Clear Talk latest beneficiary of Verizon's 700Mhz spectrum fire sale

After horse-trading with the FCC and DOJ to gain AWS spectrum from cable venture SpectrumCo in exchange for its 700MHz A and B bands, Verizon has found another taker: Clear Talk, who just signed an agreement to purchase 10 lower B-block licenses. That follows an agreement with Nortex in Texas along with Panhandle Telecom in Oklahoma, and will cover Clear Talk's markets in Maryland, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Nevada and New Mexico. Big Red is evaluating other bids for its lower 700Mhz licenses and is also leasing upper C-block frequencies to 20 operators in order "to jumpstart the delivery of 4G LTE in rural areas." Verizon's tat for that tit will be that it can wholesale its services to cable companies like Comcast and Time Warner, making it well worth the company's while, we can imagine.

Filed under: Wireless, Verizon

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Source: Verizon

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/zyFQF2bfrKQ/

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Imran Khan urges for understanding between government and military

November 30th, 2012 by Web Desk | No Comment |

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has stressed upon the need for understanding between institutions, adding that he doesn?t believe in politics of confrontation between the military and the civilian government.

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Speaking to journalists in Islamabad, the former cricketer asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to deploy soldiers inside polling stations in sensitive areas to ensure transparency in the upcoming general elections.

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It is vital to mention here that the demand comes at a time when Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (Retd) Fakhruddin G Ebrahim has already expressed his willingness to deploy the military in ?sensitive? polling stations.

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He also stated that he will forward his suggestion to the CEC at a meeting likely to be held next month. He also stressed upon the need for early finalization of electoral rolls.

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The former cricketing captain said nobody had formally contacted him regarding the interim set up. In his view, an independent interim setup can ensure fair elections in Pakistan.? He also stressed upon the need of an impartial caretaker prime minister.

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About the party?s intra-elections, Imran hoped the polls will conclude by January 15 next year. He said his party will never opt for a political alliance with the two traditional parties ?Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples? Party, which according to him are supporting each other to prolong their traditional struggle for power.

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?PTI is yet to decide on seat adjustments with any political party,? Imran said. Misdirected seat adjustments could lead towards the party?s failure in the upcoming polls, he said. If his party failed, it will be his fault for choosing the wrong candidates, he added.

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He observed, ?Selection of the right candidates will pave the way for PTI?s success in the general elections.? Imran maintained external elements were behind the current unrest in Balochistan.

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?If the PTI comes to power, it will try to resolve the issue of Balochistan by inviting all the sardars to the negotiating table.? The party will revamp the police force, which would operate sans political pressure, he added.

Source: http://www.newspakistan.pk/2012/11/30/imran-khan-urges-understanding-government-military/

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The the singer activities of high-profile music worthless reveal the ...

last month, the lack of appearance of Maggie Cheung at the activities of a magazine, came to power rock singer attitude drums, and sing his own lyrics ?Visionary?. The day before yesterday, media broke, Maggie Cheung has signed a contract with Daniel Wu [microblogging] the record company Revolution, in addition to the lead singer, also responsible for the composer, as will be singer-songwriter officially joined the music scene and attend concerts. In addition, since the beginning of this year, Evergrande announced its entry into the music industry, Leroy Entertainment announced the successful financing of the 100,000,000 other news, seems to indicate the warming of the Phonographic Industry.

but in fact, the status quo of Chinese music is still rather a little embarrassed. Even like Jolin Tsai [microblogging] has to sell large three months the album ?MUSE?, as the media and the fans, still can not understand the specific sales figures. The album is dead ?argument, it has not died down because Song Ke? semi regression.

planning: Sulei

author: Fan Association Hung

vicious circle

the one hand, one hand, Maggie Cheung and other high-profile into the music scene rumors ?album is dead?

?sell? album figures are confidential

News

Comparative singer issued a new album in Europe and the United States, you often will find any singer, without exception, when it comes to the new album ?sell? have not heard a specific sales figures. The physical album sales in the end how poor a record company staff had told reporters, ?Now, can sell more than 10,000, even big sell. This is the status of the physical album sales.

now who would want to buy the album? Fei Yu said in an interview with reporters, ?I have a group of loyal listeners, CD sound quality is very good, save a very long time, so they will buy the collection, even without sales than ever before, but can also be flies pass line ?. In addition, a lot of the classic albums of classical music, but also because of the value of a collection, sold out of print is not uncommon.

do signings

the

rely on fans rushed sales

However, such evergreens as Fei Yu in Chinese music, after all, or too little, and now only Tsai, Sandy [microblogging] few. More singers, although it has its own fixed group of fans, but also only by signing will be one after another across the country to hit record sales. Luo [microblogging] such as sales champion reelected for two consecutive years in Taiwan, is notoriously the signings king. Insiders On Luo sales figures, said: ?A lot of people say is likely to be a fans buy a lot of sheets, but can not he do signings will fans buy fans is willing to spend money bought a few, and then to see him a few times, anyway, the sales figures are real. ?

draft singer

EP make money

Sania

in the Mainland, the most well versed in this is a major talent show, just out of the race, they fan base is basically a student-selling album is the most direct way to make money. Throughout the days of entertainment, including record companies, serious if the album did not a few, but it touches on a lot of EP. Production costs are not much, but can withstand the new album, the name of the first nationwide signings will fans really make money, exposure correct. Many draft singer?s fans are keen on the idol impulse sales, the mainland does not like the U.S. Billboard chart as authoritative record sales statistics, the target of fans locked in record sales for commercial websites standings. Whenever draft singer made the album, you can see in their paste, watercress groups where the fan base, we encourage each other to buy CDs in the major sites, ?champion? to send the idol throne.

