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The 'sealed-box' Mac: Cutting-edge design or planned obsolescence?

Apple's 15-inch MacBook Pro with its ground-breaking Retina display is drool-worthy but comes with a cost: There are no user-replaceable parts whatsoever

The first Mac I ever bought for myself was a Power Mac 8500, circa 1995 -- ancient history now, but despite its uber-boring beige box, it was a truly great machine, able to do things that most PCs of the time could only dream of. In modern terms, it was the great-grandfather of a fully loaded Mac Pro.

More to the point, almost every feature about it was upgradable, including the CPU, which was on a swappable daughtercard. That workhorse Mac saw heavy-duty daily use, including code compiling, video digitizing and 3D rendering and animation, for more than 10 years, while computer hardware and architecture advanced rapidly. I fired it up for this article, and it's still humming along. This longevity is noteworthy enough, but even better is that with its upgrades it could have been considered nearly state-of-the-art for most of its life. With memory finally maxed out at 1GB (for a machine that first shipped with 16MB), high-speed SCSI-3 drives, FireWire and a G4 CPU upgrade, it could even be induced to run Mac OS X 10.5. (No, I didn't do that myself, but it can be done.)

[ For tips and tools for managing an enterprise Mac fleet, download InfoWorld's free "Business Mac" Deep Dive PDF special report today. | See InfoWorld's slideshow tour of Mac OS X Lion's top 20 features and test your Apple smarts with our Apple IQ test: Round 2. | Keep up with key Apple technologies with the Technology: Apple newsletter. ]

The non-upgradeable MacBook Pro

Enough nostalgia. Let's jump forward to June 2012, when Apple unveiled the new top-of-the-line 15-inch MacBook Pro, with its ground-breaking Retina display, a truly drool-worthy laptop if ever there was one. It's fast, powerful and stylish, setting the standard for what a full-featured yet highly portable laptop can be. But that gorgeous package comes with a cost. iFixit, in its teardown analysis, gave the Retina MacBook Pro the lowest possible score, 1 out of 10, for its almost complete lack of upgradeability. There are no user-replaceable parts whatsoever, including the battery or even RAM, which, in a trend begun with the MacBook Air in 2008, is directly soldered to the logic board. What's wrong with this picture?

Apple has long divided its offerings into "pro" and "consumer" lines, and this divide has only diverged lately, as an ever-growing proportion of Apple's revenues and profits have come from consumer-focused products such as iOS devices - the iPad and iPhone (and to a much lesser extent, Apple TV). While power users may need and want upgrades for Macs, consumers, usually replace their iPhones, iPods and iPads, with new devices rather than upgrading their current hardware. Updates happen at the operating system and application level. In short, these are all "sealed-unit" devices by design, with no hardware-level upgradeability.

The pro-level computers -- the Mac Pro, the MacBook Pro, and the now-defunct enterprise-focused Xserve -- have generally been more expensive than the consumer line, but also, in general, much more upgradable. They followed a very different design and replacement cycle philosophy. If you invested more than $10,000 in a loaded Mac Pro, you wanted to get as many years as possible out of it, and were more likely to add and upgrade the hardware over time instead of buying new, at least until there was no other option (as was eventually the case with my venerable 8500). As a result, the enterprise market and the Pro line of products has generally generated a smaller sales volume and profit, and therefore arguably has been of secondary priority for Apple. Case in point: note the lack of a major Mac Pro update in the recent product releases -- Apple says the Mac Pro is due for a more serious refresh in 2013 -- and the total disappearance of rack-mounted products (Xserve RAID and then Xserve itself) from the line-up.

As for the laptops, particularly the MacBook Pro. Apple has dropped the 17-inch model, typically a pro-sumer item. While some were fans of the big screen, it hasn't been a big seller in recent years. And the consumer-level Macbook is no more, potentially replaced by the combination of iPad and MacBook Air. So that leaves two types of currently-shipping MacBook Pros -- the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro, and the updated "old school" 15-inch and 13-inch models. The older models still allow for relatively easily RAM and hard drive upgrades, but the new flagship is, like iOS devices, now a sealed-unit, utterly non-upgradable. Speculation is that the rest of the MacBook Pros will go in the same direction when they get Retina displays.

A troubling trend

This is a troubling trend for many professional Apple customers, who may feel that a deliberate shift away from upgradable hardware does not meet their needs. Some of the changes point to the fact that laptops are in many ways a special case: the desire for ever thinner, lighter portable machines coupled with the need for more power, drives the decision to fill every available space in the smaller cases. The result: non-upgradeable hardware.

Case in point: batteries. The one essential accessory with every Mac laptop I've bought used to be a spare battery or two, so I could swap them out on long flights and extend my time away from an outlet. When Apple switched to internal, non-swappable batteries, it boosted battery life by cramming more capacity into the chassis, but took away the ability to switch out batteries. This is a calculated trade-off, and for many users, having a bit more battery life built-in may be more important than swapping. The other, less obvious consequence is that when the battery starts losing capacity and finally fails (as all batteries eventually do), replacing it with a new one isn't a simple matter of buying one and dropping it inch

If you want to replace it yourself, you have to crack the case (potentially voiding any warranty you may have), and do what can amount to major surgery. Apple does offer an out-of-warranty battery replacement service at a reasonable charge ($129 for the MacBook Air and most MacBook Pros, $199 for the new Retina Pro), but if a user decides to replace a Retina MacBook Pro's battery, and does it according to Apple specs, iFixit estimates a $500 cost -- ouch!

The first Mac laptop to adopt the new "sealed unit" design was the original MacBook Air, and here clearly the groundbreaking, super-slim design drove almost all of the engineering choices. Upgradeability was simply not a priority. I have a first-generation Air (now defunct), and I did end up replacing the original tiny, slow 1.8" drive with a SSD, and I replaced the battery when it failed. While I am fairly well-versed in hardware repairs, I can say that surgery on that laptop was well beyond the capability of most users -- as is now the case for the new Retina MacBook Pro. Many will either replace the entire computer, or make use of comparatively expensive upgrade solutions through third-party vendors.

In the latest iterations of the Mac OS X operating system, there has been a conscious effort to bridge the OS X and iOS worlds, and it is quite possible that this philosophy will be further extended to the hardware lines. Pro users should keep a careful eye on the rest of the product lines as they evolve during the coming year - the 2013 Mac Pro, and to a lesser extent, the iMac and Mac Mini. It seems unlikely that Apple will risk driving away pro users, but it is these models, which do not have the tight design constraints of the laptop line, that will best indicate whether the recent move to "sealed-unit" devices is strictly about design priorities and constraints, or part of a larger shift in philosophy and focus.

The current MacBook Air, like its predecessors dating back to 2008, isn't designed for user upgrades. (Image: Apple)

Design evolution

Ultimately, the question of why the designs have evolved matters less than the bottom line, which is how the changes affect buyers of new Macs, both individually and institutionally. Among other things, it changes the calculus for deciding how to configure a new Mac, especially if you plan to keep it for a while. It used to be that you could get a computer that generally met your needs at the time of purchase, and then upgrade RAM and storage when performance started to drop or OS upgrades required it. With a non-upgradable Mac, that's no longer possible.

My advice: With any sealed-unit Mac, the best bet unless your replacement cycle is short (two to three years) may be to completely max it out with the fully-loaded, most capable build-to-order configuration -- CPU, RAM and storage. Apple has provided a useful upgrade path for adding external storage and other devices via USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt ports, but that does not help when what you really need is a RAM upgrade, nor will you want to lug an external drive around once you max out your internal SSD (though the SD card slot does provide a certain amount of future-proofing). Max it out, or be prepared to replace the whole thing sooner rather than later.

Compared to the old strategy of buying only what you need and upgrading later, this will increase both the short-term cost of the computer and the overall cost. That's because RAM and storage upgrades purchased later when components have generally dropped in price, will need to be bought now, when they are more expensive (and must be bought directly from a single vendor, Apple, instead of whomever has the best component prices).

