Posted by on 19 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
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Posted by on 19 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
STEPHEN WARD The solicitors leader, Martin Mears, is planning to get the Law Society to force firms into ending cut-price conveyancing by taking away their insurance cover if they work for less than a recommended scale of fees.
THE TORTUOUS process of buying a home will be over in days rather than months under new rules to be unveiled by the Government this week, in the biggest shake-up of conveyancing this century. Under new legislation, partly aimed at beating “gazumping”, buying property will become more expensive for sellers and cheaper for buyers. Estate agents will not be allowed to market properties unless they have checked that the seller has complied with the new rules.
HOMEBUYING is set to take another step forward in the online revolution when Scotlands first internet conveyancing service is launched this week. Conveyancing Direct, a telephone-based conveyancing service, is to launch a website which will allow customers to calculate online the total charges linked to buying a domestic property in Scotland. Graeme McCormick, founding partner of the Glasgow-based practice, says the speed at which charges can be calculated is a key part of the service. “If somebody goes and sees a property at the weekend, then they dont have to wait until Monday to contact a solicitor. They can go on to our website, do their sums, and theyre ready to go. Our online facility has been developed so that if, for example, someone wants to buy a property for #70,000, then they will be able to find out our fee, VAT, and calculate the registration charges and stamp duty. They then have the total figure to help them with the finances.”
Posted by on 18 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
STEPHEN WARD The new Law Society president, Martin Mears, has pledged to bring in rules to stop solicitors offering cut-price conveyancing. He has made the move to bring back fixed prices under pressure from firms whose income has been hit by the recession. They complain that growing competition has eroded what used to be a highly profitable part of their business. They argue that firms offering cheap conveyancing must be cutting corners.
CIRCULAR 13/2005 - REPORTS RELATING TO CERTIFICATES PREPARED BY COMPANIES FOR CONVEYANCING PURPOSES ENHANCED REQUIREMENTS FOR AUDITORSTO CONSIDER RELATED PARTIES The involvement of related parties, such as directors, owners and management, in major corporate scandals encouraged the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) to review its current auditing standard. The IAASB has issued an ED with additional requirements for auditors regarding the audit of related party relationships and transactions.
Posted by on 17 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
HOMEBUYING is set to take another step forward in the online revolution when Scotlands first internet conveyancing service is launched this week. Conveyancing Direct, a telephone-based conveyancing service, is to launch a website which will allow customers to calculate online the total charges linked to buying a domestic property in Scotland. Graeme McCormick, founding partner of the Glasgow-based practice, says the speed at which charges can be calculated is a key part of the service. “If somebody goes and sees a property at the weekend, then they dont have to wait until Monday to contact a solicitor. They can go on to our website, do their sums, and theyre ready to go. Our online facility has been developed so that if, for example, someone wants to buy a property for #70,000, then they will be able to find out our fee, VAT, and calculate the registration charges and stamp duty. They then have the total figure to help them with the finances.”
STEPHEN WARD The solicitors leader, Martin Mears, is planning to get the Law Society to force firms into ending cut-price conveyancing by taking away their insurance cover if they work for less than a recommended scale of fees. Over the past decade, prices of conveyancing have plummeted. Three quarters of homes are now conveyed for less than pounds 300. What was once a highly profitable part of solicitors business is now often a loss-leader, and Mr Mears was elected on a manifesto which included a pledge to get fees back up.
Posted by on 14 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
This academic satire is about two professors and their families. Howard Belsey is a white secular liberal, a specialist in Rembrandt, who is engaged in ideological warfare with a visiting professor, Monty Kippes, a conservative Christian scholar from Trinidad. Each character in the story is undermined by his or her self-deceptions. Howards attachment to theoretical knowledge seems to preclude understanding or controlling his adulterous behavior. Smith brilliantly draws these and other characters and gently but wittily pierces their illusions and pretensions. Howards African-American wife, Kiki, is one of the few characters to offer emotional or moral ballast, along with her son Jerome, who rejects his parents secularism for a newfound Christianity.
ON BEAUTY. Zadie Smith. 2005. Read by Peter Francis James. 16 cds. 18 hrs. Penguin Audio. 014-305800-2. $44.95. Cardboard; content, author, reader notes. SA* Smith portrays the ratified air of academic life and its internecine rivalries with an awesome wit. The faculty meetings are hilarious! Narrator James rises to the challenge, making this an auditory delight. This takes the listener into the despair of a marital break-up and explores the sensitive issue of cultural norms of feminine beauty. In Kiki, she offers the gift of a woman who defies the self-hatred such norms provoke. Wide in scope and original. Nancy Chaplin, Libn., VCCW, Goochland, VA
epoch has recognised that there are things pleasing to contemplate independently of the desire we may feel for them. He has no preconceived definition of beauty. Beauty and art were not always so closely related as today: beauty belonged originally to nature, not to created things. This book is therefore a history of Beauty and not a history of art (or of literature or music. Somewhat ironically, however, ideas of beauty are here mainly illustrated by works of art and not, for example, by loaves of beautifully made bread or beautifully laid brick walls. Images and textual selections work together to show that there is no absolute concept of beauty in things or men but criteria shaped by different eras and places.
Posted by on 14 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Music videos on DVD made an impact in the RIAAs annual economic survey of the music business for the first time in 1998. (The RIAA reports sales of DVD music videos.) Unit shipments of DVD music videos in 1998 totaled 485,000. The dollar value of DVD music video unit shipments in 1998 was $12.2 million.
Smart Storage Unveils Mastering, Archiving Tool for DVD
Luminex Introduces Integrated DVD-RAM Library Hardware, Software Solution Plexus Announces O/SM Suite Compatibility with Cygnet Jukeboxes
Posted by on 14 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Hafele America Co. Hafele says its U-Furniture allows for creative and innovative furniture designs. The sliding door fittings are designed in L and U shapes which can be either wall-mounted (L) or freestanding (U). This furniture is fitted with an I aluminum track with no hardware visible. A dampener can also be added to soften the sound of the doors.
In spite of the fact that overall retail sales in Germany fell 2.2 percent in May 2006 (when compared with April 2006) furniture sales in Germany rose 7.4 percent in a similar comparison. The figures were reported by Bloomberg News on June 30, 2006. The strength shown by furniture sales in Germany appears to have been reported in the region generally. A separate Bloomberg News report, published on July 6, 2006, said that retail sales in the eurozone rose for the third straight month. An index of retail sales increased to 55.1 in June 2006, the second highest level since the index began in January 2004.
BARIATRIC FURNITURE
Posted by on 14 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Custom Kitchens
Knife ID There are three main types of kitchen knives: carbon steel, high- carbon stainless-steel and ceramic. High-carbon knives are the softest metal and tend to stay sharper longer. The downside is that they tend to rust and stain. Ceramic knives also stay very sharp, but they can break, so they must be handled with extreme care.
