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Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica
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by Roberto Hernandez » Wed Mar 18, 2009 4:44 pm
[John Bear, author of popular distance learning guides, asked me to share this information with you. I had posted it on another distance learning discussion board.]
I happened on this site by a Google search, and read the entries regarding Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica. Some of the entries are true, and some are not, as is much of the material about Empresarial on the Internet.
I graduated from Empresarial with a doctorate more than 10 years ago. At the time I enrolled, the programs for international students were in the International Postgraduate School of the University of San Jose (Costa Rica). That university declined to pursue further the concept of an International Postgraduate School. Those investors who did want to pursue the concept founded what became Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica.
Empresarial's 1997 founding charter from the Costa Rican Ministry of Education broadly authorizes the university to grant academic degrees through the doctorate, but "authorizes" does not mean "approves." Under Costa Rican procedures, each degree in each discipline in a private university, like Empresarial, must be specifically approved by the Ministry to be valid for use within the country.
The Ministry has approved Empresarial, from its founding, to award bachelor's degrees in business administration and accounting and a master's degree in business administration. Many Costa Ricans have graduated from these residential programs. At my graduation ceremony, an undergraduate student received a full scholarship.
During my three years of study at Empresarial, the university made diligent efforts to attain approval to award doctorates, but their efforts were rebuked politically. Several doctoral candidates visited the Ministry and reviewed Empresarial's applications and the Ministry's replies; I assume they are still there more than 10 years later for anyone who wants to review them.
The doctoral programs were ostensibly marketed to non-Costa Ricans because the programs, though in review by the Ministry, had not been approved and would not be valid within the country. In Costa Rica, there is no half-way official designation for a private university degree as "Candidate for Accreditation." Although Empresarial was chartered by Costa Rica as a doctoral degree-granting university, it has never attained Costa Rican approval to award the doctoral degree.
At the time, however, I felt my program was solid and the criteria sound. Empresarial's doctoral degrees were evaluated as US regionally accredited by several evaluators, including Educational Credential Evaluators, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I had also bought John Bear's popular and credible distance learning guides in which he recommended Empresarial without reservation.
Empresarial's campus, at the time of my studies, consisted of two enclaves. The first, in a middle income residential section of San Jose, had several one and two-story buildings, a large gymnasium, basketball court and soccer field. Two classrooms had state-of-the-art computers. One building was set aside as a small private elementary school used as a teaching laboratory. I met several members of the university staff, most of whom worked in the registrar's office. The second enclave was a relatively new multi-story classroom building with signage, and a cafeteria, located in a business district close to the center of San Jose. Photos of the main facilities were all on Empresarial's website, but the building in the business district was not -- and it was the best building among the two enclaves.
Empresarial wanted the Ministry to approve bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in many disciplines. For the doctorate, Empresarial relied on the British model of a research degree which was not used by any other university in Costa Rica (coursework plus a dissertation is the national standard). The university required a residency period of one to two weeks. Students were required to submit lengthy dissertation proposals, and to nominate someone with a reputable doctorate in the chosen field to serve as a local advisor and reviewer. Candidates whose dissertations were finalized had to defend them in person before a Tribunal of three doctors (one Empresarial's academic dean and the other two with doctorates from universities in Costa Rica). No Tribunal member then could hold any degree from Empresarial.
At the time, Empresarial was not only asking for many degree and subject approvals from the Ministry, it was also evident that political forces within the Ministry were against a model of distance education that existed no where else in Costa Rica -- and particularly from a small "upstart" university with little or no clout to persuade the Ministry otherwise. Several doctoral candidates from four countries, including me, expressed a concern that the university was seeking approval for too much, too soon.
For my studies, I chose for my local advisor an associate professor in my field from a major US state university. He had served on doctoral committees and was well-published. Empresarial approved my nomination of him. He had to approve all of my work before it was submitted to the university; for this he was to be paid US$600. My dissertation filled about 400 pages. My defense was held among other defenses, given in Spanish or English, for seven other candidates and was open to the public. I had received lengthy instructions on how my defense would be handled, what to expect, how to act, what to wear, and what audio-visual support materials would be available.
My defense was one of three scheduled for one evening. I followed a candidate who rambled, and who was warned several times that unless he put forth a better defense, he would be seated and fail his defense. In the end, after a 45-minute private deliberation in which the 40 or so in the room were asked to leave, he was barely passed (each defense received a numeric score) and allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony. He was, however, required to make significant changes to his dissertation before he could receive a transcript.
I rose for my defense, and stood before my Tribunal. It consisted of Dr. Rodolfo Benevides, Dr. Jose Alberto Cheves, and Dr. Winston Cannon. Cannon was then Empresarial's academic dean, and served more as a coordinator for the interrogation rather than as an inquisitor. Benevides and Cheves both had doctorates from the University of Costa Rica, were faculty members at other local universities, and were connected to the Ministry's evaluation of Empresarial's doctoral programs. My defense lasted about 40 minutes, then I answered questions for another 20 minutes. As I looked down at the copies of my dissertation held by Benevides and Cheves, I could see numerous handwritten notations.
At the time of my graduation, Empresarial was involved in partnerships with others outside the university to create veterinary and medical schools. By the fall of 2002, the small veterinary school (St. Francis) for Costa Ricans was running successfully and many felt Ministry approval was assured. The medical school (St. Jude, also a partnership medical school in Sabana) was headed by a prominent Costa Rican physician who was also head of one of San Jose's most popular private hospitals. Because Costa Rica's quality of medical care was quite high, the nation was a center for medical tourism, and with many Costa Rican physicians educated and board certified in the U.S., Canada, or Europe, it appeared Empresarial's goal of a medical school would also soon be realized.
Empresarial's governing board, for its role in the partnerships, had the university staff recruit medical students, including students from several nations, and posted photos given by its partners to post on its website of local hospitals where medical students would receive training. The local hospitals were never contracted to be training sites. The head of the medical school spent little on the program, and reportedly kept much of the money for himself and his co-conspirators. Medical students arrived to find wholly substandard instruction and facilities. The Ministry ordered the medical and veterinary schools closed. Costa Rican news media provided coverage of these events.
Empresarial's academic administration didn't recover. The university came under new academic leadership (and apparently some new investors) in 2004. A couple of foreign doctoral alumni tried to help Empresarial by designing solid distance learning programs and inter-articulation agreements with reputable universities in other countries. The strategy for the former was to work within the framework of academic business programs accredited by the highly regarded international Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The strategy for the latter were if agreements with reputable foreign universities could be signed, then the Ministry might be likely to approve more programs for Empresarial. These donated efforts were eventually rebuked by Empresarial's new administration.
Foreign alumni were alarmed when the new president announced that all of Empresarial's prior diplomas and transcripts were voided, and that for a one-time fee, the university would issue "valid" diplomas and transcripts. The fee for a doctoral graduate was US$3,000. I did not participate. A doctoral degree-granting unit in Hong Kong soon appeared, with Empresarial's approval and without recognition by Hong Kong authorities. It was headed by Hong Kong locals who had dubious backgrounds that were easily researched on the Internet. Dissertation Tribunal members, both in Costa Rica and Hong Kong, began to hold Empresarial doctorates. I suspect, but cannot confirm, the decline of the quality of dissertations.
Empresarial for the first time began to award honorary degrees -- reportedly for a fee -- only to foreign diploma-seekers and several with questionable, if not hilarious, credentials. These people, easily found in Internet searches, had previously spent time and money accumulating vanity titles. German nationals who received these degrees were exposed in the German newspaper Spiegel Online in December 2008.
In April 2008 Empresarial signed a contract with Global Academy Online, a Washington, DC-based marketing firm for distance education programs, to publicize a "new" distance learning Spanish/English MBA. Neither Empresarial or Global Academy Online has released any additional information on this initiative since April 2008.
Global Academy Online's Washington, DC office, according to a 2006 article in Inside Higher Ed, is nothing more than a secretary shared among other organizations and individuals. The founder of Global Academy Online, based in the American Southwest, claims a "Grand PhD" from a European organization. He created a university in the US but registered it to award degrees in Serborga, a controversial self-proclaimed nation within Italy. He was involved with another US-based university also registered in Serborga. Degrees from both universities are illegal for graduates to use in a few US states.
The April 2008 news release claimed that Empresarial is "authorized to grant bachelors, masters, and soon professional specializations and doctoral degrees" [italics mine], but no one anywhere offered details on the last claim then or in the year since. In January 2009 Empresarial's president, in response to a complaint from a disgruntled student, claimed that "International education ... is controlled by international rules not local rules; locally we can teach other programs, not doctoral, but internationally is different." The university's website says the opposite: that Empresarial "offers the following graduate degree programs to the international and local community, [italics mine] by distance learning." The list of degrees that follows includes degrees in subjects not approved by the Ministry of Education.
Today, Empresarial's website has little information. There are no photos of facilities as before, no "real" students and faculty as before, no list of university leaders and faculty, and the page for listing classes is blank. Lofty goals are mentioned, including participation in a City of Knowledge and a Health Complex, and an Empresarial medical school for 2008 (last year). No mention is made on the site, or in Costa Rican news media, about Empresarial's progress towards any of those goals. The current president uses his Empresarial email address on another website for a personal business venture. Several people, including some online, have said he is arrogant and condescending.
As a result of these missteps, most foreign degree evaluators, including Educational Credential Evaluators, no longer issue equivalency certificates for any foreigner-only degrees issued by Empresarial. Some evaluators, relying on the current administration's shortcomings, have gone so far as to revoke equivalencies they previously gave to graduates.
For me, an Empresarial doctorate from "the old days" has not handicapped me, although I obtained it primarily for corporate and not for educational employment. My employer urged me to study outside of North America, in a foreign culture. I have taught part-time occasionally with my doctorate, including graduate courses at accredited universities, and currently teach part-time at a major Canadian university. My old equivalency certificate from Educational Credential Evaluators has certainly helped, but the largest reason for acceptance of the doctorate has been my dissertation and the reputation of my local advisor.
I am, of course, saddened to learn of the decline of Empresarial because it dilutes the perception of the worth of my degree. I know that several good doctoral graduates of years ago with good dissertations are embarrassed, and no longer claim to have Empresarial doctorates. I remain convinced that my choice of Empresarial more than a decade ago was a good decision because I then had few options.
The three persons I was most involved with in my doctoral studies -- my local advisor and Empresarial's former academic dean and president -- all remain active in education. The former president, who sadly and incorrectly was maligned on the Internet as a international fugitive, is today the director of international affairs for a large government-accredited, well-respected, doctoral degree-granting university in the Caribbean.
I am not optimistic about Empresarial's distance learning future. In the absence of any credible, positive information, I fear the worst. I hope that I can be proven wrong, and that the university's distance learning programs will be rehabilitated. In the meantime, however, until more of Empresarial's degrees and subject areas appear on the Costa Rican Ministry of Education approved list, I do not recommend a distance learning degree from this university.
For those seeking a graduate distance learning degree from Costa Rica, the current best choice, academically and financially, is the state-sponsored Universidad Estatal a Distancia. Founded in 1977, it has now matured to offer 22 master's degrees and four doctoral degrees.
I only registered for this site to make this one post, and under a nom de plume to protect my privacy. I hope that you will find this post informative and useful.
Roberto Hernandez
Re: Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica
by Gus Sainz » Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:06 pm
Here is what I posted (on another forum) about Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica back in March of 2003.
As with most questionable schools, there is a long version and a short version of the story. The short version of the story is that, at on time, Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica (UNEM) was authorized by the Consejo Nacional de Ensenanza Superior Universitaria Privada (CONESUP), to grant three degrees; a Bachelor in Business Administration, a Bachelor in Accounting, and a Masters in Administrative Science. I say "at one time," because at this time, Empresarial's authorization to grant any degrees is in doubt. What is certain, however, is that at no time, was UNEM authorized to grant doctoral, medical, or any degrees besides the aforementioned three.
This fact is corroborated not only by CONESUP's web site, but by UNEM's new (see below) Web site as well. UNEM's Web page that lists their undergraduate offerings displays a long list of majors. However, all but the Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting is marked with an asterisk that refers you to a note that states, "UNEM has institutional accreditation and the university will be working toward having each program individually approved." So, even though it lists concentrations in Finance, Human Resources, International Business, Management, and Marketing, they are not authorized to offer these majors. On Empresarial's Web page listing their graduate degree offerings (including doctoral programs), all but the Masters Program in Administrative Science are marked with an asterisk that refers you to the same notation.
It is important to note that the Ministry of Education of most Central and South American countries not only license a school to operate, but must also approve each and every program and degree offering. Moreover, if the institution wishes to offer a new degree or program, it too, must undergo the same approval process.
As is often the case with questionable schools, however, the long version of the story is much, but much, more interesting… Stay tuned, and when I have time, I will answer the following questions (although you can probably guess the answers already).
Did Costa Rica officials really investigate Empresarial University because they were not licensed to run a medical school?
Did the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission send a cease-and-desist letter to a one Dr. Winston Cannon, forbidding him to recruit students for Empresarial's medical school? Were copies of the cease-and-desist order sent to the president of Empresarial University and to the Consul General of Costa Rica in New Orleans?
Did Empresarial get into trouble with Costa Rican officials because it was featuring photos of some of the nation's biggest hospitals and of students from other medical schools on its Web page as if they were their own facilities and students? Is it true that the new, updated web page still display links to the medical and veterinarian schools but both pages are now described as being under construction?
Is it true that, thanks to a denouncement of Empresarial's shenanigans to the U.S Department of Education and the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA), NCFMEA, in its September session, decided not to recognize any medical degrees issued by the private universities of Costa Rica until the situation could be investigated and resolved?
Is it true that Christopher Ward, cultural attaché at the U.S. embassy in Costa Rica, was presented a document enumerating Empresarial's activities so that it could be forwarded to the FBI? Moreover, is it true that (as this document alleges) the partners that run Empresarial are based in Loganville, GA?
Is it true that Educause was notified by a legitimate university in Costa Rica that they never authorized a .edu domain in their name? Is it also true that usj.edu redirects to unem.edu and that both are registered to one Aldo Erazo, and they both utilize the same technical contact in Miami, FL?
Did CONESUP really file criminal charges against the Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica in October of last year?
Oh, what the heck; why wait? According to several newspaper and magazine articles in Costa Rica, the answer to all of the above questions is yes.
But how did the scam operate? Is there really a fictitious bank account in Hialeah, Florida in the name of a legitimate Costa Rican university that Empresarial used to pay bills in Costa Rica? Is it true that checks written on this account bounced? Are American students denouncing Empresarial in Washington? Why is the individual who runs Empresarial referred to as The Wolf of the Internet? The answer to these questions, I'll save for another time.
As an interesting aside, the last link on this Google search made me smile. The link is for Northcentral University's October 2002 Catalog (as a rtf, or rich text format document), and was included in the search because of faculty mentor Michael Ewald's listing of his Ph.D. in Administrative Science from the Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica. The title of the link (which would also be the title of the link if you were to add it to your Favorites list) is the obviously truncated, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY. I guess they are not as separate and distinct entities as they would have you believe.
Gus Sainz
by jstrazzeri@live.com » Sat Jul 24, 2010 9:52 pm
EMPRESARIAL UNIVERSITY OF COSTA RICA (UNEM)
UNEM of Costa Rica is an accredited institution of higher learning in Costa Rica.
CONESUP (ACCREDITATION AGENCY ) in Costa Rica.
www.mep.go.cr/conesup/index.aspx
or directly:
www.mep.go.cr/centrode informa...2008102452.pdf
EMPRESARIAL UNIVERSITY OF COSTA RICA IS LISTED IN :
UNESCO HANDBOOK AND UNESCO ONLINE DATABASE
UNEM is recognized by UNESCO, the International Authority on Education Accreditation.
www.unesco.org/iau/onlinedatabases/list.html
The Fundacion Empresarial de Costa Rica was founded in 1995.
Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica received approval of its charter from the Consejo Nacional de Enseñanza Superior Universitaria Privada (CONESUP) of the Costa Rican Ministry of Education, during Session number 336-97 which met on 5 November 1997.
UNEM is listed with the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) International Association of Universities' World List of Universities and International Handbook of Universities and other international directories.
UNEM Webpage: www.unem.edu
UNEM offers a DUAL LANGUAGE M.B.A. program in English and Spanish
www.openpr.com/news/43357/uni...BA-Online.html
UNEM is regionally accredited from State (Ministry of Public Education)
and by CONESUP (Consejo Nacional de Enseñanza Superior Universitaria
Privada) (National Council of Higher Education Private University).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: PLEASE READ
UNEM is authorized (by Asesoría Legal del Ministerio de Educación No. ATJ-167-CONESUP) to operate internationally and to grant Bachelors, Masters and Doctorates Degrees with International Agreements with others universities.
(Outside Costa Rica only).
OREGON OFFICE OF DEGREE AUTHORIZATION:
www.osac.state.or.us/oda/
You may ask them about UNEM
Address: Office of Degree Authorization
1500 Valley River Dirve - Suite 100
Eugene, OR. 97401
jstrazzeri@live.com
by jstrazzeri@live.com » Sun Jul 25, 2010 2:01 am
To Dr. Roberto Hernández:
You did graduate 10 years ago and you are not proud of Empresarial University of Costa Rica. The problem was before the year 2002 under the President and Rector Aldo Erazo, now things are different with the new administration and leadership of the new President and Rector Dr. William Zamora.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
UNEM is authorized (by Asesoría Legal del Ministerio de Educación No. ATJ-167-CONESUP) to operate internationally and to grant Bachelors, Masters and Doctorates Degrees with International Agreements with others universities (Outside Costa Rica only).
YOU MAY CALL THIS OFFICE TO FIND OUT:
ALSO, I WOULD LIKE MR. JOHN BEAR TO READ IT.
NOW, UNEM IS CLEAR AND WITH NEW LEADERSHIP.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR MR. JOHN BEAR IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!!
I like to send the following message to Mr. John Bear about Empresarial University of Costa Rica. (UNEM).
UNEM is an excellent educational institution and I am very proud. In the past before the year 2002 Mr. Aldo Erazo did not do a good job and he got a lot of problems. From the year 2002 the new administration and leadership of Dr. William Zamora has been great and very responsible.
Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica: The Empresarial University of Costa Rica is a Private University. UNEM is an accredited institution of higher learning in Costa Rica. This university is recognized by UNESCO, the international authority on education accreditation. UNEM is regionally accredited from State (Ministry of Public Education) and by approval of its charter from CONESUP (Consejo Nacional de Enseñanza Superior Universitaria Privada) (National Council of Higher Education Private University) during Session Number 336-97 which met on November 5th., 1997. (THIS ACCREDITATION IS FOR COSTA RICA ONLY).
UNEM is authorized by (Asesoria Legal del Ministerio de Educación No. ATJ-167-CONESUP) to operate internationally and to offer international programs and to grant Bachelors, Masters and Doctorates Degrees with International Agreements with others universities (OUTSIDE COSTA RICA ONLY).
I HOPE YOU READ THIS MESSAGE, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE I DO CARE FOR UNEM REPUTATION.
by jstrazzeri@live.com » Sun Jul 25, 2010 4:41 pm
Dr. William Zamora, President and Rector of Empresarial University of Costa Rica made the following comment:
Thank you very much, as I said this Mr. Erazo, is a danger person, I have in my possession a bad check of many thousands, which gave me for the payment of various things, I really was theft. At that time Mr. Aldo Erazo did many things wrong, I WAS NOT PART OF THE UNIVERSITY.
Dr. William Zamora took over UNEM in the year 2002 or 2003, I do not remember exactly. HE WAS NOT PART OF THE MEDICAL SCHOOL, ETC., ETC., ETC.
Dr. William Zamora said: UNEM IS MY LIFE PROJECT AND I WILL DO MY BEST TO CHANGE BAD COMMENTS.
WILLIAM ZAMORA GONZALEZ
PRESIDENT AND RECTOR OF EMPRESARIAL UNIVERSITY OF COSTA RICA
EMPRESARIAL UNIVERSITY OF COSTA RICA
Our mission is to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, the provision of continuous training programs, learning and research in the highest international standards of excellence.
Freedom of thought, expression and discrimination. Excellence in education, encouragement to question everything that happens around us, quality and depth in all subjects. Education enhances the ability of students to learn through life and relationship with society.
UNIVERSITY ADDRESS:
Oficinas de la Fundación Empresarial de Costa Rica
Zapote, metros Residencial Montealegre del Colegio de Abogados, 200 metros Oeste, 100 metros norte y 50 Oeste, casa N ° 2213. San José, Costa Rica
Universidad Empresarial
62-2050 San José, Costa Rica
info@unem.edu
ALTERNATIVE ADDRESS:
APARTADO POSTAL 12640-1000
by Gus Sainz » Sun Jul 25, 2010 7:51 pm
jstrazzeri@live.com wrote: Dr. William Zamora, President and Rector of Empresarial University of Costa Rica made the following comment:
If Mr. William Zamora would like his message to be posted on this forum, he is perfectly capable of doing so himself, as he has been a member since March of 2007.
Are you William Zamora? If not, what, precisely, is your affiliation with Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica (aside of course, from your job of spamming various Internet fora with disingenuous advertisements)?
jstrazzeri@live.com wrote: UNEM is authorized (by Asesoría Legal del Ministerio de Educación No. ATJ-167-CONESUP) to operate internationally and to grant Bachelors, Masters and Doctorates Degrees with International Agreements with others universities (Outside Costa Rica only).
Could you please list the universities that UNEM has "International Agreements" with to provide degrees that UNEM is not authorized to grant in Costa Rica?
Are these degrees issued by Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica, or by the university with whom it has an "International Agreement?" In other words, what name appears on the diploma?
I did graduate from Empresarial University of Costa Rica and I am not spamming internet fora with disingenuous advertisements. I know Dr. Zamora well from the year 2004 and does communicate with me all the time.
If you think my comments are false why you do not delete them?
Thanks for your profesionalism.
jstrazzeri@live.com wrote: I did graduate from Empresarial University of Costa Rica and I am not spamming internet fora with disingenuous advertisements. I know Dr. Zamora well from the year 2004 and does communicate with me all the time.
I have not deleted your posts, Dr. Strazzeri, because, quite often, when dealing with questionable institutions, it is what those affiliated with these institutions say (and the marketing practices they engage in) that are the most revealing.
Now that I have answered your question, would you be so kind as to answer mine?
Are the degrees issued by Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica, or by the university with whom it has an "International Agreement?" In other words, what name
appears on the diploma?
The name on degrees is Empresarial University of Costa Rica.
The international agreement is only for degrees outside of Costa Rica.
I do no have the information that you asked me.
The name of the university with international agreement is on the back of the diploma.
This university has a good reputation with the leadership of Dr. William Zamora, he is very professional.
I can only tell you what I do know from them.
JS.
jstrazzeri@live.com wrote: The name on degrees is Empresarial University of Costa Rica.
Are you saying that UNEM is still engaging in the practice of issuing degrees without the proper legal authority? Mr Zamora said that these practices were fraudulent and dangerous.
jstrazzeri@live.com wrote: The international agreement is only for degrees outside of Costa Rica.
Since UNEM only has authority to issue TWO Bachelors (Business and Accounting) and an MBA in Costa Rica, doesn't this mean that all other degrees (such as doctorates) have to be subject to an "International Agreement" and should be issued by a completely separate (and hopefully duly authorized) entity?
jstrazzeri@live.com wrote: I do no have the information that you asked me.
Since the information is on the back of the diploma, why don't you look on the back of your diplomas and tell us what it says? What does it say on the back of your Ed.D.?
jstrazzeri@live.com wrote: This university has a good reputation with the leadership of Dr. William Zamora, he is very professional.
UNEM has had a terrible reputation in the past and it doesn't seem like anything has changed.
jstrazzeri@live.com wrote: I can only tell you what I do know from them.
I would hope that, as an alumni, you would have some first hand information.
jstrazzeri@live.com wrote: Thanks for everything.
You are very welcome. I hope your realize, however, that your inability (or refusal) to answer the simplest of questions concerning the information you have posted harms both your credibility and that of the institution you are trying to promote.
According to my knowledge UNEM has an authority to grant degree:
My degree is framed permanently and I am not able to give you the name.
I am not refusing to answer your questions. I am tellingt you what I just know from them.
jstrazzeri@live.com wrote: According to my knowledge UNEM has an authority to grant degree:
You are (conveniently so) mistaken. According to the Ministerio De Educacion Pública (see HERE), Universidad Empresarial De Costa Rica has the legal authority to grant exactly THREE degrees:
BACHILLERATO ADMINISTRACIÓN EMPRESAS (B.A. Business)
BACHILLERATO CONTADURÍA (B.A. Accounting)
MAESTRÍA PROFESIONAL ADMINISTRACIÓN EMPRESAS (M.B.A.)
Neither CONESUP, nor the MEP grants any kind of authority concerning "International Agreements", degrees granted outside of Costa Rica, and neither grants Universidad Empresarial De Costa Rica any kind of authority to grant degrees other than the aforementioned three.
So (in case I wasn't clear), any diploma issued solely by Universidad Empresarial De Costa Rica other than a B.A in Business, a B.A in Accounting, and a M.B.A. (that obviously includes any doctorate) is bogus.
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QUESTION: How can we tell if desires come from the higher or the lower self?
ANSWER: By examining the desires and their real motives. Very clearly and very concisely ask yourself the question, "What is it I want and why do I want such and such? What is my real motive behind it?" You see, it may very often be that you have a right desire coming from a good motive. At the same time there is also an impure motive in it. The moment you recognize this, you already have done something for your purification.
Purifying does not mean that you are already perfect; purification is the process of becoming perfect. An integral part of the process is to say, "In addition to my good motive, there is also a selfish or vain motive hidden under the good cause." Take the example of a person who is spiritually very active with clean and pure motives to help other people. These good motives exist indubitably. At the same time, the desire-current of the lower self mingles with the good motives, perhaps as the ego's vain desire to be outstanding, to be admired, to be an authority. The moment the mixture of motives is calmly and freely recognized, even if you are as yet incapable of shedding the impure ones, purification is already taking place. With such an act, you have already raised your consciousness to a pretty high degree. Something in the chemistry of your body and soul begins to change with such clear self-recognition, because you approach truth.
The severest and most frequent violation of spiritual law that is so often overlooked by human beings is not living in truth. You all imagine that I mean you should not lie. I do not mean that at all. It is self-understood that a person should be honest and should not lie. But lying to oneself is often infinitely more dangerous and harmful than lying to others. Why is it more dangerous? Because when you lie to others, at least you are aware of it; you know it. Thus you are a step nearer to truth than when you lie to yourself. When you lie to yourself, you do not realize it, not because you cannot, but because you do not want to! So you have completely turned away from truth. That is a very grave violation, setting you apart from God. It surrounds you with a dark wall behind which you must be unhappy, quite apart from the outer conflicts which the violation creates for you sooner or later. Behind the wall you are lonely and lost. The only way you can find your way into the light is by tearing down the wall and looking at what is behind it, even if what you find is unpleasant. The first time you will struggle, but after you have torn down the first few stones of the wall, the relief will be tremendous. Then you will know what it means to be on this path.


