San Francisco - AS states get ready to comply with a law passed last May and roll out Real ID's (think 50 flavors of enhanced drivers' licenses that will also, for lack of anything more suitable, regulate access to airplanes, bars and banks), it might be time to consider a national identification card. Unfortunately, two camps own the conversation.
HEALTH CARE -- Today, if you go to the emergency room, your medical history is whatever you remember to tell your doctor. Health care reformers long to build an electronic health database so medical records can follow patients wherever they go. Congress passed legislation in 1996 to safeguard just such a database. A national ID network could provide the backbone, and the security.
VOTER EMPOWERMENT -- In 2004, Republican Party officials sent thousands of volunteers to challenge voters at the polls. They claimed Democrats were registering felons, illegal immigrants and people with fake names. Democrats said Republicans were trying to discourage voting in Democratic-leaning counties. Enough already: a national ID could replace voter registration bureaucracy and speed all citizens to the polls.
POVERTY -- Without a stable address or the cash to pay registration fees, the homeless struggle to get a valid photo ID. Even the working poor can find themselves without ID if a few parking tickets hit at the wrong time, and their drivers' licenses are suspended. A national ID would make it easier for the now officially anonymous to claim benefits, apply for work, get health care, cash a check, enter a government building or open a savings account.
EDUCATION -- The No Child Left Behind Act relies on broad and potentially misleading measures to guess at school quality, because there is no way to track individual children from grade to grade and see how they progress. School districts have no way to know which students quit school and which ones have just moved across town, which means federal accountability schemes have no way of factoring in dropout rates. A national ID database could allow for more honest accounting.
SOCIAL WELFARE -- The tangle of agencies that work with the disadvantaged have no good way to share data. It was only a decade ago, for example, that researchers began proving that federal spending to reduce homelessness cuts costs in the prison, health care and welfare systems. A national ID database might lead to better allocation of resources, and quicker responses to emerging needs.
IMMIGRATION -- A national ID would help Immigration and Customs Enforcement shift its emphasis off impoverished undocumented workers and onto the often unscrupulous businessmen who hire them. For now, if a businessman, a farmer or a labor contractor gets pulled over driving a truckload of illegal immigrants, they can play dumb -- even if they sold the workers their fake ID's. "The workers aren't going to say anything, because they need the job," says Brian Poulson, the customs enforcement chief for California's Central Valley. "Am I going to get any material witnesses? No." The government's only real option is to arrest the laborers. "It's only the little guy that gets hurt," he says.
All this is not to dismiss privacy concerns. They are huge. But the notion of a national ID created to empower citizens, rather than just monitor us and protect us from foreigners, might inspire progressives and centrists to design a card that works. Or at least broaden the conversation.
Op-Ed Contributor Douglas McGray is a fellow at the New America Foundation.


I would recommend this park and will be going back again. This is the 2nd year we have been to this park. It would be nice if I could book the same caravan, it was home from home. I think it was a privately owned one. I112 SILVER3 (WESTWARD MODEL). We will most likely go again next year.
Good value for money, great facilities.
This was an ideal holiday for us and our 3 teenage grandsons who enjoyed all the entertainment provided.
A superb location, great for kids.
An enjoyable holiday and a nice location.
A prime location, friendly service and value for money.
Great for kids...loads of things to keep them active and occupied..great holiday.
Exactly as says in the brochure. Great play area for the children and plenty of entertainment.
Excellent family holiday excellent value.
If you are looking for a base to see all the sights of North Wales, then Ty Mawr is an excellent location close to all major towns on the North coast.


text:
The difficulties of competitions
Threatening to resign over a tug-of-war design process
Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown	Architect
41. The National Football Foundation Hall of Fame (Part 2) 122 00:36
42. The National Football Foundation Hall of Fame (Part 3) 99 01:28
43. The Sainsbury wing of the National Gallery, London (Part 1) 321 05:50
48. 'If you have Venturi and Scott Brown you have double your... 96 01:30
49. Threatening to resign over a tug-of-war design process 69 02:49
50. The difficulties of competitions 56 02:57
[RV] At one point we acquired lawyers. What are lawyers called?
[DSB] Advocates? Solicitors?
[RV] Solicitors. And the solicitors were very good solicitors and we spent, I think, three months with them arranging how we could do it so that it would be legal within the contract. And then when we said, 'Look we cannot have the design changed in so many ways with our name on it – we are professionals'. And then they… 'And so we will resign', and then they said, 'Okay, you can do it'.
What was the process that led you to the point where you would call in a solicitor?
[DSB] I can explain that process. They had a great many trustees and the whole lot of them were on the design committee, if they wanted to be, and they would vote. Do you want the window in, do you want the window out? I vote for in, I vote for out. Nine want out, it's out. Well, you really patently can't design like that. And there were also too many people and all these meetings became tug-of-wars with agendas of self-promotion and all the things that happen with big committees. And also curators in museums are a natural enemy to architects and… I'm not saying this to denigrate either side… curators, probably correctly, feel oppressed by the people over them; they feel their opportunities are limited; they feel they're the experts and no-one listens to them and things like that. And so they're having a difficult time and if they have a difficult boss and the boss gives them a difficult time, the temptation is to dump on the architect. We are, after all, the running dogs of their imperialists. If the client is the imperialist, we are the client's agent, ally, representative in this. And so they then say to us the things they would like to say to the client, but don't dare. And so there's a collision course between the architect and the curator very often in a museum project. And that's something of what happened in the National Gallery and the curators' were tamped down in some of their less desirable aims until a new director came on board. And then everyone listened to him and he listened to the curators. Later, when he was replaced, some of the… a curator was removed and he said, 'It had to be one boss in this place not two, and I'm the boss'. That is, the new director said that and we could… we knew very well why.
Internationally renowned architects Robert Venturi (1925-2018) and Denise Scott Brown (b.1931) have helped transform contemporary design through their innovative architecture and planning. Winners of numerous prestigious awards, their designs have championed multiculturalism, social activism, symbolism, pop culture, history and evolving technologies.
Title: Threatening to resign over a tug-of-war design process
Listeners: Thomas Hughes
Thomas Hughes is Mellon Professor Emeritus of the History of Science at the University of Pennsylvania and Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His most recent books include Human Built World, Rescuing Prometheus and American Genesis. He is a member of the American Philosophical Society, US National Academy of Engineering, Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Date story recorded: 22nd to 23rd September 2006
Date story went live: 27 May 2010

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Computer and Interent have revolutionised the process of dissemination of knowledge. Communication system has undergone drastic changes the world over ..
The present day knowledge or information-based society is making extensive use of information for all kinds of activities. It is the developments in c ..
Madan Lal & et. al.
Kapoor, A.N. & Gupta, V.P.
The present work 'An Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Contemporary India' is the sixth title under the ongoing series 'An Encyclopaedic Dictionary of India ..
Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Education is being published to familiarise words and phrases frequently used while studying subjects related to education ..


