If you are traveling in a car, take a bike with you. A bike will help you get exercise after a long day in the car, and it can also help you learn a little about the place that you are in. You will also be able to see more local landmarks than you would have in the car. Try to fit the bike in your trunk if possible.
If you are traveling to a known destination with a responsible party on the other end, consider shipping your luggage ahead of time. With new luggage fees from virtually all major airlines, the cost will often be the same or less than checking it on the flight with you. In addition, you will have the luxury of traveling with comfort and ease, without the stress of standing in luggage lines, tipping porters, and the worry of lost luggage.
If you are traveling on a road trip with other drivers, make sure to switch up frequently. Many people drive until they get sleepy and then change, going to bed while the other driver continues the journey. You will be able to drive for longer periods if you change drivers on a schedule before anyone becomes overtired.
Health and safety are most important when traveling internationally. Contaminated food and water can make you very sick. Worst case scenario, you could end up in need of medical attention in a third-world country miles from a hospital or doctor.
Take out appropriate travel insurance before you leave for your vacation. Travel insurance is important as it can cover any medical help, hospital treatment or alternative transport you may need while you are away. Without travel insurance, if you take ill or have an accident, you could end up with a very large bill for medical treatment.
Buy a kit of toiletries and set them aside exclusively for travel. If you travel often, packing all your toiletries can be a pain. It is not at all difficult to forget something as simple as a toothbrush or a stick of deodorant. Save time by purchasing a set of these things that you keep on hand, just for taking with you on trips.
When going on a trip if you choose to take valuables along, it might be wise to choose a hotel that offers you an in room safe. This ensures that while you are out having fun something important to you doesn't get lost.
When planning an overseas trip or any kind of dangerous outing, check with your health insurer to see what you're covered for. Most health insurance companies will not cover injuries incurred during a wide variety of dangerous activities, and many will not cover health costs incurred overseas. You might need to purchase special traveler's insurance for your health.
If you are interested in traveling comfortably on your vacation, don't be afraid to upgrade your seat. Most airlines are combining traditional business class and coach seats by offering "premium economy" options. They have larger seats and better legroom, but they often do not cost as much. You can also try to upgrade your seat just before boarding, but you won't know about the availability of the upgrades if you check in to your flight online.
Traveling can be a very exciting experience and you can see and learn about new places. You may already have some knowledge on how to plan a trip, but you can always improve your travel plans. No matter your reasons, hopefully the tips above gave you some ideas on what you can do to enjoy your trip even more.
Mar. 26, 2013 ? Supernovae were always thought to occur in two main varieties. But a team of astronomers including Carnegie's Wendy Freedman, Mark Phillips and Eric Persson is reporting the discovery of a new type of supernova called Type Iax.
This research has been accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal.
Previously, supernovae were divided into either core-collapse or Type Ia categories. Core-collapse supernovae are the explosion of a star about 10 to 100 times as massive as our sun. Type Ia supernovae are the complete disruption of a tiny white dwarf.
This new type, Iax, is fainter and less energetic than Type Ia. Although both types come from exploding white dwarfs, Type Iax supernovas may not completely destroy the white dwarf. "A Type Iax supernova is essentially a mini supernova," says lead author Ryan Foley, Clay Fellow at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). "It's the runt of the supernova litter."
The research team--which also included Max Stritzinger, formerly of Carnegie--identified 25 examples of the new type of supernova. None of them appeared in elliptical galaxies, which are filled with old stars. This suggests that Type Iax supernovas come from young star systems.
Based on a variety of observational data, the team concluded that a Type Iax supernova comes from a binary star system containing a white dwarf and a companion star that has lost its outer hydrogen, leaving it helium dominated. The white dwarf collects helium from the normal star.
Researchers aren't sure what triggers a Type Iax. It's possible that the outer helium layer ignites first, sending a shock wave into the white dwarf. Alternatively, the white dwarf might ignite first due to the influence of the overlying helium shell.
Either way, it appears that in many cases the white dwarf survives the explosion, unlike in a Type Ia supernova where the white dwarf is completely destroyed.
The team calculates that Type Iax supernovae are about a third as common as Type Ia supernovae. The reason so few have been detected is that the faintest are only one-hundredth as bright as a Type Ia supernova.
"The closer we look, the more ways we find for stars to explode," Phillips said.
The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope could discover thousands of Type Iax supernovas over its lifetime.
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Story Source:
The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Carnegie Institution.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
Journal Reference:
Ryan J. Foley, P. J. Challis, R. Chornock, M. Ganeshalingam, W. Li, G. H. Marion, N. I. Morrell, G. Pignata, M. D. Stritzinger, J. M. Silverman, X. Wang, J. P. Anderson, A. V. Filippenko, W. L. Freedman, M. Hamuy, S. W. Jha, R. P. Kirshner, C. McCully, S. E. Persson, M. M. Phillips, D. E. Reichart, A. M. Soderberg. Type Iax Supernovae: A New Class of Stellar Explosion. The Astrophysical Journal, 2013; 767 (1): 57 DOI: 10.1088/0004-637X/767/1/57
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
Even if you've got no idea what the Havok engine is, you've probably seen it before. Name a best-selling video game, and the odds that it's using Havok in one way or another are pretty huge. This morning, Havok announced Project Anarchy, a 3D engine for mobile games that they plan to release this Spring. The twist? They don't want your money.
GameStick is here ... er, sort of. The development units are at least here at GDC 2013, quietly hanging out behind a nondescript computer monitor running a few Android games paired with a Nyko wireless controller. That's right, it wasn't running with the proprietary GameStick controller, but a third-party wireless -- we'll go hands-on with the company's internally built controller later this evening, and thusly we didn't want to offer a half-impression with the third-party units available on the show floor. Stay tuned for more, and take a gander at the gallery below for now.
The last time we saw UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, he was defending his belt against Nick Diaz at UFC 158. But now you'll get to see him outside the cage, as he was just cast in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier." GSP will play Batroc the Leaper, a French mercenary and kickboxer with a penchant for kicking Captain America.
