TEGUCIGALPA, Nov 28 2016 (IPS) - It was in the wee hours of the morning on October 19 when journalist Ricardo Matute, from Corporación Televicentro's morning newscast, was out on the beat in San Pedro Sula, one of the most violent cities in Honduras.
He heard about a vehicle that had rolled and was the first on the scene of the accident. When he saw four men in the car, he called the emergency number, for help. Little did he know that they were members of a powerful "mara" or gang.
Furious that he was making the phone call, they shot and wounded him, and forced him to get back into the TV station's van, along with the cameraman and driver, and drove off with them.
But other journalists who also patrol the city streets each night saw the kidnapping and chased the van until the gang members crashed it and fled. If they hadn't been "rescued" this way, the three men would very likely have been killed, because the criminals had already identified Matute and they generally do not leave loose ends, the journalists involved in the incident told IPS.
Matute, who is part of TV5´s so-called Night Patrol, was wounded in the neck with an Ak-47. The reporters lamented that in spite of the fact that the accident occurred near military installations and that they asked for help, the military failed to respond.
"The state does not protect us, but rather attacks us," one journalist told IPS on condition of anonymity.
Now Matute, a young reporter who was working for Televicentro, the biggest broadcasting corporation in Honduras, is safeguarded by a government protection programme, under a new law for the protection of human rights activists, journalists, social communicators and justice system employees.
Some 10 journalists, according to official figures, have benefited from the so-called Protection Law, in force for less than a year.
Matute sought protection under the programme after the authorities released, a day after the accident, a video showing the gang members who attacked him, captured by a local security camera. They were members of Mara 18 and carried AK-47 and AR-15 rifles.
Mara 18 and MS-13 are the largest gangs in Honduras. Mara 18 is the most violent of the two. Through turf wars they have basically divvied up large towns and cities for their contract killing operations, drug dealing, kidnappings, money laundering and extortions, among other criminal activity.
The authorities recommended that Matute take refuge under the protection programme and leave his job, since after the video was broadcast, the gang members felt exposed and could act against him in retaliation.
The young reporter Mai Ling Coto, who patrolled with Matute in search of night-time news scoops, told IPS that reporting in Honduras is no longer a "normal" job but is now a dangerous occupation.
This is especially true in a belt that includes at least eight of the country's 18 departments or provinces, according to the Violence Observatory of the Public National Autonomous University of Honduras.
"Now the only thing that is left is to entrust ourselves to God. We used to report normally without a problem, but now things have changed, especially for those of us who work at night. We have to learn new codes to move around danger zones in the city and the outskirts," she said.
"If we go to gang territory, we have to roll down our windows and flash our headlights; we move around in groups so they see that we are not alone," said Coto from San Pedro Sula, describing some of the security protocols they follow.
San Pedro Sula, 250 kilometres from the capital, is the city with the most developed economy in Honduras. It has a population of 742,000, and in 2015 had a homicide rate of 110 per 100,000 people.
This Central American nation of 8.8 million people is considered one of the most violent countries in the world.
The Commission for Free Expression (C-Libre), a coalition of journalists and humanitarian organisations, reported that between 2001 and 2015 63 journalists, rural communicators and social communicators were murdered.
In 2015 alone, C-libre identified 11 murders of people working in the media: the owner of a media outlet, a director of a news programme, four camerapersons, a control operator, three entertainment broadcasters, and one announcer of a religious programme. Most of them occurred outside of Tegucigalpa.
Ana Ortega, director of C-Libre, believes that journalism is not only a victim of violence, but also of laws and impunity.
She stated this in the group's annual report on freedom of expression, observing that a secrecy law obstructs the right of information, while new reforms to the criminal code are planned with references to the press.
"Now it turns out that reporters not only have to avoid commenting or giving news that affects the country's power groups, but also common criminals, and meanwhile the authorities don't give us any real assurance of protection," Juan Carlos Sierra, director of the news broadcast where Matute worked, told IPS in Tegucigalpa.
"We feel like neither the state nor the authorities respect us," he said.
Of the 63 documented murders, legal proceedings began in just four cases, and of these, only two made it to the last stage – an oral public trial – and ended with the conviction of the direct perpetrators, but not of the masterminds who ordered the murders.
"Investigation in Honduras is a failure, everything is left in prima facie evidence, and not only the press is trapped here by violence, but also human rights activists and lawyers," Velázquez told IPS.
According to reports by human rights groups, corruption and organised crime are the main threats to freedom of speech in Honduras, where being a journalist has become a high-risk occupation over the last decade.


text:
US economy posts strong growth in Q4, but with underlying weakness
The U.S. economy grew faster than expected in the fourth quarter, but that likely exaggerates the nation's health as a measure of domestic demand rose at its slowest pace in 2-1/2 years, reflecting the impact of higher borrowing costs.
China says Covid deaths, severe cases have fallen over 70% since peak
Critically ill Covid-19 cases in China are down 72% from a peak early this month while daily deaths among Covid-19 patients in hospitals have dropped 79% from their peak, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said on Wednesday.
South Korean economy shrinks in Q4 for first time in 2-1/2 years
South Korea's economy contracted in the final quarter of 2022 for the first time in 2-1/2 years, as a post-pandemic spending spree faded and global trade tumbled, central bank estimates showed on Thursday.
Immigrant California farm worker charged with 7 murders in Half Moon Bay shooting
An immigrant farm worker accused of shooting seven people to death near San Francisco, some of them his co-workers, made his first court appearance on Wednesday after he was charged with murder in California's second deadly gun rampage in recent days.
Tourists swarm gambling hub Macau over Lunar New Year after Covid curbs dropped
The world's biggest gambling hub Macau has seen tens of thousands of tourists stream daily into its casinos and picturesque cobbled streets over the Chinese New Year holiday, a stark contrast to the dearth of visitors since 2020.
Natural disasters caused $313B economic loss in 2022: Aon
Natural disasters, many driven by climate change, caused global economic losses of $313 billion in 2022, insurance broker Aon estimated on Wednesday, of which less than half was insured.
Two killed in Philippines air crash, another plane missing
Two Philippine air force aviators were killed in a crash Wednesday, while rescuers were searching for another plane that went missing the previous day with six people on board, authorities said.
Thai police seize 1.1 tonnes of crystal meth in under a week
Thai police seized 1.1 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine in less than a week, officers said Tuesday, as the kingdom cracks down on smuggling that has surged since the country's borders reopened.
US poised to approve sending Abrams tanks to Ukraine
The United States, in a reversal, is poised to start a process that would eventually send dozens of M1 Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Tuesday.
18 missing after cargo ship sinks off southwest Japan
Japan's coastguard said on Wednesday that it had rescued four crew members from a cargo ship that sank overnight off the country's southwest, but was still searching for 18 others.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
#include "ds1624.h"
#include "twi_master.h"
#include "nrf_delay.h"

