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Conversion Vans (Home) / Specialty Van Information Center / Travel & Camper Vans / Class B Manufacturers
Class B Manufacturers List: North America
A complete index of American and Canadian motorhome names to know
When it comes to the world of motorhomes, there are so many different classifications, including "boutique" like companies, mainstream manufacturers, and less-standard Class B RV offerings.
There's a lot of information out there, and the options are practically endless. So if you're considering purchasing a motorhome, you definitely have your research cut out for you!
To help you out, we've compiled a list of current North American Class B motorhome manufacturers. There are also many quality European companies that produce amazing RVs, but if we included all of them, too, our list would never end!
So without further delay, here's our list of Class B manufacturers throughout North America.
Advanced RV
American Coach
Chinook RV
Coach House
Coachmen RV
Entegra Coach
5 Mars RV
Fleetwood RV
Gala RV
Grech RV
Leisure Travel Vans
Midwest Automotive Designs
ModVans
New-West VR
Outside Van
Pleasure-Way
Regency RV
Roadtrek
Safari Condo
Sportsmobile
Thor Motor Coach
Winnebago Industries, Inc.
Buy New and Used Camper Vans
Choosing a Class B Motorhome
Camper Vans vs. RVs – A Cost Comparison
Finding The Best Travel Vans for Camping
Buying Travel Vans for Everyday Use
Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio
Advanced RV has been making high-end Class B motorhomes from Mercedes Sprinters since 2012. They make each RV custom and work closely with their customers to design the perfect motorhome for its owner.
Photo credit: advanced-rv.com
Headquarters: Jackson Center, Ohio
Founded in 2004, Airstream are the guys that make the shiny, vintage travel trailers you may recall from decades past—easily recognized by their distinct rounded, aluminum coach. Their Class B RVs are built using either the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter or the RAM ProMaster chassis.
Current models built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis include:
The Atlas, which is 24 feet long, sleeps up to 2 and seats up to 4
The Interstate 19, which is 19 ft long, sleeps up to 2 and seats up to 4
The Interstate 24, which is 24 feet long, sleeps up to 2 and seats up to 9
They also have 1 model built on the Ram ProMaster chassis called the Rangeline, which is 21 feet long, sleeps up to 2 and seats up to 4.
Their Atlas Touring Coach is one of their most luxurious touring motorhomes so far, affectionately referred to as their Class B+. Features include lane keeping assist, collision prevention assist, rear- and side-view cameras, airbags, an MBUX Infotainment System with Garmin navigation and lane guidance, and their exclusive air ride suspension that adjusts itself to changes in elevation and wind resistance.
Other amenities include a power slide-out Murphy suite, a 3-piece residential-style bathroom, an armless power awning, and a power sunroof with a screen. If you need additional sleeping space, they also offer a cockpit bed upgrade.
Headquarters: Decatur, Indiana
American Coach (part of REV Group, Inc.) has been in the luxury motorhome business for more than 30 years. They focus their brand on 3 key factors: materials, craftsmanship and legacy, using top-of-the-line components and the latest technology.
Their Class B models are built on either the Ford Transit or the Mercedes Sprinter chassis and include the American Patriot and the American Patriot Cruiser.
With 10 exterior color choices and 6 different cabinetry options available, you'll have plenty to choose from. Some of their many upgraded features that come standard include custom dovetail drawers with soft-close slides, custom cabinets and a wardrobe with hidden hinges, a rooftop solar charging system, and a macerator pump with power gates and a hose reel.
Headquarters: Elkhart, Indiana
Chinook RV debuted as Mair & Son, Inc. back in 1938. After going into foreclosure in 2005, it reopened in 2013. The company now sells a variety of Class B and C RVs and travel trailers. Most recently, Chinook RV purchased Riverside Travel Trailer in Peru, Indiana, to produce their RPM, DREAM and other Riverside former models.
Their Class B models include the Bayside, built on the Ford Transit chassis and the Countryside, built on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis. Features include leather seating, Advantek flooring that comes with a 25-year warranty, high-quality CNC cabinets, a power sofa bed, and a 10-foot roof-mount awning with LED lighting.
Headquarters: Nokomis, Florida
Coach House has been family-owned and manufactured in the U.S. for more than 38 years. Their products are the result of decades spent pursuing quality, comfort, luxury and reliability while always incorporating the latest technology. They currently manufacture 3 Class B+ motorhomes built on the Ford Transit and the Mercedes chassis and 1 Class B motorhome: the Arriva.
The Arriva is built on the Mercedes 3500 extended van chassis. It has features not always found in Class B RVs, including a separate toilet and shower, a 6-cubic-foot 3-way refrigerator-freezer, a convection/microwave oven, a pantry, twin beds that convert into a king, a ducted air-conditioning system, and 2 HD TVs.
Headquarters: Middlebury, Indiana
Coachman RV, now a division of Forest River, Inc., has more than 5 decades of experience building RVs, with more than 600,000 built and sold. They specialize in Class A, B, and C motorhomes, 5th wheels and travel trailers.
Their Class B models include:
The Galleria (built on the Mercedes Sprinter 3500 chassis)
The Beyond (built on the Ford Transit 350 HD chassis)
The Nova (built on the Ram Pro Master 3500 extended chassis)
The Galleria is the company's 1st-born Class B motorhome. It has exceptional cabinetry handcrafted by a local Amish cabinet maker. Other high-end features include a Truma Combi furnace/water heater system and an Onan generator.
The Nova is their newest Class B RV. Standard features include a 24-inch LED smart TV, Q-Foam sofas, jumpseat and twin beds, solid hardwood cabinetry, Rockwool R-15 insulation, Truma Combi Eco Plus furnace/water heating system, imported European dual-pane acrylic windows with solar reflective exterior pull-downs, a fiberglass shower, a Lagun table in the rear, and a removable table in the front.
