Finding discount airline flights to South Africa is no easy task. To make this task simpler, we carry out a daily airfare search to provide you with the latest flight deals and special airfare offers for South Africa. Whether you are traveling for a weekend business trip, a short city break or a long relaxing holiday, you will find the cheapest South Africa flights. While we opt for the cheapest airfares, we also select sponsors and airlines that offer the most direct flight routes, ensuring your comfort at all times. I always spent my half an hour to read this webpage's articles or reviews every day along with a cup of coffee. I always use Happy Smile teeth whitening kits from they are excellent and this dental company also supports good causes. The dental products from them are dentist branded tooth whitening systems and the products are all very highly reviewed. They supply a range of teeth whitening systems and dental trays. I always used to read paragraph in news papers but now as I am a user of web therefore from now I am using net for content, thanks to web.
I always used to study piece of writing in news papers but now as I am a user of web therefore from now I am using net for content, thanks to web. I alwaysconstantlyevery time spent my half an hour to read this blogweblogwebpagewebsiteweb site's articlespostsarticles or reviewscontent everydaydailyevery dayall the time along with a cupmug of coffee. I am 41 & watch your show regularly. Can I say someone like Hilary Devy is too old & is a very rare breed.
I am (for my sins) a smoker, tea and red wine drinker and the stains on my front teeth were really bad, so bad i wouldn't smile or look at people when i spoke to them. I am 46 at moment will laser hair removal stop these from appearing or does it only work with hair present at moment. i am now on my third 4 week dose of rituximab,as i relapsed over christmas,spent new year having a blood transfusion.
I am a 76 yr female. Diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome,Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia, Severe Neuropathy and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Have been RBC transfusion dependent since 2003 (2 units/mo). RBC transfusions becoming difficult because of autoantibodies making it difficult to find compatible blood. I am a dental hygienist and have many expat patients that only get their dental treatment done in their place of origin. I just clean their teeth every 6 months. I am a dental professional who does not now practise tooth whitening and therefore has no vested interest in the procedure.
I am a fan of This Week but it is about time Andrew Neil gave up on his increasingly poor attempts at humourous introductions to the programme. It his reached the stage where sometimes he can barely be understood. He is a hard-hitting presenter/journalist; cheap and corny gags do not become him. I am a hacker, and this is my manifesto. You may stop this individual, but you can't stop us all… after all, we're all alike. I am also looking for natural sponges, non-plastic commodity bags and many other examples to avoid bin waste.
I am a freelance photographer working in the industry for the past 13 years. I specialize in Corporate portraiture, Photoshop, Studio photography, Industrial photography, Publicity and public relations photography. I also edit writing and write books and articles. I am a high school student with my certifications in Microsoft Excel 2013, Microsoft PowerPoint 2013, Microsoft Word 2013, Microsoft Access 2013 , and Adobe Photoshop CS6. I plan on using money I earn to help towards my college tuition.
I am a mostly self taught photographer, with military journalism training and experience. I prefer the photographic side of journalism but can also write if need be. I am a new business owed, new to the world of editing. I am ready to learn, grow and own my craft. Would love to have all the tools" I can get! I am a Physical Engineering, I work with technology and I am looking for freelancer jobs to increase my budged.
I am a professional Media Specialist with 17 years of experience, specializing in Photography & Video mediums, as well as Graphic Designing. I currently work for a government agency in the above capacity. I am a redhead/strawberry blonde so I might give that shampoo a try as the grey hairs are coming in faster lately. Thanks for putting that info out there! I am a regular this week follower, drawn in by my admiration of Michael Portillo in recent years and so I hesitate to seem critical. I am actually grateful to the holder of this web site who has shared this great piece of writing at at this place.
I am a regular watcher of the programme but I have to say that after tonight, i will probably never watch it again. What a load of absolute garbage. I am a retired engineer and an avid reader of your column. I want to relate how I have been duped in a deal made through the telephone on an item advertised on TV. I am a veteran dental patient with a very experienced set of teeth so which know when they are getting good attention. I inherited Dr. Warren when my previous dentist retired and I have been very happy with her care. Tom S.
I am a smoker and drink a lot of coffee, I brush my teeth then mix a VERY SMALL amount of powder bleach peroxide with cheap teeth bleach (the gel that costs like 2) then leave it on for ten mins. I also use a sheet of kitchen roll rolled up in a thin line to protect my gums else your just asking for gum damage! I am a student at dental is my last year and I intend to write my diploma work from these…what are the advantages (I just bought an iPad for this) and how helps technology the communication between patient and doctor. I am actually delighted to read this web site posts which contains plenty of useful facts, thanks for providing these data.
I am a writer/musician and hopeless entertainment addict. I could talk your ear off all day about my vast (albeit completely useless) knowledge of pro-wrestling and then argue with you how the characters in LOST were more important than the plot itself. Yeah I'm that guy. Follow me on twitter @IAMJoshFoster. I am actually grateful to the holder of this website who has shared this great piece of writing at at this time. I am actually happy to glance at this web site posts which carries tons of useful data, thanks for providing these statistics. I am actually thankful to the holder of this web site who has shared this fantastic paragraph at here.
I am actually pleased to read this weblog posts which includes tons of useful information, thanks for providing such information. I am also in Canada (Toronto) and have asked at a couple of Wal-marts and the sales associate looked at me like I was crazy. I am also menopausal and that is where it came from, I am so hoping that when I get through the menopause this will subside. Like women dont have enough to deal with menopause. I am assuming that he learned this trick by flying regularly on Ryannair but nevertheless we need to know how he does it – it is obsessing us!
I am an extremely healthy person but for this 11 month nightmare with BMS. Like many of you I have tried everything just to rule out any auto immune diseases. I am just coming to believe that I may have to learn to live with this which is depressing. I am aware I did so, to only playing this game and in fact I focused a lot of the day. Infact, you must put in a second disc merely to get the information. I am brand-new to blogging and actually enjoyed your website. I am going to bookmark your blog and keep checking you out. Thanks for sharing your web site.


Source: In: Swank, Wayne T.; Webster, Jackson R., comps., eds. Long-term response of a forest watershed ecosystem. Clearcutting in the southern Appalachian. Oxford University Press: 229-247.
The history of forests and logging in North America provides a back drop for our study of Watershed (WS) 7. Prior to European settlement, potentially commercial forests covered approximately 45% of North America, but not all of it was the pristine, ancient forest that some have imagined. Prior to 1492, Native Americans had extensive settlements throughout eastern North America, but to European settlers, the area was a wilderness. It was described by early settlers as "repugnant, forbidding, and repulsive….The forest were wild areas, alien to man and in need of felling, firing, grazing, and cultivating so that they could become civilized abodes". Across North America, forests were cleared for agriculture and forest products, primarily lumber and fuel. First in the Northeast, then the Midwest, the Great Lakes region, the Southeast, and the Pacific Northwest, forest were cleared, with little regard for future forest values. Forests were viewed as an inexhaustible natural resource, and large logging companies would "cut and run" to the next tract in the forest. By the mid-nineteenth century, commercial forest land in the United States had been reduced to about half its original area. In the southern Appalachian region, almost 90% of the forests were cut; and many of these areas were burned by the turn of the century. In the later nineteenth century, George Perkins Marsh, Frederic Starr, and others began to raise concerns about extensive forest loss. Scientist such as Bernhard Fernow and Gilford Pinchot began the era of forest management in the United States. As a result of improved forest management in the United States. As a result of improved forest management, decline demand for forest products (especially fuel), fire suppression, and agricultural land abandonment the area of forest land began to increase. "Regrowth can be seen everywhere, and one is struck by the robustness of the forest". The resilience of American forest is especially evident in the southern Appalachians. For example, there was a 38% increase in wood volume in the forests of the southern Appalachian region of North Carolina between 1984 and 2006, with no change in forest area.
Citation: Webster, Jackson, R.; Swank, Wayne T.; Vose, James M.; Knoepp, Jennifer D.; Elliott, Katherine J. 2014. Bridging the gap between ecosystem theory and forest watershed management. In: Swank, Wayne T.; Webster, Jackson R., comps., eds. Long-term response of a forest watershed ecosystem. Clearcutting in the southern Appalachian. Oxford University Press: 229-247.


Video poker is one of the best ways to make a living in a casino. That may seem impossible to the average person that only gives action to small casinos or the Las Vegas Strip. There are thousands of advantage gamblers in the world that make enough to support them from video poker play.
Learning the basic strategy of any video poker game that returns at or near 100% is the first step in making a living playing video poker. Our video poker section shows the best play for the types of five-card hands that are dealt in video poker. It is imperative that you not use these plays on machines that do not offer full-pay tables. Some of the moves will change if a full house or flush pay lower than the 100% games.
It is one thing to know how to play. Most casinos do not offer 100% games, and when they do, they are usually for VP games that are tougher to learn. It is nearly impossible to find one on the Las Vegas Strip. A couple of Atlantic City and California casinos offer these. Check out VPFree2.com to find out if the casino that you are visiting offers good video poker pay tables. If they do not, you should not expect to win unless you get lucky.
The Las Vegas locals market is the best place for quality video poker in the world. There are more than 100 video poker machines in Lad Vegas where the pay table returns more than 100% when five coins are wagered. Some games, like 10/7/5 Double Bonus and 10/6 Double Double Bonus, are offered in denominations as high as $1. Full pay Deuces Wild and Joker Poker are common up to the $.25 denomination. These machines also add 0.05% to 0.1% in cash back on the play when a rewards card is used.
It is possible to get mailers with more free play if you give a little action to other games on a visit. This is known as cover play and may help keep you from getting backed off. This type of play can generate offers that may otherwise be withheld.
The cash back is just a sliver of the overall return that can be added to video poker. Expert players know there are promotions that can return far more than a small fraction of a percent.
Many casinos offer point multiplier days. Players that pay attention to mailers or log into players club sites will see special days where more points are awarded. This can be anywhere from three times to 10 times the normal amount. The catch on point multiplier days is that they normally do not apply to the games that return more than 100%. Point multipliers do apply to games that return just under 100%. The goal for the video poker advantage player is to find a game like 9/6 Bonus Poker Deluxe at a Boyd Gaming property or Triple Bonus Plus and Not-So-Ugly-Deuces at a Station Casinos' resort.
The points can be converted into comps at Boyd at full price or free play at two-thirds the value. Station Casinos points are redeemable for cash back. This requires a visit to the Boarding Pass players center. Free play may be claimed directly on the machine, except for the 100% games.
Some casinos hold drawings based on the level of play during the promotions period. This can be a few hours, a full day, or a week. Every so many points receive one ticket into a drawing with these promotions. Winners can receive free slot play, cash or big prizes like a car. Another form of promotion along these lines is hot seats. That is where an active player is declared a winner from the promotions system. These types of drawings are typically awarded every 15, 30 or 60 minutes.
These types of drawings and hot seat promotions are more common at smaller casinos. The problem is that sometimes there are few or no video poker games worth playing. Video table games are often a great alternative at casinos without quality video poker. Those devices often participate in promotions.
Progressive jackpots are one of the better ways to advantage play video poker in markets where there are no full pay machines. Casinos in remote areas with little or no competition often offer progressive jackpots on a royal flush to entice players to give action to machines that are otherwise give poor returns. These do not always hit when they should and can run up well into positive expectation, especially when combined with other promotions. These can be few and far between.
A 7/5 Bonus Poker game with a progressive would require a royal flush progressive of just over $2,000 to return more than 100%. The same goes for 9/6/5 Double Bonus and 9/5 Double Double Bonus. These are the most common progressive jackpot games. Keep in mind that any jackpot of $1,200 or higher will generate a W2G tax form.
It was much easier for an advantage player to make a living during the 1990's. That is because the pay tables nearly all returned more than 99% during that era. The reason for this is because sites like Wizard of Odds did not exist. Players had to learn video poker strategy on their own without the help of experts and computer programs.
Some casinos still offer these machines from decades ago. Many are found in Las Vegas. Downtown casinos like Plaza, Main Street Station, Fremont, California and El Cortez spread coins from nickels to dollars. Locals' casinos like Jerry's Nugget, Poker Palace, Sam's Town and Railroad Pass also have coin games with great pay tables.


