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Wish You a Merry Christmas!

We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy new year!

A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. (Proverbs 17:22 NKJV)

A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired. (Proverbs 17:22 MSG)

I love this passage of scripture, it’s so true, but could be perceived incorrectly if interpreted from the paradigm of so many people today.

It seems to me, many people today are lead by their emotions and lead by emotion. People tend to live life reactively based on their feelings.

If we interpret this with that thinking then we lose the meaning altogether. Happiness or being Merry doesn’t happen to us, we choose it. We decide to be merry and with that choice comes health.

How do we choose to be cheerful or positive?

1. Decide not to let our emotions rule us.

2. Choose the positive over the negative daily.

3. Choose to laugh. Find reasons to laugh, make reasons to laugh.

4. Enjoy life.

5. Live life based on biblical principles and tell your emotions to line up with the bible, don’t let your emotions push you around.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Last Night…

Well the trip has come to a close. I can honestly say we have done all that we could to help the people of Cambodia on this short trip. We have laid a good foundation for future work and have further developed relationships with teams. I love my life, getting to share Jesus with people who so desperately need Him, and get to help people who have need.

Ended the night tonight with a debrief meeting with the team. We do this because I want to talk to them about returning to the states and re acclimating to the culture at home and not allowing reverse culture shock to set in.

We allowed everyone to share important moments to them, and to talk about how the trip made them feel and how they felt about the help we provided. As always it was a great meeting and good for perspective. This team was remarkable. They are resilient, flexible, positive, team players, great attitudes, a real joy to lead.

I am sorry that I haven’t been able to get up as many blogs as I would have liked due to poor internet connection and in some cases none at all, there will be more video and written blogs to come when I get home. Here are some things that the team said.

Some said they sensed the real responsibility to carry the vision of bringing justice to the world because of what they have seen. They vowed I will not forget.

Some said they were impressed by the leaders here and that there is hope because of the all out commitment to Christ that they have. They said that one leader told them that all the things we have done are such an encouragement because it makes them know that they are not forgotten and they don’t feel like the are in this all alone.

One said she was just so thankful for being able to come on the trip and sees it as a destiny move for her. God has opened her eyes to the need around her.

Others said, the have a revelation how simple it is to meet need if you just have a mind to do it.

One said it is so powerful how much compassion God has and how he provides for the orphans through Christians and the church. She said I have seen God use teams here and our team to provide the needs of widows and orphans, she sees how God works and what the church is really all about.

One said “I have never seen anything like the things we have encountered on this trip and it opens your eyes to our responsibility to use our blessings wisely and to be grateful for what we have been given.

Others comment were things like, “I have more compassion,” also “I see Hope.”

There was much more and these are just a few paraphrased comments. Truth is the experience is life changing, for us and the people we are helping. I’m glad God lets us be a part of helping others. Its awesome.

Tay, Mad, and Syd (10)I am so excited about all the great things happening with harvest. We are leaving for Cambodia in just over five days. This trip is going to be awesome! Be watching the blog for all the updates. Some will be written, others video, its going to be a fascinating and life changing trip. If for no other reason then i get the privilege of taking my oldest daughter, Taylor with me. She is 15 and a passionate Christian. Locally she is involved in our Creative team at harvest, she plays the acoustic and is starting to lead worship in some settings. She is very committed to the cause of Christ and has a real evangelistic spirit in her school. She has known for years that she is called to be a world changer. I have done my best to inspire her about life, but leave the destiny and purpose things between her and God, and She believes she is called to live her life in ministry.

So I am proud that another generation of Gadberry’s are stepping up to the plate to make a difference in the world. She will be the fourth generation ministry leader.

Let me move on before i get carried away and ahead of myself. It is such a thrill to take her and to be able to partner together to help people. If I haven’t learned anything else as a parent I have learned its always better to model what you want for your kids than it is to merely talk about it.

So what better way to teach Taylor how to help people, how to reach the world with the love and Gospel of Jesus than to take her, and let her do it with me.

I have also learned that these times provide for some of the greatest bonding experiences in a parent/child relationship. I love it that I am not struggling, or fighting with her about teenage issues, but rather partnering with her to change the world.

I love it that my kids love God, love the church, and love the ministry.

Its gonna be fun! Here we go!

Whatever you may think about Michael Jackson, no one can deny his talent, skill, or creativity. When I think of MJ, I think if innovation in the music world, and the music video world. He started at such a young age, and it didn’t take him long to realize that he had thoughts of his own about music, dance, and entertainment.

So many dance moves can be traced back to him. So much of modern pop style has its roots in his creativity. He was a pioneer in many ways. He tried things that people had never seen or heard before.

He obviously did get way out there, and for whatever people are saying he obviously had some personal issues and problems.

You still have to appreciate his innovation. His obsession with perfection may have caused him lots of personal pain, but it drove him to do some great things in his industry.

So be inspired to step out and do things that no one has. Be creative, try and risk and see if good things happen. While you do it though, remember there is a reason for our skills and talents and abilities. They are given to us by God for God’s purpose.

Line those things up with purpose, then you can have greatness and fulfillment.

I Pray for MJ’s family and hope that he made his peace with God.

Helping people…the great adventure

I love adventure.  I love trying knew things, taking a challenge, doing something thats fun or gives you a rush! I love the risk of it the commitment of it, the courage it takes to be adventerous.  If someone around me is not asking, “you’re really going to do that?”  or,  “are you sure you want to do that?”  I know I’m not really living.

I love adventure.  The greatest adventure in life is taking the challenge and the risk.  Making the commitment, and sacrifice.  Accepting and embracing inconvenience for the sake of helping others.  There is no rush, no excitement, no fun, like helping other people.  Getting involved in their lives, dealing with their issues and helping them find solutions, this is adventure.

There are so many christians in the world right now who are living this great faith adventure, and I love it!  I love it that the church is figuring out, that the answers are not in setting behind our four walls enjoying each others company, but it is in reaching out and bringing people in that is changing lives, and causes great adventure.

Christians who aren’t passionate about Jesus, are struggling being bored with their Christianity because they’ve lost the adventure that is supposed to be at the forefront of a Christians life.

One of the reasons I love our church, and many like it is because we are living the adventure, we have lots of people who have embraced this exciting life and are doing it together.  This week we will be serving women at our “Girlfriends Conference”  Women from all four of our campuses and over 50 other churches will come together and experience a highly creative, spiritually impacting, relational and fun conference.

We have volunteers that will take their time and serve these ladies so they can have this life changing experience.  We also run youth camps all summer long, june through august at our OKC facility.  Rental camps and Our National youth ministry, Youth America. Next Monday we will be taking a team to Africa, where we are leading a pastors and leadership conference as well as a medical clinic for two weeks.  At the end of  July we will be taking another team to Camobdia, To work with Orphans and impoverished children, helping them  not be victimized by human trafficking.  We have a Kids camp as well as a Royal family Kids Camp which is our ministry to Foster Kids.  A free camp for 85 foster kids ages 7-11.

That may sound like a lot, and is why we call summers at harvest one big adventure!  We are committed to Change the world through the adventure of helping others.  All the teens, all the kids, all the adults, locally, regionally, nationally and globally we will help this summer, are all part of this great adventure called Christianity.  Its about taking the chance to love people, to extend grace to them, and to live life full tilt for the greatest adventurer of all time.  Jesus!

So jump off the bench, get off the sidelines, get in the game and enjoy the adventure and who knows, you might open up a life of adventure for someone else.

A revolution of Service

I have been so proud of our team over the last two days.  Yesterday we were finishing up our seven days of Servolution.  Our project was to help with the CARE program at the MWC police department.  Our team started gathering early and preparing to go in and help.  Something happen that changed everything.  A fire started in MWC and spread over a significant area of MWC and Choctaw.  We know now that 49 people were injured, and 50 houses were a total loss with others being badly damaged and still others with smoke damage.

The police told us with everyone being called in, there would be no way we could do the project we had planned, they suggested we go over the the community center and see if there was something we could do there.  At the same time, the leader of this project and one of our other guys in the church called and said why don’t we turn our servolution project into helping the evacuees, of which there were hundreds.  So I stopped and picked up a lot of supplies told our team who were already in their “serve team” shirts to head to the community center and start setting up supplies.  We called on other serve teams to join us, and just set up and started helping people.

Giving out water, and food, and toys for the kids.  We started thinking, “who could we partner with?”  So we called starbucks and they supplied coffee and Hot chocolate.  Krispy Kreme provided donuts.  There were pets so a vet brought dog and cat food and treats.  People just started showing up and giving us hot food, to pass out, people in the community started coming in and saying where can I serve.

We worked with the Red Cross, what Great People they are and an incredible organization.  There were also folks there from the Southern Baptist Disaster relief organization, incredible servants everyone.   I must say that the MWC community leaders, the city council, the police, and firemen, The officials, and the leaders of the community center, Were so sharp.  This city and its leaders have their act together.  The sherriffs, the city manager, so many people and organizations working together to help others.  We were so blessed just to be part.

