text:
SK Property
Klondike Property
Allied Copper Announces Completion of Reverse Takeover Transaction
Vancouver, British Columbia - October 27, 2021 - Allied Copper Corp. (TSXV: CPR) (OTCQB: CPRRF) ("Allied Copper" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of its previously announced non-arm's length transaction (the "Transaction") pursuant to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). In connection with the completion of the Transaction, the Company filed a filing statement dated October 18, 2021 (the "Filing Statement"). The Filing Statement has been filed on SEDAR under the Company's issuer profile at www.sedar.com. Readers are encouraged to review the Filing Statement for full details on the Transaction.
The Transaction
The Transaction was completed in pursuant to a definitive agreement dated May 5, 2021 (the "Definitive Agreement") with 1269280 B.C. Ltd. ("BCCo"), a corporation incorporated in the Province of British Columbia, and 1303288 B.C. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company ("Subco") incorporated in the Province of British Columbia. The Company has acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of BCCo pursuant to a three-cornered amalgamation in accordance with Section 269 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). BCCo is a private company formed under the laws of British Columbia on October 8, 2020, whose sole asset is an option agreement with Goodsprings Exploration LLC ("Goodsprings"), Robert Cole ("R. Cole") and Lori Cole ("L. Cole" together with R. Cole and Goodsprings, the "Optionors') (the "Goodsprings Option Agreement"), whereby BCCo has the option (the "Option") to earn a 100% interest in the Silver King project in the State of Nevada (the "Silver King Property"). Disinterested shareholders of the Company approved the Transaction by way of written consent on October 19, 2021.
Under the Definitive Agreement the Company issued an aggregate of 6,691,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Consideration Shares") at a deemed price of $0.30 per Consideration Share to the shareholders of BCCo. The Consideration Shares are subject to contractual resale restrictions providing that the Consideration Shares may not be sold, transferred, optioned, encumbered, pledged or hypothecated in any way, except as follows: (i) as to 25% on the date which is six months from the date of issuance; (ii) as to 25% on the date which is twelve months from the date of issuance; and (iii) as to 50% on the date which is eighteen months from the date of issuance.
In accordance with the Filing Statement and the Transaction, an aggregate of 8,667,132 common shares in the capital of the Company and 1,559,011 common share purchase warrants (collectively, the "Escrowed Securities") will be deposited into escrow with TSX Trust Company pursuant to an escrow agreement dated October 27, 2021 among the Company, TSX Trust Company and the security holders subject to escrow. The Escrowed Securities will be subject to a Tier 2 Value Security escrow release timeline pursuant to Policy 5.4 of TSX Venture Exchange policies.
Concurrent Financing
In connection with the Transaction, BCCo completed a non-brokered private placement of subscription receipts (each, a "Subscription Receipt") pursuant to which BCCo issued an aggregate of 13,076,004 Subscription Receipts for gross proceeds of $3,757,086.90 (the "Offering").
The gross proceeds of the Offering (the "Escrowed Proceeds") were held in escrow on behalf of the subscribers of the Subscription Receipts by TSX Trust Company (the "Escrow Agent"), pursuant to the terms of a subscription receipt agreement (the "Subscription Receipt Agreement") dated July 16, 2021 (the "Offering Closing Date") among the Company and the Escrow Agent. Each Subscription Receipt will be automatically converted, without payment of any additional consideration and without further action on the part of the holder thereof, for one unit of the BCCo, which would then be converted into one unit (a "Unit") of the Company upon satisfaction or waiver of the escrow release conditions ("Escrow Release Conditions") set out below and in the Subscription Receipt Agreement and prior to a Termination Event (as defined below), subject to adjustment in certain events. BCCo delivered a notice to the Escrow Agent on October 22, 2021 confirming satisfaction of the applicable escrow release conditions, and on October 26, 2021 each Subscription Receipt was converted into Unit, and the Escrowed Proceeds were released to the Company.
Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Company (each, a "Unit Share") and one-half of one whole common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable by the holder thereof for one common share of the Company (each, a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $0.45 per Warrant Share for a period of twenty-four (24) months following the date of issuance (the "Warrant Term") provided, however, that should the closing price at which the Common Shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (or any such other stock exchange in Canada as the Common Shares may trade at the applicable time) exceed CDN$0.90 for 20 consecutive trading days at any time following the date that is four months and one day after the date of issuance, the Company may accelerate the Warrant Term (the "Reduced Warrant Term") such that the Warrants shall expire on the date which is 30 business days following the date a press release is issued by the Company announcing the Reduced Warrant Term, subject to adjustments in certain events.
The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to fund the consideration payable under the terms of the Goodsprings Option Agreement in respect of the acquisition of the Silver King Property and for general corporate purposes. The Company issued 552,381 Subscription Receipts to certain arm's length eligible finders in lieu of cash commissions.
In connection with the Offering and upon conversion of the Subscription Receipts, the Company paid certain eligible persons (the "Finders") a cash commission of $201,070.50 and issued 700,235 broker warrants ("Broker Warrants"), equal to 5% of the number of Subscription Receipts delivered by the Finders pursuant to the Offering. Each Broker Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.45 per Common Share for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of issuance.
The securities that will be issued in connection with the Offering will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined under the U.S. Securities Act) absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
TSXV Approval and Resumption of Trading
Trading in the common shares of the Company was previously halted on May 5, 2021, at the request of the Company in connection with the announcement of the Transaction. The Transaction remains subject to final approval by the TSXV and fulfillment of all of the requirements of the TSXV in order to obtain such approval including, among other things, submission and acceptance of all documents requested by the TSXV in its conditional acceptance letter and payment of all outstanding fees to the TSXV. Until final approval of the TSXV is obtained and a Final Exchange Bulletin is issued, trading in the common shares of the Company will remain halted. Upon resumption of trading, the common shares of the Company will trade under the symbol "CPR" and the Company will be listed as a Tier 2 Mining Issuer.
Management of the Resulting Issuer
In connection with the completion of the Transaction, the current Board of Directors of the Company resigned and as a result, the following persons were appointed, in the capacities listed below. Brief biographies of the current management team are as follows:
Richard Tremblay, Chief Executive Officer and Director - Mr. Tremblay has over 15 years of experience in the resource business sector. In 2006 he entered the venture capital and junior resource markets industry and founded Golden Ears Consulting Ltd. Later, he worked for both public and private companies in sales of geophysical surveys, investor relations/corporate communications and corporate development. Richard has assisted in raising capital for several public and private companies across different sectors and was named CEO of Pacific Potash Corporation in February 2012. His long and varied experience throughout his career has provided him with a strong work ethic which he brings to Allied Copper, as well as the tools to evaluate and navigate the complex workings of an emerging public company.
Morgan Tiernan, Chief Financial Officer, age 32 - Mr. Tiernan has 8 years of financial reporting and tax advisory experience. He worked in public practice in tax advisory at Findex for a number of years before moving to Lifeworks where he managed a team of financial analysts and gained exposure to the financial reporting for Canadian pension and benefit plans. He is currently the part of the Cronin Group, a natural resource focused merchant bank based in Vancouver, BC.
Warner Uhl, Chairman - Mr. Uhl has more than 30 years' experience as a senior mining professional. He has worked in executive management with mining, construction, and engineering companies to help bring resource projects from exploration, feasibility studies to operating facilities. He has extensive executive management experience working in the Americas and Australia. He has guided resource companies in Western United States in improving return on investment and meeting business targets. Mr. Uhl has provided in depth review of acquisition targets and capital development.
David Eaton, Director - Mr. Eaton started in the capital markets in 1981 as a floor trader at the Vancouver Stock Exchange. Throughout his career he has been active in all aspects of the corporate finance industry, consulting to both public and private companies in the areas of investor relations, financing and corporate transactions. David's experience and involvement in businesses spans many industries including real estate, mining, tourism, retail, manufacturing and marketing and distribution. David served as CEO of Jayden Resources Inc. and as a Director or consultant to many Canadian public companies including Novo Resources Corp., Confederation Minerals Ltd. and Kariana Resource Inc. Currently, David serves as the Chairman of Baron Global Financial Canada Ltd.
Kyle Hookey, Director - Mr. Hookey has over 10 years of experience in the capital markets where his efforts are focused on advising clients on equity and debt structures, both in the private and public market. He is currently Non-Executive Director of London Stock Exchange listed Cloudbreak Discovery PLC. and VP Corporate Finance of TSX Venture Exchange listed Imperial Helium Corp. His previous work experience includes Goldman Sachs JBWere and Euroz Securities, and he is a Member of the CFA Institute.
Campbell Smyth, Director - Mr. Smyth has fifteen years of experience in managed portfolio investing (in both mutual and hedge funds) and over twenty-five years of experience in corporate financing and capital raising. He currently serves as Chairman and Director of Norseman Silver and as a Director of Nubian Resources Ltd., both listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. Campbell has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Western Australia in 1990, he holds the designation of an authorized securities representative granted by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission as of 2001, and he is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Stock Option Grant
In addition, the Company has granted an aggregate of 1,325,000 options to purchase common shares of the Company exercisable at a price of $0.405 per common share for a period of four (4) years to certain directors, officers and consultants of the Company. The common shares issuable upon exercise of the options are subject to a four month hold period from the original date of grant. The Company issued 775,000 stock options on August 17, 2021 to purchase common shares of the Company exercisable at a price of $0.405 per common share for a period of four (4) years to certain directors, officers and consultants of the Company.
About Allied Copper
Allied Copper Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on acquiring and developing potential long-life, scalable, copper-gold assets in the Western United States. The Company's strategy is to focus on low cost and potential high growth operations over a multi-year growth pipeline in low-risk jurisdictions, and is committed to operating efficiently and with transparency in all areas of the business. Allied Copper headquarters are in Vancouver, BC, Canada and lists under the symbol CPR on the TSX Venture Exchange. Readers may sign up for updates on the Company's website www.alliedcoppercorp.com.
Richard Tremblay President and Chief Executive Officer Email: rtremblay@alliedcoppercorp.com
The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to the TSXV listing, risk related to the failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S.
Allied Copper Corp. CEO Letter to Investors and Shareholders
Vancouver, British Columbia, Nov. 17, 2021 - Allied Copper Corp. (TSX-V: CPR, OTCQB: CPRRF) (the "Company" or "Allied Copper"), is pleased to provide our first CEO letter to investors and shareholders
Allied Copper Completes RTO and Commences Trading on the TSX-V
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Canada November 4, 2021 ― Allied Copper Corp. (TSX-V: CPR, OTCQB: CPRRF) (the "Company" or "Allied Copper"), is pleased to announce the completion of the RTO transaction r
Allied Copper Announces Filing of Filing Statement
Vancouver, British Columbia - October 18, 2021) - Allied Copper Corp. (TSXV: CPR) (OTCQB: CPRRF) ("Allied Copper" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that in connection with its previously announ
ESG Commitment
Allied Copper Corp.
Suite 520 – 999 West Hastings Street, Box 55
Vancouver, BC V6C 2W2
info@alliedcoppercorp.com
Copyright © 2021 Allied Copper Corp.


