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Activity: Takes place with a fixed time and schedule
to 29th March
You will earn 40 bronze points for completing this activity.Log In To Book
Freshrb: Documentary Podcast Production #2 January
Using the medium of ‘Docu- podcasts’ (visually documented podcast, interviews/recordings) to advocate for the wellbeing of students/communities in the city of Manchester.
This 2 part project looking into production, podcasting and documentary making will ask you to explore ways that we can learn from older generations, and look to tackle ways in which we all experience loneliness. You will be supported in developing ways to to build connections and start conversations with intergenerational groups by Manchester Cares and Freshrb. You will learn ways to support older neighbours and work with Fresh RB to design a documentary Podcast exploring the connections you may form through this project. Everyone experiences feelings of isolation and loneliness and this could not be more apparent as we navigate our way out of a global pandemic. Ways in which we can tackle these feelings, whether you are feeling lonely or not, can start though simple connections. And in this project you will be invited to connect with older neighbours, and look to meet and learn from people in your community who are older. Fresrb use video, media and production to give a voice to marginalised health issues, people, and tackle social issues. Focusing on using video as a tool to bridge research with engagement, teach media skills and reduce loneliness in our communities. *If you are interested in responding to the Lonely Hearts Club Project Challenge, then these workshops would be great for you!
In A Nutshell...
- Engage... with the community, meet and interview older neighbours
- Discover... how to find common themes/trends on a subject, and how to interrogate a concept before interviews and production
- Investigate... and interview a subject area by building connections and learning from people
- Find out... key aspects that encourage social life, health and wellbeing in your community
- Tackle... loneliness in the community and think creatively about ways to support yourself and others wellbeing
- Earn up to 40 Rise points ... which can be recognised within your degree.
10:00 to 14:00 on 17/02/22 - BS 3.18 (N Atrium)
Pre-Production Workshop Learn about the research, planning and pre-production of a docupodcast, begin designing and planning, look at how production of podcasts can be a tool for tackling loneliness
10:00 to 14:00 on 24/02/22 - BS 3.18 (N Atrium)
Production workshop 1 Put your research, planning and pre-production into action and begin the basics of producing a visually documented podcast with media experts Fresrb
10:00 to 14:00 on 11/03/22 - BR1.64
10:00 to 15:00 on 29/03/22 - GE2.19 (TV Studio in the Arts and Humanity Building)
Interviews with Manchester Care


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If it feels right and I'm not going against any energy in myself or the situation, there would be no… (read more)
In my opinion it's not about gay or straight or bi, we're attracted to spirits, whatever body they're in. There… (read more)
People have an awful lot of problems that society has put on them and a lot to work through because… (read more)
With women and women, I think there's an understanding. Nobody knows what a woman feels or experiences but another woman.… (read more)
I've learned through experience that life is never that bad. The secret is just paying attention to how you feel… (read more)
All that money stuff was so strange; all it ever meant to me was freedom from worry. I'm happier now… (read more)
Growing up, all I did was work and vacation, but I loved it, no one pushed me into anything. The… (read more)
I like to go with the energy because when you ignore it that's when you start doing things wrong.

domain: sociology


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Factors to Consider When Looking for Suitable Car Dealers
People have varying reasons for buying cars. The vehicles can be for personal use whiles some people can use them to carry out business. Aspiring car owners will be required to identify suitable car dealers that will fit in their lifestyle and budget. Car dealerships have increased in numbers to meet the high demand for vehicles so finding the right ones has proved challenging. When looking for suitable car dealerships, clients should check out the following aspects.
Some car dealership sells pre-owned vehicles while other sell both new and used vehicles so people should confirm in advance the dealers so that they are not inconvenienced. People should also seek clarification form car dealership on the car models that are available. Depending on individuals tastes and budget, they can buy different car models such as Jeep, trucks, SUVs, and convertibles. When planning to buy a car, it is crucial to check on the industry experience of the car dealerships since the industry is more than selling cars. Experienced car dealership will not only advise clients on suitable car models in the market but will also offer a test drive to the clients. It is crucial to inquire about the period that the car dealerships have been in business and hire the ones with more years in business.
Aspiring car owners should also research on the reputation of the car dealership that they are planning to buy the vehicles from. People will be interested in car dealerships that are known to sell quality new and pre-owned vehicles. People should visit different car dealerships after reading online reviews since it will influence their final decision. Priority should be given to car dealerships that have received a lot of support from the public.
When planning to buy cars, it is crucial to confirm the cost since they vary from one car dealership to another. Aspiring car owners that are unable to pay the expected amount at once have the opportunity of applying for auto a loans that are offered by different dealerships so they should confirm whether the car dealerships have such options. People are advised to compare the rates form different car dealerships and choose the ones that fit in their budget. Aspiring car owners should inquire about the warranty period since it will enable them to enjoy free repair work whether vehicles experience problems. People are advised to inspect the interior and exterior parts of the vehicles that they are planning to buy. When looking for suitable car dealerships, it is prudent to seek clarification about maintenance and repair services. Suitable car dealerships should offer such services since it allows vehicle owners to access the services with ease.

