Life, in Russia, moves with a dizzying shift of pace. A traveler, visitor, or local alike must be in the same moment ready to wait patiently for weeks or embark immediately and without notice to take advantage of an opportunity. To not be able to cope with either polar scenario is to not be able to survive here.
Christine and I left Kazan, without any tangible success after what felt like so much investment in planning and networking, because there was an inhibiting holiday. We left for Yekaterinburg instead of Ufa because of an inside contact with a company helping to restructure parts of an industry in Pervouralsk. When, due to legitimate circumstances outside of all our control, the opportunity vanished, I began to feel as if we would never make any progress. In one swift moment, an explosion reacted into our journey another dead-end to a path. However, all adventurers must quickly learn to shoot off in another direction without dwelling on the failure of one.
Our new direction came from our dear friends Daria and Anya. Daria took us to meet a family living in Pervouralsk for a personal tour of the city as well as interviews. Rustam Madisovich Ishanov and Rimma Mikolaevna Ishanov, along with their daughter Julie, graciously invited us into their home for delicious food and conversation. Both parents worked for most of their lives in the police force, eventually retiring from that service. Now, Rustam Madisovich is a detective for a local factory and Rimma Mikolaevna works with delinquent youth. They are good people and were friendly in sharing their opinions, thoughts, and local history.
The city is possibly one of the purest examples anyone could find of a successful monogorod. We were told that through a strong community and responsible local government, Pervouralsk has been unusually stable. The city is known for high-grade metal piping, an industry that goes back to the original village settlement in the 1700's, and was given city status in the 1930's.
The mayor, we were told, has been a consistent advocate of encouraging outside investment from strong companies both from elsewhere in Russia and abroad. This has resulted in an unusually low unemployment rate just over 1% and a steady economy, which incidentally means the crime rate is also quite low.
Walking around the city on our own seemed to confirm most of this information. The problems here seemed just the same as anywhere else, and not especially those of a struggling monogorod. Of course there was crime, alcohol, drugs, layoffs, and poverty, but not enough to grab undue attention. Pervouralsk, as a community, has really done well for itself.
Families were out everywhere, enjoying the central park and going for walks. I sat near the park fountain and just watched for a while. The scene was quite wholesome: Children running around;teenagers skateboarding, BMX biking and rollerblading; parents enjoying a moment to sit.
In fact, it all seemed very much like an overly surreal scene from a disaster movie where the director is trying to show an innocent, beautiful, happy community just before it is torn apart by aliens. Or something along those lines. I couldn't find a drunkard to taint the mood within a few thousand feet and, I'll be honest, it made me feel a little on edge.
Two men working on a Lada.
On our way out of the city, we met the owner of a small shashlik café, who invited us in and treated us to some barbecue. He also liked his city, but his place was rowdy with loud music about gulags and plenty of inebriated dancing to balance out the rest of downtown. Even cake needs salt.
As if to throw in one closing sales pitch of its pleasant nature, Pervouralsk even threw in a classy, not overstated sunset as we waited for someone who would pick up three odd, Yekaterinburg bound hitchhikers. It was a nice town and a good start for gaining perspective, but after two days it was time to move on.
Look for part 2, coming soon (24 hours?), on Krasnouralsk: the town that welcomed us, and then quickly wanted us gone (officially, anyhow).
Tuesday, Christine and I made it to Kazan. Though a small step in the scope of this entire project, I feel that this was an encouraging accomplishment. I was able to purchase, all in Russian and with no assistance, train tickets from Moscow to here. I know that to many this probably does not sound like much, but Russian ticket queues and acquisition are actually quite intimidating. The lines are long and close without warning no matter how long you have waited in them. This happened at least five times and was reason for us missing the train we actually intended to take. Beyond that, the women working each ticket station are generally not of a jovial disposition and willing to slow down their speech for a clumsy foreigner. Luckily, the woman at the end of our final line had not been on her shift long and was very polite, despite speaking quickly and wanting to hurry us along. We should have taken a picture of my accomplished grin when those tickets were finally in my hand after nearly 3 hours.
And so, we rode a train through the night and out of Moscow. The city lights faded from the windows until all I could see was blackness behind my reflection. I was hoping for a more daytime ride so that people would be awake to meet and enjoy and the scenery would be visible as we rumbled passed. However, the quiet night was good for collecting my thoughts and projecting on the days to come.
Kazan is much smaller than Moscow, and for that I am excited. Often if I am not familiar with an area, I feel overly solitary in places where many millions reside. The people are too accustomed to people being everywhere. I do not yet know this place and it is not a small city, by any means, but it was a move in the comfortable direction.
Anyhow, we arrived to good and partially bad news. We discovered an unexpected and pleasant place to stay in the form of a couple, Aidan from Glasgow and Marina from Moscow, with a spare bedroom in their new flat. Further, their friend Maria is intrigued by the project and is willing to accompany us to Kamskiye Polyany (Камские Поляны) for adventure and help in translation. Win! However, this coming weekend is a Tatar holiday where the celebrations apparently get quite wild and rough. We were advised by Maria that, if we like out teeth and cameras, this is not the time to go. For about two weeks.
So we will move on to Yekaterinburg where we have an exciting contact in a nearby steel town, and visit Kamskiye Polyany on our way back to Moscow. Maria, the wonderful person that she is, has agreed to help us when we return. I am very much looking forward to that. From what I have read, it should be a fascinating town.
With our unexpected free time, Christine and I met up with a fellow traveler named Luke from Britain. The three of us explored the city and met some interesting people. Most memorable was a retired accordion professor who we found fishing in the Kazanka and Volga confluence. I will let Christine write on that, so keep an eye out for her upcoming pictures and post.
I am anxious to get to our first project town and hope that we will have some material of substance very soon. For now, enjoy a few photos.
Late 2007 I remember making an isolated drive from Utah's Salt Lake valley to the rapidly creeping mega-suburbia of the Phoenix-conglomerate in Arizona. My mother had moved to Glendale during the housing and job boom of just a few years earlier and every time I had returned to the collage cities of Glendale, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Peoria, Mesa, Tempe, and more it had expanded impossibly.
When I first visited Arizona family in the early 1990's I witnessed orange orchards across the street from their 55th and Cactus house. A decade later they were gone. The line I recalled from my later teenage years as where the houses and shopping centers came to a halt and the free desert opened was so quickly being shoved away from the city center that I doubted my memories.
It used to be that when my friends and I would make the journey to our secluded retreats out past Lake Pleasant park grounds, riding north on the I-17 was a definitive escape from the city. Where the northernmost intersection of the Loop-101 and I-17 happens there was the usual collection of a movie theater, some restaurants, shops and a few nearby neighborhoods. At night, the thick light density would steadily taper off into an easy unending black broken only by the slow but constant trickle of cars heading back south into the city. After a time, a lonely convenience plaza was reached right when a departure from the interstate was made for the west bound Carefree Highway. From there you could access what was, for us, the closest expanse of empty wilderness we had; No lights save for the few wandering late night travelers if you stuck to the highway and the lonesome regional park something or other light if you struck out for the marina.
Since then, every time I re-entered the Phoenix valley from the high and winding path out of Flagstaff the scenery had changed. The marching line of lights had surged onward from ending somewhere near Deer Valley Rd to pressing so desperately up against the mountains at Anthem that I wondered sometimes if the rocky barrier between there and Flagstaff stood a chance.
2007 was different. That oceanic force of a booming economy had crashed and receded. Making the spectator drive of American progress, this time I saw not bustling construction sites with ceaseless movement of machines and men. Nor did I see shopping centers replete with "NOW OPEN" signs so new they smelt of drying paint and freshly laid asphalt from the invading roads. I saw nearly finished apartment buildings, neighborhoods, and centers abandoned mid-project by construction workers and investors alike with "LOT FOR SALE" signs hanging from the partial structures and "FOR RENT" where "NOW OPEN" had just hung. What had happened?
Economists and fifth grade teachers alike had lied. Infinite growth is not possible, and yet somehow we defied our own logic and believed. I write this from the sobering perspective that last Friday, April 15, 2011 my own dear mother walked away from her foreclosed home. Like so many thousands of other mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and grown children, she walked away from her house and all the dreams that were represented by its solid foundation, warm walls, and protective roof. Крыша (Kreesha), the Russians say. Shelter. Hope. Protection.
Nine months previous I was standing in a patch of dusty balding grass, slowly turning to absorb the absurd panorama surrounding me. The absurdity came in the form of a large, closed factory standing so shamelessly proud against the contrast of dis-guarded-hodgepodge homes. Small shelters of collected wood, wire, and sheet metal huddling not a thousand feet from a nostalgic, Soviet-era concrete apartment building. At one point this town had been new. The buildings had been livable shelters before it had been necessary to scavenge for junk material that could be used to build a safer home in the form of a shanty. This was Шакша (Shaksha). How many mothers and fathers there had watched the only factory in town close its gates decisively on their hopes? Around 10,000.
And these towns are everywhere.