text:
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10 What next for the fresh produce business?
China's largest online retailer JD.com has opened its first two Ochama stores in Europe, a move that presents a challenge to Amazon's own bricks-and-mortar presence in the market.
The company wants to provide faster, easier and more convenient delivery of a range of goods – including fresh fruit and vegetables – to shoppers via its highly automated omnichannel retail model.
According to JD, the new model introduces "an unprecedented shopping format" that merges online ordering and collection points.
The Ochama outlets, which are located in Leiden and Rotterdam in the Netherlands, are both designed to serve as pick-up locations for consumers who order online.
Their orders are put together by robots and then made ready for collection in the stores, or alternatively they can delivered to the shopper's home address.
Two more Ochama stores are due to open soon in Amsterdam and Utrecht.
"With rich experience in retail and cutting-edge logistics technologies that the company has accumulated over the years, we aspire to create an unprecedented shopping format for customers in Europe with better price and service," said Pass Lei, general manager of Ochama, JD Worldwide.
Urban convenience
In a press release, the company added: "The omni-channel model allows shoppers the convenience of ordering products online through Ochama's app, where a full range of A-brand products are offered covering fresh and packaged food, household appliances, beauty, maternal and child products, fashion, home furnishings and more."
At automated warehouses next to the collection points, automated ground vehicles and robotic arms collect products and bring them together.
"By simply scanning the app's QR code at the check-out, shoppers can watch as their orders are carried to them by the conveyer belt, as part of a cashierless and hassle-free shopping trip."
Ochama's chief operation officer Mark den Butter noted that, by utilising new logistics and supply chain management technologies, the shops can bring down the price of products "by an extra 10 per cent", to the benefit of the chain's member customers.
JD.com apparently chose The Netherlands for its first stores because of the country's highly urbanised structure.
"Dutch people are passionate for innovation and a green environment, and Ochama's shopping format is designed to contribute to both aspects," Den Butter added.
"There will be no queue and fewer traffic jams to do the chores as they can go for convenience, benefits and everything in one stop at Ochama."

