A large crowd gathered at Shipton Quarry in Oxfordshire on the morning of Sunday 30thAugust to see a 74-metre-high chimney being brought down to earth by Hughes and Salvidge.
The controlled explosion took place at the site at precisely 9.00am as part of our ongoing work for Earthline, one of the largest independent earthmoving, recycling and quarrying companies in the south of England.
The chimney was the last remains of the old Blue Circle cement works which has been demolished over the past year.
Everything ran like clockwork, with the chimney coming down safely and as planned under the careful control of our demolition engineers.
There was a very audible cheer amongst the many onlookers who has gotten out of their beds early to see it hit the ground.


In celebration of TableTop Day 2016, Shuffle & Cut Games will be having a huge sale! Deals go into effect 12:00 AM on Saturday morning and last all day!
Click HERE for for information about our 24 hour long TableTop Day 2016!


This coming Tuesday, Lords Online launches its Version 1.6. The people over at IGG want you to read all about it before it goes live, though!
Good News! Lords Online v1.6 will be officially launched at 1:00am EST (GMT-5) on December 14th! The new version features customized game settings and a brand spankin' new UI design. Join in the fun to experience a whole new world of adventure!


And so the drones have been set out to fly to swoop and access. According to Brandon Stark at the Center of Excellence on Unmanned Aircraft System Safety at the University of California, "This is one of the first big disasters where we can show how valuable drones can be." The drones are believed to help the locals to assess the damage to the life property including roads, power lines, oil and gas facilities, buildings and more. Above all, the drones are expected to play a determining factor to decide whether it is safe to go back or not.
Although the FAA had restricted the air space once Harvey struck, it found an exception to the rule. Unmanned aircraft systems were authorized for groups involved in response and recovery efforts. Operators, however, had to follow certain regulations like flying below 400 feet and within the pilot's line of sight. The drones were also not allowed to fly over large crowds of people. In addition to the rescue-operated drones, insurance companies launched their own fleet of drones.


text:
Home News Lifestyle
Websites failing to protect consumers from toxic plastic toys
Report claims China's massive e-commerce sites are boosting sales of unsafe products and failing to uphold safety standards.
Baby boy biting plastic toy. Image: leungchopan, CC BY-SA 2.0
By Wang Chen, Chinadialogue
A squishy toy, a squawking chicken and some fluorescent slime. Stress-relieving plastic toys like these sell well on China's e-commerce sites, usually for less than 20 yuan (US$2.80) each. No matter how they are handled, they always return to their original shape because they contain "plasticisers" that make them more flexible and less brittle.
But plasticisers can also be toxic. In particular, phthalates are one class of chemical used as a plasticiser that increase the risk of asthma and allergies and can interfere with hormone production, causing issues such as low sperm count or early puberty.
Worries over stress-relieving toys
In late May, Toxics Free China and the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation published a report on the safety of plastic toys being sold online, warning of hazardous plasticisers and loopholes in their regulation on e-commerce sites.
Most of these plastic novelties lack safety certificates and required information on date and place of manufacture.
Of the 12 rubber ducks purchased and analysed for the study, nine contained 123 to 312 times the permitted levels of plasticisers. These items were bought on Taobao, JD and Pinduoduo, three big e-commerce sites.
According to Wen Ruihuan, one of the authors of the report, plasticisers are released from products when heated or on contact with oils such as those found in shower gels. Having entered the body through the mouth or skin they make a person more likely to develop asthma or have an allergic reaction. They can interfere with the endocrine system, which secretes hormones into the blood – reducing fertility in men and causing early puberty in girls.
Phthalates are also found in household cleaners, food packaging, cosmetics and even concrete.
Professor Liu Jianguo, of Peking University's College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, said his own research has found exposure to phthalates results in nationwide healthcare costs of 57.2 billion yuan (US$8 billion) annually – mainly due to male infertility, of which there were about 2.5 million cases in 2010, but also obesity and diabetes.
Certification loopholes
In line with World Trade Organisation agreements and common international practice, the China Compulsory Certification (3C) system came into force in 2009, for products with health risks to people, other animals, plants or the environment. Plastic toys are one of the seven major product categories listed in the 3C system. Safety standards, including maximum plasticiser level, have to be met before the toys can leave the factory.
But Toxics Free China has found that only half of the first 300 listings for rubber ducks on shopping websites include certification data; and those sometimes include dead links, copied or out-of-date details and lack key information such as manufacturer's name and address.
Five of the 12 rubber ducks sampled did have 3C certification info yet still had excess levels of plasticisers.
Since December 2015, the China National Certification and Accreditation Administration has been collaborating with major online shopping sites to improve the management of products which should have 3C certification. Some sites have promised to highlight uncertified products and remove them from sale.
But in late 2018, a study by the State Administration for Market Regulation found 81 out of 564 sample products bought online did not display the name and address of the manufacturer and 33 were suspected of having no 3C certification. Of those with certification, 44 did not meet compulsory standards. Issues were found with almost 30 per cent of the products examined.
Prior to the publication of its report, Toxics Free China and some parents had reported issues to the shopping sites, quality supervision bureaus and consumer associations. Of the websites, only Pinduoduo responded, saying products breaching standards would be removed from sale, with checks to be carried out on similar toys.
Retailer responsibility
E-commerce has exploded in China since it began in 1999. By the end of 2019, the country's online shopping platforms are expected to have 700 million users, with online retailers accounting for 24 per cent of all consumer purchases.
Wen Ruihuan told China Dialogue that the report focused on online stores because they sell such large numbers of plastic toys, and because the sites could be doing much more to solve the problem. The sites could put more resources into overseeing merchants trading on their platform, and remove those lacking certification data from view.
But the online shopping sites have focussed on sales rather than product quality. The lack of an effective regulatory system means not enough attention has been paid to poor customer experiences.
For consumers, the two major online shopping issues are poor quality and counterfeits, according to a 2018 survey from the China Consumers' Association. Online shoppers often complain of problems enforcing their rights. Almost half of respondents said they had problems proving their case and obtaining refunds.
Chinese laws, such as the e-commerce law which came into force at the start of this year, now place higher regulatory requirements on e-commerce sites, making them responsible for problem products. But according to Wen Ruihuan, efforts by Toxics Free China to work with online shopping sites have not gone smoothly. The sites have either not responded, or simply removed problematic products without taking measures to prevent similar issues reoccurring.
"Taobao only started to remove products from sale after an online outcry," Wen said. "But when asked about better oversight and auditing, they say they don't respond to feedback from the non-governmental sector."
Better management of chemicals
Given the unhelpful attitude of the sites, Wen said Toxics Free China and the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation are considering using public interest litigation to force online shopping sites to fulfil their duty to ensure merchants reveal accurate certification data.
China's management of chemicals has so far focused on controlling acute risks. Frequent chemical accidents have led government to focus on the management of explosive and flammable substances. Many potentially harmful substances found in everyday products are not yet properly managed, according to the Toxics Free China report.
Experts say that alongside ensuring 3C certification x§, management of the production and use of plasticisers would tackle the problem closer to the source.
A policy on this, with the potential to close the loophole, is currently being drafted. Opinions on the Ministry of Ecology and the Environment's "Regulations on Evaluation and Management of Environmental Risks of Chemical Substances" have been solicited. These rules would allow the ministry and the health authorities to set limits on levels of harmful chemicals in products and impose penalties on firms that breach them.
"These regulations will be a powerful policy weapon for tackling failings in the management of toxic chemicals," said Dr Mao Da, academic director with Toxics Free China. "Chemicals such as phthalates will be subject to comprehensive assessment and management, controlled from the source and in the future potentially phased out."
This story originally published by Chinadialogue under a Creative Commons' License.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


As the Obama administration and some Democrat lawmakers plot more infringements on the right to keep and bear arms, residents in at least one Kentucky county are relieved knowing that they will be protected from unconstitutional gun control and federal lawlessness by their chief law-enforcement officer, Sheriff Denny Peyman. In an interview with The New American, the liberty-minded Jackson County sheriff said he would refuse to enforce any more assaults on the Second Amendment, and that federal agents would not be allowed to do so either — at least not in his jurisdiction. Teachers will be allowed to bear arms as well, he said.
The patriotic sheriff, who believes in the Constitution and wants citizens to be able to defend themselves, is part of a growing trend that is catching fire all across America — especially recently as Obama tries to further restrict gun rights. Chief law-enforcement officers from Oregon and Texas to Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Alabama are drawing a line in the sand, telling the federal government that in their jurisdictions, at least, the Constitution still applies and citizens' rights must be respected. Numerous state governments, meanwhile, are considering legislation that would put federal agents in prison for up to five years if they attempt to enforce new unconstitutional infringements.
And in Jackson County, regardless of what out-of-control politicians in Washington say, that is the way it is going to stay as long as Sheriff Peyman is in charge. To start with, no unconstitutional acts or executive edicts will be enforced by his office, he said. When asked about whether he would allow federal agents intent on violating gun rights into his county, the sheriff's answer was simple and to the point: absolutely not.
Like many millions of Americans, Sheriff Peyman is concerned about federal power grabs across the board, saying that much of it has been accomplished by offering taxpayer money with strings attached to state and local authorities. The unilateral overreach by the executive branch, however, is becoming increasingly alarming as well. In fact, as Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) explained about his bill to rein in "King" Obama's anti-gun edicts, it is an urgent and serious problem that must be addressed by officials at all levels nationwide.
The sheriff said his county was currently working on a plan that would allow armed teachers and school officials, a popular idea that has been pushed by activists for years but recently exploded into the national debate. He explained that such common-sense measures — while certainly not perfect — could help prevent or minimize mass-shooting tragedies, which virtually always occur in legally mandated so-called "gun free zones" such as schools.
With federal lawlessness reaching historic proportions, Sheriff Peyman is hardly alone — state and local officials across America are increasingly seeking legal remedies to protect the rights of citizens. One of the most popular in recent years has been the concept of nullification, where a state government declares unconstitutional federal statutes to be invalid within its jurisdiction.
Both sides of the aisle have pushed the idea, with conservative-leaning states nullifying ObamaCare and unconstitutional gun control, for instance, while more liberal states nullify federal drug statutes or lawless infringements on civil liberties. Voters in Colorado and Washington State, for example, recently legalized marijuana for recreational use despite statutes passed by Congress. Over 15 others have legalized it for medical purposes despite federal prohibition.


