Sunday, March 31, 2013

Skype for Windows 8 gains contact blocking and performances improvements

Skype for Windows 8 gains contact blocking and performances improvements

Those of you using Skype in Windows 8 will be happy to know that Microsoft's just bumped the app to version 1.6. It's been a few months since the last update, and this revision brings more features to the table, including contact blocking and a slew of performance tweaks. You're now able to block users, with an option to remove or report the offending party. Speed and reliability have been improved, especially when loading contacts, and a number of bugs have been fixed, including one where the outgoing video was not always displayed after switching cameras. The update's available in Windows Store, so what are you waiting for?

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Source: Skype Blogs

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/30/skype-for-windows-8-gains-contact-blocking-and-performances-impr/

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Study shows Shakespeare as ruthless businessman

LONDON (AP) ? Hoarder, moneylender, tax dodger ? it's not how we usually think of William Shakespeare.

But we should, according to a group of academics who say the Bard was a ruthless businessman who grew wealthy dealing in grain during a time of famine.

Researchers from Aberystwyth University in Wales argue that we can't fully understand Shakespeare unless we study his often-overlooked business savvy.

"Shakespeare the grain-hoarder has been redacted from history so that Shakespeare the creative genius could be born," the researchers say in a paper due to be delivered at the Hay literary festival in Wales in May.

Jayne Archer, a lecturer in medieval and Renaissance literature at Aberystwyth, said that oversight is the product of "a willful ignorance on behalf of critics and scholars who I think ? perhaps through snobbery ? cannot countenance the idea of a creative genius also being motivated by self-interest."

Archer and her colleagues Howard Thomas and Richard Marggraf Turley combed through historical archives to uncover details of the playwright's parallel life as a grain merchant and property owner in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon whose practices sometimes brought him into conflict with the law.

"Over a 15-year period he purchased and stored grain, malt and barley for resale at inflated prices to his neighbors and local tradesmen," they wrote, adding that Shakespeare "pursued those who could not (or would not) pay him in full for these staples and used the profits to further his own money-lending activities."

He was pursued by the authorities for tax evasion, and in 1598 was prosecuted for hoarding grain during a time of shortage.

The charge sheet against Shakespeare was not entirely unknown, though it may come as shock to some literature lovers. But the authors argue that modern readers and scholars are out of touch with the harsh realities the writer and his contemporaries faced.

He lived and wrote in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, during a period known as the "Little Ice Age," when unusual cold and heavy rain caused poor harvests and food shortages.

"I think now we have a rather rarefied idea of writers and artists as people who are disconnected from the everyday concerns of their contemporaries," Archer said. "But for most writers for most of history, hunger has been a major concern ? and it has been as creatively energizing as any other force."

She argues that knowledge of the era's food insecurity can cast new light on Shakespeare's plays, including "Coriolanus," which is set in an ancient Rome wracked by famine. The food protests in the play can be seen to echo the real-life 1607 uprising of peasants in the English Midlands, where Shakespeare lived.

Shakespeare scholar Jonathan Bate told the Sunday Times newspaper that Archer and her colleagues had done valuable work, saying their research had "given new force to an old argument about the contemporaneity of the protests over grain-hoarding in 'Coriolanus.'"

Archer said famine also informs "King Lear," in which an aging monarch's unjust distribution of his land among his three daughters sparks war.

"In the play there is a very subtle depiction of how dividing up land also involves impacts on the distribution of food," Archer said.

Archer said the idea of Shakespeare as a hardheaded businessman may not fit with romantic notions of the sensitive artist, but we shouldn't judge him too harshly. Hoarding grain was his way of ensuring that his family and neighbors would not go hungry if a harvest failed.

"Remembering Shakespeare as a man of hunger makes him much more human, much more understandable, much more complex," she said.

"He would not have thought of himself first and foremost as a writer. Possibly as an actor ? but first and foremost as a good father, a good husband and a good citizen to the people of Stratford."

She said the playwright's funeral monument in Stratford's Holy Trinity Church reflected this. The original monument erected after his death in 1616 showed Shakespeare holding a sack of grain. In the 18th century, it was replaced with a more "writerly" memorial depicting Shakespeare with a tasseled cushion and a quill pen.

_____

Jill Lawless can be reached at http://Twitter.com/JillLawless

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/study-shows-shakespeare-ruthless-businessman-150909584.html

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FireWife: Guest Post: What You'll Need for that Adorable Baby Shower

As you know, I'm fairly excited about the prospect of possibly having baby #2. Whether you're having a little one yourself, or are planning a shower for a friend, I hope you enjoy this guest post by Rachael McAdams. Happy reading!
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Baby showers are full of absolutely adorable things for both mom and baby. Keeping track of everything however, can be tough. Here are a few lists to help stay organized. Themes, Decorations, and Invitations Baby shower decorations should reflect the overall theme of the event. Is mommy planning a ?Noah?s Ark? room? Get pairs of small stuffed animals to put on every table. Does she like to garden? Get small potted plants and packages for seeds for each guest to take home with them as favors, such as these Peter Rabbit personalized seed packets from Esty. Find out what mom and dad are planning for their new addition and try to implement it into the shower?s theme and decorations. Consider asking other family members to join in on the planning and for shower ideas. They may be able to provide that one little bit of information that could make the shower extra special! Once you decide on a theme and what type of decorations you would like to have, you need to order invitations. There are plenty of great options for every budget. For example, Tiny Prints has baby shower invitations to match any theme you can dream up and they usually have a coupon code running. Invitations should go out three to four weeks before the shower so everyone has time to respond and find that perfect gift. Also make sure to include if it the shower is a surprise so no one slips about the plans in front of mommy. Once the theme is picked and the invitations have gone out, it is time to plan a menu, Woman?s Day Magazine has a great list of tasty ideas! First it is important to consider any dietary restrictions mommy may be under. For example, many women need to be extra careful of their sodium intake during pregnancy, so make sure to avoid serving nothing but salty snacks. On the flip side, make sure to include food items mommy will enjoy. Does she love chocolate cake? Or a special recipe of her grandma?s? These are the things that will help make the day extra special with that touch of home. Ultimately, a baby shower is all about having fun and celebrating a wonderful event. Make sure your plans include a fun theme and great food, and everyone will have wonderful memories.

