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International Business In Saudi Arabia Business Essay
4696 words (19 pages) Essay in Commerce
5/12/16 Commerce Reference this
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This research paper attempts to find article in newspapers that pertain to Saudi Arabia and the relationships it has in international business. The newspaper articles are selected in accordance with the topic under research and the summary is provided. Saudi Arabia being a strategic partner in international business has been in the forefront to promote it by having in place political, legal, economic and social-cultural environment where such can thrive. In this respect, the paper analyses cases that have been reported in the media and which relate directly to the scope of international business.
1. What Is International Business
Cover page:
May 18th 2011
Global economic climate brightens again, ICC/Ifo survey reveals
Paris, 18 May 2011
Article Summary:
The article states that the global economic climate indicator stands at 107.7 points in April, 2011 which is far much higher in the last few years. The figure is derived from a survey of 1000 economists in over 120 countries in which they responded to positive global economic growth. There are however factors that could affect this optimism such as budget deficits, high inflation and unemployment. The ICC (International Chamber of Commerce) secretary attributed this as a sign of economic recovery. He urged governments to work together to encourage a multilateral trading system that facilitates global economic growth.
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Although interest rates are expected to rise, emerging economies are worried but this will not affect the consumer prices much. The only risks that are expected include excessive movements in international capital and potential oil price shocks due to tensions in supply. (Note: Saudi Arabia is an oil producing country). The overall economic growth in the world is expected to reach 3.2% in 2011.
Among the countries to benefit from this are the US in terms of employment and increased productivity. The Asian countries may fail to realize benefits in the short term since they expect growth in private consumption, capital expenditure and exports to weaken. In Europe, benefits will materialize especially after the Euro stabilizes. Perhaps the most interesting part is the observed improvements in Saudi Arabia amongst other neighboring nations.
International business involves all commercial transactions that occur between two or more countries or regions in a way that the political boundary is crossed. The business may be incorporated in areas such as private and government sectors, investments, logistics and transportation, and sales in various products. The reason for doing international business differs in regard to who is participating for instance private corporations do it for profit while governments seek profits and political gains. In general, economic resources get transacted across borders in form of skills, capital and people so that they enable production in banking, insurance, construction and finance sectors among others.
This article is relevant to international business because it recognizes the role individual countries play as well as the factors of economic growth. It is evident that as long as individual countries economies are doing well, such countries are bound to trade with each other. Saudi Arabia being an oil producing country has over the recent past been affected by the declining economic growths in many countries all over the world. But considering that international business involves trans-border transaction such as exporting oil, (a resource), Saudi Arabia will in the long run engage and derive profits at a higher scale.
Critique and Insight:
Despite the implication that world economies are in the verge of growth, Saudi Arabia may still have to wait a bit longer before it can fully enjoy the benefits. In this same article, the issue of currency values is mentioned albeit shallowly. Oil as it may originate from Saudi Arabia may meet a market in crisis in regard to disagreements over currency undervaluation. This in effect means that a country like Saudi Arabia in its search for international market must be aware of such issues as well as high interest rates and inflation.
Attached Article:
2. Globalization of Markets and the Internationalization of the Firm
Cover page:
Bottom of Form
By ARAB NEWS: Published: Apr 27, 2011 18:22
Article Summary:
The boutique style exclusive exhibition is very famous amongst artists, collectors and art professionals from all parts of the world. The Middle East region is attracting these from as far as North Africa and South Asia. The interest people are showing towards long neglected art and contemporary art in this region has become a success story in the international arena. Art fair manager d'Hauteville in Beirut noted that there is need for an international event which recognizes the growing demand for art whose sales value is estimated as more than $200 million for the last three years.
This is why MENASART aims to provide a base in the region for art enthusiasts and collectors so that it can be done in a professional and cultural environment. Artists from Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are being encouraged to seek newer media which will drive the regional governments. In addition it will provide a repository for global art and culture enabling them to become a world class destination. Cities in Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are investing a lot in building museums with the most notable being Nabatt "A Sense of Being" which is contemporary art from Saudi Arabia.
This exhibition will enable Saudi contemporary art to experience international visibility. There also international auction houses in the region in the making and which are forecast to include all countries in the region. The Video Box has also been incorporated in which films and children arts are considered for display. But it is not art only that is being considered but also conferences for dealers, curators and collectors with an aim to address recent trends in South Asia. They will discuss challenges that can oversee merging of all artists in these regions in the light of globalization. MENASART past fair attracted a number of visitors and they expect it to rise in later events.
Globalization of market s and internationalization of the firm both imply a situation where a business is opened up so that it can operate on an international arena. It means moving away from just considering local demand and supply but focusing on a wider area. International business as already discussed operates across borders.
This article is relevant in the issue of market globalization and internationalization of the firm since it states that contemporary had been long neglected. Prior to embracing boutique style exclusive exhibition it seem that MENASART was confined to local markets; it at all it even took place. But with the opening of such exhibitions, there is a greater chance that more collectors, dealers and curators are likely to take part in the process.
Considering too the interest people around the world have shown interest, it is clear that the market is opening up towards becoming global. In line with creating and building museums and trade fair the contemporary industry in fact moving from local settings to being run on an international scale. True to the article, Saudi Arabia especially will experience international visibility where their long forgotten and less traded art work will be done on an international arena.
Critique and Insight:
This article would have been more resourceful had they indicated some examples of art work that is associated with MENA regions.
Attached Article:
3. Organizational Participants that Make International Business Happen
Cover page:
Foreign Policy
The Middle East Channel:
Need for a new social contract: Posted By Dag Detter, Steffen Hertog: Wednesday, May 4, 2011 – 11:00 AM
Article Summary:
There are reports that vast state assets have been misappropriated in the wake of recent uprising in the Middle East. The Arabic sector is fermented and numerous strikes are taking place for example in Misr Spinning and Weaving textile plant. The crony capitalists who have enriched themselves through skewed privatizations deals have also been loosing support. The article points out that mismanaged public sectors have been a pivotal in the uneven growth and corruption.
The State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), in some MENA countries manufacturing sector have undermined competition thus reducing growth. Many companies are unable to be productive enough to allow reasonable wages and dignified work conditions. The state appointed management has been a crucial cause by allowing cannibalizing of state assets as well as denying workers their bonuses. One Ahmed Ezz has already acquired strategic bits of steel sector by manipulating political connections in Egypt.
In all other MENA countries corruption has contributed to companies ending up in looses. In Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation is usually run secretively though efficiently. The MENA authoritarian systems have employed political conditions such that monopolies seem to work but more institutionalized recipes by the government are required.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has reached a consensus that centralized ownership function is the best way to manage SOEs while at the same time protecting them from political machinations.
Centralization allows conflicts between political and industrial imperatives to be dealt with and at the same time enable introduction of professional corporate governance skills to be utilized. The Board of Directors is strengthened in its endeavors such that the whole system runs accountably either in cases of success or failure.
In order to utilize commercial funds effectively, the incorporated commercial borrowing tool comes in handy. It must however be set in under professional management that can be subjected to checks and balances for example in accounting and auditing. Instead of back financing, credit rating and use of bond market will instill more discipline. The National Wealth Funds have been observed to produce value internationally if they are well managed and accept transparency as a core principle. Reforms as studies have shown are expected to take place especially in the public sector and the management of SOEs. They must also be accompanied by labor market policy that allows migration from public to private sectors and at the same time allowing social security.
This article is relevant to the topic at hand since it addresses the organizational participants that make international business happen. In the article introduction, it is shown how different companies in MENA region including Saudi Arabia are being run corruptly leading to their collapse. Since the topic is dealing with organizational participants the State Owned Enterprises are in this case appropriate examples as they too engage in international business. The public sector is composed of so many organizations that make it possible for international business to take place and if it fails, so does the whole system.
As noted in the article, SOEs including energy, telecoms, transport and real estates form an untapped resource fro driving economic growth and transforming the social contract. This in effect implies that it is organizations in these sectors that contribute to a country being able to engage in international business. Their management is essential if it is done in an organized and structured manner as the benefits filter down to the economies in the region. This is the reason such concepts as decentralization, competitive policy and deregulation are noted as ones that will lead to sustainable profit and competitive prices to citizens.
The government on the other head is noted as the player and referee or in other terms as a market participant as well as the regulator. This is in line with the topic which discuses organizational participant who eventually allows international business to take place. In this case the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation has been successful due to being run efficiently but important to note is that the company itself serves the whole region; which is a case of international business.
The OECD is another organization that set a platform for international business to take place and it has done so in the MENA region where Saudi Arabia is located. The article further proposes that if companies are run as incorporated commercial holding companies, they are more likely to perform in the international arena as Singapore's Temasek which is a National Wealth Fund has done. Finally, both SOEs and the private sector are in real sense contributors to international business in a country. If both are managed well, they become profitable and in turn will expand beyond the country's borders so as to indulge in international business.
Critique and Insight:
In as much as the article traces the causes of the current events in the MENA region, it fails to give adequate examples of how each country is fairing. It would have been more appropriate to specify the rate of interaction among the MENA member countries in regard to how they actually do business. It seems that the article is only relying on the call for political reform in the running of the public sectors and dealing with corruption. However I tend to agree with the author when he asserts that a regional reform program is necessary especially in the SOEs. Both the financial and social enterprises sectors need to be reformed so as to take a global relevance. It is only through globalization that organizations which play a vital role in international business will be able to accomplish their goals.
Attached Article:
4. Theories of International Trade and Investment
Cover page:
Colombo Page: Sri Lanka Internet Newspaper
Leading News from Sri Lanka
Saudi delegation to visit Sri Lanka to explore new areas of business cooperation
Fri, May 20, 2011, 10:07 am SL Time, Colombo Page News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Article Summary:
The Saudi Arabia's Commerce and Industry Minister, a Mr. Abdulla Zainal Alizera noted that peace in Sri Lanka has made it possible for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to establish new trade relations. This was discussed during a visit by the Sri Lanka Minister of Industry and Commerce a Mr. Rishad Bathiudeen in Jeddah. The Saudi minister cited recent unrest in North and East Sri Lanka as having hindered trade but now is willing due to the peace that has been realized. The new chapter in trade will be initiated by a Saudi delegation to Sri Lanka with an aim of exploring new areas of cooperation between the two countries.
On the other hand, the Sri Lankan minister has already identified sectors which trade can take place. These include; tourism, industry, garments, information technology, fruits and vegetable cultivation and gem and jewelry sectors. The Saudi government will too volunteer by sending a technical team to identify new areas in agriculture under the King Abdullah Initiative for Saudi Agricultural Investment Abroad.
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The two countries have eventually agreed to form a Business Council to promote bilateral trade which currently stands at $ 246 million. But both countries are hoping to improve on this figure and especially the $ 43.8 million Sri Lanka's export to Saudi Arabia. In a bid to initiate this trade, the Sri Lankan minister has already allowed garments export to Saudi and they be made according to Saudi businessmen specifications. He further is optimistic in that he encouraged trade which would soon yield attractive gains. The Sri Lankan minister also ventured in to other ministries in Saudi Arabia such as the Electricity and Finance ministry in pursuit of international business.
