I am a passive investor, my portfolio is made of low cost vanguard funds and ETFs. Vanguard has some excellent choices of funds and ETFs. One of the earliest decision I had to make was to chose between investing in ETFs or mutual funds. There are lots of resources available online which discuss the pros and cons of funds and ETFs.
In this post I compare and contrast mutual funds and ETFs. This comparison would be slightly different from other resources, all my discussions would be in the context of funds and ETFs offered by vanguard. Very few investment companies have the range of ETFs and mutual funds offered by Vanguard. Fidelity jumps to my mind immediately. Schwabs is another such investment company. Additionally, all my trades are through my vanguard brokerage account. Vanguard ETFs and funds trade for free on it.
This is a very important and limiting factor (no workarounds). Not all ETFs have corresponding mutual funds variants and vice versa. Typically, almost all index funds have an ETF version. However, most of the actively managed funds have no ETF equivalent. So, depending on your choice of investment strategy you might be restricted to only one category. For e.g. Wellington Fund (VWELX) is Vanguard's oldest mutual fund and the nation's oldest (started in 1929) balanced fund. This fund is not available in an ETF flavor. Similarly, Vanguard Mega Cap Growth (MGK) is available as ETF only. Almost all sector ETFs have no mutual funds equivalents.
For someone starting out, this is definitely an important factor to consider. Typical vanguard investor funds require a 3000$ minimum investment. For the admiral funds it is 10,000$. The distinction between admiral and investor funds is in their expense ratio (more on that later).
ETFs have no such requirements. It is sufficient to have enough money to buy one share of it. If you are trading outside of vanguard, still need to pay commision (TD Ameritrade, $6.95). It might be possible to trade ETFs for free on Robinhood.
Sometimes, the admiral version of funds (mostly actively managed) can be as high as 50,000$ and sometimes even 100,000$ (for sector funds). I started out with a mix of investor shares and ETFs. If the expense ratio is below 0.20% I would be okay with holding mutual funds, if it is higher than 0.20% I would switch to ETFs (If they are available).
For example, Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund (VEIEX) has an expense ratio of 0.32%. Even though it is high by vanguard standards, it is definitely one of the cheapest emerging market funds available. It's ETF version VWO has an expense ratio of 0.14%.
Vanguard funds are available in three variants. The investor variant, admiral and finally institutional. I will not take institutional funds into consideration as they have minimum of $5,000,000 (e.g. VINIX). Typically these funds are available in 401k.
The investor variant has the highest expense ratio. The ETF and admiral funds have same expense ratio. Investor shares tend to be sold more often than admiral shares. Turnover (Buying and selling) of funds places cost burden on all fund owners. In order to compensate for this, investor shares tend to have a higher expense ratio. ETFs AUM is much lesser than the investor or admiral shares. The cost of selling ETFs might be less expensive to all fund holders.
It is possible to setup auto investing with mutual funds. The value of a single unit of a mutual fund is evaluated at end of the day (4:00 PM Eastern). All orders get executed after this. Typically vanguard funds values are available at around 6 PM Eastern. With a vanguard brokerage account all mutual fund and ETF transactions are free. With mutual funds, I can auto invest as low as 25$.
Since ETF is traded like a stock, it is not possible to place an automated order for it. The price of an ETF fluctuates throughout the day. It is even possible that it's price might be more than the sum of the prices of the stocks it owns (premium to net asset value (NAV)). My mutual fund investments happens automatically once a month. The new capital is split across all the mutual funds based on my asset allocation. As for the ETFs, I manually execute them on a monthly basis(once I have sufficient capital to buy a single share).
One of the major advantages of auto investing is dollar cost averaging. I am able to average down on mutual fund losses/gains periodically. Passive investment coupled with DCA is definitely something to consider. ETF DCA is not as effective, especially if you do not have a vanguard or Robinhood brokerage account. The transaction fees could easily add up in other brokerage accounts. One way to overcome is to accumulate enough capital (lets say 1,000$) before making a purchase. This in turn reduces the time in market and makes DCA less effective.
As I have mentioned earlier trading vanguard mutual funds and ETFs is free if you have a vanguard brokerage account. Vanguard brokerage account is definitely not the top of the line trading platform. I am unable to execute advanced orders like trailing stop order. However, for investing in passive funds and ETFs it is more than sufficient. I looked up trading commissions on TD Ameritrade account (I happen to have an account there). For mutual funds it costs $49.99 per trade (WOW!). ETFs trade like stocks, hence its 6.95$ per trade. For someone who does not have a vanguard brokerage account it might be cheaper to trade ETFs. As mentioned earlier ETFs trade for free on Robinhood.
Sometimes newly launched funds have purchase and redemption fee. Again, the idea here is to reduce the cost burden on all fund holders. Constant turnover (by buying & selling) of funds would increase the cost burden. Purchase and redemption fees help to minimize this turn over. However, this does not typically apply to the ETF version (probably because the AUM is too low to affect the overall cost). Once the newly established funds have stabilized, the additional fees are withdrawn.
For example, Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation Index Fund (VIAIX) has purchase fee of 0.25% and redemption fee of 0.25%. This is on top of an expense ratio of 0.35%. It's ETF version VIGI has no purchase and redemption fee. Furthermore, it has an expense ratio of 0.25%.
There is no real difference in DRIP between mutual funds and ETFs. Both allow dividend reinvestment. It is possible to buy fractional shares of ETF via DRIP.
It is not possible to buy fractional shares of vanguard ETFs. It is however possible to buy fractional units of mutual funds. For me buying fractional shares ties in very well with auto investing and dollar cost averaging. Lets say I have 25$ to invest in November. I could buy 0.104 units of VFINX. On the contrary I need ~238$ to buy a single share of VOO. The assumption of course is that I had already used 3,000$ to initiate a position in VFINX.
ETFs can be used for option trading (they have the same characteristics as stocks). Here is the option chain for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). Selling covered calls seems to be a common strategy to generate additional income. Since owning these ETFs would follow a buy and hold strategy, it might be a good idea to write covered calls. I am not an expert in either of the above strategies and I do not use them. Finally, ETFs can be shorted. Here is a link to short interest for VOO. Obviously an ETF like VOO is going to have lots of option and shorting related actions. Something like VIG might have much lesser action.
It is possible to convert a mutual fund to ETF. This is a non-taxable event. Need to call Vanguard directly to make this change. However, there is no way to convert an ETF to mutual fund. The only way is to sell the ETF (taxable event) and then use the proceedings to buy mutual fund.
Selling mutual funds places a one month hold on buying (again to minimize cost for all fund holders). ETFs on the other hand don't have any such limitations.
Finally, the yield of ETFs tend to be higher then that of investor shares. Admiral and ETFs have the same yield. The fund expenses (ER) are typically taken out from the dividends. Since the expense ratio of investor shares are higher than the ETF, their yield would be lower.
For Vanguard 500 Index Fund (Investor) has an effective yield of 1.82% (after accounting for expenses). So, its yield must have been 1.96% (1.96%-0.14%(ER) = 1.82%). Similarly, Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has an effective yield of 1.92%. So, it's yield must have also been 1.96%( 1.96%-0.04%=1.92%).
The difference in yield 0.10% (1.92%-1.82%) is basically the difference in expense ratio 0.10% (0.14%-0.10%).
Very nice, thorough summary. To me, I really only consider two things when debating ETFs or mutual funds. What are the fees/expense ratio and does the fund meet my investing objectives. As you mentioned above, sometimes there are not comparable ETFs and mutual funds. So if you are trying to achieve one objective with the investment, you may be stuck.
Happy Thanksgiving Bert! Actively managed funds seem to be missing ETFs. Thanks mate!.
True mate! My portfolio is a combination of funds and ETFs too. I own VGHCX, which is actively managed.
Nice summary! I own Vanguard ETFs in my 529 plan. I've switched entirely to investing in individual stocks in my personal portfolio. I'm with Schwab though so do have access to the excellent selection of low cost ETFs that they offer (in addition to Vanguard ETFs). I do need some more exposure to emerging and international markets so might invest in ETFs there to get more diversified exposure to a sector that I'm not as familiar with.
Schwab has some awesome ETFs. I don't want to slice and dice too much, but have some international exposure is good. Check out VXUS or VWO.
Forgot to say that I love your banner photo. I'm a big fan of sailing. I grew up sailing Lasers and 420s. When I was in medical school and residency I crewed on a J-109 on Lake Michigan. I miss not having the time or access to lakes to do that right now.
Mutual Fund Consultants in PatnaAspark Consultants is an online investment adviser based in India, offering an automated goal-based investing service to almost anyone from professionals to beginners.
Our goal at Aspark Consultants is to make it easy for anyone to get access to best in class & user friendly investment management platform without strict account minimums and high fee structures saving them money, time and frustration.
Thanks for outlining the comparison!
Nice! This post will help clarify all doubts my sister has. She is elder to me and was talking about investments and Balance Advantage funds the other day. Since I have no idea about all these terms, started to explore and found it very interesting. I might become a financial advisor myself.
This is where I also found Mutual Funds in Pakistan very well explained.