Source: http://kyfirewife.blogspot.com/2013/03/guest-post-what-youll-need-for-that.html

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Saturday, March 30, 2013

2012 Chevrolet Camaro LT - Classified Ad

Description

Contact Seller

FUEL EFFICIENT 28 MPG Hwy/17 MPG City! CARFAX 1-Owner, Extra Clean, ONLY 7,101 Miles! iPod/MP3 Input, CD Player, Onboard Communications System, Satellite Radio, 1LT PREFERRED EQUIPMENT GROUP|Alloy Wheels, Overhead Airbag AND MORE!======BUY WITH CONFIDENCE: CARFAX 1-Owner ======KEY FEATURES INCLUDE: Satellite Radio, iPod/MP3 Input, CD Player, Onboard Communications System, Aluminum Wheels. Rear Spoiler, MP3 Player, Remote Trunk Release, Keyless Entry, Steering Wheel Controls. ======OPTION PACKAGES: 1LT PREFERRED EQUIPMENT GROUP includes Standard Equipment. Local Trade In. 1LT with Victory Red exterior and Black interior features a V6 Cylinder Engine with 323 HP at 6800 RPM*. ======EXPERTS ARE SAYING: Classic styling made modern, excellent chassis, brakes are up to the task of countering the V-8's 426 horsepower, and approachable prices. . Great Gas Mileage: 28 MPG Hwy. ======WHO WE ARE: Georgia's #1 Chevy Dealer! Rick Hendrick Chevrolet is a 'World Class' Sales and Service center supporting the greater Northeast Georgia area. We are North Georgia's newest General Motors dealer. Our dealership is a state of the art facility with an upscale sales department, large general service division, a Quick Lube Center, and adjacent collision center. As a member of the Hendrick Automotive Group, we belong to one of the largest and most successful dealer groups in the country. Pricing analysis performed on 2/16/2013. Horsepower calculations based on trim engine configuration. Fuel economy calculations based on original manufacturer data for trim engine configuration. Please confirm the accuracy of the included equipment by calling us prior to purchase.

Additional Features

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4-Wheel Disc Brakes, Am/Fm, Adjustable Steering Wheel, Air Conditioning, Anti-Lock Brakes, Anti-Theft System, Automatic Headlights, Bucket Seats, Cd (Single Disc), Cloth Seats, Cruise Control, Daytime Running Lights, Emergency Trunk Release, Floor Mats, Fog Lights, Front Airbags (Dual), Front Side Airbags (Dual), Front And Rear Side Airbags, Intermittent Wipers, Keyless Entry, Mp3, Pass-Through Rear Seat, Power Locks, Power Mirrors, Power Outlet, Power Seat (Dual), Power Steering, Power Windows, Premium Wheels, Rear Window Defroster, Remote Trunk Release, Satellite Radio, Spoiler, Steering Wheel Controls, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Traction/Stability Control, Vanity Mirror/Light, Ipod Adapter

Source: http://www.classifiedads.com/cars-ad29502931.htm

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Egypt lawyers held for allegedly attacking police

CAIRO (AP) ? An Egyptian rights group says police have detained 13 people including five lawyers, accusing them of assaulting police in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria.

The arrest inside the police station is rare instance in which lawyers face potential criminal charges. The opposition says there is an expanding crackdown on anti-government activists.

The arrests Saturday on accusations that include insulting security officials and illegal assembly prompted an angry response from lawyers at Cairo's Bar Association, who demanded an apology from the police.

The Haqanya Center for Rights said the detainees are also accused of attempting to free other detainees held at the police station.

The lawyers were at the station to represent activists reportedly arrested by members of a political party affiliated with Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and handed to the police.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/egypt-lawyers-held-allegedly-attacking-police-121238260.html

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South Africa: Mandela making progress in hospital

FILE - In this Wednesday, July 18, 2012 file photo former South African President Nelson Mandela as he celebrates his birthday with family in Qunu, South Africa, Wednesday, July 18, 2012. The South African presidency says Nelson Mandela was re-admitted to hospital with a recurrence of a lung infection Thursday March 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)

FILE - In this Wednesday, July 18, 2012 file photo former South African President Nelson Mandela as he celebrates his birthday with family in Qunu, South Africa, Wednesday, July 18, 2012. The South African presidency says Nelson Mandela was re-admitted to hospital with a recurrence of a lung infection Thursday March 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)

Visitors gather in front of a portrait of former president Nelson Mandela, in a Park in Soweto, South Africa, Thursday, March, 28, 2013. 94-year-old Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader who became South Africa's first black president, has been hit by a lung infection again and is in a hospital, the presidency said. Mandela, has become increasingly frail in recent years and has been hospitalized several times in recent months, including earlier this month when he underwent what authorities said was a scheduled medical test. The Nobel laureate is a revered figure in South Africa, which has honored his legacy of reconciliation by naming buildings and other places after him and printing his image on national banknotes. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

A child passes portraits of former president Nelson Mandela depicted in various stages of his life in a Soweto, South Africa, street Thursday, March, 28, 2013. 94-year-old Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader who became South Africa's first black president, has been hit by a lung infection again and is in a hospital, the presidency said. Mandela, has become increasingly frail in recent years and has been hospitalized several times in recent months, including earlier this month when he underwent what authorities said was a scheduled medical test. The Nobel laureate is a revered figure in South Africa, which has honored his legacy of reconciliation by naming buildings and other places after him and printing his image on national banknotes. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

A child looks through a fence at a portrait of former president Nelson Mandela in a Park in Soweto, South Africa, Thursday, March, 28, 2013. 94-year-old Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader who became South Africa's first black president, has been hit by a lung infection again and is in a hospital, the presidency said. Mandela, has become increasingly frail in recent years and has been hospitalized several times in recent months, including earlier this month when he underwent what authorities said was a scheduled medical test. The Nobel laureate is a revered figure in South Africa, which has honored his legacy of reconciliation by naming buildings and other places after him and printing his image on national banknotes. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

In this photo taken on Thursday, March 14, 2013, a statue of Former South African president Nelson Mandela at the entrance to the Robben Island ferry departure point at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa. Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader who became South Africa's first black president, has been admitted to a hospital with a recurring lung infection, South Africa said Thursday, March 28, 2013. Mandela, 94, has become increasingly frail in recent years and has been hospitalized several times since last year, mostly recently earlier this month when he received what a presidential spokesman described as a "successful" medical test. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)

(AP) ? Nelson Mandela is making "steady progress" while being treated for a recurring lung infection and he had a full breakfast on Friday, South African authorities said.

