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accessibility ACCESSIBILITY

Sleep Apnea Appliances

Oral Appliances

The "gold standard" for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. The problem a lot of patients have is the amount of air pressure blasting through their nose and mouth and some patients cannot adapt and are termed CPAP intolerant. Oral appliance therapy (OAT) can be just the right treatment to help correct OSA and many patients prefer OAT to CPAP.

An oral appliance is basically a small device, think of a football mouthguard or a nightguard, that is custom made to fit securely over the upper and lower teeth. OAT appliances are designed to prevent the collapse of the tongue and other tissues in the back of the throat which will keep the airway open during sleep. Oral appliances can be used alone or in combination with other therapies to give the patient maximum benefit.

Who Can Use an Appliance

  • Patients with primary snoring or mild OSA who do not respond to, or are not appropriate candidates for treatment with behavioral measures such as weight loss or sleep-position change such as sleeping on your side rather then on your back.
  • Patients with moderate to severe OSA should have an initial trial of nasal CPAP, due to greater effectiveness with the use of oral appliances.
  • Patients with moderate to severe OSA who are intolerant of or refuse treatment with nasal CPAP. Oral appliances are also indicated for patients who refuse treatment, or are not candidates for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, cranofacial operations, or tracheostomy.

Oral Appliance Therapy

Oral appliance therapy involves the selection, fitting and use of a specially designed oral appliance that maintains an open, unobstructed airway in the throat when worn during sleep. Custom-made oral appliances are proven to be more effective than over-the-counter devices, which are not recommended as a screening tool nor as a therapeutic option.

A board certified sleep medicine physician must first provide a diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatment approach and then Dr. Coates can provide treatment and follow-up.

The initial evaluation phase of oral appliance therapy can take several weeks or months to complete. This includes examination, evaluation to determine the most appropriate oral appliance, fitting, maximizing adaptation of the appliance, and the function.

Ongoing care, including short- and long-term follow-up is an essential step in the treatment of snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Oral Appliance Therapy. Follow-up care serves to assess the treatment of your sleep disorder, the condition of your appliance, your physical response to your appliance, and to ensure that it is comfortable and effective.

Advantages of Oral Appliance Therapy

  • Oral appliances are comfortable and easy to wear. Most people find that it only takes a couple of weeks to become acclimated to wearing the appliance.
  • Oral appliances are small and convenient making them easy to carry when traveling.
  • Treatment with oral appliances is reversible and non-invasive

How Oral Appliances Work

  • Repositioning the lower jaw, tongue, soft palate and uvula
  • Stabilizing the lower jaw and tongue
  • Increasing the muscle tone of the tongue

Types of Oral Appliances

With so many different oral appliances available, selection of a specific appliance may appear somewhat overwhelming. Nearly all appliances fall into one of two categories. The variety is simply a variation of a few major themes. Oral appliances can be classified by mode of action or design variation.

Tongue Retaining Appliances

Tongue retaining appliances hold the tongue in a forward position using a suction bulb. When the tongue is in a forward position, it serves to keep the back of the tongue from collapsing during sleep and obstructing the airway in the throat.

Mandibular Repositioning Appliances

Mandibular repositioning appliances reposition and maintain the lower jaw in a protruded position during sleep. The device serves to open the airway by indirectly pulling the tongue forward, stimulating activity of the muscles in the tongue and making it more rigid. The device also holds the lower jaw and other structures in a stable position to prevent the mouth from opening.

Other Treatment Options

There are three primary ways to treat snoring and sleep apnea, in addition to lifestyle changes such as good sleep hygiene, exercise and weight loss. The most common treatment is Continuous Positive Air Pressure. CPAP keeps your airway open by providing a steady stream of air through a tube connected to a mask that you wear as you sleep. Another option is surgery performed by an AADSM member trained as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. A surgeon can prevent airway collapses by eliminating tissue in the soft palate, uvula and tongue. More complex surgical procedures can reposition the anatomic structure of your mouth and facial bones.

Need More Information?

Schedule an appointment today with our Long Beach dental office by calling 562-434-6414 or by using our online booking system.

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An enormous 85% of respondents agreed that if the government insists on a referendum on elected mayors then they should pay for it.

Almost everyone (97.5%) thought that Steve should continue to ask about and expose the true cost of the referendum to Birmingham Council Tax payers.

Steve said:

“I have asked my constituents what they think and I think it’s safe to say they do not want the City Council to foot the bill for a Mayoral Referendum.

The “Giving Voice” campaign is designed to give political voice to those people with speech, language and communication impediments, and to ensure their needs, and those of their carers, are met. The campaign also emphasises the value of speech therapy to society.

Just over a 100 guests turned out to hear Mr. Maguire’s commentary on the state of affairs in British politics today. Following a well received opening speech from Steve, Kevin gave a captive audience his thoughts on the Murdoch hacking scandal, the state of the Labour Party and the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition.
A question and answer session followed, before Lord Peter Snape led an auction and raffle in which several Bullingdon Club tea-towels were up for grabs.
Steve said:
On the evening of Wednesday 5th October I attended the consultation exercise organised by the University Hospitals Birmingham Trust (UHB) on their plans for the future of the Selly Oak Hospital site. About 40 people took part in the exercise; its purpose was to agree a ‘master plan’ or overall planning framework to guide future developments on the site.

Consumer Price Index annual inflation stands at 5.2 per cent, up from 4.5 per cent in August. CPI has risen largely as a result of increasing electricity and gas bills.

Whilst at the West Midlands HQ, Steve met with Chief Fire Officer, Vijram Deniya, to discuss fire control arrangements and enjoyed a tour of the Safe Side facilities.

More than 180 of the country’s biggest companies and business organizations have demanded that employability and entrepreneurship education should be included in the national curriculum by backing the ‘Enterprise Curriculum’ Campaign.
The War Memorials Trust and the SmartWater Foundation have teamed up to locate and protect thousands of war memorials across the United Kingdom.
The effort centres on SmartWater; a unique marker which can help trace items should they fall foul to theft. It is also a highly durable material, which can withstand high temperatures should an effort be made to melt down stolen metals. Memorium 2014 aims to use SmartWater, generously provided free of charge, in a bid to protect our nation’s memorials from theft or damage.
Steve has been contacted by many of his constituents who are angry at the Government for cutting the funding for concessionary travel, which will end on 31 October 2011.

GDP Growth also slowed to 0.1% revised down from 0.2%. Household expenditure makes up about 60% of the UK GDP.

Steve said:“These figures demonstrate the need for the Government to re-think their economic policy.

“While they are telling us to wait it out, thousands of families across my constituency are being pinched by the rise in the cost of living and the failure of the economy to grow in nine months.

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Located in the historic northeast section of Kansas City, MO, The Marketplace on St. John is a mixed-use property built in the early 1900s consisting of 7 commercial spaces at street level (4 having basements), and 4 spacious second floor 2/1 apartments. The Marketplace on St. John is located near the northwest corner of St. John Ave. and Elmwood Ave.

July 24, 2014: KCMO announces joint effort to revitalize Historic Northeast

City of Kansas City, Missouri, leaders gathered with community organizations and Historic Northeast residents and businesses today to announce a joint effort to revitalize Kansas City’s Historic Northeast district.

Called Invest Northeast, this redevelopment initiative offers four public-facing programs, as well as targeted services that will promote economic growth and property beautification. The announcement took place outside Lykins Square Park and concluded with the demolition of a nearby dangerous building known for drug use, prostitution and gang-related activity.

“Invest Northeast is a great example of how our City can work with community partners to advance improvements for neighborhoods and businesses,” said Councilman Scott Wagner, who coordinated the City’s Invest Northeast efforts. “The Historic Northeast is a great place to live, work and play, and we are supporting its growth in all three areas through this program.”

(From the EDCKC website)


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Welcome to the website of St John Payne Catholic Church, serving the parish of Greenstead, Ardleigh and Mistley in North-East Essex.

St John Payne Catholic church is located on the Greenstead estate in Colchester.  Our other Mass centres are located at:

St Mary the Virgin, Ardleigh

St Mary and St Michael, Mistley

Please see Mass Times for Locations.

See our newsletter or blog for news and upcoming events.

Mission Statement

We of St John Payne Catholic Parish seek to reflect the joyful life-affirming power of Christ's living presence among all where Essex meets East Anglia.

Subpages (2): Links Parish Calendar
St John Payne Church,
30 Oct 2016, 02:19


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Category Archives: General news

Important year ahead…

2016 is a big year for our Primary 4’s and 7’s with Holy Communion and Confirmation preparation well underway. First Communion will take place on Saturday 14th May 2016, while Confirmation is Wednesday 13th April. There is a lot of work going on in preparation and the children are really looking forward to it.

