text:
Bonus Watch '13: Beverly Hills Pawnshop Owner Is Here To Make Sure You Get Paid
Beverly Loan Company is a high-end pawn shop three floors above the Bank of America branch on Santa Monica Boulevard. CEO Jordan Tabach-Bank's grandfather started the company 75 years ago. "The amount that we have loaned out on the street is up about 10 percent from last year," Tabach-Bank said. "We're seeing more and more white collar customers bringing in large diamonds." Tabach-Bank refered to one hesitant client who needed to cover year-end bonuses for his employees. "He needed a quick infusion of cash, he had some outstanding receivables. He came in here, received a collateral loan, and he was able to pay out his bonuses, but he was a bit tentative." [CNBC]
Bonus Watch '13: UBS
...employees will get their bonus numbers when management feels like giving them their bonus numbers!
Not everyone received a package that resulted in a nice long cry. Andrea Orcel, for example, did pretty okay for himself.
Bonus Watch '13: LightSquared
LightSquared is a wireless venture that seeks to create "convenient connectivity for all." Unfortunately, as the Wilbur Falcone fans among us know, it's looking like it'll be a dark day in hell before that happens, on account of bunch of forces working together to shut this thing down at every turn, including but not limited to the yachting community that claims GSP interference caused by LS will result in boats getting lost at sea; the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, which has said LightSquared "may degrade precision services that track hurricanes, guide farmers and help build flood defenses"; and the FAA, which recently put out a study estimating LS could "cost 794 lives in aviation accidents over 10 years with disruptions to satellite-aided navigation." Also not helping is that LightSquared filed for bankruptcy in May, the company is blowing through cash faster than Wilbur's Studio 54 days, and senior executives won't stop quitting. While some people might take stock of the situation and decide, at this point, to throw in the towel, Wilbur Falcone's benefactor is not some people. He's making this thing work if it's the last thing he does. So, what to do? Obviously a couple of miracle workers are going to be needed and the thing about miracle workers is that they don't come cheap. Gotta spend money to make money. Troubled wireless-satellite company LightSquared wants permission to dole out up to nearly $6 million in cash bonuses to four of its top employees, including its interim chief executive. Recent months have seen LightSquared burn through money--it has spent $134.3 million since filing for bankruptcy in May, according to its most recent monthly operating report, and executives alike. In court papers filed Wednesday, LightSquared said four senior executives have left the company in the past six months, including its former chairman of the board and CEO. The company wants to make sure four "irreplaceable employees" stick with the company as it attempts to claw its way out of bankruptcy protection and help to make the reorganization as fast and cheap as possible. LightSquared's bonus proposal paves the way for a "total possible cash payout of approximately $5.985 million" over two years, according to a filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan. Four employees--interim CEO, president and chairman of the board Douglas Smith; Chief Financial Officer Marc R. Montagner; general counsel Curtis Lu; and its executive vice president, regulatory affairs & public policy Jeffrey Carlisle--would be eligible for incentives consisting of cash and restricted stock units paid in shares of the company's current common stock. If the executives satisfy cash preservation goals, make progress in LightSquared's efforts to resolve certain regulatory issues and emerge from bankruptcy by the end of 2013, they'll receive vesting of all issued stock and "aggregate incentive payments of cash up to 285% of each such key employee's annual salary," LightSquared said. Hitting less aggressive goals, like exiting bankruptcy by the end of June 2014, would come with smaller payouts, like a cash bonus equal to 100% of the executives' annual salary, in the case of the mid-2014 bankruptcy exit. Mr. Smith currently makes $700,000 annually; Mr. Montagner and Mr. Lu $500,000 each; and Mr. Carlisle $400,000. LightSquared said each of the employees "provides critical services, drives performance, and impacts LightSquared's ability to enhance value in the Chapter 11 cases." The group has also had to take on extra work recently, as more and more employees have left LightSquared both voluntarily and involuntarily. The company said its total employee headcount has dropped by 60% in the last six months. The bonus plan aims to motivate the company's leaders to manage its businesses and working capital effectively and maximize the value of the estate for the benefit of all stakeholders, LightSquared said. LightSquared Seeks to Pay Key Executives up to $6M in Bonuses [DowJones]
Bonus Watch '13: Jefferies CEOs
Dick Handler ended up doing pretty okay for himself.
Bonus Watch '13: Citi
Bonus Watch '13: Jefferies
The Swiss bank will reportedly announce today that it's going to be doing things a little differently around here re: compensation. One, deferrals will start at $250,000 and two, rather than being paid in UBS stock, the non-cash portion of 6,500 senior employees' bonuses will come in the form of subordinated debt that can and will be wiped out in the event the amount of capital on hand falls below the level required by EU regulators, putting the onus on everyone to make sure no one pulls an Adoboli and avoids multi-billion dollar fuck-ups in general.
Bonus Watch '13: JP Morgan