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Gartner Predicts 75% of US Households will Have Smart Speakers by 2020
on April 14, 2017 at 12:57 pm
Gartner predicts that 75% of US households will have smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home by 2020 according to Inside Radio. Edison Research survey data earlier this year suggested that 7% of U.S. households currently have a smart speaker with an embedded voice assistant. If both Edison and Gartner are correct, that represents 10x growth in just four years or a 81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
138 Million Voice Assistant Smart Speakers in 2020
The number of households in the U.S. at the end of 2016 was 118.5 million according to US Census Bureau data as reported by YCHARTS. The five year growth rate has been 1.48% annually. If that trend continues there will be 123.8 million US households at the end of 2020. Inside Radio also reported that Gartner's model predicts 20% of households will have two devices and 5% will have three or more in 2020. If we assume the greater than two device households average five devices then 94.2 million US households will have 138.2 million smart speaker devices.
It is important to note that the 7.85 million starting base includes the period 2014-2016 and excludes 2016 sales in the UK and Germany by Amazon. The foreign sales needed to be removed as the Gartner and Edison data points only reflect U.S. household ownership.
Comparing Growth to Other Models
The models are highly sensitive to the starting base, current year sales and subsequent year growth rates. The model is also constrained by the Gartner estimate of 75% of households owning at least one device with an assumed average of 1.5 devices per household. That seems like a reasonable upper bound for four years out which means the only other lever is additional devices per household. To make the model work with reasonable growth rates the 15.7 million units sold in the U.S. is a reasonable estimate for 2017. It reflects a doubling of the installed based at the end of 2016 and a 2.7 times increase in sales between 2016 and 2017.
This 2016 estimate is about nine million less than the Voicelabs estimate. Voicelabs does not necessarily constrain its estimate to U.S. only sales. Therefore the models could be compatible if the Voicelabs estimates include about nine million in foreign sales. It may be hard to imagine Europe growing that quickly Amazon only in two countries and Google in one today, but it is reasonable to forecast Europe surpassing four million units and the balance of sales resulting in Asia. With that said, using the Edison and Gartner anchor points likely provides a more conservative model than Voicelabs.
258 Million Audience for Smart Speakers in 2020
The other big number to consider is total audience for voice assistant enabled smart speakers. Smartphones may be a one-for-one ratio of device to user. However, smart speakers like Amazon Echo and Google Home are household devices. Everyone in the home has access to them. Comparing U.S. Census population and household data suggests that about 258 million U.S. consumers will have access to smart speakers at the end of 2020. That sounds like the definition of mass market adoption and mass audience reach.
Analysis – 1.18 Amazon Echos Per Alexa Household
63% of US Population Know of Amazon Alexa or Google Home
Amazon EchoDevicesGoogle HomeMarket Data
Betaworks Voicecamp Cohort to Start Monday
Why Notifications Are Critical for Google Home and Amazon Echo


