According to Chinese medicine, there are five general types of people. When an acupuncturist took my medical history, he said, "I assume you grow a garden." I am, apparently, an Earth type, tied to the soil and the change of seasons.
So in the dead of winter I get two gifts. First is the winter solstice, when we acknowledge that we have made it a half-way through the dark. The second gift is the seed catalogues in the mail; the promise of spring, and sunshine, and growth. No weeds in the pretty pictures, unless you count the tame little things being uprooted by a proffered hoe. Perfect anticipation, when I can imagine ripe vegies, free of weeds, and insects, and drought.
The reality is that come August I will wade out in the garden, waist deep in unwanted weeds, and and do a treasure hunt to find our dinner.
That's ok. Imperfection tastes great.
I don't know if you've noticed, but life can be hard. There are challenges with health and relationships and basic survival that can bring you to your knees.
But I've found that an ability to stand back and grin at the absurdity of it all can help maintain sanity. The messier it is, the hard I look to find the joke in the midst.
It's even better if I can tell the joke in a way to get someone to laugh with me.
Does anyone feel as if they fit in? Anyone?
Certainly not me. I spent most of my life feeling as if I was on the outside, looking in. It's one of the reasons I paddle on a dragon boat. I know there's always a bench on the boat, and people waiting for me to fill it.
I do find that the more I venture out and become involved in activities, the more I find places to belong. Dragon boaters are an odd group, but one that welcomes me. And if you want weird, try hanging out with authors who write science fiction and fantasy. Delightfully, astonishingly peculiar.
My kind of people. The places where I am learning to fit in.
I grew up with the thought that shadows were safe. If no one can see you, then no one can hurt you.
The prospect of having my first short story published triggered this belief. My words and thoughts will be so public, I whispered to myself. So dangerous.
But I had won awards for short stories and a few professionals expressed interest in my science fiction novel. Friends shook me by the shoulders and insisted that I was past due to get a website and start a blog.
Time to take the risk, I thought. Then I did a mental adjustment. Not a risk, an adventure.
Adventure has an element of risk to it, but it includes so much more. There's the excitement of stepping out into something new without knowing where it will lead, the wonder as you learn new things, the comradery of finding other people with this compulsion to write strange stories of imaginary people.
There is also the sting of rejection, or that uncomfortable squirm in your stomach when you realize you screwed up.
But it all combines into this breathless swoop of excitement and surprise that makes life so much fun.
Bring on the adventure, risk and all.


What is this 3D platform?
Creative people with skills to build 3D experiences (without touching any code).
A new type of digital content that puts people inside 3D worlds made by artists.
People who play experiences within virtual worlds, using our universal app.
We're building FIGURAMA to help 3D artists create and publish interactive experiences for all major devices, without having to touch any code.
With FIGURAMA, Artists can transform 3D models and animations into full-featured Experiences, which all of us can step into and explore.
Everyone can use FIGURAMA's universal app to access experiences across a wide range of devices – with or without a VR headset.
Do you want to start creating your own interactive experiences?
Our community is a good place to find out how to start.
© 2017-2019 FIGURAMA - Kurzor s.r.o. All rights reserved.
FIGURAMA is a registered trademark of Kurzor s.r.o. in EU and other countries.
Have any questions? Feel free to drop them here.


Most times, fashion and art are categorized as two separate entities with varying characteristics and histories. Art — a creative design made with rich color often found between the edges of a frame or a novelty gracefully placed on a shelf — houses a famous list of idolized characters such as Pablo Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci and Andy Warhol. In comparison, fashion is a wearable design — one that doesn't only hang on a wall but instead hugs the curves of individuals. Fashion design icons such as Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Dior and Raf Simons presented this type of wearable art with their collections housing elements of paintings, nature and galleries.
However different these two aspects of design are, many artistic creatives collaborated with one another to present the majestic, powerful and stunning designs that exhibit unique details derived from art pieces with the patterns of style and design. To celebrate that continued intense and extraordinary collaboration, fashion designers and artists were encouraged to form partnerships and design special pieces together for Denver Fashion Week running March 23 through 31. These designers and artists are scheduled to showcase their inventive designs to audiences on Saturday, March 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum.
Rebellelion and Ladies Fancywork Society weaved their designs together to form bright and colorful cohesive looks filled with bold textures, youthful details and surprising accessories this season. Rebellelion — known for her patchwork components on vintage denim alongside frays — brings a classic and forceful approach to the partnership. Ladies Fancywork Society specializes in crochet — all four team members engage in the art — and together the artists use this as a creative outlet. Together, these two female-powered artistic teams coproduce designs audiences will be sure to rave about.
303 Magazine: What is it about each other's designs that drew you to work with one another?
Rebellelion: I was really excited that they were textile artists because I feel like it just gave us a lot more versatility when it came to designing together. It was also really exciting that they are so colorful because I love color and I had a lot of yellow in my last collection but I'm more kind of earthy tones and I kind of go for more muted colors so to come full technicolor rainbow is definitely pushing me a little bit out of my comfort zone.
Ladies Fancywork Society: I also think so many textures that we all use is the more the better in this scenario. The more you layer on the more exciting it will be.
303: Collaboration is so important in this industry. Can you all explain the process when working with another designer?
R: We definitely made a game plan. We had our first meeting and we kind of talked about things that we liked and luckily we have a lot of things in common. I remember at our first meeting they were like how do you feel about pom poms and I was like, "I think we are soulmates." We pulled a bunch of things that would be cool and sketched it out. Then from there we've just been going back and forth where they have a set of things they are making and I have a set of things I am making and then things that are coming together that we are meshing on. It's definitely a process.
303: Do you have specific designs for specific models?
R: We have one model in mind and she has this beautiful fierce walk and she's incredible so we have one outfit that we are like she is going to wear. We chose models based on their energy. We want people to have an energy and a walk that excites you but I think for all of us it's about girl power.
LFS: All of the models will work so well with all of our designs. I think most of these designs are universally flattering so all of the different body types will all be fun.
303: Are there any specific designs you are ecstatic to show the audience at Denver Fashion Week?
R: The line is fun because the denim is very wearable but then a lot of it is very avant-garde and I don't think I've ever pushed clothing that far. It's cool to take a concept of something like the yarn and fringe and crazy things and be like, "someone could wear this." I think of denim as such a lifetime piece so something you can have forever and add on to it. Clothing is artwork, it's just a different medium. I think investing in something and having it for a long time makes it so much more special.
LFS: I'm excited to see all of the denim jackets. They are all going to be very different. There is basically going to be someone walking down with a monster jacket of some sort. It's going to be like one of our art installations came to life and Madi form fitted it to a human. We are making art, but we are making wearable art.
303: Is there a specific trend you would all like to see more of in 2019?
R: Small makers. I'm really sick of corporate chains and I think it's cool to support small makers because it's unique and it's something fun, especially in Denver and there is a lot of cool fashion in Denver. I feel like people don't give it enough credit. There are a lot of talented designers in Denver. I don't know any other publication that continually supports small artists specifically.
LFS: It is really cool to see what 303 is doing with the collaborating and having the artists work with the designers because I feel like we come from the same mold but in two totally separate worlds that don't often get to connect like that.
AldoElCreator, originator of DarkDenim, designed unique and thrilling pieces for three years and is now welcoming his first collaboration with DINKC. Together, these two brands with their well-composed designs are expected to astound and enthuse onlookers.
303: Has the collaboration with DINKC inspired you to design in new ways? If so, how?
AldoElCreator: Yeah in the sense that I have to be working with someone else because I spend all my time in my studio alone and I've never collaborated with anyone before so this was first for me.
303: Is there a specific theme you and DINKC are interested in for the collaborative designs for Denver Fashion Week?
A: We are going with a Dark Death or Muerte Oscura (Latin Pronunciation) theme, which we've incorporated both our unique styles and made it into 10 different looks that will "kill" the runway.
A: For the first year I didn't have a name but one day some asked what kind of clothing I made and I just said "Dark Denim" even though I had no idea what it meant but I liked it plus it sounded good so ever since then its been that. My tag Line "garments made for the living dead" describes the kind of people that follow my brand. A bunch of lost, dead souls being sustained in a human body living this death trap experience we call life. My clothing is a way to express both that and yourself all in one.
303: Where do you find inspiration for your designs and what is your process for crafting those works?
A: I find inspiration in music and being locked in my studio every week for hours on end. My process is simple, I watch a lot of old horror movies, bump heavy loads of underground music while working on multiples pieces at a time. Some pieces will take me a couple hours and some will take me a couple months. It all depends on the story going behind the piece.


In 2014, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation (NACF) launched a new initiative, the Community Inspiration Program (CIP), which is rooted in the understanding that arts and cultures projects have an important role to play in motivating community engagement and supporting social change.
This report considers the social impacts of the 2014 CIP projects—what effects did they have on communities and on the issues, conversations, and connections that are critical in those communities? Its secondary purpose is to provide the NACF with ideas for how to improve its grant making in support of arts for community change.
In our usage, for a CIP project to have "social impact," it should make a difference in communities. "Social change" is the idea of moving in a desired direction on an issue of community importance and social relevance. Thus, a project has social impact if it progresses social change.


