I have been enduring wearing my eyeglasses with high grade (for both eyes) since time immemorial (lol). Since during "those times", there is no definite cure for this condition; I can do nothing about it but to accept the fact that I will be wearing my spectacles for as long as forever. Good thing, LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) surgery, commonly referred to as laser eye surgery, has reached the country and I was able to try it and proved that this kind of surgery really works! LASIK is a type of refractive surgery for the correction of several eye conditions such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. It is performed by a trained ophthalmologist using a laser.
Anyway, remember last time where I accompanied one of my friends, Mitch, when she underwent a LASIK surgery, too! I was really curious and tempted at the same time to also try the procedure but I guess I was not just ready yet or perhaps I was just overpowered by my fear – fear for the surgery itself. Months after the procedure, I have learned that the procedure was indeed a success and that Mitch is now "enjoying her life" without her eyeglasses. Because of this, I know I have to overcome my fears and that I really have to try LASIK surgery so as to improve my vision and of course, get rid of these glasses that have been clinging to me ever since.
Good thing, Shinagawa Lasik and Aesthetics Center located at Makati has their "LASIK BUNDLE PROMO"; 2 persons can undergo LASIK procedure for only P89,600 – 2 PERSONS FOR THE PRICE OF 1! So, I decided to visit the clinic and had my eyes screened. When I was there, I noticed that there were a number of machines used to screen their patients. I guess the purpose is to make sure that they will obtain accurate results.
Based on my "little research", several celebrities have undergone LASIK surgery from Shinagawa and that they were really satisfied with the results. Some of these celebrities were Joey Generoso (Side A Band), Ariel Rivera (Singer/Actor) and Janice de Belen, among others. To see the complete list of satisfied celebrities and patients, together with their corresponding testimonials.
Anyway, to make the long story short, I underwent the screening to know if I can qualify for the actual LASIK procedure. Dra. Samson was the one who screened me and it was done in two rooms, they call them the bright room and the dark room. The screening process took almost 2 hours because I have to go through several machines and undergo a rigid screening to make sure that the result will be a success. I arrived around 1:30 in the afternoon and the screening tests ended around 4:30PM.
Actually, it lasted that long because there was one procedure that was done again to make sure that they obtain the right grades of my eyes. They administered eye drops and waited for 30 minutes to properly dilate my pupils to temporarily paralyze the autofocus of my eyes during the screening process.
I have experienced the Shinagawa's 5 ways to check the eye grade; another 4 to 5 ways to check for the cornea thickness called the Corneal pachymetry using the machine called pachymeter, as well as, the 5 to 7 steps/ways to determine the topography or shape of the cornea to make sure that there will be no complications during and after the actual process.
I should also say that although they are using sophisticated machines to check the eyes, they still do the manual procedures, as well. Shinagawa also uses the "Landolt C" Chart (Japanese Vision Test) instead of using the usual eye chart, the Snellen chart.
In some of the screening processes, I can sense that some instruments or machine parts are somewhat touching my eyes, but there's no pain because of the eye drops they have administered before the procedure.
When the elaborate screening process was done Dr. Guerero explained to me the Intra LASIK surgery and assured me that it will be painless. Because I really felt brave that time, I scheduled myself for a surgery. I was given a piece of paper where reminders and other important surgical precautions were printed. Actually, it was a 5-page leaflet where every pertinent question regarding the LASIK surgery is answered. I also read the overview of the Intra LASIK process, the do's and don'ts before and after the procedure, as well as, what to expect during and after procedure.
On a scheduled date, I drag my husband with me to give me "words of encouragement", moral support or whatever it is he can give to shake off those anxieties that I was feeling. I'd be hypocrite if I tell you that I felt just fine. Although, some of my friends discouraged me to undergo this procedure, still I ignored them because I'm really determined this time, plus the fact that Mitch told me that after several months, she is feeling great and having a positive experience with regards to the procedure she has undergone.
When I was at the Shinagawa, I waited for a moment and when my name was called, I realized that there were 5 of us. We were told to enter the recovery room, changed our clothes to a scrub suit then wore the provided slippers. Three (3) eye drops were administered to each of us – the anesthetic, the antiflamatory and the antibiotic eye drops. After a few seconds, I felt numbness in my eyes and I was told that it was normal (due to anesthetic drops).
Inside the room, we were informed that during the procedure, we have to keep our eyes open for about 31 seconds, even blinking is discouraged. Because I really want this to work out, I practiced – I mean trying to keep my eyes open for about 31 seconds or so. I thought it was hard, but it's really easy!
Anyway, when my name was called (again), I was instructed to enter a certain room where the FLAP procedure will be done. In this procedure, I was told to focus my vision on the red dot in front of me without blinking during the process. I kept each of my eye open during the process for about 31 seconds (as we were told earlier).
After that, I was directed to another room called Excimer room. In this room, the actual INTRA LASIK surgery will be performed.
During the actual procedure, I have to focus my vision on the blinking green lights in front of me without moving. In less than 15 minutes, it was done and voila! That fast. Really!
I must say that Dr. Guerrero, the surgeon who performed the procedure, was very nice and that he constantly reminded me on what to do while he was performing the procedure. I also would like to thank him for allowing my husband to take pictures during the procedure as normally, they really do not allow it, but since I told him that I will blog about it, they allowed the picture-taking.
After the surgery, I was instructed to return to the recovery room. Inside the room, I was instructed to close my eyes for a while then the surgeon checked them and told me to check the wall clock. I was really surprised that I can tell time, not that I don't know how to (lol). Seriously, I was really amazed that I can see the clock's hands without my glasses! I was overwhelmed!
After that, one of the staff handed me 3 eye drops together with a mefenamic acid, protective shades, eye shield and 3m tape. The first 2 drops was to be administered every 3 hours while the other one will be put when there is a feeling of "dry eyes". I was also advised to take Mefenamic after 2 hours just in case I felt pain when the effect of anesthesia has subsided. Luckily, I didn't feel any pain after, although 30 minutes after the surgery, I was having a difficulty opening both of my eyes or I felt like they're zooming in whenever I try to focus on an object. So, I decided to take a nap while my husband drove me home. When I woke up, everything went back to normal, except that I don't have my old glasses anymore, just the protective shades that was handed to me at the clinic.
I was scheduled for a check-up the next day so I went back to Shinagawa. Optometrist Tito Arevalo brought me to the bright room to check my eye grades and instructed me to read the Landolt C chart. You know, before the surgery, I find it hard to read when I'm on the 5th row of the chart, but during that time (a day after the procedure) it was no sweat reading up to the 2nd to the last row. According to Dr. Arevalo, my vision is now 20/12, which is way better than the normal 20/20 vision! Imagine?!
After that, I went to the surgeon, since Dr. Guerrero was not around that day, Dr. Dinglasan was assigned to do the necessary check-up. I waited for Dr. Dinglasan for a while since he was still inside the surgery room. While waiting, Opto Tito stayed with me and entertained my questions. He explained to me the purpose of each machine that were used to me during the surgery.
He also added that a very low percentage, about 1-2% of patients, do not pass the preliminary tests for LASIK surgery, which included patients with cataract and other similar eye conditions. He likewise mentioned that it is normal to experience something like a glare or haze after the surgery, as well as, seeing blurred when an object is near and seeing clearly when they are far. He added that their clinic is open from Mondays to Sundays and that patients who want to undergo LASIK surgery should get a schedule because there were really times that they have numerous patients in a day.
After sometime, Dr. Dinglasan called me, checked my eyes and told me that my eyes are positively responding to the procedure. He also reduced the frequency of the drops from every 3 hours to every 4 hours. After that I was scheduled for my 2nd follow-up check-up a week after.
• They have the highest number of procedures performed with the ALLEGRETTO WAVE Eye-Q Lasik in the world.
With Shinagawa LASIK, it's safe, bladeless, and painless.
For inquiries, please visit http://shinagawa.ph, call their hotline at (632) 491.000 or email inquiry@shinagawa.ph. Follow them on Twitter and like their Facebook page to be updated about their promos and new offerings.
Thanks to my friend, Jen Aspacio of KikayCorner.net, for the pre-screening photos.
Congrats on having a successful Lasik surgery, Iris! 🙂 I'm sure you're appreciating the world a lot differently now that you don't need your eyeglasses just to tell the time. A breakthrough in medicine is what this is. And I'm sure a lot of people will benefit from having clearer vision because it is definitely needed in our everyday life.
Wow, that looked scary! But it's good to now that you're now enjoying perfect vision. I, on the other hand, have to wait for a higher eye grade before I can undergo LASIK.
wow! 20/12! bongga better than 20/20 nga. di ba masaket or no discomfort after and how.do u feel now no itchiness, redness, swelling and other unuusual stuff? congrats btw for ur new set of beautifil eyes!
Very detailed blog. Thanks. What does Shinagawa mean? After surgery, are there any restrictions regarding washing the face or swimming?
Shinagawa is a place in Tokyo, Japan. And The Shinagawa Clinic Group of Companies is the biggest and No. 1 eye laser and aesthetic center in Japan. It aims to bring the first-ever Japanese medical technology to the country.
Regarding the restrictions, prevent water from entering your eyes for at least a week after LASIK.Avoid rubbing your eyes for at least the first week. No swimming for a month or 2, depending on your surgeon's advice.
