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Japanese spacecraft takes historic selfie after landing on distant asteroid
Space history was made this week!
in News, Space
Credit: JAXA.
This week, Japan made space history after one of its spacecraft landed on the surface of the asteroid Ryugu. The small spacecraft collected some dust samples, and then quickly ejected off the asteroid, remaining in its orbit. The whole mission took less than a minute, but in the aftermath, the Hayabusa2 spacecraft had time to take an unusual selfie.
In September 2018, Hayabusa2 launched two rovers to the surface of Ryugu. The one-kilogram rovers are equipped with wide-angle and stereo cameras — which beamed back the first photos from the asteroid's surface — and are powered by internal rotors, which propel the robots across the asteroid. On February 22, the spacecraft itself landed on the asteroid, where it quickly fired a tantalum bullet at a 300 meters per second into the surface. The procedure was meant to kick up dust into Hayabusa2's collecting tray.
The spacecraft then jumped off the one-kilometer-wide asteroid surface, but in doing so it also captured a photo of its shadow. In the image, which was just recently released by the Japanese space agency (JAXA), you can even see dark marks on the surface, showing where the spacecraft initially landed about 3.2 billion kilometers from Earth. At the moment the photo was taken, the probe was about 25 meters (82 feet) above the sample site
"The color of the region beneath the spacecraft's shadow differs from the surroundings and has been discolored by the touchdown," a JAXA spokesperson said in a press release. "At the moment, the reason for the discoloration is unknown but it may be due to the grit that was blown upwards by the spacecraft thrusters or bullet (projectile)."
The purple circle shows the landing site of Hayabusa 2, while the white dot is a bright marker placed on the surface of the asteroid to help guide the spacecraft. Credit: JAXA.
JAXA also released an image featuring the landing site prior to touchdown. While it's not clear what caused the discoloration, this image clearly shows no odd features, which can only mean that the probe's activities are responsible for dark spots.
The target area (in purple) prior to the sample extraction. Credit: JAXA.
Anyway, Hayabusa2's work is far from finished. By June, the probe will make another landing on the asteroid — and this time it will try to extract subsurface material by dropping a small explosive device. In December, another similar mission will take place. Finally, in 2020, Hayabusa2 will embark on its long journey back to Earth to return the hard-earned samples it collected over the course of its lifetime. The samples will help scientists answer fundamental questions about the formation of the solar system. They might also inform the space mining industry with regard to the economic potential for similar asteroids.
Tags: Hayabusa2spacecraft


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Today fast changing technological advancement are shifting more towards cloud based storage. But, along with this dynamic change, people who loves sharing their digital media to their peers are facing strict storage limitations. Most of the well known storage providers, either limit the cloud storage capacity or charge high amounts for larger storage. Amidst of this shrouded cloud over people's head, anonymous torrenting provides very efficient of sharing digital media at the cost of none.
Torrenting is a term given to the sharing of digital media over torrent. Torrent is a peer-to-peer file sharing platform, meaning any two peers are connected by means of a torrent file, sizing in just few KBs, which contains metadata (the information of the contents) and network locations ( trackers) of all the peers sharing the same file, thus elevating the need of cloud based storage servers. Today torrents are widely used for sharing large data files e.g. movies, music, games, software etc. (legal & illegal) with thousands of peers sharing that same file at the same time, giving popularity to the term "Torrenting", or you might say "Anonymous Torrenting".
While, this idea might sound great but on the bad side torrenting threats are inherent. From making your computer vulnerable to viruses to facing exposing your privacy and facing legal difficulties. In big news you may have seen KAT owner being arrested, right?
Why You Need Secure Connection For Torrenting?
If you get computer virus, Antivirus is here to handle it. But what about network vulnerabilities you are open to?
When you share a torrent file, all the connected peer can see network locations (your IP address) tracking back to your home computer. When an ISP spy on you, not only they can see data of every website you visit but the data and every IP of the peers you are connected while torrenting. You can get warnings and legal notices, exposing your personal details and restrict your actions.
On the other hand, online hackers can access to the IP address of the peers connected and intercept to inject viruses and hijack the contents and personal information from your unprotected computer.
Let's face it, every corporation sweats and work real hard to produce movies, music, software and other contents to reap the rewards and they don't like their copyrights being violated. But still, copyright infringements are on high and some people love the internet free. If you get caught breaching the copyrights, you may get notices & legal notices by your ISP (acting on behalf of Copywriters). Penalties can be huge ranging from 10 years of imprisonment to millions of dollar.
These threats can be bypassed by an encrypted private network and an anonymous torrent VPN provide this solution, which helps you to download torrents anonymously.
VPN, refers to Virtual Private Network, which extends across the internet or public network, so that devices (e.g. Laptops, PC) at remote locations can connect to that encrypted private network. A VPN is then created by establishing a point-to-point connection virtually through using dedicated connections (traffic encryption).
When a successful connection is established with the dedicated server, then the VPN cloaks your original IP with that of chosen IP location and let you download torrents anonymously. Thus, by giving you complete IP cloaking and dedicated traffic encryption, you disappear online from the internet and your ISPs and other hackers becomes unable to track your internet activities or your original location.
Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed time amount. If you do anonymous torrenting, usually a heavy amount of bandwidth is required. You will probably end up consuming your bandwidth limit if your provider gives limited bandwidth support. Even if you have unlimited bandwidth plan, watch out for throttling (capping the bandwidth on user for heavy usage) from some VPN providers and always confirm throttling issue before purchase.
Along with bandwidth you will require enough speed to satisfy your needs, it vary depending on your connection speed. You wouldn't want a capped speed limit from a torrent VPN provider to wait for your torrents to finish your anonymous downloads! So always look for speed limits along with bandwidth, because both features go hand in hand.
If you are on the move consistently and doesn't want to leave your PC or laptop ON for downloading torrents, then you should look for simultaneous device logins, some of the best anonymous torrenting VPN providers support this function. Major torrent clients like bittorrent and utorrent provides the support of syncing your torrents on multiple devices so you could have seamless connectivity on the move.
What Are The Best VPN for Anonymous Torrenting?
ExpressVPN is the most common and widely used VPN among the population. Notable features include: Easy compatibility among devices, zero logging policy, simultaneous device logins, quick & reliable customer support, Automatic Kill Switch. Some might say it to be expensive but ExpressVPN justifies it with their actions of investing in premium 136+ dedicated servers in 87 countries, especially in China & Russia with strict rules.
NordVPN boasts its popularity with the features they describe which is successful in attracting the public at large. They claim to provide double data encryption, No throttle, Tor over VPN server, apart from common features like provide zero log, multiple logins, customer support, automatic kill switch. They are available on 550+ server locations in 49+ countries.
PureVPN knowing its tough competition, it provides extra add-ons service to its users to be different. Some of the notable add-ons are: Split tunneling (VPN & Original IP usage), Virtual router (virtual software based router to connect upto 10 devices), NAT firewall, dedicated secure browser, dedicated IP. They are available on 500+ server locations in 140 countries.
Private Internet Access With their heavy presence of 3750+ servers in 77 countries, PIA being a popular choice for regular user base and trusted notable corporations. They provide all the services a user can expect from a VPN.
You all know HMA from old times. HMA now powered by AVG, claims to be the biggest consumer VPN network. They have 880+ dedicated servers in 210+ locations with 120000+ IPs spread across them.
When it comes to anonymous torrenting, the most important factor to consider is downloading and uploading speeds of the server you are using. We have listed the best VPNs after reviewing download/upload speed of top VPN providers which supports uncapped anonymous download.
ExpressVPN takes the lead when it comes to speed, with downloading speed (34.5 Mbps) and uploading speed of (32.4 Mbps). It provides blazing fast speeds with latency (ping time or response) of 8.32ms.
NordVPN follows up on the speed test, with downloading speed (32.5 Mbps) and Uploading speed (28.4 Mbps).
PureVPN follows up with downloading speed of (30.4 Mbps) and uploading speed of (28.5 Mbps) while latency of 4.16ms taking lead.
Private Internet Access provides decent downloading speed of (29.2 Mbps) and uploading speed of (27.7 Mbps) on amazing latency of 3.33ms.
HMA gave downloading speed of (29.5 Mbps) and uploading speed of (25.4 Mbps) on speed test.
To know more about the results, read VPN reviews at our website for more insights.
PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) – Does not require complex configuration, best for streaming and bypassing restriction when less security.
L2TP/IPSec (Layer Two Tunneling Protocol) – Provided with the delivery of services by your ISPs, it does not provide security itself but rely on the encryption protocol that it passes within the tunnel to ensure privacy. Suitable for creating a network within a business.
SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol) – Transfer traffic through SSL/TLS channel and strict in security. It is a suitable protocol for strict office environment.
OpenVPN – It is the most widely used protocol which provides strict security with the best streaming experience.
After so many controversies, TPB is still at the top of torrenting sites regaining its user strength and is the best choice after KickAss Torrents (KAT) closure.
Gaining massive user base with torrent communities and popular release groups such as ETRG and ETTV, it has become the second largest torrent site as the website claim.
Facing controversies, the website has installed backup servers to remain alive. It has vast torrent library same as KAT. It is now moving towards communities to build and increase its userbase.
TorrentHound once a major competitor to other torrent sites, seeping its roots to stand still, with its attractive secure & protected downloading you can enjoy TV shows and movies. But, watch out for old contents as you hardly will find seeders for it.
Newcomer in torrent sites, has gained popularity in top 10 sites of torrent. By its blocking in UK ISPs it has gained news for the user. You can find all the contents available as soon as they are uploaded.
On the major scale of mass blocks, anonymous torrenting is still the most popular way of sharing your digital media over the internet. Torrenting thrives on the VPN industry as it provides security and privacy a user needs. Choose the best anonymous torrenting VPN to download torrents anonymously, suitable to you and have secure and happy anonymous torrenting!


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Difference Between Regression Testing And Functional Testing
December 8, 2022 by Answer Prime
What Is Functional Testing?
What Is Regression Testing?
Functional Testing and Regression Testing: The Differences
Testing goals
Test Case Executed
When Testing Is Necessary
Techniques Employed
Automating Potential
Functional Testing & Regression Testing: The Methodologies
Functional Regression Testing Instruments
TimeShiftX
TestComplete
The response determines your testing method (manual and automation testing) and how you set up your tests and test cases. There are many articles on the subject that compare different end to end testing approaches, but most of them don't offer an understandable visual that can aid both parties in deciding whether to follow the management or QA path.
This article fills that need by offering two distinct charts that contrast regression testing and functional testing.
Software testing is done to ensure the final product satisfies the desired requirements. During the testing phase, we validate to determine if we are building the software correctly and verify that we are building the right software.
Software testing is categorized in several ways:
1. White Box and Black Box testing are two names for it
2. It may also be referred to as Functional, Non-Functional, or Maintenance testing. There are two categories into which testing can be divided:
Non-functional
Black-box testing, an example of functional testing, means that the tester is not concerned with the underlying code. In order to ensure that the software application's features and functions adhere to the requirements specification, this is done.
Functional testing verifies that the product developed by developers adheres to the specifications provided by stakeholders. It is about how each action module, unit, or feature should operate, not about user testing. Test cases created from positive and negative scenarios are used to carry out functional testing.
The two types of functional testing are static and dynamic. Starting with the earliest stages of product development is always preferable. It verifies:
Lacking capabilities
If any interface flaws remain after the requirements phase
Functional testing done correctly results in the delivery of a premium product. It benefits:
To create software or a product free of bugs.
To verify and ensure that all requirements are created, tested, and implemented as intended.
Ensures security and safety.
To make sure the end user is happy.
To guarantee the proper operation of all a product's features in an application or piece of software.
As product quality improves, risks related to the hardware or software are dramatically decreased.
Let's examine a few functional testing instances:
Check to see if the page's back button takes you to the right page.
Check that links are leading to the pages.
When activated, drop-down menus should display the correct values.
Make sure the next button advances to the following page.
Check to see if a user can enter characters into the text fields in the manner specified by the data element sheet.
Regression to the Function Testing involves running the application again after new features have been added or after changes have been made to the current application. Similar features, functionalities, and flows are checked as they were during the functional testing phase. It makes sure the application functions as well as it did before. Functional regression testing is performed to determine whether application modification has not resulted in a code break. It verifies:
End-to-end flow functions well.
Received output data is accurate or not.
The expected data flow exists between the modules.
Non-functional testing involves evaluating the application's performance, usability, security, dependability, load, stress, and other non-functional features. The primary goal of this type of testing is to see how the system will function in real-world situations.
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The dictionary defines regression as "the return to a former or less developed state." Regression testing is thus defined as testing carried out intending to discover any errors in functionality that have already been tested.
The "bug fixes," "new features added to the code," or "changing requirements" that lead to these regressions in the code can all cause. To make sure that no new bugs are introduced into a previously tested functionality, it is important to test every piece of code that recent changes may have affected.
Regression testing is carried out when software has had any patches added or its configuration altered.
If fresh Change Requests are added, the build will be updated.
Any functionality or new features have been added.
The improvements change the functionality that already exists.
Regression testing may be used to: Identify bugs that recent build changes or modifications have introduced.
After addressing bugs or making any changes, look for any adverse effects.
Check for ongoing change requests because recent problems are likely, if there are any.
In this topic, we'll talk about how the two testing types differ from one another in a variety of ways.
Functional testing aims to evaluate how closely the developed application adheres to the required specifications. Regression testing is used to ensure that no application or system changes have resulted in code breaks and that the system continues to function as intended.
The functional testing test suite includes a brand-new set of cases and functionalities that have never been tested or used before. When a requirement-related defect is reported, the test cases are again run. It is then fixed and given a new test to pass. If the defect is fixed, the linked test cases that previously failed pass during retesting. Cases that were previously tested and passed are included in the regression suite. Regression testing basically involves running test cases again to make sure modifications haven't affected previously tested features.
Functional evaluation is necessary
When an experimental system is being used.
When the specifications and desired requirements of an application are checked.
To ensure proper system and module integration.
When it is necessary to assess the overall functionality of a system.
To find out a system's workflow and functions.
To confirm that end-to-end flows produce the desired results.
Regression analysis is done when:
The client submits a change request (CR), which causes the codebase to change.
The backend code has been moved to a unique system.
The application already in use gains a new feature.
There are also patch fixes.
Changes have been made to the testing environment.
The developer corrects serious bugs discovered by the tester during the testing phase.
The developers have addressed the main issues with crashes and performance problems.
The following are the methods employed in functional testing:
Black Box testing
System integration testing
White Box testing
Interface testing
Integrating testing
The methods most frequently employed in regression testing are:
Functional testing is done using the following method: First, testers read and comprehend the requirements and then identify the test input after noting any discrepancies. Supplying input values to the systems and contrasting the results with what was expected. If the outcome differs, the defect is pointed out, and the test case is deemed unsuccessful. The full functional testing procedure entails the following:
Choosing the functionality that will be tested
Increased data request
Carrying out test cases
Evaluating the results against a predicted result.
Failure of the test case that did not adhere to the requirement
Designing test scenarios under the requirement
Making test cases from test scenarios
If any inconsistencies are discovered in the application, reporting bugs and giving the developer the assignment
Retrying the failed case after the issue is resolved
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Regression testing, however, is a completely original process because it is only performed when an existing application is changed or new features are added to it.
The following are the tasks involved in this kind of testing:
Identifying changed components
Test case prioritization based on level of risk.
Selection of test cases based on the changed areas' impact.
Once a feature is stable, test cases are automated after manually completing functional testing. While only those test cases that are already stable are run manually or automatically during regression testing, allowing for automation when necessary.
Check here to see if your team needs to adopt automation.
Maintenance and modification of the test script: Because functional test cases are fewer and feature-specific, they don't require as much modification.
As the regression test suite is built to test overall functionality, test scripts there require more maintenance. Test cases could include features that have been removed, new features that have been added, or functionalities that have changed. In order to prevent the failure of automation scripts, the regression suite should be updated following each release.
You can now easily comprehend how the two approaches/methodologies differ from one another:
It is a procedure for verifying software improvements and modifications.
Rerunning previously run tests on a new build or builds and comparing the results with earlier builds are involved.
The aim is to confirm that, following the introduction of changes to the application, older functionalities continue to function as expected.
It aids in ensuring that changes are implemented properly and the application is still functioning as expected.
It offers useful details about code changes but little about the application's operational/business behavior.
Furthermore, it is expensive because all previous test cases must be run again on more recent builds.
While some of it can be automated, the majority of it must be done manually.
It is a retrograde strategy.
Functionality is verified automatically using a variety of user inputs.
On one or more data sets, it entails running each test case that has been specified for the entire product or feature being tested.
Verifying that functionalities work as intended is the goal.
It aids in verifying that an application is carrying out tasks as described in the documentation for a specific feature.
With no human intervention, automating and running tests is simpler (for scenarios without a user interface).
The aim is to confirm which button(s) was/were pressed, when, and why.
This technique aids in confirming that changes made to the application behave as expected.
It offers useful details about the application's commercial behavior.
It is the best strategy for both functional test automation and regression testing.
A few of the best tools for automating the regression suite are covered in the section below. Each has distinctive qualities of its own that make the automation process simple and understandable for those who are unfamiliar with it.
A Ruby acronym for web application testing. It is a free and open-source Ruby library for web browser testing. It requires a solid command of the straightforward, understandable Ruby language. Native application automation is not possible with it.
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Key attributes or services offered: All browsers are supported, and web elements are simple to interact with.
A time shift regression testing service is TimeShiftX. It creates a virtual clock container that enables applications to move forward or backward in time to assist with short-term or date-simulating testing.
Key attributes or services offered: requires no reloading or environment reboots, supports all platforms and operating systems, requires no changes to the code, compatible with database and application.
It is a free software program. For testing on mobile devices, a wrapper for Selenium is used. Either real devices or emulators can run the automation test script.
Key attributes or services offered: Executing tests in parallel is supported, which speeds up testing and improves its effectiveness. All operating systems are also supported.
Smart Bear created the automated regression testing tool known as TestComplete. Functional test scenarios and backend scenarios, like database testing, are made easier to automate by this. It works with all operating systems, browsers, and native applications. You must have a foundational understanding of coding to use the automation tool.
Key attributes or services offered: Supports object-driven testing, data-driven testing, keyword-driven testing, integration with other tools, creation of unique extensions, and compatibility with all web browsers and operating systems.
It is a free tool for automating web testing. To create a powerful automation framework, it supports many third-party libraries.
Key attributes or services offered: Supports parallel test execution, which speeds up and improves the effectiveness of tests. It can be integrated with source code compilation frameworks like Ant and Maven.
It is a model-based test automation tool with integrated business intelligence that is widely used across all platforms. With only a few manual steps, this tool automatically scans the AUT(Application Under Test) script and loads it into the software. The tool uses business intelligence to suggest some important tests that aid the team in identifying problem areas.
Key attributes or services offered: All platforms and browsers are supported, interactive testing is supported, and built-in artificial intelligence is.
