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++ Mini Challenge 103 ++ Lines & Curves ++

Started Mar 16, 2006 | Discussions thread
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MaxButen Contributing Member • Posts: 523
++ Mini Challenge 103 ++ Lines & Curves ++

(I'm using ++ instead of to distinguish us from the other challenge.)

We have challenges for "line" and for "curve." Now lets have one for
Lines AND Curves.

You must have both a straight line and a smooth regular curve in your image. A circle counts as a curve; a wiggly line doesn't. Math majors, a circle with infinite radius counts as a line.

The challenge will run for 10 days. Wednesday March 15 to Sunday, March 26.
(Noon US EST)

The host gives you a topic of interest and you get going. You post your image(s). The host chooses the winner. The decision of the judge (the host) is final. The judge is not eligible. The winner then chooses the next topic, judges the winner, and passes on the baton to that person.
Any picture you've taken is eligible regardless of time taken and camera.

You can do all the post processing you want. However, it is most helpful if you list your camera and lens along with your photo. Feel free to comment on other contestants' images. If you want someone to leave you a piece of constructive criticism, put an asterisk ( ) next to the title of the image.
Here are some guidelines:

When posting your picture, change the Subject of your post to display your name or picture titles. This way, when someone comments (i.e. replies), it will refer specifically to you. If all entries read "Re: Mini Challenge 103"... it would be very boring to scan the list.

Either embed your image in the thread or, if you must, supply a link to it. Keep in mind, however, most people don't want to click to open photos hosted elsewhere (i.e. on your website). Also try and resize your photos prior to posting so they're sized appropriately for viewing without having to scroll ( 650 pixels on the longest side works best.)
And how do you embed a picture? I'm glad you asked:

1. While your photo on Pbase (or any other web site) is open, copy the URL address from the address box on your tool bar, then paste it into your reply thread. Add a .jpg extension to get the photo to show up. Click on preview to make sure it's what you want.

2. Right click on the image in Pbase (or where ever you've hosted it), click on "Properties"..., highlight the link with the .jpg extension on it, and paste it into your message text. Provide any additional information you want.
As a show of courtesy, and to save bandwidth, please remove the original
post when replying, so you don't bring back any previous photos.

As usual, if you appreciate constructive criticism, put a star ( ) at the end of the subject line of your entry.

The challenge begins now and ends on the deadline prescribed above.

You may enter up to three pictures, but try to put them within a single post. Please give a title to each photo... this makes it easier to differentiate when giving comments.

Please size your photo no bigger than 650 pixels on the longest dimension. This is to let those with smaller monitors to see your image at full resolution.

Please limit the size of your entries to conserve bandwidth. 150K or less works well. Again, as a show of courtesy, and to save bandwidth, please remove the original post when replying, so you don't bring back any previous photos.

Use the Preview button to check your entry before you click to Post it.

Most important rule: Have fun!!

(Samples and list of past winners will follow)

A dozen albums (plus family pictures) at http://www.pbase.com/mistermax/light_and_shadow

I have added my photos from Petra , so now there are
89 pages of travel pictures in 21 albums at http://buten.net/max/index.html

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Most pointless lens test: SEL1670Z vs. EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Started May 7, 2014 | Discussions thread
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DtEW Senior Member • Posts: 2,438
Most pointless lens test: SEL1670Z vs. EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

So I decided to undertake what is basically the most pointless lens test, ever. I have decided to compare the SEL1670Z to the venerable Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM. Pointless, because you can't put the SEL1670Z onto anything but E-mount (and maybe FE), and you can't put the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM directly onto an E-mount and have it manifest its intended FoV unless you put a focal reducer (which injects its own optical detriments into the mix) between it.

The point, therefore, is to see if/how-much the SEL1670Z approaches its inspiration.

Yes, this is a half-a$$ lens test setup. Whatever. You can waste you own time if you want to do better.

Automatic exposures were established by the Canon 6D in "A" mode, and settings replicated exactly on the A6000 in "M" mode. ISO100. IS/OSS off. Both cameras were autofocused using CDAF.

CR2 files imported directly into LR4.4. ARW files were converted into DNG and imported into LR4.4. No PP whatsoever (meaning no profile nor CA correction).  No resizing.  It needs to be remembered that the 6D is 20mpx, and the A6000 is 24mpx... so if both appear the same at 100 magnification, it means the A6000 is sharper.

Let's start at nominal 105mm/70mm, i.e. both lenses were zoomed to full extension. Tripod is statically placed.

Canon @105mm @ f/4

EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM @ f/4

SEL1670Z @ f/4

You can see right off that the SEL1670Z is relatively longer than than the EF 24-105mm f/4L at the long end. You can also see how the two cameras' auto white balances differ.

EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM @ f/5.6

Sony @ f/5.6:

SEL1670Z @ f/5.6, peak center sharpness.

Canon @ 105mm @ f/8:

EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM @ f/8, peak center sharpness.

Sony @ 70mm @ f/8:

SEL1670Z @ f/8

Canon @ 105mm @ f/11:

EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM @ f/11

Sony @ 70mm @ f/11:

SEL1670Z @ f/11, peak edge sharpness

Canon @ 105mm @ f/16:

EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM @ f/16, peak edge sharpness, but note still present CA.

Sony @ 70mm @ f/16:

SEL1670Z @ f/16, diffraction softening is obvious.

Draw your own conclusions folks.

Post 1/3.

 DtEW's gear list:DtEW's gear list
Canon EOS 6D Canon EOS 5DS Canon EF 28-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM Samyang 24mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM +13 more
Canon EOS 6D Sony a6000
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drawing contest
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Uploaded: November 8, 2011
Artist: Finalprodigy
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Hey fellow artist, here's another bird tutorial. This time I'll be showing you how to draw a Scarlet Macaw. Let me know if there are any other bird species that you would like to see tutorials of!


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Three risk factors for a second ACL injury

Imagine you are a high school basketball player or an adult who plays recreational soccer. You land from a jump awkwardly and feel your knee buckle. It swells up immediately and you struggle to bear any weight on that leg. After a trip to see an orthopaedic surgeon, you learn that you tore your ACL.

Now you face surgery, 6-12 months of physical therapy, and a long road back to sports.

All of those scenarios are frightening, but also imagine the possibility that after all of that work after surgery, you could tear the graft or tear the ACL in your other knee when you return to play. Is that a real possibility? How likely is it? And what increases an athlete’s chances of that outcome?

Also read:
When is an athlete ready for sports after ACL surgery?
Can “prehab” improve outcomes after ACL surgery?
Neuromuscular training programs can prevent ACL injuries and save money

New study looking at risk factors for ACL reinjury

A study presented last month at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine’s Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington examines the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament reinjury and the risk factors involved. Given that surgeons perform approximately 200,000 ACL reconstructions each year in the United States, a better understanding of these risk factors might have us prevent some of these injuries.

Authors from the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) consortium collected data from almost 2700 patients in the MOON database who underwent ACL reconstructions between 2002 and 2008. They obtained follow up information for over 80% of the patients more than two years after the surgery. They analyzed this data to identify the incidence of reinjury to the ACL graft or a tear of patient’s contralateral ACL.

