When a buyer makes any type of financial transaction, they are interacting with a complex web of institutions, trusted 3rd parties, and payment gateways in order for their payment to be processed. It may seem like it takes a while for an ACH payment to be processed (3-5 days), but this is nothing compared to the 60-90 days that some businesses must wait in order to get their payments. Aside from the significant wait times of these transactions, these payments face exorbitant transaction fees, which can be upwards of 30% for application developers.
With all of these downsides, it's a wonder why people still use these systems, and the reality is that 3rd party institutions have an effective monopoly on processing these payments. Only banks and specific payment processing companies like PayPal can deal with these transactions and as such, there's limited competition leading to our problem: high fees and lengthy payment cycles.
The fees and the time requirement are a result of the complexities present in the status quo, which require large amounts of overhead and a variety of human forms and authentications. While these systems might have been the best alternative a decade ago, now we are equipped with better solutions through decentralized architectures.
Decentralization delegates the authority to authenticate transactions to the participants. This type of system gives power to the individual actors and creates an infrastructure that requires lower overhead as it grows. Decentralization presents a promising answer to these inefficiencies, however, there still remains an issue with integrating them into the centralized infrastructure we are surrounded with.
OPEN Platform is a blockchain-agnostic architecture built to put a decentralized form of payment processing in the hands of the applications and developers that need it the most. Unlike the other cryptocurrency payment methods that still rely on centralized payment gateways, OPEN utilizes a payment platform that is completely decentralized.
This provides a more efficient form of interaction, unique from the centralized payment gateways that the majority of other crypto-payment processors use.
The OPEN Solution utilizes a novel architecture that enables developers to set-up decentralized payment gateways for in-app purchases in minutes and takes advantage of the speed and efficiency of a decentralized system. With OPEN Platform, transaction fees are practically eliminated and liquidity is at the hands of the developer.
Compromised of a team of respected app developers and founders with millions of downloads under their belts, and through their experiences in mobile app development, the OPEN team has seen first hand the high transaction fees and long payment delays that plague the industry.
It is for this reason that the OPEN solution has been targeted for applications, but that is only the start of what this decentralized payment gateway system can do.
To keep updated on the upcoming OPEN token sale and to discover what the team is up to, visit their website, take a peek at their blog, and chat with them on their Telegram channel!


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Home » TV & Movies » Who is FKA twigs' ex-boyfriend Robert Pattinson? – The Sun
Who is FKA twigs' ex-boyfriend Robert Pattinson? – The Sun
FROM his breakout role in Twilight as the mysterious Edward Cullen, Robert Pattinson is no stranger to playing characters from the supernatural world.
Pattinson, who landed the starring role in The Batman in Matt Reeves' upcoming movie, earlier this year, is also known for his love life having dated a string of glamorous women including FKA Twigs and Suki Waterhouse.
Who is Robert Pattinson?
Robert was 22 when he first landed the role of the brooding Edward Cullen in the Twilight trilogy, based on the novels by Stephanie Meyer.
The film was released on November 1, 2011, catapulting the young Robert into the limelight almost overnight.
Prior to that, Robert played Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
R-Patz is currently 34-years-old and stands at 6 feet tall.
Who has Robert Pattinson dated?
Rob is notoriously secretive about his love life, however the handsome actor is known to have dated a number of women.
Robert famously dated Twilight co-star Kristen Stewart from 2009-2013, but their relationship was far from simple after pictures of Kristen kissing the director of her film Snow White And The Huntsman hit the internet in July 2012. When asked by another publication if he is still friends with his ex, he muttered: "yes, yes".
In September 2014, Robert started dating singer FKA Twigs. They became engaged in early 2015 and stayed together for more than two years before splitting up in summer 2017.
As of 2020, Robert is thought to be dating British model and actress Suki Waterhouse with the couple seen celebrating his 33rd birthday in May 2019.
Is Robert Pattinson the new Batman?
On May 31, 2019, it was finally confirmed that Robert Pattinson WILL play The Batman in Matt Reeves' upcoming superhero movie.
The handsome star will take over from Ben Affleck for the forthcoming film The Batman and a new trailer has been released.
The film is expected to be released on October 1, 2021.
What is Robert Pattinson's net worth?
R-Patz has earned quite a fortune since his rise to fame.
He has an estimated fortune of £19million.
This is down is to his big movie roles and has been increased significantly thanks to his starring role in The Batman.
What else has Robert acted in?
Robert played Edward Cullen in five Twilight films.
After this he played T E Lawrence in Queen Of The Desert and Henry Costin in The Lost City Of Z.
His film The Devil All The Time is set to be released in September on Netflix.
The Wilds filming locations: Where is the new Amazon Prime drama filmed?
Coronation Street Adam Barlow 'left for dead' amid Carla and Peter love triangle

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The Sitka Community Wilderness Stewardship Project seeks to connect communities with their local Wilderness areas by facilitating volunteer stewardship and monitoring. Over the past three years, the project has been an overwhelming success and will be continuing in to 2012 and 2013.
* Data is primarily for Sitka Ranger District. Data for other ranger districts can be found in the in reports specific to each Wilderness Area in thefull project file below.


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Home › World › Africa › Clashes Erupt In South Sudan, 272 Dead
Clashes Erupt In South Sudan, 272 Dead
By Matt Roberts on July 11, 2016
At least 272 people have been killed, including at least 33 civilians, as fighting erupted between rival factions, in the South Sudanese capital, Juba.
At least 272 people have died in fighting between South Sudan's rival factions in the capital Juba, including 33 civilians, a government source said on Sunday, as heavy gunfire erupted again in parts the city.
The fighting broke out on Thursday and Friday between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and soldiers who support vice president Riek Machar, continuing throughout the weekend and into Monday.
The violence has raised fears South Sudan could face more instability after emerging from a two-year civil war, which began in December 2013 after Kiir sacked Machar as vice president.
On Saturday Juba was calm, but on Sunday a Reuters witness said gunfire was heard in Gudele and Jebel suburbs of Juba, near the military barracks that hosts troops loyal to Machar.
The latest violence came hours after the UN Security Council called on the warring factions to immediately stop the fighting.
‹ Riot Injures 123 Police Officers In Berlin
Two Officers Killed In Michigan Courthouse Shooting ›
Categories: Africa, South Sudan, World
Tags: Africa, Clashes, Gudele, Jebel, Juba, News, Riek Machar, Salva Kiir, South Sudan, UN, UN Security Council, United Nations


Melissa and Michael had a wonderful wedding at the Waterside in Edgewater New Jersey. They are so fun and relaxed, and it was just a joy to be capturing the wedding. These is one of the few weddings where we are doing photography and videography this year, and I couldn't be happier with our team.


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Opening of purpose-built swing for adults with disabilities.
National community housing body calls for urgent housing reform.
New Community Housing Industry Association chair says private funding is key to affordable community housing in Victoria.
Read the latest Housing Choices media releases here. You can also access our archived media releases.
Housing Choices Australia welcomes enquiries from the media. Contact our Marketing Department with requests for information, comment and interviews.