Cloud-based testing platforms like LambdaTest offers online Selenium Grid infrastructure allows you to perform automation testing on 3000+ real browsers and operating systems. The major advantage of using a reliable online Grid infrastructure like LambdaTest is that it doesn't require additional software (or plugin) installations on your machine. The browsers on VMs in LambdaTest have pre-installed versions of Adobe Flash, Adobe Shockwave, Microsoft Silverlight, etc., making it easy to test rich internet apps.
Regression testing is strongly advised whenever an existing product is changed, or a new feature is added. But it becomes challenging to choose between running the regression suite, which tests functionalities essential to happy flows, and another full cycle of functional testing.
Every regression case in an organization is designed with a tag attached to it based on the priority of the case, such as Tier 1 (all happy flows), Tier 2 (Major functionality), or Tier 3. (Minor functionality). Tier 1 is the highest, and tier 3 is the lowest.
The best way to decide is to research the risk at stake, the module that will be affected, and the testing window after the change has been incorporated into the project. Which functionality underwent a change and how crucial it was for the application will always determine the level of risk involved.
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National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players' Association Partner with Bauer Hockey's First Shift
New Partnership Aims to Continue Growing Hockey at the Grassroots Level
TORONTO (October 30, 2019) – Bauer Hockey announced today that together with founding partner Hockey Canada, they have joined forces with the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) and National Hockey League (NHL) to continue to advance and strengthen the First Shift program – an innovative and successful learn-to-play initiative designed to welcome new-to-hockey families to the game. The three-year partnership brings together some of the most influential organizations in hockey to further elevate the program experience and continue to grow hockey participation at the grassroots level in Canada.
Through this partnership, the NHL® and NHLPA will provide the program with additional resources, marketing/media platforms and a unique local brand identity utilizing the seven Canadian NHL clubs and NHL alumni, in collaboration with Hockey Canada. The partners will explore ways to effectively broaden the program, extending into more rural communities, offering additional programming specifically designed for girls and providing new special programming for participants with disabilities – each of which continue to grow in popularity and availability in the hockey community.
"The NHL and NHLPA are premier partners because of their unique ability to elevate the First Shift experience and increase exposure, both of which will help attract more families to this successful program and ultimately to our game," said Mary-Kay Messier, VP of Global Marketing for Bauer Hockey and a founder of the First Shift. "I'm proud to be working closely with the NHL and its member clubs, the NHLPA and our founding partner, Hockey Canada. Our collective passion and efforts will allow us to bring exceptional first-time experiences to more families and expand our offerings to make our game more accessible and inclusive."
The NHL® First Shift programs will be affiliated with an NHL Canadian team determined by geographic proximity. NHL team names and logos will be incorporated into the branding to further elevate the excitement and experience for the participants, allowing for expanded program offerings – for example, the Edmonton Oilers® First Shift. In areas where there is no team affiliation, the national program will go by NHL/NHLPA First Shift. Current NHL players, NHL Alumni and elite female players will more regularly participate in First Shift events, including on-ice sessions with kids and families.
"We are excited to partner with Bauer Hockey and Hockey Canada on this important grassroots program and will continue to lean on our Clubs to share their expertise and provide community activations in their local markets," said Rob Knesaurek, NHL Group Vice President of Youth Hockey and Industry Growth Fund. "Our goal is to help Canadian families experience the very best of our great game and in turn share their generational knowledge with other new-to-hockey families."
"Introducing families and children from all backgrounds, across Canada, to the game of hockey is something that is extremely important to the NHLPA and the Players," said Rob Zepp, NHLPA Manager of Special Projects. "Joining with Bauer and Hockey Canada to expand the First Shift program continues the long history of the NHLPA and its members supporting grassroots hockey initiatives and helping provide access to the game that has given us all so much."
"We are very proud to work with the NHL, the Canadian NHL clubs, NHLPA and Bauer Hockey in delivering the First Shift to communities across Canada," said Scott Smith, President and Chief Operating Officer for Hockey Canada. "Introducing thousands of kids to our great game each season through this program would not be possible without the tireless work of our provincial and territorial member partners and the volunteers who bring the game to life from coast to coast to coast."
The First Shift History
The Bauer Hockey Grow the Game initiative, founded in 2013 in partnership with Hockey Canada, has seen 22,236 Canadian children participate in the First Shift program.
The initiative was built on the 2013 finding that nine out of 10 Canadian children did not play hockey. In 2014, the two organizations created and launched the First Shift, a program designed to introduce hockey in a way that is affordable, convenient, accessible and – most importantly – fun, all of which were perceived barriers in a research study of non-hockey families. The program is focused on children ages 6 – 10 years old who have never played hockey.
To overcome these barriers, the First Shift was designed to offer a fun and easy way to sample hockey through a $199 six-week program that includes everything from head-to-toe gear fitted properly, to ice time, to coaching instruction. The programs are typically offered on the same day of the week at the same time at the same location, helping to make it easier for families to plan. Each program kicks off with a Welcome Event featuring BAUER Fit Experts who ensure the appropriate gear selection and sizing for participants, and help parents and kids become more familiar with the hockey community.
The First Shift program is administered through Hockey Canada's minor hockey associations who apply to be a part of their community offering. For the 2019-20 season, more than 185 minor hockey associations have already applied, demonstrating the success and local interest in this initiative. Families, kids and minor hockey associations that would like to learn more should visit FirstShift.ca.
First Shift: By the Numbers
91,500 Number of hours of on-ice volunteer support 22,336 Number of First Shift participants since its creation in 2014 6,100 Number of instructors who have volunteered their time to run First Shift programs 2014 Youngest birth year required to participate in the 2019-20 season 609 Number of First Shift programs hosted across Canada since 2014 300 Minutes of ice time minimum for each participant (six sessions x 50 minutes) 295 Oh Canada! Number of Canadian-born players on 2019-20 opening night NHL rosters 199 Program cost for a participant in Canadian dollars, including head-to-toe gear, six ice sessions and coaching instruction 180 Number of NHL® First Shift programs scheduled for the 2019-20 hockey season 100 Percentage of First Shift kids that had fun in the program 100 Percentage of parents that would recommend the program to a friend 52 Number of all-girls First Shift programs offered between 2014 and 2018 32 Percentage of female participants 31 Number of all-girls NHL® First Shift programs planned for the 2019-20 hockey season 14 Pieces of equipment supplied to a participant* 10 Oldest age (January 1, 2009) to participate in an NHL® First Shift 7 Canadian NHL Clubs participating in an NHL® First Shift program 6 Youngest age (March 1, 2014) to participate in an NHL® First Shift 4 Number of First Shift pilot communities during the First Shift inaugural year of 2014 2 Number of para-programs in 2018-19 with more planned for the 2019-20 season 1:4 Ratio of instructors/skaters
Data is directly from First Shift program and enrollment information or from an independent survey completed by Bauer prior to First Shift program launch in 2014. This survey was used to understand perceived barriers to hockey for non-hockey families and to design a program to break those down.
*Pieces of equipment included: bag, jersey, socks, jock/jill, shin guards, hockey pants, shoulder pads, elbow pads, neck guard, gloves, helmet, face mask, stick and skates
About Bauer Hockey
Bauer Hockey is the world's most recognized designer, marketer and manufacturer of hockey equipment and is the No. 1 brand in hockey. Founded in Kitchener, Ontario, in 1927, Bauer Hockey developed the first skate with a blade attached to a boot, forever changing the game of hockey. Since then, Bauer Hockey has continued to develop the most sought-after products in the industry, including the widely successful SUPREME®, VAPOR® and NEXUS® lines of products.
About Hockey Canada
Hockey Canada is the governing body for hockey in Canada and a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), with a membership through its 13 member associations of over 750,000 players, coaches and officials. Hockey Canada is a not-for-profit organization that creates leading-edge hockey development programs for its members to deliver in communities across Canada; provides consistent rules and regulations and various other membership services from coast to coast to coast; manages numerous regional, national and international hockey championships and events; and leads the operation of all teams that represent Canada in international competition. Hockey Canada's mission is to lead, develop and promote positive hockey experiences. For more information on Hockey Canada, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook and Twitter.
About the National Hockey League Players' Association
The National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), established in 1967, is a labour organization whose members are the players in the National Hockey League (NHL). The NHLPA works on behalf of the players in varied disciplines such as labour relations, product licensing, marketing, international hockey and community relations, all in furtherance of its efforts to promote its members and the game of hockey. In 1999, the NHLPA launched the Goals & Dreams fund as a way for the players to give something back to the game they love. Over the past 19 years, more than 80,000 deserving children in 34 countries have benefited from the players' donations of hockey equipment. NHLPA Goals & Dreams has donated more than $24 million to grassroots hockey programs, making it the largest program of its kind. For more information on the NHLPA, please visit www.nhlpa.com.
About the NHL
The National Hockey League (NHL®), founded in 1917, consists of 31 Member Clubs and proudly welcomes its 32nd franchise, based in Seattle, for the 2021-22 season. Each team roster reflects the League's international makeup with players from more than 20 countries represented, all vying for the most cherished and historic trophy in professional sports – the Stanley Cup®. Gary Bettman has served the NHL as Commissioner since February 1, 1993 and has guided the world's top professional hockey league to more than $5 billion in annual revenues and partnerships with more than 40 blue chip corporate sponsors. Every year, the NHL entertains more than 670 million fans in-arena and through its partners on national television and radio; more than 151 million followers - league, team and player accounts combined - across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube; and more than 100 million fans online at NHL.com. The League broadcasts games in more than 160 countries and territories through its rightsholders including NBC/NBCSN and the NHL NetworkTM in the U.S., Sportsnet and TVA in Canada, Viasat in the Nordic Region, Yandex in Russia and CCTV and Tencent in China. The NHL reaches fans worldwide with games available online in every country including via its live and on-demand streaming service NHL.TVTM. Having entered the esports world in 2018, the League hosts the NHL Gaming World ChampionshipTM annually, drawing record digital streaming audiences during the 2019 campaign. Fans are engaged across the League's digital assets on mobile devices via the free NHL® App; across nine social media platforms; on SiriusXM NHL Network RadioTM; and on NHL.com, available in eight languages and featuring unprecedented access to player and team statistics as well as every regular-season and playoff game box score dating back to the League's inception, powered by SAP. The NHL is committed to building healthy and vibrant communities through the sport of hockey by increasing youth participation and engagement; fostering positive family experiences; promoting inclusion, positive culture and leadership; and supporting sustainable community impact.
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Katie Macleod
kmacleod@hockeycanada.ca