text:
"The Visionary Times Are Over"
Below are excerpts from a Swiss documentary about the current economic and social crisis that has enveloped most of Europe. The filmmaker visited interviewed Marion Maréchal-Le Pen and Marine Le Pen of the Front National in France, as well as Greeks made desperate by their country's debt crisis and culturally enriched residents of Marseille who live amidst criminality and lawlessness.
Many thanks to Hermes for the translation, and to Vlad Tepes for the subtitling:
A transcript of the excerpts is below the jump. The time stamps shown are from the original video, which may be viewed here.
00:34 The time of certainties is over in Europe.
00:41 The frustration of an entire continent is relieved in street riots, mass demonstrations
00:47 and general strikes. From Lisbon to Athens.
01:01 'We must stabilize our economy and regain the lost pride of our people'
01:14 People are fed up with the established parties.
01:18 The much encouraged spirit of Europe seems to be discredited.
01:23 We are in a deep crisis which is much more than an economic one.
01:30 A feeling of impotence and anger is brewing against those who
01:35 do not take seriously the wishes of the people.
01:42 We experience outrage and lack of perspective, and the renaissance of nationalism.
01:49 Populists from the left and the right have a tailwind.
03:56 On the outskirts of Athens we visit a hospital run by volunteers.
04:05 The public health care has to a large extent collapsed.
04:10 Doctors and nurses work for free to make a shelter for sick people.
04:16 Treatment and medicines are for free.
04:22 40% of Greeks no longer have health insurance.
04:27 What should I tell all those people? Go back home and die?
04:38 This is our storage room.
04:42 Where do all those medicines come from?
04:46 Those came as gifts from individuals who happened to have them at home,
04:50 or they purchased them abroad.
04:53 Many of those medicines are no longer available in Greece, because the
04:57 state has no money. Supplies have been halted by the pharmaceutical companies.
05:05 This is our treasure chest. These are cancer drugs. There are hardly any.
05:10 We literally save lives with them. Look, one box costs 486 euros.
05:20 Some months earlier they began stockpiling baby food, too,
05:24 because more and more parents come with underweight children.
05:29 Conditions as they are in the third world.
05:50 I'll never forget the time when a man came here completely desperate
05:55 We told him: 'Do not worry, we will help you, and your children and parents.'
06:00 Then he began to cry and said, 'Had I not found you, then I would have
06:05 killed myself today.'
06:10 It's about him, Nikolas Moutzos, 33 years old,
06:15 butcher, and a father of three.
06:18 He has been jobless for three years.
06:23 'Without this hospital, I would have been dead long ago.
06:26 People die daily in this country because they cannot afford their medicines.
06:31 My parents have serious health problems, and me also. I don't
06:35 know what would we do without these people here.'
06:42 I have written a letter to the hospital. Come and film it.
06:46 I wrote: 'I was dead, but thanks to you I have risen again.
06:49 You have saved me and all my family'.
07:35 Harold James is one of the most famous economic historians in the world.
07:40 He teaches at the elite American university Princeton.
07:45 One of his fields is German industry and economy between the two world wars.
07:52 He sees parallels between that dramatic phase of European history
07:56 and what is now happening (in Europe).
08:01 'Many are afraid that the interwar situation may repeat itself
08:06 in one country after another, with failing democracies
08:11 in Central Europe, just as in South American countries, and
08:17 that was clearly, just as now, a reaction to the crisis,
08:24 the discrediting of the existing parties, the moving to
08:30 incompatible solutions from right or left, and there
08:35 is also the story in the interwar period, if there
08:40 military solutions may arise in Greece or Turkey'.
20:31 The fragility of social peace became obvious in 2005.
20:36 The death of two youngsters in a suburb in Paris
20:40 caused the worst riots since 1968.
20:44 The clashes spread to the entire country. It was the
20:48 three-week revolt. A whole generation of young immigrants
20:52 from North Africa whose integration had failed.
21:02 We travel to Marseille, to the so-called 'sensitive districts',
21:07 a politically correct term for the banlieues - suburbs.
21:19 This desolate background is the forecourt of a mosque headed
21:23 by the imam Haroun Derbal.
21:27 The actual crisis has worsened the already precarious
21:32 Conditions in the suburbs, he says. With fatal consequences.
21:38 'Our youngsters abandon school without having qualifications,
21:42 and later they find no jobs. These are kids who had
21:45 no chance from the very beginning. If this doesn't change,
21:48 then we'll be heading towards a catastrophe'.
24:15 Marion Maréchal-Le Pen is the granddaughter of Jean Marie Le Pen
24:20 and currently the youngest representative in parliament.
24:23 Her manners and tone are moderate, just like those of her grandfather.
24:27 As for content, she keeps on fighting for national values,
24:32 but remaining loyal to family, and straightforward.
24:40 The question about national identity is now more present than ever;
24:44 young French feel that our history and culture is disappearing.
24:50 We the French are being confronted with increasing demands
24:53 from the Muslim community. For example, orthodox ones want
24:57 to send completely covered six-year-old girls to school.
25:01 This shocks us French. The strong separation of religion and state
25:05 is deeply rooted. More and more people have the impression that
25:10 everybody is allowed to be proud of their culture except us French.
25:18 The atmosphere is volatile in the suburbs, too. Are you not
25:22 playing with fire?
25:27 No, I don't think so. We are the only ones who defend our national values,
25:33 equality, fraternity, laicism.
25:40 The National Front is a kind of family enterprise. Marion's aunt,
25:44 Marine Le Pen, now leads the party.
25:47 She succeeded her father a year and a half ago.
25:55 The leader of the National Front sees herself as a
25:59 Jeanne d'Arc of the 21st century.
26:05 Her mission: to undemonize the party. No more far right,
26:10 but rather the straightforward right. And she has succeeded.
26:14 Since the beginning of the crisis, the NF has grown steadily.
26:19 So bad news is good news for you?
26:26 No, it cannot be said in that way. It is not good news
26:30 for me that the country is going bad. But it is a fact that we have said
26:35 from the very beginning that the euro will destroy our economy.
26:40 We said that this currency union will have catastrophic consequences.
26:44 And we see this verified with every passing day.
26:50 What we need now is an international cooperation between parties
26:55 who stand opposed to these fatal developments.
26:58 We have much in common with the SVP [Swiss People's Party], for example.
27:01 The defense of liberty, of sovereignty, of identity.
27:07 We have a common DNA. That's why it makes sense when
27:11 we work together to form an opposition against a Europe
27:16 which wants to condemn nations to servitude.
27:23 You talk about the suburbs. Are those problems which we
27:27 see there above all problems of integration?
27:35 Yes, that is an enormous problem. You know , we can manage
27:40 our economic problems, but the integration problems cannot
27:45 be solved anymore.
27:50 Many young immigrants feel discriminated against. They allegedly
27:55 do not have the same chances as the other French.
28:01 Well, I'm sorry, but they are wrong.
28:04 The reality is that the government spends enormous amounts
28:08 of money in the banlieues. A study showed that people
28:11 in the banlieues get 200 times more money per capita
28:14 than people living in poor regions in the countryside.
28:18 There you find really poor people, and not in the banlieues.
30:24 It is a myth that everybody has a chance in France, Karim says.
30:30 Whoever is born in the banlieue, dies there.
30:38 Just like his colleague Walid, who was executed two days ago in the street.
30:43 Amateur videos show the car of the 25-year-old, immediately after
30:48 it was hit by shots fired from a Kalashnikov. An act of revenge in the
30:52 criminal underworld, police say.
31:01 An entire generation has grown up with mass unemployment, resignation
31:08 and gang criminality.
31:18 There were 19 casualties in greater Marseille in six months.
31:22 The mayor demanded the intervention of the army
31:26 in order to take control of the situation
31:34 'I don' t know whether there is a war, but what's for sure is that
31:38 it is weapons of war which are being used here.
31:41 We are in a deadly spiral which steadily gains momentum.'
31:48 The media exaggerate everything.
31:53 People are killed in Gaza, Afghanistan or Iraq, too.
31:58 There are deaths everywhere, not only here in Marseille.
32:04 But we are in Europe, after all.
32:08 Yeah, of course, but people die also in Palermo.
32:20 What must have a 23-year-old experienced, that he
32:23 giggles at the death of a colleague, and says that the media
32:27 would exaggerate it.
33:42 We meet once again with Karim. We would like to know
33:46 if he has dreams at least for his children.
33:54 'I dream that my children will one day have it better than I had.
33:58 No limited employment contract, no unemployment, no discrimination,
34:02 no exploitation. A fully normal life. That's what I dream about.'
49:27 But how far are those people see, or are able to?
49:32 Those who lost their job yesterday, who don't know
49:36 whether they will be able to feed their children today, and
49:40 No longer believe that tomorrow everything will improve.
49:45 It seems that the visionary times are over.
Common Sense from Die Presse?
The Professional Complainers of Islam
Gay Paree — For Muslims
Europe's Takeover by Islam: German, Part 1
Bringing it to a Boil
One-Sided Indoctrination in Montreal Schools
Shame on the British Government!
Out of Wandsworth — For Now
Tommy Robinson: Fanfare for the Common Man
Starting to Clear Away the Mess
No Halal for Eskilstuna Schools
For Slandering Islam, Terry Jones Must Die
The Lean Years
Malmö Firemen on Strike Against Cultural Enrichmen...
Bill Warner: Islam and the Golden Rule
The OIC vs. the First Amendment
No One Expects The Norwegian Inquisition!
An Open Letter on Tommy's 30th Birthday
Fjordman: My Meeting with Lars Vilks
Giving Voice to the Voiceless
What Happens to Political Undesirables?
Human Shields, Israeli-Style
The Europe of Watchdogs
My Friend Tommy
The Movement to Free Tommy Robinson
Aftermath: In the Wilderness
On Rotherham and Racism
A Rosetta Stone for Bill Warner, Part 12: Turkish
Free Tommy Robinson Demo in Düsseldorf
A Massive Political Lie
Free Tommy Robinson Demo in Berlin
So Now We Have a Hudna
A Rosetta Stone for Bill Warner, Part 11: Norwegia...
Star Chamber at the Leeds City Council
Dog Gone
Street Brawling in Oslo
Free Tommy Day
Incitement? Or the Word of Allah?
The Invisible Crisis
Thanksgiving Followed by Troubles
"Nobody Was Talking About This"
Is Ignorance the Reason Why People Don't Like Isla...
Life Constantly Interrupted
Muslim Gang Rape Whitewashed in Britain
The Grievance Tyranny
Two New Wins for the Mosque Busters
A Rosetta Stone for Bill Warner, Part 10: Arabic
Ceasefire? What Ceasefire?
Kevin Carroll Talks to Michael Coren on SUN TV
Fjordman: The Norwegian Left's KGB Romance
Youth of the Norwegian Labour Party Praise Hitler
German Defence League: "Free Tommy!"
The Black Sea: A Hell for Homosexuals?
You Will Be Assimilated
The State Department Moves the Istanbul Process Fo...
The Man Behind the Turban Bomb
Free Speech on Trial Again in the Netherlands
Prescribed by Sharia, Part 4: Freedom
Cultural and Political Malware
France Supports Tommy Robinson
The Growing Threat of Illiteracy in Canada
The Growing Threat of Islamophobia in Austria
"The Truth — That's All I've Got"
Lesbians, Muslims, and the Ontario Human Rights Co...
Good News for Sderot
Strong Showing for Kevin Carroll in Bedfordshire
Tommy Robinson: Political Prisoner
Provocateurs, Anti-Fascists… And Patriots
Ridicule is a Potent Weapon
Silence in Sderot
Europe's Takeover by Islam, Part 4
The Resistance Has Started
A Letter From Tommy
Deconstructing the Nations of Europe
Lockdown in Sderot
We'd Get a Fairer Election in Zimbabwe
Resorting to Bribes
Prescribed by Sharia, Part 3: Defending Islam
A Medal Too Far
Benghazi, Shariah, and American Foreign Policy

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Located in Davenport, Iowa, USA, along the Mississippi River, Mid-American Glass (MAG) decided to invest in its first Glaston FC500 flat glass tempering furnace to offer its customers added value, higher quality and superior service.
The company was waiting for the perfect storm, which finally occurred when the cost of top-technology machinery started to come down and the demand curve from existing customers in the residential and commercial market started to climb. Additionally, there was a clear need to provide true service to customers.
– Michelle Magyar, President of Mid-American Glass, U.S.


The eight investor groups going after the Norman Manley International Airport will be issued with finals bid documents next week, marking a three-month delay that divestment agent Development Bank of Jamaica, DBJ, said was allowed for more due diligence and consultations.
DBJ was initially expected to issue the documents in February for tenders to be submitted by March. The bank now says the documents will be issued on May 16, and that the bids are due by June 27.
Last September, DBJ hosted a bidders conference at which five of the eight prequalified investors showed up, but it still expects eight groups to bid for the airport.
Initially, nine bidders were identified, but a consortium called Jamaica Infra Development Partners Limited did not appear on subsequent lists. DBJ acknowledged that one of the companies did not make the grade, without naming the entity.
"The Government of Jamaica received nine applications for prequalification, of which eight met the prequalification criteria and were approved to participate in the NMIA opportunity," the development bank said.
– EGIS Projects SA/ GraceKennedy Company Jamaica Limited/Lagan Construction International Limited.
The NMIA bid website further indicates that 'a provisional preferred bidder' would be named in July, that the concession agreement would be signed with the winning bidder by September, and financial closing of the deal scheduled one year later in September 2019.
CEO of Jamaica Producers Group Jeffery Hall, whose company is among a consortium of four, including Grupo Punta Cana of the Dominican Republic through Corporacion Aeroportuario Del Este, says they are finalising their bid.
"We're excited about the potential for Jamaica, both from the standpoint of infrastructure operations and the develop-ment of a great destination in Kingston," Hall said.
Steven Whittingham of GK Capital Management also confirmed on Thursday that the consortium to which Grace-Kennedy belongs is also moving ahead with its bid.
DBJ is fielding a 30-year concession for NMIA. The airport is owned by the Jamaican Government and operated by the Airports Authority of Jamaica through a company called NMIA Airports Limited.


text:
MIT Technology, Author at InLoop - Online magazine covering Design-Tech-Digital News and events!
MIT Technology
Unintentional consequences? The knock-on effects for the rest of the world might not be limited to intentional reprisals by Russian operatives. Unlike old-fashioned war, cyberwar is not confined by borders…
Meta's new learning algorithm can teach AI to multi-task
Data2vec is part of a big trend in AI toward models that can learn to understand the world in more than one way[1]. "It's a clever idea," says Ani Kembhavi…
To support MIT Technology Review's journalism, please consider becoming a subscriber[1]. The China Initiative Chen was one of the most high-profile scientists charged under the China Initiative, a Justice Department…
This group of tech firms just signed up to a safer metaverse
But much of Oasis's plan remains, at best, idealistic. One example is a proposal to use machine learning to detect harassment and hate speech. As my colleague Karen Hao reported[1]…
Artificial intelligence helps build physical infrastructure like modular housing, skyscrapers, and factory floors. "…many problems that we wrestle with in all forms of engineering and design are very, very complex…
Tonga's volcano blast cut it off from the world. Here's what it will take to get it reconnected.
"There's a priority over whose cable gets fixed first," says Madory. "Countries pay a little premium to get fixed first." Once one of these vessels arrives on scene, which itself…
A key breakthrough came in the early 2000s, when Japanese researchers hit on a simple formula to turn any type of tissue into powerful stem cells, similar to ones in…
In a further blow to the China Initiative, prosecutors move to dismiss a high-profile case
A year later, Chen was arrested on suspicion of federal grant fraud and publicly accused of disloyalty to the US—a charge typically leveled in espionage cases, not grant fraud, as…
Ahead in the cloud: Cloud, technology, and leadership with Debbie Taylor from NBN
Thank you for joining us on "The cloud hub: From cloud chaos to clarity." Debbie Taylor, chief information officer at NBN Australia, discusses how NBN is bridging the digital divide…
Cloud technologies help corporations achieve carbon neutrality
The past two years of pandemic-related challenges have accelerated the adoption of cloud across industry at an unprecedented rate. This increased investment in cloud can serve to reinvigorate sustainability goals…


text:
import os

def enforce_tmp(name, contents=None):
    """
    Enforce a temp file has the desired contents.

