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Bill Gates: The Future of the Digital Decade

I've heard Bill Gates give his Digital Decade speech many times over the years, and I didn't really expect much new content when he took the stage at the COMDEX Fall 2002 conference. But his speculation about the future of home computing and his new product and technology announcements made the keynote very interesting. Here's an overview of some of the products that Gates talked about at COMDEX:

Xbox Live
To demonstrate Xbox Live, Gates brought out Keith White, senior director of the Microsoft E-Home division. Xbox Live combines Xbox with broadband networking and digital communications capability to "create a very powerful online gaming experience," said White. Microsoft and other companies will release numerous games that support online gaming for the Xbox in the coming months.

Smart Displays
Keith White also introduced Smart Displays--compact, slate-like display panels that receive a wireless signal so that you can work remotely away from the PC. A wireless 802.11 connection to a host computer provides the remote capability. White explained the differences between the Tablet PC and a Smart Display. As the next step in the evolution of the notebook computer, the Tablet PC is a full-blown Windows XP computer that features additional functionality specific to its pen-based interface. A Smart Display is the next step in the evolution of a monitor. The Smart Display simply "scrapes" screens from a "mother-ship" computer. White said, "We've added intelligence into the \[Smart Display\] monitor, and it's truly a display device, plain and simple. The power of the PC is still running on the PC device itself." White also explained that a Smart Display is similar to a wireless telephone handset in that it works only within a few hundred feet of its base, whereas the Tablet PC is more like a cell phone in that it gives you connectivity almost anywhere.

Windows XP Media Center Edition
XP Media Center Edition lets you have not only a complete PC experience on a device, but also a TV and entertainment experience. Windows XP Media Center Edition will have features that let you pause live TV and record TV for later viewing. Many companies will be shipping media center PCs in the coming months.

Microsoft OneNote
Gates also talked about Microsoft OneNote, a new Microsoft Office application that's designed to let you capture notes from various sources and locations, then organize them in one location and format them more effectively. OneNote lets you write down information quickly without worrying where it's saved or how you'll find it again. OneNote's tabbed interface lets you create and manage multiple notebooks to let you easily organize multiple pieces of information. Scheduled for release in mid-2003, OneNote will also let Tablet PC users capture handwritten notes, pictures, and diagrams.

Windows .NET Server 2003 and Visual Studio .NET 2003
Most significantly, Gates announced that Microsoft Windows .NET Server (Win.NET Server) 2003 is scheduled to be commercially available in April 2003, with Release Candidate 2 (RC2) shipping to customers in the next few weeks. I'm impressed by Win.NET Server's speed and reliability. Microsoft is perfectly positioning Win.NET Server to get thousands of smaller enterprises off of Windows NT.

Also scheduled to ship in April of 2003 is Visual Studio .NET. At COMDEX, Microsoft announced the availability of the final beta of the company's flagship development tool. Eric Rudder, senior vice president for the Developer and Platform Evangelism Division at Microsoft, said, "Microsoft is committed to enabling developers to build enterprise applications for computers of all sizes. Our 2003 wave of products provides a consistent programming model for applications from devices to datacenter servers, enabling developers to focus on solving their unique business problems." Formerly called Everett, Visual Studio .NET will facilitate building scalable enterprise applications on the Microsoft .NET Framework quickly and easily. Come April, the industry should be really exciting.

To read more about Bill Gates's Digital Decade speech at COMDEX, visit

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The Competition

Research In Motion's (RIM's) BlackBerry is smaller than Pocket PC devices, and most users prefer the BlackBerry's keyboard to the Pocket PC's input options. However, RIM had to compromise to create a device that clings to a belt and incorporates a keyboard. Before deciding on the device, users should be aware of some of the BlackBerry's limitations when compared with the Pocket PC.

To cut down on network traffic, the BlackBerry limits the amount of data it downloads at any one time. Most messages arrive in one piece, but users might need to retrieve large messages in multiple chunks. Some users forget to fetch more data and end up reading only part of a message. You can configure BlackBerry Enterprise Server to send complete messages, but doing so can slow down message delivery.

Until recently, the BlackBerry couldn’t process Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint attachments. With the release of BlackBerry Enterprise Server 3.5 Service Pack 1 (SP1), however, RIM now supports an Attachment Service that can process Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Corel's WordPerfect, and Adobe Acrobat PDF attachments. (RIM expects to support more formats in the future.) You can run this service on each BlackBerry Enterprise Server host system, or you can centralize processing for as many as four host systems on a larger computer that can handle the attachment-conversion load. The service is a great advance, but requesting the conversion of large attachments will impose quite a load on the conversion server and the wireless network. Depending on your price plan, you might spend a lot of money for users to see attachments, and documents with a mixture of graphics, tables, and other advanced features still might not be very readable. Alternately, users can install third-party software (e.g., Onset Technology's METAmessage for Wireless) to print attachments to a fax server or send messages with attachments to a conversion server, which returns the attachments in plain text. (These solutions also require additional server hardware.) In many cases, users find it simpler to wait until they get back to the office because the conversion either loses so much formatting information that they can't easily read the document or the document is so large that navigation on the handheld is challenging.

Compared to a Pocket PC, the BlackBerry has limited space to hold messages. (Even though I delete many messages immediately after sending or receiving them, I find that I can keep about 4 weeks' worth of messages on the device. If users need to, however, they can save important messages for longer periods.)

The BlackBerry doesn't support multitasking in the same way that a Pocket PC does. You work with one application at a time, switching to others as the need arises.

The device's backlit screen and keyboard are sufficient to work with messages in the dark. However, reading text on sunny days is a challenge. The backlit screens on today’s Pocket PCs are superior.

Synchronization between the BlackBerry and Exchange Server isn't quite as accurate as what a Pocket PC's ActiveSync provides. Some read messages retain unread status and deleted messages stay stubbornly in place until a user cleans up the mailbox through his or her regular email client. In addition, the BlackBerry synchronization software doesn't completely synchronize the contents of a user's Exchange-based Sent Items folder: The only messages in the handheld-based Sent Items folder are those that the user sends from the handheld. By comparison, when you synchronize a Sent Items folder through ActiveSync, the process downloads the entire contents of that folder to the Pocket PC device.

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PIX Firewall Configuration Tips

I recently installed a Cisco Systems PIX 525 firewall for a client. This firewall has six active interfaces:

1. Internal (local)
2. Sales Department (local)
3. HR Department (local)
4. Internet (T1, remote)
5. Ticket Master (56K line)
6. Background Check Database (128K line, remote)

Because the configuration is so complex, I installed the PIX Device Manager (PDM), so the client can make simple changes to the firewall configuration without needing to call me. Although an experienced PIX administrator can probably make changes faster through the Telnet text-based interface, I installed the PDM, because I think that it’s initially easier to understand than the Telnet interface. Also, if you’re familiar with Cisco’s Internetwork Operating System (IOS) for configuring routers, the PIX syntax is just different enough to drive you bonkers.

After I installed the PDM, all was going well until I started to configure the firewall. I started with a basic rule from the internal network to the Internet. Although I created the correct rule, the rule didn't work correctly. In addition, when I created more than one rule, the description from the rule immediately above was moved to the rule below. This could have been a cosmetic problem, or a symptom of a bigger problem. I called Cisco and discovered that PIX IOS 6.3(1) has a bug when you use the PDM. IOS fixes this bug. So I flashed the PIX and tried to access the Internet, but still couldn't. On a hunch, I erased the PIX configuration and started over, theorizing that the initial configuration was corrupted with the earlier version of the PIX IOS. After I rebuilt the configuration from scratch, the PIX started working.

I have a standing rule for all my clients: If an external digital line is connected to their internal network, the line must pass through the firewall. This setup provides some protection for the client and the remote company in situations in which the client or remote company gets hacked. Of course, I limit access to specific IP addresses when possible, and open only the necessary ports required for proper communication. Because the Sales Department is the only department authorized to connect to the Ticket Master Service, I decided to segregate the Sales Department onto a separate subnet. The same was true for the HR Department, which is the only department authorized to access a background check database via a private frame line. By segmenting the Sales, Ticket Master, HR, and Background Check line, the client has a centralized management point through the PIX firewall. Of course I created a rule on the firewall so only the Sales Department can access the Ticket Master 56K line, and only the HR Department can access the background check database on the frame relay line.

This client is running Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Exchange Server 2003. The Sales Department has its own Exchange 2003 server (a domain controller—DC), and the HR users are on the same Exchange server as the rest of the company. This Exchange server resides on the internal subnet. As you know, quite a few ports must be open to allow proper Active Directory (AD) replication. Rather than create a group of open ports, I decided to allow all traffic between the DCs to simplify the PIX configuration. I could have limited the traffic to only the necessary ports, but at that point, the traffic between the DCs was almost wide open anyway, so I decided to let all traffic pass between the DCs.