It was a year dominated by worries over ceasefires and attempts to form power-sharing governments. No, not 2005... but 1975!
Secret Cabinet papers from that year - as well as some held over from 1974 - have just been released and they show that in the game of peace-making, not much ever changes.
Although violence was still the norm - 247 died during the year - there were echoes then of what would follow: an IRA ceasefire, a failed attempt at power-sharing and even efforts to cheer people up with big-name concerts at Stormont.
The on-off ceasefire grew out of talks between the IRA and Protestant churchmen in the village of Feakle, County Clare.
There were secret talks, but a memo from the permanent under secretary at the Northern Ireland Office (NIO), Frank Cooper, betrayed the government's true intentions.
"Our aim is to string the IRA along to the point where their military capacity goes soggy and where Catholic community support disappears," he wrote.
Attempts at re-establishing power-sharing were no more successful.
In May, elections were held to a Constitutional Convention.
And although the IRA ceasefire broke down in the summer with the murder of four soldiers in south Armagh, inter-party talks began at Stormont under the chairmanship of the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Lowry.
The DUP leader, Ian Paisley, wanted the former Stormont MP and leading barrister Desmond Boal for the job, saying there should be no question of an Englishman being appointed.
The hardline Vanguard leader, Bill Craig, proposed a voluntary coalition with the SDLP.
It is an idea recently floated by the DUP in an attempt to exclude Sinn Fein from a power-sharing executive. But back then, he was not so keen.
Craig was roundly defeated at a meeting of the United Ulster Unionist Coalition and expelled.
Papers from the time say officials blamed Mr Paisley, claiming he was worried about splits in the Free Presbyterian Church.
Enoch Powell also got some of the blame.
Mr Paisley, however, told the NIO he would make "substantial concessions - very large concessions" if the SDLP was willing to abandon power-sharing and the "Irish Dimension".
The then SDLP leader, Gerry Fitt, had earlier in the year pressed the government to release paramilitary prisoners following the IRA ceasefire.
Secretary of State Merlyn Rees raised the possibility of an arms amnesty with an SDLP delegation, but they told him Protestants would never hand in their weapons and said it was not the right time.
According to papers held over from 1974, because they were being used by the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, Mr Fitt, in a meeting with the NIO, raised the question of alleged anti-Catholic bias in elements of the RUC.
In another idea ahead of its time, a Stormont official, Michael Cudlipp, suggested a major campaign to "clean up Ulster".
He referred to suggestions for morale-boosting events such as an Ulster Festival.
He wrote: "For example, why not the big variety stars - Morcambe and Wise? Frank Sinatra? And the equivalent in cultural personalities.
"They could provide concerts and we would try to persuade them to give their services free as part of an attempt to boost Ulster."
He suggested these events might be hosted "on the lawns at Stormont".
We may have to wait many more years to know whether Mo Mowlam was aware of this failed idea before succeeding in persuading the likes of Pavarotti and Rod Stewart to perform the very same function.


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enitptpl
Brona McVittie
We tend to think of our genetic information as being encoded in DNA – in our genes. Brona McVittie from Epigenome NoE, UK, describes why this is only part of the story.
Chromatin
Image created by Nicolas
Bouvier; courtesy of Genevieve
Almouzni, Curie Institute,
How epigenetics shapes life
… it is tempting to wonder if this twisted sugar string of purine and pyrimidine base beads is, in fact, God.
More than 50 years have passed since James Watson and Francis Crick first published the 3D structure of the DNA double helix. With Darwinian evolutionary theory now so widespread, the discovery that DNA encodes hereditary characteristics has proven popular. When Crick passed away in 2004, broad media coverage signified how much these concepts are accepted beyond the scientific community. However, we are coming to realise that gene-centric theories of evolution are limited in their scope. The genetic blueprint, like a complex musical score, remains lifeless without an orchestra of cells (players) and epigenotypes (instruments) to express it.
Science is now uncovering what plays our genetic score, and it appears that this performance can change dramatically between generations without any alteration to the DNA sequence. The field of epigenetics seeks to determine how genome function is affected by mechanisms that regulate the way genes are processed. Epigenetic factors include both spatial patterns, such as the arrangement of DNA around histone proteins (chromatin), and biochemical tagging.
There are hundreds of different kinds of cells in our bodies. Although each one derives from the same starting point, the features of a neuron are very different from those of a liver cell.
With some 30 000 genes in the human genome, the importance of silence, as in any orchestral performance, must not be underestimated. As cells develop, their fate is governed by the selective silencing of genes. This process is subject to epigenetic factors. Patterns of DNA methylation, the addition of a methyl group, play a role in all sorts of phenomena in which genes are switched on or off, from the splash of purple on a petunia petal to the growth of cancerous tumours.
Failure to silence genes can produce a hazardous cacophony. Abnormal DNA methylation patterns can alter the spatial arrangement of chromatin. This, in turn, affects which genes are silenced after cell division. Hypermethylation can inhibit the work done by protective tumour suppressor genes and DNA repair genes. Such epimutations have been observed in a wide range of cancers. These epigenetic insights are offering new therapeutic avenues for exploration.
Epigenetics also provides a means by which genetic material can respond to changing environmental conditions. Although plants do not have a nervous system or a brain, their cells have the ability to memorise seasonal changes. In some biennial species, this ability is linked to their capacity to flower in the spring, when warmer ambient temperatures are detected. Research has shown how exposure to cold during winter triggers structural changes in chromatin that silence the flowering genes in mouse-ear cress. These genes are reactivated in spring when longer days and warmth are more conducive to reproduction.
The environment can also prompt epigenetic changes that affect future generations. Recent laboratory studies on inbred mice demonstrated how changes to their diet might influence their offspring. Their fur can be brown, yellow or mottled depending on how the agouti gene is methylated during embryonic growth. When pregnant mothers were fed methyl-rich supplements such as folic acid and vitamin B12, their young developed mainly brown fur. Most of the babies born to the control mice (not given the supplements) had yellow fur.
Just as the conductor of an orchestra controls the dynamics of a symphonic performance, epigenetic factors govern the interpretation of DNA within each living cell. Understanding these factors could revolutionise evolutionary and developmental biology, and thus affect practices from medicine to agriculture. To answer Watson, "The genetic alphabet is more akin to the word of God, and its translation to His hand."
Twin profiles
The twins aged 29: Jason
(left) and Gavin on the beach
"At times in their lives they have definitely striven to be perceived as a unit and at other times seem to want people to acknowledge their differences and respect them as individuals," says Jim of his friends Gavin and Jason. Gavin and Jason are identical twins. One is literally a clone of the other.
Their similarities cannot be disputed, but when I first met them, I found them to be quite different people. Had I met them a few years earlier, I doubt I would have been able to tell them apart.
Monozygotic (identical) twins occur with an incidence of 1 in every 250 births worldwide. For reasons yet unknown, a fertilised egg cell clones itself and gives rise to separate embryos. Each will begin and end life with the same genetic make-up, but as they grow and develop they will experience differences in their environment, some of which might alter their appearance and behaviour.
The twins aged 7: Jason (left)
and Gavin with their mother
and grandmother
Gavin and Jason have exactly the same DNA. If one committed a crime and unwittingly left samples for forensic analysis, it would be impossible to determine the culprit from DNA fingerprint analysis. However, closer inspection of their molecules may reveal significant differences. Although the two share the same genes, recent evidence suggests that some genes might be active in one twin but not the other. They might be identical genetically but not epigenetically.
Such differences are discernable at the molecular level in the way that their chromosomes are arranged within the nucleus of each cell. Twisted around tiny protein (histone) balls, the same DNA string can have different consequences for a cell. Both balls and string assume complex 3D structures depending on their biochemical flavour. A variety of small molecules can affect the nuclear infrastructure by adhering to DNA and its associated histone proteins. Such flavours are influenced by the environment, most notably our diet.
Biochemical fine-tuning of the genome determines which genes are switched on, so twins are not necessarily destined to share the same fate. Recent research (Fraga et al., 2005) on around 80 different sets of monozygotic twins has revealed that their DNA is marked in different ways by a tiny molecule called methyl. So it's not really true to say that they are identical. What's more, these differences were much more pronounced in older than in younger twins.
This is new fodder for the age-old debate over how much the environment influences our fate relative to our genes. Although the similarities between identical twins are more striking than the differences, their inequalities could offer new avenues for disease research. For example, although Gavin and Jason are both at risk for type II diabetes, Jason was recently admitted to hospital with a pancreatic infection and had to inject himself with insulin for some time afterwards. The doctors were unable to make a more specific diagnosis. Had they been equipped with better diagnostic tools, such as those offered by new advances in epigenetic research, they might have been able to profile the twins to ascertain what was wrong with Jason.
Fraga MF et al. (2005) Epigenetic differences arise during the lifetime of monozygotic twins. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 102: 10604-10609. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0500398102
Further information about epigenetics is available on the multilingual Epigenome NoE website
Traditionally, identical twins are considered identical in all aspects of their make-up, right down to the way in which their DNA functions. The debate over nature versus nurture has persisted for many years, with many studies looking at identical twins who have been separated at birth and raised in different environments to see how they differ. At last there appears to be concrete evidence that nurture or environmental pressures influence how DNA is methylated or silenced in the genome, leading to minute changes in gene expression. These epigenetic changes, affecting the arrangement of DNA around histone proteins and its biochemical tagging, can be influenced by something as simple as diet or, in plants, by seasonal changes. The discovery of this phenomenon means that identical twins could, for example, react differently to the same medicine. Investigating how genome function is affected by gene silencing is thus an emerging and important field.
Although the control of gene expression in terms of the 'lac' operon is included in some syllabuses, DNA methylation as a mode of gene control is not considered within the UK A-level biology syllabus. It is mentioned in text-books in the context of bacterial DNA being methylated to prevent its own restriction endonucleases from cutting endogenous DNA. The idea of silencing genes by methylation could be introduced into genetics lessons as 'how identical are identical twins?' Most students should be aware of the nature versus nurture debate in the upbringing of twins, but this can now be extended. It may also be possible to introduce the concept of DNA methylation inactivating one of the X chromosome in females.
Shelley Goodman, UK
Just the placebo effect?
Getting a grip on genetic diseases
Genetic fingerprinting: a look inside
Spinal cord injury: do stem cells have the answer?
Natural selection at the molecular level

