None of the Philadelphia Eagles' five starting offensive linemen missed a start last season. Collectively, they missed a total of 98 snaps in 16 regular-season games.
Two - left tackle Jason Peters and left guard Evan Mathis - went to the Pro Bowl. A third - center Jason Kelce - should have. They are one of the best, one of the most athletic blocking units in the league.
LeSean McCoy led the NFL in rushing. Nick Foles led the NFL in passing. But none of it would've been possible without the line.
That line is one of the biggest keys to the Eagles making a Super Bowl run this season after winning 10 games and making the playoffs last year.
But with three of their five starters on the other side of 30, is it realistic to expect that line to stay as healthy as it did a year ago?
Probably not, which is why one of the Eagles' biggest priorities this summer will be establishing some offensive line depth to brace for potential injuries to their five starters.
They signed versatile veteran Allen Barbre, who can play both guard and tackle, to a three-year extension. But beyond Barbre, there is a lot of inexperience and uncertainty. And, Barbre might be needed quickly if reports that right tackle Lane Johnson could be suspended four games are accurate.
One area in which the starting offensive line needs to improve is pass protection. While the Eagles led the league in rushing, they allowed 46 sacks last season and finished 31st in sacks allowed per pass play. Most of the breakdowns were on the right side where right guard Todd Herremans was adjusting to a new position and Johnson was adjusting to a new level of competition as a rookie.
"That was way too many (sacks)," Herremans said. "We're going to focus a little more on pass protection and try to tighten some things up."
Not all of the sacks were the fault of the line. And most of the ones that were had to do with mental breakdowns more than physical ones.
"On the right side especially, too much miscommunication," Herremans said.
Because Barbre can play both inside and outside, the Eagles likely will keep only eight offensive linemen on their 53-man roster. The other two backup spots will come from a pool of players that includes tackles Matt Tobin, Dennis Kelly and Andrew Gardner and center-guard Julian Vandervelde.
Rookies and veterans report: July 25.
Practice at Lincoln Financial Field: July 28, August 3.
Practice at Franklin Field: August 10.
Joint practice with Patriots at New England: August 12-14.
--The Eagles' special teams weren't very good last year. They finished 18th in Dallas Morning News columnist Rick Gosselin's annual special teams rankings, which rates units in 22 different special teams categories. The Eagles' return game was particularly inept. They finished 26th in kick returns and 27th in punt returns. The offseason acquisition of running back/return ace Darren Sproles could help. But it remains to be seen how much Sproles will be used as a returner. He's 31 years old and also figures to be used a lot on offense.
"We know Sproles is a dynamic returner," special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said. "I don't know that age is a limitation, but it's certainly a factor. We have to be cautious about what we ask him to do and when we ask him to do it."
--While Nick Foles will be the Eagles' starting quarterback this season, there is no leader in the clubhouse in the battle for the No. 2 job between Matt Barkley and Mark Sanchez. Head coach Chip Kelly said the spring camps really gave no clue as to who is going to win that competition.
"I've said it before, until you get them in games (you don't know)," the Eagles' coach said. "Because they're not getting hit in OTAs or minicamp or even training camp itself. You can't get a feel for what they're like until they get a chance to perform in those preseason games. That's the biggest thing for a quarterback because it's just such a different game when everybody, no matter where it is and I don't care what team you're on, whether you're in college or the pros, you're not going to hit the quarterback in camp and you're not going to hit the quarterback in practices. It's going to occur when you're going against other teams. That's when we'll get a real good feel for that."
LeSean McCoy led the league in rushing last season and is poised for yet another big year. He is an elusive runner who runs behind one of the league's most athletic offensive lines. While the Eagles acquired Darren Sproles primarily as a receiver out of the backfield, Kelly thinks the 5-foot-6, 190-pound running back also will prosper in their running attack.
--Breakout player: Tight end Zach Ertz.
Ertz came on in the second half of his rookie season, finishing with 36 receptions and four touchdowns. He should make a big jump in his second season, and the Eagles think he has the potential to be their version of Jimmy Graham.
--Fantasy football reality check: Wide receiver Riley Cooper.
Many people think the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Cooper won't be nearly as effective this season without DeSean Jackson distracting opposing coverage. But Cooper had eight touchdown catches last season, finished second in the league in yards per catch and was the Eagles' most productive red-zone weapon. With the back-shoulder fade expected to become an even bigger weapon this year, look for Cooper to again have eight to 10 touchdown grabs.
QUARTERBACKS: Starter - Nick Foles. Backups - Mark Sanchez, Matt Barkley, G.J. Kinne.
A year ago, Foles lost a training camp battle for the starting job to Michael Vick. Vick ended up getting hurt, Foles replaced him and went on to have a Pro Bowl season, throwing 27 touchdown passes and just two interceptions and leading the league in passing. There will be no battle for the starting job this summer. The No. 1 belongs to Foles. But the backup job is up for grabs between second-year man Barkley and ex-Jet Sanchez. Foles is an accurate passer and solid decision-maker who understands the value of ball security.
RUNNING BACKS: Starter - LeSean McCoy. Backups - Darren Sproles, Chris Polk, Matthew Tucker, Henry Josey, David Fluellen.
McCoy is one of the NFL's best running backs. He led the league in rushing and yards from scrimmage last season. He is an elusive runner with outstanding cutback skills and explosion who flourished behind the Eagles' athletic offensive line. He had a league-high 314 carries and 366 touches last season, which were a little high. The Eagles traded away his backup, Bryce Brown, but added the versatile Sproles, who caught 71 passes for the Saints last year and is expected to be used a lot in the passing game. Polk is a hard-nosed between-the-tackles runner who should get a lot more carries than the 11 he had last year.
TIGHT ENDS: Starters - Brent Celek, Zach Ertz. Backups - James Casey, Emil Igwenagu, Trey Burton, Blake Annen.
The Eagles have big expectations for 2013 second-rounder Ertz. After missing most of last spring's OTAs (Stanford is on the quarter semester system), he spent the first half of the season playing catch-up, but came on strong in the second half and finished with 36 receptions and four touchdowns. He is a difficult size-speed matchup for linebackers and safeties. Celek's receiving numbers dropped last season, but his value as a blocker soared. He was a big reason the Eagles led the league in rushing. The Eagles, who used two tight-end sets about 30 percent of the time last season, are expected to employ them even more this year with Ertz's emergence. Casey, who is a similar type player to Ertz, probably won't see much playing time again, and could even get pushed for the No. 3 ob by undrafted rookie Trey Burton.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters - Jeremy Maclin, Riley Cooper. Backups - Jordan Matthews, Brad Smith, Arrelious Benn, Josh Huff, Will Murphy, Jeff Maehl, Damaris Johnson, Ifeanyi Momah, B.J. Cunningham. Quron Pratt.
The big question with this group is how will they pick up the slack for DeSean Jackson, who was released in March despite coming off an 82-catch, 1,300-yard, nine-touchdown season. Maclin, who caught 258 passes in his first four NFL seasons, sat out all of last year with a torn ACL. If he can make a successful comeback, it will be a huge boost to the offense. He's not quite as fast as Jackson, but is bigger and more consistent, particularly in the red zone. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound Cooper had a breakout season after Maclin got hurt. Time will tell whether he can be just as productive without Jackson drawing the coverage attention. Head coach Chip Kelly's pre-training camp plan is to put the 6-foot-3, rookie second-rounder Matthews in the slot against smaller nickel corners. Matthews is highly intelligent, an outstanding route-runner and has terrific hands. Kelly also is high on Huff, who, like Maehl and Murphy, played for him at Oregon.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters - LT Jason Peters, LG Evan Mathis, C Jason Kelce, RG Todd Herremans, RT Lane Johnson. Backups - Allen Barbre, Matt Tobin, Denis Kelly, Michael Bamiro, Julian Vandervelde, Kevin Graf, David Molk, Andrew Gardner, Josh Andrews, Karim Bartin, Donald Hawkins.
The Eagles' starting unit is one of the best and most athletic in the league. But there are questions of depth. Barbre is a versatile player who can play both inside and outside, but beyond him, there are not of proven backups. That wasn't a problem last year. None of the Eagles' five starters missed a game due to injury. Two - Peters and Mathis - went to the Pro Bowl, and a third - Kelce - should have. But Peters, Mathis and Herremans all are on the other side of 30. Herremans, who has 120 career starts, is coming off - for him - a sub-par year. Johnson, the fourth overall pick in the '13 draft, played well after a rough early start. The line was instrumental in helping McCoy win the league rushing title, but needs to cut down on last year's 46 sacks.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters - LDE Cedric Thornton, NT Bennie Logan, RDE Fletcher Cox. Backups - Vinny Curry, Taylor Hart, Alejandro Villanueva, Damion Square, Joe Kruger, Beau Allen, Wade Keliikipi, Brandon Bair, Frances Mays.
Cox is a natural 3-technique tackle and struggled a bit early on last year to make the transition to a 4-technique end in Bill Davis' two-gap 3-4. But he eventually got the hang of it and did a good job against the run and had a team-high 21 hurries to go with three sacks. Logan isn't your typical space-eating 3-4 nose tackle. He brings athleticism to the position and can play inside or outside. The Eagles added a space-eating nose tackle in the draft in seventh-rounder Allen. Curry, who was drafted as a 4-3 end, carved out a niche for himself as an inside nickel pass-rusher. He was third on the team in sacks. The 6-foot-9, 280-pound Villanueva, who served three deployments in Afghanistan and hasn't played football in five years, is an intriguing roster candidate.
LINEBACKERS: Starters - LOLB Connor Barwin, LILB DeMeco Ryans, RILB Mychal Kendricks, ROLB Trent Cole. Backups - Brandon Graham, Marcus Smith, Travis Long, Bryan Braman, Jake Knott, Jason Phillips, Emmanuel Acho, Najee Goode, Casey Matthews, Josh Kaddu.
The Eagles had just 37 sacks last season and just 13 from their two starting outside linebackers, Cole and Barwin, which is why they spent their first-round pick on Smith. But Smith is a bit of a project and probably will see limited action as a rookie. Cole, who spent his entire career as a 4-3 end, had all eight of his sacks in the final eight games. He's a liability in coverage, but still can rush the passer. Barwin did most of the dirty work last year, dropping into coverage and setting the edge against the run. Ryans played more snaps than any linebacker in the league last year. He's a solid run-defender and a good blitzer, but coverage isn't his strength. He probably won't be used nearly as much in nickel situations this year. Kendricks is only 5-foot-11, but is one of the league's most athletic inside linebackers. The Eagles view him as a Pro Bowl-caliber player. Long was an undrafted rookie who tore his ACL in his next to last college game and spent last season on the practice squad. But the Eagles think he has the potential to battle for a roster spot. Braman was signed primarily for his special teams prowess.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters - LCB Bradley Fletcher, RCB Cary Williams, FS Malcolm Jenkins, SS Nate Allen. Backups - Earl Wolff, Nolan Carroll, Brandon Boykin, Jaylen Watkins, Chris Maragos, Keelan Johnson, Davon Morgan, Roc Carmichael, Curtis Marsh, Daytawion Lowe.
Fletcher and Williams, who were signed as free agents before the 2013 season, were solid performers last year. They are long and physical and adept at press coverage, which is the key to Bill Davis' defense. Boykin has quickly developed into one of the league's better nickel corners. He was second in the league in interceptions last season. But for his small stature - he's 5-foot-9 - he'd probably be starting on the outside. Ex-Dolphin Carroll was brought in to push Fletcher and Williams. At best, he wrestles a starting job from one of them. At worst, he will provide corner depth the Eagles didn't have last year and strengthen their special teams. Jenkins was the team's key offseason defensive acquisition. He's a former corner with excellent coverage skills that can cover tight ends and slot receivers. Wolff started six games as a rookie last season before hurting his knee. He will push Allen for the other starting safety job. Watkins is a versatile rookie who played both corner and safety at Florida.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Starters - K Alex Henery, K Cary Spear, P Donnie Jones, LS Jon Dorenbos, KR Darren Sproles, KR Brandon Boykin, KR Brad Smith, KR Jordan Matthews, KR Josh Huff, KR Damaris Johnson, PR Jordan Matthews, PR Darren Sproles, PR Jeremy Maclin, PR Josh Huff, PR Damaris Johnson.
Henery has been one of the league's most accurate field-goal kickers from 45 yards and in, but needs to improve with longer field goals. He also must improve his touchback percentage on kickoffs. He finished 23rd in the league in that category last year. The Eagles signed Spear, a rookie out of Vanderbilt, to compete with Henery. But Henery doesn't appear to have anything to worry about. Jones had a Pro Bowl-caliber season last year. He put a franchise-record 33 punt attempts inside the 20 and was fifth in percentage of punts returned. The Eagles' return game wasn't very good last season. They lost their best punt returner when they released DeSean Jackson. Newcomers Matthews and Sproles both are home-run threats.


