With the release of the new Left Behind movie, Christians once again are discussing the end times. In 2011, the Baptist Messenger produced this original series entitled Exploring the Book of Revelation: Expert Views on the End Times. Click on any of the articles or resources to explore expert analysis of the Book of Revelation.
I grew up being taught that one of the most important doctrines in the Bible was the future coming of Christ and His 1,000-year reign. Through attending countless prophecy conferences, hearing multiple messages on "The Signs of the Times," and constantly charting current events, I began to teach the dispensational approach to eschatology made popular by Hal Lindsay's bestselling 1970 book The Late, Great Planet Earth.
Interpreting the book of Revelation from an amillennial perspective has a long history in the Church and, in fact, has been the predominant eschatological position of Christianity since the time of Augustine (though it was not called "amillennialism" until more recent times).
In the earliest period after the apostles, most of the discussions on the end-times focused on the nature of the future Kingdom of Christ when he comes to inaugurate 1,000 years of ruling with the resurrected saints on Earth based on Rev. 20:1-6.
The book of Revelation was divinely inspired in the First Century, but it presents a powerful, vibrant and essential message for the present, as it reveals the future.
While no other book in the Bible has been as difficult to interpret, no other book in the Bible is so compelling and fascinating. There are lions, lambs and locusts, alongside of angels and Armegeddon. We read of Babylon and the Beast, the Dragon and doom.


We encourage women to leave anonymous comments about their experience at CenturyLink. First-hand reviews can give you an idea of individual experiences.
Leave an anonymous comment about your experience at CenturyLink. Your review can help other women find great companies.
Work in HR or Recruiting for CenturyLink?
Know someone in HR or Recruiting at CenturyLink who we should speak to about claiming their page? Let us know! It's anonymous, of course.
CenturyLink has no jobs listed at this time.
CenturyLink is a telecommunications company headquartered in the Monroe, LA area that employs 5001 to 10000 people. CenturyLink has a 2.7-star InHerSight Score, based on 1,477 ratings from 99 current or former employees. 21 employees left comments about their experience working for the company. InHerSight collects anonymous employer ratings and reviews from women for companies like CenturyLink and shares that information publicly to empower working women to make better decisions about their careers and where they work.


Its best gift to express your love and you can share your feelings. This is the perfect way to show love of yours. Product color may little bit vary due to photography, lighting sources & your monitor setting.


Benefit descriptions are accurate at the time of publication for eligible employees and subject to change at the discretion of the company.
Found your next Career here at The Marden Companies?
There are 4 sections to the online employment application. You will have a chance to review your application before submitting. Please do NOT use your browser's back button. Do not leave the application area until you are complete. Fields marked with an asterisk(*) denotes a required answer.
This application is guaranteed safe, secure and encrypted.
Click here to start online employment application.


text:
Q: What to add in HTML code to be printed into CSV or output as CSV enter image description hereI am able to create & print below in HTML but not how to sure convert or add something to print it into CSV file or CSV outout.
<HTML>
<BODY>
      <TABLE border="1">
        <?relevance
tr of concatenation of (th of "Computer Name" & th of "Support Group" & th of "Last Report Time" & th of "BES Relay Service Installed" & th of "OS Platform" & th of "Is BES Infrastructure") & concatenation of trs of (td of (item 0 of it as string) & td of (item 1 of it as string) & td of (item 2 of it as string) & td of (item 3 of it as string) & td of (item 4 of it as string) & td of (item 5 of it as string)) of (name of it, values of results from (bes property "Support Group") of it, last report time of it, values of results from (bes property "BES Relay Service Installed") of it, values of results from (bes property "OS Platform (Windows or Unix)") of it, values of results from (bes property "Is BES Infrastructure") of it) of bes computers whose (last report time of it < (now - 3*hour) AND (value of results from (bes property "BES Relay Service Installed") of it starts with  "Yes") AND (value of results from (bes property "Is BES Infrastructure") of it starts with "True") AND (value of results from (bes property "Support Group") of it contains "GTO") )
?>
</TABLE>
</BODY>
</HTML>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


I requested that a new forum be started for the Ford 6.7. This replaces the 6.0 and 6.4 Navistar Powerstroke. No reply.
Is anyone else interested in a new forum for the 6.7. This will be the only Ford Diesel available for the next 9 years.
I feel it would be counter productive to have specific forums on this website for each size engine.
The new engine is NOT A POWERSTROKE. Please change the name to Ford Diesel. The is not a different size, but an entirely different concept. I am well aware of the other forum that is not specific RV.
Actually, I believe Ford kept the rights to the Powerstroke name and does label the 6.7L diesel-equipped trucks as Powerstroke V-8s. See HERE.
I work for a Ford Dealer about 2 days a week, visit other dealers, etc. and they all are doing everything possible to separate the "new" from the "old".
Thanks for the information. Long Live the 6.7 Ford. I hope that this engine is a "winner" or Ford is in deep trouble with the diesel business. I also hope it is a "winner" because I get my truck in about 5 days.
Considering the 6.7 is named 'Powerstroke' by Ford Motor Company, our Powerstroke forum is appropriately named and is the proper place to discuss that engine.
I will go to Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forum for the 6.7 discussion. I will continue to use the rest of irv2.com site for issues regarding rv. You are happy and I am happy.
Well, the new 6.7 diesels sure has POWERSTROKE right on the badging....probably Ford doesn't know what it is saying.
I don't care what it is called, I call it amazing. We are out on the road pulling a 38' 5th wheel trailer. Weight of trailer is approx 13,500, and I have the 2011 F350 Crew cab Lariat, Dually, w8' bed. Sometime I have to look in my mirror just to make sure it is still there. Eastbound I15 from Baker all the way to the summit in 110+ weather, it never hesitated, and the temp gauge never went right of center. I was passing Diesel pushers and big rigs like no ones business. I keep telling my wife how well it handles the big 5th wheel. I'm sold on it, I think other may be jealous. Just saying!
The 2011 Ford Super Duty pickup truck line is badged in the following manner for vehicles equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine.
Photo By DriVer: December 2010, RVIA Exposition, Louisville, KY.
The B20 signifies that the engine will burn bio-diesel.
For the BEST information on your Ford powered vehicle plan on attending the 2011 iRV2.com National Rally. In attendance will be Ford Motor Company's Dan Snyder a long time Ford RV Show exhibitor who will be presenting a seminar. If you have ever been to the Ford exposition in Tampa, for the SuperShow, you would have probably met Dan there.


First Cricketer (Graham Chapman): Aye, I mean there's lots of people making love, but there's no mention of Geoff Boycott's average.
Pasolini (John Cleese): (Italian accent) Who is-a Geoff Boycott?
Second Cricketer: ... the symbol of man's regeneration through radical Marxism ... fair enough ... but, but we never once get a chance to see him turn his off-breaks on that Brisbane sticky.
Third Cricketer (Eric Idle): Aye, and what were all that dancing through Ray Illingworth's innings? Forty-seven not out and the bird comes up and feeds him some grapes!


text:
Home Perspectives Top 5 Biggest Games on Twitch in 2021
Top 5 Biggest Games on Twitch in 2021
There is no doubt that the year 2019 has been quite rich in the universe of streaming. Indeed, the platform war started with players who, with big contracts, tried to get the most famous streamers. But one thing is certain, Twitch is now a key player for hundreds of millions of gamers around the world. The platform allows several video games to be known on the internet thanks to its 2 million unique streamers. Here is the list of the biggest games of the moment.
Via: League of Legends
League of Legends is an online battle arena (MOBA) video game with several modes, developed and published by Riot Games on Windows and Mac OS. In this strategy game, the player takes on the role of a champion with unique skills that he will have to develop over the course of a game. During the game, two teams of 5 champions must compete to destroy the opposing Nexus.
Several modes are available in League of Legends such as Summoner's Rift, ARAM or Tactical Combat. Launched on October 27, 2009 to the general public, the title quickly became a true phenomenon and one of the most played in the world. League of Legends also conquered the world of eSports by becoming the most watched event in the history of eSports. In this regard, at the end of 2019, the game totaled over 990 million hours of streams on Twitch.tv.
Via: Epic Games
The second most streamed game on Twitch, Fortnite totaled nearly 885 million hours on the platform, a 28% drop from 2018. It is a free online game developed by publisher Epic Games, launched in June 2017 and available multiple platforms, such as the PC, PS4 and iOS.
Fortnite is a game developed as several packages with different game modes that share the same general gameplay and game engine. The game modes include Save The World and Battle Royale. You can find out more about how the game works by following other professional players on Twitch. And don't forget that you can enhance your viewing experience with a quality headset.
The fifth installment of the action-adventure saga developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games in 2013, Grand Theft Auto V is one of the most popular video game in the world. It is therefore no coincidence to find it at the 3rd place of the biggest games of the moment on the Twitch platform. In fact, the video game totaled nearly 523 million streams by the end of 2019.
GTA V takes place in the virtual city of Los Santos where the player embodies a criminal (Michael de Santa, Trevor Philips or Franklin Clinto) in a universe parodying the United States of America. In this title, immersion is total and the character has access to concrete tools that allow him to easily interact with his virtual environment. Available on PC, PlayStation (3 and 4) and Xbox (360 and One), the game has two modes: Solo and Multiplayer.
Via: dota2.com
Similar to League of Legends, Dota 2 is a MOBA that is played in a 3D environment and based on the confrontation of teams of players in arenas. Two teams (Radiant and Dire) composed of 5 players each compete to destroy the Ancient One. This is a major structure of the enemy base. The heroes embodied by the players, 117 in number, have special attributes, spells and attacks that can be "melee" or "range".
On Twitch, Dota 2 had to total at the end of 2019 more than 458 million hours of streams.
Via: The Xbox Hub
Despite being the 5th game on our list, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) is no less popular for that. In fact, the game has been viewed nearly 398 million times on the popular video game streaming and VOD service.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is an online multiplayer first-person shooter developed and published by Valve Corporation. Based on the action and team cooperation of the original game created in 1999, CS:GO has 8 main game modes: Casual, Demolition, Flying Sniper, Team Deathmatch, Arms Race, Danger Zone, Competitive and Wingman.
Previous articleWhat "The Best Game" Really Means
Next article7 of the Best FPS Switch Games in 2021

