Apr 26 ? 27: Women In Sports Event Schedule | Bernews.com

The Bermuda National Athletics Association and Bermuda Olympic Association, in partnership with the Argus Group, today announced the ?full details of the inaugural Women in Sports Expo to take place in Bermuda. This event will be held on Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27, at The Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

The Women in Sports Expo is designed to encourage equitable participation by girls and women in physical recreation and sports. The event will not only increase the profile of sports to females, it will also drive awareness of the importance of physical activity for health reasons.?The event consists of a banquet and a running/walking race followed by an Expo with speakers, demonstrations and booths.

Women in Sports Banquet, Friday, April 26, 6.30pm-10pm

This inspiring event will feature guest speaker, Lisa Leslie, a four-time American Olympic gold?medalist?basketball player, and three-time WNBA MVP. Tickets are available from www.racedayworld.com and are priced at $75 per person for the banquet only.

Women in Sports Run/Walk, Saturday, April 27, 8.45am/9am start

On the Saturday morning there will be a Little Girls Rock one-mile run for females under 18, followed by a Women in Sports 5K Run/Walk. The route for both events starts and finishes at The Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

All participants will receive a completion medal, t-shirt and bag. Entry is $20 for adults, or $30 for the Run and Expo and $10 for those aged under 18. Participants need to register by completing a paper form available island-wide and returning it to Sportseller in Washington Mall before 5pm on April 24. Online registration is also available at www.racedayworld.com before 5pm on April 25. No late entries will be accepted on race day. Race numbers can be picked up from The Fairmont Hamilton Princess on April 26, 12noon-4.30pm.

Women in Sports Expo, Saturday, April 27, 12noon-6pm

The fair will consist of a networking room with booths related to sports organisations, health and nutrition. International elite athletes and female Bermudian Olympians from various sports will be in attendance to speak about their experiences in sports including Paula Lewin [Bermuda sailing Olympian], Arantxa King [Bermuda long jump Olympian], Anjali Forber Pratt [American Paralympian], Jessica Lewis [Bermuda Paralympian], Pauline Davis Thompson [Bahamas track Olympic gold medallist], Chrissie Wellington [English Ironman Triathlon World Champion] and Jenaya Wade-Fray [Bermudian basketball Olympian].

There will be a ?Women?s sports and health issues? panel discussion with Pauline Davis [Bahamas track Olympian], Esther Maynard [International Athletics Association Federation Technical member], Branwen Smith-King [Assistant Director of Athletics at Tufts University], Teresa Perrozi [Bermudian middleweight world boxing champion], Bonnie Bernstein [American sports broadcaster] and Anthi Xipolia [Bermuda Rugby Football Union].

There will also be Zumba, gymnastics, Jump 2b Fit and salsa demonstrations, as well as a sports fashion show. Tickets are available from www.racedayworld.com priced $20 for adults and $10 for those under 18 years. There is a reduced charge of $100 for those attending the entire weekend.

Minister of Health and Seniors Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, says: ?Regular exercise is an important aspect of looking after our health so I?m delighted that Bermuda National Athletics Association, Bermuda Olympic Association and the Argus Group have joined forces to promote sports to women on the island. Who better to hear that message from than award-winning athletes and existing sports enthusiasts? This is sure to be an inspiring and engaging event so I encourage everyone to go along and get motivated into action.?

Donna Watson, President, Bermuda National Athletics Association, says: ?We are excited to be hosting the first-ever event dedicated to women in sports on the island. It is a real privilege for us to be welcoming those at the top of their respective fields in the sporting arena to help us encourage more girls and women to take a greater interest in sports.

?Exercise is great for your health, makes you look and feel good, and the sense of personal achievement you can get from pushing your body to its limits cannot be beaten. I thank Bermuda National Athletics Association, The Bermuda Olympic Association and the Argus Group for their support in turning the concept into a reality.?

Alison Hill, Chief Executive Officer, the Argus Group, says: ?The fact that a substantial proportion of women in Bermuda do not participate in sports and physical recreation is a concern for Argus as the island?s leading health insurer. The consequences of a sedentary lifestyle are increased risk of developing many serious and debilitating conditions. In addition, research1 tells us that women who take part in sports report being happier, suffer less stress and feel more confident.?

Brenda Dale, AVP, Project Manager, the Argus Group, adds: ?This is a cause that I personally endorse as the former Chair of Bermuda Government?s Women in Sports Committee from 2002 to 2005, and a current member of the Bermuda Olympic Association?s Women in Sports Committee.?

For more information about this event, please contact the Bermuda National Athletics Association on 296-0951 or email btfa@logic.bm.

Read More About: Bermuda road running, Bermuda track and field, Triathlon

Category: All, Sports

Source: http://bernews.com/2013/04/apr-26-27-women-in-sports-event-schedule/

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Bomb suspect influenced by mysterious radical

WASHINGTON (AP) ? In the years before the Boston Marathon bombings, Tamerlan Tsarnaev fell under the influence of a new friend, a Muslim convert who steered the religiously apathetic young man toward a strict strain of Islam, family members said.

Under the tutelage of a friend known to the Tsarnaev family only as Misha, Tamerlan gave up boxing and stopped studying music, his family said. He began opposing the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He turned to websites and literature claiming that the CIA was behind the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and Jews controlled the world.

"Somehow, he just took his brain," said Tamerlan's uncle, Ruslan Tsarni, who recalled conversations with Tamerlan's worried father about Misha's influence. Efforts over several days by The Associated Press to identify and interview Misha have been unsuccessful.

Tamerlan's relationship with Misha could be a clue in understanding the motives behind his religious transformation and, ultimately, the attack itself. Two U.S. officials say he had no tie to terrorist groups.

Throughout his religious makeover, Tamerlan maintained a strong influence over his siblings, including Dzhokhar, who investigators say carried out the deadly attack by his older brother's side, killing three and injuring 264 people.

"They all loved Tamerlan. He was the eldest one and he, in many ways, was the role model for his sisters and his brother," said Elmirza Khozhugov, 26, the ex-husband of Tamerlan's sister, Ailina. "You could always hear his younger brother and sisters say, 'Tamerlan said this,' and 'Tamerlan said that.' Dzhokhar loved him. He would do whatever Tamerlan would say.

"Even my ex-wife loved him so much and respected him so much," Khozhugov said. "I'd have arguments with her and if Tamerlan took my side, she would agree: 'OK, if Tamerlan said it.'"