Ooty : Lt Gen YVK Mohan today assumed charge as Commandant, Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, the premier Tri-Service institution of India.
Mohan is an accomplished and decorated officer of the Gorkha Rifles, who in over 37 years of distinguished service has commanded units and headquarters in high altitude areas including Siachen Glacier.
Prior to his present assignment, Mohan was commanding the important 9 Corps along India's Western borders, an official release said.
He has held instructional assignments in prestigious Tri-Services institutions like National Defence Academy and DSSC and has also been Commandant of the National Defence College, New Delhi, considered one of the most prestigious institutes of higher military learning.
Mohan, a graduate of Royal College of Defence Studies Seaford House, London, has also tenated foreign assignments like Assistant Military Attache at the Indian Embassy at Pokhara, Nepal.


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Terrorist Dawood Ibrahim relocates key family members outside Pakistan; Anees off the radar
As global pressure mounts on Pakistan to dismantle terror networks on its soil, Bharat's most wanted fugitive Dawood Ibrahim, operating from Karachi, has reportedly relocated key family members, including his...
Top-ranking Vatican cardinal charged with sex offenses in Australia – Julie Zauzmer
Posted on Jun 30, 2017 by VOI
Cardinal George Pell faces multiple charges of "historical sexual assault offenses," the Australian criminal justice system's term for offenses committed in the past. – Julie Zauzmer
A cardinal in charge of the Vatican's finances has been charged with multiple sexual offenses by Australian police, in one of the most significant indictments against a top-ranking leader of the Catholic Church.
Cardinal George Pell faces multiple charges of "historical sexual assault offenses," the Australian criminal justice system's term for offenses committed in the past, Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton announced at a news conference on Thursday morning in Australia.
That morning, Victoria police notified Pell's legal representative that he has been charged and must appear in court on July 18, Patton said.
Patton said that Pell was treated no differently than any other defendant because of his high rank in the Vatican—notifying a legal representative and summoning the defendant to court at a later date is the recommendation of Australian prosecutors in a case like his.
Patton did not discuss the details of the case, so it was not clear whether Pell was charged with participating in abuse or covering it up.
In the Vatican, Pell's job as secretariat of the economy is so crucial that it has been described as the second-most-powerful role in Rome, after only the pope. But for years, he has faced accusations of improper behaviour connected with clergy sexual abuse in Australia.
In Ballarat, Pell's hometown, dozens of children were abused by priests. After the abuse came to light, priests testified under oath that Pell knew about the abuse while it was occurring.
The scale of the abuse in Ballarat was staggering: In one fourth-grade class of 33 boys, 12 committed suicide, the Post reported in 2015. Five priests who worked in the parish were convicted of crimes, including one who was found guilty of abusing more than 50 children.
Two years ago, Peter Saunders, a survivor of sexual abuse on the Vatican's Commission for the Protection of Minors, spoke out against Pell, calling him "almost sociopathic" in his lack of concern for the victims of abuse in an interview with Australia's television program "60 Minutes."
Saunders asked Pope Francis at the time to remove Pell from his position and take "the strongest action against him." But Pell publicly refuted Saunders's allegations, and a Vatican spokesman stood with Pell, saying the cardinal "must be considered reliable."
Pell has served as a priest since 1966.
In response to an Australian inquiry into clergy sexual abuse last year, he testified in court that he had heard about "misbehavior" by two priests—including priests kissing children and swimming naked with them—but had not reported it. He had heard only fleeting references to the priests' actions, he said, and knew little about the incidents.
He said he doesn't remember a child ever reporting abuse to him, though he added, "My memory is sometimes fallible," according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. When children did report abuse in earlier decades, he said, they weren't likely to be believed.
"In those days, if a priest denied such activity, I was very strongly inclined to accept the denial," he said. "At that stage, the instinct was more to protect the institution, the community of the Church, from shame." In his testimony, he said, "The Church has made enormous mistakes and is working to remedy those."
On Thursday morning, Patton did not offer any details about the charges against Pell, other than to say that the cardinal faces "multiple charges in respect to historical offenses." – The Washington Post, 28 June 2017
» Julie Zauzmer is a religion reporter for the Washington Post in Washington, DC.
Filed under: australia | Tagged: australia, catholic church, child sex abuse, george pell, vatican sex scandal |
« Iftar at the Pejawar Mutt – R. Jagannathan BJP's stunning volte face on appeasement politics – N.V. Krishnakumar »
Admin, on Jun 30, 2017 at 8:48 am said:
Cardinal George Pell is a Catholic traditionalist and having sex with boys is a hoary tradition in the Catholic Church. It has been going on from the very inception of the Church till today, and Pope 'Humble' is not about to stop it.
At the First Christian Council at Nicaea in 325 AD, where the Christian Creed was adopted by some 300 attending bishops, Emperor Constantine brought with him dozens of prostitutes and dancing boys to keep the holy men entertained. This led to fights and stabbings among the jealous prelates, for the attentions of the prettiest boys.
One famous female prostitute, a circus performer, lamented that she did not have enough 'pockets' to accommodate all her revered suitors!
Interestingly, this is the council where Jesus was raised to godhood from ordinary prophet by a vote of the bishops. Two bishops from Libya dissented on the first vote. They were assassinated that night in their beds, and the vote for deification that was taken next day was unanimous: Jesus of Nazareth was made equal to the Olympian god Apollo.
How this New Yorker Article represents Deep-Rooted White Western Racism against 'Brown Indians'
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh's latest publicity stunt: Makes donation for Ram Mandir construction to score political brownie points
Shivraj Singh Chouhan never called for "tracking working women": How liberals made a story out of nothing
'Doob maro. If you have the courage, try doing something similar with people of other religion', Raju Srivastav tears into makers of Tandav


