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Jalopnik Explains
Here's What 'Compression Ratio' Actually Means And Why It Matters
Kristen Lee
You've heard the term compression ratio before, but have you ever wondered exactly what it means? Well, it's time to explain exactly what compression ratio is, and why every carmaker is now obsessed with it like it was the Holy Grail.
Compression ratio, admittedly, is more complicated than it seems at first. It doesn't help that it's one of those terms you hear getting thrown around at car meets and in press releases without much serious explanation. It's one of those things that you mostly pretend to understand while trying to impress that trapeze artist you met at the circus last weekend.
We know that high compression is good, and that low compression is bad. We know that Mazda's new Skyactiv-X "Holy Grail" engine is high compression, along with Infiniti's "diesel slayer" and Toyota's "Dynamic Force" series that all advertise more power along with more efficiency.
How Mazda's 'Holy Grail Of Gasoline Engines' Actually Works
Leave it to a tiny car company like Mazda to pull off something the big players have been trying to
We live in an age where engineers can't just give an engine more power by making it bigger. Changing an engine's compression ratio is becoming how it's done.
(By the way, if you're reading this and snorting because you already know what compression ratio is, good for you! Not everyone else does.)
What Defines Compression Ratio Is Super Simple
A compression ratio is exactly what it sounds like—a ratio where you're compressing the maximum cylinder volume into the minimum cylinder volume. That's the volume of the cylinder when a piston is all the way down compared to all the way up to the top. It's written out and said as a ratio. For example, for an engine with a 9:1 compression ratio, you'd say that it's "nine to one."
Now picture a cylinder in your head. The piston moves up and down inside that cylinder. When the piston is at the lowest point, that's called Bottom Dead Center. That's where the cylinder volume is greatest. When the piston is at the highest point within the cylinder, that's called Top Dead Center, and that's where cylinder volume is smallest. The comparison of these two volumes is where your ratio comes from.
If you are a visual learner like I am, you'll like this GIF I made showing how a four-stroke engine works. See how the piston moves up during that compression stroke? That's all the air and fuel getting compressed in the cylinder. If an engine has a high compression ratio, it means that a given volume of air and fuel in the cylinder is being squeezed into a much smaller space than an engine with a lower compression ratio.
And now for an example with simple math, my favorite kind.
Pretend you have an engine whose cylinder and combustion chamber volume is 10 cc when the piston is at bottom dead center. After the intake valve closes and the the piston rises up during the compression stroke, it squeezes the air and fuel mixture into the space of a single cubic centimeter. This engine has a compression ratio of 10:1.
That's it! That's compression ratio. Total swept volume plus compressed volume (including the volume of the cylinder head and everything above where the piston "sweeps") into compressed volume alone.
Why It's Better Is Complicated
But understanding what compression ratio is is less important than understanding why we care about it, or why high compression is such an aspiration.
The best explanation I got in this came from my coworker and engineer David Tracy, who then reached out to other engineers and professors for help. The best answer of those came from Dr. Andy Randolph, Technical Director at ECR Engines. He does powertrain research for NASCAR, and his explanation is super clear:
From a laymen's perspective, engine power is generated when combustion exerts a force on the piston and pushes the piston down the cylinder during the expansion stroke.
The higher the piston is in the bore when combustion begins, the more force will be exerted.
As compression ratio increases, the piston moves higher in the bore at top dead center, hence there is additional force for the expansion stroke (additional force for the same amount of fuel equals higher efficiency).
Now, we really should understand more about the why in addition to the how, and that means we're going to have to venture into the realm of thermodynamics.
The basic point of this all is that a higher compression ratio means that the engine is getting more work out of the same amount of fuel. That's good for power and also miles per gallon.
To explain why a higher compression ratio yields better efficiency, we're not going to dive too deep into thermodynamics, but what the hell, let's just dip our tippy toes in. It's healthy and good for the soul.
Higher Compression Means More Work But More Pressure
The image above shows a P-V, or Pressure-Volume, diagram for an ideal and typical gasoline engine. It shows, visually, what's going on in your engine as it burns gasoline.
In the diagram above, that lower 1-2 curve shows the compression stroke.
The 2-3 line shows combustion.
The upper 3-4 curve shows the expansion stroke.
And the 4-1 line shows heat rejection when the exhaust valve opens up.
To be more technical, in the diagram the 1-2 curve shows the compression stroke in which pressure (y-axis) rises and volume (x-axis) drops as the piston does work on the gas, squeezing it. The 2-3 line shows the heat released during combustion, quickly increasing the pressure and temperature of the gas. The 3-4 curve shows the volume rising and pressure dropping as the gas does work on the piston during the expansion stroke. The 4-1 line shows heat rejection from the gas to the surroundings as the pressure returns to ambient with the exhaust valve opening up. Finally the flat 1-5 line on the bottom represents the exhaust stroke and piston returning to top dead center at the end.
The area within those 1-2-3-4 lines represents how much work done by the engine. Higher compression ratio means the two vertical lines on the plot will move to the left and up, leaving more area within the bounds than with a lower compression ratio, and thus work being done. But as you can see on that diagram, you would hit a higher pressure. Put another way, you'd wind up with more mechanical work from your high-compression ratio engine. You'd be getting more pressure in the cylinder and on your piston from the heat input from combustion.
Higher Compression Also Means More Thermal Efficiency
It's also important to note that the heat input and heat loss during the cycle of your engine relates to the efficiency as a function of compression ratio. The whole thing works on two ideas. The first is that whatever heat energy enters the system must be converted to either mechanical work or waste heat. The second is that thermal efficiency is simply the work output divided by the heat input. So then you can derive the relationship between thermal efficiency and compression ratio, like MIT plotted on its web page and shown above. The equation is here (nu is thermal efficiency, r is compression ratio, and gamma is a property of the fluid):
As you give an engine of a certain displacement a higher compression ratio, you effectively shift the P-V diagram up and to the left, and increase heat input (Qh in the diagram) more so than heat loss (Ql). Put another way, you're turning more of your input energy into work. Here's Jason Fenske of Engineering Explained breaking down that relationship between compression ratio, heat transfer and efficiency:
Anyway, the point is that thermodynamics dictates that thermal efficiency goes up with compression ratio, as you can see by that plot and equation above. And that means more horsepower, better fuel economy, heavier wallets and bigger smiles. Drive any sluggish, wheezing, gas-sucking, old low-compression American V8 and you'll know what I mean.
Compression ratio is also what makes engines like Mazda's Skyactiv-G engine so efficient. The first of a wave of new high-compression and variable-compression engines from Mazda, Nissan/Infiniti and Toyota, the Mazda has the highest compression ratio in the business right now, at 14:1, which is why it can manage high fuel economy and power figures even without a turbocharger.
Why Higher Compression Means You Need Higher Octane
Why doesn't everyone just use high compression ratios? Well, high compression is why a lot of performance engines need premium fuel, or high-octane gasoline. Octane ratings are, as this How Stuff Works article points out, a measurement of the gasoline's ability to resist detonation.
Compared to gas with a high octane rating, gasoline that has a low octane rating is more likely to auto-ignite due to high air-charge temperatures and pressures. Basically, you want the gas that ignites when you want it to, not the kind that ignites when you don't want it to. That kind of uncontrolled combustion is called knocking. Knocking is bad; it reduces torque and can cause irreparable damage to your engine.
High compression increases your risk of knocking, which is why very high compression engines run high octane race gas or (more commonly now) E85. Gases tend to heat up when they're compressed, so the increased heat density could lead to the fuel prematurely combusting before the spark plug ignites it. To reiterate: That's bad.
Mazda had to do a lot of work to its piston and exhaust design to mitigate knocking on its 14:1 engine running on pump gas. The pistons in a Skyactiv-X engine, for instance, have a cavity in the middle, to allow for Mazda to shoot a burst of rich fuel around the igniting spark plug in an otherwise lean mixture and, yeah, there's a reason why this wasn't an easy technology to develop.
What's also interesting is that you can't just make an engine with as high a compression ratio as you want. I reached out to John Hoyenga, an owner at the performance exhaust and rally shop Nameless Performance, to chat about risks and benefits of high compression.
John is building a Nissan 240SX rally car into which he's swapping a SR20VE four-cylinder, currently making about 250 horsepower at the wheels from just 2.0 liters. This is, surprisingly, with no turbo. All John has to thank is its very high 14.5:1 compression ratio. "There's more work done by compression," he explained, "so the more power [an engine] will make without boost."
That being said, because this is a race engine, he's running it with race gas or extremely high octane E85. John said that anything over 14.5:1 compression ratio would run the risk of auto-ignition, and it could shoot out a rod or spin a bearing. This is what's casually referred to as "blowing up."
There's A Limit To How High You Can Go
I asked if this is why we don't see people aren't running around with engines that have significantly higher compression ratios than anything we see today. Obscenely high ratios, like 60:1. John laughed. He explained that metal simply cannot withstand such high levels of stress, and a compression ratio like that would run things so hot that it'd blow up any current engine.
Of course, not all of us are building race cars with race engines, so altering compression ratios isn't something we ever have to worry about. But we are casual car owners and quasi-engine enthusiasts, so this was an explanation for what compression ratio means and why it matters. You don't have to fake it anymore, you now know what it is.
Now, go and find that trapeze artist and tell him how you feel!
Car CultureJalopnik Explains


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One can only imagine how many years Martilotta aged over the course of Saturday's thriller against Bayport-Blue Point.
Take two Suffolk County Division IV teams desperately trying to carve a path for themselves into the playoffs and what do you get?
Answer: The high drama that played out at Bob Sullivan Field in Bayport.
Greenport looked on for most of the first half, forging a 20-0 lead. But Bayport wasn't done. The Phantoms scored the next 24 points to leapfrog ahead.
On what appeared to be the play to decide the game, Greenport's Tyrus Smiley took a direct snap from center on fourth-and-goal from the Bayport 1-yard line up the middle and over the goal line for a go-ahead touchdown with 40 seconds left. Ahkee Anderson ran in the two-point conversion, making it 28-24.
An unlikely ending unfolded. Bayport's Logan Souto returned the ensuing kickoff all the way to the Greenport 35. With no timeouts left for either side, Luke Schartner threw incomplete passes on the first two downs. Then, he pulled off some magic. Logan Jones gained a step on a slant and go toward the right corner of the end zone and Schartner hit him for the game-winning TD with nine seconds left.
Greenport had only one offensive play after that, an incomplete pass that was followed by Bayport players happily charging onto the field in an extended Senior Day celebration.
The Porters (3-4), who face a must-win game at home in their regular-season finale Friday night against Port Jefferson (3-4) in order to have any chance of a playoff place, looked devastated as they sat or stood on the field in silence, trying to digest what had just happened.
Martilotta called it the toughest loss he has experienced in a long time. "Had it and lost it," he said.
Bayport coach Mike Zafonte said he had never experienced as thrilling a win as this in his 20 years coaching the Phantoms.
It could be said that Greenport fumbled this game away. The Porters lost four fumbles, including one which cost them an almost certain TD on the final play of the second quarter. On that play, Anderson found Jadyn Ford for a 44-yard completion up the middle. Ford was headed for the end zone when Bayport's Zach Silver stripped him of the ball around the Bayport 5 and Souto scooped the ball up before returning it to midfield as time expired. Bayport had no turnovers.
It also didn't help Greenport that it was whistled 14 times for 118 yards worth of penalties and one of its leading tacklers, Rob Lechner, was ejected 4:28 into the second quarter for a personal foul.
With exceptional performances by Anderson (25 carries, 171 yards, one TD) and Smiley (24 carries, 153 yards, two TDs), Greenport outgained Bayport (3-4) in total offensive yardage, 444-267.
Anderson also threw a 39-yard TD pass to Sean McElroy, who leaped over a defender and showed good hands holding onto the ball for a 20-0 lead 2:00 into the second quarter.
Francesco Geraci (14 carries, 78 yards) ran for Bayport's first two TDs to close the gap by halftime.
Bayport, wearing pink jerseys in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, whittled away at that lead in the third quarter, with a 28-yard field goal by Connor Nilan. Schartner (8-for-15, 118 yards, two TDs) darted an 8-yard pass to Silver that helped Bayport to a 24-20 lead with 7:36 left in the fourth quarter.
And when the clock finally reached 0:00, Bayport had received a big boost to its playoff chances. "Hopefully, the way the power points work, it's our ticket into the playoffs," said Jones (four catches, 91 yards).
Smiles abounded on the Bayport side, though.
"This is one I'm going to remember," said Jones.
And one the Porters will try hard to forget.


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Your test results will be combined with others and will appear on the map at the end of the month.


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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with others. The 100 Day Wellness Challenge is a simple and affordable program encouraging Iowans to make healthy choices. Post has attachment 2014 Summer Iowa Games - You Are Ready. Corporate sponsorships and entry fees provide the major source of funding for the ISF. Several sports are safari west tour discount coupon held. Job Description: Will assist in organizing and conducting the Winter Iowa Games, Fish Iowa Games, Mud Run, Live Healthy Iowa Track Championships, Live Healthy Iowa 5K and other major events hosted by the ISF.
For the first time, weekend athletes, children and senior citizens could experience the thrill of great performances and the satisfaction of doing their best in a statewide. The ISF hosts the Summer Iowa Games, Winter Iowa Games, Live Healthy America, Live Healthy Iowa, Live Healthy Iowa Kids, Fall Fitness Day, Go The Distance Day, Hoopin at the Dome, Net Fest, Fish Iowa Games, the ISF Mud Run, and the Iowa Games Golf. Post has attachment, add a comment.
(ISF) was created June 20, 1986 as a non-profit entity. Press question mark to see available shortcut keys. No plus ones no shares. Please indicate which internship and semester you are applying for. Iowa Games edit, the Summer Iowa Games, powered. Special Sport Events, several other sports events were offered throughout the year including Net Fest. ASI kicked off in March, 2011 with an inaugural summit bringing together all people who work within or serve the adaptive community. Duties will include but are not limited to: assisting with entry materials, marketing and promoting the event, data entry, Web site updates, confirmation letters, team schedules, distributing equipment, writing press releases and newsletters and event setup and tear down. Stemming from this summitt ASI was able to develop programs to meet the needs of physically disabled Iowans. LHA mirrors LHI; although it is a nationwide program. Other Perks: Paid Stipend at the conclusion of the internship. Post has shared content, what a great weekend of golf!


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In and Out of the Fold: Erin Lawlor at...
Chelsea, Featured, New York, Painting, Reviews, Reviews and Photo Stories
In and Out of the Fold: Erin Lawlor at Miles McEnery Gallery
08/06/2019 by Patti Jordan
Installation view, Erin Lawlor at Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY.
An inaugural solo exhibition of the work of London-based artist Erin Lawlor presents a selection of vivid paintings spanning 2017 – 2019 and evinces advancements in the artist's trademark brushwork, color usage, and compositional formats. The works in this series build upon painting explorations consisting of a loopy, curvilinear patchwork that produces heightened subtleties between foreground, middle-ground, and background. Constructed from a multitude of axial planes that fully exploit levels of push-pull between the nip, tuck, and fold of her envisioned spaces, Lawlor's dynamic imagery elicits an impeded desire to peel back layers of curvature that seem to go on interminably.
It is in such momentary experiences with this series that the topic of infinite folds come into play. In the exhibition catalog, "Erin Lawlor: The Fold," author Zoe Miller poignantly quotes Gilles Deleuze in "Foucault" in which Deleuze writes,
The outside is not a fixed limit but a moving matter animated by peristaltic movements, folds and foldings that together make up an inside: they are not something other than the outside, but precisely the inside of the outside (97).
To this point, Lawlor's production of multitudinous curving form carries duplicity through the coexistent appearance of depth and façade – an unfolding, interior and exterior veneer that demands its audience mentally, and more or less physically, sweat a bit to break the code and penetrate. Amidst all of these curvaceous simulacra, the element of time is likewise aroused.
Lawlor's painting practice is defined by somewhat narrow compositional tendencies and mannerisms that set a decisively singular tone. Like many of her process-oriented contemporaries, Lawlor works wet on wet – a painting method that embraces spontaneity and leaves ample room for chance and improvisation to eventualize in her visual outcomes. Yet, contributing to her self-consciously limited surface treatments is a distinctive, branded brushwork that appears as though it might not be produced with a brush, but with a large-tooth comb. In fact, Lawlor places her canvases on the floor and then veritably sweeps over them repeatedly in circular motions with a large wallpaper brush, creating multiple striated layers.
morning rises, 2018, Oil on canvas, 71 x 51 inches, 180 x 129.5 cm.
Such painting methods, specifically her layering techniques, make for slight albeit effective creative disruptions in her compositional strategies. Sublime accidents of pure and amalgamate color are caught on the bristles of her brush and create planar swoops of ascending and descending gestural motion. The verisimilitude of this action is further indicated by the multiple drips on the sides of her canvases. In the aftermath, Lawlor's visuals assume an implicit strength through how she manages to shuffle these constructed layers of curling form into a series of opportune positions in her painting deck, wherefore an architectural pecking order gets established and appears to metamorphose into a virtual, embodied meaning. Thus, an irresistible momentum is established in her structures, accentuated by deepened areas that push contrast and saturation that result in the aforementioned hierarchies in her cavernous spaces.
In the process of situating the work, one cannot confirm that this imagery is in lack of historical content. Although primarily drawing upon the contemporary languages and formats of abstraction, these canvases surreptitiously call forth a redaction of historical painting through imaginary predecessors conjured by areas of blurred brush, or form, and discrete choices in pigment: ochre, umber, and raw and burnt sienna are activated in the eye and mind. Such parallels hint at visual narratives running through Lawlor's aesthetic that can't help but appear linked to representation. In "morning rises" (2018), Lawlor's infinitely overlapping forms create the impression of rural regions or water currents depicted in aspects of classical landscape painting.
three white leopards, 2018, Oil on canvas, 78 3/4 x 59 inches, 200 x 150 cm.
Modes of the figural are somehow also lurking, embodied in the paint through emphatic gestures and flesh tones that are interspersed throughout the work. Similar to subtle, asymmetrical arrangements reminiscent of contrapposto painting in which the axes of the arms and shoulders diverge from those of the hips and legs, an overriding centrality is present in the construction of her canvases. This formal tendency hinges the works to some degree, whilst gossamer overlays of high-keyed yellow, orange, red and blue add thrust as they become overtly apparent, such as in "three white leopards" (2018), and the diptych, "pull + ebb" (2018).
pull + ebb, 2018, Oil on canvas, 71 x 102 inches, 180 x 129.5 cm.
In some sense, the color schemes in this series are rather thematic and can at first glance appear to be a bit formulaic. If there's an impression of a certain chromatic redundancy it is felt in some of the diptychs and triptychs back of gallery which incorporate larger masses of neutrals, flesh tones, and dusky color; this tends to lessen their formal tension slightly. Nonetheless, Lawlor employs color quite ambitiously to create balanced juxtapositions vacillating between saturation and contrast that ultimately exhume an expansive effect. This underlying formal resoluteness results in an unyielding cohesion in the overall presentation.
night garden/flight, 2018, Oil on canvas, 74 3/4 x 153 1/2 inches, 190 x 390 cm.
As aforementioned, Lawlor's brush strokes endlessly writhe on their axial planes, and in this way, gestural form becomes a motif. To her credit, her abstractions' tenuous relationship to representational painting induces friction that undoubtedly invigorates the work. In both structure and methodology, the paintings displayed are endowed with a vigor endemic to work realized through the immediacy of the creative process. One can surmise in viewership that a magnetism is induced by her chromatic folds, an inherent force that pulls one in – and out – of coinciding minimal and ornamental space, creating a continuum. In summation, Lawlor's bending configurations, which set out to hold the space through a quasi-reverent abstraction, furtively imply that what may not be represented in actuality, is there in essence.
Erin Lawlor holds a Bachelor of History of Art from the University of Paris IV – La Sorbonne, Paris, France and currently resides in London, United Kingdom. Recent solo exhibitions include "Here to the Hidden Hills," Fifi Projects, San Pedro, Mexico; "Erin Lawlor," Fox/Jensen/McCrory, Auckland, New Zealand; and "Cat on the raz," Espacio Valverde, Madrid, Spain. Lawlor's inaugural solo exhibition at Miles McEnery Gallery will be on view July 11 through August 16, 2019. Photos Courtesy of the artist and Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY.
Miles McEnery Gallery
Patti Jordan
Tags: abstract painting, art blog, art magazine, arte fuse, Erin Lawlor, In and Out of the Fold, MILES MCENERY GALLERY, painting
Patti Jordan is a New York City-based, interdisciplinary artist, writer and educator working within the spheres of visual and media culture. Her writings and creative practice prioritize materiality as well as alternative and process-based approaches to aesthetics.
Robert Miskines says:
Luscious brush strokes! And once again those luscious brush strokes.
GoPro and Art: How You Can Mix the Two Together
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Pavilions at Lisson Gallery, NYC (Video + Photo Story)
New Order: Art, Product, Image 1976 – 1995 at Sprüth Magers, London
Artist Spotlight: Shane Berkery
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Browder is the son of businessman Bill Browder, a well-known critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Joshua Browder said the idea for his latest project – which works in all 50 states – came about after numerous people used DoNotPay to recoup as much as $11,000 from Equifax, even after the credit reporting agency appealed.
After directing the claim to one of 15 separate legal lanes – such as an automobile accident or recovering personal property – the app provides users with the documents necessary for their suit, including a demand letter, county filing documents and even a strategic script to read in court. Users print out the documents and mail them to the relevant courthouse, setting the lawsuit in motion.


