The government plans to construct a new flyover in Rangoon's Insein Township that will allow cars to pass over the railway track and relieve traffic.
The government has announced plans to construct a new flyover in Rangoon's Insein Township that will allow cars to pass over the railway track and relieve busy traffic in the area, state-run media reported.
The project will construct a new two-lane flyover that will cost about US$6 million, Myo Zaw Too, engineer at Myanmar Railways Bridge Depot was quoted as telling The New Light of Myanmar. The flyover will be constructed parallel to an old, smaller flyover, which will now become a one-lane bridge.
The paper reported that the flyover will be completed by April 2015.
Myo Zaw Too, senior engineer of Myanmar Railway's bridge deport said that the old bridge is too narrow and causes traffic jams at the area, especially at the junction of Insein-Rangoon road.
The busiest road in Insein, connecting Hlaing Tharyar Township to the west of Rangoon with the rest of the city, crosses the old flyover.
In recent years, traffic congestions had worsened in Rangoon due to a sharp increase in the number of cars after the government lifted import restrictions on cars that were in place under the former military regime.
Several major infrastructure projects were completed last year, including three flyovers, at Hledan, Shwe Gone Dine and Bayint Naung, in order to relieve the traffic congestions. In February, Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) announced plans for another overhead crossing at Myaynigone junction.
"We were told that the two flyovers in Insein and Myaynigone junction will be built within this fiscal year," said parliamentarian Hla Swe, who asked the President's Office Deputy Minister Aung Thein about the projects last week.
Hla Swe criticized the government's approach to infrastructure development in Rangoon, saying that authorities were pushing ahead with a few big projects without developing an overall master plan for the city's urban planning and traffic flow.
"The government has no city plans and town plans so that it could not solve the traffic jams," he claimed, adding that instead the cash-strapped city should "build interconnecting roads and a network of flyovers all at the same time." Hla Swe did not explain where the funding for his plans could come from.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has drawn up a 852-page Yangon Master Plan, which advises that 103 "priority projects" are built in Rangoon at US$5.4 billion, the city's long-term transformation will cost tens of billions more, Reuters reported last year.
However, YCDC has a budget of only $56 million, the report said, adding that Chicago, a city with half the population, passed a $6.5 billion budget in 2012.
A local urban planner said more parking spaces are the solution to Rangoon's traffic problems, adding that creating more parking space in the busy downtown area would be a good idea.
"That's why people use to park their vehicle at their will and this is one reason which cause the traffic jams. It is also necessary to build parking lot, especially in the busiest part of the city," said the urban planner who asked not to be named because she was not authorized to talk to the media.
A taxi driver from North Okkalapa Township named Arkar Kyaw said it was the traffic users who are causing the traffic congestion problems.


text:
Four new goals for the Committee for Brisbane
At a February strategic planning workshop, the Committee for Brisbane settled on four priority focus areas for 2022 and beyond: business growth, talent attraction and retention, connectivity and mobility, and recreation/outdoor lifestyle.
Members of the Management Committee and Advisory Council met at the offices of Corporate Member HopgoodGanim to review the 2021 Strategic Plan and consider areas for strategic focus.
Facilitated by Urbis Future State Director, and Management Committee member, Kate Meyrick, the workshop reviewed the Committee's recent activities and projects and, after a series of discussions, settled on four goals to help the Committee achieve its Vision of "greater Brisbane as the world's most liveable place":
Efficient movement of people, goods and ideas
Attract and retain the best talent
A great region for business
A recreation epicentre
Each of the goals will be defined and brought to life with projects and activities, including building on some already underway, and we look forward to engaging with Members and Affiliates.
We need to move it, move it!
Our recent Business of the Games briefing delivered one powerful message: we need to move beyond "compliance" when it comes to accessibility and inclusivity and towards the "experience" we want community members to have.
The second in our Business of the Games series, building on the Brisbane 2033 Legacy papers published in 2021, was held at The University of Queensland's Queen Street campus and considered the themes of connectivity, mobility and accessibility with panellists:
Dr Caroline Riot, Director and Senior Lecturer in Sport Management, Griffith Business School
Kylie Nixon, Public and Active Transport Lead, Arup
Amanda Mather, CEO, Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association
Michael Dobbie PLY, Senior Manager, Infrastructure Advisory, PwC Australia
Michael said that, as our region builds and upgrades infrastructure for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we needed to think beyond compliance.
He said that while compliance with accessibility rules was critical to ensure minimum standards are met, we needed to challenge ourselves to focus on what outcomes we wanted to achieve and what experience we wanted for our residents and guests.
Can south east Queensland become the sporting capital of Australia?
With more and more national and international sporting activity predicted for the region over the 10-year runway to 2032, the opportunity to significantly grow a new sports industry economy is real.
How might we achieve that? Join us on Wednesday 23 March at BCEC to hear from this expert panel:
Eugénie Buckley, Chief Executive Officer, Swimming Australia
Luke McCann, Chief Operating Officer, Sport Australia
John Lee, Director-General, Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport
Jake Anson, GM – Infrastructure, Strategy & Government Relations, Brisbane Lions Australian Football Club
Tickets are available here: Can SEQ have a new sports industry economy?
Major Event Partner: The University of Queensland
Getting live music's mojo back
QMusic (a CFB Affiliate) and the Committee for Brisbane have teamed up to work on a live music action plan for Brisbane.
After more than two years of heavy knocks for the contemporary live music scene – for venues, performers, managers and support staff – the two organisations have decided to look for ways to re-energise the sector, including driving patronage.
Building on the Committee's Creative Brisbane Vision that was finalised at the end of 2021, the live music action plan will focus on getting the "mojo" back for the city's contemporary music scene.
In a 2018 report commissioned by the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors, Brisbane was reported as having the largest night time economy in Australia, along with the largest food and entertainment sectors.
The report stated that the city's night time economy employed 68,750 FTEs and contributed $8.14 billion in sales turnover (pre-COVID).
Over the next few months, QMusic and the Committee for Brisbane will look to develop a suite of initiatives and actions to help live music return to its place as a significant contributor to the night time economy (and generally).
Engagement with Logan City Council
Committee for Brisbane CEO Barton Green was invited to Logan recently to meet with some of the Logan City Council team driving innovation and economic development in the city.
The meeting discussed opportunities for joint activities in the innovation, start-up and scale-up space – and there is no better example of success than Go1, the billion dollar Logan unicorn and global tech success, where the meeting was held.
We look forward to collaborating on activities and events to drive our Vision for "greater Brisbane as the world's most liveable place".
Welcome to our newest team member
We are delighted to welcome our newest team member, Mala Fitzsimons, who has joined us as Events and Administration Coordinator.
Members will become familiar with Mala over the coming weeks and months as she manages our ever-busier events calendar.
Mala has more than 15 years' events experience, including with the Property Council of Australia on its national conference program.
With Mala's arrival, Annie Macnaughton has taken on a new role as Director – Engagement and will be spending more time speaking and engaging with Members to ensure we are delivering the projects and activities that are important to you.
Getting smart with the State Government
The joint Smart Region Steering Committee of the Committee for Brisbane and Smart Cities Council ANZ has had a productive meeting with the State Government to discuss priority projects.
The meeting followed correspondence with the Hon Dr Steven Miles, Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics Infrastructure; and the Hon Leanne Enoch, Minister for Communities and Housing, Minister for Digital Economy and Minister for the Arts.
The Steering Committee met with the Director, Infrastructure and Regional Strategy; the Director, Infrastructure Innovation; and the Principal Policy Officer, Infrastructure Policy in the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning.
The CFB/SCC Steering Committee talked about its three priority projects that were determined at a planning workshop in late 2021:
Smart Infrastructure Policy
The Department and the Steering Committee have agreed to engage regularly to explore how to help grow Queensland's digital and data economy.
The Committee recently welcomed eight new Members and two Affiliates.
Logan City Council
GWI
ADP Consulting
APAC Network
Enterprise Member
ESRI Australia
Communify
Cheryl Gray
William Hannemann
Mark Greer
Aboriginal Art Co
Institute of Modern Art
February 2022 Newsletter April 2022 Newsletter

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: Xcode 4.5 New Simulator not displaying properly I have just finished installed xCode 4.5 and have been trying to understand the new simulator. I want to test my app in the old screen size and new screen size. However when under the simulator I go to hardware and change the phone size to the 4 inch size, it changes the simulator to take up the full screen, has no home button, is zoomed in, and I have to scroll to navigate which is really frustrating and annoying.
From this

To this

Could someone tell me if this is meant to happen? I want to maintain the normal iPhone look with the simulator, that zoomed in scrollable simulator is terrible, looks horrible and makes debugging a pain. I am sure Apple would not allow something this poor looking to be the normal look for the simulator so I am guessing I am doing something wrong.
The other problem with it is, if I am on the home screen where I can see a list of custom apps under normal iPhone screen size, then change it to the 4 inch simulator screen size, the custom apps I installed on the simulator are not showing for some reason.
Any help would be much appreciated!!
Edit:
I found I change the scale of the simulator under window and changing it to 50 or 75%. However one problem remains, why is there no home button in the iPhone 5 simulator?

A: This Worked for me:

*

*Go to Simulator Menu

*Go to Hardware

*Click Device

*Click IPhone

This will restore the iPhone Simulator frame.

A: What worked for me was...

*

*Go to XCode,

*Open the main XCode menu option

*Click on "Open Developer Tool"

*Click on "iOS Simulator"

*Change to the simulator you want by going to the "Hardware" menu.

*Close the simulator

*Run your project again.

XCode was crashing on me when I switched to the non-retina iPad option and this was my solution.
The simulator seems to remember the last hardware option that was chosen.

A: What computer are you working on ? I've got a 13'' MacBook and the same thing occurred to me. Some topics say it is related to your screen resolution, and if your screen is "too small" then the simulator won't see the need in a frame representing the physical device. See Nathan Gopen's answer in XCode 4.3.1 iPad simulator. (I also noticed that the frame disappears when you re-scale standard iPhone to 75% or 50%.)
If you need the home button you can find it in Hardware > Home Button, or Shift+Cmd+H. Yeah, I know, it sucks...