domain: economics


Most all outboard motors are equipped with electrical generating devices for producing current needed to run the motor itself, to re-charge the motor's starting battery, and to supply current for auxiliary loads. The auxiliary loads include the boat's navigation lamps, electronic accessories, other lighting loads, and auxiliary electrical motors used in pumps, windlasses or trolling motors. Supplying all of these electrical loads places considerable demand on the modern outboard motor. Engineers have responded with several different types of electrical generating systems on outboard motors.
All outboard motors generate electrical power by converting surplus mechanical energy into electrical energy. In an electrical sense, almost all outboard motors operate in the same manner. The engine is used to rotate a source of magnetic flux in close proximity to a series of coils. The rotating magnetic force induces an alternating current flow in the coils. This current is rectified and converted to a pulsating direct current. On smaller motors there may be no regulation of this current, and it is connected to an external battery which absorbs the current charge and at the same time also acts as a crude regulator by holding the voltage down to a reasonable level. On larger motors which have much greater electrical current output, there is normally a voltage regulator included to hold the output voltage below about 14.5 volts maximum.
Generation of electrical energy from the mechanical energy of the motor robs some of the horsepower of the engine from the propeller shaft. Mechanical power (horsepower) and electrical power (watts) are related:
1 horsepower = 750 watts
In a 12-volt electrical system the voltage output of the charging system is approximately 15-volts, and thus 750 watts represents about 50 amperes of current. If the conversion process were perfectly efficient, it would be possible to generate 50 amperes of electrical current with just one horsepower of an outboard motor's mechanical energy. In practice, electrical generation is not that efficient, and consumes more horsepower.
There are two different mechanical arrangements of coils and magnetic flux sources traditionally used in outboard motors. For many decades the most common method of generating electrical energy has been to use permanent magnets attached to the engine flywheel which rotate above a series of coils arranged beneath the flywheel, called a permanent magnet alternator or often called a magneto. More recently, automotive style alternators (which do not use permanent magnets and are) driven by belts and pulleys have become common. They are usually specially adapted for use in outboard motors, but otherwise are very similar to automotive-style alternators.
The most common electrical current source on outboard motors is a magneto with coils and magnets under the flywheel of the outboard motor. A rectifier and regulator are located elsewhere. The under-flywheel magneto is an integral part of the outboard motor itself, and is not a bolted-on accessory. A magneto generates electrical current using permanent magnets rotating on the flywheel which induce current into a series of fixed coils. The design of the components determines the electrical output available. All of the following influence the capacity:
Historically the electrical demands of outboard powered boats were modest, so for many decades the magnetos provided with outboard motors were similarly modest in their electrical generating capacity. One should not infer, however, that because of this there is anything particularly limiting about the magneto approach to electrical power generation. In fact, quite the opposite, it offers a number of advantages.
Most significant, the magneto is truly self-powered. The magnetic force locked into its permanent magnets provides a self-exciting electrical power generating system. Thanks to improvements in magnet technology, it is now possible to create permanent magnets of astonishing strength. (In fact, the magnetic power contained in a modern under-flywheel magneto is so great that precautions must be taken. The flywheel must be carefully lowered onto the top of the engine using special tooling to maintain alignment, otherwise one could easily crush a finger if the flywheel jumped into contact with other engine components due to its extremely strong magnetic attraction.)
In addition, the rotating mass or weight of the magnets can be used as part of the flywheel weight. The magnets need not add any additional weight to the engine, as they can replace weight that otherwise would have been used in the flywheel. Also, the use of an under-flywheel magneto saves valuable space under the cowling.
The rotating part of the magneto is built into the flywheel, and it is driven directly from the motor's crankshaft. Thus there are no losses associated with pulley, belts, and idlers. Note that on a two-stroke engine this is particularly significant, as there generally is no need for a belt and pulley drive system to operate cam shafts, water pumps, oil pumps, or other components of the engine itself.
The rotating magnets pass over and close to a number of non-rotating coils (the "stator"). In a magneto there are no rotating coils or wires, so there is no need for any rotating electrical connections. There can never be a problem with "brushes" or other rotating electrical connections. The fixed coils of a magneto can be arranged in any number of poles (subject to the constraint of the space available under the flywheel), so a multiple pole magneto is possible. The more poles used, the higher the frequency of the pulsating current that is generated.
The rectifiers employed in the magneto do not have to be located within the coil assembly, and in practice they usually never are. In fact, it has been common for many years to locate the rectifiers separately from the coils. This arrangement has many advantages, too. The solid-state rectifiers of any electrical current generating device are more likely to be a source of failure than the actual wires and coils associated with them. By positioning the rectifiers in a more accessible location, they can be easily replaced if necessary, often in a matter of moments and with simple tools. Also, as rectifier current capacity increases, dissipation of heat become more important. It is common now to find that the under-flywheel magneto uses water-cooled rectifiers and regulators, and such cooling is very easily obtained in an outboard motor.
The electrical power produced by an under-flywheel magneto is proportional to the speed of rotation of the flywheel. The number of turns in the stator coils is chosen to produce a suitable output voltage at a certain engine speed, typically enough to produce effective battery charging when the motor is running at idle or fast idle speeds (700-1000 RPM). As engine speed increases the voltage output tends to increase, as well as the current available.
The drawbacks to the magneto are mainly in its location under the flywheel. There is a limit to the space available in most cases. In addition, the flywheel is usually mounted atop the engine, an area of considerable heat. Overheating of the wiring in the coils can be a problem, particularly if they are absorbing additional heat from the engine. Servicing the coils of the magneto can be difficult, as it almost always will require removal of the engine flywheel. In some cases, the charging current coils are packaged with other electrical coils and must be replaced as a unit. These two factors make servicing a marine alternator expensive.
Because the magnetic strength of the permanent magnets is fixed, there is no way to regulate the power generated in the coil. Voltage regulation is usually accomplished with a regulator placed after the rectifier. The regulating technique used is often a "series-regulator" technique, in which excess electrical energy is consumed as heat in the regulator. In larger engines with larger electrical output, this often means the regulator must be water cooled. Modern magneto systems can include more sophisticated regulators which can work more efficiently.
In the past decade or so, automotive-style alternators have been adapted for use in outboard motors. An automotive-style alternator is characterized by being driven by a belt and pulley from the motor crankshaft. They also usually contain the rectifier and regulator components in the same enclosure. Hereafter I refer to these specially adapted alternators as "automotive-style alternators", even though they are intended for marine use. There are some significant electrical and mechanical differences between an under-flywheel magneto and an automotive-style alternator
A belt system for powering accessories from a crankshaft pulley is very common on four-stroke motors. In some motors, the belt may be a crucial component itself, as it also turns camshafts, pumps, or even a supercharger. However, in a two-stroke outboard motor there generally is no need for a belt driven system to drive other components of the motor itself. An exception to this is the Optimax two-stroke engines, in which a pump for boosting air induction pressure is operated from a belt driven pulley.
Most automotive-style alternators also contain the rectifier and regulator components within the alternator itself. Replacement or service of the rectifier or regulator is usually not possible, and, in the case of damage, the whole automotive-style alternator is replaced or rebuilt. Rebuilding of automotive-style alternators for vehicle applications is common, but this service is not as easily obtained in the marine industry. Cooling for the electronics is provided by air flow generated by a small fan attached to the automotive-style alternator drive pulley.
An automotive-style alternator is not self-exciting. Although there may be some residual magnetism in its rotating components, an alternator normally requires some initial current to spur it into operation. Once excited and rotating, it can generate its own exciting current. To start operation, however, a small current is supplied by an associated external battery (which is usually the starting battery for the motor).
Most automotive-style alternators have three non-rotating windings ("stators") which supply the output current. The interconnection of these is fixed by the internal wiring of the automotive-style alternator. In most cases the individual windings are connected directly to their own rectifiers, and the rectifier output is connected in parallel, producing a three-phase pulsating direct current. The automotive-style alternator has a rotating coil ("rotor"). Current to this coil is supplied by a rotating contact mechanism ("brushes"). Output current in the stator is proportional to current in the rotor.
Regulation of the generated voltage and current is usually accomplished by an integral regulator. Regulation is accomplished by controlling the smaller current in the rotor. The automotive alternator can be thought of as a current amplifier, with the output current being proportional to the rotor current, and the mechanical energy of the engine turing the rotator being converted into electrical energy in the stator coils.
An automotive-style alternator regulates its DC output voltage by varying the AC voltage being generated. It does this by varying the current supplied to the rotor, which in turn adjusts the output current in the stator. On the other hand, a magneto does not regulate the AC voltage being generated, as this is fixed by the strength of the magnets and the design of the coils. Instead it controls the DC output voltage downstream of the rectifier. In the past inefficient series regulator circuits wasted excess voltage as heat. Modern regulator circuits can be more efficient.
In the under-flywheel magneto the windings of the stator are chosen to produce sufficient voltage output to be able to provide battery charging current beginning at idle speeds. In the case of an automotive style alternator, the rotational speed of the alternator is often adjusted by choice of pulley diameters so that output begins to be useful at fast idle speeds. Note that it is common for the automotive alternator shaft to rotate faster than the engine crankshaft. As outboard motor engine speeds approach 6,000-RPM, this can lead to some very high rotation speed in the alternator.
With an automotive style alternator, the connection of the internal coils and their rectifiers is not reconfigured as engine speed changes. As a result, the amount of electrical power available may not be optimum at all engine speeds.
In under-flywheel magneto, it is possible to electronically re-configure the wiring arrangement of the multiple coil windings as engine speed varies. At low engine speeds the windings can be connected in series so that they begin to quickly generate voltage at relatively low engine speeds. This allows them to generate enough voltage to allow the outboard to be rope-started without a battery attached. It also provides sufficient voltage output to begin battery charging at relatively low engine speeds. However, as engine speed increases the coils tend to become saturated, and their current output becomes limited. At this point it is possible to electronically change the interconnection of the coils, placing them in parallel. This provides a significant boost in current available at higher engine speeds, producing greater output current from the alternator. Bombardier is using this innovative technique in the E-TEC outboard motor. Below 1800-RPM the alternator windings are connected in series to maximize voltage output. Above 1800-RPM they are shifted to parallel to increase current output.
For many decades almost all automobile electrical systems have been operated at 12-volt DC. Boat electrical systems have followed this practice. As electrical loads increase, it becomes more efficient to raise the system voltage and use lower current. In automotive applications it is anticipated the system voltage will be raised to either 24-volts or 36-volts in the future. Some outboard motors have already changed to a higher voltage electrical system. The E-TEC engines from Bombardier/Evinrude have an under-flywheel magneto with a 55-volt output. This higher voltage is used to directly operate many engine electrical components such as the fuel pump, the oil pump, the fuel injectors, and spark ignition coils. By using pulse-width modulation voltage regulator techniques, the 55-volt source can be converted to a lower average voltage. If the voltage is chopped on and off at a high rate (10,000-times per second), by only providing the full 55-volts in one of every four pulses, the average voltage drops to 1/4 X 55 = 13.7 Volts (i.e., the nominal "12-volt" system voltage at full battery charge). Thus a 12-volt output can be created.
The electrical demands of the outboard motor itself vary considerably. Some cannot be operated without substantial electrical current, while others have much lower requirements.
All outboard motors require electrical current for generation of the ignition spark. In most older two-stroke motors this current is self-generated by a separate winding in the under-flywheel magneto.
Almost all modern motors have electronic controls or electronic ignition timing devices, and these devices require electrical power to operate. Again, in most two-stroke outboard motors this current is self-generated, often from a separate coil under the flywheel.
If the motor uses fuel-injection there will be substantial additional demand for electrical current. Fuel-injected engines almost universally have an electric fuel pump which supplies gasoline under pressure to the fuel rail and injectors. The fuel injectors are also electrical devices, and must be supplied with current to operate. Some engines also have additional air injectors (like the Mercury OptiMax, for example), and these require additional electrical current to operate. (In the Mercury OptiMax engine the air pressure for the air injectors is raised by a mechanical pump, but the injectors themselves operate electrically.)
The degree to which a motor can self-generate the electrical power needed to run can be an important consideration. One test for this desirable characteristic is the ability of the motor to be started and run without a battery attached. In some motors the current needed for starting is very small and can be made available from current stored on a capacitor. This will provide enough energy for the very brief interval until the motor begins to self-generate electrical current. In other motors, the starting current demands may be higher, and the motor may not be able to self-generate all of the electrical energy need to start. In such motors a source of external electrical current (such as a well-charged battery) is needed to permit the motor to operate. Motors of this design may be impossible to start without having a battery attached. Once started, it is desirable that the motor be able to self-generate all the electrical current needed for operation. This makes operation of the motor independent of the state of charge of an attached battery.
If the motor is dependent on an attached battery for starting, there may also be special requirements for sustaining a certain minimum voltage. The load of the electrical starting motor often causes a sag in voltage, and some motors may not be able to start if the battery voltage falls below a certain level, even though the engine is cranking and turning over. Motors of this design have an extreme dependence on an attached battery for starting. In some motors, not only is a battery required for starting, but there are very severe electrical demands placed on the battery, requiring it to have a very large capacity (in some cases a minimum of 1,000 Amperes of cranking current).
Most motors have electro-hydraulic trim and tilt systems. The electric motor of the hydraulic pump will consume significant current (10-20 Amperes) when operating. These devices do not consume electrical energy when not being operated. During engine starting they usually are not consuming any electrical current.
Any additional electrical current generating capacity in excess of that needed to run the motor itself can be made available to supply additional loads. In some cases, the motor must be operating at a particular speed before any excess current is available. Typically, once the motor reaches an idle speed of about 600-700 RPM it will begin to produce surplus electrical power.
Recharging the starting battery is the primary demand for any excess electrical power available in the motor. A battery is only a storage device, so electrical energy used in starting a motor must be quickly replenished by charging current from the operating motor. The amount of surplus current available for battery charging varies with the motor's electrical design and its own loads. The rate at which the battery will accept recharging current varies with the type of battery, its state of charge, and other factors.
The modern boat can have many auxiliary electrical loads. Electrical pumps for clearing water from sumps are very common. In some boats these are the most essential auxiliary load on the boat! Another primary load are the electrical lamps used to provide navigation lights when operating at night. In addition, most boats have VHF Marine Band transceivers for communication and safety. They also typically have electronic accessories like depth sounders, navigation receivers, and even RADAR systems. More electrical pumps for circulating water are also common. In some cases, auxiliary propulsion is provided by electrical motors. These trolling motors can be very high consumers of electrical energy. Typically an electrical trolling motor is used when the main outboard motor is not operating. The electrical trolling motor draws its power from a battery (usually a separate battery from the engine starting battery), and this energy must be quickly replaced once the main engine is started.
DISCLAIMER: This information is believed to be accurate but there is no guarantee. We do our best!
Copyright © 2015 by James W. Hebert. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited!
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Author: James W. HebertThis article first appeared October 9, 2015.