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Newsroom > Aira Announcement > Finding Success on the World Stage and in the Classroom
Finding Success on the World Stage and in the Classroom
Anirudh Koul, AT&T's IoT Chief Chris Penrose holding a GLOMO trophy, and Kevin Phelan
At Aira, we've always known that it's amazing to be a mobile technology company working for greater accessibility and inclusion. Yesterday, that belief showed as we were recognized with top honors at the biggest stage in mobile technology, the 2019 Mobile World Congress Global Mobile Awards, not once, but twice. We are proud to share that Aira earned Best Innovation for Connected Life and Best Mobile Innovation for Education.
"This appears to be a revolutionary approach to seeing the future of assistant augmented experiences, not just for visually impaired, but really anyone into the future of a super-connected world of services." – Global Mobile Awards Judging Committee
We're glad to be acknowledged for our work in education, as our Back to School program sponsors the cost of Aira for hundreds of college students to use for an entire school year. Our students come from all over the country and represent the best and brightest at public and private universities and community colleges.
"This is an excellent example of leveraging the capabilities of mobile technologies to provide purposeful learning opportunities and increase personal independence for visually-impaired users in real-world contexts." – Global Mobile Awards Judging Committee
Statistics from Western Michigan University show that students who are blind or low vision have higher dropout rates than their sighted peers, with only 53% making it from Freshman to Sophomore year, and fewer than half reaching graduation. The Back to School initiative is all about helping students reduce the social and accessibility barriers that exist on campus so they can overcome these odds. Our data show that students in the Back to School program are far more likely to progress past Freshman year, and overall retention (students continuing with their education) has been an impressive 92%.
We're proud of these numbers, proud to be recognized on mobile technology's world stage, and especially proud of the students that have made this program such a success.
back to school Education GLOMO Innovation Mobile World Congress 2019 Technology
2018 Special Olympics USA Games and Aira Partner to Enhance Accessibility at Games
At Closing the Gap, Aira Focuses on Blind Students With Special Needs


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Course 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Eradicating extreme poverty for all people everywhere by 2030 is a pivotal goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Between 2015 and 2018, global poverty continued its historical decline, with the poverty rate falling from 10.1 per cent in 2015 to 8.6 per cent in 2018. Nowcasts suggest that owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global poverty rate increased sharply from 8.3 per cent in 2019 to 9.2 per cent in 2020, representing the first increase in extreme poverty since 1998 and the largest increase since 1990 and setting back poverty reduction by about three years.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic reversed the steady progress of poverty reduction over the past 25 years. This unprecedented reversal is being further exacerbated by rising inflation and the impacts of the war in Ukraine. It is estimated that these combined crises will lead to an additional 75 million–95 million people living in extreme poverty in 2022, compared with pre-pandemic projections.
Goal 1 Target
Between 2015 and 2018, global poverty continued its historical decline, with the global poverty rate falling from 10.1 per cent in 2015 to 8.6 per cent in 2018.
Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global poverty rate increased sharply from 8.3 per cent in 2019 to 9.2 per cent in 2020, rewinding progress by about three years.
This unprecedented reversal is being further exacerbated by rising inflation and the impacts of the war in Ukraine. It is estimated that these combined crises will lead to an additional 75–95 million people living in extreme poverty in 2022, compared with pre-pandemic projections.
The losses have been much higher for low-income countries, where poverty reduction has been set back by between eight and nine years. Although the poverty rate is projected to decrease to 8.7 per cent in 2021, it was still higher than the pre-pandemic level.
For the first time in two decades, the world's share of workers living with their families below the international poverty line increased from 6.7 per cent in 2019 to 7.2 per cent in 2020, meaning that an additional 8 million workers were pushed into poverty.
1.1 By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day
1.2 By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions
1.3 Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable
1.4 By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance
1.5 By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters
1.A Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources, including through enhanced development cooperation, in order to provide adequate and predictable means for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions
1.B Create sound policy frameworks at the national, regional and international levels, based on pro-poor and gender-sensitive development strategies, to support accelerated investment in poverty eradication actions
UN Children's Fund
UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction


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ABC's "Happy New Year, Charlie Brown" Annual Telecast Surges Double-Digits Year to Year in Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 to 6-Year Highs
ABC spins the numbers for Monday, December 29.
[via press release from ABC]
ABC's Happy New Year, Charlie Brown Spikes 36% to a 6-Year High
Happy New Year, Charlie Brown (8-9pm - 5.4 million and 1.5/5 in AD18-49): From 8-9pm, ABC's annual replay of Happy New Year, Charlie Brown surged from its year-ago telecast (on 12/30/13) by 32% in Total Viewers (5.4 million vs. 4.1 million) and by 36% in Adults 18-49 (1.5/4 vs. 1.1/3), scoring 6-year highs - since 2008 when ABC began broadcasting the special. ABC's PEANUTS special nearly tied CBS for the lead in the hour (with a repeat 2 Broke Girls and an original Mike & Molly) in Adults 18-49 (1.5/5 vs 1.6/5) and ranked #1 with Women 18-49 (tie) and Kids 2-11. Happy New Year, Charlie Brown also finished as the #1 TV show of the night with Kids 2-11.
Rudolph's Shiny New Year (9-10pm - 3.5 million and 1.0/3 in AD18-49): In the 9pm hour, ABC's encore of Rudolph's Shiny New Year was also up over its telecast on the same night last year in Total Viewers (+6% - 3.5 million vs. 3.3 million) and Adults 18-49 (+11% - 1.0/3 vs. 0.9/3), hitting 4-year highs - since 2010.
Quick Take for Monday, December 29, 2014 (Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings)
ABC's "Happy New Year, Charlie Brown" Annual Telecast Surges Double-Digits Year to Year in Total Viewers (+32%) and Adults 18-49 (+36%) to 6-Year Highs
ABC's Encore of "Rudolph's Shiny New Year" is Up by 6% in Total Viewers and By 11% in Adults 18-49 to its Strongest Performance Since 2010
"Happy New Year, Charlie Brown" (8:00-9:00 p.m. - 5.4 million and 1.5/5 in AD18-49):
From 8:00-9:00 p.m., ABC's annual replay of "Happy New Year, Charlie Brown" surged from its year-ago telecast (on 12/30/13) by 32% in Total Viewers (5.4 million vs. 4.1 million) and by 36% in Adults 18-49 (1.5/4 vs. 1.1/3), scoring 6-year highs - since 2008 when ABC began broadcasting the special. ABC's PEANUTS special nearly tied CBS for the lead in the hour (with a repeat "2 Broke Girls" and an original "Mike & Molly") in Adults 18-49 (1.5/5 vs 1.6/5) and ranked No. 1 with Women 18-49 (1.9/6-tie) and Kids 2-11 (1.6/6). "Happy New Year, Charlie Brown" also finished as the No. 1 TV show of the night with Kids 2-11.
"Rudolph's Shiny New Year" (9:00-10:00 p.m. - 3.5 million and 1.0/3 in AD18-49):
In the 9:00 p.m. hour, ABC's encore of "Rudolph's Shiny New Year" was also up over its telecast on the same night last year in Total Viewers (+6% - 3.5 million vs. 3.3 million) and Adults 18-49 (+11% - 1.0/3 vs. 0.9/3), hitting 4-year highs - since 2010.
A note about increasing DVR penetration and year-to-year rating comparisons: Year-to-year rating comparisons based on the Live + Same Day data stream are distorted by the level of DVR penetration in the Nielsen sample, which has jumped up to 49% currently, from 48% at the same point in 2013. More viewers are watching shows on their own timetables, which may not be reflected in the overnight next day numbers. The only truly valid year-to-year comparison would be one based on the Live + 7 Day metric, once those stats are released by Nielsen.
Source: The Nielsen Company, Fast Affiliate Live + Same Day Ratings, 12/29/14.
· 2 BROKE GIRLS (CBS)
· MIKE & MOLLY (CBS)


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Celebrities Weigh in on the 2016 Election
By Ella R.
Celebrities took to the internet after the results of the much anticipated election. A majority of celebrities endorsed Hillary Clinton. Clinton supporters included Amy Schumer, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Meryl Streep, Katy Perry, Madonna, Elizabeth Banks, Miley Cyrus, Lady GaGa, Kerry Washington, Lena Dunham, Robert De Niro, Kim Kardashian, Matt Damon, Bruce Springsteen, Sarah Silverman, Cher, Demi Lovato, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kristen Bell, to name a few. Celebrities that support President-Elect Donald Trump included Bill Belichick, Hulk Hogan, Dennis Rodman, Kirstie Alley, Tila Tequila, Jon Voight, Gary Busey, and others.
Whether we like it or not, celebrities can influence our lives. Many are endorsers or stars in advertisements, magazines, TV shows, and movies.Did these outspoken celebrities have an influence on how people voted? Senior Dani B. said, "I think that they had a lot of influence because celebrities like Beyoncé did the concert for Hillary Clinton and certain people definitely follow celebrities depending on what they like and that could maybe change their mind."
Many of the celebrities, such as John Legend, Will Arnett, and Seth MacFarlane, shared their reactions on Twitter displaying shock, disappointment, and confusion.
Other celebrities, such as Piers Morgan and Mark Cuban, were more supportive of the President-Elect, Donald Trump.
Many talk show hosts and even Saturday Night Live weighed in on the results.
Below is what Seth Meyers from Late Night with Seth Meyers had to say:
Also, Kate McKinnon from Saturday Night Live sang "Hallelujah" while portraying Clinton:
Here is what Samantha Bee from Full Frontal said:
A Language Of Good Chemistry
GOT it Memorized? Game of Thrones and Fantasy Part Two
The Final Episode is Coming! Game of Thrones and Fantasy Part One
Meet Macbeth Director Julia W.