After establishing themselves as a luxury Class A motorhome company, they introduced their 1st van-style Class B motorhome, the Ethos, in 2021 on the Ram ProMaster 3500 chassis.
Since then, they've also added the Launch on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 4×4 chassis with a 144-inch wheelbase. The Launch boasts a rear garage with a power drop-down overhead bunk rated at 750 pounds, roof-mounted solar panels, a Timberline hydronic heating system with LED touchscreen control, a Carefree armless patio awning with LED light strip and wind sensor, a drop-down overhead bed with a 750-pound capacity, and an all-in-one wet bath with shower and cassette toilet.
Headquarters: Québec, Canada
Founded in 2009, 5 Mars RV manufactures recreational vehicles in a variety of fun colors with unique and innovative concepts, including pop-up roofs. The company offers several models of Class B-style camper vans, including the Illusion, the Weekend, the Imagine, the Fun and the Inspiration. In addition to manufacturing a fleet of hybrid vehicles, their newest model, the Yolo, is a 100 percent electric RV.
Their Class B RVs are built on the Dodge Caravan and the Ram ProMaster chassis and come in a wide range of colors. Some of their many features and options include a 12-volt electric water heater, a portable induction cooker, European-style windows with integrated mosquito net and curtains, an awning, and a choice of an indoor or outdoor shower.
Photo credit: 5marsrv.com
Fleetwood RV is part of REV Group, Inc. They're widely known for their Class A RVs, but they've also been manufacturing a Class B motorhome called the IROK since 2018, built on the Ram ProMaster chassis.
Their newest version of the IROK includes a 28-gallon fresh water holding tank, a 2.5 LPG generator, a rooftop solar panel, an ECO charging system, a Samsung LED smart TV with an HD digital antenna and Wi-Fi prep, a large shower with a sink and a porcelain toilet, and a kitchen equipped with a refrigerator, an induction cooktop, a microwave and a removable dinette table.
Gala RV manufactured its 1st Class B RV called the Montecarlo in 2015. Today, their Montecarlo is now available in 5 different models. All of their Class B RVs are built on the Ram ProMaster 2500 and 3500 chassis.
The Montecarlo is equipped with multiple solutions to maximize the use of electrical appliances without being connected. Inside, you'll find cabinets in light plywood (without particle wood) that have rounded corners and automatic locks, giving the RV a "European" flare.
Other features include solid surface molded fiberglass countertops with a gloss finish, stainless steel appliances, a double bed, a fully enclosed bathroom with the largest shower in its category, mosquito nets for rear and side doors, an electric awning, and fresh water and gray water tanks, each with a 45-gallon capacity—about double the capacity in other similar vehicles.
Headquarters: Riverside, California
Grech RV has almost 40 years of luxury motorhome-building experience. They aim to set a new standard for what a Class B RV should be, building exclusively on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. Their models include the Strada, the Turismo, and the Terreno. All of their Class B RVs come with a 4×4 option.
Features include leather seating, hardwood cabinets with radius doors, a power sofa bed with memory foam, quartz counters, a dual-burner propane cooktop, a Timberline diesel-fuel fired heating system, a power awning with wind sensor, and air suspension.
Jayco has been in the RV business for more than 50 years. Their current Class B RVs include:
The Swift and the Swift Li (built on the RAM ProMaster 3500 chassis)
The Solstice and the Solstice Li (built on the Ford Transit AWD 350HD chassis)
The Terrain (built on the Sprinter 4×4 Premium Mercedes-Benz chassis)
The Terrain is a rugged all-terrain RV with luxurious amenities. Its features include a rear garage with a power drop-down overhead bunk with 750-pounds capacity, fiberglass side pods that create an even larger sleeping surface, heated, power swivel driver and passenger seats, 200 watts of roof-mounted solar panels, a utility center with water controls and outside hose, an Aqua View SHOWERMI$ER water management system, Tecnoform European-style cabinetry and pull-out kitchen countertop extension, and an all-in-one wet bath with shower and cassette toilet.
Headquarters: Manitoba, Canada
Leisure Travel Vans has been around for more than 50 years. They're no longer producing Class B motorhomes, but if you're able to come across one of their used Free Spirit Class Bs, you're in for a treat.
Their Free Spirit is built on the Mercedes-Benz 3500 Sprinter Cab chassis and comes standard with bi-xenon headlamps and high beam, collision prevention and lane-keeping assists.
Photo credit: leisurevans.com
Midwest Automotive Designs has been building and designing luxury custom Class B RVs since 2001 on the Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit and Ram ProMaster chassis. Their Class B models include the Daycruiser, the Daycruiser 144, the Weekender, the Promaster Legend, the Passage, the Passage 144, the Passage Ford and the Luxe Cruiser.
Headquarters: Ventura, California
ModVans was started by a group of engineers and scientists who loved camping but were unhappy with their available camper van options. They developed their own ModVan prototype and ultimately launched their business around the concept of a modern camper van built on the Ford Transit chassis.
Their goal is to build a line of high-quality, high-design RVs for modern lifestyles and budgets. ModVans is proud to be an employee-owned, environmentally aware corporation that pays living wages and offers full benefits.
They currently have 6 models to choose from, including their MH1/X built with a proprietary eXtreme capacity LiFePO4 battery that has enough power to run your electric furnace, floor heaters or rooftop A/C off the grid for days on end.
The MH1/X's seats, cabinets and all RV accessories can be completely removed, making it an extremely versatile and multi-use vehicle. Yet it's still equipped with a fully functional kitchen, toilet, large and comfortable beds and indoor seating.
New-West VR has been manufacturing Class B recreational vehicles since 1999. They offer a variety of RVs with Mercedes-Benz and Ford chassis.