    name
        The name of the file to change. (Under '/tmp'.)
    contents
        The value you will be storing.
    """

    return_dict = {
        'name': name,
        'changes': {},
        'result': False,
        'comment': ''
    }

    tmp_file = os.path.join('/tmp', name)
    file_ok = False
    content_ok = False
    file_contents = None

    if os.path.isfile(tmp_file):
        file_ok = True
        with open(tmp_file, 'r') as fp:
            file_contents = fp.read()
            file_contents = file_contents.rstrip('\n')

    if file_contents == contents:
        content_ok = True

    comments = ""
    if file_ok:
        comments += 'File exists ({0})\n'.format(tmp_file)
    else:
        comments += 'File created ({0})\n'.format(tmp_file)
    if content_ok:
        comments += 'Contents correct ({0})\n'.format(file_contents)
    else:
        comments += 'Contents updated ({0})\n'.format(contents)
    return_dict['comment'] = comments

    # Check if this is a test run, if so do not change anything.
    if __opts__['test'] == True:
        return_dict['result'] = None
        return_dict['changes'] = {}
        if not content_ok:
            return_dict['changes'] = {
                'contents': {
                    'old': file_contents,
                    'new': contents
                }
            }
        return return_dict

    if not content_ok:
        with open(tmp_file, 'w') as fp:
            contents += "\n"
            fp.write(contents)
        return_dict['result'] = True
        return_dict['changes'] = {
            'contents': {
                'old': file_contents,
                'new': contents
            }
        }
    else:
        return_dict['changes'] = {}
        return_dict['result'] = True

    return return_dict

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


What is Papercutting / Scherenschnitte?
Scherenschnitte, from the German "Schere" for scissors, and "Schnitt" for cut, is the traditional craft of cutting paper with scissors or a knife. It often features a silhouette or a scene using a delicate and intricate process requiring an immense skill and meticulous attention to detail. In France it is also called Découpage or Silhouette.
Paper cutting finds its origins in Northern China where it was used to form stencils to decorate fine silks. Most likely, the technique found its way to Europe in the early 17th century through trade with Asia. The first decoupage found in Germany is from 1612. During the 19th century, paper cut portraits became very popular and even the famous poet Goethe had a few made for his close friends.
It is told that paper cutting spread in rural Switzerland, as this hobby helped filling long winter nights. Cutting then was performed with scissors, knifes and even sheep shears. The designs featured landscapes of cows, goats and herdsmen and illustrated the movement of animals up to the mountain pastures and back.
The best-known artist that made these traditional folk cuttings in Switzerland was the son of a farmer, Hans Jakob Hauswirth (1809 – 1871). Many modern paper cutters still follow this traditional style.
Decoupage permanent exhibition at the Musée Chateau d'Oex close to Gruyere.
"Scherenschnitte. Papiers découpés. Silhouette. Paper cuts." It is the eighth Swiss paper cut exhibition and could be seen in the Schwyz branch of the Swiss National Museum then in Chateau de Prangins near Nyons in 2014.
More recently, Maison Cailler, famous chocolate brand owned by Nestlé, featured Swiss artist Ueli Hofer Scherenschnitte artwork on special edition boxes.
Negar, mum of two and founder of couPure Art, found the local art of scherenschnitte very appealing and romantic. Her idea was to use this traditional craft in a more contemporary way to decorate baby and children rooms. In fact, the softness and subtlety of the original patterns featuring birds, flowers and romantic themes lends itself to all that expresses love like weddings or birth occasions.
couPure Art designs personalized wall arts for kids rooms, wish cards, birth announcements and wedding cards. To make each wall art unique yet affordable, Negar chose to have it laser cut in a workshop near Zürich and adds her own hand cut finishing touches to make sure each wall art is perfect.
You can now personalise your decoupage art with a choice of background colours, theme as well as with names, important dates or meaningful quotes.
couPure Art makes the perfect Swiss style personalised gift or card with a modern twist that your loved ones will keep forever.


text:
/*!
* \file
* \brief Shader limit tests.
*//*--------------------------------------------------------------------*/

#include "vktShaderRenderLimitTests.hpp"
#include "vktShaderRender.hpp"
#include "tcuImageCompare.hpp"
#include "tcuStringTemplate.hpp"
#include "tcuTextureUtil.hpp"
#include "tcuTestLog.hpp"
#include "vktDrawUtil.hpp"
#include "deMath.h"

using namespace std;
using namespace tcu;
using namespace vk;
using namespace de;

namespace vkt
{
using namespace drawutil;

namespace sr
{

namespace
{

class FragmentInputComponentCaseInstance : public ShaderRenderCaseInstance
{
public:
	FragmentInputComponentCaseInstance (Context& context);

	TestStatus		iterate(void);
	virtual void	setupDefaultInputs(void);

private:
	const Vec4		m_constantColor;
};

FragmentInputComponentCaseInstance::FragmentInputComponentCaseInstance (Context& context)
	: ShaderRenderCaseInstance (context)
	, m_constantColor	(0.1f, 0.05f, 0.2f, 0.0f)
{
}

TestStatus FragmentInputComponentCaseInstance::iterate (void)
{
	const UVec2		viewportSize	= getViewportSize();
	const int		width			= viewportSize.x();
	const int		height			= viewportSize.y();
	const tcu::RGBA	threshold		(2, 2, 2, 2);
	Surface			resImage		(width, height);
	Surface			refImage		(width, height);
	bool			compareOk		= false;

	const deUint16	indices[12]		=
	{
		0, 4, 1,
		0, 5, 4,
		1, 2, 3,
		1, 3, 4
	};

	setup();
	render(6, 4, indices);
	copy(resImage.getAccess(), getResultImage().getAccess());

	// Reference image
	for (int y = 0; y < refImage.getHeight(); y++)
	{
		for (int x = 0; x < refImage.getWidth(); x++)
			refImage.setPixel(x, y, RGBA(0, 255, 0, 255));
	}

	compareOk = pixelThresholdCompare(m_context.getTestContext().getLog(), "Result", "Image comparison result", refImage, resImage, threshold, COMPARE_LOG_RESULT);

	if (compareOk)
		return TestStatus::pass("Result image matches reference");
	else
		return TestStatus::fail("Image mismatch");
}

void FragmentInputComponentCaseInstance::setupDefaultInputs (void)
{
	const float vertices[] =
	{
		-1.0f, -1.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f,
		 0.0f, -1.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f,
		 1.0f, -1.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f,
		 1.0f,  1.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f,
		 0.0f,  1.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f,
		-1.0f,  1.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f
	};

	addAttribute(0u, VK_FORMAT_R32G32B32A32_SFLOAT, deUint16(sizeof(float) * 4), 6, vertices);
}

class FragmentInputComponentCase : public TestCase
{
public:
	FragmentInputComponentCase	(TestContext& testCtx, const string& name, const string& description, const deUint16 inputComponents);
	virtual						~FragmentInputComponentCase(void);

	void						initPrograms(SourceCollections& dst) const;
	TestInstance*				createInstance(Context& context) const;

private:
	FragmentInputComponentCase	(const FragmentInputComponentCase&);
	const deUint16				m_inputComponents;
};

FragmentInputComponentCase::FragmentInputComponentCase (TestContext& testCtx, const string& name, const string& description, const deUint16 inputComponents)
	: TestCase			(testCtx, name, description)
	, m_inputComponents	(inputComponents)
{
}

FragmentInputComponentCase::~FragmentInputComponentCase (void)
{
}

void FragmentInputComponentCase::initPrograms (SourceCollections& dst) const
{
	const tcu::StringTemplate	vertexCodeTemplate(
		"#version 450\n"
		"layout(location = 0) in highp vec4 a_position;\n"
		"${VARYING_OUT}"
		"void main (void)\n"
		"{\n"
		"    gl_Position = a_position;\n"
		    "${VARYING_DECL}"
		"}\n");

	const tcu::StringTemplate	fragmentCodeTemplate(
		"#version 450\n"
		"layout(location = 0) out highp vec4 o_color;\n"
		"${VARYING_IN}"
		"void main (void)\n"
		"{\n"
		"    int errorCount = 0;\n"
		    "${VERIFY}"
		"\n"
		"    if (errorCount == 0)\n"
		"        o_color = vec4(0.0, 1.0, 0.0, 1.0);\n"
		"    else\n"
		"        o_color = vec4(1.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0);\n"
		"}\n");

	//
	// The number of vertex output/fragment input components is *inclusive* of any built-ins being used,
	// since gl_Position is always output by the shader, this actually means that there are n - 4 components
	// available as user specified output data.
	//
	// [14.1.4. Location Assignment, para 11]
	//
	// "The number of input and output locations available for a shader input or output
	//  interface are limited, and dependent on the shader stage as described in Shader
	//  Input and Output Locations. All variables in both the built-in interface block
	//  and the user-defined variable interface count against these limits."
	//
	// So, as an example, the '128' component variant of this test will specify 124 user
	// declared outputs in addition to gl_Position.

	deUint16					maxLocations	= (deUint16)deCeilToInt32((float)(m_inputComponents - 4) / 4u);
	string						varyingType;
	map<string, string>			vertexParams;
	map<string, string>			fragmentParams;

	for (deUint16 loc = 0; loc < maxLocations; loc++)
	{
		if (loc == (maxLocations - 1u))
		{
			switch (m_inputComponents - loc * 4u)
			{
			case 1:
				varyingType = "float";
				break;
			case 2:
				varyingType = "vec2";
				break;
			case 3:
				varyingType = "vec3";
				break;
			default:
				varyingType = "vec4";
			}
		}
		else
			varyingType = "vec4";

		vertexParams["VARYING_OUT"]		+= "layout(location = "			+ de::toString(loc)	+ ") out highp "	+ varyingType	+ " o_color"	+ de::toString(loc)	+ ";\n";
		vertexParams["VARYING_DECL"]	+= "    o_color"				+ de::toString(loc)	+ " = "				+ varyingType	+ "("			+ de::toString(loc)	+ ".0);\n";
		fragmentParams["VARYING_IN"]	+= "layout(location = "			+ de::toString(loc)	+ ") in highp "		+ varyingType	+ " i_color"	+ de::toString(loc)	+ ";\n";
		fragmentParams["VERIFY"]		+= "    errorCount += (i_color"	+ de::toString(loc)	+ " == "			+ varyingType	+ "("			+ de::toString(loc)	+ ".0)) ? 0 : 1;\n";
	}

	dst.glslSources.add("vert") << glu::VertexSource(vertexCodeTemplate.specialize(vertexParams));
	dst.glslSources.add("frag") << glu::FragmentSource(fragmentCodeTemplate.specialize(fragmentParams));
}

