BlackEagle Girls The first grey streaks of dawn were staining the east as the Black Eagle settled outside a ground-floor bedroom window of Monique's new home and the five girls drifted from the old tree house and slipped silently within. Gently Belinda and Narenda guided a nodding Surban to her bed and, after getting her into her night attire, settled her under the covers. In a matter of moments she was breathing deeply, her eyes shut fast, the bag that contained her secret treasure, still clutched firmly to her chest.

I dreamt that I was in the middle of the ocean in a rowboat that was tossing and turning on a rough sea. The wind howled, lightning split the sky, the rain fell in buckets and the tiny boat spun around and around until all of a sudden, just as the waves began to swell higher and higher, the rowboat turned into one of those flat saucers that I had seen towed slowly behind ski-boats with children riding on them.

In the beginning when there was no time, our land was in total ruin and desolated for full disobedience and condemnation. For the line between the living and the spirit was thing and transparent, but soon rivalry emerged and the contest was bent on destroying man- the most visible, the most articulate.

It happened during the World War at a small village in Dogon, Mali, about fifty kilometers to Timbuktu. Those years, Timbuktu witnessed a boom in salt trade, it was the major export via the river and the desert merchants coming from Niamey and Djibouti have had to reconsider their route, because export was faster using the river than Sahara desert. People came far and wide to trade in salt and millet.

A wanderer arrived at a river that was too deep to wade through. Since he could not swim, he built a raft and crossed the river on it. He thought the raft was useful, he might need it again some day.

Received recently from Rikkity

Have you ever wondered what famous people get each other for the Christmas? Now you can find out and the list is extraordinary and very tongue in cheek.

Today, SAP SE and Google Cloud announced an extensive expansion of their partnership, introducing a comprehensive open data offering designed to simplify data landscapes and unleash the power of business data. The offering enables customers to build an end-to-end data cloud that brings data from across the enterprise landscape using the SAPamp;reg; Datasphere solution together with Google's data cloud, so businesses can view their entire data estates in real time and maximize value from their Google Cloud and SAP software investments.

Today, SAP SE announced the next step in its long-standing partnership with Microsoft, using the latest in enterprise-ready generative AI innovation to help solve customers' most fundamental business challenges. The companies will collaborate on integrating SAPamp;reg;SuccessFactorsamp;reg; solutions with Microsoft 365 Copilot and Copilot in Viva Learning, as well as Microsoft's AzureOpenAI Service to access powerful language models that analyze and generate natural language. The integrations will enable new experiences designed to improve how organizations attract, retain and skill their people.

Do you like entering all your data into your Genealogy Program? Do you find it easy, or is it a chore? I believe it should be so easy a task that you are encouraged to do it every time you get new info. Don't wait. Get it in now!

Unfortunately, I also believe the forms-based data entry that comes with all programs today is limiting and slows you down. You can't see everything on one screen and have to bring up other screens to enter notes or sources. Not only is it slow for data entry, it causes errors and you never really can tell what is all there.

My original idea was to set up my Romanian web page manually, and just make it look like Behold's output. I quickly realized that would be impossible. The linkages Behold sets are are too complex for manual maintenance. So, that led to the realization that it is best to just use Behold to create the page. To do so, I needed all this data in a GEDCOM file. The "easiest" way to get the data into a GEDCOM file is to export from a genealogy program.

Well, I stopped entering my data into a genealogy program about 10 years ago. I first used Reunion and when they sold their Windows version to Sierra to become Generations, I was a beta tester for them. It's been so long since I've used it, and I din't even install it on my current computer which I got about 2 years ago. And I'm not sure if I want to. Generations was bought out by the company that owned Family Tree Maker and they soon after dropped it. The final version had some bad problems in it that conflicted with the Windows Operating System and required patches.

But Generations was basically like all the other programs anyway. On my machine, I now have 3 free programs I sometimes test with: PAF, Legacy and Family Tree Legends. I also own the full version of Family Tree Maker 2008. So it shouldn't be too hard to choose between them, should it?

After seriously trying to see which of them I could live with (FTM takes 25 seconds just to load!), I revisited my old feelings about how much I hate those forms-based entry systems. After all, that's why I'm writing Behold, isn't it - to solve my own pain.

So you know what I ended up doing? Actually it's pretty slick.

I have two programs open at once. On the left is a text editor with the GEDCOM file open. On the right is Behold displaying the Everything Report for the GEDCOM file. I make some edits on the left, and then I refresh Behold (with the F5 key) on the right. I can add whatever complex notes, sourcing and linking I want that GEDCOM allows.

I've found this to be tremendously useful as, not only a simulation of how Behold will handle editing, but its already picked out a few things to fix or enhance in Behold. Although I've done a lot of testing of Behold with hundreds of GEDCOMs, this is the first time I'm actually using Behold for myself.

The data entry "chore" now is much easier. Everything is in front of me in GEDCOM form in the editor, and in interpreted form in Behold. Since I'm totally fluent in GEDCOM, the data entry is inconvenient but relatively easy. In a few days, I should have the resulting Behold Everything Report up on my website, and that will be a great example for people of what Behold can do.

As I use Behold to build my HTML webpage for my family research, I realize I will have to include thumbnails of photos. Up until today, I hadn't thought of a good way to do that.

GEDCOM files can specify IMG tags, which give the location of an image on the local computer. But TRichview, which I'm using as the engine for the Everything Report, does not yet properly wrap text around images. My plan was to wait until they implemented that.

But then I realized that I simply want to display a thumbnail (very small version) of each picture on its own line, with any descriptive text about it on the right. So an easy implementation would be a table with one row and two columns. In the first column is the image. In the second is the textual information. No word wrap around the image is necessary and it should look quite nice.

Now what about getting the full image. The idea was to click on the image to bring up the original. That would be possible from from the Everything Report in Behold, also possible from the HTML web page Behold produces, and probably possible as well from the RTF Behold can output.

But then I discovered something quite elegant. There is a really nice Photo-Zoom capability available for web pages. You just put your mouse over the thumbnail and the full size image instantly appears in the same window. No clicking or new windows required. It is very user friendly and useful!

What I'll do is finish up the current version, hopefully in the next week or so. I've only got 18 more days until this alpha version expires. But since I need the photos in Behold's output for my project, I'll add the thumbnail capability as the first thing after this version is released. And if it's not too hard, I'll try to add the photo-zoom as well. That will be a killer feature if add it.

So you won't have to wait for images until Version 3 anymore. It'll be in Version 1.

Google Groups might be a viable alternative to using a Forum software on my site for Behold Genealogy user discussions. There are several good reasons I see:

1. Gives you all the features of Google Groups.
2. If you already use Google Groups for other newsgroups, it makes it very convenient for you.
3. Allows you to get messages via e-mail and post via e-mail.
4. Has an RSS feed if you want it.
5. Will be indexed and searchable by Google, so others can find out about Behold.
6. Very little maintenance required by me.

I got the idea from Firebug, a Firefox addin that uses it quite successfully. See at: http://groups.google.com/group/firebug

So I'd like your opinion. Do you think I should use this for Behold's User Forum, or should I stick to my own installed Forum software on my Behold website?

So if you want, feel free to go to the Google Group I quickly created at: http://groups.google.com/group/behold-genealogy and let me know what you think.

I thought it would be good to install the same packages on my own computer that I'll have on my new website. That way, I could experiment and set up the site the way I wanted without doing it live.

So off I went, merrily downloading the scripting language PHP, the database MySQL, the database manager phpMyAdmin, the list manager phpList, the blog tool WordPress and the forum software Vanilla.

Mine is a Windows machine. I already have experience with the Web Server IIS that comes with Windows. It was just a matter of installing the other packages under it. Should only take a few hours, shouldn't it.

Well, yes. It only took a few hours for the install. What wasn't easy was getting the settings right. It took the next three days to track down and fix all the problems that prevented anything/everything from working. I had a wonderful set of error messages pop up, such as: "Cannot load mysql extension. Please check your PHP configuration.", "Your PHP installation appears to be missing the MySQL which is required for WordPress", "Permission denied (13)" mysql windows" and "access denied for user "ODBC'@'localhost'". Look up any of those phrases on Google, and you'll see I'm not alone in encountering them.