Text messaging service

This is just a reminder that in order to use our text messaging service efficiently we must have your correct mobile telephone number. If you change your number please inform the school office. Many thanks


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020 7438 1220
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Smoked duck breast with honey, cinnamon and crispy fried potatoes

Smoked duck breast with honey, cinnamon and crispy fried potatoes

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Stogie Guys Free Newsletter

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Stogie Reviews: Nestor Miranda Special Selection 20 Aniversario Oscuro Danno

1 Jun 2009

While you might not of heard of it, there’s a good chance a few of your favorite cigars are distributed by Miami Cigar & Company.  The outfit distributes such acclaimed brands as La Aurora, Nestor Miranda Special Selection, Don Lino, León Jimenes, 601, Cubao, and Mi Barrio, among others.

nm20anni1And to celebrate it’s 20th anniversary, Miami Cigar & Company is putting out a special cigar under its Nestor Miranda Special Selection line, which is named after Miami Cigar & Company’s founder Nestor Miranda. The celebratory cigar is blended by Don Pepin Garcia’s son, Jaime, and made in Pepin’s Nicaraguan Tabacalera Cubana factory.

According to a recent interview, Miranda has been looking to have Pepin make a cigar for the line for some time, but the last time he approached Pepin he was busy setting up his new Nicaraguan factory. So when it came time to create a new cigar for the anniversary line, there was little doubt that it would be made by the Pepins.

The cigar is a very limited release. Only 2,000 boxes of 20 cigars have been made, 1,000 with a Habano Rosado wrapper (the subject of a future review), and 1,000 with a Habano Oscuro wrapper. Both versions come in only one size, an immense (7 x 56) smoke called the “Danno.”

The Nicaraguan oscuro wrapper is a bit rustic, with plenty of small veins and a nice shine. The wrapper has been aged three to four years before being rolled around a Nicaraguan binder and filler from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The firm cigar is accented by a pigtail cap.

Once I began smoking, the Danno produces full-bodied earth and bread flavors and an understated peppery core. Beneath those initial flavors is a subtle combination of complexity that includes coffee beans, oak, and cocoa. The finish is long, dry, and toasty.

I was amazed by the copious amount of smoke that this thick cigar produces from its easy draw. It gives off a rich aroma that’s reminiscent of freshly brewed espresso. The even burn and ash, which holds for well over an inch, cap off the cigar’s impressive construction.

The Nestor Miranda Special Selection 20 Aniversarios have an MSRP of $9 apiece, a reasonable price considering its pedigree and when compared to many of the limited release cigars being put out these days. If I had my way, the 56 ring guage might be reduced slightly, as I personally find such girth to be larger than I prefer. But that’s a small complaint against what is  an excellent, interesting, complex, and well-constructed smoke.

All of which is to say that you’re going to be hard-pressed to find a better way to spend $9 and two hours. That’s why the Nestor Miranda Special Selection 20 Aniversario Oscuro earns an impressive rating of four and a half stogies out of five.

[To read more cigar reviews, please click here.]

Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

9 Responses to “Stogie Reviews: Nestor Miranda Special Selection 20 Aniversario Oscuro Danno”

  1. btmisles Monday, June 1, 2009 at 2:06 am #

    More good stuff from the Pepin Family. Hopefully I can get my hand on 1 or 2 of these.

  2. Gary Monday, June 1, 2009 at 2:13 am #

    Good review. I was sent some samples to review, and so far I've only had the Rosado. The core flavors you describe are about the same, too. I'm looking forward to smoking the Oscuro shortly.

  3. Hayward Monday, June 1, 2009 at 5:55 am #

    Your review parallels my experience exactly. I've had an occasion to try both wrappers, and while I usually prefer a natural wrapper, I liked the Maduro better in this case.

  4. Charlie Monday, June 1, 2009 at 7:28 am #

    I can vouch for the Pepin attention to detail and craft but I haven’t had one of these yet. Sounds simply amazing.

  5. xjv Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 8:04 am #

    Enjoying one now at my local shop. Excellent smoke

Trackbacks and Pingbacks

  1. Stogie Reviews: Nestor Miranda Special Selection 20 Aniversario Rosado - Monday, June 8, 2009

    […] week ago, my colleague divulged his affinity for the Nestor Miranda 20 Aniversario Oscuro, quipping that you’d be “hard-pressed […]

  2. Stogie News: Innovative Promotions Seek to Attract Smokers - Tuesday, June 9, 2009

    […] “Danno” has received two four and 1/2 stogie-ratings, for it’s Habano Rosado, and Habano Oscuro versions. To locate a participating dealer, smokers can go to […]

  3. Stogie Guys Friday Sampler CXLV - Friday, June 12, 2009

    […] Miranda Special Selection authorized dealers, and you’ll be given either a Habano Rosado or a Habano Oscuro. Both four and a half stogie-rated cigars normally retail for $9 apiece. Click here to locate a […]

  4. Quick Smoke: Nestor Miranda Special Selection 20 Aniversario Oscuro Lancero - Sunday, October 11, 2009

    […] spice. It’s a pretty mild smoke, which is a stark contrast to the Nestor Miranda Ruky and Danno. As the cigar progresses, it becomes more medium-bodied with a woody core. Construction is […]


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Cigar Review: Nestor Miranda Collection Maduro Robusto

15 Dec 2014

Earlier this month, I reviewed the Habano Robusto from the new Nestor Miranda Collection. Miami Cigar & Co. recently launched the series to coincide with the company’s 25th anniversary and honor its founder as Nestor Miranda slowly transitions away from active management of the business.

Nestor Miranda Collection MaduroIt’s safe to say the Nestor Miranda Collection is a preview of what we might expect from Miami Cigar & Co. over the ensuing years. Jason Wood, Miranda’s son-in-law and vice president of (and presumed heir to) the company, is the driving force behind the series. Evidently, his work was met with Miranda’s approval. “I am excited about the new vision [Jason Wood] has for our future and the re-branding of the Nestor Miranda Collection,” he said in a press release. “[He has positioned us] to make a lasting impression on the cigar industry for years to come.”

The new Nestor Miranda Collection is made at My Father Cigars and is broken up into three lines: Habano (green band), Maduro (red), and Connecticut (blue). While the former are original blends, the Connecticut has the same recipe as the old Special Selection Connecticut cigar. All come in 4 sizes—Robusto (4.5 x 50), Toro (5.5 x 54), Corona Gorda (6 x 46), and Gordo (6 x 60)—and retail for about $7 to $9 apiece.

The Maduro Robusto sports a dark, mottled, and toothy Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper around a Nicaraguan binder and a three-country filler blend from Nicaragua, Honduras, and Brazil. Rustic in appearance, it’s adorned with large veins, a few bumps, and some thick seams. The firmness is moderate, the cold draw stiff, and the pre-light notes remind me of warm tobacco.

Once lit, a chewy, peppery flavor emerges with plenty of spice and leather. I wouldn’t call it a slap-in-the-face introduction, but the body is medium to medium-full. There’s a meaty sourness on the aftertaste of which I’m not particularly fond, and the draw is a little tight for my liking.

At the midway point, the draw starts to open, the smoke production increases, and a few new flavors join the fray. They include cocoa, cream, and coffee. The finish featyres an increase in spice, strength, and richness that places the final third solidly in the full-bodied range.

Aside from early-on issues with the draw, the construction is good. My samples exhibited a solid ash and a straight burn line.

In total, I can safely say I prefer the Habano Robusto to the Maduro, and I look forward to trying the Connecticut. On its own, the Maduro Robusto is a serviceable smoke that Connecticut Broadleaf fans should try. That earns it a rating of three stogies out of five.

[To read more cigar reviews, please click here.]

Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

One Response to “Cigar Review: Nestor Miranda Collection Maduro Robusto”

  1. Charlie H. Monday, December 15, 2014 at 4:46 pm #

    My favorite leaf is the broadleaf but I prefer the Habano out of the trio….


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Our products are designed and selected with meticulous attention to detail, buy online for nationwide delivery or collect from your local stockist. Stonemarket can also provide you with approved garden designers and landscape installers to help make your dreams a reality.

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Flip Top Table - Studioshotwell

We now have  one of the best motion control kits in the industry.  It carries the weight of a giant and is smooth as butter.  Our turntable handles up to 250lbs, and the track up to 160.  That's a big camera package!  We have 10 axis of motion control that includes 2 meters of slider, pan tilt heads, a jib and a turntable.  It's repeatable and robust with redundant systems.... and you can rent it at Shotwell.

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Effective Ethics and Ethical Behavior

Topics: Ethics, Social work, Applied ethics Pages: 5 (1468 words) Published: August 12, 2011
Effective ethics and ethical behavior

Memorandum and Report
Carol Harris

TO: Rebecca M. Melton, ABC Toy Co. CEO
FROM: Carol Harris, Elementary Division Manager, ABC Toy Co. DATE: 6/5/11
SUBJECT: Product quality issue and a report on ethical decision making. This memo addresses a product quality issue with a whistle included in our toy collection. I have included a report on the importance of ethical decision making and strategies the ABC Toy Co. could adopt to ensure that all members of ABC Toy Company make ethical decisions.

This morning I received a memo from the manager of quality assurance. During a routine test, the department discovered a problem with one of the toys included in the elementary toy collection. The collection is scheduled to be shipped to South America by the end of this week. The metal whistle, included in the toy collection, tested slightly above, the United States, legally acceptable limits, of lead in toys intended for children under the ages of seven. It will cost the company $100,000 to reproduce and repackage the toy collection.