Rates of second ACL injury or injury to opposite knee

At two-year follow up, 4.3% of the patients had torn the surgical graft in the injured knee, while 3.6% of them had torn the contralateral ACL.

Also read:
Reinjury more likely among athletes after ACL surgery
3 less known reasons athletes don’t return after ACL injuries

Among graft options for the initial ACL reconstruction, the odds of a retear of the graft did not differ between patellar tendon autograft and hamstring autograft. On the other hand, patients who received an allograft were 4.69 times as likely to suffer a second injury compared to the patellar tendon autograft patients.

Younger age and higher activity levels at the time of the initial ACL reconstruction were predictors of graft reinjury as well as injury to the contralateral normal ACL.

The lead author of the study, Christopher C. Kaeding, MD of the Ohio State University, summarized the MOON group’s findings. “The study highlights that younger age, higher activity levels at time of injury and what type of graft used (allograft) may increase risk of same side ACL injury within two years. With individuals having higher activity levels and lower age re-tears on the opposite leg were more prominent,” he noted.

Female soccer player suffers ACL injury
Take home points about tearing your ACL again

What can athletes and their parents learn from this study? First, it seems worthwhile to have a thorough discussion with the orthopaedic surgeon about the options for the graft to be used in the ACL reconstruction. Discuss risks and benefits of patellar tendon and hamstring autograft, and at least consider using autografts instead of allografts if the patient is young and very active in sports or athletic endeavors.

Also read:
Is return to soccer likely after ACL surgery?
The most important question to ask before ACL surgery?
Surgery, rehab often not enough after ACL injury

Next, discuss with the orthopaedic surgeon and the physical therapist after surgery about exercise programs that can be learned and performed regularly to minimize the risk of reinjury. While no exercises can guarantee an athlete that she will not suffer an injury to the graft or to the opposite knee’s ACL, these programs might decrease that risk somewhat.

“Our research suggests that a few risk factors such as, age, activity level and type of graft utilized may point to the possibility of re-injury,” Kaeding concluded. “However, with better education about adjustments that can be made, based on these risk factors, patients may be able to minimize re-tears…Physicians and physical therapists need to better educate our patients about continued neuro-muscular training even after the immediate rehabilitation process has ended to help prevent future tears.”

Also read:
Video: ACL reconstruction surgery
Ask Dr. Geier – ACL Grafts
Ask Dr. Geier – Graft options for ACL surgery

Soccer player doing ACL injury prevention exercises
Kaeding CC, Pedroza AD, Reinke EK, Huston LJ. ACL Injury after ACL Reconstruction: Analysis of 2695 Primary ACL Reconstructions for Risk Factors. Presented at the 2014 American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine’s (AOSSM) Annual Meeting.


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Facial AgingIf only we could wave a magic wand at facial aging and reverse its visible appearance. The changes that develop across the various parts of the face often, at some point, become significant enough to cause us to feel less satisfied with our appearance. The fact is, we like to look good. Looking good makes us feel good, and we all like that, as well.

Feeling good about the way you look may be impeded by signs of aging such as:

  • Heavy eyelids and sagging brows that give the appearance of fatigue.
  • Disappearing cheekbones and a loss of curvature across the mid-face.
  • Folds and creases between the chin and mouth, or the mouth and the nose.
  • Lack of definition along the jaw line. Sagging jowls.
  • Loose, sagging skin beneath the chin and on the neck.
    These aesthetic concerns may be a normal part of aging, but we don’t have to like them. Alas, there is a silver lining! The abovementioned problems are no different today than they were for previous generations. This means that decades of research and development have gone into finding solutions. While we have a variety of ways to reverse the signs of aging on the face, Dr.

Fante and our team keep one thing in mind: the results need to look natural!

  • Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is one of the leading cosmetic surgeries among American women and men. This procedure can focus on the upper or lower lids, or may be tailored to also include brow lifting.
  • A mini lift may concentrate on the upper part of the face, including the brow lift and forehead lift. One of Dr. Fante’s areas of expertise is in the performance of a mid-face lift, which restores fullness to the cheeks and more youthful under eye skin. The endoscopic technique used facilitates a faster procedure and shorter recovery.
  • Full face lift treatment used to be associated with an obviously tightened appearance. Not anymore. Each lifting procedure is conducted in a manner that results in

Patients of Fante Eye & Face Centre have options that also include injectables and other innovative techniques. For more information on how we can help you look younger, call (303) 839-1616.


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Diagnosed with AS? Biologics can help >

Galpamol (acetaminophen) Drug Interactions

A total of 171 drugs (1047 brand and generic names) are known to interact with Galpamol (acetaminophen).

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Show all medications in the database that may interact with Galpamol (acetaminophen).

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Drug Interaction Classification

The classifications below are a general guideline only. It is difficult to determine the relevance of a particular drug interaction to any individual given the large number of variables.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
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Do not stop taking any medications without consulting your healthcare provider.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Multum is accurate, up-to-date and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This material does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. Multum's information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or combination thereof in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Multum Information Services, Inc. does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. Copyright 2000-2017 Multum Information Services, Inc. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.


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Chief Manufacturing

Chief Manufacturing

Product type: Projectors, Electronics Accessories, Table, Training & Panel Systems
Supplier type: Drop Shipper, Manufacturer, Wholesaler
Market served: Eastern Asia, North America, Oceania, South America, Western Europe
Trade show: NA

"Ideas Supporting Ideas" is the motivational theme behind Chief Manufacturing's continued effort to be the leader in new product innovation and customer service. With 30 years of excellence, Chief has lead the industry in manufacturing total support solutions for presentation systems. Chief's commitment to responding to growing industry needs is evident through a full line of mounts, lifts, and accessories for LCD/DLP/CRT projectors and flat panel displays utilizing plasma and LCD technologies. Chief is known for producing the original Roll, Pitch, and Yaw adjustments in 1978 to make projector registration quick and easy. Today, Chief continues to provide innovative mount features with quick and easy installation. This includes the first-ever seismic-rated wall mounts for large flat panel displays. Products like this have earned Chief recognition by CEPro as "The Industry Leader for Mounts" for delivering quality craftmanship, alongside knowledgable and helpful customer service. Chief products are designed and manufactured in Chief's main headquarters located in Minnesota. Chief sells mounting solutions through a worldwide network of Pro A/V and Home Theater dealers. Chief dealers service a broad spectrum of market installations, including: corporate offices, training facilites, home theaters, educational facilities, digital signage and information displays, entertainment and hostpitality venues and trade show exhibits.

Company Profile Request update info.

About Chief

Chief is a division of Milestone AV Technologies. With over 35 years of proven product and service excellence, hundreds of product awards and patented designs, we are globally recognized as an AV industry leader. We design state-of-the-art mount and rack solutions that complement the technology they support. We are committed to delivering high-quality products that are easy to install and maintain.

Our History

Chief made its mark in the industry by producing the original projector mount roll, pitch and yaw adjustments in 1978, making registration quick and easy. We continue to break new ground with new products and unique, patented features that focus on ease of installation and flexibility for the professional installer.

Send your Message to Chief Manufacturing:

Your Message must be between 20 - 8000 characters.