The one and only gypsy jazz band in Bali. Founded by a young guitarist from Bali, Gatot Yudiantoro in 2012.
They play traditional Gypsy Jazz music, better known as gypsy manouche, as well classic Jazz standards interpreted with the gypsy swing rhythm. They also play a number of their own compositions, written with the authentic characteristics of the manouche style.
Originally consist of two acoustic guitars and double bass, now has grown with the addition of new instruments such as violin, clarinet and also chromatic harmonica to enrich and slightly modernize their sound.
Their performance can be arrange in trio, quartet, quintet or the full six formation.


text:
From Cockney to the Queen
Help us understand how people speak across London and Southeast England
In recent years, the demographics and accents found across London and Southeast England have changed dramatically. Typically, accents across the Southeast have been described as ranging from the lowest-class accent, Cockney, to the highest class, "Queen's English" (RP). In recent years, what we think of as a "Cockney" accent may have changed. High rates of ethnic and linguistic diversity have led to Multicultural London English (MLE) emerging in parts of London. In this project, contributors will listen to audio clips of young people from across London and Southeast England and will try to identify the speakers' class and ethnicity based solely on their accents. They will also provide us with detailed descriptions of the different groups of people and accents that can be found across Southeast England. Responses will be used in research exploring language variation and change in Southeast England and tracking where Cockney accents are most found in modern times.
University of Essex Languages and Linguistics

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Improved defaults for "Similarity" used in Solr, in order to provide better default experience for new users.
Improved "Similarity" defaults for users upgrading: DefaultSimilarityFactory has been removed, implicit default Similarity has been changed to SchemaSimilarityFactory, and SchemaSimilarityFactory has been modified to use BM25Similarity as the default for field types that do not explicitly declare a Similarity.
Deprecated GET methods for schema are now accessible through the bulk API. The output has less details and is not backward compatible.
Users should set useDocValuesAsStored="false" to preserve sort order on multi-valued fields that have both stored="true" and docValues="true".
Formatted date-times are more consistent with ISO-8601. BC dates are now better supported since they are now formatted with a leading '-'. AD years after 9999 have a leading '+'. Parse exceptions have been improved.
Deprecated SolrServer and subclasses have been removed, use SolrClient instead.
The deprecated <nrtMode> configuration in solrconfig.xml has been removed. Users must remove it from solrconfig.xml.
SolrClient.shutdown() has been removed, use SolrClient.close() instead.
The deprecated zkCredientialsProvider element in solrcloud section of solr.xml is now removed. Use the correct spelling (zkCredentialsProvider) instead.
Added support for executing Parallel SQL queries across SolrCloud collections. Includes StreamExpression support and a new JDBC Driver for the SQL Interface.
New features and capabilities added to the streaming API.
Added support for SELECT DISTINCT queries to the SQL interface.
New GraphQuery to enable graph traversal as a query operator.
New support for Cross Data Center Replication consisting of active/passive replication for separate SolrClouds hosted in separate data centers.
Filter support added to Real-time get.
Column alias support added to the Parallel SQL Interface.
New command added to switch between non/secure mode in zookeeper.
Now possible to use IP fragments in replica placement rules.


text:
1st Look: 'The Man Who Killed Hitler And Then The Bigfoot'
by Gary DaBaum | Jan 18, 2019 | Movies / Video / Theater, Trailer Park | 0 comments
Well, that is an interesting title, and an impressive trailer to boot.
Pause the SCIFI.radio stream using the controller at the upper right before you watch this.
The Man Who Killed Hitler And Then The Bigfoot tells the story of Calvin Barr, a World War II veteran, who has carried a secret since the war. Calvin was the man who assassinated Adolph Hitler. Now, decades later, Calvin is called upon once again by the government for another top secret mission. Bigfoot has been living in the Canadian wilderness, carrying a deadly disease that's quickly spreading to the general population, and Calvin, using the same skills he learned during World War II, must kill the mythical creature, and save the world.
When reading the title, and the premise, you would expect a typical B-movie, tongue in cheek type film. As it turns out, this film is nowhere near that description. The film's main focus is not the genre aspect of the story, but the affects of aging to the character of Barr, and his coming to terms with his age.
Legendary actor Sam Elliott plays Calvin Barr who, despite his age, is able to stand on his own against a few local thugs. Aidan Quinn (Kili from The Hobbit films) plays Calvin during World War II, as we witness the moments leading up to Hitler's assassination. Caitlin Fitzgerald plays Maxine, Barr's love interest during the war. Larry Miller plays Ed, the local barber and friend to the elder Barr. Ron Livingston plays Flag Pin, the government agent who recruits Barr to hunt down Bigfoot. Robert D. Krzykowski makes his feature length directorial debut with this film. Academy Award winner Douglas Trumbull created the special effects for the film.
The film had it's world premiere last July at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal. Since that premiere, it has been shown at other festivals on the circuit, and has met with approval from critics. It currently holds an 85% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
While this film may not be a full genre film that we are used to reporting here on the SCIFI.radio website, the premise is quite interesting, not to mention having an impressive cast. We will get our chance to see this film soon. It's set to be released in select theaters, as well as on demand platforms on February 8, 2019. In the meantime, enjoy the trailer above, and the poster below.
Gary DaBaum, On Air Personality, Writer, and all around Nice Guy, wonders how soon after Rory Williams locked Hitler in the closet did he get killed by Calvin?
Gary DaBaum
Gary DaBaum, SCIFI.radio DJ, writer, and all around nice guy, can be heard on SCIFI.radio. He's also on Twitter: @GaryDaBaum.


clotheshorse made of aluminum; 2 x 2.4m poles; hand-cycled lift.ceilling mounted and wall mounted.
Guangzhou Hanrong Housewares & Furnishings Co. Ltd.
Maple Wooden Hanger for Shirt 1.Size:445*12*230mm2.Material:maple wood3.Quality standard:Grade A4.Certificate:BSCI,FSC5.
Multi purpose laundry basket. High quality. Stackable product. Contact us for further details.


Logo 300-5 a floor lamp made of stell and aluminium.
Logo 300-5 is a floor lamp with steel base and aluminium arms. Available black or silver-grey. Also avilable with silver-grey base and joint and chromed arms.
Light source: LINEAR HALOGEN 114 mm, 250 W, R7S, QT-DE.


