At its special media event last week, Apple led up to the introduction of the iPad mini and the fourth-generation iPad with not one, not two, but three new Mac models. The iMac received a new industrial design, a new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display entered the product line, and the Mac mini received a CPU upgrade.
Interestingly, Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller claimed that the iMac is the best-selling desktop computer in the United States. Even more impressive, he said that the 13-inch MacBook Pro was both the best-selling notebook in the country and the top-selling Mac overall. That fascinates me, since although I've always liked the 13-inch form factor (and the 12-inch PowerBook before that), Apple has always seemed to put more emphasis on the 15-inch models.
New iMac Gets Thinner — With the iMac, Schiller made a big fuss about how amazingly thin it is, tapering to only 5 mm at the edges and dropping in weight as well. Not surprisingly, that thin edge leaves no room for an optical drive (a USB-based SuperDrive is available separately), and although there is an SD card slot, it is now located on the back of the iMac, next to the other ports, where it will be rather difficult to access.
The iMac continues to be available in 21.5-inch and 27-inch models, and the screen resolutions have not changed from the previous generation's 1920-by-1080 and 2560-by-1440 pixel counts. But they should look better, since Apple has now laminated the screen to the front glass, eliminating a thin air gap, and has used a plasma deposition process to put an anti-reflective coating on the display that reportedly reduces reflection by 75 percent. Those who have bemoaned Apple's focus on glossy displays will undoubtedly appreciate this change. Topping it off, Schiller said that each display is individually calibrated coming off the manufacturing line.
Performance should be good (though not necessarily that much better than the previous models), with a range of quad-core Intel Core i5 and i7 processors (speeds depending on the model and build-to-order choice), 8 GB of RAM by default, and support for up to either 16 GB (21.5-inch model, only at order) or 32 GB (27-inch model, via four user-accessible DIMM slots) of RAM. Storage also varies by model, with the smaller iMac coming with either a relatively slow 5400-rpm 1 TB hard drive or a 1 TB Fusion Drive (more on that in a moment), whereas the larger iMac offers a 7200-rpm 1 TB hard drive, a 3 TB hard drive, 768 GB of flash storage, or a 1 TB or 3 TB Fusion Drive.
The Fusion Drive sounds quite neat — it combines 128 GB of flash storage with a 1 TB or 3 TB hard drive. OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion and Apple's default apps live on the flash portion of the Fusion Drive by default, and Apple claims that Mountain Lion intelligently moves frequently used applications and documents to the flash portion of the drive. Hybrid drives of this sort aren't new, but the Fusion Drive boasts much more flash storage (128 GB versus 16 or 32 GB) and custom support at the operating system level. Apple claimed that while flash storage is normally nearly four times faster than a hard drive, the Fusion Drive is only slightly slower than flash-only storage. How much more a Fusion Drive will cost isn't yet known, but presumably it will be between a normal hard drive and flash storage.
Other features include dual microphones and better stereo speakers, a FaceTime HD camera, headphone jack, SD card slot, four USB 3.0 ports, two Thunderbolt ports, and a Gigabit Ethernet jack. Wireless connectivity remains stable with 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. Graphics are provided by a range of Nvidia GeForce GT graphics processors, starting with the 640M or 650M with 512 MB of GDDR5 memory in the smaller iMac, and going to the 660M with 512 MB of memory or the 675MX with 1 GB of memory in the larger model, with the 680MX with 2 GB of memory as an option.
The price range remains essentially the same, with the entry-level 21.5-inch iMac starting at $1299, and the high-end 27-inch iMac at $1999. It's unclear how the build-to-order options will affect the final prices, because these iMacs aren't yet available and thus can't be configured in the online Apple Store. The 21.5-inch model will ship in November 2012, Apple says, to be followed by the 27-inch model in December.
As is often the case when Apple replaces a Mac model, it's hard to say much bad about the new iMacs, apart from the loss of the SuperDrive, awkward positioning of the SD card slot, and the lack of user-accessible RAM in the 21.5-inch model. Otherwise, they look great, should have excellent performance, and cost basically the same as before. I can't get as excited as Phil Schiller did about how thin and light the new models are, given that they'll just sit quietly on your desk — we're not talking about a MacBook Air here.
The drop in weight is likely due mostly to eliminating the SuperDrive; also missing from the new 13-inch MacBook Pro are Gigabit Ethernet and FireWire, both of which can be added back with optional Thunderbolt adapters. Speaking of which, it has two Thunderbolt ports, two USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port, an SDXC card slot, and a MagSafe 2 power jack. 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 are standard. It has a beefier battery (74-watt-hour, up from 63.5-watt-hour) to power all those pixels, but Apple still claims the same "up to 7 hours wireless Web" battery life.
On the performance side, you have the choice of a 2.5 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 or a 2.9 GHz dual-core Intel Core i7, both with 8 GB of RAM. Although the online Apple Store implies there are two models, the only difference is the base amount of flash storage: 128 GB or 256 GB. You can also choose 512 GB or 768 GB of flash storage (for a lot more money), but the Fusion Drive from the new iMac is not an option. Graphics are courtesy of an Intel HD Graphics 4000, the same integrated graphics chip used by all other MacBooks (though the 15-inch models add discrete Nvidia GeForce GT 650M processors).
The real question is how this new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display stacks up against both the old 13-inch MacBook Pro, which remains available, and the 13-inch MacBook Air, which is thinner and lighter, but slower and somewhat less customizable. The new model starts at a $500 price premium over the others. I would encourage those who are interested in one to look at the screen side-by-side with one of the less-expensive 13-inch MacBooks, since that's the most significant difference, and you'll want to make sure it's worthwhile.
The new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display starts at $1699 and is available immediately.
Mac mini Gains i7 CPU Option — Last, and definitely least, Apple upgraded the Mac mini with new CPUs, swapping the base 2.3 and 2.5 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 CPUs (with an option for a 2.7 GHz dual-core Intel Core i7) for a 2.5 GHz dual-core i5 and a 2.3 GHz quad-core i7 at the base level, and offering a 2.6 GHz quad-core i7 as an option. Apple claims these new CPUs are up to twice as fast, and their integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 processors are also up to 65 percent faster than the previous Intel HD Graphics 3000 processors.
The main other changes I can find is that the Mac mini switches from USB 2.0 to USB 3.0 and comes standard with 4 GB of RAM that can be upgraded to 16 GB, up from a previous max of 8 GB. The $599 model comes with a 500 GB hard drive and its only option is for more RAM. In contrast, the $799 model comes with a 1 TB hard drive and offers options of more RAM, the 2.6 GHz quad-core i7 processor, a 1 TB Fusion Drive, and 256 GB solid-state drive. The new configurations are available immediately.
As with the previous generation, the Mac mini lacks a SuperDrive, leaving only the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro and the Mac Pro with internal SuperDrives.
A Burgeoning Product Line — We've come a long way since Steve Jobs hacked and slashed at Apple's Mac line until there was a simple 2-by-2 matrix of consumer (iBook and iMac) and professional (PowerBook and Power Mac) models. Apple now sells ten different Mac models, and keeping them straight is becoming increasingly difficult. While writing this article, I found myself looking at the wrong specs several times, and even Apple now feels the need to provide comparison pages.
There are two ways to look at this trend toward a larger product line. The glass-half-full camp would say that it is evidence of Apple's increasing share of the market and overall position. As Apple attracts more users, it becomes more important to offer slightly different models to fit the needs of people who would otherwise turn away from a single model in any given category. That's especially true in the laptop world, where most sales are these days, and where Apple now sells six different models.