Salem Green Apartments, located on the shores of Lake Schmidt, offers a lifestyle that goes Beyond the Expected. You'll love the serene setting and the convenience of everything Inver Grove Heights has to offer. Salem Green is owned and managed by Condor Corporation, a family-owned company that prides itself on providing outstanding living and exceptional value. Salem Green offers a truly unique living experience. With our 28 different floor plan styles, unparalleled amenity selection, and great location, we have it all! We're conveniently located with easy access to downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, and near Highways 35E & 494, the Mall of America and the Minneapolis St Paul Airport. Our friendly staff is here to provide great services designed to make your life easier, including "apartment sitting" while you're out of town, delivering packages to your apartment, and efficient 24-hour maintenance. We are excited to welcome you as our newest resident!
I found your property on ApartmentSearch.com and am interested in availability at Salem Green.


Do you like (or love) eggs Benedict? Well,if you do, go to the Boat House at Breech Inlet on Sunday. They have a wonderful (get this) fried oyster eggs Benedict. OMG! You will lick the plate. The potatoes with peppers and onions served with it makes it complete. The view is peaceful, beautiful, and on the water. What a way to spend Sunday brunch!
The Bloody Mary's and the mimosas are awesome and they also have an omlette where you can pick items, such as scallops, shrimp, etc. No reservations are necessary unless it's a special day (like Mother's Day). You can sit inside but outside on the screen porch is the best. You can watch the boats coming and going on the waterway or into the inlet.
Next time you want to treat yourself to something different go by and have brunch. Their evening dinners are also great. One of the best crab cakes I have ever tasted. What can I say, Charleston is the BEST!!
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Favorite (and not so favorite) Charleston Restaurants.


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text:
Archive March 2019
Blockchain Exchange Secures $50 Million in Diamonds for ETF Launch
By Publisher inBlockchain Tag Blockchain
Blockchain-based trading platform CEDEX says it has now secured a supply of more than 6,000 diamonds ahead of its launch of a diamond exchange-traded fund (ETF). Announcing the news on Wednesday, CEDEX said that the diamonds – worth over $50 million – will provide traders with a variety of investment options prior to the launch of the ETF, which is currently in development. The supply comes from diamond holders registering their stock on the exchange for trading, the firm told CoinDesk. CEDEX claims to have used blockchain tech and a proprietary algorithm to overcome several hurdles that previously prevented diamonds from becoming a tradable asset class like gold: lack of transparency, liquidity and fungibility. CEDEX said its mission is to turn diamonds into a tradeable asset class, and it aims to enable customers to trade on its inventory and generate liquidity in the market. The exchange – which launched in beta in November 2018 – will use tokens to allow customers to trade in diamonds of different sizes and values with "low" carrying cost, according to the announcement. The platform has its own ERC-20 token too, CEDEX Coin, which CEDEX says on its website is compliant and can be used for trading and investment on the exchange. Its "DEX" algorithm gauges the value of diamonds based on their characteristics and shows sellers a DEX score and estimated market price, according to the firm's website. CEDEX co-founder and CEO, Saar Levi, said:
"The vast inventory available combined with CEDEX unique technology opens up for traditional and digital markets the opportunity to develop financial instruments that will initially create the liquidity needed to jump-start our vision – transforming diamonds into a new asset class."
"Bridging the gap between existing financial markets and the diamond industry will fuel this untapped market from a $90 billion industry to an estimated $300-$400 billion," Levi added. The firm added that it's currently in talks with commodity brokers, exchanges, banks and ETF issuers in order to offer them a software solution that will allow integration of its ETF products onto their trading platforms. CEDEX said it raised $20 million in March 2018 to develop its platform. Source: www.coindesk.com
Facebook Blockchain Job Openings Top 20 Amid Staffing Spree
By Publisher inBlockchain, Curiosities
Social media giant Facebook keeps looking to expand its blockchain-related staff. Facebook's careers website now lists 20 job openings related to the technology in a wide range of areas, including: technology communications director, threat investigator, data scientist, two product managers and a product designer, brand strategy and marketing managers, community, media and webmanager, engineers, various UX researchers and other roles. Probably the most unusual role is a global security strategic partner who "will serve as a liaison and thought partner between Global Security and the selected key business partners, in this case: Facebook's Blockchain organization." The job descriptions don't disclose much about any future product, but hint at ambitious goals:
"Our ultimate goal is to help billions of people with access to things they don't have now – that could be things like healthcare, equitable financial services, or new ways to save or share information."
Friending blockchain
Ahead of the current hiring spree, Facebook has been hinting at a keen interest in blockchain for some time. According to a recent report by the New York Times, Facebook has been working on a token that will be used across the company's media platforms, which include Facebook itself, WhatsApp and Instagram. The token will be a kind of a stablecoin pegged to a basket of several fiat currencies. Fifty engineers at the company are already working on the token and it's expected to be released in the first half of 2019, the newspaper reported. In a recently posted video interview with Harvard Law professor Jonathan Zittrain, Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg said blockchain technology might allow the company to re-imagine the way users sign on to the social media platform, replacing the current system called Facebook Connect. "Basically, you take your information, you store it on some decentralized system and you have the choice to log into places without going through an intermediary," Zuckerberg said. Last summer, former PayPal president David Marcus stepped down from his board seat at crypto exchange Coinbase, citing his new assignment at Facebook as blockchain research lead – suggesting the social media company's ambitions for the technology were serious enough to pose a conflict. Source: www.coindesk.com
City of Denver to Pilot Blockchain Voting App in Coming Elections
By Publisher inBlockchain
A U.S. city plans to utilize a blockchain system to store and track votes in its upcoming municipal elections in May. Denver, Colorado, announced Thursday that it would implement a pilot program to allow overseas voters, active-duty military personnel and their eligible dependents to vote using a blockchain-based smartphone app in collaboration with Tusk Philanthropies and Voatz. Voatz's technology has previously been used in West Virginia, where active-duty military personnel used the software during the state's primary and general elections in 2018. Since its launch, the Overstock-backed startup has conducted more than 30 successful pilots, with more than 15,000 votes cast in its largest election to date. In a statement, Jocelyn Bucaro, deputy director of elections at the Denver Office of Clerk and Recorder said the Denver Elections Division is known for making voting an easier and more transparent process for individuals through technology. "Participating in this pilot program fits perfectly into our mission," she said, adding:
"We believe this technology has the potential to make voting easier and more secure not only for our active duty military and overseas citizens, but also for voters with disabilities, who could potentially vote independently and privately using their phones' assistive technology."
To participate, eligible voters must file an absentee ballot request and complete an authentication process through the Voatz mobile app. If approved, they will be able to submit their ballot between March 23 and May 7, Denver's election day. Using the app means voters can avoid having to print and scan the paperwork they would need should they file normal absentee ballots. Further, voters will be able to confirm whether their ballot was recorded, a feature traditional absentee ballots typically lack. The National Cybersecurity Center (NCC), which is also participating in the pilot, is "excited to partner with the City/County of Denver, Voatz and Tusk Philanthropies," said NCC CEO Vance Brown. "This public/private partnership showcases how promoting innovative technologies, such as blockchain-based mobile voting, protects against cyber-attacks that negatively impact our world," he said. "The application of blockchain in our election system provides for secure, auditable, transparent and accurate counting of ballots and the increased integrity of our election system." The U.S. might see more regular use of this technology should it prove to be effective, he added. Source: www.coindesk.com


Northwick Park has a marvelous Croquet Lawn, and in the summer matches are organised. Croquet equipment is kept in the cupboard by the Granary pond and is not locked. If you want to get the 'official rules' of Garden Croquet they are here.


MASSP hosts a variety of annual conferences throughout each year which take place all across the State of Michigan. These events feature keynote speakers who are some of the best and brightest leaders in education, break out sessions for more intimate learning, and opportunities to share and collaborate with colleagues, all while being professionally organized and managed. Whether you are looking to attend by yourself or as a team, attending a MASSP conference is worth the investment to build capacity and advance leadership that will positively impact your buildings.
Want to learn more? Select an event for more details.