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Aristotle on the Nature of Time
by Elyse Hauser · October 28, 2014
Time is all around us, as we are constantly reminded by our clocks, schedules, and routines. Still, it is easy to go through life while never giving thought to what time really means. If we stop to give some consideration as to the nature of time, we discover fascinating questions that have plagued philosophers and physicists for centuries. One of the most interesting, important, and difficult of these questions is, "what does 'now' really mean?"
At first glance, the answer appears simple. Many people would say that the now is the present, the moment that we exist in. If we give this question some thought, though, we realize that the answer is not so easy. "Now" by definition cannot actually have any real substance, no tangible quality. Yet if now has no substance, how can anything exist in time? Also, nothing can move or change in the now, as it has no substance in which change could occur. Yet if nothing can change in the now, how can anything change or progress through time? The now may even not have any defining characteristics, other than our perception of it relative to the rest of time. However, it is important to try to understand just what the now means if we are going to know anything about time itself.
Aristotle struggled with the concept of "now" as well when he tackled the idea of time in his text, Physics. The main definitive aspects of the now that he came up with are that it is indivisible, can contain no change, and does not truly exist in time or have any substance to speak of. All of these claims are very counterintuitive, but if we can understand them they can help us to know just what the term "now" really means for us.
In Physics, Aristotle's first claim is that the now is insubstantial and doesn't even truly exist in time. How is this claim compatible with the fact that we all exist in the present—the now? We can claim that the now has no substance, but we know that it is something, because we exist in the now and perceive it. I find the number-line analogy that Aristotle offers us useful in understanding this counterintuitive idea. Though we may not know whether or not time is actually linear, our perception of it certainly is. So imagine that time is like a number line, then think of the "now" as a point on it. "In this respect the now is equivalent to the point in mathematical lines, because the dividing point is not always the same in thought: when we divide with it, we must think of it as now one thing and now another, but in so far as it is a single thing, it is the same all the way along the line." (page 112-113). The language is a bit confusing here, but the idea Aristotle is driving at is relatively simple. As you probably learned in a high school math class, points have no extension, length, or substance of their own. A line can be divided infinitely into many points, but a line is not made up of points, for how can something with substance be made up of things that have no substance? The points are just aspects of the line, not "parts" of it. Similarly, time can be broken up into infinitely many nows, but time is not the sum of all the nows.
Aristotle further helps us to understand his idea by suggesting that we think of the now as a limit between past and future. "This is the kind of 'now' which occurs in any and every stretch of time, since it is a limit of the past (because there is nothing of the future on one side of it) and also of the future (because there is nothing of the past on the other side of it). We call it, then, a limit of both at once." (page 145). If this idea is confusing, try to think of it as a limit like the ones used in calculus. On the graphs of many exponential functions, lines get infinitely closer to a number but never reach it. Similarly, the past and future can get infinitely closer to the now, but never can reach it.
We must be careful, though, to remember that though the now is a limit, it is not a "break" between the past and future. "The now is what holds time together, as I have said, since it makes past and future time a continuous whole; and it is a limit of time, in the sense that it is the beginning of one time and the end of another." (page 112). The now is an insubstantial limit in between the two, not a separate piece of time between them. Because the now is defined only by its relationship to sections of time, it is not really a part of time, yet it exists in its own right. That is how the now can be insubstantial and not a part of time, yet still be the present that we know we exist in.
Aristotle appears to contradict himself when he claims that time is continuous, but that the now always divides the past and future. Yet the limit is not really a division; it just helps to think of it that way in order to understand it. As Aristotle puts it, "the now too is in one way a division of time, but only potentially, and in another a limit of both past and future, unifying the two." (page 113). A limit has no substance at all, but is defined entirely by its relationship to other things. The now is defined only by its relationship to the past and the future, but as it has no real substance, it cannot actually create a "break" in time and therefore cannot disrupt the continuity of time.
Aristotle also makes the claim that there is no movement in the now. To support his claim, he offers a simple logical argument. Aristotle says that if there were movement in the now, it would be possible for some things to move faster and others to move slower. If this were the case, a faster thing would cover a greater distance than a slower thing. If the slower thing took the whole "now" to cover a distance, the faster thing would take only part of the "now" to cover it. However, the now would then be divided into parts, which in their own right would be nows. Therefore, there can be no movement in the now. (page 145-146).
The claim that there is no movement in the now seems to suggest that nothing could really happen in time, yet we know that things do happen and change over time, so how can Aristotle be right? This was a problem for Zeno as well, as we can see when Aristotle discusses Zeno's third paradox in the Physics. Zeno suggested that we imagine a moving arrow, which in each "now" would in fact not be moving, if Aristotle were right. Therefore, the arrow would be both moving and not moving, which creates a paradox. Aristotle counters this by saying, "here the conclusion depends on assuming that time is composed of nows; if this assumption is not granted, the argument fails." (page 161-162). Aristotle is going back to his previous claim, where he demonstrated that the now has no substance, and therefore time, which has substance, cannot be made of nows. If this claim is accepted, Zeno's paradox no longer applies. Change does not take place in nows, but in intervals of time, and this is why Zeno's paradox can be disproven. The arrow does not move in the now, for the now is insubstantial and by definition can contain no change. However, the now progresses along the "number line" of time and it is in this interval that the motion of the arrow takes place. Intervals of time can be infinitely broken up into nows, but the now itself is indivisible and therefore can contain no change or motion.
The now is a difficult concept to comprehend, and is made even stranger by the fact that we are constantly in the now, yet can't always understand just what that means. Perhaps it is our unique perspective of it, more than anything, that makes it difficult to understand. The merit in Aristotle's ideas about the now is that they help us understand our own perception of time by helping to define this elusive concept. It could be that were it not for our perception of time, the now would not really exist, for it would be no different from any other point in time. Our perspective does not allow us to know the true nature of now. However, when we try to understand our place in the world, we must try to understand our place in time as well and it helps to understand this label of "now" when we talk about the exact place we are at in time at any given moment.
Aristotle and Plato on Good and Ignorance
In the Nicomachean Ethics, Greek philosopher Aristotle attempts to pinpoint just how one should go about being a good and virtuous person. Several of the ethical concepts mentioned in the ...
Humanity and Society in Shakespeare's "The Tempest"
What effect does society retain on people's actions when they are removed from it? Shakespeare's The Tempest addresses this question with a small cast of characters who end up in ...
Like this or use the bottons below to share:
Aristotle and Plato on Good and Ignorance Like this: In the Nicomachean Ethics, Greek philosopher Aristotle attempts...
Humanity and Society in Shakespeare's "The Tempest" Like this: What effect does society retain on people's actions...
Tags: AristotleAristotle's PhysicsnowperceptionphilosophyphysicsSensible ReasonTIMEZenoZeno's paradoxZeno's third paradox
Costa Rica's Seminal Envision Music & Arts Festival Celebrates 10th Anniversary This February
A Philosophical Look at the Merits of Tragedy
Next story Waveforms 2.0 Halloween Edition: Artikal Records Tour
Previous story A Long Awaited Philadelphia Incident on the Horizon: String Cheese Incident Fall Tour
Flock Talks: "Burning Up My Time" with Greg Ormont From Pigeons
Interview with Dom: Big Gigantic Drops New Album 'Nocturnal'—Available for Free Download.
The World Debut Of kLL.Gates in Brooklyn W/ Dimond Saints, ultraSloth, Levitation Jones, And Krook At Market Hotel
Buisness / Culture / Food / News / Nightlife / Travel
Citywide Gems – Dudley's Is A Cultural Hub In The Heart Of The L.E.S.
Sensibly Fresh Mx: Handsome Tiger Kicks Off The New Year With 20.20 Mix
Art Festival / Concert / Culture / Electronic Music / Festival Review / Music / Music Festival / Philosophy / Travel / Yoga
Ecliptics Unveils New 'Arrival' EP At Rose Gold W/ Mantra Sounds, Charmae & Toe Drag
Postmodern Jukebox Swings by Downtown Paris on their Whirlwind European Tour
SR Track of the Day: Grabbers Holders – Tipper
Come Chill VIP Style – Catskill Chill VIP "Chill Pack"
Entertainment / Everything / Music
Fan Poll Contest
Everything / Health / News
The Downs and Ups of Bipolar Disorder
Art Bassnectar Big Gigantic Break Science brooklyn Brooklyn Bowl Camp Bisco Catskill Chill Chicago Colorado disco biscuits Dopapod EDM Electric Forest Electronic electronic dance music electronic music festival funk Gramatik Griz House Interview Kung Fu Lettuce Lineup Live music lotus love music Music festival New York NYC Papadosio philadelphia Phish Pretty Lights React Presents Sensible Reason Skrillex sts9 the Disco Biscuits track of the day Umphrey's McGee Zeds Dead
Muslim Hindu Religious In... The Indian Subcontinent has experienced many religi... 132,529 views
A Galaxy Far Away in a Th... Update: 11.27.15 --The new Star Wars: The Force Awakens... 90,714 views
Exclusive Interview with... Sensible Reason had the chance to sit down with Postmod... 49,941 views
EVOLVEFEST: A Homophobic... Every so often you encounter something so ridiculous th... 48,208 views
Bang Bang (My Baby Shot M... New song by the artist Sconebad. A electronic music pro... 45,710 views
Come Chill VIP Style R... Hancock, New York (July 3, 2012) - The Catskill Chill... 28,554 views
6 Things You Need to Brin... Music festivals are extremely fun but no walk in the pa... 23,570 views
EDM on Snapchat: EDC, Tie... If you're an avid Snapchatter, then you must have seen... 23,473 views
Europe's Biggest Electro/... White Sensation is Europe's biggest electro/house party... 22,325 views
Aristotle and Plato on th... Plato and Aristotle, two of the most influential philos... 20,743 views


text:
88 Thisbe eller A903 PA är en av de största asteroiderna upptäckt 15 juni 1866 av C. H. F. Peters i Clinton, New York. Asteroiden har fått sitt namn efter Thisbe, en romersk hjältinna.