text:
Kyle Ayuba
DesignerLondon, United Kingdom
LevelMid Level
Designer with proven international experience & a First Class degree in Graphic Communication. I create various formats in visual communication with key skills as followed: Social Media Branding: - Instagram Stories - Instagram Posts Digital Web Graphics: - Marketing Banners - Marketing Emails Editorial Design: - Pitch Decks - Articles - Billboard Designs Motion Design: - After Effects - Premiere Pro - Cinema 4D
Hey Guys, Does anyone know where I can learn to screen print my designs on Tees/Jumpers?
5 months ago4 replies
Hi Guys, Like to share my submission for the YoungThugxAdobe contest. If you like what you see, I love to invite you to vote for my piece.
Hi, a client of mine is looking for a junior - middleweight web designer to help finish off their website launch. This is paid work.
2 years ago7 replies
Love Always Wins - Part 3Love Always Wins is an art series champion Jadon Sancho & Bukayo Saka in response to July 11th euro 2021 final. Euro final showed that black British players can only prove their worth by constantly performing twice as hard on the football pitch, just to be considered equal. If they fail to deliver, for either club or country, they become potential victims of racial abuse. However, it also brought immense love to the nation as individuals from all races united in support of the whole team. Thi
On RunningA 6-month assignment in Zurich Switzerland, as a junior graphic designer, I presented this business case which won myself the opportunity to work with one of the break out global startups, On Running. On set out in 2010 with a big ambition: to change the world of running. In the nine years since, On has been embraced into the hearts, and onto the feet, of more than seven million runners in over 50 countries. Project: Cloudswift 'Running Remix' campaign Work: Print & digital design
The KuspAs a freelance graphic designer, my role was to create a visual brand campaign for The Kusp 'Join_The_Tribe' launch. This campaign purpose was shedding a spotlight on creatives that 'break the mould' by achieving great skill despite their obstacles. The Kusp provides a gateway for diverse creatives from underrepresented and marginalised communities to excel within the fashion, film & television industries. Project: 'Join_The_Tribe' social media campaign Work: Digital design
James Harden | He's coming to LDNI had the privilege to be apart of the midnight club partnership with Adidas campaign for NBA Star James Harden promoting his visit to London on July 9th. In the promo is a compilation of Londoners reacting to the visit as well major stars such as David Beckham, Pusha Tee, Karlie Kloss and James Harden
Brand IdentityInitial typeface of 'Kyle Ayuba' is minimal & flat, to develop this I wanted to re-create the form with more density and life. My personal brand identity is inspired by the geometric structures of a typeface called circular pro, I used the divine portion (Golden Section) grid system for the construction of my logo to guide my composition and help improve the communication of the design.
Celebration Of Culture | D&AD (2018)LondonIsOpen is a campaign that communicates a sense of community, diversity and inclusion. These factors are what I wanted to communicate within this live brief. The community of London is built from various cultural backgrounds yet, we can restrict ourselves and remain in shadows as we feel we don't belong. The campaign's aim is to challenge political decisions that divide us through 'Brexit'. As individuals, we are all responsible for inspiring positive changes within our communities that uni
Home for diverse creatives in fashion and film & televisionWe're passionate about seeing diversity within the creative industries. More specifically within the fashion and film & television industry. The Kusp is a gateway for the next generation of diverse creatives from underrepresented and underprivileged backgrounds to excel within their chosen field. We host intimate masterclasses with some of the best in their respective industry, have a growing digital community with tailored content and a membership offer for our creatives which give exclusive
Street Photography London.I enjoyed this project of going round London capturing street photography. it was a Collaboration project where I took street and city block
Join The TribeTo supplement the much-anticipated launch of The Kusp - a creative social enterprise for diverse creatives within the fashion and film & television industry - we ideated, planned and delivered a social media campaign with the purpose of shedding a spotlight on creatives that 'break the mould' by achieving great feats despite their obstacles. In addition, it creates an awareness of the type of creatives we have or welcome to our community. Assets were featured on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
DesignerWieden+Kennedy
Jan 2022 London, United Kingdom
Juniour Graphic DesignerOn Running
Sep 2019 - Mar 2020 Zürich, SwitzerlandInternship
From small beginnings in Zürich, Switzerland, On set out in 2010 with a big ambition: to change the world of running. In the nine years since, On has been embraced into the hearts, and onto the feet, of more than seven million runners in over 50 countries. And there's no sign of slowing down... Job Responsibilities: - - Creation of On's social media assets based on campaign concepts. - Creation of print campaign assets. - Brainstorms with the team over campaigns. - Adaptation and creation of event print material. - Retouching different digital outputs like photos, newsletters and digital campaign.
Editoral Design
Graphic CommunicationUniversity for the Creative Arts
Sep 2015 - Jun 2019 Farnham, United Kingdom
University for the Creative Arts is publicly stated by 'The Times' as Modern University of the year and is the No1 specialist arts school in the UK. Studying Graphic Communication (BA Hons) at this institution I was able to recognise this first hand. The course structures students to learn the technical and conceptual skills that will give you a solid platform for you to engage various disciplines within Graphic Design. Later throughout the course, you begin to use the primitive teachings for your own way of working, including areas such as motion design/graphics, art direction, editorial design and branding. You're then encouraged to develop your skill set within a specialism of your chosen, this is carried out within your Final Major Project (FMP). The FMP will consider you to thrive on a greater level of independence as you self-manage your research, study and practice.


On Tuesday, eBay shareholders asked eBay CEO John Donahoe questions regarding the state of the online retailer at a shareholders meeting in San Jose. Some questions addressed topics such as Amazon, an unpopular seller policy, and bitcoin.
The meeting started off with the shareholders voting to re-elect four board members, one of whom was Donahoe himself. Other acts that took place at the meeting included approving an amendment and the restating of the 2008 Equity Incentive Award Plan.
Donahoe announced 2013s financial results and the company's guidelines. He presented a slideshow of Paypal and eBay which explained why the two companies go so well together.
eBay definitely has an open mind for ways they can implement digital currencies on their site. In March, it was discovered that the company had filed a patent application for a bitcoin currency exchanger.
Then in April, the company added a virtual currency section to its site, allowing for bitcoin and dogecoin trading.
If eBay finally does what many bitcoin enthusiasts are waiting for it to do, then bitcoin will attain the mainstream popularity it has been looking for.


For C-star 2018, the organizer is offering you a special service. A Press Materials Corner will be set up in the Press Center where you can display up to 100 free copies of your trade magazine or leaflet. The corner will allow you to present your publications directly to your target group of international trade visitors.
Retail industrial media and popular media.
Free of charge, 300 free copies of your trade magazine or leaflet.
Where will the media information be sent?


I previously discussed our view that in general, further economic development and general human empowerment are likely to be substantially net positive, and are likely to lead to improvement on many dimensions in unexpected ways. In my view, the most worrying counterpoint to this view is the possibility of global catastrophic risks. Broadly speaking, while increasing interconnectedness and power over our environment seem to have many good consequences, these things may also put us at greater risk for a major catastrophe - one that affects the entire world (or a large portion of it) and threatens to reverse, halt, or substantially slow the ongoing global progress in living standards.
This post lists the most worrying global catastrophic risks that I'm aware of, and briefly discusses the role that further technological and economic development could play in exacerbating - or mitigating - them. A future post will discuss how I think about the overall contribution of economic/technological development to exacerbating/mitigating global catastrophic risks in general (including risks that aren't salient today). The purpose of this post is to (a) continue fleshing out the broad view that further economic development and general human empowerment are likely to be substantially net positive, which is one of the deep value judgments and worldview characteristics underlying our approach to giving recommendations; (b) catalogue some possible candidates for philanthropic focus areas (under the theory that major global catastrophic risks are potentially promising areas for philanthropy to address).
Possible global catastrophic risks that I'm aware ofI consider the following to be the most worrying possibilities I'm aware of for reversing, halting, or substantially slowing the ongoing global progress in living standards. There are likely many such risks I'm not aware of, and likely many such risks that essentially no one today is aware of. I hope that readers of this post will mention important possibilities that I've neglected in the comments.
In general, I'm trying to list factors that could do not just large damage, but the kind of damage that could create an unprecedented global challenge.
More powerful technology - particularly in areas such as nuclear weapons, biological weapons, and artificial intelligence - may make wars, terrorist acts, and accidents more dangerous. Further technological progress is likely to lead to technology with far more potential to do damage. Somewhat offsetting this, technological and economic progress may also lead to improved security measures and lower risks of war and terrorism.
A natural pandemic may cause unprecedented damage, perhaps assisted by the development of resistance to today's common antibiotics. On this front I see technological and economic development as mostly risk-reducing, via the development of better surveillance systems, better antibiotics, better systems for predicting/understanding/responding to pandemics, etc.
Climate change may lead to a major humanitarian crisis (such as unprecedented numbers of refugees due to sea level rise) or to other unanticipated consequences. Economic development may speed this danger by increasing the global rate of CO2 emissions; economic and technological development may mitigate this danger via the development of better energy sources (as well as energy storage and grid systems and other technology for more efficiently using energy), as well as greater wealth leading to more interest in - and perceived ability to afford - emissions reduction.
Technological and economic progress could slow or stop due to a failure to keep innovating at a sufficient rate. Gradual growth in living standards has been the norm for a long time, and a prolonged stagnation could cause unanticipated problems (e.g., values could change significantly if people don't perceive living standards as continuing to rise).
Global economic growth could become bottlenecked by a scarcity of a particular resource (the most commonly mentioned concern along these lines is "peak oil," but I have also heard concerns about supplies of food and of water for irrigation). Technological and economic progress could worsen this risk by speeding our consumption of a key resource, or could mitigate it by leading to the development of better technologies for finding and extracting resources and/or effective alternatives to such resources.
An asteroid, supervolcano or solar flare could cause unprecedented damage. Here I largely see economic and technological progress as risk-reducing factors, as they may give us better tools for predicting, preventing and/or mitigating damage from such natural disasters.
An oppressive government may gain power over a substantial part of the world. Technological progress could worsen this risk by improving the tools of such a government to wage war and monitor and control citizens; technological and economic progress could mitigate this risk by strengthening others' abilities to defend themselves.
I should note that I perceive the odds of complete human extinction from any of the above factors, over the next hundred years or so, to be quite low. #1 would require the development of weapons with destructive potential far in excess of anything that exists today, plus the deployment of such weapons either by superpowers (which seems unlikely if they hold the potential for destroying the human race) or by rogue states/individuals (which seems unlikely since rogue states/individuals don't have much recent track record of successfully obtaining and deploying the world's most powerful weapons). #2 would require a disease to emerge with a historically unusual combination of propensity-to-kill and propensity-to-spread. And in either case, the odds of killing all people - taking into account the protected refuges that many governments likely have in place and the substantial number of people who live in remote areas - seem substantially less than the odds of killing many people. We have looked into #3 and and parts of #6 to some degree, and currently believe that there are no particularly likely-seeming scenarios with risk of human extinction.
Massive reduction or elimination of poverty.
Massive improvements in quality of life for the non-poor.
Improved intelligence, wisdom, and propensity for making good decisions across society.
Increased interconnectedness, empathy and altruism.
Space colonization or other developments leading to lowered potential consequences of global catastrophic risks.
I feel that humanity's future may end up being massively better than its past, and unexpected new developments (particularly technological innovation) may move us toward such a future with surprising speed. Quantifying just how much better such a future would be does not strike me as a very useful exercise, but very broadly, it's easy for me to imagine a possible future that is at least as desirable as human extinction is undesirable. In other words, if I somehow knew that economic and technological development were equally likely to lead to human extinction or to a brighter long-term future, it's easy for me to imagine that I could still prefer such development to stagnation.
I see technological and economic development as essential to raising the odds of reaching a much brighter long-term future, and I see such a future as being much less vulnerable to global catastrophic risks than today's world. I believe that any discussion of technological/economic development global catastrophic risks (and the role of technological/economic development in such risks) is incomplete if it leaves out this consideration.
A future post will discuss how I think about the overall contribution of economic/technological development to our odds of having a very bright, as opposed to very problematic, future. For now, I'd appreciate comments on any major, broad far-future considerations this post has neglected.


