text:
Samurai Jack (comics)
Samurai Jack and the Threads of Time #1
October 2013 – May 2015
No. of issues
20 and one special
Main character(s)
Jim Zub
Andy Suriano
The Samurai Jack comics was a monthly American comic book series chronicling the travels of Samurai Jack. The comic book series follows up Season 4 of Samurai Jack of a time-displaced samurai warrior Jack in his singular quest to find a method of travelling back in time and defeating the tyrannical demon Aku.[1]
In February 2013, IDW Publishing announced a partnership with Cartoon Network to produce comics based on its properties. Samurai Jack was one of the titles announced to be published. It was further announced at WonderCon 2013 that the first issue of Samurai Jack will debut in October 2013.[2] The first comic in the series was released October 23, 2013.[3]
Nine years after Genndy Tartakovsky's series was put on hiatus, and just a few years before Adult Swim launched its concluding season, IDW Publishing had announced a new comic book featuring the continuing adventures of Jack, the temporally displaced warrior and his epic quest to destroy Aku.[4] Beginning with a five-issue storyline called Rope of Eons. Suriano, who designed characters for the show, reflected on returning to the popular character via press release: "Returning to Samurai Jack is such a personal experience and labor of love for me. It's like stepping through a time portal back to characters I know as friends and a world that really launched my animation career".
The first volume, which contained Issues 1-5, was released in May 2014. It was made available as both a hard copy and an eBook with a total of 120 pages.[5] Volume 2, "The Scotsman's Curse", contains issues 6-10 and was released 28 October 2014.[6] Volume 3, which highlighted the "Quest for the Broken Blade" (Issues 11-15), was officially released on March 31, 2015.[7] Volume 4; "The Warrior King", concluding issues 16-20, was released on September 1, 2015.[8] Over a year later, IDW released a full omnibus compilation of all 20 issues, titled Samurai Jack: Tales of the Wandering Warrior, on October 25, 2016.[9]
In January 2015, Jim Zub, creator of the Samurai Jack comic series, confirmed that the issues would be concluded with issue #20, in May 2015. He went on to state that "Working on Jack has been a project that felt just as creative and expansive as any creator-owned work I've done. Almost every single idea we pitched was enthusiastically approved by IDW and Cartoon Network. We told the stories we wanted to tell the way we wanted to tell them and, from everything I've seen and the people I've met, the fans thoroughly enjoyed them too. That's a rare and wonderful thing and I won't take it for granted."[10] Zub wanted fans to feel that with the comics, there is a sense of closure to the series. In the third season of Samurai Jack there's an episode called "Jack and Travelling Creatures" where, after trials and tribulations aplenty, we catch a glimpse of a possible future for our wandering hero; we see Jack as an older Warrior-King, a veteran of an untold number of conflicts. Zub stated that the team is "embracing that awesome vision of Jack in a very heartfelt done-in-one story called 'Mako the Scribe'."[11] Tartakovsky does not consider the comics to be part of the story of Samurai Jack.[12](4:58)
On 8 May 2019, IDW Publishing released the first series of the Samurai Jack: Lost Worlds comic series. The story looks at how society has prospered under the leadership of the benevolent Samurai Jack and everything is in line with his philosophies after the events of Tales of the Wandering Warrior.[13] On 20 November 2019, Samurai Jack: Lost Worlds was compiled into compendium of the four-part series.[14] The story was produced by Paul Allor and illustrated by Adam Bryce Thomas.
1.1 Tales of the Wandering Warrior
1.2 Quantum Jack
1.3 Lost Worlds
3 Appearance in other comics
4 Other comics
4.1 Classic Volumes
4.2 Cartoon Network: Super Secret Crisis War!
5 Collected Editions
Plot[edit]
Tales of the Wandering Warrior[edit]
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2019)
The series is set after the end of the fourth season. Some time after the events of episode LII, Jack travels through a desert to find a hermit living in a cave, whom he inquires for a way to return to his own time. The hermit reveals that Aku learned his mastery of time travel through an ancient relic known as the Rope of Eons. He studied it, and absorbed its power before destroying it, so others couldn't learn its secrets, although it was possible for one to use the Rope once again if its strands were recovered and assembled together again. Jack embarks on many quests to reassemble the Rope, only to discover that the last strand was in Aku's possession. After Jack fights Aku and manages to take the last strand, Aku responds with a fierce attack that mortally wounds Jack, who is then given a choice to either fully sacrifice the Rope's power to undo the fatal blow, or die. Jack chooses the former, unwilling to lose to Aku, but is forced to escape without accomplishing his goal.
After the Rope was lost, Jack reunites with the Scotsman, only to confront a series of supernatural threats, such as the gender-bending curse of the leprechauns, a villain who can manipulate gravity and an attack on his samurai mentality and focus from Aku himself. He later makes another bid to return to his own time by performing a magic ritual that involved a seer using the spirit of his sword to create a time travel portal, but this backfires and breaks the weapon, leaving Jack unarmed and vulnerable. When Aku learns of the loss of Jack's sword, he stops at nothing to try and finish off Jack by any means necessary, but Jack manages to escape, stay hidden and survive without his weapon.
Quantum Jack[edit]
In 2017, months after the series was revived and finished with the fifth season, IDW Publishing released a new 5-issue miniseries called "Quantum Jack," which depicts Samurai Jack hopping from one dimension to the next, searching for a way back to his original form as his honor and pride push him forward back to his own time to face Aku one last time. The first issue depicts Jack as the leader of a ruthless biker gang that ambushes a royal convoy. The second issue depicts Jack as a masked luchador. The third issue depicts Jack in a world ruled by monsters known as Krogo, where he teams up with a group of scientists that control a giant battle robot as Jack slowly starts to regain his memory. The fourth issue depicts Jack as a businessman working in a cubicle working for Aku. The fifth and final issue finally reveals how and why Jack has been stranded in time as he makes one last gambit to return to his own time. This series was ultimately collected into a trade paperback.
Lost Worlds[edit]
In 2019, IDW Publishing released a new 4-issue miniseries called "Lost Worlds," which depicts Samurai Jack emerging from his hermetic life to discover a town ruled by a doppelganger of himself, who's determined to conquer the world and spread Jack's philosophies, teachings and beliefs, however, the two Jacks quickly clash as the true nature of the doppelganger is revealed.
Issues[edit]
Samurai Jack: Tale of The Wandering Warrior comics overview
1 Samurai Jack and the Threads of Time Jack is stranded in a strange future ruled by the demonic wizard, Aku. His quest to return to the past has tested him many times, but now the stakes are higher than ever. Can an ancient relic known as the Rope of Eons finally take him home?[15] October 23, 2013
2 The Threads of Time Jack can defeat almost any foe in single combat, but how will he fare against a pair of perfectly synchronized warriors who can exploit his every weakness?[16] November 20, 2013
3 The Threads of Time Jack's travels bring him to a village filled with tension and mystery. Can he discover the town's strange secret before Aku's robotic army invades? Our samurai hero's quest to gather the Threads of Time continues.[17] December 18, 2013
4 The Threads of Time A mystic queen of great power and beauty accepts no criticism, especially from a lowly wandering samurai. Can Jack find another one of the Threads of Time before he's imprisoned for royal heresy?[18] January 22, 2014
5 The Threads of Time Martial artists, warriors, nobles, monsters and more... Samurai Jack has defeated them all in his quest to gather the Threads of Time. Now, one last strand remains in the lair of Aku the demon wizard. Can Jack defeat his greatest foe and return to the past?[19] February 26, 2014
Special Samurai Jack: Special Director's Cut Back to the Past! As the evil demon Aku takes over the ancient world, the fate of the world rests in the hands of a noble samurai warrior. But when Aku blasts him into the future, Samurai Jack must find a way to return and right the wrongs of the past! The special Director's Cut reprints the classic adaptation of the first three episodes of Samurai Jack, along with bonus pages and commentary from creator Genndy Tartakovsky and artist Bill Wray.[20] February, 2014
6 The Scotsman's Curse The return of the Scotsman! The humungous highland hooligan and the stoically stalwart samurai team up once again! This time they battle against a bizarre mystic curse that—okay, that part's a secret but trust us, it's a doozy![21] March 19, 2014
7 Samurai Jacqueline and the Scotswoman Samurai Jack and the Scotsman fight giants and wee folk alike as they struggle to free themselves from the gender-bending curse of the leprechauns.[22] April 9, 2014
8 The Caves of Crystal Calamity Jack reflects on his odyssey to return to the past, but he won't like what he finds staring back at him.[23] May 28, 2014
9 Villainous Vortex How can our time-traveling samurai defeat a foe that controls the forces of gravity? [24] June 18, 2014
10 The Brain Battalion The war without has been a failure for Aku, so now it's time to wage the war within! Can Jack overcome an opponent who unravels the thoughts and memories that make him a samurai?[25] July 30, 2014
11 The Quest of the Broken Blade: Part One After the Threads of Time failed to return Jack back to the past, he searches for a new way to return to his rightful era. But will Jack be willing to risk his magical blade in order to open a new portal to the past?[26] August 20, 2014
12 The Quest of the Broken Blade: Part Two Aku senses Jack's unexpected new flaw and calls forth a manhunt like no other. Soldiers, monsters, and bounty hunters scour the land for the weakened samurai warrior. Is anywhere safe?[27] September 24, 2014
13 The Quest of the Broken Blade: Part Three Weak and exhausted, the fugitive samurai known only as 'Jack' is running out of hope. Will anyone come to his aid or is this the end of his lifelong mission? [28] October 22, 2014
14 The Quest of the Broken Blade: Part Four Jack is tested by power greater than any he has ever faced before. Can he prove himself worthy and regain his strength?[29] November 30, 2014
15 The Quest of the Broken Blade: Part Five Jack faces Aku in one-on-one combat and both are determined to make it their final battle. Past and present collide in this epic conclusion to the 'Quest of the Broken Blade' storyline.[30] December 31, 2014
16 The Master of Time: Part One A prophet calling himself the "Master of Time" hides within a compound crawling with untold monsters and deadly traps. Jack the Samurai will need to become Jack the Infiltrator if he hopes to gain an audience with the mysterious master.[31] January 31, 2015
17 The Master of Time: Part Two Jack and the Thief team-up to discover the mysteries of the secretive man known only as the "Master of Time." Is this finally the way home for our solemn samurai?[32] February 28, 2015
18 The Fallen Four Jack stumbles upon the site of great battle, grave-robbing witches brings back the spirits of the dead to defeat the samurai warrior![33] March 31, 2015
19 The Mad Mutts of Mystery Jack reunites with the team of dapper archaeological dogs as they search for their canine ancestry, but the secrets they fetch will leave them howling![34] April 30, 2015
20 Mako the Scribe Final Issue. A scribe named Mako has heard many strange stories of the great hero known only as 'Jack.' Mako's journey to record the truth of the samurai reveals a fascinating look at his legacy and possible future: Jack the King. Jack the General. Jack the Legend.[35] May 31, 2015
Samurai Jack: Lost Worlds comics overview
1 Samurai Jack 2.0 ~ May 08, 2019
2 Samurai Jack and the Empty Village ~ June 19, 2019
3 Samurai Jack and the Bear Trap ~[36] July 31, 2019
4 Samurai Jack and the Flat Earth ~ September 04, 2019
Appearance in other comics[edit]
Before the IDW series, Samurai Jack comics had appeared in Cartoon Network Action Pack, published by DC Comics.
Title Issue(s) Release Date(s)
Cartoon Network: Action Packs[37] 1, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 53, 55, 58, 60 July, 2006 - July, 2011
Cartoon Network: Super Sampler[38] 1 October, 2013
Other comics[edit]
There have been other comic book series involving Samurai Jack, besides the 20-issue series that was produced and released as an intended follow-up to the fourth season of the series.
Classic Volumes[edit]
The Classic Volumes are series of comics based on the events that happened before and during the TV series for Samurai Jack. The 136-page collection focuses on Jack's origin story and was released November 12, 2013. Simply put, Aku the demon wizard has enslaved Jack's people. Jack inherits a mystical katana and beats Aku in battle only to be sent far into the future where Aku's grip is all-reaching and all-powerful. Thus starts Jack's quest to journey back to his original time so he may finish what he and Aku started. The rest consists of short tales of Jack liberating others from Aku's hold, before passing along to the next town in true drifter style.[39] The artwork for the Classic Volumes is done by Ricardo Garcia Fuentes (commonly known as Micro), who also illustrated Jack in the Cartoon Network: Action Packs comic.[40] Volume 2 of the Classic Volumes was officially released on April 22, 2014.[41]
Cartoon Network: Super Secret Crisis War![edit]
Samurai Jack appears in the IDW Publishing crossover event between all of their Cartoon Network-owned properties, "Super Secret Crisis War!", which includes Ben 10: Omniverse, Dexter's Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken, Codename: Kids Next Door, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, and The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy. The crossover shows Aku teaming up with Mandark, Vilgax and Mojo Jojo to form the "League of Extraordinary Villains" and capture Ben Tennyson, Samurai Jack, Dexter, The Powerpuff Girls and (inadvertently) the Eds, as they plan to conquer the Cartoon Network multiverse and take out their mortal enemies. The series also had 5 tie-in one-shots of the League's robot minions invading the dimensions of Johnny Bravo, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Cow and Chicken, Codename: Kids Next Door and The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy. This series was collected into two trade paperbacks.
Collected Editions[edit]
Material Collected
Samurai Jack Vol. 1: The Threads of Time Samurai Jack #1-5 June 17, 2014 978-1613778944
Samurai Jack Vol. 2: The Scotsman's Curse Samurai Jack #6-10 October 14, 2014 978-1631401312
Samurai Jack Vol. 3: Quest For The Broken Blade Samurai Jack #11-15 April 21, 2015 978-1631402456
Samurai Jack Vol. 4: The Warrior-King Samurai Jack #16-20 September 1, 2015 978-1631403804
Samurai Jack: Tales of the Wandering Warrior Samurai Jack #1-20 October 25, 2016 978-1631407093
Samurai Jack: Quantum Jack Samurai Jack: Quantum Jack #1-5 May 29, 2018 978-1684051670
^ "II - "The Samurai Called Jack"". Samurai Jack. Cartoon Network.
^ http://www.idwpublishing.com/idw-teams-up-with-cartoon-network/
^ Cartoon Brew Accessed: December 3rd, 2013. | Jim Zub and Andy Suriano Reinvent Samurai Jack
^ Samurai Jack: Volume 1 (Issues #1-#5) | Released: May, 2014
^ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samurai-Jack-Volume-Scotsmans-Curse/dp/1631401319/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410855568&sr=8-1&keywords=samurai+jack+volume+2
^ Samurai Jack: Volume 3 (Quest for the Broken Blade) on Amazon.com [Accessed: March, 2015]
^ Samurai Jack | Volume 4: The Warrior King (Released: September, 2015)
^ Samurai Jack | Tales of the Wandering Warrior (Released: October, 2016)
^ Samurai Jack Ends with Issue 20 | Jim Zub (Official Website) Accessed: March 2015
^ http://www.jimzub.com/2015/01/
^ Joshua Yehl (July 25, 2016). "Samurai Jack Will Cross a Line He's Never Crossed - Comic-Con 2016". IGN. Retrieved January 24, 2017. Tartakovsky: Story-wise, the way they did it isn't, for me, Samurai Jack.
^ https://butwhythopodcast.com/2019/05/11/review-samurai-jack-lost-worlds-issue-1/
^ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samurai-Jack-Worlds-Paul-Allor/dp/1684055520/ref=sr_1_5?crid=QQ11IW0D3NRB&keywords=samurai+jack+comic&qid=1571945192&sprefix=samurai+jack+%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-5
^ Issue 1: Samurai Jack - Released: October, 2013
^ http://www.comicvine.com/samurai-jack-2-the-threads-of-time/4000-433872/ Issue 2]: Samurai Jack - Released: November, 2013
^ http://www.comicvine.com/samurai-jack-3-the-threads-of-time/4000-437533/ Issue 3]: Samurai Jack - Released: December, 2013
^ http://www.jimzub.com/samurai-jack-4-solicitation/ Issue 4]: Samurai Jack - Released: January, 2014 (On JimZub.com)
^ http://www.jimzub.com/?s=Samurai+Jack+%235 Issue 5]: Samurai Jack - Released: February, 2014
^ IDWPublishing of Samurai Jack: Director's Cut
^ http://www.jimzub.com/samurai-jack-6-solicit/ Issue 6]: Samurai Jack - Released: March, 2014 (On JimZub.com)
^ http://www.comicvine.com/articles/exclusive-preview-samurai-jack-7/1100-148451/ Issue 7]: Samurai Jack - Released: April, 2014 (On JimZub.com)
^ Issue 8: Samurai Jack - Released: May, 2014 (On JimZub.com)
^ Issue 9: Samurai Jack - Released: June, 2014 (On comicvine.com)
^ Issue 10: Samurai Jack - Released: July, 2014 (On comicvine.com)
^ Issue 11: Samurai Jack - Released: August, 2014 (On comicvine.com)
^ Issue 12: Samurai Jack - Released: September, 2014 (On atomicempire.com)
^ Issue 13: Samurai Jack - Released: October, 2014 (On atomicempire.com)
^ Issue 14: Samurai Jack - Released: November, 2014 (On atomicempire.com)
^ Issue 15: Samurai Jack - Released: December, 2014 (On atomicempire.com)
^ Issue 16: Samurai Jack - Released: January, 2015 (On comicvine.com)
^ Issue 17: Samurai Jack - Released: February, 2015 (On idwpublishing.com)
^ Issue 18: Samurai Jack - Released: March, 2015 (On desertsky.popshop.comixology.com)
^ Issue 19: Samurai Jack - Released: April, 2015 (On idwpublishing.com)
^ Issue 20: Samurai Jack - Released: May, 2015 (On comicbookresources.com)
^ League of Comics - Samurai Jack: Lost Worlds 3: Samurai Jack - Released: July, 2019
^ Action Packs: Cartoon Network on ComicVine (July, 2006 - February 2008)
^ Super Sampler: Cartoon Network on ComicVine (October, 2013)
^ [1] Samurai Jack: Classic Volumes (review on Flickering Myths)
^ Comicartfans.com Ricardo Garcia Fuentes | Accessed: 2014-02-08
^ Samurai Jack: Classic Volumes 2 on Amazon
Samurai Jack on IDW Publishing
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So – Kakuro. Let the wall of silence begin! This one is genuinely hard this week too. Not hard in the lame way you get with computer generated Kakuro and you end up having to do lots of adding up with overlapping squares, but certainly hard enough to need a few "painting" steps. You might want to keep your advanced sudoku solving technique handbook with you as well. Enjoy!
I for one still like Kakuro :).
~3 minutes and seemed straight-forward for me but with fewer Nikoli-style boring moves. I certainly didn't need any "painting steps", provided I did 3-way clue visualization to ID a couple min/max locations.
So (at least) double the normal time on a puzzle this size I think I can take as some kind of triumph. What I really need is another Ziti/H.Jo play-off to confirm it.
So the path i intended was bottom left-top left-and then top right/bottom right were basically independent. The top left I think need a little thought to resolve the vertical 12 clue (what I'd call painting anyway), and the bottom right I intended to be resolved via an x-wing. There's probably an inevitable short-cut there that I missed given the size of the puzzle though.
Here's to more interesting Kakuro!
The path I went was basically just starting in the bottom right and kind of swirling around counter-clockwise to finish in the bottom left, without any truly nasty steps. By Nikoli rating standards I think "hard" is about right, but I dunno about "painting" and "advanced sudoku technique". Well-designed puzzle, though, and more interesting than the average Kakuro.