During the testing phase, I had problems with the main Exchange server on the internal subnet communicating with the Exchange server on the Sales subnet. When I viewed the queues via the Exchange System Manager (ESM), messages had started backing up, and when I tried to force the connection, it eventually timed out. As you know, Exchange 2000 and later uses Extended Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (ESMTP) by default to transfer messages between Exchange servers in the same organization. I knew that a firewall rule wasn’t blocking port 25, so the mail should work, but it wasn’t. I called Cisco support, and was able to quickly resolve the solution. The PIX uses a SMTP Proxy that is turned on by default. This setup works fine for external SMTP mail traffic from the Internet, but it blocks messages between internal Exchange servers that use ESMTP. I opened a command-line and entered the command

no fixup protocol smtp 25

on the PIX to disable the SMTP proxy. The mail then started working again.

For any firewall configuration, I suggest you invest in a label maker and label each port on the firewall and each patch cable connected to the firewall. Using that approach, you should be able to properly reconnect each line to the proper port on the firewall. I also suggest that you label the front of the firewall with the name, IP address, and subnet mask. This lets you identify the IP addresses of the PIX firewall by simply glancing at the PIX box. Also, make sure you have a good backup of the firewall configuration, both in hard copy and electronic form.

On Windows XP you can use HyperTerminal as your Telnet interface, instead of entering telnet at a command prompt. Start HyperTerminal, and in the Connect using field, select TCP/IP (Winsock) from the drop-down menu, and specify the target IP address. HyperTerminal is a better interface than the Telnet text interface, especially if you want to capture information from a Telnet session.

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Is CardSpace in the Cards for Your Web Site?

Back Draft

Is CardSpace in the Cards for Your Web Site?

By Jonathan Goodyear

I m sure you ve heard about the release of the .NET Framework 3.0 by now ( It comes standard on Microsoft s new client operating system, Windows Vista, but is also available for Windows XP and Windows 2003. The .NET Framework 3.0 is comprised of four main components. The first three are fairly well known and understood: Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Windows Communication Foundation (WCF), and Windows Workflow Foundation (WF). The fourth component, Windows CardSpace, is a bit more enigmatic. It almost seems out of place alongside the others. Perhaps that s because it isn t labeled as a Foundation for anything.

In many respects, CardSpace looks like a feature that was bolted onto the .NET Framework 3.0 at the last minute because the deployment time frame made sense. In reality, though, CardSpace plays a pivotal role in Microsoft s security strategy, tying into the other components of the .NET Framework 3.0 as well as other key Microsoft technologies like ASP.NET and Windows Forms.

The question you may be asking yourself right now is, do I need CardSpace? To answer that, let s take a look at what it provides. The core function of CardSpace is to broker trust relationships between Web sites and the users who consume their services. It does this by providing services to both parties involved in the relationship. For users, CardSpace provides verified information about the Web site with whom they are about to provide their personal information. This information is available from the CardSpace dialog that appears when the user elects to register or log in to a Web site that supports CardSpace. It s not likely that a fraudulent Web site will have obtained an Extended Validation (EV) certificate from a certification authority, so users can be more confident that they are dealing with a legitimate business. CardSpace also allows a user to see exactly what data from the information card that they elect to use is going to be sent to the Web site. They can then determine whether they want to proceed. Because the CardSpace dialog launches in a separate desktop process, it is also much more difficult for spyware or trojan horse applications to hook into the CardSpace services and do anything malicious.

CardSpace also provides plenty of benefits to Web sites that elect to support it. For instance, CardSpace information cards are much harder to steal or duplicate, so Web sites can be more confident that the user logging in is the person who created the account. This will lead to fewer fraudulent transactions or identity theft. CardSpace also allows Web sites to create and issue their own information cards to their users (or support cards issued by companies that they trust). This creates the added benefit that a company can use whatever methods it deems appropriate to validate a person s true identity before issuing them an information card that can be used to log in to its Web site. That information card can be protected using a strong password to prevent someone who manages to obtain access to a PC with an information card on it from using that card to access the Web site for which it is assigned.

CardSpace offers many benefits to both users and Web sites in addition to the ones mentioned here. For example, it enables secure login to Web services brokered through Windows Communication Foundation and Smart Client applications built using Windows Forms and Windows Presentation Foundation. I have no doubt that applications and Web sites in the corporate space will adopt CardSpace rather quickly.

The big question, then, is whether CardSpace will gain traction with the general public and public Web sites. After all, there are a few drawbacks. First, while the CardSpace engine was developed using all industry standard WS-* protocols as part of The Identity Metasystem, and supports the Laws of Identity (, the CardSpace implementation is currently only supported on Microsoft Windows operating systems. Other operating system vendors will need to get on board with their own implementations before CardSpace really takes off. Second, using CardSpace to log in to Web sites from public computers is currently problematic. Basically, you have to export your information cards from your main PC to something like a USB key, and import them to the public computer (remembering to delete them after you re done).

It is safe to assume that most public Web sites that are not financial or medical in nature will for the foreseeable future continue to support user name/password combinations even after adopting CardSpace. I think CardSpace is a big step forward in the fight against online fraud and is relatively easy to implement, so it should definitely be on the technology roadmap for your organization s Web sites. I am following this guidance myself by building CardSpace support into my Web site ( Online fraud and identity theft will never be solved by a single technology, but the tools available to us to continue the fight (including CardSpace) are getting better and better. It would be a shame for those tools to remain underutilized.

For more on CardSpace see ASP.NET Meets CardSpace by Michele Leroux Bustamante.

Jonathan Goodyear is president of ASPSOFT (, an Internet consulting firm based in Orlando, FL. Jonathan is Microsoft Regional Director for Florida, an ASP.NET MVP, a Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD), and co-author of ASP.NET 2.0 MVP Hacks (Wrox). Jonathan also is a contributing editor for asp.netPRO. E-mail him at mailto:[email protected] or through his angryCoder eZine at

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Open Source Security

Secure ASP.NET

Open Source Security

By Don Kiely

There is a ton of information floating around about computer, network, software, and Internet security. Even with the security features built in to the .NET Framework and ASP.NET, building secure applications is just too darn hard. Unfortunately, I m not going to solve that problem in this short article but what I will do is tell you about a resource that can provide invaluable information and tools for developing secure Web applications, including ASP.NET apps.

The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) is a global community with a mission to make application security visible, so that people and organizations can make informed decisions about application security risks. I ve written in asp.netNOW before about their Top 10 list of the most critical Web application security flaws. Not only is it a list of the flaws, but it is backed by plenty of information about how to avoid the flaws and the risks associated with them. Every Web developer should be familiar with the list and how to avoid security problems in their development tools and technologies of choice. One key takeaway: if you are trusting ANY user input in even the smallest way, you re probably at risk for a few of the flaws. And I bet that most developers would be surprised at the range of things that could be considered user input it s not just what a user types into a text box!

OWASP has many dozens of projects going all the time, of which the Top 10 is just one example. They loosely fall into Tools and Documentation project categories, and there are several worth perusing as an ASP.NET developer. The Top 10 is a great place to start, giving you a feel for the breadth and depth of information OWASP makes available. One interesting, but still young, project is the .NET Project, which focuses on providing information and tools to help .NET developers develop secure applications. The main page for the project is, as I write this in early May 2008, a jumble of links to some useful information. There is some nice information about the dangers of running full trust ASP.NET applications a personal favorite topic of mine, since I ve written so much in asp.netNOW about it and how to develop partial trust applications. This is a great way to stay current on developing secure .NET applications particularly Web applications using ASP.NET.

The Tiger Project is a Windows application you can use to automate testing of various ASP.NET security issues, as well as help you build and send HTTP requests, analyze the responses, and receive notifications of problems. It s an interesting alternative to some of the features of Fiddler.

Many other projects are more general (about Web security using any platform or tools), so it s worthwhile to peruse the Web site and learn new things.

Most, if not all, of the content at is on a wiki, so any member can contribute. There is a very active, passionate community for some of the projects, and there are various mailing lists to support the work. I recommend the free OWASP-dotnet list, although lately there have been a lot of organizational e-mails among the beef.

All the materials are free and available to anyone under an open source license. You also can join the group as a way to make a financial contribution, ranging from $100 for individuals up to thousands for large organizations. Membership brings additional benefits, such as a commercial license for the materials and editing rights on the wiki.

OWASP is a good organization with lots of community support that is trying to make our development lives better. Take a look, take what you need, and contribute what you can!

Don Kiely, MVP, MCSD, is a senior technology consultant, building custom applications as well as providing business and technology consulting services. His development work involves tools such as SQL Server, Visual Basic, C#, ASP.NET, and Microsoft Office. He writes regularly for several trade journals, and trains developers in database and .NET technologies. You can reach Don at mailto:[email protected] and read his blog at

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Leverage Microsoft Office Technology in Your Web Applications

Leverage Microsoft Office Technology in Your Web Applications

By Alvin Bruney

The Microsoft Office Web Components (OWC) are a group of ActiveX controls authored by Microsoft that allow developers to harness the power of Microsoft Office technology in Web applications. The initial release of the OWC (version 9) shipped with Microsoft Office 2000. Since then, versions 10 and 11 followed with Microsoft Office XP and Office 2003, respectively. The components provide Microsoft Excel and Access functionality only; other Microsoft Office technology, such as Word and PowerPoint, are not provided. The components are built to closely mirror the fit and finish of the desktop counterpart, but they are easy to program and are tuned for Web development.