When it comes to managing your carrier account, simpler is better. We know your time is valuable, and that's why we created the Carrier Ethernet Performance Monitoring Portal, an easy-to-use tool to help you monitor your circuits.
With the Performance Monitoring Portal, you can view your Spectrum Enterprise Carrier Ethernet circuits in one place - virtually any time, anywhere. The Performance Monitoring Portal gives you visibility into the network with performance metrics and the ability to create custom reports for all of your Class of Service enabled circuits.
Contact Our Sales Team
Leverage Reporting Functions
Utilize standard reports or create custom reports to view performance metrics including:
The self-managed portal gives you a snapshot and detailed view of your Class of Service enabled circuits in near real-time, 24/7


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If you have recently purchased a home, you should think about obtaining the right insurance prior to moving in. You have your choice of home insurance in CT, so keep the following in mind when looking for a home insurance policy.
Choosing a Home Insurance Company
There are several things to consider when selecting home insurance, such as:
The first step in searching for insurance is to decide what kind of coverage you need and comparing costs. Don’t be lured away from a generous coverage package by extremely low prices if the policy leaves you underinsured. One of the most important steps to finding home insurance in CT is to research your options broadly and familiarize yourself with what is usually offered in homeowners insurance policies.
What Is Covered
Often the following things are covered in homeowners insurance:
- Additional structures
- Personal property
- Loss of Use
- Medical coverage
Not all of these things will be covered in many policies, but it is essential to know whether they are part of the policy or not and what the coverage limits are. You should also look for quotes for various insurance policies and determine which level of deductibles are right for you. Discuss your options with an expert in home insurance in CT to find the right coverage at reasonable prices to protect your house and your family.

domain: finance


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Alan Field / Writer-Producer
Alan Field wrote his first script ‘The Likes of Us,’ which after a chance meeting with Jimmy McGovern became part of the Bafta, RTS, and Emmy award winning series The Street (Series 1, ep4: BBC1). After this Alan went on to co-write and produce his first feature film, a low-budget crime thriller called Act of Grace, starring Leo Gregory, David Yip, Crissy Rock, Jody Latham. It was released in April 2012.
Jody Latham was part of the original cast of Shameless (CH4) playing Lip, and then playing Billy Roberts in The Street (Alan’s episode) Since then Jody has had numerous roles in drama’s such as The Tudors (BBC) The Fixer (ITV) and more recently in Eastenders (BBC) He has also starred and was Assoc. Prod in Act of Grace, and starred in Ruby Blue alongside Bob Hoskins.

domain: celebrity


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The study, led by researchers from Imperial College in London, was published this month in the British Medical Journal. It studied data from over 6,000 children, over 1,000 of which were cancer patients (every early childhood cancer patient in the UK under the age of 4, between 1999 and 2001, for which an address could be found), and the rest of which were controls. The researchers focused on finding or disproving a link between early childhood childhood cancers and the proximity of pregnant mothers to cell phone towers. They did not find any correlation between the two. A limitation of this study: it only investigated cancers whose early onset is in childhood. Paul Elliott, lead author of the study, writes: "we found no pattern to suggest that the children of [mothers] living near a base station during pregnancy had a greater risk of developing cancer than those who lived elsewhere."
The study was highly appraised by British medical professionals. Carl Heneghan, the deputy director of the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine, a lecturer at Oxford University, writes: "overall this is a well done study and allows us to feel more certain about the evidence base that there is no association between risk of cancer in young children and exposure to mobile phone base stations." Eileen Rubery, former director of the public health prevention department of the UK Department of Health, says: "this is a carefully done study by a highly reputable group of epidemiologists." Malcolm Sperrin, director of medical physics at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, says: "this study seems exemplary in its approach. The findings are well concluded and the methodology is thorough."
Want to read more about it? Try WebMD, Reuters, Guardian, Guardian Health, Guardian/BMJ, Wall Street Journal, Heneghan's blog, NHS Choices, Reuters, Washington Post, Business Week, MedPage Today, Associated Press, Independent, CNN, Time, LA Times.
Study Abstract in the British Medical Journal

domain: news


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Notes and Editorial Reviews
Another triumph for this highly accomplished partnership, with gripping performances of two sonatas, neither of which was originally intended for the cello. Pieter Wispelwey and Paolo Giacometti open with an electrifying reading of the César Franck A-Major Sonata, in the Delsart edition. They clearly relish the rapture and mystery of the opening Allegro, and Giacometti's subtle under-play of emergent thematic material (his pedal work is eloquent throughout) allows the germinal ideas to assume more tangible forms once the cellist takes them up.
Wispelwey's tone is brighter and more focused here than with Stephen Isserlis in his memorable account with Devoyon (Virgin), but the music can take a slightly more deliberate approach, especially when rhythmic control is as assured yet fluid as Wispelwey's. For EMI, Du Pré and Barenboim (1971) took a directly comparable approach—flexible, yearning, but with the passionate undertow of the music still not held in check as effectively as with Wispelwey and Giacometti.
Some listeners might not find them so physically exciting in the second movement as Isserlis and Devoyon, since their chosen tempo is a notch slower, but Wispelwey obviously believes that tonal mass and dogged implacability are more important. He's probably right, and gives no quarter to the disruptive rhythmic liberties taken by Mischa Maisky in his latest DG recording. Maisky's wildly flamboyant tempo changes, un-notated accelerandos, and crashing accents wreck the movement, and it's a miracle Argerich stays with him so well. Wispelwey does what's needed when the score dictates, so when the flood-gates are finally opened in the coda, there's no let-up of declamatory power and urgency. The Recitativo-Fantasia (III) goes equally well, but the finale is thrilling, with cyclic references to themes from earlier in the work delivered with maximal power and nobility of utterance.
The cello transcription (recast in D Major) of the G-Major Brahms Violin Sonata, op. 78, receives a similarly effective reading, but if you're already familiar with Wispelwey and Giacometti in the two "official" cello sonatas, ops. 38 and 99 (Channel CCS 5493), you'll know just what to expect. Nor do these players disappoint even the highest expectations with a reading that's remarkable for its pristine clarity of articulation, burnished tone, and musical eloquence. There's an unhurried easy grace informing this account, ideal for Brahms, and the textural layering of thematic lines, especially in the central adagio, is superb. It's good to hear, too, how sensitively Giacometti manages the dense chordings of the piano part, never forcing Wispelwey to play more forcefully than he wishes, even in the complex exchanges of the opening Vivace. Only the Orfeo performance from Boris Pergamenschikow and Pavel Gillilov proves as satisfying in this regard.
This CD also includes the op. 70 Adagio und Allegro by Schumann, an ideal foil to the two sonatas offered. The performance is again admirably considered, and the fact that the Allegro isn't too fast means that the essential nobility of the music is preserved. Recorded sound is very fine, too, with both players naturally balanced and with the warm but not over-reverberant acoustic of the Doopsgezinde Kerk, Deventer-f/The Netherlands) providing a perfect backdrop for these persuasive traversais.
-- Michael Jameson, FANFARE [1/2003]
This selection is a Hybrid Multichannel Super Audio CD. The Stereo Hybrid SACD program can be played on any standard compact disc player. The DSD Surround and Stereo programs require an SACD player for playback.

domain: artistic


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You can view my resume here. An artist's work is never done, so keep checking back for new additions to my list of projects.
Everyone has their niche, but artists shouldn't be afraid to take a leap of faith. Risks are unique launching point into the unknown. If you are true to your gut, you cannot go wrong; your twist on art and life itself is what makes you, you.
I am currently a student at the Rochester Institute of Technology. From 2012-2014 I attended Monroe Community College and graduated with an Associate Degree in Graphic Design. Now, I am working on my Bachelor Degree in Graphic Design with an additional minor in Advertising and Public Relations.