Accurate Liquid Velocity Measurement Meters : Proteus Industries Inc.
Liquid velocity flow meters are used when it becomes necessary to calculate the volumetric flow rate of a stream. A velocity flow meter calculates flow by computing the speed in one or several points in the flow and assimilating the flow speed over the total flow area.
Velocity flow meters are commonly used in industries because they provide a nonstop measurement of fluid velocity; a trait commonly associated with flow rate. This type of flow meter is one of the most sensitive to processing conditions.
Liquid velocity measurement meters function under the theory that there is a constant velocity profile. As a result, they are erroneous in the laminar regime. Inaccuracy occurs due to the large difference between fluid velocity at the center of the pipe and near the wall. As a result, velocity flow meters are very sensitive to Reynolds numbers and piping geometry.
These two types of flow meters are the most versatile. When a fluid flows across a turbine meter, the vanned rotor begins to rotate. A similar action occurs with the paddlewheel type except that its blades are perpendicular to the flow direction. In both types of flow meters, the angular velocity of the rotor is proportionate to the fluid's velocity.
Paddlewheel and turbine meters are used in similar applications. A petroleum pipeline may use an insertion turbine flow meter to detect leaks. A petroleum plant may also use turbine meters to load light hydrocarbon products into rail cars and road tankers. Apart from metering water, fuel and chemicals, both types of flow meters are used in metering cryogenic gases and oil drilling processes.
Often called mag meters, these are used to measure conductive fluids. Electromagnetic flow meters operate on Faraday's Law. When the conductor moves to the right angle of the magnetic field, a voltage difference is provoked in the conductor. This difference is proportional to the velocity of the conductor.
There are two types of electromagnetic flow meters: insertion style and wafer style. Both rely on different methodologies for creating a magnetic field through which conductive fluids flow.
Electromagnetic flow meters are used in several industries including pharmaceutical, food, beverage, cosmetic and chemical industries. Mag meters may be used to measure the flow of cream and milk. Specially designed mag meters are used to measure flow in an open channel. Mag meters may be inserted into a stream or manhole to monitor the flow rate.
This type of liquid velocity flow meter relies on turbulence to measure flow rate. When the fluid flows across a non-streamlined object, it creates turbulences on the sides of the object. These are called vortices or eddies. As these vortices move downstream, they shed or separate from the object and grow in size. The vortices shed from each side of the non-streamlined object and swirl off in opposing directions. The size of the vortices and rate of shredding is proportionate to the flow rate of the liquid. This phenomenon is similar to what makes a flag flap in windy conditions.
Vortex flow meters are often used to handle contaminated materials. They are frequently used to monitor liquid, gas and steam flows in turbulent conditions. Petrochemical and chemical industries frequently rely on vortex meters.
Contact Proteus Industries Inc. today to learn more about liquid velocity measurement meters and how they can improve flow measurement accuracy in your business.
Why are Liquid Flow Sensors Relevant?


We put away our white shoes and are previewing some of the upcoming Film, TV and Music we're looking forward to this Fall! There's an overwhelming amount of pop culture coming out in the next few months, but we'll help you select the best of the best that cannot be missed.
And Sean reviews last week's Big Sell, the Game of Thrones behind the scenes series, "Game Revealed," and gives Amita a unique Big Sell - a multi-media article featuring Issa Rae, James Davis, Rachel Bloom, Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson.


text:
<?php

declare(strict_types=1);

namespace Biplane\YandexDirect\Api\V5\Contract;

use AllowDynamicProperties;

/**
 * Auto-generated code.
 */
#[AllowDynamicProperties]
class TimeTargetingOnPublicHolidays
{
    protected $SuspendOnHolidays = null;

//    Can be omitted.
//    protected $BidPercent = null;

//    Can be omitted.
//    protected $StartHour = null;

//    Can be omitted.
//    protected $EndHour = null;

    /**
     * @return static
     */
    public static function create()
    {
        return new static();
    }

    /**
     * @see YesNoEnum
     */
    public function getSuspendOnHolidays(): string
    {
        return $this->SuspendOnHolidays;
    }

    /**
     * @see YesNoEnum
     *
     * @return $this
     */
    public function setSuspendOnHolidays(string $value)
    {
        $this->SuspendOnHolidays = $value;

        return $this;
    }

    public function getBidPercent(): ?int
    {
        return $this->BidPercent ?? null;
    }

    /**
     * @return $this
     */
    public function setBidPercent(?int $value = null)
    {
        $this->BidPercent = $value;

        return $this;
    }

    public function getStartHour(): ?int
    {
        return $this->StartHour ?? null;
    }

    /**
     * @return $this
     */
    public function setStartHour(?int $value = null)
    {
        $this->StartHour = $value;

        return $this;
    }

    public function getEndHour(): ?int
    {
        return $this->EndHour ?? null;
    }

    /**
     * @return $this
     */
    public function setEndHour(?int $value = null)
    {
        $this->EndHour = $value;

        return $this;
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Do the same workout the SWAT Team does to keep them in shape!
Post workout drinks and snacks will be served.
WHERE: Scheig Center parking lot in Appleton Memorial Park, 1313 E Witzke Blvd, Appleton.
TWO opportunities to workout with the firefighters! Join them as they show you their favorite exercise circuits including equipment carries, stair climbing, weighted ball exercises and more!
Post workout drinks and snacks will be served!
I invite you to experience a gentle, fun, highly effective process for making and sustaining the changes YOU truly want in your life!
Has the river of your life been moving so fast that you're just surviving instead of thriving?
Do you feel "on purpose" with your life? Or are you feeling overwhelmed, confused and not on your right path?
Is there an area of life where you are stuck and want to breakthrough into greater joy and fulfillment?
Are you in dire need of more self-care?
Circle of Life Coaching is a comprehensive Mind/Body Health and Wellness Coaching System designed for Group Wellness Coaching and Individual Health Coaching. It is a highly refined, step-by-step, comprehensive lifestyle design process that is easy to learn. Its six phases maximize accountability and supports continuous improvement for work-life balance, stress management, better health, and peace of mind. Medical research demonstrates that the most dangerous diseases are preventable through very reasonable lifestyle changes. Social science research shows that setting goals and receiving even minimal support radically increases the chances for an individual's successes in life.


text:
William Hill to sponsor Cartmel Cup for first time
The valuable Cartmel Cup, which has proved a benefit for Cumbrian trainers since it was introduced into the calendar, celebrates its 10th anniversary with a new sponsor on the opening day of the August Bank Holiday fixture at Cartmel.
It has been a clear sign of the progress of the Lake District's only racecourse that as well as expanding the race programme from one day to nine in the last 50 years, the quality of the racing has kept pace.
The support of William Hill, who are the new betting partner for Cartmel racecourse, ensures that the Cartmel Cup remains among the vanguard of top quality races at the track.
First run in 2009, the race has produced six Cumbrian winners in its nine year history, including a hat-trick for local trainer James Moffatt, who scored with Smart Ruler in 2014 and followed up by landing the prize with Captain Brown in each of the next two years.
Captain Brown's hat-trick bid petered out last year when he finished seventh in an eight-runner race won by Beeno, who was trained by Kenneth Slack for his father Arthur and ridden by Robert Hogg.
That completed the sixth Cumbrian win, a tradition started by Slack's sister Dianne Sayer, who won the first two runnings of the race with Front Rank in the colours of her husband Andrew.
With all the other winners having come across the border from Yorkshire, it is clear that the North holds sway here on a course which takes some riding as the greatest of them all (William Hill ambassador) Sir Anthony McCoy remembers.
AP was only an occasional visitor to Cartmel in his riding days, but twice in recent times registered five winners in the track's short season.
"Cartmel was always a fantastic place to go with a great atmosphere. I enjoyed some memorable wins round those tight turns. To do well, you nearly always have to be up with the pace as once the leaders get away they taking some pegging back" he said.
The William Hill Cartmel Cup is the big race of the opening day of the August Bank Holiday fixture on Saturday, August 25 before the 2018 season comes to end at the course on Monday, August 27.
← Diamond days at Cartmel Racecourse → Special prize for amateur rider Becky Smith

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


FPA Crescent Fund commentary for the second quarter ended June 30, 2016.
The FPA Crescent Fund ("the Fund") returned 0.39% in the second quarter of 2016 and 0.19% in the first half of the year. This compares to 2.46% and 3.84%, respectively, for the S&P 500 and 0.99% and 1.23%, respectively, for the MSCI ACWI index.
In the most . . .
Stephen Yacktman: A "Rockey Start"


text:
class CreateImages < ActiveRecord::Migration[5.0]
  def change
    create_table :images do |t|
      t.string :image
      t.string :md5, index: true

      t.timestamps
    end
  end
end


Do you have lots of trash and debris? Doing a home remodel project? Downsizing? Moving? A Dumpster Rental from KT Cleanouts is the perfect solution. KT Cleanouts provides 10 cubic yard and 20 cubic yard dumpster rentals for homeowners, businesses, and contractors. Our rental rates are lower because we only deliver in the greater Pelham, NH area. Since our coverage area is smaller, we can get a dumpster rental near you faster.
KT Cleanouts™ is your independent solution for dumpster rentals. Our customers have used KT Cleanouts trash bin container rentals for trash & junk removal from their basements, attics, garages, sheds and yards. As a result, we've helped customers clear out the junk before they put the house on the market. And renting a dumpster from KT Cleanouts is a great way to get rid of debris from those construction and restoration projects. Our rates are the best around Pelham, NH and our service can't be beat.
KT Cleanouts is family owned and operated — therefore, you get the best service and lower prices for our dumpster rentals. We've been in the junk removal/dumpster rental business since 2002. We serve Pelham, NH and the greater Lowell, MA area. We're fully insured and earned a FIVE star review rating at Google, Thumbtack and Yelp. Check out the reviews at Google Reviews, Thumbtack Reviews and Yelp Reviews.


text:
Q: Swift: How to localize a timer label I created a 4:00 minute countdown timer (NStimer). At the end of the countdown the figures change to letters, so instead of showing 0:00, it'll show DONE. I know how to localize buttons, but how do I localize this string, which is only visible in the function below? The string does not appear in the Main.strings. I want to translate it into several languages.
func stopTimer() {

    if count == 0 {
        timer.invalidate()
        timerRunning = false
        playSound()
        timerLabel.text = "DONE"

           }

A: I finally figured it out. I created this inside a function of my view controller:
timerLabel.text = NSLocalizedString("DONE",comment:"end of countdown")

and then I added this to my localizable.strings of the source language
DONE="DONE";

and this in the localizable.strings of my target language
DONE="ENDE";

I followed this tutorial, which I found more comprehensable.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


HOCKEY: CHESTER came out on top in the hard-fought ladies' derby clash with Deeside Ramblers at Tiverton on Saturday.
HOCKEY: CHESTER came out on top in the hard-fought ladies' derby clash with Deeside Ramblers at Tiverton on Saturday.
In the first 10 minutes, Deeside put away a goal through Sarah Arden after a short-corner routine and the game continued from end to end with both teams playing some great hockey and Chester goalkeeper Gemma Ible making some great saves.
A short-corner routine for Chester allowed Sam Queck to score from a deflection to make the score 1-1 at half-time. Competition was fierce after the break, but Chester managed to stay composed and step the game up another level.
During the last 15 minutes, Chester were awarded a free hit and an accurate ball into Helen Rolfe resulted in a second goal. At 2-1, Chester kept control until the last five minutes, in which Deeside were awarded three short corners in a row. None were converted and Chester won to stay top of the league.
The second and third-team matches were postponed.
Chester fourths went down 6-0 to a strong Chester College side. Goal-keeper Kirsty Sneyd was player-ofthe-match.
Chester seconds came from behind to draw 3-3 with South Cheshire with goals by Selley, Tookey and Harvey and the thirds lost 3-1 to Alderley Edge after Andy Patterson had given them the lead Chester fourths beat Crewe 2-1, thanks to goals by Jugen Fenney (penalty) and Geoff Hall, and the sixths shared six goals with City of Manchester thirds, thanks to Simon Nichol, Pete Cunnington and John Crinson.
Chester Badgers took on an older Northop Hall side and did well to force a goalless draw.
Deeside Ramblers men's first team had a six-goal thriller with Preston, who were 2-0 ahead at the break. William Mumme-Young pulled one back at a short corner, only for Preston to restore their two-goal advantage.
That sparked relentless Deeside pressure in the last 20 minutes and a deserved point came from goals by Jimmy Lewis and Steve Hill.
The seconds comfortably beat Cheetham Heywood 4-0, Mark Cook-son, Phil Brown (2) and Ed Lowe on target.
The thirds beat Wilmslow 3-1, but the fourth team went down 3-1 to Warrington thirds with only a Steve Cheshire goal to show for their efforts.
In a dour encounter, the sixth team beat South Cheshire thirds 1-0, Roger Taylor on the mark.
Deeside Beavers put up a good show against Northern, despite being without several regulars, and were beaten 2-0. Rory Little and Josh Guy were the stars.
Ramblers' seconds crashed 5-1 to Broone firsts, Wendy Mason the scorer. Kate Etherington, newly-promoted from the thirds, caught the eye.
At home tomorrow are the ladies' seconds (1.30), while the men's seconds meet neighbours Chester at 3pm.
Anyone wanting details about Deeside Ramblers can contact Howard or Dilys Dodds on 01244 300392.


May 16, 2014 - The Internet of Everything (IoE) is a term used by Cisco and others that describes the massively connected world ahead of us. Its main elements are the Internet of People (IoP) and the Internet of Things (IoT). In this article we share some of the findings about the Internet of People.
Firstly, it is important to distinguish between the Internet of Things and the Internet of People because of the very different market maturity, technical issues, participants and other factors. For example, there are minimal sales today of IoT devices, basically sensing microcontroller nodes with IP addresses and associated systems and software. Its value chain is unclear, paybacks are little understood, no large orders exist or, as far as we can tell, are even being negotiated. Will small, medium or large companies mainly benefit? No one can agree. Many impediments to creation of a large IoT market are swept under the carpet as large companies and analysts indulge in an unseemly race to the largest forecasts.
The IoP is the opposite of all these things, with more mobile phones on the planet than people and swathes of other personal electronics, with internet connection, already deployed. Yes, it is now extending to wearable electronics first as peripherals then the whole thing and it will appear elsewhere but the basics are the same.
Analysts IDTechEx find that the IoT will be deployed more slowly than most predict but we are more optimistic than most when it comes to the IoP, because of the existing momentum and understanding but also because many exciting technical advances are imminent to help it on its way. Google Glass and the like are one example of intelligent use of radically better human interfaces, something barely relevant to IoT. Blink and you take a picture, talk to it and it talks to you – and not just when you address it but also when it thinks you should know something. These new capabilities are of huge attractiveness to security forces, surgeons and even the general public and they extend usability and appeal to ever younger and older people, more of the infirm and so on.
Uniquely, IDTechEx's IoP report looks not just at the concept and forecasts but also at the key enabling technologies of the future, from device hardware to systems. IDTechEx investigated what is desired in a new mobile phone, its derivatives and peripherals and what will be possible when. The key will remain ubiquity, mobility and ease of use while much more functionality is added – a tall order but certainly not impossible.
Future IoP will leverage new technology that will make the devices invisible in the form of body implants, woven fibers and transparent electronics. We shall be talking washable and sometimes disposable electronics and electrics. Add to that the technology that helps us to escape from recharging and replacing batteries, such as new multi-mode energy harvesting. This is the story of a maturing mobile phone, tablet, phablet and laptop industry reinventing itself with widely dispersed peripherals in smart patches, e-textiles and more and those peripherals transitioning to internet enablement and then replicating most mobile phone functions and adding others.
Potential suppliers getting hungry. Large suppliers to the mobile phone, internet and allied industries see fast growth ending and their hardware being commoditised and seek to invest huge funds in something that has at least as much potential and leverages their skills. For example, in February 2014, GE announced it would invest $1.5 billion into "industrial internet" research from 2012 to 2015.
Viable, acceptable new human interfaces that are so easy to use that the devices become attractive to a much wider demographic and having many of them becomes commonplace.
There are now plenty of IP addresses available with IPv6.
Internet access is far more ubiquitous particularly via cellular, WiFi and many new options to come.
900MHz WiFi 80211ah could provide WiFi with dedicated bands for ultra-reliable, always-on machine-to-machine connections.
Large government investment in smart cities particularly in China where things communicate and act autonomously and mobile phones and other personal electronics are used for a much wider variety of tasks.
IDTechEx also sees an excellent roadmap of other key aspects of an enlarged IoP falling into place over the coming decade, including 5G providing faster, more reliable internet access around 2020, boosted by many improved short range radio protocols, ever more widely deployed. The result may be as many as 55 billion IoP devices in use in 2025, many employing printed electronics and completely new components, keeping it the dominant part of the Internet of Everything.
This is the very opposite of what Cisco and many others predict, which is IoT overtaking well within the coming decade. The lessons of history show that genuinely new things like IoT take longer to be established than enthusiasts hope whereas existing things can run and run, being reinvented on the way. A detailed analysis of all the factors for IoP and IoT confirms this fact for them. For the next decade IoP is the most important one to watch.


text:
The Philippine War on Drugs, a War on Humanity
Park Jaeeun | jaspark1027@korea.ac.kr
"Rody Duterte, People's Last Hope," reads a popular slogan in the City of Davao, Philippines—a sign of endearment from the city he once governed. The city is home to the incumbent president of the Philippines who promised the country "change" while he was running as a candidate. Indeed, change did come. It came the day after his inauguration on June 30, 2016 when the first drug related massacre occurred. Change came; and no one knows if it can be reversed.
2016. It was unknown, at that moment, that it would be the first of over 7,000. What Duterte claimed would last only six months has become a self-righteous crusade at the expense of thousands of lives. The fear of another massacre became rooted in the everyday lives of Philippine citizens. What is even more devastating is that the primary victims of this system were those who were povertystricken in the rural areas of the Philippines.
▲ Protests against the extra-judicial killings, PHOTO PROVIDED BY REUTERS
Regarding Police Brutality
"Please stop. Please stop. I have a test tomorrow," were the last words of Kian Santos. Kian was 17 years old. His autopsy reports verify that he was shot in the head and back. The defense of the policeman who shot Kian was that the boy drew a gun. This later turned out to be groundless after a video of Kian held in custody was released.
Kian's death is a reflection of police brutality that has become ever apparent after the inauguration of President Duterte. In fact, earlier this year, a Korean businessman was killed inside the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters by police officers who were after a ransom from his family. Yet, Kian's death has sparked outrage among the citizens of the Philippines who have had enough of seeing their fellow countrymen being prosecuted and killed unlawfully. They are demanding due process, the most rudimentary legal requirement that any nation governed under the principle of the law must have for justice to prevail in the country.
Police brutality and extrajudicial killings, as confirmed by reports published by the government, NGOs, and reporters, have become extremely widespread and ingrained in the structure of the PNP over the past year. In fact, an investigation published by Reuters in June revealed a finding that the "police were sending corpses to hospitals to destroy evidence at crime scenes and hide the fact that they were executing drug suspects." Among the 301 victims brought to hospitals last year, only two lived while the rest arrived dead. Ultimately, ever since Duterte has officially declared the domestic war on drugs, the concept of due process has become virtually non-existent.
Human Rights in the Philippines
Essentially, grave and systematic abuse of human rights has been running rampant in the Philippines. However, top government officials, and even Duterte himself, have been denying any such allegations. What is even more bewildering is the debate in the House of Representatives last September that ended up reducing the budget of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to approximately 20 U.S. dollars, although the budget was restored the following week.
"[The budget decrease] is a signal to all opponents of the war on drugs and violent methods Duterte espouses," comments Atty. Jesus Falcis, a human rights lawyer based in the Philippines, "that anyone who tries to block him by raising the issue of human rights can be defeated if he wants." He elaborates that Duterte was "controlling the legislative to exercise whatever power in his means to weaken his perceived opponents."
However, Duterte denied exerting any influence over the initial decision of the lawmakers during his meeting with the United States (U.S.) Ambassador to the Philippines. Furthermore, Duterte claimed that the PNP abides by the standards of the law and that proper police procedures were followed after the Ambassador urged Duterte to look into the alleged extrajudicial killings by the police "to ensure continued people's confidence in the government."
The Future of the Drug War
According to Atty. Falcis, "The war on drugs needs to be stopped as soon as possible; it has never worked in any country to reduce drug use and the illegal drug trade." This is, in fact, true, as seen in the case of Columbia or even the U.S. However, there are other methods to handle this issue instead of using sheer violence. "The alternatives such as legalization, decriminalization, and harm reduction approaches are ones that are proven to work. Portugal is a clear example," adds Atty. Falcis. To be more specific, Portugal took on an experiment to decriminalize drugs and to treat addiction to drugs more as a "medical challenge than as a criminal justice issue." More than a decade later, the number of drug users has decreased approximately 75 percent.
Ultimately, solving the drug problem is not an easy task, especially when it is known as the plague of a nation. However, no matter the costs, the key is to adhere to the law and prioritize the welfare of the citizens with a long-term perspective in mind. After the havoc that the war on drugs has wreaked in the Philippines, Duterte now has a solemn obligation to restore and reinforce a sense of justice and the rule of law during the remaining years of his presidency.
▲ A woman grieving the death of her husband who was killed for allegedly being a drug pusher, as written in the cardboard, PHOTO PROVIDED BY CNN