The eye surgeons here were also trained in Japan? Did they say if there is an age limit when you are too old for this procedure?
Yes Fred, the surgeons were sent to Japan for training.
1. Have a stable refraction (spectacle power) at least a year.
3. Not pregnant or breasfeeding.
4. No medical illnesses such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, AIDS, Sjorgen disease, or any other illnesses that may affect the healing process that will result to a bad outcome..
6. Have sufficient corneal thickness (the cornea is the transparent front part of the eye). A LASIK patient should have a cornea that is thick enough to allow the surgeon to safely create a clean corneal flap of appropriate depth.
Thanks Gessa, yup I can wear sunglasses and makeup na rin hahahaha!
thanks for this very comprehensive post. my daughter wants a lasik procedure but she is only fourteen. we're considering it in the future, when she is ready enough to handle such procedure. she's wearing contacts almost everyday, and her vision is 200/325..
congrats and wow to your 20/12 vision..
I remember when my daughter had her first contacts and she would sing, "I can see clearly now" without the glasses." now I am looking forward to that day when she would sing with 20/12 vision too, with the lasik.
Get rid of your eyeglasses and have the 20/20 vision again..LASIK surgery is really painless!
I've been wanting to get LASIK Surgery but I'm not qualified. 🙁 I have 125/175 and 225 astigmastism.


Hang gliders from across the nation converge on Sheridan Wyoming twice a year, to soar upwards on the air currents of the beautiful Big Horn Mountains. Launching from Sand Turn, spectacular views of the area are revealed as aviators climb upwards to 13,000 feet making hang gliding one of the many unique adventures for those landing in Sheridan.
Dubbed hang gliding "heaven," the little town of Dayton, west of Sheridan, Wyoming, on the eastern edge of the Bighorn Mountains is home to some of the best thermals in the northern Rockies. The conditions from Sand Turn, allow aviators to climb upwards to 13,000 feet.
The new Hang Glider Fly-In Festivals events are scheduled Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend.
Journalists will be included in the event – also helping take vehicles down the mountain and will be paired with a pilot for an inside view of the sport and event.
Spelunking in nearby Tongue River Cave is also available. Journalists can accompany a guide or navigate the cave on their own with a provided map.
Directions: Exit I-90 at Ranchester exit West of Sheridan. Continue on Hwy 14 up Bighorn Mountains to Sand Turn.


Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews joined Parliamentary colleagues, project representatives and local government officials today on the first passenger train service along the new dedicated regional tracks through Melbourne's west.
Mr Truss said Regional Rail Link removed major bottlenecks in Victoria's rail network and significantly increased capacity for passengers in Melbourne's west and Victoria's major regional centres of Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.
"The Regional Rail Link has expanded Victoria's rail network by laying 50 kilometres of dedicated dual track and 40 kilometres of single track from West Werribee through to Southern Cross Station," Mr Truss said.
"The completion of this project has seen regional rail services separated from metropolitan rail services, providing additional capacity for passengers across the rail network.
Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews said commuters will be able to spend more time at home and less time waiting for transport with trains running every 10 minutes for Geelong commuters throughout peak periods.
"Regional Rail Link transforms our train network, delivering more frequent, reliable trains to Melbourne's booming west and Victoria's major regional centres," Mr Andrews said.
"Regional Rail Link is one of the most important projects in Victoria's history and a great example of what can be achieved when Federal and State Governments work together to deliver major public transport infrastructure."
Victorian Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said it was exciting to catch the first passenger service on the new tracks and acknowledged the hard work of all involved.
"This is the culmination of seven years of hard work by 15,000 engineers, designers and builders," Mrs Allan said.
The project was jointly funded with the Australian Government investing $2.7 billion and the Victorian Government contributing $931 million.


YULEE, Fla. - A military ordnance was found by a construction crew Tuesday morning near River Of Praise Worship Center on State Road 200/A1A and St. Mark Drive, according to the Nassau County Sheriff's Office.
The Bomb Squad was sent to the scene to make sure the device was not a danger to anyone. Personnel from Navy Submarine Base Kings Bay identified it as a 60mm mortar safely removed it.
Traffic was diverted off S.R. 200 between Miner and Chester roads until the bomb squad could determine if the device is dangerous, but the road was reopened about 11:20 a.m.
Traffic in the area was at a near standstill for over an hour.
Officals at Yulee High School, which is located about two miles further south on Minor Road, told News4Jax the campus was never under lockdown. The school sent a message to parents late Tuesday morning notifying them that students are safe, but there could be issues getting to the school.


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Home » Posts tagged "gun control"
Tag Archives: gun control
March 27, 2018 – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 219
By Bill Humphrey March 27, 2018 - 7:00 am April 3, 2018 Radio Show
Topics: Demonstrations for gun control in Boston and Springfield at the Smith and Wesson factory; Historical radicalism in New England and what old-school anarchist labor organizing might teach us today. People: Bill, Nate. Produced: Mar 24th, 2018.
Pre-release clarification: The IWW was established in 1905. Late 19th century efforts along similar lines were of course not IWW, but undertaken by other organizers. I can't remember if I muddled it a bit while speaking off the cuff. -Bill
Tagged anarchism, gun control, history, IWW, labor unions, Massachusetts
AFD Micron #39
By Ben Tolkin October 10, 2015 - 5:30 pm October 10, 2015 Arsenal Micron
Ben Carson, why would you complain about not getting enough time to speak at the debates? You were the only one who had cracked the code of the Republican nomination process! In a pool entirely filled with crazy, one can only avoid saying crazy things by never saying anything!
Tagged 2016 US elections, Ben Carson, gun control, Republicans, the Holocaust
By Ben Tolkin October 8, 2015 - 8:00 am October 8, 2015 Arsenal Micron
And in the wake of another mass shooting, America finally finds itself debating gun safety… in that we're debating whether or not it's a good idea for random citizens to open fire at a suspected shoplifter in the middle of a parking lot. Well… it's a start?
Tagged gun control, Michigan
By Ben Tolkin September 10, 2015 - 8:00 am September 10, 2015 Arsenal Micron
The stabbing attack at the University of Arkansas serves as a reminder of how insane the "if we outlaw guns, people will kill each other in other ways" argument is. If you don't know what you're doing, it's really, really hard to kill someone without a weapon designed for that purpose: obviously, a machete attack is a horrible event, but it resulted in… three people injured, counting the perpetrator.
Tagged gun control
In 2008, Clinton attacked Obama for gun control support
By Bill Humphrey July 15, 2015 - 3:47 am July 15, 2015 Arsenal Pulse
But in 2015, Clinton is attacking Bernie Sanders for insufficient gun control support. Let's track the intense flip-flopping, solely meant to destroy rival Democratic nomination candidates, both times.
Now (Washington Post, July 9, 2015):
"I'm going to speak out against the uncontrollable use of guns in our country because I believe we can do better," Clinton said Tuesday in Iowa City.
A few days earlier, she said in Hanover, N.H.: "We have to take on the gun lobby. . . . This is a controversial issue. I am well aware of that. But I think it is the height of irresponsibility not to talk about it."
Gun control is one of the few issues on which Clinton has a more left-leaning record than Sanders, who represents a rural, pro-gun-rights state and has voted in the past for legislation to protect the firearms industry. Although Clinton has not attacked Sanders by name, by invoking guns she makes an unspoken contrast.
Despite his mixed voting record, Sanders did support the 2013 background-check bill and assault-weapons ban. And on the stump, he is trying to sound more forceful. He notes that "guns in Chicago and Los Angeles mean a very different thing than guns in Vermont and New Hampshire" but says — as he did two weeks ago in Bow, N.H. — that the next president must "come forward with a common-sense proposal on guns."
In the Democratic field, former Maryland governor Martin O'Malley has the strongest record in favor of gun control. He supported an assault-weapons ban as mayor of Baltimore in the early 2000s and then signed one into law as governor in 2013, along with a suite of gun restrictions that stand as among the nation's toughest.
Howard Wolfson, for many years a top Clinton aide before going to work for Bloomberg, said Clinton's avoidance of guns in 2008 should not be mistaken for a lack of interest in gun control.
In Indiana, "Clinton mailing attacks Obama on guns" – Ben Smith for Politico – May 4, 2008
Hillary Clinton has re-opened her sharp attack on Barack Obama's position on guns, with a mailer in Indiana that seeks to raise questions about him with both supporters and opponents of gun rights.
The mailing — perhaps the sharpest-edged of Clinton's five negative mail pieces in Indiana — casts him as a typical politician, saying different things to different audiences. It also revives his damaging comments in San Francisco that small town people cling to guns.
The piece is particularly striking coming from Clinton, who has been seen for most of her career as a firm advocate of gun control, but more recently has emerged — without dramatically shifting her stance on specific issues — as a defender of the Second Amendment who fondly recalled being taught to shoot by her grandfather in Scranton.
So which is it?
Is she now the candidate who "told people" in conservative states she "was for the 2nd Amendment, in order to get their votes" as her 2008 mailer alleged of Sen. Obama?
Tagged 2008 US elections, 2016 US elections, Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders, Democrats, gun control, Hillary Clinton, Martin O'Malley
Charleston: I'm out of new things to say
By Bill Humphrey June 18, 2015 - 10:37 pm June 18, 2015 Arsenal Pulse
Today I felt, for one of the few times in my life, like I finally had nothing left to say on a huge story in the news. The Charleston AME church shooting in this case.
