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Home>News>Deadly protests in DRC streets as #Kabila's midnight hour arrives
Deadly protests in DRC streets as #Kabila's midnight hour arrives
By AT editor - 20 December 2016 at 6:58 pm
New information is coming in from Kinshasa, where about 20 people may have been killed by security forces in the city, as the constitutional term of President Joseph Kabila of Democratic Republic of Congo expired overnight.
Reuters reports that Jose Maria Aranaz, the United Nations human rights director for DR Congo, said accounts of the deaths arise from reliable sources and are under investigation.
There were multiple unconfirmed reports of shots fired overnight in Kinshasa as clusters of protesters emerged in the city. Crowds of demonstrators swelled into the streets on Tuesday despite the appeals for peace from Étienne Tshisekedi and some opposition coalition leaders.
Other activists have called Congolese to the streets, despite the heavy military presence in Kinshasa and other cities.
Human Rights Watch confirmed that security forces killed at least three people on Tuesday morning in Kinshasa, with scores more arrested since Monday morning, the NGO reported on its website.
Maman S. Sidikou, the Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of MONUSCO, expressed his grave concern over the wave of ongoing arrests. "I urge the national authorities to strictly adhere to their international human rights obligations, to create a climate of political tolerance and respect at this important juncture in the DRC's history, and to grant full access to United Nations personnel to all detention centers," Sidikou said in a statement.
Prime Minister Sami Badibanga announced a new government late Monday, while talks between Kabila's government and opposition leaders, mediated by church leaders, were on pause. The CENCO representatives traveled to the Vatican for a previously scheduled visit, and will resume their mediation talks on Wednesday.
The negotiations aimed at setting a date for new elections and safeguarding a peaceful transition have yet to a yield a solution, although the United Nations Security Council, western diplomats, human rights NGOs and others have held out hope that a deal can be reached before DR Congo descends into further violence.
Democratie Chretienne, DC
CENCO


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WhatIfSports.com:
Gridiron Dynasty
Gridiron Dynasty Frequently Asked Questions
I don't have a credit card, can I still play?
Yes, click here for additional methods of payment.
I'm having problems seeing the pages correctly. What do I need to have on my computer?
To be able to play Gridiron Dynasty, make sure you have the latest version of your browser. In addition, you'll need to make sure that you have Javascript enabled (click here for directions).
The game is currently not designed to support mobile browsers. You may access it on your mobile device, but you may run in to some issues.
Is there a maximum number of coaches who can compete at one time?
Yes, the jobs are limited based on the number of schools. In Division III, there are 228 jobs - once those are full, no new coaches would be able to signup in that world. As coaches are successful and accept jobs in Division II, their old jobs would then be available to be filled by new coaches. The same would be true of a coach which decides not to play in a subsequent season (see "What happens if I don't renew my team?" below) - his job would then be open for a new coach.
If all of the jobs are taken in a World, you will see a note that your name has been automatically added to the wait list. As jobs open up as other coaches accept positions at other schools, the coaches on the wait list will be emailed regarding the job opening. Jobs are filled on a first come, first served basis.
What time are the games played?
The first half of games begin simulation around 2:30 am EST and the second half around 2:30 pm EST. All game plan and depth chart changes must be made prior to these times to take effect for that portion of the game. Game results are posted as soon as possible and are typically available within a couple hours of the start time. Exhibition games are not played a half at a time and are completely simulated around 2:30 am EST.
Do I have to login every day? What happens if I go on vacation?
No, you do not have to login every day. By logging in each day, you can make changes (if needed) to prepare for your next opponent, but it's not required.
How many "coaches" does it take to get started?
Actually zero - in each "world", all of the schools will be run by the Sim AI (computer) unless a real person has accepted the job at that school.
How long is a season? What is the schedule?
A season will last for approximately 5 weeks:
Recruiting: 7
Off Day: 2
Regular Season: 13
Conference Championship: 1
Bowl Games (D-IA): 5
Playoffs (D-IAA, D-II, DIII)
(only 32 teams are invited): 5
Renewal Period: <1
Job Application Period: 3
Are there any prizes for successful coaches?
Yes! Coaches who make it to the post-season can receive reward points that can be used in our Reward Center.
Much like a standard fantasy league, the more people playing in a world, the more you can win. The table below outlines how much you can win when the world is at 75% capacity. When the world is less than 75% full, the rewards decrease. When the world is more than 75% full, the prizes increase. The percentage of prizing distributed is always the same.
Teams at the D-IA level win bigger prizes than at the lower levels. Teams reaching the biggest games win more prizes than the less important bowls or playoff rounds.
Maximum Prize - % Full
Reward Points - 50%
Reward Points - 100%
Playoff Invitation 200 300 400
Advance to Second Round 400 600 800
Advance to Third Round 600 900 1200
Advance to Semifinals 1000 1500 2000
Advance to Championship 1667 2500 3333
National Champion 2333 3500 4667
D-III
Playoff Appearances
Percent of Maximum Awarded
1+ 100%
D-II
D-IAA
D-IA
Level 1 Invitation -
Hawaii Bowl
Fort Worth Bowl
Tangerine Bowl
GMAC Bowl
New Orleans Bowl 0 0 0
Level 1 Victory 0 0 0
Houston Bowl
Continental Tire Bowl
Insight.com Bowl
Motor City Bowl 100 150 200
Level 2 Victory 200 300 400
Emerald Bowl
Independence Bowl
Liberty Bowl
Sun Bowl
Silicon Valley Bowl 233 350 467
Humanitarian Bowl
Capital One Bowl
Gator Bowl
Outback Bowl 533 800 1067
Level 4 Victory 1067 1600 2133
Sugar Bowl 1333 2000 2667
Reward points awarded are subject to change without notice.
Can I move my seasons around to different worlds?
Yes, you can move your seasons around from the Manage Seasons page under the Office menu if you have teams in multiple worlds. The following actions require at least one season remaining in a world:
Redshirting a Player
Scheduling a non-conference game for next season
Offering a booster gift (D-II and above)
Applying for a Job in a world for the next season
One season must remain in any World from the Renewal Deadline until Recruiting starts
Why can't I access any of my teams? Why aren't certain pages showing up correctly for me?
Please log out of the site, clear your browser's cookies and cache (or temporary internet files) and then close the browser. Open it back up and log back into the site.
If you continue to have problems, please send in a Customer Support ticket.
Clear the cookies in your browser:
Firefox: CTRL + SHIFT + DEL --> Check the check box named "Cookies" and "Cache"--> Click OK
IE: Tools --> Internet Options --> Browsing History --> Delete --> Click "Delete Cookies" and "Temporary Internet Files"--> Click OK
Note: In IE8 make sure Preserve Favorites Data is unchecked or it won't remove Whatifsports cookies and cache if you have the site marked as a Favorite.
Coaching Career
What happens if I don't renew my team?
At the end of the regular season, each coach who has not signed up for another season will receive an email reminder. After the conference championship, coaches who still have not signed up for another season will receive a final reminder. At the end of the season, any schools whose coaches have not signed up for the subsequent season will have their teams made available to the general public.
Once you lose your school, you can not automatically reclaim that school and will have to go through the job hiring process.
Does everyone start at Division III? Can you pay more to start at Division II or higher?
Yes, every coach starts in Division III and can only reach Division II, Division I-AA, or Division I-A by applying to a job for a DII, DI-AA, or D-IA school. Coaches must meet requirements for moving up in divisions.
Can coaches get fired?
Yes! Although not in Division III or II. But, once you get up to Division I-A and I-AA, the administration and alumni of some schools demand success. If you're in trouble, the administration will certainly let you know. In addition, you'll see your job status change in your office.
The different levels of job security are as follows:
Very Secure
Little to no jeopardy
In Jeopardy
What do schools look for when they are hiring coaches? How can I move up?
Schools have minimum requirements for Reputation and Loyalty, as well as expecting a certain level of recent success and experience. These requirements are more strict at higher divisions. General notes are listed for each opening describing what they will be looking for in a new coach. Once the job change period begins, the general notes will be replaced with direct indications as to whether or not you qualify for the jobs listed.
What's the deal with Loyalty?
Your Loyalty grade represents how loyal you've been during your coaching career at the various schools you've coached. Coaches are graded from A+ (best) to F (worst). For each season you remain at the same school, your Loyalty will improve. Every time you move to a new job your Loyalty will take a hit.
If you fail to renew at your school and come back to the same school, your Loyalty will not increase. Also, your Loyalty will not increase while you are unemployed.
NOTE: All new coaches begin with a loyalty rating of B-.
Who is allowed to apply for another job?