text:
Human Rights, Obama Administration, The Bush-43 Administration
Hoping Bombs Will Solve Iraq/Syria Mess
Contradictions beset the U.S. war over Iraq and Syria. The principal target ISIS wouldn't even exist but for the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, and al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria have benefited from defections of U.S.-backed "moderates." But now warplanes and missiles are supposed to fix things, says ex-CIA analyst Paul R. Pillar.
As the United States embarks on a new air war in Syria, disturbing anomalies abound. Some of them were reflected in the front-page headlines of a couple of major U.S. newspapers Tuesday morning, which probably also reflected slightly different deadlines of the two papers but were substantively telling nonetheless.
The Washington Post's headline was "U.S. Launches Strikes in Syria." In the corresponding place in the New York Times, in an edition evidently put to bed before the new offensive in Syria could be reported, we read, "Weeks of U.S. Strikes Fail to Dislodge ISIS in Iraq."
The guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea launches a Tomahawk cruise missile as seen from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush in the Persian Gulf, Sept. 23, 2014. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Garst)
The question that immediately comes to mind is: why should we expect what has failed to dislodge, much less "destroy", a group in Iraq to succeed if we simply do more of the same thing in Syria? The question is all the more acute given that the United States is aiding and cooperating with the government in Iraq but barely on speaking terms with the one in Syria.
Another disconcerting dichotomy concerns the organizations that were the targets of the newest strikes. The United States announced that it struck not just ISIS but also an al-Qaeda offshoot that has ambitions to conduct terrorist attacks in the West and possibly the United States.
The carefully worded official announcements used the word "imminent" but leave us to conclude that what was imminent was not the carrying out of an actual attack in the West but only perhaps the planning for one, and that striking the group involved hitting a target of opportunity, made convenient by having these strikes coincide with the strikes against ISIS in Syria.
But at least terrorist attacks in the West, consistent with the al-Qaeda strategy of attacking the "far enemy," are evidently part of this group's ambitions, underscoring that this is not the case with ISIS, which is following a quite different strategy of trying to build its self-styled caliphate through direct application of force in the Middle East.
So why have President Barack Obama and others spoken so darkly about a terrorist threat to us from ISIS, especially when before Monday they had not even mentioned this other group? (The correct answer to that question can be found in our own fears, politics, and habitual ways of thinking about foreign threats.)
The very complicated lines of conflict and suspicion that are relevant to the ISIS story and are barely concealed by affixing the term "coalition" to a subset of the players give rise to other anomalies. Russia criticized the United States for using force in Syria without obtaining something like an authorization from the United Nations Security Council; Iran made a similar criticism, albeit in a rather mild and pro forma way.
But the regime in Syria, the country the Russians and Iranians have both considered an ally and whose sovereignty they evidently were sticking up for, sounded more positive. The United States, we are repeatedly told, did not "coordinate" with the Assad regime, but it informed that regime in advance about the strikes, and the regime tacitly cooperated by not using its air defense capabilities to mess with the forces conducting the strikes.
That leads to the uncomfortable unanswered question about the desired political end state in Syria. Nothing that has been said since the strikes has helped to answer that question. The operations director of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff essentially changed the subject when reporters asked about whether the air attack would aid the Assad regime.
The "moderate" Syrian opposition, in whom the only apparent hope for answering the unanswered question has been placed, displayed this week some of the divisions that have been a major source of their weakness. The president of the Syrian Opposition Coalition made a positive statement, but the commander of Harakat Hazm, a rebel group often talked about as moderate and reliable enough to be entrusted with U.S. lethal assistance, said "the only beneficiary of foreign intervention in Syria is the Assad regime."
Those are some of the most obvious anomalies about this offensive. We ought to be at least as disturbed about some of the effects that may be less immediately visible, especially effects in hearts and minds of people in the region.
The U.S. military has again demonstrated its awesome technical precision, in which it seems it is almost capable of firing a missile through the window of a bathroom and killing the person on the toilet while sparing others in the same house. But even with these technical capabilities, casualties among the innocent are inevitable.
Reportedly there were civilian casualties from this week's strikes in Raqqa, the principal ISIS-held town in Syria. An unemployed university graduate in Raqqa said afterward, "We know the history of American strikes in Afghanistan, Iraq and Yemen. When civilians are going to be killed, sorry is not enough."
And whatever are the actual facts about collateral damage and casualties, the usual suspicions and cynicism that come into play whenever the superpower uses its military muscle in this part of the world are being aroused by this latest U.S. action.
The sentiments are those of the columnist in Egypt's Al Ahram who wrote that the United States and its allies "want to divide our lands, destroy our nations, occupy our homelands and monopolize our choices, without shedding one drop of their blue blood. They have no problem that our cheap Arab blood flows in rivers, it it achieves their goals and purposes."
Such beliefs are grossly inaccurate and unfair, of course, but the beliefs exist. If we are worried about anti-U.S. terrorism, we ought to worry at least as much about such perceptions and sentiments, and about the extremism they nurture, as about the kind of kinetic accomplishments that can be observed with a gun camera or a reconnaissance drone.
Paul R. Pillar, in his 28 years at the Central Intelligence Agency, rose to be one of the agency's top analysts. He is now a visiting professor at Georgetown University for security studies. (This article first appeared as a blog post at The National Interest's Web site. Reprinted with author's permission.)
Tags: Al-Qaeda Barack Obama George W. Bush Iraq War Islamic State of Iraq and Syria Paul R. Pillar Syria
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12 comments for "Hoping Bombs Will Solve Iraq/Syria Mess"
Louis Proyect
Why am I not surprised that Robert Parry is reposting an article that originally appeared in the National Interest, a journal launched by Irving Kristol in 1985?
Zachary Smith
I had never heard of the organization until reading your remark, so I checked it out. After a quick look my impression was that they aren't exactly monsters all the time.
http://nationalinterest.org/feature/hamas-really-blame-the-conflict-gaza-11028
Louis this article was written By Paul R. Pillar…not Robert Parry
In the National Interest is a site against the Israeli takeover of Palestine (and the USA) and of course unrelated to Kristol's site.
I urge all of you to go to the provided link here, and read this article,
The Russia They Lost…..
http://slavyangrad.org/2014/09/24/the-russia-they-lost/
This says it better than anything I could write here.
Trouble on Earth nowadays always begins with very big evil US/western propaganda, followed by huge threats, then acts of coercion and subversion, and finally ending in air force bombs and Navy Tomahawks. Google 'US involved in 134 conflicts aorund thr world' and become aware of just what kind of terrible troublemaker the US has evolved into today !
Trouble on any spot on Earth today always starts with dark US/western propaganda, then followed by issuance of many evil threats, later accompanied by brazen acts of subversion and forceful coercion, and finally ending with bombs, heavy shelling and Navy Tomahawks. Google 'US involved in 134 conflicts around the world' and thus become aware of just what kind of troublemaker the US has evolved into nowadays.
Pillar insists that any sentiments that the United States and its allies want to divide Arab lands, destroy Arab nations, occupy Arab homelands, monopolize Arab choices, and shed rivers of Arab blood to achieves their purposes are "grossly inaccurate and unfair."
No further comment is necessary.
The reason why the U.S. and its local collaborators have armed, trained and financed mercenary, ostensibly "Islamic extremist' proxies for decades is to maintain regional and global hegemony. The 'long war' for full spectrum geostrategic dominance has included a sequence of regime change projects, most importantly including the United States itself.
F. G. Sanford
"Russia criticized the United States for using force in Syria without obtaining something like an authorization from the United Nations Security Council". Perhaps it should be mentioned that Russia's concern stems from the fact that, under international law, such authorization IS A REQUIREMENT. Under our Constitution, treaties become "law of the land", meaning that we are bound to abide by The U.N. Charter. Regarding the carefully worded official announcements using the word "imminent", that stems from a dubious attempt to make the statement sound like it is somehow reflective of the requirements outlined in the War Powers Act of 1973. Seeking to include an enemy with at least a modicum of real or imagined ties to Al Qaida is an attempt to provide a little legalistic shade under the umbrella of the original AUMF. By affixing the term "coalition" to a subset of the players, a very dilute coat of legalese varnish is also applied. But to an adult, it sounds more like the protest of the kid caught throwing rocks on the playground. "But…but…but Johnny was doin' it too!" You'd think we might have learned something after the 2003 Iraq debacle. The Neocons made complete fools of themselves and many pundits touted their demise. They were being swept aside, swept away or swept under the carpet in order that their despicable conniving and ineptitude wouldn't jeopardize the 2004 elections. Karl Rove was in charge of that. There were plans to temporarily cashier Undersecretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, but to bring him back as – get this – CIA Director! Isn't that special? Of course, back then, we had good, reliable inside "intelligence" and a vetted "moderate" opposition waiting in the wings to bring "democracy" to Iraq. SOUND FAMILIAR? Today, we're hearing the same thing about Syria. Magically, as though the Neocon vampires had managed to rob a blood bank and rejuvenate themselves, they're back, more devious and despicable than ever. And, they've managed to do it using the same script. Americans have a short memory. They hear about the "President" of the "Syrian Opposition Coalition", but they don't remember the Neocons in 2003 with Ahmed Chalabi and the "Iraqi National Congress". The legal justification for that intervention was based on a low fraud, The legal justification for this one is non-existent. For a big dose of history repeating itself, see "How Ahmed Chalabi conned the neocons", Salon, May 5, 2004. http://www.salon.com/2004/05/04/chalabi_4/
All this legal mumbo jumbo is like throwing a handful of dung at the wall to see what sticks. Apparently, it won't take much to fool the American public.
If the mini-version of shock and awe is any indication, they spent a lot of money blasting empty buildings. ISIL had moved out to the hills (how did they learn the bombs and rockets were coming?). We did manage to kill some civilians that had left their homes to escape Syrian bombing. The effect on the other al-quaida (sp) affiliate may have been more effective, but as everyone but our policy makers know, our bombs are the greatest recruiters the 'bad guys' have.
(how did they learn the bombs and rockets were coming?)
It's one of life's mysteries. But speaking of bombs and rockets, turns out the US wasn't alone in the attacks. Some other countries knew the schedule. From a google news story:
U.S. aircraft and those from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates struck Islamic State targets in Syria Wednesday, including 12 "modular oil refineries," the U.S. Central Command said.
Such beliefs are grossly inaccurate and unfair, of course…
Of course they are. We're just to darned good and pure for it to be otherwise.