Yesterday, I told you that I would share how I made my cilantro sauce. First of all, we planted cilantro a few years ago in the garden because it the key ingredient in my homemade salsa. We've never had to plant it again because it comes back every year - everywhere.
Cilantro growing along my garden fence.
If we didn't love it so much it would be annoying. But, we consider it a blessing. The problem is that it will go to seed quickly if it's not continually harvested. Last year I attempted to harvest it and then simply chop it in the food processor and freeze it. The problem with that approach was that the cilantro seemed to lose it's flavor that way.
Then, I found this post and was inspired. It reminds of the chimi churri I make with parsley, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar and salt and pepper. I don't have exact measurements because it's all to taste. Plus, I don't measure my cilantro. I just harvest what is available and add the other ingredients until it tastes right to me. This is roughly how it's made.
To a full processor I would roughly add 3 cloves of garlic. You can add more or less depending on how well you like garlic.
Add cilantro to food processor.
Then add olive oil, lime juice, salt and pepper. Once again, adjust the lime juice to your own preference. I personally think that lime juice is an excellent compliment to cilantro, so I am pretty liberal with it.
Chop it all up and adjust flavorings to taste.
The next thing I did was to pour my sauce into ice cube trays and stuck them in the freezer until they were nice and frozen. Then I popped them out and stored them in a gallon size freezer bag.
Preserving my cilantro this way not only keeps it from losing flavor, but it makes it super easy to use when needed. And, let me just add here - THIS STUFF IS FANTASTIC! I truly hope I am able to harvest enough cilantro this year to be able to put up enough to get me through the winter. I find that I've used a bunch of it already.
I used it to make cilantro rice for my black bean freezer burritos. This rice would also be great paired with any type of Mexican dish. I have also used two cubes with a pint of tomatoes and a bit of cornstarch used as a thickener to make pizza sauce. I think it would be wonderful made into a variety of sauces for fish, chicken, potatoes or just about anything you can think of.
If you find yourself with a bunch of cilantro that you don't know what to do with, consider making this sauce with it.
how many cubes of this do you use to how many cups of cooked rice? Can't wait to try!
I'm a taste and see if it needs more gal. I don't usually put it in rice, honestly. Though, I think it would be great. I'd start with one cube to 1 1/2 - 2 cups of dry rice probably, then go from there.


I need help for my first Android application. I have a single activity with an Action Bar at the top and Navigation Tabs. Because of these navigation tabs I had to convert my Activities into Fragments.
So one of those Activities (which is now a Fragment) held two fragments, one ListFragment on the Left and a DetailFragment on the right, so that the user is able to select an item from the list and directly sees details on the right.
But now as the Activity has been transformed into the Fragment, it's the Fragment that holds the List- and the DetailFragment. This works fine until I want to change the DetailsFragment.
This is, where it doesn't work. The Fragment actually shows the list (that is created in create_list() where the ListAdapter and everything else is set), but my problem is, that viewerFrame is null. I declared the id viewer in the xml file above, so I don't understand why he cannot find the id. Does it "belong" to the BlackBoardFragment or to my overall activity? Because in BlackboardFragment I also tried it with getActivity().findViewById and it worked. Why is InterfaceFragment not able to find it?
I also tested, if he really uses the fragment_layout.xml in layout-land and he does. So he should know the id viewer, but obviously doesn't.
If you need more code or the code from the DetailsFragment, I can post it.
Nested Fragments are not supported by the Android SDK. That is, you can't have a "fragment within a fragment" in your Android application. Sorry.
Nested Fragments are now part of the official Android 4.2 SDK! Yay!
c# - How to have error validation if value exist already in the database?


text:
Q: Calculating the length of A* Algorithm path I'm trying to calculate the length of the generated path from A* algorithm. Therefore,
I'm assuming that each pixel is a rectangle area of pixel_width * pixel_length, then I can measure traveled distance by accumulating the distance between pixel center whenever the algorithm decides the next pixel to take.
In my code, there is also elevation, so this means in line 173 I inserted something like below,
path_length += math.sqrt((x2-x)**2+(y2-y)**2+(e2-elevation1[x][y])**2)

After applying it, I got this number 123630.43677339483. Is this logical? Any ideas?
The code:
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

#grid format
# 0 = navigable space
# 1 = occupied space

import random
import math
import time

grid = [[random.randint(0,1) for i in range(100)]for j in range(100)]

# clear starting and end point of potential obstacles
grid[2][2] = 0
grid[95][95] = 0

init = [2,2]                            #Start location is (5,5) which we put it in open list.
goal = [len(grid)-5,len(grid[0])-5]     #Our goal in (40,38) and here are the coordinates of the cell.

heuristic = [[0 for row in range(len(grid[0]))] for col in range(len(grid))]
for i in range(len(grid)):
    for j in range(len(grid[0])):
        heuristic[i][j] = abs(i - goal[0]) + abs(j - goal[1])

plt.plot(0,10)
plt.plot(0,-len(grid)-10)
plt.grid(True)
plt.axis("equal")

plt.plot([-1, len(grid[0])],[[-x/2 for x in range(-1,len(grid)*2+1)], [-y/2 for y in range(-1,len(grid)*2+1)]], ".k")
plt.plot([[x/2 for x in range(-2,len(grid[0])*2+1)],[x/2 for x in range(-2,len(grid[-1])*2+1)]],[1, -len(grid)],".k")

plt.plot(init[1],-init[0],"og")
plt.plot(goal[1],-goal[0],"ob")

#Below the four potential actions to the single field

delta =      [[1, 0, 1],
              [0, 1, 1],
              [-1, 0, 1],
              [0, -1, 1],
              [-1, -1, math.sqrt(2)],
              [-1, 1, math.sqrt(2)],
              [1, -1, math.sqrt(2)],
              [1, 1, math.sqrt(2)]]

delta_name = ['V','>','<','^','//','\\','\\','//']

cost = 1   #Each step costs you one

drone_height = 60

kg = 0.6
ke = 1
kh = 0.8

penalty1 = 10
penalty2 = 1.5

risk = [i for i in range(50,60)]

def search():

    pltx,plty=[],[]
    #open list elements are of the type [g,x,y]

    closed = [[0 for row in range(len(grid[0]))] for col in range(len(grid))]
    action = [[-1 for row in range(len(grid[0]))] for col in range(len(grid))]
    #We initialize the starting location as checked
    closed[init[0]][init[1]] = 1
    expand=[[-1 for row in range(len(grid[0]))] for col in range(len(grid))]

    elevation1 = [[0 for row in range(len(grid[0]))] for col in range(len(grid))]
    for i in range(len(grid)):
        for j in range(len(grid[0])):
            if grid[i][j] == 1:
                elevation1[i][j] = random.randint(1,100)
                if elevation1[i][j] >= drone_height:
                    plt.plot(j,-i,".k", markersize=10)
                elif elevation1[i][j] in risk:
                    plt.plot(j,-i,".r", markersize=10)
                else:
                    plt.plot(j,-i,"sm")
            else:
                elevation1[i][j] = 0

    elevation2 = [[0 for row in range(len(grid[0]))] for col in range(len(grid))]
    for i in range(len(elevation1)):
        for j in range(len(elevation1[0])):

            if elevation1[i][j] >= drone_height:
                elevation2[i][j] = elevation1[i][j]*penalty1
            elif elevation1[i][j] in risk:
                elevation2[i][j] = elevation1[i][j]*penalty2
            else:
                elevation2[i][j] = elevation1[i][j]

    # we assigned the cordinates and g value
    x = init[0]
    y = init[1]
    g = 0
    path_length = 0
    #h = heuristic[x][y]
    h = math.sqrt((x - goal[0])**2 + (y - goal[1])**2)
    e = elevation2[x][y]
    f = kg*g + kh*h + ke*e

    #our open list will contain our initial value
    open = [[f, g, h, x, y]]

    '''
  We are going to use two flags
  1- found and it will be True when the goal position is found.
  2- resign it will be True if we couldn't find the goal position and explore everything.
  '''
    found  = False   #flag that is set when search complete
    resign = False   #Flag set if we can't find expand
    count = 0

    t1 = time.time()
    while found is False and resign is False:

        #Check if we still have elements in the open list
        if len(open) == 0:    #If our open list is empty, there is nothing to expand.
            resign = True
            print('Fail')
            print('############# Search terminated without success')
            print()
        else:
            #if there is still elements on our list
            #remove node from list
            open.sort()             #sort elements in an increasing order from the smallest g value up
            open.reverse()          #reverse the list
            next = open.pop()       #remove the element with the smallest g value from the list