Khozhugov said he was close to Tamerlan when he was married and they kept in touch for a while but drifted apart in the past two years or so. He spoke to the AP from his home in Almaty, Kazakhstan. A family member in the United States provided the contact information.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev was killed in a police shootout Friday. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was charged Monday with using a weapon of mass destruction to kill, and he could face the death penalty if convicted.

"Of course I was shocked and surprised that he was Suspect No. 1," Khozhugov said, recalling the days after the bombing when the FBI identified Tamerlan as the primary suspect. "But after a few hours of thinking about it, I thought it could be possible that he did it."

Based on preliminary written interviews with Dzhokar in his hospital bed, U.S. officials believe the brothers were motivated by their religious views. It has not been clear, however, what those views were.

As authorities try to piece together that information, they are touching on a question asked after so many terrorist plots: What turns someone into a terrorist?

The brothers emigrated in 2002 or 2003 from Dagestan, a Russian republic that has become an epicenter of the Islamic insurgency that spilled over from the region of Chechnya.

They were raised in a home that followed Sunni Islam, the religion's largest sect. They were not regulars at the mosque and rarely discussed religion, Khozhugov said.

Then, in 2008 or 2009, Tamerlan met Misha, a slightly older, heavyset bald man with a long reddish beard. Khozhugov didn't know where they'd met but believed they attended a Boston-area mosque together. Misha was an Armenian native and a convert to Islam and quickly began influencing his new friend, family members said.

Once, Khozhugov said, Misha came to the family home outside Boston and sat in the kitchen, chatting with Tamerlan for hours.

"Misha was telling him what is Islam, what is good in Islam, what is bad in Islam," said Khozhugov, who said he was present for the conversation. "This is the best religion and that's it. Mohammed said this and Mohammed said that."

The conversation continued until Tamerlan's father, Anzor, came home from work.

"It was late, like midnight," Khozhugov said. "His father comes in and says, 'Why is Misha here so late and still in our house?' He asked it politely. Tamerlan was so much into the conversation he didn't listen."

Khozhugov said Tamerlan's mother, Zubeidat, told him not to worry.

"'Don't interrupt them,'" Khozhugov recalled the mother saying. "'They're talking about religion and good things. Misha is teaching him to be good and nice.'"

As time went on, Tamerlan and his father argued about the young man's new beliefs.

"When Misha would start talking, Tamerlan would stop talking and listen. It upset his father because Tamerlan wouldn't listen to him as much," Khozhugov said. "He would listen to this guy from the mosque who was preaching to him."

Anzor became so concerned that he called his brother, worried about Misha's effects.

"I heard about nobody else but this convert," Tsarni said. "The seed for changing his views was planted right there in Cambridge."

It was not immediately clear whether the FBI has spoken to Misha or was attempting to.

Tsarnaev became an ardent reader of jihadist websites and extremist propaganda, two U.S. officials said. He read Inspire magazine, an English-language online publication produced by al-Qaida's Yemen affiliate.

Tamerlan loved music and, a few years ago, he sent Khozhugov a song he'd composed in English and Russian. He said he was about to start music school.

Six weeks later, the two men spoke on the phone. Khozhugov asked how school was going.

"I quit," Tamerlan said.

"Why did you quit?" Khozhugov asked. "You just started."

"Music is not really supported in Islam," he replied.

"Who told you that?"

"Misha said it's not really good to create music. It's not really good to listen to music," Tamerlan said, according to Khozhugov.

Tamerlan took an interest in Infowars, a conspiracy theory website. Khozhugov said Tamerlan was interested in finding a copy of the book "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion," the classic anti-Semitic hoax, first published in Russia in 1903, that claims a Jewish plot to take over the world.

"He never said he hated America or he hated the Jews," Khozhugov said. "But he was fairly aggressive toward the policies of the U.S. toward countries with Muslim populations. He disliked the wars."

One of the brothers' neighbors, Albrecht Ammon, recently recalled an encounter in which Tamerlan argued about U.S. foreign policy, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and religion.

Ammon said Tamerlan described the Bible as a "cheap copy" of the Quran, used to justify wars with other countries.

"He had nothing against the American people," Ammon said. "He had something against the American government."

Khozhugov said Tamerlan did not know much about Islam beyond what he found online or what he heard from Misha.

"Misha was important," he said. "Tamerlan was searching for something. He was searching for something out there."

___

Associated Press writers Lara Jakes and Eileen Sullivan contributed to this report.

___

AP's Washington investigative team can be reached at DCinvestigations(at)ap.org

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/bomb-suspect-influenced-mysterious-radical-202945456--politics.html

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PSA: Twitter is down for some, as is iCloud and the iTunes Store (update: Twitter back up!)

Nope, it's not your picture of "the best duck confit I've ever had" that's causing that Twitter post to error out -- the service is down for "some users," according to a Twitter status page update. It's unknown what's causing the issue (again, probably not your photweet), but we're assured "engineers are currently working on this issue." We're experiencing some snags ourselves, usually resulting in tweets timing out before publishing. Hang tight!

But maybe don't try to while away your time on the iTunes Store or by backing up your phone to iCloud, as those services are also experiencing some downtime issues this morning. An Apple support page lists both as seeing "some users affected;" we'll just have to assume engineers are also hard at work on fixing that. As always, we'll let you know when things get better.

Update: Looks like Twitter is all back to normal, and the company says, "this issue has been resolved." Apple, on the other hand, is still having issues with Apple ID and Game Center login.

Filed under: Apple

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Source: Twitter, Apple

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/23/psa-twitter-icloud-itunes-issues/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget

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Jimmy Kimmel Asks Coachella Attendees About Bands That Do Not Exist

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PFT: Goodell?is close with suspended players

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There will be ?enhanced? security guidelines for the NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York, the league said Tuesday.

According to the NFL, those entering Radio City Music Hall for the draft must consent to searches by security personnel, with pat-downs and metal detectors among the measures that can be employed.?What?s more, all items brought into the building will be inspected, the league said.

The draft begins Thursday and runs through Saturday in New York.

The league, along with Radio City Music Hall and New York City police, are recommending those attending the draft to limit the number of objects brought into the building.?No containers will be allowed inside, with backpacks among the excluded items.?The NFL?s statement on the security measures has a list of banned items.

?Fans are urged to bring nothing larger than a very small purse,? the league said.

The league noted it already had security procedures in place before these additions.