Theories in international trade and investment can be explained in two distinct ways. One of them concerns the national level and deals with questions like why nations trade and how they can enhance their competitive edge. The other level is firm oriented and seeks to give insight in to why firms institutionalize and how it helps in giving sustainable and competitive edge. The various theories covered here include; mercantilism, factor proportions, absolute advantage, new trade index to name a few.
This article fits well with theories of international trade and investment since the visits by the Sri Lankan minister seeks to initiate trade. The theory of mercantilism for instance is the basis for the visit because Sri Lanka realizes that their national prosperity is the result of a positive balance of trade. Both countries exercise mercantilism in regard to maximizing their exports and minimizing their imports. Under the theory of absolute advantage principle, it is evident that the proposal by the Sri Lankan minister that Saudi's import garments if well founded. Sri Lanka must be aware of the few resources it utilizes in production of garments and why it seeks Saudi businessmen to buy them.
In regard to the comparative advantage principle, even though Saudi Arabia has an upper hand in case it exports oil to Sri Lanka, which might be more expensive, the only cause for their wish to trade is in the cost of production of garments. This concept of specialization will eventually benefit both countries; Saudi Arabia in oil and Sri Lanka in garments and agricultural production. Both countries also
Critique and Insight:
This article provides an insight in to how international business is initiated. It provides a clear glimpse that goes with trade delegations for a certain country visiting another. For international business to take place, each participating county must be in a position to make deals that will last and be beneficial to both parties. Another notable fact is that peace is very important for trade to take place as is evidence by past failures between the two countries. In addition, countries must be guided by international trade and investment theories in order to make the most out of trade. Finally the article reveals the likelihood of business to occur if the initiating party has also something to offer in the course of bilateral trade. The importance of trader councils cannot also be underemphasized.
Attached Article:
5. The Cultural Environment of International Business
Cover page:
Arab News.com
Saudi women 'gaining ground after long struggle'
By ABDULHAI YOUSEF | ARAB NEWS
Published: May 12, 2011 01:03 Updated: May 12, 2011 01:03
RIYADH: The late introduction of women's education in Saudi Arabia has not limited their ability to make considerable gains and rights.
Article Summary:
Saudi women have now been able to reach official decision making positions in Saudi Arabian government. In international arena they have had chances as high executives in international organizations but not at home front. So many stories have been circulating pertaining to Saudi women strive for legitimate rights in education and work as well as ability to make personal decisions in their affairs. Historically, it was impossible for them to realize education dreams whereby their culture considered it as an act of sedition and a source of corruption.
According to Islam, women were confined to their husband's will until their death. King Saud however contributed a great deal by allowing for girls to attend schooling and over the years many of them took up the challenge. Currently, many of them have joined all sectors of investment, government ministries, medicine, and engineering and in business as well.
One Hallima Muzaffar is already an accomplished writer and literally critic but confesses the struggle is not over yet. She cites that she still cannot run her own business despite being knowledgeable. In addition, she laments that the society is ready to open up for everything but for women. Many other women in Saudi Arabia claim and endeavor to fight for their rights sometimes with little or no success. Finally the article notes that a number of Saudi women are well placed locally and internationally for example Thuraya Obaid who is in the UNPF and Lubna Olayan, a renowned investor in the international financial markets.
The culture environment of international business is a very important that should not be overlooked. It involves the understanding of various cultural elements in a country that one is willing to engage in business with. Such cultures may have diverse and unfamiliar languages, value systems, behavior and beliefs. In a cross border business, it is always necessary to have a clue of the lifestyles, consumption behavior and norms that are characteristic of the people a country intends to deal with. Culture comes about in the unique communication, symbols and ideas they express and if underestimated could pose certain risks.
The risks in international business associated with culture include country risk, commercial risk, and currency risk and cross-cultural risk. Failure to consider carefully each of these risks might result in the trade ties deterioration and eventual death of any business however successful it was. In international business such processes as developing products and services, communication and interaction, screening for foreign distributors, negotiating, advertising and exhibition all must be accompanied by detailed analysis of the culture in question.
This article is very relevant to the issue of cultural environment of international business considering Saudi Arabia has unique culture. It is evident that women in that country are treated differently when it comes to their involvement in business. The article points out the various struggles women undergo and their plight can be harmful to the international business in the long run. Considering for instance those women in other parts of the world can engage in business and run them profitably, it is ironical why such can not be practiced in Saudi Arabia.
But in essence it is important to understand different cultures as already discussed prior to initiating business with them. In this case, an investor who prefers to engage in a business that involves women roles in America may be forced to change his mind while dealing with Saudi women. This is in line with understanding the cross cultural risk associated with international business and to counter it would entail leaving out any involvement with Saudi women.
Critique and Insight:
The article gives an insight in to how different cultures behave in regard to business. This is very helpful so that investors may seek information on cultural environment before engaging in business that may later pose risks once established. The article however fails to highlight what Saudi women are actually doing to promote international business in the light of globalization.
Attached Article:
6. Political and Legal Systems in National Environments
Cover page:
Arab News .com
By DR. KHALID ALNOWAISER | ARAB NEWS
Human rights issues in Saudi Arabia
Existing sponsorship system no longer conforms to the life in the 21st century
Article Summary:
The article discusses human rights in Saudi Arabia in respect to women, youth and foreigners. However it is the political and civil rights part that pertains to political and legal systems in national environments. The author notes the fundamental worth of everybody to be free and safe. The right not to be arbitrarily arrested and freedom of expression in any business they engage in is emphasized.
Among all these rights, the writer notes that the Saudi citizens must be free to participate in management of public affairs either directly or through elected representatives. Individuals have a right to vote or run for office in fair elections as declared in the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights issued by the United Nations in 1966. The article concludes with a question of whether the Saudi government is ready and willing to make significant political decisions for its people so that they may participate in any business of their choice.
The political system involves institutions, political organizations and interest groups and their relationships and rules that govern them in a country. This may happen along individual or community settings where each has assigned rights and roles. It is very common for any country to operate along a certain political ideology such as democracy or a totalitarianism setting. Each of these systems is designed to improve standards of living, communication and economic progress.
But on the other hand, failure of any particular system may lead to risks especially in regard to international business. The risks can however be reduced substantially by stimulating local economy, offering national employment, and encouraging shared business ownership and engaging in activities that show political neutrality and civility. The legal system too is composed of civil, customary, theocratic and common laws which are meant to govern how people interact and dissolve disputes. In international business, the intellectual property rights are very important to understand as they define the right of benefit of any tangible property an individual may have invented.
This article is relevant in the way it emphasizes the need for political systems based on legal foundations that are recognized internationally. In such a system, international business thrives if conditions where human rights are upheld and this comes from the political and legal system that is in place.
Critique and Insight:
The article is well presented and has all the facts that are crucial for international business to take place. A country that denies its own citizens basic human rights cannot enjoy benefits in international business.
Attached Article:
7. Government Intervention in International Business
Cover page:
PH rejects Saudi bid to cut Filipino maids' pay
By Philip C. Tubeza
Philippine Daily Inquirer
6:18 am | Friday, May 20th, 2011
Article Summary:
The Philippines has rejected the request by Saudi Arabia for a pay cut for Filipino maids working in the Kingdom. According to Labor Secretary, the $400 minimum salary for maids working abroad will remain despite the Saudi government wish to have it reduced to $200. Because of the salary dispute, the Saudi government has suspended the deployment of Filipino maids to the Kingdom. The matter has been referred to Geneva where bilateral trade is meant to be discussed and resolved.
The role of the government is very important in international business. Governments impose restriction in international business mainly due to political, cultural and economic reasons. In cases where the government wants its domestic business in exports to thrive, intervention is necessary. Another scenario is during difficult economic times so as to reduce imports and therefore shield its workforce from being laid off.
Political motives are may be cited by a government in international business if it wants to protect jobs, preserve national security, gain influence and to respond to unfair practices. The economic motives involved may pertain to protecting incoming industries that are in the growth path or in order to pursue a strategic trade policy. Culturally, the government may intervene in order to preserve its national identity. All these measure have a basic motive which is to secure jobs for its citizenry.
This article is relevant in that the Saudi government has intervened in the dispute so that its own maids may have better terms than those of foreigners. The economic motive is evident in the article because the Saudi government wants job security that could be threatened by the highly paid Filipino maids.
Critique and Insight:
The article is well presented and bears all facts that would call for a government to intervene in order to secure its citizens jobs.
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How do I calculate how much concrete I need?
Image Source/Digital Vision/Getty Images
Calculating how much concrete you need for a project is simply a matter of math. You just need to know some basic geometry formulas and then plug your measurements into the formula. The only tools you need for this part of the project are a measuring tape, calculator, pencil and paper.
Calculating how much concrete you need for a project is simply a matter of math.
You just need to know some basic geometry formulas and then plug your measurements into the formula. The only tools you need for this part of the project are a measuring tape, calculator, pencil and paper.
Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
You can take the measurements in centimetres or metres (inches, feet or yards), but all of them will have to be converted to the same type of measurement to get an accurate count. You are dealing with volume, and a large amount of it. Because of this, you want your final measurement to be in cubic metres (feet or cubic yards). To convert inches to feet, divide the inches by 12. To convert inches to yards, divide the inches by 36.
To convert feet to yards, divide the number of feet by 3. Finally, if you want to convert cubic feet into cubic yards, divide the number of cubic feet by 27.
Slabs and Footers
Creatas/Creatas/Getty Images
For a concrete slab, you need to know three measurements: thickness, length and width. Make sure all of the measurements are in the same units and then multiply them together. This works best for a rectangular slab or a footer. If you have an odd-shaped slab, then you should break the shape into smaller rectangular shapes. Then add the totals of the smaller shapes together to get the concrete needed for the entire slab.
For example, you need a slab of concrete that is 3.6m (12 feet) wide, 3m (10 feet) long and 10cm (4 inches) thick. The math is: 3.6m x 3m (12ft. x 10ft.) x (10cm/30cm per m) (4 in./12 in. per ft.) ft. = 12 x 10 x .333 = 40 cubic feet.
Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
The area of rectangular columns can be calculated the same way as a slab, but since most columns are circular, you need to use a different formula: hπr2. In this formula, h is the height of the column, π is 3.14, r is the radius of the column circle (half of the circle's diameter).
For example, you need concrete for a column that is 12 feet high and is circular with a diameter of 1 foot.
The math is: 12ft.
x 3.14 x (1ft./2)2 = 12 ft. x 3.14 x (.5ft. )2 = 12ft. x 3.14 x .25 ft.2 = 9.42 cubic feet.
Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
Steps are actually a series of smaller concrete slabs stacked on each other. This is the way you should calculate the volume. You need the ultimate height of the stairs, the ultimate depth, the height of each stair and width of the stairs. Consider each step a slab, calculate its volume and then add it to the volume of the other stairs. For example, you need concrete for three stairs that are 20cm (8 inches) high and 20cm (8 inches) deep and the total set of stairs will be 90cm (1yard) deep and 60cm (2 feet) across. Since there are three steps, we'll make three measurements. The first step is 1 yd x 2ft. x 8 in. The second step is (1 yd -- 8 in.) x 2ft.
x 8 in. The third step is (1 yd -- 16 in.) x 2ft. x 8 in. The first thing to do is to convert everything to the same units. In this case we'll use feet. So the equation is: (3ft. x 2ft. x .67ft.) + (.78ft. x 2ft. x .67ft.) + (.56ft. x 2ft. x .67ft.) = 4.02 cubic ft. + 1.05 cubic ft. + .75 cubic ft. = 5.82 cubic ft.
Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images
When dealing with concrete, you need to allow extra for spillage or variations that might occur in the surfaces. Many people simply add 10 per cent to their final numbers. Simply multiply your final concrete needs by 1.1 to add the 10 per cent overage.
- Image Source/Digital Vision/Getty Images