            #Then we assign the three values to x,y and g. Which is our expantion.
            x = next[3]
            y = next[4]
            g = next[1]
            expand[x][y] = count
            count+=1

            #Check if we are done
            if x == goal[0] and y == goal[1]:
                found = True
                print(next) #The three elements above this "if".
                print('############## Search is success')
                print()

            else:
                #expand winning element and add to new open list
                for i in range(len(delta)):       #going through all our actions the four actions
                    #We apply the actions to x and y with additional delta to construct x2 and y2
                    x2 = x + delta[i][0]
                    y2 = y + delta[i][1]
                    #if x2 and y2 falls into the grid
                    if x2 >= 0 and x2 < len(grid) and y2 >=0 and y2 <= len(grid[0])-1:

                        #if x2 and y2 not checked yet and there is not obstacles
                        #if closed[x2][y2] == 0 and elevation[x2][y2] < drone_height and elevation[x2][y2] not in risk:
                        if closed[x2][y2] == 0:
                            g2 = g + cost             #we increment the cose
                            #h2 = heuristic[x2][y2]
                            h2 = math.sqrt((x2 - goal[0])**2 + (y2 - goal[1])**2)
                            e2 = elevation2[x2][y2]
                            f2 = kg*g2 + kh*h2 + ke*e2
                            path_length+=math.sqrt((x2-x)**2+(e2-elevation1[x][y])**2)

                            open.append([f2,g2,h2,x2,y2])
                            #we add them to our open list
                            pltx.append(y2)
                            plty.append(-x2)
                            #Then we check them to never expand again
                            closed[x2][y2] = 1
                            action[x2][y2] = i
    t2 = time.time()
    runtime = t2-t1
    print('The elapsed time= ',runtime)
    print()
    print(path_length)
    print(len(pltx))
    print(len(plty))

    policy=[[' ' for row in range(len(grid[0]))] for col in range(len(grid))]
    x=goal[0]
    y=goal[1]
    policy[x][y]='*'
    visx = [y]
    visy = [-x]
    while x !=init[0] or y !=init[1]:
        x2=x-delta[action[x][y]][0]
        y2=y-delta[action[x][y]][1]
        policy[x2][y2]= delta_name[action[x][y]]
        x=x2
        y=y2
        visx.append(y)
        visy.append(-x)

    # visualization
    for x in range(0,len(pltx),20):
        plt.plot(pltx[:x],plty[:x],"xc")
        plt.pause(0.001)

    plt.plot(visx,visy, "-r")

    plt.show()

search()

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


As I sat down at my computer to work this morning I heard a tractor in the field of hay outside our gate. I have been waiting for them to roll the hay as I missed that happening last year and I want to see that process. A couple of days ago they cut the hay. So I thought this tractor must be here to roll it. I dashed outside and watched the tractor work. It was obvious from the contraption on the back of the tractor that he would not be the one rolling it. This tractor was gathering the hay into a line so that it can be rolled…sometime. Hopefully when I am home so that I can see it.
I sat on a bench next to the church and watched as the tractor made its way up and down through the field.
I enjoyed the early morning light on the vineyard. I enjoyed the peacefulness of nothing other than the tractor rumbling along and the birdsong. Oh that and the sound of my sighs of contentment.
I love seeing those huge sausages of hay. We saw many along the Camino, photos of which are at TulStig DelMar.


Oropharyngeal spray bottle 3D Model, nr. 1 in my collection. 2 objects (base, spout) in a hierarchy (so you can rotate or even animate the spout; see preview images), each one with its own non overlapping UV Layout map, Material and PBR Textures set. Perfect for a mock-up and advertising. Production-ready 3D Model, with PBR materials, textures, non overlapping UV Layout map provided in the package.
Polygonal, QUADS ONLY (no tris/ngons), no poles; 12740 vertices, 12736 quad faces (25472 tris).