Posted by on 14 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
After the robust growth in 2006, construction activity posted even higher growth rates in 2007. The value of construction put in place surged by 18.5% over 2006. Activity in civil engineering increased by 24.7% as a result of the construction of transport infrastructure. The construction of buildings grew by 15.5%; within that, non-residential construction was up 20.2%, whereas activity in residential construction decreased by 0.9%. Based on detailed data on issued building permits, the vigorous construction of hotels appears to have continued last year, probably along with the construction of wholesale and retail trade buildings. In interpreting the figure on the value of residential construction put in place we should bear in mind that these figures exclude the activity of smaller firms (see the note under the table), where the construction of buildings is the main activity. Stronger growth was partly linked to favourable weather conditions, especially in the first half of the year. This is corroborated by the business trends regarding the limiting factors in construction. The share of firms that reported bad weather conditions as a limiting factor was much lower in the first half of 2007 than in the previous year. The weather was also more propitious than the year before in the third quarter, but it was less favourable in the fourth quarter, which affected growth in the latter part of the year. The growth in the number of employees increased further last year. In 2007 the number of people employed in the construction sector was 11.3% higher, on average, than in 2006. The number of workers by activity rose particularly in building completion; in the latter part of the year it also increased in general construction. In terms of employee status, higher growth rates were recorded in the number of sole proprietors and their employees.
Hamilton Construction Company has named Steve Light and John Correa senior project managers. Light will be in charge of all construction operations in the San Fernando Valley area and Correa all construction operations in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Prior to joining Hamilton Construction, Light was a project manager with Valley Construction Company for 23 years, primarily in the Warner Center complexes in Woodland Hills. Correa managed construction contracts at Point Mugu and Port Hueneme naval bases for Phillips National Company in Oxnard.
Construction activity remained vigorous in the second quarter of the year. According to national accounts data, value added in construction was 25.7% higher than in the same period of 2006. The value of construction put in place in large firms (see the note under the table) was 31.5% higher. The biggest rise was recorded in non-residential construction (41.2%), while residential construction remained at approximately last years level. In interpreting the figure regarding the value of residential construction put in place we should bear in mind that these figures exclude the activity of smaller firms (see the note under the table), where the construction of buildings is the main activity. According to seasonally adjusted data, activity in large firms rose in April and May, and declined in June. Data for June and July show the first signs of softening in the construction sector. According to seasonally adjusted data, the value of construction put in place in July was approximately at the same level as in June and thus 7.4% lower than in May. In the five months to May, the value of construction put in place was 38.7% higher than a year ago; in June and July the difference narrowed to 16.7%. Employment in the construction sector continued to rise. In 2006, the number of workers employed in the construction sector was 7.5% higher than in the previous year. In the first seven months of 2007 it surged by 11%. The hiring of foreign workers has also been on the increase (see SEM 7/2007: 11). The number of workers rose particularly in building completion and general construction, similarly as last year. In terms of worker status, sole proprietors and their employees recorded higher growth rates. Increasingly many firms face difficulties in finding labour. According to business trends in construction, 51% of construction firms reported “a shortage of skilled labour” as a limiting factor to production. If answers are weighted by the number of employees, this share is even higher (58%) - the highest in five years (since these data have been available). The shortage of skilled workers became a significant limiting factor in the second half of 2006 (see graph), coinciding with the boom in construction activity in that period.
Posted by on 14 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Fishing is one of the branches that contribute very little to the total economic activity in Slovenia. In 2006 the value added in the fishing sector totalled EUR 4.3 m, which corresponds to 0.02% of the economys total value added. According to the labour force survey, the industry employed 245 persons. Another 208 workers were employed in processing fish products. Both figures together represent a 0.05% share of all employed persons. The activity is most prominent in the Obalno-kraska region. The volume of marine fishing and farming of aquatic animals declined again in 2006. Some 2,300 tonnes of aquatic animals were caught or farmed last year, down 2.9% from the year before, 20.2% from 2000, and 84.3% from 1990. The share of aquaculture (59.4%) was greater than the share of marine fishing (40.6%; see table) for the fourth consecutive year. The decline was the result of a smaller marine catch and farming. The marine catch and farming amounted to 1,126 tonnes (9.8% less than a year ago). Within that, 933 tonnes of animals were caught (down 8.6% from 2005), while 193 tonnes were farmed (down 15.0%). The total quantity of fish obtained from the sea declined; the quantity of molluscs dropped even more. The latter increased rapidly in previous years and accounted for 23.4% of all aquatic animals caught or farmed in the sea in 2005, but its share contracted to 20.0% in 2006. The quantity of aquatic animals bred in fresh waters totalled 1,174 tonnes (up 4.8% from 2005). This equalled 51% of total catch and farming of aquatic animals (47% in 2005, 9% in 1990). This share has been increasing with the expansion of freshwater breeding and, more importantly, the decline in the sea catch. Slovenia has many high-quality fresh water sources, and therefore ample possibilities for further expansion of fish farming The total quantity of aquatic animals has also been declining in the EU-25 on average. In 2005 EU countries caught and farmed 15% fewer aquatic animals than in 2000, while the decrease in Slovenia was 9%. Cyprus and Denmark recorded the largest drops (94% and 40%). Decreases were also registered in the neighbouring Austria and Italy (by 15% and 8%). On the other hand, some countries posted relatively high gains, e.g. Lithuania (75%), Germany (22%) and Hungary (6%). Croatia also enjoyed a high increase (by 75%; see graph).
Nutraceutical: Fish Source: Am J Clin Nutr, September 2004;80(3):626-632. Research: This study investigated a prospective cohort of 229 postmenopausal women participating in the Estrogen Replacement and Atherosclerosis trial. Usual fish intake was estimated at baseline with a food frequency questionnaire. Angiographies were performed at baseline and at three years to determine changes in the diameter of their coronary arteries and to detect coronary lesions.
Posted by on 14 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
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Posted by on 14 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
THE TORTUOUS process of buying a home will be over in days rather than months under new rules to be unveiled by the Government this week, in the biggest shake-up of conveyancing this century. Under new legislation, partly aimed at beating “gazumping”, buying property will become more expensive for sellers and cheaper for buyers. Anyone considering selling a property will first have to pay for a “condition report” and provide all relevant information, in what is described as a “sellers pack”. It will then be up to the buyer to decide whether a further survey is required. Under the present system, the buyer pays for the survey. Estate agents will not be allowed to market properties unless they have checked that the seller has complied with the new rules.
Homeowners are to benefit from additional investment in IT at a regional law firm. Blackett Hart Pratt LLP Solicitors is investing further in the latest case management technology to enhance their region-wide conveyancing service. Legal executive Alan Matthewson has joined the team based on Newcastle Quayside to push forward the programme of investment.
Posted by on 13 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
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Posted by on 13 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
{TT} An area of Antarctic ice the size of Norfolk has melted into the sea since 1945 due to rising temperatures, according to research by the British Antarctic Survey which suggests the trend will continue. In the past 50 years the local temperature at the South Pole has risen by 2.5C causing 8,000 sq km of the ice shelf to break off.
Homeowners are to benefit from additional investment in IT at a regional law firm. Blackett Hart Pratt LLP Solicitors is investing further in the latest case management technology to enhance their region-wide conveyancing service. Legal executive Alan Matthewson has joined the team based on Newcastle Quayside to push forward the programme of investment.
