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A global coalition for sustainable agricultural development
Farming First TV
Food & Nutrition Security
Stories tagged: Mali
Empowering African Cooperatives to Access Markets
TradeNet, a Ghana-based trading platform allows users to sign up for SMS alerts for commodities and markets of their choice and receive instant alerts for offers to buy or sell as soon as anyone else on the network has submitted an offer on their mobile phone.
Users can also request and receive real-time prices for more than 80 commodities from 400 markets across West Africa.
Individual users can advertise their goods and offers on free Web sites with their own Internet addresses, and farmer and trader groups can set up Web sites to manage all these services for their members.
The Ghana Agricultural Producers and Traders Organization is a major beneficiary. In 2006, it concluded trade deals worth $60,000 with other producer and trader organizations in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Nigeria. These deals involved purchasing tomatoes, onions, and potatoes without middlemen, reducing the transaction costs substantially.
See also: Africa, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, market access, Nigeria, onions, potatoes, principle5, tomatoes, TradeNet
Dr. Marjatta Eilitta Discusses Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development in Sub-Saharan Africa
Based in Accra, Ghana, Dr Marjatta Eilitta of the International Fertilizer Development Center recently presented some of her views on how farmers in sub-Saharan Africa could gain better access to agricultural inputs through better policy and market conditions.
The average farmer in sub-Saharan Africa uses only 8 kilos of nutrients per hectare of cultivated land. This is less than one-tenth the average amount used elsewhere in the world. What's more, these inputs are often reserved only for the plantation crops which are then sold in the foreign export markets.
Dr. Eilitta argues that the marketplace for these agricultural inputs is "undeveloped or fragmented". Prices for fertilizers in Tanzania are 50% higher than they are in Thailand (and 80% higher in land-locked Mali than in Thailand). Countries also often lack fertilizer laws for regulating use and holding suppliers accountable.
But Eilitta also offers hope for progress. In the Abuja Declaration, African leaders agreed to increase average nutrient use to 50 kilos per hectare by 2015. Eilitta also offers three areas on which further improvements should be based:
1. improve supply systems for fertlizer while opening access to profitable export markets
2. support the people not the products through the use of government-issued vouchers and the monitoring of agri dealers
3. promote multi-country agricultural input markets with harmonized regulations, developed regulatory systems, and reduced tariffs
See also: Africa, fertilizers, Ghana, ifdc, Mali, marjatta eilitta, market access, policy, principle3, principle5, Tanzania
Towards a Sustainable Dairy Industry in the United States
Drones for Decision-Making in the Philippines
Women and Youth Take on "Man's Crop" Coffee in Uganda
Agricultural Innovations to Shape Future of Farming Highlighted at FAO
IPNI - Contributions of Best Management Practices Towards Sustainable Oil Palm Production Through Intensification
Market-Based Solutions Increase Smallholder Farmers' Yields


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(1770–1831). One of the most influential of the 19th-century German philosophers, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel also wrote on psychology, law, history, art, and religion. Karl Marx based his philosophy of history on Hegel's law of thought, called the dialectic. In this dialectic an idea, or thesis, contains within itself an opposing idea, called antithesis. Out of the inevitable conflict between these opposing concepts is born a third, totally new thought, the synthesis. Applied to history by the Marxists, Hegel's concepts were used to formulate the notion of the class struggle. From the strife over the ownership of the means of production would arise a new classless society—the synthesis. Søren Kierkegaard's rejection of Hegelianism influenced the development of existentialism. (See also Existentialism; Kierkegaard; Marx.)
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel was born in Stuttgart, Germany, on Aug. 27, 1770. His father was a government official. Hegel went to Tübingen in 1788, where he studied philosophy and theology. After graduating he supported himself by tutoring until 1801, when he began to lecture at the University of Jena. Forced to leave because of the Napoleonic wars, he became principal of a gymnasium (high school) in Nuremberg. There he married Marie von Tucher. The older of Hegel's two sons, Karl, became an eminent historian.
At Nuremberg Hegel worked on his Science of Logic, which was published between 1812 and 1816. The success of this work brought him three offers of professorships. He taught at Heidelberg for a time and then in 1818 went to the University of Berlin. Students came from all parts of Europe to study with him. He became rector of the university in 1830. He died of cholera in Berlin on Nov. 14, 1831.
The significance of Hegel's ideas stems in part from the fact that they can be applied not only to abstract thought but also to psychology, religion, and history. An essential element of his system was his belief that reality can only be grasped when examined as a whole and that any attempt to discover truth by scrutinizing a single facet of reality is doomed to failure.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