The victim in a wild Queens hit-and-run was fatally mowed down by his own buddy after a violent brawl over a parking space, cops and a relative said Monday.
Victim Richardo Chattergoon even caught a ride with his pal to a South Ozone Park hookah bar in the same Hyundai sedan that would later crush him early Sunday on a narrow sidewalk.
"(Chattergoon) is the person in the car with him, a little twist there we didn't know until this morning," NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said Monday.
Cops said Adrian Harry, 22, jumped the curb at Liberty Ave. and 129th St. and plowed his rental car into the spot where Chattergoon and several other bar patrons were gathered at about 5 a.m.
Harry's fit of rage had been triggered minutes earlier during an argument over a parking spot, cops said.
He had argued with two men in a BMW, and allegedly stabbed one in the chest, the other in the stomach, authorities said.
Harry told detectives he whipped out a folding knife he normally uses to cut sheet rock, then wrapped a belt around his hand to protect it, prosecutors said.
"I started swinging. I swung at at least 10 people," he said, according to a criminal complaint. "I struck about two or three."
He then hopped into the Hyundai, jumped the curb and plowed into a group of people, including Chattergoon, who were standing outside XS NYC, authorities said.
Harry, who referred to Chattergoon as "Moses," told cops he had no idea his buddy was part of the crowd, prosecutors said.
Harry had picked up Chattergoon, 23, in the same car hours earlier, for a night on the town, a relative of the victim's said.
"Adrian came to pick him up that night, probably to go to a bar or something," said the woman at Chattergoon's Far Rockaway home who identified herself only as his aunt.
The two men lived blocks apart and became friends after Chattergoon arrived in the U.S. from his native Guyana, according to the aunt.
"He only came to this country about a year ago," she said.
Cops handcuffed Harry when he showed up at Jamaica Hospital — where the surviving victims had all been taken — for treatment of cuts on his hand.
Harry showed up at the hospital "with kind of a BS story, if you will, that he was stabbed someplace else. Detectives were quick to put him at the scene...and he admitted to the entire event," Boyce said.
Harry was charged with murder, assault, reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon.
His lawyer, Susan Silverman, said he was acting in self-defense.
"This kid has never been arrested. Someone attacked him and he defended himself," she said. "There was no intention to mow anyone down. His sense was just to get out of there. It's a tragic event."
He was ordered held without bail Monday night.
Police also arrested a second man, Vernal McLean, who was suspected of using a hammer to bash in Harry's car window, apparently after he saw his two friends get stabbed, authorities said.


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Timo Schmid ist ein deutscher Wirtschaftswissenschaftler.

Leben
Er studierte Mathematik an der Universität Tübingen. Von 2010 bis 2012 promovierte er am Lehrstuhl für Wirtschafts- und Sozialstatistik an der Universität Trier. Ab 2012 lehrte er als Juniorprofessor und ab 2017 als Universitätsprofessor für Angewandte Statistik an der Freien Universität Berlin. Während dieser Zeit leitete er auch die statistische Beratungseinheit fu:stat der FU Berlin. Seit 2021 ist er Inhaber der Professur für Statistik und Ökonometrie an der Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg.

Seine Forschungsgebiete sind Survey‐Statistik, insbesondere statistische Modellierung, Indizes und Sozialindikatoren, insbesondere Armutsmessung, Nutzung großer Datenmengen/ Big Data (etwa Mobilfunkdaten) in der Statistik, Small Area Estimation, Simulationstechniken und Monte‐Carlo‐Methoden, räumliche Analyseverfahren und Estimation of Wealth Using HFCS Data.

Schriften (Auswahl)
 Numerischer Wertebereich. Numerischer Wertebereich und Potenzbeschränktheit von Operatoren. München 2011, ISBN 978-3-86924-005-3.
 mit Ann-Kristin Kreutzmann, Philipp Marek und Nicola Salvati: Estimating regional wealth in Germany. How different are east and west really?. Frankfurt am Main 2019.

Weblinks
 uni-bamberg.de
 wiwiss.fu-berlin.de

Ökonom (21. Jahrhundert)
Statistiker (21. Jahrhundert)
Hochschullehrer (Bamberg)
Hochschullehrer (Freie Universität Berlin)
Deutscher
Geboren im 20. Jahrhundert
Mann

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Today I'd like to talk about the story of a man who wasn't beaten by the cops, wasn't arrested by them (at least in this encounter), wasn't even searched by them. I want to talk about his story because it goes to the heart of the Black encounter with fascist policing today: the everyday, relentless, low-level harassment of Black residents of the US.
the Three-Fifths Compromise was essentially what this particular gentleman doesn't understand was it was to give humanhood to black people. Spike Lee learned that and it was an embarassment to him.
It's no surprise to any readers here that he's wrong. But here's the thing. Quite a number of people don't understand the 3/5th compromise. Quite a number of you reading this, I'm sure, don't understand the Three-Fifths Compromise, if by "number" we include "one or possibly two out of both my readers". One and two are both numbers, right? Okay then. That out of the way, let's take a look at why Jackson is wrong.


text:
package com.jvpichowski.jme3.es.bullet.components;

import com.simsilica.es.EntityComponent;

/**
 * Set the friction of a physics object. It will be applied in the next
 * physics tick.
 *
 * For standard values look at:
 *
 * https://www.thoughtspike.com/friction-coefficients-for-bullet-physics/
 *
 */
public final class Friction implements EntityComponent {

    private final float friction;

    public Friction(float friction) {
        this.friction = friction;
    }

    /**
     * Default friction(could different from bullet): 1
     */
    public Friction() {
        this(1);
    }

    public float getFriction() {
        return friction;
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Related titles for this image are Yellowing hellebore leaves yellow why. Not enough light seedlings why cannabis leaves turn yellow grow weed easy from iron deficiency. Edit with snappa green leaf plant free stock photo pexels jpeg cs srgb dl leaves table. Yellow leaves are a typical side effect of debilitated plants however more intensive look can uncover pieces information that assistance gardeners get why your turning the plant guide nutrient. Whole leaf in decline only green left the veins farm call yellow leaves on raspberry tunnels and original. Citrus tree with yellow leaves grapefruit. Stock photo tropical plant with yellow and green leaves from costa rica.


Hans Hautmann. Biography. | Interportal "Fascism-XXI at your door"
Home » Hans Hautmann » Hans Hautmann. Biography.
Hans Hautmann was born in 1943 in Vienna.
He graduated from the Faculty of History and German Studies at the University of Vienna.
In 1968 he was bestowed a degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Thesis: "Beginning of movement of left-wing radicals and the German-Austrian Communist Party in 1916-1919."
From 1969 he worked as an assistant of Modern and Contemporary History Institute at the Johannes Kepler University of Linz.
In 1982 he was instated an academic status of associate professor for the work "History of Soviets' movement in Austria, 1918-1924."
In 1988 he was awarded the Victor Adler State Prize for the history of the labor movement.
1997 Professor of department of Modern and Contemporary History.
2000 Director of Linz Institute of Modern and Contemporary History.
In 2005 he retired and since that time lives in Vienna.
1993 - 2005 President of the Library and Archives Association of Alfred Klahr Society.
1998 - 2007 President of the Association for the promotion of research on judicial history.
He is the author of 11 books and 244 articles on topics of Austrian and international labor movement, history of Austria in XIXth and XXth centuries, the First World War, the judicial history, the history and theory of the Revolution, Marxism, socialism and communism.


Ever place a flashlight behind your hand and watch with wonder as the light makes its way through – more in thinner areas, none where bones would be?
Like the human body, a tree may look solid but is less dense than many truly-opaque materials, leading to ideas like this carved-out wooden light bulb.
While this first model may not be terribly bright, it could be great for mood lighting, the grain standing out sharply against the brighter lines in between.
The wood was chipped out by hand before putting in an LED. While this is just a handmade prototype from Ryosuke Fukusada, the potential for mass-production seems clear – or at least, semi-transparent.