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Gen Z Beauty
Millie Bobby Brown Shares Why Teens Deserve Their Very Own Eye Cream
Allure sat down with the Stranger Things actress to find out more about her new beauty line, Florence by Mills.
When I meet Millie Bobby Brown for the first time, she's nestled in a plush white couch with her legs tucked underneath her and one of her arms propped up on an equally-as-fluffy pillow. Despite being clothed in a knit lavender suit and white cropped tank with full hair (immaculately tousled curls) and makeup (dramatic smoky eyes) done, she appears to be so comfortable she could have taken a nap in that exact position.
When Millie directs me to sit beside her, I asked if she was sure before politely sinking into the couch too. I felt like I was invading her personal space. It was like a little makeshift living room she had set up for herself away from the hubbub happening feet away from us behind a space divider.
Said hubbub was the pop-up store in New York City's SoHo neighborhood for Millie's brand-new beauty brand Florence By Mills. In true Gen Z fashion, the name — inspired by her grandmother and her nickname — is actually stylized with lower-case letters just like a teen's Instagram caption. Launching exclusively at Ulta on September 8, the lavender-wrapped line features easy-to-use makeup and skin-care products formulated with clean ingredients. The muted, minimalist collection is in stark contrast to the cotton candy-scented, probably carcinogen-ridden products I gleefully slathered my body with when I was a teen and loved beauty as much as I do now.
"When people look at it, I don't want them to feel like they're being overloaded with a teen makeup brand," Millie tells me. "That's not what we are. We want to be sophisticated. It's a hard balance, of course, because young people, we do love to embrace our youthfulness, but I do also want it to be sophisticated and feel like we're grown up."
Redefining Teen Beauty Brands and Eye Cream
Although Florence is made by a teen — in case you forgot, Millie is 15 years old, as in born in 2004, 15 — for teens, you don't have to be born in the 21st century to add Florence's offerings to your beauty routine. You just have to be living it. "I wanted my brand to represent everyone," Brown explains. "It's not specifically for one gender or one type of person or just for young people. It's for everyone who enjoys being themselves and celebrates themselves."
The major indicator of Florence's age inclusivity is the addition of eye-care products: the Look Alive Eye Balm and the Swimming Under the Eye Gel Pads. The balm, in particular, threw me off at first. Although I'm a beauty editor, I ignorantly wondered why teens would want to buy an eye cream other than the fact that it's approved by the Millie Bobby Brown. She reminds me that the benefits of an eye cream extend past ironing out crow's-feet. Plus, teens deal with the wrath of undereye issues too.
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"Eye balm has been kind of objectified for older people to take away the wrinkles," she says." For me, I wanted to do a youthful one to brighten up your face and use it to take away dark circles if you're studying late at night or you've got to go to school early in the morning."
To ensure the Look Alive Eye Balm, which already sold out on florencebymills.com since dropping on August 26, does just that, its formula is spiked with caffeine, a peptide blend, and cucumber extract. Millie only knew about the peptides prior to the production process.
"I wasn't like, 'I definitely need a peptide blend,' " she jokes with her best impression of a cosmetic chemist. "I had no idea. I just knew I wanted botanicals, vitamins, and flower extracts involved."
In fact, calming ingredients like lavender, rose, and cucumber were on her mood board for Florence. Not only do they not get annoying to smell, but they also are part of Millie's daily life. A rose-scented candle is always next to her bed. A pot of lavender essential oil is in her bag for rubbing onto her wrists and temples. "Especially with the stressful life I live, it calms me down and that's what I wanted for Florence," Millie explains. As for the caffeine, well, she had no idea you could put it in beauty products. "Who knew?" she says.
The fun, whale-shaped Swimming Under the Eye Gel Pads were the No. 1 product Millie was adamant about including. Sure, the gigantic sea creature is her favorite animal and adds the perfect cheekiness to Florence because she says, "I suffer from puffy eyes in the morning."
Experimenting With Makeup
Although she admits she hardly ever does her own makeup, Millie enjoys trying out new looks when others do it for her. With what, I ask. "Glitta, glitta, and glitta," she exclaims. "I love glitta. I'm also into diamantés in the corner of your eye right now. That's kind of my new thing."
Yes, it's not glitter — it's glitta. They're not gems or rhinestones, they're diamantés. Don't get it twisted. Sure, her British accent explains why glitter tumbles out of her mouth without a hard r at the end. I have no explanation for her other elegant word choice, though. Am I going to start using it now? Yes.
Millie is also exploring blush application, blending Florence's Cheek Me Later Blush from her cheekbones to her temples. For a monochromatic moment, she'll also add it to her lids and lips.
Tapping the Glow Yeah Lip Oil onto her brow bones is another look she's trying out lately. "It makes your eyes look so much bigger," Millie points out. She also smudges the high-shine lip product onto her eyes. "Glossy eyes are just so cool now" she adds. "It's cool for a selfie."
She won't do her makeup for the sole reason of taking a selfie, though. "I cannot be bothered for that," she declares. "I'm never bothered to do that stuff, but sometimes I'm like, 'This is a moment. And I'll do it.'"
Honestly, isn't that what being a 15-year-old in 2019 is all about? Sometimes you come out with a beauty brand despite all the work that goes into it because it will be a moment. Sometimes you lounge on a couch at your own event while talking to beauty editors even though two baskets of fries are on the coffee table waiting to be devoured because it will be a moment — one that will definitely stick with me.
Florence by Mills is available on florencebymills.com. Starting on September 8, you'll be able to shop it at Ulta.
Read more about Millie Bobby Brown:
Millie Bobby Brown Reveals Long, Curly Hair for Her New Film
Whether You Lose or Win, Why You Should "Always Dance" According to Millie Bobby Brown
This Stranger Things Nail Art Is a Perfect Tribute to Eleven and Hopper's Shirts
Now, watch an Allure editor's full morning skin-care routine:
Follow Devon Abelman on Twitter and Instagram.
Devon Abelman is a former digital beauty editor for Allure. A reporter with nearly a decade of experience covering the intricacies and intersectionality of beauty, culture, and K-pop, Devon previously served as an editor at FamilyFun and held roles at Parents and Country Living. In 2014, she graduated from... Read more
Former Beauty Editor, Allure.com
Keywordsmillie bobby browneye creameye patchesundereye patchesBlushlip oilteensclean beautyinterviewcelebrity interview
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Recruiting a new member of staff always involves an element of risk, and often there's no way to find out what a candidate's really like until they're on the job.
But there are some red flags to look out in interviews, so arm yourself with the right information and you'll be more likely to spot people to avoid.
If a candidate turns up late to an interview, there could be a reason. They may have set off in good time, but faced unavoidable delays in traffic or public transport for example.
However, poor punctuality is generally a red flag. Not only does it hint at poor timekeeping, but lack of preparation and even how someone might behave on the job in the long term. After all, of all the days it's good to research any hold-ups on the route and set off early to take these into account, it's interview day.
When you're interviewing someone, you want to see that they've taken the meeting seriously enough to do some research ahead of time. And a notepad, pen and spare copy of their CV will show just that.
If a candidate doesn't need any paper prompts and wows you with amazing recall, turning up empty handed might not be a problem. But it can be a warning sign that they haven't prepared - and that's not the type of person you want on your team.
It's important that candidates have a good grasp on what a potential job is about before they go for an interview. At HR GO, we brief candidates fully on what the role will entail, and if they're still not clear on key aspects we'd expect them to check with us again.
So if the candidate you meet either seems vague on what they'd be doing in the role, or has misconceptions about what's involved, they're probably not taking the prospect of working for you seriously enough.
Ask your front-of-house staff to supersleuth on the candidate the moment they step foot in reception. If they report back that they were largely dismissed or spoken disrespectfully to, that should alert you to a potential red flag.
You're looking for someone who's professional and polite no matter who they speak to - from the receptionist up to the MD.
Not preparing any questions to ask is a sure-fire warning sign of a sub-standard interviewee. It shows lack of curiosity, preparedness and zero enthusiasm about the role.
But what they actually ask can be as important as whether or not they ask anything, as it gives clues to their work ethic and what's important to them. In an ideal world, the candidate will use the classic 'Are there any questions you'd like to ask me?' slot to enquire more fully about job duties, your expectations of them in the role or the company's vision and values. But if they seem more interested in money and how much time off they can negotiate, run for the hills.
Most of us have had a less-than-perfect relationship with one of our superiors at some point in our career. But if a candidate is happy to sit and vent about not getting on with their old boss, or how they feel they've been treated by an employer in the past, steer well clear.
Ace recruits have maturity, professionalism, discretion and judgement in spades - but complaining during an interview shows a lack of all four vital traits.