A: I don't think it's related to the screen resolution. I'm running it on 1920x1200 and it's the same. I guess it's simply to reduce effort for Apple since it's not essential for development to have a nice looking simulator. But yes, I agree I loved to see a virtual iPhone as simulator. And it was quite easier to produce screenshots of your Apps for your website.
Zooming or scrolling is of course not required on a 1920x1200 screen.

A: This just happened to me and I did spend a while trying to figure this one out.
By setting the scale to 100% my issue got fixed as Cal said above.

A: I think this is related to retina display setting ...
When I started the iOS simulator on my macbook pro (w/rd), the iPhone frame came up. I moved the frame over to my attached monitor and it stayed as an iPhone frame. I shut xCode down.
When I restarted, the iOS simulator started up on my attached monitor and lacked the phone frame, just showing the screen. Scaling up or down did not matter.
I moved the unframed screen over to my laptop screen again, and shut down the simulator. When I started it back up, it started on the laptop screen with the phone frame.
I don't think it is related to resolution so much as retina display.

A: Not sure if this is long term solution, but the following steps helped me.

*

*Go to Windows >> Scale

*Select different options as per your wish (I chose 75%)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


While the first team might have put their season on hold as the new main pitch is installed at the Victoria Stadium, the youngest Europa players have still been in action.
With a week to go for Christmas, the children that represent our great club have been putting in the extra effort to improve their performances as they aim to one day play for the full team and our national side in what will be a wonderful 8,000-seater stadium in a few years' time.
Our great youth coaches are pushing Europa forward!
"Otto played as goalkeeper while Aiden, Jules A, Louis and Jules B played full time as no subs were available," said Dellipiani about the tough situation trying to find players at that age. "However, our players managed their way well during the first half. We had couple of chances and defended solid as well.
"During the second half Louis opened the scoring followed up by Jules B netting another goal shortly after. We were then defensively solid as a whole to keep a clean sheet too for our first win of the season.
Sean Parody is our new U-4 coach. U-4s start the league in September 2018.
NB. The U-5 to U-12 levels are non-competitive leagues, so results won't be shown. Cup matches are the only competitive ones for these age groups.


Thoughts? I think it's a pretty good idea, personally... especially if all the figures aren't crappy cheap figures like Hasbro's been using lately for the kid aimed stuff. Though I think Yoda's ship looks really silly... the MTT ship though is awesome.
The MTT droid fighter is my favorite.
Rune Haako wrote: The MTT droid fighter is my favorite.
I like the MTT droid fighter too... it does seem stupid though that there is an Obi Wan with both sets... that's Hasbro, though I guess.
I have mixed feelings, I love the concepts, but I am tired of the line. The vehicles are cool, but I really dont have any interest in the figures. As I cut back on all the other lines in 2013, I may stop collecting this line all together... Not being able to find the new 2012 deluxe items, and even some from 2011 really makes me lose interest as well.
I do like this move (probably the only good move), as these have gone up in some store to £20 so 2 figures and mainly new vehicles makes it a lil more tolerable.
I like the Yoda fighter, i always wondered about a fighter for smaller Jedi and did think about a photo sketch with Yoda and a large fighter. So i'm happy for this and i expect will see Yaddle and Even Peill in future; as they have stated they want to put it out again.
The repaints of the AT RT and Dropship are cool too.
^ Great new pics from the slide show.
I still think the Yoda one looks silly, and seems like a galactic hero vehicle, LOL! It's going to be popular though, I think. But I'll be passing on it.
The clone ship is very nice looking - I'm probably down for one or two.
The MTT support ship though is brilliant, and one of the coolest deluxes that I've seen in a long time. I will get 2-3 of them, I think. I love it... it's also nice that the droid pack-ins seem to have nice looking sculpts. Maybe not full of articulation, but they at least seem to look good.
These look very nice packaged, hopefully pricing won't go up as the deluxe line is already over-priced (as is everything). I understand why they went with Obi Wan so you get a goodie and baddie but they could have picked another Naboo goodie character.
I am in the minority but I like Yoda's SF the most I am already seeing an unarticulated crappy Obi-Wan, battle droid and super battle droid.
When we first saw them, I liked Yodas ship as well, but the more I look at it - it does look a bit like a Galactic Heroes ship or something. Same goes for the MTT fighter, its a bit "off" - is it just me or does that ship look like a concept battle droid head with wings and guns?
I thought the samething when i first saw it.
I do want 1-2 of the MTT piece, and maybe the dropship. No major need though.
I think it's a nice idea to include not only the 2 figures, but make one a "good", one "bad" so kids can actually do up mock battles. It's these small marketing changes that gives me the feeling that Hasbro is definitely aware of changing interests in their purchaser demographics and are trying to pull in more consumer purchases (especially for the 'casual' consumer who's not super-fans of SW as many of us are).
With that said, I'll be going for at least 1 MTT fighter (looks pretty cool) and, maybe, 1 drop ship (though not overly concerned if I don't get one).


Today peoples of Russia ethnically stand apart. Samis, the Merya people, Korely, the Mordovians, Chuvashs recollects their roots at active support of the West. Grants are being allocated to shoot ethnofilms, to write emancipating epos, to sing "the national" history. Support of small peoples? Care of consciousness? Then why Latin came whence Cyrillics left? It's possible to return Russian from the Battle of Kulikovo. The Krivichi, the Vyatichi and Radimichs come back from information battle.
Not a Question to Medvedev at the Press-Conference!
Medvedev's guides decided to let him enter the field of Prime Minister Putin. Electronic mass-media widely declared that on Wednesday, May, 18th the president would give press conference for domestic and foreign journalists. It would happen in the federal center on innovative cut off of budgetary billions which would pass under guardianship of money-bag Vekselberg. On scientific terms - in "Skolkovo".
In 90s and in the beginning of 2000s years the American and many European analysts practically in all striations of the Russian elite - both in political, administrative and expert - most of all were amazed by general corroding, self-destroying, weakening cynicism. It was one of the strongest impressions of the country captured by fire of destructive liberal reforms. To the middle of 2000s they ceased to be surprised: they got used - but cynicism remained.
Known scientist-economist and the statesman, academician Leonid Abalkin died in Moscow being 80 years old. L.Abalkin was one of the leading economists of the former USSR. During epoch of reorganization he was included into a number of developers of programs on transition from planned Soviet economy to the controlled market.
Already for the second decade we have been living in not democratic, authoritative state at not changing power of the same group of people. They won't let people re-elect them, they won't leave on own initiative. What could be done? Here you are what, in my opinion, citizen of the Russian Federation can oppose to aggression of the authoritative state.
It's Impossible to Be Happy in Oswiecim. Or It's Possible?
Free Creators or Brainless Nuts of Sovereign Soldering?
Tomorrow, on February, 22nd at 10-20 in a hall 5038 (entrance 5) the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation will consider a complaint on the decision of Moscow City Court on termination of activity of initiative group on organization of carrying out of referendum - the Army People's Will. The Supreme Court left for this purpose whole 20 minutes. The question is prosaic as determination of the Kremlin mode to remove from political arena all political forces, except built in and impotent ones is clear.
While people have questions: why the government of Russia which under the Constitution is obliged to treat all citizens free of charge including - oncologic sick children, arranges gathering of alms of a world scale? Unless it isn't a shame for power of the country where a number of dollar billionaires for two years of crisis doubled?
Once I came across amusing test from school biology. It was asked what community of a pond or biocenosis, if to speck scientific language, is. The answers are the following: biocenosis is a set of plants, animals and microorganisms characterized by certain relations between them and environment. Another answer - biocenosis is the form of interrelations between organisms at which one organism exists at the expense of the other bringing it only harm.
Already today copyist in dark blue scarf around the neck can knock at your door and ask to answer questions. However there are questions from citizens to organizers of census. Statisticians guarantee preservation of confidentiality of your data and exclude any possibility of fake or correction in census papers. They will be filled with usage of helium pens with special ink which can't be erased. First results of census will be sounded in April of next year. It will population of Russia, quantity of men and women in different settlements. Full publication of results of census will be carried out till the end of 2013.
Kirsan Ilyumzhanov re-elected to the post of the president of the World Chess Federation having won world ex-champion Anatoly Karpov. 95 participants of the Congress of General Assembly which took place in Khanty-Mansyisk voted for Ilyumzhanov, 55 - for Karpov.
Elections were accompanied by conflicts of the supporters of two candidates for the head of FIDE: between the Russian officials supported Ilyumzhinov and Garry Kasparov who was on the part of the 12th world champion Karpov.


If you want to make the most out of Thailand, skip Bangkok and Phuket. I visited Chiang Mai at the end of last year, and I had a much better experience than I've ever had anywhere else in the country. Thailand is beautiful, and that's exactly why so many tourists turn up there. You won't have to fight past them to experience it if you go somewhere they're less likely to go. This is why I compiled for you this list of the best things to do in Chiang Mai Thailand.
Chiang Mai is a very family friendly face. Whether or not you have kids, you're going to want to see the animals while you're there. Chiang Mai has one of the biggest zoos I've ever seen.
There are more than 400 different animals to view – even pandas. The Chiang Mai Night safari might be even better. You can actually hand feed tiger cubs, and that's not something most people get to do every day.
If you find elephants to be amazing, you absolutely need to see the elephant camps. These elephants can paint pictures! It's incredible.
I backpacked through Thailand, and the Chiang Dao Mountains were the best spot by far. The area is great to hike. The large mountain is covered in green grass, and you can see everything from the top.
It's nestled right into a wooded area with plenty of spots for hammock camping. It was such a peaceful place to sleep. If you want the get a full experience of Chiang Dao's nature, you can't pass this one up.
One of the best things about visiting a new place is meeting the people who live in it. Just past the caves is a large Karen tribe – where the women wear lengthening rings on their necks. You can tour their village, but you don't have to tour it like a tourist.
Most people just walk around and take pictures, which is exactly why the people in the village are happy to actually have conversations about their lives and their culture.
I didn't take many pictures because I was so focused on learning from these people. They're extremely friendly, and they'll teach you everything about who they are and where they came from.
Chiang Mai is a digital nomad hotspot. People from all over the world visit to work while they travel, and I did a lot of that while I was there.
The internet is ridiculously fast – much faster than the internet I was used to at home. Coworking groups pop up all over the place, and it's easy to find a seat at a table.
It's really cheap to stay in Chiang Mai. Everything costs less, from food to rent. With the nomad culture and networking opportunities all over the place, it's simple and very inexpensive to stay in Chiang Mai long term.
There's always another remote worker to talk to, so it's not surprising to find a lead on a new job while you're hanging out and eating lunch.
There are over 300 religious temples in Chiang Mai. You need to at least visit some of the bigger ones, even if you only look at them from the outside. Most of these temples are old, from an era where people painstakingly built things all by hand.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is the most popular temple. It's usually swarming with tourists, but it might be worth waiting for the crowds to thin out to get a look.
Wat Sri Suphan is painted solid silver. Go at night. When it's dark outside, they turn on a bunch of neon spotlights than make the temple light up in a giant rainbow of colors. The whole thing shines – it's so bright, you could probably find it without even looking for it.
Wat Lok Molee is a little quieter. If you want to have more of a personal experience, go there. It was built in the fourteenth century, and it really shows its age. The front of the temple has been completely restored, but when you walk around the back, the rest of the temple is still the original architecture.
It's off of the main roads, so most of the tourists don't even see it. It's a quiet place to sit and think.
You can find anything you'll ever need in the Ploen Ruedee Night Market. It's more like a nightly street fair than it is like an open air mall. Bands perform all the time, there's plenty of beer, and way too much to eat. There's more than just typical street food. You can get a whole real meal for almost no money, and it's just as good as it would be if you got it at a normal restaurant.
There are also some interesting things you might not get to try anywhere else. Some of the food stalls serve bugs, like worms, crickets, and grasshoppers. If you're really feeling bold, go for it. They're not as terrible as you might think they are.
I didn't know how important art was in Chiang Mai until I got there. Their art museums are kid friendly, but as an adult, I definitely don't have any regrets about visiting. The 3D Art Museum is the coolest thing. All of the exhibitions are in three dimensions. Paintings wrap around walls, and some of them have props with them.
A lot of the exhibits are designed for people to interact with. If you like to take a lot of pictures, you're not going to run out of opportunities to do it.
The best part of this museum is that you can touch almost everything. There aren't glass cases between you and the art, so you can really get involved with it. Look up close. Feel the textures. Put yourself in the picture.
I would rather go to Chiang Mai than anywhere else in Thailand.
I feel like I know the country better than I did visiting the larger cities, and it was far from boring there.
Chiang Mai is the perfect blend of busy and calm. Whether you're a solo traveler or going on a family trip, you're going to love it as much as I did.
This is a guest post by Karlis Kikuts of Independent Wolf blog.


This is the story of Alpha Hasseno, an Alpha 7 M2 series robot. Left by her owner, she appears and acts fully human while running a small coffee shop named Cafe Alpha. It is a light-hearted story about the people Alpha comes into contact with behind the backdrop of a futuristic country-side in Japan. As we meet Alpha, she makes a shopping trip to Yokohama.
Note: Won the 2007 Seiun Award for Best Manga.
Who was Alphas owner, and why was he never shown? what even happened to him? he wrote 2 cards to Alpha with some gifts, then kind of died, did they ever meet again? well of course not, he probably is already dead like half the cast by the moment the series end.
Why give her a pistol that was never used? the world is extremely peaceful and there was never any danger whatsoever, other than the weather.
What/who was the Misago? we know she is not a robot because we were told she existed for years before the times of the robots, but what is she!? even more what was her role in the story? what was the point of having her there, as a character, she just randomly appears to kids, and eats some fish here and there... and no she was not the one mentioned by Sensei, because Monitor Alpha also likes to go around naked every now and then.
What are the water gods/ mushroom people? and why can't they be touched? why do they have human faces?
What were the mushroom buildings?
Who was Ayase's boss? what is their role other than taking care of the kamas? they are explorers but Ayase never makes any progress, hell Alpha had as much succes as him while doing her own adventure, really Ayase's character was the best vessel to explain the world, and yet nothing happened.
Will Monitor Alpha ever reunite with her sisters?
Why was Nai the only male robot? Hell did Nai even manage to keep living?
Did Alpha and Kokone took Gramps offer to move into the gas station after his dead in order to avoid the rising sea? and if not, how come her house was the only one unfazed by the rising sea?
Did the Owner of the Tea shop ever confess to Kokone? i guess this one doesn't matter much since she ended living with Alpha, talking about relationships, did Kokone's friend got back with her boyfriend?
And finally Maruko ends working at the shop were Alpha buys her coffee, but i feel this could have been expanded further, she could have gone with Alpha and Kokone too, this makes it feel like it god axed, that last bonus chapter could have at least shown us the house one last time, so why didn't the author?
Really now i loved the manga, it is a great slice of life, but i just hate it that the author mixed Sci-Fi on it, and then never explained or explored the world it made, i am not giving it less because at least he had the decency of dedicating 3 chapters with Sensei explaining part of how the A7 series was created.
I am just really conflicted with this series, and once again i am convinced that Slice of Life and Sci-fi just don't mix well together.
It's not really an extraordinary manga, but that's pretty much its selling point. It's the epitome of "average" or something like that, it's not bad but it's not really that good either. It's for people who likes nostalgia and slow reads, a manga that makes you get a kind of special feeling that is pretty warm but not that much, it's absolutely not funny. It's kind of like a diary, yet it's not at the same time. It feels real, unlike many other manga, but it lacks a lot in zest.
It's not something you're likely to dislike, but I doubt it will be a favorite manga either. People are always exaggerating ratings, especially when a manga leaves such heavy feelings behind. For me, it's not my cup of tea at all, I read manga and other stuff to get away from "real life" to some extent with surreal or fantasy situations, to get some laughs or get absorbed into an extraordinary story that I can't stop reading and that keeps me happy. Even slice of life tends to offer that. This didn't, at all. If one runs out of other things to read, this might be a good thing to fill some time with, but not much more than that, and you shouldn't read all of it in one go, better to read a chapter now and then if you want to.
Well, give it a try. One or two chapters is all it should take to get a taste and feeling of how the novel will play out and what mood it brings you. For me, it was something like looking out over a sea of trees in the middle of summer when everythings green and the birds are chirping, or listening to the gentle waves of the sea while slowly fishing. It's a nice and peaceful feeling for sure, but it's not what I read manga/novels for.
Regularly heralded as the best manga of all time and... Yeah, I see why.
I'll just quote myself from a full review I wrote on the series, "Quiet, beautiful, smart, mysterious, cute, somber, meticulously paced, full of surprises, and yet almost always relaxed; Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou is, in fact, probably the greatest manga ever made." Maybe you've heard people praise it before, well, they were in the right. I finally gave the series a read and unsurprisingly I loved it. I wouldn't call it a must-read, though! The premise is about the "end" of humanity, and so there's a lot of sadness to be had. If you aren't in the mood to be sad, steer clear.
the story follows a female robot Alpha and her everyday life at café alpha. nothing happens, the people around her age, she doesn't, she meats other robots… too boring and slow paced.
extraordinary. I always took seinen as type of manga with best art. the pages were like pictures. although it might be, there were mostly like 1-2 panels on a page. you always see more scenery than anything else.
not developed, just aged, I liked takahiro.
hmm, not really, but it wasn't bad either. not to read in one go, more when you are relaxing and want to read something easy, I would read a volume or two. the volumes were extremely quick to read (almost no dialogue).
there isn't much I can say about the manga because there just isn't anything. But it was good.
It's my first comment here.
My heart warms up when I remember this manga. It's my favorite, and very probably I'll have it with myself for my whole life.
I fell in love completly with mono no aware after reading this one, I just love the sensation.
Since it's the dawn of humanity, it has this melancholy feel. Which is very good, and it feels as good as dark coffee. Your mood is essential to read this one, because the pace is slow and everything. But it's just too human, you must read. But don't rush your read or you'll not enjoy it.
And don't forget this manga is awesome because of its slowness, and we can make a parallel with our lives about this, because since the pace is slow, the humans are still alive for a great time before the end.
I just could feel things in a different way, this bitter happiness.
reading all these positive reviews with such high rating, i cannot help but have high expectation of this manga. i am let down heavily. i think the very essence that make this manga so beloved by the others cannot resonate with me. as others had said, this is a very laidback and slow manga, with no real plot, no friction no danger no excitement, just pages after pages of alpha having a quite but enjoyable time to herself. i am unable to feel the joy that she felt being with other similarly serene characters thus this manga can be quite a chore to me.
should you read this? well, my view seems to be a minority compared to others so you should try this to see what is your feeling to this. however i do recommend you to read this sparingly, picking this up whenever you feel a little let down or unsettled to bring back calm to your life. i read this in one go thus the press of time may not be felt by me. and this manga is the best with the flow of time lulling you to sleep.
To be honest, I found this pretty boring at first, and I was really bothered by the fact that the protagonist is supposedly a robot, but didn't seem anywhere like one (there is a difference between a robot who seems so human that you forget that she's a robot at all, and a character that never seemed like a robot in the first place).
But somewhere along the line, without knowing when exactly, the characters grow on you. Before I knew it I was tearing up at the inexorable passage of time, and feeling sad as the series neared its conclusion, as though I had just seen a whole life pass me by. It is a feeling of heartbreak, and yet life moves on, beautiful and peaceful as ever.
I have read manga for 20 years and about 10 years ago I got my hands of this manga series. It completely change my entire perspective on what I seek today when I read. The very simplistic theme and nature of the art and story is something that I to this day have not found anywhere else. And while simplistic it gave me a very profound nostalgic and wistful feeling which I can not entirely explain. It is in my opinion one of the great manga works of my generation and arguably the finest slice of life story to have ever been told.
Why do I think I know this manga is something that rare? Look how many people have loved it, and yet how often they can't say exactly why.
That is the mark of a masterpiece in any narrative art: There is something mysterious about the story that transcends the usual genre, tropes, and story-forms of that art. Or perhaps another way of saying this is that the author has managed to touch some universal need or essence within us that we didn't even know we had.
I like manga a lot, even though I'm a relic of the era of print-only literature. For that reason I never thought I would ever find in manga anything to equal or even approach novels like "The Stars My Destination", "The Lord of the Rings", or several other great stories I can't ever forget.
I'm thrilled to have been proven wrong by Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou.