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My DM is my roommate and not a good DM… help?
My roommate is currently running a Final Fantasy X campaign, and my fiancée and I are both in it, along with his wife and two other friends. So far, this DM has:
Railroaded both my and my fiancée's characters into his plot by burning down my character's house and garden and sticking my fiancée with an annoying NPC that just pesters him into the plot.
Shown obvious favoritism to his wife, focusing only on her character's plot and development, not allowing anything truly detrimental happen to her, and only having her attacks actually do any lasting damage.
Ignored any and all Stat numbers that we have written. One character with the highest defense was almost knocked unconscious by a single punch.
His NPC's tend to take over every situation and get more attention than the player characters. We once listened to a five minute conversation between two NPCS that had no relevance to the plot whatsoever, and whenever one is in the party, they outshine the PCS in every way.
My fiancée, a DM with over six years of experience, has talked to him about what he could improve on as a DM (and he asked for my fiancée's feedback), but he seems to have not listened to it whatsoever.
So my question is: with him being my roommate we want to keep all of this as civil as possible. But with each session of putting up with this bull it is getting harder and harder. How should we handle this situation?
group-dynamics problem-gm
LegendaryDude
KeylaleighKeylaleigh
\$\begingroup\$ Are there any redeeming features to this game, or is it a constant stream of annoyances similar to the ones you list? If the latter, it seems unlikely that it is fixable with a single piece of advice, unless you are simply asking for the best way of exiting the game whilst remaining friends with your room-mate. And, being your room-mate, you know him and his likely reactions to your behaviour better than anyone here. To narrow down the question, can you change it from "How should we handle this situation?" and write the outcome you would like? \$\endgroup\$ – Neil Slater Apr 20 '16 at 19:01
\$\begingroup\$ I tried to draw a map of the relationship between all of the people described and discovered that as described, our querent is the roommate of someone who is married, and is engaged to someone else, and is resentful of the spouse being shown an imbalanced amount of GM attention. As a group dynamics question, there appear to be things going on here that have nothing to do with games. Just curious: how old is everyone here? The general red flag is the GM/NPC spotlight hogging. \$\endgroup\$ – KorvinStarmast Apr 20 '16 at 19:42
\$\begingroup\$ Hey all, let's try to make these answer actually good and tuned to this specific situation. See meta.rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/5649/… for more. \$\endgroup\$ – mxyzplk Apr 23 '16 at 17:14
\$\begingroup\$ Also, it's probably worth taking a look at Good Subjective, Bad Subjective. As this question inherently asks about a situation without rules, answers should be supported by experience and should not just be "here's what I'd do." \$\endgroup\$ – nitsua60♦ Apr 28 '16 at 1:06
It sounds like you already know the answer to your question. :)
Leave the game. Life's too short.
The only reason you need should be "we're not having fun in this game". If you really don't feel comfortable saying that, I've seen players quit games with excuses like "it's summer and we want to be outside more" or "we have a scheduling conflict".
Dan BDan B
\$\begingroup\$ This. Nothing can fix a bad DM except the DM \$\endgroup\$ – Nemenia Apr 20 '16 at 21:38
\$\begingroup\$ The "scheduling conflict" may be a hard sell since the DM is the OP's roommate unless an actual activity can be found, but something not as obvious may work. \$\endgroup\$ – jpmc26 Apr 22 '16 at 2:26
The DM is running the game like a computer RPG
I don't know what system you're using, but you say your setting is Final Fantasy X. Final Fantasy X is a videogame, and while it's an RPG videogame, it does have many of the elements that come back in your remarks:
Railroading: FFX has a central narrative that the game wants you to follow. There are sidequests, but at once point, they run out and you have to do the main questline. Especially early on, you need to have a Macguffin to start the plot.
Favoritism: FFX does not really involve a party as is traditional in pen & paper RPGs, but instead has a central character who has the majority of the plot development. They do get extra party members, but compared to the protagonist, they're not as important, to put it bluntly.
Gameplay-story segregation: As a videogame, FFX handles story different than gameplay. Characters who are completely broken in the gameplay segments through appropriate min-maxing might be killed trivially in a non-interactive segment (see also: Aerith), or they might have to put in tremendous effort into a trivial action.
empowering NPCs instead of players: Similar to above, sometimes you need an exposition dump. Final Fantasy in particular is notorious for prolonged cutscenes and boss battles that sometimes can last an hour or more.
The elements above are all core parts of Final Fantasy X the computer RPG because of inherent limitations of a finite state system, but actually don't make much sense in a tabletop RPG because you have other limitations. The main difference is that a computer RPG has the main focus of wanting to tell a story, with the main narrative mostly tied down. The main focus of a tabletop RPG is empowering the players and having your own impact on the story, which can go an entirely different way than the GM originally planned.
Solution: either change system, or change GM style
The main issue here is a system incompatibility. Your GM is handling the game in a more story-focused way, and not every system is compatible with that. There are specific systems that are more focused on telling a specific story and less about player empowerment. Alternatively, the GM can just have a FFX setting, but change his DM style to focus more on empowerment of players and less on telling the story he wants to tell. Either way, you have to change one of them. The current situation will likely result in problems with both the game and your friendship.
NzallNzall
\$\begingroup\$ Good spot that it sounds like it was being run like a computer RPG. \$\endgroup\$ – Len Apr 22 '16 at 13:27
I've mostly the same recommendation as Dan B's answer; however, here are some ideas that might help you out, perhaps try these first (or consider them). If nothing works, your last option is always just say you want to leave the campaign because of other commitments.
Ask him to be accountable for his characters, story, NPC's, etc. It's up to the DM to create such instances, but I assume he should be making these based on the books. That being said - ask him to start being accountable with it. E.g. if he creates a NPC to help you that is massively stronger then your party, get him to explain why this character is so strong (if it was a commoner, guard, or other he should be referencing the pre-made ones in the Monster Manual).
If it's available - make some character/placement changes. Talk to his wife about her role in the group - ask if she is 'ok' with changing up the dynamics of how the players work. Perhaps ask her to take on a support role for one of your characters instead of a main role.
Another option is to ask him to change his DM style, to see if it works better. Having issues with overpowered NPC's in your party? Ask him to use pre-made ones from the Monster Manual. Not enough RPing for your characters? Inject yourself into the conversations. Does he have a favorite in the party who seems to win at everything? Ask to have "open" rolls for everything.
Finally, if you feel there is still a massive favoritism, poor planning, and other bad practices by the DM, simply tell him that you cannot continue in the campaign. There is a number of good excuses that will not upset him I am sure.
\$\begingroup\$ You don't need an excuse. All you have to say is "not having fun. I play RPG's for fun." And it's honest. (otherwise a very good answer). \$\endgroup\$ – KorvinStarmast Apr 28 '16 at 1:05
Offer to run something yourself to give the GM a break. Then do all the things he doesn't. Run something open-ended, like a sandbox. Show him player determination, rather than GM determination. Model good GMing.
Brett SlocumBrett Slocum
Try going off camera. When the DM is focusing on his wife's PC, then just start making up your own story.
One of my favourite campaigns was Vampire which had a player who needed a lot of DM attention for political plots. The two of us not getting the focus as Brujah just went off and did our own thing in character: playing in the arcades; selling cigarettes to kids; providing friendly advice to the local slayer; setting up a blood drug dealing business (okay that might not have ended well).
Also, if the DM doesn't give you enough motivation, then just make up your own. If you've been railroaded into something you have even more of a chance later down the trail to go your own way. If I'd waited for the DM to give me motivation I wouldn't be shareholder in the galaxies newest and most daring import/export specialists.
Arwen Evenstar
\$\begingroup\$ The import/export specialists are in Star Wars not Vampire, cause that would have been weird. \$\endgroup\$ – Len Jan 25 at 10:52
I'll play the devil's advocate. Charges are:
"Railroading into plot", by burning house/garden (arson!) and sending a masked ass... pestering, annoyance of an NPC.
Protecting DM's wife.
Making wife's PC a central one (plot and character's development, no disadvantages, her attacks do lasting damage)
Knocking out highest DEF char with a single punch.
Ignoring the stats.
Outshine PC by NPC. In cold blood.
Being a roommate...?
Railroading: quite appropriate if party agreed on "we want to be thrown into plot fast and not bother with team building but we don't have a team concept so do it for us DM".
Protecting significant other and making her central: if she's new to RPG and was hesitant, it might have been her condition for playing. Or him being nice to her. Or both. Or "no sex if I look bad" was used. Motivation here can be key if you wish to change the situation. Or even react appropriately (roommate etc.).
Or perhaps whole campaign was devised with one character at the center. Then said character dying can screw things royally.
Knocking highest DEF char with a single punch: if a seemingly innocent NPC who's actually rather sinister came along, taking on best equipped fighter is a given, serves as a good warning to rest of the team. Yes, it can be done better, but when improvising people don't always go for best. Oh no, they turned left! Quickly!
Ignoring the stats: easy to counter. There's this DM with 6 year's experience, can't he say "I'm sorry, but how did that happen, if my character has a sneak attack?"
Outshine PC by NPC. In cold blood: serious joy-killer. Record all examples and then approach the DM and say: here, here, here and here and here, and also there. In all those situations my PC was completely useless. I get it that she doesn't have but I dislike it. I mean: I want less of those situations and more of those... whom I couldn't record because not a single one happened: when my PC stole the limelight and was awesome because . Something like did with that attack. Or the other thing. Or that yet another thing.
Being a roommate...: sorry, but I'll ask bluntly (I don't know how to do it better). Is there some other tension over unwashed dishes or bad hygiene or WHATEVER between you? You don't need to answer me / us / here. Just answer this yourself, if you want to approach this in civilised manner. If you are repressing yourself over something else AND his DMing, both will come out when you unbottle just one - all it takes is a moment of anger.
And some serious questions:
is your wording by chance or are you trying to convey deeper meaning? Is wife, fiancee, roommate relevant here or could it equally well be "DM, player A, player B, DM's girl"? In other words: pairs competing for instance? Again, I don't need to know the answer - you do.
Your fiancée was solicited for feedback - ain't this a good sign? When was it? How long ago? Implementing feedback overnight ain't easy, are you guys helping the DM with it?
have you talked this over with ANYBODY in the team? Those "two other friends", who are not part of any pairing here, are they with you on this? Or perhaps they said "it's between you guys, we don't have troubles with his DMing"?
LIttle Ancient Forest KamiLIttle Ancient Forest Kami
\$\begingroup\$ Do we actually need a devil's advocate? Are you explaining your own position on matters, or are you posing plausible justifications and arguments that you don't necessarily agree with or find reasonable for the sake of argument (which is what playing the devil's advocate tends to mean)? You may want to make it clear which one this is. What's your suggestion for action on actually responding to the situation, which is being requested? Last of all, I request you ask those clarifying questions in comments on the question itself, it's appropriate there. \$\endgroup\$ – doppelgreener♦ Apr 21 '16 at 14:17
Honestly, this is going to be a very controversial subject as everyone will have different opinions and idea on how to handle such a situation. Which is obvious by how many have already given their answers.
But in short this is how I would like to handle the situation. Let him know that you are having some trouble with the way he has been running the game. Let him know it's nothing against him it's just that you aren't having fun because you are being treated like NPC's rather than players. Let him know that you want to play as long as he is willing to do his part to keep you interested. After informing him next time you play let him know if he starts doing it again (Don't call him on it every time, sometimes you'll just need to grit your teeth that way he won't feel attacked.) When he does good and treats you like players at the end of the session let him know that you enjoyed it, and what parts you liked.
AxisAxis
If you're happy to continue playing with this group, then at the end of the next session raise the proposal that you would like to start a new game, and to have a new GM. If there's another time when your group gets to talk (say at the start, or at dinner), then choose that time instead. If you have a plan for a new GM (e.g. who is the GM, what is the game system, what scenario will be used, and what rules apply), flesh that out a bit, and get support from others before the next session. The more gaps you have filled, the easier it will be for your plan to work.
If you are not happy to continue playing with the group, then immediately communicate this to the group that you're not going to continue, stating a specific reason why you made the decision (avoid emotionally based comments), and under what circumstances you would like to continue playing (e.g. with different players). If this is longer than one short paragraph, then cut it down to one paragraph. Don't attend any more sessions. You are voting with your feet. Its not easy to explain reasons for a conflict, as the other parties often don't want to understand. Frame it in terms of a "game preference" rather than a conflict. As long as you remain open to new opportunities, and also, that you communicate as much as you feel comfortable with, then the outcome will be positive. Take a moment to consider the positives of the group, and hang onto those positives as the core for moving forward.
Take decisive action!
PenanghillPenanghill
From what I have read, it sounds like this may be the particular style your friend likes to GM. It is possible the GM style he uses is what he is most comfortable with. From a GM perspective it is predictable and easy to manage. He doesn't need to worry about the possibility of an unplanned chance event.
Have you considered offering to GM yourself? It will give you a chance to see how it is like from the other side of the table and maybe even see some of the difficulties your friend is facing? In my experience, GM isn't an easy task, but like anything it gets easier the more often you do it. It is also highly possible your GM would actually like to be a player more than a GM. On the plus side, you might find out you like GMing!
Alexander ChenAlexander Chen
I once had a Game-Master run a 90 minute conversation between three non-player characters and a player character being run by the GM. The solution was to organize a strike among the other players. If you, your fiancee, and the other two players are all dissatisfied then bring it up as a group and the DM will be forced to reassess his playstyle or to accept that he may no longer have a group.
Soldier of VolSoldier of Vol
Maybe put them in your shoes. Propose alternating weeks between this campaign and one run by your fiancee, and then ask your fiancee to show the same favoritism/railroading with you as the beneficiary and them as the victims, as an object lesson. When they call you on it, point out something similar that they did.
If he thinks that his behavior is normal or is how a DM is "supposed to" act, he might misinterpret any and all feedback as as attempts to browbeat him into "letting you win" unless he sees the other side of it.
Random832Random832
\$\begingroup\$ Alternating games might be a good idea, but I think the rest of the suggestion in this answer is a bit passive/aggressive and could backfire in various ways. I would take the basic idea of alternating games and recommend the fiancee run as good a game as they can instead. As a side issue, there are two other players who don't deserve to be caught up in some kind of bad game one-upmanship. \$\endgroup\$ – Neil Slater Apr 21 '16 at 16:47
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Editing FPGA
{{stub}} A '''[[wikipedia:Field-programmable gate array|field-programmable gate array]]''' ('''FPGA''') is a type of microchip that can reconfigure itself after it has been manufactured, hence "field-programmable". The technology has found use in emulation as it can reimplement the hardware without having to resort to any kind of binary translation to a computer platform's native code. Instead of adhering to an instruction set or a programming language, FPGA chips are instead programmed using a [[wikipedia:Hardware_description_language|hardware descriptor language]] (HDL) that describes the components and logic needed to run the software. This programming isn't permanent; corrections and other changes can be made afterwards so that it isn't limited to one application like an [[wikipedia:Application-specific integrated circuit|ASIC]]. Despite what one may think, FPGAs are not a new technology; they've been around for as long as Macintoshes have been, with manufacturer Altera being the first to introduce an FPGA to the market in 1984. While they already had use in aftermarket cartridges (like setting up mappers for ROMs like the SD2SNES does), using them in place of entire consoles was considered esoteric until commercial devices using FPGAs were released in the mid to late 2010s.  ==List of aftermarket reimplementations== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" ! scope="col"|Product ! scope="col"|Manufacturer ! scope="col"|Reimplements ! scope="col"|MSRP ! scope="col"|Notes |- |[https://www.retrousb.com/product_info.php?cPath=36&products_id=78&osCsid=05a4f65cfe6cec795582b911953c4919 AVS] |retroUSB |[[Nintendo Entertainment System emulators|Nintendo Entertainment System]] |$185 | |- |[https://www.analogue.co/mega-sg/ MegaSG] |Analogue |[[Sega Genesis emulators|Sega Genesis]] |$189 | |- |[https://www.analogue.co/pages/nt-mini/ Nt Mini] |Analogue |[[Nintendo Entertainment System emulators|Nintendo Entertainment System]] |$449/$499 | |- |[https://www.analogue.co/pocket/ Pocket] |Analogue |Multi-system |$199 |- |[https://www.analogue.co/pages/super-nt/ Super Nt] |Analogue |[[Super Nintendo emulators|Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] |$189 | |- ! scope="col"| ! scope="col"| ! scope="col"|DIY ! scope="col"| ! scope="col"| |- |[[MiSTer]] |MiSTer-devel
(Base hardware: Terasic DE10-Nano) |8-bit & 16-bit consoles, computers & some arcade games, [https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Main_MiSTer/wiki etc] (See [https://github.com/MiSTer-devel Git llnk]) |$220 min
(Separate items) |Fully packaged forms can be found for much cheaper via [https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Main_MiSTer/wiki/How-to-get-your-own-addon-boards sellers]. [https://www.retrorgb.com/mister.html Start guide]. |} ==See also== * [[Emulation Boxes]] - Devices that make use of ARM processors instead of programmable chips. [[Category:FAQs]] [[Category:Not really emulators]]
What company made the GameBoy, NES, N64, and Wii?
Template:Stub (edit)
Retrieved from "https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php/FPGA"


Help kids learn and memorize Scripture with this fun game.
Determine a Bible verse that you want your kids to learn and memorize (20 or less words seems to work best).
On separate clothespins print each word of the Bible verse selected.
Create a second set using a different colored permanent marker.
Separate and place two sets of the Bible verse on opposite sides of the table.
On "go" players will race to see who can clip the Bible verse words in correct order around the prepared pie pan.
For added excitement, include an old-fashioned bike horn. The player who completes the verse first will grab and blow the horn.
Continue playing allowing the winner of each round to be challenged by a new player.
OPTION: Make the game into a relay race by placing the prepared clothespins in a container on one end of the room and the pie pan on the other.


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Single-Parent Families
Public Assistance For Single-parent Families
An alternative or supplement to paid employment for U.S. single parents is public assistance in the form of Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF), formerly Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). This means-tested program, established in 1935 as part of the Social Security Act, was originally designed to support mothers and children who had lost a male earner in the family, allowing the mother to stay at home. Historically, welfare policy was based on a distinction between worthy women who were dependent through no fault of their own (widows) and undeserving mothers who were divorced or never married. Program regulations were developed in ways that reflected this distinction, along with racist assumptions about the role of immigrant and African-American women within both the family and the paid labor force.
Welfare reform and the resulting TANF program represent a change in societal views about women's roles in the family and at work. The assumption is that mothers can and should work to support their families and that public support should be temporary and supplemental. TANF placed a lifetime limit of five years on welfare eligibility, required that within five years one-half of a state's caseload was to be enrolled in jobs or jobrelated activities, and excluded college education from the list of qualified work and training activities. As a result, the welfare rolls dropped dramatically from 14.2 million in 1994 to 7.6 million in 1998, a decline of more than 40 percent. At the same time the number of children living at the lowest levels of poverty (less than $6,401 in 1997) grew by 400,000 between 1995 and 1997.
Only about half of all mother-only families receive welfare benefits at any given time. In recent years the rate of participation in at least one public assistance program plummeted from 45 percent in 1993 to 38 percent in 1997. Regardless, public assistance, including non-cash transfers, maintains families well below the U.S. poverty line.
Other developed countries, particularly those in Western Europe, have maintained the goal of supporting mothers to stay at home if they wish. In Great Britain, for example, mothers are not pressured to find work outside the home, and child allowances, national health services, and access to public housing are provided. In Norway single parents receive a child allowance, a child care cash benefit, an education benefit, a housing allowance, and transitional and advanced cash benefits. While most single parents (90%) have incomes less than half the median family income, only 9 percent of all children in single-parent families fall below the poverty line. Developing countries are less likely to have formalized assistance programs in place, although there are grassroots efforts such as the AIDS Support Organization in Uganda to aid widows and their children and Dwip Unnayam Sangstha in Bangladesh to help divorced and widowed women and their children.
Single-Parent Families - Views Of Single-parent Families
Single-Parent Families - Economics Of Single-parent Family Life
Marriage and Family EncyclopediaFamily Theory & Types of FamiliesSingle-Parent Families - Demographic Trends, Mother-only And Father-only Families, Challenges Of Single-parenting


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A NASCAR team paid hackers after crucial data was held to ransom before a race
A NASCAR team has admitted to paying hackers after several of its computers were infected with something called "ransomware,"The Register reports.
Ransomware affects a computer by locking a user out of their files, and hackers then demand a ransom payment in order to release the data.
Security firm Malwarebytes has published a blog post explaining what happened. Racing team Circle-Sport Leavine Family Racing (CSLFR) had three computers affected with a type of ransomware called TeslaCrypt.
The data stored on the three computers was vital for an upcoming race, CSLFR explained.
"The data that they were threatening to take from us was priceless, we couldn't go one day without it greatly impacting the team's future success," said CSLFR's Dave Winston. "This was a completely foreign experience for all of us, and we had no idea what to do. What we did know was that if we didn't get the files back, we would lose years worth of work, millions of dollars."
CSLFR eventually paid the hackers in bitcoin in order to get their files back. The company says it's now working with Malwarebytes to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Source | BusinessInsider
How Much is the Phish? Underground Market of Phishing Kits is Booming – Group-IB
Google Bans Stalkerware Ads From its Pages
New Hacking Group Using Metasploit To Install Backdoor Malware On Windows By Exploiting MS Office