So after researching each of these in sequence and trying the various fixes that were suggested for Windows and IIS, I made very slow frustrating progress.

Luckily, I found a page that gave me everything I needed and let me finally get the settings right. Ironically, it is a documentation site for a genealogy program. The program is phpgedview, and is an open source program to view and edit your genealogy on your website. It has been around for years and I am quite familiar with it. If you know something about programming in PHP and have your own website, it's an excellent product to make your genealogy web-based.

But take a look at the great instruction page they have that helped me out. It's extremely well layed out, simple to follow, pictures at every step, and it works. I only wish I found it three days ago. Oh well. At least that's done now.

Finding a shop that offers car detailing can often be a tedious process. Especially for those who have recently moved and are unsure of their surroundings, knowing where to look can sometimes be frustrating. Customers may also be unsure of what is a reputable company. Luckily, car detailing services have now gone mobile. Rather than the customer physically going to a shop to have the service completed, the service is simply brought straight to the customer's doorstep. Here are a few benefits of choosing this forward-thinking service. 

Comes to You

One of the best perks of a mobile car detailing service is that the services comes directly to the customer. Without having to leave their doorstep, an appointment can easily be made by calling the shop and setting a date and timeframe. The mobile service will simply arrive at the agreed-upon time and complete the service. With such a convenient ability to come to the customer, the work can be completed while the customer goes about their day. Since most car detailing services last a few hours, the customer does not have to deal with waiting in an uncomfortable waiting room without access to a car and can simply relax at home while the service is completed.  

Find the Right Provider

Another perk to going with a mobile car detailing service is overall quality. Since many car detailing companies compete with each other, it is easy to pick out those who deliver quality service and results at reasonable prices. Checking online reviews of local mobile car detailing services beforehand can help eliminate companies that the customer is not interested in. What should stand out to the customer is what others have to say regarding their service. Excellent testimonials that speak of quality work, professional attitudes, punctuality and competitive prices will lead the customer to a mobile car detailing service that will be a perfect fit.

With these benefits to keep in mind, going with a mobile car detailing service is simply the most convenient and reliable method the customer can choose. Not only will the convenience of having the service come to the customer be a plus, but knowing that the work completed is done with customer satisfaction in mind will also be hard to beat. Even with the hustle and bustle of daily life, car detailing does not have to be a hassle. Through a mobile car detailing service, convenience and quality come together for a finished product that will be sure to turn heads. Look for a mobile car detailing service in your area. 

If you've recently moved from Hawaii to the mainland and shipped your car as well, it's a good idea to have your car detailed as soon as possible. The elements of weather and nature in Hawaii can wreak havoc on vehicles in so many ways. A professional car detailing service will remove salt, sand, soil, and residue so your vehicle looks like it just came off of a showroom floor instead of from an island in Hawaii. Here's why your car should be detailed and where attention needs to be focused on the most. 

Harsh Conditions for Vehicles in Hawaii 

While you likely enjoyed being outdoors in Hawaii and the weather conditions, Hawaii is harsh for vehicles.

• Salt. The salt in the air and sea spray from the ocean can cause significant damage to your vehicle's hard surfaces. Salt can eat away at the clear coat, paint, and undercarriage. Extensive rust is commonly found on vehicles in Hawaii. The salt can also leave residue which causes spots on the glass, so your windows, mirrors, and lights may have mineral spots on them that need to be carefully removed so as not to scratch the glass. 
• Sand. When living on an island, sand can get into every nook and cranny. Even if you religiously cleaned your vehicle at a neighborhood carwash, there's probably sand somewhere in your vehicle. If some sand is in your wheels, it can damage your brake pads and wheel bearings. 
• Soil. Volcanic soil is corrosive. Therefore, any soil from Hawaii remaining on your car can cause corrosion. Ask the car detailing service to pay particular attention to the undercarriage and wheel wells to remove the soil and the corrosive residue from the soil. Also, volcanic soil has a dye-like substance, so you'll want to have the detailing service give the interior a deep clean as well. 

Focus Attention Everywhere 

When detailing a car that has been in Hawaii for an extensive period of time, attention needs to be focused pretty much everywhere the salt air has touched to remove salt and salt residue. The detailer should also remove all sand, soil, and soil residue. Be prepared to replace the floor mats, as they may have discoloration on them from the dye-like substances in the volcanic soil. Also, be sure to have the trunk of the car detailed as well, especially if you placed items in it from excursions to the beaches, parks, and volcanos. 

Contact a car detailing service near you to learn more. 

If you lead a busy life and find yourself constantly on the go, taking care of your car may often get put on the back burner. However, neglecting regular car maintenance can lead to a build-up of dirt, grime, and even damage to your vehicle's exterior. That's where an express car wash comes in. Offering quick and efficient service, an express car wash is the perfect solution for busy individuals who want to keep their cars looking their best without sacrificing precious time. 

Speedy Service

When time is of the essence, an express car wash offers a swift and efficient solution. Unlike traditional car washes, which can take a considerable amount of time, an express car wash boasts quick turnaround times. With automated systems and dedicated technicians, an express car wash ensures your car receives a thorough cleaning in a fraction of the time.

Convenience at Your Fingertips

One of the standout features of an express car wash is its convenient nature. With no appointment necessary, you can simply drive up and have your car washed in a matter of minutes. This eliminates the hassle of scheduling and waiting around for your turn. Additionally, many express car washes offer extended operating hours, allowing you to fit in a quick clean even during the busiest times of the day. 

High-Quality Cleaning

Despite its speedy service, an express car wash doesn't compromise on quality. Utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and specially formulated cleaning solutions, these car washes are designed to deliver a thorough and effective clean. From removing stubborn dirt and grime to shining your car's exterior, an express car wash ensures your vehicle receives the attention it deserves. Moreover, many express car washes offer additional services such as tire cleaning, interior vacuuming, and even detailing options, allowing you to customize your car wash experience based on your needs.

For busy individuals, an express car wash is the ultimate convenience. With its speedy service, flexible operating hours, and commitment to quality, an express car wash offers the perfect solution for keeping your car in top condition without sacrificing precious time. By taking advantage of the convenience and benefits that an express car wash provides, you can ensure your vehicle is always shining, protecting your investment and making a positive impression wherever you go. Visit your nearest express car wash and give your car the care it deserves.

Learn more about an express car wash near you today.

Auto detailing goes far beyond a simple car wash. It is a meticulous process that involves cleaning, restoring, and finishing both the interior and exterior of a vehicle to achieve a show-quality level of detail. This process offers numerous benefits that every car owner should consider.

Enhanced Appearance

One of the most noticeable benefits of auto detailing is the enhanced appearance of your vehicle. Professional detailing can remove surface imperfections, such as scratches, swirls, and oxidation, leaving your car looking brand new. This not only improves the aesthetic appeal but also helps maintain the vehicle's value over time.

Improved Resale Value

When it comes time to sell or trade-in your vehicle, a well-maintained car will always fetch a higher price. Auto detailing helps preserve the car's exterior paint and interior finishes, making it more appealing to potential buyers. A detailed car signals that the owner has taken good care of the vehicle, which can significantly boost its resale value.

Protection from the Elements

Regular auto detailing provides a protective layer against environmental hazards. The application of wax, sealants, and ceramic coatings creates a barrier that shields the car's paint from UV rays, acid rain, bird droppings, and road salt. This protection extends the life of the paintwork and reduces the likelihood of rust and corrosion.

Enhanced Comfort and Safety

A clean car is a comfortable car. Interior detailing involves thorough cleaning and conditioning of all surfaces, including seats, carpets, and dashboards. This process removes dust, dirt, and allergens, creating a healthier environment for the driver and passengers. Additionally, clean windows and mirrors improve visibility, enhancing overall driving safety.

Extended Lifespan of Vehicle Components

Auto detailing is not just about aesthetics; it also involves maintaining and preserving various components of the vehicle. Regular cleaning and conditioning of leather seats, for example, prevent cracking and fading. Likewise, keeping the engine bay clean can improve the vehicle's performance and extend its lifespan.

Cost-Effective Maintenance

Investing in regular auto detailing can save money in the long run. You can avoid costly repairs and replacements by maintaining the car's exterior and interior surfaces. For instance, removing contaminants from the paintwork prevents permanent damage that could require expensive repainting.