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Mason Cash

Mason Cash

Product type: Kitchen & Utilities Furniture, Home Accents, Cooking & Baking Supplies
Supplier type: Drop Shipper, Manufacturer, Wholesaler
Market served: North America, Western Europe
Trade show: NA

Established in the 1800's, Mason Cash is a long established and much loved brand synonymous with domestic kitchenware. Over the years Mason Cash has developed within bakeware, food preparation and even petware.

Company Profile Request update info.

Mason Cash have been producing beautiful, functional, iconic kitchenware for over 200 years.
The origins of Mason Cash can be traced back to a pottery operating at Church Gresley in the heart of England around 1800.
Famed for classic kitchenware designs such as the Mason Cash mixing bowl and pudding basins, the products and brand have endured the test of time and have become design icons. In fact, some designs have barely altered for over a hundred years.
A Heritage Brand
Mason Cash is fundamentally rooted in its English heritage. Over the centuries, we have developed a great understanding of the requirements and expectations of cook’s needs, producing innovative, functional, effective kitchenware and utilising the best quality materials possible to produce the very best items that exceed consumers expectations.
Product Innovation
Every item within the Mason Cash range has been specifically designed and developed with the modern day requirements and expectations of consumers in mind. Whilst many of the Mason Cash items have retained their original English classic design features, a number of products have been developed innovative or contemporary twists incorporating additional functions, colours or patterns to progressing modern interpretations of an original design
The Promise
At Mason Cash, we are committed to upholding our fine tradition of producing the highest quality products that combine functional benefits with beautiful aesthetics, giving each consumer an ever-lasting experience. it is no wonder that Mason Cash is, and always has been the choice of the home cook and baker

Send your Message to Mason Cash:

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New Final Fantasy XV Tech Demo Shows The Game’s NPCs in Action

on December 28, 2014 10:30 AM

At Comic Fiesta 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Square Enix held a panel titled “The History and Future of Final Fantasy,” during which Lead Game Designer Wan Hazmer showcased a new tech demo of Final Fantasy XV involving the game’s NPCs in action as they cook, eat and operate stalls.

You can see it below, courtesy of YouTube user FlamemetalionGaming, recorded by Twitter user Wazi the pa.

In addition to the demo, we also learned a handful of new details, mostly related to the same topics, which you can find here.

 /  Executive News Editor
Hailing from sunny (not as much as people think) Italy and long standing gamer since the age of Mattel Intellivision and Sinclair ZX Spectrum. Definitely a multi-platform gamer, he still holds the old dear PC nearest to his heart, while not disregarding any console on the market. RPGs (of any nationality) and MMORPGs are his daily bread, but he enjoys almost every other genre, prominently racing simulators, action and sandbox games. He is also one of the few surviving fans of the flight simulator genre on Earth.


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Reviews » DVD Video Reviews » The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
20th Century Fox // PG-13 // April 7, 2009
List Price: $19.99 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
Review by Bill Gibron | posted March 16, 2009 | E-mail the Author
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The Product:
It's considered one of the "untouchables", a title in a long line of cinematic stalwarts that should never be considered for a remake. Along with such legendary efforts as Citizen Kane, Casablanca, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and The Exorcist, it stands head and shoulders above other entries in the genre. So imagine the outcry and dismay when Matrix man himself, Keanu Reeves, was pegged to play the role of alien visitor Klaatu in the seemingly unnecessary remake of Robert Wise's masterful The Day the Earth Stood Still. Fanboards were furious over the choice, curious why a studio would subject the world to such a ridiculous, unnecessary effort. Never mind the fact that Wise's Cold War analogy was/is over 57 years old, and seen as dated by the all important 18-25 demo, any revisit of the material was presumed to be flop fodder. Unfortunately, that's not the case with this intelligent update. While not quite the classic of its predecessor, the new Day doesn't destroy the original's legacy, which is equally significant.

The Plot:
Though she has little to do with such matters, Dr. Helen Benson is immediately called in by the United States government when a large spherical object lands in New York City's Central Park. She is charged with "making contact" with the strange being within, but after a trigger-happy soldier wounds the creature, it's confined to a top secret military base. There, the Secretary of Defense Regina Jackson and the rest of the scientific community learn the awful truth. Because of their lack of environmental concern, the rest of the civilized planets have sent this being, an emissary known as Klaatu, to prepare Earth for the human race's destruction. Hoping to change his mind, Benson and her stepson Jacob help the alien, taking him to Professor Barnhardt for some scholarly convincing. But Sec. Jackson won't let Armageddon happen. With the military's help, they grab Klaatu's robot sentry Gort and try to discover his extraterrestrial purpose. What they learn dooms all mankind.

The DVD:
Clearly we are still living in a post Star Wars world. It's obvious from the moment a work of serious science fiction is announced. If there's not a plethora of intergalactic dogfights and digital cityscapes almost ridiculous in their scope and sensibility, the fanbase screams "foul" and runs back to their model of the Millennium Falcon. Such narrow-minded acceptance/avoidance of any new work of true speculative fiction is less indicative of the quality of the piece, and more a reflection on the expectations of the audience. Perhaps that's why something as solid and intelligent as The Day the Earth Stood Still was ignored when it arrived in theaters last year. While many had reason to worry, few went to see if their fears were realized. Had they wandered into their local Cineplex (or even better, an IMAX theater), they would have caught a thoughtful, quasi-epic adventure that riffed on themes present in the Wise original while bringing some necessary F/X heft to the outcome. Some will still complain about Gort, the lack of certain magic words (they're in there, by the way), and an overall shoulder shrug of an interest level, but that's too bad. This really is an interesting, entertaining work.

Hats off to Scott Derrickson, who's previous resume offered little indication that he could handle such a massive motion picture undertaking. Even the period piece precision of The Exorcism of Emily Rose is no warm up for taking on Michael Rennie and his giant automaton guardian. There are so many facets to The Day the Earth Stood Still - the science, the era, the social commentary subtext, the cosmic import - that a lesser talent might fold. While some may still consider Derrickson's efforts subpar, just imagine how rotten this remake really could have been had, say, Brett Ratner been involved. When you read what Hollywood wanted to do with the recent Watchmen adaptation, the suit stupidity really boggles the mind. Nothing here plays totally false and marketing mandated. Instead, David Scarpa's script tries to incorporate as many thought provoking ideas and universal truths as possible while never fudging on the action. And remember, this is 2008/2009 we are talking about. Do you really think your average moviegoer, unfamiliar with the constraints of serious sci-fi, would tolerate a talky, prostylitizing parable about ecology? Right, and the Will Smith/Steven Spielberg Oldboy remake is borderline genius.

No, while probably forgettable (it definitely won't stand the test of time as the original has), this version of The Day the Earth Stood Still is probably the best we could have hoped for, and this is not meant as faint praise. It's engrossing and involving, trapping us in the situation with scientist Jennifer Connolly (not that big a stretch) and Secretary of Defense Kathy Bates (ditto). Reeves is excellent as the blank emoticon alien, relying more on Neo than nuances to get his point across, and Will Smith's son Jaden goes from irritating to ingratiating as the little child who, naturally, carries much more soulful wisdom than any wisenheimer professor (John Cleese, cashing a check). Some will still fault the development of Gort, but considering his necessity to the last act apocalypse, the oversized threat ain't half bad. And all the while, Derrickson keeps the film moving, never languishing long enough to give us pause - or a chance to shore up our suspension of disbelief. If you can look beyond your previous classic bias, if you can stomach the notion of someone taking one of your favorite films and actually doing something decent with its remake, than you will enjoy The Day the Earth Stood Still. Go in expecting too much and you will be directly underwhelmed. Pitch your prospects accordingly and you'll enjoy yourself.

