According to a recent survey by Fidelity, year after year Americans' top financial resolutions are to save more and spend less. While the impulse to save is a good one, the fact that people are making the same resolutions each year suggests they aren't sticking to their promises. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to make 2016 the year you succeed.
By employing these 35 ways to save money throughout the year, you should see the results in your bank account – and saving really will become a way of life.
January is a bargain-hunter's paradise. For example, you can save up to 90 percent on holiday décor during after-Christmas sales, according to Teri Gault, money-saving expert and CEO of TheGroceryGame.com. Winter coats, apparel and outdoor gear also tend to be deeply discounted after the holidays. Additionally, Gault recommends using January sales to shop for home goods like sheets, bedding and furniture.
If you want to save money in 2016, it's wise to take advantage of mobile shopping opportunities. According to Benjamin K. Glaser, features editor with DealNews.com, mobile shopping is one of the fastest-growing areas of retail, and sellers are pushing their mobile apps harder than ever before.
Not only do these apps provide an easy way to shop, but retailers often offer users exclusive discounts and savings. Still, Glaser cautions shoppers against making impulse purchases. For best results, only take advantage of deals for items you actually need.
Experts advise consumers to adjust their shopping lists in 2016, as the prices of several grocery items are expected to rise in the New Year. According to Glaser, eggs will be more expensive because the poultry industry is still recovering from an avian flu outbreak. Further, rates for full-fat dairy products will climb with demand because of data showing low-fat diets aren't necessarily better. Extended drought conditions will also lead to shortages of almonds, avocados, chocolate and – say it isn't so – coffee, causing price hikes.
To counter rising prices, you can limit your purchases of these items, stock up when they do go on sale, look for lower-priced brands and purchase conventional, rather than organic, options.
Head off rate increases for services such as cable TV in the New Year by taking the time to call your providers.
"Ask about any new promotions you may qualify for when old ones expire," said money-saving expert Andrea Woroch. For example, you could save money by bundling your cable TV and Internet services or going paperless by setting up automatic bill payment.
Many people try to save money by signing up for wireless plans with less data. However, if you regularly exceed your data allotment – and get hit with fees as a result — your cost-cutting efforts might backfire. To avoid data overcharge fees in 2016, you can use the free My Data Manager app to track your data use and alert you before you go over your limit.
On the flip side, you might have overspent on wireless service in 2015 by paying for more data than you actually used. To find out how much data you're wasting, you can use an app such as Onavo Count or 3G Watchdog to monitor your data use. You also can visit MyRatePlan.com to find the right mobile plan based on the number of minutes, messages and data you use.
Consumers can potentially save a lot on car insurance simply by taking the time to find out if another insurer can offer a better rate. According to the J.D. Power 2015 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study, people who shopped for better auto insurance rates and switched insurers saved an average of $388 on their annual premiums. You can get quotes and compare offers from several insurers at TheZebra.com, InsuranceQuotes.com and CarInsurance.com.
Gift cards aren't just for gifts. If you buy them for less than face value, they're a great way to save money on things you regularly buy, said Regina Conway, shopping expert forSlickdeals.net.
You can find discounted gift cards at sites such as CardCash.com, GiftCardGranny.com and Raise.com. For example, Conway buys pet store gift cards that are discounted by 20 percent or more and uses them to get an instant discount when purchasing pet food and supplies. You can find discounted gift cards for supermarkets, drugstores, gas stations, restaurants and hundreds of retailers online.
Deal sites like FatWallet.com and Slickdeals.net are known for hosting forums on which savvy shoppers can share great deals.
"People like helping people save money, and they'll also vet out others' advice that may not necessarily save you money — which, can save you a lot of money… Heaven know most retailers aren't going to give you the insider scoop very often," said Shelton, who often consults forums before making big purchases.
Most consumers know they can get coupon codes for online purchases at sites such as DealNews.com, Offers.com, Rather-Be-Shopping.com and RetailMeNot.com and use free apps such as Coupon Sherpa to get coupon codes for instant discounts at checkout. However, money-saving experts warn that overlooking social media as a coupon source is a mistake. According to Woroch, buyers can unlock coupons by 'Liking' a retailer or brand on Facebook or Twitter.
"I received a 15 percent off coupon code to Hotels.com by just liking their Facebook page and received 30 percent off at Heels.com by following their account on Twitter," Woroch reported.
Whether you're shopping at a department store or a mom-and-pop shop, it's wise to ask if there are any coupons available, Gault said. Sometimes there are coupons behind the register that clerks are happy to let you use. In other cases, they might direct you to an online coupon or even accept competitors' coupons.
Savvy shoppers don't limit their savings to just one type of discount. In fact, most supermarkets allow consumers to use manufacturers' coupons along with store coupons. By stacking all allowable deals, you can save more than 60 percent and even get free grocery items, Gault said.
Use discounted gift cards and rewards credit cards that offer cash back, in addition to coupons and sales, to rack up even more savings.
Prices on consumer goods can fluctuate wildly – even in a matter of days. To avoid overpaying, it's wise to use an online price tracker to monitor rates on items you want to buy.
For example, Conway said she used the Slickdeals Price Tracker to monitor the price on a pair of boots, which fell from $245 to $170 in three days before jumping back up to $245. The Slickdeals PriceTracker lets you set a price at which you'd be willing to purchase an item and emails you if the price falls to that level. It also notifies you of which retailer has the best price on specified products at any given time. Don't be afraid to check out other online price trackers, including PriceZombie and CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon products).
Best Buy, Target and Walmart are three of the many retailers that offer price adjustments if items purchased at full price drop in cost within a certain number of days. Typically, if you present proof of the price you paid to the retailer, you will be credited for the difference.
To avoid missing out on refunds for price adjustments, Woroch recommends using Paribus to track price drops on your online purchases. The site will request a price adjustment on your behalf if something goes on sale after you buy it, so you get your money back without the hassle.
Tired of wasting time driving from store to store to find the best price? Use free mobile apps such as Red Laser and ShopSavvy to scan product barcodes and see if another retailer is offering the product you want for a lower price. In some cases, you can even use that information to get the store you're currently in to match a competitor price.
If you're shopping online, consider using the Invisible Hand browser add-on to notify you if the product you're viewing is cheaper at another site. If the product isn't on sale at your desired store, Woroch suggests using the live chat option to contact that retailer's customer service department and ask for a price match.
Buying goods in the off season can be a great way to save money.
Shopping the sale cycles ensures you never pay full price for what you need, said Kendal Perez, a savings expert with Coupon Sherpa. You can also use an online tool such as TrackIf to research price histories for products, determine the best times to buy and get alerts for price drops.
You can save a lot of money at the supermarket by buying produce when it's in season, said Gault of TheGroceryGame.com. Additionally, it's wise to take advantage of seasonal savings throughout the store.
According to Gault, the baking aisle is loaded with the lowest prices of the year during the holidays. On the other hand, summer tends to feature deals on condiments, salad dressing and grilling meats.
Eating out doesn't have to be a budget-breaking experience.
"You can save up to 50 percent just by changing your schedule [for] dining out," said Gault, who went on to suggest that consumers take advantage of weekday-only restaurant coupons. Additionally, diners with children should jump on the kids-eat-free deals that restaurants typically offer on Tuesday nights.
Another way to save when dining out with your spouse, close friend or family member is by splitting one entree instead of purchasing two. "This will save you big bucks and, given the size of portions, you won't leave hungry," said Perez.
According to the National Resource Defense Council, the average American tosses $28 to $43 worth of food each month. To avoid wasting money on food you're not eating, Perez recommends planning your meals before heading to the supermarket rather than buying items on a whim.
Research grocery store circulars to find out what's on sale each week and create meals based on these ingredients, as well as what you have on hand. Perez also suggests using a site such as SuperCook.com to create new recipes from items you have in your refrigerator and pantry, and bringing leftovers to work for lunch.
Supermarkets offer a variety of savings and deals to customers who download their mobile apps, Gault said. Some deals are even personalized based on what you've purchased before.
Additionally, consumers can instantly score digital coupons via apps. Gault said she's even scored free items through her grocer's app!
If you aren't concerned with purchasing the latest and greatest gadgets, you can save a lot by buying refurbished tech items, said Kristin Cook, managing editor of deal site Ben's Bargains. These items are often used but restored to like-new condition and even come with warranties. In many cases, you can buy these goods directly from manufacturers such as Apple and Dell, as well as through retailers such as Best Buy and Newegg.com.
"Plan on saving anywhere from 10 percent to 40 percent by buying refurb," Cook said.
Plenty of retailers have what Cook calls "fake sales," or discounts that aren't truly good deals.
"Be especially skeptical of huge percentage-off sales on off-brand items," she said. Because stores can essentially set the retail prices on items, an 80 percent markdown might not actually be the bargain it claims to be.
To make sure you're actually getting a deal, do some research at other stores to see what similar items are selling for before getting caught up in the hype, Cook said.
During the holidays, retailers tend to allocate areas for seasonal items they don't normally carry. However, on the actual holiday, the day after or when the season ends, these items will immediately end up on a clearance table with a 50 percent off sign, Gault said. If supply isn't limited for your desired item, don't pounce on the sale just yet.
To score discounts of up to 90 percent, ask a manager when the clearance items will be taken away and hold out until the end of the sale, Gault said.
If you're a teacher, senior, student, active military member or veteran, there is likely a discount you can take advantage of at restaurants, retailers and other service providers, Perez said.
"While not everyone advertises these discounts, simply introducing yourself and offering the proper identification can often yield a 10 percent to 15 percent savings on everything from hotel stays to apparel purchases," she said.
Even better than getting something at a discount is getting it for free. And there are plenty of freebies out there for the taking. For example, many restaurants offer free food on special days throughout the year, such as National Donut Day in June, National Ice Cream Day in July and National Cheeseburger Day in September.
Your local public library is another great source of freebies, from books and DVDs to classes. Additionally, several supermarket pharmacies — including Harris Teeter, Meijer and Publix — offer select antibiotics and diabetes medications for free. You can even get free admission to all national parks on certain days throughout the year!
Many retailers offer new customers a discount of 10 percent to 20 percent, just for signing up for their email newsletters, Perez said. Doing this is a great way to save money on purchases, especially if you can't find a coupon code.
Just be sure to unsubscribe from the newsletter once you've used the coupon. You don't want to be tempted by weekly emails to spend more money with the retailer, Perez said.
"More and more online stores are offering free shipping to anyone who is signed up for their rewards programs," Cook said.
These programs are usually free to join and can offer members other perks, such as the opportunity to earn points for purchases that can be redeemed for more discounts. Retailers such as Best Buy, Bloomingdales, CVS, Macy's, Sephora, Walgreens and Target all offer great rewards programs for their customers.
Buying used is a great way to afford the designer apparel, high-end furnishings and sports gear that might normally be out of your price range.
"Thrift stores and consignment shops are overflowing with gently used inventory for a fraction of retail prices," Perez said.
As an added bonus, consumers can take advantage of these outlets to sell quality items that they no longer use or want. In many cases, you will net 50 percent of the selling price for your efforts.
There's a reason some items cost just $1 at dollar stores. However, these discount retailers can also be a great place to score some quality items at rock-bottom prices.
For example, Woroch suggests stocking up on greeting cards so you'll have plenty on hand for special celebrations and last-minute events throughout the year. You also can find gift wrap and gift bags at a fraction of the price you would pay at even the big-box retailers.
Many consumers overlook the utility of eBay when it comes to shopping for the latest trends, such as headbands or infinity scarves.
For example, Cook recently used eBay to purchase leather baby moccasins for just $15. The same item would have cost her $60 from the pricey Freshly Picked brand.
"Being flexible enough to change your travel plans — even by a a day or two — can end up saving you $50 or more in many circumstances," said Schaffer of Offers.com.
He went on to recommend using travel booking sites, such as Kayak.com, that allow you to indicate flexible travel dates so you can compare options and prices.
"Similarly, you can often find great deals if you are willing to be flexible with your departure and destination airports," Schaffer said.
When booking your flight, it's wise to expand your search terms to include nearby airports. If you were already planning to rent a car, you can cast an even wider net if you're willing to drive an hour to your destination from the airport. Just avoid renting a car at the airport because you'll pay inflated prices and high taxes.
Using travel sites such as Expedia.com and Priceline.com is a great way to get a deal on a hotel room. However, with a little bit of digging, you can often find coupons for deals and discounts on local hotels as well, said Schaffer, who recommends using Offers.com to locate promo codes.
Additionally, consumers can find discounted hotel gift cards that they can use to pay for their stays. Visit GiftCardGranny.com, which aggregates the best offers from different gift card resellers.
A good way to save in 2016 is to question your purchases.
Greg Johnson, a frugality blogger with ClubThrifty.com, said he controls spending by stopping to think before making purchases.
Holly Johnson, contributing editor for The Simple Dollar, said her secret way to save money involves using a zero-sum budget.
You won't benefit much from these money-saving moves throughout the year if you're not actually putting cash aside. Keep track of your savings and transfer that amount into an interest-bearing savings account each month. Or, increase your monthly retirement account contribution so the money comes out of your paycheck before you have a chance to spend it.
By following the above tips, you can make sure your New Year's resolution to spend less and save more actually comes true.