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My Devotion to Loneliness // さびしがりやのわたし embroidery on drapery
My Devotion to Loneliness // さびしがりやのわたし 2022. 11 170 × 130 cm embroidery on drapery
Throughout the history, especially during the Medieval Period, women were expected to embroider patterns like flowers and instruments to the mantel drapery while men were fighting in wars. These embroidery patterns emphasised the taste and elegance of the holder and were believed that embroidery enhanced domestic happiness, providing the comfort that would win a husband’s love and prove a wife’s devotion.
There were times that I’d change my appearance or personality in the hopes of getting my crush to like me or I’d often blame myself and shoulder the entire responsibility for the failure of my relationships, not until later I realised how shallow the intention was. Therefore, I decided to embroider flower patterns representing my desire for companionship, love and closeness on drapery while using it as a metaphor to show my devotion to solitary.

domain: design


Though leaks many a times turned out to be false alarms, this latest piece of information have come from two very reputable leakers. The sources also gave a caveat to assure readers that the exclusive renders they shared online are the most accurate in a sea of what seems like baseless rumors and speculations about Samsung's upcoming smartphones.
European Union extends sanctions against Russian Federation for meddling in Ukraine
In her words, three years have passed since the Minsk agreements but there has been no shift in their implementation. European flags are reflected at the entrance of the Berlaymont building EU Commission in Brussels on May 21,2014.
Ice Universe, which incidentally first delivered the real world pictures of Galaxy S8, has tweeted that the South Korean company has killed a radical new design of upcoming S9 after it failed the internal test of the company. On the other hand, the Galaxy S9+ is having dimensions 157.7 x 73.8 x 8.5 mm with the screen said to measure 6.1-inch diagonally, which is 0.1-inch smaller than the S8+.
The Galaxy S9 was expected to come with upgrades in the form of thinner bezels and a dual rear camera setup.
Denver Broncos @ Indianapolis Colts: Thursday Night NFL on Sky Sports
So in the immediate future, the Broncos really have one healthy quarterback in Osweiler, with Lynch a maybe and Siemian a no-go. After two incomplete passes, Siemian was injured on a sack by linebacker Barkevious Mingo and was forced to leave the game.
From the front, the S8 and S9 will be almost indistinguishable at a glance, but Samsung is supposedly going to make a few significant changes to the rear panel. Unlike the iPhone X though, the back camera module is positioned somewhere between the back of the device instead of the upper left corner.
Samsung fans will know whether or not the Galaxy S9 will be a boring update to the Galaxy S8 once the smartphone is unveiled early next year. However, on the rear panel we can see it has a single camera sensor with a fingerprint scanner below it, arranged in a vertical strip.
Why 2017 Was a Year to Remember for International Business Machines Corp
The technology company reported $3.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.28 by $0.02. Stock Isn't What You Think" published on December 07, 2017, Investorplace.com published: " International Business Machines Corp.
What do you think of these renders?


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The double feature that shouldn't exist is now a podcast that should exist.
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domain: entertainment


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Just got the news that Bondage Anniversary and Bondage Celebration will be released as a two book paperback on February 14th! No better day for a kinky romance than Valentine’s Day. I know it’s silly, but I’m really excited about having a hard copy of my books. Personally, I prefer my Kindle. I can increase the text size or the color so that I can read indoors or out without having to put on a pair of glasses. To me, that makes a world of difference, but having said that, a book feels more like a book if it’s bound and resting in my hands.
Today, before I received the news, I was writing a very naughty bathtub scene. Though Alexa is the one in training, I believe Brett will be the one to learn a few things during this chapter. On Saturday, both characters were quite talkative and I got a lot done. While I knew Alexa’s background, Brett was still a bit of mystery. The information he shared with me put a few of the puzzle pieces together. Alexa is going to have her work cut out for her in the coming chapters, but I’m sure she’s up to it. I can’t wait to share this one with you. I’m having a great time writing it.

domain: literature


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Hospitals Warned About Rare Superbug Spreading Quickly
Hospitals, nursing homes and other health care settings are on high alert from government health officials following an influx of a rare and potential deadly superbug. According to NBC News reporting, reports of unusual forms of CRE (Carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae) have nearly doubled in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported this month. Of 37 cases of rare forms of CRE, including the alarming NDM (New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase), 15 have been reported since last July.
CREs are part of a family of drug-resistant germs that have shown up in growing numbers of U.S. health care settings. They’re named for their ability to elude carbapenem antibiotics and they usually strike people who are already ill, those that require devices such as ventilators or catheters, or people who have been taking antibiotics for a long time.
That said, CREs can infect any patient and can take a long time to cure. According to researchers in Israel, people who carry CRE can wait more than a year before they test negative for the bacteria. These findings are cause for concern. The reality is, CREs are difficult to control, which raises the risk of wider spread.
In an effort to reduce the spread, health officials are calling for stricter isolation and hygiene precautions, increased screening of patients potentially colonized with CRE and better communication within and between hospitals and other health care settings where the bugs can become intractable. CRE infections have a mortality rate of up to 40 percent, much higher than other health care infections, such as those caused by MRSA or C. diff.
Continue reading this article here.
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domain: medical


Published 01 December 2020
Brief article looking at the art practice of Karin Lettau. Good colour photographs of the work.
The Fairfield Community Arts Network is a community - based organisation which aims to develop cultural awareness in Fairfield with particular emphasis on the multicultural nature of the area.
Published June 1991
Zofrea wrote "I want my work to sing forever."
Looks at the art practice of Ginger Riley Munduwalawala, born in 1937 at Ngukurr in the Northern Territory. Good colour photos of the artist and some works.
With the exception of some programming on SBS and the ABC, artists receive very little exposure on television. The limitations of television, the need to maintain a wide audience reach, the difficult question of what is 'good art' in a televisual sense, all may help to explain the absence of living artists from this, the most powerful of all media.
A very personal view. And finally there is a need for us to allow art and artists to develop from their own roots, regardless of their country or culture of origin.
Colonial Ghettoes: the possibilities and limitations of new identity as vision.
The Office of Multicultural Affairs talks for Artlink with James Mollison, Director of the National Gallery of Victoria March 1991.
Exhibition Review Under the Southern Cross (survey of Aboriginal Art) Noosa Regional Gallery December - January 1991
The ceramic work of Silvia Stansfield draws on the cultural legacy of South America. Discussion of the work of this artist with good colour photographs.
The Emperor's New Clothes
March 1-3 1991
Looks at the dance practice of the Bharatam Dance Company from Melbourne and at that stage in its 5th year of operation. Photos of the dancers in production included.
It is fair to say that the development of multicultural arts and the recognition of cultural diversity in Queensland is still in its early stages. Photos (6) of an event at the Cafe Folkloric.


Corey Chappell is a Closing Options Analyst for 181-Close-Now LLC. In his free time he's a professional gamer and YouTuber.
Optimize YouTube Content to Increase Engagement
In my last article about the Real Cash Economy Game Entropia Universe, I mentioned that I have the fastest growing, most popular, YouTube channel dedicated to the game. Today I want to explain how to optimize your YouTube content and why you should start doing so right away!
If you want more subscribers, more likes, more views, and more revenue then this is the information you've been looking for.
In this article, I'll share my top ten YouTube tips:
- Find your niche
- "Like" and "comment" speed are important
- Tell your friends you published
- Make easy thumbnails
- Video length matters
- Video titles
- Use tags
- Embrace the bad
- Add an end screen
1. Find Your Niche
First things first; find your niche. When I started my YouTube channel there were a lot of other players who also posted videos. I noticed that every video looked the same. Just a video of someone playing the game. Boring and uninteresting.
From the start, I dedicated my channel to teaching other players how to play the game smarter and more efficiently. Since this game revolves around real money that's information a lot of people wanted.
Sometimes just doing something in a more entertaining way is all it takes. Give better information or do it in a new way and that's half the battle.
2. "Like" Speed and "Comment" Speed Matter
Once you've posted a video you want to get as many likes and comments as possible as soon as possible. When YouTube sees that a lot of people are liking and commenting on your video it takes it as a signal this is something more people need to see.
I don't publish a video until a time of day I know a lot of my subscribers will be online. I also leave the first like and usually the first comment to kick things off. By doing this I'm doing everything I can to get as many likes and comments in a very short amount of time.
YouTube then gives my video more exposure which results in even more likes and more comments!
3. Tell Your Friends When You Publish
Just because you have subscribers isn't enough. Unless you've got millions in which case you likely aren't reading this article.
For the rest of us, there is a little footwork that goes into it. As soon as I publish a video I immediately post it to the Facebook groups I'm part of. These groups are about the game, the video is about the game and a lot of the people in the group are already subscribers of mine. So why do I do it?
I want them to see the video as soon as possible to get those likes and comments I mentioned earlier. So I share it in the places I know they are most likely to look.
4. Make a Thumb Nail the Easy Way
I'm usually pretty crunched for time. And I'm not big on graphic design or video editing. I shoot all my videos in one take. If I like the playback I publish it. Otherwise, I delete it and reshoot it.
When I first started I didn't make custom thumbnails. Once I did I have to admit it did help. And it's not hard at all. Just take a screenshot via the Print Screen button and then open a simple photo editor like Paint. Paste, make a rectangle, crop, and add some text.
I usually use a special shade of yellow for the text on my thumbnails. It only takes me about 30 seconds to create and upload and I'm ready to publish!
If you're taking the time to make a video then 30 seconds to make a nice thumbnail image isn't much and it can REALLY help your viewership and subscriber count.
5. Video Length Matters: Know Your Audience
Video length matters a LOT. But you also have to know your audience. Make a video too short and people get upset. Make a video too long and they just get bored. You have to know your audience and find the video length that works best for you.
My videos are almost exactly 20 minutes because that's what my views want. In a rare instance, I may make a longer or shorter video but I always shoot for exactly 20 minutes. This is also enough time to get in plenty of advertising so I'm not missing out on revenue.
Some channels may only want a 5-minute video. There are other channels where 45 minutes to an hour is about perfect. It varies based on what you cover and how you cover it. Get to know your audience and you'll be able to find the ideal video time.
This is important because YouTube is more likely to give your video more exposure if your viewers watch the majority of your video. If they only watch a few minutes of an hour-long video you won't get the same exposure as a video that's 20 minutes long with an average view time of 11 minutes.
6. Rethink the Video Title
A video title is likely one of the biggest factors you want to get right. After all, YouTube is a search engine. Just like any search engine you want to be sure you hit the right keywords. Sometimes this takes a little experimenting.
My videos average about 4,000-10,000 views. I have about 1,700 subscribers because my channel covers a very niche game. Imagine my surprise when I saw that one of my videos had over 60,000 views!
The difference? Something I put in the title. It was the only video that had "must do in 2021" in the title. Keep in mind there aren't even 60,000 people in the world that play this game so clearly, YouTube liked the title change.
7. The Description Matters
Again YouTube is a search engine that reads your video's title AND description. So use the description to be as accurate as possible. I try and put as much information about the video as humanly possible in the description. I also try and hit as many keywords as possible.
You don't want to get spammy with it but if there is a word or phrase that is a good fit with the content it should naturally be in the description.
8. Use Tags
When I first started I never added tags to my videos. Big mistake. Tagging your video is a great way to signal what your video is about. This gives YouTube a better understanding of your video and will likely lead to more exposure.
When I tag a video I use tags that are close to what the video is about but not spot-on. I've already for the Title and Description for keyword matching. Tagging I want to be more generalized. So for a video about Entropia Universe, I usually add tags like Entropia Universe, MMORPG, PC Gaming, GameLife, ProGamer, Sci-Fi, etc.
These are all tags that describe the video and its content but in very broad terms. This helps me get exposure to viewers who may not even know this particular game exists!
In fact, I've had numerous players message me to tell me they only heard about Entropia Universe because of my videos. It's not uncommon for them to watch my videos for 2-3 months before they decide to try the game. Those views are due largely to the tagging I use so tagging definitely matters.
9. Embrace Bad
Most people will tell you that to really do well you have to have the highest quality content. This is bad information.
My production quality is decent but it's far from the best of the best. Most of my viewers listen to my videos while playing the game. Very few actually watch the video. I make sure I have good quality audio and I keep my graphic settings on low. This way there is a video to watch; it's not bad quality and it's not super high quality. It's average. But the audio is better than average because that's what they want.
It came to my attention that I tend to smack a bit when I make videos. To solve the problem I just didn't solve the problem. Now I smack on purpose! I made it a catchphrase: "sip, sip, smack, smack" and it stuck.
Remember even if you can shoot the highest quality video your audience may not have the equipment and connection for it to make a difference. What they use to watch the video matters just as much as what you used to make it.
Sometimes embracing the bad can make a world of difference. You need to make a quality product but that doesn't require breaking the bank.
10. Add an End Screen
You want to make the most of what YouTube gives you to work with. This means giving YouTube all the information they want in the form of descriptions, tags, and information about the video. But this also means using the tools they give you.
It takes a few minutes to set up an end screen for your video. After you do it once you can hit a button and just import the setting to future videos. Super easy!
I usually use a double end screen that shows my most recent video AND the video most likely to be of interest to the viewer. YouTube loves this because they want you to keep watching. I've tried videos without an end screen and the ones with an end screen almost always get vastly more exposure.
Final Thoughts on Increasing YouTube Follows and Likes
While this is by no means a complete list of things you can do to optimize your YouTube videos, these are some of the most important. Remember that YouTube is a search engine. The exposure YouTube gives you will depend on a lot of the little things you do after you upload your video.
Give YouTube the little things it wants and you will be rewarded with exposure and new viewers. Your subscriber numbers will increase and so will your revenue.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2021 Corey Chappell