TestInstance* FragmentInputComponentCase::createInstance (Context& context) const
{
	const InstanceInterface&		vki							= context.getInstanceInterface();
	const VkPhysicalDevice			physDevice					= context.getPhysicalDevice();
	const VkPhysicalDeviceLimits	limits						= getPhysicalDeviceProperties(vki, physDevice).limits;
	const deUint16					maxFragmentInputComponents	= (deUint16)limits.maxFragmentInputComponents;
	const deUint16					maxVertexOutputComponents	= (deUint16)limits.maxVertexOutputComponents;

	if (m_inputComponents > maxFragmentInputComponents)
	{
		const std::string notSupportedStr = "Unsupported number of fragment input components (" +
											de::toString(m_inputComponents) +
											") maxFragmentInputComponents=" + de::toString(maxFragmentInputComponents);
		TCU_THROW(NotSupportedError, notSupportedStr.c_str());
	}

	if (m_inputComponents > maxVertexOutputComponents)
	{
		const std::string notSupportedStr = "Unsupported number of user specified vertex output components (" +
											de::toString(m_inputComponents) +
											") maxVertexOutputComponents=" + de::toString(maxVertexOutputComponents);
		TCU_THROW(NotSupportedError, notSupportedStr.c_str());
	}

	return new FragmentInputComponentCaseInstance(context);
}
} // anonymous

TestCaseGroup* createLimitTests (TestContext& testCtx)
{
	de::MovePtr<TestCaseGroup> limitGroup			(new TestCaseGroup(testCtx,	"limits",			"Shader device limit tests"));
	de::MovePtr<TestCaseGroup> nearGroup			(new TestCaseGroup(testCtx, "near_max",			"Shaders near maximum values"));

	de::MovePtr<TestCaseGroup> inputComponentsGroup	(new TestCaseGroup(testCtx,	"fragment_input",	"Fragment input component variations"));

	// Fragment input component case
	deUint16 fragmentComponentMaxLimits [] = { 64u, 128u, 256u };

	for (deUint16 limitNdx = 0; limitNdx < DE_LENGTH_OF_ARRAY(fragmentComponentMaxLimits); limitNdx++)
	{
		for (deInt16 cases = 5; cases > 0; cases--)
			inputComponentsGroup->addChild(new FragmentInputComponentCase(testCtx, "components_" + de::toString(fragmentComponentMaxLimits[limitNdx] - cases), "Input component count", (deUint16)(fragmentComponentMaxLimits[limitNdx] - cases)));
	}

	nearGroup->addChild(inputComponentsGroup.release());
	limitGroup->addChild(nearGroup.release());
	return limitGroup.release();
}

} // sr
} // vkt


text:
J.T. Miller's three-point night leads Canucks past Senators 6-2
Tanner Pearson
Alex Chiasson
December 1, 2021, 11:48 p.m. ·4 min read
Canadian ice hockey forward
OTTAWA — Back-to-back wins have given the Vancouver Canucks an opportunity to gain some much-needed confidence.
J.T Miller scored and added two assists to lead Vancouver past the Ottawa Senators 6-2 on Wednesday night. The victory came two days after the Canucks won in Montreal. They finished their five-game road trip with a 2-3-0 record.
"We were due for one of those nights for a long time," said Bo Horvat, who also scored against Ottawa. "I think we've been playing a lot of good hockey. For us to have a night like that where a lot of guys get on the scoresheet definitely gives us confidence.
"But at the same time, we can't get complacent with that too, and get comfortable and think that that's going to happen every night."
Luke Schenn, Tyler Motte, Tanner Pearson and Alex Chiasson chipped in for the Canucks (8-14-2). Quinn Hughes had his first four-point night as he picked up four assists and Thatcher Demko made 19 saves in net.
Adam Gaudette scored in his debut with the Senators (4-15-1) after being claimed on waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks. Brady Tkachuk also scored for Ottawa as Filip Gustavsson stopped 29 shots.
Things seem to be going from bad to worse for the struggling Senators, who are coming off a disastrous November where they went 1-10-1.
Mired in a six-game losing streak, the Senators will have their work cut out for them as they head to Carolina on Thursday to take on the Hurricanes (15-5-1) and host the Colorado Avalanche (11-7-1) on Saturday night.
Senators head coach D.J. Smith admitted earlier this week that this past month has probably been one of the hardest stretches of hockey he's ever endured as his team not only dealt with the losses, but a COVID-19 outbreak.
Drake Batherson, who was one of 10 Ottawa players who tested positive for COVID-19, played his first game since Nov. 14 on Wednesday.
"As a coach, all you can do is push the guys to go harder tomorrow," Smith said. "Going in against, you know one of the best teams in the league (in Carolina), and you know what, there's no better time to steal one and get feeling good about yourself than to go against the hardest working team in the league and put a game together."
The Senators and Canucks were fairly even through two periods, but a late goal in the second period by Schenn to make it 3-1 gave Vancouver the edge.
The visitors ran with it in the third period, scoring three times as Horvat, Chiasson and Miller found the back of the net.
The Canucks have had their own share of struggles of late, with the win in Montreal snapping a four-game losing skid. Head coach Travis Green said the back-to-back wins will go a long way on getting things back on track.
"When you go into a room after the game and you win like that, your guys are excited, but I haven't felt a whole lot of letdown from our team," said Green. "I think they know that they're right there. They've been there.
"We've lost so many one-goal games that it's not like they've just been losing and being outplayed. They've done a good job keeping their belief and their confidence level high."
Tkachuk replied for the Senators late in the third, but this was a sad outing by the home team in front of an announced crowd of 10, 571.
Defensively there were far too many mistakes from the Senators once again.
"I think if you go around the locker room nobody enjoys the time we're going through right now," said defenceman Thomas Chabot. "But I mean, it comes back to what I said, at the end of the day, when you when you look on (Thursday's) game and the little mistakes that we do ourselves and that includes everybody, includes myself as well.
"Those are small mistakes that end up costing you the game, so you've got to make sure you're ready and we've got to make sure we stick to our game."
Vancouver opened the scoring at 1:38 as Connor Garland shook off Senators defenceman Victor Mete behind the net and got the puck out to Pearson alone in front after Gaudette failed to hold him up.
Gaudette made up for the miscue as he scored a power-play goal midway through the period to tie the game 1-1.
Tied 1-1 to start the second, Vancouver forced a turnover deep in the Senators end which led to Motte beating Gustavsson on his glove side.
Notes: Tyler Ennis and Michael DelZotto were a healthy scratch for the Senators, while Brad Hunt and Joho Lammiko did not play for the Canucks.
Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press
Ovechkin and Washington take on Boston
Winnipeg visits Nashville after shutout win
Dallas takes on Buffalo on 3-game losing streak
Kraken host the Sharks after shootout win
Philadelphia takes on Columbus, looks to break 9-game slide
Larkin scores 2 in Red Wings' 3-2 OT win over Sabres
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Dylan Larkin scored the tying goal in regulation and notched the game-winner 2:07 into overtime to give the Detroit Red Wings a 3-2 comeback win over the Buffalo Sabres on Monday before a sparse crowd in snowbound western New York. "Very satisfying," Larkin said. "It's real nice to get this one done in overtime." Vladislav Namestnikov added a short-handed goal for the Red Wings, who swept Buffalo in a home-and-home series to snap an 0-4-2 skid on the road and improve to 4-4-
Lawmaker proposes mandatory neck guards after hockey death
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut state lawmaker says she plans to introduce legislation requiring all hockey players to wear a neck guard or a similar protective device during practice or games following the death last week of a 10th-grade player whose neck was cut by a skate. While the governing body for interscholastic sports among secondary schools, the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, requires all hockey players to wear neck protection, the rules don't apply to private sc
Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner placed in NHL's COVID-19 protocol
EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers placed goaltender Stuart Skinner into the NHL's COVID-19 protocol on Monday. The 23-year-old was recalled from the team's taxi squad Saturday before allowing five goals — including four in the third period — on 25 shots in a 6-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators. Skinner is 4-6-0 this season with a .907 save percentage and a 2.93 goals-against average. Mikko Koskinen is likely to get the call in goal Thursday when Edmonton hosts the Florida Panthers with Mike Smith sidel
SEATTLE (AP) — Ryan Donato scored the tying goal early in the third period, Joonas Donskoi scored in the shootout and the Seattle Kraken snapped their nine-game losing streak with a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday. Donato scored at 2:02 of the third period to pull Seattle even at 2. Donato scored in the second round of the shootout and Donskoi — stuck without a goal this season in 38 games — scored the winner past Marc-Andre Fleury. It was Seattle's first win since Dec. 14 at San J
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger are brutally honest about the Steelers' chances of advancing past the wild-card round of the playoffs, especially given the Chiefs humiliated them just a few weeks ago in Arrowhead Stadium. First, the Pittsburgh coach: "I don't know how much you learn from it, to be quite honest with you. They smashed us so definitely," Tomlin said of the first meeting. "More than anything, this is like a reboot." Then, the quarterback: "We probably aren
Marchand fires back at Trocheck's 'rat' comment, then deletes Instagram post
"This is like comparing a Lambo to a Prius," Marchand wrote in a since-deleted Instagram post.
Report: Raptors showing interest in re-acquiring centre Jakob Poeltl
The Raptors are said to be interested in filling a need by bringing back one of the players they traded away for Kawhi Leonard.
Raiders get past turmoil, face AFC champ Bengals in playoffs
LAS VEGAS (10-7) at CINCINNATI (10-7) Saturday, 4:35 p.m. EST, NBC BETTING LINE: Bengals by 5 1/2, according to FanDuel SportsBook. AGAINST THE SPREAD: Raiders 8-9; Bengals 10-7. SERIES RECORD: Raiders lead 21-12. LAST MEETING: Bengals beat Raiders 32-13 on Nov. 21 in Las Vegas. LAST WEEK: Raiders beat Chargers 35-32, OT; Bengals lost to Browns 21-16. RAIDERS OFFENSE: OVERALL (11), RUSH (28), PASS (6), SCORING (18). RAIDERS DEFENSE: OVERALL (14), RUSH (19), PASS (13), SCORING (26). BENGALS OFFEN
Mikheyev scores with 3:15 left to lift Leafs past Blues 6-5
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Ilya Mikheyev scored the go-ahead goal with 3:15 remaining, lifting the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 6-5 victory over St. Louis on Saturday night. Timothy Liljegren, Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, John Tavares and Michael Bunting also scored for Toronto. "That's crazy, a roller-coaster ride," Marner said. "Obviously, that's not the game we kind of want to play, but I think we did a great job with just staying with it, making sure we're doing the right things no matter if we gave up
NBA at 75: Dr. J says players from many eras built league
(EDITOR'S NOTE: Hall of Famer Julius Erving, an NBA and ABA champion, is considered one of the greatest basketball players ever and one of the sport's finest ambassadors. He is an 11-time NBA All-Star and league MVP. As part of an Associated Press series on the NBA at 75, the player known as "Dr. J" shares some of the experiences that provided him with the foundation to help lead the transformation of the league during the 1980s.) Those of us who played in the NBA in the 1980s definitely played