Posted by on 12 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Rob Cheney, Chief Executive Officer of Cardima, said, “This transaction
shows the confidence of investors in the future of the Company and marks a
significant step towards strengthening the Companys financial position by
settling the significant debt that had built up over the past two years as
a result of the Lender providing financial support for the Company during
this critical period.”
Cardima, Inc. has developed the PATHFINDER#174; series of diagnostic
catheters, the REVELATION#174; series ablation catheters, the INTELLITEMP#174;
Energy Management Device, and the Surgical Ablation System (SAS). The
REVELATION#174; series with the INTELLITEMP#174; energy management device was
developed for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and received CE
mark approval in Europe. The PATHFINDER#174; series diagnostic catheters and
the SAS with an INTELLITEMP#174; received a 510(k) approval in the U.S. by
the FDA.
JAKARTA, Aug. 3 Kyodo Indonesias central bank, Bank Indonesia, on Monday launched a debt settlement organization to help restructure corporate debt and lend support to the beleaguered rupiah, the countrys currency. The organization, the Indonesian Debt Restructuring Agency (INDRA), would target 2,000 indebted local companies which together owe 64 billion U.S. dollars to foreign creditors. The aim of INDRA is to reduce pressure on the rupiah by reducing the dollar demand of private-sector corporations.
Posted by on 12 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Bogof has mused before over the proliferation of National Weeks celebrating anything from potatoes to watercress. But National Carpet Cleaning Day? Who could possibly have designated that for last Thursday? None other than the nice people behind 1001 carpet cleaner. Funny that. What is the rationale behind such a festival? And why 10 January? Its surely too early for a spring clean. The wine stains and Brussels sprouts from Bogofs carpets are still fresh. This looks to us like a new case of carpet bagging, ie a piece of dubious opportunism. Talking of opportunism, the celebrity they chose to back the campaign was Anthea Cadburys Snowflake Turner.
Milliken Hospitality Carpet added 20 contemporary designs to its Diversions guestroom carpet collection and introduced a new textured loop greige base. The Textured Suites loop base provides a more dimensional appearance and luxurious hand, coupled with outstanding performance benefits.
Posted by on 12 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
The Jennings motor group has added another string to its bow following the launch of Mazda at its branch in Washington. In addition to supplying Fords, motorists across Wearside will be able to take advantage of the full Mazda range, including the Mazda Tribute, Premacy, display and available to test drive at the groups Parsons Road branch in
Mazda North America senior marketing vice-president Robert T. Davis said, “The 700 Mazda dealers in the U.S. lack facilities to service hybrid cars, meaning an expensive investment would be needed to make the transition. We can tap into the hybrid market at any time if demand jumps off the map and we need to get in,” he said, “but wed rather hold off until the technology mates better on hybrids with our zoom-zoom [high-performance] brand image.” Davis also said Mazda is developing a rotary hydrogen engine in Japan and is pursuing that venture aggressively.
The new Mazda 6 MPS, (Mazda Performance Series) has arrived at Jennings Mazda in Washington. The model, available to test drive at Jennings in Parsons Road, Washington, comes in graphite silver metallic ( a colour unique to the MPS.
Posted by on 12 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
IMAGE Worldwide, Inc.s (PINKSHEETS: IMGW)
subsidiary planned and hosted a concert for Diana Reyes, an award-winning
singer with three gold records since 2004.
The talented singer performed live at IMAGEs wholly owned subsidiary Club
Oasis. Approximately 1000 people enjoyed singing and dancing to the
popular Latin songs as ticket sales and bar revenue for the night of
February 23, 2008 totaled $61,806.
According to Paul Sorkin, CEO, “This is another example of the success our
venue has achieved by hosting events for well-known artists. In fact, we
have booked a variety of talent at the venue and are working on expanding
our concert revenues at Club Oasis for all types of music genres in 2008.”
Additional mainstream concerts IMAGE has been involved in include:
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — IPIX, a leader in visual interactive imaging solutions, today launched an expanded image hosting service, Host@IPIX(TM), which gives real estate professionals the option to upload links of their IPIX-hosted virtual tours to Realtor.com, the official Web site of the National Association of Realtors. With Host@IPIX I can easily upload my tours, post them to Realtor.com and immediately send links to potential buyers or use the links provided to embed in my own Web site. The real estate-specific template gives my tours the professional look and feel that my customers expect, said Mike Mackillip, Digital Magic, Littleton, CO. IPIX technology gives potential buyers the visual interactive content needed to virtually walk through a home and make informed buying decisions. According to a Pew Internet American Life Project November 2004 survey, on a typical day more than two million people are using the Internet to take a virtual tour.
THE MUCH-CRITICISED host of the Winter Olympics, Salt Lake City, has been involved in last-minute efforts to boost the venues image ahead of tonights opening ceremony. The citizens of Salt Lake City in Utah have been taken back by recent reports which have variously described their home as “the strangest state in America”, “puritanical”, “a theocracy”, “holier- than-thou Hicksville” and “Dullsville”. Some have even suggested that the thousands of hotel beds that remain unsold are the result of the bad publicity, even though organisers warned months ago the event would not sell out. This week the local paper, the Salt Lake Tribune, said in one of its editorials: “Get used to it, Utah. This Olympic thing hasnt even officially started yet and already much of the worlds media is ripping on us, dredging up the old Mormon cliches, reinforcing the stereotypes.” Faced by adverse publicity, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are maintaining a sense of humour.
Posted by on 12 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
A memorial service will be held Tuesday for prominent defense attorney Phillip McKay Sutley, who once convinced jurors to spare the life of a nuns killer. Sutley, 66, passed away suddenly Thursday in the Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. Courthouse in Baltimore. It is believed that his death may have been caused by a heart condition. Born in Baltimore, Sutley graduated from the Johns Hopkins University in 1962. He served in the Army before attending the University of Baltimore School of Law, from which he received his degree in 1967.
If conduct will not pass srutiny by those judges and/or colleagues whose rectitude and integrity we value the most, then it should be seriously re-examined. A stranger approached a farmer and the following conversation ensued: Stranger: Do you have any criminal lawyers around here? Farmer: We think so, but we just havent been able to prove it yet.
Posted by on 12 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Speaking of tire kicking, the United Auto Group crew has checked out the vacant Home Quarters project in west Little Rock. We understand they were looking at the possibility of redeveloping the 11.5-acre property on Chenal Parkway as an auto outlet. Were not sure if United Autos window shopping extended to the similarly sized and equally vacant Home Quarters at 3500 Landers Road in North Little Rock.
Clarion is coming out this fall with the AutoPC, which uses a Microsoft Windows operating system. Sony also is working on a similar PC.AutoPC combines with information, such as e-mail and travel directions. Voice commands eliminate having take ones eyes off the road.The Good Guys, a San Francisco-based CE chain, may be the first mass mer chant to offer the AutoPC.
Posted by on 12 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
J.C.H. Mounsey London SW13
* On Beauty by Zadie Smith The Penguin Press, September 2005 $25.95, ISBN 1-594-20063-7 The members of both the Belsey and Kipps families are stalwart theorists. Their individual and collected perceptions of things beautiful, both aesthetically and physically, academically and morally–to some extent–are held close and expressed with convincing conviction. Its the vivacity of these characters that Zadie Smith brings to On Beauty and lends to the books much-deserved attention.