?The NFL and its clubs have operated with a very high level of security since 9/11 for all of our games and events,? said Jeffrey Miller, NFL vice president and chief security officer in the league-issued statement. ?With the help of the FBI, New York Police Department, Radio City and our private security partners, we will enhance our already comprehensive plans for the safety of our fans and other attendees.?

A noticeable security presence at major sporting events doesn?t figure to go away anytime soon, and the NFL?s enhancements make sense, considering recent events.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/23/goodell-says-hes-close-with-players-he-suspended/related/

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Big scramble seen in open Senate seat in Georgia

ATLANTA (AP) ? A rare open U.S. Senate seat in Georgia promises a scrambled 2014 campaign that already has some Republicans quietly nervous about retaining it.

Democrat Barack Obama lost the state in both of his White House races, and it's a seat that Republicans cannot afford to lose as they try to regain a Senate majority for the final two years of his presidency.

The question is whether a bruising party primary becomes a liability, particularly if voters nominate U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, who once called evolution and the Big Bang Theory "lies straight from the pit of hell."

Broun and U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey, both conservative physicians, are the only Republicans to announce officially since incumbent Saxby Chambliss said he will retire. But the GOP primary field eventually could include as many as a half-dozen candidates with a credible shot at a runoff spot.

Broun, whose district includes the University of Georgia in Athens, drew national headlines last year for that science commentary he delivered at a church. He's flouted GOP leaders on recent fiscal votes, saying the party's position wasn't conservative enough.

In a recent fundraising letter, he boasted that he was the first member of Congress to call Obama "a socialist who embraces Marxist-Leninist policies."

That makes Broun a tea party and evangelical favorite. To other Republicans, however, such comments stir memories of 2012 losses in Senate races in Missouri and Indiana where the GOP nominees, Todd Akin and Richard Mourdock, made controversial comments about women, rape and abortion.

"There's no question that the Republican Party in Georgia and the nation are concerned that we could have another Todd Akin-type scenario here," said Heath Garrett, a Republican campaign consultant and former top aide to U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson.

Democrats control 55 seats in the Senate, and Republicans would need to hang on to the ones they control now and pick up six more next year to take control for the first time since 2006.

At least one more Georgia congressman is likely to jump in, and a trio of Washington outsiders is considering the race: a wealthy Atlanta businesswoman who helped bankroll a Mitt Romney's presidential campaign; the former Susan G. Komen Foundation executive who took on Planned Parenthood; and the cousin of former Gov. Sonny Perdue.

"It's going to be a free-for-all with a lot of dominoes," said Sue Everhart, the head of the state GOP.

Isakson said he's neutral in the primary.

National conservative groups FreedomWorks and Club for Growth, which have helped tea party candidates such as Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas win high-profile races, say many candidates have talked to them about support. For now, both groups say they're watching the field develop. It would be a blow to Broun if he can't harness the support of either.

Democrats believe they can tap into the Missouri-Indiana playbook, particularly if U.S. Rep. John Barrow, a moderate from Augusta, runs. Barrow has survived consecutive elections as one of national Republicans' top House targets.

The state Democratic chairman, Mike Berlon, said Barrow has detractors among core Democrats for his vote against Obama's health care law, but said he'd expect enthusiasm at any opportunity to win back Chambliss' seat.

Berlon said the congressman is an ideal candidate to assemble a majority coalition of African-Americans, white urban liberals, suburban moderates and just enough rural conservatives. "We're already close," he said, noting that Obama got 47 percent in 2008 and 45.5 percent in 2012 "without the national party lifting a finger."

Garrett said that "if the Republican nominee scares suburban whites, John Barrow becomes a very formidable candidate."

Barrow has held meetings with major Democratic donors in Georgia and talked with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee leaders, but has not announced his intentions.

The only other Democrat making strong overtures is Michelle Nunn, a not-for-profit executive who's the daughter of former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga.

Berlon said he expects Nunn and Barrow to meet soon to "talk about who's going to run."

On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston of Savannah is expected to enter the race soon. He raised $843,000 in the first three months of the year, about 10 times what he collected during the same span two years ago when he was preparing only for an easy re-election to his 11th term.

Rep. Tom Price, vice chairman of the House Budget Committee, has said he won't make a move until after Congress passes a budget. But he's also got to consider that many high-profile GOP donors and strategists are lining up behind Gingrey or Kingston.

The longer Price waits, the more likely it is that Karen Handel, a former Georgia secretary of state, will run. The two are close friends.

After losing the 2010 Republican primary runoff for governor, Handel worked for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. She resigned amid controversy over her push to dissociate the organization from Planned Parenthood, a provider of women's health care and abortion services.

Two electoral newcomers would bring their personal wealth to the campaign.

Businessman David Perdue also has name ID as the cousin of a popular former governor.

Kelly Loeffler is a co-owner of the Atlanta-based company that recently bought the New York Stock Exchange and Atlanta's professional women's basketball team. She's never run for office but is one of the top fundraisers for Romney last year. She's been increasingly active in Georgia Republican political circles.

Chip Lake, a paid strategist for Gingrey, said the uncertainty makes it difficult to handicap the race.

Against Broun alone, Gingrey is a mainstream social and fiscal conservative, but he also caught heat earlier this year when he defended Akin.

Gingrey apologized, calling his own remarks "stupid." In a three-man race, Kingston becomes a favorite of many Chamber of Commerce Republicans. But Kingston also is from south Georgia, far from the population center of Atlanta, where Gingrey has won elections for decades.

Broun has just $217,000 in his campaign account, about one-tenth of his House rivals and not enough for one week of television ads in Atlanta. But he's also got a strong grass-roots following.

Handel can capitalize on experience in government, while still being an outsider to an unpopular Congress. She could be a particularly strong candidate if she's the only woman in the race.

But Loeffler could neutralize any gender advantage. Handel can use the Planned Parenthood flap to boost her conservative credentials, but she's had run-ins with staunch anti-abortion groups because she supports policy exceptions for rape, incest and to allow for in-vitro fertilization.

Loeffler can sell her success story and roots on an Illinois farm. But she'd still have to introduce herself to small town and rural Georgia as a millionaire from Atlanta.

___

Follow Barrow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BillBarrowAP

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/big-scramble-seen-open-senate-seat-georgia-114950175--election.html

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Visualized: A walk through the Inside 3D Printing Conference and Expo

We didn't find much in the way of news at the Inside 3D Printing Conference and Expo here in NYC (and, we're sad to say, our press badges were just old-fashioned 2D printed), but there was plenty to look at, thankfully. Between the slew of business and consumer devices and the boatload of printed objects, the event was part business conference, part art show. And while the real star was the still-fresh world of desktop home printers, plenty of companies brought out their big-gun industrial devices (including at least one really sweet giant 3D scanner). Peep the gallery below to check out some of the eye candy from the event.

Gallery: Inside 3D Printing Conference and Expo 2013

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Rubio faces tough crowd (Washington Bureau)

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In Boston, celebration and tears

BOSTON (AP) ? They gathered in silence on Boylston Street, just three blocks away from the chaos and carnage caused by twin bombings four days earlier. Some were crying.

Boston University student Aaron Wengertsman, 19, wrapped himself in an American flag. He was on the marathon route a mile from the finish line when the bombs exploded.

"I'm glad they caught him alive," he said of one of two brothers authorities say were responsible for the explosions. "I thought people might be more excited, but it's humbling to see all these people paying their respects."

As Wengertsman and dozens of others held a solemn commemoration Friday night for the victims of the blasts, others took to the streets of Boston and beyond to celebrate the capture of the surviving suspect following a manhunt that left the city largely paralyzed.

In Boston's Dorchester neighborhood, where an 8-year-old boy killed in the bombing lived, people set off fireworks.

Boston University juniors Brendan Hathaway and Sam Howes gave high fives to strangers as they walked down the street bathed in the flashing lights from Kenmore Square's iconic rooftop Citgo sign.

"This was like our first opportunity to really be outside without feeling like there imminent danger," said Hathaway, a mechanical engineering student from nearby Newton. "It was close to home for me."

At Boston Common, Beth Lloyd-Jones said it felt like she had her city back. She was blocks away from the blast on Monday in her south end home.

"It's personal," she said, noting that she's planning her wedding for the public library building adjacent to where the bombs exploded.

"That could have been any one of us," she said of the victims. "Now I feel a little safer."

The surviving suspect, 19-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, was taken to a hospital after engaging in a firefight with police while hiding out in a parked boat in a Watertown backyard. Earlier in the day, his 26-year-old brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, had been killed in a gunbattle and car chase during which he and his younger brother hurled explosives at police from a stolen car, authorities said. During the getaway attempt, the brothers killed an MIT policeman and severely wounded another officer, authorities said.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think that this would result in a shootout in Watertown," said Sheamus McGovern, of neighboring Belmont.

Less than 24 hours after the shootout, police officers and firefighters stood grim-faced with guns and rifles, lining the street leading to the property about a mile away where the younger brother was believed to be holed up in the boat.

Reporters and spectators lined up on the other side. The mood was tense, with the few neighbors who ventured out hugging and crying as they heard bangs. Others merely looked on curiously.

Then, one officer slowly started clapping. Then it spread to the crowd. Then loud cheers broke out.

People in the crowd started asking, "Is he alive?" One of the officers nodded, yes. Any time a first responder emerged from the street, there was loud applause.

"They finally caught the jerk," said nurse Cindy Boyle, 41. "It was scary; it was tense." She said she knew when police started clapping that everything would be all right.

Celebratory bells rang from a church tower in Watertown after the capture. Teenagers waved American flags in the center of town. Every car that drove by honked. Every time an emergency vehicle went by, people cheered loudly.

Liz Rodgers, a 65-year-old attorney, took one of the pieces of yellow police tape and tied it around her neck like a necklace.

"When you see your town invaded like this, it's stunning," she said. "Everyone in Watertown is just so grateful that he's caught and that we're liberated."

The jubilation was widespread. The mayor of Boston tweeted, "We got him!" And at the home of the New York Mets, spectators leapt to their feet and cheered when the news spread during a game against the Washington Nationals.

Hundreds of people marched down Commonwealth Avenue, chanting "USA" and singing the Red Sox anthem "Sweet Caroline" as they headed toward Boston Common. Police blocked traffic along part of the street to allow for the impromptu parade.

"I can finally sleep tonight," said 27-year-old Lisa Mara, standing along Boylston Street, just a few blocks from her home.

___

Lindsay reported from Watertown, Mass. Associated Press writers Allen G. Breed, Bridget Murphy and Katie Zezima in Boston contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/boston-beyond-thanks-jubilation-080556734.html

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Rural California Finally Gets Broadband Internet, Still Waiting For Second Gold Rush

A California ISP called Cal.net is rolling out service in El Dorado county where almost 60,000 residents have minimal internet access. Cal.net is taking advantage of unused portions of the radio spectrum, called white spaces, to send wireless signal over long distances. More »

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Clippers beat Grizzlies 112-91 in playoff opener

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? The Los Angeles Clippers played above the rim, not enough to live up to their Lob City moniker but enough to beat Memphis at its own rebounding game.

Chris Paul led seven players in double figures with 23 points, Eric Bledsoe had 15 and the Clippers dominated the boards in a 112-91 victory over the Grizzlies in their Western Conference playoff opener on Saturday.

Chauncey Billups scored 14 points, and Caron Butler and Jamal Crawford had 13 apiece on a night when Blake Griffin was held to 10 points and five rebounds before fouling out with 3:32 left. The high-flying Clippers had just one dunk, but enjoyed a 47-23 advantage on the glass.

"I just decided not to dunk that often," Paul said, jokingly. "Just shoot floaters. I don't know what Blake's problem was."

Griffin bantered back, saying, "I just wanted to foul."

"They're tough inside and in the end our guys made shots. We don't live for the dunk. It just happens sometimes ? a lot of the time," he said.

Just not this time.

Griffin missed a dunk in the first quarter, when Tony Allen and Ed Davis had Memphis' only two. DeAndre Jordan's driving one-handed slam midway through the fourth was the Clippers' first, and the big man's first and only basket of the game.

"We were able to get in front of them before they take off," said Jerryd Bayless, who led the Grizzlies with 19 points.

Marc Gasol had 16 points and two rebounds, and Zach Randolph had 13 points and four boards in the rematch of last year's first-round series, won by the Clippers in seven games. Randolph finished with five fouls and Bayless was one of four Grizzlies with four fouls.

"That's not acceptable," Gasol said about the rebounding difference. "Once we made a stop, they kept running in and getting offensive rebounds and second-chance points. We have to be better than that. The rebounds were the difference."

Game 2 is Monday night at Staples Center.

"We've got to really, really step up and execute better," Gasol said. "They cannot outhustle us."

The Grizzlies closed within a point early in the fourth on a 3-pointer by former Clipper Keyon Dooling. Los Angeles answered with a 15-3 run to go up 92-79, equaling the 13-point lead it had in the first half. Eric Bledsoe, who had seven points, opened and closed the spurt with layups as the reserves helped the Clippers outscore the Grizzlies 37-22 in the period.

"Bled is that blur," Paul said. "It gave us more versatility. They didn't know who to guard."

The game was slowed by the referees, who called Memphis for 29 fouls and the Clippers 28.

Memphis owned a 48-46 edge in scoring in the paint, while the Clippers dominated 25-5 in second-chance points.

Griffin and Randolph staged a wrestling match within the game. Griffin said his back, which had spasms in the regular-season finale on Wednesday, felt good.

"I'm ready for however many games it's going to take," Griffin said. "If that's the way he wants to play, let's do it."

Randolph said: "It's not that big of a deal right now. We want to win the next one. If we can't win the next one, then it's a big deal."

The Grizzlies never led, and it didn't help that Randolph picked up two fouls and Mike Conley Jr. had three in the first half. Besides Griffin, Jordan had four fouls, while Matt Barnes, Lamar Odom and Ronny Turiaf had three apiece for the Clippers.

"They had two or three guys going to the glass every time," Conley said. "They were jumping over us and using their athleticism."

Paul scored his team's first seven points in the third, extending the lead to 64-53.

The Clippers led 57-51 at halftime after Barnes tipped in Paul's miss just before the buzzer. They led by 13 points early in the second before the Grizzlies cut it to two points twice in the final 1:24.

NOTES: The Clippers have won eight straight games, including their final seven of the regular season. ... Los Angeles is in the playoffs for the second straight year, the first time that's happened since 1991-92 and 1992-93. ... Memphis led the NBA in points allowed with 89.5 per game in the regular season.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/clippers-beat-grizzlies-112-91-playoff-opener-052753939--spt.html

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Freedom of assembly: Scientists see nanoparticles form larger structures in real time

Apr. 19, 2013 ? In a new study performed at the Center for Nanoscale Materials at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory, researchers have for the first time seen the self-assembly of nanoparticle chains in situ, that is, in place as it occurs in real-time.

The scientists exposed a tiny liquid "cell" or pouch that contained gold nanoparticles covered with a positively charged coating to an intense beam of electrons generated with a transmission electron microscope. Some of the electrons that penetrated the outside of the cell became trapped in the fluid medium in the cell. These "hydrated" electrons attracted the positively charged nanoparticles, which in time reduced the intensity of charge of the positive coating.

As the hydrated electrons reduced the coating's positive charge, the nanoparticles no longer repelled each other as strongly. Instead, their newfound relative attraction led the nanoparticles to "jump around" and eventually stick together in long chains. This self-assembly of nanoparticle chains had been detected before in different studies, but this technique allowed researchers, for the first time, to observe the phenomenon as it occurred.

"The moment-to-moment behavior of nanoparticles is something that's not yet entirely understood by the scientific community," said Argonne nanoscientist Yuzi Liu, the study's lead author. "The potential of nanoparticles in all sorts of different applications and devices -- from tiny machines to harvesters of new sources of energy -- requires us to bring all of our resources to bear to look at how they function on the most basic physical levels."

Self-assembly is particularly interesting to scientists because it could lead to new materials that could be used to develop new, energy-relevant technologies. "When we look at self-assembly, we're looking to use nature as a springboard into man-made materials," said Argonne nanoscientist Tijana Rajh, who directed the group that carried out the study.

Because the particles under study were so tiny -- just a few dozen nanometers in diameter -- an optical microscope would not have been able to resolve, or see, individual nanoparticles. By using the liquid cell in the transmission electron microscope at the Center for Nanoscale Materials, Liu and his colleagues could create short movies showing the quick movement of the nanoparticles as their coatings contacted the hydrated electrons.

Funding for the research was provided by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.

Video: http://www.anl.gov/videos/self-assembling-nanoparticles

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by DOE/Argonne National Laboratory.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. Yuzi Liu, Xiao-Min Lin, Yugang Sun, Tijana Rajh. In Situ Visualization of Self-Assembly of Charged Gold Nanoparticles. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2013; 135 (10): 3764 DOI: 10.1021/ja312620e

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/qxSdQCS1Snc/130419171645.htm

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Southwest Florida International Airport reports record traffic in March

During March, 1,115,937 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport, an increase of 8.9 percent compared to March 2012. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is up 7.5 percent from the same period last year.

"This March was the busiest month for passenger traffic at Southwest Florida International Airport since opening on May 14, 1983. I am proud of reaching this significant milestone during our anniversary year, which will mark 30 years of serving Southwest Florida," said Robert M. Ball, A.A.E., executive director of the Lee County Port Authority. "We thank our airline partners who added new service and increased flights in key markets, giving passengers more opportunity to travel during the winter season."

The traffic leader in March was Delta with 239,557 passengers traveling to and from Fort Myers. Rounding out the top five airlines were AirTran (185,938), Southwest (140,885), US Airways (112,912) and JetBlue (110,484).

Southwest Florida International Airport had 10,484 aircraft movements (takeoffs and landings), an increase of 5.2 percent compared to March 2012. Page Field saw 8,513 movements, a 4 percent decrease from March 2012. In addition, slightly more than 3 million pounds of air freight moved through Southwest Florida International Airport in March 2012, a decrease of 4.4 percent compared to March 2012.

Southwest Florida International Airport served more than 7.3 million passengers in 2012 and is one of the top 50 U.S. airports for passenger traffic. No ad valorem (property) taxes are used for airport operation or construction. For more information, log onto www.flylcpa.com.

Source: http://www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com/page/content.detail/id/534634.html

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Boy Scouts Propose Lifting Ban of Gay Members

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Man who sold up to $40 million worth of counterfeit headphones gets two years in jail

A man accused of being one of the "most prolific sellers" of counterfeit electronics in the UK has just been sent down for two and a half years. Over 4,000 KiRFs, mainly consisting of knock-off Sennheiser and Monster headphones, were found at Michael Reeder's address, with a value of around £250,000 ($400,000). However, Sennheiser claims this is just 1 percent of $40 million worth of items Reeder has sold online, which is why the German manufacturer has taken a keen interest in his prosecution. Last year, Sennheiser introduced a series of authentication technologies to prevent counterfeiting that was mainly originating in China -- including QR codes on product packaging that customers can verify online. If Sennheiser's estimate of 400,000 fake items is accurate, then it makes the UK's recent Microsoft Windows scandal look almost like small fry.