text:
Big Tech's Half-Hearted Response To Fake News And Election Hacking
Despite big hand waves, Facebook, Google, and Twitter aren't doing enough to stop misinformation.
[Source photo: Rost-9D/iStock]
By Cale Guthrie Weissman 5 minute Read
Every day a new front emerges in Big Tech's battle against fake news. Signs of trouble reared their head during the election, when hyper-partisan misinformation began materializing on Facebook. Months later it became known that many of these sites had been weaponized in a larger misinformation campaign spearheaded by external players, including the Russian government.
Amid the foreign political intrigue and algorithmic hijinks, spending on these platforms continues to flourish: One estimate says that digital advertisers received $1.4 billion during the 2016 election.
Facebook's ad platform has been a particular cause for concern lately. Facebook has admitted that a Kremlin-backed media company spent $100,000 on a U.S. election-based ad campaign, but has refused to divulge any more information about how they did it or what they did, citing privacy policies. The New York Times and The Daily Beast described efforts by fake users on Twitter and Facebook to foment political anger. The outrage about the ads overshadowed another report last week that implied that Facebook has been inflating its metrics–an issue that, like the problem of fraudulent ads, has swirled around its advertising business.
On Thursday ProPublica exposed another problem with algorithms, ad targeting, and the complicated matter of "free speech": reporters were able to send targeted ads to antisemitic user groups including "Jew haters."
Advertisers are given relatively free rein on digital ad platforms, and this has allowed dark things to happen at the fringes. The big tech juggernauts historically have faced up to the issue by not facing up to it; they admit a problem exists and have a crack team working on it–or they introduce some small algorithmic fix–and months later it becomes known that the issue is even more widespread. Lately, the big online platforms have been looking for more ways to address the problems, or at least to seem like they are.
For example, Facebook announced on Thursday it would stop advertisers from being able to modify headlines of news articles they share. Small as this may seem, the idea is that third-party actors can use already-published work as a way to spread misinformation. Similarly, earlier this week, Facebook also made formal rules about the types of content advertisers would be able to monetize–notably, highly partisan subjects can no longer be moneymakers.
Google–which has said it had seen no evidence of Kremlin-bought U.S. political ads–has also begun implementing fact checking tools for certain highly political subjects people search. At a more microscopic level, the company has been trying to crack down on fraudulent advertisers.
"We try to the best of our ability to use technology saddled with people to solve these problems," Heather Adkins, Google's director of information security and privacy, said at a forum at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government earlier this week, part of a new initiative aimed at fighting election hacking and propaganda that is receiving its initial funding from Facebook. "We are still very much learning what kind of technologies and what kinds of strategies work here," she added. Adkins is of a bipartisan project at Harvard's Belfer Center aimed at fighting cyber attacks and protecting elections (Facebook's chief security officer Alex Stamos is part of it too).
Video: A conversation on "The Digital Threat to Democracy" at Harvard this week:
Twitter–which Donald Trump credits as helping him win the election–has implemented similar safeguards against fake news, as it too became a platform for rampant misinformation. These include fake news flags and algorithms that would target spam accounts. But despite its best efforts, Twitter is still riddled with bots which have been shown to be useful tools to spread fake stories and attack other users. (The company generally makes its data more available to researchers, however, making it easier to track and grasp the problem.)
For Facebook, Google, and Twitter the fight against fake news seems to be two-pronged: De-incentivize the targeted content and provide avenues to correct factual inaccuracies. These are both surface fixes, however, akin to putting caulk on the Grand Canyon.
And, despite grand hand waves, both approaches are reactive. They don't aim at understanding how this problem became prevalent, or creating a method that attacks the systemic issue. Instead these advertising giants implement new mechanisms by which people can report one-off issues—and by which the platforms will be left playing cat-and-mouse games against fake news—all the while giving no real clear glimpse into their opaque ad platforms.
And that's the real core of the issue: Facebook, Google, and Twitter have little incentive to overhaul their shadowy ad businesses. Even when bad actors are bilking the system the platforms, they are still making money.
Keeping Data Under Wraps
While they make head nods toward trying to fix the misinformation problem, the tech giants refuse to own up to these issues–citing the privacy of their clients and their own proprietary ad systems. "Advertisers consider their ad creatives and their ad targeting strategy to be competitively sensitive and confidential," Rob Sherman, Facebook's deputy chief privacy officer, told Reuters. "From our perspective, it's confidential information of these advertisers."
Still the call for more transparency is getting louder. Members of the U.S. Federal Election Commission are calling for better reporting from Facebook following the Russian ad buy revelations. Lawmakers have called for Facebook and Twitter to testify before Congress. Even people like Steve Bannon, who led Trump's Facebook- and Google-assisted digital campaign, have advocated for both companies to be treated like utilities.
Whether intentional or not, the companies don't seem to be able to understand the gravity of the issue. At the Harvard event, for instance, Adkins was asked about information consumption and how platforms, with their algorithmically-determined recommendations, can improve users' information diets. She shot back at the idea that people only consume content within their own bubbles. "They also do seek that information outside," she said. She referred to those who consume only content in their own bubbles as a "microcosm"—"it might not be the majority of people," she said.
Yet research somewhat disputes that. Researchers at Yale, for instance, looked into the efficacy of the "fake news" labels Facebook uses–the ones that say if a story is "disputed by third party fact-checkers"–and found the labels to be ineffective and even backfire sometimes. That is, certain users considered articles with fake news labels to be more accurate. These people, in a sense, already had their worldview set and when information from a platform combatted it, that only further affirmed their beliefs.
The difficult truth is that there is no clear way to fight the huge problem of misinformation. Though Russia may have used "fake news" as a way to meddle in U.S. affairs, the problem existed well before Putin became interested. Political campaigns have long used micro-targeting strategies to bring over undecided voters—though these efforts have never involved misinformation at such scale, and with such precise abilities to target and spread messages.
While it may seem noble that the big tech companies are taking up the charge, their current attempts will likely produce little effect. The problem rests in the very advertising systems these companies created. No amount of content tagging or ad category de-incentivizing is going to stop the beast unless a bigger upheaval begins to take root.
Cale is a Brooklyn-based reporter. He writes about many things.
Paris's mayor has a dream of 'the 15-minute city'
How to be productive when everyone you work with is in a different time zone


text:
STRAX: Urbanista presents: Los Angeles – Solar powered headphones with nearly limitless enjoying time – WFMZ Allentown
Linda Garcia | April 15, 2021 April 15, 2021 | Solar Equipment
STOCKHOLM, April 15, 2021 / PRNewswire / – STRAX subsidiary Urbanista, the Swedish lifestyle audio brand, announces Urbanista Los Angeles, the world's first self-charging wireless active noise-canceling headphones powered by Powerfoyle ™ solar cell material. With advanced green technology, The angel converts all types of light, both outdoors and indoors, into energy to offer practically unlimited playtime.
To deliver this limitless audio experience, Urbanista partnered with Exeger, a Swedish innovation company that has developed groundbreaking solar cell technology. Exegers Powerfoyle ™ converts any form of light into clean energy and can be seamlessly integrated into any design. For the first time, it now powers headphones and gives music lovers around the world endless energy.
"The solar-powered and light-powered headphone initiative is an extremely strong value proposition for the user, and we see very solid business potential in this product. At the same time, we're proud and happy to be part of the clean energy rollout in this category Urbanista has in recent years Taken very impressive steps in product development and has a solid selection of in-ear and over-ear headphones that use the latest technology and functionality to support this breakthrough product is demanded by consumers and is a very welcome addition to the strong Urbanista product portfolios, "he says Gudmundur Palmason, CEO, STRAX AB.
"This is the beginning of a revolution in consumer electronics. Working closely with Urbanista, we are now bringing the world's first self-powered wireless headphones to market. I firmly believe that there is no going when users enjoy the freedom of endless energy." learn back to plugging a USB wall charger into the wall. We're excited about this product and confident that people all over the world will love it, "he says Giovanni Fili, CEO, Exeger.
For more information please contact Gudmundur Palmason, CEO, STRAX AB, +46 8 545 017 50.
About Urbanista
Urbanista was born in 2010 Stockholm, Sweden out of love for cities and urban life. Our products are rooted in the Scandinavian tradition and inspired by music, art, fashion and urban culture. We believe that lifestyle audio products should not only sound good, they should look good too. Today our products are available in over 90 countries and are sold in 30,000 stores worldwide. More information is available at www.urbanista.com
About ExegerExeger is a Swedish company with a unique solar cell technology that converts any form of light into electrical energy. With its robust and flexible design, the material called Powerfoyle can be seamlessly integrated into all products that benefit from self-sufficiency. Powerfoyle can enhance any consumer electronics product it is incorporated into with extended or even eternal battery life, putting the performance of the latest solar technology right in the hands of consumers. By revolutionizing the perception of available energy, Exeger makes products more intelligent and sustainable – with the vision of touching the everyday lives of a billion people. Further information can be found at www.exeger.com | www.powerfoyle.com
About STRAX
STRAX is a leading global supplier of accessories for mobile lifestyles. Our portfolio of accessory brands covers all major categories of mobile products: protection, power, personal audio and connectivity. In response to the ongoing pandemic, STRAX switched to health and wellness products, initially focusing on personal protective equipment such as face masks, gloves and disinfectants. Our success lies in a strong offline and online sales network and first class customer service provided by an excellent team. We develop and grow brands through an omnichannel approach and operate two complementary companies: own brands – including Urbanista, Clckr, Richmond & Finch, Planet Buddies, xqisit, AVO + and licensed brands such as adidas, Bugatti, Diesel, Superdry and WeSC – and Distribution (traditional retail, corporate and online marketplaces). In addition to its own and licensed brands, STRAX sells over 40 major brands for mobile accessories and several brands for health and wellness, with the focus initially on personal protective equipment. We sell to all major distribution channels from telecom operators, bulk retailers and consumer electronics to lifestyle retailers, large corporations and directly to online consumers. STRAX was founded in Miami and Hong Kong in 1995 and has grown worldwide since then. Today we employ over 200 people in 13 countries with our operational headquarters and logistics center in Germany. STRAX is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm Stock Exchange.
This information was made available to you by Cision http://news.cision.com
https://news.cision.com/strax/r/strax–urbanista-introduces-los-angeles—solar-powered-headphones-with-virtually-infinite-playtime,c3325809
The following files are available for download:
View original content: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/strax-urbanista-introduces-los-angeles–solar-powered-headphones-with-virtually-infinite-playtime-301269519.html
SOURCE Strax
B2Gold (BTG) Initiates Hybrid Solar Battery System in Fekola Mine – Yahoo Finance
String Solar Inverter Market Anticipated to Attain New Heights by the Finish of Forecast – GroundAlerts.com


text:
Q: Would this be defined as a form of HeapSort? So I was messing around with implementations of sorting, and figure it wouldn't hurt to try a basic implementation using ArrayLists and a simple Binary Search like so:
public static ArrayList<Integer> binarySort(ArrayList<Integer> list) {
    ArrayList<Integer> sortedList = new ArrayList<>();
    for(Integer value : list) {
        int index = binarySearchPosition(sortedList, value);
        sortedList.add(index, value);
    }
    return sortedList;
}

public static int binarySearchPosition(ArrayList<Integer> list, Integer value) {
    int min = 0;
    int max = list.size();

    while(max - min > 1) {
        int mid = (int) Math.floor((max + min) / 2);
        if(list.get(mid) < value) {
            min = mid;
        } else {
            max = mid;
        }
    }

    if(max == 0) {
        return 0;
    }
    if(list.get(min) < value) {
        return max;
    } else {
        return min;
    }
}

It behaves essentially the same as a HeapSort, but doesn't actually create a heap out of the data. Would something like this be defined as a form of HeapSort still or as something else?