Susan Hahns books of poetry are Harid Rubins Mothers Wooden Hand, 1991, and Incontinence, 1993. Both are published by the University of Chicago Press. They also recently published her third collection, Confession.
Posted by on 12 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Luminex Introduces Integrated DVD-RAM Library Hardware, Software Solution Plexus Announces O/SM Suite Compatibility with Cygnet Jukeboxes
DVD International and Planet Theory have teamed up to create one of the first of these titles, Im Your Man (SRP, $29.98).The approach taken by DVD International and Planet Theory was to give equal attention to the DVD formats movie and game capabilities. Im Your Man allows users to construct their own version of the movie from multiple plot lines.DVD International and Planet Theory have two more interactive movies in the works, Ride for Your Life and Bombmeister.
By this time next year you could well be thinking of side-lining your VCR and buying a shiny new DVD player. This moment of buying frenzy was supposed to have hit the shops this year. Industry squabbles have held back the launch of DVD, but nothing seems likely to stop this technology revolution for long. DVD uses CD-sized discs to store more than two hours of studio-quality video and sound. The discs can have two sides and, more cleverly, each side can have two layers, with the laser reader focusing through the first layer. That means over eight hours of superb-quality video on one tiny, easy-to-store disc. Each disc can have up to eight soundtracks and 32 subtitle tracks. But DVDs cleverness does not stop there. There is a system for storing multi- camera-angle filming. So a concert could be filmed with one camera on the whole orchestra, another on the conductor, a third on the soloist and a fourth on the audience. When you played back this title, you would be able simply to jump between cameras instantly. In sports, this has obvious rather amusing applications as well. More seriously, there are many educational and training applications for this clever technology. DVD has other tricks up its sleeves. While normally companies will go for the highest possible image quality, the technology will allow longer programmes of lower picture quality. Typically, DVD programmes will be recorded at around 4Mb per second, allowing over an hour of video to be stored on each layer. Lower bit rates down to 1.5Mb per second, as used in current video CDs, will allow some eight hours to be stored on each layer. More far-reaching is the ability to store computer material, such as a Web browser or Web browser plug-in, on film or other video disc. As well as DVD players for the sitting-room, the computer industry is panting to launch a CD-Rom variant of DVD called DVD-Rom. DVD-Rom discs will store 4.7 gigabytes on a single layer with 8.5 gigabytes on a dual layer - thats some 13 times as much as a standard CD-Rom today. By mixing a little DVD-Rom information on to a Digital Video Disc, the studios realise they will be able to include merchandising information to encourage you to see more of their products and to buy related material. All for next to no cost. So if DVD is so wonderful, what is holding it up? Until the spring of this year, everything was going fine for the planned launch in mid-1996 in Japan and the US, with Europe due to follow this Christmas. But then the Hollywood studios decided they wanted not only copyright protection to help control bootlegging of their discs, but they also wanted regional coding. Regional coding means that discs intended for one region will not play on DVD players in another region. Well, thats the theory. The consumer electronics companies, and especially the CD-Rom manufacturers, hate regional coding. It means they have to know exactly where their products are going at the time of manufacture. Fine in theory, but products intended for one market are often diverted to satisfy demand in another. Initially, the studios had asked for dozens of different regions, but the manufacturers and studios have now agreed on just six regions. This should make life a lot easier. But for the CD-Rom manufacturers this is still a nightmare. Typically, they have manufactured 10,000 CD-Rom drives in Japan, shipped them to the UK, sent some of them off to Germany, some to Poland and some to Argentina. Regional coding makes such distribution unworkable. Hence the grumbles in the DVD world are from the CD-Rom manufacturers and not the Hollywood studios, which seem to have pretty much got what they wanted - for the moment, at least. “I really dont think regional coding will last more than a year or two,” said a senior executive from a major European manufacturer at a recent DVD forum in Brussels. “I think there will be too many problems, and even the studios will start to find it troublesome.” Despite a lot of flak, however, the studios are hanging on to regional coding like grim death. “It allows us to protect a release schedule,” says John Powers, director of marketing for DVD at Warner Home Video. “We are still going to want to have theatrical windows and so on. And we will not own rights for properties in certain territories.” If the last few arguments can be sorted out, DVD could still launch in a limited fashion in Japan by Christmas. It may launch in the US as well, but it looks almost certain that the real push for DVD will not come until next year. However, the DVD that launches will not be the final form that will eventually sweep the market. The early version will be a read-only model costing around pounds 500 to pounds 800. This machine will be ideal for people who use their VCR mainly to watch rented videos. But DVD will really take off when a recordable version is launched, which may not be until 1998 or, judging from past form, 1999. This will be a convenient digital replacement for the VCR. DVD will revolutionise home entertainment. With 13 times the capacity of a CD-Rom, DVD-Rom will similarly revolutionise the PC. It is exactly what multimedia has been waiting for. Steve Homer is the BT Newspaper Technology Journalist of the Year.
Posted by on 12 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
In spite of the fact that overall retail sales in Germany fell 2.2 percent in May 2006 (when compared with April 2006) furniture sales in Germany rose 7.4 percent in a similar comparison. The figures were reported by Bloomberg News on June 30, 2006. The strength shown by furniture sales in Germany appears to have been reported in the region generally. A separate Bloomberg News report, published on July 6, 2006, said that retail sales in the eurozone rose for the third straight month. An index of retail sales increased to 55.1 in June 2006, the second highest level since the index began in January 2004.
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Higdon Furniture offers the industry a variety of guestroom furniture styles from which to choose. The furniture has the look of luxury at a practical price. Headboards, credenzas, nightstands, desks, chairs, armoires, sofas and tables are available, directly delivered on the companys trucks. Circle 326
Posted by on 12 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Custom Kitchens
Wood still good: Wood-finished cabinets are still the style of choice in kitchens across the United States; they represent about 80 percent of all cabinets purchased, according to a 2002 survey conducted by the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Scripps Howard News ServiceCountertops: Few home remodeling projects are more desirable and offer more bang for your buck than new kitchen countertops. According to a National Kitchen and Bath Association survey, about 94 million linear feet of countertops were installed in homes in 2002. Sixty-two percent of that was used for kitchen remodels. The amount spent on countertops ranks just below cabinets.
Kitchen. By Yoshimoto Banana. Translated from the Japanese by Megan Backus. New York: Grove Press, 1993. 152 Pages. Kitchen, a short novel, is paired in the same titled book, with a novella of Bananas, Moonlight Shadow. Kitchen chronicles a contemporary young womans journey through the grief and healing process. Banana uses this main character as a vehicle for the reader to view the social change occurring in contemporary Japan. The first person account by the main character, Mikage, describes the loss she feels not only for all the members of her immediate family, but also the larger nuclear family of past generations. The story begins with the death of Mikages grandmother, the last surviving member of her family. Her grandparents raised Mikage, after both of her parents were killed when she was very young, and in her teenage years, her grandfather has also died. As part of her grief process, Mikage is adopted by a very complex and contemporary family, Yuichi, a young man who had befriended Mikages grandmother and Eriko, his transsexual mother. While living with this family, Mikage learns the meaning of joy, finds comfort in belonging to a family, and develops a satisfying career in cuisine. However, her grief and healing process become complicated when Eriko dies and Yuichi succumbs to depression over his mothers death. Because of Erikos and Yuichis generosity and compassion, Mikage is able to reach Yuichi, and in the process, learns a life lesson, finding the necessary balance between suffering and pleasure.