text:
Saint June 6 : St. Norbert the Patron of Childbirth and Peace - Founder of the Norbertines with Novena Prayers
Born: 1080 at Xanten, Germany
6 June 1134 at Magdeburg, Germany
1582 by Pope Gregory XIII
(Prayers to St. Norbert are found after the Biography)
Patron of:
invoked during childbirth for safe delivery; Magdeburg, peace.
Born at Xanten on the left bank of the Rhine, near Wesel, c. 1080; died at Magdeburg, 6 June, 1134. His father, Heribert, Count of Gennep, was related to the imperial house of Germany, and his house of Lorraine. A stately bearing, a penetrating intellect, a tender, earnest heart, marked the future apostle. Ordained subdeacon, Norbert was appointed to a canonry at Xanten. Soon after he was summoned to the Court of Frederick, Prince-Bishop of Cologne, and later to that of Henry V, Emperor of Germany, whose almoner he became.
The Bishopric of Cambray was offered to him, but refused. Norbert allowed himself to be so carried away by pleasure that nothing short of a miracle of grace could make him lead the life of an earnest cleric. One day, while riding to Vreden, a village near Xanten, he was overtaken by a storm. A thunderbolt fell at his horse's feet; the frightened animal threw its rider, and for nearly an hour he lay like one dead. Thus humbled, Norbert became a sincere penitent. Renouncing his appointment at Court, he retired to Xanten to lead a life of penance.
Understanding, however, that he stood in need of guidance, he placed himself under the direction of Cono, Abbot of Siegburg. In gratitude to Cono, Norbert founded the Abbey of Fürstenberg, endowed it with a portion of his property, and made it over to Cono and his Benedictine successors. Norbert was then in his thirty-fifth year. Feeling that he was called to the priesthood, he presented himself to the Bishop of Cologne, from whose hands he received Holy Orders. After a forty days' retreat at Siegburg Abbey, he celebrated his first Mass at Xanten and preached an earnest discourse on the transitory character of this world's pleasures and on man's duties toward God. The insults of some young clerics, one of whom even spat in his face, he bore with wonderful patience on that occasion. Norbert often went to Siegburg Abbey to confer with Cono, or to the cell of Ludolph, a holy and learned hermit-priest, or to the Abbey or Klosterrath near Rolduc. Accused as an innovator at the Council of Fritzlar, he resigned all his ecclesiastical preferments, disposed of his estate, and gave all to the poor, reserving for himself only what was needed for the celebration of Holy Mass. Barefooted and begging his bread, he journeyed as far as St. Giles, in Languedoc, to confer with Pope Gelasius concerning his future life. Unable to keep Norbert at his court, Gelasius granted him faculties to preach wherever he judged proper. At Valenciennes Norbert met (March, 1119) Burchard, Bishop of Cambray, whose chaplain joined him in his apostolic journeys in France and Belgium. After the death of Pope Gelasius (29 January, 1119) Norbert wished to confer with his successor, Calixtus II, at the Council of Reims (Oct., 1119). The pope and Bartholomew, Bishop of Laon, requested Norbert to found a religious order in the Diocese of Laon, so that his work might be perpetuated after his death. Norbert chose a lonely, marshy valley, shaped in the form of a cross, in the Forest of Coucy, about ten miles from Laon, and named Prémontré. Hugh of Fosses, Evermode of Cambray, Antony of Nivelles, seven students of the celebrated school of Anselm, and Ralph at Laon were his first disciples. The young community at first lived in huts of wood and clay, arranged like a camp around the chapel of St. John the Baptist, but they soon built a larger church and a monastery for the religious who joined them in increasing numbers. Going to Cologne to obtain relics for their church, Norbert discovered through a vision, the spot where those of St. Ursula and her companions, of St. Gereon, and of other martyrs lay hidden. Women also wished to become members of the new religious order. Blessed Ricwera, widow of Count Raymond of Clastres, was St. Norbert's first spiritual daughter, and her example was followed by women of the best families of France and Germany. Soon after this, Norbert returned to Germany and preached in Westphalia, when Godfrey, Count of Kappenberg, offered himself and gave three of his castles to be made into abbeys. On his return from Germany, Norbert was met by Theobald, Count of Champagne, who wished to become a member of the order; but Norbert insisted that God wished Theobald to marry and do good in the world. Theobald agreed to this, but begged Norbert to prescribe a rule of life. Norbert prescribed a few rules and invested Theobald with the white scapular of the order, and thus, in 1122, the Third Order of St. Norbert was instituted. The saint was soon requested by the Bishop of Cambrai to go and combat the infamous heresies which Tanchelin had promulgated, and which had their centre at Antwerp. As a result of his preaching the people of the Low Countries abjured their heresies, and many brought back to him the Sacred Species which they had stolen and profaned. In commemoration of this, St. Norbert has been proclaimed the Apostle of Antwerp, and the feast of his triumph over the Sacramentarian heresy is celebrated in the Archdiocese of Mechlin on 11 July.
The rapid growth of the order was marvellous, and bishops entreated Norbert to found new houses in their dioceses. Floreffe, Viviers, St-Josse, Ardenne, Cuissy, Laon, Liège, Antwerp, Varlar, Kappenberg and others were founded during the first five years of the order's existence. Though the order had already been approved by the pope's legates, Norbert, accompanied by three disciples, journeyed to Rome, in 1125, to obtain its confirmation by the new pope, Honorius II. The Bull of Confirmation is dated 27 February, 1126. Passing through Würzburg on his return to Prémontré, Norbert restored sight to a blind woman; the inhabitants were so full of admiration for him that they spoke of electing him successor to the bishop who had just died, but Norbert and his companions fled secretly. Soon after this, on his way to Ratisbon, he passed through Spier, where Lothair, King of the Romans, was holding a diet, the papal legate being present. Deputies form Magdeburg had also come to solicit a successor to their late archbishop, Rudger.
The papal legate and Lothair used their authority, and obliged Norbert to accept the vacant see. On taking possession of it, he was grieved to find that much property belonging to the Church and the poor had been usurped by powerful men, and that many of the clergy led scandalous lives. He succeeded in converting some of the transgressors, but others only became more obstinate, and three attempts were made on his life. He resisted Pietro di Leoni, who, as antipope, had assumed the name of Anacletus and was master in Rome, exerting himself at the Council of Reims to attach the German Emperor and the German bishops and princes more firmly to the cause of Pope Innocent II.
Though his health was increasingly delicate, Norbert accompanied Lothair and his army to Rome to put the rightful pope on the Chair of St. Peter, and he resisted the pope's concession of the investiture to the emperor. Norbert, whose health was now much impaired, accompanied the Emperor Lothair back to Germany and for some time remained with him, assisting him as his chancellor and adviser. In March, 1134, Norbert had become so feeble that he had to be carried to Magdeburg where he died on the Wednesday after Pentecost. By order of the emperor, his body was laid at rest in the Norbertine Abbey of St. Mary, at Magdeburg. His tomb became glorious by the numerous miracles wrought there. The Bollandists say that there is no document to prove that he was canonized by Innocent III. His canonization was by Gregory XIII in 1582, and his cultus was executed to the whole church by Clement X.
On 2 May, 1627, the saint's body was translated from Magdeburg, then in the hands of Protestants, to the Abbey of Strahov, a suburb of Prague in Bohemia. The Chancery of Prague preserved the abjurations of six hundred Protestants who, on the day, or during the octave, of the translation, were reconciled to the Catholic Church. On that occasion the Archbishop of Prague, at the request of the civil and ecclesiastical authorities, proclaimed St. Norbert the Patron and Protector of Bohemia. Text from the Catholic Encyclopedia
NOVENA TO SAINT NORBERT
Novena prayers say every day for 9 consecutive days.
O holy St Norbert, gentlest of saints,
your love for Jesus Christ
truly present in every tabernacle around the world
and your charity for souls made you worthy
while on earth to possess miraculous powers.
Miracles waited your word,
which you were ever ready to speak
for those in trouble or anxiety.
Encouraged by this thought,
I implore you to obtain for me
the favour I seek in this novena.
(State your request)
The answer to my prayer may require a miracle;
even so, you are the saint or miracles.
O gentle and loving St Norbert,
whose heart was ever full of zeal for souls,
whisper my petition into the ears of the Infant Jesus,
on Whose birthday you founded the holy Order of Prémontré,
and the gratitude of my heart will always be yours.
Say 1 Our Father...
Say 1 Hail Mary...
Say 1 Glory Be...
Saint Norbert,
Pray for us.
Litany of St Norbert (not part of the novena)
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of heaven.
Have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world.
God, the Holy Spirit.
Holy Trinity, one God.
Holy Mary.
Holy Mother of God.
Holy Virgin of virgins.
Queen of the white-robed Order.
Holy Virgin, who hadst a great love for St Norbert.
Holy Father Norbert.
St Norbert, whose birth was foretold from Heaven.
St Norbert, who was marvelously converted by God.
St Norbert, mirror of true penance.
St Norbert, who didst trample earthly pomps under foot.
St Norbert, despiser of the world.
St Norbert, who didst conquer thy passions and affections.
St Norbert, who didst gain the victory over temptations.
St Norbert, who didst quell and cast down devils.
St Norbert, restorer of peace and concord.
St Norbert, who didst walk barefoot.
St Norbert, who didst practice mortification.
St Norbert, lover of the Cross.
St Norbert, pattern of abstinence.
St Norbert, who didst receive the white habit from the Mother of God.
St Norbert, most constant in faith.
St Norbert, most firm in hope.
St Norbert, most fervent in charity.
St Norbert, zealous lover of chastity.
St Norbert, model of poverty.
St Norbert, mirror of obedience.
St Norbert, vigilant teacher of discipline.
St Norbert, defender of the true faith.
St Norbert, choice vindicator of the Blessed Sacrament.
St Norbert, pillar of the Catholic Church.
St Norbert, light of prayer and contemplation.
St Norbert, leader of the white-robed army.
St Norbert, patriarch of the Premonstratensians.
St Norbert, father and protector of thy Order.
St Norbert, Primate of Germany.
St Norbert, worker of miracles.
St Norbert, wonderful discerner of spirits.
St Norbert, imitator of Jesus Christ.
St Norbert, follower of the Apostles.
St Norbert, who was like to the martyrs.
St Norbert, gem of pontiffs.
St Norbert, glory of confessors.
St Norbert, companion of virgins.
St Norbert, colleague of all saints.
Be merciful.
Spare us, O Lord.
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
From the neglect of Thy commandments.
Deliver us, O Lord.
From the transgression of our vows.
From uncleanness of mind and body.
From a proud and sad spirit.
From overwhelming temptation.
From the disorder of our passions.
From the blindness of self-love.
From the obstinacy of self-will.
From an unprovided death.
Through the wonderful conversion of St Norbert.
Through his austere penance.
Through his ardent zeal in preaching.
Through his exemplary life.
Through all his virtues.
Through his holy death.
Through his glorious crown in heaven.
Through his merits and intercession.
We sinners.
We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst grant us true sorrow
and contrition of heart. We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst grant us true conversion of life. We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst grant us obedience
to our Rule and preserve us in the same. We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst make faith,
hope and charity to grow in us.
That Thou wouldst make us zealous observers of our holy vows.
That Thou wouldst grant us the gift of prayer.
That Thou wouldst bestow upon us
the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to govern
and preserve Thy holy Church.
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe
to extend and preserve the Premonstratensian Order.
That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to strengthen the Abbot-General
and all the prelates of the Order with perfect spirit.
to grant us the crown of perseverance.
That Thou wouldst give grace to the living
and to the departed eternal rest.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world.
Christ hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.
V/ Pray for us, O Holy Father Norbert.
R/ That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
V/ O Lord, hear my prayer.
R/ And let my cry come unto Thee.
[V/ The Lord be with you
R/ And with thy spirit]
O God, Who didst make of Blessed Norbert,
Thy Confessor and Bishop,
an excellent preacher of the Word,
and by his means didst enrich Thy Church with new offspring,
grant, we beseech Thee,
that through his intercession
we may put in practice by Thy grace what he taught us,
both in word and work.
Awake, O Lord, in Thy Church the Spirit by Whom St Norbert,
Thy Confessor and Bishop was guided,
in order that, filled with the same spirit,
we may love what he loved and live as he taught us.
O Lord, grant to us Thy servants
constancy in Thy faith and service, that,
rooted in Divine Charity,
we may not be conquered by any temptation.
Praised be the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar
and the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
layout: post
title: 'New Forum Added: "Traditional Media"'
author: geerlingguy
nid: 80
comments: true
redirect_from: /content/new-forum-added-traditional-media/
created: 1248930111
---

Just created a new forum, titled "Traditional Media" — the forum is meant to be a place to discuss Catholic newspapers, magazines, television, etc., and most especially ways that stalwarts of the so-called 'traditional' media are moving into the future world of digital convergence.