What a week it's been for Phillip and Holly!
Kem joined us with the Dancing on Ice gossip, and the first skating stars to leave the ice.
And it wasn't long until he had Holly pulling this face!
Nigel Farage joined us, in a historic week for Brexit.
Shirley Ballas was looking for love for the hopefuls on Matchmaker Mountain.
Kerry Katona introduced us to the new man in her life - her brother!
Chris Hughes' brother Ben discussed his devastating testicular cancer diagnosis.
From the Jungle to our sofa: Nick Knowles popped in for a chat.
Phillip and Holly let loose mastering the art of Laughter Yoga!
Star of 'Mary Queen of Scots' Saoirse Ronan revealed how much she loves This Morning!
Rochelle was back, bringing all the wardrobe inspo!
Eamonn and Ruth were joined by Denise Welch, who opened up about her battle with depression.
Emmerdale stars Jeff Hordley and Charley Webb revealed all about the drama in the dales.
Who best to call if you're having trouble with your pooch? The Dogfather of course!
John Barrowman - back from the Jungle and ready to rumble!
And who could forget Alison in the Alps? The holiday we all wish we were on!


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Sydney scholars receive honour for achievement in the humanities
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Anita Ho-Baillie announced as inaugural John Hooke Chair of Nanoscience
Monitoring childbirth and labour is moving beyond the limits of CTG
The Getty Museum director's journey from archaeology to international art
Biomimicry and polymer surfaces recreate nature for industry use
Multispecies justice: new approach to a growing environmental threat
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Home / News & opinion / News / November / Anita Ho-Baillie announced as inaugural John Hooke Chair of Nanoscience
Chair established thanks to generous philanthropy
A world-leading expert in solar cell research, Anita Ho-Baillie will next year join Sydney Nano and the Faculty of Science as our first Chair of Nanoscience.
Associate Professor Anita Ho-Baillie holding a perovskite solar cell. Image courtesy UNSW.
After a comprehensive global recruitment process, Dean of Science Professor Iain Young has announced that Anita Ho-Baillie will join the University next year as the inaugural John Hooke Chair of Nanoscience in the School of Physics.
"I am delighted that Anita will be joining us in 2020," Professor Young said. "She is a genuine leader in her field and will bring her formidable experience in solar cell research and leadership in nanoscience to add to our great team."
Dr Ho-Baillie is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of New South Wales, and Program Manager for Perovskite Solar Cell Research at the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics.
Associate Professor Ho-Baillie completed her Bachelor of Engineering on Co-op scholarship and PhD (2005) at UNSW. She has worked in British Aerospace, Alcatel Australia, Pacific Solar and Solar Sailor. Her research interest is to engineer materials and devices at the nanoscale for integrating solar cells onto all kinds of surfaces generating clean energy.
A highly cited researcher, she has been identified as one of the leaders in advancing perovskite solar cells. These are emerging as a leading technology to improve the efficiency of solar energy capture.
Associate Professor Ho-Baillie is well known for her integrated photovoltaics research and her achievements in setting solar-cell energy efficiency world records in various categories, placing her research at the forefront internationally.
Her vision as the John Hooke Chair of Nanoscience is to harness the enabling properties of new and emerging materials for low-cost, high-performance clean energy devices at the nanoscale.
The position is in part funded thanks to a generous philanthropic donation from John Hooke. Mr Hooke, who held degrees in both engineering and science from the University, gifted $5 million to the University to support nanoscience research.
Mr Hooke, who sadly passed away last year, leaves a lasting legacy at the University through his support for nanoscience.
"I have always been extremely passionate about science and how it may benefit society," he said when his gift was announced in 2011. "Nanoscience has so many applications and possibilities. It's really a revolution and I am delighted to be able to help."
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Professor Ben Eggleton has outlined the defining projects that will shape the direction of Sydney Nano following a competitive process that attracted high-quality applications from across the University of Sydney community.
Vale John Hooke: Sydney farewells a visionary philanthropist
John Hooke leaves behind a lasting legacy, thanks to his passionate support of nanoscience at the University of Sydney.
Nanoscale battery to transform renewable energy storage
By working at the nanoscale, our researchers have created a new battery cell that will allow renewable energy to be stored on a rainy day.


Good morning, CynB! How are things in Redlands?
Very warm, thanks, Shiela - but we had a storm this afternoon that cooled things down to a bearable level. Quite the opposite to what you're experiencing top-side.
10 F degrees (-12 C) this morning. Brrrr!
Hi, John. Staying warm enough?
Shiela - 26C here at 11.13PM - still rather warm. But we are expecting a wet weekend and it is very welcome.
Shiela, Cyn and John. Good morning. Sorry I will spoil the black and white effect.
Anything yellow (especially things that remind me of the the sun) is welcome, June!
Hello, Maria. How are things in Portugal?
Good Mean Sudokuland. Wow Sheila, you got me doubled. We are at 5 (-15 C) this morning. Double Brrr!
But you live in 'the South', so to speak, Jill!
Yes, Sheila. Shouldn't that make me warmer?
Thanks for the sun CynB. My little sun is back in bed for an early nap.
Sorry couldn't help myself. I don't get to play very often anymore, so I had to grab the 22 when I could get it!
Oh Dear. It seems I scared everyone away. Maybe the warm smell of slowly simmering beef barley soup will bring them back. How about a fresh homemade loaf of bread on the side?
Howard Zinn-RIP Those of you who appreciate historical accuracy, and have not read A People's History of The United States, please do so. Over a million copies sold. Why only a million? That's how few care.
No Jill! We are not scared away. You are not a scary person at all. "We" (=me) have/has just looked in before going shopping.
Yum! Jill, please may I have some? Pretty please with a cheery cherry on top!!!
Your indication about homemade reminded me of garlic bread in the oven. I rushed to look. Not quite a cinder but not far off - still edible if you like BBQ-flavoured bread. Not bad actually considering. Jill - thanks for the reminder.
Shosho cherie; I like the "cheery cherry"
Bonus - the smell of burning garlic may well protect me against the upstairs resident witch.
Hi, Ed! Good to see you hopping by!
Folks! Don't be afraid of the big bad sisters.
It is permitted to reply.
You actually HAVE an upstairs resident witch???
I hope you live in a flat, Rayray!
Sure, Shosho! Will you be dropping in, or shall I deliver?


We show our commitment to "Care of the Land. Care of the Wildlife. Care of the People" by looking for ways to contribute and give more to wildlife spaces and the communities that live adjacent to them. But we also believe that we can reduce our negative enviromental impact on the earth without compromising our guest experience.
We operate a high-yield, low-impact model by creating very small luxury lodges that can support enormous tracts of biodiverse land, which remains untouched and untrammeled. But, even though &Beyond 's footprint is very small (less than 450 bedrooms in total, which, in turn, support over 9 million acres of precious wildlife land), many of our lodges have a sustainability champion, who together with lodge managers, are custodians of our philosophy to "give more" and "take less".
At every lodge and office we seek out small but meaningful ways of putting our values into action each day. We understand that delighting our guests is the most important thing we can do to sustain our business and thus sustain the wildlife areas we protect.
These statistics are collated and analysed in order to help identify problems, as well as to help lodges see how their innovations and savings have paid off. Efficiencies are identified and the lodges are set targets to improve and reduce their impact still further.
The champions and lodge managers look for new "take less " ideas and, ways to reduce our energy consumption and carbon emissions, recycling initiatives, conservation awareness drives, water efficiency, elimination of exotic plants, addressing erosion, re-greening and many more. They are the drivers who ensure that each department, behind the scenes, finds practical ways of reducing our impact and creating a better company in a better world.


is it 'bad' to buy a bike that is out of your current skill level??
Ever have one of 'those' rides?
whatever happened to just Mountain Biking?
Any Doctors or Med Students Out There?
Can't make it to the trail? Urban workout!
Suggestions with "Only Live Once" trip.
Discovered the perfect pre-ride meal!
Selle SMP for real or just a commercial stunt?
God, I love the heat!
What the F#$% Is Going On Here?
I rode my brother's bike this past weekend…….
When did "BLING" roll over into MTB?
How many miles is on your bike??
Same day riding: mtb and road?
what do you do when a rider in your group goes down?
Quaerie: Can you ever go back home?
best ... craigslist ... score ... ever!
Did anyone else think of "The Pink Panther"
The Alaskan beach bike, birding, packrafting, bar hopping, fishing extravaganza!
I ride an "Old School" bike ???
Here's a GREAT BIKE THEFT story for you.
Ridden in the Bavarian / Tyrolian Alps?
Music passion: What are you listening to?
How did my tires get so skinny?
I need a new toy?
Tara Llanes back on the horse!
Don't go biking in smokey California...or do...?
Over the river, through the woods, etc.
Symptoms of a heat exhaustion?
So, who caused it? (Or as my buddy Jay said, "Welcome to the Clavicle Club."
full suspension bike for road?
My one year legaversary ride!
is Foley Road ( French Tract) Vestal NY still active?
Would You Call this a "Dab"?
SLC -> Durango -> Zion NP -> Brian Head -> Escalante Biking and Extreme Camping??
a lot of "WV passion" - dolly sods!


