Monthly Archives: December 2009

As bandwidth consumption continues to grow, TelecomSupportDesk.com – a telecom master agent specializing in high bandwidth circuits and customized network designs – is seeing an increased demand for bigger bandwidth pipes. 2010 will be the year of a huge explosion in the demand for bigger bandwidth pipes. Growing trends in shared cloud computing & centralized private clouds as well as the increase in the consumer demand for bandwidth seem major driving factors.
As an authorized AboveNet agent, TelecomSupportDesk often relies on their fiber optic network. “When a business comes to us looking for high bandwidth from 100Mbps, 1Gpbs even to 10Gbps metro Ethernet solutions, chances are high that AboveNet is the right solution for them,” Mr. Wind (VP of Sales at TelecomSupportdesk.com) comments. “Especially the extreme low latency fiber optics (as low as 1 ms both ways) between two locations is why AboveNet often wins the deal. A low latency route can be extremely crucial for financial institutions as a change in milliseconds can often mean losses of millions in financial trades or transactions.”
In a recent interview with TelecomSupportDesk.com Michael Brown, AboveNet’s VP of Indirect and Carrier Sales, explains how AboveNet has been able to build such an extensive, national fiber network and what differentiates them from other fiber connectivity providers. He also discusses the importance of disaster recovery and business continuity, as well as the importance that low latency can play in a network.
“AboveNet was founded over 15 years ago and started out by an electrical contractor. They had to fight the City of New York to get a franchise agreement to put fiber optic cabling in the ground in order to compete with the ILECs. This is a very capital intensive business and required additional funding. The Metromedia Group decided to invest in the company and changed the name to Metromedia Fiber Network.”
Metromedia Fiber Network had quite an explosive growth in the late ‘90s which occurred as a lot of the telecom companies of the ‘90s were restructuring. They reorganized as AboveNet, Inc. in 2003 and today they are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ABVT).
“By having gone through this reorganization we have developed a financial discipline and a success-based model,” Michael Brown continues. “We were one of the early companies that got into building metro fiber networks. We used to own datacenters, managed service providers within datacenters and carrier neutral peering which we sold years ago. And with that we went back to our roots, which is being a metro access connectivity provider enabled by dark fiber.”
MW: For those unfamiliar with it, could you please explain the term Dark Fiber?
MB: Dark fiber is a strand of optical fiber with no electronics or optical gear at either end, hence it is dark and not lit up with a laser.
MW: What is the biggest differentiator between AboveNet and other carriers offering fiber routes?
MB: AboveNet has spent considerable time and money building fiber routes in about 15 metros in the US and London. No company is going to spend that much today to build these ubiquitous fiber rich routes nor is anyone going to lend the money to do so. We may have a few competitors in a market here and there, but they are typically local players. Often these competitors are a utility company that has some utility right-of- way, and even though it is not their market, they figured they would put some fiber in the ground. But at the end of the day – whether it is a water utility or a power utility company – if there is a water break or if a power line goes down because of an ice storm, they are likely to be focused on restoring the electricity or water, and after that they are going to look at restoring the fiber. Remember, their main business and responsibility is being a utilities company. So we (AboveNet) may have some competitors in markets, but they are not in all our markets and typically it is not their primary business but just an additional revenue stream for the company.
Beyond that, what also differentiates us is the way we have constructed. Where we could, we have put in multiple conduits. These are 4 inch PVC ducts with three 1.25 inch innerducts where we could put large count fiber cables in, 432 or 864 counts of fiber strands. And when we exhaust the 432 or 864 fiber cable, we still have two more innerducts or another duct itself to pull our fiber through. By having constructed like this we have really made it easy and cost effective for AboveNet to expand. The big cost in building a fiber network is the construction, so if all you have to do to expand a route is pull more fiber through an innerduct, it is infinitely cheaper than having to dig up the ground. Most of our competitors never built with that design philosophy. They put one 96 count cable in the ground and that was it. They have no way of adding to it. Or because they were trying to squeeze it in near a utility line, they couldn’t put in a large conduit system and had to squeeze in a single fiber run with limited amounts of fiber.
MW: So that would mean that AboveNet can expand more easily?
MB: Correct. We are in more markets, we can expand more easily, and we have higher count fiber cables. But at least as important is that we have put in the latest generation fiber types in the ground. There is something called non-zero dispersion shifted fiber. This type of fiber has been designed for dense wave division multiplexing and works at the 1550 nanometer wavelength range. Most fiber that is in the ground is called SMF-28 or just standard single mode fiber and is optimized for 1310 nanometers, which is where SONET gear operates. AboveNet has composite cables that have a combination of both the standard single mode (SMF-28) and the non-zero dispersion shifted. Whether it is Lucent TrueWave or Corning LEAF, we have those fiber types in the ground. And they are optimized to support dense wave division multiplexing, which is what most carriers and enterprises are looking at to deploy. They want a dense wave network supporting all their applications, and not a SONET based TDM network.