struggle

singer hair piece tricks and more

rely signings drop in the bucket

have to admit, now physical record already than ever, often packaged like a work of art in general. Guangzhou to promote the new album the Wanfang [microblogging] album packaging full use in the manufacture of tissue paper, as if a book. The Wanfang said add yourself to the idea, and then handed over to a professional team to design. In addition to the design of the album itself down enough effort, every album comes with a small gift has become the norm ? the new album to send posters have been impossible to attract the interest of the fans, send photo books, calendars, pillow, also very common. Record company gifts on is full of tricks ? to send underwear, headphones, 3D glasses.

for these tricks can has been the promotion of sales, the person responsible for the publicity of the Gold Typhoon Ms. Liu said, ?there will certainly be affected, we will also be based on sales feedback and adjustment programs.?

for a regular album, from planning to into the studio to record, and then to publicity, If you only sell a twenty thousand really justify the cost. So many singers rely signings to promote sales. Recently went to Guangzhou to promote the new album Yan Jue said, since after the release of the new album, he almost every week in the country ran publicity, do signings throughout the campaign period up to 3 months. However, if only through signings, cost recovery is a drop in the bucket. Ms Lau said that indeed low physical album sales, the record company in addition to the signings, there are some other ways to go to earn back the recording costs. For the small card singer frequent signings, big-name singers almost no signings phenomenon, Ms. Liu explained, ?big singers too much work, limited promotional time, we can only choose a convenient place signings.?

organized signings, in addition to have a singer present, beside the large and small staff is also essential. A lot of people questioned, a book signing to earn money, to fill a book-signing event staff overhead? Ms Lau said that varies from person to person, ?big-name singers may not be able to.

reporters observed

Music worthless? Copyright toll road is long

recent years, copyright license fees to the music industry back to life, as many of the industry?s expectations. Moment, the musicians through the part of the copyright income up or from the services of the major communications provider to download ring tones. In fact attributable to most online music downloads and KTV demand charges, but still no progress. In fact, in the case of national policies, laws are not yet clear, the industry has begun operations. Reporters learned that the major sites although pay royalties to the record companies are not many, but also in the implementation of. Just in online shopping popular today, people buy cultural products does not yet become a habit.

the face of charges of the message of the music, a well-known website yesterday launched ?Music valuable? users survey. As of press dispatch, 52.9% of users made it clear that he will not pay to download music. However, some netizens said, ?is to look at the standard fee.?

(Zebian: pp)

Music ? News

Source: http://insidechina.onehotspots.com/the-the-singer-activities-of-high-profile-music-worthless-reveal-the-phonographic-industry-vicious-circle/82778/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-the-singer-activities-of-high-profile-music-worthless-reveal-the-phonographic-industry-vicious-circle

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iPad Mini Review: Apple?s tiny tablet is a winner

After spending nearly a month with my iPad Mini, the verdict is in: It?s an absolute winner.

I promised to review various parts of the iPad Mini throughout my experience with it, and I?ve gotten some interesting feedback. Some readers have emailed me telling me that the screen is horrible, it?s too small and that it?s too expensive for what you?re actually getting.

Let?s address these issues:

Screen Resolution is Great

Is it a Retina display? No. Is it sharp and crisp, though? Hell yes.

Ever rip a photo off the internet, and then try and stretch it out? It becomes pixelated and hard to decipher. Do the opposite, and the photo should become a bit more crisp. That?s the case with the iPad Mini.

It?s the iPad 2 screen ? which wasn?t a problem for anyone, until Apple announced the Retina display ? but crammed down into a 7.9-inch screen. As a result, text and photos are plenty crisp.

Will a Retina display version, which most people are predicting will happen next year, be better? Of ?course it will be. But was the iPhone 3G better than the original model? Was the 5 better than the 4?

Was the iPad with Retina display better than the iPad 2? Yes, yes and yes. It?s still an iPad, it just has updated features.

For this blogger, the screen is not an issue at all.

Is the iPad Mini too small?

Another complaint I received was that the iPad Mini was too small. I argue that it?s the perfect size.

Use an iPad Mini for a week without looking at your old, full-sized iPad. When you return to that full-sized iPad, you?ll be shocked.

It?s so much heavier, more difficult to hold and clunky feeling.

Sure, if you have a fourth-generation iPad with Retina display, you have a beautiful tablet that?s really powerful. It?s great for watching movies and TV shows and reading.

But the iPad Mini just seems more practical. It can easily be held with one hand, which is perfect for reading. It?s a perfect coffee table companion, light and fast enough for quick reference. And I?ve even watched a couple TV shows in bed with it.

At two-thirds of a pound, the iPad Mini is a winner.

The iPad Mini is Too Expensive

I won?t argue with my critics here. At $329 for 16 GB, it?s pricey. I bought a 32 GB model for $429.

Luckily I sold my 32 GB iPad 2 on eBay for $400. So in reality, I only paid $30 for my iPad Mini. That?s a great price.

Apple should have priced this tablet at no more than $300, but I?m sure they overpriced it now, so they don?t have to raise the price later when the Retina model shows up.

Can?t you hear Tim Cook now? ?And it?s the same exact price as the current model.?

