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Jorge Arango
Strategic Design and Information Architecture Consulting
How To Grow a Digital Business Without Sacrificing Its Soul
May 29, 2018 May 29, 2018 | Jorge Arango
Photo by Benreis CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia
Many years ago, my wife and I heard about a new bagel shop that was opening near our apartment. We decided to check it out one Sunday morning. The place was charming: roomy enough to feel comfortable, but not bustling. There was a large selection of fresh bagels, an assortment of fixings (including many flavors of cream cheese), and a well-stocked self-serve coffee bar. We loved it; lounging there over the newspaper became part of our Sunday morning routine.
It wasn't long before other people discovered the bagel shop. Soon the place was crowded, and the experience suffered. Ordering became a chore, with lines that stretched out of the store. The once quiet place became packed and noisy. Worst of all, open tables became a rarity. We changed our routine to arrive close to opening time to get one, but then we would feel guilty about lounging around when others were waiting to sit.
Eventually, the owner leased the store next door and the bagel shop grew to three times its previous size. The expansion relieved some of the shop's most pressing issues; now it was easier to find a place to sit. However, the quality of the food suffered and the relaxed experience of the early days was gone. The new shop was OK — but it wasn't the same. At three times its former size, it couldn't be. That's not to say it wasn't a good business anymore; it probably made more money in its new digs. But the soul was gone.
Change is a central part of doing business. If things aren't going well, you must do something about it. But when things are going well, you must also do something about it. Staying still is the only option not on the table. How the business responds to the always-changing context it participates in (and helps create) will be one of the factors that define its level of success.
Architecture is a critical factor in that response. The bagel shop responded to increased demand with an architectural intervention that changed the character of the business. Even though on the surface things looked the same, a threefold increase in the shop's physical environment made for an entirely different experience.
The laws of physics don't apply to digital businesses in the same way they do to a bagel shop. A digital business can scale without needing to physically grow. However, the architecture of its information environments plays a critical role in how customers perceive and interact with the business. As with the physical business, the architecture of a digital business must change if it's to evolve.
A digital business looking to level up has many options open to it. For example, a product could be on track to become a family of products or a platform. Or perhaps the business is expanding from an advertising-supported business model to a paid-membership model. "More of the same" is not on offer in such cases. The business must rethink its information architecture. Yes, this will impact its website and app navigation structures. But more than that, it'll result in a new conceptual model that will affect all aspects of the experience.
A thoughtfully designed architecture will result in a new UX that will enable the business towards the next stage of its evolution, without compromising the things that made it great. A solid information architecture is a platform for enabling directed emergence: aimed towards a fixed objective, but open-ended enough to respond to real-world conditions as they arise; a platform for sustained growth that doesn't sacrifice the soul of the business.
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Free lunch-and-learn draws more than 400 registrants
Mandi Clay, Esq.
More than 400 NCRA members registered for a free lunch-and-learn on Sept. 8 that addressed mental health issues in court reporting. The one-hour live webinar, which was funded by the National Court Reporters Foundation, was held in conjunction with Suicide Awareness Week, which is observed Sept. 6 through 12.
Guest speaker Mandi Clay, Esq., an attorney from Tampa, Fla., covered the basics of depression and anxiety from a personal perspective. Clay shared her own story as a suicide survivor, discussed the signs and symptoms of depression, anxiety, panic disorder, and substance abuse, and offered advice on how to deal with issues you may have or issues that someone you know or work with might have. She told attendees that the goal of her session was to give a basic understanding of the difference between regular "stress" and mental illness and help them become comfortable when talking about these issues openly.
"This is something that I have carried my whole life," Clay said about her mental health issues and suicidal thoughts. "It is not so much about being sad, but it's that your brain is not working correctly. It's not a question of if, but more of when and how you will be no more," she added.
Clay said that those with mental health issues, especially those who experience suicidal thoughts, cannot explain to others what and why they feel the way they do and that using logic to help them does not help because it is a medical condition that requires professional treatment. She said the severity of mental health issues can range from mole hills to mountains and that everyone is different in how they deal with stress and other factors of daily life that can trigger a brain to not work correctly. What ties all mental health issues together though is that someone experiencing any level of mental health condition doesn't have to live that way.
"Any of those positions you find yourself in, and for whatever reason, you can reach out for help and you should. If we can catch it early and learn coping mechanisms, then we can deal with it. If you don't take small steps in the beginning, then you are going to end up in a medical or mental catastrophe."
Advice Clay also shared with attendees included:
It is OK to reach out for help. No matter what the issue is, never think it is not bad enough to ask for help.
Mental health issues take the form of a wide range of symptoms and require different solutions.
Quitting your job is not going to solve your mental health issues.
If your mental health is interfering with your life, like not wanting to get out of bed, feeling anxious, depressed, or unable to cope through the day, seek help.
If you or someone you know starts medication to help with symptoms, be sure to remain on that medication even if you feel better.
Sometimes people with mental health issues don't realize that what they are feeling when they are on medications is the normal way they should be feeling.
Many things can trigger mental health issues such as traumatic events, substance abuse, and the impact of dealing with COVID-19.
If you know someone who appears to be having mental health issues, talk to them about yourself first, including what you are feeling and if you have sought professional help from a therapist or even your primary care doctor.
Check in with a professional on a regular basis whether it is weekly, monthly, or annually.
"For whatever reason, we have this stigma about mental health issues that goes way back in time. If someone today has Alzheimer's, we don't shame them today like we did years ago, because we recognize it is a disease. We aren't there yet though with other mental health issues such as bipolar, compulsive disorders, anxiety, or depression," Clay said.
"We can't see that someone is color blind. But it is impossible for us to tell them what color is, and it is impossible for them to explain to us what they see. There are no words. We don't disbelieve them or tell them to try harder. We understand that they see the world in a different way. That is what mental illness is. It is difficult for those with it to explain what they see, and that is the disconnect," she added.
To provide members with additional mental health issue resources, NCRA has launched a Mental Health Resources page on its website that provides links to national mental health organizations, articles, and more. The page will continuously be updated with new information and will house the recorded webinar that took place on Sept. 8, which will be available to members on Sept. 10 on NCRA's Mental Health Resources page.
In October, NCRF will be funding six more free webinars for NCRA members to mark Mental Health Awareness Week happening from Oct. 4 to 10. Details on these webinars including topics, speakers, and times will be announced in the JCR Weekly and in emails to NCRA members. The sessions will be recorded and housed on NCRA's Mental Health Resources page.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Fable's Winter Farm Fest was held on Sunday, December 9th, 2018. Guests purchased farm fresh goodies, shopped at local artisan vendors, fed the chickens, and grabbed some delicious food and drink. We are very thankful to the community for coming together for this wonderful event.


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Bang & Olufsen - A Great Dane Wises Up
By Denny Hatch
Who are Bang & Olufsen buyers?
In the mid-1990s, Bang & Olufsen began an aggressive campaign to expand its share of the audiophile market. When building a business, it's a good idea to 1) know who your customers are and 2) go where they are.
At the time Bang & Olufsen was operating on the assumption that its typical buyer was a single professional male between the ages of 25 and 30 with an average income of $50,000.
For example, at the time we bought our first B&O rig, I was 42; when we bought the table model 15 years later I was 57. And although I probably mailed in a warranty card back in 1977, it was a period well before sophisticated analysis and modeling. B&O probably stuck me in a shoe box in a warehouse and forgot about me.
In any event, the company opened 17 retail stores across the country and, by guess and by gosh, built a little database of 32,000 customers.
Who were their buyers?
In 1994, Bang & Olufsen decided to survey its customers to find out more about them. An outside research firm designed a survey on single sheet of paper with a business reply envelope and mailed it to the list. Thanks to the incentive of a free CD for completing the survey, it generated a 20-percent response from which it was deduced that the typical buyer earned more like $70,000 than $50,000.
Less wrong, but still very wrong.
A Manufacturer Turns to Direct Marketers
In 1997, Bang & Olufsen decided to get serious about developing a customer profile. Chicago-based agency Lighton Colman brought Metromail and Bang & Olfusen together: Lighton Colman's John Tomkiw suggested that B&O needed database enhancement and recommended INSOURCESM, a co-branded product created by Metromail and Experian (née TRW) that contains more than 300 individual data elements on 95 percent of the 100 million households in the U.S. When the housefile was run against INSOURCE, the results astounded Bang & Olufsen (but not me):
Adrian Bell
John Tomkiw
Keith Lennartson
Lighton Colman Inc.
Mary Wall
Olufsen
Sean Fetter
E T Denny Hatch Author's page
Denny Hatch is the author of six books on marketing and four novels, and is a direct marketing writer, designer and consultant. His latest book is "Write Everything Right!" Visit him at dennyhatch.com.
How Marketers Can Use Managed Execution Services
How Bon Appétit Is Driving Engagement on OTT
Building a CoE for Customer Engagement — Part 2
How to Sell $38K of Subscriptions in 10 Days
28% of Americans Are Single, Marketers Reach Out