When we built the routes we really tried to honeycomb the central business districts, and we built quite extensive backbones in the cities we are in. And we would build these backbones along right-of-ways that our competitors don’t have and where we could we would bury our fiber. For example, our network in Chicago, which is a HUGE network that goes all the way from Lake Michigan to Hoffman Estates in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, and to Lisle in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, it is nearly all under ground. Some of it is built along the Illinois DOT system and in many segments no one else is along many of those right-of-ways. So we have built an extensive system, we built it underground where we could, and we built it along right-of-ways that are unique to AboveNet.
So to sum up what differentiates AboveNet is we:
* Are in more markets
* Can easily add more fiber
* Have a better type of fiber
* Have an excellent presence in central business districts out to the far suburbs
* Are in 15 metro markets
* Are focused primarily on fiber optical networks
* Have unique rights of way
* Have buried the vast majority of our fiber for safety
No one else can really talk to that; it’s a unique value proposition. That’s really why we think we have a huge differentiation between our fiber and other carriers offering fiber.
Since we are not a retail provider we’re not offering dial tone, we don’t offer frame relay. Our fiber doesn’t have to go to every CO (Central Office). In fact, our fiber even avoids COs. The ILEC goes to EVERY CO.
MW: And what about CLECS?
MB: Well guess what? They have got to pick up their UNEs (unbundled network elements), their copper loops at a specific CO. We avoid that. So we will typically have the shortest path between point A and point B. That means we can offer low latency and that is extremely important in so many industries today.
MW: Yes, didn’t AboveNet recently win a big deal from the NYSE because of the low latency network? MB: Yes we did. We’re there – http://abovenet.com/newsandevents/pressreleases/pr090721.php They’r one of many financial customers and exchanges that use AboveNet because our fiber optic network can support the highest capacity and the lowest latency.
MW: Aside from financial institutions are there other industries that have such high requirements?
MB: Oh yes, there really are many markets that have such requirements. Media and entertainment where production, post-production, and editing collaborate and send huge digital files back and forth. But also social networking, we count almost every social network as our customer. I don’t know if you have any children but mine are on the bigger social networking sites and they definitely notice when there is any lag in the network. So they do not just need a network that can transport a lot of data; they need a network that can support that traffic with a low latency. That also goes for online gaming. My children are on Xbox live and heaven forbids if the gaming network is lagging, they will notice instantly. So many different industries require low latency; it’s really not just financial services anymore.
One of the most important applications for low latency, which really is applicable to every single industry, is disaster recovery and business continuity. If you are doing disc replication, especially synchronous disc replication (which is also known as disc mirroring or disc shadowing), where you are writing simultaneously to two different disc drives at two different locations, you HAVE to have a low latency network. It won’t work above particular latency or attenuation numbers. A low latency network is the number one determining factor that people are going to look at when deciding how they are going to deploy their disaster recovery and business continuity strategy.
MW: How important would you say a disaster recovery and business continuity plan is?
MB: Oh extremely important! There are many studies that have shown that most companies that do not have such a business continuity and disaster recovery strategy and network in place are in big trouble when they lose critical customer data. In fact, studies have shown that many firms do not survive the following year after a disaster if they did not have a recovery plan in place. It can cripple their business.
MW: We at TelecomSupportDesk.com found many clients with a great interest in your DS3-Killer (aka Terminator) promotion. Why do you think that companies should drop their DS3’s for AboveNet’s fiber metro Ethernet?
MB: The first reason is that a DS3 can’t provide you with more than 45Mbps. We can start you on a 100 megs and take you up to a 10 gig port. Most companies I know require more and more scalable bandwidth, well above DS3. Or they want to be able to burst.
Additionally, with a DS3 you’re probably still using copper technology, likely from the LEC or what the CLEC is providing. For disaster recovery, anyone selling a DS3 circuit probably comes to the building on the same pathway. That’s not much diversity. AboveNet typically comes in with our own infrastructure, as diverse as possible from the ILEC.
Therefore not only can we offer expandability above DS3 speeds, we can do it on our own infrastructure, diverse from the ILEC and we can provide you with native Ethernet. So you won’t be going on DS3 technology, you won’t be going on a SONET ring. Instead of packets over SONET, we offer native Ethernet which is what most companies like. They understand Ethernet, have it in their Local Area Network (LAN), and now they want it in their Wide Area Network (WAN). With our technology, we can converge your Ethernet and IP traffic.
MW: Could you give an example of that?
MB: Let’s say you want to go from your location to a datacenter and you also want to get IP at that datacenter. Perhaps you want to do server virtualization, disc mirroring, or you have signed up for cloud computing for enhanced CPU cycles and disc storing done remotely. In such a scenario you would want to get a low latency fiber tail from us, with whatever port speed and burst ability you need.
For more information about AboveNet’s fiber optic high bandwidth solutions, please contact TelecomSupportdesk.com or AboveNet directly.
About AboveNet, Inc.
AboveNet, Inc. provides high-bandwidth connectivity solutions for business and carriers. Its private optical network delivers key network and IP services in and among 15 top U.S. metro markets and London. AboveNet’s network is widely used in demanding markets such as financial services, media, health care, retail and government.