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Related posts:

1. iPad Mini: Initial review and why we love it
2. iPad Mini might be the most comfortable tablet on the market
3. iPad Mini: 7 things we absolutely love about a smaller tablet
4. Why the iPad Mini is overpriced
5. iPad Mini could struggle if Google undercuts with $99 tablet

Source: http://ipad.blorge.com/2012/11/29/ipad-mini-review-apples-tiny-tablet-is-a-winner/

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Video: Tomorrow In 30: Dividends & Data

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Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/cnbc/50016937/

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Personal Coaching App Tracks Sleep, Diet, Fitness - Health Me Up

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*Image courtesy: ? Thinkstock photos/ Getty Images

*Text courtesy Reuters Health

(Reuters) - Trying to get fit or lose weight but lacking the motivation and willpower? A new app that acts like a digital personal coach monitors fitness, activity, sleep and diet and provides tips for health and productivity.

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The app called Larklife gathers data via a wristband and provides personalized advice which is displayed on the smartphone app. It can deduct if the wearer is not getting enough sleep and how sedentary they are, according to its creators.

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"In the background it's as if you had your own personal fitness trainer, productivity coach and sleep coach all working together to give you the easiest way to improve at this moment," said Julia Hu, CEO and co-founder of the Mountain View, California-based company Lark.

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After a poor night's sleep, for example, the app might suggest extra protein for breakfast, based on research that it can improve mental focus when someone is sleep deprived. Thirty minutes after a workout, it might remind the user to drink water to keep hydrated.

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The app is part of the growing wearable technology market, which is expected to nearly double by 2014, according to a report by research firm Juniper Research. Many wearable technology devices connect with smartphone apps to display the data they gather.

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There is a growing supply of health and fitness tracking apps and gadgets on the market, including the Nike+ FuelBand, Fitbit and Jawbone UP, but Hu said her product provides real-time advice and does not focus on tracking metrics like calories burned or distance traveled.

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"Data is incredibly important as the first step, but the layer on top that everyone is missing is ?what does this actually mean for me?" she said.

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Most people don't care about shaving 10 seconds off their running time, she added, but they do want to lose a few pounds, improve productivity and have more energy.

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The Larklife app provides its coaching wirelessly in real-time.

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"When we're building good habits it's important to have that positive reinforcement in real-time," Hu explained.

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All the advice that the app provides is based on real-time data from the wristband, such as a reminder that the wearer has been sitting for more than 100 minutes and should walk around.

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"It's a gentle nudge and friendly reminder at the time when you're supposed to be doing it that just pushes you to take that extra little step," explained Hu.

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The company said it developed the app with sleep, nutrition, fitness and circadian rhythm experts and neuroscientists.

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For dieters the app automatically logs meal times and can record more detailed information, such as type of food consumed. It will be available for iPhone and iPod touch devices in December. The wristband will be sold in Apple stores and online in the United States in December for $149.99.

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(Editing by Patricia Reaney)

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Johnny Lewis Autopsy: 'Sons Of Anarchy' Actor Who Allegedly Killed Landlady Not On Drugs

Michael Clarke Duncan

"The Green Mile" actor Michael Clarke Duncan died at the age of 54 on Sept. 3, 2012 in a Los Angeles hospital after nearly two months of treatment following a July 13, 2012 heart attack.

Jerry Nelson

"Sesame Street" puppeteer Jerry Nelson, shown here with "Sesame Street" character Count von Count in New York in June 2012, died at age 78 on Aug. 23, 2012, in Massachusetts after battling emphysema.

Phyllis Diller

Actress/comedienne Phyllis Diller, who was best know for her stand-up act, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/20/phyllis-diller-dead_n_1812818.html">died at the age of 95</a> on Aug. 20. 2012 in Los Angeles.

Tony Scott

Director Tony Scott, whose projects include "The Hunger," "Top Gun," "Enemy of the State," died after jumping off a bridge in Los Angeles on Aug. 19, 2012.

Scott McKenzie

"San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)" singer Scott McKenzie, seen here in the center with "The Mamas And The Papas" 1967, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/20/scott-mckenzie-dead-dies-san-francisco-73_n_1809989.html">died on Aug. 18. 2012</a>, after battling Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a disease that affects the nervous system.

William Windom

A 1980 file photo provided by CBS shows actor William Windom, who won an Emmy Award for his turn in the TV comedy series "My World And Welcome To It," died Aug. 16, 2012, of congestive heart failure at his home in Woodacre, north of San Francisco. He was 88.

Ron Palillo

This June 8, 2008 file photo shows actor Ron Palillo at the TV Land Awards in Santa Monica, Calif. Palillo, best known as the nerdy high schooler Arnold Horshack on "Welcome Back, Kotter," <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/14/ron-palillo-dead-dies-welcome-back-kotter-heart-attack_n_1776155.html">died Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012</a>, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., of an apparent heart attack. He was 63.

Lupe Ontiveros

This Oct. 7, 2008 file photo shows actress Lupe Ontiveros at Padres Contra El Cancer's 8th annual "El Sueno de Esperanza" benefit gala in Los Angeles. Ontiveros, the popular Texan actress known for her portrayal of Yolanda Saldivar in "Selena," <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/27/lupe-ontiveros-dead-star-_n_1709783.html">died Thursday, July 26, 2012</a>, of cancer at the Presbyterian Hospital in the City of Whittier, Calif., according to friend and comedian Rick Najera. She was 69.

Sherman Hemsley

In this Aug. 11, 1986 file photo, actor Sherman Hemsley poses for a photo in Los Angeles. The manager for Hemsley says the late star of the television sitcom ?"The Jeffersons"? refused treatment for lung cancer in the weeks before he died of what a coroner says were complications from the disease on July 24, 2012. (AP photo/Nick Ut, File)

Frank Pierson

In this Feb. 14, 2004 file photo, Academy President Frank Pierson arrives at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Scientific and Technical Achievements Awards dinner in Pasadena Calif. Pierson's family announced that <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/23/frank-pierson-dead-dog-day-afternoon-dies_n_1696126.html">he died of natural causes on Monday, July 23, 2012</a> in Los Angeles after a short illness. He was 87.

