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Retooled and Ready To Go

Last night I went through my two big binders of Behold ToDo stuff. I moved everything that could wait until after Version 2 editing, to the second binder. Then I went through Behold's Future Plans page did the same, moving those tasks to a post Version 2 area.

What this means is a new schedule and new goal. I'll get one more alpha version out in a few weeks. Then the beta will hopefully be out in December. Three months of beta testing should be enough for a March 2008 release of Version 1.0. Version 1.5 with saving of GEDCOMs should come around June 2008, and if all goes to plan, then Version 2.0 with editing should be out by December 2008. That moves V2.0 ahead by over six months from what I had penciled in earlier.

I really want to work hard towards that new goal. It means delaying some planned features until after Version 2. This includes print enhancements, user options, reading in of other formats, and Unicode.

But some things will still be done. The AFN number matching is important because I have to build that into my data structure. And I do want to allow Behold to export itself to a pen drive. That should be pretty easy to do and will be an important and useful feature, allowing you to carry your data and Behold with you and use it on any computer.

Now that everything's rethought, all that's left to do is ... do it!




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Why You Should Have Your Work Truck Detailed

If you have a pickup truck that you use for work, chances are good that you might not spend a lot of time washing and cleaning it. You might be too busy with work to worry about this type of thing, or you might not think that it's really worth it to clean your work truck when you know that it will just get dirty again. However, taking your pickup truck and having it detailed by a good detailing crew is a good idea from time to time for these reasons and more.

Maintain a Professional Appearance for Your Business

There is a good chance that you might have added decals, magnets, or a vehicle wrap to your work truck so that you could advertise your company's name and logo. This is because you probably want people to see your company's name and information, which can help with advertising. If you want people to look at your truck when you're driving around or when you pull into a client's driveway, however, you should know that the appearance of your work truck does matter. If your truck looks dirty and as if you don't take good care of it, it could reflect negatively on your business. If you have your truck detailed every now and then, you can help ensure that your truck gives off a professional appearance.

Avoid Getting Dirty Yourself

You might find yourself leaning on your truck when you're getting something out of the bed of your truck or when you're talking on the phone. If this is the case, then you might get dirty if you don't have your truck detailed. You probably want to feel clean and confident when you're meeting with a client or walking into a restaurant for lunch, and keeping your truck clean is one way that you can avoid getting dirtier than necessary when you're at work.

Protect Your Truck

If you don't clean the outside of your work truck, then you have to worry about the paint job being damaged. If you don't clean out the inside of your work truck regularly after working in it, then there's a chance that dirt and other particles could get ground into the carpet or the seats, which could result in permanent damage. You could find yourself replacing your expensive work truck sooner than you would like to if you don't take good care of it, but a detailing shop can help you keep your work truck in good shape for as long as possible.

Contact a local truck detailing service to learn more.




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Africa: Countries Pledge to Act On Childhood Violence Affecting Some 1 Billion Children

[WHO] More than 100 governments today made historic commitments to end childhood violence, including nine pledging to ban corporal punishment - an issue that affects 3 out of every 5 children regularly in their homes. These commitments were made at a landmark event in Bogotá, Colombia, where government delegations are set to agree on a new global declaration aimed at protecting children from all kinds of violence, exploitation and abuse.




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Uganda: Youths Arrested Over Museveni's Unfulfilled Pledges in Kibuku Released

[Nile Post] A group of 18 youth leaders from Bukedi sub-region who were recently arrested and detained at Kibuku Central Police Station after staging a demonstration over an unfulfilled presidential pledge have been released.




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Nigeria: Kizz Daniel, Adekunle Gold Reunite for Epic New Single Titled 'Pano Tona'

[Vanguard] Hot off the success of his recent hit single 'Marhaba' which dominated the charts and cemented his record as a forerunner in the Nigerian music industry being the only artist with over 100 million radio airplay impressions on two tracks in one week, Kizz Daniel isn't running out of steam as he returns with an exciting new collaboration titled 'Pano tona' which sees the internationally renowned sensation team up with fellow Afrobeat superstar Adekunle Gold.




