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AR Rahman responds to fatwa issued against him & Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi
A fatwa was issued against renowned music director, AR Rahman, as well as, well known Iranian filmmaker, Majid Majidi, for working on the Iranian film, Muhammad: The Messenger of God, a film about Prophet Muhammad, by a Mumbai based Sunni group, Raza Academy. As the title suggests, the film is about Prophet Muhammad. It opened across Iran, last week, and is said to be the most expensive film ever made in the Shiite state.
The Mumbai based Sunni group, issued the fatwa, urging all Muslims to reject the film on the basis of it's depiction of the Prophet on screen, an act that is rejected by Sunni Islam.
The fatwa issued by the groups, suggests that, Rahman and Majidi have committed sacrilege by working on a film that depicts the Prophet in a visual form, an idea that is against the word of the Prophet. The fatwa, reportedly, goes on to suggest that Rahman and Majidi read the kalma again, and re-solemnise their marriages to their respective wives.
In response to the fatwa issued by the Raza Acacemy, AR Rahman, on Monday, said that his decision to work on the film was in "good faith", and not to hurt anyone's sentiments.
In a statement released by Rahman, in response to the query raised by the chief of Raza Academy, Saeed Noorie, who claimed that people may misuse the title of the film, and subsequently insult the prophet, Rahman said that,"My decision to compose the music for this film was made in good faith and with no intention of causing offence. In fact the decision [to compose music for the film] was based on a similar point of view as expressed by Mr Noorie. What, and if, I had the good fortune of facing Allah, and He were to ask me on Judgement Day: 'I gave you faith, talent, money, fame and health… why did you not do music for my beloved Muhammad film? A film whose intention is to unite humanity, clear misconceptions and spread my message that life is kindness, about uplifting the poor, and living in the service of humanity and not mercilessly killing innocents in my name'".
The Oscar Award winner, further went on to add, "I am not a scholar of Islam. I follow the middle path and am part traditional and part rationalist. I live in the Western and Eastern worlds and try to love all people for what they are, without judging them."
The film, directed by Majid Majidi, took seven years to complete, and cost a total of $40 million. It has been partly funded by the state. According to the director, his intentions of making the film, are to reclaim the rightful image of Islam, which he feels, has been destroyed by extremists.
The entire transcript of Rahman's statement can be found, below:
Posted by A.R. Rahman on Monday, 14 September 2015
Majib Majidi
Muhammed: The Messenger of God
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Breaking: Winners Emerge In The 8th African Persons Of The Year Poll
President el-Sisi; Adesina; Mansour; Ashish Thakkar, Otedola, others win across different categories
Runners up to also be honoured
The African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Awards committee has unveiled the winners for different categories in the just concluded polls for the African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Awards 2019, with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi emerging as the African Political Leader of the Year 2019, after polling over 70% of the total votes for the Political Leadership Category.
The keenly contested poll, across 7 different categories, attracted over 300,000 entries on the website; entries across our social media platforms, and submissions via email. Winners shall be decorated and presented with the instruments of honour on the 28th February 2020 in Johannesburg, South Africa, at a colourful ceremony that will attract a wide spectrum of African policy, diplomatic and business leaders. The winners were unveiled by the Publisher of the Magazine Mr. Ken Giami, at the UK Head Office of the group, after the awards committee working with the editorial team concluded the collation of both online and offline votes and submissions from the over 1 million subscribers/followership base of the publication.
The final winners are:
African of the Year 2019:
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Nigeria – Winner
African Female Leader of the Year 2019:
Rawya Mansour, Founder, RAMSCO Company – Winner
ALM Person of the Year 2019-Educational Development
Dr. Yusuf Karodia, Founder, Regent Business School and MANCOSA – Winner
ALM Person of the Year 2019 – Employment Generation
Ashish Thakkar, CEO, Mara Phone – Winner
ALM Person of the Year 2019 – Political Leadership
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of Egypt – Winner
ALM Person of the Year 2019 – Philanthropy & Charitable Contributions to Society
Femi Otedola, Founder, Femi Otedola Foundation – Winner
ALM Young Person of the Year 2019
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, Wizkid, Music Artist – Winner
The African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year Awards, which has become the leading vote-based third-party endorsement in the continent, recorded an upsurge of over 45% votes from Africans within and the Diaspora this year. The annual poll has become a referendum of some sort by Africans on purposeful and impact-oriented leadership in the continent. In addition to the winners, a special ALM Commendation citation shall be presented to the most distinguished runners up, which includes:
African of the Year Commendation Award:
His Majesty King Mohammed VI, King of Morocco
African Female Leader of the Year Commendation Award:
Helen Oritsejafor, MD/CEO, Eagle Heights Group, Nigeria
ALM Person of the Year -Educational Development Commendation Award
Afe Babalola, Founder Afe Bablola University Nigeria
ALM Person of the Year Employment Generation Commendation Award
Abdulsalmad Rabiu, Chief Executive Officer, BUA Group, Nigeria
ALM Person of the Year – Political Leadership Commendation Award
H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, President of Ethiopia
ALM Person of the Year – Philanthropy & Charitable Contributions to Society Commendation Award
Patrice Motsepe, Motesepe Foundation, South Africa
ALM Young Person of the Year Commendation Award
Isaya Yunge, Founder, SomaApps Technologies Ltd, Tanzania
The Publisher, Mr. Giami, maintained that all the nominees are deserving of the crown, considering their personal contributions to the continent's growth and development. In his words, " the nominees have demonstrated great faith in the Africa project, and are 'walking their talk' in their communities. They all are true lovers of Africa, determinedly contributing, sometimes amidst very difficult circumstances, but undoubtedly making their communities a better place for its people".
The African Leadership Magazine Persons of the Year, which is in its 8th year, is an annual award reserved for distinguished Africans, who are considered to have blazed the trail in the year under review. A shortlist of nominees are selected from results gathered via a Call for nominations, traditionally promoted via paid online and offline campaigns across the continent, Europe, and the Americas. The call for nomination is the first step in a multi-phased process, which is then followed by the voting process and the eventual announcements of winners.
This year, the selection committee retained the four broad themes, from the previous year, which resonated with Africans and they include – Africans whose activities, policies and actions have contributed to 'Investments into Africa's young people, jobs & wealth creation; promotion sustainable peace & development, delivering of democratic values; & the promotion of Africa's image globally'; in arriving at their decisions. Sustainable peace is a precursor to development in the continent, hence the need to encourage state and non-state actors to contribute towards the pursuit of sustainable peace on the continent.
Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of African Leadership Magazine.
Tags: African Persons Of The Year
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Go behind the scenes of the Illinois High School Association's State Chess Tournament and find out what makes Illinois stand far and away from all other states in the U.S. when it comes to high school chess in a new 70-minute documentary called, "Chess State" produced and directed by former NCTV17 videographer, Rick Rysso.
Kidz Kabaret – The Documentary gives us an unrestrictive view of the behind the scenes intensity, passion, love and often chaos that is Kidz Kabaret, Naperville's only non-audition children's theatre company.
This documantary takes you on a tour of the Kroehler YMCA to discover its past struggles and how it pioneered well-being in its members' lives.
When Naperville stood on the Council-Manager form of government in 1969, they had no idea the city would develop into the economic and residential center it is today.
Each fall, the community comes together for two crosstown high school football games. Under the bright lights of North Central College's Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium, Naperville Central takes on Naperville North in the Crosstown Classic, and Neuqua Valley takes on Waubonsie Valley in the Prairie Classic.
On May 2nd, in celebration of NCTV17's 25th Anniversary, we invited Naperville to join us making a community-wide documentary about one day in the life of our town.
Go behind the scenes of the Illinois High School Association's State Chess Tournament and find out what makes Illinois stand far and away from all other states in the U.S. when it comes to high school chess.
The story of The Barn, and its place in the hearts of Naperville residents who spent their evenings rocking out to the best local bands of the 60's and 70's.
Wheels of Change explores the Automobile dealerships that were located in downtown Naperville in the 1950's, 60's and 70's, how the business changed since then, the impact of the dealerships on the community, and the impact of automobiles on American culture as a whole.
When Superintendent Dan Bridges requested that a district-wide community group be convened to study and give comment to the promise and opportunities facing District 203 hundreds of community members (families, residents, and staff) turned out for the Future Focus sessions.
As North Central began their sesquicentennial year, they teamed up with NCTV17 to create a five part documentary series that chronicles the College's 150-year history.