There were so many churches sheltering people and helping people, our friends the Burchetts at Eastpointe brought their people together today and really helped the people who have so much damage and loss and the public servants working so hard as well.

So there are some things I learned.

1.  Don’t set back and call leaders in the fray and ask them what you can do to help, they don’t have time to figure it out for you and at the moment don’t know what to tell you.  Just get into the fray with them, and start serving.  This is the best thing you can do.  The church is not an outsider in the community it is a part of the community.

2.  Partner, Partner, Partner….You have connections others don’t have and they have connections you don’t have.

3.  Realize that people want to help.

4.  Wear matching shirts so you can be easily identified and people can come to you for help.

5.   Help the kids, if they can be connected with it gives their parents a chance to think, and rest a minute.

6.  Be open to jump in and do what you can without hesitation, be willing to say yes, when needed.

7.  Your team will give over and above, and people will always rise to the occasion.

8.  Always be thinking about the next step.

9.  Serve the servants.  First responders put it all on the line, and have no time to stop and take care of themselves, so serve them as well as the victims of the disaster.

This was really a great way to solidify a servolution culture in our team.

I invite you to join the party and embrace what our friend Dino Rizzo Cause a “Servolution!”

Friends in all kind of places…

I think we live in a most interesting time. I love the whole social networking, micro blog, and blogging scene. I have friends from all over the nation and the world. Friends that I probably never would have spoken to again. Friends who I know but rarely communicate with. It was funny the other day, I was literally talking to someone in the states, someone in Uganda, and Someone in Cambodia all at the same time.

A lot of people try to resist technology but I think we should embrace it, and use the tools we have to benefit others.

A good friend is a precious commodity.

So join the fun, connect with others.

I’m 40 years old and i have reconnected with a friend I went to Kindergarten with. How cool is that. Have you reconnected with friends, or family


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11 Years in a Row..Oregon Dominates

While Oregon’s coaches believe something has clicked for Royce Freeman in the past two games, the Ducks’ true freshman running back considers his recent success more a natural progression.

Freeman ran for 169 yards and four touchdowns on Saturday night as No. 9 Oregon extended its winning streak over Washington to 11 games with a 45-20 victory.

”A turning point?” Freeman asked. ”I’m just trying to go every each and every week and improve and get a breakthrough. I’m just trying as hard as I can.”

Marcus Mariota threw for 336 yards and two touchdowns for the Ducks (6-1, 3-1 Pac-12), who won their second straight game as they distance themselves from a loss at home to Arizona on Oct. 2.

Freeman’s four TDs were the most rushing touchdowns in a single game for a Duck since Kenjon Barner had five against USC in 2012.

”You saw some of his elusiveness that was legendary in fall camp,” said coach Mark Helfrich, who said Freeman is playing freer.

Offensive coordinator Scott Frost said Freeman has turned a corner after becoming the team’s first 100-yard rusher with 121 yards and two touchdowns in Oregon’s victory last weekend against UCLA.

”If he just runs downhill – as big and as strong as his is – he’s a force,” Frost said.

Cameron Van Winkle hit a pair of field goals for Washington (5-2, 1-2), which hasn’t defeated Oregon since the 2003 season. Sophomore Cyler Miles struggled to find a rhythm, throwing for 147 yards and a touchdown with an interception and a fumble.

”That’s very tough. It’s a rivalry. Some people don’t think its rivalry, but it is a rivalry and it means a lot. It means a lot to us and we really wanted this game but unfortunately, the Ducks prospered today,” Huskies receiver Jaydon Mickens said. ”They were the better team today so hats off to them.”

Oregon celebrated the 20th anniversary of ”The Pick,” Kenny Wheaton’s 97-yard interception return for a game-saving touchdown over the Huskies in 1994 that helped send the Ducks to their first Rose Bowl in 37 years.

Many Oregon fans believe that play was the spark for the Ducks’ rise to national prominence.

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And another thing: Why the Heavy Rain movie is a bad idea

Heavy Rain

A game made by a frustrated movie director will soon be a movie not made by the very same frustrated movie director

Last week there was much joy and jubilation when news emerged that David Milch, the writer of NYPD and (the admittedly excellent) Deadwood will be writing a film adaptation of Quantic Dream’s Heavy Rain. Leaving aside, for a second, the notion that they should just tap up the game’s producer, David Cage, to do this (because if Fahrenheit and Heavy Rain prove anything, they prove that Cage is a frustrated film director), what I want to know is this: why does anyone think that making Heavy Rain into a movie is a good idea? (Heavy Rain spoilers after the jump).

The reason I ask is not just because every single film ever made that’s been based on a video game has been sub-par at best, and practically unwatchable at worst. After all, somebody somewhere has to be able to break the trend at some stage, right? No, it’s because time and time again, Hollywood falls foul of the same misconception about video games; if a game’s plot is engaging and well written and cinematic, then it’s bound to be a winner if it’s adapted for a movie, right?

Wrong. One of the reasons great video games resonate so well with their audiences is because the developers behind them usually make use of the medium’s greatest strengths. This means that the biggest problem with using a video game for the basis of a movie screenplay, is that a lot of what made the source material great in the first place is inevitably stripped away during the process.

Dead Space, for example, is rumoured to be next on the list to receive the silverscreen treatment. If you’ve ever played this game – or indeed its excellent sequel – you’ll be aware of two things: 1) It’s pant-wettingly frightening and 2) the game’s plot reads like a mash-up of every single sci horror film ever made. Fans of this genre of entertainment can draw a straight line from Dead Space to Alien, ticking off Solaris, Event Horizon, The Thing and numerous others along the way. As a game, players can enjoy the thrills, the scares, the oppressive atmosphere and the chance to dismember snarling nasties with a Plasma Cutter. Turn it into a movie and they’re watching a story that’s been cobbled together from earlier classics – who wants to pay for that?

Heavy Rain faces the same problems as Dead Space and more besides. Not only is its plot and setting derivative –  it draws heavily from Se7en for atmosphere and the original Saw film for the idea of a serial killer who forces his victims into horrendous situations – it also contains several gaping holes. Furthermore, the game’s most engrossing scenes – such as the Butterfly Trial and (especially) the Lizard Trial – rely to a degree on the game’s interface to ramp up their visceral impact. To wit, simply watching a bloke drag himself through a vent over broken glass or  navigate his way past snapping electrical cables can’t match the experience of actually being in control of the person while he does all that (vibrating controller, an’ all).

The stake through the heart, however, is the fact that the plot is structured as a whodunnit. This was a major problem with Heavy Rain as a video game. The hype surrounding it promoted its splintered narrative as a USP guaranteed to keep players coming back for more as a game which changes according to the choices players make with each play-through, is bound to offer immense replay value.  The problem with this, however, is that once the identity of the game’s antagonist is revealed, much of the impact of the game’s plot dissipates. It’s impossible to be as invested in the character of Scott Shelby, as you were on your first play-through, once you know he’s the Origami Killer. In the grand tradition of whodunits, once you know whodunit, why bother going back for seconds?

And this is really the main problem facing a Heavy Rain movie. Anyone who played the game knows where the plot of the movie is going. They’re also not going to be as connected to the set-pieces as they were when they were controller the game’s protagonists. The only way around these two rather large obstacles is for Milch to completely rewrite Heavy Rain’s plot in such a way that involves a new identity for the Origami Killer, new set-pieces and probably a different ending.

In which case, why call it Heavy Rain?

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Interview: Gabe Newell of Valve Software

Posted in Interview,PC,Xbox by Shawn Wallace on 26 2003f August 2003

With the announcement that Half-Life 2 will be available September 30, 2003, we took the time to speak with Valve Software’s own Gabe Newell. “Recently we were afforded the privilege of speaking with Gabe Newell, Valve Software’s Managing Director and head of the Half Life 2 project. We fired off a few quick questions to him concerning Source, the engine powering Half Life 2, and what we can expect from it.

Gamingnext – After all of the movies, both engine/tech oriented and pure gameplay, that came from E3 it’s safe to say that all of the gaming world is now clamoring for Half-Life 2. Can you tell us a bit about the technology used to power HL2?

Gabe Newell – I did a presentation on the engine for Vivendi a little while back. It was about 100 pages long, and we got through it in about 4 hours. I’m not sure really how to condense that all down, but I’ll try. We usually break it down into humans, graphics, interactivity, and AI. Now obviously there’s overlap. For example there’s a special shader for people’s teeth. That could go in the graphics section or the humans section. There’s a lot of intelligence in moving creatures over an LOD mesh – so is that AI, interactivity, or graphics? You get the idea.


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Painkiller: Hell Wars Chat

Posted in Games,Gaming,Next,Xbox by Shawn Wallace on 11 2006f March 2006

Want to fire off a few questions to the peeps at People Can Fly about their upcoming Xbox port of the popular FPS shooter Painkiller? Read on to find out just when that opportunity will arise:

DreamCatcher Games today announced that GamersHell.com will be hosting a chat with People Can Fly, developers of the upcoming Xbox title “Painkiller: Hell Wars” on Tuesday, March 14th at 3:00pm EST / 12:00pm PST.