/*lint ++flb "Enter library region" */

#define DS1634_BASE_ADDRESS 0x90 //!< 4 MSBs of the DS1624 TWI address

#define DS1624_ONESHOT_MODE 0x01 //!< Bit in configuration register for 1-shot mode
#define DS1624_CONVERSION_DONE 0x80 //!< Bit in configuration register to indicate completed temperature conversion

static uint8_t m_device_address; //!< Device address in bits [7:1]

const uint8_t command_access_memory = 0x17; //!< Reads or writes to 256-byte EEPROM memory
const uint8_t command_access_config = 0xAC; //!< Reads or writes configuration data to configuration register
const uint8_t command_read_temp = 0xAA; //!< Reads last converted temperature value from temperature register
const uint8_t command_start_convert_temp = 0xEE; //!< Initiates temperature conversion.
const uint8_t command_stop_convert_temp = 0x22; //!< Halts temperature conversion.

/**
 * @brief Function for reading the current configuration of the sensor.
 *
 * @return uint8_t Zero if communication with the sensor failed. Contents (always non-zero) of configuration register (@ref DS1624_ONESHOT_MODE and @ref DS1624_CONVERSION_DONE) if communication succeeded.
 */
static uint8_t ds1624_config_read(void)
{
  uint8_t config = 0;

  // Write: command protocol
  if (twi_master_transfer(m_device_address, (uint8_t*)&command_access_config, 1, TWI_DONT_ISSUE_STOP))
  {
    if (twi_master_transfer(m_device_address | TWI_READ_BIT, &config, 1, TWI_ISSUE_STOP)) // Read: current configuration
    {
      // Read succeeded, configuration stored to variable "config"
    }
    else
    {
      // Read failed
      config = 0;
    }
  }

  return config;
}

bool ds1624_init(uint8_t device_address)
{
  bool transfer_succeeded = true;
  m_device_address = DS1634_BASE_ADDRESS + (uint8_t)(device_address << 1);

  uint8_t config = ds1624_config_read();

  if (config != 0)
  {
    // Configure DS1624 for 1SHOT mode if not done so already.
    if (!(config & DS1624_ONESHOT_MODE))
    {
      uint8_t data_buffer[2];

      data_buffer[0] = command_access_config;
      data_buffer[1] = DS1624_ONESHOT_MODE;

      transfer_succeeded &= twi_master_transfer(m_device_address, data_buffer, 2, TWI_ISSUE_STOP);
    }
  }
  else
  {
    transfer_succeeded = false;
  }

  return transfer_succeeded;
}

bool ds1624_start_temp_conversion(void)
{
  return twi_master_transfer(m_device_address, (uint8_t*)&command_start_convert_temp, 1, TWI_ISSUE_STOP);
}

bool ds1624_is_temp_conversion_done(void)
{
  uint8_t config = ds1624_config_read();

  if (config & DS1624_CONVERSION_DONE)
  {
    return true;
  }
  else
  {
    return false;
  }
}

bool ds1624_temp_read(int8_t *temperature_in_celcius, int8_t *temperature_fraction)
{
  bool transfer_succeeded = false;

  // Write: Begin read temperature command
  if (twi_master_transfer(m_device_address, (uint8_t*)&command_read_temp, 1, TWI_DONT_ISSUE_STOP))
  {
    uint8_t data_buffer[2];

    // Read: 2 temperature bytes to data_buffer
    if (twi_master_transfer(m_device_address | TWI_READ_BIT, data_buffer, 2, TWI_ISSUE_STOP))
    {
      *temperature_in_celcius = (int8_t)data_buffer[0];
      *temperature_fraction = (int8_t)data_buffer[1];

      transfer_succeeded = true;
    }
  }

  return transfer_succeeded;
}

/*lint --flb "Leave library region" */

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


I am looking for an experienced Business Analyst who wants to contribute to the most demanding and exciting new digital service in the public sector, delivering real value to a service operating at scale in a large and diverse multi-disciplinary team.
The role is working for a organisation in the UK Government so public sector / central government experience is essential for the role. The role does fall outside IR35.
You will have great analysis skills and have experience of working in an agile multidisciplinary team of Developers, Designers, and QAs focused on the Department for Work and Pensions' flagship welfare reform programme.
Working with developers to ensure that the stories are implemented effectively and deliver the user needs.
Working with the BA team and wider community to ensure high quality delivery and continuously learn from and improve analysis practices.
If this sounds of interest, please apply via the link before 5pm on Monday 1st April.


Now this is what I call having a worthy goal!
... we plan to use two 10-story high Tesla Coils---the largest ever built. At full output power [around four million watts] the coil towers will fill an area the size of a football field with a continuous display of electrical discharges. By carefully adjusting the drive voltage [up to 14 million volts] and the spacing of the towers, we intend to explore this mysterious region where normal electric arcs transform into lightning.
The Electrum Project provided us a rare opportunity to study long electrical discharges up close. Electurm's unusual size allows a person to climb into the high voltage electrode while the sculpture operates at full power. By physically touching the launch point of the discharges with fast current probes, we were able to capture detailed waveforms of discharges up to 50ft in length.