St. Nicholas is the oldest church in Leicester.
It can be found in St. Nicholas Circle, just off Vaughan Way, part of Leicester's inner ring road, beside the Jewry Wall and opposite the Holiday inn.
The church was built on a pre-Christian religious site, and has Roman tiles in the tower. This does not mean, however, that it is in any way a Roman church. The tiles were taken from ruins here in Anglo-Saxon times, Leicester having been an important Roman town.
There are two Anglo-Saxon window openings inside the church. These were formerly outside windows, but the church was later extended.
The porch was brought here from the original Wyggeston's Hospital, founded in the 16th century by William Wyggeston, who was Mayor of both Leicester and Calais.
In the churchyard are some Roman pillars. These came from the Forum or Basilica which stood hereabouts, and would have been used as gravemarkers before the advent of the gravestones with which we are now familiar.
Although Leicester has only been a cathedral city with Bishops since the 1920s, there were Bishops here from the 7th to 9th centuries, and it is believed that St. Nicholas was probably their cathedral.
One of the Bishops was the celebrated St. Wilfrid, associated with Hexham and Ripon. During one of his periods of exile he converted the South Saxons to Christianity, establishing his seat at Selsey, which was later transferred to Chichester. During another exile he turned up in Leicester. The parish church at Kibworth is dedicated to him.
St. Nicholas is still used for worship, and is normally open to visitors on Saturdays.
Where is St. Nicholas Church?
View a map showing the location of St. Nicholas Church.


text:
Peter Andre to star in Grease at Leicester's Curve theatre for 2019 tour
September 19, 2018 at 12:31pm
Fans of Mysterious Girl singer Peter Andre have reason to get excited, as the popular performer is coming to Leicester.
The singer-songwriter, who rose to fame in the 1990s, will appear as Teen Angel in the new Made at Curve production of Grease, which is touring the UK and Ireland next year.
The production will be at Curve from September 3 to 14, 2019.
Following a highly acclaimed sold out eight-week run at Curve over Christmas 2016, the first new production in 25 years of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey's iconic musical Grease will be directed by Curve's artistic director Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Arlene Phillips.
Peter Andre will appear as Teen Angel at certain performances, in Leeds, Southend, Sunderland, Birmingham, Leicester, Dublin, Oxford and Bromley.
Further casting is to be announced.
Peter Andre is known for his successful music and television career, and he became the sixth highest selling artist in the UK in the 1990s with hits such as Mysterious Girl, Flava and I Feel You.
He has had numerous number one hit singles, two number one albums and has toured all over the world, collecting a multitude of national and international awards.
His TV shows and appearances include his reality show Peter Andre: My Life, 60 Minute Makeover and the third series of I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here in 2004.
Curve's chief executive Chris Stafford and Nikolai Foster said: "We are looking forward to working alongside Jim Jacobs, Colin Ingram and Arlene Philips on the return of our critically acclaimed, Made at Curve production of Grease.
"Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey's musical is an electrifying celebration of the birth of cool and teenage culture. It provides a gripping snapshot of a country on the cusp of social change, all set to one of the greatest rock 'n' roll scores ever written.
"Curve audiences love Grease and we are immensely proud to be sharing our production with audiences across the UK."
The musical features songs such as Summer Nights, Greased Lightin', Hopelessly Devoted to You and You're The One That I Want.
This new production of Grease is produced by Colin Ingram for InTheatre Productions, Donovan Mannato, William Sinclair, Ricardo Marques, Hunter Arnold and Curve.
It features designs by Colin Richmond, orchestrations and musical supervision by Sarah Travis, lighting design by Guy Hoare and sound design by Sebastian Frost.
Tickets will be on sale soon.
Source: .leicestermercury.co.uk
Previous PostAttorney General: Politis article made me vomit
Next PostKorean leaders agree on denuclearisation


JobSite Boot Scrubber - Heavy Duty boot, shoe and footwear cleaning tool - scrubber, scraper and cleaner all in one. Heavy-duty welded the metal frame. High density, composite molded plastic holds the strong bristles for long-lasting strength and will not rot or crack from elements of snow, rain, barnyard acids or weather, which is common with wood edges used by other brands. Rugged, heavy gauge, welded metal frame can take abuse and misuse. Handy, built-in shoe sole and edge scraper to clean off those tough to get at places of mud and manure caked on the bottom of the shoe. Strong bristle brushes clean mud and snow off boots and shoes. Includes four screws and brackets for easy bolt down. Ideal for anyplace; home, barn, ranch, work, cottage or weekend getaway.


text:
Als eingeschworene Jungfrau, auch geschworene Jungfrau, Schwurjungfrau, die Bleibenden oder albanische Mannfrau ( burrnesha oder virgjinesha;   oder muskobanja) wird auf dem Balkan eine Frau bezeichnet, die in ihrer Familie und in der Gesellschaft die Rolle eines Mannes übernimmt und dabei in aller Regel völlig auf sexuelle Beziehungen, Ehe und Kinder verzichtet. Die Frau legt vor den Ältesten der Gemeinde oder des Stammes einen Schwur ab und wird fortan als Mann behandelt. Sie trägt Männerkleidung und Waffen und kann die Position des Familienoberhaupts übernehmen. Hauptursachen für dieses Verhalten sind die Vermeidung einer ungewollten Ehe oder das Fehlen eines männlichen Familienoberhaupts.

Um 2010 lebten noch einige Dutzend eingeschworene Jungfrauen in Albanien, die alle aus dem traditionalistischen Norden des Landes stammen. In den letzten Jahren ist ihre besondere Lebensweise in den Fokus der wissenschaftlichen Forschung und der Medien geraten. Im Jahr 2017 identifizierte eine Forscherin in Tropoja, Shkodra und Tirana noch 24 "Schwurjungfrauen".

Verbreitung

Über die Existenz der eingeschworenen Jungfrauen berichteten westeuropäische Reisende und Forscher zum ersten Mal an der Wende vom 19. zum 20. Jahrhundert. Ihr Verbreitungsgebiet erstreckte sich einst neben dem Norden Albaniens auch über Montenegro, den Kosovo, Bosnien und Herzegowina, Nordmazedonien und Teile Westserbiens. Ihre Lebensweise kommt bei Albanern, Südslawen und Roma sowie selten auch bei Aromunen und Griechen vor und ist nicht an eine bestimmte Konfession gebunden. Sie ist auf abgelegene ländliche Regionen beschränkt, wo die Menschen in archaischen Stammes- und Familienstrukturen leben. Während dieses Verhalten bis in das 20. Jahrhundert hinein bei diesen Völkern noch weit verbreitet war, sorgte die gesellschaftliche Modernisierung in den letzten Jahrzehnten für ein weitgehendes Aussterben der Lebensform. In Albanien leben noch (älteren) Schätzungen zufolge 40 eingeschworene Jungfrauen.

Eine ähnliche Rolle des Geschlechtertausches findet sich in Afghanistan bei den Batscha Poschi ("die, welche wie Jungen angezogen sind"): Töchter, die einen fehlenden Mann und Ernährer im Haushalt zu ersetzen haben und in männlicher Aufmachung auch arbeiten gehen können, was für Frauen unerwünscht ist.

Ursachen
Für den symbolischen Übertritt zum männlichen Geschlecht  gab es mehrere Gründe. Nur dadurch konnte eine Frau in den Stammesgesellschaften Südosteuropas einer arrangierten Verheiratung entgehen. Indem sie fortan als Mann lebte, ersparte sie sich und ihrer Familie die Entehrung, die sonst durch den Bruch eines Eheversprechens unweigerlich eingetreten wäre. Ein zweiter Grund für das Leben als eingeschworene Jungfrau war das Fehlen eines männlichen Familienoberhaupts, wodurch die Frauen der Familie schutzlos waren und die betreffende Familie auch keinen Sitz im Rat der Gemeinde oder des Stammes hatte. Wenn kein Sohn die Nachfolge übernehmen konnte, trat eine ledige Tochter an diese Stelle, lebte als Mann und war Familienoberhaupt. Indem eine eingeschworene Jungfrau an die Spitze der Familie trat, konnte das Problem zumindest für eine Generation gelöst werden. Weitere Gründe waren der individuelle Wunsch, als Mann zu leben, die in den Kanun–Gesetzessammlungen festgelegte schlechte Stellung der Frau in der Gesellschaft, der man als eingeschworene Jungfrau entkommen konnte, sowie die Notwendigkeit, in einer Blutfehde einen Rächer zu haben, wenn alle männlichen Familienmitglieder tot waren.

Rechtliche Grundlagen

Die Frau trat vor ein Gremium, dem die zwölf wichtigsten Männer des Dorfes angehörten, und gelobte sexuelle Enthaltsamkeit. Danach konnte sie Waffen tragen und die Führung der Familie übernehmen. In dieser Rolle wurde sie in der von Männern dominierten Gesellschaft als vollwertiges Mitglied anerkannt und respektiert. Wenngleich die Übernahme der männlichen Rolle formal freiwillig zu erfolgen hatte, spielte häufig der Druck durch die Clanmitglieder eine entscheidende Rolle.  Für Nordalbanien werden die Rechte der eingeschworenen Jungfrauen im Gewohnheitsrecht, dem Kanun, geregelt. Sie dürfen sich unter Männern aufhalten und haben einen Sitz im Rat (allerdings ohne Stimmrecht). Außerdem waren sie erbberechtigt. Die Übernahme der männlichen Rechte und Pflichten bedeutete auch, dass die eingeschworenen Jungfrauen die Blutfehden ihrer Verwandten fortführen mussten.