Comments: NAV, Heated Seats, All Wheel Drive, Back-Up Camera, Rear Air, SPORT SEATS, harman/kardon SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM, HEATED STEERING WHEEL, WHEELS: 19" X 8" STAR-SPOKE (STYLE 40... Turbo, EXECUTIVE PACKAGE. 430i xDrive trim, Imperial Blue Metallic exterior and VenetianBeige/DarkOyster interior. EPA 32 MPG Hwy/22 MPG City!
Navigation, Rear Air, Back-Up Camera MP3 Player, All Wheel Drive, Onboard Communications System, Keyless Entry, Steering Wheel Controls, Rollover Protection System, Electronic Stability Control.
EXECUTIVE PACKAGE Automatic High Beams, Side & Top View Cameras, Parking Assistant, Adaptive Full LED Lights, CONVENIENCE PACKAGE Heated Front Seats, Active Blind Spot Detection, Lumbar Support, WHEELS: 19" X 8" STAR-SPOKE (STYLE 407) Bi-color orbit grey, Tires: 225/40R19 All-Season Run-Flat, harman/kardon SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM, DRIVING ASSISTANCE PACKAGE Speed Limit Information, Active Driving Assistant, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, pedestrian warning and City Collision Mitigation, HEATED STEERING WHEEL, SPORT SEATS (STD). BMW 430i xDrive with Imperial Blue Metallic exterior and VenetianBeige/DarkOyster interior features a 4 Cylinder Engine with 248 HP at 5200 RPM*.


text:
Q: Do I have to make one control class per use case in class diagram? I'm making class diagram based on ECB pattern.
According to Wikipedia, every use case is represented as a control class.
Does this mean a 1:1 response?
For example, if I made 'Login' and 'Register' use cases, then does 'LoginController' and 'RegisterController' have to be there?
Can I integate them into 'ValidationContoller?'
I looked up information about the ECB, but it was hard to get detailed information. Thanks in advance for any helps.

A: No, there is no need for a one-to-one mapping at all.
As laid down in the wikipedia article:

ECB classes are first identified when use-cases are analyzed:

*

*every use case is represented as a control class;

*...

The classes are then refined and re-structured or reorganized as needed for the design, for example:  ...

So the 1:1 is only the beginning of the analysis, and in no way a guidance for the implementation.
It is important to understand that this pattern originated in the 90's in a pre-agile context.   Ivar Jacobson, the inventor of the use-cases,  intended with ECB to be able to derive an implementation from the requirements (represented as use cases), and to keep a perfect traceability of the implementation back to the requirements. If you look for more details on this approach, you may read the Unified Software Development Process by Jacobson, Booch and Rumbaugh.
Not related: It may be useful to know that Jacobson's more recent work (e.g. Use Case 2.0) no longer mentions ECB, since modern agile approaches do not support the kind of upfront analysis assumed with ECB.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Marlins call on Fernandez to clinch Cubs series
Jose Fernandez has yet to face the Cubs in his four-year career, but he'll take the mound as the Marlins eye a series win in the conclusion of a four-game set with Chicago on Sunday at 1:10 p.m ET at Marlins Park.
Fernandez (9-3, 2.36) is coming off his first start since skipping a turn in the rotation to preserve his arm. The result was a no-decision in which he shut out the Braves over seven innings of one-hit ball. Marlins manager Don Mattingly said the extra rest helped Fernandez.
"He was good," Mattingly said. "Expect him to just be Jose [on Sunday]. I think the 10 days was, as much as anything, just getting used to doing that one time."
Chicago will send right-hander Jason Hammel (7-3, 2.55) to the hill. Hammel surrendered a season-high four runs to the Cardinals over 5 2/3 innings in his last start. He is 2-4 with a 4.09 ERA in 10 games (eight starts) against the Marlins in his career.
Three things to know about this game
• Fernandez is 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA in three June starts. His 13.05 K/9 rate this month is the highest among Major League starters, just a tick above Stephen Strasburg's 13.03 mark.
• Marcell Ozuna did not play Saturday because of a sore left wrist. Mattingly said he could opt to sit Ozuna Sunday as well to give the outfielder three days of rest with an off-day on Monday.
• Hammel recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings the last time he pitched in Miami -- June 1, 2015.
Posted by Andrew Tanner at 10:04 AM
Labels: Chicago Cubs, Miami Marlins, MLB
Donate to Ultimate Sporting News
Follow @ultimatesprtnws
Ultimate Sporting News Videos
Ultimate Sporting News Products


Planning to visit Lombok Indonesia? Lombok Inbound has all the best sightseeing tours ! Complete with travel tips, links to all the best Lombok tour and Lombok sightseeing companies for the best Lombok tours, accommodation, resorts, attractions, transport, airport transfers, in fact everything Lombok! We have collated the best tourist attractions on offer, such as its cultural and historic sites, numerous natural wonders like the beautiful Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gili waterfalls, the traditional villages which offer an amazing array of handicrafts which are at home on the wall of any home anywhere in the world, plus of course some wonderful snorkelling and diving locations like the Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air). This site is designed to help the visitor to get the most out of their visit to Lombok, and offers a huge selection of maps showing what is available and where it is. Lombok Indonesia has the best sightseeing tours and sightseeing attractions in the whole of Indonesia, and perhaps the world! If you are looking for a fun but relaxing holiday, or even a short break, you found the right place! Surrounded by beautiful white coral sand beaches, the island is often described as an "island paradise", which to this day remains mostly undisturbed by industry and commercial development.
Many of Lombok's people still live the traditional lifestyle in small villages nestled among rice fields which are tended in the traditional way with the use of Water Buffalo to turn the soil in preparation for the coming rains. Hand planted, and harvested using a hand scythe to cut the precious grain free, rice cultivation is a major part of life for all people on the island, providing them with the staple of their diet. Like many of the islands dotted through the "ring of fire", a meeting of the giant tectonic plates that form the earth, sits atop a very active volcanic region, with Mount Rinjani volcano, located to the very north of the island, constantly reminding its people that the island they inhabit is alive. The rich volcanic soil allows for the cultivation of a wide variety of crops all year round for what is essentially an agriculture based economy. Tourism is well developed and the west coast along the Senggigi region is dotted with high quality international resorts and hotels, but this development has not scarred the island, with most resorts being set back form the beach-front so as to not spoil the ambience and perception of what Lombok really is, a tropical island paradise.
Welcome Lombok Inbound is the first stop for anyone visiting the Indonesian island of Lombok, which is located just off the coast of Bali. Lombok has a life of its own, with different culture and language , history and traditions, and today is like Bali was 30 years ago when many escaped their own lives to lay on a white sand beach and catch the waves. Lombok is still pretty much undisturbed, with low profile resorts nestled back from the beach, and no massive buildings forcing their presence onto the white coral sand beaches. Lombok has retained its tropical island appeal. Even if you are an "old hand" at travel, Lombok Inbound has all the information you need to find out where the best places are, how to get around, where to stay, and how to get home safely at the end of the day. Lombok Inbound has been established by local businesses that are based in Lombok as a guide to visitors so they can find their way around, to discover our little piece of paradise. Only reputable businesses are listed, and the packages on offer include quality restaurants, quality hotels and resorts, and of course quality tour operators. Lombok has so much to offer the visitor that many extend their break so they can take it all in, or perhaps it is the undisturbed beauty of a tropical island that lures them… No matter why you come to Lombok, we extend the most heartfelt welcome to all. Welcome to Lombok !


Jackets have been a must-have wardrobe staple, but for the last few seasons, we're seeing the cropped metallic jacket both on the runways and on celebs! We saw them in the Spring Summer 2017 collections of Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, etc. We're also seeing them in Fall Winter 2017 collections. So get one and wear it with your athleisure, maxi dresses and leather pants!
Upgrade your street style look with a cropped metallic jacket. Shop our favorites here in US!