We shared an easy to make sympathy card with a watercolor sunset on it earlier this week. I thought it would be a good video so I got Ann to clean off my stamp desk and set up the camera.
I like it even more today. Here's how we made it. Make sure you watch to the end so you can see the little bit that we added onto the card at the end.
Watch this on You Tube. Get the Supply list here.
Check out our Video Technique Gallery here.
Here are the measurements that can help you.
Be sure the art is dry before assembling the card. A heat tool on the lowest setting can help.
If you're already on our mailing list, GOOD! We'll be sharing our Super Bowl Celebration late today so be sure to get your Wish Lists ready so you can participate!
If not, why not join today?
We hope you liked the video. If so, please leave a comment below. Hearing from you would rock our world!
We'd love to serve you and help you obtain quality cardmaking supplies. You can see about 50 of our other Sympathy Card Ideas here.
A quick and easy card is loved just as much as the fancy ones.
Thanks Stamper and Ann, beautiful card, I may have to give watercolor a try.
Ann, you always make things look so easy!! I've never done water coloring, but after watching your video, I'm going to give it a try!!! And I love Stamper!!! Dogs are such good company!
You don't know how good that makes us feel! You have made our day!


Enjoy a Mabel Lake Coffee and Mini Donuts – fresh fried @ the Beach Cafe – only $2.99 all weekend long.
BEACH Cafe Opens June 28th, 2018 – Stop by for Sweet & Savory treats!
We have received lots of calls lately regarding Okanagan Region Flooding. Mabel Lake Resort and Marina recorded above average high water this spring, but we did not experience any damaging flooding.
The Lake water level peaked around June 5, 2017, and as the water continues to recede, we are happy to reassure you that Mabel Lake is NOT flooded, or damaged by high waters.
The Resort Boat Launch, Marina and Pier are fully accessible and the sandy Mabel Lake Beach is beginning to emerge from the spring thaw waters — freshly soaked, washed and replenished. Ready for your holiday beach and boating enjoyment.
Click on image for a gallery of high water photos.
We seek an outgoing, motivated and organized individual with Food Safe and cooking experience to work in our Beach Cafe for the months of July and August. This is a full time 10 week position, in a fast paced Ice Cream Scooping, Burger Flipping, FF Frying and Poutine Melting recreational environment.
* Please note this position works from July to August.
Terry and Ken are excited for what the 2017 season has to offer. Due to extensive Estate Planning, Mabel Lake Resort and Mabel Lake Golf and Country Club will now be run under two separate entities.
Terry will own and operate the campground, most beach cabins, store and marina. Ken will own and operate the club house, golf course, airpark and misc. rentals.
Although owned and operated separately, Ken and Terry are committed to the overall success of the resort as a whole and will continue to exceed expectations.
The Laursen families thank you for your continued support, and look forward to opening our 46th season with you at Mabel Lake.
Call 250-838-0881 to book your spot now!
The 2016 Mabel Lake Ladies Amateur Open came down to a playoff this year. Congratulations to our new Ladies Open Overall Champion Lorelei Seigmann who won in a one hole playoff. Congrats to our new Overall Low Net Champion Linda Mortenson. We would also like to congratulate our other tournament winners — Darla Walsh—1st Low Gross, Patsy Osaehoff—1st Low Net, Sue Mackney—2nd Low Gross, and Margo Ludwig—2nd Low Net.
"As a very proactive group of people who understand that, in the event of a fire, we will attempt to the best of our efforts to control and contain any fire. That being said, if we thought 2015 was dry, it has been stated that 2016 will be much hotter and dryer.
There will be one fire preparedness meeting at the Airpark Fire Hall at 10:00 on Saturday, May 21, 2016, where we will demonstrate the use of our fire truck, fire pump and fire hoses.
WOW……….this great spring weather has allowed us to be able to provide unbelievably great conditions for this time of the year and we are set to have another outstanding year on the golf course. The great weather only plays a part in having the golf course in good shape. Bill, Dave, Jim, and the rest of the grounds crew have been doing a tremendous job keeping the course up to par so when you see them around, thank them for all their hard work.
Thank you to all of our friends, neighbors, guests and the media for sharing the opening celebration with us on July 3, 2015. 'Livin' The Dream" in the N. Okanagan.
On Friday July 3, at 12:00 noon, we will be hosting a GRAND OPENING Ribbon Cutting ceremony and public BBQ in celebration of the completion of the concrete, 260 slip Mabel Lake Marina. In 2010, the owners of Mabel Lake Holiday Centre Ltd. were informed their current dock system would no longer be granted a water lease due to new regulations. Five years later, after numerous public hearings, applications, petitions, meetings, drawings, studies and consultations — and 2 years of construction — the multi-million dollar, privately funded project is complete, and open to the public.
Grand Opening Poster: You are Invited!
Congratulations to the new Champion of the 2015 Ladies Open Cora Prevost and Overall Low Net Myrna Skaalid. Thank you to everyone who participated and a special thank you to all of the sponsors that donated to make this event so successful.


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Q: How do I view the Meteor app running on the VM at localhost:3000? Hi I'm trying to make my first meteor app. I just made an app and have run it. I've also upgraded to latest meteorite and meteor. I just created a new app and have run it.
App running at: http://localhost:3000/

But I cannot view this webpage on my host computer. I'm running meteor on an ubuntu vm.
It was working before I updated meteorite and meteor and installed the iron-router package to an app I'm working on.

A: check in the console you might have the error as template is not defined, Meteor is not defined etc...

A: As you have determined, the message on the vm regarding localhost:3000 refers to the vm that is running meteor, and localhost on your computer refers to your computer.
The secure fix for this is to create an encrypted tunnel to connect localhost:3000 on your computer to localhost:3000 on the remote computer.

*

*Start the meteor app on the VM so that you get the message about it being ready on localhost:3000

*On the local computer open another terminal window and initiate a second connection to the VM with:

ssh -L 3000:localhost:3000 yourUSER@remoteHOST
This assumes you are running Linux.  If you are on Windows, look at the options for your SSH client.  It may have similar options to create tunnels.

*Open a web browser on your local computer and go to http://localhost:3000
The ssh tunnelling software will sense the connection to localhost:3000 on your computer and will connect you to localhost:3000 on the remote, forwarding the data through an encrypted tunnel.
If this seems like a lot of trouble, there are paid developer platforms like http://nitrous.io that can run meteor and have a web based IDE that can simplify this sort of thing for you so you do not need to run the tunnel.  Another way to simplify is to not use a remote VM, but install Meteor on the home computer and only copy the code to a VM when it is finished and ready for production.
If you don't want to run on localhost:3000 at all, but on the webserver on port 80, you might check to see if there is an environment variable that switches the code from development mode to production.

A: I too was unable to connect to the Meteor App that was being developed on a centos VM.
The followuing worked:
Setup:
Windows 7/8.1 with Following tools installed:
Putty
VMW Workstation
Centos VM (Server or GUI based)
Chrome/Mozilla Browsers

*

*Launch the VM from VMW Workstation

*Console into the VM using Putty

*Launch the Meteor App. Will show its listening at localhost?3000

*Launch a new session of Putty.