The OWC package contains the Chart, Data Source, PivotTable, and Excel Spreadsheet controls. The Chart control can render an impressive number of charts in 2D, as well as 3D. The Chart control supports a rich event model, as well as drill-through capabilities when bound to an underlying Data Source control. The PivotTable control contains a potent auto-calculation engine and can pivot large amounts of data efficiently and easily. The Data Source component allows the ActiveX controls to bind to a wide variety of data sources to include XML, OLAP cubes, relational databases, and even other OWC controls. For instance, the Chart control can easily source its data from either the desktop or the OWC version of Excel. The Excel Spreadsheet control contains a powerful calculation engine capable of handling complex computations in real time. The Excel Spreadsheet control also provides most of the functionality available in the desktop version. With the exception of the Data Source, each control contains a client interface and a server-side piece.

To run the next few examples you must install the components from the Microsoft Office setup disk. The components are also available as a free download from the Microsoft Office Web site. OWC version 10 for Microsoft Office XP is available at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=982B0359-0A86-4FB2-A7EE-5F3A499515DD&displaylang=EN; OWC version 11 for Microsoft Office 2003 is available at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=7287252C-402E-4F72-97A5-E0FD290D4B76&displaylang=en. OWC 9 is only available on the Microsoft Office 2000 installation media. After the installation process, add the Chart, PivotTable, and Excel objects to the toolbox of Visual Studio (or your favorite IDE).

Creating Server-side Charts with the code-behind in ASP.NET

This first example creates a chart as an image on the server using the ASP.NET code-behind approach (see Figure 1). The image is then sent to the requesting browser for display (see Figure 2).

private void Page_Load(object sender, System.EventArgs e)

  //First create a ChartSpace object to hold the chart

  ChartSpace objCSpace = new ChartSpaceClass ();

  //Add a chart and provide a type

  ChChart objChart = objCSpace.Charts.Add (0);

  objChart.Type = ChartChartTypeEnum.chChartTypeLineStacked3D;

  //customize the look and feel

  //add chart titles and legend

  objChart.HasTitle = true;

  objChart.Title.Caption = "ASP.NET Charts";

  objChart.HasLegend = true;

objChart.Legend.Position =

  objChart.Axes[0].HasTitle = true;

  objChart.Axes[0].Title.Caption = "Date";

 //Populate with contrived data

  string strSeriesName = "Chart Series";

  string strCategory = "1/1/2000,2/2/2000,3/3/2000,4/4/2000,5/5/2000";

  string strValue = "1,2,-3,5,2";

 //Add a series to the chart's series collection

  //assign series

objChart.SeriesCollection[0].SetData (

  //load the category and value data

objChart.SeriesCollection[0].SetData (

objChart.SeriesCollection[0].SetData (

 //show the chart on the client

  Response.ContentType= "image/gif";

Figure 1: Create a chart as an image on the server using the ASP.NET code-behind approach.

Figure 2: The charting application.

The code adds some cheap frills, such as textured surfaces and a legend to create visual impact, but these options are not strictly required. Charts produced in this manner are not normally interactive and cannot respond to user events. If you require interactivity, examine the next example.

Loading Pivot Tables with Data Using ASP.NET

This example creates a PivotTable object at run time, streams it to the client, and loads data from an Access database file located on the client (see Figure 3).

private void Page_Load(object sender, System.EventArgs e)

   //determine whether or not the browser supports OWC

 width='502' classid='clsid:0002E55A-0000-0000-C000-000000000046'VIEWASTEXT>

 //send the load instructions

Figure 3: Create a PivotTable object at run time, stream it to the client, and load data from Access.

Although some .NET developers may find this interface a bit awkward when compared to a data grid, knowledge workers are very familiar with it and are particularly versed in massaging the data to produce sophisticated reports. The data massaging or slicing starts with the end-user dragging the items in the PivotTable Field List object on the right and releasing these items on the PivotTable form on the left (see Figure 4). The intersection of rows and columns produces a data report that can be filtered and probed, sorted, printed, or exported. The PivotTable object can also fire SQL queries at relational databases through its CommandText property. The results of these queries form part of the Field List object. It also allows the developer to exercise precise control over the items in the field list.

Figure 4: Our PivotTable example.

Embedding live objects in a stream provides the ability to generate rich, interactive data and analytical services for ASP.NET applications. The approach may also be used with Web services or remoting environments to provide reports to a variety of clients across disparate platforms. For instance, it is possible for a Windows client to source its pivot table data via a Web service that connects to a database on a Unix machine.

Loading Excel Spreadsheets from the Client with ASP.NET

This example loads contrived data into a spreadsheet application. The data can then be submitted to the server for processing. Here s how. Embed the ActiveX Excel Spreadsheet object into an ASPX Web form by dragging the Excel Spreadsheet control from the toolbox onto the design surface in Microsoft Visual Studio. Next, map the click event of an html button to a client-side loadData function. When the button is clicked, the spreadsheet will be filled with data. Here is the bare-bones code:

//html button is mapped to this function

function loadData(){

 //CSVDATA may be used to load or unload data

 //into the spreadsheet

 document.all.sp.CSVDATA = "1,2,3,4\n5,6,7";

Notice that the new line character has been inserted in the string to force items 5, 6, and 7 to load in a new row. The CSVDATA property provides only basic formatting capabilities. If your application requires sophisticated data presentation such as text formatting and row highlighting, you should use HTML or XML formats instead of CSV. See Figure 5 for an illustration of what the application looks like (additional frills, such as a panel with a couple of text boxes, simulate a real-world application).

Figure 5: Load data into a spreadsheet application.

For a real-world application, the Save button would simply unload the data using the CSVDATA property and submit that data for processing on the server. This implementation is simple enough to be left as an exercise for the reader. Figure 6 shows some rudimentary server-side processing code to parse the contents of the spreadsheet.

//assume PostedData contains the spreadsheet data from the client

if(PostedData.Value != string.Empty)

 string[] rows = PostedData.Value.Split('\n');

 if(rows != null && rows.Length > 0)

   foreach(string columns in rows)

     //collect column contents for processing

Figure 6: Parse the contents of the spreadsheet.

The spreadsheet wraps a world of functionality behind a familiar interface. Some of that functionality is exposed neatly through the Commands and Options dialog box, as shown in Figure 7. The dialog box can be called from the toolbar or the built-in context menu of the spreadsheet. All the functionality shown in the dialog box may be performed through code, as well. Additionally, programmatic access to other user-interface pieces, such as the context menu and toolbar control, requires only a moderate amount of development effort. For instance, the export button on the toolbar natively implements the export of data from the control into Excel. But it is still possible to customize and refine the export behavior to suit your needs.

Figure 7: The Commands and Options dialog box.

We ve barely scraped the surface in this introductory article but it should be enough to spark your interest in these components. In particular, you should realize that the bulk of the coding effort centers on loading and unloading data into the controls. The data massaging portion is handled entirely by the control itself so that the developer doesn t have to build this functionality by hand.

The Office Web Components are based on a proven architecture that is flexible enough to withstand the weight of enterprise software requirements. In addition, the suite sits behind a front-end that is familiar to end-users and knowledge workers because so many companies already use Microsoft Excel. These characteristics cannot be understated because they reduce training time and help build confidence in the use of software based on the OWC.

Although the technology is not new Access and VB programmers have been using it for years ASP.NET does bring this technology to the forefront so that all developers can use these components in new and exciting ways to create a new breed of commercial-grade, interactive software for the Web that integrates seamlessly with core Microsoft Office products. If you ve ever considered leveraging Microsoft Office technology in your Web and Windows applications, the Office Web Components may be a suitable candidate.

The sample code accompanying this article is available for download.

Alvin Bruney is an ASP.NET MVP. He has been involved in .NET technology since the beta version. His new book, The Microsoft Office Web Components Black Book with .NET, is available at http://www.lulu.com/owc.

Learn More about OWC

Resources in the form of articles, code walkthroughs, and white papers for the Office Web Components may be found on MSDN. The public newsgroup may be found at Microsoft.public.office.developer.web.components. Books dedicated to the components may be found at http://www.lulu.com/owc, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and most online book merchants.

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How can I compress the registry?

A. The following procedure can be used to compact the registry files, but also to restore the 'repair disk data' when you messed up the registry:

1) As always, make sure you have a backup of you're system, including the registry

2) Run Start: "RDISK /S-". This automatically updates the repair info located under %systemroot%\repair. The registry data are reorganized and compressed.

3) Next step is to expand these files to a temporary location.

EXPAND %systemroot%\REPAIR\SAM._ %temp%\SAM
EXPAND %systemroot%\REPAIR\SYSTEM._ %temp%\SYSTEM

4) Check your %temp% folder and %systemroot%\system32\config to find the difference in size between the different files that make up the registry. Probably the SOFTWARE hive will have a remarkable difference. In my case it shrinked from over 10Mb to 3.5Mb.

