MSPs have been facing the same top business challenges for years – generating leads, hiring and scaling. While aspects of all of these have gotten easier over the years, it's been incremental. What I've learned after 20 years in the MSP business – if you want to make a real difference in your business you need to make real change. It's why I set up Benchmark 365.
Embracing the concept of outsourcing can take some getting used to for the control freaks amongst us. But, done well, it has the power to up your skill levels across any number of disciplines, reduce your costs and free up time and resources.
Are you generating qualified leads from your marketing plan?
Known for their technical skills, MSPs typically aren't proficient marketers. Often MSPs can waste tons of time struggling with content, branding, marketing automation, social media and other marketing tactics – all without any real effect on leads or without really understanding what's most likely to work best for their business.
Marketing consultants or firms are well-versed in identifying the best ways to enhance brands and generate more leads. Good ones are also across the ever changing kitbag of marketing, analytics tools and solutions available to the SMB. They also know how to create content in thoughtful ways to engage with the audience you're trying to target.
Instead of throwing money away on ineffective marketing campaigns, outside marketing help can help you allocate your marketing budget for the greatest return. But make sure you choose carefully. Depending on where you are in your business, you may not need the skills of a large agency. They tend to be very expensive and really only make sense when you are of significant size. Instead, find a freelancer with strategic and execution skills that can help you focus your efforts in way that's realistic for your scale and resources.
Marketing and sales go hand in hand. To generate more revenue for your business, your salespeople need prospects, and that's where your marketing plans come into play. You can't be an expert in everything, so if marketing isn't your thing, outsourcing your efforts could be your best bet, especially if you should be spending your time elsewhere.
For MSPs, it's never been easy to acquire quality support technicians, system engineers and network administrators. I've been in the MSP business for 20 years. I know only too well the costs and effort that goes into training and losing technicians over and over again.
Of course, there are also costs beyond salaries associated with hiring new employees. Onboarding has its own costs, time and resources in particular. Do you have the time in your schedule to train a new employee — especially if your new recruit isn't familiar with RMM solutions or PSA tools? Probably not. Outsourcing your talent acquisition efforts could assist you with many of your recruiting issues, but don't forget — not all outsourcing strategies are right for your business, so vet each one of them thoroughly.
For instance, hiring an outside IT recruiting firm isn't always the best option. Why? There's still more for you to do after the firm assists you with finding the right talent. No matter the level of your new recruit, you'll still need to dedicate some of your time to training and managing them. One way to get around this is by outsourcing your customer support entirely. This way recruitment, training and managing becomes your customer support partner's (such as Benchmark 365) problem.
As business owners, we all want to grow and expand, but sometimes growing too fast could turn into being a bad thing. We're not always ready to accommodate the extra workloads more customers bring to the table. For example, the more clients you acquire, the more help desk technicians you'll need to hire. Would you be able to hire more help desk technicians to your team – and how quickly could you do it.
If you're having a problem with recruiting top talent (which you more than likely are), then scaling is going to be another obstacle for you, so, again, outsourcing your customer support could help you alleviate some of your business challenges as an MSP.
We can't do it all (and we can't expect to know it all). When it comes to IT, you're the expert — that's why your clients are calling you and not someone else. But you are also an entrepreneur. The great ones will tell you they can't do it alone and it's okay for you to look elsewhere on the business areas you're unfamiliar with. As I mentioned above, outsourcing saves IT providers time and money in the long run if they can find the right companies to partner with to alleviate obstacles.
With a platform like Benchmark 365 — which tackles hiring, scaling and growing challenges — you'll be able to construct a servicing model that maximises the opportunity for you to focus on growth. Unlike other platforms, Benchmark 365 helps its partners customise outcomes by reshaping support models from end-to-end.
PreviousPrevious post:Outsourcing your MSP servicing – the ultimate checklistNextNext post:Time To Switch Pricing Models?


Ready to change your Flagstaff home from the floor, up? Refurbishing your floors may be easier than you thought, thanks to Canyon Carpet One Floor & Home. As part of the largest buying group in the world, we are able to save on all kinds of flooring from major brands, mills, and manufacturers and pass those savings right to you. Our flooring choices and prices are unbeatable, accompanied by the best service available, all the way from start to finish.
To start, the sales professionals at our Canyon Carpet One Floor & Home will work with you along with help from Carpet One's SelectAFloor™ shopping system to simplify the selection process when it comes to look, feel, and price point. Whether you prefer lush wall-to-wall carpeting, sleek ceramic tile for a modern look and texture, the natural beauty of hardwood floors, or the dependability and style of materials like vinyl and luxury laminate flooring, you can trust Canyon Carpet One Floor & Home to bring you the very best. Once you've decided, we can even install your new flooring for you. Our installation experts are backed by the same quality and care that all Canyon Carpet One Floor & Home Carpet One customers have come to expect, making for a great, hassle-free experience. And what's more, you can select from a variety of our warranties that will keep your floors protected long after the installation.
And at Canyon Carpet One Floor & Home, we go beyond great flooring. Carpet One stores like Canyon Carpet One Floor & Home in Flagstaff, AZ are owned and operated locally, so we're invested in the Flagstaff area. At stores like Canyon Carpet One Floor & Home, we make it our mission to understand and become active in our community. Are you ready to learn more? Come in to your Canyon Carpet One Floor & Home store in Flagstaff today and see what a difference we can make. We're happy to help you find the perfect flooring for your Flagstaff home.