A:
Also, correct me if I'm wrong since my algorithm analysis skills are a
  little rusty, but I think this implementation would have O( log2(n!) )
  wouldn't it? log2(a) + log2(b) = log2(ab), and this implementation
  will do log2(1) + log2(2) + ... + log2(n-1) + log2(n) roughly

Thankfully, you're wrong, it would be roughly O(n^2).
You see, the list.add(index, value) is O(n) just by itself, and you have to do that N times.  How you find the index is just overhead and the O(log2(n)) would get hidden the O(n^2).  This is why (for sorted array lists) it's often just easier to search the list, copying elements across.  The search is still 0(n), the copying doesn't increase it, and you do it for each of the N items to be inserted.
You are performing O(log2(n)) N times.  That would be O(nlog2(n)).  However, the list.add(index, value) is by itself an O(n) operation.  Statistically, one would expect it to move 1/2 of the N elements, and big-O notation will discard the 1/2.
So in the end you're operation is O(n^2 * log2(n)) which is slower than O(n^2).
Reasoning without the math, it roughly breaks down to:

*

*N elements added one at a time O(n).

*Moving 1/2 of the N elements O(n).

*A binary search to find the insert index O(log2(n)).

Note that if you know you're already hitting O(n^2), you can avoid the extra effort of finding the index with a very simple algorithm:
Create a new array one element bigger.
for each element in the original array {
  if the element is smaller than the added item, copy it at the same index.
  if the element is same / larger than the added item, copy in the added item, and copy the rest of the elements from index to index+1.
}

As you can see it's one full loop through the array, which would have to be repeated N times, or O(n^2).
Your data structure isn't really a heap, but a sorted list.  It's a very good optimization to search sorted lists using a binary search.  It's just not going to reduce the need to walk a lot of the list on an insertion sort; because you're going to wind up copying 1/2 the items (if the array is large enough to hold the new items) or copying the whole list (if the array was sized to match the input).  Both of those scenarios means that this insertion support approach is going to be O(n^2) regardless of how you find the index of the insertion.
Now, if you had a linked list, the insertion becomes O(1).  However, to find the index becomes a walk from the root node, which itself is O(n) (again on average 1/2 of the nodes will be passed over).
Now heaps are a different thing; but, you know that because they don't produce sorted lists.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Don't Blame the Robots
image: Poor Mojo's Almanac
I never would have expected the New York Times to fall in lockstep with the conservative media by publishing an article that caters to the unduly fearful and paranoid sensibilities of the knee-jerkers via the headline: "As Robots Grow Smarter, American Workers Struggle to Keep Up."
Most surprising and disappointing was the fact that the article featured quotes solely from economists; not a single representative of the robotics industry was referenced. I know I'm not alone in questioning the logic and wisdom of that approach! If an article is going to insinuate that robots are to blame for a myriad of economic maladies, shouldn't we expect inquisitive minds behind it to include at least a few cogent viewpoints from the industry leaders "at fault"?
Here are a few examples of such expert commentary that The NY Times could have sought and included:
From Jeff Burnstein, President of the Robotics Industries Association (RIA): "In 2010, after one of the worst recessions in our nation's history, unemployment in the U.S. was nearing 10%. Since then, amidst record years for robot sales, unemployment has steadily fallen toward pre-recessionary levels. "
From Dr. David Mindell, professor of aeronautics, astronautics and the history of technology at MIT: "Half of the things people are doing were not even things people were doing 10-20 years ago. Our definitions of work and jobs always evolve alongside technology."
From Robotics Physicist Dr. Mark Tilden: "The anxiety occurs when robots have anthropomorphic similarities that people wrongly associate with human ambition. When a (semi) humanoid takes away the whole menial job that used to be done by a person, there's an instinctive focus to blame the machine, not the corporation optimizing its bottom line. Optimizing tasks to reduce costs is a good thing. It's just a shame we haven't kept up with the social reforms needed so people who had those jobs before could find better jobs now."
And from Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro: "Robots are a natural extension of technology such as cars or smartphones and people have evolved because of such technology. Robots allow humanity to advance."
The rise of robotics in the workplace is about evolution, not revolution. Displacement, yes. Replacement, no. Think transformation and adaptation, not annihilation. Though the article does mention that technology is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, I'm one of a rapidly growing group of people who understand that it's not a matter of "them" (robots) vs. "us" (humans). It's about merging technology with artificial intelligence. In other words, robotic capabilities should be viewed as enhancements to the human condition, not detriments to it.
For example, within the next 10 years, wearable, "smart" robotic technologies such as exoskeletons will allow millions of people with injuries and disabilities to remain on the job instead of having to receive workers' compensation. For example, a "telepresence" robot now allows a worker who can no longer travel to stay home while remotely inspecting a manufacturing line anywhere in the United States. How does the Dept. of Labor address that? Will they take into account the savings in disability payments in such cases?
I can only hope that the NY Times will undertake more comprehensive research in the future, especially when they decide to publish an article they can rightly assume will fuel one of society's growing (yet irrational) fears.
« Be Here Now
Rules for Robots »


text:
Q: ActorSystem singleton injection In my project, I have to use actors and schedulers. All my need can be accomplished by using one actor system only. But I need the schedulers and actors in more than one class. So my question, if I should inject the actor system in each class like below, will it create only one actor System or more than one? I don't want to create more than one actor system since it is not a recommended practice.
import akka.actor.ActorSystem

@Singleton
class someClass @Inject()(actorSystem: ActorSystem){....} // abstract class ActorSystem extends ActorRefFactory

@Singleton
class anotherClass @Inject()(actorSystem: ActorSystem){....}

Or I should create another object and declare an actor system within it and use it everywhere like this:
import akka.actor._

object actorSystemObject {
    val system: ActorSystem = ActorSystem()
}

Which method will be better and standard?

A: Assuming you are using guice, try providing a singleton like so
@Provides
@Singleton
def getActorSystem: ActorSystem = ActorSystem()

for example
import akka.actor.ActorSystem
import com.google.inject.{AbstractModule, Guice, Inject, Injector, Provides, Singleton}
import scala.jdk.CollectionConverters._

class MyModule extends AbstractModule {
  @Provides
  @Singleton
  def getActorSystem: ActorSystem = ActorSystem()
}

@Singleton
class SomeClass @Inject()(actorSystem: ActorSystem) {
  println(actorSystem.hashCode())
}

@Singleton
class SomeOtherClass @Inject()(actorSystem: ActorSystem) {
  println(actorSystem.hashCode())
}

object Hello extends App {
  val injector: Injector = Guice.createInjector(List(new MyModule).asJava)
  injector.getInstance(classOf[SomeClass])
  injector.getInstance(classOf[SomeOtherClass])
}

which outputs something like
1731656333
1731656333

where we see the same ActorSystem is injected as evident by the same hashCode.
Say we remove @Singleton provider like so
@Provides
def getActorSystem: ActorSystem = ActorSystem()

then hashCodes differ, for example,
2050462663
1117871068


text:
General Manager Honored
by Wade Pressel | Apr 2, 2014
Brett Reed, left, general manager of bd's Mongolian Grill in Independence, has been named the company's franchise general manager of the year and was honored at the company's annual convention in Seattle. He started at the company as a dishwasher in 1999 and worked his way up the ranks. The company says it evaluated general managers at each of its 19 franchise locations across the country. Altogether, the company has 27 locations in the United States and one in Ulaan baatar, Mongolia.


10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His [c]own, and His [d]own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the [e]right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
16 [g]And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten [h]Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
28 These things were done in [j]Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the [l]Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.
Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, "You are Simon the son of [m]Jonah. You shall be called Cephas" (which is translated, [n]A Stone).


text:
The water vole: The Story of One of Britain's Most Endangered Mammals
"We can learn to be invisible, to listen and watch, and by doing so gain some of the greatest rewards it is possible to have in our rushed and crowded lives – to see a wild animal living its life in peace."
Christine Gregory, The Water Vole: The Story of One of Britain's Most Endangered Mammals
Author Christine Gregory has spent several years studying Derbyshire's water vole population, their behaviour and habitats. This is our review of her new
book, "The Water Vole: The story of one of Britain's most endangered mammals".
Opening with a cheerful foreword by naturalist, television presenter, photographer and author, Chris Packham, the book explores everything, in his words,"voley".
Christine Gregory has taken the time to study a population of water voles in Derbyshire. The story of the water vole provides a welcome pause in our
rushed and crowded lives. Through patience and observation, Christine has managed to take a wonderful array of water vole photographs, providing a
unique view of their lives. Although some chapters are focused on Derbyshire where the author originates, information is provided on the species as
a whole including life history, legal protection, reasons for its decline and opportunities to reverse this.
This book, whilst briefly touching on water voles and the law, will undoubtedly have a broader appeal than a scientific text book. A brief discussion of
the possible mitigation measures to counteract potential impacts from development is provided. I noticed a sense of scepticism when Christine discusses
the role of the planning system in ensuring the species' legal protection is adequately met when faced with big development. However, the positive
impact of the Water Framework Directive on Britain's wetland ecosystems is adequately reflected.
I particularly enjoyed the history of the water vole in Britain as it provided a fascinating insight into the species through the ages, and how human practices
have affected it, including efforts to destroy the water vole population entirely – quite a contrast to modern-day attempts to preserve the well-loved
The book ends optimistically. Small changes in how we interact with our wetland ecosystems can make big changes to this, and other species which populate
similar habitats. As a small mammal, the water vole has evolved to be able to expand its population rapidly and, provided we give them adequate opportunities,
including habitat connectivity, the decline of the water vole can be reversed.
The Water Vole, The Story of One of Britain's Most Endangered Mammals is available now from Vertebrate Publishing.
Peregrine falcons observed on viaduct survey
Team immersed in marine surveys
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Deep Blue – Marine Ecology Newsletter, Autumn 2021
Through the lens: Bryozoa
Thomson joins the Land Promoters & Developers Federation
Nancy Thomson – Conservation Careers Podcast
Thomson's ecology work at Dukes Meadows, Chiswick
Wetland hydrological monitoring explained
Knowledge Hub The water vole: The Story of One of Britain's Mo...


