first entry 31 a in the associations table 30 is for the activity "engaging in e-mail" and comprises a unique activity identifier 32, a system parameter indicator 34 and a parameter state 36. The system parameter indicator 34 designates the active document name parameter 26 as the relevant system context parameter 20, and the parameter state 36 indicates the state of the active document name parameter 26 as "Inbox". In a further example, the entry 31 for the activity "doing accounting" will also have a unique activity identifier 32, a system parameter indicator 34 and a parameter state 36. For the activity "doing accounting", the system parameter indicator 34 identifies that the active application parameter 22 is the relevant system context parameter 20, and the parameter state 36 indicates that state of the active application parameter 22 is Microsoft Excel™. Further details on the creation of the associations table 30 and the linking of activities with the system context for the computer 10 through the system context parameters 20 are described below.
Referring again to FIG. 1, the activities table  40 contains an entry 42 for each activity, shown individually as 42 a, 42 b, 42 c, 42 d, . . . 42 n. Each entry 42 for an activity in the activities table 40 includes a user identifier 44, an activity identifier 46, a timer status indicator 48 and a time log 50. The activity identifiers 46 in the activities table 40 correspond to the activity identifiers 32 stored in the associations table 30. The user identifier 44 associates a particular activity with a particular user. The user identifier 44 is necessary because there may be multiple users within the activity tracking system 8 that could be performing the same activity. For example, multiple users may be "engaging in e-mail"; accordingly, a separate "e-mail" activity, i.e. entry 42, is provided for each user. The timer status indicator 48 comprises a binary digit indicating whether the activity is currently selected or not. Each user can only have one of his or her activities selected at a particular time. The time log 50 for an activity is a running total of the time elapsed during which the user was engaged in that particular activity.
The operation of the activity tracking system  8 is now described with reference to the method steps shown in flow chart form in FIG. 2. Operation begins in step 100 with the initialization of basic variables and parameters. In step 102, the activity tracking system 8 accesses the database 16 to locate the pre-defined activities and the relevant system context parameters 20. The activity tracking system 8 also loads the associations table 30 and the user-specific activities table 40 into the random-access memory (RAM) of the computer 10.
After this initial set-up, the activity tracking system  8 polls the system context parameters 20 (FIG. 1) in step 106 to determine the state of each system context parameter 20. In step 110, the activity tracking system 8 checks to see if the state of any of the system context parameters 20 has changed. If not, then the activity tracking system 8 returns to step 106 to poll the system context parameters 20 again. If, in step 110, it is determined that the state of the system context parameters 20 has changed, then in step 112 the activity tracking system 8 uses the associations table 30 (FIG. 1) to determine the most likely activity being engaged in by the user, as indicated by the system context. The determined activity is represented by its activity identifier 32 (FIG. 1). In step 114, the activity tracking system 8 assesses whether the activity identifier 32 determined in step 112 is different from the activity identifier 32 for the current activity, i.e. the current activity identifier 32. If not, then the activity tracking system 8 returns to step 106 to poll the system context parameters 20 again. If the activity identifier 32 determined in step 112 is different, then in step 116 the activity tracking system 8 updates the current activity identifier 32 to reflect the change. The activity tracking system 8 also de-selects the previous activity 42 (FIG. 1) and selects the new corresponding activity 42 in the activities table 40. The activity tracking system 8 then returns to step 106 to poll the system context parameters 20 again.
As shown in FIG. 2, a delay  118 is introduced into the return path before step 106 so that the system context parameters 20 (FIG. 1) are only polled once every second, or at another frequency depending upon the elapsed time resolution desired. Continuous polling without any delay may cause an undue burden upon the resources of the computer 10. If the activity tracking system 8 has detected a change in activities and selected a new activity identifier 32 (FIG. 1) in step 116, then before the delay 118, in step 120 the activity table 40 is written to the database 16. This ensures that the database 16 maintains a record of the elapsed time spent on the activities 42 and ensures the activity tracking system 8 does not lose that information in the event of a system crash or unexpected reboot of the computer(s) 10.
Thus, the activity tracking system  8 repeatedly polls the system context parameters 20 to monitor the system context of the computer(s) 10 for changes that would indicate a change in the user's activity. As it detects changes in the user's activity, it deselects the previous activity 42 (FIG. 1) and selects the new activity 42. To stop the activity tracking system 8 from operating the user initiates a termination request. A request for termination is detected during the delay 118. Referring again to FIG. 2, if the user requests termination (step 200), then the activity tracking system 8 moves to step 202. At step 202, the activity tracking system 8 writes any changes in the associations table 30 to the database 16. At step 204, the activity tracking system 8 formally stops.
The process of selecting an appropriate activity identifier  32, shown in steps 112-116 of FIG. 2, is described in more detail below with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 3. As described above, the system context parameters 20 being polled comprise the active application parameter 22, the active document directory parameter 24 and the active document name parameter 26. These system context parameters 20 have varying levels of specificity depending on the activity being performed on the computer 10. For example, an activity as general as "doing accounting" will correspond to the active application parameter 22 and have a parameter state 36 (for example, the Microsoft Excel™ spreadsheet program) in the associations table 30. Whenever a user is working with the Microsoft Excel™ spreadsheet program, regardless of the specific spreadsheet document or document directory, that user is "doing accounting". A more specific activity would be "working on Jones brochure". This activity will correspond to the active document name parameter 26 and have a parameter state 36 (in the associations table 30, FIG. 1) of the document name "Jones_brochure01.doc". Whenever the active document name 26 is "Jones_brochure01.doc" the associated activity 31 for the user is "working on Jones brochure". In this regard, an activity that is linked to a particular document rather than an application program (e.g. Microsoft Word™ word processor) is a more narrowly defined activity and, as such, the activity tracking system 8 initially evaluates whether it can identify an activity based upon the active document name parameter 26. If not, then it tries to select an activity based upon the active document directory parameter 24, and then finally the active application parameter 22.
Referring to FIG. 3, in step  300, the activity tracking system 8 checks the system context parameters 20 and if a change in the state of one or more of the system context parameters 20 (i.e. the active application parameter 22, the active document directory parameter 24, the active document name parameter 26) is detected in step 300, the activity tracking system 8 continues to step 302. In step 302, the activity tracking system 8 checks the associations table 30 to determine if one of the activity identifiers 32 (in the associations table 30—FIG. 1) is associated with the active document name parameter 26 for the system context parameters 20. In step 304, if an activity identifier 32 is located, and it is different from the current activity identifier 32, then it is set as the current activity identifier 32 in step 306, and the activity tracking system 8 returns to checking, e.g. polling, the system context parameters 20 in step 300.
Referring still to FIG. 3, if an activity identifier  32 (FIG. 1) is not located based upon the active document name parameter 26, then the activity tracking system 8 moves to step 308 where it attempts to locate an activity identifier 32 associated with the active document directory parameter 24. At step 310, if a corresponding activity identifier 32 is located, and it is different from the current activity identifier 32, then it is set as the current activity identifier 32, step 312, and the activity tracking system 8 returns to checking, e.g. polling, the system context parameters 20 in step 300.
Finally, if an activity identifier  32 in the associations table 30 (FIG. 1) has not yet been located for the activity document name parameter 26 and the active document directory parameter 24, then at step 314 the activity tracking system 8 checks for an activity identifier 32 associated with the active application parameter 22 (FIG. 1). In step 316, if an activity identifier 32 is found in the associations table 30 then the activity tracking system 8 continues to step 318, else it continues to step 320. At step 318, if the selected activity identifier 32 is different from the current activity identifier 32, then it is set as the current activity identifier 32 and the activity tracking system 8 returns to polling or checking for changes in the system context parameters 20. At step 320, the activity tracking system 8 has failed to locate an activity identifier 32 associated with the current system context (i.e. as defined by the system context parameters 20), so it leaves the current activity identifier 32 as it is and returns to polling the system context parameters 20 for further changes in state.
Reference is now made to FIGS. 4 through 8, which in conjunction with the following description illustrate the activity tracking system  8 of FIG. 1 and its operation. In particular, FIG. 4 shows in diagrammatic form a window or screen shot 400 which is displayed by the computer 10. The screen shot 400 includes an activity tracking window 60 for displaying information regarding the operation of the activity tracking system 8.
Reference is made to FIG. 5 which shows in diagrammatic form the activity tracking window  60. The activity tracking window 60 includes a background field 72 upon which is displayed a list of activity descriptors 62. Each activity identifier 32 (FIG. 1) corresponds to one of the activity descriptors 62 which includes a textual description of the corresponding activity. The activity descriptors 62, indicated individually by references 62 a, 62 b, 62 c and 62 d, includes an activity descriptor "Nothing" 62 a so as to track periods of inactivity by the user. The other activity descriptors listed include "Doing accounting" 62 b, "Working on Jones brochure" 62 c and "Engaging in e-mail" 62 d. Also displayed in the background field 72 is an indicator 64 and an elapsed time count 66. The indicator 64 indicates the current selected activity. The elapsed time count 66, as shown in FIG. 7, comprises an elapsed time count field 67, indicated individually as 67 a and 67 b, which tracks the time for each associated activity, i.e. activity descriptor 62.
The use of the activity descriptors  62 facilitates interaction with the user. The display of this information permits the user to monitor the operation of the activity tracking system 8, to "fine tune" entries 31 (FIG. 1) in the associations table 30 (FIG. 1), and to create new activities 42 in the activities table 40 (FIG. 1) and associated entries 31 in the associations table 30.
Referring again to FIG. 5, underneath the background field  72 in the activity tracking window 60, there are three system parameter fields 68 that are associated with system context parameters 20. The first parameter field 68 is an active application field 68 a, which displays the state of the active application parameter 22, for example "Program Manager", as shown in FIG. 5; or, for example "Microsoft Word™", as shown in FIG. 7. The second parameter field 68 is an active document name field 68 b, which displays the state of the active document name parameter 26, for example "Jones_brochure.doc", as shown in FIG. 7. The third parameter field 68 is an active document directory field 68 c, which displays the state of the active document directory parameter 24, for example "C:\myfiles\documents\". Further system parameter fields 68 may added to the activity tracking window 60 to display the states of other system context parameters 20, such as the state of the active document directory parameter 24.
As the activity tracking system  8 selects an activity identifier 32, its corresponding activity descriptor 62 is identified by the indicator 64 within the list of activity descriptors 62 displayed in the activity tracking window 60 to show it has been identified by the activity tracking system 8 as the current activity. The user can then evaluate whether the activity tracking system 8 has selected an appropriate activity descriptor 62 for the current activity. Using an input device, such as the mouse 11 b or the keyboard 11 a (FIG. 1), the user can change the current activity by manually selecting a different activity descriptor 62 from the list in the activity tracking window 60. The activity tracking system 8 then begins to record the elapsed time the user spends on the selected activity.
To allow the user sufficient time to evaluate whether the activity tracking system  8 has selected an appropriate activity, the activity tracking system 8 delays implementing the change in the current activity for a brief period of time. During this time, the activity tracking window 60 indicates the new activity selected and displays a countdown icon 76 (as shown in FIG. 6). If the countdown expires without the user objecting to the new activity selected, then the activity tracking system 8 implements the changes.
Reference is next made to FIG. 6, which shows in diagrammatic form a screen shot or window  401 displaying the activity tracking window 60 in conjunction with a newly opened application. The screen shot 401 comprises the Microsoft Word™ word processor application program 73 including a caption bar 75 which indicates that the document "Jones_brochure01 .doc" 74 is open within Microsoft Word™ 73. Within the activity tracking window 60, the active application field 68 a indicates that Microsoft Word™ 73 is the state of the active application parameter 22 (FIG. 1), and the active document name field 68 b indicates that Jones_brochure01.doc is the state of the active document name parameter 26 (FIG. 1). It will be appreciated that FIG. 6 depicts the state of the activity tracking window 60 after the system context parameters 20 (FIG. 1) have recently changed, so the activity tracking window 60 continues to display the indicator 64 next to the activity descriptor "Nothing" 62 a and the countdown icon 76 is displayed next to the activity descriptor "Working on Jones brochure" 62 c.
The state of each system context parameter  20 (FIG. 1), i.e. the active application parameter 22 (FIG. 1), the active document directory parameter 24 (FIG. 1) and the active document name parameter 26 (FIG. 1), is determined from the caption bar 75 displayed at the top of the window currently active on the user's computer display. The Microsoft Windows™ operating system permits an application to interrogate the currently active window for the information appearing in its caption bar 75. In general, application programs operating on the Microsoft Windows™ operating system display in the caption bar 75 the name of the application program and, if there is a document open within the application program, the name of the document. Some application programs also display in the caption bar 75 the directory within which the document is saved. The activity tracking system 8 determines the state of the active application parameter 22 and the state of the active document name parameter 26 from the caption bar 75. The caption bar 75, as shown in FIG. 6, displays text regarding the state of the active application parameter 22 and the state of the active document name 26. The activity tracking system 8 parses the text information contained in the caption bar 75 to determine the state of the active application parameter 22 and the active document name parameter 26.
Referring to FIG. 6, the countdown icon  76 indicates that the activity tracking system 8 has determined a new current activity identifier 32 that corresponds to the activity descriptor "Working on Jones brochure" 62 c. This activity descriptor 62 corresponds to the current activity of the user, and thus will track the elapsed time that the user spends working on the Jones brochure. If the user does not manually select an alternative activity descriptor 62 before the countdown expires, then the activity tracking system 8 will implement the change to the current activity as described in more detail above.