text:
Hearth & Home October 2014
The Aurora store may be only 1,325 sq. ft., but as you can see, consumers don't feel crowded.
By Lisa Readie Mayer
In 10 years, Topfire has created a successful two-store business with only two employees – both of whom smile a lot.
Photos: 2014© Jackson Photography & Design. www.gillianjackson.ca.
Common courtesy may be a lot less common at many retail stores today, but not so at Topfire Fireplace & Barbecue. For this Canadian specialty hearth and barbecue dealer, the secret to success starts with a smile.
"Everyone has experienced going into a store and feeling like you're intruding or imposing on the salespeople," says owner Ron David. "You don't want to give your business to someone who treats you that way. That's why we feel it's so important to greet customers with a smile, be pleasant and simply acknowledge them, even if you're busy. It doesn't take any extra effort to be nice, but these simple gestures can mean the difference between a sale and the customer walking out the door to buy somewhere else."
This focus on courteous customer service has been a guiding principle since David opened his first Topfire location in Ajax, Ontario, 10 years ago and continues at the retailer's second location in Aurora, Ontario, opened this year. They take the personal touch seriously in this family-run operation. David and his son, James David, are the only full-time employees, with part-time salespeople and trusted subcontractors hired as needed. David oversees the Aurora store, while his son manages the Ajax location.
Ron David, owner of Topfire in Aurora, Ontario, Canada.
"We are burning the candle at both ends now, but we really emphasize and enjoy personal customer interaction," he continues. "We spend a lot of time with our customers and educate them so they can make informed decisions. We try to be friendly and teach people without pressuring them. It all comes down to whether they are comfortable with you; if they are, you will get the sale."
Clearly, the approach is working. According to David, after a "tough go" in the first few years after opening and a slight slow-down during the U.S. recession, business has really taken off in the past couple years, with sales doubling in 2014. He credits the opening of his second location in Aurora as contributing to the boost in business, but believes it's primarily due to his stores' stellar reputation, high customer satisfaction and growth in referrals over the last decade.
David says having the two stores now expands his territory and draws shoppers from a wider swath of the Toronto region. While he notes that customers tend to be more price-conscious at the Ajax store, those shopping at the Aurora location – one of Canada's wealthiest communities – are generally willing to pay more for quality and service.
As a Napoleon Alliance dealer, Napoleon-branded products account for approximately 80 percent of sales at the stores. Currently, the stores' sales are split 75 percent hearth to 25 percent barbecue and outdoor living products. In addition to Napoleon indoor and outdoor hearth products, Topfire carries Dimplex, Marquis, Montigo, and Stellar brand fireplaces, and Outdoor GreatRoom Company fire pits and fire tables.
While gas grills from Napoleon and R.H. Peterson (Fire Magic) are the biggest barbecue sellers for the retailer, Topfire also sells Big Green Egg and Traeger Pellet Grills for his customers interested in cooking with charcoal and wood pellets. A line of outdoor furniture made of recycled materials from Canadian-based CR Plastics, decorative air purifiers from Lampe Berger of France, all-natural cleaning products from Universal Stone of Germany, and ErthCoverings natural stone veneers, round out the company's product offerings.
Outdoor kitchens are a growing area of business for the retailer, who sells Napoleon Oasis modular grilling islands, as well as Fire Magic built-in grills and components such as ice makers, range hoods and power burners. The company does not offer outdoor kitchen design or construction services, but instead forms alliances with landscapers, contractors and design professionals, who supply product and advice for their projects. "With 10 years in the business, we have become a trusted source for landscapers building outdoor kitchens," says David.
Limited indoor showroom space and a lack of outdoor display space at both stores, restricts outdoor kitchen displays to one Napoleon Oasis modular island at the larger Ajax location. Instead, the retailer relies on area home and garden shows and street fairs and festivals to expand exposure and showcase its outdoor kitchen offerings.
"We do a lot of home shows, including landscaper shows, the Interior Design Show, National Home Show, Cottage Life Show and others," says David. "They're very successful for us. Based on interest at the shows this year, we expect we'll be very busy with our outdoor kitchen business next spring," he says. Average outdoor kitchen sales run about $30,000 for the retailer.
Participating in home shows also serves as a networking opportunity. Relationships with designers and landscapers, developed and cultivated at home shows, have yielded significant business for Topfire. According to David, landscapers handle most of the outdoor kitchen business in the Toronto area, but Topfire has become a go-to supplier of grills, appliances and other equipment for building into the island.
Besides home shows, Topfire markets its business through a combination of traditional advertising, social media and innovative promotions. Ads in a glossy home design magazine, mailed directly to area residents, have been particularly successful, as has a summer promotion on a local radio station that helped drive customers into the two stores to claim prize tickets and giveaways. Son James David handles the company's social media efforts on Facebook and Twitter.
Big-event demos and sales have been hit-or-miss for the retailer. "We have done events at the Ajax store where we've invited our vendors' sales associates to come and demo product. Sometimes they are very successful, and sometimes no one shows up," he says with a chuckle. That has not deterred the retailer from continuing to explore avenues for building business. Next up could be cooking classes.
At present, Napoleon products account for 80 percent of sales at both stores.
"People are asking for classes at our Aurora store," he says. "I like to cook and I'm always sharing recipes and tips with customers, so we may try to bring in a chef from Napoleon and make a big event out of it."
Of course, not everything about specialty retailing is something to smile about. According to David, competition from Big Box stores is one of the biggest challenges he faces.
"Typically a customer would only be able to go to a store like ours to find a specialty product like a kamado, pellet grill or fire pit, but now Big Box stores have them," he says. Case in point: despite past success selling Traeger Pellet Grills and a growing customer appreciation for the flavor and convenience of wood pellet cooking, David says it's harder to sell the grills and fuel now that consumers can find them considerably cheaper at mass merchants.
"We offer a program in which customers get a free bag of pellet fuel after every tenth bag purchased," he explains. "My customers used to love the program, but it's tough now because they can get it for much less at the Big Box store. As a result, we're considering changing pellet grill and fuel companies."
On the gas grill front, he says it's increasingly confusing for consumers who buy what they think is a good brand at a Big Box store only to find it's an inferior product made offshore and the quality is not the same. "The challenge for us is trying to point out the differences and explain that you get what you pay for," David says.
The membership buying service DirectBuy has also diverted sales from the specialty retailer over the years. The service charges a sizable upfront membership fee for the ability to purchase home furnishings, home improvement, entertainment and outdoor products directly from manufacturers at greatly reduced costs.
"Initially it took business from us – particularly if customers were building or renovating a home – but it's becoming less of an issue as people factor in the administrative fees and long delivery wait times," David adds. He says customers who consider DirectBuy are coming to realize they prefer shopping at a brick-and-mortar store that offers service and installation.
"We can offer the customer the opportunity to have a new fireplace
in one day," David says. The retailer works hand-in-hand with its subcontractor carpenter and cabinet-maker
to tear out an old fireplace, install a new one, and then install the finish and a custom mantel that was prebuilt to the customer's specifications in the carpenter's workshop, all in the same day. "You can't get that kind of service at a Big Box store or internet provider," he adds.
Ultimately the best way for a specialty retailer to compete and succeed, according to David, is a back-to-basics focus on service, kindness and respect. "How hard is it to put a smile on your face, be friendly and treat your customers the way you would want to be treated in a store? These are the most important parts of retailing," he says.
Topfire Fireplace & Barbecue, Aurora, Ontario, Canada.
Store Name: Topfire Fireplace & Barbecue
Location: Westney Road S, Ajax, Ontario, and Yonge St., Aurora, Ontario, Canada
Owner: Ron David
Key Executives: James David
Web Site: www.topfire.ca
E-mail: topfire@rogers.com
Phone: (905) 426-4100 Ajax; (905) 503-2503 Aurora
Number of Stores: 2
Full Time: 2
Part Time: as needed
Gross Annual Sales: N/A
Percent of Sales by Product Category:
Hearth: 75%
Barbecue: 25%
Sq. Ft. of Building Space:
Ajax location: 1,975 sq. ft.
Aurora location: 1,325 sq. ft.
Lines Carried:
Hearth: Napoleon, Marquis, Montigo, Stellar, Dimplex, Outdoor GreatRoom Company
Barbecue: Napoleon, Fire Magic, Big Green Egg, Traeger Pellet Grills
Patio: CR Plastic Products
Other: Lampe Berger, Universal Stone, ErthCoverings
More Stories in this Issue
Nicer Up North
One would think that a warm climate would be conducive to warm dispositions and friendly demeanors (think Jamaica, reggae music, dancing, breaking waves and smiling people), and that the opposite would be true – a cold climate must of necessity create a land of introverts with scowling faces and rude behavior.
Canada: An Introduction
By Richard Wright
Mediocre. Flat. Stable. You could add safe and predictable to that list describing the present economy in Canada.
By Tom Lassiter
You can get anything you want (remember that song?*) at Capital Iron, in Victoria, on the island of Vancouver, in Canada.
Down to the Basics
By Bill Sendelback
Old World values are key to Forest Glade Fireplaces' success.
It's About Growth
With its acquisition of Tropitone Furniture Co., Brown Jordan International picks up its sixth company; CEO Gene Moriarty has his sights set on a seventh.
Gas: Heart of the Hearth — Part II
By James E. Houck
This is the second of a three-part series on gas-fueled appliances in the residential hearths of North America. It focuses on socio-demographics, regionalism and consumer attitudes.
Diversify to Survive
One thing all retailers should have learned from the downturn is that there's weakness inherent in selling one product category.
The Potential of Accessories
To rev up sales, take the Accessory Challenge; it just might turbocharge your barbecue business. Want a surefire way to amp up barbecue sales? Sell accessories.
Bonding with Barbecue
Prior to every concert, the Zac Brown Band shows a great deal of southern hospitality by treating 150 lucky fans to a gourmet barbecue and quality time with the group.
2014 Barbecue Mid-year Snapshot
Pellet grills and smokers/kamados were the stars of the barbecue world this year.
2014 August Business Climate
In early September, Hearth & Home faxed a survey to 2,134 specialty retailers of hearth, barbecue and patio products, asking them to compare August 2014 sales to August 2013. The accompanying charts and selected comments are from the 212 useable returns.
Who Reads Hearth & Home?
Anastasia Marcakis, for one!
Parting Shot: A Calgary View
The fire pit area is actually sunken 18-in. down from the surrounding grade; the stone retaining walls and built-in wood benches help to shelter the occupants and the fire from the wind.
View Issues Archive »

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: In java, return value within synchronized block seems like bad style. Does it really matter? I have a Collections.synchronizedList of WeakReference, _components;
I wrote something like the following, expecting the complier to complain:
public boolean addComponent2(Component e) {
    synchronized (_components) {
        return _components.add(new WeakReference<Component>(e));
    }
}

But the compiler is perfectly satisfied. Note that List.add() returns TRUE. So ok, any exit from a synchronized block releases the lock, but doesn't this LOOK strange? It's kind of like a "hole" in the block, similar to using return in a loop.
Would you be happy maintaining code like this?

A: It's absolutely fine - as is returning from a loop, or from a try block which has an appropriate finally block. You just need to be aware of the semantics, at which point it makes perfect sense.
It's certainly simpler code than introducing a local variable for the sake of it:
// Ick - method body is now more complicated, with no benefit
public boolean addComponent2(Component e) {
    boolean ret;
    synchronized (_components) {
        ret = _components.add(new WeakReference<Component>(e));
    }
    return ret;
}

A: There is nothing wrong with returning inside a synchronized block. The lock will be released  correctly.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


How to Fix "Your OneDrive folder can't be created in the location you selected" on Windows 10?
Home »	Fix » How to Fix "Your OneDrive folder can't be created in the location you selected" on Windows 10?
Issue: How to Fix "Your OneDrive folder can't be created in the location you selected" on Windows 10?
When I attempt to install OneDrive on my Windows 8, I receive an error during the install – "Your OneDrive folder can't be created in the location you selected." I tried to save it to the other drive, created a new profile, but neither of these solutions helped. Anybody have any ideas?
OneDrive is a cloud storage application released by Microsoft and pre-installed into Windows 10 by default. Millions of people are using OneDrive services, including but not limited to file uploading, storing, and transmission. Unfortunately, the app triggers issues on Windows OS quite frequently. To name a few, we would mention the high CPU usage by OneDriveSetup.exe, "Connecting to d.docs.live.net" when opening Microsoft Office files or irritating "Set Up OneDrive" pop-up.
The location you were trying to create OneDrive folder belongs to drive with an unsupported file system. To have OneDrive use a different location, click Set up OneDrive and point OneDrive to an NTFS drive. To use the existing location with OneDrive, you need to format it with NTFS and then click Set up OneDrive to continue your account.
The culprit of the "Your OneDrive folder can't be created in the location you selected" error is the format of a drive on which you want to save the OneDrive folder. Currently, the drive has to be formatted using NTFS file system to store OneDrive folder. If yours is formatted using FAT32, exFAT, or ReFS file system, OneDrive prevents the user from saving OneDrive folder in a other than NTFS formatted drive.
OneDrive folder is stored in C:\\Users\\YourUserName by default. If you cannot save the OneDrive in a particular drive, you should shift the folder of One Drive to the drive, which is formatted using the NTFS file system.
When the "Your OneDrive folder can't be created in the location you selected" error shows up, click Set up OneDrive button.
If you are currently not seeing the alert, you can double-click on the OneDrive icon located in the notification area.
Enter your Microsoft account email address and click Sign-In.
Type your account password and click Sign-In.
Now click Change location link and select the drive, which is formatted using NTFS file system.
Finally, follow the on-screen instructions to set up OneDrive completely.
IMPORTANT: If you don't know which drive is formatted with NTFS, navigate to This PC and right-click on the drive icon. Select Properties and check the on the General tab.
If, unfortunately, you don't have a drive formatted with NTFS, the solution to fix "Your OneDrive folder can't be created in the location you selected" error is to format the drive with NTFS file system and reinstall Windows 10. Be careful and create backups of the files stored on your PC because all data will be removed after Windows 10 reinstall.


This course is intended to teach users how to add kinematic mechanisms to their assemblies. These mechanisms can be used to simulate motion in an assembly and evaluate a design. Key topics include: joints, mechanism, prismatic joint, cylindrical joint, screw joint, planar joint, rigid joint, joint limits, gear joint, motion transfer joints, rotating joints, complex joints, mechanism generation, mechanism analysis, sensors, simulation, replay, trace, sub-mechanism, dressup mechanism, distance analysis, band analysis, finite element analysis, and interference.
Designers, Design Engineers, Engineering Managers, and Manufacturing Engineers who need to perform kinematic analysis on assemblies.


As one of America's leading experts on improving employee and company performance, Mike Hill has spoken to and trained hundreds of people from all over the world.
Mike has more than 25 years' experience in industrial distribution. Mike and his team grew an Indiana -based organization from a single location to a six-location business in the span of 10 years. He's also been the vice president of a Fortune 1500 company that grew sales 25% during the three years he was in charge. In both situations, he attributes the unprecedented growth to having helped employees perform to their maximum ability with the help of his data driven process, based on using measurable criteria.
He is the author of the book: Measuring to Manage—which is filled proven tips on performance management, and explains How, Why, and When to implement them.
Mike's other books are: Measuring Ourselves, Taking Measurable Steps to Career Advancement, and Corporate Measurements to Manage: Using Measurable Data to Get Maximum Corporate Results.


Comerford Foley | Tax tips for over 65's – Part 2!
Tax tips for over 65's – Part 2!
There are a very low percentage of businesses that succeed to the next generation and hence an even lower percentage of businesses that succeed to the third generation and beyond. There are a wide variety of reasons for that but we often find that when there is a son or daughter identified as being the most suitable person to take over a business, and the business owners engage in planning around that, then there is every probability of a successful handover. Other family members may not be interested in the business or farm and it would be foolish to have them involved so they could be looked after by other means.
Retirement relief – you don't have to retire!
On a disposal to a third party there is a lifetime cap of €750,000 per individual so for a partnership situation this could be doubled. For example , Daniel and Majella aged 60 and 56 respectively owned and farmed a lovely wee farm of 120 acres in Donegal for the last 20 years. Due to the decreasing enthusiasm for 5 a.m starts to face into 150 cows and the possibility of a singing career they decided to sell the farm for €1.4 million to a local neighbour who had more passion for cows. D&M could benefit from Retirement relief in this scenario and not pay any CGT as they were over 55, they owned the land for more than 10 years and they had farmed the land for more than 10 years before selling. If D&M were over 66 when selling, then the €750,000 reduces to €500,000 so in that instance they would be in a CGT payable position.
Looking at the scenario of transferring a business within a family a lot of the same conditions apply. Let's take an example of passing on shares in a family company to the next generation. Donald and Teresa, aged 60 and 59 respectively, had a border control security business which flourished in recent years and was worth €25 million. They wanted to pass on the shares to their son Mike who had worked with them and showed good leadership potential. For retirement relief to work in a family company situation the shareholders had to have owned the shares for 10 years or more prior to disposal, they had to have worked in the business for 10 years, of which 5 out of the 10 years had to be full-time, and they had to dispose of shares in their family company [there are various percentage shareholdings that have to be met] Once they had met the conditions the disposal can be free of CGT. Again if D&T decided to transfer the business 10 years later then there is a lifetime cap of €3 million. This cap was introduced to incentivise the transfer before people reached 66. So if you are 65 now and will be 66 soon and are sitting on a valuable family business it is probably time to start panicking.
Mam, Dad any chance of an acre to build a house?
If you own land and have a few spare acres and children with some sense, probably aged over 25, that want to be close to you in your old age, this question could come up at the dinner table. You will be delighted to know that there is a CGT exemption for an area of land up to 1 acre (exclusive of the area on which the house is to be built) and from 5th December 2007 the value cannot be more than €500,000 so that the child can build his/her principal private residence.
Then the CGT liability which would have fallen on the parent will be a liability of the child and the child will also have a liability of any gain made by them. The hand could be out again!
There is no gift or inheritance taxes between spouses and civil partners. This is the way most wills would be constructed – everything goes to the wife/husband and then to the kids.
The first €3,000 of gifts from any one giver in a year to 31 December is exempt from Gift tax. Therefore two parents could give €6,000 to a child in December 2016 and another €6,000 in January 2017. Best not tell your children this interesting fact? If your child was married this could increase to €12,000, being €3,000 from each parent to son/daughter in law. This can be a useful planning technique over time. Parents could put up to €500 per month into a savings policy for a young child. Probably best not to advise the child until they are of sound mind (probably over 25)! It certainly beats the excitement of the €100 one4all voucher.
For fear of boring you to death I better stop now but there are a few other issues I need to mention such as PRSI, USC, Medical expenses and State pensions.
As always, use your noodle, seek professional advice.