This study aimed to investigate the relationship between an intensified low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) target of statin therapy and cancer risk.
Data from PUBMED, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials as of September 2014 were searched for randomized controlled trials on statins. An intensified LDL-c target of <2.59 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) or a relative LDL-c reduction by at least 30 % of the baseline was the primary criterion for all the trials that were included in this meta-analysis. The I 2 statistic was used to measure heterogeneity among the trials, and risk estimates were calculated for cancer incidence in this random-effect meta-analysis.
Nine eligible studies were identified with 59,571 participants, of whom 5379 developed cancer during the follow-up period (2691 were given statins and 2688 were given control treatment). The intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy did not affect cancer incidence (odds ratio, 1.00; 95 % confidence interval, 0.94 − 1.06; I 2 = 1.6 %, p = 0.42), which included some common cancers. Subgroup analysis showed that neither the chemical properties nor the variety of the statins accounted for the residual variation in risk.
The intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy had no effect on the overall incidence of cancer, including some common cancers. Therefore, intensified statin therapy does not need to be changed among adult clinical patients.
Statin therapy has been proven to help prevent cardiovascular events and mortality [1–6]. Intensified low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) targets of statin therapy, which are highly accurate, have also been widely used in clinical practice, especially among high-risk patients. The third report of an expert panel on the detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults (Adult Treatment Panel ATP III, 2001) recommended a LDL-c goal of < 100 mg/dL for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and CHD risk equivalents (10-year risk > 20 %; Framingham risk score) . Among diabetic patients, the dyslipidemia control criteria recommend LDL-c < 2.59 mmol/L for diabetic patients and LDL-c < 2.07 mmol/L (80 mg/dL) for diabetic patients with cardiovascular disease in China [8, 9]. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists 2012 guidelines recommend LDL-c < 100 mg/dL for high-risk patients (≥2 major risk factors and Framingham risk score > 20 % CHD risk equivalent) . The intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy in this meta-analysis was defined as a target of LDL-c < 2.59 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) or a relative LDL-c reduction of at least 30 % of the baseline .
Nevertheless, some side effects of statin therapy and the intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy have been reported (e.g., cancer risk). Several studies have reported the relationship between statin therapy and cancer risk [12–18]. A considerable amount of scholars believe that statin therapy has no relationship with cancer risk or statin therapy may prevent cancer, despite contradictory findings in the literature [15–18]. For instance, a significant decrease in HR-negative breast cancer was reported among statin users in a previous study . A recently published systematic review and meta-analysis reported that statins have no effect on the overall incidence of cancer . Few studies investigated the correlation between the intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy and cancer risk, but the same indefinite conclusion was obtained. Low risk of cancer was found for patients treated with high-efficacy statins in a recent population-based study (LDL-c reduction: low, ≤30 %; moderate, 31–40 %; high, ≥41 %) [19, 20]. However, a previous study showed that cancer incidence did not increase in the group achieving LDL-C < 30 mg/dL after high-intensity statin therapy compared with the controls .
The relationship between the intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy and cancer risk has been investigated for a long time, but results remain inconsistent. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether the intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy contributes to the onset of carcinoma according to the findings of previous meta-analyses and recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
The protocol of the current study was approved by the research ethics committees of ZhongDa Hospital, which was affiliated with Southeast University.
To obtain all of the original studies on the effect of intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy on cancer incidence in adult patients, we searched potentially eligible studies in the electronic databases PUBMED, EMBASE, and Cochrane as of September 2014. The following medical subject headings and free text keywords were used: "hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor," "statins," "statin," "fluvastatin," "mevastatin," "compactin," "pravastatin," "simvastatin," "lovastatin," "pitavastatin," "rosuvastatin," "cerivastatin", "atorvastatin," "cancer," "carcinoma," "neoplasm," "tumor," "phyma," "randomized controlled trial," and "human".
We included the RCTs if one of the endpoint or study assesses the effect of intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy on cancer endpoints in adult patients. The inclusion criteria used for the search are described as follows. The study should be an original work comparing statin treatment with an inactive control (placebo or no statins) involving more than 1000 adult study participants (18 years and older) whose cancer incidence was reported and followed-up for over one year. The patients included in the report should have achieved an intensified LDL-c target of < 2.59 mmol/L (100 mg/dl) or a relative LDL-c reduction of at least 30 % of the baseline. We excluded comparison trials involving either different statins or different doses of the same statin as well as trials on patients with cancer.
For all of the published trials, the following details were recorded: study characteristics (study design and allocation), participants (baseline age, sample size, and accompanying disease), therapeutic intervention (type of statin, dose of statin, and duration of therapy), and new cancer cases. Moreover, we recorded the endpoint LDL-c concentrations and relative reduction in LDL-c concentrations during the statin therapy to verify whether the intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy correlates with the incidence of cancer.
For trials with unpublished information, we formally requested data using a question sheet. The questions covered the number of incident cancer in specific sites (e.g., central nervous system (CNS), skin, breast, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and hematological). However, the replies were unclear, or no reply was received.
To determine the potential effects of the intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy on the incidence of cancer, odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) were used to compare the mean differences in each subgroup separately. We evaluated the statistical heterogeneity between trials with the I 2 statistic (with 95 % CIs), which is derived from Cochran's Q (100 × (Q-df)/Q)  and provides a measure of the overall variation that is attributed to between-trial heterogeneity. Random-effect meta-analysis was performed instead of the fixed-effect model because the former approach provides a more conservative assessment (e.g., broad CIs) of the average effect size. Subgroup analyses were used to investigate the potential sources of heterogeneity between trials. The factors that were investigated included the type of statin, dose of statin, and relative reduction in LDL-c concentrations. We analyzed the data with Stata version 11.0.
A funnel plot and Egger's test were used to test for publication bias . We conducted meta-analyses that included all trials; different types of statin (simvastatin, rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin, and fluvastatin); comparison trials with hydrophilic (pravastatin and rosuvastatin) and lipophilic (atorvastatin, simvastatin, and fluvastatin) statins; trials with specific cancer according to available date (respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary and CNS). Additionally, we performed the sensitivity analysis with Stata version 11.0.
We identified nine trials involving 59,571 non-cancer participants, of whom 5379 developed cancer (Fig. 1). Five different statins were studied, with a follow-up duration of 1.9–16.3 years. The characteristics of the included studies are summarized in Tables 1 and 2.
CNS, Gastrointestinal, genitourinary, respiratory et al.
Gastrointestinal, genitourinary, respiratory et al.
Gastrointestinal, genitourinary, respiratory, CNS et al.
The intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy did not affect the overall incidence of cancer (OR, 1.00; 95 % CI, 0.94 − 1.06; I 2 = 1.6 %, p = 0.42; Fig. 2). Among the nine trials, only the PROSPER (pravastatin in elderly individuals at risk of vascular disease) study  showed that the intensified LDL-c target of pravastatin therapy promoted cancer incidence (Fig. 2).
We also performed sensitivity analysis, which suggested that the combination of all trials in the primary analysis was appropriate. Additionally, we conducted a funnel plot and Egger's test for all nine trials and found no underlying publication bias.
The subgroup analyses of the individual statin that met the intensified LDL-c target revealed no significant effect on the incidence of cancer. Pravastatin therapy was found to promote cancer incidence (OR, 1.26; 95 % CI, 1.04 − 1.53). The subgroup analyses of fluvastatin therapy  showed no effects on cancer incidence (OR, 0.76; 95 % CI, 0.38 − 1.55). This result (Fig. 3) was similar to that of simvastatin therapy (OR, 1.00; 95 % CI, 0.94–1.08; I 2 = 0.0 %, p = 0.957) [25, 26], rosuvastatin therapy (OR, 0.93; 95 % CI, 0.81 − 1.07; I 2 = 0.0 %, p = 0.728) [6, 27], and atorvastatin therapy (OR, 0.91; 95 % CI, 0.73 − 1.12; I 2 = 0.0 %, p = 0.944) [28–30].
Given that the chemical properties of statins may lead to different results from our previous findings, statins were divided into two groups, namely, the lipophilic and hydrophilic statins, in another subgroup analysis. Neither the lipophilic (OR, 0.99; 95 % CI, 0.93 − 1.06; Fig. 4). nor hydrophilic (OR, 1.03; 95 % CI, 0.84 − 1.27; Fig. 4). statins that met the intensified LDL-c target affected the incidence of cancer.
We also conducted subgroup analyses on site-specific cancer. However, the available data are limited. We only performed subgroup analyses on respiratory, CNS, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary cancers based on the present data. No relationship was found between the intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy and the incidence of respiratory cancer (OR, 1.05; 95 % CI, 0.91 − 1.21; I 2 = 0.0 %, p = 0.794), CNS cancer (OR, 0.71; 95 % CI, 0.09–5.55; I 2 = 55.5 %, p = 0.134), gastrointestinal cancer (OR, 1.11; 95 % CI, 0.80 − 1.54, I 2 = 54.2 %, p = 0.088), and genitourinary cancer (OR, 1.02; 95 % CI, 0.91 − 1.14; I 2 = 0.0 %, p = 0.986).
The intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy, with the goal of achieving LDL-c < 2.59 mmol/L (100 mg/dl) or a relative LDL-c reduction by at least 30 % of the baseline after statin treatment, is commonly used in clinical trials and is believed to be effective. The intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy is suitable for the general population. For example, according to previous reports, all patients with peripheral arterial disease or those with familial hypercholesterolemia benefit from the intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy [31, 32]. Furthermore, this approach is appropriate and widely used in high-risk populations, such as diabetics with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. These patients are known to be at high risk of cancer incidence, so lipid control appears worthwhile. The dyslipidemia control criteria recommend LDL-c < 2.59 mmol/L for diabetic patients, and LDL-c < 2.07 mmol/L (80 mg/dL) for diabetic patients with cardiovascular disease [8, 9]. Numerous studies have explored the relationship between statins and cancer incidence. However, reports on the effect of the intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy on the incidence of cancer are relatively few. The present comprehensive meta-analysis was performed to provide evidence to clinicians and patients, which can also improve patient compliance.
Our meta-analysis showed that the intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy had no effect on the overall incidence of cancer, including some common cancers. The results of this meta-analysis were relatively stable according to sensitivity analysis. Begg's funnel plot and Egger's test showed no underlying publication bias.
In the studies selected for our meta-analysis, PROSPER  indicated that pravastatin may increase cancer risk. However, when the authors of the PROSPER  study extended their follow-up period to 14 years, no relationship was found between statin use and cancer risk . Another study showed that pravastatin therapy presented an increasing risk of cancer incidence with rising patient age . Nevertheless, the findings on pravastatin need to be confirmed by further studies. To date, clinical statin therapy has no special significance according to our subgroup analysis.
Previous studies have shown that statin therapy may inhibit cancer. For example, a recent trial revealed that a cumulative amount of statin use may decrease prostatic cancer risk . In a recently published study, lipophilic statin was reported to play a therapeutic role in cancer treatment . Statins may inhibit HMG-CoA reductase to lower the concentration of mevalonate, thereby decreasing the amount of isoprenylated intermediates that are known to affect signaling pathways, from cancer formation to progression .
Given the confusing association between statin therapy and cancer risk, as well as increasing incidence of cancer, we conducted subgroup analyses on site-specific cancer. The results showed the absence of a relationship between the intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy and the incidence of respiratory, CNS, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary cancers. To determine the safety of clinical statin treatment, we should investigate the relationship between the intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy and the risk of individual cancers in the future.
Several limitations of our study should be noted. First, the number of studies included in our meta-analysis is limited, especially for some individual statin. Second, sufficient evidence was unavailable to support or contradict the finding that pravastatin may promote cancer incidence. Third, available evidence from unpublished data on site-specific cancer is limited.
The intensified LDL-c target of statin therapy did not affect the overall incidence of cancer, including some common cancers, among adult patients. Therefore, the intensified therapy does not need to be changed among adult patients in clinical applications.
This work was partially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81370921, Wang SH; No. 81570732, Wang SH; and No. 81070916, Guo YJ), the Social Development Project of JiangSu Province (No. SBE201170735, Wang SH), the National Nature Science Youth Foundation of China (No. 81200635, Yang Y), and the National Nature Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (No. SBK201122155, Yang Y).
SHX, YY, WP and CRR performed this study, SHX, XWQ and HR performed statistic analyses, SHX and WSH designed this study and SHX wrote this article. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.


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Q: Typo3 with MSSQL I am interested in the question whether TYPO3 can work on the basis of MSSQL and are there any pitfalls? Since I cannot find this information on the official site.
Understanding that PDO supports MSSQL and TYPO3 works through the driver, can you do it yourself or is there a ready-made driver for this?


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Q: Target iPhone application by model (e.g. 3G vs 3GS) Much like the required device capabilities on the info.plist file, is it possible to configure an application such that it will only be available on some device models?
I know how to target it by device family (iPhone&iPod vs iPad), but in this case I'm looking to target by model. I also know how to programmatically determine the model, but what I want is for iTunes to prevent some device models from being able to download an app, which is why doing it via info.plist seems like it would be the best way.
For instance, if I wanted an app to be available on iPhone 3GS (or iPhone/iPod 4) and upper but NOT on iPhone 3G, is there any way to do it?

A: You might want to look into UIRequiredDeviceCapabilities.

A: Put armv7 in the UIRequiredDeviceCapabilities of the app's info.plist.  That will prevent an app from loading on an iPhone 3G, which uses the armv6 processor architecture.

A: There is no way to do it, except in code. Apple discourages it, instead asking you to require specific features instead of specific models.
The best you can do is note in the product description that not all features are available/performant on the 3G hardware, for example, and then disable those features in code or let them run poorly.