How can we prepare better for emergencies?Public release date: 25-Mar-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Pressoffice Pressoffice@esrc.ac.uk Economic & Social Research Council
Well designed and planned exercises are essential to ensure that the UK can respond effectively to emergencies of all kinds, according to research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). The emergencies may take the form of a terrorist attack, flooding, pandemic flu, rail or air disaster - or any major disruptive event requiring an emergency response.
The number of such exercises taking place across the UK each year within what the researchers call the 'resilience community' - including emergency services, local authorities, central government departments and agencies, and many large commercial organisations - is probably in the thousands, according to Dr Ben Anderson from Durham University and Dr Peter Adey of Royal Holloway. And each exercise varies in scale, duration and complexity depending on its design and purpose.
The aim of the research was to generate new knowledge about how exercises are planned, designed and undertaken, particularly following the 2004 Civil Contingencies Act, and to learn from practitioners about how the planning and design of exercises might be improved.
Researchers interviewed emergency services nationwide and observed exercises directly and have subsequently created white papers and user guides indicating good practice in exercise design. These underline the importance of pre-exercise briefing to communicate the purpose, activities, roles and responsibilities of an exercise. They explain the value of focusing on the role of the key responders and those in leading positions in a multi-agency scenario.
They also highlight how thought cards, task cards and aide memoirs for key individuals will instil confidence and knowledge. Equally, the research suggests the effectiveness of the surprise element by introducing a 'no notice' exercise to test capabilities and they stress the use of realism, plausibility and building up a sense of excitement.
The research demonstrates that exercises have a number of valuable functions. They develop, test and validate plans, protocols and procedures, such as those involved when an emergency situation moves from the immediate response to the recovery phase. They test organisational forms and systematic routines, such as how to set up strategic coordinating groups providing leadership. They check the workability of communications networks and practices. Not least, they develop staff competences to have the ability to use a tactical plan and to make judgements under pressure.
Says Dr Anderson: "The learning and capabilities deriving from all forms of exercise make a massive but largely hidden contribution to the ability of the UK to respond to emergencies and ensure public wellbeing."
The researchers have also emphasised the value of exercises in achieving familiarisation with other organisations. This demands multi-agency collaboration and co-ordination, enabling staff and participants to build new relationships and trust with different working cultures. Dr Anderson comments: "Organisations involved in emergency planning and responses have different working styles, hierarchies and structures so that exercises will be challenging in different ways to all involved."
Dr Anderson says: "The informal interaction between individuals and groups afforded by exercises is also central to their value. In our white papers and user guides we indicate how and why maximum learning can be gained and retained from the design, planning and prosecution of exercises. Improved exercising will help local authorities and other organisations be better prepared for the range of emergencies they face"
###
For further information contact:
Dr Ben Anderson
Email: ben.anderson@durham.ac.uk
Telephone: 0191 334 1897 or 07985 534039
ESRC Press Office:
Sarah Nichols
Email: sarah.nichols@esrc.ac.uk
Telephone: 01793 413122
1. This release is based on the findings from 'Staging and Performing Emergencies: The Role of Exercises in UK Preparedness'. The research project was funded by the ESRC and carried out by researchers from Durham University, Royal Holloway and Newcastle University. The project involved a major dissemination event attended by 40 practitioners including members of local authorities, Police, Red Cross, MoD, the Home Office, the Government Decontamination Service and numerous Local Resilience Forums.
2. The project approach was threefold: firstly, analysis of major documentation surrounding the 2004 Civil Contingencies Act. Secondly, in-depth interviews with emergency planners primarily from local authorities throughout the UK. The interviews focused on how exercises were designed, planned and undertaken and learnt from in the light of a range of threats and hazards facing the UK. Thirdly, observation of exercises and occasions of planning for exercises by the project team. This included focus on how multi-agency collaborations occur at various stages of an exercise, how exercises could be staged in a realistic way and the role of umpires, players and directors - plus the specific ways in which response in time-pressured complex situations is rehearsed.
3. The research is accredited to the RCUK Global Uncertainties programme. Global Uncertainties is examining the causes of insecurity and how security risks and threats can be predicted, prevented and managed. The programme is one of six RCUK priority themes and brings together the activities of all seven UK Research Councils to better integrate current research investments as well as support new multi-disciplinary research in security.
4. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the UK's largest organisation for funding research on economic and social issues. It supports independent high quality research which has an impact on business, the public sector and the third sector. The ESRC's total budget for 2012/13 is 205 million. At any one time the ESRC supports over 4,000 researchers and postgraduate students in academic institutions and independent research institutes.
5. The ESRC confirms the quality of its funded research by evaluating research projects through a process of peer review. This research has been graded as very good.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
How can we prepare better for emergencies?Public release date: 25-Mar-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Pressoffice Pressoffice@esrc.ac.uk Economic & Social Research Council
Well designed and planned exercises are essential to ensure that the UK can respond effectively to emergencies of all kinds, according to research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). The emergencies may take the form of a terrorist attack, flooding, pandemic flu, rail or air disaster - or any major disruptive event requiring an emergency response.
The number of such exercises taking place across the UK each year within what the researchers call the 'resilience community' - including emergency services, local authorities, central government departments and agencies, and many large commercial organisations - is probably in the thousands, according to Dr Ben Anderson from Durham University and Dr Peter Adey of Royal Holloway. And each exercise varies in scale, duration and complexity depending on its design and purpose.
The aim of the research was to generate new knowledge about how exercises are planned, designed and undertaken, particularly following the 2004 Civil Contingencies Act, and to learn from practitioners about how the planning and design of exercises might be improved.
Researchers interviewed emergency services nationwide and observed exercises directly and have subsequently created white papers and user guides indicating good practice in exercise design. These underline the importance of pre-exercise briefing to communicate the purpose, activities, roles and responsibilities of an exercise. They explain the value of focusing on the role of the key responders and those in leading positions in a multi-agency scenario.
They also highlight how thought cards, task cards and aide memoirs for key individuals will instil confidence and knowledge. Equally, the research suggests the effectiveness of the surprise element by introducing a 'no notice' exercise to test capabilities and they stress the use of realism, plausibility and building up a sense of excitement.