The Video:
As per this critic's policy, Screener copies of DVDs are not awarded points for video or audio. If FOX does send a final product version of The Day the Earth Stood Still to the site, this paragraph will be updated accordingly. (One caveat - I saw this film on IMAX at a press screening. It was wildly impressive in said format. I imagine the Blu-ray version will be the way to go for wannabe consumers).

The Audio:
As per this critic's policy, Screener copies of DVDs are not awarded points for video or audio. If FOX does send a final product version of The Day the Earth Stood Still to the site, this paragraph will be updated accordingly.

The Extras:
As for bonus features, FOX really unleashes a lot of added content here. Whether it will all show up on the eventual B&M package of the title remains to be seen. As part of this screener, we are treated to a collection of deleted scenes (only three and not all that necessary), 30 minutes of EPK Behind the Scenes (good), a discussion on Gort, an overview of current attempts to find life on other planets, an interview featurette focusing on environmental issues, and a full length audio commentary from screenwriter Scarpa. It's too bad that Derrickson isn't present for this alternate narrative track. His insights from a visual standpoint would have been helpful, though our scribe does a decent job of discussing narrative choices and changes between the first script and final version of the film (FYI - there are two and three disc versions of the title coming out. This critic only received a single screener DVD. The three disc offers the original 1952 film and a digital copy. The two disc offers the first film only).

Final Thoughts:
It may not be fair to group all sci-fi fans into a single, post-Cantina collective, but it does seem that movies like Timecrimes and Primer are ignored or half-heartedly embraced while another dull derivation into a certain galaxy far, far, away has mainstream audiences anxious. The Day the Earth Stood Still does deserve some of its dismissal. After all, it's treading in very hallowed Hollywood ground. Yet it's not fair to instantly dismiss something for being brave (or dumb) enough to take on the past. As a result, this remake receives an easy Recommended rating. If the actual DVD specs could be confirmed, the score might be even 'higher'. Some may consider a rental initially, since there are always going to be issues with content, casting, and other critical complaints. But here's betting that once the aura of the original wears off, there will be more serious speculative fiction fans embracing this revamp than rejecting it. Scott Derrickson deserves a lot of credit for not totally dropping the ball on this otherwise tenuous cinematic situation. No matter what he did, he was bound to fail. DVD may be the place where his efforts gain some sort of redemption. They definitely deserve it.

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Use Music to Develop Kids' Skills and Character

Maurice J. Elias

Prof. of Psychology, Director, Rutgers Social-Emotional and Character Development Lab (, Director, the Collaborative Center for Community-Based Research and Service (
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Is music important in your life? Is it important in your kids' lives? Is there a reason so many children walk around with an iPod? Is there any good reason why we don't use music more often when we teach social, emotional, and character development (SECD) to children? If you've answered yes to the first three questions and no to the last one, then read on!

The Power of Song

I asked Don McMannis, an expert on children's music, to share with me some of his ideas about the appeal of music and its unique potential for teaching young children SECD skills. He responded, "Music has positive affects on people's emotions and creativity. When we sing together, we synchronize our breathing and feel more connected.

"Music is also an effective, almost magical medium for learning and retaining information," he adds. "It activates three different centers of the brain at the same time: language, hearing, and rhythmic motor control. By inducing emotions, it also creates a heightened condition of awareness and mental acuity. Words paired with music are far easier to retain. As an example, most of us can remember the words and meanings of songs we haven't heard for years. Isn't it interesting how you still remember your ABCs?"

The latest work by Oliver Sacks, a world-renowned neuroscientist, supports Don's views. In Sacks's 2007 book, Musicophilia, he writes, "The perception of music and the emotions it can stir is not solely dependent on memory, and music does not have to be familiar to exert its emotional power. I have seen deeply demented patients weep or shiver as they listen to music they have never heard before, and I think that they can experience the entire range of feelings the rest of us can, and that dementia, at least at these times, is no bar to emotional depth. Once one has seen such responses, one knows that there is still a self to be called upon, even if music, and only music, can do the calling."

Many of us have emotional experiences and memories that are deeply tied to music. So let's put this modality to work to improve our kids' emotional development. Dr. Mac Music created a series to teach SECD. The most recent is Ready to Rock Kids, Vol. 3, for ages 4-9. It's a great example of someone taking the research evidence and putting it into practice.

Don McMannis and his creative team have created original songs for the CD, and the lyrics are designed to build skills and character. There are also many complementary activities to help you reinforce the messages in the songs via a variety of modalities: writing, speaking, acting, drawing, building, creating, and movement. The songs and activities also reinforce the everyday benefits of characteristics such as respect, responsibility, and honesty and of abilities such as resolving conflicts nonviolently and facing and overcoming fears.

These are the kinds of materials that you can use across the curriculum. And you can use them in unstructured or transition times or in after-school programs. Some teachers like to use a song to start the day, focusing on one song for the week.

Regardless, you might be surprised by how quickly kids learn the words and meanings of the songs. The songs, of course, provide messages and skill development that students can then recall and focus on to support a positive classroom climate.

Learning Through Lyrics

Here is an example: First, look at this excerpt from a song, minus the wonderfully catchy tune. Talk It Out teaches children to use their words to resolve conflicts with others. The song makes a subtle but very important point: It can be as bad to ignore issues as it can be to confront them violently.

It's a magical moment, just like a miracle's occurred / It's a magical moment, whenever everyone feels heard.

Instead of how we blame, or turn and walk away / Instead of calling names, or pretending that it's all OK / Instead of how we frown, or make a yucky face / Why don't we look around and find a magic place.

(Chorus) And, sit down and talk it out / Yeah, sit down and talk it out / 'Cause what's been missin' is a little listening / So come on and talk it out.

It does not take a lot of imagination to see how this song can lead students and teachers to create a special talk-it-out space in the classroom.

Here is another terrific song activity, called the Listening Blues, which teaches kids the importance of listening: Pair children up and have them talk to each other at the same time, with neither child listening to the other. (For example, you can have them talk about what they did over the weekend.) Then ask them to repeat what their partner said.

Next, have them speak one at a time, listening carefully to each other, and check again to see if they can repeat their partner's stories. Afterward, have a group discussion around the following questions:

  • Were you better at reporting back after speaking one at a time?
  • How could you tell if someone was listening to you?
  • How did it feel to be listened to and understood?
  • Why is it sometimes so hard to keep from interrupting?
  • What are some of the most important times to make sure others are listening to you?
  • What are some ways to be sure others have listened to you and understood what you have said?

Of course, the activity has value just as it is, but the synergy of linking it to a song will enhance the message for children. As Oliver Sacks points out, music is so fundamental to how we live and learn that it makes a lot of sense to incorporate it more into our SECD instruction.

