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An Explorer’s Cartography of Already Settled Lands




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6 SaferParty Results (Switzerland)

6 SaferParty Results (Switzerland)



  • Erowid : DrugsData :

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Three Mile Island Lessons for COVID-19: FEMA and Me

Forty-one years ago this summer I was a young investigator working in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC for the President’s Commission on the Accident at Three Mile Island, a big federal investigation chaired by Dartmouth Professor John Kemeny, who is best known as the father of the BASIC programming language. I learned a lot that summer and fall not only about nuclear accidents but about how governments and industries respond to crises. Some of those lessons apply to the current COVID-19 pandemic, which is also being poorly managed. This may surprise you (that 41-year-old lessons can still apply) but governments, especially, change at a glacial pace. The two federal agencies with which I mainly dealt were the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Nuclear […]






Digital Branding
Web Design
Marketing




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COVID-19 Lessons from Three Mile Island #2 — the NRC

My last column was about crisis management lessons I learned back in 1979 while investigating the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the President’s Commission on the Accident at Three Mile Island (TMI). Let’s just say that FEMA wasn’t ready for a nuclear meltdown. Today we turn to the other federal agency I investigated at that same time — the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). While FEMA was simply unprepared and incompetent, the NRC was unprepared and lied about it. Like FEMA, the NRC had recently undergone a rebranding from its previous identity as the Atomic Energy Commission — a schizoid agency that had been charged with both regulating nuclear power and promoting it. It’s difficult to be the major booster of technology while at the same […]






Digital Branding
Web Design
Marketing




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The Exhilarating Magic of Disneyland in the Rain

If your timing is just exactly right, you can experience a Disneyland ghost town




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Where to Charge your Phone in Disneyland

Photos and Descriptions of where to find Electrical Outlets in the Magic Kingdom




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Disneyland Food Menu Signs

Photos of Menu Signs from 2011-2019




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Top Tips for Visiting Disneyland 2019

A batch of advice for visiting Disneyland with two young teens




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IBM Future of Identity Study: Millennials Poised to Disrupt Authentication Landscape

IBM Security today released a global study examining consumer perspectives around digital identity and authentication, which found that people now prioritize security over convenience when logging into applications and devices. Generational differences also emerged showing that younger adults are putting less care into traditional password hygiene, yet are more likely to use biometrics, multifactor authentication and password managers to improve their personal security.




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IBM Study Indicates Organisations in New Zealand are Struggling to Find and Nurture Effective Future Leaders

One in four A/NZ executives believe their organisations excel in leadership development New Zealand executives focusing on bringing back retired employees The Social Network: Largely absent from A/NZ organisations




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Auckland University of Technology Re-signs IBM for Five Year IT Network Services Contract

IBM has replaced Auckland University of Technology (AUT)’s core IT network as part of a new five year services contract. The new network, which went live in March, gives AUT great flexibility for deploying equipment to meet the changing needs of the university and enables it to capitalise on future enhancements in technology, such as video and data centres.




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IBM announces two new partnerships with MoleMap New Zealand and Melanoma Institute Australia to advance research in melanoma identification

IBM Research has announced a research agreement with MoleMap New Zealand to help further advance the identification of melanoma using cognitive technology. It builds on planned research with Melanoma Institute Australia. IBM Research plans to analyse dermatological images of skin lesions to help identify specific clinical patterns in the early stages of melanoma. The New Zealand and Australian research aims to help reduce unnecessary biopsies and help clinicians more accurately understand skin cancer, which could help to improve patient care.




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Bank of New Zealand partners with IBM to further advance its cross-channel fraud prevention

BNZ, one of the country’s leading banks announces it has selected IBM to deliver cross-channel fraud prevention to its customers. The multi-million dollar deal will support BNZ’s aim to provide its customers the ability to bank securely while delivering a positive customer experience.




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Bank of New Zealand Reduces Carbon Footprint with Red Hat on the Mainframe

red hat, open source, bank of new zealand, enterprise linux 5, system z, National Australia Bank Group, data center



  • Linux and Open Source

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New Zealand Ministry of Health selects IBM Cloud

IBM announces agreement to move the New Zealand Ministry of Health to IBM Cloud Managed Infrastructure for New Zealand Government.




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IBM to host New Zealand’s first SmartCamp

IBM will host New Zealand's first SmartCamp in Auckland on Sept. 17.




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Eight Wire wins IBM SmartCamp Auckland 2015

IBM today announced New Zealand startup Eight Wire as the 2015 winner of IBM SmartCamp Auckland. The data integration specialist was one of five IT startups from around New Zealand invited by IBM to participate in the competition.




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New Zealand app developer overhauls emergency alert system on IBM Cloud

IBM announced that New Zealand-based application developer and emergency network provider, CLOUD M, has migrated its emergency alert tools and system to IBM Cloud for greater reliability and performance.




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Portland Software adopts IBM Cloud for Asia Pacific Employee Benefits Platform

IBM announced today that Portland Software, one of New Zealand’s fastest growing technology companies, has created a fully integrated employee benefits administration platform on IBM Cloud.