The glass-half-empty people would warn that the exact reason that Steve Jobs pared down the product line remains true: customer confusion. Apple has always prided itself on simplicity, but when three of ten models are 13-inch laptops, customers are being asked to make increasingly finely grained decisions. Plus, even for a company as large and powerful as Apple has become, maintaining focus on all these different products is difficult — witness the delayed ship dates for the new iMac models.
Realistically, I don't see the increasingly large product line causing significant problems for Apple in the near future. I mention it more as something to keep an eye on, because if the Mac product line were to jump to 50 models, that might be an indication that the company was losing its way. For now, we can just enjoy the fruits of Apple's continually excellent hardware design.
It seems to me that the iMac is becoming close to being a small appliance like a toaster. When it breaks, just toss it and buy another. Serviceability is more and more not a concern.
I do think that miniaturization is completely at odds with serviceability and we're just going to see more of that.
My main concern is how to remove the HD & SSD for privacy protection when disposing of a dead iMac (Late 2012).
I don't see that as a major issue unless you're dealing with government-level secrets. The simple fact of the matter is that if you're that concerned about security, you're using FileVault 2 to encrypt the entire disk to start, and when you dispose of the Mac, you're going to use Disk Utility to do a multi-pass erase that writes zeroes to every block. That combination will meet the requirements of nearly any organization, and if it doesn't, they'll just destroy the entire computer.
Apparently, configuring the new Mac Mini Server with a 256GB SSD removes BOTH of the 1TB hard drives. Nor can it be configured with the new Fusion drive. There seems to be no way to configure it with both an SSD and an HD, this is a severe restriction compared to the previous model.
Also, comparing the Mini Server configurations with the $799 Mini configurations makes it seem that Apple is charging $100 for the OS X Server software, which is sold for $20 in the Mac App Store.
I also use an outboard SSD 64 GB for a backup of system plus some data files.
See no reason to upgrade to new mini.
I'm an engineer, so I know something about technical design. The thinner a computer is, the more tightly packed the components, the hotter it will run, the more likely something will fail. This is just basic "laws of physics" stuff. In addition, the fact that they had to struggle with getting the "screen bonding" process to work is another indication that they're on the hairy edge of this thing failing (e.g. screen delaminating over time, air bubbles appearing, etc). Of course it looks cool, but let's face it, the older iMac looked extremely cool also (dare I say, "cool enough"?). By pushing the packaging envelope in this way, Apple has sacrificed reliability and robustness, just to go from "ridiculously thin" to "insanely thin". And who ultimately pays the price? We do -- either by having to pay for Apple Care to protect our failure-prone new toy, or (if we roll the dice) by very possibly having to replace it years before we should have had to. I would personally MUCH rather have an iMac that is less thin, has an optical drive, and will let me sleep at night not worrying that I'm "on the edge of failure" with my new toy. Plus, I look at my computer from the FRONT (doesn't everyone?) -- when will I ever even see how insanely thin it is, and when will I care??
I don't know if you've seen screen shots, from all angles, of the iMac but it's not as thin as people think. Yes, the edge of the screen is only 5mm but go have a look at the side view. It bulges like a tear drop design. It's like an illusion really.
I would like to see more Macs with anti-glare display. I couldn't understand Apple's move to glossy displays. In a stationary Mac I still expect a DVD-drive, but of better quality (mine has broken).
I suspect the problem with too many lines of laptops is temporary. Once SSD prices drop a bit more and the next generation of processors become available, I would expect Apple to drop the legacy MacBooks Pro 13 and 15. Similarly for the iPad 2. That will leave them with 4 laptops, a Mac mini line, the iMac line, 2 iPads. And maybe a Mac Pro. Not so bad.
The 21.5" model iMac is a crippled design. RAM is not upgradable by the user. You have to do a build to order at the time of purchase if you want more memory. The hard drive is a crippled 5,400 rpm laptop drive. It is ridiculous what Apple is doing. I don't care how thin my desktop computer is, I don't carry it around. When I look at my 2011 27", I don't see the sides, nor do I care how thin or thick it is. The new 27" model is not crippled as much as the 21.5. The 27 still has user accessible RAM slots and a desktop-class 7,200 RPM hard drive.
Sounds like my original post at the beginning is true.
I agree with the persons that are concerned about heat and the lack of user accessible RAM. However I am not that concerned about a lack of a optical drive. Since it is a desktop machine you can add your own external as you wish, such as a Blu-Ray drive that reads and writes everything else for around $100. My only issue with this is that Apple probably has not passed to the lowered cost of not having the drive to the consumer - just increased their profit. Is Apple becoming the new Microsoft? Can Tim Cook really fill Steve Job's shoes? These are questions that will be answered in a few years. My suggestion: If Tim Cook implodes, Apple should make Melissa Mayer an offer she can't refuse. One way or another, she is destined to be the next Steve Jobs.
The point of an iMac is that it is one-piece. Adding a satellite optical drive returns clutter to the desktop. Moving all the external connections to the back of the machine is a dumb move too. I have the original model 27" iMac, and that necessitates a separate USB hub to plug and unplug the transitory devices (camera, iPod). Moving the SD card slot to the back is just stupid - that HAS to be a come-and-go device.
Not a significant iMac update IMO. There seem to be negatives without significant positives. Having a slightly thinner desktop seems to offer no user advantage( as alluded to by the article ). The removal of a potentially useful optical drive saves Apple space and money but only reduces user options. I find it interesting that all Apple online store iMac sales are on hold waiting for the new models to arrive.
I wanted to get your opinion on an upcoming purchase. I see three options for a low-end desktop solution. I normally use my mac for internet, Word, Excel. I don't need gaming capabilities.
1. A new iMac, probably the $1299 configuration plus a $70 Apple USB Superdrive.
2. A refurb iMac (Sandy Bridge processor with quad i7 core) and I would add RAM to make it 8 GB, price is about $1290 plus about $50 for the RAM.
3. A Mac Mini with the quad-core i7 ($899) plus a Viewsonic monitor (about $170) and an Apple USB Superdrive ($70). I already have a mouse and keyboard and even 2x4 GB RAM to upgrade it.
The advantage of a new iMac seems limited. It seems it is between a Mac Mini and a refurb iMac. The speed of the Mac Mini seems to win. But the iMac has everything together and I get the benefit of having it be all Apple.
Any advice on which you would choose? Any other factors I am missing?
p.s. Thoughts on the advantages of adding a $250 Fusion Dr.?
* Buy the Mac mini if cost is paramount - it will be a bit cheaper.
* If you really think you'll use the optical drive a lot, get the refurbished iMac, since it will be nice not having an extra box on your desk for the SuperDrive.
* If you want the Mac that will have the longest lifespan, get the new iMac. It will also likely have the best display of the three.
I would encourage getting the Fusion Drive (or a flash option for the refurb, if available) since my experience with SSDs is that they are a huge and noticeable win. But it will cost more.
When is Apple going to wake up and remember that it has a Mac Pro line? I am increasingly concerned about the directions the company is taking, and I completely agree with the comments here about thinness. Who cares if the new Mac is thinner than the old iMac? But folks will surely care if it's less reliable.
Macworld is reporting that the iMac can now be ordered with straight flash storage, rather than just a normal hard disk or a combination Fusion drive.