After reviewing the data, I’ve included the following information for consideration in rectifying the current problem. And I’ve included a personal recommendation for resolution.
First of all, we could choose to cancel the shipment. The advantage of this is option is that it lets others know that we are socially responsible. And, the company would be following U.S. law. The disadvantage is that profits will be eliminated, clients will be out product and we will be out the initial cost to produce and package and the product. We will also be out the additional costs to discard the unsafe product. The second option could be to reproduce and repackage the product. The advantage of this choice is that the product will meet U.S. legal standards and arrive to the consumer on time. The disadvantage is that it will cost the company $100,000 on top of the original cost to produce and package the toy collection.

And third, we could eliminate the whistle from the toy collection altogether. The advantage of this option is that the collection will arrive on time; there will be no extra reproduction and repackaging charges. It will be safe to use. We will maintain the integrity of the product and the company’s image. And, we will be adhering to the law. The disadvantage, if we eliminate the toy whistles from the collection we will need to lower the cost of the collection which equates to less profit for the shareholders. My recommendation is to eliminate the whistle from the collection. By eliminating the whistle from the collection we are providing a legal, safe product to the consumer. The product will arrive on time. We will be showing social responsibility having made an ethical decision (Miller,B. 2003-2011).This will also help build trust with our clients and the consumer, which leads to better business in the long term. My recommendation will have the least negative impact on the company. The product will be shipped. It will arrive on time. We will offer a discounted price to the consumer to make up for the loss of the whistle. We will build customer confidence by having made an ethical decision. And, client relations by keeping with our commitment to provide a quality product that is on schedule.

Social responsibility has played a big part in the decision making process. Making an ethical choice means taking into consideration all of people who will be affected by the final decision. The first option will let the stakeholders down. No product for the consumer, and more cost to the company. The second option will cost the company an additional $100,000. Plus, the shipment cannot be guaranteed to arrive on time. The last option, delivers the product on time, less the whistle, and follows legal guidelines for a safer product. The...
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Financial Planning

Topics: Investment, Taxation, Tax Pages: 20 (5649 words) Published: January 10, 2013
How to save tax in 2013: Your guide to planning

The most important rule of tax planning is that it is no different from financial planning. The Section 80C offers a wide range of options, each suited to a different need. Choose an option that fits into your overall financial plan, not because it offers good returns or your brother-in-law is selling it.

It is easier to identify the best option if you do not leave tax planning for the dying days of the financial year. You get a rough idea of how much you need to save at the beginning of the fiscal year.

Allocate your Rs 1 lakh limit across different Sec 80C options as dictated by your financial goals, following the same principles of asset allocation that apply to other investments.

Taxpayers can take a leaf out of Ramakant Mishra's book. The Belapur-based PSU bank employee wants to save for the education and marriage of his two daughters.

Given that these goals are a good 15-20 years away, he has been advised to invest in diversified equity funds. So, he has started a monthly SIP of Rs 3,000 in an ELSS fund, thus aligning his tax-saving investment with a long-term financial goal. "I chose to put money in the ELSS fund because it serves a twin objective in my financial plan," says Mishra.

That’s good thinking on Mishra’s part, but allow us to slip in a caveat here. ELSS funds invest in stocks and carry the same risk as any other equity fund. In fact, the risk is greater because you can't touch the investment before the three-year lock-in period.

Besides, it is best to invest in equity mutual funds in monthly driblets. Investing a large amount at one go may have been a good strategy when the Nifty was floundering at 2,700 levels and a PE of 11-12 in early 2009. But it would be hara-kiri to do so when the index has crossed the 6,000 mark and is trading a tad above its long-term average PE of 18

For small investors, this is the time to be fearful rather than greedy. They should not attempt to get on to the ELSS bus now—at least not in a lump-sum mode.

In the same context, the newly launched Rajiv Gandhi Equity Saving Scheme is best left untouched. It gives additional tax deduction to first-time investors who want to enter the equity market.

Instead of taking this route, which will give them only 50 per cent deduction, the ELSS funds are a better option. We have identified six of the best ELSS funds for you. These may not be the best performing funds, but have a stable track record. If your risk profile allows you to invest in these funds, stagger your investments across 2-3 SIPs between now and 31 March.

The same logic applies to investments in Ulips. Putting a lump sum in equity through a Ulip is risky. This is especially true in case of single premium plans, where you put a huge amount in the market at one go. The good thing is that unlike the ELSS funds, Ulips allow you an alternative asset allocation model.

If you are paying a large premium, put your money in the debt option instead of the equity fund in the Ulip. You can then gradually shift small amounts to the equity option. Most insurance firms allow 10-12 switches free of charge in a year.

The new Ulip, introduced after Irda's 2010 guidelines, is more customer-friendly and transparent. Unfortunately, however, the capping of the charges has led agents to avoid these low-commission plans. In 2011-12, barely 15 per cent of the total premium from new policies came from Ulips, down from almost 75 per cent in 2007-8.

Admittedly, these market-linked insurance plans are not the best investment option in the market today. Other investments can yield the same results at a lower cost. ELSS funds are a simpler and cheaper option for wealth creation. You can save tax through 5-year bank FDs or PPF as well, and a term plan gives you a bigger insurance cover at a lower price.

What Ulip bashers overlook is the convenience of bundling...
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Topics: Game, Video game, Video game genres Pages: 19 (5154 words) Published: January 30, 2013
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see Game (disambiguation).

Tug of war is an easily organized, impromptu game that requires little equipment.

The Card Players, a 1895 painting by Paul Cézanne depicting a game of cards. A game is structured playing, usually undertaken for enjoyment and sometimes used as an educational tool. Games are distinct from work, which is usually carried out for remuneration, and from art, which is more often an expression of aesthetic or ideological elements. However, the distinction is not clear-cut, and many games are also considered to be work (such as professional players of spectator sports/games) or art (such as jigsaw puzzles or games involving an artistic layout such as Mahjong, solitaire, or some video games). Key components of games are goals, rules, challenge, and interaction. Games generally involve mental or physical stimulation, and often both. Many games help develop practical skills, serve as a form of exercise, or otherwise perform an educational, simulational, or psychological role. Attested as early as 2600 BC,[1][2] games are a universal part of human experience and present in all cultures. The Royal Game of Ur, Senet, and Mancala are some of the oldest known games.[3] Contents [hide]

1 Definitions
1.1 Ludwig Wittgenstein
1.2 Roger Caillois
1.3 Chris Crawford
1.4 Other definitions
2 Gameplay elements and classification
2.1 Tools
2.2 Rules
2.3 Skill, strategy, and chance
2.4 Single-player games
3 Types
3.1 Sports
3.1.1 Lawn games
3.2 Tabletop games
3.2.1 Dexterity and coordination games
3.2.2 Board games
3.2.3 Card games
3.2.4 Dice games
3.2.5 Domino and tile games
3.2.6 Pencil and paper games
3.2.7 Guessing games
3.3 Video games
3.3.1 Online games
3.4 Role-playing games
3.5 Business games
3.6 Simulation
4 See also
5 References
6 Further reading

Look up game in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Ludwig Wittgenstein
Ludwig Wittgenstein was probably the first academic philosopher to address the definition of the word game. In his Philosophical Investigations,[4] Wittgenstein demonstrated that the elements of games, such as play, rules, and competition, all fail to adequately define what games are. Wittgenstein concluded that people apply the term game to a range of disparate human activities that bear to one another only what one might call family resemblances. Roger Caillois

French sociologist Roger Caillois, in his book Les jeux et les hommes (Games and Men),[5] defined a game as an activity that must have the following characteristics: fun: the activity is chosen for its light-hearted character

separate: it is circumscribed in time and place
uncertain: the outcome of the activity is unforeseeable
non-productive: participation does not accomplish anything useful governed by rules: the activity has rules that are different from everyday life fictitious: it is accompanied by the awareness of a different reality Chris Crawford

Computer game designer Chris Crawford attempted to define the term game[6] using a series of dichotomies: Creative expression is art if made for its own beauty, and entertainment if made for money. A piece of entertainment is a plaything if it is interactive. Movies and books are cited as examples of non-interactive entertainment. If no goals are associated with a plaything, it is a toy. (Crawford notes that by his definition, (a) a toy can become a game element if the player makes up rules, and (b) The Sims and SimCity are toys, not games.) If it has goals, a plaything is a challenge. If a challenge has no "active agent against whom you compete," it is a puzzle; if there is one, it is a conflict. (Crawford admits that this is a subjective test. Video games with noticeably algorithmic artificial intelligence can be played as puzzles; these include the patterns used to evade ghosts in Pac-Man.) Finally, if the player can only outperform the opponent, but not attack them...
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Topics: International trade, Globalization, Marketing Pages: 11 (1536 words) Published: January 5, 2013

Today’s Agenda (Chapter 1)
• 1. Why do we need to understand Global Marketing • 2. Globalization of Markets: Convergence and Divergence • 3. International trade vs International business • 4. Evolution of Global Marketing

• Increasingly global environment for today’s marketing manager • However, not a new phenomenon – The Silk Road – Trade Routes from Ancient Rome

• The focus should be not the nature but the rate and type of change – World merchandise exports – US$6 trillion in 2000 – US$18.2 trillion in 2011

• Assume you are running a business in your own country, do you need to care about international marketing?

1. Why do we care about Global Marketing?

• Saturation of domestic markets: Domestic-market saturation in the industrialized parts of the world and marketing opportunities overseas are evident in global marketing.