Update: Apologies for the earlier stumble with missing zeroes on this post.

Filed under: Misc, Home Entertainment, Portable Audio/Video

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/jSCtP5V8tok/

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Markets look to end bad week on a high

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, right, arrives for a G-20 dinner, during the Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund Thursday, April 18, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, right, arrives for a G-20 dinner, during the Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund Thursday, April 18, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Zhou Xiaochuan, Governor of the People's Bank of China, arrives for a G-20 dinner, during the Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund Thursday, April 18, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

LONDON (AP) ? Stocks looked to end a bad week on a high while the Japanese yen headed toward four-year lows against the dollar Friday as the country found little international opposition to its aggressive new monetary policy.

After a difficult few days when U.S. corporate earnings and global economic indicators disappointed, some investors appeared ready to buy back into the market.

"Equity markets are beginning to stabilise after experiencing a modest correction this week," said Rebecca O'Keeffe, head of investment at Interactive Investor.

In Europe, the FTSE 100 index of leading British shares was up 0.5 percent at 6,272 while Germany's DAX rose 0.4 percent to 7,504. The CAC-40 in France was 1 percent higher at 3,637.

Wall Street was poised for a solid opening following fairly solid earnings statements from Google and Microsoft after the markets closed Thursday. Dow futures and the broader S&P 500 futures up 0.6 percent.

There will be a number of U.S. corporate earnings reports for investors to monitor later, from the likes of McDonald's and General Election, but the focus in the markets is largely centered on Washington, where G-20 finance ministers and central bankers are wrapping up a two-day meeting Friday ahead of the wider gathering of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The G-20 statement later is expected to touch on the need for countries to encourage economic growth and avoid measures that might spark a currency war ? where countries compete against one another to get the lowest exchange rate. Japan has been at the center of concerns recently as the yen weakens due to the central bank's aggressive monetary easing.

The meetings take place amid rising concerns over the U.S. and Chinese economies, the world's two largest. Those concerns have helped cause a big drop in stock markets as well as in the price of commodities, including oil and gold.

In the currency markets, the yen was back in focus with Japan's rivals reluctant to voice any opposition to the Bank of Japan's monetary stimulus program that is designed to lift the country out of a two-decade period of economic stagnation.

One of the consequences of the central bank's policy of pumping huge amounts of money into the domestic economy is the weakening of the yen. Though that is not a stated element of the policy, it has the potential to improve the competitive position of Japan's exporters, giving growth a lift.

"The yen is the biggest mover in the foreign exchange market today as the G-20 meeting passed without any notable criticism of Japan," said Derek Halpenny, European head of global markets research at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ.

The dollar was 1 percent higher at 99.28 yen. The last time it was above 100 yen was four years ago.

Elsewhere in the currency markets, the euro was solid as the risk backdrop improved ? when investors are willing to take on more risk, such as the buying of stocks, the euro usually benefits too. It was trading 0.3 percent higher at $1.3093.

That more risk-on environment has also helped the price of oil recover somewhat, with the benchmark New York rate up 90 cents at $88.63 a barrel. Gold, which suffered massive selling earlier this week, was solid too, trading 1.6 percent higher at $1,414 an ounce.

Earlier in Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 index rose 0.7 percent to close at 13,316.48. South Korea's Kospi added 0.4 percent to 1,906.75. Shares in mainland China also advanced, with the Shanghai Composite Index up 2.1 percent to 2,244.64 while the smaller Shenzhen Composite Index gained 2.2 percent to 943.42. Hong Kong's Hang Seng jumped 2.3 percent to 22,013.57.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2013-04-19-World%20Markets/id-d7e88f2d57744a838ca9a83eab940a0b

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Social Media & Reconnecting | Perceptions by One

This is the first of a multi (I?m thinking four) part blog on social media and how it effects our lives, how we can use it better, and why I think it matters. I am dedicating this first post to relationships, and the good, bad and ugly affects of social media on our relationships.

I?m thinking specifically about spousal relationships, but I?m sure that some of this stuff applies to all relationships on one level or another. Social media poses a number of threats to relationships that I think we should be particularly aware of and prayerfully guarded against. A specific threat that comes to mind is the ability to connect with people of the past. This is not always a good thing, and can lead to hurt feelings, anxiety, mistrust and cover-ups, and even the ultimate demise of a relationship.

Sometimes, those people that we lost touch with, are not any better for us now. And if we are talking about an ex-partner, a high school sweetheart, or even just a really big crush, but now we are married, it is probably best to let those people only be memories. It?s very easy to romanticize the past, remembering it better than it was, and soon, people start loathing their spouse and all the little annoying things that person does. If the person of the past is doing anything to encourage fantasizing about what could be, it won?t take long before we check out of our current relationship and go in search of what could have been.

My point: reconnecting with people is not always a good idea. Some people are meant to live in our memories and our yearbooks, but not in our present day life. We?ve made a commitment to our partner to let those people go, and when we invite them and their influence into our lives, we can send a very bad message to our partner ? a message that looks a lot like ?You?re not good enough?, ?I don?t want you anymore?, ?I?ve moved on?, among others.

So, should we avoid social media altogether? That?s a personal choice, and I believe that some people should. Especially when social media is used to go looking for something/someone better, then I think it may be time for the account(s) to be deactivated. I don?t think everyone needs to stay away from social media, however. We are aware of our own weaknesses and temptations, and that should help us determine our involvement with social media.

I would recommend being cautious and wise with our use of social media. Something I think is important for people to remember if they are going to use social media: don?t be afraid to deny friend requests and block people that aren?t good for your marriage. Show your spouse that you respect the relationship you have with them by not accepting friend requests and not connecting with people that will be bad for your relationship.

Your new wife does not want to hear about that high school girlfriend you never got over. Your husband of ten years does not want to hear about the guy in college that you almost married. And your heart and mind should be focusing on making your marriage the best it can be, not focusing on what could have been with someone who was once long gone.

Have you ever reconnected with someone who you shouldn?t have?

?

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I am a Jesus-girl, wife, mom, a writer, photographer, sister, baker, cook, maid, teacher, and more. I am busy raising kids, and praying daily for them to be servants of Christ. I am the lucky, spoiled wife of a very hard working man. I stay home with our crew and home school, too. We are in the process of climbing out of debt, living within our means, enjoying life, and discovering our talents while helping our kids learn to live into theirs. I welcome all emails - you can reach me at perceptionsby1@gmail.com - feel free to email me anytime, just be patient in waiting for my response!