For the first portion of this section of the Colorado Trail, you'll follow Waterton Canyon, which is the gateway to the CT. While other portions of the trail end up being remote, this section offers easy access and beautiful views of the South Platte. The route starts at the parking lot off of Waterton Road where you'll find plenty of parking even on a busy weekend and restrooms. Cross Waterton Road at the pedestrian crossing to access Waterton Canyon.
The first mile of the road is through open space with grasslands and cottonwoods along the Platte River. After this, you'll enter the canyon where the road winds alongside the river. Wildlife abounds here and you may see elk, big horn sheep, or other critters scattered through the mountains. You'll have great views of the Platte River as the road meanders along its banks for about six miles.
Around the three mile mark, there is a small pull-out with restrooms and a picnic spot. You'll see numerous mountain bikers along the way, and you may encounter a few Denver Water vehicles, but this is rare as the road is closed to motor vehicles.
Around 4.5 miles, the slope gets a bit steeper as you make your way up to a small man-made dam and reservoir. The road narrows here, and the rock outcroppings are a bit more pronounced than along the earlier miles of the road. Past this point, the road gets a little bit steeper (compared to the barely noticeable incline you were on previously) as you wind your way up past the Strontia Springs Dam.
You'll continue on past a sign marking the continuation of the Colorado Trail. Take in the scenery as you continue on the more narrow trail. Soon, you'll be climbing through singletrack trails, and will make use of various switchbacks. Be prepared for changing weather conditions, as you'll end your journey nearly 2,000 ft. higher than the starting point. The temperatures might drop quickly, and weather changes quickly.
Deer, elk, big horned sheep, rabbits, coyotes, foxes, and a variety of birds and snakes (including rattlesnakes) all make this area home. You'll also see signs posted for bears and mountain lions although you hopefully won't encounter them on your outing.
Mixed pine and aspen forest, along with scrub brush and wild clover are dotted along this trail.
Campsite at Bear Creek. Please use LNT. "Aggressive Bear" note left for hikers. Only water at Bear Creek - Need Scoop!


The Esright power lift recliner is an elegant-looking chair with some very good features for senior users.
It's got a power lift function, lumbar heating, vibration massage, and a solid frame. It is affordable, too.
It has one design weakness, though. Read our full review to find out what it is.
Provided by the distributor AECOJOY.
Recliner – You can sit back and put up your feet. It reclines up to 130 degrees.
Power lift – It tilts forward to help you stand up easily.
Vibrating massage – Similar to other recliners, the massage provided by this chair is vibration massage.
Programs – It has 5 modes namely pulse, press, wave, auto, and normal. It is also able to focus the massage on certain parts of the body including the legs, thighs, and back.
Heat – The chair gives off heat targeted at your lower back.
Young 'uns don't know it yet but the older you get, the weaker your knees become. Suddenly, the simple act of getting up from a chair becomes a painful struggle. Hence, we were very happy to try out this feature.
Admittedly, when we first saw the design, we wondered dumbly why a chair would need to tilt forward. Was it to dump you out of your seat like a Tom and Jerry prank? Happily, the purpose for this feature became clear to us. A senior with weak knees can use the power lift feature to tilt the chair forward mechanically, and be helped up to a standing position. Amazing, right?
For a few hundred bucks, you get a comfortable recliner with bonus features. And did we mention it looks classy in any room?
The power lift function seems to add about a hundred dollars to the price.
A lot of expensive massage chairs don't even give you options for how long you want your massage to be. Some just have 15 minutes and that's it. You'd have to reset the controls to get another 15-minute massage.
This Esright recliner lets you choose from the following: 15, 30, or 60 minutes. My golden spot is 15-30 minutes. Anything more than this and it gets too much for me.
If you are getting this chair, start off with the shortest time first, and then work up to the longer time durations if you feel your body is ready for it. Otherwise, you might just get more body aches instead of getting a rejuvenating experience.
Some brands and models don't get the heating right. It's either too weak or too strong. With the Esright though, the heating is at a comfortable level. It really is an ideal chair for seniors because this is perfect for painful backs and cold winters.
If there was one thing that Esright designers need to fix right away to make their chairs a big hit, it would be the footrest. Once it's up, it's hard to get back down to the locked position. For some, you only need some pressure to push it back down. For others who get a bad chair, it gets stuck in this awkward position.
If you're a senior with weak hands or body strength, this is a deal-breaker unless you have someone who can assist you.
If you are a senior moving from the Esright recliner to your wheelchair, the chair will slide off and cause you to lose your balance if you are not too stable in the first place.
Normally, this wouldn't happen with the big massage chairs because of their sheer weight but these recliners are lighter and will slide on smooth or wooden floors.
There are easy fixes though. You can place a non-slip mat under the chair and/or place a heavy weight behind the chair so it doesn't move back.
We previously reviewed the Esright recliner without the power lift and we praised it for having unbiased customer reviews. Sadly, we can't say the same thing for this chair.
We really really wanted to like this chair because of the power lift function. It's a really helpful feature and the whole chair design is geared towards the aging adult. From the deep and wide seats, the metal frame, the lumbar heating, to the power lift.
Sadly, it disappoints in the ease of use of its mechanisms. If only the footrest (and even the recline) were smooth as butter to operate, we'd rate this a 10 out of 10.
As it is, there are actually better models and brands you can buy out there at the same price point. We're already testing a few — recliners with power lifts, that is — and we'll be ready with our write-ups soon. Watch out for those.
If you are set on this chair though, it is still a good buy especially if you get one that doesn't have the footrest problem.