5) The registry files in %systemroot%\system32\config should be replaced by the reorganized ones in your %temp% folder. You can do this by:

  • Booting to DOS or Win3.x/95/98 and simply replace the files (in case your system files are on a FAT partition).
  • Replacing these files while booting from a second Windows NT installation.
  • Or by using the MV command (move) from the Resource Kit to move these files at boot-time:
    MV /X /D %temp%\DEFAULT %systemroot%\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\DEFAULT
    MV /X /D %temp%\SAM %systemroot%\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SAM
    MV /X /D %temp%\SECURITY %systemroot%\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SECURITY
    MV /X /D %temp%\SOFTWARE %systemroot%\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SOFTWARE
    MV /X /D %temp%\SYSTEM %systemroot%\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

When I performed these steps I notices a serious performance gain during system startup.

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GOexchange Review
We at Lucid8 were pleased to discover that Windows IT Pro reviewed Lucid8's flagship product GOexchange (November 2005, InstantDoc ID 48028). However, upon reading the review, we feel the piece missed key points of GOexchange's functionality and possibly gave your readers a mistaken impression of the software's usefulness in preventing Exchange Server failure and data corruption.

The reviewer, Adam Carheden, made the following observations:

  • "I took the product for a test drive to see how it stacked up against Eseutil."
  • I then used Eseutil to defrag one copy of the database and used GOexchange to defrag another copy. I had to read through the Eseutil documentation, but the process itself was hardly complicated."
  • The Eseutil defrag also took less time than GOexchange took. However, running GOexchange was easier than performing the Eseutil defrag and, according to Lucid8, the product can also correct database errors."

A major problem is that Mr. Carheden compares GOexchange with Microsoft's Eseutil without explaining Eseutil's limitations. He also gives the mistaken impression the GOexchange is a defragmentation tool that performs more slowly than Eseutil. A more complete explanation of the situations that GOexchange was designed to manage includes the following facts:

  • Archiving vendors give the impression that by extracting information from Exchange databases into an archive, the original Exchange database will shrink accordingly. For example, if a customer with a 100GB database archives 90GB, the expectation is that the original database size is now 10GB. However, this is incorrect because although data has been transferred into the archive, the data has only been delinked from the original database; that database is still 100GB in size.
  • To reclaim this space, DBAs sometimes use Eseutil to defragment their Exchange databases. They must do so manually, after hours, and often are unfamiliar with the utility's functionality and operation. In addition, Eseutil doesn't incorporate reporting, a best-practice knowledge base, integration with backup products, and automation of the storage reclamation process. As with many command line? driven programs, Eseutil uses a plethora of switches and options, some of which let administrators "fix" a database while inadvertently destroying valuable data, a situation we see all too often when we're called upon to assist in disaster-recovery operations.
  • Although Eseutil does perform defragmentation, it doesn't fix database errors in place before defragmentation, nor does it address data integrity concerns that can arise from the defragmentation process itself.

The result of using Eseutil by itself is that customers haven't implemented a complete maintenance and disaster-prevention process. This is an issue we see many times with our disaster-recovery practice; that is, a customer ran Eseutil's /d switch many times to shrink an Exchange database, and although everything appeared to work just fine, down the line the database failed. This constantly recurring scenario in fact led to the creation of GOexchange.

I'd like to point out that Microsoft Exchange Server, like any complex database system, experiences performance degradation over time. Without routine maintenance (aka disaster prevention and optimization), the environment experiences decreasing performance as fragmentation occurs, leading to unplanned Exchange downtime. Given the significance of email in today's business environment, it's important for IT managers to develop preventive maintenance practices that check databases for consistency and errors and warnings, and that optimize Exchange Server to improve performance and stability. That's why we created GOexchange, and that's what the product does.
—Troy C. Werelius, Lucid8

Sony, What Were You Thinking?
Thanks for Mark Minasi's wonderful commentaries in Windows IT Pro UPDATE—Special Edition. I especially enjoyed "Sony, What Were You Thinking?" (November 30, 2005, InstantDoc ID 48681). Just a note: Two class-action lawsuits have been filed against Sony regarding the spyware being installed in a PC via a rootkit on a music CD.
—Terry Drewes

And thanks also to Senior Contributing Editor Mark Russinovich, who discovered Sony's misdeed and broke the news to the world. You can read Mark's recommendations for detecting rootkits on your own systems in "Unearthing Root Kits" (June 2005, InstantDoc ID 46266).
—Dianne Russell

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Troubleshooter--Moving Logged-on Mailboxes

Can I move a mailbox while its owner is logged on to it? If I'm in the middle of a mailbox move and a user tries to log on to the mailbox, what will happen?

Letting users log on while you're moving mailboxes is a bad idea because that practice greatly increases the risk of corrupting mail data during the move. However, Exchange doesn't do anything to prevent you from moving mailboxes when users are logged on. Depending on when a user tries to log on, the logon attempt might fail—but it might not. Your best bet is to pick a period when you expect few users to log on, then (in advance) send a message to the users whose mailboxes you're going to move. The message should say something like "Between 8:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. next Wednesday, you won't be able to use your email. Don't panic." When you're ready to move the mailboxes, add the Logon Only As value to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSExchangeIS\ParametersSystem registry subkey to restrict who can log on to the Information Store (IS). Move the mailboxes, then remove the Logon Only As value. The Microsoft article "XADM: Limiting Logons to the Information Store" ( .com/support/kb/articles/q146/7/64 .asp) explains the process. As always, edit the registry with care because editing the registry incorrectly can cause serious problems that might require that you reinstall your OS.

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To set up an appointment or questions about your Golf Car service needs, call  609-624-0400
Golf Cars Unlimited service department aims to provide customers with the most convenient service and customer care possible.  Our goal is to make it a worry-free experience for our customers.   Golf Cars Unlimited will perform the service at any location in the tri-state area of New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania.  If you live in any other area please contact us for a quote.  All makes and models can be serviced by our professionally trained technician.

WINTER STORAGE Golf Cars Unlimited provides storage for your low speed vehicle or golf car during the winter months.   We will pick up your vehicle if you are located within a 10-mile radius of our storage location and place it in storage until you are ready to use it again. For locations further then 10 miles, please call for a quote. Call us to arrange a pick up or for more information about our winter storage program. Come by or give us a call, we look forward to taking care of your next service needs.

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I stayed at Sarah’s home for two days. She’s from Austin where she worked in marketing and communication. She continues that work for NGO’s in Africa. She and her husband have two biological boys, an adopted son of Sarah’s brother and three adopted girls from Uganda and Sudan. Six kids.

Sarah invited me to stay at her home for a few nights. I met Joyce, her house keeper. Joyce’s husband left her and her four daughters for another woman. Joyce was a squatter with no skills when Sarah invited her to be their housekeeper. Sarah taught her how to iron, cook, care for the home. Sarah’s thinking was Joyce would have a skill when they went back to the States. It’s been four years, doesn’t look like going back to the States is in any of their minds, especially since their home in Austin burned two years ago. Sarah moved Joyce and her four daughters in to live with them . They send Joyce’s’ girls, along with their six children, to school. Education is the way out of poverty in Uganda.

Joyce, her four daughters, and Sarah’s adopted children have been provided a redemptive moment in history. Sarah and her husband have created a place where God can move and fully redeem.

I’ve been thinking about how we have hope when suffering is all around us (and in us). Sarah has reminded me, more than she’ll ever know, hope is about recognizing our role in God’s story. He’s the redeemer. Only he can fully redeem the mind, body and soul. Our role is to provide a redemptive moment, an opening for God to do his work. If we can grasp that is what’s required then we can rest in the suffering. Yes, in a way rest. We no longer have to “solve” things or “eradicate things” but allow God to create another redemptive moment in history.

So how are we doing with that?


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MARTIN – Applications are now being accepted to participate in the University of Tennessee at Martin WestStar Leadership Program’s class of 2018. The program is the largest and oldest regional leadership development program in Tennessee and boasts 798 graduates in its 28-year history.

The WestStar program consists of eight specially designed seminar programs addressing contemporary major issues important to West Tennessee’s development. Each seminar takes place over one-and-a-half days. The program begins Dec. 12 with an opening one-day retreat and ends June 21, 2018, with an evening graduation ceremony.

The WestStar mission is to identify, encourage and equip community-minded people willing to accept assertive and dynamic leadership roles who want to become more involved and help West Tennessee become a better place.

Participants learn new leadership skills and develop strategies for assisting communities in solving problems and maximizing potential. Participants also become part of a growing network of other leaders who, through mutual support and assistance, shape West Tennessee’s future. WestStar is committed to advancing the regional and global community through outreach and community and public service endeavors.

For additional information or to apply, contact the WestStar Leadership Program at (731) 881-7298 or visit The application deadline is Oct. 13. Anyone can apply to participate in the program; nominations are accepted but not required.

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Liberty Tavern not so keen on liberty

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine is predictably pushing once again for a comprehensive statewide smoking ban. Not so predictably, he’s teamed up with the owners of Clarendon’s Liberty Tavern to launch his campaign:

This year, he believes momentum is on his side. At a news conference Tuesday at a Clarendon tavern, Kaine said the public is increasingly supportive of such bans…

Stephen Fedorchak, owner of The Liberty Tavern, the restaurant where Kaine held his news conference, said he has been in the business long enough to know smoking was once entrenched in bars and restaurants. But those days have passed, he said.