In “Painkiller: Hell Wars,” gamers play the role of Daniel Garner, who after an unfortunate car accident is trapped between Heaven and Hell. To escape purgatory and find his salvation, he must fight mobs of hellish monsters to stop an imminent Unholy War.

To access the Painkiller chat, you will need an IRC client (http://www.mirc.com/). Download and install the client and click on irc://irc.chatspike.net

/Painkiller. As an alternative, the chat can be connected manually by using irc.chatspike.net as the server and #Painkiller as the channel.

Painkiller: Hell Wars is planned for release on March 2006 and has an ESRB rating of “M” for Mature.

Prey weekly update #9

Posted in Games,Gaming,Next,X360 by Shawn Wallace on 11 2006f March 2006

3DRealms has released the ninth weekly update for Prey, this week focusing solely on the Xbox 360 version of the game. Here’s a quick snippet:

We started work in earnest on bringing Prey to the 360 in late June 2005, although we had been looking at the code a little before that to ready ourselves and plan our attack. It was amusing to see on some gaming forums that some posters seemed to think that the announcement about it last month meant that we had just started work on it, this is far from the case.

As our aim was to keep everything as faithful to the PC original as possible, we knew it would be mainly a coding job, with relatively little work needed on the art side. It broke down into a number of tasks – converting the engine itself to get it running on the 360 platform, and the areas where we needed to make changes to better suit the platform – such as the control system, the front end and the integration of Xbox Live.

Click here for the full update.

WarPath Factions Trailer

Posted in Games,Gaming,Next,PC,Xbox by Shawn Wallace on 9 2006f March 2006

Itching for some more in-game footage from DE and Groove Games’ upcoming sci-fi shooter WarPath? Click here for the WarPath Factions Trailer over at YouTube. Here’s some words to go along with the pretty pictures:

Choose Your Side Wisely In “WarPath’s” Epic Trinity War!

“WarPath” from Groove Games introduces three factions locked in a fierce battle for dominance of Kaladi, a planet rich in resources. Though very different needs draw the Ohm, Kovos and Humans to this valuable planet, they have one thing in common: the desire to gain control at any cost. Strategy and firepower are the only hope for each faction as they stake their claim in “WarPath’s” menacing sci-fi setting.

Rainbow Six Vegas officially announced

Posted in Games,Next by Shawn Wallace on 6 2006f March 2006

Rainbow Six Vegas has been officially announced for next gen consoles, due to debut this fall. You can check out the official Rainbow Six games website here or read on for the full press release:

SAN FRANCISCO — MARCH 6, 2006 — Today Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced that it is developing Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six® Vegas for  next-generation and current-generation video game consoles. Scheduled for a fall 2006 release and developed by Ubisoft’s award-winning Montreal studio, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas is the fifth iteration of the multimillion-selling Rainbow Six tactical shooter franchise.

Rockstar to make… a table tennis game?

Posted in Games,Gaming,Next,X360 by Shawn Wallace on 4 2006f March 2006

That’s right kids… the makers of such titles as Manhunt, The Warriors and the Grand Theft Auto series, Rockstar Games, has officially announced their next mind-blowing title.

A ping pong game for the Xbox 360.

No… really. Anyway, IGN had the scoop so be sure and check out the goods here.

Will you pick it up? I know I will, and not just because it’s a Rockstar Game (I might only own one or two Rockstar titles) but because it does innovate.

New And1 Streetball shots and info

Posted in Games,Gaming,Next,Xbox by Shawn Wallace on 1 2006f March 2006

Not only do we have 26 new images for you today of the And1 Streetball game in development by Black Ops and Ubisoft, but we’ve got roster details as well. More info and all 26 images after the jump…

Tetris DS game modes revealed

Posted in Games,NDS,Next by Shawn Wallace on 23 2006f February 2006

The six game modes that will be featured in the Nintendo DS version of Tetris have been revealed and they sound great! Check it out:

# Touch: This unique take on Tetris really shows off the touch-screen capability of Nintendo DS. Players use a stylus to drag and move Tetriminos in a giant stack to make them fall into horizontal lines. In early levels, they can tap Tetriminos to spin them just the way they need them. Players have as much time as they need to carefully plan their moves, so it plays very differently from the other frantic modes.

# Standard: This Mario-themed mode features the same addictive game play that made the original Tetris so wildly popular. Players guide falling Tetriminos and form horizontal lines to clear them away. Mario runs around Super Mario Bros. levels in the background.

# Catch: In this Metroid-themed mode, players guide a flying block through Metroid-infested levels and seek out falling Tetriminos. Players can spin and maneuver their block to catch falling Tetriminos and create a 4×4 square. Once they do that, the block will explode in all directions and earn points.

# Puzzle: Players solve tricky Tetris puzzles at their own pace using just the Tetriminos provided. Players tap the orientation they want to use and then the Tetrimino will automatically fall into place. There are more than 50 puzzles for players to complete in all.

# Push: The goal of this mode is to clear two lines at a time to move the screen down and push opponents into the red zone. Players just can’t let their own blocks build up too high, or it’s game over. Players also can play this mode with another player using DS Download Play.

# Mission: In this Legend of Zelda®-themed mode, players have to complete the missions that appear on the top screen before time runs out. If they don’t complete it before time runs out, a heap of new blocks will appear on their screen. If they let blocks stack up to the top of the screen, the game is over.

New WarPath trailer released

Posted in Games,Next,PC,Xbox by Shawn Wallace on 22 2006f February 2006

What’s WarPath you ask? Check it out, and get some hot trailer action (and some linkage) after the jump!:

Three distinct races have converged in a virtual Eden, in the outermost reaches of the galaxy, each with a unique reason for settling this new world. Conflict is inevitable, victory is not.

Half-Life 2 Episode 2 confirmed

Posted in Games,Gaming,Next,PC by Shawn Wallace on 22 2006f February 2006

No sooner does the truth come out about Half-Life 2 Episode 1, Episode 2 is confirmed over at Computer and Video Games. Here’s a snippet, right up your alley:

“Episode One will not end with an all-encompassing conclusion”, he said, comparing it to Half-Life 2’s less-than-cut-and-dry denouement. He also preemptively addressed any fears that the series will stray from its roots, saying Valve has “to be considerate to our audience in terms of giving them what they want.”

Thanks GameSpot for the scoop.


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September 29, 2017 |

Flaws in NAS Firmware expose users to ‘massive compromise’

F-Secure researchers find multiple vulnerabilities in a NAS device that attackers can use to steal data and passwords, or even remotely execute commands.   Berkshire, UK – 17th January 2017: F-Secure researchers have discovered three vulnerabilities in a network attached storage (NAS) device made by QNAP Systems Inc. The cyber security company warns that attackers […]

F-Secure researchers find multiple vulnerabilities in a NAS device that attackers can use to steal data and passwords, or even remotely execute commands.

Berkshire, UK – 17th January 2017: F-Secure researchers have discovered three vulnerabilities in a network attached storage (NAS) device made by QNAP Systems Inc. The cyber security company warns that attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to seize control of these devices. The findings may apply to millions of devices currently in use, and continues a worrying trend of insecure products leaving users exposed to online threats.

Researchers found the flaws during an examination of QNAP’s TVS-663 NAS device. The investigation found that attackers could use vulnerabilities in the device’s firmware update process to seize administrative control. This degree of control would give them the same rights as legitimate administrators, allowing attackers to do things like install malware, access content and data, steal passwords and even remotely execute commands.

Harry Sintonen, senior security consultant at F-Secure, developed a proof-of-concept exploit to confirm that these vulnerabilities could be exploited by attackers. “Many of these types of vulnerabilities are not severe on their own. But attackers able to put them together can cause a massive compromise,” said Sintonen. “Successful hackers understand that even small security oversights can become big opportunities with the right know-how.”

Sintonen’s proof-of-concept begins when the device sends unencrypted requests for firmware updates back to the company. This lack of encryption allows potential attackers to intercept and modify the response to that request. Sintonen took advantage of this weakness by serving the device with an exploit disguised as a firmware update. The phony firmware update Sintonen created tricks the device into automatically attempting to install it. And while the fake update is never actually installed, the exploit uses a flaw in the process to produce a full system compromise.

According to Sintonen, stealing or altering data is trivial for an attacker able to leverage these vulnerabilities the same way he did. “All you really have to do is tell the device that you have a newer version of its firmware. And because the update request is done without encryption, that’s not very difficult to do. After that, basically anything an attacker wants to do is like taking candy from a baby.”

While Sintonen limited his investigation to QNAP’s TVS-663, he suspect’s models using the same firmware possess the same issues. Based on this, Sintonen estimates that over 1.4 million devices could be vulnerable, although he admits the number could be much higher.

“We found 1.4 million devices by researching firmware versions currently in use. But since many people never update their firmware, the actual number could be much higher. Possibly millions,” said Sintonen.

Advice for affected users

F-Secure notified QNAP about these issues in February 2016. However, as of the time of this writing, F-Secure researchers were not aware of any fix made available by QNAP. Without a patch issued by the company, there is no way to permanently fix affected devices.