Recurring themes are on the radar for HR leaders in 2019, including #MeToo, issues around pay equity and workforce tech.
As I spoke with HR leaders about what we are likely to see happen in the workplace this year, several recurring themes emerged. They touch on the many different subfunctions and facets of HR — from performance management and total rewards to learning and development.
The large and long-lasting impact on organizational performance means HR leaders need to know and prepare for the trends that will shape how and what they do. To that end, I've come up with my 2019 workplace predictions.
In 2018, organizations that ousted leaders for sexual misconduct received support from their workforce and society at large. We may see just as many executives dismissed this year, if not more — not because more harassment is occurring, but because corporate boards and senior leaders are expected to have a greater awareness of their organization's culture. This will lead to a shift in how companies respond, moving from a "We didn't know we had a problem" stance to actively looking for unacceptable behavior and handling it directly, proactively and openly.
Employee surveys have long been the main method for collecting feedback; in 2015, 89% of organizations conducted an annual employee survey. However, the tide is changing as more companies begin to explore alternatives, using listening tools such as email scraping, monitoring and tracking workspace usage, and aggregation of data to obtain better insights about employee sentiment and/or problems that leaders need to address. In 2015, 30% of organizations were using employee monitoring data outside of surveys; in 2020, we expect 80% of organizations to do this type of listening.
Organizations will implement more advanced technologies that don't just observe behavior, but suggest to employees and managers how they should work. For instance, to help employees stay productive, technology is being built into desks that will observe how long you've been working and remind you to get up and take a walk so you don't burn out.
In fact, Amazon recently filed a patent to have people in their stockrooms wear bracelets that keep track of their hand movements when handling packages. In an effort to increase safety, the bracelet will alert the person wearing it when they are holding a package the wrong way.
Despite the recent focus on pay equity, very few organizations have actually fixed the problem. Rather than adopting sustainable practices and processes to correct and prevent pay gaps, a handful of companies made ad hoc adjustments in 2018, leaving the door open for pay gaps to re-emerge. The fate will likely be the same when it comes to pay transparency — CEO/median-employee wage ratios will effectively remain flat in 2019, although we could see the gap increase due to stock market performance.
In the current tight labor market, the best way to get a raise is to find a job at another company. And with more jobs available today than there are people to fill them, employees are more willing to make the jump and switch employers. As people switch jobs more often, companies will have to pay a premium to lure in new workers. This will lead to pay disparity between long-term employees and those who have been newly recruited.
These predictions are centered around the most important part of any organization: Talent. Organizations that are aware of and address these issues will be able to gain a competitive advantage.
Brian Kropp, HR Group Vice President, Gartner, oversees the research, tools, services and support that we provide to CHROs and their leadership teams.


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Home Select Redevelopment
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Permits Issued for The Emerald at 2214 North Front Street in Norris Square
8:00 am on January 21, 2023 By Vitali Ogorodnikov
Permits have been issued for the construction of The Emerald, a four-story, 14-unit mixed-use building proposed at 2214 North Front Street in Norris Square. The development is situated on the west side of the block between West Susquehanna Avenue and West Dauphin Street, half a block to the south of the York-Dauphin Station on the Market-Frankford Line. Designed by Ambit Architecture, the structure will span 15,122 square feet, of which around 2,000 square feet will be allocated for ground floor commercial space, a green roof, and parking for five bicycles. Permits list Baltimore Select Properties (doing business as Select Redevelopment) as the contractor and specify a construction cost of $1.8 million.
Permits Issued for 1924-32 North Front Street in Norris Square
8:00 am on January 8, 2023 By Vitali Ogorodnikov
Permits have been issued for the construction of a five-story, 32-unit mixed-use building at 1924-32 North Front Street in Norris Square. The development will replace a three-story church on the west side of the block between West Berks and West Norris streets, next to the elevated Market-Frankford Line and across Front Street from Fishtown. Designed by Square Architects, the development will span 32,605 square feet and feature ground-floor commercial space, elevator service, bicycle storage, and a roof deck. Permits list Baltimore Select Properties (alternately Select Redevelopment) as the contractor and specify a construction cost of $4.215 million.
Construction Underway at 5007 Pentridge Street in Cedar Park, West Philadelphia
8:00 am on May 17, 2022 By Vitali Ogorodnikov
A recent site visit by Philly YIMBY has documented construction at a three-story, eight-unit multi-family building at 5007 Pentridge Street in Cedar Park, West Philadelphia. Designed by Ambit Architecture, the project rises on the north side of the block between South 50th and South 51st streets. The development will span around 6,500 square feet (including cellar space). Permits list Baltimore Select Properties LLC aka Select Redevelopment as the contractor, and a construction cost of $850,000.
Permits Issued for The Ridgemont in Roxborough, Northwest Philadelphia
Permits have been issued for the construction of a 15-unit residential building at 6712 Ridge Avenue in Roxborough, Northwest Philadelphia. The building will comprise a portion of The Ridgemont, a two-building, 18-unit development that also includes the renovation of an adjacent rowhouse that dates to 1890. Designed by Ambit Architecture, the new building will rise four stories, or 42 feet, tall, and will span 10,640 square feet. Permits list Dr. Kyu Yi and Jung Hi Yi as the owners, Baltimore Select Properties LLC (aka Select Redevelopment) as the contractor, and a construction cost of $1.5 million.


DEMING, N.M. — Authorities have announced investigators are looking into possible embezzlement at a southern New Mexico high school.
The Deming Headlight reports school officials, police and the New Mexico Sixth Judicial District Attorney's Office announced last week they are investigating embezzlement of student fees and other funds over several years at Deming High School.
The investigation stems from the 2017 discovery of possible embezzlement of more than $140,000. However, police are giving few details.
Deming Police Chief Bobby Orosco says investigators have sent the case to a forensic auditing firm for analysis.
The Headlight reported in December of 2017 that a 63-page forensic audit by the Jaramillo Accounting Group found a former Deming High School head secretary misused a district purchase card, activity funds, purchase orders, and receipts.


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NGC 4173 (również PGC 38897, UGC 7204 lub HCG 61B) – galaktyka spiralna (Scd), znajdująca się w gwiazdozbiorze Warkocza Bereniki. Odkrył ją William Herschel 11 kwietnia 1785 roku. Wraz z NGC 4169, NGC 4174 i NGC 4175 wchodzi w skład zwartej grupy galaktyk Hickson 61 (HCG 61) w katalogu Paula Hicksona, jednak jest obiektem pierwszego planu, niezwiązanym fizycznie z pozostałymi galaktykami grupy.

Zobacz też
 Lista obiektów NGC

Przypisy

Linki zewnętrzne

4173
Galaktyki spiralne
Gwiazdozbiór Warkocza Bereniki
Obiekty astronomiczne odkryte w 1785

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Microsoft offers $250,000 reward for Downadup culprits
Co-ordinated approach to tackling worm launched by Microsoft with ICANN and security groups
By Mark Sutton Published February 13, 2009
Microsoft has announced an initiative with security researchers and internet organizations to tackle the the Conficker/ Downadup worm.
The initiative includes a co-ordinated global effort to disrupt the infrastructure of the worm, and a $250,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the worm's creator.
The worm, which first came to light in December last year, has proven to be difficult to stop, as the worm uses a complex algorithm to connect back to hundreds of different websites, concealing any links to creators or possible payload delivery. Around 9 million PCs are believed to have been infected by Downadup so far.
George Stathakopoulos, general manager of the Trustworthy Computing Group at Microsoft commented: "As part of Microsoft's ongoing security efforts, we constantly look for ways to use a diverse set of tools and develop methodologies to protect our customers By combining our expertise with that of the broader community we can expand the boundaries of defence to better protect people worldwide.
"Microsoft's approach combines technology innovation and effective cross-sector partnerships to help protect people from cybercriminals. We hope these efforts help to contain the threat posed by Conficker, as well as hold those who illegally launch malware accountable,"
Organizations involved in the partnership include ICANN, NeuStar, VeriSign, CNNIC, Afilias, Public Internet Registry, Global Domains International Inc., M1D Global, AOL, Symantec, F-Secure, ISC, researchers from Georgia Tech, the Shadowserver Foundation, Arbor Networks and Support Intelligence.
Greg Rattray, chief Internet security advisor at ICANN said that a co-ordinated approach is the best way to tackle the problem.
"The best way to defeat potential botnets like Conficker/Downadup is by the security and Domain Name System communities working together. ICANN represents a community that's all about coordinating those kinds of efforts to keep the Internet globally secure and stable," Rattray said.