One of the largest in South Carolina, Greenville Technical College's Associate Degree Nursing program was developed in 1971 and produces graduates that are eligible to take the national registered nurse licensure examination and begin careers in the nursing profession.
Known for its emphasis on clinical proficiency in a variety of health care settings, employers express confidence in the program and in the skills new nurses bring to the job. The licensure examination passing rates for graduates are consistently at or above the national and state percentages. The Nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Greenville Technical College nursing graduates enter the workplace well prepared for success.
According to data from the South Carolina Colleagues in Caring project, the nursing shortage is acute and is predicted to become worse in the next 10 to 15 years.
Many health care providers require or prefer bachelor's degree nursing graduates, so careful consideration must be given to pursuing a four-year degree.
Greenville Technical College BSN Bound students report satisfaction with the program because the first two years aren't just spent in general education classrooms, but include hands-on, core nursing courses and labs.
The Nursing program is a blend of general education and nursing core courses that will prepare the graduate for licensure and entry as a member of the health care team.
The nursing courses are organized by concepts, which helps the student link information from all aspects of the curriculum. While learning content, students identify interrelated concepts, or concepts influenced by or dependent on one another.
Active learning, also called student-centered learning, is used in the Nursing program classroom.
Inspires the critical thinking required while working in the nursing profession.
Includes activities like case studies, journaling, classroom and online discussions, debates, presentations, role playing and simulations.
BSN Bound means the student plans to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) after graduating from Greenville Technical College Nursing. Clemson and USC Upstate both have ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) to BSN programs and have outlined a curriculum for the ADN student to progress while at GTC and then further their degree at a four-year college.
Earn your BSN online and save!
Another option after you earn your Associate Degree in Nursing is to continue your education online with USC Upstate or Clemson to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The associate degree and general education courses required for the BSN can be completed at Greenville Technical College, then the BSN can be earned with an additional year of online nursing study through Clemson or USC Upstate.
This program covers all aspects of the nursing profession and is designed to integrate both theory and practical "hands-on" educational experiences. Nursing students can complete the program in two to three years as full-time students and practice as RNs upon passing the licensure exam.
Post RN Specialty Courses allow current RNs to develop specialty skills necessary to meet the needs of patients with critical conditions. The courses provide basic knowledge and skills necessary for safe, competent and effective nursing practice in critical care and other specialty units. Courses may include Oncology Nursing, Management of High Risk Pregnancy and Critical Care, and many others. For specific current offerings, please call (864) 250-8216.
Many times health care professionals in other areas decide to pursue a career as a registered nurse. Respiratory therapists, emergency medical technicians and licensed practical nurses all qualify to enter our Advanced Placement Nursing Program. Students who choose this path must still meet all of the college and Nursing program admissions requirements; they will receive credit for their prior education and will be placed in the program at a level appropriate to their transfer credits.
Participating in a Career Talk session for your program is a requirement for all Health and Wellness Division students. The Career Talk presentation for Nursing is conducted online. Click the link below to view the presentation.
Please note: ALL Advanced Nursing Program students must still participate in mandatory face-to-face career talk in addition to the online presentation for nursing. See the full Career Talk schedule for dates and times.
The Nursing program strictly adheres to all Health and Wellness Division policies, which are detailed on the division admissions information page.
Students are admitted Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.
Submit a weighted admission form between the dates of March 15 – May 15 for potential admission into the August, October or January class. Submit a weighted admission form between the dates of July 15 – Sept. 15 for potential admission into the March or May class.
Students with the highest scores will receive an admissions letter, letter of intent, criminal background information sheet and physical exam form with detailed written requirements.
To reserve a seat, accepted students must pay a $100 non-refundable deposit, complete the physical exam form (physical may not be more than 12 months prior to beginning NUR courses), and complete criminal background information sheet by due date set in admission letter. Continued enrollment is contingent upon a crime-free criminal background check and negative drug screening.
ADN and APN program applicants are required to complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS®) prior to submitting a Weighted Admission form for program admission. Scores from the TEAS test will be used in the point calculations on the Weighted Admission form. Please see full details in the TEAS Information Sheet (pdf).
Students desiring transfer from another nursing program must meet all admission criteria and be eligible to progress into the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) program.
A letter from the dean or program director is required to document progression eligibility, good standing, and ACEN status.
All general education courses must be complete and the nursing courses to be transferred must be current within two years.
Theory and clinical knowledge must be validated through exams and skills competencies.
Greenville Technical College's Student Nurses Association (SNA) is a pre-professional organization for nursing and pre-nursing students. Members are eligible for numerous benefits including health insurance, leadership, networking and scholarship opportunities, community involvement, and professional development. For more information, email us at gtcsna@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at GTC Student Nurses Association.
The Nursing Program is dedicated to the preparation of individuals to meet the health care needs of the public. Graduate nurses will be able to use essential knowledge, attitudes, skills, and technology to meet the healthcare needs of patients, families, and communities while recognizing the need for an individualized plan of care. Faculty members strive to incorporate essential competencies for nurse educators while preparing graduates who will become the future of the nursing profession.
Get answers to questions about the Nursing program.


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Charsfield Tennis Club
Did you know there has been a tennis club in Charsfield for over 50 years?
The earliest formal record of The Charsfield Lawn Tennis Club is dated 16 April 1958 although it is known to be in existence long before that date. The courts, at that time, were sited within the garden of The Rectory and a nominal rent of one shilling (5p) per year was paid. There was consternation when, subsequently, there was a demand for a more realistic sum of £3 per annum! Subscriptions commenced at 15 shillings (75p) for members over 18 years, school children were 5 shillings (25p) and wage earners under 18 were 10 shillings (50p). The groundsman was paid 4 shillings (20p) an hour.
In the 1970s there were over 50 members and numerous social activities were held including dances catering for around 100 guests and whist drives as well as inter-Club matches and knockout tournaments.
The Club continued to use the grass courts under licence until 2003 although by this time maintenance costs had risen considerably. A decision by the church authorities to sell the rectory led to the displacement of the Club and although a sum of money was settled on the Club to assist with replacement facilities it was woefully small in view of present day costs and the Club's sporting activities were "on hold" until 2008.
By this time the village had successfully obtained land for recreational purposes and the tennis club was able to use its settlement to secure considerable additional funding to build replacement courts. This expenditure of around £68,000 represents a huge investment in the future tennis provision for the village and to keep this facility in good condition it is estimated that around £1,200 per annum needs to be put by to cover future maintenance. Resurfacing will be required in 12-15 years time.
For all the latest on membership go here.
To get in touch with Charsfield Tennis club email here.


HTML and text sizes are used in the main page of www.kubadle.com like the graph.
- HTML size is 88KB, compressed HTML and Text Size are 81KB and 20KB.
www.kubadle.com for the first time taken on 10/14/2012. Last domain update time is 10/15/2014. Also expiry date is 10/14/2015. If you don't renewal on 10/14/2015 somebody can take it.
Your site is on 50.63.202.23 IP server and working speed is under more than average with 54519 ms. You will need to work for your site. If you don't work your site might not be imagined places.


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09ago(ago 9)18:0010(ago 10)23:59Rinascenze by night 202318:00 - 23:59 (10) Art in the Villa returns to Marlia in 2023 with many new features! The art review "Le Rinascenze" in Lucca is ready[...]
h. 18:00, 9 agosto 2023 - h. 23:59, 10 agosto 2023
Art in the Villa returns to Marlia in 2023 with many new features! The art review "Le Rinascenze" in Lucca is ready
Tickets available from July 2023
Art in the Villa returns to Marlia in 2023 with many new features!
The art review "Le Rinascenze" in Lucca is ready to surprise you again this season, with the daytime version in spring and the evening appointment in mid-August. Under the direction of Kreativa, the Lucca School of Art, the magic that only art, nature and history all together can arouse in visitors within the splendid scenery of the park of the Villa Reale di Marlia will be repeated.
It will be the sixth edition of an event that has now become an unmissable appointment for artists, intended both as individuals and as a group, and of every form of expression, in which to find: painters, sculptors, photographers, improvisers, comedians, singers, dancers and jugglers . No one will be missing and there will be, as usual, many new features that we will reveal to you every now and then in this long approach. It will be a splendid container that will give life to a double non-stop of events, which will continue uninterruptedly for two days or two nights, also making an important contribution to enhancing the beauty of the area.
Because art is not only what is created but also the reinterpretation of what exists, with an ever-changing sensitivity.
The art together with the magic that the immense park of the Villa that once belonged to Elisa Baciocchi knows how to express, have become a unique union, exalting and enhancing each other, in shows of colors, patterns and expressiveness. The three villas of the Park will come to life, shape and color: Villa Reale, Villa del Vescovo and Villa dell'Orologio and also the most characteristic corners such as the Verzura Theater, the Lemon Garden, the Grotta del Dio Pan and the Peschiera. To each his own would be said, with exhibitions modeled and in line with the severity or cheerfulness of the chosen place.
There will be musical, dancing, period costume appointments and cultural meetings. We will start with the "by day" version in spring, and will end with the fascinating nocturnal version on August 9-10. In all there will be another four days in which the initiatives will follow one another at a rapid pace and will offer moments of great suggestion.
As the event approaches, we'll reveal the details to live an experience between nature and art, in a unique location!
The best Tuscan theater companies will perform and then acrobats, jugglers, acrobats, there will be room for singers and actors, improvisers and more painting and sculpture exhibitions where modern art will come to terms with the traditional one. There will also be games and attractions for children and above all there will be plenty of choice, even with two or three activities at the same time. And if during the day the hours of light are exploited to pleasantly spend beautiful afternoons outdoors, in the nocturnal version, with darkness as a backdrop for every initiative, colors, sounds and lights will be privileged to make that enchanting 'corner of paradise.
And while the entire program will be compiled, we will continuously update you through our website www.lerinascenze.it which we invite you to visit frequently.
Get ispired by last editions