text:
← 1967 Dodge Charger: Chrysler's Marlin!
1968-69 Skylark Custom: Wouldn't You Really Rather Have A Buick? →
1969 Lincoln Continental: Pure Class
Posted on August 12, 2019 by Tom Klockau
1969 was the final year for the classic '60s Continental. Only gradual changes had been made to the car since its 1961 debut, and the center-opening doors lasted nine model years, before giving way to a larger, all-new Continental for 1970. So many cars changed drastically between 1961 and 1969, style-wise, but not the Continental. Even in its last year, it was smooth, elegant and impressive.
"Lincoln Continental: America's Most Distinguished Sedan," extolled the 1969 brochure. The sedan differed from its 1968 predecessor with a new checkerboard-style grill with a raised center section, mildly updated taillights, and a few other minor refinements. The convertible, of course, was absent, having left the model lineup after 1967.
But the coupe remained as a companion to the four-door and its new brother, the 1969 Continental Mark III personal luxury coupe. Both the sedan and non-Mark coupe rode a 126″ wheelbase, and 224.2″ overall length.
Yes, the Continentals pretty much just marked time this year. Of course the big news was the Continental Mark III, Lee Iacocca's baby, with its hidden headlamps, Rolls-Royce grille, and baroque, button tufted luxury interior. 30,858 Marks were made; though that included the Mark IIIs built from April to September 1968. Like the 1965 Mustang, there was no "1/2" year. All first-year Mustangs were '65s, and all first-year Mark IIIs were '69s, and never mind what car show know-it-alls may tell you, ha ha.
The sedan, with its oh-so-distinctive doors, sold 29,351, while the non-Mark Continental coupe sold 9,032. This would become a trend, with the non-Mark coupe finding relatively few buyers, now that it was competing with the Mark III, and later Mark IV.
While all 1969 Continentals were initially equipped with the 462 cubic inch engine, but around January of 1968, the new corporate 460 CID V8, with a healthy 365 hp at 4600 rpm, replaced it. It breathed through an Autolite four-barrel carburetor.
Yes, 1969 Connies were not drastically different from 1966-68 models, but one new option that debuted would have some serious legs: The Town Car option. It was basically a super deluxe interior trim option. As the brochure stated, the option package included "leather-and-vinyl seats and door panels…special napped-nylon headlining, extra plush carpeting, and color-keyed instrument panel trim."
And since this was 1969 and not 2019, it was offered in several colors: navy blue, white, black, light gold and dark gold. A shame red or burgundy wasn't offered, in your author's opinion…
However, the standard Continental interior was nothing to sneeze at. In fact, with its stitching and button-tufted Broughaminess, it seems fancier to your author than the extra-cost Town Car interior. Well, to each their own!
But of course it was a Lincoln, not a Fairlane, Galaxie 500 or even a Mercury Marquis. Strictly first-cabin. And as with cross-town rival Cadillac, a long list of standard equipment was featured. After all, it was a luxury car, Ford's finest.
Said standard equipment included the aforementioned 365-hp 460 V8, Select-Shift automatic transmission, automatic parking brake release, power steering, power brakes (front disc, rear drum), power windows, power two-way seat, and variable-speed wipers.
Optional extras were many, as was expected from the domestic manufacturers at the time. And befitting its status in the lineup, and its snob appeal at the country club, I'm sure many Continentals were loaded.
Just a partial option listing included the Town Car interior, manual A/C, automatic temperature control, AM/FM signal-seeking stereo radio, tilt wheel, leather interior, vinyl roof (available in black, white or dark ivy gold), cruise control, and a six-way power seat. Twenty-two, exterior colors were offered, fourteen of them metallics.
I spotted this 1969 model in one of the Facebook groups I favor. Unfortunately, only a couple pictures were posted.
However, I managed to find the original ad, with even more shots of this most excellent, gorgeous example. Sadly, it had long since been sold.
But I still wanted to write it up. The black paint, black top and white leather interior was striking. I've always liked that combo, ever since my grandparents had a '77 Thunderbird in black with a white bucket seat interior and red trim. That car made a very big impression on me in my youth.
It was the end of an era. The Seventies were rapidly advancing, and an all-new 1970 Lincoln would be even bigger, more powerful and massive than the 1961-69 Connies. It would also be body-on-frame, making the 1969 models the final unit-bodied Lincolns for quite some time. The 1970s would also be just a little bit more Mercury-Marquis-like, with their conventionally front-hinged rear doors.
Studies at the time showed that while Lincoln owners could take or leave the center-opening doors, Cadillac owners did not like them. So to try to make some Cadillac conquest sales, the '70 would have conventionally-opening rear doors. But like a starving man at a buffet, I like all these Lincolns!
For even more pictures, you can check out the listing here, on ClassicCars.com. At the risk of repeating myself, I really love this color combination! It's not common to see cars in black with a white interior, but I've always found it striking.
Posted in Klockau Classics | Tagged 1969, 1969 Lincoln, Continental, Continental sedan, Lincoln	| 10 Replies
10 Replies to "1969 Lincoln Continental: Pure Class"
John C. August 12, 2019 at 7:14 am
The unit Lincolns had started on a shorter wheelbase. Given how import fans claim to like them better it might have been interesting to continue the smaller unit body alongside when the bigger BOF Lincolns came back. The units selling at a higher price perhaps with a Cleveland 351 and swing axles and rear discs at the back. A better Versailles? or just proof that whatever import buyers say they want, they don't want it from Detroit.
Tony LaHood August 12, 2019 at 10:41 am
My dad bought a 1969 Lincoln Continental coupe (my mother never forgave him for not buying something with four doors) in dark gray metallic. It was the most beautiful car ever. Regrettably, it was also the most trouble-prone. Everything went wrong with that car. It was traded for another classically beautiful, a 1971 Buick Electra (with four doors this time), which was flawless throughout our years of ownership.