Insurance company, vendors scrambling to keep up with demand for breast pumps with new health care law.
A new health care law has unwittingly caused a nationwide shortage of breast pumps, the Washington Post reports.
The law's provision requires patients to get insurance-covered breast pumps through specific vendors, according to the article. However, insurers' contracted medical suppliers were not prepared for the wave of breast pump requests and some are now simply out of stock, the report says.
Last year, women were excited to learn that the U.S. would require insurance companies to pay 100 percent of the cost of a breast pump and lactation consultations. The specific lactation support clause went into effect in August 2012, but most people had to wait for their insurance plans to reset with the new year for the benefit to kick in.
Women quoted in the article say that they're not getting any clear answers from their insurers or their vendors about when they'll have more pumps available. Many vendors have stopped taking orders until they restock. Most of the companies have alerts on their websites or recordings on their phones advising patients that they're working with manufacturers to fill orders as soon as possible.
"The health care law's requirement does not specify whether insurance companies must cover certain brands or types of breast pumps. It directs health plans to pay for 'the costs of renting breastfeeding equipment' in conjunction with each birth," according to the Washington Post report.
If you're facing a shortage, you have a few options: You can wait for your insurance company to restock breast pumps; you can buy your own; or you can rent one. Your hospital may have breast pump rentals, or it can refer you to a local rental facility. You can also search for rental locations on Ameda and Medela's websites. Remember, moms-to-be, that rental breast pumps "tend to be larger and more durable than those sold commercially, which are not intended for long-term use," the article says.
If you would like to take advantage of the new law, contact your insurance company for more information and a list of approved breast pump vendors. Each company may have different coverage, so ask for as much information as possible. For example, the article notes that UnitedHealthcare covers rentals and purchases. Blue Shield of California will cover only equipment rentals.
On a different note, the article also notes that insurance companies have reached out to lactation consultants in hopes that they will join their networks in an effort to comply with the part of the law that covers lactation support and counseling.
Before buying a breast pump, browse through our Buyer's Guide top nursing picks first for a look at the essentials you'll need for breastfeeding success.


Welcome to Hazel Park Manor!
Due to overwhelming demand, the mobility impaired accessible waitlist has closed, as of January 3, 2018.
Hazel Park Manor is affordable for everyone. Rent is based on a percentage of the household's income. So don't wait! Call for tours! Join us today!
SeniorHousingNet.com provides all the available details for facilities or services that Hazel Park Manor Co-op Apartments provides at 701 E Woodward Heights Blvd, Hazel Park, MI, 48030. Hazel Park Manor Co-op Apartments provides an Independent Living, Low Income-Affordable for seniors in Hazel Park, MI. We invite you to contact Hazel Park Manor Co-op Apartments for specific questions. However, for a quick overview, explore the above community details like amenities and room features to get a sense of what services and activities are available. After you browse the community photos, read the latest articles related to senior living. Search SeniorHousingNet.com for additional senior housing options near 701 E Woodward Heights Blvd.


The Transformation Center: CSP Interview Scheduling CLOSED for June Central MA Class, Home of the Massachusetts Certified Peer Specialist Training Program. Voicing lived experiences of mental health, trauma and substance use recovery. Promoting wellness through community gatherings, policy advocacy, training and peer support.


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The re-appointed Liberal Morrison Government has announced that they will invest $1 million to support the installation of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDS') at camping sites throughout Australia, resulting in them being more rescue ready in the case of an emergency such as a Sudden Cardiac Arrest!
With camping being such a popular pastime for so many people of all ages, this enterprise will ensure caravanning and camping will be so much safer for Australians.
At Defib For Life our goal is that no Australian will be further than 10 minutes away from an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) unit. With this initiative, over 1000 Caravan Parks are expected to receive funding to ensure that defibrillators are installed on site, so campers will be no further that 10 minutes away from this life saving machine.
CEO of Caravan Industry Association of Australia Stuart Lamont who are partners in the project says "this program will ensure that …. lifesaving help is close to hand".
Check out the announcement here.
Defib For Life works with the best Automated External Defibrillators on the market. One is the Zoll AED Plus.
Our friends at ZOLL AEDs have shared this great save story. Merle Glasser had no prior symptoms, no warning and for a few minutes, no pulse. His co-workers jumped in to help and saved his life.
Having an AED nearby makes a significant difference between survival and death. Life can change in a second – and with the push of an AED button you can save a life in seconds.
Contact Defib For Life today and learn how your workplace can become Rescue Ready.
Last year Liam Birch, a healthy fit young man playing football for the Wallan Magpies Under 19's against Rupertswood, suffered a Sudden Cardiac Arrest and collapsed unresponsive to the ground.
A spectator at the game Tony Freeman saw Liam drop to the ground and ran to his aid. "He just sort of stood there, dazed, and then face planted. Not a faint, but a total body drop. So, I jumped straight over and when I got there, he was making gasping sounds."
"I knew it wasn't right, I checked his pulse and began administering the CPR… then we used the defibrillator and it saved his life."
Liam's father Adam also rushed to his side – "it was the most traumatic experience of my life, to see my son staring blankly with nothing there – it was horrific."
When Tony activated the defibrillator it shocked Liam once and after about 10 seconds, Liam came to. "It was the longest 10 seconds of my life" says Adam.
Liam's life was saved by Tony Freeman, a quick thinking first responder and with the use of a defibrillator.
This Saturday 4th May Liam will once again be playing football against Rupertswood Football Club. Sue Buckman from Defib For Life will be there to support Liam's comeback and to witness the reunion between Liam and Tony. Adam Birch will be there too, continuing to advocate the importance of installing defibrillators in every sporting ground across the country.