Models built on the Mercedes Sprinter 2500 chassis include the Champion, the Grizzly and the Evazion.
Models built on the Ford Transit 250 chassis include the Altitude and the Karibu.
Headquarters: Troutdale, Oregon
Outside Van builds specialty custom Class Bs. They're known for their creative bike options and are great vans for the extreme sports enthusiast. They also offer several pre-built models, including the Stargazer, the Terre Astro, the Goseedo, the Bender and the Sabro, all built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis.
Photo credit: outsidevan.com
Headquarters: Saskatchewan, Canada
Family-owned and Canadian-based Pleasure-Way has been specializing in quality Class B vans on the Dodge Ram ProMaster, Ford Transit and Mercedes Sprinter chassis, not to mention many other amazing RVs, for almost 40 years. Their Class B RVs feature handcrafted cabinetry, custom-fit interiors, high-quality appliances and advanced technology.
Models built on the Mercedes chassis include the Plateau FL, the Plateau TS and the Ascent TS.
Models built on the Ford Transit chassis include the REKON 4×4, the Ontour 2.0 and the Ontour 2.2.
They also have 1 model built on the Ram ProMaster 1500 chassis called the Tofino. It features a manual pop-top with a 49″ x 72″ overhead bunk, creating a 2nd sleeping space. Other key features include side and rear door roll-up screens, roof-mounted solar panels, and an exterior spray port that supplies pressurized water through a hose, so you can avoid those annoying trips to a local water station.
Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas
Regency RV was founded in 2014. They specialize in Class B and B+ RVs built on the Mercedes Sprinter and the Ford Transit chassis.
Their Class B models, built on the Mercedes-Benz 3500 chassis, include their Xalta Touring and Xalta Ranger models. Both come with the option of a 170″ or 144″ wheelbase. Features include handcrafted select American hardwood storage and double diamond-stitched upholstery.
The Xalta Tour has a private lavatory, a mini fridge, a microwave, and power reclining seats with footrests and LED lighting. The Xalta Ranger offers a 4×4 option as well as a full wet bath, an optional Euro-Loft system and full residential cabinetry.
Photo credit: regencyrv.com
Headquarters: Ontario, Canada
Roadtrek produces nothing but Class B motorhomes built on the Mercedes and the Ram ProMaster chassis. They offer a wide variety of floor plans, luxuries and gas option platforms.
They have several models built on the Ram ProMaster 3500, including:
The Play, which seats 4 and sleeps up to 3
The Play SRT, which seats 5 and sleeps up to 3
The Play Slumber, which seats 5 and sleeps up to 5
The Zion, which seats 5 and sleeps up to 3
The Zion SRT, which seats 5 and sleeps up to 3
The Zion Slumber, which seats 5 and sleeps up to 5
The Chase, which seats 4 and sleeps up to 3
Both Slumber models include a pop top that adds sleeping capacity for up to 2 people.
Additionally, they have 1 model built on the Mercedes Sprinter 2500 chassis called the SS Agile that seats 5 and sleeps up to 3. The SS Agile includes special features such as large frameless windows, a retractable power awning, an 11,000 BTU roof-mounted air conditioner, a power step-on sliding door, an outdoor shower, a 2 burner recessed propane stove with flush cover, a bathroom with marine toilet and stand-up or sit-down shower, a rear power sofa that converts to 1 king or 2 twin beds, a 24-inch smart TV on a rotating bracket, and a tankless Insta hot water heater.
Safari Condo uses Mercedes Sprinter, GM, Ford and Dodge ProMaster chassis to create incredibly creative and custom Class Bs. Their goal is to combine the newest innovations in energy conservation, materials and technologies to offer their customers a 1-of-a-kind travel experience.
They have more than 10 models available, including their Go-Van, which can be built using either the Sprinter or the ProMaster chassis.
The Go-Van seats up to 6 and sleeps up to 5 and features a large 60″ x 76″ height-adjustable electric bed, front dining area for up to 4 people, heavy-duty anchors in the ceiling and cargo area with a 100-pound capacity each, deluxe manual awning F65 13′ 1″ (electric optional), a European-style side door screen, blind system integrated with the windows, and ultra-light and waterproof furniture in poplar plywood covered with laminate on both sides.
Photo credit: safaricondo.com
Headquarters: El Paso, Texas
Sportsmobile was founded in 1961. They offer incredibly unique and custom Class B motorhomes. Sportsmobile works very closely with their clients to create highly individualized vans. They build on just about any chassis—Mercedes Sprinter, Ford, Nissan and Chevy.
Thor Motor Coach was founded in 2010 when Damon Motor Coach merged with Four Winds International. Since then, Thor Motor Coach has produced 1 out of every 4 motorhomes sold in North America annually.
Their Class B options include their latest luxury Mercedes Sprinter vans, Sanctuary and Tranquility, as well as a wide selection of models built on the Ram ProMaster chassis, including the Dazzle, the Twist, the Scope, the Rize, the Sequence, the Tellaro, the Compass AWD, the Gemini AWD, the Sanctuary Transit and the Tranquility Transit.
Some standard features of their Class B RVs include an exterior roof solar charge controller with a 190-watt solar panel, a 3,500-pound trailer hitch, an ObeCo side screen door entryway, a wet bath, a single-door refrigerator, a 2-burner gas cooktop with glass cover, and a stainless steel single-bowl sink with a cover. Additionally, some models offer Thule accessories, such as awnings and bike racks.
Photo credit: thormotorcoach.com
Headquarters: Iowa
This is a name you have to know—whether you're a motorhome enthusiast or not. Founded in 1958, Winnebago Industries, Inc. is a leading U.S. manufacturer under the brands Winnebago, Grand Design, Chris-Craft, Newmar and Barletta. They build motorhomes and travel trailers, as well as 5th-wheel products, powerboats and commercial community outreach vehicles.