Even in cases where testing shows a borderline short-term "bang for the buck," there is an argument to be made for getting the upgrades now, if the cost from Apple is reasonable. For one recent example, the incremental performance gain between the base 1.8GHz Core i5 CPU and the upgraded 2.0GHz Core i7 processor in the new MacBook Air is relatively small. However, that $100 cost increase is also cheap insurance, just in case a future OS X upgrade requires the faster processor. Note that the recent OS X Mountain Lion release will not run on some Macs shipped less than four years ago, and while there are factors that may make this a special case, it is also entirely possible that this trend of shortened lifespan in terms of OS compatibility will continue. (If so, Apple will no doubt get an earful from unhappy customers).

Richard Hoffman is a technology analyst, IT strategist, systems architect and a former editor at several technology publications. He can be reached at

Read more about Macintosh in Computerworld's Macintosh Topic Center.

This story, "The 'sealed-box' Mac: Cutting-edge design or planned obsolescence?" was originally published by Computerworld.

Copyright © 2012 IDG Communications, Inc.


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Friday, January 13, 2017

SPD stiffed, Def Leppard booked (again), Roy Murry sentenced and other headlines

Posted By on Fri, Jan 13, 2017 at 9:36 AM

NEWS: Spokane Police billed the campaigns for Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. They haven't received a dime for more than $100,000 of police overtime.

MUSIC: Def Leppard, Poison and Tesla are all coming to Spokane this summer.

ART: Check out the Mary Crosses exhibition in downtown Spokane for free this evening. Ross Coates, the Moscow-based artist, says his work pays tribute to female deities, icons and goddesses.

• The U.S. Department of Justice released today a scathing report on the Chicago Police Department's systemic violation of citizens' rights. Among the investigation's most significant takeaways is the fact that police target minorities — specifically black and Hispanic people — with excessive uses of force. The "pattern and practice" is a result of failure to train officers in de-escalation, the DOJ investigation found. And the city of Chicago has policies in place that "impede investigation of officer misconduct." Read the entire report here. (Chicago Tribune)

• Barring a successful appeal, Roy Murry will die in prison. The triple murderer was sentenced to three life sentences, plus 35 years, for killing the family of his ex-wife. (Spokesman-Review)

• Mukilteo shooter Allen Ivanov was sentenced to life in prison for killing three young people at a house party last year. The 20-year-old pleaded guilty to the murders, requiring the judge to impose a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. (Seattle Times)

• Washington's newly elected superintendent of public instruction removed the department from a lawsuit against school districts across the state, including Spokane Public Schools. The lawsuit, filed by Chris Reykdal's predecessor, Randy Dorn, claims that the districts paid teacher, administrator and other salaries with local levy dollars, and argues that doing so is a violation of the state Supreme Court's 2012 McCleary decision. (Columbian)

• Two members of the soul/funk band Tower of Power were hit by a train while walking to a gig in Oakland last night. Drummer David Garibaldi and bassist Marc Van Wageningen were treated at a local hospital. Doctors are "cautiously optimistic" that both men will recover. (LA Times)

• FBI Director James Comey is under internal investigation for his handling of Hillary Clinton's emails and the decision to call a news conference 11 days ahead of the election. The (New York Times)

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Mitch Ryals

Mitch covers cops, crime and courts for the Inlander. He moved to Spokane in 2015 from his hometown of St. Louis, and is a graduate of the University of Missouri. He likes bikes, beer and baseball. And coffee. He dislikes lemon candy, close-mindedness and liars. And temperatures below 40 degrees.


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by Miranda Hale

Rufus Wainwright is a Romantic poet trapped in a time of crude irony and rough, underdeveloped aesthetics. Yet he is also a postmodern artist, a witty, extremely self-aware and angsty 21st-century composer and lyricist, writing songs to a musical no one has yet thought of producing.

Want One (Dreamworks), his third release, is both exhilarating and sad, nostalgic and very much ahead of its time. The lyrics reveal a man who wants to lose his heart to love, to be out of control for once, to let himself feel it all in an often cynical and painful world. Here, Wainwright sings about the wanderlust he inherited from his musician parents, searching for love but craving change even more ("Oh What a World"), about the barriers to romance and love in contemporary society ("Vicious World") and about feeling like a modern-day Narcissus who secretly really only wants something or someone to love -- yet is looking in all the wrong places ("Movies of Myself"). Wainwright further deals with the never-ending search for self -- in his own case, looking for something beyond self and beyond fame while at the same time deriving complicated joy and true inspiration from these facets of his life. In this way, he embodies the contradictions of many in the new century, the jaded children of the '80s who dismiss phoniness and preciousness while still craving something more than their cultural inheritance.

The songs are full of elegant piano, lush string sections, keyboards and lots of harp. They also feature beautiful background vocals and occasional Motown-esque arrangements. They exhibit a mood spectrum ranging from melancholy to euphoria.

Want One is that rare piece of contemporary art: self-aware in its postmodernism but simultaneously yearning for something bigger, something more meaningful, both inside of and outside of the artist himself. When Wainwright expresses thanks (on "Go or Go Ahead") for "this bitter knowledge / Guardian angels who left me stranded," we know it's from a man who has felt crushing defeat, loneliness and meaninglessness. He has been inspired, nevertheless, to seek something more and to create a thing of amazing beauty. It's from a man who, ultimately, wouldn't have it any other way.

Publication date: 12/04/03

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Due to the 2020 meeting being cancelled - all members who paid for 2020 will have their membership extended for an additoinal year at no charge.

Thank you for your interest in an AID membership. The AID is a new concept in dental groups and meetings, dedicated to serving the next generation of dental professionals. We are a truly multidisciplinary group, incorporating all specialties and technicians. Your involvement will only help strengthen our group and allow you to shape the future of this organization. We hope you find your AID membership a source of pride, fulfillment and fun.

By becoming an AID member, you will have access to our yearly meeting, evening programs and social events. In addition, you will have early access to our intensive courses on procedures and concepts.

The AID is a new organization and is growing day by day. By becoming an AID member, you are supporting the foundation of a new dental society, and will be able to help drive our growth based on your interests. The AID was founded to serve you and without you we cannot succeed.

Dentist / Specialist / Technician - $250
Recent Graduates (within three years) - $175
Student Membership (including meetings) - $99

Student Membership (no meetings) - FREE
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Your membership includes access to our annual meeting and all our evening programs and events.

Becoming a member is easy and gives you access to our programs and perks.

Whether you are taking a boards case or just looking to experience dental offices or lab find out how the AID can help you

We hold a variety of events throughout the year in addition to our main meeting. We welcome you to explore and join us.

Learn more about the AID and stay in touch with our latest news and updates

Association of Innovative Dentistry / T 631.249.7520 / F 631.249.2343 / ©2018-2020 AID.