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New York - See You On Shabbos!...Dot-Com: Where Shabbos and Kiruv Meet
Published on: December 8, 2009 07:32 PM
By: VIN News Staff
New York - We live in an age of global access that our bubbies' bubbies wouldn't have dreamed of. Today, we can "visit" the Kosel via a 24/7 live broadcast; frum web sites make limud Torah a "click-to-download" away; and matchmakers are online, reuniting neshamas who last saw each other at Sinai. Now, in the spirit of online convenience, making Shabbos plans will be easier than ever before with www.seeyouonshabbos.com : an innovative new site that will match Shabbos hosts and their guests and put a hands-on kiruv opportunity within the reach of every frum family.
The seeds of this ambitious project were planted when Rabbi Benzion Klatzko, the site's founder, realized the scope of the Shabbos placement problem. "Originally, the thought was, 'We want to inspire people to keep Shabbos, but there are 52 shabbosim a year and if they don't have places to go, then keeping Shabbos is not a practical option.'" In the end, he knew that a concerted effort was needed in order to link individuals to families. "We the Jewish people have many, many resources, but we're not always as organized as we could be. Everyone has good intentions, so if we can take everyone's good intentions and put them on one web site as a resource that everyone can use, we would have a tremendous amount of power."
Geared primarily towards the newly religious and the hundreds of students around the world who are interested in learning more about Yiddishkeit, www.seeyouonshabbos.com is a revolutionary service that will provide Shabbos placement for any Jew, anywhere.. The site offers a number of features: "Search for hosts in your area," view "A host's profile," and "Book a Shabbos," to name a few. Using location and other criteria like pet or food allergies, a registered guest can select a host family that best fits their needs. There is even a link called "Shabbos Facts" which serves an informative, "Shabbos-101" tool for first-timers. For registered hosts, the site outlines five security measures (like viewing a guest's profile) that will help protect the families who partake in this amazing chesed.
Rabbi Klatzko has been working on the front lines of kiruv and rabbonus for 21 years. As one of the initiators of kiruv on the West Coast, and currently a director for college outreach for North America, he has seen the need first-hand for this type of database. "Hundreds of people are becoming frum each year and many hundreds more are interested in learning about yiddishkeit. But the community is not organized enough to be a resource for them," Rabbi Klatzko says. "All in all, it is almost impossible to arrange Shabbos while trying to maintain momentum on the front lines of kiruv." A site like this, Klatzko envisioned, would serve the dual purpose of enabling a sustained path of growth through students' connections to frum families and other like-minded individuals, "while eliminating much of the time and energy expended in order to place them for Shabbos."
For kiruv professionals, who may have 100 students to place, the site will serve as a networking gold-mine.
Identifying the Shabbos placement problem was easy; creating the web site has been a lot more difficult. As one could imagine, there is a lot of grass-roots networking needed to implement a project of this magnitude."We have been working on the project for 14 months, with a staff of 12 working full or part-time on the logistics," Klatzko says. He needed each one of them because, "The logic behind how to create booking, add friends, and allow guests to confirm their plans, were all very difficult to create."
Starting the site has involved a lot of brainstorming, Klatzko admits. After all, several key factors would affect the success of the site in achieving his objectives. The "See You On Shabbos" team discussed the following: "How do we give enough information that a guest will feel comfortable enough to go to a host without compromising the host's security?"; "How do we create a design that is pleasing to the eye, and a simple user interface that wouldn't be daunting to the average user?"; "How will we ensure that every Jew, regardless of their background and denomination, will want to use the site?" The issues are complex, and behind the scenes, combining them into a seamless web site has been a challenge.
Students who have heard of the site are thrilled about the prospect of finding Shabbos hosts more easily. "'See you on Shabbos' reflects the genuine desire of Jewish people all across the world to welcome other Jews into their homes," says Sammie Goodman, from Merrick, NY, an alumna of Neve Yerushalayim seminary. "I think that this site will help create beautiful Shabbos experiences, connect people, and help to build Klal Yisrael. "As a ba'alas teshuvah who needs a place to spend Shabbos each week, the outpouring of people looking to host guests is very meaningful," Goodman says.
The site will prove to be more of a long-awaited resource than many non-kiruv-professionals might think. "One of the hardest things about becoming frum is connecting to frum families," says Marnie Kruschen of L.A. "As a ba'alas teshuva myself, I can remember the days when I felt too embarrassed and shy to call families I didn't know to invite myself to their home. If I could have used 'seeyouonshabbos.com', my life would have been much easier. It would have taken the awkwardness out of calling families because I would have known [that since] they were on the sight, they wanted me!"
"Seeyouonshabbos.com" will also be an unparalleled resource for those returning from ba'al teshuvah seminaries or yeshivas in Israel, who may not have any personal contacts in frum communities in America. "Being newly frum, you live a dichotomous life that involves trying to shed the negatives of your past and embrace the positives of your future," Kruschen says. "This website acknowledges that dichotomy and eases your way into your new frum lifestlye."
Rabbi Klatzko's vision for "See You On Shabbos" does not end at Shabbos placements. "Ultimately, I am looking at this site becoming the epicenter of the Jewish worldwide web, where a person can go on and find places for Shabbos—shuls, kosher eateries, shidduchim, and eventually, jobs as well."
There is a lot of work to be done before www.seeyouonshabbos.com's potential is realized. In its first month nearly fourteen hundred people signed up on the site, from countries as diverse as Sweden, Germany and Belgium. Its founders are hopeful that the efforts of those who hear about this exciting project in its early stages will help spread the word, register themselves as guests or hosts, and expand the resource base quickly.
Families who are thinking of participating should know how much the gesture of hosting one Shabbos meal can affect a Jewish neshama. "Shabbos is a time where an individual can get one-on-one time with inspirational individuals, get a taste for the beauty of Shabbos first-hand, and experience a life of honesty, spirituality, and purity," says Kruschen. "Hosting individuals for shabbos is the single most impactful thing you can do for kiruv."
For more information on www.seeyouonshabbos.com
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Read Comments (28) — Post Yours »
Dec 08, 2009 at 07:48 PM Orthodox in Nashville Says:
I have shabbat meals at my house but my girlfriend does not feel she can cook all the ethnic foods. Can I sign up for this service so my girlfriend can have hands on experience in Shabbat food?
Dec 08, 2009 at 08:13 PM Sounds fantastic! Says:
I wish the Rabbi much Hatzlacha with this website. I see great potential and many mitzvos coming out as a result of this. I hope its a smashing success and brings many people closer to Hashem.
Dec 08, 2009 at 08:23 PM Anonymous Says:
How will they know that someone is safe to call even with info about him who checks it out
Dec 08, 2009 at 09:33 PM David Says:
"....we can "visit" the Kosel via a 24/7 live broadcast"
Don't you mean 24/6?
Dec 08, 2009 at 09:36 PM yuhyuh Says:
Helping people find their challah and eventually their kallah. LOL!
Allthough I strongly believe in kiruv,this is dangerous . In todays sick world you can't just host any shmo off the internet. It was said that one of the mumbai terrorist stayed at the chabad house dressed up jewish , yes it can happen anytime , anywhere , its just the stories you hear about meating people off the internet, craigs list etc. I think the rabbi has good intentions, but its a scary world.
Dec 08, 2009 at 11:42 PM staten islander Says:
Rabbi Klatzko visited the Staten Island community this past Shabbos and he is an amazing individual. Kol Hakovod to him and the work that he does.
Dec 09, 2009 at 12:54 AM Esther Says:
" How will they know that someone is safe to call even with info about him who checks it out	"
You have to put references , a family you know or maybe rabbiem, so instead of saying "This person seems nice" and inviting them to stay with you , you can make sure they are safe and what not before bringing them into your home.
Kol hakavod Rabbi Klatzko , Tizku l'mitvos
Dec 09, 2009 at 02:17 AM Yehuda Says:
" Allthough I strongly believe in kiruv,this is dangerous . In todays sick world you can't just host any shmo off the internet. It was said that one of the mumbai terrorist stayed at the chabad house dressed up jewish , yes it can happen anytime , anywhere , its just the stories you hear about meating people off the internet, craigs list etc. I think the rabbi has good intentions, but its a scary world.	"
I believe that Chabad took anyone in off the street. On the SeeYouOnShabbos website, there are 5 levels of safety. See the safety and security link on the site. While it is a crazy world, if it paralyzes us, we will never ever accomplish anything in our lives. Kudos to the Rabbi and this long overdue website!!
Dec 09, 2009 at 07:20 AM Anonymous Says:
There is a page to post references. Hosts are free to call and check them out.
Dec 09, 2009 at 09:13 AM Boruch Says:
I think this is very useful. In regards to safety, you can limit yourself to inviting only people who put up pictures on their profile and give a good description of their background. I plan to invite only people who are frum, and that is a safeguard already. You can ask on the phone where did they go to school, etc.
Reply to #11
Boruch Says:
" I think this is very useful. In regards to safety, you can limit yourself to inviting only people who put up pictures on their profile and give a good description of their background. I plan to invite only people who are frum, and that is a safeguard already. You can ask on the phone where did they go to school, etc.	"
inviting only frum people is defeating the purpose of the website. and by the way, it is no guarantee of anything. just look at the abuse and theft that happens amongst frum people. that should be enough of an indicator that simply being frum is not enough.
Dec 09, 2009 at 10:24 AM Boruch K. Says:
I would like to add that we must take into consideration the need of widows, divorced, baalei tshuva and out of towners. We often invite people these people to our home and they are very, very thankful for it. Many of these people will spend shabbos alone and this is not rigth. Imagine being a divorced, widow, or baal teshuva and having to spend shabbos seudos eating alone? The Torah tells us often not to forget them and invite them to our simchos.
We have had many, many shabbos guests in the past several years and there was never a problem. I think the likelihood of having people steal or do something really bad is very small (tell me otherwise). And if you do proper checking on the background, such as finding out other hosts they have been to, who is their Rav, which synagogue they go to, then I believe you should be ok, principally if you are talking about just hosting a meal.
#12 says inviting only frum people is defeating the purpose of the website - who says so. My purpose is to help out those who are frum or on the way to become frum. I actually doubt that a lot of non frum people whould be interested in this.
Dear Boruch,
Perhaps you didn't know this, but, among frum people, a Shabbos invitation is in reality a great insult because to invite someone means you look down on them. So, why would you want to insult a frum person by inviting him for Shabbos? Among frum people, Shabbos invitees are limited to: singles, baalei teshuva, gerim, divorcees, agunos, the frum homeless, etc. Be careful who you invite because you are actually saying to them, "I want to insult you with my 'Shabbos Invitation' because I think you are really a nebbach."
Stick to unaffilitated Jews who don't know the invitation is really an insult.
" Dear Boruch,
Uh, are you for real? It is attitudes like yours that drives our people away!!! A Shabbos invitation can be as simple as, I enjoy your company, lets share a Shabbos meal and words of Torah together.
Sounds to me like you need an invitation for Shabbos...
Dec 09, 2009 at 11:33 AM Nebbach Says:
Thanks for the enlightenment. Last June my wife and I were invited for Shabbos by the local Chabad Rabbi. We felt it was a very nice experience as non-frum Yidden to spend the time with the Rabbi, the Rebbitzen, and the kinderlach. We didn't realize we were being insulted. Thank you for explaining this to us.
Nebbach Says:
" Thanks for the enlightenment. Last June my wife and I were invited for Shabbos by the local Chabad Rabbi. We felt it was a very nice experience as non-frum Yidden to spend the time with the Rabbi, the Rebbitzen, and the kinderlach. We didn't realize we were being insulted. Thank you for explaining this to us.	"
As soon as your wife kashers her kitchen, invite that same Chabad Rebbe to your house for Shabbos and see if he accepts.
Dec 09, 2009 at 01:29 PM Boruch K. Says:
I would like to add more. We generally have great time with our shabbos guests and I believe they feel the same. We really feel that they do more for us than we do for them in that it's such a pleasure for us to have them over. We talk about different topics, we sing together (males), we share divrei Torah and enjoy the company of other people. My kids always get very excited when we have guests over and our guests know that - they know their prescence is very well appreciated.
At one point in my life I was in need of invitation and am truly thankful for all those who had me over. I never thought of myself of a nebach, but of a case in motion. I knew the day would come when I would have my own home and be able to invite others in.
I have no doubt that besides the enjoyment we have with guests on shabbos, in shamayim we have great rewards for all the kindness we have given. Olam chessed ibane.
" Uh, are you for real? It is attitudes like yours that drives our people away!!! A Shabbos invitation can be as simple as, I enjoy your company, lets share a Shabbos meal and words of Torah together.
Maybe from one Baal Teshuva family to another Baal Teshuva family but for an established Heimische family, they are limited to inviting only Nebbachs because to invite another Heimische family is considered an insult.
Dec 09, 2009 at 02:11 PM Nebbach Says:
" As soon as your wife kashers her kitchen, invite that same Chabad Rebbe to your house for Shabbos and see if he accepts.	"
For what purpose? To insult him back? I hope we are better people than that. And now we have been educated that what we mistook for kindness was in fact pity.
Dec 09, 2009 at 02:26 PM uh hello?! Says:
"Rabbi Klatzko has been working on the front lines of kiruv and rabbonus for 21 years. As one of the initiators of kiruv on the West Coast"
this is where i have a problem. all groups are entitiled and encourage to reach out to our fellow yidden...but GIVE CREDIT WERE CREDIT IS DUE! chabad has been on the west coast for over 6 decades! when chabad first went out we were mocked! how true is it what our holy rebba has said ...first they will mock us, then they will copy us, and then they will take all the credit and say they started it first...puhleeeze!
Dec 09, 2009 at 02:35 PM dot dot dot Says:
This is such ridiculous banter. I live in Lakewood in a very frum community, we invite families over all the time for Shabbos, and we have gone out to them as well. The only real issue, is the sensitivity of having couples eat together too often, which could lead to issues. So many people steer clear from inviting other couples due to that. Some people might feel like guests takes away their focus on their own familiy, and thereby limit the amount of times they have guests.
Dec 09, 2009 at 04:00 PM Rippin Pinchas Says:
dot dot dot Says:
" This is such ridiculous banter. I live in Lakewood in a very frum community, we invite families over all the time for Shabbos, and we have gone out to them as well. The only real issue, is the sensitivity of having couples eat together too often, which could lead to issues. So many people steer clear from inviting other couples due to that. Some people might feel like guests takes away their focus on their own familiy, and thereby limit the amount of times they have guests.	"
That is because you have your priorities correct. People from out of town beleive Kiruv is one and everything else is secondary. I have met many people who believe Kiruv comes before family. They put a significant amount of effort and energy into kiruv and have little left for their families. Their communities? Forget about it, unless it is a kiruv community. You are fortunate to live in a place where people have their priorities straight.
Dec 09, 2009 at 04:21 PM The Truth Says:
uh hello?! Says:
" "Rabbi Klatzko has been working on the front lines of kiruv and rabbonus for 21 years. As one of the initiators of kiruv on the West Coast"
Nobody says that Chabad doesn't do kiruv. But let's be honest, shall we? We all know that Chabad wants to be mekarev people to Chabad, not mainstream yiddishkeit!! They can deny it, play coy, rant, rave, and scream, but we all know the truth. I have heard it MANY MANY times from people with in the Chabad movement. That is why Chabad has an "us against them" mentality.
It's a pity. Kiruv is about bringing people closer to Hashem, not jut my Rebbe or your Rebbe. With all the resources that Chabad has, they will always be hostile towards the rest of the frum oilem (except if you are not religious, in which case they will welcome you with open arms, because they can still get this person for Chabad).
Ahavas Yisroel RARELY extends itself from Chabad to other frum yidden (unless the person is modern and a possible cash-cow, in which case Chabad will move a "sheliach" to the boondocks, set up shop, and slowly but surely milk this cash cow). And that is why we need and want mainstream kiruv. And that's reality folks. Let them deny and act self righteous, but we are not and were never fooled.
Dec 09, 2009 at 04:33 PM Well... Says:
Rippin Pinchas Says:
" That is because you have your priorities correct. People from out of town beleive Kiruv is one and everything else is secondary. I have met many people who believe Kiruv comes before family. They put a significant amount of effort and energy into kiruv and have little left for their families. Their communities? Forget about it, unless it is a kiruv community. You are fortunate to live in a place where people have their priorities straight.	"
And you are telling me that there is no middle road???? I believe most people can and must try to do kiruv, but priorities their family of course.
Dec 09, 2009 at 01:33 PM I hope you are being sarcastic Says:
Please don't believe a word that porter said. It is very common that people invite other frum people to their homes. If this guy never invited a frum person or was never invited by a frum person its because he has no friends. Hence his bitterness. Non frum people are being invited because its a chessed. Never an insult. If it were an insult than that would negate Hashem's mitzvah of hachnossas orchim- welcoming guests. Avraham avinu welcomed in 3 people that appeared like idol worshippers and stopped speaking to Hashem! He wasn't insulting them. He was doing chessed!
I hope you are being sarcastic Says:
" Please don't believe a word that porter said. It is very common that people invite other frum people to their homes. If this guy never invited a frum person or was never invited by a frum person its because he has no friends. Hence his bitterness. Non frum people are being invited because its a chessed. Never an insult. If it were an insult than that would negate Hashem's mitzvah of hachnossas orchim- welcoming guests. Avraham avinu welcomed in 3 people that appeared like idol worshippers and stopped speaking to Hashem! He wasn't insulting them. He was doing chessed!	"
The problem with the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish world today as I see it (And I have been frum since 1991--18 years) is that the whole concept of "hachnassas orchim" has been dramatically altered since WWII, I think mostly due to the Hungarian survivors, who brought with them to America this concept that it is shameful to be a guest. I know for a fact in Boro Park, the only people who are invited as guests fit into the traditional "nebbach" category, baalei teshuva, gerim, divorcees, etc... and this is only so their neighbors will see them doing "chessed", but the chessed never translates into a traditional friendship and the unsuspecting guest is given food, but without the warmth and cameraderie normally associated with hachnassas orchim. There is never any attempt to build a two-way friendship where the guest is made to feel an equal with his host. He is always put down and made to feel put down until he decides to stop going. It is also a power-trip for the host, so he can feel like a big baalebus serving the nebbach guest. If I had to make an educated guess, I would say that it is this breakdown in the mitzvah of hachnassas orchim that is causing yissurim for klal yisrael.
Dec 10, 2009 at 11:04 AM Anominous Says:
" The problem with the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish world today as I see it (And I have been frum since 1991--18 years) is that the whole concept of "hachnassas orchim" has been dramatically altered since WWII, I think mostly due to the Hungarian survivors, who brought with them to America this concept that it is shameful to be a guest. I know for a fact in Boro Park, the only people who are invited as guests fit into the traditional "nebbach" category, baalei teshuva, gerim, divorcees, etc... and this is only so their neighbors will see them doing "chessed", but the chessed never translates into a traditional friendship and the unsuspecting guest is given food, but without the warmth and cameraderie normally associated with hachnassas orchim. There is never any attempt to build a two-way friendship where the guest is made to feel an equal with his host. He is always put down and made to feel put down until he decides to stop going. It is also a power-trip for the host, so he can feel like a big baalebus serving the nebbach guest. If I had to make an educated guess, I would say that it is this breakdown in the mitzvah of hachnassas orchim that is causing yissurim for klal yisrael.	"
Not every host is for every guest and not every guest is for every host. It seems to me that you have been going to hosts who are well above your level and you should lower your expectations. Some people are really nebach, don't have a decent job, have low IQ's, don't look good, don't know how to dress (not fancy but even according to normal stardarts), etc. These people are going to be generally looked down by those who hold higher standards or are generally more normal (I am not talking about circumstance such as being divorced, baal teshuva, etc, as you can be pretty normal even under those instances).
I recommend that you look for different hosts, who may be closer to your category, someone who feels he can buddy with you.
I have hosted people before and some of them have clear mental problems - maybe part of the reason why they either never got married or got divorced. It is a nebach situation and they should be happy we are inviting. If you don't like it, just decline the invitation, as you are not a match for each other either.