As far as home theaters are concerned, digital projection is the current king. Projectors are available that display 3D or 4K movies, giving you an experience like no other. Since the projector is the most expensive part of your setup, it's easy to focus all of your energy researching which projector to buy. But your screen actually has just as much of an effect on the experience as the projector itself. A top of the line 4K projector will probably disappoint you if it's viewed on a poorly made screen.
Unfortunately, projection screens can't simply be categorized into "good" and "bad". Finding the best one requires you to consider a few different factors.
First, think about where you're going to use it. If you've got a room that's dedicated to home theater, you can probably get away with a large wall mount model. But if you're looking to save some space, a roll down screen is much more compact when not in use. Additionally, screen material is a major factor. Inexpensive material won't be quite as detailed, limiting its functionality with 4k content. If you want colors that come to life, you'll probably want to splurge on a specially designed material for projection use.
There are literally hundreds of projection screens on the market, each of them claiming that they are the best. How do you make sense of it all? Simple, read on where we've reviewed the three best projector screens for 2017 you can own right now.
If you're looking for a simple projector screen that will suit any budget, the Silver Ticket Products Projector Screen might be the one. Sure, there are plenty of projection screens in this price range that look like they have more features. But in order to pay for those features they have to sacrifice on quality. Careful engineering means that this screen can provide you with an excellent viewing experience for a rock bottom price.
While many projection screens take advantage of highly specialized coatings to create a very specific type of image, this screen has a unique vinyl material. With any affordable screen, this is a good thing to see. With a cheap coating, you may get flaking or peeling after some time. The screen material has a gain of 1.1, which is a pretty standard luminescence level. The viewing angle is 160 degrees, so you can watch a movie from virtually any part of the room.
The screen is available in sizes ranging from 115 to 139 inches and is capable of displaying sharpness at a resolution of up to 1080p. It's also suitable for watching 3D content, should your projector support it. The image was actually quite impressive. There was good contrast between the dark and the light. Colors were clear, vibrant and unchanged. Overall, the viewing experience is perfect for anyone that doesn't intend to upgrade to 4K.
Getting this projection screen all set up will take a little bit of work, but fortunately there is nothing too challenging. Opening up the box you'll have the screen itself, four pieces of the frame, four mounting rods, and finally some fasteners. Each side of the screen has a loop in it. You need to slide the rods through the screen just like you would with a tent.
Next, you have to lay out the four frame pieces, attaching a fastener to each corner. The whole system then clicks together, making a solid unit. It's certainly not the easiest screen to put together, but the process only takes about 10 minutes. Once assembled, you can simply mount the screen to your wall and start enjoying it!
The fact that the design is reasonably simple means that the manufacturer was able to use some high quality components. The frame is made out of a rigid aluminum, which should stand up to any potential bumps or scrapes without issue. The frame is over 2" wide, making it quite sturdy.
The display itself is made from a material that's a little thinner than we are used to seeing, but it should still hold up quite well. The biggest concern with the screen is that it will warp and become uneven with time. Although this is a very realistic possibility with some, the screen is actually stretched slightly when mounted in the frame. This keeps it taut, so it will be much less likely to warp over time.
If you've spent much time shopping for ultra-high end home theater equipment, you'll probably be familiar with Elite Screens. They make projection screens for the connoisseurs of home theater, ensuring that every product they release is approaching best in class.
With the Elite Screens Sable Frame B2 Series, the screen itself is made from a material called CineWhite. It's designed specifically for home theater and provides an experience that is significantly improved from basic materials. Generally, most materials have a tendency to slightly disperse or absorb large amounts of light so the detail is slightly blurred. But this material is incredibly detailed, allowing you to watch 4K content in it's natural, crystal clear form.
You certainly notice a difference with this material. Colors are a little more vibrant and lively, the contrast is sharp and clean. But the most impressive thing about this screen? It's BIG. There are very few projection screens available that are larger than this. And the ones that are available likely won't fit in your living room. From a regular seating distance, this screen really does give you the true movie theater experience. The only thing that's missing is the popcorn.
Putting the screen together is a pretty straightforward process. You've got the screen itself, and four pieces of the frame that go around the screen. Simply flip everything upside down, attach the frame, then clip the screen onto the back. Two people could have it together in only a few minutes. As far as non-retractable screens go, this one is the easiest to set up.
The CineWhite material is thick, durable, and very high quality. You're certainly not going to see ripples appear over time like you would with some screens, nor will you suffer from degradation of the surface. It's designed to be mildew resistant, and can be washed easily with soap and water.
The frame itself is also very well made, and coated with a professional grade velvet material. Not only is it soft and durable, but it has a very executive appearance.
If you're looking for the ultimate in home theater screens, look no further than the Elite Screens VMAX2. This large screen has a few small tweaks to improve picture quality, but a few major ones that drastically improve usability and let you set up a hidden home theater in virtually any room.
As far as projector screens go, this is as good as it gets. The screen is made from a material called MaxWhite FG. This is a very soft, loose material that has some impressive visual properties. The image is essentially unchanged from when it left the projector, giving you the best possible representation of your movie. It's detailed enough that you can watch 4K content and still pick out every little detail on the screen. In fact, some would argue that you've never actually seen 4K content until you've looked at it on a projector screen. With smaller TVs, your eye can't make out all the details. But at 120″, you're certainly coming close.
In our tests we found that the image didn't just look good, it simply came alive. Contrast was perfect, separating the most minute details from each other with ease. Colors stood out almost like you haven't seen them before. As long as you're using a high end projector, you'll truly appreciate spending a few extra dollars on this screen.
When it comes to setting up projector screens, you can't really get any easier than this. The VMAX 2 is a roll up screen, so it comes shipped in a large metal cylinder with mounting points on it. Simply place it on the wall, throw in a couple screws, and it's up for good.
Obviously, nobody wants to have to get up, reach all the way to the ceiling, and pull the screen down. That's why it has dual motors that will automatically raise or lower the screen at your call. You're given a choice of three control options. First, you've got the RF remote. This remote doesn't need a direct line of sight, so even if you build a frame around the screen you can still control it. However, it does use a little more battery than the others. Next you've got the standard IR remote, just like your TV uses. Finally, some projectors or home theater systems support controlling the screens position remotely. You just run a CAT 5 cable, which is included, from the screen to the projector. Then your screen will come down automatically when the projector is turned on. Could it get any easier?
The entire screen is encased in an ultra-durable metal frame that's unlikely to sustain any damage, even if dropped. Because the screen rolls up, you'll never have any problems with dust or dirt. The only issue with some of these rolling displays is that they do not roll evenly. This can lead to deformation of the screen if left too long. Fortunately, there is a winding spring inside that make sure the screen can be put away safely and evenly. In the unlikely event something does go wrong, the manufacturer provides a two-year warranty.
So, Which Projector Screen is Right for Me?
Either of these projection screens would make an excellent addition to your home theater. To find the right one, you'll want to know how and where you intend to use it.
For virtually any situation, the Elite Screens VMAX 2 is an excellent option. Since it rolls up, it's not going to take up a huge amount of space on your wall. You just place it up high where it's out of sight, and roll it down when it's movie time. The high quality material means that it's perfect for use with a 4K or 3D projector, giving you the best possible image quality. If you haven't picked out a projector yet, we highly recommend that you check out our review of the excellent Epson 5040Ube 4K projector.
If you want the largest screen possible, the Elite Screens Sable Frame B2 Series is the perfect choice. It's got a massive 132" viewing space, which is pretty much the biggest on the market. It does need to be wall mounted, but many people find that this has a much more professional appeal. If you're ready for a dedicated home theater room, you'll be pleased with this screen.
Perhaps you're just looking to get an affordable screen. With so many terrible screens in this price range, the Silver Ticket Products Projector Screen is a breath of fresh air. They focused on creating what was important – a screen that looked good. For the price, you're certainly not going to find better. The only downfall to this screen is that it's not defined enough for 4K content. On the plus side, that means that there are plenty of great 1080p projectors (like the Optoma HD27) that can be picked up fairly inexpensively.


[Cape Town, 26 February 2018]: The 8th annual Wood Conference, well-respected knowledge platform for architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and timber experts, took place on the 15th of February at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. With attendance having grown tenfold since its inception in 2011, this year's event, themed 'Fascination Wood', brought local and international experts together to share insights into the extensive possibilities of timber in design and construction.
Hosted for the first time in partnership with Forum Holzbau, leading platform for world-class specialist conferences in wood architecture and design, the Wood Conference played host to timber and related industry professionals and delegates from South Africa and abroad.
Werner Slabbert Jnr, Managing Director of Eco Log Homes, participated in this year's Wood Conference, delivering a talk focusing on local and global issues of pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and the push to lower and mitigate these by way of various carbon tax laws. He argued that timber construction, which it is estimated accounts for around 70% of all housing stock across developed countries, has excellent potential to be a frontrunner, not only in lowering the carbon footprint of public and private buildings, but in sequestering carbon during its 'manufacturing' stage.
Werner Slabbert Jnr, Managing Director of Eco Log Homes, participated in this year's Wood Conference and argued that timber construction has excellent potential to be a frontrunner not only in lowering the carbon footprint of public and private buildings, but in sequestering carbon during its 'manufacturing' stage.
Slabbert concluded that continuously educating both the trade and consumer for a general shift in mindset and perception is key to growing the market for timber frame building locally. What better way, he asserted, than to reach ordinary South Africans through public infrastructure buildings built of wood, and for representatives in the sector to act as ambassadors not only for their own brands, but for the timber construction sector at large.


Subtitled 'a hot new approach to your body, brain and life as a girl' this large format paperback with its shocking pink, die cut double cover that opens to reveal a girl flashing you (although modestly wearing bra and pants), breaks new ground with its stunning, in your face design, and in its generous coverage of every aspect of female adolescence - from body changes and sexuality to issues of individuation and difference. Along the way, the book also takes in relationships, self destructive behaviours, drugs, family conflicts, depression and more. Neat design devices throughout the book help to make information accessible while the tone is direct, sensitive, unpatronising and often humorous.


