text:
Statement of
James B. Lockhart III
Deputy Commissioner of Social Security
Testimony before the House Committee on Ways and Means
Subcommittee on Social Security
Subcommittee on Oversight
Hearing on Strengthening Employer Wage Reporting
February 16, 2006

Chairman McCrery, Chairman Ramstad, Ranking Members Levin and Lewis, and members of the Subcommittees:

Thank you for asking me to be here today to discuss the steps the Social Security Administration (SSA) has taken to improve and strengthen the wage reporting processes and our efforts to reduce the size of the earnings suspense file, which I will describe in more detail later. SSA is committed to ensuring that we maintain accurate earnings records for all workers, and we have taken vigorous steps to improve our processes.

Purpose of the SSN

The primary purpose for which SSA assigns a number and issues a card is the same today as it was at the program’s inception in 1936: to accurately report and record the earnings of people who work in jobs covered by Social Security. Of course, the key to tracking a worker’s earnings is the Social Security number (SSN).

SSA has assigned over 433 million SSNs since 1936. Earnings posted to an individual’s SSN are used to determine eligibility for and the amount of Social Security benefits to which that worker and his or her family may be entitled. Ultimately, the SSN is also used to track payment of those benefits.

The Social Security card was not designed to be a personal identification document—that is, the card does not establish that the person presenting the card is actually the person whose name and SSN appear on the card. Although the card itself is counterfeit resistant, it does not contain information that would allow the card to be used as proof of identity.

Over time, SSA developed different tools to assist employers in verifying a worker’s SSN. We encourage employers to use any of these processes to improve the accuracy of wage reports so that Social Security can properly credit employees' earnings records. In addition, the use of verification processes minimizes the employer’s processing costs and reduces the number of forms that an employer may need to submit.

Initially, SSA used a manual process for verifications, which was highly labor-intensive. This process became increasingly cumbersome over time as the verification workloads increased.

Over the years, SSA has worked to offer employers alternative methods to verify SSNs. One of those methods is the Employee Verification System (EVS). EVS is a free, convenient way for employers to verify employee SSNs. It provides employers with several options depending on the number of SSNs to be verified. For up to five SSNs, employers can call SSA’s toll-free number for employers (1-800-772-6270) weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Employers may also use this number to get answers to any questions they may have about EVS or to request assistance. In Fiscal Year 2004, SSA responded to nearly 1.4 million calls.

Employers also have the option to submit a paper listing to the local Social Security office to verify up to 50 names and SSNs. In addition, employers may use a simple registration process to verify requests of more than 50 names and SSNs or for any number of requests submitted on magnetic media. Currently, almost 17,000 employers have registered for this verification service.

To further increase the ease and convenience of verifying employee SSNs, SSA developed the Social Security Number Verification Service (SSNVS), which is an internet option that permits employer’s to quickly verify the accuracy of employees’ names and SSNs by matching the employee-provided information with SSA’s records. SSA expanded this service to all employers in June 2005. We processed over 25.7 million verifications for over 12,000 employers in 2005.

On June 2, 2005 the Commissioner of Social Security announced the nationwide rollout of the Social Security Number Verification Service (SSNVS) at the SSA sponsored National Payroll Reporting Forum in Baltimore, Maryland. SSA has publicized SSNVS in various ways. An article on SSNVS was placed in the SSA/IRS Reporter that is sent to over 6.5 million employers. It was also featured in the SSA wage reporting email newsletter, W2News. We have also highlighted SSNVS in our many speaking engagements before the employer community. There is a special section on SSA’s website for employers that highlights and explains the use of SSNVS.

In addition, employers may participate in the Basic Pilot program, an ongoing initiative in which SSA supports the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in assisting employers confirming employment eligibility for newly hired employees. Participating employers register with DHS to use the DHS’ automated system to verify an employee’s SSN and work authorization status. The information the employer submits to DHS is sent to SSA to verify that the social security number and name submitted match information in SSA records. SSA will also confirm US citizenship, thereby confirming work authorization; DHS confirms current work authorization for all non-citizens. DHS will notify the employer of the employee’s current work authorization status. This program is also available to all employers, subject to available resources.

In 2005, through the EVS, SSNVS, and Basic Pilot programs, we estimate we provided a total of 67 million employer verifications, up from 62 million in 2004.

The Wage Reporting Process

I would now like to discuss the process for reporting and crediting wages. Our role in the wage reporting process is to ensure that all workers receive credit for the work for which they and their employers paid Social Security taxes.

Employers report wages to SSA on Forms W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement). SSA processes the Form W-2 data for tax purposes for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Self-employed individuals report information on self-employment income to IRS on Schedule SE. IRS then sends this self-employment information to SSA. SSA uses the SSN to record employees’ earnings.

Accurate earnings information is vitally important to our Agency’s administration of the Social Security program because a worker’s earnings record is the basis for computing retirement, survivors and disability benefits. If a worker’s earnings are not properly recorded, he or she may not qualify for Social Security benefits or the benefit amount payable may be wrong.

Each year, SSA processes approximately 235 million W-2s from 6.6 million employers that are sent to the SSA either on electronic media or on paper. Almost 150 million wage earners work in jobs covered by Social Security, which means that many workers worked in more than one job during a year. While some employers continue to send us their reports on paper, we encourage electronic filing. We work with the employer community to educate them on the advantages of this method and expect its use to expand as technology improves. In fact, in FY 2005, 66 percent of W-2s were filed electronically, up from less than 10 percent in 1999. We believe the increase in electronic filing will reduce errors over time.

SSA also offers a suite of services called Business Services Online (BSO). BSO offers Internet services for businesses and employers who exchange information with Social Security. Available services for registered users include the ability to report W-2s via the internet.

As you know, SSA mails Social Security Statements to workers over age 25 each year (approximately 143 million in 2005). The Statement is a concise, easy-to-read personal record of the earnings on which the worker has paid Social Security taxes during his or her working years and a summary of the estimated benefits the individual and his/her family may receive as a result of those earnings. We encourage workers to review the Statement to ensure that the information in SSA’s records is correct and to contact SSA to make any corrections necessary.

Later in life, when a person files for benefits, an SSA employee reviews the earnings record with the worker and assists the worker to establish any earnings that are not shown or are not correctly posted. However, since it may be difficult for the worker to accurately recall past earnings or to obtain evidence of them, SSA strives to maintain accurate records at the time the wages are reported.

The Earnings Suspense File

The Earnings Suspense File, or simply suspense file, is an electronic holding file for wage items reported on Forms W-2s that cannot be matched to the earnings records of individual workers. A mismatch occurs when SSA cannot match the name and SSN on the W-2s submitted to information in SSA’s records. If SSA later resolves the mismatch, we can remove the item from the suspense file and credit the wages to that person’s record.

Since the beginning of the program in 1936 and through Tax Year (TY) 2003, the most recent year for which data is available, the suspense file contained about 255 million W-2s. While the suspense file represents an accounting of unassociated wage items, the taxes on these wages have been paid into to the trust funds. In TY 2003, $7.2 billion in payroll taxes were credited to the Trust Funds based on wage items placed in the suspense file. This represented approximately 1.3 percent of total payroll taxes credited to the Trust Funds.

In order for wages to be credited to the correct worker, the worker’s name and SSN on the W-2 must match the name and SSN recorded on the master record of SSNs assigned, the “Numident” file. As I discussed earlier, we receive about 235 million W-2 reports annually, representing reports from 6.6 million employers that total about $4 trillion in reported wages.

Ten percent of the W-2s received by SSA have invalid name and SSN combinations when they first come to us. In our initial processing, the computer system uses more than twenty automated routines to identify commonly occurring errors that, when corrected, enable the W-2 to be properly posted.

A number of these processing routines address discrepancies between the name reported on the W-2 and the name on SSA records. For example, compound surnames which are hyphenated, such as “Mary Smith - Jones”, sometimes cause a “no match.” Others assume that the reported name is correct but that some mistake has been made with the SSN. The reported SSN is screened for a variety of prescribed common mistakes, such as transposing digits, in an effort to obtain a match.

For TY 2003, using computer routines we were able to post more than half of all W-2s received with invalid name/SSN combinations to the correct SSN. The balance, 4.1 percent of total W-2s received for TY 2003, was initially recorded in the suspense file. As of October, 2005, approximately 8.8 million W-2s (3.7 percent of the total) representing $57.8 billion in wages remained in the suspense file for TY 2003.

Subsequent processing reduces this amount further. SSA removes wage items from the suspense file on an ongoing basis and posts them to the correct worker’s record. Reinstatements can occur when a worker provides evidence of missing wages after reviewing the Security Statement. Over time, the percentage of W-2s for a given year or period of years that remain in the suspense file declines as a result of this subsequent processing. Historically, approximately 2 percent of all wage items for a given year remain in the suspense file.

Removing W-2 Items from the Suspense File

SSA is dedicated to reducing the suspense file’s rate of growth as well as to reducing its current size. We want to make sure that individuals receive full credit for their earnings and the correct benefit amount when the time comes. As part of this effort, SSA employees carry out a number of activities in addition to our SSN verification services, which we have described earlier, to assure that the correct earnings are credited to correct individuals’ records.

For example, SSA sends a letter, called the “No Match” letter, to employers who submitted a significant number of Forms W-2 that could not be matched to an individual’s earnings record. The intent of these “No Match” letters is to improve the accuracy of wage reporting and the accuracy of Social Security benefits payable to eligible wage earners and their families. SSA also requests the employer to submit corrected W-2s so that future reports will be accurate.