Toronto turned it around because they won the lottery and Tavares grew up as a Leafs fan. I don't give their management a lot of credit, honestly.
Keep in mind how easy it is to shift a skilled centre to wing. Almost all of San Jose's skilled wingers were drafted as centres. You want that BPA on forward and figure it out later.
Hey, have I ever told you the story of playoff ghost, Johnny Gaudreau?
Sorry it came off as if you favoured how expansion was done before..which was objectively terrible for new markets. The terms weren't overly favourable. Vegas was made stronger by teams making stupid decisions. That doesn't mean the terms were too favourable. Understand?
Tampa will simply retool a bit like Washington did, you don't tear down a 62-win team because of one bad playoff series. But otherwise you may be right. Karlsson ain't resigning with SJ. Bob and Panarin looking for new teams. Lots of teams on the cusp of contention. A few teams like Philly and Pitt with a disappearing window. It could be interesting.
You'd rather they be sentenced to a decade of irrelevance for the sins of being a new team like Columbus? That isn't good for anyone, especially not the NHL. Vegas being good had nothing to do with the expansion draft rules being too lenient and everything to do with stupid managers making stupid decisions. Florida handed them a top line and award winning coach. Minny sent them an entire 2nd line. That wasn't the NHL's fault. Seattle won't be nearly as successful.
That's odd, most of the reliable charts have him ranked 6-8. The odd outlier has him at 10+. Consensus from mixed rankings: 7. Maybe you should look again. Mock drafts have Cozens going 5-8, so yeah, almost exactly like Jake.
Agreed. Maybe Cozens translates better to the NHL than Jake did, but I'd be hesitant to take him top 5 like many of the mock drafts suggest.
Maybe. I think you're wearing rose tinted glasses. Luc was absolutely not trending to be a stud D, but a good top 4. I remember there cleary being doubts about his development. Are you sure you were paying attention back then? Saying he had any chance of matching Kopitar's career is obviously foolish. You're the one rewriting history.
Yeah you need to be careful with small guys. They aren't all Gaudreau. What makes Gaudreau special is his ability to turn on a dime and skate circles around the offensive zone while maintaining possession. Is Caufield that dynamic?
He's missed significant time once in his entire career and now has a reputation as a fragile player? He's not Tanev. He's played 70+ games every year of his career except last year. He's one of the least injured top defencemen in the game.
Moving up is a waste of time unless Benning and company have the inside line on a steal pick. 3-12 this year is an absolute blender of a crapshoot, I'm not sure 5th or 10th pick really matters. It would be nice to "get your guy" but not nice enough to give up other prospects. If you can grab Krebs, Zegras, Boldy or Soderstrom at 10 you call it a win and move on.
Colorado has Francouz in their system, a goalie prospect already on par with Demko.
NJ would be stupid to trade away 1stOA. With Hughes or Kakko they automatically become one of the better young cores in the NHL that could compete for a decade, starting next season. They're going to trade that away for Demko/Gaudette/10th? Not likely.
5% No different than a Nat 20. Fire up those crits, people.
3rd would be worse. There are 10 guys who could be the right pick. Could you imagine the salt if we pick someone and there's 4 guys immediately after them who end up being better? That's a very real possibility with this draft.
So to answer the question I'd like: 1) Detroit: I want them to be good again 2) Buffalo: I like them and they've been bad for too long 3) Edmonton: maximum bust/meme/salt potential None above us, so we stay at 8th or 9th.
Honestly I think there is a top two and then about 12 maybes. I think 3-10ish this year are completely interchangeable. I would not be surprised to see someone like Boldy or Krebs getting picked 10th and being the best player in the draft not named Hughes or Kakko. There is a lot of potential for a Puljujarvi bust at 3rd this year whether it be Podkolizin, Cozens or Dach. People think picking 1st would be tough this year? Picking 3rd is a &^@#ing minefield.
The Pacific is too top heavy to worry about 2nd or 3rd. Calgary, SJ, Vegas will all be solid again next year over 82 games. If we get in it will probably be a WC spot. That's fine with me. I honestly think we could have challenged Calgary or Winnipeg/Nashville over 7 games. None of them are stellar. The WC spot isn't a death sentence.
Pretty much. Looks like we're finishing 8th or 9th pick, so we'll probably pick 9th or 10th. At that point there will still probably be some guys like Boldy, Turcotte, Broberg, Soderstrom, Zegras and Caufield left. Those are great pieces, even if they take a couple years to develop. I really don't think there's much of a drop off between pick #3 and pick #12 this year.
Byram will go somewhere 3-6, so very unlikely he's coming to Vancouver. We'd pretty much have to win the 3rd pick to have a chance. No GM in their right mind is skipping Hughes or Kakko.
Hughes or Petey will play wing. Full stop. Hughes projects to be Pat Kane-like (winger) and Petey has played wing his whole career until now. He's a good centre but he'd easily score more on the wing. Trading Bo would be pointless. We'd never get his actual value to this team on the market.
Bruins. I've already seen them lift the Cup so whatever. Their team has 10x the character Calgary's fools have. Gadreau is a embarrassment. If Calgary or Toronto wins we won't hear the end of it for decades, either from the media (Toronto) or all the idiots who moved to BC because Alberta is garbage (Calgary).


Unlike in some other countries, in the UK, tipping in restaurants is usually 'discretionary'. It is not necessary to tip at all if you are unhappy with the level of service you've received.
Some restaurants automatically add an 'optional' service charge to the bill – again, if you are not happy with the service you've received you can ask for this to be removed. If a service charge has been added onto your bill, you should not feel that you need to add any further tip.
'Service not included' means just that, and it is usual to offer at least ten percent by way of a tip, depending on how happy you are about the service you received. In central London, twelve and a half, or fifteen percent are commonplace.
Tipping is also commonplace in hair and beauty salons, hotels and at the end of a taxi ride. Use discretion, but always err on the side of generosity. No one wants to be remembered as being mean.


This documentary, Neurons to Nirvana, takes a look at the history and the future of scientific research into five psychedelic substances: LSD, psilocybin, ayahuasca, MDMA, and cannabis. In it, various highly-regarded scientists and experts in the field talk about the many medicinal potential of the drugs. The filmmakers are careful in their approach. Each of them notes that scientific studies and vocabulary, presented in a mainstream way, are necessary to educate the public about psychedelic medicine. They realize they are up against a lot of government—not to mention big business—disinformation, and paranoia about psychedelics.
You can find the film on Netflix or with a DigiXstream Android TV Box in the documentary section of it's video add-ons.
You can find the film on Netflix or with a DigiXstream Android TV Box in the documentary section of it's video add-ons.