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Before & After: Gym Gets 11 Membership Sales In 7 Days With 3 Simple Tips
Have you ever sat back and thought I wonder how many membership sales I'd get this week if I just smiled more?
But Brandon Christ, General Manager of SOLDIERFIT Sterling, proved in one week why smiling might be your fitness studio's secret sales weapon.
"I'm not a smiler," Brandon told Loud Rumor CEO Mike Arce in their sales coaching call, "that's just not me."
Brandon enlisted in the Army when he was younger, but was disqualified. "I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder when I was 13-years-old and was on medication and treatment for years," he told me.
"But that didn't stop me. I enlisted in every branch of the U.S. Military to see if I could get in. I just wanted to serve."
That desire to serve in the military, that calling never left Brandon.
Luckily, he'd end up helping people at SOLDIERFIT. "SOLDIERFIT filled that gap for me," Brandon told me, "I absolutely LOVE what I do."
After reopening, SOLDIERFIT Sterling was tearing it up with members coming back and leads in the pipeline—which is a GOOD thing. The issue was, it put a lot on Brandon's plate.
"I was extremely stressed out with everything," he said, "after we reopened, I was making sure our schedule was on point, budgeting, doing tours and appointments, hiring and training my staff, it all just became too much and making 40-45 membership sales calls a day felt like a chore."
(Make sure you read until the end to get Mike Arce's "Carl from Kia" story and the power of referrals)
BEFORE: Plenty of Leads, Not Enough Membership Sales
Leads are the lifeblood of fitness studio membership sales and SOLDIERFIT Sterling had no shortage of leads after they reopened.
Unfortunately, not enough of those leads were booking appointments or showing up, let alone becoming members.
Brandon couldn't understand why, but his confusion was 100% warranted.
He had a solid sales process and for some reason, "50% of the people who answered the phone would ask what the price is," he said.
He knew something was off but couldn't figure out what it was. So he jumped on a coaching call with Mike Arce.
Eye-Opening Sales Role-Play
In order to understand Brandon's sales process, Mike asked him to role-play it (you can watch the whole thing in the video above). Mike wanted to know what it was like as a prospect to get a phone call from Brandon.
…he quickly figured out what was going on.
After role-playing with Brandon, Mike asked a very important question that hit at the core of why sales were being lost:
"Did you smile once that whole time?" Mike knew the answer…
"I don't smile much anyway, so probably not," Brandon responded.
The reason this is so important is that part of Brandon's membership sales process is asking the prospect on a scale of 1 to 10, how excited they are to come in for their free workout.
"If you're not excited talking to me, how do you expect me to be excited about coming in?" Mike asked.
"That's fair," Brandon said.
Mike didn't know everything Brandon was going through… but then again, neither will any of his prospects.
In fact, and this might sound harsh but Brandon knows this, his prospects won't care what he's going through either.
With Fitness Membership Sales, Energy Is Infectious
When you smile it naturally puts you in a more energetic state. And energy, both positive and negative, is infectious.
If the salesperson's energy is low or negative, the prospect will respond accordingly.
If the salesperson's energy is up and positive, the prospect will respond accordingly.
You're guiding the call… which means you're also guiding the energy.
So, in addition to smiling, Mike had Brandon stand up and do 10 jumping jacks with him. "1… 2…" Mike counted out each one on their virtual call.
"You want to get your energy up for every call," Mike told Brandon, "if you think your energy is dropping, do 10 jumping jacks to get the blood flowing again, then make the call."
Show Authentic Interest In Your Studio's Prospects
Showing interest in your prospects, showing them you care, and listening to them are hallmarks of a great fitness studio salesperson.
(Later, Brandon explains why this was a game-changer for him and his membership sales numbers)
Brandon realized after role-playing with Mike that he was going through his script without acknowledging the clues Mike was giving him about what he was looking for in a fitness studio.
"I was sticking to the script," Brandon told Mike, "and I should've been learning more about you."
When salespeople follow the script without listening, showing interest, or interacting with the prospect, the prospect will stick to their script too… which is a pretty simple one:
Find out how much it costs
Make a decision
"The best way to be interesting is to be interested." Mike said. "Your ultimate goal is to help them, that's why great salespeople are also incredible listeners."
When you really think about it, people are interesting. They have a lot going on in their lives, especially right now, but they made that first decision to improve themselves AND…
They chose YOU to help them do it. Be interested in that. Be happy about that and get to the core of why they want to improve—why they filled out YOUR form or called YOUR studio.
Focus On Your Fitness Studio's Offer
Marketing is designed to create interest. There are endless attention-grabbing taglines and promotions to draw people in.
"We were running with Our Lowest Rates Ever promo," Brandon told Mike, "and it was working, we were getting a ton of leads off of that."
What ended up happening was, Brandon was including Our Lowest Rates Ever into his sales process.
It makes sense, he wanted to tie his Marketing message with why the prospect was on the phone. But…
Our Lowest Rates Ever wasn't the OFFER… it was merely the PROMO. FREE CLASS was the offer and the true reason prospects signed up.
Instead of talking about your Marketing promos, focus on your Marketing OFFERS: "Hey, Sean. I saw that you signed up for a FREE CLASS, when can we get you in?"
The promotion hooks them, the offer is why they sign up. Deliver on the offer.
What was the result of this sales coaching call just 7 days later?
AFTER: 7 Days Later Brandon Increased Membership Sales, Appointments, and Shows
"Since that coaching call with you a week ago," Brandon told Mike, "I sold 11 memberships and had a 100% show rate for appointments… with more appointments coming in."
It looked like a massive weight was lifted from Brandon's shoulders… he could breathe again.
"How do you feel?" Mike asked him.
"A heck of a lot better… a lot prouder of myself… happy to be able to push through this… and a big thanks to you, I really needed that big kick in the butt you gave me, I appreciate it."
3 Simple Tips That Increased SOLDIERFIT Sterling's Membership Sales In 7 Days
After they role-played the first time, Mike had 12 notes for Brandon. Everything from posture and mindset to being expressive with his hands and eliminating phrases like "to be honest."
("To be honest" is a crutch for many people but it makes prospects think that you're not always honest or that you weren't honest until this particular moment.)
For Brandon, 3 simple tips stood out and helped him sign 11 members in just 7 days:
Simple Membership Sales Tip #1: Smile
"Before, phone calls were an annoying task for me with everything I had going on," Brandon said, "but remembering to smile helped change my mindset with each call."
Mike could feel that sense of accomplishment in Brandon's voice. After all, that was a huge step for him! Mike nodded, "There you go."
In fact, Brandon said he even saved phone calls by keeping his energy up and positive. After he introduced himself, he could hear the prospect groan. He didn't let it affect him.
He stayed positive, smiling, and the prospect would come around and even thank Brandon for calling.
"I also realized…" Brandon said—and this might've been the biggest takeaway for him… in fact, this tip is what helped him start smiling in the first place…
Simple Membership Sales Tip #2: Intent
Brandon took a deep breath in and released it before explaining the second tip that helped him sign more members.
This was a big one for Brandon and it's something every fitness studio salesperson should remember…
"I realized the intent behind every phone call," Brandon said, "It didn't matter that I was stressed out, I was calling to help each of them achieve their goals and doing that is how we make money and how we help more people."
Mike nodded knowing that Brandon hit the nail on the head, "I love it. I love it." Mike said.
"None of the stressors have changed, none of the excuses are gone, but what has changed is my mindset and my attitude," Brandon said.
The key here is that we can always change our state with membership sales. Whatever's happening outside of each phone call has nothing to do with the phone call or the other person on the line.
As Mike told Brandon, "If you let the way you feel control the way you act, you'll be average. But if you let the way you act control the way you feel, you'll be successful."
Simple Membership Sales Tip #3: Offer
The final simple tip Brandon added to sign more members was focusing on his fitness studio's offer: FREE CLASS.
Last time they spoke, Mike told Brandon the marketing is what hooked prospects in, but the free offer is why they signed up. So it's important to focus on the offer instead of the marketing.
"This helped a ton and almost no one asked about price over the phone," Brandon said, "and whenever someone did talk about price I remembered something Matt Kafora said in a Loud Rumor Virtual Training call about focusing on the price per workout."
"Brandon, that's awesome." Mike responded.
BONUS: Simple Membership Sales Tip #4
This isn't something Brandon mentioned but it's important.
None of this happens, there's no "AFTER" Brandon's "BEFORE" if Brandon doesn't act on what he learned.
As Jim Kwik, author of Limitless says, "Knowledge is not power. It's only potential power. If knowing is half the battle, action is the second half of the battle."
Brandon acted immediately.
Every phone call after his first sales coaching call with Mike had the right intent and energy.
What Brandon learned + taking action on what he learned = how Brandon signed 11 members in just 7 days.
BUT, Mike's next lesson for Brandon is what took his sales to the next level…
What Are Your Fitness Studio's Sales Goals?
"What if you had 100 calls to make in 24 hours and you were guaranteed that 90 of them would close?" Mike asked Brandon.
There are several layers to this question as you can see in the video at the top, but the point is this:
How would you plan out your day so you could make all 100 calls and reap the rewards of 90 new members? (The time you'd start calling to how long you'd spend on each call)
What if you were guaranteed that only 60 would close if you made the same 100 calls? Would you work as hard to only get 60 new members instead of 90?
"Here's the point I'm making," Mike said, "We should work just as hard and just as fast on things that are difficult as we do on things that are easy."
"That's when we grow," Brandon responded.
"Exactly," Mike nodded.
We're inspired by people who overcame the odds.
The stories people talk about are the ones where things were difficult and someone rose above it to become successful. Those are the moments that matter.
As Mike says in the video, "There's nothing inspiring about someone who can be in a good mood when things are going well."
Which leads into creating challenges for yourself…
How To Make The Money You Want To Make, Whatever That Number Is
Now that Brandon was practicing what he learned and improving his sales process, Mike wanted him to hit the next level.
"How many new members per month would you need to get for you to make the kind of money you want to be making at SOLDIERFIT?" Mike asked Brandon.
"Right now I'd say 35 would be good," Brandon responded.
Mike with a pen in his hand started writing and said, "Great, now let's work backwards…"
Mike asked Brandon:
"What percentage of his shows or free trials closed to become members?"
"The percentage of his appointments become shows?"
"What percentage of his leads became appointments?"
At the end of this, they figured out that:
If Brandon gets 70 leads every month (totally doable with Loud Rumor Account Manager Alexa on Brandon's side) and he books appointments for 70% of those leads, that's 49 appointments.
If 80% of his appointments actually show, that's 39 people who showed up, in-studio.
Finally, Brandon calculated that he closes 90% of the people that show, so that's 35 new members.
"Ok, so you know you need at least 70 leads every month," Mike said, "let's say you hit these numbers for 2 or 3 consecutive months, what do you do?"
"Increase it to 45," Brandon responded.
"That's right," but Mike added, "You can also set other goals… maybe you want to improve your appointment rate or show rate, those things will improve your sales too."
Setting Sales Goals Is Like Lifting Weights
Just like lifting weights, to grow and improve you can add more weight, increase time under tension, or increase your number of reps. However…
The only way you're going to know is by keeping track of it so you can create your next challenge.
"What gets measured, gets done." Mike told Brandon. On top of that, Mike asked another question that go Brandon pumped to make more sales:
"Brandon, do you know when the best time to call a lead is?"
Brandon thought about it for a bit and asked, "When?"
"Immediately after your last sale," Mike answered.
You've got momentum, you're on a roll, you want to keep that going.
If a basketball player hits 2 shots in a row with confidence you don't bench him—You throw gas on that fire!
Now here's how you make that fire a flame that never goes out—this is the #1 key to dramatically increasing your fitness studio sales…
Are Your Fitness Studio Sales Like A Weed Or A Mushroom?
Mike's final tip for Brandon has the potential to dramatically increase every fitness studio's sales faster and more efficiently:
Referrals.
Without a dialed-in referral process, your sales will be like a weed. Each individual weed is its own sale: Lead + Book + Show = Close.
But with referrals, the show and close can branch outward like a mushroom. One "Lead + Book + Show = Close" could turn into "8 Shows = 8 Closes" instantly.
BONUS: This lowers your overall cost per acquisition too.
Carl From Kia And The Power Of Fitness Studio Referrals
I personally took a portion of the video at the top of this article out and put it here for you. This is where Mike tells Brandon about "Carl from Kia" and the power of referrals.
Your mission and Brandon's mission isn't just to become great salespeople for your fitness studio… your mission is to become developers of business.
You want to be the person people talk about and are excited to do business with.
What would your life look like if you became a "developer of business" like Carl from Kia?
One thing that'll help is our FREE 6-Step Referral Accelerator Cheat Sheet:
Mark Your Calendar
BEFORE: Brandon was stressed with SOLDIERFIT Sterling's reopening and saw making 45+ sales calls a day as an annoying chore. He ran through his scripts with low energy and a defeated posture.
AFTER: Brandon started smiling more with higher levels of energy, remembered the intent of every sales call he made showing interest in each prospect, and to focus on his FREE CLASS offer.
RESULT: 11 membership sales in just 7 days.
Take just 1 hour out of your day to watch Brandon's Before & After video with Mike above—watch it at 1.5X speed if you want to save time—and ask yourself:
"How great would it be If I took action on a few simple tips like Brandon did and signed more members in just 7 days?"
Mark your calendar for 7 days from now.
Set your goal based on your current numbers (use the example in How To Make The Money You Want To Make, Whatever That Number Is above or at the 48:50 spot in the video)
Then, comment below what you achieved or email Mike at mikearce@loudrumor.com.
UPDATE on Brandon's Fitness Studio Sales Numbers
That first 7 days after Brandon's phone call with Mike were incredible… but it got even better.
Just 2 months later, Brandon has already bumped his goal of signing 35 members a month to 45 members a month.
On top of that, he had one of the highest months in SOLDIERFIT Sterling history: 61 new memberships.
That's what it means to GSD (Get Sh*t Done)!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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IFoA Volunteers - Not all heroes wear capes
The place of the volunteer in the IFoA has long been valued and recognised; we remain a membership organisation reliant on and driven by actuaries like you, and other professionals, who give their time for the good of the profession and to enhance actuarial science.
The place of the volunteer in the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) is embedded in our DNA. To us they're true actuarial heroes.
After all, without volunteers (past and present), the IFoA would not be what it is today, nor would it be able to deliver on its current aims and objectives or be able to realise its Corporate Plan and Strategy.
But the contributions our volunteers make are often behind the scenes – not all heroes wear capes!
In the run-up to International Volunteer Day (5 December) we're celebrating the incredible work of our 'actuarial heroes'; the diverse range of volunteers, from the newest Student, to leading IFoA Council Members and Board Chairs, to those from outside the actuarial world, who all come together to support their peers and secure the future of the profession.
Today we're bringing news of a new way we're recognising our volunteers as well as issuing a call for you to tell us about those you feel have made an outstanding contribution in the field of volunteering.
Celebrating the exceptional commitment of IFoA volunteers
From origins in mid-nineteenth century in both Edinburgh and London, to our present-day global community, our 'actuarial heroes' have grown in number to more than 4,000 individual volunteers, representing more than 12% of the membership. Many carry out more than one volunteer role, demonstrating a commitment to the profession from IFoA members that goes above and beyond the norm.
This commitment is one of our greatest strengths and the impact and value cannot be overstated.
As a small token of recognition, in 2012, we commissioned the creation of a special silver volunteer recognition pin (plus a gold version for Council members). All IFoA volunteers are entitled to wear this silver volunteer recognition pin – this is not only a mark of recognition but it allows these volunteers to support other members by acting as volunteer ambassadors at our conferences and events.
Now, in November 2019, as a result of a suggestion from Ben Stroud, an IFoA volunteer (secretary of the Value of With-Profits for Consumers Working Party and CPD Co-ordinator for the FCA), we are pleased to also launch a new digital volunteer recognition pin, for use on email signatures and sharing on social media, so that volunteers can display their commitment to the profession and encourage colleagues and peers to volunteer.
Volunteer Ben Stroud said:
"Volunteering for the profession is a fantastic way to help advance actuarial science and provides volunteers with valuable personal and professional development opportunities,"
"The silver volunteer recognition pins were launched back in 2012 and with the new digital 'pins' members can promote the importance of volunteering through their network more frequently."
Recognising outstanding contributions
This November, we are also launching a call for nominations for 'outstanding contribution' recognition.
The work of the IFoA is a partnership between volunteers and executive staff. Sometimes one individual goes the extra mile.
If you feel a fellow volunteer – or a member of the IFoA executive staff – has provided outstanding service to you as an IFoA member, to an IFoA project, or to the IFoA or the actuarial profession generally, we would like to hear from you so that we can recognise their contribution.
Please give examples of things which have really impressed you by emailing our Head of Engagement Debbie Atkins. These will be collated and shared with the Presidential team and Directors of the IFoA.
Debbie Atkins would also be delighted to talk to you if you would like to find out how you too can get involved in Volunteering for the IFoA.
Other blogs in this series:
Make the most of your membership: volunteer
The value of volunteering
In conversation with Mike Clark (IFoA volunteer)
How IFoA volunteers create our outputs