Jon Lord

Deep Purple's Jon Lord, seen here in 2004, died at age 71 on Monday, July 16, 2012, after battling pancreatic cancer.

Kitty Wells

This May 1986 file photo shows country music singer Kitty Wells in Nashville, Tenn. Wells, the first female superstar of country music, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/16/kitty-wells-dead-queen-of-country-dies_n_1677532.html">died at the age of 92 on Monday, July 16, 2012.</a> The singer?s family says Wells died at her home Monday after complications from a stroke. Her recording of "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" in 1952 was the first No. 1 hit by a woman soloist on the country music charts. Other hits included "Making Believe" and a version of "I Can't Stop Loving You." (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, file)

Ernest Borgnine

Perhaps best remembered for his<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/08/ernest-borgnine-movies-films_n_1657787.html" target="_hplink"> Oscar-winning performance in the film "Marty",</a> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/09/ernest-borgnine-dead-remembered_n_1658937.html" target="_hplink">Borgnine</a> continued to act until his death, voicing a character on "SpongeBob SquarePants" and earning an Emmy Nomination on the TV series "ER." He was 95 when he passed away on July 8 due to renal failure.

Andy Griffith

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/03/andy-griffith-dead_n_1645969.html" target="_hplink">Andy Griffith,</a> the star of beloved television programs "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Matlock", <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/05/andy-griffith-cause-of-death-heart-attack_n_1652599.html" target="_hplink">died of a heart attack</a> on Tuesday, July 3. He was 86.

Don Grady

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/28/don-grady-my-three-sons-obituary_n_1633047.html" target="_hplink">The multi talented musician, composer, and actor</a> who memorably starred on the television series "My Three Sons" lost his battle with cancer on June 27. An original Mouseketeer, Grady was 68 he passed away.

Nora Ephron

Director, author, journalist, playwright, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nora-ephron/" target="_hplink">HuffPost blogger</a>, and three-time Academy Award nominated screenwriter, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/26/nora-ephron-dead-dies-age-71_n_1627757.html" target="_hplink">Nora Ephron passed away</a> on June 26 after a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/26/nora-ephron-leukemia-cancer-illness-death_n_1629152.html" target="_hplink">secret multi-year battle with acute myeloid leukemia</a>. With genre defining films like "Sleepless In Seattle", "You've Got Mail", and "When Harry Met Sally", Ephron, 71, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/26/nora-ephron-influence-movies_n_1628700.html?utm_hp_ref=entertainment" target="_hplink">left an indelible mark on the film industry.</a>

Yvette Wilson

Comedienne most famous for her hilarious roles on TV shows "Moesha" and "The Parkers", Wilson <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/15/yvette-wilson-star-of-moe_n_1600037.html" target="_hplink">lost her battle with cervical cancer</a> on June 14. She was 48.

Ann Rutherford

This Nov. 5, 1971 file photo shows actress Ann Rutherford in New York. Rutherford, who played Scarlett O'Hara's sister Carreen in the 1939 movie classic "Gone With the Wind," <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/12/ann-rutherford-dead-gone-_n_1589753.html">died at her home in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Monday, June 11, 2012</a>. She was 94. (AP Photo/HF)

Robin Gibb

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/23/barry-gibb-tribute-video-robin-gibb-bee-gees_n_1539954.html" target="_hplink">Co-founder of The Bee Gees</a>, Gibb was 62 when he <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/20/robin-gibb-dead-bee-gees_n_1531648.html" target="_hplink">lost</a> his battle with colon cancer on May 20.

Bob Welch

From AP: Bob Welch, a former member of Fleetwood Mac who went on to write songs and record several hits during a solo career,<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/07/bob-welch-dead-fleetwood-mac-gunshot_n_1579166.html"> died June 7, 2012</a>, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said. He was 65.

Donna Summer

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/18/donna-summer-queen-of-disco_n_1526799.html" target="_hplink">The Queen of Disco</a> lost her <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/17/donna-summer-dead-queen-of-disco-dies_n_1524410.html" target="_hplink"> battle with cancer</a> on May 17. Summer, 63, earned that title with dance hits like "Last Dance", "MacArthur Park", and "Hot Stuff".

Chuck Brown

In this Feb. 13, 2011 file photo, Chuck Brown arrives at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Brown, who styled a unique brand of funk music as a singer, guitarist and songwriter known as the "godfather of go-go," <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/16/chuck-brown-dead-godfather_n_1522375.html">died Wednesday, May 16, 2012</a> after suffering from pneumonia. He was 75.

Mitchell Guist

Mitchell Guist, who appeared in segments of the "Swamp People" with his brother, Glenn, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/14/mitchell-guist-dead-swamp-people_n_1515423.html">died after collapsing Monday, May 14, 2012</a> while working on a houseboat he was building on Belle River.

Adam Yauch

Best known as one of the founding members of the<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/23/mca-ad-rock-adam-horovitz-beastie-boys-interview_n_1539705.html" target="_hplink"> trailblazing hip-hop group the Beastie Boys</a>, Yauch, also known by his stage name MCA, was also a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/04/adam-yauch-films_n_1478993.html" target="_hplink">film director</a> and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/04/adam-yauch-dead-tibet_n_1478359.html" target="_hplink">human rights activist</a>. At age 47, Yauch unfortunately lost his almost three year battle with cancer on May 4.