If there's one thing that recent fiascos at Uber and at Google can teach us, it's that culture make a difference. Culture can help your company and the people in it succeed, or it can destroy everything you've worked to build. The big question is this: how do you gain some semblance of control over the way culture grows and changes?
Culture is a fickle thing and slippery to control. It's not something you can force with slogans and motivational posters. Rather, culture takes shape naturally as your team and your business grows. So why even bother with culture if it's ultimately out of your hands? That's a typical response to the "you can't force culture" statement. However, forcing something and guiding it are two completely different things, and you absolutely can guide culture as your company grows.
You do that by leading by example and demonstrating the core values you feel should define your business. Rather than stating and commanding what you feel your company's purpose should be, express it in your actions. This strategy, in turn, will help to influence the actions of everyone on your team.
These days, nothing is more important to people than a sense of purpose in the work they do. Everyone wants a job they feel genuinely matters. For companies in industries that don't necessarily fit the mold of work that is traditionally considered substantial and important, everything comes down to how you build your culture.
That culture and attitude is so often a reflection of the people at the top. Whether you like it or not, your every move as a leader will echo through the company. In the case of establishing meaning, clearly demonstrated passion for the work that you do can very easily spread to every single member of your team. At the same time, apathy and disengagement trickle down just as quickly if they become the standards you set.
We talked last week about how important meetings can be. They aren't important because they are a space to militantly declare your company's mission statements. Rather, they are nexuses of energy — gathering places to communally establish why all this work matters. It doesn't have to amount to some lofty, world-changing purpose. Just knowing that you are part of a team collaborating to do badass work can be enough. But that only comes across if you, as the leader, are enthusiastic about achieving that purpose.
There's no doubt that it can be a lot to ask. No one person should be expected to carry the torch of purpose every single minute of every single day. The good news is that this kind of single-minded and constant dedication to culture building doesn't have to rest firmly on your shoulders. If the message comes across, your team will start doing the work of instilling purpose and keeping morale up for you. All you have to do is listen to them and be aware of what they have to say. The same is true if the message isn't sticking. Staying connected to your team is the best way to ensure that your culture doesn't get off track.
The second piece of good news is that culture really does make a difference, and it's worth the time and effort required to build it. Uber and Google are case in point that a failure of culture can do irreparable damage not just to internal dynamics, but your brand itself.
Because at the end of the day, your culture is your brand. It's the story of your business inside and out, and it's a story that's being written every single day. Don't try to force it, but don't lose sight of it either. And above all, make sure that you are working everyday to craft a story worth telling.


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REPORT: President Trump to Pardon General Michael Flynn
President Donald Trump is planning on issuing a presidential pardon to former US National Security Advisor and US Army lieutenant general Michael Flynn, according to reporting from Axios on Tuesday night.
Axios sources two officials within the White House who state that Flynn will be pardoned within the coming months. President Trump is contesting the final outcome of the 2020 presidential election in court.
Flynn was ensnared in an FBI plot to criminalize diplomacy he conducted as incoming National Security Director in 2016 and 2017. He was ultimately charged with process crimes for allegedly lying to the FBI in interrogations about his duties. The DOJ recently withdrew the criminal case against the retired general, citing the considerable evidence of FBI corruption, unlawful surveillance, and partisan bias in the case.
Documents detailing the FBI's political investigation into Trump's first National Security Advisor revealed investigators openly attacked Flynn for political, as opposed to law enforcement, purposes.
UNSEALED BOMBSHELL: FBI Notes Reveal Plan to Coerce Gen. Flynn into Lying to Remove Him From The White House
However, left-wing Judge Emmet Sullivan still refuses to dismiss the criminal charges against General Flynn, even without a prosecution. The judge has continued a "zombie prosecution" against Flynn, possibly in hopes of getting a Democratic Justice Department to resume the case against the career military officer for manufactured process crimes.
A full pardon of Flynn would represent justice for a man maliciously targeted by political interests within the so-called US "deep state."
Prosecutors Want Stricter Bond Restrictions for Kyle Rittenhouse for Hanging Out with Proud Boys
The Proud Boys are proud of their boy, Kyle.
Kyle Rittenhouse, out on bond after shooting three ANTIFA rioters and killing two at a Kenosha, Wisc. riot scene last summer, is under scrutiny from authorities for merely having a good time at a bar.
Rittenhouse was at a bar with his mother wearing a "Free as F*ck" t-shirt when he was approached by some local Proud Boys. They took pictures together doing the "OK" symbol, which has become controversial due to left-wing hysteria.
PICTURED: #KyleRittenhouse pictured in these photos shared by prosecutors.
Out at a Wisconsin bar (Pudgy's Pub, with his mother) seen posing with a "Free As F**k" tee shirt on and flashing that "OK" – (or White Power)
State requests court motion to modify conditions of bond. pic.twitter.com/RPhCBvFTV1
— Tony Atkins (@TonyAtkinsTV) January 14, 2021
As a result, prosecutors in Kenosha County are hoping to modify Rittenhouse's bond to prevent the young man from enjoying his freedom. They reportedly want to prevent him from being "serenaded" by Proud Boys and other adoring followers.
"Within a few minutes of entering the bar, the defendant was loudly serenaded by 5 of the adult males with the song "Proud of Your Boy," which is an obscure song written for the 1992 film, "Aladdin." The violent white supremacist group called the "Proud Boys" was named after this song, which is sung by its members as an anthem and for self-identification," the Kenosha County District Attorney's office wrote.
"The defendant later posed for several photographs with these adults in the bar. In each of these photographs, the defendant and the other adults flashed the "OK" sign used by white supremacists," they added.
The surreal letter from the DA's office that looks like it was written by an Anti-Defamation League (ADL) operative can be seen here:
From Kenosha County DA's office.
MORE HERE: #Rittenhouse allegedly flashed white power sign, serenaded with Proud Boys song at bar https://t.co/YoUU1QiSow pic.twitter.com/qv0GPThPWG
The letter from the DA's house shows how the government is painting ordinary conservatives and Trump supporters by as white supremacists and terrorist threats based on left-wing propaganda.
Big League Politics reported on how Rittenhouse posted bond in November after spending months confined in jail for exercising his right to self-defense against ANTIFA terrorists:
Illinois teenager Kyle Rittenhouse has been freed from the Kenosha County Jail in Wisconsin, after posting a $2 million bond set by a judge on Friday.
Rittenhouse is charged with two counts of first-degree murder for shooting and killing Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber during a Black Lives Matter riot in August. He's also charged with a count of being a minor in possession of a firearm.
Rittenhouse was assailed by Rosenbaum while present at the scene of the riots, carrying an AR-style rifle and planning to prevent looting and rioting in Kenosha. Rittenhouse shot and killed Rosenbaum, arguing that he acted in self-defense when Rosenbaum attempted to grab his rifle. Rittenhouse would go on to shoot two men- one of them armed with a gun- who chased him as he tried to flee the scene of the riots.
Rittenhouse had been extradited from Illinois to Wisconsin to face charges. He posted bond through his attorney, Mark Richards, on Friday at 2PM.
Rittenhouse will be remembered as an American hero whether or not he is acquitted in the courts or ultimately made a martyr by a biased and unjust system. The Proud Boys are right to be proud of their boy Kyle in this instance.