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Song of the Week breaks down and talks about the song we just can’t get out of our head each week. Find these songs and more on our Spotify Top Songs playlist. For our favorite new songs from emerging artists, check out our Spotify New Sounds playlist. This week, BTS return to their roots with the swaggering, confident “Run BTS.”
“Okay, let’s go,” SUGA directs at the start of “Run BTS,” one of the new tracks on BTS‘ anthology album, PROOF (out today, June 10th). The album is dense, 48 tracks pulled from the group’s nine years of activity so far. “Run BTS” is one of the brand new offerings, kicking off Disc 2 of the three-part collection.
The title of the song has nothing to do with BTS’ longstanding variety show of the same name, and everything to do with the fact that the members of BTS have been “running” virtually nonstop since their debut in 2013 — the driving guitar and energetic beat recall some of the more unhinged energy of earlier eras of the group. This time, though, the song isn’t being performed by a group of seven young men trying their very best to make their way, but by a septet of confident adults who have achieved things beyond their wildest dreams.
There are references to the many hardships they encountered in their past — the looming threat of being sent home during their days as trainees, their old address in a one-bedroom dorm where they all resided, and an old studio that often flooded when it rained too much. SUGA is completely in his bag on his verse, his rapid-fire flow lending itself to one of his best offerings in recent memory: “The reason behind Bangtan’s success? I don’t know if there’s something like that/ All of us just run hard/ No matter what, we just run,” he says.”
“Comfort? Got them (Got them)/ Principles, got them (Got them)/ Good music, got them (Got them)/ Good team? Goddamn,” RM replies. Jimin and Jin’s vocals soar during the pre-chorus, before V’s rich baritone and Jungkook’s reliable riffs keep the energy careening forward. And, as usual, J-Hope nearly steals the show by the time his verse closes things out.
This kind of (well-earned) confidence that teeters into flexing hasn’t really been front and center on a BTS track like this since the days of “Mic Drop,” but if there was any time for these boys to take a step back and tally up their achievements, it was this present moment. The whiplash from “Yet To Come” into this explosion of energy is welcomed.
— Mary Siroky


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Well Of Course They Did
This makes absolute perfect sense coming from the Cincinnati Bengals: It was recently announced they were the winners of the Cedric Benson sweepstakes.
That’s right, the Bengals just signed Benson. In case you might have missed it, the Bengals have trying to distance themselves from perceived problem children — well, at least Marvin Lewis has — and despite whatever misunderstandings there might have been at the boating incident that got Benson released from the Chicago Bears, he still has an air of misbehaving around him.
But desperate times call for desperate measures and a quick look at the Bengals roster reveals their running back situation is indeed desperate.
The Benson signing comes on the heels of Chris Henry — Marvin Lewis’ favorite player — officially being eligible to play this Sunday against Dallas. Considering the timing, I wouldn’t expect to see Benson take the field against the Cowboys, but like we’ve established, these are desperate times for the Bengals.
Meanwhile, Mike Brown still hasn’t offered an extension to T.J. Houshmandzadeh and it’s doubtful he will, compounding the never-ending brilliance on display from the man in charge of the Bengals franchise.


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Complete your Pink Floyd collection. Pink Floyd – Secret Rarities, Demos & outtakes 1983-1993.
Notes: very interesting collection of rare bits and pieces, demos and outtakes. almost like that bottom of the barrel feel to it, but as with anything Pink Floyd does, there's some worthy moments
Demos & outtakes 1983-1993. The last 3 tracks are completely new, and form together an 11 minute instrumental suite. These outtakes probably come from an early version of "The Division Bell" album, and reveal that the first intention of the Floyd was to make a long instrumental piece where "Cluster One" segues into "Marooned", and then into a third part with percussions. This third part was abandoned for the final version of the album, but its harmonies were re-used in the bridge of "High Hopes"
Request an album send to friend. Pink Floyd Secret Rarities (2014). Pink Floyd - Pink Floyd Secret Rarities. Like A Rolling Stone (David Gilmour Demo 1983). 2. Like A Rolling Stone (David Gilmour Demo 1983 - FM Source). Untitled 1 (Demo 1993). 8. Untitled 2 (Demo 1993). 9. Untitled 3 (Demo 1993).
The Ultimate Rarities Vo. Demos, Outtakes and Broadcast. 1. Flaming - 8th May 1967. PINK FLOYD Secret Rarities - Rev A Demos and outtakes 1983-1993. Excellent soundboard. Thanks to original uploader MOB; and to Dr Forrester and Beolab1700 for keeping the show alive on the net.
Demos, Outtakes and Rarities.
Listen free to Pink Floyd – Pink Floyd Secret Rarities. Discover more music, concerts, videos, and pictures with the largest catalogue online at Last. Pink Floyd Secret Rarities. Overview (current section). Do you know what kind of music this is? Tag this album.
tracks: 1. ON THE RUN (OUTTAKE) Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, November 1972. TIME (DEMO) Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, June 1972. 3. MONEY (ACOUSTIC DEMO) Recorded at ?, 1971? 4. US & THEM (DEMO) Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, June 1972. 5. BRAIN DAMAGE, ECLIPSE (DEMO) Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, June 1972.
|A1||Untitled #1 (demo 1993)||1:49|
|A2||Untitled #2 (demo 1993)||2:32|
|A3||Untitled #3 (demo 1993)||2:32|
|A4||Untitled #4 (demo 1993 - Incl.what do you want from me)||3:39|
|A5||Untitled #1 (outtake 1993)||5:59|
|A6||Like A Rolling Stone (demo 1983 - FM source)||1:46|
|A7||Learning To Fly (FM source)||1:27|
|B1||The Dogs Of War (demo 1986)||1:16|
|B2||Signs Of Life (outtake 1986)||3:50|
|B3||Wearing The Inside Out (outtake 1993)||2:39|
|B4||Cluster One (outtake 1993)||4:17|
|B5||Marooned (outtake 1993)||3:35|
|B6||Like A Rolling Stone (demo 1983)||1:48|
|B7||Learning To Fly (demo 1986)||1:27|
NotesDemos & outtakes 1983-1993. Excellent soundboard.
|SR 201502||Pink Floyd||Secret Rarities, Demos & outtakes 1983-1993 (LP, Comp, Ltd, Unofficial)||Not On Label (Pink Floyd)||SR 201502||2016|
|SR 201502||Pink Floyd||Secret Rarities, Demos & outtakes 1983-1993 (LP, Comp, Ltd, Unofficial, whi)||Not On Label (Pink Floyd)||SR 201502||2016|