Posted by on 12 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Civil engineering construction continued to increase in the third quarter. The value of construction put in place in this segment of construction was 26.2% higher than a year ago. A year-on-year decrease was recorded only in the construction of residential buildings (see table). In interpreting the value of construction put in place, we note that these figures exclude the activity of smaller firms (see note below table), whose main activity is estimated to be residential construction. According to seasonally adjusted data, activity increased relative to the previous quarter only in civil engineering, whereas activity in residential construction was at its lowest point in the last two and a half years. The growth of employment in the construction sector continued. In the nine months to September, the number of employees surged by 11.0%. As in 2006, the highest increases in employment were recorded in general construction and building completion. The share of firms that were unable to find workers declined in November after Octobers record-high value. According to business trends in construction, 47% of enterprises (employing 52% of workers) reported “shortages of skilled workers” as a limiting factor in November. This figure is smaller than in the previous two months, but still well above the average value of this indicator in the last five years (since data have been available).
Peggy Williams of Enco was named Woman in Construction of the Year in the Little Rock division by the National Association of Women in Construction.
Posted by on 12 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
FishAt least 20,000 species of fishes live in the worlds lakes, streams, estuaries , and oceans. Adult fish may be very small, such as the guppies that many people keep in their home aquariums, or extremely large, such as whale sharks that can weigh over 15 metric tons and reach 12 meters (about 40 feet).Fish are biologically and behaviorally well suited for their specific habitat. Body shape, feeding adaptations, and swimming behavior are examples of the characteristics unique to species.
By Jim Ramberg Two fishing buddies topped the list this past week in The Capital- Journal Fishing Contests black bass category with a couple of impressive lunkers. Add to the fact that the buddies are only 12 years old and you get an impressive story.
At odds with the current despondency surrounding the white fish industry, Highlands CorrespondentAlan Crawford finds signs of hope on the horizon for the communities tied to the sea Out of Aberdeen on the road to Peterhead a thick, salty haar descends upon the countryside, obscuring the boundary between land and sea in this northeast stronghold of Scotlands fishing fleet. But there are signs that the age-old association between the region and its fishing heritage may be adrift. Incomes are falling and recruits to the industry are at such a low level that it is difficult to get crew. After much hand wringing over European Commission cuts imposed in February on the number of days whitefish trawlers can spend at sea, 177 boat owners have applied to decommission their vessels. Last week European fisheries Commissioner Franz Fischler announced his plans for an extension of the cod recovery scheme in the North Sea for up to 10 years, signalling many more years of restrictions on Scottish boats fishing efforts.
Posted by on 12 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
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Posted by on 12 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
STEPHEN WARD The new Law Society president, Martin Mears, has pledged to bring in rules to stop solicitors offering cut-price conveyancing. He has made the move to bring back fixed prices under pressure from firms whose income has been hit by the recession. They complain that growing competition has eroded what used to be a highly profitable part of their business. They argue that firms offering cheap conveyancing must be cutting corners.
STEPHEN WARD The solicitors leader, Martin Mears, is planning to get the Law Society to force firms into ending cut-price conveyancing by taking away their insurance cover if they work for less than a recommended scale of fees.
THE TORTUOUS process of buying a home will be over in days rather than months under new rules to be unveiled by the Government this week, in the biggest shake-up of conveyancing this century. Under new legislation, partly aimed at beating “gazumping”, buying property will become more expensive for sellers and cheaper for buyers. Estate agents will not be allowed to market properties unless they have checked that the seller has complied with the new rules.
Posted by on 11 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Higdon Furniture offers the industry a variety of guestroom furniture styles from which to choose. The furniture has the look of luxury at a practical price. Headboards, credenzas, nightstands, desks, chairs, armoires, sofas and tables are available, directly delivered on the companys trucks. Circle 326
Hafele America Co. Hafele says its U-Furniture allows for creative and innovative furniture designs. The sliding door fittings are designed in L and U shapes which can be either wall-mounted (L) or freestanding (U). This furniture is fitted with an I aluminum track with no hardware visible. A dampener can also be added to soften the sound of the doors.
Posted by on 11 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Have you ever thought of your kitchen as a laboratory? Whenever you make something in your kitchen, you are using science. Cooks, like scientists, combine and change materials to create something new. Everything in the world is made of chemicals. When chemicals are mixed together, interesting things can happen. In laboratories, scientists mix and experiment with chemicals. In kitchens, cooks mix chemicals also, but call them ingredients. A scientist in a laboratory follows an experiment. A cook in a kitchen follows a recipe. Both need to follow directions and measure carefully. They both use special equipment. A scientist may use test tubes and a cook may use bake pans. For both of them, temperature and timing are very important.
Kitchen. By Yoshimoto Banana. Translated from the Japanese by Megan Backus. New York: Grove Press, 1993. 152 Pages. Kitchen, a short novel, is paired in the same titled book, with a novella of Bananas, Moonlight Shadow. Kitchen chronicles a contemporary young womans journey through the grief and healing process. Banana uses this main character as a vehicle for the reader to view the social change occurring in contemporary Japan. The first person account by the main character, Mikage, describes the loss she feels not only for all the members of her immediate family, but also the larger nuclear family of past generations. The story begins with the death of Mikages grandmother, the last surviving member of her family. Her grandparents raised Mikage, after both of her parents were killed when she was very young, and in her teenage years, her grandfather has also died. As part of her grief process, Mikage is adopted by a very complex and contemporary family, Yuichi, a young man who had befriended Mikages grandmother and Eriko, his transsexual mother. While living with this family, Mikage learns the meaning of joy, finds comfort in belonging to a family, and develops a satisfying career in cuisine. However, her grief and healing process become complicated when Eriko dies and Yuichi succumbs to depression over his mothers death. Because of Erikos and Yuichis generosity and compassion, Mikage is able to reach Yuichi, and in the process, learns a life lesson, finding the necessary balance between suffering and pleasure.
Knife ID There are three main types of kitchen knives: carbon steel, high- carbon stainless-steel and ceramic. High-carbon knives are the softest metal and tend to stay sharper longer. The downside is that they tend to rust and stain. Ceramic knives also stay very sharp, but they can break, so they must be handled with extreme care.