In 2005, SSA sent 127,652 of these letters to employers who submitted wage reports containing a number of Form W-2s that SSA could not process.

SSA also notifies employees when we cannot process their W-2s due to mismatches and asks them to work with us to resolve the problem. In 2005, we sent 9.6 million such letters to employees, of which 1.5 million were sent to employers because we did not have addresses for the employee.

Beginning in April 2003, SSA implemented a new process that will electronically find millions of additional matches of W-2s in the suspense file and post those W-2s to the earnings records of the correct individuals. SSA’s previous processes to match the name and SSN used only the Numident. The new process also uses the worker’s detailed earnings record, which includes employer information and the master beneficiary record for those who are receiving benefits, to credit the missing earnings to the correct worker. This new process also employs additional techniques with earnings record patterns to match the earnings to the correct individual.

As a result of this new process, we have removed more than 11 million W-2s from the suspense file and posted them to the correct earnings records. It is estimated that a total of 30 million items will be removed from the suspense file and credited to the records of individual workers through these new efforts.

Despite all these efforts, over time the suspense file continues to grow. SSA’s Inspector General will testify later that this growth is due to “unauthorized work by non-citizens” and that stronger worksite enforcement is needed.

This growth points to the larger issue of the increase in illegal immigration and subsequent illegal employment. To address the security risks from illegal entry into the U.S. as well as current challenges concerning legal immigration, President Bush has called for a three part comprehensive reform of our immigration system to:

  1. “Secure the border by catching those who enter illegally, and hardening the border to prevent illegal crossings.”

  2. “Strengthen enforcement of our immigration laws within our country.”

  3. “Create a temporary worker program that will take pressure off the border, bring workers from out of the shadows and reject amnesty.”

Partnership With Other Agencies

As I mentioned earlier, our ability to improve our employer wage reporting process depends partially on our relationships with the DHS and the IRS. I want to highlight several efforts that we have undertaken with our federal partners to strengthen the integrity of the SSN and improve the wage reporting process.

For example, we are working with DHS, pursuant to the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act, on an interagency task force for the purpose of improving the security of Social Security cards and numbers. The task force will establish additional security requirements, including standards for safeguarding cards from counterfeiting, tampering, alteration, and theft; verifying documents submitted for the issuance of replacement cards; and increasing enforcement against the fraudulent use or issuance of Social Security numbers and cards.

The Enumeration-at-Entry process is a joint effort with DHS and the Department of State (DOS). DHS and DOS collect enumeration data as part of the immigration process and give it to SSA for use in enumerating aliens. This effort to strengthen the integrity of the SSN and improve government efficiency began in October 2002.

Our efforts to collaterally verify documents with the issuing agencies significantly improve the integrity of the SSN. SSA works closely with DHS to verify all immigration documents submitted in support of an application for an SSN and with DOS to verify the documents of refugees. We work with the Department of Justice to verify the documents of some individuals granted asylum.

As I mentioned earlier, we also support DHS in its ongoing initiative known as the Basic Pilot. The Basic Pilot is a voluntary tool used by participating employers to confirm the employment eligibility of newly hired employees.

As of February 14, 2006, DHS and SSA have signed agreements with over 5000 employers, representing about 22,500 employer sites. This represents more than a 50 percent increase since the expansion of the Basic Pilot to employers in all States. On the date of expansion (December 20, 2004), there were 2924 participating employers. In FY 2005, SSA handled over 980,000 Basic Pilot queries. The Basic Pilot allows an employer to confirm the validity of a SSN and whether a person is authorized to work on the front end of the relationship rather than after a W-2 has been filed.

In addition to these initiatives, SSA participates with DHS in an executive level steering committee to oversee and direct cooperative activities. This committee was formed in 2003. At its last meeting, the committee addressed a number of initiatives to strengthen the processes used to assign social security numbers.

These meetings have stimulated a high level of staff-to-staff contacts that occur informally nearly every day. Also, over the past year, the two agencies have engaged in a number of informal cooperative efforts such as workgroups to address specific requirements of joint interest, such as provisions of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act and the Real ID Act.

We have also established an interagency effort with IRS and are working to resolve issues and cooperate on efforts that cross agency lines. We meet as necessary to address issues as they come up. Recent discussions have focused on developing automated systems to support the employer community in the reporting of wages and related matters.

Each year, SSA hosts the National Payroll Reporting Forum. IRS routinely participates in this training endeavor, which focuses on the latest changes for the upcoming tax season, how to file electronically, SSNVS, etc. Representatives from businesses, payroll providers, and other groups attend. The 2006 forum is scheduled for late May.

I would like to discuss the Agency's role in identifying and reporting fraudulent activities related to the Social Security program. The employees in our local offices are instructed to be alert for reports of fraudulent activities. When such activities come to their attention, they document the problem and refer the matter to the Agency's Inspector General. Staff in the local IG office investigate the matter further. They then present violations to the local U.S. Attorney, who decides whether to bring charges. To facilitate the process, the Agency has assigned staff attorneys from the Agency's Office of General Counsel to assist US Attorneys in prosecuting violations related to the Social Security Act.

Because of the interdependence of Federal governmental functions, it is critically important that Federal agencies work together to effectively combat identity theft. SSA currently cooperates with many agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service, the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, State, Health and Human Services, Education, and Treasury, and the Federal Trade Commission. We share and verify information with these agencies, and we work together to improve the interfaces between our business processes. We are working with many agencies in an Interagency Identity Theft Working Group to broaden and strengthen the cooperation among Federal agencies. The Working Group is developing a summary of Federal agencies' activities to combat identity theft. It will facilitate sharing of best practices and expertise and will result in the development of new approaches to combat identity theft and solutions to common challenges.

I would like to conclude by emphasizing our commitment to strengthening our wage reporting processes to help ensure the accuracy of the earnings records that we maintain for all workers. We continue to explore ways to improve the accuracy of our earnings report records and to limit the growth of the suspense file. We believe our efforts help to ensure that we remain good stewards of the Trust Funds.

I want to thank you, Chairman McCrery, Chairman Ramstad, and members of both Subcommittees for inviting me here today. I look forward to working with you to continue to improve SSA’s processes. I will be happy to answer any questions you might have.


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The New Way to Find a Job

September 6, 2011 | By | One Comment

How did you get the job you have? How did you go about finding a job about 10 years ago? If you’re like me, you worked on your resume, put together a couple of cover letters to tailor, and then you started looking for job postings online and submitting applications, right? Well just as technology has changed how we communicate with our loved ones (sometimes in the same house), buy our music, and vote for our favorite American Idol, the job search is different now too.

If you’re one of the 26 million Americans that are unemployed you should rethink what used to be the typical approach to finding a job. Social platforms have made the world smaller and therefore more personal. What used to be a random name on an application can now be Googled, checked for LinkedIn connections, and viewed as good, bad or crazy based on the Tweets associated to that perspective employee. Not only should people be thinking about the digital print they leave online for all to see but use it to market themselves and make professional connections.

Look for people instead of jobs

Many jobs aren’t even listed online. Studies have shown that 60-80% of jobs are found through networking. So instead of searching on job boards for what is available, pick and choose the company you’d like to work for based on the people and work environment.

  1. Start by picking the top 5 companies you’d like to work for.
  2. Identify the people you’d like to connect with so that you can focus your approach and not just send your info to HR. Search on blogging sites like Technorati to find someone who works at one of those companies. You can search on Facebook for company pages or on LinkedIn. Once you’ve identified several employees, Google them to find more information about them and perhaps connect via a shared interest or common colleague.
  3. Use social media to connect. I’ve heard that sending someone a FB request or DM via Twitter is like tapping someone on the shoulder at a networking event. It’s totally acceptable now to introduce yourself via social media. Especially once you’ve done your research and are approaching someone with a tailored message about the work you’re doing that may be of interest to them.
  4. Use Google Alerts to stay informed about the people you’ve connected with. You can set up a Google alert for a few people or the companies you’re interested in. Social media monitoring is now being used to monitor what’s being said about a company but can also be used to stay informed about what’s being said about your own perosnal brand or potentional employers.

Image: xedos4 /

Related post:

4 Benefits of Social Media Recruiting and Creating an Overall Strategy

It’s becoming increasingly common to use social media for operational and business functions, but some organizations have yet to acknowledge the power and usefulness of its reach. Below we’ve outlined some of the many reasons recruiters are implementing hiring strategies through social media. [continue reading]

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Author Topic: ICRA tutorials and workshops list  (Read 2490 times)

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ICRA tutorials and workshops list
« on: December 12, 2006, 01:56:35 PM »
for those going to ICRA '07 in Italy, they just recently released the tutorials and workshops list

i soooo want to go to all of them  :-\

i will see if i can get a copy of conference proceedings to post for everyone in late april.

speaking of which, anyone else going?

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Former Employee Launches Windows 8 SkyDrive App to Compete with Microsoft

Folder synchronization now available for Windows RT users too

SkyDrive for Windows 8 and Windows RT has been around for a while, but David Overton, a former Microsoft employee, has launched his very own app compatible with the cloud storage service.

The so-called SkyDrive RT Sync comes with a feature that’s missing in Microsoft’s SkyDrive client on Windows RT platforms.