To the point, these were the last truly elegant and beautiful Lincolns–big cars, but with a lightness and grace that belied their dimensions–and they remain the very definition of simple and understated elegance. The bloated, cumbersome 1970 models had all the beauty of an angler fish and handled about as well. If only the 1969 Continentals build quality had matched their beauty.
Glenn Kramer August 12, 2019 at 11:43 am
I owned a close copy of this car (black with red leather) from '72-'75. It was a wonderful long distance traveler. I drove all over the south on business and the Continental was the best for covering long distances quickly. Despite the great cars I've owned since, this still holds my personal record for point-to-point speed, namely north Atlanta to my home in north Baltimore averaging 80.00 MPH. This included two gas stops. There was no drama, just holding about 85-87, which was not far over the interstate norm back then. A really elegant auto.
stingray65 August 12, 2019 at 11:48 am
Put in a drivetrain from a new F-150 or Mustang to replace the 10 mpg (on a good day) 460 and you would have a elegant looking sleeper restomod.
Dean Edwards August 13, 2019 at 4:49 pm
Very nice example. I would find room for this one in a heartbeat.
JustPassinThru August 16, 2019 at 1:46 pm
The end of an era. Lincolns of the 1961-69 vintage always stood out – the slab-side blade styling that stayed with it the whole run. The wipers hinged the reverse of what every other American car was doing – and hydraulic, no less. The suicide rear doors.
And, from what I read, it was Lido's doing that it all went away. No reasons were given; it's just that Lido, the badge-engineering maestro, didn't have any emotional connection to Lincoln AS Lincoln. Just as he saw nothing blasphemous of taking an old Torino shell, and giving it the Bird in 1978.
But this one. Unit body, which had no real advantage in use, but for the engineering geeks, offered exclusivity. Those doors. It was a singular, low-volume chassis, and made to BE a luxury conveyance. And it was.
A sort of Peak Lincoln.
FWIW, I didn't know they'd gone to "pillared" hardtops with that final year. I always thought it was unfortunate that they hadn't gone the opposite way: Explore the sort of b-pillarless, b-post-less four-doors, the way some club-cab trucks and Honda Elements were built. Sure, you'd have to open the front door to access the rear…but how many of these were chauffeur driven? That market went with Cadillac. The clean look, the wide access to the rear, could have been a heavy advantage. Of course it would have required stiffening the roof structure, and perhaps technology wasn't ready. Or cost wasn't justified – this was the era where Ed Lundy and his phalanx of bean-counters ruled Ford.
Carmine August 19, 2019 at 4:06 pm
Lincoln already made a pillarless version of this car, the convertible, but for some reason, even through there is McNamara parts sharing and cost cutting associated with these and the Thunderbird, the thought of making a pilllarless sedan never came to them, but it was possible, since they already had the engineering done, I would have imagined making the sedan a hardtop would have allowed them to share more cost between it and the convertible.
The pillarless center opening doors on the 1957-1958 Eldorado Brougham can be opened independently of each other and they practically don't have a B-pillar at all.
Michael November 12, 2020 at 5:47 am
I was 20 years old in 1976 when I bought my first Lincoln. It was a very early 69′ Mark III that was built in April of 68′. It was Yellow with a black top and interior. You could always tell the early Mark III's from the later ones. They didn't have the adjustable headrests on the front seats.
I bought it from my Uncle for $4,500. It only had 12,000 miles on it and still looked like it just came off the showroom floor. He had just installed a set of Michelin radials on it which made the car ride and handle so much better. I remember, me and a couple of buddies took off for Vegas for the weekend to celebrate my 21st birthday.
Here we were, blasting down Interstate 15 at close to 100 mph and the car was dead silent except for the wind rushing past the windows. Can you imagine pulling up to the front of the Sands Hotel in the middle of the night and having three 'kids' get out of this incredible car. We paid to have it valet park it. When we came down the next morning to go to breakfast, they had it parked right out front next to a brand new Mercedes SL 450 two seater and a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud. They had even washed it for me, which I tipped the guy twenty bucks! Mr. High Roller. Ha, ha, ha.
I owned it for several years until I sold it and bought, again from my Uncle his 69′ Shelby GT500 fastback. It never gave me a lick of trouble other than oil changes and tune ups. That 460 was an amazing motor.
Donald W. Pendergast June 27, 2021 at 11:39 pm
Really, if you bought a 1969 Lincoln Continental, you were probably very fond of the 1964-1966 Imperials, as it's straight from the same design playbook, only with less interior room, lousier handling, and a less-dependable drivetrain (the 413/440/Torqueflite combos in the Imps were near-indestructable).
Even stranger, the 64-66 Imperials were styled by Elwood Engle, the man who styled the 1961 Lincoln Continental. So this '69 Lincoln is sort of a copy of a copy – of iits 1961 progenitor (admittedly an amazing styling breakthrough, one that put Lincoln ahead of the pack, at least until the 1965 Caddys arrived, and then it was 'game over).
I think the '70-'71 models were a huge leap forward for Lincoln, and when they smoothed out those model's "coke-bottle' rear haunches for the '72-'74 models, they had perhaps the most impressive-looking luxury car going, as compared to Imperial and Cadillac.
GILBERTO V BARRIOS November 9, 2021 at 8:24 pm
Hey Guys – anyone know where I can get my '69 Lincoln Continental fixed-up near Long Beach, CA? Needs some motor repair. Not really interested in original interior restoration — will likely go custom since '61-'64 Continentals are more sought out.