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Health > Vaccines Apr 8, 2021 | 3 min read
Will Payments Continue for Common Vaccine Injury?
Christopher T. Nace
Paulson & Nace
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While sticking to his new lofty goal of having 200-million Covid-19 vaccine shots administered within his first 100 days of office, President Joe Biden is busy completing other tasks as well, including rolling back a last-minute action of the former administration.
One day before Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar left his post in January, he signed a measure that would make it more difficult for vaccine injury victims to receive compensation. His reasoning: the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) had a backlog of cases, and revising certain items would ease the burden. The particular revisions included removing SIRVA (shoulder injury related to vaccine administration), the most common type of vaccine injury, and halting adding new vaccines to the program. The Vaccine Injury Table lists injuries and/or conditions associated with covered vaccines. It is important to note that although there is potential for the Covid-19 vaccine to one day be on the list, it is still too early for it to be put under consideration.
While Azar's motions were set to go into effect in February, the incoming Biden administration immediately delayed it by posting a review of the measures. Azar's efforts were postponed indefinitely on March 17, when the new administration filed a notice of intent to undo the measure altogether.
This means that victims who suffered SIRVA from a vaccine listed under VICP can continue to file compensation claims. And, there is still room in the future for new vaccines to be added to the program.
Early on, those who disagreed with Azar were quick to point out that while SIRVA is the most common type of vaccine injury, vaccine injuries are rare. According to the Health Resources and Service Administration's records, there is only a one in 500,000 chance a person will suffer an injury from a vaccine. Therefore, as the pandemic continues and a national push to vaccinate as many citizens as possible is ongoing, policies should focus on earning the public's trust, not instilling fear and concern over receiving shots.
Filing a Vaccine Injury Claim
The VICP was created in 1986 after lawsuits against vaccine producers had escalated. It currently covers 15 childhood vaccines and the seasonal flu shot. Through the program, an injured individual of any age, who received a vaccine listed as part of the program, can file a petition with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Since this is a legal process, it may be best to hire a lawyer with knowledge of vaccine injuries to prepare and file on your behalf. A copy of the petition must also be sent to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Covid-19 Vaccine Injury Options
The Covid-19 vaccine is considered a "countermeasure response'' to the worldwide pandemic. This means any reimbursement for an injury from the fast-tracked vaccine would be made to an individual through the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP).
The CICP rose out of the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) in 2005. Funded by Congress's emergency appropriations, it also covered injuries from vaccines during the H1N1 pandemic of 2009 and 2010, drugs to treat anthrax, Zika, and Ebola. For those filing a claim with the CICP, it is important to note that petitioners only have one year to file; lawyers' fees, suffering, and damages are not covered.
While the agency is hiring more workers to handle the workload due to the potential of future COVID-19 claims, historically, the agency has not been successful for claimants. Since 2010, the CICP has rejected 450 of 499 claims. Consulting a vaccine injury lawyer before filing a CICP claim could lead to a more successful outcome.
Related: Who Is Responsible for COVID-19 Vaccine Injuries
Because of the difficulties in receiving proper compensation from an injury sustained by a vaccine, you may want to speak with an attorney to determine your options. If you have suffered a serious injury due to a vaccine, contact Paulson & Nace for a free, no-obligation consultation. You can call us at 202-463-1999 or use our online form.
Both an Emory School of Law graduate and MBA graduate of Goizueta Business School at Emory, Chris Nace focuses his practice on areas of medical malpractice, drug and product liability, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, employment discrimination and other negligence and personal injury matters.
Comments for this article are closed, but you may still contact the author privately.
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Chefs from 14 states battled it out in New Orleans this past weekend to become the king or queen of the 10th Annual Great American Seafood Cookoff. Chefs Rich Taylor and Kimani Williams of Austin's Quality Seafood Market represented Texas this year at the cavernous Morial Convention Center.
The Texas duo prepared a dish aptly named the Texas Two Step, pairing a seafood stew with black drum and shrimp with a cilantro-lime, crab-salad-topped shrimp cake. The competition, started by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as a way to highlight sustainable, domestic produce, brought together some of the country's best chefs who showed off seafood from their states.
The chefs from Quality Seafood initially developed three recipes and held several private tastings before finalizing their dish.
The winner of the event serves as a spokesperson for NOAA, with the opportunity to travel and work with chefs across the country.
Getting the dish to the plate in the short, one-hour cooking time was just half the battle. Some states held cookoffs to pick their chefs, and all the teams spent months developing their final dishes.
The Texas team worked well together, effortlessly navigating the small and challenging makeshift kitchen under the pressure of the clock. Working from two stainless steel tables, the chefs did their own two step as they worked two burners and several cutting boards to prepare the two-part dish.
They did have to navigate a few tense moments. Williams had to replace the butane on the burner while cooking the shrimp cakes, and Taylor struggled to get the whipped cream dispenser working, finally turning to the whisk.
Then Taylor wowed the crowd and the hosts by infusing applewood smoke into the bowl to flavor the cilantro cream, an elevated culinary move for a fast-paced contest. Taylor and Williams finished plating with a minute to spare and looked relieved as their dishes were delivered to the judges.
The Louisiana team had a clear home-state cheerleading advantage, but the crowd whooped and hollered for each state as the clocks wound down to the final seconds. It helped that the Texas team had Williams' family (he grew up in Louisiana and relocated to Austin after Hurricane Katrina) rooting them on.
In the end, Mississippi chef David Crews of Six Shooter Land & Timber won the cookoff with his Southern Nicoise salad. Regardless of the outcome, Texas' star shone bright in New Orleans, and Quality Seafood walked away proud.


the North Texas lighting group would like to extend an invitation to anyone who would like to attend our next meeting. We generally meet the 4th Saturday on the month.
We are having a meeting on January 28th, starting at 11am. Address is 5445 Legacy Drive, Plano.
In this meeting we can review what went well for each of us and what didn't work.
We can go over plans for our 2017 displays and get input from others in the group.
We would also like you to bring suggestions for monthly topics.
Please RSVP if you can make it .
Just a quick note to let everyong know that our next North Texas lighting group meeting will be this saturday. We will meet at Mike Russey's location. 11-1:30, at 5445 Legacy Drive Suite 100, Plano, Texas. It is at the corner of legacy and hedgcoxe.
Please bring any ideas, issues, etc so we can discuss and come up with more ideas. Anyone want to bring any show and tell?
When is your next meeting? and what do you guys do there?
Next meeting is this Saturday, Aug 25th 11-1:30, at 5445 Legacy Drive Suite 100, Plano, Texas.
We talk, share, show off.... and eat pizza.
David had a shirt made for us to see for our group.
Video's and your thought process which you were sequencing.
How many is in this group? How often do yall meet? Is there a meetup (i.e. meetup.com) for this that I can register for?
How many are in this group? How often do ya'll meet? Is there a meetup (i.e. meetup.com) for this that I can register for?
We meet monthly. Normal spot is a member's office on Legacy Drive in Plano.
On our "official" forum, we have 55 members.
On the Facebook group, there are 101 members.


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Home » Bizarre » The Beating of a Predator – Raymond Frolander
Bizarre Morbidology
This post was published on 14th July 2019 14th July 2019
It was a warm summer afternoon in Daytona Beach, Florida, in July of 2014, when a father was horrified to walk into his 11-year-old son's bedroom to find him being molested. The perpetrator was 18-year-old Raymond Frolander, a family friend. Shortly thereafter, the father called police to inform them that he had beat the molester to a pulp. "I just walked in on a grown man molesting [name redacted]. And I got him in a bloody puddle for you right now, officer. Send an ambulance. He is going to need one," he said.1
When questioned further, the father said: "He stood up and his pants were around his ankles and nothing else needed to be said. I did whatever I got a right to do except I didn't kill him." The operator asked the father if the molester was still unconscious to which he replied: "Yes… I hit hard, sir." The operator then asked if any weapons had been used to which the 35-year-old father responded: "My foot and my fist. He is nice and knocked out on the floor for you, I dragged him into the living room." He added that Frolander was a "damn lucky boy that I love my God." Presumably he was alluding to the fact that if he was not a religious man, he would've killed him.
Frolander was a family friend who had been entrusted to babysit the young son. The father told the 911 operator that he "loved him up until 15 minutes ago."2 According to the boy's grandmother, Frolander had been family to them. "I'm hurt because he was family. He was like our family and it hurts that he did this," she said.
The father later explained that he left the home momentarily to get some food. When he returned, he said he heard a strange noise coming from his son's bedroom. Upon opening the door, he said he found Frolander with his pants pulled down performing a sex act on his son. When the son was questioned, he said he had been playing video games but when his father left to get food, Frolander took him to his bedroom where he molested him and forced him to fondle him. The young boy also told investigators that Frolander had been sexually abusing him for around three years and that he had threatened him that "terrible things" would happen if he told anybody about the abuse.
Frolander was taken to Halifax Medical Centre where he was treated for his wounds. Following the arrest of Frolander, he confessed to molesting the boy for three years. His mugshot went viral; he was left with swollen lips and eyes and a bruised face.
Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood said that the father did what any father would've done and announced that he wouldn't be charging him. "Dad was acting like a dad. I don't see anything we should charge the dad with," he said. "You have an 18-year-old who has clearly picked his target, groomed his target and had sex with the victim multiple times."3
Frolander pleaded no contest to lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim younger than 12 which is punishable by up to life in prison. He received a 25 year sentence and upon his release, he will be listed as a sexual predator and will be on sex offender probation and electronically monitored for the rest of his life. "He's going to learn in the next 25 years why I let him live," said the victim's father.
Later, the father faced condemnation after posting a photo of his son – who was unidentified in the media to protect him – along with a gofundme in an effort to raise money for his therapy. The gofundme initially asked for $1 million but was later changed to $100,000 before being deleted completely. This led many feeling as though his son was being exploited for money. "This is unbelievable. The stigma that goes with being sexually abused is terrible," said Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood.4
International Business Times, 19 July, 2019 – "Police Chief Defends Actions of Father who Beat Son's Sex Attacker Unconscious"
Charleston Examiner, 20 July, 2014 – "Father Beats Babysitter Unconscious"
International Business Times, 19 July, 2014 – "Father Beats Raymond Frolander Unconscious After Catching Him Sexually Abusing his Son"
Charleston Examiner, 22 July, 2014 – "Man Who Beat Babysitter Unconscious Posts Abused Son Photo, Asks for Donations"
Susanna Vesna
Up until the Gofundme page info came up, I was 100% with the father! What the hell you need $ 1 million for? And why would you post your son's face? Moron!
15th July 2019 6:40 am
Mannabell
Father's violence against molester was justified. Gross that he ends up exploiting his son's trauma when money should be the last of his concern.
The Unsolved Murder of Amber Hagerman
4th February 2019 Christine Penhale 5
Who Killed Heaven LaShae Ross?
16th October 2017 Emily Thompson 7
15th July 2019 Emily Thompson 1


Kiddi Caru Day Nurseries Group recently sent a number of employees to attend a group training session at Connect Childcare. The purpose of the sessions was to get staff who has never used the system before, up to speed with Connect Childcare to allow the whole group to operate consistently.
Connect Childcare arranged group sessions for staff from different settings to attend together.
The staff members that attended were new to the system and needed a full introduction to the software as well as some more in depth knowledge on certain areas.
The team left the day with an in depth knowledge of the full Connect Childcare system and were full of confidence to start using it in their settings.
Investing in training for employees is proven to boost morale and company loyalty. Kiddi Caru's group training approach shows their employees that they are valued and that the quality of their work matters.
Following the training, the Kiddi Caru Day Nurseries Group can be confident that their staff members have a similar level of knowledge across all of their sites, something that becomes very important when reporting at group level.
"Feedback from the training sessions was fantastic. Our staff members who were quite weary of the system to begin with are now confident and ready to get stuck in.
It was important to us at Kiddi Caru Day Nurseries Group to make sure everyone was operating at the same level so that we're consistently providing a high quality service.
Connect Childcare have a team of experienced and successful trainers. They will work with your team to make sure everyone learns at their own pace and gets the most out of every session. Whether you choose a focussed session on one specific area of the system, or would like a broad overview of all areas, our training team can make you a bespoke training plan to ensure that your objectives are achieved. Our trainers can travel to hold training sessions at your own setting, or they can be held in our training rooms at the Connect Childcare offices in Burnley.


The roof is one of the most important parts of your home. It is the primary barrier between you and anything that can fall out of the sky. When taken care of, a good roof can last years.
Unfortunately, your roof will eventually get damaged, and you will have to decide whether it is time to repair or replace the roof. Repairing your roof is often the go-to solution to maintaining your roof. Other times, repair won't be enough. In this article, we'll teach you to recognize signs of roof damage, and help you assess whether repair or replacement is right for your roof.
Roof damage can be obvious or subtle. To recognize the signs of damage, you have to be on the lookout. This can require an inspection of the roof anytime there's extreme weather, or if your roof is getting old. When inspecting the roof, you need to look at the exterior as well as the interior. Roof damage can happen anywhere. Even on the inside.
When checking the outside of the roof, there are a few warning signs to look for. The first is the presence of water spots and discoloration. These are small areas of water damage that warp the shingles and exterior finish. Pay particular attention to the spots where the roof meets the exterior walls. This transition line can become distorted when damaged.
When you're on the roof, look at the gutters. A damaged roof may have little granules clogging the gutters or washing out the downspouts. These granules come from shingles that are either damaged or have been exposed to sunlight for too long. Granules can also be a sign of other roof damage. Look at the shingles themselves. If they are cracked or are cupping, this could mean the shingles are breaking down due to weather or the lack of proper ventilation from the inside.
To monitor inside roof damage, pay attention to the attic space and rooms closest to the top of the house. Water damage will begin to warp the ceiling and walls of the rooms below. If you have hardwood floors, you may also start to see drops or puddles of water in the middle of the room.
If you find any outside debris inside your home, this can mean there is a hole somewhere in the roof. Look for where the debris may have come from to locate the hole.
All of these warning signs mean that you need to take action immediately. Recognizing issues is just the first step. Now, you have to decide whether roof repair or replacement is necessary.
In most cases, roof repair is a better option. It can extend the life of your roof without the extra expense of replacing. There are a few conditions where roof repair is a good idea.
Think about the age of your roof. If your house is young and the roof is somewhat new, chances are you can repair the damage. If the roof is under a 30-year warranty, you can contact the manufacturer for roof repairs.
Another thing to consider is the context in which the damage happened. If you know when and how the roof was damaged, it can be easy to determine whether repair is enough. For example, if there was just a major storm, chances are the roof damage was a result of that particular storm. Any damage resulting from weather can be repaired. Usually, the exterior damage will be visible in these cases.
Finally, think about the extent of the damage. If it is a small mark, like a missing shingle, you should be able to repair without issue. If the damage is limited to the surface of the roof, you can replace a few shingles to fix the problem.
At some point in the life of any roof, replacement is necessary. The older a roof is, the less efficient repairs will be. You can continue to repair a roof but repairs are only going to get more costly. If your roof is old or nearing the end of its original 20 to 30-year warranty, replacement is a safe bet. If you don't know the age of your roof, you should assume it is beyond the time for roof repair.
If the damage to the roof is extensive, you should also consider replacement. Most damage can be repaired up to a certain point. If the damage has started to affect the structural integrity of the roof, however, it's time to replace.
Finally, if you notice a lot of water damage or leakage in the interior of your house, replace the roof immediately. While some damage can be repaired, the time and effort it would take too much. The top priority should be to have a solid roof over your head as soon as possible.
Whether roof repair or replacement is necessary, it is important to take action immediately. The longer your roof is left damaged, the more exposed your house is to the elements.
For help on roof repair and replacement give us a call for an inspection. We'd love to help you with all your roofing needs!