Referring again to FIG. 7, the activity tracking window  60 is shown after the countdown (i.e. icon 76) has expired without the manual selection of an alternative activity descriptor 62 by the user. As such, the current activity is indicated by the indicator 64 displayed next to the activity descriptor "Working on Jones brochure" 62 c. The elapsed time count fields 67 show that time has been tracked in connection with two activities. The elapsed time count field 67 a displays the time spent doing "Nothing" and the elapsed time count field 67 b shows the time spent "Working on Jones brochure" If the system context parameters 20 do not change, for each second the elapsed time count field 67 b will increase or increment to show the elapsed time spent "Working on Jones brochure" (i.e. activity descriptor 62 c).
In addition to manually selecting one of the activity descriptors  62, the user can manually create or alter associations in the associations table 30 (FIG. 1) between the activity identifiers 32 (FIG. 1) and the parameter state 36 (FIG. 1) for any of the system context parameters 20 (FIG. 1). Once the user selects the appropriate activity descriptor 62, he or she can manually link its associated activity identifier 32 (FIG. 1) with one of the system context parameters 20 (FIG. 1) shown in the system parameter fields 68 of the activity tracking window 60, for example, by "dragging and dropping" the system parameter field 68 onto the activity descriptor 62 using a mouse. For instance, the user may identify that any time they use the Microsoft Excel™ spreadsheet program they are "doing accounting", in which case the user may wish to link that activity with the Microsoft Excel™ spreadsheet program. To do this the user clicks upon the system parameter field 68 a showing Microsoft Excel™ using the mouse and, holding the mouse button down, "drags" the system parameter field 68 a to the activity descriptor "doing accounting" 62 b and releases the mouse button. In response, the activity tracking system 8 now updates the associations table 30 (FIG. 1) to indicate that the activity identifier 32 (FIG. 1) corresponding to "doing accounting" is associated with the parameter state 36 (FIG. 1) of Microsoft Excel™ and the system context parameter 20 of the active application parameter 22 (FIG. 1). Thereafter, anytime the user opens the Microsoft Excel™ spreadsheet program, the activity tracking system 8 will recognize that the user is "doing accounting".
Reference is next made to FIG. 8, which diagrammatically illustrates in more detail the creation of associations between activities and system context parameters  20 (FIG. 1) using the activity tracking window 60. FIG. 8 shows a screen shot or window 402 comprising the spreadsheet program Microsoft Excel™ 80 and the activity tracking window 60. A caption bar 81 displays text information regarding the active application parameter 22 (FIG. 1) and the active document name parameter 26 (FIG. 1). The activity tracking system 8 interrogates the operating system for the computer 10 to obtain the textual information from the caption bar 81. The activity tracking system 8 then parses the textual information to determine the state of the active application parameter 22 and the state of the active document name parameter 26.
The active application field  68 a indicates that the state of the active application parameter 22 (FIG. 1) is Microsoft Excel™ 80. To link the descriptor "doing accounting" 62 b with Microsoft Excel™ 80 as the state of active application parameter 22, the user positions the mouse pointer 82 a over the active application field 68, clicks and holds the mouse button, and moves the mouse pointer to a position over the activity descriptor "doing accounting" 62 b, as shown by 82 a to 82 d. The user then releases the mouse button and the activity tracking system 8 updates the associations table 30 (FIG. 1) to indicate that the activity identifier 32 (FIG. 1) corresponding to "doing accounting" is associated with the active application parameter 22 and the parameter state 36 of Microsoft Excel™ 80.
In addition to permitting the user to manually edit associations for existing activities, according to another aspect the activity tracking system  8 permits the user to establish new activities 42 (FIG. 1) for the activities table 40 (FIG. 1). Within the window 60, the user indicates that he or she would like to create a new activity by clicking the right mouse button while the mouse pointer 82 is positioned over a blank area of the background 72. The activity tracking system 8 then prompts the user to enter an activity descriptor 62. The new activity descriptor 62 corresponds to a new activity identifier 32 (FIG. 1) created by the activity tracking system 8 and stored in the associations table 30 (FIG. 1). Next, an appropriate association to a system context parameter 20 is created by the user by defining the system parameter 34 and also the parameter state 36 that corresponds to the activity, as described above.
Changes made to the associations table  30 during the operation of the activity tracking system 8 are recorded to the database 16, in step 202 of FIG. 2, when the user requests termination of the activity tracking system 8. Thus, any changes to the associations table 30 are preserved for the next operation of the activity tracking system 8. It will be appreciated that a more robust system may be implemented through frequent periodic recording of the associations table 30 in the database 16.
There are a variety of ways to implement the process of selecting an activity identifier  32 by the activity tracking system 8. The method described above, in which the activity tracking system 8 steps through the system context parameters 20 from most specific to least specific looking for a match in the user-created associations table 30 is one method. An alternative method involves scanning the states of the system context parameters 20 for text fragments that correspond to activity descriptors 62. Using an appropriate ranking formula, the best activity descriptor 62 is selected that corresponds to the state of the system context parameters 20, i.e. active application parameter 22, active document directory parameter 24 and active document name parameter 26.
Another alternative technique involves using a correlation matrix built over time based upon the user's selection of particular activity descriptors  62 corresponding to a certain system context. The activity tracking system 8 detects correlations between the state of the system context parameters 20 and the activity descriptors 62 the user selects. In such a way, the activity tracking system 8 learns the correct associations.
Yet another technique involves using a neural matrix linking states of system context parameters  20 with activity identifiers 32. Over time, based on the user selecting certain activity descriptors 62 in the context of particular states of the system context parameters 20, the correct links would be strengthened and incorrect links weakened, allowing the matrix to learn the correct associations.
As described above, the system context parameters  20 for the activity tracking system 8 are the active application parameter 22, the active document directory parameter 24 and the active document name parameter 26. Additional or alternative system context parameters 20 may be used for identifying user activity on the computer 10. Any information that the activity tracking system 8 could obtain from the computer 10 that indicates its current state of operation could be used as a system context parameter 20. Some alternatives include mouse pointer location, currently connected network server, CPU load and ratio of keystrokes to mouse movement.
The above-described embodiment uses periodic active polling to determine the state of the system context parameters  20. As an alternative to periodic active polling, the activity tracking system 8 may request that it be notified by the operating system whenever the state of one of the system context parameters 20 changes, for example through an interrupt-type driven facility. It will be appreciated that such an implementation results in lower overhead because the activity tracking system 8 is not repeatedly using the resources of the computer 10; however, on many existing operating systems, there are some limitations as to the system context parameters 20 about which it can request information.
The activity tracking or monitoring system  8 disclosed herein is applicable to a wide variety of uses. The embodiment of the present invention outlined above contemplates the activity tracking system 8 being used to track the time a user spends on each activity for use in billing or project management. Other uses include recording a user's activities to create an audit trail to be analysed for unauthorized use information; recording the time spent performing specific operations within a software application so as to analyse the usability of the software product and identify confusing components or delays; recording the time spent on applications and the corresponding load on the processor to collect information for computer system design and optimization; and, auditing the use of certain software or documents to obtain information for licensing, confidentiality or purchasing decisions.
Referring back to FIG. 1, the network  12 may comprise any computer network, including the Internet. Alternatively, the network 12 may be eliminated and the database 16 implemented using the computer 10, resulting in a stand-alone system for monitoring and tracking user activities.
(d) means for tracking the activity of the user associated with said selected activity identifier.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for tracking includes a timer component, said timer component being responsive to changes in the state of said system context parameter for timing the time spent by the user when engaged in the activity indicated by the activity identifier.
3. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said means for tracking further includes a component for determining a change in the activity being performed by the user, and said timer component being responsive to the change in the activities for timing the time spent by the user on the current activity, and the subsequent activity.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for tracking comprises means for tracking multiple users engaged in one or more of the activities on the computer, said means for tracking multiple users comprising a component for associating each of the users for the computer with the activity identifier for the activity engaged in by that user on the computer.
5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said component for associating each of the users comprises an activities table, said activities table having an entry for each of the activities, and each of said entries including a user identifier, a user activity identifier, and a time log, said user identifier providing an identifier for each user on the computer, and said user activity identifier corresponding to the activity identifier for the activity engaged in by a user.
6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein some of said system context parameters provide an indication of different levels of specificity for the activities performed by the user on the computer.
7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein one of the system context parameters comprises an active application parameter, and the state of said active application parameter comprises a name of an application program on the computer, and said means for determining the state of the system context parameter comprises an input component responsive to the active application parameter.
8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the active application parameter comprises information displayed in a caption bar for the application program, and said input component comprises a parser for parsing textual information in said caption bar corresponding to the name of the application program.
9. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein one of the system context parameters comprises an active document directory parameter, and the state of said active document directory parameter comprises a directory name displayed as textual information in a caption bar, and said means for determining the state of the system context parameter comprises a parser for parsing textual information in said caption bar corresponding to the directory name.
10. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein one of the system context parameters comprises a name of an active document, and the state of said active document name parameter comprises a file name displayed as textual information in a caption bar for the application program associated with the active document, and said means for determining the state of the system context parameter comprises a parser for parsing textual information in said caption bar corresponding to the active document name.
11. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means for selecting includes a selection component for sequentially looking at said active document name parameter, said active directory name parameter and said active application name parameter.
12. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for associating comprises an association table stored in memory, said association table having an entry for each activity and each of said entries including one of said activity identifiers, a system parameter, and a parameter state, said system parameter corresponding to said system context parameter, and said parameter state corresponding to the state of said corresponding system context parameter.
13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said means for tracking comprises a multiple user tracking component for tracking multiple users engaged in one or more of the activities on the computer, said multiple user tracking component comprising an entry for each of the activities, and each of said entries including a user identifier, a user activity identifier, and a time log, said user identifier providing an identifier for each user on the computer, and said user activity identifier corresponding to the activity identifier for the activity engaged in by a user.
14. The system as claimed in claim 13, further including a component for creating a backup of said associations table, said component being responsive to termination of an activity by a user for creating said backup.
15. The system as claimed in claim 1, further including a user interface, said user interface including a component for the user to set associations between the activity identifiers and the activities performable on the computer.
16. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said user interface further includes a component for the user to create additional activity identifiers and associate said additional activity identifiers with activities engaged in by the user on the computer.
(e) tracking component for tracking the user's activity associated with said selected activity identifier.
18. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said link component comprises an association table stored in memory, said association table having an entry for each activity and each of said entries including one of said activity identifiers, a system parameter, and a parameter state, said system parameter corresponding to said system context parameter, and said parameter state corresponding to the state of said corresponding system context parameter.
19. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said system context parameter comprises information displayed in a caption bar for an application program on the computer, and said interrogation component comprises a parser for parsing textual information in said caption bar corresponding to the state of the system context parameter.
20. The system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said selector component comprises a component for consulting said association table to determine said activity identifier corresponding to said present state of said system context parameter.
21. The system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said tracking component comprises a timer component, said timer component being responsive to changes in the state of said system context parameter for timing the time spent by the user when engaged in the activity indicated by the activity identifier.
(e) tracking the activity of the user associated with said selected activity identifier.
23. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein said step (e) comprises tracking multiple users engaged in one or more of the activities on the computer, and includes associating each of the users for the computer with the activity identifier for the activity engaged in by that user.
24. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the system context parameter includes an active application parameter and comprises information displayed in a caption bar for an application program running on the computer, and said step (c) of interrogating comprises parsing information from said caption bar corresponding to the name of the application program.
25. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the system context parameter includes an active document directory parameter and comprises information displayed in a caption bar for an application program running on the computer, and said step (c) of interrogating comprises parsing information from said caption bar corresponding to the document directory for the application program.
26. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the system context parameter includes an active document parameter and comprises information displayed in a caption bar for an application program running on the computer, and said step (c) of interrogating comprises parsing information from said caption bar corresponding to a name of the document in the application program.
(e) storing said activity identifier determined in step (d), and tracking the user's activity on the computer based on said activity identifier.
(v) tracking the activity of the user associated with said selected activity identifier.