The app supports folder synchronization, meaning that it does basic file comparison to determine whether a user-defined directory needs synchronization with the SkyDrive account.

Such an option is already available in the desktop version of the SkyDrive client and, thanks to this app, it can be accessed on Windows RT platforms too.

The tool, however, isn’t available for free, but with a small fee of $1.49 (€1.10). A trial version is offered to those who wish to give it a try before buying the app for x86, x64 and ARM builds of Windows 8.

Click here to view the SkyDrive RT Sync product page in your browser.

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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Careful. This Grilled Cheese is Loaded

As for this recipe, I originally found it through Pinterest (so many of the good ones are there) by Rachel from A Southern Fairytale.  I guess she originally got the recipe from Galley Kitchen: Bake Up, Little Suzy. They are identical recipes, but you should check out their sites!

So, here's what's for dinner tonight!

Loaded Baked Potato Grilled Cheese Sandwich

  • 4 slices country potato bread
  • 4 slices cooked bacon
  • 1-2 TBSP chopped green onions
  • 4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
  • sour cream
  • butter

  • That's it.  To make the sandwich:

    photo by A Southern Fairytale

    1. Lay out bread; butter each slice on one side

    2. Spread sour cream on the other side of the bread; top with cheddar cheese slices and sprinkle with green onions.

    3. Cook bacon thoroughly; place over green onions

    4. Put sandwich together; cook like you would a normal grilled cheese.
    I did mine on my George Foreman, but I've also made grilled cheese on a griddle and in a frying pan.  Whatever you fancy!

    Now, the pictures included were from the original recipe and the site where I got the recipe.  Here's how mine looked:

    Our whole family really enjoyed this sandwich and will definitely make it again.
    As a side note, if you don't particularly like sour cream (like me), you can always leave it out.  On my sandwich, I put it on, just to see how it would taste... which was pretty darn good! Like I said, whatever you fancy.  Enjoy!


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~*~ Batman's Shameful Secret ~*~
Reppin': muscles like this?
"Urrrrsulllaaa!!" Was there ever a comic book where some guy died and screamed out "Ursullaaaa!"? Because if so maybe he was calling out someone's name or maybe he was just dying really bad.
(Ursula is a terrible name is what I'm trying to say.)

Persepolis movie: Inappropriate "Rocky" music Want to see an Iranian girl sing the song "Eye of the Tiger" in a French accent? Then this is the movie for you! Its also supposed to be the touching story of blah blah blah, EYE OF THE TIGER!

the All New Industry Rumor and Spoilers thread. That means SPOILERS inside The spoiler? Jim Shooter could be taking over as EiC of DC comics! Do you care? NOOOOOOOOOOO!

DC: Countdown: Fan: Fiction: At: It: 's: Finest. (DC general discussion) This is a fun thread title. Don't you think its fun? I think its fun. Discuss how much Countdown (and Countdown related books like Countdown: Arena, Countdown to Adventure and Countdown to Mystery.) DC really needs to hire someone to come up with better book titles. Hell, I'll do it. Countdown to Adventure? More like Shitty stories involving characters you don't care about and Animal Man.

Crew member killed on set of Batman: DKR It's a tragedy thats for sure but that doesn't stop BSS from deciding that if he didn't actually die he would have become the bitchinist truck related villain ever.

Funny Panel of the Week
thanks Deadcell27

~*~ General Bullshit ~*~
Reppin': SpecialOlympian
GBS is the forum where threads that don't quite fit anywhere else go. We already have lots of specialized subforums already though, so a large portion of what flows into GBS are threads like "I just pooped my pants at work today and I don't remember eating all that corn". Oh, and these:

Creepy repressed Oedipal arsonist on my campus - Rather, I dare say I was most affronted by the officer's rather aggregious reaction to my admittedly rather stupid idea of setting things ablaze in my dorm room. Rather, I was so shocked I affected an English accent most ratherly.

Suffer Not the Xenos To Live - NERDS! NERDS! NERDS! NERDS! Hey wait, Kharne is pretty fucking badass. Maybe I'll just read WH40K Wikipedia entries for the next two hours.

Rock and roll! - I always wondered what prominent historical figures and famous photographs would look like if they had guitars. Now all I have left is dreams of what they'd look like holding Guitar Hero controllers.

Cry havoc! and let slip the dogs of war. - You idiot, don't loan these important historical documents to a museum. Do you know how much the History Channel will pay for new stock footage that's not about Hitler or WW2?

Lets talk about weird fucked up people who approach you - So some old lady came up to us and tried to initiate a conversation, but I was like, fuck that, we're here to ride, not to make friends.

Sexual Innuendo in Disney's Alice in Wonderland [img heavy] - Let's remember, Lewis Carroll was a pedophile and not an ephebophile.

More Forum Friday's Monday

This Week on Something Awful...

Copyright ©2015 Rich "Lowtax" Kyanka & Something Awful LLC.


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"Max Bricker" isn't very good at bachelor parties.

Ahahaha, "Mark," you joker!

Everyone in this thread is an idiot (except for the tacos guy).

Fantastic, this is the information I was looking for.

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The idea of collegiate minds centering critical thought around a musician’s body of work being novel long since a thing of the past, what with people able to now notch a Masters in The Beatles, everyone from Radiohead to Lady Gaga are getting syllabi crafted around lyrical themes and cultural impacts. Our personal fav – although we can’t confirm it still exists - Harvard‘s “Modern Protest Literature: From Thomas Paine to Tupac,” spawned around 2002. Boston University‘s “Bob Dylan Lyrics,” the same, if it’s still available.

The BOSS, though, this is the first we’ve seen a classroom go down “Thunder Road.” And not the classic frustrated ‘Murrica-isms of finding one’s place in the inky-night of Purple Majesty in the mid-70s, or anti-war screeds. Rather a vast, four-decade-spanning theory on Springsteen’s biblical threads, apparent on everything from Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. (1973) to Wrecking Ball (2012), according to the Rutgers professor responsible for the course, Azzan Yadin-Israel, raising some pretty heady brows. When asked by Rutgers Today about a “dominant theological philosophy” that runs through said oeuvre, Yadin-Israel references the Old Testament, the New Testament as vessels for redemption:

On a literary level, Springsteen often recasts biblical figures and stories into the American landscape. The narrator of “Adam Raised a Cain” describes his strained relationship with his father through the prism of the biblical story of the first father and son; Apocalyptic storms accompany a boy’s tortured transition into manhood in “The Promised Land,” and the first responders of 9/11 rise up to “someplace higher” in the flames, much as Elijah the prophet ascended in a chariot of fire (“Into the Fire”). Theologically, I would say the most dominant motifs are redemption — crossing the desert and entering the Promised Land — and the sanctity of the everyday.

Perhaps Bruce was born-again Saved like Dylan and we all missed it? Then again the Bible is the world’s ultimate story and Bruce one of music’s ultimate storytellers, so this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Though don’t try and tell us Jeebus is the sparkle in the wink of young girl’s eyes on “Glory Days,” that’s just silly:

"Glory Days"


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Monday, July 30, 2012

Cliff Lee? Or Not?

Olney says yes (link insider only):

The Los Angeles Dodgers are among the teams mentioned as possibilities for left-hander Cliff Lee by ESPN Insider's Jim Bowden Monday. Bowden tweeted that the club could build a package around pitching prospects Zach Lee and Allen Webster.

The Phillies, however, seem determined to find a fix or two in their everyday lineup in any significant trades they make this month. They have been reportedly on the search for a long-term answer at third base, and the Dodgers don't appear to have that, so the Phillies would have to place the clearing of payroll and overall package value ahead of addresssing direct needs for the Dodgers to fit.

Lee's salary could be an obstacle for clubs interested, even the Dodgers and their new deep-pocketed ownership. The Phillies could, conceivably, offer to pay a portion of Lee's remaining salary but it's unclear as to whether or not the Phillies would be willing to commit to such a concept, and if so, to what extent.

Ken Rosenthal, on the other hand, says no:

Source: #Dodgers not in on Lee. Remaining dollars - $90M-plus for 3-plus seasons - too big even for them. #Yankees out for same reason.

So there you have it.

Franklin Stubbs said...

Meh, I'll take my chances against the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.

Spank Horst said...

I'm with Stubbsy on this one.

Franklin Stubbs said...

*runs down the street naked with Yorick's skull*

Dusty Baker said...

Did we get Yu Darvish yet? Just checking.

Franklin Stubbs said...

If I say yes, will it count?


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Wednesday May 27 , 2015

Archive for November, 2007

Kucinich’s Wife

Yeah. Sure. What a guy. But somewhere out there is a lonely lady fugly looking for her mate.
Anyway, I’d be more impressed if she was the fugly little guy running for political office and he was the statuesque redhead backing her up.

It’s NOT The Science, Stupid

Okay, here’s a question I have about the politics of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon credit trading and develped vs developing countries: Who would it really hurt to have everybody under one agreement umbrella?
Because something tells me it would NOT be the poor who would suffer in having to meet a set of global targets on greenhouse gas emissions – even though that is exactly the reasoning being used by the political Center right on over to wherever the Left is (right beside the Center, unfortunately) as to why developing countries deserve their pollution time now to catch up to us over here in the West – developmentwise.
I mean, look at China. Its poor are choking under the weight of pollution while the rich live an insulated existence in air conditioned comfort. And since so many of those people getting rich are actually Westerners getting richer, well, I say it’s a crock to pretend that the exemption is for the sake of the poor.
In fact, I can’t believe anyone is buying that load of shit in this day and age. We should know better by now. Rich people do not get rich by caring about poor people. They absolutely get rich by caring more about money than any other Gawddamned thing in the entire universe – including life everlasting. Because everybody knows, the meek shall inherit the Earth.
Which, of course, will be uninhabitable on account of, for some bizarre reason, everybody figured the rich, who got rich from development in this part of the world, should now get another kick at the development can in China.

They Almost Had Me

You know, I was almost starting to believe that Hugo Chavez was a madman, paranoid, delusional, powercrazed (well, I still believe that one) – but check this out:
CIA Operation “Pliers” Uncovered in Venezuela
Chile, anyone?

Calling All Terrorists!

This is just an idea, not a suggestion, but maybe we could ask the TERRORISTS! to go after Taser International. Afterall, TERRORISTS! probably aren’t afraid of being sued. And, well, Taser International seems to have a lot of backing from law enforcement agencies, even though several law enforcement officers are suing it, so, it makes sense to me that we hook up with the evil-doers on this one. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen?
That’s the question Canadians need to start asking themselves, by the way. Not “what would Jesus do?”. That question sucks. We have to start asking “what’s the worst that could happen?” And if the worst is that a bunch of Taser International thugs hunt you down and try to scare the shit out of you for questioning the safety of its product, well, according to one former employee of Taser International, that’s already happened – and she lived to tell about it.
So yeah, our government isn’t going to do anything about this threat to society, so maybe the TERRORISTS! can help.

RCMP Starts Character Assassination Campaign

Well, how would YOU put it? I suppose there’s, “RCMP Justifies Murder of Possible Terrorist” or “RCMP Sensed Man Was Criminal And THAT’S Why It Killed Him” or “RCMP Didn’t Like Cut of Man’s Jib So It Tasered Him To Death”.
Seriously, I hope the RCMP finds out all kinds of stuff it tries to use in order to smear Dziekanski’s reputation. We need to know how low this organization is willing to go to know what we’re up against. Keep on keepin’ on, RCMP. Tell Canadians and the world all about Dziekanski’s life over in Poland before he came to a country where police use tasers to kill people and then invent the reasons why.
Because, trust me, you’re telling us everything we need to know about you, just by being you.


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Toddler Outfits, Toddler Girl Outfits from Sophias Style
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A Sweet Aroma

God's words have a sweet aroma

Don’t just read the Bible to get through it—let the Word of God read you and get through you.

Learning to pray the Scriptures from your heart so that you long for more of God in your life and confess your sin, hurt, stress, and needs to him is a fundamental spiritual discipline for being with Jesus to become like him. But many of us don’t know how to read the Bible this way or we let ourselves get busy and distracted.

Jeanne Guyon wrote: “Take the portion of Scripture that has touched your heart and turn it into prayer… Plunge into the very depths of the words you read until revelation, like a sweet aroma, breaks out upon you… Hold your heart in the Lord’s presence” (Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ, p. 8, 10).

An Example

For instance, today I’ve been praying from Psalm 95 and appreciating that God, through the Psalmist, says to me, “Come!” What a blessed invitation! It’s like church bells ringing to call me into prayer. Just to pause and linger on this opportunity is a great joy. What a great help it is to be reminded that I can come to God as I am, sharing with him my hopes and challenges and relying on him to care for me and guide me step-by-step.

I invite you to “Come!” to the Lord. Spend some time with a passage of the Bible and let it warm your heart for prayer. Try my Psalm 95 prayer,”Come!” You’ll appreciate anew that Jesus’ arms are open to you!

Soul Shepherding is a nonprofit ministry of counseling and spiritual mentoring for you and your ministry. We care for pastors, pastors’ wives, missionaries, and other servants of the Lord to help them be strong in God’s grace.


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Blu-ray Review: Spider-Man (Mastered in 4K version)

The 2002 film version of Spider-Man was a success on many levels, but most of its magic can be attributed to director Sam Raimi (he of Evil Dead fame), who put his distinctive visual stamp on the production. Spider-Man is also perfectly cast, with Tobey Maguire playing a wide-eyed Peter Parker, Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane, and Willem Dafoe chewing up the screen as Spider-Man nemesis Green Goblin.

The film has long been available on Blu-ray (it saw a re-release as recently as 2012), but  Sony opted to redo it one more time as part of its new Mastered in 4K series, a group of discs that includes other well-known Sony Pictures/Columbia titles such as Taxi Driver, Glory, and the latest Spidey franchise re-boot, The Amazing Spider-Man.

Blu-ray and 4K

Other Blu-rays have been sourced from a 4K master, so what's the big deal with these? A few things. First, the video bitrate has been upped considerably to ensure a solid, artifact-free picture: The new, Mastered in 4K Spider-Man maintains a steady 35 Mbps, as compared with the high-20 Mbps bitrate typical with other discs, including the 2012 Spider-Man Blu-ray. (Unfortunately, the increased video data rate means there's no space for extra stuff like features and commentary tracks.)  Second, Mastered in 4K discs incorporate something Sony calls Expanded Color, which otherwise goes by the name x.v.Color or xvYCC. To briefly sum up, discs with x.v.Color incorporate data describing colors outside the standard Rec.709 HDTV color space. When a Mastered in 4K disc is played on an x.v.Color-compatible BD player (according to Sony, only its own player line plus the PlayStation 3 can reliably be called compatible) and displayed on a TV capable of x.v.Color reproduction - Sony's new W900A series HDTVs (look for my review in the June/July/August issue of Sound&Vision) and XBR-X900A Series 4K Ultra HD TVs, for example - you get the option to view this expanded range. And displaying it shouldn't involve any shift in the TV's color points - the disc simply instructs the TV to "retrieve" those extra colors without distorting the set's overall color balance.

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hi there, i recently bought this film on bluray with the 4k and ive tried to watch it on my phllips bluray player and on my 4 colour sharp aquos tv, however the av setting just keep changing by themselves every few seconds and make sit harder to watch. however i watch it on the same player but on another standard HD toshiba tv and it plays fine. i thought it would be because its not a song player that it was playing up but it works on another tv.

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DVD Bargains

Psst! Hey, you! That's right - you! You wanna hot deal on a DVD player? I've got an SUV full of factory-fresh hardware. There are a few scratches and dents, and maybe some broken glass inside, but I'll give you my full lifetime warranty. Any problems - just bring it back to me here, in the alley off Broadway.

Since you're a nice-looking person, I'll give you my special deal: pick any player you want, and I'll sell it to you for only $500 or less. Trust me - a year ago, players that do the same things were going for twice that. You won't believe how many features you'll be getting. What a steal!

What? Can't decide exactly which features you really need? Well, just pick a player that has everything! (Ha! That's an inside joke.) For the best deal, you still have to figure out what's most important to you. Let me clue you in.

All players provide the same basic features. Fast forward, reverse, slo-mo, and freeze frame are standard. Most players have hardly any front-panel controls. The action is handled by the remote control - another standard feature. So, are all players alike? No way.

As you'll see from the product listings beginning on page 00, "DVD" doesn't just mean video. And it doesn't mean your machine has to be limited to playing the discs you rent from the local video store. There are changers, portable players, DVD recorders (although not in the sub-$500 range), and players that can handle multichannel Super Audio CDs (SACD) and DVD-Audio discs.

Listings & Comparisons Listings Compiled by Peter Pachal

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What’s Open Christmas Day in the South Sound! And Merry Christmas from Sounds Fun Mom!!

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An updated version of this post for 2014 is right here.

Looking for spots open in the South Sound Christmas Day?

If you want to go out to eat, I found spots at Stanley and Seaforts and the Lobster Shop South in Tacoma, and the Iron Chef in Puyallup using Open Table.com.

If you’d like to get out and about, you can ice skate at the Franciscan Polar Plaza in downtown Tacoma Christmas Day. If you want to hit a movie, here’s the link to Fandango. Most area theaters are open, and the new Cirque Soleil show looks neat. Zoolights is closed the 24th, but open the 25th. Fantasy Lights is open the 24th and 25th. Follow that link on click on, “Admission,” to find a coupon for 3.00 off. If you’d like to leave other great suggestions, please do so!

Expect the usual suspects to be closed-government offices, libraries, etc….Walgreens is open. I *think* Safeway is open but closing early. Top and Fred Meyer are closed.

Here at the Sounds Fun Mom house, we’ll be enjoying family time, and I’ll be off-blog.

I want to thank you for allowing me to be a small part of the time you enjoy with your precious families. Your readership and encouragement are gifts to me year round. Enjoy our, “Santa Out Take,” and Have a Beautiful Day!

Speak Your Mind

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5 Smart Ways to Beat Setbacks

Let’s face it: We all give in to temptations sometimes, especially when it comes to eating. So if you occasionally slip up while following the South Beach Diet, does it mean you’ve failed? Not even close! Everyone is bound to have moments of weakness, and the good news is that it’s never too late to get back on track. The simple fix? If your indulgences have caused you to pack on a few pounds or experience cravings, move back to Phase 1 for a little while, or simply cut back on carbs, including fruits, whole grains, and starchy vegetables. Once you've lost the added weight and eliminated your cravings, you can pick up where you left off.

Follow these tips to fight off temptation:

  1. Empty your cupboards, refrigerator, and freezer of any unhealthy foods that may have crept in there and that may be triggering your cravings.