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Q: CAD (Photoshop, SketchUp, Corel) apps on Ubuntu? I am planning to replace Windows, but I'm  worrying if CAD application such as Autodesk AutoCAD, 3ds Max, Corel Draw and SketchUp, are they working well with Ubuntu?

A: Those applications will not run under Ubuntu. You might try with wine, but do not expect all software running smoothly.
On the other hand, you can try free linux software for CAD and graphics. You can also check out this directory of CAD linux software.
Check some of the alternatives or recommendations given, for example, in the following Q&A: How to get Autocad working with Wine?, What good CAD programs are available?, Is there any Ubuntu 12.04-compatible, open-source 3D modeling software capable of creating a 2D cross-section?.
You can find (probably a lot) more if you do a simple search in AskUbuntu.

A: No CorelDraw in linux (yet). You'll have to live with Inkscape and GIMP. No Autodesk products working in linux, with one exception. Autodesk MAYA runs great in many linuxes. MAYA is pretty close to 3dsMax, perhaps even better. MAYA is famous for Hollywood special effects (LOTR trilogy in particular).

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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PEN America Virtual Authors' Evening with Masha Gessen
Tuesday, June 23, 2020 | 7:00 pm
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Donation to Attend: $250 per ticket
Join us for a virtual intimate evening with Masha Gessen, an award-winning writer and PEN America Trustee, to discuss their new book Surviving Autocracy. Gessen is the author of 11 books including The Future Is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia, which won the National Book Award in 2017. Gessen has written about Russia, autocracy, L.G.B.T. rights, Vladimir Putin, and Donald Trump, among others, for The New York Review of Books and the New York Times.
A $250 donation is required to attend this very special evening. This donation is considered 100 percent tax-deductible and supports PEN America's mission to defend writers and free expression at a time of unprecedented need. Please fill out the form below to make a contribution and reserve your ticket. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.
Space will be limited to 25 guests to facilitate audience participation and discussion. Following your RSVP, you will be sent the Zoom meeting invitation. This is a private video meeting, and only guests who are on the RSVP list will be permitted to join.
Please contact Hannah Waltz at [email protected] for any additional questions or concerns.
Event Type: Authors' Evenings, Digital EventTags: Authors' Evenings, Masha Gessen, surviving autocracy, virtualGenre: Event
At Fox News, two top news executives involved in the channel's election night decision to call Arizona for Democrat Joe Biden are out. https://bit.ly/35Y0Oy2
CNN's Daniel Dale says it is "telling" that in four years of reporting on Trump's falsehoods, no one from the White House ever tried to get him to reverse a finding of inaccuracy. https://cnn.it/3iwuiIL
Journalists reflect on President Trump's record of lies, including the Washington Post fact checker's tally of more than 30,500 false or misleading claims made public during his term. https://abcn.ws/3sK3dpW


The PR 776 is the world's largest hydrostatic crawler tractor.
Crawler dozers are designed for tough mining, quarry, and construction operations. And like other equipment at these sites, the machines continue to get bigger as producers demand ever-increasing productivity at lower costs.
PR 776, its first offering of this type in the 70-ton category. Introduced into the American market late last year, it's reportedly the world's largest hydrostatically powered crawler tractor.
Competitive machines of this size typically rely on mechanical drives, such as a three-stage gear transmission with a torque converter and differential, explained Klaus Graner, Managing Director of Liebherr Components in Biberach, Germany. What sets the PR 776 apart is that, like all Liebherr crawler dozers, it instead uses an infinitely variable hydrostatic drive.
The new PR 776 features a Liebherr 12-cylinder, 1,477 in.3 (24.2 l) diesel engine developing 768 hp (565 kW), has a maximum operating weight of 74 tons and is equipped with blade capacities of up to 28.8 yd3 (22 m³).
As a bit of background, a basic hydrostatic transmission consists of a hydraulic pump supplying high-pressure flow to a hydraulic motor which, in turn, propels a wheel or track drive. It includes all the necessary fluid conduits, connectors and controls. The systems are a proven means of power transmission that offer smooth and stepless adjustment of speed.
In concept, mechanical-gear transmissions are more efficient than hydrostatic transmissions. However, that assumes a vehicle operates within a relatively narrow range of required torque and speed. Once the operator selects a gear ratio in a mechanical transmission, vehicle speed can only be changed by varying engine speed. When the engine reaches maximum revs, the transmission must shift to a lower-ratio gear. The need to shift gears in mechanical designs interrupts power flow and traction, and it typically means large swings in engine speed, which wastes fuel, noted Graner.
The PR 776, with a hydrostatic drive, offers fuel savings of up to 20% versus similar crawler tractors with mechanical drives.
"Normally, a gear box should offer good efficiency but, of course, the engine is not always at the perfect point," he said. And to smooth the drive output, a torque converter is essential, but energy losses here can be sizeable as well, he added.
In contrast, the hydrostatic drive lets the operator continuously vary vehicle speed from creep to maximum with seamless and continuous power transmission to both tracks. That's particularly advantageous when pushing a load under full power or climbing hills.
It's also extremely efficient, said Graner. Hydraulic servo pressure and flow are based on-demand. Electronic control of the system adjusts travel speed and drawbar pull to match load conditions. If full flow and pressure are not required, the load-sensing system automatically dials back hydraulic output and conserves energy. Likewise, in low power-demand situations the pump can increase output and let the dozer move at high speed without increasing engine speed.
Add to that, the hydrostatic transmission lets the PR 776 engine run at a lower speed—about 1,600 rpm—which further improves fuel efficiency, said Graner. Actual field data show fuel saving in the PR 776 of 15% to more than 20%, compared to competitive machines in this class performing similar tasks, he said.
Easy-to-access controls in the cab let the operator adjust machine performance and operating efficiency. Ergonomic joysticks direct dynamic outputs like speed, steering and blade functions.
Another benefit to the user is simple and straightforward operation. For example, joystick movement signals the pumps to vary output and speed up or slow down the vehicle. Similar commands move the swashplate over center and reverse flow to the motor, and let the vehicle change direction with simple fingertip control.
Maneuverability improves, too. The hydrostatic travel drive operates smoothly and automatically adjusts working speed to load conditions. Engine power always transmits to both tracks without interruption for fast and precise steering. This also minimizes track slip and lets operators concentrate on the work at hand.
It even offers pivot-turn capability. Powering one track in each direction (forward and back) lets the machine turn on the spot. This differs from other designs that power the outside track and brake the inner and require wider, more time-consuming turns. "The maneuverability of this machine is by far superior to a torque-converter drive," said Graner.
The PR 776 has the added advantage of dynamic braking. Thanks to the self-locking nature of the hydrostatic drive, moving the joystick to neutral signals the pump to destroke and center the swashplate, which brings the machine to a halt. On slopes, the system ensures that the machine doesn't roll backwards. An automatically activated parking brake provides additional safety.
The PR 776's low fuel consumption and excellent controllability are due in large part to "perfect matching of components," explained Graner. That includes not only those that make up the hydrostatic drive, but the electronic hardware, software and engine—and how they all interact.
For instance, thanks to common-rail fuel injection and optimized cylinder management and combustion, the latest generation of Liebherr diesel engines works efficiently at low speeds. Drivetrain-system expertise, in turn, ensures the hydraulic pumps and motors are matched precisely to the diesel engine.
And critical to all this is the control logic and programming, said Graner. Sophisticated algorithms were developed that match hydrostatic-drivetrain performance characteristics with engine output capabilities, as well as application considerations like operator demands and operating conditions.
The proprietary electronics and software combine in a modular platform that is scalable for small and large machines alike, and is used in other equipment like wheel loaders and excavators.
It's also notable that the company not only designs and manufactures drivetrain components for its own machines, but also supplies them to many customers outside the Liebherr group.
The end result is that the system's electronically controlled hydrostatic power and torque output deliver excellent traction and rapid response, while the "intelligent" engine-management system maintains constant engine speed and increases overall efficiency and performance of the PR 776. All these measures lead to significantly lower fuel consumption compared with conventional machines handling similar tasks.
The PR 776's hydrostatic circuit includes several main components. A splitter box off the engine drives pumps for the travel drive (as well as for the work hydraulics). The closed-circuit system for each track requires two 280-cc DPVG swash-plate pumps supplying two 370-cc DMVA swash-plate hydraulic motors. Feed pumps and control and relief valves augment the circuit.
The variable-displacement, axial-piston pumps are rated for a maximum speed of 2,500 rpm and volumetric flow of 709 lpm. Nominal rated pressure is 450 bar and maximum pressure is 500 bar. The design includes a hydrostatic swash-plate cradle bearing, and the pumps are built for heavy-duty loads with high reliability and long service life, according to the company.
The variable, axial-piston motors have a nominal pressure rating of 400 bar and maximum pressure of 450 bar. Maximum speed at a ΔP of 430 bar is 2,400 rpm, and maximum rated flow is 888 lpm. Like the DPVG pump, it's noted for high performance, ruggedness and efficiency.
Both pump and motor feature an inverted-piston design with a 22° swivel angle. The high swivel angle increases the conversion range and efficiency of the pumps and motors. Further, the compact rotary group and high-pressure capacity contribute to high power density. These pumps and motors are also used in related equipment like mining excavators and maritime cranes.
Robust and durable final drives on the PR 776, powered by the hydraulic motors, are designed to handle extreme loads typical of mining operations. The units combine spur and planetary gears, and include onboard temperature monitoring and double duo-cone transmission seals.
The hydrostatic drive depends on high-quality hydraulic pumps and motors that help ensure the vehicle operates reliably and with minimal wear. Unlike mechanical transmissions, the proven travel drive does not require more-problematic components such as a torque converter, multi-ratio transmission, service brakes or steering couplings. And by design, the hydrostatic system can be stalled without damage.
Liebherr hydraulic fluids permit service intervals as high as 8,000 hours of operation. These oils reduce friction, provide corrosion protection and offer excellent compatibility with hydraulic hoses, seals and gaskets. Thus, the fluids cut downtime, improve machine availability and, by minimizing resistance between moving parts, reduce fuel consumption.
Electronically controlled hydrostatic fans regulate hydraulic-fluid and engine temperatures. Fan speed adjusts to operating requirements, which helps save fuel and minimize noise. An optional, reversible fan automatically cleans the radiator and coolers in dusty work environments.
In the past, dozers were viewed as rather difficult earthmoving machines to operate. The PR 776's cab and operating platform helps ensure uncomplicated and safe operation. Not only do the ergonomic joysticks direct dynamic outputs like speed, steering and blade functions, adjustable settings let the operator tune the degree of control from delicate to aggressive, as needed.
The instruments and operating controls are organized for easy reach. For instance, the new PR 776 comes with an ECO function that lets the operator choose between maximum power for high performance and maximum efficiency in light-duty operations for greater fuel savings. Other settings like automatic engine-speed reduction, travel-drive response, and steering parameters as well as standard safety functions such as the rear-view camera can be all be accessed through the intuitive touchscreen display. All in all, the workspace is designed to minimize stress and strain on the operator and, in turn, improve overall performance and productivity.
Finally, the PR 776 comes with LiDAT, Liebherr's vehicle and fleet data management system, which provides critical information on vehicle location, operation and health. For example, the system supplies information such as vehicle uptime, operating demands and fuel consumption. It also offers remote monitoring, tracks overloads and faults, initiates alarms, notes service intervals and facilitates proactive maintenance. Technicians can even log into the machine controls from any location and pinpoint faults and help correct malfunctions.
Prior generation dozers WERE INDEED a challenge to operate, that is certain. So with a lot of brains in the control system this model should do a much better job much more simply.
But one added benefit was not listed, which is the ability to service the drive system in a modular manner, instead of doing a whole tear-down to repair a mechanical transmission. Of course, that was not mentioned because none like to admit that their equipment would ever need service, but sometimes service is indeed needed, and changing out one module could be a lot faster than a complete tear down.