Some would call traditional media "old" media, but we beg to differ... There is most definitely a place for television programming, news journalism (and I don't mean the run-and-gun blog-style journalism), photojournalism, and printed media in our connected world.

Go ahead and join the conversation in our forums!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The purpose of this highly anticipated event is to raise funds that will benefit UCLA staff development through a myriad of areas; from scholarships to seminars. This relaxed and fun event offers staff an opportunity to meet other colleagues from all over campus, and to win one of the many prizes. Through passes sales and vendor table sponsors, Staff Assembly raises funds at this annual event to support an array of staff scholarships and awards that are presented annually in June.
Last year, Casino Night 2012 was an exceptional event! With the success of the combined efforts of the Small Business Resource Fair and Casino Night, Staff Assembly had enough funds to support a total of fifteen $500 staff scholarships! The 2013 scholarship recipients will be selected from a pool of candidates who apply for a Staff Assembly Scholarship during the application period this spring.
Don't miss the fun! Purchase the Casino Night passes online in advance and receive two additional raffle passes. Passes are also available by cash only at the door. Get your colleagues, carpool, vanpool to come along to this annual festivity.
Passes are available online for $15 each or two for $25.
To enter into our exciting Poker Tournament, you must purchase a Casino pass. The entry fee for the poker tournament is $20.
Click here to register as a Casino Night vendor!
UCLA Staff Assembly is seeking donations to be used for raffle prizes and/or sponsorship for this event. If you are interested in sponsoring a gaming table, your company name and logo will be prominently displayed at the table. The cost of a full table is $250.00 and for a ½ table, the cost is $150.00. Your participation is optional and will not affect our campus purchasing options.
Contributors will be acknowledged in all promotional materials publicizing the event. This is an outstanding opportunity to have your company name and goodwill spread throughout UCLA and the local community. In addition, two (2) complimentary tickets to the event will be provided.


Penche is an elegant and timeless bracelet from Dyrberg/Kern in gold-plated 925 sterling silver which is decorated with a ball with crystals.
Penche is an elegant and timeless bracelet from Dyrberg/Kern in gold-plated 925 sterling silver which is decorated with a ball with crystals. The chain has an adjustable length of 16.5, 18 and 19.5 centimetres. The ball has a diameter of 0.7 centimetres.


A good bass player can have a huge impact on a band's sound and style, but in order for this happen, they need to be equipped with an amplifier that's built by experts who use only the finest parts and components. Of course, it's for this reason why Eden bass combo amps can be found so commonly on stages and in recording studios around the globe. From the very beginning in 1976, Eden's dedication to bass players of all genres and playing techniques was obvious in every amp they constructed. Today, the Eden name is championed by everyone from modern favorites like Good Charlotte's Paul Thomas to legends like Mike Rutherford of Genesis.
Eden provides more than enough killer combo bass amps for practicing, but if you want to showcase your talents on stage, Eden has a combo amp for you in that regard as well. Beginners, mind you, are better off starting with something smaller, and the EC8 20W 1x8 Solid State Bass Combo Amp is portable and easy to operate. Featuring an 8" Eden designed loudspeaker, a single tone control with Eden "Enhance" EQ sweep, and a jack socket for MP3 connection, this sweet-sounding amp is just what you need to kick start your bass playing journey.
As mentioned, Eden has excellent options for live performers too, and the EC210 180W 2x10 Solid State Bass Combo Amp is perfect for smaller-venue shows. Lightweight and loaded with user-friendly features, the EC210 consists of the staple tone controls you'd find on bass amps that cost twice as much, a custom tuned and ported cabinet, onboard compressor, built-in effects loop and more. When you're ready to make your live debut, the EC210 will certainly make your low-end groove cut through loud and clear.
It's really no wonder that Eden amps are so strongly favored by session musicians and bass virtuosos. The tone of these amps are unlike any other bass amplifier, and thanks to their exceptional line of combo amps, bass players of all budgets and aspirations can enjoy the professional sound quality that Eden is so renowned for amongst the greats.


text:
using System;
using System.Collections.Concurrent;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
using System.Linq;
using System.Reflection;
using Dapper;
using ECQRS.Commons;
using ECQRS.Commons.Repositories;
using System.Collections;

namespace ECQRS.SqlServer.Repositories
{
    public class DapperRepository
    {

        // ReSharper disable InconsistentNaming
        internal static readonly ConcurrentDictionary<Type, string[]> _params = new ConcurrentDictionary<Type, string[]>();
        internal static readonly ConcurrentDictionary<Type, Dictionary<string, Func<object, object>>> _getters = new ConcurrentDictionary<Type, Dictionary<string, Func<object, object>>>();
        internal static readonly ConcurrentDictionary<Type, bool> _autoGenPk = new ConcurrentDictionary<Type, bool>();
        internal static readonly ConcurrentDictionary<Type, string> _tables = new ConcurrentDictionary<Type, string>();
        // ReSharper restore InconsistentNaming

        public static void InitializeParsAndKeys<T>(string connectionString)
        {
            if (!_params.ContainsKey(typeof(T)) || !_autoGenPk.ContainsKey(typeof(T)))
            {
                var getters = new Dictionary<string, Func<object, object>>();
                var type = typeof(T);
                var tableName = type.Name.Replace("Entity", "");
                foreach (var prop in type.GetProperties(BindingFlags.Public | BindingFlags.Instance | BindingFlags.FlattenHierarchy))
                {
                    var autoGenAttribute = (AutoGenAttribute)Attribute.GetCustomAttributes(prop).FirstOrDefault(a => a is AutoGenAttribute);
                    if (autoGenAttribute != null)
                    {
                        _autoGenPk[type] = autoGenAttribute.Autogen;
                    }
                    else
                    {
                        _autoGenPk[type] = true;
                    }
                    if (prop.CanRead && prop.CanWrite)
                    {
                        getters[prop.Name] = ReflectionHelper.BuildGetter(typeof(T), prop);
                    }
                }
                _getters[type] = getters;
                _params[type] =
                    typeof(T).GetProperties(BindingFlags.Public | BindingFlags.Instance | BindingFlags.FlattenHierarchy)
                        .Where(a => a.Name != "Id")
                        .Select(a => a.Name)
                        .ToArray();
            }
        }

        public static Guid UpdateGeneric<T>(SqlConnection connection, string table, T item, SqlTransaction transaction = null)
        {
            string[] availableFields;

            if (!_params.ContainsKey(typeof(T)))
            {
                availableFields =
                    typeof(T).GetProperties(BindingFlags.Public | BindingFlags.Instance)
                        .Where(a => a.Name != "Id")
                        .Select(a => a.Name)
                        .ToArray();
            }
            else
            {
                availableFields = _params[typeof(T)];
            }
            var availableValues = availableFields.Select(f => f + "=@" + f).ToArray();

            var fieldsValues = string.Join(",", availableValues);
            var sqlQuery = string.Format(
                "UPDATE [{0}] SET {1} WHERE Id=@Id",
                table, fieldsValues);
            return connection.ExecuteScalar<Guid>(sqlQuery, item, transaction: transaction);
        }
        public static Guid UpdateGeneric<T>(string connectionString, string table, T item, SqlTransaction transaction = null)
        {
            using (var db = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
            {
                return UpdateGeneric(db, table, item, transaction);
            }
        }

        public static Guid InsertGeneric<T>(SqlConnection connection, string table, T item, SqlTransaction transaction = null)
        {

            string[] availableFields;
            var autoGen = _autoGenPk.ContainsKey(typeof(T)) && _autoGenPk[typeof(T)];
            if (!_params.ContainsKey(typeof(T)))
            {
                availableFields =
                    typeof(T).GetProperties(BindingFlags.Public | BindingFlags.Instance)
                        .Where(a => a.Name != "Id" || !autoGen)
                        .Select(a => a.Name)
                        .ToArray();
            }
            else
            {
                availableFields = _params[typeof(T)];
            }
            var availableValues = availableFields.Select(f => "@" + f).ToArray();
            var fields = string.Join(",", availableFields);
            var values = string.Join(",", availableValues);
            var sqlQuery = string.Format(
                "INSERT INTO [{0}] ({1}) output INSERTED.Id VALUES({2}) ",
                //"OUTPUT inserted.Id VALUES(1)",
                table, fields, values);

            return connection.ExecuteScalar<Guid>(sqlQuery, item, transaction: transaction);
        }

        public static Guid InsertGeneric<T>(string connectionString, string table, T item, SqlTransaction transaction = null)
        {
            using (var db = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
            {
                return InsertGeneric(db, table, item, transaction);
            }
        }

        public static void BuildDefaultTable<TK>(SqlConnection connection) where TK : IEntity, new()
        {

            string pKey = "Id";
            var type = typeof(TK);
            var tableName = type.Name.Replace("Entity", "");

            var fields = new List<string>();
            foreach (var prop in type.GetProperties(BindingFlags.Public | BindingFlags.Instance))
            {
                var sqliteType = GetSqlType(prop);
                fields.Add("[" + prop.Name + "] " + sqliteType);
            }
            fields.Add("PRIMARY KEY(" + pKey + ")");