He said he does not regret the decision to ban smoking in his restaurant and said these days “smokers are somewhat used to going out in a … fresh-air environment” and no longer assume they will be allowed to light up.

I was something of a regular at Liberty when it opened in 2007 and nearly became an employee (they offered me a job, but I wasn’t comfortable with the time commitment). It was an unofficial home for many libertarian-minded people in the area and was among the handful of bars I revisited when back in town last month. That, however, was my last beer there. I sent them the following letter this afternoon:

I was disappointed to hear today that Liberty Tavern is teaming up with Governor Kaine to push for a statewide smoking ban. I’m happy that you’ve chosen to make your business smokefree and have found customers who welcome the clean air. You’ve set an admirable example for other Virginia businesses. So please, leave them free to try it on their own. It’s a sad irony that a place called the “Liberty Tavern” is now attempting to force its policy onto every other bar and restaurant in the state.

Though I’ve enjoyed the food and drink at your bar in the past, I value my freedom of choice even more. From now on when I’m in Virginia I’ll be exercising mine at Arlington’s many other worthwhile establishments.

Their email address is Take a minute to let them know how you feel.

For an alternative bar, try out EatBar and Tallula if you haven’t already been. Liberty Tavern’s only real advantage over this nearby competitor is proximity to the Metro. EatBar’s food is the equal or better of anything at Liberty, the beer selection is bigger and better, the wine list is far larger, and the crowd features fewer lame young professionals. Even if you don’t like the fact that they allow smoking in the small back room, you can appreciate that they don’t think every other restaurant in Virginia should be forced to do the same.

One other note on the proposed ban: Kaine is always careful to refer to this as a ban on smoking in “restaurants.” Technically, that’s true. That’s because there is no such thing as a bar in Virginia. According to ABC regulations, all businesses that serve on-premise alcohol are required to sell significant amounts of food. Casual listeners are likely to interpret the proposal as a supposedly reasonable restriction on restaurants that leaves bars free to set their own policies. It’s hard to view his word choice as anything but intentionally misleading. Since what he’s really pushing is a smoking ban in all businesses, he should say so directly.

Update 1/7/09: Thanks to Radley Balko, former bartender and former smoker Jonathan Blanks, and Suetonius at Freedom and Shit for spreading the word. Good job!

Update 1/8/09: And now David Boaz at the Cato blog, Andrew Roth at the Club for Growth, and Caleb Brown at Catallaxy.

Update 1/9/09: Fr33 Agents threw in with the boycott, leading to coverage this morning at Washington City Paper’s blog.

Don’t need no stinkin’ bans!

11 thoughts on “Liberty Tavern not so keen on liberty”

  1. I was never sure why the owners of the Liberty Tavern decided upon that name. Prior to it opening I was excited to chill at a nearby watering hole that was decked-out in liberty-ish themes. I thought perhaps I’d see a mural of Washington crossing the DE River. But, upon my first visit I immediately saw it was just another over-priced trendy bar/restaurant.

    A better place (can’t believe you didn’t recommend it Jacob!) is Jay’s Saloon, just a couple blocks south. It’s so chill and old-school it doesn’t even have a website, but a quick Google search shows that it has much support. From smokers and non-smokers alike.

  2. Jay’s is definitely worth a visit, though not really a substitute for people who liked Liberty. But hey, all recommendations for alternative watering holes welcome!

  3. Well said as always, Jacob.

    I was truly sorry to read this, especially since–despite its plethora of hipster tools–I too have enjoyed Liberty Tavern in the past. I sent them an email of my own this morning explaining why they won’t be seeing me again.

  4. This is very disappointing.

    While working out of the Ron Paul campaign’s national HQ just a few blocks from Liberty [sic] Tavern, the place was (fittingly we thought) one of our favorite places to grab a drink after a long day in the office or on the campaign trail.

    If we had known the owner was up to crap like this I’m sure we’d of taken our business elsewhere.

    I always liked O’Sullivans just around the corner from LT.

  5. This article is old now, but this ass hole got his way, and forced his crap on the rest of the state, but since Arlington is full of liberals incapable of thinking on their own, it’s not hurting business. They just do as their told, thinking government knows what’s best for them.

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2011-06-16 / News

Island piano virtuoso gets ready to perform ‘Toccata’

By Margo Sullivan

Sam Hollister, 15, will perform Claude Debussy’s “Toccata” at the 10th annual Honors Recital Concert. Sam, who has been playing piano since he was 5, is a freshman at North Kingstown High School. Sam Hollister, 15, will perform Claude Debussy’s “Toccata” at the 10th annual Honors Recital Concert. Sam, who has been playing piano since he was 5, is a freshman at North Kingstown High School. Sam Hollister entered his first Piano Extravaganza when he was 7 years old; according to his parents, Steve and Marjorie Hollister, he was the youngest competitor on the stage. The occasion did not rattle him, and he’s been competing ever since. Now 15, the North Kingstown High School freshman has developed into one of the state’s best young musicians.

In April, he won the Haydn Prize at the Piano Extravaganza.

This weekend, Sam will perform Claude Debussy’s “Toccata” at the 10th annual Honors Recital Concert.

This is his third trip to the prestigious event. He is one of only 13 youngsters invited this year; 1,100 students competed in last month’s Solo & Ensemble Festival, sponsored by the Rhode Island Music Educators Association.

He enjoys performing because he likes interpreting the music, he said.

“It’s the culmination of all the work that I put into it,” he said, “and if a person hears music in person, it’s much more moving than if they hear a recording.”

To demonstrate on the family piano, he romped through the “Toccata,” sweeping his fingers over the 88 keys. Judicious application of the damper pedal and the soft pedal accompanied the chords, and he made the instrument sound like 10 grand pianos, all throbbing with the crescendos.

Of course, he did not need sheet music.

“He doesn’t memorize anything,” his father said. “He absorbs it.”

Besides his solo — which is the third and final section of Debussy’s “Pour le Piano” — Sam will accompany vocalists Lindsay Sampson and Nicholas Jorgensen in “Tonight,” a duet from Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story.”

The free June 19 recital starts at 3 p.m. at Providence College’s Smith Center for the Performing Arts. The event is sponsored by the educators association, the Rhode Island Alliance for Arts Education and the Providence College Music Department.

“He’s always loved to perform on the piano and play for people,” his mother said. “All his life, he’s been involved with music.” Some of the interest came from her example, his parents said.

“We started him off,” his father joked. “It’s our fault.” His mother sang and played piano, and Sam liked to play with the keys on their baby grand. He admired one of her repertoire pieces, “The Spinning Song” by Albert Ellmenreich, and he wanted to learn it. His father took him to the parent-child Four Hands Piano class at the University of Rhode Island. Sam took to piano like a prodigy, his father said. He started playing at 5.

“It was clear fairly early,” he laughed. “He was not normal.” Sam had perfect pitch. He learned “The Spinning Song” and played it at that first Piano Extravaganza. Julie Tager, the organist at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, taught him his first lessons in the choral practice room. By 7, Sam played Handel’s “Largo” at the church, which the Hollisters attend, and entered his first Jamestown Talent Show. That same year, he tried the Piano Extravaganza.

Although his rendition didn’t win an award, his performance impressed and resulted in Sam’s ultimately becoming a private pupil of Dr. Manabu Takasawa, University of Rhode Island’s music associate professor. His composure on stage, his father said, made him special.

“Sam was different,” he said. “He had no issues getting up in front of people.” In second grade, he asked to play for the morning assembly, his father said.

He tests himself every year in two events — the Piano Extravaganza and the Music Teachers National Association competition. Sam has won the MTNA three times and represented Rhode Island at the Northeast Regionals. It’s a tough event, he said, and his father agreed.

“My complaint is they make no effort to have social events,” Steve Hollister said. “They go there; they do their thing, and they leave.” Although most of the people at the competitions are nice, it’s not the place to make friends.

“There’s not a clear-cut way to describe people,” Sam said, because some are very focused on the competition. He has made more friends at the Interlochen (Michigan) Summer Music Camp. There, he heard performances that impressed him — Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition,” Tchaikovsky’s “Violin Concerto” and Korngold’s “Violin Concerto.” The Korngold most impressed because of the performer, Philippe Quint, he said.

“He went all the way up on the finger board on the highest string and had no pitch problems,” Sam said. “He also had a strange amount of confidence most performers don’t have.”

Sam also plays chamber music with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School. And he plays with his high school orchestra and accompanies the high school chorus.

His parents have encouraged him, while understanding their son still has a wide range of interests.

“I like to sail a lot,” Sam said. He said that he has spent every summer of his life since he was 4 years old on the water. As for a career, he’s not committing yet. He likes music, but he thinks he may study science instead.

“My bigger passion is physics,” Sam said. He likes the “black and white” facts that math and science offer, he said.

“It’s nice to be able to answer things,” he said.

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a love letter to my sock box

Just so you know, this is going to be a weird one. I am deeply in love with my odd sock box. Deeply. I smile whenever I see it. It makes me swoon. The idea came to me out of sheer frustration. I was sick and tired of searching through three separate sock drawers every time I put away the laundry. And, so, armed with a spare box that used to hold B's toys, a blackboard label, sharpie and a bunch of odd socks I created the "odd sock" box and a love affair began.

Every time we find a lonely sock we throw it in the box. Once a week I sit down and sort through the box, reuniting long lost loves as I go. This is happiness to me. I love this box. She brings so much joy {her name is Shirley, by the way}. She's simple and not too fancy. She sits in the laundry room day in and day out and so bravely holds nefarious odd socks with ease. I love her. She provides me with that lovely domesticated glow that is so lacking in every day life.

If you don't have a Shirley please go get one and then tell me how wonderful it feels to be sitting at home on a Saturday night sorting through your odd socks. Get back to me. I can wait...

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– Peter Lynch

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Dress Up Your Home's Interior With Custom Stone

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Give new life to your existing Kitchen Countertops, Stone Fireplace, or any form All-Natural or Man-Made Stone. Stone Restoration can uniform any pre-existing setting with Refinished Stone. Learn more about Countertop Repair and Upgrades with our exclusive Perfect Seam Process, Stain Resistant Stones, Detailed Edging, Matching Stone Sinks, Honing vs. Polishing your Stone, & more.

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Turn your Home into a Showplace with Quality Stone Installation, Stone Fabrication, & Stone Restoration from our Company in Baltimore, Maryland. At Jeffress Stone, Fabricators with More than 25 Years of Experience Provide Custom Stone Work for Customers in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Along with our Exclusive Perfect Seam Process, We Offer Stain Resistant Countertops and Many Methods that Reinforce your Stone to Look Great for a Longer Time.

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The Beginners Guide To Resources (Finding The Starting Point)

Discovering the UAE Businessman Hussain Al Nowais

Hussain Al Nowais is one of the leading business leaders in UAE, Abu Dhabi.He has worked in various nations and has interests in banking, investments, heavy industries, petrochemicals, real estate, hospitality, and energy among others. He is a self-made business who was born and raised in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The article explores the success of this UAE businessman. The following are some of the key details that you should know about Hussain.

The Background of Hussain

Hussain completed his high schooling in Abu Dhabi and went to finish his studies in the United States. The success story of Hussain is a unique one since during his first years, his family was forced to live in the desert. He is known for his position as a chairman of the Emirates Holding. He began his trade earlier when his grandfather was a small scale supplier operating family chains of business. In most of the companies that he heads, he began has an agent of which he could increase to grow as a business partner.

The Journey of his career

His professional career began in New York where he worked as a trainee to an investment bank. It is in the United States that his career jumpstarted working as a trainee in a bank. He attained his degree in business administration in 1979 from the Lewis and Clark College which is based in Oregon. He was able to overcome his competitors because he gained command of English which he could use to get the big contracts from the international companies.
His major success in Business

Hussain Al Nowais gained stability in the business world after he was awarded a tender to supply electric components to a government body. He also turned the business of purchasing struggling companies and makes them profitable. Hussain Al Nowais had an urgent need to solve the food crisis in his hometown and that made home venture into the food industries.The idea led to the formation of Federal Foods Services that offers solutions to millions of the citizens.

Personal story

Hussain has three children, and he uses his free time to mentor them. Although his kids are privileged, he desires to see them have a passion in life and come up with brilliant ideas in the business sector.Hussain Al Nowais is an avid reader who has a library in his house. Hussain Al Nowais treasures his family and most of the time he takes them for vacation in different countries.

Hussain Al Nowais has several companies that he leads as the chairman including the Al Nowais Investment LLC, Danway Engineering, Eircom, Addax Bank B. S. C, National Petroleum Constructions and General Holding Corporation. He is a director of various companies such as the MENA infrastructure funds and Rotana Hotel Management Corporation Limited. Hussain Al Nowais is also a board member of several other organizations and businesses.


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In this issue

Jonathan Tobin: Defending the Right to a Jewish State

Heather Hale: Compliment your kids without giving them big heads

Megan Shauri: 10 ways you are ruining your own happiness

Carolyn Bigda: 8 Best Dividend Stocks for 2015

Kiplinger's Personal Finance editors: 7 Things You Didn't Know About Paying Off Student Loans

Samantha Olson: The Crucial Mistake 55% Of Parents Are Making At Their Baby's Bedtime

Densie Well, Ph.D., R.D. Open your eyes to yellow vegetables

The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon With its colorful cache of purples and oranges and reds, COLLARD GREEN SLAW is a marvelous mood booster --- not to mention just downright delish
April 18, 2014

Rabbi Yonason Goldson: Clarifying one of the greatest philosophical conundrums in theology

Caroline B. Glick: The disappearance of US will

Megan Wallgren: 10 things I've learned from my teenagers

Lizette Borreli: Green Tea Boosts Brain Power, May Help Treat Dementia

John Ericson: Trying hard to be 'positive' but never succeeding? Blame Your Brain

The Kosher Gourmet by Julie Rothman Almondy, flourless torta del re (Italian king's cake), has royal roots, is simple to make, . . . but devour it because it's simply delicious

April 14, 2014

Rabbi Dr Naftali Brawer: Passover frees us from the tyranny of time

Greg Crosby: Passing Over Religion

Eric Schulzke: First degree: How America really recovered from a murder epidemic

Georgia Lee: When love is not enough: Teaching your kids about the realities of adult relationships

Cameron Huddleston: Freebies for Your Lawn and Garden

Gordon Pape: How you can tell if your financial adviser is setting you up for potential ruin

Dana Dovey: Up to 500,000 people die each year from hepatitis C-related liver disease. New Treatment Has Over 90% Success Rate

Justin Caba: Eating Watermelon Can Help Control High Blood Pressure

The Kosher Gourmet by Joshua E. London and Lou Marmon Don't dare pass over these Pesach picks for Manischewitz!

April 11, 2014

Rabbi Hillel Goldberg: Silence is much more than golden

Caroline B. Glick: Forgetting freedom at Passover

Susan Swann: How to value a child for who he is, not just what he does

Cameron Huddleston: 7 Financial Tasks You Should Tackle Right Now

Sandra Block and Lisa Gerstner: How to Profit From Your Passion

Susan Scutti: A Simple Blood Test Might Soon Diagnose Cancer

Chris Weller: Have A Slow Metabolism? Let Science Speed It Up For You

The Kosher Gourmet by Diane Rossen Worthington Whitefish Terrine: A French take on gefilte fish

April 9, 2014

Jonathan Tobin: Why Did Kerry Lie About Israeli Blame?

Samuel G. Freedman: A resolution 70 years later for a father's unsettling legacy of ashes from Dachau

Jessica Ivins: A resolution 70 years later for a father's unsettling legacy of ashes from Dachau

Kim Giles: Asking for help is not weakness

Kathy Kristof and Barbara Hoch Marcus: 7 Great Growth Israeli Stocks

Matthew Mientka: How Beans, Peas, And Chickpeas Cleanse Bad Cholesterol and Lowers Risk of Heart Disease

Sabrina Bachai: 5 At-Home Treatments For Headaches

The Kosher Gourmet by Daniel Neman Have yourself a matzo ball: The secrets bubby never told you and recipes she could have never imagined

April 8, 2014

Lori Nawyn: At Your Wit's End and Back: Finding Peace

Susan B. Garland and Rachel L. Sheedy: Strategies Married Couples Can Use to Boost Benefits

David Muhlbaum: Smart Tax Deductions Non-Itemizers Can Claim

Jill Weisenberger, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.E : Before You Lose Your Mental Edge

Dana Dovey: Coffee Drinkers Rejoice! Your Cup Of Joe Can Prevent Death From Liver Disease

Chris Weller: Electric 'Thinking Cap' Puts Your Brain Power Into High Gear

The Kosher Gourmet by Marlene Parrish A gift of hazelnuts keeps giving --- for a variety of nutty recipes: Entree, side, soup, dessert

April 4, 2014

Rabbi David Gutterman: The Word for Nothing Means Everything

Charles Krauthammer: Kerry's folly, Chapter 3

Amy Peterson: A life of love: How to build lasting relationships with your children

John Ericson: Older Women: Save Your Heart, Prevent Stroke Don't Drink Diet

John Ericson: Why 50 million Americans will still have spring allergies after taking meds

Cameron Huddleston: Best and Worst Buys of April 2014

Stacy Rapacon: Great Mutual Funds for Young Investors

Sarah Boesveld: Teacher keeps promise to mail thousands of former students letters written by their past selves

The Kosher Gourmet by Sharon Thompson Anyone can make a salad, you say. But can they make a great salad? (SECRETS, TESTED TECHNIQUES + 4 RECIPES, INCLUDING DRESSINGS)

April 2, 2014

Paul Greenberg: Death and joy in the spring

Dan Barry: Should South Carolina Jews be forced to maintain this chimney built by Germans serving the Nazis?