The Travato is built on both the Dodge Ram ProMaster and the Mercedes Sprinter. It's the perfect motorhome for an active, outdoorsy RV traveler, featuring a swing-arm-mounted table that swivels 360 degrees, glide couches, an Eco-Hot water system, roof and sidewall insulation, and under bed, roof and bike rack storage, among other amenities.
Their other Class B models, which are also based on the Dodge Ram ProMaster or the Mercedes Sprinter platform, include the Solis, the Solis Pocket, the Solis NPF, the Roam, the Revel, the Era and the Boldt.
Explore the Benefits Travel Vans Can Offer you and your Family.
Owning a camper van will let you travel to new places while still experiencing the comforts of home. Imagine seeing all of the sights on your bucket list from a comfortable seat with access to your own bathroom, refrigerator and place to take a nap.
Of course, this type of luxury is also available with large costly RVs as well, but camper vans give you the same level of freedom and comfort at a fraction of the price. Additionally, camper vans allow you to avoid many of the hassles and headaches that come along with owning a larger camper or RV.
Browse New & Used Class B Campers
Class B motorhome vans are easier to drive than their RV counterparts and they come in a variety of models from different manufacturers:
Chinook RVs
Great West
GTRV
Hasca Navion
Phoenix Cruiser
Thor Citation
High quality, good selection and personal service makes Classic Vans the best place to find new or used Class B camper vans for sale online. Browse our selection and if you do not find what you are looking for, then just give us a call toll-free at (866) 370-8222 to discuss your specific needs!
Not only is the sticker price much lower for a camper van than a traditional RV, but the ongoing maintenance costs are much lower as well.
Camper vans are more fuel efficient, which means that each trip is less expensive on a per mile basis. These fuel savings can really add up on longer trips!
Camper vans can be parked in your garage, driveway or office parking lot, which eliminates the costly fees that a storage facility would charge.
Repair costs on camper vans tend to be lower than RVs because the parts are not as specialized.
Furthermore, any of our travel vans can be shipped to your home of office for one low, flat-rate.
"These people are a high class act! Complete integrity and complete professionalism and the most efficient team we have worked with in a long time. It was a pleasure to do business with them. We traded in a Class B RV for a conversion van and Jordan made the transaction enjoyable. We'll be doing business with them in the future and highly recommend."
Joe Hargett
Camper vans are completely self-contained, which makes them a popular traveller choice for camp grounds. You and your family can avoid having to pitch a tent, use an outhouse and cook outdoors all while battling unpredictable weather.
Obviously, any camper or RV would provide these same benefits, but a travel van is much easier to go camping with than an RV. The reason Class B motorhomes are great for camping is because their small size allows them to maneuver into tight spaces easily. This means that at a campground you will not require a full size RV spot.
Having more availability in terms of where you can park also gives you a better chance of being able to find an available spot at popular camping destinations and over busy holiday weekends.
Camper vans are also incredibly reliable, which means that when you are camping at even the most remote locations, you will not have to worry about experiencing a mechanical problem or a break down.
Even if you do not have any big travel plans right now, you can still benefit from owning a Class B motorhome. Many people choose to buy a travel trailer to serve as their second vehicle.
Going to a child's sports games or weekend competitions is easier and more comfortable in a travel trailer than a minivan or SUV because you will always have a bathroom when you need it and you can eat meals on-the-go to save time and money.
If you're considering an RV but hesitate because of their size and price tag, a camper van may be the choice for you. We invite you to browse our inventory, or learn how you can build your travel van from the ground up. We also provide low, flat-rate shipping of travel vans to anywhere in the U.S.
Let the experts at Classic Vans help you find your next RV or motorhome
Wow, what a list! If you're overwhelmed, that's totally fine. Classic Vans, located in the San Francisco Bay area, is here to help you find a quality RV or motorhome with exactly what you're looking for.
For 30 years, Classic Vans has been an industry expert in the motorhome, conversion van and mobility van business. Browse our amazing selection of new and used inventory, or give us a call so we can help you find your dream motorhome today. We deliver nationwide and can ship your vehicle on a car carrier directly to your home at a fraction of the cost of any dealer in the country.


Vigo Video, the app that encourages all forms of creativity, fun and talent, has initiated an official movement #VigoLetsHelpKerala to lend support to Kerala. The initiative is an appeal to the whole Vigo community and society to pray for Kerala and act for the people.
Vigo Video has officially announced a promised donation of INR 1 Million to the affected people through the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund and created a short video on the initiative asking audiences to act upon. The initiative is active from 19thAugust to 25th August 2018.
The initiative aims to mobilise the people of Vigo Video India, to take active part and contribute to the society, which has been severely affected due to unusually high rains and floods.
To call for every effort from the whole community and society, Vigo Video India, has taken up further cause to make a bigger difference like — for every share of the post created by Vigo Video under this movement, Vigo Video will donate extra Rs 1. For every post made on Vigo Video under the movement, Vigo Video will donate extra Rs 5adding on to the funds. Since August 19th, over 30K videos have been created under this campaign, and the number is still growing. This little contribution from us may help our country men in this difficult time.
Kerala is facing its worst flood in 100 years. 324 lives lost and 200,000 people are in relief camp. Kerala has to rebuild itself after this worst floods. So, do your bit and let's help Kerala. Every person's contribution is going to be valuable.


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Marsyas insignis is een keversoort uit de familie van de loopkevers (Carabidae). De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 1843 door Brulle.