  2. When shopping for groceries, skip the chip and cookie aisles and focus on healthier foods, like vegetables, eggs and reduced-fat dairy, beans and other legumes, lean sources of meat, poultry, and seafood, whole grains and fruits (Phase 2), and healthy fats, such as extra-virgin olive oil, nuts, and avocados.

  3. When going out to eat, don’t even look at the dessert menu if you’re on Phase 1. Instead, plan on eating a serving of a ricotta crème dessert, or some fat-free Greek yogurt when you get home. Add an extract of your choice and some chopped nuts as a topping.

  4. Always carry a healthy snack with you, so when unhealthy temptations come your way, you can eat something nutritious instead. Pack grab-and-go snacks, like a reduced-fat cheese stick with some celery, cucumbers, bell peppers, or grape tomatoes. A small bag containing a handful of nuts and a piece of fruit (Phase 2) or an individual container of hummus with veggies is also a good choice. You could also grab a protein- and fiber-rich South Beach Diet 100-Calorie Snack Bar, Protein Fit Bar, or a Good to Go Bar on Phase 2. If you're on Phase 1, try our new Jumpstarts Carb Control Snack Bars, available in Toffee Nut or Coconut Crunch flavors.

  5. If someone gives you unhealthy food as a present, like a box of candy or a tin of your favorite cookies, take it to work, or give it to a neighbor or friend who will appreciate it.

With The South Beach Diet Online and Mobile You Get:

Healthy never tasted so good! Become a member to access all of our delicious recipes, weight-loss tools, expert advice from our nutritionists and fitness coaches, community support, and much more!

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A Day Without a Bag – December 16th 2010

Check out SolanaCenter.org for more info. And remember to bring your re-usable bags with you shopping on December 16th!

Here’s a great way to give a holiday gift to the environment!

Join residents and businesses throughout the San Diego Region in giving up disposable bags in favor of reusable bags for 24 hours, or more…

Day Without A Bag is an education and grassroots event being coordinated by nearly every city and the County of San Diego, with the support of leading environmental organizations, and involves businesses and individuals throughout their respective communities. On this day we ask holiday shoppers and retailers to forego single-use plastic and paper shopping bags in favor of reusable bags.

Held the third Thursday in December, Day Without A Bag – 2010 will be held December 16, 2010, when San Diego County shoppers will receive an early holiday present, courtesy of a giveaway of over 25,000 reusable bags at more than 70 Giveaway Locations throughout San Diego County. In addition, a Community & Media event will be held featuring education activities and a press conference.
Education & Awareness

A unique coalition of major retailers, local governments and regional environmental groups have come together to organize the inaugural San Diego Regional Day Without A Bag, which urges consumers to forego environmental harmful single-use plastic or paper grocery bags in favor of reusable shopping bags. By raising consumer awareness about personal choices, the event’s short-term goal is to educate shoppers throughout San Diego County to adopt more sustainable shopping habits during the holiday and coming year. The event’s long-term goal is to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags throughout the county by empowering shoppers, and local communities at large, to take simple and direct action to eliminate unsightly debris and save taxpayer dollars.

More than 1.7 billion plastic bags are used in the throughout the San Diego Region each year. That’s an average of 500 bags per person per year. Made from non-renewable fossil fuels, plastic bags are recyclable – however, studies show that less than 5% are actually recycled. Even when properly disposed, plastic bags are often blown out of trash cans or pulled out by birds and easily carried by the wind to become tangled in vegetation, clog storm drains, or make their way to waterways and the ocean where they become an even greater threat to marine life. As a coastal community with a vibrant and growing tourism base, much of which is tied to our local beaches and the ocean, it is in our best interest to consider measures to respect, preserve and protect those resources.
What YOU Can Do
A Day Without A Bag – December 16

Participate: Bring your own reusable bag when you shop at grocers and all other retail locations, especially on December 16th.

Acknowledge: If your favorite retailer promotes reusable bag use, take the time to thank them for their efforts. If you see friends and neighbors using their bags, tell ‘em “Thanks for remembering your bag!” – everyone can use positive feedback for remembering to use them.

Share: Look for retailers that have great reusable bags, give them as gifts


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Welcome to South Nassau

Request a Visit or Prayer

If you would like our Chaplain to visit a patient within the hospital or would like to submit an online prayer request for anyone in need of spiritual support during difficult circumstances, please fill out the form below and click submit.

Your message will be sent directly to our Spiritual Care Program. Our hospital has a strict policy that we do not share personal information publicly. Only our Spiritual Care staff will receive your information and request. If your message is regarding something other than scheduling a visit or a prayer request, a member of our Spiritual Care Team will get back to you as soon as possible. Please make sure to include your contact information below for them to get in touch with you.

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Compliance and Privacy Policies for Vendors and Patients
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The 9th Annual Hostelworld.com Hoscar Awards

Find out what are the top hostels in the world at the 9th Annual Hostelworld.com Hoscar Awards.

Puntúa nuestro vídeo. Basta con que elijas la puntuación abajo y hagas clic en enviar.

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Awarding the best hostels in the world for 2010, the Hostelworld.com Hoscar Awards are the biggest awards in the hostel industry. Now in their 9th year, they were held in February 2011 at an awards ceremony in London and attended by over 400 hostel owners, managers and staff from around the world. Watch to find out who won the big awards. And for a full list of winners visit our Hoscars page.


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    AEOLIUS   65,637
60,000-79,999 SparkPoints

Post-night shift Yoga Class

Monday, June 21, 2010

I teach a yoga class in just under 5 hours.

After food poisoning a week ago, and some busy nights here at work, I hope not to seem too sluggish.

Here's hoping....

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    CSCESMITH   2,413
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My Plan Worked!

Friday, August 17, 2012

I got on the scale today, something I dread, only to find that it was going to be a good day. According to my scale, I've lost nearly 8 pounds. I was shocked!

About 2 weeks ago, I realized that I was not losing weight, even though I was exercising regularly. I have a serious portion issue. I thought long and hard about my situation. I usually eat vegetarian for breakfast and lunch to try to get in extra fruit & vegetables. However, I also tend to put alot of cheese and other high fat (not to mention calories) "toppings" on my food. So, My "semi-vegetarianism" wasn't working as well as planned. It's good to know your weaknesses.

After some serious thought, I decided to go vegan for a couple days each week, vegetarian for a couple days, and eat healthy but whatever I want (within reason) for the remaining 3 days. Eating vegan has actually been one of the best things I've tried. I have began to use less toppings on other days and have already learned that a little meat can go a long way. I've also learned that gorging myself on fruits and veggies does not make me feel sick the way that gorging myself on bread, meat and dairy does. I also don't generally gorge myself on the vegan days. I'm actually learning what it feels like to be full and not stuffed! It's amazing!

There's still work to be done. I have to get the carbs/protein/fat right. The protein can be tricky for vegans (well, so I've heard). But, all in all, I think I've finally found an eating plan that works for me!

I've also learned that I can say no to anything for just one day!

Member Comments About This Blog Post:
HANAVAS 8/18/2012 2:14PM

Good job taking the time to see what does and doesn't work for you!

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MAHGRET 8/18/2012 12:28AM

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    GIANNA4PAWS   1,189
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The GYM ,So we are all worried about clothes

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Okay , a few days ago I posted on the message board whether or not to join the gym ?because I believed I needed to be slimmer and also where I live I have found out, there are NO ladies gym clothes,.. To fit me. I am a standard size uk 12. Here I am classed as an extra large.
Mean while behind the scenes, the mail I have been receiving have made me sooo much stronger and braver. I didst realise we are All in the same boat. So we have decided to join the gym knowing we are the only ones watching and we shall be wearing the same outfits just washed daily
How many people out there , dealt with this? got through it and can tell us beginners ITS OKAY . Thanx Gianna4paws

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NAUSIKAA 1/20/2013 5:08PM

    I actually saved my original gym outfit. It was the only pair of pants I could find that fit me. They were men's golf pants in the most atrocious bright plaid print you can imagine. They were so ugly, it was funny, but nothing else fit or was a decently comfortable not too hot fabric. I kept them because they remind me of where I came from!

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BOB240 1/20/2013 9:37AM

    As GetStr says. Just order online.

The gym is a place to work out. It is NOT a fashion parade. After a few days you will see that no one is worried about clothes. No one is looking at you. No one cares. People focus on what they are doing.

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GETSTRONGRRR 1/20/2013 9:06AM

    Hmm, tough problem. Try internet mail order or just wear some relaxing cotton T-shirts and shorts....in any event, just go to the gym!

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    ANGRITTER   89,108
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I'm Up and Kicking!

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

It was 94 today and the "real feel" temperature was 104.

And I walked. At 2pm, I got my butt out of bed and walked my 4 miles, got some small gardening in and picked blueberries. But I walked! I walked!

And now I am tired. Gonna take a few days to ramp back up, but I did it and I feel infinitely better for doing so. Finally accomplishing something makes me feel much better.

Now let me tell you WHY I walked... I scarfed 4 pieces of pizza last night and 3 pieces of cheesy bread with spinach and feta cheese. I was a pig and this afternoon I grossed myself out so badly by eating all that and that was the motivation I needed. Plus, the scale grossed me out too!

So YAY! Happy dance... if I had the energy left over.