Alexandra Bergstein poses at her home in Greenwich, Conn. Monday, May 21, 2018.
GREENWICH — In a race that was arguably competitive for the first time in decades, state Sen.-elect Alexandra Bergstein personally invested $280,000 in her campaign this year to represent the 36th District.
The Democrat's successful bid to oust Republican incumbent L. Scott Frantz focused on field operations and communications. Her efforts to engage voters and gain name recognition included going door-to-door, making phone calls, sending direct mailers, making videos, curating social media posts and encouraging community conversations on the environment and gun policy.
Most of the money was used to pay young people who dedicated their time to those tasks. The strategy paid off: Bergstein became the first Democrat elected in the 36th in 88 years.
"From mid-August to Election Day, we made over 100,000 contact attempts and had over 30,000 conversations with voters either at their door or by phone," said Bergstein, a Greenwich resident. She also spent every day from May through November traversing her district, which spans Greenwich and parts of New Canaan and Stamford.
Some Republicans balked at the cost of her campaign, which far outpaced spending in previous races in the district.
But the senator-elect said those insinuating the money made the difference are wrong.
Most of those hired on Bergstein's team were young people who grew up in the area, she said, and who were paid stipends for living expenses.
"In addition, we had a few summer interns — college and high school students — who helped with canvassing and received a small stipend because I feel that paying hard-working young people is the right thing to do," she said.
Most on Bergstein's team were volunteers, including her co-campaign managers, Susan Vogel, a veteran of many local and state campaigns, and Nichola Samponaro, a former Barack Obama field operation staffer.
Bergstein attributed her victory to a volunteer-driven campaign.
Forgoing public funding through the Citizens' Election Program, which gives public money to qualified candidates for the General Assembly, Bergstein loaned her campaign committee $280,000, according to the latest filing with the State Elections Enforcement Commission. Without soliciting contributions, Bergstein said she raised $31,900 in small individual donations to her campaign.
In the run-up to the election, Bergstein's campaign spending nearly doubled. The committee spent $123,600 between Oct. 1 and Oct. 28, according to financial filings, adding up to a total of $225,000 in expenditures from the start of the campaign.
Frantz's campaign spent a total of $130,700, according to financial filings. Also forgoing public funding, he raised a total of $80,000 in private donations.
Frantz, who previously told Greenwich Time that raising private contributions was an important principle to him, loaned his committee $62,500 in the final leg of the campaign, filings show.
His Democratic challengers in previous campaigns spent far less than Bergstein.
John Blankley spent a total of $111,400 in 2016 and in 2014, Frantz ran only against Green Party candidate Edward Heflin. Democrat Daniel Dauplaise ran a $94,900 campaign against Frantz in 2012. In 2010, Democrat Nancy Barton withdrew her candidacy early in the race. In Frantz' first election in 2008, his Democratic competitor, Mark Diamond, spent $11,500.
What made this year's race for the the 36th different was that Frantz's challenger chose to fund her own campaign.
"In a situation like that, a candidate has the unlimited ability to provide their committee with their own money," said Joshua Foley, an attorney with the State Elections Enforcement Commission.
The Citizens' Election Program allows qualified state senate candidates to use $95,000 in public funding once they raise $15,000 in private donations, Foley said. When participating in the program, candidates' spending is capped at about $110,000.
Because Bergstein didn't opt to use public funding, she was able to spend as much as she wanted, said Foley.
But the claim that campaigns for the state legislature are becoming more expensive is not true, he said.
More candidates than ever before — about 80 percent of those on the slate for state office — participated in the Citizen's Election Program this election cycle, Foley said.
Despite the public funding program, "there will always be some candidates who are independently wealthy and can spend as much as they like — which is their right — and some candidates who blow through the ceiling," he said.
Spending in the 36th didn't come close to the amount shelled out in the 33rd District this year, according to financial filings. In that race, Democrat Norm Needleman spent $485,600 to defeat Rep. Melissa Ziobron (R-East Haddam).
Bergstein said her model of investing in grassroots strategies to invigorate voters paid off.


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Q: Why would the dielectric constant at zero strain be different than the dielectric constant at zero stress?

Hello. My question is about the last equation, where the conversion is between dielectric constant at zero strain and the dielectric constant at zero stress. What's the difference between them? Why would the dielectric constant differ when taking stress equal to zero, than when taking strain equal to zero?

A: Zero stress and zero strain may sound essentially equivalent, but the constraints are very different: either (1) we apply no loads at all and allow the system to deform freely, or (2) we apply sufficient loads to keep the system from deforming at all.
It's typically only the case of very simple elastic systems with constant conditions and no other physical phenomena occurring that the two conditions can be equivalent (as in isothermal Hooke's Law $\sigma=E\varepsilon$, where $\sigma=0$ and $\varepsilon=0$ give the compatible result $0=0$).
As a slightly more sophisticated situation, consider a material held in place between two relatively rigid supports. Any temperature change will causes a stress (compressive or tensile, depending on the sign of the thermal expansion coefficient) even as the strain along the connection axis remains zero. We can expect other phenomena such as electrical behavior to behave somewhat differently under this stress state compared to that under the stress-free state.
In general, we shouldn't expect equal behavior (or equal associated constants such as the dielectric constant) when different conjugate variables are held constant, e.g., constant temperature vs. constant entropy, constant pressure vs. constant volume, constant electric field vs. constant polarization, or constant magnetic field vs. constant magnetization. The same applies to constant stress vs. constant strain.