George Lindsey

George Lindsey, seen here in character as Goober Pyle on "The Andy Griffith Show" in 1982,<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/06/george-lindsey-dead-andy-griffith-show-goober-pyle-dies-83_n_1490083.html"> died early Sunday, May 6, 2012.</a> He was 83.

Levon Helm

In this May 15, 2010 photo, Levon Helm performs on the mandolin during a Ramble performance at Helm's barn in Woodstock, N.Y. Helm, who was in the final stages of his battle with cancer,<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/19/levon-helm-dead-the-band-cancer-battle_n_1434772.html"> died Thursday, April 19, 2012 in New York.</a> He was 71. He was a key member of The Band and lent his distinctive Southern voice to classics like "The Weight" and "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down."

Dick Clark

Radio personality, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/18/dick-clark-quotes_n_1435713.html" target="_hplink">TV host</a>, and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nelson-davis/dick-clarks-business-less_b_1466150.html" target="_hplink">beloved producer</a>, Dick Clark died of a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/18/dick-clark-heart-attack-death_n_1435551.html" target="_hplink">massive heart</a> attack on April 18. The host of classic programs such as <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20120418/us-dick-clark-highlights/" target="_hplink">American Bandstand</a> and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/19/dick-clarks-new-years-eve_n_1437040.html" target="_hplink">Dick Clark's Rocking New Years Eve was 82.</a>

Davy Jones

Lead singer of hit 60's band <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/29/davy-jones-dead-monkees-moments-video_n_1310837.html" target="_hplink">The Monkees</a>, Jones' <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/01/monkees-davy-jones-obituary_n_1312799.html" target="_hplink">heartthrob status</a> was cemented with hits like "Day Dream Believer" and "I Wanna Be Free". He died at age 66 on February 29 after <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/05/davy-jones-autopsy-report_n_1406273.html" target="_hplink">suffering a heart attack</a>.

Whitney Houston

With perhaps one of the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/21/whitney-houston-celebrate-jordin-sparks-sparkle_n_1532870.html" target="_hplink">greatest voices</a> of her generation, Houston was a multi-Grammy winning singer and actress left an indelible mark on both the pop and R&B genres. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/15/whitney-houston-xanax_n_1279947.html" target="_hplink">Houston's well documented struggles with drug addiction</a> are thought to have contributed to her unexpected and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/11/whitney-houston-dead-sing_n_1270889.html" target="_hplink">untimely demise</a> at age 48 on <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/05/whitney-houston-death-report-last-day_n_1405206.html" target="_hplink">February 11</a>.

Don Cornelius

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/01/don-cornelius-dead-soul-train_n_1246642.html" target="_hplink">Cornelius</a>, creator and host of the long-running, groundbreaking<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/01/don-cornelius-dead-celeb-tweets_n_1247021.html" target="_hplink"> TV dance show "Soul Train,"</a> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/24/don-cornelius-autopsy-depression_n_1450184.html" target="_hplink">unfortunately committed suicide </a>Wednesday morning, Feb. 1. He was 75.

Ian Abercrombie

In this Sept. 17, 2005 file photo, actor Ian Abercrombie is shown during the British Academy of Film and Television Arts/Los Angeles and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences third annual Emmy Nominees Tea Party in Los Angeles. Abercrombie, a veteran British stage and screen actor whose TV roles included Elaine?s boss Mr. Pitt on "Seinfeld" and Professor Crumbs on ?Wizards of Waverly Place,?<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/28/ian-abercrombie-tv-moments_n_1239120.html"> died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2012</a> at a Los Angeles hospital from complications of kidney failure. He was 77.

Etta James

The "At Last" crooner <a href="http://http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/20/etta-james-dead-legendary_n_1219083.html" target="_hplink">passed away</a> on January 20 due to complications from leukemia. James, also known as <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/22/etta-james-singers-passio_n_1222010.html" target="_hplink">The Matriarch of R&B</a>, was 73.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/29/johnny-lewis-autopsy-sons-of-anarchy-not-on-drugs_n_2215136.html

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Risk Management Procedure: Setting Usage Policies | Business 2 ...

Insurance agents are often referred to as risk management professionals, because they focus on risk first. The modern insurance agent does so much more than sell insurance. Most agents get involved in staff training, look at procedures and advise on equipment. The role of the modern insurance agent is to implement risk management procedure.

One of the most common and most effective procedures your agent will help with is the instigation of usage policies. These policies, usually attributed to things like commercial vehicles and mobile devices, outline the safety requirements and responsibilities on each member of staff. Each policy will be unique, but there is a basic structure that most will follow. Let?s look at the structure and how it works as an effective risk management procedure.

Set parameters

The first step in any policy is to set the parameters for that policy. It?s important that you make clear exactly what is covered under the policy. Any ambiguity here can lead to abuse of the policy by staff who think they?ve spotted a loophole. In order for risk management procedures to work, they need to be specific. The same goes for usage policy.

Business Usage

The meat of the policy will be defining what constitutes business use. It will define which functions are allowed and indeed expected to be used and which are forbidden. The most effective risk management procedures acknowledge the risk and define how it?s avoided. This section essentially does the same thing, acknowledging prohibited usage and defining proper usage.

Personal Usage

Whether it covers email, mobile devices, cars, there should be some allowance for personal use in every usage policy. In most cases you are providing a function that your employee would like to use in their personal life. If you ban it outright, you encourage abuse, which creates risk. Since this is supposed to be a risk management procedure, that?s counter productive.