All coaches who have purchased additional seasons are allowed to apply for a new coaching job. If you have 0 remaining seasons, you may purchase additional Gridiron Dynasty seasons at any time and become eligible to apply for other jobs.
How many schools am I allowed to apply to?
You may have your application considered by as many as 5 schools.
When am I allowed to submit applications? When will I get a decision?
You may apply to another school at any point during the season. However, schools will not make any coaching moves until after the season has ended. Once the season has ended, schools will make decisions at their own pace during the job application period prior to the new season starting.
Once I apply for a job can I withdraw my application?
Yes, you may withdraw an application as long as the school has not already considered it.
Is it possible to get more than one job offer?
No. The first school to accept your application is the job you will receive. By applying in the first place, you implicitly accept the job once it is offered. Any pending applications that you may have will no longer be considered by other schools.
What's the deal with reputation?
Your reputation is how you are viewed by the administration, other coaches, players and even recruits. Coaches are graded from A+ (best) to F (worst). Your reputation could possibly take a hit if you program is investigated by the WCAA or if you rescind a player's scholarship - these are just two examples that could cause a hit to your reputation. Another is not living up to recruiting promises. Your reputation also has a slight effect during recruiting. Only time can help your reputation improve.
Is there a maximum amount of job openings I can apply for?
Yes, you may apply to a maximum of 5 job openings.
If I make 5 calls at once is it any different (not necessarily better) than if I called once?
Yes, by setting the number of phone calls to 5, you'll get 5 times the recruiting 'effort' towards the recruit although you may only get one response from the recruit instead of 5 - but you still get credit for putting forth the effort.
What happens if I run out of cash and haven't signed any recruits?
If you are unable to sign enough recruits, your assistant coach will help you out! At the end of the recruiting period, he will find players that will accept your scholarships and fill out your remaining roster spots.
How many players will I have to recruit? How many total scholarships do I have available?
The number of open scholarships will vary by school. When you initially accept the job, you will see the number of scholarships available. As you progress through subsequent seasons at that school, you'll have various numbers of scholarships to fill as kids graduate, transfer, quit, leave early for the NFL, etc. Your total roster size is 50 players and all players are on scholarship.
What happens if I don't use all of my recruiting budget?
A total of 25% of any cash not used during the recruiting period will carry over to your team's recruiting budget for the following season as long as you have filled all of your scholarships. If you do not fill all of your scholarships, you will be left with substantially less because your assistant coach will use your remaining money to fill the open scholarships.
What if I offer my 2 remaining scholarships to 10 players and the 2 players I wanted least end up accepting my offer first?
Tough luck - it's a signed agreement between the school and the player. If you don't want to enter into that situation, just offer your first two choices their scholarships first and wait for a response. If they say no, work your way down your list.
Does the success of my program impact the quality and quantity of our recruits?
Yes, the more success your program enjoys, the easier it will become to land recruits in the future. Conversely, if your program tanks for a couple of seasons or falls under WCAA investigation (just as examples), you may find getting kids to come to your school very challenging.
What if I guarantee a recruit a starting spot, then I don't give it to him or promise playing time and don't live up to the promise? Are there any repercussions?
Yes, there could be - players who are promised a starting spot (and then are not started) or promised a certain amount of playing time and do not get it could do any number of things ranging from nothing all the way up to quitting.
NOTE: For playing time promises, keep in mind that a player's Stamina greatly affects how much he can play, so promising 75% playing time to a player with mid to low Stamina may not be possible. It is recommended that you get a feel for how much Stamina affects playing time in the game before you start making promises for playing time.
Players expect to receive their promised starts and promised playing time in every game to avoid any repercussions, not just average it.
I'm coaching in Division III, what are the odds of landing a DI-A type of player - maybe even someone that's ranked?
Slim and none - and slim just left the building. DI-A players are like supermodels - most won't even acknowledge your existence. Save your money for the players that you actually have a shot with.
Is there any signficance to the order of the schools that the recruit is considering?
No, the order of the schools doesn't matter.
I went to a recruit's house but he wasn't there - why didn't I get my money back?
Some kids will stiff you if they don't think enough of you and/or your program to remember the meeting. You've still had to make the trip so you don't get your money back. The moral of the story is to not spend your high cost recruiting items on recruits unless you're confident they have a high level of interest.
Do recruits have any school preferences before recruiting begins?
Yes -- they could already be interested in a Sim AI school but they will not already be interested in a user coached school in terms of having the school on their considering list in most situations. However, all recruits do have a favorite school that they will be more open to during recruiting. In some cases, a recruit may have been scouted during the previous season and this is enough for the recruit to open the recruiting period considering that school(s).
Do recruits become "easier" to recruit as the recruiting window begins to close?
Yes, recruits will not need as much persuasion as the signing period gets shorter. Of course, by waiting though, you run the risk of the recruit signing with someone else.
What factors do recruits consider besides the amount of attention they receive in recruiting?
Recruits look at not only the amount of attention they are given but also the school and coach that's doing the wooing. More successful schools have an easier time of recruiting than do schools that have a losing tradition and/or have been on probation. Recruits also need to decide which school is a better fit for them - who's offering starting spots, etc. Additionally, the recruit factors in the success, experience, reputation, and loyalty of the coach who is recruiting him.
If I'm caught committing recruiting violations (Booster Gifts), can that impact me getting another coaching job?
Yes, when schools are looking for coaches, they look at 4 different factors:
How much money do I get for recruiting?
Your recruiting budget is based on 4 factors:
Which division are you in? DIII schools will receive much less per open scholarship than DI schools.
How many scholarships do you have open, and
How did my team/conference do in the Post-Season?, and
Any money carried over from the previous season (up to 25% can be carried over if all scholarships have been filled).
If a team is not renewed, then National Tournament money and carry over money are both wiped out - that way all new coaches will begin at the same level.
Your recruiting budget is set immediately after the job change period concludes and is based on the number of open scholarships at that time.
At DIII, schools receive approximately $3,000 per open scholarship - DII receives around $6,000 per open scholarship - DI-AA receives around $10,000 per open scholarship - DI-A receives around $15,000 per open scholarship.
What if I accidentally make a recruiting offer to a recruit I didn't intend? Is there any way to withdrawal a recruiting action?
Yes, except for scholarship offers. If the recruiting action has not been processed, you can withdraw the action on the recruit's profile under the History tab. The recruiting dollars will be returned to your budget.
Is face time with a recruit required to sign them?
Yes, to sign a recruit you must have had face time with them, such as a scouting trip or visit. Without this they will not sign with your team even if they are considering you.
Game Planning
How do the game plan settings work?
The game plan section is broken into 4 parts: main, general, offense, and defense. Each of the offense and defense sections is further broken down into 1st down, 2nd down, 3rd down, and 4th down settings.
The main game plan page lists the game plans that are available to the team. The list contains any custom game plans that have been created by the coach along with default game plans available to everyone. When a game plan is selected from the available game plans list, a description of the plan is displayed along with options to view, edit, or delete the selected plan. The only option available for the default plans is view, while custom plans have both edit and delete options. A custom game plan can only be removed if it is not currently set in any of the 5 active game plan settings. If no game plan is selected in the list, a brief summary of the next opponent on the schedule is shown to aid in game planning for the upcoming game.
Offensive Game Planning/Defensive Game Planning The active settings section is where up to 6 game plans can be set to be used in the next game. The main game plan is used when the game situation does not match the criteria to use any of the other 4 game plan options. The winning game plan and the losing game plan settings are always active and cannot be disabled. The two optional game plan settings can be set for either winning or losing situations and can be deactivated by not checking the active checkbox. The score and time criteria for using each game plan are used in both the 2nd and 4th quarters. There are two sections of these settings, one for Offensive Game Planning and one for Defensive Game Planning. The Offensive Game Planning section sets your preferences of which game plans to use during your offensive situations, including 4th downs, and only uses the offensive settings of the selected game plan. The Defensive Game Planning section sets your preferences of which game plans to use during your defensive situations and only uses the defensive settings of the selected game plan.
Choosing Game Plans: When more than one game plan is valid, the one closest to your point requirement will be used and in the case of the same point requirements, the one closest to your time requirement will be used. For instance, if you have a "Losing by 8 or more with 3 minutes to go" and a "Losing by 1 or more with 1 minute to go" and you are down by 9 with under 1 minute to go, the engine will use your "Losing by 8 or more with 3 minutes to go" plan. If your second one was "Losing by 8 or more with 1 minute to go" then that would have been used.
Tied Games: To use a game plan during tied situations, you must set the conditions to "when winning by 0 or more points".