I've written post after post after post on White America's violence against Black America. I've written post after post on violent ideologies versus mental illness. I've written post after post on gun control and mass shootings. I've written post after post on Confederate apologism. I literally don't know what else to say at this point. This happens so often — even just in the last couple years — and the facts are so similar that there's no new ground to cover. Whatever I'd write on it would be hollow and a waste of space.
This isn't a mysterious and inexplicable tragedy. It's just the latest act of terrorism in a vast pattern that seems like it won't end.
At this point I'll direct everyone to Black authors and social media commentators. Anything they have to say is almost certainly going to be more worth hearing than anything new I could come up with. If you don't know where to start, I'll point you toward our columnist De Ana. Beyond her own tweets, her Twitter stream will give you a jumping off point to other voices you should hear.
Tagged American South, Black History, Charleston AME church shooting, gun control, racism, South Carolina, white supremacy
Beyond the Senate: The 2014 state losses
By Sasha December 1, 2014 - 8:00 am December 1, 2014 Arsenal Analysis
Certain people of this country have realized that their true political power lies in their local governments. The states and counties that they reside in have lots of power thanks to the 10th amendment, and by golly they intend to use it to the fullest extent.
This November, not only did the Republicans shellack the Democrats on a national level, they improved their ground game and hit them where it hurts. Jill Lawrence, writing for Al Jazeera America, recaps:
Republicans took over 11 state legislative chambers that had been held by Democrats. They now control 23 states entirely — governor and both legislative chambers — versus seven for Democrats. They netted three new governors for a total of 31, versus 18 for Democrats. They gained more than 300 legislators and now hold the most state legislative seats since 1920.
Map of 2014 United States state legislature election results, comparing partisan control of the legislative chambers and governor's office in each state. (Click map for full-sized view.) Note: Alaska's governor is an independent.
The significance of these gains is two-fold. First, implementing policy on a national level is difficult when it means communicating and negotiating with Republican dominated state houses. Landmark legislation like the Affordable Care Act depends on cooperation of the states. 25 states didn't expand Medicaid as a part of the ACA, essentially making the law useless for the low-income uninsured.
Similarly, any hope for increasing the minimum wage in individual states rather than nationwide will be impossible in states with the Republican held legislatures. State Republicans that continue to base their decisions on party politics instead of the needs of the people are sure to face repercussions later down the road, but for now they have other intentions.
Which brings me to my second point. These newly elected Republican legislatures and governors will no doubt pass questionable legislation, as they have done in the past. In 2013, North Carolina tried to establish Christianity as their state religion, until someone realized that would be totally unconstitutional. Michigan lawmakers extended gun owners the right to conceal and carry in daycares, but it was vetoed by the Republican Governor a few days after the Sandy Hook shootings. And Tennessee attempted to pass a bill that would cut low-income families' welfare if their children received poor grades in school.
State legislatures fly under the radar of most people, but local advocates have been able to push their agenda through these state houses. Based on their recent track record, the new Republican majorities will inevitably bring a fresh onslaught of anti-abortion laws to states that have already restricted a woman's right to choose, as well as to new states. Laws that would clearly never make it through a national Congress, are snaking through the states and slowly but surely making it more difficult for a woman to have fair access to an abortion.
Issues like this are where some people have realized their true potential as voters. Local laws reflect local attitudes. And despite the Supreme Court's ruling on Roe v. Wade, local attitudes will continue to work towards limiting, and potentially barring, access to legal abortions.
So as concerning as it may be for Democrats that they lost control of the U.S. Senate, focus should instead be on the amount of power Republicans now hold in the states. And most importantly, how they intend to use that power.
Tagged 2014 US elections, abortion, gun control, minimum wage, reproductive freedom, Republicans, US state legislatures

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Deceptive domain and SSL certificate issued by Network Solutions
6th September, 2013
Network Solutions allowed a fraudster to register a deceptive domain name earlier this week: secure-chaseonline.com. Network Solutions also issued a valid SSL certificate for the domain, which was used for a phishing attack which targeted customers of Chase Bank.
Phishing attack targeting Chase bank on secure-chaseonline.com
The phishing site added further credibility to the attack by using an encrypted HTTPS connection. The fraudster obtained a domain-validated SSL certificate from Network Solutions, and, as with the domain, it was valid for one year from 3rd September 2013.
The SSL certificate used on secure-chaseonline.com
Although opportunities were missed to prevent the suspicious domain name being registered and the corresponding SSL certificate being issued, the certificate used by the site does at least support OCSP, which can allow the issuer to instantly revoke the certificate. However, the efficacy of this mechanism largely depends on which browser the victim is using, and how it has been configured. For example, Firefox — which does performs OCSP checks by default — will only display content from https://secure-chaseonline.com if the certificate has not been revoked. Google Chrome, on the other hand, does not perform such checks by default (for non-EV certificates).
However, as Network Solutions was also the registrar of the domain, it would have been more effective to simply suspend the domain, which is what appears to have happened yesterday:
No match for "SECURE-CHASEONLINE.COM".
>>> Last update of whois database: Thu, 05 Sep 2013 12:56:58 UTC <<<
The fraudulent SSL certificate was later revoked — the certificate's serial number can be found on Network Solutions' certificate revocation list.
The CA/Browser Forum's Baseline Requirements for the Issuance and Management of Publicly-Trusted Certificates [PDF] says that certificate authorities SHALL subject high risk requests — which includes names at high risk of being used in a phishing attack — to further scrutiny prior to issuance. Netcraft's Domain Registration Risk service is ideal for both domain registrars and certificate authorities, as it judges the likelihood of a new domain being used for fraudulent activities. It identifies domains which are deceptively similar to legitimate websites run by banks and other institutions that are commonly targeted by phishing attackers.
While some phishing attacks can be identified prior to domain registration or SSL certificate issuance (such as the one described above), a significant proportion of phishing attacks make use of compromised web sites (often exploiting vulnerabilities in commonly deployed software platforms, such as WordPress). Netcraft can alert registries, SSL certificate authorities, or registrars and hosting companies of phishing sites discovered using their infrastructure to conduct a phishing attack.
Please get in touch (sales@netcraft.com) if you would like to try out this service or for subscription information.
Posted by Paul Mutton in Security
Incentives for Phishing Site Reporters
14 Nov 2013 Netcraft Services, Other, Security
We incentivise phishing reports from our community of reporters. The current list of prizes is as follows: On reaching 5,000 validated reports you become eligible for a monthly competition to incentivise large reporters. To report phishing sites to us,...
PHP.net blocked by Google: False positive or not?
24 Oct 2013 Security
Rasmus Lerdorf – the creator of PHP – is currently trying to get Google to stop blocking the whole php.net website after it was suspected of containing malware. In a tweet earlier this morning, Rasmus posted a screenshot and suggested that the...
US Government aiding spying... against itself
Partly as a consequence of the US Government shutdown, there are presently more than two hundred .gov websites using expired SSL certificates. Although the shutdown is expected to be a short term measure, the widespread use of expired certificates on...


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Can Obama still get Obama voters to the polls?
Michigan Radio | By Zoe Clark,
Rick Pluta | MPRN
Published October 31, 2014 at 4:07 PM EDT
As we head into the last weekend before the election, Rick Snyder and Mark Schauer (and plenty of others) are making their final swings through the state, launching their final push to get out the vote.
These final few days are all about reaching voters, the would-be, possible voters and persuading, inspiring them to get to the polls.
Democrats Need Excitement
There are more registered Democrats in Michigan than Republicans. Michigan is a blue state. But Democrats don't turn out to the polls the way Republicans do, particularly in midterm elections. That's why in the past six presidential cycles, Michigan has voted for the Democratic presidential candidate but why, because they're elected in the midterms, we have a Republican governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.
It's toward that end that the D's have a big attraction coming this weekend. President Obama is scheduled to campaign with Schauer and Democratic Senatorial candidate Gary Peters in Detroit on Saturday.
Nationwide, many Democrats are avoiding the president, but not here in Michigan. Instead, they're betting the upside of the president's visit will be bigger than the risk.
They're hoping that the president can convince the legions that stepped out to support him in 2012 that they need to step out once again in 2014, even if his name is not at the top of the ticket.
Republicans See Weakness
Republicans, no doubt, will try to capitalize on the president's visit. They're hoping a president with historically low approval ratings will, in a low-turnout year, send some voters to the GOP column.
Michigan Republican Party Chairman Bobby Schostak believes this is an opportunity for Republicans, and they will use it. "We're going to exploit it. Count on that."
There is another risk for Democrats with a presidential visit this late in the season. And that is that a visit from a big political celebrity (and there is no bigger political celebrity than the sitting President of the United States) creates a campaign freeze.
Door-knocking, phone calls, e-mail blasts will all likely grind to a halt on the final Saturday before Election Day while people and resources become consumed by a presidential visit.
The effects of that time-lose, if they're felt, may be much lower on the ticket where state House and Senate races depend on direct voter contact.
So it's a cost-benefit analysis. But, in the end, Democrats figure the benefits of an appeal from the president to Michigan's Democratic base is worth it.