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Articles Archive for March 2019
Royal Caribbean Cruises Expands Oasis and Edge-Class
[31 Mar 2019 | No Comment | ]
MIAMI, May 25th, 2016 – Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) today announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with French Shipbuilder STX France to build a fifth Oasis-class ship for delivery in the Spring of 2021 and two additional Edge-class ships scheduled for delivery in the Fall of each of 2021 and 2022.
"The response to the arrival of Harmony of the Seas is staggering, eliciting excitement from eager cruisers from markets on both sides of the Atlantic," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises …
AUSTRALIA'S BIGGEST GAME OF HIDE AND SEEK TAKES PLACE ONBOARD A MEGALINER DOCKED IN SYDNEY HARBOUR
The biggest ship to sail Australian waters plays host to competition winners from across the country in iconic childhood game re-imagined
18 February 2018: Australia's biggest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas, today hosted Australia's Biggest Game of Hide and Seek, with Ben Harrison, age 26, from Hornsby NSW, taking home the AUD$10,000 prize, and a family cruise for four, all thanks to his stealthy hiding techniques.
In an Australian first, Aussies aged eight and …
Sail to Sun-Soaked Caribbean Islands and Indulge in Local Flavors all Year-Long with Celebrity Cruises
MIAMI – July 19, 2016 – Endless modern luxury vacations are back in the Caribbean. Celebrity Cruises has today introduced year-round Caribbean sailings onboard the award-winning Celebrity Equinox to some of the most breathtaking places in the region. And, as the only premium cruise brand to offer these one-of-a-kind vacations, Celebrity is further elevating each sailing by introducing new unique experiences and enriching activities that all ages can enjoy. This is the Celebrity Distinction.
"Our guests, first-time cruisers and our travel partners have been asking me for many years to offer …
A Symphony of Innovation: Royal Caribbean Makes Finishing Touches on the Ultimate Family Adventure
Symphony of the Seas is days away from completion; here's an inside look at her final phase of construction. The world's largest and most innovative cruise ship is coming to life with a combination of new first-at-sea experiences and signature Royal Caribbean favorites that will excite and inspire guests of all ages. From the Ultimate Abyss — the tallest slide at sea, to new dining concepts and original aerial, ice and aqua entertainment, the whole family is in for a cruise vacation experience unlike any other.
For editorial use only.
Only Celebrity Cruises Sweeps Wine Spectator Restaurant Wine List Awards Four Years Running
MIAMI, FL – July 27, 2016 – For the fourth year running, Celebrity Cruises' one-of-a-kind wine program has been recognized by the Wine Spectator Restaurant Wine List Awards, claiming nine awards in 2016. In addition, Celebrity is the only ship-based winner this year among those honored with a prestigious "Award of Excellence" for their unique wine lists, featured in each ship's main restaurant. This is the Celebrity Distinction.
The renowned publication recognizes wine lists which "feature a well-chosen assortment of quality producers along with a thematic match to the menu …
ROYAL CARIBBEAN EYES NEXT GENERATION OF CRUISERS WITH MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN SHIPS, EXPERIENCES AND DESTINATIONS
NEW YORK, March 15, 2018 – Vacation time is precious, and travelers today have higher expectations and more options than ever. Consumers continue to invest more in experiences and make choices based on the range of emotional benefits gained from quality time away. Knowing this, Royal Caribbean International is making a multibillion-dollar investment in providing its loyal guests and the next generation of cruisers with the most advanced, customizable vacation adventures that will lead to rich, …
Carnival's Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O'Neal Reveals Plans for Shaq-tastic Choose Fun-Themed Water Park Aboard New Carnival Panorama
You can now add "water park expert" to Carnival Chief Fun Officer's (CFO) Shaquille O'Neal's title!
The NBA Hall of Famer and fun aficionado today revealed details for the "Choose Fun" aqua park aboard the new Carnival Panorama, set to debut from Long Beach, Calif., in December.
During a video "press conference," (wink, wink) the seven-footer announced that he had just returned from personally testing out Carnival Panorama's two massive water slides — the 455-foot-long Red Fun slide and the 300-foot-long Blue Fun slide — to make sure they're the "funnest" …
Celebrity Cruises Reimagines World-Class Five Star Academy
MIAMI – August 09, 2016 – Celebrity Cruises is revealing a new "Celebrity Five Star Academy" for travel partners all over the world, and its new design and content is inspired by the senses. Participants will be immersed in the tastes and smells, sights, sounds, and the touch and feel of the modern luxury brand. The revitalized Five Star Academy offers the tools to ensure travel partners have everything they need at their fingertips to showcase the Celebrity Distinction.
The new Celebrity Five Star Academy will take learning to a …
ROYAL CARIBBEAN TO INVEST MORE THAN $1 BILLION IN MODERNIZING AWARD-WINNING SHIPS
MIAMI, March 14, 2018* – Royal Caribbean International is amping up vacation adventures by reimagining its fleet with an investment of more than $1 billion. The Royal Amplified program spans 10 ships in four years, and touches every facet of the guest experience on a lineup of the world's most highly regarded and award-winning ships, including Oasis and Allure of the Seas, as well as all Freedom and Voyager Class ships. The program is set to introduce a wide range of innovative features and bold, new experiences that will further …
Kelly Arison to Continue Family Tradition and Serve as Godmother of Carnival Sunrise at May 23 Event – Carnival Cruise Line News
As Carnival Sunrise makes her debut following her $200 million transformation, Carnival Cruise Line announced today that Kelly Arison, daughter of Carnival Corporation Chairman Micky Arison and his wife Madeleine, will serve as godmother for the ship at an invitation-only ceremony in New York on May 23.
In what is sure to be a touching moment, Kelly will step into the godmother role previously held by her mother when the ship first entered service as Carnival Triumph, in 1999. In an added stroke of family ties, Kelly's grandmother Lin Arison …


Let's say you have a custom entity in Dynamics CRM called "Contracts". This entity can be related to your applicant and can hold data on all the different rates you wish to pay and the hours they are expected to work with a start and end date for employment. All of this data will be held through separate fields on the Contracts entity. You can even utilize hidden fields allowing you to take advantage of conditional IF statements to use different paragraphs for varying scenarios.
You will then create a Word document that has all the information you want in it, including your custom logo and company information. Leave spaces where you would like to include specific information for the candidate. That is where will input the dynamic values from Dynamics CRM. Remember, they can be full paragraphs, sentences, or just number values.
This is where you can create the new Mail Merge records in Dynamics CRM by clicking on New. Give the record a Name and select the entity you would like to associate it with. Browse for your Word document and click Attach. Then Save and Close.
Click Download and you can either select Open or Save As. This will open your document in Microsoft Word allowing you to preview what it will look like with your dynamic fields populated with the data from Dynamics CRM. If you like, you can even make further edits within Word to touch up the document before sending out to any candidates.