Source: WEBWIRE

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Personal Support Workers Needed In Response To Increasing Health Care Demands

HAMILTON, Ontario (December 29, 2009) – As the population ages and the need for long-term care continues to grow, so does the need for personal care workers (PSWs). The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has made a $107 million commitment to add 873 PSW positions to the health care community*, and Everest College of Business, Technology and Healthcare – Hamilton Mountain responds with its newest Personal Support Worker diploma program.
During the six-month long Personal Support Worker program, students will gain the required personal and occupational skills needed to care for people affected by aging, disability or illness. Basic skills include responding to the emotional and physical needs of the patients, promoting physical and mental activation, observing and communicating with patients, handling specialized equipment, and providing personal and physical care. Additionally, students will learn a range of motion exercises, transferring and ambulating independent and dependent clients, assisting patients at mealtime, the nursing process, and such diseases as dementia and Alzheimer’s and much more. A mandatory clinical placement is included.
Personal Support Worker courses include:
• Individuality of the Person
• Role of the Worker
• Interpersonal Skills
• Safety
• Assisting a Person with Mobility
• Abuse
• Household Management and Meal Preparation
• Providing Optimal Support/Care Planning
• Assisting a Person with Personal Hygiene
• Assisting the Family
• Cognitive Impairment and Mental Health Issues
• Assisting a Person to Manage Ongoing Conditions
• Assisting a Person with Medications
• Assisting a Person Who is Dying
• Student Success Strategies
• Professional Skills
• Career and Employment Strategies
“As the need for long-term care continues to increase in our community, it’s important that we be ready with health care training that produces quality candidates to meet that need,” said Connie Greubel, president of the Everest College – Hamilton Mountain campus. “Personal support workers are the backbone of the health care industry an we are pleased to begin enrolling for the PSW course.”
About Everest
Everest College – Hamilton Mountain, located at 1039 Upper James Street, Hamilton, ON L9C 3A7, provides career-oriented diploma programs in business and accounting, health care, social work, technology, fitness and beauty, administration, legal and law enforcement. Everest College of Business, Technology and Healthcare is owned by Corinthian Colleges, Inc., one of the largest post-secondary education companies in North America, and has more than 100 schools in the U.S. and Canada. The Hamilton Mountain and Hamilton City Centre campuses serve the Niagara, and St. Catharines communities. For more information, visit http://www.Everest.ca.
* 2009-2010 annual report for the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
(http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/ministry_annual/annual_re…)