We've Got Issues
When the president arrives tomorrow, expect there to be debate over the state of the economy and who can, and should, take credit for its recovery. "Our economy is doing better. It's growing. Our businesses are creating jobs…" Obama told an audience in April during his last visit to Michigan.
Governor Snyder, however, sees it a bit differently, "I think the nation could come back faster if Washington could solve some of its issues. I think it's actually slowed down our economic recovery over the past few years."
These kind of messages may be a tacit acknowledgement of a few realities. One is that, the economy is growing, but the pace of job creation has slackened during the Snyder years, or maybe they're the Obama-Snyder years. Either way, it seems people remain unsatisfied, no matter who is in charge.
So while Republicans and Democrats tussle over who gets the credit and who gets the blame for this piece and that piece of the economic puzzle, the public may simply blame incumbents.
Politics & GovernmentGary PetersRick SnyderBarack ObamaMark SchauerElection 2014It's Just Politics
Zoe Clark
Zoe Clark is Michigan Radio's Program Director. In that role, Clark oversees all content and programming on the state's largest and most-listened to public radio station - including the station's award-winning newsroom, podcasts, commentary and daily news-magazine Stateside.
See stories by Zoe Clark
Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan's Capitol, government, and politics since 1987.
See stories by Rick Pluta | MPRN
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Promoted blog: Honest endings for honest hearts
2012-04-25 22:00:00by Stephen Turner
[Dtoid Community Blogger Stevil gets the "bad" ending in videogames AND in life. Do not date this man! Want to see your own words appear on the front page? Get writing! --Mr Andy Dixon]
WARNING: Spoilers for Catherine below!
After defying the Gods, and in the process, becoming the fabled "Man of Legends", Vincent Brooks deserved a break. Yet, as Katherine walked out the door, he fell at the final hurdle in a fumble of hollow promises. Their relationship was never meant to last.
There and then, the achievement for being a Bad Lover popped up. My other half looked at me and said, "That ending is you, all over."
Instead of telling her to pack her bags, I agreed. For that, Catherine's Nighty Night conclusion was one of the most satisfying in a long while; one formed out of my own brutal honesty.
Catherine might be a subjectively frustrating puzzle game, but at its heart, the real test comes from how you deal with a hypothetical relationship, and its subsequent affair. It starts off innocuous, before spiralling into a deeply personal territory. The average player can easily go for the gold, with simple character acting.
Though, by doing so, their answers are somewhat untrue. By using past experiences, and applying them to the narrative's situations, honest answers reap the reward of an honest ending. Answering truthfully, in front of your partner, also helps you see Vincent's predicament from a more intimate perspective.
In this case, "Bad" is doesn't have a negative connotation. It's merely a reflection of your personality. There's an irony to Catherine's "true" endings; you have to play to the story's conditions, with outside knowledge, rather than discovering them on your own terms.
The problem with multiple endings is we expect key moments to affect plotlines in an obvious manner. They're dictated, full of forced morality by developers that, by rights, have no place to judge. Few titles manage to avoid this scenario through neutrality.
Silent Hill 2 played every card to its chest, and every checklist was malleable. Each conclusion was unforeseeable. The "Leave" ending was handed out to the cautious types, whilst the reckless were given "In Water". As such, the unknowing progressions were given reflective endings.
In stark contrast, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories admitted you were under psychological evaluation from the start. That warning lay in the subconscious, influencing even the most innocent of indiscretions. Still, Shattered Memories got around such difficulties by reminding you of a narrative goal: to put yourself in the shoes of a desperate father.
Videogames tend to let you escape into a role of the hero. Developers are bound by that simple fact, thus stories are about epic quests. Honesty is hardly the best policy when you're involved in intergalactic war, or having to slay giant beasts for a dead loved one.
When a game doesn't deal with heroics, it usually deals with personal struggles, and thus, should treat the player with respect. Catherine has a neutral stance on morality, knowing that you're playing a videogame where the goal is to win. It goads you into choosing reflective decisions by showing the answers of other players, with the graphs revealing some unexpected percentages. A brilliant idea in steering the audience away from treating the non-puzzle segments as another "game".
Despite the unique online consensus, Catherine shares the same kind of intimacy as Fallout: New Vegas, Way of the Samurai, Steambot Chronicles, and the Zettai Zetsumei Toshi series. They're all about personal struggles, with most choices allowing a completely new direction to accompany different consciences. Every action has a consequence, but they also lack an imposed judgement.
In essence, that's true freedom, true honesty, and for those who control their destiny within the illusionary confines of a pre-set narrative, wholly satisfying.
The downside to an honest heart is the disposability of the initial attempt.
The intensity of each personalised decision is diluted with every subsequent replay. The player knows how to tackle every obstacle with perfect efficiency, and thus, circumvent their previous errors. Everything is an afterthought towards new goals, outside of the narrative. As such, Catherine suffers from its multiple endings, text messages, and achievements.
Currently, I'm on a second run of Catherine, giving Katherine and Catherine the answers they need to hear. For Vincent, it's another run of nightmares. For me, it's just a dream run -- a dishonest ending for a dishonest heart.
ONE OF US WAS FRONT-PAGED! HOW THIS WORKS:
This story was submitted via our Community Blogs, and ultimately made it to the home page! Anybody can get on the homepage of Dtoid when you piss excellence. Want in? Write a longform blog with photos and senpai may notice you (our community committee picks the promos). It happens all the time: read more promoted stories
Stephen TurnerPodcast Crasher, Total Hack gamer profile
Once worked in a chocolate factory. There were no Oompa Loompas. Thanks for reading! more + disclosures
Filed under... #Catherine #Promoted stories


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The Hermetic Order of Ytene | 10-15-21
The Hermetic Order of Ytene is a collective of black metal and experimental music bands based out of the UK and France. Naturally, their lyrical themes primarily explore esotericism with a distinctly UK volkisch bent. As far as can be told, the primary creator behind most of these projects goes by the pseudonym "O.W.G.A." – of which Auld Ridge's Consanguineous Tales of Bloodshed and Treachery has ended up being one of my favorites of the year with its blend of furiously riffy black metal and neofolk. Albionic Hermeticism is another (awesome) part of the Order – though this band plays more straightforward black metal with some minor death metal influences. Where Auld Ridge is sublime, Albionic Hermeticism is raucous; this release has far more discord and way less gorgeous melody compared to Auld Ridge, though still firmly within "classic" black metal aesthetics. Two stand-out tracks include "Ciele Uppan Fells" with its tupa-tupa beat and "Summon'd Orlaeg" in the brash 11 minutes of fire.
Brittonic Ways by Albionic Hermeticism
Tags Black, France, Tape, The Hermetic Order of Ytene
Did you find that Tardus Mortem album too long? Well, time for some funeral doom! That's not a joke (for real this time). Memorandum is funeral doom metal, but it's the most bite-sized funeral doom out there. Menhirs… Affres is a two-track release in under 30 minutes that fits right in with Worship and Ahab. This is a one-man project from Caleb Simard – and if you're willing to feel bad about your life so far, he's only 17 right now. Yep, 17, and put out what I currently think is one of the best funeral doom metal albums of the year. The second track brings in a wonderfully dirge-esque piano lead. That can sound hokey when does poorly, but – as both Skepticism and Memorandum demonstrates – when pulled off, it's pulled off well. Try this out if you're interested or already into funeral doom but you don't want to carve out a weekend to finish an album. One can only imagine where Caleb will be in five years, let alone ten or twenty.
Menhirs… Affres by Memorandum
Tags Canada, Doom, Funeral Doom, Quebec, Self Released, Tape
Emanzipation Productions | 9-17-21
Well y'all, we've got just half a month left in the year. And since the holidays are fast approaching, you know what that means – more time to read Internet blogs about dungeon synth and metal. Yeah, your true family! Let's top off the start of the end with Tardus Mortem, an utterly bizarre death metal band from Denmark. Now Danish death metal often conjures up images of Undergang and Sulphurous, but this is not just in a different ballpark – it's in a completely different volcano. Armageddon is pure death metal with five tracks in 52 minutes. Yes, and it's not death / doom. This includes a 23-minute centerpiece. It is very, very rare for any metal subgenre to have tracks stretching greater than seven or eight minutes and them not having doom or atmospheric black metal influence. This is not that – Armageddon is a thundering production filled with solos like early Destruction and Possessed, acidic vocal performances, and manic drumming. Frequently, the album is held together at the barest of threads; I occasionally feel like the percussion takes a page from the Vomitor school of music, where the tempo is more of a light suggestion. That extreme length is going to put off a lot of listeners, but I can't help but be somewhat enamored by such an adversarial album in a genre where "confrontational" is passé.
