This month marks the 20th anniversary of the effort that became the Atom feed format. It all began on June 16, 2003, with a blog post from Apache Software Foundation contributor Sam Ruby asking for feedback about what constitutes a well-formed blog entry.

The development of RSS 2.0 had been an unplanned hopscotch from a small group at Netscape to a smaller one at UserLand Software, but Atom was a barn raising. Hundreds of software developers, web publishers and technologists gathered for a discussion in the abstract that led to a concrete effort to build a well-specified syndication format and associated publishing API that could become Internet standards. Work was done on a project wiki that grew to over 1,500 pages. Everything was up for a vote, including a plebiscite on choosing a name that ballooned into a four-month-long bike shed discussion in which Pie, Echo, Wingnut, Feedcast, Phaistos and several dozen alternatives finally, mercifully, miraculously lost out to Atom.

The road map of the Atom wiki lists the people, companies and projects that jumped at the chance to create a new format for feeds. XML specification co-author Tim Bray wrote:

The time to write it all down and standardize it is not when you're first struggling to invent the technology. We now have aggregators and publishing systems and search engines and you-name-it, and I think the community collectively understands pretty well what you need, what you don't need, and what a good syntax looks like.

So, now's the time.

As someone whose only contribution to the project was voting on names, I think I was too quick to rule out Phaistos, a suggestion inspired by a clay disc produced by movable type before 1600 B.C. Comments on the wiki page proposing that monicker offer a sample of the name wars:

MikeBlumenthal: Does one of the great mysteries of antiquity, a document which, after almost 100 years of trying, is still a mystery not only as to its meaning but even as to its purpose, and which stands as a paragon of impenetrability, really fit as a name for an interoperability format?

Jayseae: Actually, the current state of RSS is pretty much a mystery -- why should this project be any different? I like the association with publishing -- though I'm not sure the pronunciation really flows. Perhaps it could be shortened somehow?

AsbjornUlsberg: Sorry, but I don't like it. We could just as gladly give the project any other Greek-sounding name, like Papadopolous.

Arising from all the chaos and debate, the Atom format became a beautifully specified IETF standard in 2005 edited by Mark Nottingham and Robert Sayre that's used today in millions of feeds. It is the most popular syndication format that's never argued about.

Everybody got that out of their system on the wiki.

Nowadays, it seems that everything we do tends to be somehow automated. The very same is happening in electrical distribution systems. The distribution system at the medium voltage (MV) or low voltage (LV) levels is designed using different structures such... Read more

The post The essentials of automation applied to distribution systems via PLCs, SCADA, IEDs, and RTUs appeared first on EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal.

The Substation Automation Systems, often known as SASs, are responsible for a tremendous variety of tasks. These include some extremely important actions, such as clearing faults in a timely manner in order to maintain the physical condition of power system... Read more

The post The true art of control, monitoring and protection provided by Substation Automation Systems appeared first on EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal.

Yes, many of today’s power grids are very sophisticated and automated. Every single event and piece of equipment is tracked, controlled, measured, and protected. But things aren’t as bright as it seems. As we can see, it turns out that... Read more

The post Automated, but hackable. Is power grid in your country safe from cyberattacks? appeared first on EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal.

Online resource suitable for English, Media and PSHEE at KS3 and KS4 encouraging personal and critical reflection on characters, relationships and ideas.

There are a lot of companies out there becoming giants in their industries through offering impeccable customer service. Now, it's your turn!

Art and Dan dig deeper to talk about the actual heart and essence of your customer service philosophy.

People come to your business for a solution - which many other people offer - so why should they choose you over the competition?

The Optoma ZH450ST (also available as the long throw ZH450) is a compact laser projector that, while it doesn't meet its 4,200 ANSI lumen claim, is an excellent choice for classroom and boardrooms, as well as golf simulators, thanks to low input lag.

BluSky Restoration Contractors announces new partnership with the Aresty Institute of Executive Education.