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The first ever blockchain, namely Bitcoin, was introduced only as recently as 2008. The Bitcoin whitepaper was later published by its pseudonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto that was used as the blueprint for the creation of more DeFi projects and blockchains.
Since that time, many developers have come forward to introduce more versions of blockchains with added features. All blockchains aim to perfect the concept of trustless networks that are open-sourced and decentralized.
The Blockchain Trilemma is DeFi terminology that will help the reader understand the persisting issues in blockchain systems and its solution.
What is the Blockchain Trilemma?
Before talking about blockchains, it is crucial to understand what a blockchain is first. A blockchain is an online financial transactions network that is based on Distributed Ledger Technology.
When a person sends money from their bank to another bank account, the details of the transaction are saved on the server under the ownership of private financial enterprises. These financial enterprises, like banks, are regulated under the laws of the central government.
Therefore, a state can access the whole financial history of every individual in addition to having full control of the legal tender. On the other hand, decentralization is a concept that aims to make the process of financial transactions unmanned and automated.
It means that the people who are sending money from one point to another do not need a state or any private enterprise to watch over the financial records and act as a supervisor. In the case of banks, if any financial transactions go wrong, the person can appeal to the government and their bank to make corrections.
In the case of blockchain, all transactions are validated by miners and protected by an encryption method.
It means that it is almost impossible to change any transaction record or misrepresent financial history. The blockchains issue tokens or coins as a medium of exchange rather than using legal tender.
For example, the native coin of the Bitcoin blockchain is called BTC. These cryptocurrencies hold some value in the real market based on their use case, and it allows people to send and receive money to anyone and anywhere in the world with relatively smaller transaction costs.
After the advent of the first blockchain, many new blockchains were invented with the introduction of new features. The second most popular blockchain network in the world is Ethereum, after Bitcoin.
Ethereum network was co-founded by Vitalik Buterin, Charles Hoskinson, Joseph Lubin, Gavin Wood, and Anthony Di Lorio in 2013. This blockchain could host decentralized applications in addition to issuing cryptocurrencies.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has come up with a paradox called Blockchain Trilemma that defines the issues developers face to upgrade decentralized entities.
How does Blockchain Trilemma Work?
Blockchain Trilemma is based on three main pillars of a blockchain network, namely decentralization, scalability, and security. To make a blockchain truly functional and reliable, these three qualities play an important role.
However, the Blockchain Trilemma is a paradox that postulates that a developer can't achieve all three features at the same time. In essence, it suggests that a blockchain can have two out of three important features at one time. If a developer can increase scalability and security for a blockchain, it will lack decentralization.
In the same manner, if a blockchain project can become fully decentralized and scalable, it might lack some security features. In summary, the Blockchain Trilemma suggests that one blockchain cannot ingrain optimal levels of these three important properties at once.
Technically speaking, when one or two of said features are increased, it automatically results in the decline of the remaining option.
The Defining Components of Blockchain Trilemma
As mentioned before, the Blockchain Trilemma focuses on three main features, namely scalability, security, and decentralization. The reader should read about each factor in detail to understand the principle better:
Scalability is the ability of a blockchain network to process a total number of transactions in a unit of time. It means that if a blockchain can transact hundreds of transactions per second, it has high scalability.
Blockchain developers have tried to increase the scalability of their DLT networks to make them more suitable for mainstream adoption.
At the time when blockchains were introduced, the world was already using digital transaction methods, whereas the masses were using online transaction methods like wire transfers, mobile applications, and credit/debit cards.
VISA, which is considered one of the most used digital payment service providers, can process around 24,000 transactions per second. Considering that VISA claims to serve around 104 million people across 200 countries.
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However, VISA is not a public network, and all the transaction details on the network are owned by a private organization that is also regulated by the government.
Meanwhile, the Bitcoin blockchain can process seven transactions per second while Ethereum can handle 15 transactions per second, as per a Bloomberg report in September 2022.
Blockchain networks are designed in a manner that everyone participating in the network has permission to view all the transaction history at any given time. Therefore, blockchains can take more time to verify a single transaction to ensure security and increase decentralization.
Blockchains can depend on PoW or PoS consensus model. PoW or Proof of Work is a system of transaction verification where miners compete with each other to solve the cryptic puzzle first to get qualified for the mining rewards.
On the other hand, the PoS or Proof of Stake model is where miners are awarded verification projects based on draw. Both these verification methods can take some time, and the miners must also take factors like "Finality Time" into consideration for adding each new block.
If a blockchain cannot warrant security for all its transactions, it will not gain traction among users. The blockchain has been introduced to the masses during a time when internet access and computer viruses are both common knowledge.
Anyone with the smallest amount of computer knowledge would not want to send money through an application or software that is not backed by a government or regulated.
Blockchains have addressed this issue and introduced an encrypted financial network that cannot be manipulated or hacked. At the same time, there are consensus models available to verify every single transaction, such as PoW.
When a person makes a transaction on a blockchain, it creates an encrypted puzzle key for the miners. The puzzle is solved by miners using computation power that checks the entire transaction history of the said person. The purpose of the encryption puzzle is to ensure that the new transaction record is authentic.
Once the transaction has been verified, it is added to every blockchain copy in the world so that every blockchain user can access the information. The new block or transaction record can be seen as a type of digital signature or hash.
It is worth mentioning that a hash is a map of fixed-size value that has been derived from arbitrary data clutter. There are some blockchains like Solana that use the proof of history consensus model, and some other DeFi networks use Proof of Stake.
Bitcoin miners are scattered groups of individuals who set up mining farms to solve encrypted puzzles that generate hash power. Each Bitcoin mining farm can contribute a specified amount of hash power. Bitcoin mining farms can sometimes pool their efforts to improve their chances of earning mining rewards.
There is a hypothetical scenario called a 51% attack which suggests that if a single mining entity can control more than 50% of hash power, it can manipulate the transaction record and conduct double spending of Bitcoins.
Decentralization is the quality of a computer network to act independently and operate autonomously. A bank account holder can't gain access to the private server and view all the transaction records available on that system.
However, blockchains are open-sourced and permissioned networks. Anyone can not only use and view the source code of blockchains, but they can also get all the on-chain transaction data without needing any approval. Decentralizations ensure transparency for investors.
Decentralization has also given rise to a new concept called Web 3.0. The internet started its journey from Web 1.0, where online websites were read-only or static entities. With the arrival of Web 2.0, websites became dynamic.
The users of today can not only view the data on the website but also interact with it, such as making comments, uploading media, or adding reactions, etc. However, Web 2.0 has created an internet where websites are owned by private companies, and the data of the users is under the control of these private enterprises.
Whereas, Web 3.0 aims for a type of internet where the online presence of the users is decentralized, and they have full control over their data and cyber footprint.