Geschlechtsidentität
Die eingeschworenen Jungfrauen übernehmen weitgehend die männlichen Verhaltensweisen: Sie kleiden sich wie Männer, tragen Waffen, gehen auf die Jagd und dürfen verschiedene Männern vorbehaltene Privilegien wie beispielsweise Tabak- und Alkoholkonsum in Anspruch nehmen. Die Frage "A je burrnesh?" (albanisch für "Bist du so stark wie ein Mann?") war in den 1990er Jahren eine übliche Begrüßung in Nordalbanien.
Eingeschworene Jungfrauen nehmen in den meisten Fällen vollständig die soziale Rolle eines Mannes an. Die Selbstwahrnehmung der betreffenden Personen ist davon jedoch zunächst einmal grundsätzlich unabhängig. Predrag Šarčević argumentiert, dass eingeschworene Jungfrauen generell außer ihrer sozialen Rolle als Frauen gesehen werden müssten. Allerdings ist die Selbstdarstellung und -wahrnehmung der Betroffenen selbst keinwegs einheitlich. Manche eingeschworenen Jungfrauen sprechen von sich selbst in der weiblichen, andere in der männlichen Form. Außerdem gibt es Ausnahmen, in denen Betroffene ihren Status als eingeschworene Jungfrau ablegten und danach heirateten und Kinder bekamen.
Ebenso ambivalent gestaltet sich die Frage nach dem sexuellen Begehren: Trotz des geleisteten Schwurs gibt es einige Fälle, in denen eingeschworene Jungfrauen ihr Interesse an Männern und/oder Frauen mehr oder weniger explizit artikulierten. Darüber hinaus sind auch zwei Fälle bekannt, in denen eingeschworene Jungfrauen mit anderen Frauen intime Beziehungen geführt haben sollen und deshalb als Lesben bezeichnet wurden.

Inwiefern das Leben als eingeschworene Jungfrau auch als eine Form der Transsexualität verstanden werden kann, ist ebenfalls umstritten. Zweifelsohne lässt sich feststellen, dass ein Großteil der eingeschworenen Jungfrauen mit ihrer männlichen Identität sehr glücklich ist. Viele Betroffene tun dabei einiges dafür, dass Außenstehende sie nicht für Frauen halten: Neben Crossdressing soll z. B. auch das Abbinden der Brüste praktiziert worden sein. Nichtsdestotrotz gehen (wie oben bereits angedeutet) bei weitem nicht alle eingeschworenen Jungfrauen vollkommen in einer männlichen Identität auf und kehren in einzelnen Fällen sogar zu einem Leben als Frau zurück.

Die Frage, inwieweit eingeschworene Jungfrauen also Männer, Frauen oder doch eher eine dritte Geschlechtskategorie sind, ist letztlich kaum allgemeingültig zu beantworten. Die individuellen Fälle mit ihren jeweiligen ganz eigenen Motiven und Verhaltensweisen sind schlicht zu verschieden, als dass ein Urteil, das auf die meisten Betroffenen zutreffen würde, gefällt werden könnte.

Siehe auch
 Marimacha (Südmexiko: Mädchen, die Männerrollen annehmen)
 Liste von Geschlechter(rolle)n weltweit

Literatur
 Robert Elsie: Sworn Virgin. In: Historical dictionary of Albania (= European historical dictionaries. Band 42). Lanham 2004, ISBN 0-8108-4872-4, S. 405–406 (englisch).

 René Grémaux: Woman Becomes Man in the Balkans. In: Gilbert Herdt (Hrsg.): Third Sex Third Gender: Beyond Sexual Dimorphism in Culture and History. Zone Books, New York 1996, ISBN 0-942299-82-5 (englisch).
 Alice Munro: The Albanian Virgin. In: Open Secrets. 1994, ISBN 0-679-43575-1 (Belletristik; deutsch: Offene Geheimnisse. ISBN 3-608-93371-9).
 Susan E. Pritchett Post: The Myth of the Burrnesh. Centre for South East European Studies, London 1999 (englisch).
  Ellen (Elena) Robertson Martinez: Social Representations and Women Who Live as Men in Northern Albania. Universität Cambridge 2020 (englisch; Doktorarbeit; Volltext: doi:10.17863/CAM.72219)

 Antonia Young: Women Who Become Men: Albanian Sworn Virgins. Berg, Oxford 2000, ISBN 1-85973-335-2 (englisch; Besprechung von Karl Kaser).

Filme
 2006: Elvira Dones: Sworn Virgins (englisch), Spielfilm.
 2016:  Fathia Bazi: Wild Flower (albanisch mit englischen Untertiteln), Dokumentarfilm,  Bluetone Stories.
 2019: Filmkantine: Frei um jeden Preis. Albaniens Schwurjungfrauen, Dokumentarfilm im Auftrag des ZDF.

Weblinks
 Krsto Lazarević: Die »eingeschworene Jungfrauen« sind mittlerweile ein Phänomen für Touristen geworden: Der albanische Jungfrauenzirkus. In: Jungle World, 14. September 2017.
 Michael Zhang: Portraits of Albanian Women Who Have Lived Their Lives As Men. Auf PetaPixel.com, 26. Dezember 2012 (englisch; Bilder der Fotografin Jill Peters).
 Pepa Hristova: Sworn Virgins. Albania 2008 and 2010, Fotoserie auf der Webseite der Autorin.
 Dan Bilefsky: Jungfrauen, die Männer wurden. In: Welt am Sonntag, 29. Juni 2008.
 Rahne Alexander: Albania – Film on Historical Custom of Sworn Virgin Oath for Male Rights – Kanun Patriarchal Code. In: Womans UN Report Network (WUNRN), 25. Dezember 2007 (englisch; u. a. Bericht über Elvira Dones' Dokumentarfilm Sworn Virgins).
 Susanne Schröter: Frauen in Männerrollen – Ein interkultureller Vergleich. In: Journal Ethnologie, 2004.

Einzelnachweise

Verhaltenskodex
Kultur (Albanien)
Crossdressing
Sexuelle Abstinenz
Patriarchatsforschung
Sexismus

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Quillsliteracy
Anne Sexton Love Poems
Here is a list of Anne Sexton Love Poems
The Breast
Anne Sexton has brought romantics and intimacy in love poetry to a new level. Born in Massachusetts and raised in a patriarchal family, she nursed her strong voice as a female literator of a new kind. Anne was a confessional poet meaning that she would write about her personal experiences, relationships and private life for the public eye. Her work was also an ode to the beauty and sensation of affection, and the angst of losing loved ones. All that brought her the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1967 and made her name forever famous.
The poetess is known to have written about love throughout her whole career. However, her most acknowledged compilation of ballads is 'Love Poems' (1989) which celebrates sensuality and passion. It includes such pieces as 'That Day', 'The Touch', 'It's a Spring Afternoon', 'Song for a Lady' and many others which expose Anne's elaborated writing style and deep thoughts on love, pain, woman's role and even mortality. Moreover, when poems were not enough to express her feelings she co-created a jazz band called 'Her Kind' and began combining music, lively beats and her bewildering word.
American poetry is in a boundless debt before Anne Sexton's dark, gruesome but bold spree of inspirational verses. Her original figures of speech and surrealistic comparisons make us look upon love from a new, more impressionable perspective. 'As it has been said: Love and a cough cannot be concealed. Even a small cough. Even a small love.' There reason is that she was one of the first who'd tell us a story of her poetic 'self' intertwining it with immense emotional intensity, complex psychology of fondness and longing for warmth and being needed.
Anne Sexton's love poetry might seem controversial and confusing for a reader, at first. However, this complexity is justified by her delicate and almost psychic perception which will leave no one indifferent.
Anne Sexton PoemsQuillsliteracy


May 25 is an important date in movie release history. It was the day Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), Darth Vader (James Earl Jones), Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) made their debut with the release of Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977. Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley also entered the world stage on this date two years later in Alien. And, completing the first Star Wars trilogy, Return of the Jedi hit theaters four years later on, you guessed it, May 25. (Solo: A Star Wars Story is the third film in this franchise to arrive on this date.) To commemorate these anniversaries, Look of the Week is celebrating the costumes of these SYFY FANGRRLS icons.
But this is not the outfit we are honoring today; we're focusing instead on something Leia wasn't forced into wearing. And while Leia ultimately used her chains as a weapon against Jabba the Hutt, her Forest Moon of Endor ensemble is battle-ready.
A green belted poncho acts as camouflage on this leafy planet, the closest Star Wars comes to contemporary clothing as it evokes obvious comparisons to camo worn during the Vietnam War. Imperial officers wear Nazi-esque attire from 40 years previous. It is far costumier than military issue, a luscious green to match the home of the Ewoks. Luke gets a less striking brown poncho, but even Han gets in on the camo action with a duster coat thrown over his usual vest.
There is a brief costume change for Leia when they spend the night with the Ewoks, in which they somehow magically have a dress in her size on hand, but as soon as the fighting starts the poncho comes back on and the hair goes up. Practical footwear for this terrain is a must; black flat boots will do just fine.
From a sartorial point of view, the blue-gray pants with the yellow racer-stripe are incredibly on trend 35 years after its release. Athleisure continues to have its moment on the runway, trickling down to fast fashion brands including Topshop and Zara. Carrie Fisher will always be in style, but it's fun to look back at Aggie Guerard Rodgers' costume design work on Return of the Jedi and see just how cyclical fashion can be even when it comes to dressing characters who are fighting alongside bearlike creatures.
John Mollo was the costume designer on the first two Star Wars films. The gold metal bikini is memorable, but the white dress from A New Hope is indelible. It is how we are introduced to Leia. A few years ago Mollo told Entertainment Weekly that the first instruction he got from George Lucas was "I don't want to notice any of the costumes." Sorry, George, it's impossible not to notice Carrie Fisher in that white frock, but it is timeless. The dress is similar in style to what Katharine Hepburn throws over her swimsuit in The Philadelphia Story, thanks to legendary costume designer Adrian. It works just as well in 1940s high-society America as it does in a galaxy far, far away.
One surprising connection between Star Wars and Alien, other than the release date and space setting, is the costume designer. Mollo worked on Episodes IV and V as well as the first movie in the Alien franchise. The looks that define these iconic sci-fi characters come from the same creative mind. Whereas Princess Leia's white dress is crisp, Ripley and the rest of the USCSS Nostromo crew exhibit a lived-in style. Crumpled shirts and uniforms that have seen better days offer up a relaxed vibe before all hell springs loose.
For the most part, Ripley wears her flight jumpsuit, avoiding the Kane (John Hurt) human blood splatter but getting covered in Ash's (Ian Holm) white android "blood." If this coverall uniform didn't need a wash before, it definitely does by the end of the film.
It's an entirely practical ensemble for Ripley at work on this ship, which also doesn't require a change in clothes when the crew starts getting picked off and infected one by one. Layers make up Ripley's look: a patch-covered official USCSS Nostromo jacket—with patches you can find on Etsy—as well as a flight suit and white short-sleeve shirt with a green tee and white vest underneath. These are layers that get peeled off when it looks like Ripley is safe from the xenomorph that has been stalking her.
When Ripley strips down to her vest and underpants, it very much feels like those days when you arrive home from a hard day at work and you can't wait to get your sweaty clothes off. A relatable moment, other than the whole running-away-from-an-alien part. It's in such contrast with the Ripley we have seen throughout the film; the masculine styling of her uniform has been discarded for a brief moment of femininity.
But the threat remains, and Ripley ends up in the hiding place of the most famous Final Girl. The spacesuit closet is her sanctuary. And even though Ripley wasn't part of that discussion—the focus was earthbound slashers—Ripley's Alien styling does fit that particular model. It is essentially the space version of jeans and tee. As with those other women, she doesn't take everything off. Her underwear is functional rather than titillating.
It can't be denied that, as with Leia's gold bikini, there is an aspect of sexualizing Ripley while she is in danger. It is a short-lived moment, though, as Ripley slowly inches her body into a spacesuit to execute a daring plan for survival. These scenes can be read in a number of different ways; where some will see empowerment, others will see unnecessary gratuity. One reaction is to roll your eyes, another is to embrace the sexuality of the costume choices. You can feel multiple things, even when these reactions are at conflict with each other.
Either way, in Return of the Jedi and Alien Princess Leia and Ellen Ripley spend a good portion in battle attire. Whether it is a green belted poncho or standard work-issue coveralls, both women are ready to take on the Empire and a terrifying alien species. This isn't a fashion show, but it is hard to deny the enduring style power of Carrie Fisher and Sigourney Weaver.