*Go To SSH-Tunnels - Source: 3000, Destination - Localhost:3000. Save this settings

*Connect to the VM with these settings

*Launch the browser and and navigate to localhost:3000

Worked for me, hope does for all

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
FGC #171 B.O.B.
During the 16-bit era, there seemed to be a lot of mascot 2-D platformers. Of the furry variety, we had the likes of Aero the Acro-Bat, Bubsy, and Frantic Flea. Animated shows/movies led to Aladdin, Family Dog, and Itchy and Scratchy. "Based on a real media property" gave us Home Improvement, Wayne's World, and Dino City. And through it all, we had the "mainstays" like Mario, Arthur, and Sonic (arguably the rodent that started it all). In short, if there was a thing in the mid-90s that existed for longer than three seconds, it wound up with a 16-bit platformer. We nearly had a game starring the president's cat!
But through it all, one has to ask the obvious question: Why?
The 90's was an interesting time for gaming. The Atari crashed the entire industry in the early 80's, but Nintendo brought it all back inside of a few years. Gaming had gone from dead to back in business in less time than a presidential term, and, what's more, it really did rebuild itself with "mascots" as the cornerstone. Videogames are fun an' all, but when you need sustenance, Mario and Zelda cereal is where it's at. GI Joe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, and even Transformers all had videogame tie-ins of varying quality, and, in time, that became absolutely standard for any "kiddy" franchise. Videogames had become another media pillar, so now any franchise worth its salt had to have a tie-in game. Otherwise, what's the point? There's money on the table!
So, somehow, 2-D platformer became the style of the time. It worked for some properties (Sega Genesis Jurassic Park immediately comes to mind), and not so much for others (Did I already mention Home Improvement? That happened). But whether the property could be adapted to the platformer formula was immaterial (you could always toss a dinosaur or giant insect boss in there and claim a mad scientist was involved), what was important was your star was out there, and the lucrative "videogame demographic" was eating up your media with a spoon. Bubsy in Close Encounters of the Furried Kind is just one stop in the Bubsy empire!
The obvious answer to the "why" here is the same reason we saw Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves: The Cereal. It's all about the merchandising, and NBC, Disney, or whatever eldritch horror was responsible for Aero the Acro-Bat didn't care about the game so much as the raw advertising potential. This inevitably led to a lot of terrible platformers, because if Activision could get away with selling a blank SNES cartridge labeled "Eat at Joe's", they'd do it. Actually, that may have been preferable to Arcade's Revenge…
But… why bother?
What was it about the platformer that was so enticing back in the 16-bit days? Why not just make a (sloppy) fighting game, or a (messy) RPG? Sure, these genres have a reputation for being more complex than "run, jump, boss", but that's only because everyone remembers those genres' successes, and not the Fighter's Histories or Beyond the Beyonds. Wouldn't practically any style of game be better suited to character-driven narratives than the platformer? You don't have to create an endless array of anonymous mooks for a fighting game (there aren't really foot soldiers in The Jungle Book), and you could actually insert some witty dialogue in RPGs (ideal for those oddly pervasive sitcom-based games). But, no, let's call it a virtual reality mishap or whatever and get Bart Simpson as a dinosaur. There's an excuse to hop over an ice level!
So here's B.O.B. B.O.B. is an original creation of someone at Gray Matter Inc. or Foley Hi-Tech systems. B.O.B. is just a little yellow robot dude that is trying to meet his robo-girlfriend for a date. B.O.B. appears to be vaguely insectoid, and has a gun for a hand. B.O.B. has a tendency to make "amusing" quips at the start of each level, and end every stage with a "whacky" dance. B.O.B. is basically every mascot character in microcosm, albeit more metallic than furry.
The World of B.O.B. is… annoying. This game comes from the same studio that produced the previously mentioned Wayne's World SNES game, and it shows. Basically, every stage is a different area that did its absolute best to cram as much of a maze into a roughly squareish collection of pixels as possible. Like Harley's Humongous Adventure, expect aggravating stages that place the exit just beyond a wall that must be circumvented by traipsing all over the whole stage again just to find one stupid ladder. Some stages are more straightforward, "platform challenging" affairs, but even then, the nondescript hallways and shafts make it impossible to gauge your own progress. There's a (strangely strict) timer for every stage, and when it ticks down to zero, good luck determining if you were inches from the goal or practically at the starting line. Oh, and there are "vehicle" segments, ostensibly designed to break up the monotony of every stage being samey to the point of parody, but they just seem to exist to encourage the player to memorize the poorly constructed maps/tracks, so, basically, they're a poor man's speeder bike.
In short, one could conceivably have fun with B.O.B., but the odds are low. I guess some of the guns and gadgets are interesting, but even then, you've got limited ammo and no "safe" areas to test the more esoteric devices. You just acquired one (1) light bulb… that's… probably useful? Want to waste it to find out? Or wait until you're fighting a boss, and find out it does practically nothing? Your choice!
I'm sorry, that paragraph got off track. What I mean to say is that B.O.B. sucks. It is a bad game.
So… what was the point of this, yet another 16-bit platformer? Simple, if you look at the box, you'll note the custom B.O.B. logo. Yep, this nothing of a platformer was intended to launch the entire B.O.B. product line, so you and your whole family could soon be wearing B.O.B. hats, shoes, and shirts. Look at that whacky robot go! B.O.B. has captured the hearts and minds of an entire generation of B.O.B.-heads. Keep making the world a better place, B.O.B.!
Except… none of that happened, because B.O.B. sucked.
Which circles back again to "why?" Why did anyone, least of all people who created and maybe actually played B.O.B., think B.O.B. was going to be a success? The actual "videogame" here isn't any fun at all. It's passable, but it's certainly not something that could compete with Mario, Sonic, or Mega Man. The cartoony characters are mixed with vaguely Alien-esque graphics and environments, so this wasn't exactly pre-packaged for Saturday Morning. About the only thing that really makes a positive impact in this game is the "attitude". B.O.B. appears to be a teenager robot with a disciplinarian father and an overbearing girlfriend, and he's unerringly sarcastic in response to everything in the galaxy. And his animations are kind of amusing. That's all B.O.B.'s got.
So Electronic Arts thought they could build a Sonic-esque empire on… a sassy robot.
Bite my shiny metal ass, 16-bit platformers. Be glad that the worthless cash-in games of today have migrated to the domain of cell phones. At least CSI: Match Three never wasted a bi-weekly video rental.
System: Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and, oddly enough, it got a rerelease on the PSP. So very doomed.
Number of players: One player. Kind of surprised they didn't give B.O.B. a goofy sidekick. Though I suppose they have to save something for the sequel.
Favorite Weapon: I'd like the flamethrower if it didn't run out of ammo instantly. Oh, hey, this is yet another lousy game that forces you to use a weak melee attack when your guns run empty. That's never fun, videogame designers!
So you're not going to do anything special because you both have the same name? No. I am personally insulted that I've got B.O.B. and "the fat guy" from Tekken. There are better Bobs!
An end: So the finale of B.O.B. sees our titular hero finally meet his date… and she turns out to be a (literally) big mouthed shrew of a lady bot. So B.O.B. immediately ditches her for a quiet girl that appears to be a surfer girl (bot). Score another one for the patriarchy!
Did you know? Gray Matter was the name of a videogame company long before Breaking Bad. All the same, it still gives me a vibe that this game was maybe created thanks to meth money. At least you can't say good chemistry was involved in this nonsense!
Would I play again: There is nothing here that encourages the player to replay (or even continue). I might hit some random website to view the level maps and see if there was some method to the madness, but it's not happening anytime soon.
What's next? Random ROB has chosen… Pinball Quest for the NES! Never before has the phrase "Pinball Wizard" been so apt! Please look forward to it!
Posted by gogglebob. Categories: Fustian Gaming Challenge. Tags: fgc, one player, super nintendo entertainment system, sega genesis, psp, platformer, mascot, bubsy bobcat, b.o.b., gray matter, electronic arts, 90's.
MetManMas on August 24, 2016 at 10:11 am said:
If anyone has gone to the trouble of getting map caps for B.O.B., they ain't put 'em on VG Maps. And that's a site that's got maps for the crappy Bebe's Kids brawler.
I kinda miss the days when any robot with a gun, talking animal, mad scientist, or cartoon caveman could have their own platform game. I mean, yeah, there was a lot of tripe, but given that most of the active gaming mascots of today (outside of Nintendo characters and Sonic and mascots trying to sell microtransactions and lots of toys) tend to fall under Generic White Dude With Gun/Sharp Object (or in Japan's case, Generic Anime Teen With Sword) it feels like we lost a lot of diversity with gaming's shift to HD pastures.
Torzelbaum on August 24, 2016 at 9:30 pm said:
"Sonic (arguably the rodent that started it all)" Hedgehogs aren't rodents.
gogglebob on August 26, 2016 at 2:35 pm said:
… Varmint?
Pingback: FGC #200 Wayne's World | Gogglebob.com
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''Some for renown, on scraps of learning dote, And think they grow immortal as they quote." Edward Young