Posted by on 11 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
After the robust growth in 2006, construction activity posted even higher growth rates in 2007. The value of construction put in place surged by 18.5% over 2006. Activity in civil engineering increased by 24.7% as a result of the construction of transport infrastructure. The construction of buildings grew by 15.5%; within that, non-residential construction was up 20.2%, whereas activity in residential construction decreased by 0.9%. Based on detailed data on issued building permits, the vigorous construction of hotels appears to have continued last year, probably along with the construction of wholesale and retail trade buildings. In interpreting the figure on the value of residential construction put in place we should bear in mind that these figures exclude the activity of smaller firms (see the note under the table), where the construction of buildings is the main activity. Stronger growth was partly linked to favourable weather conditions, especially in the first half of the year. This is corroborated by the business trends regarding the limiting factors in construction. The share of firms that reported bad weather conditions as a limiting factor was much lower in the first half of 2007 than in the previous year. The weather was also more propitious than the year before in the third quarter, but it was less favourable in the fourth quarter, which affected growth in the latter part of the year. The growth in the number of employees increased further last year. In 2007 the number of people employed in the construction sector was 11.3% higher, on average, than in 2006. The number of workers by activity rose particularly in building completion; in the latter part of the year it also increased in general construction. In terms of employee status, higher growth rates were recorded in the number of sole proprietors and their employees.
Peggy Williams of Enco was named Woman in Construction of the Year in the Little Rock division by the National Association of Women in Construction.
Data for June and July show the first signs of softening in the construction sector. According to seasonally adjusted data, the value of construction put in place in July was approximately at the same level as in June and thus 7.4% lower than in May. In the five months to May, the value of construction put in place was 38.7% higher than a year ago; in June and July the difference narrowed to 16.7%. Employment in the construction sector continued to rise. In 2006, the number of workers employed in the construction sector was 7.5% higher than in the previous year. In the first seven months of 2007 it surged by 11%. The hiring of foreign workers has also been on the increase (see SEM 7/2007: 11). The number of workers rose particularly in building completion and general construction, similarly as last year. In terms of worker status, sole proprietors and their employees recorded higher growth rates. Increasingly many firms face difficulties in finding labour. According to business trends in construction, 51% of construction firms reported “a shortage of skilled labour” as a limiting factor to production. If answers are weighted by the number of employees, this share is even higher (58%) - the highest in five years (since these data have been available). The shortage of skilled workers became a significant limiting factor in the second half of 2006 (see graph), coinciding with the boom in construction activity in that period.
Posted by on 11 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Fishing is one of the branches that contribute very little to the total economic activity in Slovenia. In 2006 the value added in the fishing sector totalled EUR 4.3 m, which corresponds to 0.02% of the economys total value added. According to the labour force survey, the industry employed 245 persons. Another 208 workers were employed in processing fish products. Both figures together represent a 0.05% share of all employed persons. The activity is most prominent in the Obalno-kraska region. The decline was the result of a smaller marine catch and farming. The marine catch and farming amounted to 1,126 tonnes (9.8% less than a year ago). Within that, 933 tonnes of animals were caught (down 8.6% from 2005), while 193 tonnes were farmed (down 15.0%). The total quantity of fish obtained from the sea declined; the quantity of molluscs dropped even more. The latter increased rapidly in previous years and accounted for 23.4% of all aquatic animals caught or farmed in the sea in 2005, but its share contracted to 20.0% in 2006. The quantity of aquatic animals bred in fresh waters totalled 1,174 tonnes (up 4.8% from 2005). This equalled 51% of total catch and farming of aquatic animals (47% in 2005, 9% in 1990). This share has been increasing with the expansion of freshwater breeding and, more importantly, the decline in the sea catch. Slovenia has many high-quality fresh water sources, and therefore ample possibilities for further expansion of fish farming The total quantity of aquatic animals has also been declining in the EU-25 on average. In 2005 EU countries caught and farmed 15% fewer aquatic animals than in 2000, while the decrease in Slovenia was 9%. Cyprus and Denmark recorded the largest drops (94% and 40%). Decreases were also registered in the neighbouring Austria and Italy (by 15% and 8%). On the other hand, some countries posted relatively high gains, e.g. Lithuania (75%), Germany (22%) and Hungary (6%). Croatia also enjoyed a high increase (by 75%; see graph).
Shadows seen in the deep red
Posted by on 11 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
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Posted by on 11 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Homeowners are to benefit from additional investment in IT at a regional law firm. Blackett Hart Pratt LLP Solicitors is investing further in the latest case management technology to enhance their region-wide conveyancing service. Legal executive Alan Matthewson has joined the team based on Newcastle Quayside to push forward the programme of investment.
THE TORTUOUS process of buying a home will be over in days rather than months under new rules to be unveiled by the Government this week, in the biggest shake-up of conveyancing this century. Under new legislation, partly aimed at beating “gazumping”, buying property will become more expensive for sellers and cheaper for buyers. Estate agents will not be allowed to market properties unless they have checked that the seller has complied with the new rules.
STEPHEN WARD The solicitors leader, Martin Mears, is planning to get the Law Society to force firms into ending cut-price conveyancing by taking away their insurance cover if they work for less than a recommended scale of fees.
Posted by on 10 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
J.C.H. Mounsey London SW13
ON BEAUTY. Zadie Smith. 2005. Read by Peter Francis James. 16 cds. 18 hrs. Penguin Audio. 014-305800-2. $44.95. Cardboard; content, author, reader notes. SA* Smith portrays the ratified air of academic life and its internecine rivalries with an awesome wit. The faculty meetings are hilarious! Narrator James rises to the challenge, making this an auditory delight. This takes the listener into the despair of a marital break-up and explores the sensitive issue of cultural norms of feminine beauty. In Kiki, she offers the gift of a woman who defies the self-hatred such norms provoke. Wide in scope and original. Nancy Chaplin, Libn., VCCW, Goochland, VA
Posted by on 10 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Altimate Medical Altimates Life After Spinal Cord Injury videos are now available on DVD. Originally developed to help patients with recent injuries, the videos can be used by clinicians, students, and people with other disabilities. The videos feature the companys standing frames and other products. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Oceans Thirteen
Posted by on 10 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Kitchen. By Yoshimoto Banana. Translated from the Japanese by Megan Backus. New York: Grove Press, 1993. 152 Pages. Kitchen, a short novel, is paired in the same titled book, with a novella of Bananas, Moonlight Shadow. Kitchen chronicles a contemporary young womans journey through the grief and healing process. Banana uses this main character as a vehicle for the reader to view the social change occurring in contemporary Japan. The first person account by the main character, Mikage, describes the loss she feels not only for all the members of her immediate family, but also the larger nuclear family of past generations. The story begins with the death of Mikages grandmother, the last surviving member of her family. Her grandparents raised Mikage, after both of her parents were killed when she was very young, and in her teenage years, her grandfather has also died. As part of her grief process, Mikage is adopted by a very complex and contemporary family, Yuichi, a young man who had befriended Mikages grandmother and Eriko, his transsexual mother. While living with this family, Mikage learns the meaning of joy, finds comfort in belonging to a family, and develops a satisfying career in cuisine. However, her grief and healing process become complicated when Eriko dies and Yuichi succumbs to depression over his mothers death. Because of Erikos and Yuichis generosity and compassion, Mikage is able to reach Yuichi, and in the process, learns a life lesson, finding the necessary balance between suffering and pleasure.