1. Why do we care about Global Marketing?

• Global competition
– Whether a company operates domestically or across national boundaries, it can no longer avoid competitive pressures from around the world. – Changing dominance • Toyota displaces Ford at the top with 15% compared with 14% market share • IBM displaced by Dell, HP, Sony, Toshiba, and Samsung

Emerging Economies

• •

Largest big emerging markets (BEMs): Chinese economic area (including China, Hong Kong region, and Taiwan), India, C.I.S. (Russia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus states), South Korea, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina Market opportunities – Over the next two decades, the BEMs will hold the greatest potential for U.S. exports Competitors – Asia’s share in total world merchandise exports was 27.7% (2008) Demand: Bottom of the pyramid Supply: comparative advantage

Leading Emerging Economies in 2008

1. Why do we care about Global Marketing?

• Global cooperation: Global competition brings global cooperation. IBM, Sony, SCE and Toshiba to Jointly Develop Chip-Making Process Technology Powerful alliance is formed for semiconductor processes In a unique collaboration, IBM, Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and Toshiba Corporation have signed a multi-year agreement to jointly develop advanced semiconductor technologies based on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) and other IBM materials advances. This will lead to the development of high-performance, low-power chips necessary for a wide range of future electronic products - - from digital consumer applications to supercomputers.

TOKYO, JAPAN and EAST FISHKILL, N.Y., April 2, 2002

World Internet Usage

PM Lee's responses to Facebook feedback AsiaOne Fri, May 06, 2011

• On Wednesday night, May 4, 2011, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong engaged in a one-hour web chat on Facebook which saw him receiving over 6,000 questions and comments. On Thursday evening, he posted more responses.

1. Why do we care about Global Marketing?

• Internet and E-Commerce
– Number and growth of internet users

• E-Commerce
– Two-way interaction between buyer-seller on a global basis – PR, marketing, consumer relationship, customized product design and development, supply chain management… – Opportunities for customisation: Dell, GM, Mazda

2, Globalization of Markets: Convergence or Divergence?

Per capita income

$20,000  disposable income increases dramatically – enjoy similar educational levels – desires for material positions, ways of spending leisure time, and aspirations for the future. • Increased disposable income level  convergent pressures on consumer buying behavior.

• Globalization does not suffocate local cultures, but rather liberates them from the ideological conformity of nationalism, with consumers becoming more receptive to new things....
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Gst vs Sst

Topics: Tax, Value added tax, Income tax Pages: 2 (605 words) Published: June 28, 2012
The GST Bill has been in the works since 2007 but it was shelved after objections from the public. It is called value added tax (VAT) in some countries. The GST will create a crucial new revenue source for the Government. To many of us, however, the GST promises higher prices for goods and services. The Government took the first step in its promise not to burden the people by exempting a few basic essentials from the tax. To further prepare for GST, we need to understand the tax and how it works. Here is some essential information on the impending tax regime. How will GST affect consumers?

Utility bills and food may become cheaper while certain goods like computers and clothing may cost more with GST. The fear that GST might have a cascading effect on goods and services may come to nought as the input tax credit mechanism will allow industries along the supply or production chain to claim credit or get refunds on whatever GST is imposed. Although the Government has no immediate plans to lower the income tax or corporate tax, the GST 4% rate is said to be too small to create a multiple taxation burden on the individual. Will GST raise prices or shoot up the inflation rate?

After the implementation of GST, there might be a one-off increase in prices - especially for goods that are currently not taxed - but not for those that are. The good news is that IMF studies show that GST does not lead to a continuous spiralling of prices. How different is GST from income tax?

GST is considered a fairer and more equitable system of tax for individuals compared to income tax. As it is a consumption-based tax, the amount one pays will depend on the individual’s consumption - the higher you consume, the more taxes you pay. At the same time, it minimises tax evasion and ensures a broader revenue stream for the country. How different is GST from SST?

GST involves the whole supply chain, unlike the SST (sales and service tax) system, which is imposed only at one stage. With a...
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Hemingway's Portrayal of Masculinity

Topics: Man, Gender, Masculinity Pages: 3 (1098 words) Published: October 15, 2010
Hemingway’s Portrayal of Masculinity

When thinking of masculinity in literature, one author has who has become synonymous with manliness comes to mind, Ernest Hemingway. Critics have spent countless hours studying his writing in order to gain insight into his world of manly delights, including his views on sex, war, and sport. His views can be seen through his characters, his themes and even his style of writing.

The characters in Hemingway’s stories reveal much about how he feels about men and the role they should play in society. Most of Hemingway’s male characters can be split into one of two groups. The first of which is the “Code” Hero. This is the tough, macho guy who chooses to live his life by following a “code of honor, courage, chivalry, honestly, and the ability to bear pain with resistance and dignity, and does not whine when defeated” (Scott, 217). This hero is Hemingway’s ideal man, whom every man should want to become. Robert Penn Warren writes of the “code” hero: [Hemingway’s] heroes are not squealers, welchers, compromisers, or cowards, and when they confront defeat they realize that the stance they take, the stoic endurance, the stiff upper lip means a kind of victory. If they are to be defeated they are defeated upon their own terms; some of them have even courted their defeat; and certainly they have maintained, even in the practical defeat, an ideal of themselves – some definition of how a man should behave, formulated or unformulated – by which they have lived. They represent some notion of a code, some notion of honor, that makes a man a man, and that distinguishes him from people who merely follow their random impulses and who are, by consequence, “messy.” (Warren, 79)

Hemingway also seems to associate acts of violence with masculinity. Nathan Scott Jr. writes of Hemingway’s manliest characters: Whatever they do, whether it be bullfighting or fishing or prizefighting or hunting lions in the African bush or blowing up...
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Peer Review

Topics: Video game controversy, Psychology, Writing Pages: 2 (499 words) Published: February 5, 2012
Axia College Material
Appendix G

Peer Review Checklist*

What is the main point of this paper?
Whether video games are good or bad for people, and how popular this industry really is.

What is the greatest strength of this paper?

I enjoyed the way the author has all of his research in such great order. His numbers and statistics help explain what he/she is writing about. The graphs are also very informative. The author studied the subject very well. What material does not seem to fit the main point of the paper or does not seem to be appropriate for the audience?I would say that even though the author does make quite a bit of sense and the information was very informative and well thought out, video games being considered an art may not quite fit in with this paper. Since there is so obviously so much controversy, I do not know if a reader would like this in a paper.

Has the author sufficiently addressed counterarguments? Explain your answer. I would say yes the author has. The author has explained in every paragraph the positive, the crime, the art, video games and America. The author also went into detail on each subject and defended his subject.

Where should the author add more details or examples? Explain your answer. I would say the crime section could use more information, however I did see that the author is going to add more. There seems to be quite a bit of controversy in video games and crime comes into the picture in the news, etc. This would be interesting to read.

Where is the writing unclear or vague?
In the crime paragraph, the writer states, “Violent games such as the Grand Theft Auto are hounded mercilessly by special interest groups”. I would like to know why Grand Theft Auto is hounded so much. I do not know much about this game and would like to learn more about why people are wanting it banned.

What is your favorite part of this piece of writing?
I like the end of the paper, the conclusion. It is the...
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Happy Flies Kissing Beautiful Face

A Group Exhibition

July 11 - September 7, 2013

David Shrigley, Untitled (look at this), 2012, acrylic on paper, 31 x 24 inches, 78 x 61 cm

David Shrigley, Untitled (likes shit), 2012, Ink on paper, 16 x 11 inches, 40 x 28 cm

David Shrigley, Untitled (nothing), 2012, Acrylic on paper, 31 x 24 inches, 78 x 61 cm

Installation view

Gia Edzgveradze, Oh Kriton..., 1999, Oil on canvas, 23 x 23 inches, 58 x 58 cm

Gia Edzgveradze, Happy Flies, 1999, Oil on canvas, 20 x 21 inches, 51 x 53 cm

Kosyo Minchev, Blown Skull White, 2004 - 2006, Painted Aquaresin Sculpture, 22 x 22 x 19 inches, 56 x 56 x 48 cm

Kosyo Minchev, Blown Skull, 2004-2006, Painted Aquaresin Sculpture, 22 x 22 x 19 inches (55.9 x 55.9 x 48.3 cm)

James Busby, Two Hundred Three, 2007, Gesso on panel, 19 x 23 inches, 48 x 57 cm

Installation view

Carl Fudge, The Black Country 11, 2011, Wood Cut, 7 x 5 inches, 18 x 12 cm

Carl Fudge, The Black Country 2, 2011, Wood Cut, 6 x 5 inches, 15 x 13 cm

Richard Humann, Cut-Up, 2011, Mixed Media, 10 x 10 x 7 inches, 25 x 25 x 18 cm

Carolee Schneemann, Portrait Partials, 1970/2007, Silver Gelatin Print, 38 x 38 inches, 97 x 97 cm

Installation view

James Busby, Expand, 2012, Gesso, graphite & oil on panel, 72 x 48 inches, 183 x 122 cm

James Busby, Side Square, 2010, Gesso, graphite and oil on panel, 15 x 12 inches, 38 x 31 cm