Our society is becoming increasingly litigious with people suing for almost anything. And lawsuit amounts have skyrocketed over the last 50 years. One typical example is in the asbestos litigation category.
Although, asbestos use was halted in the 1970s, due to the long period before symptoms of asbestos damage shows up, asbestos related lawsuits are still prevalent. In the United States, approximately 600,000 people have filed suits claiming damages caused by asbestos, and asbestos litigation has become the largest mass tort in history. Despite the decline in the number of people diagnosed with asbestos related diseases (such as mesothelioma cancer) since the 1990s, asbestos litigation has seen a dramatic increase in settlement payout amounts.
One of the first asbestos lawsuits was Borel v. Fibreboard Corporation, in which Clarence Borel won $13,000. More recently, in 2003, two settlements, one for $47 million, and another for $250 million, were awarded to victims. The latter two settlements are the largest known asbestos-related litigation settlements in history. In 2011, a settlement of $10.5 million was also awarded to a victim with asbestos-related health problems. If Mr. Borel were alive he would find the million dollar amounts that are now involved in settlements hard to believe.
The rising settlement amounts in asbestos cases can be at least partially attributed to inflation. Borel was diagnosed with an asbestos related disease in 1969. Since that year, inflation has accounted for a large change in the value of a dollar. The $13,000 that Borel received is equivalent to $82,518.83 today. A $13,000 settlement would not be acceptable today, especially with the rising costs of health care but even $82,000 is no where near $10 million. Settlements are meant to provide compensation for any out-of-pocket funds that people have had to use to treat their asbestos-related diseases. But modern day settlements are much higher than what can be accounted for by monetary inflation alone.
After Borel won $13,000 against Fibreboard Corporation, he decided to sue 11 more asbestos producing companies. When he won, he set a precedent for asbestos victims. Soon after, those who had been exposed to asbestos and had asbestos related symptoms began going after asbestos producing companies in the courtroom. The companies couldn't handle the wave of lawsuits: in 1982, the first asbestos company declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Many others followed suit. As more and more companies went bankrupt, however, the courts began setting aside money for future compensation for those affected by asbestos.
As mentioned Borel set a precedent for asbestos victims. Going further, he (or his lawyers) actually changed the course of personal injury lawsuits. Today, it is nearly impossible for a person to lose a case against an asbestos company, assuming that they have actually suffered damages. Asbestos lawyers have a high success rate, which has contributed to the increased number of asbestos related litigation firms. Going to trial can take years, and requires a large amount of time, money, and stress for both sides involved in the suit. Rather than spend the money and time in a courtroom, companies are opting to pay out settlements to those who take legal action against them.
Blake Littleton is a freelance writer primarily interested in tort based litigation. Should you need assistance with an asbestos exposure case, Blake recommends Shrader Law, a trusted law firm in the area of asbestos litigation.


text:
Unwired Planet v Huawei: UK Supreme Court Confirms that English Courts can Determine Global FRAND terms
The UK Supreme Court has handed down an important judgment1 which is likely to have global implications for how standard essential patents (SEPs) are licensed in the future.
A standard essential patent (SEP) is a patent which covers technology which is required (i.e. is essential) to be used in order to implement a technical standard (for example such as 2G, 3G and 4G in the telecommunications industry). Conforming to the technical standard allows devices from different manufacturers to operate together and to use the same infrastructure. Standard Setting Organisations (SSOs) bring participants together to evaluate technologies for inclusion in a new standard. Participants of SSOs enter into an irrevocable undertaking with the SSO to allow implementers of the new standard to obtain a licence to SEPs on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms.
Court proceedings held in 2015 and 2016 found that patents held by Unwired Planet and declared as SEPs were valid and had been infringed by Huawei. In 2016 and 2017, further court proceedings were held to determine the remedies for the infringements. As part of this, Birss J, in the High Court2, decided that an injunction to restrain infringement of the relevant UK patents was appropriate with a proviso that the injunction would cease to have effect if the defendant entered into the FRAND licence which Birss J had settled. Birss J found that, in the circumstances, the FRAND licence would necessarily be a global (worldwide) licence, not a licence only in respect of the UK patents. This judgment was seen to have potentially serious implications because under this doctrine SEP holders could pressurise implementers to take a worldwide licence to declared SEPs, with terms of the licence determined by the English court, with the threat of patent infringement litigation in just the UK.
This issue was appealed to the Court of Appeal3, which agreed with the first instance finding that a worldwide licence was appropriate (see our earlier report here). This finding was then appealed to the Supreme Court by Huawei.
The Supreme Court Judgment
Thus, the question to be considered by the Supreme Court was whether a court in the United Kingdom has jurisdiction and may properly exercise a power, without the agreement of both parties, to (a) grant an injunction to restrain the infringement of a UK patent where the patented invention is an essential component in an international standard of telecommunications equipment, which is marketed, sold and used worldwide, unless the implementer of the patented invention enters into a global licence of a multinational patent portfolio, and (b) determine royalty rates and other disputed terms of such a global licence.
Huawei argued that allowing the English courts to oblige them to take a global licence would compromise their rights in relation to patents in other territories, because they would not, having taken a licence to those patents, be able to challenge their validity or challenge whether they are essential patents.
The court considered the policy of the relevant SSO (ETSI, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute), and noted that the policy is "intended to have international effect". The court also considered the usual commercial practice in the industry when licensing patents, stating that this is "to agree global licences of a portfolio of patents, without knowing precisely how many of the licensed patents are valid or infringed". Thus, the Supreme Court decided that it was appropriate in this case for the English courts to impose a global licence in order to avoid an injunction for infringement of a UK patent, and for the English courts to determine the terms of the global licence. The Supreme Court considered this conclusion not to be in contradiction to jurisprudence in the US, Germany, Japan and China.
The Supreme Court also considered the meaning of "non-discriminatory" in FRAND. A significant finding agreeing with the first instance decision is that non-discriminatory does not necessarily require similar terms in all licenses. That is, one licensee may have more favourable terms than another licensee, but both may be FRAND, depending on the circumstances.
The Judgment also gives some guidance as to how a SEP holder should behave before bringing an action to avoid abuse of a dominant position under EU competition law. Ensuring a defendant has sufficient notice that if the declared SEPs are valid and essential a licence is required and showing oneself to be willing to grant a licence on whatever terms are found to be FRAND are necessary to avoid abuse of a dominant position.
Implications of the Judgment
This judgment does not imply that the English courts have jurisdiction to consider the validity or infringement of patents in other territories, nor that the English courts can decide on licensing terms if a UK patent is not involved in the dispute. Indeed, it requires that a declared SEP UK patent is found to be valid and infringed. Further, even when a declared SEP UK patent is found to be valid and infringed, it is not a blanket rule that a FRAND licence must be a worldwide one; rather it depends on the facts of the case.
However, this decision does confirm the possibility that, if a declared SEP UK patent is found to be valid and infringed, then the only way of avoiding liability for the infringement (other than ceasing to trade in the UK) is to take a FRAND licence, which could be a global licence, with the terms decided by the English courts.
This decision has significant ramifications for both holders of SEPs, and for manufacturers who make products which use standards (and thus use SEPs).
For holders of SEPs, this judgment might make the English courts an attractive forum for litigation relating to infringement of UK standard essential patents, because a judgment in the holder's favour could provide for a positive result of favourable licensing terms being imposed worldwide.
Conversely, for manufacturers, it confirms the possibility that if the manufacturer is found to infringe a UK standard essential patent, then the English courts could insist on deciding the terms of a worldwide licence. If the manufacturer refused to accept such a licence, they would risk a UK injunction against further infringement and a finding of damages in respect of the UK infringement.
[2020] UKSC 37
[2017] EWHC 711 (Pat)
Martin Jackson - mjackson@jakemp.com
John Leeming - jleeming@jakemp.com
Partner, European and UK Patent Attorney, Litigator
John Leeming
The Enlarged Board of the EPO Establishes a Definitive Approach to Patentability of Simulations
The Enlarged Board of Appeal of the EPO has, in case G 01/19 (Pedestrian simulation), issued a decision regarding the patentability of simulations under the EPC. This decision was eagerly awaited as the referral to the Enlarged Board raised fundamental questions about the patentability of simulations at the EPO. Given that simulations of technical systems had generally been considered patentable with some caveats to be applied on a case by case basis, this decision had the potential to have wide reaching consequences regarding a significant and growing area of innovation in Europe.
Review of EPO Software Decisions in 2020
It does not seem possible to write any review of 2020 without mentioning Covid-19. However in this case we shall limit it to noting that the cancellation of most in-person oral proceedings at the EPO lead to a comparatively low number of published decisions by the electronic and software-focused boards of appeal (247 vs 339 in 2019) and that Board 3.5.03 held the first appeal hearing by video conference in May 2020. Previously only Examining Division Oral Proceedings had been held by video conference and rarely; it will now be quite routine, saving costs for applicants. On substantive issues it was...
2019 has been another busy year for the EPO Boards of Appeal covering computer-implemented inventions, although the most significant case has not reached a conclusion. In T 0489/14 (Pedestrian simulation/CONNOR) of 22.2.2019 questions relating to the patentability of simulations and modelling were referred to the Enlarged Board of Appeal, which has not yet set a timetable for a hearing and decision. Although the questions asked are primarily related to the narrow field of simulation of physical systems, it is possible that the answers given could have a broader impact by affecting what is considered technical.
Updates to the EPO Guidelines for Examination Relating to CII
This is the fourth year in a row that sections of the EPO guidelines for examiners relating to computer implemented inventions (CII) have been significantly amended. These amendments have come about as a result of a project within the EPO to harmonise the treatment of inventions involving computers and software across all examining divisions. In the EPO, inventions not relating to computer science per se are handled in various examining divisions according to the function performed by the computer and its software. Thus, significant variation in practice had arisen between different examining divisions. This year's set of amendments is the...
Inventive Step for Software Inventions at the EPO
The EPO has long adopted an approach to consideration of inventive step known as the problem and solution approach. Although this approach is fundamentally the same across most technical areas, special considerations apply for software related inventions. Firstly, the EPO looks for an invention to be the technical solution to a technical problem and so disregards non-technical aims/features, which are common in software fields. Secondly, the EPO Boards of Appeal often have quite high expectations of the capabilities of the ordinary person skilled in the art and thus a high threshold for inventive step. We discuss these issues below with...
2017 was a year of change for the Boards of Appeal of the EPO: a new President 1 and a move out of the EPO's oldest building in the centre of Munich to a suburb, Haar. There has been some recruitment, but overall it appears there are still many vacancies on various Boards. Overall the relevant Boards issued 10% more decisions than in 2016 and Board 3.5.01 in particular has significantly increased its output in the latter part of the year as it now has a chairman.
Infringement by Overseas Servers Revisited
Since the UK Court of Appeal judgment in Menashe v William Hill, it has not been safe to assume that infringement of a patent claim including a processor or a processing step can be avoided by performing the processing on a server outside the UK. A third judgement on this topic has recently been issued – making the score two for infringement and one for non-infringement – so it is instructive to consider what factors affect a finding of infringement. We review the relevant points of the three cases and draw some practical conclusions.
Notwithstanding surprising electoral developments in the UK and the US, 2016 was a continuation of business as usual for the Boards of Appeal of the EPO at least in relation to computer-implemented inventions. The Boards continued to apply the "Comvik" approach to examining mixed inventions, that is inventions involving both technical and non-technical features, but still did not offer any definition of what is and is not technical. Backlogs appear to have risen, due no doubt to the freeze on recruitment of Board members and consequent vacancies. This article discusses some statistics from 2016 of the various Boards of Appeal...
In 2015 the Boards of Appeal of the EPO continued to develop the "Comvik" approach to examining mixed inventions, that is inventions involving both technical and non-technical features, but again declined to define what is and is not technical. This article discusses some statistics from 2015 of the various Boards of Appeal that consider software inventions and some interesting or notable decisions.
Claiming an Abstract Idea in a Technical Context at the EPO
Two recent decisions of an EPO Technical Board of Appeal emphasise the need for a proper technical context to be set out in claims to render an abstract idea patentable. The two appeals, by Ab Initio Technology LLC, related to inventions in the field of parallel processing, a field that seems on the face of it highly technical. However, the inventions were claimed as processes for converting computation graphs into a form better adapted for parallel processes but without specifying any steps of performing any processing, parallel or otherwise. At this level of generality the Board considered the inventions to...
2018 has been a year of increased productivity for at least those Boards of Appeal that cover software inventions (Boards 3.5.01 and 3.5.03 to 3.5.06). In particular Board 3.5.01 has returned to a similar level of productivity as the other Boards now that it has a Chairman. The main controversies continue to be the proper treatment of mixed inventions (those involving non-technical aims or features as well as technical ones) and how to determine what is and is not technical.
Clarification of the Concept of the "Notional Business Person"
In May 2017, we reported on two "CardinalCommerce" decisions 1 by EPO Technical Board of Appeal 3.5.01 that introduced the concept of a "notional business person" into in the examination of mixed inventions (inventions including both technical and non-technical features). A new decision by the same Board ( T0630/11/Waterleaf ) provides some clarification of this approach, warning against over limiting what the notional business person can do and perhaps limiting the utility of the CardinalCommerce to applicants seeking to patent mixed inventions.
Patent Box for the Software Industry
The software industry has been a major beneficiary of the R&D tax credit regime in the UK. Although more obviously suited to the manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries, the software industry can also benefit from UK Patent Box legislation. One aim of the Patent Box legislation is to provide an additional incentive to locate in the UK high-value jobs associated with the development and exploitation of patented technologies. To achieve this the Patent Box legislation allows companies to pay a lower rate of UK corporation tax for profit attributable to qualifying patented technology.
The Notional Business Person - A New Actor on the IP Stage?
In two Decisions published on 27 April 2017, EPO Technical Board of Appeal 3.5.01 has given valuable guidance on the treatment of inventions that implement business methods and given rare positive verdicts on two related applications. In the process, the Board has introduced the "notional business person" whose hypothetical actions need to be considered alongside the venerable "person skilled in the [technical] art".
Software - Virtual Disclosure at the EPO
In the 2016 decision T 2440/12-Fluid flow simulation/SIMCON, Technical Board of Appeal 3.5.07 has found that a commercially available software package makes the methods it embodies available to the public because it could be run line-byline in a virtual machine (VM).
Patenting Human Gesture Recognition
Two recent decisions of an EPO Technical Board of Appeal recognise that recognition of human gestures, e.g. as a method of computer input, is technical. The Board overturned refusal of two European patent applications relating to the recognition of specific sequences of human gestures using a computer touch pad. In these refusals, the Examining Division had asserted that human gestures are inherently non-technical as a matter of policy and cannot therefore contribute to inventive step.