The office of President Jacob Zuma released a statement in which it said the former president and anti-apartheid leader was in good spirits after being taken late Wednesday to a hospital in the capital, Pretoria.

"The doctors report that he is making steady progress. He remains under treatment and observation in hospital," the statement said.

"We would like to repeat our appeal for the media and the public to respect the privacy of Madiba and his family," it said, using Mandela's clan name, a term of affection.

It is 94-year-old Mandela's third trip to a hospital since December. At that time, he spent three weeks in a hospital in Pretoria, where he was treated for a lung infection and had a procedure to remove gallstones. Earlier this month, he was hospitalized overnight for what authorities said was a successful, scheduled medical test.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate has been particularly vulnerable to respiratory problems since contracting tuberculosis during his 27-year imprisonment for fighting white racist rule in his country.

President Barack Obama said Thursday he was concerned about Mandela's health, but noted he was as strong physically as he has been in leadership and character. Obama said he was sending his thoughts and prayers to Mandela, and he described him as a hero and an inspiration who gave everything to his people.

Zuma's office said Thursday that doctors were acting with extreme caution because of the advanced age of Mandela, who has become increasingly frail in recent years.

Mandela, who became South Africa's first black president in 1994, is a revered figure in his homeland, which has named buildings and other places after him and uses his image on national bank notes.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-03-29-AF-South-Africa-Mandela/id-a82847977d44428e8d5bdebe1666bc88

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CA-NEWS Summary

U.S. flies stealth bombers over South Korea in warning to North

SEOUL (Reuters) - The United States flew two nuclear-capable stealth bombers on practice runs over South Korea on Thursday, in a rare show of force following a series of North Korean threats that the Pentagon said have set Pyongyang on a dangerous path. The drill by the two B-2 Spirit bombers - flying all the way from the United States and back - appeared to be the first exercise of its kind and showed America's ability to conduct long-range, precision strikes "quickly and at will," the U.S. military said.

Mortar kills 15 at Damascus University, Syria says

BEIRUT/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Fifteen Syrian students were killed when rebel mortar shells hit a Damascus University canteen on Thursday, state-run news agency SANA said, as attacks intensified in the center of the capital. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition monitoring group, said a mortar killed 13 people at the university, without saying who fired the bombs.

Attempt to end Italy crisis stalls, president mulls next move

ROME (Reuters) - Center-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani has failed in his attempt to find a way out of Italy's political deadlock and President Giorgio Napolitano will now seek another solution, the president's palace said on Thursday. Bersani reported back to Napolitano on Thursday night after being given a mandate almost a week ago to see if he could muster enough support to form a government after the inconclusive election in February.

U.S. debates how severely to penalize Russia in human rights spat

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In a controversy underscoring continued stresses in U.S.-Russia relations, Obama administration officials are debating how many Russian officials to ban from the United States under a new law meant to penalize Moscow for alleged human rights abuses. The debate's outcome, expected in about two weeks, is likely to illustrate how President Barack Obama will handle what critics say is a crackdown on dissent in Russia and set the tone for Washington-Moscow relations in the president's second term.

Kenyatta apologizes for judges gaffe before Kenya poll ruling

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya's president-elect, whose victory is being challenged in the Supreme Court, apologized on Thursday for seeming to dismiss the judges as "some six people" who will "decide something or other". Uhuru Kenyatta, who also faces trial at the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity over post-election violence five years ago, made the remarks - which went viral on social media - while consulting allies at a resort.

Analysis: Gay marriage rights may carry bigger U.S. tax burden for some

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - If the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down a federal law defining marriage as between a man and woman, the newfound rights for gay married couples may bear something not so welcome - a bigger tax burden. That's because with equality, gay couples will face the same tax woes of many heterosexual couples with similar incomes, including the tax hit known in America as the marriage penalty.

Spy who foiled jet bomb plot to be Britain's intelligence chief

LONDON (Reuters) - A British counterspy who helped to thwart an al Qaeda plot to blow up planes with explosives hidden in soft drink bottles and led the response to the 2005 London transport bombings will be the new head of Britain's domestic intelligence agency, the U.K. government said on Thursday. Andrew Parker has three decades' experience at the Security Service, known as MI5, countering Islamist militants, violent Irish republicans and organized criminals. He has been deputy chief since 2007, and once served as a British security liaison in the United States.

Irish PM's party wins by-election, junior partner suffers

ASHBOURNE, Ireland (Reuters) - Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny's Fine Gael party held its seat in a by-election on Thursday, but its junior coalition partner Labor was beaten into fifth place in a humiliating defeat. Labour went into government for the first time since the late 1990s two years ago on a promise to end the previous administration's Laboradherence to "Frankfurt's Way", an austerity plan the party said was dictated by the European Central Bank.

Beleaguered Hollande to reach out to nation on TV

PARIS (Reuters) - With his approval ratings and most of his economic pledges in tatters, French President Francois Hollande will try to convince a disillusioned nation on television on Thursday to keep faith in him to restore the economy to health. Hollande will be grilled in a 45-minute interview on France 2 television, his first such appearance in several months, in a studio whose backdrop and lighting have been prepared by his media team to create a somber mood.

NATO approves Breedlove's nomination as top commander

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO said on Thursday it had approved the nomination of U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove to be the Western alliance's top military commander. Breedlove, whose nomination was endorsed by ambassadors from the 28 NATO allies, will succeed Admiral James Stavridis as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe. His appointment requires U.S. Senate confirmation.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ca-news-summary-010147756.html

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Friday, March 29, 2013

Moving Forward When You Don't Land a Sale

One of the most challenging aspects of any sales job is rejection. Rejection becomes more damaging the more we have invested in the prospect. Rejection on an initial call is easier to take than rejection after you have prepared and researched for your presentation, made your presentation, sent additional value to the prospect after the presentation if you didn't get the contract signed that night. Most salespeople are highly optimistic when they have taken all of these steps in the sales process. Some salespeople are counting the sale as made at this stage, and they experience the ultimate rejection when they hear the word no.

I believe there is a mindset that each salesperson needs to adopt to achieve long-term success in sales. I describe it as not being attached to the outcome. Not being attached to the outcome allows you to better handle the times when you don't land the sale. Not getting the sale happens to every salesperson. The question isn't what if you don't land the sale; the question is when and what do you do then? How will you respond?