text:
Kujtim Majaci (20 March 1962 - 14 July 2009) was an Albanian football player.

Club career
He played for Apolonia Fier for his entire career, playing around 300 league games and scoring 174 goals, making him the club's highest goalscorer. He was also a member of the Albania national team, earning 3 senior caps.

International career
Majaci made his debut for Albania in a January 1989 friendly match against Greece and has earned a total of 3 caps, scoring no goals.

His final international was a November 1990 UEFA Euro 1992 qualification match against France.

Death
He died of a heart attack in July 2009, aged 47, after collapsing on Seman Beach near Fier. In his honour, a statue was erected in Fier.

References

External links

1962 births
2009 deaths
Sportspeople from Fier
Association football forwards
Albanian footballers
Albania international footballers
KF Apolonia Fier players
Kategoria Superiore players

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
HOLLYWOOD HYPERSPACE Return To Woodbury
By sfx 2014-02-28T23:58:55.58Z Feature
LA Editor Joseph McCabe takes a trip to the Governor's old stomping ground
Braving the streets of Woodbury for SFX in the latest Hollywood Hyperspace .
With The Walking Dead back on TV, fans are now watching our scattered heroes as they struggle to regroup in the wake of the Governor's midseason prison attack. When I visited the show's set last year (as detailed in SFX 244 – pick up the issue digitally on Newsstand for iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch , Zinio , Google Play , Kindle or Nook ), I discovered that the town in which Michonne, Carl, and Rick have been foraging is actually just around the corner from the road used for the Governor's third season home -- Woodbury. In reality, the town is Senoia, Georgia, and Woodbury's main street is a charming, newly refurbished little boulevard lined with eateries and stores, the most prominent of which, for Walking Dead fans, is the Woodbury Shoppe.
The Woodbury Shoppe is a zombie lover's mecca, chock full of all manner of Dead trinkets and souvenirs, including some unavailable elsewhere. Chief among these is the "Welcome to Woodbury -- A Walker Free Community" t-shirt, available in green, grey, or pale blue. Also unique to the shop is my favorite item, a small leather keychain designed to resemble one of the walker ears that everyone's favorite redneck Daryl Dixon used to wear on his necklace. Buy one, set it in a little box filled with red-paint-dappled cotton, and give it to someone you love!
Daryl's popularity is pretty evident from a quick glance around the Woodbury Shoppe, which -- alongside the action figures, mugs, messenger bags, and boxer shorts -- also offers cardboard standees of the bad boy with a heart of a gold, and earrings in the shape of his trademark crossbow. Of course Michonne's popularity may be gaining, as one can also purchase a full-size replica of her razor-sharp katana sword for only two hundred and ninety US dollars. Jawless walker pets not included.
If you pay the Woodbury Shoppe a visit, be sure to note the hallway to your right as you enter: it sports signatures -- and, in the case of zombie mastermind Greg Nicotero, a doodle -- from the Walking Dead's cast and crew. And when you're done shopping, stop by the bar next door -- the Southern Ground Social Club - for a down-home style meal and beer served in a genuine mason jar. It's owned by the same fellow who owns last year's now demolished prison set. Tell 'em Rick sent ya!
The Walking Dead airs on AMC in the US on Sunday nights and Fox in the UK on Monday nights at 9pm.
Read our season four reviews.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 review: "A charming co-op juggernaut"