text:
ATI Remembers 9/11 by Honoring Police and Firefighters
As the nation remembers the tragic events of 9/11, ATI Physical Therapy is offering a special thank you to local police and firefighters for their courage and selfless commitment to protect and save lives.
To show our appreciation, ATI is hosting hundreds of breakfasts and lunches at police and fire stations in the communities we serve in the Midwest and on the East Coast.
"I was privileged and honored to spend the day with the true heroes of our community. The true appreciation and thanks they expressed to me for our recognition initiative was heartfelt and consistent with their humble service," said Scott Walton, ATI Business Development Director.
"Individuals enter into their line of work, not for praise or accolades, but for the knowledge that they are standing watch in the shadows while the rest of us go safely about our day, " said Walton. "It is our duty to set aside a day to shine the spotlight on them since they sacrifice so much for us. I find it inspiring that such unity and goodness can come from the anniversary of such a tragic event."
ATI is proud to provide physical therapy and work conditioning services to firefighters and police in need of rehabilitation to help return them to work and optimal health.


text:
Захир Паязити (; , Туричица,  — , Пестово, ) — один из основателей Армии освобождения Косова (АОК). Он был первым командиром АОК, который умер в борьбе против сербских подразделений.

Он учился в Университете Приштины. В 1981 году Паязити был организатором политических демонстраций в Подуеве. С середины 90-х он был активистом  (Partia Parlamentare e Kosovës). В то же время он был одним из основателей АОК и одним из её лидеров в 1996–1997 годах. 31 января 1997 Паязити был убит боевым подразделением МВД Сербии.

Сербская сторона обвиняла его в совершении (в качестве лидера АВК и его группы) нападений на полицейские подразделения косовских сербов.

28 ноября 2000 командир АВК Агим Чеку представил в центре Приштины статую в честь Паязити. Во время Косовской войны бригада АВК носила имя Паязити, сегодня есть улицы и площади в Косово, названные его именем.

Примечания

Ссылки
 In Your Pocket

Персоналии по алфавиту
Персоналии:Косово

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Everyone has a doctor in him or her; we just have to help it in its work. The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well. Our food should be our medicine. Our medicine should be our food. But to eat when you are sick, is to feed your sickness.


Siem Reap : A very famous name with the Angkor, an incredible complex with numerous temples and Hindu decorations.
On arrival at the Airport, you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel.
We then drive this afternoon to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network of approximately 200 kilometers constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. Come back Saigon in the afternoon.
Free time until transfer you to the airport to catch flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival at the airport in Hanoi, you are picked up and transferred to hotel for check in. If the time permits, we enjoy city tour in Hanoi by taking one-hour cyclo around the Old Quarter, known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Originally, each of the 36 streets names' was related to the products being sold there. Then we will have chance enjoy the unique Water Puppet show.
After breakfast at hotel, we depart for Halong Bay past the scenic countryside. En route we make stopover at Dong Trieu pottery village to stretch our legs and admire the craftsmen at work.


text:
Illinois gun control law slapped with restraining order by judge just days after it goes into effect
An Illinois judge on Friday temporarily blocked Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker from enforcing a newly enacted ban on certain semiautomatic rifles and high-capacity magazines.
Effingham County Judge Joshua Morrison slapped the gun control law with a temporary restraining order after former Republican candidate for attorney general Tom DeVore sued to block the law. DeVore said in a press release that he's representing citizens from 87 Illinois counties who are challenging the law, which he called, "an outright attack on the constitutional rights of lawful gun owners across the state."
Morrison's ruling only applies to 850 plaintiffs listed in the lawsuit in Effingham County and four licensed gun dealers.
Pritzker said he was not surprised by the decision and accused the plaintiffs of advancing "ideology over public safety" in seeking to have the law struck down.
SECOND AMENDMENT GROUPS WARN OF ILLINOIS GUN CONTROL BILL HEADING TO GOVERNOR'S DESK
FILE – Assault weapons are seen for sale at Capitol City Arms Supply on Jan. 16, 2013, in Springfield, Illinois.
(AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)
"We are well aware that this is only the first step in defending this important legislation," Pritzker said. "I remain confident that the courts will uphold the constitutionality of Illinois' law, which aligns with the eight other states with similar laws and was written in collaboration with lawyers, advocates, and legal experts."
In an 11-page ruling, Morrison affirmed that the plaintiffs have a constitutional right to bear arms that is protected by both the Illinois state Constitution and the Constitution of the United States.
"Plaintiffs are being immediately and irreparably harmed each day in which their fundamental right to bear arms is being denied," Morrison wrote.
The judge cited a landmark US Supreme Court decision from last year that struck down New York state's concealed carry law. That 6-3 ruling in New York Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen found that the "plain text" of the Second Amendment protected the right of the plaintiffs in that case to carry firearms for self-defense.
ILLINOIS SHERIFFS, LAWMAKERS REFUSE TO ENFORCE GOV'S ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN: 'IN DANGER OF LOSING OUR COUNTRY'
FILE – Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker looks to supporters after he defeated GOP challenger Darren Bailey on Nov. 8, 2022, in Chicago.
"Due to the speed with which this bill was passed, the effect to protected classes could not have been considered, nor could the Legislature have studied if this was the least restrictive way to meet their goal," Morrison also wrote.
Pritzker signed the law on Jan. 10 in response to the mass shooting that killed seven and injured 30 at the Highland Park July Fourth parade. The law bans dozens of specific types of rapid-fire handguns and rifles, .50-caliber guns, attachments and limits cartridges to 10 rounds for long guns and 15 rounds for pistols.
SEMIAUTOMATIC WEAPONS BAN BECOMES ILLINOIS LAW
People lay flowers and cards near a spot where a mass shooting took place during the 4th of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois.
(Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The governor defended the gun control law, called the Protect Illinois Communities Act, saying it "takes weapons of war and mass destruction off the street while allowing law-abiding gun owners to retain their collections."
"I look forward to the next steps in this case and receiving the decision this case merits," he added.
The Illinois State Rifle Association, a gun rights group that filed a separate federal challenge to the law control law, applauded Morrison's ruling.
"This is a clear indication from the court that the General Assembly and Governor Pritzker rammed this law through improperly. The ISRA firmly believes the law is an infringement on all law-abiding residents' 2nd Amendment rights," the group said.
Chris Pandolfo is a writer for Fox News Digital. Send tips to [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @ChrisCPandolfo.
Judge orders Trump to pay $1M for 'frivolous' lawsuit against Clinton, Comey, Schiff
Kansas Republican Sen. Moran says 'cyber-criminal' stole nearly $700K from campaign


When people ask me where I'm from I'd always tell them I'm from Camiguin although technically, I'm not. I only lived here for 2 years. I was born and raised in the Queen City of the South, Cebu. The reason why I consider Camiguin as my hometown is because it was here that I learned the values of humility, patience and determination. You see, Camiguin is a very small island. You can circumnavigate it in 3 hours. It only has a one National Road. It has an occasional rotational brown out. The nearest cinema is an island away where you have to travel an average of 4 hours just to see the latest movie. In here, people take delight in simple things: the good weather, a bountiful catch, and fiestas. In here I learned to appreciate the things we so conveniently have in the city. I saw how important education is and how hard you have to work towards achieving your goals. Here, people dream big. They believe in possibilities that far across the coast is a better, brighter future.
And also, this place has volcanoes, hot, cold and soda springs, amazing white sandbars, a clam farm, a sunken cemetery and many more that titillates your wanderlust. So yeah, I'm from Camiguin. How about you? What's the story of your hometown?
A very blue-tiful first day.
🗺 пора планировать следующую поездку .
Walking on a desert of ice at Bola del Mundo; Sierra de Guadarrama, España. Nikon D90. January 2017.
On the slopes of Bola del Mundo overlooking La Maliciosa; Sierra de Guadarrama, España. GoPro Hero 5. January 2017.
Serrated mountains of Sierra de Guadarrama, España as seen from Bola del Mundo. Nikon D90. January 2017.
La Maliciosa at EL 2,227m on the east of Bola del Mundo; Sierra de Guadarrama, España. Nikon D90. January 2017.
At the summit of Bola del Mundo, 2,265m above sea level; Sierra de Guadarrama, España. GoPro Hero 5. January 2017.
The 728m long Acueducto de Segovia, constructed in 112 AD by Roman Emperor Domitian, was used to carry water coming from Rio Frio to the city and to the Alcazar; Segovia, España. GoPro Hero 5. December 2016.
The Alcazar de Segovia, built sometime in the 12th century AD, was one of the inspirations of Walt Disney's Castle; Segovia, España. GoPro Hero 5. December 2016.
Has returned to the 2,000-year old Roman Aqueduct after 5 years in Segovia, España. GoPro Hero 5. December 2016.