Being more focused on doing the steps in terms of practicing your skills, preparing for the call, building and delivering great openings, delivering dynamic presentations, overcoming objections, and effectively closing is more important than making one sale. Perfecting your skills, mindset, confidence, conviction, product knowledge, and questioning will lead to countless sales, rather than one sale. Being unattached to the outcome allows you to scream the four letter word of sales and mean it. The four letter word being... NEXT!

When a prospect informs you that you did not get their order, you want to avoid the typical mistakes that most salespeople make at this stage. The first mistake is reloading their sales pitch. They figure that the prospect didn't hear their sales presentation well, or they would be saying yes. So, they reload the features and benefits and try to throw the Hail Mary pass of sales, hoping for a completion. It takes a full court press in selling mode to try to change the prospect's mind and make a sale. This type of approach shows little respect for the prospect, yourself, and the sales process. It smacks of desperation and a focus centered on your commission earned. The second mistake often made by salespeople is the silent treatment. The salesperson shows a little of their emotions, frustration, and disappointment publicly or vocally to the prospect. That is followed by the obligatory "fine".

Being in sales for more than twenty years has taught me a lot about this. The truth is, however, I learned what the real meaning of fine is after being married for twenty years now. When my wife, Joan, uses the word fine, I can assure you that whatever I said or did not say, did or did not do is most assuredly not FINE!

The third type of mistake is the retaliatory salesperson. Their approach is to go negative on the agent or company the prospect just selected to do business with instead of you. All this does is cement the prospect's resolve that they made the right choice. If done with too much aggression, it will ensure you never do business with this prospect.

When you don't land the sale, there is a seven-step process to end this stage of the relationship with dignity. The steps are discussed here in detail to help you feel better, ease concern on your prospect's part, and create opportunities and openings for the future.

1. Listen intently

We can secure additional valuable information and sales opportunities even in the face of defeat. Some of your prospects will realize all the hard work you expended in preparation, communication, and presentation. When you have a prospect who recognizes this, you have a significant opportunity to learn. You will learn more from your defeats than from your victories if you are willing to take the heat of exploration.

Ask permission to ask a few questions, so you will be able to do a better job in the future. Most people will respect you for your willingness to look at this situation as a learning opportunity. Then ask some of these questions:

  • Where did we fall short in securing your business?
  • Was it anything that I personally said or did that influenced the sale away to XYZ Company?
  • If you were me, what would you have done differently?
  • Do you see an opportunity where we might be able to work together again in the future? What would that be?
  • Is there anything that I can do for you?

The more information you can secure about your performance, your company's performance, your services, how the prospect makes decisions, and what they might need in the future, the more you will be able to invest this no sale situation in the future for your career, company, and future dealings with this prospect.

2. Convey disappointment professionally

I believe that it's advantageous to express disappointment constructively. I am not talking about whining to them. To tell them that you are disappointed that you didn't earn their business or that you won't be working together is valid. If done well, it can convey a level of caring and commitment to your company and prospects that is admirable. You must have grace in this step, or you can sound too much like a toddler wanting something and threatening a tantrum if you don't get it.

3. Wish them well

Be encouraging about their choice. Be positive about the other company and salesperson. That is easier to say than do, especially if you have strong conviction about your service. The truth is all salespeople should believe they are the best and what they are selling is the best, as well.

If you wish them well, it still leaves the door open for future business, or if the company selected doesn't perform, you still might get a call back. The ultimate in this approach is to tell the customer they have made a good selection, and XYZ Company will do a good job for them. It might be hard to many of you to squeeze a compliment of another agent or company out of your mouth, but it's the pinnacle of professionalism.

4. Before you hang up the phone, make sure you open a window

As a telephone salesperson coming off of a non-sale, you must make sure you prepare for the future. The future is brighter with a window open... the window of opportunity to make a future sale.

Ask permission to check back with them in a few weeks. I have made a lot of money in my sales career by checking back in a few weeks and finding out that the prospect is now dissatisfied with their choice. What they have received up to this point was far less than promised.

Ask permission to contact them periodically over time. "Can I call you periodically just to see how you are doing?" Tell them the door or window is open to them. "If I can be of assistance to you in the future, please don't hesitate to call." You want to convey that it wouldn't be a problem for them to come to you in the future. You respect and understand their decision, so they shouldn't feel uncomfortable coming to you for anything.

5. Send a personal note

One of the most powerful techniques to use after you don't make the sale is a personal hand written thank you note. It reeks of professionalism and courtesy. The salesperson who won the business probably won't send a note, so your note will look even more powerful.

A simple note expressing your appreciation in meeting them and being able to learn about their needs is perfect. You should further thank them for the opportunity to vie for their business. Then express regret in not being able to service them on this occasion. Closing with that fact that you will follow-up with them in the future and hope for the opportunity to serve them is powerful and professional.

6. Send them something that adds value

If you have done your job right in preparation, you should be able to send them an article of personal or professional interest. Recommend a book or a couple of books you read recently or in the past that might help them. We must constantly look for ways to differentiate ourselves from the competition.

7. Just do it!

If you tell them you are going to do something (call, send them an article or information on a new product), do it. I find that the majority of salespeople fail to do what they say they will. Too many salespeople don't follow through on their commitments. They get busy, forget, or neglect to schedule it. My advice is set a time in your CRM right now to follow-up with them.

Published: March 29, 2013

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

Dirk Zeller is a sought out speaker, celebrated author and CEO of Real Estate Champions. His company trains more than 350,000 Agents worldwide each year through live events, online training, self-study programs, and newsletters. The Real Estate community has embraced and praised his six best-selling books; Your First Year in Real Estate, Success as a Real Estate Agent for Dummies?, The Champion Real Estate Agent, The Champion Real Estate Team, Telephone Sales for Dummies?, Successful Time Management for Dummies?, and over 300 articles in print. To learn more regarding this article, please visit www.realestatechampions.com.