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... How it all began
The foundation stone for the company was laid at the end of the 19th century. The companies name at this time was Dau & Companie based in Hamburg. Purpose of this company was trading bookbinding supplies.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Hans-Hinnark Schmedt's, today's company owner, great-grandfather, bought the company.
During the 1930s, Käthe Schmedt, his grandmother, took over the company and led it through hard times with a strong hand. The war, the complete destruction and the reconstruction left its traces. In the 1950s, Hinnarks father Hanns-Heinrich Schmedt joined the company and set the course for Schmedt for become an international machine-manufacturing company. It was him, who started this with the development of the foil-blocking press PräGnant. It was the beginning of a wide range of machines which nowadays are in use all over the world.
The PräGnant was presented to the public for the first time in 1967 at the international trade fair "Drupa". This machine helped to make Schmedt internationally known.
The company Schmedt is developing
It was in the mid of the 1970s, when Schmedt was founded. The company was called "Hanns-Heinrich Schmedt" and had two sites: the wholesale trade in the Wandalenweg in Hamburg and the machine factory in Wessenstedt near Uelzen, south of Hamburg. In 1974 the individual business turned into a limited partnership and Hanns-Heinrich Schmedt was honoured by the Association of German Bookbinders for his services to the bookbinding industry. At the end of the 1970ies, his son Hans-Hinnark Schmedt joined the company representing the fourth generation of the familiy in the business. He installed the first personal computer and started adversing the products. Modern management was introduced in the Hamburg office and in the mid 1980ies, Hans-Hinnarks brother Jörn, a mechanical engineer, completed the management. From that time on, he has been responsible for the construction of the Prä machines.
Two business divisions establish on the market
Powered by the two brothers, new machines were developed such as the casing-in machine PräLeg and the joint-setting machine PräForm. These two machines made Schmedt THE specialist for manufacturing machines for the bookbinding industry. Further machines followed.
In the meantime, machines were constructed with modern CNC machines. And the wholesale range grew steadily and became indispensable for craft bookbinders.
Schmedt became an important partner for anyone manufacturing hardcover books. Making use of computer technology and a modern merchandise management system , Hinnark Schmedt optimized the business and released the first catalogue together with a price list in the late 1980ies. Many bookbinders used these as a base for their calculations.
Years of growth
At the beginning of the 1990s, the company changed from a limited partnership to a general partnership and moved into its first own building. At that time, the company had 15 employees. In 1995, Schmedt had its first own stand at the drupa exhibition in Düsseldorf, and the Hamburg building was extended.
After the withdraw of the father Hanns-Heinrich Schmedt at the end of the 1990s, the company changed from the general partnership to a sole proprietorship (Hinnark Schmedt) and turned into H.-H. Schmedt e. K.
The factory based in Wessenstedt between Lüneburg and Uelzen, was expanded once again. Schmedt now had 15 employees in the factory and another 15 in the Hamburg office.
As of 2000, Schmedt turned into a modern company with two sites and a subsidiary in Munich (former Braunwarth & Lütke). In 2003, the wholesale branch in Hamburg moved into a larger building. More offices for more employees and a larger warehouse for about 10,000 products. After the drupa exhibition in 2004 the demand for machines increased so much that a new factory was built in Bienenbüttel. At that time, 40 employees worked for Schmedt. The first online shop was launched.
Schmedt becomes a brand and gets a new corporate identity and logo.
In 2007, the machine division celebrates its 40th anniversary and the machines get a new colour design.
Schmedt presents its machines at the drupa exhibition on a 180 m² stand. Digital printing and the new photobook market demand for Prä machines. By now, 50 employees work for Schmedt and 6 apprentices are trained.
The beginning of the 2010s are characterized by an economic crisis which also hits the graphic and book-binding industry. Schmedt adapts to the new demands and develops machines in a new modern design. At the same time, internal processes are optimized. The facility in Bienenbüttel is expanded by a new building. In Hamburg, a new demo center for demonstration all Prä machines is built next to the office building.
A new catalogue is released - for the first time designed as a hardcover book.
At the drupa exhibition 2012, Schmedt presents the new PräLeg and PräKant. This exhibition will be the turning point for the print and finishing industry.
As the Digimedia fair was cancelled, we hosted the II. Hardcover Days together with the BDBI (Association of German Bookbinders) in 2013. For the first time, the Hardcover Award was granted together with the magazine Bindereport. Moreover, we had an Open House for the friends of the children's TV programme "Die Sendung mit der Maus".
Our new webshop went online and improves the online business.
On the basis of new developments on the market, Schmedt has adapted its internal structures and its international distributor network.
As of 2013, the main focus is back on craftsmanship. New machines like the mobile foil-blocking press PräGnant XS and their presentation on craft fairs emphasize this engagement. Schmedt not only support the book-manufacturing industry by offering them suitable products and machines, but also by becoming support members of several institutions. In 2014, Schmedt participated at he Frankfurt Book Fair for the first time.
Since 2015 Schmedt operates as Schmedt GmbH & Co. KG to ensure the family tradition in the 5th generation.
Besides the Paperworld in Frankfurt, several events took place in our own demo center, such as the Hardcover Days with the presentation of the Hardcover Award and various other events with partners.
2016 was dominated by the drupa exhibition and the new machines PräDeka XL and PräziSheet. Moreover, our online shop was relaunched and has become more comfortable to use.
2017 Schmedt attended several fairs and hosted the IV. Hardcocer Days in Hamburg. The prototype of a new binding system with Ribler technology was presented: the PräziBind system. Layflat binding for short runs.
Moreover our new general catalogue was released.
In 2018, we attended several fairs and presented our machines. The layflat binding system PräziBind has gone into serial production.
The wholesale range is extended by printable cloths for digital printers and by a large number of conservation supplies.
In 2019 our first printed catalogue on conservation supplies is released.
We participate at the Hunkeler Innovation Days and host the V. Hardcover Days with workshops, new machines and the presentation of the Hardcover Award.
1967 the first PräGnant
80`s: Schmedt at the Wandalenweg
90´s: Schmedt at the Billwerder Ring
Schmedt´s logo in 2005
2000´s: Schmedt at the Dwengerkamp
Schmedt ´s present logo
Historical Bookbinder Janssen
New design for the machines
Head office and democenter
Schmedt-familiy in 2014
Schmedt at the Drupa 2016
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Briefings and training
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Chinese Covid-19 Vaccine Available in January in Brazil
The clinical trials of CoronaVac, the Chinese vaccine against Covid-19, are concluded in Brazil and vaccination will start in January, according to the governor of the State of São Paulo, João Doria.
Angola Calls for Chinese Investment in Renewable Energy and Manufacturing
Angola is seeking Chinese investment in solar energy, wind power and biodiesel, as well as in electrical components and hardware manufacturing, the country´s ambassador to China has said.
China-aided Satellite TV Project in Mozambique to Reach 2.5 million People
The China-aided satellite TV project in Mozambique was handed over to the government on Friday, benefitting 2.5 million residents in the country's northern province of Nampula.
New Chinese Ambassador to São Tomé Presents Credentials
The President of São Tomé e Príncipe, Evaristo Carvalho, received this week the credentials of the new ambassador of the People's Republic of China in São Tomé and Príncipe, Xu Yingzhen.
Beijing-Based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Now Able to Finance Brazil Projects
Brazil became this week a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the China-led multilateral bank, which can now support projects in South America´s largest economy.
Angolan Rare Earths to be Processed in the UK
Australian miner Pensana has selected Saltend Chemicals Park to install a rare earths industrial facility that will process raw material from Angola´s Longonjo mine, whose development is supported by China Great Wall Industry.
Portugal and Brazil Top Network Readiness Index Among Portuguese-Speaking Countries
Portugal, Brazil and Cabo Verde are the most "future-ready" societies among Portuguese-Speaking Countries (PSCs), according to the latest Network Readiness Index (NRI) report, which shows China rising in 5G and AI.
Chinese-American Businesswoman Ming Chu Hsu to Invest in Hotel in Portugal
Honest Talents, owned by Chinese luxury real estate developer Reformosa, which is owned by the Chinese-American businesswoman Ming Chu Hsu, is investing in a Hilton Hotel in Cascais, Portugal.
Brazil´s Vale Production Bellow Forecast, as Demand from China Soars
The lowering of iron ore output forecasts by Brazilian miner Vale, the world´s biggest global producer of the material, led to a seven-year high on prices Wednesday.
Hong Kong´s China Development Integration to Invest USD 200 million in Brazil
Hong Kong-based China Development Integration Limited (CDIL) group is set to invest USD 200 million in Brazil, through a local investment fund.
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Permaculture is a system of agricultural and social design principles centered around simulating or directly utilizing the patterns and features observed in natural ecosystems. The word permaculture originally referred to "permanent agriculture", but was expanded to stand also for "permanent culture", as it was understood that social aspects were integral to a truly sustainable system.
This Sunday, our special guest from France, Delphine Guy, will share her knowledge on permaculture with us. Join our discussion dedicated to permaculture and creation of an alternative living place, such us for example, an ecovillage. Let's discover permaculture together, share our experiences related to ecovillages or alternative living space, and learn how build it.
Entrance: 1000 AMD (including tea/coffee/sweets).


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Ely Jair Esterilla Castro (n. Guayaquil, Ecuador; 6 de febrero de 1993) es un futbolista ecuatoriano. Juega como delantero y su actual equipo es 9 de Octubre Fútbol Club de la Serie A de Ecuador.

Trayectoria

Inicios
En el 2009, lideró la tabla de artilleros con 50 goles en 38 partidos disputados para el campeonato nacional sub-16. Tenía 10 años cuando llegó a la cantera del Rocafuerte y desde entonces se acostumbró a salir campeón . Siete años más tarde, exactamente el 4 de septiembre de 2010, tuvo el ansiado debut en Primera, a partir de ahí ha ido sumando minutos y experiencia.

Santos Laguna
En junio de 2012 se confirmó su traspaso a las fuerzas básicas del Santos Laguna de México. El 30 de noviembre de 2013 Santos venció de visitante por marcador de 0-1 al Club León en el estadio León y así se coronó campeón del Torneo Apertura 2013 Sub 20.

Barcelona
En el 2014 es fichado por Barcelona Sporting Club.

Deportivo Cuenca
En el 2020 es fichado por Deportivo Cuenca.

9 de Octubre
En diciembre de 2021 se anunció su llegada al 9 de Octubre Fútbol Club.

Estadísticas
 Actualizado al último partido jugado el .

Clubes

Selección nacional
Fue convocado para disputar el Campeonato Sudamericano de Fútbol Sub-20 de 2013, en donde fue el goleador de la su selección con 4 goles.

Siendo suplente en Barcelona, fue llamado por primera vez a la selección mayor en octubre del 2015, en los partidos de eliminatorias rumbo a Rusia 2018 contra Uruguay y Venezuela. Se lesionó y fue desafectado de la convocatoria.