Perhaps you are already including music-based, SECD-related projects in your classroom. Please comment and share them!

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Maurice J. Elias

Prof. of Psychology, Director, Rutgers Social-Emotional and Character Development Lab (, Director, the Collaborative Center for Community-Based Research and Service (

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Kristen Kunc's picture
Anonymous (not verified)

Some of the staff at a school at which I once taught, got together and made a math facts CD. They wrote lyrics for learning multiplication facts and to improve fluency. I use it with my third grade class and they absolutely love it. We spent several days learning how to count by 7s, but they only started to really catch on when they listened to the x7 song. It is not only engaging for them, but really does help them remember the facts. At a fluency workshop (for reading) I recently went to, the speaker talked in length about the use of songs to improve vocabulary and reading fluency. Expression and speaking skills seem to also improve!

As Maurice Elias notes at the beginning of this blog, ""Music is also an effective, almost magical medium for learning and retaining information," he adds. "It activates three different centers of the brain at the same time: language, hearing, and rhythmic motor control. By inducing emotions, it also creates a heightened condition of awareness and mental acuity. Words paired with music are far easier to retain. As an example, most of us can remember the words and meanings of songs we haven't heard for years. Isn't it interesting how you still remember your ABCs?"
Considering the brain's engagement and effectiveness with memory, Integrating music into all subject areas seems like a key to success!

Bert Sisk's picture
Anonymous (not verified)

I enjoyed reading the article about music and learning. You are correct, little ones especially learn so many skills through music. When they are up and moving and singing, learning seems so much fun. Also, I find that the kids who tend to lose focus more easily, do better with music. Now if I could just sing and dance all day with my 27 4 year olds all would be good.

Kristine's picture
primary teacher

I teach first grade and use music daily. I think a lot of my students remember concepts because they remember the words from the songs. We learn days of the week, months, seasons, letters & sounds in addition to many math concepts.

S. Rudloff's picture
S. Rudloff
High School Technology Facilitator, Muskingum Valley New Tech Academy/ZHS, in Ohio

I'm trying to figure out a way to incorporate music in my business classes (keyboarding, personal finance, Intro. to business). Any suggestions?

Max Miller's picture
Max Miller
Parent of 2 in Tucson

There's a reason they have babies listening to Mozart in the womb. Music can really help kids develop their cognitive abilities, and I think music ringtones can provide some similar positive externalities as well.

Jeffrey Pflaum's picture
Jeffrey Pflaum
Education writer/author/blogger

I taught EI via music as an inner-city elementary school teacher before Daniel's wonderful book came out from the 70's to the 90's with extreme positive success for the children both academically and in everyday life. The original project involves music, writing, discussion, and self-evaluations (it was in the CASEL library). The kids (grades 4 - 6, and even grades 2 - 3) found that the program improved their reading, thinking, concentration, and communication skills (both intra- and interpersonal), which translated into higher test scores.

I ran the project three times a week after lunch when the students came back to class usually in hyper, non-learning moods. The music, writing, and discussion made a big difference for the afternoon lessons because the kids found some peace, presence, and self-awareness and were able to continue learning with focused minds until 3 o'clock.

The project I created, developed, expanded, and improved over the years comes from the key source to social and emotional learning: the kids. One significant outcome that must result or be a consequence of any "SEL" program is self- or intrinsic motivation: this is what I found to happen in my students throughout many years of teaching this particular program. As an aside, in order for teachers to feel comfortable teaching this type of EI project, they should be educated on the undergraduate and graduate levels in this area.

One of the best books I read is Stephanie Merritt's work titled MIND, MUSIC, AND IMAGERY: 40 Exercises Using Music to Stimulate Creativity and Self-Awareness (Penguin Books, 1990). Merritt taught workshops in the San Diego and Los Angeles school systems.

My one-year program, called "Music Writing" or "Contemplation Writing" goes like this: play music for 5 minutes (or more, time pending); kids close their eyes and write about their inner experiences for 5 minutes (after music is finished); a discussion of their "contemplations" or experiences follows.

Several responses are read out loud by the teacher (anonymously). Kids are questioned about the writings. We had some amazing, intense, meaningful conversations when the music-and-writing ended. After 30 to 40 contemplations, students re-read what they wrote and it usually freaked them out: "I can't believe I wrote this!"

My approach to using music as a means to EI would work today. Teachers can be trained through PD sessions. There is a "basic script," if you will, for the project that helps educators get started with the discussion techniques and process, and from this little intro, they learn to be more spontaneous and create additional questions to probe the various writings.

Another issue is the type of music used for different populations: For example, when I first used classical, students were not exactly thrilled, however, after awhile, they got into it and told me it was their favorite music for "contemplation writing" lessons.

In the beginning of the project (during the 70's), I said they could write just one sentence for the writing part and that would be fine, although that changed over the years to one paragraph or more. There were few instances where the children did not want to write.

So much came out of this program, e.g., "Contemplation Comprehension," where I gave the class an original student contemplation, and asked "EI comprehsnion" questions, to see what their EIQ's were after writing, analyzing, and discussing many experiences. For me, this became an authentic test of their EI.

My students, in their evaluations of the program, said that contemplation writing helped them with their reading comprehension because they learned to see inside, what their imagination was about, how it created mental image pictures, and that they could apply this proces to reading. Contemplation/Music Writing took the images seen in the mind and converted them into words/writing. Reading, on the other hand, took words and converted them into images. Writing motivated reading, and then reading, in turn, inspired more writing.

Michael Griffin's picture
Michael Griffin
Music educator and professional development trainer based in Hampshire, UK.

Background music can be very beneficial in general classrooms. Of course this depends on the learning task and the characteristics of the music. I've written a short essay on this:

Kirby VanDeWalker's picture

Thanks for posting this information! As a Character Education teacher, I am very interested in this. The power of music is underrated and in my opinion we need to use it more often. There are some assignment where I have the students write lyrics to a song, but I have not tried having them listen to a song to get a point across. I have been teaching for a little over 4 years now, and sometimes I ask some of the former students who have been in my class what they remember from it. Interestingly enough, they remember the times where I took a rap/hip-hop song and made my own words to it or the time when I would incorporate music into class. I would not have thought those instances would have stuck with them, but for some reason they have. Thanks for the post! I plan on using music a little more now in my lessons!

Howard's picture

Quite interesting, I think I gotta share it to my wife too..... Little Kids

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Cracking WPA/WPA2 Tutorial in Kali Linux

When it comes to WiFi security, WPA/WPA2 seems to be more secure and reliable than WEP encryption technique; however nothing is secure and everything has vulnerability and weaknesses in it. So a penetration tester or a hacker job is to find the vulnerability and exploit it to gain the desired level of access. Kali Linux has made the job easiest for the hackers by introducing a range of tools, many useful tools are listed in Kali linux that can make the process handy to crack the WiFi secret key (password).

This video tutorial teach you to scan the environment to select the target wireless network and how to crack wifi password:

Cracking WPA/WPA2 in Kali Linux
Cracking WPA/WPA2 Tutorial in Kali Linux Reviewed by Ethical Hacking on 12:47 PM Rating: 5

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The Engergizer

Resilient Insights for Work & Life

When we lose empathy, we lose our humanity

by Eileen McDargh, Chief Energy Officer - Monday, October 09, 2017
Featured Image

Todd Adams, CEO of Star Thrower productions, the distributor of my training film Gifts from the Mountain, just wrote this piece and I asked his permission to share it. Important reading!