Acer Announces First 15” Chromebook, with a Broadwell Processor
CES officially starts this week, which means announcements are going to start pouring out. Every year it seems the pre-CES stuff starts earlier, and for 2015 Acer is kicking things off with a bevy of new products. We’ve already covered their new IPS G-SYNC display, and up next we have new Chromebooks. I’ve been working on a review of the Chromebook 13, which will receive a minor update with the availability of a touchscreen now, but the real news is the Chromebook 15.
At first blush, you might wonder why anyone would need a 15.6” Chromebook, but with Chrome OS expanding in features and capabilities it’s only natural to see a wider variety of devices. The 15.6” class also means things like 1080p displays are readily available, and the Chromebook 15 will have models with 1080p as well as lower spec models with 1366×768 displays. Even better is that the 1080p panel features wide viewing angles and an anti-glare coating. The 1366×768 panel on the other hand appears to be a typical mediocre quality TN panel, “ideal for budget minded customers”.
More interesting than the display perhaps is the processor choice: the Chromebook 15 will be the first Chromebook to ship with a 5th Generation Intel processor. It’s not too surprising that we’re talking about a Celeron variant of Broadwell, but given that the Haswell-based Celeron 2955U still does quite well compared to other Chromebook processors, the upgrade to Broadwell certainly can’t hurt. As with the C720, there will also be a Core i3 variant available for those that want even more performance. Battery life for now doesn’t appear to have changed from the older C720 Chromebook, as Acer is rating the CB15 at eight hours of battery life.
In terms of styling, the CB15 builds off the white theme of the Chromebook 13, only with a larger chassis obviously. The dimensions are 393mm x 256mm x 24.2mm (15.4” x 10.08” x 0.95”), and the CB15 weighs 2.2kg (4.85 lbs). It also comes with 2×2 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, one USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0 port, an HDMI port, and an SD card reader.
Pricing of the Chromebook 15 starts at $249 for the 1366×768 version with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage. Other models with up to 4GB RAM and 32GB storage will exist, but the full specifications and pricing for those models has not been disclosed. Availability has not been announced either, but when we visit with Acer later this week we’ll hopefully be able to find out more about the CB15 and get some hands on time with it.
As for the touchscreen C13, battery life is rated at up to 13 hours with pricing starting at $329. Availability is slated for this month, but Acer doesn’t mention whether the touchscreen option will be available with both 1366×768 and 1080p models, or only one. There’s also still the question of how much a touchscreen really matters for laptops; I don’t generally find myself missing a touchscreen if it’s not there, as I’m more concerned with keeping fingerprints off my display, but YMMV.


OnePlus 8T is just around the corner. To tell the truth, not much information has appeared so far, but we have some information to share with you. Before you start, it is worth noting that the code name of the phone – “Kebab”. In fact, the OnePlus 8T may be the only participant in the 8T series this year. According to some well-known prompts, the 8T Pro model does not start at all. To tell the truth, some contradictory information on it appeared.
The OnePlus 8T Pro manual was recently discovered on the company’s website. This hinted that the 8T Pro could still arrive. We can’t say anything for sure yet, but considering that the 8T Pro was not mentioned anywhere else. We still believe that the 8T will be the only model. This would make sense for the company, as the OnePlus 7T was much more successful than the 7T Pro. The 7T Pro was almost identical to the 7 Pro, while the 7T brought in a lot of money.
We̵7;re really not sure what OnePlus can do this year to highlight the 8T Pro, which is why we think the 8T will be the only option. It will probably combine the best of the OnePlus 8 series smartphones and combine it into one device. Some information about this phone has already leaked, which we will discuss below.
This article will be regularly updated with new information about the OnePlus 8T (this is the previous article) – both official teasers and reliable leaks, rumors and insider statements – as it becomes available on the eve of the release of the future Android smartphone. The last update was made on September 15.
OnePlus 8T may include a fan-favorite flat panel display, unlike its siblings
As for the design of the phone, it will look a bit like the OnePlus 8 phones, but not too similar. A recent software update, Android 11 Developer Preview 4 update for OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro has appeared on the device. It may be just a placeholder image, but it may not be. You can read this item below. As you can see, the phone is really very similar to the other two devices, although it has a flat rather than curved display. However, we can only see its front side here.
Now a much better leak comes from Pricebaba. This website, in collaboration with OnLeaks, shared a bunch of OnePlus 8T renders. These are CAD-based renders that show the phone from all sides, to a large extent. You can also see the back of the phone, including the camera module. This time, this camera module will look different and will be located in the upper left corner of the back of the phone. It looks like the phone will have four cameras on the back.
The device includes a hole for the display camera in the upper left corner, as on the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro. Its frame is extremely thin, and it seems that the bottom frame is not thicker than the rest. The power / lock button is on the right, as is the warning slider above the power / lock key. The volume up and down buttons can be found on the left. The corners of the phone are rounded, as are the corners of the display. This smartphone will almost certainly be made of metal and glass, like the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro.
Large 120 Hz display, fast charging and 5G
The OnePlus 8T is expected to be the most powerful smartphone in the company’s lineup, but it won’t be much more powerful than the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro. OnePlus can even create a phone that is on the same level as the OnePlus 8 Pro, or even somewhat inferior in something. In any case, we expect to see the Snapdragon 865 Plus on the inside of this phone. Recent rumors have suggested that the Snapdragon 865 may be included instead, but this is not likely. OnePlus will almost certainly hope to include the latest and greatest SoCs here.
In addition, we get a fullHD + display with a high refresh rate. The OnePlus 8T is expected to include a 6.55-inch flat panel display. It will be a 120Hz display, so this will be an improvement over what the OnePlus 8 offered. The phone is also expected to have 8GB / 12GB of RAM and 128GB / 256GB of internal storage. You may not be able to expand this repository to understand.
Android 11 will most likely be pre-installed on the device along with OxygenOS 11 OnePlus skin. The phone will offer 5G support, and an NFC chip will be included. The device will support fast charging, but we still don’t know how fast it will be. By the way, wireless charging is also expected. This may include the same wired and wireless charging as the OnePlus 8 Pro, in fact, if not faster. By the way, OnePlus 8 Pro offers fast wired and wireless charging at 30 watts.
48-megapixel or 64-megapixel main camera
Some information on setting up the camera of this phone appeared in July. The hack APK showed that the phone will include a 64-megapixel device (sensor IMX689 from Sony). This camera will probably use a pixel connection to take 16-megapixel images of the final product. Some other information claims that the phone will have the same main camera as the OnePlus 8 Pro, a 48-megapixel unit (Sony’s IMX686).
The latter scenario is more likely, to be honest. OnePlus is likely to redo what was part of the OnePlus 8 Pro, and this sensor is quite powerful. As a reminder, the OnePlus 8 Pro comes with a new 48-megapixel sensor compared to the OnePlus 8, which is actually much newer. With the right software, this sensor can produce great images, as OnePlus has proven with the OnePlus 8 Pro.
In addition to this 48-megapixel camera, you can count on a 16-megapixel ultra-wide camera. It is also planned to include a 5-megapixel macroblock, the same applies to the 2-megapixel portrait camera. According to rumors, the 32-megapixel front camera is included in the front.
The phone will probably be much more expensive than last year’s OnePlus 7T
Okay, what about phone availability and price? Well, the OnePlus 7T was launched in September, and it became available in September as well. Everything that happened at the end of the month. Well, at the moment we do not have any information about the launch of this phone, but it will appear either in late September or in October. This is at least our assumption. The phone, by the way, will be available for purchase soon after its launch. The OnePlus 8T is also expected to offer a truly compelling price tag.
However, OnePlus can do so much in terms of price, but keep that in mind. This is actually one of the reasons why OnePlus may consider using the Snapdragon 865 instead of the Snapdragon 865 Plus. There is little chance of this, but OnePlus can try to save as much cash as possible. The OnePlus 7T was quite affordable for what it offered, but don’t expect such a price for this device. OnePlus 8T is likely to be much more expensive than its predecessor. We do not want to give forecasts yet, but it will not be cheap, that’s for sure.