Source: http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20130329_moveforward.htm

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Thursday, March 28, 2013

Student's anti-rape video strikes a chord on the Web

Mar 26 (Reuters) - Leading money winners on the 2013 PGATour on Monday (U.S. unless stated): 1. Tiger Woods $3,787,600 2. Brandt Snedeker $2,859,920 3. Matt Kuchar $2,154,500 4. Steve Stricker $1,820,000 5. Phil Mickelson $1,650,260 6. Hunter Mahan $1,553,965 7. John Merrick $1,343,514 8. Dustin Johnson $1,330,507 9. Russell Henley $1,313,280 10. Kevin Streelman $1,310,343 11. Keegan Bradley $1,274,593 12. Charles Howell III $1,256,373 13. Michael Thompson $1,254,669 14. Brian Gay $1,171,721 15. Justin Rose $1,155,550 16. Jason Day $1,115,565 17. Chris Kirk $1,097,053 18. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/anti-rape-message-gets-attention-185549115.html

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Hacker Challenge: Hack Your Home Theater

Hacker Challenge: Hack Your Home TheaterWelcome, Lifehackers, to our next Hacker Challenge! Each week, we issue a new challenge. You get until Sunday to prepare your submission and send it to us. That gives you a few days to think about it and a whole weekend to work it up. Our editors pick the best submissions and our favorite will win a copy of the Lifehacker book!

Let's get started!

This Week's Hacker Challenge: Hack Your Home Theater

For this week's challenge, we'd like to see your best home theater hack?anything clever or out of the ordinary you've done do to make your home theater better. We've shown you how to put a movie theater in your home on the cheap and for those that already have a home theater, we've shown you how to get more out of it without spending a dime. On the hack front, we've talked about the top 10 cheap or free home theater upgradres you can make and even how to build a hidden home theater PC inside your entertainment center.

Now, it's your turn. We want to see your best home theater hack.

How to Submit Your Entry

Make sure to follow these instructions when you submit your entry:

  • Post your entry below or send it to challenge@lifehacker.com with the subject Hacker Challenge: Home Theater. If you post your entry below and need to include more than one image, just reply to your own comment or host your extra pics on a free, quick image-hosting site like imgur and link out to your gallery.
  • We will accept entries up through Sunday night, March 31 at 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time
  • We will showcase the best submissions and announce our favorite Tuesday, April 2.

So get to work! And don't forget to check back for new challenges every week.

Standard Gawker contest rules apply, so be sure to check them out before submitting your entry.

Images by Brian A Jackson (Shutterstock).

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/ILs-LI_FwBU/hacker-challenge-hack-your-home-theater

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Nintendo video shows off Wii U speed improvement coming in April update

Nintendo video shows off Wii U speed improvement coming in April update

Nintendo's Wii U has faced complains over slow loading and switching between menus since launch, but the company has promised a pair of updates will help the situation. Tonight it posted a video on YouTube (embedded after the break) that shows off the difference before and after the April update side by side. Showing off how quickly it can return to the home menu from a game of New Super Mario Bros. U, the updated console is ready to go in eight seconds, compared to the current software's 20 second delay. There's no mention of the other update to improve the speed of launching software, but hopefully that will be shown off soon as well. More than halving the main menu's load time is nothing to sneeze at, although it's still not exactly a snappy experience. We'll see if these tweaks -- once they arrive -- do anything to improve the console's position while it waits for the improved software lineup President Satoru Iwata is expecting.

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Source: Nintendo (YouTube)

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/xlNXz0Ek2kc/

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PlayStation 4's Blu-ray drive is 3x as fast as PS3's, PSN friends list cap raised, and other tidbits from Sony's GDC panel

The PlayStation 4's new DualShock 4 controller can be charged even while the PlayStation 4 is turned off. The PlayStation 4's new Eye motion camera has a tilt sensor so it can tell players when its facing the wrong direction or if it's fallen off your TV stand. The PlayStation 4's Blu-ray disc drive is three times as fast as the PlayStation 3's. In case it weren't clear, Sony's PlayStation 4 panel at this week's Game Developers Conference wasn't chock full of major revelations, but it did provide plenty of interesting little details about the PlayStation 4 and its various hardware companions.

For instance, the console's "True Name" social functionality isn't automatic -- you have to opt-in to who will see your real name versus your PlayStation Network ID. That is, unless you find a friend through Facebook or another social network where your real name is already your main ID; in that instance, the console defaults to displaying your actual name. That's not the only change coming to your friends list, either, as the standing 100 friends cap is being raised to an unknown amount.

Additionally, the Gaikai-powered Remote Play functionality between the Vita and PS4 is said to be "much better," according to Sony senior staff engineer Chris Norden. Not only can it display your PS4 games in the Vita's native resolution (960x544), but it can be activated at any given time rather than having to be preset. And unlike Remote Play on PS3, with PS4 the game being pushed to the Vita is mirrored on your television screen. None of this stuff is what we'd call red hot, but we're hungry for PS4 details and this is what Sony's delivering. Here's hoping the company's more forthcoming at E3.

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Citigroup looks to cut cash holdings to boost earnings

By David Henry

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Citigroup Inc is considering cutting its cash on hand by about $35 billion, which should help the bank buy higher yielding assets or redeem expensive debt to boost earnings.

Making the change will signal that the management of the third-largest U.S. bank by assets, which had to be rescued three times by the U.S. government in the financial crisis, is increasingly confident that its worst troubles are well behind it.

The move could give a 2 percent boost to Citigroup's bottom line this year and keep the bank's lending margins relatively strong even as competitors suffer from low interest rates.

The bank has enough liquid assets to cover an estimated 37 days of the cash drain expected in a scenario of acute stress under pending new regulations, based on Citi's financial reports through December. Treasurer Eric Aboaf and other executives would like to reduce that to about 33 days of coverage, or 10 percent more than is to be required under the new international rules known as the Basel III liquidity coverage ratio.

"In the framework of managing a company efficiently, that would be a good thing to do" over the next year or so, Aboaf told Reuters in an interview.

While the move would reduce the bank's pool of cash and liquid assets by about 10 percent, Citigroup would still have 10 percent more liquidity than regulators say they will demand. JPMorgan Chase & Co, which analysts and investors often see as a stronger bank than Citigroup, is below the pending regulatory minimum.

Citigroup may feel more confident, but the bank is also leaving itself a little more vulnerable to big swings in markets and economies around the world. Cash on hand is critical for staving off runs on the bank during bad times.

The Federal Reserve has not commented publicly on Citigroup's liquidity, but earlier in March it approved the company's capital plan as strong enough to withstand a stress test. The U.S. regulator is part of the international body that has drafted the new liquidity requirement that Citigroup exceeds.

"At the moment it is appropriate for Citi to take down their cash, but if we end up with very volatile capital markets and Citi is caught in that, then people will start to question them," said Charles Peabody of Portales Partners, a research firm for institutional investors.