The research demonstrates that exercises have a number of valuable functions. They develop, test and validate plans, protocols and procedures, such as those involved when an emergency situation moves from the immediate response to the recovery phase. They test organisational forms and systematic routines, such as how to set up strategic coordinating groups providing leadership. They check the workability of communications networks and practices. Not least, they develop staff competences to have the ability to use a tactical plan and to make judgements under pressure.
Says Dr Anderson: "The learning and capabilities deriving from all forms of exercise make a massive but largely hidden contribution to the ability of the UK to respond to emergencies and ensure public wellbeing."
The researchers have also emphasised the value of exercises in achieving familiarisation with other organisations. This demands multi-agency collaboration and co-ordination, enabling staff and participants to build new relationships and trust with different working cultures. Dr Anderson comments: "Organisations involved in emergency planning and responses have different working styles, hierarchies and structures so that exercises will be challenging in different ways to all involved."
Dr Anderson says: "The informal interaction between individuals and groups afforded by exercises is also central to their value. In our white papers and user guides we indicate how and why maximum learning can be gained and retained from the design, planning and prosecution of exercises. Improved exercising will help local authorities and other organisations be better prepared for the range of emergencies they face"
###
For further information contact:
Dr Ben Anderson
Email: ben.anderson@durham.ac.uk
Telephone: 0191 334 1897 or 07985 534039
ESRC Press Office:
Sarah Nichols
Email: sarah.nichols@esrc.ac.uk
Telephone: 01793 413122
1. This release is based on the findings from 'Staging and Performing Emergencies: The Role of Exercises in UK Preparedness'. The research project was funded by the ESRC and carried out by researchers from Durham University, Royal Holloway and Newcastle University. The project involved a major dissemination event attended by 40 practitioners including members of local authorities, Police, Red Cross, MoD, the Home Office, the Government Decontamination Service and numerous Local Resilience Forums.
2. The project approach was threefold: firstly, analysis of major documentation surrounding the 2004 Civil Contingencies Act. Secondly, in-depth interviews with emergency planners primarily from local authorities throughout the UK. The interviews focused on how exercises were designed, planned and undertaken and learnt from in the light of a range of threats and hazards facing the UK. Thirdly, observation of exercises and occasions of planning for exercises by the project team. This included focus on how multi-agency collaborations occur at various stages of an exercise, how exercises could be staged in a realistic way and the role of umpires, players and directors - plus the specific ways in which response in time-pressured complex situations is rehearsed.
3. The research is accredited to the RCUK Global Uncertainties programme. Global Uncertainties is examining the causes of insecurity and how security risks and threats can be predicted, prevented and managed. The programme is one of six RCUK priority themes and brings together the activities of all seven UK Research Councils to better integrate current research investments as well as support new multi-disciplinary research in security.
4. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the UK's largest organisation for funding research on economic and social issues. It supports independent high quality research which has an impact on business, the public sector and the third sector. The ESRC's total budget for 2012/13 is 205 million. At any one time the ESRC supports over 4,000 researchers and postgraduate students in academic institutions and independent research institutes.
5. The ESRC confirms the quality of its funded research by evaluating research projects through a process of peer review. This research has been graded as very good.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Xi'an is one the oldest cities in China that has a rich and culturally significant history. There are several historical sites in Xi'an that anyone who visits city should not miss. Army of Terra Cotta Warriors, also known as the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses, is generously dotted with sculptures of the armies from the first emperor of China Qin Shi Huang. This mausoleum is one of Xi'an city's greatest attractions which sprawl over an area of twenty hectares. The landscaping with much greenery, blossoming flowers and green grass surrounding the location attracts a large number of visitors throughout the year. Great Mosque of Xian, one if the best preserved and largest Islamic mosques in China was constructed during the Tang Dynasty. The unique and resplendent architecture in the mosque which combines traditional Muslim and Chinese styles, thereby creating a marvel of sorts is a must see for anyone who visits Xian. Famed for its long historical significance and the romantic love story between Emperor Xuanzon and Yang Guifei during the Tang Dynasty, the Huaqing hot spring is among the magnificent landscapes of the city of Xian. Visitors can not only enjoy the scenery but experience the joy of having a refreshing bath in this extraordinary ever-flowing water of the spring. Apart from these three sites there is so much more to see and do in Xi'an. As with most parts of China this is a city with a strong heritage and a bold and vibrant culture. Other historical attractions include the Xian City Wall, Bell and Drum Towers, Big Goose Pagoda among many others. When visiting the city check for Xian accommodation that is convenient and relaxing. There are several accommodation options in Xian whether you are travelling with friends and family for leisure or on a business trip. Without checking into a hotel you can book serviced apartments Xian, which are exclusive serviced residences that create a more luxurious feel than staying in a hotel. One of the best recommended apartments would be Citadines Central Xi'an, which is just minutes away from the main city with a short distance to several historical locations in Xian.
About the Author: Nelson Osborne is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.
Mar. 25, 2013 ? Mice with different naturally occurring stomach bacteria have distinct susceptibilities to disease caused by Helicobacter pylori, the well-known cause of ulcers in humans, according to a study published online ahead of print in the journal Infection and Immunity. This is the first study to document (in mice) that the presence of certain bacteria in the stomach microbiota can prevent pathology from H. pylori.
The gastro-intestinal tract is a veritable ecosystem packed with microbes, and over the last decade, investigators have been discovering that the species composition of that ecosystem can have a profound effect on human health. But the eureka moment that led to this study came "when we realized that mice from different vendors mount different responses to H. pylori infection," says principal investigator Karen Ottemann of the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Following this discovery, the researchers divided mice from the vendor, Taconic Farms, into three groups: mice treated with antibiotics in order to kill some of the resident bacteria, mice that were fed normal stomach bacteria after antibiotic treatment, and mice that were not treated. They then infected each group with H. pylori, and assayed the animals' stomachs for immune system cells.
"The antibiotic-treated mice had small quantities of particular inflammatory cells, called Th1 T helper cells," says Ottemann. Both the untreated mice, and the treated mice that were then fed normal stomach bacteria had normal (higher) levels of Th1 T helper cells. These results suggested that the normal stomach microbes contribute to disease caused by H. pylori, says Ottemann.