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The estimated amount for which an asset in WOLLI CREEK need to trade on the day of evaluation between a eager customer as well as a willing vendor in an arm's length deal, after proper marketing, wherein the events had each acted knowledgeably, reasonably and without obsession
There continue to be several factors for getting using a Certified Practicing Valuer to get a Sydney Residential Valuation for Family Transfer in Wolli Creek. The appraisal quantity could vary as well as can be conditional to the purpose of Property Residential property Valuation.
In method, one of the most typical appraisal approach used by Licensed Practicing Valuers when doing a Sydney Residential Valuation for Family Transfer in Wolli Creek is the Comparable Sales Method. It utilizes a tiny number of lately offered buildings in the instant location of the subject home to determine the market worth based on its renovations.
The approximated amount for which an property need to exchange on the day of assessment between a eager purchaser and also a ready seller in an arm's size transaction, in a affordable as well as open markte under all problems requisite to reasonable sale, where the parties had each acted knowledgeably, wisely and also without obsession.
A residential property in Wolli Creek for Family Transfer should be evaluated in terms of its highest possible and also ideal use. The interpretation of highest possible as well as best usage of property in Wolli Creek is as follows. The affordable, legal as well as potential use of uninhabited land or an improved residential or commercial property, which is physically possible, properly supported, financially viable, and also that leads to the highest possible worth.
Sydney Residential Valuation for Family Transfer in Wolli Creek record is a formal, comprehensive, unbiased as well as independent analysis of the home's condition and its present value. Among the features of a property valuation report Sydney Residential Valuation for Family Transfer in Wolli Creek are:
Sydney Residential Valuation for Family Transfer in Wolli Creek is a legal record prepared by an recognized building valuer as well as has standing in legislation courts and with government authorities, because the valuer is legitimately as well as professionally in charge of the precision of info had in the record. Sydney Residential Valuation for Family Transfer in Wolli Creek is prepared by the promised valuer utilizing a combination of onsite aspects, assessment of the land and the enhancements, study right into existing market data in Wolli Creek for similar buildings, as well as the valuer's skills as well as experience.
Sydney Residential Valuation for Family Transfer in Wolli Creek Report is a thorough record including specific details consisting of not only the evaluation figure however a array of data to sustain the valuer's analysis of the home's worth. It has details such as the building's area, possession history, existing condition, details of the land as well as setting, and also the number and also dimensions of rooms. There is a appraisal area demonstrating how the Sydney Residential Valuation for Family Transfer in Wolli Creek has actually been determined based upon all of the important variables.
Getting or Marketing: The most common reason for a Property Evaluation record is when you are purchasing or marketing a residential or commercial property as well as have to have a trustworthy analysis of its worth. As a result of the huge sums of cash included it is sensible to have actually an certified valuer create an independent unbiased Home Assessment Record in order to help in your choice making when you are taking into consideration marketing or purchasing a property. If you don't get a property valuer to take a look at the residential property then you will run the risk of costing less, or paying greater than the residential or commercial property is worth.
Refinancing: It is a need of home loan lenders that need an independent objective analysis of a building's worth when identifying just how a lot can be obtained to acquire the building. It is various from the market-based casual appraisals of a property's worth that you might get from sources such as an online residential property valuation calculator or a property representative's price quote. Property Evaluation Record for home mortgages and for lawsuits have to be accomplished by recognized valuers who take legal responsibility for their job. They offer an goal but traditional assessment of your home based on both its physical functions as well as recent list prices for similar residential properties.
Family Court Procedures: Property Valuation Record is required figure out the worth of assets to be separated as part of matrimonial negotiations.
Probate and also Estate litigation Issues: Property Evaluation Record is needed to develop the value of realty home being distributed under the regards to a will.
Local Authority Ranking as well as State Land Tax obligation Matters: House Valuation Record is needed if you disagree with an authority's valuation of your residential or commercial property and intend to challenge it in the Law court.
Realty appraisal or property valuation is the process of figuring out the worth of the residential or commercial property on the basis of the highest possible and also the finest usage of genuine residential or commercial property (which primarily converts into identifying the fair market price of the residential or commercial property). The person who executes this actual estate valuation exercise is called Certified Practising Valuer. The worth as identified by Residential or commercial property Market Assessment is the fair market worth. The Property Market Appraisal is done using different methods and the actual estate evaluation values the residential or commercial property as different for distinction functions e.g. the realty assessment could appoint 2 various values to the same home ( Better worth and vacant value) and once again the same/similar residential or commercial property may be assigned different values in a business zone and also a domestic zone . The worth assigned as a result of actual estate appraisal may not be the value that a genuine estate investor would certainly take into consideration when assessing the residential or commercial property for financial investment. A genuine estate capitalist may entirely ignore the value that comes out of actual estate appraisal process.
A good investor would certainly evaluate the property on the basis of the growths going on in the area. Actual estate evaluation as done by a genuine estate financier would certainly come up with the worth that the genuine estate capitalist can obtain out of the property by purchasing it at a reduced cost and also offering it at a much greater price (as in the existing). Actual estate investor could do his very own real estate assessment for the expected value of the residential or commercial property in, claim 2 years time or in 5 years time. Once again, a genuine estate investor might conduct his genuine estate appraisal based upon exactly what worth he or she could produce by investing some quantity of money in the residential or commercial property i.e. a genuine estate financier may decide on getting a dirty/scary kind of building (which no person suches as) and also obtain some small repair services, painting etc carried out in order to increase the value of the building (the worth that the investor would obtain by marketing it on the market). So, right here the meaning of realty evaluation modifications completely ( as well as could be very different from the value that realty appraiser would bring out if the property appraiser performed a property assessment workout on the residential or commercial property).
A real estate financier in Wolli Creek NSWwill typically base his investment choice on this Sydney Residential Valuation for Family Transfer in Wolli Creek NSW actual estate assessment that he does by himself (or gets done via somebody). So, can we then call actual estate appraisal as a truly genuine ' genuine estate evaluation'?


Notable DMI Milestones: 2019-2023
CDC’s Data Modernization Initiative (DMI) is a comprehensive strategy designed to move public health from tracking threats to predicting them. Expanding on the work of CDC’s Surveillance Strategy, DMI is making a measurable difference in our nation’s ability both to respond to the current pandemic and to find and face any future public health threat.
Below are some key advancements in our progress.
Growing support for modernization
- Data standards, such as FHIR, and new federal policies push modernization forward
- CDC expands data-ready innovation with healthcare, academic, and research partners
- CDC awards first funding to states for data modernization and system interoperability
- DMI lays out a strategic roadmap to guide modernization and evaluation
Volume and velocity of COVID-19 cases quickly overwhelms public health data systems
Answering the pandemic
- Multiple CDC surveillance systems extend ability to track COVID-19
- CDC rapidly onboards health departments to automate transmission of electronic laboratory reports
- Huge leaps in electronic case reporting (eCR) automate real-time information exchange between thousands of healthcare facilities
- Provisional COVID-19 death data and new data on excess deaths informs response
- CDC and federal agencies stand up experimental data to track mental, social, and economic health
- CDC integrates data from multiple core surveillance systems into COVID Tracker interface
Accelerating the strategy
- Accelerated investments and projects increase capacity to rapidly detect and respond to the pandemic
- Assigned Implementation Leads align, coordinate, monitor, and measure progress toward future state
- CDC expands programs for state-of-the-art data science, visualization, and informatics training
- CDC and the U.S. Digital Service pilot pandemic-ready systems at state and local health departments
Congress dedicates $50 million in FY 2021 to continue data modernization activities.
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act provides an additional $500 million to CDC to advance surveillance and analytics infrastructure, as well as to establish a forecasting center for emerging biological threats.
Expanding our capabilities
- CDC built an immunization data lake to handle the massive COVID-19 vaccine roll-out and delivery.
- CDC created a cloud-based platform to catalogue, analyze, and publish findings faster than previously possible.
- Ongoing improvements to data collection and sharing improve health equity.
- In August 2021, CDC stands up the new national Center for Epidemic Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics.
- New cloud-based and computational capabilities enable CDC to process millions of unique SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences.
Congress dedicates $100M in FY 2022 and $175M in FY 2023 to modernize public health data surveillance and analytics at CDC and state and local health departments.
The path to prevention
- Sustainable investments will ensure lifesaving prevention and response for COVID-19 and beyond


2012 Year in Review: 10 New Year’s Resolutions for TV Networks
Loraine Pavich / December 28, 2012
Credit: FOX Television
2012 Year in Review: New Year's Resolutions for TV Networks
8 of 10
We resolve not to spend millions on music stars to be reality competition judges who create more drama offstage than the competitors do onstage.


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*Please note: Knitted Wit produces wonderful hand-dyed yarns. However, there is variation batch-to-batch and even skein-to-skein in hand-dyed yarns. Pictures are representative of colors, but may appear different than the final delivered product. Finally, we recommend that for any multi-skein project, you buy all the yarn you will need for that project at once to ensure consistency.* Aran weight superwash merino base, with the Knitted Wit colors you know and love! Composition: 100% Superwash merino 100 g 180 yards Suggested Yarn Weight: Aran Suggested Care: Handwash, lay flat to dry.


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Covered 33 miles and 1600 feet of climbing, today. Total distance covered to date is 574 miles. We’re in Bandon, Oregon.
Today was a bit of a rolling rest day. Only covered 33 miles, yet there were challenging climbs and lots of moisture. Robin says her skin has never felt so soft from the all the hydration we experienced today. Helluva way to get a spa treatment, I say. We started out in North Bend, with a high overcast marine layer and no rain. Immediately we started climbing steeply to the top of a ridge. As we approached the top of the ridge we rode right into the cloud layer. It wasn’t rain, but we were surrounded with drenching mist and precipitation. Robin was leading and said loudly “I pity the fool who isn’t wearing their rain jacket”. Ahem, that would be me, we had just climbed and I had my rain jacket in my rear trunk. Quick stop, rain jacket on. We stayed on the ridge in the cloud for over 10 miles. I have never experienced being in so much water without there being actual rain. It was phenomenal, truly. I was definitely outside of my comfort zone and if I wasn’t on a ride like this, there is no way I’d be anywhere but inside and dry. I give thanks to good technical rain gear, shoe covers, merino wool base layers and wool socks. Eventually we came off the ridge, descended out of the cloud layer and were in Bandon. Yes, that is a shower cap on my helmet, best cover to keep the rain from running into my helmet and face while still allowing air to circulate. And, it is easily replaceable at the next hotel/motel. Cute town art and chocolates in Bandon–which we deserved!
And, finally a sunny day in Bandon. Bandon has numerous rock formations right off the beach, and there is much native american lore and story telling about faces that can be seen in the rocks.