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If one thing has been proved in the latest chapter in the epic battle to end Pennsylvania's pigeon shoots it's this: individuals participating in this cruel "sport" may torture pigeons and assault protesters with impunity.
The latest evidence came Monday when Dauphin County Magisterial District Judge James Lenker dismissed 83 cruelty charges against Erdman Gun Club north of Harrisburg and Don Bailey of Strausstown, who provides thousands of pigeons to Erdman and other gun clubs each year.
Lenker tossed the charges despite being presented with three hours of testimony and graphic video from the Erdman shoots showing wounded pigeons dumped in barrels and left to languish and a "trapper boy" beat a wounded pigeon with a bucket.
"It was blatant cruelty," said Johnna Seeton, the humane officer who filed the charges on behalf of the Commonwealth and who has for decades monitored shoots and rescued wounded birds.
The defense presented no argument.
In his ruling Lenker uttered comments that appeared ripped from the NRA playbook about pigeons shoots being "steeped" in tradition in Pennsylvania (this despite the fact that only three survive and many license plates of participants are from New Jersey)
The decision keeps intact the present Catch 22: Humane officials are powerless to file charges because the courts fall back on the fact there is no explicit law banning the shoots. The legislature has long held that the courts should determine if it constitutes animal cruelty, although that may finally be changing. albeit slowly.
District Attorneys in Berks County and Bucks County have refused to allow cruelty charges to be filed against gun club owners in their counties.
Even more surprisingly, in those same counties, pigeon shoot supporters have harassed and threatened, had weapons brandished at them and even outright assaulted protestor Steve Hindi of the anti-cruelty group SHARK and none have faced charges.
(A hearing in Warminster on disorderly charges against both Hindi and an employee who works for the owner of Wing Pointe Gun Club in Berks County - which holds pigeon shoots - was scheduled for today.)
The Pennsylvania Game Code states that a hunter must track wounded game and humanely dispose of it. But pigeons are not covered under the code, Seeton said. Nor are they, according to the courts, covered by animal cruelty section of the crime code.
Why is a pigeon in Pennsylvania considered a species not deserving of any protection whatsoever?
Many people across the nation nurture and raise pigeons in backyard and roof-top coops. Some race their pigeons known for their homing abilities. This keen instinct turned legions of pigeons into messengers during the world wars. They delivered vital information to allies that helped change the course of those wars.
People love their pigeons. Just take a look at the American Racing Pigeon Union website. They maintain a 911 pigeon alert Yahoo group to find and rescue missing racing birds.
What if the gun clubs sprung popular pet birds with fancy colors like parrots or parakeets from steel boxes to be blow away at 30 paces? Would the courts and DAs act differently?
After the hearing, Seeton raced back to the Capitol to make a late-hour attempt to get the Senate to take action on a bill to ban pigeon shoots. The bill (SB626) was passed out of the Judiciary Committee last month - a landmark victory for animals that came despite strong NRA opposition.
"We need legislation banning pigeon shoots," said Seeton, in the Capitol Rotunda, still in her humane officer uniform and wiping sweat from her brow.
A Senate spokesman told me he did not expect a vote before the Senate breaks for the summer later this week.
2011 is a landmark year for Seeton.
It marks a quarter century since she started her quest to end pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania.


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Shifting Security Patterns on Colombia’s Borders

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Over a year after Colombia repaired diplomatic relations with Venezuela and Ecuador, the border areas remain some of the worst affected by conflict and drug trafficking.

Just three days after Santos’ inauguration in August 2010, he made a joint annoucement with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez that the two countries would increase cooperation on security issues. Reconciliation with Ecuador followed shortly afterwards, after Santos gave President Rafael Correa computer hard drives seized during the bombing of a Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) camp on Ecuadorian territory.

As detailed in a new report by think-tank the International Crisis Group (ICG), making good with Chavez and Correa is vital for Colombia’s security interests. As the FARC’s power has weakened in central Colombia, the rebels have been driven to the periphery, growing more reliant on their encampments and supply networks abroad. Homicide rates, drug crops and displacement have also risen disproportionately in Colombia’s border regions, even as the numbers decline nationwide.

As laid out by the ICG, there have been a few significant policy changes since 2010 which may yet transform security dynamics along Colombia’s borders. These include:

1. Venezuela and Ecuador appear to be cooperating more with Colombia against the FARC.

Under the terms of a security agreement signed between Colombia and Venezuela in April 2011, the two countries are meant to increase joint security operations and intelligence sharing. So far, there have been some clear pay-offs. As of July 2011, Venezuela had captured 14 suspected guerrillas and drug traffickers. Those arrested included the man accused of running the FARC’s website, a songwriting political leader and another alleged key operative for the rebels’ drug trafficking networks.

However, none of those arrested have included the top FARC commanders like Luciano Marin Arango, alias “Ivan Marquez,” who still use Venezuela as a refuge, according to Colombia authorities, including ex-President Alvaro Uribe.

On Ecuador’s side, another bilateral agreement signed in June also promised more intelligence sharing and joint operations between Ecuador and Colombia. Shortly afterwards, Ecuadorian forces arrested a top commander for the FARC’s 48th Front. The Ecuadorian military has long been tolerant of the FARC, so long as the guerrillas avoid open conflict in Ecuador, but there are now some signs that the security forces are increasing their harrassment of the rebels.

According to the ICG, though the FARC continues to operate in both Ecuador and Venezuela, there are signs the rebels are facing more intense pressure. The FARC has broken up the encampments which used to house hundreds of combatants at one time, and now move in smaller, more mobile groups.

But the FARC still have significant presence in Ecuadorian border states like Sucumbios, where “criminal bands” (bandas criminales – BACRIMS) like the Rastrojos and Aguilas Negras have also reportedly established a foothold.

2. Ecuador passed a tougher refugee law.

Ecuador harbors the highest refugee population in Latin America, having officially registered 54,500 refugees, with another 25,000 applications still pending. In January 2011, the government approved a law that forces refugees to go through an extra legal hurdle before having their status approved. Authorities later said the measures were due to security concerns that some Colombians were applying for refugee status in Ecuador, in order to then carry out criminal activity unhindered.

As the ICG report points out, there is no evidence that either the FARC or Colombian criminals have applied for asylum in order to better operate in Ecuador. What the stricter law may in fact end up doing is creating more of an illicit market for IDs and other papers, sold to refugees who have seen their applications denied or blocked by red tape. This, in turn, could provide an opening for FARC operations in the border regions.

3. Colombia passed a contract royalties law which could give more money to the border departments.

A constitutional reform approved in June 2011 transforms the way Bogota manages the mining, oil and gas royalties paid by multinational companies. Before, these royalties were mostly spent by the municipal governments in oil-producing departments like Casanare and Arauca, which are among the most corrupt in Colombia. Under the new law, cash from the royalties is supposed to be more evenly distributed among a larger number of departments, and the Santos administration has said border zones are a top priority.

This boost in the municipal budgets in conflicted, frontier departments like Nariño may just give corrupt local administrations more money to embezzle. But, if managed correctly, the increase in funds could allow border states to boost social spending and improve the local economy. More hospitals, roads and jobs are needed along Colombia’s borders, not just the number of military and police deployed.

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By Alexis Bennett
Updated Feb 23, 2016 @ 6:00 pm
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Madam C.J. Walker may have made history when she became the first female self-made millionaire in America during the early 20th century, but the iconic entrepreneur is still making headlines with a new prestige hair care launch. The line is a part of the family-owned Sundial Brands, which announced today that Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture will be sold exclusively at Sephora beginning on March 4. "This launch represents another step forward in our rich history and continues Madam C.J. Walker's legacy to help every woman feel confident to embark on the life she desires," Richelieu Dennis, CEO of Sundial Brands, said in a statement.

Walker was the first person to create hair care products specifically for African-American textures and this new launch reflects that original purpose with a line including 25 products among four collections, each celebrating the beauty of individuality. There's the Jamaican Black Castor & Murumuru Oils Collection, which includes Ultra Moisturizing Co-Wash and Loosen & Stretch Gel. For sleek smooth results, the Brassica Seed & Shea Oils Collection sounds like a winner with its Silkening Blow Out Crème, while the Coconut & Moringa Oils Collection will be a curly-haired beauty's best friend. And for those who want to indulge their tresses in a little TLC, the Dream Come True Collection will become a go-to as it includes a Wonderful Scalp Exfoliator.

Dennis continued, "It's also a dream come true not just for us, but for the millions of women who have been touched by the legacy of Madam C.J. Walker and the millions more who will be inspired to reach their own levels of greatness by hearing her story."

Even the great-great-granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker agreed that the products are a modern-day representation of the icon's vision, explaining: "In one of her last speeches, Madam Walker emphasized the importance of healthy hair–whether curly-kinky, straight, wavy, or in-between–each style beautiful in its own uniqueness. With this line, every woman can have healthier hair while also confidently expressing her beauty in the best way possible–hers."