Palmarés

Campeonatos nacionales

Distinciones individuales

Referencias

Enlaces externos

Futbolistas del Barcelona Sporting Club
Futbolistas del Rocafuerte Fútbol Club
Futbolistas de la Asociación Deportiva Nueve de Octubre
Futbolistas del Club Deportivo Cuenca (Ecuador)
Futbolistas del Centro Deportivo Olmedo
Futbolistas del Club Santos Laguna
Futbolistas del Cuniburo Fútbol Club

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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The Art of Uncharted 4. Naughty Dog
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text:
The knockout stage of the 2007 CAF Champions League was played from 21 September to 9 November 2007.

Bracket

Semi-finals
The first legs were played on 21–23 September and the second legs on 5–7 October.

|}

Final

|}

References

External links
2007 CAF Champions League - todor66.com

Knockout stage


text:
« Blood on the Hallowed Ground
Sunday Light and Word- The 29th of Whenever »
Seven Things We Can't Be Fucked About This Week — Bollocks Edition
Old Sid Vicious
"Not caring about things since bollocks bollocks bollocks bollocks."
7. Robot Dogs — If I'd had a robot dog as a lad, I reckon I wouldn't have gotten into so much trouble later in life. One of the best ways to inculcate responsibility is to task a child with the care of a robot dog: to make sure that its moving parts are properly lubricated, that its infrared vision is calibrated, that it's loaded with hundreds of rounds of armor-piercing bullets, that it's thoroughly fueled—so that it can track down enemies of the state and incinerate them with its built-in flamethrowers.
6. Flying to Mars to Die — In the depressed seventies the best you could hope for was to die in space. Possibly in a laser battle with flying robots or lizard men. Not to sit on your ass in a space-trailer, bored, with fuck all to do, on Mars for fuck's sake, where there's only one temperate day a year, and even then you have to wear an oxygen mask and bundle up like the Michelin Man just to venture outdoors. Better to crash your rocket ship into a distant blue dwarf and extinguish a solar system full of prawn-headed aliens in tinfoil coveralls than suffer that.
5. Prepubescent Jihadists run off to Marry Isis Insurgents — He's troubled, but you understand him. He's passionate, but society never gives him a break. It's all about rules to them: don't do this, don't do that. But they don't know him like you do. He decapitates people and sets them on fire, but he's got his tender side. Plus he's exciting and menacing in his black hoodie and crisscrossed bandoliers waving his black flag scrawled in medieval Arabic script like a sexy but unpredictable speedfreak headbanger from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. You ride shotgun in his chopped-up American-issue Humvee, getting into hassles with infidels at burger joints, drag-racing across the dunes with rival jihadis, instigating switchblade rumbles in and out of the long shadows of minarets. But when prom night comes along you wait alone by the phone, and when you lower your veil to dry your tears your father and brothers stone you to death for being a whore.
So dreamy.
3. Charles Manson's Corpse — Charles Manson's girlfriend only wanted to marry him so she could charge admission to an exhibition of his corpse. No worse a fate than Tutankhamen or Vladimir Lenin, one might argue. But Manson's will clearly states that his head is to be frozen in liquid nitrogen and then thawed out in the future so that he can lead a machete-wielding-love-cult-army of defrosted heads into the desert on a fleet of dune buggies—after the black-white-severed-head-race-war has wiped out the food courts and baseball diamonds of Middle America—and establish a New Eden just over the chain-link fence from Paramount Studios.
4. Girl Scout Cookies — When little girls come to my house with boxes of cookies, I tend to hide behind the door.
2. Kim Jong-un's Flattop — They said the same thing when the Teddy Boys pomaded their pompadours, when the hippies teased their Afros, when the punks gelled their hair up into spikes: stop starving your people.
So hungry.
1. Prosthetic Penises — I appreciate a well-crafted prosthetic penis. Packer Prosthetic Penises are some of the finest on the market, featuring lifelike surface detailing and a realistic sponginess. But although they are artfully manufactured, the existence of two different types—flaccid and erect, instead of a single multiuse penis prosthetic—makes it extremely difficult for one to feign spontaneous arousal. If, for example, I expected to perform penetrative sex with a prosthetic penis, I would naturally leave home sporting the erect one (and hope the bulge was not too noticeable,) but if I expected the evening to progress in a more or less platonic fashion, I would opt for the flaccid prosthetic. All well and good. But what if I anticipated spontaneity? I would be obliged to wear one and bring the other along. How then would I explain the erect prosthetic penis on the dining table? You cannot coat-check these items. "I have no expectations darling, I have merely brought along my erect prosthetic penis in case of unanticipated contingency."
About Old Sid Vicious
After successfully faking his death in 1979, Sid Vicious went into hiding in New York City. Unsuccessful in his efforts to discover the real killer of his girlfriend Nancy, he made his way to Los Angeles, where he kicked junk with the help of The Church of Synanon. He used his royalties from The Great Rock and Roll Swindle to purchase an estate in Honduras, where he erected several greenhouses. His subsequent propagation experiments involving the hybridization of rare orchids (he developed several hybrid species, including Cyrtopodium ritcheii and Spiranthes simon) have revolutionized horticulture. Those close to him report that he is dismissive of his stint as the Sex Pistols bassist, referring to it as, "that twilit era of my life when hubris very nearly got the better of me." In the late nineties, he returned to Britain and took up residence in his childhood village of Tunbridge Wells, where he resides to this day. He is an amateur fishkeeper, specializing in marine aquaria, and an enthusiastic birder, having established an endowment for the preservation of the black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax,) the doleful cry of which he is rumored to be an excellent mimic.
View all posts by Old Sid Vicious →
This entry was posted in Seven Things We Don't Care About and tagged Death on Mars, Dicks, Girl Scout Cookies, Kim Jong-un, Prepubescent Jihadists, Robot Dogs, sid vicious. Bookmark the permalink.


At Tru-Turf, we're about being brilliantly simple. Not making things complicated when they don't have to be. The same applies to our customer service. We aim to make dealing with technical queries, maintenance and servicing as simple as possible. So we're building an online repository of technical data for all our machines, and an online store for spare parts designed to speed the ordering and delivery process.
Here you can access up-to-date service manuals, specifications, and diagrams for every Tru-Turf model, as well as detailed warranty information and technical updates and bulletins.
Of course, our dealers welcome any queries you have regarding servicing and maintenance. Go to our 'contact us' menu for details of your nearest dealer or service representative.
We strive to constantly update and improve the effciency of our online service hub, and we welcome your feedback and suggestions for improvement.
View a collection of simple 'how to' videos that have been crafeully created to help you solve any mechanical problems. Step by step!


MEMBERSHIPS ARE DUE ANNUALLY by March 31st.
LIFETIME MEMBER - Further show your commitment to BWOPA's mission. Pay your Lifetime membership in four (4) installments within one year. Thereafter, only pay for Chapter dues.
Invitations & discounts to all BWOPA & TILE workshops, seminars, and activities, including annual programs and activities.
**The State President may grant dues waivers to persons with special circumstances.
***Dues are subject to change.


Are current Ubuntu OS cd downloads and shipping updated with the new Gnome? If not, any idea when it would be done?
I think you have to wait until the next version of Ubuntu is out on Oct. 13. There are development snapshots available now.
2.12 is in Breezy already. Breezy doesn't go stable until oct. like the previous poster says, but that won't stop anyone from downloading and installing it. Some people on /. are saying that it's plenty stable already.


text:
// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
// <copyright file="CloudBlobClientTest.cs" company="Microsoft">
//    Copyright 2013 Microsoft Corporation
//
//    Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
//    you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
//    You may obtain a copy of the License at
//      http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
//
//    Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
//    distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
//    WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
//    See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
//    limitations under the License.
// </copyright>
// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

using Microsoft.VisualStudio.TestPlatform.UnitTestFramework;
using Microsoft.WindowsAzure.Storage.Auth;
using Microsoft.WindowsAzure.Storage.Core.Util;
using Microsoft.WindowsAzure.Storage.RetryPolicies;
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.IO;
using System.Linq;
using System.Threading.Tasks;

#if ASPNET_K
using Microsoft.WindowsAzure.Storage.Test.Extensions;
using System.Threading;
#else
using System.Runtime.InteropServices.WindowsRuntime;
#endif

namespace Microsoft.WindowsAzure.Storage.Blob
{
    [TestClass]
    public class CloudBlobClientTest : BlobTestBase
#if XUNIT
, IDisposable
#endif
    {

#if XUNIT
        // Todo: The simple/nonefficient workaround is to minimize change and support Xunit,

        public CloudBlobClientTest()
        {
            MyTestInitialize();
        }
        public void Dispose()
        {
            MyTestCleanup();
        }
#endif

        //
        // Use TestInitialize to run code before running each test
        [TestInitialize()]
        public void MyTestInitialize()
        {
            if (TestBase.BlobBufferManager != null)
            {
                TestBase.BlobBufferManager.OutstandingBufferCount = 0;
            }
        }
        //
        // Use TestCleanup to run code after each test has run
        [TestCleanup()]
        public void MyTestCleanup()
        {
            if (TestBase.BlobBufferManager != null)
            {
                Assert.AreEqual(0, TestBase.BlobBufferManager.OutstandingBufferCount);
            }
        }

        [TestMethod]
        [Description("Create a service client with URI and credentials")]
        [TestCategory(ComponentCategory.Blob)]
        [TestCategory(TestTypeCategory.UnitTest)]
        [TestCategory(SmokeTestCategory.NonSmoke)]
        [TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.DevStore), TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.DevFabric), TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.Cloud)]
        public void CloudBlobClientConstructor()
        {
            CloudBlobClient blobClient = GenerateCloudBlobClient();
            Assert.IsTrue(blobClient.BaseUri.ToString().Contains(TestBase.TargetTenantConfig.BlobServiceEndpoint));
            Assert.AreEqual(TestBase.StorageCredentials, blobClient.Credentials);
            Assert.AreEqual(AuthenticationScheme.SharedKey, blobClient.AuthenticationScheme);
        }