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Last year I used the same title page as I had in the sixth grade (see earlier posts under December 2008). It was similar to the one pictured above but it was marked into six sections (3 bottom and three top...instead of a straight line it was a "V" shaped).
I am going to use the above model this year. I think it will speed up making the title pages, which tends to take students a long time to complete. I also found that fourth graders like having specific instructions regarding how many lines they go down before drawing the top line of the title box, so this year I included it in my instructions for them.
Our first title page is on the very first page and is titled "SCIENCE". Since we cover four main areas in fourth grade science the four blocks work fairly well - Weather, Astronomy, Organisms and Their Environment, and Light and Electricity (we actually have five areas with Inquiry but that is a short unit and is worked into the others).
When I do the first title page with students I walk them through the first two (SCIENCE and INQUIRY) and then they do weather and the rest on their own. Sometimes I might do one or two blocks as a group and the rest students would do on their own. That all depends on the class.
I'll have a copy of the diagram above on the board and talk about the units we will be engaged in for the year. I'll ask for suggestion on what we can draw in the block for weather and pick a student suggestion to draw in that block on the board. I'll do the same for astronomy and the rest. I have students copy and color what I have on the board into their notebooks.
I'll post student samples of the new revised title page once they are done.


text:
"The word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak."
Numbers 22:38b
As we begin a new year at LCA, it is valuable for all of us to set some goals for the coming year. We have all heard the old saying, "If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time," often attributed to Zig Ziglar. Our staff and students have been challenged to set a goal relating to our speech in the coming year, that our message will be God's Word in My Mouth.
The verse above comes from the story of Balaam, set at the time of Moses in the Old Testament. Numbers 22-24 recounts what happened with many twists and turns. While Balaam certainly failed in many ways (and we will examine some of those in a future newsletter), he did succeed in guarding his message. Balaam only gave the message that God directed him to share.
One of the lessons we can take away from Balaam's life is that we must take great care to say exactly and exclusively what God has determined without saying anything less or more, no matter what the words, wishes, and wealth of men may be.
We certainly must be careful how we handle the Word of God. In our Christian culture today, too many people have become too sloppy in how they read and interpret the Bible. While we certainly believe that the Bible must be our only rule of faith and practice, sometimes we want to add our own experience or judgments. When we read God's word in context with its genre and audience in mind and compare Scripture with Scripture, we can be confident in God's message to us and those around us.
We must also be prepared to handle all of Scripture. We are not given the license to choose which passages we want to accept and which passages we do not want to share with others. Balaam had to deliver the entire message God gave him and could not change that simply because it was too difficult or might cost him dearly.
While Balaam clearly failed in his heart motivation and his goals, we can be thankful that he did faithfully give God's message to those around him. Let's make it our goal in the coming year to be good messengers and ambassadors for our Lord.