text:
Availability Search for BRITs Week - The Snuts
BRITs Week - The Snuts
Pop, Rock and Contemporary
Greater Glasgow & The Clyde Valley
BRITs Week presented by Mastercard for War Child is back in 2023, with another incredible series of gigs, giving fans the opportunity to see some of the biggest and most exciting names in music in intimate venues across London – all whilst raising money for children whose lives have been torn apart by war.
monostereo@live.co.uk
Stereo,
20--28 Renfield Lane,
G2 5AR
5 Feb 2023 7pm
5 Feb 2023 @ 7pm


text:
Q: custom cast function and abstracts This code outputs Null<_Test.Bar_Impl_>. I wanted it to output Foo but I see why it does not work that way. But may be I can somehow overcome this limitation.
My primary goal is to create function that will work like cast, but return null instead of throwing exception. And it should work with abstracts.
class Foo {
}

abstract Bar(Foo) {
}

class MyCast {
    inline static public function doCast<T>(value: Any, type: Class<T>): Null<T> {
        return Std.is(value, type) ? cast value : null;
    }
}

class Test {

    static function main() {
        $type(MyCast.doCast(null, Bar));
    }
}

A: Actually that cannot work at all like that, since Std.is(value, AbstractType) will always fail because the abstract does not exist any more at runtime.
See https://try.haxe.org/#1Afb5, and especially:

*

*Use @:forward to access foo from Bar instances (forward doc)

*Use from Foo to safe cast Foo instances into Bar instances (see implicit cast doc) (note that this feature on itself may be exactly what you were trying to achieve: https://try.haxe.org/#cc903)


Services add-ons are a few additional services we do to compliment manicures, pedicures, and nail extensions jobs, Sometimes clients might need to come to the salon do a repairs or take off acrylic nails. Clients might also want to add artwork, nail designs or simply add a paraffin wax treatment for their manicure. All of these services are considered add-ons.
We have special discount prices if you do more than 2 acrylic nail repairs. We also have special price for removing an old set of acrylic nails and replace with a new set.
Nails designs or artworks have special discount rate when you do more than 2 fingers or toes.


text:
Q: Cordova Facebook Connect Plugin: Android.support.v4.content.LocalBroadcastManager Been having issues in eclipse whilst working on an Android Application. The application requires the Facebook SDK & Phonegap's BarcodeScanner plugin to function. Now Previously I've had this whole project working absolutely fine on a Mac using the ADT bundle. The issues have arisen since trying to bring this project over to a Windows Machine.
So I've imported the previous project (by copying the parent directory) to sit on my computer, and re-downloaded the Facebook SDK and Phonegap plugins. I've set both the Facebook SDK and Barcodescanner as library's as I had done on the Mac version; made sure they all pointed to the right location. I've sorted some expected bugs expected from Eclipse when you import projects/library in.
Now the app runs, and when it gets to the Facebook Login I get a "Cordova Facebook Connect plugin fail on Login!android.support.v4.content.LocalBroadCastManager" in a alert window, and won't let me do anything. I'm so confused cause this project and setup was working fine on the Mac and nothing has changed except for locations of files which I've adjusted.
"VFY: Unable to find class referenced in signature (Landroid/support/v4/app/fragment;)"
"Could not find method android.support.v4.content.localbroadcastmanager.getInstance,referenced from method com.facebook.session.postactiveSessionaction"
Above is the only reference I can see (in logcat) to the Androidsupport files not being found ! Any help could be greatly appreciated, especially if anyone else has moved a project from different OS's

A: I just removed the file android-support-v4.jar from project's lib folder and it works! (but before you must import the FacebookSDK folder)

A: Go to the facebook SDK folder and then copy "android-support-v4.jar" from the folder libs
and past it to the "libs" folder of your project.


text:
George C. Christie (born March 3, 1934) is the James B. Duke Emeritus Professor of Law at Duke University School of Law in Durham, North Carolina, where he taught jurisprudence and tort law before retiring from teaching in 2013.

Early life and education
Christie was born in New York City in 1934. His father, himself a lawyer, emigrated from Greece to the United States in 1920. He was awarded his A.B. in 1955 and his J.D. in 1957, both from Columbia University. While at Columbia he was editor-in-chief of the Columbia Law Review. In 1962 he was granted a Diploma in International Law from Cambridge University. Later, in 1966 he received S.J.D. from Harvard University.

Career
Christie was admitted to the bar in New York in 1957 and in the District of Columbia in 1958. He spent two years in private practice in Washington D.C. and from 1960-1961 he was a Ford Fellow at Harvard Law School. From 1961-1962 he was a Fulbright Scholar at Cambridge University. Following his time at Cambridge he became a member of the faculty at University of Minnesota Law School. In 1966 he left the University of Minnesota and returned to Washington D.C. where he served as the Assistant General Counsel for the Near East and South Asia of the Agency for International Development.

He has been on the faculty of Duke University School of Law since 1967.

He received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Athens in 2007.

Christie influenced the Duke University academic governance through the so-called Christie Rule, recommended by a committee he was chairing in 1972. The rule aims to guarantee that the voice of the faculty be heard prior to the Board of Trustees reaching significant decisions.

Selected works

Books
 Philosopher Kings? The Adjudication of Conflicting Human Rights and Social Values, Oxford University Press 2011,
 The Notion of an Ideal Audience in Legal Argument, Kluwer Academic 2000, , translated in French with introduction by Guy Haarscher as L'auditoire universel dans l'argumentation juridique, Bruylant 2005,
 Law, Norms and Authority, Duckworth 1982,

Case Books
 Advanced Torts: Cases and Materials, West Academic Publishing 2004, 3d ed. 2018 (with Joseph Sanders),
 Cases and Materials on the Law of Torts, West Academic Publishing 1983, 5th ed. 2012 (with James E. Meeks & Jonathan Cardi),
 Jurisprudence: Text and Readings on the Philosophy of Law, West Academic Publishing 1973, 3d ed. 2008 (with Patrick H. Martin),

References

External links
 Duke University Law School personal page
 Articles available in the Duke Law Scholarship Repository
 Author page on SSRN

1934 births
Living people
American legal scholars
Philosophers of law
Harvard Law School alumni
Columbia Law School alumni
Duke University School of Law faculty
American people of Greek descent