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GFDD/DREFF Bring Glimpses from Latin America to Washington, DC
Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and its Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), in partnership with the Environmental Film Festival on the Nation''s Capital (DCEFF), presented a short film program entitled "Glimpses from Latin America: Sustainability Challenges Affecting Daily Lives". The program, followed by a panel discussion with special guests, took place on March 17th and included 3 short films from 3 different countries sharing one reality.
"Alimento" (Food), from the Dominican Republic, "Mar Incendiado" (The Burnt Sea), from Mexico, and "Refugiados do Desenvolvimiento" (Development Refugees), from Brazil, were the three films screened at the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, D.C.
Chris Head, DCEFF's Executive Director, gave the welcoming remarks to the event while Maria Victoria Abreu, GFDD's International Affairs and Socioeconomic Development Program Manager and DREFF's Programming Director, presented the films and thanked DCEFF for another great opportunity to co-host a program as part of their prestigious environmental film festival, running since 1993. This year the program was also a collaboration with two other environmental film festival, all members of the Green Film Network (GFN), Cinema Planeta and Filmambiente.
Following the screenings, Eleonora Isunza, director of Mexico's Cinema Planeta and co-producer of "Mar Incendiado" shared her experience of producing the short as a collaborative effort with the Government of Mexico to promote awareness about climate change effects on people. In addition, Mijaíl Peralta, Dominican filmmaker and co-director of "Alimento", mentioned the importance of having civil society involved in environmental activism and how his film was part of a bigger agenda of bringing attention to food security problems in the Haitian-Dominican border.
GFDD/DREFF and DCEFF have been partners for many years, jointly promoting sustainability and environmental awareness thorough films and other initiatives.
Alimento (Food) / Dominican Republic (2016)
Directed by Wendy P. Espinal and Mijaíl Peralta
It is a struggle to survive at the Dominican-Haitian border. A lot of food is harvested but it ends up far away.
Mar Incendiado (The Burnt Sea) / Mexico (2017)
Directed by Carlos Armella
Since 1940 abalone has been the main fishery of Isla Natividad, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Climate change has transformed sea conditions while the community tries to adapt to the threat.
Refugiados do Desenvolvimento (Development Refugees) / Brazil (2017)
Directed by Fabio Nascimento
Brazil is a rich source of gold, silver, oil, iron, copper, meat, fruits, and coffee, among others. This wealth has made a few prosper while the majority remains poor. Development in Brazil has been unequal and did not contemplate its people.


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Zack Rosen: The Moment We've All Been Waiting For
Zack Rosen
Portsmouth came and went. The combines and workouts are over. The mock drafts (the 500th version of each) are complete. Teams have seen what they're going to see and are putting their heads together to try to make the best decisions possible for their futures. It's been a long, exciting, anxious, thrilling, nervous time since the end of the college basketball season. And all that's gone on is only the beginning...
On Thursday June 28th, 60 players will hear their names called by David Stern/Adam Silver. 60 players will make their lifelong dreams come true and will belong to an NBA team. A bunch of factors will come into play on draft night, as we've witnessed time and time again the trading of picks and package deals and on and on. To that big guy from Kentucky with the freakish game-changing athletic ability- congratulations, you my friend are the only thing that's for sure about tomorrow. Enjoy the Big Easy.
I find irony in the fact that I'm writing this piece on the plane back from Sacramento. My last workout was for the Kings and they own the rights to the greatest story of last year's draft. Isaiah Thomas, a very accomplished college player, a guy who had a massive reputation all throughout his career but an NBA underdog because of his size, was the last pick, #60. Well the little guy arguably played the best ball of any rookie in the league last season (better than his teammate, college sensation, and big time draft pick Jimmer Fredette) and you should hear the Kings coaching staff rave about his toughness, leadership, and the overall competitive nature he's brought to the organization.
Really, who knows which guys will go on to successful NBA careers and who will be busts? History reveals to us that there are college heroes who never made it and guys who no one knew in college that went on to NBA stardom. There are guys that people were sold on who never panned out; guys who people questioned and doubted who became Olympians. There are many players in the position of potential second round picks or going undrafted and the fact of the matter is, it's difficult to predict success at the next level just as it's difficult to predict success in college for high school players. How many guys in the league were told they were too slow? Too small? Not athletic enough? Toughness, work ethic, leadership capability, grit, actions in response to adversity- these things are what really separate guys; not shear athleticism and talent (let's not discount that little element called luck in this equation either).
Dana O'Neil recently published a very disturbing, troublesome article about major college stars who ultimately went undrafted. In her piece, O'Neil cites names that we are all familiar with, names like Drew Neitzel from Michigan State and Keith Langford from Kansas, and how these guys are embarrassed, even ashamed to show face in the environments where they were once idolized, simply because their college dominance didn't translate to NBA dominance. What the hell is going on here? I mean seriously, these guys served their schools for four years, took the programs to great heights, prolonged traditions, and they aren't comfortable in their "homes" because they didn't make it big in the league? Surely, an adjustment in perspective is necessary here. Whether it's the environment's fault for imposing such standards onto players or players' fault for accepting nothing less than the NBA as "making it", the bottom line here is that as a player you work as hard as you can, exert everything in your power to maximize your abilities, and wherever that takes you it takes you. Not everyone can make it- the numbers confirm this for us. For whatever reasons, success in college doesn't necessarily mean success in the NBA and to say that this warrants a sense of shame or dissatisfaction is downright despicable. We are better than that. How could a guy like Keith Langford feel embarrassed at Fog Allen? He OWNED that place and gave Jayhawk fans memories that they'll cherish until death. In the end, former Michigan State All-American Mateen Cleaves captured it best: "Don't hold your head down for nothing. You went to college. You got your degree or you had some sort of success. There is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Man, we won. We're winners."
So tomorrow night is the one we've all been waiting for. Silence all of the speculation- the moment of truth is here. For some and their families it will be a night of celebration; for others, it will be one of questioning and disappointment. Personally, no matter what happens (somehow, someway, I'm going to play in the NBA whether I get drafted or I'm a free agent), I'm really grateful to have met, seen, and learned from all of the people that I have throughout the pre-draft process. Guys like Lindsey Hunter, Bobby Jackson, and Dee Brown (dunk contest Dee Brown). Guys like Doug Overton, Ed Pinckney, and Rick Brunson. I got to talk the game with some of the world's best, like Coach Lawrence Frank and Coach Keith Smart. I got to workout for a week with the guru, Mike Dunlap. I reconnected with dudes like Kim English, Rakim Sanders, Scoop, Tu Holloway, and Scotty Mac. On the whole, the last 2 months or so have been exhilarating and I've just tried to make the most of the entire experience.
I want to thank everyone for the support. Hopefully, I've been able to provide some insight into the draft process and a little peak into all of the preparation that goes into this thing. I'll be in the gym tomorrow night so somebody please hit me up if anything shakes around 9 o'clock. Let's leave it like this
Remember and embrace that we create our own reality. As Robert Kennedy once said, and as Jim Nantz echoed to the Lowe's Senior Class Award guys at the Final Four, "Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not."
Comparing and Contrasting the Prospects of Tatum, Jackson and Isaac
In a draft class lauded for its guards, three exceptionally talented, and wildly different, forward prospects sit in the top six of our mock draft, each taking a very different path to the top, and demonstrating wildly contrasting strengths and weaknesses. So who is the best prospect among the three?
De'Aaron Fox Catalyst Sports Pro Day Workout
Matt McGann
Video from the De'Aaron Fox Catalyst Sports Pro Day Workout in Los Angeles. Video produced by Matt McGann.
Isaiah Thomas PG
Jimmer Fredette PG
Michigan St
Drew Neitzel PG
Keith Langford SG
Mateen Cleaves PG
Jackson St
Lindsey Hunter PG
Bobby Jackson SG
Dee Brown G
Doug Overton G
Ed Pinckney F
Rick Brunson G
Keith Smart G
Kim English SG/SF
Rakim Sanders SF
Tu Holloway PG


text:
Wydarzenia
 9 stycznia Michał Küchmeister von Sternberg został wybrany na wielkiego mistrza zakonu krzyżackiego.
 18 lipca – król Władysław Jagiełło wypowiada Krzyżakom wojnę, która przejdzie do historii jako głodowa.
 16 listopada – początek Soboru w Konstancji.

Urodzili się
 21 lipca Francesco della Rovere, późniejszy papież Sykstus IV.

Zmarli
 Zyndram z Maszkowic, polski rycerz, dowódca chorągwi krakowskiej w bitwie pod Grunwaldem.

Przypisy

Bibliografia

Kalendarium polityczne
Wydarzenia 1414

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Exclusive Interview: William J. Watkins, Jr.
Our Patent Mess and the Misery of Its 'Trolls'
By William J. Watkins, Jr.
Also published in The Daily Bell Sun. January 18, 2015 « Show Fewer
Introduction: William J. Watkins, Jr. is a research fellow at The Independent Institute. His books include Judicial Monarchs: Court Power and the Case for Restoring Popular Sovereignty in the United States and the Independent Institute book, Reclaiming the American Revolution: The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions and Their Legacy (Palgrave/Macmillan). He received his B.A. in history and German summa cum laude from Clemson University and his J.D. cum laude from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He is a former law clerk to Judge William B. Traxler, Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and he has served as Assistant U.S. Attorney, Associate at Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice and Associate with Leatherwood Walker Todd & Mann. Mr. Watkins is the recipient of the R. Glen Ayers Award for Historical Writing and the CALI Award for Contracts I, Civil Procedure, Problems in Professional Responsibility. His scholarly articles have appeared in the South Carolina Law Review, The Independent Review, Duke Journal of Constitutional Law and Public Policy, Christian Science Monitor, Forbes, Daily Caller, USA Today, Washington Times and numerous other publications.
Daily Bell: Hello, there. Tell us a little about how you came to be a research fellow at The Independent Institute.
Bill Watkins: I first stated working with The Independent Institute in the late 1990s when I was doing research on the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions of 1798. I published an article in The Independent Review on the resolutions, and with some encouragement from some of my friends, that developed into a book-length work, the book Reclaiming the American Revolution, which The Independent Institute along with Palgrave/MacMillan published. That is how I started my affiliation with The Independent Institute in the late '90s and we've been working together ever since.
Daily Bell: What are the core topics you address at The Independent Institute? We see on your page there a list of articles as well as links to your blog posts in The Beacon.
Bill Watkins: I particularly write and research issues dealing with the law from a wide variety of angles, from Supreme Court case law and examining decisions that come out from the Supreme Court to more mundane issues that affect, say, our health care system, civil rights statutes, a number of things. Typically, the law is my specialty with them.
Daily Bell: You were formerly a law clerk, an assistant US attorney and a legal associate in private practice. What's your opinion of the legal system in the US as it is now? Is it broken?
Bill Watkins: When you look at our torts system, especially, there are significant problems. We have moved from a negligence regime where if someone breached a duty of care to another person then they could be held liable for the resulting damages for that breach. That's fairly basic, fairly straightforward. What we are seeing now is a move more toward the idea of strict liability. Of course, strict liability is most often associated with products liability cases but we see this whole concept permeating our legal culture.
Strict liability, of course, means you don't have to prove that an individual was negligent, i.e., that they breached a duty of care, that they did something that they should not have done or did not do something that they should have done. Instead, the fact that the problem exists or an injury exists is quite simply often enough for a person to be held liable. You don't look for a mistake to be made. It's really just a shifting provision of who pays. Should the consumer, for example, have to pay for his injury or suffer the consequences for his injury that results from the use of a product even though there was no negligence in the design or manufacture of the product or is a company with deep pockets better suited to pay? Unfortunately, the latter conclusion is where we have been moving.
Daily Bell: Should the system be simplified? Privatized?
Bill Watkins: I think when you look at privatization of some areas of the law you have that. For example, you see a lot of arbitration provisions being put into contracts. Rather than being subjected to the vagaries of the American torts system the parties agree that if there's a dispute or claim, whether it be a tort or a contract, that that would be adjudicated by an arbiter chosen by the parties that they agree on.
That's a way that we see many people opting out of the legal system. It's much less expensive to do arbitration so that's good for both parties and typically it's a much quicker process. In some courts it can take a lot of time to move a case along. This voluntary privatization, if you will, seems to be very popular.
Daily Bell: Is mediation also being used more often now and is that helping to mitigate some of that shift?
Bill Watkins: Mediation is used frequently. Typically, mediation is in the context of there's already been a lawsuit filed in the court system. Many courts now are imposing what we call mandatory mediation. That is, before a case can go to trial or really move forward towards a trial the parties are required to agree on a private mediator, pay the cost of that mediator, whatever he or she charges an hour, and go and make a good faith effort to settle the case. My experience is mandatory mediation has been very successful in the jurisdictions where it is used.
The best example of that is just the number of jury trials that there are. In my experience, in the days before mandatory mediation you had a large number of cases going to trial, jury verdicts. Today, not so much. Most cases – I would venture up into the 97, 98 percent of cases, civil actions that are filed – are resolved short of a jury trial and many of those cases are resolved in mediation. So though the state might require mediation, it's really not a state-imposed remedy. The parties and the mediator independent of the court work on a resolution and very frequently reach that resolution.
Daily Bell: What else could be done to fix or improve the justice system as it is now?
Bill Watkins: I think one thing that could be done, and we've seen this in a few cases, is caps on punitive damages as well as on what we call non-economic damages, that is, pain and suffering. It's one thing where the damages are fairly clear-cut. Someone, say, is out of work for a year. If there yearly wage is $100,000, that's $100,000 in damages. That's easily calculable.
However, when you get into the intangible losses, the pain and suffering and then to the punitive element, that is not so easily calculated. You have had some jurisdictions – Alabama is typically viewed as one of the worst – where you have some runaway verdicts, if you will, where you have huge amounts of punitive damages and non-economic damages that really don't seem to bear a good relation to what the actual injury was.
I think one reason for this is this desire for class warfare that's increasing in our culture, this perception that you see in the news media and from politicians that there's this broad class of individuals that are seeking to oppress the ordinary working citizen. As they just heap coals on this fire, often when individuals find themselves on a jury they act in accordance with what they're hearing in the news and the media and try to take it out on corporations or those who they think are powerful or well-to-do.
Daily Bell: Any Supreme Court cases we'll want to be watching carefully this year?
Bill Watkins: There have been some opinions issued where the Court has tried to impose some limits on punitive damages. For example, State Farm v Campbell was a case where the Court overturned an Alabama punitive damages award. That essentially indicates that when punitive damages go higher than, say, a single digit multiplier, if you will, when you're talking about 10, 15, 20 times what the actual damages are, that that is suspect and warrants careful review. There have been some cases out there where the courts have tried to address that. I cannot think of any that are coming up this term.
Daily Bell: Other Supreme Court cases you're watching this year, particularly those that address issues of civil liberties?
Bill Watkins: This year we do have, civil liberties-wise, the case Reed v Town of Gilbert, which deals with free speech, such as political signs and advertisements and that type of thing. That could have some widespread implications on what is protected speech, what is commercial speech and that type of thing.
I think another thing that would be interesting from a civil liberties aspect is the Rodriguez case, where the Court's considering whether a police officer conducting a traffic stop can have a drug-sniffing dog right there outside the suspect's car even if the traffic stop has been completed and the officer doesn't have any lawful justification to do the sniff. Is it okay if he just has the dog present and can do a quick run around the car? Those will be some interesting cases to watch and see how those turn out.
Daily Bell: We've been watching the cannabis industry for some time now and have been covering changing laws and regulations around the world in our weekly Sunday Cannabis Sector Report. Is that an area you'd care to comment on?
Bill Watkins: I think that's probably going to be a growing market. Right now it's a very safe market. I really don't anticipate that with the next presidential election. Even if, say, a Mitt Romney or Jeb Bush were elected, I don't see them upsetting the apple cart, if you will. The exceptions the Justice Department has made for what's going on, for example, in Colorado right now, where there are many storeowners that are violating the federal Controlled Substances Act. They could be arrested by agents right now but for federalism reasons the attorney general has put on hold enforcement to let them conduct this experiment in legalization.
With all the money that's been invested and put into this, the growing industry, I think a new president would be hard-pressed to turn back that. I would guess in the next 10 to 20 years we'll probably see similar legalizations in I'd guess half the states.
Daily Bell: Let's talk about your most recent book, Patent Trolls: Predatory Litigation and the Smothering of Innovation (2014), which addresses the issue of these "Non-Practicing Entities" that are "stifling innovation," as you say. Tell us about your book and summarize your main concerns.
Bill Watkins: That's correct. We have this issue now with patent law where we have a number of entities out there that aren't making any products, don't want to make a product but what they want to do is acquire dated patents, older patents, and then come up with a legal claim that some other company has infringed this dated patent by creating some new process or device.
Now, the trolls really are just looking for money. They want their target companies to pay them royalties for the use of their patent and they will, of course, take them to court and sue. Very often they've garnered some pretty big verdicts there. So the problem is you have entities that don't look to do anything productive, to make any device or process, but really exist solely to sue innovative and productive members of society.
Daily Bell: Explain how these actions are smothering innovation. Are there specific industries that are being most heavily impacted? The book description states, "The cost to the economy is staggering." How staggering?
Bill Watkins: It's really a problem specifically in software, the computer industry, because, one, as you know, technology is increasing at such a tremendous rate that a patent or even a software program that was created, say, four or five years ago is useless today. There have been innovations, new technologies and things are marching forward that way.
The problem, as I see it, is we have a uniform patent term, typically 20 years, for very different industries. For example, 20 years might make sense with all the R&D and such that goes on and soft costs with, say, coming up with a new pharmaceutical. It doesn't make any sense in software. It's this idea that the value of yesterday's newspaper is not much. The value of many of yesterday's software programs, or at least from three, four years ago, is not much. But with these lengthy patent terms for old software products, it's just an invitation for the trolls to litigate, to seek targets and to extort money there.
Software is the big problem. Of course, living now in the information age that we're in, that's a big problem to our economy. Much of our innovation is based off this new technology and it proves a major problem as we're trying to go forward when we have a situation where the trolls can easily engage in litigation. And they are winning awards in a lot of districts.
Now, you asked about the damage to the economy. There have been a number of studies out there that have looked at this and looked at how innovation is stifled. One study that measured lost wealth, and that was measured by looking at the decline in the company market capitalization caused by patent lawsuits, concluded that from 2007 to October 2010 the losses averaged over $83 billion per year in 2010 dollars, which, of course, equals over a quarter of the US industrial R&D spending per year. That's one figure that's been out there and many believe that that's a fairly conservative figure. This is real money that's adding up with the troll litigation.
Daily Bell: You refer to "an outmoded patent system that is fundamentally ill suited for the modern economy." What is it specifically about this present system that makes it possible for the patent trolls to continue causing this kind of damage and how can that be stopped?
Bill Watkins: I think a lot of that goes back to this whole idea of the one-size-fits-all patent system. That's the problem. That can't work today with different sectors of the economy requiring different time periods to develop products. We just can't treat it all the same.
Daily Bell: If that were changed, the trolls would be out of business, so to speak?
Bill Watkins: It would certainly help things. I suggest in the book, rather than a 20-year patent term how about a 2-year or 5-year term for software? That would give innovators some patent protection there during the reasonable life of their software product but it wouldn't allow the trolls to, say, go to a bankruptcy auction and buy a 10-year-old patent for pennies on the dollar and use that for another 10 years to extort companies and litigate.
Daily Bell: Many people are now licensing their software and other intellectual under Creative Commons and other more open-source licensing formats. Is that a way around the problem you're addressing?
Bill Watkins: Yes, that is, and there have even been some scholars out there who even argue that when it comes to patents and patent rights, for the national good the federal government should essentially buy those and then put that technology out there for public consumption, where companies could use that freely in developing and that there could be some great innovation there.
Of course, some libertarians have gone so far as to call for banning or outlawing patents. Even Thomas Jefferson made the observation that an idea is, if you will, a public good; it doesn't belong to just one person alone and it should be disseminated for the good of all, that it's not something you can necessarily have a property right in. So there are some interesting arguments that have been made to abolish the system altogether.
Daily Bell: Some would surely argue that can't possibly be done, as the Chinese would get information and destroy the US with it, that national security would be in peril without patents.
Bill Watkins: That's certainly an argument that's not without weight. China itself has just recently incorporated sort of a state patent troll that is funded with billions of dollars and the mission of that patent troll is to essentially sue American companies and try to force them out of the market while Chinese companies may use whatever technology they can to improve their product and garner the full market share. So yes, that is a serious issue.
Daily Bell: Is there an argument being made that the UN should globalize this and oversee it, centralize it, for the good of the whole world? Naturally, we wouldn't be a fan of such an idea but as globalized regulation expands in so many areas, it seems likely this is one being made. Any teeth to it, if so?
Bill Watkins: Yeah, you do have some one-worlders that would go that way but right now the patent system includes the European patent office, our patent office and obviously China's the big market folks look at and Asia. With all the money at stake I think that's really a pipe dream. I think that there's just too much money at stake where none of the major players would be willing to give up their say, their piece of the action, if you will.
Daily Bell: What would happen without patents, if somehow patents on any products were just done away with entirely?
Bill Watkins: If you did away with them, I think arguably the cost to the consumer would go down because it would be much easier for companies to build a product or engage in a process without having to worry about litigation while they're engaged in protracted research and the costs that come. That would be the rosy side of it.
Of course, the danger of that is whether anyone would want to go to all of the effort and work to invent something, a product or process, and not be assured that they're going to reap some economic reward through a patent. There's really a great unknown there.
Daily Bell: Briefly summarize for us, if you would, your other two books, also on very interesting topics: Judicial Monarchs: Court Power and the Case for Restoring Popular Sovereignty in the United States (2012) and Reclaiming the American Revolution: The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions and Their Legacy (2004).
Bill Watkins: My previous book before Patent Trolls was Judicial Monarchs, subtitled Court Power and the Case for Restoring Popular Sovereignty in the United States. Essentially, the book addresses this argument that the Supreme Court is intended to be and has been since Marbury v Madison the final arbiter on the Constitution. I argue that scholars have misinterpreted Marbury and what John Marshall was trying to do in that case. I argue that he was not trying to elevate the Supreme Court to some super-branch of the federal government but was merely trying to maintain equality with Congress and the president, which was in line with Jefferson's own departmentalist view that all three branches are servants of the people and therefore co-equal, and that the final authority on the Constitution is the people themselves rather than any branch of government.
To do this, I go back and put Marbury in context by looking at state court decisions on judicial review from the 1780s and early 1790s. Those decisions are all grounded in ideas of popular sovereignty and I use that as a basis for the re-examination of Marbury v Madison.
My first book was Reclaiming the American Revolution: The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions and Their Legacy. In that, I examine these two documents crafted by Jefferson and Madison that were a response to a crisis in American civil liberties, the Alien and Sedition Acts, which made criticism of the national government a crime and essentially put many unwarranted restrictions on immigrants to the United States. I look at those documents as a sort of fundamental statement of I guess you could say the states' rights view of the Constitution or the Compact Theory of the Constitution. I look at how those principles have been grabbed onto and used by states, north as well as south, and even contemporary examples, looking at some of the medicinal marijuana laws that were coming about in the late '90s and the early 2000s. Of course, we could add to that today. A good example would be the legalization in Colorado and so forth. That's sort of a summary of both of those books.
Daily Bell: Do you identify a specific turning point in the United States at which the states' rights view of the Constitution really was lost?
Bill Watkins: That's a hard question to answer because you have just such building of momentum over the years. In fact, I'm working on another book that The Independent Institute has under review right now. It is ostensibly titled Confederation v Constitution: The Wisdom of the Anti-Federalists. I argue in that book that many of the anti-federalists' worries and fears about the new federal constitution were proved true and perhaps it was a defective document in itself that was bound to lead to centralization of power, that there would naturally be this ratchet effect in central power based on the fundamental structure of the Constitution, James Madison and others' arguments to the contrary.
Daily Bell: We'll be watching for that publication and would like to have you back to talk about it once published. Thanks for your time today.
After Thoughts
By Anthony Wile (The Daily Bell)
Thanks to Mr. Watkins for this insightful interview and for confronting a difficult issue in his recent book. Bluntly speaking, our main questions regarding the dysfunctional US patent system is whether or not it ought to be abolished and whether if it were abolished, innovation would be reduced or expanded.
This is not the way that most opponents characterize patent reform. It is a lot easier to conceive of regulatory reconfiguration than outright removal. And yet how much will regulatory reform really accomplish?
The trouble with modern regulatory democracy, as we have often seen, is that regulations are inevitably prone to reconfigurations that benefit the powerful. The stakes are especially high when it comes to patents because of the money that accrues to successful innovation. Sadly, that money is now also accruing to entities, he explains, who've contributed nothing but litigation and misery.
Mr. Watkins summarizes the choices thus:
If the patent system were abolished, he says, "arguably the cost to the consumer would go down because it would be much easier for companies to build a product or engage in a process without having to worry about litigation while they're engaged in protracted research and the costs that come."
But he foresees it would be problematic as well. "Of course, the danger of that is whether anyone would want to go to all of the effort and work to invent something, a product or process, and not be assured that they're going to reap some economic reward through a patent. There's really a great unknown there."
Can the market deliver more optimal results than a legislature? We'd bet that minimizing patent law considerably (if one cannot abolish it altogether) would result in an explosion of innovation and utilization. We've already seen this to some extent with, for instance, free and open-source software licensing.
We often wonder how much more satisfying society would be if the many regulations and laws that restrict progress and retard competition – in money, technology and other areas – were done away with as much as possible.
Someday, perhaps, we hope to find out, at least to a degree – especially as concerns relatively new (legal) industries. One that comes to mind is cannabis.
We hope that state of affairs continues and that somehow the US's horrible patent law structure gets rationalized. We know Mr. Watkins does, too.
William J. Watkins, Jr. is a Research Fellow at the Independent Institute and President of the Greenville, SC, Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society.
Antitrust, Competition, and MonopolyBusiness and EntrepreneurshipCrime, Criminal Justice, and PrisonsEconomyLaw and LibertyLitigationRegulation
FROM William J. Watkins, Jr.
Recovering the Anti-Federalist Values of America's First Constitution
Patent Trolls
Predatory Litigation and the Smothering of Innovation
Reclaiming the American Revolution
The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions and Their Legacy