text: numbersixthecat 25 Posted July 28, 2017 Hi there, my two cents on this build. To test this, I played a new world for about one hour. 1) as others have noticed, when hitting zombies the car "jumps" a bit too much. It feels odd for the largest vehicles (minivans etc). Also the chance of running over "standing" zombies should be lower, specially for low cars. I would expect most of the impacts leading to the bodies flying over the car, hitting the windshield and falling sideways or something. 2) it would also be cool if we had the same jumps when running over dead zombies and stuff on the road, but I understand this would be hard on the game engine. 3) some structures have no hitboxes, like lampposts, and it would be fun/bad/dangerous taking them down by hitting them at high speed with the car. Right now we clip inside many things. 4) i feel that the impacts between the cars and the bodies are transferring too much momentum. The car slows down too much when hitting a single person, and the zombie is not thrown away at a large distance. It is like zombies weight like 30% of the car. 5) the acceleration of the cars seems a bit low, even for standard vehicles. Even on the highway it takes a long time to reach speeds that "feel" fast. In this regard, note that normally time in PZ runs way faster than IRL, so a bit of "unrealistic quick accelerations" would not be totally unreasonable, if the gameplay can be improved. Also I can see this being an issue with PZ's engine or due to the isometric view; anyways I felt it was worth pointing out. 6) related to 5, the shown speed doesn't feel quite right when driving. The car seems always "slower", and when you turn even at slow speed the tires squeak a lot. Once again, this might be also an issue of isometric projections, I don't know. 7) it would be nice to have an HUD when driving that we can access with simple mouse clicks on one corner of the screen, to control the different systems of the car (lights, heating/ac, locking doors, turn on radio, honk the horn, etc). 8) I am sure that this would be tackled later on, but with the introductions of vehicles, the "right angles" on some roads (especially the highway) is really problematic, and stands out too much. I think having at least 45° roads is a must for the final version of the map. I hope this feedback proves useful for you. I would also like to stress that I am really impressed by your work, I've been following this game since version 1.4d so I know what i'm talking about 7 Tatty, Svarog, DramaSetter and 4 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


text:
Generate and manage project quotations
Applies To: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
As the initial step in the project phase, you can use project quotations to approach a customer with an attractive, binding offer.
A project quotation might encompass elements such as the items and services that are quoted, basic contact information, special trade agreements and discounts, and possible taxes and surcharges.
Your ability to monitor, review, and control the pipeline of project quotations and orders is an important part of project management. Various tools in Microsoft Dynamics AX can help with these tasks. Tools such as correct reference data definitions (quotation types, quotation origin, and prognosis and probability) help you analyze the pipeline. You can use these tools to categorize the reasons why a project quotation was won or lost and determine the possible value of the quotation.
You can view most of this data in various outputs such as reports or statistics in the Project management and accounting module.
This section provides the following topics:
About footer text for sales quotations and other sales documents
Create, modify, and delete project quotation templates or template groups
Copy a stored address to a project sales quotation
Register, update, and delete alternative project quotations
Create a letter of guarantee request for a project quotation
About synchronizing project information between Microsoft Dynamics AX and Microsoft Dynamics CRM


text:
exclusion principle
Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Financial, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
Related to exclusion principle: Competitive exclusion principle, Inclusion exclusion principle
exclusion principle
The principle that two particles of a given type, such as electrons, protons, or neutrons, cannot simultaneously occupy a particular quantum state. Also called Pauli exclusion principle.
exclusion principle
(Atomic Physics) See Pauli exclusion principle
exclu′sion prin`ciple
the quantum-mechanical principle that no two identical particles having spin equal to half an odd integer can be in the same quantum state.Also called Pauli exclusion principle.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
|exclusion principle - no two electrons or protons or neutrons in a given system can be in states characterized by the same set of quantum numbers
law of nature, law - a generalization that describes recurring facts or events in nature; "the laws of thermodynamics"


text:
Picture; Property of Siemens
In 2017, the Federal and Drug Administration issued around five hundred and fifty-five warning letters known as "Form 483" in the Pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries.
Most of these letters appoint the lack of risk identification in many stages of the manufacturing process.
Many investigations were ineffective of risk identification leading only to corrective actions but not preventive actions to avoid recurrence in all stages of the process.
In 2016, the FDA issued 350 warning letters. The root cause is indirectly and directly lack risk identification.
The pharmaceutical industry is still learning how to establish a systematic approach to assess risks. Although, the system already exists.
The ICH-Q9 "Pharmaceutical Risk Management" and the ICH-Q10 "The Pharmaceutical Quality System" are two standards that describe the goals and expectations from the pharmaceutical standpoint of view.
Why is risk assessment paramount in the fourth industrial revolution?
Risk has become critical in other areas of the industry, for example, market and product development.
There is a key understanding of this era of change that will help top management:
Risk assessment is the synonym of the data analysis.
When the FDA issues the warning letter, they are telling the organization they do not have a good data analysis system. In my professional experience, if a company is not good at data analysis, the areas that will have an immediate impact are quality and safety.
Why? Because is all about data.
For example, incident investigations, and CAPAs are sources of data to support the decision-making process.
Data analysis will help to predict failures in manufacturing and analytical processes.
Let's see the risk from the blockchain perspective. This technology gives the advantage of tracking each step of the transaction. Technologies are being developed to emulate it.
According to the World Economic Forum, businesses that scale in categories will win the market. They will be able to predict approaches to take.
In my last article, I mentioned only 1 percent of the data is evaluated. Also, top management knows a small fraction of the tools used in other industries.
The ICH-Q9 collects the second and fourth pillar of the Risk-Based Process Safety program. The goals of the two pillars are to understand the risk and learn from past experiences. Therefore, the amount of data allocated will help managers to predict, identify and conduct accurate risk assessments.
Benefits of Risk Management for the Pharmaceutical Industry to Succeed in this Revolution.
First, identify your risks will help the business to innovate.
R&D plays a big role in developing new medications and processes. However, changes in the market and technology will force top management to look outside where some organizations have implemented risk management to innovate.
Second, the decision-making process will be effective and efficient to allocate resources for monitoring and mitigation.
Third, technology will be interconnected. It is known as the Internet of Things (IoT). Cybersecurity will be a field to master to avoid losing data.
Fourth, the risk assessment generates a lot of data that the organization needs to use statistical techniques to determine causal factors to make decisions based on your own evidence.
Here are the 4 Steps to Succeed in this Industry Revolution.
- Started decoding your tacit Knowledge is critical.
- Use Create-Estimate-Aggregate and Manage model.
- Avoid duplication.
- Adopt a based Risk decision-making process
- McKenzie and Company
- World Economic Forum.
- Federal Drug and Administration (FDA)


text: If you're new to Photoshop, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the many tool options available to you. Even if you're a seasoned Photoshop user, you may be overlooking helpful tools because you don't know what they do. If you've never used the Sponge tool before, you're missing out on one of the most effective ways to adjust color in specific portions of your images.


text:
Hi this is Diane Kennedy. Today is Day 8 of the 30-day Coundown to the release of my new book, The Maui Millionaires™ that I co-wrote the book with David Finkel. The book is scheduled to be released on November 3, 2006, and from now until then I'll be checking in every day with a Wealth Tip excerpt from the book, written either by myself or by my co-author, David Finkel.
Wealth Tip 8: Earned Income is Sugar
There are three types of cash flow: active cash flow (aka: "earned income"), passive cash flow, and residual cash flow. Most people in our culture focus on increasing their active cash flow, either by finding the highest paying job they can, or by actively working to grow their business. While the goal of increasing your active income is laudable, rarely will it by itself lead to financial freedom. In fact, earned income is one of the worst predictors of financial freedom.
Why is that? Because with additional earnings most people in our culture step up to a more expensive lifestyle. In fact, they don't just spend the additional active cash flow on one time purchases, but rather they often buy things that bring with them a much higher fixed cost of living. This includes things like a more expensive home or a fancier car, both of which bring with them many years of higher monthly payments.
Earned income is sugar. It is empty calories that may sustain you for a moment, but soon burns through. What is the way out of this trap? To focus on creating on the other two forms of cash flow—passive cash flow and residual cash flow.
For more on the three types of cash flow and creating passive income see The Maui Millionaires™ pp. 167-190.


text:
The Koran Interpreted (translated by A. J. Arberry) (1996. Touchstone. ISBN 9780684825076)
As with my reading of The Book of Mormon, this is a review of the literary merit of one of mankind's most beloved scriptural texts, The Koran. It is not my attempt to critique or disassemble the theology of Islam: I will leave that to the scholars. I am just an average, ordinary American, raised Christian amongst other Christians and a smattering of Jews and nonbelievers, who is trying to understand the basic tenets of a faith that underpins many of the lives, cultures, and social orders of the latest immigrants to the United States. So take what I observe and write here in the spirit in which it is written: as a critic of the language, writing, and structure of The Koran, not as a criticism of The Book's core beliefs.
First, the repetition. Gehenna, a Biblical valley that appears in Hebrew scripture, is referenced, by one account, more than 70 times in The Koran. I gave up counting how many times the terms "chastisement" (as in "the unbelievers will suffer a great chastisement") and "punishment" appear within the suras (chapters) of the book. This constant refrain of salvation and damnation, the repetitiveness of the text, may well, when read aloud in a mosque or recited by heart at prayer, reinforce the central themes of the second largest religion in the world. (One source has Christianity as the largest at 33% with Islam second at 21% of the world's population; USA Today predicts that by 2070, Islam will supplant Christianity as the world's largest faith community.) But when read as a complete text, from beginning to end, this consistency becomes redundant. I found this repetitiveness reminiscent of the overly repeated refrains found in The Book of Mormon, though, to be fair, The Messenger's collection of revelations and scripture precedes Joseph Smith's discovery by 1,200 years, making The Koran a likely source of inspiration for the Mormon prophet's revelations. One thing that sets The Koran apart from Smith's retelling of the contents of the golden plates is the language. Whereas Smith, an uneducated and illiterate religious searcher, relied upon a tone and tenor that was pedestrian and ordinary in its prose, The Messenger's presentation of the Eternal Book is, despite also coming from an oral tradition, far more polished and, in some suras, reaches the poetry of The Bible:
Hast thou seen him who lies to the Doom? That is he who repulses the orphan and urges not the feeding of the needy. So woe to those that pray and are heedless of their prayers, to those who make display and refuse charity.
(Sura CVII)
This is not an easy text to read. And I am certain that if I was privileged to hear the verses and suras recited in their original Arabic, there would be a flow, a magic to the words that transcends even the best English translation of this compilation of revelations from the Divine. But even in English, The Book displays moments of linguistic clarity and beauty; and, departing from my initial premise (that I would not delve into theology) much of what radical Islam is preaching and acting upon (jihad being raised against children, women, the old, and the infirm in the name of God) is nowhere to be found in this book. Certainly, just as with Judaism and Christianity, there are facets of a faith that come from customs and practices created over millennia of observance, some of which may support suicide bombings, kidnappings, beheadings, and the murder of noncombatants or captured combatants. But I did not, in my time with The Koran, find those practices ingrained in the spiritual message of this book. As a Christian, I may be troubled that The Messenger defines Christ not as God embodied on Earth, but as a mortal prophet akin to Moses and Noah. In addition, there is a theme of evangelism to the text; the need to convert unbelievers to The Book that mirrors Paul's exhortations to conversion in the New Testament. But The Koran incorporates both Jews and Christians into a larger, monotheistic framework of faith, considering those religious bodies to also be People of the Book. Perhaps the world would be a better, calmer place if Jews and Christians extended the same courtesy to Muslims.
Reading The Koran was not easy but it was enlightening and, given the world we live in, essential for non-Muslims to at least attempt.
4 stars out of 5. The book is, as indicated, rated for literary merit, not its spiritual content.