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Nigeria: Nigerian Community Whose Ruler Was Jailed for Theft in U.S. Likens His Case to Trump's

[Premium Times] According to court documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, the traditional ruler was convicted of theft in April 1997 at the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, State of Maryland in the US.




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Nigeria: Nigeria, Seven Others Begin African-Led HIV Vaccine Development

[Premium Times] The World Health Organisation (WHO) had on Tuesday named HIV, malaria, Tuberculosis, and 14 other pathogens as top priorities for new vaccine development




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Nigeria: Lagos Women Run - Organisers Thrilled With Massive Turnout As Foreign Runners Arrive

[Premium Times] Coordinator Tayo Popoola expressed delight at the response while emphasising the need for control to maintain the event's integrity.




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Nigeria: Meningitis Killed 361 Across 24 States in One Year - NCDC

[Daily Trust] A total of 361 persons across 24 states died from Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) between 2023 and 2024, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), has said.




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Nigeria: Meningitis Killed 361 in 1 Year - NCDC

[Leadership] Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said that between 2023 and 2024, the country recorded 4915 suspected and 380 confirmed cases of meningitis, with 361 deaths across 174 local government areas (LGAs) in 24 States, including the Federal Capital (FCT).




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Sudan: Journalists Killed... We Will Not Forget, We Will Not Forgive, Justice Will Prevail

[Dabanga] This week, the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, hosts the main event commemorating the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists. This year's theme, "Journalists' Safety in Crises and Emergencies," resonates deeply in Sudan.




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Post Dominguero: "La Raíz de mi Tierra" de Nina Pastori, Lila Downs y Soledad

¡Hermosísima canción que funciona perfectamente!




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RSS Feed Knowledgebase

Common questions about RSS, feeds, syndication, namespaces, extensions, and podcasting. Feel free to send our webmasters any RSS questions and we will post the answers in the RSS knowledgebase.

RSS Feed Knowledgebase




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Podcasting Knowledgebase

Common questions about podcasting, itunes, namespace extensions and videocasting. Feel free to send our webmasters any podcast questions and we will post the answers in the podcasting knowledgebase.

Podcasting Knowledgebase




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RSS Knowledgebase

Complete database about RSS Feeds - RSS Knowledgebase




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Podcasting Knowledgebase

Common questions about podcasting, itunes, namespace extensions and video podcasting. Feel free to send our webmasters any podcast related questions and we will post the answers in the Podcast knowledgebase.

Podcasting Knowledgebase




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RSS Feed Knowledgebase

Questions and Answers related to the RSS Feed Knowledgebase





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RSS Knowledgebase

Common questions about RSS, feeds, syndication, namespaces, extensions, and podcasting. Feel free to send our webmasters any RSS questions and we will post the answers in the RSS knowledgebase.

RSS Knowledgebase




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Advanced sensing tech can detect lung cancer in your exhaled breath

Researchers have developed a nanoscale sensor that detects lung cancer simply by analyzing the levels of a chemical called isoprene in your breath. The team believes its breakthrough could unlock a non-invasive, low-cost method to catch the disease early, and potentially save a lot of lives.

Continue Reading

Category: Cancer, Illnesses and conditions, Body & Mind

Tags: , , , ,




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Concealed carry: Razor-sharp EDC tiny knife rides in your wallet

A new super small knife made from M390 steel promises to offer strong slashing at your fingertips in a package that's about the size of a house key. The compact cutter also comes with two other surprises including a handy bottle opener.

Continue Reading

Category: Outdoors, Lifestyle

Tags: , , , ,




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Work on Saudi's Line megacity accelerates, new details revealed

As work continues on Saudi Arabia's futuristic mirrored megacity, the Line, new details have now been revealed. Government authorities have given an update on the progress so far and named the architects in charge of making this desert dream a reality.

Continue Reading

Category: Architecture, Lifestyle

Tags: , ,




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Optimize and Speed Up Windows by Removing Unnecessary Preinstalled Apps

PC manufacturers often load new computers with extra software, or "bloatware," which can bog down system performance. Clearing out these unwanted apps can free up storage space and boost speed.




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Ubisoft cancelled, delayed games as it was working on too many titles

Ubisoft had cancelled another three projects last month to combat revenue losses and work on its long-term growth




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Honda Gold Wing GL1800 recalled in India

Honda has issued a voluntary recall for its flagship tourer – the Gold Wing GL1800 – in India, with motorcycles manufactured between March 2018 and May 2021 being affected.

  1. Part replacement will be done free of charge
  2. Customers can check if their bike is affected on Honda’s website

Honda Gold Wing GL1800 recall details 

Honda has identified a potential issue in the primary drive gear fastening bolt of certain Gold Wing engines. Under some conditions, the bolt may break and cause engine stoppage.

As a precautionary measure, the replacement of the affected part will be carried out at BigWing dealerships across India starting from the third week of December. As is the case with voluntary recalls, the replacement will be done free of cost irrespective of the warranty status of the vehicle.

Honda BigWing dealers will proactively notify customers for the inspection of their vehicle. Gold Wing customers can also check if their vehicle is affected by entering their bike’s VIN number on the BigWing website (www.hondabigwing.in).

The Gold Wing models have always been the pinnacle of Honda’s two-wheeler line-up and the current model with its 1,833cc horizontally opposed six-cylinder motor continues that trend. At Rs 39.70 lakh (ex-showroom, India), the Gold Wing is the most expensive bike in Honda’s line-up.

Also See: 2018 Honda Gold Wing review, test ride




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700hp Porsche Taycan GTS facelift revealed

Having facelifted the Taycan line-up earlier this year, Porsche has now unveiled three new variants – the Taycan GTS sedan, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo and Taycan 4 sedan – thereby completing the range, which now comprises 16 variants in total. Porsche calls this new middle-rung GTS the “all-rounder” variant of the updated electric performance car.

  1. Taycan GTS variants use a 97kWh battery with 690hp
  2. Base Taycan sedan gets four-wheel drive for the first time

Porsche Taycan GTS: range and specs

Sitting between the 4S and the Turbo, the new Taycan GTS and GTS Sport Turismo variants are fitted with a 97kWh (usable) battery pack, which officially yields a range of 628km between charges – an improvement of about 120km.

It now packs up to 700hp (when using the Launch Control function), an increase of 102hp over the old GTS, thanks to a new rear electric motor that makes 108hp and 40Nm more, yet weighs 10kg less. As such, the GTS’s 0-100kph sprint time is reduced by 0.4 seconds to 3.3 seconds. Porsche said the GTS also gets a specific suspension setup with a “particularly sporty edge”, although agility-boosting rear-wheel steering and the trick Active Ride system are optional extras.

Porsche Taycan GTS: exterior and interior

Visually, it’s distinguished by the ‘Sport’ front end from the base model and the 4S, and its air inlets are painted in a contrasting high-gloss black. The wheels, measuring either 20-inch or 21-inch, are available exclusively in Anthracite Grey.

Inside, both GTS variants get 18-way adjustable bucket seats finished in the suede-like Race-Tex fabric, and the multi-function steering wheel from the range-topping Taycan Turbo GT is available as an option. These also receive a bespoke acceleration and deceleration soundtrack that’s said “to do justice to the exhilarating character of a GTS”.

Porsche Taycan 4: what’s new?

The Taycan’s base variant was so far only available in rear-wheel drive form, but the new Taycan 4 variant brings the all-wheel-drive configuration. In terms of performance, depending on whether it gets the standard Performance battery or the optional Performance Plus battery, the Taycan 4 can produce up to 408hp or 435hp when using Launch Control and has a certified range of up to 643km.

The Taycan 4 takes 4.4 seconds to go from 0 to 100kph, 0.1 seconds faster than its rear-wheel-drive model sibling. Porsche Traction Management (PTM) and Adaptive Air Suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) are fitted as standard on the Taycan 4.

