Mercury Home to Ice, Messenger Spacecraft Findings Suggest

Mercury is as cold as ice.

Indeed, Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun, possesses a lot of ice ? 100 billion to one trillion tons ? scientists working with NASA?s Messenger spacecraft reported on Thursday.

Sean C. Solomon, the principal investigator for Messenger, said there was enough ice there to encase Washington, D.C., in a frozen block two and a half miles deep.

That is a counterintuitive discovery for a place that also ranks among the hottest in the solar system. At noon at the equator on Mercury, the temperature can hit 800 degrees Fahrenheit.

But near Mercury?s poles, deep within craters where the Sun never shines, temperatures dip to as cold as minus 370.

?In these planetary bodies, there are hidden places, as it were, that can have interesting things going on,? said David J. Lawrence, a senior scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory working on the Messenger mission.

The findings appear in a set of three papers published Thursday on the Web site of the journal Science. The ice could be an intriguing science target for a future robotic lander or even a resource for astronauts in the far future.

Planetary scientists had strong hints of the ice a couple of decades ago when telescopes bounced radio waves off Mercury and the reflections were surprisingly bright. But some researchers suggested the craters could be lined with silicate compounds or sulfur, which might also be highly reflective.

The Messenger spacecraft, which swung into orbit around Mercury in March 2011 and has completed its primary mission, took a closer look by counting particles known as neutrons that are flying off the planet. High-energy cosmic rays break apart atoms, and the debris includes neutrons.

But when a speeding neutron hits a hydrogen atom, which is almost the same weight, it comes to almost a complete stop, just as the cue ball in billiards transfers its momentum when it hits another ball. Water molecules contain two hydrogen atoms, and thus when Messenger passed over ice-rich areas, the number of neutrons dropped.

The same technique was used to detect frozen water below the surface on Mars and within similar craters on the Moon.

The neutron number would not have dropped if the bright surfaces had been made of sulfur or silicates.

?Water ice is the only candidate we?ve got that fits all those observations,? said Dr. Solomon, who is also director of Columbia?s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.

The ice is almost pure water, which indicates that it arrived within the last few tens of millions of years, possibly from a comet that smacked into Mercury. Dr. Solomon said several young craters on the surface of Mercury could be candidates for such an impact.

Not all of the icy regions were bright. In slightly warmer regions, where temperatures exceed minus 280, the ice was covered by a dark layer about half a foot thick. The scientists believe in these places the water ice vaporized, leaving behind other materials that had been trapped, including carbon-based molecules known as organics.

That could be similar to how water and the building blocks of life reached Earth billions of years ago.

The water could also be an intriguing resource for people. Between the scorched equator and the frozen poles, temperatures on Mercury can be temperate, especially a few feet below the surface, where the soil insulates against the temperature swings between day and night ? an ideal location to build a colony.

?People joke about it, but it?s not so crazy, really,? said David A. Paige, a professor of geology at U.C.L.A. who calculated the crater temperatures.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/30/science/space/mercury-home-to-ice-messenger-spacecraft-findings-suggest.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

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Zynga, Facebook Alter Games Partnership - Business Insider

Zynga and Facebook have agreed to substantially change an agreement the two companies struck two years ago, a new SEC filing reveals.

That agreement gave Zynga a privileged position on Facebook's platform.

The revision appears to make Zynga more subject to Facebook's general terms for app developers. Effective in March, Facebook will be free to develop its own games, and won't have to deliver on certain measures of growth for Zynga.

Zynga also won't have to use Facebook ad units or Facebook's payments system on its non-Facebook game websites.

Zynga, whose stock has cratered as its games on Facebook have suffered a drop in usage and monetization, has been trying to get away from its dependence on Facebook and emphasize its mobile games, while Facebook has been quick to point out that other game developers using its platform are doing better than Zynga.

That said, Zynga has had two recent hit sequels in its key Facebook-game franchises, FarmVille and CityVille.

Here's the text of the filing:

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
On November 28, 2012, Zynga Inc. (?Zynga?), Zynga Game Ireland Limited, Zynga Luxembourg S.?r.L., Facebook, Inc. (?Facebook?) and Facebook Ireland Limited entered into Amendment No. 3 to the Developer Addendum dated May 14, 2010 (?Addendum No. 1?) and Zynga, Zynga Game Ireland Limited, Facebook and Facebook Ireland Limited entered into Amendment No. 3 to the Developer Addendum No. 2 dated December 26, 2010 (?Addendum No. 2?). These amendments to the respective addenda, which supplement and amend Facebook?s standard terms of service for game developers, will apply through May 13, 2015, subject to earlier termination as noted below or in the agreements, as amended.
The material terms of these amendments are summarized below.
1. Amendment No. 3 to Addendum No. 1 (?Addendum No. 1 Amendment?).
Zynga?s use of the Facebook platform and any Facebook data on any Zynga service offered through a Zynga game page (e.g., Zynga.com) will be governed by Facebook?s standard terms of service, effective on March 31, 2013. Zynga will no longer be separately obligated to display Facebook ad units or implement Facebook credits on any such Zynga game pages. In addition, the Addendum No. 1 Amendment provides that Zynga?s right to cross-promote any games that are off of the Facebook web site from Zynga services that use Facebook data and to use e-mail addresses obtained from Facebook, will be limited by Facebook?s standard terms of service, subject to certain exceptions.
2. Amendment No. 3 to Addendum No. 2 (?Addendum No. 2 Amendment?).
The exclusivity provisions of Addendum No. 2 no longer require Zynga, subject to certain exceptions, to use Facebook as the exclusive social platform for the Zynga properties and to grant Facebook certain title exclusivities to Zynga games on the Facebook platform, except as provided below. The following provisions apply:
(a) Facebook?s existing non-discrimination obligations set forth in Addendum No. 2 will continue with respect to Zynga?s games on the Facebook web site.
(b) Any social game launched by Zynga will generally be available through the Facebook web site concurrent with, or shortly following, the time such game is made available on another social platform or a Zynga property. This requirement does not apply to any Zynga mobile games, social games owned and operated by a third party, any social games that cannot be launched on the Facebook web site due to technical limitations, any downloadable social games or any Zynga games launched in China or Japan.
(c) If Facebook allows real money gambling games on the Facebook web site in countries where Zynga has real money gambling games, Zynga will subsequently launch such games on the Facebook web site, if certain conditions are met by Facebook.
(d) If Zynga acquires any social game that was made available on a Zynga property but not on the Facebook web site prior to the acquisition, Zynga will enable and generally make available such game through the Facebook web site after the close of such acquisition.
In addition, effective on March 31, 2013, certain provisions related to web and mobile growth targets and schedules will no longer be applicable and Facebook will no longer be prohibited from developing its own games. Further, Zynga?s right to cross-promote between games on the Facebook web site will be governed by Facebook?s standard terms of service.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/zynga-facebook-games-partnership-2012-11

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Facebook can make games after Zynga change

Featured

11 days

Video

In-Game

The 'Nintendo Wii U' is a great device now, but it might not hold up over time. NBCNews.com's Todd Kenreck reviews the device. Play video

6 hrs.

Staff , Reuters

Facebook and Zynga revamped terms of a years-old partnership that was widely viewed as giving Zynga preferential treatment on the world's No.1 online social network, according to regulatory filings from the two companies Thursday.

The agreement is seen as a move by Facebook to level the playing field between Zygna and other game makers the social network is trying to attract.

The new terms give Zynga more flexibility to offer games on its own website, but subjects the maker of FarmVille and other popular social games to the same rules as other game makers on the social network.

The two fast-growing social Internet companies, which went public within seven months of each other, have been intimately tied. In recent quarters, fees from Zynga contributed more than 15 percent of Facebook's total revenues.

The revised agreement allows Facebook to develop its own games, according to a filing by Zynga on Wednesday. A person close to Facebook said the company "was not in the business of building games and we have no plans to do so."

Both Internet players have been trying to reduce their inter-dependence, with Zynga starting up its own Zynga.com platform, and Facebook wooing other games developers.

Among the myriad terms of their new agreement, Zynga could elect not to use Facebook's payments mechanism to collect revenue or display Facebook's ads.

"We have streamlined our terms with Zynga so that Zynga.com's use of Facebook Platform is governed by the same policies as the rest of the ecosystem," a spokesman said in a statement. "We will continue to work with Zynga, just as we do with developers of all sizes."

(Reporting By Gerry Shih and Alexei Oreskovic; editing by Andrew Hay)

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Check for restrictions at:?http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp?

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/ingame/facebook-can-make-own-games-after-amending-zynga-deal-1C7342306

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British Sports Mogul None Too Keen on Harvard?s ?Community Values? of ?Integrity? and ?Honesty? [Updated]

In early October,?Outside published a 5,000+ word expos? of Tough Mudder, the adventure racing company founded in 2010 by Will Dean, an alumnus of?Harvard Business School. The story is well worth reading in full for journalist Scott Keneally?s thorough assessment of the company?s rapid growth over the past two years. (Update: there?s also a trailer!)

What really snagged our attention, however, was Keneally?s survey of allegations that Will Dean stole the idea of Tough Mudder while he was a student at HBS.

The evidence of wrongdoing hinges on a Harvard-endorsed field study Dean performed at Tough Guy Limited, in the United Kingdom, where Dean is from. In a nut: after completing the field study, Dean submitted to Harvard and Billy Wilson (the proprietor of Tough Guy Limited) two different reports of his work:

In December, when Dean completed his report, he submitted one version to Harvard and a slightly modified one to Wilson. Both described the potential for more events, but the version he sent to Wilson omitted key recommendations for how he might immediately expand. Rather, he suggested Wilson adopt a wait-and-see approach. Wilson was unimpressed with the report, and the two men fell out of touch.

It?s sort of like The Social Network (minus the Trent Reznor soundtrack) ? except that Harvard eventually took action against Will Dean.

Keneally discusses an internal Harvard investigation that arose from a complaint Billy Wilson sent to the biz school?s faculty less than two weeks after Tough Mudder staged its first event in the spring of 2010. We recently got our hands on the text of the investigation?s final ruling, which?Outside quotes from, and it?s actually a bit more unsparing than the magazine lets on.

Harvard?s Conduct Review Board found that Dean lied, repeatedly, about the nature of his field study of Tough Guy Limited ? the company on which he based his own. (Another surprising revelation: that Harvard Business School ? alma mater of Rajat Gupta and Jeffrey Skilling, among others ? has ?community values?, and that those ?values? include ?honesty? and ?integrity?.)

A sampling:

Then on October 1, 2008, Will emailed TGL, opening with an apology for not being in touch sooner because ?I am afraid I have been pretty busy here with mid-term exams.? The semester was merely in its first month at that point, of course, (and few EC courses have mid-term exams in any event). In the message he also spoke of professors at Harvard Law School who ?have agreed to help us on this.? When asked in our interview who specifically had agreed to help, however, Will said he had sent out some e-mails to HLS faculty but had received no response. His statement to TGL about HLS involvement was a falsehood.

Keneally reports that Harvard ?placed Dean on alumni probation for five years.?

The full text can be found below (and the original document, with some associated correspondence, can be found on DocumentCloud):

Harvard Business School
Conduct Review Board
Findings of Fact
In the Matter of
William Dean

This case arises out of an allegation made by Tough Guy Limited (TGL), a UK-based company, about the conduct of William (Will) Dean (MBA 2009) while he was a second year student at HBS and subsequently. Specifically, it contends that he inappropriately used confidential information and related material provided by TGL which it provided in connection with an HBS Individual Student Research (ISR) project for his own development of an apparently similar commercial enterprise.

Will Dean has denied the allegations, stating: ?I refute all claims made by Bill Wilson (the CEO ofTough
Guy Limited). I have reviewed with my US and UK attorneys the guidelines for HBS ISRs and the HBS Community Values and am quite certain that I have in no way violated any guideline set out by Harvard.?

A Conduct Review Board (CRB) was convened to consider this matter. Its members included:

* [Redacted], MBA 2011 student
* Cathy Hutchinson, HBS staff member
* [Redacted], MBA 2011 student
* Henry Relling, HBS taculty member
* [Redacted], MBA 2011 student
* Luis Viceira, HBS faculty member
* Michael Wheeler, HBS faculty member, CRB Chair

Brit Dewey, Director, Communilty Values Program, assisted the CRB in the course of its review.

Process

The matter came to Harvard Business School?s attention on Friday, February 12, 2010, when Doug Brodie, a financial adviser at Master Adviser IFA Limited, contacted HBS Dean Jay Light by e-mail on behalf of Tough Guy Limited to make the allegation. In the ensuing weeks Gabe Handel, Managing Director, HBS Dean?s Office, gathered further information from Mr. Brodie, public sources, and internal HBS files.

Because the alleged conduct here is closely related to Will Dean?s academic work as an enrolled student, a Conduct Review Board was convened to find the facts in this case.

Brit Dewey, Director, Community Values Program, informed Will Dean on May 13, 2010, that HBS had submitted a complaint to the Conduct Review Board formally alleging that he had inappropriately used conflifential information and related material provided by Tough Guy Limited in connection with an HBS
Individual Student Research (ISR) project for his own development of an apparently similar commercial enterprise during his Elective Curriculum year at HBS. Brit then prepared a Preliminary Statement of Facts, based on her review of the due.diligence done by Gabe Handel, her interview of [redacted], and her initial correspondence with Will Dean. In response, Will submitted a written statement to the CRB formally denying the allegations made by Tough Guy Limited.

The CRB met on Monday, June 28, 2010, and it discussed the written record in order to formulate questions for Will, with whom it then met. At the end of its Interview with Will, the CRB discussed the case more fully.

Findings

After reviewing numerous documents and e-mail correspondence, and having interviewed Will Dean in person, the CRB finds that there is insufficient evidence to support the serious charge that he inappropriately used confidential informatoon and related material provided by Tough Guy Limited in
developing his own enterprise.

More specifically, the CRB concluded that the public and uncomplicated nature of businesses like TGL?s makes them largely understandable to bystanders without any special access to proprietary information. Indeed, Will was a spectator at a TGL event in the summer of 2008 where he gathered information by
taking extensive notes and speaking informally with participants. This activity was in advance of any HBS academic work and also before his signing of any agreement with TGL. It does not appear that the ISR itself gave him much, if any, information of additional value. Moreover, as Will acknowledged in his interview with the CRB, his own newly launched business (Tough Mudder) is potentially vulnerable to imitators, as there are few barriers to entry, other than brand recognition and general managerial skill.

The CRB does find, however, that Will violated our standards in connection with his Independent Student Research project (ISR) and participation in the HBS Business Plan Contest. (BPC). Specifically, the CRB finds sufffcfent evidence to conclude that Will violated thee HBS Community Values of ?honesty and integrity? and ?accountability? in several important respects.

For example, the plan he submitted for his own Tough Mudder business to the HBS BPC in the spring of 2009 included as an attachment ? ?Tough Guy Historical Income Statements ? including original accountant?s notes.? Will had signed an agreement with TGL titled ?Confidentiality Document? in October 2008 related to his ISR project. Among other things, it provided that Will would be given financial information about the company, subject to the condition that it would only be available to those ?connected with Will?s research project.?

Will contends that he was advised by counsel (his father) that this provision did not bar him from using this material in the HBS Business Plan Contest even though that meant that the material would be seen by a wider circle of people. This apparent argument is that the limitation was only meant to encompass disseminating information to third parties who intended to put it to direct use. That interpretation is
inconsistent with the plain meaning of the words; hence the CRB finds that Will violated the HBS Community Value of Integrity in not honoring his agreement with TGL.

If may be that this disclosure did not cause material harm to TGL, as the information is of a rather general nature and could likely be inferred without any special access to the company. TGL might well not agree with such a conclusion, however, and in any event could justifiably regard this as a breach of trust.

In his Interview, Will said that he included the material because the judges would expect to see some hard data (even though he also said he was skeptical about its accuracy). The fact that he consulted his father on this issue suggests that he was aware of possible impropriety, yet he apparently did not ask TGL if it shared his interpretation of the confidentiality document or approved of this use of company information. If other HBS students engaged in field work followed his example in regard to confidentiality agreements, the negative impact on the School?s reputation and its ability to secure field-based research opportunities could be significant.

The CRB also finds that Will violated the HBS Community Value of honesty on several occasions, notably in his communication with TGL. Some of the specific statements he made to TGL in e-mail correspondence may seem minor on their own, though together they seem to constitute a larger effort to misrepresent the role of Harvard faculty (and hence the institution) in the ISR project.

On September 7, 2008, he wrote in an e-mail to TGL, ?(T)he good news is that the university is very happy for me to conduct a study in the feasibility/logistics of expanding Tough Guy internationally. Based upon the initial report that I put together my professors think it is something with real potential and are really excited about.? Only one faculty member, Sunil Gupta, had signed on as adviser to Will?s ISR at that point. Will has offered no evidence to the CRB that others were involved or that Harvard University in a larger sense had knowledge of and was interested in his student project.

Then on October 1, 2008, Will emailed TGL, opening with an apology for not being in touch sooner because ?I am afraid I have been pretty busy here with mid-term exams.? The semester was merely in its first month at that point, of course, (and few EC courses have mid-term exams in any event). In the message he also spoke of professors at Harvard law School who ?have agreed to help us on this.? When asked in our interview who specifically had agreed to help, however, Will said he had sent out some e-mails to HLS faculty but had received no response. His statement to TGL about HLS involvement was a falsehood.

In that same e-mail, W,ill also told TGL that ?I want to look at whether there is a risk that others will try to copy Tough Guy here in the US or operate something similar and what (if anything we should do to prevent this). There is a professor here who is a specialist in how to respond to people copying your business idea and what to do about it and pleasingly, he has agreed to help us on this.? The CRB did not ask Will who this person might be, but given the assurances in the same email about HBS faculty participation, we are left wondering if this statement is also false or intentionally misleading. In another part of this e-mail message, Will speaks of setting up focus group meetings with target markets (?e.g., running clubs, sports teams, military veterans etc.) and then offers the assurance that ?Harvard can help us set these up.? The CRB has no information to indicate that Harvard was going to provide this support. The thrust ? and apparent purpose of such statements is to leave an impression of significant Harvard faculty and administrative involvement in what in fact was one of literally hundreds of standard student projects underway at the same time. The CRB finds such statements to constitute a misrepresentation and thus a violation of HBS Community Values. Again, if other MBA students engaged in field-based research were to follow Will?s example, the reputation of the School would be compromised and the availability of field-based research opportunities likely would suffer, as well.

The CRB is concerned about the specific instances of dishonesty and misrepresentation. They are wrong In their own right and they violate HBS Community Values. Pragmatically, moreover, when such misrepresentations become apparent, they can raise doubts about the reliability of other unconfirmed statements. Will should appreciate that the examples noted above could prompt skepticism, rightly or wrongly, about some of his other assertions. For example, the CRB did not get a clear explanation of why Will registered the ?toughguyusa.com? domain name well before undertaking his ISR, or why he apparently did not reveal that fact while he was doing the study. (In the interview, he indicated that he did this as a protectiVe measure, in case some other kind of enterprise happened to take the name.)

The CRB did not take it upon itself to confirm the validity of various other statements that Will made while he was a student. For example, we do not have documentation of the medical conditions and rehabilitation routine that he said required him to put his plan to launch Tough Mudder upon graduation from HBS on hold and thus back out of an agreement to hire a fellow HBS student as a summer intern. Nor do we have evidence one way or the other to support the statement he made in our interview that his organization is already the largest donor to the Wounded Warrior charity. We certainly hope that is the case, but given the doubts sown by his other misrepresentations ? and the fact that his company is so young ? we cannot be sure.

We have not pursued each and every such question, however, as we have before us sufficient evidence of dishonesty and misrepresentation to warrant a conclusion that Will violated HBS Community Values in that regard.

UPDATE: Here is the rather amazing trailer for the Outside article quoted above:

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ivygateblog/~3/6TqUU62To3s/

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Internet Marketing For Traditional Businesses | The Geek Solutions

The recent trend of companies establishing their online presence has far reaching effects on the customer-base. It replaces most of the conventional advertising strategies that were popular some years ago.?

Online presence has now become requisite for a business that aims to carve a niche for itself. A business online can avail of the benefits of several online marketing tools. Thought general search engine optimization (SEO) techniques are adopted, the website is exposed to fluctuating marketing trends online Replacing Old Strategies

Apart from SEO fundamentals for increasing the search rankings of your business, you can make use of the social media networks to increase your customer base. Most traditional businesses have digitized their reach to customers without relying on the old-fashioned ?word of mouth? strategies.

Many SEO experts acknowledge the necessity of innovative methods to improve the successes of businesses online. The algorithm used by major search engines like Google places a heavy emphasis on guest blogging and content marketing. There is a greater need to use the right keywords, interpose them effectively in articles and convey useful content.

Publish an Online Newsletter

You can publish an online newsletter, and send them across to your contacts by email. It is not easier to create and send online newsletters. Newsletter created online exclude overheads like mailing and printing costs. As you only need to focus on the content, it saves you lot of time.

Explore Social Networking Sites

Your presence on social networking sites helps track the responses of your customers to your products or services. You can easily address the concerns of your customers with your products.

Social networking sites are freely available for all and they provide an excellent platform to showcase your products online. ?You could also develop your business by announcing promotional offers online.

Selling Products Online

If you have a large inventory, it might make sense to sell some of the products through an auction site online. In this way, you target even those people who primarily shop over the internet. But exercise your discretion while selling the products online; choose to sell only products that don?t sell easily in your offline store. Learn about strategies to protect you from fraudulent dealings. But selling your goods online is a great way to clear your stocks and raise some quick money.

Key Ingredients for Online Marketing Success

Establish a strong rapport with your long standing customers. Your advertising expenses are reduced when your existing customers spread the credibility of your business. To do this, honor your customers and award them brownie points.

Make sure you deliver good content in a focused way. Introduce offers to grab the notice of existing and prospective customers. Incorporate?copy writing?techniques to enhance the visibility of your business.

Ensure that you have a strong title and support it with informative content. Interpose a ?call to action? in your article to drive customers to initiate an action like: share a link, like a comment or fill a form.

Source: http://www.thegeeksolutions.in/2012/11/internet-marketing-for-traditional.html

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29 yrs, Female, 5'4", Hindu, Bengali, Kayastha, India

Personal Information

Few words about my daughter

Hello,we Sandhya Singha and Tapas Kumar Singha here to find a suitable life partner for our daughter Aryamita who is now in final yr of master of Social Worker, also has completed MSc in Environmental Science from Bidyasagar University.She is good at singing.She spends her time in reading ,cocking ,watching movies and listening songs.She is well spoken. She is simple and soft by heart as well as matured mentality.she can handle any difficult and awkward situation and can adjust in any kind of situation, caring and responsible enough and respect elder persons and also believe in God , loves to dream.Here we are looking for life partner for her who will be down to earth,understanding ,open minded ,caring and obviously a good friend.As per our point of view it is a bonding of two heart and soul ,so the right way should be

Basic Details

Body Type / Complexion

Average / Fair

Height

5?Ft?4?In / 163 Cms

Eating Habits

Non Vegetarian

Drinking Habits

Non-drinker

Smoking Habits

Non-smoker

Religious Information

Religion

Hindu

Caste / Sub Caste

Kayastha / Sinha

Gothram

Alemyan

Star / Raasi

Not Specified / Meen (Pisces)

Manglik

No

Location

Professional Information

Education in Detail

M Sc in Environmental Science from Bidya Sagar University in distance course.

Occupation in Detail

Not Specified

Employed in

Self Employed

Annual Income

Not Specified

Family Details

Father's Occupation

Retired X-ray technicians of WB govt.

Mother's Occupation

Retired Head Nurse

Family Status

Upper middle class

No of Brother(s)

1 / Not Married

Ancestral Origin

Not Specified

No of Sister(s)

1 / 1 Married

About our family

Me, Arjyamita Singha live with my parents in our own house in Chinsurah.
My father is a retired X-Ray Technician from Burdwan Medical College.
My Mother worked as a nurse in West Bengal Government hospital in Chinsurah, Now both of them enjoying their retired life with fullest of enthusiasm.
My elder sister is married and has two daughters,lives in Jamshedpur.
My brother who is younger to me, is an engineer ,works in New Delhi in a MNC for last one and half years.

Hobbies & Interests

Hobbies

Pets, Photography, Playing musical instruments, Cooking, Nature

Interests

Movies, Television, Book clubs, Music, Travel, Health & fitness, Reading, Internet, Social service

Favorite Music

Indian classical, Sufi

Favorite Reads

History, Romance, Biographies, Humor, Science fiction, Literature, Magazines/newspapers, Short stories, Comics, Philosophy / spiritual, Poetry

Preferred Movies

Short films, Classics, Romantic, Documentaries, Comedy, Drama

Sports/Fitness Activities

Carrom

Favorite Cuisine

South Indian, Bengali, Chinese, Moghlai

Preferred Dress Style

Casual wear, Designer wear, Indian / Ethnic wear

Spoken Languages

Bengali, Hindi

Partner Preference

Basic Information

Height

5 Ft 6 In - 6 Ft / 168 Cms - 183 Cms

Eating Habits

Non Vegetarian, Eggetarian

Smoking Habits

Doesn't matter

Drinking Habits

Doesn't matter

Religious Information

Professional Information

Education

Bachelors - Engineering / Computers / Others, Masters - Engineering / Computers / Others, Bachelors - Arts / Science / Commerce / Others, Masters - Arts / Science / Commerce / Others, Bachelors - Management / Others, Masters - Management / Others, Bachelors - Medicine - General / Dental / Surgeon / Others, Masters - Medicine - General / Dental / Surgeon / Others, Bachelors - Legal / Others, Masters - Legal / Others, Service - IAS / IPS / IRS / IES / IFS / Others, PhD, Finance - ICWAI / CA / CS/ CFA / Others

Location

Residing State

India - West Bengal

What we are looking for

We are looking for caring, fun loving, down to earth, understanding,open minded,sober life partner for our girl

Source: http://profile.bengalimatrimony.com/profiledetail/viewprofile.php?id=B1102054

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Fox's Kevin Reilly Compares Angus T. Jones 'Two And A Half Men' 'Filth' Scandal To Nicki Minaj On 'Idol'

Angus T. Jones' very public "Two and a Half Men" outburst is the talk of Hollywood this week. At Wednesday's Hollywood Radio And Television Society Newsmaker luncheon, even Fox chairman Kevin Reilly weighed in on the controversy.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Reilly compared Jones' controversial statements with "American Idol" judge Nicki Minaj's latest feud with former judge Steven Tyler. "It?s part of the world we live in,? Reilly said. "You want stars to represent themselves, but sometimes they freestyle a little bit.?

Reilly reportedly pointed out that Minaj's "Idol" antics would be "good for [the network]," since it keeps the aging reality contest in the news and generates curiosity. However, he did point out that, in the case of Jones, ?There?s a point where it can get out of control. [That] is where the PR people come in and tell Angus to apologize in a statement.?

Also on the luncheon's panel was Katherine Pope, president of television for Chernin Entertainment. According to THR, her concern was with the actor's work ethic. "Are they showing up for work?" she asked. "Everybody now has an outlet to express everything at any given moment, and that may change? [But] if the work isn?t impacted, everybody has their moments, and you let it pass."

For more, head over to The Hollywood Reporter.

• Miley Cyrus Visits 'Two And a Half Men'

  Walden (Ashton Kutcher, right) starts to feel his age when Missi (special guest star Miley Cyrus, left), the daughter of a friend, comes to town

• Miley Cyrus Visits 'Two And a Half Men'

  Walden (Ashton Kutcher, left) starts to feel his age when Missi, the daughter of a friend, comes to town.

• Miley Cyrus Visits 'Two And a Half Men'

  Walden (Ashton Kutcher, right) starts to feel his age when Missi (special guest star Miley Cyrus, left), the daughter of a friend, comes to town.

• Miley Cyrus Visits 'Two And a Half Men'

  Walden (Ashton Kutcher, right) starts to feel his age when Missi (special guest star Miley Cyrus, left), the daughter of a friend, comes to town.

• Miley Cyrus Visits 'Two And a Half Men'

  Jake (Angus T. Jones, left) meets Missi (special guest star Miley Cyrus, right) at Walden?s house.

• Miley Cyrus Visits 'Two And a Half Men'

  ake (Angus T. Jones, right) takes a break from the army to visit his dad, Alan (Jon Cryer, left).

• Miley Cyrus Visits 'Two And a Half Men'

  Walden (Ashton Kutcher, right) confesses to Alan (Jon Cryer, left) that he is starting to feel old.

• Miley Cyrus Visits 'Two And a Half Men'

  Walden (Ashton Kutcher, right) starts to feel his age when Missi (special guest star Miley Cyrus, left), the daughter of a friend, comes to town.

• Miley Cyrus Visits 'Two And a Half Men'

  Walden (Ashton Kutcher, left) introduces Missi (special guest star Miley Cyrus, center) to Alan (Jon Cryer, front right) and Berta (Conchata Ferrell, back right).

• Miley Cyrus Visits 'Two And a Half Men'

  Walden (Ashton Kutcher, right) starts to feel his age when Missi (special guest star Miley Cyrus, left), the daughter of a friend, comes to town.

• "Two and a Half Men" Season 10

  "I Changed My Mind About The Milk" -- Walden (Ashton Kutcher, left) plans a big surprise for Zoey's (Sophie Winkleman, right) birthday.

• "Two and a Half Men" Season 10

  "I Changed My Mind About The Milk" -- Walden (Ashton Kutcher, right) and Alan (Jon Cryer, left) share a drink.

• "Two and a Half Men" Season 10

  "I Changed My Mind About The Milk" -- Walden (Ashton Kutcher, center) meets a pretty girl (Brit Morgan, "True Blood").

• "Two and a Half Men" Season 10

  "I Changed My Mind About The Milk" -- Michael Bolton (left) helps Walden (Ashton Kutcher, right).

• "Two and a Half Men" Season 10

  "I Changed My Mind About The Milk" -- Michael Bolton (left) brings an inebriated Walden (Ashton Kutcher, center) home to Alan (Jon Cryer, right).

• "Two and a Half Men" Season 10

  "I Changed My Mind About The Milk" --Alan (Jon Cryer, left), tries to comfort Walden (Ashton Kutcher, center).