Page updated 21st December, 2018.
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This page will gather together the memories of those of us who used to frequent, or work for, the toy, hobby and sports shops of Sydney and its suburbs. In the early to mid-20th Century, it was common for so-called 'sports shops' to have a toy or hobby section within, because many manufacturers who produced toys, also manufactured sports equipment in sizes to suit children. Few such shops now exist within the metropolitan area, because large chain stores have taken over the distribution and sale of toys and sporting equipment as completely separate lines.
Note: "/" indicates a new paragraph.
I distinctly recall visiting this shop in the 60's, usually with my grandmother in tow ! There was a young English sales assistant there who worked in the hobby section. His boss had a moustache - can't recall the names now (if I ever knew them). The assistant cheerfully mixed Humbrol paint for me one day to get the right shade for an AIRFIX Dinah Japanese bomber that I purchased there. Later he ran his own hobby shop in Dee Why. I also bought the last pack of Civil War plastic figures that were in the glass display case located at the bottom of the steps. Must have been c1965 or 1966 as US Civil War 100th anniversary had just occurred. The Hobby section was located below street level and it was like entering Aladdin's Cave for children. The building was very old as I recall and the Hobby area was rather dim. A Victorian era building.
I have a very vague memory of visiting this shop in about 1966. It was as a narrow shop fronting onto George St. Lots of glass cases displaying stock. Good for figures and again the US Civil war featured prominently. Britains Eyes Right series was available with spring loaded cannons. An artillery set with limber and troops cost around $10.00 - a small fortune then as I recall. I received two for my Birthday.
To the left, the cover of a W&S catalogue from the 1954/55 (Thanks for the correction, Dave.).
Key Staff: Frank Murrell (Manager) , Joe Rubolio (2 IC - Accountant), Ken Winfield (Upstairs Section - ships and figures), Arthur Mulleno (Radio Control), Keith Hudson (Railways). Keith later ran his own model railway shop in Goulburn St, David Page (Plastic kits and general sales person) "Cattledogs" – catalogues - a favourite saying. David worked at Sheriff's, Parramatta, until recently.
I started there part time in December 1972. Job obtained through link with a Danish family at Canterbury. The Rasmussens - who were possibly neighbours of Frank Murrell. My Grandmother had worked with Mrs Rasmussen in the late 1950's at T and G Insurance in Sydney. / I worked Thursday nights and Saturdays between late 1972 and mid-1974. I tried to return there at end of 1974 for part time work - no go. Age now a barrier !. School students were employed as wages were age based - if they had a particular hobby interest. Specialisation was the key. Total contrast with Hobbyco operations now. / I served behind glass counters in the downstairs hobby section in George St. / First pay packet of $27.50 (I think) in cash for a weeks work during school holidays late in 72. $5 for Sat mornings. Little brown paper pay packets dispensed by Mr Rubilio. / First days task was cleaning the ceiling under stairs ! / Store rooms out back rarely had fresh air. Dank stale smells. Giant safe. / Other characters employed during my time (student staff) – Geoff Fellows, Paul Swift (Son of a Colonel at Victoria Barracks), a Scottish guy, " Beg pard" Peter Jones in 74 and red haired storeman (still there / in 1999 – then a manager).
The 70's plastic kit revolution was underway – hard to convince shopkeepers/management of need for stocking new products. It was the era of Airfix, Frog, Monogram, Italeri and the Japanese newcomer - Tamiya. Pace setter in 1/35th scale AFV's. Looking back I now realize how unique the period was. / I won a competition at Fantastic Toy and Hobby Shop (the chief competitor) in late 1972 - scratchbuilt model using Airfix Pz 4 kit. Entry No 44. I still have it complete with entry sticker ! Constructed a Tamiya BMW R75 side car combo displayed at Hobbyco for some time. / Opening routine each Saturday - Opening/Shutting roller-door at entrance was always an effort. Took efforts of two people ! Cleaning front display cases was also problematic. Gymnastic qualities required there. A real chore. Extreme care was necessary to avoid knocking down window displays. / Lunch options – Wolfes sandwich shop nearby or a recent development – McDonalds in 1974. Not much else then. went to MacDonalds to check out the female staff mainly not the "food"!
35 years on and how the world has changed.
More from Robert; November, 2014.
I also recall another toy shop that was located near Central Railway in Rawson Place. Obtained a Birthday present there once.
I would have visited there in the 60s and have no idea of its name or when it met its demise. At one stage there would have been at least 4 toy and hobby stores operating in the City. Now it can only support one - the great survivor - Hobbyco. In Melbourne , by contrast, there are 3 hobby stores still operative.
Thanks again, Robert. All comments on the above will be gratefully received. See below.
Thanks, Dave, for your comments, correction and scans.
I just stumbled across your web site and read to my delight that Levenson's did indeed exist! Quite coincidentally I recently had an argument with my brother over it's location and was happy to find that I was right and that the shop was located in Pitt Street. I clearly remember being impressed by an Airfix HS 129 - painted in a mottled grey camouflage pattern - hanging in the front window. I must have been very young at the time but I've never forgotten it and have always wanted to build the kit but never got around to it.
Although Levenson's has been quite well covered on your site I can add some further information about another store. The Fantastic Toy and Hobby shop was tucked away in Angel Arcade near Wynyard railway station between George and Pitt Streets. My first real job after leaving school was with the Tax Office in Martin Place and so I passed the shop twice a day - and looked in most days. One of the sales assistants was John Chard a descendant of Lt. John Chard, VC, the hero of Rorke's Drift. I think he was the Great-grandson but I can't be sure. The younger John had his ancestor's medal and eventually opened a (short lived) wargames supply shop on the top floor of the Strand Arcade called - wait for it - Rorke's Drift. As you probably recall, the arcade was gutted by fire in the early 1980's but I think he was gone by then. I also recall the Fantastic Toy shop moving to another location - I think on the basement level of the Imperial Arcade off Pitt Street but I could be totally wrong there. I do however remember being in the shop sometime in the 1970's when the employees were told that the business was folding and that their jobs would go. I hope that's of interest to you.
Although I live in Queensland these days I grew up in Sydney as did all my family. My dad's family lived in William Street just down from the Museum and so I spent many happy hours touring the streets, shops and arcades of Sydney with my overindulgent grandparents. My mum was a real Sydney, girl being born - literally - in the shadow of the Harbour Bridge. I'll ask her when I have a chance about locations of various shops etc, many of which I must have dragged her to - and through - on numerous occasions.
I met John Chard through a work mate who was an avid wargamer and knew him quite well. [...] I clearly remember the shop being on the top level of the Strand Arcade which before the fire was a bit 'down market' - unlike these days. I also remember that there was a story in one of the daily papers of the day about John's connection with his famous ancestor and how he had his VC. A full page story, the clipping was posted in the window of the Fantastic Hobby Shop for some time.
I really find it rather sad these days when I visit the CBD to find that more and more small shops and arcades are replaced by ugly buildings and shops selling cheap junk. I really enjoyed reading through your site.
Thanks, Dennis, for your recollections. Maybe someone will come up with further information on Rorke's Drift.
Enjoyed the toy shops article, a few thoughts and questions. Was Levensons in Pitt St? In the 60's I remember going to a model shop in Pitt St with a workmate who was a keen model railway modeller, I thought it was Levensons, being a non railway person I couldn't work out why anyone would pay a huge amount of money on the pretty gold model locos only to paint them black.
In the late 60's there was another Hobby shop in Pitt St I think between King and Market Sts? Again in the 60's there was another toy/hobby shop opposite Dymocks but they were not there for long and mainly sold toys, the name escapes me.
I remember Walther and Stevenson's at Town Hall, I used to love looking at the toy soldiers in the window and one Saturday morning was fortunate enough to get my own Britains 25pdr and for Christmas another time the naval gun.
Hobbyco was also visited in the 60s and 70s, I remember getting a model of the Revell Hospital Ship Haven during one of their sales, I was still at school so it must have been before 1965. I also remember that they had real old issues of Airfix models that hadn't been seen in shops for ages. In the mid 70's I was working at the DMR and used to visit with a railway modeller who purchased a VR Puffing Billy. As one of my jobs was to walk between Day St and HO at Campbell St I was tasked by my friend to pick up his monthly issues of model railway magazines.
I also remember visiting the Fantastic Toy & Hobby Shop up that little lane near Wynyard. When it opened we modellers thought it was terrific as John stocked all the newer models that Hobbyco didn't seem to worry about eg the Tamiya tanks. Captain Fantastic was a nice guy and was always willing to help out with model enquiries.
Anthony Hordern's also had a good selection of models, the brand I remember them having a lot of was Aurora, so maybe they were having a sale of them, I can't remember.
Woollies at Town Hall also sold quite a lot of models, I remember in the early 70's that they remaindered all the old Frog kits when they went out of business, I purchased quite a few of the warship models. I wish I still had them. Later Woollies also remaindered the Airfix kits when they went through one of there collapses, that time I remember getting the hovercraft, which I still have somewhere.
I also visited Keith Hudson in his Goulburn St shop and as it was only around the corner I spent a good deal of time there. Both Keith and his wife were terrific people and always helpful. From memory Keith was a keen model airplane builder of the flying type but kept a huge inventory of model train gear. Very popular at the time as he was only one of the few hobby shops that stocked NSW outline models, even thought they were pretty rough compared to today's standards. It was great dealing with Keith because if you could find it in a Walthers catalogue he would order it in for you. That was really handy for the modeller in those pre internet days.
Anyway that's a few of my memories on toy and hobby shops in the city, the memory is going so maybe some of the info might not be accurate.
Thanks, Glenn. Levenson's was in Pitt St about a third the way between Park and Market Sts, opposite the George St-Pitt St arcade which contained all the stamp shops. Like Walther & Stevenson's (which was opposite Dymocks in George St) it was on 2 levels with ground floor and basement. It started out primarily as a radio and electronics store which by the 60s had been relegated to the basement; hobbies occupied the ground level completely.
Airplane ashtrays collectors occasionally come across an e-Bay auction for an ashtray modelled in the shape of Australia.
bc Most originated from the estate of some US or UK serviceman who had been stationed down-under in the 1940s. Typically, they are heavily engraved with the names of key Australian towns and cities, while some feature a kangaroo as well, engraved in outline with the chrome in the body rubbed back to expose the bare metal. Each is surmounted by a P-38 Lightning or perhaps a kangaroo figurine. On the underside of the Australia ashtray is inscribed "Levenson's Radio 226 Pitt St. Sydney".
Australia seems to be a bountiful source of airplane ashtrays dating from the war period – cast, finished and engraved with details such as flaps and cockpit, then chrome-plated – in other words, the bye-products of factory production rather than models produced in the field from whatever materials came to hand – i.e. true trench art.
Certainly, there are numerically far more cast English and American cast airplane ashtray models dating from the war to be found on e-Bay, but Australian-sourced models make up a significant proportion of the offerings each month, which raises some interesting questions about their manufacture, because Australia was far from being one of the world's heavily industrialised economies in the mid-20th century.
bc Why did Australians make these models and why, and how did they get onto the market in the first place? This is a study which both interests and frustrates me because the evidence is scanty, but undoubtedly, Levenson's Radio played a part. This business is one of only two which have currently been identified as a source for Australian airplane ashtrays in the 1940s.
Even 70 years ago, Levenson's Radio emporium, at 226 Pitt St – then, just as now, right in Sydney's shopping heartland – must have seemed like a glorious throwback to an earlier age of retailing. Today's consumer-savvy observer, stumbling across their full-page ads in back issues of Radio & Hobbies in Australia magazine, might conclude it was rather like some wonderful hybrid of Santa's Cave and the Shanghai No. 1 Department Store, rather than a sober commercial establishment.
Joseph Levenson (1882-1974) commenced his business in the early 1900s. He is listed in the Sands Sydney Street Index of 1910 as the proprietor of a shooting gallery in Pitt St. About this time, American slot machines were entering the market in Australia, finding favour amongst customers of establishments like Levenson's and boosting profits. Indeed, up to 1940s, the firm described itself "slot machine specialists", perhaps indicating that they imported and distributed, as well as ran, these Yankee money-makers. Although Levenson was described as an upright businessman, his business activities (it was not until the 1950s that gaming machines were legalised in New South Wales) and wrangles over employment disputes landed him in trouble with the police and the industrial relations system from time to time.
From this thriving base, Levenson branched out into selling a huge variety of games, tricks and novelties. These included such gems as skull rings ("the wearer commands respect") sugar dispensers and luminous paint, pocket knives (for "Men of the Services",) throwing knives and toys, such as the toy roulette wheel horse-racing game featured in Carter's 2006 Price Guide to Antiques p.662. He added crystal sets, radios and radio parts in the late 1920s.
His shop obviously worked its charms on Sydneysiders like Ian Kirby ( http://www.collectingbooksandmagazines.com/ahIan.html ) who recalls haunting the premises at lunchtime as a young apprentice electrician working for nearby Anthony Horden's department store during the early 1950s. His interest in things electrical had been sparked as a youngster when he was given a Levenson crystal set one year for Christmas and now was a teen, he was drawn to Levensons displays of enticing gear for the radio enthusiast.
Some idea of what Kirby would have seen during his lunch hour can be gathered from his description of the American Talking Weighing machine stationed right outside Levenson's front door. The mulct levied by this wonderful machine for letting the whole world know your weight was considerably more than the single penny charged by conventional machines, but apparently there was no lack of patrons eager to pay to be publicly humiliated!
Although radio sales became his mainstay, Joseph Levenson (self-described in the 1930 Sands Street Index as an "investor") kept a finger in many other pies, ever on the alert for market opportunities. He imported and sold books on subjects as diverse as Household Electric Refrigeration and More card manipulation, while his range of aircraft identification manuals and ID aids probably walked off the shelf throughout the 1940s.
As early as 1941 Levensons advertised that they sold rough castings of airplanes – "all Modern Planes", "ready to polish up and chrome" . Customers could choose between a Spitfire (2/6d), Douglas (DC-3?) (2/9d), Hudson (2/6d), Fairey Battle (4/-), Wirraway (2/6d or 3/-), Kittyhawk (2/9d) or De Havilland Comet (3/-). There were four kinds of ashtray base ranging from 3/6d to 4/6d, while the upright or stalk attachment cost 1/1. Complete sets cost between 11/6d – 22/6d. To put these prices into perspective, you could rent a whole house for 20/- per week at this date.
Levensons probably bought the castings from the many small factories and foundries which turned to war production on a 24/7 basis, turning out these models as a by-product of serious war work and as a means of training unskilled hands. Levensons advertised that they acted as wholesalers, sending goods all over Australia, so many airplane ashtrays found today in junk shops interstate could have come from their premises. I have heard that hobby shops in Melbourne had a flourishing trade in rough castings, but I have never found examples and proof is hard to come by.
Whichever retailer sold them, Spitfire, Hudson, Wirraway and Comet models held enormous appeal to public sentiment during the war and must have sold in some numbers, for they are the models from Australia which still turn up in the largest numbers on eBay today.
bc By 1944, Levensons had uniquely discovered a fresh market for these models - the assembly and sale of floridly engraved airplane ashtrays aimed at American, Canadian and British service personnel wanting an Aussie souvenir to take home. For this trade, the figural casting on the ashtray was as likely to be a kangaroo as the airplane of choice (often a P-38), reflecting the fascination that native fauna has always had on Australian visitors, although there are examples of an ashtray with both an airplane and a kangaroo!
All the capital and some regional cities plus state borders were engraved on the Australia base, while the deluxe model included a kangaroo engraved in the centre of the tray, surrounded by stylised sprays of wattle. Girlfriends of returning servicemen often had messages engraved on the wings, so there was scarcely a section of the souvenir left unadorned!
Thanks for the excellent article, Jim.
In September 1938 as a school leaver of 17 years, I saw an advertisement in the Sydney Morning Herald for a vacancy in this store and my application was successful. I was interviewed by the foreman Lou Seccombe who was an Amateur Radio Operator, a subject in which I was very interested and later became a "Ham" operator myself. Levenson's Radio was a real family concern. It was headed by Joe Levenson, his son Lionel, Jack Lewis son-in- law, and daughters Miriam, Rebecca and Rachael. An upper level at the rear of the shop accommodated the office staff comprising of two girls, Mavis Ledsam and Marge Eldershaw. Joe was a heavily built man and aged somewhere in his sixties. He had fair hair and a fair complexion and stood about six feet tall. He was quite an imposing individual. He seemed to have a perpetual running nose for which I was often sent to a small store near Park street to purchase half a dozen washed handkerchiefs. Joe was involved in buying diamonds and I was sent on a few occasions to a solicitor to pick up a small velvet bag and give it to him. I had to stand by while he counted the number of gems it contained! He always wore a ring on his left hand which held a pretty large and sparkling white diamond.
The merchandise that this store sold was in the main cheap and of inferior quality. Music boxes were perhaps an exception, these being imports from Europe. There was another store in Pitt Street named Searle's which sold better products and good quality model rail stock. But the very best of such stores was that of Walther and Stevenson's in George Street which I often visited.
My earliest recollection of Levenson's is from the mid-1950s. I recall getting the tram across the Harbour Bridge to the city one sparkling Saturday morning and returning before lunch with a Tri-Ang catalogue that I think cost me 1/-, maybe less. I made up a list of all the bits and pieces I'd need to make a fairly elaborate and realistic display and sadly realised that the cost, to me, was way beyond reach.
Over the following few years I visited the store many, many times as a keen plastic model aircraft builder. As I recall, there was a "speak-your-weight" machine in the entrance and I think it cost tuppence to be weighed. I've always thought only mugs fell for that kind of thing. They also broadcast music, not too loud, presumably from the radio section . . . I vividly remember hearing Tab Hunter's "Young Love" as I walked into the store, so that must have been 1957. There were glass cases with completed models on the right as you walked in, and the model section was towards the rear of the shop. The sales staff wore grey dustcoats. Levenson's sold matt paints in unlabelled bottles that I think cost 9d at the time and I think that was more economical that the little tins of Humbrol. One model I recall buying there was the Revell B-25 Mitchell.
In the early 60's I started working at the old MSW & DB (Water Board) in January 1962. Further down Pitt street was J Searle & Sons, a hobby shop known for it's Model Railway supplies, and many other models of planes, ships, etc. As a young teenager I often spent hours just browsing the small shop. The proprietor was Cliff Searle who had this grand old cash register that had bells that rang when it was registering a sale. He was known for his little dance of joy when using the cash register. He often remined my of That old actor Terry Thomas, but he was a bit more suave than Terry. He often wore a cravat and was always impeccably dressed. He pioneered the import of brass HO model railroad models made in Japan.
I worked for Levenson's Radio in 1967/68, downstairs in the radio department. We sold radios and recorders. There was quite an impressive range of these. We also hired out games such as backgammon, roulette wheels, crown & anchor and a spinning wheel; I can't remember what it was. We tested valves for radios; we sold batteries and record player stylus.
I enjoyed my time there. The manager of the department was named Rush Rushton; there was a staff member called Frank and a teen named Colin Petersen. Upstairs they sold toys, hobbies, games and souvenirs. I think the accountant was called Mr.Glencross. Mr Levenson was the owner. He was tall and dark haired with a moustache.