text:
require 'bio-bgzf/constants.rb'
require 'bio-bgzf/pack.rb'
require 'bio-bgzf/unpack.rb'
require 'bio-bgzf/bgzf_io.rb'


text:
For example, if you set up an autoresponder with an interval of 24 and you receive an email from user@example.com at 8:00 AM on Monday, the autoresponder immediately responds to the message. If, however, user@example.com continues to email you throughout the day, the autoresponder does not send another response for 24 hours after the initial email (in this case, 8:00 AM on Tuesday). If user@example.com emails you again after the 24-hour interval expires, the system sends them an autoresponse.
Hi Henneke, Points covered by you are really interesting. So we can assume that one should write & help subscribers as a friend . I'm planning to open my own blog website on Hotel Consultancy and my aim is to create an interested readership before I went to sales part (between 6-12 months). So, instead of posting a blog and start sending email won't be a good strategy. I think I should wait for a dozen or 2 subscribers and then go for email circulation to the interested audience.
When your website users land on a page that solicits their personal information, tradition might tell you to include a pre-checked box that opts the user into an email campaign so they can receive updates and special offers related to your business. Today, having this box pre-checked is in violation of GDPR. So, to comply with GDPR, make sure your European users and customers are given the clear option to opt into your email newsletter themselves -- don't make the decision for them.
www.constantcontact.com (Not Free - But 60 Day Free Trial): Constant Contact email services blends your email campaigns and your social networking campaigns into a single matchless and easy-to-use service. They provide an email marketing service with 400+ customizable templates and the option to insert text or your own HTML code into the emails. you also get a 60-day-free-trial with this email marketing service.
Historically, it has been difficult to measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns because target markets cannot be adequately defined. Email marketing carries the benefit of allowing marketers to identify returns on investment and measure and improve efficiency.[citation needed] Email marketing allows marketers to see feedback from users in real time, and to monitor how effective their campaign is in achieving market penetration, revealing a communication channel's scope. At the same time, however, it also means that the more personal nature of certain advertising methods, such as television advertisements, cannot be captured.
www.officeautopilot.com (Not Free - But 15 Day Free Trial): OfficeAutopilot is a real COOL tool with mind boggling features that goes beyond and Autoresponder service! The site is very user friendly and they get high deliverability. Apart from sending emails, you can set up post cards and can make pre-recorded phone calls. You can also process orders through their shopping cart. This awesome service does not come cheap but you can have a free trial.
Whenever possible, add a personal element to your emails. Most email tools allow you to enter shortcodes that will be replaced with the recipient's name when the email is sent out. Emails from Treehouse Co-Founder Ryan are always fun and personal. The subject lines are creative, messages are sent "from" Ryan's email address, and the content is personalized. If you reply to the mail, you'll even get a prompt response from Ryan himself!
If you want to integrate your email with your shopping cart but don't quite want to spring for InfusionSoft, 1ShoppingCart could be your answer. 1ShoppingCart is a one stop solution for payment processing and email marketing. It allows you to segregate lists and mail only buyers or your entire list. It's one of the more reputable shopping cart services on the net.
The primary purpose of a transactional email is to convey information regarding the action that triggered it. But, due to their high open rates (51.3% compared to 36.6% for email newsletters), transactional emails are an opportunity to introduce or extend the email relationship with customers or subscribers; to anticipate and answer questions; or to cross-sell or up-sell products or services.[4]
The "Cons" are in the Privacy Policies, at least this is true for Constant Contact and Mailchimp. Constant Contact was bought out by Endurance International Group (EIG), an unscrupulous acquisitions company who has purchased ~74 web companies over a decade or so. Before EIG, Constant Contact was the most trusted brand in the business. Today, all you have to do is take a look at their Privacy Policy, if that's what you want to call it – I have another name for it and Privacy was not one of them. See the sections on "Security and Privacy" and "Sharing of Information" as I said – towards the very bottom of https://www.constantcontact.com/legal/privacy-statement. Mailchimp's Privacy Policy has similar wording, the sharing of your account information with their affiliates. However, Mailchimp's Affiliate network pales in comparison and quite frankly, so does their contacts database.
There are lots of ways to buy an email list, but none of them will actually benefit your campaign. Why? Since the owners of these email addresses didn't explicitly agree to receive content from you, there's no telling how interested they are -- or if they're even a fit for what you have to offer. A bought email list is also in violation of GDPR (we'll talk more about this in just a minute).
www.campaigner.com (Not Free - But 30 Day Free Trial): A well priced and one of the most versatile autoresponder and email marketing online tool available in the current market. Has more than 500 email templates, mobile and social network ready and can give you detailed reports to measure the effectiveness of your email marketing campaign effectiveness. .


Brothers Osborne, Maren Morris and Jon Pardi are the winners of the ACM's New Artists of the Year awards. The announcement of the early winners was made this morning.
The New Vocal Duo or Group winner, the New Female Artist winner and the New Male Artist winner have earned performance spots on the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards on April 2nd. They join a bill that includes Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line with The Backstreet Boys, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town.
Luke and Dierks host the awards, which will air live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on CBS.
Maren is up for five more ACM Awards.Maren is also the CMA's New Artist of the Year. She'll release her Hero Deluxe album on Friday.
For more information on the awards and winners, visit www.ACMawards.com/tmobile.


text:
.class Landroid/accounts/AccountManager$8;
.super Landroid/accounts/AccountManager$AmsTask;
.source "AccountManager.java"

# annotations
.annotation system Ldalvik/annotation/EnclosingMethod;
    value = Landroid/accounts/AccountManager;->confirmCredentialsAsUser(Landroid/accounts/Account;Landroid/os/Bundle;Landroid/app/Activity;Landroid/accounts/AccountManagerCallback;Landroid/os/Handler;Landroid/os/UserHandle;)Landroid/accounts/AccountManagerFuture;
.end annotation

.annotation system Ldalvik/annotation/InnerClass;
    accessFlags = 0x0
    name = null
.end annotation

# instance fields
.field final synthetic this$0:Landroid/accounts/AccountManager;

.field final synthetic val$account:Landroid/accounts/Account;

.field final synthetic val$activity:Landroid/app/Activity;

.field final synthetic val$options:Landroid/os/Bundle;

.field final synthetic val$userId:I

# direct methods
.method constructor <init>(Landroid/accounts/AccountManager;Landroid/app/Activity;Landroid/os/Handler;Landroid/accounts/AccountManagerCallback;Landroid/accounts/Account;Landroid/os/Bundle;Landroid/app/Activity;I)V
    .locals 0
    .parameter
    .parameter "x0"
    .parameter "x1"
    .parameter
    .parameter
    .parameter
    .parameter
    .parameter

    .prologue
    .line 1292
    .local p4, x2:Landroid/accounts/AccountManagerCallback;,"Landroid/accounts/AccountManagerCallback<Landroid/os/Bundle;>;"
    iput-object p1, p0, Landroid/accounts/AccountManager$8;->this$0:Landroid/accounts/AccountManager;

    iput-object p5, p0, Landroid/accounts/AccountManager$8;->val$account:Landroid/accounts/Account;

    iput-object p6, p0, Landroid/accounts/AccountManager$8;->val$options:Landroid/os/Bundle;

    iput-object p7, p0, Landroid/accounts/AccountManager$8;->val$activity:Landroid/app/Activity;

    iput p8, p0, Landroid/accounts/AccountManager$8;->val$userId:I

    invoke-direct {p0, p1, p2, p3, p4}, Landroid/accounts/AccountManager$AmsTask;-><init>(Landroid/accounts/AccountManager;Landroid/app/Activity;Landroid/os/Handler;Landroid/accounts/AccountManagerCallback;)V

    return-void
.end method

# virtual methods
.method public doWork()V
    .locals 6
    .annotation system Ldalvik/annotation/Throws;
        value = {
            Landroid/os/RemoteException;
        }
    .end annotation

    .prologue
    .line 1294
    iget-object v0, p0, Landroid/accounts/AccountManager$8;->this$0:Landroid/accounts/AccountManager;