Management Responsibility

The key to every risk management procedure is implementation and enforcement. Once you put policy in place, you need to ensure it is followed. The policy itself should outline the responsibilities of management and any related disciplinary procedures for breach of the policy. That breach should extend to negligence on behalf of management in upholding the policy.

Setting usage policy and enforcing risk management procedure follow very similar guidelines. To get the most out of either, you should contact your local insurance agent.

Do you have a question about Risk Management Procedure? Why not click here to ask a question and get it answered by an expert FREE.

Source: http://www.business2community.com/finance/risk-management-procedure-setting-usage-policies-0344676

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Sharp Is Pleading With US Firms to Help It Out

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Japanese manufacturer Sharp is in serious talks with a number of US companies to try and save its finances. It plans to offer up stakes in the business in return for a "stable supply of breakthrough display technology". More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/vxZsete-AA8/sharp-is-pleading-with-us-firms-to-help-it-out

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Obama, Boehner optimistic on fiscal cliff (Reuters)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS Feeds and Widgets via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/266999333?client_source=feed&format=rss

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RichardSolo FreeWheelin Audio System for Helmets review

FreeWheelin attached to clip with round charging cable. Bluetooth speakers are becoming quite popular, since most folks are carrying their music on their phones or tablets. Sure, plugging in an AUX cable gives a better connection in most cases, but trying to use something while its tethered, or having something fall off the edge of [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2012/11/29/richardsolo-freewheelin-audio-system-for-helmets-review/

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Whirligig beetles inspire energy-efficient robots

ScienceDaily (Nov. 29, 2012) ? Whirligig beetles are named for their whirling movement on top of water, moving rapidly in and taking off into flight.

While many may have found the movements curious, scientists have puzzled over the apparatus behind their energy efficiency -- until now, thanks to a study performed by a team led by Mingjun Zhang, associate professor of mechanical, aerospace and biomedical engineering, at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

"The propulsive efficiency of the species has been claimed in literature to be one of the highest measured for a thrust-generating apparatus within the animal kingdom," Zhang said. "But nobody knew exactly why, so we conducted a quantitative study with experiment support that uncovered this mystery."

Zhang saw the curious beetle as inspiration for developing energy-efficient propulsion mechanisms for swimming vehicles and robots. His team discovered separate leg functions, alternative patterns of leg propulsion, a unique take-off technique and maximizing surface area as key to the beetle's inner workings.

The findings have been published in this month's PLOS Computational Biology.

His team performed a combination of microscopic high-speed imaging, dynamics modeling and simulations to unlock the beetle's secret.

They discovered each of the beetle's three pairs of legs conducts a different function. Their curved swimming trajectories gained energy efficient over linear trajectories by alternating the ways leg propelled. Using high-speed cameras, the researchers observed that the beetles beat their legs in different directions in order to transition from swimming to diving. This provides the force required to alter the angle of the body's tilt and break the surface tension of water. Finally, the swimming legs rely on the extension of "swimming laminae" to increase the surface area and generate larger thrust.

"Nature folds the laminae, or a thin tissue, after the beetle is done moving its legs," Zhang said. "It extends it when it is propelling to generate thrust. The legs may also be oriented at different angles, so that the maximum area is not perpendicular to the direction in which the beetle is moving. I am always amazed how nature does this with the small organism."

Zhang's team looks to nature for inspiration in engineering. By studying the movements of the whirligig beetle, the team is applying nature's principles to bio-inspired swimming and diving robots. He is designing the robots for the Office of Naval Research through their Young Investigator Program award which he received in 2011. The award gives him $170,000 in annual research grants for three years.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Tennessee at Knoxville, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

---

Journal Reference:

1. Zhonghua Xu, Scott C. Lenaghan, Benjamin E. Reese, Xinghua Jia, Mingjun Zhang. Experimental Studies and Dynamics Modeling Analysis of the Swimming and Diving of Whirligig Beetles (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae). PLoS Computational Biology, 2012; 8 (11): e1002792 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1002792

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/~3/rMhtTQH9uT4/121129173950.htm

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Insects beware: The sea anemone is coming

ScienceDaily (Nov. 29, 2012) ? As insects evolve to become resistant to insecticides, the need to develop new ways to control pests grows. A team of scientists from Leuven, Belgium have discovered that the sea anemone's venom harbors several toxins that promise to become a new generation of insecticides that are environmentally friendly and avoid resistance by the insects. Since these toxins disable ion channels that mediate pain and inflammation, they could also spur drug development aimed at pain, cardiac disorders, epilepsy and seizure disorders, and immunological diseases such as multiple sclerosis. This finding is described in the December 2012 issue of The FASEB Journal.

"Are toxins friend or foe? The more we understand these toxins, they are more friend, and less foe," said Jan Tytgat, Ph.D., co-author of this study from the Laboratory of Toxicology at the University of Leuven in Leuven, Belgium. "Toxicology shows us how to exploit Mother Nature's biodiversity for better and healthier living."

To make this discovery, Tytgat and colleagues extracted venom from the sea anemone, Anthopleura elegantissima, and purified three main toxins present in the venom. The toxins were characterized in depth, using biochemical and electrophysiological techniques. This provided insight into their structure, functional role and mechanisms of action. The discovery of these toxins may be considered similar to the discovery of a new drug, as they are compounds which could lead to new insecticides and possibly new treatments for human diseases.

"Because these toxins are aimed at important ion channels present not only in insect cells, they form the leading edge of our new biotechnology. Discovery of this useful marine toxin should provide additional incentive to preserve the fragile coral reefs where anemones thrive," said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal, "But, given current attitudes, I suspect there's a better chance of a sea anemone killing a stink bug than for us to reverse our inroads on ocean life."