Peace, Love and Healing Power of Pizza,

Member Comments About This Blog Post:
DEDICATED2HIM 6/12/2013 10:56AM

    Great that you got the 4 miles done. PIzza. I used to LOVE pizza. It's the one food I miss...but when I eat it now, it no longer tastes good. DRATS I'm RUINED!

Good to have you feeling up to walking. Start slow so you don't even up back in bed. take care of you--no one else will!

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BKWERM 6/12/2013 5:43AM

    Glad to hear you're starting to feel like your old self. Take it slow. We need you back in all your glory!

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KELLY19770 6/12/2013 4:21AM

    Yay for you getting that walk in. I bet it was a sweltering one!

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_LINDA 6/12/2013 12:40AM

    emoticon emoticon emoticon emoticon
That is fantabulous you got out, but that temperature is just too much!
emoticon emoticon emoticon
Talk about melting!
I *hate* that everyone always gets emoticon emoticon emoticon except me!!! *stomp* *stomp* *stomp*
emoticon m emoticon emoticon emoticon emoticon
Keep up the great work!

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LESLIELENORE 6/11/2013 10:07PM

    It was cool enough I needed a light jacket on my walks today. It sure doesn't feel like June with this cool weather.

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SKINNYPAT62 6/11/2013 7:07PM

    Good for you getting that walk in! I walked 30 min. on our patio and it is so hot but I did it!

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    GLAM0R0US   2,410
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GLAM0R0US's Blog Entry Summary View

Short, Medium, and Long Term Goals

Monday, March 04, 2013      0 comments

Short-Term Goals: 1. I will workout 6 times a week. - 1 day of indoor Volleyball - 1 day of dance lessons - 2 days of Running and Lifting Legs - 2 days of Elliptical and Lifting Arms 2. I will eat between 1400-1700 calories, 6 day... Read more

Job Interview tomorrow!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012      1 comments

I have an actual LIVE interview tomorrow with Pioneer! I'm really excited, but also very nervous. I've only had phone interviews thus far in my 'real jobs' search, and I've completely blown every single one. I'm not very good with phone intervie... Read more

Feeling better

Sunday, December 09, 2012      2 comments

I woke up today tired, but I feel much better than the last two days of sinus headaches. I think I may have had a cold, but nothing serious. I finally went to the gym this afternoon. I couldn't make it on the elliptical as long as I wanted to bu... Read more

Sick, but feeling better :)

Saturday, December 08, 2012      2 comments

So I've had a headache for the past 2 days. It seemed like a sinus headache, but on the second day of having it I think I might have a cold. I took Daytime Night Quill both days, and today it completely knocked me out. I have slept the majority ... Read more

Doc Appointment and First day of work

Thursday, December 06, 2012      2 comments

This will be a quick one - I had my annual exam this morning and found out why I may be having a very specific pain (I'd rather talk about it on a public blog). So that was exciting. I'm also a little nervous for my first day of tutoring actual ... Read more

My new job

Tuesday, December 04, 2012      1 comments

I started my new job today! I am a teacher/tutor for Educational Resources in Des Moines. It was a bit overwhelming this morning with all the information they threw at me, and I'm a little nervous to get my first two students on Thursday. Especi... Read more

Goals for this week:

Sunday, December 02, 2012      1 comments

So, the last three days have been good and bad: I exercised all three days! However, I ate over 2500 calories all three days - Blah! So, this week I'm going to keep up with the exercise streak and attempt to eat within my calorie range. Here a... Read more

Why am I doing this?

Saturday, December 01, 2012      1 comments

I really wanted to write down exactly why I am back on track and trying to lose weight. Some of these things will be very petty, so please don't judge! 1. I want to run a half marathon this summer. There is a dam to dam 20K race this summer... Read more

Starting over

Friday, November 30, 2012      3 comments

I've been on sparkpeople for almost 2 years and I've lost over 25 lbs using the amazing tools provided on this site. However, life happened and I began to slip back into my old habits of over drinking and over eating. I have gained back over 10 ... Read more


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    HILLRUNNER   112,885
100,000-149,999 SparkPoints
HILLRUNNER's Blog Entry Summary View

Tuesday, April 21, 2015      7 comments

GET SERIOUS, REALLY!!! I mean it!!! We don't take breaks from our health. We make healthy choices EVERY DAY!! Getting serious means to throw the excuse list out the win... Read more

Gearing up for BLC/CAMO28

Thursday, April 16, 2015      8 comments

We on CAMO have our packs emoticon They ar... Read more

Wednesday, April 08, 2015      6 comments

Another BLC round has finished....another CAMO round is complete! I can't believe I started way back in round 13 (I think?) That is a long road, but that is what this wh... Read more

My week 12 GOALS and PLANS

Wednesday, April 01, 2015      6 comments

I believe that quote! Being strong is good but HAVING strength to endure, to progress, to journey, to stand and BE, is blinding and binding! I pray that my journey continues ... Read more

My week 11 Goals and Plans

Saturday, March 28, 2015      7 comments

I deserve to make time for MY meetings, My workouts, My health because they are all the same thing! To not make time for what will keep me healthy and bring longevity to my ... Read more

My week 10 goals and plans

Thursday, March 19, 2015      8 comments

There are no excuses...this IS my life. Yes it is hard, living IS hard. Anyone can sit around and WAIT for things to happen. but the strong go out, hunt those things down, and... Read more

My week 9 Goals and Plans

Thursday, March 12, 2015      4 comments

Another week...another opportunity! I am in my second week of my March Plan and pleased with the results so far. I am seeing measurements getting smaller and weight loss happe... Read more

Week 8 Goals and Plans

Saturday, March 07, 2015      3 comments

For WEEK 8: This is where I have switched things up a bit! I came to the end of the plan I was using and decided to get out one that I have used before with some new tweaks... Read more

Week 7 Goals and Plans

Wednesday, February 25, 2015      6 comments

FOR WEEK 7: 27/2 Friday: LOWER BODY/ bike warm up 28/2 Saturday: CARDIO Boxing /bike warm up 1/03 Sunday: Bike warm up/Tai Chi class 2/03 Monday: INTERVAL BIKE/ UPPER... Read more

My week 6 plan 2/20 to 2/26

Tuesday, February 24, 2015      7 comments

The following is just my exercise plans. I will combine this with healthy eating choices and sleeping 7-8 hours a night. I know that when I stay up too late, my weight does not s... Read more

My week 5 plan 2/12/ to 2/19

Wednesday, February 11, 2015      6 comments

Keeping to my goal of planning my weeks ahead of time! Looks very much like last week...cause I am keeping to my plan!! WEEK 5: 12/2 Thursday: BIKE Intervals and stre... Read more

My week 4 plan 2/5 to 2/12

Wednesday, February 04, 2015      5 comments

Keeping to my goal of planning my weeks ahead of time! WEEK 4: 5/2 Thursday: BIKE Intervals and stretch/pool 6/2 Friday: Lower Body 7/2 Saturday: CARDIO Boxing with bike warm up 8/2 Sunday: Upper Body with bike warm up 9/2 Mon... Read more

Friday, January 09, 2015      8 comments

BLC is starting again! I really like the focus...Starting the New Year on a POSITIVE! I like that quote..it IS what lies inside of me that will get me to the places I wan... Read more

Poppies to remember and honour

Tuesday, November 11, 2014      6 comments

The poppy appeal is in progress over here in the UK. An amazing display has been on show in London on the grounds of The Tower. This tribute is to honour all those who hav... Read more

In HONOUR of every 26.2er out there!

Sunday, November 02, 2014      3 comments

YESS this one is for YOU! For US and for every soon to be, I wanna be, some day I will be marathoner!!! Why today??? Well as I watch the NYC Marathon from across the pond.... Read more

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Secrets of Success

< Secrets of Success Main Page    Submit a Secret

Coconut Oil'S Metabolism

Members Were Sparked
This Sparked Me!

One of the best benefits of coconut oil lies in its ability to help stimulate your metabolism. Additionally, research has demonstrated that, due to its metabolic effect, coconut oil increases the activity of the thyroid. And you've probably heard that a sluggish thyroid is one reason why some people are unable to lose weight, no matter what they do.
Besides weight loss, there are other advantages to boosting your metabolic rate. Your healing process accelerates. Cell regeneration increases to

- Submitted by MABTE52 10/25/2010 in Weight Loss | 8 Comments
Please note these are member-submitted secrets and are not reviewed by SparkPeople's health experts for accuracy. If you feel a secret is inappropriate, please click Report Inappropriate Secret and our staff will review it.