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Buffalo Fire Department – Engine 26
by Ellen Mika Zelasko | Jun 26, 2020 | Buffalo Buildings, Buffalo History
Several weeks ago, I had a conversation with a gentleman about the West Side of Buffalo, just after I published my post about Assumption Church. Twenty minutes in, I found out he lives in a converted firehouse. In that same conversation, he very politely told me that he and his wife were no longer comfortable with public posts about their home. I understood completely.
Only a day or two later, I was contacted through Instagram by a Buffalo Firefighter (Richie) who works at Engine 26 on Tonawanda Street. He mentioned that Engine 26 is housed in a beautiful, historic building, and offered to give me a tour.
One Door Closes, Another One Opens
Well, since I've never turned down a tour of any building, I didn't intend to turn down this one either. The upcoming tour got me to thinking about the role of the Buffalo Firefighters, and how things have changed for them since 1817 when the first fire company was formed in Buffalo.
And as it turns out, I had a few weeks to think about it. You see, we had to reschedule the tour a few times, because, well, apparently firefighting duties trump meeting with bloggers. Ha! But eventually, we made it work.
A Little Bit of Buffalo Background
Before we talk about the building itself, let's discuss fires in early Buffalo.
During the War of 1812, in December of 1813, the British Army burned the village of Buffalo. Some accounts say one building survived, some say four did. Either way, we were pretty much leveled. After that, homeowners were required to have leather buckets on hand, to fight fires when they occurred.
If you spend any time reading the history of Buffalo, then you know how many fires have ravaged the buildings here. I am forever reading the history of a building, only to find that 'the first building on this site was lost to fire', or something to that effect.
It stands to reason. I mean, most buildings were built of wood back then because it was the most readily available material around at the time. And when all the buildings are built of wood, well, we need only ask our neighbors in Chicago what could happen if a fire were to break out.
The Buffalo Fire Department
A few years later, 1817 to be exact, the first Buffalo fire company was formed with volunteers. The first hand-drawn pumper was acquired in 1824, effectively creating Engine No. 1 for the Buffalo Fire Department. Official volunteers were organized by the city in 1831 when the very first "Hook & Ladder" truck was purchased. This truck carried all the tools of the trade at the time, which included lengths of leather hose, hooks, ropes, axes, and ladders. Now, don't get ahead of me here. This wasn't a truck as we now know them. It was a horse-drawn vehicle. Something like the one pictured below.
By the early 1850s, residents petitioned for a paid fire department. The city turned them down. But in 1859, the first steam-powered engine was purchased. It required a team of horses to pull it, a driver to drive the horses, an engineer to run it, and a man to stoke the furnace. And so, for the first time, the city was forced to pay firefighters.
As the city continued to grow, so did the fire department. "By 1900, the Department had grown to 26 Engines, nine Hook & Ladders, six Battalion Chiefs, five Chemical companies, and two Fireboats."* The photo below is an early photograph of Engine 26 which was built in 1894. The architect was F.W. Humble, who worked out of the German Insurance Building on Main Street at the corner of Lafayette.
Circa 1908. Interesting that the flag was at half mast, as it is today. Photo credit: Janice Jezewski Rossi
Note the dormers on the front and side of the building. Both have been removed. Gone as well is the rectangular tower on the north side of the building. This is interesting. It originally housed a 'closet' where firefighters would climb ladders to the top of the tower and hang the hoses to dry. Thankfully, this is no longer necessary. I'm guessing that the tower at some point needed extensive repairs, and since it was no longer being used, it was simply removed. But the rest of the 'closet' still exists inside the building today. I cannot speak for the dormers.
Photo Credit: Buffalo History Gazette
Engine 26 as it appears today.
Fire Alarm Boxes
Buffalo first used alarm boxes in 1866. When a fire occurred, a person could pull a hook or turn a knob inside the box and the mechanism would be activated, causing a spring-loaded wheel to turn. This action would tap out a signal to correspond with the location of the fire at the firehouse and simultaneously cause an alarm. In effect both alerting the firefighters of the fire, and letting them know the location of it. I admit I've never thought about how old alarm boxes worked. It's kind of fascinating really.
This one stands outside Engine 26
Engine 26 still has the alarm box mechanics in place, but of course, they are no longer used. The photos below show both the box that holds the fuses and the chart that shows the corresponding street where an alarm would have been pulled. Engine 26 still serves these same streets, but thankfully, with more updated alarm systems in place. 😉
Edward M. Cotter Fireboat
Since we're discussing a little bit of the history of the Buffalo Fire Department as well as the building at Engine 26, I would be remiss if I didn't also mention the Edward M. Cotter Fireboat, which was built in 1900. It is the oldest working fireboat in the world, and it belongs to our own Buffalo Fire Department. The boat has undergone several renovations over the years, including extensive repairs to the hull and propellers in 2019. The Cotter can frequently be seen in the Buffalo River, where it's permanently docked.
Buffalo's own Edward M. Cotter Fireboat. Built in 1900, It is the oldest working fireboat in the world!
A Bit More of Buffalo Fire Department History
Hours were long for early firefighters in Buffalo. In the horse-drawn era, they worked seven days a week, 21 hours a day. They had a total of 3 hours a day off for meals plus two days off per month. Woah! Who would have wanted to be a firefighter back in the day? I mean, I know sleeping was (and still is) allowed, but when did they go home? Talk about a lack of work/life balance!
The work week was shortened to 84 hours in 1916. Called the Two Platoon System, one platoon would work days, and one would work nights. Five, twelve-hour days plus one, 24 hour day to allow the other 'platoon' to have 24 straight hours off, once a week. This must have made a huge difference in their lives!
It wasn't until 1975, that the Buffalo Fire Department moved to a 40 hour work week and a two-day, two-night rotation. So, they work 24 hours, twice a week, with 24 hours in between, with four days (not necessarily consecutive) off per week. This has to make for a much better work/life balance.
The Crash and Rescue Unit at the Airport was created in 1942.
And get this, in 1952 the title 'fireman' was changed to 'firefighter'. But Buffalo didn't hire a woman firefighter until 1980! That's late ladies! But, better late than never, I suppose.
Buffalo's Fire Prevention Bureau was formed in 1941. Remember fire prevention poster contests? When I was a kid, school children would create posters and firefighters would choose the best in each grade level. Winners were notified by phone and would go to their local firehouse to pick up their trophies. They were also treated to a tour, including climbing on the fire trucks.
Is this still a thing? Do they still have these contests?
One year I won a trophy for fire prevention week, and it was a big deal! I remember it very clearly. My family spent an hour or so at the firehouse climbing all over the equipment, and my mother baked a cake in my honor. And someone snapped a photo of the day. I was thrilled. That's me, front and center with the big, toothy grin!
There's so much going on in this photo!
My Impressions of Engine 26
When I first heard from Richie from Engine 26, I figured this post would be about the building. I mean, he was right that Engine 26 is housed in a beautiful historic building. But at present, the inside is just functional. And I suppose that's all it ever was. The outside seems special for a firehouse. But that's because in 1894 most municipal buildings were built this way. It was the standard at the time. Gorgeous to look at anyway. And I love the fact that Richie loves the building he works in.
The basement was cool, with exposed early steel frame construction. I've never had the chance to see it up close before. I appreciated that.
Danielle C. & Richie H. on duty at Engine 26
But what I was most impressed with was the history of the Buffalo Fire Department. Or should I say the evolution of the Buffalo Fire Department? It's been around since very early on. It's grown and changed along with the city itself, according to our needs. And it's impressive. Also, I'm humbled that I've never really looked into it before now, but I'm glad that I've had the chance to share it with you.
These men and women are always on duty, waiting to help any one, or all of us in our time of need. That is, in my book, the very definition of a first responder. I'm glad I understand what they do a little bit better. Thank you for that Richie. And thank you for what you and your colleagues do every day.
Oh, and one more thing about Engine 26…
Here are just a few more shots at the fire house. And yes, that's a genuine firefighter's pole on the lower left. It's not used any longer, but Richie seemed to think it is the only one left in the city…cool!
*www.buffalofirefighters.com
**All the photos in this post are mine, unless otherwise noted.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Reporter Bios
High diver extraordinaire Lysanne Richard
June 18, 2019 | 10:39 AM
From Cirque du Soleil to plunging off the cliffs of the Azores
High diver and competitive cliff diver Lysanne Richard's favourite moment in a competition is after about 10 metres. She's already flung her body off a cliff and performed a series of acrobatic moves out over the cold ocean waiting below. She finds her feet and gets in position and at that moment, she begins to feel the wind, her wind created by falling at a speed already more than 50 km/h.
"At that moment, the acrobatic part is over and I just need to fly," says Richard, a Montreal native and the only Canadian who is a regular participant of the Red Bull Cliff Diving series. "I get a visual of the water and at that moment I know everything is going to be all right."
Richard engages her muscles, strong and well-developed from years spent diving and in the circus arts and trampoline acrobatics with companies such as Cirque du Soleil. The movement needs to be precise, too early and muscles will tire, too late and, well, it won't end well. Like a good trampolinist, Richard excels in being in the right position when her feet strike the water.
"You need to be exactly vertical to enter the water," she says. "If conditions are good and, everything is all right, I'm going to feel that it hurts my feet, but just my feet and right after I will feel some release and feel super proud of myself, and really just want to go again."
But, before she does, she has to negotiate the cold open ocean, then climb up the side of a cliff to get back in position. It's that kind of competition.
Richard is just days away from her favourite event of the year in Portugal's Azores island of São Miguel. A live broadcast of the event is scheduled for June 22. Here, the divers plunge from natural perches high above the North Atlantic.
"You are really into nature on the island, nobody lives on the island, there isn't even a toilet. There is no electricity and they have to put long wires down through the water," she says. "With our little group, there is a lot of wind as you are right over the ocean, there are a lot of waves and we often see dolphins, which is really nice."
Richard was third in the event last year and has already landed on the podium in the first two events of the 2019 series. The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series now in its 11th season features seven events taking place in dramatic locations around the world. There are 10 permanent divers in the men's category and six in the women's with additional wildcard entries added at each event.
And the sport is only growing both with competitions like Red Bull Cliff Diving and more traditional high diving as it looks for inclusion in future Olympic Games. Next year, there will be 12 permanent female divers.
Each competitor gets four dives, and the cumulative total points decide the winner. The dive is akin to traditional Olympic diving at the beginning with a series of complicated aerial manoeuvres, but instead of hitting the water head first, the divers must go feet first because of the height.
Richard is the oldest permanent diver on the series and has only been high diving at this level for a few years. She was introduced to the sport while working at a circus show at Canada's Wonderland in Toronto that had an acrobatic high dive component.
"I did the circus and diving show, but it was more freestyle, I wasn't coached and had no technique," she says. "So every morning before the show, I was doing high diving to improve my skill and kept doing harder dives. I had to arrive before it opened and the water was so cold. I still wasn't coached or with a diving club, but once I started doing the competitions I got a chance to train more with the national diving team in Montreal and kept improving my skill."
Now, with the Red Bull series as well as the amateur competitions such as the upcoming FINA world championships in Korea this summer, Richard is a full-time high diver as well as a mother of three children and a sports ambassador and speaker who does a lot of work speaking with young people in schools.
"I do need to train full-time all year long if I want to challenge the other athletes," says Richard. "I do still need to work and do a lot of other things, even those with the top ranking in the world cannot live on that alone."
Richard has also made it her mission to attract other athletes to the sport and has some success with the recent addition of another Canadian, Aimee Harrison, to the series, although only as a wildcard at the moment.
"In Canada, I was the only one for years," she says. "One of my missions is to make the sport more well known and convince regular divers and trampolinists to switch to this sport so we can have a bigger team. Finally, this year at the World Cup, we were a team of two Canadians."
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Indiana OWI Laws
Although drunk driving is among the most common crimes committed in the United States, it can take the life of the driver, passengers, other motorists, and even pedestrians. That is why Indiana and other states have such severe penalties for driving under the influence (DUI), which Indiana calls "operating while intoxicated" or simply OWI. Indiana law imposes a fine of up to $5,000; up to one year in prison; up to years' license suspension; mandatory attendance at a victim impact panel (where applicable); and other sanctions for the first offense. Sentences only go up from there, with a fine of up to $10,000 and up to three years in prison for a third offense. And then you have to factor in the cost of legal representation.
The penalties are so strict because the stakes are so high, involving the lives of everyone who uses public roadways. Knowing the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits will help you avoid an OWI. But the following information is intended to help you understand the law and take the next step if you have been charged with impaired driving in Indiana.
Indiana OWI (DUI) Laws: Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limits and Implied Consent
Implied Consent to Submit to BAC Test? Yes (1 year license suspension for refusal)
Indiana OWI Laws: Select Penalties
Minimum License Suspension or Revocation (1st, 2nd, 3rd offense) 90 days to 2 years / 180 days to 2 years / 1-10 years
Mandatory Alcohol Education, Assessment and Treatment Both (not mandatory)
Indiana OWI Resources
Indiana OWI Statute: Operating While Intoxicated (Indiana Code 9-30-5).
Indiana Impaired Driving Laws - Overview of OWI and related offenses, including repercussions for arrests and convictions (Indiana Criminal Justice Institute).
License Suspension and Reinstatement - Information about license suspension in Indiana and how to get your license reinstated after the suspension has ended (Indiana Criminal Justice Institute).
Impaired Driving Programs - Brief overview of Indiana's impaired driving programs, which are meant to raise awareness and reduce OWIs (Indiana Criminal Justice Institute).
Certified IID Models - Listing of ignition interlock devices (IIDs) certified by Indiana for use by impaired driving offenders (Indiana State Dept. of Toxicology)
What Are the Indiana OWI Laws? - Additional information about Indiana's impaired driving (OWI) laws, with links to related resources (FindLaw).
Your Indianapolis OWI Case: The Basics - Information to help you navigate an OWI case in Indianapolis, with contact information about courts (FindLaw)
Get Legal Help with Your OWI Case in Indiana
If you've been arrested for an OWI in Indiana, whether or not you believe you're guilty of the crime, you'll probably want to hire an attorney. Contact an OWI (DUI) attorney who will be able to review the evidence against you to determine its validity and relative strength, while crafting a legal defense and working to get the best possible outcome for you.