Source: http://perceptionsby1.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/social-media-reconnecting/

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James Madison University Sport & Recreation Management ...

From The Guardian?

Review by Steven Golob in KIN 332

The article that I chose to discuss in class is a huge talking point in the sport of soccer worldwide. Soccer is a sport of very rich history and pride in one?s club that a person chooses to support. Items such as stadium names and team colors are a very important part of these clubs that fans are very hesitant to part ways with. This article examines, further, one of the biggest names in the Barclay?s English Premier, Newcastle United. Not only is Newcastle one of the oldest soccer clubs in England, it may well display of the greatest examples of historical significance and fan loyalty as a whole. That being said, this article explains that although the relatively new club owner?s decision to sell the name of the club?s stadium in order to make a bit more money makes sense financially, the supporters of the club have been up in arms about the decision since it was only a rumor.?

Newcastle?s club owner, Mike Ashley, is merely doing what most other top-flight soccer clubs are doing in current times. They certainly aren?t even the first team to do this in the English Premier League, either. The article touches on other big-name clubs, such as Manchester City and Arsenal, in reference to the fact that their fans were not happy about the changing of their beloved stadium?s names at first, either. However, Mike Ashley has been able to run Newcastle quite stably with this stadium name-change producing more revenue for the club. It makes a lot of sense from a marketing standpoint as well. With a brand attached to the name of the stadium, it will be much easier to market the stadium as a whole. Using the old name, St. James?s Park, would be much more difficult even with the fans being able to identify that as their home stadium. Sports as a whole are so focused on making money from a marketing standpoint that they are very ready to toss tradition aside in order to keep teams afloat. It almost seems like a necessary evil that the fans might just have to accept in order to further enjoy sports.

Source: http://jmusportsbusiness.blogspot.com/2013/04/newcastle-stadium-name-change-lacks.html

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Track special requests for changes in hours, work ? Business ...

Sometimes, an employee asks for schedule changes, extra hours or even permission to work from home now and then. If you grant such requests, track them carefully.

Recent case: Katherine worked as a telemarketer. After getting into a vehement, profane argument with her supervisor, she was terminated for insubordination.

Katherine decided to get even in court. She sued for sex discrimination, claiming that a male co-worker had been allowed to work from home, got extra hours when he requested them and got modifications to his Saturday schedule when he asked.

However, she admitted she never asked to work from home or for a different schedule. When she did ask for additional work hours, she got them. The court dismissed the claim. (Garges v. The People?s Light and Theater, No. 09-2456, ED PA, 2012)

Like what you've read? ...Republish it and share great business tips!

Attention: Readers, Publishers, Editors, Bloggers, Media, Webmasters and more...

We believe great content should be read and passed around. After all, knowledge IS power. And good business can become great with the right information at their fingertips. If you'd like to share any of the insightful articles on BusinessManagementDaily.com, you may republish or syndicate it without charge.

The only thing we ask is that you keep the article exactly as it was written and formatted. You also need to include an attribution statement and link to the article.

" This information is proudly provided by Business Management Daily.com: http://www.businessmanagementdaily.com/34447/track-special-requests-for-changes-in-hours-work "

Source: http://www.businessmanagementdaily.com/34447/track-special-requests-for-changes-in-hours-work

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The Best Guide When It Comes To Self Improvement | Fredrick ...

Personal development is an ongoing process of making yourself into the best person you can be. It is reaching inside and pulling out your inner potential. To start the hard work towards your goals, find some advice to keep energized. Some wonderful advice to get you started right now is contained in this article.

Try talking to the pastor at your church, or a therapist; it can help. They are trained to deal with issues that you might have, as well as a lot of experience doing so. They?ll eagerly listen, analyze what?s going on and help you find enlightenment. If you speak to a professional you will feel much happier and healthier.

You should seek to eliminate needless stress from your life. It is important not to exaggerate or over react when stressful things happen in life. Always remember that there will always be bumps in the road, and that you simply need to concentrate on things that will help you achieve your objectives instead of allowing you to wallow in feelings of defeat.

Avoid the temptation to comfort yourself with a shopping spree. If you do a hobby versus raising your credit card bill, you won?t have to stress over those bills and will have less clutter at home to clean.

If your personal development plan calls for overcoming social anxieties, going to the movies with a friend is a great first step. You will be thrust into a busy setting and out of your comfort zone, but you will not have to excessively socialize with others. In addition, it enables you to accustom yourself to being in an environment with many other people.

One important aspect of self improvement is making the choice to lead a healthier life. Everyone feels better when they in are healthy. Taking care of your health will allow you to avoid illness and save money on unnecessary visits to the doctor. For these reasons it makes sense to focus on your health and do what is necessary to improve it.

The first step in any personal development program is the realization that you have room for improvement. We are all very small parts of this universe. Everyone has faults, and something to learn from everyone else. When you allow yourself to be aware of this, new vistas will open to you. If you keep your mind constantly open, the things others can teach may well astound you.

Your health has an effect on your emotional state. Eat right, avoiding high fat foods and sugar, and get plenty of exercise. If you wish to have a body and mind that are healthy, you need to know that they depend on each other.

Always try do do the best you can at whatever you do. Follow your passion to the greatest possible aspirations. It?s not often that we can take the top spot at something, but we can at least drive ourselves to inspire others. Always attempt to boost your worth in the field you work in, then enjoy what it does for your self-esteem.

Be realistic and smart about everything you face in life. Try to learn from choices you make in your every day life. Be sure to notice what things you can change and what you can not change and how those affect the outcome of your choices. If you have humility, it will be easier for you to understand your limits. Your wisdom can distill the past to help you improve the future.

Watch your progress by organizing yourself. By taking a large goal and breaking it down to more manageable segments, you will see that completing your goals has become easier. You can monitor your progress through a daily planner, or devote an entire journal specifically to your personal development goals.

A useful personal development tip is that you always cherish the things you believe are most valuable. Therefore, you must value your best and make it an important aspect of your life.

Even if you use just one of the preceding tips, you will definitely see improvement in your life. Although this can be hard work, you?ll be able to work with peace of mind by knowing you now have excellent advice that can assist you.