What is scrip???? Scrip is gift cards. For every gift card purchased the school earns a percentage from that retailer.
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9-Year-Old Pregant Girl Really 12, was Impregnated by Stepfather
A few of the mysteries surrounding that young Mexican girl, Dafne, who gave birth to a child two weeks ago, have been cleared up.
Mexican state officials have said that the girl, who was originally believed to be only 9 years old, is actually 12 or 13. According to The Daily Mail, the officials have also confirmed that the girl's 44-year-old stepfather is the father of the child. This puts to rest the rumor that Dafne's teenage boyfriend was actually the father.
Dafne had her baby at a hospital in Zapopan, Mexico. After news of the pregnancy began to leak out and the rumors about who had fathered the baby started to swirl, government officials used DNA tests to confirm the identity of the baby's father. Dafne originally told hospital workers that her 17-year-old boyfriend had impregnated her, but many other people suspected her step-father from the get-go.
There are also multiple theories as to why determining Dafne's real age has been such a puzzle. One explanation is that Dafne's mother, who has yet to have her identity revealed, lied about her daughter's age in order to get her into school. Dafne has never gone according to reports.
Another darker reason for the confusions about Dafne's age is that the girl's mother is a prostitute who is trying to turn Dafne into a sex worker. Apparently some believe that a 9-year-old could command a higher fee from clients than a teenager. In Mexico, it is a crime to sleep with someone 14 years of age or younger.
Lina Ginzalez Corona, head spokesman for the Jarisco Prosecutor's office, said that no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed as of now.
"The girl is still insisting that it is her boyfriend who got her pregnant. The problem is that we don't know where the guy is so we are looking for him."
Source: (The Daily Mail)
DafneZapopan12-Year-Old Gives BirthMexicoStep-Father


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https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Norwalk-man-faces-child-porn-charges-5422.php
Norwalk man faces child porn charges
By John Nickerson, Staff Writer
NORWALK -- A convicted Norwalk felon was arrested Thursday after computer forensic examiners found child pornography on his laptop computer, police said.
Jorge Guzman, 25, of 6 Cana Court, was charged Thursday with possession of child pornography and released after posting $25,000 bond.
The investigation into Guzman was begun last October by his probation officer in Norwalk, Sgt. Andre Velez said.
Guzman was on probation because a New Haven judge convicted him of risk of injury to a child in April 2006 and sentenced him to 18 months of a five-year jail sentence.
Though he was released from jail, Guzman is still serving his five-year probation sentence.
After seizing Guzman's laptop computer and sending it to Tri-Com Consulting Group, the forensic computer examiners, Tri-Com found 41 video files that led examiners to believe they were child pornography, Velez said.
Copies of the videos were turned over to police in late November and a warrant was issued for Guzman's arrest sometime later, Velez said.
It is unclear from the reports made available why it took seven months to apprehend Guzman or how many of the 41 video files contained child pornography.
Guzman is to be arraigned on the charge at state Superior Court Friday.


If anyone knows how to give a gift, it's Oprah. Her 2018 List of Oprah's Favorite Things is our look inside what the queen of gift-giving may be putting underneath her tree (sadly, no cars this year!). Out of the 100+ items she selected for this year's list, the Harper Crossbody by K. Carroll Accessories caught our eye - and apparently everyone else's.
Unlike other handbags that prioritize fashion over function, this $20 crossbody keeps all of your essentials organized with built-in compartments for your smartphone, glasses, and credit cards. Plus, it comes with a magnetic closure for easy access and a clip so you can convert it into a belt bag (a.k.a. 2018's version of a fanny pack).
After Oprah (yes, the one and only!) included it in her 2018 list of Oprah's Favorite Things, it shot straight to #1 on Amazon - and people can't stop raving about about its functionality and sleek design. "It is a great little bag to just throw on and go!" wrote one reviewer. "This bag is great for errands and running around to my kids sporting events. I am looking forward to bringing it on my travels in the very near future as this would be great to be hands free when carrying other things around."
Several reviewers called it the "perfect-size crossbody." At 4 1/2 inches wide by 7 1/4 inches tall, it still holds the necessities without looking bulky - even against the most petite frame.
Another wrote how it's her go-to Christmas gift this year. "Super cute and at an amazing price! I bought four more for Christmas gifts for my college nieces," she said. Speaking of Christmas, the bag comes in a gorgeous plaid print that's begging to be worn at holiday parties. And if plaid isn't your thing, the bag comes in 39 other colors and patterns, including florals, two-toned shades, and animal prints. That means you can find a style that matches everyone on your holiday list (or ya know, you can treat yourself to several styles at a reasonable price!).