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Q: SceneKit skeleton 3D animation i am implementing an app for iPhone6S that helps disabled people to gain back their limbs control by training using a virtual trainer.
This virtual trainer performs simple movements such as raising and lowering an arm, raising and lowering a leg, and then combines them in various rhythmic patterns.
Due to the target platform, I cannot make use of the powerful ARKit, and therefore I have to  have to rely on SceneeKit alone.
My code is currently able to load a dae, and applying multiple actions to the skeleton. However I am facing problems in understanding the behavior of SCNAction.rotateTo and SCNAction.rotateBy

let DegreesPerRadians = Float(Double.pi/180)

func convertToRadians(angle:Float) -> Float {
    return angle * DegreesPerRadians
}

func convertToRadians(angle:CGFloat) -> CGFloat {
    return CGFloat(CGFloat(angle) * CGFloat(DegreesPerRadians))
}

    var x45  = SCNAction.rotateBy( x: convertToRadians(angle: 45), y: 0, z: 0,  duration: 0.2)
    var x45r = SCNAction.rotateBy( x: convertToRadians(angle: -45), y: 0, z: 0, duration: 0.2)

  func FOL()->SCNAction! {
        let human            = getHuman()
        let bodyOfHuman      = human?.childNode(withName: "Body", recursively: true)
        let bodyRealSkeleton = bodyOfHuman?.skinner?.skeleton
        let leftLegBone         = bodyRealSkeleton?.childNode(withName: "mixamorig_LeftLeg", recursively: true)
        let leftLegKick = SCNAction.customAction(duration: 0.1) { [self]
            (node, elapsedTime) in leftLegBone?.runAction(x45)
        }
        return leftLegKick
    }

    func FOLrev()->SCNAction! {
        let human            = getHuman()
        let bodyOfHuman      = human?.childNode(withName: "Body", recursively: true)
        let bodyRealSkeleton = bodyOfHuman?.skinner?.skeleton
        let leftLegBone         = bodyRealSkeleton?.childNode(withName: "mixamorig_LeftLeg", recursively: true)
        let leftLegKick = SCNAction.customAction(duration: 0.1) { [self]
            (node, elapsedTime) in leftLegBone?.runAction(x45r)
        }
        return leftLegKick
    }

var actionSequence=[FOL(),FOLrev()]

The above code is then called with
 _scene?.rootNode.runAction(SCNAction.sequence(actionSequence))

It results into the model properly bending the left leg and straightening it.
However when using instead "rotateTo" it goes into the opposite direction and does not "come back".
screenshot-rotateTo
I watched all DevCon SceneKit materials and sample code but could not find any explanation or guidance.
My real goal is to add more complex actions, such as clapping hands, and when the same approach is tried on those patterns (that require 3-4 rotations) then the results are less predictable.

A: The answer to this question is that when using rotateTo, in order to go "back" one should use the starting position of the specific angle.
In the specific example, using rotateTo means to use following code
var x45  = SCNAction.rotateTo( x: convertToRadians(angle: 45), y: 0, z: 0,  duration: 0.2)
var x45r = SCNAction.rotateTo( x: 0, y: 0, z: 0, duration: 0.2)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Annie Pumpa takes on the 2021 Roundup
Home » 2020 » Annie Pumpa takes on the 2021 Roundup
Angus Youth Australia is pleased to announce that the Coordinator for the 2021 Angus Youth National Roundup will be Annie Pumpa.
Annie resides in Tabletop, NSW where she works for ABS Australia as a sales representative for both beef and dairy.
Annie has a long history within the beef industry, having grown up in Culcairn NSW in the Riverina on a family run mixed enterprise operation.
"I have always been involved with cattle since I can remember on a commercial basis," she said.
"I delved into the seedstock sector over the last 10 years through the agriculture program at Billabong High School in 2011."
Annie looks forward to stepping up to the Coordinator role and working with her committee and Youth Development Officer Candice Liddle in presenting an excellent and informative event.
Provided the Roundup is able to take place it is likely to be not only the first youth event to kick off in 2021 but, possibly the first event since the cancellation of most shows and youth events across Australia since the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The possibility of bringing together and reuniting the youth and showing community across Australia will make it an event I believe will be memorable and one not to be missed," said Annie.
"I believe that youth events are an exceptional way to expose educational resources and networking avenues for the next generation.
"I believe it is the responsibility of experienced industry individuals of all sections of our industry to collaborate and blend together so that accurate information can be given and in return we know that the future of the industry will not only be in good hands but it will thrive. I hope this is something that the Angus Roundup committee can achieve."
Angus Youth Development Officer Candice Liddle looks forward to working with Annie and her committee to host an excellent event for Angus Youth.
"I congratulate Annie for her appointment in the role as 2021 Roundup Coordinator. Annie has great enthusiasm in regards to ensuring educational and informative opportunities are available to youth in the industry, and with her committee I believe will host an excellent event in 2021."
"I look forward to working with Annie and her committee in the upcoming months in preparation for Roundup 2021 in Wodonga."
The Angus Youth National Roundup will take place in Wodonga, VIC on January 14-17, 2021. To keep up to date with the latest Roundup news, visit the Roundup location on the Angus Australia website here.


The Red-footed Booby is the smallest of all boobies at 71 cm in length and with a 137 cm wingspan. It has red legs, and its bill and throat pouch are colored pink and blue.
This species has two plumage forms. The white phase is mostly white with black on the flight feathers. The brown form is brown with a white belly, rump, and tail. Both forms may occur sympatrically (in the same region), as in the breeding colony on St. Giles Island, Tobago.
Males and females look alike, and young birds are greyish with browner wings and pink legs.
Red-footed Booby pairs may remain together over several seasons. They perform elaborate greeting rituals, including harsh squawks and the male's display of his blue throat.