            var sql = string.Format("IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM [sysobjects] WHERE name='{0}' AND xtype='U') CREATE TABLE [{0}] ({1})", tableName, string.Join(",", fields));
            connection.Execute(sql);
            InitializeParsAndKeys<TK>(null);
        }

        public static void BuildDefaultTable<TK>(string connectionString) where TK : IEntity, new()
        {
            using (var db = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
            {
                BuildDefaultTable<TK>(db);
            }
        }

        private static string GetSqlType(PropertyInfo info)
        {
            Type propertyType = info.PropertyType;
            string propertyName = info.Name;
            var autoGenAttribute = (AutoGenAttribute)Attribute.GetCustomAttributes(info).FirstOrDefault(a => a is AutoGenAttribute);
            if (autoGenAttribute != null)
            {
                if (propertyType == typeof(Guid))
                {
                    if (autoGenAttribute.Autogen)
                    {
                        return "UNIQUEIDENTIFIER DEFAULT NEWID()";
                    }
                    return "UNIQUEIDENTIFIER NOT NULL";
                }
                if (propertyType == typeof(Int32) || propertyType == typeof(Int64))
                {
                    if (autoGenAttribute.Autogen)
                    {
                        return "INT NOT NULL IDENTITY (1,1)";
                    }
                    return "INT NOT NULL";
                }
            }
            else if (propertyName == "Id")
            {
                if (propertyType == typeof(Guid))
                {
                    return "UNIQUEIDENTIFIER DEFAULT NEWID()";
                }
                if (propertyType == typeof(Int32) || propertyType == typeof(Int64))
                {
                    return "INT NOT NULL IDENTITY (1,1)";
                }
            }

            var dbTypeAttribute = (DbTypeAttribute)Attribute.GetCustomAttributes(info).FirstOrDefault(a => a is DbTypeAttribute);
            if (dbTypeAttribute != null)
            {
                return dbTypeAttribute.DbType;
            }
            var lengthAttribute =
                (LengthAttribute)Attribute.GetCustomAttributes(info).FirstOrDefault(a => a is LengthAttribute);
            var length = 255;
            if (lengthAttribute != null)
            {
                length = lengthAttribute.Length;
            }

            var name = propertyType.Name;
            switch (name)
            {
                case ("Guid"):
                    return "UNIQUEIDENTIFIER";
                case ("DateTime"):
                    return "DATETIME";
                case ("Int32"):
                    return "INT";
                case ("Int64"):
                    return "BIGINT";
                case ("Boolean"):
                    return "BIT";
                default:
                    if (length > 255)
                    {
                        return "TEXT";
                    }
                    if (length < 255 && length > 0)
                    {
                        return "VARCHAR(" + length + ")";
                    }
                    return "VARCHAR(255)";
            }
        }

    }
}


text:
GHGSat Satellite Deploys Headwall's Micro-Hyperspec Imaging Sensor On Claire, a LEO Satellite for Green House Gas Emissions Monitoring
Christopher Van Veen | Mar 8, 2017 4:56:33 PM | hyperspectralRemote SensingMicro HyperspecSatellites
Micro-Hyperspec Provides Clouds and Aerosol Data to Support Carbon Dioxide and Methane Monitoring
Bolton, MA, March 8, 2017 — Headwall's compact and light Micro-Hyperspec is a hardened Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) imaging sensor now deployed on Claire, a small low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite produced and launched by GHGSat (Montreal, PQ Canada). At an altitude of 512km in a sun-synchronous polar orbit, the satellite collects high-resolution image data that targets greenhouse gas (GHG) and air quality gas (AQG) emissions at industrial sites around the globe.
With a robust sensor design focused on performance in harsh environments, Headwall's Micro-Hyperspec operates at the Visible-Near-Infrared (VNIR) range of 400-1000nm with very high spectral and spatial resolution.
Having just completed its 500th measurement, the work undertaken by GHGSat and the Claire satellite is extremely beneficial in broadening the amount of environmental data that researchers can use to monitor carbon-based emissions from industrial sites. Site owners can also monitor emissions themselves by accessing data from GHGSat, anywhere on the globe and in near real-time.
Hyperspectral imaging technology, also known as imaging spectroscopy, provides a highly resolved view of earth monitoring at ranges far beyond the visible and across hundreds of spectral bands. A sensor proven for military/defense applications, Headwall's Micro-Hyperspec is small, light, and robust spectral imager for LEO satellite use.
"GHGSat's mission is to become the global reference for remote sensing of greenhouse gas (GHG) and air quality gas (AQG) emissions using our satellite technology," said GHGSat President, CEO Stephane Germain. "We use the Micro-Hyperspec from Headwall to collect high-resolution image data in the VNIR range to support cloud and aerosol detection."
GHGSat represents the latest commercial satellite payload for Headwall. "Small, commercial satellites such as GHGSat represent an important remote sensing tool for researchers," said Headwall CEO David Bannon. "Breaking from the traditional high cost, high risk space development, Headwall's performance and affordability are unmatched for these small-sat programs, and we're very proud to be aboard GHGSat's Claire satellite." Fundamental to all Headwall solutions is a patented sensor design that maximizes spectral and spatial resolution and signal throughput while minimizing image aberrations across a wide field of view.
The Micro-Hyperspec sensor is small and light enough so that it can be one of several instruments on a nano-satellite. In addition to VNIR, Micro-Hyperspec is available in SWIR, NIR, and Extended VNIR versions.
About Headwall Photonics
Headwall Photonics is a leading designer and manufacturer of hyperspectral imaging spectrometers and spectral instrumentation for industrial, commercial, and government markets. Headwall's high-performance instruments are in use by end-user corporations, OEMs, and universities around the world. Headwall enjoys a market leadership position through the design and manufacture of spectral instrumentation that is customized for application-specific performance.
For information about Headwall, contact:
Mr. Chris Van Veen, Headwall Photonics, Inc.
580 Main Street, Bolton, Massachusetts 01740 USA
http://www.headwallphotonics.com
Email: cvanveen@headwallphotonics.com
About GHGSat
GHGSat has built and launched the world's first satellite capable of monitoring greenhouse gas (GHG) and air quality gas (AQG) emissions from any industrial site in the world. GHGSat's novel technology will enable GHG and AQG measurement with better accuracy at a fraction of the cost of comparable alternatives. Owners of industrial facilities anywhere in the world and in near real-time will be able to monitor all of their facilities, local or remote, with a common technology. Significantly improved data collection technologies will enable industries to better measure, control, and ultimately reduce emissions of GHGs and AQGs.
For information about GHGSat, contact:
Mr. Stephane Germain, GHGSat
3981 St-Laurent, Suite 500, Montreal, Quebec
CANADA H2W 1Y5
http://www.ghgsat.com
Email: info@ghgsat.com
Headwall Delivers Micro-Hyperspec® Sensors to Columbia University
Christopher Van Veen | Oct 9, 2014 9:00:00 AM | hyperspectral imagingAirborneRemote SensingMicro HyperspecUASColumbia University
High-performance imaging sensors on small, commercial UAS will assess ocean and sea ice variability in Arctic zones
FITCHBURG, MA - OCTOBER 9, 2014: Headwall Photonics has delivered two high-performance hyperspectral imaging sensors to Columbia University as part of its Air-Sea-Ice Physics and Biogeochemistry Experiment (ASIPBEX). ASIPBEX is part of a larger international collaborative investigation of Climate Cryosphere Interaction with colleagues from Spain, Germany and Norway. This crucial remote-sensing project funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (www.moore.org) will use a high-endurance unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to investigate climatological changes present in the Arctic Ocean around Svalbard, Norway. The NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory will operate the UAS known as the Manta. The instrument payload comprises two Micro-Hyperpsec sensors; one will cover the Visible-Near-Infrared (VNIR) range of 400-1000nm while the other will cover the Near-Infrared (NIR) range of 900-1700nm. Together, the sensors will be crucial in detecting indicators of sea ice physics, solar warming and global carbon cycles.
"We chose the Headwall sensors for several reasons," stated Christopher Zappa, a Lamont Research Professor at Columbia's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. "The very high resolution allows us to collect and process vast amounts of spectral and spatial data upon which our research and analysis depend." The wide field of view of the Headwall sensor combined with aberration-corrected optics also contributes to overall flight-path efficiency. "The UAS allows scientists to measure in places that typically are impossible to get to using ships or manned aircraft," continued Zappa. "This opens up the possibility for transformative understanding of the climate system. Since we're using a UAS, we depend on 'seeing' as much of the ocean surface as possible, minimizing any aberrations or unwanted artifacts along the edges of the field of view," concluded Zappa. The combination of Micro-Hyperspec and Headwall's advanced Hyperspec III airborne software allows for the successful collection, classification, and interpretation of the spectral data collected during each flight.
This particular deployment for the ASIPBEX project is fundamental to Headwall's strategy of advancing the science of remote sensing aboard small, commercial unmanned aircraft systems. "Hyperspectral represents a crucial payload for any manned or unmanned deployment," noted Headwall CEO David Bannon. "But significantly notable is that the UAS has become a 'go-to' platform. This means not only smaller and lighter sensors, but also integrated solutions that factor in everything from LiDAR and data-management to post-processing tasks such as ortho-rectification that our software can handle." Because the Micro-Hyperspec sensor uses high efficiency diffraction gratings in a concentric, optical design, imaging performance and signal-to-noise are both maximized. The patented optical design provides a package that is rugged and robust for airborne use in harsh environments such as the Arctic ocean.
The Observatory for Air-Sea Interaction Studies (OASIS)
Led by Professor Christopher Zappa, the Observatory for Air-Sea Interaction Studies (OASIS) conducts research in a variety of fields focused on the oceanic and atmospheric boundary layers. These include wave dynamics and wave breaking, air-sea CO2 gas exchange, non-satellite remote sensing and boundary-layer processes. Affiliated with the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) and Columbia University, OASIS is involved in joint projects with the Polar Geophysics Group of LDEO, Yale University, the University of Heidelberg, the University of Connecticut, and the University of New South Wales and participated in various large multi-institution projects such as CBLAST-Low, GasEx, VOCALs, RaDyO, DYNAMO.
The group develops and deploys instruments including infrared, multispectral, and polarimetric cameras on different fixed and mobile platforms such as ships, aircrafts, buoys. The study areas range from laboratory wind-wave tanks, Biosphere2, to local rivers and estuaries, to shelf seas and polynyas, to open ocean from the poles to the equator.
For information contact:
Professor Christopher J. Zappa, Lamont Research Professor
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
zappa@ldeo.columbia.edu
Airborne Sensor Payloads Lift Off With Complete Hyperspectral Solutions
Christopher Van Veen | Oct 28, 2013 2:06:00 PM | hyperspectralAirborneRemote SensingMicro Hyperspec
Micro-Hyperspec Sensor, Data Processor, GPS, and Imaging Software Provide Flight-Ready Package For UAVs and fixed-wing aircraft
Fitchburg, MA, October 28, 2013 — Responding to customer demand across the remote sensing industry for small, light, and power-efficient spectral imaging solutions, Headwall has announced availability of a completely integrated airborne solution that provides users with unmatched levels of hyperspectral image acquisition and data-processing performance. The core element of the solution comprises Headwall's Micro-Hyperspec hyperspectral sensor, which is based on the Company's patented aberration-corrected sensor design. The use of aberration-corrected diffractive optics designed and manufactured by Headwall allows the Micro-Hyperspec sensor to achieve outstanding performance: very high signal-to-noise characteristics, a very wide field-of-view, and high spatial and spectral resolution.
Headwall engineers designed the hyperspectral airborne configuration to optimize configuration size, weight, and power (SWaP), which are each critical considerations for deployment on manned aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
Elements of the solution include a GPS unit, a compact, lightweight Hyperspec Data Processing Unit, and airborne-specific hyperspectral software providing image acquisition, sensor control, and synchronization for flight-plan efficiency. Every element of the solution is optimized for airborne use, in platforms ranging from small, hand-launched UAVs to fixed-wing aircraft and multi-rotor airframes.
"All across the remote-sensing landscape we're seeing a need for precise, accurate, data-rich hyperspectral imagery using increasingly smaller airborne platforms," said David Bannon, CEO of Headwall. "Customers need solutions that are small and light, and they need them to be fully integrated between the sensor, software, GPS/INS, and data-processing hardware." Because Headwall's hyperspectral sensors run at very high frame rates to capture exceptionally precise imagery, Hyperspec data processing software is optimized for the task. "We found that many of our customers were spending a lot of valuable time assembling the necessary payload components," said Mr. Bannon. "The Headwall team worked collaboratively with leading researchers to offer an airborne configuration that is ready to fly out of the box.
Typical uses for hyperspectral sensing from airborne platforms include precision agriculture, oil and gas exploration, forestry management, and environmental monitoring.
Headwall Photonics is a leading designer and manufacturer of hyperspectral imaging spectrometers and spectral instrumentation for industrial, commercial, and government markets. Headwall's high performance instruments have been selected by military/defense departments, OEMs, and end-user customers around the world for use in critical application environments. Headwall enjoys a market leadership position through the design and manufacture of spectral instrumentation that is customized for application-specific performance.
Mr. Chris Van Veen
Headwall Photonics, Inc.
www.headwallphotonics.com
The Micro-Hyperspec name is a registered trademark of Headwall Photonics, Inc.
TerraLuma Chooses Hyperspectral Sensor for Airborne Missions
Christopher Van Veen | Jan 10, 2013 8:57:00 AM | hyperspectral imaginghyperspectralHeadwall PhotonicsAirborneRemote SensingMicro HyperspecUASSensingUAVagricultureDroidworxTerraLuma
University of Tasmania Researchers Utilize Hyperspectral Remote Sensing to Improve the Science of Earth Observation
Fitchburg, Massachusetts USA, January 10, 2013 — The TerraLuma Project (University of Tasmania, Australia) is partnering with Headwall Photonics to bring hyperspectral technology to their fleet of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Because the richness of imagery data collected via hyperspectral sensing far exceeds that of other methods, TerraLuma is putting Headwall's Micro-Hyperspec sensor aboard its innovative, multi-rotor SkyJib airframe from Droidworx (Waikato, New Zealand).
Headwall's Micro-Hyperspec is a high performance, compact sensor that meets the payload restrictions of increasingly smaller UAS platforms while providing the spatial and spectral resolution needed to 'map' the environment in better detail than ever. Size, weight, and power-draw (SWaP) are key considerations for any airborne application, which is why Micro-Hyperspec appealed to the TerraLuma team. "Environmental remote sensing and aerial surveying represent the kind of groundbreaking work we're known for," said Dr. Arko Lucieer, Team Leader for the TerraLuma Research Group. "Our move to hyperspectral fits with our goal to provide the research community with clear, actionable data that can be captured, managed and delivered faster than ever."
David Bannon, CEO of Headwall, remarked on the work of Dr. Lucieer and the TerraLuma team is doing: "Remote sensing utilizing a UAS such as SkyJib represents a high-growth area of research because airborne platforms combined with small hyperspectral sensors represents an innovative and cost-effective research approach. We're very proud to be working with Dr. Lucieer and play a key role as TerraLuma undertakes aerial mapping with our sensors."
SkyJib is a purpose-built aerial platform, the Terraluma team has adapted it to carry scientific instruments such as Micro-Hyperspec. Precision agriculture, mapping and monitoring vegetation in remote locations, represent some areas of research made possible through the use of hyperspectral sensing.
Headwall, based in Fitchburg, Massachusetts (USA), is a leading designer and manufacturer of hyperspectral instruments for industrial, commercial, remote sensing, precision agriculture, and government markets. Other application areas include medical and biotechnology, forensics, chemicals, and color measurement, and in-line process inspection. Headwall enjoys a market leadership position through the design and manufacture of spectral instrumentation that is customized for application-specific performance, for end users and OEMs.
Web site: http://www.headwallphotonics.com
About TerraLuma
The TerraLuma research project at the University of Tasmania aims to develop novel tools and algorithms for environmental remote sensing applications and aerial surveys using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Up-to-date and accurate spatial data are of crucial importance for sustainable management of our ecosystems. UAS offer an exciting and novel opportunity to map the environment in greater detail than ever before. We are a university team of a senior academic, a postdoc, six PhD students, and two technical officers and we specialize in UAS sensor integration and image processing for earth observation applications.
Dr. Arko Lucieer, TerraLuma Team Leader
Email: Arko.Lucieer@utas.edu.au
Web site: http://www.terraluma.net/
About Droidworks
Droidworx Ltd New Zealand is a manufacturer of advanced multi-rotor airframes and related accessories. Based in New Zealand, the Company exports its products around the world. Droidworx UAV platforms service the growing market in multi-rotor systems for aerial photography, professional cinematography, remote sensing, and service sector applications. Aeronavics is the trademark brand for our innovative aerial solutions and global operations.
Email: contact@droidworx.co.nz
Web site: http://www.droidworx.co.nz
Headwall Delivers Small, Lightweight Hyperspectral Sensor to ACT LLC
Christopher Van Veen | Jul 3, 2012 12:32:00 PM | hyperspectral imaginghyperspectralHeadwall PhotonicsAirborneDefenseSensorsMicro HyperspecUAV
Gimbal-Mounted Micro-Hyperspec® Sensor Provides Precision Hyperspectral Imaging for Key NAVAIR UAV Program
Fitchburg, MA, July 3, 2012 - As a result of tactical hyperspectral sensor trials with small military UAVs, Headwall Photonics has received a follow-on contract for program deployment of its Micro-Hyperspec® hyperspectral sensor to NAVAIR with Advanced Coherent Technologies LLC (ACT) of San Diego, CA serving as program integrator. The very small hyperspectral sensor operates in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral range of 900nm - 1700nm and will be used to detect specific target materials from a small gimbal mounted on a TigerShark Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The NAVAIR program successfully brings together leading-edge spectral imaging technology from Headwall and ACT so that mission-critical decisions can be made accurately and rapidly.
Jon Schoonmaker, head of Contracting and Sales for ACT, mentioned some of the key characteristics that the Headwall sensor provided. "The aberration-corrected, concentric design used by Headwall gives us very low distortion and a very high signal-to-noise ratio," said Schoonmaker. "Headwall optimized the package for size, weight and power (SWaP) because the 7-inch gimbal will also contain other electronics and sensors as part of the payload." Schoonmaker concluded by remarking on the collaboration between ACT and Headwall. "Our companies worked together to develop a solution that NAVAIR is very eager to have in their arsenal. The TigerShark is a small UAV platform and SWaP is a performance driver."
"We are excited that ACT has selected Micro-Hyperspec platform for their airborne program," offered David Bannon, CEO of Headwall Photonics. "We have developed airborne hyperspectral sensor solutions, from low- and high-altitude manned aircraft and UAVs to satellites in low earth orbit," said Bannon. "In each case, our long-standing hyperspectral experience and innovative engineering and manufacturing capabilities help customers meet their specific business and technical objectives. We are looking forward to continued engagement with the ACT team and utilizing their extensive sensor expertise."
In addition to the SWaP-optimized Micro-Hyperspec, Headwall's other High Efficiency Hyperspec sensors are COTS products and have been widely deployed for military and defense applications; these sensors are available as optimized sensors for the following spectral regions:
UV 250nm - 600nm
VNIR 380nm - 1000nm
Extended VNIR 550nm - 1700nm
NIR 900nm - 1700nm
SWIR 950nm - 2500nm
About Micro-Hyperspec
Headwall's Micro-Hyperspec NIR (900-1700 nm) & VNIR (380-1000 nm) imaging sensors offer extreme performance for the most demanding UAV/UAS and UGV applications. The hyperspectral imaging instruments are small, lightweight, and robust for use in small-payload/harsh environment applications. The sensors are particularly well suited for applications where high spectral/spatial resolution and high dynamic range are key performance parameters. The Micro-Hyperspec imaging sensor is built on a totally reflective, concentric optical design. Headwall's patented, hyperspectral instruments feature aberration-correction and high-efficiency diffraction gratings, which results in very high signal-to-noise performance and radiometric accuracy.
About Advanced Coherent Technologies (ACT)
Advanced Coherent Technologies, LLC (ACT) supports government and commercial agencies working in technologies relating to remote sensing. ACTs systems are designed to find and extract low contrast and hidden target information in environments ranging from desert to oceanic as well as provide real-time surveillance capabilities of the same.
ACT designs and develops low-cost, multi-channel imaging systems capable of efficiently collecting high-end imagery and producing real-time, high-quality data products suitable for military, commercial, and civil use.


text:
Q: any jquery plugin for number conversion based on locale I have use case where user with different locale use some page which is responsible for certain calculation.
However for calculation I have used javascript(parseFloat) which work fine for US locale when user other than this locale visit the page his locale gets applied & the calculation part shows strange result.
For example, a number  in the US as "1,250,500.75" would be written differently in different countries: "1.250.500,75" in Germany, "1 250 500,75" in France, and "1'250'500.75" in Switzerland, and "125,0500.75" in Japan.
Any any suggest a workaround for this / any jquery plugin that convert NUMBER based on locale & perform calculations.
Thanks in Advance !!!!!!!!!!!!