Thabiti Anyabwile is one of the pastors for Anacostia River Church. He has served as an elder and pastor in churches in NC, DC and the Cayman Islands. After a few years as a practicing Muslim, Thabiti was converted under the preaching of the gospel in the Washington, DC area. He and his wife, Kristie, have three children. Thabiti is the author of several books, including Reviving the Black Church; The Life of God in the Soul of the Church; The Gospel for Muslims; What Is a Healthy Church Member?; The Decline of African-American Theology; and The Faithful Preacher. He blogs regularly at The Front Porch and Pure Church.


text:
#ifndef _LINKITGSM_h
#define _LINKITGSM_h

#include <Arduino.h>
#include "LTask.h"

#define LGSM_MAX_SMS_LEN    500

// Class of LinkIt SMS support
class LSMSClass : public Stream
{
// Constructor / Destructor
public:
    LSMSClass(void);
    ~LSMSClass(void);

// Method
public:
    using Print::write; // pull in write(str) and write(buf, size) from Print

	// DESCRIPTION
	//  Step two of sending an SMS: Write one byte at a time into the SMS content.
    //  You can also use print() to write a string into SMS content at a time.
	// RETURNS
	//  1: Succeed, 0: Fail
    size_t write(
        uint8_t c   // [IN] byte to write
    );

	// DESCRIPTION
	//  Step one of sending an SMS: Input the destination number.
	// RETURNS
	//  1: Succeed, 0: Fail
    int beginSMS(
        const char* to  // [IN] SMS destination number
    );

	// DESCRIPTION
	//  Checks if SMS module is ready or not.
	// RETURNS
	//  1 if ready, 0 if not
    int ready();

	// DESCRIPTION
	//  The last step of sending an SMS: Confirm and send out the SMS.
	// RETURNS
	//  1: Sending succeeds. 0: Send fails.
    int endSMS();

	// DESCRIPTION
	//  Checks if there is any unread SMS.
	// RETURNS
	//  1: There is unread SMS. 0: There is no unread SMS.
    int available();

	// DESCRIPTION
	//  Returns the source number of the unread SMS.
 	// RETURNS
	//  Length of the returning SMS number.
    //  If there is no unread SMS, it will return 0.
    //  If the size of input array is too small, it will return the required size without filling the input array. Please call again with larger array.
    int remoteNumber(
        char* number,   // [OUT] array to save SMS number
        int nlength     // [IN] size of the array
    );

	// DESCRIPTION
	//  Reads the content of the unread SMS, one byte at a time.
    //  The difference between read() and peek() is that read() moves the cursor but peak() does not.
	// RETURNS
	//  One byte of SMS content. Will be -1 if it reaches the end of SMS.
    int read();

	// DESCRIPTION
	//  Reads the content of the unread SMS, one byte at a time without moving the cursor.
    //  Repeatedly calling peek() will return the same result.
	// RETURNS
	//  One byte of SMS content. Will be -1 if it reaches the end of SMS.
    int peek();

	// DESCRIPTION
	//  Deletes the unread SMS.
    //  It only works when there is unread SMS checked by available().
    void flush();

private:

    // member for write SMS
    String _toNumber;   // maximum length for TP-DA/OA should be 12 octets (14 chars)
    String _toContent;

    // member for read SMS
    int _msgId;         // current SMS id
    char *_msgNumber;   // number data of current SMS
    char *_msgContent;  // content data of current SMS

    int _msgPos;        // current position of content (for sequential read/peak)

};

extern LSMSClass LSMS;

enum LVoiceCall_voiceCall_st { IDLE_CALL, CALLING, RECEIVINGCALL, TALKING};

// Class of LinkIt Voice call support
class LVoiceCallClass : public _LTaskClass
{
// Constructor / Destructor
public:
    LVoiceCallClass(void);
    ~LVoiceCallClass(void);

// Method
public:

	// DESCRIPTION
	//  Check if the previous voice operation has executed successfully
	// RETURNS
	//  1: if previous operation executed successfully. 0: if not.
    int ready();

	// DESCRIPTION
	//  Make a voice call to a specified number
	// RETURNS
	//  1: Callout succeed, 0: Fail
    int voiceCall(
        const char* to,  // [IN] The number to call.
        unsigned long timeout=30000 // [IN] timeout count
    );

	// DESCRIPTION
	//  Checks status of the voice call.
	// RETURNS
	//  0: IDLE_CALL. 1 : CALLING. 2 : RECEIVINGCALL. 3 : TALKING.
    char getVoiceCallStatus(void);

	// DESCRIPTION
	//  Accepts an incoming voice call.
	// RETURNS
	//  1: Answer succeeds. 0: Answer fails.
    int answerCall(void);

	// DESCRIPTION
	//  Retrieves the calling number.
 	// RETURNS
	//  1: Retrieve succeeds. 0: Retrieve fails.
    int retrieveCallingNumber(
        char* number,   // [OUT] array to save call number
        int nlength     // [IN] size of the array
    );

	// DESCRIPTION
	//  Hang up an established call or during incoming rings.
	// RETURNS
	//  1: Hang succeeds. 0: Hang fails.
    int hangCall(void);

private:

};

extern LVoiceCallClass LVoiceCall;

#undef LINKITGSM_DEBUG

#ifdef LINKITGSM_DEBUG
#define LGSMLOG(x) Serial.println(x)
#else
#define LGSMLOG(x)
#endif

#endif

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
"Nightmare of Narcolepsy" Documented
admin | April 18, 2014 |
Narcolepsy in young children is not frequently talked about, but The Indepenent.ie Web site took the time to explore the "nightmare" that one 9-year-old has experienced. The article by details the life of a child who must take a 20-minute nap in school each morning at 10 a.m., and another 30-minute doze in the afternoon when he returns to the family home in Rathgar (Ireland).
This is despite the strong medication which his mother, Mairead Lawless, says, is actually licensed for use by adults, but which is crucial to keep Alex alert in the mornings, and provide the deep night-sleep denied him by his debilitating condition.
"It's a struggle to keep him awake enough to do his homework," says Lawless in the article. "He struggles to concentrate and focus, and finds it difficult to pay attention in school. He can be very bad-tempered when he's tired and he's a very different child to what he was."
Quinlan writes that the child "can no longer find the energy for the sports he once adored – while other boys of his age are out kicking footballs and getting into mischief, his mother says all Alex wants to do is sit on the sofa. Once an active, outgoing child, who was full of energy and had lots of friends, Alexander has become quiet, lacking in energy and unable to participate in activities with his pals."
Is Weekend Recovery Sleep Helpful? Yes and No
For Children, Healthy Sleep Helps Keeps Obesity Away
Use of Pharmaceuticals by Shift Workers Needs More Research
August 22, 2014 |
A Multisite Randomized Trial of Portable Sleep Studies and Positive Airway Pressure Autotitration Versus Laboratory-Based Polysomnography for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: The HomePAP Study.
June 4, 2012 |


You can use jam instead of nutella, too!!! Or, just soak plain slices of bread to make regular french toasts.
1. In a flat bowl, beat 1 egg. Add sugar and milk, then mix well.
2. Spread some nutella on a slice of bread and make a sandwich.
3. Soak the sandwich in the egg mixture, flip it over one or two times, for 20 minutes. *if your bread is thick, you can soak it over an hour.
4. Heat butter in a frying pan. Place the sandwich, cover and cook on low for 3 minutes. Flip it over, cover and cook on low for another 3 minutes. *you want to cook on low to cook thoroughly.
5. Cut and serve on a dish. Serve with some ice cream if you like.


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Home :: Security :: Library :: News :: 2020 :: February ::
India Evacuates Nationals From Wuhan, China
By Anjana Pasricha February 01, 2020
India has evacuated 324 of its nationals from Wuhan, the epicenter of the deadly coronavirus outbreak in China, where hundreds of Indians are studying in universities.
After landing in New Delhi Saturday they were taken to two quarantine facilities set up by the army, where they will be kept under observation for two weeks.
India confirmed its first case of coronavirus Thursday in the southern state of Kerala, in a student who had returned from Wuhan. The focus in the world's second most populous country now has turned to preparedness.
More than 200 of the people who landed in New Delhi Saturday are students – over 20,000 Indians study in China, mostly in medical colleges.
A second flight is scheduled to bring back more nationals from Wuhan and nearby areas that are under lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus.
Authorities have been screening all people arriving from China and Hong Kong at seven of India's major airports and have adopted quarantine procedures for anyone suspected of carrying the virus. About 40 people have been put in isolation across eight states.
Health experts have stressed that surveillance will be crucial to prevent its spread in the country's crowded cities.
"We are taking all precautions against it," Health minister Harsh Vardhan said earlier this week.
India on Friday also banned the export of personal protective clothing and masks amid a surge in demand from China.
Two of the country's major airlines have temporarily suspended most flights to China and authorities have asked Indians to "refrain" from traveling to the country.
Besides India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are also evacuating their citizens from China – Sri Lanka brought back 33 students on Saturday. Sri Lanka reported its first case of the coronavirus in a 43-year-old Chinese tourist from Hubei Province.
The World Health Organization has declared the coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency. The decision was announced after cases of human-to-human transmissions were confirmed outside China.