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Interview with boxer Ruqsana Begum
Ruqsana Begum started her career in sport by taking up kickboxing. She then decided to give the world of Boxing a stab, where she turned professional a couple of years ago. She has also found time in her busy schedule to write a book about her life time experiences.
Like everybody, Ruqsana has found lockdown tricky to adapt to at first.
"It was challenging at the beginning of course, not being able to get into the gym, not having the same facilities, adapting to a new style of life, training at the park, but I've really enjoyed going back to basics, finding different ways of supporting my training and going back to grass roots and focusing my all on the simple things." she said.
Ruqsana was a very sport girl at a young age, playing a host of different sports, but eventually decided to give kickboxing a go.
"I pretty much loved most sport and I remember watching Bruce Lee when I was young growing up and I was absolutely fascinated by marshall arts and when I actually took part and participated it challenged me more than any other sport because it's not a team sport as you are there on your own in the ring and you have to be hundred per cent present and you have to be focused otherwise you are going to get hurt really badly, so it allowed me to strategize. It was a fantastic way of growing up and developing myself for me as a teenage girl into a woman and the sport really taught me life skills." she said.
She became the first British Muslim women to win a world title at kickboxing.
"To be honest even know I pinch myself, because I have had an incredible journey and I look back and sometimes I can't believe the obstacles that I overcame, given the fact that I suffered from ME especially during and before the fight. I didn't even know if I was going to walk into the ring."
"My coach was really afraid for me and I said to him give me one round and if things go badly you can throw in the towel. So in the back of my head I had a plan B, that nothing is worth risking my life for, but at the same time I knew this opportunity will never come again and I believed in myself and my strength and with faith you can move mountains." she said.
She eventually decided to venture into the world of boxing.
"I was no longer being challenged in kickboxing and I felt once you have climbed one mountain you should try a different mountain and boxing gave me that. Boxing stimulated me in a way that I haven't been stimulated before, and also something that my younger brother said to me, I remember sitting in the car and my father was in the car too and he said we have got Amir Khan as a role model for people from ethnic backgrounds, but we don't have a female, and then I thought to myself how many people could I inspire just walking into that ring, just taking that next step and that really resonated with me because I felt that that is my purpose in life, not just to win but to be a role model and embrace challenges." she said.
She made her professional boxing debut in 2018, and she will always remember her first bout.
"It was amazing, to be signed to David Haye and to be on a platform such as Channel 5 and on my debut with only two months of boxing training, it was amazing with the reception that I got, the support, it was just amazing. I'm living the dream; I can't complain as I love the challenge. The fact that I got a draw it never really fazed me because I felt that I won the fight, however I said to my coach this is good as it means I am not complacent and anything worth having in life you have to work and endure and that's what builds character." she said.
Ruqsana has also recently written a book about her experiences in life.
"When I first became a British champion I thought it would be incredible to share my story to empower woman to people with me, depression, cultural boundaries, religious boundaries, so many breaking down boundaries was the theme of my book and overcoming all of those obstacles and I want to shine a light on obstacles are not set in stone, they are there to be overcome. There is always a silver lining." she said.
Born Fighter by Ruqsana Begum, is published by Simon & Schuster
Interview with Ruqsana Begum
June 26, 2020 June 26, 2020 Peter MooreBoxing, Kickboxing, Sport, Sports
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When I first read the press release by Pearson discussing their new "learning management system" – called OpenClass – I found myself both excited and doubtful at the same time. Excited because new learning technologies are needed so desperately in today's academics, but I worried whether or not OpenClass could really be something that changed the way mainstream educators and students collaborated. After all, practicality is key for students and teachers to adapt to new technologies, and typically new technologies are overly complex to be practical for many people; or conversely, they lack what people really need. This is where OpenClass got it right in my opinion.
Firstly, the platform utilizes cloud storage, meaning that educators across the globe can share information quickly and through an ever evolving technology (the Cloud) that is here to stay. In addition, and what makes this LMS really exciting is the fact that it has been integrated seamlessly into the Google Apps for Education marketplace.
Perhaps accessing class materials may be as easy as checking your gmail! We'll have to wait and see until more feedback about the platform is released, but the idea of a free and easy-to-use learning management system is quite intriguing.
"Now, educators and students are able to communicate and collaborate in new ways across institutions and around the globe—providing a richer, more personal and more connected learning experience. At no cost," said Matt Leavy, CEO of Pearson eCollege.
So, how does something like OpenClass truly affect mainstream students? Greater access to additional learning materials across the world by teachers and students will surely have an impact on students in one way or another. Hopefully, giving students a richer learning environment.
I think the "mobile" aspects of OpenClass could be very interesting. Considering how many students have smart phones, OpenClass could be revolutionary if implemented correctly.
Posted October 17, 2011 on our Blog.