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Home / Car News / Ford "Ole Yeller" Mustang is the most track ready Mustang ever
Ford "Ole Yeller" Mustang is the most track ready Mustang ever
To raise some money for charity and also offer its clients a track-ready Mustang, Ford unveiled a special edition called "Ole Yeller" Mustang, that will be donated and sold via auction at the Gathering of Eagles charity event, the ninth straight year Ford has donated a car.
Seen from outside, the Ford "Ole Yeller" Mustang features a custom yellow exterior finish with "Ole Yeller" accents and badging, unique carbon fiber components and mirrors projecting images of the aircraft. The interior incorporates specially designed Recaro seats, sill plates, floor mats with unique logos and aviation inspired gauges.
Derived from the Shelby GT350® Mustang, it features a 5.2L Ti-VCT V8 engine with Flat Plane Crank. This way it boasts the most powerful naturally-aspirated engine Ford has ever produced. The Shelby GT350 generates 526 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. This powerhouse is mated to a Tremec 6-speed manual transmission and features a specially tuned sport suspension, making it the most track-ready, road-legal Mustang ever produced.
"Ole Yeller," with its bright, eye-catching yellow exterior, is one of the most recognizable P-51D Mustangs in the world. It still holds the prop plane record for coast-to-coast travel at 5 hours and 20 minutes, set in 1985. R. A. "Bob" Hoover, known as a pilot's pilot, will be forever linked with "Ole Yeller." Hoover is widely considered the founding father of modern aerobatics and thrilled airshow fans piloting "Ole Yeller" for more than 20 years. In 1997, Hoover sold "Ole Yeller" to his good friend John Bagley of Rexburg, Idaho. "Ole Yeller" still flies frequently and is based at the Legacy Flight Museum in Rexburg, Idaho.
Jeep Wrangler 75th Salute concept introduced
Teen playing Pokemon Go was hit by car


text:
Q: Не работает автоматическое приведение к типу структуры при выносе конструктора из объявления структуры Имеется три файла main.cpp A.cpp A.hpp. Сами файлы:

main.cpp

#include <iostream>
#include "A.hpp"
using namespace std;

int main()
{
    A a_obj(1, 1);
    a_obj += 1;
    cout << a_obj.m_a << "\t" << a_obj.m_b << endl;
    return 0;
}

A.hpp

#ifndef AHPP
#define AHPP

struct A
{
    A(int a, int b);

    A & operator+=(A const &a_obj);

    int m_a;
    int m_b;
};

#endif

A.cpp

#include "A.hpp"

A::A(int a = 1, int b = 1)
{
        m_a = a;
        m_b = b;
}

A & A::operator+=(A const &a_obj)
{
    m_a = m_a + a_obj.m_a;
    m_b = m_b + a_obj.m_b;
    return *this;
}

При попытке скомпилировать получаю следующую ошибку
tempmain.cpp:8:11: error: no match for 'operator+=' (operand types are 'A' and 'int')

При этом если определить конструктор внутри структуры, то срабатывает автоматическое приведение от int к A. С чем связано такое поведение?

A: А что вы ждете здесь:
a_obj += 1;

Что тут должно вызваться? Если вы надеетесь на то, что 1 превратится в объект A - с чего бы, если есть конструктор только от двух intов... Если вы укажете на
A::A(int a = 1, int b = 1)

то эти значения по умолчанию вы показываете только в A.cpp и при компиляции main.cpp компилятор о них ничего не знает. Такие вещи обычно пишут в объявлении, а не в реализации...
А оператора +=(int) у вас и в самом деле нет...


We used our Cedar Fair passes for some free fun at Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun in Kansas City! We took the RV again, and walked home for meals.
Oceans of Fun was a great waterpark and the kids loved this obstacle course in one of the pools.
The rides were fun, especially The Prowler at night. Scary! For Kings Island fans, it was similar to The Beast, but smooth (I know!) and with more twists and turns, and so fast!
The kids loved the shows this time and spent most of Friday watching them, some of them twice. Lizzy got to go on stage with Muttallica and play a dog. :) These are rescued dogs and the kids loved them.
At night, we stayed either at Walmart or a gracious church nearby, and fortunately some rainstorms cooled us down. On the last day though, we stayed at the nearby campground for some electricity (great after these hot days) and wifi to catch up on work. The view was great and we could hear the screams all day!
Haha to funny! That is where I lived I have had passes every year till this one. Good times!


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Q: Is it possible to get multiple values from XCOM for a single task at once in Airflow? Is it possible to retrieve multiple values from XCOM, pushed by a single task but with different keys?
I think I've seen examples to this:
# pulls one value
pulled_value = ti.xcom_pull(key=None, task_ids='my_task_id')

and to this:
# pulls multiple values but from multiple tasks
pulled_value_1, pulled_value_2 = ti.xcom_pull(key=None, task_ids=['my_task_id_1', 'my_task_id_2'])

What I need is would possibly look like this:
# pulls multiple values but from a single
pulled_value_1, pulled_value_2 = ti.xcom_pull(key=['my_key_1', 'my_key_2'], task_ids='my_task_id')

I can't find this in the documentation.
Is this even possible?
If yes, it makes a single database query in the background, or just repeats a single query multiple times?
If not, how could I get similar behavior?

A: Answering your questions:

*

*There is no such feature.
xcom_pull accepts task_ids: Optional[Union[str, Iterable[str]]] but with the same key. You can open a PR to Airflow for adding the functionality you seek.

*As for number of queries: I assume that by "repeats a single query" you are asking if it execute a query per task_id. The answer is No. Airflow did this optimization in PR.
In the source code you can see that xcom_pull() uses Xcom.get_many() and get_many creates a filter using IN which allows to compare against multiple values. You can see the relevant code lines here.


2012 Restructuring Program and an effective devaluation in Venezuela.
double digit on a currency-neutral basis.
third quarter 2016 versus 33.7% of Net sales in third quarter 2015.
increased 3% to $339 million versus $328 million in the year ago quarter.
points versus the year ago quarter.
the 3.5% net sales decline.
global market share in that category now at 33.2% year-to-date.
pipeline across all categories and geographies.
related to the deconsolidation of our Venezuelan operations.
share growth on a dollar basis.
which were partially offset by an increase in advertising investment.
In the U.S., new product launches are contributing to volume growth.
Signature For Men body washes and Palmolive Fusion Clean dish liquid.
volume gains in Mexico. Organic sales for Latin America increased 10.5%.
by an increase in advertising investment.
Colgate Professional Lab series manual toothbrushes.
sales for Europe increased 1.5%.
administrative expenses was due to higher advertising investment.
Whitening Pen and Colgate 360° Advanced manual toothbrushes.
India. Organic sales for Asia Pacific increased 3.0%.
toothpastes contributed to volume growth in the region.
lotions and Protex Thai Therapy bar soap.
shower gels and Lady Speed Stick Bio Protection deodorant.
America and Russia. Hill's organic sales increased 1.5%.
offset by an increase in Selling, general and administrative expenses.
and Skin Small & Toy Breed.
introductions or commercial investment levels, among other matters.


text:
Q: How to label equation without item text? The enumerate environment I use is as follows:
\begin{enumerate}[label={\bfseries{Problem }\arabic*}]
\item\mbox{}
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item The text of the problem
\begin{eqnarray}
f(0)&=&0\enspace,\nonumber\\
f(n+1)&=&f(n)+1\label{eq_label}
\end{eqnarray}
\end{enumerate}
\end{enumerate}

I hope the equation number for f(n+1)=f(n)+1 is displayed as the normal (1). But the actual label displayed is

(Problem 1.1)

So, what should I do for the equation f(n+1)=f(n)+1 to have a normal label (1) instead of above, i.e., to remove the item text (as well as its format) in the label? Of course, I also hope the subsequent citation ~\eqref{eq_label} can also display (1) as expected. Thank you.


text:
Med & Bio
Tech & Security
Home / Gadgets / Google hot air balloon provided 223 days of Internet connection
Google hot air balloon provided 223 days of Internet connection
news | Jul 05, 2019 | Gadgets | 371
The Loon hot air balloon started out as a small Google project, but with time it evolved into a separate company. It recently broke the record in providing continuous Internet connection.
The idea of covering the entire surface of the planet with free Wi-Fi is becoming extremely popular. Thus, SpaceX has plans of providing Internet connection from space, with a launch of 12 thousand satellites. Loon, a subsidiary of Google, has its own vision for the implementation of this idea.
Loon is a company focused on creating hot air balloons that will offer Internet connection, covering up to 40 thousand square meters. One of these devices has recently set a real record after offering connection for over 7 months. The hot air balloon was called P-496. It was launched in Puerto Rico on November 18 last year and landed in Peru on July 2. You can see the trajectory of its flight in the image below.
Not only did the device provide Internet connection, but it also regularly sent out information about its state to company employees. This data will enable improvements of any deficiencies in P-496, contributing to improved security in future models.
Share this with your friends!
Former NASA astronaut decides to circumnavigate the Earth in 48 hours
Researchers Create a Sollar Collector That Does Not Lose Heat
Google Chrome's browser extensions are perfect for any occasion
articles | Dec 06, 2022 | Tech & Security | 48
Google Chrome is one of the most popular browsers in the world. It is easy to use, although you can make it more convenient and effective for your work and home!
An international team of scientists has discovered a double black hole
news | Aug 16, 2022 | Science & Education | 174
An international team of scientists has gained new evidence that a double black hole exists in galaxy OJ 287.
Do not charge your phone in the mall
columns | Aug 12, 2019 | Tech & Security | 1277
How companies collect your data while you charge your phone
read more columns
350,000 km on the Tesla Model S: why electricity is more profitable than gas
interviews | Aug 21, 2019 | Tech & Security | 880
The owner of Tesla Model S told CleanTechnica that an electric car is not only convenient and fast, but also profitable
read more interviews
drones and quadcopters
quantum computers
smart beyond their years
hightecher explains


Click here to find a stone fabricator in cardsville.
Click here to find a stone fabricator for kitchen counters or bathroom vanity tops in cardsville.
To find a Fabrication / Countertops service provider in cardsville or another area.