To open up a small kitchen, remove upper cabinet doors. Paint the inside a bright color and keep everything organized. Paint can dramatically update an old appliance. Be sure to use a paint made specifically for appliances, because other paints will not adhere correctly. Tired of your tiled backsplash, but cant afford to replace all the tiles? Remove a few with a grout remover and chisel, then replace with decorative tiles that fit your kitchens theme.
* DEBRA SINGER is the new executive director and chief curator of THE KITCHEN (New York)
Posted by on 10 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Data for June and July show the first signs of softening in the construction sector. According to seasonally adjusted data, the value of construction put in place in July was approximately at the same level as in June and thus 7.4% lower than in May. In the five months to May, the value of construction put in place was 38.7% higher than a year ago; in June and July the difference narrowed to 16.7%. Employment in the construction sector continued to rise. In 2006, the number of workers employed in the construction sector was 7.5% higher than in the previous year. In the first seven months of 2007 it surged by 11%. The hiring of foreign workers has also been on the increase (see SEM 7/2007: 11). The number of workers rose particularly in building completion and general construction, similarly as last year. In terms of worker status, sole proprietors and their employees recorded higher growth rates. Increasingly many firms face difficulties in finding labour. According to business trends in construction, 51% of construction firms reported “a shortage of skilled labour” as a limiting factor to production. If answers are weighted by the number of employees, this share is even higher (58%) - the highest in five years (since these data have been available). The shortage of skilled workers became a significant limiting factor in the second half of 2006 (see graph), coinciding with the boom in construction activity in that period.
Peggy Williams of Enco was named Woman in Construction of the Year in the Little Rock division by the National Association of Women in Construction.
After the robust growth in 2006, construction activity posted even higher growth rates in 2007. The value of construction put in place surged by 18.5% over 2006. Activity in civil engineering increased by 24.7% as a result of the construction of transport infrastructure. The construction of buildings grew by 15.5%; within that, non-residential construction was up 20.2%, whereas activity in residential construction decreased by 0.9%. Based on detailed data on issued building permits, the vigorous construction of hotels appears to have continued last year, probably along with the construction of wholesale and retail trade buildings. In interpreting the figure on the value of residential construction put in place we should bear in mind that these figures exclude the activity of smaller firms (see the note under the table), where the construction of buildings is the main activity. Stronger growth was partly linked to favourable weather conditions, especially in the first half of the year. This is corroborated by the business trends regarding the limiting factors in construction. The share of firms that reported bad weather conditions as a limiting factor was much lower in the first half of 2007 than in the previous year. The weather was also more propitious than the year before in the third quarter, but it was less favourable in the fourth quarter, which affected growth in the latter part of the year. The growth in the number of employees increased further last year. In 2007 the number of people employed in the construction sector was 11.3% higher, on average, than in 2006. The number of workers by activity rose particularly in building completion; in the latter part of the year it also increased in general construction. In terms of employee status, higher growth rates were recorded in the number of sole proprietors and their employees.
Posted by on 10 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Gasoline prices could ignite change for anglers Several days ago, Casey Kidder lamented that anglers around Topeka have been confounded this spring by a rather long spell of trying fishing and escalating gasoline prices. Kidder is a young, thoughtful and ardent bass fisher, and he also is a young journalist who lives on a limited budget. Consequently, the increase in the cost of gasoline has made a significant impingement upon his fishing budget.
By Jim Ramberg Two fishing buddies topped the list this past week in The Capital- Journal Fishing Contests black bass category with a couple of impressive lunkers. Add to the fact that the buddies are only 12 years old and you get an impressive story.
Canadian production of red salmon has doubled compared with the past two years, during which time commercial red salmon fishing in the South Fraser River system was banned. Meanwhile, pink salmon production will be below 100,000 cases of 48s against 370,000 last year, adding to the overall shortage, which has resulted in limited quantities offered for export at prices 60% higher. Morocco, which accounts for the majority of sardine supplies to the UK, has seen the start of the fishing season delayed by four weeks. First catch reports indicate that the fish are larger than normal and will therefore give problems to canners.
Posted by on 10 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
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Posted by on 10 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
{TT} An area of Antarctic ice the size of Norfolk has melted into the sea since 1945 due to rising temperatures, according to research by the British Antarctic Survey which suggests the trend will continue. In the past 50 years the local temperature at the South Pole has risen by 2.5C causing 8,000 sq km of the ice shelf to break off.
STEPHEN WARD The new Law Society president, Martin Mears, has pledged to bring in rules to stop solicitors offering cut-price conveyancing. He has made the move to bring back fixed prices under pressure from firms whose income has been hit by the recession. They complain that growing competition has eroded what used to be a highly profitable part of their business. They argue that firms offering cheap conveyancing must be cutting corners.
Posted by on 07 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
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Posted by on 07 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
CIRCULAR 13/2005 - REPORTS RELATING TO CERTIFICATES PREPARED BY COMPANIES FOR CONVEYANCING PURPOSES ENHANCED REQUIREMENTS FOR AUDITORSTO CONSIDER RELATED PARTIES The involvement of related parties, such as directors, owners and management, in major corporate scandals encouraged the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) to review its current auditing standard. The IAASB has issued an ED with additional requirements for auditors regarding the audit of related party relationships and transactions.
HOMEBUYING is set to take another step forward in the online revolution when Scotlands first internet conveyancing service is launched this week. Conveyancing Direct, a telephone-based conveyancing service, is to launch a website which will allow customers to calculate online the total charges linked to buying a domestic property in Scotland. Graeme McCormick, founding partner of the Glasgow-based practice, says the speed at which charges can be calculated is a key part of the service. “If somebody goes and sees a property at the weekend, then they dont have to wait until Monday to contact a solicitor. They can go on to our website, do their sums, and theyre ready to go. Our online facility has been developed so that if, for example, someone wants to buy a property for #70,000, then they will be able to find out our fee, VAT, and calculate the registration charges and stamp duty. They then have the total figure to help them with the finances.”