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Idle Thumbs 295: Good... Bye
By Jake, December 29, 2016 in Idle Thumbs Episodes & Streams
Idle Thumbs 295:
Good... Bye
Let's cast out 2016 and make room for whatever it is that's coming next. Join us as we look deep, deep into the future and... actually never mind that, Nick's just fired up Diablo 1 and managed to connect to the late '90s version of Battle.net. See you all next year!
Discussed: Diablo, Diablo 2, Diablo 3, Dark Souls, Dark Souls 3, Time Commanders, Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard
Listen on the Episode Page
Listen in iTunes
Cordeos
Probable Regicide
I work for a company that develops those 5 question authentication systems. We gather every bit of public records data we can, from the DMV, address book type info etc, then do a lot of work to link all that information together. I've never heard of the 'associated with' question. Have Chris and Nick ever lived together or signed a legal document together? If so thats how we connected them. Assuming it was us we don't use social media because that is not public data.
Also wow the Idle Thumbs ARG is back in full force at 24:29
Nick and Chris were housemates and had both their names on a lease, yeah. That's probably it.
I heard of Time Commanders via Youtube faves Lindybeige & Scholagladiatoria, as they had taken part. It must have decent historical accuracy.
While the title sounds weird, I wonder if it was chosen to evoke memories of the very popular British archaeological show Time Team.
An American version would work if they used computer simulations of gunpowder-era warfare, ie. War of Independence, Civil War, even WWII. I don't know of any accurate simulators of those eras that are of the same visual appeal as the Total War series.
supasheep
I remember Time Commanders! The original series came out before the first Rome:Total War. From what I can recall, it had random groups of people (like families or groups of friends and coworkers) re-fighting a historical battle. They would split into a 'tactical' group, who would stand at a big table with the map so they could do planning and things, and then others who would relay the commands they wanted to happen to people who were using the computers. Every now and again you would get a glimpse of the screens and it was clearly just a Total War game. It was on TV around 6 months before the release of the actual game, I think, because I remember being excited at getting this little glimpse of what the game would be like on TV before I could actually get it.
chummer
Mid-level Miniature Boss
I can't quite remember the specifics of the comedy question, but I think Tales From the Borderlands counts as a game made specifically as a comedy vehicle. In fact, I think most all of the recent TellTale games and most text-based games would qualify as games more interested in exploring their stories, with mechanics being specific tools to do that, no?
elmuerte
Wizard of Science
Location: a city named after cheese
The fake Duke Nukem game they talked about is Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard. I played it, it was sort of fun, but the gameplay was quite bad. It was simply not fun to play. So much not fun to play that I never finished it.
Granny Dragon
Time Commanders is just as fun to watch as you imagine the BBC and military historians taking Total War semi-seriously to be (which is a lot of fun). Dramatic music, giant screens, lots of nail biting and shouting, but also plenty of smiles.
H. Yawl
CheckCheckCheck
Location: Denver, CO
Hey Jake,
What's the name of the boyfriend game with a dark twist? I have not heard anything about this yet. I am a mean gamer, a female attracted to the males and this sounds like the "Boyfriend Experience". If I get something out of this there's value in the game. Thanks guys! Kinda glad you recorded this episode so early. It would have been a helluvahlot sadder otherwise.
5 minutes ago, H. Yawl said:
Hatoful Boyfriend is I think what this refers to. It may not be what you're imagining, haha.
2 minutes ago, Chris said:
lol ok I got it, butt I'm still interested as hell. Thanks!
Hatoful Boyfriend is in my top 5 favorite games of all time and the off handed promise that Sean made like a year and a half ago to play and talk about it that never came to pass haunts me everyday.
For anyone interested in the game I have advice:
1. If you do not have any familiarity with Japanese otome/romance visual novels, I recommend seeking one out, a play through on youtube/etc. This is a homage, a parody, and a subversion of the format and while entirely playable, it may not make sense in places if you don't understand the references.
2. Play through ALL the endings. Many VNs are like this. Learn to use the skip key on subsequent playthroughs, and see as many endings as you can. There may be a few endings that elude you. Use a guide to unlock them! The best story Hatoful Boyfriend has to offer is only unlocked after you see the other birdies' endings.
Man I love Hatoful Boyfriend.
Wooben
Turbo nerd
Bit late on the draw with this one, but when Chris remarked on the changes undergone with sequels to reach a wider audience, in which some of the original challenge and charm is inevitably sanded away for quality of life improvements and that the dark souls series has somehow largely dodged this so far, I think it is worth noting that demons souls was originally a kings field successor, a series similar to yet far more impenetrable than the souls series. Perhaps one of the reasons the souls games have avoided this change is because they are already themselves a product of it.
I think the 'other' new British television show about video games mentioned is Go 8 Bit. It's a panel show where celebrities/comedians compete (usually very badly) in game challenges and exchange witty banter. It is...not that good? I'm not a fan of the format, so I found a lot of it quite cringeworthy. But there's things to like about it: Dara O'Briain, the host, has a genuine love of the subject, and (noted games journo) Ellie Gibson does some excellent and highly concise summaries of video game history. Also it's not often you get to see Bob Mortimer blundering through Resident Evil 3 on national television.
Anyway, I really enjoyed the discussion of the original Diablo vs Diablo 2 vs Diablo 3 in this episode. I played a lot of the first two games in the series in my younger and more vulnerable years, and I've lately been enjoying Diablo 3, mostly played via local coop on PS4 with my partner. I've enjoyed all the games, but at the moment it's nice to have a cooperative experience which is engaging without being especially challenging (in the way that most cooperative games are, tbh). Honestly, Diablo 3 feels genuinely playful - like in the most primitive, child-like sense of picking up things and smashing them into hordes of beautiful looking other things - more playful than the first two games ever felt to me.
I think the point about the tactical importance of line-of-sight in Diablo is great. I remember thinking that was super interesting - and remarkably fresh - in the original game. And that, as well as other mechanics like consumable potions, weapons degradation, was basically rendered irrelevant in Diablo 3 which - as Chris suggested - feels much more like a Gauntlet-esque romp than a roguelike where survival is paramount.
But I wonder if one reason those mechanics were phased out was because they didn't really hold up well over time. The perspective thing presents an interesting problem to new players - there might be hordes of high-level enemies behind this door, should I find a way round or use it as a bottleneck? - but that's essentially the same problem at level 1 as it is at level 20. You pick a class-specific skill set to deal with that problem and you stick with it, because (unlike Diablo 3) there's no way to change that build on the fly. Or take the example of Nick wondering whether he should press on through the dungeon or return to town to restock despite the dangers - that might be interesting the first time, but is it still interesting 20 or 30 hours down the line, when resource scarcity isn't such an issue? By a certain point in the game, having the money to buy new potions and scrolls isn't a problem anymore. The issue then becomes juggling inventory space; and for all the nostalgia we might have about fitting stuff into the Resi 4 style 'briefcase' inventory, I'm not sure it's a thing which becomes any more fulfilling to play with the further you get into that game.
Problem Machine
Well, as they touched on, Dark Souls updates a lot of these concepts to great effect. Health potions become limited by their very nature and harder to use, so spammability is no longer a concern -- blocking line of sight and choosing the optimal place to deal with tough enemies emerges intact -- and weapon durability... still sucks.
Weapon durability always sucks.
So those mechanics may not hold up when used as-is, but can clearly be used as a basis to build longer lasting versions (since I've got like 500 hours in across DS1, 2, and 3). Even Diablo 2 addresses a lot of these issues, making potions slow enough that they won't save you if you get in too deep and each act presents drastically different terrain and encounter types -- at the cost of losing some of the weight and intensity of D1. It seems like in Diablo 3's case, though, Blizzard just wanted to get away from Diablo's tension and more towards a 'popcorn' video game -- which is a fine and reasonable decision to make, but also is super uninteresting to me.
On 1/11/2017 at 9:57 AM, marginalgloss said:
I think the 'other' new British television show about video games mentioned is Go 8 Bit. It's a panel show where celebrities/comedians compete (usually very badly) in game challenges and exchange witty banter. It is...not that good?
Oh yeah, this is pretty terrible.
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Haven't found the right listing? There are 1 other Childcare Services in Atherton. Click here!
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As an architect and designer, I am encouraged to gather input from clients as we begin the planning and design process. In the senior living world, those clients would include staff, residents, families and medical professionals. These clients or "stakeholders" may also include owners, board members and management companies.
Before the old school pen touches the paper, it is vital to understand the goals, objectives, wants and needs of these stakeholders in creating environments for the aging. I refer this as a "foresight perspective—or looking out the window, as Good to Great author Jim Collins would say. It's about looking into the future of what should be and what could be.
The challenge with this foresight perspective is that much of the stakeholder input is affected by context; the context of their existing communities, previous experiences and their personal paradigms.
At the opposite end of the development continuum, there has been a renewed emphasis on post-occupancy evaluations in recent years. This process represents the "hindsight perspective." This approach involves looking back—or looking in the mirror, in Collins' language—to review "how we did." The same stakeholders are involved, but we expand the participants to include the project architects, interior designers, major suppliers and contractors. From a designer's perspective, this can be a humbling yet rewarding experience. The wonderful aspect of this hindsight perspective is that all the stakeholders have a common context: the recently completed building.
A key component to this hindsight perspective is team collaboration and longevity. For almost 12 years, I have had the opportunity to engage the same architects and contractors on all of our major retirement developments. Together we have developed more than $90 million worth of environments for aging, mostly in the skilled nursing arena. This consistent team participation and collaboration allows our hindsight perspective to become our foresight vision into what could be and should be—next time. The mirror becomes the window. To borrow from an old movie, we look back into the future.
Next spring, I will be presenting a case study at the Environments for Aging Conference. We will discuss both of these perspectives in transitioning a traditional nursing home into a connected household model. I think you may be surprised.


Take advantage of new technologies and the maker movement to empower your students and encourage the use and development of STEM skills. Watch how students with physical disabilities worked with design experts and engineers to create body modifications, transforming them into superheroes!
In this video, we saw technology being used to empower students, what are some other ways technology builds student agency?
How can you incorporate hands-on maker education elements into your instruction?
Through peer-to-peer collaboration, and opportunities for creative problem-solving and innovation, students have the ability to be creators, inventors, and builders. Use the PowerUp What Works strategy guides to support your instruction and providing hands-on maker experiences for your students: Thinking Aloud, Modeling, Visual Representation, and Interacting with Peers.


text:
Q: How do I solve this error in .net? Error:-System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException (0x80131904): Invalid column name 'Username'.
protected void Button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    try
    {

        SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection(ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RegistrationConnectionString"].ConnectionString);
        conn.Open();
        string insertQuery = "insert into Registration (Name,Username,Password,Email,Phone) values ('" + tname.Text + "','" + tusename.Text + "','" + tpassword.Text + "','" + temail.Text + "','" + tphonenumber.Text + "')";
        SqlCommand com = new SqlCommand(insertQuery, conn);

        com.Parameters.AddWithValue("@Name",tname.Text);
        com.Parameters.AddWithValue("@Usename",tusename.Text);
        com.Parameters.AddWithValue("@Password",tpassword.Text);
        com.Parameters.AddWithValue("@Email",temail.Text);
        com.Parameters.AddWithValue("@Phone",tphonenumber.Text);

        com.ExecuteNonQuery();
        Response.Redirect("RegistrationDatasave.aspx");
        Response.Write("Registration is successful");
        conn.Close();