The researchers then determined that around 4,000 species of bacteria were different in the high- and low-inflammation (no antibiotics, and antibiotic-treated, respectively) mice. Notably, the mice with low inflammation "had elevated amounts of Clostridia, bacteria known to prevent inflammation in the intestine," says Ottemann. Thus, the Clostridia may be key to dampening H. pylori pathology, although that remains to be determined, she says.
Ottemann says that this research may lead to predicting future H. pylori disease, including ulcers and gastric cancer -- which has few treatment options and high mortality -- based on stomach microbiota.
"After we determine which microbes underlie H. pylori disease outcomes, we could test whether H. pylori-infected people harbor those particular bacteria, and target them for curing," says Ottemann. Alternatively, such people could receive the protective bacteria as probiotics. The latter might be a superior option, because while prone to ulcers in middle and advanced age, people who harbor H. pylori are less likely to get esophageal cancer and asthma.
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Story Source:
The above story is reprinted from materials provided by American Society for Microbiology.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
Journal Reference:
A. S. Rolig, C. Cech, E. Ahler, J. E. Carter, K. M. Ottemann. The degree of Helicobacter pylori inflammation is manipulated by the pre-infection host microbiota. Infection and Immunity, 2013; DOI: 10.1128/IAI.00044-13
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
Editor?s note:?Jason Shellen is a?former Googler and founding product manager of Google Reader. He is now co-founder at Boxer and advisor at Tapedeck. As part of Google's recent announcement that it is shutting down Google Reader in July, I thought looking back at the history of how our beloved but beleaguered Reader came to be, why we?ll miss it and what we really want in the future.
Our firm serves the illustrious China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) in Ghana. We are currently conducting a search for three (3) qualified, experienced and dynamic professionals to play the international roles of:- Academic Services Manager
These are internationally-oriented roles, and therefore candidates for the three positions must fulfil the following minimum and fundamental performance criteria:
Experience & Ability
?? At least eight (8) years professional experience, five of which must have been played in a similar role. A minimum of five (5) years is required for the Academic Services Manager role. ?? Proven experience in developing, marketing or managing executive education programmes in a superior academic context ?? Exposure and ability to utilize Africa-wide links and networks for fulfilling the respective roles ?? Ability to build and maintain effective partnerships with strategic individuals and organizations ?? Ability to relate to individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds
Academic Qualifications:
?? A good first degree, plus additional relevant professional qualifications from world-class tertiary institutions
Effectiveness Skills
?? Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing ?? Proven leadership and management ability ?? Strong IT proficiency ?? Other relevant skills and ability, including language diversity.
Responsible For: Organisation & delivery of all CEIBS Africa programmes through
?? Course coordination & administration ?? Coordinating travel and protocol arranagements for professors and international students ?? Coordinating graduation arrangement & other CEIBS events ?? Developing a virtual learning environment for all programmes ?? Communicating with students and programme participants ?? Support accreditation procedures ?? Other relevant roles
Location: Ghana
How To Apply For The Job
If you qualify for the roles above, please apply with your CV & cover letter with contact details to:- Search Consultant, Nicholas de-heer,
By email to:-
Search@shawbellghana.com
or by post to:-
ShawbellConsulting Limited, P.O.Box KIA 9022, Airport ? Accra
Please cite the specific job for which you applying, with contact details.
This was a conference session titled Making Money with Facebook, Twitter & Blogging from Affiliate Summit East 2011, which took place August 21-23, 2011 in New York City.
Session speaker:
Dave Cupples, Chairman, FatCowBusiness.com
Session description:
Tips/tools to spy on & copy competitors, automatically syndicate content, optimize Facebook Ads, incentivize & supercharge Email Opt-Ins & FB Likes, secret traffic goldmines, amazing examples & more.
Making Money with Facebook, Twitter & Blogging video
Session slides:
Making Money with Facebook, Twitter & Blogging slides
Note: the companies and positions listed above were current as of the time of the conference. Some of this information may have changed since then.
If you liked this video, be sure to register for the next Affiliate Summit. The session videos aren?t made public until a year or more after each conference.
See Shawn?s Google profile
The post Making Money with Facebook, Twitter & Blogging at Affiliate Summit East 2011 appeared first on Affiliate Marketing Blog.
When Google Keep (free) launched earlier this week, some scratched their heads over the clean, simple service and wondered whether it could compete against the likes of Evernote. While the Keep Android app does what it's supposed to do, and does so stylishly, it has yet to prove its worth in an already crowded space.
Using Google Keep After you fire up the app, Keep will ask you to select one of your saved Google accounts on your Android device, or enter a new one.
You'll immediately be taken to Keep's spare main page with a search bar across the top, a prompt to write a note underneath, and several icons indicating the kind of notes you can make. Simply typing in the text field and pressing Enter will create a text note (as does tapping the document icon). Tapping the check mark starts an itemized list. The microphone button begins recording a speech-to-text voice note, and the camera adds a picture note.
These aren't hard and fast categories, but more like shortcuts to start you off. Pictures can be added to any type of note, and text and photos added to voice notes. Lists can only be lists, and recordings cannot be added to any other type of note.
It's noteworthy (pun intended) that voice notes are only available in Keep's Android app. I found the voice-to-text transcription to be remarkably accurate, much more so than Google Voice. The recording option is probably the fastest way to add a note.
Though there is a settings menu, its primary function is to switch users.
Light on Organization Notes can be moved to some degree within the app. Rearrange them by tapping and holding notes, and delete notes by dragging them to a trash can icon in the corner. Google Keep makes good use of gestures letting you "archive" a note with a swipe, moving it out of sight but keeping it searchable. The clean app also pops with animations as you move notes around.
There are no tags or notebooks to file notes in Keep, but you can color-code notes from a limited pallet. This is a bit odd, especially considering that Google's now defunct Notebook application once boasted these features. In her review of the Keep web interface, Jill Duffy noted that the color doesn't appear on a new note until after you completed it (and even then, it's just a thin bar of color at the top).?In the Android version, as soon as you select a color, it's applied to the whole note body.
Searching is the best way to find your notes, though the app lacks optical character recognition like Evernote, ?meaning it cannot read text in images. Notes appear the moment they have matches against the search term, and drop out as soon as they're not relevant. Oddly, there is no icon in the app for Google's voice search.