However, the concept is very advanced, and it can invoke some big changes in the fabric of society. The decentralized financial networks or blockchains try to achieve decentralization by working outside of the centralized banking systems.
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To get as closer to true decentralization, a blockchain needs to increase its scalability because it requires all the participants on the network to agree with every single transaction record.
Meanwhile, the blockchain must also ensure perfect security at every step to ensure the safety of its users.
Why does Blockchain Trilemma Happen?
For a person who is not familiar with the technical and engineering aspects of creating a blockchain, understanding Blockchain Trilemma can be difficult.
It is clear from the above examples and explanation that a blockchain needs to achieve excellence in three fields, namely security, decentralization, and scalability, simultaneously. However, the reader can try to use this dilemma using the analogy from baking.
Take, for example, a baker that wishes to bake a perfect cake. The baker must make sure that the cake should be moist, has appropriate frosting, and is structurally sound at the same time.
However, the baker is faced with the issue that if she makes the cake moist and structurally sound, the frosting can melt or get absorbed in the cake.
On the other hand, if the baker tries to make the moist enough to keep the frosting intact, it might not remain structurally sound anymore. In the third scenario, the bakers might be able to bake a structurally sound cake with perfect frosting, but it could lose its moisture.
The above example personifies the Blockchain Trilemma perfectly. It is easy to understand how focusing on one quality of the cake can put the other one in jeopardy of lapsing.
However, with enough practice and perfecting the recipe, the baker can ultimately achieve all three prerequisites for perfection or at least leave negligible margins.
While blockchains are nothing like cakes, the developers can face technical issues in the same manner and need to improve the programming recipe to create the perfect blockchain.
How to Solve Blockchain Trilemma?
At present, there is not a defined and singular solution to solve the Blockchain Trilemma. However, different engineers and DeFi developers have come up with proposed solutions. Here are some of the remedies for Blockchain Trilemma that various blockchain projects have adopted thus far:
Layer-1 Solutions
Layer 1 is the baseline blockchain program that performs the main functions and is the foundational structure of that particular DeFi network. Some of the most popular Layer-1 blockchains are Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum, among others.
DeFi developers have come up with programming solutions to address the issue of Blockchain Trilemma at a Layer-1 level. Two of these Layer-1 solutions are mentioned as under:
Sharding is a technical solution that has been adopted from distributed databases. It is still in the experimental phases, but many blockchains have already started to employ its basic versions.
Sharding involves breaking one stream of blockchain information into bits that are called shards. Rather than concurrently processing the stream of a transaction, these shards are responsible for processing specified parts of a block transaction.
From a different perspective, a blockchain can process the same data stream much faster by processing it in parallel by breaking it down into shards. Each shard of blockchain can have a dedicated and independent ledger.
However, the beacon blockchain is responsible for facilitating interactions between all shards. Additionally, rather than making copies of each network node from the main blockchain, specific nodes are stored by different nodes.
Ethereum blockchain takes advantage of sharding technology with projects like Tezos, Qtum, and Zilliqa.
Consensus Protocol Upgrades
The first ever blockchain, Bitcoin, used the PoW method for verification of transactions and to remain a fully decentralized network. Bitcoin blockchain has never been reportedly hacked thus far, but it has issues with scalability.
Meaning that it can process transactions in a decentralized manner and offers great security, but the TPS count is smaller. When the Ethereum network was introduced, it adopted the PoS or Proof of Stake consensus model.
With PoW, miners had to compete with each other to get the verification rewards. With PoS, a randomizing protocol awarded the verification responsibility to miners based on the number of tokens they staked.
The greater the staking reserves of a miner, the better the chances of getting a new verification award. Solana network has introduced another upgraded network called the Proof of History that uses the laws of entropy to verify transaction actions rather than depending on node validators. There are the following types of Consensus Mechanisms:
Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS)
Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT)
Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT)
Proof-of-Weight (PoW)
Unique Node Lists (UNL)
Proof-of-Burn (PoB)
Proof-of-Activity (PoA)
Proof-of-Capacity (PoC)
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Mainnet Upgrades
A private and regulated financial network is under the ownership of a government or a private enterprise. However, blockchains are permissionless and trustless networks. It means that the blockchain protocols and rules are not dictated by one entity.
However, a decentralized network also needs to make decisions such as implementing upgrades. Therefore, blockchains adopt democratic methods by depending on voting systems.
All the users on a blockchain vote in favor or against adding their opinions. Using this method of voting, decentralized networks can opt to add upgrades on the mainnet. Thus far, different blockchains have added upgrades to increase their scalability or provide a benchmark or code of conduct to the ecosystem.
Bitcoin added an upgrade called Taproot on November 2021 that consisted of three separate BIPs (Bitcoin Improvement Proposals), namely Schnorr Signature or BIP 340, BIP 341, and BIP 342. In the same manner, the Ethereum network has EIPs (Ethereum Improvement Proposals), and Binance Smart Chain works with BEPs (Binance Evolution Proposals).
Layer-2 solutions are blockchains extensions that are built on top of the core blockchain program. It works like an extended aid to improve the different qualities of a blockchain. The most talked about blockchain Layer-2 solution is Lightening Network.
The main objective of LN was to improve the scalability of the Bitcoin network while retaining its PoW consensus model. Here are some of the other most common Layer-2 solutions that DeFi developers use:
Nested Blockchains
Nested blockchains are like subsidiary or child blockchain projects that are connected to the genesis networks. These nested blockchains can perform different functions independently or sometimes act as an alternative for a particular main blockchain feature.
However, the child blockchains do not take part in the functions of the main blockchain unless there is a need for reconciliation or dispute resolution. For example, OMG Plasma is a nested blockchain on the layer-2 solution for the Ethereum network that facilitates cheaper transactions and improves scalability.
State Channels
State channels are side-chain projects on a blockchain that act as communication networks and off-chain transactional streams. The state channels do not require the involvement of miners or node validators. The final state of transactions from the genesis blockchain is directly recorded on these state channels.
These channels are sealed by a multi-signature lock or smart contract protocols. They can extend the transaction capacity and speed of a blockchain. Some well-known state channels are Celer, Liquid Network, and Raiden Network. One limitation of state channels is that they may decrease decentralization in exchange for an increase in scalability.
Sidechains
Side chains are parallel blockchain protocols that are tethered to the main blockchain network, but they use an independent consensus mechanism. These side chains are great for increasing scalability by the way of processing bigger transaction loads.
At the same time, they can also improve the security of a blockchain network by acting as a dispute resolution method. Side chains are not private entities like State channels.
Furthermore, they are also permissionless, unlike state channels. If a side chain security is compromised, it will not affect its genesis blockchain network, which can happen in the case of a state channel.
The Blockchain Trilemma is an important theory related to the DeFi ecosystem. This is a technical quandary that can help developers understand a difficult programming issue in a simplified manner. Cryptocurrency investors who wish to generate profits by trading should also learn about these technical aspects to understand the fundamentals better.
📰 BitConnect Coin Promoter's Wife's Death Sparks Controversy
Hassan Mehmood (Saudi Arabia)
Hassan is currently working as a news reporter for Tokenhell. He is a professional content writer with 2 years of experience. He has a degree in journalism.
10 hours ago - Last Updated: January 30, 2023