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. S. Peigneur, L. Beress, C. Moller, F. Mari, W.-G. Forssmann, J. Tytgat. A natural point mutation changes both target selectivity and mechanism of action of sea anemone toxins. The FASEB Journal, 2012; DOI: 10.1096/fj.12-218479

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment/~3/NNckSlAs69U/121129111843.htm

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Researchers synthesize new kind of silk fiber, and use music to fine-tune material's properties

ScienceDaily (Nov. 28, 2012) ? Pound for pound, spider silk is one of the strongest materials known: Research by MIT's Markus Buehler has helped explain that this strength arises from silk's unusual hierarchical arrangement of protein building blocks.

Now Buehler -- together with David Kaplan of Tufts University and Joyce Wong of Boston University -- has synthesized new variants on silk's natural structure, and found a method for making further improvements in the synthetic material.

And an ear for music, it turns out, might be a key to making those structural improvements.

The work stems from a collaboration of civil and environmental engineers, mathematicians, biomedical engineers and musical composers.?

"We're trying to approach making materials in a different way," Buehler explains, "starting from the building blocks" -- in this case, the protein molecules that form the structure of silk. "It's very hard to do this; proteins are very complex."

Other groups have tried to construct such protein-based fibers using a trial-and-error approach, Buehler says. But this team has approached the problem systematically, starting with computer modeling of the underlying structures that give the natural silk its unusual combination of strength, flexibility and stretchiness.

Buehler's previous research has determined that fibers with a particular structure -- highly ordered, layered protein structures alternating with densely packed, tangled clumps of proteins (ABABAB) -- help to give silk its exceptional properties. For this initial attempt at synthesizing a new material, the team chose to look instead at patterns in which one of the structures occurred in triplets (AAAB and BBBA).

Making such structures is no simple task. Kaplan, a chemical and biomedical engineer, modified silk-producing genes to produce these new sequences of proteins. Then Wong, a bioengineer and materials scientist, created a microfluidic device that mimicked the spider's silk-spinning organ, which is called a spinneret.

Even after the detailed computer modeling that went into it, the outcome came as a bit of a surprise, Buehler says. One of the new materials produced very strong protein molecules -- but these did not stick together as a thread. The other produced weaker protein molecules that adhered well and formed a good thread. "This taught us that it's not sufficient to consider the properties of the protein molecules alone," he says. "Rather, [one must] think about how they can combine to form a well-connected network at a larger scale."

The results are reported in a paper published in the journal Nano Today.

The team is now producing several more variants of the material to further improve and test its properties. But one wrinkle in their process may provide a significant advantage in figuring out which materials will be useful and which ones won't -- and perhaps even which might be more advantageous for specific uses. That new and highly unusual wrinkle is music.

The different levels of silk's structure, Buehler says, are analogous to the hierarchical elements that make up a musical composition -- including pitch, range, dynamics and tempo. The team enlisted the help of composer John McDonald, a professor of music at Tufts, and MIT postdoc David Spivak, a mathematician who specializes in a field called category theory. Together, using analytical tools derived from category theory to describe the protein structures, the team figured out how to translate the details of the artificial silk's structure into musical compositions.

The differences were quite distinct: The strong but useless protein molecules translated into music that was aggressive and harsh, Buehler says, while the ones that formed usable fibers sound much softer and more fluid.

Buehler hopes this can be taken a step further, using the musical compositions to predict how well new variations of the material might perform. "We're looking for radically new ways of designing materials," he says.

Combining materials modeling with mathematical and musical tools, Buehler says, could provide a much faster way of designing new biosynthesized materials, replacing the trial-and-error approach that prevails today. Genetically engineering organisms to produce materials is a long, painstaking process, he says, but this work "has taught us a new approach, a fundamental lesson" in combining experiment, theory and simulation to speed up the discovery process.

Materials produced this way -- which can be done under environmentally benign, room-temperature conditions -- could lead to new building blocks for tissue engineering or other uses, Buehler says: scaffolds for replacement organs, skin, blood vessels, or even new materials for use in civil engineering.

Elliott Schwartz, professor emeritus of music at Bowdoin College, says: "For centuries, mathematics, logic and science have provided important models for musical structures, processes, and our understanding of sonic materials. The present research may well lead to one more important chapter in this ongoing story of mutual interaction."

It may be that the complex structures of music can reveal the underlying complex structures of biomaterials found in nature, Buehler says. "There might be an underlying structural expression in music that tells us more about the proteins that make up our bodies. After all, our organs -- including the brain -- are made from these building blocks, and humans' expression of music may inadvertently include more information that we are aware of."

"Nobody has tapped into this," he says, adding that with the breadth of his multidisciplinary team, "We could do this -- making better bio-inspired materials by using music, and using music to better understand biology."

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. Joyce Y. Wong, John McDonald, Micki Taylor-Pinney, David I. Spivak, David L. Kaplan, Markus J. Buehler. Materials by design: Merging proteins and music. Nano Today, 2012; DOI: 10.1016/j.nantod.2012.09.001

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/strange_science/~3/JH39QKo8_v8/121128112157.htm

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Rolling HyTAQ robot avoids obstacles by taking to the air

The cylindrical cage of the HyTAQ (Hybrid Terrestrial and Aerial Quadrotor) gives the robot both aerial and rolling terrestrial locomotion capabilities (Photo:

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A team at the Robotics Lab at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) has come up with another take on the caged flying robots like the spherical air vehicle developed by Japan?s Ministry of Defense (JMD) and the more recent Kyosho Space Ball. However, instead of a spherical shape, the the outer protective cage of the HyTAQ (Hybrid Terrestrial and Aerial Quadrotor) is cylindrical and is attached to the quadrotor via a shaft connected by two rotating joints, thereby providing the HyTAQ with the ability to fly or roll over the ground.