I have been quite excited lately. I had decided to publish my songs on Spotify, iTunes, Google Play, Apple Music and many other online digital music stores and eventually found myself searching for the right channel to do this. There were too many options but I hope to have found the best one for my needs. Soon (very soon) and hopefully, my songs will be online on all these stores.


Is "Murder Inequality" really a thing?
And if it is, is it your fault?
(January 5, 2018) In their endless effort to demonize guns and gun owners, Michael Bloomberg's anti-gun propaganda outlet The Trace has finally hit on a trace of truth with an article from regular contributor Daniel Kay Hertz, but he still managed to dodge important points and spin the story to place blame on gun owners.
Murder inequality.. What an interesting turn of a phrase. Use of the word "inequality" is usually reserved for matters in which some group is not getting their "fair share" of some good thing, but in this case the author is using it to highlight certain groups getting too much of a bad thing. Actually, he's saying that the inequity lies in certain groups not getting their fair share of reductions in crime rates. Still it resonates with an implication that the "inequality" is due to some oppressor group causing the disparity, and that it is up to the oppressors to redress the imbalance. And since it's on The Trace, the culprits must be you and me — lawful gun owners.
The article is actually an interesting and informative read, if you can get past the random jabs at guns, gun owners, and President Trump. Hertz points out that crime data comparing city to city is of very little practical use because there are safer places and less-safe places in every city. A city's statistics can be dramatically thrown off by a few small areas with exceedingly high crime rates, or by large areas with very low crime rates.
We've been raising that point for years. And it's not just true of cities, it is true of countries as well. As has often been pointed out in these columns, the violent crime rates in the U.S. are comparable to crime rates in other developed nations – if you deduct the violence of a few neighborhoods in a few of our larger cities. Crime is not a national problem, nor is it a city problem. Crime is a neighborhood problem.
Hertz points out that there are areas of New York City, Chicago, Washington D.C., and other large cities, where the annual murder rate is less than 1 per 100,000 residents. There are also areas of those cities where the rate is as high as 50, 70, or even 90 per 100,000. And these are fairly large areas such as police precincts or City Council Districts, which can be further reduced to battle zones of just a few city blocks in which murder rates reach truly staggering levels.
On his personal blog, Hertz, who is a Senior Policy Analyst for a Chicago-based think-tank focused on taxes and budgets, displays maps comparing murder rates in Chicago between the peak crime years of the early '90s and the lower crime period of 2008 – 2011. What the maps show is that in Chicago, safer neighborhoods grew, while dangerous neighborhoods were concentrated and got worse. Overall, Chicago, like the U.S. as a whole, experienced a decline in murder of about 50% over 2 decades, but the neighborhoods that got left behind have not shared in that decline, with some seeing higher murder rates now than then, and the rates are climbing.
Hertz points to several studies and supporting articles that keep circling back to the inequity in the racial make-up of murder victims, but dancing around the obvious fact that the murderers also lack racial diversity. Terms like "black-on-black crime" have not only fallen out of favor, they have been labeled as racist, as has any frank discussion of the fact that violent crime in America is dramatically inequitable with regards to the race and ethnicity of its perpetrators. Researchers and analysts talk about factors like poverty, unemployment, hopelessness, and the breakdown of the family. They compare crime to a communicable disease, with discussions of transmission vectors, vulnerable networks, and paths of infection, but in their determination to avoid inadvertently tripping over an explosive "race-card," they assiduously avoid talking about the critical factor culture plays in crime: culture.
It is not that "black culture," or "Hispanic culture" is inherently violent or prone to crime. It's that a criminal culture has been allowed to grow and fester in inner-city communities and has become particularly prevalent and destructive within black and Hispanic sectors of those communities.
The culture of crime and violence generates a self-perpetuating cycle that consumes those trapped in its vortex. A dispute leads to a fight which leads to a murder which leads to retaliation which results in a feud and long-term grudges. The cycle of violence drives out the good people, attracts the bad people, destroys businesses, schools, and infrastructure, and corrupts everything it touches. It results in less education, fewer opportunities, more poverty and hopelessness, and more crime and violence.
Unfortunately that criminal culture has been glamorized and popularized by Hollywood, the music industry, and professional athletes. Government and charities can throw money and effort at the problems, but nothing will change until the culture changes, and the culture won't change until people admit that it's the problem.
Previous PostFixing NRANext PostThe Enemy Within — Marion Hammer's Revised NRA History.


The Keku fixing system uses a collection of polycarbonate brackets that deal with collectively to be part of various panels collectively. The joints that are manufactured by this system are remarkably solid and this energy can be improved by escalating the variety of brackets equipped into any joint system.
The application of a wall cladding to any potential wall has been built pretty simple by the use of the Keku system. In each and every case the brackets can be preset on to the board with a collection of Hospa composite screws or Varianta screws generally 2 screws for each bracket. The wall cladding system will generally consist of a frame and panel design and the full thing has the advantage that it can be frequently built in a manufacturing facility setting or in the closing problem.
There has to be enough space to healthy the brackets to the frame and so there will have to be enough space to empower this to be carried out. The standard rule nonetheless is that there is an advantage to have a adequately huge air hole at the rear of the cladding. The bracket proportions are generally relatively tiny getting all-around sixteen mm or twenty five mm in width and some 48mm in duration. Other brackets may be much larger relying on their application.
The advantage with this system is that the brackets for a usual wall cladding system are generally such that they are made use of in a full screwed system but the Keku system can be a hidden fixing system that is built with a collection of plastic fixings built from Makrolon. The system is best for a hidden fixing system in locations exactly where occasional entry may be demanded to products or services hidden at the rear of the partitioned wall.
The partitioning can be held in position by a collection of male and woman style clamps. In this case the woman fixing is preset to the wall and the male to the partitioning. The panel is then decreased into position so that it locks into its closing place. If entry is demanded at the rear of the partition then the panel can be lifted out and then changed right after the do the job is finished.
This is an best system in a bathroom or in a kitchen exactly where entry can be demanded when a challenge occurs or products is modified or changed. The system is easy and the fees are related to the a lot more long-lasting fixing techniques that are on present which call for a collection of screws to be eradicated to gain entry to the back of the panel.


Jark recruitment are currently recruiting for a Food Production Line Operator to work in the West London area. You will specifically be dealing with Canapés and it is essential to have experience cooking, preparing, assembling and presenting canapés. You must have some catering experience as duties can include cooking meat, boiling, roasting, steaming etc different kinds of foods. You may also be required to do basic warehouse labouring such as packing boxes and cleaning.
The position is full time although temporary. There is no expected end date and the position may be on going.


The dining commons is one of the busiest and most recognizable places on campus. Pretty much every UCSB student has eaten there at one point in time, which leads us to wonder … what's it like working there?
Jennipher Nahue, a third year pre-psychology major who works at the Carrillo Dining Commons, shared her personal experience about the job. Aside from the seven bonus meal swipes, Nahue said the people she works with are what makes her want to continue the job. Her advice to students considering employment at the dining commons is to apply before the quarter starts.
How long have you been working at the dining commons?
Three years. Ever since my freshman year I have been working. I had two quarters off, but other than that I've been working there like nonstop — even summer.
Out of all four dining commons, which is your favorite?
Carrillo. Just because I feel so close to all the cooks and all my friends there. Even when I go eat there, I'll be sitting at what we call the "employee table." But now I feel like because there are so many people, sometimes I won't sit there. It's still cool and nice though.
What is the most memorable experience that has happened while working?
So before I got promoted to student cook, I was what they call a "blue shirt" which is where you serve the food, clean, do dishes, work back dock, work as a runner, and bus tables.
If you could only eat only one thing from the dining commons for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The pasta carbonara, just because it's so good. Like the cream sauce and bacon … that's like my favorite pasta ever. The cook that cooks the pasta already knows. Whenever I see it, I'm just like "my favorite!" I would get my bowl and get two scoops, honestly. I feel like they have it quite often because it's just really good. Maybe once a week or sometimes twice.
What is your favorite and least favorite thing about working at the dining commons?
I guess my least favorite thing is when I am serving and I don't serve the right amount. Like I will try getting the broccoli sometimes. I will serve it and then there is only one broccoli on the plate. Also, my least favorite thing is when there is a long line and we have to tell people to only take one and come back later. But I like working there, it's fun.


text:
Q: How do I delete files/folders from Ubuntu One web interface? I see this questions has been asked twice already;
How do I delete files from Ubuntu One?
How can I delete files in Ubuntu One?
but the answers do not work for me. I do not see a delete option when I click the more link. I only see "share folder" and "Stop syncing". I clicked stop syncing and nothing happens. I would like to delete an entire folder.