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Search Results for: Fracking
Success: Fracking Banned in Delaware River Watershed
A recent win led to a complete and permanent ban on fracking in the Delaware River Watershed, which provides drinking water to millions of people. Thank the organization who drove a large portion of these efforts.
Protect New Mexico from Devastating Consequences of Fracking
A ban on fracking could protect thousands of acres and millions of citizens from devastating consequences. Sign the petition to show your support.
Success: City Reservoir & Drinking Water Protected from Fracking
After public outcry and a petition on ForceChange, plans to frack near the LaDue Reservoir have been scrapped. Applaud Akron, OH mayor and city council for putting public health before profit.
Don't Poison City's Drinking Water by Fracking
Over 475 acres of land near Akron, Ohio's drinking water supply may soon be fracked for oil and natural gas. This dangerous practice could put millions in peril. Demand plans be rejected.
Ban Fracking to Support the Battle Against Climate Change
Fracking has poisoned animals, polluted water, and destroyed pristine landscapes. But now one state is seeking to ban the practice for good. Sign the petition to show your support.
Protect Wildlife and Public Health From Toxic Oil Fracking
The Trump administration is planning to open up land in California to oil drilling, which would increase air pollution, contribute to climate change, and destroy wildlife. Demand that the oil and gas lease sale be stopped to protect our environment and public health.
Protect Native Territory From Destructive Fracking
Native peoples' lives, land, and culture are being threatened by a proposal to expand fracking. This practice would destroy sacred artifacts and exacerbate the public health risk for communities who already suffer disproportionately high rates of Covid-19. Demand the Bureau of Land Management halt their plan to expand fracking in order to protect the health and well-being of native people and their lands.
Protect Sacred Navajo Lands from Fracking
One of the Navajo Nation's most sacred sights may be threatened by the construction of 3,200 fracking wells. Demand that the government abandon plans to open the Chaco Canyon region up to the destructive practice of fracking.
Protect Impoverished Village from Fracking
Fracking is closing in on an impoverished Colombian village, threatening its water supply and its livestock. Demand that the wishes of the villagers, not the money of big business, be respected.
Pause Fracking After 5.0 Magnitude Quake Rocks Texas
Fracking has resulted in a dangerous 5.0 magnitude earthquake in Texas. Demand that this practice be paused until its full effects can be realized.
Stop Selling Public Lands for Fracking During the Covid-19 Crisis
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) continues to sell public lands for fracking and make major policy decisions while the threat of Covid-19 grows. Covid-19 has seriously interrupted citizens' ability to take part in the decision-making process regarding their public lands and resources. Demand the BLM stop selling public lands and halt any planning processes until the threat of Covid-19 diminishes and Americans can adequately participate.
Don't Bail Out Environmentally Damaging Fracking Companies Due to Coronavirus Fears
The fracking industry may receive a bailout from President Trump due to fears of the coronavirus. The means that funds meant for the public would be diverted to an abusive and environmentally destructive industry. Demand that this corrupt abuse of public funds be stopped immediately.
Stop Dangerous Stealth Acid Fracking
Gas companies are circumventing a moratorium on the destructive practice of fracking through "stealth fracking" in the UK. This is putting the health of countless people and wildlife at risk. Call for a full ban on all forms of fracking immediately.
Ban Fracking in New Mexico
Fracking has polluted water and destroyed habitats. The government of New Mexico would like to temporarily ban the practice. Sign the petition to support this move.
Ban Destructive Acid Fracking That Pollutes Water Sources
A new and dangerous form of fracking, using pressurized acid, may soon become common in Britain. This practice is not legally recognized as fracking under British law, so its opponents are concerned that it will see widespread introduction with no legal recourse. Sign now to demand a halt to acid fracking.
Save the Planet from the Harmful Effects of Fracking
Fracking continues to be a dangerous practice, hurting land, water, air, and all of the living beings that inhabit the planet. Demand that it be banned in all its forms.
Success: Fracking Moratorium Put in Place
Fracking has been permanently halted in the UK, as the government has conceded its defeat to anti-fracking activists. For years, fracking has been damaging the countryside, tainting green spaces and endangering wildlife and humans alike, and the government has continued to defend the unethical practice. Thank the environmental activists for finally forcing the government's hand and ending fracking.
Fracking was recently banned in the United Kingdom in a historic victory. This came in response to a report detailing all of the well-known environmental and public health risks associated with fracking. Congratulate the British government for this historic decision.
Suspend Fracking and the Spread of its Toxic Chemicals
Toxic fracking chemicals are being found as far as 2,000 feet away from fracking sites and causing serious illnesses. Demand an investigation.
Demand Justice for Indigenous Argentinians Affected by Fracking
Fracking has damaged the environment and harmed the health of indigenous Mapuche people in Argentina. Add your voice to call a halt to these destructive practices.
Continue to Halt Permits for Dangerous Fracking
Fracking permits in California have been halted, saving millions of acres of land, thousands of endangered species, and millions of citizens. Ask that these efforts continue.
Halt Fracking Following Catastrophic Explosion
Toxic flames are expected to seep into the air for over a month following a catastrophic explosion at a fracking site. Demand an investigation into this disaster.
Indefinitely Suspend Fracking After Record-Breaking Earthquake
Fracking has shook foundations in a record-breaking earthquake for Lancashire. Demand that fracking be indefinitely suspended to ensure that no lives are at risk.
Suspend Fracking to Protect Women's Health
Fracking has been proven to negatively impact the health of pregnant women and thus the health of their unborn child. Demand that fracking be suspended until further consequences can be discovered.
Success: Suspected Fracking Kingpin Fired
A key player in California's fracking industry has been fired and his division is under investigation for reportedly profiting off the state's increase in fracking permits. This has freed up an administrative position, which will be filled with an advocate for safer and healthier forms of energy. Praise these bold moves towards a frack-free future.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Apart from producing manure, a cow is a very important animal among the Basotho nation. It is used in many different ways such as to plough and plant crops in the field, paying lobola, and slaughtered for feats, ceremonies, thanksgiving and weddings. It is also slaughtered for funerals - for people to eat, but the hide is used as a blanket for the deceased with a belief that a person is going to get cold, so he/she needs something to put on - a blanket.
Lesson 6: Learn to apologize in Sesotho.