• "Two and a Half Men" Season 10

  "I Changed My Mind About The Milk" -- Alan (Jon Cryer, left), and Berta (Conchata Ferrell, right).

• "Two and a Half Men" Season 10

  "I Changed My Mind About The Milk" -- Michael Bolton (left) meets Evelyn (Holland Taylor, right).

• "Two and a Half Men" Season 10

  "I Changed My Mind About The Milk" -- Alan (Jon Cryer, far left), Michael Bolton (second from right) and Evelyn (Holland Taylor, right) try to talk Walden (Ashton Kutcher, seated) off a ledge.

• "Two and a Half Men" Season 10

  "I Changed My Mind About The Milk" -- Alan (Jon Cryer, left) and Michael Bolton (right) try to talk Walden (Ashton Kutcher, center) off a ledge.

• "Two and a Half Men" Season 10

  "I Changed My Mind About The Milk" -- Alan (Jon Cryer, left) and Michael Bolton (right) try to talk Walden (Ashton Kutcher, center) off a ledge.

• "Two and a Half Men" Season 10

  "I Changed My Mind About The Milk" -- Walden plans a big surprise for Zoey's (Sophie Winkleman, right) birthday.

• "Two and a Half Men" Season 10

  "I Changed My Mind About The Milk" -- Jake (Angus T. Jones) Skypes with Alan from the Army.

• "Two and a Half Men" Season 10

  "I Changed My Mind About The Milk" -- Jake (Angus T. Jones) Skypes with Alan from the Army.

Related on HuffPost:

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/28/kevin-reilly-angus-t-jones-nicki-minaj_n_2207783.html

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TEXAS REAL ESTATE: Realty Times - Foreclosures Selling Near, At ...

?Truth. Everyone of my REO properties are listed at fair market value.? Asset managers are willing to wait out the 4-6 month market time in order to find that buyer willing to pay market value and occupy REO homes that are in average marketable condition. Utilities are on, pools are being maintained, and repairs are being made.

Realty Times - Foreclosures Selling Near, At Traditional Listing Prices

Source: http://mistymcmillan.blogspot.com/2012/11/realty-times-foreclosures-selling-near.html

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Travel and Leisure Magazine: See You in Cebu (A Travel Guide to ...

Comprising 7,107 islands, the Philippines is arguably one of the leading tourism havens in the world. Aside from its crystal-clear beaches, this Southeast Asian nation is also famous for its colorful festivals, delicious food, fun-loving people, exciting events, and captivating tourist attractions.

One of the best island destinations in the country is Cebu. The province, which has a total land area of 4,932.79 square kilometers, ranks among the developed areas in southern Philippines. It is considered the center of commerce, trade, and education in the Visayas region.

Like any other province in the Philippines, Cebu has its own share of fascinating tourist sites. No wonder the Travel + Leisure magazine named Cebu the fourth-best Asian island destination last year. There are more plenty of reasons to visit Cebu. Here are some of them.

White-Sand Beaches

Cebu boasts of some of the best white-sand beaches in the Philippines. Some say a visit to Cebu is never complete without enjoying its pristine waters. Barili, a third-class municipality in the southwestern coast of Cebu, is home to the Candugay and Sayaw Beaches. These bodies of water are ideal for various water recreational activities such as skimboarding and snorkeling. You can also indulge in the beaches of Alcoy, Liloan, Boljoon, and San Remigio.

Sinulog Festival

Cebu City, the provincial capital, is the site of the colorful festival called Sinulog. This annual event, which is held on the third Sunday of January, pays homage to the child Jesus, known as the Santo Ni?o. During the occasion, the streets of Cebu are filled with people dressed in bright-colored costumes dancing to the beat of drums, trumpets, and native musical instruments. Other highlights of the nine-day event include fairs, exhibits, and film showing.

Skydiving

Skydiving is another tourist magnet in Cebu. Over the past years, there is a growing demand for the extreme sport in the province, prompting a group of professional daredevils to establish the Cebu Sport Parachute Club. Usually the Mactan-Cebu International Airport is used as the take-off point of skydivers in the city. Skydiving in Cebu allows you to enjoy a panoramic view of the south-central part of the country.

Magellan's Cross

If turning back the hands of time is your idea of a vacation, then visiting the Magellan's Cross in Cebu City is right for you. The Christian symbol, which is housed inside a chapel near Basilica Minore del Santo Ni?o, was planted by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan to celebrate the baptism of former island chief Rajah Humabon and more than 500 others on April 21, 1521.

Source: http://arganor.blogspot.com/2012/11/see-you-in-cebu-travel-guide-to-another.html

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Help Your Baby or Toddler Stop the Pacifier- How and When | The ...

Hey, parents ? do you have a pacifier-, dummy-, binky-, or soother-addict living in your home? If so, this article is for you. We?re talking today about when to ditch the pacifier, and how to do it.

Pacifiers Are Not Evil

I think it?s important to begin our article today with this reminder: pacifiers aren?t evil. They?re not dangerous. (In fact, they may even reduce the risk of SIDS.) However, it is important to avoid introducing them until the breastfeeding relationship is established, if you are breastfeeding (or planning to).

They get a bad rap sometimes, but really, pacifiers can be a helpful tool in the effort to help our babies sleep well. Pacifiers can be a tool to help babies self-soothe without parental aid, and can decrease nighttime waking (that is, unless your baby?s constantly calling for you to come and replace the pacifier after it?s fallen out!)

So let?s remember that like many things associated with baby and toddler sleep, pacifiers aren?t a problem until they?re a problem. If the pacifier fits neatly into your baby?s or toddler?s life (and neatly into yours) then don?t feel pressured to get rid of it.

But what if it doesn?t? What if your baby is waking you 10 times each night to replace the pacifier after it?s fallen out of her mouth? What if you?re sick and tired of toting pacifiers everywhere you go, just so your toddler won?t have to be without one? If that?s the case, it might be time to ditch the pacifier for good.

The Ideal Age to Ditch the Pacifier

Speaking of getting rid of the pacifier ? when should it happen? That?s a big question for parents whose little ones are hooked on the binky.

Unfortunately, there?s no magic age. Some parents wean their babies off the pacifier as early as 5 or 6 months; others let their toddlers hang onto their pacifiers until age 3 or 4. Truly, there?s no right or wrong, black or white when it comes to pacifier usage. It?s kind of like baby sleep in that way ? babies and toddlers learn to sleep in different ways, and at different ages.

But let?s look at a general truth when it comes to weaning babies and toddlers off the pacifier: the earlier you do it, the easier it?s going to be. The same is true for sleep training, and for potty training, and for so many things associated with raising children.

For this reason, pediatricians usually recommend weaning your little one from the pacifier before age one. The idea is that before 12 months, your child hasn?t had the time (or the cognitive ability) to form a deep attachment to a pacifier, so taking it away may not be as difficult.

Not the case if you try to wean a toddler off his pacifier, however. Starting around 18 months, a toddler has likely formed strong feelings of attachment to his pacifier. Try to take it away then, and it?ll probably be much harder than if you?d done it earlier. Not impossible, of course, but filled with more tears and anger on the part of your toddler (and maybe on your part, too!) Beyond a few years old and you add the risk of causing dental problems, too.

Nicole?s Note:
?The best time to wean your baby from the pacifier (or start sleep training or potty training) would be after a child is developmentally ready, but before they have become strong-willed and emotionally attached to the status quo. Just like we recommend sleep training after 4 to 6 months old, we would not really potty train a 15 month old (though elimination communication is becoming a more popular parenting concept). Once a baby has formed an attachment to their pacifier or soother, it becomes more like a lovey and who would wean a 2 year old away from her favorite teddy bear or blanket? But, if your baby is waking up frequently at night and can?t put it in himself, that is more of a problem than a solution.