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/ Analysis / Bond of Reinforcement in High-Strength Concrete
Bond of Reinforcement in High-Strength Concrete
Matt Ball on May 2, 2016 - in Analysis, Corporate, Design/Engineering
This paper describes an examination of the development of tension lap splices in high strength concrete and the applicability of the restriction in the ACI 318 code where the values of √fc' used to calculate development length shall not exceed 100 psi. The focus is on the development of splices with grade 60 epoxy-coated and uncoated bars in normal weight concrete.
An extensive literature review is conducted to analyze the relevant previous experimental work in this area. The work presented shows that the limit of 100 psi on the square root of the specified compressive strength in Section 12.1.2 of ACI 318-11 (Sec. 25.4.1.4 of 318-14) may be extended to 120 psi based on the analysis of available data without significant modifications to the current provisions for concrete strengths up to 16,000 psi (110 MPa).
Over the past couple of decades, the use of high-strength concrete for structural applications has continued to increase. While there are benefits, there are also limitations imposed on the use of higher-strength concretes in design. The ACI 318 Code has an upper bound of 100 psi (0.689 MPa) on the square root of the specified concrete compressive strength (√fc′) when used in the determination of development length for deformed reinforcement. Specifically, this requirement limits the benefit of higher-strength concretes in calculation of development and lap splice lengths of bars in tension.
This paper examines the justification behind the strength limitation, and evaluates previous experimental research to evaluate the strength of splices of Grade 60 uncoated and coated deformed bars in high-strength normal weight concrete to determine if the limit on the square root of the specified concrete strength can be increased.
The research can be found in a paper titled "Bond of Reinforcement in High-Strength Concrete," accepted and soon to be published by ACI Structural Journal.
Always Advancing – The American Concrete Institute is a leading authority and resource worldwide for the development and distribution of consensus-based standards and technical resources, educational programs and certifications for individuals and organizations involved in concrete design, construction and materials, who share a commitment to pursuing the best use of concrete. ACI's inclusive, individual member-driven structure and valuable, cost-effective benefits result in an essential organization that invites partnerships and welcomes all concrete professionals who wish to be a part of a respected, connected social group that provides an opportunity for professional growth, networking and enjoyment. For additional information, visit www.concrete.org.
aci bonds concrete high-strength research splices
CIRT-ACE Mentor National High School Design Competition Celebrates 10 Yrs
U.S. Transportation Secretary Foxx Announces $357 Million TIFIA Loan to Build New Lanes on Houston's SH 288
Oahu Transit Services
Click here for details and to submit your project!
Corporate, Modeling, Transportation
NCDOT Launches New WalkBikeNC Website Featuring Online Mapping Tool for State Bike Routes
RALEIGH—The N.C. Department of Transportation has launched a new website for Walk Bike NC,…
Buildings, Corporate, Design/Engineering, Energy
Budderfly's Energy Management Solutions Recognized by Gartner
SHELTON, Conn., May 11, 2016—Budderfly LLC, a leading provider of energy management solutions…
Corporate, Event Coverage, Featured, News
Autodesk and Esri Partnering to Advance Infrastructure Planning and Design
Global Geographic Information System & Building Information Modeling Leaders Plan to Drive Integration…


2019 3rd European Conference on Materials, Mechatronics and Manufacturing (ECMMM 2019) aims to provide a forum for researchers, practitioners, and professinals from the industry, academia and government to discourse on research and development, professional practice in materials, mechatronics, and manufacturing technologies. ECMMM 2019 will be held in Amsterdam, Netherlands during February 16-18, 2019. It is one of the leading international conferences for presenting novel and fundamental advances in the fields of materials, mechatronics, and manufacturing. It also serves to foster communication among researchers and practitioners working in a wide variety of scientific areas with a common interest in materials, mechatronics, and manufacturing and related techniques.
ECMMM is also the annual meeting of IJMMM Editorial Board. Welcome scholars and researchers working in the field of materials, mechatronics, and manufacturing from all over the world to attend the conference and share your experiences and lessons with other enthusiasts, and develop opportunities for cooperation.
• The conference will be held every year to make it an ideal platform for people to share views and experiences in materials, mechatronics, and manufacturing and related areas.
• Selection of the best paper will be made at the conference based on both the technical content and presentation. The winner will be chosen by the session chair in consultation with the conference chair and the Best Presentation Certificate will be awarded.


Microgaming launches Lucky Little Gods in time for Chinese New Year.
Fortune and folklore awaits players in Lucky Little Gods, a five reel, 243 ways online slot where players can spin to win for heavenly prizes as they celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Inspired by Chinese mythology, the slot is set in an ethereal realm hosted by two gods of fortune and combines vibrant graphics and quirky animations with plenty of divine bonus features.
The Golden Tree scatter can land on reels one or five in the base game, triggering the dancing tree animation and causing a cascade of golden coins that duplicate the coin award over the symbols below it.
Giving players a boost of luck, the golden Treasure Pot can land on reel three in the base game to grant players extra prizes, while the Little Gods can randomly materialize on any non-winning spin to award a cash bonus.
Launching player winnings to dazzling heights, the game also features the Firecracker scatter, which triggers the free spins mode where reels one and five are wild for the duration to spark even bigger rewards.
Lucky Little Gods goes live with Microgaming and Quickfire operators on Thursday 1 February 2018. Check out the gameplay video here.
To see the company's diverse portfolio, visit Stand N5-220 at ICE 2018, 6-8 February, ExCeL London.