A recent study at the University of Michigan found that empathetic skills in college students have declined by as much at 48% over the last 8 years. The reasons for the decline are many, but two in particular stand out:

  • People participate in less face-to-face communication,
  • Mobile devices are taking the place of actual interaction.

This same challenge is faced by organizations. The ever-increasing drive for productivity has changed the time people spend together. Remote workplaces, file sharing, and self-paced learning all contribute to fewer face-to-face interactions. This lack of physical interaction makes it difficult to truly connect. As noted by Dr. Sherry Turkle in her book, Reclaiming Conversation.

“Empathy is uniquely human.
It cannot be mastered without face-to-face conversations.”

Improving empathy requires an investment. The good news is that the actual cost of improving empathy is small, and the potential payout huge.

Research has shown that teams with higher empathy are more creative and productive. To improve empathy, organizations require an investment of time. The goal should be to allow time for people to get to know each other as individuals. Here are a few simple suggestions:

  • Schedule informal discussion time at meetings - Set aside a few minutes at each meeting for non-organizational discussions.
  • Encourage face-to-face communication - When possible, encourage people to speak directly, rather than email.
  • Special events – Do things not directly related to work. Watch and discuss a video, plan an outing or group breakfast - it doesn’t matter.
  • Remind people you care – This simple action will encourage trust. Trust will improve communication. Communication will improve empathy. Nice.

We all have the ability to be more empathetic. To improve empathy, individuals require an investment of commitment. Here are a few ways to improve your ability to empathize:

  1. CHALLENGE your own assumptions.
  2. DO NOT JUDGE the choices of others based on your personal upbringing/life experiences.
  3. LISTEN to others’ stories.
  4. TRY to put yourself in someone else’s shoes.
Little changes can make a big difference. Invest in improving empathy. You will like your return on investment.

Here are two short video series by my colleague, Dewitt Jones, that can help you address empathy. You can preview them here.

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Eileen McDargh Keynote Speaker Blog Author

About Eileen!

Since beginning her consulting and training practice in 1980, Eileen has become noted for her ability to speak the truth with clarity, wisdom, humor and compassion. Long-standing clients and repeat engagements attest to her commitment to make a difference in minds, hearts and spirits of organizations and individuals. She draws upon practical business know-how, life's experiences and years of consulting to major national and international organizations that have ranged from global pharmaceuticals to the US Armed Forces, from health care associations to religious institutions. Executive Excellence magazine selected her as one of the top 100 thought leaders in leadership and among the top ten consultant providers of leadership development.

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7 great sport channels

Football, Rugby, UFC, GAA

All free when you join eir Broadband

Subscribe to eir Sport
Published: 15:01 | 27/9/16

Ricciardo learning from Verstappen

Daniel Ricciardo feels he has learned just as much from watching Max Verstappen as he did when he drove alongside Sebastian Vettel.

Ricciardo spent just one season as Vettel's team-mate before the German left Red Bull to join Ferrari and in 2015 he raced alongside Daniel Kvyat, finishing three points behind the Russian in the drivers' championship.

After a disappointing start to the season Kvyat was demoted to Toro Rosso with Verstappen making the move to Red Bull and he enjoyed a dream start to his career with the senior team by winning the Spanish Grand Prix.

Ricciardo believes he has learned something from each of his team-mates and is enjoying racing alongside Verstappen.

"I think with Max and Seb as team-mates it's obviously two different points in their career. But equally you can still learn from both of them. Seb's experience, the way he interacted with the team was pretty interesting to see. That was cool," Ricciardo said.

"And Max is coming in with a lot of youth, a lot of fire and energy. And some new driving techniques which, let's say, maybe the younger kids are doing. So it's interesting to learn from both of them.

"It's cool. I like having as many team-mates as possible, it's great, because the more people you can learn off, the better I think it will make you as a driver."

He went on: "I think Max is getting a lot of attention, he's the youngest ever F1 driver and winner. So I get asked about him a lot, as well, but it's not a hindrance.

"For him obviously there's a lot of attention and pressure, but for me, I keep doing my thing. I know he's very talented. If I can get the upper hand on him then it's a bit like with Seb -- they're very highly regarded drivers -- so if I can just do the job against them then it only helps me out."

Conor McGregor will fight Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight belt at UFC 205 in New York on November 12 live on the eir Sport pack. The eir Sport pack is free to all eir broadband customers. To learn more about setting sport free visit www.eir.ie/sport .

Hamilton takes US GP pole

00:12 | 22/10/17

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton claims pole at the US Grand Prix in Austin with Sebastian Vettel joining him on the front row.

Hamilton fastest after final practice

21:18 | 21/10/17

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton was fastest in third practice for the United States Grand Prix in Austin.

Alonso confident about 2018

11:09 | 21/10/17

Fernando Alonso believes McLaren can help him win the Formula One world drivers' title after agreeing to stay with the team.

Hamilton dominates US GP second practice

18:10 | 20/10/17

Lewis Hamilton was again a cut above his opponents as he dominated the second practice session at the US grand prix.

Hamilton quickest in US GP FP1

17:46 | 20/10/17

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time in first practice for the United States Grand Prix.

What’s in the eir Sport Pack?

We’ve got heartstopping action across 7 great sports channels, with 42 Premier League games, every Champions League game and every Europa League game, as well as UFC, Allianz Leagues GAA, Golf, F1 and much more.


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Bloomberg TV & cnbc television channels on computer? HELP!

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by Catt, May 3, 2007.

  1. Catt

    I want to get TV channels in my home office. Particularly Bloomberg and cnbc. How do I best do that? TV card or what?

    Currently, on my computer I can get Bloomberg via my internet connection and can choose between US or UK (and other international) broadcasts. But with the cnbc website the TV is subscription service only. I don't want to subscribe.

    I am in the UK. I already subscribe to ntl virgin cable television and broadband telephone service. This includes Bloomberg TV and cnbc TV channels. The TV and cabling is in another room, not in my office, where I trade.

    Also, I have noticed an appreciable time lag with Bloomberg on the internet compared to TV cable services.

    Should I try to run a cable from the other room's set top box and buy another TV set for my home office? Or should I buy a TV card for my computer? Are there other alternatives I have not considered?

    All help appreciated.
  2. abruzzo9

    There are other options, such as an rf transmitter: But if it was me, I would run coax into your office and hook it up to a television. You could get a TV tuner card for pretty cheap and hook the cable into that, but I prefer a dedicated screen for video...might as well just get a TV.
  3. 1358june

  4. just21

    Bloomberg is free to air on the Sky/Astra satellite in Europe. It is at least five seconds ahead of the internet feed.


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BRCM going to zero

Discussion in 'Stocks' started by Port1385, Oct 21, 2008.