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Go to titan worldwide
TITAN Group is an international cement and building materials producer aspiring to serve the needs of society, while contributing to sustainable growth with responsibility and integrity.
PRINCIPAL PRODUCTS
GOVERNING OBJECTIVE
Demonstrating the strength of our financial profile and consistent strategy and delivering sustainable shareholder value helps us build trust within the financial markets investor community.
SHAREHOLDER CENTER
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
SHARE CALCULATOR
SECURITIES TRANSFER FROM THE DEPOSIT SHARE OF LOAN & CONSIGNMENT FUND
REGULATORY/STOCK EXCHANGE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sustainability is an integral part of our business. We seek to make a positive difference to people, society and the environment, through our products and operations, and we collaborate with our stakeholders to address local and global challenges.
CREATING VALUE FOR ALL
2020 TARGETS
GLOBAL COLLABORATIONS & COMMITMENTS
SUSTAINABILITY GOVERNANCE
Explore TITAN Group's latest media releases, reports and media library.
Built on mutual trust, reliability, and shared values, our business is a place that enables people to develop, work together, create solutions and implement positive change.
10 REASONS TO WORK WITH US
Welcome to TITAN
Annual Results 2012
Titan Group turnover in 2012 reached €1,131 m, posting a 3.6% increase compared to 2011. Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) declined by 19.8% reaching €196m. The Group posted a net loss, after minority interests and the provision for taxes, of €24.5m compared to a net profit of €11m in 2011.
The deterioration in Group results is due to the collapse of building activity in Greece, as well as the slowdown in Southeastern European markets, which suffered the spillover effects of the Eurozone crisis. On the other hand, the Eastern Med markets once again had a significant positive contribution, in particular Egypt, where despite the backdrop of challenging circumstances, construction activity remains robust. Also on the positive front, signs of improvement became evident in the United States.
For comparison purposes, it should be noted that 2011 EBITDA included €25m relating to the refund of the clay tax fee in Egypt.
The weakening of the Euro against the national currencies of the countries in which the Group operates had a positive impact of about €4m on operating results in 2012.
Group turnover and EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2012 increased by 12% and 46% respectively while the Group posted a net loss, after minority interests and taxes, of €26.5m compared to a net loss of €42.9m in the fourth quarter of 2011.
It should be noted that fourth quarter results in 2011 included implementation charges of €9m related to the Group's restructuring plan.
€ m.
Q4:12
% change.
Turnover 283.6 252.5 12.30% 1,130.7 1,091.40 3.60%
EBITDA 33.3 22.8 46.30% 195.8 244.1 -19.80%
Profit/(Loss) before tax -27.4 -38.3 (1.3) 37.7
Net profit/(loss)* (26.5) -42.9 (24.5) 11
*after tax and minority interests
More specifically, looking at operating results by geographic region:
In Greece, demand for building materials is estimated to have declined by around 35% in 2012 compared to 2011. The severe recession of the Greek economy has directly affected the building industry, which, after five years of continuous decline, has practically collapsed. It is estimated that cement demand has shrunk to less than a quarter of the levels recorded in 2006. The combination of limited availability of mortgage loans, the squeeze on household disposable income, negative expectations on real-estate prices, the surplus housing stock, and the significant increase in real-estate taxes have considerably weakened demand for housing. In addition, consecutive cuts in public investment and the State's lengthy delays in settling its arrears have brought construction activity to a standstill.
Despite the adverse conditions prevailing in international markets, Titan managed to more than double exports in 2012, reversing the decline noted in 2011. This served to at least partially compensate for the decline in domestic sales.
Group turnover in region Greece, which includes exports and the Group's terminals in Europe, stood at €240m posting an 11% decline compared to 2011. EBITDA stood at €32m, posting a 9% decline compared to the previous year.
In the USA, despite the slow pace of economic recovery in the country, activity in the construction sector increased. The improvement stemmed primarily from the increasingly evident recovery in housing. The Portland Cement Association (PCA) estimates that total cement consumption grew by 8.9% in 2012, albeit from a low base.
Group turnover in the USA in 2012 stood at €369m, posting a 22% increase in € terms while, EBITDA improved to a positive €6m versus a €6m operating loss in 2011.
In Southeastern Europe, demand for building materials posted a gradual decline, as the state of local economies deteriorated affected by developments in the Eurozone. As a result, Group turnover declined by 7% to €255m and EBITDA fell by 26% reaching €64m. In June 2012, Titan Group expanded its strategic cooperation with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in the Balkans, with the latter acquiring an 11.5% stake in the Group's subsidiaries operating in the F.Y.R.O.M., Serbia and Kosovo for €50m.
In Egypt, despite the prevailing political uncertainty, cement consumption in 2012 reached new highs, thereby facilitating the absorption of the new capacity introduced in the market in the course of the last eighteen months. Group turnover therefore posted only a mild decline compared to the previous year despite the greater total supply of cement in the market. Operating margins, however, were adversely affected by the considerable increase in the cost of natural gas and electrical power.
In Turkey, the economy posted healthy growth. Demand for building materials remained at high levels.
Total turnover for the Eastern Mediterranean region in 2012 increased by 7% versus 2011 reaching €296m while EBITDA declined by 26% to €94m, a decline, which for comparative purposes, should be mostly attributed to the additional amount of €25m included in 2011 EBITDA from the refund of the clay tax fee in Egypt.
The Group's focus on cash flow generation continued to bear fruit. Free cash flow from operating activities in 2012 reached €140m. Net debt was reduced by €112m in 2012, closing the year at €596m. Over the course of the last four years (2008-2012), and amidst a severe recession in the building and construction sectors in its most important markets, the Group almost halved its net debt, a reduction of over €550m since the end of 2008.
In the context of continuous efforts at cost containment, selling, general and administrative expenses declined by 7.4% in 2012, compared to the previous year and stood at €113m. Compared to 2008, SG&A expenses have been reduced by 22%.
In 2012 the Group continued with the implementation of its two-year restructuring plan which commenced in 2011 and which aims to improve operational efficiency and generate €26m annual savings. The restructuring plan should be completed in 2013. The Group has already achieved €25m in savings since the launch of the programme and until the end of 2012, thereby surpassing the initial target of €23m set for this period.
Financial expenses, excluding foreign exchange differences, increased by 23% compared to 2011, reaching €67m. The increase is to a large extent due to the increase in Group borrowings denominated in Egyptian Pounds which is more expensive.
In December 2012, Group subsidiary Titan Global Finance PLC announced the completion of the issue of a new bond, of €200m, guaranteed by the Parent Company, with a coupon of 8.75% and maturity in January 2017, which is to be utilized for the refinancing of the €200m July 2013 bond. The issue involved an exchange of €102.34m of existing July 2013 notes and the issuance of an additional €97.65m worth of new notes.
INVESTMENTS – DISPOSALS
In the course of 2012, the Group's capital expenditure, excluding acquisitions, stood at €51m, a decrease of 11% compared to 2011.
On 27.6.2012, the Group announced the investment by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), to the amount of €50m, in the Group's subsidiaries operating in the F.Y.R.O.M., Serbia and Kosovo. Following the completion of the said transaction, the IFC acquired, through its participation in Titan Group subsidiary Cement Cyprus Limited, an 11.49% minority stake in the Group's activities in the aforementioned countries.
POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS
According to the new tax law 4110/2013, the tax rate of the Societies Anonymes in Greece has changed from 20% to 26%, for the fiscal years beginning on the 1st of January 2013.
It is estimated that if such a change had been applied in 2012, it would have increased the deferred tax liability by €6.1m for the Group and €5m for the Company.
PROSPECTS FOR 2013
2013 is expected to be another challenging year for Titan Cement.
The economy in Greece will contract for the sixth consecutive year. Both housing and infrastructure spending face significant headwinds. It is therefore anticipated that there is scope for further decline in demand for building materials from current low levels, at least for the first half of 2013.
Markets in Southeastern Europe will continue to be adversely impacted by the Eurozone crisis. Demand for building materials is not expected to recover soon.
In Egypt, political and economic woes appear to be escalating in recent months and uncertainty is high. Against such a backdrop, the smooth operation of the plants is challenging and production costs have been increasing. Although current estimates suggest a marginal increase in cement demand in 2013, the increase in the cost of production and the weakening of the Egyptian Pound are expected to negatively affect results.
In Turkey, market conditions remain positive.
In the USA, the residential market is now clearly recovering, thereby benefiting the market for building materials. Despite forecasts calling for a slow recovery of the American economy as a whole, the Portland Cement Association (PCA) expects that cement demand will grow by more than 8% in 2013 and continue to grow strongly in coming years.
Facing up to the challenges of the times, Titan Group will continue to focus on reducing debt and cutting costs while remaining firmly committed however to the achievement of its longer term strategic goals.
PARENT COMPANY ΤΙΤΑΝ S.Α.
Turnover for Titan Cement S.A. stood at €221m in 2012, posting a 2% increase compared to 2011, while EBITDA stood at €38m, posting an 8% decline. The Company's net result in 2012 was a €16m loss, a €2m increase compared to 2011.
The Board of Directors of Titan Cement S.A., has decided to propose to the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for 14th June, 2013, that no dividend be distributed for fiscal year 2012.
TITAN is an independent cement and building materials producer with over 100 years of industry experience. Based in Greece, the Group own cement plants in 9 countries and is organized in four geographic regions: Greece & Western Europe, the USA, Southeastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. Throughout its history TITAN has aimed to combine operational excellence with respect for people, society and the environment.
In 2012, the Group sold 16.1 m. tonnes of cement and cementitious materials, 3.4 m. m3 of ready mixed concrete, 10.9 m. tonnes of aggregates and various other building materials like concrete blocks, dry mortars etc.
Detailed financial and other information is available on the Titan Group website: www.titan-cement.com
The above announcement was communicated to the ASE and the HCMC, and was also posted on the website of the Athens Stock Exchange.
©TITAN CEMENT
Created by SCHEMA
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How to Make Money with Telegram
Do you know that Telegram can also be used to make money? If you are familiar with it, today's article "How to Earn Money from Telegram App" will provide you with valuable information.
You may already be comfortable with how to make money from other platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. At the same time, this new Messaging App can help you earn money.
1 What is telegram ?
1.1 How to earn money from telegram
2 Selling Ads
2.1 Companies and brands Telegram
3 A Subscription Fee You Can Charge
3.1 By Donations
4 Selling Products and Services
4.1 Sell Third-Party Products and Services
5 Funds Raise
5.1 Posting Paid
6 Link Short Services
6.1 Referencing in Recharge Apps
7 Can we earn money from telegram
What is telegram ?
If you're not familiar with Telegram, it's a messaging app. After that, you can read our Telegram-related post. At the same time, I'd like to inform you that the Telegram App is one of the most common applications available today.
Telegram App is a messaging app similar to WhatsApp. You will be able to see a range of features such as Groups, Channels, and Bots, Stickers etc.
By the way, there are numerous ways to monetize Telegram Channels; however, in today's post, we will only discuss the most common and straightforward methods. Then, without any further ads, let's get started and learn how to make money with Telegram by using some of these methods.
How to earn money from telegram
If you're interested in learning how to make money with Telegram, keep on reading. Then, in this post, we'll show you how to make a lot of money with your Telegram Channels using such techniques.
Even though these are well-known tools, you will not be able to gain money from your Channels if you do not know how to use them properly. Then let's learn how to properly use these techniques in order to benefit from Telegram.
This is a very popular option, particularly in countries where ads are sold or sold in Telegram Channels, such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and India. Let's take a look at what's actually being sold.
To do cross-promotion of others channels too
Companies and brands Telegram
Ads are frequently sold p2p (channel admins make contact first and then come to some agreement), but there are also many automated ad exchanges where ads are sold.
A Subscription Fee You Can Charge
This is a very popular model for a paid subscription service, and it's what Telegram uses. It is made up of two parts.
Public channel also those who have a large follower base
Only premium content is provided via a private channel (or a supergroup) (while it is available only for paid subscribers)
Only the public channel is promoted more in this type of model (through advertising, cross-promotions, content marketing, and other strategies), while the private channel produces benefit.
By Donations
If you're a content creator who makes content for free, you can monetize it by selling advertisements, paid subscriptions, or donations.
In this model, you give your fans the option of leaving a tip after each publication or setting up a recurring donation.
Other channels, such as YouTube, blogs, websites, and WeChat, have made tipping more popular. Simultaneously, it is gradually gaining popularity in Telegram.
We can offer more than just paid subscriptions via our Telegram Channel. You can basically sell whatever product or service you want. Let us look at some examples to better understand them:
A freelance designer operates a famous Telegram channel where she offers grid concept (and also monetizes that channel by selling her gigs).
Through its tutorials and courses, an Education Portal can also run an educational Telegram channel which can sell courses to its subscribers.
A toy company will create its own Telegram channel dedicated to blooming (videos, reviews, unboxings, etc.) and monetize it in the same way that it sells blooms and maintains a public page on social media. Marketers and brand owners have a wide range of options.
Sell Third-Party Products and Services
It looks a lot like the previous one. In this situation, though, you're selling third-party goods or services.
Some Telegram channels, for example, had sneaker sales.
Concurrently, they keep an eye on online sneaker shops (which can be automated) and, if the price of these sneakers drops dramatically, they post a video on their channel with an affiliate connection to that product.
Funds Raise
Here, I'd like to send a real-life example, in which he's also a fellow of the country of Canada working on a fascinating experiment telegram.
He announced in his tech channel that he would be forming a pool of TON (Telegram Open Network) investors while also raising $ 1.5 million (which was actually the size of the applications and not the real money transfers). It took about 1.5 hours to complete.
Then he added that there was no such pool and that he was just trying to see if he could raise money this way.
This experiment was a resounding success! These intelligent individuals understood that technology and social experiences would accomplish a great deal.
Posting Paid
This is similar to selling ads, but in this case almost 100% of your posts are paid.
It could sound weird at first. Niche job boards are a good example. These job boards can be found in the form of Telegram channels, which allow you to post a job for a set fee.
Initially, these work boards repurpose material from other websites and distribute it through their platforms in order to expand their audience. They later receive offers from paid posts because they have a niche audience.
Link Short Services
If you're going to publish a post with a connection, you can use Link Short to shorten the link and then publish it in your Telegram channel.
When a visitor clicks on that connection, he will be forced to scroll through advertisements near the original material, which will earn the publisher or channel owner a substantial sum of money.
Nowadays, WhatsApp status videos and photos, as well as movies, are very common. You can make a lot of money by going to a good website and shortening the link to that video and posting it on your channel.
Referencing in Recharge Apps
Many such apps exist, and if you refer anyone else, they will pay you a referral fee. It's also known as Refer & Earn.
You can win Paytm and Free Recharge with this. Paytm can be transferred to your bank account, but you can still use them for free recharge.
If you pay attention to all of the monetization options we've listed, you'll be able to make money with Telegram Channels in no time. You can make money from your Telegram networks when sitting at home if you use the right technique and have a little patience.
Can we earn money from telegram
Telegram does not pay for channel subscriptions. However, you can monetize your channels by using one of the popular Telegram monetization methods, such as advertisements, services and goods, paid subscriptions, and selling channels.
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E-prescription deadline extended
A new law will delay until next year a deadline for doctors to issue only e-prescriptions.
E-prescription deadline extended A new law will delay until next year a deadline for doctors to issue only e-prescriptions. Check out this story on DemocratandChronicle.com: http://on.rocne.ws/1MAdn1i
Joseph Spector, ROC Published 5:31 p.m. ET March 13, 2015 | Updated 8:50 a.m. ET March 14, 2015
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law today that will postpone until next year a deadline for doctors to issue only electronic drug prescriptions.
The NY state Capitol in Albany. (Photo: File photo)
The state Senate and Assembly passed the bill last month amid concerns from doctors that they have yet to get federal approval for the system. The system was set to start this month. It'll start March 27, 2016, instead.
As part of the I-STOP prescription-drug program adopted in 2012, one of the requirements was electronic prescriptions to crack down on fraud and abuse of prescription drugs.
But the federal government has moved slowly in certifying vendors for the program, and state lawmakers said the deadline needed to be delayed.
So Cuomo agreed.
In the meantime, doctors can get a waiver so they can still issue paper prescriptions.
"This is a victory for patient safety," Andrew Kleinman, president of the Medical Society of the State of New York, said in a statement. "The fact that many software companies are not ready for e-prescribing , could have resulted in patients' inability to fill their prescriptions. The extension allows time for prescribers to get their systems up and running and certified by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) so that patient care will not be interrupted."
Read or Share this story: http://on.rocne.ws/1MAdn1i
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The Gill Family Takes Full Control Of Gill & Macmillan
Some of the most interesting news in Irish publishing for some time tripped across my phone line and email inbox last night. The Gill Family has bought out Macmillan's 50% share of one of Ireland's largest trade and educational publishers, Gill & Macmillan.
It's a fascinating move on many fronts. Firstly it's nice to see such a large element of the Irish trade firmly in local hands, that's healthy for the Irish industry given how heavily exposed to outside publishers it already is. Secondly it indicates that Macmillan's strategic interests no longer include holding such a complex position in a joint venture like G&M. Lastly it lays the ground for interesting years ahead as the newly focused Gill (no longer & Macmillan?) faces the challenge of Penguin Random House which controls a large chunk of Irish publishing.
See the full press release below:
RELEASE DATE [ Wednesday 14 August at 10am ]
Gill family takes full ownership of Gill & Macmillan
The Gill family and Macmillan Science and Education, joint owners of Dublin-based publishing company, Gill & Macmillan, have announced that the Gill family has taken full ownership of the company.
The new ownership structure will have no trading consequences for the business and the Gill family, alongside the company's Management Team, looks forward to building on its current success. A change in name and branding will take place at a later stage.
Gill & Macmillan was founded forty-five years ago in 1968 when Macmillan acquired an interest in the long-established Irish company, M. H. Gill & Son Ltd. Since then the company has become one of the most prominent book publishing and publishing services companies in Ireland. Publishing educational content for Irish schools and colleges has been a major part of Gill & Macmillan's activities since its foundation. The company is also Ireland's largest trade publisher as well as providing distribution services to the majority of the country's independent publishers.
This development marks the next chapter for the Gill family, whose name has been synonymous with books in Ireland for 180 years, since Michael Henry Gill was appointed printer to Dublin University in 1833. Six generations of the family have now been actively involved in management of the business.
Michael Gill, Chairman of Gill & Macmillan said: "This is a very positive development for the company. Now wholly Irish-owned again and continuing to employ more than 70 talented and energetic people here in Dublin, we are excited by the transformative power and many opportunities and challenges provided by the digital age, both in Ireland and worldwide".
Annette Thomas, CEO of Macmillan Science and Education, said: "The relationship between Macmillan and Gill has, over many years, been a model partnership of collegiate cooperation and shared business interests in this successful company. Whilst the sale of our 50% holding fits within our greater strategic objectives, we are delighted to maintain the many close friendships which have been forged with our colleagues in Dublin."
The financial details of the sale have not been disclosed.
For Gill:
Teresa Daly, Communications Manager, Dublin, Ireland
+353 (01) 500 9521 / +353 (0) 86 838 3559; tdaly@gillmacmillan.ie
For Macmillan Science and Education:
Sarah MacDonald, Group External Communications, London, UK
+44 (0)20 7833 5672 / +44 (0)7714 916798; sarah.macdonald@macmillan.com
About Macmillan Science and Education
Macmillan Science and Education, part of the Holzbrinck Publishing Group, is home to the Macmillan businesses which empower those with curious minds to achieve great things. Through the provision of high-quality content and services to scientists, educationalists, students and academics around the world, Macmillan is changing the way students learn, teachers teach and scientists discover. Operating in over 50 countries with some 5000 employees, the division consists of Nature Publishing Group (NPG), Palgrave Macmillan, Macmillan Education, Macmillan Higher Education, Digital Science, Digital Education and Macmillan New Ventures. For more information, please see http://www.learndiscover.com.
About Gill
Gill & Macmillan is the most prominent book publishing company in Ireland. Drawing on more than one hundred previous years of tradition and experience, Gill & Macmillan publishes educational content for primary and secondary schools as well text books for university, college and further-education courses. Its trade division publishes widely in history, politics, current affairs, sport, entertainment and lifestyle. The company has met the emergence of digital communication by providing e-book versions its bestselling titles alongside a rapidly evolving range of digital resources and tools for teachers and students. The company also provides a comprehensive distribution service for the majority of independent Irish trade publishers. For more information, please see http://www.gillmacmillan.ie.
Posted in Books, Irish Publishing and tagged Digital, G&M, Gill, Gill & Macmillan, Ireland, Irish Books, MacMillan, Publishing, strategy, Trade Publishing on August 14, 2013 by Eoin Purcell. 2 Comments