But according to F-Secure’s cyber security expert Janne Kauhanen, there is a silver lining in this case. “Problems like these are incredibly common for internet-connected devices, so we’re all constantly buying products that have these security issues. But in this case, attackers first need to put themselves between the update server and user, and this extra step is enough work to discourage many opportunistic or low-skilled attackers,” said Kauhanen. “But we’ve seen cases where motivated attackers have used similar security issues to do recon in preparation of a phishing campaign, or hide their presence in networks, so they can still do some real damage.”

There are ways users can protect themselves while they wait for a permanent fix. Anyone using QNAP’s TVS-663 or other devices running the same firmware (QTS firmware 4.2 or later) should disable automated firmware update checks, and perform the check manually with secure sources until the problem is fixed.  Kauhanen recommends anyone using an affected device for work or tasks involving sensitive information implement these temporary measures to protect themselves.

The vendor and authorities have been made aware of this vulnerability well before this public disclosure.

More information:

The IoT needs Vulnerability Research to Survive

About F-Secure

Nobody knows cyber security like F-Secure. For three decades, F-Secure has driven innovations in cyber security, defending tens of thousands of companies and millions of people. With unsurpassed experience in endpoint protection as well as detection and response, F-Secure shields enterprises and consumers against everything from advanced cyber attacks and data breaches to widespread ransomware infections. F-Secure’s sophisticated technology combines the power of machine learning with the human expertise of its world-renowned security labs for a singular approach called Live Security. F-Secure’s security experts have participated in more European cyber crime scene investigations than any other company in the market, and its products are sold all over the world by over 200 broadband and mobile operators and thousands of resellers.

Founded in 1988, F-Secure is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. |

F-Secure media relations

Geoff Dorrington

PR manager, F-Secure UK & Ireland

T: 01753 376592

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March 15, 2018

F-Secure’s Aviation Cyber Security Services Takes Off

F-Secure’s new service combines expertise in aviation and cyber security to help aviation companies protect their most critical assets. Buckinghamshire, UK – March 15, 2018: Trust is everything in the aviation industry. And a successful cyber attack – even a minor one against something like an in-flight entertainment system – could undermine confidence in airlines […]

February 28, 2018

F-Secure Introduces Unique Partner-Driven Service to Stop Targeted Cyber Attacks Globally

Channel partners have immense new service opportunities to protect their customers from rising numbers of targeted and fileless attacks with a leading-edge managed endpoint detection and response service. Buckinghamshire, UK – February 28, 2018: Businesses globally are being compromised by an onslaught of targeted and fileless cyber attacks, and industry-leading cyber security vendor F-Secure is […]

February 22, 2018

Incident Detection, Email Attacks Continue to Cause Headaches for Companies

F-Secure’s new Incident Response Report points to email inboxes as the weakest link in security perimeters, and finds that companies struggle with quickly and accurately detecting security incidents. Buckinghamshire, UK – February 22, 2018: Over one-third of all security incidents start with phishing emails or malicious attachments sent to company employees, according to a new […]

February 14, 2018

F-Secure appoints Beta Distribution as a UK distributor of security solutions for corporate resellers

Buckinghamshire, UK – 14th February 2018: Global cyber security company F-Secure today announces the appointment of Beta Distribution as a UK distributor for corporate resellers. Beta Distribution, Headquartered in London and with offices throughout the UK, is a specialist product, services and solutions IT distributor which serves over 3,000 resellers across the UK, including over […]

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General Electric Sr Quality Assurance Engineer in Bengaluru, India

About Us:

GE is the world's Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. Through our people, leadership development, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for global customers by speaking the language of industry.

Role Summary:

Value Based Care Engineering team is a global development organization with products including Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and Practice Management (PM).

The Senior Software Quality Assurance Engineer has responsibilities extending to the verification & validation of application software and is also required to code for unit testing, integration testing and Automation testing.

Essential Responsibilities:

Responsible for testing features of the software product. Contributes to the team and works with direction from Senior Team Members or management.

In this role you will:

• Break down problems and estimates time for quality related tasks

• Demonstrate expertise in application domain and functional areas

• Apply various testing techniques and methodologies effectively during SDLC

• Take ownership of small tasks and deliver without supervision while using their discretion to seek help when necessary

• Makes technology choices at individual level and has ability to analyze impact.

• Applies principles of SDLC and methodologies like Lean/Agile/XP, CI, Software and Product Security, Scalability, Documentation Practices, refactoring and Testing Techniques.

• Expert in core data structures and algorithms. Integrates project testing with continuous-integration process.

• Works with fellow team members to diagnose bugs and formulate solutions. Demonstrates the ability to understand, debug and contribute to code base.

• Demonstrates the ability to drive team change for the betterment of the product quality.

• Provides expertise in the quality engineering, test planning and testing methodology for a software project.

• Provide mentorship to junior level engineers and help them grow to the next level.

• Develops and executes maintainable automation tests for acceptance, functional, and regression test cases.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or in “STEM” Majors (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)

• 7 - 9 years of work experience. 4 -5 years of experience in testing software products

• Hands on experience in Java or C#

• Working knowledge of Relational Databases, SaaS, cloud technologies.

• Sound software testing methodology/processes and understanding of software development life cycle and object oriented methodologies

• Experience with agile development

• Technical skills in both development and test (Manual Testing and Automation Testing)

• Have a understanding of BDD Test developoment using JBehave

• Experience with any one of the test automation tools such as Selenium, White UI, Load Runner, UFT, Quality Center or equivalent

• Experience working in multiple development environments, and with a variety of operating systems

• Experience Installing and configuring software, testing environments – both physical and virtual.

• Knowledge of Oracle RDBMS, Microsoft SQL Server

• Current knowledge of software testing best practices

• Have a understanding of Cloud technologies and testing Cloud-based applications

• Self motivated and team player

Desired Characteristics:

• Knowledge of Healthcare IT domain

• Identifies opportunities for innovation and offers new ideas. Takes the initiative to experiment with new

• Familiarity with ISO, FDA and other regulatory standards

• Adapts to new environments and changing requirements. Pivots quickly as needed. When coached, responds to need & seeks info from other sources

Locations: India; Bengaluru


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‘Luke Cage’ Star Michael Colter Calls Season 2 of Jessica Jones “Dark and Heavy”

The filming for the sophomore season of Jessica Jones is now underway, but little has been revealed about what it will entail.

However, luckily for us, Michael Colter of Luke Cage shared a little bit at the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo. According to MCU Exchange, Colter revealed that he stays in constant communication with Jessica Jones star, Krysten Ritter and said that the latest season will be “dark and heavy.”

It remains unclear if Colter’s comments on the show stem from his conversations with Ritter, or if it is because Luke Cage is set to play a part in the next installment of Jessica Jones.

It seems like we will just have to wait and see. But one thing’s for sure, if the season two is anything like season one it’ll definitely be a hit.

What do you think – does Michael Colter’s description of the new season of Jessica Jones get you excited? Let us know in the comments below.

We’ll be able to see both Jessica and Luke in the premiere season of The Defenders which hits Netflix on August 18.

Source: Heroic Hollywood

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Friday, March 18, 2005

Excuse-O-Mat Generator.

Things go wrong, which is awfully annoying of them, and then comes the really difficult thing: explaining what happened. What do you do when the old excuses have been used once too often?
Why, you just use the Excuse-O-Mat Generator for one of 3.6 million different convincing, ready-made excuses!

As for you, don't give me any of your whining. In words of one syllable: you aren't exactly the Dalai Lama yourself. Some of us worry more about our own faults, not someone else's. But if it makes you happy, I'm sorry. Jeez, people can be so manipulative.

[ Excuse-O-Mat Generator ]


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I Am Ready for Addiction Treatment

Admitting that you have a problem with alcohol or drug addiction is a critical first step toward lifelong recovery. We congratulate you on making this leap, and want to encourage you from the outset that treatment works. Through the right program, you can lay a foundation for lifelong freedom from addiction.

But what’s the next step in the process? We would encourage you to give us a call here at Get Real Recovery. We offer individualized treatment plans, and would love to speak with you about the form your own treatment might take. When you call us, we know you will find our team to be caring, compassionate, and informative. We’re not here to pressure you; just to help you get the treatment you need.

What to Expect from Treatment

There are a couple of things we can tell you about Get Real Recovery from the outset. The first thing is that we truly believe in taking a tailored approach—not in offering one-size-fits-all solutions. We will work closely with you to determine a treatment path that fully addresses your needs, and sets you up for long-lasting health and wholeness.

And that’s something else we should note: We do not believe in quick fixes, and we know that recovery doesn’t happen overnight. What we want to do is get things right, providing you with a foundation for addiction recovery that lasts a lifetime. This means equipping you with all the tools you need to prevent relapse, even as you transition back into “normal” life.

Get Help for Your Addiction

The important thing to remember is that addiction, though certainly serious and even life-threatening, does not have to be permanent. Simply by admitting that you have a problem, you have already taken an important step toward lifelong freedom—and the next step is to call us to start mapping out your detox, residential treatment, and outpatient support.