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Jillian Michaels Targets Popular Exercise Regimen. Fans Balk
'She's doing this for the sake of trying to be relevant,' one CrossFit devotee remarks
By Jenn Gidman, Newser Staff
Posted Feb 9, 2019 8:30 AM CST
Jillian Michaels is seen at the Santa Monica airport on Sept. 7, 2018, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)
(Newser) – Jillian Michaels isn't exactly known for shying away from strong opinions on controversial topics, including a recent slam of the keto diet. The 44-year-old personal trainer's latest issue: CrossFit. USA Today reports that Michaels taped a short video for Shape last year, which the magazine posted to its site in December, but it didn't get much attention until Shape reposted it on Instagram on Thursday—and now there's been some pushback. In the clip, Michaels railed against the supposed hyperfocusing of CrossFit on power (via speed and strength), noting that CrossFit programs feature "maybe 20 to 25 movements that don't really vary" and that the workout doesn't really "[challenge] the body from various angles of push and pull." Instead, she advises, people should look for an exercise program with more balance, including one that features more endurance and agility training.
"Keep your training more holistic by hitting all modalities of fitness," she says. There's one type of exercise in particular that irks her, which she says she knows will make "so many people pissed off," per People. That would be kipping, which she says relies too much on momentum to complete various exercise moves. "Where I come from that's called cheating, using momentum to do a repetition," she says. While Michaels has some defenders in the Insta comments, many are annoyed at her take. "As someone who is a health professional ... @jillianmichaels is just taking a shot at @crossfit, without having any basis for her argument. She's doing this for the sake of trying to be relevant," one commenter notes. (Michaels once said she'd never give birth because it would ruin her body.)
Next on Newser: No One Noticed the Gas Leak. Except for the Dog
Ultimate Unicorn
Feb 11, 2019 7:53 AM CST
Here's the thing folks, what works for others may not work for you. Some people like crossfit, other don't. I personally prefer a combo of everything from HIIT, crossfit, heavy weights, cardio, whatever. As long as you're out there and not getting fat, then you're doing well for yourself. Do what works for you people. About kipping........i'm 100% with her on this. Too much momentum and not enough strict from.
rockky
Feb 10, 2019 9:48 PM CST
She's alluded to this before and also has a big point: Crossfit's biggest issue is recommending 24 out of 30 High intensity Wods a month. LOL. As a Crossfit Coach and graduate student in the field : Ridiculous from any studies done on the health aspect let alone the performance aspect of that.
From a conventional fitness perspective she has a point. (I'm a Crossfit Coach) In relation to their Kipping #'s what are Crossfit athlete's Strict (real) numbers? They're not good. Believe me.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Housing Inclusion Officer - Welfare Reform team.
The Welfare Reform Team work with households affected by changes in the benefits system, including the Total Benefit Cap, the Under Occupation Charge, and Universal Credit. Based within the council's Housing Inclusion Service, the team focuses its work on offering early intervention to those people who are at risk of becoming homeless, and has an excellent track record of homelessness prevention, by joint working with other departments and agencies, as well as liaising with Landlords and agents to prevent evictions where possible. The team provide both outreach and office based services.
Our team approach is to provide a holistic service to residents, and to empower and support people out of the circumstances which they are in. There is a strong focus on encouraging people into employment or training, while supporting any concerns there may be around barriers to work. Practical solutions are offered to residents in terms of income maximisation and budgeting, as well as downsizing and alternative housing options, and the team are encouraged to think creatively to achieve results.
We are looking to recruit someone with a comprehensive knowledge of housing options, and issues around the impact of poverty. You should be able to organise your own workload and show resilience in what can be a challenging role.
For more information on this role please contact Claire Tugwell the team senior on 0208 921 6821.


One Shirt One Body partnered with IDEA Carver Academy in San Antonio to bring middle school children to the State Farm Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships. The children were presented with the opportunity to meet the participating student-athletes on the court, prior to the event. The donation of One Shirt One Body shirts created a platform for the student-athletes to engage with the children through sport.
One Shirt One Body partnered with Division I SAAC and IDEA Public Schools in an event where student-athlete leaders from 15 universities collected and donated 1,000 athletic shirts to four middle schools in the Great San Antonio area. Over the course of one day, the student-athletes had the opportunity to meet and interact with hundreds of middle schoolers. The athletes were provided the platform to share their background and experience through sport, along with preaching the importance of higher education.


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Melania Trump's Maternal Instinct Made Her To Go Against Husband
The US First Lady, Melania Trump, usually stays away from political reforms. Nevertheless, she is now in the center of debates regarding the immigration policy.
Because of Trump's immigration policy, many families are separating. According to the US president's statement, Democrats are the ones who should be blamed.
READ ALSO: Will There Be An End To Melania Trump's Humiliation?
On his Twitter account, Donald Trump blamed Democrats for his own immigration policy.
While talking with the Homeland Security Secretary, Kirstjen Nielsen, he said:
I know what you're going through right now with families is very tough, but those are the bad laws that the Democrats gave us. We have to break up families.
READ ALSO: Beauty And Style: Melania Trump's Favorite Brands
But Melania, according to the statement made by her spokeswoman, doesn't agree with her husband. She hates to see families separated and hopes for some changes in immigration reform so that families could reunite.
It is very hard for Melania to see children separate from their parents. Her spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, said:
Hopefully, Melania will find the way to help families stay together.
READ ALSO: Mother's Instinct: Melania Trump Comforts Student At Event


Evans Jones have been appointed by The Football Association to provide advice on resurfacing and remedial works to the concourse area of Wembley Stadium.
The state-of-the-art 90,000 seat Wembley stadium was opened in 2007 on the site of the original Wembley Stadium, which was built in 1923.
As part of an ongoing maintenance programme, the FA, in conjunction with its subsidiary, Wembley Stadium Ltd. are conducting resurfacing works to the stadium concourse.
Evans Jones are providing Quantity Surveying services and will provide an order of cost estimate and cost monitoring for the project, as well as providing general assistance where necessary.
For more information on our Project Consultancy services, you can contact us here.


An Evans man is recovering at the Medical Center of the Rockies after he was stabbed Friday night in his home. Police arrested the man's common-law wife on domestic assault charges.
Evans police aren't releasing the name of the victim or the suspect, and said the man's wound was severe, but not life-threatening. He was taken from his home to the hospital by ambulance.
According to Evans police officer Pete Bratton, the incident occurred about 11 p.m. Friday at a home in the 3800 block of Burlington Street in Evans.
When officers arrived at the house, they found the man with a severe stab wound, apparently the result of a domestic disturbance, Bratton said.
The victim's wife was arrested on first-degree assault charges and booked into the Weld County Jail.