Has a Business Angel Investor ever asked you for equity in exchange for no investment?
If not, then this article may be worth reading.
1) understanding what type of entrepreneur you are: serial entrepreneur, lifestyle entrepreneur, or empire builder and how to use this information to specifically target business angel investors that will understand you and your business, as opposed to simply mass mailing your business plan to any investor that is willing to listen.
3) how to use this information to weigh out what a business angel investor can actually bring to your company, before deciding how much equity you wish to exchange for capital - or even no capital!
Raising investment, especially angel investment is a value proposition. Angel investors are specifically seeking to invest in equity (or take on the responsibility of debt) and make a return on investment, whilst an entrepreneur is seeking to not only raise investment for his company – but also – to gain experience, contacts, and knowledge. Considering what role an angel investor will play in your company is essential as well based on his/hers experience level.
Sadly quantification of 'knowledge and know-how' is usually lost on most entrepreneurs, and it is important when seeking an investor to ensure that your personal and business weaknesses' are matched with an angel investor who possesses strengths in these areas.
For example if your main aspiration to wealth accumulation is to become an 'empire builder' then targeting business angels that are running successful businesses and have been through the process of raising money themselves will tend to be much easier and more direct to deal with and they may just understand you better and be more experienced to detect any trouble spots or red flags in your investment proposal or existing business that would give you invaluable advice on not only what these errors are but also on how to correct these errors before they can become catastrophic. This alone can be more valuable than the investment itself.
If you share business characteristics with a 'serial entrepreneur', you could most probably already be running several companies simultaneously and this could mean that a business angel who has experience in running several successful multiple businesses simultaneously could provide you with valuable expertise on how to strategically create a network of managing business resources and how to coordinate and organise your employees. Furthermore, he/she could bring you suppliers, customers, and employees through some form of synergy or strategic partnership. And your business angel could already know important players in your industry and understand your need and driving force of a lucrative 'exit' rather than building and maintaining a successful company.
In conclusion, entrepreneurs must understand that capital investment vs. equity is not the only consideration to take into account when you are seeking to raise capital from a business angel investor.
More specifically, valuing what an angel investor can bring to you and your company in the way of know-how, experience, mentoring, networks, and resources MUST also be quantified and added to the capital investment that the angel is willing to invest (especially when your business idea is only at the seed stage) and from there, you can value the overall investment proposition as good value or not.
I am sure there will be a time in every entrepreneur's colourful career when they are fortunate enough (or even unfortunate enough) to meet an Investor that is skimming a fine line between being incredibly confident or incredibly arrogant in believing that in light of their past successes their contribution in terms of time and effort will justify them taking a massive stake in your company with no capital investment. Though this will undoubtedly be a hard proposition for many an entrepreneur to swallow at times like these it may be an idea to consider that owning 50% of something is always better than owning 100% of nothing - or so the angel investor will confidently say.
Further reading: Negotiating with a business angel Investor.
Angel Investors. Venture Giants is a premier UK business Angel investment network and small to mid sized business networking portal that matches active business angel investors with entrepreneurs' seeking investment capital and business funding.


text:
package com.github.slidekb.util;

import java.io.IOException;

import org.jsoup.Jsoup;
import org.jsoup.nodes.Document;

public class Update {

	public String isAndGetUpdate(String currentVersion){
		try {
			Document doc = Jsoup.connect("https://slidekb.com/pages/software").get();
			String text = doc.body().text();
			int beginning = text.indexOf(" (Version ");
			text = text.substring(beginning + 10, beginning + 15);
			if (!currentVersion.equals(text)) {
				return text;
			} else {
				return "";
			}
		} catch (IOException e) {
			System.out.println("Update->isAndGetUpdate()-> Could not reach update site");
		}

		return "";
	}
}


text:
Q: how to link to another page after inserting data in prompt box I have a prompt box, after inserting phone number to my I want to redirect to another page, how would I achieve that

         function myFunction() {
          var txt;
          var number = prompt("Please enter your phone number:");
          if (numer !== null ) {
            window.location.href = '{url "loststuffapp:claim"}';
          } else {
            txt = "You must enter your phone number";
          }
          document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = txt;
        }

<button onclick="myFunction()">Taarifa zaidi</button>

A: <!DOCTYPE html>

<button onclick="myFunction()">Enter your number</button>

Update 01
Adding number != "" to if statement.

A: Change to:
 window.location.href = "yourfile.html";

Note:you not used your variable in if statement. So it will throw new undefined variable error.
var number = prompt("Please enter your phone number:");
    if (numer !== null ) {

See:number and numer

function myFunction() {
      var txt;
      var number = prompt("Please enter your phone number:");
      if (number) {
        window.location.href = 'https://stackoverflow.com';
      } else {
        txt = "You must enter your phone number";
      }
      document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = txt;
    }
<button onclick="myFunction()">Click</button>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Thats like trying to jump a 4 foot ravine with a Serpent 950!
Mts have a pretty heave disadvantage when it comes to HP/lb. In my opinion, this would severly hamper their attempt to produce wheelspin.
ITs like my trying to do burnouts with my Ford Taurus..
easiest way ... run your engine real rich so it really smokes and tell your buddies ,,, check it out i am smoking the tires !!!
In order to do it, you'd have to put some really small wheels and tires on it, and slam the truck as low to the ground as possible, have only rear wheel drive, possibly lock the diff, and locking up the front tires would definately help.
Since you said you purchased a Sport Maxx you dont really need to worry about making it RWD only, it already is. Why are you willing to go through so much trouble just to tear the **** out of $30 tires?
You will need a strong motor and proper gearing to make it remotely possible. Like 16t/72t and a big block would make it possible. You will need to crank the slipper all the way down and drop a spool in the rear end. You will probably end up smoking the clutch and certainly ruin the tires. You may even get to destroy the diff. I guess my point is, it should only cost you about $600 to have a shot at smoking those $30 tires......Ok $630.
dude, turn off the caps lock for poop's sake!
to do this you would have to put foam tires on put wd40 on the tires and hammer it.
TURN OFF THE CAPS LOCK!
did you click on the link in my last post? go to the tc3 section and it has a video of it totaly burning out.
7 sets huh? that's 28 tires.


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Marlon Tábora Muñoz (Santa Rosa de Copán, 3 de abril de 1969) es un político y diplomático hondureño Doctor en ciencias de la administración, miembro del Partido Nacional de Honduras.

Se ha desempeñado como Embajador de Honduras ante los Estados Unidos Luego de ser nominado el 2 de enero de 2017, por el Presidente Juan Orlando Hernández Así como Director Ejecutivo para Centroamérica y Belice en el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID)  Presidente del Banco Central de Honduras y Ministro Asesor en Materia Económica y Energética del presidente Juan Orlando Hernández

Biografía

Sus inicios
Marlon Tábora Muñoz nació en Santa Rosa de Copán, el 3 de abril de 1969, único hijo del matrimonio formado por el señor José Ernesto Tábora y la señora Hilda Muñoz Tábora. Su educación primaria la inició en la escuela José María Medina de Santa Rosa de Copán, y luego se trasladó a la capital de la república Tegucigalpa, donde continuó sus estudios y egresó del Instituto Salesiano San Miguel como Bachiller en Ciencias y Letras en 1985.

Estudios
Realizó sus estudios de pregrado en la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras donde obtuvo el grado de Ingeniero Mecánico Industrial con excelencia académica en 1989. Posteriormente obtuvo el grado de máster en Negocios Internacionales en la Universidad Tecnológica Centroamericana (UNITEC) en 1994 y su doctorado en Ciencias de la Administración en la Universidad Católica de Honduras (UNICAH) en 1999 ambos con honores summa cum laude. Posteriormente, completó una maestría en Administración de Políticas Públicas en la Mc Court School of Public Policy (MSPP) de la Universidad de Georgetown (antes GPPI) y estudios de Posgrado en Administración Pública en la Kennedy School of Government y el AMP del Harvard Business School.

Tábora está casado con Saira Esmeralda Ponce y ha procreado dos hijos, Marlon Andrés e Isabella.

Trayectoria Profesional y Política
Tábora ha desarrollado su carrera profesional tanto en el sector público como en el sector privado.

En marzo de 2002, Tábora fue designado por el Presidente Ricardo Maduro, como Presidente de la Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CONATEL),  donde lideró la reforma y apertura del sector de telecomunicaciones en Honduras. Durante su gestión al Frente de CONATEL, Tábora presidió la Comisión de Telecomunicaciones de Centroamérica (COMTELCA)
Entre 2005 y 2006, Tábora se desempeñó como Consultor de la Comisión Económica para América Latina (CEPAL), donde lideró el trabajo y estudios que dieron lugar a la aprobación de la Ley de Competencia en Honduras.

En noviembre del 2009, Tábora resultó elegido como primer diputado suplente del Partido Nacional de Honduras en el departamento de Francisco Morazán, cargo al que solicitó licencia para poderse incorporar como parte del poder ejecutivo.