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Member Comments

WANAKA 10/25/2010 11:20:00 AM

    I cook it, I drink it (in protein drinks), I eat it (use it as butter), and I use it as a skin moisturizer. Fantastic stuff!!! :)
PSEUDOLATINA 10/25/2010 10:23:00 AM

    I LOVE coconut oil. I use it for all sorts of things from my hair & skin to treating hot spots on my dog. This stuff is amazing.
DANDYDONNAJ 3/23/2011 12:10:00 PM

    You can buy coconut oil at any health food store, but make
sure it is the Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Google coconut oil
in your search engine and lots of info will appear. Lots of
extra info at I bought a book called "Eat Fat,
Lose Fat" by Dr. Mary Enig which has recipes! Healthy fats
can boost energy, eliminate cravings, help anxiety, hypothyroidism and chronic fatigue. Silk Almond Milk now makes Silk Coconut Milk as well (in the Dairy case). Hope
this helps.
MISSORGANIC 1/13/2011 11:48:00 PM

    Thanks for the reminder. I used to use coconut oil daily, but have slacked off. I really see a difference by using it. I cook my scrambled eggs in it, mix it with olive oil to use on salads, and use it as a skin cream! emoticon
CANDYGIRL1980 10/27/2010 12:34:00 PM

    I use coconut oil too! Its chocked full of benefits for internal and external body. Just make sure you buy organic virgin coconut oil and not refined.
MAURICEINCA 10/26/2010 11:41:00 PM

    Where do you buy coconut oil?
ASHLEYELAYNE08 10/26/2010 12:24:00 PM

    where do you get coconut oil? Is it expensive? Any recipes? Thanks!! =)
JOYGERM67 10/26/2010 6:09:00 AM

    Hi, I'm new to SP. How do you use coconut oil? eat it, put in on your skin?? Help me understand. thx!

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Posts Tagged ‘GOA’

Merchandizing Trip

This August at the Lizard Lounge in Portland, Oregon, Horny Toad and Grassroots Outdoor Alliance hosted the three winners of their 2012 Merchandizing Intensive Contest.  Entrants were asked to write an essay describing why they would like to develop their expertise as visual merchandisers.  Though there were many strong submissions, the essays of Josh Legg from Rock/Creek, Sarah Merrell […]

Find the Youth.

We had a post a few months ago about Tooth in Time Traders, a specialty outdoor retailer who caters to the youth market. This article got us thinking about what information is available to outdoor retailers who want to focus on marketing to youth. After all, it’s summer and time for everyone to enjoy the […]

Simply Inspired Sunflowers

Sometimes we really want something simple, easy and visually inspired to support our merchandising stories but find ourselves out of cost-effective ideas. We think this sunflower is fresh-looking – and it’s super easy to make from recycled paper or old posters
. A Quick How-to: Cut your old paper/posters into A3 size. Roll each piece to […]

The Writing Is On The Wall

Visual merchandising is the art of presenting product in a retail setting with the purpose of increasing store traffic and sales. Communicating what is unique and different about the product and telling a story about it will increase your sales.  A super simple way to tell a story or give your consumer a specific message […]


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Paneer Butter Masala

Serving for - 2 Ingredients Paneer - 1 cup (40-45 small sized cubes) Onion - 1 ...

Serving for - 2

Paneer - 1 cup (40-45 small sized cubes)
Onion - 1
Tomatoes - 2 (medium sized)
Cloves of garlic - 4
Ginger - 1 inch piece
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Cumin powder - 1 tsp
Garam masala - 1 tsp
Red chili powder - 1 tsp
Pinch of asafoetida
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Kasoori Methi - 1 tbsp
Butter - 2 tbsp
Oil - 2 tbsp
Whipping cream - 2-3 tbsp
Salt to taste

  • Heat oil in a pan. Add paneer cubes and fry till they get slight brown color. Transfer them on paper towel.
  • In the same oil, add chopped onion and saute till slight brown color. Add in ginger, garlic and tomato cubes. Cook till tomatoes turn soft. Then add kasoori methi. Mix this up really well and cook for 2-3 minutes. Let the mixture cool down. Add in to blender and make a smooth puree by adding water. Strain this puree and keep it aside. Strained puree will give smooth texture to the gravy.
  • Heat butter in a pan. Add strained puree and salt to taste. Let it cook for 8-10 minutes till moisture evaporates. Then add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, pinch of asafoetida and garam masala. Cook for a minute.
  • Add fried paneer cubes and mix well. Cook for 2 minutes. Finally, add whipping cream and reduce the heat. Let the gravy simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes. Serve hot with naan or roti. I served this with naan. Click here to see recipe - Naan Recipe.

Vegetarian(Curry and Subzi Recipes) 8722508454825847799

Post a Comment

  1. I made paneer butter masala on friday, I like the way you have strained the pulp off, it helps to have a smooth sauce.

  2. I have never tried paneer, but yours looks delicious and I would love to try it:)

  3. My fav gravy, perfect for rotis...Looks yummy!!

  4. This looks so delicious.

  5. Inviting and very tempting paneer !!

    Ongoing event CC:Spring Seasonal Food

  6. Wow that was so delicious n inviting...

  7. Seriously i dont mind having this yummy paneer masala with some rotis for my dinner..

  8. I really love this dish and your picture is making me drool all over the computer. I want to tuck into it right now with a naan bread.

  9. Oh boy, these pictures are making me very hungry. Love paneer...looks yummm:)

  10. ooooooooooooooooohhh haye haye drooolinggggggggggggggggggggg

  11. love the rich color..delish combo

  12. Yummy Paneer Butter Masala..

    Awards waiting for you in my space. Do stop by to collect them..

  13. wow...very rich and delicious curry...loved your pictorials...neatly presented!

  14. My all time favourite dish!! Looks mouth watering!!

  15. Hi Poonam please I don't know what I should say to you ..but please stop posting these dishes..or side by side give some exercise tips also to control my that I can enjoy it....hahaha:):):) looks yummy and whenever I prepare it my whole family enjoys it a lot.

  16. Y this tempting me... :( Happy to follow u...

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SPIP 1.7, SPIP 1.7.2

April 2004 — updated on : August 2010

All the versions of this article:

[SPIP 1.7.2] introduces several new criteria and tags, as well as some bug corrections, most specifically:

SPIP in Chinese

Chinese has just been added to the list of available languages: Arab, Bulgarian, Réunion Creole, Danish, German, English, Esperanto, Spanish, Farsi, French, Galician, Italian, Dutch, Occitan (7 versions), Polish, Portugese, Vietnamese... and now Chinese!

Automatic creation of vignette thumbnails

— Rather than GD, you can choose to use ImageMagick if that library exists on the server in the form of the "imagick" PHP module, or as the command line instruction "convert". (NB: if you use fink (Mac OS X), you must specify the access path /sw/bin/convert in the inc_version.php3) file. ImageMagick generally provides better graphical results.
— Whether you use the GD or ImageMagick library, the thumbnails are now recreated whenever they are needed (so they can now be deleted if you change the method of creation or he size of the thumbnails).
— Attention: You will need to open the site advanced configuration page to select your preferred method for generating thumbnails. If several methods are available, click on the image that looks the best; if "imagick" is there, it’s better to choose it in favour of "convert": the method used to call the library is "cleaner".

Optional criteria

Optional criteria make it possible to have loops that can be used for several different purposes: The new syntax means you only need to add a question mark to a criteria for it only to be taken into consideration if a suitable value is passed into the context. As an example, this can be used to enormously simplify the loops in the backend-dist.html, while still making it possible to specify that we want the backend "restricted to articles written in creole" (backend.php3?lang=cpf) or "from section 7 and its sub-sections" (backend.php3?id_rubrique=7).

In the latter case, then loop would now be:

Handy tools to complete the multilingual armory:

— the {lang_select} criterion is used to force the selection of the language for the (AUTEURS) loop, which is not normally the case (in its inverse, the {lang_select=non} criteria is used to tell the (ARTICLES), (RUBRIQUES) or (BREVES) loops to not select the language).

— the $forcer_lang customisation variable tells SPIP that it must check to see if the site visitor has a language cookie, and if they do, then to pass it as an active parameter to the corresponding page. This is what the login page for the private zone does in the SPIP standard distribution.

— the #MENU_LANG (and #MENU_LANG_ECRIRE) tags display a menu of languages that allow the visitor to view "this page in..." a variety of languages. The first tag displays the list of the site’s languages, the second one lists all of the available languages in the private zone (and is used on the private zone login screen).

— finally, the optional criteria can allow a given loop (in fact, a given squelette template file) to display with the articles of the site in all languages, or just the articles in the language passed in the URL. This can be useful, for example, inside search loops:

Small bonuses

— SPIP 1.7.1 introduced a bug with bullets which would not respect paragraph markers that preceded them.
— the statistics display now offers a "preview" of the results at the end of the day based on the average (of site visits) and the popularity of the article (for article visits). Make of it what you will...

* * *

SPIP 1.7.1 has some enhancements which are detailed below.

Search engine:

-  Indexing of petitions and forums. Note that forums are indexed by thread, and not message after message.

-  Optimisation of sorting {by points}: articles containing the exact words that are requested get many more points than those containing only words starting with the requested words; in the same way, if a request concerns several words, the articles containing all of those words will now be returned at the top of the list. So the search engine now gives much more relevant results.

-  Enhancement of the search engine for articles in German and in Vietnamese:

  • in German, you can type either "über", or "ueber", or "uber", to find the first of these three words ("über"): "ueber" is the "complex" transliteration while "uber" is the simple one.
  • in Vietnamese, a language with many and various kinds of accents, to find the word "Người" with all its accents you can type it:
    • either with the right accents
    • or as "nguoi" — without any accents
    • or as "ngu7", accents being internally transcoded into numbers.
    • Technical note : to allow searches in the "ngu+" form — i.e. directly in the usual transliteration of Vietnamese as seen on the Internet — the $_GET['recherche'] variable has to be processed beforehand in order for the '`?~.^+(- to be replaced by 123456789 transcoding. Of course SPIP can’t provide such processing by default because it applies only to researches made in the Vietnamese language.

-  Search result highlighting is utf-8 compatible.