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Game 6 Preview — The View from Houston...
By timbo May 14, 2009, 4:19pm PDT
Share All sharing options for: Game 6 Preview — The View from Houston...
Teams and their fans tend to move the bar in a 7 game series:
"Well, we didn't expect to win the first game on the road anyway. We'll get our split in Game 2..."
"Ah, the series doesn't start until a team wins a game on the other team's court. So what if we lost 2? We're going home!"
"Man, terrible refs we should have won that one; there's no way that they're gonna sweep us on our home floor... We can get just as hot as them, happens all the time..."
"What a rip, just wait 'til next year!"
Well, there will be no retrospective shifting of the target tonight for the Houston Rockets, when they take on the Lakers in Game 6 of their Western Conference Semi-Finals series. It will be all the fat lady wrote before she turned out the lights and pronounced the party completed for the undersized overachievers if they can't bounce back from their 40 point Game 5 humiliation. "It's win or go home," as the marketing sorts say on TNT...
When Houston narrowed the gap in this series to 2-2 (sic.), Rocket boosters were boldly professing a long view for this series: anticipating a Game 5 loss on the road, betting the ranch on a Game 6 home win and a "Do-you-believe-in-miracles? YESSSSSS!!!" upset in Game 7 at Staples.
If this be strategy, the Rockets have 'em exactly where they want 'em. They used teamwork to miss every shot imaginable (many of those twice) in Tuesday night's implosion for the ages. You want an overconfident opponent in Game 6? Done and done.
Now it's time to test the theory.
Is the Thursday-After-Mother's-Day Miracle still gonna be happening? Let's listen to the Rocket watchers, shall we?
(More after the jump...)
Click the headlines to read complete stories...
The Last Stand? Three-point shots must fall.
by Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle
The Rockets quickly returned to the familiar themes of the season, grasping at the hope and faith that redemption could be found where it so often has been.
They had gotten this far not with greatness, but with the determination and fortitude to be their best when things seemed to be their worst. Despite being knocked down more often than they cared to remember, they chose to point to all the times they had gotten up, growing stronger and better than before.
The Rockets had never been hit so hard, never defeated more thoroughly than in the Lakers' 40-point Game 5 pounding on Tuesday. But even before they left Staples Center to return home for tonight's Game 6, they insisted they could come back again.
"Normally, when we play a bad game, we respond pretty well," guard Aaron Brooks said. "If we keep up with tradition, we'll be all right."
With resilience more than a one-year tradition, the Rockets have reason to hope it is in their DNA. Down 3-2 in the series, they returned to Houston on Wednesday 15 years to the day after the Rockets turned "Choke City" into "Clutch City," going from what was then the biggest fourth-quarter collapse in NBA playoff history to a comeback win in Phoenix that sent them on their way to their first championship.
They are a long way from a title now, and things could be tougher than when Hakeem Olajuwon and Vernon Maxwell stunned the Suns. The Rockets are just one loss from elimination, as opposed to being down 2-0 as the Rockets were then. And while that team was at full strength, able to take its famous 18-point lead into the fourth quarter of Game 2, the Rockets now must make do with a short-handed roster. * * *
Lakers Know It Won't Come Easy: Road record, Rockets' intensity will be hurdles
by Brian MacTaggart, Houston Chronicle
His team had just put on a clinic, ripping the overmatched Rockets by 40 points Tuesday night to move within one game of advancing to the Western Conference finals for the second year in a row.
But Phil Jackson was already sending warning signals about how much work about the Los Angeles Lakers had remaining and about how winning Game 6 tonight at the Toyota Center would be difficult.
Just as they bounced back from a terrible performance in Game 4 to hammer the Rockets 118-78 in Game 5, the Lakers expect a different Rockets team to show up tonight.
"We can't take a step back and relax because we're up 3-2," Lakers point guard Derek Fisher said. "We have to get the job done Thursday night and try to close this game out. Elimination games are the toughest ones to get."
The Rockets are 10-1 in their past 11 home games, winning their final six regular-season home games and going 3-0 at home against Portland in the first round of the playoffs. They split their two previous home playoff games in this series.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are 2-5 on the road in their past seven playoff games, dating to last season's NBA Finals when they lost all three games in Boston in the series.
"On the road, (winning) is a lot harder," Lakers forward Pau Gasol said. "Houston is not going to give up, and we know that. They proved that in this series already."
Since the 1985 season, the Lakers have lost only one of the 13 seven-game series in which they led 3-2, blowing a 3-1 lead to the Phoenix Suns in the 2006 playoffs.
"We know what winning on the road in the playoffs is always a tall order," Jackson said. "The games are going to be hotly contested with strong, partisan fans behind their team, and that puts an effort into the team that's playing on the home court and that makes playoffs wins on the road special." * * *
Game Preview: Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers — Game 6
by UofTOrange, The Dream Shake
Point Guard
Brooks/Lowry vs. Fisher/Brown/Farmar - Up,down,up,down, so is the life of a group of young point guards. Brooks and Lowry have looked unstoppable at times in these playoffs, and at other times they've made it look like Rafer Alston is a better choice (say it ain't so!). Currently, with no Yao or Tracy, the Rockets need offense. Without that offense coming from the point guard s lot all is lost. Both players match up well with LA, however it's been their decision making that has made the biggest difference (other than LA just having more firepower) in the losses this series. When they make good, solid decisions, the Rocket have a great chance to win. * * *
Edge: Rockets — It's on these two guys' shoulders
Shooting Guard
Battier/Wafer/Artest vs. Bryant/Vujacic - Kobe Bryant IS that good. He's that good of an offensive and defensive player. Right now I think he's the 5th to 8th best player of all time. I'm not exaggerating and it's really funny to me that since people don't like him personally they denigrate his greatness. The guy is basically perfect as a basketball player. He is the closest thing to a replacement for Michael Jordan that has ever played in the NBA. Bryant is also possibly the only guy in the league that works harder at his game and physical ability than Yao Ming, and that's really saying something. * * *
Edge: Lakers — Come on, it's Kobe Bryant for goodness sake
Artest/Battier vs. Ariza/Powell - Ron, Ron, Ron, or should I say Ron-Ron? This is your battle to win man. You have the ability, you have the basketball intelligence, it's just odd how you turn that part of your game on and off. This playoff run has been mostly due to you, your shot selection and focus has been off the charts. That is, until Game 5. I know, the game was out of hand and you tried to do too much, I'm cool with it. Now it's time to rein it back in and try to get this to a Game 7, where, yes, anything can happen. * * *
Edge: Rockets
Scola/Landry/Cook vs. Gasol/Odom/Powell — Luis Scola has been a bit MIA this series. He's been hesitant with his shot, something we didn't see in the first round and his defense has dropped off. This needs to be a game where he goes off, 7-10 or so with some spin moves that get Gasol into foul trouble. Get Gasol to the bench early and the Rockets could build a lead. And speaking of Gasol, I would like to openly admit that this series has made me come around on him. I still don't particularly "like him" but I have a healthy amount of respect for him that wasn't there before. He's the only guy other than Bryant that has come to play night in and night out. His motor is silent, but deadly. If Odom plays a lot at the 4, then I expect to see big minutes from Landry. He'll slide to defending the Lakers SF and Artest will guard Odom. That lineup is very much in the Rockets favor.
Edge: Lakers
Hayes/Scola vs. Bynum/Gasol/Mbegna - Bynum has been predictably decent with no true center, or Chuck Hayes on the court. He hasn't blown me away, but to be fair to the guy, he's playing on 75% of a knee. But this matchup comes down to this: Can Chuck Hayes stay out of foul trouble? If he can, this game will be within the Rockets reach late. If he can't, it could be another huge loss. * * *
Edge: Lakers - But Chuck can sway it his way
Prediction: Rockets win, potentially on a last second shot to send shivers of doubt through LA. Or maybe it will be false confidence, I'd actually rather that.
No Layups — Keys to Victory in Game 6
by KIAH-TV, Houston and 1560-AM The Game, Houston
Game 6 Preview: Clutch City Where Are You?
by Brody, Rockets Buzz
I think Shane Battier said it best: "It's time to man-up or else it's golf time."
The Rockets need to pull out all the stops tonight to push this series to seven games. They need to reacquaint themselves with the hardwood at the Toyota Center, they need to out-muscle and out-hustle the Lakers in the paint, and most of all they need to get back to the basics of Rockets basketball-team defense.
I never thought I'd see the day when this Rockets team faced a deficit greater than 30 points. No matter how bad their shooting, I figured their defense would keep the margin low. Despite having Yao on the bench and Chuck Hayes sitting next to him in foul trouble, Tuesday's loss was devastating because it was so clearly out of character.
With Battier as the face the of the franchise, you're downgrading flash and dazzle in favor of consistency and effort. Houston fans expected more in both areas in Game 5. Let's hope in Game 6 they reclaim their image as players drenched in blood and sweat, both of which were drawn on the defensive end of the floor.
As for their offensive issues, I'll use one my favorite football analogies.
The Rockets, and Aaron Brooks in particular, ran east-west when they should've been running north-south. In Game 4 the Lakers couldn't keep up with the Rockets when they swung the ball around the perimeter.
Game 5 was different. The instances when the Rockets recorded three or more passes without a dribble were fewer, as were their opportunities for open jumpshots. The main reason for this was the penetration that wasn't penetration so much as agitation. Brooks faked inside before popping back and dribbling towards the recipient of the pass then delivering the ball. Ron Artest wheeled around the perimeter before dumping the ball, and Scola or Landry dribbled, pumped and faked before outletting it to a guard.
Removing the wasted dribbles and one-on-one moves would streamline the offense and push the Lakers back on their heels.
So, do the Rockets win tonight? My mind's telling me no, but my body — my body's telling me yes.
No Game Preview But We're Almost Famous!
Houston Channel 39 runs a feature on ClutchFans.net.
** ADDENDA * *
posted by "GMNot" to ClutchFans.net
I don't want to see any players loping up the court (not to name names but Landry does this too often). I rarely see Scola loping up the court. Speaking of Scola, he needs to "get right" tonight. He hasn't shot well since Fisher knocked him silly. Did they accomplish what they wanted by that?
My gut tells me the Rockets will get off to a good start -- which they even did in game 5. But then everything hinges on focus and not making mental errors -- bad passes, bad shots and lack of attacking the basket.
I think Wafer is most effective when the opposing team is a little bedazzled already. Otherwise he is a disaster waiting to happen. (This kid needs some serious work to up his BB IQ this summer.)
I don't agree with Battier's perscription of 30-40 3-pointers. He'd do better to mix it up and drive the basket from the corner more. This will create more space for his 3's in the long run. I know he's isn't the best ball handler, but he has to become more of the offense now with Yao out.
The more aggressive the Rockets are going to the hole tonight, the better chance to get some Lakers in foul trouble. Brooks has to be aggresive but not make bad passes like he did last game. He could get more fouls than he does. With his speed he can create body contact at an angle with most post defenders and get the block instead of a charge.
Good energy + Good focus + No bad passes + No bad shots = Game 7.
1. We can win this thing. It just takes the PGs showing up and Ronnie showing up and Scola showing up and everybody hustling.
2. Not turning the damned ball over so much would be nice, too.
3. Time for some home cooking. This series might well end badly for the Rockets, but it's not gonna end tonight if the team plays the game they are capable of.