All three models also benefit from the updates in terms of design and equipment, which Porsche introduced in the Taycan for the 2025 model year. All Taycan versions feature an even more extensive standard equipment list and come with the latest generation of the Porsche Driver Experience.

Also See:

Mercedes AMG C 63 S E Performance launched at Rs 1.95 crore

Bentley pushes electrification plans due to lower demand




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Honda Gold Wing GL1800 recalled in India

Honda has issued a voluntary recall for its flagship tourer – the Gold Wing GL1800 – in India, with motorcycles manufactured between March 2018 and May 2021 being affected.

  1. Part replacement will be done free of charge
  2. Customers can check if their bike is affected on Honda’s website

Honda Gold Wing GL1800 recall details 

Honda has identified a potential issue in the primary drive gear fastening bolt of certain Gold Wing engines. Under some conditions, the bolt may break and cause engine stoppage.

As a precautionary measure, the replacement of the affected part will be carried out at BigWing dealerships across India starting from the third week of December. As is the case with voluntary recalls, the replacement will be done free of cost irrespective of the warranty status of the vehicle.

Honda BigWing dealers will proactively notify customers for the inspection of their vehicle. Gold Wing customers can also check if their vehicle is affected by entering their bike’s VIN number on the BigWing website (www.hondabigwing.in).

The Gold Wing models have always been the pinnacle of Honda’s two-wheeler line-up and the current model with its 1,833cc horizontally opposed six-cylinder motor continues that trend. At Rs 39.70 lakh (ex-showroom, India), the Gold Wing is the most expensive bike in Honda’s line-up.

Also See: 2018 Honda Gold Wing review, test ride




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700hp Porsche Taycan GTS facelift revealed

Having facelifted the Taycan line-up earlier this year, Porsche has now unveiled three new variants – the Taycan GTS sedan, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo and Taycan 4 sedan – thereby completing the range, which now comprises 16 variants in total. Porsche calls this new middle-rung GTS the “all-rounder” variant of the updated electric performance car.

  1. Taycan GTS variants use a 97kWh battery with 690hp
  2. Base Taycan sedan gets four-wheel drive for the first time

Porsche Taycan GTS: range and specs

Sitting between the 4S and the Turbo, the new Taycan GTS and GTS Sport Turismo variants are fitted with a 97kWh (usable) battery pack, which officially yields a range of 628km between charges – an improvement of about 120km.

It now packs up to 700hp (when using the Launch Control function), an increase of 102hp over the old GTS, thanks to a new rear electric motor that makes 108hp and 40Nm more, yet weighs 10kg less. As such, the GTS’s 0-100kph sprint time is reduced by 0.4 seconds to 3.3 seconds. Porsche said the GTS also gets a specific suspension setup with a “particularly sporty edge”, although agility-boosting rear-wheel steering and the trick Active Ride system are optional extras.

Porsche Taycan GTS: exterior and interior

Visually, it’s distinguished by the ‘Sport’ front end from the base model and the 4S, and its air inlets are painted in a contrasting high-gloss black. The wheels, measuring either 20-inch or 21-inch, are available exclusively in Anthracite Grey.

Inside, both GTS variants get 18-way adjustable bucket seats finished in the suede-like Race-Tex fabric, and the multi-function steering wheel from the range-topping Taycan Turbo GT is available as an option. These also receive a bespoke acceleration and deceleration soundtrack that’s said “to do justice to the exhilarating character of a GTS”.

Porsche Taycan 4: what’s new?

The Taycan’s base variant was so far only available in rear-wheel drive form, but the new Taycan 4 variant brings the all-wheel-drive configuration. In terms of performance, depending on whether it gets the standard Performance battery or the optional Performance Plus battery, the Taycan 4 can produce up to 408hp or 435hp when using Launch Control and has a certified range of up to 643km.