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New Zealand Blocks Huawei From 5G Deal With Spark
Iain Morris, International Editor
New Zealand appears to have joined a small but growing list of countries that are taking steps to exclude Chinese network equipment suppliers from their telecom markets on national security grounds.
Government authorities have written to Spark New Zealand, one of the country's biggest mobile operators, to warn it off using next-generation 5G equipment that China's Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. has developed.
The Director-General of the Government Communications Security Bureau has told executives at Spark that any use of Huawei's 5G equipment would "raise significant national security risks."
The move comes after Spark notified authorities in accordance with local regulations of plans to deploy Huawei's 5G gear in its radio access network. It marks a setback for the operator in its development of future 5G services, which are intended to boost connection speeds and capacity for mobile customers.
In a statement, Spark said the ruling meant it would not be able to use Huawei equipment. "Spark has not yet had an opportunity to review the detailed reasoning behind the Director-General's decision," said the company. "Following our review, Spark will consider what further steps, if any, it will take."
Despite the setback, the operator insisted the government's decision would not affect its plans to launch a 5G network by July 2020, provided new spectrum has been auctioned by that date.
The decision seems bound to prevent Huawei from selling 5G equipment to Vodafone New Zealand and 2degrees, the country's other mobile network operators, and will probably mean that ZTE Corp. (Shenzhen: 000063; Hong Kong: 0763), Huawei's smaller Chinese rival, is similarly barred from New Zealand's 5G market. (See Amid the Rubble of L'Aquila, ZTE Tries to Rebuild.)
Opponents of the Chinese companies cite their apparent links to Chinese authorities and say their network gear could include "backdoors" for spying on citizens and government organizations in the West.
But the backlash comes amid trade tensions between China and the US, as President Donald Trump's administration seeks to impose punishing tariffs on a range of Chinese goods.
Neither Huawei nor ZTE have been able to serve the major US operators since 2012, when a US government report identified both companies as a potential security threat.
Want to know more about 5G? Check out our dedicated 5G content channel here on
Light Reading.
This year, however, they have been under intense scrutiny in other parts of the world. Australia appeared to follow the US lead in August when it decided to ban Huawei and ZTE from selling 5G equipment to Australian telcos. (See Huawei, ZTE Charm Offensive Just Got Harder and Australia Excludes Huawei, ZTE From 5G Rollouts.)
In the UK, a recent government warning to operators to choose their suppliers carefully was interpreted by some analysts as evidence of concern about Huawei. Even more recently, Germany's government was reported to be considering a 5G ban on Huawei and ZTE. (See UK Govt Warns Telcos on Choice of 5G Vendors.)
Despite the government backlash, Huawei continues to land 5G deals with major European operators. Earlier this year, it secured a 5G contract with UK mobile operator Three, which has previously relied on Nokia for 3G equipment and Samsung as a 4G supplier. (See Nokia, Samsung Miss Out as Three UK Gives 5G Job to Huawei.)
It also has major 4G deals in place with BT and Deutsche Telekom, the UK and German telecom incumbents, and is working with both operators on 5G trials. (See BT Hopes to Score With 5G Broadcasting Push and DT Poised for 5G Launch as Huawei Antennas Go Up in Berlin.)
In a statement issued in response to the developments in New Zealand, Huawei pointed out that it has now signed more than 22 commercial 5G contracts, including 14 in Europe, five in the Middle East and three in the Asia-Pacific.
"Huawei is aware of Spark's statement, and we are looking into the situation," said a Huawei spokesperson in emailed comments. "As the GCSB has noted, this is an ongoing process. We will actively address any concerns and work together to find a way forward."
"As a leading global supplier of telecom equipment, we remain committed to developing trusted and secure solutions for our customers," he added.
— Iain Morris, International Editor, Light Reading
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Geoffrey Robinson (he changed his name to Dawson in 1917), the eldest child of George Robinson, banker, and his wife, Mary Perfect, was born at Skipton, Yorkshire, on 25th October 1874.
Geoffrey Dawson was one of a number of young Oxford graduates whom Milner had recruited to work in the administration of the new colonies. William Thackeray Marriott described them as "Milner's Kindergarten". The group included John Buchan, Lionel Curtis, Richard Feetham, Fabian Ware, Robert Brand, Basil Temple Blackwood, Patrick Duncan, Geoffrey Robinson Dawson, Philip Kerr and John Hanbury-Williams. All the men saw the unification of South Africa as the key to economic prosperity.
In 1938 British intelligence was becoming very concerned about the activities of Princess Stephanie von Hohenlohe, a close associate of Geoffrey Dawson. A report said: "She is frequently summoned by the Führer who appreciates her intelligence and good advice. She is perhaps the only woman who can exercise any influence on him." They also reported that she seemed to be "actively recruiting these British aristocrats in order to promote Nazi sympathies." (PROKV2/1696).
Geoffrey Dawson died at his home, 24 Lowndes Street, London, on 7th November 1944.
Princess Stephanie was a regular weekend guest at Cliveden, the home of Lord and Lady Astor, as notes she wrote herself confirm. The Astors' house parties became notorious for attracting members of aristocratic society supportive of Hitler and his policies, and for enthusiasts of appeasement. Lord Astor owned both The Observer and The Times, Geoffrey Dawson, editor of The Times, was another of Princess Stephanie's acquaintances and also regularly attended at Cliveden.The house parties were therefore fruitful occasions for Stephanie to work her brand of subtle propaganda: persuasive, clever conversation which traded heavily on her personal contacts with Hitler. She was to later write, in an effort to distance herself from her energetic dissemination of Nazi propaganda in London in the 1930s: "It is true that at Cliveden a number of recurrent guests were those in favour of appeasing the new Germany, but appeasement was by no means a bad word at that time."
Ribbentrop, a regular visitor to London even before he was appointed Hitler's ambassador to Britain in October 1936, became one of the most sought-after party guests in the capital. He was a natural social climber, and dressed to give the impression of being the perfect English gentleman. He liked nothing more than rubbing shoulders with royalty and aristocrats, and was frequently seen in London's most fashionable circles with ardent pro-Nazis like Emerald Cunard, Lord and Lady Londonderry and others in Wallis' and Princess Stephanie's circles.
Princess Stephanie's work with others who agreed an alliance with the new German regime was the way forward, and led to a campaign to form influential organizations, working within British society, who were sympathetic to the Nazis. Prominent names stand out as having common connections or membership with several of these organizations.The Link, which received financial backing from Berlin, included many members of the Cliveden set and of the Anglo-German Fellowship, though on a more modest scale also encompassed members from the Cliveden and London house parties. Stephanie and Ribbentrop were both regulars at Cliveden weekends, and in a report to Hitler on Anglo-German relations written in December 1937, Ribbentrop described the Cliveden set as a group trying hard to impress on Chamberlain the need to really understand Germany and Nazi policy. But he said they were being sidelined by unconditional opponents of Germany, in particular from hostility within the Foreign Office.
The famous Times leader of 7 September, putting forward the idea of the cession of the Sudetenland, caused a furore not only in its own letter columns but throughout informed circles, even though the article was merely a continuation of the paper's established policy. Opinion was strongly divided between those who "broke out into a volley of abuse", including most of the other newspapers, and those who believed that it was "the only feasible solution", and that it was "better for the peace of Europe that this comparatively homogeneous block of German-inhabited and German-speaking territory should be joined on to Germany". There were many facets to the debate, but almost all were on the plane of appeasement versus firmness. Sir Arnold Wilson called for negotiation, Sir John Fischer Williams stressed the urgency of the situation, stating that "Prague must be brought to see that it must take the only possible course without further delay's Sir Frederick Maurice offered the services of the British Legion to supervise the orderly evacuation of territory. But there were few public statements of a pro-German nature at this stage of things, except, of course, in biased journals such as the Anglo-German Review and The Patriot.
From 1935 to 1939, the political leaders of this country were, with the exception of Winston Churchill and Leo Amery, frightened men. With the shining exception of the Daily Telegraph, the press too was bright yellow. Under the leadership of The Times (Dawson and Barrington-Ward) Fleet Street, from Right to Left, did everything in its power to help Neville Chamberlain and his wretched Government turn the whole country yellow. Even Kingsley Martin, the editor of the New Statesman, who had written so vehemently about standing up to the aggressors, buckled over Munich - and was later ashamed of it. Churchill's supreme achievement, amounting to a miracle, was to turn the British in 1940, within a few weeks and single-handed, once again into a brave people; and, by so doing, to save western civilization.