  1. Its finally time for this pig to get to zero once and for all...
  2. It still has 14 pts to go...

  3. its up after earnings
  4. SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) - Broadcom reports huge jump in third-quarter profit

    Broadcom Corp. (BRCM) on Tuesday reported third-quarter net profit of $164.9 million, or 31 cents a share, compared with a net profit of $27.8 million, or 5 cents a share, for the year-earlier period. Revenue was $1.3 billion, up from $950 million for the same period last year. Analysts expected Broadcom to report earnings of 44 cents a share, on revenue of $1.27 billion, according to a consensus survey by FactSet Research.
  5. IMHO it won't go will rise rise and rise... :cool:


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George Soros responds to accusations of being a puppetmaster.

Discussion in 'Economics' started by Debaser82, Mar 16, 2011.

    I thought it to be interesting enough to post in the economic section.

    Accusation has been widespread about the likes of Soros forming a shadow government as we all know but rarely I have seen people the likes of Soros being asked so directly about it.

    What do we think about his response?
  2. In the NYC area on Cablevision (maybe Verizon Fios does same?), CNBC, MSNBC, CNN, National Geographic, etc.. are in one channel range, FOXNews, SciFi channel, Comedy Central, G4 (which airs Onion News Network) are clustered in another range.
  3. How to become a somebody in America when your only a Moron.

    1. Take a low rating tv D list personality like Beck.

    2. Find someone of power and wealth and attack them.

    3. Sit back and let the ratings come in.

    Rinse and Repeat!

    Moron's like Glen Beck are the reason America is on its to becoming a third world country
  4. Maverick74

    Soros has a God complex. Everything he accuses Fox of he has done himself. All the methods that Glen Beck uses, he uses. He is a hypocrite. I don't trust collectivists. I don't buy into the idea that a collective society is better then a free one. Rupert Murdoch and Glenn back can't stand each other. I don't know where he gets the idea of accusing Beck of being used by Murdoch. The only candidate he has publicly supported is Hillary Clinton. In other words, I don't buy anything he said. Of course Glenn Beck is a paranoid schizophrenic. So I'm not on the world order bandwagon either.
  5. Ed Breen

    Ed Breen

    I'm with Maverick. I have read two of Soros's rambling books, watched interviews, read op-eds and I generally followed his career and thought for decades. Deep rumour suggests he got tipped with inside information from the Bundesbank when he 'broke' the Bank of England; rumour though, not verfied. To my mind he comes across as narcisist billionaire obsessed with a vision of dictatrorial socialism in line with his own thought; a through back to the St. Simonians, the original elitist antecedents to the fabian progressives. Through his funding and direct action to influence media and politics consistent with his dangerous collectivism, he would further great evil.

    As far as puppet masters go; I don't know about that. But you have to wonder about Obama; clearly the man is a 'fence turtle', and you know what they say about fence turtles in Texas (a fence turtle is a turtle sitting up on fence post)..."he didn't get up there by himself, he doesn't know what he is doing there, and he is not going to get down without some help." I guess he'll have to get an assist from
  6. You should be proud. You are a fine example of a Soros supporter with an IQ that falls in the 20th percentile.
  7. Gotta love Soros.

    At the same time, I find that he tries too hard to sound like a philosopher.
  8. benwm

    I like Soros as a personality but not so keen on his views in supporting a financial transaction tax. Fox News really goes a bit overboard sometimes, but I still watch it from time to time because some of their female newscasters are damn HOT!!

    When you have to put up with the dull middle aged housewife newscasters on the BBC it makes a refreshing change.
  9. Shorting sterling in 1992 was Stan Druckenmiller's trade. Soros may have pushed him to take a larger position, but the thesis for the trade was Stan's.
  10. That is my understanding as well. But you need to understand that paranoid people who lean on the self-involved political right need to make shit up to spice up their lives and give them meaning.
    #10     Mar 18, 2011


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Discussion in 'Prop Firms' started by absolut4e, May 21, 2008.

  1. absolut4e

    That's pretty random, but does anyone know if prop shops will sponsor you for an h-1B?
  2. cstfx

    Anyone can submit an application for H-1b visa sponsorship but generally there are strict requirements that the employer has to present to justify the application. Plus gvt only issues 65k new H-1b visas a year. Based on the needs and resources I have seen and read with most prop shops, they will not do it.
  3. country of origin also plays a role in allocations I believe. where are you from?
  4. Couple the above with the fact that many prop traders are former engineers, technical people, and programmers who lost their jobs to H1-b initiatives. Given that fact I would say the chances are very slim indeed.
  5. opm8

    At best your odds of getting an H1B are slim. The 65k visas that are offered are gone within about two hours of their allocation. The ratio of applications to visas is around 3:1 so unless you have connections it ain't gonna happen. Expect that 65k number to drop for next year with the way the economy is circling the drain.

    If you qualify look into a TN visa, that's your best best.

  6. vikana

    vikana Moderator

    You have to remember that H1B are for "highly skilled" employees, typically someone with a Masters degree or higher.

    The employer (the prop firm) would have to pay prevailing wages (anything under 70k is unacceptable), AND provide evidence that no US citizen can do the job.

    Not likely for a prop trader.
  7. If I recall, from several years ago...a person starting a business in the U.S. (from Canada) can qualify for a visa. I'm not sure of the investment amount, but I'm pretty sure it can work with some capital invested. And, obviously, starting a trading business should work.

    There are many lawyers who are versed in this type of thing that will help for very little costs I'm told (under $5,000).

    Reminds of 1992 when I had to actually hire a friend of mine who was the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada (Erik Nielsen, brother of the actor Leslie, long time friend) to work for me at Zapworld (zapworld.com) so he could maintain a dual working visa. I figured if the ex Dep. Prime Minister couldn't work a deal, that it might be pretty tough.

  8. These are the requirements for the EB5 Visa - Which allows permanent residency by investment. In most cases you will need to invest minimum of $1Million, which is most likely necessary to start a trading business......

    Permanent resident status based on EB-5 eligibility is available to investors, either alone or coming with their spouse and unmarried children. Eligible aliens are those who have invested -- or are actively in the process of investing -- the required amount of capital into a new commercial enterprise that they have established. They must further demonstrate that this investment will benefit the United States economy and create the requisite number of full-time jobs for qualified persons within the United States.

    In general, "eligible individuals" include those:

    1. Who establish a new commercial enterprise by:

    * creating an original business;
    * purchasing an existing business and simultaneously or subsequently restructuring or reorganizing the business such that a new commercial enterprise results; or
    * expanding an existing business by 140 percent of the pre-investment number of jobs or net worth, or retaining all existing jobs in a troubled business that has lost 20 percent of its net worth over the past 12 to 24 months; and

    2. Who have invested -- or who are actively in the process of investing -- in a new commercial enterprise:

    * at least $1,000,000, or
    * at least $500,000 where the investment is being made in a "targeted employment area," which is an area that has experienced unemployment of at least 150 per cent of the national average rate or a rural area as designated by OMB; and

    3. Whose engagement in a new commercial enterprise will benefit the United States economy and:

    * create full-time employment for not fewer than 10 qualified individuals; or
    * maintain the number of existing employees at no less than the pre-investment level for a period of at least two years, where the capital investment is being made in a "troubled business," which is a business that has been in existence for at least two years and that has lost 20 percent of its net worth over the past 12 to 24 months.
  9. LT701

    I think you have to prove you're replacing an American tech worker to get one of these
    #10     May 24, 2008


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Help with ishares, need to circumvent url redirect!