CONVEYANCING was once the bread and butter of many small, high- street solicitors. The income from it was even used to subsidise the work of other departments. Not any longer. A threat to has emerged in the past year which is potentially more dangerous than furious price- cutting, the arrival of licensed conveyancers or the prospect of rocketing professional indemnity premiums. Shoosmiths Harrison, a solicitors firm with offices across the Midlands and South, developed its Property Direct conveyancing operation to work alongside Hambro Countrywides second call-centre, which opened in Northampton in June 1997. Shoosmiths has been able to offer its services to other clients, most recently Barclays Mortgages. Graham New, managing partner at Shoosmiths, is anxious to play down the impact of conveyancing call-centres on smaller firms, saying only that the telephone-based approach will gain a “substantial” rather than dominant market share. “The philosophy Hambro and the lenders have is not so much to make loads of money as to gain control of the house-buying process,” he says. “Direct lenders are becoming more sophisticated in the way they deal with mortgages. Sending out instructions into the traditional fragmented market, they have no control over how quickly and effectively the job is done.” Property Direct is divided into teams of six to eight paralegals, each one supervised by a solicitor and working on a shift basis. Mr New claims that it has cut the average time of a conveyancing operation by up to 50 per cent, to around six to eight weeks. Fees start from pounds 295 for sales or purchases. Property Direct currently employs 60 to 70 staff, a figure which Mr New aims to double by the end of the year. “Our view is that this is the future of conveyancing,” he says. “Not everyone will instruct a direct conveyancing operation, but people are becoming much more used to buying services directly from home using the phone. They dont want to take half a day off to see a solicitor.” Kevin Doolan, banking and finance partner at Eversheds, Britains biggest national law firm. Eversheds has co-operated with Hambro Countrywide in its Cardiff call-centre, opened last month, and a Manchester centre is due to open in April. Other national firms, Hammonds Suddards, Dibb Lupton Alsop and Addleshaw Booth Co are said to be keen to move into domestic conveyancing. Mr Doolan also anticipates a future of exponential growth, with the 100 or so staff currently employed in Cardiff and Manchester doubling in numbers every nine months. “Its an incredible rate of growth, but the demand is definitely out there,” he says. “All we are doing is mimicking things our lender clients have already done.” Doolan estimates that the conveyancing call-centres probably control around 5 per cent of a market worth anything up to pounds 500m. In two years time, he predicts this figure will reach 25 per cent, and as much as 40 per cent in five years. “Before Direct Line there were insurance brokers on every High Street. Where are they now? The only way small solicitors firms are going to be able to compete is by getting together and forming groups. There is no reason why a group of small firms could not do exactly what were doing,” he says. Nick Hilborne is news editor of `Solicitors Journal.
Posted by on 05 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Send any news about San Diego-based public companies to Mike Allen via e-mail at mallen@sdbj.com.
Send any news of locally based public companies to Mike Allen via e-mail at mallen@sdbj, com. He can be reached at (858) 277-6359.
Posted by on 05 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
The fact is that these brown folks, legal and illegal, sustain our economy with their backbreaking cheap labor. Most middle-class whites will do anything to maintain this endless supply of slave labor, including building a Maginot line on the border and dividing families with cruel and heartless deportations. This is why Catholics should be proud of their bishops who consistently back sensible and humane immigration legislation. As for Fr. McBrien, he should spend some time with Catholic communities on the border and he should read up on nativist attacks against his fellow Irish back in the last century. Vista, Calif.
There are between 310,000 and 570,000 illegal immigrants in the UK, according to Home Office estimates If allowed to live legally, they would pay more than pounds 1bn in tax each year Deporting them would cost pounds 4.7bn and leave acute shortages of cleaners, care workers and hotel staff If allowed to stay, the net benefit of nearly pounds 6bn would pay for 300 new schools, 12 district hospitals or 200,000 new nurses
Posted by on 05 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
The Public Health programme 2003-2008 is a key strategic tool for the development of health policy within the EU. The programme provides the means to support actions in areas where the EU can make a difference, the ultimate goal being to contribute to a high level of physical and mental health and well-being throughout the EU. The programme is open to institutions, associations, organisations and bodies in the health field.
Source: Global Forum for Health Research
Posted by on 05 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
BIKINI LINE BLASTER Want to wave goodbye to the plucked chicken look? Intense pulsed light (IPL) removal is ideal for the bikini line, says Aculight trainer Fiona Goodey, because the hair tends to be relatively dark and coarse, and this responds well to IPL. IPL works by pulsing a combination of different light wavelengths on to the skin, disabling the hair follicle. Laser does the same trick using a single beam, but IPL can go in slightly closer to delicate bits. You can get virtually the equivalent of a Brazilian wax, says Fiona. Aculight costs from pounds 100 per treatment (0870 902 1616). If you want to keep your pins smoother for longer with the humble razor, soak in the bath or shower for a few minutes before shaving to make the hairs easier to cut. Keep the water hot enough to prevent goosebumps (youll never get a smooth shave over those and will irritate your skin trying) and always use a foaming gel, especially on easy to nick areas. A triple blade razor like Gillette Venus, pounds 5.49, makes it easier to get closer without cuts. Waxing is a longer-lasting option but its better as a long- term strategy than a one-off pre-holiday fix. If you usually shave, your legs wont stay smooth for long, as its impossible to get all the stubble out, says Michaeljohns Shavata Singh. The more you wax, the finer the hairs become, but you will still have regrowth for about a week in between waxes. A good at-home version is Nads No Heat Hair Removal, pounds 17.95. Lady Victoria Hervey likes it because theres no risk of burning.
NEW YORK — The popularity of barer looks has turned laser hair removal into one of the fastest-growing nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in recent years, with more than 1.3 million performed in 2005. But consumers also have a growing variety of options for at-home hair removal. Two recent additions to the field include the new Nads Hair Removal Essentials Kit from LifeSource, and a new line of Veet depilatory creams and waxes from Reckitt Benckiser Inc. Veet is stressing personalization with its hair-removal gel creams, which come in three formulations for dry, normal or sensitive skin. Veet Ready to Use Wax Strips, meanwhile, come in resin-based formulations for normal-to-dry skin, and a sugar-based wax designed to reduce the potential for irritation on sensitive skin.
Posted by on 05 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
KISSIMMEE, FLA. — Laser lipolysis-using a 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser has been shown to be effective–and is safer than traditional liposuction–according to the results of two studies. Few complications have occurred with SmartLipo laser lipolysis (Cynosure Inc.), a fat-melting and skin-tightening device that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2006 for the treatment of localized fat deposits, Dr. Luigi Mazzi reported at the annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. The patients–mostly women (82%)–underwent an average of three treatments in a variety of areas, including the arms, flanks, abdomen, inner and outer thighs, and inner knees.
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HOLLYWOOD, FLA. — Adding low-level laser therapy to standard tumescent liposuction can render the fat aspirate easier to remove, potentially minimizing adverse effects and speeding healing, a Singapore study has shown. The investigators tested untreated control areas and treated areas in the same patients to assess changes in the subcutaneous fat following exposure to the low-level diode laser and tumescent infiltration. Tissue samples were obtained by syringe liposuction at 1 minute, 6 minutes, and 12 minutes, both after the completion of tumescent infiltration only and after combined laser exposure/tumescent infiltration.
Posted by on 05 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Since the guidelines were last revised (in 1998), two new criteria have been added. One is concerned with the illegal use, supply or sale of restricted drugs such as prescription medicines. The other includes e-bullying in a list of offences that tan lead in suspension of an offending student for up to four days (Sydney Morning Herald, 3/4/04, p. 1).
Switzerland rang in 2005 with a monumental wave of text messages, 70.4 million of them to be exact. The messages sent by SMS (Short Message Service) and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) were up a reported 6 per cent over last years figure. According to company spokespeople, the Swisscom, Orange, and Sunrise networks handled the high load placed on the equipment with minimal hitches, thus ensuring that millions of New Years greetings were received right as 2004 expired.
The SMS Forum, a non-profit organization
with a mission to develop, foster and promote SMS (short message service)
to the benefit of the global wireless industry will disband by July 27,
2007, and take down its web site by the end of 2007.
The SMS Forum served as a useful tool for the industry through its
workshops and its liaise with other industry and standards organizations.
Since its inception, the SMS Forum provided