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Vodafone New Zealand launches Digital Vodafone 2021 transformation program in collaboration with IBM iX

Vodafone New Zealand, a leading telecommunications services provider, and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced a partnership to deliver the Digital Vodafone 2021 program in New Zealand. The vision for Digital Vodafone 2021 is to create the most engaging digital customer experience by adopting agile as a way of working, embracing new technologies and simplifying business models. The program is supported by IBM iX, one of the world’s largest digital agencies and global business design partners.




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IBM Poland and WINUEL Develop the First Polish Smart Metering Software Package

IBM Poland and WINUEL SA (subsidiary of Sygnity Group), today announced the first Polish Smart Metering software package to enable intelligent electricity use in more than 15 million households in Poland. The solution was developed jointly with the IBM Software Laboratory in Krakow.



  • Energy & Utilities

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IBM 2010 Global CEO Study: New Zealand CEOs Face Serious Challenges to Bridge ‘Complexity Gap’

Less than half of global CEOs believe their enterprises are adequately prepared to handle a highly volatile, increasingly complex business environment, according to a major new survey by IBM of more than 1,500 Chief Executive Officers from 60 countries and 33 industries worldwide, including 22 respondents from New Zealand – the largest number of respondents in eight years of research.



  • Energy & Utilities

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La Finlande collabore avec IBM pour développer des soins personnalisés et dynamiser sa croissance grâce à Watson

IBM prévoit plusieurs investissements stratégiques pour soutenir le programme finlandais de soins de santé




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Je suis la donnée et cette année encore, IBM fait de moi la star de Roland-Garros

Depuis 30 ans, IBM me place au cœur de ses meilleures innovations technologiques pour contribuer au succès de Roland-Garros et améliorer l’expérience proposée aux fans, aux joueurs, aux entraîneurs et aux médias.




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IBM Adds Smarter Storage to Queensland Sugar for Improved Efficiency and Cost Savings

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL), a global leader in raw sugar marketing that manages over 90 percent of Australia’s raw sugar exports, has selected IBM advanced storage systems to support rapidly growing data demands.




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IBM awarded ‘Smart tolling’ project by Queensland Government

Queensland Motorways has awarded IBM a technology and services contract to introduce automated free-flow tolling across south east Queensland’s toll roads.




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IBM appoints David La Rose as the new Managing Director, IBM Australia and New Zealand

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced the appointment of David La Rose as Managing Director of IBM Australia and New Zealand (A/NZ). He replaces Kerry Purcell, who will return to a senior leadership role in IBM Japan.




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IBM Appoints Katrina Troughton as Managing Director of IBM Australia and New Zealand

IBM Appoints Katrina Troughton as Managing Director of IBM Australia and New Zealand




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Board Game Review: Black Skull Island

Black Skull Island is a quick playing 2-9 player card game from Strawberry Studio (now under the publisher Board and Dice).

I was sent a review copy of the game and it only seems to make it onto the table when we need a filler game to serve as an appetizer before a meaty Euro. The gameplay is extremely simply: each player gets 2 pirate themed character cards and selects one of them to play during a round, keeping the other one in hand. Every card is numbered from 0 to 15. All players reveal their character cards simultaneously and then the actions on the cards are executed by the players who hold them in sequential order of the the card numbers. Most actions focus either on (1) drawing booty (treasure cards or coin cards), (2) stealing or deactivating other players’ character cards, (3) stealing or swapping booty cards  from/with another player or (4) an order for all players to pass a character card to their left or right. Over successive rounds, booty cards worth 0-4 coins build up in players' hands and as soon as a player acquires their 7th booty card, the game is over. At that point, whichever player has the most coins in their booty collection wins the game.

Black Skull Island  is a lot of luck mixed with a little take-that and honestly, it all feels very random by the end, regardless of what cards you’ve played. I couldn't muster up anything but apathy for the outcome as I felt it was completely divorced from my actions.

The components consist of 109 well-constructed cards (no sleeving is necessary as the cards are coated unless you play very frequently), with cutesy artwork that I'd deem adequate but unremarkable.

That's really the best way to summarize the entire game - unremarkable. If you're into take-that filler games, there are much more compelling and entertaining options out there and likewise if you love point collection card games, there are many I'd recommend over Black Skull Island. The saving grace for this game is that it's kid friendly, so if you need an easy and accessible game to teach to your little ones and give them something to do with their friends, you could pass this their way. An inexpensive birthday gift for a tween perhaps or the kind of thing you might bring to a secret Santa exchange. Otherwise, meh.

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Publisher: Strawberry Studio
Players: 2-9
Actual Playing Time (vs the guideline on the box): About 10 minutes
Game type: point collection, take-that
Rating:

Jenni’s rating scale:
OUI: I would play this game again; this game is ok. I probably would not buy this game myself but I would play it with those who own it and if someone gave it to me I would keep it.
OUI OUI: I would play this game again; this game is good. I would buy this game.
OUI OUI OUI: I LOVE THIS GAME. I MUST HAVE THIS GAME.
NON: I would not play this game again. I would return this game or give it away if it was given to me.