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Boosting LBJ/Skillman
Regular readers of this blog know of my frustration regarding Richardson's incomplete history of trying to redevelop the West Spring Valley corridor, the Main Street downtown area, and especially the neighborhoods surrounding the train stations along DART's Red Line.
Today, I turn your attention to another redevelopment challenge, this one just to Richardson's south in Lake Highlands. The Dallas Morning News has the story:
Construction could begin by late next year -- if additional funding becomes available -- on an overhaul of the confusing intersection between the LBJ Freeway and Skillman Street in Lake Highlands.
Source: The Dallas Morning News .
After the jump, my reaction.
If you're familiar with the tangled spaghetti of the LBJ/Skillman/Audelia intersection, you know how big a challenge redevelopment will be. LBJ freeway isn't going anywhere. If anything, when the huge LBJ Express reconstruction project eventually extends east, LBJ freeway is going to pose even more of a challenge for creating a livable, walkable neighborhood at Skillman.
My fear and expectation is that any overhaul of this tangle of streets will focus primarily on moving more cars through that intersection. That goal will work against any goal to make the neighborhood itself a destination for people to go to and not just to go through.
Still, there's a hidden gem in this neighborhood that could turn out to be the key to redevelopment. That's the LBJ/Skillman station on DART's Blue Line. Unless you actually ride the Blue Line, you probably have never even seen this DART station. It's not visible from LBJ, from Skillman St, from Audelia Rd, from Royal Ln or Miller Rd but it's easily accessible to all of these.
What it isn't necessarily accessible to are the surrounding neighborhoods. LBJ freeway forms a barrier to the neighborhoods south. Likewise, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway forms a barrier to the east, which contains mainly warehouses and light industry in any case. So integrating this DART station with the full neighborhood is going to be almost impossible (on the order of integrating Richardson's DART stations to the nearby neighborhoods west of Central Expressway). But there's still enough neighborhood inside these borders to hold out hope for something significant here.
It's worth noting that the money for this redevelopment project isn't available yet. So, if anything does ever happen here, it's more likely than not that the project will be scaled back to the minimum -- meaning a road widening project for "congestion relief" (a quixotic promise that). I wish Lake Highlands the best, but this is a bigger challenge than anything faced by Richardson, which itself still hasn't managed to crack the nut of transit-oriented development.
Unconventional Wisdom About Austerity
Main Street/Central Expressway Study
Review: Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk
10 Lessons From Creationist School Books
South Pacific at Lake Highlands HS
S2L77: Kathmandu
LBJ/Skillman: So Was I Right?
Basketball: Berkner 91, Lake Highlands 59
Alcohol and Coffee are your Friends
Perry, Schools, and the Truth-o-Meter
Basketball: Richardson 55, Jesuit 34
S2L77: Bang Pa-In Summer Palace
God and Ross Perot
Review: Behind the Beautiful Forevers
Spendthrift Sam and Judicious Janet
S2L77: Ayutthaya
Straus versus Perry
Weak Tea in District 102
Enough with the Belt-Tightening Already
Of Slumlords and Castles
S2L77: Bangkok's Floating Market
OTBR: A House Decorated for Christmas in Quebec
Repeat Tweets: Badgers, Beavers, and Eagles


text:
using base::WeakPtr;
using content::BrowserContext;
using content::BrowserThread;
using content::StoragePartition;

namespace extensions {

namespace {

// Helper function that deletes data of a given |storage_origin| in a given
// |partition| and synchronously invokes |done_callback| once the data is
// deleted.
void DeleteOrigin(Profile* profile,
                  StoragePartition* partition,
                  const GURL& origin,
                  base::OnceClosure done_callback) {
  DCHECK_CURRENTLY_ON(BrowserThread::UI);
  DCHECK(profile);
  DCHECK(partition);

  if (origin.SchemeIs(kExtensionScheme)) {
    auto subtask_done_callback =
        base::BarrierClosure(2, std::move(done_callback));

    // TODO(ajwong): Cookies are not properly isolated for
    // chrome-extension:// scheme.  (http://crbug.com/158386).
    //
    // However, no isolated apps actually can write to kExtensionScheme
    // origins. Thus, it is benign to delete from the
    // RequestContextForExtensions because there's nothing stored there. We
    // preserve this code path without checking for isolation because it's
    // simpler than special casing.  This code should go away once we merge
    // the various URLRequestContexts (http://crbug.com/159193).
    partition->ClearDataForOrigin(
        ~StoragePartition::REMOVE_DATA_MASK_SHADER_CACHE,
        StoragePartition::QUOTA_MANAGED_STORAGE_MASK_ALL, origin,
        subtask_done_callback);