text:
Rotary Club of Ojai Helps Tibet
Rotarians Join TibetanAid Foundation to Raise Funds for Tibetan Mentorship Program
By Leah Vergel de Dios
Tue Mar 08, 2016 | 11:00am
This March, the Rotary Club of Ojai and the TibetanAid Foundation will bring a taste of Tibet to Ojai in an effort to raise funds for a mentorship program in that region. Hosted at the newly opened Mandala restaurant, the fundraiser will introduce attendees to Tibetan food, music, art, and more.
Dorjee Tsewang, restaurateur and founder of TibetanAid, hails from Tibet himself. "I was born and raised in Tibet … Me and my wife became refugees in India, where we met at a refugee camp," he recalls. "I found that this [America] was the land of opportunity … We wanted to share this prosperity with people in Tibet," says Tsewang of founding TibetanAid. After several years of living in the United States, he and his wife, Dolkar Tso, were able to fund clinics, water projects, and different scholarships in Tibet. With the help of the Rotary Club of Ojai, TibetanAid has plans to start a mentorship program to bring skilled labor like carpentry, weaving, and electric work to rural Tibetan villages.
Rotary club member Nathan Kaehler calls Tsewang's restaurant "a great venue for the fundraiser," explaining, "They're a bit of a niche because they serve Tibetan food. It will be a real nice tie-in to what we're doing." As for what they hope to accomplish with the fundraiser, he notes, "It's amazing what you can do for a little bit of money. It has the potential to tip the balance of people's lives." The event also aims to have an impact on those who attend. "It's not just about raising the money," he explains. "It's about exposing people to Tibetan culture."
The fundraiser will be held at Mandala (11400 N. Ventura Rd., Ojai) on Saturday, March 12, from 3-5 p.m., and 100 percent of the donations will be going to the TibetanAid Foundation. Contact (805) 640-8700 or info@tibetanaid.org for questions and donation information.
https://www.independent.com/2016/03/08/rotary-club-ojai-helps-tibet/
UC Santa Barbara's John Perlin to Discuss Trees and Human Civilization
YouTube Star Rachel Ballinger and Other Innovators Celebrate the Premiere of New Sports Activities App
Luxuriating in the Moment at Estetica Mia


Lock in a great price for DeLight Boutique Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World – rated 9.2 by recent guests!
I recommend this hotel to everybody. Staff were amazing and helpful.
The service was excellent . Everything you needed or wanted was taken care of.
One of the most beautiful facilities we have stayed at.
Hotel looks nice, but dangerous. Beware of the lack of security.
Staff was very pleasant and fast. They use amazing shampoo brand in the room!!
The staff was amazing from the moment they picked us up from the port.the hotel was super luxurious and the pool was beautiful. The beach just a few minutes away walking was perfect !
The view was amazing. Closer to the famous beachesand very friendly staff.
Right by the beach, amazing staff, property, and accommodations. Highly recommended if you don't need to be right in Mykonos town.
Great staff!! Breakfast is wonderful really enjoy it!!
De.light was absolutely perfect! You feel like you're the only guest at the hotel, and the entire staff is an extension of your family. It has one of the most beautiful views you can imagine. Value for money is also high on the radar, and location is -if not the best- top 5 on the island.
DeLight Boutique Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World This rating is a reflection of how the property compares to the industry standard when it comes to price, facilities and services available. It's based on a self-evaluation by the property. Use this rating to help choose your stay!
One of our top picks in Agios Ioannis Mykonos.Overlooking Delos Island, De.Light Hotel offers spacious and air-conditioned suites with a patio or balcony boasting Aegean Sea views. It features an outdoor swimming pool, hot tub and free Wi-Fi throughout.
With minimal décor, the bright accommodation comes equipped with a LED satellite TV, CD/DVD player, minibar, and sitting area. Complimentary toiletries, bathrobes, slippers, hairdryer are available in the modern bathroom. Some may also have a spa bathtub, steam bath, hydro-massage shower or private pool.
Refreshing cocktails and light snacks are served at the pool bar. The restaurant at De.Light prepares Greek and international cuisine made from seasonal produce. In-suite dining is available upon request. Guests can enjoy a breakfast each morning.
The 24-hour front desk can provide information on local beaches such as Ornos and Agios Ioannis. Massage treatments can be arranged by the hotel for an additional charge.
De.Light Hotel is 2.5 miles from the lively town of Mykonos and Mykonos Airport. Private parking is available on site free of charge.
This property also has one of the top-rated locations in Agios Ioannis Mykonos! Guests are happier about it compared to other properties in the area.
This property is also rated for the best value in Agios Ioannis Mykonos! Guests are getting more for their money when compared to other properties in this city.
When would you like to stay at DeLight Boutique Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World?
Boasting Aegean sea views from its terrace, this bright and airy suite offers a modern bathroom with a walk-in shower.
Boasting Aegean sea views from its terrace or balcony, this spacious and bright suite offers a modern bathroom with a bathtub or walk-in shower.
Boasting Aegean sea views from its balcony, this large and bright suite offers a private outdoor pool, a large seating and dinning area along with a Nespresso coffee machine and capsules.
Boasting Aegean Sea views from its terrace, this suite is tastefully decorated with natural colors and fabrics. It has a modern bathroom with a walk in shower and an outdoor spa hot tub. It features a large seating area along with a Nespresso coffee machine and capsules.
Boasting Aegean sea views from its terrace, this large and bright suite offers an outdoor hot tub, and a modern bathroom with walk-in shower.
Located on the upper floor offering panoramic views over the Aegean Sea, this open-plan suite features an outdoor hot tub, a quality queen-size bed, a modern bathroom with walk-in shower and a Nespresso coffee machine and capsules.
Boasting Aegean sea views from its terrace, this bright and airy suite offers a modern bathroom with a steam cabin with jet shower or bathtub.
House Rules DeLight Boutique Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World takes special requests – add in the next step!
One child from 13 to 18 years is charged 25 % of the room stay per night in an extra bed.
DeLight Boutique Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.
The hotel has the right to pre-authorize your credit any time after booking in order to guarantee your reservation according to the cancellation policy.
The hotel is extremely well maintained and looked after, staff were excellent and friendly, the breakfast included was high quality with a range of options and the concierge Mata was excellent with great advice and a welcoming smile.
They should offer room service for at-least middle night. To check in it takes to much time.
Fantastic location, with breathtaking views. The staff were very helpful and attentive.
Nothing - apart from easier access to taxis although the bus service from right outside the hotel was a great means of getting into Mykonos town.
Everything. The staff were friendly, the food was great (the Breakfasts were amazing), the hotel was small and discreet, the rooms were fresh and airconditioned and everything was clean and beautifully presented. The swimming pool was fabulous and the views were breathtaking. The balcony with hot tub added another dimension to our stay.
Great hotel! Very nice and polite staff! All people working there are more than polite and helpful. Trying to do everything to help you and make your stay more comfortable. And the kitchen is great!
Everything was 5star from beginning to end. I wish I could have stayed longer.. I will definitely be back.
This hotel is immaculate. Well located on a quiet part of the island with great views. Plenty restaurants and a wonderful beach bar nearby. Excellent service from staff .All in all a good luxurious choice -we were very satisfied.


text:
HomeProduct book-authorS. J. Pajonas
Removed (The Nogiku Series Book 1)
S. J. Pajonas
Can she piece together the truth before Earth's last city tears itself apart? It's easy for Sanaa to ignore the first signs of trouble. After all, she's living her dream with a job and life she loves. But when she's reassigned as a data analyst for a mysterious, well-connected man, she starts to piece together the alarming reality. Corrupt clans vie for control of the city, desperate for a ticket off the dying planet. As war looms between the clans, Sanaa's new boss sends her to train with Jiro, an expert swordsman. Forbidden to share the dangerous secrets she's learned with her family, she confides in Jiro, bringing them closer with every word, strike, and parry. Together, they realize that Sanaa's boss is keeping secrets of his own. When the truth comes to light, the war and Sanaa's world could be changed forever. To save her family and forge a new peace for her city, Sanaa has no choice but to risk her life for the human race. Removed is the first installment in the Nogiku Series, a saga of post-apocalyptic sci-fi romance novels set in future Japan. If you like tenacious heroines, sizzling chemistry, and unique post-apoc settings, then you'll love S. J. Pajonas' dystopian adventure. Buy Removed to decode the hidden truth today!


text:
Ultimate Cord Cutting Guide – Part 1: Devices and Content
Posted by Jim Tanous | Oct 30, 2017 | Editorial | 35
amazon fire tv3
apple tv4
cord cutting10
external tv tuner2
hdhomerun2
Netflix19
nvidia shield7
Plex18
prime instant video3
roku5
Shield65
streaming30
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Providers and Devices
Picking the right devices and solutions for a solid cord cutting experience can be tough.
The Best Media Device?
Subscription Streaming Services
On Demand Content & TVs
On Demand Content
Choosing the Right TV
Next in Part 2: Putting It All Together
"Cutting the Cord," the process of ditching traditional cable and satellite content providers for cheaper online-based services, is nothing new. For years, consumers have cancelled their cable subscriptions (or declined to even subscribe in the first place), opting instead to get their entertainment from companies like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube.
But the recent introduction of online streaming TV services like Sling TV, new technologies like HDR, and the slow online adoption of live local channels has made the idea of cord cutting more complicated. While cord cutters who are happy with just Netflix and YouTube need not worry, what are the solutions for those who don't like the idea of high cost cable subscriptions but also want to preserve access to things like local channels and the latest 4K HDR content?
This article is the first in a three-part series that will look at this "high-end" cord cutting scenario. We'll be taking a look at the options for online streaming TV, access to local "OTA" (over the air) channels, and the devices that can handle it all, including DVR support, 4K output, and HDR compliance.
There are two approaches that you can take when considering the cord cutting process. The first is to focus on capabilities: Do you want 4K? HDR? Lossless surround sound audio? Voice search? Gaming?
The second approach is to focus on content: Do you want live TV or à la carte downloads? Can you live without ESPN or must it and your other favorite networks still be available? Are you heavily invested in iTunes content? Perhaps most importantly for those concerned with the "Spousal Acceptance Factor" (SAP), do you want the majority of your content contained in a single app, which can prevent you and your family members from having to jump between apps or devices to find what they want?
While most people on the cord cutting path will consider both approaches to a certain degree, it's easier to focus on the one that's most important to you, as that will make other choices involving devices and content easier. Of course, there are those of us out there that are open to purchasing and using multiple devices and content sources at once, giving us everything at the expense of increased complexity. But most cord cutters, especially those with families, will want to pursue a setup based around a single device that accommodates most, if not all, of their needs. And that's exactly what we set out to find.
Whatever you prefer to call them — set-top boxes, streaming devices, media players — there are a huge number of devices currently vying to be the center of your home's entertainment. These devices come in multiple form factors, from HDMI "sticks" that plug directly into your TV to powerful "home theater PCs" (HTPC), and at a variety of price points.
We're not going to examine every possible media player in this article, but we will take a look at the most popular options.
The NVIDIA SHIELD (a.k.a. Shield TV) is arguably the most powerful and versatile media player currently available. Powered by a Tegra X1 processor, the SHIELD is capable of supporting full 4K content with HDR and, while running certain media applications, it can handle audio passthrough of uncompressed formats like DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby TrueHD, and even Dolby Atmos.
The NVIDIA SHIELD is also attractive to gamers, as it offers gaming features that aren't found in many other media devices. These include GameStream, which lets you stream games from your PC to your living room, and GeForce NOW, a cloud-based service that lets you remotely play the latest PC games with the power of a GTX 1080 graphics card.
As an Android TV device, the SHIELD has a huge library of Android-based apps and games, including must-haves like Plex (both as a client and server), Amazon Video, and Netflix. The SHIELD of course also has access to Google's own à la carte selection of movies, TV shows, and music via the Google Play store. As we'll discuss later, you can even connect a USB or network TV tuner to the SHIELD and enjoy access to live TV without the need for any other device or service.
The NVIDIA SHIELD is available in three models: a $179 base model with 16GB of built-in storage and the voice-enabled SHIELD remote, a $199 version with 16GB, the remote, and the SHIELD gamepad, and a $299 "SHIELD Pro" with 500GB of built-in storage plus the remote and gamepad. If you're just planning to consume streaming content, or if you already have an existing Plex server that you're happy with, the $179 model is a good option. If you want to game, but mostly via streaming services that don't require local storage, grab the $199 model which includes the gamepad. If you'd like to run a Plex server on your SHIELD, or if you want to install lots of apps and games, the $299 model's 500GB of storage will give you a clean and integrated setup without the need to rely on external or network drives.
For Apple fans, the just-announced Apple TV 4K is a compelling option, even if it does have a fair amount of drawbacks. The Apple TV is powered by Apple's custom-designed A10X processor (claimed by Apple to be the same as the one that powers the iPad Pro) and runs "tvOS," an offshoot of iOS. From a technical perspective, the new Apple TV supports up to 2160p60 video with HDR (both Dolby Vision and HDR10) but is limited to Dolby Digital Plus audio.
Content-wise, there are a number of Apple TV apps and games, but these must all be specifically designed for tvOS, meaning that your favorite iOS apps may not be available. In addition to movies and TV shows from Apple's own iTunes Store, users can find apps for Plex, Netflix, Hulu, DirecTV, and many other popular services.
This new Apple TV is definitely a step forward for Apple (the previous models were limited to 1080p and were based on the older A8 processor), but its lack of expandability and capability with third party apps (such as the ability to run a Plex server or act as an HDTV tuner), limited gaming support, and inability to handle lossless surround audio formats makes it a less than ideal choice for all but the most dedicated Apple fans. Make no mistake, if you have thousands of dollars sunk into iTunes content the Apple TV is your only option, but most everyone else likely won't want it to serve as the sole or central device in a cord cutting setup.
The Apple TV 4K is currently available in two models, a 32GB model for $179.00, and a 64GB model for $199.00.
Amazon entered the set-top box market in early 2014 with the launch of the Fire TV. It has since diversified its product line, adding a cheaper "stick" model as well as integrating its Fire TV software platform directly into some televisions.
In addition to providing full access to Amazon's à la carte and Prime media libraries, Fire TV also features a number of third party apps, including the usual options like Plex, Sling, Hulu, Netflix, HBO, and ESPN.
The Fire TV operating system is based upon Android, but it's Amazon's own custom version of the operating system. This means that, at least out of the box, you'll have a very limited selection of third party apps and games to choose from, and there's no advanced features like the ability to run a Plex server or directly connect a TV tuner.
Amazon's new Fire TV dongle can output at 4K and finally adds HDR support, but early reviews show some performance issues. Its form factor also means that you'll need to keep it attached to the back of your TV or receiver (or rely on an HDMI extension cable) and it lacks a wired Ethernet port. Like the Apple TV, it's also limited to Dolby Digital Plus audio. It can be picked up for $69.99. The Amazon Fire TV stick runs only $39.99, but maxes out at 1080p resolution.
Amazon has a great library of third party and original video content, and Fire TV is an excellent way to enjoy that content. But considering that Amazon's apps are available on so many other devices, the Fire TV's relatively low price is probably its only advantage.
Roku is one of the older companies in the media streaming device industry, having thus far successfully remained independent even as larger companies have jumped into the market. Roku also offers the most complex product lineup, with six Roku models currently for sale ranging from legacy models that can support standard definition output via composite video all the way to models with quad-core processors that can handle full 4K 60fps HDR content and bitstream lossless DTS and Dolby surround audio.
As an independent company without a video streaming or subscription service of its own, Roku has attracted the support of many third party services, and there currently more than 4,500 options (or "channels" as the company calls them) available, including Amazon, Hulu, Netflix, DirecTV, Spectrum, PlayStation Vue, and the usual lineup of network apps.
Although quite capable from a technical perspective when it comes to watching TV shows and movies, the Roku line of products still lack certain features like robust gaming support, large amounts of storage (users are limited to a microSD card slot on certain models for "built-in" storage options), and direct TV tuner support.
Roku models start at $24.99 for the stick-style "Express" and go as high as $99.99 for the full-featured "Ultra."
As mentioned earlier, there's no absolute "best" choice for all cord cutters, and even after deciding on the desired technical capabilities of a device, users must still weigh their content preferences. That said, our experience puts the NVIDIA SHIELD clearly at the top of the list of devices that should be considered.
The SHIELD's raw power, storage options, and flexibility make it a great option for most users. Its ability to access multiple subscription streaming services, all of the major on-demand services, and a huge selection of other apps and games means that SHIELD owners probably won't be missing out on anything good. Add to that the ability to run a Plex server directly on the device without the need for other hardware, and the option to directly connect a TV tuner, and you end up with one versatile device.
Apple fans who are absolutely dedicated to that company's platform and already have hundreds or thousands of dollars in iTunes content may be better off sticking with Apple TV (the only platform where Apple's content is officially available) but others looking to start the cord cutting adventure will appreciate the power and capabilities of the SHIELD.
« Previous 1. Providers and Devices2. Live Content3. On Demand Content & TVs Next »
PreviousThe Origin of the worlds most powerful DRM revealed!
NextGIGABYTE's X399 DESIGNARE EX
Jim Tanous
Jim is an Editor at PC Perspective. Jim lives in the Cincinnati area with his wife, son, and two-and-a-half cats.
Intel, PCAudioLabs and PC Perspective Rok Box System Sweepstakes!!
Jeremy is MIA
Inside Perspective
H380 on October 30, 2017 at 6:43 pm
Forget all of the "Devices".
Forget all of the "Devices". You want a HTPC. I have 3 all are Win10. That way you can run an ad blocker and play games if you want. YouTube and Twitch are unwatchable on Roku. The Twitch ads on the app locks up the Roku so a power cycle is needed to fix. YouTube has unskipable mid video ads that are unacceptable. Netflix is SO much better in a browser than an app for searching. The HDHomerun is great. Just plug it into your router, screw in an antenna and download the app on your PCs.
You can also run Kodi for a game console type of interface. For interfaces I use a Logitech M570 wireless trackball for a mouse. No pad needed. Win10 has an onscreen keyboard which is good enough for google searches and logins. If you go with Kodi a wireless Xbox controller works well.
sircod on October 30, 2017 at 8:08 pm
Does Netflix in browser
Does Netflix in browser support 4k or HDR yet? I know Kodi can do a lot, but every time I have tried it just seems so janky compared to something like Plex. Using a trackball from the couch also sounds cludgy compared to a remote, but maybe better than a keyboard with trackpad.
docace911 on October 30, 2017 at 8:48 pm
So how do you do 4K Netflix
So how do you do 4K Netflix HDR+ATMOS, AMazon 4k HDR, YouTube HDR, VUdu HDR, PLex HDR, KODI HDR on your windows 10 box?
My win 10 box can't do any of the above. The shield can do all but the YouTube HDR native, it can do it if you download the clips.
Simple I don't. I have all
Simple I don't. I have all 1080p TVs and will for years to come. Also my ISP data cap kills any hope of streaming 4K. It is a non issue.
So your saying you hate
So your saying you hate advanced positional audio and the largest leap in picture quality (HDR) this decade?
That's fine, but this article is for those who care about quality and media. SDR and stereo sound is fine for a monitor but not a home theater.
Apples vs Apple pie. How in
Apples vs Apple pie. How in the world do you get "Quality media" from the Cable Co? The article was about cord cutting not bleeding edge tech on a budget. I don't care about 4K or HDR or "Home Theater". My TVs are just monitors now.
All the boxes give you are apps with unskipable and unblockable ads. To me it is worth 2x or 3x times the money just to get an ad blocker. Period. The added benefit is you get PC functionality in the deal.
Banzai51 on October 30, 2017 at 9:30 pm
By the time you drop the
By the time you drop the money needed for 4k, you could have bought the Shield several times over. Buy the Shield, and plow the rest of that money into a Plex/Embry server, or a file server. All the advantages of Android TV apps, and local content.
SWKerr on October 31, 2017 at 6:31 pm
I have been using HTPCs since
I have been using HTPCs since before they were practical but recently pretty much retired them. I like the simplicity and lower maintenance of the set top boxes.
HTPCs are expensive and more difficult to maintain than a FireTV, Android TV, X1 solution. I have an unRAID server running Emby and Plex with HDHR OTA tuners on the back end but the front end are no longer HTPCs and I don't miss them. Also getting something like DirecTV Now, Hulu, Netflix or YouTube to work with a Remote on a HTPC is complicated to say the least. HTPCs are just not couch friendly.
Now saying this I have one PC attached to a 43″ 4k set in my office that I am writing this on and could never part with since it is also my gaming rig and HTPC but the normal's in the house just prefer the simplicity of an set top box.
Mihle on October 30, 2017 at 6:55 pm
Why not just use Chromecast?
Why not just use Chromecast? Its cheaper than any of these.
How do you watch liveTV on
How do you watch liveTV on your chromcast? How do you watch amazon HDR?
sircod on November 2, 2017 at 6:48 pm
Youtube TV supports
Youtube TV supports Chromecast. You will never get Amazon stuff on Chromecast though since Amazon wants you to buy a Fire stick instead.
Mihle on November 9, 2017 at 7:14 pm
As someone else said,
As someone else said, YoutubeTV, and also, there are multiple TV channels that have their own app for it, for example NRK(The Norwegian main TV channels), BBC, CBS, Disney Channel, ESPN/TBS/TNT all support it
Also other non english TV channels, like there was at least two German TV channels
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_apps_with_Google_Cast_support
Because while many content
Because while many content sources may make an Android or iOS app, few make them castable.
Youtube(TV) Netflix, HBO,
Youtube(TV) Netflix, HBO, NRK(The Norwegian main TV channels), BBC, CBS. Hulu Plus, Plex, Viaplay, Disney Channel, ESPN/TBS/TNT all support it.
Travisty on October 30, 2017 at 7:54 pm
I agree with H380. Why settle
I agree with H380. Why settle for someone else's box o' junk when you can have a full computer hooked up to your TV with spare parts or for about $250-300? Netflix and Amazon video w/o pita apps. Access ripped movies from a shared home-networked drive. I really don't know why tech sites keep pointing to breakout boxes when they are so inferior to HTPCs.
As for control, Logitech has a few really good multimedia wireless keyboards.
I'll add too there's TV
I'll add too there's TV online now that HTPC users can use. https://layer3tv.com/ for instance – i know this works in the US and i think a few African countries.
But you NEED Comcast or RCN
But you NEED Comcast or RCN cable to buy Later3Tv on top of that – its crazy. Would be great if you could just have google fiber or webpass+ Layer3. But who will pay 2x.
Travisty on October 30, 2017 at 11:40 pm
I guess i am spoiled. I have
I guess i am spoiled. I have city run fiber 1gig up/down for $50/month & no cap. I do not watch tv either so i do not use layer3 personally. So wonderful not paying comcast anything!
Longmont, co – https://www.longmontcolorado.gov/departments/departments-e-m/longmont-power-communications/broadband-service
Ok, but this article is about
Ok, but this article is about cable cutting – those who want to legally obtain TV and movies.
There's nothing illegal
There's nothing illegal about what I've posted.
docace911 on November 6, 2017 at 3:18 pm
SO ho will you watch any non
SO ho will you watch any non OTA station? If you don't care, thats fine, but the article is about cord cutting.
Some of us like AMC or getting all their channels over wifi – which you can only do if you subscribe.
Again, layer3 REQUIRES a concurrent subscription with RCN or XFINITY even if you never plug the cable in.
TheValvesOnThoseInternetPipesCanThrottled on October 30, 2017 at 11:20 pm
Yes but my internet service
Yes but my internet service providor is also one of those cable or satellite/other content providors. So until they force the internet service providors to become entirely different businesses from the content providors by forcing the big cable/content providors to spin off their internet providor business units as different companies then cutting the cord is not really cutting the cord, it's more like just changing the pipe/delivery method.
And the BIG content providors that are also Internet Service Providors will not be net neutral with content and so users will still have to pay, and maybe pay even more for third party content directly delivered over the web based protocols by any Netflix/other streaming services.
Just look at who is in control over at the FCC, and those streaming content providors fees are going up because the big content providor interests that are also big Internet Service Providors do not like open competition that may hurt their content creation delivery business(Old fashon Coaxial-Cable business models). And all the big old Coaxial Cable providors that have their Own Internet Service providor customers are offering up their own fast tracked over the pipes streaming content services that do not even count torwards any data caps as the Internet and the streaming/content, if offered by the same content providor companies, to their Internet customers can have that streamed content data not count towards the monthly data cap.
The only reason that I'm currently paying in the low $60 dollar range for Internet Service(no monthly data cap) is that there is competition in my area/building from other Internet Service Providors/content providors. But for streaming content in other areas without much competition and monthly data caps, that streaming of content that does not count towards the monthly data cap is really going to make fair competition hard for startups in areas without much competition to begin with. So the big Interests will have even more of an advantage for their Internet streaming services.
And 9 times out of 10 that internet cable modem has an Ethernet cable connection on the user side but is still wired up to a Coaxial Cable on the building/services side so that's not much difference if at all with cutting the cable providor off.
RickP on October 31, 2017 at 11:51 am
The DVR features are crossed
The DVR features are crossed up between Sling TV and PS Vue. They should be swapped around.
Who will buy later 3? They
Who will buy later 3? They informed me they ONLY partner with Comcast and RCN and you NEED TO PAY for those channels FIRST before you pay for their service.
Its kinda nuts. What is their business model?
RadioActiveLobster on October 31, 2017 at 2:31 pm
Step 1: Have good
Step 1: Have good internet.
Well, looks like I'm out.
Anonymously Anonymous on October 31, 2017 at 4:19 pm
Step 1: Have good internet connection provided by an ISP that doesn't throttle video streaming services.
* I know from experience. Recently att rolled out fiber in our area(only ones to offer it so far) and soon as it becames available we switched. QOS for gaming and workign remote has hugely been improved, however the video streaming is throttled whtout a vpn.
DrinkBleachBezos on November 1, 2017 at 1:04 am
If you buy anything from
If you buy anything from Amazon, you're a moron who is making the weapons for your own self destruction.
Anonymous744 on November 1, 2017 at 12:34 pm
A good option for AppleTV
A good option for AppleTV fans…run your AppleTV 4k's with silicon-dust HDHomerun tv tuner and channels app for local HD ATSC… terrific quality when combined with other streaming services for cord cutters. The infuse 5 app also is a great alternative to Plex for those using AppleTV's… just my opinion…. Android streaming boxes of course also have their benefits as well (more open,and google play store)
This being said,HTPC's are still very relevant In my opinion for gaming on the big screen in you living room… subjective, but i say much more flexible than a console.
I wish the free HDHomerun app
I wish the free HDHomerun app ran on my appleTV> They are working on it – dropping $15 for channels seems excessive.
Plex Live TV works well too – the guide is fun to look at but not as functional as the simple list.
All in all when Apple
1. Fixes resolution switching (11.2 is working btw)
2. Adds Amazon 4k
3. Adds ATMOS/Bitstream
4. Fixes Siri (it is broken, no homekit integration, only some commands work others are "can't do that yet")
It will be my favorite box 🙂 For now the shield does the above but lacks robust airplay 🙁
rbricker99 on November 1, 2017 at 6:39 pm
I use Youtube TV and Netflix
I use Youtube TV and Netflix with Chromecast on a Visio 4K HDR tv using Comcast Business internet.
I do get occasional poor video quality and Chromecast isn't always reliable but I'm pretty happy with it.
Missing piece was Amazon because of the lack of Chromecast, but Visio added a native Amazon app so problem solved.
No box needed, but WAF is low.
Business internet is $$$, but easier for taxes.
Way neJetSki on November 3, 2017 at 4:04 am
Very interested in a OTA DVR
Very interested in a OTA DVR you were talking about like Silicon Dust devices.
Works great with PLEX and
Works great with PLEX and HDHomerun app. iOS and Android and WIn10/XBOX apps are free now. Guide is not great but free.
thezfunk on November 9, 2017 at 6:47 am
I don't think you explained
I don't think you explained the differences between the HDHomerun Extend and Connect. They both do OTA channels but the Connect sends the MPEG2 stream out whereas the Extend encodes it to H.264. If your box has enough horsepower it won't matter (and your WIFI is good enough). However, if you have a less powerful box you want the Extend (it is more expensive) because the lighter powered boxes typically handle the H.264 stream but choke on the pure MPEG2.
Case in point, my Amazon TV handles the MPEG2 just fine but my older Nexus TV has glitches and pixelation.
CrankyDave on November 10, 2017 at 12:58 am
Yeah, and Roku doesn't
Yeah, and Roku doesn't understand MPEG2, so if you're streaming OTA TV or using Plex's new DVR function to record that or cable TV and serving it to a Roku device or TV like I am, it's gonna need to be transcoded. Obnoxiously, the dorito that's powering the Qnap NAS that my Plex server is running on isn't powerful to do that, so I'm gonna have to repurpose some old hardware to create a new server that *is*. I use a Homerun Prime cablecard tuner, so I can't just replace it with an Extend.