James Busby, Disc 1, 2011, Ink, watercolor and graphite on yupo, 11x 9 inches, 31 x 23 cm

Takesada Matsutani, Black 7-2002, 2002, Wood glue, graphite on canvas, 12 x 8 inches, 30 x 20 cm

Takesada Matsutani, Wave, 1984 - 1988, Wood glue, graphite on canvas, 75 x 45 x 2 inches, 190x 137 x 5 cm

Takesada Matsutani, Circle 10-8-7, 2010, wood glue, graphite on canvas, 74 x 67 x 2 inches, 190 x 170 x 5 cm

Installation view

Nancy Spero, Le Putain, 1963, Oil on canvas, 60 x 30 inches, 156 x 76 cm

Barbara Rosenthal, Ola Writes the Alphabet, 2006, Video installation

Aldo Tambellini, AC-6, 1989, Duco on paper, 33 x 45 inches, 84 x 114 cm

Installation view

Heide Hatry, Expectations II, 2007, Inkjet print on watercolor paper, eggs, 11 x 9 inches, 28 x 23 cm

Osmo Rauhala, Book of Life, 2004, Video installation

Stux Gallery is pleased to announce Happy Flies Kissing Beautiful Face, an exhibition of works in black and white. These new and historical objects from an eclectic group of artists form a focused discussion of the visual, physical and psychological implications of the deprivation of color, and present insights on relationships between language, perception and light.

When the luxury of color (and sometimes grey tones) is unavailable, artists are forced to accommodate the raw, schizoid juxtaposition of black and white – a simple binary relationship with light and the most dramatic contrast available to the eye. The sharp clarity marks boundaries and perceptual connotations that simplify artists’ expressive options, compelling them to - as seen in the paintings of Matsutani, Busby and Tambellini - mobilize texture, materiality, and composition to orchestrate visual impact and awaken palettes in our imagination. Minchev elucidates the gap between perception and pre-existing understanding in his black "Blown Skull", and once again in a ghastly white incarnation. The absence of tonal nuances triggers a sense of devastation and urgency that subsequently results in refined negotiations for ambiguity and narrative control. “Shades”, writes Alexander Pope, “sweetly recommend the light”, and the sunless blackness that enshrouds Nancy Spero’s black painting emanates a sparse, ardent luminosity.

Black on white is, curiously, the default color choice for written language across cultures and throughout history. Shrigley and Edzgveradze’s captioned, concise freehand drawings are playful and pensive, providing an instructed visual experience that confronts the differences between reading and seeing. Works by Osmo Rauhala, Richard Humann and Barbara Rosenthal initiate dialogues between drawing and writing, symbols and images, language and thought. The discipline and succinctness of black and white amplify the force of Schneeman and Hatry’s commentary on sexual politics, and lend a sense of energetic rawness to Carl Fudge’s woodcuts.


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Home | News    Saturday 8 March 2014

Female opposition leader shines spotlight on plight of South Sudan women

March 8, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – A senior female opposition woman leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has called for greater focus on the ongoing plight of hundreds of thousands of vulnerable South Sudanese women.

JPEG - 30.9 kb
The UN says at least one million people, mostly women and children, are displaced and in dire conditions in South Sudan in the aftermath of the mid-December violence (Photo: Michael Arunga/World Vision)

Angelina Teny, the wife of former vice-president turned rebel leader, Riek Machar, said women across South Sudan are facing an appalling situation following the outbreak of violence on 15 December violence, calling on women across the globe to draw attention to their plight as they mark International Women’s Day on 8 March.

“I do recognise the responsibility of women being the voice of the voiceless and therefore I call on them to exercise such moral responsibility in support of and solidarity with women in South Sudan after the violence,” Teny said in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Saturday, urging the international community to “condemn the genocide taking place in South Sudan”.

She also called on work bodies to apply greater pressure on the Ugandan army (UPDF), which is currently providing military support to the South Sudanese government, to withdraw from the country.

Teny, who is participating peace talks in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa and once served as a state minister of petroleum in Sudan, also called on other female leaders within the United Nations and the African Union to use their influence in ensuring a peaceful resolution to the three-month-old conflict in the young country.

She further urged international media to rise to their responsibilities to let the world know about the current situation in the country.

According to UN reports, at least one million people, mostly women and children, are displaced and living in dire conditions in South Sudan in the aftermath of the mid-December violence.

Comments on the Sudan Tribune website must abide by the following rules. Contravention of these rules will lead to the user losing their Sudan Tribune account with immediate effect.

- No inciting violence
- No inappropriate or offensive language
- No racism, tribalism or sectarianism
- No inappropriate or derogatory remarks
- No deviation from the topic of the article
- No advertising, spamming or links
- No incomprehensible comments

Due to the unprecedented amount of racist and offensive language on the site, Sudan Tribune tries to vet all comments on the site.

There is now also a limit of 400 words per comment. If you want to express yourself in more detail than this allows, please e-mail your comment as an article to comment@sudantribune.com

Kind regards,

The Sudan Tribune editorial team.
  • 8 March 2014 10:24, by jijury

    Dancel or whatever you called yourself it’s not South Sudan culture to insult women calling them names. if you are a real man why don’t you come to the frontline where I am say that to my face here in Malakal and see if you will
    go back. Bashing women on social media and bitching around will not make your King Salva a hero but dumb ass dictator .

    repondre message

  • 8 March 2014 11:20, by American Missile.

    i thought, you were a good woman but later i realized that you are bad than your husband.Dr.Riek Machar was almost to reform his attitude of liking war,but you push him for it.
    Women of South Sudan re being taken care of by almight God.

    repondre message

  • 8 March 2014 13:31, by Don-Don Malith Rual

    As people celebrated the international women day to date, let’s remember Women who died among 10,000 lives lost in actively perpetrating atrocities since mid December last year in which more than 10,000 got kill, thousand homes have been deliberately destroyed & at least 900,000 civilians have been forcibly displaced, million more still living in fear of their dearly lives as targeted victims of w

    repondre message

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King's Academy duo Kozan, Vogelsong finish in state top 5

King's duo finishes in top 5 in boys' state golf; Pachecho third for girls

It was a strange high school golf season for Andrew Kozan and Alex Vogelsong.

The two best friends, Kozan a senior and Vogelsong a sophomore, led the Lions' boys golf team to 88 consecutive regular-season victories, including a national championship tournament in Arizona and a 45-stroke victory in district play.

They competed as individuals in the FHSAA Class 1A state championships Friday and Saturday, and both placed among the top five out of 96 boys in the tournament.

Kozan, who won individual honors last year with a 141, placed second this time with a 147 score for 36 holes over the windy El Campeon course at the Mission Inn and Resort. Vogelsong shot 152 to tie for fifth place.

"The greens were a lot quicker and the wind a little stronger than last year," Kozan said.

He and Vogelsong had to compete as individuals because, for the first time all season, in their last team competition, the Lions failed to finish first. They were third, four strokes out of second, in regional play. The top two teams from each region earn berths to states.

Vogelsong shook his head while discussing the regional loss: "We didn't really see it coming."

Both Vogelsong and Kozan are Auburn University commits.

In team play, a young Jupiter Christian team finished sixth with a score of 642. The team has four middle-school aged competitors and one junior. The junior, Bryan Wiyang, took fourth place in individual boys' play with a 149. Seventh-grader Nicklas Staub shot 153 to tie for tenth.

Broward team entrants Sagemont and Pine Crest, finished 13th and 14th, respectively. It was Sagemont's first trip to a state tournament. "With our young guys we feel good about next year," Sagemont coach Marco Salemi said.

In girls play, Benjamin improved on its first-round team score by nine strokes for a 36-hole total of 619, but still had to settle for third place. Sophomore Hannah Foster added a 75 to her first-round 70 to finish at 145 for seventh place individually. The team was led in Saturday's round by freshman Sarah Beqaj with 73. The Buccaneers played without a senior.

"We have a young team and we are very, very happy with the way we played," Foster said.

The leading individual scorer from Broward County was junior Valeria Pachecho of Chaminade-Madonna Prep with 143 for third place overall. She eagled the par-five 13th hole in Friday's round by hitting the green in two and sinking the putt.

"This was a pretty good score for me," Pachecho said. "The wind wasn't too bad. I liked the course. I felt I could have played a little better. On the other hand, if you hit the wrong shots here, you could shoot a high score."

Pachecho, 16, has played well in international junior tournaments, but this was her first year of high school golf after transferring to Chaminade-Madonna from Club Med Academy in Port St. Lucie. "I like high school golf. It's different and it's fun," she said.

The Oxbridge Academy team of West Palm Beach also played well with a team score of 662 for fifth place.

North Broward Prep finished tenth with a score of 705. Senior Hannah Leiner of North Broward Prep shot 149 to tie for 12th place individually.

Copyright © 2018, Sun Sentinel


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Beach Palace

Beach Palace

Built in December 2007, this 205-room all-inclusive hotel is perfectly located in the middle of Cancun’s hotel zone and 15 minutes from the downtown area. With a contemporary Mexican design, this hotel screams cutting edge. The resorts architecture boasts not one but two rooftop pools, a feature that sets them apart from many properties around the world. The fabulous views of Nichupte Lagoon provide the backdrop to the two swim-up bars, two Jacuzzis and the fitness center on property. This palace resort encompasses comfort in every capacity, with guest rooms draped in luxurious decor the high-class feel is also achieved.