Armageddon by Tardus Mortem
Tags Death, Denmark, Emanzipation Productions
Everlasting Spew | 9-17-21
We all have our heuristics in pre-judging music, and one of mine is "does the album art evoke Zdzisław Beksiński". If the answer is "yes", then there's a baseline 20 percent chance that I'm going to enjoy it regardless of anything else. Yeah, I'm basic, so what? It's not like I'm only into drip coffee and indie Metroidvanias or something. Anyway, Occulsed's choice of album art was a must-listen for me – and it did not disappoint at all. This is primarily the brainchild of Jared Moran and Justin Stubbs – both of whom have been in a metric fuckton of bands (e.g. Encoffination, Father Befouled, and Draug). This is completely early 90s death metal: there's that off-kilter and unsettlingly airy production style, a brutal death metal-lite style of songwriting that recalls NY death metal, and a stitched-together approach to songwriting that occasionally sounds more like a collection of distinct riffs than cohesive compositions. I don't mean that third one in a bad way: I love that kind of sound. It's half of why I'm so obsessed with the year 1992 (the other being Sister Act). Kenneth Parker's vocals match the style of music with his breathy approach to deep, deep growls. An album like this is practically tailor-made to my interests; if you're picking up what I'm putting down in the least bit, then give Occulsed a listen.
Crepitation Of Phlegethon by Occulsed
Tags Death, Everlasting Spew, USA
Arna – Dragged to a Lunar Grave [Spain, Black] (2021)
Self Released | 4-23-2021
2020 and 2021 have been the dual years of wampyric black metal. There's been a significant uptick in bands releasing short LPs or demos themed around erotic death, moonlit nights, and star-crossed romance (and often, all three at the same time). They're evocative themes and ones that have rightly been a constant presence in the sturm und drang of the popular consciousness. Who doesn't love a good story about fated love, especially when so many have experienced or nearly experienced it themselves? Well, back to the music: "Dragged to a Lunar Grave" is four tracks of black metal in 28 minutes. Though from Spain, it kinda reminds me of Nachtmystium's "Demise" and some other mid-2000s US black metal. Fast, riffy, and layered – not at all as raw as the cover art may impress.
Dragged to a Lunar Grave by ARNA
Tags 2021, Black, Self Released, Spain
La Ballade des Rats – Rattus Furax [France, Black] (2021)
We are going to mention this album, which is the second full length from La Ballade des Rats came out last year in May. The band though decided to tag this as a 2021 release on Bandcamp so who am I to argue? It is okay since we get to include La Ballade des Rats in 2021 and the creators opus on misery and rat infestation. La Ballade des Rats is the work of a few French musicians who seems to be operating in the tunnels which snake under the city of Toulon. If Rattus Furax sounds like anything then it is the half flooded underground passages which sport all matter of disease and the denizens which inhabits its kingdom. Vermin, disease, and decay are the aesthetics of this release and La Ballade des Rats is its pestilent bard.
Rattus Furax by La Ballade des Rats
Tags 2021, Black, France


First Friday potluck is on April 7th from 6:30-8:30 pm. Jen Prout will be hosting and the theme is "Spring has sprung" Bring any dish that reminds you of Spring, or just any dish! Or no dish! Just show up, we'll share! Anyone wanting to play games (cards, board games, etc...) feel free to bring one. Hope to see you there. We will also be celebrating the April birthdays of Tamatha Gaumnitz, Sandy Wickstrom, Rick Messick, Chris Bauerle, Brigitte Bechtold, and Rebecca Kreisher.


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At VLS, our people are our strength. Our degreed, certified team has countless years of experience, to focus on providing you with an outstanding customer experience.
Ron Kline
Account Executive - Northeast USA
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After receiving his B.F.A. from North Carolina School of the Arts, Ron immediately wanted to learn every aspect of the arts and entertainment industry. As he started working in lighting and rigging system design, installation, and field service, his passion for the arts grew. Ron went on to gain extensive behind-the-scenes production experience; as a designer, production electrician, and rigger in theatres, concert venues, and houses of worship, Ron gained a deep understanding of what it takes for the show to go on.
Ron Kline joined VLS in November of 2020 as an Account Executive focused on supporting clients and developing business throughout upstate New York and the New England region from his home in Vermont.
Taine Gilliam
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Taine Gilliam is currently the Field Service Manager for Vincent Lighting Systems. He started at VLS in 2005 after ten years at the Cleveland Play House, first as Production Electrician and then Technical Director. He came to Cleveland from the Alabama Shakespeare Festival where he was the Festival Theater Master Electrician. Taine's professional theater career started with the Spoleto Festival while he was still a student at the College of Charleston.
Bill Groener
Connect with Bill
Since 2019, Bill Groener served as President of Vincent Lighting Systems and facilitated the transition from ownership by Paul Vincent (VLS Founder) to Canterbury Capital LLC (Canterbury). In February 2020, he will assume a new role within Canterbury, where he'll work to identify and pursue new entertainment industry acquisitions and successfully integrate them into the Canterbury portfolio.
Bill's distinguished career spans almost 40 years in the entertainment, themed and architectural technology sectors. Before joining VLS in November 2018, he was the founding principal of the systems integration firm, GRO(2)B. Prior to that role, he was General Manager of Systems & Design for 4Wall Entertainment where he eventually became VP of National Business Development.
Groener's industry experience also includes senior management roles with Color Kinetics, PRG, Tim Hunter Design, elliptipar, Barbizon and Strand Lighting. He served as a Designer, Consultant or Technical Director on numerous theatrical projects for organizations including Walt Disney Imagineering, Boston Shakespeare Co., South Coast Repertory Theatre, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Ensemble Theater Project, the Utah Shakespeare Festival and the Williamstown Theatre Festival. He received both his B.A. and M.A. degrees in Design and Theatre Technology from the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Allan Mitschke
Connect with Allan
Allan originally called on Vincent Lighting, not for a job, but for gel; he was purchasing filters for a local roller skating rink. Over the years, Allan continued to contact us as a customer. Most recently, he worked four seasons for Cedar Point Live Entertainment, for the Starlight Experience and as Lighting/Fog technician for Halloweekends.
Allan holds an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Electrical Engineering Technologies, Computer Maintenance and Networking. In addition, he has also earned a vocational certificate in network communication technologies. Allan joined the Vincent Lighting in July 2014, where he has been busy answer customers' technical questions and fixing equipment, both in-house and at customers' venues.
David Silvernail
Manager of Products & E-Commerce
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David Silvernail joined the VLS team in December 2020 as Manager of Products and eCommerce. In this newly created role, David will be responsible for all aspects of the eCommerce customer experience as well as the selection of best-in-class product offerings for our customers. Prior to VLS, David spent over 2 years as the eCommerce & Product Manager with Production Advantage. David is the principal architect of the website acquired by Canterbury which is now partnered with VLS. In addition, David will be working with the sales and marketing teams at VLS to help clarify product merchandising and campaigns.
For as long as he can remember, David has always been a geek who's been fascinated with the way things work. In middle school, David began his entry into the world of live entertainment by volunteering with the sound team at church. In high school, David spent four years working on shows both in audio and lighting. At Shepherd College for IT, David spent most of his free time in the theatre, learning how it really worked. Seeing a need for an online community for those just starting out, David created ControlBooth.com while in college, which, almost two decades later, is the leading online forum for discussion and help within the technical entertainment industry.
JT Mauric
ETCP Certified
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In 2020, JT Mauric was promoted to Director of Operations at Vincent Lighting Systems. In his new role, he will be responsible for all rental shop operations, asset management as well as facilities and information systems. JT is a veteran of Vincent Lighting, and started in the Ohio rental department in 2007. JT's responsibilities over the years have included assistant shop manager and shop manager.
In 2013, JT earned his ETCP-Entertainment Electrician certification. The Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) is an industry-wide program to recognize those who demonstrate both knowledge and experience in different areas, including entertainment electrician, arena-rigging and arena-theatre. JT holds a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre Design/ Technology from Wright State University.
Nick DeMore
Account Executive - Northern Ohio
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Nick DeMore is an Account Manager for the VLS projects department in 2017 and is based out of our Cleveland office. Nick graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Business Management and Leadership from Capella University.
Nick brings over 20 years of sales and client management experience in the event technology industry to his current position as Account Manager for Vincent Lighting Systems. As Director of Event Technology, Regional Operations Manager and Regional Vice President for three national event technology companies, he has managed many successful ventures, including organizing logistics, staffing and equipment procurement. He has also coordinated technical logistics for some of Cleveland's largest conventions and premier social events. These responsibilities have provided him with in-depth knowledge and skills to understand the workings of lighting systems, as well as expertise to lead teams to get projects and productions up and running within schedule. His talents have proved valuable to many of our northeast Ohio clients, to ensure their new and renovated lighting systems are successfully implemented.
Steve Arnold
Project Designer
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Steve Arnold joined VLS in 2017 as an Account Manager for our projects department, with a focus on Houses of Worship and Museums. Steve is located in our Cleveland office.
Steve understands churches and their ministry needs, and creates custom worship environments, whether large or small. He also specializes in exhibit and "architainment" lighting for specialty venues such as museums, aquariums, and theme parks. He won two Worship FX awards in 2009 for best LED architectural lighting product and best overall lighting product. Steve considers long-term relationships with clients of utmost importance and makes himself available for on-going training and support.
Troy Leonard
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Troy Leonard joined Vincent Lighting in 2000. As a service technician, he is on the road much of his time, making sure our customers' systems are running in top-notch condition; trouble-shooting, diagnosing and fixing them when they aren't.
Troy also conducts training sessions, sharing his extensive knowledge in an easy-to-understand format, which helps our clients work their lighting systems efficiently.