Urgent government action is required after FE loans caused a "collapse" in the number of older people taking level three and four courses, the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (Niace) has claimed.
Latest figures released this week by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) showed there were 15,330 applications in September for FE loans, which currently only apply to learners aged at least 24 and studying at level three or four.
The total number of applications for the current academic year up until September 30 was 43,830 — which was 12 per cent less than 49,651 applications up to the same date last year for 2013/14.
Niace chief executive David Hughes (pictured) said the latest figures indicated the number of level three and four learners aged 24 and over had crashed since FE loans were first introduced in April last year.
Figures previously released by the government in the Statistical First Release (SFR), showed that 401,300 people from that age group took level three and four courses, including apprenticeships, in 2012/13.
But only 57,100 people from the same age bracket paid for courses at those levels with a loan in 2013/14, with a further 53,500 people aged 25 and above taking level three and four apprenticeships.
Mr Hughes said the latest FE loans figures, which did not take account of apprenticeship starts so far for 2014/15 as they are are not funded by FE loans, "are a clear warning that last year was not a blip".
He added: "We call to the government to do something about this urgently. Otherwise, the prospects of there being enough highly-skilled people to do the jobs – now and in the future — that employers are desperate to fill, look bleak.
"The real issue [with the latest FE loans figures] is the collapse in the number of people taking part in learning at levels three and four.
It comes after the government launched a consultation in June on plans to extend FE loans to cover 19 to 23-year-olds and make them available for level two qualifications.
Government pays half the course cost for 19 to 23-year-olds staying at levels two and three.
But learners would end up having to repay the full cost under the loans system — which currently only applies to learners aged at least 24 and studying level three or four vocational courses, but not apprenticeships.
A spokesperson for the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) said: "The latest [FE loans] data underlines why securing the right outcome from the government's recent consultation is so important.
"Most loans are taken out either to progress in a well-paid career or where the learner does not expect to have to pay back the loan.
A BIS spokesperson said: "We will continue to monitor take-up and work with the sector to help them share best practice on how providers have made loans work for them.
Totally as predicted by providers via AELP and frankly explained to Minister and officials. Not only a hit and continuing threat to apprenticeship numbers, despite uninformed protestations of support from all political parties, it also threatens the best and most needed type of learning for the adult population. Support for young people is of course vital, but the economic needs of the country will not be met if high quality training is not increased for the adult population. The most effective means of achieving what is needed must be via adult apprenticeships at all levels. The welcome expansion of higher level apprenticeships must not be at the the expense of lower levels nor focussed solely on young people.


Daredevil: The Man Without Fear - manwithoutfear.com - Your trusted source for all things Daredevil since 1996!
Welcome to ManWithoutFear.com, your guide to the Daredevil universe since 1996!
New to Daredevil? Try the COMICS section or TRADE PAPERBACKS.
Need some RECOMMENDED READING? Got any questions? Visit the BOARD or CONTACT me.
Read over 175 interviews from past and present DAREDEVIL creators!
Meet all the Daredevil fans behind the campaign to bring the show back.
The writer of the MAN WITHOUT FEAR mini series talks about all things Matt Murdock.
Theo Nelson from DAREDEVIL Season 3 talks about working with Elden Henson and comments on the cancellation of the show.
Agent Wellers from DAREDEVIL Season 3 discusses working with Deborah Ann Woll and Vincent D'Onofrio.
Agent Orinori from DAREDEVIL Season 3 talks about working with his "FBI" team on the show.
Betsy Beatty from DAREDEVIL Season 3 talks about working with Matt Gerald and Charlie Cox.
Seema Nadeem from DAREDEVIL Season 3 talks about her role, diversity and working with Jay Ali.
Jasper Evans from DAREDEVIL Season 3 talks about his important scenes at the New York Bulletin and the prison with Vincent D'Onofrio.
SAC Tammy Hattley from DAREDEVIL Season 3 talks about the role and working with Jay Ali.
The lead actor from DAREDEVIL talks about his experiences on the show in this exclusive interview.


Vin Santo "Occhio di Pernice" is a typical Tuscan dessert wine, also present in DOC Elba.
The wine is obtained by drying Sangiovese grapes that have been harvested late in the season, putting them in to cure in the fruit storehouse where they will remain until Christmas. After this drying period the grapes are pressed, thereby obtaining a must that is dense and rich with sugar, which is then put into wooden kegs, thus initiating its long, slow fermentation which lasts 6 full years.