Given Citi's huge problems in recent years it might seem surprising that it has so much leeway to reduce cash. By contrast JPMorgan, which maneuvered through the financial crisis less scathed than most major U.S. banks, has estimated it is 17 percent short of the expected Basel III levels, which are to be phased in by 2019.

Citigroup has had to be more conservative than JPMorgan because investors and regulators were less confident in it, but Citi's fortunes have turned, thanks in part to the U.S. housing market stabilizing.

During the financial crisis, while Citigroup struggled to survive, the U.S. authorities turned to JPMorgan to help them salvage failed financial institutions.

Even as recently as a year ago, Moody's Investors Service cut Citigroup's ratings as part of a broader financial services review globally. In March of last year, the Federal Reserve publicly rejected Citigroup's capital plan. It was a blow to confidence in the bank, as well as a sign of Citigroup's strained relationships with regulators. Executives at Citigroup had other reasons to be cautious too, including the European debt crisis, and the bank's portfolio of troubled mortgage assets left from the financial crisis.

But in recent months, the tide has turned. The bank has changed its leadership, pushing out Vikram Pandit and bringing in Michael Corbat, who has been assiduously building bridges with regulators. With the U.S. housing market starting to recover, the bank's losses on its portfolio of bad assets are abating, and the bank passed the Fed's stress test this year. In fact, that test suggested that Citigroup is safer than JPMorgan now. The regulator approved a plan for Citigroup to return $1.2 billion of additional capital to shareholders.

The bank's liquidity pool has reflected this shift. At the end of March 2012, Citigroup had $421 billion of cash on deposit at central banks and other unencumbered liquid assets, enough to cover about 43 days of acute stress and equal to about 22 percent of the bank's total assets, more than twice the percentage at the end of 2007 when the financial crisis had just taken hold.

In the middle of last year, as things started looking up for the bank, it quietly began to tap its liquidity, a move that accelerated in the fourth quarter as the company reduced its long-term debt by $32 billion and cut interest expense.

The draw left Citigroup's pool of liquid assets at $354 billion at year-end, $67 billion less than in March last year, but still at a level that CreditSights senior analyst David Hendler calls "robust."

"You really don't need that much liquidity," said a bond investor at a large money management firm who buys Citi debt and who declined to be named. He called the pile "excessive."

Citigroup had $1.86 trillion of assets at the end of December.

TURNING TIDE

With Citigroup lowering its cash holdings in the fourth quarter, the bank managed to lift its interest profit margin, known as its net interest margin, even as JPMorgan's margin fell.

Much the same could happen in coming quarters. While Citigroup has not committed to exactly when it will bring its liquidity down and by how much, the company, in contrast to JPMorgan, has guided analysts to expect steady interest profit margins, in the face of industry-wide low rates.

Those stable margins will help the bottom line. Drawing down the $35 billion of excess liquidity could easily save $350 million of interest expense, or about two percent of 2013 earnings, said Moshe Orenbuch, a bank analyst at Credit Suisse. The gains could be greater if the company were able to use the cash to make loans with attractive yields, he said.

In contrast, JPMorgan, which has not been under pressure to hold so much cash, is now increasing its holdings. Its Chief Financial Officer Marianne Lake told analysts in February that the company can quickly reach the liquidity requirements by steps including cashing out longer-term securities and taking in more deposits. JPMorgan intends to reach the minimum by year-end, the company said in a filing. But a measure of the bank's lending profitability, known as net interest margin, will suffer as a result, Lake said.

JPMorgan has accelerated plans to meet other upcoming Basel III requirements since losing $6.2 billion in its "London Whale" derivatives trades last year.

A JPMorgan spokesman declined to comment for this story.

Morgan Stanley has said its liquidity exceeds 100 percent of the new Basel III requirement, while Bank of America Corp and Goldman Sachs Group Inc have yet to disclose their liquidity scores under the new requirements.

How good the regulators' new liquidity requirements are at showing which banks are safe won't be known for sure until they are tested in a crisis, analysts said.

The new requirements were drafted after the 2008 bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, which happened as executives of the investment bank insisted they had more than enough liquidity.

But the sums Lehman said were available included securities that were pledged as collateral on derivatives trades, as well as instruments that could not be quickly turned into cash to pay creditors, according to a report by an examiner appointed by the bankruptcy court in the case.

Aboaf of Citigroup, which held some of Lehman's collateral, said none of the assets his bank counts as liquid are encumbered. (Reporting by David Henry in New York; Editing by Claudia Parsons)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/citigroup-looks-cut-cash-holdings-boost-earnings-065958504--sector.html

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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

SFO boss says makes progress in Libor probe

Mar 26 (Reuters) - Leading money winners on the 2013 PGATour on Monday (U.S. unless stated): 1. Tiger Woods $3,787,600 2. Brandt Snedeker $2,859,920 3. Matt Kuchar $2,154,500 4. Steve Stricker $1,820,000 5. Phil Mickelson $1,650,260 6. Hunter Mahan $1,553,965 7. John Merrick $1,343,514 8. Dustin Johnson $1,330,507 9. Russell Henley $1,313,280 10. Kevin Streelman $1,310,343 11. Keegan Bradley $1,274,593 12. Charles Howell III $1,256,373 13. Michael Thompson $1,254,669 14. Brian Gay $1,171,721 15. Justin Rose $1,155,550 16. Jason Day $1,115,565 17. Chris Kirk $1,097,053 18. ...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/sfo-boss-says-makes-progress-libor-probe-193852005--sector.html

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High court weighs drug companies' generics policy

WASHINGTON (AP) ? The Supreme Court is struggling with whether it should stop pharmaceutical corporations from paying generic drug competitors to delay releasing their cheaper versions of brand-name drugs.

Justices heard arguments from federal officials Monday that these deals can be anticompetitive and keeps lower-cost generic drugs out of American hands. But pharmaceutical companies say these deals save litigation costs and often bring generics to market faster.

A government lawyer argued the companies should be forced to prove that their deals serve a purpose beyond simply paying a generic drug's maker not to challenge a brand-name drug's patent.

But a pharmaceutical company lawyer says they shouldn't be forced to litigate each generic vs. brand-name drug patent lawsuit to conclusion when a settlement can be reached.

Justices will make a decision later this year.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/high-court-weighs-drug-companies-generics-policy-070931180--finance.html

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Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Well: A Push for HPV Vaccinations

The government recommended years ago that all adolescent girls get a vaccine to protect against cervical cancer. But nearly seven years after it first came to market, an overwhelming majority of girls have yet to be inoculated.