  • Wedding Accommodations
  • Kids club
  • Golf Available
Visit Official Site
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Bel Air Collection Hotel and Spa Cancun Destination

With an infinity pool peering out over Cancun's white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, it won't be hard to have fun in the Mexican sun.

One&Only Palmilla Destination

Set on the tip of the Baja Peninsula, this grandiose property is redefining tranquility and what a relaxing vacation should entail.

Barceló Los Cabos Palace Deluxe Destination

Set beachfront, with a picturesque desert backdrop, resides this beautiful property, a sure-fire hit for any vacation.


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Beaches Negril Resort & Spa

Beaches Negril Resort & Spa

Situated oceanfront in beautiful Negril, this 210-room Beaches property is perfect for a family getaway. You can catch Sesame Street characters around the resort, so every child can take pictures with their favorites. Seven restaurants, with cuisines ranging from Tex-Mex to authentic Jamaican, and five bars fill this gorgeous property appeasing every appetite. Guests staying at this property can experience even more amenities with exchange privileges at Beaches Sandy Bay. Located on Jamaica’s famous 7-Mile Beach, there are spacious white-sand beaches leading into the clear-blue waters for all to enjoy.

  • Pirates Island Waterpark complete with water slides and children’s pool
  • Red lane spa
  • Xbox 360 Game Garage
  • Butler service available
Visit Official Site
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Hyatt Regency Plaza at Beverly Hills Destination

In search rest and relaxation, near some of the worlds best shopping? Stay. Here.

Couples Swept Away Resort Destination

A romantic getaway in western Jamaica? Yup, sounds about right. Intimacy won't be a problem at this resort.

Secrets Marquis Los Cabos Destination

Luxurious, Spanish-styled architecture will leave travelers amazed, while relaxing in serene Cabo San Lucas.


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HOTEL EDEN ANDALOU & SPA Hotel, Marrakech, Morocco | Morocco Hotels - SunSearch Holidays

    • 16+ years

    • 12-15 years

    • 2-11 years

    • 0-23 months

HOTEL EDEN ANDALOU & SPA The hotel eden andalou & spa is 5 star, and was the first of this kind in the city: it was created to make an unforgettable stay both for couples and families. Rooms are large, comfortable and have all commodities of a suit: there is a private area for parents and a salon with 3 beds for children. There is a childrens play area which is separate form the rest of the hotel and a beautiful andalucía spa, where you can relax. There is a free transport service to the centre of the city. The hotel has everything needed for you to enjoy a relaxing holiday.

ACCEPT COOKIESTo give you the best possible experience, this site uses cookies. Using this site means you agree to our use of cookies. We have published a cookies policy, which you should read to find out more about the cookies we use. View cookies policy.


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What is Suprose?

Welcome to Suprose.

Why Su-prose? "Su" in Sanskrit is a prefix for "good". This is a place where we will discuss and analyze prose (with a South Asian Connection) - that which is good, awesome, excellent, and maybe rant about prose that could be better.

Whether you love prose, are a prose expert, or want to learn more about prose, or to put it simply want to have anything to do with prose, this blog is for you.

Read, interact, enjoy and share...

Search This Blog

Friday, September 23, 2011

Publishers Weekly Talks To Michael Ondaatje

Michael Ondaatje in an Interview with Publishers Weekly

Don't miss Ondaatje's keynote at the Boston Book Festival on October 15th, 2011

Leaving Ceylon: PW Talks with Michael Ondaatje

As British colonialism dies, a young author comes of age in The Cat’s Table.

Your writing returns again and again to your country of birth. What is it about Sri Lanka that ties you to it so strongly?
I was born there, I have family there, and I go back often. Four books—Running in the Family, Handwriting, Anil’s Ghost, now this one—are based or tethered to that island that essentially made me. I am also someone who was educated in England and North America, so those elements are there too.

So many writers leave, either voluntarily or not, their home countries. Is being an ex-patriate a necessary ingredient to write truthfully about one’s place of origin?
I don’t feel I can claim to be a representative of that country as I no longer live there full-time. But sometimes as a writer and as a partial citizen, there can be another perspective. It may not be the truth, though.

There’s a beautiful epigraph from Joseph Conrad at the beginning of The Cat’s Table. Which writers have shaped the writer you are today?
Conrad, in spite of everything some writers dislike about him, is an essential voice and example, the way Yeats is for poetry. I only read his Youth recently and it is a novella brimming with incident of an almost surreal kind, not too far away from another masterpiece—Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Marquez.

The meta aspect of the novel—a main character named “Michael,” who’s also Ceylonese, who also grows up to be a writer—adds another layer to the story. How does fictional Michael’s leaving of Ceylon differ from your own?
I must say that when the name “Michael” was used by me, I was myself shocked at the nerve or gall of doing this. But by doing so, it strangely insisted on me making the narrator more fictional. Now he had to be fictional. Had to be different from the real me. I did take such a trip as a boy of 11, but, strangely, barely remember or recall it. So essentially I approached the idea of such a trip fictionally—adding adventures and characters I had never met. Everyone in the book is fictional, including the boys and the cousin and the narrator. But I wanted to suggest a general “colouring” of memoir, making the narrator a writer and making him a boy from Sri Lanka in order to swivel on the possibilities of fiction and memoir, and so make it more intimate. But it is a fiction.

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Jimena de la Frontera, Castle and River Tour

Date: Monday, 7th May 2018

Our route takes us from the centrer of charming village through pretty streets full of flowers up to the old Moorish castle, perched above the town. Jimena is called "de la Frontera", meaning "the border", like many villages that were located on the border between the Moorish and the Christian Empire.
Río Hozcarganta

We continue our walk to a viewpoint overlooking the Cork Forest and from there find our way down to the river.

The Hozcarganta river has engraved its riverbed between bizarre rock formations and lush the vegetation of the Cork Forest Nature Reserve. We follow the river on a very pretty path and when we come back to the village, we can enjoy some tapas in a typical Tasca on the main square.

Jimena de la Frontera

dificultad1 easy - 7 km - approx 3 hour.

↓ 279m - circular route

Please bring:

Hiking shoes, sun and rain protection, enough water. Bathing suit if you want to swim in the river, highly recommended especially in good weather.

Pick up times:

Marbella: 9:00
Estepona 9:30

Expected return:

5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Price: 42€

Hiking guide, insurance and transport to starting point and back

Not included:

Food and drinks

Registration required:

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BBC Technology: Sky cars to be built in Tel Aviv

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The skyTran system could help ease gridlocked roads

The skyTran system could help ease gridlocked roads

An elevated network of sky cars is to be built in Tel Aviv.

A 500m loop will be built on the campus of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) followed by a commercial network, according to skyTran, the company that will build it.

Two-person vehicles will be suspended from elevated magnetic tracks, as an alternative transport method to congested roads, the firm promised.

The system should be up and running by the end of 2015.

The firm hopes the test track will prove that the technology works and lead to a commercial version of the network.

The plan is to allow passengers to order a vehicle on their smartphone to meet them at a specific station and then head directly to their destination.

The vehicles will achieve speeds of up to 70km/h (43mph) although the commercial rollout is expected to offer much faster vehicles.

A number of skyTran projects are planned globally, including in India and the US, but will depend upon the success of the Israeli pilot.

SkyTran, based at the Nasa research park in California, hopes to revolutionise public transport.

Chief executive Jerry Sanders described the agreement to build a test track with IAI as a “breakthrough” for the project.

Joe Dignan, an independent smart city expert, said the system represented “a hybrid between existing infrastructure and autonomous vehicles”.

“It will get the market in the mood for autonomous vehicles – it is not too scary, is cheaper than building out a train line and uses part of the urban landscape, 20 feet above ground, that isn’t currently used.”


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“Houston, we have a problem.” (Holiday homework for product designers on spaceship Earth)

By Lorne Craig on December 19, 2008

Here we are, floating blissfully through our Universe, as the Christmas Star begins its annual glow overhead. Suddenly, warning lights begin to flash on the dashboard of Spaceship Earth, and a disembodied mechanical female voice bleats its irritatingly calm countdown of doom “… Warning…. Waste disposal systems on overload. Bulkhead breech imminent ….” Soon, we realize, our living quarters will be filled with the toxic discharge of our very existence.

At least, that’s how Christmas morning looks sometimes, as I sit nursing a 10 a.m. rum and eggnog and contemplate the pile of wrapping, plastic, casings, blister-paks, Styrofoam, styrene and miscellaneous jetsam that festoon our living room. Surely there must be a better way. People smart enough to send their fellow primates to the moon and back should be able to conquer this problem. I have heard it said that humanity functions best when faced with imminent doom, so I propose a solution that came straight from one of NASA’s greatest dramas – Apollo 13.