En enero del 2010, Tábora es nominado por el Presidente Porfirio Lobo como Ministro Jefe de Gabinete y Vice-Ministro de la Presidencia, cargo que ostenta hasta junio de ese año, fecha en que es nominado para ser representante de Honduras ante el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID) donde llega a ser Director Ejecutivo Alterno para Centroamérica y Belice.
En diciembre de 2013, el recién electo Presidente Juan Orlando Hernández lo nomina como Presidente del Banco Central de Honduras  y Coordinador y Jefe del Gabinete Económico  puesto que asume el 27 de enero de 2014. Durante su gestión al frente del gabinete económico, Tábora lideró exitosamente el proceso de negociación del acuerdo trianual de Honduras con el FMI en 2014 y la mejora de calificación crediticia del país en 2015.
En diciembre de 2014, la revista Estrategia y Negocios lo nominó como uno de los 100 personajes más influyente de la región centroamericana, bajo el calificativo de "El Hombre de las Cifras".
En febrero de 2015 Tábora, fue nombrado Presidente del Consejo Monetario Centroamericano (CMCA)

En agosto de 2015, Tábora deja el cargo de Presidente del BCH para ocupar el cargo de Director Ejecutivo para Centroamérica y Belice en el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID) sin embargo por petición del presidente Juan Orlando Hernández sigue coordinando Ad-Honorem los Gabinetes Económico y Energético de Honduras

En enero de 2016, la Revista Forbes lo incluyó en la lista de ¨Los 25 personajes más influyentes de Centroamérica, además en En noviembre de 2016 la revista Economía América lo incluyó en la lista de: Los hombres y mujeres más influyentes de América Latina

Publicaciones
 Competencia y regulación de las Telecomunicaciones en el caso de Honduras
 Condiciones generales de competencia en Honduras
 Competencia y regulación en la banca: el caso de Honduras

Referencias

Alumnado de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras
Copanecos
Políticos de Honduras
Presidentes del Banco Central de Honduras

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Why DID the co-pilot suddenly decide to crash the plane?
No one will ever know the whole truth but I may be able to shed light on it from an experience a friend of mine had a number of years ago.
People who know her, know that she's far from suicidal and she says that if she ever thinks about it now, she's sure she would never do it, she would never have the courage, for a start. Besides, she doesn't believe in it, she thinks it is selfish and cowardly.
Years ago there was a moment when life seemed to stand still for her. She was fixed in a cloud of nothingness while she lay in bed, waiting for a wound to heal. Her mind seemed to coagulate into a mulch of shadows. Thoughts faded into an unfocused blanket, She daydreamed, if anything, but she felt she couldn't be bothered. She really couldn't be bothered watching TV, reading a book or doing anything, not even thinking. She felt happy, secure and unperturbed as she lay there, doing nothing.
When she did think, the thoughts were shallow, meaningless, lacking any passion or feeling. Everyday, three times a day, she says she took the required number of tablets, had a drink and a meal, answered nature's call and lay back to enjoy her self-indulgent laziness.
One day, while she was not really thinking about anything specific she thought how life had no beginning or end, it was meaningless, nothing mattered, not her not her family not her friends. She swears she was not depressed or anything. It was as if she was in a vacuum. She thought she may as well finish the pills, after all they were there. There was no drum roll, no sudden desire to do something drastic, the thought just came to her quietly as if it just crept into her mind the same way a gentle breeze might touch her cheek. It was nothing important. It was just something she could do. Fortunately, before she did anything, she forced herself to 'wake up', reminded herself that it would have serious consequences if she took all of the pills and stopped herself in time, even though it still didn't seem to matter.
You are currently browsing the Ely For Language blog archives for March, 2015.


Why is Agave LD the company you should hire to mulch your flower beds if you live in Austin and Round Rock, Texas?
How frequently should you mulch your flower beds?
How much mulch is necessary?
This post will address the previous questions.
Agave LD is a full service company which means we perform the following services and much more; Landscape Design/Install, Lawn Maintenance, Landscape Maintenance, Lawn Care (Fertilization/Weed Control). Mulching is another service we offer because you cannot have the most beautiful and healthy flower beds without mulch. The mulch we install only comes from the best vendors here in Austin and Round Rock, Texas. When you hire us to install mulch at your property you can be sure you are only getting the best product there is.
Mulching at least once each year is recommended to insure your plants have proper protection against harsh temperatures. It also helps keep down those annoying weeds that are pain to see in your flower beds. This material also provides excellent ground cover for plants to hold in moisture. My favorite reason and for most homeowners is that mulch really makes your flower beds pop with a beautiful contrast with the rest of your Landscape.
Too much Mulch and you create the perfect environment for fungus and other harmful issues to your plants. Too little Mulch and you defeat the purpose of proper coverage. We always install mulch at a depth of 3″ which is the perfect amount.
To receive a free estimate click here, call us at 512-981-5152, or email us at info@agaveld.com.


Cookie Monster, Ernie, and Elmo are dressed in their swim trunks and able to play! These collectible Sesame Street squirt toys are certain to make tub time a number of amusing. Squeeze the figures underwater to fill them up, then squeeze once more to ship water jetting around the bath.
Sesame Street and associated characters, logos and design components are owned and certified by way of Sesame Workshop. Hasbro and all comparable terms are logos of Hasbro.


text:
How to Decide If a Management Career Path Is Right for You
Melanie Haniph
Is becoming a manager the best way to get ahead at work? Consider these four things before taking the leap.
It used to be that the traditional way to advance your career involved an eventual move into a management role. The more people and teams you managed, the more senior and well-paid you were likely to be. Success was measured by how quickly you advanced from individual contributor to people manager. Nowadays, however, career growth comes in many forms, and for some, that means advancing as an individual contributor.
In a workplace survey of nearly 1,500 individuals conducted by staffing services firm Addison Group, only 33 percent of respondents said they believed being a manager would advance their career. If that's any indication of the increased popularity of achieving career advancement without becoming a manager, then it's worthwhile to consider whether a management career path is a good fit for you; Perhaps you can achieve your career goals on an individual contributor track instead. Here are four considerations to help you determine which option is right for you.
What kind of work excites you
Few would argue that a management role comes with responsibility — both for your work and the contributions of the people you manage. Moving into a management role involves accepting accountability for the successes and failures of others. When team performance dips or other obstacles appear, most organizations will look to the leader of the team to implement a fix.
While some managers welcome the challenge of coaching their direct reports or recruiting new hires for their team, other individuals may see those tasks as a burdensome distraction from more important work. Before you decide if pursuing a manager career path is right for you, consider what mix of responsibilities is most exciting to you. Are you motivated by the prospect of goal-setting and delivering performance feedback, or do you get more satisfaction from being accountable for the achievement of your individual goals? Your preference may determine whether a career with a management track is in the cards for you.
How much you value formal training opportunities
Employee development is an important goal for most organizations, with some offering a diverse curriculum of training and other experiences to help strengthen employees' technical and leadership skills. However, it's possible that managers benefit from more training than individual contributors. One benchmark study found that 58 percent of companies spend more than $1,000 per year training senior leaders, but only 17 percent of companies spend that much on training for individual contributors. Perhaps this is the case because conventional wisdom says having good managers leads to exceptional company performance. It's the main idea behind the Disney chain of excellence model — that strong leaders inspire excellent employee performance which in turn leads to stellar company results.
While every employee can benefit from training and development opportunities, some organizations may seek to train managers first (and invest more in their training) because they believe it will translate to overall growth in company performance. If you're an individual contributor and want to be first in line for training, it may be time to explore a management career path.
Related: 13 Free Resources That Will Make You a Better Leader
Your long-term career goals
When you're trying to decide if a management career path is right for you, you should also assess your long-term career aspirations. Do you want to be the senior-most technical expert in your field while remaining an individual contributor, or do you see yourself heading up a whole function as a member of the C-suite? Where you see yourself long-term will help to determine the career track that's best for you.
If you see an executive leadership role in your future, you'll likely need some experience managing others. For example, most members of the C-suite have achieved excellence as an individual contributor and as a leader of individuals and teams. On the other hand, a management role is not the only road to long-term career success. You may decide that being the chief engineer or architect is just as rewarding for you as being the engineering manager.
You can lead without managing
You can be a leader who manages people, but you don't have to manage others to lead. In fact, some of the qualities of strong leaders — communication skills, leading by example, project management strengths — also help non-managers become great leaders.
If you enjoy bringing people together around a common goal and helping them achieve excellent performance, you don't have to be the manager of a team to get it done. Leaders exist at all levels of an organization, which means that as an individual contributor you can still get promoted, have leadership development opportunities, and advance your career without becoming a manager.
Most of us start out as individual contributors. Remaining one doesn't mean you can't achieve your career aspirations. A management role might just provide the right mix of responsibilities and rewards you desire.
Click on the following link for more advice on leadership and management.
Is your resume positioned for your career path? Find out with a free resume critique today!
15 Project Management Tips and Tricks for New Project Managers
Project Manager Job Description
5 Steps Career-Savvy Professionals Take to Define Their Goals


Dr. Cook is a clinical psychologist at the Portland Anxiety Clinic, LLC.
He specializes in the treatment of anxiety, mood, and trauma disorders using empirically supported practice including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure and Response Prevention.
He has worked across the country in Portland, OR New Haven, CT, San Jose, CA, and San Diego, CA. He has recently returned to the Pacific Northwest in order to pursue his passion of working with adolescents. He strives to create a space where growth can occur both through the use of specific interventions as well as the strength of the therapeutic alliance.


Introducing Bare nature Japan's Ambassador, Rick Tan!
level, making them lean and fit.
Rick has been featured in 8-Days Shirtless Guy Of The Week, i-Weekly, Love 972 FM, as well as TVB Wellness On The Go.
Some of his corporate clients include Cargill, Johnson & Johnson, Mahota, Mediacorp, Roche, and Volvo.


It's not quite a cicada-length gap, although sometimes it feels that way. But after five long years, Trent Reznor and company unveil the new album "With Teeth" at Saturday night's free listening party at the Music Box. It's another 5 weeks or so until its released, and a month before they play Coachella. And it's probably a week or so from being available via torrent.
I hope the cd is as good as people are hyping it up to be. The video is very nice.
I hope the cd is as good as people have been hyping it to be. The video is nice.
What a complete waste of time. After waiting in line for two hours we were told to leave because they weren't letting anyone else in.
Next PostNext Biltmore on the block?!


text: Q: Question about the .vscode-server directory My root directory has 10G, and the /data directory has 700G. When I use vscode-remote, a .vscode-server folder is created in the /home/cx directory. With the increase of plug-ins, my root directory has no space. Some programs cannot be run. Can I change the location of the .vscode-server directory, or create the same directory under /data, and then create its Symbolic Link under /home/cx