Thisbe har en del plana ytor och har inte samma albedo på hela asteroiden.

Referenser

Externa länkar

Huvudbältesasteroider
Småplaneter namngivna efter mytologiska figurer
Astronomiska upptäckter av CHF Peters
Astronomiska upptäckter 1866

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Alagrunden kan syfta på följande platser:

Finland

 Alagrunden, Kimitoön, Åboland,
 Alagrunden, Raseborg, Nyland,

Se även
Alagrundet
Algrund
Algrundet
Algrunden
Allgrundet
Alakrunni

Robotskapade Finlandförgreningar


text:
Hey D.C.: Baseball's Back
Looks like it's official: Major League Baseball is going to announce tomorrow that the Montreal Expos are moving to Washington, D.C.
Sandy Smith
…and it's high time we brought back a venerable name to the world of sports.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you your Waaaaasshingtonnnnnnn…
…BULLETS!
Joe Dailey
Bullets would be good just as a poke in the eye to 'ol PC Abe Pollin, and It would be ironic since a bunch of "state's rights" republicans are trying to strip away D.C.'s gun control laws (I don't even think the laws are effective, but maybe, just maybe, in a democracy people should get to pass bad laws if they want to). Also Ironic would be a return to the Senators, since D.C. does not have any. And of course we could name them the Angelos after the horrible owner with the great ballpark and mediocore team who has kept this city without a ball club for years (that one I stole from Tony Kornheiser). And if the NHL goes under, the Capitals would be available.
Nationals would be good, since the team would be in the National league and there was a D.C. team called the Nationals before it was the Senators (I). And yelling "Go Nats!" is catchy. But the best name would be the Greys, after the Negro League "Homestead Greys" which played in D.C. and Philly for years. and was more succesfull than the Nationals/Senators ever were.
Jason Lefkowitz
Damn, Joe, that's a good idea! Naming them for the Homestead Greys would be a fantastic gesture. A tribute to Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell… all the great Negro League players who never got to play in the major leagues.
The more I think about it, the more I like it.


Published 04/25/2019 03:50:24 am at 04/25/2019 03:50:24 am in Altura Ceiling Fan Light Kit.
altura ceiling fan light kit altura ceiling fan light kit home depot ceiling fans with light home depot up to off altura 68 inch ceiling fan light kit.
hampton bay altura ceiling fan light kits,altura 60 ceiling fan light kit,altura ceiling fan light kit home depot,altura 56 inch ceiling fan light kit,68 altura ceiling fan light kit,altura ceiling fan light kits,altura ceiling fan light kit installation,home decorators altura ceiling fan light kit,hampton bay altura 68 inch ceiling fan light kit,altura ceiling fan light kit,altura 68 in. oil rubbed bronze ceiling fan light kit.


text:
Валя-Бразілор () — село у повіті Арджеш в Румунії. Входить до складу комуни Бейкулешть.

Село розташоване на відстані 130 км на північний захід від Бухареста, 25 км на північний захід від Пітешть, 105 км на північний схід від Крайови, 98 км на південний захід від Брашова.

Населення
За даними перепису населення 2002 року у селі проживала  особа.

Національний склад населення села:

Рідною мовою назвали:

Примітки

Села повіту Арджеш


It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of "our hero". Born in Miami Az to John and Martha Williams. Predeceased by Christina Williams (wife), his brothers , Henry , Tommy, Johnny, and Gilbert. Dave proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was a proud member of The Wilmington Horseshoe Association serving as President . He was very active running in marathons, finishing first in his group at Conquer the Bridge, and participating in the New Year Polar Bears swim. His life was devoted to his family, always supporting us 100%. He touched the lives of everyone who crossed his path. Survivors include ; his three daughters Gloria Gonzales, Theresa Lauro, Anna Williams . Godson Ray Craghill (Martha). Grandchildren ; Jason(Jo), David (Mary) Gonzales, Christina, and Carly Lauro, and Steven Jones. Great Grandchildren ; Taylor , Kaitlyn, Ruben, Nathan and Jake Gonzales . His loving sweetheart Bea Rodriguez; Brothers George (Jo), and Eddie Williams; Son in law Anthony Lauro; Beloved Goddaughter Rebecca Fonseca and numerous nephews and nieces. FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS. Visitation will be held on Monday, 5 – 8 p.m. at McNerney's Mortuary. A Funeral Mass will be offered on Tuesday, February 24, 2015, 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church followed by interment at Green Hills Memorial Park.


This is an extract from the album "C'est le beau monde" performed by the famous Quebecois humorist, singer-songwriter, impersonator and actor Jean Lapointe. He was born in 1935 and became a Canada Senator in 2001. The songwriter is also his partner in crime Marcel Lefebvre. He wrote in 1988 that "Jean Lapointe nous élève sur les hauteurs d'une poésie légère sans jamais se donner des airs de penseur" ("Jean Lapointe expresses a sense of otherwordliness through his poetry but never considering himself as an intellectual."). For verses, arrangers want you to feel free of interpreting, choosing the beat and text's prosody. Chorus is a lot more regular, a lot tender too but without any mushiness.


A British plane,on 08/23/2015, carrying 189 passengers came 'within 1,000ft (300 meters)' of a rocket or missile as it approached Sharm El Sheikh, it emerged on Friday 11/06/2015 night. The Thomson flight TOM 476 from London Stansted only took evasive action after the pilot spotted the missile speeding through the air.
The revelation comes amid claims British jihadists had spoken about an Islamic State 'mole' at Sharm el-Sheikh airport minutes after the Russian Metrojet flight KGL9268 crashed in Sinai, on 10/31/2015,killing all 224 on board.
The UK's Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed that the incident took place but said it did not believe the missile was an attempt to target the British plane, instead ascribing the missile seen by the Thomson pilots to Egyptian military manoeuvres.
According to the Sun, British extremists were discussing details of the plot in online 'chatter' picked up by US intelligence officers. Sources told the newspaper there was suggestion there might still be an Islamic State agent active in Sharm el-Sheikh airport.
Meanwhile, USA news outlet NBC said American officials had heard leaders from the terror group boasting about the downing of a Russian passenger jet over Egypt. Citing unnamed officials, the report said ISIS chiefs in Raqqa, Syria, were heard speaking to an affiliated group in the Sinai Peninsula about taking down the plane and how it was done.
* Portable anti-aircraft missile launchers, which intelligence agencies believe Isis-affiliated groups could possess – are capable of targeting planes only at low altitudes.


Welcome to Dorset's online dating site for singles in Langton Long Blandford, we're here to help you make new friends and start relationships with local people around Langton Long Blandford, Dorset. If you're serious about wanting to meet someone in Langton Long Blandford and are looking forward to getting yourself out on some fun dates then you have found the right dating website. We're not just a Langton Long Blandford dating site, we're focused on making new relationships that last. Something that takes effort and commitment on both sides, a serious dating site for Langton Long Blandford singles who are ready to date.


text:
Barack Obama>
Govt Training Game Marks 'Unhappiness with US Foreign Policy' as 'High Threat'
CyberAwareness Challenge prepares millions of federal employees for peer-policing of 'suspicious' coworkers
Lauren Mccauley
How does the government hope to spot the next Edward Snowden? And how can federal employees pitch in to spot the 'threat'?
Thanks to a video game dubbed the "CyberAwareness Challenge" created by private contractor Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), federal employees can be trained in the fine arts of password creation, social networking security and stealth peer-policing among coworkers.
"You've just been promoted and this is your first week in this position," the introduction reads, as the viewer is seated at their new virtual cubicle. "As with any new position, you will have a lot to do and learn. In your new role, you will be dealing with more information, and more sensitive information than ever before. You have to be aware that adversaries are constantly trying to get their hands on that information with a wide range of attacks. Remember information security is part of your responsibility and should be placed above all else."
The game, which is reportedly given to a "wide range of federal employees," takes new hires through a series of tests during which they are challenged to make the "secure" decision. In round three, participants are asked to assess the threat levels posed by their coworkers.
In one instance, the game warns federal workers that they should consider a hypothetical Indian-American woman named Hema a "high threat" because she frequently visits family abroad, has money troubles and "speaks openly of unhappiness with U.S. foreign policy."
In response to these 'indicators,' particularly the note regarding political dissatisfaction, Federation of American Scientists government secrecy expert Steve Aftergood toldHuffington Post, "It is not a threat indicator. It could apply to most members of Congress, if not to most Americans. By presenting the matter this way, the slide suggests that overt dissent is a security concern. That is an error."
Calling the CyberAwareness Challenge "ignorant and clumsy"--particularly the section which flags people who "speak openly of unhappiness with U.S. foreign policy"--
Unclassified versions of the training game are available for anyone to play online. According to Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Damien Pickart, several million people across the federal government have taken the training since it was released.
The game was produced in October 2012--one month before the Obama administration finalized its "Stasi-like" Insider Threat policy, revealed last month by McClatchy who reported at the time:
In an initiative aimed at rooting out future leakers and other security violators, President Barack Obama has ordered federal employees to report suspicious actions of their colleagues based on behavioral profiling techniques that are not scientifically proven to work, according to experts and government documents.
The techniques are a key pillar of the Insider Threat Program, an unprecedented government-wide crackdown under which millions of federal bureaucrats and contractors must watch out for "high-risk persons or behaviors" among co-workers. Those who fail to report them could face penalties, including criminal charges.
Lauren McCauley is a former senior editor for Common Dreams covering national and international politics and progressive news. She is now the Editor of Maine Beacon. Lauren also helped produce a number of documentary films, including the award-winning Soundtrack for a Revolution and The Hollywood Complex, as well as one currently in production about civil rights icon James Meredith. Her writing has been featured on Newsweek, BillMoyers.com, TruthDig, Truthout, In These Times, and Extra! the newsletter of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. She currently lives in Kennebunk, Maine with her husband, two children, a dog, and several chickens.
Barack ObamaBig BrotherEdward Snowden