Source: WEBWIRE

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Criminal Justice Education Program Supports Community Law Enforcement Efforts

TACOMA, Wash. (December 29, 2009) – With 2,304,115 prisoners incarcerated in federal, state or local prisons and jails as of 2008*, the need for law enforcement professionals continues to increase. Everest College – Tacoma answers the call with its newest program, Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice.
The 24-month criminal justice degree program is designed to teach students the necessary skills for an entry-level position in the law enforcement career field. The program also includes a comprehensive study of the national criminal justice system, correctional organizations and law enforcement agencies.
“Graduates from this new program will ultimately serve and protect our community,” said Tim Allen, president of the Everest Tacoma campus. “Our students will gain invaluable insights into the criminal mind, as well as learn communicative, critical-thinking, research and organizational skills as a foundation for a successful criminal justice career
Courses focus on:
• Criminology
• Criminal Evidence
• Criminal Procedure
• Criminal Investigations
• Criminal Justice Communications
• Introduction to Terrorism
• Introduction to Corrections
Everest’s Career Services team is dedicated to assisting students in finding employment upon graduation. Career opportunities for a graduate with an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice include entry-level positions in corrections, probation, immigration, security, social services and administration.
About Everest
Everest College – Tacoma, located at 2156 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, WA 98402, provides career-oriented diploma and degree programs in criminal justice, business, pharmacy technician, medical insurance billing and coding, dental assisting and medical assisting. Everest College has five other locations in the state of Washington including Bremerton, Everett, Renton, Seattle and Fife, and has more than 100 schools throughout the U.S. and Canada. Everest, owned by Corinthian Colleges, Inc., is one of the largest post-secondary education companies in North America. For more information, visit http://www.everest.edu.
* Statistics for 2008, as reported by the U.S. Department of Jusitce, Bureau of Justice Statistics.
(http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/prisons.htm)

Source: WEBWIRE

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Miami, FL, December 29 2009 – Electroniccigarettetavern.com today announced the launch of their new blog that aims to spread the word about this new device that can potentially save the lives of millions.
These new devices are offering smokers everywhere the same pleasure of smoking, without the tar, tobacco, carbon-manoxide and thousands of other harmful chemicals found in traditional cigarettes. The e cigarette is virtually odorless and does not emit the harmful second hand smoke that traditional cigarettes produce. Instead the byproduct is an odorless vapor that evaporates in seconds rendering them harmless.
“Although the electronic cigarette has become very popular over the last year or so, there are still millions of smokers who are not aware of its existence,” states electroniccigarettetavern.com founder, Ray Fitch. “Our goal is to enlighten these people to a safer alternative that can potentially save their lives.”
The new blog covers a wide range to topics including electronic cigarette health information, news relating to the e cigarette and a wide range of topics related to cigarette smoking and its effects.
“We get into many topics that we feel will either help the average smoker use this new device as a safer alternative to smoking, or help them to kick the habit all together,” says Fitch.
The blog currently features over 70 articles with fresh, informative articles added on a regular basis.
To begin learning about how the electronic cigarette can change lives, visit http://www.electroniccigarettetavern.com.

Source: WEBWIRE

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’We import direct… you save directly’
Sokol is an online wholesaler specialising in the highest quality replica and designer furniture. We sell direct to the public, and as an importer we offer significantly discounted prices to our customers.
Our range includes popular replica reproductions such as Eames, Phillipe Starck, Ron Arad, Eero Aarnio and others. Our showroom is open Monday to Friday from 12pm to 5pm to both trade and the general public.
We use a national freight carrier and offer discount freight rates throughout Australia. All items in stock will be shipped within 2 business days and delivered within 7 days of order.
A warranty and 7 day return policy is also included on all items sold. Sokol is an Australian business all transactions include GST and will be billed in Australian dollars.
For further information, please call Bianca on (03) 9429 7990 or email to: bianca@sokol.com.au
Brand New Showroom
Now Open
Hours: Monday to Friday
12pm – 5pm
or by appointment
Address: Unit 15, 2 Bromham Place, Richmond Vic 3121
Phone: (03) 9429 7990

Source: WEBWIRE

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Sugar Land, TX — In what has become a trend, top talent continues to make its way to Wealth Masters International (WMI). The latest addition comes in the form of internationally recognized Network Marketing and Direct Sales superstar, Michael Hamburger. As VP of Marketing, Hamburger brings his multi-dimensional expertise as Trainer, Speaker, Mentor, and Entrepreneur to WMI’s already impressive pool of talent.
“As we approach the launch of the “new” Wealth Masters in 2010, the addition of Michael to WMI’s corporate team is one of the last major pieces to the puzzle. Michael’s reputation and proven success will enable him to successfully train existing Consultants on our more traditional marketing approach and to also attract top producers throughout the industry. With Carbon Copy Pros’ industry leading expertise we have the air game covered… now, we will have the ground game as well” said Kip Herriage, CEO and Co-Founder of Wealth Masters International.
Once again we have attracted a top marketer and one of the premiere team builders in the industry. It is no coincidence Michael Hamburger is now a member of the WMI Family. Quality companies always attract quality leaders. Going into the next decade of the 21st century, we are excited about the growth, the numbers and the lives Michael will help us positively impact in the coming years said Karl Bessey, President and Co-Founder of Wealth Masters International.
Specializing in all levels of Marketing, the role of VP of Marketing will come as one of familiar territory to Hamburger. “I believe that the signature of the best companies in the home business industry are created by empowering their members with the right tools, a simple proven system, world class products and a lucrative compensation plan while focusing on the right goals, shares Michael Hamburger. Wealth Masters International is poised as the industry leader and joining the WMI team was a no-brainer. I am committed to our WMI members around the globe and excited to assist in the worldwide expansion and growth. Kip and Karl have assembled a great team of marketers, along with the world’s best products that have no competition in our unique space in the market. I feel that by joining the Wealth Masters International team, I now have the great honor of assisting people around the world in not only improving their income but also in improving their financial intelligence. Leslie and I look forward to contributing to the WMI culture and community for years to come
Focusing on Team Building, Business Development, Personal Development, Marketing in today’s high tech/low tech environment, Prospecting, Lead Generation, Leadership, Teleconference, Home Business Management, Mindset Training, and Corporate Training, his experience and sustainable results are time tested and proven. Michael’s track record within Network Marketing is apparent, as countless industry top income earners created their mark within the industry by utilizing his services, which have benefited thousands of entrepreneurs and direct sales professionals on a global scale.
WMI’s newest addition signifies its continued success and increasing growth. On January 30th, the company will celebrate their 5th year in business with a birthday bash in Houston, TX where they will further unveil what the future holds for the company and its Members. During a time when competitors are falling by the wayside, Wealth Masters is continuing to add top talent and finding ways to provide its members with the most innovative and effective financial tools in the industry. When one considers its unmatched success it’s no surprise that the industry’s leaders are flocking towards Wealth Masters International.
About Wealth Masters International:
Wealth Masters International is a Texas based L.L.C incorporated in January 2005. They are at the forefront of promoting the best financial education and providing their members with a platform for securing life-changing wealth and success.
In just a few short years, Wealth Masters International has propelled itself as the leading company in its respected industry, due to their ability to combine exceptional products with a business opportunity that is geared towards generating unlimited prosperity.
In these uncertain economic times one company is bucking the trend, hiring top talent, and treating its members to lavish events akin to the lavish lifestyle it represents.
For more information regarding this topic, please visit www.wmitoday.com or contact WMI directly at (832) 532-7655.