text:
2016 Accountability Post
Is the annual accountability post a useful exercise, particularly in an essentially creative endeavor? I'm not entirely certain, but it does provide a milestone (not millstone!) and reminder of sorts about whatever path I'm on. With that in mind, let's review what my intentions were for 2016 before the reality of time constraints, the whims of imagination, and a ceaseless slog of negative news took their toll…
Put the icing on the Symphony cake. I wrapped up my historical fantasy series, The Dreambetween Symphony, in 2015, but I wanted to package the series as an omnibus box set / compilation / what-have-you. Status? Mission Accomplished!
Revise and publish The Pike. While the initial drafting phase for my latest novel was complete in late 2015, it still required heavy editing. Also, I wasn't sure whether to publish the book under a pen name given that it didn't quite fit, genre-wise, with much of my previous output. Status? Published, June 2016.
Begin a new series. Status? Fail! I was in the planning stages for a series tentatively titled Gunmage. Expanding upon my short story Lamia's Daughter, this alternate-world western with demons, fey magic, and gunslingers is still in the planning stages and has been pushed behind other projects in the queue.
Which brings us to 2017. What tentative goalposts do I put up and then pull a Charlie Brown trying to boot the ball through?
Publish a new novel. The first draft of my next novel is complete, and I'm currently muddling through the first round of edits. Tentatively titled Zeitgeist 1919, this book is a beast, currently weighing in at almost double the page-count of my previous longest novel, Requiem. Zeitgeist tells the story of a reimagined aftermath/extension to World War I, where Kaiser Wilhelm II, aided by the sorcery and genetic monstrosities of his hexenmeister warlocks, invades the United States and faces the might of American technomancy (machine-magic!). Readers of my shorter work may recognize The Sack of Gotham, the novella (re-edited and slightly adapted) that forms the first portion of this new book. Assuming no catastrophic editing nightmares, Zeitgeist should hit the digital shelves in late spring or early summer.
Start writing a new series (or possibly a stand-alone novel). The aforementioned Gunmage series is in contention to follow Zeitgeist, but it will have to push aside another idea that's been pinging around in my skull. This would be a novel consisting of a series of linked paranormal and cyberpunk-ish short stories set in a near-future American spaceport. At some point, I'd also like to revisit the cross-dimensional, post-apocalyptic invasion series that Symphony shoved aside a couple of years ago. And get started on an epic swords & sorcery fantasy. And a space opera. Sigh...
Begin to reboot my short story collections. While novel-writing will consume most of my production time, I'm also embarking on a reboot of my short story collections, splitting them into longer, novel-length work focused more narrowly by genre. The twenty-one stories of The Singles Collection will be repackaged with new work and some older, reworked material. I'm not sure how many collections are going to result, but the first should hit the digital shelves this year.
Update my production workflows and website. Part of the process of rebooting the shorts collections and publishing the new novel(s) will include a move to a new publishing workflow using the ebook formatting software Vellum. This should result in prettier and more consistently formatted ebooks, and, if all goes well, most of my back catalogue should get a makeover in the next 12-18 months. Finally, I'll try to work in a reboot of my website, which hasn't exactly been lavished with attention the last year or so.
That's the tentative plan anyway. See you back here this time next year (assuming the world hasn't blown up or civilization collapsed into Dark Ages barbarism), to check how far off the roadmap I've veered!
Tagged: year in review, 2016, Zeitgeist, The Dreambetween Symphony, The Singles Collection, Vellum, The Pike, The Sack of Gotham, Gunmage
Countdown Deal This Week
This week only, get two ebooks for just 99¢!
My latest novel, The Pike, a cyberpunk, dystopian thriller, will be on sale this week (Monday 8/1 through Friday 8/5) for just 99¢. Not feeling the whole military SF, cyberpunk, dystopian vibe? Then that same 99¢ will let you sample some of my work in other genres with The Singles Collection, a selection of twenty one short stories and novellas ranging from interstellar SF to urban fantasy to horror.
Don't forget: if you're a Kindle Unlimited subscriber, you can borrow these books, and the rest of my work, FREE from KU today! And Amazon Prime subscribers can get one book a month (including mine!) from the Kindle Lending Library. Ready to borrow or buy? Then hit the links below...
Ben Kazmaier's mother is in a coma, and he and his veteran father are working triple shifts at PikeCo to pay for the machines that keep her alive. When terrorists strike close to home and his mother disappears, Ben is forced to choose between his duty to his family and joining an uprising against his corporate masters. It is a decision that will tear open the wounds of the past, cause new blood to be spilled, and change life on the Pike forever.
Twenty-one stories. Twenty-one worlds. Some are close to our own. Others are less so. It begins on the frontier colony world of Abilene, where Jak and his band of retired Imperial marines hunt for a monster that killed one of their own. It ends in an alternate-history version of early 20th century Manhattan, where young Rory Donnelly has just been assigned to the Tesla cannon batteries that protect the walls of Gotham from an impending attack by the Kaiser's runesingers and genetic monstrosities.
Tagged: The Pike, The Singles Collection, sale, Countdown Deals, short stories, science fiction, dystopian, cyberpunk