Reach out to us at Get Real Recovery, and find acceptance, compassion, understanding, and hope. Contact us today to begin your addiction recovery.


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ASTM F1064

2011 Edition, June 1, 2011

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Standard Practice for Sampling and Inspection of Complete and Incomplete Alpine Ski/Binding/Boot Systems in Rental Applications

Includes all amendments and changes through Reapproval Notice , 2016

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  • Revision: 2011 Edition, June 1, 2011
  • Published Date: January 2016
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  • Document Language: English
  • Published By: ASTM International (ASTM)
  • Page Count: 8
  • ANSI Approved: No
  • DoD Adopted: No

Description / Abstract:

This practice establishes a uniform method for the sampling and inspection of complete and incomplete Alpine ski/binding/boot systems used in rental operations. This practice is appropriate for use in rental applications in which all or part of the functional components of the system are supplied by the rental facility.

This practice should be followed by any facility that rents complete or incomplete Alpine ski/binding/boot systems to an end user.

NOTE 1—Refer to Practice F1063 for equivalent procedures and tolerances for retail systems.


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BS 4737-2.1

1977 Edition, May 31, 1977

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Specification for intruder alarm systems in buildings. Requirements for systems with remote signalling. Installation

Includes all amendments and changes through Amendment 2, May 31, 1977

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  • Revision: 1977 Edition, May 31, 1977
  • Published Date: May 31, 1977
  • Status: Superseded By:
  • Superseded By: BS 4737-1
  • Document Language: English
  • Published By: British Standards Institution (BSI)
  • Page Count: 0
  • ANSI Approved: No
  • DoD Adopted: No

Description / Abstract:

Installation of systems intended to signal an alarm condition to a remote point. The remote signalling may be supplemented by a local audible alarm.


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DS/EN ISO 10993-17

2009 Edition, June 15, 2009

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Biological evaluation of medical devices - Part 17: Establishment of allowable limits for leachable substances

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  • Revision: 2009 Edition, June 15, 2009
  • Published Date: June 15, 2009
  • Status: Active, Most Current
  • Document Language: English
  • Published By: Dansk Standardiseringsrad (DS)
  • Page Count: 42
  • ANSI Approved: No
  • DoD Adopted: No

Description / Abstract:

This part of ISO 10993 specifies a method for the determination of allowable limits for substances leachable from medical devices. It is intended for use in deriving standards and estimating appropriate limits where standards do not exist. It describes a systematic process through which identified risks arising from toxicologically hazardous substances present in medical devices can be quantified. This part of ISO 10993 is not applicable to devices that have no patient contact (e.g. in vitro diagnostic devices). Exposure to a particular chemical substance may arise from sources other than the device, such as food, water or air. This part of ISO 10993 does not address the potential for exposure from such sources.


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  • Revision: 2013 Edition, December 1, 2013
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  • Document Language: English
  • Published By: Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
  • Page Count: 11
  • ANSI Approved: No
  • DoD Adopted: No

Description / Abstract:

The naming extensions to the Generic Security Service Application Programming Interface (GSS-API) provide a mechanism for applications to discover authorization and personalization information associated with GSS-API names. The Extensible Authentication Protocol GSS-API mechanism allows an Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) peer to provide authorization attributes alongside an authentication response. It also supplies mechanisms to process Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) messages provided in the AAA response. This document describes how to use the Naming Extensions API to access that information.


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Inhalation Aerosols: Physical and Biological Basis for Therapy

2006 Edition, October 25, 2006

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  • Revision: 2006 Edition, October 25, 2006
  • Published Date: October 25, 2006
  • Status: Active, Most Current
  • Document Language: English
  • Published By: CRC Press (CRC)
  • Page Count: 504
  • ANSI Approved: No
  • DoD Adopted: No

Description / Abstract:

A decade has passed since the original volume of this title was published. It has been the most eventful period in the history of inhaled drug products. During the 1990s, a large number of technologies were developed, which in turn resulted in the growth of specialized drug delivery companies. The international control of propellants and the growing biotechnology industry occurred in the shadow of the human genome project-the most significant scientific endeavor of this generation of scientists. The desire to improve drug delivery to and via the lungs was served by basic and applied science and engineering in a manner unsurpassed previously.

Aerosol delivery of drugs, which was historically restricted to the treatment of asthma, has been extended to treat cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary infectious diseases, diabetes, and other diseases as yet under evaluation. It is clear that the available technology is capable of achieving controlled and targeted drug delivery for a range of diseases, but in many ways the technology has outstripped our fundamental understanding of the diseases we hope to treat. Which receptors are we targeting, where are they located, how and where are molecules absorbed, and what is the desired locally therapeutic dose?

The precedent-setting Food and Drug Administration approval of the insulin product Exubera® as a dry powder aerosol dosage form occurring at about the same time that the agency announced its strategy for elimination of chlorofluorocarbon propellant–based products is a historical development predicted in the earlier volume but from which major new developments in the field can be anticipated.

This volume was originally intended to link the mechanical and physicochemical properties of aerosols to the biology of their disposition. As an understanding of the lung biology in the context of drug delivery is of increasing importance, the need for a revised and updated version of this text is clear. Most of the chapters in the book cover areas that have seen significant developments in the last decade. Additional chapters have been added to address particular developments in specialized aerosol dosage forms.

In the last decade, two of our most distinguished and well-respected colleagues, and contributors to the first edition of this book, have passed away. Dr. David Swift died very soon after publication of the first edition, and more recently the news of Dr. Richard Evans' passing shocked the pharmaceutical aerosol sciences community. Both were remarkably young people and had much to look forward to, which makes their loss all the more poignant and leaves a large gap that would have been filled by their future scientific and technical contributions. Of the remaining original authors, most have continued to contribute to the field, and several leading researchers have been added to the list of contributors. I hope that our efforts have resulted in a volume that continues to serve as an introduction to those entering the field and a reference text for our colleagues and peers.


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ISO/IEC 23001-7

3rd Edition, February 15, 2016

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Information technology - MPEG systems technologies - Part 7: Common encryption in ISO base media file format files

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Description / Abstract:

This part of ISO/IEC 23001 specifies common encryption formats for use in any file format based on ISO/IEC 14496-12. File, track, and track fragment metadata is specified to enable multiple digital rights and key management systems (DRMs) to access the same common encrypted file or stream. This part of ISO/IEC 23001 does not define a DRM system.

The AES-128 symmetric block cipher is incorporated by reference to encrypt elementary stream data contained in media samples. Both AES counter mode (CTR) and Cipher Block Chaining (CBC) are specified in separate protection schemes. Partial encryption using a pattern of encrypted and clear blocks is also specified in separate protection schemes. The identification of encryption keys, Initialization Vector storage and processing is specified for each scheme.

Subsample encryption is specified for NAL structured video, such as AVC and HEVC, to enable normal processing and editing of video elementary streams prior to decryption.

An XML representation is specified for important common encryption information so that it can be included in XML files as standard elements and attributes to enable interoperable license and key management prior to media file download.
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IT Strategic and Operational Controls

2010 Edition, September 2, 2010

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  • Revision: 2010 Edition, September 2, 2010
  • Published Date: September 2, 2010
  • Status: Active, Most Current
  • Document Language: English
  • Published By: IT Governance Ltd. (ITG)
  • Page Count: 679
  • ANSI Approved: No
  • DoD Adopted: No

Description / Abstract:

IT Strategic and Operational Controls provides a comprehensive guide to implementing an integrated and flexible set of IT controls in a systematic way. It can help organisations to formulate a complete culture for all areas which must be supervised and controlled; allowing them to simultaneously ensure a secure, high standard, whilst striving to obtain the strategic and operational goals of the company. Written with practicality and convenience in mind, this book is an ideal tool for those without specialised technical expertise seeking to understand IT controls and their design, implementation, monitoring, review and audit issues.


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SAE J2990

2012 Edition, November 1, 2012

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Hybrid and EV First and Second Responder Recommended Practice

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  • Revision: 2012 Edition, November 1, 2012
  • Published Date: November 2012
  • Status: Active, Most Current
  • Document Language: English
  • Published By: SAE International (SAE)
  • Page Count: 55
  • ANSI Approved: No
  • DoD Adopted: No

Description / Abstract:

xEVs involved in incidents present unique hazards associated with the high voltage system (including the battery system). These hazards can be grouped into 3 categories: chemical, electrical, and thermal. The potential consequences can vary depending on the size, configuration and specific battery chemistry. Other incidents may arise from secondary events such as garage fires and floods. These types of incidents are also considered in the recommended practice (RP). This RP aims to describe the potential consequences associated with hazards from xEVs and suggest common procedures to help protect emergency responders, tow and/or recovery, storage, repair, and salvage personnel after an incident has occurred with an electrified vehicle. Industry design standards and tools were studied and where appropriate, suggested for responsible organizations to implement.

Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries used for vehicle propulsion power are the assumed battery systems of this RP. These battery chemistries are the prevailing technologies associated with high voltage vehicle electrification today and the foreseeable future. The hazards associated with these specific battery chemistries are addressed in this RP. Other chemistries and alternative propulsion systems including Fuel Cells are not considered in this version of SAE J2990.

This SAE RP provides guidelines and education to first and second responders of incidents associated with xEVs and high voltage batteries. The RP is not intended to replace an emergency response guide or to be referenced at the scene of an emergency incident. Automotive OEM's are encouraged to reference this RP for industry design guidance when creating vehicle requirements and Emergency Response Guides (ERGs).

This RP is not intended to address battery specific hazards, but rather vehicles which contain aforementioned batteries. The RP does however consider batteries that may become separated from a vehicle as a result of a crash event or at storage and repair facilities where responders are involved.
AIA/NAS Aerospace Standards


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UL 943

5th Edition, February 23, 2018

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UL Standard for Safety Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupters

Includes all amendments and changes through Revision Page(s) , February 23, 2018

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  • Revision: 5th Edition, February 23, 2018
  • Published Date: February 23, 2018
  • Status: Active, Most Current
  • Document Language: English
  • Published By: UL (UL)
  • Page Count: 111
  • ANSI Approved: Yes
  • DoD Adopted: Yes

Description / Abstract:

This Standard applies to Class A, single- and three-phase, ground-fault circuit-interrupters intended for protection of personnel, for use only in grounded neutral systems in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC), ANSI/NFPA 70, the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, and Electrical Installations (Use), NOM-001-SEDE. These devices are intended for use on alternating current (AC) circuits of 120 V, 208Y/120 V, 120/240 V, 127 V, or 220Y/127 V, 60 Hz circuits.

Note: In Canada, the text “intended for protection of personnel” is excluded.

These requirements do not cover ground-fault circuit-interrupters intended for use in circuits served by a transformer having windings wholly insulated from each other.

This Standard applies to all Class A ground-fault circuit-interrupters. These Class A GFCIs are permitted to be integrated into other devices, in which case, besides complying with this Standard, these devices are to comply with the corresponding applicable Standard for the device in question.

This Standard includes minimum requirements for the function, construction, performance, and markings of ground-fault circuit-interrupters included in the scope.

This Standard is intended to cover only Class A GFCI devices.

This Standard also covers GFCIs of the self contained type that are intended for installation in a counter, such as would be suitable for installation in a kitchen or bathroom counter top.


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Web Application Development with Yii 2 and PHP

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  • Published Date: September 25, 2014
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  • Document Language: English
  • Published By: Packt Publishing, Inc. (PACKT)
  • Page Count: 406
  • ANSI Approved: No
  • DoD Adopted: No

Description / Abstract:

This book is for professional PHP developers who wish to master the powerful Yii 2 application framework. It is assumed that you have knowledge of object-oriented programming. The previous version of the Yii framework is only briefly mentioned, but it'll be even easier to grasp Yii 2 with the knowledge of Yii 1.1.x.


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Journals Higher Education

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Oxford French Mini Dictionary

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Oxford Dictionaries

  • Now in new bendyback binding - a hard-wearing cover that protects the book from daily wear and tear
  • Up-to-date coverage of over 40,000 words and phrases and 60,000 translations
  • Quick and easy to use French-English and English-French dictionary
  • Includes 34 page phrasefinder, ideal for travel
  • In print and online

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Phase 2 Zika vaccine hearing starts in U.S., Central and South America

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Vaccinations have begun in a multi-site Phase 2/2b clinical hearing contrast an initial DNA vaccine designed to strengthen opposite illness caused by Zika infection. The vaccine was grown by supervision scientists during a National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), partial of a National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIAID is heading a trial, that aims to enroll during slightest 2,490 healthy participants in areas of reliable or intensity active mosquito-transmitted Zika infection, including a continental United States and Puerto Rico, Brazil, Peru, Costa Rica, Panama and Mexico. The two-part trial, called VRC 705, serve evaluates a vaccine’s reserve and ability to kindle an defence response in participants, and assesses a optimal sip for administration. It also will try to establish if a vaccine can effectively forestall illness caused by Zika infection.

A vial of a NIAID Zika Virus Investigational DNA Vaccine. Image credit: NIAID

Most people with Zika infection have possibly no or usually amiable symptoms, such as fever, rash, corner pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes). However, when Zika infection occurs during pregnancy, a profound lady can pass a pathogen to her fetus, that can outcome in a operation of fetal defects famous collectively as inborn Zika syndrome. Currently there is no protected vaccine to forestall illness caused by Zika infection, that is especially transmitted around a punch of putrescent Aedes aegypti mosquitoes though also can be transmitted sexually.

“We are gratified to have modernized fast one of NIAID’s initial Zika vaccines into this subsequent theatre of contrast in volunteers. We design this investigate will produce profitable discernment into a vaccine’s reserve and ability to forestall illness caused by Zika infection,” pronounced NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. “A protected and effective Zika vaccine is urgently indispensable to forestall a often-devastating birth defects that can outcome from Zika pathogen infection during pregnancy. Evidence also is accumulating that Zika can means a accumulation of health problems in adults as well. This hearing outlines a poignant miracle in a efforts to rise countermeasures for a pestilence in progress.”

Scientists during NIAID’s Vaccine Research Center (VRC) grown a NIAID Zika pathogen investigational DNA vaccine. It entered early-stage tellurian contrast in 2016 following endless contrast in animal models. Initial commentary prove a vaccine is protected and means to satisfy a neutralizing antibody response opposite Zika virus. The Phase 2/2b hearing aims to benefit some-more reserve and defence response information and establish if this defence response protects opposite illness caused by healthy Zika infection.

The Zika vaccine height is formed on a plan VRC scientists used formerly to rise a West Nile pathogen vaccine candidate. The Zika vaccine claimant being tested in this investigate contains a tiny round square of DNA called a plasmid into that scientists have extrinsic genes that encode dual proteins found on a aspect of a Zika virus. Once injected into muscle, a encoded proteins arrange into particles that impersonate Zika pathogen and trigger a body’s defence complement to respond. The vaccine does not enclose spreading material, so it can't means Zika infection.

The hearing is being led by custom co-chairs Julie E. Ledgerwood, D.O., arch of VRC’s Clinical Trials Program, and Grace L. Chen, M.D., emissary arch of a same program.

The hearing consists of dual studies: partial A and partial B. Part A will build on ongoing Phase 1 trials to serve weigh a vaccine’s reserve and ability to kindle an defence response, privately in populations where Zika could be endemic. It will also assistance establish a optimal sip and injection sites for administration. Part A will enroll 90 healthy organisation and non-pregnant women ages 18-35 years during 3 sites in Houston, Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico. All participants will accept a investigational vaccine intramuscularly during 3 detached hospital visits any 4 weeks apart. Participants will be incidentally reserved to accept possibly a customary sip or a high sip of a investigational vaccine during all 3 visits, and will be followed for about 32 weeks total.

Part B of a hearing will enroll during slightest 2,400 healthy organisation and non-pregnant women ages 15-35 years. This partial of a hearing aims to establish if a vaccine can effectively strengthen opposite Zika-related illness when someone is naturally unprotected to a virus. Sites will embody a 3 locations from partial A (Houston, Miami and San Juan) as good as dual additional sites in San Juan, dual sites in Costa Rica, and one site any in Peru, Brazil, Panama and Mexico. Additional sites competence be combined in a future. Participants will be incidentally reserved to accept possibly a investigational vaccine or a remedy during 3 detached hospital visits any 4 weeks apart. The hearing is double-blind, definition conjunction a investigate investigators nor a participants will know who receives a investigational vaccine.

Part B participants will be followed for scarcely dual years, during that time they will bear assessments for inauspicious events and symptoms of Zika infection. Trial participants in both tools will be counseled on how to strengthen opposite Zika infection. Investigators will examination a rates of reliable cases of Zika in a remedy organisation and a vaccinated organisation to establish if a investigational vaccine protects opposite illness caused by Zika infection.

Each site will have a principal questioner obliged for ensuring daily examination of reserve information as they turn available. A custom reserve examination group that includes a custom chairs and other medical officers during NIAID will examination reserve information reports weekly. The NIAID Intramural Data and Safety Monitoring Board will also examination accumulative investigate information during slightest twice per year. The investigate is now approaching to be finished by 2019.

Source: NIH

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After lengthy, careful consideration, I’m stepping down from running Gnome Stew. This will also likely be my last article here, at least for the time being.

I don’t have the fire in my belly that’s required to run the Stew well anymore, and sticking around without that element isn’t fair to anyone. There’s nothing sinister at play here; I’m just no longer the right person to helm Gnome Stew.

When I told the gnomes, I proposed two options: another gnome takes over, or we put the site in archive mode (still free, but no longer updated). Fortunately, the Stew’s own John Arcadian stepped up to run the joint.

The Stew needs an active, passionate owner, and I’m leaving you in good hands. John has the fire in his belly, he’s full of ideas about where to take the Stew, and I couldn’t be happier that he’s taken over for me. He’s got the support of the rest of the Gnome Stew team, too.

Since 2008, when I started the Stew with a most excellent team of fellow bloggers, I’ve had a kid, changed jobs twice, sold my house, and moved to another state. Which is a roundabout way of saying that the Stew has been a part of my life for a long time.

And I love this place. It’s grown from a simple idea — “Why not see if a bunch of awesome folks want to blog about GMing together?” — back in 2008 to a deep archive of free GMing content supported by a fantastic community of readers. It’s opened doors, garnered awards, launched other ventures, and meant a lot to me and to others. I’m thrilled that it will continue to do those things.

The best part has always been the friends I’ve made and the readers I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with. I’d stand this community up against any other gathering of gamers on the web and be proud of what you’ve done, and what you continue to do.

Frankly, leaving is a bit terrifying. I don’t like attention, but I appreciate recognition. I’ve been working in the RPG industry since 2004, and the single thing I’m best known for is Gnome Stew. Not because it’s “mine” — it is and always has been a fundamentally collaborative venture — but because I’ve run the site, and contributed a ton of content over the years.

As career moves go, leaving Gnome Stew is probably a bad one. But I still think it’s the right thing for the site, the gnomes, and you, our readers.

I may be around from time to time, likely to share Engine Publishing news, but this is the end of my road here at the Stew for now. I need to be George Lucas here: get out of the way and stay out of the way so the creative team behind the site can rock this party.

If you’d like to stay in touch, I’m still writing about gaming on my personal blog, Yore, and I’m active on Google+.

Thank you, gnomes and readers, for your friendship, support, encouragement, awesomeness, and the GMing advice you’ve shared over the years. As I always say, you rock on toast.

Martin Ralya, signing off
Seattle, WA


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i won't worry my life away

confronting thoughts and embarking on different adventures, one moment at a time

Okay. I just thought I should also share my exact feelings right now, having the sun set in the background while I sit back and think here at the 17F. Not really good at this though… so please bear with me! 🙂

The sun was blinding and almost set
I wonder right now, where is your mind at?
I haven’t seen you nor touched your face
And I could only hope that you have that gaze.

The kind of gaze that I long to see
Burning through my soul, intently, unwavering
Oh you make my heart tremble, you don’t have a clue
I could only hope I’m watching the sun set with you.

By now the sun stares right at my eyes
I can’t look ahead, except let it grace my life
Right now you probably don’t have a clue
That you’ve claimed my heart from the start, yes, you do.

Even with the skyscrapers, the circle of the sun
Can’t be swayed, very fierce to be stunned
Now I wonder how long it would take
To have it disappear again and set my prayers straight.

Last season I claimed you in my life
Through my prayers, I claimed with faith in my mind
This beautiful sunset made me poetic for you
Ever since I’ve seen it, it has been my favorite view.

For years I’ve witnessed it here and there
But I know that it will never compare
To have your hand intertwined with mine
To have your love wrapped up and around in mine

Even when the sun has set and the day went to an end
The beauty it holds take away my breath
My dear, my love, it reminds me of you
Because I know, every day, it’s always due

To come to me, to come to my life
To never miss a beat when it comes in sight
God know how much I love to see
It’s enchanting beauty specially cause you’re with me.

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When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. ~ Matthew 16: 13-18, KJV

When a closer examination is given to chapter one of Genesis, the genuine Truth seeker will discover that God really is renovating the Earth. He is re-shaping the Earth so that it looks the way He originally intended it should look before Satan and his fallen angels brought chaos, formlessness, emptiness, and darkness to it.

For sure, God couldn’t have created the darkness that was there during this moment of restoration, because God is Light and there is NO darkness whatsoever in Him (cf. 1 John 1:5). This Divine Truth is why darkness isn’t the opposite of light, but rather darkness is the absence of Light!

To keep the Earth from reverting back to the chaotic, formless, empty, and dark world it had become, God also CREATED “man” and gave him dominion over His newly renovated Earth. Indeed, in Genesis 1:26-27, Elohim decides that they will make “man” in their image—make “man” a Soul and Spirit wrapped up in the Word (Jesus the Christ  in Genesis 1:26-27 is the Word, for He hasn’t been made flesh yet). Put differently, the spirit and mind of “man” are covered (clothed) with the dry land Gods Word created.

This image of created “man” becomes clearer in Genesis 2:7, where man is described as having God’s spirit and His mind (man’s an eternal spirit and an eternal soul), and they are housed in a glorified body. Then, after both the created Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit from the forbidden tree, which they do because, like fallen Satan, they too have decided they want to be God (cf. Genesis 3:5-19), this man—Adam and Eve—not only spiritually dies but also loses the mind of God and, thus, mankind’s glory. All that is lost would remain lost until Jesus the Christ is made flesh (until He lays aside His glory) and comes down to Earth wearing man’s glory.

Once again, God  intervenes. This time He gets involved in the lives of the off-track inhabitants of Earth who have strayed away from God’s designed plan for their lives. However, instead of restoring the Earth and immediately abolishing the sin that was in humans’ lives, God sends His only begotten Son to Earth not only to save mankind from the penalty of sin, but also to make available to mankind the abundant life—the fullness of life—God originally had given to Adam and Eve.

The Lord’s second purpose for becoming a man, then, is the reason why, near the end of His 3½ years of ministry, the Lord decides to ask His disciples, in Matthew 16:13, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” Their answers were all opinions, so the Lord continues testing His disciples’ faith by asking them, in Matthew 16:15, “But whom say ye that I am?

Now, it is apparent from the context in which He asks these questions that the Lord knew the Pharisees, Scribes, and Sadducees, who, having witnessed the Lord’s supernatural miracles, signs, and wonders, knew that He was some “special,” powerful “man” who also could teach with great authority, but because their hearts were hardened (full of disbelief/unbelief), they could not put their finger on who He truly was. For this reason, the Lord questions His disciples’ understanding of who they believe He is. Peter answers: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16b).

The Lord’s initial response to Peter makes it clear that, up until this point, NO ONE really knew that Jesus THE Christ was God’s ONLY begotten Son. God’s revelation to Peter is what makes the Lord’s additional statements even more revealing than they appear to be on the surface. For example, when Jesus the Christ tells Peter that it is upon this ROCK (upon this revelation about the Lord being the Son of the living God), the Lord is confirming that He not only first came to Earth to die a sacrificial death for the sins of the world, be resurrected, and then ascend back into Heaven where He would put back on His Glory, but also He is confirming that He first came to Earth so that He could show men and women their true identity as sons and daughters of God.

Had His First Coming been with ALL of His Glory, EVERYONE would have seen Him and known then that He was Jesus THE Christ, the ONLY begotten Son of God. This is the reason why He prophesies in Matthew 16:27 that it is at His Second Coming that “…the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”

Now, because the Lord first came to Earth in human flesh wearing man’s glory (the glory Adam lost), He purposely didn’t show mankind His Divinity. Instead, He showed humanity that children of God were created in God’s image.  Specifically, He showed God’s chosen people that they originally were meant not only to be faithful and obedient to God, but also that they were created to be glorious and powerful beings—created to be God’s sons and daughters who would personify the SUPER in the natural and the EXTRA in the ordinary.

Jesus the Christ willingly comes down from Heaven in “man’s” glory, because at His First Coming His purpose was NOT to show that He is equal with God (cf. Philippians 2:6). For sure, His purpose for coming to Earth the first time never included Him embracing His Glory. This is why, because He takes off His Glory in Heaven, Jesus the Christ is able to show mankind that He is the most faithful and most obedient child of God who willingly comes to Earth to lay down His life for all mankind. The multiple effect of His faith and obedience cause many revelations, for the Lord’s First Coming reveals salvation; reveals the fullness of life (cf. John 10:10); reveals the ONLY Way, the ONLY Truth, and the ONLY Life (cf. John 14:6); reveals who Father God is (cf. John 14:7), reveals that Jesus the Christ and Father God are One (cf. John 10:30), and reveals that Jesus the Christ is the definitive example of the “man” Father God intended mankind’s prototype (Adam) to represent.

Jesus the Christ, therefore, primarily comes to restore humanity to its originally intended identity, which is the true image of God’s sons and daughters. He comes to set the record straight about humanity being created in Elohim’s image of: a living spirit that is in harmony with Elohim’s Spirit; a living soul (having the mind of God) that is in harmony with Elohim’s Soul; and a SUPER in the natural and EXTRA in the ordinary glorified body that is able to walk on water and perform countless other miracles, signs, and wonders, like what Jesus the Christ accomplishes.

This restoration begins after the Lord returns back to Heaven and sends mankind the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes not only to regenerate (give humans their born-again spirit) but also He comes to sanctify (spiritually mature humans) until they have the mind of Jesus the Christ, who actually has the mind of God. For sure, after they are born again, believers’ process of restoration has to continue until they finally are glorified—until they finally are once again wearing their own glory!