    // Delete cookies separately from other data so that the request context
    // for extensions doesn't need to be passed into the StoragePartition.
    extensions::ChromeExtensionCookies::Get(profile)->ClearCookies(
        origin, subtask_done_callback);
  } else {
    // We don't need to worry about the media request context because that
    // shares the same cookie store as the main request context.
    partition->ClearDataForOrigin(
        ~StoragePartition::REMOVE_DATA_MASK_SHADER_CACHE,
        StoragePartition::QUOTA_MANAGED_STORAGE_MASK_ALL, origin,
        std::move(done_callback));
  }
}

void OnNeedsToGarbageCollectIsolatedStorage(WeakPtr<ExtensionService> es) {
  if (es)
    ExtensionPrefs::Get(es->profile())->SetNeedsStorageGarbageCollection(true);
}

}  // namespace

// static
void DataDeleter::StartDeleting(Profile* profile,
                                const Extension* extension,
                                base::OnceClosure done_callback) {
  DCHECK(profile);
  DCHECK(extension);

  // Storage deletion can take a couple different tasks, depending on the
  // extension. The number of tasks is precomputed and passed to a barrier
  // closure.
  bool has_isolated_storage = false;
  bool delete_extension_origin = false;
  bool delete_web_url_origin = false;
  bool delete_extension_storage = false;
  int num_tasks = 0;

  GURL launch_web_url_origin;
  StoragePartition* partition = nullptr;

  if (AppIsolationInfo::HasIsolatedStorage(extension)) {
    has_isolated_storage = true;
    ++num_tasks;
  } else {
    delete_extension_origin = true;
    ++num_tasks;

    launch_web_url_origin =
        AppLaunchInfo::GetLaunchWebURL(extension).DeprecatedGetOriginAsURL();
    partition =
        util::GetStoragePartitionForExtensionId(extension->id(), profile);

    ExtensionSpecialStoragePolicy* storage_policy =
        profile->GetExtensionSpecialStoragePolicy();
    if (storage_policy->NeedsProtection(extension) &&
        !storage_policy->IsStorageProtected(launch_web_url_origin)) {
      delete_web_url_origin = true;
      ++num_tasks;
    }
  }

  // StorageFrontend may not exist in unit tests.
  StorageFrontend* frontend = StorageFrontend::Get(profile);
  if (frontend) {
    delete_extension_storage = true;
    ++num_tasks;
  }

  auto subtask_done_callback =
      base::BarrierClosure(num_tasks, std::move(done_callback));
  if (has_isolated_storage) {
    profile->AsyncObliterateStoragePartition(
        util::GetPartitionDomainForExtension(extension),
        base::BindOnce(
            &OnNeedsToGarbageCollectIsolatedStorage,
            ExtensionSystem::Get(profile)->extension_service()->AsWeakPtr()),
        subtask_done_callback);
  }
  if (delete_extension_origin) {
    DCHECK(partition);
    DeleteOrigin(profile, partition, extension->url(), subtask_done_callback);
  }
  if (delete_web_url_origin) {
    DCHECK(partition);
    DCHECK(!launch_web_url_origin.is_empty());
    DeleteOrigin(profile, partition, launch_web_url_origin,
                 subtask_done_callback);
  }
  if (delete_extension_storage) {
    frontend->DeleteStorageSoon(extension->id(), subtask_done_callback);
  }
}

}  // namespace extensions

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


BEING is a research project funded by a Marie-Curie Fellowship. The key objective of this research project is to develop a novel theoretical framework in which network formation and information diffusion can be analysed taking into account aspects of modern behavioural economics.
Psychologists and Experimental Economists have been providing models for humans' risk perception and interpretation of information that explain inconsistencies with rational decisions since the 1970's. But these models have not been used in the micro-foundation of dynamics at the macroeconomic level: for instance network formation games and information diffusion processes crucially depend on the individuals' incentives, and even small changes in the latter can potentially lead to crucial changes in the overall outcome. Take, as an illustration, a referendum on an important national decision. In a perfectly rational world, people would adjust their beliefs according to the information they receive, bearing in mind that the same piece of information may reach them via various channels and that the providers of information might have a self-interest. They would then form an opinion on the topic based on their preferences and their belief, and finally would strategically spread information so as to achieve their own best interest. But each link in this chain is affected by irrational behaviour: individuals tend to ignore information they don't like, they might even change their circle of friends depending on their opinion. They often ignore moral hazard problems, and they only spread the information they believe in without taking into account other people's reaction. In the end we might see a deeply divided but badly informed society, rather than a well informed society where a legitimate democratic instrument will lead to the social optimum. Understanding these dynamics, modelling them accurately, and developing measures to mitigate the risk of segregation requires to merge our knowledge on decision making, information aggregation, network formation, and diffusion processes from psychology, economics, and the hard sciences.


Jennifer Price Studio, a retail shop and atelier, offers an inspired collection of industrial furnishings and lighting, original photography, functional art and miscellanea … a visual feast of one-of-a-kind vintage furniture & accessories mingling with carefully selected artisan wares. An ever-changing array of goods is available at our shop in Southern California.
Stay tuned for a new + improved website coming soon!