A: Maybe, it is obscured by another inscription/link?
See that image:


Long before there was Lewis Hamilton, there was Stirling Moss, still considered by many to be the greatest British racing driver of all time.
The Porter Press collection of Stirling Moss books is headed up by the Definitive Biography of this extraordinary man, the result of years of painstaking work by Philip Porter and described as 'a book for all Moss fans' by Vintage Racecar. Our four Scrapbooks devoted to the legendary driver's life are crammed with contemporary reports, period photographs and behind-the-scenes stories, completing a catalogue that has something for every motor-racing enthusiast.


text:
My Husband Is My Best Friend™
Savannah James On Her Happily Married Life With LeBron.
LeBron and Savannah James have been together since high school and were married in 2013.
Via Essence,
You have been an integral part of LeBron's success. What has been your strategy?
"I'm his support system with whatever he needs. If he needs someone to listen to him. If he needs to talk or if he says, "Hey babe, I'm tired. Can I take a nap?" I will say "Yeah, baby. Take a nap," and keep the kids occupied. It's a part of the role that I play as the mother of his kids and being his wife. The balance that I create in our house is for his success. He is very busy and I understand that, and the kids are at the age now that they get it. Being there for him is a huge part of his success."
You've been so strategic in how you share and what you share of your family on social media. What's your approach?
"I do what feels right. I'm a very private person in general. With all the social media outlets, I feel like I have the choice to show you what I want to show you."
As a mom of three, a businesswoman and philanthropist, how do you manage your time?
"There's always a fear for moms if they are as present with the kids as much as they think they should be. You should never have a fear of doing what you really aspire to do or what you're passionate about. You can prioritize and keep the balance. I have a good time with my kids. I love to turn on music and we all dance in the living room together. But you'll never see me. I will not post me dancing."
What are you most proud of?
"I'm very excited about my new mentoring program. I'm excited to do my prom dress drive coming up again. We have some amazing dresses for these young ladies. They're very deserving, and I know that sometimes their means get hard. I want girls to look forward to that. My favorite moment was when a young lady who put a dress would not stop crying. We told her how beautiful she was. She said, "I'm just so excited. I just never thought that this would happen for me." That's why I do it. Those exact words she said because she deserves it."
Mrs. James!!! 🔥🔥🔥💪💯👑😍 Wife, mother, businesswoman, philanthropist… you embody the spirit of the modern woman. I am so proud of you & proud to be your side kick. #myqueen #mycenter #justagirlfromakron #fireismine #therealstar #jamesgang
A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Mar 7, 2017 at 6:33pm PST
black celebrity marriage black couples black love happy marriages I married my best friend my husband is my best friend the black family
Andrea Kelly Marries Brian McKee
R Kelly's Ex-Wife, Andrea Kelly star of Hollywood Exes , is now a married woman. Andrea, 39, married her boyfriend , Brian McKee, 36, on the 6th March 2014. Nicole Murphy and Mayte Garcia, were both bridesmaids . The wedding will be aired on Hollywood Exes which premieres on the 7th May at 9/8c on VH1. Congrats to the happy couple. SUBSCRIBE TO US HERE
Omar Epps on His Marriage to Wife Keisha: "For us, we just took breaking up off the table."
Behind all the movies for Omar Epps, TV shows and awards you will see his true love: his wife Keisha of 11 years. Omar married singer Keisha Spivey (formerly of the all-female R&B trio Total) in 2006. The pair met and briefly dated in 1992. But their relationship didn't last, and Epps says that for years he thought of Spivey as "the one who got away." Epps dated a few other women after they broke up, like his Love & Basketball co-star Sanaa Lathan, but each time, his mind and heart kept going back to Keisha. After saying "I do" in the world of both Hollywood and the music industry, relationships can be hard. So when the two made it past 10 years, many started asking, what's their secret to staying together. "For us, we just took breaking up off the table," confesses Epps. "That changed the whole dynamic of how we argue, solve problems, everything. It changes everything during the tough times." (Photo credit: Instagram) "But I honestly still like
Just Married ♥The Glam Wedding Of Chef Don Bowie & Brandi Holmes At A BMW Dealership.
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE


text:
Q: Irrationality of $\sqrt[n]2$ I know how to prove the result for $n=2$ by contradiction, but does anyone know a proof for general integers $n$ ?
Thank you for your answers.
Marcus

A: Apply Eisenstein's criterion with $p = 2$ to the polynomial $f(x) = x^n - 2$.  This shows that $f$ is irreducible over $\mathbb{Q}$, so in particular it has no roots in $\mathbb{Q}$.

A: FLT is quite a cannon to settle the proof. One can also follow the "classical" approach: assuming WLOG $\gcd(p,q)=1$, if $p^n=2q^n$, then $2 \mid p^n$, implying $2 \mid p$, say $p=2r$. But then $2^{n-1}r^n=q^n$, and since $n \gt 2$, we see that $2 \mid q^n$. It follows that $2 \mid q$, contracting the fact that $p$ and $q$ are relatively prime.

A: Suppose that $\sqrt[n]2$ is rational. Then, for some $p,q\in\mathbb Q$,
$$\sqrt[n]2=\frac{p}{q}\implies 2=\frac{p^n}{q^n}\implies p^n=2q^n=q^n+q^n.$$
Contradiction with Fermat last theorem.


text:
Home 2022 Elections Video: Insurrectionist/Extremist Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA06) Spews Out Lies at Far-Right CPAC...
Virginia Politics
Video: Insurrectionist/Extremist Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA06) Spews Out Lies at Far-Right CPAC Conference, Rants About "the Squad," the "Green New Deal," "folks who think that a boy is a girl," etc.
Cline also foams at the mouth that the "left" supposedly thinks right wingers are "less than" "because we love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ"
Earlier this afternoon, insurrectionist and extremist Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA06) spoke at the far-right CPAC conference in Texas. See below for video of the speech, which was basically one lie after the other, one right-wing talking point after another. Before you check out the video, if you want a bit more background on this conference and how bad it is, see The Fascist Circus Comes to CPAC Texas ("Republican politicians joined Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for speeches laced with antisemitism and overt Christian nationalism."); As conservatives cheer far right messages at CPAC, Mehdi Hasan has another name for it: 'Fascism'; Alarm grows as Orban prepares to take 'pure Nazi' rhetoric to US; America's far-right embraces Hungary's autocratic president; etc. And for more on Cline, see Video: In Cringe-Inducingly Bad Speech at Extremist CPAC Conference, Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA06) Claims Virginia Was One of "Original States Fighting the Original Cancel Culture" Against Thomas Jefferson, etc.; Audio: On Trumpster Radio This Morning, Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA06) Demonstrates Yet Again Why He's Utterly Unfit to Serve in Congress; Seditionist Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA06) Was Perfectly Fine with Trump's 1000s of Personal Attacks and Assault on Our Democracy, Now Suddenly Claims to Be Outraged at Biden's Nominee For OMB Director; etc.
With that, here's the video of Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA06) speaking earlier today at the far-right CPAC conference, with a few examples of his many lies and absurd, right-wing talking points. Oh, and if you live in VA06, make sure you vote for Democratic nominee Jennifer Lewis this November!
"…and once and for all we will retire Nancy Pelosi from the Speakership of the House of Representatives" (DRINK – LOL! Seriously, though, Republicans have been attacking Nancy Pelosi – misogyny much? – for so long now, it's pretty much a drinking game.)
"I always appreciate the opportunity to get out of the swamp of Washington, DC and be around so many like-minded conservatives or as I like to say, REAL Americans!" (Translation: anyone who's not far-right like Cline and the overwhelmingly white attendees at CPAC isn't considered a "real American." Also note the typical right-wing assault on "Washington, DC," which of course is at its root an attempt to demonize and diminish our government and to ensure that powerful corporate interests, polluters, billionaires, etc. are the ones in charge of our country.)
"This is our opportunity to show folks who frustrated and fed up we are that Biden, Pelosi and 'the Squad' continue to pull our country further and further to the radical left. And we're going to keep that progress going! We're going to keep that pressure on" (First of all, Cline completely mangles his lines here, as he follows up the supposed horrors of "Biden, Pelosi and 'the Squad'" with the line, "And we're going to keep that progress going!" WTF??? As for the concept that Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi are in league with "the Squad" to "pull our country further and further to the radical left," it's just wrong on every level. For starters, this country is about as non-radical-left as a country can get. Second, nothing in President Biden's agenda is "radical," and the vast majority of that agenda is supported by the majority of Americans, making it by definition in the CENTER, not the "left" or the "radical left." In sum, the entire basis for Cline's critique is completely flawed, full of crap, etc.)
Supposedly Glenn Youngkin "has successfully stopped this lurch to the left," while "building the Commonwealth into an economic powerhouse, restoring law and order, and reinserting parents into their children's education, where they belong." (That's all just flat-out false. One example: Virginia was the #1 state in America to do business under Gov. Ralph Northam for two years in a row, but in the first rating since Youngkin became governor, has fallen to #3. The point is, Virginia actually HAS BEEN an "economic powerhouse" under Democratic leadership, despite Cline's dishonest attempt to rewrite history. As for "restoring law and order" and "reinserting parents into their children's education," in fact we had those things under Governors McAuliffe and Youngkin, while right-wingers Glenn Youngkin/Winsome Sears/Jason Miyares are busy pushing a highly divisive agenda which assaults public education and makes us all LESS safe.)
"These folks who think that a boy is a girl, believe the border is secure, think the retreat in Afghanistan was a success, ignore the Supreme Court, and revel in the fact that gas prices have gone down even though they've doubled under their failed 'Green New Deal' policies. It's little wonder that they can't define for you what you have known for a while – we are in a recession." (There's so much nastiness/bigotry and so many lies here, where to even start? Note the "think that a boy is a girl" line in particular, as an indicator of where right wingnuts' heads are at right now. As for "ignore the Supreme Court," that's just weird, as Democrats have been doing the exact opposite, as they watch in horror – and organize to fight back – as the far-right, out-of-control Supreme Court dismantles our rights. As for "Green New Deal" policies, in fact, the "Green New Deal" has never been enacted, but the dripping hostility towards clean energy and climate action by the Ben Clines of the world is VERY telling – and should be automatically disqualifying for these people to hold public office in America. Finally, no, we are NOT in a "recession," neither officially nor unofficially, particularly given that we're about at full employment, with the lowest unemployment rate in decades and massive job gains last month.)
"The left tells us that we're bad people because of what we believe…that because we support the Second Amendment, because we stand up for the unborn, because we promote fiscal responsibility, because we believe in traditional values, and because we love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that we are somehow 'less than'." (Again, where to even start with this steaming pile of crap? But the bottom line is that Democrats are fighting right-wing Republicans like Cline because we strongly oppose their dark, dystopian, authoritarian, theocratic, anti-democratic, even fascistic vision for America. So we don't see right-wing Republicans like Cline as "less than," but we DO see them as a major threat to our freedoms, our constitution, our democracy, our habitable planet, etc. And that's why we fight them with everything we've got, and of course why we need to turn out and vote BLUE in every single election, up and down the ballot!)
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Amelora zophopasta är en fjärilsart som beskrevs av Turner 1919. Amelora zophopasta ingår i släktet Amelora och familjen mätare. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Historic Charleston's premier hotel just steps from famous homes, museums and churches. World-class luxurious accommodations including European spa; rooftop pool; "The Club," a private concierge level located on the top two floors; multiple award-winning restaurants; 20 exclusive boutiques and the legendary Belmond service, all in the heart of downtown.
Perfect location, glorious hotel ambiance, clubby bars, nice rooms, great service...makes for a perfect getaway! Highly recommend this hotel for families or romance. The rooftop has a saltwater pool and outdoor tanning area...unusual for a city hotel in Charleston.
Exceptional full-service hotel and support staff. The hotel features a great pool that our kids loved. Our club-level accommodations provided great breakfast and snack items. It was a wonderful experience, and my family and I are already planning a return trip!
"Floors 7 & 8 have Club access and that is well worth paying for"
"We enjoyed our view looking out into the Charleston Market."