        [TestMethod]
        [Description("Create a service client with uppercase account name")]
        [TestCategory(ComponentCategory.Blob)]
        [TestCategory(TestTypeCategory.UnitTest)]
        [TestCategory(SmokeTestCategory.NonSmoke)]
        [TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.DevStore), TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.DevFabric), TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.Cloud)]
        public async Task CloudBlobClientWithUppercaseAccountNameAsync()
        {
            StorageCredentials credentials = new StorageCredentials(TestBase.StorageCredentials.AccountName.ToUpper(), Convert.ToBase64String(TestBase.StorageCredentials.ExportKey()));
            Uri baseAddressUri = new Uri(TestBase.TargetTenantConfig.BlobServiceEndpoint);
            CloudBlobClient blobClient = new CloudBlobClient(baseAddressUri, TestBase.StorageCredentials);
            CloudBlobContainer container = blobClient.GetContainerReference("container");
            await container.ExistsAsync();
        }

        [TestMethod]
        [Description("Compare service client properties of blob objects")]
        [TestCategory(ComponentCategory.Blob)]
        [TestCategory(TestTypeCategory.UnitTest)]
        [TestCategory(SmokeTestCategory.NonSmoke)]
        [TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.DevStore), TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.DevFabric), TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.Cloud)]
        public void CloudBlobClientObjects()
        {
            CloudBlobClient blobClient = GenerateCloudBlobClient();
            CloudBlobContainer container = blobClient.GetContainerReference("container");
            Assert.AreEqual(blobClient, container.ServiceClient);
            CloudBlockBlob blockBlob = container.GetBlockBlobReference("blockblob");
            Assert.AreEqual(blobClient, blockBlob.ServiceClient);
            CloudPageBlob pageBlob = container.GetPageBlobReference("pageblob");
            Assert.AreEqual(blobClient, pageBlob.ServiceClient);
            CloudAppendBlob appendBlob = container.GetAppendBlobReference("appendblob");
            Assert.AreEqual(blobClient, appendBlob.ServiceClient);

            CloudBlobContainer container2 = GetRandomContainerReference();
            Assert.AreNotEqual(blobClient, container2.ServiceClient);
            CloudBlockBlob blockBlob2 = container2.GetBlockBlobReference("blockblob");
            Assert.AreEqual(container2.ServiceClient, blockBlob2.ServiceClient);
            CloudPageBlob pageBlob2 = container2.GetPageBlobReference("pageblob");
            Assert.AreEqual(container2.ServiceClient, pageBlob2.ServiceClient);
            CloudAppendBlob appendBlob2 = container2.GetAppendBlobReference("appendblob");
            Assert.AreEqual(container2.ServiceClient, appendBlob2.ServiceClient);
        }

        [TestMethod]
        [Description("List blobs with prefix")]
        [TestCategory(ComponentCategory.Blob)]
        [TestCategory(TestTypeCategory.UnitTest)]
        [TestCategory(SmokeTestCategory.NonSmoke)]
        [TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.DevStore), TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.DevFabric), TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.Cloud)]
        public async Task CloudBlobClientListBlobsSegmentedWithPrefixAsync()
        {
            string name = "bb" + GetRandomContainerName();
            CloudBlobClient blobClient = GenerateCloudBlobClient();
            CloudBlobContainer rootContainer = blobClient.GetRootContainerReference();
            CloudBlobContainer container = blobClient.GetContainerReference(name);

            try
            {
                await rootContainer.CreateIfNotExistsAsync();
                await container.CreateAsync();

                List<string> blobNames = await CreateBlobsAsync(container, 3, BlobType.BlockBlob);
                List<string> rootBlobNames = await CreateBlobsAsync(rootContainer, 2, BlobType.BlockBlob);

                BlobResultSegment results;
                BlobContinuationToken token = null;
                do
                {
                    results = await blobClient.ListBlobsSegmentedAsync("bb", token);
                    token = results.ContinuationToken;

                    foreach (CloudBlockBlob blob in results.Results)
                    {
                        await blob.DeleteAsync();
                        rootBlobNames.Remove(blob.Name);
                    }
                }
                while (token != null);
                Assert.AreEqual(0, rootBlobNames.Count);

                results = await blobClient.ListBlobsSegmentedAsync("bb", token);
                Assert.AreEqual(0, results.Results.Count());
                Assert.IsNull(results.ContinuationToken);

                results = await blobClient.ListBlobsSegmentedAsync(name, token);
                Assert.AreEqual(0, results.Results.Count());
                Assert.IsNull(results.ContinuationToken);

                token = null;
                do
                {
                    results = await blobClient.ListBlobsSegmentedAsync(name + "/", token);
                    token = results.ContinuationToken;

                    foreach (CloudBlockBlob blob in results.Results)
                    {
                        Assert.IsTrue(blobNames.Remove(blob.Name));
                    }
                }
                while (token != null);
                Assert.AreEqual(0, blobNames.Count);
            }
            finally
            {
                container.DeleteIfExistsAsync().Wait();
            }
        }

        [TestMethod]
        [Description("List containers")]
        [TestCategory(ComponentCategory.Blob)]
        [TestCategory(TestTypeCategory.UnitTest)]
        [TestCategory(SmokeTestCategory.NonSmoke)]
        [TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.DevStore), TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.DevFabric), TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.Cloud)]
        public async Task CloudBlobClientListContainersSegmentedAsync()
        {
            AssertSecondaryEndpoint();

            string name = GetRandomContainerName();
            List<string> containerNames = new List<string>();
            CloudBlobClient blobClient = GenerateCloudBlobClient();

            for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
            {
                string containerName = name + i.ToString();
                containerNames.Add(containerName);
                await blobClient.GetContainerReference(containerName).CreateAsync();
            }

            List<string> listedContainerNames = new List<string>();
            BlobContinuationToken token = null;
            do
            {
                ContainerResultSegment resultSegment = await blobClient.ListContainersSegmentedAsync(token);
                token = resultSegment.ContinuationToken;

                foreach (CloudBlobContainer container in resultSegment.Results)
                {
                    Assert.IsTrue(blobClient.GetContainerReference(container.Name).StorageUri.Equals(container.StorageUri));
                    listedContainerNames.Add(container.Name);
                }
            }
            while (token != null);

            foreach (string containerName in listedContainerNames)
            {
                if (containerNames.Remove(containerName))
                {
                    await blobClient.GetContainerReference(containerName).DeleteAsync();
                }
            }

            Assert.AreEqual(0, containerNames.Count);
        }

        [TestMethod]
        [Description("List containers with prefix using segmented listing")]
        [TestCategory(ComponentCategory.Blob)]
        [TestCategory(TestTypeCategory.UnitTest)]
        [TestCategory(SmokeTestCategory.NonSmoke)]
        [TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.DevStore), TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.DevFabric), TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.Cloud)]
        public async Task CloudBlobClientListContainersSegmentedWithPrefixAsync()
        {
            string name = GetRandomContainerName();
            List<string> containerNames = new List<string>();
            CloudBlobClient blobClient = GenerateCloudBlobClient();

            for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
            {
                string containerName = name + i.ToString();
                containerNames.Add(containerName);
                await blobClient.GetContainerReference(containerName).CreateAsync();
            }

            List<string> listedContainerNames = new List<string>();
            BlobContinuationToken token = null;
            do
            {
                ContainerResultSegment resultSegment = await blobClient.ListContainersSegmentedAsync(name, ContainerListingDetails.None, 1, token, null, null);
                token = resultSegment.ContinuationToken;

                int count = 0;
                foreach (CloudBlobContainer container in resultSegment.Results)
                {
                    count++;
                    listedContainerNames.Add(container.Name);
                }
                Assert.IsTrue(count <= 1);
            }
            while (token != null);

            Assert.AreEqual(containerNames.Count, listedContainerNames.Count);
            foreach (string containerName in listedContainerNames)
            {
                Assert.IsTrue(containerNames.Remove(containerName));
                await blobClient.GetContainerReference(containerName).DeleteAsync();
            }
        }

        [TestMethod]
        [Description("Test Create Container with Shared Key Lite")]
        [TestCategory(ComponentCategory.Blob)]
        [TestCategory(TestTypeCategory.UnitTest)]
        [TestCategory(SmokeTestCategory.NonSmoke)]
        [TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.DevStore), TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.DevFabric), TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.Cloud)]
        public async Task CloudBlobClientCreateContainerSharedKeyLiteAsync()
        {
            CloudBlobClient blobClient = GenerateCloudBlobClient();
            blobClient.AuthenticationScheme = AuthenticationScheme.SharedKeyLite;

            string containerName = GetRandomContainerName();
            CloudBlobContainer blobContainer = blobClient.GetContainerReference(containerName);
            await blobContainer.CreateAsync();

            bool exists = await blobContainer.ExistsAsync();
            Assert.IsTrue(exists);

            await blobContainer.DeleteAsync();
        }

        [TestMethod]
        [Description("Upload a blob with a small maximum execution time")]
        [TestCategory(ComponentCategory.Blob)]
        [TestCategory(TestTypeCategory.UnitTest)]
        [TestCategory(SmokeTestCategory.NonSmoke)]
        [TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.Cloud)]
        public async Task CloudBlobClientMaximumExecutionTimeoutAsync()
        {
            CloudBlobClient blobClient = GenerateCloudBlobClient();
            CloudBlobContainer container = blobClient.GetContainerReference(Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N"));
            byte[] buffer = BlobTestBase.GetRandomBuffer(80 * 1024 * 1024);

            try
            {
                await container.CreateAsync();
                blobClient.DefaultRequestOptions.MaximumExecutionTime = TimeSpan.FromSeconds(5);