text:
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Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Singapore Asia Pacific World Search Search: Pakistani stocks up over 3 pct on IMF loan hopes Reuters - Saturday, August 1 KARACHI, July 31 - Pakistani stocks ended more than 3 percent higher on Friday on hopes the International Monetary Fund will approve an additional $4 billion in funding for the country next week. ADVERTISEMENT Friday's 3.06 percent jump in the Karachi Stock Exchange's benchmark 100-share index <.KSE> helped the index post a rise of 7.8 percent for July as a whole, the biggest monthly rise since March, when it surged 19.7 percent. The index rose 229.17 points to close at 7,720.93, on turnover of 108.4 million shares. Dealers attributed the rise to reports quoting Shaukat Tarin, adviser to the prime minister on finance, as saying the IMF was likely to approve an additional $4.1 billion loan to Pakistan when its board meets on Aug. 7. "Shaukat Tarin's statement gave the market the much needed clarity on the IMF's board meeting next week and the possibility of an additional $4 billion," said Ahfaz Mustafa, vice president of sales at Ismail Iqbal Securities Ltd. Pakistan has requested the additional financing under the existing programme as "insurance" to help it cope with its economic crisis, and is also waiting for the third loan installment of roughly $850 million under the emergency programme launched last November. [ID:nWEQ001267] The finance ministry was not immediately available for comment. Sentiment was also helped earlier in the day by a report in the Dawn newspaper citing central bank governor Salim Raza as saying interest rates would have to be cut at an upcoming monetary policy review on Aug. 15. A central bank spokesman denied Raza had made any such comment. In the currency market, the rupee weakened against the dollar amid higher dollar demand due to import payments, dealers said. The rupee <PKR=> closed at 83.16/26 to the dollar, down from Thursday's close of 83.12/22. Currency dealers also said the rupee was under pressure as the central bank would end the use of official foreign exchange reserves for diesel and other refined product imports on Saturday, which will force commercial banks to buy more dollars in the forex market. [ID:nSIN533668] The rupee has lost 4.9 percent this year after losing 22.12 percent in 2008. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: Business GLOBAL MARKETS-World stocks hit 9-1/2 month highs; oil slipsReuters - Saturday, August 1 US STOCKS-Wall St climbs on earnings, but Disney off lateReuters - Friday, July 31 Euro pares gains vs yen after Treasury auctionReuters - Friday, July 31 Russia starts new pipeline, Exxon under pressureReuters - Friday, July 31 US STOCKS SNAPSHOT-Wall St extends gains after Treasury auctionReuters - Friday, July 31 Most Popular – Business Viewed Custody deal agreed for Jackson's children Sunbeds elevated to top cancer risk level: WHO Beer flows as Obama tries to cool down a hot furor Comets probably won't cause the end of life as we know it: study Doctor gave Jackson drug that killed him: CNN View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help
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Pictures from Phoenix and sometimes from the surrounding cities that make up the "Valley of the Sun"
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
The Last of the Old West Steakhouses
All that is left is a tall water tower and a few ramshackle buildings that made up the the little "western village" that surrounded the steakhouse.
I did eat at Reata Pass many, many years ago when it was big attraction. It was one of those places where Arizona residents would take their out of state guests to serve up some western atmosphere. These days we tend to take guests to the latest hot new restaurant.
14 comments:
- biebkriebels said...
Looks like an old Western village from a movie, nice photos.
- March 20, 2018 at 4:07 AM
- Kate said...
Nostalgic! Looks like a place that I would have enjoyed!
- March 20, 2018 at 6:04 AM
- Catarina said...
That reminds us of good old times!
: )
- March 20, 2018 at 7:05 AM
- Lowell said...
We ate there once in the early 60s. As I recall, one place offered an enormous steak (32 ounces?) and anyone who could eat the whole thing did not have to pay. I don't think many could do that and some who tried became sick. I don't think we ever went back.
- March 20, 2018 at 7:52 AM
- William Kendall said...
It does feel like something you'd see in a Western.
- March 20, 2018 at 8:46 AM
- Catalyst said...
I can't remember which one had waitresses that could the neckties off of any customer who wore one but I remember taking my dad there once and warning him that he had to wear a tie. He went out and bought one that day and lost it that night!
Sharon, I tried reloading your blog link to my site this morning and it worked!
- March 20, 2018 at 9:10 AM
- Catalyst said...
I meant to type "cut the neckties off".
- March 20, 2018 at 9:11 AM
- Karl said...
I had the same idea as William...
- March 20, 2018 at 9:53 AM
- Christine said...
Looks like the Wild West to me! Rather sad to think of it falling to pieces when so many enjoyed fun times & good food there...
- March 20, 2018 at 10:04 AM
- RedPat said...
Looks like a ghost town now, Sharon!
- March 20, 2018 at 10:39 AM
- Judy Ryer said...
I remember those. I guess Miner's Camp is closed now too.
- March 20, 2018 at 11:07 AM
- bill burke said...
I agree with what Pat said, it looks like a ghost town. It's amazing that remnants of the place are still standing.
- March 20, 2018 at 1:04 PM
- Bob Crowe said...
I didn't know about these. Thanks for passing along some PHX history. Cattle are very environmentally unfriendly and we're not big beef eaters, but you, D and J have steered us (no pun intended) to some very interesting cuisine in your area.
- March 20, 2018 at 6:54 PM
- Steve Reed said...
Strange how they've both folded. I guess tastes change, don't they? Maybe younger generations thought they were too hokey.
- March 21, 2018 at 8:56 AM


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HANNAH BARNES, Technical Writer
Hannah is a Technical Writer at JetCo Solutions. In this role, she manages proposals and writes responses to government solicitations for clients. Hannah formats and curates a response for each client opportunity and showcases the company's mission and capability to the government so that clients keep winning contracts.
Bachelor of Arts, English with a Creative Writing emphasis | Hope College
What's your favorite part about your job?
Hannah's favorite part about her job is working with a talented team.