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Vampire Diaries: Catch Me If You Can
by Josie Kafka
"It's Mystic Falls. It's actually one of the least ridiculous things I've heard."
Okay. Let's start with a recap, because there's a lot going on, and I'm overwhelmed. The biggest goal, right now, is the cure. The "race for the cure" has three clear teams (Stefan/Rebekah, Klaus/Damon/Jeremy/Elena, Bonnie/Shane), a dark horse (Kol), and a mysterious entrant (unknown vampire who compelled that guy to bite out his tongue, possibly Elijah).
Each team—each character—has its own reason for wanting the cure. Stefan wants to get his girlfriend back, and to get a little revenge on Damon and Elena. Rebekah wants to get her vengeance on Klaus. Kol is acting as agent of chaos, because he is afraid of Silas—and Silas is Shane's goal for finding the cure. Actually, Silas is Shane's goal and finding the cure is the excuse he's using to motivate Bonnie, whose new goal is to save her Grams from eternal witchy torment in the afterlife. Damon wants the cure because Elena wants the cure (and the sire bond makes him understandably uncomfortable); Jeremy wants the cure to cure Elena; Elena wants the cure to cure herself. Jeremy has a minor goal of completing the hunter's mark, as part of the process of finding the cure, but struggles with actually killing any vampires. So does Elena, except when those innocent people-turned-vampire are part of Kol's sire line, in which case she's all for mass slaughter, albeit at a few removes. I can't remember why Klaus wants the cure.
Caroline has no real goal, which is probably why she wasn't in this episode, which is a pity. Everyone could use a healthy dose of Caroline, since crazy is the name of the game this week. Well, crazy and compelled. Which brings us to…
Stefan is motivated by his anger at Damon and Elena, and appears to be switching off his humanity to deal with his rage more comfortably. Rebekah is motivated by revenge. Damon is motivated by love for Elena. Shane is motivated by a desire to raise Silas, either because he is a crazy acolyte or because he's lost someone and wants them back. Jeremy is motivated by love and an intense desire to kill vampires. Elena is motivated by her desire to protect those she loves. However…
Many characters are forced to grapple with external stimuli that make them actually work against their goal. Elena wants to protect everyone, but the sire bond continues to trip her up. Jeremy wants to find the cure, but is uncomfortable with the changes that his emerging hunterness is causing to his personality. Damon was compelled by Kol to chase down Jeremy, which would make him violate his promise to Elena. (And, although Damon has tried to kill Jeremy twice, he does seem to have a soft spot for the kid and doesn't seem to want him dead.) Stefan's character is changing, as he dehumanizes under Rebekah's influence and starts to realize that he no longer loves Elena. Bonnie wants to be a force for good, but because she doesn't have access to natural magic anymore, she is forced to use expression. And expression + the influence of Shane = Crazy Bonnie.
Well, the biggest result is one darn good episode. "Catch Me If You Can" was fast-paced, interesting, and lots of fun. "Fun" in the way that "crazy sex" is fun—you know it's a bad idea, but you have a great time doing it. Rebekah and Stefan make sense in a cold-comfort sort of way. Damon chasing down Jeremy while telling him what he was doing wrong was hilarious and perfectly in character. I'm glad Damon realized he was compelled sooner rather than later. Jeremy was unwilling to kill Damon, which fits his character, too—he knew what it would do to Elena, and I think Jeremy looks up to Damon.
Now, though, Damon has to be locked up and bled out to keep Jeremy safe, which means Elena and Jeremy are trapped in a burnable cabin. Sitting Gilbert ducks for Kol, unless they accept Klaus's help. Or Stefan's. Or Rebekah's, although she would probably draw the line at actually killing Kol, no matter how willing she is to stake him.
All the backing-and-forthing pushed Elena and Stefan to an important confrontation. When Stefan said, "You don't know what I look like when I'm not in love with you," Elena looked injured. I understand why she feels that way—after all, she still loves Stefan—but she has been wanting to have it both ways. She wants to experiment with Damon but have Stefan waiting in the wings. I don't think she knew she was being so selfish; break-ups are hard that way, and people often are more thoughtlessly cruel than they would be otherwise.
Bonnie, meanwhile, is going off the rails. Is her father right—is she weak-minded? Or is she just a teenager who is too entranced by her own power to realize that Shane has put her into a terrible position? It's horrifying that Shane was the one to talk her down from her anger, telling her that she was in complete control. That she couldn't do that herself means his influence is stronger than her own moral compass. At this point, she's a time bomb with or without his guidance. I hope she gets herself under control, since I don't love stories about (female) witches whose power becomes too much for them to handle without paternal/masculine influence. But surely the writers won't do that to us.
Bites and Pieces:
• Shane: "I'm not crazy. I'm just passionate."
• Damon: "You're running from a vampire, and now you're bleeding?"
• Damon: "He shot me in the head. Stupid idiot borderline brain-dead moron!"
Three out of four headstones. Because finding that was important, but I lost sight of it in all the other wacky, delightful shenanigans.
Josie Kafka is a full-time cat servant and part-time rogue demon hunter. (What's a rogue demon?)
Vampire Diaries season 4
Vampire Diaries home
Tags: Josie Kafka, The Vampire Diaries
Anonymous Friday, January 25, 2013 at 9:50:00 AM EST
Klaus wants the cure for Elena so she can continue to give him blood to make his hybrids.
ChrisB Friday, January 25, 2013 at 10:09:00 AM EST
I can't remember why Klaus wants the cure. He wants to cure Elena so that she is the doppelganger again and he can make more hybrids.
I don't love stories about (female) witches whose power becomes too much for them to handle without paternal/masculine influence. But surely the writers won't do that to us. I really, really hope you're right, but I have lost faith in the feminist instincts of these writers and producers. In this episode we, once again, had Stefan doing something for Elena's good -- keeping her away from Damon. Seriously?
During the course of this episode (and last week's as well), I realized that I am beginning to see these characters the way I see someone with whom I am about to break up. I remember when I loved them, but now I can't really remember why and all they are doing is annoying me. I'm afraid the inevitable is only an episode or two away unless something drastic happens.
PlatinumRosebud Friday, January 25, 2013 at 11:15:00 PM EST
Oh, boy.
Everyone in this show is someone's
puppet.
For me, it's becoming a comedy parade of sorts.
Billie Doux Friday, January 25, 2013 at 11:59:00 PM EST
Just saw it and I loved your review, Josie, because tracking what everyone was doing and what their motivations were was sort of nuts; I feel like I lost track awhile ago. Maybe it's getting too twisty?
I loved Damon chasing after Jeremy while telling him what he was doing wrong; it was a very Damon thing to do. And Bonnie going whacko on creepy professor was actually sort of fascinating. I usually don't find Bonnie interesting, but her storyline is more, pun intended, compelling this season.
I'm not a fan of Rebekah or the Originals (except Elijah, who has been gone forever) but I'm enjoying Elena in love with Damon and Damon trying in his own Damon-y way to be worthy of her. I even liked Stefan telling Elena that this was what he looked like when he wasn't in love with her. Good for him because Elena was just expecting Stefan to pine for her forever.
I have no idea where they're going, either. Will they actually find the cure and will they cure Elena? On other shows, possibly. On this show? Not a clue.
Anonymous Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 2:59:00 AM EST
I need a flow chart to follow this show. And a review certainly helps, so thanks. I still care about Elena and co but this is getting way too twisty.
Josie Kafka Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 3:17:00 AM EST
I'm so relieved you guys were confused! I like to think I'm smart enough to follow a CW show, but VD nearly did me in this week.
I think part of the reason we're confused is that, as Platinum Rosebud said, everyone is someone's puppet. So no one's actions make perfect sense given what we've known of them before.
I hope the Originals spin-off works; it might give the chance to step back and re-set some of the insanity.
Juliette Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 11:20:00 AM EST
I'm assuming there'll be some big twist with the 'cure.' For one thing, wouldn't a cure for immortality mean the person ends up... dead?
Maybe as long as you haven't been a vamp long, you can take it, but if you're over 100 years old, no chance, you'll drop dead of old age.
I don't want Elena to take it because I like Elena as a vampire, and with Damon rather than Stefan (who's so much more interesting without her). But on the other hand, there doesn't seem to be any other way of getting her unsired (which I assume is why Damon wants to find the cure for her, whereas initially he didn't care about her being a vampire and just wanted to help Stefan). So maybe what I really want is for her to take the cure, sort things out with Damon, drink his blood again (I may have watched too much True Blood) and then get killed again and re-vamp. Which would be weird and kind of pointless, but would end up in the right place!
Nadim Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 4:22:00 AM EST
Chris what you said really resonated me. Something is so off about the show now and I'm nowhere nearly as attached as I used to be. Of course I will NEVER stop watching TVD because I never give up on my shows but I'm really disappointed.
As Billie said, maybe it is getting too "twisty". And Rosebud, the puppet thing is also quite accurate. I'm just confused! So Thank you Josie for at least helping me organize the teams, motivations etc... in my head!
Ultimately, it feels like this should be an epic season, but I'm just not thrilled :(
Anonymous Sunday, January 27, 2013 at 1:51:00 PM EST
Elena is not "experimenting" with Damon and I honestly don't think she's expecting Stefan to pine for her. He wasn't "moving on" with just anybody. Honestly, the amount of praise Stefan has been getting from fans for his attitude is really disturbing. He's being a complete asshole to Elena and basically said their relationship meant nothing to him just because she's not in love with him anymore. Not to mention he hasn't seemed to consider the fact that she felt like a broken toy when she was with him. All this misogyny is bugging me.
Anonymous Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 6:00:00 PM EST
Yes, Stefan is acting like an A-hole. And extremely immature. Elena still cared for him after their break up is all, like she cares for all her friends, she has tons of heart. She never expected him to pine over her, she was disappointed in Stefan because he was saying they had never mattered, he was being an ass. Doing something to deliberately hurt her just because HE is hurt. I wish the writers hadn't done that to his character.


Rusty welcomes two good friends named Chris — but that's where similarities between the two end. Chris Poynter, a fellow WKU grad with a background in journalism, has ascended to the top communications job in the city. At least, the top job in Mayor Greg Fischer's office, and was recently presented with a national award for his work during the week of Muhammad Ali's funeral last year.
Chris Thieneman, a longtime activist and a former candidate for Mayor, has his hands full as a new father. But Chris is always involved in issues that matter to him, and tells me that he is bringing a nationally-known expert on cops to town later this year to raise awareness of the importance of proper policing.
I'm highlighting a couple of big stories that illustrate how much the media's relationship with politicians has changed. Gov. Matt Bevin, who routinely turns down interview requests from the state's major media outlets in favor on posting videos on YouTube, is in a real scuffle with WDRB's Bill Lamb and the C-J over a drone that he spotted near his home. And Councilman Dan Johnson says he's not resigning, and that some of his problems may date back to a traffic accident that occurred in 1976. Both appeared on Terry Meiners' radio show at WHAS.
Plus, I tell you about a great lunch at Sweet Peaches in the West End, and another meal at another new place in town, the Red Herring. It's all here in another great episode of the most interesting podcast in the 'Ville — the Rusty Satellite Show.


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Franchise Press Release
Cocktail Claw, a unique cocktail is grabbing attention through franchising opportunities!
Oakwood, OH. December 2020 – Cocktail Claw, started by Russell Gottesman in 2019, is a concept that rents out claw machines loaded with liquor for adults who want to add in an exciting touch to their events! In just one year, Russell franchised his concept to allow motivated entrepreneurs looking for niche concepts to enter the event planning industry!
Russell collaborated with Franchise Creator, the world's leading franchising consulting firm, to expand his concept through franchise opportunities. "Their approach to franchising is very detail oriented," said Russell. "With a dedicated sales force, I'm excited for the road ahead to expanding Cocktail Claw into a reputable franchise."
At its core, Cocktail Claw's business model revolves around renting out claw machines for three focal events: weddings, charity drives, and machines for corporate events, birthdays, and other gatherings. Cocktail Claw can be utilized as an extension of the existing alcohol package at the client's individual venue. Clients hosting private parties can purchase the alcohol from a third-party retailer partnered with Cocktail Claw and can choose to have machines delivered already filled with alcohol, cigars, or goodies for a charity event! Cocktail Claw is a franchise opportunity that can be operated from home, so it's affordable. Depending on your location, the initial investment ranges between $39,800 - $49,800 with a one-time franchise fee of $19,900. It provides you with all franchise development expenses, a Cocktail Claw machine, and a cargo trailer among other benefits. Franchisees will receive an exclusive territory of a general population of 400,000. Per industry regulations, franchisees are required to submit a monthly royalty and a marketing fee of 6% to boost business.
All franchisees are required to complete the franchise training program consisted of 15 -23 hours of classroom and hands-on training to operate all facets of the franchise. Moreover, the franchise support team will oversee the development of the franchise and throughout the grand opening to make sure franchisees are prepared for success. Industry statistics show that the U.S. party and event planning industry accumulates a combined annual revenue of $5 billion, with a CAGR of 2.6% over the last five years, meaning now's the best time to franchise a Cocktail Claw. If interested in franchising a Cocktail Claw, contact Franchise Creator and reserve a territory right now!
Learn how you can be a part of this opportunity here!
About Franchise Creator
Franchise Creator provides a comprehensive line of services supporting businesses through the process of franchising their concept. Founded by Mr. Hossein Kasmai in Miami, FL, Franchise Creator helped convert over 450 businesses into well recognized franchise brands. Mr. Kasmai has launched many successful concepts of his own that have been ranked by Entrepreneur Magazine among the Top 500 franchises for six years in a row and the Top 100 fastest-growing franchises for two years in a row. For more information about Franchise Creator, please visit the company website at www.franchisecreator.com or call 305-592-9229.