Are we seeing the beginning of the Great Tribulation?
Many Christians today believe they will be taken up from Earth in a secret rapture while the unsaved world suffers the wrath of God during what some Bible scholars refer to as Jacob's Trouble.
Well, if you are one of those who believe in the rapture theory, then I urge you to prayerfully study the Scriptures. Because there are going to be many Christians who place their faith in this 'secret rapture' who may not be prepared for what is coming upon God's people.
Friend, I urge you to get ready. Prepare your heart and mind for a time of trouble like never before. I am not here to scare you or to cause you any anxiousness, but to give you the truth from the Word of God about a Great Tribulation that is coming upon the whole earth.
Remember Jesus was speaking to his followers and NOT unbelievers! Jesus gave this statement after prophesying about the destruction of Jerusalem, which happened in 70 AD. The saints endured horrendous persecution after this, and between 538 and 1798, the Roman Catholic Church slaughtered over 50 million Christians! Now did God take these saints out of this tribulation? No, He kept them THROUGH it. Many of the saints who were burned at the stake were filled with the peace of God, and even sang hymns while it was happening because they felt God's presence so strong through it.
If God did not take His people out of these times of trouble, what makes you think He is going to take you out of the tribulation to come? Why would He allow His people of old to give their lives for their faith in God, but spare you from the same?
We live in a time when most people are content to get their knowledge of religion from T.V specials, novels and greeting cards. But you cannot afford to neglect your personal responsibility to prove the truth!
The rapture doctrine was made even more popular in the 1970s by Hal Lindsey's writings (The Late Great Planet Earth, etc.) and more recently by Jim Jenkins and Tim LaHaye in their Left Behind fictional books and films. But where did the idea of the rapture originate?
Darby's pre-tribulation view of the rapture was then picked up by a man named C.I. Scofield, who taught the rapture view in the footnotes of his Scofield Reference Bible. Many who read the Scofield Reference Bible accepted what its footnotes said as biblical truth and adopted the rapture doctrine even though no Christian had heard of it in the previous 1800 years of Church history!
The apostle John wrote in Revelation 11:15 that the seventh trumpet was the last one that was sounded: "The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever." So we should read what happened to the Church during the other six trumpets.
Unfortunately, God is not going to allow us to hear any warning trumpets sound before the end of the age. But if we are wise we can know when the time is close.
A doctor cannot know the exact date of an infant's arrival but by watching the mother, the doctor can predict an approximate time of delivery. Meteorologists cannot know the exact time a hurricane will make landfall or when a tornado will appear, but by watching the weather patterns they can forecast an approximate time and warn people to take cover.
Mat 24:37-39 warns us that just "as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man." Again, I remind you that Jesus was speaking to his followers.
So is it possible that we are not only living in the Last Days but are actually living in the beginning of the Great Tribulation?
When I see how utterly sinful the world has become, when I see how corrupt government agencies and world leaders have become, when I see how children are being abused, killed and thrown away like garbage and when I see the rise of terrorist groups around the world who use beheadings as a way to instill fear in its victims while the world (and the Church) sit passively by eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, I wonder if we are.
What would cause so many Christians to fall away from God? Could it be because so many put their faith in a secret rapture that turned out not to be true?
I believe that many professing Christians will be tested during the Tribulation to see whether they have true faith. Take a look at Revelation 12 and 13: It tells us all about the persecution of God's people right up to the very end times.
But also know that if we trust Him, God will give us the strength and the grace we need to keep us through whatever the world throws at us.


Posted on July 5, 2013, in Communities, Lifestyle, Money Savers and tagged Apartment Rentals, apartments for rent in Atlanta, atlanta apartments. Bookmark the permalink.	Comments Off on How to End a Lease on Good Terms.


text:
Sleeping through the static
No, honestly, I am dumb. Most of the time I'm playing smart.
Spent a couple hours at the MCA ground today watching the Ranji Trophy match between Mumbai and Saurashtra. About the only moment of excitement was when Rohit Sharma, after a long session at the nets, took over a photographer's camera and began shooting shots of us journalists sitting in the press enclosure.
The cricket, to say the least, was mind-numbingly dull and that is because of the nature of the wicket. How can Indian cricket survive when the curators are happy to produce such benign surfaces? Ajit Agarkar, will all due respect to his batting prowess that earned him a Lord's Test century, and 20-year-old left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla, career batting average of 21.64, with a previous best of 30*, should not have been able to bat like Ponsford and Woodfull. Abdulla was steering, cutting and deflecting with such ease and regularity. There was nothing in the wicket for the bowlers, and Ravindra Jadeja deserves a medal for managing four wickets on that track. Abdulla was unbeaten on 150 - 150!! - when Mumbai declared at 580 for 9.
Why can't Indian curators lay pitches that provide a fair degree of bounce? Ask anyone in the know and their response will most always be unsuitability of the soil and interference by captains and host associations. But how long will curators offer these excuses? Why are there but three sporting five-day wickets in the country? To me, the root of the cause is that typical 'sab chaltha hai' attitude. So deep is the malaise that now few can attempt to change anything. There is no other excuse. The BCCI isn't short of money. Is the pitches committee such a threat to administrators of state associations? How can state associations demand wickets of their own liking?
One suggestion, not a solution, would be to scrap the home and away system currently in place. This has been suggested by others at the highest level but to no avail. This should be done for both the Super and Plate leagues. Have matches at neutral venues where pitces are not doctored according to the preference of a captain, coach or board official.
In most grounds across the country, the honorary curator is an elected position within that respective state associations. Many are qualified, but not all. It is those who lack the necessary experience or skills that is killing domestic cricket. In countries such as England, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, the curator is a professional position; the individual has graduated to level of education in cricket pitch management.
The BCCI and its various state associations need to implement a structure in which new curators are trained. The legion of geriatrics in existence need support and ideally need to be replaced. A system is in place, of that I know, but the pitches committee needs to work harder on formalized training of junior curators. The system must run deep.
What kid today will want to become a bowler if he watches the kind of cricket that was on view at the MCA ground today?
Dravid's recall: a knee-jerk reaction
Once again, youth has been jettisoned, the system has been done away with, journalist's Saturdays have been ruined and, quite amazingly, Rahul Dravid is back in the one-day team. The same Dravid who was dumped twice over the last four years and overlooked for the World Cup, a chance he silently pined for. WTF?
The decision, we are told, is a pragmatic, immediate one: the team is marred by injury and needs Dravid's vault of international experience - he is the seventh-highest run-scorer of all time, with 10,765 runs in 339 matches - and his innate ability to scrap and hold together an innings.
But the man in question is 38 years and 207 days and hasn't played an ODI since September 2009, after being recalled two years from being dropped. The scenario then? India's young hopefuls had failed to cope in testing conditions in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy in 2009. The scenario now? Injury to Yuvraj Singh, Cheteshwar Pujara's absence through injury, the apparent n…
Oakville - our field of dreams
We each have our field of dreams. The space where we first really took to cricket, where we played the game because we just loved the sound of ball (rubber, tennis, cork, whatever) on ball, where we could square-drive like our heroes (Dravid, for me) and mimic bowling actions and try our hands at legspin or left-arm pace and try to intimidate and flourish, and where we could - for an hour, a day - escape the drudgery of school and chores. Maybe it was a parking lot or a sandlot, a maidaan, an open field, a side street, a gulli, a stadium, an terrace. You know what I'm talking about.
For me, that field was a beaten up, run down former tennis court tucked away between the magnificent deodar and handsome Indian Chestnut tree and sturdy Himalayan Oak and serene maple trees. A little piece of heaven where in days of yore British, American and Canadian missionaries spent sunny summer afternoons playing tennis and rounders but which by the time my buddies and I took over had withered int…
A shellacking, a hammering, call it what you want. It wasn't pretty, and India have much soul-searching to do. But instead of going crazy and hammer and tongs at the team, we need to accept that that India were just poor, and were beaten by a very good team. England won session after session, leaving India with very little to clutch at. They came in at them and didn't allow much room to breath or flex their muscles.
Their lower order was far superior to India's, which in the first two Tests was rolled over. On day one at Trent Bridge, England lifted themselves from 85 for 5 to 221 with the last two wickets adding 97 runs. Conversely, India capitulated from 267 for 4 to 288 in a matter of six overs. In their first three innings, India lost their last five wickets for 46, 36, and 15 runs. It was heartening to see MS Dhoni and Praveen Kumar offer some fight in both innings at Old Trafford, and for India's sake lets hope this inspires the batsmen.
Crucially, E…
Jamie Alter
Buy the rights.
Watching England post 517 for 1 in their second in...
These are a few of my favorite things ...
Is Gautam Gambhir really out of form? The question...
I quite enjoy not having to to office anymore. I g...
The most intriguing aspect of tomorrow's play will...
Poor attack aside, Virender Sehwag's 199-ball 173 ...
Have uploaded PDFs of my recent interview with Dan...
New Zealand are in the country after a 0-4 ODI whi...
Spent a couple hours at the MCA ground today watch...