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Tag Archives: Power Rangers Hasbro
Jenna Rae Frank Coming to Power Rangers?
Is Jason David Frank's daughter about to turn Power Rangers into a family business?
PopLurker.com stirred up the Power Rangers fandom Saturday morning, with the story: "Actress Jenna Rae Frank Rumored to Lead Power Rangers as the Next Red Ranger."
Jason David Frank, of course, played Tommy, the Green Ranger, on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in the early '90s. He stuck with the show until 1997, returned for a season in 2004, and has done a few one-offs since then. He currently co-owns Power Morphicon Express, a traveling fan convention making its first stop next spring in Pasedena, TX.
Mind you, the article is only a "What if they did this?" fan pitch. It offers nothing in the way of evidence. But lets not be foolish enough to dismiss it outright.
For one thing, this is obviously something the Franks want. I suspect they were actually involved in getting the PopLurker story published, as it conveniently coincides with this "action audition" posted to 14-year-old Jenna's YouTube page…
According to her IMDB page, Frank's only on-screen credit, outside of appearing in her father's YouTube show My Morphin Life, is an episode of 6 Rounds of Chloe, which is labeled as "filming."
For the record, I'm not saying putting her on the show would be a bad decision. A sort of "legacy" choice like this would drum up a lot of good will with older fans. Which, now that the franchise is under the new ownership of Hasbro, would be a wise publicity move.
Plus, you've got to believe JDF would want at least a little on-camera time with his daughter, so it would give them a nice excuse to bring Tommy back again. The Christmas episode of Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel just did something like that with brothers Yoshi and Peter Sudarso.
Power Rangers Beast Morphers premieres premieres on Nickelodeon this February, and is expected to run through 2020. So the soonest we might expect to see Frank on screen with a morpher in her hand would be early 2021.
Follow Primary Ignition on Twitter, or email Rob at primaryignition@yahoo.com.
This entry was posted in Power Rangers Spotlight, Television and tagged Go Go Power Rangers, Hasbro, Jason David Frank, Jenna Rae Frank, Jenna Rae Frank Power Rangers, My Morphin Life, Nickelodeon, PopLurker, Power Morphicon, Power Morphicon Express, Power Rangers, Power Rangers Beast Morphers, Power Rangers Hasbro, Power Rangers Ninja Steel, Power Rangers Spotlight, Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel, Red Ranger, Rob Siebert, Tommy Oliver, YouTube on 12/15/2018 by primaryignition.
Panels of Awesomeness: MMPR Anniversary Special #1
CREATORS: Sina Grace (Illustrator), Eleonora Bruni (Colorist)
THE SCENE: In this 25th anniversary issue, the Ninja Steel Power Rangers meet Alpha 5, who has come to ask for help.
WHY IT'S AWESOME: Sadly, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Anniversary Special #1 doesn't quite measure up to some of the epic multi-story annuals that have preceded it. But it does have its moments. For instance, there's a terrific story about Karone standing trial for her crimes as Astronema.
But in terms of nostalgic feels worthy of a 25th anniversary issue, Sina Grace's story about Alpha 5 and the Ninja Steel Rangers takes the cake. Frankly, seeing a story where Alpha is still around is a feel-good moment in and of itself. For a long time, the belief among many fan has been that Alpha 5 was destroyed off-camera when Dark Specter captured Zordon before Power Rangers in Space. That's a heck of a downer ending for such a beloved character.
Grace's figure renderings are excellent, especially in the big panel at the top. He does a great job of capturing Mick's face. What's more, Kelson Henderson, who plays Mick, has played a variety of roles on the show over the years. So to see him standing with Alpha is very fitting for an anniversary issue.
Moving downward, I love the shot of the Rangers over Alpha's domed head. And because they're kids, they don't quite grasp who they're looking at. Preston actually calls the original Power Rangers "the dinosaur ones." Notwithstanding, of course, that they're been a few dinosaur teams at this point…
And then you've got the lower left panel of the two characters running from something. There's a lot of energy here, between the way Mick and Alpha are posed, and what Grace does with the background. To cap it off, we've got the ridiculous outfit Alpha is in. It's utterly nonsensical, but charmingly silly in that Power Rangers sort of way.
Question: Is BOOM! Studios about to lose the publishing rights to Power Rangers now that Hasbro owns the franchise? As many of us know, Hasbro already licenses Transformers, G.I. Joe, and numerous other IPs to IDW. That'd be a raw deal for BOOM, as they've really put PR on the map in terms of the comic book industry. Some of the stories they've given us these last few years have been simply priceless.
This entry was posted in Comic Books/Graphic Novels, Panels of Awesomeness and tagged Alpha 5, BOOM! Studios, Eleonora Bruni, Hasbro, IDW Publishing, Kelson Henderson, Mick (Power Rangers), Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (BOOM! Studios), Power Rangers, Power Rangers Hasbro, Power Rangers Ninja Steel, Rob Siebert, Sina Grace on 06/28/2018 by primaryignition.


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Atypical cognitive profile in patients with depression after myocardial infarction.
J.B. Dijkstra, J.J.M.H. Strik, R. Lousberg, J.H.H.J. Prickaerts, W.J. Riedel, J. Jolles, H.M. van Praag, A. Honig
Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology
Background: We evaluated the cognitive profile of 48 patients with major depression following their first myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: The cognitive performance of the patients was compared with the performance of 48 nondepressed MI patients and 48 healthy controls. Results: Depressed MI patients performed slower on a simple cognitive speed related measure compared with non-depressed MI patients and healthy controls. Attention and speed-related aspects of cognitive functioning were not affected. Surprisingly, (depressed) MI patients showed even better performances with respect to memory function. Limitation: No patients with non-MI-related depression were included. Conclusions: The cognitive profile of major depression after MI differs from that of non-cardiac-related depressive disorder, as described in the literature. This may reflect a different etiology of post MI depression from non-cardiac-related depression.
Dijkstra, J. B., Strik, J. J. M. H., Lousberg, R., Prickaerts, J. H. H. J., Riedel, W. J., Jolles, J., van Praag, H. M., & Honig, A. (2002). Atypical cognitive profile in patients with depression after myocardial infarction. Journal of Affective Disorders, 20, 181-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-0327(01)00348-2
Dijkstra, J.B. ; Strik, J.J.M.H. ; Lousberg, R. ; Prickaerts, J.H.H.J. ; Riedel, W.J. ; Jolles, J. ; van Praag, H.M. ; Honig, A. / Atypical cognitive profile in patients with depression after myocardial infarction. In: Journal of Affective Disorders. 2002 ; Vol. 20. pp. 181-190.
@article{7d15b9f0d4ef43d7ab1b120a68c8a1bc,
title = "Atypical cognitive profile in patients with depression after myocardial infarction.",
abstract = "Background: We evaluated the cognitive profile of 48 patients with major depression following their first myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: The cognitive performance of the patients was compared with the performance of 48 nondepressed MI patients and 48 healthy controls. Results: Depressed MI patients performed slower on a simple cognitive speed related measure compared with non-depressed MI patients and healthy controls. Attention and speed-related aspects of cognitive functioning were not affected. Surprisingly, (depressed) MI patients showed even better performances with respect to memory function. Limitation: No patients with non-MI-related depression were included. Conclusions: The cognitive profile of major depression after MI differs from that of non-cardiac-related depressive disorder, as described in the literature. This may reflect a different etiology of post MI depression from non-cardiac-related depression. ",
author = "J.B. Dijkstra and J.J.M.H. Strik and R. Lousberg and J.H.H.J. Prickaerts and W.J. Riedel and J. Jolles and {van Praag}, H.M. and A. Honig",
journal = "Journal of Affective Disorders",
Dijkstra, JB, Strik, JJMH, Lousberg, R, Prickaerts, JHHJ, Riedel, WJ, Jolles, J, van Praag, HM & Honig, A 2002, 'Atypical cognitive profile in patients with depression after myocardial infarction.', Journal of Affective Disorders, vol. 20, pp. 181-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-0327(01)00348-2
Atypical cognitive profile in patients with depression after myocardial infarction. / Dijkstra, J.B.; Strik, J.J.M.H.; Lousberg, R.; Prickaerts, J.H.H.J.; Riedel, W.J.; Jolles, J.; van Praag, H.M.; Honig, A.
In: Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol. 20, 01.01.2002, p. 181-190.
T1 - Atypical cognitive profile in patients with depression after myocardial infarction.
AU - Dijkstra, J.B.
AU - Strik, J.J.M.H.
AU - Lousberg, R.
AU - Prickaerts, J.H.H.J.
AU - Riedel, W.J.
AU - Jolles, J.
AU - van Praag, H.M.
AU - Honig, A.
N2 - Background: We evaluated the cognitive profile of 48 patients with major depression following their first myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: The cognitive performance of the patients was compared with the performance of 48 nondepressed MI patients and 48 healthy controls. Results: Depressed MI patients performed slower on a simple cognitive speed related measure compared with non-depressed MI patients and healthy controls. Attention and speed-related aspects of cognitive functioning were not affected. Surprisingly, (depressed) MI patients showed even better performances with respect to memory function. Limitation: No patients with non-MI-related depression were included. Conclusions: The cognitive profile of major depression after MI differs from that of non-cardiac-related depressive disorder, as described in the literature. This may reflect a different etiology of post MI depression from non-cardiac-related depression.
AB - Background: We evaluated the cognitive profile of 48 patients with major depression following their first myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: The cognitive performance of the patients was compared with the performance of 48 nondepressed MI patients and 48 healthy controls. Results: Depressed MI patients performed slower on a simple cognitive speed related measure compared with non-depressed MI patients and healthy controls. Attention and speed-related aspects of cognitive functioning were not affected. Surprisingly, (depressed) MI patients showed even better performances with respect to memory function. Limitation: No patients with non-MI-related depression were included. Conclusions: The cognitive profile of major depression after MI differs from that of non-cardiac-related depressive disorder, as described in the literature. This may reflect a different etiology of post MI depression from non-cardiac-related depression.
JO - Journal of Affective Disorders
JF - Journal of Affective Disorders
Dijkstra JB, Strik JJMH, Lousberg R, Prickaerts JHHJ, Riedel WJ, Jolles J et al. Atypical cognitive profile in patients with depression after myocardial infarction. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2002 Jan 1;20:181-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0165-0327(01)00348-2


$80.85 $103.00 Save 22% Current price is $80.85, Original price is $103. You Save 22%.
A Hands-on Guide to the 2007 NESC® that Clarifies Code Rules for You to Achieve Full Compliance!
McGraw-Hill's National Electrical Safety Code® 2007 Handbook delivers a rule-by-rule annotation of the NESC® that clarifies the often confusing Code text and allows you to perform your work confidently and safely. Designed for use with the Code itself, this expert resource guides readers through safety rules for the installation, operation, and maintenance of electrical supply stations and equipment, and also for overhead and underground electric supply and communication lines.
David J. Marne, P.E., B.S.E.E., is a consulting electrical engineer. He is company president and senior engineer for Marne and Associates, Inc., in Missoula, Montana, where he specializes in NESC(R) training and engineering design. Mr. Marne serves on NESC(R)Subcommittee 4, Overhead Lines-Clearances, he is a senior member of the IEEE, and has presented seminars on the NESC(R) to a variety of industry professionals.