1see dealer for details. 2Not available with lease and some other offers. See dealer for details. 3Private offer to current lessees of eligible 2014 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicles towards the lease of a qualified Chevrolet vehicle. See dealer for details. DCC Special Tag: Please add the tag "Loyalty Lease" to this offer. 4Private offer to current lessees of eligible 2014 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac vehicles towards the lease of a qualified Chevrolet vehicle. See dealer for details. 5Conditional offer. Not available with all other offers. Must own or lease a 2005 or newer non-GM vehicle for a minimum for 30 days. Must take delivery by 4/30/19. See dealer for complete details. 6Lease Loyalty Purchase Private offer to eligible 2014 Chevrolet, Buick GMC or Cadillac lessees only toward the purchase only of certain Chevrolet vehicles. See dealer for details. 7Must qualify through GM Financial. Not available with special finance, lease, or some other offers. Take delivery by 04-30-2019. See dealer for details.


If you plan on traveling to Göttingen from Heidelberg by Train and Bus, Combitrip shows all prices, schedules and duration for your convenience. Planning a road trip from Heidelberg [LAT: 49.39875, LNG: 8.67243] to Göttingen [LAT: 51.54128, LNG: 9.91580] is easy because they are only 304.8 km away from each other. The voyage from Heidelberg to Göttingen takes apporoximately 4 hours 26 minutes by car. Another way to enjoy your trip is to travel like the way locals do. For very short trips, we recommends taking bikes, taxis, subways, buses, etc. Use Combitrip to find efficient ways to travel on your trip.


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North Hills Campus at WT Name Change
Aug 10 2018 8:00 AM
Winchester Thurston School announces a new name for its location on Middle Road in Hampton Township. Previously "North Hills Campus at WT," the campus will now be called "Winchester Thurston School, North Campus."
The change was developed after conducting in-depth qualitative and quantitative research with both current and prospective families. The research shows that the new name more appropriately describes the broad geographic reach of the Pre-K – grade 5 campus, making it more reflective of the school's population.
And, by spelling out Winchester Thurston School, the name more immediately reflects the dual experience with the school's City Campus in Shadyside. Lower School students at the City Campus regularly experience a deep application in outdoor learning on the North Campus's seven rolling acres, and students at the North Campus join their City Campus friends in unique educational opportunities with leaders from the academic, cultural, scientific, and business communities in Pittsburgh through City as Our Campus.
New logo treatments for the campus which reflect that the two campuses are parts of the same whole were unveiled this week.


text:
Young & Beautiful Review
by Dave Voigt | May 16, 2014
From director Francois Ozon, Young & Beautiful is an emotionally stark tale of sexual awakening and sometimes reckless empowerment that marks the arrival of a soon to be iconic ingénue that commands the screen at every single moment.
TIFF 2013: Young & Beautiful Review
by Eric Marchen | September 3, 2013
Young & Beautiful Special Presentation Director: François Ozon François Ozon explores the initial sexual experiences of a seventeen year old French girl over four seasons. At the end of summer, Isabelle, beautifully played by newcomer Marine Vacth, loses her virginity in a less than stellar first roll in the sand. As the season changes into […]
More From WSFF 2012!
by That Shelf Staff | June 4, 2012
Following the kick-off to our coverage of the CFC's 18th annual Worldwide Short Film Festival on Friday, here's a look at a handful of programs from this year's gathering of some of the best short films from around the world that starts tomorrow night. Today, we take a look at several more of the high profile Official Selection Programs, indie comedy, music video, and science fiction showcases, and the highly anticipated all night horror marathon The Night Shift and the always star studded Celebrity Shorts.
https://t.co/hYDqA1XKm1
@RileyStearns @FantasiaFest #Fantasia2019 #FantasiaFest #TheArtofSelfDefense


Jesus is still our example today, thousands of years later.
1. Jesus believed that prayer works.
Mark 7:7-11 - "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
2. Jesus' prayers did not make Him passive.
Matthew 25:31-46 - "...The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me...'"
3. Jesus got alone to pray.
Matthew 14:23 - "After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone."
4. Jesus balanced private and shared praying.
Luke 9:28 - "About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray."
5. Jesus prayed before meals.
Mark 6:41 - "Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all."
Luke 10:21 - "At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure."
7. Jesus sang some prayers.
Mark 14:26 - "When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."
8. Jesus prayed before making important decisions.
Luke 6:12-13 - "One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles."
9. Jesus prayed for His disciples.
John 17:11,15,24 - "I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
10. Jesus still prays for us.
Romans 8:26,27 - "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."


My sister requested a Morticia Adams pinup, so here it is. Something I have been working on for a while now and finally finished it up last night. It took some time finding all the various bits and pieces and getting an expression and character mix I was happy with. Thanks to cryingreddesigns for the tip on the freebie chair.
Table was a freebie on Renderosity.


text:
#include <animutils.h>
#include <graphics.h>
#include <getvideoinfo.h>
#include <displayutils.h>
#include <mem.h>
#include <umemory.h>
#include <list.h>
#include <event.h>

#include <Portfolio.h>
#include <event.h>
#include <Init3do.h>
#include <FileFunctions.h>
#include <blockfile.h>
#include <Time.h>
#include <audio.h>
#include <celutils.h>
#include <filesystem.h>
#include <filefunctions.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <operror.h>
#include <controlpad.h>

#define FPS_VIDEO 60
#define MAX_IMAGE 512

#include <burger.h>
#include <audio.h>
#include "types.h"
#include "audio.h"
#include "graphics.h"
#include "effectshandler.h"
#include "soundplayer.h"

#include "music.h"
#include "event.h"
#include "operror.h"
#include "filefunctions.h"
#include "stdio.h"
#include "stdlib.h"

#define MAX_SFX 16
Item AllSamples[MAX_SFX];			/* Items to sound samples */
Word AllRates[MAX_SFX];
uint32 MainTask;					/* My own task item */
static TagArg SoundRateArgs[] = {
	AF_TAG_SAMPLE_RATE,(void*)0,	/* Get the sample rate */
	TAG_END,0		/* End of the list */
};
int32 sfx_data[MAX_SFX];

#define SCREENS	2

ubyte	*gBackground	= NULL;
ANIM* anim[MAX_IMAGE];
unsigned char already_inmemory[MAX_IMAGE];

static Item vbitem, spitem;
static ScreenContext TheScreen;
static int32 NumFrameBufPages;

#include "INPUT.h"
struct input BUTTON;

unsigned short done = 0;
char* game_name = "";

static const int	sNumControlPads	= 1;

/*
	3DO
	CONTROLLER KEY MAPPINGS
*/
#define Buttons_UP ControlUp
#define Buttons_LEFT ControlLeft
#define Buttons_RIGHT ControlRight
#define Buttons_DOWN ControlDown
#define Buttons_A ControlA
#define Buttons_B ControlB
#define Buttons_C ControlC
#define Buttons_D ControlLeftShift
#define Buttons_START ControlStart
#define Buttons_SELECT ControlRightShift
#define Buttons_QUIT 0

int	gCurrentScreen	= 0;

void msleep(unsigned char milisec)
{
}

void Init_video(char* argv[])
{
	/* Open the graphics folio */
	CreateBasicDisplay(&TheScreen,DI_TYPE_DEFAULT, SCREENS);
	/* Init the math folio (Required) */
	OpenMathFolio();

	/* This disables interlacing and uses progressive scan instead */
	DisableHAVG(TheScreen.sc_Screens[0]);
	DisableVAVG(TheScreen.sc_Screens[0]);

	/* Init my var */
	NumFrameBufPages=TheScreen.sc_nFrameBufferPages;
	/* Get IO request item */
	vbitem = GetVBLIOReq();
	/* Get VRAM IO request item */
	spitem = GetVRAMIOReq();

    InitControlPad(sNumControlPads);
}

void Load_Background(char* directory)
{
    gBackground	= (ubyte *)AllocMem((int)(TheScreen.sc_nFrameByteCount), MEMTYPE_STARTPAGE | MEMTYPE_VRAM | MEMTYPE_CEL);
    SetVRAMPages(spitem, gBackground, 0, TheScreen.sc_nFrameBufferPages, -1);
	LoadImage(directory,  gBackground, (VdlChunk **)NULL, &TheScreen);
}

void Draw_Background()
{
	CopyVRAMPages(spitem, TheScreen.sc_Bitmaps[gCurrentScreen]->bm_Buffer, gBackground, TheScreen.sc_nFrameBufferPages, 0xFFFFFFFF);
}

void Load_Image(unsigned short a, char* directory)
{

	/*
		The 3DO only accepts CEL format files.
		Sprites with Multiple frames must be especially
		converted to CEL ANIM format where Width
		and Height must be definied at convertion time.
	*/
	if (already_inmemory[a]) UnloadAnim(anim[a]);
	anim[a] = LoadAnim(directory, MEMTYPE_CEL);
	already_inmemory[a] = 0;
}

void Copy_Image(unsigned short a, unsigned char i)
{
}

void Put_image(unsigned short a, short x, short y)
{
	DrawAnimCel(anim[a], TheScreen.sc_BitmapItems[gCurrentScreen], x, y, 0, 0);
}

void Put_sprite(unsigned short a, short x, short y, unsigned short w, unsigned short h, unsigned char f)
{
	if (x < -w || x > 320 || y < -h || y > 240)
		return;
	anim[a]->cur_Frame	= Convert32_F16(f);
	DrawAnimCel(anim[a], TheScreen.sc_BitmapItems[gCurrentScreen], x, y, 0, 0);
}

void Faster_clearing(short x, short y, unsigned short w, unsigned short h)
{

}

void Clear_screen()
{

}

void Update_video()
{
	DisplayScreen(TheScreen.sc_Screens[gCurrentScreen],0);
	gCurrentScreen	= 1 - gCurrentScreen;
}

void Faster_update(short x, short y, short w, short h)
{
	Update_video();
}

void Sync_Refresh()
{

}

void Draw_Pixel(unsigned short x, unsigned short y, unsigned char R, unsigned char G, unsigned char B)
{
	//fill_rectangle(x, y, 1, R, G, B);
}

void Draw_Rect(unsigned short x, unsigned short y, unsigned short width, unsigned char R, unsigned char G, unsigned char B)
{
	//fill_rectangle(x, y, width, R, G, B);
}

void Controls()
{
	uint32	gButtons;
	DoControlPad(1, &gButtons, (ControlUp | ControlDown | ControlLeft | ControlRight));