Swap out « handsome » for « gorgeous » and you've got me described perfectly as well. *high five* 😉 It always makes me happy to come across someone who shares my sarcastic sense of humor, so I will definitely be checking this book out. I just loved how he described his heroes too. Fantastic interview!
« The first book practically wrote itself. » This totally made me laugh. But I can understand how that would happen, especially with the first one.


This is one of the most attractive of Weissbort's still life paintings; an extraordinarily subtle harmony of neutral shades – the painted decorative shelf, the crumpled swathe of white linen, the pearl grey background, the transparent glass, the gentle fawns and browns of bread and knife handle: all animated by the intense glow of the off-centred red peppers and the balancing darker red of the tomato. He has painted a very plastic, three-dimensional study which is at the same time a carefully-composed pattern of abstract shapes, given added force by the restricted palette. This use in still life arrangements of neutrals lifted by one more vivid note is a reminiscent of the work of artists such as Giorgio Morandi (1890-1964), the father of the minimalist still life painting; William Nicholson; or Samuel Peploe.


text:
$ npm install npmlinxxx

## usage

    josh@koffing:~/dev/jesusabdullah/korben-twitter$ npmlinxxx
    linxxx info hello YES THIS IS NPMLINXXX
    linxxx ERR! wat Error: USAGE: npmlinxxx [dependency]
    linxxx ERR! wat
    linxxx ERR! wat (dependency is path to project root)
    linxxx ERR! wat
    linxxx ERR! bye better luck next time!
    josh@koffing:~/dev/jesusabdullah/korben-twitter$ ls
    README.md korben.js npm-debug.log seed.txt
    creds.json  node_modules  package.json
    josh@koffing:~/dev/jesusabdullah/korben-twitter$ ls ../kenny-loggins/
    README.md   colorize.js   loggins.jpg   package.json
    browser.js    index.js    loggins.js    test.js
    colorize-browser.js log-browser.js    loggins.xcf   test.sh
    josh@koffing:~/dev/jesusabdullah/korben-twitter$ npmlinxxx ../kenny-loggins
    linxxx info hello YES THIS IS NPMLINXXX
    linxxx WARN derf Looks like /Users/josh/dev/jesusabdullah/korben-twitter/node_modules/kenny-loggins already exists!
    linxxx ??!? rm -rf Nuke it? [y/N] y
    linxxx info ln -s Linking kenny-loggins
    linxxx info ln -s /Users/josh/dev/jesusabdullah/kenny-loggins -> /Users/josh/dev/jesusabdullah/korben-twitter/node_modules/kenny-loggins
    linxxx info bye good job!
    josh@koffing:~/dev/jesusabdullah/korben-twitter$

## rationale

`npm link` is a nifty little tool that will symlink arbitrary node libraries on
the filesystem directly into your project. This is really useful for developing
a dependent and dependency concurrently.

However, there's a small but important wrinkle: Linking works in two parts.
`npm link` exposes the module as installable by first linking it *globally*.
Then, `npm link [dependency]` links the *global* version of the module into
your project. Usually this isn't a deal-breaker, but there are some less
savoury ramifications:

* Running `npm link` as a priveleged user (not technically necessary, but the
  default behavior) requires unsettlingly high permissions given the task at
  hand
* You expose a development version of potential module bins to all your shells
* git+ssh urls can cause problems because ssh doesn't properly inherit
  your known hosts when ran with sudo.

`npmlinxxx` is used to symlink other modules directly into `node_modules`, thus
avoiding some of these issues.

## Tests

Right now, just me using it.

## License

MIT.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Stained glass commission for front door and above light, seen here in workshop/studio. Traditionally leaded, but untraditional use of fused glass for house name and faery centrepiece. Below, shows faery prior to being fused in the kiln.
Leaded light front door that used both old restored original glass from a broken panel, and new glass, and was designed closely in conjunction with the house owners, themselves artists.


Welcome back for another CYAO challenge from Paper Secrets! Can you believe this is already challenge #45? For this week, we had to use this sketch (#83) from Deconstructing Jen.
For my card I chose to use the corrugated paper (black strip), twine (line and bow) and dry embossing (Sizzix Basic Grey flower with stem).
Thanks for stopping by to check out my latest creation. Hopefully I will be back on track soon!
How adorable! I really like your white background and wonderful die cuts! Thanks for joining us at the Deconstructed Sketch!


Creating a platter of offerings for every customer.
Realising the quintessential epitome of sustenance – Together!
To promote and encourage the hidden flair; to provide a platform for rarity; to seek and revive the missing – that is the purpose we envision.
Our dedication to empower handicraft business coincides with our tryst to revitalise skills and art deeply embedded in our Indian heritage. The work we do not only prospers our associates; it creates a niche for art portrayal and its sustenance. Through extensive and sophisticated networking, we are creating a global platform for handicraft and its art.
At Designco, We provide sophisticated, one-stop-shop solutions to meet our customers' specific needs and helps to create a platter of offerings where they have more choice, more options to choose from. Today we have evolved to a point, where-in we are catering from exclusive designers to mass retailers, equally effectively.
Harnessing the glory of metal. Blending global compliance with local competitiveness in producing brass that sets a benchmark in the industry.
Decorating homes worldwide. Taking the finely crafted products of India, crafted in wood, glass and metal, to the households globally.
Giving a new perspective to the reality. Developing landscapes that mirror nature to construct global structures where life blossoms and work prospers.
Sourcing products that run through shelves to managing supply chains that put retailers at ease.
Powering a greener tomorrow. Realizing the power of wind for growing energy on barren desert lands.
Connecting people to places. Developing the next generation of vehicles that provide clean, efficient, reliable and affordable inner-city & rural transportation.
Nurturing the foundation of education. Fostering excellence in fundamental education through incarnation of curiosity.
Cultivating smiles in communities. Tackling human development challenges by transforming lives of the underprivileged through education and skill-development.