No. That's not what it means.
In truth, effort is required for us to do anything, to live our lives, whether simple or complex. We often make things harder than they need to be by judging ourselves and our supposed shortcomings. We feel insufficient, therefore it must be true. We tell ourselves we are never good enough, and with repetition we have believed it. What if it's not true? What if we are good enough people doing a good enough job? What if, with a little effort in the appropriate direction, we could free up some of our energy by refusing to slide down that easy path of self-negation. What if we tried, just a little harder, to be kind to ourselves instead?
Diligence is not about keeping our noses to the grindstone. It is not grim, nor solid, nor exhausting. When we exert ourselves, it is the effort of returning, more than anything else. I tell my meditation students yes, we are focused on the breath, but the practice of meditation is not plopping ourselves onto the cushion and not moving our minds an inch. It is the practice of noticing when we have strayed from our intended activity – in this case, staying present with the breath – and bringing ourselves back to it. We do this with kindness, without judgment. We come back swiftly, without hesitation. We return to what we said we were doing without commentary, without making a fuss. We just notice and come back. Meditation is the practice of returning, so that is what we do.
We call it joyful effort because we make this effort believing some good will come of it. We practice compassion because it will help us and those we come into contact with. We focus our minds on our projects because we are trying to do something worthwhile. We tend our gardens because we enjoy the vegetables and flowers that result from our efforts, and we do it with gladness because we can.
Practice: Try doing something you must do, but with joyful effort in place of resistance, grumpiness, avoidance or habitual attitudes. Getting out of bed is a good place to practice, if you don't want to get up but must do so to start your day and get to work (or wherever) on time. Brushing your teeth, scrubbing the toilet, doing the dishes, driving in traffic – the opportunities for practice are myriad! You see, it's not extra effort that is being suggested here, it is the joyful effort of mindful diligence. It is doing what we are doing, with attention and intent.
Another practice: apply virya to something you want to be doing but aren't.
Set aside some time. Any amount. Without effort, we can easily distract ourselves away from what we'd really rather be doing. The time to do something we want to do usually does exist, if we don't fill it with distractions or excuses.
Identify what you'd like to be doing (this includes long range things you can break down into smaller bits, and also not doing anything).
Identify what gets in the way, how you distract yourself or otherwise justify not doing it.
Notice the frustration and negative internal talk and any other consequences of not doing the thing you want to do.
Now (yes, now) take a step into doing the thing. Any step, as long as it is actually into the thing and not away from the thing into a distraction. You know the difference. It is the difference between sitting at the computer to write your novel and sitting at the computer and playing games or cruising Facebook until you run out of juice.
I have a friend who is working on writing a play. She can spend hours, days, months doing character sketches and research and warm ups and free writing and very little time actually writing the play. She gets frustrated, exhausted, and wants to give up, but when she gets around to actually writing the play – putting in a little effort – she feels happy. Of course the research needs to be done. But when my friend substitutes the preparation for the writing, it does not satisfy her, and in fact she increases her own suffering. We can prepare for something all our lives, but if we don't ever get around to living it, where has our precious life gone?
It can be hard to remember how gratifying it is to work directly on something we want to do, without distraction, avoidance or laziness. We can so easily do anything else. For months I wanted to draw pictures of our chickens. They are so interestingly shaped, and so fun to hang out with! But it seemed like such a Big Deal. I am not a particularly adept artist, and drawing does not come naturally to me. But I sometimes get the urge. I used to feel frustrated that I never got around to drawing the chickens. I noticed other people's chicken art and felt inferior and told myself, "Why bother?" I would watch the chickens and think about how I wished I had drawn them, how another day and opportunity to capture their qualities had slipped past me (probably while I was on Facebook). Then one day I just did it. I drew my chickens. Just like that.
The turning point came when I stopped berating myself for not doing it and gave myself permission to do it poorly, and briefly, and with a ballpoint pen instead of some fancy art supplies. I made a few little sketches, taking only about ten minutes. Nothing spectacular, but a step directly into what I wanted to be doing. And I feel so happy that I did it. Maybe I will do some more someday, with a little diligence, giving it another try. It really didn't take that much. What took real effort was stopping myself from making it impossible to move forward, by my habitual self-pressuring and perfectionism. A little restraint from such activities goes a long way toward freeing up energy for what we truly want. Now when I look at my chickens I think about how I will draw them again, some other time, and instead of the frozen feeling of habitual self-defeat I feel the joy of my well-applied effort.
© Copyright 2011 by Ker Cleary, LPC, therapist in Eugene, Oregon. All Rights Reserved. Permission to publish granted to GoodTherapy.org.
Ker, I loved your post. Thank you!It touched my heart. It's been so long since I worked at something just for the sake of doing what I enjoy. It was a bit of a shock to realize just how long it's been actually. I used to write poetry and when I checked there in my Documents it's been nearly 18 months since I last created anything!
How time flies. I'm going to remedy that this weekend and give myself enough time off from everything else to write for the sheer pleasure of it.
Like anything else diligence is a goal to be pursued and perfected. It is not something that can be achieved overnight, but keeps you as a work in progress.
We are all ever changing and evolving. So why should the creative processes that help us reach that point not be the same?
I have been through similar feelings far more than I can recall.It's not easy to do things that you want to with all the distractions that are around us.And I admit that these distractions have come in way of my productivity a lot of times.I work online as a freelancer for a living and just as you have described,I have been distracted a lot of times by other things and end up investing my energy into these distractions rather than getting some real work done.Work that gets me money to pay the bills.
But it was also interesting to read about your suggestion of method to overcome this.And yes,i have experienced the feeling of incapability of the self.I shall try to put your suggestions into practice.Right now.Thank you for this.
Thank you all for your comments. It can be helpful to have a little nudge from time to time. I didn't mention that it is this same quality and practice that gets a blog post written, but of course, it is! Best to each of you as you practice with these tools.


Autogenic training is the oldest known Western system of self-regulation. It is a safe and effective way of inducing mind-body relaxation that involves body awareness and the repeating of relaxing phrases to induce a state of mind-body relaxation. Author Larry Cammarata, PhD, has created this audio program as an example. Take a few minutes to try it or share it with clients.


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By Brandon Gulla
In order to meet the challenge of the ever-evolving mission landscape, our US Federal customers demand innovative solutions that can accelerate, not degrade, their mission velocity. Whether it's civilian agencies looking to adopt cloud-native strategies, IC-partners looking to extend AI/ML pipelines to the tactical-battlefield or the USAF changing the conversation on how we all can push code to the warfighter faster than ever, the mission demands opportunity. The future of cloud-native software is not opinionated, prescriptive monoliths, but flexible vendor-agnostic architectures built to serve each customer's unique mission.
Yesterday's exciting news about SUSE acquiring Rancher Federal and Rancher Labs isn't any different. Kubernetes is not merely a piece of software, but an orchestra of open source tools working together in concert to deliver mission-critical infrastructure. Most people in the Kubernetes community know Rancher Labs and Rancher Federal have built their successes on offering maximum choice to legions of loyal users and customers. We're not just 100 percent open source, we're 100 percent open with no vendor lock-in. SUSE is acquiring the Rancher family because they share the same vision. The acquisition will not challenge our constitution to vendor/operating-system agnosticism, but rather, make it stronger.
We're Both OS Agnostic
If you prefer Centos to Ubuntu, no problem. If you've been a Red Hat customer for a decade and want to deploy on RHEL, that's fine too. Both SUSE and Rancher Labs understand that organizations choose to standardize on a specific Linux distribution for a variety of reasons. Normally they've undertaken extensive evaluations of different providers to land on their OS selection. Sometimes their choice is based on nothing more than somebody in IT thinking one project or vendor is cooler than the rest.
As we go forward, SUSE and Rancher Labs will continue to respect these decisions because we're focused on one thing alone – helping our customers be successful.
We're Both Infrastructure Agnostic
Sharing in this ethos, Rancher will continue to be infrastructure agnostic, giving our users the flexibility to deploy Kubernetes clusters on any major cloud provider. We even allow users to import existing Kubernetes clusters that pre-date their use of Rancher.
Rancher is also well known for treating cloud-hosted Kubernetes distributions like Google GKE, Amazon EKS and Microsoft AKS as first-class citizens. Additionally, to serve our Federal customers further, we will soon be enabling turnkey SC2S, C2S and AzureGov capabilities. Our mission is to provide your team with the flexibility it demands whether on-prem, air-gapped, edge or a mix of all three. In fact, our users can run any CNCF-certified Kubernetes distribution from within Rancher, giving them the freedom to innovate on the best platform for their use case. Yes, we have two popular Kubernetes distributions of our own – RKE for consistency across hybrid cloud deployments and K3s for resource-constrained environments at the edge – but we won't stop customers from doing their own thing. It's not in anybody's interest to change this commitment in the future.
When the dust from yesterday's announcement settles and the SUSE acquisition is finalized, we will continue to deliver open solutions throughout the US Federal community. Our passion to deliver open source technologies and world-class cleared support, absent of vendor or operating system lock-in, will be far from abandoned. Together, we will better enable the warfighter to succeed not just today, but for the mission of tomorrow.


For $25, enjoy a round of golf followed by lunch at Ranchland Hills Golf Club! There is a limit of 20 men, so sign up quickly. Registration will close automatically at 6pm on Friday, April 26, but feel free to call Boog Childers at 432-894-1912 to see if there are any openings.


Mounting camera stabilizer gimbals to vehicles has proven difficult because of vibrations caused by tires, engines, rotor blades, or any other moving parts. Also, jerky movements of the vehicle can put huge amounts of stress on the gimbals bearings. Cinema Vibration Isolators addresses these problems by supporting the gimbal with flexible wire rope modules. It is designed to isolate the upper mounting plate from vibration, and move freely relative to the vehicle, thus absorbing torsional force.
The CVI-Underslung allows for the gimbal to be mounted on the bottom of the isolator. The CVI-U can also be converted for upright use (for payloads under 11Lbs/5kg) by simply removing the standoffs and swapping out the lower ring plate with the upper mounting plate.
The CVI-U Quick mount makes it easy to turn any vehicle into a chase car within minutes. It uses two vacuum cups and a nylon strap to secure the isolator in place. Simply stick the vacuum cups on any door, hatch, side panel or tail gate, and attach the nylon strap to the roof rack or any secure fixture.
The system also offers 150mm of Z-axis (up and down) damping for additional smoothness. This is achieved with silicone gel links in series with the nylon straps. Silicone links can be added/removed to adjust stiffness.