To see the phonetic symbols in this post, please make sure that you have installed a Unicode font that includes all the IPA symbols, for example Charis SIL.
Browsers: Some older versions of Internet Explorer and Safari have bugs that prevent the proper display of certain phonetic symbols. If you're experiencing problems, I recommend you try the free browsers Firefox or Opera.
Warming up your articulators is often what people, even the most uninformed, know about voice work. Good Diction, as many people will tell you, means being able to speak clearly, to articulate, using "the jaw, the lips, the tip of the tongue." In this brief articulator warm-up, we'll focus on energizing the tongue for plosive consonants, namely /p, t, k/ and /b, d, g/.
Plosives are consonants that stop the airflow of the voice and may or may not release it with a puff of air or voice. Put the palm of your hand in front of your mouth and say "pop!" You should feel the puff of air that both begins and ends that word, though it is possible that you might make that word with only one explosion, and merely stop the air for the final /p/. If that was the case on your first attempt, try again, but this time make a point of popping both p's with a puff of air.
You might notice that /p, t, k/ are voiceless consonants, that is they are ones that are made without vibration of your vocal folds. Each of those consonants has a corresponding voiced consonant, /b, d, g/ respectively. Try whispering the consoant sounds of /b, d, g/ as in "bad, dad, gad." You'll notice that they aren't exactly the same as the sounds in a whispered "pad, tad, cad"—that's because initial /p, t, k/ in English have a very strong puff of air, or aspiration, associated with them, while /b, d, g/ do not. Those three pairs, /p, b/, /t, d/, and /k, g/ are known as "cognate pairs," because each pair is made in the same place in the mouth, and they're both plosive sounds, and all that is different between them is their voicing. The three places in the mouth are the lips, aka bilabial, the tongue tip on the gum ridge, aka alveolar, and the back of the tongue and the soft palate, aka velar.
You should be able to do this quickly, and with great ease. Try not to belabour it, or work to hard; let your jaw relax, and make sure to energize your lips so that the /p/ and /b/ really make your lips MOVE, while your jaw stays still.


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May 25, 2017 / 7:24 PM / in 2 years
Fintech's decentralized nature challenges regulators as industry transforms banking
Bora Yagiz
NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence) - The ambiguous role of financial technology in transforming the banking sector, tenuous collaboration among banks and fintech companies, and regulatory challenges presented by fintech's decentralized nature are common themes emerging where industry participants and regulators gather.
The International Monetary Fund logo is seen during the IMF/World Bank spring meetings in Washington, U.S., April 21, 2017.
"It has ended banking as we know it," said Chris Church, chief business development officer of Digital Asset, a fintech company specializing in building encrypted processing tools, at an International Monetary Fund spring meeting this year.
The amalgam of technological innovations that go under the label fintech began in the back office but has since moved to the front line. Banks are taking multiple approaches to developing systems, and any kind of collaboration on standards is at a very early stage. Key finech advances, including distributed ledger technology such as blockchain, require regulators to devise new strategies for oversight.
"Fintech will hinder regulatory efforts because it is based on a decentralized model," said Marco Santori, a partner at Cooley, a law firm, at a recent conference on the topic. "Regulators are likely to fail not only because they lack technical expertise regarding fintech, but also because they have always been targeting nodes in the system, and never had to face such a peer-to-peer network."
EMERGING FROM THE BACK OFFICE
Fintech's influence was initially confined to back office services, such as record maintenance, regulatory compliance, accounting, IT services, settlements, and clearances, along with minimal client services such as online access to bank accounts and remote deposits.
Banks have been discarding error-prone manual processes, in favor of machine learning and artificial intelligence, to better manage operational risk and comply with regulations, as the flood of data makes reliance on human processes nearly impossible. Fraud evaluation in payments, for example, is now mostly done through artificial intelligence, with human intelligence or experience used mainly to design policy parameters.
Fintech's impact now is most keenly felt in front-office, client services functions, such as mobile payments, loans, asset-management, capital raising, and money transfers.
Crowdfunding allows small businesses to raise money quickly and cheaply from all over the world, often bypassing onerous collateral and credit requirements. New peer-to-peer systems eliminate intermediaries and speed up payments via instruments such as bitcoin. Lending is dramatically hastened through data-driven algorithms that quickly pre-qualify borrowers based on a handful of data points such as personal credit scores, deposit account data, tax returns, and recent bank statements.
BANKS' MARKET SHARE UNDER THREAT
In addition to this expediency offered by online loan application processes, there is also a growing untapped demand among small and medium enterprises (SME) for non-traditional loan types akin to credit lines.
Such lending is unprofitable for many banks because of difficulty in loan pricing, high capital requirements and high unit costs. Indeed, as a Harvard Business School study indicates, this is where the fintech firms are moving to fill the gap.
A Morgan Stanley study(here) estimates that the untapped potential for online SME lenders is $280 billion, and that the industry will grow at a 47 percent annual rate through 2020.
Such prospects are fueling investment in fintech, which reached $23.2 billion in 2016 according to an Accenture annual report.
Given their advantages, fintech firms can pose a challenge to banks' market share.
Although slow to react at first, banks have come to recognize the critical role of fintech, and that of the distributed ledger technology ("DLT") in particular. DLT helps banks become more efficient by reducing cost, eliminating the need for reconciliation, increasing transparency, reducing settlement time, and freeing up capital.
Banks' responses to fintech have not been uniform, however, in terms of how much investment they were willing to make and the level of integration they want between the new digital activities and their traditional operations.
Some banks have adopted a "low integration" strategy, that is, an arms-length approach where they rely on contracting with fintech companies or investing in them.
Others have taken a bolder "high integration" approach through partnership arrangements –- such as the small-business lending deal between JPMorgan Chase and OnDeck — and integrating new technologies into their loan-application and decision-making processes.
Less common among banks are those that choose to develop their own systems. This typically involves a more significant investment to automate underwriting processes, synchronize bank proprietary account data with new algorithms, and create a more customer-friendly design.
Currently, banks remain relatively reluctant to pursue beneficial partnerships with fintech companies, however. This is largely because of the "third party oversight" regulations, which hold banks accountable to at least three different federal regulators for the activities of their fintech partners.
REGULATORY CHALLENGES OF DECENTRALIZATION
Fintech provides a decentralized web for financial agents to transact with one another in a transparent, verifiable, fast, and an efficient way.
In theory then, fintech can provide regulators with more insight into potential systemic risk areas – by allowing them to track ownership and risk of assets in real time.
Despite its benefits, however, fintech's decentralized model is also making it harder for regulators to understand its various components, and to design adequate rules because they have traditionally been dealing with central hubs of activities.
Indeed, such natural hubs simply do not exist in the world of fintech.
The most salient example of fintech's decentralized use is bitcoin, a digital currency based on the distributed ledger technology. Multiple financial players use bitcoin as a peer-to-peer payment system, where no central administrator or data storage exists.
Cognizant of this, the federal Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has been active in trying to cope with fintech's advances, and has taken a principle-based approach.
The agency published a set of principles(here) to guide the development of framework for evaluating innovations in financial services based upon technology. It established an Office of Innovation with the goal of improving its ability to identify, understand, and respond to financial innovation affecting the federal banking system.
More recently, the OCC has also issued a draft licensing manual(here) to pave the way for fintech companies to obtain special purpose national bank charters, that is, limited banking licenses.
The OCC initiative has, however, touched off debate within the industry and among other state and federal regulators. Opponents say it could stifle innovation or limit state authority to protect. The model for fintech regulation, whether principles-based or prescriptive, and how will cope with the challenges of decentralization, are far from settled.
--Harvard Business School study:here
--Accenture annual report:here
(Bora Yagiz, FRM is a New York-based Regulatory Intelligence Expert for Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence, specializing in risk. He is a certified Financial Risk Manager. Mr. Yagiz has held positions as a bank examiner for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as senior consultant with Ernst & Young and vice president at Morgan Stanley. Follow Bora on Twitter @Bora_Yagiz. Email Bora at bora.yagiz@thomsonreuters.com)
This article was produced by Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence and initially posted on May. 17. Regulatory Intelligence provides a single source for regulatory news, analysis, rules and developments, with global coverage of more than 400 regulators and exchanges. Follow Regulatory Intelligence compliance news on Twitter: @thomsonreuters


#7- "Student of the year -2" is the film by Punit Malhotra, featuring Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria & Ananya Pandey which is said to be released on 10th May of this year.
#10 – "Brahmastra" is the film by Ayan Mukherjee, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Amitabh Bachan & Alia Bhatt which is said to be released on 20th December of this year.
#9- "Total Dhamaal" is the film by Indra Kumar, featuring Anil Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Madhuri Dixit & Riteish Dheshmukh which is hoped to be released on 22nd of Coming February.
#8- "Bharat" is the film by Ali Abbas Zafar, featuring Salman Khan & Katrina kaif which is expected to be released on 5th June of this year.
#5 – "Menatal Hai Kya" is the film by Prakash Kovelamudi, featuring Kangana Ranaut & Rajkumar Rao which is said to be released on 29th of coming March.
#4- "Kesari" is the film by Anurag singh, featuring Akshay Kumar & Parineeti Chopra which is expected to be released on 21st of Coming March.
#3- "Taanji: The Unsung Warrior" is the film by Om Raut, featuring Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan & Pankaj Tripathi which is hopefully said to be released on 22nd November of this year.
#2-"Gully boy" is the film by Zoya Akhtar, featuring Ranveer Singh & Alia Bhatt which is being looked forward for its release on the Valentine's day of this year.
#1-"Manikarnika : The queen of Jhansi" seems to be a historical film by Krish, featuring Kangana Ranaut, Atul Khulkarni & Jisshu Sengupta which curiously awaited for its release on 25th of this month.