Neither of my boys had a pacifier (one not by choice and one I made a conscious effort to avoid it). We probably paid for it in the early days, but it was much easier later.?

How To Ditch the Pacifier

Just like there?s no ?right age? to ditch the pacifier; there?s no ?right way? to do it, either. There are a few things to keep in mind, though, as you create your plan for pacifier weaning:

• If you?re weaning a baby who?s under 12 months, you probably don?t need to be creative. You can probably get by with simply throwing the pacifiers out and then preparing for a few rough, sleepless nights and some short, restless naps.
• If you?re weaning a toddler, you might want to be creative. You can just get rid of the pacifiers when your toddler?s not looking, of course, and end things cold-turkey. But you could also be creative, and get your toddler to help with the weaning process. I knew a mom who told her 3 year old son that they needed to send his pacifiers to children who didn?t have any ? he helped her pack them into a box and everything! It turned out to be a great solution for that family.

Nicole?s Note:
?Just like most of our Sleep Plans, we often break things up into smaller steps. I have some families stop the pacifier at night, but not during the day. Or, they use the pacifier for sleep and not throughout the day. Sometimes it doesn?t have to be all or nothing, depending on the child. Sometimes we just start slow and then build up to getting rid of it completely. Just like sleep training, what works for you may not be what worked for your friend or neighbor. Some do best with ripping off the band-aid and some do better with slow and methodical.?

Tips for Ditching the Pacifier

Whatever strategies you use to wean your baby or toddler off the pacifier, keep the following tips in mind:

• Plan ahead. Weaning a baby off the pacifier is a fairly small event, but weaning a toddler is big. Very, very big, for some toddlers. So plan ahead, and make sure the pacifier weaning doesn?t coincide with another big event, like a move, or the birth of a new sibling, or potty-training. It?s best to tackle big events one at a time, to help minimize your child?s stress.
• Be patient. There?s bound to be some fussing and sleeplessness when you finally banish the pacifiers. That?s just how it goes. So prepare yourself to be patient, and to ride out the storm.
• Be firm. If pacifier weaning just isn?t working, you may feel like stopping and trying again later. And that may work ? we?re not saying it won?t! But that might not be the best approach, especially if you?re weaning a toddler. Why? Because parents, your toddlers are smart. And if they get even the slightest inkling that their actions (crying, screaming, tantrum-throwing, etc.) can make you change course, guess what?s going to happen? The crying, screaming, and tantrum-throwing will only get worse. Better to be firm and consistent now ? not only will the pacifier weaning happen faster, but you?ll teach your toddler the valuable lesson that mom and dad mean what they say.
• Keep perspective. For some parents, pacifier weaning belongs in the ?Things That Feel Like They Might Literally Kill Me? category. It?s that painful and brutal. But take heart, parents! It?ll pass. We promise. And just think ? once you?ve cleared this hurdle, there?ll only be 15 or 16 more years worth of hurdles ahead!

Let?s help each other out ? offer your pacifier-weaning tips and insights below!

Please be sure to pick up your FREE copy of 5 (tear-free) Ways to Help Your Child Sleep Through the Night, our e-Book with tear-free tips to help your baby sleep better. For those persistent nighttime struggles, check out The 3-Step System to Help Your Baby Sleep (babies) or The 5-Step System to Better Toddler Sleep (toddlers). Using a unique approach and practical tools for success, our e-books help you and your baby sleep through the night and nap better. For those looking for a more customized solution for your unique situation with support along the way, please consider one-on-one baby and toddler sleep consultations, where you will receive a Personalized Sleep Plan? you can feel good about! Sometimes it?s not that you can?t make a plan. Sometimes you?re just too tired to.

Related Posts

Category: Sleep Training
Tags: baby pacifier use, baby soother, newborns and pacifiers, pacifier babies, pacifier for newborn, pacifier sleep, pacifier weaning, stop pacifier, stop using pacifier, toddler pacifier

Source: http://www.babysleepsite.com/sleep-training/pacifier-weaning-stop-baby-toddler-how-when/

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Real Politix ? Things To Look For When Buying A Home

TIP! You need to know what?s on your credit report prior to applying for a mortgage loan. Once you have obtained a copy, go over it with a fine toothed comb and dispute any discrepancies that you find.

However, you still need to be aware of how to maneuver in the market in order to make the best deal possible. Look at the advice in this article to simplify real estate purchasing.

TIP! Be sure to take parking into consideration when house hunting. This is especially vital for homes that do not have a driveway.

A professional home inspection is not required, but it is recommended. Hiring a professional home inspector prior to purchase is essential to buying a property and knowing what you are getting yourself into. An untrained eye may not see some things that are amiss, so it?s best to get a certified home inspector to look at it thoroughly prior to buying.

TIP! Research real estate properties well before buying them. If you are considering a rental property, evaluate the following features before signing the closing documents.

Check the online registry for local sex offenders prior to purchasing a home in an area. While sex offender data is, by law, publicly available, do not think for a moment that home sellers or their real estate agents will feel any obligation to pass it along to a potential buyer. You can easily do this research yourself online.

TIP! If a home has made your short list, have the home inspector get the home?s dimensions. You need to make sure public records for square footage match the listing.

It is important to get pre-qualified for a home loan before you go searching for a house. You will avoid wasting your time and the agents time by limiting your search to houses you can afford to buy. Getting loans can be an arduous process that shouldn?t be procrastinated.

TIP! Sellers will be more interested if you have an approval letter. Besides, being approved for a mortgage can take some time and you might lose a good opportunity if another buyer comes along with a letter of approval.

If you plan to purchase all or some of a building for opening a business, be sure it is in a good neighborhood with ample growth opportunities. By placing yourself in an unattractive location, you dissuade potential customers. Check with local real estate agents to learn the best location for setting up a business.

TIP! Even if the home is just for you, don?t go it alone. It is always helpful to have an experienced person at hand.

The first important consideration for every real estate buyer is the location of the property. If the home is not going to suit your needs, then the purchase will be a long term disappointment to you. It is important to familiarize yourself with the surrounding area prior to purchasing the home so that you are fully aware of what to expect.

TIP! When you?re committed to buying a real estate property, be realistic and patient about what?s available. Finding the property that is right for you sometimes isn?t a quick find.

Buy a warranty for your home. When you buy a brand-new home, get the builder to provide a warranty, or get the seller of a pre-owned home to provide you with at least a one-year warranty. Builders usually offer a warranty on the work they do for a designated amount of time. Previous owners should be willing to purchase a home warranty for at least a year to help you offset any impending repairs.

TIP! Make sure that you always have extra money for any unexpected costs when purchasing a property. Buyers find your closing costs via adding your down payment, the bank points, and the real estate taxes that are pro-related.

There are various programs for down payment assistance, and you might want to see if you qualify for them. If your seller plays your closing costs it can also help save you a large amount of money.

TIP! When you are considering a certain real estate agent, make sure to have plenty of questions planned to address all of your concerns. Ask them about their techniques and the kind of results they usually get, and how familiar they are with the area you are looking at.

Make sure to ask your Realtor to supply you with a checklist. There are many Realtors that have a checklist like this already prepared. It covers the entire home-buying process, from choosing a house to getting a loan. This checkoff sheet will help you ascertain that nothing is overlooked.

TIP! When seeking a new home, think long-term. While you might not have children currently, you should look at the quality of area schools if you think you may still reside there when you do have children.

Be flexible about the choices you have to make. You may find that your ideal home isn?t affordable in your ideal neighborhood, but with a small bit of compromise, you might find an acceptable alternative. Think about settling for a different house or a different area you can afford.

TIP! Enlist the expertise of a broker or agent when planning to buy investment real estate. They have access to many resources that aren?t open to the general public.

Before purchasing a home, it is highly recommended you have an inspector perform an inspection on the home. The last thing you want to do is to move into a house that immediately needs significant work. A home like this is not only expensive to repair, but it is also costly in that you may have to live elsewhere until the renovations are completed.

TIP! Do not try to buy property without the expertise of a real estate agent. This information can be easily obtained through reviews on the Internet and also from the Better Business Bureau.

Preparing yourself well as a buyer may mean the difference between a good purchase and one you will regret. Learning about the real estate market that you are considering making a purchase in is an effective way of approaching your purchase as a well-informed consumer. This article has explained a variety of things you can do to help make the most out of your real estate purchase. All that is left is for you to try these tips out!

Source: http://www.realpolitix.com/things-to-look-for-when-buying-a-home/

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UK workplace pension pot charges should be revealed - new code

LONDON (Reuters) - Pension firms and insurers are calling for the costs taken automatically by people running UK pension schemes to be divulged to employers when they set up auto-enrolment schemes between 2012 and 2017.

Pension charges have dramatically reduced in recent years, and now stand at 0.52 percent of the value of an individual scheme, says the Association of British Insurers (ABI). But the little-known fees and levies can wipe tens of thousands of pounds off the value of a worker's workplace pension.

Private pension firms have been accused of failing to disclose some of the costs they levy on customers' investment funds, leaving people unaware that their pension savings were being eroded by the charges.

Industry associations have created a joint Code of Conduct for disclosing the charges made on workplace pensions for managing a retirement plan and its investments, the firms involved said in a statement on Wednesday.

The average so-called ?annual management charge' on a workplace pension scheme is 0.77 percent, the ABI said.

Umbrella organizations The National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF), the ABI, as well as the Investment Management Association and the Society of Pension Consultants want their members and participants in the pensions market to follow the practices set out by the code.

Employers will be able to chose which pension scheme they want based on the information on charges, costs and services.

UK pensions minister Steve Webb said he hoped to see "widespread adoption" of the code.

"However, we are prepared to consider taking action more broadly on charges if insufficient progress is made," he said in a statement on Wednesday.

In January 2013, the code will be available to use for a template for explaining charges, followed by the launch of a web tool in April 2013, which is being produced by the ABI.

The government backed auto-enrolment scheme, whereby people are required to opt out rather than opt into retirement saving, could lead to up to 8 million additional workers being signed up for pensions.

(Editing by Hans-Juergen Peters)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/uk-workplace-pension-pot-charges-revealed-code-000318048--sector.html

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Top 5 Apps Your Kids Will Love This Week

Chris Crowell is a veteran kindergarten teacher and contributing editor to Children's Technology Review, a web-based archive of articles and reviews on apps, technology toys and video games. Download a free issue of CTR here.

[More from Mashable: 11 Biggest Social Media Disasters of 2012]

Crossword Puzzles for Kids

$1.99 Ages 3-10 Overall rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars Why we like it: The name says it all -- this crossword puzzle app contains 48 crosswords with more than 300 word in different categories including animals, food, clothes, and colors. Each puzzle is leveled, and the design is very clean. A color coding system is used for hints, which are available at any time. Need to know: You can't unlock the harder levels until you solve each puzzle, which could slow children down. Also, the letters tend to float above your finger letting you see what you're doing. This makes sense, but takes some getting used to. Ease of use: 9/10 Educational: 9/10 Entertaining: 8/10

Click here to view this gallery.

[More from Mashable: 10 Adorable Animals Feeding Other Animals [VIDEOS]]

This week's apps have a theme: temporal and spatial relations logic puzzles. Flip through the gallery above to see which of the apps -- filled with mazes, puzzles and more -- your kids will have a blast exploring.

SEE ALSO: 10 Most Amazing iPhone Puzzle Games

The folks over at Children's Technology Review shared with us these 5 top apps from their comprehensive monthly database of kid-tested reviews. The site covers everything from math and counting to reading and phonics.

Check back next week for more Top Kids Apps from Children's Technology Review.

This story originally published on Mashable here.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/top-5-apps-kids-love-week-144101863.html

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Prof finds racial profiling in ads for data site

6 hrs.

Adam Tanner , Reuters

Dr. Latisha Smith, an expert in decompression sicknesses afflicting deep sea divers, has cleared criminal background checks throughout her medical career. Yet someone searching the Web for the Washington state physician might well come across an Internet ad suggesting she may have an arrest record.

"Latisha Smith, arrested?" reads one such advertisement.

Another says: "Latisha Smith Truth... Check Latisha Smith's Arrests."

Instantcheckmate.com, which labels itself the "Internet's leading authority on background checks," placed both ads. A statistical analysis of the company's advertising has found it has disproportionately used ad copy including the word "arrested" for black-identifying names, even when a person has no arrest record.

Latanya Sweeney is a Harvard University professor of government with a doctorate in computer science. After learning that her own name had popped up in an "arrested?" ad when a colleague was searching for one of her academic publications, she ran more than 120,000 searches for names primarily given to either black or white children, testing ads delivered for 2,400 real names 50 times each. (The author of this story is a Harvard University fellow collaborating with Sweeney on a book about the business of personal data.)

Ebony Jefferson, for example, often turns up an instantcheckmate.com ad reading: "Ebony Jefferson, arrested?" but an ad triggered by a search for Emily Jefferson would read: "We found Emily Jefferson." Searches for randomly chosen black-identifying names such as Deshawn Williams, Latisha Smith or Latanya Smith often produced the "arrested?" headline or ad text with the word "arrest," whereas other less ethnic-sounding first names matched with the same surnames typically did not.

"As an African-American, I'm used to profiling like that," said Smith. "I think it's horrendous that they get away with it."

Instantcheckmate.com declined to comment. The company's founder and managing partner, Kristian Kibak, did not respond to repeated emails and phone calls over a period of several months, and other employees referred calls to management. Company officials also declined to comment when visited twice at their call center in Las Vegas. Former employees said they had signed nondisclosure agreements that barred them from speaking openly about Instant Checkmate.

Instantcheckmate.com is one of many data brokers that use and sell data for a variety of purposes. The field is attracting growing attention, both from government and consumers concerned about possible abuse. Rapid advances in technology have opened up all sorts of opportunities for commercialization of data.

Anyone can set up shop and sell arrest records as long as they stay clear of U.S. legal limitations such as using the information to determine creditworthiness, insurance or job suitability.

Companies that compete with instantcheckmate.com include intelius.com and mylife.com. An examination of Internet advertising starting last March as well as Sweeney's study did not find any rival companies advertising background searches on individual names along racial lines.

Who can be trusted??
In its own marketing, Instantcheckmate.com sums up its mission like this: "Parents will no longer need to wonder about whether their neighbors, friends, home day care providers, a former spouse's new love interest or preschool providers can be trusted to care for their children responsibly."

According to preliminary findings of Sweeney's research, searches of names assigned primarily to black babies, such as Tyrone, Darnell, Ebony and Latisha, generated "arrest" in the instantcheckmate.com ad copy between 75 percent and 96 percent of the time. Names assigned at birth primarily to whites, such as Geoffrey, Brett, Kristen and Anne, led to more neutral copy, with the word "arrest" appearing between zero and 9 percent of the time.

A few names fell outside of these patterns: Brad, a name predominantly given to white babies, produced an ad with the word "arrest" 62 percent to 65 percent of the time. Sweeney found that ads appear regardless of whether the name has an arrest record attached to it.

Blacks make up about 13 percent of the U.S. population but account for 28 percent of the arrests listed on the FBI's most recent annual crime statistics.

Internet advertising based on millions of name pairs has only existed in recent years, so targeting ads along racial lines raises new legal questions. Experts say the Federal Trade Commission, which this year assessed an $800,000 penalty against personal data site Spokeo.com for different reasons (related to the use of data for job-vetting purposes), would be the institution best placed to review Instant Checkmate's practices.