In the templates:

-  The {tout} criterion in a (RUBRIQUES) loop will also return sections that are empty sections too.
-  The #EXPOSER tag can be used to highlight the path to an article in section or article lists (See Highlighting an item in a list)
-  A new filter for backend files: |texte_backend
-  Systematic removal of title-numbers in forum reply posts.
-  Requesting a template with a lang=... parameter is now possible.
-  In the same way <INCLUDE(...){lang}> or <INCLUDE(...){lang=xx}> are working at last, and are able to fetch a template that’s more precisely defined by a language (article.xx.html file).
-  Addition of id_auteur in (FORUMS) loops.
-  It is possible to use a {url==...} criterion in (SYNDIC_ARTICLES) loops.
-  Addition of the #URL_AUTEUR tag.
-  The |couper{} filter has been spruced up, especially for very short lengths. So [(#TITRE|couper{5})] will fetch exactly 5 characters.
-  The |reduire_image filter enables image-size reduction on the fly, either by using the gd (or gd2) library if it’s present, or by writing width=... height=.... inside the generated HTML code.

Typographical shortcuts:

-  A <poesie>...</poesie> tag has been added to enable verse (poems or songs) to be typed with the appropriate line breaks.

-  Multiple exclamations are better managed (in French, as in "Whoah!??!!").

In the private area:

-  In the "Complete interface" mode the ecrire/articles.php3?id_article=x page makes revision of non-breakable spaces easier by highlighting them in light grey — the setting has to be made in the ecrire/mes_options.php3 file (you’ll have to create one if you haven’t already done so).
-  Mail buttons in the authors’ list have been restored.

Experimental features:

-  entry points have been made in typo() and propre() for special patches
-  the $cookie_path option has been added to hack SPIP with external scripts like Spikini).

* * *

SPIP 1.7 (January, 3rd 2004) completed the internationalisation of the system by introducing the much requested function of multilingual site creation. The official site, hosted at http://www.spip.net, is itself multilingual (by the way, volunteers to expand the translations are always welcome: you can meet us at: http://www.spip.net/rubrique4.html).

Database backups

You are strongly advised to back up your database before updating SPIP. To achieve this, go to "Site Administration" in the private area and click on "Site maintenance" and "Backup the database". Once the database is backed up (to complete the backup, you need to create a file with a special name in the directory "ecrire/data"), you can retrieve the resulting file (dump.xml or dump.xml.gz).

After completing the backup, you can update SPIP as explained below.

If you encounter any problem and you need to restore the backup: start by reinstalling the SPIP version with which you made that backup (VERY IMPORTANT)! Do not try to restore a backup made with version 1.6 (for instance) under version 1.7! Once you reinstall the right version of SPIP, you can restore the backup you created earlier.

Also, remember that to obtain a full backup, you need to copy the contents of the "IMG/" directory to a safe place. This directory contains all the logos, images and documents that you uploaded from the private area.

Important: this backup is only a precaution. Do not try to restore if everything went well with the update. Also, do not delete the database before the update; it would be risky to do so, and is pointless.

You can update SPIP using the usual procedure. You have two alternatives:

-  Use the automatic installer, spip_loader.php3: this file, which you can find at http://www.spip.net/spip-dev/INSTALL, will automatically overwrite your current version with version 1.7.

Note: if the automated installation is not compatible with your system, spip_loader.php3 will warn you. You will then have to use the manual installation described below.

-  Manually download SPIP 1.7 to your site. To achieve this you must:

1. Choose one of the archives in the directory http://www.spip.net/spip-dev/DISTRIB; you can choose the complete version (containing all the languages) or a monolingual version containing only one language but which is faster to download.

2. Download this archive to your computer and extract the files with a suitable application (Winzip under Windows for example).

3. Upload the files extracted to your web site using FTP. It goes without saying that the files should be uploaded to the same location as the previous version.

Once the new version is in place, you must let the system update the database: you will be required to create a file (or a folder) with a special name in the directory "ecrire/data". This precaution is there to insure that the person who is performing the update is authorised to do so.

Note: if a subsequent problem prevents you from accessing the private area of your site, you can create a new access simply by deleting the file inc_connect.php3 from the "ecrire" directory, which triggers a new installation procedure.

Once SPIP is updated, you can start enjoying the new features of version 1.7 which are detailed below.

Good luck and happy publishing.

Multilingual sites

SPIP version 1.6 was enriched with a number of translations making it possible to use the private area in various languages, and thus widening the use of SPIP to authors of different languages. Version 1.7 enhances this feature by allowing a multilingual public site without any installation effort (except the modification of some configuration options). This major functionality (which covers various aspects like displaying dates and forms and the management of translated articles) is the subject of a separate document.

Several tools dedicated to multilingual management have made their appearance in version 1.7:

-  Special configuration options
-  A system of translation management between articles
-  A page dedicated to the translation management by language
-  A bundle of already translated strings in different languages for the public site

Follow up of the translation

The range of the languages available has grown significantly. To date, SPIP’s editing interface has been translated into the following languages:
-  French
-  English
-  Chinese
-  Dutch
-  Vietnamese
-  Spanish
-  Arabic
-  Farsi
-  Creoles and pidgins, French-based
-  German
-  Danish
-  Esperanto
-  Italian
-  Galician
-  Bulgarian
-  Polish
-  Catalan
-  Seven different variations of Occitan: Niçard, Languedocien, Gascon, Provençau, Auvergnat, Vivaro-Alpin and Limousin.

Your public site takes advantage of these translations thanks to a system of already translated texts provided with SPIP. You can see this system in action in the default templates of SPIP 1.7: change the language of the site or an article, refresh the corresponding public page and the common texts (navigation, dates, forms...) will be displayed in the chosen language.

The documentation itself is gradually being translated into various languages on our official site http://www.spip.net. This is a very significant piece of work, and there is plenty of room for more translators (See the translator’s section - L’espace des traducteurs).

Other significant modifications

Private area:

-  A graphical tool bar catering for the most significant formatting shortcuts has been added above the text editing box for articles, news items and forums. It makes it possible for beginners to make use of the main typographical shortcuts by using the tool bar buttons rather than their keyboard equivalents.

-  At the login screen, users can now choose to remain logged in for a few days. This avoids having to re-enters their passwords too often.

-  The personal agenda has been completely revamped.

JPEG - 20 kb
Monthly calendar
The calendar interface distinguishes editorial elements (publishing of articles and news items) and appointments (general announcements and personal messages).
JPEG - 22.4 kb
Display of a day
The main column displays all the appointments. The colour code allows the identification of memos (blue), appointments with other participants (green) and general appointments (yellow).
In the left column, a button makes it possible to come back to today’s date and simplified calendars ease the navigation from one day to another.
In the right column, the next day is displayed.

-  A page for the remote monitoring of the site’s activity allows the retrieval of the syndication address (Really Simple Syndication) and the injection of the site’s activity into a calendar (in iCal format).

-  New Navigation system for the whole site.

GIF - 49.7 kb
The new navigation system

Public site:

-  Addition of the #DATE tag for the DOCUMENTS loop.

Minor corrections and additions

Private area:

-  It is now possible to configure a sender’s email address for mails from the site (if it is left empty, the apparent address of the sender is identical to that of the recipient, as with previous versions).

-  When updating the database, SPIP initially checks if the permissions are sufficient and displays an error message if they are not.

-  The display of referrers has been completely revamped.

-  Two additional configuration variables for mes_options.php3: you can now configure whether SPIP will ignore connections by REMOTE_USER (htaccess) and/or HTTP authentication.

-  Passwords can now contain accents (with an 8-bit character set of the ISO-8859-1 type, not UTF-8)

Public site, templates:

-  When a message is submitted to a public forum, the name and e-mail of the sender are stored and fed automatically to a form if the sender posts other messages during the same session. This will spare the need to type one’s name again and again in case of an extensive participation in the forums.

-  Pages corresponding to an unpublished article are no longer stored in the cache.

-  An error message is now displayed instead of a blank page when the server cannot generate a page and it is not in the cache (for example, when using the search engine during a MySQL failure).

-  More precise handling of MySQL errors in the templates.

-  Correction of a small bug in the public forums. In certain cases, the page was not automatically regenerated after a comment had been submitted.

-  Correction of the doublons bug with the HIERARCHIE loop.

-  For hackers there is now the possibility of redefining the #INTRODUCTION tag by placing a new function introduction(...) in mes_fonctions.php3. As a start, you could base this function on calcul_introduction which is in inc-calcul.php3.

Site content and miscellaneous:

-  Addition of nom_site and url_site fields to articles, to be activated, under the name of "hypertext link", in the configuration of the site (#NOM_SITE and #URL_SITE tags allow these values to be displayed).

-  Support of Arabic character sets (Windows-1256 and ISO-8859-6).

-  Configuration of the URL for the external glossary (for "[?search word]" shortcuts) is now more flexible. It has the form "url_glossary_with_%s", where %s is replaced by the term sought after".

-  MySQL 4.1.0 compatibility.

-  Introduction of a load management mechanism (intended for the host server): when SPIP detects the presence of a file named lock in ecrire/data/ and providing this file is not too old (less than 10 minutes), it avoids making unnecessary calculations such as indexing, statistics, etc..

-  New typographical shortcut "<quote>...</quote>", to quote a piece of text (useful in the public forums).

-  Other optimisations and enhancements.

Show the template of this page Site powered by SPIP | Translation area | Private area