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Final round of Miss University 2020 held in Hanoi
Friday, January 15, 2021 14:53
Traditional Japanese doll exhibition opens in HCM City
The Japan Foundation Centre for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam has launched the exhibition "Traditional Japanese Dolls" at the HCM City Fine Arts Museum.
HCM City's Tet Viet festival to honour traditional values
The 2021 Tet Viet (Vietnamese Tet) festival is slated for January 21-24 in HCM City, honouring cultural values and cuisine, as well as customs and anecdotes during the country's traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.
Hanoi to complete infrastructure for SEA Games 31 by Sept. 30
Projects to improve facilities serving the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) in Hanoi are underway and scheduled to be completed by September 30, according to the municipal Department of Culture and Sports.
Collection of music copyright fees growing
Copyright fees collected overseas for the use of Vietnamese music increased from nearly 2 billion VND (87,000 USD) in 2019 to more than 3.6 billion VND last year.
Two e-sports tourneys to be held annually
The Vietnamese E-sport Championship and the University E-sport Championship will be held annually starting from this year, the Vietnam Recreational E-sport Association (VIRESA) announced on January 13.
Winners of 2020 Golden Ball award announced
Forward and captain Nguyen Van Quyet of Hanoi FC and striker Cu Thi Huynh Nhu of HCM City Club won the Golden Ball awards for player of the year during an awards ceremony held in HCM City on January 12.
Vietnamese goalkeeper tops clean sheet list among ASEAN leagues
Hanoi to revitalise traditional Tet space in Old Quarter
Pop stars to perform in TV show to welcome spring, Tet
Dozens of singers will perform in a special music TV show next week to welcome Spring and Lunar New Year festival which falls on February 12 this year.
Goalkeeper Lam to leave Thailand for Japanese league
Monday, January 11, 2021 20:07
Dang Van Lam looks set to be the first Vietnamese player to compete in Japan's J1 League after reportedly signing a deal with Cerezo Osaka FC.
Two Vietnamese among nominees at Futsalplanet Awards 2020
Futsalplanet.com has said that two representatives of Vietnam's futsal scene have been nominated for honours at the Futsalplanet Awards 2020, the 21st edition of the most traditional and recognised futsal awards, according to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) on January 11.
Cai Rang floating market has long been an enticing tourism feature of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.
Famous writer opens his first art exhibition in Hanoi
Fifty-three paintings by Nguyen Quang Thieu, President of the Vietnamese Writers' Association, are on display in his first solo exhibition called Flutist at the Vietnam University of Fine Arts in Hanoi.
Ba Na ethnic community celebrates new crop
Celebrating a new harvest season is one of the biggest events of the year for the Ba Na ethnic minority group in the Central Highlands region.
HBSO hosts New Year's concert 2021
The HCM City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) is set to launch a concert featuring dance, arias, and orchestral works from well-known operas to welcome the New Year at the city's Opera House on January 9.


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H2SO4
Label: Lo-Tek
If you love British electronic pop à la New Order and Hot Chip you should check out H2SO4. This is an old project that originated in 1998 when electro band Code was drafted to make some remixes for the indie group Sulphur. Together they created a bunch of 12" white labels before the release of their debut album "Machine Turned Blues" in 1999. After that, they released a Japan-only follow-up called "Glamtronica" in 2004 before the band split into two entities. Graham Cupples and James Butler continued as H2SO4, while Andy Phillips and Guy Martin became the production team Bombay Monkey. Now two decades later, they've joined forces again to make new material.
Lush, smooth electronic atmospheres is the tune of the day. "Love and Death" is filled with beautiful, chilled pop songs and delicate production. It's perhaps not as catchy as New Order, but there are definitely similarities in sound. Perhaps most evident in "We Are in Motion" which could fit right in on "Republic".
There are a lot of strong tracks to check out. "Hello Spacegirl" for example – the title a nod to David Bowie's "Hallo Spaceboy" – where a driving beat and a bouncy bass line fits snugly with the vocals. Or the excellent "She Weirds Me out", a melodic and electronic ballad that shows the band's softer side.
"Love and Death" might have to grow on you as the songs aren't all out choruses and flash, but instead focuses on moods and atmospheres. It rewards multiple listens.