The new state budget includes a $75-million increase in money for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program. In case you’re not familiar with the EITC, it has been a great help to Catholic schools and other private institutions. As the Pennsylvania Resources Council explains, eligible businesses and individuals can receive tax credits equal to 75% of their contribution, or 90% if they agree to do it for two years. One of the biggest supporters of the EITC program is Bishop McCort Catholic High School Principal Tom Smith. “The EITC component has been a game-changer for our school,” Smith told us. “Not just for Bishop McCort, but mainly for our families. It allows those families who might not be able to afford it, to actually come here. I can tell you firsthand that it has changed the lives of several of the kids that have come into this building over the last few years. I would say that it has impacted hundreds of kids. About 70% of our kids get EITC funding.” Critics of the program, which include many Democratic lawmakers in Harrisburg, say the program is exploited by well-to-do families who really don’t need the money. Smith that is simply not true from his perspective. “The concept that EITC dollars go to rich families so that they can send their kids here so they can more money at home…that is so false,” he said. “Our school resides in one of the poorest cities in Pennsylvania—in the greater Johnstown School District– and we have a lot of the kids from the city come to our school. I would say almost every one of them get EITC dollars.” But not everyone that goes to McCort gets the financing. “There’s a qualifier for EITC for what a family brings in in terms of income,” Smith said. “Not all of our families meet that standard. We will show you that it is not going to kids of better means. There are kids of poverty that struggle every single day, but their parents want them to be to have more opportunities in life and move forward in life and the EITC program has done that.” Many schools reach out to members of the community to try to get them to participate in the EITC program. But it’s easy for anyone to initiate the process. “We actually have a person here, within our school—that is their job, to do outreach for EITC,” Smith said. “She has a pamphlet that she sends out teaching people how they can become involved. It’s not that cumbersome. It’s just a one-page sheet. They fill that out, return it to us and then we send it to the state.”

PepsiCo has announced plans to acquire at-home carbonated drink maker SodaStream for $3.2 billion. The deal gives PepsiCo a new avenue to reach customers — in their homes. 

Custom packaging can help offset rising freight costs by optimizing packaging size and weight, reducing damage, streamlining logistics, and enhancing brand recognition.

In this year’s research by Industrial Physics, 47% of packaging professionals surveyed shared that they’ve had to delay innovation while they search for an external packaging and material testing expert. 

Automation & Modular Components, LLC. (AMC) is a manufacturer of material handling automation systems with integrated controls, as well as conveyors for integration into assembly systems and production lines, headquartered in Davisburg, Michigan, USA.

In his new role at KM Packaging, Penney will manage the customer journey from the time an order is placed until it reaches its destination.

Installation of Cama Group’s IG270 and IF296 machines has enabled a 14% increase in line productivity.

Coding on packaging is a process most manufacturers aim to accomplish seamlessly but with minimal effort and attention. When trying to move product out the door, you want to avoid using coding equipment that can cause restraints, whether it’s slowing down a line changeover or having to adjust incorrect, missing or unreadable codes.

Epson ColorWorks on-demand color label printer with 6-axis robot delivers print-and-apply label application system.

Indiana-based Closure Systems International Inc. (CSI) automates its closure production with FANUC robotics to solve labor challenges and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

Rising labor prices and demand for supply chain integration are among factors behind the growth.

The picking productivity increase may solve one direct labor problem, but in doing so, it creates another. The company will now have to find space and people for manual pack & ship stations to accommodate the improved picking productivity.

The 185,000-square-foot addition will nearly double the size of the company’s current production space, optimizing its operational capacity to meet the growing demand of the automation industry.

Camilo Sanchez will head the newly formed Flexible Packaging Group, which offers a single point of contact for both Bartelt and Matrix packaging technologies.

The new Chameleon bottle from Berry Agile Solutions features an outstanding construction that enables a base section with a special textured finish.

Ensuring uninterrupted production, Unisplice maximizes efficiency, simplifies operation and eliminates downtime to achieve a superior ROI.

Automation plays a huge and ever-growing role in the packaging industry. No surprise, then, that the July issue of Packaging Strategies featured a story on automation and controls (From Smart Valves to Smart Factories).

Today’s customers are constantly bombarded with ads and brand messaging. When it comes to high-end products like cosmetics, liquor or consumer electronics, premium packaging is not just nice to have — it’s an expectation.