text:
Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Archives
3 effects that can come with a spinal cord injury
By Loren Brown of Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. posted in Personal Injury & Wrongful Death on Monday, January 18, 2021
Last modified on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
Car wrecks, especially those that are serious, can lead to severe injuries. One of the injuries that's possible is damage to the spinal cord. This injury is often associated with paralysis, but there are also other effects that can occur.
Continue reading 3 effects that can come with a spinal cord injury...
Don't Underestimate the Potential Cost of a Broken Bone
By Loren Brown of Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. posted in Personal Injury & Wrongful Death on Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Last modified on Wednesday, July 29, 2020.
In the broad spectrum of injuries you could suffer in a car crash, a broken bone may be painful. The one silver lining is that a broken bone is less devastating than other possible impacts, such as spinal cord injuries or brain injuries.
Continue reading Don't Underestimate the Potential Cost of a Broken Bone...
A Ruptured Disc: A Painful Injury That May Require Surgery
By Loren Brown of Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. posted in Personal Injury & Wrongful Death on Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Last modified on Thursday, June 4, 2020.
A ruptured disc is serious, because it can press on the nearby nerves. A slipped, herniated, or ruptured disc can cause severe pain and dysfunction below the point of injury. These types of injuries are often caused by motor vehicle collisions.
Continue reading A Ruptured Disc: A Painful Injury That May Require Surgery...
Police Looking For Answers After Serious Accident
By Loren Brown of Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. posted in Personal Injury & Wrongful Death on Monday, May 25, 2020
Last modified on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.
There are instances where the causes of a car crash are apparent. Investigators often find that one or more people took or failed to take some sort of action that led to the incident. Unfortunately, car accident causes aren't always so cut and dried. One recent serious accident here in Colorado is still under investigation after a woman was seriously hurt and another driver suffered significant injuries.
Continue reading Police Looking For Answers After Serious Accident...
Serious accident involving hit-and-run leads to arrest
By Loren Brown of Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. posted in Car Accidents on Sunday, May 10, 2020
It's not uncommon for most drivers to get into a car accident at some point in their lives. However, most people try to do all that they can to avoid causing one. When someone makes a deliberate choice that leads to a crash, such as speeding or texting and driving, that person could face criminal charges. One recent crash here in Colorado resulted in charges for one man after authorities say he caused a serious accident and was intoxicated at the time.
Continue reading Serious accident involving hit-and-run leads to arrest...
Serious accident leaves 2 with life-threatening injuries
By Loren Brown of Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. posted in Personal Injury & Wrongful Death on Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Last modified on Monday, May 4, 2020.
Some car crashes have very clear details that authorities are able to piece together quickly. That is not the case for a recent collision here in Colorado that put four people in the hospital. When a serious accident like this happens, it is imperative that police figure out exactly what occurred and who may have been at fault. Fortunately, investigative techniques can help them do so and police will make use of all available resources to bring justice to those who may deserve it.
Continue reading Serious accident leaves 2 with life-threatening injuries...
Serious accident claims life of pedestrian
By Loren Brown of Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. posted in Personal Injury & Wrongful Death on Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Last modified on Tuesday, March 31, 2020.
Many people in Colorado don't use a motor vehicle as their primary means of transportation. Although walking is a leisure activity for some, for others it is the best option for getting around. Even when it's a necessity, there are many benefits to walking, such as enjoying being outside and getting exercise. Unfortunately, it can also pose a great risk, especially when pedestrians are close to traffic. One recent serious accident shows just how significant that risk is, when a woman lost her life after being struck by a car.
Continue reading Serious accident claims life of pedestrian...
How truck drivers can manage their fatigue
By Loren Brown of Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. posted in Truck Accidents on Monday, February 17, 2020
Last modified on Tuesday, February 18, 2020.
Truck driver fatigue contributed to 13% of crashes analyzed in the Large Truck Crash Causation Study of 2007. However, there are many steps that drivers in Colorado and elsewhere can take to make sure that they are awake enough to operate their vehicles. For example, it is not a good idea to drive between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. because the human body tends to be naturally tired during these hours.
Continue reading How truck drivers can manage their fatigue...
Researchers discover where accidents are most likely to occur
By Loren Brown of Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. posted in Personal Injury & Wrongful Death on Tuesday, February 11, 2020
There was a 6.8% increase in traffic accidents throughout the country between 2018 and 2019, many of which occurred in Illinois. According to a survey from Go Safe Labs, there were 22,188 crashes in Houston, which was the most in the country during 2019. Other cities where accidents were most likely to occur were Charlotte, Austin and Los Angeles. However, it is important to note that the accident rates in many of these cities actually declined during that year.
Continue reading Researchers discover where accidents are most likely to occur...
Truckers with sleep apnea pose a safety risk on the road
By Gene Ciancio of Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. posted in Truck Accidents on Monday, February 3, 2020
Last modified on Monday, February 3, 2020.
As much as 35% of truckers in Colorado and the rest of the U.S. suffer from a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea. Apnea means "without breath," and sleep apnea results in the individual having his or her upper airway blocked during sleep for 5 to 10 seconds at a time. In obstructive sleep apnea, the most common among truckers, the mouth palate and throat muscles relax and collapse to block the airway.
Continue reading Truckers with sleep apnea pose a safety risk on the road...


text:
It's Just a Matter of Time
As the preseason proved, Ralph Sampson won't be a dominating center overnight, but will he be one eventually? You bet he will
Anthony Cotton
Sometime near the end of this century, when his proper place in the history of the National Basketball Association has been secured, Ralph Sampson will sit back and laugh a little bit about his first few weeks as a pro. Exhibition season, indeed. Sampson, the Houston Rockets' prize center, was Exhibit A. Eight games, seven losses. Ralph will chuckle at his anemic .404 field-goal percentage, based on nights like four of 16 against the Trail Blazers in Portland. He'll smile at the memory of his gala homecoming at the University of Virginia's University Hall being ruined by four fouls in nine minutes, all picked up while fending off the hands—and elbows and backsides—of the Washington Bullets' Beef Brothers, McFilthy and McNasty themselves: Jeff Ruland and Rick Mahorn. He'll tell his kids about the time he threw an in-bounds pass against Milwaukee that struck a guy wire holding the scoreboard in place.
Time to develop is not readily conceded when you're 7'4" tall and a three-time NCAA Player of the Year. Especially when you're joining a team that won—no, weathered—only 14 games a season ago. Under those circumstances you're not just a tall and talented player. You become, as Sampson has discovered, "people's expectation of God Almighty."
It seems that some big man arrives almost every year in the NBA to expectations cut several sizes too large for him. About once a decade comes a true giant who can measure up to or even exceed them: Russell in '56; Alcindor/Abdul-Jabbar in '69; Walton in '74.
Will Sampson be the big man for the '80s? Or will he be another Chamberlain, with gaudy numbers but little to show for them? This could be a good time to place your bets, because, as Denver Nuggets Coach Doug Moe, who's won a few bucks at the gin rummy table, says of Sampson, "He's struggling a bit now, so we should all enjoy it while we can. But in a little while that guy's gonna be an absolute bitch to play against."
"He's like a baseball pitcher who's trying to throw seven or eight different pitches," says Pete Newell, the Golden State Warriors' talent consultant and acknowledged basketball guru. "Right now he just has to concentrate and master three or four things instead of doing everything. It'll take a little time."
That's the consensus throughout the league—it's just a matter of time. And no one knows that better than Sampson himself. "I feel that I'm improving," he says. "Every day I feel more and more comfortable with what I'm doing. But there's still time. Time is always there, enough time to do everything that must be done."
Fortunately for Sampson, his employers' vision also seems to extend beyond the here and now. From owner Charlie Thomas to General Manager Ray Patterson to new Coach Bill Fitch, the Rockets were content to treat the exhibition season as Sampson's incubation period, a time that will surely continue beyond Saturday's regular-season opener against San Antonio, beyond the team's first visit to Philadelphia in February, beyond even the beginning of the playoffs next April. "The big extravaganza that people seem to want won't be here," says Patterson. "I can see a sense of organizational progress, but there's no magic number of wins needed to satisfy me. I know we'll be better in November than we are now, and January will top that, and March will top that. If that means 29 wins, 35 wins, 43 wins, fine. If not, that's fine, too."
After all, the Rockets spent 13 months in purgatory just waiting to get to this point. It hurt them to trade Moses Malone to Philadelphia a year ago rather than pay him $2.2 million a year. But Moses' departure resulted in last season's abominable 14-68 record. It then took luck for the Rockets to beat the Indiana Pacers in the coin flip (heads was the winning call) for the right to pick Sampson first in the June draft. Had the Rockets kept Malone, they probably would have continued winning 45 or so games a season, then losing to a more talented club in the playoffs.
Today, however, everything feels brand-new in Houston. In Forward Caldwell Jones the Rockets have a proven winner, although he labored in obscurity after coming over from Philadelphia in the Malone deal, and the Rockets used a first-round draft pick obtained from Cleveland to get Louisville Forward Rodney McCray. As Patterson points out, "You may as well add Robert Reid and Fitch, too, because Ralph's being here is the reason why they both are here." Reid came back from a year's premature retirement (he had wanted to devote himself to the Pentecostal religion), while Fitch, who quit the Celtics last spring after four seasons, certainly needed more than 37-year-old Elvin Hayes to lure him to Houston.
The changes have already brightened the Rockets' financial picture. For the same money they would have had to pay Malone, they have Sampson plus three more potential starters and a new coach. At the box office, season-ticket sales are up 20% from last season, to more than 5,000. But Ralphonomics goes beyond season-ticket sales. Last year the Rockets played five preseason games; four of them were on the road, and they received minimal proceeds. This year they played seven exhibitions on the road and were able to demand a $30,000 minimum for each. The long-term plans, of course, include lots of SRO playoff crowds at the 15,816-seat Summit.
All because of Sampson. It took only a week in August for Ralph and his agent, Tom Collins (who also represents Abdul-Jabbar), to iron out the details of Sampson's four-year, $5 million contract with Thomas. And from the moment Sampson stepped onto the court the first day of rookie camp, it was obvious that he possessed immense potential. He was one of the better outside shooters, while in drills designed to emphasize the quick transition from offense to defense and vice versa, Sampson, gobbling up the court with his long, loping strides, was rarely caught out of position.
Of course, Houston was concerned with more than Sampson's ability to maneuver in drills. Throughout the exhibition season Fitch was concerned because Sampson had spent too much of his summer lifting weights and not enough time on the court. "There are times when Steve Stipanovich [the 6'11" center from Missouri taken second in the draft by Indiana] is going to look like a real find compared with Ralph because, I think, he's had more on-the-court experience," said Fitch.
"I don't think Ralph's played enough five-on-five. He's learned in three-on-three and in drills, but he's got to put it all together out on the court. The only way he's going to do that is in games."
But when Sampson made his first appearance in a Rocket uniform on Oct. 6 against the Mavericks in Dallas, it appeared that the transition from college player of the year to NBA superstar wouldn't be a problem at all. In 30 minutes he scored 24 points, with four assists, six rebounds and a pair of blocked shots. He even threw in a three-point shot for good measure. Despite the auspicious debut, three factors—each of no small importance—had to be considered. First, the Rockets lost the game 122-111. Second, Sampson scored most of his baskets over Dallas Center Pat Cummings, who stands only 6'9½". Third, because Houston had yet to install any kind of a set offense, most of Sampson's points were scored on jumpers from the outside.
That pattern continued through the preseason schedule, Sampson taking the ball outside and shooting over smaller men, with the Rockets falling short at the end. Sampson ended up as the Rockets' second-leading scorer (13.4) and leading rebounder (8.8), but he hardly played like the $5 million man. His nadir came in the game against the Bullets back at his beloved Charlottesville. Before a sellout crowd of adoring fans at University Hall, Sampson shot 0 for 5 in the first quarter, picked up four fouls after wrestling with Ruland and Mahorn, and was benched by Fitch. He finished with eight points and seven rebounds, fouling out after 22 minutes.
Score one for humility. "What I learned from that game is that I can't muscle up with the really big guys," says Sampson. "I can't blame them for what they did—if I were them I'd do the same thing to me. But what I can do in return is go around the contact and beat it that way. It doesn't make any sense for me to sit in there and get beaten up every night. If I go inside trying to push and shove, then I'm not playing my game."
Just how much inside and how much outside Sampson will be playing on offense has yet to be determined by Fitch, who has been more concerned with his other players' progress than with Sampson's. Much of Sampson's preseason was spent roaming between the high and low posts, just as he had done in college. For a time Sampson looked and felt awkward down low, both he and his new teammates unsure of how to get the ball to him inside through the tangle of defenders. "That's one of the big changes, playing against people close to my size all the time," says Sampson. "In college, someone would just throw the ball up in the air, and I'd jump up and grab it and do whatever I wanted to with it. Now I have to learn what the best angles are and the best spots to get the ball."
Fitch has been after Sampson to find a comfortable high-percentage shot. Initially, that turned out to be a variation of the 15-foot turnaround fadeaway—the shot that teammate Hayes has elevated to an art form over his 15 years—but it's not the sort of power move that a 7'4" NBA center ought to depend on.
"Ralph's problem is just a case of breaking old habits," says Newell. "Ralph saw so much zone in college that he had to drift to the outside to get off a shot. Now he has to get them off consistently from the middle."
Sampson has a wide assortment of inside moves to choose from. He's capable of hooking with either hand, and, of course, anytime he gets the ball within five feet of the basket he's likely to follow with a thundering stuff. But by having him go inside too often, the Rockets would diminish Sampson's effectiveness. Indeed, his best shot right now appears to be a short, turnaround spinning jumper from either baseline, just outside the lane. Extend that shot out a bit to 12 or 15 feet and you have a true scoring threat that would have to be honored by opposing centers, and that in turn would clear the lane for teammates cutting to the basket.
"With the mobility he has, you just know that he'd be great even if he were only 6'6"," says Denver Center Dan Issel, a fine outside shooter himself. "Houston should try to take advantage of it." Artis Gilmore of the San Antonio Spurs, a center who has made his reputation underneath the basket, agrees. "Each of the great centers in the league—Wilt, Russell, Kareem, Walton—all had something that made them unique, that set them apart from the rest. With Ralph, it's his mobility and outside capabilities. He could be the best big man ever at it."
Gilmore, for one, believes that Sampson's biggest problem at present is "all of the guys in the media and all the attention." Gilmore was once an Exhibit A himself. Well, the Rockets are doing all they can to keep the Sampson show from becoming a circus. When Sampson visits a city for the first time, a special press conference is arranged. Although he can be irritable and his answers are curt at times, Sampson for the most part has handled himself well, displaying a surprising touch of humor.
Asked at a press conference in Denver whether he was glad to be finished with the four-corner offenses and stalls that confronted him in college, Sampson brightened and nearly bellowed. "Yeah! Wouldn't you be?" Later he was asked to name his favorite player. Without missing a beat he replied, "Me."
So concerned was Fitch that Sampson not suffer from the sort of media mania that engulfed John Elway, the Denver Broncos' rookie quarterback, the coach collected many of the articles that appeared on Elway throughout the summer and made them into a scrapbook. The idea was to show Ralph that he wasn't alone under the public microscope.
So far, Sampson, who turned down NBA millions to stay in school and get his degree, has handled nearly everything thrown at him. Except time zones. "That may be the hardest thing to get used to," he says. "Being in different places is not the problem. You learn how to eat right and get enough sleep before a game. Where I get into trouble is making phone calls back home to the East and waking people up at night when I'm in the West somewhere." Between traveling and two-a-days, Sampson has yet to spend a full day in his new Houston condominium. Things have been so hectic that his mother is flying in from Virginia to complete the unpacking.
Sampson already has put the Rockets' 1-7 exhibition season behind him. "At first I would get upset, losing all the time," he says. "But the coaches convinced me that the preseason was just that—preseason—a time to get ready for the real thing."
But Sampson and the Rockets will have to endure losing for a while longer, at least until all the newcomers get acquainted and Fitch's lessons begin to take hold. By that time the season could be a month old, and even with the expanded playoffs, which will now include 16 teams instead of 12, the Rockets could be too far behind to catch up.
"Know what I think?" says San Antonio Coach Mo McHone. "The thing Sampson's really going to learn is that there are an awful lot of guys in this league who can score and that most of them are in the middle. What's going to determine how he stands in comparison with people like Moses and Kareem? Every night they go into the arena, they know that they have to damn near be the best player out on the floor. The defenses are set against them, the other team is keyed up to play them. But they do it anyway, nearly all the time. That's where Ralph has to get to."
It's all just a matter of time.
Sampson has size to spare, mobility and shooting touch. Now he needs some NBA game experience.
PETER READ
The newest Rocket can lift off from any spot.
Whether Sampson puts the ball up with his right hand...
The big rookie's quick transition from offense to defense impresses Fitch, and Gilmore as well.
PETER READ MILLER
...or left, he's an imposing presence at center stage.
Young, gifted and 7'4", Sampson might end up with the basketball world in his hands, but he'll surely have a few down moments along the way.