The Taycan 4 takes 4.4 seconds to go from 0 to 100kph, 0.1 seconds faster than its rear-wheel-drive model sibling. Porsche Traction Management (PTM) and Adaptive Air Suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) are fitted as standard on the Taycan 4.

All three models also benefit from the updates in terms of design and equipment, which Porsche introduced in the Taycan for the 2025 model year. All Taycan versions feature an even more extensive standard equipment list and come with the latest generation of the Porsche Driver Experience.

Also See:

Mercedes AMG C 63 S E Performance launched at Rs 1.95 crore

Bentley pushes electrification plans due to lower demand




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When a tiled roof doubles up as a gallery space at Nisarga Art hub, a community residency in Angamaly

Made for a family of musicians, the Nisarga Art Hub at Angamaly in Kerala has been modelled as a sustainable community residency



  • Homes and gardens

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FS: White RTX 3060 Ti, 3070, 3080 BNIB and used. White OLED Switch



  • For Sale / Trade

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KTM 890 SMT unveiled




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Hyundai Exter revealed




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Harley-Davidson X 440 revealed; launch soon




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Honda Elevate unveiled

The Elevate’s 4,312mm length, 1,790mm width, 1,650mm height and 2,650mm wheelbase make it similar to the Creta in size




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KTM 200 Duke with LED headlights spotted

The KTM 200 Duke sports the same design as the larger Dukes, with a central spine running top-to-bottom, splitting the headlight elements.




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Lego Horizon Adventures Sylens voice actor revealed following Lance Reddick’s passing - Video Games Chronicle

  1. Lego Horizon Adventures Sylens voice actor revealed following Lance Reddick’s passing  Video Games Chronicle
  2. Lego Horizon Adventures Review  IGN
  3. Lego Horizon Adventures: How Long to Beat (& Chapter List)  GameRant
  4. Lego Horizon Adventures is a delightful, kid-friendly twist on Horizon Zero Dawn  Polygon
  5. How LEGO Horizon Adventures was built with real LEGO bricks, out Nov 14  PlayStation




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How to Become Valedictorian

Weird Al Yankovic, Alicia Keys, and Jodi Foster. What do all of these celebrities have in common? They were all valedictorians of their class. Though being valedictorian won't make you a supermodel or singer, it can set you on an impressive path that can lead you to succeed in your college career and in the world at large. All you need is to have mental toughness, endurance, and an unbeatable work ethic. So how do you do it? Just follow these steps.




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Relationships are Entangled

Summary: People aren't digitally embodied. As a result, their online relationships are anemic. As we think about the kinds of digital identity systems that will help people live authentic online lives, we must build identity systems that give people tools to operationalize rich digital relationships.

Identity is the ability to recognize, remember, and react to people, organizations, systems, and things. In the current web, companies employ many ponderous technological systems to perform those functions. In these systems, we are like ghosts in the machines. We have "accounts" in companies' systems, but no good way to recognize, remember, and react to them or anyone else. We are not digital embodied.

One of the great benefits of embodiment is the ability to form and operationalize rich digital relationships. I've written a lot about the nature of digital relationships.

One of the discussions at VRM Day caused me to think about a feature of digital relationships I hadn't considered before. Someone said that if you think about a graph with people (or things, organizations, and so on) as the nodes, the relationships are the edges, like so1:

A single, bi-directional relationship (click to enlarge)

In this figure Alice and Bob have a bi-directional relationship. This is how I've normally thought about it and how I'd have drawn it. But in today's discussion, someone said that the relationship is shared and that Alice and Bob both control it. But I realized that viewpoint is too simple. Specifically, Alice and Bob each have a different perspective of that relationship and will use it separately.

For example, imagine that Alice is the cashier at a grocery store and Bob is a customer. Alice gives great service, so Bob seeks her out when he shops. Alice on the other hand has no particular recollection of Bob from encounter to encounter. For Alice, the relationship is ephemeral, but for Bob, it's longer term. The nature of each relationship is different. So, we might look at it like this:

Two uni-directional relationships (click to enlarge)

But after discussing it some more, I realized that these relationships aren't independent. They're entangled like this:

Entangled relationships (click to enlarge)

In the example I gave above, as Bob seeks out Alice more and more, Alice might come to recognize him and call him by name, changing the nature of her relationship with Bob. And that may influence the nature of Bob's relationship with Alice. Over time, these interactions influence both relationships. So, while Alice and Bob both have control over their relationship with the other, actions by one influence the other.