With the quadrotors providing thrust for both aerial and terrestrial locomotion, there's no requirement for additional actuators that would increase the weight of the system. When on the ground, the rolling cage means the robot only needs to overcome rolling resistance to move forward, and when it encounters an obstacle to difficult to roll over, it can simply take to the air to jump over it.

The developers say the robot?s hybrid nature makes it much more energy efficient than aerial-only systems, with the ability to operate almost six times as long and travel a distance four times greater than such systems. Experiments conducted by the team showed that for aerial-only travel, its battery lasted five minutes and it traveled 1,969 ft (600 m), but rolling over a smooth surface saw its endurance extend to 27 minutes and the distance traveled increase to 7,874 ft (2,400 m).

The cage itself is constructed out of polycarbonate and carbon fiber making it both flexible and strong enough to withstand crashing. The development team has tested the HyTAQ?s ground performance over various types of terrain, including flat indoor surfaces and sand and grass outdoors. The ground locomotion capabilities also allow the robot to move when it?s too windy for flight.

Like its spherical kin, the reconnaissance and search and rescue potential of the camera-equipped robot are obvious and the team is now in the process of patenting the design and hopes to attract commercial interest.

The HyTAQ robot can be seen in action in the following video.

Source: IIT

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Source: http://www.gizmag.com/hytaq-rolling-aerial-robot/25220/

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Interpretation

Permissible, now there is a word subject to wide interpretation. Look at history or around the world or even on your own street. There is no question what one person finds permissible, another sees as offensive. For literally thousands of years, the way to take a good deal of the subjective-ness out of things is to make rules.

In the world of residential construction these rules are known as building codes. Building codes themselves date back thousands of years. The Greeks and Romans created and used building codes. Archaeological records of a building being constructed by the Greek philosopher Socrates in part state:

"He shall set the joints against each other, fitting, and before inserting the dowels he shall show the architect all the stones to be fitting, and shall set them true and sound and dowel them with iron dowels, two dowels to each stone?"

This I think demonstrates that it has long been understood when a building or structure is constructed, it must have a uniform method. It also must be strong and above all else, safe. It also shows incompetence and shoddy work are just as old as civilization or there would be less of a need for codes. Yet codes are only half the process. While they do exist, it does not necessarily mean they are followed by all. Another thing that hasn't changed with civilization's history. Thus the need for over site.

The process used today in many parts of this country, not all, but many, is the permitting and inspection of construction. Basically permits are taken out with the local building department. Then at some point the new construction is inspected by the local building official. When the project meets his or her approval, the permit is closed.

Let me repeat, the permit is closed.

As a home inspector I am inform often that permits were pulled for _____. My response is always the same, "are they closed?" This can at times receive a quizzical look on the face of the one who made the statement.

Closed?

Recently I inspected a permitted deck. I really have come to despise decks. There is almost always something wrong.

The first glaring defect was the ladder like guard rails and lack of handrails. Stooping to look under the deck at the support structure, I was dumbfounded by what I saw. The main support beam was very noticeably bowing. The reason was very clear, this beam by my estimate is well over 20 feet in length and devoid of an center support. A 4 x 4 post was stationed at each end, nothing any where in between. But wait, it gets better.

Going around to one post of interest, I saw the pier was not squarely on the footing. Looking at the attachment to the beam, I saw four nails. Same on the back side. The support beam was actually two separate boards face nailed to the two posts. The center of this large deck in essence is supported solely on a total of 16 nails.

The best method for constructing a pier beam support is to set the beam on top of the posts. In this way the load is distributed evenly along the beam, with the piers fully supporting the beam, not a set of fasteners.

There were several other issues with this permitted deck, which goes to show, permissible is open to interpretation, especially when circumventing the rules.

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James Quarello
Connecticut Home Inspector
Former SNEC-ASHI President
NRSB #8SS0022
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC

To find out more about our other high tech services we offer in Connecticut click on the links below:

Serving the Connecticut Counties of Fairfield, Hartford, Middlesex, New Haven, Southern Litchfield and Western New London.

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Source: http://activerain.com/blogsview/3533409/interpretation

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Gabriel Aubry Fails to Have Restraining Order Lifted

There is little love lost between Halle Berry and the father of her daughter Nahla, Gabriel Aubry. That relationship took a turn for the worst when Aubry and Berry's fiance Olivier Martinez got into a brutal fight on Thanksgiving Day when Aubry was dropping off Nahla at Berry's home. Berry has since filed a restraining order on Aubry and Aubry filed a restraining order on Martinez, but it is now looking like no one involved will face criminal charges.

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/gabriel-aubry-fails-have-restraining-order-lifted/1-a-504918?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Agabriel-aubry-fails-have-restraining-order-lifted-504918

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A Sneak Peek At the Mind-Boggling Future of Computer Graphics

Computer graphics have come a long way since a T-Rex ate that lawyer in Jurassic Park. But if these glimpses of what the next generation of CG has in store, we ain't seen nothing yet. Cloth simulations with hyper-realistic wrinkling, modelling complex human hair using thermal imaging, and new approaches to smoke rendering will make our future blockbusters even more blockbustery. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/WT1Ll5CwQGI/a-sneak-peek-at-the-mind+boggling-future-of-computer-graphics

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