Source: WEBWIRE

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Twice Verified, known for customer acquisition, launches a website dedicated to Reputation Management, TwiceVerified Reputations, and announces its Twitter account, @SERManagement. These new media channels compliments their customer acquisition marketing services.

Twice Verified, Inc. continues to promote their reputation management service – this time through a website dedicated to protecting online reputations: TwiceVerified Reputations, and a Twitter account: @SERManagement.
The website, found at http://sites.google.com/site/twiceverifiedreputations, features free tips for online reputation management along with the requisite contact and background information.
Twice Verified has been a player in the reputation management industry for years as an add-on service to their customer acquisition services for brand-oriented financial services companies. Reputation Management has become a hot topic in the last year or so as consumer message boards provide a venue to self publish anything on any company.
A company’s reputation, or brand, can be marred with a few keystrokes and an irate consumer. With a tightening economy, more and more companies are coming under attack for customer service and quality issues, and consumers need more out of each dollar. Reputation management allows the companies to take control and help prevent small issues from ballooning into large public issues.
With a new website comes a partner account on Twitter, http://twitter.com/sermanagement. SERM stands for Search Engine Reputation Management and Twice Verified is using Twitter to help spread the word to prospective clients.
Twice Verified continues to build its own reputation with each new media launch and proves, again, why they are well respected in their industry.

Source: WEBWIRE

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PrintUSB, a leader in USB hardware and software development, recently introduced its FlashCopier 84 port and software, which allows its customers to copy up to 500 USBs at once.
What this means to companies is the ability to have unlimited capacity to copy USBs and distribute them faster and cheaper. Customers can either purchase the copier units or have PrintUSB use its equipment to do the job for them.
A single unit can copy up to 100 USBs, and PrintUSBs unique system allows its customers to create a FlashCopier Farm by connecting several units, all controlled from a single computer console. The farm works so well, that the only limit to the connection capabilities is the existing software.
The FlashCopier 84 uses a state-of-the-art Intel multi-core CPU and is operated with Windows XP Professional. PrintUSB has a fully customized set up designed specifically to work with unique built-in USB multiplexers and optimized to run on the software provided.
The unit utilizes the latest developments in USB technology, providing a high bandwidth data bus that allows data to flow simultaneously into more than a hundred flash drives with impressive speeds of 480Mbps. The user-friendly interface allows customers to easily navigate the software without losing valuable time reading through a long user manual. Almost anyone can operate it within minutes.
PrintUSB is a custom USB flash drive provider that offers a wide variety of USB-specific products and services, ranging from pre-rendered and stocked designs, to customized encasements that are manufactured to any company’s specifications.
For more information about the FlashCopier 84: www.PrintUSB.com/USB-Duplication-Equipment.aspx

Source: WEBWIRE

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Millions of Swedes find a question like this amusing. This is why the Swedish National Encyclopedia (NE) presents for free the largest Swedish educative quiz with over 6,000 questions. One can find all the answers on the website ne.se.
In our digital world, people ask for knowledge through new channels. Therefore, the Swedish National Encyclopedia has gone from being a traditional printed encyclopedia to acting in several ways on the Internet and in mobile phones. Our aim is, wherever you may be, to provide answers and inspiration for you to learn new things. This new quiz is the largest Internet quiz in Sweden, and our aim is to attract people who are eager to acquire factual information. Players can test their knowledge in areas such as history, geography, science and sports. Excellent results will appear in a top-ranking list.
Anders Hansson, quiz editor and developer at NE, says:
“Our aim has been to develop a quiz that is both entertaining and challenging for people to learn more. The aim of a quiz should be to arouse interest, not to discourage.”
On the Internet there are three versions of NE.se:
The free section which gives everybody access to 64,000 entries which are more concise than the entries to be found in the subscription section of NE.se. These entries are also available on mobile phones.
The main section of NE.se includes some 530,000 verified articles. With its new design, additional functions and regularly updated content, the main section has become a website offering rapid answers and easy access to in-depth information. Also, there are smart add-on features, such as maps, illustrations and crosswords.
NE school is a section of the website which primarily addresses teachers and students. You will, for example, find theme packages, study questions and learner packages. A learner package is a function which enables you as a teacher to create your own theme packages or materials to form part of a lesson.
In addition, NE has its own social networking sites on Facebook and Twitter. Also, NE publishes the blog Kunskapsbloggen.se, which is a way for us to communicate with our subscribers as well as other people searching for knowledge.