    }
    catch (Exception ex)
    {
        Response.Write(ex);
    }
}

A: Parameters don't work if you don't have them in the query.
Your query should look like this instead
using(SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection(ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["RegistrationConnectionString"].ConnectionString))
{
    conn.Open();
    string insertQuery = "insert into Registration (Name,Username,Password,Email,Phone) values (@Name,@Usename,@Password,@Email,@Phone)";
    SqlCommand com = new SqlCommand(insertQuery, conn);

    com.Parameters.AddWithValue("@Name",tname.Text);
    com.Parameters.AddWithValue("@Usename",tusename.Text);
    com.Parameters.AddWithValue("@Password",tpassword.Text);
    com.Parameters.AddWithValue("@Email",temail.Text);
    com.Parameters.AddWithValue("@Phone",tphonenumber.Text);

    com.ExecuteNonQuery();
    Response.Redirect("RegistrationDatasave.aspx");
    Response.Write("Registration is successful");
}

Also, you need to check your Registration table that it actually has a column named Username

A: I assume your columnname is wrong.
com.Parameters.AddWithValue("@Usename",tusename.Text);

needs to be
com.Parameters.AddWithValue("@Username",tusename.Text);

So with an added r

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


I was introduced to the physicality of the NFL during my first training camp as a rookie with the Rams when Steve McNair and the Titans showed up in Macomb, Illinois for joint practices.
As a rookie with the Rams, I competed vs. Eddie George and the Titans during joint training camp practices.
Thrown onto the field for "Inside run drill" (9-on-7) vs. a backfield of Lorenzo Neal and Eddie George, I realized that the NFL was no joke. Line up, read the TE, track the FB and set your pads in the hole. Good times as a 198-pound rookie safety.
Three days with the Titans in town. One-on-ones, 7-on-7, blitz pickup, goal line drills, etc. And we wrapped it up with a scrimmage in the stadium on campus at Western Illinois University.
According to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean, the Titans and Falcons will get together this August to practice (or scrimmage) against each other during camp. And I think this is a smart move by both coaching staffs.
I love the idea of these joint practice sessions from a player's perspective. More competition, more opportunity to get on film vs. NFL talent as a young player trying to make the roster. And for the established vets, it's not a bad thing when you get to line up and compete against a new scheme in a "live" environment.
Think of it this way: these joint practices are scripted. You can get 15 plays in the red zone, work the 4-minute drill, 3rd downs and also dedicate time to special teams in a competitive setting. The coaching staffs have control over the game situations they script during these practice or scrimmage sessions—unlike the preseason schedule.
There is no guarantee your first or second unit will get to work on their 2-minute package or use their goal line personnel under the lights during the preseason. It all depends on the flow of the game, number of reps, etc.
Much different when you meet up with an opposing club during camp. Multiple reps for the entire depth chart and a much higher level of competition than players will see on a daily basis practicing against their own teammates.
Joint practices in the NFL are a great tool in the evaluation process and I would hope more teams would follow the lead of the Titans and Falcons this summer. It only makes your team better.


Seacon '84 (Eastercon 35, Eurocon 8), was a convention held at the Metropole Hotel in Brighton over Easter 1984. The GoHs were Pierre Barbet, Waldemar Kumming, Josef Nesvadba, Christopher Priest, and Roger Zelazny. Philip Jose Farmer had been selected as GoH but seems to have cancelled.
The committee were Arnold Akien, John & Marjorie Brunner, Chris Donaldson, Alan Dorey, Rochelle Dorey, John Fairey, Colin Fine, Ye Gerbish, Martin Hoare, Chris Hughes, Jan Huxley, Pauline Morgan, Paul Oldroyd.
The convention newsletter was The Brighton Early.
Membership was about 1700. The Metropole got bad reviews from fans for its dreadful treatment of fans and bad (but expensive) food. Fortunately, that would not be a problem three years later when the Worldcon, Conspiracy '87, used the Metropole. See Hotel manager wall.
Concatenation Fanlore https://duckduckgo.com/?t=lm&ia=web&q=Seacon '84 ('84 IA) Website 1984 . .


A collaboration between tokyobike in NYC and Miansai, this very special custom bike reflects a shared passion for detail and embodies both brands DNA. Copper plated components, leather saddle and grips, custom cabling and bespoke head badge to finish off the bike.
"The world around us is a source of constant inspiration. Beauty exists in the smallest of details. When I can, I try to cycle everywhere as it inspires me. It's more than just a way of transportation I see it as my creative journey. With this collaboration I wanted people to experience the Miansai lifestyle, a meaningful journey between design and inspiration." Founder and Creative Director Michael Saiger.
The bike is available on a made to order basis from £1800.00 – contact sales@tokyobike.co.uk for more details.


text:
The home of timeless music
The world's great recording studios -- Abbey Road where the Beatles recorded all of their music, Jimi Hendrix's Electric Lady and Sun Studio where Elvis Presley became a star -- are sacred places to me. So when I was invited to a press event at the legendary Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, my heart skipped a beat.
Caption:Steve GuttenbergPhoto:Steve Guttenberg/CNET
The studio tour starts here
Rudy Van Gelder recorded countless legends including Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonius Monk, and John Coltrane in his studio.
I was visiting to hear a soon-to-be released John Coltrane album. Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album was recorded on March 6, 1963 in this studio. The assembled press listened in awe, hearing Coltrane and his men lay down tracks recorded fifty-five years earlier in this room, the music leapt through time and space. I had goosebumps.
Published: June 16, 2018 Caption:Steve GuttenbergPhoto:Steve Guttenberg/CNET
John Coltrane's Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album will be released on June 29. The band was in fine form, the music just flows.
Published: June 16, 2018 Caption:Steve GuttenbergPhoto:Impulse Records
Coltrane's son
Ravi Coltrane was on hand to talk about the process of releasing the lost album.
The sound of the room
The studio opened in 1959, and while the design was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright it was actually designed by architect David Henken. The studio is a chapel of jazz, with its peaked wood ceiling that has a lot to do with Van Gelder's signature sound. Rudy Van Gelder passed away in 2016.
Published: June 16, 2018 Caption:Steve GuttenbergPhoto:Rudy Van Gelder
Two grands
One grand piano is in the booth (upper left), one is out in the studio (lower right).
The drum booth
Enclosed piano and drum booths weren't part of the studio's original design. In the early days the entire band always played together "live" in the big room. The need for greater separation and overdubbing in stereo recordings made booths a necessity.
The studio's current engineer Don Sickler told me this chair has been in the studio since the early days. Coltrane put his sax on this chair many times. Wish I had a shot of that!
A peek inside the control room
I couldn't get inside the control room, but I took a few shots through the glass.
The Van Gelder Studio isn't about the gear, it's about the room's acoustics, that's where the sound takes form. Digital tricks are a poor substitute for the sound of the real thing.
Analog recorder
All of Van Gelder's classic recordings were done on analog reel-to-reel recorders like this one. I'm pretty sure this one is an old Ampex, but I didn't have the nerve to peel back the plastic cover and see for sure.
Scully record cutting lathe
In the pre digital days Van Gelder cut his own LP masters on this Scully lathe! That was back when he recorded for the Blue Note, Prestige, Savoy and Atlantic jazz labels.
Scully knob
This knob controls the lathe's lines per inch, in other words, the width of the LP's groove walls. I just love the look of the knob, it took so much self control not to touch it!
The wooden bird
Van Gelder Studio's Maureen Sickler told me that the little bird perched up near the ceiling would fall down when a drummer played too loud. Rudy would then ask the drummer to take it down a notch.
Published: June 16, 2018 Caption:Steve GuttenbergPhoto:Ken Micallef
Rudy liked birds
There were dozens of Van Gelder's bird photographs hanging all around the studio.
Van Gelder was honored with numerous plaques and awards. This one is from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Another award
Rudy Van Gelder's career spanned six decades. If you own more than a few jazz albums, chances are good you've heard his sound. It's like no other.
Go behind the scenes at this historic recording studio
Vintage high-end audio looks cool and sounds great too
Amazon Prime Day 2019: The final TV and streamer deals you can still get
by David Katzmaier
by Steven Ewing
by Rick Broida


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This is a voluntary group of student who would be invited to participate in discussion sessions (scheduled to be held in April, August and October this year). They would then have the opportunity to share their concerns, provide feedback and comment on a whole range of issues – from matters relating to administration, processes; to exam, the syllabus and work experience matters. Students could also propose topics which you feel are of importance for discussion.
Active participants would be given special rates to attend AISS-organised events, and you would also be awarded a certificate of appreciation at the end of the year. If you wish to be a part of this pioneer programme, download the attached form below, fill it out and email it to: aiss.exco@gmail.com by 5 April 2010 (Monday).