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Are Old Planes Safe?
Posted on December 23, 2021 - 4 minute read
For as long as man has been able to fly, people have been afraid to do so. While reservations about climbing into a World War I era biplane were more than justified, aviation safety has progressed at a pace that few could have imagined.
Over 110 years after the first powered flight, the aviation industry is the undisputed safety champion among the commuting giants – road, rail, sea, and air.
One of the primary concerns among those who are afraid of flying is the age of some aircraft in service. The concern is further exacerbated by airline and travel agency marketing that promotes how "new" a fleet is or basing ticket prices on the age of the aircraft (despite newer aircraft being far more economical).
With some commercial aircraft easily pushing the 40-year mark, it begs two crucial questions: Are old aircraft safe, and how old is too old?
to Becoming a Pilot
The fear of old aircraft can be traced back to an incorrect assumption: That aircraft have the same lifespan as cars. This may seem like a reasonable assumption; A car, like a plane, has many moving parts that work together, is also used for transportation, and also requires regular service.
Depending on many factors, most cars have a lifespan of around 15 years, after which the vehicle slowly becomes increasingly less reliable. While reliability issues or mechanical failures in a vehicle may just be an inconvenience, they are significantly more dangerous in an aircraft.
So, what differentiates a 40-year-old car from a 40-year-old airplane?
An aircraft's service life (the amount of time before the aircraft is retired) is determined by the aircraft's age, the number of hours the aircraft has flown, and especially the number of flights the aircraft has performed (known as a cycle).
The definition of a "cycle" varies between aircraft types, but for commercial airliners, it is usually the number of times the aircraft was pressurized and then depressurized. In other words, if an airplane performs five one-hour flights, it will have a higher number of cycles compared to an aircraft that flies one five-hour flight.
Therefore, unlike a car where the mileage and age are the only significant contributing factors to its reliability, an aircraft's lifespan is determined by a range of different criteria. An aircraft may be retired after ten years of service, while another aircraft may only be retired after 50 years.
The good news is, while older commercial aircraft are safe, the commercial aircraft in service today are not as old as you might think. The average age of all Boeing aircraft in service (such as the 737, 747, etc.) is 14.7 years, while the average age of all Airbus aircraft in service (such as the A320, A380, etc.) is 8.44 years.
Regarding reliability, the first significant distinction between aircraft and other machines is the regulation of maintenance.
Aircraft must adhere to strict maintenance and inspection regulations, and the engineers tasked with performing maintenance on aircraft are highly qualified.
This means that aviation authorities determine aircraft maintenance requirements, not the airlines.
Aircraft have specific hour or cycle limitations that determine when maintenance should be performed. If these limitations are exceeded, there are significant legal implications. In many cases, equipment or parts that are fully operable are replaced due to the legal requirement to do so, which greatly enhances safety.
The aviation maintenance industry is as complex and distinguished as the aviation industry itself, and the engineers, like pilots, undergo years of training and study.
How Old Is Too Old?
Aircraft are a costly investment, which means that airlines, with a few exceptions, are far more likely to keep aircraft in service for as long as possible before purchasing new airplanes.
Furthermore, aircraft (particularly newer ones) are built with upgradability in mind. An aircraft may be over 20 years old but have new avionics, engines, and cabin – unless you look closely, you may not even be able to tell how old the aircraft is.
At some point, however, it does not make economic sense to keep the aircraft in service, and the aircraft will be sold or retired.
Older commercial aircraft often find a new home at cargo airlines, where the plane's age doesn't have an effect on a ticket price, and fuel costs can be kept to a minimum. Purchasing second-hand aircraft is also significantly cheaper.
What About Smaller Aircraft?
Smaller turboprop aircraft, as well as small piston aircraft, tend to be less complex than large jet airliners. Due to the reduced complexity and number of moving parts, these aircraft tend to have longer lifespans.
Smaller turboprop aircraft are also used in remote areas with less-than-ideal airport conditions. These aircraft can operate in more "rugged" conditions where more complex aircraft would experience reliability issues.
Whether you board a brand-spanking-new state-of-the-art airliner or a 40-year-old turboprop, rest assured that strict regulations ensure that the aircraft will be serviceable and safe!
ADS-B Requirements in 2022 – All You Need to Know
What Is a Cross Country Flight?
The Turn Coordinator Explained


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Welcome to the Information Technology Staff Augmentation (ITSA) Contract page. This page can be used by the general public to learn more about the ITSA contract and how it's used in the District government.
A brief description of the ITSA contract can be found in the press release issued by the District in August 2008.
A new ITSA Blog was started on 12/12/2008 to provide up-to-date ITSA-related information to the publc and CBE Subcontracting Vendors. The ITSA Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) will use this page as a communication channel to the public regarding ITSA. Check this page first when visiting this site.
The site was also reorganized. You can find all of the information ever contained on this website, including the ITSA RFP and solicitation information, under the Archived Content page.
The most current and comprehensive information about the ITSA implementation is found at http://itsa.ostglobal.com. This page, maintained by the Prime Contractor (OST), will include training and procedures for vendors as well as quarterly reports on ITSA activity.
The ITSA CBE Roundtable Presentation from 6/4/2009 is shown at the right.