Hemanth Rama is a young mainframe engineer who has attended SHARE conferences since 2008. Rama holds a master's degree in Computer Science from Northern Illinois University (NIU) in DeKalb, Ill., and many of his professors, including Michael Stack and Robert Rannie, are active SHARE Members. It was through these professors that he first learned of SHARE. Rama is an active Member and project officer for SHARE zNextGen project, as well as the MVS performance project under MVS program. Earlier this year he was named a 2018 IBM Z Champion for his contributions to mainframe technology.
In this article, Rama shares the value he finds in being part of the organization and what he has gained from SHARE conferences over the last several years.
The strong foundation I had at NIU, coupled with continuous cutting-edge mainframe technology education at SHARE conferences, has helped me thrive in the mainframe industry. I believe that SHARE conferences are where you find the industry's best minds under one roof.
The first SHARE conference I attended was in 2008. The number of sessions available at the conference — all equally compelling and informative — was simply overwhelming. I relied heavily on my co-workers to help me navigate the conference and choose the right sessions. My subsequent attendance at SHARE conferences were fantastic, as I began to gain a better understanding of how the conferences are organized. At the top level, there are programs, and under each program are projects. Each SHARE program addresses key topics facing today's IT professionals. Projects offer a deeper dive into the technology and presented by experts of that subject matter. There are so many programs and projects that suit the unique IT needs of our profession.
Over the last few years at SHARE, my favorite presenter has been Glenn Anderson. I look out for his sessions whenever I attend the conference. Glenn's sessions remind me of my time at NIU, as he speaks passionately and simplifies many complex topics with ease, much like my professors.
If you've never had a chance to attend SHARE, there are so many unique opportunities waiting for you. A few of my favorite sessions and events include the Cheryl and Frank zRoadshow, where the two share interesting events in the z world that have happened since the last SHARE conference. It provides nuggets of invaluable information from many of the current SHARE sessions. Program and project dinners are a great chance to socialize and talk offline about various mainframe topics, ranging from mainframe history to career advice. For a hands-on experience, I have found lab sessions to be invaluable, and a great chance to learn in real-time under the guidance of experts. Plus, you get a certificate of completion. The Technology Expo is another perk of attending SHARE. This is where the best mainframe vendors showcase their contributions to the industry. It's an opportunity to discover new tools and software, meet the people creating this software and engage them with questions.
Get the SHARE app on your phone to help you plan and navigate sessions. With the app, you can also write brief notes about the sessions, evaluate sessions, get maps, local info and more.
Take the opportunity to connect and socialize, especially at the SHARE open house, project openings, expo booths and more.
Volunteering is the best way to reap the full benefits of a SHARE conference. You get to know lot of people and see how events, projects and sessions are planned. It will give you a whole new outlook on the mainframe community.
If you are new to SHARE, I encourage you to attend the first time attendee SHARE session. You will get valuable guidance from fellow Members.
If you are new to mainframes, you should reach out to SHARE zNextGen project. It is free to join and a community where experts help newbie mainframers with introductory sessions — not just while at SHARE, but through monthly webinars, as well.
Lunch and Learn sessions are usually vendor-led sessions, but often offer excellent insight into their products and value proposition.
Outside of attending SHARE conferences, I also volunteer as project officer for SHARE zNextGen project under the Enterprise-wide program, and MVS performance project under MVS program. I have presented many sessions at SHARE under these projects. I really enjoy doing this and feel blessed to give back to the SHARE community. I have worked at BMC software since 2005 and currently work as an application developer.
I attribute my success in the field to two things – NIU for laying a solid foundation and SHARE for continuous education. If you are looking to grow your own career or simply network with some of the best minds in the industry, I encourage you to join us at a SHARE event!


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It's the luck of the draw for parental leave
The availability of employer-funded paid parental leave has reached its highest level in the six-year dataset. This might be a cause for celebration if not for the fact that one in two workplaces provide no access to paid parental leave to their employees.
Parental leave and support for caring
Improved access to paid parental leave*
Although the provision of employer-funded paid parental leave reached a six-year high, over 50% of employers still provide NO access to employer-funded paid parental leave. Access to paid parental leave is highly dependent on the size and industry of the employer.
In 2018-19, the number of employers offering paid parental leave for primary carers increased by 1.6pp to 49.4%.
43.8% of employers offered paid parental leave for secondary carers – an increase of 2.0pp.
Women account for 93.5% (down 1.4pp from 2017-18) of all primary carer's leave utilised with men accounting for only 6.5% (up 1.4pp).
Overall, women account for 71.5% (down 0.7pp) of all parental leave while men comprise the remaining 28.5% (up 0.7pp).
Primary carer's leave is most commonly available in large organisations: 74.5% of organisations with 5000+ employees offer it, compared with 43.8% of organisations with fewer than 250 employees.
Length of paid primary carer's leave
Of those employers offering paid primary carer's leave, 7-12 weeks is the most common length of leave period (19.9%). Only 4.0% of employers offer 18 or more weeks of paid primary carer's leave.
Improved results on support for caring
There is solid growth in organisations reporting they have a formal policy or strategy to support employees with family and caring responsibilities (up 2.2pp to 66.5%). The proportion of employers offering non-leave based measures to support employees with caring responsibilities also increased (up 1.5pp to 55.2%).
Of those employers that provide support, the most common non-leave based measures are breastfeeding facilities (69.4%) and referral services to support employees with family and/or caring responsibilities (52.4%).
Just 10.8% of these employers offer on-site childcare, 7.5% offer employer-subsidised childcare and 7.3% offer return to work bonuses on return from parental leave.
Parental Leave by Industry
Increased access to paid parental leave in most industries
Paid primary carer's leave is most commonly offered in Education and Training (79.2%) and Financial and Insurance Services (76.4%).
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services remains in the top three (75.5%) despite a 3.2pp drop since 2016-17.
Paid primary carer's leave is least frequent in Retail Trade (21.3%) and Accommodation and Food Services (20.6%).
Employer action on gender equality
Gender equality means mums and dads should have equal access to parental leave
Parental leave continues to be a major feature of Australian workplaces and can provide employers with a competitive edge in the labour market when it comes to attracting and retaining talent. However, men's access to and uptake of this entitlement remains low. So, why aren't more men taking parental leave?
Gender equitable parental leave
In Australia, organisations are moving towards gender-neutral parental leave policies, offering equitable parental leave for all parents.
Dad's the word
More men are finding themselves caught in the crosshairs between two diverging expectations: traditional breadwinner and modern father.
Employer Spotlight: Diageo
At Diageo, from 1 July 2019 all Australian employees will be eligible to take 26 weeks paid family leave regardless of gender, carer status or length of service.
Equal share of female managers on the horizon, but next century for CEOs
The highest paid men in Australia are being paid at least $162,000 more than the highest paid women, but women could be on par with men in most management roles within the next two decades, our latest Gender Equity Insights report shows.
International Women's Day 2019: key facts about women and work
Friday 8 March 2019 is International Women's Day. This year's theme, Balance for Better, is an opportunity to reflect on the areas where balance can better our communities, workplaces and personal lives. Here are some key facts about balance for women and work in Australia.
The highest paid men in Australia are being paid at least $162,000 more than the highest paid women, but women could be on par with men in most management roles within the next two decades, a new report shows.
© Copyright Commonwealth Government of Australia 2018