Our Tribal & Geometric hand knotted Shawl rug collection, consists of classic rugs woven with geometric patterns based on traditional tribal motifs. Shawl rugs are hand-knotted pile rugs, using 100% natural dyes and hand-spun wool. These lovely rugs are to be a one-of-a-kind.


Do you have a friend, partner or family with a milestone birthday coming up? I'd love to give you some ideas on how to plan a party for someone special in your life.
Flamingo Costume – want to see how to make one? It's so easy!
Can you believe the fourth of July is right around the corner? Let's talk about some easy July 4th decor ideas!
How often do you entertain? This year, I'm making more of an effort to host gatherings to connect with people.
Neighbors. How do you feel about yours? I live in a community where the houses are so close to each other, we can hear each other's conversations when our windows aren't shut.


text:
Amor de hombre es una película española de temática LGBT de 1997 dirigida por Yolanda García Serrano y Juan Luis Iborra que trata la historia de la amistad de un hombre homosexual con una mujer. Supone la primera película dirigida por el tándem García Serrano-Iborra quienes ya tenían previa experiencia como guionistas.

Sinopsis
Esperanza (Loles León) y Ramón (Andrea Occhipinti) celebran su 40 cumpleaños rodeados de sus amigos, todos ellos homosexuales. Ella es una profesora de preescolar divertida y cariñosa y él un abogado matrimonialista gay aficionado a los ligues de una sola noche y que, a diferencia de Esperanza, no intenta encontrar al hombre de su vida ya que es escéptico respecto al amor debido a su profesión. Ambos son amigos del alma, siempre están juntos y lo comparten todo.

Todo cambia a raíz de un accidente de coche en el que Ramón resulta levemente lesionado. Esperanza le presenta a Roberto (Armando del Río), un profesor de educación física y masajista para que le trate las secuelas, y Ramón se enamora perdida y ciegamente de él. Cuando Esperanza empieza a darse cuenta de que Roberto no es buena persona y que no le conviene a Ramón, la amistad entre ambos se resiente ya que Ramón atribuye sus objeciones a los celos.

Finalmente Ramón descubre que Esperanza tenía razón, se reconcilian y celebran su siguiente cumpleaños juntos sabiendo que aunque no tengan suerte en el amor siempre se tendrán el uno al otro. Paralelamente a la trama principal se nos muestran las relaciones sentimentales de los demás amigos.

Reparto
Los personajes principales están interpretados por:
 Loles León - Esperanza
 Andrea Occhipinti - Ramón
 Armando del Río - Roberto, amado de Ramón
 Pedro Mari Sánchez - César, cliente de Ramón
 Roberto Álvarez - Álvaro, amigo
 Romà Sánchez - Víctor, amigo
 Jesús Cabrero - Quique, amigo
 Sergio Otegui - Carlos, amigo

Premios

Festival de cine gay y lésbico de Austin (1998)
 Premio al mejor guion

Festival de cine gay y lésbico de Miami (1999)
Premio del público
Premio del jurado

OutFest (2000)
Fredom Award

Véase también
 homosexualidad en el cine

Referencias

Enlaces externos
 Ficha y crítica en IMDb (en inglés)
 Ficha y crítica en FilmAffinity España
 Ficha y crítica en Rotten Tomatoes (en inglés)
 Ficha en la base de datos del Ministerio de Cultura de España

Películas con temática LGBT de España
Películas con temática LGBT de 1997
Películas ambientadas en Madrid
Películas rodadas en Madrid