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At VDA Labs we are constantly improving our tradecraft. One of the ways we do this is by leveraging, testing, and building tools. And when there are existing toolsets that make our jobs easier, we explore and share.
Why is docker cool?
When we use a tool, especially for the first time, we have a common set of questions:
- Where is it coming from?
- Does it run on my platform?
- What dependencies might I need? Did the installer bring them? Are there transitive dependencies?
- What is configuration like, does it start on boot? Is it a service?
- Does it conflict with other things?
The questions are related to three main components of software:
Distribution, Installation, and Operation.
As a hacker, being an expert at the nuances of all the different software we use is its own part-time job.
Docker makes it easy.
Images help us with Distribution.
Containers help us with Operation. [they are isolated processes]
Dockers use virtual memory address spacing, which mitigates context switching and other cross-process issues. While it shares the kernel, it doesn't necessarily share all of the kernel modules. Entirely different filesystems are provided by images. Processes can have different hostnames, different virtual network interfaces, and so on. A process thinks it's in an entirely different computer.
What are the basics?
Images live in registries
- Dockerfiles are text files with instructions on how to set up the image
- Images are loosely coupled layers configured by a manifest file
Containers are running images
- Each container should provide a single service
- Containers are thin writeable layers ontop of images
- Can be a one-to-many relationship, each container linking to a single image
Installation on MacOS:
brew install docker
Installation on Kali:
curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/debian/gpg | apt-key add -
echo 'deb [arch=amd64]https://download.docker.com/linux/debian buster stable' > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list
apt update
apt install docker-ce
That's nice, but what does it do for me?
Fair enough, that's what you came here for. Simplicity allows us to get more done. So let's talk tools.
Say you want to do recon: Use Eyewitness to screenshot hosts!
git clone https://github.com/FortyNorthSecurity/EyeWitness
While we won't go into extreme detail, this first run has comments to help you understand what the flags are doing. Start by building the image from within your cloned directory.
docker build -t eyewitness .
Then run the image.
docker run \
--rm \ # cleans up and removes the file system on container exit
-it \ # keep STDIN open even if not attached (i) allocate a pseudo-tty (t)
-e DISPLAY=$DISPLAY \ # sets DISPLAY environment variable for VNC
-v /tmp/.X11-unix:/tmp/.X11-unix \ # mounts a shared filesystem
-v /tmp/eyewitness:/tmp/EyeWitness \ # same as above
eyewitness \ # the application to run in the container
options # usual EyeWitness flags
But wait, where are we getting our EyeWitness inputs? Nmap is our friend. Let's skip github and go right to the docker hub for it. Just substitute nmap command with:
docker run --rm -it instrumentisto/nmap
A quick note about security: You are downloading and running things from the internet. As always, use good judgment.
Need to use another Nmap utility like nping? Just specify it as container entrypoint.
docker run --rm -it --entrypoint nping instrumentisto/nmap
Say you want to get some usernames: Use The Harvester
git clone https://github.com/laramies/theHarvester
docker build -t harvester .
docker run -ti --rm harvester
Say you want to phish: use EvilGinx2 to steal credentials and cookies!
git clone https://github.com/kgretzky/evilginx2
docker build . -t evilginx2
# Then you can run the container:
docker run -it -p 53:53/udp -p 80:80 -p 443:443 evilginx2
Bring on those sweet, sweet tokens.
Say you want to scan web hosts: hunt for common vulns with Nikto or wpscan!
git clone https://github.com/sullo/nikto docker build . -t nikto docker run --rm -v $(pwd):/tmp nikto -h http://www.example.com -o /tmp/out.json # run and save your report in the mounted directory
If you don't have it locally, docker will automatically search the docker hub.
docker run -it wpscanteam/wpscan #automatically searches and pulls the relevant layers to you
You can manually search for anything yourself by running
docker search tool
Say you want to 'remotely administer' some hosts: run Covenant for a state of the art C2 platform!
git clone https://github.com/cobbr/Covenant
docker build -t covenant .
docker run -it -p 7443:7443 -p 80:80 -p 443:443 --name covenant -v /absolute/path/to/Covenant/Covenant/Data:/app/Data covenant --username AdminUser --computername 0.0.0.0
Say you want to hack all the things: use Kali Linux
Kali Linux itself has an official image with Metasploit and a few popular tools. This image can be built with a wide range of options, and configured to your needs, making it a great platform for testing, and sandboxing your payloads/experimental stuff.
Docker greatly simplifies use on MacOS due to dependency issues. Next time you're doing a
git clone keep an eye out for that dockerfile. Doesn't have one? It's pretty simple to write your own. Additionally,
docker-compose can orchestrate multiple docker images and containers in seconds, allowing you to spin up an entire environment in seconds. If you leverage that in combination with something like Ansible you can create fast and powerful deployments. Look for a future blog on automating red team infrastructure using combined techniques and tools.
Didn't see the tool you want? Check out hub.docker.com
Confused? Like this but want more? The Docker documentation is great.


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17 Downloads
Updated 08 May 2019
This submission contains Matlab implementation of an iterative multivariate outlier detection algorithm described in Hadi (1992) [1]. In addition to flagging potential outliers, the main function `DetectMultVarOutliers.m` also outputs robust estimates of the mean and covariance that it computes during execution.
Deviating slightly from Hadi (1992), `DetectMultVarOutliers.m` initializes the sample mean with the geometric median [2] of the dataset, instead of the coordinate-wise median. `GeometricMedian.m` is the function used compute this robust statistic; via the Weiszfeld's algorithm [3]. Note that this auxiliary function can be used on its own in any application that requires robust estimation of central tendency of multivariate data corrupted by sampling errors and/or noise.
For a quick demo on how to use the main function, see source code for `outliers_demo.m` or simply enter `outliers_demo` into Matlab command window.
[1] Hadi, A.S., 1992. Identifying multiple outliers in multivariate data. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society. Series B Methodological), Vol. 54(3), pp. 761-771.
[2] Geometric median: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometric_median
[3] Weiszfeld, E., 1937. Sur le point par lequel la somme des distances den points donnés est minimum. Tohoku Mathematics Journal, Vol. 43, pp. 355–386.
Anton Semechko (2020). Detect outliers in multivaraite datasets (https://github.com/AntonSemechko/Multivariate-Outliers), GitHub. Retrieved .
- cosmetic description correction
- modified submission description
- migrated to GitHub
demo thumbnail
Create scripts with code, output, and formatted text in a single executable document.


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Let more natural light shine in your home with new windows.
Call us for a FREE consultation to help you choose the windows that are best suited for your home.
Old, broken, and foggy windows will not only make your rooms gloomy but will also ruin the look of your home. If you'd like to update the look and functionality of your home, new windows are always the place to start. Choice Builders, Inc. of Chesapeake, VA, with our more than two decades of experience, can help you transform your home with our window services.
Replacing old windows will add security and style to your home. Whether your need new windows installed in your newly constructed house or you just want to replace your old windows, we'll handle your work with precision.
Velux and more


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If you're a first home buyer in Perth, you have probably heard about the financial incentives offered by the government to help you get into your first home. While you may recognise the term a�?first home owners grant', there are other incentives that work in conjunction with this grant that you may be eligible to take advantage of.
It is not often, if ever, that someone will offer you thousands of dollars for virtually nothing in return, except for a little of your time and effort, so why wouldn't you want to find out what types of financial assistance are on offer to you?
Here is the lowdown on the three types of home owner grants that apply to first home buyers in Perth and across WA.
1. The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)
The first home owners grant was introduced in 2000 as a financial incentive to offset the effect of the GST on home ownership in WA. Under the FHOG, those first home buyers that are eligible, can receive up to $10,000 (recently updated to $15,000 for 2017) for newly constructed homes. The first home owners grant essentially can form part of your first home deposit, now who wouldn't take that?
A cap does apply however. The FHOG can only be applied to homes and their land to a maximum value of $750, 000.
2. Stamp Duty Concessions
Working in conjunction with the first home owners grant, first home buyers in Perth can save on stamp duty costs if eligible. For homes valued up to $530, 000, first home buyers can obtain a partial stamp duty concession. For homes valued at up to $430,000, homebuyers will not pay any stamp duty on their property.
3. Home Buyers Assistance Account
Now this type of financial assistance incentive may be one that you haven't yet heard of.
The home buyers assistance account (HBAA), is a grant for first home buyers in Perth which can provide a reimbursement of up to $2,000 for costs associated with purchasing a first home. For example, costs such as mortgage registration fees, settlement agent fees, valuation and inspection fees are covered under the HBAA scheme.
Are you looking for more information about the First Home Owners Grant? At No Savings our goal is to open the door to homeownership for as many West Australians as we can and we can help you to take advantage of Government concessions that are available. Contact us today for more information.


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|Message view
|« Date » · « Thread »
|« Date » · « Thread »
|Geoffrey Young <ge...@modperlcookbook.org>
|Re: mod_include test shuffling
|Tue, 16 Dec 2003 20:21:15 GMT
> the fsize test fails in 1.3, because the abbrev computation is different (and > the files are so *small* :-) ok, that is TODO on 1.3 now. > > The flastmod test fails on my box because of weird timezone problems. > POSIX::strftime() and mod_include's strftime produce different timezone > strings (even with LC_ALL=C). Perhaps someone knows how to fix ... not I, sorry. > > Perhaps we should separate them into different subtests. I've separated fsize and flastmod out into separate tests, so they can be tweaked more easily. let me know how all these changes sit with you. --Geoff
|View raw message


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Sterling Silver Astrantia Bracelet Turquoise
Special Price €15 Regular Price €29
Sold out
Product description
Let the classic horseshoe bring you all the luck. With an on-point design, the divine Astrania bracelet will match perfectly with all everyday outfits you choose to wear. With its beautiful turquoise colour meeting silver, this gorgeous bracelet becomes a clear favourite.
- Art. Nr
- 020100062
- Material
- 925 Sterling Silver, Textile
- Brand
- Safira
- Collection
- Têtê á Têtê
- Length
- 17,5 cm
Shipping and returns
Depending on where you are spreading your magic in the world, you will be able to choose between different options of delivery and we have free shipping within EU! The cost of your delivery depends on which shipping option you choose and which country you're from. You can read all about our shipping and returns here.
Material information
At Safira we care about the quality of what we produce and the uniqueness of designing and manufacturing fashionable jewellery of precious metals. Safira jewellery carries control stamps as proof of authenticity. Safira complies with SWEDAC's (via The Technical Research Institute of Sweden) regulations on control and marking of articles of precious metals.