Musicians Mall launches Fender American Original '60s Stratocaster-Round-Laminated Rosewood -SSS-3TS-0110120800,Alder body with lacquer finish,Three Pure Vintage '65 single-coil Stratocaster pickups,Thick "'60s C"-shaped neck profile; 9.5"-radius fingerboard,Vintage-style hardware; six-point synchronized tremolo bridge,Includes vintage-style hardshell case.A period of change, both for Fender and for pop culture as a whole, the 1960s saw the Strat mellow slightly as it grew up. The white pickguard was updated to mint green, and the fingerboard was switched from the original maple to rosewood, adding a smoother note to the Strat's clear, articulate voice. The American Original '60s Stratocaster keeps these refinements intact while adding modern feel and pickup switching to the iconic instrument that helped birth guitar rock as we know it.


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MPolitics
News, World 01/01/2023 No comments
Zelenskyy Condemns Russian New Year's Eve Attacks
In a video address on New Year's Eve, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia's missile barrage in Ukraine.
"Today, this Russian missile attack is not the end of the year, no matter how much the terrorists want it. It's the outcome of Russia's fate," he said.
Reacting to the Russian air assault on Ukraine skies nationwide Saturday, Zelenskyy said, "The terrorist state will not be forgiven. And those who give orders for such strikes, and those who carry them out, will not receive a pardon. To put it mildly."
On Saturday morning, Russian missiles pummeled Ukraine. One person was killed and at least 30 were wounded across the country. Eight massive explosions rocked the capital, Kyiv, and other areas.
"At Easter, they made such attacks, at Christmas, at New Year … They call themselves Christians, they are very proud of their Orthodoxy. But they are following the devil. They support him and are together with him," Zelenskyy said.
He then addressed the Russian people: "Your leader wants to show that he has the troops behind him and that he is ahead. But he is just hiding. He hides behind the troops, behind missiles, behind the walls of his residences and palaces," he said.
"He hides behind you and burns your country and your future. No one will ever forgive you for terror. No one in the world will forgive you for this. Ukraine will never forgive," he continued.
Putin's New Year's address
Earlier Saturday, in his own a video message broadcast on Russian state TV, Putin said Russia was fighting in Ukraine to protect its "motherland" and to secure "true independence" for its people.
He accused the West of lying to Russia and of provoking Moscow to launch what it calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine.
"The West lied about peace," Putin said. "It was preparing for aggression … and now they are cynically using Ukraine and its people to weaken and split Russia. We have never allowed this and will never allow anybody to do this to us," Russian state-run news agencies quoted Putin as saying in a speech broadcast at midnight in Russia's Far East.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu vowed victory in Ukraine was "inevitable" as he praised the heroism of Russian soldiers fighting on the front lines and those who had died during the 10-month war.
However, a rift appears to be growing between the notorious Russian mercenary company, the Wagner Group, and the Russian military. As the front-line Donbas city of Bakhmut has become the site of some of the fiercest fighting in Ukraine, Wagner head Yevgeny Prigozhin took aim at Russia's military leadership and the stalling war effort, chiding officials about the lack of ammunition in their battles against Ukrainian forces.
"When you're sitting in a warm office, it's hard to hear about the problems on the front line, but when you're dragging the dead bodies of your friends every day and seeing them for the last time — then supplies are very much needed," he said in a video.
New Year's Eve toll
Earlier Saturday, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that during the missile strikes, one person was killed in the western Solomianskyi district of the city, and that a Japanese journalist was among the wounded in Kyiv. Another person was hospitalized in critical condition. Klitschko warned residents to remain in shelters.
In downtown Kyiv, missiles hit residential buildings, including a hotel, as well as the National Palace of Arts in the theater district and a concert hall.
Explosions were reported in other regions of Ukraine, including the eastern Donetsk oblast. Kramatorsk Mayor Oleksandr Honcharenko said that missiles hit targets in an industrial zone, but no casualties were reported.
Mykolaiv oblast Governor Vitaliy Kim said at least six people were wounded in the southern city of Mykolaiv. Three of them were hospitalized, with one listed in critical condition.
Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the president's office, said four people were wounded by a missile strike in the western city of Khmelnytskyi. In the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, residential buildings were damaged, but information about casualties and destruction is being clarified, he added.
On Saturday afternoon, explosions were heard at the Dzhankoi airport in Russian-occupied Crimea, according to local Telegram channels. The Dzhankoi airport is a military air base operated by Russian occupying forces. Ukrainian armed forces also reported explosions at the airport.
Telegram channels monitoring launches of missiles reported that Dzhankoi was allegedly hit by a high-precision weapon.
Ukrainian authorities didn't comment on the incident, and occupation authorities didn't either.
Fighting elsewhere
On the eastern front, Ukrainian forces said they killed or wounded up to 10 Russian troops, destroying two vehicles and damaging three more near the occupied city of Donetsk, according to the Ukrainian General Staff's evening briefing on Telegram.
Intense fighting continues in the region. A dozen towns near Bakhmut have been damaged by recent shelling. Russian forces are also continuing to hit the southern city of Kherson with multiple rocket launchers, aircraft and kamikaze drones.
In the weeks following the liberation of Kherson in November, Russia has intensified its attacks on the front line in Donbas, particularly around Bakhmut, where it has made incremental gains supported by mass artillery bombardments.
Some material for this article came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
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Industrial Ethernet take-up remains slow
The use of Ethernet at device or I/O level is still at the "early adopter" stage, at best, says a new survey*. "The level of rhetoric devoted to this issue vastly exceeds the amount of real-world shipments," the ARC Advisory Group reports.
"Widespread penetration at the device level of the automation hierarchy will be a key determinant of whether industrial Ethernet emerges as a common network architecture applied throughout the manufacturing enterprise," ARC suggests.
The report`s author, Chantal Polsonetti, says that migration of Ethernet to the lower levels of the hierarchy "will be tempered by the cost of the Ethernet interface, relative to the cost of the end device". As a result, many suppliers are not yet offering low-level Ethernet devices.
ARC says that the perceived shortcoming of Ethernet in automation applications - such as doubts over its ruggedness, determinism, noise immunity, and intrinsically safe operation - have stalled its migration onto the factory floor. The lack of industrially hardened components and connectors has exacerbated this. However, ARC reports that many of the criticisms are being addressed and that real-world installations are now operating successfully.
Another major worry for potential users is the lack of standardisation of Ethernet network protocols. Although Ethernet is an international standard, IEEE 802.3 specifies only the physical and datalink layers of the seven-layer network stack. ARC predicts that the process industries will agree on a single standard - Foundation Fieldbus HSE - but reports that on the discrete side of the automation business, major suppliers have already lined up in different camps.
While the IAONA organisation is trying to ensure interoperability between the two main camps, Ethernet/IP and iDA, "the prospect of a scattered field remains".
Nevertheless, ARC is forecasting that the market will grow from just over 1m nodes last year, to almost 5m by 2005.
The Open DeviceNet Vendor Association (ODVA) has announced that more than 80 suppliers, including Rockwell, Omron, and Cutler-Hammer, are developing hardware and software products that support its Ethernet/IP specification. The ODVA expects many of these products to become available in the second half of this year.
* Ethernet at the Device Level Worldwide Outlook. Price $5,500. Details on the ARC Web site.


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Q: Adding an array inside my Mongoose schema I have the following schema where I am trying to add an array of comments to my blog post schema, then inside the comments schema I need to add an array of pictures urls related to each specific comment. I've researched the web and found this link embedded documents to mongoose documentation, yet noticed that it is related to mongoose version 2.7 while we are currently at version 3.8. So was wondering if I am doing it right?, and if not can someone please help me by suggesting the best way for designing my blog post schema so that it includes the blog post array of comments as well as the array of pictures related to each comment. Thanks for your time and effort.
var mongoose = require('mongoose');
var Schema = mongoose.Schema;

var pictures = new Schema({
    picURL: String,
    date: {
        type: Date,
        default: Date.now
    }
});

var comments = new Schema({
    subject: String,
    body: String,
    date: {
        type: Date,
        default: Date.now
    },
    pictures:[pictures]
});

var blogpost = new Schema({
    title: String,
    body: String,
    date: {
        type: Date,
        default: Date.now
    },
    comments:[comments]
});

module.exports = mongoose.model('BlogPost', blogpost);

A: you have two common scenarios here how you would like to handle your information
Embedded document:
if you are likely to do more reads than writes it's recommended to follow this approach in this case your model could be like this:
var comments = new Schema({
    subject: String,
    body: String,
    date: {
        type: Date,
        default: Date.now
    },
    pictures:[{
        picURL: String,
        date: {
            type: Date,
            default: Date.now
        }
    }]
});

and also your approach to me is ok and should run on 3.8 without potential issues.
Referenced document:
if you'll have more writes than reads you can different collections to split the information and make a reference to your objectId like:
var comments = new Schema({
    subject: String,
    body: String,
    date: {
        type: Date,
        default: Date.now
    },
    pictures: [
            {type: Schema.Types.ObjectId, ref: 'pictures'}
    ]
});

you'll need to separate each schema into it's own and delare a model for comments and images as well.
Either way both are valid if you ask me my personal preference is picking up embedded document approach.
EDIT:
this situation can be applied for N relationships between collections, I keep it simple for two relationships, but for you scenario could be like this:
var blogpost = new Schema({
    title: String,
    body: String,
    date: {
        type: Date,
        default: Date.now
    },
    comments: [{
        subject: String,
        body: String,
        date: {
            type: Date,
            default: Date.now
        },
        pictures:[{
            picURL: String,
            date: {
                type: Date,
                default: Date.now
            }
        }]
    }]
});

referenced:
var blogpost = new Schema({
    title: String,
    body: String,
    date: {
        type: Date,
        default: Date.now
    },
    comments:type: Schema.Types.ObjectId, ref: 'comments'}
});

hope that helps.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Louis Boudreau (ur. 17 lipca 1917, zm. 10 sierpnia 2001) – amerykański baseballista, który występował na pozycji łącznika przez 15 sezonów w Major League Baseball.

Przebieg kariery
W 1938 roku podpisał kontrakt jako wolny agent z Cleveland Indians i początkowo występował w klubach farmerskich tego zespołu. W MLB zadebiutował 9 września 1938 w meczu przeciwko Detroit Tigers. W 1940 w swoim pierwszym pełnym sezonie, po raz pierwszy w karierze wystąpił w Meczu Gwiazd, a w głosowaniu do nagrody MVP American League, zajął 5. miejsce. W listopadzie 1941 został grającym menadżerem Indians (był wówczas najmłodszym menadżerem w historii MLB) po tym, jak Rogera Peckinpaugh mianowano wiceprezydentem klubu. W 1944 zwyciężył w klasyfikacji pod względem średniej uderzeń (0,327).

W latach 1941, 1947 i 1948 był najlepszy w American League pod względem zaliczonych double'ów. W sezonie 1948 został wybrany najbardziej wartościowym zawodnikiem, a także wystąpił we wszystkich spotkaniach World Series, w których Indians pokonali Boston Braves w sześciu meczach. W listopadzie 1950 podpisał kontrakt jako wolny agent z Boston Red Sox, zaś w 1952 został grającym menadżerem tego zespołu. Po raz ostatni wystąpił 24 sierpnia 1952 w meczu przeciwko St. Louis Browns. W późniejszym okresie był menadżerem Kansas City Athletics i Chicago Cubs. W 1970 został wybrany do Galerii Sław Baseballu.

Nagrody i wyróżnienia

Statystyki

Sezon zasadniczy

Postseason

Przypisy

Amerykańscy baseballiści
Baseballiści Cleveland Indians
Baseballiści Boston Red Sox
Menadżerowie Cleveland Indians
Menadżerowie Boston Red Sox
Menadżerowie Kansas City Athletics
Menadżerowie Chicago Cubs
Koszykarze NCAA All-American
Członkowie Baseball Hall of Fame
Urodzeni w 1917
Zmarli w 2001
Koszykarze Illinois Fighting
Ludzie urodzeni w Harvey (Illinois)


text:
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<Term>Sulicrinat</Term>
<SemanticType>Pharmacologic Substance</SemanticType>
<ParentTerm>Diuretic</ParentTerm>
<ClassificationPath>Chemicals_and_Drugs_Kind/Drug, Food, Chemical or Biomedical Material/Pharmacologic Substance/Adjuvant/Diuretic/Sulicrinat</ClassificationPath>
<BroaderTerm>Chemicals_and_Drugs_Kind</BroaderTerm>
<BroaderTerm>Pharmacologic Substance</BroaderTerm>
<BroaderTerm>Sulicrinat</BroaderTerm>
<BroaderTerm>Adjuvant</BroaderTerm>
<BroaderTerm>Drug, Food, Chemical or Biomedical Material</BroaderTerm>
<BroaderTerm>Diuretic</BroaderTerm>
<Synonym>SULICRINAT</Synonym>
<Synonym>Sulicrinat</Synonym>
<Source>NCI Thesaurus</Source>
</Record>


text:
UNSW Mathematics: STILL number one in Australia! ARWU 2015 rankings released
Tuesday, 18th August 2015
We are absolutely thrilled to report that for the fourth consecutive year, UNSW Mathematics and Statistics has ranked exclusively first in Australia in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)!
UNSW Mathematics and Statistics has had a remarkably strong result in the ARWU rankings over the past six years. From 2010-2011 we ranked equal first in Australia, and in 2009 we ranked second in the country.
This year, we were the only Australian university to rank in the top 75 of universities globally in the field of Mathematics.
Of the wonderful news, Head of School Professor Bruce Henry said, "I am absolutely delighted to see that once again UNSW Mathematics and Statistics has been ranked number one in Australia for Mathematics and Statistics by the Academic Ranking of World Universities".
He pointed out that UNSW and the University of Melbourne are the only two Australian universities listed in the top 100 for Mathematics and Statistics.
UNSW ranked in the 51-75 band, the University of Melbourne featured in the 76-100 band, while USyd appeared in the 101-150 range.
Ranking indicators for ARWU include the number of alumni and staff winning Nobel Prizes, Fields Medals and Turing Awards, the number of Highly Cited Researchers, amount of papers indexed in Science Citation Index-Expanded (SCIE) and Social Science Citation Index (SSCI). The percentage of papers published in the top 20% journals of each field is also included.
Last update on Tue, 18/08/2015 STAFF INTRANET | SITE MAP
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