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Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff: Landlord Reform

In the latest installment of their well-rounded and informative podcast, Ken and Robin talk resource refreshing, the espionage career of the inventor of the pie chart, Earthdawn, and Gustavus Aldophus.



  • Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff



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new art crush: jane newland

  I recently “discovered” UK illustrator Jane Newland while browsing images online. Safe to say that 80% of the time, when something different/exceptional/beautiful stops me in my tracks, the artist turns out to be British. ????         Jane lives and works in Norwich (the most complete Medieval city in the UK), which … Continue reading new art crush: jane newland




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[review + recipe] On Wings of Words by Jennifer Berne and Becca Stadtlander

  Each bird, bee, blossom, butterfly — was a source of joy and wonder for young Emily Dickinson. In this beautiful new picture book biography, aptly illustrated with a butterfly motif, we witness her singular metamorphosis from a keenly observant child into one of the most original and innovative poets in American literature. On Wings … Continue reading [review + recipe] On Wings of Words by Jennifer Berne and Becca Stadtlander






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Dead Island "Feminist Whore" Skill?

The game Dead Island, a game set on a fictional tropical island where you get to kill zombies hasn’t had very much luck with its recent release. Those who’ve purchased the game on Steam downloaded an incorrect build of the game full of bugs and glitches. On top of that most couldn’t connect online to play multiplayer.............




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Thailand's pet groomer reopens as new coronavirus cases slow

Chewy and Miley, both two-year-old Schnauzer dogs, are getting their hair cut at a groomer in Bangkok for the first time since the new coronavirus outbreak began in Thailand in January.







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Secure care in Scotland

The second of two episodes to celebrate the Festival of Residential Child Care 2017.

Debbie Nolan, Centre for Youth & Criminal Justice (CYCJ) introduces Alison Gough, secure care national adviser, also of CYCJ. She asks her about the key messages emerging from the Secure Care National Project, which were published in the 2016 CYCJ report: Secure care in Scotland: looking ahead.

Deborah, Lesley and Sharon, who all work in secure care, share their perspectives, experiences, hopes and priorities for the future for young people in, and on the edges of, secure care and the sector.

Discussion points:

Public and professional perceptions of secure care and whether these chime with practice experience The implications for secure care practitioners helping young people who have been involved in seriously harming others, alongside those who have been exploited and are very vulnerable to further harm Priorities for the planned strategic board for secure care, next steps, and the involvement of practitioners.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Something Elated by Broke For Free




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Disability Equality Scotland

Michael McEwan speaks to Ian Buchanan about Disability Equality Scotland, focusing more specifically on Disability Access Panels.

As the umbrella body for Access Panels in Scotland, Disability Equality Scotland offers support and training opportunities to help Access Panels operate efficiently, link together as a network and learn from each other.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes




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Social Security Scotland

Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government that is tasked with managing a number of devolved benefits to improve the lives of Scottish people.

These benefits include pregnancy and baby payment, Carers' Allowance, disability benefit and housing and heating support.

Michael McEwan spoke to Rachael McKechnie about Social Security Scotland's work to date and its ambitions for the future.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes




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Freshly Squeezed: Viv Clelland

An interview with Viv Clelland, winner of the ’The untold story’ award at the Scottish Social Services Awards 2019. She is a support worker for looked after young people and families in East Ayrshire. 

Viv lived in a Kilmarnock children’s home from the age of 11 years until she was 17. She began her career doing a bit of everything: cleaning, working in bars, as well as volunteering for a horse riding school for disabled young people.

In 2000, she became a volunteer parent coach with Kilmarnock Harriers, which led to her being approached to volunteer with East Ayrshire Council. By 2006, she was employed as Sports Motivator – working in a variety of community coaching & children’s house sessions for the council.

As Viv developed, the job developed and her role became more focused on working with looked after and accommodated young people, based within the play and early intervention team. Her skills have also supported work in HMP Kilmarnock and with vulnerable families. 

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.




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People's experiences of self-directed support in Scotland

Hannah Tweed from the ALLIANCE and Dianne Theakstone from Self-directed Support Scotland spoke to Iriss about the joint research they are undertaking on user experiences of self-directed support in Scotland.

This Scottish Government funded research intends to encourage and develop policy and best practice across the social care landscape.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

 

 




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Humans of Scotland

Humans of Scotland is a campaign that highlights the voices of those with long term conditions, disabilities and those who are unpaid carers.

Michael McEwan interviews Angela Millar, the campaign lead and two people who share their stories as part of the campaign, Raven Lane and Michael Byrne.

Read the Humans of Scotland book.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.




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Youth & Criminal Justice in Scotland: The Young Person’s Journey

Youth & Criminal Justice in Scotland: The Young Person’s Journey is a new, interactive online resource that aims to simplify how the youth and criminal justice system works for under 18s in Scotland. The resource was officially launched by Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, on 26 January 2016.

read more




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“It’s the embers, stupid!” CAL FIRE staff chief addresses structure loss; reducing wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface

As most of us know, states across the U.S. can no longer rely on a defined fire season. This sobering truth is especially evident in California where the fire season is 70 days longer than it was 40 years ago, and fire ignitions in the state have greatly