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Back to all posts — Essay Samples
05 May 2017—Essay Samples
Each generation has its own heroes that demonstrate what they trust to be, perfect personality. Though each is diverse in it's own way, lots of these role models contribute to comparable individuality. Most inclined to have audacity, power, sympathy, or another appreciated attribute, but this is not essentially why they triumph the admiration of their cohorts. Cyrano De Bergerac is an ideal instance of how many protagonists win our commitment as his deep feeling will not be deprived of, as he lives life to the hilt, and because he is a sufferer of his environs.
But there was ever a figure that would not be deprived of his susceptibility is Cyrano. Edmond Rostand presented Cyrano character as bold, lyrical, amusing, and persuasive. He is an extraordinary warrior, poet, composer, and theorist, as well as a lover of magnificence, principles, and ethics. Never accessible in a bad or unbecoming light, Cyrano is hard to abhor. All through the play, Cyrano acts according to his stubborn sense of principles and ethics. He remnants dedicated in his detection to turn into an honorable man and come to symbolize the type of man that everybody would like to be and more. Cyrano in fact crossed over enemy lines daily just to mail love letters. He also admitted to Roxane that he is grateful to her for being his friend.
"My mother made it clear that she didn't find me pleasant to look at. I had no sister. Later, I dreaded the thought of seeing mockery in the eyes of a mistress. Thanks to you I've at least had a woman's friendship, a gracious presence to soften the harsh loneliness of my life." (Edmond Rostand, J.O. Via Luis Marti, June 1998)
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When Cyrano confesses, "My heart always timidly hides its self behind my mind," the reader can immediately narrate to this dilemma but it is the fact that Cyrano is able to conquer it that makes him a hero.
Not just is Cyrano crammed with emotion, he as well goes out of his way to live life to the fullest. Cyrano's opening to the reader absolutely leaves an enduring feeling. Not simply does he deport an actor from the theater for drama badly, however also he proceeds to declaim poems as fighting with another member of the viewers. Each instant of Cyrano's life is crammed with battle like this. While he was informed that one hundred men were going to kill his friend, Ligniére, he was excited with the thought of hostility all these men at once, and, obviously, he thrived.
Cyrano displays audacity evocative of the combatant tradition, never talking him or others out of a fight. Cyrano's boldness has earned him lots of enemies. His need of assurance and low sense of worth, though, show to be his most compelling adversaries. More influential than the undemanding blemish from which they cultivated his nose Cyrano's insecurities averts him from reaching what he cherishes most love. His internal loveliness succeeds over everybody, however he is unable to forget about his big nose. In community, Cyrano appear gallant, obsessed of an astonishing humor and a dizzying array of abilities. His private self, though, is murky and dejected. Rather than ruin his representation, the few faults that Cyrano possesses emerge so original to the human condition that they remind an even deeper admiration of his temperament.
Cyrano never wavers in his promise to Roxane, however he may not be truthfully in love with her. Maybe he is in love by the thought of love and of being in love. After all, Cyrano adoration obeys the thrilling, vagueness, and verse of love, as well as the influence and art of romance. Pleased by the romantic confront of failing for love, Cyrano permits love to kill him in the end, even after Roxane finds out and responds his thoughts.
"Roxane won't be disillusioned! Together, we can win her heart! Will you let my soul pass from my leather jerkin and lodge beneath your embroidered doublet?" (Edmond Rostand, J. O. Via Luis Marti, June 1998)
Edmond Rostand presented that Cyrano is a sufferer of his environs. This might be the one feature that totally wins over the reader. Cyrano's mainly understandable defect is his bizarre nose, but this would not be so dreadful if the people around him didn't concerned. Knowing that he is the sufferer of a trouble ahead of his control, the reader can't do anything but empathize with him. The personification of this is his bereavement. His simple wish in life was to dye gracious by the sword, however he yet again is hurt by an exterior power that he had no control over.
"Fate is a great jester! I've been struck down, but from behind, in an ambush, by a lackey wielding a log! I've been consistent to the end; I've failed in everything, even in my death," (Edmond Rostand, J. O. Via Luis Marti, June 1998) When he says, the reader is totally won over. Conceivably the most imposing thing concerning those we pursue is that they're human. "Cyrano de Bergerac concerned the people of Ruston's time as Cyrano reflected their outlook of a true romantic hero someone who was eager to forfeit the vocation of his love to respect his companionship with Christian". (New York Times, 1988)
Once more, Cyrano De Bergerac is the ideal instance of how a hero wins the esteem of his faction. By showing his powerful approach, living life to the fullest, as well as still left over human, he is capable to triumph the heart of more or less every reader. Heroes have distorted many over the years. Every generations stumble on different characters to be noble; there are a number of heroes, like Cyrano, who will be appreciated for all time.
Rostand, Edmond, J.O. Via Luis Marti, "Cyrano de Bergerac", Designed by Jesus Pardo, Elliot's Books, June 1998New York Times, 1988
Ethics in Accounting
Chinese Film and Folklore Mythology
Charles Beard
Quasi-Capitalistic Micro Economy
Sickle Cell Disease: A Genetic Perspective