Wonderful Widgets Widgets are rarely implemented well, but Google Keep does a good job. The app comes with three, two for the lockscreen and one for the desktop. The desktop widget is virtually identical to the more stripped-down lockscreen widget, which are simply shortcuts to creating different note types in the app.
The larger lockscreen widget lets you scroll through all your notes, as well as create new ones. Notably, creating new notes from any of the lockscreen widgets requires you to unlock your device.
It seems like a missed opportunity that the widgets don't allow recording voice notes directly from the lockscreen or desktop without going to the app. However, you can add a voice note from the Google Now widget by saying, "make a note for..."
It also would have been useful to assign certain notes to the lockscreen; being able to look at my grocery list and check off the items without opening the app would be a neat little time saver. Google is on the right track with the widgets, but would do well to expand their capabilities.
No App is an Island?Except Google Keep The other elements of Google Drive?word processing, spreadsheets, etc.?used to be separate products but were seamlessly rolled up with file storage into one neat app. Keep, on the other hand is an appendage. Your Keep notes and images exist only in Keep, though it is somehow connected to Google Drive.
The isolation continues because although you can share your notes from Keep for Android, the recipient cannot collaborate with you on that note. If I share a note via email or Dropbox, the recipient just sees the note's contents.
The isolation also seems odd because it's difficult to grow your Keep notes into something larger. Grocery lists might not be useful later on, but the promo for Google Keep shows a musician building the elements of a rock show with the app. Actually pulling this off is difficult because items in Keep only become collaborative once you move them out of Keep. (Weirdly, one of the places to move Keep items is Google Drive.)
Also, though the Keep app makes use of Google's search technology, you have to be searching in Keep to find your note. That might seem fine, but if you can't remember where you saved that image (Drive? Keep? Gmail?) tracking it down will be tricky.
Is It a Keeper? Google seems to have looked at all the other note taking options (and probably its own defunct offering) and decided they were all too complex and too busy?and there's something to be said for that. But the strength of Evernote is that it provided lots of options to be used however you like. Google's simplicity, while aesthetically pleasing, limits what you can do. Really, Google Keep is to Google Drive what Microsoft OneNote is to SkyDrive, only Keep isn't as universally accessible on different platforms.
If you just need a fast, easy way to make lists and add little tidbits to your digital hoard, then Keep can work for you. The app looks great, is easy to use, and Google has a strong track record for reliable data storage. It also means having one less login to remember.
That said, Keep has a lot of unused potential. If Google brings it into the fold, tying it closer to all the other Google products, we could have a real winner on our hands.
Fans in Orlando let Dwight Howard hear how they felt. His former teammates let him feel it.
In his first game back in his old stomping ground since being traded to Los Angeles during the offseason, Howard received the welcome expected. After being booed, loudly, as the visiting Lakers were introduced, Howard absorbed 24 personal fouls.
Whether it was deployed in response to Howard's recent digs at his former teammates or in hopes of exploiting his historic deficiencies at the line, the Magic's hack-a-Dwight strategy sent Howard to the free throw line for an NBA-record tying 39 attempts. He made 25 of those shots. Howard had previously set the attempts record while wearing a Magic uniform in 2012. He tied it while wearing Magic players for much of the second half on Tuesday night. Thanks in large part to Howard's season-high 39 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks, the Lakers emerged from with a 106-97 win, their fourth in a row.
"I wasn't nervous tonight," Howard told the Orlando Sentinel after game. "I was looking forward to coming back and playing here. I was happy to be here. It was a fun game. It was a hostile environment, but I think it was something that was good for me in my progress as a player, and I think I needed that tonight."
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Dwight Howard
A billboard sponsored by an Orlando radio station displays a message in reference to former Orlando Magic NBA basketball player Dwight Howard, Monday, March 11, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. Last season, Howard took the Magic through a daily soap opera that ended with him becoming the second star in team history to bolt for the Los Angeles Lakers. He returns to the city he jilted Tuesday, and is prepared for a bitter reception. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Dwight Howard
Orlando Magic fans hold up signs directed at Los Angeles Lakers' Dwight Howard during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Dwight Howard
Los Angeles Lakers' Dwight Howard warms up prior to an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Orlando Magic fans hold up signs and shout at Los Angeles Lakers' Dwight Howard as he takes the court prior to an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Kobe Bryant, Arron Afflalo
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (24) takes a shot over Orlando Magic's Arron Afflalo (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Dwight Howard, Tobias Harris
Los Angeles Lakers' Dwight Howard (12) makes a shot over Orlando Magic's Tobias Harris, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Steve Nash, Tobias Harris
Los Angeles Lakers' Steve Nash, right, attempts a shot over Orlando Magic's Tobias Harris, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Kobe Bryant, Nikola Vucevic
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, right, grabs a rebound in front of Orlando Magic's Nikola Vucevic (9), of Montenegro, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Dwight Howard, Tobias Harris, Jameer Nelson, Nikola Vucevic
Los Angeles Lakers' Dwight Howard, center, struggles to get to the basket as he is caught between Orlando Magic players from left, Tobias Harris (12), Jameer Nelson (14) and Nikola Vucevic, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jameer Nelson, Dwight Howard
Former teammates Orlando Magic's Jameer Nelson, left, and Los Angeles Lakers' Dwight Howard (12) shake hands before leaving the court at the end of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. Los Angeles won the game 106-97.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
Dwight Howard, Nikola Vucevic, Arron Afflalo
Los Angeles Lakers' Dwight Howard (12) takes a shot in front of Orlando Magic's Nikola Vucevic (9), of Montenegro, and Arron Afflalo (4) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. Los Angeles won the game 106-97.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
Dwight Howard, Nikola Vucevic
Los Angeles Lakers' Dwight Howard (12) grabs a rebound in front of Orlando Magic's Nikola Vucevic, of Montenegro, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. Los Angeles won the game 106-97.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jameer Nelson, Dwight Howard
Orlando Magic's Jameer Nelson (14) drive around Los Angeles Lakers' Dwight Howard (12) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. Los Angeles won the game 106-97.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
Tobias Harris, Earl Clark, Al Harrington, Antawn Jamison
Orlando Magic's Tobias Harris (12) grabs a rebound before going back up for a shot in front of Los Angeles Lakers' Earl Clark (6) as Orlando Magic's Al Harrington (3) holds back Los Angeles Lakers' Antawn Jamison, back right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Dwight Howard
Los Angeles Lakers' Dwight Howard reacts to fans shouting at him during the final moments of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. Los Angeles won the game 106-97.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
Kobe Bryant, Nikola Vucevic
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (24) makes move to get around Orlando Magic's Nikola Vucevic, of Montenegro, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. Los Angeles won the game 106-97.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
Metta World Peace, Nikola Vucevic
Los Angeles Lakers' Metta World Peace (15) and Orlando Magic's Nikola Vucevic (9), of Montenegro, fight for a rebound during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. Los Angeles won the game 106-97.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
Dwight Howard
Los Angeles Lakers' Dwight Howard (12) smiles as walks on the court after a time out late in the fourth quarter during an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Tuesday, March 12, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. Los Angeles won the game 106-97.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
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ORLANDO, Fla. ? Dwight Howard scored a season-high 39 points, had 16 rebounds and was sent to the free throw line 39 times by his former team as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Orlando Magic, 106-97 on Tuesday night.