text:
Bicycles are popular targets for theft, due to their value and ease of resale.[113] The number of bicycles stolen annually is difficult to quantify as a large number of crimes are not reported.[114] Around 50% of the participants in the Montreal International Journal of Sustainable Transportation survey were subjected to a bicycle theft in their lifetime as active cyclists.[115] Most bicycles have serial numbers that can be recorded to verify identity in case of theft.[116]
We take a look at the phenomenon sweeping the trails across Europe – Electric Mountain Bikes. After extensive research and a visit to Eurobike, our team hand-picked what we feel to be the best electric mountain bikes in 2018 using Yamaha, Shimano and Bosch eBike systems. Following the visit to Eurobike, it was clear that … Continue reading Best Electric Mountain Bikes 2018 – The Fully Charged Picks
Your local state may have very definite rules as to what is an e-bike, what is a moped, and what is a motorcycle. While ebikes enthusiast don't want the motor vehicle label, it is certain that each state will define some power level and speed where that classification will apply. Your best source of information is to go directly to your state motor vehicle department website, and get a copy of the your local state vehicle codes, with NO EDITING. Only recently updated official state vehicle codes will contain all the latest changes to the laws.1 For a link to your state MVA, look here:2 http://eco-wheelz.com/electric-bike-laws.php
In general, electric bicycles are considered "bicycles", rather than motor vehicles, for purposes of the code. This implies that all bicycle regulations apply to electric bicycles including operation in bike lanes. Exceptions to this include a restriction of operation on sidewalks and that a license or permit is required if the rider is younger than 17 years of age.[125]
On a trip to Palo Alto last year, we had the chance to ride Specialized's pedal-assisted Turbo Vado and the model is still our favorite ebike on the market. Utilizing a 350-watt motor and 604-watt-hour lithium-ion battery, the Turbo Vado is capable of traveling a whopping 80 miles on a single charge, which should be more than enough for any daily commute with plenty of miles left over.
Chart: Electric bicycles are rapidly becoming popular. This chart shows the growth in sales of what the manufacturers refer to as "electric power-assisted cycles (EPACs)" in European countries over the last decade. Over 1.6 million electric bikes were sold in Europe in 2016 alone, which is about 7 percent of total European bicycle sales. What this chart doesn't reveal is that the bikes are much more popular in some countries than others: four countries accounted for 70 percent of all the sales (Germany, 36 percent; the Netherlands, 16 percent; Belgium, 10 percent; and France 8 percent). Data sourced from the report "European Bicycle Market: 2017", courtesy of CONEBI (Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry). These are the newest figures available at the time this article was last updated (September 2018).
The federal law will not prohibit a motor vehicle label and additional restrictions given by the state. States will typically define e-mopeds in the 1000W range (1.5 hp) and speeds attainable to 30mph, and include a few requirements such as a helmet, eye protection, and a driver's license. States may also require title, registration, and insurance for mopeds.
I had gotten this to build an electric bike but I have never worked with wires before so I didn't realize that we needed to attach our own connectors to the wires. The person who I talked to at Joyisi was super nice and explained that to me and even offered to send me connectors for free. I had already ended up getting a different bike altogether though and so I just wanted to return the battery. But because I am returning it for my own reasons (as opposed to the battery being faulty), they would normally have me pay for return shipping and deduct the cost of shipping to me (which is a lot, because they are international) and the inspection fee from my refund, but they were super nice and offered to take on most of the costs and I would only have to pay for the return
The Motan M-150 electric bike is one of the Addmotor's best selling models. Featuring a 750W high-speed brushless rear hub motor, goes to the top speed of about 25mph. An upgraded 48V 11.6AH Panasonic lithium battery with improved reliability, makes going up a long, steep hills a breeze. An upgraded 48V 11.6AH Panasonic battery provides improved reliability. This folding bike is designed to fit riders 5'4″-6'4″ and carry a max weight of 300 lbs, making it an ideal option even for larger riders. You can expect to get out 45-55 miles range while using the level one assist. Fully functional pedals also allow you to pedal without motor assist. Collapsible top-tube, frame, and pedals make it portable and easy to store in your car, and unfold in only 10 seconds when you're ready to use it.
The Christmas day is coming soon, since I receive the bike, it's about a week, and I am satisfied with it! just as advertised, very powerful and good design. the most important point is that once the battery is FULL CHARGE, how far it can reach up to. I have a funny test, in the normal road(not in the dramatic slope or uphill), it can goes almost 44 miles. That is what I give 5 star for this bike! very powerful with reasonable price!
Regulations[37] appear to deal with Bicycles with helper motors. No person shall ride a bicycle with a helper motor unless that person holds a valid motor vehicle operator's license. No person shall operate a bicycle with a helper motor at a rate of speed exceeding thirty miles per hour; nor shall any bicycle with a helper motor be operated on any sidewalk, limited access highway or turnpike. Driver's licence is required except if a special permit is obtained by havnig a doctor fill out a certificate and shows they are able to drive the bike with and without the motor assisting.
So first off, it isn't fair to compare the power of a Chinese rear hub motor watt for watt with a 250W Bosch or Brose or even a Shimano or Yamaha mid-drive motor. There just isn't even close to the amount of torque or power on a per watt basis and that's before we get to controllers. However, comparing the Rattan's 350W motor to the Ancheer's 250W motor seems more proportionally correct. Where as I could make it about a third of the way up my driveway hill from a cold start on Ancheer throttle, I made it about 2/3rds of the way with the Rattan, or another 100 feet. On a flat surface, again with throttle only, I hit 20 mph in about 10 seconds with the Rattan. It takes me another 5+ seconds to get there on the Ancheer. One note, the battery gauge does bounce around a bit depending on how much it is working. At full throttle you might lose a bar or 2 only to get it back once you coast.
80% of your personal Carbon Footprint is made up of three main things. How you POWER your House. What you EAT. How you TRANSPORT yourself. There are major changes happening in all three of these areas. In the next 5-10 years, homes will have economical options to incorporate Power Generation, Power Storage and putting Surplus Power back on the Grid. …
The federal Consumer Product Safety Act defines a "low speed electric bicycle" as a two or three wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals, a top speed when powered solely by the motor under 20 mph (32 km/h) and an electric motor that produces less than 750 W (1.01 hp). The Act authorizes the Consumer Product Safety Commission to protect people who ride low-speed electric vehicles by issuing necessary safety regulations.[63] The rules for e-bikes on public roads, sidewalks, and pathways are under state jurisdiction, and vary.
The electric bike revolution has officially crossed into the arena of off-road motorbikes. For those who prefer riding in nature, Cake introduced a product which not only respects the environment but other riders, as well. Cake's Kalk is a silent off-road motorbike that releases no emissions into the atmosphere. Additionally, its electric motor means no gear changing or clutching — a silent motorbike that won't detract from the experience of others. Perhaps the best part is Cake avoided any sacrifice in performance. The Kalk reaches speeds of fifty miles per hour and features three distinct driving modes: Discover, Explore, and Excite.
The drivetrain begins with pedals which rotate the cranks, which are held in axis by the bottom bracket. Most bicycles use a chain to transmit power to the rear wheel. A very small number of bicycles use a shaft drive to transmit power, or special belts. Hydraulic bicycle transmissions have been built, but they are currently inefficient and complex.
Bicycle manufacturing proved to be a training ground for other industries and led to the development of advanced metalworking techniques, both for the frames themselves and for special components such as ball bearings, washers, and sprockets. These techniques later enabled skilled metalworkers and mechanics to develop the components used in early automobiles and aircraft.
It's no coincidence that nations with excellent biking infrastructure also have lower rates of obesity and heart disease than nations that do not. The United States, for example, has some small pockets of bike-friendly spaces, usually confined to parts of cities that have been slightly remapped to provide safer, more efficient routes for bicyclists. There's even been legislation in some cities to regulate how drivers must respect bikers when they encounter them on a shared road.
Electric motor assisted bicycles have been banned in the State of New York and are not permitted for on-road use.[50][51] It appears the only known allowance of an electric bicycle is if it is an electric powered moped, at this time. There is a proposed bill to allow ebikes. As of May 2009, Bill A2393("Defines the term electric assisted bicycle") has been passed in the NY State Assembly[52] and its corresponding Bill S4014, sponsored by Senator Thomas Morahan, is before the NY State Senate.[53]
^ Consumer Product Safety Act, Pub. L. 107–319, December 4, 2002; codified at 15 U.S.C. 2085(b): The CPSC regulations do not differentiate between commercially manufactured low speed electric bicycles and those converted from ordinary bicycles by their owners using an aftermarket electric motor and battery kit, nor do they regulate the construction of electric-power bicycles using owner-built or sourced components.
Electrically-assisted cycles are usually classified as either pedelecs or e-bikes. Under European Union regulations adopted in the UK in June 2003, only power-assisted cycles meeting the pedelec classification are considered to be pedal cycles. The maximum power allowed in the European Union for (pedelec) electric bicycles is 250 W, with a maximum assisted speed of 25 km/h.[15]. To meet the pedelec specification the electric motor must be activated by the rider's pedalling effort and the power must cut out completely whenever the rider stops pedalling. Control of the motor by pedalling is often the key difference between a pedelec and e-bike.
This is a virtual hello to all the people who came by our booth last weekend at the BC Bike Show and are just now visiting our webpage for the first time. We had a great time and were delighted to see how much this event has grown recently. (And to those who lament that the bike show is now totally taken over by ebikes, well it's been over 15 years now that we've been trying to tell you all this day was coming!)
In Manitoba Electric Bikes can be classified as a scooter or a moped/mobility vehicle depending on the power of the engine used and its top speed. If the engine on the Electric Bike is less than 50cc and it cannot exceed 50 km per hour the rider is not required to have a motorcycle licence or any specific training.[26] Electric Bikes can be driven by anyone with a Class 5 driver's licence in any stage of the graduated licensing process.[27] A Class 5 Learners Licence requires one to be age 16 (parents consent if under 18) and a visit to a licensing office to pass a vision test and a written knowledge test about the rules of the road and traffic signs.[28]
However, laws and terminology are diverse. Some countries have national regulations but leave the legality of road use for states and provinces to decide. Municipal laws and restrictions add further complications. Systems of classification and nomenclature also vary. Jurisdictions may address "power-assisted bicycle" (Canada) or "power-assisted cycle" (United Kingdom) or "electric pedal-assisted cycles" (European Union) or simply "electric bicycles". Some classify pedelecs as distinct from other bikes using electric power. Thus, the same hardware may be subject to many different classifications and regulations.
Some components, which are often optional accessories on sports bicycles, are standard features on utility bicycles to enhance their usefulness, comfort, safety and visibility. Mudguards, or fenders, protect the cyclist and moving parts from spray when riding through wet areas and chainguards protect clothes from oil on the chain while preventing clothing from being caught between the chain and crankset teeth. Kick stands keep bicycles upright when parked, and bike locks deter theft. Front-mounted baskets, front or rear luggage carriers or racks, and panniers mounted above either or both wheels can be used to carry equipment or cargo. Pegs can be fastened to one, or both of the wheel hubs to either help the rider perform certain tricks, or allow a place for extra riders to stand, or rest.[citation needed] Parents sometimes add rear-mounted child seats, an auxiliary saddle fitted to the crossbar, or both to transport children. Training wheels are sometimes used when learning to ride.
(15.5) "Electric assisted bicycle" means a device with two or three wheels which has a saddle and fully operative pedals for human propulsion and also has an electric motor. For such a device to be considered an electric assisted bicycle, it shall meet the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, as set forth in 49 C.F.R. Section 571, et seq., and shall operate in such a manner that the electric motor disengages or ceases to function when the brakes are applied. The electric motor in an electric assisted bicycle shall:


While I am not sure what level of effect this will have on us here in the US it will have an effect on the US! The amount of holdings that this family has in this country is what should be illegal.
When 32-year-old Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman rose to power two years ago, many predicted that change was afoot. The events of November 4 have shown that change would not just be swift, but also seismic, extending unremittingly beyond the kingdom's boundaries.


Quality of life as we get older depends largely on being able to continue doing the things we want to, without significant pain, for as long as possible.
An effective exercise programme can help slow the onset of conditions associated with ageing and improve our ability to undertake typical activities of daily life such as walking to the shops, doing the housework or being active in the garden.
We will discuss your results with you on the day. Following the assessment we can then work with you to set realistic goals and help you address any specific areas of your health or function that may be beneficial to you. A report will be sent to you following the assessment.


text:
UK Charts
Beyond the Brink
Good news, everyone! It's an all new top two in the chart this week. Brink takes the top honours, followed by Lego Pirates of the Caribbean.
Interestingly, Brink is #1 in the PlayStation 3 chart as well as Xbox 360, despite PSN only coming back up in the UK on Sunday evening. That said, Eurogamer reports that 69 percent of sales were on Xbox 360, compared to 23 percent on PlayStation 3. How much of that is down to PSN, or the lack thereof? We can't know that, but it'll be interesting to see how the title performs on the two formats next week.
That's not the end of the new entries: MX vs ATV Alive is in at a thoroughly respectable #10. That is the end of the new entries though.
A quick scoot around the other formats to finish with: Lego Pirates of the Caribbean takes the honours on PSP, DS and 3DS, but it's only #2 on Wii – Zumba Fitness is still top of the tree there.
M.C. Mario off the record
Pingback: » UK Video Game Chart: Brink in at No.1 – Videogamer.com tengo tech news
16 May, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Surprised by MX Vs ATV Alive. Zavvi dropped it to £17.85 at the weekend, suggesting sales/pre-orders were low.
22 June, 2012 at 2:48 am
While I believe that these enesdoemrnts are well-deserved, I can't help but wonder if they are sincere, or rather an attempt to feign bipartisanship on behalf of the WaPo by endorsing three Republicans (Smith, Brescia, and Ringel) in races that they believe to be safely in the Democratic column. I sure hope that this is not the case, as GOP wins in any of these races would turn a lot of heads.Regardless, these three have undoubtedly run great campaigns and are exciting young political figures for the GOP in NoVa. I hope that no matter the outcome of these races that we will be hearing from all of them in the future. The only way we can end one party rule in NoVa and the impact it has on statewide races is to keep running credible and energetic local campaigns like these three to build more and more support for the GOP in the area. The days of letting the Dems run unopposed has to end.
Fire Emblem Engage tops the UK chart while The Last of Us returns to #20
The UK charts see three new arrivals, plus surprise re-entries
God of War: Ragnarok holds onto UK no.1 while NSMB.U Deluxe re-enters at #10


text:
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
LCC ready to demystify digital journalism in 2018 through new short course: Digital Journalism
Illustration by Erin Campbell
29 November 2017 Share story
London College of Communication is excited to introduce a brand new short course for 2018, Digital Journalism , where participants will get a sound understanding of the opportunities and challenges digital technology brings to journalism, taught by Ben Gilbert.
Participants will explore recent groundbreaking news stories – Trump and fake news, the Panama papers, citizen reporting of terror attacks – by delving into the technology, tools, and issues that produced them.
Ben is an NCTJ-trained journalist with more than 15 years' experience at leading digital platforms including Yahoo and Microsoft and more recently was the editorial director at the startup MOVE Guides. He is now an Associate Lecturer here at LCC and has a background as a music journalist, developing digital content as a writer, editor and producer.
Unveiling the latest addition to LCC's short courses, Ben is this post's guest blog writer, explaining the backdrop to Digital Journalism in a landscape of fake news, post-truth and partisan content and what to expect from the five-day course next year.
Earlier this month, "Fake News" followed "Brexit" and "Geek" in being crowned Word of the Year in an annual poll by publishers Collins. Donald Trump's ascension to the White House has prompted a surge in the term's use and underlines the real and present danger posed to the credibility of contemporary journalism, particularly when the globe's highest powers and loudest shouters seek to hoodwink the narrative. Defined as "false, often sensational, information disseminated under the guise of news reporting", it's also obvious how much power and speed can now be generated by such developments in media, when the discourse is so interconnected and complete.
"It's interesting to note that in 1995, when I earned my NCTJ-accreditation, the American Dialect Society voted "Web" as their Word of the Year. Fast forward 20 plus years and the biggest publishers are Facebook, with algorithms seemingly acting as editors."
London College of Communication will seek to address themes, questions and issues like this in Demystifying Digital for Journalists, a five-day Short Course I will be leading in 2018. The goal is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to better understand, explore and interpret these topics in recognition of a changed and continually evolving media landscape, as departing editor Alan Rushbridger did in 2015 after 20 years at the Guardian: "We still tell stories in text and pictures, but the words are as likely to be in the form of live blogs as stories. We have learned to use moving pictures as well as stills. We work in audio, interactives, data, graphics and any combination of the above. We distribute our journalism across multiple channels, platforms and devices, including live discussion and debate. We're on the iWatch; we're in bed with Facebook; we're still in the corner shop," a quote lifted from the essential new edition of Paul Bradshaw's Online Journalism Handbook.
Digital Journalism tackles emergent themes and terminology like fake news, partisan content and post-truth and provides an overview of the theoretical and practical ways media professionals in 2018 should expect to provide coverage. The use of web technologies, social media, SEO, analytics and data can seem daunting but it's important to recognise not only the need to continue learning but also the vast array of possibilities afforded by these topics for journalists looking to stay in if not ahead of the game. The demise of the traditional publishing infrastructure should be balanced against the power of disruption, landmark stories such as The Paradise Papers and the way social media brings 21st century content to life like nothing before.
"Fake news, for example, is already providing fresh ground for academics and students to explore and develop key critical skills in and beyond the newsroom."
"Without understanding the performance of your content, the visibility, the way in which your audience is appreciating, feeding back, sharing and engaging with your content, there's little point in producing it in the first place," comments Mark Frankel, BBC Social Media Editor. Such innovation means that, rather than diminishing job roles and responsibilities, the opportunities have expanded to meet accelerating demand, creating positions that previously never existed across new fields of expertise. Fake news, for example, is already providing fresh ground for academics and students to explore and develop key critical skills in and beyond the newsroom.
It's interesting to note that in 1995, when I earned my NCTJ-accreditation, the American Dialect Society voted "Web" as their Word of the Year. Fast forward 20 plus years and the biggest publishers are Facebook, with algorithms seemingly acting as editors. Alongside my teaching work at LCC and Westminster University, I now run Wrote For Luck digital content. When designing my website, I commissioned some drawings to reflect the work I do, which are unashamedly reflective of a different era, such as a vintage typewriter and telephone. Journalists should be happy to reflect upon the industry's roots and their own but in order to survive and succeed, it's imperative to recognise not only what's changed but also to find a way on board this speeding train, because it shows no sign of stopping for anyone.
Find out about Digital Journalism and book your place today.
By Ben Gilbert
Find out more about the Digital Journalism short course
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Come along to the Postgraduate Degree Shows until Dec 09