The special teams section is where the maximum field goal distance for a field goal attempt is set (remember to add 17 yards to the line of scrimmage to account for the placement and the end zone). The max field goal setting is the maximum distance from which your team will attempt a FG. If you are within your max field goal range and your team decides not to go for the first down, then it will attempt the field goal. The decision to go for the first down on fourth down or not is based upon the base offensive style in the active game plan at the time of the decision along with field position and distance to go.
Game Plan Settings:
The general section is used to give a name and description to the game plan as well as set the base offense and base defense. The base offense settings are used to determine the starting offensive lineup and basic offensive style and tendency. If the down specific offense (offense section) is not set, then the base offense will always be run. The base defense settings work the same way -- it determines the starting defensive lineup, basic defensive style and tendency, and will always be used if no other defensive settings (defense section) have been saved.
The offensive down sections are used to specify the offense in every down and distance situation - i.e. on the 1st tab the offense for 1st and long, 1st and medium, and 1st and short situations are set. The 2nd tab is for second down situations, 3rd tab for third down situations, and 4th tab for fourth down situations. The distances for long and medium can be set for what the team considers each situation to be and the short distance is automatically set to be 1 yard up to the medium setting. Under each down and distance situation, there are 3 "play" options consisting of set, tendency, style, normal, red zone, and inactive settings. The set is the offensive formation. The tendency is the run/pass balance used for play calling:
% Pass
% Run
Always Pass 100 0
Heavy Pass 85 15
Pass 65 35
Balanced 50 50
Run 35 65
Heavy Run 15 85
Always Run 0 100
Note: The percentage break down does not guarantee a certain percentage of total plays. For instance, if all of your plays were set to Balanced, it does not mean you will have exactly the same number of passes and rushes within the game. It means that for each play there is a 50% chance of calling a play or run and it does not consider past plays, so it would be like flipping a coin on each play.
The style determines how aggressive the play calling is. A more aggressive play will have a higher chance of throwing a deep ball but doesn't exclude the chance of a short pass. For rushing, a more aggressive play will have a higher chance of rushing wide versus inside the tackles. The normal checkbox indicates whether or not this "play" can be used during normal play calling, i.e. not in the red zone. The red zone checkbox indicates whether or not this "play" can be used when the team is in the red zone (inside the opponent's 20 yard line). The inactive checkbox indicates whether or not this "play" can be used in the game. At least 1 play must be marked as available in normal situations and red zone situations.
Just like the offense section, the defense section is used to specify the defensive set, tendency, and style when facing every offensive formation in long, medium, and short yardage situations broken up by down. Additionally, it allows for the defense to change in the same situations when defending in the red zone. The distances for long and medium can be set for what the team considers each situation to be and the short distance is automatically set to be 1 yard up to the medium setting. The set is the defensive formation. The tendency is what the defense is looking for or leaning towards -- pass or run. For example, if a heavy run tendency is chosen, then the defensive players are pulled up closer to the line of scrimmage to try and stop the run but potentially leaves the defense open to a big passing play. The style is the overall style of play for the defense -- the more aggressive this setting is, the more often the defense will blitz, jump passing routes for interceptions, etc. The more conservative the setting, the more likely the defense will hang back in coverage. The red zone settings work the same way, but are used when defending inside the 20.
How is the decision to kick a field goal, punt, or go on fourth down made?
The decision to go for the first down on fourth down or not is based upon the base offensive style in the active game plan at the time of the decision along with field position, distance to go, skill of the kicker, and max field goal setting. Score and time remaining are also factored in during the 4th quarter.
When a 4th down call is made, the engine determines the chance to pick up the yardage, the chance to make the field goal, and the likely field position of the opponent if you don't make it, miss the field goal, or punt. It then picks which option is the most favorable with regards to wanting to score while not putting the opponent in an easy scoring position. During the fourth quarter it will adjust the play call based on score and time remaining. The play aggressiveness setting affects the decision making by allowing you to go for it in more conditions as your aggressiveness increases, so a Very Aggressive settings doesn't always mean you will go for 4th, but you will go for it in more conditions than if the setting was more conservative.
The following is a table of expected calls to go for it on 4th down based on your aggressiveness settings and situation. The results are based on an average Kicker and team for the FGA. Results may vary based on your Kicker and team's ratings.
Very Conservative 4th and 1 OPP 41 - OPP 30
Conservative 4th and 1 OPP 45 - OPP 28
4th and 2 OPP 32 - OPP 31
Balanced 4th and 1 OPP 48 - OPP 26, OPP 1
Aggressive 4th and 1 OWN 47 - OPP 1
4th and 2 OPP 41 - OPP 26, OPP 1
Very Aggressive 4th and 1 OWN 41 - OPP 1
4th and 2 OPP 42 - OPP 24, OPP 14 - OPP 1
All other situations will make a FGA according to your Max FG settings. Also, it will not Punt within the OPP 30. These decisions may be altered based on end of game situations, like needing to score a TD at the end of the game will force you to go for it on 4th rather than making a FGA.
I had a play called from a different playbook than what I had selected in my Game Plan settings. When are the Game Plan conditions checked in the game?
Which Game Plan to use is determined at the end of the last play. Each play in the play-by-play shows when the actual play was snapped, so the game plan may be selected well before the time you see next to the play.
For instance, if you have it set to switch game plans when 3 minutes or less, and a play ends at the 3:05 mark, the next play may be snapped under 3 minutes, but will be called from the previous game plan because the game plan to use was selected at 3:05 (the end of the previous play). Please keep this in consideration when setting your Offensive and Defensive Game Planning settings.
What is the maximum number of formations I can create?
You may create up to ten formation sets for each formation.
What is the maximum number of playbooks I can create?
You may create up to twelve playbooks for each the offense and defense in addition to the five default playbooks.
Roster Management
Are there any roster restrictions? Do I have to have a backup at every position?
No, there are not any roster restrictions. As the coach, it is entirely up to you to decide how many quarterbacks or kickers to have on your team. However, it is advisable to have at least one backup at every position in case you have a player get injured, suspended, etc. To this end, your assistant coach will look to add depth to your team if he has to fill scholarships that you fail to fill during the recruiting period.
What is a 'redshirt'?
The term "redshirt" is used to describe a student-athlete who does not participate in competition in a sport for an entire academic year and thereby does not use one of his 4 years of athletic eligibility.
Are there restrictions for redshirting players?
Yes, you can redshirt a maximum of three (3) players per season. In order to redshirt, a player cannot have played in any games this season and cannot have had a previous redshirt season. Players can have a redshirt season at any point during their college career. Redshirts can be applied up until the seventh (7) game of the season ends and can be removed at any point during the season. Only coaches who have remaining seasons with their team are allowed to hand out redshirts.
Do redshirt players practice? Do they dress for games?
Yes, redshirt players practice with the team. No, they do not dress for games and are unavailable to play in a game regardless of the situation.
Will all players who have had a redshirt season return for a 5th year?
No, not all players who have a 5th year of eligibility will return. Every player that has a chance to return will make this decision based upon many factors, not the least of which is playing time the past season and perceived playing time for the upcoming season.
If I redshirt a player, does that mean I have another roster spot for another player?
No. A redshirt player still uses a roster spot and your team will have to play games with less players.
Do I have to remove a player's redshirt at the end of the season?
No. When the next season begins, all the redshirt players from the previous season will be automatically restored to eligible status. If you click the 'remove redshirt' link, you will use a year of that player's eligibility.
What is a medical hardship waiver?
A medical hardship waiver can be given to a player by the WCAA who has missed a significant portion of the season because of an injury. It provides for an extra year of eligibility for the player similar to a redshirt.
Who is eligible for a medical hardship waiver?
Players are eligible if they have participated in less than 20% of the scheduled season and the illness or injury occurs in the first half of the season. Previous redshirt players are not eligible. The illness or injury must result in an incapacity to compete for the remainder of the season. Players who have already had a redshirt season or a prior waiver are not eligible.
How does a player apply for the medical hardship waiver?
An application on the player's behalf will automatically be submitted to the WCAA by his school's member conference. No action is required by the coach, nor is it his decision. The waivers are handed out by the WCAA at the conclusion of the season.
Between seasons, I'd like to rescind a scholarship to one of my returning players - can I do that?
Yes. Once the season is over and before the next season begins (during the jobs period), you will have a chance to evaluate your team and decide whether or not a player deserves to keep his scholarship. Rescinding scholarships can have an effect on your reputation as a coach and make it harder for you to recruit. You must have seasons remaining on your account in order to rescind a scholarship.
When the option is available to you, there will be a 'Rescind Scholarship' link next to players' names in your office roster listing. All rescinded scholarships are then available to be filled during the next recruiting period (the appropriate amount of money is added to your recruiting budget).
The amount your reputation is affected by is based on whether or not you recruited the player. There will be more of a reputation hit if you recruited the player (not SimAI).
Is there a limit to the number of scholarships that can be rescinded each season?
Yes. Your athletic director will not let you rescind more than 3 scholarships per season.
Can I change a player's position?
Yes. To change a player's position, open his profile by clicking on his name in your office and then clicking the "Change Position" tab. Then you can select a new position for the player. All positions cannot be changed to all other positions:
Invalid Switches
QB OL, DL
RB, WR, DB OL, DL, K, P
TE QB, DB, K, P
OL QB, RB, WR, LB, DB, K, P
DL QB, RB, WR, TE, DB, K, P
LB QB, OL, K, P
K, P QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, DL, LB, DB
Once you change a player's position, his ratings are permanently changed to reflect this switch and his position cannot be changed again nor reversed. You will not be allowed to completely eliminate all the players at a given position. Additionally, you are limited to 5 position changes per season.
Why is my player not getting credit for starting games?
Starters will be determined using the following rules:
The formation that is most used in the game will determine the starting 11 positions
The players at each of those 11 positions with the most number of plays will be picked as the starter at the end of each game
In the case where they have the same number of plays, the player on the default depth chart will get the nod as the starter
Additionally, any player that has 60% or greater playing time will also get credit for a start. This may cause an additional starter or two.
If I make a starting spot promise to a recruit during recruiting and then redshirt him, does this delay the promise? Will he get upset? What about a playing time promise?
The redshirt season does not delay the promise and the player may get upset. A freshman start promise is a commitment to start the player in his first season with the team. Likewise, a sophomore start promise is a commitment to start the player in his second season with the team. A playing time promise (percent of plays) is for the player's first season with the team. The promises correspond to the player's year in school and not his eligibility.
I have a player who has been promised 50% playing time and he is injured (at 60% health, but able to play). Can you tell me when he thinks he is healed enough and expects to get his plays? Does he expect to play in each game?
This is different for each player, but generally speaking he will not complain if he is less than 80-85% healthy. When the player is considering his playing time (determining his participation percent), the game in which the player was injured and the game after he comes back from injury will not be considered (along with all the games between). All other games will be considered by the player.
If I promise a player a specific amount of playing time, does he expect that amount each game or to average it?
When you promise a certain amount of playing time to a player, they expect it each game and not to just average it. When that promise is not met for a game they may get upset, it depends on the player.
To meet promises you'll want to make sure that your player is at the top of your depth chart and is set to be used in your formations and playbooks. You may also need to adjust their rest setting to a lower value to keep them in longer.
Can I play a player who is injured in a game?
Players who are injured (health below 100%), but not listed as out (return date), can be played in games. It is a risk to play players who are injured as they are subject to further injury. Depending upon the severity of the injury, they may not be able to play the entire game.
Should I set a player at each position on the depth chart?
Yes. It is recommended that you set a player at each position for offense, defense, and special teams. If you do not set a player at a particular position, when a game is played bench players who play that position will be used. If no players are available on the bench at the position, then players from other positions will be used.
How is the RB sub pattern under the situational settings on offense used?
This setting determines how the RBs share time on the field. The first number of the split is for the first position on the runningback depth chart and the second number is for the second position. For example, if you choose the 80-20 split option, then the RB in the first slot will receive approximately 80% of the playing time and the RB in the second slot will receive the remaining 20%. If specialists are set, third down back and short yardage back, then those players are used in those situations and this split is only used in the other situations.
Finally, the split is for the top two spots on the depth chart and not the players. This means that if Player A in the first slot leaves the game with an injury and all players move up the depth chart, Player B, formerly in the second slot, will now receive 80% of the playing time and Player C now in the second slot will receive 20% of the playing time.
How are the short yardage back and third down back used?
The short yardage back is used in short yardage situations on third down, fourth down, and goal to go situations. The third down back is used in long yardage situations on third down and fourth down. The determination of short yardage and long yardage situations is made based upon offensive game plan settings.
How is the slot receiver used?
The slot receiver is used as the 3rd receiver in sets that have 3 or more receivers.
How is the rush setting used and why do only some of the positions have it?
The rush settings are used to determine the distribution of running plays between the various positions on the field. The positions that have the setting are Quarterback, Fullback, Wide Receiver 1, and Wide Receiver 2. The percentage value is a relative value used to determine the chance of each player in that player slot carrying the ball on a running play. The RB slot is locked in at 100%. If two players are set at 100%, it means they have an equal chance of carrying the ball. A player set at 20% would have one fifth the chance to carry as a player at 100%, and so on.
How does the offensive depth chart control who enters the game?
The number of players used at each position is dependent upon the formation being used. There is always one QB and five OL on the field. Players are pulled from each position moving down the depth chart with the first available player being inserted into the lineup. The table below shows how the other positions are used for each offensive set:
Offensive Set
Slot WR
I-Formation 1 1 1 1 1 0
Pro-Set 1 1 1 1 1 0
Wishbone 2 1 1 0 1 0
Notre Dame Box 1 1 1 0 2 0
Trips 1 0 1 1 1 1
Shotgun 0 0 2 1 1 1
How does the defensive depth chart control who enters the game?
The number of players used at each position is dependent upon the formation being used. Players are pulled from each position moving down the depth chart with the first available player being inserted into the lineup. The table below shows how all the positions are used for each defensive set:
Nickel 2 2 2 0 3 2
Dime 1 2 2 0 4 2
How are players subbed in when there are no more players available in the depth chart for a certain position?
When it comes time to determine which players are on the field, and there are either no active players in the depth chart or all the players are set to rest, it will start looking at players not in the depth chart or even players from other positions.
The logic for filling a spot will first try to pull a player from the respective depth chart, based on spot's position, skipping players that have reached their rest threshold. If there are no players in the depth chart that can fill that spot, it will then go through a sequence to fill it based on the spot's position. The first check it will do is try to pull player's for that position that are not in the depth chart (on the bench) and do not require rest. If it still has not found a player for the spot, it will start pulling players from the depth chart ignoring whether or not they need rest. If after all of that, it has still not found a player, it will start playing players out of position.
Following is the chart for the progression of looking for a player at each position to play out of position, broken down by each depth chart position and the progression of working through by player position. When a player is pulled by position, they are randomly pulled from your bench with no type of evaluation being made.
QB P - RB - WR - TE
RB WR - TE - QB
FB RB - TE - OL - WR - QB
WR1 'WR2' - RB - TE - DB - QB
TE RB - OL - QB - WR - LB
OL TE - DL - LB - RB - WR
DT LB - OL - DB
DE LB - OL - DB
ILB DL - TE - DB
OLB DB - TE
S LB - TE
CB LB - WR
Note: The WR1 and WR2 will each look to the other depth chart first in trying to find a player.
Post-Season
How do teams qualify for the conference championship?
The winners of each division within the conference will play for the conference championship. If two teams finish with the same conference record, then the tie is broken by going to the head-to-head result, followed by overall record, and finally WIS rank.
For the head-to-head results there must be a clear winner. For example if three teams are tied and their record against each other is as follows: Team 1 is 2-0, Team 2 is 1-1 and Team 3 is 0-2 Team 1 would be chosen to play in the conference championship. If there was a four team tie such as the following: Team 1 is 2-1, Team 2 is 2-1, Team 3 is 1-2 and Team 4 is 1-2 there is no clear winner and the tiebreaker will move on to overall record.
Note: The standings page is not currently updated using the tiebreaker.
How do teams qualify for bowl games?
Only D-IA teams are eligible for bowls games and are chosen based upon their final conference standing and their ranking in the WIS poll. This poll takes into accound many factors, including winning percentage and strength of schedule. This poll takes into accound many factors, including winning percentage and strength of schedule.
NOTE: Teams with fewer than 7 wins will only be selected if there are no teams left with 7 or more wins.
Do teams earn additional recruiting money by making bowl appearances?
Yes. The amount of money earned is split amongst all conference teams and is based upon the bowl.
Bowl Level
BCS $15,000
Level 4 $10,000
Level 3 $8,000
How do teams qualify for the playoffs?
The winners of each conference within D-IAA, D-II, and D-III are invited to the divisional playoffs. The remaining 32-team field is filled by selecting at-large teams based upon many factors, including winning percentage and strength of schedule.
Do teams earn additional recruiting money by making playoff appearances?
Yes. The amount of money earned is split amongst all conference teams and is based upon how far the team progresses in the playoffs as well as the division.
Advanced To
IAA First Round $3,000
IAA Second Round $4,500
IAA Quarterfinals $6,000
IAA Semi-finals $7,500
IAA Championship $9,000
II First Round $2,000
II Second Round $3,000
II Quarterfinals $4,000
II Semi-finals $5,000
II Championship $6,000
III First Round $1,000
III Second Round $1,500
III Quarterfinals $2,000
III Semi-finals $2,500
III Championship $3,000
Note: The amount listed in the table is the total received for the appearance. Ex: For making the DIII Championship game you earn $3000 total for your conference
How are the Coach, Press and WIS ratings determined?
The Coaches and Press rankings are determined by looking at the talent on each team along with the performance of each team on the field. The talent component decreases as the season goes along. Each ranking factors in each component slightly differently which creates the slight differences between the two polls.
The WIS rankings use the Coaches and Press rankings as a starting point and then modifies each team's ranking based upon home record, road record, neutral record, scoring margins, and strength of schedule.
How important is work ethic - in other words, how much will guys improve with practice? Do they stay the same or can a guy who is rated low in some categories become good with a strong work ethic and well used practice time/game experience?
While in general, a player with a high work ethic will tend to improve at a slightly faster pace than an equivalent player with a low work ethic, there are always exceptions. A player may not like the playing time he's receiving and not work as hard in practice - players may not work as hard if the team is struggling, etc. Also, some players have already reached their full potential while in high school and will not improve much during their college playind days.
How do attributes change - for instance, I presume that blocking drills in the practice session improves blocking, but do athleticism and work ethic change and if so, how?
Practicing certain areas of a player's game will help him improve his skills. See the following table for a general (not position specific) list of how each area may impact a player's game:
Conditioning Athleticism, Speed, Durability, Stamina
Blocking Blocking, Technique
Tackling Tackling, Technique
Pass Routes Elusiveness, Technique
Hands Hands, Technique
Strength Strength, Athleticism, Durability
Agility Elusivness, Athleticism, Speed
Kicking Technique
Punting Technique
Study Film Game Instinct, Technique
Passing Technique
Generally, happy players (getting starts/playing time) will work harder during practice (work ethic improvements). With regards to the offenses and defenses, the more practice and playing time a player receives under each set, the better the offense will function in terms of efficiency.
What's the minimum time I need to practice an area so a player's rating won't go down?
It really varies based on the player's work ethic, potential, and how much playing time he's getting. Normally somewhere between 7 and 10 minutes would be a good minimum.
If my player is not healthy enough to play in a game, does he still practice?
No. Players who are not healthy enough to participate in a game are held out of practice.
How much time should I put in Formation practice?
This is up to you and there is no right answer. Formation practice will improve your players' Formation IQ ratings which will help them play better while using the associated formation. Since this time takes away from the players' positional practice time, it is a balance that you will have to find. Keep in mind that 0 minutes in the Formation practice will keep your players where they are, while 1 minute or greater will improve them. Since the improvement may be fractional, you may not see the improvement when you look at their Formation IQ ratings.
Why do my offensive players need to practice defensive formations?
The practice time is just set up to split 180 minutes total. It does not actually represent all of your players practicing every formation.
We are aware that it seems strange that you have a total of 180 minutes and can distribute that amongst all of your position players, but when it comes to Formation practice, it seems to assign the minutes across all the players - offense, defense, and special teams. This is really just a balancing mechanic and not really meant to represent how your team practices those formation. So if you did have 0 minutes for your offensive formations and 30 minutes in your defensive formations, you might be wondering what your offensive players are doing during those extra 30 minutes. We would ideally like to improve this so it made more sense, but currently all of your practice times comes out of the same pool whether your Formation practice applies to every player or not.
How many exhibition games can I schedule?
You may schedule a maximum of 3 exhibition games to be played prior to the start of the regular season. No more than 1 game can be played per day. You may extend as many challenges as you wish, but only the first 3 accepted challenges will be scheduled.
Who can I challenge to an exhibition game?
You may challenge any team you wish regardless of their division, excluding teams that are already on your regular season schedule. When a challenge is extended to a sim AI controlled team, that team will accept your challenge as long as they are not already scheduled for 3 exhibition games. When a user coached team is challenged, that coach will receive an invitation and then have the option of either accepting or rejecting your challenge.
Can players get hurt in an exhibition game? Will my players improve by playing in these games?
Yes, players can get hurt playing in the exhibition games - but they also get the benefit of game experience and additional practice time.
Do I have any control over non-conference scheduling?
Yes! You can schedule your non-conference games for the NEXT season. From the schedule menu, choose challenges and then non-conference. You may schedule up to 5 non-conference games. All games for next season must be scheduled prior to the conclusion of the postseason and any unfilled slots will be automatically filled in for you prior to the start of next season.
What happens if I don't fill in all of my non-conference spots for next season?
Any spots not scheduled by you will be filled in for you prior to the start of the next season, if possible. It is not always possible to find teams that have open dates that match and available to play one another and therefore you could end up with an open date if you do not schedule your games yourself. Non-conference scheduling can be done anytime from the start of the season to the end of the post-season.
How will a redshirt effect a player?
Some players will not have a problem with being given a redshirt for the season, but others will not like it. A player's work ethic could drop or he may even decide that he wants to transfer out of the program. Typically, the younger the player is (Fr. as compared to a Sr.), the less he will be effected by the redshirt status.
If I remove a player's redshirt, how will he respond?
If a player was negatively effected by his redshirt status, then some of these effects could be reversed, but not all. When the reshirt is removed (number of games into the season) plays a large role in how the player will respond. As a general rule, players don't like to use a year of eligibility to play in 1 or 2 games.
Do player ratings change as the season progresses?
Yes, they will change based on your practice plan settings and the player's work ethic, potential, and playing time.
How much will players improve each year?
Nobody knows - it all depends on the kid, what you are practicing, how much playing time he receives, etc.
Players are rated in 12 different categories, each are based from 1 - 100 with 1 being the worst and 100 being the best. The table below gives a hint of what to look for in your players, but it is not a complete cheat sheet.
QB TECH, GI, STR ELU, SPD, ATH
RB ELU, SPD, STR ATH, GI, HND
FB BLK, STR ATH, ELU
WR HND, ELU, SPD, GI ATH, TECH
TE BLK, GI, STR HND, ATH, TECH
OL GI, BLK, STR TECH, ATH
DL TKL, STR, GI TECH, ATH, SPD
LB TKL, GI, STR TECH, ATH, SPD
DB ATH, TKL, SPD STR, ELU, GI, TECH
K TECH, STR GI
P TECH, STR GI
Do players get tired - if not, what are the stamina and durability ratings for?
There is no game to game fatigue – meaning everyone starts every game at 100% (assuming they are 100% healthy). The stamina rating refers to their in-game conditioning. Durability refers to their likelihood of injury and if they do get injured, how long they would be out.
How do I improve a player's work ethic?
You can't - it's up to the player. Some kids will respond to playing time, some kids won't. Some kids will respond to starting, some won't.
Will work ethic affect improvement rate or is it more a reflection of attitude, increasing or decreasing likelihood of off the field problems?
Yes, players that have a better work ethic have a better likelihood of improving based on your practice plans and even during the off-season.
Can a player's ratings go down?
Yes, when you practice a certain area, a player's ratings improve - if you don't practice an area enough, a player's ratings can go down. For example, if you spend 0 time practicing tackling, players on your team would tackle much worse by the end of the season than they did at the beginning of the season.
If my player is injured during the game, how will the sim decide whether or not to keep him in the game?
If the injury causes the player's health to drop below 75%, he will be taken out of the game. If the injury is less severe, he will continue to play. In all cases, he will miss some playing time while the training staff looks at him.
How quickly will players heal?
Each player will heal at a different pace depending upon his durability and work ethic.
Are there any lasting effects from moderate or major injuries?
All players will eventually heal completely, but when they return from injuries that forced them to miss some games they will be less than 100% healthy. The amount of time it takes each player to heal completely depends upon the player and the injury.
What is the Hands attributes used for when dealing with RBs?
The hands attribute is used for both catching passes and holding onto the football after big hits. A RB with poor hands will not be the best receiver out of the backfield and could be prone to fumble the football.
What are the Formation IQ Ratings?
These ratings indicate a player's relative familiarity with a particular formation and ranges from 1 - 100. The Formation IQ affects the player's ability to utilize his skills when playing within the associated formation, and in general provides about a 5% swing in their Blocking, Tackling, Hands, Game Instinct, and Technique ratings when playing out of the associated formation.
A player's Formation IQ may improve based upon the amount of formation practice you set up for your team. If you do not practice formations, then Formation IQs will not improve - but neither will they decrease. A player's improvement rate depends on his current Formation IQ, as it is tougher to raise higher values, his GPA, and his Work Ethic. Finding the right balance between formation practice and positional skill practice is up to you.
Special Teams rating is a rating that affects how your team performs on special team plays, such as FGA and kick-offs. In general, this is used as an average for your team based on all of your players rather than selecting specific players for the special teams play.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The Pyeongchang Winter Olympics are underway. The Los Angeles Times will be providing live updates, analysis and features on the events and athletes from around the world.
For the best photos from the Winter Olympics, click here.
Also, get all the useful information on TV schedules and what is live and what isn't in one spot.
What time is the Winter Olympics closing ceremony and when can I watch it?
Feb. 25, 2018, 7:08 a.m.
After 16 days of sliding, skating, jumping and sweeping, the Pyeongchang Games have come to a close with one last party.
The Winter Olympics concluded Sunday night with a bash at the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium, a final hurrah for the venue before it's demolished.
Feb. 25, 2018, 5:00 a.m.
Sunday's Winter Olympics TV schedule. All times Pacific.


text:
Q: The inherited c 'abstract' methods to be check also on other inherited clases, not only on child The example is from Django, but is a Python question.
I have an abstract class(mixin):
class AView(ABC):

      # @abstractmethod - comment just to explain
      def get_context_data(self, *args, **kwargs):
        context = super().get_context_data(*args, **kwargs)

inherited as a Mixin by another class:
class BView(Base, Aron, DetailView, AView):
   ...

In this abstract class I call a method get_context_data
The get_context_data needs to be declared at least on one of BView, Aron, DetailView.
If I declared/decorate the method '@abstractmethod' it is mandatory to be on BView, otherwise I receive an error.
It is any possibility to check also the other inherited classes ?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


This cosy apartment in the famous Oriental Manhattan is a great size for single executives or expat couples moving to Shanghai. It has a very clean and simple style and could easily be tailored to your own personal tastes.
The lounge has huge windows that open onto a private balcony with a great view of the surrounding city. The lounge has an effective air control system to keep you a comfortable temperature year-round.
The kitchen is clean with good facilities and a hidden laundry room. The bathroom is well finished with a large shower and bath and built in storage. The bedrooms also have large windows to keep the apartment light.
Oriental Manhattan offers the following facilities to all tenants: 24-hour security and management, an on-site Club with an indoor swimming pool, gym, basketball court, tennis court, etc. and international satellite TV and interior design is negotiable.


The Center for Prevention Programs places school-based mental health therapists in a consortium of 15 high-need schools. As a result of the federally funded Spokane Spirit grant (U.S. Department of Education; Project Prevent), students receive continuous mental health counseling, referrals and educational services. In addition, school staff in recipient schools receive PBIS, complex trauma, ASCA and other training.
The mental health therapists (photo) working within the 15 high-need schools in the Cheney, Medical Lake, Riverside and West Valley school districts conduct mental health assessments, create multi-disciplinary teams to develop individual plans for each child, promote services to students and families, provide crisis intervention and stress management services, refer students and families to community resources, and provide parenting education.
In addition, they also provide mental health education to staff, plan and implement social skills activities with students, including school wide programs that promote a safe and healthy school climate which fosters academic success.
Decrease school discipline referrals and suspensions by 10% annually.
Increase students receiving school and community mental health services by 10% annually.
Increase student engagement in school by 10% annually.


The type of sewer repair services you might need depends on the kind of material that your sewer pipes are made out of. If you aren't sure, call a sewer repair contractor. A licensed contractor will be able to examine your sewer pipes, and tell you what kind of material they are made out of. They will also be to tell you what kind of repairs need to be performed. In addition to talking to an expert sewer contractor about your sewer pipes, it is always a good idea to have a basic knowledge of sewer pipes yourself. Let's look at three common types of sewer pipe materials that exist. That will give you a better idea of what material your pipes may be made out of.
Though cast iron material is not the favorite that it used to be, it is still routinely used today for pipe installations. In many areas, NYC included, it is frequently required by code. Part of the reason why cast iron was such a popular choice, and continues to be installed today, is because of its extreme durability. In NYC cast iron is the material of choice when sewer repair services are needed. Extra heavy cast iron is so durable, in fact, that many cast iron sewer lines could be well over 100 years old. Cast iron material is considerably stronger than plastic pipe material in terms of rigidity, and breakage from impact.
One major problem with cast iron sewer pipes is that they are susceptible to corrosion from exposure to chemicals, and also exposure acidic or alkaline conditions. They also have a history of rusting, but that is over long periods of time. Finally, some older cast iron sewer pipes can end up getting clogged over time. Cast iron pipes can also become prone to leakage from corrosion or porous pipe joints over time. If you have cast iron sewer pipes, it is worth getting them checked out by a sewer pipe contractor as soon as you notice issues. A good way to do that is by having a HD sewer camera inserted into your drain system.
The use of clay sewer pipes are not nearly as commonly used as they used to be. Vitrified clay is the technical term used for sewer pipes made form clay. If you see clay sewer pipes, they are probably much older than other like sewer pipes. The reason that clay sewer pipes aren't as common anymore is because the material isn't very easy to use, install, or repair. Another reason is that cast iron and PVC are much easier to install. Although clay pipes are incredibly durable, they are more susceptible to damage from tree roots than other kinds of material. This is because the connecting joints on clay pipes tend to leak over time.
However, one benefit of clay is that the material is better able to resist chemical corrosion than other pipe materials like metal. If you are looking to install new pipes or repair old ones, the sewer pipe contractor is likely to advise you to rebuild with a different material. In many areas when clay pipes are used, they must be encased in concrete to meet code. Encasing any pipe in concrete adds greatly to the installation cost. To learn more click: About Vitrified Clay Pipe.
Some examples of modern plastic pipes include AVS and PVC materials. Plastic sewer pipes have become the modern, go-to material option for a variety of reasons. They are obviously substantially more lightweight than the aforementioned materials. Additionally, they are not subject to the risk of chemical corrosion. Because these pipes are plastic, the insides of the pipes are incredibly smooth. This smoothness makes it easier for waste to be transferred through without any problems. Of the the reasons, cost is the major factor. PVC and other plastic piping cost a fraction of cast iron or clay.
As a side note, PVC material cannot be exposed to sunlight, since the UV rays will damage the pipes. However, since these pipes are installed underground, this won't be a problem. If your current sewer pipes are noticeably very old and substantially damaged, your sewer pipe contractor might suggest plastic pipes as the best and most cost-effective option. Bear in mind that in many areas, NYC included, plastic piping is not permitted for house sewer repair services.
Looking for more information on sewer repair services? Please contact Balkan Plumbing today with any questions you might have. You can also visit our official website to view our extensive list of services. You may also wish to keep reading our other blog posts for more free resources. Feel free to tell us about your repair need so we can inspect your sewer pipes and be able to provide you with an accurate, affordable price quote. In most cases a HD sewer camera inspection by Balkan can help you avoid the exact location for a home sewer line repair. That pays for the camera inspection many times over. Balkan also provides free on site visits, seven days a week, and after hours as well.


In particular we commented on whether a Project Manager should be a 'Jack of all Trades' or accept that partnerships are needed with other people with different skills. We particularly noted that domain knowledge is really a 'doubled double-edged sword' - helpful on the one hand and un-helpful on the other.
Much of our recent work has involved us working with major organisations who have adopted a competence based approach to describing jobs and developing their staff. We have studied the job competency profi les of these organisations, and the 'standards' that exist including the International Project Management Association's (IPMA) Competency Baseline (ICB3) see www.ipma.ch and the Project Manager Standard produced by the Global Alliance for Project Performance Standards (GAPPS) - downloadable from www.globalpmstandards.org. The spectrum of 'hard' and 'soft' competencies that organisations require Project Managers to hold is both wide and deep and in some cases would only need 'walks on water' adding to describe the 'perfect' organisational operator.
At a recent British Computer Society meeting we attended, the speaker (Elizabeth Harrin from the insurance company AXA) gave everyone in the audience post-it notes and asked us to write on them what we considered to be the key skills (competencies) required by a Project Manager; the subtext being what makes a good or excellent one not just an ordinary one. In total 103 post-it notes were completed by a very willing audience. It won't come as a surprise to some of you reading this article that 100 of the skills listed that evening were people-related or 'soft' skills, such as being an effective leader, a good listener, having the ability to deal with confl ict and so on. Only three people said the most important things were specific to the 'harder' tools and techniques of project management with risk management, good at planning and good at identifying requirements being mentioned. Nobody actually listed 'walks on water' but mumblings like 'wears underwear on the outside of their tights' and 'miracle worker' could be heard.
So we have international frameworks based on rigorous research outlining a whole range of competencies; and 'quick and dirty' surveys prioritising the human skills as being the most important. What should we make of this when selecting and developing Project Managers?
Building on our past experiences of working with a number and range of competency frameworks, our view is that competency (in any discipline) can be broken down into four areas which together build to give a complete representation of what is needed.
Most project management competency frameworks acknowledge that competent behaviour is made up of these four areas of personal characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and activation (doing it skilfully), but then go on to list a whole host of specific elements that are also deemed necessary. Our observation is that these are all things that someone needs to do well as part of the management of the project, but realistically this someone doesn't have to be the Project Manager.
So perhaps what we have in international standards and in-company job competence profi les and frameworks is a list of competencies for project management - complete and thorough, but what we also need is to understand the real priority competences for those people who will lead the team towards achieving successful project delivery.
Of course, different organisations and different contexts require different things, but these are our Top 10 that are generically applicable.
It seems inevitable as times goes on that there will be continued realisation that great Project Managers are first and foremost great managers; but in saying this that there remains something special and distinct about being a manager in a project context. When we can elucidate competent behaviour for Project Managers in a couple of pages of A4; then we might also make speedier headway in developing the right personal and organisational competencies to create more value through managed change.


Winemaker Emma Gao pouring Chinese wine into the world's wine glass.
On the first day of the annual autumn wine harvest, Vogue took a road trip with Lexus to northeastern China to meet the country's breakthrough winemaker, Emma Gao. The film is part of the four-part documentary series, 'Journeys in Taste', which celebrates pioneering tastemakers and the meticulous craft that underpins their vision and Lexus vehicles.
Gao is on a mission to transform perceptions of winemaking in her native China. "Wine is not really in the culture, we make tea not wine," says the entrepreneur, whose Silver Heights vineyard is at the forefront of the nation's emerging wine scene in the Ningxia province. Bringing connoisseurship to what is a fast-evolving sector, Gao is the one of the few independent producers in an area dubbed the Napa Valley of China.
Set in the foothills of the Helan Mountains to the northwest of China, this arid land is uniquely protected from the Siberian chill and desert heat of nearby Mongolia. "It's not easy for agriculture," she notes. "But it's perfect for wine." It was Gao's father who first planted a vineyard, rejuvenating this rocky terrain - and sent his then 21-year-old daughter to study oenology in France. "I'd never even drunk wine before, but little by little I started to love it," she says of the transformative experience. It was during her time at the Château Calon Ségur in Bordeaux that she met her husband, the winemaker Thierry Courtade, who acts as cellar master. Now, close to a decade since she produced her first vintage of 10 barrels, Gao's operation has grown to cover some 70 hectares. It remains a resolutely family affair: the signature Silver Heights Cabernet Sauvignon Emma Reserve is affectionately called "Little Emma" after her 12-year-old daughter, who Gao imagines will in turn take over the business.
Gao's ultimate goal is to evoke a visceral response to her wine and ignite a lasting emotional connection. Every detail in this small-scale, slow-spun operation is carefully considered. The result is the distinctive point of view – and standout wines – that has seen Silver Heights challenge the status quo to compete with the world's greatest estates.
With the grapes primed for harvest, Gao is secure in the knowledge that she's slowly building not just a business, but a holistic wine experience that has helped to transform this remote corner of China. Her far-reaching vision is entirely simpatico with Lexus's own underlying philosophy - that true artisanal design is as much about the journey as the destination.


Late last year I cycled to Lowe's to look for a bag of potting soil. One downside of our move last year was that it put unwelcome distance between us and the two person-owned nurseries I like (GRDN and Gowanus). And I was desperate. So Lowe's. But they only had horrible Miracle Gro, filled with synthetic fertilizers, I turned to leave. But not before I cast a fatal glance at the indoor plant section on the way out.
Many of the plants were wilted and their soil desiccated. But the rich colour of some African violets stopped me. I felt their soil. Dry like the Kgalagadi desert in July. Their price? $3.99 each. How do you even grow a plant for $3.99? The labor, the transport...? I scooped them up and rode them home nestled in my bicycle box, their bag tied shut against the cold November air.
These cheap little plants woke up a very old, buried plant love. I grew African violets on my bedroom's windowsill - propagated them from leaves - as a very small girl. The cuttings came from my grandmother Quez (to me she was Ouma) who grew them on the windowsills in her flat. Her plants may have come from her down-the corridor neighbour Tina, who was effusive in her affection toward me, and the real violet queen: she had dozens of plants, and they were always in full bloom. They were intoxicating.
I adored the flowers then, and looking at the plants that I began to collect again last year, I was reminded of how they fascinated me, all those years ago: it was like meeting long-forgotten landmarks within the botanical details of pollen, petal-iridescence, leaf texture. Mesmerising. I started looking for more but could find them nowhere but on Lowe's reject pile. So I rescued them.
I wanted some rich and some subtle colours, but I bought what was available. They are riotous and a little gaudy and I love them.
Where is the African violet comeback? They are perfect for small spaces and apartments. They actively dislike direct sunlight. Give them that despised northern window light. Water them in their saucer once a week, and feed them every time (I am using Espoma's African Violet Food, but need a few more weeks to see how well it works).
I took some cuttings. The undersides of their leaves are exquisitely anatomical.
These cuttings have since rooted very well.
This last picture was taken a few days before I rushed to South Africa, leaving autumn's bounty forgotten.
But the violets live on, happily, and I must find some more.
In search of snowy owls, we left Brooklyn over the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and headed south to the notorious Jersey Shore, synonymous for me with the reality TV show, hence zero appeal; but the Frenchman had visited in January, and had just missed what the locals referred to as the bird. So in the brave spirit of adventure, I voted we return.
In just under a two-hour drive we reached the beautiful barrier island that contains Island Beach State Park, first passing through miles of strangely pristine and deserted beach houses - perhaps pristine because many of them will have been rebuilt after been wacked by Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
In the park a sign said: Do Not Feed Fox. Fox! One fox? Many foxes? I had never seen a fox.
And then juniper berries greeted this happy forager (I bet foxes eat juniper berries). They belong to Juniperus virginiana, whose confusing common name is eastern red cedar (there is a whole chapter dedicated to unpacking that in Forage, Harvest, Feast - and lots of recipes: think Juniper Strawberry Ice Cream).
And in the dunes I saw smilax fruit in wild tangles. The spring shoots of smilax are delectable.
The beaches here seem limitless, marred only by the presence of occasional cars, which are obscene in this beauty. We walked to find the owl a photographer had told us about and spent a long time watching it. It sat. We watched. Sometimes it scratched its feathers.
I can't imagine what summer looks like, here - inundated - but on a cold and sunny winter day the desolation was perfect.
We stopped at various spots to access the endless beach on paths through the dunes.
And on one the Frenchman suddenly hissed, FOX! I froze.
Of course my own telephoto was uselessly in the car. Thank goodness he had his (see his post here). See the reddish dot on the sand towards the middle of the screen? Sleeping fox! We watched the fox for a very long time, trotting to and fro, settling to nap again. I fell in love.
That fur. That nose. Those whiskers. The ears!
And of course we picnicked. Pickled cabbage and beets (pickles belong in winter, somehow), a treat-sandwich of sourdough and chevre and pea shoots.
That morning I had made a soup with a mushroom and bacon base, with tomato paste and smoked paprika, sloshes of red wine and good broth. It was still steaming hot from the Thermos and we sat on the sand sipping it, insulated in many layers, watching the crashing waves.
And then it was back to Brooklyn, our route this time taking us through the industryscape one expects of Jersey, belching smoke, filled with super highways seven lanes wide in one direction.
In the failing light, it had a futuristic appeal.
Over the Goethals Bridge into Staten Island.
And back home across the Verrazano. Heads still filled with owls and foxes, empty dunes and cold, clean beaches.
I took a long walk in Prospect Park; the Frenchman was feeling poorly and my legs needed stretching. They are long legs. They stretched. And I found snowdrops! Right on cue, actually (see this 2013 post).
And witch hazel - only the Asian witch hazels bloom in pre-spring. The American species belong to late autumn.
And I saw a juvenile red tail hawk. We looked at each other for a long time. I only had my phone with me, but a telephoto lens would have been better: as I watched him I noticed little woodpeckers and songbirds in the leafless trees. What will the end of winter bring? An early spring? More snow?
And I caught the unruly tangles of winter honeysuckle in bud. They are going to burst, soon. In time for next Sunday's first forage walk of the year? May. Be. Last year I made a beautiful vinegar with the scented flowers - but that was in April! I am plotting the walk's picnic menu. Hot soup, for sure. Red wine and mushroom? Or tomato and spicebush? And ramp leaves via a frozen batch of ramp leaf oil from a previous spring. Maybe in a dandelion pie? And a sweet thing. Because everyone loves a sweet thing. Spicebush olive oil loaves? Or a chocolate roulade stuffed with preserved sour cherries and cream? Or, or.... powdered puffball and chocolate brownies?!