A: Maybe this is a good solution for you: number Formatter

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Exclusive retreats for couples provide the ultimate escapism from busy lifestyles and hectic work diaries. Many of our luxurious hotels are specifically for couples only and create the perfect setting to kick-off your shoes and forget about everything.
In addition to our portfolio of Adult Only properties we also feature a good selection of hotels who offer exclusivity to couples during certain months of the year. Our experienced sales team can guide you to these specific hotels where you can enjoy spending quality holiday time with your partner away from the hum-drum of life.
Many hotels within our Couples Collection offer private dining options ranging from an exclusive beach-side dinner for two with your very own Butler service to a romantic dinner aboard your own yacht for the day or night. Indulgent couples spa experiences can be enjoyed or you can curl up with a good book and a bottle of something chilled and simply soak up the sun side by side.
Wine tasting tours or cookery classes can be experienced or, perhaps you've always wanted to try your hand at golf or tennis but never had the time. Professional coaches are at hand to help you master a new skill or perfect an old one that needed only time, something our Couples Collection offers in abundance.


WASHINGTON, February 8. /TASS/. Russia violated the Treaty on intermediate and shorter-range missiles (INF Treaty) and thus started the arms race in which the United States was not involved. With such a statement was made on Thursday in an interview with PBS television, Deputy Secretary of state for arms control and international security Andrea Thompson.
"If you allow the Contracting party to break it without any consequences, you undermine the efficiency of the whole arms control," added Thompson. According to her, the United States continues to provide Russia with intelligence information about the violations of the Treaty, but Moscow denies these data.


Yoga props are not just for beginners. In reality, using props can benefit even the most advanced student. Whether you want to challenge yourself more by using props or you want to slow things down for a more restorative class, props come in handy.
Below are some ways even more experienced students can use yoga blocks to make the practice more challenging.
For a more challenging Baddhakonasana, or Bound-Angle Pose, you can use the block between your feet. Come into your regular pose, separate your feet and place the block between them. The block can be placed so that the narrow side is facing up and you can press the bottom of your feet into the wider sides.
Notice if this stretches your inner thighs more. If you can, hold on to your ankles and try to fold forward as you would regularly, without forcing the fold and without rounding the spine. If you can't hold on to your ankles, keep your hands on the floor behind you.
If you are not feeling much of a difference in the pose, you can turn the blocks to the middle width and try it that way. Your feet will be further apart now. Make sure that this is not causing any strain in the knees.
Place the block on your mat, wide side facing up. Step your left foot on to the block. Bring your hands to your hips and nhale as you lift your right leg, knee bent.
Begin to hinge forward at the hips sending the right leg straight back coming into your Warrior III. Keep your hands on your hips, or extend the arms forward while balancing on your block. After about 5 breaths, begin to come out of the pose, bending the right knee and lifting it high. Step down. Repeat on the other side.
Sit tall, with your legs extended forward in Staff Pose. Grab your block between the hands and take your arms straight out in front of you, the narrow side edges of the block between your hands, wide side facing you.
Raise your arms overhead. Your arms should be at about shoulder distance. Hold there for up to 30 seconds, lower the arms straight out in front and repeat. Try not to focus on the arms, but on the breath instead.
As in Dandasana above, take the block between your hands, this time coming up into chair pose. Reach the arms up, lining them up with your ears. Keep the knees back so as to see your toes if you look down and send the sitting bones back as well. Notice any arching in the back, and try tilt the pelvis back to reduce arching. Hold for up to 30 seconds and repeat.
Place the block between your inner thighs, squeezing into the block to activate the inner thighs and energize your pose. As you lift the hips, keep squeezing the block.
Lift the hips as high as is comfortable for you. Hold for up to 1 minute and repeat. Here's a good visual.
How do you incorporate yoga blocks into your asana practice? Share your tips and favorite modifications below!


I woke up at 3:00 am. I went on my balcony to have a cigarette with my girlfriend. I was enjoying the half moon and the round glow around it.
I then noticed 2 red lights flashing and every once in a while they would flash gold. One was following the other. Then the one behind went higher and it seemed like they were beginning to descend. The angle was slightly diagonally. It or they were super low and flying slow over the valley and towards the mountain. The event lasted 3 minutes or so, before losing sight behind a building. I live in Honolulu close to Makiki and Punchbowl Cemetary. I got the chills when we saw this.
Would love to know if anyone else saw this and of course, what it was.


I remember when I was a teenager watching a 60 minutes program about a camp that was run for homeless youth. I was deeply touched by observing the care that came from the camp coordinators and how they supported these deeply troubled teenagers to rediscover a reason to live … we got to see the smiles and giggles emerge from some previously very given up teenagers as they spoke of their new way forward in life.
I remember knowing that I wanted to support people in a similar way as to how these camp coordinators had. My childhood had been somewhat unstable and easily I could have been one of the statistics, ending up as one of those lost homeless teenagers! At the time of watching this show I was living with my dad who had offered me a different way of living from my sometimes-turbulent childhood.
I wasn't sure how, but I knew that my path forward was in the direction of supporting people and I knew one of my most important assets would be 'life experience'. A career working with people would not be supportive if I went from one educational institution to the next.
I completed my schooling in the country town of Kingaroy I moved to the Sunshine Coast and gained an associate diploma in education. I worked in childcare centers until my early 20's and then decided to go travelling, as I needed to experience more life.
My time as a traveller took me up until I was 25 as I travelled Australia and United Kingdom for work while visiting other countries for fun and gaining lots of 'life experience'.
When I was 25 I found the university courses for me to study and began completing the required degrees to follow my childhood pursuits. By the time I was 30yrs I had obtained an undergraduate and two masters in the field of Behaviour Management and Counselling.
My path forward was as a Behaviour Specialist and Counsellor. I worked full-time at the University while completing my Masters degrees and by the age of 30 I had started my own practice ~ Fabic a Multidisciplinary Behaviour Specialist Centre on the Gold Coast.
Since starting Fabic in February 2006, I now get to acknowledge that I love going to work.
I probably work more than most and am typically very productive during each of those hours.
However because I love all that I do, I enjoy being with my clients and my colleagues and also love being with me when I'm doing non-client related activities, then for me, what I do everyday never feels like 'hard work'. My days come and go and every day I am honoured to share another person's life with them as they commit to working towards living their true potential.
From a rocky childhood to now, my life is pretty awesome! Predominantly because I have found a true purpose in supporting my fellow human beings to return to living their true potential - A beautiful experience and a reason to more than willingly get out of bed for each day!
Now at that age of 40 I am founding director of Fabic; a Behaviour Specialist, Presenter, Author and co-founding director and author at Sunlight Ink Publishing, which I began with a friend in 2015 to co-create and publish books for children and adults designed to support people to live their true potential.
I am a person who lives each day with dedication, care, discipline, wisdom, precision and commitment who is often descried as being very cheeky! But above all, I am a person who loves and cares deeply for people and humanity as a whole.
I live on the Gold Coast having moved here to study in 2000. Many of my friends and families live away from they Gold Coast however are always welcomed when they visit. I love travelling so visits are always on the agenda but I also enjoy being with those that have become like family who live in my neighbourhood, work closely with me.
I am committed to community being a board member of the local Chamber of Commerce, the coordinator for one of the Mental Health Professional Network Gold Coast branches and offer free community talks to the Gold Coast Community via the Gold Coast City council active and health program.
So whether it be friends and family, colleagues, clients or community, my commitment to people is what excites me to wake up each day and be part of every-day life.


text:
Your hacker August 26, 2019 Blog
Judge ordered Capital One hacker Paige Thompson to remain in prison
A U.S. judge ordered Capital One hacker Paige Thompson to remain in custody pending trial because her "bizarre and erratic" behavior makes the woman at risk.
The judge argued that she is a flight risk and poses a physical danger to herself and others.
"In today's America, it is easy enough to obtain firearms, and there is every reason to be concerned that Thompson, who repeatedly has threatened to kill, would obtain the means to carry out …her threats – particularly when confronted with the alternative of near-certain conviction and imprisonment," prosecutors said in their motion to keep the woman in custody.
Paige Thompson, a transgender woman, was charged of hacking Capital One, she will be under custody until her trial.
In July, Capital One, one of the largest U.S. –card issuer and financial corporation suffered a data breach that exposed personal information from 106 million Capital One credit applications.
Paige Thompson, that goes online with the handle "erratic," breached the systems at Capital One and gained access to the huge trove of personal information. Law enforcement identified and arrested the hacker.
Last week, Thompson's lawyers explained that the jail is a threat to mental health and wellbeing of his client and asked that she is moved to a halfway house to give her the possibility to access to mental health care.
The judge believes that Thompson should remain detained, for the time being, the woman had already attempted to commit "suicide by cop."
Prosecutors also argued that Thompson has a history of stalking and threatening to kill people. She has always shown aversion to the authorities and believes the police want to kill her.
Mountain View Police also declared that the woman has also threatened to shoot up an undisclosed company in May, at the time she was living with a convicted felon who had at his home an arsenal composed on several of pistols, rifles, and ammunition.
Prosecutors introduced as a new evidence a previously unseen message that Thompson had sent to a Bitcoin exchange employee in September 2018, in which the woman announced she would want to travel to Tijuana, Mexico to "do a little medical suicide tourism."
Last week, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle confirmed that servers seized during the searches at Thompson's house contained data stolen from more than 30 unnamed other entities.
According to prosecutors, the vast majority of that data did not contain personal identifying information. The investigation is still ongoing and aims at identifying the affected organizations.
(SecurityAffairs – CapitalOne, hacking)
The post Judge ordered Capital One hacker Paige Thompson to remain in prison appeared first on Security Affairs.


Here we've provided information about the questions that visitors to Vizcaya ask most often about the estate. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact Vizcaya by e-mailing vizcayainformation@vizcaya.org.
Why can't we touch walls or objects in the Main House?
Historic buildings, materials and objects can be harmed when we touch them. Our hands, even when they are freshly washed, carry acids and oils that are permanently damaging to many different kinds of materials. Over even a short amount of time, irreversible damage can be done.
Why can't we touch flowers or plants or climb on trees or walls in the gardens?
Vizcaya's gardens are different from a public park. The plants and trees are delicate, easily damaged and part of the museum's living collection. Many trees are historic or rare and recognized as champion specimens, the largest of their kind. The architectural materials and elements are also delicate and historic. Some of these materials are 100 years old, just like the estate itself, but several are much older—many of the statues and architectural elements in the gardens are European antiques that are centuries old.
Are there plans to restore the fountains?
Vizcaya's fountains are almost 100 years old and have suffered damage due to time, salt air and tropical weather. While the water in the fountains was never intended to be as clear as that in swimming pools, the fountains are in need of re-engineering for better water circulation.
Why is there water damage on so many ceilings on the second floor of the Main House?
The type of roof and the climate conditions contribute to situations that lead to water damage. Although clay tile roofs, such as Vizcaya's, are known for their durability, South Florida's subtropical climate is aggressive, causing damage during storms and accelerating the deterioration of building materials. Water infiltration can occur where tiles break or copper flashing corrodes. In addition, the gutters and drainage systems of the Main House are historic, and often can't adequately divert large volumes of water during heavy rains. Areas where water collects are vulnerable to leaks. Moisture-related damage, such as staining and paint loss, result from these leaks.
What restoration projects are currently underway at Vizcaya?
Extensive building systems upgrades – including plumbing, electrical and fire – remain in the Main House in addition to the restoration of the building's envelope components such as the roof, walls, and windows. As part of this process, Vizcaya will replace the perforated metal hurricane screens that diminish the appearance of the Main House from outside and obstruct views of the surrounding landscape from within. The improvements to the HVAC and plumbing systems are planned for 2016-17.
Has Vizcaya been damaged in any hurricanes?
Yes, hurricanes have caused major damage to the estate. Vizcaya was first seriously damaged by the Great Miami Hurricane in 1926, the year after the death of James Deering, Vizcaya's owner. In the 1930s another hurricane further damaged the estate. Although the Main House is now rather secure, the gardens and the statues within them are very vulnerable to tropical weather and have suffered damage in various storms, including Hurricane Andrew in 1992, hurricanes Katrina and Wilma in 2005 and Hurricane Irma in 2017.
Why is there trash floating in Biscayne Bay?
Vizcaya staff regularly clears the trash from Biscayne Bay and the mangroves. Tides and winds, however, move trash into the area on a constant basis, and Vizcaya does not have the resources to clean this area often enough to keep it free of debris. The trash is a reminder of everyone's responsibility to dispose of waste appropriately at Vizcaya and elsewhere.
Many visitors notice a sulfurous smell. The smell comes from the mangrove shore ecosystem along the southeastern edge of the property and is a natural byproduct of a healthy mangrove forest. There are other smells as well; as an historic property and large estate with many ecosystems in a hot and humid location, Vizcaya can be a sensory experience. Various sources in addition to the mangrove shore contribute to odors, including aging materials and the salt air.
Why don't you replace missing elements from statues?
Many of Vizcaya's statues that are missing pieces or showing signs of wear and tear were like this when they were brought to the estate from Europe—many are centuries old and were purchased to help create Vizcaya's unique look and feel. National preservation standards suggest that it is generally not appropriate to replace missing elements, particularly when we are not sure what the original looked like. This is especially relevant to statues that have lost their unique details over time. Vizcaya's focus is to clean, stabilize and preserve the statues.
Was Vizcaya moved from Italy to Miami?
No, Vizcaya was built in Miami by both local workers and European craftsmen. Certain antique elements and many objects in the Main House and gardens were purchased from other countries, including Italy.
How was the Barge originally accessed and what was its function?
Mr. Deering and his guests often toured the gardens (once connected by canals) by water in motor boats or a Venetian gondola. The Barge used to be heavily planted and, although it now appears to be a freestanding sculpture, it originally was more like an island. From the house, guests would be "ferried" to the Barge "island" on boats where they would enjoy tea or cocktails in the shade of a gazebo at the north end. The Barge's gazebo and the original plantings were destroyed in the 1935 hurricane.
Why can't we visit the Barge?
Visitors cannot access the Barge today because it is in a fragile condition with uneven and dangerous paving. If we were to repair the structure and create access to the Barge, it would be an extensive undertaking, in part because federal law mandates that such access would need to accommodate visitors with disabilities.
How much did Vizcaya cost to build in the 1910s? What is its value today?
It is said that Vizcaya cost $26 million to build. In today's dollars, that amount would be equivalent to somewhere between $388 million and $8.7 billion, based on the relative scarcity of materials and labor a century ago and their increased cost today (www.eh.net).
How large was Vizcaya when it was built?
Vizcaya originally consisted of the Main House, formal gardens, and Vizcaya Village, which comprised 180 acres on both sides of South Miami Avenue. Today, Vizcaya is approximately 50 acres, including the Main House and gardens, Vizcaya Village, and the area currently occupied by the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science.
Was Mr. Deering married, and did he have any children?
James Deering was not married and he did not have any children. There are many reasons that people choose not to marry and we do not have documentation regarding Mr. Deering's private family life.
Who maintained Vizcaya in Mr. Deering's time? How many staff members were there?
Staff were required to maintain the house, gardens, Vizcaya Village and more. About 16 to 18 staff members operated the Main House during the winter season when Mr. Deering was in residence. At least 26 gardeners and estate workers cared for the gardens, the Village buildings and the farm areas. Vizcaya was built long after the abolition of slavery in the United States, so there were never slaves employed in the building or operation of Vizcaya.
What happened to Vizcaya after Mr. Deering's death?
Mr. Deering left Vizcaya to the daughters of his half-brother, Charles Deering, and the son of his sister, Abby Deering Howe. Charles Deering's daughters, Barbara Deering Danielson and Marion Deering McCormick, and their families spent years caring for Vizcaya and seeking to make it publicly accessible. Family members lived in the house only occasionally after Mr. Deering's death. Eventually the Deering daughters acquired full ownership of the property.
What is the square footage of Vizcaya?
Vizcaya's Main House is approximately 38,000 square feet.
How many rooms are in the Main House, including bathrooms?
The Main House contains 54 rooms, 34 of which are open to the public. This count does not include the basement service areas.
Why are the beds so small? Were people shorter back then?
Actually, the beds are not much smaller than our beds today. Vizcaya's collections staff measured each bed in the Main House and most of them are similar in size to a contemporary twin-size or full-size mattress. A few beds are similar in size to today's queen-size mattress. People were not historically shorter, but living habits and furnishing choices vary over time, by region and culture.
Is admission required to visit the Café and Shop? If so, why?
Yes, guests of the Café and Shop must pay admission because it is not possible to prevent unticketed visitors to the Café and Shop from visiting the rest of the property. Frequent visitors to the Café and Shop may wish to purchase a membership for free admission on an annual basis.
How do I exit the estate? How do I reenter the Main House?
Guests may exit the estate by walking up the promenade from the Forecourt at the front of the Main House. Visitors using wheelchairs may be picked up in the Service Area south of the Forecourt. Entry to the Main House is provided at the front door (west side) and from the East Terrace.
Where are the water fountains?
Vizcaya has three water fountains available for visitors. There is one in front of the Café and Shop on the north side of the Main House; another is located in the service area next to the tent; and there is a water fountain near the restrooms in the Oval Plaza (southwest area of the gardens).
Do you have ghost tours? Are there ghosts at Vizcaya?
Do you decorate for the holidays?
Yes, we do. Vizcaya's display of holiday décor includes poinsettias along the front entrance walk; a decorated, Deering-era inspired artificial Christmas tree in the Living Room; a menorah; and a Kwanzaa kinara in the Enclosed Loggia. These decorations are displayed from early December until approximately the first business day after the new year.
Why doesn't Vizcaya host the Renaissance Festival anymore?
The Renaissance Festival has not been held at Vizcaya for several years, due to the event's popularity. The Renaissance Festival outgrew Vizcaya. To best preserve our National Historic Landmark there are no plans to hold such an event at Vizcaya in the future.
Are there certain days that are free admission?
Vizcaya does not offer free general admission on particular days. However, visitors can explore reduced admission rates through a few avenues. Check out the museum's current promotions, Golden Ticket, Museum Pass to see if any of these promotions might apply to you.
Why is there contemporary art at Vizcaya?
The Contemporary Arts Program (CAP) commissions artists to develop site-specific projects inspired by Vizcaya. The program, which began in 2006, draws on the spirit of creative dialogue and contributions of contemporary artists that characterized Vizcaya's founding, provides our visitors with new ways of seeing the historic estate, and strengthens relations with contemporary artists. Visit the CAP web page for information about current and past projects and exhibitions.
Why isn't Vizcaya more accessible to visitors with disabilities?
Vizcaya is committed to welcoming visitors with disabilities. However, Vizcaya was built as a private home in the 1910s without the accessibility accommodations required of public buildings today. Over the years, numerous changes have been made to the house and property to make Vizcaya more accessible, but there are limits as to how much is possible, because Vizcaya is a National Historic Landmark, which is the highest designation given to any historic property in the United States. Because of this designation, Vizcaya must be very careful not to alter or diminish the historic value or authenticity of the estate.
Can security officers provide transportation for visitors who have difficulty walking from the parking lot to the Main House?
While Vizcaya's security officers are not available to provide transportation to visitors, we do allow individuals who have difficulty walking to be dropped off and picked up in Vizcaya's service area or to park in the wheelchair-accessible spaces on the property. Our golf carts are not intended for visitors and we cannot accept liability for transporting them. In addition, our security officers are stationed on posts and cannot function as visitor escorts. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.
Who owns and operates Vizcaya?
Vizcaya is owned by Miami-Dade County and is managed by the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust Inc., an independent non-profit organization, as of October 1, 2017.
What are Vizcaya's hours for telephone inquiries?
Vizcaya's general inquiries phone line (305-250-9133) is staffed Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm. Questions can also be communicated by e-mailing vizcayainformation@vizcaya.org. Due to a high volume of visitors, it is difficult for the Ticket Booth to respond to phone inquiries.
Are there job openings at Vizcaya?
Thank you for interest in employment opportunities at Vizcaya. All current job openings are listed in the Jobs page.
Photography courtesy of Bill Sumner unless otherwise noted.
© Miami-Dade County. All Rights Reserved.


text:
« A thought about 'Zionists' | Main | A hospital that's become a metaphor »
If not this, then what?
A few days ago I posted a link to this plea about hunger in Zimbabwe. Michael Holman refers to it in calling for 'a unilateral airdrop of food and medical supplies':
Zimbabwe is no Rwanda. Not yet. But after enduring years of Robert Mugabe's thuggery, it has another cross to bear. The country is weeks away from what could become a catastrophe. Already more than two million people need food aid in what, say officials, is a "very, very serious" situation... By early next year famine could threaten the lives of some five million people - nearly half the population.
Yet Zimbabwe's agony is all but buried under the international avalanche of bad financial tidings. But one suspects that the country is out of the headlines for another reason. The international community has turned away, well aware that horror may be imminent, but reduced to embarrassed silence by its failure to act decisively.
Holman finishes by asking 'If not an airdrop now, when? And if not an airdrop, what?' Good questions - the meaning of which is that the world surely cannot stand by and do nothing. Others will tell you that it must. You can take your pick between the two approaches. Which do you think will be preferred now by the people of Zimbabwe?


歡迎各位攝影fans post 自己曾經擁有過、仲用緊或者好鬼想買既;夢幻器材, 最好可以 post 埋好處同壞處, 有埋價錢重正, 未必要相, 齋講都得!
debug 寫: I first started picking up photography seriously about 30 years ago. I was a F2 student and joined the school's photography club. My father was already serioulsy into photography. The first serious camera that he let me used was a Topcon SLR with aperature priority auto-exposure. Topcon was a Japanese camera maker that has gone out of business for many years. I can't even remember the model number now, but here's a picture of a Topcon camera. The one I used looked something like this one.
Woo, good memories & nice descriptions on your past and present weapons !!
I remember a few toy cameras we had in the early 70's, but the first "real" camera we each got was the Agfa Autostar X-126! Now, we are really showing our age!!!


text:
Advertising News Corp Google
News Corp chief weighs in on Havas decision to pause Google ad spend
By Natalie Mortimer | N/A
News Corp chief exec Robert Thomson has responded to the news that Havas UK is withdrawing ads from Google and YouTube, saying that advertisers "need to go back to basics to protect their brands from serious damage."
Havas said yesterday (17 March) that it is pausing all YouTube and Google Display Network ad spend until further notice, with chief executive and country manager Paul Frampton saying it has a "duty of care" to clients to ensure brand safety.
Adding to the fire, Thomson said that ad fraud is being "facilitated" by some agencies.
"Ad fraud is being perpetrated ad nauseam. It is rife throughout the digital world, and is facilitated by some ad agencies, which themselves make money from artificial audiences and pretend page views," said Thomson. "Advertisers need to go back to basics to protect their brands from serious damage and to protect themselves from being involved in potentially criminal activity, whether it be supporting extremist groups or funding hardcore pornography."
GroupM has also warned Google, which is tipped to control 40% of the online ad market this year, that stronger safeguards are needed to protect their clients.
While ad misplacement is not a new issue, it has never been as top of mind for marketers and more importantly chief executives as it is now that many are questioning whether they have over-invested in digital.
More from Advertising


text:
Q: Cordova 3.5.0 return 0 sometimes ,for navigator.connection.type i am trying to develop a cordova(3.5.0) project in android platform and in that i have to check network connection availability before each API call. for that i am using 'navigator.connection.type',and some times it return 0. why this is happening?  plz help me for solving this trouble

A: Without some more details I can only guess.. There are some conditions which may cause this.
navigator.connection.type = 0 -> connection type unknown.
So you may have a connection, you may not it simply hasn't been determined yet, or because of privileges the device isn't saying.
Are you calling this check too early? ie before deviceready
In our app we do not check the connection each time but we handle it this way:
by making the API request anyway, knowing that its possible to fail, we set a timeout and error handling. If it fails by error or timeout we check connection type and then ping the server with a simple "hello" "acknowledge" request. Its a super small request that we figure will work or if it timeouts again the connection must be so poor it might as well be disconnected.
This is because there are really two types of connection you need to check. Many miss this!
And also because its navigator totally lies some times... :/
Just because wifi is on and connected and navigator tells you this, it doesn't mean you will have a connection to the outside world. You need to check the network hardware (which is all navigator will tell you) but you must also check network connectivity, if this is something you are sensitive about.


text:
drop table if exists parent;
drop table if exists child;
drop table if exists obj_parent;
autocommit off;
-- (1) normal
create table parent (a int primary key);
create table child (a int foreign key references parent(a) on delete CASCADE);
insert into parent values(3);
insert into child values(3);
commit;
truncate parent cascade;
select count(*) from parent;
select count(*) from child;
rollback;
select count(*) from parent;
select count(*) from child;
drop child;
drop parent;
commit;

-- (2) inheritance case 1
create table obj_parent (z int);
create table parent under obj_parent;
alter table parent add column a int primary key;
create table child (a int foreign key references parent(a) on delete CASCADE);
insert into parent (a) values(3);
insert into child values(3);
commit;
truncate parent cascade;
select count(*) from parent;
select count(*) from child;
rollback;
select count(*) from parent;
select count(*) from child;
drop child;
drop parent;
drop table obj_parent;
commit;

-- (3) inheritance case 2
create table obj_parent (z int);
create table parent (a int primary key);
create table child under obj_parent;
alter table child add column a int foreign key references parent(a) on delete CASCADE;
insert into parent(a) values(3);
insert into child values(3, 3);
commit;
truncate parent cascade;
select count(*) from parent;
select count(*) from child;
rollback;
select count(*) from parent;
select count(*) from child;
drop child;
drop parent;
drop obj_parent;
commit;

-- (4) partitioning case 1
create table parent (a int primary key) partition by hash(a) partitions 2;
create table child (a int foreign key references parent(a) on delete CASCADE);
insert into parent values(3), (4);
insert into child values(3), (4);
commit;
truncate parent cascade;
select count(*) from parent;
select count(*) from child;
rollback;
select count(*) from parent;
select count(*) from child;
drop child;
drop parent;
commit;

-- (5) partitioning case 2
create table parent (a int primary key);
create table child (a int foreign key references parent(a) on delete CASCADE) partition by hash(a) partitions 2;
insert into parent values(3), (4);
insert into child values(3), (4);
commit;
truncate parent cascade;
select count(*) from parent;
select count(*) from child;
rollback;
select count(*) from parent;
select count(*) from child;
drop child;
drop parent;
commit;

-- (6) Mix of dont_reuse_oid and reuse_oid case 1
create table parent (a int primary key) reuse_oid;
create table child (a int foreign key references parent(a) on delete CASCADE) dont_reuse_oid;
insert into parent values(3);
insert into child values(3);
commit;
truncate parent cascade;
select count(*) from parent;
select count(*) from child;
rollback;
select count(*) from parent;
select count(*) from child;
drop child;
drop parent;
commit;

-- (7) Mix of dont_reuse_oid and reuse_oid case 2
create table parent (a int primary key) dont_reuse_oid;
create table child (a int foreign key references parent(a) on delete CASCADE) reuse_oid;
insert into parent values(3);
insert into child values(3);
commit;
truncate parent cascade;
select count(*) from parent;
select count(*) from child;
rollback;
select count(*) from parent;
select count(*) from child;
drop child;
drop parent;
commit;

autocommit on;


text:
Q: Pandoc: HTML-to-Markdown--can I replace elements using templates or scripts? I'm successfully converting HTML to Markdown, but elements such as  are preserved and appear in the MD result.
Is there a way, perhaps by using templates or Pandoc scripting, to replace the  element with  or even with asterisks during the HTML-to-Markdown conversion?
For example:
I want to replace
This content must be bold

with
This content must be bold

or
*This content must be bold*

Thanks very much.

A: You could adapt this pandoc filter. Save this as cmd_italics.py and run pandoc myfile.html -o myfile.md -F cmd_italics.py
#!/usr/bin/env python

from pandocfilters import toJSONFilter, Strong

def cmd_italics(key, value, format, meta):
    if key == 'Span':
        [[ident, classes, kvs], contents] = value
        for c in classes:
            if c == "cmd":
                return Strong(contents)

if __name__ == "__main__":
    toJSONFilter(cmd_italics)

You will need the pandocfilter python library installed.


text:
Circus World Wraps Up Historic Summer Season
News and Events North America
August 29, 2017 Media Monitor
Circus World leaders say memories made during the 2017 summer season will live on long after the big top is taken down.
The Baraboo museum delivered its final show of the year Sunday, but Executive Director Scott O'Donnell said there was one summer performance that stood out from the rest.
On the eve of Baraboo's Big Top Parade in July, Circus World held a private show for former Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus employees who were in town for the four-day circus homecoming celebration. Heavy rains fell as Ringling alumni packed the big top tent to watch ringmaster Dave SaLoutos and other performers sing, dance and showcase their circus acts.
O'Donnell said the performance was one of the most "raw, emotional" shows he has ever seen. There were at least 16 standing ovations at different times throughout the performance, he said…
Read the full article at Baraboo News Republic
← 2017 Search for Circus Star USA
New Era for Australia's Circus and Physical Theatre Sector →
The Circus Ring of Fame Announces Historic Firsts Along with New Date and Location of 2022 Ceremony December 18, 2021
Corregidora, Mexico is Ready for the 9th Community Encounter of Social Circus December 15, 2021
New Cirque Éloize Show Residency in Their Hometown, Montréal December 4, 2021
New York City's Bindlestiff Family Cirkus Gets Funding to Provide FREE Holiday Entertainment December 1, 2021
FrançaisEducation Social Circus