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36 Of the Best Fanfics to Read for Rainbow Dash Day!
Rainbow Dash day means Rainbow Dash fanfics, and she has had a boatload of them over the years! We've got 36 new ones for you to dive into, completely different from last year's selection. You can find those over here if you want more.
Now go read Rainbow Dash things below! And thanks to Whisper Key for digging them up.
Scientific Progress Goes Crash by Drax
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/282312/scientific-progress-goes-crash
Experiment 247: Day 1
Subject of study: Why does Rainbow Dash keep crashing into my library?
Hypothesis A: She thinks it's fun. Disproved because Rainbow prefers staying in the air and hates helping me clean up.
Hypothesis B: She's clumsy Rainbow is extremely graceful in the air
Hypothesis C: None . . . Further study needed.
You Really Bug Me by BronyDad
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/201133/you-really-bug-me
In an attempt to make the butterfly migration more fun for Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy challenges her to a game of catching butterflies. But when one particularly ornery butterfly decides to tease Dash, things get personal.
First Seconds by Lapis-Lazuli and Stitch
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/220806/first-seconds
Rainbow Dash is the fastest Wonderbolt, no, fastest creature alive. Everypony knows this. So when the unthinkable happens, Rainbow goes home to Ponyville with a lot on her shoulders. She has a future to decide, and a lot of things pulling her every which way.
"Loyalty" Begins With an L by shortskirtsandexplosions
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/43467/loyalty-begins-with-an-l
Something is eating at Rainbow Dash. Ever since the Royal Wedding in Canterlot, she's been quiet, aloof, and distracted. After a long day's work of shaping the rainclouds over Ponyville, she can no longer keep the truth bottled in. The only problem is, as a picnic with her close friends looms over the horizon, she's at a loss to find a pony she can comfortably share her thoughts with.
Not So Secret by Rahheemme
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/465064/not-so-secret
Rainbow Dash is pregnant, but hasn't told any of her friends. As the months progress and it becomes more obvious, she can't keep it a secret forever...can she?
Ponies Being Slowly Eviscerated to Death in a Big Rusty Meat Grinder by shortskirtsandexplosions
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/463658/ponies-being-slowly-eviscerated-to-death-in-a-big-rusty-meat-grinder
Rainbow Dash writes her first novella. It's a very serious book about serious topics. She asks her friends to proofread. This should go well.
Tough Little Pony by Isseus
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/153416/tough-little-pony
Rainbow Dash told Scootaloo that it doesn't matter if she can fly or not. Then Discord made her put her wings where her mouth is and now she has to live without them for a day. But wings or no, she's still Rainbow Dash, the most awesome pony in Equestria, right?
...Right?
I'm Not Small, I'm Aerodynamic! by PonyThunder
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/367117/im-not-small-im-aerodynamic
After breaking her wing and being grounded for a couple days, Rainbow Dash gradually finds she's a lot smaller than she realized.
Rainbow Dash Wants to Spank the Monkey by Sporktacles
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/326897/rainbow-dash-wants-to-spank-the-monkey
Sunset Shimmer visits Equestria and spends some time taking care of animals with Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow Dash is apparently not good with certain animals.
Sunset discovers very quickly that what you learn from the human world cannot be unlearned, ever.
"Anything for you, Pinkie." by PaulAsaran
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/473467/anything-for-you-pinkie
Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash have been dating for some time now. It's been nothing but awesome, and thus Rainbow's decided she wants to pop the question. There's just one tiny thing getting in the way: Pinkie once told her she had to meet a very specific condition if she ever wanted to get married. If Rainbow really wants to tie the knot, she'll have to resort to drastic measures.
Live Without Regrets by applezombi
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/502980/live-without-regrets
Rainbow Dash is used to doing dangerous things. Deadly stunts? That's just a normal workday. But illness is something worse. Something scarier. Something she can't control.
So even though the diagnosis turns out benign, her brush with mortality has still left Rainbow feeling...
Unfinished.
Time to take a look at her bucket list. But when a mare has already mastered the skies, what more is their to reach for?
The sun itself?
So That's What Happened by SoloBrony
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/457494/so-thats-what-happened
Rainbow Dash realizes she may have made a huge oversight in regards to loyalty to her friends. She responds with all the tact and subtlety of a rampaging Ursa.
The Big Talk by Jake The Army Guy
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/509085/the-big-talk
Rainbow Dash and Applejack have finally admitted to themselves and each other what they always sort of knew, and are now a happy couple. The only step left is telling the rest of the Apple clan after a nice Hearth's Warming Dinner. However, newlyweds Big Macintosh and Sugar Belle have a big announcement of their own to make.
Which they do.
Kind of...
Sad/Dark
A Cold Wind Blows by applejackofalltrades
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/509113/a-cold-wind-blows
During the snowy days leading up to Hearth's Warming, Rainbow Dash receives pressing news that she must deliver. She wonders if she can be enough through the hard times.
Collapse by AuroraDawn
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/493783/collapse
Rainbow Dash's house has fallen.
half empty. by applejackofalltrades
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/491223/half-empty
Struggling with alcoholism, Rainbow Dash finds herself watching over Ponyville on the anniversary of the worst day of her life. Sometimes, nopony can help.
Iridescence by The Red Parade
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/487433/iridescence
Rainbow Dash has the best day ever, and Twilight's really happy for her.
It Takes a Village by Baal Bunny
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/488639/it-takes-a-village
Dash wants to help Rarity live out her romantic fantasy. But since Dash hasn't got a romantic bone in her body, she figures she'd better call in some experts...
Love Can Be Enough by Damaged
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/477465/love-can-be-enough
Rainbow Dash comes home for the start of her mid-semester break from college to find herself sitting in her living room talking to her girlfriend. Things get weirder from there.
Don't Laugh At Me! by Starlitomega
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/268488/dont-laugh-at-me
"It's no secret that Applejack and I are really cool friends, but nopony really knows how I feel about her. Her awesome blonde hair, those powerful legs that won't quit, that amazing smile, all wrapped up underneath her trademark cowpony hat.
Urgh! I've had it! I've just gotta tell her how she makes me feel!
I just hope she takes me seriously for once..."
On Different Pages by Ellis Bell
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/255623/on-different-pages
Applejack is stuck in bed with an injury, and Rainbow Dash has just the thing to help her girlfriend through it: The complete collection of Daring Do books. But this generous act forces Applejack to reveal her dark secret.
Mare Do Well vs Professor Nightshade by ssjgokillo
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/102893/mare-do-well-vs-professor-nightshade
Perhaps Rainbow Dash had read a few too many comic books? Seen one too many hero movies. Either way, this was not going to end well for anypony.
Rainbow Dash has decided since each of her friends (aside from Rarity) have gotten a chance, she wants to give being The Mysterious Mare Do Well a try. The only problem? Ponyville is too peaceful. It seems all the craziness that had happened the past week has passed, and there really isn't any need for a costumed crime fighter now.
Twilight, seeing Rainbow Dash's annoyance at not being able to be a hero, takes it upon herself to help her friend experience a super hero adventure. By creating the powerful, the terrifying, the surprisingly sarcastic, Professor Nightshade.
Yeah, this is totally going to end well.
Dreams and Bonds by bats
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/435530/dreams-and-bonds
Twilight has settled into her new castle, which now feels like a home thanks to her friends. The only problem is she's still not sleeping and still finding excuses to keep herself busy. The last few weeks had been particularly stressful. She thought that once everything calmed down her life would get back to normal, but something that happened affected her more deeply than she thought.
Rainbow Dash can tell something is wrong. She wants to know if she can help.
Gift of the Pegasi by Flashgen
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/485317/gift-of-the-pegasi
It's the first Hearth's Warming since Twilight and Rainbow Dash started dating. Twilight said anything that Rainbow Dash would get for her would be perfect, so there's absolutely nothing to worry about. Nothing to worry about when she puts it off until it's practically Hearth's Warming. Nothing to worry about when she can't decide on a gift. Nothing to worry about when she has to get a gift as awesome as she is.
Nothing to worry about at all...
If My Heart Was A Compass by Astrarian
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/469451/if-my-heart-was-a-compass
It might be the fanciest bed she's ever needed to sleep on, but the thing is, Rainbow Dash can't get to sleep.
Spitfire has some thoughts on why that is, since she can't sleep either. And so, Rainbow Dash takes the plunge into some decisions about where to rest her head.
Unplanned by Winston
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/489267/unplanned
Rarity and Rainbow Dash spend a wonderful night together—the kind of night filled with pure magic.
But how long does magic last, and can its fleeting spark be caught and held?
One Wish by Scribblestick
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/508453/one-wish
Time waits for no pony, and Rainbow Dash has accepted that with age come limitations. But experience also brings new opportunities, and as head trainer for the Wonderbolts, she's found new passion in passing her skills on to the next generation of ace fliers.
Then, Fluttershy comes with a request. A sick filly wants to see Dash pull off her signature trick one last time. The odds are stacked against her, but Dash will do whatever it takes. She isn't about to let anypony down.
Early Sunsets Over Equestria by The Red Parade
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/500389/early-sunsets-over-equestria
Rainbow Dash was not a pony built for emotional talks, long train rides, and deep conversations. She often considered herself to be the exact opposite of those things.
While in the company of three very different ponies, Rainbow begins to wonder what she's meant to do when the situation calls for anyone but her.
General Amnesty by Cynewulf
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/384030/general-amnesty
The great evils of the world have clashed with the champions of all that was good and in true dialectical fashion, exhausted each other. The world Rainbow Dash and her wife Applejack live in now is the World After, one full of uncertainties and difficult questions.
Rainbow Dash doesn't care about any of that. She has a mission, and she intends to finish it, come hell or high water...
Or her spouse.
Rainbow Dash's Awesome Nightmare Night Haunted House Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Adventure by TheDriderPony
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/481236/rainbow-dashs-awesome-nightmare-night-haunted-house-choose-your-own-adventure-adventure
It's Nightmare Night in Ponyville (and presumably everywhere else as well) and Starlight and Trixie have teamed up to host a haunted house attraction. Spooks and frights and guaranteed in this one-of-a-kind experience orchestrated by two mares who, between them, barely make up a single functioning member of society.
What could go wrong in this pandormare's box of horror designed by a former villainous megalomaniac with boundary issues and a compatriot whose worldview is heavily tinted by a lens of narcissism?
Take on the role of Rainbow Dash, fearless seeker of frights, in this branching CYOA experience. Explore different paths to victory, collect items, solve puzzles, and try to find all the hidden endings!
PONY Legacy by RBDash47
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/45341/PONY-Legacy
Ten years after Celestia disappeared with no warning nor trace, Twilight Sparkle receives a message from the lost princess calling for help. When Twilight and Rainbow speed to Canterlot, Dash is accidentally transported to a strange world – but in her race to escape the System, she faces an enemy she never expected.
30,000 Feet by The Grey Pegasus
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/51736/30000-feet
It's a long way down.
Biomom by MythrilMoth
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/209361/biomom
Rainbow Dash grew up not knowing who her mother is.
One Mother's Day, Twilight Sparkle becomes determined to find out who Rainbow's mother is and drag her back to Ponyville to reunite with her daughter.
There's just one little hitch:
Rainbow Dash's mother is Daring Do. And she's inconveniently off "researching" her next book.
Now, Rainbow Dash has to go on a journey. A journey of self-discovery. A journey of a thousand unanswered questions.
A journey to find...her biomom.
Oh, and there's an ancient alicorn tomb and a closely guarded secret that'll change the history of Equestria forever, but that's just another day in the life of Daring Do.
Above All Else by 8686
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/238521/above-all-else
Inspired by her favourite books, and keen to settle once and for all who's the fastest, bravest, overall best pony around here, Rainbow Dash challenges Applejack to a race full of perils and pitfalls. To the winner, the title of Most Awesome Pony. To the loser, defeat, shame and ignominity. But when the dangers start getting a little too real, they have to decide what's more important. Victory, or friendship.
Innavedr by Imploding Colon
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/88713/innavedr
A broken party of friends struggles to reunite.
Rainbow Dash continues to fly east.
Surviving Sand Island by The 24th Pegasus
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/382470/surviving-sand-island
An airship wreck leaves Rainbow Dash and Rarity stranded on a deserted island. Together, they must find a way to survive until help comes.
If it comes.
Tuesday, February 1, 2022 op 10:00 AM
Labels: Fanfiction, RD Day
Rainbow Dash Day - Open Art Compilation!
Drawfriend Stuff - BEST Drawings of Rainbow Dash! ...
Everything Wrong With The Times They Are A Changeling
Receptionist Pony Concept Art From Maritime Bay Fa...
Rainbow Dash Day Discussion: Episode Ideas, Charac...
Seasons 5-8 of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic...
Making the Day Awesome! - Rainbow Dash Day Begins!
► Jan 09