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Carlos Lopes: Africa must revise its priorities in the face of Covid-19
Djibouti: The rise of a major logistics hub
COVID-19 casts a long shadow for the malaria fight in Africa
Fact or fiction: How one's perspective of data influences decision making
AU, Africa CDC adoption of digital technology set to save lives, revive economies
Why is most of Africa not on UK Covid exempt list?
The keys to a peaceful Sahel
In this month's issue
Where is the condemnation for brutality against Africans?
Benedict Oramah: International trade is a game of survival of the fittest
Magufuli 2.0: A more nuanced approach?
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A corner of Africa in Iran
In the southern port city of Bandar-e-Bushehr is a thriving community of Afro-Iranians, many of whom arrived as slaves in the 18th or 19th century. Although they are now an integral part of Iranian society, they have maintained many of their African cultural traits, particularly in music and dance. Monir Ghaedi paints a fascinating picture of the lives of these long-lost children of Africa.
Although it is winter in Iran, the weather in Bandar-eBushehr is warm enough for Ali, 53, to sit on his porch and enjoy the breeze. Bandare-Bushehr is the capital of Bushehr province in the south of Iran with a long coastline onto the Persian Gulf.
Ali and his family do not look like typical Iranians – they are darker complexioned, with a faint but unmistakable African cast to their features. Bushehr, like many other ports of the Persian Gulf, saw rapid expansion and re-development in the second half of the 20th century thanks to its abundant natural resources. Yet beneath the city's modern visage of middle-class suburbs, upscale shopping malls and unfinished skyscrapers are deep-rooted paradoxes.
Ali lives in Behbahani, a neighbourhood which rests on the fault line between the city's past and present. Today it is a tranquil, multi-ethnic community, yet it lies in the shadow of a mostly forgotten, or perhaps ignored, chapter of Gulf history: "Most of the locals, especially the young, would be surprised to hear that their neighbours, relatives, or they themselves are the descendants of slaves that were brought to the region in the 19th century," says Ali.
Although he does not live far from the coastline, a tall building, belonging to Iran's Ports & Maritime Organisation, has blocked Ali's view of the sea. Yet to peer through his rear window is to see ageing, paint-flecked houses, clustered around a serpentine array of narrow alleyways. He is vague on his own family history but what he can recall anecdotally makes for a rather grisly tale: "My great-grandfather was a well-known merchant. He would often go to Zanzibar to bring slaves. His crew would ambush children. Well, they couldn't afford to capture adults…eventually, locals identified them and one day, they chopped their bodies into pieces."
Iran's Slavery Abolition Act of 1926 has never been regarded as an important episode in the country's past. In his 1902 work, Ten Thousand Miles in Persia, the British writer Sir Percy Sykes reported that although there was slavery at that time, it was not widespread. Yet the topic has largely been neglected by contemporary historians. What is certainly true is that, unlike other ethnicities, the African community never became visible in Iran.
Perhaps for this very reason, the residents of Behbahani are eager to talk about their heritage: "Our rhymes and dances come from Africa, that's why they're spectacular," remarks Ali. For two years he has been supervising a folk band made up of Afro-Iranian schoolchildren; the group has been remarkably successful, finding itself booked to perform at national festivals and even the subject of newspaper headlines.
Ali thinks that music is in his pupils' blood, and it is not hard to see why: every other day the band rehearses in a small communal storeroom where they freely swap instruments while executing dance moves that are at once energetic and hypnotic. Adham, a 13-year-old who is regarded as the group's finest dancer, takes a short break. "We are the first to emphasise the African heritage," he tells me. "We call our band Bambassi, the name they used to call the Africans in Bushehr." 12-year-old Kuka, who has been playing the drums, somewhat bashfully adds,"The Behbahani quarter is where the best folklore musicians of the region, most of whom are of African origin, live."
Different celebration of Ashura
Every evening the locals gather in Behbahani's main square. It is adjoined by a football field and tonight a group of children, some of them part of Ali's band, are practising with their coach. Three senior citizens sit on a bench close by; "Shiite Islam is famous for its mournful rituals, but here in Bushehr we practise them with music and performance." In Bushehr, Ashura (a time when Muslims commemorate the martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson Hussein) takes on a festival atmosphere, with large groups of musicians playing to delighted crowds. Percussion instruments and the Bugh, a long, spiral bugle made of antelope horn, can be directly traced to Africa.
Elsewhere Ashura is a day of mourning, with men and women dressed in black weeping openly and often beating their chests in memory of one of the greatest heroes of Islam, Hussein. He and most of his family and companions were martyred in Karbala, Iraq for their principles in 680. They refused to accept the rule of Yazid, the Ummayad Caliph, because they believed he was unjust. Yazid forbade the mourning of the martyrs lest it lead to revolt but it continued secretly and each Ashura day was marked by recitations of the events. Today, Ashura is observed all over the world, mainly by the 150m Shias.
The playing of musical instruments and dancing in Bushehr is in stark contrast as they believe that Ashura marks the victory of good (Hussein) against evil (Yazid) and is thus a triumph for mankind to be celebrated. "This quiet man right here is an acknowledged Damam master," says Ali, pointing to his friend, Seyed Abdi, an Afro-Iranian with a trimmed long beard and beads in his hands (a traditional Islamic symbol of piety). Seyed Abdi's skill with the instrument has aroused the interest of several musicologists, journalists and documentary film- makers.
Yet his home does not contain a single Damam. Musical instruments such as Damam are considered community property in Behbahani and are kept in the mosques. Conservatives would be aghast at such a practice, but the mosque here is free from the burdens of orthodoxy. Instead, it is a relaxed environment where passers-by can shelter from the torrid afternoons of the region's nine-month summer, drink tea, chat or just sprawl in a corner and take a nap. Women feel more comfortable here: they hold their own rituals, many of which involve songs, and worship is often led by other women of African origin.
Times are changing in Iran, however. The swelling ranks of the nation's youth do not share the religious devotion of their elders. Young residents of Behbahani do most of their socialising at the teahouse, not the mosque. In addition to the teahouses, Mohammad's carpentry workshop is one of those meeting points. It is open till late at night because in a city like Bandar-e-Bushehr, the cool night hours are the most productive times. While Mohammad works, his friends of different ages hang around, play backgammon and talk.
What he makes is old-fashioned Bushehri window frames, to be filled with colourful glass. "These windows were popular 100 years ago, when Bushehr was prosperous, right before the discovery of the oil!" he says, accurately referring to the time when the lucrative trade of pearls and dates increased the need for cheap human labour and attracted the slave-traders. "And now, they take the oil and gas from the ground underneath our houses, but what do we get from it?" asks Adel, an Afro-Iranian man sitting on a stool. "I am a fisherman, like my father. I sail on the same boat. But with all the gigantic fishing ships [now], I have to go as far as I can." He says that every time, they risk getting trapped in hurricanes or crossing the borders, without realising it. "Many of my fellow fishermen are in neighbouring countries' prisons because of that." Adel finishes his tea.
He wants to take his wife and child to the cinema, because tomorrow he will be away sailing for at least five days. He makes his way home through the unnamed and unnumbered labyrinthine streets of Behbahani and says hi to every passer-by. Among them is Homa, an AfroIranian in her 60s. People call her Aunt Homa and admire her for her voice. She is the most sociable person in the neighbourhood, attending every ceremony and singing there. "For a single woman [of] my age, the best way of passing time is to visit my friends." Her friends are the Afro-Iranian housewives – women of all ages who spend their whole day at Behbahani's huge houses. Time has covered those once luxurious houses with rust and dust. They belonged to the city's elite long ago. These days however, several families live in each of them. Some of the families' origins go back to slaves. The oil and gas industries have radically transformed the region and detached it from its past. Stories of the sailors, merchants and travellers sound like fairytales to which no one has time to listen.
Ali thinks that even though much of the history is buried forever, the African legacy is omnipresent in the region's culture: "Africans brought their music and rituals as a souvenir to their unwelcoming hosts. They planted them in the auspicious environment of the city's folklore, and now, it is an inseparable part of our identity." Not far from Ali, a 67-year-old Afro-Iranian man has another opinion. He provides for his family by selling snacks, cigarettes and drinks from his smallish cart. As he pulls it towards his home at 10 o'clock at night, he says: "Who cares whose father was slave and whose was master? We're all struggling to earn our livings now." NA
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The meteroric rise of MTN in Nigeria
When South African telecoms firm MTN managed to get a foothold in Nigeria, it expected good business but could not have imagined the growth it would experience. Report by R. Roy
The Covid-19 pandemic has reversed most of Nigeria's recent economic gains and exposed its overdependence on oil. What can be done to reboot the economy? Report by Dianna Games
Applying Covid learnings to Nigeria's security threats
The security threat from Boko Haram can be controlled if Nigeria acts with the decisiveness it applied to fighting Covid-19, writes Ivor Ichikowitz
AfroLandTV: promoting pan-African film and TV content across the globe
Adaora Oramah looks at how a new pan-African streaming platform aims to disrupt the political economy of the film industry in Africa and beyond
Too Black to Wear Whites – a timely book on sport in South Africa
This timely book brings the long-forgotten story of Krom Hendricks, who was barred from playing for South Africa in the 1890s, to the surface. Review by Mushtak Parker
The rise of Lazarus – who is Lazarus Chakwera, Malawi's sixth President?
Lazarus Chakwera was elected President of Malawi on 23 June. Our man in Blantyre, Jimmy Kainja, looks at what we can expect from Malawi's sixth President
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LA-based artist-turned-sockmaker Hannah Byun ("Hansel" was her childhood alter ego) dreams up the kind of colorful, inventive legwear that you can plan an outfit around. Who says rainbows only come after a storm? Not us, we'll be sporting these Japanese-made metallic striped socks no matter the weather.