The victory came in Howard's first return to Orlando since his drama-filled offseason trade to the Lakers. He endured a chorus of boos throughout, and tied his own NBA record for free throw attempts.
The majority of them came as the Magic tried to employ an intentional foul strategy. It backfired, though, as the All-Star center hit on 16 of 20 attempts in the second half.
The victory was the Lakers' fourth straight.
Jameer Nelson led Orlando with 21 points. The Magic have lost three of their last four and haven't won back-to-back games since December.
After a week of back-and-forth in the media following some perceived negative comments made about his former team during a television interview, Howard and Nelson spoke briefly just after the final buzzer and shook hands.
It was a light moment in what was mostly a hostile atmosphere.
Homemade signs jeering Howard with sentiments that said everything from "Coward" to "Kobe's Kid" were sprinkled throughout the Amway Center stands.
Boos rained down on the All-Star center almost every time he touched the basketball. They were followed by louder cheers when he missed a free throw.
The intensity was also ramped up at times, too.
Howard got tangled up in a verbal back-and-forth with the Magic bench at one point during the first half, and Kobe Bryant left briefly in the first quarter, bleeding from his right eye after a collision.
The Lakers led 76-68 entering the final period and scored the first eight points of the quarter to push it out to a 16-point lead.
The Magic battled back and closed to 91-82 on a 3-pointer by E'Twaun Moore with 6 minutes to play in the game.
Howard made four straight at one point and the Lakers got their lead back up to 102-88 on a 3-pointer by Jodie Meeks with 2:25 left.
The Magic kept up the strategy, but Howard ? who was shooting 47.8 percent before the game ? hit his final eight attempts to help close out the victory.
Howard embraced the negative environment from the outset and was the main reason the Lakers had a 50-46 halftime lead.
He had 19 points and 10 rebounds in the opening 24 minutes, and would have had more if not for his 9-for-19 effort at the line.
Howard started just 2 for 9 from the foul line, prompting the Magic to try fouling him intentionally three times late in the second quarter. He had found his touch by then, though, hitting five of six on those occasions.
With the exception of Tobias Harris' 15-point first half, Orlando struggled offensively. The Magic had decent looks at the basket, but shot a paltry 37 percent (17 for 46) from the field.
They were also thin in the frontcourt for most of the half with center Nik Vucevic playing only 13 minutes because of two quick fouls. He went scoreless, with just two three rebounds.
Notes: Los Angeles now leads its all-time series with Orlando, 32-15....Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said that injured F Pau Gasol (torn plantar fascia, right foot) is starting to run again and "feels pretty good." He said he will continue to be monitored to make sure there aren't setbacks, but that "it's close."
By Steve Keating LONDON, Ontario (Reuters) - Olympic and world ice dance champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir will enjoy home ice advantage this week as they defend their world championship crown but the Canadians will do their best to try and pretend they are somewhere else. Having grown up in Ilderton, just minutes from the 7,000-seat London arena that will host the championships, it is unlikely the Canadian pair will be able to forget where they are with a sign declaring "Home of Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue, Olympic and world ice dance champions" there to remind them. ...
WASHINGTON (AP) ? Justice Department official Thomas Perez gave incomplete testimony to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights when he said the department's political leadership was not involved in the decision to dismiss three of the four defendants in a lawsuit the Bush administration brought against the New Black Panther Party, an inspector general's report said Tuesday.
The report also concluded that Perez did not intentionally mislead the commission.
President Barack Obama is poised to select Perez, head of the department's civil rights division, to be the next labor secretary, according to two people familiar with the deliberation process. The investigation's findings could complicate the Senate confirmation process if he becomes the nominee.
"We found that Perez's testimony did not reflect the entire story regarding the involvement of political appointees," said the newly released report by the Justice Department's inspector general.
"We did not find that Perez intentionally misled the commission," said the IG. "Nevertheless, given he was testifying as a department witness before the commission, we believe that Perez should have sought more details ... about the nature and extent of the participation of political employees in the NBPP decision in advance of his testimony before the commission."
The report said Perez left out from his testimony that Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli and a deputy associate attorney general were involved in consultations about the decision.
IG Michael Horowitz said there are no rules prohibiting political appointees from participating in such decision making and that Perez did not know about the incidents when he testified to the commission in May 2010. Perez had not been confirmed by the Senate at the time of the decisions on the issue in early 2009. According to the report, the two political appointees set clear limits on what subordinates could decide on the Panther case ? including barring them from dismissing it in its entirety ? without seeking additional approval from Perrelli's office.
The IG's report stemmed in part from the handling of the 2008 case in which the Justice Department sued two members of the New Black Panther Party, the NBPP's national chairman and the group itself. After the change in administrations, the Justice Department asked the court to dismiss the suit against three of the four defendants.
The IG found the department acted properly.