The Hawk boasts a compact design while offering a robotic top-load solution for the food and beverage industries.

The case packer, known as Pakman, will be integrated with Yaskawa Motomon HC10 and HC20 collaborative robots.

The on-demand system creates paper-based cushioning to displace foam and plastic.

The shrink film bundler was designed and manufactured to package liquid soaps and cleansers for a contract packer that manufactures under license for well known brands.

The goal of secondary packaging is to ensure the integrity of a product during storage and transportation, making sure it reaches the hands of the user in the same state as it was made.

The ACP-722 RRP offers one of the smallest footprints currently available, being up to 50% smaller than equivalent casepacker models.

With its large packing portfolio and secondary packaging expertise, Sidel has provided three adapted case packers to handle different homecare, automotive and insecticide products on three lines, contributing to an overall 40% production line increase.

Bringing sweet tea and juice to the market requires palletizing the cases filled with respective bottles to be palletized for transportation to retail outlets. Due to their perishable nature, they are stored in cold rooms.

A-B-C Packaging’s compact Model 72AN palletizer can occupy from 10% to 30% less floor space than conventional low-level palletizers. 

Acquisition allows JLS to expand its full-line integration capabilities, including palletizing.

Cobotics brings several advantages to palletizing: a small footprint on the ground, flexibility by the possible movement of the equipment, and easy start-up and use.

CPG companies are turning to warehouse automation solutions such as palletizers and mobile robots, according to the PMMI report.

Rethceif is a manufacturer of automated form-fill-seal packaging and robotic palletizing equipment.

The first product under the TOMA™ brand – and its underlying mindset – is a palletizing solution featuring the most advanced interface on the market, bringing together industrial robustness and user-friendliness with collaborative robotics.

Ultimation Industries LLC, a leader in conveyor technology and automation, has launched a new range of specialty automated delivery systems for the e-commerce and automotive industries. The specialty systems build on Ultimation’s success in providing conveyors for sequenced tire and wheel assemblies that can be directly unloaded from the trailer to the plant’s assembly line.

Working with an expert fabricator and integrator flexible enough to customize can help meet requirements while expediting completion.

Thanks to a modular machine system, a complex classic dessert is packaged with accuracy and speed.

Techlan, with the help of ISRA Vision, developed its Re-Liner, a silicone release material that is 100% recycled, and can be reused up to 10 times in a circular system.

The TLMI Printing Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding printing and converting achievements in the North American Label and Packaging Industry.

The US CPI will be released tomorrow at 8:30 AM ET. What is expected?

• October Headline CPI expected to rise by 0.2% MoM, which is the same as last month. The forecasted range is 0.1 to 0.3%.
• YoY Headline CPI expected to increase to 2.6%, up from 2.4%, with a forecast range of 2.3 to 2.6%. A change of 0.0% will fall out of the YoY calculation this month.
• Core CPI projected to rise 0.3% MoM and 3.3% YoY, matching the previous month. The forecast range is 0.2 to 0.3% MoM and 3.2 to 3.4% Y/Y. A year ago, a gain of 0.2% falls out of the calculation.

The US PPI will be released on Thursday with the expectations of 0.2% for the MoM headline and 0.3% for the core measure.

Fed's Barkin this morning on inflation kept it simple saying::

• Inflation might be coming under control or might risk getting stuck above Fed 2% target.

Kashkari had more to say about inflation today with different influences. He said.

• Uncertainty exists around the impact of new government policies on inflation.
• A one-time tariff increase is transitory but could become a sustained issue if it escalates, introducing inflation risks.
• Immigration policy changes could have a significant effect on inflation, but the outcome is uncertain.
• Inflation from new leases will take a couple of years to work through the system.
• Housing inflation is expected to return to normal levels, but it may take a year or two.
• If inflation surprises to the upside before December, it may affect policy decisions.
• Current long-term yield increases don’t seem to reflect heightened inflation expectations.
• Higher productivity could suggest a higher neutral rate, potentially influencing future rate cuts.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the announcement that Ford Motor Company has reconsidered removing AM radio from future vehicles in the U.S. and will now include the technology in their newer model cars, the following statement can be attributed to NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt: