text:
The valuing donkeys project
Laura M. Kubasiewicz
Tamlin Watson
Natasha Chamberlain
Caroline Nye
When conducted:
1 January 2018 - 31 December 2023
An estimated 112 million working horses, ponies, donkeys and mules are essential to the livelihoods of some of the poorest communities across the world. The socioeconomic value of these animals is often taken for granted and people may exploit their hardworking nature, leading to poor welfare. To address this lack of recognition of the critical and central role that working donkeys and mules play in rural communities, we are running a long-term and multifaceted research project to evidence and demonstrate their true value. Our research will provide first-hand evidence of the economic contributions that donkeys and mules make to rural communities, but also explore and evidence their cultural, social and religious values to the people who rely on them. We will use this evidence to highlight the critical and central role that working equids play in rural communities, with a view to improving local and international policy to protect their status and welfare.
Core methodology:
We will use a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, including semi-structured interviews, livelihoods surveys, focus groups and welfare assessments. Data will be assessed using thematic analysis of interview data and statistical analysis of standardised data.
The project aims to address the following questions: Does improved donkey welfare impact levels of human development? How are donkeys perceived and valued in different contexts? How does donkey access or ownership impact on human development and wellbeing? What are the drivers of higher welfare for communities that employ working animals?
Faith A. Burden (61)
Andrew F. Trawford (24)
Nicole du Toit (20)
Alexandra K. Thiemann (19)
Mulugeta Getachew (18)
Padraic M. Dixon (14)
J. B. Rodrigues (13)
Stuart W. Reid (10)
Feseha Gebreab (10)
Gina L. Pinchbeck (9)
Equine Veterinary Journal (12)
Equine Veterinary Education (11)
Veterinary Parasitology (8)
Tropical Animal Health and Production (7)
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science (7)
Veterinary Record (6)
The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine Practice (6)
Journal of Comparative Pathology (5)
In Practice (5)
The Veterinary Record (5)


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Summary: Ms Z complains that the Council moved her into accommodation knowing that there were problems with the water supply. She further complains that the Council failed to remedy these problems. Though the Council was not at fault for moving her into the property, nor for its efforts to remedy the problem, it was at fault for leaving her with an inadequate water supply for a year and a half and for a failure to inform her of her right for a review of the suitability of the accommodation.
Summary: Mr J and Mr K complained about the management of and charge for temporary accommodation provided by the Council. They also said they were being harassed by staff. There is no evidence of fault.
Summary: The Council is at fault for failing to consider Ms X's change in medical circumstances and for not properly explaining her right to ask for a review of its decision. The Council has apologised to Ms X and agrees to reconsider her housing transfer application and review its procedures to remedy her injustice.
Summary: The Council exercised its health and safety inspection powers without fault resulting in a schedule of works and re-housing for the tenant.


text:
An Education for "Character" in Alberta Schools
by Amy von Heyking
In the early part of this century, public schools in Alberta recognized their obligation to create boys and girls of good character, but while private schools openly operated within a tradition of Christian nurture, public schools avoided language and issues which would provoke sectarian conflicts. Public schools concentrated instead on the language of secular virtue to support the virtues necessary for successful living. These virtues changed over the space of 40 years and two world wars. An examination of what students were taught about the nature of society and about good citizenship gives us interesting insight into the nature of Alberta society itself and its response to the challenges of the modern world.
Alberta schools have always tried to create responsible citizens, but character education has always been linked to an understanding of what such a citizen should be. Before WWI, a good citizen was clearly defined in Christian terms. Thus being a good citizen meant acting in accordance with standards of right conduct and Christian virtue. In the 1920s, the explicit connection to Christian nurture was downplayed. The experience of a world war taught Albertans about the need for harmony and co-operation. Thus, the prevailing definition of good citizenship in this era was a recognition of the duties that went along with living in a community. The good citizen fit in and took up the responsibilities for which he or she was fitted for. As the economic situation in the 1930s worsened, and as political tension degenerated into WWII, there were demands among educators and the public for schools to take up new responsibilities. Many argued that for too long schools had inculcated young people with an unthinking loyalty to the state and blind obedience to authority Increasingly they called for citizens who could take up the task of improving society according to more rigorous standards of justice and equity. Between 1905 and 1945, therefore, there was a transformation in the expectations or responsibilities schools were to meet in terms of character or citizenship education — from training in virtue and acceptance of the benefits of social organization, to a commitment to reconstruction of Alberta society.
Three subject areas in the early school curriculum undertook training in good citizenship: reading, history and military drill. These subjects all emphasized obedience to authority and loyalty to the British Empire, as well as Christian virtues such as persistence, truthfulness, courage and generosity. Lessons in reading and literature were drawn primarily from the Alexandra series of readers, used in Alberta schools from 1908 to 1923. These readers featured coloured plates of the Union Jack, pictures of members of the Royal family, and the first and last selections were usually "God Save the King." Reading selections were drawn from some of the finest English authors: Tennyson, Scott, Dickens and Wordsworth. The psalms often appeared among the readings, but even secular readings contained moral lessons. Characters who were lazy or inattentive to duty were punished. Those who were courageous and persistent found their just reward. One-line "gems of wisdom" appeared at the end of selections, for example, "A kind face is a beautiful face," or, "A good action is never thrown away." The Golden Rule was the overarching theme of the readings.
The most important subject in the teaching of citizenship and virtue, however, was history. The 1907 program of studies for the earliest grades mandated that students learn about the distinguished men of history: "Discussion of the chief excellences and defects in their character to teach moral discrimination and ultimately to derive principles of conduct." Somewhat older children surveyed the important political events of Canadian history in order to " train moral judgment and incidentally to teach patriotism and civic duty." So what specific lessons in historical interpretation and character did school children learn from their history books? They learned that Canadian society was orderly and harmonious. Historical figures who had challenged the natural order or rebelled against the government, such as William Lyon Mackenzie and Louis Riel, were treated harshly in these books. They learned that political and material progress was inevitable and good, and that those who stood against progress would fail. Heroes such as Lord Durham were referred to as "His Greatness," and the early explorers of Canada were celebrated in sentimental and melodramatic stories.
The enemies of progress, however, were harshly criticized. An award-winning Canadian textbook used in the early part of the century criticized the character and habits of native Canadians: "To the early Europeans the Indian was not an attractive figure. They describe him as of unclean habits and without morals. Master of woodcraft, he was seen at his best when hunting. Upon the war-path he was cruel, tomahawking, scalping and torturing with fiendish ingenuity. A stoic fortitude when himself tortured was about his only heroic quality." Stories about the deaths of the Roman Catholic martyrs in New France were accompanied by graphic illustrations and woodcuts. Students were encouraged to judge races and entire-civilizations. The Standard VII (Grade 11) general history examination in 1907 asked pupils to "account for the unprogressive character of Chinese civilization."2 Those with good memories would have repeated the explanation contained in Myers' General History, the authorized textbook for the course: "The Chinese in strictly obeying the injunction to walk in the old ways, to conform to the customs of the ancient, have failed to mark out any new footpaths for themselves; hence one cause of the unprogressive character of Chinese civilization."
Students in the period before WW I learned that the qualities of harmony and progress were best embodied within the British Empire. In 1912, the program of studies directed teachers to assist students in appreciating "the greatness, of the British Empire of today and our privileges as Citizens of that Empire." Departmental examinations ensured that students could recite the benefits of parliamentary democracy. In 1908 the Standard VIII (Grade 12) history examination included these two questions: "The principal characteristics of the English constitution are inapplicable in countries where the materials for monarchy or an aristocracy do not exist.' Explain this and point out the strong features of a monarchy. "The merit of the British Constitution consists in the close union and fusion of the legislative and executive authorities. Explain and compare with Presidential Government in this respect."
The interpretation of British history included in these texts reinforced the notion that the British Empire acted out of good and noble impulses and therefore prevailed, while other nations and other empires were punished for their greed and ambition. The Highroads of History series, after reviewing the flaws in Napoleon's character, concluded that the British victory confirmed the virtue of her position. Britain needed an overseas empire and safe passage for her ships in order to become something more than a small state, while France was quite capable of supporting her population without an empire and therefore lost. Other texts described the series of groups that invaded the British Isles and over time had the good sense to become Britons: "The Normans could not overcome Robin Hood, nor could they overcome the English people. They beat them and robbed them, and put many of them to death; but the English people would not give in. As the years went by the Normans became English, and were proud to call themselves Englishmen."
The connection of Alberta students to the British Empire was further strengthened during WW I. During the war years, the schools reminded students and their parents of the justice of the cause and their duty to the Empire. Through the singing of patriotic songs, production of special plays, and participation in wartime essay contests, public school students were encouraged to do their bit for the Empire's war effort. In 1916, teachers in central Alberta complied with the directive from the provincial Department of Education requiring them to take an oath of allegiance.
The expansion of the cadet drill program in schools during the war years reinforced the lessons about good citizenship and good conduct that students learned from books. Cadet training had been part of the school curriculum before the war, and was usually taught by British army veterans who entertained their male charges with stories about their experiences in India or South Africa. The students were outfitted in uniforms and equipped with old Snider-Enfield rifles cut down to make them more maneuverable by shorter arms and smaller hands. The drill these students learned was intended to stress good health and obedience. Most boys, through their experience with cadets and watching the returning veterans of the war, learned something about moral duty and political obligations.
An education for good citizenship before WW I implied education for right conduct. Pupils were explicitly taught the importance of virtues such as punctuality, industry, truthfulness, obedience, regard for others and a sense of justice. It was assumed that these virtues were associated primarily with British parliamentary democracy and a specifically English character. The political and economic challenges and unrest of the 1920s resulted in changes in school content and a new understanding of good citizenship and good character. The public demanded that schools address the challenges facing Alberta society and protect youth from the social transformations resulting from new technology and the increased influence of American popular culture. The result was that the nature of education for good citizenship was redefined.
Textbooks used in literature classrooms continued to stress the secular virtues associated with good character. The Canadian Readers series, used in Alberta schools from 1923 to 1935, was very much like the earlier Alexandra series, but included more Canadian content. The Canadian readers included stories which emphasized the golden rule and other moral lessons. The Good Samaritan, Florence Nightingale and Edith Cavell were featured in reading selections. Students were still introduced to the courage of important historical figures such as Lord Nelson. Reading selections for older students emphasized the virtues of hard work and service, and were divided into sections with headings such as "Joy in Work" and "Stories of Achievement."
History lessons, on the other hand, changed significantly. In the earlier grades, the teaching of history was abandoned. Instead, students listened to and read history stories in their citizenship classes. In 1922 the program of studies for the citizenship courses declared that it was the responsibility of teachers: " to provide suitable work life activities in classroom and school, as a medium through which the citizenship experience obtained by children naturally in family and playgroup will take form and meaning in accordance with what is implied in living as an adult member of present-day organized communities, social and political." History stories were intended to interest students in the past and help them appreciate the demands of group living. While traditional history courses had emphasized the facts students should learn about the past, the new course demanded that teachers create in their students an appropriate "group spirit." The understanding of citizenship embodied in the new courses was characterized by a willingness to get along in the group and fit into the family and society. Civics textbooks portrayed the family in harmonious terms which they hoped would extend to the rest of society. James McCaig's Studies in Citizenship, used in Grades 7 and 8, described the middle-class domestic tranquility to which all families should aspire:
The happiest homes are those in which all the members of the family work together and have their interests in common. In the evening, they sit around the table together and tell of the strange or amusing things that have happened during the day. They brighten the remainder of the evening with songs, games, telling stories or reading interesting books. They picnic together, they go to the country together, if they live in the town, or to the town together, if they live in the country. The entire family is united in close bond of sympathy and affection.
The emphasis on harmony and co-operation extended into general lessons in history and citizenship. Groups like the League of Nations Society and the United Farmers of Alberta pressured the Alberta government to eliminate passages in texts that glorified war and instead stress the need for world peace and co-operation. In response, there were some modifications to history texts, and new interpretations were given to historical content covered in Alberta classrooms. In 1923 the program of studies for high schools directed teachers to familiarize students with the reasonable claims of both Canadians and Americans during the War of 1812. In lessons on the development of responsible government, British politicians were not to be portrayed as stubborn and domineering and Canadians as wise and enlightened. Educators also attempted to address the political divisions between English and French within Canada, which had become apparent during WWI, by dealing more kindly with the French regime in Canada: "Our history should be so taught to give English-speaking Canadians a clear and sympathetic understanding of French-Canadians and vice versa. On such a mutual understanding, and on the tolerance and co-operation which spring from it, depend the unity and prosperity of our common country."
The association of the concept of good citizenship with co-operation and group living meant that group activities were extremely important in student life after WWI. Teachers were encouraged to involve students in choirs, literary and dramatic societies, and clubs of all kinds. Experiments in student government, either in the form of student councils or parliaments, were seen as particularly good training in leadership and group decision-making for students. Organizations like the Junior Red Cross and Canadian Girls in Training involved students in community service projects. However, the war had increased an anti-militarist sentiment, and under pressure from women's organizations, the government abandoned cadet training for boys. Physical training, however, became a central part of every student's citizenship education.
Good citizenship, in the period after WWI, was equated with taking up one's designated economic and social responsibilities. The huge increase in the number of children in school led the public and educators to call for a more appropriate school curriculum, which would prepare all children for responsible citizenship. It was argued that schools should determine what students are best fitted for, and then prepare them for their future role in society. The program of studies for Alberta elementary schools said that schools "shall prepare the individual to do better those things which he is likely to have to do anyway." The emphasis on "getting along" and "playing by the rules" led naturally to the use of the metaphor of sportsmanlike behaviour in descriptions of good citizenship. Games and sports, therefore, took on an important role in the training of these new citizens.
Educational writers of the period warned that students, if left to their own devices, would turn to unhealthy idleness or deviant behaviour. Teachers could prevent this unfortunate consequence by teaching children games and sports. Writers concerned about the increased mechanization in industry stressed that organized and supervised play would ensure that young people would be strong and physically fit. Organized sports also taught important moral lessons, such as a sense of justice and honesty. Sporting activities were described as "the most perfect democracy" because participation depended entirely on the ability and commitment of the student, rather than on the amount of money his or her family had. The importance of sports and games in the curriculum and outside school hours demonstrates the extent to which good citizenship was identified with the virtues of good sportsmanship and good character.
Increasingly, however, encouraging students to play by the rules was seen as an inadequate response to the opening political and economic crises of the 1930s and 1940s. In the period before WW II, schools were accused of indoctrinating students. Some people charged that teachers demanded intellectual servitude rather than critical reflection, an essential quality of good citizenship in the modern world. Schools had been guilty of encouraging a false confidence in traditional economic and political institutions which had caused a tremendous economic crisis, and ultimately, another world war. The public and educators demanded that schools provide solutions for the problems of the modern world. The public confidence in scientists' ability to effect technological improvements was transferred to social scientists' and educators' ability to effect social improvements. A teacher writing in A.T.A. Magazine argued that schools should take on the task of restructuring society: "the accomplishment of that end will be a feat of educational engineering, comparable in social importance to those great feats of mechanical engineering of which the present age is justly so proud."
What did these demands for new training in citizenship — as preparation for the modern world — mean for traditional citizenship training, which had always emphasized the virtues of the present system and the importance of fitting in? History teaching which stressed the virtues of the past was seen as completely inadequate to the needs of modern society. A teacher writing in A.T.A. Magazine argued: "industry has been disturbed for three years by the clouds of Depression, and so far, no historian has supplied one practical suggestion for the alleviation of unemployment, or one single thought to dispel the aura of despair." Modern preparation for citizenship was centred, not on the teaching of history, but on the teaching of the new social sciences which could provide answers to the political, economic, and social issues plaguing society.
The social sciences and the new understanding of citizenship were part of the educational reforms known as "progressive education" introduced in Alberta in the 1930s. The best statement of the aims of progressive education came from Donalda Dickie, a teacher in all three of Alberta's Normal schools and author of The Enterprise in Theory in Practice (1941). While traditional educators had accepted the acquisition of knowledge as the primary aim of schooling, Dickie insisted: "education, when all is said and done, has just one purpose: to help people to learn how to live happily together in the world." Education no longer referred to the development of an individual's intellectual abilities. Rather, progressive education emphasized the social development of children. Progressive education transformed the understanding of the learning process. There was a new emphasis on learning by doing. Educators insisted that students must actively participate in learning exercises led, but not controlled, by a teacher. Progressive education therefore was characterized by group work and activity-based, interdisciplinary projects intended to spark students' interest and develop their academic and social skills.
Social studies was central to the philosophy of progressive education because it allowed students to work in groups to solve contemporary social problems or learn about foreign countries. Students in Alberta schools in the 1940s remember projects on "China" or "Transportation," which consisted of taking notes from books, drawing maps and pictures, and presenting what they learned to the class. Because learning was understood as an active process, in 1935 the program of studies abandoned topics in favour of a series of problems that formed the basis of each social studies course. What problems did the curriculum direct pupils to solve? Grade 8 social studies primarily addressed the problem of Canada's relationship with the United States and the remainder of the British Empire. The Grade 9 course took a much broader approach in asking students to inquire into the problem of the impact of technology on the modern world. High school students concentrated on contemporary politics, particularly in Europe.
From the first introduction of social studies in Alberta schools, teachers had difficulty translating the demands of the new program of studies into classroom activities. A.T.A. Magazine included projects that teachers could assign their students, including group activities and scrapbooks. Teachers were specifically reminded to show eager male students the proper technique for gluing materials in scrapbooks without gluing themselves. Most of the activities demonstrate the extent to which teachers tended to fill time with activities of little educational value. Classroom discipline was also a concern for many teachers. They were reminded to keep their rooms organized and orderly: "If a student walks into such a room as that — where everything is kept in order; where the boards are clean at the start of the day, and where Social Studies is looking at him from every corner of the room, he just says to himself, 'This place looks like business; I don't think there will be any fooling around in here'. You may depend on it."
The most serious concern, however, was that teachers had no idea how to evaluate their students' understanding of the new definition of good citizenship. How could teachers ensure that their students were committed to solving social problems? Stanley Clarke, a teacher in Two Hills, designed a test intended to evaluate his students' citizenship skills. The test (reprinted in A.T.A. Magazine in September 1939) demonstrated the difficulty teachers faced in implementing the new understanding of citizenship. Each question presented students with a separate problem in which a dilemma was described and three solutions were offered. Students ranked the solutions in order of preference, though they were not asked to defend or explain their ranking. Some questions seemed to test the teacher's commitment to progressive education rather than the students' skills of responsible citizenship:
One of the boys in the Sociology class is a Red — a definite Communist. Many students are not yet well informed and are easily influenced.
(a) The teacher should cut him short every time he starts to say anything in discussions.
(b) The teacher should argue with him and show him where he is wrong.
(c) The teacher should keep in the background as far as possible and let him and the other members of the class discuss all matters freely.
Other questions failed to ask anything at all:
There is an election for officers of the Students' Union at your school. One student says he isn't going to vote. Another says he ought to. Consider these reasons which were given for not voting.
(a) It doesn't make any difference which side gets in.
(b) I don't know any of the candidates or what they stand for.
(c) We ought to have a director of each activity (say, a teacher) instead of the Students' Union sponsoring and controlling it.
Not surprisingly, the author of the exam asked for the help of A.T.A. Magazine readers to create a correct-answer key for his examination.
The central feature of this new approach to citizenship education was that it didn't seek an explanation for the past, it sought emancipation from it. The earliest attempts to teach citizenship assumed that there was a connection between good citizenship and good conduct, that the good citizen was, in essence, a good person. After WWI, the connection between good citizenship and a Christian understanding of virtue was forgotten. In the 1920s, schools tried to create good citizens by showing students how to fit in, but while explicit references to traditional virtues ended, the assumption continued that society could function effectively and parliamentary democracy worked if everyone understood their role. Progressive education and the adoption of social studies meant that this confidence in existing economic and political institutions was abandoned. Under the new curriculum, schools were supposed to prepare students, not for participation in the current system, but for participation and active citizenship in a better world in the future. The irony was, of course, that this task depended even more heavily on personal virtue. Only good people could provide vision and leadership for this mission, and only citizens who believed in a better world could play an active role in the new society. Yet adoption of social studies also signaled the end of formal character education.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


As the parent of a high school junior, I can't help but worry about the impending college application process. I try to appear relaxed and good natured during the occasional moments that my son checks in with me, yet my mind is racing. "Yeah," I casually agree, "Bradley Cooper really should win best actor." All the while thought bubbles are frothing furiously above, "Have you begun studying for the March SAT?; Have you identified teachers to write your letters of recommendation; What about your essay?" The list goes on. But were I to broach such topics, Thomas would scurry back to his bedroom faster than a terrified rabbit to its den. Instead, like a growing number of parents, I find that the best way to reach him about deadlines and such is with a lighter touch——through texts. And, remarkably, we get a lot of business done that way. Stripped of my anxiety, and managed on his timescale, texts are a direct line of communication. In other words, with texts we can all be nudging parents without being (too) annoying.


Without a doubt, the biggest risk that comes with auto equity financing is the possibility of getting your car repossessed. This will only happen if you fall behind on payments. Even then, a repossession doesn't mean you can't get your car back. The State and cities like Austin and Dallas have numerous laws and ordinances in place. Some specifically protect consumers who are in this exact situation. Consult with the latest Texas rules and regulatory updates, but you can count on a certain amount of days before the lender sells your vehicle. To avoid this fate, it's imperative to make payments on time and not fall behind. Contact your online title loan company if you foresee a possibility of default. Most Texas loan companies will work with you to set up an alternative payment plan. It costs a lender a large sum of money to repo your car and wait the required amount of days as Texas law requires.
There's no escaping this fact. Any title loan company in Texas will have hefty finance charges. You can count on restrictions in terms of how much your lender can charge, but they're still going to be high. As mentioned above, these types of online loans aren't for everyone. Rates are high because there's a huge amount of risk for the lender that you could default. We always tell borrowers in this situation to get ahead of the payments. Just because you have a 24 month payoff term doesn't mean you need to stick to those terms. Do what you can to make early payments and ensure your title loan company allows early payment. The sooner you pay off the full balance means you will no longer be paying huge finance charges.
Your lender will place a lien on your vehicle.
When a title loan company places a lien on your car that means they have first rights to it and essentially own your car. Consider that most online title lenders in the loan star state will operate under this same method. The borrower will hand over their pink slip and still be able to keep driving the vehicle. On that note, we know of some Texas title lenders who treat your loan as a vehicle pawn. This means they will lend you a sum of money but keep your vehicle as collateral. Some of these companies may no longer be able to operate in Texas so contact your local city or state regulator for more information. Ultimately, no one wants to hand over possession of their pink slip. But that's the only way a company will lend such a large sum of cash as what we see with an online title loan. As was the key to all other downsides we discussed above, you really only have two options as Texas resident. First, don't get a title loan. Instead work with a traditional lender(if your credit score is good enough) or borrow money from friends or family. The second option is to take out a title loan and pay it back as soon possible. By doing this you avoid the risk of repossession. You will also pay as little fees as possible and upon full payment you will get the pink slip back!


Kalamazoo County has a consistent history of high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections. However, in 2014, the infection rates rose 27% over the previous year, which was double the statewide average. The two fastest growing sexual infections are gonorrhea and chlamydia. The rising gonorrhea and chlamydia rates among black youth are an example of a health disparity in Kalamazoo County. The purpose of this analysis is to answer the question, 'Why black youth?' through an in-depth examination of historical health disparities attributed to race and socio-economic status.


Is broadband the gateway drug for the web or the drug itself?
When Google deploys a fiber-to-the-home network in Kansas City, Kan. (and later in Kansas City, Missouri) its success for the project will not be measured in dollars but in users. And in promoting this view of broadband Google shows a keen understanding of how broadband has the potential to disrupt everything — the value isn't in delivering broadband — it's in delivering services over broadband.
That doesn't mean that broadband isn't valuable, but it's also not the highest value — much like electricity is valuable, but it's the air conditioning or refrigeration that it enables that people spend more money on. Which runs somewhat counter to the argument put forth by ISPs, especially those keen to meter broadband — that the value is in the access itself. Instead of viewing broadband as a gateway to the web, and trying to capitalize on that by offering faster speeds that people will eventually pay more for as Verizon is doing with FiOS, many ISPs view broadband as something that's valuable in and of itself– and as such it might make sense to charge people by the byte.
So when Matt Dunne, manager of U.S. community affairs for Google, spoke at the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce 2011 Innovation Conference back in July and explained how Google feels like it will be successful when people convince their neighbors to subscribe to gigabit services and use the applications that Google and others develop for gigabit networks, he is buying into the idea that broadband is just one step in the value chain, rather than the entire value chain.
Dunne also said Google plans to make its pricing and offering for gigabit networks clear this fall with the network itself coming online in the first quarter of next year. We can expect the pricing and offering to be more consumer than business oriented, given how Milo Medin, who is in charge of the Google Fiber project, previously scoffed at other cities' gigabit networks, which charge hundreds of dollars for access. This also fits with the idea of broadband as a gateway drug to other services.
Dunne also made Google's point of view abundantly clear in how he answered questions posed by the community about how they could work with Google. The bottom line is they shouldn't really want to. Dunne tried to convey that Google wants people to develop applications for this network that Google will provide, but that in order to do it, they don't actually need Google. So most questions about creating entrepreneur centers and ways for folks to "work with Google" on creating apps, were met with what seemed like the bewildered air of someone who has the Silicon Valley mentality of entrepreneurship, where you just go out and start something. Dunne was telling the people in Kansas, that the tools were there. They just needed to use them to actually create something cool.
If broadband is only a small part in the value chain, how does a company recoup the costs?
Again, in this view broadband is a tool, rather than the solution. I'm curious how Google's model plays itself out in terms of building and sustaining a broadband network. If it can build out the network and sell access while making money on that access, it could change the economic model for providing broadband. If it manages to build the network and capitalize on it to sell Google services and ads to subsidize the networks, that's less revolutionary, but it does offer a competing option for broadband in both Kansas Cities. It also provides another economic model for broadband build out.
With the Kindle, Bezos could show ISPs the way.
One of the best analogies for these differing views on broadband comes from the hardware industry. Hardware vendors often confuse their boxes with the value, when in today's connected world it's the services that matter. Look at how the Kindle platform has evolved. This isn't a hardware business for Amazon, so much as it's providing a service. Can broadband providers evolve to deliver services their consumers will pay for in a competitive environment? Some like Verizon, or Comcast are trying with new services offerings. However, for every step forward it seems like ISPs take another step back when they block competing services or introduced tiered plans or caps.
But in this conversation with Kansas City economic leaders Dunne offers a bit of hope for those almost 1,100 other cities who tried for Google's gigabit network and didn't get it. He said Google was in "active conversations with other communities right now," to bring fiber to their areas. However, he promised the leaders of KC that because they were the first, they can expect exclusive access to Google fiber at least through the "first couple of quarters of next year" before a next area is started. Let's see how much change Google can bring.
I am not sure what the author expects of ISPs. I don't want my electric utility to get into the business of offering me refrigeration or air-conditioning services. I want them to just offer me reliable electricity at the lowest possible price. Same thing with my ISPs – I want them to be dumb pipes concentrating on offering me great bandwidth at the lowest possible price. I don't want them getting into any services I consume over the network. That will lead to some conflicts of interests like favoring their own services versus the competition's services.
The basic business model for an ISP has been working very well. The large masses bear the costs of a few heavy users. Perfect as long as my parents are reading a webpage or two and send around pictures of their grandchildren. But what happens if they start sending HD movies or buy a Google TV settopbox and they start watching HD youtube movies? Suddenly the network is filled to its rim with heavy users, all trying to watch Charlie bite a finger. And while Google is looking for more space for its stockpiling profits (a large consumer electronics company, anyone? They're two-for-one today), the ISP is left with the costs of network upgrades and interconnecting traffic.
In reality our broadband usage is already metered. But the costs are largely with the ISPs and the profits are with the content providers. Like Amazon is demonstrating with the Kindle: your chances to succeed as a content provider increase if you ensure the means to your content are affordable. Amazon subsidized the Kindle to sell more e-books, Google subsidized it's Android OS to get mobile ad-views and will subsidize the broadband connections to ensure people will keep watching it's ads and use it's cloud services.
If the value of broadband is not in the broadband itself, then the ISP must ensure that the user will pay for the broadband service as a means to get to the real booty. Like the electricity company that meters the electricity we need keep our house cool and power up the 42incher to watch the Superbowl. It is up to the content providers to decide if the ISP will send the bill to the consumer or if the costs will be hidden in the price of the real value we are looking for: how hungry is that Charlie.
This is going to be a hard sell for Telecoms Providers, who spend million buying their Telecom Gear from Telecom Equipment suppliers. as far as they are concerned, due to the long turnover period to profitability after installing their equiptment, they are trying to make as much money from everything as possible to achieve this. Thus even older more established Telecom providers are unwilling to "give away" even a dollar on anything they can charge for. Broadband would have to become a right akin to right to life, liberty ect. under the UNHCR (Unite Nations charter for Human Rights) before they see Internet as a gateway or platform for services, especially as they do not host these services themselves!!
If the ISPs start charging by the byte, they will reduce the value of the web. People will worry about over charges, and stop surfing as freely. They will not like being charged for the ads they receive, and will avoid some ad-supported websites. ISPs are, for the most part, very profitable, and would be making a big mistake if they tried to increase those profits by raising prices. Their costs are only marginally affected by heavy users of bandwidth, so their only reason for changing their pricing model would be sort-sighted greed.
I don't think people are understanding why Google is doing the fiber project. Like the Nexus One, which many people viewed as an attempt to take over an industry, Google is using the KC fiber project to demonstrate that fiber to the home can be profitable. Google created the Nexus One to set the standard for flagship Android phones, and more importantly, to try to wean carriers and consumers off the bundled phone and service plans (which should be outlawed anyway). That attempt failed, mostly because consumers are challenged by math; they could not understand that they pay carriers for the subsidy many times over. Carriers obviously like the bundled model, because it locks consumers into their plans.
The two main telcos in the US have been slow to roll out FTTH, and Google understands the value of fiber to the entire web industry. Every business needs constant recycling of profits, otherwise it stagnates and stops growing. ATT and VZ would rather shift customers from wired broadband to broadband wireless, where they can charge a lot more, and have less competition, so they have been reluctant to seriously invest in fiber. The KC project is Google's attempt to expose how wrong they are, and hopefully put some pressure on ISPs to upgrade their plant. If Google can make a profit on KC, then other companies and entrepreneurs may follow their lead and build fiber networks in other cities.


Henderson finished in the top two of the shot put in every competition of 2017. She is the three-time ACC shot put champion. Henderson now has two of the best NCAA Outdoor Championship finishes in school history, along with her third place finish in the discus at the 2015 NCAA Championship, according to the press release.
Henderson was a two-time Belleville News-Democrat track and field athlete of the year while at Edwardsville, where she won four state championships in the shot put and three in the discus. She also was a two-time Class 3A-4A News-Democrat basketball player of the year and a two-time first team all-state selection.


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Apple iPhone 12 review: yes, buy it! (video)
This is the iPhone 12, what Apple Calls Blast Past Fast, whatever that means, and yet what I'm gonna call the iPhone most people should buy, even if a couple of the reasons that made its predecessor so popular took a back seat.
That more affordable price strategy that we praised which separated the XR from the 11 went down the drain; an odd move considering that the price drop happened even with the iPhone 11 being superior. 2020, being as tough as it's been, would've made that strategy even more ideal, but it's important to look at the bigger picture. In Apple's defense, you can still buy the XR and 11 for less money, and it's important to clarify that the iPhone 12 is NOT an iterative update. This is an entirely different animal that's so much better than its predecessor, that for the first time ever, I'm seriously questioning if you need to go Pro.
I've always been fascinated by the purpose of the non-pro iPhones. In the past, the slogan was the right amount of everything, and that held true for the most part. It wasn't the best looking phone but it resembled the Pro in many ways. The display wasn't the best, but it nailed color accuracy like few at its price, and even if it didn't have all the cameras, it had the most popular ones in tow.
By contrast, the iPhone 12 doesn't really follow on any of that. It's actually more similar to the 12 Pro than you think. If you were to stack them both side by side from the front, you wouldn't be able to tell a difference. They share the exact same design language, the same size, and for the first time, some of the differences are kind of welcome. The aluminum build is not just lighter to hold, but also provides this matte finish on the sides that is gorgeous and not prone to fingerprints. And sure, the back glass is not exempt from smudges or looks as red as experts wish it did, but I don't care, Product Red continues to be my favorite finish.
Seriously, a comparison with the iPhone 11 would be more to show the new vs the old, but not to measure similarities. This new flatter finish makes the old curves seem dated, and also contribute to durability in the process. It's dramatically smaller than what we had before, but looks can be deceiving.
See, this is a way more efficient display than what we had on its predecessor. It's the same 6.1-inch diagonal, but since the technology jumped from LCD to OLED, the bezels were trimmed. Rumors pointed to this also being an OLED made by a different manufacturer, but if Apple also dubs this as a Pro Display XDR, who are we to argue? We have the same color accuracy and contrast ratio, the same viewing angles, and even the same loud dual firing speakers to enhance content consumption. I know, odd move in offering their Pro display on a non-pro smartphone.
If only that efficiency extended to the entire display and that right antenna band were a fingerprint scanner during this pandemic. Many rumors surfaced over improvements to Face ID, or the reduction of the module, but nope. The same exact obstructive notch that's been pretty useless all year while wearing a mask.
It's also sort of Pro if you look at the internals. Same 5nm A14 Bionic chip that powers Apple's next-generation products, but with a few things trimmed down. There's a bit less RAM, and Storage tiers were cut in half, though upgrading to more storage is actually less expensive. Everything else, from the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, to the IP rating, heck even the support for all flavors of 5G is the same.
I'd give the hardware a solid A. The smaller footprint makes this an ideal one-handed phone, though keep in mind that even if the ceramic shield on the glass is harder to break, it's still just as easy to scratch. Get a case, and if you want to enhance the flat design of this phone, channel sponsor SUPCASE has got the coolest case EVER. Here's the perfect iPhone 4 bumper throwback with the new UB Edge. It's a matte and scratch-resistant metal bumper with elevated bezels to protect the screen and the back along with cut-outs to make all features accessible. It's also modular with a detachable clear back panel in case you want added protection, all for just $19 on Amazon. If you wanna go fancier and with full-screen protection, there's the new UB Royal made of a shock absorbing TPU, faux leather, and a hand strap. Simply search iPhone 12 Case by SUPCASE on Amazon to find all their options. We've partnered with SUPCASE to give away an iPhone 12 mini and 12 Pro Max, so follow the link in the description to participate and enter promo code POCKETNOWMAX to enhance your chances to win.
Now, back to internals and performance, let's be real, Apple knows its market and cares so little about most of the numbers that they rarely provide detailed specs. All people want is for the thing to work as advertised, and hey, I just reviewed the most affordable iPad a few weeks ago and realized it made no sense to go Pro. The experience using it was nearly identical to using an iPad Pro, and that's kind of the same story here.
Can you really name an App that's exclusive to the iPhone 12 Pro? None, right. That's the beauty of iOS. All apps run, from the cheapest iPhone SE to the most expensive 12 Pro Max. Maybe they'll launch a second faster on one than the other, but it's not as if you'll feel short-changed by any iPhone that's still being sold.
The iPhone 12 may be shorter on RAM, but I bet you won't be able to tell. Apps launch quick, games play just the same, and every single element of iOS 14 is here. From the picture in picture to the more compact Siri that has evolved a bit, to the new automated AirPod Switching and spacial audio, to widgets on the homes screen, it's all here.
And since we began talking about it, you really gotta hand it to Apple for how good they are at locking you into their ecosystem. The Apple Watch continues to be my favorite Smart Watch, I edit videos on a Mac so AirDrop is crazy convenient, I handle my scripts with the new iPad Air, and now that Apple One came to town, it's making it harder and harder to switch away.
That said, let's talk about the state of iOS 14. It is a bit buggy, I know. I'm willing to forgive it for now given the much-needed changes in visuals. What I battle with is the state of widgets. I have more than 90 apps on my phone, at most 10% of these support the new feature. I wonder what's the holdback?
Also, if you come from an iPhone 11 or XR, the other change to notice is endurance. You may complain about LCDs all you want, but those two phones were all-day battery champs thanks to how efficient the technology became, plus the larger power packs. I'd call the iPhone 12 a decent one day phone like the Pro. I'm sure the A14 is helping, but the smaller battery is not.
Phone calls are just as good as with every iPhone, and to not be bothered about which flavor of 5G to get is awesome. I've tested this phone on multiple carriers, and even if Ultra Wide Band is currently hard to find, at least I know my phone will support it down the line.
Now if there is one reason why you'll debate going Pro, even more, is the cameras. Yes, you only get a primary and ultra-wide at the back, losing the added kick of the telephoto, but then the specifications between the existing ones are the same, and once you dig into the results, the dilemma only gets more complicated.
Apple's new image processing proves major improvements to an already great phone. You'll actually notice when you take a still that processing continues even after the fact. The result is a fantastic detail, crazy good dynamic range, and colors that are so balanced that you'll have an easy time editing in postprocessing to your preferred tone if need be. I'm not a fan of Apple not making it easy to switch focal lengths on this phone, nor would I recommend that you push it to 5X digital, but if you stick to the ultra-wide, primary and then fumble to 2X, I have photos where you won't be able to tell if they were taken with the Pro or the regular. I'd even say that 2X digital is good enough for social media if you're not too picky.
Night Mode now makes it to all cameras and what I'd call fairly usable from the primary or selfie, with the Ultra Wide being ok, but I do wish we had the option to select the mode, and not depend on the camera app determining that you need it or not.
I do like selfies and portraits from this phone a lot. The lens is wide enough to not bloat your face, it handles depth really well, and about the only thing to debate is how it handles skin tones. I'm sure most of you won't complain, but yeah there is a tad of beautification going on here.
Seriously the reason I drift most to iPhones is for video, but first, go to Settings, Camera, Record Video, switch off HDR Video. Like sure this phone can do Dolby Vision HDR, but unless you're a pro, you'll wanna disable this. It'll make your Instagram stories look blown up, and if you plan to edit these videos, apps like Final Cut still don't support it.
Stick to regular video for now, which is the best from a phone in my opinion, with great stabilization and color, great dynamic range, no warping as you walk, and a very smooth operation to switch between focal lengths. At night I will recommend you get a gimbal to reduce the warping, I won't recommend the ultra-wide, and yeah, Apple needs to do something about how it's lenses handle flares with all these greens pots.
The thing is the selfie video on this phone, and the way it captures audio is so good, that if any of you are considering starting a YouTube channel, this should be your primary vlogging camera. Just spare yourself the complexity.
To conclude, I think it's important to consider a few things. This is not the iPhone it used to be, and Apple has made it clear. If you're on a budget and don't care yet about 5G, you have the iPhone SE, XR, and even the 11 for a lot less money. You could even wait for the iPhone 12 mini and pay less money for that same 5G experience.
The iPhone 12 kind of reminds me of the "grow with your vehicle" mentality we've seen from car makers, where those who bought a Honda Accord as teenagers saw the later generations grow and evolve along with them. I actually think this phone is a very good deal even with the bump and price.
Think about it, you have the same aluminum and glass, the same display, the same complete 5G, and most of the camera experiences that will cost you four figures if you bought a Samsung Galaxy. It lags behind on 2020 essentials like high refresh rates, but we know a lot of services still don't take advantage of it.
I think the iPhone 12 is not just all you need, but honestly, a dramatic leap forward when compared to its predecessor. It's definitely not what I'd call as affordable, but the technologies used and its capabilities aren't cheap either. The combination does so well in blurring the lines with the Pro, that I think it's honestly the better buy, but expect that other review coming very soon.
The post Apple iPhone 12 review: yes, buy it! (video) appeared first on Pocketnow.
source https://pocketnow.com/apple-iphone-12-review


The genus described below is at present represented by a single male specimen. It is associated tentatively with the Bombycoidea because of the lack of a median vein (M) stem in the cells of both wings and the sharing of a common stalk by veins R2 and R3 in the forewing.
Figure 5. Head and forewing venation in Kenguichardia.


Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an idiopathic, fatal neurodegenerative disease of the human motor system. Subunits of the 33-amino acid containing motorneurontrophic factor (MNTF) have been investigated and GM6 has been found as a potential peptide therapeutic for ALS. This linear peptide drug candidate has been characterized by HPLC based physicochemical and biomimetic measurements to estimate its in vivo distribution behavior and to estimate its cell penetration and brain to plasma concentration ratio. The free tissue concentration vs time profile has been estimated using the measured physicochemical and biomimetic properties of the intact GM6 molecules and its microsomal stability. The in vitro and in vivo measurements supported the estimated in vivo distribution behavior of GM6.


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Het pand Nassaulaan 19 is een gemeentelijk monument aan de Nassaulaan in de Transvaalwijk van Baarn in de provincie Utrecht.

De asymmetrische voorgevel staat evenwijdig aan de straat en heeft luiken naast de ruiten en chaletachtig houtwerk. De serre aan de rechter zijgevel is in 1911 aangebouwd. De voordeur is voorzien van siersmeedwerk. Op de foto is links een deel van de christelijke gereformeerde kerk zichtbaar.

Zie ook
 Lijst van gemeentelijke monumenten in Baarn

Woning in Baarn
Gemeentelijk monument in Baarn

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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"Hello, World!" with Rust and Cargo.
Rust is an open source, systems programming language and has been voted "most loved" in the Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2018. In this article, we'll look at "Hello World" with Rust, as well as how we can use Cargo to manage our dependencies.
As always, we'll start off with "Hello World" to establish a baseline for creating a new Rust project and running the binary.
From here on out, you'll be prompted with on-screen instructions. Select the default or automatic options as no custom installation options are required for this tutorial.
①: We can declare a new function with the fn keyword, and we open the function body with an opening bracket.
②: We use the println! macro to output the text "Hello, World" into our console. Note: Notice how I use the word 'macro' here, we'll be looking at macros in more detail in future articles!
③: We close our function with a closing bracket.
When developing applications we'll often use third-party dependencies, and managing these dependencies can be painful, depending on the technologies being used. Thankfully, Rust makes this easy with the Cargo package manager!
We can see from the above that Cargo has created a new project which includes a Cargo.toml file that contains information about our project. Any new dependencies that are installed will be noted here.
If we type cargo run into our terminal, you'll notice that it builds and executes our Rust binary to display "Hello, world!" in the console.
What's Next for Hybrid App Developers?


Can You Live from Sports Betting?
Can you make a living from sports betting and betting sign up offers? That's an often asked question, especially among newbie bettors who like their new hobby so much they would like to turn it into a full-time job. The answer to this question is not a certain "yes" or "no," as this is a long disputed subject, but we all know that professional bettors do exist.
Maybe the more accurate thing to ask would be "How to make a living from sports wagering?", considering there already are a lot of people who do this for a living. So, yes, it is possible to live comfortably from betting on sports, but it's not easy.
You should be patient, follow a set of rules, build a strong strategy and be consistent in order to be successful and really make money out of sports betting.
Many are lured by the promise of a comfortable life from just punting day in and day out, and we don't blame them considering there are plenty advantages provided by being a professional bettor/gambler, such as the fact that you are your own boss, have flexible working hours, and don't need many props to do your job, not even a fixed location.
However, you should be aware that the majority of bettors who try to do this professionally fail to be successful. And that's because they get started with too high hopes, when the reality is that a very large percentage (almost 90%) will actually lose money in the first year. But if they do their research right, are consistent and identify the types of bets that are most profitable, the chances of earning some money increase.
So the most important thing is to set realistic expectations, as you will have to invest a lot of time and effort in your new occupation. Then, a good money management system is necessary, which involves creating a separate account for betting purposes and setting strict and well-defined rules for your stakes.
Besides the points mentioned above, there are a series of attributes a bettor should possess in order to succeed, like good knowledge of sports, especially the sport you will focus the most on, a logical mind and good calculation skills, discipline and motivation, and last but not least passion for sports. If you love sports, you are clearly more likely to understand the mechanics of the game and will be able to make more accurate predictions.
Go to the Game or Watch It at Home?


A building is much more than a box which keeps the weather out.
A good building mediates between people, place, culture and occasion. An excellent building goes further and is a cultural act which gives form to our whakapapa.
Reductionism lies at the core of the leaky building syndrome. Simplistic views lead to systemic failure.
No one who goes tramping would wear a parka which could not breathe. The build-up of sweat on the inside of the parka would leave the wearer soaking wet and at risk of hypothermia. Trampers do not buy bad parkas because they value their lives. They need to be self-reliant and they also understand the weather in the mountains. Their relationship with place is one of friendship. The mountain is not an enemy to fight against.
A good building is like a body. Our skins breathe. We drink water and if we fail to do so we quickly die of dehydration. We excrete waste water, and if we fail to do so we would soon die. We move constantly and if our limbs are set in plaster they atrophy. Our bodies are astonishingly complex and sophisticated. Our bodies are an example of design excellence.
A healthy building is like a healthy body. A healthy person embraces the natural world. They breathe deeply They sleep deeply in the night and rise with the sun. A healthy person belongs in their environment. They turn it to advantage.
A building which seeks to fight against the weather sees the natural world as an enemy. It measures its success by its ability to keep nature out. The enemy however is within. We breathe out moist air, We fill the air with steam when we cook.
The super-insulated sealed box is a health hazard in the same way that clothing which cannot breathe is a health hazard.
Good buildings welcome nature as a friend, seeking to give us life. They have a peaceful and harmonious relationship to environment and place.
Excellent buildings gather water rather than rejecting it. They mediate the water cycle so that we end up with water where we want it, and we certainly need water. The Waikato pipeline is a symbol of systemic building failure. A sustainable city would gather its own water, and not destroy the natural world with the stormwater which is currently produced by buildings. a change of attitude is needed rather than getting a few flashings right.
Excellent buildings gather their own energy. They welcome the sun and the breezes. They have warm corners and courtyards. They have cool corners too, and perhaps a cellar for the wine, and for storing produce through the winter. A sustainable city would have buildings which produce hot water rather than consuming it. A change of attitude is needed rather than more inspections and more regulations.
Reductionist buildings which simplify or ignore the really interesting questions become obsessed wiuth irrelevant questions. Tuscan villas are excellent in Tuscany. They are a nonsense in a sub-tropical paradise. Fashion and style become substitutes for quality. Fast food architecture is not good for your health.
The leaky building syndrome presents the opportunity to ask some very basic, and very important, questions about how we build and why we build.
Once building was part of the New Zealand culture. We knew how to build just as we knew how to cook. Only those who know how to cook appreciate the truly magnificent work of art that a great meal is. Only those who know how to build appreciate great architecture.
When we forget how to build we also forget who we are. Imitation Tuscan villas are very different from the genuine article, which of course we enjoy when we go to Tuscany. Bad building begins by asking the wrong questions. A consumer society which celebrates cheap plastic imitation products which fall to pieces the week after you buy them deserves what it gets.
In a knowledge wave economy the first thing we need to know is our whakapapa. Who we are. Our place. The way we do things. Our traditions. We forget our whakapapa at our peril.
Culture comes at a price. A cheap culture will have leaky buildings, lots of inspectors, endless bureaucrats blaming someone else, and the most wonderful array of fascinating but irrelevant regulations. A strong culture simply knows how to do things well.
My great-grandfather built his own home. My grandfather built his own home. My father built his own home. I built my own home. None of us were builders, in the sense that none of us spent our lives building houses for other people. However all of us were builders, in the sense that every New Zealander had skills.
We knew our whakapapa. We knew our traditions. We knew that we belonged to a nation of self-reliant people who knew how to house themselves and their families. Building was not something unfamiliar. Children grew up in the workshop and helped out around the bach. You began to acquire buildings skills long before you went to school, or set out to build your first tree hut. Not everyone may have built their own homes, but everyone knew a great deal about building.
Vernacular building gives form to a strong culture which belongs in place. Vernacular builders know both how to celebrate and how to build. Vernacular cities are concerned with process rather than product. Sustainable building will always be vernacular building.
Health is too important to be left to the health industry. No one else can get fit for you. You need to do that yourself. A right balance is needed between a nation which understands their bodies, and professionals who can deal with incomprehensible super technology and medical crises.
Healthy homes are too important to be left to the building industry. No one else can stop you from getting wet. You need to do that for yourself. A right balance is needed between a nation which understands how to build, and socially responsible professionals who can deal with incomprehensible super technology.
Leaky buildings are not a technical problem. they are a cultural problem.
I wish to appear before the Committee to s[peak to my submission.


The ski region Gitschberg/Val Giovo is a real insider tip in South Tyrol and counts among the most family-friendly ski areas in Italy. Far away from the touristic mainstream, here you will find perfect snow conditions and modern ski lifts. You may hop on the free ski bus directly in front of our house and comfortably reach the slopes.
The ski area on Mount Plose offers approximately 43 kilometres of fantastic slopes for all experience levels. No matter if you prefer skiing or snowboarding: Here you will find the ideal slope and loads of winter fun. Furthermore, ice skating and curling guarantee plenty of fun during a ski vacation in Val d'Isarco.
The beautiful holiday region Plan de Corones in Val Pusteria offers you countless possibilities for skiing, tobogganing, snowshoe hiking, cross-country skiing and much more. It does not matter if you are a beginner or already an experienced winter athlete – here, each guest will find the perfect leisure activity. Enjoy many hours of sunlight while sliding through a truly enchanting winter scenery.
You will definitely enjoy pure winter fun at the village of S. Cristina in the ski region of Val Gardena. The ski areas Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi are well-known among all winter sport enthusiasts. With a bit of luck, you might even meet one of the world famous ski legends during your ski holiday in South Tyrol.
By the way: The ski area Val Gardena is part of the Dolomiti Superski – the world's biggest ski network. A true paradise for all snow lovers!
Alta Badia is a sunny valley surrounded by gentle slopes and majestic peaks: The Sella mountain range, the Sassongher or the Sasso Croce are well-known among winter athletes and offer great skiing conditions. No matter if you are young or old: The 130 kilometres of snow-safe slopes provide the perfect variety for any experience level and preference. Moreover, the Alta Badia is the ideal connection point to the "Sella Ronda".
Dolomiti Superski: A unique way to discover the UNESCO World Heritage! 500 km of connected slopes around the Massiccio del Sella and over 1200 km of slopes in 12 regions – this is the Dolomiti Superski! Here you will find everything you can wish for: Modern ski lifts and ski cannons, romantic mountain huts and many offers for the entire family.
The Sella Ronda is a fantastic experience for more experienced skiers. Circle the Sella mountain range in the Italian Alps without ever having to remove your skis. You can actually cover over 40 km per day and while doing so, cross four Dolomites passes. Doesn't this sound wonderful?


This nifty little garden features all the herby favourites you could want for adding a bit of classic flavour to hearty home cooking. It is perfect if you are short on space too. The mix of herbs is super easy to maintain and some will carry on growing for years!
How it works: You can order at any time and we'll send your plants to you in a single delivery as soon as we can after that date. We normally start dispatching from mid May and finish despatching in mid August.
We deliver these gardens from April to August, depending upon the season. It is a little tricky for us to give a specific date as we do not use any artificial heat to raise our plants, so we are a little dependent on the weather.
These gardens are available to be ordered and dispatched from April right up until August, as the plants arrive as healthy young plants and will have already been growing for at least 2-3 months before you receive them, giving you a great head start on your vegetable growing!


The software package is amazing and very useful. The MFC delivers print and copy speeds of up to 20 pages per minute ppm with up to x dot-per-inch dpi resolution, and boasts a page automatic document feeder for copying, scanning, or faxing multiple-page documents. Feedback If you are a seller for this product, would you like to suggest updates through seller support? Please make sure that you are posting in the form of a question. Everything so far still runs great.
It prints, copies and scans well.
The MFC combines high-quality brotheg printing, flatbed copying and color scanning plus a full-feature fax in one product while saving you space. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this multi-function is twice as nice as my last Brother printer, which I loved! All printers have been tested and perform like new.
Read reviews that mention toner cartridge brother mfc- laser printer brother mfc paper tray flatbed scanner tech support small office answering machine fax function easy to use crisp and clear much better quality is just as good toner and drum highly recommend pleased with their performance prints faster printing and copy office depot.
MFCN | SAFEPRINT, toner for each printer !
Please try again later. I couldn't be more impressed with this unit. Amazon Advertising Find, attract, and engage customers.
The functions are easy to 7420h and understand. The up-front cost of the printer itself is amazingly low. The scans were slanted. See Shipping Policy for details and conditions. Please make sure that you are posting in the form of a question. The fact that the drum and toner are separate can make this printer not-so-desirable for most home users.
I haven't used it as a fax, so I can't comment there. International Shipping This item is not eligible for international shipping. This MFC is my first multi-function printer, although over the years I've owned 2 Brother laser printers before this one.
See and discover other items: Page 1 of 1 Start over Page 1 of 1. It is the perfect laser all-in-one for your home office or small-to-medium size business. In order to best assist you, please use one of the channels below to brotger the Brother support team. I find the overall quality of this printer to be quite satisfactory, and it would be quite usable in a small office.
Ideal for home offices or small-to-medium-sized businesses, the MFC's flatbed design makes copying and scanning quick and easy, while the fast print speeds give you professional results exactly when you need them. Maximum number of printed pages per month and can be used to compare designed durability between like Brother products. Environmental Protection Agency and the U. It is always best to choose a printer with an appropriate recommended print volume to allow for any anticipated increase in printing needs.
The MFC delivers print and copy speeds of up to 20 pages per minute ppm with up to x dot-per-inch dpi resolution, and boasts a page automatic document feeder for copying, scanning, or faxing multiple-page documents.
I would have liked to have some type of support for the manual feed tray above the main paper tray, but it works okay without one. Offers print and copy speeds of up to 20 pages per minute.
There's a problem loading this menu right now. Image Unavailable Image not available for Color: And up to x dpi optical scanner resolution with OCR support means crystal clear, vibrant images that are a snap to share with colleagues. One person found this helpful. Global Network Global Site.


There are a number of designs of involvement rings of 2018 that are extremely trendy. Everything from pave ruby rings and colored stones to "green" rings and channel established diamond rings came to be really prominent in 2018.
Pave diamond rings are rings with 3 or four rows of little, even-sized diamonds that normally go around the whole ring. A larger facility rock established above the rest of the ring completes the appearance. Lead ruby engagement rings are just one of the best interaction rings of 2018 due to the fact that they are a sophisticated choice for an interaction ring while creating a lot of sparkle on a future new bride's ring finger. You'll additionally locate lead ruby wedding celebration bands that match your interaction ring as well as make it a lot more sparkly.
Colored stones have additionally expanded in popularity. As a result of this, rings with colored diamonds are amongst the most effective involvement rings of 2018. Rubies can be found in a selection of colors, consisting of yellow, blue, pink, as well as black. Real tinted rubies are very uncommon, which makes them exceptionally expensive. A one-carat tinted diamond can run upwards of ten thousand bucks. Nonetheless, if you can not manage to invest this much money on an engagement ring, there are a few options that will still enable you to be stylish with a colored rock. With the current technology, you can purchase a synthetic colored diamond. With the advances that have actually been made, the majority of people could not inform the difference between a mined ruby and also a man-made one. If you acquire or appoint a man-made diamond, you can select whichever color you prefer, and also save a number of hundreds of dollars in the meanwhile. Additionally, if you desire a tinted rock yet do not need a diamond, emerald greens, sapphires, and also rubies make wonderful choices for engagement rings as well as are much more economical than mined colored diamonds.
Environment-friendly interaction rings are also among the most effective engagement rings of 2018. With more individuals worried regarding the setting and concerning the civils rights problems that border conventional diamond mining, even more people are looking for alternatives to typical interaction rings. One opportunity is to purchase an engagement ring that has a ruby that was extracted in Canada rather than South Africa. Canada doesn't have the same civils rights problems revolving around its diamond market, so it's taken into consideration to be extra pleasant to the world. Alternatively, purchasing a manufactured diamond ring is also considered to be much more "environment-friendly" since not just does it not have the exact same human legal rights problems that extracted rubies do, but it doesn't ruin the planet like mining for diamonds has a tendency to do. Additionally, the ideal engagement rings of 2018 consist of antique engagement rings considering that the greenest engagement rings are those that are reused as well as reused. By buying an engagement ring that is antique, you are not contributing to the new ruby ring market or the devastation of the setting.
Channel set diamond rings are also on the listing of finest engagement rings of 2018. Channel collection involvement rings have actually the stones established within the band of the ring, so the top of the stone is also with the top of the ring. Network established rings are specifically suitable due to the fact that the diamonds are protected from being harmed since you can not get to the stone to chip them. Much more popular are channel collection ruby rings constructed of platinum, which has actually recently expanded in appeal. If you wish to purchase a ring that is much more unique, though, you could have a channel set engagement ring set with stones besides rubies. Sapphires are a specifically preferred option for involvement rings.
This is where points begin to get complicated. The techniques utilized to quantitatively examine the quality of a cut vary. The means the GIA identifies what a diamond's cut grade must be, for example, varies in extremely details means from the means other certifiers like the AGS do it. Most of the times, these organizations do not reveal the exact details of the processes they utilize.
The shape of a diamond also makes a difference relative to just how its cut quality is identified. Although there are some basic requirements that remain the very same for any kind of sort of ruby, the precise methods used to grade a round diamond's cut are different from those made use of to quality a heart-shaped diamond's cut.
The remainder of this description will concentrate on round rubies, as this is by much the most typical ruby shape. Among the elements influencing the cut quality of a rounded ruby is the variety of aspects it has. Elements are the flat, defined areas on the surface area of a diamond. The facets on round diamonds are normally triangular. Presently, it's assumed that the perfect round diamond should have 33 facets on the crown (the area of the diamond that rests above the girdle, which itself is the largest factor of the diamond) as well as 25 on the pavilion (the reduced, much longer section of the ruby). When there are flaws externally of the ruby, cutters may add additional facets in order to cover them. This leads to a destruction in the total high quality of the cut.
While the aspect matter is usually decideded upon as a good method of evaluating the high quality of a ruby cut, there are various other factors on which jewelers frequently differ. Several of the various other elements utilized by some authorities to assist figure out cut qualities consist of the height of the diamond's crown, the deepness of the structure, the size of the table (the top of the crown), and also the angles of the crown as well as pavilion.
The American Criterion benchmark for round rubies asks for a crown elevation of 16.2%, structure depth of 43.1%, and also table size of 53% of the overall girdle diameter. The Suitable Great criteria, nonetheless, requires 19.2% crown elevation, 40% structure deepness, and also 56.5% table diameter. While these differences could be difficult for amateurs to determine, they are an excellent illustration of the troubles connected with developing a simple analysis of a ruby's cut.
Although there are some arguments about the specific proportions that make up the best diamond cut, for possible diamond buyers, one of the most important thing to recognize is that diamond certifications supplied by organizations like the AGS and also GIA are credible and also meaningful. Respectable ruby vendors base the prices at which they buy as well as sell diamonds on the cut in addition to the rest of the "four Cs." When you acquire a diamond, you do not need to bother with the assumption of what makes a great diamond cut changing a lot that the value of your ruby will be substantially impacted.
Which kind of diamond is best for you mainly depends upon your spending plan. For purchasers that are ready to buy them, vendors normally recommend rubies with the highest feasible cut qualities. However, this might be because of some self-involvement on their component.
The various other three Cs have an effect on ruby rates also, so it could be difficult to assess the precise distinction in rate between an Ideal or Superb cut diamond and also an Extremely Great cut. For informal buyers as well as budget-conscious capitalists alike, rubies with an Excellent or Great cut grade can represent a superb value. This is because, while they can be much more inexpensive than or else comparable Perfect or Outstanding cut rubies, the visible distinction in quality is marginal.
At the exact same time, really feel complimentary to utilize your discernment. If, for instance, you find a diamond with an Ideal cut score which has great scores in the other classifications and is still within your budget plan, then you need to definitely consider it, as long as you're managing a trustworthy supplier.


text:
var _ = require('underscore');
var fs = require('fs');
var path = require('path');
var assert = require('assert');
var mkpath = require('mkpath');

function getCmd(pid) {
    return fs.readFileSync(path.join('/proc', pid.toString(), 'cmdline')).toString();
};

module.exports.guard = function(dir, key, callback) {
    assert(_.isString(dir) && dir !== '');
    assert(_.isString(key) && key !== '');
    assert(_.isFunction(callback));

    var outcome = (function() {
        var data = {};

        // createAndInstallExitHook ensures that the logic to remove the lock dir
        // corresponing to this process has been:
        // a) installed on process.on('exit', ...), and
        // b) returned as the cleanup callback.
        // There is no harm invoking this method twice.
        // Adding it to process.on('exit') is an extra security measure in case
        // user code does not invoke cleanup().
        createAndInstallExitHook = function(data) {
            assert(_.isObject(data));
            var me_dir = data.me_dir;
            var lock_dir = data.lock_dir;
            var exitHook = (function() {
                if (_.isString(me_dir) && me_dir !== '') {
                    return function() {
                        if (_.isString(lock_dir) && lock_dir !== '') {
                            var removeLock = false;
                            try {
                                var s = fs.readlinkSync(lock_dir);
                                if (s === me_dir) {
                                    removeLock = true;
                                }
                            } catch (e) {
                            }
                            if (removeLock) {
                                try {
                                    fs.unlinkSync(lock_dir);
                                } catch (e) {
                                    }
                            }
                        }
                        try {
                            fs.rmdirSync(me_dir);
                        } catch (e) {
                            }
                    };
                } else {
                    return null;
                }
            })();
            if (exitHook) {
                // No harm in invoking the exit hook twice for extra safety.
                process.on('exit', exitHook);
                return exitHook;
            } else {
                return function() {};
            }
        };

        // High-level try block catches exceptions that indicate
        // that either another confirmed instance is already running,
        // or some higher-order issue has been encountered.
        //
        // The application should not start if this block is the one
        // that caught the exception.
        try {
            data.me_cmd = getCmd(process.pid);
            data.me_dir = path.join(dir, key, process.pid.toString());

            data.lock_dir = path.join(dir, key, 'lock');

            // First of all, wipe the directory correspoding to this run.
            // Even if it exists, it is there from the previous run with the same PID
            // and can be safely removed.
            // For this part of the logic, exceptions are caught and ignored.
            data.state = 'WIPING_OLD_RUN_WITH_THIS_PID';
            try {
                fs.rmdirSync(data.me_dir);
            } catch (e) {
                data.wipe_old_pid_exception = e.toString();
            }

            // [Re-]create the directory corresponding to this run.
            // Put the command line of this run into this directory.
            // If something fails along the day, for this moment crashing
            // and having the framework restart the app is the safest solution.
            data.state = 'CREATING_NEW_DATA_FOR_THIS_PID';
            mkpath.sync(data.me_dir);

            // Try to (atomically) point the lock to an newly created dir
            // by creating a symlink.
            // If symlink creation is successful, assume this is
            // the only running instance of this app.
            try {
                data.state = 'ATTEMPTING_TO_CREATE_A_SYMLINK';
                fs.symlinkSync(data.me_dir, data.lock_dir);
                // All clear, new lock has been created.
                data.state = 'OK';
                return {
                    error: null,
                    data: data,
                    cleanup: createAndInstallExitHook(data),
                };
            } catch (e) {
                // Get the PID of the process that has created the old symlink.
                // Allow the program to fail if this call fails.
                data.state = 'GET_OTHER_CMD';
                // If getting the other PID via readlink fails, something is broken.
                data.other_pid = Number(_.last(fs.readlinkSync(data.lock_dir).split('/')));

                data.other_cmd = '';
                var lock_is_stale = false;
                try {
                    // Getting the command line of the other process, on the other hand,
                    // is something that can fail and should be handler properly.
                    // Proper handling here is the assumption that the lock is stale.
                    data.other_cmd = getCmd(data.other_pid);
                } catch (e) {
                    lock_is_stale = true;
                }

                // The moment of truth.
                // If the lock is not stale and the "other" command line is the same as "mine",
                // then this instance of the app should not start.
                if (!lock_is_stale && data.me_cmd === data.other_cmd) {
                    data.state = 'CONFIRMED_TO_NOT_START';
                    return {
                        error: {},
                        data: data,
                        cleanup: function() {},
                    };
                } else {
                    // Otherwise this instance of the app should take over. Or at least try to.
                    // Before this can happen, the lock has to be acquired properly.
                    // If the lock can not be acquired, there is a higher-order problem
                    // taking place and this app better not start.
                    data.state = 'REMOVING_STALE_LOCK';
                    try {
                        fs.unlinkSync(data.lock_dir);
                    } catch (e) {}

                    // And for extra safety.
                    try {
                        fs.rmdirSync(data.lock_dir);
                    } catch (e) {}

                    data.state = 'CREATING_NEW_SYMLINK';
                    fs.symlinkSync(data.me_dir, data.lock_dir);

                    // All clear, stale lock has been removed, new lock has been created.
                    data.state = 'OK_STALE_LOCK_REMOVED';
                    return {
                        error: null,
                        data: data,
                        cleanup: createAndInstallExitHook(data),
                    };
                }
            }
        } catch (e) {
            // The app should not start if any exception has reached this higher-order try block.
            return {
                error: data,
                data: null,
                cleanup: function() {},
            };
        }
    })();

    assert(_.isObject(outcome));
    callback(outcome.error, outcome.data, outcome.cleanup);
};

// Simple concurrency test.
// Slowly prints one message to stdout.
// Waits for a random amount of time before starting. Keeps trying until can run.
if (require.main === module) {
    process.stdin.resume();
    (function speakUp() {
        setTimeout(function() {
            module.exports.guard('/tmp', 'pidlock_test', function(error, data, cleanup) {
                if (error) {
                    speakUp();
                } else {
                    process.stdout.write((process.env.name || 'Yoda') + ': ');
                    var message = ['May', ' the', ' Force', ' be', ' with', ' you', '.'];

                    function talkNow() {
                        if (message.length > 0) {
                            process.stdout.write(message[0]);
                            message = message.slice(1);
                            setTimeout(talkNow, 100 + Math.random() * 100);
                        } else {
                            process.stdout.write('\n');
                            cleanup();
                            process.exit();
                        }
                    };
                    setTimeout(talkNow, 100 + Math.random() * 100);
                }
            });
        }, Math.random() * 500);
    })();
}


In the morning, rather bizarrely, Doggo is much better. He seems to be walking ok and I even take him for a short morning stroll. The trip to the vet is postponed but we both go to work worried about him. I'm on the bus due to the forecasted 45 mph winds.
I keep my promised pub lunch appointment with my colleague although I don't feel much like eating. A pint is very welcome though.
L's boss leaves work early, so she does too and heads home to Doggo at about 2pm. He seems fine as if he's risen like Lazarus. Phew. We've both been on edge all day. He seems his normal self again and is even scrounging L's sandwich, bless him, I hope she slapped him. Then he's outside playing ball, well barking at it. As we keep saying, we never have understood that dog.
Obviously he's not getting any younger and his legs are getting worse but I'm guessing he may have spent most of yesterday with them folded under him which then meant he was unable to stand on them. So possibly just cramp.
I take them both dogging and he watches everyone train as usual.


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