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Q: How to speed up rebuilding a database from scratch/scripts Our Database exists in many different scripts within our source control. i.E. every table has it's own scripts for creating the table, the indexes and so on.
When needed, we can rebuild the entire dev-database by starting a powershell script which will run through every script by feeding it to sqlcmd.exe.
This process recently took about 30 to 40 minutes. We discovered that we were using the old 2008R2 Version of sqlcmd, thanks to a mistake in the local path variables, which pointed to the old version.
After fixing this the entire process was reduced to about 8 minutes.
I am now wondering if there are any "switches" I might have overlooked which could speed up this process even more.
The Database is currently set to compat level 100 (for stupid reasons), multi_user mode and simple recovery model. The database runs locally and no user will be connecting during the rebuild process.
I did try setting it to single_user mode but ran into an issue. Apperently the sequential process of firering one sql-script after another seems to be too quick(?) for it's own good. Somehow one connection is not closed fast enough before the next one is established.
Are there any other options either on query or database level that could speed up a database rebuild process in this scenario?

A: Applying schema scrips ends up being a lot of small transactions, and that can cause lots of log file waits.  You can try running the scripts in a transaction, but not all changes are compatible with transactions.
So an easy way make the scripts never wait on log flushes is to to turn on Delayed Durability while running the scripts.
EG
ALTER DATABASE current SET DELAYED_DURABILITY = disabled;

go

declare @i int = 0
while @i < 10000
begin

    exec ('
    drop table if exists mt;
    create table mt(id int, a int, b datetime, c char(2), d uniqueidentifier);
    ')
    set @i += 1;

end

go

ALTER DATABASE current SET DELAYED_DURABILITY = forced;

go

declare @i int = 0
while @i < 10000
begin

    exec ('
    drop table if exists mt;
    create table mt(id int, a int, b datetime, c char(2), d uniqueidentifier);
    ')
    set @i += 1;

end

A: The scope on the question is pretty wide, so the answer is going to be pretty wide-ranging and generic too, so bear with me.
You could have a few different problems:

*

*The setup queries might be doing a lot of work (like creating a database and growing its log file)

*The SQL Server may be underpowered

*The app server may be running a whole lot of queries, one at a time, waiting on network round trips

To figure it out, I'd let a deployment run, and then use sp_BlitzCache from the open source First Responder Kit. (Disclaimer: I'm involved with the project too.) sp_BlitzCache can analyze your plan cache for long-running queries like this:
EXEC sp_BlitzCache @SortOrder = 'duration', @MinutesBack = 10;

That'll give you a list of the top 10 longest-running queries from your setup script (assuming it started within the last 10 minutes.) That'll tell you if maybe one of the queries is running much longer than the others.
Look at the Duration columns in sp_BlitzCache's output. Take the longest-running query, and try that one in isolation. If it's creating a database and growing its log file, for example, then you can work on making that query run faster. Or, if none of the long-running queries are more than, say, 5 seconds long, you might start looking at the sheer number of queries in the deployment script: are we talking hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands?
That's the thought process I'd use to narrow down where the root cause is.

A: We have now been able to reduce the execution time for our databse build process to an acceptable level.
Special Thanks to Brent Ozar and David Brown who's anwers helped in identifying problematic areas:
@Brent: I was able to shave of some time by deactivating Forced Parameterization
@David: DELAYED_DURABILITY is an option but we are currently testing on SQL Server 2012 which does not offer that. But we will use it once we switch to our "main branch".
I would like to post what we have done:
Compatibility Level
We were setting the compatibility level to 90 at the beginning of our creation scripts. Changing this to our target (100) (don't ask) reduced the building time by about 10 seconds.
Indexing
Our "build order" created the indexes at a very early step. Almost right after creating the tables. I moved this so the indexes are now being created after most data is inserted. This reduced building time by another 10 seconds.
Switching from sqlcmd.exe to PowerShell module SqlServer
One of our developers changed the PowerShell script which controls the build process. We were using sqlcmd.exe to execute every sql-script. We now switched to the powershell SqlServer.
So instead of calling the sqlcmd.exe we do this:
        Invoke-Sqlcmd -OutputSqlErrors $true `
            -ServerInstance $global:DbServer `
            -Database "master" `
            -InputFile $createDatabaseScript `
            -Variable "catalog=$global:dbName" `
            -Verbose:$false

With this we were able to reduce the build process by whopping 50%.
These steps and our solution are by no means perfect but the build time is now at an acceptable level. Thank you everyone!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Light and bright traditional in desirable Shepards Glen! Recent updates include painted cabinets, replaced hardware, and updated appliances in kitchen as well as a completely renovated master bath! Fabulous features include handscraped wood floors, plantation shutters, and crown molding. Elegant formals, incredible family room with brick fireplace & built-ins, and gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, wine refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher, double oven, and island. The master retreat provides a sitting area and 2 sided fireplace shared with the spa-like master bath - this divine updated bathroom features a jetted tub, double vanities, a large multi-head shower, and double walk-in closets. Upstairs spaces include the spacious game room with built-ins and secondary bedrooms with baths and walk-in closets. Relax in the wonderful backyard with oversized pool, spa with fountain, covered and open patios, built-in grill, impressive landscaping, towering trees, and play yard.
This listing 1313 Chesapeake Drive, Plano, TX 75093 is a residential listing with 3 full baths, 1 half bath, 4 bedrooms and approximately 3,467 square feet on a lot of 10,890 sqft (or 0.25 acres). 1313 Chesapeake Drive was built in 1993. 1313 Chesapeake Drive is located in Plano and in ZIP Code 75093. It has been listed on our site since 2019-04-02 09:54:53.