    #getter for: Landroid/accounts/AccountManager;->mService:Landroid/accounts/IAccountManager;
    invoke-static {v0}, Landroid/accounts/AccountManager;->access$000(Landroid/accounts/AccountManager;)Landroid/accounts/IAccountManager;

    move-result-object v0

    iget-object v1, p0, Landroid/accounts/AccountManager$AmsTask;->mResponse:Landroid/accounts/IAccountManagerResponse;

    iget-object v2, p0, Landroid/accounts/AccountManager$8;->val$account:Landroid/accounts/Account;

    iget-object v3, p0, Landroid/accounts/AccountManager$8;->val$options:Landroid/os/Bundle;

    iget-object v4, p0, Landroid/accounts/AccountManager$8;->val$activity:Landroid/app/Activity;

    if-eqz v4, :cond_0

    const/4 v4, 0x1

    :goto_0
    iget v5, p0, Landroid/accounts/AccountManager$8;->val$userId:I

    invoke-interface/range {v0 .. v5}, Landroid/accounts/IAccountManager;->confirmCredentialsAsUser(Landroid/accounts/IAccountManagerResponse;Landroid/accounts/Account;Landroid/os/Bundle;ZI)V

    .line 1296
    return-void

    .line 1294
    :cond_0
    const/4 v4, 0x0

    goto :goto_0
.end method


text:
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Plans unveiled for Guildhall Quarter in Canterbury
Plans to redevelop three Canterbury city centre sites currently leased by Debenhams are to be unveiled at a public exhibition.
In January 2020, Debenhams will vacate their store comprising of over 93,000ft2 of retail space in the city. The premises are impractical for occupation by a single retailer and are significantly under-utilised in their current form, with around 40% of floor space left empty.
The Guildhall Quarter include plans to repurpose the Debenhams sites fronting the High Street, Guildhall Street, Buttermarket and Mercery Lane, and create a mix of shops better suited to today's retailers and to develop the upper floors into apartments for city centre living.
The proposals are being brought forward by 90 North Real Estate, the property investment management company advising the owners, and Canterbury-based designers of the scheme, Clague Architects.
IF approved Guildhall Quarter will see the transformation of the ground floor of the two Debenhams stores into 11 smaller retail units, with the upper floors being redeveloped into 70 apartments including the addition of two new floors.
The ground floor store on Guildhall Street, currently trading as Cotswold Outdoors in a building also leased by Debenhams, will remain as a shop, with proposals to create six apartments in the two floors above.
The exhibition is being held at 10 Best Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2JB, between 2pm - 7pm on Thursday 18 July. The public will be able to view the proposals and meet the team from.
John Yeend, Partner of 90 North, said:
"We agree with the City Council that the three Debenhams sites offer one of the most significant city centre development opportunities in years. We believe our plans will deliver a sustainable long-term future for all three sites and strengthen the local economy.
"90 North has been an investor in Canterbury since 2012 when we purchased the Parham Road Student Village. When the three sites in Canterbury came to the market we knew we could use our experience to transform this important, but under-utilised, retail space into a place that would be in keeping with Canterbury's reputation for quality and that the city could be proud of."
Karl Elliott, Managing Partner at Clague Architects, said:
"The proposed scheme for the Guildhall Quarter has been developed through a significant analysis of the existing buildings, their condition and their relationship with Canterbury's world heritage site.
"The design represents a sensitive and characterful vision for this important location in Canterbury that acknowledges the history of its surroundings and their future vitality."
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text:
Islamic State jihadists forced out of Raqqa
October 17, 2017 Headlines, Middle East
An alliance of Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters have forced the Islamic State out of Raqqa, the so-called caliphate's former capital.
It took the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) five months to take control of the city, which had been taken over by IS in January 2014. The operation involved 15,000 SDF fighters supported by a major air campaign by the US-led anti-IS coalition.
A clearing operation is now underway to uncover any possible IS sleeper cells, clear any landmines, and make the city safe.
SDF spokesman Talal Sello told AFP on Tuesday afternoon that "everything is finished in Raqqa, our forces have taken full control". The alliance is expected to make a victory announcement about the city soon.
Last week, IS' Syrian jihadists were evacuated from the city with their families under a deal agreed with tribal elders, but more than 300 foreign fighters are believed to have made their last stand in Raqqa's hospital and stadium on Sunday.
Playing the victim: Tory HQ condemned for issuing false reports about protester "punching" Matt Hancock's adviser at Leeds hospital
Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn's final election debate: academic experts on their claims
London Bridge attack: Boris Johnson ignored personal warning about threat of freeing terrorists without deradicalisation


Egg donation is something that quite a number of people have actually, regardless if they are looking forward to donate or planning on asking for donations and no matter the case, it is quite possible you may have heard quite a number of contradicting statements about it. Technically speaking, this really is a thing and it will not be made available to the public if this puts donor's lives at risk.
In order for you to be educated with the ins and outs of donating eggs, then the very specifics we have along should aid you respectively. Be sure you will want to take a deeper into the contents we have below as we will also be covering more about possible misconpections you may have hear about donating eggs.
There have been quite a number of statements here and there about this matter and one of the most common things you may have heard about it is that this is painful. Before anything else, a donor who passed screening will then be injected with a follicle to stimulate their hormones.
It is true that there were side-effects found but nonetheless, all of which are mild and are similar to cold-like symptoms, upset stomach, as well as headache, and nothing life-threatening at all. As per the actual donation is concerned, there will be no forms of incision although the donor will be mildly sedated, and it rarely takes more than 15 minutes to actually complete the process.
While it is true that there were mild side-effects to donation of eggs, nothing really poses life-threatening situations. Furthermore, OTC drugs or over-the-counter drugs can be used to help aid such mild side effects.
There even were claims that donating eggs will affect one's fertility status. Women ovulate every month and they are found to release a specific number of eggs on a monthly basis. Those who prefer to donate eggs will donate a month's worth of their eggs in a sense. Before donating, the donors will take a specific hormone stimulant that will not put their fertility status at risk in any way possible.
There even were claims you may have heard of that donating eggs could pose development of cancer cells. However, years of research and study have found no lead to such possiblity.
Prior a donor is approved for donating eggs, they will have to pass an initial screening. Some of the things required include having a school diploma, has a BMI or body mass index of lower than 29, around in their 20's, don't do drugs or smoke, as well as in good physical and mental condition.


text:
Twitter Responds After Georgia GOP Head Threatens Delta Air Lines For Cutting Ties With The NRA
By Samuel Warde on February 27, 2018 blackmail, Casey Cagle, Corporate tax breaks, Corrupt Politicians, Delta Air Lines, Delta ends NRA discount program, Delta Severs NRA Ties, Extortion, jet fuel sales tax exemption, national rifle association, Tax Breaks Conservatives, Controversy, Corruption, First Amendment, Gun Control, NRA
Share on Facebook Twitter Google+ E-mail Reddit Georgia's Republican lieutenant governor threatened to prevent Delta Air Lines from getting a lucrative tax cut unless they reactivate their discount program for members of the NRA. Reuters reported over the weekend that: "Delta Air Lines and United Airlines on Saturday became the latest major corporations to sever […]
Trump's 'Outrageous Assault' On Free Press And The First Amendment Draws The Wrath Of Ex-CIA Chief
By Samuel Warde on November 27, 2017 First Amendment, free press, Michael Hayden, Tyranny of Government First Amendment, Free Press
Share on Facebook Twitter Google+ E-mail Reddit The former director of both the CIA and the National Security Agency expresses outrage over Trump's weekend Tweet attacking the free press and the First Amendment. True to form, Trump took to Twitter over the weekend, tweeting: [email protected] is MUCH more important in the United States than CNN, but outside […]


H/T Joe Silva, Sarah Palin News.
The dynamic dancing duo of Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas are well-positioned to move into Week Three following their beautiful performance of the Quick Step tonight. Governor Palin and Piper were present at the show with the former providing positive, uplifting comments about the performers she had seen thus far and the judges. Tonight's episode featured some interview outtakes from last week when the pair traveled back to Wasilla. As of this writing, Bristol has 4,308 Facebook friends.
Happy 20th anniversary celebrating your 20th birthday, Adrienne Ross! Have a blast today. And keep the faith.
Governor Palin really is one of us–the real deal!
So what have I been up to? I'm here in Missouri having a wonderful time with my friend, Kristi King. Kristi threw me a surprise bonfire birthday party Saturday with a special Palin cake–great food and great friends! Check out the pictures below. They didn't come out very well in the dark, but you still get the picture–literally!
dancing with the Stars week 2! show Bristol the love!
It's Monday night and you know what that means…Dancing with the Stars! Please show your support for Team Ballin and vote for Bristol and her partner Mark. Show them the love tonight and get them to week 3!
Click on Join in the upper right corner to register to vote online. Then click on Sign In to vote.
You can use your MySpace, Facebook, Twitter or e-mail account to set up a voting account.
You can also vote by phone at 1-800-868-3407 or by texting 3407.
Don't forget to become a friend of Bristol's Facebook page as well! She is closing in on 4,000 fans, let's help her reach that 5,000 number and more! If you have not become of fan of Bristol, please click this link and share it with all your friends.
In this mailing sent today, GOP Congressional candidate Michael Grimm discusses how he is preparing for the November 2 General election. He has 5,000 Facebook friends compared to his Democratic rival's 1,000, and secured the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police. He signed a pledge to de-fund ObamaCare.
Grimm is running for New York's 13th Congressional District, which covers Staten Island and part of Brooklyn. Governor Palin endorsed Grimm on July 28, 2010, along with John Gomez for NY-2 who ran unopposed and won. US for Palin Publisher, Ron Devito is campaigning for Grimm. For the primary, Devito walked door-to-door in the 60th and 79th Election Districts, installed lawn signs in the 10314 zip code, called voters on primary day and closed the PS 36 poll. When Devito arrived to the victory celebration, Allegretti had already called Grimm to concede. Watch Grimm's victory speech here. Grimm reserved special thanks for Gov. Palin, whose endorsement helped him win the September 14 primary. Devito is continuing his work for Grimm, in the midst of another door-to-door walking blitz in his own neighborhood and one to the west of his targeting voters in all parties.
Here's the Dancing With The Stars number to text your vote for Bristol and Mark: Team Ballas.
Phone lines, text votes (AT&T customers only) and online polls will open at the top of each performance show so that viewers can vote for their favorites. Phone and text lines will stay open for 30 minutes after the end of the show. Online voting will remain open until 11am (Eastern Time) the next day.
Viewers can vote via phone, text message or online for their favorites ONLY on the night they perform.
Click the Facebook Logo to go to Bristol's page and friend her.
Complete Wasilla interview with Gov. Palin, Bristol, and Mark Ballas will air this evening. Please check local listings for times.