Just 35 percent of girls 13 to 17 have received a full course of the vaccine, which inoculates against the strains of human papillomavirus that can cause cervical cancer, according to 2011 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And a study in Pediatrics this month, also based on C.D.C. data, says the intent to vaccinate is declining: 44 percent of parents in 2010 said they did not intend to vaccinate, up from 40 percent in 2008.

Alarmed by the stubbornly low rates, doctors and federal health officials are brainstorming about how to get more children vaccinated.

?Behind these numbers are people who will develop cervical cancer that could have been prevented,? said Dr. Bruce Gellin, director of the National Vaccine Program Office at the Department of Health and Human Services. At a meeting in Washington last month, federal and local officials, doctors and other health workers explored ways to make the shots more accessible. Some suggested giving the first of the three doses required to complete the vaccine at a doctor?s office and the other two at schools or pharmacies.

Others argued for a greater emphasis on cancer prevention, playing down the fact that the vaccine prevents a sexually transmitted disease. The STD link has put off many parents who are loath to talk about sex with their children.

Outside the policy world, local health departments and researchers are applying their own ideas. At Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, researchers have designed postcard reminders for children who got the first of the three shots required over six months, but did not finish the course. One card features a child in the rain with a broken umbrella.

In Kentucky, advocates have used Facebook to conduct a public education campaign that has increased inoculations by 10 percent in areas that participated.

Researchers at Boston University have raised inoculation rates for patients in two clinics in Massachusetts by teaching pediatricians to present the HPV vaccine as being equal in importance to other childhood vaccines, even though it is rarely required for school. The virus is usually diagnosed in adults, so pediatricians are less experienced with it and may give the vaccine short shrift.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Nearly half of woman ages 14 to 59 were infected with at least one strain, with the highest rate, 54 percent, among women ages 20 to 24, according to a recent analysis by the C.D.C.?A vaccine to prevent certain strains of HPV, first licensed in 2006, was seen as a major breakthrough by doctors and researchers.

Experts attribute the low rates to an array of factors: The three-dose requirement is unwieldy. The vaccine is for adolescents, who are less likely than younger children to have regular checkups.

In addition, it comes with a stigma. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection, and some parents fear their daughters will see talking about the vaccine as condoning sex or giving the green light to start having it. Health professionals say it should be administered at age 11, though it is approved for children as young as 9.

Finally, there is the lingering fear many people have for vaccinations in general. The Pediatrics study found that in 2010, fear of side effects had risen to the second-most cited reason parents did not vaccinate, said Dr. Paul M. Darden, one of the study?s authors and a pediatrics professor at the University of Oklahoma.

HPV vaccination rates vary dramatically by state. According to the C.D.C.?s data for 2011, Rhode Island had the highest, with 57 percent of adolescent girls fully inoculated, followed by Vermont and South Dakota, both 50 percent. Arkansas had the lowest, 15 percent, less than half the national rate. Other states with low rates were Mississippi and Utah, at 20 percent, and Kansas, at 22 percent.

The pattern of vaccination among ethnic groups was surprising: while Hispanic girls were less likely to come from families with health insurance or to get regular medical care, they were more likely to have been vaccinated than white girls.

Just 48 percent of white teenage girls had received the first dose of the vaccine, compared with 56 percent of blacks and 65 percent of Hispanics, according to the C.D.C. But the rate fell steeply by the third dose. In all, 42 percent of Hispanic teenage girls had been fully vaccinated. About a third of whites had received all three doses, similar to the share of black girls.

That breakdown turns the typical pattern of whites having better health outcomes on its head. ?I can?t remember a vaccine where I saw a pattern like this,? said Dr. Walter A. Orenstein, director of Emory University?s Program for Vaccine Policy and Development, who ran the C.D.C. immunization program for 16 years.

One reason is money. A federal inoculation program that covers vaccines for the poor and underserved gave the HPV vaccine to clinics for free. Private insurance coverage was less reliable, and many patients had high co-pays or had to pay the full price, generally up to $500 for a complete cycle of the vaccine.

The new health care act requires insurers to cover the vaccine, a change that has the potential to even out the disparity and increase the vaccination rate.

There are other sociological factors at work. Dr. Amanda F. Dempsey, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Colorado in Denver, said that in her previous practice, in Michigan, the most-educated parents were the most reluctant to get their daughters vaccinated. For some, the hesitation stemmed from a suspicion of vaccines. For others, it was more about having to broach the topic of sex.

?Most say, ?I just don?t want this vaccine for my daughter,??? Dr. Dempsey said. ?If you probed further, it was either safety concerns or the sex issue.?

White parents also ?tended to have a rosier view of their child?s behavior,? said Dr. Rebecca B. Perkins, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Boston University School of Medicine, citing a survey to be published in The Journal of Healthcare for the Poor and Underserved.

Parents who went to publicly funded clinics, Dr. Perkins said, were more likely to say, ?I tried to teach my child the best thing, but I?d rather take the precaution.? Those who went to private clinics, she said, were more likely to say, ?This isn?t necessary,? even though the behavior of both groups of teenage girls, according to their doctors, was no different.

Cultural differences also play a role. Many foreign-born Hispanics are from countries where babies still die of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles. They consider vaccines essential for survival. Parents born in the United States, on the other hand, are more skeptical of vaccines, as many have no living memory of the lethal diseases they prevent.

Dr. Perkins described a typical encounter with a Hispanic mother. ?She said, ?In my country, if a baby doesn?t get vaccines, the baby dies. Why would I not do this????

Source: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/25/a-push-for-hpv-vaccinations/?partner=rss&emc=rss

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CyanogenMod founder leaves Samsung, praises the Galaxy S 4 on his way out

CyanogenMod founder leaves Samsung, praises the Galaxy S 4 on his way out

Less than two years after the CyanogenMod founder was scooped up by Samsung to improve Android's veneer, Steve Kondik has decided to depart for greener pastures. In a Google Plus posting, the software engineer shared his mostly positive impressions for Samsung's Galaxy S 4, casually mentioning that he'd departed the Korean behemoth's embrace. The one thing that came in for a bashing was TouchWiz's updated UI, that he says "feels like it has been sent back a few years in time to the Froyo days." Responding to a comment, Mr. Kondik said that nothing in particular had prompted his departure beyond a desire to "do something new," but given the man's pedigree, we can only assume it'll be somehow related to the little green droid that could.