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Basel Committee meets to review vulnerabilities and emerging risks, advance supervisory initiatives and promote Basel III implementation
Press release |
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision met in Basel on 26-27 February 2020 to review risks impacting the banking system, advance a range of supervisory initiatives and promote the implementation of Basel III.
The Committee dedicated a portion of its meeting to discussing progress on a strategic review initiated last year. The Committee has consulted with members and stakeholders on its future priorities, its structure and its processes. Members discussed the feedback received and exchanged initial views on the way forward. The Committee aims to finalise its review in the course of the year.
The Committee discussed the financial stability implications of the coronavirus outbreak (Covid-19) for the banking system and exchanged information on the business continuity measures that banks and authorities have put in place. The Committee encourages banks and supervisors to remain vigilant in light of the evolving situation and notes the importance of effective cross-border information sharing and cooperation when dealing with such shocks.
The Committee reviewed vulnerabilities associated with leveraged loans and collateralised loan obligations (CLOs). Among financial participants, banks have the largest direct exposures to these markets; banks are also exposed through a number of indirect channels. The Committee agreed to continue work in three areas related to leveraged loans and CLOs: members' supervisory approaches to measuring and mitigating risks; the current regulatory treatment of these exposures; and the need to further quantify banks' direct and indirect exposures.
Committee members discussed progress made by banks in preparing for the transition from the London interbank offered rate (Libor) to alternative reference rates. In December 2019, the Committee and the Financial Stability Board launched a survey on exposures to Libor and associated supervisory measures. The survey results and a report on remaining challenges to benchmark transition will be provided to G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in July. In the interim, the Committee stressed the need for banks to dedicate the necessary resources to understanding the impact of benchmark rate reforms on their business and making the necessary preparations for a smooth transition. The Committee has published a newsletter today outlining regulatory and supervisory implications related to benchmark rate reforms.
The Committee recently established a high-level Task Force on Climate-related Financial Risks. The Committee discussed the Task Force's workplan and future deliverables, which include:
A set of analytical reports on climate-related financial risks, including a literature review, and reports on the transmission channels of such risks to the banking system and on measurement methodologies.
The development of effective supervisory practices to mitigate climate-related financial risks.
The Committee also reviewed a stocktake of members' current initiatives in this area. A summary of this stocktake will be published in March.
As part of its ongoing Regulatory Consistency Assessment Programme, the Committee approved the reports assessing the implementation of the Net Stable Funding Ratio and Large Exposures standards in Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia and Singapore. These reports will be published next month.
Members also reviewed the implementation status of Basel III across its member jurisdictions. The Committee received updates from its members on the progress made in implementing Basel III. Members reiterated their commitment to implement Basel III in a full, timely and consistent manner and agreed to continue monitoring the situation and keep one another informed.
The Committee also agreed to publish the following documents:
A consultation paper aimed at strengthening the operational resilience of banks - to be published in March.
A report on members' experience in using the countercyclical capital buffer - to be published in due course.
Note to editors:
The Basel Committee is the primary global standard setter for the prudential regulation of banks and provides a forum for cooperation on banking supervisory matters. Its mandate is to strengthen the regulation, supervision and practices of banks worldwide with the purpose of enhancing financial stability. The Committee reports to the Group of Central Bank Governors and Heads of Supervision and seeks its endorsement for major decisions. The Committee does not possess any formal supranational authority, and its decisions do not have legal force. Rather, the Committee relies on its members' commitments to achieve its mandate. The Basel Committee is chaired by Pablo Hernández de Cos, Governor of the Bank of Spain.
More information about the Basel Committee is available here.
Newsletter "Benchmark rate reforms"


Anglers should be aware of a number of law changes that will take effect July 1 (as opposed to the usual Aug. 1 date) as a result of legislation passed this year.
Changes to fishing regulations are listed online.
Night bowfishing is allowed statewide from May 1 to the last Sunday in February, with limitations on noise and distance from structures.
A resident is now allowed to take fish by angling in a state park without an angling license under certain conditions, except in waters where a trout stamp is required.
Residents age 90 or older may take fish without a license.
A 25 boat minimum for the event to require a fishing contest permit (currently 30 participants).
Rough fish contests and contests with total prize value of $500 or less do not require permits.
The fee waiver for charitable organizations is no longer available.
The current maximum contest fees are cut in half.
The commissioner must develop best practices certification for fishing contests to assure proper handling and release of fish.
The commissioner must develop an online web-based fishing contest permit application process.
The commissioner may allow for live release weigh-ins at public accesses.
A person may harvest ripe wild rice on or after Aug. 15 (was July 15) to Sept. 30. In 2009, the commissioner may, by posting, restrict or prohibit the harvesting of wild rice on public waters based on the stage of ripeness of the wild rice stands in the waters.
This provides interim authority while wild rice stakeholder workgroups develop comprehensive recommendations for wild rice harvest and management prior to the 2010 Legislative session.


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Meanwhile Brewing
Eternal Champion Announce Return Show July 9 in Austin, TX
June 21, 2021 Albert Mudrian
Old-school heavy metal heroes — and creators of Decibel's 2020 Album of the Year runner up, Ravening Iron — Eternal Champion will return to the stage on July 9 in Austin.
Breaking News Eternal Champion, Heavy Metal, Holy Shit Live Music, Meanwhile Brewing, old-school heavy metal, Skourge, Vassska.
I was listening to Weird Al or something, and then, all of a sudden, I heard 'Ride the Lightning' and I was like, 'Fuck!'
- Nathan Weaver, Wolves in the Throne Room (Issue #155)


The NS engineering team maintains 9,700+ bridges and 158 tunnels over a 19,500 mile rail network and are responsible for implementing Positive Train Control (PTC), including the installation of: over 3,000 radio towers, 2,900 wayside radios, and 3,200 wayside interface units. In addition, NS engineers maintain and repair the 4,268 Locomotive fleet and the 69,000 freight car fleet. Engineers work within one of three groups within the company: Mechanical, Maintenance of Way and Structures (MW&S), or Communications and Signals (C&S). Supervisors of engineering related areas are responsible for having the right people for the right job in order to keep all equipment and infrastructure in full working order to maintain efficiency and a safe working environment.