In this day and age poor posture is a huge issue affecting thousands of people young and old leading to pain, headaches, lost concentration and attendance at school and work and is only getting worse. Our bodies are designed so that our head should sit on top of our spine and our shoulders should be in line with the ears. The introduction of computers and recently smart phones and other devices has led to a population that is suffering more and more with pain and dysfunction related to poor posture.
Poor posture comes about gradually with increasing weakness and poor endurance in key postural muscles as well as over activity of other muscles in order to compensate. This leads to imbalances that worsen with time and continued adaption of poor postures. These imbalances cause pain and dysfunction that can impact greatly on day to day life.
At Activate Physiotherapy we can provide relief through manual therapy, dry needling, taping, bracing as well as a specific exercise program to provide better muscle balance as well as strength and endurance to key muscle groups for a long term solution. We can also give ergonomic advice to help improve your posture in the work place as well as at home.


Baltimore, Maryland – A criminal complaint has been filed charging Harold Thomas Martin III, age 51, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, with theft of government property and unauthorized removal and retention of classified materials by a government employee or contractor. According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Martin was a contractor with the federal government and had a top secret national security clearance. Martin was arrested late on August 27, 2016. The complaint was filed on August 29, 2016, and unsealed today.
The criminal complaint was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin; and Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.
The documents have been reviewed by a person designated as an original classification authority, and in each instance, the authority has determined that the documents are currently and properly classified as Top Secret, meaning that unauthorized disclosure reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security of the United States.
If convicted, Martin faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison for the unauthorized removal and retention of classified materials, and ten years in prison for theft of government property. An initial appearance was held for Martin in U.S. District Court in Baltimore on August 29, 2016. Martin remains detained. A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI for its work in the investigation and thanked the Maryland State Police for its assistance. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary A. Myers, Harvey E. Eisenberg and Trial Attorney David Aaron of the Justice Department's National Security Division, who are prosecuting the case.


A braided shoulder strap and zip-pull ties punctuate this beautifully slouched bag with artful appeal. Crafted from rich pebbled leather, this spacious zip-top style is a luxurious wardrobe staple with staying power. Carry it with tailored or off-duty looks for a refined finish.


The supreme courts in Scotland are divided into the Court of Session (civil) and the High Court of Justiciary (criminal). The National Records of Scotland (NRS) accepts records from both of these institutions according to agreed schedules.
The NRS accepts annual transmissions of Court of Session processes after they are 5 years old. For a complete listing of record types, read the provisional Court of Session schedule (PDF 102KB). We receive Court of Session transmission in February and Court staff must prepare the material in accordance with the agreed schedule, ensuring that processes are boxed, using boxes which meet the NRS box specification or else have been approved by NRS Conservation Services Branch. The boxes should be labelled, easily accessible and ready for uplift. Appropriate finding aids, preferably in an electronic form, must accompany each transmission. For records and indexes which are born digital or exclusively held in an electronic form read the NRS guidance on electronic records.
The NRS accepts annual transmissions of High Court records after they are 10 years old. We receive High Court transmissions in April, which is the start of each financial year. Court staff must prepare the material in accordance with the agreed schedule, ensuring that processes are boxed, preferably to archive standards (using boxes which meet the NRS box specification), labelled, easily accessible and ready for uplift by NRS staff. Appropriate finding aids, preferably in an electronic form, must accompany each transmission.
Prior to the transmission of any records to the NRS, the High Court of Justiciary record keeper should complete the relevant online transmission form (PDF 23KB) describing the quantities, format and appropriate metreage or shelf space of the records being transmitted.


Landmarks such as Table Mountain and Egypt's pyramids are pretty much universally recognised, but what about Nigeria's Giant Footprint of Ukhuse Oke, Kenya's Uhuru Park, Rwanda's Nyungwe Forest and the likes?
As hard to believe as it is, more than 80% of Africans don't know the major tourist attractions of their own countries. And while Nigeria generates the majority of Africa's outbound tourists; Kenya rates among the top African countries looking to develop tourism; and Rwanda's capital Kigali is the most attractive city in Eastern Africa, most African countries still lack the competitive tools to support growth and competition in tourism at global market levels.
According to an ETN Global Travel Industry News report, part of the solution lies in countries establishing intra-Africa travel packages that will attract tourists from within the continent. Moves by governments towards making travel within the continent easier for Africans (ie open skies) will also prove beneficial.


Writing a budget is something they used to teach in high school, well before I made it to those hallowed halls. Along with shop and home economics classes, this life skill course went the way of the dodo in favor of teaching students how to regurgitate answers onto a standardized test. Don't even get me started on THAT topic. My point is that high school students are graduating with everything they need to go to college — and none of the skills that will actually serve them throughout their adult lives.
That's why I've decided to tackle the concept of budgeting, and how incredibly important it is. I'll walk you through the steps I followed to finally learn how to write a functioning budget for my household, as well as some tips and tricks that might help you along the way.
WTF Is a Budget Anyway?
Everyone has probably heard the term budget at least once in their lives, but what does it mean?
To put it simply, a budget is merely a map of your income and your expenses. You write down how much money you have coming in, then plan the money you'll be spending in the coming months.
Have you ever had a month where you were rolling change to buy groceries because you lived beyond your means? We've all been there at some point in our lives — mine was before I started my freelance writing career and we were a single-income household. At the time, it was just three of us — me, Hubby and my oldest daughter — but there's nothing more stressful than buying ramen noodles with the change you dug out of the couch cushions.
THAT is why budgeting is so important. By creating a detailed accounting of your income and expenditures, you can plan your spending so that you never have to worry about buying food with couch change again.
Now that you know why budgeting is so important, you might be wondering how to go about writing your first budget. I'll walk you through the eight steps I took.
The first step is probably the hardest — making that leap and figuring out you need to make a budget. In reality, most families could benefit from setting one up, but if you're living paycheck to paycheck or find yourself scrounging through those last days before payday, you NEED to sit down and write yourself a budget.
Write down all of your income sources, whether it's from a job, a side gig or child support and alimony. If you've got money coming in somehow, write it down. If your income varies from month to month like mine tends to do as a freelance writer, estimate as best you can.
Break out your bank statements and figure out where all your money is going. Some things — like utility bills, car payments, credit card balance and groceries — fall under the necessities category. Other things, like your morning Starbucks or eating lunch at the local bistro every day, are not as vital and might be areas where you can save money.
You're always going to be spending more money around Christmas, Halloween, birthdays and other holidays. If you've got kids like I do, you also need to budget for things like school clothes and supplies every August.
Why are you writing a budget? Are you just tired of living paycheck to paycheck? Maybe you're trying to eliminate your credit card debt or save up for a much larger goal like buying a house. Whatever it is, identify your savings goal and write it down.
Budgeting only works if everyone in the household is on board. Hubby and I have to be on the same page, or all my careful budgeting could be ruined by one night out with the guys. I love him dearly, but if he buys a few rounds for his friends, there goes our disposable income for the month.
There are so many budgeting apps and websites out there, so take advantage of them. Some use Facebook chat and have an interactive AI that can tell you if you can afford to purchase something and what your new budget will be after the purchase. Others give you the tools to track your income and expenditures more efficiently. While you're at it, automate your necessities. Most banks give you the option to set your bill pay on a schedule, and most companies offer an auto-draft or auto-pay option to help you keep your bills paid on time.
Finally, even if your income or expenditures don't change much, make sure you're reviewing your budget monthly. You might notice something in month three that could help you save money that you missed when you set up the budget.
Not Budgeting for Seasonal Expenditures: When my oldest started pre-k, I didn't have any wiggle room in my budget for new clothes or school supplies. I budgeted for everything else — Christmas, birthdays and even the occasional summer trip to the local zoo, but I forgot about school supplies. Cue the world's most epic facepalm.
Treating My Budget Like the Pirate Code: A budget is not like the Pirate Code. Treating it as a guideline or suggestion rather than a set of hard-and-fast rules will come back to bite you.
Budgets are useful tools, as long as you stick to them. It takes some practice, but it can help you break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle. Take the time to sit down and take a close look at your finances. You might be surprised where you can cut a few corners to save money in the long run, especially if you've got some big goals in mind.


text:
layout: post
title:  "What are some of the key concepts in Rails Review: TodoMVC 1?"
date:   2016-07-14 12:20:29 +0000
---

TodoMVC is an open source project that provides various implementations of a to-do app in several frameworks. Using a vanilla JavaScript example as a template, the objective is to re-build a modified version of the application using Rails and JavaScript.

Here are some of the main concepts presented in Part 1 of this lecture series.

## Asset Pipeline
Here, we integrate the CSS from the TodoMVC main template page (`index.css`) into our **Asset Pipeline** so that we have the base theme to work with. The CSS code is then pasted into a new file in `todomvc-base.css`. In the `application.css` file, entering the line `*= require 'todomvc-base'` will point to the `todomvc-base.css` file.

## Controller
Executing `rails generate resource list name` in Terminal stubs out a new **model** and **controller** for our *list* resource. We must then configure our router file, `config/routes.rb`, by adding the line `root 'lists#index'`. This routes the root of our website by creating a *lists* **controller** with an *index* **action**. The line `resources :lists` is automatically added to the file by our Rails generator, which auto-generates the seven RESTful routes of our *list* resource. In the **controller** file, `lists_controller.rb`, we define our *index* action. Here, Rails implicitly renders `lists/index`, where `lists` is the **controller** and `index` is the **action**.

```ruby
def index
  @list = List.new
  @lists = List.all
end
```

To create a *show* **action** for the **ListsController**, we add the following method:

```ruby
def show
  @list = List.find(params[:id])
end
```

Here, *List* is the ActiveRecord model, which reads the value of the **params** hash with the key of *id*. `:id` is what's known as a **route variable**, which identifies the primary key of the list to be loaded via the URL that is submitted by the user.

## form_for
In order to facilitate the process of creating forms in Rails (which can be quite tedious if done manually), we can use the **form_for** helper method to generate the forms for us. When used in conjunction with an instance of the ActiveRecord model, **form_for** provides a *form builder* (yielded to the block as |f|), which can generate input fields based on the object. In `index.html.erb`:

```ruby
<%= form_for(@list) do |f| %>
  <%= f.text_field :name, :class => "new-todo" %>
  <%= f.submit :style => "display: none" %>
<% end %>
```

Let's examine the following line in more detail: `<%= f.text_field :name, :class => "new-todo" %>`

If we were to examine the webpage in the browser, the line shown above would be represented (in HTML) as: `<input class="new-todo" type="text" name="list[name]" id="list_name">`. The *name* attribute is very important because it shows where in the **params** hash the user's input is stored. By convention, the value for our form fields can be accessed through `params[:list][:name]`.

## Mass Assignment & Strong Parameters
Using **mass assignment** in a Rails application can pose a serious security vulnerability. In order to thwart the possibility of a user trying to manipulate the form's data, we must sanitize the parameters and enable them to be explicitly assigned. This can be accomplished through **strong parameters**.

In order to implement **strong parameters** in a Rails app, it is conventional to define a *private method* at the bottom of the controller.

```ruby
def list_params
  params.require(:list).permit(:name)
end
```

The **params** hash *require*s a key called `:list`. Within that key, it also *permit*s a key called `:name`.

Now, to incorporate this method into our *create* action:

```ruby
def create
  @list = List.new(list_params)
  @list.name = params[:list][:name]
  @list.save

  redirect_to list_url(@list)
end
```

By passing in the sanitized version of the parameters, it ensures that outside visitors cannot change the data in the **params** hash.

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Applications are available online at the American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC) website. Detailed instructions for creating an account and beginning the application process are available by clicking t ... sign up for full scholarship deadline information.


text:
Q: How to call Linq Take() over base class IEnumerable? I'm trying: RandomBytes generates random bytes (so, it's enumerable). RandomNBytes is the same but N random bytes (it extends RandomBytes). So, code is:
class RandomBytes : IEnumerable<byte>, IEnumerable {
    public IEnumerator<byte> GetEnumerator() {
        var rnd = new Random();
        while (true) {
            yield return (byte)rnd.Next(0, 255);
        }
    }

    IEnumerator IEnumerable.GetEnumerator() {
        return this.GetEnumerator();
    }
}

class RandomNBytes : RandomBytes {
    readonly UInt64 Count;

    RandomNBytes (UInt64 count) {
        Count = count;
    }

    public new IEnumerator<byte> GetEnumerator() {
        return ((IEnumerable<byte>)base).Take(Count);
    }
}

But there is a problem with base, VC raises error: Use of keyword "base" is not valid in this context. How to call Take() over base-class enumerable?

A: I would do it like this:
public class RandomBytes : IEnumerable<byte>, IEnumerable
{
    public IEnumerator<byte> GetEnumerator()
    {
        //used null, but could also drop the nullable and just pass ulong.MaxValue into the method
        return GetEnumerator(null);
    }
    IEnumerator IEnumerable.GetEnumerator()
    {
        return this.GetEnumerator();
    }

    //extracted the "main" method to a seperate method that takes a count
    protected IEnumerator<byte> GetEnumerator(ulong? count)
    {
        //use ulong.MaxValue when null gets passed,
        //what ever you are doing with this code 18,446,744,073,709,551,615 iterations should be enough
        var c = count ?? ulong.MaxValue;

        var rnd = new Random();
        for (ulong i = 0; i < c; i++)
            yield return (byte)rnd.Next(0, 255);
    }
}

public class RandomNBytes : RandomBytes
{
    readonly ulong Count;

    public RandomNBytes(ulong count)
    {
        Count = count;
    }

    public new IEnumerator<byte> GetEnumerator()
    {
        return GetEnumerator(Count); //call the protected method
    }
}

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text:
Tag: Jenny Conlee
OFFA REX – The Queen Of Hearts (Nonesuch)
Born in Florence but raised in Oxford, Olivia Chaney's 2015 debut album following contributions to assorted collections and albums by Seth Lakeman and Alasdair Roberts earned her extensive praise and many fans. Not least among them being Colin Meloy of Portland indie rock Americana outfit The Decemberists who struck up a Twitter relationship that led to her supporting them on an American tour and, following assorted conversations about traditional English folk, the proposal that they be her answer to the Albion Dance Band.
Thus was born this project in which they reinterpret as collection of familiar (mostly) traditional British songs in a late 60s-early 70s folk rock vein. Rather inevitably, comparisons have been drawn to Steeleye Span and Denny-era Fairport, but another reference would be to another Denny-fronted outfit, Fotheringay.
Produced by Tucker Martine, the album opens with prominent harpsichord on 'The Queen Of Hearts', a number dating back to Charles II and variously recorded by Joan Baez, Martin Carthy (from whom they learned it) and Cyril Tawny, but here taking on a sort of courtly psychedelia sound, Chaney's echoey pure voice soaring over the guitar waves.
Another one from the Roud collection, 'Blackleg Miner', a controversial folk ballad in its support of violence against strikebreakers, is perhaps now forever associated with Steeleye Span, and with Meloy taking lead over a mandolin-led backing, this is a similarly muscular drums-driven version. Another Steeleye staple, 'Sheepcrook And Black Dog', a song of love gone cold and suicidal despair, gets an almost Zeppelin introduction with heavy guitar and drums in contrast to Chaney's light soaring vocals before it briefly shifts into a harmonium-backed passage only to plunge back into a psych rock stew of organ, fuzz guitar and electric piano.
It's in decided contrast to the earlier and far more gentle 'The Gardener', a Child ballad sometimes known as 'Proud Maisrie' about a haughty woman rebuffing the titular suitor with his promises of floral gowns, etched out here on fiddle and guitars or, indeed, a stunning minimalist interpretation of Ewan MacColl's meltingly lovely 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' on which Chaney backed by just a yearning drone.
Another much recorded traditional number, most memorably by June Tabor, 'Flash Company', a reflective song about the ruination of living the high life, actually puts me in mind of early 10,000 Maniacs and is one of the several highlights here, followed in turn by the ringing guitar arpeggios backing of 'Old Churchyard', Chaney's hymnal reading perhaps harking more to American folk traditions than British. However with its Morris tune, the brief instrumental interlude of 'Constant Billy/I'll Go Enlist', arranged by the band's accordionist, Jenny Conlee, brings things very much back to the English countryside.
Clocking in at seven and a half minutes, 'Willie O'Winsbury' is the song Meloy requested Chaney to record in that first tweet, an 18th century Scottish ballad in which, discovering he's daughter's become pregnant in his absence, confronts the man responsible, here Thomas, intending to have him hung, but, won over by his charm and looks, offers him both her, gold and land, the first of which he accepts, but, underlining his honest intentions, not the latter. First recorded in 1968 by Sweeney's Men and subsequently by the likes of Anne Briggs, John Renbourn and Fairport, the version here given a pastoral arrangement of fluttering acoustic guitar and harmonium with Chaney's singing a perfect complement.
Only a minute shorter, things hark back to Steeleye electric folk rock with the steady beat and harmonium drizzled 'Bonny May', otherwise known as 'The Broom of Cowdenknowes', here adopting the version recorded by June Tabor that essentially about the rape of a shepherdess by a passing aristocrat and her subsequent pregnancy, though, atypically, it has a happy ending with him returning and taken mother and child off with him.
It closes with a Lal Waterson song, Meloy again on keening lead with Chaney duetting for a resonant ringing acoustic guitar and drums treatment of 'To Make You Stay' that, with extended instrumental passages, actually ends things on an early Decemberists note. Whether this is just a one-off remains to be seen, but if nothing else is certainly going to introduce Chaney to a whole bigger audience, which can't be a bad thing for either of them.
Artists' website: http://www.offarex.co/
'The Queen Of Hearts':
Posted on July 23, 2017 January 28, 2019 Author EditorCategories CD Reviews, VideoTags Colin Meloy, Jenny Conlee, Mike Davies, Offa Rex, Olivia Chaney, The Decemberists, The Queen Of Hearts, Tucker Martine