Chris Meyers
Rental & Production Account Executive Northeast Ohio
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Chris Meyers started with Vincent Lighting Systems on a part-time basis and a few years later became a full time Production Specialist. He is a graduate of Baldwin-Wallace University with a Degree in Technical Theatre. He began in high school theatre, but quickly branched out and his designs and work have been seen at many local theaters including Rabbit Run Theater, The Willoughby Fine Arts Association, Lake Erie College, The Cleveland Institute of Music, Near West Theater, and Cleveland Public Theatre, among others. Chris holds a Vari*Lite service certification.
Production Specialist
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After assisting with set construction, audio, and working as the board op in high school during the schools' production of South Pacific, Andrew discovered lighting was his favorite of them all!
After high school, Andrew started college to pursue a degree in engineering but, wanted a more creative career and graduated with a B.F.A. in Lighting Design & Technology from the University of Cincinnati. (We're glad that Andrew recovered his passion for lighting!)
After working with VLS part-time in the rental department since 2017, Andrew joined us full-time in May of 2021 and is a welcomed addition to our Production team.
Chris Shick
Christopher Shick was brought into the Vincent Lighting fold back in 1986, when VLS was trying to gain ground in growing our rental business. Chris' primary goal was to make it work. And he did. Chris' sharp business mind and a relentless focus to exceed customer expectations by providing amazing lighting not only grew the rental side of the business, but expanded our offerings into production services, where our company comes in and handles all aspects of the lighting for the event or show. Our customers love his work and his dedication to making their event successful.
Ryan Harris
Field Service Coordinator
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Ryan Harris joined the VLS team in 2019 as our Field Service Coordinator. With over a decade of experience in live entertainment, Ryan brings a wealth of experience in both administrative and technical capacities from his previous work with Cedar Point Live Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company, as well as time spent on national Broadway touring companies.
Ryan sets forth every day to put his technical, organizational and customer service skills to work as he assists customers by providing guidance on proper operations of lighting equipment, parts needs, and coordination of all things Service within Vincent Lighting Systems.
Frankie Castrovillari
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As a child, Frankie always wanted to be in the shows he would watch on TV. This desire lead Frankie to join the drama club in grade school; having started out aspiring to be an actor, Frankie found his passion for set design, building, and construction. After high school, Frankie gained a majority of his experience working at Padua Franciscan High School. During that time, he decided that he wanted to further his career by going to school to major in theatre.
In 2018, Frankie graduated from Kent State University with a B.A. in Production with a focus on Lighting & Scenic Design. After gaining experience at theaters throughout Northeast Ohio, Frankie joined our team full-time in January of 2020 and is a welcomed addition to our project management department.
During his free time, Frankie is the resident lighting designer at Players Guild Theatre and serves on the board of The Brecksville Theatre.
Nanette Sigel
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In 2011, Vincent Lighting had a need for a part-time receptionist at our Cleveland office. Nanette eagerly took on that challenge. Soon after, we realized how much of an asset she was to our company, especially with her exceptional organizational skills and nack for keeping projects on-task. Just three months later, Nettie came on-board full-time as our Marketing and Accounting Assistant. Her background in human resources nicely bridges a gap between marketing and administration, and she is a valuable assistant to our team.
Kim Johnson
Projects Administrator
Kim Johnson is our Projects Administrator and manages all the accounting details of very complex projects sales to make sure the money is billed and paid appropriately.Kim gained experience in accounting and payroll while working for a manufacturing company.
Shelley Hammond
Credit and Administrative Manager
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Shelley Hammond oversees the Accounts Receivables side of our company, making sure our customers receive statements as needed, making sure that we receive our money and it is recorded properly, and approving credit applications and processes. Her attention to detail and a mind for numbers is critical in the success of our collections process.
Kim Craigie
A proud Clevelander, Kim attended Cleveland State University, where she majored in Marketing. While pursuing her degree, she was hired at VLS as Marketing Assistant. Continuing her schooling part-time, Kim graduated with a BBA in Marketing from CSU, with a minor in Technical Theatre. In 1998, she transitioned into the Marketing Coordinator position.
Kim holds a deep affinity for the entertainment industry and her colleagues who work in this trade, so she frequently volunteers to help raise funds and awareness at national tradeshows for Behind the Scenes, a charity that provides financial assistance to help entertainment technicians who are critically ill or injured.
Paul Vincent
Founder (retired)
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Theatre runs in the Vincent bloodline; Paul's parents were heavily involved in the Cleveland theatre scene during the 20th century. Despite this, Paul's deep love for ocean life originally had him pursuing a career in marine biology at the University of Cincinnati. One trip through the theatre department, though, changed Paul's plans.
Paul graduated from UC with a bachelor's degree, then a Master of Arts in Technical Theatre. He was hired as inside sales, quotations and convention manager for Kleiglin New York City. In 1978, he opened his own business in Cleveland, a manufacturer's rep for Strand Lighting, known as Paul Vincent Associates.
More than three decades later, Paul's business is now a successful dealer for more than 100 manufacturers, a rental house, production services provider and systems integrator, with offices in four cities. Part of his success is his dedication to the industry. Paul was a founding member of the Theatrical Dealers Association (now known as ESTA – Entertainment Services and Technology Association), a group of members who abide by a set of ethical and moral codes to provide the customer with a respectable method for doing business. Paul has also served as president for ESTA, and currently is on the Board of Directors for USITT, as well as the membership chairman for USITT – Ohio Valley Section. His work in the industry has earned him recognition such as receiving the Eva Swan award in 1999 and the designation as USITT Fellow of the Institute.
Kaila Schafer
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Kaila joined the VLS team in June of 2019, as our E-Commerce Coordinator and is now a welcomed addition to the Marketing Department as our Marketing Manager, working on extraordinary projects for VLS and Production Advantage. Kaila holds a Bachelor of Arts from Cleveland State University where she majored in Communication with a minor in Marketing and is currently studying at Bowling Green State University to obtain her MBA. Kaila also holds her Google Analytics Power User certification.
Kaila is responsible for the day-to-day operations and planning of the marketing calendar and reviewing analytics to improve our performance, with a focus on improving customer experience. In her free time, Kaila enjoys playing the violin, a hobby she has held since grade school, traveling, and enjoying all that nature has to offer.
Trevor Shibley
Manager of Professional Services
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Back in sixth grade, Trevor Shibley got an opportunity to run the light board and followspot; he stayed with it throughout middle and high school. This led to his first theatre job at Kings Island, as followspot op at American Heritage Music Hall.
His experience took him to Carnival Cruise Lines, where he worked as Lighting Technician. Fresh off the boat from a cruise gig, he was looking for a full-time job and heard of an opening at VLS. In 2006, Trevor was hired full-time as Project Manager.
Larry Csernik
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Larry Csernik earned his BA in Theatre at Northern Kentucky University (NKU), where a mentor of his referred him to VLS. Larry started working part-time, then joined our staff full-time as Assistant Rental Shop Manager in August 2015; since then, he was promoted to Rental Shop Manager.
When not on the job with VLS you might catch Larry at the Contemporary Dance Theater of Cincinnati's Performance and Time Arts Series, where he is Acting Technical Director. Larry loves designing shows, and for the past few summers, Larry has designed shows at his Alma Mater NKU's Summer Dinner Theatre at Thomas More College.
Randy Scheib
Director of Rental and Production
Connect with Randy
Randy Scheib has worked at VLS since 1995, starting in our Cincinnati production department and quickly being promoted to Production Manager. Randy holds a BS in Theatre from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has served as President of the Cincinnati Chapter of ILEA (International Live Events Association). After a brief break from the board, he has returned, this time as Director of Programs and Education.
When asked what inspires him, Randy replied that being able to listen, collaborate and fulfill his customers' visions is truly satisfying. Being readily available to both his team and clients, it's no wonder that the one tool he can't do without is his cell phone!
Randy credits his department's success to the talented team in place. And successful they are, winning four ILEA Ohio Wow! Awards in recent years. "These have all been team efforts, as is every production we do," Randy explained.
When discussing the future of our industry, Randy hopes that it continues to evolve and strive for excellence in every aspect, including safety, technology and artistry. Seeing what he has accomplished in the past decades with Vincent Lighting, the future looks bright!
Bridget Nohalty
Rental & Production Dept. Manager
Connect with Bridget
Bridget Nohalty got her start in theatre at Providence High School; her first theatre teacher, Mr. Gilbert, was a major influence in her decision to pursue this as a career. Bridget's first production behind the scenes was as sound board operator for Into the Woods. After the massive amounts of chicken squawks and baby cries sound cues, she decided that she preferred lighting.
Bridget attended Indiana University Bloomington, majoring in theatre, with a minor in music. During both high school and college, her schools rented equipment from Vincent Lighting, so she got to know the company well
Jim Favret
Connect with Jim
Jim Favret joined the Kentucky projects team in October of 2017. Jim works with our Account Manager and the other Kentucky office Project Managers in creating bids and helping to bring our projects to fruition.
Jim is a Cincinnati area native. He attended Northern Kentucky University where he majored in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Radio-Television.
Rob Moyer
Connect with Rob
Rob Moyer joined VLS in 2008. As Production Specialist, he works tirelessly to design, plan, install, run and strike lights for a variety of productions at all hours of the day and night. Rob also works to keep our equipment in top working condition. In 2018, Rob earned his ETCP certification as Entertainment Electrician.