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Lessons›
How 20th-Century Classical Music Can Make You a Better Rock Player
Carlos Cotallo Solares
From Debussy to Reich, classical composers can offer timeless techniques to supercharge your next riff.
Chops: Intermediate
Theory: Advanced
• Learn about composition techniques from 20th-century classical music.
• Explore these techniques from a rock perspective.
• Study these subjects further with contemporary classical compositions. Click here to download a printable PDF of this lesson's notation.
Although 20th-century Western classical music may seem cold and cerebral to a lot of guitarists, many of its techniques can be—and have been—incorporated into popular music. In this lesson, we'll explore seven techniques used by European and American composers of the 20th century and see how they translate to a rock setting. Often these techniques are also found in non-academic and non-Western music, so don't be surprised if you've heard them somewhere else. My goal is to merely introduce you to these tools, so I can't cover all their nuances and variations, but if you're interested in learning more about them, start by listening to the composition listed at the end of each section.
The Whole-Tone Scale
In this six-note scale, the interval between each consecutive note is a whole-step. In Ex. 1, the scale I'm using is E–F#–G#–A#–C–D. Although the riff is built around E, the whole tone scale's tonal center is pretty ambiguous because any note of the scale can be considered the root. This means there are only two different whole-tone scales to learn.
Click here for Ex. 1
"Voiles" by Claude Debussy
The Octatonic Scale
These scales are known by a few different names and are also commonly used in jazz improvisation. For our purposes, we will think of two variations: the half-whole diminished scale and the whole-half diminished scale. In Ex. 2, I use the whole-half version starting on A (A–B–C–D–Eb–F–F#–G#). If we flip around the half-steps and whole-steps we land on the half-whole diminished scale: A–Bb–C–Db–Eb–E–F#–G. The chromatic character of the scale has an unsettling sound and, similarly to the whole-tone scale, creates a less stable tonal center.
Mikrokosmos Sz. 107, BB 105, Vol. 4: No. 101. Diminished Fifth
Polytonality
This happens when two or more keys sound at the same time. Ex. 3 begins with an unaccompanied melody in B Mixolydian (B–C#–D#–E–F#–G#–A). The second time the melody is played, the second guitar and bass come in with a countermelody in F major. Because of the two clashing tonal centers, the combination of the melodies sounds much more complex and interesting than each line on its own.
Violin Sonata No. 2, Second Movement "Blues"by Maurice Ravel
Quartal Harmony
Quartal and quintal harmony uses chords built by stacking fourths or fifths, respectively, instead of thirds. In Ex. 4, all chords can be spelled using fourths, but not all of them have been voiced in that way. For example, the fourth and fifth chords (F–Bb–Eb and Eb–Bb–F) share the same notes but they are arranged differently. The absence of thirds gives quartal chords an open and ambiguous character while still sounding relatively consonant.
"Mathis der Maler": II. Grablegung (The Entombment) by Paul Hindemith
12-Tone Rows
In a 12-tone row (or 12-tone series), all 12 notes of the chromatic scale appear once, and no note can be used twice. With the 12-tone system it is possible to make music in which no note sounds more often than the others and therefore there is no tonal center. The riff in Ex. 5 uses the row D–C#–D#–C–E–B–F–Bb–F#–A–Ab–G. The row starting in measure 9 is a variation of the main one, constructed by inverting all intervals (meaning that the direction of each interval has been reversed) and transposing the row up by a diminished fourth and an octave.
Wind Quintet, Op. 26 by Arnold Schoenberg
Phasing
With phasing, a short pattern is simultaneously played on two instruments, and then one of them moves out of sync with the other one. In Ex. 6, after the pattern is played once (measures 1 and 2), it is delayed by one eighth-note on the second guitar. This process continues until the pattern lines up in both guitars after being played 15 times. Phasing can also be achieved by shifting the pattern gradually instead of by a specific note value (this is much harder to perform). In Ex. 6, while the process happens in the two guitars, the bass and drums change every couple of measures to create different sections.
"Clapping music" by Steve Reich
Nested Tuplets
A nested tuplet is simply a tuplet inside a tuplet. In Ex. 7, there are quintuplets in measures 2, 4, 6, and 7. In the first three cases, instead of dividing the 4/4 measure into four quarter-notes, we play five notes of the same length (a quarter-note quintuplet). In measure 7, the first note of the quintuplet is subdivided into three equal parts, creating an eighth-note triplet inside the quarter-note quintuplet. Nested tuplets are great for achieving complex and multi-layered rhythms, and although they can look intimidating at first, they feel much more fluid and natural once you get used to them.
String Quartet No. 2 by Brian Ferneyhough
Where to Go from Here?
If you enjoyed this lesson, keep researching and experimenting. There are great resources inside and outside of academia to learn about modern music and the tools that composers use to write it. Setting rules for yourself won't guarantee that you'll create better music, but it will push you out of your comfort zone and force you to reach new places creatively.
How Composing Will Make You Better - Premier Guitar ›
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LessonsEffectsIntermediateRockVideosAcoustic


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Q: How to Calculate the MD5 and SHA checksum of a huge file? I want to calculate the MD5 and SHA checksum of a series of huge files.
Each file is about 1GB, so I wish to be as fast as possible.
Could anyone help to recommend some efficient C++ library?
BTW,
When reading file, fread( buffer, sizeof(char), BUFFER_SIZE, fin ), what size of BUFFER_SIZE is reasonable?