insignis

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Home—Graffiti
Sandra Chevrier Canadian POP artist
inkspired2021-02-09T13:46:17+00:00February 3rd, 2021|Events, Featured, Graffiti, Murals, Painting, Street Art|
Sandra Chevrier is a Canadian urban, contemporary pop artist, known for her captivating portraits of women from The Cages series. At a young age, Sandra fell in love with art through sketching eyes. She describes herself as the "gaze collector" and her work; a dichotomy or a dance between power and fragility, freedom and captivity, the poison and the cure can be seen around the world.
Nuno Viegas, Yard Romance – This is Not Graffiti
inkspired2020-12-03T03:20:21+00:00October 10th, 2020|Events, Featured, Graffiti, Murals, Painting, Street Art|
Street Artist, Nuno Viegas - First SOLO Exhibition in the United States at ThinkSpace in Los Angeles, CA. October 17th – Nov. 7th, 2020. "#YardRomance" His work is a constant tribute to all the writers who live graffiti to the fullest, keeping it real and its essence alive.
Street Artist AstroGraff Distorts Depth
inkspired2020-09-13T19:33:50+00:00June 18th, 2020|Featured, Graffiti, Murals, Painting|
Street Artist, Greg Astro finds inspiration from the architecture of modern and ancient cities, design and calligraphy. His first big mural was in 2000, in the northern suburbs of Paris. Astro is able to deceive the viewers eye through distorting depth and exploiting shadows, light and colors.
Mikael Brandrup Baroquism Reality Shifts
Mikael Brandrup combines the softness of Baroque with bold sharp Cubism. Blue painters tape and spray paint are his main tools of the trade but not before he uses his technical graphic design skills, to mock-up his powerful designs.
Pissing the Night Away with Street Artist Banksy
inkspired2020-08-27T03:25:03+00:00June 14th, 2020|Featured, Graffiti, Street Art|
"London Underground – undergoes deep clean". Corona virus-inspired stencils on London Underground, tube train feature rats with surgical face masks, and hand sanitizer.
Brian Viveros Portraits of Empowerment
inkspired2020-09-06T21:38:19+00:00June 11th, 2020|Featured, Graffiti, Tattoo Artist, Tattoos|
DirtyLand Warriors embraces hyper-realistic portraits of women from the perspective of the artist, Brian Viveros. These victors embody female empowerment, beauty, and strength.
Igor Mitrenga Graffiti Train Escapes
A young child in a small town outside of Prague, in the Czech Republic, witnesses a train pass by covered in graffiti and street art, his mind is captivated, his intrigue is high, and the evolution of one of today's great color realism tattoo artists begins to take shape.
Street Artist Igor Dobrowolski Why Do You Exist
inkspired2020-09-06T21:42:12+00:00June 11th, 2017|Featured, Graffiti, Painting, Street Art|
Exhibit in Warshaw breaks down conformity. Igor Dobroski, street artist discusses the obstacles involved prepping for his first show, long hours of dedication and family support setting up.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


April 30, 2016 April 30, 2016 ~ Renee M.
I will always have the hardest time formulating my feelings into words for you. It is like stepping through a field of land mines when I try to talk; one wrong word and everything blows up. It surprises me, how scared I am of you. I do not trust you, not because I feel as if you are not loyal, but because I feel that you judge, that you assume. I feel that once you believe something is true, even when it's not, there is no changing your mind. You have caused me countless secret tears and frustrated screams. You have caused me to slit my own wrists and believe that I am not worthy of joy. I am lonely. When other girls speak of going shopping with their moms and getting their nails done, my stomach sinks just a little, because when I try to go shopping with you, you repeatedly comment on the price. When girls go home and cry in their dad's chests about some boy hurting them, I close my eyes, and feel the pain by myself. I am not even allowed to experience my youth. It is school and then soccer and then school and then soccer. A never-ending cycle. I want to kiss a boy and go on a date and hang out with all my friends. But I cannot. You do not believe in that. I have been a worker in this job called life. That is not how it should be. And I am sitting here, crying as I write this, because I feel so claustrophobic in this box you call a home. I am so trapped. Let me be free. If you are reading this, you may begin to think that I loathe you, that I am disgusted, but I am not. I am contradicted, because we have had bad times but we also have had the good. I just needed so desperately to let out these forbidden thoughts that have been kept inside, never to be spoken.
This letter is never to reach you. I fear what would happen to me if it ever did.


Keeping it bright this season with this killer set. Featuring a neon pink jersey fabric with zip detailing and figure-skimming fit, what's not to love?
Style with the matching crop top and barely there heels for the ultimate killer look.


Western Power Distribution's EV strategy details what its network can handle, costs of connections and upgrades – and some interesting plans to pay customers that charge their cars flexibly.
Western Power Distribution has published an electric vehicle strategy that outlines how it plans to handle increased uptake by households, businesses and local authorities.
The distribution network operator (DNO) also said it is in discussions with an airport about deploying a vehicle-to-grid system that would deliver frequency response to National Grid.
The strategy details WPD's estimations of EV uptake. It thinks 217,000 chargers will be connected to its network by 2023 – up from around 7,000 a year ago.
The DNO indicates it has spare capacity to handle those kind of numbers in urban areas, with existing infrastructure – ground mounted transformers – able to provide a charge for customers every five days, provided charging is "optimised", or managed. However, in rural areas, which use overhead networks, "options are somewhat less".
The company plans to produce a heat map of transformer capacity, showing where capacity is available and where constraints are likely. It said aggregators could use that map to determine where they can offer flexibility solutions, or signal directly to EV owners that they will need to pay more if they want to charge at certain times via time of use tariffs.
Either way, WPD said it would not allow domestic users to blow fuses and inconvenience other customers – and will use tools to manage demand within known limits ahead of overloads.
The plan outlines the cost, lead times and related works required to connect different types of chargers, ranging from nothing and immediately for slow (3kW) domestic chargers, to £120,000 and 16 weeks for a 130kW super charger or multiple rapid chargers.