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


BEIJING, Dec. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- China Digital TV Holding Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STV) ("China Digital TV" or the "Company"), the leading provider of conditional access ("CA") systems and comprehensive services to China's expanding digital television market, today announced that Cyber Cloud, a subsidiary of China Digital TV, has reached a capital increase agreement (the "Agreement") with Beijing Gehua CATV Network Co., Ltd. ("Gehua"), one of the leading cable TV operators in China. Pursuant to the Agreement, Gehua will invest RMB13.89 million in cash to take a 10% stake in Cyber Cloud.
The Agreement is supplementary to the strategic partnership agreement between China Digital TV and Gehua announced on April 16, 2014, in which the companies agreed to establish a strategic partnership on cloud computing technology and related businesses, and to enter into an equity investment agreement.
"We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Gehua after the launch of our strategic partnership earlier this year," said Dr. Lu Zengxiang, China Digital TV's acting chief executive officer and acting chief financial officer. "Cyber Cloud has deployed cloud service platforms in over 20 provinces, covering 80 million cable TV users and 8 million IPTV users all over the country. We believe this partnership will be hugely beneficial both in promoting Cyber Cloud's cloud gaming platform among cable TV users covered by Gehua, and in demonstrating its value to other cable TV operators seeking to diversify into streaming platforms and cloud gaming. Cyber Cloud is in negotiations with a number of other IPTV and cable TV operators to explore more cooperation opportunities, which we hope will generate further upside to Cyber Cloud's business in the near future."
These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "may," "should" and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, comments by management in this announcement about trends in the CA systems, digital television, cable television and related industries in the PRC and China Digital TV's strategic and operational plans and future market positions. China Digital TV may also make forward-looking statements in its periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about China Digital TV's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from projections contained or implied in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: competition in the CA systems, digital television, cable television and related industries in the PRC and the impact of such competition on prices, our ability to implement our business strategies, changes in technology, the progress of the television digitalization in the PRC, the structure of the cable television industry or television viewer preferences, changes in PRC laws, regulations or policies with respect to the CA systems, digital television, cable television and related industries, including the extent of non-PRC companies' participation in such industries, and changes in political, economic, legal and social conditions in the PRC, including the government's policies with respect to economic growth, foreign exchange and foreign investment.
About Beijing Gehua CATV Network Co., Ltd.
Approved by Beijing Municipal Peoples Government, Beijing Gehua CATV Network Co., Ltd. (BGCTV) was founded in September 1999. BGCTV is principally engaged in the development, construction, operation, management and maintenance of cable radio and television networks in Beijing. The Company primarily provides the reception, relay and transmit of radio and television programs, the video on demand, network information services, Internet access service based on cable television network, value added service for Internet data transmission, domestic VoIP service, and advertising design, production and publication via cable television, etc. In 2001, BGCTV was listed at the Shanghai Stock exchange (Stock code: 600037), which is China's first listed cable network company. In addition, the Company is one of the earliest pilot radio and television enterprises to test three-network convergence and hi-tech enterprise in Beijing as well. As of the end of June 2014, BGCTV had over 5.5 million cable television users, among which, 3.9 million users subscribe digitalized HD two-way service.


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Jaguars finalize 2021 personnel staff
Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke finalized the team's personnel department's staff Thursday, highlighted by the hiring of Regis Eller as director of pro scouting and Tom McConnaughey as national scout.
Eller previously served as the Los Angeles Chargers assistant director of pro scouting for six years. McConnaughey, a former NFL wide receiver, comes from the Chargers where he spent 23 years as their National Scout.
The Jaguars also hired Dave McCloughan to serve as a college scout.
The restructuring of the team's player personnel department comes after the Jaguars fired longtime assistant director of player of personnel, assistant director of player personnel assistant Andy Dengler, director of pro personnel Chris Driggers, director of college scouting Mark Ellenz and assistant director of college scouting Paul Roell last month.
The group had a combined 66 years of experience with the Jaguars, and Driggers was one of six remaining staff members who joined the franchise in 1994.
Here is Baalke's complete staff Senior Personnel ExecutiveTom Gamble; Director of College ScoutingMichael Davis; Director of Pro ScoutingRegis Eller; Director of Pro Personnel DeJuan Polk; Player Personnel CoordinatorDrew Hughes; National ScoutTom McConnaughey; National Scout John Stevenson; college scouts -Casey Belongia,Jason DesJarlais; Jarrod Highberger; Dave McCloughan; Marty Miller; Antonio Robinson; Brian Squeglia; Pro scout Joseph S. Anile IV; college scouting assistants Denard Robinson and Ricky Thomas.
Cisco signs rookie contract
Rookie safety Andre Cisco, a third-round pick in the April NFL Draft, signed his four-year rookie contract on Thursday, the franchise announced. Cisco's contract is valued at $5.2 million and he is set to earn $660,000 this season.
In 24 career games with Syracuse, Cisco made 136 tackles and had 29 pass breakups. Cisco's 13 interceptions were the most in the country from 2018 to 2020.


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An adult male ribbon seal lays on the ice. CREDIT: NOAA Fisheries, Polar Ecosystems Program
1 Environment
Melting Arctic Sea Ice Linked To Emergence Of Deadly Virus In Marine Mammals
November 9, 2019 November 9, 2019 Eurasia Review 0 Comments
By Eurasia Review
Scientists have linked the decline in Arctic sea ice to the emergence of a deadly virus that could threaten marine mammals in the North Pacific, according to a study from the University of California, Davis.
Phocine distemper virus (PDV), a pathogen responsible for killing thousands of European harbor seals in the North Atlantic in 2002, was identified in northern sea otters in Alaska in 2004, raising questions about when and how the virus reached them.
The 15-year study, published today in the journal Scientific Reports, highlights how the radical reshaping of historic sea ice may have opened pathways for contact between Arctic and sub-Arctic seals that was previously impossible. This allowed for the virus' introduction into the Northern Pacific Ocean.
"The loss of sea ice is leading marine wildlife to seek and forage in new habitats and removing that physical barrier, allowing for new pathways for them to move," said corresponding author Tracey Goldstein, associate director of the One Health Institute at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. "As animals move and come in contact with other species, they carry opportunities to introduce and transmit new infectious disease, with potentially devastating impacts."
AS ICE MELTS, A VIRUS ON THE MOVE
Researchers sampled marine mammals for phocine distemper virus exposure and infection from 2001-2016. Sampled mammals included ice-associated seals, northern fur seals, Steller sea lions and northern sea otters from Southeast Alaska to Russia along the Aleutian Islands and the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort seas.
Arctic ocean sea ice and open water routes were assessed from the North Atlantic to North Pacific oceans. Satellite telemetry data helped the researchers link animal movement and risk factor data to demonstrate that exposed animals have the potential to carry phocine distemper virus long distances.
The authors identified widespread infection and exposure to the virus across the North Pacific Ocean beginning in 2003, with a second peak of exposure and infection in 2009. These peaks coincided with reductions in Arctic sea ice extent.
"As sea ice continues its melting trend, the opportunities for this virus and other pathogens to cross between North Atlantic and North Pacific marine mammals may become more common," said first author Elizabeth VanWormer, a postdoctoral researcher at UC Davis during the study and currently an assistant professor at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. "This study highlights the need to understand PDV transmission and the potential for outbreaks in sensitive species within this rapidly changing environment."
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Your dream job just popped up on your LinkedIn feed with a 100% match to your skills. The description fits your experience to a T. That must make you a shoo-in, right?
Even when you're a perfect match on paper, just blandly listing your abilities isn't enough to electrify a potential employer. Every company has a hire who ticked all the boxes but still didn't survive the probation period. They need convincing that you're a good fit for their organisation.
If you can show a company that you understand their needs and wants, and prove that you are the best person for the job, you're on your way to landing that ideal position.
Everyone knows to read up on the company in advance. But it's not just about researching their history and location. You need a handle on their company culture too.
Their website should mention the values and the culture of the company. Have a look at their social media accounts. Are they serious? Fun loving? Creative? Make sure to mirror this tone in your interactions. By the time you get in touch, you need to be note-perfect on their values and goals.
You can't just list your skills and experience and expect a potential employer to be dazzled. Go the extra step and prove these abilities by backing them up with concrete examples from your career.
Anyone can say they are detail oriented. Stand out with an example of a project where your pin-point accuracy and sharp focus rescued a crucial deal.
Now that you've done your research, it's time to write a targeted cover letter to win that job. You already know hiring managers are allergic to generic cover letters, but how can you make your application unique?
Rout out typos and nip formatting errors in the bud — even electronic applications must be error-free. Have a friend proofread your application, preferably a native speaker.
Many companies rely on an initial screening call before the face-to-face interview round. Don't be duped by the informal nature of these chats — be professional right off the bat to keep that good impression alive. Have answers on hand for awkward questions like salary expectations, current employment situation and notice period.
Try to uncover the name of the interviewer ahead of time and study their profile on LinkedIn. You may have gone to the same university, or share membership in a local professional organisation.
If it's a video call, do a dry run to check if the lighting is correct and the background is neutral. And make sure to dress professionally.
Congratulations, you survived the first round and you're booked in for a face-to-face interview! Don't heap more stress onto an already anxious situation by not doing your homework.
Even if you know the company's address, the building you need might be a rushed trek across a vast campus, or road works bring traffic to a standstill at that time of day.
You don't want to turn up a sweaty mess. Research the location beforehand and do a proper dry run at the same time of day as your interview. Google Maps is your friend — not just to research the location but also for transport options and estimated durations. And do your nerves a favour by booking an annual leave day from your current position.
During the recruitment process, everyone you come into contact with is accessing you. That includes the receptionist that you snapped at from nerves, to the people who spied you as a sweaty mess because you got lost on your way to the interview.
You can't unring a bell and you can't redo a first impression. So be unfailingly polite to everyone you meet, make sure you're dressed in a professional manner, and always maintain a calm exterior. Even if 100 butterflies are doing a jig in your stomach.
Interviews aren't just about discussing your skills — the company wouldn't have called you in if they didn't already know your experience and abilities. Instead, hiring managers need to know you're a good fit with their office culture.
So be enthusiastic and show a positive approach. Make eye contact, smile and try to be natural.
Anyone can answer a question robotically by just giving generic answers. Instead, give them concrete examples of your work experience to personalise your responses. Show them what you can bring to the job, how you can help them grow their business and meet their goals.
Don't forget to bring up the company's culture and values. Are they a multicultural business? Give them examples of working with international clients and coworkers. Show them that they will make a good investment if they hire you.
It's not enough to rely on your skills and experience to land you that perfect job. Companies are desperate to know that you can fit into their culture quickly and can hit the ground running from day one. You need to help them realise you're the employee they need by targeting your application to their values and goals.
Ready to electrify a potential employer and land your dream job? Contact Saro Recruitment today for a personalised service with real results.