* Answer: About 10 litres. Source: ne.se

About NE:
The assignment of the Swedish National Encyclopedia (NE) is to disseminate knowledge in different ways, written by over 4,000 experts and edited by our in-house editors. On the Internet there are three versions of NE.se: The free section which gives everybody access to 64,000 entries which are more concise than the entries to be found in the subscription section of NE.se. The subscription section which offers in-depth information in 530,000 articles. NE school which offers inspiration, home-study support, theme packages, films and articles written specially for students and teachers. Naturally, NE also stands for its classic 20-volume printed encyclopedia, as well as NE in three printed volumes and the new NE in 20 printed volumes. www.ne.se

Source: WEBWIRE

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The Fuel Card Company has announced that it is going to launch a new and vastly improved online application system for business fuel cards in the New Year.
The company spokesman, Mr. Anthony Hobbs, mentioned that there have been lots of developments in the online customer management and online application system. All these developments are based on client feedback, and the developers have been working for past 6 months to come up with a platform that is virtually not available anywhere else in the fuel card industry.
The company has stated that the new version of its online application and customer management system is being tested by beta testers. While refusing to share the likely date of launch and availability of the new system through their business website, www.businessfuelcards.co.uk, the Fuel Card Company has promised a never-seen-before system that is supposed to be flexible and cut down the time taken by a customer to file a fuel card application and subsequently get accepted as a part of the www.businessfuelcards.co.uk member fraternity.
Mr. Hobbs confirmed that 2010 will be a better and bigger year in terms of feature changes, and feature advancements for current and new subscribers of www.businessfuelcards.co.uk. These developments are supposed to benefit businesses that thrive on fuel cards and help improve the customer experience.

Source: WEBWIRE

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WASHINGTON, December 30, 2009 – American Custom Contractors has been awarded the prestigious 2009 Angie’s List Super Service Award!
The Super Service Award, now celebrating its 11th year, is reserved for companies who have achieved and maintained a superior service rating on Angie’s List – the nation’s leading provider of consumer ratings on local service companies – throughout the past year. Fewer than 5 percent of the companies on Angie’s List meet the eligibility requirements to be considered for the award.
“Our Super Service Award winners are the cream of the crop when it comes to providing the best customer service,” said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List.
American Custom Contractors is celebrating their 38th year of providing quality exterior remodeling services to the Washington DC Metro region. This local, family-owned business specializes in roofing, siding, windows & doors, gutters and commercial services. Visit Angie’s List to read reviews and see feedback from their customers!

Angie’s List Super Service Award winners have maintained a total and overall grade of A have received a minimum number of reports, are NOT in the Angie’s List Penalty Box” and do NOT have an unsatisfactory rating with the Better Business Bureau. Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List, but members can find the 2009 Super Service Award logo next to company names in search results on Angie’s List.
About Angie’s List
Angie’s List is where thousands of consumers share their ratings and reviews on local contractors and companies in more than 500 different categories. Members have unlimited access to the list via Internet or phone, receive the award-winning Angie’s List magazine and can utilize the Angie’s List complaint resolution service. Get more information about Angie’s List at http://www.angieslist.com.
About American Custom Contractors
American Custom Contractors provides quality home improvement services for homeowners in Maryland, Washington DC and Virginia. They specialize in roofing services (http://americancustomcontractors.com/roofing), siding installation (http://americancustomcontractors.com/siding) and window replacement (http://americancustomcontractors.com/windows). Visit http://americancustomcontractors.com for more information on the services offered by American Custom Contractors.