text:
career-colleges
Home > Georgia > Gwinnett College – Lilburn
Gwinnett College – Lilburn
Also known as Gwinnett College of Business
4230 Hwy 29 Ste 11, Lilburn, GA
Gwinnett College - Lilburn operates as a two-year private school dedicated to providing a solid education for students located in and around Lilburn. Students can select from a few areas of study, including:
Health and Clinical Professions
Business and Marketing Studies
Legal Professions and Studies
Last year over 160 students were awarded degrees with about 56% of those who start the program continue it to completion. Gwinnett College, Lilburn offers several programs to choose from. Listed below are the programs with more popularity among students:
To help support students, Gwinnett College - Lilburn may provide services like those listed below:
Classes offered on nights and weekends
Academic counseling for students
Assistance to find work
The last reported accreditation for Gwinnett College - Lilburn was done by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Please visit gwinnettcollege.edu for more information on programs offered and consumer disclosures.
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.
Get more information about the programs offered by Gwinnett College – Lilburn by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Business Administration (A, C)
Accounting (C)
Data Entry and Microcomputer Applications (C)
Medical Assistant (A, C)
Massage Therapy (C)
Medical Office Assistant (C)
Paralegal (A)
*The posted costs for tuition, fees and supplies are determined through historical data and may not represent current costs.
**Repayment rates, earnings, and loan payments are estimated to provide a comparative context. For more detailed information individuals are asked to contact the school.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The cost of attendance is approximately - per year, after the grants, scholarships and other forms of aid are calculated. To calculate a more personalized cost check out their cost calculator here. The tuition and financial aid figures listed show various costs that students may encounter at this school. The numbers may not be accurate due to changing factors in a given year, and are only intended to provide a guideline for students.
Note: Financial aid is only available for those who qualify, check with the school for details.
Tuition & Fees Information
Annual tuition is estimated to range between $9,800-$12,000
Per unit charges are around $240 for part time students
Required fees for full-time students: $180
The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student.
Percent of Students
Average Amount
Any Financial Aid 98% -
Receiving Grants & Scholarships 90% $4,450
Receiving Student Loans 96% $8,210
Other Career Colleges
The list of nearby schools has been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Gwinnett College – Lilburn.
Everest Institute - Norcross in Norcross, GA (3 miles away)
Omnitech Institute in Atlanta, GA (11 miles away)
Miller - Motte Technical College - Macon in Macon, GA (74 miles away)
Virginia College - Macon in Macon, GA (79 miles away)
Miller - Motte Technical College - Columbus in Columbus, GA (108 miles away)


While personal injury cases in Florida have varying levels of complexity, most cases can benefit from a pre-trial investigation. Depending on the reliance of expert witness testimony, the time elapsed since the tort and other factors, some cases require more extensive investigation than others.
While our Fort Myers personal injury lawyers recognize that some clients are reluctant to invest in the expense of an extensive investigatory process. However, in cases where information is not readily apparent or accessible, that kind of investigation can be essential to winning a case.
An attorney's ability to develop a successful strategy that concisely and clearly conveys relevant information to the jury – or even to a judge – depends heavily on the depth and quality of information gathered in advance of trial.
In some scenarios, a case pursued without a solid pretrial investigation will not even make it to the trial phase. Such was the case in Lewis Entertainment, Inc. v. Brady, weighed recently by the Mississippi Supreme Court. Here, the plaintiffs failed to identify the proper defendant, resulting in dismissal of the case.
According to court records, the plaintiff fell and was injured while roller skating at a rink in the summer of 2009. The rink was technically a non-entity, owned by a corporation that went by a different name.
Following the fall, the plaintiff filed an injury lawsuit against three different entities on the last day before the closing of the statute of limitations. One of those defendants was the former owner of the rink. It had no affiliation with the current owner.
A summons was never issued for the actual owner of the rink, and at no time was that company named specifically as a defendant in the case.
Later, it was revealed that a process server for the plaintiff attempted to serve the former owner of the rink on site, more than four months after the complaint was filed. At that time, the rink was shuttered, and a person in the parking lot informed the server that the owner hadn't owned the rink for seven years. The server later found out the former owner was dead, but his widow refused to accept papers.
The case was later dismissed under state rules indicating the plaintiffs had failed to show good cause as to why all parties hadn't been properly served. The plaintiff asked for additional time, but the court never issued a ruling on the matter.
It was not until more than 200 days after the initial complaint was filed that the actual owner of the rink was served. At that time, the owner filed a motion to dismiss. The trial court denied this, but the appellate court reversed.
In this case, failure to timely serve the defendant had a lot to do with the fact that the plaintiffs hadn't correctly identified who or which entity should be served.
Of course, there are situations in which defendants actively seek to avoid process servicing, and the court does recognize this and will on occasion make exceptions when plaintiffs can show good cause, typically in the form of a good faith effort to serve. Here, however, the name of the proper defendant didn't appear on the paperwork until some 200 days after the initial complaint was filed. The court found this information was available, had a proper pre-trial investigation been conducted by plaintiff counsel.


text:
If Video Games Are Going to Grow Up, Then the Bullying Needs to Stop
By Cliff Bleszinski
Disclaimer: I was a key creative in what is often considered one of the more "dudebro" franchises out there, Gears of War. I'd also like to remind everyone out there that I went out of my way in working with our team, the writers, and Epic's artists to make sure that female characters are represented well in that franchise. By the time we got around to Gears 3 the female soldiers were kicking butt right alongside the men in outfits that weren't drastically different than the men's, and with a restrained depiction of hair and makeup. (I was just tired of seeing stripper looking female game characters after all of those years…ironic, considering how exaggerated the men were.)
(I'm also not the best person to post about misogyny on the internet as I'll be the first one to post a sexy picture of my wife or give young boys tips on how to flirt with girls.)
However, I can't let this one slip, because there's a deeper cancer plaguing our business.
Let's talk about Anita Sarkeesian.
The "Tropes Vs. Women" controversy caught my attention when I noticed, right on Anita's main Kickstarter image for her campaign, that there was Anya, front and center. I was surprised and a bit confused by this. As I mentioned above, she wasn't an object to "win" in the Gears franchise. She was far from helpless as the franchise matured. Even then the franchise was famous or characters such as fan favorite Bernie, who was an older woman who kicked plenty of enemy butt as well.
Once her first video launched, I found it to be smart, informative, and well put together. She clearly knows what she's doing and, even if you knew a lot of the information she was sharing it's worth watching for the nostalgia of how comedic the repetitive nature the business has been with the Damsel in Distress motif. After watching the video I went to my Twitter feed to see what the fuss was about … were there really people out there who were still so very angry at what this woman was doing?
Here's Anita Sarkeesian's First 'Tropes vs. Women In Games' Video
It's been a long road for feminist critic Anita Sarkeesian. Last summer, she ran a wildly…
We saw a public display that mirrored the worst of what the anonymous internet male culture has to offer.
As it turns out, yes, there were. I heard a variety of responses. Before we dive into some of the thinking behind them, let's look at some of the Kickstarter numbers and break it down a bit.
Anita was asking for 6000$ for her campaign. News hit the internet of the campaign, and the Taliban of videogaming responded in droves. Who was this…this…woman who wanted to analyze women in video games? How dare she! An army of bold (and, naturally, largely anonymous) men…no, wait, boys, because even adult males that acted in this manner are boys – proceeded to give her a digital stoning. We saw a public display that mirrored the worst of what the anonymous internet male culture has to offer. That young guy who assumes that a girl playing an online game is fat, ugly or slutty now had a CAUSE to rally behind!
And then a funny thing happened. Anita shared some of the heinous virtual abuse – bullying, in fact – on her website and people rallied behind her to the tune of over 150K. Folks who responded to my Twitter query were enraged by this fact! How dare she ask for money and then get … well, a whole lot more money! One guy even made a flash game where you can beat her up. How much of a bored, hateful loser must you be to even consider doing something like that?!
I'd like to take this moment and remind everyone out there that my good friends at Double Fine, not so long ago, also killed it on Kickstarter. After asking for 400K on Kickstarter they wound up with a final tally of 3.3m. Now, I read the Kickstarter page about campaigns that succeed and I didn't find a single line about doing too well at Kickstarter. As far as I can tell, if you put up a campaign where you ask for 500 bucks to artistically photograph your ham sandwich and it becomes a thing online you're welcome to do whatever you need to with the difference as long as you fulfill your promises to each backer.
So let me get this straight. Doublefine can win Kickstarter but a woman who wants to analyze the treatment of her gender in our business is somehow…exempt from this?
What color is the sky in the world you trolls live in?
I'm assuming you can do a decent web series for a pretty low amount of money. $6,000 sounds like a healthy budget, even maybe a bit much for what the Anonymous Internet Boy Taliban thought was needed for the videos. Here's the thing, though, boys. It's not your call on how much the series should cost, or how much she should be allowed to make on Kickstarter. (The Boys were so enraged by this as they believed she "scammed" money out of people. One man's "scammed" is another's "shut up and take my money.")
You know, maybe people were just happy to donate money to a project that should see the light of day because of irrational immature male fear on the internet. It's called voting with your dollars.
So let's assume that Anita fulfills the promises to all of her backers and is then left with $144,000.00. I'm gathering this project is a self employed gig, so she most likely has to pay self employment tax. Fulfilling everything to the donors also costs money. When you earn that amount of money you are also in a higher tax bracket and you make more, you pay more. I'm not an accountant, but I'd estimate that when all is said and done and this project takes her a year then she might actually be able to pay herself a (gasp) good salary for her year's work.
How dare she!
Heaven forbid a woman actually take a magnifying glass to our beloved hobby and actually try to unravel and figure out why things are the way they are in the effort that somehow she might change things? Why aren't there more female protagonists? Are you protecting Lara Croft in the new Tomb Raider or are you empowering her? And god dammit, where's my Buffy game?
Shame on all of you.
My wife and I had dinner with the always amazing Warren Spector and his brilliant (and sharp tongued) wife Caroline last night and this very subject came up. Caroline was rather eager to speak up about it. We went back and forth on the subject and, I'm paraphrasing, but the takeaway that she said to me (and I'm sure she'll do a great talk or article about it) is that we're not supposed to be this crowd.
We're the gamers, the dorks. We're the ones who were on our computers during prom. We're the ones that were in the back of the lunch room who were playing D&D instead of tossing a football around on the quad. We were supposed to be the open, friendly ones, the ones who welcomed all into our wonderful geeky circle.
We're not supposed to be a mob that's storming the gates with our pitchforks and torches.
We're not the bullies. And that's what happened to Anita.
Recently at the DICE summit in Las Vegas David Cage called on the industry to "grow up." In some ways, David, I agree… we can do better in many, many areas. We can make more mature and engaging plot lines and explore unique game mechanics beyond sawing someone in half. The reason we haven't? It's because it's fucking hard and we're looking at an industry that is ever more risk averse as more and more money is needed to craft product.
However if we're going to grow up as an industry we're going to need the consumer to grow up a bit as well. The latent racism, homophobia, and misogyny online are black marks on an otherwise great hobby. Anonymity is the gasoline on the fire of hate that flares up on forums, chat rooms, and Xbox Live on daily basis.
Why are there so many shooters? Because it's easy to make a trace in code to see if you virtually "tagged" someone. Why were there so many princesses in need of rescue? Because it was easy, and for many years we didn't have the tools or desire to try something else. Why did Mario have a moustache originally? Because they didn't have the graphical fidelity to depict much more. The purpose of research is to encourage rational thought in areas where there may have not been much before. If, by watching Anita's videos I, as a developer, can reconsider how I depict women in any future product of mine then her work may very well be worth it.
And maybe, as a result of this, years later we may see more and more girls who are comfortable playing games, online or off, or going to a conference …or joining the industry in a professional manner.
This is where change sometimes starts, merely by asking "Why?"
Cliff Bleszinski is a game industry veteran. He blogs on Tumblr and can be found on Twitter at @therealcliffyb.
Republished with permission.
God Hand BrynnFlynn
Here's the thing. I am a woman, and I play video games. I built my own computer, I regularly upgrade it, and I play console, portable, and PC games with equal abandon.
I object to Sarkeesian not because she's a woman, but because she is being hailed as "the voice of the female gamer" when she decidedly does not represent me or the majority of female gamers. She takes a microscope to video games when what's actually needed is a magnifying glass. She narrows in on the things that represent her world view, and rejects any disagreement with said world view without hesitation.
Do I believe video games need to 'grow up', and that the industry needs to reevaluate itself in the face of a new generation of female gamers? Absolutely. But why the hell is Sarkeesian being placed on this pedestal, when we have women like Rhianna Pratchett who is actually working to change the atmosphere, to create characters who were, in the good ole days, characterized as sexual objects with gameplay and have been transformed through their work into actual characters? Why are we idolizing someone who sits on their ivory throne and gets to dictate how things should be according to her own master plan, instead of the folks who are actually in the trenches and making these changes happen?
It truly disgusts me that Sarkeesian gets as much screentime as she does. If something changes in the game industry because of her (and I mean, someone directly calls her out as their inspiration for a game), then I might give her some credit. But I would much rather devote my dollars and time to people like Pratchett who are making the change happen, instead of whining about it from behind a camera.