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Power Poll: Yankees, Rangers, Padres on the rise
We're changing things up a bit for this week's power poll. This is "Buck says" week, featuring a poll infused with insights and opinions from TBS analyst Buck Martinez, a former big-league catcher and manager.
For example, Buck says: "Stephen Strasburg is the most interesting guy because everybody is clamoring for his appearance (at the All-Star Game). But, it's difficult for me to suggest Stephen Strasburg is an All-Star selection given the fact it might keep someone else from being on there who's played all year and is deserving."
Buck Martinez says he's surprised by the Mets and Padres, but not the Mariners.
We'll find out if Strasburg is an All-Star on Sunday, when the starters and reserves are announced on TBS' All-Star selection show, which starts at noon ET.
Anyway, on to the poll.
1. Yankees (last week: 2). Buck says: "Robbie Cano's certainly an All-Star, and he's going to win a batting title one of these days." Cano might not have to wait long to claim that first batting title. He entered the week at .359, which was 13 points ahead of Minnesota's Justin Morneau and Texas' Josh Hamilton, and has been a stronger second-half player through his career. He's hit .299 before the All-Star break and .329 after it, so don't expect much of a letdown from that lofty .359 mark.
2. Rangers (5). Buck says: "Ron Washington is a terrific baseball guy, and he's got those guys in Texas understanding there's more to baseball than just hitting the ball. They've done a great job tightening up their defense, and Vladdy Guerrero looks like he met Ponce de Leon at the fountain of youth because he looks terrific. I saw him the first series of the season against the Blue Jays and, boy, the bat speed was there, his legs look great and to his credit, with that extra work, he looks like the Vladdy of five or six years ago. And this Josh Hamilton kid has had some month of June, hasn't he? He's been incredible."
3. Padres (6). Buck says: "Nobody even talked about the Padres, but here they are pitching so well, and Buddy Black's done a great job of encouraging his guys and pushing them to take it one game at a time. They've got impact players. (Chase) Headley's become a leader, and the (Nick) Hundley kid has become a leader behind the plate. And they've got one of the least-known impact hitters in baseball in Adrian Gonzalez. I think Buddy's done a great job with his pitching staff, and if you get into the back end of the game with (Luke) Gregerson, (Mike) Adams and Heath Bell, the game is over."
4. Red Sox (1). The Sox dropped, in part, this week because of a couple of losses on a West Coast road trip through Colorado and San Francisco. But the larger reason was the loss of star second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who is thought to be out at least six weeks with a broken bone in his foot. And then Victor Martinez broke a bone in his left thumb and Clay Buchholz hyperextended his knee. All in all, a horrible week for the Sox.
5. Braves (3). The Braves have been in first place every day since May 31, their longest such streak since they closed out the 2005 season in first place every day after July 22.
6. Rays (4). In the two seasons since hitting .288 with a .985 OPS in the 2008 playoffs, B.J. Upton has hit just .234 with an awful .694 OPS. With two more arbitration years before he becomes a free agent—and unavoidable raises from his $3 million salary in 2010—you wonder if the cost-conscious Rays would move Upton for the right price. A price that would certainly be significantly lower than it was a few short years ago.
7. Mets (8). Buck says: "The biggest surprises to me have been the Mets and the Padres. Look at the Mets. They're right there staying with Atlanta and ahead of Philadelphia." David Wright has regained his "superstar" status with his bounce-back season. Yes, he's striking out a lot—88 times in 74 games—but he's also hitting .300 with a .928 OPS and leads the NL with 61 RBIs.
8. Phillies (17). Buck says: "They're not in first place, but, boy, are they swinging hot bats right now. Up and down the order, they're doing a great job and now they've got Jimmy Rollins back—he had a four-walk day on Friday and a three-hit day on Saturday. You look at them and they're going to get (Ryan) Madson back, (Chad) Durbin doesn't look to be out for a long time. J.A. Happ's going to come back. These guys, they're the team that can win a division that's not in first place right now."
9. Reds (15). Scott Rolen and Joey Votto enter the week with identical home run and RBI totals (16 and 50). Votto has a higher average (.305 to .300) and on-base percentage (.411 to .367), while Rolen has a better slugging percentage (.571 to .552) and more extra-base hits (34 to 30).
Move over, Albert? Colby Rasmus is flexing his muscles in St. Louis.
10. Cardinals (11). Who would have thought, at this point of the season, second-year outfielder Colby Rasmus would have the same number of homers (16) and extra-base hits (32) as superstar Albert Pujols and more runs scored (46 to 40) and a better slugging percentage (578 to .542)?
11. White Sox (18). Buck says: "It was a surprise that they had not pitched better early on. How many people were so critical of Ozzie (Guillen) for calling his team out, saying 'You've got to be better than this, we're better than this.' Well, they were. In this age where you've got to be politically correct, Ozzie rubs a lot of people the wrong way, but the reality is, he's telling the truth and his players have responded. They're a good team. They're a very good team."
12. Angels (12). Buck says: "I think they will (contend) because they have the front-line pitching. Those are the types of guys who can keep you in the race. My concern is, where's the offense going to come from? Losing (Erick) Aybar was a big blow. Can (Hideki) Matsui hold up for the long haul? Can Bobby Abreu and Torii Hunter maintain the standards they've held for so long?"
13. Twins (7). No contender had a worse week than the Twins, who were swept in Milwaukee and lost two of three in New York against the Mets. Their only win? A gem by Carl Pavano, who has thrown back-to-back complete games and has lowered his season ERA to 3.33.
14. Tigers (10). The Tigers are 10 games over .500 in day games, and their 22 day wins are the most in baseball. Leadoff hitter Austin Jackson is hitting. 353 in day games, .270 in night contests. Of course, Brennan Boesch is hitting .365 at night, and just .301 during the day.
15. Giants (9). For the first time all season, the Giants have given up at least four runs in five consecutive games. Not surprisingly, they're 1-4 in those contests.
16. Dodgers (13). Buck says: "The Dodgers certainly have the best offense in that division, the Rockies have the best balance, but the Padres have enough, I think, to hang on." The Dodgers lead the division with 4.68 runs per game despite ranking fifth in the division with 55 home runs. They lead the division in batting average (.267) and on-base percentage (.337).
17. Blue Jays (14). Buck (who doubles as the Jays' TV play-by-play voice) says: "It is amazing that they've been able to do that when both (DH Adam) Lind and (second baseman Aaron) Hill haven't done anything. I mean, you're talking about the two Silver Sluggers from a year ago—both guys drove in 100 and both guys had 30 home runs and they're not doing anything. They're both hitting around .200 and it's been a season-long slump. Cito Gaston's done a great job of convincing these guys to go up and look for a fastball, then pick your fastball and hit it. Mind you, when they run into a tough pitcher who's not going to let you hit balls out of the ballpark, they have their troubles. But I don't think anybody expected them to be where they are as we close in on the first half."
18. Rockies (16). Buck says: "If Colorado continues to get healthy, they have (Huston) Street back and when they get (Jorge) de la Rosa back, that's going to make for probably the best division race in baseball." How's this for a balanced offensive attack? The Rockies have five different players with either nine or 10 home runs, and they have six different players with between 30 and 34 RBIs entering the week.
A big part of Oakland's future, Trevor Cahill is pitching like an ace.
19. A's (20). Trevor Cahill, the A's 22-year-old right-handed starter, is making a good case to be the team's representative at the All-Star Game. Throw out his first start of the season and Cahill is 7-1 with a 2.31 ERA in 11 starts.
20. Brewers (24). Hey, Trevor Hoffman has thrown seven consecutive scoreless innings, and he's faced the minimum three batters in five of those seven outings. And, the Brewers have won six of seven heading into a three-game series at home vs. the Astros.
21. Marlins (19). In his second season as the Marlins' closer, Leo Nunez has lowered his ERA (4.06 to 2.27), WHIP (1.252 to 0.979) and batting average against (.230 to .202) while raising his strikeout-to walk ratio (2.22 to 3.88) and WAR (0.4 to 1.3).
22. Cubs (21). At this point, you have to wonder how much longer Lou Piniella will manage the Cubs. The losing in Tampa Bay wore on him, and that was with a team nobody expected much from. That's not the case with the Cubs, who had high expectations but are nine games under .500.
23. Royals (23). Hey, the Royals took two of three from the in-state rival Cardinals and are 20-21 since Ned Yost took over from Trey Hillman (they were 12-23 under Hillman).
24. Nationals (22). Roger Bernadina has been the Nationals' best hitter this month, posting a .333 average to go with three homers and 11 RBIs.
25. Diamondbacks (25). As a team, the Diamondbacks are third in the NL in slugging percentage (.426) despite the fact that their individual leader, Kelly Johnson, is only 19th in the league with a .491 slugging percentage.
26. Mariners (26). Buck says: "I did not expect Seattle to play well. Everybody was on their bandwagon, everybody expected them to be the team to beat, but I did not see the offense. I didn't see them having enough offense to compete. Lately, they've been winning games because they've been shutting out everybody with their great pitching."
27. Astros (27). The Astros are two games over .500 against the NL Central and 20 games under .500 against everybody else.
28. Indians (29). We're going to keep giving Carlos Santana updates until the dynamic rookie stops treating major-league pitchers like low-level scrubs. Through 15 games, he's at .333 with a 1.179 OPS, four home runs, 11 total extra-base hits and 14 RBIs.
29. Pirates (28). The Pirates are 7-2 against the Cubs, 18-48 against everybody else. Wow.
30. Orioles (30). The Orioles are 5-4 against the Red Sox, 18-48 against everybody else. Wow, again.
Ryan Fagan is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at rfagan@sportingnews.com, and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ryan_fagan.
Author rfagan.tsnPosted on June 28, 2010 Categories MLB
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