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Q: How to calculate a combination of convolution and correlation by FFT? I'm trying to achieve an algorithm to efficiently calculate a combination of convolution and correlation such as following :
c(x,y)=(sum of i, (sum of j, a(x-i,y+j)*b(i,j)))

I have known that 1-D convolution or correlation can be solved by
a conv b = ifft(fft(a).*fft(b))
a corr b = ifft(fft(a).*conjg(fft(b)))

But I have no idea about the combination of them in 2-D or N-D problems. I think it is similar to 2-D convolution, but I don't know the specific deduction process.

A: The correlation can be written in terms of the convolution by reversing one of the arguments:
corr(x(t),y(t)) = conv(x(t),y(-t))

Thus, if you want the x-axis to behave like a convolution and the y-axis to behave like a correlation, reverse the y-axis only and compute the convolution. It doesn't matter if you use a spatial or frequency domain implementation.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Tonight, the In Memoriam segment proved yet again to be one of the most emotional moments from the Emmys.
Who is Jan Svendsen, the girlfriend and now fiancee of Glenn Weiss? Read more in this 2018 Emmys piece now.
Henry Winkler, Rachel Brosnahan, and Bill Hader are among the winners for the 2018 Emmys. See the full list right now!
In the Emmys 2018 opening, Michael Che and Colin Josh talk Roseanne, diversity, and more; plus, the "We Solved It" opening song.
Leading up to the 2018 Emmys on Monday night, do you want to know where you can live stream the red-carpet pre-show?
Emmys 2018: Should Peter Dinklage, Matt Smith, someone else win Supporting Actor?
Who could win Supporting Actor in a Drama Series at the Emmys? We discuss that here, and be sure to vote for your favorite!


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Q: $3(1-3x)^{-2}=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}(n+1)3^nx^n.$ How? I couldn't understand how I can get the following result on expansion:
$$3(1-3x)^{-2}=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}(n+1)3^nx^n.$$ Any ideas?

A: $$\frac1{(1-3x)^2} =\frac13 \frac{d}{dx} \frac1{1-3x} = \frac13 \frac{d}{dx} \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (3x)^n \\ = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{d}{dx}3^{n-1} x^n = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty}3^{n-1}n x^{n-1} = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} 3^n (n+1)x^n$$


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Of course that didn't stop this chick from congratulating herself on how "not racist" she is.
Ol' dude needs a history lesson if he thinks slavery was end of U.S. racial genocide.
Here's a Holy Christian apparently?
Yeah, The best thing we can do is try our best to discover the full truth and counter their falsehoods with truth in the best ways we know how.


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FRAGILE PEACE IN NIGERIA DESPITE GAINS AGAINST BOKO HARAM
July 16, 2016 July 23, 2016 comment userComment(0)
Nigeria's military has clawed back swathes of territory held by Boko Haram, opening up routes once infested with Islamist fighters, allowing life to resume for people in the remote region.
But locals in the northeast say the Islamists are still a security risk and far from defeated, sounding a note of caution to government and military claims that victory is near.
Aid agencies, meanwhile, have said parts of Borno state remain inaccessible, highlighting the threat of severe acute malnutrition – and even famine – to tens of thousands of people.
Certainly, there has been progress compared to 2014, when the militants controlled territory the size of Belgium with a self-declared caliphate that threatened Nigeria's sovereignty.
Last week, the military announced the reopening of the strategic 140-kilometre trade route linking the Borno state capital Maiduguri to Gamboru on the border with Cameroon.
Trucks laden with goods and passenger vehicles have since been plying the road under military escort and a state government committee has been formed to oversee transportation.
"From our records over 5,000 people have returned to Gamboru in the past week following the reopening of the route," one official on the committee, who asked not to be identified, told AFP.
"We have so far organised two trips to Gamboru involving 100 articulated trucks and 116 passenger vehicles."
Boko Haram seized Gamboru in August 2014, prompting thousands to flee to Fotokol on the other side of the river that forms the border with Cameroon.
Chadian forces, who have been involved in the regional counter-insurgency, retook Gamboru in February 2015 after intense fighting that left hundreds of insurgents dead.
Residents began returning the following month and since the road reopened, there has been "a huge influx" of people from Maiduguri, said resident Umar Ari.
"Commercial activities are fast picking up with the resumption of supply of goods from Maiduguri. Some people have started rebuilding their homes," he added.
"Residents of Gamboru have resumed work on their farms that have been lying fallow for two crop seasons."
But it is fragile peace, as Boko Haram is still attacking villages and Nigerian troops in the region.
Source: Name News Network
"We must reinvent ourselves" to serve world better: UN deputy chief
February 28, 2017 comment user
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires the UN system to "reinvent" itself in order to better serve Member States.That's according to Amina Mohammed, making her first speech at UN Headquarters shortly after being officially sworn in as dep…
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text:
/**
 * @fileOverview Code values with size.
 * @author David Huynh
 * @author Ryan Lee
 */

/**
 * @class
 * @constructor
 * @param {Element|jQuery} containerElmt
 * @param {Exhibit.UIContext} uiContext
 */
Exhibit.SizeCoder = function(containerElmt, uiContext) {
    Exhibit.jQuery.extend(this, new Exhibit.Coder(
        "size",
        containerElmt,
        uiContext
    ));
    this.addSettingSpecs(Exhibit.SizeCoder._settingSpecs);

    this._map = {};
    this._mixedCase = {
        "label": Exhibit._("%coders.mixedCaseLabel"),
        "size": 10
    };
    this._missingCase = {
        "label": Exhibit._("%coders.missingCaseLabel"),
        "size": 10
    };
    this._othersCase = {
        "label": Exhibit._("%coders.othersCaseLabel"),
        "size": 10
    };

    this.register();
};

/**
 * @constant
 */
Exhibit.SizeCoder._settingSpecs = {
};