"The decision to dismiss three of the four defendants and to seek more narrowly tailored injunctive relief against the fourth was based on a good faith assessment of the law and facts of the case and had a reasonable basis," concluded the IG's report.
According to the report, the IG's office interviewed Perez, who told investigators he did not believe that the incidents constituted political appointees being "involved" in the decision.
The report said the IG's office believes that the facts do show "involvement" in the decision by political appointees within the ordinary meaning of that word. The IG said Perez's statements on behalf of the department ? that political appointees were briefed on and could have overruled this decision ? did not capture the full extent of Perez's involvement.
Separately, the wide-ranging IG report also concluded that deep ideological polarization in the Justice Department's voting rights section in both the Bush and Obama administrations fueled disputes that in some instances harmed the office's proper functioning. The department's inspector general said that on some occasions the disputes involved harassment of employees and managers.
Despite the polarization, the IG said its review did not substantiate claims of political or racial bias in decision-making.
Mistreatment of employees based on their political ideology "is never appropriate, and in the past several years we have implemented a number of measures" to address the problem, Perez said in a response.
The voting section in the department's civil rights division reviews cases where the redrawing of district lines can change the composition of congressional delegations. It also reviews voter ID laws that can make it easier or more difficult to cast ballots in elections.
"We found that people on different sides of internal disputes about particular cases in the voting section have been quick to suspect those on the other side of partisan motivations, heightening the sense of polarization," said the IG's report. "The cycles of actions and reactions that we found resulted from this mistrust, were, in many instances, incompatible with the proper functioning of a component of the department."
After analyzing our new focus here at 1WD, which basically is teaching new, young, designers about web design and helping them improve their skills and to start in the business, we realized that we really need to go as deep as possible into the basics. And while we covered many of these already, two basic things are still missing from the website, and these two are in-depth introductions and discussions about HTML5 and CSS. Therefore it is one of my assignments for the next period to teach you about these two technologies and, after this, to create several tutorials for you. So in the next two to three months, I will cover aspects of front-end web design, basic coding and tutorials about them. Buckle up and get ready to become better at coding!
What Is HTML5?
HTML5 is the newest hyper text markup language for websites from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). The first draft was made public in 2008, but not much happened until 2011. In 2011, HTML5 was released and people started writing about it and using it, but the support in different browsers was still poor. Today all major browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera, IE) offer HTML5 support, therefore the newest HTML technology can be used at its best today.
The official logo of HTML5
HTML5 works with CSS3 and is still in development. W3C plans to release a stable version next year, but it still looks like this is a long shot. Since its release, HTML5 has been in continuous development, with the W3C adding more and more impressive features, therefore it seems quite unlikely that HTML5?s development will end soon, which is not necessarily a bad thing.
HTML5 is the successor of HTML 4.01, released for the first time in 1999. The internet has changed significantly since 1999 and it seemed like the creation of HTML5 was necessary. The new markup language was developed based on pre-set standards:
New features should be based on HTML, CSS, DOM, and JavaScript.
The need for external plugins (like Flash) needs to be reduced.
Error handling should be easier than in previous versions.
Scripting has to be replaced by more markup.
HTML5 should be device-independent.
The development process should be visible to the public.
What?s new?
HTML5 was created to make the coding process easier and more logical. You will see a bit later that many syntaxes are now deprecated and soon to be kicked out through the back door. The unique and impressive features HTML5 comes with are in the multimedia department. Many of the features it comes with have been created with the consideration that users should be able to run heavy content on low-powered devices. The syntactic features include the new <video>, <audio> and <canvas> elements, but also integration of vector graphics content (what we knew before as being the <object> tags). This means that multimedia and graphic content on the web will be handled and executed easier and faster, without the need of plugins or APIs.
There are a bunchload of new syntaxes added, but below I will name and describe the most important. The rest of them can always be found in W3C?s HTML5 section.
<article> ? this tag defines an article, a user comment or a post, so an independent item of content
<aside> ? the?aside?tag marks content aside from the page content, which for example could be a lateral sidebar
<header>, <footer> ? you won?t need to manually name IDs for headers and footers, as now you have a pre-defined tag for them
<nav> ? the navigation can now be placed in the markup in between the?nav tags, which will automatically make your lists act like navigation
<section> ? this is another important new syntax, as it can define any kind of sections in your document. It works pretty much like a div which separates different sections.
<audio>, <video> ? these two obviously mark sound or video content, which will now be easier to run by devices.
<embed> ? this new tag defines a container for interactive content (plugin) or external application
<canvas> ? the?canvas tag is quite exciting, as it allows drawing graphics via scripting (mostly JavaScript, but some others can be employed as well)
What is important to remember is that the new HTML5 tags do not always work as the ones before. For example, the?header and?footer?tags will not only mark the start and the end of a page, but also the start and the end of each section you have. This means that these two tags are likely to be used more than once in the whole page. In the illustration below can you see what I mean.
Example of how HTML5 code looks like
Oh yes, and the DOCTYPE declaration finally makes some sense. Or, at least, this time it is much simpler than before and it is very easy for us to remember and we won?t have to search for it on the web or copy it from site to site. <!DOCTYPE html> closed by </html> at the end of the page is something we waited for for a long time to come and now it finally is here.
Moreover, complex XHTML declarations many of us used before can now be replaced with?<html lang=?en?> and long encoding declarations can simply be written in this way:?<meta charset=?utf-8?>. Can it get simpler than that? It most definitely can?t.
The following tags from HTML 4.01 are now removed from HTML5, therefore browsers do not offer support for them anymore. This means that it is a good idea to go back to your HTML pages and check for them, as they might disrupt the design in the latest browsers.
<acronym>
<applet>
<basefont>
<big>
<center>
<dir>
<font>
<frame>
<frameset>
<noframes>
<strike>
<tt>
Things to know about HTML5
It is crucial to remember that HTML5 is built on the success of its previous version, HTML 4.01, which is undoubtedly the best version ever. In order to be better at using HTML5 you do not need to forget everything about the previous version. You are not learning a totally new language here. Keep your beloved syntaxes and keep the way you used to format your code, only remember that now you need to build upon the coding skills you already have.