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The ISPA Management Team and Technical Advisors
Robert Sendoh, CEO and Chairman
Robert has been involved with ISPA in Canada for over 26 years. He is an avid sailor who has sailed over 100,000 miles worldwide including Canada, Japan, Croatia, England, France, the Caribbean, Cuba, South Pacific, and many more countries. Robert has more than 25 years of experience in the sailing industry. He holds a Bachelor of Economics from Meiji University in Japan.
Robert founded ISPA Japan in 2001. ISPA Japan is a non-profit organization providing training programs for sailboat and powerboat operators. During his tenure at ISPA Japan, Robert has contributed to opening numerous ISPA affiliated sailing schools and colleges throughout Japan. ISPA Japan is now one of the leading boating organizations in Japan.
Robert is the author of ISPA's Tall Ship Workbook, and program editor of ISPA Young Mariner Program. He was also formerly a Canadian Yacht Association (CYA) instructor and one of the early stage directors of International Sail and Power Association Canada (ISPA), which commenced operations in 1994.
Robert's previous roles include Senior Management in an award-winning real estate development company, committee member of Economic Research Group funded by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, co-founder and Director of IT start-up company in which Robert authored a network encryption system, and a Principal of the Montessori education centre in Japan..
His passion for sailing and education has led him to dedicate himself to establishing sail training programs. Robert believes that sail training can bring together the young generation regardless of their ethnic, religious, and social background. Robert has masterminded ISPA's Young Mariner's Tall Ship/Keel Boat Program, a social contribution program aimed at identifying and training future leader candidates with the self-awareness responsible for the future of planet Earth. The program brings together young future leaders from Australia and Japan.
Robert raised awareness that sail training can be used to bring about a worldview to the next generation, and it is an excellent method of leadership training. He succeeded in bringing awareness of the program and obtained support from various governmental bodies, including the Australian embassy. His effort resulted in great recognition – ISPA is now accepted as the official member of Sail Training International (STI), a Nobel Peace Prize nominee organization in the UK.
Christian Stobbe, Managing Director
Christian Stobbe joined ISPA following 15+ years of experience teaching and advocating for children of all ages in Canada. His passion is in community contribution through youth education. Christian has considerable experience internationally and is an advocate of equality. Christian has been operating ISPA as the Managing Director since 2018. He is involved in all aspects of the company's operations.
Christian is an accomplished musician, wine collector, and avid chef.
Paul Brock, Chief Operating Officer
Paul Brock has extensive business management and consulting experience in a range of business sectors and regions around the world. He has been involved primarily in small and medium sized enterprise management, strategy, planning, and funding. Paul has launched or been directly involved with the launch of 12 companies.
Paul has been a professional Director accredited by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) and has served as a director of a half dozen public companies. Paul is a graduate of the British Columbia Institute of Technology's Robotics and Automation Technology Program, and Simon Fraser University's Executive Management Development Program. He has been a professional Applied Science Technologist accredited by the professional association of the Applied Science Technologists of BC.
In 1988 Paul co-founded VendTek Industries which he operated until 2005 with three other partners. VendTek initially developed electronic vending systems for lottery tickets, transit passes and prepaid telecommunications products. Later the company developed electronic distribution systems for prepaid and financial services using retail POS terminals. As CEO of VendTek Paul has operated in the UK, Singapore, China, Abu Dhabi, Central America, the Caribbean and throughout the United States.
From 2000 to 2015 Paul spent most of his time in China developing business opportunities throughout Asia. He has studied Chinese and learned to speak and read/write Mandarin at a basic level. He has extensive business and cultural experience in China having travelled to over 30 cities throughout the country. He has spent considerable time visiting and evaluating businesses for investment in China. During that time, he also did business in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Dr. Mamoru Tomozane, Technical Advisor and Managing Director, Asia (Japan)
Mamoru is a former director at Intel Japan who brings vast experience in the promotion and business coordination for ISPA. He was essential for ISPA Japan to expand the programs in particular for the Young Mariner Program in coordination with multiple organizations domestically and internationally. He is also a certified ISPA instructor who's often seen around Tokyo and Sagami Bay on his 32 feet sailboat.
Mamoru is a Dr. of Engineering in Materials Science from the University of Tsukuba. He has extensive international IT related experience with semiconductor companies including Intel, Gennum, Motorola and Freescale.
Emil Tomašević, Technical Advisor (Croatia)
Emil has been sailing since 1974 and has represented Croatia in numerous inshore, offshore and international competitions including Finn Gold Cups (Worlds) in Finn class representing Croatia. He is twice a national champion in Laser class, and once national champion in Finn class. Emil was a merchant navy deck officer from 1987 to 1994. He served as professor of sailing and seamen skills at Split University of Sea Traffic from 1996 to 2003. Since 2011 Emil has specialized in single handed sailing and in 2015 participated in the legendary Figaro solo racing series in France, Bay of Biscay.
Emil is the Founder and CEO of Ultra Sailing group of companies which are developing commercial activity including sailing schools, sailing boat chartering and related activities since 1995. Ultra is now one of the leading recreational boating companies in Croatia with more than 35 employees and 70 boats in its portfolio.
Ultra offers an array of products and services connected with sailing and navigation as well as representing international brands including Beneteau and Fountaine Pajot.
Keith Brock, Technical Advisor (Canada)
ISPA Japan
ISPA Japan is a non-profit organization, established in 2001, providing training programs for sailboat and powerboat operators. The current directors of ISPA Japan include:
Mr. Ichiro Zama, Executive Chairman TBWA HAKUHODO (ISPA Instructor).
Dr. Hidehiko Asanuma, Scientist, Researcher at the Max Planck Institute / Humboldt Fellow (ISPA Instructor).
Mr. Shuji Nakamura, Managing director of Mitsubishi Institute.
Mr. Hiroyuki Minamiyama, Executive director of Corporate Identity Council of Japan, President of AXHUM LIPPINCOTT.
Mr. Gozo Okada, Famous sailor, First Japanese sailor to attend the single-handed trans-pacific race (ISPA Instructor).
Ms. Ibuki Tsuchiya; International Business Consultant.
Mr. Yasufumi Murase; Former chairman of Onomichi Maritime Institute (ISPA Instructor).
Mr. Tomohisa Ohara; Captain and senior officer of Tall Ship " MIRAIE" (ISPA Instructor).