Therefore, the ROCK or revelation upon which Jesus the Christ builds His CHURCH is the ROCK or solid, unshakable revelation about who God always intended mankind to be, which is why He sacrifices His Son to guarantee that nobody, no spirit, and nothing will ever be able again to take away or transfer mankind’s inalienable identity and inalienable rights. This revelation also is why the process the Holy Spirit is taking believers through is the ONLY process that will restore believers TOTALLY to their true heavenly identity and their true earthly rights!

It should now be evident that the Divine Truth about why God is re-shaping the Earth in Genesis chapter one IS not only so that the Earth will look like He originally intended it to look, but also so that humanity will look like He  ALWAYS intended humans to look. God knew that Satan and Adam would fall. He also knew that no person and no created spirit could possibly be as faithful and obedient as His ONLY begotten Son. Thus, when Adam and Eve fell, when the ones to whom He first gives dominion over the Earth become unfaithful and disobedient, God knew that similar to what He has to do with the Earth He also would have to do with His sons and daughters—He would have to re-shape them back into the image of their original creation rather than choose to start again from scratch!

The outcome of this re-shaping is called the NEW MAN, or the renewed (transformed, converted) believer in Jesus the Christ, who has accepted God’s ONLY begotten Son as Savior and Lord. Thanks to the Lord, today’s renewed (transformed, converted) believer is being changed back into Elohim’s image via the Word of God (Jesus the Christ), God’s Saving Grace, and the power of God’s Holy Spirit!


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Why Trump Cares about Legitimacy

Donald J. Trump is clearly worked up over the question of the legitimacy of his claim to the presidency. Yes, he’s in office. He can move into the East Wing, issue executive orders, nominate cabinet members, and all that. But can he create his own legitimacy?

Years ago the president of the Kettering Foundation, David Mathews, said to me: Governments can create public highways and public schools, but they cannot create their own legitimacy. Only publics can deem a government legitimate.

Stupid as he is, Trump gets that. This is why he is fretting and lying about how many people were at his inauguration and about why he didn’t get the popular vote. He knows he needs more than the okay of the system; he needs the okay of the people.

And he doesn’t have that. Saturday’s Women’s Marches around the world just dug that truth in deeper.

In 1989, new civic movements (with deep and long roots) in Central Europe called the bluff of their governments, which had been claiming to be the “people’s” parties. No you’re not, said these new civic organizations. Suddenly, everyone could acknowledge that the emperor had no clothes.And within days these governments collapsed. When people in the U.S. now say, “Not my president,” they are calling the bluff of Trump’s claim to legitimacy.  Of course they know that he won the electoral college vote; but they are saying very clearly that his presidency lacks the authorization of the majority of the people and that rule by the minority is illegitimate through and through.

And they are also nodding to the the fact of Russia’s meddling in our election and the very real likelihood that Trump’s folks collaborated with the Russians in this, which by the way would be treason.

Whether by treason or merely by creating the illusion of public support, Trump’s attempts to conjure up his own legitimacy are sickeningly desperate and, let’s hope, short lived. Maybe this regime will collapse the way that those of Eastern Europe did in 1989. The more we organize, the better the chance.

How To Be A Country That Will Not Tolerate a Dictator

A former student wrote to me this morning seeking guidance because, she fears, she is watching democracy crumble before her eyes. Referencing two of the books we read in a course five years earlier, the first by Jeffrey Goldfarb and the second by Jacques Derrida, she writes,

Given the current situation I am looking back on all of our course readings. I no longer feel like The Politics of Small Things or Rogues are theoretical.  Unfortunately I am coming to believe these works are now textbooks with potential guidance for the dangerous state of our democracy.

What else might she read, she asks, and what tactical solutions are there for this situation we are in?

He email made me realize that the little book I’ve been working on recently is more timely than ever, that I need to wrap it up right away, and that I should change the title from Deliberation, Politics, and the Work of Mourning to the more direct, though less sexy, How To Be A Country That Will Not Tolerate a Dictator — a phrase I learned from those who led the “No” campaign that got rid of the Chilean dictator, Augusto Pinochet. I never imagined that I would one day need to invoke this phrase here in the United States, but the election of the authoritarian Donald Trump and the far-right administration he is assembling does change everything. So, let’s ask ourselves, how can the US become a country that will not tolerate a dictator?

At the heart of my book are the key democratic practices I’ve learned from my work in community organizing and public life, from reading a lot of political theory, and from the collaborative research I’ve done with the Kettering Foundation. I borrow shamelessly from all to list the following practices that citizens—everyday people in a complex political society—can and need to take part in for democracy to work.

Not everyone needs to do everything, but in a large decentered society, all the following tasks need to be taken up in one space or another.

First there is the politics of seeing oneself as a citizen, someone whose office includes the overarching work of deciding what kind of communities we want; deciding what direction the political community should take, and what it stands for. I use the word “citizen” as a synonym for those with a sense of political agency—and this can include the undocumented and others with only residency status. This is  the most important office in a democracy: being people who decide what is right and just and ascertain whether their will is being carried out well.  All who are affected by matters of common concern are, to my mind, potential citizens. To be a citizen is to be someone with the sense that what she thinks matters. It also involves having a sense that one can call a meeting if there is an issue needing attention, that she can call on others to join with her in the work. This is the other crucial part of the First Amendment: the right of association. In dark times it is vital that citizens associate with others. Here the mantra is, Organize! Get involved in existing associations, whether they are civic or religious ones, and if there is a gap, create new spaces and organizations for people to come together. To be a citizen, again, is to be someone who can call a meeting.

Second is the task of identifying and thematizing problems. Importantly, it is often citizens and new social movements, not official agencies, that first notice something deeply amiss in the world and then send out alerts. New social movements often serve as what Habermas calls the “sensors” that identify problems not previously noticed. For example, it was citizens and a new renegade environmental movement that, in mid 20th century, began sounding the alarm about environmental degradation. In addition to identifying a problem, such citizen movements give problems a name and thematize or frame how they should be considered, just as young undocumented people in the United States are thematizing themselves as Dreamers. The Dreamers also show how political agency is not just the purview of those with citizenship papers, but belongs to anyone who is willing to take a stand with others.

Third are the ongoing, decentered conversations that take place throughout the public sphere. These are conversations geared toward thinking through, deliberating, and deciding what ought to be done on matters of common concern. These conversations take place informally throughout society, from a taxicab to a high school social studies classroom. Over time these conversations allow people to encounter different points of view and perspectives, work through the trade-offs, pros and cons of various courses of action, develop public knowledge, and decide what ought to be done, that is, develop public will on the matter that can, in turn, steer public policy. Making deliberative choices often involves deeply felt, and not merely cognitive, processes of working through and mourning loss.

Fourth is the task of identifying and committing civic resources, using the energy of communities and citizens to bring about change. Not all public choices call for government actions. This task also picks up on Arendt’s notion of public generative power, that when people come together they can create new potential. Also they can see how to make use of something that has previously gone fallow. For example, with the sustainability movement we are seeing a proliferation of farmers markets, CSAs, and farm to restaurant and to table movements.

Fifth is the task of organizing and engaging in civic actions, which can include holding governments and officials under siege until their actions begin to align with public will. Both social movements and deliberative bodies play a role here. Increasingly citizens are acting in concert on matters of common concern themselves. When officials act contrary to public will, strong democratic publics will hold them accountable. Various legitimation crises have erupted when publics point out discrepancies between public will and public policy. Publics find mechanisms (whether through protest or nullification) to get public will translated into law.

Sixth, is the task of civic learning, which means learning from the past and remaining open to judging how it all went and what could be done differently going forward. This is the antithesis of any “best practices” model. Any citizen can join with others to revisit a matter that others think was already democratically settled. In a democracy, no one should be ruled by decisions made by previous generation.

By seeing these kinds of tasks as central to democratic politics, we can reframe what citizens are doing when they converse and gather together around public issues. They aren’t merely trying to influence politics elsewhere; right where they are, they are creating the public will needed to imagine new futures. We can also see that democratic power is not a vertical relationship between rulers and ruled but a horizontal relationship of citizens associating with others to identify, name, frame, decide, and act on matters of common concern.

These practices don’t necessarily occur in any linear fashion. They are iterative. A first pass through a problem may turn up new unforeseen consequences and problems. This is what is so important about the sixth stage of learning, which I think resonates a bit more clearly in an Arendtian frame, especially her ideas of thinking and judging. Learning is a process of critically reflecting on a state of affairs, internally and collectively practicing the two-in-one back and forth of considering and reconsidering our thoughts about matters, being open to seeing something differently, not reifying some practice or institutions as “just the way it is.” Learning, then, loops back into re-naming and re-framing problems. The policies that a deliberative process may have resulted in may bring about unforeseen consequences that a social movement then names and begins to frame.

These six practices focus on what publics can do, including both social movements and deliberative publics; but they also point to the legitimacy question I mentioned above. If the public in its informal deliberations (what Jane Mansbridge calls “everyday talk”) begins to develop public judgment and will X, but elected officials are operating on notion Y, then the government’s legitimacy comes under question. For ultimately the power and authority of any state in the modern era derives from public will. When the state becomes oblivious to its real source of authority, then it loses its legitimacy and shows itself to be devoid of any authority whatsoever.