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Health Insurance for Snowbirds: What Are Your Options?

on 18 Dec, 2018

For those tired of long cold Canadian winters traveling south is a sunny prospect. It can also be an expensive one if you do so without any health insurance to make sure you’re covered if something should happen while you’re out of the country.

Whether you sprain an ankle, eat some bad clams or have a serious emergency it’s essential to have the right insurance so you don’t lose your shirt and your home trying to get the medical attention and care needed.

Keep reading to learn some of the options for health insurance for snowbirds.

Health Insurance for Snowbirds Is Crucial

When looking for coverage while away for months at a time you need health insurance that’s tailored to you. It’s not the same as taking a weekend to shop across the border or going for a week to see Mount Rushmore.

You need to get health insurance that’s geared towards snowbirds to ensure you’re covered for any situation that arises without any confusion or difficulty when you do need to use it.

You don’t want to find out that you aren’t covered because you didn’t get the proper insurance for your situation.

All Health Insurance Not Created Equally

It’s important to pick the right plan for you and your circumstances rather than just go with the first policy you see. There are some things that you need to take into consideration when choosing a travel or health insurance plan.

  • Your age and how long you’ll be out of the country.
  • Will you be out of the country for one chunk of time or traveling back and forth to Canada throughout the winter?
  • Are there pre-existing medical conditions and are those conditions considered stable?
  • Are you taking medications and how long have they been stable?

Your eligibility for coverage can be affected by these factors, especially if you are older than the age set by the company. Medical questionnaires and documentation may be required depending on how old you are and the terms of the policy.

Some pre-existing conditions are not covered when you get older. Just because you were covered last year doesn’t mean you will automatically qualify for the same coverage this year.

If there are changes in your health, medications or medical condition you may need to be stable for a minimum period of time before you’ll be able to get proper coverage.

Are You Traveling Once or More Often?

There are two main types of policies to cover you depending on whether you’re traveling just once or will be making trips back and forth throughout the year.

Insurance for One Trip

If you are heading south for the entire winter, without coming home for Christmas or other short periods of time than a single trip policy is probably the one you want. With this type of policy, you’ll be covered for up to 212 days if you live in Ontario or NFLD and 183 days for residents of other provinces and territories. These are consecutive days not accumulative.

Traveling Multiple Times

If you plan on traveling back and forth to Canada throughout the year than a multi-trip health insurance policy is more geared towards your needs. There will be limits on the amount of time you can stay south of the border each time so be aware of the deadlines to return. Usually anywhere from 9 to 60 days.

You’ll lose your coverage if you don’t stick to the terms and return to Canada for at least a short period of time.

Change of Plan TopUps

Many multi-trip policies will allow you to purchase top-up coverage if your travel plans change and you want to stay longer than originally declared. Each policy has different terms so be sure to read the fine print.

Some will require you to make changes and top-up before the coverage of your original plan starts. Others are a little more flexible and allow you to add coverage if you change your itinerary during your trip.

Cost and Deductibles

The cost and deductibles attached are unique to each policy. Your insurance broker will be able to walk you through the details of each one and help you figure out which one is right for your situation.

Some policies will give you a buy-out option for the deductible. Most policies have a deductible of anywhere from $500-$1000. Should you require medical attention you’ll be responsible for the amount of the deductible and then the insurance policy will cover the rest of the costs as stipulated within it.

Eligibility and Terms

Each insurance company and policy will have their own terms and eligibility requirements that you need to be aware of and adhere to.

You’ll need to remain covered by the government health care program in your province. Not maintaining your coverage by the province you normally live in could lead to ineligibility and having a snowbird health insurance claim being denied.

Your claim may be denied if you do not declare all pre-existing health conditions. You must ensure you apply for health insurance prior to traveling and that you will be covered for your entire trip. Make sure you know the terms and have a policy that meets your needs.

Medical Questionnaire and Declaration

Most policies require mature applicants (age 60 and over) to complete a detailed medical questionnaire. While it may not say to have your doctor sign off on the forms it’s in your best interest to do so to avoid any confusion or denial for non-declaration of pre-existing conditions later.

You’ll be asked about medication, medical conditions and the status of your health. It may include questions about your heart and lung health, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and alcohol consumption, medical history of strokes, heart attacks or cancer.

If pre-existing conditions are not stable you will have difficulty getting coverage for it. Medication changes, medical status fluctuations, and unstable vitals within the past three months to three years can affect your eligibility. Make sure you disclose and discuss any issues before getting the policy.

You don’t want to need your insurance only to find out you’re denied because you didn’t understand the fine print.

Health Insurance for Snowbirds is Essential

When you’re traveling to get away from the winter blues it’s essential that you make sure you’re covered. You want to enjoy your time away and have the peace of mind to know you have coverage when you need it. Health insurance for snowbirds can give you that peace.

For a free quote on any insurance needs, contact us today.

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  • Shred-it Day Donations for BACM 2018

    Integrity Federal Credit Union visited the Barberton Area Community Ministries last week to drop off the donations we gathered from our members and the community for our 6th Annual Community Shred Day!

    We are so proud to announce that your generous donations came to $570.85!! This total is the highest year yet and BACM was so grateful!

    Through your donations, BACM will be able to provide many meals to the hungry families in our community! We count the whole day as a success!

    Thank you to all who brought shredding and donated, or just stopped by to visit and have a free ice cream treat…we enjoyed seeing old and new friends!


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The BOP measures the brain orientation of the testee by using 100 items. There is no time restriction applicable and would take about 20 minutes to complete. The user has the option of having the BOP questionnaire completed, which forms part of the COPAS test booklet. Similarly, the user has an option of having the results printed in a dedicated BOP Summarized Report or only as Category F which forms part of the COPAS Summarized Report.

Research shows that people are born with a Left/Right Brain dominance and that can thus be classified as a genetic phenomenon. Brain dominance is not a rigid statistic nor is a person bound by the hemisphere (left/right side of the brain) he/she is accustomed to using. Response to sensory input and external stimuli can change over time by changing your thinking patterns – you can learn to think using the opposite hemisphere!

The ‘left-brainers’ are typically the more rational, analytical, logical, structured, factual, detailed, scientific, numerical, serious and down to earth realistic and practical type who likes order and are guided by proven principles.

The ‘right-brainers’ are typically the more creative, open-minded, flexible, unstructured, ‘free-floating’ – the intuitive type who see the ‘big picture’ and is more emotional, imaginary, artistic and light-hearted (playful) in their orientation.

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Opportunity beckons…

By Omar Khalil
Find me on: LinkedIn 04-Nov-2016 12:01:21

I graduated from Kingston University with a degree in economics. I’ve always enjoyed learning. That being said, it was never about anything particular. One day it would be about making origami, the next it would be about Greek Mythology. The next it would be about the practicality of time travel (recent studies indicated it is sadly not). I got to the end of my degree not really knowing what I wanted to do.

My experience working for the university’s careers department stimulated my love for analytics, data and process but I was unsure how I could take that forward. I was working at one of the graduate fairs that the university held as a photographer and about an hour in, I spoke to Rob Walton, the COO of Intelliflo, who was representing the company alongside two other colleagues.

After a brief discussion, I felt that Intelliflo would be where I would be motivated to develop, to grow and that my opinion would matter. When I was told to record a brief two minute video answering a few questions, I was reluctant at first, but am glad I did, because since joining, I’ve found my initial thoughts to be true.

Before starting at Intelliflo, I scarcely knew a thing about the company, let alone the industry it operates in. Continuous improvement; customer success; lean principles were things I had seldom interacted with, nor were they terms I could confidently say I was knowledgeable of.

A year later and I have progressively developed a deeper understanding and appreciation of the terms and how they play a fundamental role, not only as part of the Intelliflo culture, but in the business world in general.

For the first few days, myself and my graduate colleagues were introduced to Intelliflo, the teams and their roles in the business. We were introduced to the Intelliflo culture. We were welcomed to the Intelliflo family. It was - and still is - awesome.

Joining the support team

From here, we joined the technical support team, a team that not only supported clients, but also supported us by providing crucial information regarding how the business operates, the products and services we provide to our clients and how the client base actually uses said product.

This provided me with information which has proved to be vital throughout my journey with the company, allowing me to ascertain a perspective that meant my actions had the clients and my colleagues in mind.

My time with the team motivated me to develop my client relationship skills; my ability to engage with a diverse range of individuals; my ability to work under pressure; my ability to operate independently, while still working towards a common goal. Joining a new company can be difficult, so starting off in a team that inspires unity and involves interacting with so many different departments and colleagues, whom you may not have interacted with otherwise, was comforting and I have been able to make valuable friends because of this.

Alongside my time in support, I was able to work on ad hoc projects which allowed me to develop my skills and find myself within the company. In my case, my projects revolved around reporting and the use of the Structured Query Language (SQL), in addition to other ongoing projects both for the support team and the COO.

Joining the PFP team

After my time in support, myself and the other graduates rotated into our current departments. I joined the PFP (Personal Finance Portal) implementation team, a team driven to promote the client portal and to assist advisory firms in adopting it.

The department was relatively new, meaning I played a key role in shaping the process and the way the department evolved into what it is now. I was encouraged to feedback my thoughts and opinions and I watched as those ideas directly impact the way we functioned as a team.

Furthermore, during this rotation I strengthened my ability to interact with a diverse range of stakeholders; to manage projects parallel to each other; to use excel to present data more effectively; to look at a process objectively and optimise it to reduce time and effort, while providing useful documentation for others to make use of said knowledge.

My experiences so far and the next steps

As the year has progressed, I have been able to put my knowledge of the SQL and Microsoft SQL Server to practical use by querying databases and producing reports and dashboards using a data interrogation tool, Splunk, which allows you to analyse and present data in a meaningful way.

My next rotation will be with the data migration team, where I’ll be using T-SQL in tandem with Microsoft SQL Server to assist with the transition of data from one system to another. In addition to this, I will also be working on ad hoc projects with the COO to automate existing reports.

From a data analysis perspective, these two experiences will prove invaluable, allowing me to not only better understand data structures and the ability to work with wide sets of databases, but to also better my ability to query data and strengthen my data analysis skills.

When you look at the graduates, we each have our own interests, our own traits, aspects that make us who we are and Intelliflo recognises that. They motivate us to develop and contribute our ideas, encouraging us to bring our own thoughts and opinions to the table and to help the business grow, be dynamic and fight the most dangerous phrase in business: “We’ve always done it this way”.

I’ve enjoyed my time here thus far and am excited to see what’s in store for the next year.

Find out more about our graduate scheme


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Home > Batteries > AGM > Stand-by > Cellpower CPW 35 – 12

Cellpower CPW 35 – 12

Brand Cellpower
Series CPW
Kind AGM
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Brand Cellpower
Series CPW
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Usage Stand-by
Voltage 12 V
Capacity 35 Ah
Dimensions 151 x 65 x 100 mm (lxwxh)
Weight 2.2 kg

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  • Batteries for the rehabilitation sector
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Home > Shop All Products > HCG Pellets >

HCG Diet Pellets 1 oz
HCG Diet Pellets 1 oz

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Our Price: $44.99

Product Code: HCG-PELLETS-1OZ

1 bottle for $44.99 or 2 bottles for $74.98. Save $15.00 when you buy two! Discount will be taken during Checkout.

1 bottle for $44.99 or 4 bottles for $134.96. Save $45.00 when you buy four! Discount will be taken during Checkout.

All the ingredients of our successful HCG drops are now available in a convenient to use pellet form. These pellets begin to dissolve under the tongue before swallowing, and give you an accurate dosage everytime.

You will also receive an email after placing your order that will provide instructions on how to download your copy of the "Intermountain HCG Diet Guide", and the "Intermountain HCG Recipe Book". These books provide a wealth of easy-to-understand information, and show you step-by-step how to successfully follow the diet and lose the weight!

Instructions: Take 3 pellets under the tongue 3 times a day. Leave under the tongue for 2 minutes, and then chew and swallow the remaining portion of the pellets. Do not eat or drink within 15 minutes before or after taking pellets to allow absorption. If still experiencing hunger while on the 500 calorie diet, then increase dosage to 2 pellets 6 times per day.

Share your knowledge of this product. Be the first to write a review »


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October 21, 2020

Plan Your Actions to Get Gambling Online Bonus

Nowadays, you might find all sorts of gambling. You will dsicover casinos with all the common gambling games, such as for example Texas Hold’Em Poker, Roulette, Black Port, and slot models, and you may also see horse contests and even dog races. In fact, gaming is really common that additionally there are on line gaming websites and computer software that caters to lots of gamblers from all over the world.
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The best thing about on line betting is that it can give you just as much fun as traditional gaming, and it can also allow you to get true money. From online casinos to online sports betting, you will see all sorts of gaming in the internet. All you need to complete is pick the type of gambling 토토사이트 that appeals for you, position your bets and watch for the results.

On line gambling and on line casinos are very popular in these times that you will see jackpots that may total as much as 25 decades value of salary. With just a press of the mouse, you will have the opportunity in winning the jackpot. All you need is a credit card or perhaps a bank card and you will have the ability to bet.

The best thing about on line betting is that you never must have traveling to casinos to be able to gamble. Before the internet and on the web gambling was established, people had traveling to Las Vegas and Atlantic City just to gamble. Nowadays, as a result of the net and the establishment of on the web gambling websites, people are actually in a position to play proper at the comforts of their very own home. In fact, you will have the ability to get folks from different areas of the entire world gambling in the internet.

However, before you start gaming on the web, always be sensible in regards to betting. Never play with lent cash. Only play when you have the excess cash for it. Besides, you’ve to think about that countless people have become bankrupt as a result of gaming and also accumulated a lot of credit card debt due to borrowing significantly more than they are able to cover back.

Always remember that betting can become addictive. The straightforward thrill of earning money is enough to get you addicted in gambling. Therefore, always be mindful when you are gambling. If you are beginning to get rid of, stop playing and think of everything you are going through.

You’ve to keep in mind that reports are finding that gambling makes the human head respond like it does with drugs and food. Generally set restricts to the amount of income to guess in one gambling session. By placing that limit and purely sticking to it, you will have the ability to regulate the urge of betting more and additional money that’ll ultimately lead one to dropping it.

It is essential to keep in mind that you could never overcome the house. The longer you stay online to play, the much more likely that house can become winning. If you were to think that the total amount of money you won is sufficient for 1 day, then stop and profit your winnings. The exact same pertains to losing.

They’re what you’ve to keep in mind about on the web betting. Though it will be a lot of enjoyment and interesting, you have to remember so it can be dangerous because it is quite addictive. Gambling is generally entertainment nonetheless it can be a way to make some cash. If you lose the quantity of money you reserve you might manage to lose, stop.

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October 21, 2020

Selecting the Best Forex Transmission Assistance?

A reliable forex trading trading stick service is usually very critical for any list forex trader. We can certainly specify a forex sign as being an indication for some sort of trader which would help him make buy of sell judgements in this forex market. https://www.forexgdp.com/ are mostly process generated in line with the technical analysis connected with forex selling prices. The forex trading signal services can be at present being given by numerous brokers and professional businesses.

This kind of stick assistance is especially valuable to the starters inside the forex market. Many industry experts would advise typically the rookies to take guide from like service given that this service will support them make decisions quickly without the hassles regarding keeping a record of everyday incidents in the currency marketplace. This service would certainly drastically help them to reduce the loss or maybe maximize the particular profit even though doing currency trading.

The currency trading signal service is being given by way of a lot associated with professional authorities and organizations. There are a good deal of companies which give this support for free of cost. On the other give, there are various organizations which would ask with regard to a monthly subscription cost. The difference involving these two types of expert services could be the quality of alerts getting provided. Generally, typically the free of charge service provides computer produced signals purely based mostly on specialized indicators. On the other hand, the registration based signals are usually maintained by professional industry experts who analyze the alerts prior to sending it out to the retail merchants. That is the factor, these indicators are much better.

While selecting a good forex signal provider, presently there are any things which usually need to be viewed as. Since you are likely to use these signals to generate purchase or sell selections, the idea is imperative that anyone select this signal provider carefully. The first together with the foremost consideration will be the past performance in the provider. You should select this provider who features a consistent history regarding delivering reliable and easy signals over the last year or two. You should likewise check whether the stick provider delivers out signs based on the style of shoppers. Quite a few suppliers would give out alerts which are meaningful for freshies although some send the idea for expert traders.

Typically the various other factors to consider even though choosing the signal supplier are the velocity regarding the service, mode of sending out the impulses plus alerts, spread involving their tips and again testing effects. Experts consider that is that more effective for beginners to help to make use of ongoing established service. You should evaluate these features between a variety of service providers to pick the very best forex signal provider for yourself. You can help to make use of internet to research and compare various warning services to choose typically the best possible a single.

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Tikehau Capital Acquires Juventus Stadium’s Area12

Posted: 7 June 2017

Tikehau Capital acquired the shopping gallery of the Zona12 shopping centre in Turin by San Sisto Srl, the owner of the center with Nordiconad, which maintains the ownership of the hypermarket and will cooperate with Tikehau Capital.

The transaction was closed for a value of approximately €65 mln. Area12 is located inside an integrated complex with the Juventus Stadium – which will soon change name to Allianz Stadium – and spread over an area of over 30,000 sqm.


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The Global Financial Crisis (GFC) never happened in income terms. That’s the new finding from QSuper that’s causing it to rethink the way it communicates to members.

Brad Holzberger chief investment officer at QSuper, has described the find as “astonishing”.

“If we’d known this, we would’ve communicated it very differently to members at the time,” he said at an Investment Management Consultants Association briefing.

The majority of members’ retirement incomes faced little to no dip throughout the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) when calculated to include increases in Centrelink benefits and the net effect of long term real interest rates over the period, the fund’s research shows.

Taking this into account, QSuper calculates the total retirement income of a member with $420,000 in the Balanced Option was “stable” and is now 23 percent higher than 2006.

“Asset returns matter, but not as much as we think,” said Holzberger. “We talk endlessly about equities, but not interest rates. It’s only half of the equation… Real interest rates that matter more and we, as an industry, are not placing enough emphasis on their real effect.”

Holzberger’s comments come as QSuper shifts 440,000 default members, with about $23 billion in assets under management into eight groups, with separate investment strategies based on nominal risk appetites and projected retirement income, defined by the members’ age and account balance, an initiative called QSuper Lifetime.

It is a move that’s prompting QSuper to change the way it communicates with members, switching from a focus on asset returns and the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) official cash rate, to retirement income.

“It’s just the beginning,” said Brad, “but what we’re finding is that members understand this better than when we say, ‘our goal is CPI plus four percent’. When we say instead, ‘you’ll receive 70 percent of your income in retirement’ the lights start to come on.”

He added, “Annuity rates go up and down but it doesn’t matter. All that’s worrying our members is ‘when do I annuitise?’

In his presentation, Holzberger questioned whether the take-up of self-managed super funds would have been so great had the stability of members’ retirement income been better communicated.

In the wake of the GFC, the superannuation industry saw the emergence of about 134,000 new Self Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) from 2009 to the end of 2013 according to Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

One comment on “Retirement income did not fall for most in GFC: QSuper”
  1. i dont think that members can expect the taxpayer to ride to the rescue again – that 12% age pension increase back in 2010 won’t be repeated for a long time. if anything, it’ll be harder for members to claim the age pension, not easier, so super funds should be avoiding GFC type scenarios rather than saying that they don’t really matter because the pension made up for it

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*Notice to our Clients*

True North Wealth Management is acutely aware of the public health concern due to the COVID-19 coronavirus, and we have a business continuation plan in place to serve our clients during this time of national crisis. Our office has technology available to conduct business over the telephone and in a virtual environment. If you would like to schedule a telephone call or a virtual meeting through your computer, please let us know. As we closely monitor the instructions and guidance of the CDC and Governor Tom Wolf, we will be adjusting our policy as necessary. The health and safety of our clients, staff and community are our greatest concern. Thank you for your business and for your patience and understanding during this time.

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Welcome to True North Wealth Management

At True North Wealth Management, we help people manage their tax and investment* needs, by getting to know each and every client. From managing debt to saving for college to retirement, these personal finance challenges can be overwhelming. Our commitment is to utilize all of our resources to help you pursue your goals.

Our philosophy of client-centered asset management, while focusing on your True North, assures you that we will take time to understand your current and future financial needs.

Our team is ready to assist you with all of your financial planning* needs.

* Investment Services are offered by David Weaver and Megan Wall through their affiliation with Avantax Investment ServicesSM.

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Update on 5th session of the UN Treaty process on business and human rights

States met last week to negotiate/discuss the Revised Draft Treaty on TNCs and OBEs.

Business push at UN General Assembly

World leaders from governments, private sector and civil society gathered in New York on 22-27 September for the 74th session of the United…

Are SMEs left behind in a just transition?

In the lead up to the UN Climate Action Summit and the UN General Assembly in September in New York, IOE takes a look at how a just transition…

UN Forum on Business & Human Rights

Register early for the UN Forum on Business & Human Rights – space limited this year!

In summary: 2019 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

Some key takeaways from one of the most important international gatherings on sustainable development.

IOE appoints Special Representative to United Nations in New York

On 1 May, Ms Shea Gopaul took up her post as IOE's first Special Representative to the United Nations in New York.

IOE President delivers keynote speech at UN General Assembly

IOE President Erol Kiresepi, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, reaffirmed the vital importance of ILO’s tripartite…

Watch the UN celebrations of the ILO centenary

The UN General Assembly is marking the Centenary of the ILO with a special Plenary and high-level events taking place throughout the day.

IOE addresses high-level UN migration event

IOE Secretary General speaks out about ethical recruitment and transforming the narrative around migration at UN high-level events on migration…

UN proposes Common Approach for Engagement of the Private Sector with UN Agencies

The proposed Common Approach aims to harmonise practices for private sector engagement across the UN system

Register for a webinar: Discussion on the UN Treaty process on business and human rights

Invitation to members and partners for an upcoming IOE Webinar

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F: +41 22 929 00 01


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Challenges In Setting Up A Solar Farm – Things You Should Know Before You Start

Challenges In Setting Up A Solar Farm – Things You Should Know Before You Start

Solar power is a fast-developing industry that has witnessed a boom over the past decade and there has been a major shift from it being expensive and exotic to a viable, cost-effective, and plain sensible source of energy. Several contributing factors have led to the surge in solar farms that have been popping up across the globe. The capabilities for harvesting solar energy have increased to a great extent and a large number of people seem to be leaning towards it more and more.

With this shift taking place at a drastic pace, people are coming up with ideas that can help them go green and make optimum utilization of resources available. One such viable option is setting up a solar farm. If you have a few acres of land and you want to build a solar farm, there are certain things you should know about before you move ahead. Herein, you will get to know about the solar farming trend, the reason for the popularity of solar farming trends, and the challenges faced while setting up a solar farm.

Solar Plant

Solar Farming Trend

With the significant change in the solar farming trend, more and more people are making a shift and joining the bandwagon. The inclination of people towards solar energy can be well understood with the fact that the government of India had targeted generating 20 GW capacity solar power by the year 2022 but the target was achieved four years ahead of the scheduled time. The daily average solar-power-plant generation capacity in India alone is 0.30 kWh per m2 of used land area which is equal to 1400–1800 peak (rated) capacity operating hours in a year.

Solar Farming

From Topaz Solar Farm in California to Desert Sunlight Solar Farm in the US, Mandsaur Solar Farm, Madhya Pradesh India, Springbok Solar Farm, US, Limondale Solar Farm, Australia, Nova Olinda Solar Farm in Brazil, several solar farms are generating power thereby helping people lessen down the impact on the environment.

According to the analysis of data compiled by BloombergNEF, in 2019, 35 solar power projects of at least 200 megawatts worldwide were commissioned which was around 17% more than the previous year. Even though the investment cost is high, the reduction in the prices of the panels which was around 88% in the last decade is expected to fall another 43% by 2030. This is one of the major factors that brought a boom in the solar farming sector.

Did you know, Pavagada Solar Park, in India is the largest solar farm installed in the world. Fully completed in 2019, the farm can generate 2,050 MW energy which further supplies energy to hundreds of thousands of households.

Why is Solar Farming Becoming Popular

There are a large number of croplands available that are not able to help landowners generate good income. Not just that, there are various vacant industrial land and sites that have not been used for years. Solar farms are now replacing such lands as it is easier to make money and of course, this helps in making optimum utilization of the vacant lands. Besides, solar farms can help generate power from the sun in an economical and environment-friendly manner. These farms solve the same purpose as solar panels installed on the roofs of the building with a difference in the amount of power generated which is huge in the case of solar farms and can help light a large number of households and offices.

Solar Farming Setup

Challenges Faced in Setting Up a Solar Farm

Having discussed the solar farming trend and the benefits, we need to understand that there is another side of the coin too. Before you dive into the solar farm business, perhaps you might want to understand every aspect of building a solar farm. For example, what are the questions that need to be answered, what steps need to be followed, and what are challenges that one might face in setting up the solar farm? Just like any other business, there are plenty of challenges that we don't often hear about. Let’s talk about each of them in detail.

Solar Farming

Finding Space

Nothing like owning land that you think can be used for building a solar farm. But obviously, this is not the case with everyone who plans to build a solar farm. Here comes the task of finding the space which is large enough to be used for building a solar farm.

Large utility-scale solar farms, such as Kamuthi Solar Power require up to 2,500 acres whilst the smaller solar farms can be built on just a few acres of land. Minimum 15 acres of land is necessary to set up a small solar farm. Depending on your budget, you can even go for more than 15 acres of land for setting up your solar farm. Do a lot of research and find out the space that suits your needs. If you have funds, you can straightaway purchase the land. Else, taking land on lease is one of the most viable options.

Future of Solar Farming

If you are opting to take land on lease, you need to ensure that everything is made clear in writing. Terms and conditions should be clearly stated in the lease papers.

Lease for the solar farm is long-term, the minimum time period of a lease for a solar farm is 20 years initially and there is an option to get it renewed for another 20 to 25 years. If the leasing agreement is directly done for a minimum of 50 years, you can be sure that there will not be a need to dismantle the solar panels anytime too soon.

Assessment of the Land

Proper assessment of the land is vital and challenging at the same time (if not done properly). Factors like the composition of the soil, proximity to power lines and substations, water access play an important role in the selection of the site. The location of the solar farms can be affected by the zoning issues. As mentioned in the point above, landowners’ legal rights, leasing issues can influence site selection. Also, the legal title for the sites is complex because all agricultural lands are not registered and are often farmed in tenancies and as part of farming partnerships.

Cost of Setting /Financial Challenges

Investing in solar farms needs to be done cautiously and after a lot of financial planning. Of course, the Return on Investment (ROI) is worth the investment as the recurring revenue will pay dividends for years. The cost of setting up a solar farm depends on several factors like location and available sunlight hours, cost of solar panels, installation, etc. The cost per watt for solar installations at a large scale is somewhere around $1 and 1 MW solar farm would roughly cost around $1 million to install. Arranging finances can be challenging if proper research and estimation are not done beforehand.

Financial Challenges in Solar Farming

As a solution, there are many options. You can use your funds, use bank debts, etc. for the purpose. But if you don’t have the funds you can opt for investment/pension funds, asset finance, leasing, or approaching private investors/corporate investors. To get a solar installation done, most solar farms rely on a combination of grants and loans from private and public sources. National programs run by government lenders can be another source. A typical solar farm requires solar panels, inverters, transformers, long cables, etc., besides other necessary items.

Infrastructural Challenges (Grid Infrastructure)

The most important factor to consider is whether the grid connection is available from the distribution network operator or not. A high-level assessment of the planning position should also be undertaken at the same time plus cumulative local impact; land designations, access, and topography need to be kept in mind. Infrastructural challenges need to be carefully addressed beforehand. For the actual construction, approvals from local, state, and federal groups should be taken. Engineering should be finalized; all needed permits from the local permitting office need to be done. Stormwater runoff, erosion control plans, electrical drawings among other things need to be done to get permitting approvals. The construction bond needs to be acquired too that includes maintenance and performance bond.

Infrastructural Challenges in Solar Farming

Legal Issues/Requirements

Setting up a solar farm is not one or two years deal, it’s a long term deal and every legal aspect should be taken care of before finally starting to build the solar farm. You should seek the lawyer’s help to get all the legal formalities done. Grid connection documents need to be assessed, appropriate rights should be granted for the entire length of the cable route, lease documentation should be done. Besides, grazing agreement, direct agreement, an energy performance certificate (EPC), operations, and maintenance contracts need to be taken care of. There are other documents too that are needed for finalizing the deal. Also, taxation issues need to be considered. Obtaining bank consent on lease agreement if the land is charged is also challenging.

Maintenance of the solar farm is not a daunting task if done properly. Several companies take responsibility for most of the renovation and maintenance tasks. It must be ensured that the maintenance and repair company you hire is in the same city where the farm is. It is preferred to work with a single company for such long-term projects. Working with many companies can raise problems in the maintenance of the solar farm. Also, it should be ensured that the land location has cleaning options and water sources this is important to maintain the efficiency of the solar panels situated close to the ground.

Challenges Faced in Setting up a Solar Farm

Right Supply of Power from the Solar Farm/Meeting the Demand and Generation of Power

Solar farmers should ensure that electricity supply through solar energy generated by the solar farm matches the highly dynamic end-user demand. Neither there should be oversupply nor a shortage of supply. Electricity generated through solar energy entirely depends on how much the sun shines through various seasons and geographical regions. Dispatchable power generators than can amplify or ramp down the electricity supply based on the obtainability of the solar energy need to be acquired. Supplementing efficient solar generators along with energy storage or batteries with the solar farm ensures the right amount of energy is supplied to the end-users. Oversupply of energy could cause a lack of new solar technologies in the future and therefore hinder long-term adoption of the resource.

Volt Farmer is an Australian based company that is working towards renewable energy. From solar to battery and smart energy management, the company aims to bring the renewable revolution. Talking to Stephen Todd, the Founder of the company, we got a better understanding of the challenges faced while setting up the solar farm.

“Despite the obvious benefits of a power station that requires no physical fuel solar farm developers run into a range of challenges which may sound surprising to the general public. Grid, community, landscape, shared value are some of the challenges faced while setting up a solar farm.

Talking about the grid challenges, he told us that electricity needs to flow from solar farms along the existing grid to the end-user. A solar farm, therefore, needs to be located near power lines that are strong enough to carry solar power. Not all wire connections are suitable due to constraints in the network and how the grid operator engineers seek to provide a steady and reliable electricity supply to consumers. Too much power at the wrong time or in waves causes voltage spikes and creates a nightmare scenario for the professionals who work for the utilities. Some solar farms in Australia have recently made the news as their output has been curtailed to ensure the grid isn’t damaged by power surges caused by clouds or too much power simply because demand in the area isn’t being used. To counter this many solar farm operators are looking to utility-scale battery systems controlled with machine learning software that works ‘with’ the grid. Other operators are also looking towards installing renewable hydrogen plants to convert the excess power into a storable energy form or even to sell the hydrogen to the growing mobility market.

When asked about the community challenges, Stephen said that large solar farms take prime agricultural land out of production and are attracting considerable pushback from farming communities. Whilst creating solar farms on non-irrigated land or desert may seem like a logical solution a nearby electrical connection is the fundamental driver of solar farm location. Solar farm developers simply need to find flat land near a suitable location and sometimes this is ‘good farmland’ One approach being pioneered by innovative solar farmers around the world is regenerative solar farm design where a combination of grazing animals, soil health programs, and pollinator-friendly planting buffers are being used to create highly positive outcomes. Volt Farmer a Victorian regenerative solar farm developer goes one step further with onsite sustainable agricultural enterprises, streaming educational resources, community shared value, and Indigenous Australian opportunity creation.

Other than these, there are landscape challenges. If a solar farm is well screened with meaningful planting buffers, then it can be an invisible but useful neighbor in rural communities. Even some of the very large farms can easily be buffered with a tree and mixed plant shelter-belt to provide habit as well as integration into the locale. Dropping a huge solar farm into what is a predominantly farming landscape without taking this effort inevitably results in community unhappiness. Adding to these challenges, another issue that one can come across while setting up a solar farm is the Shared Value Problem. Communities may also get upset if the value of the solar farm flows straight out of their area. Apart from using local labor to build the farms several financial opportunities are now possible to provide local small investors to take a stake in their ‘local’ farm as well as gaining access to the clean and fairly priced electricity.”

To wrap up, we can say that effective planning, management, execution, and getting things done in the right way, keeping all the points mentioned above can help in successfully building the solar farm. The word of caution here is that first understand every aspect of setting up a solar farm including challenges that you might face at the planning stage, execution stage, and quite possibly after the solar farm is set and is functioning.

From finding the right type of land according to the requirement to arranging the finances, checking the demand and supply of power, maintenance issues, all can be a less daunting task if done properly and can help you set to get your solar farm built in a way that you have to face minimal issues and you get good ROI.

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First Steps

When someone has a personal encounter with Christ and is saved, s/he soon wants to be identified with Him as a Christ-follower and with the people of God. These truly are “first steps” for the new believer; And these steps are as vital for spiritual life as the physical steps for a toddler in a […]
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Confidential Information on Law Criminal That Just The Experts Know Exist

On this instance, you will notice that the learning time will fluctuate from 5 to seven years which will likely be decided by the mix you are going to use. A bachelor diploma in law may also be achieved in Canada. On this country, they use two varieties of legislation methods that are generally referred as the twin system of laws. In Quebec, they use a civil system of regulation. As for the rest of Canada, you will see that the widespread regulation system will be used. This occasion will be bale to help you select which type of legislation you wish to research.

By the identical token, if one is defending someone else from an attacker, they’ll make the most of drive to take action. As an example, if a mother is in the middle of hitting her personal child and an older sibling knocks the mother to the bottom to cease the attack – hitting her head on the counter as she falls, the mom could declare home violence. However, since the older sibling was performing in protection of her younger sibling – it’s actually permitted by law. If the power was used in protection of others, the costs of home violence will likely be dropped.

Law Criminal

In all states, the authorized restrict is08 BAC.

Most individuals are aware that after they become a dad or mum or guardian of a kid, they have particular tasks to the dependents in their care. Most often, the guardian must assume the role of trainer, provider, and protector of his or her children, and will always act with the security of the youngsters in thoughts. If a parent behaves in a negligent or reckless manner across the dependents, he or she may face legal reckless endangerment costs.

When a person is discovered responsible of an aggravated charge of assault, the minimal imprisonment sentence she or he can get is 5 years. That is plenty of years to spend locked up within the 4 partitions of a jail cell. To ensure that you to not go that far, rent a talented defense legal professional. Search for an attorney that already has expertise in the case so he can give you useful advices and increase your likelihood of being acquitted. You need a constructive end in your criminal case so if you find yourself charged in a civil swimsuit, you have already got leverage.

Leaving loaded weapons in the presence of minors.

Carjacking is usually outlined as an individual utilizing force, threats or intimidation to steal a automotive directly from the owner of the car. In case you have been charged with this crime, it is vital you seek the assistance of a legal professional who will battle for the safety of your rights and freedoms.

2) If the police suspect you’ve evidence not in plain view, they might request a warrant with a view to thorough search your property. Nonetheless, if a person happens to be out in the open with drugs or an illegal weapon, an officer can apprehend the suspect and confiscate the evidence without a warrant.

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The Greatest Guide To Law Criminal Justice

6. In the event you’re all for setting up your own enterprise, then you definitely might need several varieties of solicitors, or possibly the observe you are contemplating has a dedicated new business solicitor. You might need assistance with premises, provider and customer contracts in addition to writing out workers handbooks and procedures.

Nonetheless, this could all change if Home Bills 1581 and 1608 go within the New Hampshire legislature. Current law permits police who are summoned to a home the place home violence has been reported to arrest the accused upon probable trigger with out a warrant if they observe signs of violence. This consists of proof of injury to a victim and signs of a struggle like harm to furniture or to the residence. Officers may additionally seize any firearms which can have been used or were threatened to be used by the accused.

Law Criminal Cases

That is where the Good Samaritan Laws apply.

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Felony and penal regulation refers back to the same type of legislation. Punishments below these laws will be extreme and distinctive depending on the offense and the jurisdiction. Imprisonment, execution, parole, probation and fines are the most typical forms of punishment. Occasionally, the strains between civil and legal regulation turn into blurred.

And yet where they place the blame?

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Unlock Full iOS 6 Maps and Navigation on iPhone 4 / 3GS

As owners of older iPhone hardware are painfully aware, the iOS 6 update is limited on A4 devices including the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS. Some of the features that iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 users enjoy include turn-by-turn navigation and 3D Flyover maps in major cities. Well now thanks to a new jailbreak tweak you can unlock full iOS 6 maps capability on a jailbroken iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS.

iPhone 5 iOS 6 maps navigation

Apple made iOS 6 available on these older devices, however the company intentionally limits some features to keep performance optimized. That being said, iPhone 3GS users who are interested in turn-by-turn directions are turning this feature on at their own risk. Sluggish performance could occur because the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 hardware is significantly more powerful than the iPhone 4 and 3GS. Even though you can run iOS 6 maps on your device with this tweak, it could be slow or use up too much memory to function.

Aside from the disclaimers, credit for making this functionality available to owners of older iPhone hardware goes to developer Ryan Petrich. Of course, first you must jailbreak your iPhone 4 or 3GS and install Cydia. To get the tweak, open Cydia and find the package Unlock iOS 6 Maps on the Big Boss repo. You can download and install the package free of charge.

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The iOS 6 jailbreak on the iPhone 4 and 3GS is currently tethered using the latest version of redsn0w. Reports have indicated that no iOS 6 jailbreak for the iPhone 5 are actively under development.

Interested in testing out the Iphone 5 for free? Check out www.iphone5freebie.net


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Rent and eviction freeze ‘must continue for all’

Rent and eviction freeze ‘must continue for all’

Focus Ireland have called for a reintroduction of eviction bans and rent freezes due to recent Covid-19 restrictions as new figures show an increase in homelessness from 8699 in June to 8728 in July. The charity warned of a potential bigger increase in the coming months.

Pat Dennigan, Focus Ireland CEO, said: “As children across the country go back to school we need to ensure that some of the most vulnerable children do not return to homelessness.

“The last six months have proved that one of the best defences against Covid-19 is a stable home. Measures such as the moratorium on evictions and rent freezes have clearly worked as the number of children and adults who are homeless has reduced significantly in the last five months. Since the lapse of the initial ban on evictions and rent reviews, our services are now meeting tenants who are facing notices of terminations and evictions which is deeply concerning. I am asking the Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien to reintroduce this legislation.”

He added that while those who have been financially affected by Covid-19 are still protected from eviction and rent increases on the grounds of rent arrears until January 2021, “our research clearly shows the majority of notices of termination are due to landlords selling their property.

“There is no measure to prevent an eviction taking place on this ground, including for a person who lost their job due to Covid-19.”