Hyderabad is one of the most popular south Indian cities of India with sea shore and temples being the main attraction. With the setup of Ramoji Film City, its popularity has grown manifold up. Also, the city has top-notch IT professionals working across many firms that are based in Hyderabad. These professionals and others who are still living in a rented accommodation now have a chance to become a proud home owner on the back of Oriental Bank of Commerce Home Loan in Hyderabad. The bank has a solid base in Hyderabad with branches located all over the city.
Want to apply for a home loan at OBC in Hyderabad? Check eligibility now from the below pointers that come your way as it will determine where you stand as far as approval for a home loan is concerned.
A key element to your dream home journey lies with the successful submission of the documents, which the bank seeks to approval the loan in Hyderabad.


Postumus, AD 259-268. AE double sestertius.
Size : 31.2 x 33.2 mm. Weight : 18.08 grams.
Grade : Fine but weak on the reverse.
Obverse : Radiate bust of Postumus right, with IMP C M CASS LAT POSTVMVS P F AVG around.
Reverse : Fides Militum standing forward with head left, holding two standards, with FIDES MILITVM around (the last half of the inscription is not well struck).


review the outputs at various stages of development of the classification and where necessary choose from among options for subsequent development stages.
The purpose of the development phases are outlined in general terms below.
Various approaches to developing the classification were considered. One of the most desirable attributes of a spatial framework is the ability to resolve differing characteristics at a range of levels of detail and spatial scales. Regionalisation was rejected as an appropriate methodology at the outset because of its very limited ability to meet this requirement. Instead we concluded that an automated numerical classification of individual cells in a grid that are described by multiple variables was the most easily defended approach. Numerical methods are ideally suited to the production of classifications that are hierarchical. Hierarchic classifications can seamlessly expand and contract their resolution of character and are, therefore, suitable for use across a range of spatial scales. In addition, classes are defined in this approach solely on the basis of their environmental or biological similarity (i.e. independent of their geographic location). The geographic independence of such methods allows them to more accurately describe the inherent geographic configuration of variation in ecological character. Finally, the explicit measurement of similarity between geographic units that are produced by numerical methods has benefits for specific applications of the spatial framework, particularly in conservation applications that are considering trade-offs between locations (e.g. Belbin 1993, Leathwick et al.. 2003b).
The approach taken is similar to that used for the Land Environments of New Zealand (LENZ) framework (Leathwick et al. a and b). The multivariate approach of LENZ and Marine Environment Classification is, however, different to another spatial framework that has been developed for New Zealand - the River Environment Classification (REC) (Snelder and Biggs 2002). The REC is a 'controlling factor' approach. In this approach rules are used to sequentially subdivide the environmental domain according to differences in a set of environmental factors. The rules are based on a hierarchical model which proposes that variation in a single factor (e.g. climate, topography, geology) is the cause of ecological pattern at a series of spatial scales. While the controlling factor approach is appealing, we considered that its application to marine ecosystems was problematic because a robust hierarchy of factors is not easily defined and may be spatially unstable.
The next consideration was whether environmental or biological attributes should be used to define the classification. Biological data is limited for New Zealand's marine area. Indeed, a primary reason for developing a spatial framework is to make inferences about biological distributions for locations for which minimal or no biotic data are available. By contrast, a range of data describing the physical environment was either already available or could be modelled reasonably robustly for the entire Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). For this reason, plus the need to consider environmental and biological factors in the integrated management of marine resources, an environmental classification (i.e. based on attributes of the physical environment) was chosen.
In this context, the key assumption of an environmental classification is that the pattern of the physical environment can be used as a surrogate for biological pattern. This assumption is most plausible at extensive spatial scales where the broad distributions of many individual species and communities are determined largely by physiological limitations imposed by the environment. At more local scales there is an increasing likelihood that biological interactions (e.g. predation) and processes (e.g. disturbance, recruitment) influence the pattern.
The Marine Environment Classification was developed at two levels of spatial resolution. First, a broad scale classification was developed of the entire EEZ, covering the area from approximately 25 to 58 degrees South and 158 degrees East to 172 degrees West. The environmental data layers used to define this classification have a nominal spatial resolution of 1 km. Approximately 8.4 million cells are contained within the 1 km grid environmental variable layers describing the EEZ. This resolution enables aesthetically acceptable mapping at scales of 1:4,000,000 and above. While the classification can be mapped at finer scales, the grain of the underlying data will become increasingly prominent as the scale is increased.
Second, a finer scale classification was developed for the Hauraki Gulf region. The purpose of this regional classification was to assess the feasibility of producing higher resolution inshore classifications relevant to the more intensive management issues that frequently occur there. The region is defined by a line drawn eastward from Bream Head (approximately 36 degrees South) to meet a line drawn from south to north and intersecting Cape Barrier on Great Barrier Island (approximately 176 degrees East). This was based on environmental layers with a nominal spatial resolution of 200 m (i.e. consistent with a maximum map scale of 1:250,000). Approximately 220,000 cells are contained within the 200 m grid of environmental variable layers describing the Hauraki Gulf.
The selection of candidate environmental variables was based on an initial design (see Snelder et al. 2001). The design process used published descriptions of relationships between environmental and biological patterns at extensive spatial scales (i.e. greater than 200 metres for the regional classification and greater than 1 km for the EEZ classification). In conceptual terms, our overall objective was to identify a set of environmental variables that could be used to define classes that maximize the discrimination of variation in the total biological composition, a task that was complicated by the highly diverse range of organisms that occur in marine environments. As a consequence of this diversity, the selection of variables required the careful balancing of generality (i.e. relevance to a broad range of biological groups) and specificity (i.e. relevance to perhaps a narrow set of organisms). Our overall emphasis tended towards the first of these (i.e. we aimed to produce a single classification that would be reasonably relevant to a broad range of ecological components). We anticipated that a general classification might provide discrimination of variation in chlorophyll biomass at the surface, pelagic and demersal fishes and benthic communities.
In practical terms, candidate environmental variables also had to be able to be derived as systematic coverages or layers. By 'systematic' we mean objectively defined data that show the spatial variation in the variable across the area to be classified at a consistent level of resolution.
The aim of the validation work was to confirm that the candidate environmental variables were useful as predictors of biological characteristics and to determine which had the strongest statistical relationships with biological pattern. There was an expectation that this would reduce the initial set of candidate environmental variables to a core set for which quantifiable statistical relationships with biological patterns could be demonstrated. The available biological data was researched (Fenwick 2001) and datasets were assembled and/or groomed for both the EEZ (Image et al. 2003) and the Hauraki Gulf (Fenwick and Flanagan 2002) classifications.
The classifications of the EEZ and Hauraki Gulf were defined using a numerical classification based on clustering. In clustering, classes are defined by iteratively joining individual cells, and then groups of cells (i.e. clusters), based on their similarity according to the combination of environmental variables that are chosen to define the classification (Zonneveld 1994). Each step in the clustering process is shown graphically by a tree structure, or dendrogram, which shows the order in which clusters are joined. The number of classes depends on the 'cut level' in the dendrogram. The classes are then mapped using a Geographic Information System (GIS) to show the mosaic of patches. Patches show the geographic location of cells belonging to the classes. In general, the size of the patches is large at high levels of the classification (i.e. a small number of classes) and patches are smaller at lower levels. The user is able to map the classification at any level so that the number of classes defines a spatial resolution that is suitable for the particular application.
The aims of the testing process were twofold. First, the strength of the classification is dependent on its ability to define classes that are biologically distinctive (i.e. classes should be different from one another in terms of fish assemblages and chlorophyll concentration, for example). In a strong classification, locations belonging to a class should show a high level of similarity to other locations within the class, relative to their similarity to locations in other classes. Thus, the testing aimed to determine whether there are statistically significant differences between classes and to quantify the overall strength of the classification using biological samples. It was expected that the strength of the classification would vary with the level of the classification hierarchy and between different sets of biological data. Therefore, the testing also aimed to establish the levels at which biological distinctiveness was maximised. As a secondary output of the testing process, we aimed to describe the biological characteristics of the classes.