[Image credit: Erica Joy]

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Via: Android Police

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Go From Zero To Caffeinated In No Time With a V12 Espresso Machine

Is it going to produce the best cup of espresso you've ever tasted? Probably not. But if you've got a thing for cars, or are on the hunt for an obscenely over-the-top coffee maker for your garage, Espresso Veloce's V12 will give you the hit of caffeine you're looking for, while gobbling up a huge chunk of counter space. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/j5i4koLS0nw/go-from-zero-to-caffeinated-in-no-time-with-a-v12-espresso-machine

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Losing wetlands to grow crops

Mar. 25, 2013 ? Getting enough to eat is a basic human need -- but at what cost to the environment? Research published in BioMed Central's journal Agriculture & Food Security demonstrates that as their crops on higher ground fail due to unreliable rainfall, people in countries like Uganda are increasingly relocating to wetland areas. Unless the needs of these people are addressed in a more sustainable way, overuse of wetland resources through farming, fishing, and hunting will continue.

In 2009 it was estimated that about a third of Uganda's wetlands had been lost to growing crops and grazing. While the environmental significance of wetland loss is important, so are National Food Security targets and the Millennium Development Goal of halving the number of people who suffer from hunger by 2015. In order to evaluate how people are using the wetlands researchers from Makerere University, Uganda, with financial support from IDRC surveyed residents living in either Lake Victoria crescent, Kyoga plains, and South Western farmlands.

The survey revealed that more than 80% of people in these areas use wetland resources including collecting water, catching fish, hunting bush meat (Sitatunga, a type of antelope, and wild rat), and harvesting wild fruits and vegetables. Some of these they consume but others they sell in order to be able to buy food. Over half admitted to growing crops in the nutrient rich soil wetlands with its ready water supply. The families who were most likely to use the wetlands in this way were the ones who had the least access to other sources of food.

The locals blame their bad harvests on global warming, and as global weather systems change this can only get worse. Dr Nelson Turyahabwe explained, "Food insecurity is a real problem across the world. In Uganda the families most at risk tended to have younger or female household heads, or were less educated. Large families were also at high risk of not having enough to eat. In these cases use of wetlands allows families to survive. In designing sustainable use policies for wetlands the needs of humans also needs to be considered."

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by BioMed Central Limited, via AlphaGalileo.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.


Journal Reference:

  1. Nelson Turyahabwe, Willy Kakuru, Manson Tweheyo and David Mwesigye Tumusiime. Contribution of wetland resources to household food security in Uganda. Agriculture & Food Security, 2013; DOI: 10.1186/2048-7010-2-5

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/most_popular/~3/GcEexZDN2Jk/130324201817.htm

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Monday, March 25, 2013

Ableton Push review: a dedicated controller for the Live faithful

Ableton Push review a dedicated controller for the Live faithful

MIDI might be a little long in the tooth as protocols go, but it's been the prevailing standard for getting music hardware and software to play nice pretty much since its inception. As such, the MIDI controller is a fairly established staple in professional and bedroom studios alike. The problem is they're generic by nature. They come in all shapes and sizes, but to be profitable, they need to appeal to a broad range of applications. Ableton clearly didn't think this arrangement was up to snuff, though, so it created Push -- a software controller built entirely for its popular Live production software. While there have been Live-specific controllers before -- some even officially endorsed by Ableton -- Push is a whole new beast. It's one that hopes to unite hardware and software in a way that an all-purpose controller never could.

Ableton also has lofty musical ambitions for Push: it claims it designed the hardware as an instrument in and of itself; something that lets you close the lid of the laptop and use to make music with, while not looking like you are checking your email. And, given that Ableton makes the software that it's building Push for, integration is understandably expected to be airtight. But how well does it work? Is it an instrument? Will it replace all your other controllers? Do you want one? Is it worth the $599 pre-order price? Will it blend? We've pushed ourselves to explore the device fully in an effort to find out (apart from that last question, of course).

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Grown-up Minnie Mouse gets mature Lanvin make-over

Israeli fashion designer Alber Elbaz poses with Minnie wearing a dress by Lanvin fashion house and designed by Alber Elbaz, at the Eurodisney Parc, in Marne la Vallee, east of Paris, Saturday, March 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Israeli fashion designer Alber Elbaz poses with Minnie wearing a dress by Lanvin fashion house and designed by Alber Elbaz, at the Eurodisney Parc, in Marne la Vallee, east of Paris, Saturday, March 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

CHESSY, France (AP) ? Forever-young Minnie Mouse is growing up and moving on from her old red and white polka dots.

Lanvin has designed the loveable Disney rodent a new dress ? a more mature frock in royal blue and long sleeves that she can wear at special Paris events.

It was unveiled at a catwalk show in Disneyland Paris on Saturday evening.

Gone was the oversized hair bow that has been the signature of the character since she was created in 1928. In its place, the catwalk presentation showcased a smaller-sized red tiara alongside a thick, bejeweled hourglass gown with padded shoulders.

"Walt Disney was the one that actually designed Minnie. It's the first time an actual designer has come into the picture and designed a dress for her," Lanvin's designer Alber Elbaz told The Associated Press following the show.

"It was a great challenge and responsibility to do. I just wanted her to shine... I wanted to give her a crown in red, and the dress in blue, (a signature) for Lanvin."

The dress got applause from the celebrity-filled front row including actress Virginie Ledoyen and model Natalia Vodianova.

But the more mature look ? which also did away with her famed white bloomers ? didn't impress everyone.

"It's definitely more mature. It looks a bit mother of the bride," said spectator Matthew Gallagher. "I preferred the polka dots."

Traditionalists will be pleased to know that Disney says Minnie will be allowed to keep her red and white look for normal events.

Minnie has also kept her full hourglass figure. Last October, images destined for Barneys New York shop window were criticized after Minnie became a long, lean high-fashion model.

Dubbed "skinny Minnie" the short film featured the mouse-fatale in a hot-pink, ruffle covered Lanvin dress ? with longer legs, leaner arms and daintier gloved hands.

"We're not here to transform people," said Elbaz. "We love her the way she is."

_____

Follow Thomas Adamson at http://Twitter.com/ThomasAdamsonAP

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2013-03-24-France-Fashion-Lanvin-Minnie/id-116264fb45e7401a9dd58f840183da1a

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