Peter Martino
Connect with Peter
Peter got involved in the entertainment industry earlier than most of us. His dad was a film editor and photographer, so they constantly had gear around the house, which Peter sometimes had the chance to play with. At age six, he was already hanging lights in a catwalk with his dad and running sound and lights, when he was allowed.
Peter earned a BFA in Lighting Design at Michigan State University. He also became a member of IA Local 274 for overhire work. Peter worked at the Actor's Theatre of Louisville, until he joined Vincent Lighting's team in 2014. Since then, he has earned both his Vari-Lite and CM Hoist Certifications.
In 2017, Peter earned his ETCP certification as Entertainment Electrician.
Joe Bailey
Regional Operations Manager
Connect with Joe
Joe Bailey joined VLS in 2016 as our Rental and Production Specialist While attending Deer Park High School, Joe got involved in theater. This lead to him becoming the light board operator for Parkers, the schools variety show, which the school has been putting on for over 70 years. While working at a Deer Park event, he met up with some of VLS' Rental and Production team. Once working with the VLS team, Joe knew he wanted to continue to work in this field and expand his skills in lighting.
While working on a regular basis with VLS, Joe is also attending Northern Kentucky University where he is pursuing his BA.
Walt Weber
Connect with Walt
Walt Weber originally started with our company in 1983 to manage the rentals in Cleveland. Walt took a brief hiatus from our company, then returned to VLS in 1986, to start up our Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky branch as Outside Sales.
In 2018, Walt was appointed to General Manager for our Kentucky location. In this role, he oversees the project, product, production, rental and repair activities for this location.
In September 2019, Walt was appointed National Sales Manager, when our Raleigh, North Caroline office was opened. Walt will oversee the management of this office as well as national projects throughout the United States.
Tom Lumley
Manager of Rigging
Connect with Tom
With over 12 years of experience installing all facets of rigging, Tom Lumley has become a familiar face to VLS customers as our Rigging Installation Crew Leader. Tom joined our team in April 2018 and is in charge of the field installations of theatrical equipment and crew members. What advice would this ETCP-certified Rigger give to someone just starting out in the industry? "Safety is always the most important step. I would recommend that they don't do anything that they're not comfortable doing. Always ask questions if they don't understand why an installation is done in a particular way," Tom advises.
Adam Hayward
Director of Sales & Professional Services
Connect with Adam
In February, 2020, Adam Hayward was promoted to Director of Sales and Professional Services for Vincent Lighting Systems. Adam's leadership and success to drive growth particularly for our systems integration division has been remarkable. Adam has been a valuable employee of Vincent Lighting. In his new role, Adam will oversee all sales efforts for Systems Integration and Product Sales as well as Professional Services including Project Management and Field Service. With a "problem solving" mindset, in 2018, he was promoted to General Manager of the Kentucky office and now takes on a bigger role.
For as long as he can remember, Adam Hayward has always had an interest in theatrical productions to see how the "magic" was done. In eighth grade, he was asked to work the curtains for their district musical, Hello Dolly. Watching the chaos backstage, he was hooked. Adam attended the University of Cincinnati CCM and also worked for Kings Island in Cincinnati for 13 seasons. At Kings Island, Adam started out as a stage technician and worked his way up to a supervisor in the entertainment department, overseeing the technical aspects of the shows.
Yearning for a change from the hectic production schedule, Adam saw a job opening in 2007 for Outside Sales at VLS. He decided that it was something different at which he wanted to succeed. He was hired and has thrived here ever since.
Zach Calloway
Rental & Production Account Executive Western Pennsylvania
Connect with Zach
Zach joined VLS as a full-time Rental Shop Manager in March of 2019. In December of 2019, he earned his ETCP certification as Entertainment Electrician. Prior to that, Zach worked with our production and rental team on a part-time basis for several years.
In 2020, Zach Calloway joined the rigging department, and in 2021 became Rigging Crew Leader. Zach is proud to hold two ETCP certifications; Entertainment Electrician and ETCP Rigger – Theatre certifications.
Zach earned his BA in TV/Video Production and Web Design from Robert Morris University.
Rob Anderson
Rigging Inspections
When Rob joined VLS in 2019, he brought nearly 40 years of professional theater experience with him.
Between stage crews, scenic and lighting design, and technical direction, he has been part of nearly every aspect of the behind the scenes theater life (in addition to a number of years on stage, too).
Rob holds a B.A. in Theatre from Allegheny College, is an ETCP Certified Rigger, and is most pleased to bring his skills and experience to our Rigging Department and customers.
Liz Turner
Connect with Liz
Liz began her career in the entertainment industry working in Tech in high school as Lighting Designer/Assistant Production Manager of Little Shop of Horrors! After enjoying her time working in high school theatre, Liz went on to obtain her B.A. in Drama with a concentration in Technical Theatre from Bishop's University in Quebec, Canada!
After graduating, Liz worked professionally in both North America and Canada; from working as a Lighting Technician at a summer theatre venue in Maine, an Audio Engineer with two touring circuses', a Lighting & Audio Technician in Newfoundland, to being a Stage Manager for CBC Radio. Liz has worn many hats and is proud to bring her talents to VLS, where she is a welcomed addition to our Operations team in Pittsburgh, PA!
Sam Williams
Connect with Sam
Before Sam's career in theatrical stage rigging, Sam worked in the construction field. It was while working in construction that Sam heard about rigging and it spurred his interest! 8 Years and an ETCP certification later, Sam made a career out of rigging. Sam joined our team in May of 2020 and is a welcomed addition to the rigging department!
Carly Conroy
Connect with Carly
Carly is the Rental Manager in our Pittsburgh office, where she is responsible for managing equipment, billing, processing payroll and provides hands-on production work.
Carly holds a Bachelor of Science and an Associate of Arts degrees in Commercial Music Technology from the California University of Pennsylvania.
Prior to her current role, Carly worked part-time for VLS since June, 2018 and starting full-time in August 2019 as the Rental Administrator in our Pittsburgh office, putting her lighting experience to work in our production department. She also gained lighting experience thru shows at the California University of Pennsylvania as well as working as a stagehand for IATSE Local 3.
Emily Hope
Connect with Emily
Emily Hope is a Vincent Lighting Systems Internship Program success story! During the summer of 2018 she completed her VLS internship and then returned to Wright State University to finish her senior year. She now proudly holds a BFA in Design/Technology with a concentration in Lighting Design.
When a position opened up for a Project Manager in our Pittsburgh location, Emily applied and was hired in June of 2019. Emily's focus is to coordinate sold projects and assist the project sales team. This includes providing overall management of projects from concept to completion of sales through final delivery.
Matt Hazard
Account Executive - Central Ohio
Connect with Matt
In July of 2018, Matt Hazard joined the VLS team as Outside Sales and Creative Solutions. Based in greater Columbus, Matt's focused on supporting clients and developing business for theaters, churches, schools and architectural lighting environments in central Ohio.
Most recently, Matt was the Lighting Studio Manager at The Ohio State University, where he earned his BA and MFA.
Nathan Rosmarin
Connect with Nathan
Nathan started with Vincent Lighting Systems in 2018, as a full time Production Specialist. Nathan graduated Magna Cum Laude from Kent State University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts, with a concentration in Theatre Management.
In November 2019, Nathan was promoted to Production Manager to focus on development of new production business in Columbus, Ohio.
Russ Blain
Account Executive - Michigan & Northern Indiana
Connect with Russ
Russ Blain received his BA and MFA degrees from The Ohio State University. Russ joined VLS in March 2019, as our Outside Sales Representative for the State of Michigan and northern Indiana. Russ brings a wealth of lighting knowledge to the Team.
Paul Strom
Paul Strom joined VLS in November of 2020 as an Account Executive focused on supporting clients and developing business in North and South Carolina. In November of 2021, Paul Strom joined our rigging department, as a Project Manager!
Since joining a technical theatre club, developed by a roadie for The Pretenders, Paul's love for technical theater began and continues to this day. Paul has a long and successful history selling in the entertainment market and is excited to bring his skills to VLS.
Paul and his wife of 30 years reside in the Charlotte, North Carolina region near their two children.
Matt Mussig
Meet the Production Advantage Team
Production and Rental Sales
Sam Costello
Cat Blomberg
Project Install Technician
Connect with Cat
Steve Lau
Project Drafter
Production and Rental
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HORIBA, Ltd. has developed a new particle size distribution analyzer, model LA-950V2, which uses a laser beam to analyze particle size. The new model will be introduced to the market on August 29, 2007.
In addition to the high-performance of the conventional model (LA-950), the new model can combine four custom specifications (*1) and eight accessories (*2) to suitably accommodate various measurement conditions and sample forms, thereby flexibly meeting a variety of customer needs.
This new model being our globally competitive product, we will launch a strategy to expand our Japanese market share from the present 30% to 50% by 2010, and nearly double the present global market share to 30% by 2010.
HORIBA has been marketing particle size analyzers in the global market for more than a quarter century. We put the world's highest performance model, the LA-950, on the world market in 2004 and currently enjoy a market share of nearly 13% in the world and nearly 30% in Japan. The LA-950 can analyze particle sizes from 10 nm to 3 mm, or in a particle size range of 300,000 times the smallest measurable size, at a high accuracy of ±0.6%, within one minute. Thanks to such high performance, this analyzer will yield high-accuracy measurement data in the fields of quality control and R&D.