Probably every one of you who has a business and a website have been approached through email or personal contact, and asked to spend money on Search Engine Marketing (SEM). For most, it sounds like a magical process or a scam, with the experts spewing so many acronyms.
Search engine marketing is simply buying advertising for your business from Google or another search engine company. Their computers then cleverly merge your ads with search results only when users search words imply an interest in your products. If you sell widgets, and a user is searching for widgets, your ad will appear on the same page as the search results for widgets.
This is NOT the same as Search Engine Optimization (SEO). SEO is not placing ads, but tuning your website so that it is more highly ranked by Google, and featured in the first page of results, not in an ad beside the results. SEM is sometimes called "buying your way into search results." Both have the same end goal of getting people to your website.
Cost per impression (CPI). This cost model is the most like traditional newspaper and television advertising, where advertisers pay for each ad appearance or page-view (impression) on a search result page, even if the user pays no attention. For Google, this is pay per impression (PPI), or pay per mille (PPM) per thousand impressions.
Cost per click (CPC). In this more popular model these days, advertisers do not pay for each appearance of the ad, but only when a user clicks on an ad and is redirected to the advertiser website. For sites displaying the ads, this is called pay per click (PPC).
Cost per action (CPA). Another alternative was added a couple of years ago to mitigate the problem of people clicking just to get paid (click fraud). It pays only if a customer clicks through AND takes a further action (conversion), such as buying a product or filling out a web form. The display side is called pay per action (PPA) or pay per lead (PPL).
Keyword research and budget forecasting. All these models start with the advertiser choosing the right search keywords to match user searches. Popular keywords have higher costs. SEM experts charge you to research, analyze, and estimate hit ratios, to optimize your success and set a campaign spending budget for you.
Campaign setup and ad copy writing. There are many additional variables that the inexperienced marketer may not even think to consider: competition and positioning strategies, budgeting, match types, search and content syndication, and ad copy testing, as well developing the best ad wording and layouts.
Tracking and performance reporting. Advertising is all about getting the most results for the least cost. You may be getting great traffic, but poor conversions. Other SEM experts will track your campaign from click to transaction, providing you with detailed reports on and return on investment (ROI).
If you do all these things right as the advertiser, you will make money from selling your product. If you do all these things right by displaying other people's ads on your website or blog, you will make money from advertising – like Google and Facebook, who offer services for free, and still make millions in revenue.
But either way, it requires big numbers to work (traffic), click-through rates are small, and the pay per click is tiny. Until your traffic is in the millions of page-views per month, don't expect to live off the conversions or other people's ads. That business model doesn't compute in the startup stage, but that's another story.


text:
Q: Send all requests to subfolder using Apache I'm trying to get all requests to my website passed on to a subfolder in my webroot.
Here's my folder structure:
/webroot
    current
    releases
        release1
            index.html
            en
                index.html
        release2
            index.html
            en
                index.html
        ...
    .htaccess

The current folder is a symlink pointing to a folder in the releases folder. The idea is that when I make a new release, a new folder is created in the releases folder and the current symlink is then pointing to this new folder.
In my .htaccess I'm then trying to pass on all requests to the current symlink. So if a user requests, for example, /en the requests should be routed through the symlink and while the browser URL will look like https://example.com/en the actual request will end up at https://example.com/current/en
Now, this works perfectly as long as the request ends with a trailing slash, for example https://example.com/en/ but if I remove the trailing slash the routing works BUT the URL in the browser will be https://example.com/current/en
Here's the rewrites I'm doing in my .htaccess:
Options +FollowSymlinks -MultiViews -Indexes

DirectorySlash On

RewriteEngine on
RewriteBase /

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !^/current/
RewriteCond %{ENV:REDIRECT_STATUS} ^$
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ current/$1 [L]

And here's the logfile
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] applying pattern '^(.*)$' to uri 'en'
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] RewriteCond: input='/en' pattern='!^/current/' => matched
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] RewriteCond: input='' pattern='^$' => matched
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] rewrite 'en' -> 'current/en'
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] add per-dir prefix: current/en -> /path/to/webroot/current/en
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] trying to replace prefix /path/to/webroot/ with /
strip matching prefix: /path/to/webroot/current/en -> current/en
add subst prefix: current/en -> /current/en
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] internal redirect with /current/en [INTERNAL REDIRECT]
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] strip per-dir prefix: /path/to/webroot/current/en -> current/en
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] applying pattern '^(.*)$' to uri 'current/en'
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] RewriteCond: input='/current/en' pattern='!^/current/' => not-matched
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] pass through /path/to/webroot/current/en
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] strip per-dir prefix: /path/to/webroot/current/en/ -> current/en/
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] applying pattern '^(.*)$' to uri 'current/en/'
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] RewriteCond: input='/current/en/' pattern='!^/current/' => not-matched
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] pass through /path/to/webroot/current/en/
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] strip per-dir prefix: /path/to/webroot/current/en/index.php -> current/en/index.php
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] applying pattern '^(.*)$' to uri 'current/en/index.php'
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] RewriteCond: input='/current/en/index.php' pattern='!^/current/' => not-matched
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] pass through /path/to/webroot/current/en/index.php
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] strip per-dir prefix: /path/to/webroot/current/en/index.html -> current/en/index.html
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] applying pattern '^(.*)$' to uri 'current/en/index.html'
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] RewriteCond: input='/current/en/index.html' pattern='!^/current/' => not-matched
[perdir /path/to/webroot/] pass through /path/to/webroot/current/en/index.html

A:
but if I remove the trailing slash the routing works BUT the URL in the browser will be https://example.com/current/en

I assume you mean https://example.com/current/en/ (with a trailing slash).
This happens because mod_dir tries to "fix" (with a 301 redirect) the URL by appending a trailing slash to physical directories when omitted (this is necessary for directory indexes to work correctly). This "fix" occurs after the URL has been rewritten to the subdirectory (since the URL-path /en does not initially map to a subdirectory).
You can disable this behaviour of mod_dir, so that trailing slashes are not appended; but that gets messy (you then need to manually append the trailing slash as required) and could potentially raise security issues.
Instead, you need to make sure you are always linking to the URL with a trailing slash and manually correcting any URL that omits the trailing slash in .htaccess before mod_dir does so.
Your existing rewrite that rewrites to the /current subdirectory looks OK, although you don't necessarily need to check that the request is not already for /current/ (the first condition). (By checking that the request does not already start /current/ then you are allowing direct requests to the actual symlink'd filesystem location - although maybe that's a requirement?)
So, before your existing rewrite, add the following redirect:
# Fix any requests for directories that omit the trailing slash
RewriteCond %{DOCUMENT_ROOT}/current/$1 -d
RewriteRule ^(.+[^/])$ /$1/ [R=301,L]

Given a request for /example, the above first checks whether /current/example exists as a directory (albeit a symlink'd directory). If if does then it issues a 301 redirect to append the trailing slash to the original URL, not the rewritten URL. eg. /example is redirected to /example/, which is then later rewritten to /current/example/.
Test first with 302 (temporary) redirects to avoid potential caching issues.
You will need to clear your browser cache, since the erroneous 301 (permanent) redirect by mod_dir will have been cached by the browser.

UPDATE:

it should not be possible to directly access any files or folders in the "current" folder. Currently, that's possible...

As hinted at above, you could simply remove the first condition that checks whether the REQUEST_URI does not already start with /current/. So all direct requests are unconditionally rewritten to /current/. A request for /current/en/ would therefore be rewritten to /current/current/en, resulting in a 404.
However, a user could still potentially request the filesystem location directly, bypassing the symlink entirely. eg. /releases/release1/en/.
To block both these locations from direct access you could add the following as the first rule:
# Block direct access to "/current/" and "/releases/"
RewriteCond %{ENV:REDIRECT_STATUS} ^$
RewriteRule ^(current|releases)($|/) - [F]

Requesting /current/... or /releases/... directly would result in a "403 Forbidden". Or change the F to R=404 to serve a "404 Not Found" instead (no redirect occurs, despite the use of the R flag).
The check against the REDIRECT_STATUS environment variable (as in your original rule) ensures that the request can still be internally rewritten to these locations. (The REDIRECT_STATUS env var is empty on the initial request from the client, but set to the HTTP response status (eg. "200") after the first rewrite.)


text:
Jacksonville Jaguars Bring Game Day to a New Level with Siemens
Technology today is increasingly embedded into public venues, as part of Smart City projects, Smart Transportation and Smart Factory projects, and now Smart Stadiums. Siemens highlighted their partnership with TIAA Bank Field in Orlando at their flagship U.S. technology and innovation conference held recently in Orlando (Spotlight on Innovation 2019).
This modern venue, which is home to the Jacksonville Jaguars football team, is "maxing-out the fan experience and securing optimized playing-field conditions using the Siemens breakthrough software MindSphere," Siemens said, calling this unique deployment "football on the cutting-edge of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)."
Siemens has leveraged their MindSphere platform, a cloud-based, open IoT operating system that links sensors and other data recorders to "create a virtual world of energy, transportation, and production infrastructure for the Industrial Internet of Things," enabling real-time visualization and modification of code, optimizing efficiency, and updates on the go.
Creating the perfect playing surface means controlling complicated variables, and field managers at TIAA Bank Field are using, as one application, Siemen's Greenkeeper Analytics application, hosted on the MindSphere cloud-based platform.
Cleats on the turf are first contact in every game, on every play, Siemens explains, so every team in the NFL wants a perfect playing field. This includes high-quality grass in optimum condition allowing professional, NFL football players to maneuver quickly and safely.
In fact, the NFL rules require multiple turf-condition reports prior to and on gameday from stadium groundskeeping teams.
To collect essential turf data, the groundskeeping team at TIAA Bank Field (operated by SMG Inc.) uses the Greenkeeper Analytics application, hosted on the MindSphere cloud-based platform. The app employs six sensor boxes at the field level.
Every two minutes, the sensors send real-time data for six key performance indicators (KPIs)—weather; light conditions; temperature (ground, air, roof); fertilization; and moisture (ground and air)—to a data-collection device. The device transmits the data securely to the to the MindSphere platform, which hosts the Greenkeeper analytic and asset-management software that can assess the turf conditions.
The Greenkeeper application, which is a self-learning system, then can provide the groundskeeping team with information about the KPIs and activity tracking via a visual dashboard, with historical daily, weekly, and monthly values available.
You can learn more about Siemens work with the Jacksonville Jaguars here.
Bringing together many of the country's foremost industry leaders, technologists, mayors, innovators, and even a stuntman-turned-CEO, Spotlight on Innovation is a real-world look at the technologies spanning topics like the gamification of manufacturing, cyber security, city infrastructure, AI and the digital twin that are helping businesses and cities around the world unlock their potential.