You are here: Home / Blogging / Discover Your Blog Reader's Needs With A Survey.
Use A Survey: Blog Owners Can Learn More About Their Target Audience By Asking The Right Questions.
Why use a survey as a blogger? Creating valuable content for your blog can be challenging at times. You may run out of ideas for your blog post content. You may even find that you've fallen into the habit of writing just to please yourself!
By turning to your blog visitors and asking what they want to know more about, you will be providing more value and be more productive. The goal is to have people find your blog a valuable resource that they turn to whenever they need answers in your particular niche. A survey can also help you create new products and services based on the needs of your blog readers, followers, and art buyers.
You will find that by creating a survey and involving your blog readers by asking the right questions, you can uncover challenges your blog readers need help with. You can never know too much about your blog readers and their challenges. The more closely you can identify with your audience and readers, the more you can actually help them and make a difference in their lives. Does that make sense?
There are several ways to create a survey for your blog. Please look these tools over and see which one or two you think seems to fit your comfort level and budget.
One thing I've learned over my many years in business is that people love talking about themselves and giving their opinion. A survey is typically a fun activity that most people enjoy participating in.
Personally, I think it shows how much you care about your blog readers by acknowledging that their opinions matter. Doesn't it make you feel valued when you are asked for your opinion?
I consider my readers part of my online family and it really does matter what they each think as we are building something of value for all of us. Most people will love to help you so let them know that their responses truly make a difference.
It can provide you with leads. You can include space to collect a respondent's name and email address if you choose, but don't make it mandatory. If people are allowed to remain anonymous, you are likely to get more complete and honest answers. If they do provide you with their name and email address, be sure to thank them for providing this information.
When developing ideas for your form questions, make sure they are created with short easy-to-answer objectives.
Create a survey that's easy to understand and navigate.
Let your respondents know ahead of time the approximate time it will take to complete.
Choose a pleasing clean design.
Give the respondents a way to express their thoughts. Have you ever taken a survey with only multiple choice answers and none of them were quite what you wanted as a response? Make sure they have room to tell you, in complete sentences, what's really on their mind. I think it's fine to have a multiple choice survey and then leave a text box at the end so that your respondents can elaborate any points they wish to. You could also leave empty text or content boxes for each question along with the multiple choice selections.
Don't be in a rush to publish the results. If you post the results too soon, it could influence new respondents who haven't taken the survey yet.
If you choose to send out a survey to your email list, don't forget to test the email to make sure that it is working correctly. It would be very embarrassing to send it out and no one can actually respond to it.
When creating forms, you can choose to show a 'summary of results' that generates pie charts you can share your results. (Read more on how to create forms below).
Ready to create your survey? Here are some suggestions on how to get started.
1) If you have a Google Account, log in and create a survey using Google Forms for free.
Go to > Google Docs Forms. Click on the + sign, "Start A New Form." After it opens, you are able to add any suitable questions directly onto the form template. It also allows you to style your form by adding headers and dividers. You may create a form that results in several pages.
You can learn more about editing your forms by going here.
2) You can also create a free online survey by using Google Docs. Just go to New > More > Forms.
Sign into your Google Account. Then go to https://drive.google.com/forms to create your new form.
3) Sign into your Google Account. Then go to https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets. You can add a form while working with Google Sheets.
With your spreadsheet open, click Insert > Form. You will see a message notifying you that a new form has been created.
In the message, click "Add questions here" to begin editing your form.
When using Google Forms, you can click "ADD OTHER" to give your respondents the option to suggest their own answer instead of having to choose from your multiple choice answers.
To add a new question, just click the "+" sign in the box to the right.
Just repeat until all of your questions are on the form. Keep in mind that if you keep the exercise short, more people will be inclined to complete it. But, the longer it is and more precise, the more detailed information you will receive. Depending on your objectives for creating the survey, you have to decide the length and the time it takes to complete.
Don't forget to check out the settings at the top. (Click the gear icon on the top right). These settings allow you to customize your design, allow your respondents to be able to edit their response after entering it, see summary charts and text responses, and more.
You will then be able to send the form through email, or share in your Newsletter via a link to the form. All for free thanks to Google!
If you want to host the survey on your own site, embed your form into a WordPress Blog Post. Select File from the top menu of the page where you're editing your Google Form. Click "Embed," then copy and paste the HTML code into the text editor of a page or post on your blog.
1) Some people are not Google Fans. This needn't deter you from creating a free survey. Many professional bloggers recommend Survey Monkey. I decided it would be valuable to mention it here.
As with other online services, you will find that there is a free version along with premium plans. What can you expect with the free version? By signing up for their free Basic Plan, you will be able to ask up to ten questions and receive up to 100 responses. If your blog is new or is in its early growing stages, this will work for you just fine.
Survey Monkey has over 16 years of science behind the technology that helps gives you confidence. Even if you are a relatively inexperienced blogger, you can create and conduct a survey that can help you achieve the intended results.
You can give the free Basic Plan a try at no risk to see firsthand how the service works. If you plan on doing several surveys a year, a premium plan may be a better option. The Gold Plan, will provide you with unlimited questions and responses for an entire year.
2) If you don't want to use Google Forms or tools, may I suggest that you give Survey Hero a try. Their free Basic Plan has an unlimited number of surveys you can create, an unlimited amount of questions you can ask, and an unlimited amount of responses!
Their list of design choices and features is pretty substantial. You'll be amazed at what you get with a free plan!
You can show your blog readers that you care and that you take your blog seriously by asking them what they want. As I said earlier in this post, you can never know too much about your blog readers.
If you are on a tight budget, there are free ways to conduct your research and obtain the results you desire.
Using a survey you can uncover your reader's challenges, develop new products and services, and provide real value and become their "go to" resource for your particular industry.
Have you ever conducted a survey on your blog? If so, what did you learn from the experience? Please share in the comments below.
Thank YOU for reading my blog! It's a privilege to serve you.
To discover your readers voice,need and suggestion,this is such a nice move. As well as comments will do.
I used to send out a year-end survey but then I started soliciting feedback from my new subscribers about how they found my blog, why they joined, and what their biggest challenge currently is. I have to admit I have been pleasantly surprised how many people take the time to answer those 3 questions.
But I think it's time for another survey, especially since I have some significant changes coming in 2017 so perfect timing. I used to use Survey Monkey and that worked well, but I've never tried Google Docs, so it's worth a look-see. Thanks!
The information you are gathering in your survey must reveal so much, Marquita!
Good luck with your new changes and your surveys. I'm sure 2017 is going to be amazing!
Thank you for sharing, Marquita!
It's good to know that we can start a survey free of cost. People really need to figure out how they are satisfying their readers.
With the help of a survey, you can have an idea about the services you are lacking in.
By providing value to our blog readers, we all win!
Much success to you in 2017!
What a excellent and extremely informative post Deborah!
Doing so really helps me follow your entire process.
And I'm a little embarrassed to admit, I've yet to survey my readers!LOL!
A survey will be really helpful if you have an established following. My blog is newish so I'm not quite ready for a survey either, but I put the information out there for those that have a solid following but may not have thought about the importance of a survey!
Take care, Mark, and Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!
Interestingly, I never thought about asking my blog readers to complete a survey although I do periodically send surveys to my email subscriber list. We should look for every opportunity to connect and interact with our audience so that we can deliver the information they need right now and become the expert that they are looking for.
I can see how their responses could spark my creative fire and help me to write quickly and effectively because I will know that my content is exactly what they want to read.
Thank you for stopping by and for commenting, Rachel.
I just want to serve their needs as best I can. Once my readership increases, I will be doing surveys!
Merry Christmas to you, too, Rachel!
Yes! It's so important to ask your readers what they want and need from you. I was on a webinar the other day, and one of the presenters said that you have to ask them what they want because what they want and your perception of what they want are two different things. Running a survey can give your audience a voice to say what they want so you don't have to guess at it.
That's an excellent point, Ruth!
What we think our blog readers need and what they really need are two different things. Even if you are right and provide them with great value, by conducting a survey, things will be revealed that will surprise you!
this is a very good idea to do a survey.
I always try to find easy or free ways for new bloggers to get things done. Often these suggestions may take more time/labor, but if you are on a tight budget, you can still accomplish great things. Why not use free but powerful tools until you can afford to use premium tools?
Thank you, Erika, for stopping by!
Although I've sent surveys to my email list (using Survey Monkey), I've never used one for my blog. Interesting to read that I can also use SurveyHero or Google for surveys – didn't know that!
When I surveyed my email list I discovered that many of them were WAY less experienced than I had expected. Many didn't have a blog, or a business or even a budget or a few hours spare to build a business!
It certainly helped me change the focus of my marketing!
Thank you, Joy, for adding your personal experience here.
It just confirms to me that we may think we know our blog followers and readers, but often we find out new things by inquiring.
Have a fabulous 2017, Joy!
Deborah recently posted…Content Marketing Editorial Calendar – Give And Share Your Best Stuff.
Hi Deborah, I love free solutions to things! I truly think you can achieve anything online for no outlay if you are not picky about how you want things to look, as the design options are always limited, but who cares when there's no cost involved! I love the idea of having a survey, they key would be asking the right questions.
I agree, Mandy. Especially if you are just starting out. It's important to be in control of your budget and not pay for things unnecessarily.
We are so fortunate to be living in this digital age with so many free tools and options. Just as with any tool, you need to know what you want it to do, what you are trying to achieve in order to get the best results.
Thanks, Mandy! Happy New Year and much success to you in 2017!
Thanks for this amazing tip to get to know what reader actually want to read. After this post it's easy for me to figure out the need of readers. After that the guide of making form is really helpful for me to create my own form.
Glad to know this survey strategy.
So glad I could assist in some way, Junaid!
Thank you for the comments and for stopping by.
May you have an amazing 2017!


text:
Student figure skater works long hours to reach international goals
By: wbthelynxnewspaper
In: Articles, Feature
by Sarah Perez and Valentina Padula
ON THE ICE: Nikita Chen performs at the Florida Open on Apr. 6, 2017, winning second place only a few months after starting to skate. Chen has been skating for five years, hoping to one day represent Jamaica in the Olympics.
The sound of ice skates scraping to a stop cuts through the cold atmosphere at the center of the arena like a knife. The dark hues of the horizon are not yet disrupted by the sun as freshman Nikita Chen practices her technique and form. Almost every day, awake before most, Chen works towards her dream of representing Jamaica in the Olympics.
Having been figure skating for 5 years, Chen has set many goals for her future as a skater. She has been driven by her coaches since the beginning of her career and turns to them for inspiration. Animated by her idols and a dream far out of reach, she has continued to persevere towards her ambitions with purpose and dedication.
"Ice skating is not an easy sport, but it has taught me how to enjoy and express myself better," Chen said. "I used to be really shy before I started skating, and once I did, I started getting really confident myself. It made me grow as a person."
After watching the 2014 Olympics, Chen became entranced by the way professional figure skaters like Yulia Lipnitskaya and Aliona Kostornaia performed their routines with stunning grace and skill. After watching these performances, she longed to be like them one day.
"I used to like to slide around in my socks at home," Chen said. "After watching [Lipnitskaya] I was just pretending I was a figure skater."
Chen's coaches have had long-lasting impacts on her motivation to skate. Her first coach, Adrian Schultheiss, has been an immense inspiration for her on the ice. Schultheiss has competed in numerous international competitions and had even achieved a spot at the Olympics as a Swedish representative before he retired. After separating for a while, Chen trained with many other coaches but ultimately returned to Schultheiss.
"I ended up coming back to [Schultheiss] because he was my first coach, he is the one who taught me everything," Chen said. "He is a big part of my skating and is a big inspiration to me."
With figure skating added to her schedule, Chen has had little time for social gatherings. Spending hours training on the ice, it has become difficult to add any more to her hectic agenda. However, Chen's improvement on skates has been more than prominent after all of these hours. She has progressed substantially throughout the years of her figure skating career and is set to begin a higher-level program this year.
"It is hard work of not sleeping, not eating, not resting, not traveling, spending money on skates and skipping parties," said Nikita's Mother, Viktoria Chen. "She works very hard for that."
Chen's day starts before the sun rises, practicing six days a week for at least two hours a day. She strives to refine her technique by doing strength training and stretching. Chen's rigorous practice schedule is not only to hone her skill on the ice but to prepare for the 2021 South Atlantic Regionals taking place near the end of the year.
"I take six days a week from 6:00 AM to 7:15 before school," Chen said. "Then I skate from 3:30 to 4:30 after school."
After COVID-19 caught the world by surprise, Chen was forced to halt practice for two months. She had lost a large amount of the skill that she had gained over time. After returning back to the ice, Chen felt frustrated and unmotivated for a while as she attempted to get back into her groove.
"I lost a lot of the things that I could do. So when I came back I could not do most of the things I could do before," Chen said. "It was really hard, trying to get them back. I was struggling and getting really frustrated."
Chen's goal, ever since she had begun figure skating, has always been to shoot for the Olympics as a representative of Jamaica. As she continues to improve her skating talent, her goals have never been closer in reach. Hoping to achieve a feat no one else ever has before, she plans on creating a Jamaican Figure Skating Federation to represent the country where she was born.
"My biggest goal is that I want to represent Jamaica's national competition," Chen said. "I want to represent the country that I was born in, and it is something that no one else has ever done."
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Sony Ericsson is a king of mobile world in the matter of its sound clarity. You can listen to your favourite songs with clarity of sound with this magical handset so you will never found yourself alone. You will always found yourself lost in the sophisticated features of this mesmerizing handset. In your spare time you can enjoy its entertainment features and at the time of making visit to historical place you can go with this handset and can capture beautiful pictures with it. It is also easy to share these memorable moments with your near and dear ones, buddies, relatives with the help of its Bluetooth and USB cable connection. So it is the best handset in every way for you.


Peoria is a city in and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, United States, and the largest city on the Illinois River. Get out of town with these interesting Peoria side-trips: Buffalo Bill Museum (in Le Claire), Utica (Starved Rock State Park & Matthiessen State Park) and Springfield (Illinois State Capitol, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, & more). There's lots more to do: steep yourself in history at Lincolns New Salem State Park, meet the residents at Miller Park Zoo, admire all the interesting features of Grand View Drive, and examine the collection at IL Route 66 Association Hall of Fame & Museum.
For photos, ratings, where to stay, and more tourist information, refer to the Peoria trip planner .
Expect a daytime high around 75°F in May, and nighttime lows around 54°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Mon) early enough to travel back home.


Since more big news agencies have been talking about Bitcoin in the past two months, a large group newcomers to Bitcoin have created the misconception that Bitcoin as a system is equivalent to a pyramid scheme.
Apart from the fact that Bitcoins are created by making computers perform hugely sophisticated calculations, which cost real power and material. Every Bitcoin is unique. This means that when a transaction transpires, no Bitcoin has been created. In a pyramid scheme, on the other hand, a buyer receives the same 'product' as his seller has once bought, without the seller giving something up. Also, in a pyramid scheme, buyers have to perform action once they've bought in, in order to get their money back or make a profit. In the Bitcoin system, one buys a Bitcoin and waits until he wants to buy something with it.
Another big and well thought-out aspect of Bitcoin, is the limit. Twenty-one-million Bitcoins can be mined, not more. As soon a system shows this kind of limitation: It can not be a pyramid scheme.
Pyramid schemes inevitably fail, because they are schemes. Bitcoin's peer-t0-peer nature makes it so that it can not seize to exist. Bitcoins will always be there, and as soon as people stop buying them, they become so cheap that everybody will buy them again. This kind of fall back insurance is never inherent in a pyramid scheme.
Recently, everybody that looked at a Facebook page for Bitcoin, saw a link under 'related pages' called 'ponzi scheme'. This is not Mark's way of telling us to be careful with Bitcoin, it's the consequense of people talking about Bitcoin being a Ponzi scheme, bots combining the keywords, people talking about that, and bots again combining the keywords resulting in automatic linking between the subjects. There is no similarity between Bitcoin and pyramid schemes, the keywords are just often used on the same webpage.
you cant say that nothing is created and that there's a limit. How is there a limit on nothing?
That proves my point, because I do not say that Bitcoin is not created. Bitcoins are created by mining, which cost real material and power, and they can only be created up to a certain point, when 21 million have been created to be exact.
The fact there is a fixed amount is nonsense, as they are divisible to umpteen decimal points, so the supply is endless, rather than fixed.
Ponzi scheme because new "buyers" pay off existing holders with real money. They are convertable back to cash, like any good ponzi scheme.
At some point when everyone decides to sell at the same time, they will be valueless and the new buyers will loose.
There is a limit to the amount of decimal points, however, this doesn't matter in order to disprove your point. Buyers may pay for Bitcoin, but miners don't pay existing holders, this is where you don't get it. You cannot get into a pyramid scheme without paying existing holders, where in Bitcoin you can.
The claim that when everybody decides to sell at the same time Bitcoin will be valueless is true, just like with everything else in the whole world, so this is a meaningless point. As long as people accept Bitcoin for goods or services, there is value in Bitcoin.
definite ponzi scheme or an invert-able pyramid that topples over at some point after so many inversions, think of an hour glass that can be turned over to keep the sand running, the key point in a pyramid is when too many want out,this scheme says everyone cant get out as the value drop disincentives this but the players have been milking from day one and when the vault is opened at the end of the day its been emptied linden dollars anyone?
Please tell me, by your standard of a pyramid scheme: how is gold not one?
I think your detention of pyramid scheme is just plain wrong.


text:
Julia Worthington
Finbar Cullen has worked in the voluntary sector for over twenty years and has been a prospect researcher since 1999. Finbar was a senior researcher at Factary and worked for Children's Hospice South West on their major capital appeal for over two years. He researches people, companies and grant making trusts and foundations in the UK and in overseas jurisdictions. Overseas projects have included foundations in Europe and the USA for a medical charity based in the UK.
He has a prospect research blog on Howard Lake's UK Fundraising website, and was previously an associate editor of fResource (now THINK Resource). Each month, Finbar contributes to The Trust List, highlighting newly registered grant-making trusts worthy of particularly close attention. In October 2013, ResearchPlus published a directory of (100+) "unpublished" grant-making trusts. All received donations of at least £100,000, usually from a single donor. In June 2012, ResearchPlus published a directory of (100+) "unpublished" Scottish grant-making trusts.
Finbar is a regular speaker at Institute of Fundraising and other conferences and provides regular training in prospect research.
Twyler Jenner
Helen Pert


The parish organized a seminar for Legion of Mary on Saturday, 24th March 2018. The event was attended by 44 women and 7 men from diffirent villages of the parish. Theme for discussion was "Rosary Prayer: Our Faith and Tradition". Holy Cross Pastor of the parish Rev. Dominic Sarkar, Headmaster of Don Bosco High School and a prominent Catholic writer Holy Cross Brother Sylvester Mrdiha and asst. pastor Rev. Shitor Rozario was the speakers.


To install tarantool-lts just follow these instructions.
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Which will install tarantool-lts and any other packages on which it depends.