It states that businesses with depot-based fleets seeking to install significant numbers of chargers – and that are likely to mostly charge at night when demand is low – will be offered alternative connections in order to mitigate costs and minimise required reinforcement.
For other workplaces and EV charging destinations, such as supermarkets and retail parks, WPD said it will make use of existing supply where it is capable of supporting the additional load, or charge for reinforcement works where required.
For on-street parking WPD said it may be able to deliver options through new street lighting.
As well as flagging discussions with an airport over vehicle-to-grid potential, WPD trailed plans to create an 'active' domestic flexibility product for EV owners, "where we are able to pay directly for energy deferred under demand response demonstrated through metering".
However, it said this would likely go through suppliers or other entities who will aggregate customers and then need to show to WPD that an action has been taken to qualify for payment.
It will also create a 'passive' product, where WPD pays an annual fee to EV owners that sign up for a time of use tariff, and then uses price signals to encourage customers to shift charging away from constraint periods.
WPD said there is potential for depots and long stay car parks to participate in flexibility programmes – less so for rapid charging destinations.
While the DNO already procures flexibility from businesses in certain postcodes, it will also launch projects to show how flexibility could be used within EV charging to free up capacity.
It will start with simple 'alternative connections' approaches – where the business agrees to charge overnight and use capacity that is not required during that period, for example. It will then move to 'active network management' or ANM solutions, where customers react to constraint signals. WPD said it has already implemented an ANM system at a car showroom in Lincolnshire.
WPD's plan also hints at offering further commercial incentives to people that use local generation, storage and EV charging in ways that help the grid.
Pubs and supermarkets the new petrol stations?


A recently married Ontario legislature has decided that price gaps between men's and women's clothing, shoes, dry cleaning, and hair styles are a human rights violation. Lorenzo Berardinetti has proposed a bill that would levy fines for those who offer different prices to men and women. The absurdity of the bill aside, there are interesting pricing questions underlying these gaps. For the most part, I think they reflect the different value different consumers assign to certain items. Why much of this value segmentation falls along gender lines is a question for marketers and sociologists (any opinions? please leave a comment).
If dry cleaners are using discriminatory pricing (charging differently for the same treatment of the same clothes made of the same material), that would seem like a great market opportunity.


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Richard: "If 15 months ago someone had told me that I would meet my soul mate, wife, best friend and lover on eHarmony I would have laughed, but that is exactly what has happened and her name is Jamie. Both of us were recovering from broken relationships but neither of us had given up on the fact that there was someone special out there for us.
I lived in Norfolk in the England and Jamie, Central Valley, California, 5400 miles apart. After some great weekends in Ireland a spell in England, hundreds of emails, hours talking on the phone and the internet I went over to CA for a few months. We married on August the 1st and we will now be living in the England. Joining eHarmony was the best move I have ever made and I would never have met Jamie if I hadn't, Now I cannot imagine my life without her. Thanks eHarmony for making us both very happy."


"Chez Oscar Appart'hôtel Champs-Elysées" has 6 furnished and fully-equipped studios and apartments, a practical and comfortable solution for every taste.
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Suite for 1 or 2 people maximum, cot can be added.
Our Deluxe Apartment can host a full family, with two separate bedrooms and a lounge with a sofa bed. Peace and privacy are guaranteed in this spacious apartment overlooking a typical Paris courtyard.
Apartment for 5 people maximum, cot can be added. The sofa bed can sleep 2 adults or 2 children.
Our Apartment respects each person's privacy by offering a lounge and kitchen space, as well as a separate bedroom. It is perfectly suited for a trip with friends or family and has separate access from the rest of the hotel.
Apartment for 3 people maximum, a cot can be added. The sofa bed can sleep 1 adult or 2 children under 16.
Our Deluxe Studio is a spacious oasis of comfort measuring 33 m² and overlooking the charming Rue Marbeuf. Cosy and elegant, it's ideal for relaxing after a day exploring the capital. This space has a Queen Size bed and walk-in shower, and is particularly suited for long stays, whether alone or as a couple.
Studio for 1 or 2 people maximum, cot can be added.
The intimate and functional Comfort Studios are perfectly suited for a business trip or short city break in the capital. These stylish rooms have a Queen Size bed and a walk-in shower overlooking a typical Paris courtyard.
Studios for 1 or 2 people maximum (it is not possible to add a cot or extra bed).
Book your stay"Paul Eluard" layoutPhoto GalleryPlan "Guillaume Apollinaire"


Thank you for visiting my page. My name is Inga Deksne and moving to London 9 years ago from Latvia, I know what it's like to start from scratch, in an unknown new world.
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text:
Home / Unlabelled / How a Group of NASA Renegades Transformed Mission Control
How a Group of NASA Renegades Transformed Mission Control
iStock/LaserLens
In business, we often label renegades and rebels as troublemakers — individuals who have to "get with the program" to align the organization both internally and externally. Our research at NASA, however, suggests we need renegades more than we think. Far from being obstacles to the work at hand, renegades can offer powerful ways to revitalize and shift organizations into the future.
Over time, organizations establish goal-achieving cultures and ways of operating, which often are not conducive to change. Habits, sunk costs, the strength of tradition, politics, and established worldviews all maintain the status quo. But as the competitive environment changes and unexpected challenges emerge, businesses need to adapt their approach.
The nudge organizations need to push in a different direction often comes from renegade groups — those that spot looming challenges and envision potential solutions outside the organization's current ways. These groups are committed to elevating business capabilities and future-proofing them for novel challenges, often despite opposition from the status quo. It is therefore essential for organizations to create a climate that fosters rebel thinking and supports these contributors within their ranks.