domain: hobby


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The cosmetic and beauty industry has a lot of ideas about reversing the physical signs of aging. The marketplace is replete with products and injectable treatments that promise to take years off your appearance. They promise to diminish wrinkles and fine lines. Many treatments like cosmetic surgery come with considerable downtime and recovery. But recent research suggests that an inexpensive medicine that has been around for about 150 years may be a potent way to slow the signs of skin aging.
Is there a fountain of youth? Probably not, but we do know certain facts about the process of aging. And skin aging is the most visible sign of how old we are. We know that oxidative stress is a prime cause of skin aging that produces hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and an inhibited ability to heal wounds.
An effective method to delay skin aging is to apply antioxidants found in skin care.
Now, methylene blue (MB) appears to provide benefits that slow down skin aging. MB is a mitochondrial targeting antioxidant. In studies, it has shown to have a potent scavenging efficacy in cultured skin fibroblasts from healthy participants and participants with progeria. Some studies show that methylene blue is more effective than other widely used antioxidants.
In one study, methylene blue was more effective at stimulating growth in skin fibroblasts while slowing cellular deterioration. This is welcome news especially since studies also show that MB is safe for long-term use and has decades of proven effectiveness. It does not irritate the skin. And it enhances skin viability, increases hydration and skin thickness, and increases the skin’s ability to self-heal.
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By Ramya Parashar, COO, MiQ
The digital advertising industry is worth billions of dollars and is projected to reach a size of US$1.5 Trillion by 2030, according to a Research and Markets report. This fast-growing industry relies on millions of servers, making it a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. As the world becomes increasingly aware of the impact of climate change, reducing the carbon footprint of digital campaigns has become a critical issue for businesses. As more and more companies look to incorporate digital into their climate goals, sustainable advertising has and will continue to become part of that equation.
Programmatic advertising can help reduce carbon footprint by delivering ads to specific audiences, reducing the number of wasted impressions, and the energy consumption of the servers and data centers that power the ads. However, solving this problem in programmatic requires the analysis of big data in the order of billions of rows of granular information. It’s a tough data science challenge because we need to build models that can reduce emissions while simultaneously increasing sales for clients, which is not an easy task. We also need to build highly expressive multi-feature models to capture the nuance of the situation.
Measure Your Carbon Footprint
The first step towards reducing the carbon footprint of digital campaigns is to measure it. By measuring the carbon emissions associated with digital campaigns, businesses can identify areas where improvements can be made. Emissions can vary depending on the country, device, ad format, publisher, programmatic exchange, and much more. This requires measuring emissions to understand the impact of the entire ad supply chain. Businesses can also use a carbon calculator that is tailored for India-specific data.
Managing Data Sets and Optimizing Digital Ads
Digital ads require a significant amount of energy to be created, distributed, and displayed, which can have a considerable impact on the environment. Programmatic is good at managing data sets that can be used to measure, bid, and optimize ads. For any given campaign, we must look at what is generating the most emissions. Is it the domains, the creative, or the supply path with all the ad calls and hops between an ad request and eventual impressions? For each, we have a way to reduce the carbon impact. Businesses can optimize their ads by reducing their file size, optimizing ad placement, and using more sustainable ad formats like HTML5. Additionally, businesses can use renewable energy sources to power their servers and data centers, further reducing their carbon footprint.
Reducing emissions through smarter ad buying
Web hosting requires a significant amount of energy to power servers and data centers, which can have a considerable impact on the environment. Creating exclusion lists removes the top 5% of offenders from bid lists. Ad buyers can refrain from buying ad space on websites or domains that have been found to have a high carbon footprint. Additionally, for creative, businesses can work with partners who use adaptive streaming to lighten ad loads. Lastly, using green PMPs (Private Marketplaces) for the supply path thus, ensuring that the ad supply chain is optimized for sustainability and can reduce emissions associated with serving ads.
Reducing the carbon footprint of digital campaigns is a critical issue for businesses in India and around the world. Implementing the key steps like – measuring the carbon footprint, optimizing digital ads, reducing emissions through smarter ad buying, and reducing data usage – can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy costs, and increase brand reputation.


Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Better Cotton Initiative?
The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is the largest cotton sustainability programme in the world. We are truly a joint effort – encompassing organisations all the way from farms to fashion and textile brands, and civil society organisations – driving the cotton sector towards sustainability. In the 2017-18 cotton season, we and our on-the-ground partners provided training on more sustainable agricultural practices to 2.2 million farmers in 21 countries – of those farmers, two million gained a license to sell their cotton as Better Cotton.
Why does the Better Cotton Initiative exist?
Supporting farmers is at the heart of our work and is the reason for BCI’s existence. Cotton is a renewable resource, but its production is vulnerable to poor environmental management and working conditions. As stewards of the Better Cotton Standard System, our focus is on providing training and learning opportunities for farmers to adopt more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable production practices.
What is the Better Cotton Standard?
BCI manages the farm-level implementation of the Better Cotton Standard, a holistic approach to more sustainable cotton production. Licensed BCI Farmers produce cotton in a way that cares for the environment, minimising the negative effects of fertilisers and pesticides, and caring for water, soil health and natural habitats. This is what we refer to as ‘Better Cotton’. BCI Farmers also commit to decent work principles – conditions that support workers’ safety and wellbeing. The Better Cotton Standard is not applicable to the cotton supply chain.
How much Better Cotton do BCI Farmers produce each year?
BCI Farmers produced 5.6 million metric tonnes of Better Cotton lint in the 2018-19 cotton season*, on 5.7 million hectares (which is more than the land mass of Belgium). This is enough cotton to make more than 8 billion pairs of jeans. Currently, Better Cotton accounts for 22% of global cotton production. *This volume includes the three BCI recognised equivalent standards: CmiA (multiple African countries), MyBMP (Australia) and ABR (Brazil). Farmers growing cotton in line with these three standards can also sell their cotton as Better Cotton.
Who are the Better Cotton Initiative’s members?
At the end of 2019, BCI had more than 1,800 members spanning the cotton supply chain – 168 retailers and brands, 1,585 suppliers and manufacturers, 30 producer organisations, 42 civil society members, and 17 associate members. You can find the updated list here.
Is the Better Cotton Initiative competing with other cotton standards around the globe?
Less than 25% of global cotton production is independently verified as grown using more sustainable practices. BCI, organic, Fairtrade, myBMP (Australia), ABR (Brazil), CmiA (multiple African countries), and others work towards ensuring that all cotton is produced in a more sustainable manner. We have recognised three other standards as equivalent to the Better Cotton Standard, eliminating duplication and inefficiencies in the market. BCI supports farmers having the ability to choose which farming system is best for them.
What is the Better Cotton Initiative’s view on forced and child labour?
Unfortunately, child labour remains a challenge in some countries, particularly when families are struggling to make ends meet. The welfare of children and workers is always of paramount importance – forced and child labour on cotton farms is unacceptable to BCI. If either is discovered where Better Cotton is produced, it is considered an incidence of non-compliance with BCI’s standard and is dealt with immediately. We support farmers by helping them to understand and respect national legal requirements, as well as the fundamental, interrelated International Labour Organisation conventions on respecting the minimum age for young workers (C138) and avoiding the ‘worst forms of child labour’ (C182). BCI does not operate in countries where forced labour is orchestrated by the government.
Does the Better Cotton Initiative promote genetically modified (GM) cotton?
BCI has adopted a position of being ‘technology neutral’ with respect to GM cotton, and will neither encourage farmers to grow it, nor seek to restrict their access to it. We aim to be a mainstream initiative and target improvements across a range of important issues associated with cotton farming on a large scale. Today, nearly three quarters of the world’s cotton is grown with GM seeds. Therefore, if it is legally available in the country of use and there is an overall support package in place for farmers–which includes training and access to a range of farming options–BCI allows the use of GM cotton. It would be difficult to achieve our objective of making Better Cotton a mainstream sustainable commodity if millions of farmers were automatically excluded from our training and support.
Is Better Cotton produced in Uzbekistan?
During the 2018-19 cotton season, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) launched an independent sustainable cotton project in Uzbekistan based on the Better Cotton Principles and Criteria, which are publicly available to whomever wishes to consult or apply them. BCI is encouraged by the progress that has been made through this project and has started participating in IFC’s Sustainable Cotton Project Consultative Council as an observer member, in order to encourage multi-stakeholder dialogue. The Consultative Council is a multi-stakeholder forum in Uzbekistan including the Uzbekistan Government, relevant line ministries and local authorities. Over the coming months BCI will increase its involvement in the IFC Cotton Project, participate in a Decent Work Working Group, and engage with the Uzbekistan Government. Once these activities are completed, BCI will determine if the appropriate conditions are in place to start the launch of the BCI new country start-up process.
In March 2020, BCI set up an expert Task Force on Forced Labour and Decent Work to review selected elements of the Better Cotton Standard System. Based on this review, the Task Force produced recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the system in identifying, preventing, mitigating and remediating forced labour risks. Find out more and access the full report here.
Is the Better Cotton Standard System publicly available for use by third-parties?
Yes. BCI welcomes the use, adoption or adaptation of its standard system in cases where it can be used to drive the adoption of more sustainable cotton farming practices. BCI conducts a Public Standard Review Process at least every five years, which also enables third-parties to contribute towards its further development.
How do I know if the Better Cotton Initiative is credible?
BCI is ISEAL Code Compliant. Our system has been independently evaluated against ISEAL’s Codes of Good Practice––a globally-recognised framework for effective, credible sustainability systems. More information at isealalliance.org.
How is the Better Cotton Initiative funded?
BCI receives funding from three sources: earned income for services delivered; grants and donations from private and public funders; and volume-based fees and funding from brands. BCI Retailer and Brand Members pay a fee based on the amount of Better Cotton they source. These fees are channelled to the Better Cotton Growth and Innovation Fund (BCI’s farm support programme) and matched by public and private donations. These funds directly support training and skill development for farmers around the world.