I frequently say that we don't build identity systems to manage identities, but rather to manage relationships. The problem with contemporary identity systems is that they are all one sided, controlled by one party—almost always a company. As I've said before, people are not digitally embodied and thus have no good way to manage their online relationships. As we strive to build better digital identity systems, I think it's paramount that we build systems that provide people with tools that embody them and provide them with the ability to operationalize their online relationships. These are more than decentralized; they are self-sovereign.

Notes

  1. Peer decentralized identifiers (DIDs) are a great technology for creating bi-directional relationships.

Tags:




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The EdTech Revolution Has Failed

Jared Cooney Horvath, Nov 13, 2024

Obviously you can't simply cite some PISA scores to show that 'ed tech is failing'. Minimally, it may well be that schools today are teaching less of what PISA is testing (eg. computer and information literacy). Additionally, there is a drift in what PISA tests for one year to the next (they don't test against curricula, they test against what PISA test designers believe a 15-year old should know, independently of curricula). There are additional factors, such as the pandemic, but not just that, also war and political change. And a final challenge is that most 15-year olds aren't actually taught using ed tech.

Web: [Direct Link] [This Post]




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RSS Killed the Infoglut Star

Web surfing is passé. If you as a government information provider think that visitors will continue flocking to your sites through traditional surfing, following links, or saving bookmarks.... think again. Chad Dickerson, explains in his wake up call in today's InfoWorld that something "profound is happening with the delivery of information online with tools that leverage RSS."




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A 30-Megawatt Space Solar Power Plant Is Scheduled For 2030

Innovators in the field of space solar power are outperforming expectations for commercial application, motivated by the potential for harvesting solar energy on a 24/7 basis, unimpeded by weather or climate.

The post A 30-Megawatt Space Solar Power Plant Is Scheduled For 2030 appeared first on CleanTechnica.




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Global Installed Solar Capacity To Blow Past 2 Terawatts, USA Or Not

The installed solar capacity of the global PV industry is poised for another round of rapid growth, with or without an assist from the US.

The post Global Installed Solar Capacity To Blow Past 2 Terawatts, USA Or Not appeared first on CleanTechnica.







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Create Voice-enabled RSS News Feeds

With the proliferation of RSS feeds in state and local governments, a unique opportunity is developing to expand the delivery of the critical information contained in these feeds by leveraging the most ubiquitous personal communications device in the world -– the telephone. Governments that use RSS to deliver information to citizens using RSS feeds can also leverage VoiceXML, an open standard for developing telephony applications, to expose RSS content via cellular and traditional telephones.

VoiceXML is a web technology that can turn any telephone, even a rotary phone, into an Internet device. VoiceXML is a non-proprietary, web-based markup language for creating vocal dialogues between humans and computers. VoiceXML is similar to another common markup language -- HTML, the basic language of visual web pages. Just as a web browser renders HTML documents visually, a VoiceXML interpreter renders VoiceXML documents audibly. In this respect, one can think of the VoiceXML interpreter as a telephone-based, voice browser. As with HTML documents, VoiceXML documents have web URIs and can be located on any web server. However, instead of pointing a client-side web browser at a specific URI, citizens can access a VoiceXML application by calling a toll free telephone number from any ordinary telephone - cellular or traditional, touch-tone or rotary.

It’s not hard to think of a scenario where a local government or a university could publish an RSS feed with topical news, and have a phone number for students or citizens to call for more information. Depending on how the VoiceXML is structured, the caller could have the option of being transferred directly to the number associated with the information.