Meanwhile, customers must measure samples (particulate materials) having a variety of forms and properties - finely pulverized solids, granular liquid, breakable materials, sticky materials, soluble materials, foggy materials, materials that sink quickly in liquid etc. These customers have asked us to develop particle size analyzers that are best suited to the form and properties of each sample.
To meet such customer requests to the extent possible, HORIBA incorporated into the LA-950V2 four custom pretreatment specifications (five specifications including standard type) and eight pretreatment accessories that can be attached/detached to/from the equipment body.
The optimal combination of these specifications and accessories to a specific application enables correct and fast analysis of the particle size of particulate material heretofore difficult to analyze.
As described above, the new model can comprise analyzer body and accessory optimal for the particular form and properties of a powder or other material to be measured, including deodorant sprays, which are winning a big market, and such slurry materials as gelatos. Designating this new model a globally strategic product, HORIBA will promote sales not only in Japan, but also in rapidly growing China, the US, Europe and other countries.
Equipped with the same supersensitive two-wavelength optical system as the LA950, a HORIBA original technology, the LA-950V2 has the widest measurable size range in the industry. It is also equipped with a circulation system driven by a high-power pump, thereby achieving the shortest analysis time in the industry.
2) Accessory mounted on the analyzer body can easily be replaced without tools.
This model is easy to use even in research laboratories where various samples are measured.
3) The required measurement accuracy is assured by using seven monodisperse particles and four polydisperse particles.


text:
Tupac Biography
Tupac Dedication
Tupac Amaru Shakur: 15th Anniversary
Home » Tupac Amaru Shakur: 15th Anniversary
12 Sep	Posted by Staff in News | Comments
It's easy to look back after 15 years and reflect at the loss of life; our humanity is always present but brains are wired to move on regardless of tragic incidents in our life. This type of self-preservation has always been there but each of us uses this security blanket in a different way. Some people take loss a lot harder than others and it also depends on how close of a personal relationship we have had with those who lose their life. Family members and close friends usually get dealt the worst hand and have to deal with not just loss, but grief and sorrow.
As time moves forward, we try and do what we can to remember and to honor. Tupac Shakur was an icon that symbolized a plethora of traits and characteristics. To many he was an artist, musician, actor, and activist. To others, he was a thug, gangster, rapper and convict; while others portrayed him as compassionate, dedicated, loyal and honest. Regardless, these are just words and in the end they do a poor job of really articulating human thought and communication.
Tupac Amaru Shakur was an icon, plain and simple. His reach was so great that fifteen years after his death, there are still plenty of tributes to him. The internet has given a medium for fans new and old to show their support and share their stories on how he has affected their own lives. Makaveli.com was one original medium and it was spawned by the idea and creativity of a fan who wanted to take those first steps into showing support for one of the last real icons of the 20th century.
Tupac was more than a man, he was an idea. This idea was a hydra which took on forms based on the receiver of his message. For a ghetto kid on the streets and living in poverty, Tupac's idea was inspiration. To the single mother, the idea was positive motivation and love. To the new or struggling artist in the industry, the idea was confirmation and awareness. Even to the political circle, his idea was a spark, a need for chance and acceptance.
Take from him what you will but do not idolize this man. He was not to be idolized, desired, loved or emulated. The image is an illusion, the material is transparent. What remains is the message carried in the breath of voice. So to this I say, remember. Remember Tupac Amaru Shakur and remember the idea.
Makaveli.com would like to honor Tupac Shakur's memory yet again, now fifteen years after his passing. To the fans, the family, and friends, Tupac Shakur will be missed but never forgotten.
19 years online! Makaveli.com - By the Fans, For the Fans.
MDC Staff
Makaveli.com
Keefe D Interview The Daily Mail is reporting that Duane Keith Davis "Keefe ...
20 Years! Nobody would have imagined that a website dedicated to the ...
Tupac Shakur: Happy 46th Birthday! With what would have been his 46th birthday, Makaveli.com and ...
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VDI software and management tools from smaller VDI vendors may be the way to go if you don't have the budget or manpower to use industry giants.
Names such as VMware, Citrix and Microsoft are at the top of the desktop virtualization industry, but a vast array of alternatives to these VDI vendors exists. Many offer software, hardware and management tools that may be just what smaller enterprises need to jump on the VDI bandwagon.
NComputing got its start with products that used thin clients to allow users to share PCs via server-based software multiplexer. However, the company has moved away from the multiplexer ideology into the desktop virtualization space. It has put extensive work into building its vSpace software platform that provides all the components of VDI while still working with its hardware thin clients (such as the L-series, M-series and X-series devices). It also offers the vSpace Client, an application that turns older PCs into Windows 7 virtual desktop devices.
By using a plug-and-play ideology, NComputing aims to eliminate many of the technical hurdles surrounding VDI, yet still leverage the existing infrastructure. Although it is more costly than some roll-your-own VDI offerings, time savings and reliability can make up for any added expenses.
Wyse, which Dell purchased in May 2012, developed thin client technology that was based upon a client-server methodology. A server-class machine hosted multiple desktops, while a thin client device delivered desktop operations to remote users.
The Dell Wyse combination has created new VDI offerings, such as vStart for VDI, an enterprise-class VDI tool that uses plug-and-play technology. Other offerings under the Dell banner include the Dell Virtualization Solutions (DVS) Simplified Appliance, which acts as an appliance-based VDI host, eliminating much of the hardware and configuration concerns.
For larger deployments, Dell offers the DVS Enterprise Infrastructure, which delivers desktop virtualization to environments ranging from 50 seats to several thousands. The company also offers a Dell Wyse WSM Starter Kit, an inclusive package that brings VDI to small and medium-sized businesses.
HP's acquisition of Neoware in 2007 vaulted the company to the top of the thin client market. Focusing on zero client ideology, HP has introduced endpoint clients such as the t410 All-in-One Smart Zero client, which incorporates Power over Ethernet and support for Citrix HDX -- on-chip for high-definition virtual desktops.
HP has used thin clients as a way to grow its VDI business. The company offers several stateless thinclient devices under its t5000 model line and shies away from recommending that VDI adopters use existing PCs as endpoints for virtual desktops. The company claims that using existing systems can pose limitations that limit return on investment.
The company offers bundles and complete VDI suites, including everything from VMware-certified servers to connection protocols to endpoint devices, meaning that administrators can have a single point of contact for support issues and upgrades.
Known for its zero clients, Pano Logic went out of business in October 2012, but it was reborn after its assets were purchased by Propalms, an application delivery vendor. Propalms intends to integrate Pano Logic into its organization as a new division and continue to support and develop Pano Logic's zero client technology.
Even though the company is no longer, the technology that Pano Logic introduced brings a new twist to the world of VDI: It offered a zero client device that had no local processing power as a method to deliver a desktop over Ethernet to a remote monitor, keyboard and mouse.
The company extended the capabilities of its zero client platform by incorporating virtualization technology, turning it into a VDI platform. Pano Logic's platform is hypervisor-independent, meaning that it will work with hypervisors from the leading vendors, such as VMware, Citrix and Microsoft.
Still, questions remain as to whether Propalms will continue to develop the Pano Logic platform or shift customers over to its own application delivery platform.
As the VDI market heats up, potential adopters should consider the many options and offerings available from vendors inhabiting the VDI space. You may even choose to self-integrate and combine technologies from various vendors to build the perfect solution for a given environment. Those pressed for time may want to adopt a single vendor ideology and build their VDI systems from one-stop-shop pre-integrated technology.


SMYRNA, Del. (CBS) – Residents near the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Power Plants in New Jersey can expect to hear emergency sirens next Tuesday night while officials test the system. The plants are within 50 miles of Delaware's borders, so those near Delaware may also hear the sirens.
The 37 sirens located within 10 miles of the plants will be activated at 7:30 p.m. for three to five minutes. The siren tests will be followed by a test message of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on local radio stations.
The sirens are used to alert the public in the event of an actual emergency at either the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Stations. In such an emergency, the public would be alerted by the sirens to tune radios to one of the local EAS stations for important emergency instructions.
The test will be conducted by the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and Delaware State Police.


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The American Computer Society announced the list of outstanding scientists. Li Feifei, chief scientist of damoyuan database, was selected.
via:CnBeta time:2018/11/8 18:36:43 readed:436
Previously, as a lifelong professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Utah, Li Feifei has been repeatedly awarded the Association of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and ACM.data baseThe most influential paper award in the field.
It is understood that in 2018, Professor Li Feifei joined the Damo Academy and led the team to devote to the research, including the new generation of distributed database, unstructured data management, data security and other key technologies.
At present, the new generation of distributed database system developed by Professor Li Feifei's team has supported the complex business, massive data and the challenge of double 11 transaction peak in Alibaba economy, and has been applied to the intelligent urban traffic network management in many cities.
Earlier, Alibaba CTO and Damo President Zhang Jianfeng said that Alibaba's digital economy has deposited a huge amount of application data. To better tap and utilize the value of massive data, Ali has built a world-class infrastructure and launched a series of independent innovations.


Things he says don't sound the same.
Keith can't even say his name.
(That is what he says his name is).
Is where he says the blame is.
Sure kept the fairy hopping.
When his mother takes him shopping.
And just wants to be Keith again.