Mayra Bitsko: Save me! An alien took over my child's personality

Frank Clayton: Get happy: 20 scientifically proven happiness activities

Susan Scutti: It's Genetic! Obesity and the 'Carb Breakdown' Gene

Lecia Bushak: Why Hand Sanitizer May Actually Harm Your Health

Stacy Rapacon: Great Funds You Can Own for $500 or Less

Cameron Huddleston: 7 Ways to Save on Home Decor

The Kosher Gourmet by Steve Petusevsky Exploring ingredients as edible-stuffed containers (TWO RECIPES + TIPS & TECHINQUES)

Jewish World Review Jan 18, 2012/ 23 Teves, 5772

The 'Hitler of Africa' still rules

By Nat Hentoff

http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | Our planet abounds in horrific dictators, most of whom eventually are erased from power by their suffering, mutinous subjects. But one of them -- Robert Mugabe -- continues his despotic reign as president of Zimbabwe.

This land, once "the breadbasket of Africa," is now a place where hardly anyone feels safe.

In Peter Godwin's book, "The Fear: Robert Mugabe and the Martyrdom of Zimbabwe" (Little, Brown and Co., 2011), he distills this hell during three decades of President Mugabe's "smart genocide":

"There's no need to directly kill hundreds of thousands, if you can select and kill the right few thousand ... It is as if he has taken an entire nation hostage, using them as human shields."

In the Oct. 31, 2011, edition of The Weekly Standard, David Aikman describes the impact of this tyrant:

"With desperate hyperinflation, a drop in male life expectancy from 62 in 1990 to 44 today, widespread cholera, and desperate malnutrition, Zimbabwe is a dying state presided over by an 87-year-old mafioso."

The United Nations, as usual, has been useless in rescuing these utterly helpless people. South Africa and a few other African nations have murmured their displeasure -- fruitlessly -- at this monster who has actually likened himself to Hitler.

In one of my many ineffective columns about Mugabe's terror ("Mugabe's Victims, Mostly Black," Village Voice, May 6, 2003), I quote his self-appraisal from March 21, 2003:

"I am still the Hitler of the time. This Hitler has only one objective, justice for his own people, sovereignty for his people, recognition of the independence of his people, and their right to their resources. If that is Hitler, then let me be a Hitler tenfold. Ten times Hitler, that is what we stand for."

That self-adulatory tribute was in response, as Mugabe noted, to his having been compared to Hitler by the British press. Soon after the speech, the United States "accused Zimbabwe's government of unleashing a new wave of violence against the opposition, which it said was incited when President Robert Mugabe compared himself to Adolf Hitler" ("US slams Mugabe's 'black Hitler' speech," The Mail & Guardian Online, Sapa-AFP, March 25, 2003).

Further along in the story, it was reported that President George Bush, responding to the violent crackdown, froze "the assets of Mugabe and 76 other government officials, charging they have undermined democracy."

But the Hitler of Africa was not intimidated by the president's reaction.

As I wrote six years later, "the BBC's Mike Thomson, in a series of reports from Zimbabwe ... spoke to 'a Zimbabwean mother and (13-year-old) daughter who are still too afraid to return home after being abducted and repeatedly raped by militiamen from President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party a year ago.' ... Their fear has not lessened despite the new alleged 'power-sharing' coalition between Mugabe and the Movement for Democratic Change's Morgan Tsvangirai" ("No One Feels Safe in Zimbabwe," Cato Institute, July 3, 2009).

This so-called "coalition" has not been allowed by Mugabe to actually function, as reported by Celia W. Dugger in The New York Times ("Robert Mugabe Hounds Rivals in Zimbabwe, Parties Say," April 18, 2011):

"More than a quarter of President Robert Mugabe's opponents in Parliament have been arrested since agreeing to join the government in a shaky power-sharing arrangement, part of an intensifying campaign of harassment intended to drive them out of office, officials from both sides say."

This is why one member of the targeted Movement for Democratic Change was arrested: "The police accused Moses Mzila Ndlovu, co-minister for national healing (that is not a typo) of attending a meeting held without their authorization."

His crime, Dugger reported, was attending "a memorial prayer service for the thousands of civilians from the Ndebele minority slain in the early years of Mr. Mugabe's 31-year rule."

But alleged elections continue in Zimbabwe and this Hitler is ready. Last summer, the Times' Dugger quoted a high-ranking general in the Zimbabwe army, Douglas Nyikayaramba, who said this to a state-run newspaper:

"President Mugabe will only leave office if he sees fit or dies. We will die for him to make sure he remains in power" ("General Says Mugabe Rival Is a Threat to Zimbabwe," June 23, 2011).

The military, Dugger reports, will be ubiquitous during the forthcoming elections (as always) because the President's opponent, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, is, according to the general, a "'major security threat' who 'takes instructions from foreigners.'"

However, this "security threat" has "survived arrests, a police beating, assassination attempts and a treason trial over the past decade" ("Robert Mugabe Hounds Rivals in Zimbabwe, Parties Say," April 18, 2011).

Thankfully, he's not quitting the government and will campaign for the presidency to free the people of Zimbabwe from Mugabe's shackles.

Next week we will meet Patience Mhlanga, born and raised in Zimbabwe. She will tell us how she escaped and is now a student at Fairfield University in Connecticut while also volunteering in such organizations as the Gospel Mission's orphanage in southeastern India. Patience's calling is to help the abandoned wherever she can.

This witness against the Hitler of Africa has a lot to tell us from personal experience.

And during this next "election," how many members of the American media will be there as our witnesses to the hell that is Robert Mugabe's merciless occupation of Zimbabwe?

Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.

Nat Hentoff is a nationally renowned authority on the First Amendment and the Bill of Rights and author of several books, including his current work, "The War on the Bill of Rights and the Gathering Resistance". Comment by clicking here.

Nat Hentoff Archives

© 2006, NEA


text:
obituary header
Welcome to the memorial page for

Marion Ezra Marcum

June 9, 1951 ~ July 28, 2017 (age 66)

Obituary Image

Marion Ezra “Cuz” Marcum, age 66 of Oneida, Tennessee, passed away on Friday, July 28, 2017 at his home.  Born in Scott County, TN on June 9, 1951 he was the son of the late James Woodrow and Dorothy Burke Marcum.

Marion was a member of the Macedonia Christian Center and attended Little Charity Ministries.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers: Franklin D. Marcum, Eulin Milford Marcum and Willard Ray Marcum; sister: Kizzie Lou Sharpe.

Survived by his children: Kerri Marcum, Jodi Lowe and husband Johnny, Kelly Marcum and partner Jordan Bowling; brother: Burky Marcum and wife Ada; special sister: Winnie Ruth Justice; sister-in-law: Wyvonda Marcum; grandchildren: Kyra Logan Slay, Skyler Rose Claxton, Slater, Nash, Kadie and Kolt; great-grandchildren: Ransom, Rowan and Ivy; special cousin: Jr. Terry; special friends: Diane Foster, Edith Jerret; many other nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Friends may visit with Marcum family on Monday, July 31, 2017 from 2 p.m. until time of the funeral service at 4 p.m. in the chapel of Jones & Son Funeral Home with Bro. Bradley Kidd officiating.

Burial will follow in the Marcum-Kidd Cemetery.

Jones & Son Funeral Home is serving the family of Marion Ezra “Cuz” Marcum.

 Service Information

Services are to be announced

© 2018 Jones & Son Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS


text:
Transfiguration Sunday
Psalm 99, Luke 4

Transfiguration Sunday Lectionary Text:
Psalm 99:
The LORD is king; let the peoples tremble!
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
The LORD is great in Zion;
he is exalted over all the peoples.
Let them praise your great and awesome name.
Holy is he!

Mighty King, lover of justice,
you have established equity;
you have executed justice
and righteousness in Jacob.
Extol the LORD our God;
worship at his footstool.
Holy is he!

Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
Samuel also was among those who called on his name.
They cried to the LORD, and he answered them.
He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud;
they kept his decrees,
and the statutes that he gave them.

O LORD our God, you answered them;
you were a forgiving God to them,
but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
Extol the LORD our God,
and worship at his holy mountain;
for the LORD our God is holy.

Luke 9:28-44: Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, ‘Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It throws him into convulsions until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.’ Jesus answered, ‘You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.’ While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God.While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples, ‘Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands.

COMMENT: Both texts are filled with many words and depicting a lot of action. However, my attention was riveted on Jesus getting away, apart from crowds and the distracting noise they bring, to pray. The spiritual discipline of prayer was a pivotal part of Jesus’ life. All of the gospels record these events use these terms to signal his intent, “Jesus withdrew to pray or Jesus went into a deserted place to pray.”

On the occasion recorded in Luke 9, Jesus took Peter, James and John with him. By word and example Jesus teaches the disciples the need for time alone with God. In order to grasp the importance of the spiritual discipline of prayer, it is good to read the events before and after Jesus withdrew to pray.

In the beginning of Luke 9, Jesus commissions the disciples to go out and preach the good news of God’s kingdom and he gave them power to perform miracles of healing to validate their message. Then Jesus feeds five thousand people who followed him into the desert. Next, Jesus teaches on the hard subject of suffering. Is spiritually drained a good description of how Jesus must have felt after these events?