The trick would be, in my opinion, finding the right place within the RSS feed to put the phone number (if the publisher wanted to provide the option of an automatic transfer). Ideally, the phone number would be contained within its own RSS element. Glancing quickly at the RSS 2.0 spec, this could be something like the guid element. So, if a publisher was using a software package to author and publish RSS feeds, they would probably need to do a little experimenting to find the right place to place the phone number.

Because RSS and VoiceXML are both XML vocabularies, there are a number of standards-based methods for converting RSS to VoiceXML and using RSS feeds from within VoiceXML applications. The first method involves the use of eXstensible Style Sheet Language Transformations (XSLT). I have created a tutorial covering this technique and some of the issues relating to it. This technique is generally agnostic to the underlying technology used; XSLT transformations are supported in technologies like JSP, PHP, Perl, .NET and others.

To see it in action there is a demo application available at (800) 289-5570. Enter the following PIN when prompted: 9991422919. This example uses the latest headlines news feed from CNET News.com (news.com.com) and the XSLT file covered in my tutorial. This is only running on a demo platform, so I can’t guarantee anything on performance. Still, it gives you a sense of how an RSS feed sounds. This technology could allow travelers only equipped with cell phones to get the latest NOAA RSS weather reports, lobbyists to dial-in for legislative floor calendars, and rescue teams to phone for the latest operational instructions.

The other method for using RSS from within VoiceXML applications is to leverage the new data tag, an addition to the VoiceXML specification that is part of the developing VoiceXML 2.1 standard. Some excellent examples of this technique can be found on the VoiceXML Forum website at http://www.voicexmlreview.org/apr2004/columns/apr2004_speak_listen.html.

VoiceXML also allows for the playback of recorded audio. If one had an audio file that they want to include in a feed, a VoiceXML application could actually invoke the audio file and play it to the caller. There is a VoiceXML service at (800) 555-TELL that plays audio files. Give it a call and try listening to the “News Center” option.

One caveat -- most VoiceXML platforms only support certain audio formats, but the more common ones (WAV, MP3) are usually supported. VoiceXML also supports recording the audio of a call, so if one wanted to let callers post comments the application could record their audio and save it for later playback. There is actually a project called “Phone Blogger” that takes this approach (see www.wombatnation.com/phoneblogger).

By using these techniques, governments that make information available to citizens through RSS feeds can dramatically expand the accessibility of these feeds by making them available to anyone with a telephone.



Mark J. Headd
Voice Technologies for Government
www.voiceingov.org
mheadd@voiceingov.org





[Editor's note: Commenting is turned off because of spamming. Mark is interested in hearing from readers who are interested in how that can use VoiceXML to augment what they are doing with RSS. Please email the author with your comments and we'll invite him to write a follow-up here at RSS in Government addressing your ideas and suggestions.]




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2025 Met Gala: Chairs, Theme, & Other Details Revealed

There’s always a lot of buzz surrounding the Met Gala, and we finally know what the next edition of the fashion biggest nights will be all about. The Costume Institute announced the theme of their upcoming spring exhibition and announced the impressive lineup of co-chairs joining Anna Wintour this time around. Exhibition Theme “Superfine: Tailoring […]




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Failed security controls cost businesses billions

A new report finds 61 percent of organizations have suffered a security breach in the past year because their policies, governance, and controls failed or were not working effectively. This is costing US businesses $30bn and UK businesses £10bn per year. The study from security posture management firm Panaseer surveyed 400 security decision makers across the US and UK and found 72 percent have taken out indemnity insurance in response to growing personal liability, whilst 15 percent have considered leaving the industry. In addition, 85 percent of decision makers are facing greater scrutiny from the board. 57 percent say they… [Continue Reading]




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Wimbledon 2023: Alcaraz wins to usher in a new era with social media a key player

Wimbledon 2023 wrapped up with a men’s final tennis masterclass, and social media didn't miss out on the action.




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Knowledge of God

The Orthodox faith is grounded in the experience of knowing God. Fr. Stephen looks at the boundaries of such knowledge and simple path to such knowledge given to us in the Tradition of the Church.