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Message to data subjects: national security purpose is free of constraints such as lawful or compatible processing
Today, the Government will whip its controversial Investigatory Powers Bill (IP Bill) through its Parliamentary Report stage; the Bill, in part, provides powers that permit the national security agencies to amass bulk personal datasets where the majority of personal data in a bulk dataset relates to data subjects who are not of interest to these agencies.
The Government has so far ignored the data protection recommendations of the draft IP Bill Committee which asked for important data protection considerations to be included as part of the double lock procedure (the double lock has been proposed by the Government as a major protection from abuse).
Instead the Government intends to keep the Section 28 exemption in the Data Protection Act and the associated system of certification that usually exempts the First, Second and Eighth Data Protection Principles. This keeps data protection considerations firmly outside the double lock procedure.
The fact that these Principles are outside the tent, so to speak, will send some unfortunate data protection messages. These messages include that the national security agencies can process bulk personal datasets: without regard to their statutory functions; without regard to fairness; without regard for lawfulness; without regard for compatibility, and, in extremis, permit the transfer of a dataset anywhere in the planet (even to North Korea, such is the scope of the national security exemption used).
No justification has been provided by Government for the using an exemption of this breadth nor for the rejection of the IP Bill Committee's data protection recommendations.
Ignoring the IP Bill Committee's recommendations
The draft IP Bill Committee made two important data protection recommendations:
"… We recommend that the assessments undertaken by Judicial Commissioners when authorising warrants should give consideration to data protection issues". (Para 52 of the Conclusions and Recommendations of the Committee).
"… To the greatest extent possible, the safeguards that appear in the Data Protection Act 1998 should also apply to personal data held by the security and intelligence agencies…" (Para 74 of the Conclusions and Recommendations of the Committee).
The Government's response to this was to state that the national security agencies were already subject to the Data Protection Act unless an exemption applied. Such an exemption:
'…is required for the purpose of safeguarding national security. By virtue of section 28(2) of the DPA, a Minister may certify that exemption from the Data Protection Principles is so required" (note that a Minister approves a certificate but only if one is needed).
The response also confirmed that:
"…those certificates certify that personal data that are processed in performance of their functions are exempt from the first, second and eighth data protection principles (and are also exempt in part from the sixth data protection principle)". Note: it is important for the following analysis "to clock" the confirmation that these certificates exempt the aforementioned principles as matter of routine.
The fact that the Government intend to continue the Section 28 certificated exemption from the Data Protection Act is confirmed the Code of Practice relating to bulk personal datasets:
"Each of the Security and Intelligence Agencies (SIA) is a data controller in relation to all the personal data that it holds. Accordingly, when the Security and Intelligence Agencies use any bulk data that contain personal data, they must ensure that they comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 (except in cases where exemption under section 28 is required for the purpose of safeguarding national security)" (paragraph 11.9)
One consequence of a national security certificate being outside the double lock is already visible and is illustrated by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal case involving Privacy International ([2014] UKIPTrib 13_77-H; delivered on 05/12/2014, at paragraph 19). In statements made to the Tribunal, the barrister for GCHQ produced a certificate signed by David Blunkett thirteen years previously (in 2001) to show that key obligations in the Data Protecting Act were exempt.
In other words, once a general certificate is signed, it can apply to any bulk personal dataset operation into the future; there is no requirement that a Home Secretary (or Judicial Commissioner) is made aware or re-approves certificates signed by any predecessor in the post.
Messages arising from the use of the national security exemption
As stated previously, the Government propose that the national security agencies continue to apply the wide certificated and timeless exemption from the First, Second and Eighth Data Protection Principles. This in turn will mean the national security agencies will be sending messages that, in my view, are very likely to undermine public confidence in what they do.
For instance, the First Data Protection Principle contains a requirement to process personal data "lawfully". If this requirement is exempt, the data protection message sent is that the national security agencies might undertake some processing of personal data that would be "unlawful" in terms of this Principle.
The First Data Protection Principle contains a requirement to process personal data in accordance with a Schedule 2 condition; in the context of national security the relevant condition is that the processing of personal data "is necessary for the exercise of any functions conferred on any person by or under any enactment". If this provision is exempted, as the Government intend, it sends the data protection message that the national security agencies might want to process personal data in a way that is NOT necessary for their statutory functions.
A similar argument applies to the First Data Protection Principle and the requirement to process sensitive personal data (e.g. medical records) in accordance with a Schedule 3 condition that limits processing to that which is also "necessary for the exercise of any functions conferred on any person by or under any enactment". If this requirement is exempt, the data protection message sent is that medical records might be used for purposes NOT necessary for the national security function.
The Second Data Protection Principle contains a requirement to process personal data a way that is NOT incompatible with the purpose of obtaining. If this is exempt, as the Government intend, the data protection message sent is that the national security agencies might process personal data in a way that can be incompatible with the national security, terrorism or serious crime purposes.
The Eighth Data Protection Principle requires transfers to countries that offer an adequate level of protection. If this requirement is exempt, as the Government intend, it implies that the national security agencies might transfer a bulk personal dataset to any country that does not offer an "adequate level of protection" (e.g. North Korea).
Not only that. As the Eighth Principle allows adequacy considerations to be set aside for transfers on a case-by-case basis if "transfer is necessary for reasons of substantial public interest", it follows that a certificated exemption also allows transfers in the absence of any "substantial public interest" requirement.
In other words, the message sent by the Government's certificated exemption is to permit a transfer to a country offering an inadequate level of protection for reasons not in the substantial public interest (e.g. for purposes unconnected with child protection, terrorism, serious crime and national security; purposes where there would be such a "substantial public interest" in a particular transfer).
I should add that the Government has never proffered any explanation as to why the national security agencies should be exempt from the above obligations. In the same way it has not offered any evidence that such bulk personal dataset collection is consistent with Article 8 of the Human Rights Act.
Of course, the Government might argue that the Code of Practice on Bulk Personal Datasets offers the protection afforded by the Data Protection Act (for example, this Code says that onward disclosures of a dataset would always be proportionate or necessary for the national security functions). In which case, the response has to be "if these protections are already enshrined in law via the Data Protection Act, why exempt them from the Act?".
In my view, replacing statutory safeguards in an Act of Parliament by safeguards in a Code of Practice that does not have the equivalent legal status, where the Code is produced by those with political responsibility for the agencies that invade privacy on an industrial scale, is not "privacy protection". It is the consequence of a conflict of interest; namely, the organisations that want to invade privacy are defining the rules to protect privacy, in the same way as an alcoholic would define the rules for when the pubs and off licences close.
Given the above, one can very much understand why the draft IP Bill Committee recommended the application of a national security exemption should be linked to each specific bulk personal dataset acquisition inside the double lock procedure.
The national security purpose can be transparent
The First Principle also contains a requirement to process personal data fairly and this usually means making a statement (e.g. in a Fair Processing Notice) about the processing of personal data. A certificate under Section 28 would exempt this requirement unconditionally for every single bulk personal dataset acquisition.
However, there is an example where the fairness provisions can be applied to a bulk personal dataset that is already streamed to the national security agencies.
For instance, with respect to Congestion Charge ANPR data, the Transport for London (TfL) website states: "…in 2007 … TfL's ANPR data … specifically for the purpose of using it to safeguard national security". Clearly, if TfL's statement had jeopardised any national security operation, then the national security agencies would have asked for it to be removed. They haven't – therefore some bulk personal dataset acquisitions can be subject to fair processing requirements.
I should add that I can understand why the national security agencies would want an exemption from the above transparency obligations in some cases. However, a certificated exemption would mean that this obligation is exempt in every case, when the TfL example shows that such transparency is possible without any prejudice to the national security function.
The application of the national security exemption in the Data Protection Act has to be included inside the double lock and not, as the Government propose, outside the double lock.
Enforceable safeguards in the Data Protection Act should be preferred to those proffered by the Home Office's Bulk Personal Dataset Code of Practice.
In the IP Bill itself, any application of the national security exemption in data protection should to be tailored on a case-by-case basis to any specific bulk personal dataset acquisition; the case for such an exemption should be subject to review by a Judicial Commissioner before dataset acquisition.
If the police with their sensitive criminal intelligence databases on mafia members can co-exist with data protection requirements since 1984 with a narrow exemption, the Government or national security agencies need to explain why bulk personal datasets on ordinary members of the public, who they admit are of no interest to them, have to be subject to such a broad exemption.
At the end of the day the national security agencies want data subjects to trust them. I therefore cannot understand a reliance on an out-dated data protection exemption that is so broad that it transmits horrendous, privacy-busting messages to data subjects.
I am, of course, assuming that such messages do not reflect what these agencies do in practice.
To train your Data Protection Officer, we have a BCS DP Practitioner Qualification (starting in London on July 12). Need to know more about information security management: BCS Foundation CISMP course starts in London on June 13; a BCS DP Foundation course qualification is being held in London on 20 June. Full details of courses from September (e.g. FOI, Foundation DP courses) are on the Amberhawk home page: www.amberhawk.com
Amberhawk is holding all day GDPR Regulation Workshops in London , Leeds, Douglas (Isle of Man) and Edinburgh in the next three months; details on http://www.amberhawk.com/bookevents3.asp
If you want to look at several national security certificates, look at the links at the end of "Should national security certificates exclude the Data Protection Principles?" http://amberhawk.typepad.com/amberhawk/2014/02/should-national-security-certificates-exclude-the-data-protection-principles.html
Tfl statement on national security is under "Police access to ANPR cameras Police access to ANPR cameras" https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/privacy-and-cookies/road-user-charging
Joint Committee on the Draft Investigatory Powers Bill Report: http://www.parliament.uk/draft-investigatory-powers
Draft Code of Practice on bulk personal datasets: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/504237/Bulk_Personal_Datasets_SIA_draft_code_of_practice.PDF
Posted at 10:09 AM in Data Protection, News, Other Information Law | Permalink


A Bridal Portrait is a really fun Southern tradition. It is a picture of the bride in her full wedding day attire (dress, veil, hair, makeup, jewelry, and bouquet) taken 1-2 months before the wedding and is typically displayed at the wedding reception.
You can think of your Bridal Portrait as a dress rehearsal for the "Big Day". You get the opportunity to trial run your hairstyle and makeup, it is good practice in front of the camera, and it allows you to wear your dress more than once! Many times, brides will change something about their wedding day look after the bridal session. Sometimes they don't like the way their hairstyle looked with the veil, or their shoes were too high, or their makeup wasn't quite right. Each time, the bride was able to make those adjustments before the wedding day - all thanks to the Bridal Portrait!
Where does a Bridal Portrait take place?
Your Bridal Portrait can take place in any location that has the atmosphere that you are looking for. You can go for a sophisticated feeling, or urban, rustic, romantic, etc. Many brides also choose to have their Bridal Portrait session at their wedding reception venue. We can help you decide on the perfect place for your Portrait.
1. The most important thing you will need is an assistant! Bring your mom, bridesmaid, or a friend to help you during your session. You will need someone to help you, get you water, and fluff your dress.
2. Bring walking shoes. We don't want your wedding shoes getting dirty as we move around, especially if we will be taking pictures outside. I recommend you bring something easy to slip on and off so we can easily put on your wedding shoes in the shots where your feet will show.
3. Don't forget your bouquet. Flowers are always beautiful and give you something to do with your hands! Your bouquet does not have to be as large or elaborate as your wedding day bouquet. You can ask your florist to make you a portrait bouquet or you can even make one yourself.
4. You will need a sheet or drop cloth to keep your dress clean. We will place it under your dress and try our best to keep your dress as clean as possible. If your dress does manage to get a bit dingy, make sure to schedule a cleaning before your wedding day.
5. Props are welcome. Aside from your bouquet, feel free to bring any other props that are special to you. A fun pair of shoes, a wrap, a headpiece, or even your pet. This is a great chance to play with your wedding attire!
6. Please eat a good, solid meal before your session. It is also a good idea to bring cold water bottles and plenty of healthy snacks. You want to be feeling great for your session and not being hungry is a big part of that! Also, we don't want you fainting in a heavy dress in the sun. So, make sure you eat!
7. Remember to relax! Try to let go of any nerves or insecurities and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Have fun, laugh, and enjoy this very special occasion.
Contact us and let us help your wedding dreams come true!