What does research tell us about the importance of early attachment, what are the different types of neglect, and how do you spot the signs? Glance through our archive of research, features and examples of effective practice.
Amid deep cuts to early years support, policymakers and practitioners are calling on the government to place greater emphasis on funding prevention services targeted at children in the first 1,001 days.
Policymakers and practitioners are boosting support for families in the most disadvantaged areas to help pre-school children develop the skills they need to thrive and reduce the attainment gap.
Advice on commissioning evidence-based parenting interventions for the early years, from the Early Intervention Foundation.
The NSPCC has analysed evidence from serious case reviews to identify learning. This issue we look at the risk factors and learning for improved practice around neglect of children and young people.
Adoption UK is leading a campaign to boost schools' awareness of the attachment needs of adopted children.
Emily Rogers looks at some innovative methods to raise the educational attainment of children in care, and reverse the damaging impact of adverse early life experiences on their ability to learn.
In recent years there has been a growing recognition of the scale of child neglect, its long-term effect on children's wellbeing and how interventions can prevent and repair the damage caused to children's ability to form strong attachments with parents and carers.
Twenty babies on average die each year because of abuse and neglect. Meanwhile, 144,000 UK children under one have a parent with a mental health problem, 109,000 live with a parent who has an alcohol problem or uses class A drugs and 39,000 have a parent who has experienced domestic violence in the past year.
Works with parents pre and postnatal.
Engages vulnerable mothers in peer support programmes.
Service specialises in parent-infant psychotherapy.
Updated government guidance aims to improve how schools respond to child neglect, reports Jo Stephenson. NSPCC expert outlines what schools should do to meet the new standards that Ofsted will inspect against.
The latest in a series of articles about emerging safeguarding practice looks at how the NSPCC develops evidence-based approaches to design systems and services to provide early help to prevent child neglect.
The NSPCC has analysed evidence from serious case reviews to identify learning. This issue summarises risk factors and lessons for improved practice around parental substance misuse.
Detailed searches are carried out to identify extended family for children in care.
Programme that emphasises young children's secure attachment with primary carers, which was developed in the US, and implemented by NSPCC in the UK.
Works with education settings to adopt a "psychodynamic" approach to understand children's behaviour as a communication of unmet needs.
Therapeutic programme that supports adopted children and their adoptive families who are struggling emotionally.
Programme revolving around local football clubs to boost parenting skills.
How neural frameworks that usually develop in young children in an ordinary family environment fail to develop properly in the absence of stimulation.
Post-natal depression (PND) is estimated to affect 10-15 per cent of women in high-income countries, with higher rates in low- and middle-income countries.
Johanna Bick and Charles A. Nelson's 2017 paper provides a concise and accessible introduction to some of the main theories in brain development, prominent studies that have increased our understanding of the impact of early experiences on the brain, and research that indicates some of the most promising ways to ameliorate the impact of early adversity.
This is a comprehensive review of the latest evidence of relevance to the Healthy Child Programme.
This study set out to discover the factors behind children receiving multiple referrals to local authority children's services. The analysis focused on 498,867 children referred during the financial year 2010/11.
Should children's professionals use more caring language and do away with terms like "looked-after child", "Neet" and "peers"?
© MA Education 2019. Published by MA Education Limited, St Jude's Church, Dulwich Road, Herne Hill, London SE24 0PB, a company registered in England and Wales no. 04002826. MA Education is part of the Mark Allen Group.


text:
Getaround acquires fellow car-share service Drivy for $300M
European car-sharing brand Drivy has been snapped up by its U.S. counterpart Getaround in a $300 million deal.
The acquisition immediately gives Getaround access to six new country markets and will form part of a mission to expand the brand.
The pair have five million users between them, a statement says, with Drivy's presence in 170 European cities adding 2.5 million to the existing number hosted by Getaround.
To date, France-based Drivy had raised $43.3 million in investment over four rounds, with its most recent coming in 2016 in a Series B to the tune of $35 million.
Getaround has wooed the likes of the SoftBank Vision Fund, Toyota and Menlo Ventures during 12 capital-raising efforts.
It secured $300 million in the summer of 2018 to fuel a major expansion plan for the brand.
Getaround founder and CEO Sam Zaid says: "As the leading European car-sharing marketplace, Drivy has built a strong business with products, teams and values that closely align with ours at Getaround, making for a natural integration for our employees and users.
"Consumers all over the world are embracing the ease, flexibility and freedom that connected car-sharing offers. Getaround is delivering on growing consumer demand by providing a consistent, instant and safe car-sharing experience in 140 U.S. cities - and now, across the 170 cities in Europe that Drivy has developed."
Drivy founder and CEO Paulin Dementhon will become the CEO of Europe for Getaround, and the existing executive team will remain in place to run operations in the continent.
Getaround has an existing partnership with Uber so that people can now rent some vehicles by the hour to drive for the ride-hailing app.
Dementhon believes car-sharing will "replace car ownership in large urban markets, meeting consumer demands for instant and flexible transportation options," as well as contribute to the efforts of cities to reduce congestion and pollution.
He adds: "Connected technology, frictionless user experience and increased car fleet density are the keys to this evolution, as they make it more convenient to use a shared car than your own."