/**
 * @param {Object} configuration
 * @param {Exhibit.UIContext} uiContext
 * @returns {Exhibit.SizeCoder}
 */
Exhibit.SizeCoder.create = function(configuration, uiContext) {
    var coder, div;
    div = Exhibit.jQuery("
")
        .hide()
        .appendTo("body");
    coder = new Exhibit.SizeCoder(
        div,
        Exhibit.UIContext.create(configuration, uiContext)
    );

    Exhibit.SizeCoder._configure(coder, configuration);
    return coder;
};

/**
 * @param {Element} configElmt
 * @param {Exhibit.UIContext} uiContext
 * @returns {Exhibit.SizeCoder}
 */
Exhibit.SizeCoder.createFromDOM = function(configElmt, uiContext) {
    var configuration, coder;

    Exhibit.jQuery(configElmt).hide();

    configuration = Exhibit.getConfigurationFromDOM(configElmt);
    coder = new Exhibit.SizeCoder(
        configElmt,
        Exhibit.UIContext.create(configuration, uiContext)
    );

    Exhibit.SettingsUtilities.collectSettingsFromDOM(
        configElmt,
        coder.getSettingSpecs(),
        coder._settings
    );

    try {
        Exhibit.jQuery(configElmt).children().each(function(index, elmt) {
            coder._addEntry(
                Exhibit.getAttribute(this,  "case"),
                Exhibit.jQuery(this).text().trim(),
                Exhibit.getAttribute(this, "size")
            );
        });
    } catch (e) {
        Exhibit.Debug.exception(e, Exhibit._("%coders.error.configuration", "SizeCoder"));
    }

    Exhibit.SizeCoder._configure(coder, configuration);
    return coder;
};

/**
 * @param {Exhibit.SizeCoder} coder
 * @param {Object} configuration
 */
Exhibit.SizeCoder._configure = function(coder, configuration) {
    var entries, i;

    Exhibit.SettingsUtilities.collectSettings(
        configuration,
        coder.getSettingSpecs(),
        coder._settings
    );

    if (typeof configuration.entries !== "undefined") {
        entries = configuration.entries;
        for (i = 0; i < entries.length; i++) {
            coder._addEntry(entries[i].kase, entries[i].key, entries[i].size);
        }
    }
};

/**
 *
 */
Exhibit.SizeCoder.prototype.dispose = function() {
    this._map = null;
    this._dispose();
};

/**
 * @param {String} kase
 * @param {String} key
 * @param {Number} size
 */
Exhibit.SizeCoder.prototype._addEntry = function(kase, key, size) {
    var entry = null;
    switch (kase) {
    case "others":  entry = this._othersCase; break;
    case "mixed":   entry = this._mixedCase; break;
    case "missing": entry = this._missingCase; break;
    }
    if (entry !== null) {
        entry.label = key;
        entry.size = size;
    } else {
        this._map[key] = { size: size };
    }
};

/**
 * @param {String} key
 * @param {Object} flags
 * @returns {Number}
 */
Exhibit.SizeCoder.prototype.translate = function(key, flags) {
    if (typeof this._map[key] !== "undefined") {
        if (typeof flags !== "undefined" && flags !== null) {
            flags.keys.add(key);
        }
        return this._map[key].size;
    } else if (typeof key === "undefined" || key === null) {
        if (typeof flags !== "undefined" && flags !== null) {
            flags.missing = true;
        }
        return this._missingCase.size;
    } else {
        if (typeof flags !== "undefined" && flags !== null) {
            flags.others = true;
        }
        return this._othersCase.size;
    }
};

/**
 * @param {Exhibit.Set} keys
 * @param {Object} flags
 * @returns {Number}
 */
Exhibit.SizeCoder.prototype.translateSet = function(keys, flags) {
    var size, self;
    size = null;
    self = this;
    keys.visit(function(key) {
        var size2 = self.translate(key, flags);
        if (size === null) {
            size = size2;
        } else if (size !== size2) {
            if (typeof flags !== "undefined" && flags !== null) {
                flags.mixed = true;
            }
            size = self._mixedCase.size;
            return true;
        }
        return false;
    });

    if (size !== null) {
        return size;
    } else {
        if (typeof flags !== "undefined" && flags !== null) {
            flags.missing = true;
        }
        return this._missingCase.size;
    }
};

/**
 * @returns {String}
 */
Exhibit.SizeCoder.prototype.getOthersLabel = function() {
    return this._othersCase.label;
};

/**
 * @returns {Number}
 */
Exhibit.SizeCoder.prototype.getOthersSize = function() {
    return this._othersCase.size;
};

/**
 * @returns {String}
 */
Exhibit.SizeCoder.prototype.getMissingLabel = function() {
    return this._missingCase.label;
};

/**
 * @returns {Number}
 */
Exhibit.SizeCoder.prototype.getMissingSize = function() {
    return this._missingCase.size;
};

/**
 * @returns {String}
 */
Exhibit.SizeCoder.prototype.getMixedLabel = function() {
    return this._mixedCase.label;
};

/**
 * @returns {Number}
 */
Exhibit.SizeCoder.prototype.getMixedSize = function() {
    return this._mixedCase.size;
};

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Carriera
Il 21 novembre 2014 firma un contratto di due mesi con il Birmingham City.

Note

Altri progetti

Collegamenti esterni

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Are you a door drop virgin?
Some weeks ago, the MD of a well known agency, which is actually a client of ours, wrote a really interesting blog about client relationships with suppliers.
In the blog, he bemoaned clients (which for us includes agencies) who scupper working relationships with suppliers, sometimes seemingly at a whim, but commonly because the supplier bears the brunt of the blame for a campaign that "failed".
When all too often, the blame could perhaps more appropriately be laid at the door of the client and/or agency.
As the link to the news article suggests, its not just about the final mile delivery.
At TLC, our mission always has and always will be to provide any client with the best independent advice and services at our fingertips, based upon individual campaign requirements.
And yes, in over nearly 20 years we have experienced a few quality issues, because door drop is not a perfect science.
But there have also been numerous occasions where the phrase "horse to water" springs to mind.
Our service is to provide you the client with the most appropriate door drop solution, whether that be using any one door drop option in isolation or an appropriate combination.
We will always provide a rationale to set alongside that proposal with associated charges, discuss the options (given the opportunity!) and proceed.
But if the client rejects our recommendations and requests us to implement the activity using their preferred option/s, when it goes wrong whose fault is it?
Its seems increasingly common for clients and agencies to confirm door drop activity based upon perception, personal preferences and/or "alleged" experience.
But when you are a bit of an industry dinosaur like I am, asking a few questions about the brief and the objectives soon reveals just how much experience the person on the other end of the phone really has.
When we receive an enquiry about direct mail (and the client does mean door drop) and the contact does not know what a postal sector is, it's a pretty certain bet they are a door drop virgin.
That's fine, it really is.
We are here to help and if it is your first time, we will be gentle and help you through every stage of the experience.
Its not uncommon for the contact's alleged "experience" to be drawn from their peers or more likely their superiors (because handling door drops seems to have become a menial task to some clients and agencies), but just how recent is that experience?
Just how up to date is your company with the intricacies (and developments) of the door drop industry?
To some extent, the industry and its trade associations should shoulder some of the blame.
Can anyone show me where door drop training conducted by a current industry expert is a primary part of a marketing course, or an association that even runs dedicated training sessions?
All things digital receive plenty of air time on trade associations' websites, blogs and events, but you won't find much useful information about door drops.
But clients and agencies do always also have the option of running door drop sessions as part on their in-house training programmes?
We have been delighted at completing any number over the years (though its been a while) and perhaps more should think about doing it?
Unsurprisingly, it's a practice preached by our agency client mentioned at the outset.
And the agency (and their clients) reap the benefits.
Previous post: Does your door drop leaflet work hard enough for you?


Conferences and Seminars - collections of materials and records of the proceedings from the conferences organized by the Bureau.
Deputies and their staff can be provided with copies of Bureau's publications at the Inquiry Office of Parliamentary Consultants - the publications issued during the last six months are available out of hand while others issued earlier after previous request. Bureau of Research Bulletin series and books published by the Bureau are obtained till they are out of print.
Publications of the Bureau of Research are also available in the reading room of the Sejm Library.