text:
SEPA – are we there yet?
Written by FinTech Futures
SEPA is turning ten. Happy birthday!
The payments industry was dragged kicking and screaming into the single euro payments area (SEPA), but on 28 January 2018, the initiative will celebrate its tenth anniversary. No doubt former doubters will sing its praises.
It is sometimes easy to forget SEPA, particularly as the reviewed Payment Services Directive (PSD2), which provides the legal foundation for the operational implementation of SEPA, began to grab the headlines once the technicalities of SEPA were established.
However, the plucky little initiative has grabbed the headlines one again with the roll-out of the SEPA Credit Transfer Instant scheme (SCT Inst) in late November. The scheme, created by the European Payments Council (EPC), became operational at 585 payment services providers in eight European countries: Austria, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Spain.
The scheme allows the electronic transfer of money – currently up to €15,000 – progressively across Europe in less than ten seconds, at any time and on any day of the year, including weekends and holidays. The transactions covered by the scheme must be denominated in euros.
Individuals, businesses, corporations and administrations can make and receive instant euro credit transfers within their national borders as well as cross-border (starting with the eight countries), with the funds being immediately available.
The scheme is being promoted as an effective replacement for cash and cheques. The creators say it is particularly convenient, if for example, an individual must urgently send money to a relative, or to pay for a product or service that requires immediate settlement. In a standard credit transfer, a beneficiary might have to wait up to one business day to receive money in his or her account.
SCT Inst will progressively span over 34 European countries, with Belgium, Finland, Germany, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden to join between 2018 and 2019.
What is more, the EPC says it will work to ensure the scheme "evolves to better reflect market needs". This will be done in close dialogue with all payment stakeholders, it says. For example, the maximum amount per transaction will be regularly reviewed starting from November 2018. "An increased maximum amount will make the scheme more attractive for companies," says the EPC. (Click here to read an exclusive interview on the subject with Javier Santamaría, chair of the EPC.)
Instant payments were one of the hot topics at the Sibos conference this year. Shortly before the event, Swift and EBA Clearing announced that users of EBA's instant payments system, RT1, will be able to access the platform via SwiftNet Instant, Swift's instant payments messaging solution, from November 2018.
Together with 39 funding institutions, EBA Clearing has been developing and implementing RT1 since April 2016. A pan-European infrastructure platform, it will be used for the 24×7 settlement of real-time payments in line with the SCT Inst scheme. The objective was to provide payment service providers across the single euro payments area with a real-time payment processing facility.
Erwin Kulk, head of service development and management at EBA Clearing, says RT1 will provide the European payments industry with a pan-European infrastructure platform for real-time payments in euro from day one of SCT Inst. The accessibility via Swift's solution will provide this user community with additional choice in connectivity, he added. "We expect more than 50 users in the system by mid-2018."
SwiftNet Instant is designed to work anywhere in Europe and around the world, enabling Swift members to connect seamlessly to multiple instant payment clearing and settlement mechanisms. For SEPA, Swift will offer connectivity not only to RT1, but also to the Eurosystem's Target Instant Payment Settlement (Tips) platform. Swift is supporting the Eurosystem's aim to create a single gateway into its market infrastructure services and access to other clearing and settlement mechanisms…
This is an excerpt. The full article is featured in the December 2017/January 2018 issue of the Banking Technology magazine. Click here to read the digital edition – it is free!
Tags: Digital, Innovation, Payments SCT Inst, SEPA, SWIFT PayTech Analysis, Features Europe, European Union
AEVI at Money20/20 USA: The ultimate merchant experience
How to get the most out of the "business in a box" proposition that smart POS brings.
Three steps to effectively automating accounts payable
The best automated AP solutions can integrate all kinds of information and content formats.
Ask the expert: how can I convince a retailer's CFO to work with us?
You've had a successful first meeting with a prospect. How do you persuade them to sign a partnership?
FinovateEurope 2020: what's new?
Big changes are coming to Finovate!
As platformania reaches its peak, what is the secret to marketplace liquidity?
Over the last ten years, the platform business model has risen exponentially in popularity..
How paytech helps the gaming world tap the under-banked populations
Paysafecard and G2 Esports reveal how paytech taps underbanked gamers.
The extension of SCA: a sensible move or an unnecessary delay?
UK Finance notes more than 75% of merchants are unaware of SCA.
Clearing the liquidity fog in 300 milliseconds
FinTech Futures speaks to CEO and founder of RTGS.global, Nick Ogden.
Ask the expert: when should a company founder step aside?
Exploring the ecommerce World of Asia with Cardpay
The time has come to make Open Banking evolve into open finance
Why banks can profit from "smart" POS


text:
Q: How to search two paths but get the results in order using Nokogiri I am trying to search for elements with prefix w and also t or br using Nokogiri.
For example if this is the core of the doc returned from parsing:
<w:t></w:t><w:br></w:br><w:t></w:t>

This search
doc.search('.//w:t','.//w:br')

Results in:
['<w:t></w:t>','<w:t></w:t>','<w:br></w:br>']

Instead I want (the elements are in the order of the original doc):
['<w:t></w:t>','<w:br></w:br>','<w:t></w:t>']

A: Using CSS selectors you can do this:
require 'nokogiri'

doc = Nokogiri::XML(<<EOT)
<xml>
  <t></t>

<t></t>
</xml>
EOT

doc.search('t, br')
# => [#<Nokogiri::XML::Element:0x3c name="t">, #<Nokogiri::XML::Element:0x50 name="br">, #<Nokogiri::XML::Element:0x64 name="t">]

doc.search('t, br').map(&:to_html)
# => ["<t></t>", "
", "<t></t>"]

CSS selectors are recommended by Nokogiri's authors because they're generally easier and less noisy.
Using XPath, this'd work:
doc.search('//t | //br')
# => [#<Nokogiri::XML::Element:0x3c name="t">, #<Nokogiri::XML::Element:0x50 name="br">, #<Nokogiri::XML::Element:0x64 name="t">]

doc.search('//t | //br').map(&:to_html)
# => ["<t></t>", "
", "<t></t>"]

However, your XML has namespaces, and you didn't show us the appropriate namespace declaration so that's left for you to figure out.
See Nokogiri's Namespaces documentation for more information.

A: Thanks to the Tin Man's response, the answer I was looking for is this
doc.search('.//w:t | .//w:br')


Distance from Bāzpur to Afzalgarh is 50 kilometers. This air travel distance is equal to 31 miles.
The air travel (bird fly) shortest distance between Bāzpur and Afzalgarh is 50 km= 31 miles.
If you travel with an airplane (which has average speed of 560 miles) from Bazpur to Afzalgarh, It takes 0.06 hours to arrive.
Afzalgarh is located in India.


text:
Whiplash consultation reaction: claimant fury, ABI joy, defendant lawyers' caution
West: government must not create change for changes sake
Specialist defendant law firms have responded cautiously to yesterday's whiplash consultation paper amid fury from claimant lawyers and groups.
The Ministry of Justice is considering raising the small claims limit for whiplash or all road traffic injury claims to £5,000 and introducing independent medical panels.
The Association of British Insurers and Insurance Fraud Bureau strongly backed the proposals, with the former saying it was "pleased that the government recognises that tough action is needed to protect honest motorists from the UK's whiplash epidemic".
While welcoming the direction of travel, defendant lawyers raised concerns over their timing and detail. Steve Thomas, director of market and public affairs at Keoghs, said that if the small claims rise is limited to whiplash only, "then we have little doubt that soft tissue injuries will manifest themselves in another guise which will take them out of scope and back into recoverable costs. We also believe that a £5,000 small claims track would spawn a prevalence of lawyers operating under damages-based agreements, which in turn may promote damages inflation.
"This consultation at first blush appears an attractive proposition but as ever, it is the unintended consequences that need to be thought through as the industry sets out its position with government."
Mr Thomas said his initial concern over medical evidence is that "we do not simply move to neither re-badge the current process and practice nor layer additional cost when the ambition here is exactly the opposite".
He explained: "It will also be important to incorporate the scope of appropriate medical evidence for simple whiplash claims. We are increasingly seeing psychologist's reports as the norm. Many of these reports add little to the overall picture but seek to drive damages and layer in expensive disbursements. To paraphrase Jackson, are such reports both 'necessary and proportionate'?"
City firm Kennedys said it supported the drive to reduce inappropriate claims, arguing that both claimant lawyers and insurers will be better off as a result.
But it said any new legislation must be properly thought through, maintain access to justice for innocent victims and create a proportionate framework of new rules and sanctions. It was particularly concerned about the timing, given the other civil justice reforms being implemented in April.
Partner Richard West said: "It's important that the Ministry of Justice does not create change for changes sake. There are many good reforms to the legal landscape fast approaching which should have a substantial impact on whiplash claims. The government must resist the temptation to push too much through too quickly or they risk undermining the undoubtedly good intentions underpinning this consultation."
Alistair Kinley, head of policy development at Berrymans Lace Mawer, said: "These proposals are close to the agenda set out by insurers, which will cause some reaction from industry bodies. To some extent, APIL [the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers] was smart in getting its retaliation in first two or three weeks ago with its own 10-point plan on whiplash fraud.
"There are wider costs reforms already afoot. [Early] questions which occur are: how many cases would go via the RTA scheme/portal if the small claims limit goes up to say above £3,000? What is the risk of damages creep if that happens? Does the news bolster APIL in their attempt to judicially review the extension of the RTA scheme? Time will tell."
There was unanimous condemnation from claimant lawyers, who argued that many people would be put off pursuing legitimate claims if they had to do it without legal assistance. But they had a range of other criticisms as well.
Craig Budsworth, chairman of the Motor Accident Solicitors Society, said: "It is irresponsible to even consider more changes to our civil justice system at the moment. Implementing the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 and the proposed changes to the RTA portal mean that we are already in a period of unprecedented reform and uncertainty which could fundamentally alter the balance between defendant and claimant."
Irwin Mitchell partner Matt Currie said that if the government is serious about tackling the problems in the current system, "then they should continue to focus their attention on the multitude of claims management companies who add little or no value, rather than making genuine victims suffer further. They could start by banning text messaging and cold calling right now.
"Of course, no one should receive any compensation without proper medical assessment so we welcome the chance to work with the government on that but forcing genuine victims to use the small claims track would be a misguided attack on access to justice. Small claims may be effective for disputes over washing machines but it isn't suitable for more complex injury cases."
Mark Grover, chief executive of north-west claimant firm Antony Hodari, said: "Claimant law firms use increasingly sophisticated anti-fraud systems, but they would be far more effective if insurers co-operated by giving us access to their own databases. Why would they refuse this? And, if they are so keen to combat fraud, why do insurers continue to offer settlements to claimants before they have seen a solicitor and before they have undergone a medical examination?…
"The government has not considered the economic impact of these proposals. It currently recovers £140m a year in social security benefits paid as a result of an accident where a compensation payment has been made – this will fall dramatically if people are put off making a claim in the first place. And thousands of people in the legal industry could be put out of work by cutting out their legitimate role in helping injured people pursue their legal rights."
Iain Stark, chairman of the Association of Costs Lawyers, said: "These proposals could spell disaster for both consumers and the legal profession. Access to justice will be the ultimate victim. I foresee a whole new unregulated industry being created to handle claims below £5,000. Furthermore, the courts will be flooded with litigants in person, which will put huge strain on their already limited resources…
"The lack of joined-up thinking is also breathtaking. The government is already consulting on a 60% cut to legal fees for [the RTA portal]. These new proposals will remove most cases from that system, leaving just the higher value, more complex ones at unfairly low fee levels. The government needs to pause for breath and think through its approach before piling on yet more reform."
Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act
RTA portal