When Jesus and the disciples ‘go down’ from the mountain we see the impact of the discipline of prayer. “…Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.”

“Through the rhythm of contemplation and courageous action” is a phrase found in the creed the Sisters of Saint Joseph recite daily. I believe this phrase captures the essence of the discipline of prayer. With contemplation, we come to know the God of Psalm 99 who transfigures our lives for courageous action so our neighbors lives we are privileged to touch will be, “astounded at the greatness of God.” Luke 9:43

“Extol the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy.” Psalm 99:9

Rev. Julia
© February 10, 2010

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text:
Friday, October 8, 2010

Texas to California (09/24/07)

After having a great breakfast I thanked Stephen and was on my way. An hour later I was in Texas for the very first time and really enjoying the scenery until the Pampo police sheriff decided to pull little old 1 cylinder me over in his brand new 8 cylinder Dodge Charger. Apparently, I was driving 60 mph in a 40 mph zone. At first I thought "This is no problem, as soon as I explain my epic journey this police officer will kindly give me a warning." I did my best to be polite and explain in detail my epic journey and tight finances but it was to no avail as he handed me a $190 speeding ticket. After that my mood quickly changed and I began questioning why this was a $190 offense and how much of my $190 ticket would be going toward buying brand new gas guzzling Dodge Chargers for the Pampo police department. The officer was very polite to me after my rant and I think he maybe even regretted giving me the ticket.

After cursing everything about Texas for a couple of hours I crossed the border into New Mexico and soon forgot about the Pampo police. New Mexico was no more exciting than I remembered it being when I was ten years old on a family car trip, but at least it was not Texas. At about 8:00 pm I reached the Arizona border and it suddenly turned very cold. Luckily, the guy who traded me motorcycle pants (Stephen) warned me of the cold desert at night and gave me thermals, a neck warmer, and a face mask. After putting this gear on I was just fine for the rest of Arizona and after what seemed like many hours I reached California.

California was very very very cold. It had to be around 0 degrees F with windchill. With warm clothing this is bearable in a car, but on a motorcycle it is intolerable. I drove for thirty minutes and stopped at a gas station to warm up three times. After this it was about 3:00 am and I had enough. I went to look for a campground that I had seen a sign for. After driving into a forest for about 15 minutes I saw the campground and did my best to silently pull in and find myself a secluded spot. It turned out that this campground was rather full and I had to choose a spot that was only 25 ft. away from a camper. After turning off my engine I can tell that the people in the camper have waken up and are watching me. With the headlight to my motorcycle still on I proceed to take off my helmet which exposes my ski mask. "Oh crap I think to myself, these people are going to be freaked out." Than I remember how the camp attendants sometimes come around in the early morning and write your license plate number down in case of fare jumpers like myself. I grab some cardboard and cover up my license plate all while I can still here the creaking coming from the nervous family watching me through their camper window. I rolled out my sleeping mat on a picnic table and had a surprisingly good 3 hours of sleep.

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text:
KA0KA - The Kenwood TS-850/DSP-100 Project
KA0KA Rack - Photos
850 I.F. board mods
DSP-100 Mods
AM Balanced Modulator Mod
Kenwood TS-850S Setup
Visit CleanRF Systems, LLC

You are here: < Home >

Kenwood TS-850S / DSP-100 Hi-Fi TX / RX Mods

This site was developed to help with modifications that cover:
Flat Receiver Response Flat Receiver Response Mod: 20Hz to 6kHz
Internal Mic preamp Bypassed TS-850S Internal Mic Amp Bypass - Feeding The DSP-100 Direct
Direct Balanced Modulator Feed Direct "Balanced Modulator" Feed For Excellent AM Quality Transmission
TS-850 Menu Setup for Hi-Fi Audio TS- 850S Menu & Control's Setup For Hi-fi Audio Operations

Introduction from KA0KA:
Amateur Radio ESSB Hi-fi audio is becoming more and more popular every
About Tyler - KA0KA
day as can be heard on any of the HF bands. With the recent experimentation done with the Kenwood TS-850S/DSP-100 combination, this site was developed to share a wealth of information necessary to achieve high quality modulation on SSB and AM.

See also my "CleanRF.com" website, an excellent source for your RF Sampler and RF Demodulator needs used for RF linearity measurements and AM modulation monitoring.

Have fun!

Tyler, KA0KA

The KA0KA Rack

Kenwood TS-850 Setup

Before/After Receiver Analysis

Valid HTML 4.01
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Page Hits

    Copyright © 2018 KA0KA
    Special thanks to W9AC, W5JAY and KT4WW
    for their technical excellence  making this project possible!
Site Design by IcyColors


text:
Fill in the details below to send an email to me with questions or problems.

For Microsoft Windows

Monthly or Yearly Membership after Trial
Net framework 4.0 or higher
Resolution 1366 x 768
45 MB Disk Space

100% Canadian Made

Played  in Saskatchewan for many decades

Written by K.C. Magic Data

Kaiser is available only online through this website.


text:
Single Player for Mac OS

Kaiser One is the official Single Player Version
Released in 2017
User Friendly
9 Screen Colors, 7 deck faces
Entertaining Sounds, Player Recorded Stats

Mac OS compatible (Desktop & Laptop computers)

Kaiser One for Mac

KaiserOne.pkg    (24 mb)

The Download above will drop to your Download folder where you will need to open KaiserOne.pkg to complete the install  into your Applications Folder. Look for this icon in Applications or Launchpad afterwards.

Join the Kaiser Forum to ask questions or view upcoming events and  local Tournaments

Requires Microsoft Windows

(2005) Kaiser Network

100% Canadian made
Played  in Saskatchewan for many decades

K.C. Magic Data
PO Box 21081
Saskatoon, Sask
S7H 5N9 Canada


text:
Chris Armbruster

Research Associate MPDL, Max Planck Society, Berlin and Executive Director, Research Network 1989

Open Access - Will It Happen in the Social Sciences and Humanities?

Max Planck Society & RN 1989

  • Make OA happen
  • Research scholarly communication (European Observatory on Publishing, Preservation and Access - EUROPA)
  • Building of digital, trans-national 'collaboratories'
  • Open Access publishing
Project: Publishing and the Ecology of European Research (PEER)
  • Large-scale archiving of Stage 2 Ms (50.000+ to 2.011)
  • EUROPA investigates usage, behaviour and economics
Project: Study on Open Access Publishing (SOAP) Project: OA journal 1989
  • Vision (Reviews, Method, Theory, Research, Policy)
  • Target audience and contributors
  • Rationale for going OA
  • A professional OA journal in SSH?
  • An endowment as a business model?
OA in STM & SSH Five reasons for OA in SSH
  • Facilitating the advancement of knowledge claims
  • Enabling globally inclusive scholarly communication
  • Accounting for the rise of comparative and trans-national research
  • Increasing public visibility and enhancing impact for teaching and learning
  • Opening an innovative space for publishing, peer review and scholarly exchanges
Five Roads to OA in SSH
  • Start an Open Access journal and give preference in submission to Open Access journals
  • Deposit your papers in a disciplinary or institutional Open Access e-print repository
  • Assert your authors’ rights and retain the copyright when you publish
  • Work to ensure lifelong access for university alumni to electronic libraries
  • Help to spread discounted and free access in low-income countries

Green & Gold OA

Technical, legal and financial parameters

  • Technical parameter: Globally integrated science requires open standards,
  • interoperability and open archiving
  • Financial parameter: New and more investment in scientific publishing is needed, particularly in certification and navigation services
  • Legal parameter: It is conditioned by the optimality of non-exclusive licenses to organise the certification of research results.

The Scholarly Communication Cycle

OA in the Knowledge Economy

OA in SSH: on backwardness and unintended consequences

  • Will there be a nexus between visibility, impact and public funding?
  • As OA is tied to the WWW, will in future the head be shorter and the tail longer?
  • If OA enhances metrics, mining and semantics for a technology-driven advancement of knowledge... must all go OA?

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text:
Winter weather conditions expected for most of western Kansas

Posted: Updated:
(KAKE) -

A Blizzard Warning continues for northwestern Kansas including Goodland, Colby, St. Francis and Atwood until 6am Monday morning. Snow falling across NW Kansas will continue to work its way southeast through the night and on into parts of southwestern and north-central Kansas by early Monday morning. Heavy snow at times in combination with north winds gusting up over 40mph will reduce visibilities considerably across the NW into Monday afternoon. Precipitation in central Kansas may begin as light rain before changing to snow after midnight. With much colder temperatures arriving for Monday the snow will continue across the northwestern half of the state before diminishing Monday afternoon. Snow accumulations should range from between 6 and 12 inches across the warning area of northwestern Kansas with lesser amounts into the central part of the state. For much of central Kansas amounts should reach around a trace to 2 inches by Monday afternoon with around a trace expected across most of Sedgwick County and south-central Kansas. Stay tuned to KAKE for complete updates throughout this time as well as complete forecast at 5:30 and 10pm Sunday evening as well as Good Morning Kansas  beginning at 4:30am.

Check out these photos from across KAKEland snapped by our viewers, staff and local officials. Do you have a photo to share with us? Email it to

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