My daughter Mika just sent me some pics of her baby pet Lucio, a shih tzu pup which we bought sometime last February this year. Lucio is my late birthday gift for her. Lucio had changed the life of everyone in the house. He becomes everybody's darling. My two kids really takes care of him so well and treats him like their little brother. Lucio never failed to entertain my kids. Whenever I chat with them and ask about Lucio, they always tell me that they are enjoying every bit of their stay in the house because of him. Lucio is so playful and so sweet. I had a good laugh when Mika told me that Lucio gets more excited everytime they got some friends coming over the house. Lucio will keep on barking as soon as he heard that someone is knocking from our gate. He would knock on the screen door, too and so excited to find out who is the visitor. When the visitor gets into the house, he will do some simple tricks just to call their attention.
Mika is so fond of him and she's enjoying every bit of her vacation at home with her little darling.
All I want to say is, "Thank you Lucio!" You have done a great job! I never regret bringing you into our lives. You really gave my kids a good company and I feel so thankful for having you.
You are now a part of the family and we will always love you.
This is the only summer tat we failed to go on an out of town get away. Last summer, we were at Ho Chi Min City Vietnam. We actually planned to go for another trip this summer but due to unavoidable circumstances, which is my sudden decision to transfer to a new company, we were not able to have a bonding activity for summer. I feel sorry for my kids who were expecting for one this summer vacation. If opportunity arises, perhaps, we could go for one next summer or perhaps before the year ends.
Talking about vacations, I just got this advisory from Cebu Pacific that they are offering this, "First Come, Fares Saved Promo". Promo seats are available for some local and international destinations. I was delighted to see that Clark to Singapore was priced at only Php1,088 while some local destinations are available for only Php88. I wish I have the luxury of time to travel but unfortunately not the case.
If anyone of you would like to avail of these promo seats, you may want to book your flights early as this seat sale will only be up until May 20.
I've mentioned on my previous post that I'm having a very hectic schedule now which made me become less active in blogging. How I miss visiting those blogs of my pals and reading new stuff about their daily lives. sad to say, I still don't have the luxury of time now. I hope soon, when everything gets stable here in my job.
It's been a while since I've written down some personal thoughts on this blog. Today, I suddenly felt like writing another one. I guess it's very timely since I'm feeling gloomy the past few days. I'm exactly on my 2nd month in this place where I am now.... with my new job. There was a sudden shift of moods over the past few days, maybe because we are on the "setting up" stage and everything seems to be a mess. Needless to say, I'm going through the tough times. This thing is not new to me, I suppose, since I'd been working all my life and I've experienced both the thrills and adversities of being in the corporate world. I've worked with people of different nationalities, different age groups and people of various cultures and attitudes. There were times when I experienced being on the top, likewise feeling very low. I could not exactly count the number of days that I cried and the number of days that I rejoiced.
Just recently, I'm having some negative emotions. I'm too pressured at work. I'm beginning to lose my morale and zest over work. I have a very demanding Boss (hope he wouldn't be able to read this). He's a good example of a workaholic. Sometimes, I'm thinking that he is just being so passionate about his job but sometimes, I also think that he's over reacting. I could no longer consider myself an active blogger since I'm not able to write often on my blogs. I seldom blog hop, too. I just can't have enough time for everything. I feel so disgusted. Well, it wasn't the case the first time I came here. Sad to say, things are starting to change. I work longer hours now and not having enough time for myself. I felt so sad that I'm not able to send more messages to my kids the way I used to do before. Sometimes, I fall asleep while still having my working clothes on because I just feel so tired.
"Never give up in whatever you believe in, whatever you aim, in the things you have prayed for...and most of all, never stop trusting God. For great things happen when we almost feel like giving up".
During the tough times of my life, there's always something there to remind me to pick up those pieces and start all over again. I prayed to God to bring me to where I am now and I have to simply trust His decision. I'm still looking forward to solving all my problems. Work concerns, family concerns and other problems that's coming up one after the other.
I need a break! I want to regain back my energy but I'm not sure where these things would lead me to. I just have to keep on trusting! I know my FAITH will save me.
Have you already gone through your favorite destination this summer? If not, then you still have a chance as Cebu Pacific is offering it's newest promo, "May The Fares Be With You". Lots of exciting destinations are up for grabs at very very low prices. Hongkong and Bangkok are within reach at P688 (one way) plus other exciting local destinations such as Bacolod, Cebu, Iloilo and Dumaguete are priced at only P288. What are you waiting for? Log on to Cebu Pacific website for more details.


text:
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Supreme Court Holds App Purchasers Can Pursue Antitrust Damages Claims Against Apple
> Press
> Supreme Court Holds App Purchasers Can Pursue Antitrust Damages Claims Against Apple ...
Adam E. Polk
In Illinois Brick Co. v. Illinois, 431 U.S. 720 (1977), the Supreme Court held that only those who purchase goods or services directly from an alleged violator of the antitrust laws can maintain a Clayton Act claim for damages. Ever since, this "direct purchaser" rule has prevailed: Those who purchase directly from monopolists, or firms engaged in price fixing or other antitrust violations, can recover damages under the Clayton Act; those who purchase indirectly, from an intermediary in the distribution chain, can obtain injunctive relief under the Clayton Act and damages under state law only. In Apple Inc. v. Pepper, a 5-4 decision delivered by Justice Kavanaugh, the Supreme Court reaffirmed Illinois Brick and held that people who buy apps from Apple's app store can seek Clayton Act damages as direct purchasers, notwithstanding Apple's argument that the developers—not Apple—set the app prices.
Apple v. Pepper arises from four iPhone owners' claims that Apple wrongfully monopolized the aftermarket for iPhone apps. According to the plaintiffs, Apple requires that iPhone owners purchase apps only from the Apple store; Apple keeps 30% of the sale price of any app as a commission; and under competitive market conditions, with the same apps available from other sources, Apple would need to lower that commission. The consumers allege they would have paid less for their apps absent Apple's conduct. Apple moved to dismiss, invoking the Illinois Brick direct purchaser rule, and arguing that the consumers were indirect purchasers because the app developers, not Apple, set the apps' prices. The district court accepted Apple's argument and dismissed the complaint. The Ninth Circuit reversed, finding that the consumers were direct purchasers because—regardless of who set the price—they purchased the apps directly from Apple, the alleged monopolist.
The Supreme Court affirmed, reasoning that this result is compelled both by: (1) the text of Section 4 of the Clayton Act, which broadly permits "any person who shall be injured in his business or property by reason of anything forbidden in the antitrust laws" to sue for "threefold the damages by him sustained"; and (2) precedent, which has consistently upheld the right of direct purchasers to maintain a suit for damages against alleged antitrust violators. Because the consumers bought directly from Apple—the alleged monopolist—they are entitled to seek damages under Illinois Brick, the Court held.
Apple had advocated, as an alternative to Illinois Brick, that in retailer cases, where the defendant seller buys from a supplier or developer, the purchase must be from the person or entity that sets the price to be direct. But the Court rejected this argument as contrary to the text of the Clayton Act and the Court's prior precedent (summarized above). The Court also concluded that a "who sets the price" approach to antitrust standing would make little sense economically. As an example, the Court noted that under a markup pricing model—where the seller pays $6 for a product from a supplier and marks it up $4, selling to the consumer at $10—the seller would have antitrust exposure. But with a functionally equivalent commission model, as in Apple, the seller would not. The Court reasoned that "Apple's line drawing does not make a lot of sense, other than as a way to gerrymander Apple out of this and similar lawsuits." The Court further expressed concern that a "who sets the price" theory to antitrust would "provide a roadmap for monopolistic retailers to structure transactions with manufacturers or suppliers so as to evade antitrust claims by consumers and thereby thwart effective antitrust enforcement."
A dissent by Justice Gorsuch, joined by three other Justices, argued that it was the opinion of the Court that succumbed to legal formalism, in the form of a strict antitrust "privity" rule. The dissent argues that, by emphasizing direct contractual privity instead of proximate causation, the majority opinion elevates form over substance in a manner that will ultimately lead to the type of complex pass-on damages theories Illinois Brick was intended to prevent. As the dissent points out, it was the app developers who chose to pass on the alleged overcharge from Apple's commissions to consumers. The dissent maintains that antitrust analysis should not adhere to the rigid formalism associated with contractual privity, but should instead look to "where the alleged overcharge is first (and thus surely felt)." The dissent also predicts that the majority decision will enable Apple to evade liability by amending its contracts to provide for direct payment to developers, who will then remit payments directly to Apple.
The Supreme Court's decision in Pepper to reject a "who sets the price" approach in favor of Illinois Brick is notable for another reason as well. Thirty states and the District of Columbia filed amicus briefs supporting the plaintiffs and arguing that Illinois Brick should be overruled to allow indirect purchasers to sue for Clayton Act damages. The Court did not reach that issue: because it ruled for the Pepper plaintiffs, there was "no occasion to consider that argument for overruling Illinois Brick."
A modified version of this article is set to appear in an upcoming American Bar Association publication.
Adam Polk
Girard Sharp 2020 Contact