To Your Prosperity,

Fredrick Hurt

P.S. Your personal development is one of if not the most important step towards your success. If you are focused on achieving a better quality of life for your family like I am, learn personal development tips that will allow you to set personal development goals! The training in this business does just that! It has changed thousands of lives including mine and has the ability to do the same for you. If you decide to take action!

Source: http://www.empowernetwork.com/ceohurt/blog/the-best-guide-when-it-comes-to-self-improvement/

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Asus VivoBook S500CA-DS51t

There's a lot to like about the Asus VivoBook S500CA-DS51t ($679.99 list). This Windows 8 entry-level ultrabook sports a trim design, responsive capacitive touch display, and reasonable price tag all contribute to an affordable Windows 8 experience. That said, its disappointing keyboard/ touchpad duo and so-so battery life hold it back.

Design and Features
With the exception of its slightly larger 15-inch display, the VivoBook S500CA looks nearly identical to its predecessor and our former Editors' Choice for entry-level touch-screen ultrabook, the Asus VivoBook S400CA-UH51. Its chassis measures 0.80 by 15.1 by 10.2 inches (HWD) and is decked out with a dark brushed metal lid and a matte silver keyboard deck. At 4.73 pounds, it's on the heavy side for ultrabooks, especially when compared to our current Editors' Choice for entry-level ultrabooks. the Acer Aspire M5-481PT-6644 (4.4 pounds) or the Toshiba Satellite U945-S4390 (3.85 pounds). Despite the VivoBook S500CA's more pronounced mass, its sleek profile nevertheless allows it to easily slip into a backpack or laptop bag.

The 15-inch LED display has a maximum resolution of 1,366 by 768, which is good enough to support 720p videos. Although it can't deliver HD content in 1080p like the pricier Asus Zenbook Prime Touch UX31A-BH15T , the VivoBook S500CA's glossy screen deserves props for its bright picture and vibrant color reproduction. Moreover, the display's capacitive touch functionality is responsive enough to your fingertips that pinching, swiping, and scrolling through Windows 8's tiles quickly feels like second nature. Impressively loud speakers complement the display's eye-candy by pumping out sound at surprisingly high decibels. At maximum volume, the horns and hi-hats on Gold Panda's "Trust" still sounded crisp. Although the bass is somewhat lacking, the speakers are certainly capable of adding some life to the next impromptu party in your dorm-room or office.

Unfortunately, the VivoBook S500CA's chiclet-style keyboard evokes considerably less joy. Despite being accompanied by a generously-sized palmrest, the keyboard's key travel is glaringly shallow even by ultrabook standards and makes typing anything beyond an informal email a fairly uncomfortable endeavor. Moreover, the keyboard isn't backlit, which makes typing in dimly lit settings doubly frustrating. While the VivoBook S500CA's touchpad fares somewhat better and supports Windows 8 gesture controls, its one-piece design occasionally yields somewhat unresponsive left- and right-clicks. Although the touch-screen means this issue isn't a deal-breaker, the inconsistency mars an otherwise decent touchpad.

For the most part, the VivoBook S500CA's port selection is on par with other ultrabooks. The left side of the system sports a multicard reader, two USB 2.0 ports, and a combined mic/headphone jack. The right side sports the system's sole USB 3.0 port, a full-sized HDMI port, a VGA port, and an Ethernet port. While the VivoBook S500CA isn't the only ultrabook to feature just one USB 3.0 port?just look at the Asus S400CA?it's still a bummer for those with multiple peripherals. If this qualifies as a deal-breaker for you, you'd be better off with something featuring two such ports, like the Acer M5-581T-6405.

The VivoBook S500CA comes with a 1TB 5,400rpm HDD for storage and a 24GB SSD that makes booting the system up seem nearly instantaneous. Although its 1TB of storage capacity is generously spacious, the HDD is clogged up with some preloaded software. You'll find all the usual suspects here, like bloatware (links to Skype), trialware (trial versions of Office 2010 and Trend Micro A/V), and a chunk of proprietary software known as the Asus Application Suite. Asus covers the VivoBook S500CA with a one-year warranty on parts and labor, which also includes 24/7 access to tech support and accidental damage coverage.

Performance
Like many of the ultrabooks that we've seen, the VivoBook S500CA packs an Intel Core i5-3317U processor and integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 GPU. That combination, along with 6GB RAM, yields average multimedia and day-to-day performance. This is evident in its Cinebench R11.5 score of 2.39 points, which fell imperceptibly short of both the Vizio 14-inch Thin + Light (CT14-A4) and Asus S400CA (2.40 points each).

A similar pattern emerged in multimedia-oriented tests like our Handbrake video-encoding test, where its performance (1:28) was equal to both the Toshiba U945-S4390 and Vizio CT14-A4 (1:28 each) and only seconds short of the chart-topping Acer M5-581T-6405 (1:25). Likewise, the 5 minutes 30 seconds it took the VivoBook S500CA to run through the dozen or so filters in Photoshop CS6 test was nearly indistinguishable from both the Toshiba U945-S4390 (5:31) and Vizio CT14-A4 (5:29), though it did succeed in blazing past the Asus S400CA (6:28) and Acer M5-481-PT-6644 (7:18).

Although the VivoBook S500CA's integrated graphics demonstrated a moderate capacity for rendering 3D graphics in our 3DMark11 test (1,168 points in Entry-level mode, 210 points in Extreme mode), don't expect to be playing any high-end games here. Like the rest of its class, the 30 frames per second (fps) playability barrier eluded the VivoBook S500CA in both Alien Vs. Predator (scoring 13fps with medium detail, 7fps with high detail) and Heaven (11fps with medium detail, 6fps with high detail).

The VivoBook S500CA's average performance also extends to its non-removable 44Whr battery, which lasted a so-so 4 hours 52 minutes on our battery rundown test. That put it somewhere between the Toshiba U945-S4390 (4:47) and the class-leading Acer M5-581T-6405 (6:17). While it'll get you through a class or two, don't expect to spend an entire day on the VivoBook S500CA without paying a visit to the power outlet.

Despite being a fairly average ultrabook, the Asus VivoBook S500CA-DS51t sports a good touch screen and an affordable price tag. While that's not enough to unseat the Acer Aspire M5-481PT-6644 from its throne as the Editors' Choice for entry-level touch-screen ultrabooks, it's nonetheless a good option for users seeking a well-rounded Windows 8 experience without having to drop too much cash.

BENCHMARK TEST RESULTS:

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/n-0AnEFqWZM/0,2817,2417619,00.asp

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