text:
Myrcia maximiliana är en myrtenväxtart som beskrevs av Otto Karl Berg. Myrcia maximiliana ingår i släktet Myrcia och familjen myrtenväxter. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

Källor

Myrtenväxter
maximiliana

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


The whole account time training is absolutely stupid. I log in i set my account to train i log out because Im not wasting my time playing a game where i am already far behind the other people. I forget about the game for awhile come back, Have to many points in one tree. Move to another tree.. repeat process. A month later have absolutely no desire to play. This is one of the worst ideas i have seen in a mmo. I despise the rate of which this game is being developed and the place it is currently going. Can i get a refund?
Once again, I have a variety of content from his past night's siege that some people perhaps might enjoy. While Order may not have the numbers to currently proper siege, there are still many strategies available to us for reasonable fights--and more importantly, good fun fights! Sophia and I have been working on one such strategy with the OODA loop mentality, and our engagement and disengagements have been a lot of fun. Hopefully you'll either: 1.) Enjoy the video 2.) Find something useful from the video (like why heavy axes leave a lot to be desired in how reliable they are in the Fury sustain department) 3.) Some manner of combination. We may be only a handful in size, but we plan to be a frustrating handful.
Well, I'll ask ACE to remove the active progression because that's not what I bought back in the day. I bought a game with time based passive training. I guess nobody will be completely happy at the end.
Not to get to off topic, but your point is pretty silly to be honest. I have end game gear currently that I got solo via trading, bartering, and buying. I can still contribute to siege fights by showing up and helping to defend the walls or charge in with rest when the walls come down. The DREGS are very much designed to be a GUILD campaigns and I don't plan to play there. I do plan to be part of a FACTION which entails gives me a side that I can contribute to. I've been a solo player for pure PvP reasons in DAoC, Albion Online, and quite a few other team based PvP games and have never had issues obtaining end game gear and having a good time. I do get you feel the need to be part of something b/c that is how you enjoy the game and that is great, but please don't dictate to other's how the game should be played based off your single-mindedness. Granted it's harder on solo players, but I enjoy the challenge and I get it's not for everyone and that is why I don't push my personal agenda on other's. However please keep in mind that there are other play-styles and CF is very aware of this otherwise it would just be a ton of Keeps and open space for large fights with nothing else going on.
@thomasblair not sure if you're aware of this, but it needs to be fixed.


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Venezuela's opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaidó speaks during a meeting with the Chamber of Commerce, in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, May 16, 2019. Guaidó referred to the Norwegian initiative, efforts to mediate between the opposition and the government of President Nicolás Maduro, in remarks on Thursday, but said the opposition won't enter into any "false negotiation." (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Mediation in Norway aims to resolve Venezuela crisis
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving Venezuela's crisis accelerated on Thursday as the government and opposition sent envoys to talks in Norway, though the two sides' mutual mistrust and differences on key issues could prevent any quick solution.
The Norwegian attempt to mediate, confirmed by opposition officials, comes amid tensions that exploded in street violence when the opposition called in vain for a military uprising on April 30.
Details about the closely guarded process, including whether direct talks between envoys from opposing camps were on the agenda, were scarce.
But the initiative coincides with other outreach efforts: Opposition leader Juan Guaidó said in Caracas that he planned to meet a delegation from a mostly European group of nations later Thursday. And Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland met in Havana with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, who tweeted that Cuba was prepared to contribute to dialogue on Venezuela.
Norway has a long, successful history of foreign mediation: The country hosted peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians in September 1993, and the Philippines government and Maoist rebels in 2011. The government also brokered a 2002 cease-fire between Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger rebel negotiators. Seven years ago, negotiators from the Colombian government and left-wing FARC rebels held their first direct talks in a decade in Norway.
The Norwegian Centre for Conflict Resolution has worked behind the scenes to bring the two sides in Venezuela together. In October, the Centre sponsored an initiative to bring a Harvard-trained conflict resolution expert to Caracas to foster dialogue. In recent months, with the support of Norway's foreign ministry, its representatives made several trips to Caracas.
The Norwegian government has urged the two sides to talk since February. Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soereide told lawmakers in March that Norway could be a mediator.
The myriad diplomatic efforts reflect a recognition in Venezuela that neither side has been able to prevail in the struggle for power, leaving the country in a state of political paralysis after years of hyperinflation and shortages of food and medicine.
"You don't negotiate because you want to. You negotiate because you have to," said Geoff Ramsey, a Venezuela researcher at the nongovernmental Washington Office on Latin America.
"It's become pretty clear neither has been able to impose their dominant strategy on the other," he said.
Guaidó confirmed that envoys were in Norway, but warned that the opposition won't enter into any "false negotiation."
He said any talks must lead to the end of President Nicolás Maduro's government, its replacement by a transitional administration and free and fair elections.
Maduro disputes opposition claims that his reelection last year was illegitimate and says U.S. sanctions imposed on Venezuela to try to oust him should be lifted.
Maduro did not comment directly on mediation efforts, but noted his information minister, Jorge Rodríguez, had carried out "the first part" of an important mission in Europe. He said he expected Rodríguez back in Venezuela by Friday and that more details will be revealed.
Participation in the mediation effort is a reversal for the opposition, which has accused Maduro of using negotiations between 2016 and 2018 to play for time. Maduro, in turn, alleges the opposition tried to seize power by force. U.S. officials have said they are focusing on diplomatic and economic measures to force out Maduro. However, Guaidó said his Washington envoy would meet with the head of the U.S. Southern Command on Monday.
The opposition also says Cuba has propped up Maduro with military and intelligence help. Cuba has denied this. Marcelino Medina, Cuba's First Vice Minister of Foreign Relations, was in Norway on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of what his office called a tour of Scandinavian countries.
Meanwhile, the International Contact Group, comprising eight European nations, the European Union and four Latin American countries, has also been working on the Venezuelan problem. The group formed after Guaidó, the head of Venezuela's National Assembly, declared himself interim president in January in a direct challenge to Maduro, who says his government champions the socialist principles of his predecessor, Hugo Chávez.
The opposition, backed by more than 50 nations, says Venezuela's dire economic state is the result of years of corruption and mismanagement. Maduro, whose allies include Russia, blames the country's problems on more recent U.S. pressure.
In Washington, four demonstrators who had been protesting inside the Venezuelan Embassy for weeks were arrested Thursday. The protesters consider Maduro to be Venezuela's leader, but the U.S. recognized Guaidó's envoy as ambassador.
Maduro denounced the arrests and said his government would show respect for international law by reinforcing security around the empty U.S. Embassy in Caracas. The last American diplomats left Venezuela in March.
Also Thursday, Guaidó said the opposition, aided by sympathetic security forces, had freed a former police chief who was under government-imposed house arrest as part of a 30-year prison term linked to an attempted coup in 2002. The government has not commented on the whereabouts of Iván Simonovis, described by activists as one of Venezuela's most prominent political prisoners.
Associated Press journalists Scott Smith in Caracas, Michael Weissenstein in Havana, Mark Lewis in Stavanger, Norway, and Luis Alonso Lugo in Washington, contributed to this report.


A computation (from latin computare, "to count", "to cut"), is the abstract representation of a physical process in terms of states, and transitions between states or events.
The definition of possible states and events is formulated in a computation model, such as the Turing machine or the finite automaton. For example, a Turing machine state is the complete sequence of symbols on its tape plus the head's position and internal symbol, and an event is the motion between two successive states, defined deterministically as a combination of read, write, move left and move right elementary motions.
In order to perform a computation, a robust mapping is first established between a computation model and a physical system, meaning that states and events in the model are used to label states and events observed in the system, and that the choosen correspondence is sufficiently stable in respect to various kinds of perturbations.
The system is then prepared in an initial state and is allowed to evolve through a path of events within the space of states, until it eventually reaches a state labeled as final. The discretized dynamics of the computational space may be represented with a directed graph, where nodes are possible states of the system and edges are events transforming a state into another.
A function is said reversible (from latin revertere, 'to turn back') if, given its output, it is always possible to determine back its input, which is the case when there is a one-to-one relationship between input and output states. If the space of states is finite, such a function is a permutation. Logical reversibility implies conservation of information.
When several input states are mapped onto the same output state, then the function is irreversible, since it is impossible by only knowing the final state to find back the initial state. In boolean algebra, NOT is reversible, while SET TO ONE is irreversible. Two-argument boolean functions like AND, OR, XOR are also irreversible, since they map 22 input states into 21 output states so that information is lost in the merging of paths, like shown in the following graph of a NAND computation, whose reverse evolution is no longer deterministic.
Known laws of physics are reversible. This is the case both of classical mechanics, based on lagrangian/hamiltonian dynamics, and of standard quantum mechanics, where closed systems evolve by unitary transformations, which are bijective and invertible. As a consequence, when a physical system performs an irreversible computation, the computation model's mapping indicates that the computing system cannot stay closed.
More precisely, since an irreversible computation reduces the space of physical information-bearing states, then their entropy must decrease by increasing the entropy of the non-information bearing states, representing the thermal part of the system.
logically reversible computations may be at least in principle intrinsically nondissipative (which bears a relationship with Carnot's heat engine theorem, showing that the most efficient engines are reversible ones, and Clausius theorem, attributing zero entropy change to reversible processes).
Landauer further noticed that any irreversible computation may be transformed into a reversible one by embedding it into a larger computation where no information is lost, eg. by replicating every output in the input ('sources') and every input in the output ('sinks').
The additional bits of information, like Ariadne's threads, ensure that any computational path may be reversed: they are the garbage of the forward path and the program of the backwards path. Instead of losing them in the environment, they are kept in the controlled computational space.
Toffoli gates are universal reversible logic primitives, meaning that any reversible function may be constructed in terms of Toffoli gates. The Fredkin gate is another example of universal reversible logic primitive. It exchanges its two inputs depending on the state of a third control input, thus allowing to embed any computation into a conditional routing of paths carrying conserved signals.
The billiard-ball model, invented by Fredkin and Toffoli,4 was one of the first computation models focusing on implementation with reversible physical components. Based on the laws of classical mechanics, it is equivalent to the formalism of kinetic theory of perfect gases. The presence of moving rigid spheres at specified points are defined as 1's, their absence as 0's. Interactions by means of right-angle collisions allow to construct various logic primitives, like for example the following 2-input, 3-output universal gate due to Feynman,5 who also proposed with Ressler a billiard-ball version of the Fredkin gate.
In practice, these computing spheres would be very unreliable, as instability arising from arbitrarily small perturbations would quickly generate chaotic deviations, producing an output saturated with errors. The errors may be corrected (for example, by adding potentials to stabilize the paths), however the error correction process is itself irreversible and dissipative - since it has to erase the erroneous information. Hence, error correction appears to be the only aspect of computation defining a lower bound to energy dissipation.
A stabler approach is that of the Brownian computation model,6 where thermal noise is on the contrary allowed to freely interact with a computing system near equilibrium. Potential energy barriers define the paths of a computational space, where the system walks randomly until it eventually reaches a final state. RNA polymerase, the enzyme involved in DNA transcription, is an example of a brownian logically reversible tape-copying machine. The DNA replication process also follows a similar mechanism, but adds a logically irreversible error-correcting step.
The embedding method is however insufficient to build a physically reversible universal computer, since the growing amount of information needing to be replicated for each event would saturate any finite memory. Then, computation would come to an end - unless the memory would be irreversibly erased, but then dissipation would have been merely postponed, and not avoided.
This seemed to rule out the possibility of useful reversible computing machines, until a remarkable solution was found by Bennett7 (earlier work by Lecerf8 anticipated its formal method), showing that it is possible at least in principle to perform an unlimited amount of computation without any energy dissipation.
The reversible system shall compute the embedding function twice: the first time "forwards" to obtain and save the computation result, and the second time "backwards", as a mirror-image computation of the inverse function, de-computing the first step and returning the closed system to its initial state.
M. C. Escher, Swans (1956).
In 1867 Maxwell devised a thought experiment involving a finite microscopic "demon" capable of observing the motion of individual molecules. This demon guards a small hole separating two containers, filled with gas at the same temperature. When a molecule approaches, the demon checks its speed and then opens or closes a shutter, so as slower molecules always go in one container (cooling it), and faster molecules go in the other (heating it), in apparent violation of the 2nd law of thermodynamics.
A first important step toward the solution of this controversial paradox was taken in 1929 by Szilard9 who, after avoiding dualistic traps by substituting the intelligent demon with a simple machine, suggested that proper accounting of entropy is restored in the process of measuring the molecule position. This explanation became the standard one until 1981, when Bennett showed6 that the fundamentally dissipative step is surprisingly not the measurement (which can be done reversibly) but the logically irreversible erasure of demon's memory, to make room for new measurements.
Quantum computation takes advantage of the physical effects of superposition and entanglement, leading to a qualitatively new computation paradigm.10 In quantum mechanical computation models, all events occur by unitary transformations, so that all quantum gates are reversible.
Quantum systems are less susceptible to certains kinds of errors affecting classical computations, since their discrete spectrum prevents trajectories from becoming chaotic, so that, for example, a quantum "billiard ball model" is more reliable than its classical counterpart.
However, quantum systems are also affected by new sources of error, as a consequence of interactions with the environment, such as the loss of quantum coherence. It is possible to correct generic quantum errors up to a limit,11 so as to reconstruct an error-free quantum state, at the price of performing an irreversible quantum erasure of the erroneous quantum information.
I thank Charles H. Bennett for stimulating comments on the draft.