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You are at:Home»Federal»Biden Administration»Joe Biden Inspires Completion of the Border Wall*
Joe Biden Inspires Completion of the Border Wall*
By Ira Mehlman	 August 24, 2021 1 Comment
(*In Greece.)
Europe was already bracing for another wave of migrants that could surpass the record influxes of a few years ago. Then President Joe Biden's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan happened. The countless Afghanis who prefer not to live under a medieval theocracy, and who cannot be airlifted out of the country (which, thus far, has left many third country nationals stranded), are certain to be exiting any way they can. And that, most likely, means overland to Europe.
Afghan migrants will be joining the exodus of those fleeing the decade-long sectarian bloodletting in Syria, the utter collapse of Lebanon (which has been described as "sliding back to the stone age") and other failed states in Asia and Africa.
Greece, the gateway to the European Union for Middle Eastern migrants, has been taking steps to prevent a repeat of the chaotic migration of the mid-2010s. To protect their country, and the health and safety of their people, Greece has built a wall along its border with Turkey. The border wall has obviously been in the works for a while, but the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has lent new urgency to securing borders, says the Greek official in charge.
"The Afghan crisis is creating new facts in the geopolitical sphere and at the same time it is creating possibilities for migrant flows. As a country we cannot remain passive to the possible consequences," stated Michalis Chrisochoidis, Greece's Citizens' Protection Minister. "Our borders will remain secure and inviolable. We will not allow uncontrolled and erratic movements and we will not allow any attempt to violate them," he added.
Chrisochoidis' assertion of national interest stands in stark contrast to the positions taken by his American counterpart, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who recently conceded our borders are out of control and that conditions along our southern border are "unsustainable," and yet is doing nothing to bring the situation under control. Additionally, President Biden, who failed to heed warnings from defense and intelligence agencies about his plan (or lack thereof) to withdraw from Afghanistan, does not seem to be taking seriously new warnings from the Pentagon about the heightened danger of terrorist attacks against the United States in the aftermath of the Taliban victory.
Like dozens of other countries, Greece is now added to the list of nations that recognize that they cannot be "passive to the possible consequences" of chaotic migration in the face of a global pandemic and renewed threats of terrorism – which leaves the Biden administration standing alone, once again, rather than leading the world.
Afghanistan Biden Administration Border Crisis Federation for American Immigration Reform
Previous ArticleBorder Patrol: Paper Tiger at a Collapsing Frontier
Next Article Another immigration crisis triggered by President Biden
Ira Mehlman
Ira joined the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) in 1986 with experience as a journalist, professor of journalism, special assistant to Gov. Richard Lamm (Colorado), and press secretary of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. His columns have appeared in National Review, LA Times, NY Times, Washington Post, Newsweek, and more. He is an experienced TV and radio commentator.
Pingback: Joe Biden Inspires Completion of the Border Wall* | 198 Immigration News


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Progressa Website
Lending Education
IndustryLending Education
What Distinguishes the Top Canadian Alternative Lenders?
IndustryLending Education by Chris Matei	on March 14, 2019 Alternative Lending Canadian Lending fintech Lender lending 522 views
Canada is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the alternative lending industry. Numerous firms within our borders have achieved widespread success and recognition, and the landscape of Canadian lending has felt significant effects thanks to these innovators. Today's blog looks at the factors that have made a few of Canada's top alternative lenders stand out, and what has brought them to the fore among an increasingly crowded market of fintech-savvy entrants
So, what makes a great alternative lender? We can look to the Alternative Lending in Canada Survey of 2018 conducted by the independent website Smarter.Loans for some interesting answers.
Find, Inform, and Do It Fast
According to survey data, Canadians are fairly thorough researchers when it comes to looking for alternatives to a bank loan. With so many new vendors, most Canadians are researching between 5 and 10 different options before they apply for an alternative loan across different loan types such as personal, business and mortgage. Some 62% of respondents discovered the provider they ultimately applied with via online search. Another 13% found their provider on social media, and 10.5% discovered the company they sent their application to through a personal recommendation. The majority of borrowers also send out multiple applications to competing lenders before settling on a final agreement. However, less than half of searchers spend very much time on this research (less than three hours in total.)
Clearly, the advantage in the alternative lending space is going to firms who know their audiences best, and know how to reach them with relevant information on the platforms that matter to them most in a short amount of time – adapting to the "shotgun" search approach that many borrowers appear to take. Lenders that can provide concise, relevant and easy-to-understand information about their services through easily accessible platforms are going to continue to be able to make significant inroads into the market.
It's About the Rates
Unsurprisingly, the most important factor for consumers when dealing with a lender according to this survey was the favourability of interest rates and terms. While this seems like a fairly self-evident conclusion, it underscores the work that Canadian firms are doing to enhance their internal processes and improve their rate calculation models with more advanced data-driven methods. The most successful Canadian alternative lenders will have to continue finding ways to innovate in order to provide customers with the best possible rates while maintaining sustainable operations.
As with most new tech-driven business models, alternative lending has had its share of difficulties with getting prospective users to trust their practices. This difficulty is compounded by the atmosphere of negativity and occasional outright misinformation that often surrounds the traditional "alternative" to bank loans, represented as it has been for many years by the Payday Loans industry. Overall, 43% of respondents to the Smarter.Loans survey would consider going back to a bank after dealing with an alternative lender, and 38% remained unsure. At the same time, borrowers in the youngest demographic, which comprises the industry's future customers, were most skeptical about borrowing money online, with 70% not believing that it is safe and scam free.
Overall, respondents were nearly split on whether they believed loan providers are transparent about their fees, interest rates, terms and conditions. Furthermore, more than half believe the industry isn't entirely safe and free of scams. Transparency and trustworthy business practices will likely be the last major components of business strategies that are employed by Canada's most successful alternative lenders.
At Progressa, we're putting the work in every day to improve all the aspects of our model: from the rates we can offer, to the effectiveness of our analysis, to the ease of use that lets you get a loan quickly and without complicated application requirements, all the way down to the organizational level where we strive to be as open and transparent as possible about what we do. And new changes are always happening as we strive forward to these goals!
Tags : Alternative LendingCanadian LendingfintechLenderlending
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Progressa Nominated for Canada's Workforce Choice Awards
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5 Steps to Keeping Track of Your Expenses
© 2019 Progressa is a registered trademark of Creditloans Canada Financing. All Rights Reserved.


HERE IS THE BEFORE- $1.00 drink glasses I used as vases from Tai Pan Trading.
I taped them all around leaving a little bit larger then a 1 inch space at the top.. aka THE TRIM. Oh' and Ryky played with his Star Wars ship while I taped.
I used the rest of my Glossy "Ivy Leaf" Krylon spray paint and sprayed them both.
Next I used some styrofoam that I shoved down in the glasses stuck a distressed inked dowel in each glass, and topped them with plastic topiary balls that I just sat on the tops of the dowels.
just that bit of trim around the top just made it so much better, and more finished looking to me.
and you can see the one topiary next to my painted star. I AM SO GOING GREEN… WELL kinda..winks.
linking with M.M.M. at C.R.A.F.T. here.
Where did you get the shelf for above the window?


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Q: Process finished with exit code -1073741515 (0xC0000135) I'm running a python script and it used to work (it even does on my other laptop right now) but not on my current computer - I just get the error code:
Process finished with exit code -1073741515 (0xC0000135)

I don't get any other results - not even from "print" commands at the beginning of the file.
I haven't found anything specific to that.
I re-installed python (2.7.9), pygame (1.9.1) and even pycharm (tried 4.5 first, now with 5.0 - same result)
Does anyone know what that error code means? I couldn't find anything about it.

A: This may be due to another program locking that memory location.
Before you try more drastic measures, know that restarting the computer fixed the problem for me.

A: The error seems to be related to issues in native code (e.g. C/C++) and might be related to issues in loading some dll file. To know which file, the Windows "Event Viewer" is your friend.
The "Event Viewer" -> "Windows Logs" -> "Application" feed usually shows one or more rows for each crashed application and one of them should list the problematic filename.
Personally I observed similar issue with matplotlib on Python 3.9 (installed using Anaconda on Windows 10). I could see this kind of error when the code was executed using PyCharm. The same code just crashed with no visible errors when starting from Anaconda console.
The Event viewer then showed issue with freetype.dll. In this case, the problem was fixed by downgrading the packege from 2.11.0 to 2.10.4:
conda install freetype=2.10.4

Depending on the exact issue, I could imagine that removing pycache folder might help (like mentioned in other answers). Also, sometimes it might make sense to look at the PATH environment variable to actually understand why certain dll file is loaded from such a location.

A: I got this error in PyCharm after upgrading pyarrow to the most recent version -- 0.16 --- using pip, running the same code I had ran before this update which used pandas read_parquet specifying the engine="pyarrow" triggering use of this library. After uninstalling and installing the previous version with

pip install pyarrow=="0.15"

the problem resolved.

A: I encountered the same error when running .py in PyCharm on Windows. Inspired by https://thenewboston.com/forum/topic.php?id=10088, I uninstalled and reinstalled Python. When reinstalling, I checked the ADD PYTHON TO THE PATH Option. After recreating the virtual environment in PyCharm, the error was gone.
Update: On another Windows PC (64-bit), I encountered the same error where reinstalling Python was not enough. I tried two things.

*

*Uninstalling 32-bit Python and installing 64-bit Python. Namely downloading python-3.6.4-amd64.exe instead of python-3.6.4.exe

*Recreating the Pycharm project from github.

Between the two actions, the error was gone.

A: taskkill /F /IM python.exe

Try this if it just happened out of the bloom and it worked normally before that error occurred.