Balancing Efficiency and Innovation
We conducted case-study research from 2013 through 2018 at NASA's Johnson Space Center to understand how organizations can become ambidextrous — which we define as being able to balance competing objectives like efficiency, innovation, and the development of current and future capabilities. Our research involved ethnographic visits, workshops, interviews of managers, engineers, and scientists, and historical document analysis.
During our research, we became familiar with a highly effective renegade group that would later become known as the "Pirates." This innovative and agile group formed in 1986 and created an award-winning mission control system for the space shuttle program in record time, on a shoestring budget, and in the face of political resistance. This group's values and methods challenged the established hierarchical culture. They were pioneers in agile practices, even before agility entered the organizational vocabulary or the agile manifesto was created in the software industry. The group was able to overcome opposition, win the support of high-level sponsors within NASA, and eventually develop a new shuttle mission control with huge cost savings. The group's story offers important lessons for all organizations in how renegades can help business balance the often competing goals of efficiency and innovation.
How the Pirates Brought Real-Time Data Systems to Mission Control
When John Muratore, a young engineer, joined the Johnson Space Center in 1983 after four years in the Air Force supporting the space shuttle program, he was surprised to see that the computer architecture in operation in the shuttle mission control center was still the Apollo-era mainframe system. Displays were monochrome, lacked graphics, and the system could handle only a limited number of simultaneous calculations. Any changes in functionality could take months to implement. He wondered whether the incumbent mainframe system could stand up to the burgeoning complexity of the shuttle program and the planned International Space Station.
Muratore connected with a small group of newly recruited engineers who felt the same way about the incumbent system. They wanted to future-proof mission control by using an open, distributed, upgradable, and scalable systems architecture built to incorporate not-yet-invented technologies.
The group's concerns initially fell on deaf ears. Mission control was confident in the tried-and-tested incumbent system — after all, it had taken humans to the moon, and flight controllers and software engineers knew its quirks and could respond in any emergency.
The group was undeterred. As we'll explore below, the secret of their success was their approach: They won out by achieving results, showing resilience in the face of challenge, and maintaining personal responsibility.
By taking action that challenged the established culture of their organization, the Pirates innovated new mission control capabilities for NASA, resulting in the group's first project, Real-Time Data Systems (RTDS), which took a year's worth of off-hours time to create.
This system, composed of clusters of off-the-shelf hardware and tailor-made code, was built with funds from a small internal grant for "new technology." They even borrowed hardware that they could keep for only 90- to 120-day cycles, given government rules about using free resources from NASA suppliers. Eventually RTDS was brought into mission control, and our research showed support from a high-level sponsor — in this case, flight director Eugene Kranz — was a key factor in renegade success.
Their new system displayed color graphics and user-friendly interfaces, integrated reports on the status of shuttle systems, and ran seamlessly on occasions when the mainframe system crashed. Flight controllers realized they could make decisions faster and more accurately with the new system. All the technical systems required to fly the space shuttle were then gradually transitioned to the renegades' system.
The Pirate Paradigm: Agility Before It Was in Vogue
Because of the success of RTDS, Muratore was asked to pull together a team to upgrade the entire mission control system for the planned International Space Station. This new group created the "Pirate Paradigm" — values that challenged the established culture, and some of which echo modern agile principles:
Don't wait to be told to do something; figure it out for yourself.
Challenge everything, and steel yourself for the inevitable cynicism, opposition, rumors, false reporting, innuendos, and slander.
Break the rules, not the law.
Take risks as a rule, not as the exception.
Cut out unnecessary timelines, schedules, processes, reviews, and bureaucracy.
Just get started; fix problems as you go along.
Build a product, not an organization; outsource as much as possible.
By shaping action that went beyond the established conservative culture, their values allowed innovation of essential mission control capabilities for NASA. The Pirates' motto was "build a little, test a little, fix a little," and their practices included:
Regular short-cycle milestones to encourage continuous improvement and experimentation.
Results orientation.
Cutting out bureaucracy.
Encouraging personal accountability and responsibility.
Challenging convention, while operating in a large, rule-bound hierarchical organization.
It takes great persistence and commitment for innovators like the Pirates to challenge an organization's culture, but as their success with the shuttle program and International Space Station shows, that is often what organizations need most.
Renegades Revitalize: Novel Challenges Need Novel Problem Solver
All systems and organizations have performance limits that may make them unable to deal with novel challenges. Companies often resist new approaches in favor of the established order and dominant interests, and organizational inertia discourages proactive innovation.
The NASA Pirates were faced with legacy mainframe computing that could not deliver the functionality and flexibility of distributed computing. A parallel can be seen in today's financial services, health care, automotive, retail, and education sectors, which are all just beginning to see the reshaping potential of artificial intelligence (AI). Organizations need new information technologies and organizational processes, not just refining of current systems, to capitalize on AI's potential benefits.
This is where "positive deviants" such as NASA's Pirates come in. These individuals and groups are embedded in operations, understand looming challenges, and have the expertise, motivation, and vision to seek and create better ways to deal with these challenges. They are the "troublemakers," as some wedded to the status quo see them, who can end up bringing essential competencies to the organization.
Nurture Your Rebels: Create Fertile Ground for Innovation
Many organizations focus on strategic and organizational alignment, expecting everyone to toe the line and pouncing on any signs of deviation from the norm. Homogeneity can foster efficiency and optimization, but also has the inherent risks of not allowing system evolution (or revolution for that matter). An important antidote to inertia is renegade groups, positive deviants who, via constructive dissent and innovative outputs, may hold the key to improvements in technology and human systems. Organizations can foster renegade groups by creating fertile ground for such groups to emerge:
Develop an organizational culture truly open to challenge and positive dissent.
Provide positive deviants with seed funding and time for experimentation.
Shelter renegade groups from company bureaucracy and politics once they emerge.
Ensure that high-level sponsors connect with and support these groups.