MCE Technologies, LLC (MCE) has announced an internal 2x DVD-Recordable drive for the PowerBook G4. In addition to reading and writing to DVD-R media at up to 2x speed and DVD-RW media at 1x speed, the new MCE Internal 2x DVD-R/RW/RAM drive for PowerBook G4 reads and writes with true drag and drop, random-access functionality to single-sided or double-sided DVD-RAM media at up to 2x speed. The MCE Internal 2x DVD-R/RW/RAM drive for PowerBook G4 is bundled with Macintosh DVD authoring and CD burning software and is expected to begin shipping in quantity on August 18.
"In addition to slicing DVD-R write time in half, we are bringing a new experience to the PowerBook G4 owner . . . true, drag and drop DVD-RAM data storage for complete random-access, hard drive-like functionality," stated Arnie Ramirez, president of MCE Technologies.
The MCE Internal 2x DVD-R/RW/RAM drive for PowerBook G4 writes to 4.7 GB DVD-R media at up to 2x speed, to 4.7 GB single-sided or 9.4 GB double-sided DVD-RAM media at up to 2x speed, and to 4.7 GB DVD-RW media at 1x speed. In addition, the MCE drive writes to standard 650 MB and 700 MB CD-R media at up to 16x speed, writes to standard CD-RW media at up to 8x speed, reads DVD-ROM discs at up to 8x speed, and reads standard CD-ROM discs at up to 24x speed.
The MCE Internal 2x DVD-R/RWRAM drive for PowerBook G4 is compatible with Apple's iTunes, Disc Burner and DVD Player applications, and also includes DVD authoring software that enables users to create video DVDs that are playable on most computer and home DVD players. The easy-to-use DVD authoring software allows for customizable menus, backgrounds and even background music in the creation of video DVDs. The MCE Internal 2x DVD-R/RW/RAM drive for the PowerBook G4 also includes Roxio Toast Lite software to facilitate faster and more efficient data DVD and CD recording.
The MCE Internal 2x DVD-R/RW/RAM drive is compatible with all 12", 15", and 17" PowerBook G4 models. The suggested retail price is $349 ($389 for 400 MHz and 500 MHz TiBooks). Because of the delicate nature of the installation procedure, installation must be handled by MCE Technologies or by an MCE Technologies Authorized Upgrade Center. A complete list of upgrade centers is located at the MCE Technologies web site. Contact MCE for complete details and product specifications.
MacResQ announced today a new PowerBook G4 "SuperDrive" upgrade as part of their PowerBookResQ repair program. The new service offers PowerBook G4 owners an affordable way to upgrade their G4 PowerBook with a DVD/CD burner with PowerBookResQ's famous 24-hour turnaround and nationwide convenience.
Owners of the PowerBook G4 (400 MHz to 1 GHz) can now easily replace their built-in CD-RW-only or DVD-only drive with a drive that can burn CDs and DVDs that can be played in most consumer CD/DVD players. The slot-loading "SuperDrive" DVD-R/CD-RW is bootable and compatible with Mac OS X, OS 9, iDVD, iTunes, Disc Burner, and Apple DVD Player, as well as other third party applications. The drive reads at 24x, writes CD-R at 16x, writes CD-RW at 8x, and writes DVD-R/RW at 1x. A 1-year warranty applies.
The price for this "SuperDrive" upgrade is only $399 and includes pickup at the customer's location, overnight delivery to the PowerBookResQ service center, expert installation within 24 hours, and return overnight shipping to the customer.
PowerBookResQ and PowerMacResQ also offer fast, convenient, and affordable Mac repairs for just $99, which includes 3-way overnight shipping, the initial diagnostic service, and the unique PowerBox, which the customer may keep for future use. For even faster service, same-day pickup is available in most areas of the country.
For computer resellers and repair centers, PowerBookResQ and PowerMacResQ offer discounted rates on products and services. Computer dealers can send overflow service work or seamlessly outsource their entire Mac repair operation. Volume discounts are available for schools, corporations, and government agencies.
Trans Intl. has announced the worldwide availability of a 1 GB DDR333 (Double Data Rate) memory module for the Apple PowerBook G4 (1 GHz 17" model). Trans Intl's 1 GB memory modules double the system's main memory in Apple 17" PowerBook (1 GHz G4 Models) to 2 GB of RAM. This makes the PowerBook equal in memory capacity to the current desktop Power Macintosh computers.
As the number of Macintosh users looking to replace desktop models with slim PowerBooks grow, Trans Intl. DDR333 modules provide PowerBook users with desktop-like power by offering 1 GB of memory density for each memory expansion socket. The 17" PowerBook has two memory expansion sockets for main memory expansion.
Trans Intl. memory modules conform to Apple's stringent electrical and mechanical design guide lines. The 1 GB DDR333 Memory Module operates at a clock rate of 166 MHz and transmits data at 333 Mbps.
MacMice announced the iPerch Plus fan-cooled acrylic PowerBook desk stand.
The iPerch Plus is a 5.5" tall clear acrylic desk stand that holds any model Apple G4 PowerBook at a 15-degree angle, for improved screen viewability when in desktop usage. The product includes an innovative PowerBook cooling system, based around a clear 80mm acrylic ball-bearing fan, coupled with proper air ducting between the product and the PowerBook.
The iPerch Plus creates an average PowerBook surface temperature reduction of between 15° and 30° Fahrenheit. It does this by pouring a constant stream of room temperature air upward into a carefully chosen open space between the clear polymer bumpers on the top of the iPerch Plus and the bottom of your PowerBook. This spacing determines the distribution and velocity of the cooling air flow and is precisely matched to the uniquely designed fan system. The result is simply an incredibly efficient cooling mechanism for your overtaxed PowerBook. MacMice says that their test PowerBook's noisy internal cooling fan never cuts in while running on the iPerch Plus - even under heavy use.
The product creates only 20 dB of sound at 2' distance, which is extremely quiet. MacMice claims it is the quietest fan-powered laptop cooling product on the market. This low operating noise level makes the product uniquely suited for use in audio or video production settings, classrooms, meeting areas, or other areas demanding maximum quietness.
The low noise level was achieved by running the large-bladed (80mm) fan at a lower DC voltage than its designed operating voltage. By using a lower voltage, the fan runs slower and makes less noise. However, MacMice had to make certain that the fan used would always develop enough torque to start and run properly at the lowered voltage, as well as continue to operate properly for many years. The uniquely precise ball-bearing fan used meets these requirements.
The iPerch Plus is specifically designed for Apple's G4 PowerBooks, and works with the 12", 15", and 17" models. It also works with Apple's "ice" iBooks, both 12" and 14" models.
The iPerch Plus is fabricated from 3/8th inch Acrylite brand clear acrylic material and is specifically designed to be stable enough to type on, should you choose to do so. Your PowerBook will rest on four clear soft-polymer bumpers that raise your notebook up above the product's surface just enough to enable proper air flow between the top of the iPerch Plus and the bottom of your PowerBook.
The iPerch Plus is available now for US$69.99 from the MacMice website.
Use the Dexia Rack on your desk with a secondary keyboard and mouse for a heads-up display, with your laptop raised 7.6". The Rack straddles full size keyboards - the legs spread to 20.6". The sculpted legs allow you to reach for the mouse without bumping the frame.
The Dexia Rack frame is made from aircraft-grade aluminum welded in 16 places, with diagonal flexible steel cables, and finished in 4 available colors: blue, black, gold, and aluminum.
The top surface is a generous 10" x 13" to handle virtually any size laptop and has a large bottom opening for heat dissipation.
You can take the Dexia Rack to bed, the floor, a sofa, or out on the lawn.
Currently the Dexia Rack is only available directly from Dexia Design or through major U.S. college bookstores and campus computer stores.
When open, the Back Office from Shaun Jackson Design becomes a comfortable, well organized, portable workplace for your lap or desk. The side pockets hold all of the computer's accessories, making them easily accessible. A DVD/CD organizer panel sits just behind the screen.
The padded, contoured shoulder straps can be discreetly stored in there own zipper pocket. A single shoulder strap may be attached at the D-rings located on the top of the case for the times that a backpack may not be appropriate. The horizontal configuration of the case makes navigating crowded and cramped areas such as busy hallways or airlines a walk in the park. A second rear pocket provides ample room for paperwork, a portable printer, or even a second laptop computer.
Big BackOffice accommodates larger laptops like the 17" PowerBook.
Trans Intl. earlier this month released the fastest 2.5" drive (7200 RPM) for PowerBooks, iBooks, and notebook PCs. The drive is available as an internal drive upgrade and as an external portable drive with dual ports for easy connectivity, FireWire 400 and USB 2/1.1, making portable computers equal in storage I/O performance with desktop systems.
StarBand, a high-speed, two-way satellite Internet provider to residential and small office customers, has announced the national expansion of the StarBand 480 Pro service with a professional-strength, network-ready, business-grade satellite modem delivering faster speeds, instant networking capability and compatibility with a wide array of computer operating systems including Windows, Macintosh, Unix, and Linux.
The StarBand 480 Pro provides high performance Internet service with peak download speeds of up to one megabit per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 100 kilobits per second (Kbps) in Turbo Mode, which is available for most large file uploads.
"We committed our time and resources to delivering this highly demanded solution to the marketplace and are now ready to fulfill the pent-up demand for it," said StarBand Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Zur Feldman. "The StarBand 480 Pro, our fourth generation product, shows once again that StarBand listens to the customer and delivers on their needs."
"StarBand has a history in being first to market in this category and today we are doing so again with the StarBand 480 Pro," said Howard Lossing, VP of Sales and Marketing. "Our commercial customers asked for, and we delivered, a product that works with all operating systems, has faster upload speeds, includes a built-in router making networking easier, offers multiple static IP addresses, and does not require PC-based software."
The initial limited rollout to several hundred customers in the First Quarter of 2003 resulted in very high customer satisfaction with more than 90% claiming they would recommend the StarBand 480 Pro Small Office service to other businesses because of its reliability, faster upload speeds and networking ease.
The StarBand 480 Pro satellite modem includes a four-port Ethernet router enabling instant networking of multiple personal computers to provide maximum flexibility for networked environments. With the product software and intelligence now embedded on the satellite modem, business customers with Windows, Macintosh, Unix, Linux and many other Operating Systems supporting TCP/IP can enjoy networked high-speed Internet access from StarBand.
FireWireDirect has announced the introduction of the first in a series of new 800 Mbps external hard drives and enclosures with the debut the StingRay 800, a powerful dual interface USB 2.0 and FireWire 800 3.5" desktop hard drive storage system.
FireWire 800, or 1394b, is a new, faster FireWire standard rolled out in highly anticipated new products from FireWireDirect. The improved standard offers dramatically increased speeds and enhancements that will be immediately attractive to digital video and audio producers, multimedia creators, and every personal computer user demanding cost effective and speedy storage for the digital life style.
FireWireDirect was first to market with several 800 Mbps products, and the StingRay 800 is their first storage offering, available in up to 320 GB in a single volume and already offering the huge speed gains promised by the new standard. Most users will see sustained reads of over 50 MB/s and writes of over 40 MB/s, about double the possibilities of traditional FireWire.
Like all FireWireDirect products, the drive plugs and plays without special drivers. The dual USB 2.0 FireWire 800 interface enables it to connect to virtually any computer. The drive separates itself from the pack with a whisper quiet fan for efficient and noiseless cooling, and a built-in power supply &endash; no bulky power brick cords. These and other attributes make the StingRay a powerful 800 Mbps FireWire solution that's especially attractive for mobile personal computer users.
The drive is available and shipping now, in sizes ranging from an Enclosure Kit for users building their own, to the huge 320 GB HDD, the only single volume FireWire 800 external drive of this size available to consumers.
The StingRay 800 is a truly cross platform solution, complete with software for both Mac and Windows users.


The SVM 3000 Viscometer measures the dynamic viscosity and density of oils and fuels according to ASTM D7042. From this result, the viscometer automatically calculates the kinematic viscosity and delivers measurement results which are equivalent to ISO 3104 or ASTM D445. The Stabinger measuring principle with Peltier thermostat enables an incomparably wide viscosity and temperature range with a single system. SVM 3000 is quick, compact and energy-saving, versatile in use, with only small amounts of sample and solvents required. This makes it the most efficient high-precision viscometer on the market.