Kaplan will incorporate EC-Council's cyber security features into its Foundation Diploma and Skills-based Diploma programmes to produce cyber-savvy graduates.
EC-Council is the world's largest cyber security technical certification body and operates in 145 countries globally. Kaplan signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) todayto formalise this arrangement withEC-Council, and Wissen International, which markets EC-Council's programmes.
This will provide a core background in computing as well as the principles, techniques and processes essential in training to be a computer forensics investigator. With rising cybercrime, such investigators are needed for a range of offences -- from minor indiscretions to major embezzlements and serious sexual offences, in which trained personnel need to track information on digital media and examine digital evidence necessary for criminal investigations. Graduates of University of Portsmouth's programmes elsewhere have gone on to become digital forensics and cyber security specialists.
Murdoch Singapore and Google have reached agreement to co-host the "Singapore Forum on Cyber Worlds in the Asia Pacific 2017" on August 3.


The local cigar club of Mainz and Wiesbaden, called "CCC - Cigar Cult Club" celebrated his 10th anniversary after the club has been founded on 03/11/2000, a good occasion for Marcel and me to head out to Wiesbaden.
Due to some changes in the philosophy of the club only one of the founders is left, but nevertheless there are many people who are members and friends since many years.
Several companies (Dannemann, Rauchkultur Seiler, Zigarren-Zirkel Bergstrasse, Autohaus Fuhrmeister, 5th Avenue, Havana Club etc.) supported this event with different stuff and altogether it was a big fat party.
For the greeting a Riesling sparkling wine was served at the bar area and CCC's president welcomed the guests. After the short "opening ceremony" first aperos were handed out.... shrimps, gratinated oysters, little pieces of chicken breast etc.
These little appetizers were followed by loads of excellent food, see some examples of what we had on our plates during the next time... Cuban/Caribbean buffet at its best! Thanks to the cuisine of Castle Vollrads.
The room was filled with 75 cigar smokers, many people I know from several events and it was really a big pleasure to meet them and have some nice conversation.
An evening with many highlights and occasionally Gabriel spread some more information about the history of the club. Members of other clubs handed out some presents and also the members of the Cigar Cult Club got a special present (more informations about this specialty will follow in a later report).... Sorry that I've not made pix of every lil detail.
My personal "cigar-wise" highlight was the smoke of a cellophaned Cohiba Lancero from 1987. I just can say "WOW" about the flavors and the pleasure I'd while smoking this cigar. A really great smoke, I guess it was worth to smoke it at this evening.
We took a nap of app. 3.5 hours and met later in Frankfurt with some of the crew for a brunch.


As Korea is trying to adjust to the emerging economic situation in the world, many new innovative ideas are being suggested by Korean intellectuals and leaders. One such idea is "korenter", emphasizing complete Korean economic integration with regional and world economies, which is propagated by Dr. Yoo Jang-Hee, Korea's top most leading strategic economic thinker. Quite opposite to what is currently happening in Europe where more countries are opting out of the European Union, Dr. Yoo Jang-Hee is advocating rather Korea should enter the world economy more strongly.
Currently Dr. Yoo Jang-Hee is an emeritus professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea. Following his undergraduate work in economics at Seoul National University, he earned his M.A in economics at UCLA, and received his Ph.D. from the Department of Economics at Texas A&M University., He also served the Korean government in various positions, including President of Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP), Vice Chairman of Presidential Council of Economic Advisors, Chairman of the National Commission for Corporate Partnership to name only a few.
Recently Biz Tech Report had the chance to sit with Dr. Yoo Jang-Hee in his office in downtown Seoul and explore his views on the current global economic situation and options left for Korea to cope with the fast-changing regional and international economic environment.
Q1: How do you see the prevailing current economic situation in the world?
Prof. Yoo: The current economic situation in the world is very capricious. A lot is happening within a short period of time. In this fluid situation countries are trying to protect their economic interests by imposing safeguards and increasing trade tariffs. But this is wrong. All trade disputes must go through the WTO even though it takes a longer time. It is a mechanism that the whole world created to avoid any unfair situations and to restrict the powerful counties from dominating the whole world trading system in a wrong way.
Q2: Is multilateralism dead? Or is there still some hope left?
Prof. Yoo: In the short run, the multilateralism is going to be on the verge of facing strong attack from the big powers. In the long run however, the whole world is not that patient to live with this anti-multilateralism or power-oriented order of the world trading system, because the whole world has already experienced a better way through which it was able to grow faster. Before WWII, protectionism and nationalism were on top; but because of recognition of the disorder of international trade, 23 major trading countries came together to establish the order of world trade and adopt the GATT in 1947. Since then in 70 years, in a long-term trend, the whole world has been moving toward free trade and multilateralism. So there is still hope left. In the short run, the multilateralism is under attack and may be at a crisis. But in the near future, the whole world is wise enough to come back to the free trade and multilateralism.
It is election time in Korea. The campaigns for gubernatorial, mayoral and local council elections, as well as by-elections for 12 parliamentary seats to be held on June 13, are set to start on Thursday, June 7, 2018.
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) party is expected to sweep the elections. Its candidates for 2,280 public servant posts, including 17 mayors and governors, and 17 education superintendents will be campaigning tirelessly in the next few days.
All parties are wooing voters with pledges and slogans. The ruling DPKis expecting to reap the fruits of recent North Korea peace overtures with its slogan, "Peace and the Economy." DPK expects big win over its main opposition, Liberty Korea Party (LKP) nation-wide.
According to recent reports, the Democratic mayoral candidate in Busan, Mr. Oh Geo-don, is leading in approval ratings against the conservative main opposition, LKP.
The pre-election polls show Oh Geo-don with a 50.5% approval rating against 20.4% LKP's Such Byung-soo, the current mayor of Busan.
Recently the Asia Pacific Business and Technology Report attended events organized by Oh Geo-don's campaign. Below are excerpts of the conversations.
Q1. What was the main purpose of yesterday's event held by the Real Estate Policy Committee?
- On June 4, around 300 people gathered in down town Busan to pledge support for our election campaign. The Real Estate Policy Committee has been serving in various parts of Busan for quite some time. Recently it acquired nationally recognized certification as a certified real estate agency. Although there are 7,750 real estate brokerage offices operating in Busan, the market has been getting sluggish and the new opportunities are closing. Of the 10,000 members in the Busan area, the 300 vice chairmen of the 23 committees under the Real Estate Policy Committee gathered and declared their support our polices and agenda.


Escaped drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is taunting his pursuers and former captors — with online photos showing him enjoying a beer and in the cockpit of a plane.
The humiliating photos were posted on a blog by the billionaire drug lord's son.
Guzman's breakout was accomplished via a milelong tunnel dug 30 feet beneath the shower stall in his cell. A motorcycle on rails was used to move dirt and tools.
The tunnel, equipped with lighting and ventilation, ended near a remote construction site. A neighbor told authorities he saw a helicopter land there Saturday night, around the time jailers discovered that Guzman was gone.
Authorities immediately launched a search in the Santa Juanita area west of Mexico City, and flights were suspended at nearby Toluca airport, but there was no sign of the elusive Sinaloa Cartel king following his escape from the supposedly airtight Altiplano Prison.
"This is like capturing Osama bin Laden, having him spend a year in prison and then [walk] away from that prison only to re-engage in his terrorist activities," said Anthony Coulson, a former US Drug Enforcement Administration supervisor.
Mexico's government is offering a reward of up to $3.8 million for information leading to his capture, according to CNN.
When Guzman was captured last year, US officials talked to Mexican authorities about bringing him to the United States, out of fear that he would repeat his 2001 breakout from the same prison.
He was already under indictment for murder, kidnapping and drug crimes in Brooklyn, Chicago and Miami, and they argued there would be little chance of his escaping from a US pen.
But American authorities never filed a formal extradition request because they knew the Mexicans would not agree to it.
Mexican authorities said 30 prison officials are being grilled over the fiasco.
"All the accolades that Mexico has received in their anti-drug efforts will be erased by this one event" if Guzman is not recaptured, said Michael S. Vigil, a retired DEA chief of international operations.
The tunnel Guzman used to escape the maximum-security prison.


text:
Bernie Sanders says he's raised $18.2 million in 41 days
WASHINGTON (AP) - Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders says his campaign has raised $18.2 million in the 41 days since he launched his Democratic presidential bid.
Campaign manager Faiz Shakir said Tuesday it came from about 900,000 first quarter contributions. He says the average donation was $20 and Sanders' campaign has $28 million cash.
Sanders was expected to post the largest fundraising haul among the Democratic field. He previously announced he'd raised $10 million in his first week.
Sanders fueled his unsuccessful 2016 campaign with grassroots giving. There was little surprise Sanders would have a strong quarter. The latest results cement Sanders as a financial front-runner in a growing primary field of more than a dozen candidates.
South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg launched an exploratory committee two months ago and said Monday he'd raised more than $7 million in the quarter.
Connecticut man accused of killing entire family near Disney World
Starving lions in Sudan park prompt worldwide campaign to save them


text:
Q: Move and rename file in android I am trying to copy a file to another folder in the android, but so far, i got no success. I manage to do so with a selected image and when taking a photo, but not with files.
I've read and tried several solutions passed by the community (searched over the forum and the internet), but none of it was able to solve my problem when copying.
First things first. I added the permissions to my manifest:
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />

after that, before copying a file, i print its filepath and the directory file path:

06-10 11:11:11.700: I/System.out(1442): /mimetype/storage/sdcard/Misc/Javascript erros for Submit and Plan buttons in IE.doc
06-10 11:11:11.710: I/System.out(1442): /storage/sdcard/files/queue

both exists:
to copy the file to the expected folder I used the FileUtils:
        try {
            FileUtils.copyFile(selectedFile, dir);
        } catch (IOException e) {
            // TODO Auto-generated catch block
            e.printStackTrace();
        }

The problem is: I get no exception and the file isn't there. I tried this solution either:
How to move/rename file from internal app storage to external storage on Android?
same thing, no exception, but no file either.
**Edited**
This is how I get the file.
        Uri uri = data.getData();
        File selectedFile = new File(uri.getPath());
        File dir = new File(Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory(), "files/queue");

To get the image, I do this way:
            Uri selectedImage = data.getData();
        String[] filePathColumn = { MediaStore.Images.Media.DATA };

        Cursor cursor = getContentResolver().query(selectedImage,filePathColumn, null, null, null);
        cursor.moveToFirst();

        int columnIndex = cursor.getColumnIndex(filePathColumn[0]);
        String picturePath = cursor.getString(columnIndex);
        cursor.close();

        saveChecklistImage(BitmapFactory.decodeFile(picturePath));

I retrieve the file here when I call BitmapFactory.decodeFile(picturePath), then, I save it without a problem.
Should file follow this standard as well?
**Solution**
I found out a way to do so in this post:
android get real path by Uri.getPath()
Specifically this method:
private String getRealPathFromURI(Uri contentURI) {
String result;
Cursor cursor = getContentResolver().query(contentURI, null, null, null, null);
if (cursor == null) { // Source is Dropbox or other similar local file path
    result = contentURI.getPath();
} else {
    cursor.moveToFirst();
    int idx = cursor.getColumnIndex(MediaStore.Images.ImageColumns.DATA);
    result = cursor.getString(idx);
    cursor.close();
}
return result;

kind of same thing i was doing with image, but in a much smarter way ;D
easier than I tought.
Thanks for the helpers

A: If argument 2 is a directory you should be using copyFileToDirectory.

A: copyFile() doesn't take directory as a 2nd parameter (see here). It takes file (as source) and file (as destination). Create an empty file first:
File file = new File(dir+"/newfile.doc");
if (!file.exists()) {
    try {
        file.createNewFile();
    } catch (IOException e) {
        e.printStackTrace();
    }

}
Use that instead of dir. Or use Travis' way. Also replace [space] with _ in your filenames.


text:
Lionel Messi to miss Barcelona's US tour for Napoli friendly match due to calf injury
Sports Agence France-Presse Aug 05, 2019 19:00:05 IST
Barcelona captain Leo Messi is out of action less than two weeks ahead of the opening of La Liga season after injuring his right calf
Messi will remain in Barcelona and will now not travel to the USA for the club's tour
Barcelona open the new La Liga campaign at Athletic Bilbao on 16 August
Barcelona: FC Barcelona captain Leo Messi is out of action less than two weeks ahead of the opening of La Liga season after injuring his right calf in training on Monday.
"I wanted to get started and unfortunately I had a mishap during the first training session which will keep me out of action for a while," the five-time Ballon d'Or winner posted on Instagram.
The Argentina star has already been ruled out of the team's trip to Florida for a one-off friendly against Napoli in Miami on Wednesday.
"Tests carried out have diagnosed a grade 1 calf strain," the Spanish champions said in a statement, an injury that can require around two weeks of recuperation.
"Messi will remain in Barcelona and will now not travel to the USA for the club's tour. His availability to come back to action will be dictated by his recovery from the injury."
Messi, who was at the Camp Nou on Sunday for the squad presentation ahead of the match against Arsenal, said he was sorry to be missing the Florida trip.
"I wanted to be with the team and with the people who follow us in the US," said Messi.
"This time it will not be possible but we will meet again soon. I kiss you all."
The club open the new La Liga campaign at Athletic Bilbao on 16 August.
Updated Date: Aug 05, 2019 19:00:05 IST
Tags : Barcelona, Football, KickingAround, La Liga, Lionel Messi, Napoli
LaLiga: Arturo Vidal's lawsuit against Barcelona over bonus payments dispute won't affect status in team, coach Ernesto Valverde
La Liga: Barcelona striker Luis Suarez sidelined for four months after undergoing knee surgery, confirms club
La Liga: Xavi focussed on Al Sadd's Qatar Cup final, still undecided on taking up offer to coach Barcelona, says club source
LaLiga: For Barcelona's new coach Quique Setién, all football knowledge comes from Catalan club's possession-based game
1Lionel Messi to miss Barcelona's US tour for Napoli friendly match due to calf injury


1. Should the CM Patch implement rune stacking?
We can add the ability to stack runes. Doing so will save inventory space.
EDIT: Read the whole thread to see how all my original arguments for voting NO were set aside due to coding developments. In the end, I too voted YES. As such, I left my original arguments for the sake of clarity, but crossed it out to indicate that the downsides to rune stacking were overcome in the end.
But, it will also make the bonuses on all runes in the stack identical. So, if you have a low level Darting Assault Rune with +1 Darting Assault and 2.0% Chance to Poison, then every Darting Assault rune you pick up afterwards will be added to that stack and the bonuses conformed to match it.
This means you would have to check each rune that drops before you pick it up, and make sure that you don't already have a lower-level stack of that rune in your inventory already, or you will lose the higher level bonuses.
In essence, you're trading one kind of micromanaging for another. You won't have to constantly look through an inventory filled with dozens of individual runes, but it will now be up to you to always check and make sure you're not adding high level runes to low level stacks in your inventory. One method to do this is always keep runes in your player stash, where stacks don't upgrade.
You could also spend 125000 gold to upgrade a single rune, then reverse upgrade the stack. This is basically a cheat feature, since you can add low level runes to high-level stacks, if this change is made.
>"check each rune that drops before you pick it up"
Not quite correct. Runes stack by CA's they represent. All runes spawn with the same level throughout the current difficulty level, their boni values determined by their static level and the difficulty. If you change the difficulty level, gather new runes and decide to merge stacks, then rune level and rune difficulty value are conformed to the first rune in stack. That's where the micromanagement part kicks in.
I would vote for yes. I can't honestly think of a scenario where socketing runes is useful except for at low levels and if as Dimitrius says the only thing impacting the bonus is the difficulty it drops in, then you are probably not going to be changing difficulty any time soon to progress past silver which I doubt would significantly impact the bonus level.
Otherwise, could you make all runes drops with the same bonus level regardless of difficulty?
>"Otherwise, could you make all runes drops with the same bonus level regardless of difficulty?"
Yes, we could, but I fought against that initially. I was certain that players would hate that, but maybe not? I have to admit I rarely if ever socket runes myself, but I assumed some builds relied on it.
given what Dimitrius clarified, I would say "Yes to stacking Runes"
Not knowing the progression off the top of my head / remembering all the details, the real benefit is the bonus to that specific combat art right? The higher the difficulty rune, the higher the bonus to the CA when socketed? I suppose that is potentially an issue, especially given not all players will have access to a shopping network capable of finding +All CA's which does increase the value of socketing the rune.
A Niobium rune would give +5 to that combat art, plus a very high level of the additional bonus that's only granted when the rune is socketed.
Also, when you socket a rune, you only get half the regeneration penalty than if you read the rune.
I linked to the runes page in my first post if anyone wants to refresh on the subject.
Would it be possible to stack runes the same way as potions? Potions stack according to their size, runes could stack according to their level. That would basically remove the further micromanagement because only runes with equal bonuses would stack together.
Otherwise, meh, I don't really know if I like the idea or not. Call me Switzerland on this.
Not sure why anyone would want a stack of runes in the first place. Are there people out there hoarding runes? They drop frequently and you can craft whichever rune you need on demand at the rune guy... seems kind of pointless. Fixing something that isn't broken.
The one and only reason for this change is saving inventory clutter. Runes fill up the inventory and stash FAST. I won't deny that.
The reasons against this change are... everything else I listed. I'm against the change, but I agreed to abide whatever the forum consensus is, if there is one.
Ok, so I think this is what I would end up doing if rune stacking was implemented with the knowledge that low level runes or stacks of runes would cause higher level same runes to be absorbed into a stack and adopt the lower level rune's stats.
Upon entering a higher server level I would either immediately sell my runes/stacks, store them in my chest or upgrade them. This would become a routine for me. Do I have the general logic correct?
Could you not filter more specifically though? So that bronze runes only stack with bronze, etc?
>"Could you not filter more specifically though? So that bronze runes only stack with bronze, etc?"
No, there's no explicit function checking that byte of the item data.
Stacks are created based on blueprint match. Rune Level is controlled by difficulty only: Bronze - 1, Silver - 1, Gold - 20, Platinum - 35, Niobium - 50. Item level in a stack is defined by the first item of that stack. A stack is updated if present in player inventory and the player picks up an item with the matching blueprint. It's not that easy to botch something.
Well personally I could easily manage fine with stacking runes but... Only because I have read this topic. The problem I would see with this feature is that it may be perceived as a pesky bug. For those who don't read the fine print. Would you implement an in game popup warning about the change so players would be well aware?
Also... I don't think I have quite a clear idea of the proposed feature. Initially, I had the impression that this would be an automatic function and that I would have no control over the stacking. It would just happen as I picked up drops. Upon a second read I get another possible impression that stacking would be manual.
Can someone give a brief step by step of how this feature would behave? Am I drag-and-dropping runes manually to initiate the stacking of runes? Or will it be an automatic constant as I play along?
I think reading through the above discussion and thinking more about it I'm leaning more towards leaving the functionality as is. This is mostly because, as has been pointed out, the change is only to reduce inventory clutter whereas the side effects impact the base functionality of the game. "If it isn't broken, don't fix it" springs to mind, runes not stacking isn't a bug, and ultimately I don't recall it ever being more than a minor nuisance.
However, in saying that, there are people still playing the game regularly, unlike myself, for whom this may be an issue so I completely understand if the end result is to implement this change.
Regardless of what is implemented I (and I'm sure many others here) do appreciate the opportunity given to the community to provide their input onto shaping the continued direction of the CM patch, so thank you to the team.
PS: Flix, I don't think I can update my response to the poll so you'll just have to remember that I'm now voting the other way.
@Dragon Brother I looked but didn't see an option to remove your vote. I'll probably look around more. That should be an option!
I still maintain my neutral stance, hence not voting yay or nay because I can see both situations being both helpful and harmful at the same time. When in doubt leave it as is I'd say.
Yeah, and the background green colour eats away any visibility on it. Best to try a different colour in the future.
PS: Got ninja'ed as the green turned blue. All is well now, carry on.
>"Can someone give a brief step by step of how this feature would behave?"
A player has found a Fireball rune and is keeping it in immediate inventory. Any Fireball runes found and picked up are stacked, until the stack size equals 50. Then the next stack in immediate inventory is created.
If the player moves a Fireball rune, or a non-topped off stack of Fireball runes to stash, any Fireball runes found next do not stack with those, unless the player drops both and then picks them up.
To extract runes from a stack, hold SHIFT and left-Click on a stack, then select the extracted amount.
The "dreaded" event of rune properties change happens if the player has moved to another difficulty, found some more Fireball runes, has kept a Fireball runes from an easier difficulty, has decided to merge two stacks, dropped both, took the weaker one first.
It's also worth noting again, that rune stacking only works for the same CA runes. Fireball stacks with Fireball and so on.
I voted against mainly for the potential (albeit minor) cheating feature of upgrading stack of runes. IMO this is not something that should be introduced by a patch so widely spread and whose main goal is restoring content.
I can understand the concern regarding the exploit of this feature and was totally on board with the fact that that would be wrong... Until I remembered that we actually provide chests full of runes as downloads. So for me the concern of exploit is no issue. People can download runes to their hearts content if they want.
The fact that we can download runes may also make the possibility of high level runes turning into low level runes when stacking a non issue. Maybe?
I'm having greater and greater difficulty finding a reason to vote no but won't vote until I feel confident in a choice.
Yeah, see that's the thing. Where could I put that? I could put it in a loading screen tip, of which there are hundreds. The player may never see it there, especially since the new memory-flushing protocol we implemented now skips the loading screens oftentimes (sorry folks).
I feel like someone should be able to read the official manual and/or years of Sacred 2 documentation on the web and not have it contradict the CM Patch. I think some players will feel blindsided by it, regardless of whether or not they ultimately would be agreeable to the change.


RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- The head of the Palestinian Authority committee against the separation wall and settlements died Wednesday after Israeli soldiers assaulted him in a village near Ramallah, committee sources said.
Ziad Abu Ein, 55, died after an Israeli soldier beat him on the chest with his helmet in the village of Turmsayya in the Ramallah district, the director of the committee's information center, Jamil al-Barghouthi, told Ma'an.
A Palestinian security source told AFP that Israeli forces beat Abu Ein with the butts of their rifles and their helmets during a protest march.
Defense Minister says investigation of death is under IDF investigation.
Israeli soldiers scuffle with Palestinians during a protest against Jewish settlements near the West Bank city of Ramallah December 10.
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said in a statement on Wednesday that the death of PA minister Ziad Abu Ein is under IDF investigation.
An offer to conduct a joint investigation was extended to the Palestinian Authority, Ya'alon said and that the parties were expected conduct an investigation together on Abu Ein's body.
Ya'alon emphasized the importance of continued stability and security in the region, and said that coordination with the PA will continue.
Earlier on Wednesday, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the death who died shortly after clashes with Israeli troops, threatening to halt security coordination with Israel.
Ziad Abu Ein, a PA minister without portfolio, was rushed by ambulance from the village of Turmusiya after being hit and shoved by IDF soldiers during a protest on Wednesday, according to a Reuters photographer who witnessed the incident and a medic.
The man died en route to the nearby city of Ramallah. Israeli army sources believe his death was a result of a heart attack and said it was looking into the incident.
The U.N. Security Council called for a speedy and transparent investigation after a senior Palestinian official died during a confrontation with Israeli soldiers, Agence France Presse reported.
The Palestinian leadership has blamed Israel for "killing" 55-year-old Ziad Abu Ein on Wednesday, which came during an anti-settlements protest march by roughly 300 Palestinians who intended to plant olive trees as a symbolic act.
Ziad Abu Ein was a Palestinian official in charge of the settlement portfolio. He died shortly after being hit and shoved by Israeli soldiers during the protest in the occupied West Bank, a Reuters photographer who witnessed the incident and a medic said.
Israeli authorities say an investigation has been launched and called for calm, amid speculation the Palestinian Authority would suspend security coordination with Israel in the occupied West Bank.
A Security Council statement issued late Friday "encouraged the parties to ensure that a swift and transparent investigation is undertaken. Council members took note of the willingness of the government of Israel to conduct a joint investigation into the incident.


National Bird Day Op Ed - by Sharon St. Joan of Best Friends Animal Society published in The Salt Lake Tribune.
KANAB -- Jan. 5 of every year has been designated as National Bird Day.
Most of us appreciate the cheerful song of robins in the spring, or the comical nature of companion parrots. But how often do we pause to consider what the life of birds is really like?
Do wild birds suffer from the loss of their habitat? Do parrots suffer from neglect? National Bird Day was created to give us time to reflect and to learn about the birds around us.
Let's take the example of Sydney, a companion parrot. An umbrella *censored*atoo, Sydney lived for two years with his person in California. He loved her, and she loved him. Naturally, he was a little jealous when other people intruded on their friendship. He greeted all guests and acquaintances who entered the house with a scream.
Sydney had a very impressive scream. The scream worked wonderfully well. People generally didn't stay long.
Gradually, Sydney discovered that he had a powerful bite, too. One day, Sydney bit his person's finger through to the bone, and soon after that, he was sent away from his home to a sanctuary.
At Best Friends Animal Society, he was given some retraining in parrot etiquette, and then a very loving home was found for him with a person who had a great deal of knowledge about parrots and experience in caring for them.
Sydney's story had a happy ending, but, sadly, many parrots who develop behavior problems like Sydney's are not so lucky. There are not enough homes or sanctuaries for them.
Parrots are the third most popular pet in the United States, following dogs and cats. However, parrots, and other pet birds, are among the most misunderstood pets in the United States. Because of this lack of understanding, these intelligent, sensitive creatures, who were meant to fly free in the rain forests, are often mistreated and neglected, or passed around from home to home.
Native wild birds do not fare any better, although the problems they face are quite different. Populations of songbirds, water birds and birds of prey in North America have been in gradual decline for several decades.
Many Web sites provide information to broaden our knowledge of birds, such as the sites of the Avian Welfare Coalition (www.avianwelfare.org), Best Friends Animal Society (www.bestfriends.org), or the Animal Protection Institute (www.nationalbirdday.org). There are hundreds of other Web sites about birds.
So, perhaps we can take a moment today, National Bird Day, to pick up a book about birds, and perhaps to think, not only of parrots in homes, but also of parrots in their native rain forests, and songbirds in wetlands and forests.
Let's also take a moment to notice the feathered ones who fly around us -- the sparrows at the shopping malls, the pigeons on the rooftops, the seagulls along the shore, the doves in our back yards, the owls in the trees at night. And, while noticing them, to reflect that they are the emissaries of our imperiled planet.
Their habitat is our habitat, and their home on earth is our home, too.
Sharon St. Joan is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and wildlife educator with Best Friends Animal Society, which operates the nation's largest sanctuary for homeless animals in Kanab. Ms. St. Joan established Wild and Feathered Friends, the bird and wildlife department at the sanctuary.