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This card will be going out in the mail this week to a very special lady (my nephews' nana) who is undergoing breast cancer treatment right now. (She's doing well with her treatment but is understandably tired.) I hope this will be a little sunshine in her mailbox.
My favorite part of the card has got to be Close To My Heart's new silver trim! Its glittery goodness doesn't seem to shed everywhere, and once you get the clear backing peeled off, it adheres extremely well to your project. (You are going to be seeing a LOT of this stuff from me! <3 nbsp="nbsp" p="p">
This card pattern is a sketch from the new how-to, Make It From Your Heart, Vol. 1. (Have I mentioned that this cool guide has scrapbooking sketches and card patterns? Plus it is only $7.95!) To coordinate with the La Belle Vie paper pack, I stamped the awareness ribbon (retired) in Blush and then used my new Slate pigment ink to overstamp the sentiment and then swipe the edges of the card and the sentiment panel.
I need to use this card as a reminder to schedule my very first mammogram. Am I a big girl now or what? Have you scheduled yours? 3>
Saturday, October 13, 2012
God Bless You Card
at 6:53 AM
Labels: cards, CTMH, Make It From Your Heart how-to guide, stamping
2 comments:
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Guatemala volcano eruption: Latest death toll of Fuego's deadly eruption
GUATEMALA'S deadly eruption has so far claimed the lives of more than 100 people as rescuers continue to scour the ash-ravaged landscape, with many more people still missing.
The death toll from a massive volcano eruption in Guatemala has risen to 109.
The eruption on Sunday was the volcano's most violent in four decades, after dangerous flows of ash, rocks and toxic gases prompted panicked locals to evacuate.
However there are as many as 200 people still missing from the eruption and many family members assume they are dead.
Search and rescue efforts were formally suspended on Thursday due to hazardous conditions, though authorities said they could resume if the situation improves.
On Friday afternoon, the Garcia family buried five relatives who died in the eruption which has sunk many homes in brown ash.
Concepcion Garcia, a farm worker, said: "I sometimes think that this is like a dream, but this is the reality."
He helped to bury his brother at a cemetery in Escuintla near the volcano's base.
In two of the canyons where flows have accumulated, columns of ash rose as high as 19,700 feet (6,000 meters), according to a Friday morning statement from Guatemala's volcanic institute.
Guatemala volcano eruption: Rescuers continue to search for the missing
"The (flows) carry hot vapor, including fine particles similar to cement, two- to three-meter (6.5- to 10-foot) diameter rocks and tree trunks dragged out by the current," the statement added.
The flows sparked panic among rescue workers still in the area, as well as volunteers and police.
"If the search is not going to be continued (authorities) should send us help because even if it's just bones, we want our families back," said Eufemia Garcia, 47, a housewife.
She estimated 50 members of her extended family are still missing.
Along a closed highway that connects the towns of El Rodeo and San Miguel los Lotes, two of the towns badly affected, around 25 people, many with picks and shovels, waited to resume the search for the missing.
The U.S. government said it was sending emergency aid at Guatemala's request, while Mexican authorities sent doctors to help survivors with severe burns.
At least seven of whom, in critical condition, were transferred across the border into Mexico.
While Hawaii's Kilauea's volcano has produced extremely hot and relatively slow moving lava flows, which have engulfed hundreds of structures but allowed people to evacuate, Guatemala's Fuego ejected much more dangerous pyroclastic flows, which kill everything in their path because they travel so fast and so far.


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Ludo, Ergo SumMy Eyes Glaze OverLudo, Ergo Sum - RSS 2.0
Many online gamers know about UK professor Richard Bartle's 1990 classification of MUD players as achievers, explorers, socializers or killers. Many analysts have followed Bartle, notably Stanford doctoral student Nicholas Yee and his Daedalus Project. In paper games, the idea of classifying players dates to 1980, when Glenn Blacow suggested four basic motives of RPG players: roleplaying, storytelling, powergaming and wargaming.
As developed in the Usenet newsgroup rec.games.frp.advocacy in the late 1990s, these four approaches shrank to a Threefold Model, which christened them Simulationist, Dramatist and Gamist. Avid roleplayers on The Forge forums revised the model. Game designer Ron Edwards renamed the Dramatist approach "Narrativist," and the theory gained prominence as GNS (Gamist-Narrativist-Simulationist). Lately, Edwards and the Forge-ites have been pounding out "the Big Model," a comprehensive GNS replacement.
The Big Model characterizes roleplaying as a social contract among players to explore a shared imagining composed of five elements: Character, Setting, Situation, System (the actual game rules) and Color (atmospheric nuances). The group's "demonstrated goals and desired feedback during play" constitute the all-important Creative Agenda, which encompasses the GNS framework mentioned above. GNS and the Creative Agenda describe the kinds of fun that players want from a particular game.
GNS postulates three basic outlooks that shape any given action in an RPG, and to a lesser extent characterize players' overall styles:
- Gamist players like to overcome obstacles, gain power or increased options, and "win."
- Narrativists like to shape their roleplaying sessions to create a good story or examine a dramatic theme.
- Simulationists want their character's behavior and circumstances to follow a believable, consistent, or "realistic" logic.
All three outlooks are equally valid. Edwards asserts a given set of game rules cannot satisfy all three outlooks at once. The system's Techniques should be "coherent," focused to support a single outlook. "Techniques include IIEE, Drama/Karma/Fortune, search time and handling time, narration apportioning, reward system, points of contact, character components, scene framing, currency among the character components and much more." (GNS glossary.) If the players in the group have incompatible outlooks, or an outlook incompatible with the game's Techniques, the game won't satisfy them.
Players may also clash if they commonly employ Stances that conflict with one another's expectations. "Stance" describes the way you decide what your character does at a given moment:
- In Actor Stance, you determine your character's decisions and actions using only knowledge and perceptions the character would have.
- In Author Stance, you choose what you personally want to happen, then retrofit your character's motivations to explain the choice. (If you don't care about an explanation, this is called "Pawn" stance.)
- In Director Stance, you determine not only the character's actions but also their context, perhaps including timing or aspects of the environment.
Again, all Stances are valid. Players shift Stances frequently moment by moment, but specific stances are suited to particular games or play styles. For instance, a game that stresses "immersion" (a feeling of being "possessed" by your character) usually calls for Actor Stance. Stances are one tool for achieving GNS goals. If you make decisions in a way contrary to another player's expectations, that could mean trouble for the group.
Stances belong to the Ephemera that support the group's Creative Agenda. Other Ephemera include "in-character vs. out-of-character diction and dialogue, referring to texts, sound effects, taking or referring to notes, kibitzing, laughing, praise or disapproval, showing pictures, and anything similar."
There's quite a lot more, but maybe your Time to Sheesh is dropping rapidly. Still, if you've ever been in a roleplaying game that feels more like a chore than a delight, such analysis can be a lifeline to sanity. The Big Model recognizes and prizes diversity of viewpoints. By understanding and appreciating other players' outlooks, you can more easily adjust your expectations in a game based on those outlooks.