Noise: You have a new CD coming out. Tell us about it and what can we expect from your new music?
Johnny A: Okay, where do I start? I wrote 16 songs for this album, put a recording studio in my home. I've arranged all of the songs, produced/engineered all of the songs and played all the instruments on all of the songs. So, in a way, this is my first complete solo album. As far as a musical direction, it's much more groove oriented than the last recordings as well as having very succinct song arrangements, trying even more to capture a melodic style instrumentally that evokes a more vocal quality… as if lyrics are apparent, although absent.
Noise: Your style has been compared to Danny Gatton as well as having some of the aspects of Jeff Beck and Pat Martino. Fact or fiction and what does this mean in plain English?
Johnny A:Well, I'm flattered. Thank you. Although I don't know how much fact there is in that. However, I am influenced by probably the same cast of characters that the aforementioned were influenced by and have ultimate respect for Jeff Beck, Pat Martino, Danny Gatton, as well as a ton of others. They are all superior players.
Noise: How come there has never been reunion gigs for your late '70s band the Streets or your '80s group Hearts on Fire? Are you anti-reunion?
Johnny A:Quite honestly, I'm not very interested in going backwards.
Noise: You walk the fine line between rock, jazz, and the blues. Among musical influences you cite the Beatles, Everly Brothers, Wes Montgomery, Chet Atkins, Jeff Beck, Steve Howe, Hendrix, and Les Paul. Care to clarify?
Johnny A:I have very eclectic, varied tastes. I love melody and I love inspired, passionate players. So, when you look at the Beatles and the Everly Brothers, what fantastic melodies they had. Wes Montgomery, Jeff Beck, Les… all extremely passionate players with a great sense of melody and phrasing as well as incredible chops. I would have to say Jimi Hendrix's passion was second to none. And I'm not sure if anybody did instrumental music for guitar better than Chet Atkins! If there is someone who has, I haven't heard him/her!
Noise: You use your guitar's whammy bar a lot while playing. What does it add to your performance?
Johnny A:I think it adds a texture not unlike a vocalist finishing a note with a nice natural vibrato. From my perspective, It also emotes a certain warmth to the phrasing.
Noise: Gibson Custom Shop designed a Johnny A Signature Edition Guitar per your specifications. What's different about this axe and why aren't you just a Les Paul or Strat guy?
Johnny A:Well, I used to play a lot of different types of guitars including a Gibson Les Paul, but I was looking for a certain quality in a guitar, something that combined the qualities that a lot of my guitars possess. I had the opportunity, when Gibson approached me, to design an instrument from the ground up with them, that resulted in a guitar that completely fills all my needs.
Noise: Hearts on Fire lost the 1986 WBCN Rumble to punk band Gang Green in one of the most heated local events of that era. Looking back, can you comment on your group's loss that year? Did the best band win?
Johnny A: Wow. That was a long time ago! I don't think the best band won, I think maybe the tightest band on that particular night might have won. I had disbanded Hearts on Fire months before that show and only put the band back together for that performance at the request of WBCN. My heart wasn't in it and, as a band, we were out of shape.
Noise: What's your favorite album of all time? What's your favorite local album of all time?
Johnny A: I don't really have a favorite album of all time. There are several of them that on any given day, for a variety of reasons, can be my favorite album of all time. Favorite local album? Sometime Tuesday Morning.
Noise: In 1999, you released Sometime Tuesday Morning, and in 2010 One November Night. There seems to be a clear connection here. What's behind the two titles?
Johnny A: No mystery to the titles. My titles usually come from what's happening around me at the time. The title song was written sometime early on a Tuesday morning and One November Night was recorded on a night in November at Sculler's.
Noise: In the early '90s you got together the local band to support Derek & the Dominos legend Bobby Whitlock. Who was in the band and what do you remember most about playing BW's great catalog of songs?
Johnny A: As MD (music director) for that band I enlisted a bunch of local guys' most notably Stu Kimball. The Layla album had such an impact on me when I was growing up. To hear Bobby sing and play those songs live on a Hammond with that raw voice of his was just a thrill!
Noise: You spent seven years playing in bands with Peter Wolf. Care to share a cool story about touring around the world with him?
Johnny A: Ha ha ha, I think I'll keep those stories to myself!
Noise: Will you finally publicly announce what your last name is? We all know it's Greek and starts with the letter A? Here's your chance.


text:
MACPAC urges Congress to retool Medicaid DSH cuts
Susannah Luthi
Federal Medicaid advisors in their extensive annual report urged Congress to rethink Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts to nudge the money toward hospitals that need it most.
The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) recommended that this serve as a step for lawmakers to recalibrate the DSH allotments which now "have little meaningful relationship to measures meant to identify those hospitals most in need."
Starting Oct. 1, states are slated to see $4 billion in cuts to their DSH allotments—reductions that will particularly hit states that get high amounts under current law.
In its report, MACPAC acknowledged the hospital trade group push to delay the cuts again, but noted that "doing so will require Congress to come up with cuts elsewhere to offset the budgetary impact of such delays."
The advisors also warned that the cuts, mandated by the Affordable Care Act and so far always delayed by Congress, could destabilize hospitals if they hit all at once. The cuts would nearly double to $8 billion in 2020.
So in line with MACPAC's previous analysis and discussions, the report recommended that the cuts should start at $2 billion in the first year, and target the states with left-over, unspent funds from the prior year. Then, the commissioners suggested, Congress should favor states with higher shares of the nation's poor.
However, the report also probed the bigger question of DSH program reform, now simmering in Congress even as Capitol Hill lawmakers acknowledge it would be a tough fight.
"The Commission has long held that DSH payments should be better targeted to hospitals that serve a high share of Medicaid-enrolled and low-income uninsured patients and that have higher levels of uncompensated care, consistent with the original statutory intent of the law establishing DSH payments," the report said.
In its deep-dive, MACPAC took a comprehensive look at the overall Medicaid hospital landscape since passage of the ACA, zeroing in on a paradox of Medicaid expansion: how in aggregate hospitals have traded not getting paid for treating the uninsured for getting underpaid under the Medicaid program. The ACA put the DSH cuts into place assuming that all states would expand Medicaid and that hospitals subsequently wouldn't need the same amount of supplementary money to make up for treating no-pay patients.
But MACPAC found that even though hospitals have seen a decline in bad debt and charity care since the ACA—an 8% drop, according to Medicare cost reports from 2015 to 2016—overall Medicaid shortfalls grew by 24% in the same year. Since 2013, reported Medicaid shortfalls have increased by $6.8 billion to $20 billion total.
MACPAC indicated that this increase gets at the fundamental weakness with the current DSH program: the fact that the money doesn't necessarily go to the hospitals that need it the most.
The commission couched its analysis by pointing out that from state to state the Medicaid shortfall fluctuates widely. In 2014 DSH hospitals in 15 states reported that they didn't have any Medicaid shortfall. Meanwhile, DSH hospitals in 11 other states and the District of Columbia said their Medicaid shortfalls exceeded 50% their total uncompensated care costs.
Big picture, hospitals in expansion states reported less than half the uncompensated care costs as a percent of their operating expenses as hospitals in non-expansion states.
While the commission said that it will continue looking at overall DSH policy as part of its "broader examination of all types of Medicaid payments to hospitals," a restructuring of the scheduled cuts would be a start.
The panel's recommendations for Congress to phase in the DSH cuts more slowly and to skew the money toward states with high numbers of poor residents would "improve the relationship between DSH allotments and measures related to hospital uncompensated care costs," MACPAC said.
Shortly after the report was released, America's Essential Hospitals, which represents the nation's safety-net hospitals said it appreciated the "thoughtful work" behind MACPAC's recommendations but urged Congress to stop the October DSH payment reduction.
Have an opinion about this story? Click here to submit a Letter to the Editor, and we may publish it in print.
FCC Chairman Pai on funding telehealth, 5G and the digital divide


Rubber Spheres add colour and design to any outdoor play space. They are available in full, ¾ or ½ sphere sizes to create a differentiated stepping challenge. These are great when used at the start or end of a trail; make use of these colourful, fun steps each side of trail equipment to add an exciting challenge for children. They are also perfect as a stand-alone item, set away from a full adventure trail. Why not use them as a fun obstacle around the playground or as a build-up to another piece of equipment? Children love these steps!