                CloudBlockBlob blockBlob = container.GetBlockBlobReference("blob1");
                blockBlob.StreamWriteSizeInBytes = 1 * 1024 * 1024;
                using (MemoryStream ms = new MemoryStream(buffer))
                {
                    try
                    {
                        await blockBlob.UploadFromStreamAsync(ms);
                        Assert.Fail();
                    }
                    catch (AggregateException ex)
                    {
                        Assert.AreEqual("The client could not finish the operation within specified timeout.", RequestResult.TranslateFromExceptionMessage(ex.InnerException.Message).ExceptionInfo.Message);
                    }
                    catch (TaskCanceledException)
                    {
                    }
                }

                CloudPageBlob pageBlob = container.GetPageBlobReference("blob2");
                pageBlob.StreamWriteSizeInBytes = 1 * 1024 * 1024;
                using (MemoryStream ms = new MemoryStream(buffer))
                {
                    try
                    {
                        await pageBlob.UploadFromStreamAsync(ms);
                        Assert.Fail();
                    }
                    catch (AggregateException ex)
                    {
                        Assert.AreEqual("The client could not finish the operation within specified timeout.", RequestResult.TranslateFromExceptionMessage(ex.InnerException.Message).ExceptionInfo.Message);
                    }
                    catch (TaskCanceledException)
                    {
                    }
                }
            }
            finally
            {
                blobClient.DefaultRequestOptions.MaximumExecutionTime = null;
                container.DeleteIfExistsAsync().Wait();
            }
        }

        [TestMethod]
        [Description("Make sure MaxExecutionTime is not enforced when using streams")]
        [TestCategory(ComponentCategory.Blob)]
        [TestCategory(TestTypeCategory.UnitTest)]
        [TestCategory(SmokeTestCategory.NonSmoke)]
        [TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.Cloud)]
        public async Task CloudBlobClientMaximumExecutionTimeoutShouldNotBeHonoredForStreamsAsync()
        {
            CloudBlobClient blobClient = GenerateCloudBlobClient();
            CloudBlobContainer container = blobClient.GetContainerReference(Guid.NewGuid().ToString("N"));
            byte[] buffer = BlobTestBase.GetRandomBuffer(1024 * 1024);

            try
            {
                await container.CreateAsync();

                blobClient.DefaultRequestOptions.MaximumExecutionTime = TimeSpan.FromSeconds(30);
                CloudBlockBlob blockBlob = container.GetBlockBlobReference("blob1");
                CloudPageBlob pageBlob = container.GetPageBlobReference("blob2");
                blockBlob.StreamWriteSizeInBytes = 1024 * 1024;
                blockBlob.StreamMinimumReadSizeInBytes = 1024 * 1024;
                pageBlob.StreamWriteSizeInBytes = 1024 * 1024;
                pageBlob.StreamMinimumReadSizeInBytes = 1024 * 1024;

                using (var bos = await blockBlob.OpenWriteAsync())
                {
                    DateTime start = DateTime.Now;
                    for (int i = 0; i < 7; i++)
                    {
                        await bos.WriteAsync(buffer, 0, buffer.Length);
                    }

                    // Sleep to ensure we are over the Max execution time when we do the last write
                    int msRemaining = (int)(blobClient.DefaultRequestOptions.MaximumExecutionTime.Value - (DateTime.Now - start)).TotalMilliseconds;

                    if (msRemaining > 0)
                    {
                        await Task.Delay(msRemaining);
                    }

                    await bos.WriteAsync(buffer, 0, buffer.Length);
                    await bos.CommitAsync();
                }

                using (Stream bis = (await blockBlob.OpenReadAsync()))
                {
                    DateTime start = DateTime.Now;
                    int total = 0;
                    while (total < 7 * 1024 * 1024)
                    {
                        total += await bis.ReadAsync(buffer, 0, buffer.Length);
                    }

                    // Sleep to ensure we are over the Max execution time when we do the last read
                    int msRemaining = (int)(blobClient.DefaultRequestOptions.MaximumExecutionTime.Value - (DateTime.Now - start)).TotalMilliseconds;

                    if (msRemaining > 0)
                    {
                        await Task.Delay(msRemaining);
                    }

                    while (true)
                    {
                        int count = await bis.ReadAsync(buffer, 0, buffer.Length);
                        total += count;
                        if (count == 0)
                            break;
                    }
                }

                using (var bos = await pageBlob.OpenWriteAsync(8 * 1024 * 1024))
                {
                    DateTime start = DateTime.Now;
                    for (int i = 0; i < 7; i++)
                    {
                        await bos.WriteAsync(buffer, 0, buffer.Length);
                    }

                    // Sleep to ensure we are over the Max execution time when we do the last write
                    int msRemaining = (int)(blobClient.DefaultRequestOptions.MaximumExecutionTime.Value - (DateTime.Now - start)).TotalMilliseconds;

                    if (msRemaining > 0)
                    {
                        await Task.Delay(msRemaining);
                    }

                    await bos.WriteAsync(buffer, 0, buffer.Length);
                    await bos.CommitAsync();
                }

                using (Stream bis = (await pageBlob.OpenReadAsync()))
                {
                    DateTime start = DateTime.Now;
                    int total = 0;
                    while (total < 7 * 1024 * 1024)
                    {
                        total += await bis.ReadAsync(buffer, 0, buffer.Length);
                    }

                    // Sleep to ensure we are over the Max execution time when we do the last read
                    int msRemaining = (int)(blobClient.DefaultRequestOptions.MaximumExecutionTime.Value - (DateTime.Now - start)).TotalMilliseconds;

                    if (msRemaining > 0)
                    {
                        await Task.Delay(msRemaining);
                    }

                    while (true)
                    {
                        int count = await bis.ReadAsync(buffer, 0, buffer.Length);
                        total += count;
                        if (count == 0)
                            break;
                    }
                }
            }

            finally
            {
                blobClient.DefaultRequestOptions.MaximumExecutionTime = null;
                container.DeleteIfExistsAsync().Wait();
            }
        }

        [TestMethod]
        [Description("Get service stats")]
        [TestCategory(ComponentCategory.Blob)]
        [TestCategory(TestTypeCategory.UnitTest)]
        [TestCategory(SmokeTestCategory.NonSmoke)]
        [TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.DevStore), TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.DevFabric), TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.Cloud)]
        public async Task CloudBlobClientGetServiceStatsAsync()
        {
            AssertSecondaryEndpoint();

            CloudBlobClient client = GenerateCloudBlobClient();
            client.DefaultRequestOptions.LocationMode = LocationMode.SecondaryOnly;
            TestHelper.VerifyServiceStats(await client.GetServiceStatsAsync());
        }

        [TestMethod]
        [Description("Server timeout query parameter")]
        [TestCategory(ComponentCategory.Blob)]
        [TestCategory(TestTypeCategory.UnitTest)]
        [TestCategory(SmokeTestCategory.NonSmoke)]
        [TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.DevStore), TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.DevFabric), TestCategory(TenantTypeCategory.Cloud)]
        public async Task CloudBlobClientServerTimeoutAsync()
        {
            CloudBlobClient client = GenerateCloudBlobClient();

            string timeout = null;
            OperationContext context = new OperationContext();
            context.SendingRequest += (sender, e) =>
            {
                IDictionary<string, string> query = HttpWebUtility.ParseQueryString(e.RequestUri.Query);
                if (!query.TryGetValue("timeout", out timeout))
                {
                    timeout = null;
                }
            };

            BlobRequestOptions options = new BlobRequestOptions();
            await client.GetServicePropertiesAsync(null, context);
            Assert.IsNull(timeout);
            await client.GetServicePropertiesAsync(options, context);
            Assert.IsNull(timeout);

            options.ServerTimeout = TimeSpan.FromSeconds(100);
            await client.GetServicePropertiesAsync(options, context);
            Assert.AreEqual("100", timeout);

            client.DefaultRequestOptions.ServerTimeout = TimeSpan.FromSeconds(90);
            await client.GetServicePropertiesAsync(null, context);
            Assert.AreEqual("90", timeout);
            await client.GetServicePropertiesAsync(options, context);
            Assert.AreEqual("100", timeout);

            options.ServerTimeout = null;
            await client.GetServicePropertiesAsync(options, context);
            Assert.AreEqual("90", timeout);

            options.ServerTimeout = TimeSpan.Zero;
            await client.GetServicePropertiesAsync(options, context);
            Assert.IsNull(timeout);
        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Do Online Business Classes include Group Interaction Sessions?
If you are interested in taking a distance learning business program, it is important to find a program that offers interactive sessions in an online business class. Many students who have never attended a reputable online college course are not familiar with the fact that these courses have advanced over the years. While there still are diploma mill schools, institutions that are not accredited and make money by offering poor quality classes, there are also highly advanced schools who have earned their accreditation and offer students the opportunity to learn while they work. As a student, it is your responsibility to find a school that still offers you the ability to interact while you study from home. Read on, and learn more about what to look for in an online business program.
There are two types of accreditation that you should know of if you want to earn your degree: regional and national. Online degree programs fall into a specialized type of program under the national accreditation umbrella. Before you begin searching for schools that offer online business programs, you should find nationally accredited schools that have met the standards of the Distance Education and Training Council. This council is a third-party agency that sets standards in distance education to ensure that schools offer a quality education. By only choosing schools on this list, you are guaranteed to have the opportunity to interact with professors as well as other business students.
Now that you know how to find a school where group interaction is a part of the curriculum, it is important to learn about the different types of interaction that you can expect in an online environment. One of the most common types of online classroom collaboration is the discussion board. Learning management tools allow you to access lectures and class materials, as well as interact with professors and other students. Professors utilizing these tools typically require student participation in discussion boards. By participating in these discussions, students can comfortably interact even if they are not the strongest public speakers.
Another method employed to inspire group interaction is a team project requirement. Team projects helps each member of the team learn how to work together and how to resolve issues that can arise. You may need to use chat technologies, messaging boards, discussion boards and other means of communication to collaborate. Online interactions have been proven to be just as effective as classroom interactions when everyone makes the effort to work together.
There are several different ways to promote collaborative, active online learning. If you are taking a business degree program at an accredited institution, the school must make an effort to promote collaboration even though students are not physically in the same room. If you are meeting with different admissions counselors and you are interested in choosing the best school, ask how you will be able to interact with other students when you log in online. By choosing a school with interactive sessions in an online business class, you can benefit the most from online programs.


The grades of Vermont Maple Syrup produced on the Carman Brook Farm are pure and natural. Made from the maple sap produced by maple trees on our farm, it is pesticide and formaldehyde free, contains no preservatives, artificial flavorings or color. Maple Syrup is naturally gluten free. You can feel good about Vermont Maple Syrup on your table.
Many Vermonters will tell you what is their favorite grade, but it all comes down to personal preference and the right syrup for the job. All the maple syrup grades are made using the same process. The information below is provided to help consumers make an informed decision on their maple syrup purchases. The chart below will help you select the right syrup.
At the Carman Brook Farm everyone is a maple connoisseur!
Golden Delicate Taste/Fancy –The lightest syrup made in the beginning of the maple season when the temperatures are colder. Golden Delicate Taste is a sweet, maple flavor with buttery notes. Popular as an ice cream topper, it is preferred for some home baking confections and as table syrup.
Amber Rich Taste/Table Syrup – Boasting more maple flavor and amber color, this grade of syrup is a favorite for pancakes, french toast and waffles. The Amber Rich Taste is a sure crowd pleaser with its translucent amber hue in glass bottles as well as its pleasant, rich maple flavor. Amber Rich Taste is a good syrup for gifts and for party favors.
Dark Robust Taste/Table Syrup – The more concentrated maple flavor of Dark Robust Taste makes this grade a versatile syrup. In addition to being a favorite choice for table syrup, the hearty maple flavors enhance oatmeal, yogurt and entrees. A favorite among children for its bold maple flavor this grade is a good choice for families. Due to the savory maple flavor, Dark Robust Taste enhances many culinary delights such as meat and vegetable glazes, salad dressings, and a variety of baked goods and as a natural sweetener in beverages.
Very Dark Strong Taste – The darkest and most maple flavor of the maple syrup grades. This grade takes all the very darkest and strongly flavored and uses one grade description. Using market descriptors, we're able to offer our customers two additional grades.
Very Dark Strong Taste/Baking – The light end of this grade. This syrup provides an intense maple flavor that stands up to other ingredients in recipes for baked goods, beans and meat dishes, while still providing a smooth maple taste on the pallet. If a strong maple flavor is what you prefer, you will find yourself pouring less on pancakes.
Very Dark Strong Taste/End of Season – The darkest end of the last grade, End of Season, is exactly that. The very strong flavor jumps onto your taste buds with a sharp maple flavor. The most common uses for this grade are the Master Cleanse, mead and granola as well as baking and cooking recipes with other ingredients..
For those of you who want to know a little more about the grading system. The link below is as copied from the Vermont Department of Agriculture's website for your reading enjoyment.
Wow! A change to the VT grading system?? That's pretty big news. So what would be the replacement for Grade B syrup?
Thanks! We really like that the new grading system is more heavily weighed on flavor rather than color. You would want the Carman Brook Farm's Very Strong Dark Taste/Baking maple syrup. Thanks!


text:
Jadon Jones Joe Hampton Michael Carter Alex Merkviladze Chance Hunter Colin Slater Atin Wright Sports Men's college basketball College basketball Basketball College sports Men's basketball Men's sports
Cal State Northridge Big West Long Beach State
Jones carries Long Beach St. over CS Northridge in Big West
- Mar. 09, 2021 08:48 PM EST
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jadon Jones tallied 19 points and 11 rebounds, the first double-double for the freshman, to lift Long Beach State to an 85-63 win over Cal State Northridge in the Big West Conference tournament first round on Tuesday.
Chance Hunter had 13 points for ninth-seeded Long Beach State (6-11), which faces league champion UC Santa Barbara in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. Joe Hampton added 10 points. Colin Slater had 10 points.
The Beach dismissed leading scorer junior guard Michael Carter III, who started 13 games and average more than 15 points, from the program on on Saturday.
The Matadors' 29% shooting represented the worst mark by a Long Beach State opponent this season.
TJ Starks had 23 points for the eighth-seeded Matadors (9-13). Atin Wright added 16 points. Alex Merkviladze had 10 rebounds.
Elements of this story were generated by Automated Insights, http://www.automatedinsights.com/ap, using data from STATS LLC, https://www.stats.com


text:
Menu ☰ New Cars Invoice Prices Buying Advice Price Quote
2014 Ford Escape Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
10 Reasons Why You May want to
Buy a 2014 Ford Escape:
If you're in the market for an affordable crossover SUV, consider the 2014 Ford Escape. This vehicle is in the top ten affordable compact SUVs ranked by U.S. News and World Report. Read on for information about some of the key reasons to purchase the 2014 Ford Escape. [ For the 2015 model see - Ford Escape Pros and Cons ]
Reasons You may Want to Buy a 2014 Ford escape - The Pros
1. Fun to Drive
While some SUVs can seem clunky, the Escape, which is built on the same platform as the Ford Focus, is quick, agile, and fun to drive. The handling calls to mind that of a much smaller car, while you still benefit from the roominess of the SUV styling.
2. Modern Athletic Exterior
The Escape was redesigned for the 2013 model year, so while there aren't many changes for the 2014 version, the new look still feels fresh. More hatchback-shaped than traditional SUV, the Escape's exterior is sharp enough to compete with leaders in this class. The Z-shaped body lines are designed to give the vehicle a dynamic look to match its agile feel.
Kelley Blue Book named the 2014 Ford Escape one of the 10 Best Affordable SUVs for the model year. Pricing starts at just $ 22,610 for the base model, which packs in plenty of features not necessarily seen in more expensive vehicles.
4. Unprecedented Standard Technology
Even the base model of the Escape comes with standard features that will please even the most discerning tech-head. You'll enjoy power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, trip computer, and cruise control; Bluetooth sync connectivity with 911 assist is also standard, as is the 6-speaker stereo with CD player and auxiliary audio input jack. In addition, the MyKey system allows you to program your preferred options, making the car truly your own.
5. Bold, Unique Interior
The 2014 Ford Escape goes out on a limb with its unusual interior styling with exciting results. The instrument panel is heavily styled and finely detailed, with a swooping motif that highlights the high-quality materials used in construction.
6. Built for Cargo
Not only does the Escape have plenty of rear storage space, it also has a unique foot activated liftgate. This feature, which works only when the key is near the back of the car, allows you to go hands-free and open the hatchback with just a gentle kick to the bumper--perfect when you're loading up groceries, luggage, or sporting equipment.
7. Plenty of Power Options
With three trim levels and a variety of engine choices, you can customize your Escape to be more powerful or have more fuel economy--although even the highest performing engines will still give you respectable gas mileage. The most powerful choice, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbo four, will give you 240 horsepower while still providing 30 mpg highway. By contrast, the base model's engine provides 178 horsepower and 33 highway miles per gallon.
8. Exciting High-Value Options
The choices available for the highest trim level give you the luxury and features of a much higher class car for a lower price. These include leather seats and steering wheel, power moonroof, blind-spot warning, automatic parallel parking, an 8-inch touchscreen, and navigation system, as well as heated seats and side mirrors and premium audio system with HD Radio, iTunes tagging capability, and 10 speakers.
9. Eco-Friendly Interior
If you're concerned with going green, you'll be pleased to learn that not only does the Escape have excellent fuel economy for its size, but makes optimum use of recycled materials. The car's interior carpet is made out of 100% recycled polyester fibers using 25 plastic bottles, and is itself recyclable when the car is no longer in service.
2014 Ford Models:
• 2014 Ford Edge
• 2014 Ford Explorer
• 2014 Ford F-150
• 2014 Ford Fiesta
• 2014 Ford Focus
• 2014 Ford Fusion
• 2014 Ford Mustang
• 2014 Ford Taurus
10. Available Four-Wheel Drive
Although front-wheel drive is standard, those who are interested in taking their 2014 Ford Escape off-road can easily do so with the four-wheel drive option. Not only does this make it possible for you to drive in the worst weather and road conditions, it also offers optimum driver control.
While the combination of affordability, features, and styling make the 2014 Ford Escape an ideal choice for most drivers looking to purchase a crossover SUV, there are some caveats. Some reviewers note that the MyFord Touch infotainment system can be difficult to use and often suffers from lags in processing time. And although the safety ratings for the Escape are good overall from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the SUV did score "poor" in the Institute's new small-overlap frontal test. Despite these flaws, the 2014 Ford Escape is one of the top crossover SUVs in its class.
2018 Ford Escape Buying Guide:
• 2018 Ford Escape trim levels. What you get with each trim configuration.
New Car Buying Guides:
• How to Buy New Cars Below Dealer Invoice Prices
• Ford Escape Pricing - MSRP, Dealer Invoice and True Dealer Cost
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Session of Warriors is a Strategy TD (Tower Defense) diversion with a remarkable style in its classification. Set in an otherworldly world you should update your barriers and forceful fighters to survive and attack adversary regions to overcome them.
The adversary cooperation of the abhorrent kingdoms has pushed what stays of the human development to a side of the world, disengaged and overlooked, dove into hopelessness and endeavoring to survive brutally.
Prepared the steeds, procure your warriors and set up the lances for the fight to come, the war horn will sound again and our titans will pulverize the adversary dividers and towers.
The time of dim domains have arrived at an end, it's an ideal opportunity to recoup what legitimately has a place with us, it's the ideal opportunity for revolt, war and reprisal!
The warriors guarantee your name, ruler!
Charge your combatants into a fight for everlasting eminence in this epic conflict of warriors.


text:
Identity. Hah! What is it Good For? Absolutely Something.
I, like many others I know, are struggling to make sense of the what appears to be an inexorable slide towards a viciously divided USA, driven, it seems, in large part by identity politics pitting a version of ethnonationalism against a version of cosmopolitanism. This USA is not only increasingly politically hamstrung, where even minor policy decisions warrant a full-throated war and where every sword is worth falling on, the rancor trickles down to friends and family, who a decade or so ago were just that—friends and family. Now many of them look like the "other." Like the enemy.
The current political and cultural polarization in the United States is evidence of the demise of a unifying and universal national narrative. Part of the population ardently believes in the exceptional United States, the best country in the world, the "love it or leave it" crowd. Others see the United States as good but flawed, an equal among peers, and are prepared to openly criticize the flaws they perceive. Both can be correct and incorrect at the same time. Is that a nuance? Yes. But the identities, their accompanying values, and ultimately identity-driven behaviors are very seldom seeking a nuanced middle ground. They increasingly seem to be seeking the opposite corners of the room: Barack Obama was either simply and inarguably the greatest American president, or a Kenyan, Muslim (in some versions atheist), and corrupt traitor. Let the buyer beware.
Because my work involves educating graduate students about the broader world around them and the environmental challenges facing that world, it's handy to use my own situation to help think through where we are. So a few things about me and my family. Though I have visited 46 US states, for the last two decades my business and holiday travel has almost exclusively required a passport. Flags make me uncomfortable—they seem to be designed to divide us, to create us/them thinking (my team is better than your team), or more accurately us/them feelings—even worse.
I've spent time in as many countries as I have US states. I cherish those experiences, and I work hard to nurture my own personal version of a cosmopolitan sensibility. I admit that I do not carry with me a sense of place, of belonging for any particular spot in the world. A 'citizen of nowhere' perhaps—I type these words from the Piazza di Santa Croce in Firenze, Italy, burial site of both Michelangelo and Machiavelli. But I'm not alone. A quick show of hands in one of my graduate classes revealed that near two-thirds of the students would gladly exchange their respective national passport for a hypothetical UN Global Passport. Please know that I believe attachment to place is both powerful and important, and I sometimes find myself remorseful that I have to-date been unable to enjoy its embrace.
Now let's consider my mother. Nearing her octogenarian birthday, she firmly identifies as a nationalist. A proud and self-described member of Donald Trump's "Deplorables," she supports a robust set of immigration restrictions. She admits she knows no recent immigrants, illegal or otherwise. My mother has not, in her nearly 80 years, travelled outside of North America. Her standard parting advice to me when I travel abroad, regardless of the destination, is: "I hope ISIS doesn't kill you." She is not the future of a US national identity.
Consider then my son, her grandson. He visited a half dozen foreign countries before he had his driver's license, his best friend in high school was Chinese, and he now studies in that most diverse and global of US cities—New York. But he is not the inevitable avatar of the future either. Because the US is so large, and the values, experiences, and expectations of its diverse citizenry so very different, both of these identities will continue to co-exist, by hook or by crook.
We are now a nation with at least these two competing identities (the jury is out on whether they are incompatible). One, haunted by disorientation with both the degree and speed of change in the last several decades, and seeking the surety of an idealized time gone by. The other, thriving on that same change, looks only forward to the future. The two diverge on how they see the US, what agitates them, and what's best for the country. Where the anger, the undeniably seething rage (that I bet we've all encountered) seems to comes from, appears to be twofold—an individual set of moral foundations that are repeatedly triggered by where American society seems to be headed (less white, less hetero, less patriotic, less religious), or whom our society is utterly failing (women, gays, minorities, the poor), and the associated social identities that by implication come under attack by the perpetrators of these wrongs, by those out-groups, those 'others'.
The challenge is profound. It is almost impossible to have a measured discussion under these circumstances. Reasonable people cannot agree to disagree, because only one side is ever reasonable. But there may be a path forward. Can you respect another identity or group without empathizing with it or even understanding it? Can you at least acknowledge it, witness it, even as you don't necessarily agree with it? I think the answer might be "yes." Or as Donald Glover's Lando Calrissian (Han Solo: A Star Wars Story, 2018) resignedly put it "I don't like it, I don't agree with it. But I can accept it." We can too. But only—only—if you are able to check your own version of a nationalist identity, consider that your values, norms, and identity may or may not be superior and is likely an incomplete version, that you don't have the only claim to truth, that you are a unknowing victim of your own cognitive biases, and to allow that differences aren't always a threat. They are just differences.
I think liberals can find value in the heightened awareness conservatives hold about threats to our mutual social capital, to the very fabric of our society. Too much, too fast can do great damage—often unintended—even as it strives to solve social ills. Likewise, conservatives can find value in the way liberals are able to identify societal blind spots, where the values we all share (equality, fairness, the rule of law) are not working as well for all of us as they should or could. The two forces, one pushing and one pulling, seem integral to any society. They need each other and bring balance. When they become openly hostile, when differences erupt as rage ("I hate that lying, MF-ing so and so!"), then something has gone horribly wrong. Maybe it's the media; maybe it's the social media, maybe it's just cynical manipulation by amoral politicians. But it is destructive. To society, to friends, to families.


Indie Jones and the Latest Crusade.
The games industry is obsessed with death: not just the satisfying pop when an alien's head explodes like a burst watermelon, but games killing other games as well. Writers used to describe every new shooter as a 'Halo killer', forgetting that murdering the emotional attachment between player and game is easier said than done. This didn't stop Sony from bragging about how Killzone would take Halo… well, into the kill zone.
Publishers talk trash to keep the game hype machine rolling from the moment of inception to the Christmas retail showdown. Game rivalries become established, yet they are far from the zero sum death matches their promoters portray. What would it look like if games actually fought each other? Battlefield taking a set of keys to the back of Call of Duty's disc, their boxes flapping violently against each other. An Xbox stealthy wrapping a PS3 in a blanket while it's playing a Blu-Ray and pouring custard into its vents.
This endless competition, this '1up-manship', is futile. Not every game can be a commercial success, but last year showed there was room for both Battlefield and Call of Duty. Like David Mitchell's brilliant parody of British TV football coverage, these struggles are monumentally anticlimactic. Call of Duty and FIFA are so popular that they exist beyond the gladiatorial arena. Playing Call of Duty is more like watching a soap opera or televised football: it becomes a small part of a regular routine, while Batman: Arkham City is a more concentrated investment over a relatively shorter time. People don't watch other TV shows instead of Eastenders: they watch them in addition to Eastenders.
In promoting your product in direct opposition to these behemoths, you are dooming yourself to failure. By lining up Call of Duty in your sights, you can't help but look second best. We get tragedies like Free Radical's Haze, where the rubbish quality of the final product is farcical when compounded with the hype . It lifts our expectations to unrealistic levels. Good games speak for themselves: they don't need spokespeople proclaiming their superiority. The original Modern Warfare didn't overtake Halo 3 in popularity through sheer bravado; it simply delivered the goods.
Indie games have largely sidestepped the PR fracas, with Minecraft and Fez gaining popularity through word of mouth rather than advertising. Humble Bundles have snowballed in popularity, so it's only natural that big publishers would get in on the action too: EA released an 'indie' bundle this week, which reaches "Jeremy Irons drinking Irn-Bru while dressed as Iron Man" on my Scale of Irony.
It didn't take long for Mojang's Markus Persson, aka Notch, to decry EA's marketing and complain that they were 'killing the games industry'. Notch complaining about something isn't exactly newsworthy: he just seems to get away with it more than other people. How exactly are EA killing the games industry by promoting it? The games in their bundle are published by EA without dictatorial control. Surely that's a good thing?
How can EA kill a company like Mojang, a powerful example of how development studios can succeed outside the traditional retail model? Although I'm not a fan of EA's insistence on insidious downloadable content and online passes, we are not forced to buy their games. Despite the pointless "me too"-ness of Origin, I wouldn't want to be in a world where Steam was the only online retailer. Ultimately, you have to vote with your wallet: I buy what I'm interested in, and that includes EA games like Mirror's Edge, but not Battlefield 3: Grey Guns and Brown Buildings or The Sims 3: Windowsills and Mullions Pack.
Indie developers are like Anonymous: they are indefatigable (or should that be 'indiefatigable'?). You can't stop something that can publish anywhere and is self-funded. Unlike big publishers, indies are fast and nimble. They can create games on a shoestring budget and survive on smaller sales. They can be funded on Kickstarter or a lone coder can create a game in their spare time. This isn't a David vs Goliath battle: it's more like a Ferrari vs a steamroller.
When companies like Maxis and BioWare are swallowed up by EA, game fans complain like they are bands 'selling out'. If EA are Universal Music, then EA Partners are Def Jam and Mojang a defiant Epitaph. All of these companies want to make money and success is often a corrupting factor: it's not that long since EA were the rebellious upstarts circumventing Sega's licensing and reverse-engineering the Mega Drive. An altrustic ideology will only get you so far: look at Google. I hope Mojang don't end up the same way.
There is a presumption that you can learn to program, but no more so than the presumption that a writer can type words into a text editor. I don't agree entirely with Anthropy: game making, like writing or any other talent, is not something everyone can do or something they should do. I can't paint or sing: these are things I should be barred from practising. It's a public safety issue, really. Perhaps the take home message from Anthropy's book should be "discover your niche and express yourself", unless that expression is a genre of music I don't like, of course.
The mainstream media have, as is now inevitable whenever an act of violence occurs, drawn a correlation between Anders Behring Breivik and gaming because he has played Call of Duty. Given the popularity of that game, this is about as meaningful as making a connection with him breathing oxygen. Yet maybe it's no wonder the media associate video games with killing when we're obsessed with killing each other, both in the game and out of it.
When publishers use the language of combat so openly to describe a mere sales contest, it inevitably bleeds into a wider context. Maybe this time might be better spent on actually making the games, rather than boasting about their retail slaying prowess. Like a skilled Civilization player, it's possible to win through construction and development as well as outright conquest. Some people just like to start a war.