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Home / Shale News / Bakken Shale News (page 20)
Activity up, hiring increases in the Bakken
Oil companies are hiring in the Bakken, and more jobs are expected to open up next year, according t...
Corps denies easement for DAPL
Over the weekend, attention in the oil and gas industry was turned to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DA...
Laborers union applauds Dakota Access pipeline ruling
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's congressional delegation and a laborers union are applaud...
US asks judge to uphold cancellation of Montana energy lease
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Obama administration wants a federal judge to uphold its decision to bloc...
Report shows Bakken production increases for July
Oilprice.com recently reported Bakken oil production was up 3,046 barrels per day in July, despite a...
Oil pipeline protester accused of terrorizing officer
MANDAN, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota authorities have issued an arrest warrant accusing a pipeline prote...
New Bakken refinery could bring jobs to Dickinson area
December 30, 2015	Leave a comment
The area west of Dickinson might soon get another diesel refinery, reports the Dickinson Press. California-based Meridian Energy Group Inc. says its focus on the development of what it's dubbed the "Davis Refinery" is a reflection of its commitment to operating in the Bakken oil patch "with a commitment to the future and an eye to the big picture." If ...
Officials propose injection-well ban
MONROE — The Monroe County Board of Commissioners is drafting an ordinance that would ban any injection wells in Monroe County near karst geology or Lake Erie. Trendwell Energy Corp., with corporate offices in Rockford, Mich., has proposed a plan to drill a 765-foot-deep well near Ida Center Road and Alcott Road in Summerfield Township to inject saltwater. Philip Goldsmith, ...
Sanders' grassroots campaign talks energy, Bakken pipeline in Iowa
In a crowded Ericson Library in Boone, Bernie Sanders' grassroots campaign met with the public to show its support of the Democratic presidential candidate, and rally support against the Bakken pipeline. U.S. Representative Keith Ellison, D-Minn., said Sanders is the right person to help them keep their land and bring more assistance in the future. "We're picking the Iowa farmer," ...
New year brings changes in North Dakota oilfield waste rules
BISMARCK, N.D. — The new year comes with a new rule in North Dakota that allows elevated levels of oilfield radioactive waste to be disposed of at some landfills, a move regulators and industry officials believe will help curb illegal dumping. Environmental groups aren't convinced and have threatened lawsuits over the new rule that takes effect Friday, saying the public ...
Slip in oil activity leads North Dakota headlines in 2015
BISMARCK, N.D. — The year in news in North Dakota was led by slipping oil prices and a slowdown in the state's oil patch. But there were many of other topics that made headlines, from agriculture and abortion to a fiery train derailment and an end to a lengthy dispute over the University of North Dakota's nickname. Here is a ...
SD regulators reject requests to toss out Keystone XL
PIERRE, S.D. — State regulators could make a decision as early as next month on whether to again approve the South Dakota portion of the Keystone XL pipeline. The state Public Utilities Commission denied requests Tuesday to throw out the pipeline project. Opponents argued that President Barack Obama killed the pipeline in November. William Taylor is an attorney for TransCanada ...
North Dakota had biggest percent increase in population
BISMARCK, N.D. — U.S. Census Bureau data show North Dakota is leading the nation in population growth and the number of residents in the state is at an all-time high. The bureau's most recent estimate released Tuesday put the state population at 756,927 in July, or an increase of 16,887 residents in one year. Census data show North Dakota's total ...
Montana sells oil and gas lease in North Dakota
HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Land Board has approved a $126,000 oil and gas lease sale — in North Dakota. The board on Monday approved the sale to Davis Exploration LLC for Montana's 8 percent ownership interest in more than 11 acres in North Dakota's Bakken oil fields. Montana regularly holds lease sales for oil and gas rights on state ...
Man camp gets preliminary approval in Mercer County
STANTON, N.D. — A company has received preliminary approval for a man camp between Hazen and Beulah to house workers building a $500 million urea fertilizer plant in the area. The Mercer County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended a plan by Civeo Corp. to move unused oil patch units from Dickinson into Coal Country on Thursday night. Planning official Wes ...
In North Dakota, donations slip as oil slides
BISMARCK, N.D. — Thousands of layoffs from the oil industry's slide have taken a toll on donations in western North Dakota's oil patch, just as charities say their need is increasing. Donations to the Salvation Army were down by more than 60 percent in Williston, in the heart of oil country, as of mid-December. And energy companies that used to ...


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From our humble origins in Harrogate we've grown to become one of Yorkshire's leading digital and technology companies. And it simply wouldn't have been possible without the talent of our fantastic Yorkshire folk.
Today we have more than 1,400 colleagues working in Leeds and Sheffield. Between us, we're focused on giving something back and making a positive difference to the communities that have given us so much.
Every colleague is given 16 hours of paid leave each year as part of our Volunteering Programme so they can dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to causes close to their hearts.
LIGHTHOUSE FUTURES TRUST
We partnered with local charity Lighthouse Futures Trust to offer 7 young adults a 2-week Coding for Beginners Bootcamp.
GIRLS
Sharing best practice within the mobile app community.
MIND
We provide our managers with mental health training so they can support their teams and look after themselves.
We use SHINE, a local social enterprise to cater at our events.
Each year we choose a charity partner, which we then support through employee fundraising and events. Our colleagues are invited to nominate charities that are close to their hearts and then given the chance to 'pitch' for the business's support.
The Charity of the Year is then decided by a vote — with everyone at SBG getting one vote each. The partnership creates an opportunity to tap into our collective skills and brand reach. We explore how we can support our Charity of the Year further — like getting involved ourselves or making the most of our network and connections.
OUR 2020 CHARITY PARTNER
Macmillan Cancer Support is one of the largest British charities, which provides specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer. It also looks at the social, emotional and practical impact cancer can have, and campaigns for better cancer care.
Here's what we've been doing to raise money throughout 2020:
£20K TO CELEBRATE 20 YEARS
2020 marks our 20th birthday and we wanted to share our celebrations with Macmillan Cancer Support by donating £20,000.
BIG VIRTUAL COFFEE PARTY
As part of our 20th birthday celebrations we held a virtual coffee day including cocktail making, bake a Colin the Caterpillar, wheel of fortune & more.
MILES FOR
MACMILLAN
To support a colleague our Brand & Creative team walked as many miles as they could over the month of September and raised over £2,000 for Macmillan.
YORKSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE
Our fundraising efforts included a Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, a cycling sportive and charity football kit sales to staff, in partnership with the EFL.
Our flagship event was the Charity Ball, organised by our Charity Committee and held at the prestigious Leeds Royal Armouries. The evening featured a virtual horse race and a charity game of bingo, called by Sky Bingo ambassador Rylan Clark-Neal, which raised over £85,000 alone.
CANDLELIGHTERS TRUST
Our glitzy gala raised over £60,000 to cap a memorable year of fundraising. More than 500 colleagues took part in a host of gruelling running and cycling challenges, including a Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge and some Ultra White Collar Boxing fights!
Our Charity Champions also organised casino and poker parties — and an online hack day. Together we raised a whopping £100,000
GIVE A DUCK
This charity cares for kids with cancer and they want every child diagnosed with cancer in the UK to be given the hope and companionship their programme provides to help them through treatment.
This charity are the only UK charity dedicated to providing young people with specialised nursing care and support.
slide 1 of 2 YORKSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE Our fundraising efforts included a Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, a cycling sportive and charity football kit sales to staff, in partnership with the EFL. Our flagship event was the Charity Ball, organised by our Charity Committee and held at the prestigious Leeds Royal Armouries. The evening featured a virtual horse race and a charity game of bingo, called by Sky Bingo ambassador Rylan Clark-Neal, which raised over £85,000 alone. CANDLELIGHTERS TRUST Our glitzy gala raised over £60,000 to cap a memorable year of fundraising. More than 500 colleagues took part in a host of gruelling running and cycling challenges, including a Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge and some Ultra White Collar Boxing fights!  Our Charity Champions also organised casino and poker parties — and an online hack day. Together we raised a whopping £100,000 GIVE A DUCK This charity cares for kids with cancer and they want every child diagnosed with cancer in the UK to be given the hope and companionship their programme provides to help them through treatment.
d264364fd4c24d4190989c9f98d50fb7


Dr. Garland's research is focused on understanding the development of insomnia during cancer and how best to treat this and other cancer-related side effects. Seeing sleep as a foundation for all other health behaviors, Dr. Garland and her lab are investigating whether improving sleep can produce cascading effects on other symptoms such as cognitive impairment. She also has a special interest in the experience and recovery from cancer in young adults.