In case you have absolutely no knowledge of HTML and you want to start now, I advise you to start with HTML 4.01 and only when you master it move onto HTML5. Starting with the latest version is like learning to run before learning to walk ? which is impossible as far as I know. HTML 4.01 still contains the basics of HTML5, therefore in my opinion you should have strong knowledge of former HTML versions in order to be able to master HTML5.
The upside of learning HTML5 now is that the new markup language works right away. You can basically do whatever you want with it today ? and it is supported in all major browsers. From video to geolocation, local storage and microdata annotations, HTML5 is something we need to start using. If you are in the design business, sticking with HTML 4.01 is a mistake, because everybody will move on while you will remain behind.
HTML5 is definitely here to stay. It is created to sustain today?s necessities and especially because it is in continuous development, it will be able to sustain the changes that will happen in the industry for quite some time. One of the reasons behind HTML5 taking so much time to develop is because the W3C had to analyze lots of factors and think of the future. They took their time and finally delivered something that can easily be labelled as a high-quality product.
Examples
In order to show you how far HTML5 actually got, I will showcase some websites and applications made with the new markup language, so you can see how much you can actually do with it.
1. Read is a HTML5 responsive theme made for?WordPress. It is minimalistic, very simple to understand and use, loads faster than ever and it is not expensive at all.
2. SmartStart is another incredibly simple to use HTML5 template.
3. BIZfolio is also made with HTML5, but it is not a simple template or a?WordPress?theme. BIZfolio is developed so that it works with Drupal.
4. We start looking at applications by showcasing this simple?Poker Blind Timer made with HTML5
5. Coolendar?is a great calendar application developed with HTML5, which can be both found for computer and portable devices (Android and iOS).
6. Scribd is built with HTML5 and allows users to have easy and quick access to different files and documents other users upload.
Besides websites and applications, developers created games based only on HTML5, instead of Flash as it was before. Here are some?addictive HTML5 games out there. Check it out, some of the games are really entertaining.
Where to start?
HTML5 can?t be taught in a brief introduction. There are two ways to learn it as I see it. Either grab a good HTML5 book, or go out there and actually do it. I recommend both. I myself learned HTML and CSS from the internet, but there is some valuable information that you can get through reading a book and there is some valuable information that you can only get by?practising? If you already have a solid understanding of HTML 4.01, it shouldn?t take more than a week or two to grab the necessary HTML5 skills from a book. And then the world is yours, you can go out there and practice.
Jeremy Keith?s HTML5 book on several devices
To help you even more, I gathered a collection of good and respected books and tutorials you can start reading. I hope that by the time I will start posting tutorials, more of you will be able to code in HTML5 than in HTML 4.01. So this is where to start guys:
Books
Guides and tutorials
1WD?s HTML5 Book
Check out our eBook now!
Up Next
After the CSS3 introduction article, which should be online soon, we will start together with some more complex HTML5/CSS3 tutorials, so stay tuned. We will create HTML5/CSS3 templates from scratch, menus, accordions, create signup forms, pricing tables and combined with jQuery, we will make some beautiful effects.?We will do some great stuff together in the upcoming months!
Just days after Bloomberg ran a report claiming that AT&T would release BlackBerry's long-awaited Z10 smartphone on March 22, AT&T has issued a statement confirming that launch will indeed go forward as reported. Prospective BlackBerry owners will have to shell out $199 for the Canadian company's new flagship and (for better or worse) sign a two year contract.
Rashad Evans, the one-time UFC light heavyweight champion, made his position on same-sex marriage clear. He's for it, because equality in the world makes it better for everyone.
When asked by Outsports of his thoughts on the issue, Evans issued this incredibly smart, well-thought-out response. His statement in full:
?I've never been a homophobe, never understood what that is all about. I knew some people who were gay and never cared about their sexuality. But at the same time, I didn't fully understand the issues around gay people until my friend BA started telling me about his full public support for gay marriage. We talked about the issue and I decided its not enough to not be against a minority, if you want things to go better for them you have to speak up with them.
?I'm a UFC fighter, a macho-type sport. I am a heterosexual guy in a tough macho sport, which is exactly the reason I feel a duty to say I support gay marriage and gay rights.
?I have nothing to gain personally from supporting this issue, and that's the point. Society as a whole is better when there is equality, and I want to live in a country where everyone has the same rights because we all benefit from that.
?What people overlook is that is isn't a sex issue, its a love issue. There's no justifiable reason for trying to get in the way of two people who love each other.
?I have kids. I don't want them growing up in a society where they, or their friends, could be second class citizens based on which person they fall in love with or who they want to be happy with.?
As he pointed out, the MMA world can be a macho place where instances of homphobia are overlooked. The sport has improved, as Liz Carmouche became the first gay fighter in the UFC when she fought Ronda Rousey at UFC 157. The same weekend Carmouche fought, UFC president Dana White said he would welcome a gay male fighter, and would deal with any fighter who would have a problem with it.
But well-known former champion standing up for marriage equality shows that the MMA world is one that can be welcoming and supportive.
Even if you've got no idea what the Havok engine is, you've probably seen it before. Name a best-selling video game, and the odds that it's using Havok in one way or another are pretty huge. This morning, Havok announced Project Anarchy, a 3D engine for mobile games that they plan to release this Spring. The twist? They don't want your money.
It doesn't look like he'll have to do much research to figure that part of the character out.![[ Back to EurekAlert! ]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vSnfwLPdPu7tF2qyxOMixV3w17PvoYo_tircx7A5_o_AGgnKkwNkIanXBe0_Gz_NeDMqLuM6DElo2OxBe_LeF1Yi7hyVIPN2RqXxoX1Yk=s0-d){kind=small}
Public release date: 25-Mar-2013
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Editor?s note:?Jason Shellen is a?former Googler and founding product manager of Google Reader. He is now co-founder at Boxer and advisor at Tapedeck. As part of Google's recent announcement that it is 
Our firm serves the illustrious China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) in Ghana. We are currently conducting a search for three (3) qualified, experienced and dynamic professionals to play the international roles of:- Academic Services Manager
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Just days after 
Rashad Evans, the one-time UFC light heavyweight champion, made his position on same-sex marriage clear. He's for it, because equality in the world makes it better for everyone.