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Premiere and After Effects Training
Jarle Leirpoll
Jarle Leirpoll offers basic, intermediate and advanced training for Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects, and travels all around the world. Being a Premiere Pro Master Instructor Trainer, he has trained editors at major broadcasters like BBC and Disney Channel (UK), TV4 (Sweden), NRK , Monster and Seefood (Norway). Valve Media Oy and Aito Media Oy (Finland) and DR (Denmark). Jarle has even done Premiere Pro training for Adobe's own employees!
He also does lots of training for other production companies (ScanPix and Strix among many others) and basic courses in Video Production, Camera Techniques and Editing for those who are just about to start creating videos on their web pages. Most courses can be done on-site or as live online training.
Basic After Effects Training
Intermediate After Effects Training
Expressions in After Effects
Basic Premiere Pro Training
Intermediate Premiere Pro Training
Advanced Premiere Pro Workflows
Test Pilot
Jarle has been a test pilot for Adobe's video software for years, and works closely with the Premiere Pro team. So he has a vast knowledge of Premiere Pro and After Effects – but he has also edited on FCP and Avid, and knows the differences between those NLEs and Premiere. He has been teaching at Norwegian universities and university colleges for almost three decades, has worked 14 years at NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation) and now runs his own video production company. He is also the author of The Cool Stuff in Premiere Pro. This rather unique background makes him a great training provider.
Jarle has presented advanced editing techniques at events like Editors Retreat, Adobe MAX, Adobe Video World and NAB.
Some of Jarle's training customers
Below is a taste of what you can expect to learn from Jarle. But if you have other needs, don't hesitate to send him an e-mail to get a custom made course. Jarle also offers workshops, like this one: Create a Motion Graphics package for your company.
Premiere Pro Basic Training
Premiere Pro Advanced Training
After Effects Advanced Training
I was interviewed by Motion Array
Scale to Frame Size vs Fit to Frame Size in Premiere Pro


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text:
Connect the World
What is a Ring of Fire
How did it start
THE DAILY MOON
"Shall we open a Satoshi Radio Ring of Fire?"
Welcome to the Satoshi Radio – Ring of Fire homepage. In July 2021 we created the biggest Ring of Fire to date, with 65 participating nodes and 65.000.000 sats liquidity. The project is driven by our community. Developers, designers, video editors, and team leaders all joined to make this Ring of Fire a reality. This page is the place where you can find all the information you need about our Ring of Fire. We will explain what a Ring of Fire is, why it is helpful and how you can create your own.
To understand why a Ring of Fire is helpful, you need to have a basic understanding of the Lightning Network. The Lightning Network is a second-layer payment protocol, designed to scale the number of bitcoin payments possible. Payments between Nodes on the Lightning Network are routed via so-called "Payment Channels". These payment channels are basically multi-signature wallets in which the participating nodes deposit a certain amount of Bitcoin. Only the open and close transactions are broadcasted and included on the core bitcoin blockchain, all the payments in between (state-changes) are only recorded by the two connected nodes. While this sounds good in theory, it led to an issue in practice. Channels are generally funded from one side when opened (the side of the node initiating the channel). This means that this node has local capacity, but is lacking remote capacity. The practical translation of this problem is that the node can send transactions but cannot receive transactions. To be able to receive transactions, you need nodes to open a payment channel to your node as well. That is easier said than done. How do you get other nodes to open a channel to you? This is even more difficult for new nodes that are not well connected yet. Well-connected nodes, with high uptime and well-funded channels, act as a magnet to other nodes. Node operators will find these high-end nodes on sites like 1ML and open a channel (thereby providing remote capacity to the well-connected node) without even asking. It is just not as attractive for others to provide liquidity to you if you are just starting.
"If the Mountain won't go to Mohammed, then Mohammed must come to the Mountain".
As a new node operating looking for the remote capacity to receive payments (and maybe even start routing payments), you need to actively search for other nodes willing to provide you with liquidity. For a while, this was mostly done by knowing the right people. Being active in Lightning Telegram groups, providing helpful information, and generally being an addition to the community does wonder if you want people to open a channel to you. While this approach works, it also has some downsides. The process (if you can even call it that) is quite ad-hoc, depends on a high level of trust, and tends to centralize around the big well-connected nodes. The network began to look like a centralized network, where we want to create a decentralized or even a distributed network.
To tackle this problem, two developers by the names of SoulExporter and Czino started documenting a structured process to: "strengthen cooperation and form strong partnerships, we have devised the concept of a ring of nodes. It serves as a template to bring node runners together and lift each other up." They called this ring of nodes "The Ring of Fire".
The benefits are clear: these rings strengthen the community, the network and improve the general liquidity in the network. So how does it work? Node operators looking for liquidity, more channels, or better connectivity come together in Telegram groups (like Ring of Fire) or websites (such as lightningnetwork.plus). These groups and websites act like marketplaces, where node operators can find Rings of Fire in all sizes. There are two important variables, namely: the number of nodes in the ring and the size of the channel (in satoshis). However, these two variables are advertised upfront, so that node operators know what they are getting into. Sometimes, the node operator initiating the ring will set certain requirements that other nodes need to adhere to. For instance, a ring could only be available to nodes with a minimum of 50 other channels and a node capacity of 50 million satoshis (0.5 BTC).
When the group is formed and all members agree on the ring terms, the process starts. It is a best practice that the most experienced member of the group acts as the ring leader. The ring leader is in charge of designing the ring, more specifically: putting the members in the correct order. There are multiple reasons why the order is important. Nodes that already have an opened channel should not be next to each other in the ring. Furthermore, it is often rewarding to let the bigger and more connected nodes connect to smaller nodes, to distribute capacity evenly across the ring.
After the ring leader completes the position of each node in the ring, he will inform the other node operators. Each node opens one channel to the next node in a clockwise manner. All the channels are of the size that was agreed upon. Sometimes nodes operators will also agree on the on-chain fee used to open the channel, although this is not an essential step in the process. After initiating the channel, the on-chain transaction is shared with the group and ring leader to monitor the status of the ring.
Some groups consider the ring completed after all channels are opened (and confirmed on the blockchain). Others add another step to the process: balancing the channels. Without balancing the channels, all transactions in the ring travel clockwise. This could lead to longer routing routes, which makes the ring less attractive to route transactions through. To solve this issue, rings can be balanced after all channels are opened. Initially, all nodes in the ring increase the fees on the channels to make sure that nobody routes payments through the ring while the balancing is in process. There are multiple options to balance the ring, but the most elegant and trustless way is to let the ring leader make a payment to himself that goes through all the nodes in the ring. That last part is crucial! The payment needs to be constructed so that it takes the path through the nodes in the ring, in the correct chronological order. When executed correctly, all channels between the nodes should be balanced.
Some rings will also negotiate on a share fee policy. There are two types of fees on the lightning network: base rate and fee rate. The base rate is a static fee. The fee rate is variable and depends on the transaction size. When a ring wants to act as one big node, they will set their fees to 0/0 (0 base fee and 0 fee rate). When a ring wants to attract micropayments, it could set its base rate to zero. If the ring wants to attract bigger transactions, it will agree on a lower fee rate (and higher base rate).
And that's it. The node operators shake hands, thank each other, exchange contact information, and part ways.
Satoshi Radio has quite a history on the Lightning Network. At the beginning of 2020, we set up our Lightning node: the Satoshi Radio Lightning Node 1. We were in the fortunate position of having multiple experienced node operators in our group, who guided us through the process. Special mention goes out to lightning.watch (who provided us with initial external capacity) and Jorijn (who helped us to build the donation bot on Telegram).
Listeners of the podcast started using our guide to set up a node of their own, we kept working on the donation functionality and fixing bugs as they appeared. Looking back, this was a really fun time. Managing your nodes forces you to learn about the technical side of bitcoin. The mempool, transaction fees, difference between wallets, SSH, command line, Linux, and channel management. The most exciting part was the community that started to emerge. We came together in the LightningNL telegram group.
The big breakthrough came exactly a year later when the node software Umbrel was released. The user experience and interface of this software package were (and is) lightyears ahead of other available options. This removed the barrier to entry for less experienced bitcoin users to set up their node. In January 2021 we created a tutorial not knowing that this would lead to hundreds of new nodes.
Setting up your node became some sort of introduction ritual for the community of our podcast. This was amplified because we introduced new node owners in our podcast and welcomed them with applause. While this started spontaneously, it ended up being a catalyst for more listeners to set up their nodes. At this point, one year after the tutorial, more than 250 users set up their lightning node and send us a donation.
As this ritual evolved an issue emerged. Call it an existential void. After someone bought the hardware, downloaded the blockchain, opened a channel, and made a donation there was nothing left to do. People started asking what the next step was. For a while, there was no clear answer. It is possible trying to route payments, but most of the time that is too expensive for the regular user.
When the concept of a Ring of Fire was created it also reached our community. We talked about it a couple of times until one regular member said:
This innocent idea transformed into a behemoth in a matter of weeks. Almost immediately we had sixty-five members willing to be part of the ring. We gathered ourselves in the main Telegram group. We had users designing artwork, making videos, creating routing queries, guarding the process, volunteering to be ring leaders, and more. The enthusiasm of the community was contagious, as more and more people started to creating value from their own area of expertise. It became clear that you do not have to be a programmer to create value for the ring.
We appointed our most knowledgeable user, who goes by the name of Laptopman, as our ring leader. He was assisted by one of our most technically educated users: StijnBTC. He had the difficult task of creating a ring that consists out of 65 nodes in which there are no redundant channels and the bigger nodes are distributed evenly across the ring. Because the group was so big, he decided to split the group into teams of 8 nodes (one team of 9). Every group was appointed a group leader, usually a trusted and knowledgeable member of the community.
The subgroups gathered in their own dedicated Telegram channel. Laptopman decided to open the channels in a layered approach, meaning that subgroup 1 would go first, followed by subgroup 2, and ending with subgroup 8. Following this process, the ring leader (Laptopman and Stijn) could assist the subgroups individually when issues popped up. To our surprise, it went quite smoothly. Within two days, 60 channels were opened. The last 5 channels proved to be a bit more challenging but were also opened within the week.
In the meantime, other community members started creating artwork to share on social media. Our meme god Ramon created this stunning poster, showing the ring and all participating members:


The Virtual Hacking Labs is a full penetration testing lab that is designed to learn the practical side of vulnerability assessments and penetration testing in a safe environment. We provide an online lab environment where beginners can make their first step into penetration testing and more experienced professionals can sharpen their pentesting skills. The online hacking labs contain real world scenarios with systems and devices that can be found on most company networks. You will find vulnerable Windows, Linux and Android hosts, domain controllers, webservers, mail servers, firewalls, web applications and many more systems, services and applications. Every system in the labs is uniquely configured to contribute to a specific learning experience that involves one or more attack vectors.
We keep your knowledge and experience up-to-date by updating our labs with recently discovered vulnerabilities. The penetration testing labs follow a black box approach which means that little information is given about the hosts as if you were engaging on a real penetration test. Access to the Virtual Hacking Labs is provided by VPN connection that connects you to the lab network as if it is a real company network.
The courseware that is included with every lab access pass covers all phases of the penetration testing process, from information gathering to vulnerability assessments and exploitation. By enumerating the lab machines you will learn how to gather information that can be used to identify vulnerabilities and finally to exploit the target machines. In the labs you will learn how to enumerate and exploit protocols such has FTP, SNMP & SMB. You will also learn how to exploit web applications that are vulnerable to Remote Code Execution, SQL injection, Local File Inclusion, Remote File inclusion and many other vulnerabilities. After getting an initial command line shell on an exploited target, you will have the opportunity to practice privilege escalation techniques to upgrade from a non-privileged user shell to an administrator shell.
Access to the Virtual Hacking Labs is provided through a VPN client that connects your penetration testing machine to the online lab network. We provide several pre-configured penetration testing machines, such as Kali Linux and Parrot Security OS, that get you ready to connect to the online labs in no-time.
The online lab consists of 40+ custom vulnerable by design machines ready to be exploited. In the labs you will learn how to compromise Linux and Windows hosts, domain controllers, webservers, mail servers, development tools and many more systems, services and protocols. You will also encounter network devices such as firewalls, routers and NAS systems that are commonly used in both personal and enterprise settings. Every system is configured to contribute to a specific learning experience using one or more attack vectors. We are keeping the labs up-to-date with new machines and recently discovered vulnerabilities with high impact. This is how we want to keep your knowledge and experience up-to-date.
All vulnerable hosts have been designed by The Virtual Hacking Labs. The labs do not contain existing hosts from other resources.
Along with the lab access we provide written courseware that will teach you the basics of penetration testing and provide a solid foundation to successfully compromise the vulnerable hosts in the online labs. The courseware covers many subjects such as port scanning, vulnerability assessments and exploitation techniques. Starting with the basics and gradually increasing the difficulty by covering more advanced subjects such as exploit compilation and privilege escalation techniques. Every section of the courseware starts with basic theory followed by a practical demonstration of the subject. The courseware is written in a beginner friendly way that is easily understandable for anyone new to the field of penetration testing and ethical hacking.
The training materials are also provided as a downloadable e-book for students purchasing a Month pass or greater.
The Virtual Hacking Labs reset panel can be used to reset hosts in the lab network back to their original state. Resetting a host is particularly useful when a host is left in a state where it is not vulnerable anymore. Resetting the host will give you a fresh start on the machine. Every student is allowed to reset hosts in the lab every 15 minutes through the reset panel. This guarantees an effective learning experience as designed without delays.
A small range of the total vulnerable hosts on the reset panel.
All students have access to a dedicated lab dashboard that can be used to track your courseware and lab progress. This panel also provides information about the lab machines, including hints in case you get stuck at a specific lab machine. This way you can choose what your learning path at the Virtual Hacking Labs will look like. Do you prefer a full black box approach and root all machines on your own? Or do you prefer a balance between theoretical and practical part of the course with some help along the way?
The hints are not direct solutions for the lab machines but they contain enough information to push you in the right direction. To keep the Virtual Hacking Labs challenging for everyone we only provide hints for the Beginner and Advanced machines. The Advanced+ hosts are the final challenge and are excluded from hints.
The Virtual Hacking Labs is designed for anyone that wants to learn and practice penetration testing in a safe virtual environment. Even if you have little or no experience in penetration testing, the Virtual Hacking Labs is a great place to start your ethical hacking journey. The provided courseware covers the basics of penetration testing and provides a solid foundation to become successful in the labs. The labs contain entry level vulnerable machines for beginners and more advanced machines for experienced penetration testers and those who finished the beginner level hosts. We provide a challenging and dynamic environment for beginners looking to practice penetration testing online, experts that want to sharpen their penetration testing skills and also for Certified Ethical Hackers looking for online practice labs in addition to the theoretical part of the CEH course.
For beginners there are a few small prerequisites which consists of a general understanding of basic IT concepts, general understanding of operating systems and time and motivation to learn about ethical hacking. Anyone with basic knowledge of operating systems and networking can start to learn penetration testing in the Virtual Hacking Labs. The training materials will teach you everything you need to know to get you started in the labs, from the very basics of penetration testing to more advanced subjects.
Basics usage of (Kali) Linux and Windows operating systems.
Being able to setup and work with a Virtual Machine.
For those who managed to get root/administrator access on at least 20 lab machines can request a certificate of completion. This trophy consists of a PDF certificate with your name and a set of badges to use for social media such as LinkedIn. The VHL Certificate of Completion is included at no additional cost with a month pass and greater.
Get root/administrator access on at least 20 lab machines.
The documentation should at least contain information about the exploited vulnerabilities, such as the CVE ID's, used exploits and screenshots of the exploitation process. The screenshots should contain at least the following information: Lab machine IP, your IP and the used commands (command line, URL's, requests etc.). For privilege escalation also include screenshots with the output of the id/whoami/getuid command before and after executing the exploit.
Completing the penetration testing course may qualify you for 40 (ISC)² CPE and EC Council credit hours. The Certificate of Completion can be used as proof for completing the course.
After submitting the documentation to info @ virtualhackinglabs.com we will manually verify the information and check the authenticity of the screenshots. Be sure to include your student ID and full name to display on the Certificate of Completion in the documentation. Also use the e-mail address you have signed up with to the Virtual Hacking Labs. When the supplied documentation and screenshots have been approved we will send the Certificate of Completion as soon as possible.
Running a recent version of Windows, OSX or Linux.
Running a virtual instance of Kali Linux in VMWare Player Free or Oracle VirtualBox.
The lab access is purchased for a certain amount of time. This subscription based pricing model based allows you to decide how much you want to spend on the course starting as low as $99,- for 1 month.
* KALI LINUX ™ is a trademark of Offensive Security.