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Q: WP-Commerce change variations from selects to inputs? Am currently trying to get the size variations for an e-commerce site to look like
http://www.culturekings.com.au/shoppingcart/products/Music-Merch-Inc-%252d-Nwa-Tank-%252d-Black.html
I am using WP Commerce and by default the size variations go into select fields
                            <select class="wpsc_select_variation" name="variation[<?php echo wpsc_vargrp_id(); ?>]" id="<?php echo wpsc_vargrp_form_id(); ?>">
                            <?php while (wpsc_have_variations()) : wpsc_the_variation(); ?>
                                <option value="<?php echo wpsc_the_variation_id(); ?>" <?php echo wpsc_the_variation_out_of_stock(); ?>><?php echo wpsc_the_variation_name(); ?></option>
                            <?php endwhile; ?>
                            </select>

I tried to take them out of the option fields but It does not seem to work properly, how can I do this without breaking the e-commerce functionality?
I tried to change it to this
                                <label>
                                <input class="sizeBtn" type="radio" value="<?php echo wpsc_the_variation_id(); ?>" name="<?php echo wpsc_the_variation_name(); ?>">
                                <?php echo wpsc_the_variation_name(); ?>
                                <?php //echo wpsc_the_variation_out_of_stock(); ?>
                                </label>

The website is http://ownc.co.nz/shop/t-shirts/simply-dope/

A: How about if you try like so:
<?php while (wpsc_have_variations()) : wpsc_the_variation();
    if ( 0 == wpsc_the_variation_id() ) { // That is usually a label and not an actual variation
        continue;
    } ?>
    <label>
        <input class="sizeBtn" type="radio" value="<?php echo wpsc_the_variation_id(); ?>" name="variation[<?php echo wpsc_vargrp_id(); ?>]" <?php echo wpsc_the_variation_out_of_stock(); ?> />
        <?php echo wpsc_the_variation_name(); ?>
    </label>
<?php endwhile; ?>

I guess you were doing the loop, but you just skipped it in your second code snippet, so the only thing that seems incorrect was the name for the inputs.
Please try this code, remove the original code(the one that generates the select) and try again.


text:
Single blood droplet leads to arrest in 1989 double murder of Vermont couple
Police: Single blood droplet leads to son-in-law's arrest in 1989 double murder of Vermont couple At the time of the crime, Michael Anthony Louise was the Peacocks' son-in-law, police officers said. (NCD)
October 14, 2022 at 6:14 pm CDT
DANBY, Vt. — The last time anyone but his killer saw George Peacock alive, he was cutting his lawn.
Four days later, a concerned neighbor found Peacock, 76, and his wife, Catherine Peacock, 73, dead in their home in Danby, Vermont. The couple had been stabbed to death.
The 1989 murders remained unsolved until Thursday, when Vermont State Police officials announced the arrest of Michael Anthony Louise, 79, of Liverpool, New York.
At the time of the crime, Louise was the Peacocks' son-in-law, police officials said.
Police found no signs of forced entry, which indicated that the couple likely knew their killer. Within two weeks of the murders, Louise became a suspect.
"Investigators at the time developed circumstantial evidence tying Louise to the killings but were unable to establish a conclusive link," a state police news release said.
That was until forensic testing in May 2020 confirmed that a single drop of blood found in Louise's car a month after the crime belonged to George Peacock.
"The blood sample had been tested previously during the investigation, as DNA testing technology was emerging, and that earlier test had been inconclusive," authorities said.
It was unclear why it took more than two years to arrest Louise, but police officials said additional information would be released when Louise is arraigned. As of Friday, Louise remained in the Onondaga County Justice Center awaiting extradition to Vermont.
No alleged motive has been made public.
DNA cold case: George Peacock, 76, and his wife, Catherine Peacock, 73, were found stabbed to death Sept. 17, 1989, in their home, pictured in June 2022, along U.S. 7 in Danby, Vt. The couple's son-in-law, Michael Anthony Louise, 79, of Liverpool, N.Y., has been charged 33 years later with their murder. (Google)
The Peacocks appeared to live a relatively serene life, according to a 2021 report by ABC22 in Colchester.
"Catherine and George were both retired," Vermont State Police Detective Sgt. Sam Truex told the news station. "They owned a small gift shop at the end of their driveway. They sold gifts and books as a side business."
George Peacock also worked three days a week as a desk clerk at the Rutland Lodge, a local hotel. When he failed on Sept. 17, 1989, to show up for his Sunday shift, his co-workers became worried.
"You could virtually set your watch by George," David Nowick, general manager of the lodge, told reporters in 1989.
Nowick described George Peacock as "one of the most gentle, considerate people" he'd ever met, according to a 1989 story by The Associated Press.
"He was a sweetheart. Everybody loved him," Nowick said. "He was extremely polite and willing to help anybody whenever he could."
19 Sep 1989, Tue Bennington Banner (Bennington, Vermont) Newspapers.com
Acquaintances described the Peacocks as a quiet couple with a happy relationship and a strong faith, the AP reported. When George Peacock failed to show up for work and no one had seen the couple in a few days, concern mounted.
Neighbor Jay Kidwell went to the couple's home and peered inside.
"According to the neighbor, they could see George through the front porch window and immediately thought he was injured," Truex told ABC22 last year. "The house was found locked, and they utilized the overhead garage door opener from the victim's car to access the house."
Kidwell found George Peacock slain at the foot of the stairs. Catherine Peacock's body was in an upstairs bedroom.
Both victims had been stabbed multiple times with a double-edged knife less than an inch wide, according to their autopsies.
03 Oct 1989, Tue Rutland Daily Herald (Rutland, Vermont) Newspapers.com
Kidwell speculated days after his neighbors' murders that the couple might have been the victims of a botched robbery. The AP reported that Kidwell said the house was "neat as a pin," but George Peacock's rear pocket was ripped and his wallet was on the floor near his body.
The Bennington Banner reported that family members who looked through the house with investigators said the only other items that appeared to be disturbed were Catherine Peacock's purse and wallet, as well as a footlocker in the bedroom where the elderly woman was slain.
"It's just conjecture, but there have been a whole lot of (break-ins) here in the past couple of months," Kidwell said at the time.
Detectives also considered burglary or robbery as a motive, but acquaintances told police the Peacocks were very security conscious.
Danby Select Board Chair Bradley Bender, who in 1989 leased a building across the highway from the couple's home, said rumors swirled in the weeks and months after the murders.
"There was a lot of rumor going around at the time that it was a family member," Bender told the Banner this week. "Word on the street was that they didn't believe in banks and had a lot of cash on hand, and that someone close to them knew about it."
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by the newspaper, Louise became a focus of the investigation after witnesses reported seeing a tan vehicle near the Peacocks' home on or around the day of the homicides.
Louise, who was married to the Peacocks' eldest daughter, owned a tan 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity at the time of the crime. In October 1989, Penelope "Penny" Louise gave investigators permission to process her husband's car.
Crime scene technicians found a small drop of blood on the driver's side floor mat, the Banner reported.
In 1989, DNA technology was too new and rudimentary for authorities to be able to analyze a sample that size. The evidence was stored in a freezer at the Vermont Forensic Laboratory.
In May 2020, Truex, who was the lead investigating officer, requested that several items of evidence in the Peacock double murder be retested. A lab report dated Oct. 15, 2020, showed that the blood belonged to George Peacock.
The affidavit indicates that Louise also found himself on detectives' radar after they learned of a drive to Vermont he planned the day of the murders. Louise told police he decided against the 197-mile drive, but investigators determined that the time frame of the alleged trip made it possible for him to be at his in-laws' home around the time they were slain, the Banner reported.
The paper reported that Louise was also known to wear work boots every day and would not buy himself new boots more than once a year. Co-workers at a Hertz rental car office told police, however, that Louise had worn sneakers to work the week after his in-laws were fatally stabbed.