	BUTTON.UP 	= (gButtons & Buttons_UP)	 ? 1 : 0;
	BUTTON.DOWN 	= (gButtons & Buttons_DOWN)	 ? 1 : 0;
	BUTTON.LEFT 	= (gButtons & Buttons_LEFT)	 ? 1 : 0;
	BUTTON.RIGHT 	= (gButtons & Buttons_RIGHT) ? 1 : 0;

	BUTTON.A 	= (gButtons & Buttons_A) ? 1 : 0;
	BUTTON.B 	= (gButtons & Buttons_B) ? 1 : 0;
	BUTTON.C 	= (gButtons & Buttons_C) ? 1 : 0;
	BUTTON.D 	= (gButtons & Buttons_D) ? 1 : 0;
	BUTTON.START 	= (gButtons & Buttons_START) ? 1 : 0;
	BUTTON.SELECT 	= (gButtons & Buttons_SELECT) ? 1 : 0;
}

void Clear_Image(unsigned short a)
{
	if (already_inmemory[a]) UnloadAnim(anim[a]);
	already_inmemory[a] = 0;
}

void Clear_Images()
{
	unsigned short i;
	for (i=0;i<MAX_IMAGE;i++)
	{
		if (already_inmemory[i])
		{
			UnloadAnim(anim[i]);
			already_inmemory[i] = 0;
		}
	}
}

void Init_sound()
{
	OpenAudioFolio();
	MainTask = KernelBase->kb_CurrentTask->t.n_Item;
	InitSoundPlayer("system/audio/dsp/varmono8.dsp",0); 		/* Init memory for the sound player */
	InitMusicPlayer("system/audio/dsp/fixedstereosample.dsp");	/* Init memory for the music player */
}

void Clean_Music()
{
	PauseMusic();
}

void Load_Music(const char* directory)
{
}

void Play_Music(int id, char loop)
{
	PauseMusic();
}

void Load_SFX(unsigned char i, char* directory)
{
	AllSamples[i] = LoadSample(directory);
	GetAudioItemInfo(AllSamples[i],SoundRateArgs);
	AllRates[i] = (Word)(((LongWord)SoundRateArgs[0].ta_Arg)/(44100UL*2UL));	/* Get the DSP rate for the sound */
}

void Play_SFX(unsigned char i)
{
	PlaySound(i);
}

void Unload_SFX()
{
}

void Clearing()
{
	Clear_Images();
	Clean_Music();
	Unload_SFX();
	KillControlPad();
}


Today, Nasscom Tamil Nadu Region celebrated the tenth anniversary of its Emerge forum with a special program. It was also the 98th episode of Product Connect – a program where industry experts share their journey with fellow members of the community. It was special program today because Nasscom had invited the same 3 business leaders of Chennai who had spoken in the very first program of Product Connect – Gowri Shankar Subramanian (Co-Founder & CEO of Aspire Systems), Murugavel Janakiraman (Founder & MD of Matrimony.com Limited) and Suresh Sambandam (Founder & CEO of OrangeScape). I was looking forward to today's program was special for me, as I know all the three well and they know me too :-). Today's session was moderated by Balaraman Jayaraman (Co-Founder & President, Congruent Solutions Pvt. Ltd.). I have written (paraphrased) below few key points from what was being spoken.
To start and run a successful product company, you need a passionate heart accompanied by a rational mind. For all the talk of slow-down with Industries in Tamil Nadu due to the prevailing political scenario, the data for Software companies is more than promising, it is doing great – a total of $17 Billion in revenue (mostly exports) with a share of $1 Billion coming from Products Business. Running a business is tough, getting through global depression is even tougher. The three business leaders (Gowri, Suresh & Muruga) have not only survived but thrived, and that's phenomenal. The scenario in Tamil Nadu with funding is also different – here in most pitch sessions, the founders for 80% of the time ask for advice from the other side and not "money".
In March 2008 revenues were $8 Million, today it is $68 Million. Then the employee count was 380 (offshore) and 15 (onsite), in Sep 2017 it is 2200 (Offshore) and 250 (onsite). Last 7 years, the rate of growth has been 24% CAGR.
What worked for them well: 1) Able to interact with customers and employees, 2) Being out of office brings fresh perspectives, 3) Stay focused on implementing a maximum of 2-3 things at a time, Let other issues if they are important will bubble up, 4) Take calculated risks.
What Gowri felt they could have done differently: 1) Focus a lot more on sales and marketing process, 2) Really (and fully) implement the decided Strategy, bet on it aggressively, 3) Could have got external funding, which would've accelerated growth.
General views by Gowri: Today many founders sell too early, they forget the power of compounding. For Aspire Systems it took 12+ years to get the first ten million dollars in revenue, took only 2 years to get the next ten million dollars; so the hard work is in the initial phase. Lastly, money cannot be the driving factor for doing a startup.
Gowri feels HR is one of their core competency. Their interview process consists of Two rounds of testing + Three rounds of interview. General hiring ratio is 1 to 100 when it comes to campus placements. Candidates are asked them to write code, it is a fundamental requirement. The whole hiring process in Aspire is quite intense. After which there is a phase of rigorous training called impact training, each associate is paired with a mentor – one to one, the objective is to make associates write code in the training phase too, it is just not classroom training.
It was a roller-coaster ride for them, with three distinct phases in their business – Phase 1: DimensioN, Phase 2: Visual PaaS & Phase 3: Kissflow. Every phase lasted for about 4 years.
Phase 1 – He was Enthusiastic, an Amateur, and fully with Bliss. Knew only Technology. Absolutely didn't know anything about marketing. But had the confidence that he can sell what he built. The first deal they got was from Rane, Chennai for Rs.11 Lakhs (then $25K) after he showed they can automate an HR form in few hours. Then followed sales from Unilever, Fullerton but mostly it was only India. It was a platform they had built and as a result, they suffered from First mover disadvantage. They had to educate, and in effect create the category. It was always a struggle for cash and to make ends meet.
Phase 2 – In this, they got the positioning correctly. Platform as a Service was their offering. They didn't need to educate as everyone around was taking PaaS. They raised $1million funding, made it to global top ten in Gartner, Forester lists. Unfortunately, within few years, Google which had championed PaaS, was struggling with it – the PaaS market evaporated. The OEM deal they had been working with Google fell through. Suresh's co-founder left the company, Investors became anxious, all the money that was raised had been spent, the company was very close to shutting down – luckily, core team didn't leave and stayed put.
Phase 3 – By now, they have learned that "Marketing" was everything. "Sales" was a process and it is not about individual people. Orangescape got all 3 right – category, product, timing. Invested and came up with a world-class user experience (UX). Acquired 10,000 Customers, across 120+ Countries, and about 10-12% are paying customers. They have about 100+ Employees and most important "Profitable". No VC funding after their initial $1 Million funding.
In G2Crowd Reviews, KissFlow ranked the top with 94% rating, trailed by Bpmonline and then Zoho Creator.
In KissFlow, they do inbound marketing. Their sales are through customers discovering them through Search and other mediums – they then come to their website, try their product and then buy it.
General observations by Suresh: It is not software is eating the world, it has to be said SaaSis eating the world. Today over 10,000 people in Chennai are working in SaaS Products, $1billion of revenue is made. There are many successful SaaS companies in Chennai – including Fresh desk, Zoho, ChargeBee & Kissflow. Chennai is the SaaS capital in India.
Those interested in how to do marketing for SaaS can check this free guide – Desk selling and marketing – A jump start guide – To desk marketing and selling for SaaS. As a thumb-rule, you need the equivalent of 12-18 months of your expected revenue available as your marketing spend.
In FY07 they were doing Rs.16 Crore in revenue, today their revenues are over Rs.292 Crores annually. Chinese Internet companies are today worth tens of billions, Indian companies have similar or better growth in front of them. Ten years ago in India Matrimony.com didn't have a mobile app of their own, today 80% of their traffic comes from their app. Two significant changes happened to them in their journey.
1) In the first one they were doing Non-core expansion – into portals for Automobiles, Loans, Classifieds and Properties (which got spun-off successfully later); that strategy didn't work, global economic slowdown happened in 2008, then suddenly funding was not available. They looked at every cost in their business after the recession, then within six months returned to profitability. Today there is so much of funding available in India, but they had raised only Rs.99 Crores in the first ten years.
2) In the second one, they focused only on their core (matrimony/wedding) industry. Wedding Industry is a $54 Billion per annum in size. For every match-making, they make only Rs.10,000, but in a typical Indian wedding, Rs.8Lakhs is being spent. Their strategy is how to get a larger pie of this spent. They have started with Matrimony photograph service three years back, now they are doing over 400 events every month across South India. They are now experimenting in Tamil Nadu with Matrimony Bazaar, which is an assisted e-commerce service and there is Matrimony Mandaps.
For social media marketing ten years before they were spending over 50% of their revenue, today it is less than 3% of their revenue.
They were technology services that got started in 2001. Due to a dispute with their principal client they had to go to a settlement. Luckily, due to the settlement, they managed to come out of a non-compete clause, which presented them an opportunity to enter an industry they had worked for the client. Recently they launched CoreDC (COngruent REtirement for Defined Contribution) a product for Retirement Plan Providers and recordkeepers in the US.
The industry they operate on is a mature one. Most of the players in this are using 25 years old technology, that's both an entry barrier and opportunity. Congruent had to do a lot of work to be seen visible in the industry. Now their product CoreDC is available in SaaS model.
You need to remember that "the person in your client company who is making the decision to purchase your product is the one actually taking the risk. This risk could be more than you developing your product or starting your company".