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RENAULT ANNOUNCES UK PRICING AND SPECIFCATION FOR ALL-NEW MEGANE R.S.
All-New Mégane R.S. is priced from £27,495 on the road (OTR)
4Control – Renault's advanced four-wheel-steer system – available on a hot hatch for the first time
Available with choice of Sport or Cup chassis
Optional Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) automatic transmission available for the first time; manual transmission remains as standard
Most powerful 1.8-litre engine on the UK market with 280hp and 390Nm of torque
Receives technology such as R.S. Vision lighting and R.S. Monitor Expert data telemetry
Free Cup Chassis Pack upgrade worth £1,500 for customers ordering in May1
Orders open 1st May 2018 with first customer deliveries expected from July
The All-New Mégane R.S. is now on sale in the UK, priced from £27,495 OTR. The French hot hatch offers a wealth of choice to customers with a whole host of Renault Sport technology such as innovative 4Control four-wheel steer to enhance the driving experience, R.S. Monitor Expert to analyse data and the options of either a Sport or Cup chassis and either manual or EDC automatic transmissions. The All-New Mégane R.S. is now available to order with first customer deliveries taking place from July.
Engineered by Renault Sport
Unique in class: 4Control four-wheel steer
A world-first for the sports car segment, the All-New Mégane R.S. receives 4Control – Renault's innovative four-wheel steer system, re-engineered by Renault Sport for optimum performance. At speeds over 37mph (or 62mph in Race mode), the front and rear wheels turn in the same direction for increased stability. At speeds of less than 37mph (or at 62mph in Race mode), the front and rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to give increased agility, particularly through tight corners. 4Control helps drivers to position the car on the right line through corners in order to accelerate as quickly and as efficiently as possible.
Two chassis options: Sport or Cup
All-New Mégane R.S. provides two chassis combining efficiency, agility, stability and comfort, and offers customers with the option of either a Sport or Cup chassis. The Sport chassis is suggested for those drivers who like a sporty, but still refined, drive. As an alternative, the Cup chassis receives revised springs, dampers, anti-roll bars and bump stops – it is 10 per cent stiffer than the Cup chassis. Its front and rear hydraulic compression stops provide a high level of chassis efficiency and its new Torsen mechanical limited slip differential provides different lock-up values under acceleration and deceleration for enhanced traction and higher cornering speeds.
Cup Chassis Pack: May offer
The Cup Chassis Pack is available at £1,500 more than the Sport chassis however, customers ordering an All-New Mégane R.S. between 1st and 31st May are eligible for an optional complimentary upgrade from the Sport Chassis to the Cup Chassis Pack with its Limited Slip Differential, red brake calipers, stiffer springs and dampers and anti-roll bar, worth £1,5001.
Brembo®'s bi-material brakes
Available as an option with the Cup chassis are Brembo®'s bi-material brakes. These bi-material aluminium/cast iron discs help reduce the weight per wheel by 1.8kg. Previously acclaimed on Mégane III R.S., the Brembo® braking system has been improved, offering drivers greater power, endurance and therefore confidence behind the wheel. The diameter of the front brake discs has been increased to 355mm (+15mm compared with the previous generation). These are handed to each side of the car to maximise cooling during intensive use. The brake pedal setting focuses on the accuracy of the pressure applied, enabling drivers to remain in complete control, especially on the racetrack.
Renault Sport suspension innovations: hydraulic bump stops and PerfoHub
In a world-first, the All-New Mégane R.S. has shock absorbers with hydraulic bump stops all round, as standard. Effectively integrating a shock absorber within the shock absorber, as the end of travel approaches, a secondary piston dampens the movement of the wheel before the bump stop. By dissipating the energy without transferring it to the wheel – as a traditional bump stop would – the compression hydraulic stops help avoid any rebound and pendulum effects, enabling optimum control of tyre-ground contact and providing the feeling of having eight dampers on the car.
Debuted on Mégane II R.S. in 2004 – ahead of all rival systems – the PerfoHub independent steering-axis front suspension epitomises Renault Sport's expertise in chassis and suspension systems. Initially designed for use in motorsport, PerfoHub has adapted well to powerful front-wheel drive cars, especially when they are also fitted with a limited slip differential.
Transmissions: Manual or EDC Auto
The All-New Mégane R.S. gains the option of a six-speed EDC automatic transmission for the very first time alongside the widely-acclaimed six-speed manual. The EDC automatic received a number of updates from Renault Sport engineers – the transmission was strengthened to withstand the torque and revs of the Mégane R.S.'s 1.8-litre engine and given new gear ratios and specific shift patterns. These shift patterns are associated with the Mégane's Multi-Sense modes:
Comfort and Normal provide smooth gear changes for everyday driving around town
Sport provides quicker gear changes and an amplified engine noise
Race provides the quickest and most efficient gear changes with no compromise on comfort
The EDC transmission also receives Multi-Change Down and Launch Control. Multi-Change Down drops several gears under braking by pressing and holding the left paddle. The best gear is then selected to exit the corner as efficiently as possible. Launch Control is available in Sport and Race modes when the clutch and turbo are preloaded, enabling an optimum standing start. When in Sport mode, Traction Control provides the driver with additional support.
Most powerful 1.8-litre engine
A brand new 1.8-litre engine has been developed for the All-New Mégane R.S. with 280hp – the most powerful 1.8-litre engine available on the UK market today. The engine received a completely new cylinder head, reinforced structure and more efficient cooling. Another focus was the twin-scroll turbocharger – used on the previous Mégane R.S. – to improve torque at lower revs. The engine also benefitted from surface treatments usually seen on engines from motor racing and super cars, such as a Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating for the valve lifters and Mirror Bore Coating for the cylinder sleeves. All of these elements resulted in a 390Nm peak torque from 2,400-4,800rpm.
Renault Sport technologies to enhance the driving experience
R.S. Vision
The R.S. Vision full LED lighting system – a world-first when shown on Clio R.S. in 2016 – combines four lights into one housing shaped into the Renault Sport chequered flag motif. This housing contains side lights, fog lights, cornering lights and high beam and enables high performance at night – the lights have a 17 per cent higher range than on previous Mégane R.S.
R.S. Monitor
R.S. Monitor has been taken from the previous Mégane R.S. and completely revised to be made more user-friendly in All-New Mégane R.S. The R.S. Monitor gathers and summarises information for approximately 40 sensors around the car. This displays real-time sensors via R-Link2 on acceleration, braking, wheel angle, 4Control, temperature, lap times and speed.
R.S. Monitor Expert
Building on R.S. Monitor, R.S. Monitor Expert provides all of this but it also allows drivers to film their sessions via smartphone and overlay telemetry data to create augmented reality videos. Data can also be uploaded to the Renault Sport website to analyse with other users.
Multi-Sense
Multi-Sense – Renault's driving technology system – has been re-engineered by Renault Sport. In the All-New Mégane R.S. Multi-Sense controls the engine response, accelerator mapping, gear shift patterns (with EDC), steering stiffness and ambient lighting. The Multi-Sense system lets drivers customise their experience according to the circumstances. Five positions are available:
Comfort: specific engine response settings and gearbox shift patterns that reduce fuel consumption;
Normal: a good balance between comfort, acoustics and safety, with an ideal ESP activation threshold for everyday use;
Sport: a sportier disposition, this mode combines more lively response with pleasingly accentuated engine noise, stiffer steering and a delayed ESP activation threshold;
Race: for racetrack driving, the ESP is completely disabled and the settings of the 4Control system deliver even more agile handling;
Perso: this mode allows each driver to customise the settings of the various technologies and driver aids (ADAS) on the vehicle – every part of the car can be set up individually according to the driver's situation.
The various modes are accessed via the R-LINK 2 touchscreen tablet. The R.S. Drive button provides a shortcut to the Sport (short press) and Race (press and hold) modes.
Features and Equipment
The All-New Mégane R.S. provides a very high-specification of equipment – for both high performance and passenger comfort – as standard. Inside, the driver and passengers will instantly recognise they're sat in a Renault Sport thanks to the chrome-plated R.S. door sills, custom R.S. roof lining and sports seats with Dark Carbon R.S. upholstery. The driver also receives a little extra luxury with a Nappa perforated leather steering wheel and gear gaiter.
On the outside, the All-New Mégane R.S. is wide and muscular – setting it apart from the Mégane – thanks to its custom front bumper with Gun Metal Grey F1-style blade and honeycomb front grille and rear bumper with functioning diffuser and central exhaust. A rear spoiler increases the sporting stance of the car. Its standout R.S. Vision full LED lighting system in the style of a chequered flag provides a unique-in-segment technology in a distinctive design. All-New Mégane R.S. also receives Gun Metal Grey 'Estoril' 18-inch alloy wheels as standard.
Standard technology such as rear parking sensors, Multi-Sense driving modes, seven-inch touchscreen with European mapping, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, handsfree keycard with automatic locking and welcome function, heated electric door mirrors, Hill Start Assist, ESC and ABS make All-New Mégane R.S. easy to live with on an everyday basis.
Further comforts and technologies such as an opening sunroof, 8.7-inch portrait touchscreen, alcantara seats and 8-speaker BOSE sound system, handsfree parking, rear parking camera, blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control, distance warning and automatic emergency braking are available as optional extras.
Mégane R.S. – another Renault Sport success story
The Mégane R.S. has a history of setting front-wheel drive production car records at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. In 2008, the Mégane R.S. R26.R set Renault's first record of 8 minutes, 17 seconds. In 2011, Renault Sport returned with the Mégane R.S. 265 Trophy setting a record of 8 minutes 7 seconds. The last time Renault Sport broke the record was in 2014, with Renault Sport test and development driver, Laurent Hurgon at the wheel of the Mégane R.S. 275 Trophy-R. He set a time of 7 minutes 54 seconds – breaking the 8-minute barrier for the first time.
The Mégane R.S. has proved to be extremely popular, 15 years after it was first unveiled at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show, with 53,000 models sold globally. The UK is one of Renault Sport's biggest markets.
Technical information
(hp @ rpm)
(Nm @ rpm)
0-62mph (sec)
Top speed (mph)
Mégane R.S. 280
280 @ 6,000
390 @ 2,400-4,800
Mégane R.S. 280 EDC
Pricing
(g/km)
MPG (NEDC combined)
VED (Yr. 1)
Price (OTR)
Rear parking camera
Renault i.d. metallic paint
Brembo bi-material brakes
Renault Sport i.d. metallic paint
Opening sunroof
19-inch 'Interlagos' diamond-cut alloy wheels
Visio system – lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition and automatic high/low beam
19-inch 'Interlagos' full-black alloy wheels
8.7-inch portrait touchscreen with R-Link2
Emergency spare wheel
BOSE Pack – BOSE Sound system: 7 speakers with a digital amplifier + 1 Subwoofer
Emergency space saver wheel
Alcantara Pack – R.S. embroidered upholstery with heated seats
Renault Sport Monitor
Easy Pack – Blind sport warning & Hands-free parking
Renault Sport Monitor Expert
Safety Pack Premium – Adaptive cruise control, Distance warning and AEBS
Alcantara steering wheel
Cup Chassis Pack – Limited Slip Differential, red brake calipers, Stiffer springs, stiffer dampers, anti-roll bar


PAWsome....at Forest Hills the getaway for your loved ones.
Are you ready for a pawsitively awesome weekend with your pet? This December 8, whisk your dog away for a PAWsome Weekend Getaway, meet other pet parents and watch your pet play to its heart's content at Forest Hills, Tala.
Forest Hills in association with The Bark Club, has curated a special itinerary for you and your pet. The event will also have Happy Puppy Organics who make handmade, organic products free of harmful chemicals for your pets as the Grooming Partner and Barker's Dozen Pet Bakery will be getting tasty healthy treats made with love!
There will be UnPUGGed Music, Pawlicking Meals, Treat Hunt, Movie Night with Pupcorn… and a yoga/meditation session at Kuda Caves for the pets and their parents conducted by yoga enthusiast Havovi Shroff!
It is hard to say who will have a better time! Book your tickets online and this weekend dedicate your time to your furry friends.