The FTC enforces regulations against unfair or deceptive business practices. A deceptive claim that would be more likely to get people to purchase a product than they would otherwise would be a typical reason the FTC might act against a company, said one FTC official who did not want to be identified. For example, authorities could take action against a firm that makes misleading claims suggesting a product such as records exist when they do not.

"It's disturbing," Julie Brill, an FTC commissioner, said of Instant Checkmate's advertising. "I don't know if it's illegal ... It's something that we'd need to study to see if any enforcement action is needed."

Instant Checkmate's Kibak, who is in his late 20s, works out of a San Diego office near the Pacific Ocean. The son of a California biology professor, he did not respond to repeated phone calls and emails seeking comment about his business.

"We would consider the answers to most of your questions trade secrets and therefore would not be comfortable disclosing that information," Joey Rocco, Kibak's partner according to the firm's Nevada state registration, said in an email.

Instant Checkmate LLC maintains its official corporate headquarters at an address in an industrial zone across the highway from the Las Vegas strip. At the back of a long parking lot, the company shares a warehouse building with an auto repair shop. At one end, a large roll-up garage-style door opens to the company's call center. Workers face a gray cinder-block wall, their backs to the entrance. Staff declined to answer questions.

Data firms proliferate?
Sweeney's analysis found that some instantcheckmate.com ads hint at arrest records when the firm's database has no record of any arrest for that name, as is the case with her own name. In other cases, such as that of Latisha Smith, the company does have arrest records for some people by that name, although not for the doctor of hypobaric medicine in Washington state.

Laura Beatty, an Internet Marketing Inc expert in helping companies achieve prominent placement in Web searches, said instantcheckmate.com appeared to choose its ads based on combinations of thousands of different first and last names and then segment them based on the first names.

"There does look like there is some definite profiling going on here," she said. "In the searches that I looked at, it seemed like the more Midwestern- and WASP-sounding the name was, the less likely it was to have either any advertisement at all or to have something that was more geared around the arrest or criminal background."

Internet firms selling criminal records and personal data to the public have proliferated in recent years, as low-cost computing enables even modest operations to maintain large databases on millions of Americans. Such sites sell access to users for a one-time fee???$29.95 in the case of instantcheckmate.com???or via monthly subscription plans.

Instant Checkmate, first registered in Nevada in 2010, said in a recent press release posted online that the firm had attracted more than 570,000 customers since its start and counted more than 200,000 subscribers.

According to alexa.com, an Amazon.Com Inc site analyzing website traffic, instantcheckmate.com has ranged roughly between the 500th and 600th most visited U.S. site in recent weeks, making it an increasingly major player in this area.

The company is able to target its ads on an individual name basis through a program called Google AdWords. Instantcheckmate.com and others companies like it use Google AdWords to bid to place small text advertisements alongside search results on major websites triggered by the names in their data base. Such ads typically cost a company far less than a dollar, sometimes just a few pennies, each time they're clicked.

Google says it does not control what names appear in AdWords. "Advertisers select all of their keywords, and ads are triggered when someone searches for that name. We don't have any role in the advertiser's selection of unique proper names," said a Google spokesman.

Some in Congress have raised concerns about developments in the use of personal data. In October, Sen. John Rockefeller IV, a Democrat from West Virginia and chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, opened a probe into leading data brokers. "Collecting, storing and selling information about Americans raises all types of questions that require careful scrutiny," he said.

(Adam Tanner is a Reuters correspondent currently on a 2012-13 fellowship at Harvard University?s Department of Government.)

(Editing by Claudia Parsons and Prudence Crowther)

(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Check for restrictions at:?http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp?

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/prof-finds-racial-profiling-ads-personal-data-site-1C7206888

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Jobs - Faculty Education Coordinator

Salary: ?41,830 ? ?50,570 per annum

Consistently rated amongst the world?s best universities, Imperial College London is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research. The Faculty of Natural Sciences is currently seeking a Faculty Education Coordinator to assist in the development and delivery of the Faculty?s strategic education objectives.?

Reporting to the Operations Officer and working closely with the Faculty?s Director of Education, you will play a key role in the identification, prioritisation, development, implementation and management of the Faculty?s education strategy to ensure that the Faculty meets its strategic objectives and takes advantage of opportunities to excel further in its education programmes and activities.?This varied role will include initiating the Faculty?s participation in new education programmes, developing and delivering appropriate policies and procedures in support of education objectives and creating and maintaining management information tools to enable monitoring against strategic targets.?

Educated to degree level with a proven track record in administration within a Higher Education establishment or similar, you will have an innovative and proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to work across multiple parts of a large organisation. You will also be able demonstrate excellent organisational, communication and analytical skills and use these to provide support of the highest possible standard.? Experience of policy and strategy development and implementation, together with a successful track record in negotiating with staff and external agencies, are essential.? An academic background in science or mathematics would also be beneficial.?

If you would like to discuss this opportunity informally, please contact Nazia Hirjee, Faculty Operations Officer, email: n.hirjee@imperial.ac.uk.?

Our preferred method of application is online via our website. To apply, please click the ?Apply? button?below or visit: www3.imperial.ac.uk/employment (please select ?Job Search? then enter the job title or vacancy reference number including spaces ? NS 2012 246 JT into ?Keywords?).? Please complete and upload an application form as directed.?

Alternatively, if you are unable to apply online, please contact Jenny Thomas, Senior HR Administrator, by email j.thomas@imperial.ac.uk.?

Closing date: 7 December 2012
Interviews will take place on 9 January 2013?

Committed to equality and valuing diversity.??We are also an Athena Bronze SWAN Award winner, a Stonewall Diversity Champion and a Two Ticks Employer.

Source: http://www.thesciencejobs.com/jobs/136223

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Deutsche Telekom sees huge synergies from MetroPCS deal: paper

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Germany's Deutsche Telekom AG expects the merger of its T-Mobile USA with MetroPCS Communications Inc will reap "several billions of euros" in synergies, Telekom chairman Ulrich Lehner told a German weekly magazine.

"The position of Deutsche Telekom in the USA will improve markedly as a result," WirtschaftsWoche quoted Lehner as saying in a report to be published on Monday.

T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS said last month that they wanted to merge their companies, creating a stronger number four on the U.S. wireless market.

T-Mobile is seeking to catch up with market leaders Verizon Wireless and AT&T , and third-place Sprint as the market moves quickly to super-fast mobile Internet offerings.

MetroPCS Communications said on November 19 the U.S. Department of Justice has requested for additional information regarding the proposed merger but continued to expect the deal to close in the first half of 2013.

(Reporting By Marilyn Gerlach, editing by William Hardy)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/deutsche-telekom-sees-huge-synergies-metropcs-deal-paper-150704846--sector.html

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Nokia imaging head Damian Dinning makes 'personal decision' to leave the company

Nokia's cameras and imaging systems have garnered the company plenty of attention in recent years, but it looks like it's now facing something of a turning point in that area. As Amateur Photographer reports, the man responsible for leading that charge, Damian Dinning, has announced that he's leaving the company effective November 30th. According to a statement released by Nokia UK, that move is a "personal decision" Dinning made following the company's decision to relocate a number of key strategic roles to Finland. As for what's next for Dinning, he rather cryptically tweeted just two days ago that he's "incredibly excited about the 10th Dec," adding that he "can't say more than that right now other than to say it's nothing to do with Nokia directly." There's also no word yet from Nokia on who will take over his role.

Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Mobile, Nokia

Comments

Via: PureViewClub, The Verge

Source: Amateur Photographer, @PhoneDaz (Twitter)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/23/nokia-imaging-head-damien-dinning-makes-personal-decision-to-l/

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