The Commission sets out its findings regarding a mechanism to ensure that the dollar value of contributions by broadcasting distribution undertakings to local expression remains at current levels. The mechanism that the Commission has adopted is summarized in the conclusion section of this document.
1. Under the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations (the Regulations), licensed broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDUs) must, for each broadcast year, contribute 5% of their gross revenues derived from broadcasting activities in that year to support Canadian programming. Licensees are authorized to allocate up to 2% of those revenues to local expression.
2. In Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2010-622 (Community television policy), the Commission determined that the community television sector had benefited significantly from the growth in total contributions to local expression resulting from increases in BDU revenues and recognized the improvements in community programming made over the last decade. The Commission also determined that the current dollar value of contributions to local expression was sufficient to allow the community sector to attain its objectives. As a result, the Commission considered that the amount of contributions directed to local expression by BDUs should remain stable for the foreseeable future.
The maximum dollar contribution to local expression by each terrestrial BDU licensee will be based on the amount contributed by the licensee during the broadcast year ending 31 August 2010 (the 2010 contribution level). This amount will be adjusted yearly for inflation based on the annual Canadian consumer price index (CPI), as reported for the period ending 31 December of the preceding calendar year.
Given the likelihood that the revenues of terrestrial BDUs will continue to grow, once the 2010 contribution level (adjusted annually for inflation) represents 1.5% of the licensee's gross revenues derived from broadcasting activities, the allowable allocation to local expression will revert to a percentage formula (i.e., 1.5% of a BDU's gross revenues derived from broadcasting activities).
The difference will be directed to Canadian programming initiatives.
What is the most effective and administratively simple mechanism by which to maintain total contributions to community programming by licensed BDUs at current levels?
Should the percentage of revenues formula be applied on an undertaking or group basis? In the case of the latter, once an ownership group's aggregate contributions represent 1.5% of revenues, all undertakings within that group would move to the 1.5% allowable contribution.
What is the most appropriate use for the resulting difference?
What is an appropriate methodology for determining the contribution amounts of new entrants and systems that have undergone changes in structure and size? Are there additional factors that need to be taken into account in implementing a set contribution amount?
7. The Commission addresses each of the questions set out above in the following sections of this regulatory policy.
8. Most parties commenting on this question offered little in the way of alternative mechanisms that the Commission could use to achieve its stated objective of maintaining support for local expression at the 2010 contribution level.
9. Bragg Communications Inc., operating as Eastlink (Eastlink), indicated that it had no concerns with the transitional formula proposed by the Commission as it would allow for a gradual transition to the 1.5% cap. However, Eastlink submitted that the Commission should allow smaller systems to apply for an exemption to contributions to local expression on a case-by-case basis.
10. Shaw Communications Inc. (Shaw) was of the view that the Commission's proposed approach amounts to a patchwork of expenditure levels across various systems, making it inherently difficult to administer.
11. The Commission notes that most parties offered little in the way of alternative mechanisms that could be adopted to achieve the objective of maintaining contributions to local expression by licensed BDUs at the 2010 contribution levels. After reviewing the comments, the Commission is of the view that the approach it proposed in the Notice of Consultation is appropriate.
12. Accordingly, the maximum contribution to local expression by each terrestrial BDU licensee will be based on the 2010 contribution level. This amount will be adjusted yearly for inflation based on the annual CPI, as reported for the period ending 31 December of the preceding calendar year.
13. Once the 2010 contribution level, adjusted yearly for inflation, represents 1.5% of the licensee's gross revenues derived from broadcasting activities, which will eventually occur if increases in a BDU licensee's revenues are sustained, the allowable contribution to local expression will move to a percentage formula of 1.5% of a BDU's gross revenues derived from broadcasting activities.
14. Conversely, if a BDU licensee's revenues were to remain at or below 2010 levels, the 1.5% threshold would not be attained and the maximum allowable contribution of the licensee to local expression would represent the lesser of 2% of the licensee's current year's gross revenues derived from broadcasting activities or the 2010 contribution level to local expression, adjusted annually for inflation.
15. Only BDUs responded to the question of whether each BDU should contribute to local expression or whether contributions should be required at the level of the ownership group. The majority favoured continuing to apply contributions to local expression at the level of the individual BDU.
16. Quebecor Media Inc., Rogers Communications Inc. (Rogers), Cogeco Cable Inc. (Cogeco) and MTS Inc., which supported requiring contributions by individual BDUs, argued that a cap applied at the group level could cause a decrease in the funding of local expression by BDUs with revenues growing at a comparatively slower pace, particularly those in smaller markets. This is because markets with higher growth would reach the 1.5% threshold more quickly than markets with smaller growth.
17. Eastlink, on the other hand, considered that a group-based approach would be easier to administer. Bell Canada also supported a group-based approach, considering that it would provide flexibility to new entrants whose growth may differ from one licensed area to the next. According to Bell Canada, under a group-based approach, a balanced standard could be achieved across different regions.
18. While acknowledging that a percentage of revenues formula applied at the group level might be easier to administer since all undertakings within a group would move to a 1.5% contribution level at the same time, the Commission is of the view that such an approach to funding local expression could penalize smaller undertakings and their service areas where the least amount of locally reflective programming is typically available.
19. For example, in slow growth markets, if each undertaking funds local expression, contribution levels could remain close to 2% of revenues whereas, under a group approach, contribution levels may decrease to 1.5% of revenues because of the size and growth of other undertakings within the same ownership group.
20. Accordingly, the Commission will continue to apply the allowable contributions by BDUs to local expression at the undertaking level.
21. Several parties proposed options for the allocation of the 0.5% difference between the current contribution of 2.0% of annual gross revenues to local expression and the new contribution level of 1.5%.
22. Many parties not associated with BDUs endorsed the creation of a Community Access Media Fund (CAMF) to finance the independent, not-for-profit community television sector. The CAMF would provide additional funding for community access programming and increase funding for local programming in smaller communities.
23. For its part, the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada proposed that the difference be directed to support local programming by conventional broadcasters.
24. Some BDUs suggested that they should be permitted to direct the difference to the independent production fund or funds of their choice. This option was also supported by the Canadian Media Production Association.
25. Other BDUs suggested that they be permitted to contribute to new initiatives resulting from the Community television policy, such as funding closed captioning of community programming or meeting expenditure requirements for access programming. They submitted that this would contribute to improving the quality and accessibility of the content on community channels as well as provide funding to help BDUs meet their new requirements.
26. Eastlink suggested that BDUs be permitted to direct the difference to community channels operated by exempt systems, while Shaw submitted that funds could be directed to support the conversion of community channels to high definition (HD).
27. In the Community television policy, the Commission indicated that the 0.5% difference between the current 2.0% and the new 1.5% contribution to local expression would be directed to Canadian programming initiatives.
28. The Commission sees merit in several of the initiatives to support Canadian programming proposed by parties. It is of the view that many such initiatives would serve to fulfill the Commission's objective of maintaining BDU contributions to local expression at current levels while encouraging contributions to other Canadian programming initiatives.
29. The Commission notes, however, that the speed at which the full 0.5% difference will be attained by each system is dependent on the rate of growth in the revenues of each system. As a result, it is difficult to assess the actual amount of funds that will be available to be directed to other Canadian programming initiatives. Given this uncertainty, the Commission considers that using established funds rather than a new fund fully dependent on the 0.5% difference represents an efficient means of distributing the revenues.
30. In regard to the proposal by several parties to allocate the difference to the creation of a CAMF, the Commission notes that, in the Community television policy, it determined that the current level of contributions to local expression is sufficient to allow the community sector to attain its objectives. As well, in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2010-622-1, as a means to further support access programming, the Commission required BDUs to expend on access programming, at a minimum, an amount equal to 35% of community programming-related expenditures in the 2011 broadcast year, 40% in the 2012 broadcast year, 45% in the 2013 broadcast year, and 50% in the 2014 broadcast year. The Commission therefore considers that earmarking additional funding to access programming through the creation of a CAMF is not warranted as BDUs must already make a significant contribution to access programming.
31. In the Community television policy, the Commission indicated its intent to impose conditions of licence requiring licensed BDUs that operate community channels to caption 100% of original licensee-produced programming by the end of their next licence term. The Commission also indicated that it expects licensed BDUs to ensure that 100% of original access programming is captioned by the end of the next licence term. However, the Commission considers that allowing BDUs to direct the difference to the closed captioning of community programming for the remainder of the current licence term will encourage them to increase the level of closed captioned community programming prior to the beginning of the next licence term.
closed captioning of local expression during the current licence term.
33. Most parties not associated with BDUs did not comment on the methodology that should be used in determining the allowable contribution to local expression by new entrants and by BDUs that have undergone changes in structure and size.
34. The general position expressed by existing BDUs was that new entrants should not be afforded preferential treatment over incumbent BDUs competing in the same licence areas. Accordingly, Eastlink submitted that new entrant BDUs should be permitted to contribute the same percentage to local expression as the area's incumbent BDU. Cogeco also suggested that the same rules apply to all, including new entrants.
35. Bell Canada, on the other hand, submitted that there should be no cap for new entrant BDUs at this time as this would allow the revenues and local expression contributions of its terrestrial systems to grow in order to achieve a certain degree of market equilibrium. For its part, Rogers suggested that new entrants be permitted to contribute up to 2% of gross annual revenues for the first licence term and then be required to conform to the same requirements as other BDUs in subsequent licence terms, unless they can present a compelling argument for an exception.
36. Few parties commented on the treatment of existing systems that have undergone changes in structure and/or size. However, Rogers indicated that the existing contribution levels of the BDUs should be maintained following changes.
37. In the Community television policy, the Commission deemed it appropriate to adopt a progressive approach to reducing the allowable contribution by BDUs to their community channels, indicating that local expression contribution levels should remain stable for the foreseeable future. Given that new entrants have no existing contributions to local expression, this approach does not apply to new BDUs.
38. Given the target for allowable contributions by BDUs to local expression of 1.5% of revenues established in the Community television policy, the Commission considers it appropriate and administratively efficient to establish the contribution level to local expression of new entrants at 1.5% of gross annual revenues derived from broadcasting activities.
39. With respect to determining the allowable contribution level of existing BDUs that have undergone changes in structure and size, the Commission notes that such occurrences resulting from restructuring or acquisition are relatively rare. Notwithstanding this, the Commission considers that factors such as the current allowable contribution levels and subscriber levels of the undertakings involved will be considered in helping determine the allowable contribution level of newly formed undertakings.
40. In the Community television policy, the Commission indicated that BDUs would continue to fund community channels according to current regulatory requirements until the Commission reached its determination in the current proceeding. However, the Commission recognizes the need to allow BDUs adequate time to adapt planning and budgeting to conform to the determinations set out in this regulatory policy. Accordingly, the revised approach to contributions by BDUs to local expression set out in this document will come into effect on 1 September 2012.
41. The Commission will shortly publish a notice of consultation seeking comments on changes to the Regulations needed to reflect the revised approach.
The maximum dollar contribution to local expression by each terrestrial broadcasting distribution undertaking (BDU) licensee will be based on the amount contributed by the licensee during the broadcast year ending 31 August 2010 (the 2010 contribution level). This amount will be adjusted yearly for inflation based on the annual Canadian consumer price index (CPI), as reported for the period ending 31 December of the preceding calendar year.
Once the 2010 contribution level (adjusted yearly for inflation) represents 1.5% of the licensee's gross revenues derived from broadcasting activities, which will eventually occur if increases to a BDU licensee's revenues are sustained, the allowable contribution to local expression will move to a percentage formula of 1.5% of a BDU's gross revenues derived from broadcasting activities.
Conversely, if a BDU licensee's revenues were to remain at or below 2010 levels, the 1.5% threshold would not be attained and the maximum allowable contribution of the licensee to local expression would represent the lesser of 2% of the licensee's current year's gross revenues derived from broadcasting activities or the 2010 contribution level to local expression, adjusted annually for inflation.
The Commission will continue to apply the allowable contribution by BDUs to local expression at the undertaking level.
The Commission will establish the contribution level of new entrants at 1.5% of gross annual revenues from broadcasting activities.
In the case of existing BDUs that have undergone changes in structure and size, the Commission will consider factors such as the current allowable contribution levels and subscriber levels of the undertakings involved in helping to determine the allowable contribution level.
Compliance with the above will be required for each licensed BDU.
This approach will be effective 1 September 2012.
The Commission will use annual return information submitted by BDUs, beginning with the 2012-2013 broadcast year and compare these amounts with those set out in annual returns for the 2009-2010 broadcast year to verify compliance with this approach.
The Commission reminds licensees that their estimate of monthly contributions payable under sections 36 and 37 of the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations should be made in accordance with the provisions of this policy.
The Commission will shortly publish a notice of consultation seeking comments on changes to the Regulations needed to reflect the approach set out above.


text:
Q: JPG Image not appearing in JSP of dynamic web project I am trying to use an image in the below index.jsp file in a dynamic web project that I created in Eclipse Indigo IDE. I have added the image under WEB-INF/images/pict1.jpg under WebContent of my project folder. But when I am running in browser, the image is not visible. The text and submit buttons are coming as expected. Am I missing anything? Any idea about how to make the image appear?
Any help will be appreciated.
Below is the code.
Thanks,
Somnath
<%@ page language="java" contentType="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"
pageEncoding="ISO-8859-1"%>
<%@ taglib uri="/WEB-INF/tld/c.tld" prefix="c" %>

<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1">

<c:import url="/WEB-INF/javascript/index.js" />

<title>My Page</title>

Continue
	<input type="submit">

Continue
	<input type="submit">

A: According to this document from Oracle:

The WEB-INF directory is not part of the public document tree of the
  application. No file contained in the WEB-INF directory can be served
  directly to a client by the container.

Files contained in WEB-INF folder are not accessible by URL. If you're using Eclipse, put pict1.jpg image in WebContent/images so your JSP point to a valid location.

A: The image 'src' attribute is relative to the context root of your web application.  Images don't go in WEB-INF.  Move the 'images' folder to the "WebContent" folder of your project.
WEB-INF is usually reserved for metadata about your project that the container uses.  Your application jsps and other resources are usually in folders relative to the WebContent folder.