Ocean9 accelerates digital transformation with high performance cloud services for SAP on Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. With a minimum of effort, Ocean9's Intelligent Automation and Architecture allows customers and partners to provision SAP HANA in just minutes – and then quickly transition from development to mission critical operations with business continuity and availability of up to 99.99%. Flexible Ocean9 subscription licensing, meanwhile, eliminates investment risk.
The analytics space has been very fragmented in the past through a delineation of tools across the various steps in the data preparation and consumption cycle. With an increasing need for real time analytic speed and the abundance of different data sources, more universal offerings are simplifying and accelerating the time from data to insights and action.
Join this webinar to learn about the latest trends and offerings for real time analytics and get a head start for your BI analytics architecture planning in 2018.
Successful digital transformation is tied to data streams in and out of the enterprise and monetization via new types of services. Data analytics are an inherent element that will power all new apps and automate actions based on real-time data analysis.
In the years ahead, data driven actions will become more and more sophisticated and will augment work activities and support consumers when they shop, trade, and make decisions.
Join this webinar for a discussion of these trends and to understand how with the increasing speed of innovation and the growing scarcity of resources, leveraging adaptable on-demand infrastructure and platforms will grow in importance and become mainstream.
Fraunhofer Institute, a leading German research organization, identified 30% of virtual machines sampled on a leading public cloud were vulnerable to attack due to incorrect configurations by the user. The article further states: "The problem clearly lies in the customers' unawareness and not in Amazon Web Services." With the long list of existing cloud services and the rapid innovation of new cloud services, how can you make sure to engineer security and reliability into your cloud solutions from the get go?
Frank Stienhans is an early cloud adopter and CTO of Ocean9. He is fluent on both Azure and AWS and concepts and examples will cover both clouds.
The majority of big data technologies emphasizes the technical significance of new concepts like clustered file systems or in-memory computing. While such technologies are highly relevant for certain big data aspects, they obscure a holistic look at the overall needs for data management and data lifecycle in accordance with the business use case.
With the Data Lake, this is different: Semantically grouped managed data objects are at the heart of this new paradigm, with a variety of technologies supporting it.
With all the talk about the unimaginable growth of data, lets make data and its elements the core of our future architecture.
Join this webinar to understand key data lake concepts as well as best practices on how to get started.
Experts agree, companies and their IT departments will be living in a hybrid world for many years to come. While cloud as the de facto default for deployment will become the standard soon, most organizations will retain a group of applications on-premise out of a variety of reasons: LIfecycle or age of the infrastructure and application asset, technical specifics making a migration challenging or lastly security concerns in highly regulated industries or in core areas of a company.
This means that IT Ops will have to evolve from being an expert in several technologies and applications to being an orchestrator and facilitator of a changing variety of resources spanning on-premise as well as one to several public clouds.
Join this webinar to understand how to respond to ongoing cloud migration in a hybrid cloud world across the three dimensions of (1) leadership and management, (2) process and policy, and (3) tools and systems.
Modernizing Legacy Applications: To Containerize or Not to Containerize?
The adoption and popularity of containerized applications has exploded in recent years. According to Gartner, more than 50% of new workloads will be deployed in containers by 2018.
But where does that leave the other 50%? How are virtual machines measuring up and how will applications built on these infrastructures survive the digital transformation caused by Docker and other container platforms?
Join this expert panel discussion with Fabio Gomez, Cloud Solution Architect- CASE, IBM, Tarak Modi, President & CTO of TekNirvana, Swen Conrad, CEO of Ocean9, and Phil Mullan, Head of Engineering at Huddle, to discuss which IT infrastructure makes the most sense for your business in the digital age, and the pros and cons of different operating systems.
Hardware Virtualization and Cloud Computing allowed us to increase Resource Utilization and increase our flexibility to respond to business demand. Docker Containers are the next quantum leap - Are they?!
Databases always represented an additional set of challenges unique to running workloads requiring a maximum of I/O, network, CPU resources combined with data locality.
- A demo on how a traditional application like SAP and SAP HANA can be fully containerized.
- A live demo to prove the concepts and results will feature a database of 1.2 billion rows of data.
The "known unknown" of Big Data in IoT: How big will your data grow and by when?
IoT is at the core or many Digital Transformation initiatives with the goal of re-inventing a company's business model. We all agree that collecting relevant IoT data will result in massive amounts of data needing to be stored. However, with the rapid development of IoT devices and ongoing business model transformation, we are not able to predict the volume and growth of IoT data. And with the lack of IoT history, traditional methods of IT and infrastructure planning based on the past do not apply either.
Understand key cloud concepts and how they enable your successful IoT initiative providing flexibility and elasticity to your IT infrastructure in a highly secure fashion.
Join this webinar to understand how the two trends of cloud and IoT are better together.
The industry is abuzz about containers, microservices and hybrid/multi-cloud environments, leaving many asking "What about my existing applications that live on-premises?" This question is top of mind for IT leaders looking to modernize their applications. The challenge is that "modernization" is usually a code word that means costly, complex and time-consuming — but it doesn't have to be this way!
- HOW: Your traditional applications can benefit from containers and cloud infrastructure.
- WHY: You can realize significant benefits without disrupting your business.
- WOW: See a containerized SAP Hybris on a containerized SAP HANA in action, live!
We will present and demo for 25 - 30 min max, leaving ample time for your questions. Also, we will give away three high value pilots for qualified attendees.
- Understand the broad range of certified SAP infrastructure provided Microsoft Azure.
- How SUSE Linux is quickly becoming the default Linux open source operating system on Azure.
- How Ocean9 provisions highly secure, and available high-performance SAP-as-a-Service solutions in minutes.


text:
Jo-Anne Balcaen, David Zwirner, Tuesday, January 13, 2015, 5:24 pm, 2015-2019.
Impression jet d'encre sur polypropylène, 106,7 x 157,5 cm. | Inkjet print on polypropylene, 106,7 x 157,5 cm cm. Avec l'aimable permission de l'artiste | Courtesy of the artist
Jo-Anne Balcaen
From April 13th 2019 to June 15th 2019
Dynamique interne/ Internal Dynamics
Opening, Saturday, April 13, 2019 - 3PM to 6PM
Family Saturdays: May 4 and June 15, 2019.
Internal Dynamics, an installation of photographs with soundtrack by Jo-Anne Balcaen, is the latest iteration of works that delve into the psychic experience of artists who grapple with what Bourdieu called the inverted economy, where artists don't make work to earn a living but earn a living in order to make work. Conditioned by years of experience as a former exhibition coordinator, Balcaen's candid perspective on the art world results from the artist's own ambiguous position within the field as both an insider and an outsider and the effect this condition has on her psyche as she strives for self-actualization.
Distilled from dozens of pictures surreptitiously taken while visiting the internationally renowned galleries of New York's Chelsea district, the large, lush architectural portraits seemingly bring the galleries' private spaces within reach, while photos of the barriers used to limit access reinforce the feeling of distance. In contrast, others document the more humanizing details that reside in the shadow of the white cube's persistent aura: dirt, storage, cluttered desks. The large-scale gallery images fit seamlessly into OPTICA's gallery space, leaving one to wonder about the elusive reputational metrics that determine the spectacular gap that exists between high-end galleries and artist-run centres, and the artists who make it and those who don't.
Overhead, a soundtrack plays an inner dialogue that will strike a chord with those who share a similar experience as artists and cultural workers nesting multiple roles within the art world, not only to survive, but to thrive, as singular subjects with agency over their destiny despite limited opportunities and bouts of crippling doubt. Balcaen's white cube is a generative site of existential enquiry, offering opportunities she continues to respond to, at her pace, and for our experience.
Anne Bertrand was involved at Skol, a Montréal based artist-run centre, from 2005 to 2012 and is currently the Executive Director of ARCA, a national advocacy organization that federates the nine artist-run associations from Québec and Canada.
MAVRIKAKIS, Nicolas. «Dynamique interne»: le cube blanc renversé», Le Devoir, April, 20 and 21, 2019.
Jo-Anne Balcaen is a Montreal-based artist who has worked in video, installation, sculpture, and photography. Her work, which has drawn on references as diverse as popular music and the inner workings of the art world, has been presented throughout Canada, in the US and in Europe. She holds a BFA from the University of Manitoba, and an MFA from Concordia University.


Put more time than I initially meant to into the BG, but it was really good practice in an area that could use it. There were so many different textures across this character and her gear that the whole pic was a great learning experience!
One down, two more WoW-related commissions to go! These are my favorite to work on ♥ Next time though I will ask for some backstory, it wasn't until she was finished, turned in and getting posted around that it occurred to me I have no idea what even just the character's name is! What is the other half of her lineage, human perhaps? No clue! Wont happen again!