A: On top of my head I do not know any fast C++ library. Computing a hash is relative straightforward, so any C library will be as easy to use (you can easily wrap it in a C++ class yourself). I found the following site where a guy implemented several hashing algorithms in x86 assembly and compared them to "official" C implementations of the same algorithms:
https://www.nayuki.io/page/fast-sha1-hash-implementation-in-x86-assembly
https://www.nayuki.io/page/fast-md5-hash-implementation-in-x86-assembly
Those implementations should be a good starting point and then you just have to make the file I/O as efficient as possible. Memory-mapped I/O is usually very efficient, or then you could go complex and use two threads: one thread reads chunks from the file and the other thread hashes the read data. The idea here would be to always keep the process doing something useful, i.e. hashes can be calculated while waiting for more data to be read from the file.

A: You could use Openssl.
Search for Mysticial answer about MD5 large file
How to create a md5 hash of a string in C?
When you look into Openssl SHA docs you will see that MD5 and SHA ways of using these functions are the same.
SHA Openssl Docs

A: I personally would do FILE *pipe = popen("md5sum filename"); [or something to that effect] - it is likely to be as fast as anything else, since 1GB of a file will take a little while to read, and the calculation is unlikely to be using much of your CPU time - most of the time will be waiting for the disk to load up the file.
On my system, I created 6 files of 1GB each, and it takes 2 seconds to checksum the file with md5sum. (12 seconds for all 6 files).

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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'You': This Is Elizabeth Lail's Life Before Fame
The real "Guinevere Beck"!
You: This Is Elizabeth Lail's Life Before Fame
February 15, 2020 - 20:05 / Rachel Johnson
Elizabeth Lail is most well-known for her character "Guinevere Beck" on the Lifetime/Netflix hit series You, but how did the star get to where she is today? Find out here!
An unsettling first look!
Alison Brie Stars In Creepy New Trailer For Netflix Film 'Horse Girl'
Elizabeth Lail was born in Texas and grew up in North Carolina. After attending university at The North Carolina School of the Arts, Elizabeth went on to pursue an acting career.
Elizabeth Lail at the 2014 premiere of ABC's Once Upon A Time
(© imago images/ ZUMA Press)
Elizabeth Lail's Early Career
Early in her career, Elizabeth starred in many student film productions before landing a reoccurring role on season 4 of ABC's Once Upon a Time in 2014. In 2016 she landed the main role of "Amy Hughes" on the horror series Dead of Summer.
Elizabeth Lail as "Guinevere Beck"
(© imago images/ Cinema Publishers Collection)
In 2017, Elizabeth was cast in the role of aspiring writer "Guinevere Beck" on the Lifetime/Netflix series You, and became the love obsession of Penn Badgley's character "Joe". The 27-year-old has starred in 11 episodes of the series that is now in its second season.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: A Gossip Girl Reboot Is Officially Coming To HBO Max
Unfortunately she has appeared less in the second season after her character was killed off, but we are still hopeful that she will make appearances in future seasons of the show!
In the meantime you can also catch Elizabeth in the 2019 horror film Countdown as the lead character "Quinn Harris" or keep up to date with her on Instagram!
BTS of @countdown This cast is incredibly talented and kind hearted all at once. @countdown is my very first theatrical release and I could not be more excited for you all to see it. Have some popcorn for me! #countdownmovie
A post shared by Elizabeth Dean Lail (@elizabethlail) on Oct 25, 2019 at 11:36am PDT
@storyandrain keeping me warm in style : @randallslavin
A post shared by Elizabeth Dean Lail (@elizabethlail) on Jan 10, 2020 at 9:13am PST
Another Netflix role for the star actress!
Toni Collette To Star In New Netflix Drama 'Pieces Of Her'
We're willing to wait for it!
'Hamilton' Performance With Original Broadway Cast Is Headed to Theatres
He keeps in touch and sends pictures...
Prince Harry "Missing" His British Pals After Moving To Canada


Gone fishing! Canal homes are the most diverse offering on Holden Beach. Walk out your backdoor, get in your boat and be gone. That's a lot to take in; right? It's reality when you stay in one of our canal front accomodations. But wait, there's more! Our canal properties also put you a short walk from beach access. Let the fisherman fish, let the beach bums relax, that's what a canal front vacation is all about. Take a look around and see what all the talk's about!


Published on June 1, 2018.
Save Earth Save Environment Coloring Drawing for kids.
Save Trees Save Life Drawing.
save Environment Stop pollution Drawing.
stop cutting Trees Coloring Drawing.
Coloring Drawing on save Earth.
save Environment poster step by step.


Can You Make Dental Implants Last Forever?
Benefits your oral hygiene. Missing teeth can leave your gums exposed to bacteria and plaque build-up which can cause further complications.
Improves your appearance. A missing gap can make you feel insecure about your smile. A dental implant will greatly improve your appearance and give you a confident smile.
Restores confidence in your appearance. 57% of British people are unhappy with their teeth. Dental implants can prevent anxiety or lack of confidence building from your missing teeth.
Experienced dentists offer brilliant dental implant treatments solely for you. Dental implants are an investment in you. So how can you get the most out of them for a long time?
A misconception about a dental implant is that they don't need the same care or attention compared to other teeth. You shouldn't stop caring and looking after your teeth after you've had dental implants placed.
We strongly recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice a day. Give your implant special attention and ensure all sides are free of any plaque. Furthermore, continue to visit your dentist regularly so that they can assess how successful the implant treatment was.
Looking for the Perfect Smile? Read on to find out more.


Sometimes people approach me at my seminars and tell me that they have no ambition. They say they are quite content at their level of income. They make enough to pay their bills and stay out of debt. They ask me what I can do for them if they lack an allconsuming desire to accomplish more than they are already achieving.
Reluctantly, I tell them that there is really no hope for them if they have no ambition. If they don't have the desire themselves to be more and do better than they are today, there is nothing that anyone else can do for them. I tell them, "Some people are born to be followers and some people are born to be leaders, and I have to assume that you were born to be a follower". I have never met anyone who particularly likes this response. Too bad. Ambition is essential for great success.