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Cuts to grants 'affecting sales of electric cars in the UK'
A report published by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (EAMA) has suggested that sales of electric cars in the UK are being affected by the government's decision to reduce the grant for buyers of so-called 'green' vehicles.
In the Autumn of 2018, the government made the decision to slash the grant for buyers of electric cars from £4,500 to £3,500. In addition, incentives for plug-in hybrids were abolished.
The EAMA suggested that demand for electric cars in the UK has been 'sluggish'. In addition, the report revealed that EU motorists bought 'twice as many' eco-friendly cars as British drivers in 2018.
When compared to their petrol and diesel counterparts, eco-friendly vehicles often cost more to purchase. However, separate research carried out by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) revealed that, over a period of four years, electric cars are ultimately cheaper to own and run.
Commenting on the issue, Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said: 'If the UK is to achieve its ambitious electrification targets, a world-class package of incentives and infrastructure is needed. The recent reduction in plug-in car grant for zero-emission cars and its total removal from plug-in hybrids means the UK's offer has become less competitive.'
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Japan's largest airline ANA Announces New President and CEO
Tis Meyer / PlanePics.org
ANA, Japan's largest airline, today announced that Yuji Hirako, Executive Vice President and Member of the Board, will succeed Osamu Shinobe as President and CEO from 1 April this year, while Mr. Shinobe will become Vice Chairman of ANA Holdings on the same date.
Mr. Hirako joined ANA in 1981 after graduating from Tokyo University with a degree in Economics. In his 36 years at ANA, Mr. Hirako has held a wide range of senior positions within the airline and has led a number of major divisions, including Passenger Services at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, Revenue Management, Finance & Accounting, and Marketing & Sales. He held a senior role in ANA's Network Planning division during a time when the airline greatly expanded international scheduled services, increasing its presence across Asia, Europe and North America. He is 59.
Mr. Shinobe was appointed President and CEO of ANA in April 2013. Under his leadership, the Japanese airline has achieved a major expansion of its international network from Haneda and Narita Airport and its international business has become Japan's biggest.
Mr. Hirako joined the board of ANA in 2015 when he was named Executive Vice President, Accounting. Under his leadership, the Group has achieved record income and profit, building a solid foundation for future growth.
Prior to taking up this position, Mr. Hirako was Senior Vice President for The Americas, during which time he oversaw the inauguration of services to the North American destinations of Seattle, San Jose, and Vancouver. In April 2010, he was appointed Vice President of Corporate Planning and played a vital role in expanding the airline's route network and traffic numbers by introducing the Boeing 787 to the airline's main fleet.
Related Items:ANA, frontpage
Japanese Airline Group to Add Up to 20 Boeing 787 Aircraft
All Nippon Airways Adds Five Cities to its International Route Network
ANA to Launch New Service from Tokyo Narita to Chennai


Potty training is another milestone in your child's life. It is important to make sure your child is ready for potty training.
Through this long process it is key that you as a parent remain patient.
Although every child is different, most children are ready to begin toilet training between 2 and 3 years of age. However, parents should never force a child to sit on the potty seat or toilet, which might cause the child to resist being toilet trained. It is very important that parents let the child decide when he is ready; and then parents can encourage his attempts. When your child begins telling you when he is wet or dirty and that his diaper needs to be changed, and he is staying dry for more than 2 – 3 hours, you can encourage his learning by using the following tips.
1. Educate your toddler. Before you start potty training your toddler it is important to educate them. Borrow potty books from the library. Show your child by using the bathroom yourself; and then do a potty dance to show your enthusiasm.
2. Buy a potty seat if you don't already have one. You can use a potty seat that fits on the toilet, or a potty chair. There are also portable toilets for toddlers to use when you are out and about.
4. Use pull ups and mattress covers for night time.
5. Use positive reinforcement. Consider giving your child a positive reward (stickers or toy) for successful attempts. Rewards can really help a child overcome any resistance to toilet learning. Let your child help choose the reward so it is something she will want to earn.
6. Show your child that bowel movements from his diaper go into the toilet. You can let your child flush the toilet as part of his learning.
7. But be careful as some children feel fearful of toilets flushing. Some may think they have "lost" a precious part of them; while others may fear the loud noises a toilet makes. If your child is afraid of the big toilet, get a small size toilet.
8. Don't get upset with accidents. Instead say to your child, "It's ok, accidents happen" and clean up the mess. Remind your child to use the bathroom in the morning, before going to bed, and before getting in the car.
9. Be prepared. Always have an extra outfit, and underwear when going out.
10. Leave the rest of the learning up to your child. If you see any resistance, immediately stop talking to your child about any aspect of toileting and wait until she is interested.
Potty training is an entirely new venture for little ones. They've just begun to get used to this new world and now they must change everything they once knew about going to the bathroom, an act that is second nature to most adults. While some parents may be successful at the "diaper free weekend" approach, potty training may take a week, a month or more for some families.
If your child is resisting using the toilet, remember that this is one area of her life that she alone can control. You can never force your child to use the toilet – so it is best to just stop trying! Approximately 75% of children have attained daytime control of their urine and bowel movements between 3 and 4 years of agel, but 25% of children are still not interested in using the toilet.
Be patient with your child and try not to compare him to others. Every child is different and will potty train in his or her own time.