Source: WEBWIRE

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Preliminary testing of a dead Oriental Magpie Robin found in Hok Tau, Pat Sin Leng had indicated a suspected case of H5 avian influenza, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (December 31), adding that further confirmatory tests were being conducted.

The bird carcass was found and collected on December 29 near the Hok Tau Management Centre in Pat Sin Leng Country Park. Oriental Magpie Robin is a common resident bird in Hong Kong.

In view of this case, we conducted a thorough cleansing operation in the nearby area of the management centre today. Notices have been put up near the management centre to remind the public to avoid contact with wild birds and their droppings. Our country park staff will also step up precautionary measures in the parks, the spokesman said.

The spokesman said there were no commercial chicken farms within three kilometres of where the bird was found.

The AFCD has called poultry farmers reminding them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Letters will be issued to farmers, pet bird shop owners, licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons reminding them that proper precautions must be taken.

The spokesman said the department would conduct frequent inspections of poultry farms and the wholesale market to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza had been implemented. The department will continue its wild bird monitoring and surveillance.

People are reminded to observe good personal hygiene. They should avoid personal contact with wild birds and live poultry and their droppings. They should clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them. Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before consumption.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will continue to be vigilant over imported live poultry as well as live poultry stalls. It will also remind stall operators to maintain good hygiene.

The Department of Health will keep up with its health education and distribute health advice leaflets.

AFCD, FEHD, the Customs and Excise Department and the police will strive to deter the illegal import of poultry and birds into Hong Kong to minimise the risk of avian influenza outbreaks brought by imported poultry and birds that had not gone through inspection and quarantine.

All relevant government departments will continue to remain highly vigilant and strictly enforce preventive measures against avian influenza.

The public can call 1823 Call Centre for follow up if they come across suspicious sick or dead birds, including carcasses of wild birds and poultry, the spokesman said.

Advice on biosecurity measures for people working in poultry farms, wholesale and retail markets and health advice for the general public are available at the H5N1 Health Advice of AFCD website at www.afcd.gov.hk.

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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

The Legislative Council and its Committees will hold 15 open meetings, one open hearing and three closed meetings during the week from January 4, 2010 to January 9, 2010 in the Legislative Council Building. Details of the meetings are available in the meeting schedule attached.

The information in the meeting schedule is subject to change. Please refer to the LegCo Calendar on the Legislative Council homepage (www.legco.gov.hk) for the latest details of meetings.

Members of the public are welcome to observe open meetings of the Legislative Council. Interested groups/individuals are advised to make advance booking of seats by calling the Legislative Council Secretariat at 2869 9399 during office hours. Seats will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Members of the public can also listen to all open meetings via the Voice Broadcast on the Legislative Council homepage.

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The following is issued on behalf of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority:

The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) today (December 31) pursued a claim in the Small Claims Tribunal for about $29,000 on behalf of two employees, who were owed MPF contributions by their employer.

Strategic Sourcing Asia Limited did not appear at todays hearing. In its absence, the Adjudicator ordered it to pay the MPFA $29,238.46, being mandatory contributions in arrears and surcharges payable.

The amount awarded will be reimbursed to the employees MPF accounts as soon as it is received by the MPFA. The tribunal further ordered the defendant to pay costs of $149.

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At least 11,744 doses of human swine influenza (HSI) vaccine were administered at Hospital Authority (HA), Department of Health (DH) and private clinics during the 24 hours ending 1pm today (December 31).

Among them, 8,926 were inoculated at HA and DH clinics while the eHealth System received 2,818 vaccination reimbursement claims from private doctors. It is expected that some additional vaccinations already given by private doctors will be recorded in the eHealth System later.

The administered doses comprised 6,578 jabs for community living elderly aged 65 or above; 2,556 for persons under 65 years with chronic illness; 144 for pregnant women; 757 for healthcare workers; 1,673 for children aged between six months and less than six years; and 36 for pig farmers and slaughterhouse workers.

This brings to at least 66,519 the cumulative total of HSI jabs administered since the start of the vaccination programme on December 21.

No reports of serious adverse events with a history of vaccination, which may or may not be caused by the vaccination, were received.

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