A: reinstall python – you don't have python33.dll in c:\WINDOWS\system32\
Maybe you have different python versions – look at folders in root of c:
If yes, then point to your version of python.exe in pyCharm > Settings >  Project Interpreter

A: I solved it by disabling "PyQt compatible" checkbox in the Settings under Build, Execution, Deployment --> Python Debugger.
After that, it should debug properly.

A: Here is caused it and solution:
The computer had two physical processors. The code uses Numba for parallel computations. Upon disabling and re-enabling hyperthreading this issue started. To solve it clear pycache folder and run the program.

A: I encountered this error in my code as well, in my case the problem was sharing pickle which produced in Unix machine one a Windows one.

A: **I faced the same situation and the malfunction stems from trying to run both terminal processor and graphical user interfaces. When I clicked the button program stopped running **
Solution: I disabled terminal inputs and work with graphics.
For example:
if you do this
entry1=Entry(root,width=10).pack()
variable= str(input("Whats your name?"))

You will see the error.
if you delete either entry1 or variable, you will not see the problem.

A: If you're trying create a .svm use dlib probably the problem is in .xml, some image that you use is cause the problem. Try to create a new .xml putting out a image(any image) or remove that your .xml and test, try this even you find out the image problem.
For exemple, the image "treinamento3.jpg" was the problem. I removed this command line:
< image file='delirium\treinamento3.jpg'>
    < box top='213' left='86' width='46' height='49'/ >
    < box top='531' left='47' width='125' height='123'/ >
  < /image >

from my .xml for solve my problem.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


I started my aviation journey April 2017 since then it's been an amazing journey. I thought the PPL was an amazing accomplishment until today the IFR checkride, now I feel like a real pilot!
The air was smooth, warm, and clear. The scenery was picturesque and awe-inspiring, and I was completely by myself up at 9,500 feet. I touched down safely at Bermuda an hour after takeoff.


Yael was born in Tallahassee, Florida and moved to LA when she was in first grade. Her family made aliyah and now she lives in Givat Ada, which is a town in the Haifa District. Yael is the oldest of 3 girls in her family. She has a younger sister who is 14 years old and her baby sister is 3. Yael held a dual major in high school where she focused on Diplomacy and International Communications and theatre. Yael served on her student council, was a counsellor in the Tzofim and took part in Camp Kimama as a foreign exchange student in Amsterdam. In her free time, Yael enjoys going to the movies, hiking, sailing and running. Yael is looking forward to bridging the gaps between Israel and the Diaspora and bringing her Israel to our community.
Omri lives in Herzliya which is a city near Tel Aviv. As a child, Omri lived in LA until he was 9 when they moved to Caesarea where he learned to love Israel and become a proud Israeli. Omri is the youngest of 3 brothers. His oldest brother is a student at Hebrew U and his middle brother just finished his army service in the IDF. Omri majored in Theatre, Biology and International Relations in high school. Omri has a lot of hadraha/leadership experience from his time spend in the Tzofim. He also spent many summers back in the LA where he volunteered as a counselor in a summer day camp. Theatre and acting are Omri's passion. He also enjoys tennis, running and exploring. Omri feels it is very important for Jews around the world to know that Israel is always there for them and for every person to develop their own connection to the holy land. By bringing his authentic Israel to Beth Tikvah, Omri looks forward to making those connections with our community.


text:
Every Vote Counts at the County Library
Post on: October 21, 2016
Vote early and vote often for a new mascot!
The polls are open at the Salt Lake County Library where anyone and everyone is invited to vote for a new Library mascot.
After years of solid representation, Talula, known for her zany Zumba moves and catchy campaign slogan, "You toucan read," has decided to leave the nest.
"Talula served the good people of Salt Lake County for many years. We appreciate her taking us under her wing and we look forward to having the community elect her successor," said Library Director Jim Cooper. "Every vote counts at the County Library and our election process ensures that everyone gets a chance, or two, to vote for our new mascot."
Six initial candidates – Squirrel, Turtle, Elephant, Owl, Cat and Dog – were in the running for this prestigious mascot position. During the primary election, held at Library Staff Day on October 10, emotions were high. A write-in candidate, Chinchilla, typically known for being quiet and non-allergenic, quickly proved to be a threat to several candidates. Additionally, mid-primary, an ad aired that didn't present the Elephant in a very favorable light. In the end, Owl (Libratarian Party) and Turtle (Bibliotecan Party) prevailed and advanced to the mascot general election.
The mascot general election takes place between now and midnight on November 8. Anyone interested in being a part of this historic election is invited to vote early and vote often at their neighborhood County Library, on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and slcolibrary.org/vote. As detailed on the website, the voting requirements are simple — have an interest in the County Library and in mascots.
In addition to voting, individuals and businesses are encouraged to endorse their candidate on social media, using the hashtag #VoteCountyLibrary.
The winning candidate will be announced mid-November and the inauguration will be held in January 2017.
Note: Due to the fact that mascots don't speak, there will not be debates.
"Carve" Out Some Time for a Plethora of Pumpkins and Halloween Fun at the County Library's Pumpkinpalooza
Pediatricians Change Recommendations for Children's Use of Media
Physician Offers Tips on Battling Back-to-School Bugs
Because there is no such thing as an endless summer, Rowan Family Medicine physician Dr. Jennifer Caudle is advising parents ...
The Tooth Fairy's Paying More Than Ever
An unlikely but accurate economic indicator, Tooth Fairy payouts are soaring, posting record gains in 2016 and early 2017. According ...


Light Studio | What is Search Engine Optimization SEO and SEA ?
This first article on Light Studio will be covering the bases; we'll be explaining the workings of Search Engine Optimization (SEO).It's important to differentiate Search Engine Optimization from Search Engine Advertising (SEA).
SEA is similar to advertising; we put more money into it in order to promote our website and give it a higher ranking on google results. This can be executed with the help of Google Adwords and functions on the concept of Pay per Click (PPC). This means that you are charged after each individual click on your ad. The SEA can broaden your visibility at a reasonably low cost. On the other hand, there are some down sides to Search Engine Advertising, there will be written "Ad" on the side of evrey of the paid result displayed in search engine result which can discourage certain people from clicking on it. Furthermore, advertisement blockers such as Adblock render these results invisible to its users.
Let's take a closer look at SEO: it constitutes in a set of operations executed to increase the ranking and visibility of a website. In today's world, it's paramount to take into consideration these constraints in order to succeed in taking on the competition especially if those competitors are using SEO strategies as well. There are numerous factors that compose the algorithms that Google and other search engines use. They are frequently updated and concealed from the public. This secrecy is put in place to discourage people from altering and manipulating the algorithms. We can still get a pretty good idea of the practices that need to be put in place thanks to the testing and analysis of results, this process can largely be aided by tools like Google Analytics. There are also many blogs and websites that go into detail on the subject and list many methods of optimization accompanied by excellent reports in support of these methods. The most well known would have to be Moz.com.
Personally, I like to divide SEO actions into 3 categories.
The creation of articles and interesting content that will attract web surfers to your site. In addition to encouraging new users to discover your company, this will also invite them to click and explore the entirety of your website and the services or products you have on offer. Adding content will also assure your users of your own competences and knowledge in your domain. Keep in mind that it is important to choose subjects in function of the searches employed by the users in order to optimize your articles visibility. Content must be updated regularly, it must be unique, and it must provide its sources when it references external links. This technique is easy to apply the moment that your site has a functioning blog, however, it is a time-consuming practice that requires an in-depth knowledge of the subjects discussed. The method, nonetheless, is generally effective and is also the starting point for the next category.
It is evidently important to share your articles on social media. This will automatically increase their viewing. There is, on the other hand, a promotion technique way more effective called Link Building. The base of this consists of increasing the number of links from other web pages that connect to your website, otherwise known as Backlinks. A multitude of strategies exists to constitute a collection of quality Backlinks. I will further discuss this topic in an article to come. Like the content, this method demands time investment and effort for the obtening good results.
This consists of optimizing the code of your website in order to make it easier to crawl for search engines robots and to improve its visual aspect to make it more attractive to your visitors and lengthen the amount of time they spend browsing your website. The technical aspect is probably the most complex one to put in place because it necessitates certain proficiency in programing and web design. Its effect is an indirect one and serves mainly as the good function for the other categories. Once these modifications are well performed, it's no longer necessary to modify them again, contrary to the content and the promotion which require continuous effort and input.
The optimization of a website can seem complex and difficult for a beginner so keep in mind that you need to take the time to acquire the necessary knowledge on the subject at hand and study the different strategies while following and consequently reacting to the results of your referencing tool in order to ensure that you're headed in the right direction. Learning the ins and outs of referencing is a long process that can take many months. It is, however, essential tohave an optimized website to stand apart from your competitors! For this reason, calling on professionals in this field is in alternative that you should take into consideration. This can seem a costly alternative at first, but the return on this investment can be 3 to 5 time superior.
We can help you increase the traffic on your site and consequently your revenues. Don't hesitate to contact us and obtain a free estimate!


This entry was posted in Specials on June 28, 2017 by Benjamin.
This entry was posted in Specials on February 12, 2014 by Benjamin.
20 % off all custom screen printed apparel ordered before 11-13-2103 Minimum order of 12 pieces. Additional taxes and shipping may apply. Get your order started with the form below.
This entry was posted in Specials on November 6, 2013 by Benjamin.