Recognize early wins of renegades to motivate the organization to adopt new practices.
Develop leaders with ambidextrous mindsets — balancing the needs of present and future; optimization and creation.
Creating this kind of environment can amplify positive deviance rather than suppress it and offers the best chance for renegade groups to appear and make a positive difference.
Protect Innovators From Your Organizational Immune System
Even today, the NASA Pirates' methods are innovative for many organizations, and they were nothing short of revolutionary in NASA's procedural, rule-bound, hierarchical organization. Their approach was seen as an intrusion that angered many who wanted to see them fail. There was fierce opposition from the established order, including middle management and software developers who felt the flight-operator Pirates, by writing their own code, were encroaching on their turf. But, as the group won quiet support of high-level sponsors, their advancements and innovation brought support and ushered in organizational transformation.
The history of renegade groups shows that changes occasioned by such groups are not just cosmetic or superficial. Transformational changes can be achieved because renegades challenge the status quo with credible solutions and because these innovators have intrinsic motivation to make a difference. This motivation is a key way of determining if renegades in your organization are constructive, positive deviants, or just anarchists. Protection and support from high-level sponsors, who understand the value of the quest for new ways, offer advice and strategic perspective, and can step in to remove obstacles from the renegades' path, is often key to their success.
The NASA Pirates' vision of the Mission Control Center was deployed in 1996, but their effects reverberate today. They took their methods with them across the organization; several former Pirates are now leaders across the agency and the space industry. The history of other renegade groups, such as Lockheed Martin's fabled Skunk Works and Steve Jobs' Macintosh project shows that this is not a unique, parochial case. Fostering such groups in your organization or company could shift the balance from inertia and decline to innovation and competitive advantage.


USA. Billfish update the first boat from our used Viking Mullica facility is the 37 Billfish.Tuesday, 11 October 2016 This used model is the heir apparent to the classic day boats popular with the Palm Beach sailfishing crowd in the 1950s and 1960s for simplicity and utility. Now with a more contemporary look and utilizing modern, superior materials and fuel-efficient steam power, the 37 Billfish is ready to take its position as a modern classic. A one-piece liner extends from the inner transom and includes the cockpit, command deck and lower helm. The flying bridge will be outfitted with a center console helm as you would expect aboard a Viking tournament contender, along with pedestal helm chairs, flanking lounges and ample room for electronics. A fiberglass hardtop and a three-sided Costa Clear enclosure will provide all-weather protection. A second helm station on the lower command deck plays a useful role for the owner/operator when fishing short-handed, as well as for extending the season in spring and fall in temperate climes. When the command deck is air conditioned, it is the perfect antidote for tropical haunts like Costa Rica. A convertible dinette and a small settee, keeps everyone close to the action in the cockpit. A practical cockpit with 86 square feet of usable space includes a transom door and lift gate, a transom fish box, a bait freezer, insulated in-deck fish boxes, mezzanine seating and wash down systems. A grippy non-slip cockpit sole is reinforced to mount a fishing chair or rocket launcher. Where the 37 Billfish leaves those classic designs in the wake is in the boat's interior. Utilizing the near 14-foot beam the accommodations are Palm Beach uptown with an attractive and practical interior by WBC Design. A private bow stateroom has room for a single queen, or over and under berths. A full entertainment system including a 20-inch flat screen television is standard. The air conditioned head includes a fiberglass shower stall. The L-shape galley is well dressed with Corian counters, a micro-wave/convection oven, an electric cooktop, and under counter refrigeration. Still wrapped in the corral is a pair of 550 mhp Cummins QSB 6.7 550 steams, which will deliver a 30 plus knot cruise and a top end of 35 knots depending upon load, sea conditions and other environmental factors. A 9 kW generator is standard. The 37 Billfish one of five used models Viking will be introducing for 2017 will have a private showing at the 21st Annual Viking VIP Boat Show Preview at the Viking Yacht Service Center in Riviera Beach, Florida, February 3-4, 2017, followed by its world premiere at Yachts Miami Beach 2017, February 16-20, 2017 in Miami Beach.
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Marine Stewardship Council is the world's leading eco-labelling program for sustainable seafood, which well known to shoppers buying pre-packed seafood. Their goal is to raise awareness of the eco-label amongst diners and the restaurant trade.
Cheque Dejeuner will start to offer lunch vouchers to restaurant visitors in Toulouse from September 5th. By scanning the QR code the user access a personalized restaurant's page where will find contact information, menus, offerings, etc.. , Much information updates directly by the restaurant. The user can also navigate to a page explaining the generic Cheque Dejeuner services.
The Cheque Dejeuner application offers several services such as geolocation for restaurants you and various other information.
DHL use QR codes in creatives to lead Israelis people who scan it to its site. Although they didn't follow the simple rule that content should be mobile formatted, it is nice to see another company of that size adopting QR codes in their creatives. The creative is done by QaReFun.
Here is example how you can engage your customers with QR codes. Volvic, a juice producer, has printed QR codes on the packaging of the juices which when scanned forward you to their mobile site where you can play interactive game. Scan it for yourself to get idea of their implementation.
Sportsgirl, an Australian multichannel retailer, has launched a window shop with QR codes. Sportsgirl products are displayed on the shopfront's windows, and customers can scan the product's QR code with their smartphone or iPad to make an immediate purchase. It is a true 24/7 shopping experience which can be updated to feature the latest styles and providing customers with a greater choice nationwide.
The 2012 Olympic Games in London will start soon and we are happy to see that National Rail use QR codes to let you plan your train trips. If you have ticket for the Games they let you buy exclusive train ticket after scanning the QR code.
Here is how North Korea innovates and use QR code during the yearly Arirang festival. It is amazing to see how even countries considered as low tech are in love with QR codes and use them.