I was thinking about picnics. As one does. It was the day after I landed at JFK. Dark and very early in the morning, and about to become a gray wet winter day. My soul was stuck somewhere above the West Coast of Africa, trying to catch up with the plane that carried me for 16 hours from Johannesburg. It was missing morning coffee on the Cape Town terrace with sunbirds and flowers and corgis.
Picnics cheer me up. Picnics even led, indirectly, to the Frenchman (who had written a post I chanced upon, about the challenges of photographing "a backlit saucisson on a picnic cloth somewhere near a lavender field in Provence." Tell me more, I thought!).
So I began scrolling through some picnics I have known and written about on this blog. Some are mundane. A sandwich - but it is eaten on a rock beside a rushing mountain stream. And this makes everything taste better. Some are eaten in freezing winters. There is a lot of saucisson. There is a lot of bread (having cut down hard on wheat over the last year my picnic game has been challenged; meatballs, dips and raw vegetables have come to the rescue). There are many soups. And a lot of picnics in February! But the steady message is that picnics are good for us. Go and eat outside. Or just spread a cloth on the floor.
Or join me on one sometime this year, in the wilds and tames of New York.
January in the snowed-in Catskills. So cold we ate in the ZipCar. Fast tomato soup and sourdough and prosciutto sandwiches.
Another freakily warm January day Vincent and I picnicked beside the water of New York Harbor in Red Hook, a 25-minute walk from home (then on 1st Place, Carroll Gardens). The quick-pickled vegetables were supposed to make up for the floofy-soft potato bread (hiding crisp bacon and mayonnaise).
On a much colder January day, we sipped very hot tomato-chile soup and chewed sandwiches on frigid Roosevelt Island.
In February in Prospect Park, we shared slices of cured duck breast. I noted, in that blogpost, the arrival of "an elderly Asian couple, well-insulated in big red puffer jackets, sit[ting] down to their own picnic complete with intriguing steam from flasks. After they had eaten she took a nap, head on arms on table, and he read the newspaper. It is never too cold to picnic."
February again, and in Red Hook, again - those bright blue days are irresistible.
Switch hemispheres: February breakfast picnic, Karoo-style, with rusks and coffee, beside the N1 between Beaufort West and Cape Town.
An early March picnic with the Frenchman on his birthday, out at Brooklyn's Jacob Riis Park.
And March in the still-bare Inwood Hill Park forest, I ate my chicken liver pâté with garlic mustard and field garlics and friends.
And perhaps we shared some drinks, too.
A completely different March: late summer in Cape Town, with my mom and dad and the Frenchman. The menu was: tramezzini with prosciutto, and cucumber and butter, chicken liver pâté with seed bread, garlicky shrimp in olive oil, herb and lemon roasted chicken, tomato wedges with green onions from the garden. And tiramisu.
Late April in the Catskills, with foraged ramps and farmstand sandwiches. Plus hard cider.
Lush late May at Dead Horse Bay, a spread for a happy band of paying walkers. Summer rolls stuffed with raw and pickled spring things (recipe in the fiddlehead chapter of Forage, Harvest, Feast), pokeweed tea rolls (pokeweed chapter...), sweet olive oil and spicebush loaves (a Sicilian-style recipe in the spicebush chapter), and common milkweed flower cordial to drink (yes, recipe in the common milkweed chapter).
And May in Pelham Bay, with a rare and shared beer. Don't mock our beer tastes. Miller reminds us of camping. We love camping.
The sandwich was a sour cherry sourdough I had made in the Harlem kitchen, and featured beach plum chutney with cheese and arugula.
Roll on, summer. June beside the East River in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The blog says: "I had made last-minute meatballs, spiked with finely chopped lemon grass, fish sauce and scallions. A mango and avocado salad with a little bottle of fresh lime juice, hot chiles, sugar and fish sauce, shaken and poured over on site."
And the July roof picnics, in our first Cobble Hill apartment and its 66 square feet of terrace plus all-important roof access (it is now utterly transformed by new construction). The tiny top floor apartment was incredibly hot, and we escaped to the roof's harbor breezes every evening.
July's smotheringly wet heat is the best excuse to make throwbacks like tuna mousse.
September, in Brooklyn Bridge Park, again.
And in another, southern September, I took my mom to picnic on Signal Hill, in Cape Town, post-fire and among resurgent spring flowers. Tomato soup in the mugs. Cucumber sandwiches.
One of the good things about our brief move to Harlem in 2014 was that apartment's proximity to the northern reaches of Central Park. This was a September picnic in pursuit of the hummingbirds that frequent the Conservatory Garden every autumn.
Same picnic. Raw vegetables are good travellers.
A September forage picnic at Dead Horse Bay, with quails eggs and bayberry dipping salt, mugwort crackers, beach plum jam for wild herb cheese, juniper rillettes, and persimmon focaccia. Recipes are you-know-where.
An October picnic with my mom in the Catskills.
It was very cold, but I remember it mostly for my first taste of a local Honey Crisp apple.
And there are patterns: Back to the Catskills in another turning-leaf October, with ugly-delicious hen of the woods soup and bacon-and-garden-arugula-sandwiches.
And in December, a rolling picnic on the Adirondack train, heading for the Frenchman's family outside Montreal.
"Sometimes, I think I picnic to stay sane.
"One might think that plates of pretty food are an indication of a sunny outlook. I say, look deeper.
"I say, the peeling and the chopping and the dressing and the arranging and the packing and the carrying and the sitting in a place where the air moves in a way that it never can indoors, are a last resort, the culinary equivalent of a rooftop-howling wolf inconsolable in its grief at the state of things. I picnic to let it all out. To say if we have nothing else, we have this."


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I am reading other posts about this error, but what is not clear to me, is my customer still gets 100% of the requested logs. Just slowly?
[Server] Events may not be returned in sub-second order due to search memory limits configured in limits.conf:[search]:max_rawsize_perchunk. See search.log for more information.
I'm guessing they have a large number of matching events with the same timestamp?
If so, Splunk is not guaranteeing perfect ordering as per the message.
I downvoted this post because "guessing" is not really an appropriate type help.
@JensT In this forum, downvoting is used for answers that are wrong, and especially for those answers that could cause harm if used. I appreciate that you took the time to give your reason for downvoting.
Martin did not pose an answer, he made a suggestion as a comment. His comment is clearly intended to further the diagnosis of the problem. As the question itself is very short, his comment elicits additional information that is needed.
I'll rephrase: I know that's because of a large number of matching events with the same timestamp. Happy?
did you find an answer for this question ? if so can you please post it ?
This question has already been asked before and I know it to be accurately answered. A tldr is that there are a large set of events that exceeds memory usage as defined in limits.conf ( max_mem_usage_mb = 200) which all have the same timestamp. Because of the memory limit, Splunk can't guarantee that they are in perfect sub-second correct order.
You can find much more thorough explanations here and here.
The answer by DEAD_BEEF is correct. And the first link to a thorough explanation is the best.
One easy and simple way to get around the problem since version 6.4 is to use sampling.
You can do this by clicking on "No Event Sampling" to select a sampling ratio that fits your needs.
This is also another awesome way to save your splunk system resources.
Why am I getting "maximum number of historical searches that can be run concurrently. current=10 maximum=10" for real time searches?
How to change limits.conf in order to resolve "mvexpand: output will be truncated at 1600 results due to excessive memory usage" error?


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TEV protease is genetically modified sequence-specific cysteine protease from Tobacco Etch Virus (TEV). It is a member of chymotrypsin-like proteases. Due to its high sequence specificity it is frequently used for the cleavage of fusion proteins and removal of tags from recombinant proteins in vitro and in vivo.
This recombinant TEV enzyme is genetically improved 28 kDa version of the N1a protease from tobacco etch virus (TEV) that has been engineered to be more stable than native TEV protease with higher enzymatic activity. It contains His6 tag located at the N-terminus of the protein, which allows it to be immobilized on Ni-based affinity resins and removed from the cleavage reaction. It is active over a wide range of pH values (4-8.5) and temperatures (4-34°C). The preferred recognition sequence is ENLYFQ|S(G,A), but it cleaves also motives EXLYFQ|S(G,A), where X could be any amino acid residue (in parenthesis are alternative residues). Please use our TEV substrate #1409 as a positive control.
Cleavage of affinity tags from fusion proteins after protein purification. Cleaves fusion proteins directly in solution or immobilized on affinity resins. Full compliance with cGMP. More details here.
Highly specific and active for its seven-amino acid sequence with minimal off-target effects. Activity more than 10,000 units per 1 mg protein. The activity depends on the type of target protein. The optimal amount of enzyme should be tested for each target protein.