Several state legislatures are considering bills that would repeal taxes on the sale of gold and silver.Fundamentally, gold and silver are money. But most governments treat precious metals as a commodity. They don't accept it as payment. Worse than that, they tax it. Think about the absurdity of this policy.Imagine if you asked a grocery clerk to break a bill and he charged you a 35 cent tax. Silly, right? After all, you were only exchanging one form of money for another. But that's essentially what state sales and capital gains taxes on gold and silver bullion do. By removing the taxes on the exchange of gold and silver, these states would treat specie more like money instead of a commodity.In Tennessee, Rep. Ron Gant (R-Rossville) introduced House Bill 212 (HB212) on Jan. 29. Sen.
Several state legislatures are considering bills that would repeal taxes on the sale of gold and silver.
Imagine if you asked a grocery clerk to break a $5 bill and he charged you a 35 cent tax. Silly, right? After all, you were only exchanging one form of money for another. But that's essentially what state sales and capital gains taxes on gold and silver bullion do. By removing the taxes on the exchange of gold and silver, these states would treat specie more like money instead of a commodity.
In Tennessee, Rep. Ron Gant (R-Rossville) introduced House Bill 212 (HB212) on Jan. 29. Sen. Dolores Gresham (R-Somerville) introduced the companion bill (SB333) the following day. The legislation would exempt the sale of platinum, gold, or silver bullion from the state's sales and use tax.
A West Virginia bill would go even further. Del. Pat McGeehan (R-Chester) introduced House Bill 2684 (HB2684) on Jan. 25. The legislation would eliminate sales taxes, personal property taxes, and personal and corporate income taxes on gold and silver specie. HB2684 defines "specie" as coin having gold or silver content, or refined gold or silver bullion which is coined, stamped or imprinted with its weight and purity and valued primarily based on its metal content and not its form.
Oklahoma repealed the sales tax on gold and silver back in 2014, but the state still assesses capital gains taxes on precious metals. A bill pending in the state Senate would change that. Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) filed Senate Bill 272 (SB272) for introduction on Feb. 4. Under the proposed law, any amount of net capital gains included on a federal income tax return that results from the sale or exchange of gold or silver for another form of legal tender would be exempt from inclusion as taxable income on the state tax return.
Arizona has already taken steps to establish sound money in the state. In 2017, Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill into law that repealed state capital gains taxes on gold and silver specie. Last year, Rep. Mark Finchem built on that foundation, moving a bill through the legislature that recognizes silver and gold as liquid capital for trust companies.
This year, Finchem (R-Tucson) filed House Bill 2500 (HB2500). Titled the , the legislation would require the state to hold at least 10% of the funds in its Budget Stabilization Fund in specie, or in refined gold or silver bullion graded at least .9999 pure. Specie is defined as coins having precious metals content, or refined gold or silver bullion that is stamped with its weight and purity, and that is valued primarily on its metal content, not its form. The proposed law would require the precious metals to be held in a secure depository.
Arizona's Budget Stabilization Fund has almost $500 million in assets currently invested in debt instruments and the stock market.
These bills are part of a broader movement as states continue to pass measures that chip away at the Federal Reserve's monopoly on money by facilitating and encouraging the use of gold and silver. These policies not only ease the burden on precious metals investors, they also open the door to using gold and silver in everyday transactions. This creates currency competition and sets the stage to break the federal government's monopoly on money.
Former Congressman Ron Paul is a vocal supporter of this movement. He produced a video urging the Wyoming governor to sign a 2018 bill that repealed all taxes on gold and silver. He noted that things move agonizingly slow in Washington D.C. Passing bills like this at the state level are an important step toward real monetary reform.
Paul also testified during in support of a bill to eliminate capital gains taxes on gold and silver that passed in Arizona in 2017.
This Wyoming law reestablishes gold and silver as legal tender in the state and takes a step towards that constitutional requirement, ignored for decades in every state. This sets the stage to undermine the monopoly of the federal government by introducing competition into the monetary system.
Once things get to that point, Federal Reserve notes could become largely unwanted and irrelevant for ordinary people.
Previous US Adds $1.5 Trillion to Debt in 12 Months; Who's Buying All These Bonds?


Considering we are starting to work with money in mathematics, I decided to make a poster which shows all the South African coins and notes and their values. This will help to teach the girls exactly what value is attached to each note and coin.
For the notes I used both the new 2012 notes as well as the older ones as there are still many in circulation.
You can download this poster below.
Thank you so much for the lovely posters you have put up! I am using your daily weather and date chart. I would also really like to use your money poster, but the link does not seem to be working?