Discussion in 'Educational Resources' started by Kicking, Jan 6, 2009.

  1. ishares has stopped making their US website available to Europe-based investors. This is crazy .

    How do I get to their US website ? I have ztried a number of things, using links from other websites, typing in the address bar etc, I keep getting redirected to the German site which does not list products such as TLT etc.
  2. Allright I have a solution, need to google the product's tickers.


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ignore feature suggestion.

Discussion in 'Feedback' started by mnx, Jul 24, 2007.

  1. mnx

    I don't know if this has been suggested before but I think it's an excellent feature.

    If enough people use the ignore feature on a certain user then have the system automatically ban them. (eg. like 30% of ET's users ignore someone, give them the boot...)

    my 2 cents...

    - mnx
  2. Do that, and the person will pop up with a new ID.
  3. Brilliant! When 23,200 members all ignore the same person at the same time, automatic ban.
    This is an absolute "Biblical" suggestion.
  4. maxpi

    Don't tell them, let them post forever. Make it so only they can see their posts... human engineering wins every time..


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Indonesiaâs Voters Retreat From Radical Islam

Discussion in 'Religion and Spirituality' started by OPTIONAL777, Apr 25, 2009.

  1. April 25, 2009
    Indonesiaâs Voters Retreat From Radical Islam

    JAKARTA, Indonesia â From Pakistan to Gaza and Lebanon, militant Islamic movements have gained ground rapidly in recent years, fanning Western fears of a consolidation of radical Muslim governments. But here in the worldâs most populous Muslim nation just the opposite is happening, with Islamic parties suffering a steep drop in popular support.

    In parliamentary elections this month, voters punished Islamic parties that focused narrowly on religious issues, and even the partiesâ best efforts to appeal to the countryâs mainstream failed to sway the public.

    The largest Islamic party, the Prosperous Justice Party, ran television commercials of young women without head scarves and distributed pamphlets in the colors of the countryâs major secular parties. But the party fell far short of its goal of garnering 15 percent of the vote, squeezing out a gain of less than one percentage point over its 7.2 percent showing in 2004.

    That was a big letdown for a party and a movement that had grown phenomenally in recent years, even as more radical elements directed terrorist attacks against Western tourists and targets. The party had projected that it would double its share of seats in Parliament even as it stuck to its founding goal of bringing Shariah, or Islamic law, to Indonesia, the worldâs fourth most populous nation, with 240 million people.

    Altogether, the major Islamic parties suffered a drop in support from 38 percent in 2004 to less than 26 percent this year, according to the Indonesian Survey Institute, an independent polling firm whose figures are in keeping with partial official results.

    Political experts and politicians attribute the decline to votersâ disillusionment with Islamic parties that once called for idealism, but became embroiled in the messy, often corrupt world of Indonesian politics. They also say that the popular president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is expected to be re-elected in July, appropriated the largest Islamic partyâs signature theme of clean government through a far-reaching anticorruption drive.

    On a deeper level, some of the partiesâ fundamentalist measures seem to have alienated moderate Indonesians. While Indonesia has a long tradition of moderation, it was badly destabilized with the end of military rule in 1998, which gave rise to Islamist politicians who preached righteousness and to some hard-core elements, who practiced violence. The country has only recently achieved a measure of stability.

    Although final results from the election on April 9 will not be announced until next month, partial official results and exit polls by several independent companies indicate that Indonesians overwhelmingly backed the countryâs major secular parties, even though more of them are continuing to turn to Islam in their private lives.

    âPeople in general do not feel that there should be an integration of faith and politics,â said Azyumardi Azra, director of the graduate school at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University. âEven though more and more Muslims, in particular women, have become more Islamic and have a growing attachment to Islam, that does not translate into voting behavior.â

    The Islamic partiesâ 2004 surge occurred around the time that Indonesian terrorists were attacking hotels and nightclubs popular among Westerners, as well as the Australian Embassy here. A growing number of communities were adopting Shariah as some of the smaller, more hard-line Islamic parties also pushed to insert Islamic law in the Constitution.

    The hard-line stance, though, was at odds with the attitudes of Indonesians; most of them practice a moderate version of Islam and were attracted to the Islamic parties for nonreligious reasons.

    In 2004, just two years after its founding, the Prosperous Justice Party came out of nowhere, then joined the coalition government of President Yudhoyono and won several governorsâ races. Although one of its founding principles is to bring Islamic law to Indonesia, the party attracted middle-class urban voters by emphasizing clean government, anticorruption policies and humanitarian activities.

    Once the Islamic parties were in office, their pristine image was tarnished after several of their lawmakers were prosecuted in corruption cases. One member of the Prosperous Justice Party is under investigation in a bribery case.

    The parties angered many Indonesians by pressing hard on several symbolic religious issues, like a vague âantipornographyâ law that could be used to ban everything from displays of partial nudity to yoga. The governor of West Java, a member of the Prosperous Justice Party, tried to ban a dance called jaipong, deeming it too erotic, but many people view it as part of their cultural heritage.

    âThere are now problems in hotels because they canât serve alcohol,â said Jusuf Wanandi, a political analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a policy research group based here. âThatâs why people started to recognize what they are up to and why the middle class that supported them now have second thoughts.â

    Ahmad Zainuddin, a lawmaker with the Prosperous Justice Party and one of its founders, acknowledged that support for his party had fallen considerably in the election. Mr. Zainuddin, 42, who had predicted that the party would double its share of the votes, now says that it would be hard pressed to expand its appeal.

    âIf we emphasize Shariah or religious matters, our supporters will decline, so we should emphasize mostly clean government and anticorruption,â he said in an interview at the partyâs headquarters, whose facade mostly bears images of the partyâs humanitarian activities and has no references to its religious goals.

    But Mr. Zainuddin â who graduated from Lipia, a Saudi-financed university here that promotes Wahhabism, a rigid interpretation of Islam â also believes in the partyâs founding goal of carrying out Shariah in Indonesia.

    The party is now split between those committed to pursuing the partyâs Islamist goals and those who want to stress good government.

    Zulkieflimansyah, 36, a lawmaker with the Prosperous Justice Party, said many younger party members were trying to steer the party away from its Islamist origins and away from older members who were inspired by radical Islamic organizations like the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt or Jamaat-e-Islami in Pakistan.

    Mr. Zulkieflimansyah, who, like many Indonesians, uses only one name, added: âIf we are too critical, they will kick us harder than we thought. Or, borrowing an expression from our friends in the United States, donât force a pig to sing. It will not work, and it annoys the pig as well.â

    Despite the Islamic partiesâ decline, they remain influential, analysts say. The countryâs major secular parties, including President Yudhoyonoâs Democratic Party, have courted them and their supporters. And the Prosperous Justice Party, despite its minor gain of less than one percentage point, is pressing to increase the number of ministers it has in the coalition government to four from three.

    âItâs still not clear where they stand on many issues like freedom of expression, morality, the place of women,â said Ahmad Suaedy, director of the Wahid Institute, a research organization based here. âThe agenda of many people inside the party is still to Islamize Indonesia, and thatâs a constraint on democracy.â