For those of you who don’t remember the incident, (or the film), three crew members were stuck in a malfunctioning capsule, halfway back to earth, with limited oxygen supply and a wrecked CO2 scrubber. If they couldn’t find a way to fix it with the parts they had on hand (no nearby Home Depot, really) they would literally suffocate in their own emissions. Back on Earth, NASA grabbed an exact duplicate of every piece of tubing, wiring, duct tape and usable component available to the astronauts on board and dumped the pile on a table in front of their best engineers. “Gentlemen, invent a way to put a square peg in a round hole. Rapidly.” The technicians responded, inventing from the detritus a lifesaving CO2 filter.

So here is my Holiday Challenge to the packaging and product designers of the world. On Christmas day, pile up every piece of paper, cardboard, plastic, twist-tie and ribbon on the living room floor in front of you. Grab a sketchpad and a double dose of your intoxicant of choice and see what you can make out of it. Then reverse-engineer your creations into value-added components for next year’s Christmas rush. (If such a thing still exists). Turn holiday trash into treasure. Please.

You are our best and brightest. The fate of all our fellow astronauts lies in your hands.

Image credit: Lorne Craig


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Some kind words from my clients:

I developed shoulder pain during my training to swim the English Channel. Claire massaged and manipulated my shoulder and told me what exercises to do. With her help I overcame my injury and successfully achieved my goal! She would be the first person I would turn to, should I run into trouble in the future.

- Gregg
Insurance Broker

Claire has been ‘looking after me’ and ‘keeping me going’ for the last 19 years. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis many years ago and have suffered with back pain and stiffness. With Claire’s help I have managed this condition… she has kept me upright and mobile for a long time!

- Edmund
Retired Accountant

A lifelong nursing career and more recently working as a podiatrist have taken their toll. Over the past ten years I have had reason to visit Claire with various musculoskeletal problems. Claire has an amazing ability following assessment to pinpoint the problem and explain why you are experiencing certain symptoms. She is extremely knowledgeable with a safe and gentle approach to relieving pain, discomfort and immobility.
I have never failed to leave the clinic thoroughly satisfied. I would highly recommend Claire without hesitation.

- Pauline


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Search - Flash Gordon on DVD

Flash Gordon
Flash Gordon
Actors: Sam Jones, Topol
Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy
PG     2010     1hr 52min

Alex Raymond's famous comic strip blasts to life in the action-packed sci-fi adventure Flash Gordon. When energy waves pull the moon out of orbit, New York Jets quarterback Flash Gordon (Sam J. Jones) unwittingly finds hi...  more »

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Movie Details

Actors: Sam Jones, Topol
Creator: Melody Anderson
Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Sub-Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Studio: Universal Studios
Format: DVD - Color,Widescreen - Subtitled
DVD Release Date: 05/04/2010
Original Release Date: 01/01/1980
Theatrical Release Date: 00/00/1980
Release Year: 2010
Run Time: 1hr 52min
Screens: Color,Widescreen
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 16
Edition: Special Edition
MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Languages: English
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

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Space Soldiers/Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars/Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe
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Member Movie Reviews

Brad S. (Snibot) from DALLAS, TX
Reviewed on 8/24/2011...
I love this movie.

The acting is well done as is the writing, and the storyline and plot is both interesting and sustainable. But the superstar here is the soundtrack by Queen.

I'm not sure that the special effects would ever have been considered good, but with the performances this is easily overlooked. There is a few continuity issues though, what with Prince Baron bleeding red instead of green (which they showed earlier in the movie) but in general this movie is really well done. And a few poorly done points, for instance a softball sized meteor would create a substantial crater, not just set fire to bed sheets.

They do a good job of pulling away from more mature content to keep a PG rating, still some material is inappropriate for younger kids.

This film is a cult classic! If you enjoy Sci Fi Action movies and can overlook the special effects then this is one that you will want to keep as you will be watching it repeatedly.


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Search - Live at Montreux (Clip Strip) (6pc) on DVD

Live at Montreux (Clip Strip) (6pc)
Live at Montreux
Clip Strip
Genres: Music Video & Concerts
UR     2006

Movie Details

Genres: Music Video & Concerts
Sub-Genres: Country, Pop, Cash, Johnny
Studio: Eagle Rock Ent
Format: DVD
DVD Release Date: 03/07/2006
Release Year: 2006
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 0
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Languages: English

Movie Reviews

A store display.
Bt | Parts unknown | 03/13/2006
(1 out of 5 stars)

"After contacting Eagle Vision, here's what I found out. This item is actually a "retail only" store display of the Johnny Cash "Live at Montreux" concert for Eagle Vision U.S.A.. It is picture "strips" of the show (6 of them) pasted on a box for display. That's it! Can you believe that? Someone dropped the ball on this one. Just thought I'd let you know before you dish out some hard earned cash on something that isn't available."


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14 March 2008

Hello, Spring!

What a beautiful day! Maggie and I had the day to do whatever we wanted, since I finished all the hours I was allowed to work as of yesterday. This morning we mostly chilled and played, but this afternoon, I had things we could accomplish!
After her bath, we headed to the store to get diapers, wipes, laundry stuff..you know, another fun $75 that will be used to deal with poopies. But while we were out, the car was taunting me with the outside temperature display - it was 54 degrees! Woo-hoo!! Once we got back from the store, I put her straight from the carseat to the stroller and we headed out for a walk. Beautiful days like this in Michigan are yet another reason moms don't need home gyms; a walk may not sound like much, but pushing that stroller through the mud was a workout! It was worth it though. Maggie loves the wind in her hair and really enjoyed our walk. :)

Girl said...

Moms also have squiggly little hand weights, lol.

Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah said...

Why is pooping so expensive for babies?

I figure once I actually get my twins potty trained I will be able to save enough $$ to buy a new computer.

sm00bs said...

Hah, pooping isn't expensive for babies, it's expensive for mommies and daddies! ;)

I'll tell ya, I swear by cloth to save money. My sisters won't touch it, but I love every minute of it.

Yay for good weather! I won't tell you how nice it's been here. ;)


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17 September 2014

My Favorite Season

Although you know how much I dread winter, fall still remains my favorite season somehow. Part of this is surely because it's the beginning of all the events we make sure to see each year.

First up is usually Disney On Ice. One of my very favorite Disney on Ice shows was a few years ago, when my daughter Maggie was two. I can remember like it was yesterday, watching her yell, "HI MICKEY!" as Mickey and Minnie came out on the ice. The solid belief she apparently held was that he would see and hear HER when he came out. It was absolutely adorable.

Now is the time to start watching for all the local opportunities to see the show, and then all my friends' posts and pictures sharing everyone's fun memories! Click here to purchase tickets to a Disney On Ice show near you!

I received something of value from Feld Entertainment as part of their Insider Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

siteseer said...

I love that age. Guess I love every age lol. They just grow one on another. :)


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Artificial Intelligence Basics for Talent Professionals

by SwoopTalent, on January 18, 2018

Chances are, a bot is managing your investment portfolio right now. Investment companies develop proprietary algorithms to analyze the behavior of markets, and make predictions for future gains and losses. Computers can store and analyze millions of data inputs, using a process called data mining. With a massive amount of data points, a neural network seeks to find patterns and correlations, grouping, storing, and classifying the data, and making predictions about the future. Finally, as more data is gathered that reflects the accuracy of those predictions, machine learning applies the new data to update and revise those predictions, becoming more accurate over time. These combined, recursive processes: gathering large data sets, analyzing them for patterns and making predictions, and revising those predictions to make them more accurate over time, is collectively called artificial intelligence, and investment firms use it every day, to make trades executed by bots (software program(s) that execute various functions with differing degrees of autonomy).

The stock market loves AI and bots for several reasons:

  • the amount of data that can be processed is vaster than any human brain or group of brains could store, recall, and manage.
  • once the initial rules and algorithms are in place, the system can operate with little human management or time investment
  • bots can execute tasks in milliseconds, much faster than a human could do them
  • these systems can operate 24/7 and never need rest

Other industries have been slower to adopt AI, but in recent years these technologies are becoming more useful in an ever-wider array of applications. Today, the average person can see AI applications in digital assistants, image and voice recognition, and automated vehicles. On a larger scale, AI is being used in weather prediction, healthcare and epidemic mapping, and manufacturing and transportation of goods around the world.

In recruiting and HR, AI is becoming an important aspect of talent management. Many companies have to contend with large data sets of existing and former employees, as well as applicants for current and past positions, and tracking events and communication throughout the talent ecosystem. Most companies manage this work with a combination of intensive human time and effort (it can take up to 23 hours to screen resumes for a single position), as well as technological investment in maintaining different sets of lists, records, and datapoints.

Not only is HR and recruiting incredibly data-intensive work, but it poses special human challenges:

  • Employees and candidates need to be treated respectfully throughout their contact with the company
  • All inquiries should receive a fast, accurate response
  • Employees and candidates should be treated fairly and impartially
  • But employees and candidates also want a warm, human touch in their dealings with the company

Intelligent data systems help companies deliver on all the softer, human aspects of talent management, by automating what can be automated and executing tasks swiftly, reliably, and impartially. This frees up HR staff, creating the necessary time for relationship building and problem-solving on an individual level.

Today, companies are using AI in a variety of ways to augment their recruitment processes, from chatbots that interactively guide candidates through the application process, software that analyzes job listings against keywords on resumes or LinkedIn profiles to suggest matches, and shortening the hiring window.

Finally, everyone wants to know if artificial intelligence will take our jobs. The answer is that AI will transform our jobs, just as social media, mobile devices, and the internet itself transformed work as we know it today. Some jobs will become obsolete, while at the same time we will discover whole new industries and opportunities. What we know right now is that we can use AI to automate work that is rule-based and repetitive, and free up human intelligence to do work that is more important, impactful, and meaningful. Contact us today to find out how.

Topics:talent datamachine learningartificial intelligence


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Calculating Trunk Requirements

Calculating Trunk Requirements
By Penny Reynolds, The Call Center School

In getting the optimal call center resource plan in place, there are two resources that must be calculated. The first and most important one is the number of staff, since that�s where the call center spends most of its budget. The other resource that must be determined is the number of telephone trunks needed to bring the calls into the call center. This is a critical part of the overall design of the center.

Just as in a staffing design, the first step in calculating network resources is to define workload. The same forecast of call volume used to calculate staff requirements is typically used to calculate telephone trunk requirements too. The difference in workload then, is the handle time of the contact. As stated earlier, while an agent�s handle time is made up of talk time plus after-call work, the handle time associated with the telephone trunk is made up of ring time, delay or queue time, and the talk time.

      Staff       Staff
      Ring       Delay Talk     After-call work
Trunk Trunk Trunk

Staffing and Trunking Relationship

Many call centers make the mistake of applying an arbitrary ratio of trunks to staff in their resource design. Some assume a one-to-one ratio and have an equivalent number of trunks to match the bodies in chairs. While this may be appropriate for some centers, it will be a mismatch for others.

Consider the two call center scenarios illustrated in Exhibit 9.3. Both centers have an average conversation time of 240 seconds per call and both centers answer the call after the first ring. The first call center has staffed so that average speed of answer is 30 seconds and the agents have a significant amount of after-call work (60 seconds) to complete after each call. In this case, the trunk handle time of 276 seconds is less than the staff handle time of 300 seconds per call. In this case, fewer trunks than staff would be required. More staff are needed since one-fifth of handle time is spent in after-call work, with no trunk being occupied.

Consider now the case of the second call center. It also answers calls after one ring and has an average talk time of 240 seconds. However, its speed of answer is double that of the first center, and its agents spend only half as much time in after-call work activity. For this call center, the trunk handle time of 306 seconds is higher than the staff handle time of 270 seconds. In this scenario, more trunks than staff would be needed.

      Ring       Delay       Talk After-call work
Call Center A 6 sec 30 sec 240 sec 60 sec
        Call Center B 6 sec 60 sec 240 sec 30 sec

The right match of staffing to trunking is essential for proper resource planning. The number of trunks in place controls the flow of calls that will be routed to the staff and therefore has a major impact on attainment of service goals. And likewise, the number of staff in place will affect delay times in queue and trunking requirements.

Care should be taken to ensure that there are enough trunks in place to provide a good level of service to callers. It is natural to assume that a call center might over-trunk to make sure enough inbound facilities are available to callers, so that a minimal number reach a busy signal, especially since the cost of a trunk is so much less than the cost of an agent. However, adding too many trunks without corresponding additions in staff is like increasing the size of a doctor�s waiting room without adding more doctors. More people can enter the lobby (the call center queue), but everyone there will wait longer to be served. And since there are costs associated with this delay time if the call center is using toll-free services, the call center will be paying additional dollars for the longer wait time.

In making the decision about how many calls to accept versus limiting the number that come into the queue, it is important to consider how important it is to capture the call or not. In a sales situation, the call center will most likely want to let every call in, since responding with a busy signal might lose a potential customer. On the other hand, where the callers represent more of a �captive audience,� it may benefit the center to allow in only the number of calls that can be handled in a reasonable amount of time with the assumption that the blocked callers will call back to be handled later.

Trunking Models

While Erlang C is the model of choice to determine staffing needs, other models are used to replicate what happens to callers on telephone trunks. The most common traffic engineering model used in calculating trunk requirements is Erlang B. Erlang B assumes that if a call attempts a set of trunks and none are available, then the call simply goes away. Erlang B is fine to use in cases where there is very little blockage, but in cases where a significant portion of the callers will retry the call instead of going away, Erlang B will underestimate the need for trunks.

For situations where a significant number of callers will retry their calls if blocked, a derivation of Erlang B is used that takes retry behaviors into account. This technique, called Extended Erlang B, takes the percentage of retry into account, as well as the speed of the retries.

Assume that a call center expects to receive 200 calls in an hour and each call takes 360 seconds of trunk handle time (12 seconds of ringing, 48 seconds of delay, and 300 seconds of talk time) for a total of 20 hours or erlangs of workload. The call center wishes to block no less than two percent of inbound calls, and it assumes that about half of the callers who are blocked will re-try within the same hour. In this example, 30 trunks would be needed to provide the desired service according to the Extended Erlang B model.

Trunking Requirements for 20 Hours of Workload

Calls per
(In erlangs)
Number of
200 360 sec 20 27 4.3%
200 360 sec 20 28 3.0%
200 360 sec 20 29 2.0%
200 360 sec 20 30 1.4%

Sometimes the duty of calculating telephone facilities falls outside the realm of the call center and is the job of the telecommunications or IT department. Even if not directly responsible for the provisioning of these resources, however, it is important for the call center to work closely with the group that has this responsibility. The number of facilities in place can affect the staffing requirements. Likewise, the call center�s staffing design will have an impact on delay times, trunk workload, and overall telephone line requirements, so the two areas should work together closely to make sure an appropriate mix of telephone resources and staff are in place.

Note: An Extended Erlang B trunking model is available as part of the Quikstaff software tool, available as a free download from The Call Center School�s web site at

Penny Reynolds is a Founding Partner of The Call Center School, a company that provides a wide range of educational offerings for call center professionals. Penny is a popular industry speaker and is the author of numerous call center management books, including Call Center Staffing: The Complete, Practical Guide to Workforce Management and Call Center Supervision: The Complete Guide for Managing Frontline Staff. She can be reached at 615-812-8410 or by email at:


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Khevar's Avatar

01.23.2013 , 11:59 AM | #22
Quote: Originally Posted by Facime View Post

As for those of you saying its a re-roll each time. I understand that, but Im wondering how many of you might not understand odds and statistics. The way it works is like this: Statistically I have a one in 5 chance of hitting a schematic. That means that the more times I attempt and fail, the greater my odds are that I will hit on the next attempt...statistically speaking of course. When you dont hit after 30 or 40 attempts, either the mechanic is broken or you are deep nito a statistical anomally.

If you flipped a coin 10 times and hit heads every time, wouldnt you question whether or not the coin was "rigged"?

I apologise in advance for being harsh here, but do YOU understand statistics? You need a large enough sample size for any sort of "dice roll" statistics to be meaningful.

100 attempts? Nope
1,000 attempts? Nope
10,000 attempts? Better, but not really enough.
100,000 attempts? More likely to statistically average out.
1,000,000 attempts? Now we're talking.

Oh, and here's someone flipping a coin 10 times in a row:

And that only required 1,000 flips to find an unbroken set of 10 times landing on the same side. How many RE's are happening on your sever besides yours? All of these need to be taken into account for your statistics.

And remember, nobody comes to the forum to complain: "Hey, I just RE'ed 3 times in a row and got a schem each time, that doesn't match the 20% tooltip!"


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Star Wars and others go retro with modern vintage posters

Contributed by
Dec 14, 2012

Tired of today's movies? Wishing they could be a little more like yesterday's?

While none of us can change what appears on the screen, artist Tom Whalen has at least found a way to take us back in time with retro posters that advertise those new movies, reinterpreting them in a modern vintage illustration style.

Whalen has applied the elements of movie posters from '20s, '30s and '40s to more modern films, somehow managing to make us nostalgic for tomorrow.

We've chosen a few of our favorites to share with you, but there are plenty more where these came from. Check them out!


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Tablet Adda (TA) is an ultimate Online Shopping Platform for buying Tablet PCs and related products. Shopping here is so easy & convenient as one can select from wide range of products at value for money prices. It is a one stop solution for shopping the best tablets, power banks, cases & covers, chargers, cables and other accessories online. TA is the shopping destination for all internet users pan India; browse and instantly order from the huge product catalogue.

Tablet Adda is a concept store uniquely designed around Tablet PCs only. Tablet PCs are soon to become an integral part for being used for entertainment, gaming, education, workforce automation, displaying smarter business presentations and many more. TA has an easy-to-use interface that includes filters, compare options, meaningful descriptions, reviews and blogs. One will definitely find shopping on Tablet Adda quite interactive and easy. Apart from this, even if you are not happy with your order, we have excellent replacement policies to support you.
Tablet Adda is committed to customers and thus ensure to give an entirely hassle-free service, including an easy-to-browse website, mobile app interface and prompt delivery network. Online shopping with us is going to delight you as we offer various options to pay using Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, EMI, Wallets, and off course Cash On Delivery which is applicable across entire range of products. Please be rest assured as your payments & transactions are safe & secured with us. Further, you can reach our customer care team for all your payment and order related doubts or queries and our friendly executives will be delighted to help & assist you.
Last but not the least, with the backing of India’s largest distribution house in Tablet business, Tablet Adda aims to be the Only word in Tablets ecosystem in India.