Enhanced Driving Experience

Driving a clean and well-maintained car enhances the overall driving experience. The feeling of stepping into a fresh, spotless vehicle can boost your mood and make every drive more enjoyable. The attention to detail in every corner of the car reflects the pride and care put into maintaining it.

Learn more from a company near you like Grizzly Clean.

Vehicle detailing goes beyond a simple wash and wax. It is a meticulous process that addresses both the interior and exterior of your vehicle, providing a thorough cleaning and rejuvenation. The benefits of regular vehicle detailing extend beyond aesthetics, impacting the longevity, value, and overall experience of vehicle ownership.

Enhance Your Vehicle’s Appearance

Regular detailing can significantly enhance the appearance of your vehicle. The process involves polishing the exterior to remove scratches, swirl marks, and imperfections, restoring your car's paint to its original glory. A well-detailed car stands out, showcasing a glossy finish that makes it look like it just rolled off the showroom floor. Interior detailing ensures that every nook and cranny is cleaned, leaving the cabin fresh and inviting.

Protect Your Investment

One of the key benefits of vehicle detailing is protection. By applying wax or sealant, detailing creates a barrier that protects your vehicle’s paint from UV rays, road salt, oxidation, and other environmental contaminants. This layer of protection helps maintain the exterior's integrity, preventing fading and corrosion. Inside, cleaning and conditioning the upholstery, carpets, and dashboard prevent wear and tear, preserving the interior's value over time.

Improve Resale Value

Detailing your vehicle before selling or trading it can significantly boost its resale value. A meticulously maintained car attracts more buyers and fetches a higher price. Buyers frequently pay a premium for vehicles that are immaculate and well-maintained, both inside and out. Detailed work indicates to potential buyers that the car has been meticulously cared for, providing reassurance about its condition and history.

Enhance Safety and Functionality

Vehicle detailing contributes to safety by ensuring that headlights, taillights, and windows are clean and clear. Properly detailed lights improve visibility at night or in adverse weather conditions, while streak-free windows enhance overall driving safety. Additionally, detailing can improve the functionality of your vehicle by keeping components such as the engine bay clean, ensuring optimal performance.

Enjoy a Better Driving Experience

A clean, fresh-smelling interior enhances the driving experience, making your time behind the wheel more enjoyable. Detailing removes allergens, dust, and bacteria from your vehicle, promoting a healthier environment. The attention to detail in cleaning every surface contributes to a more pleasant and comfortable ride, whether you're commuting to work or embarking on a road trip.

In conclusion, vehicle detailing offers numerous benefits that go beyond simply having a clean car. By enhancing appearance, protecting your investment, improving resale value, ensuring safety, and elevating the driving experience, detailing proves to be a wise investment for any vehicle owner. Consider regular detailing as part of your vehicle maintenance routine to keep your car looking and performing its best.

For more info, contact a local company like Ted's Express Car Wash.

Evanescence's Synthesis Live tour kicked off in the UK with two sold out nights at the Royal Festival Hall on March 30th and 31st.

It has been three years away from the limelight of the stage but they are back and just as entertaining!

With the site under construction we bring you some live review coverage from the archives! First up Gojira/Code Orange in Leeds 2017!

With some sections of the site under construction we bring you more live review coverage from the archives! Gojira in Leeds 2017.

Continuing to pull from the archives whilst parts of the site are under construction here we go back to 2014 for some Biohazard!

Lets delve back in to the archives for a live review of Avenged Sevenfold's set at Download Festival in 2011.

The year is 2010 and Machine Head are wrapping up a tour supporting the now legendary studio record The Blackening...

Heading back to 2008 now (woah!) to a headline Fall Out Boy set at Wembley Arena. Early arena days how they've grown!

Looking back to 2010 now and a review of what proved to be a truly brilliant set by QOTSA at Reading Festival.

Our very first Under The House Lights feature focuses on Icelandic Technical Death Metal group CULT OF LILITH

In our second UTHL feature we head for Sheffield to revel in the gloomy blackened racket spawned from the almighty BA'AL.

Escape The Fate

Born Of Osiris

Legion Of The Damned

John Garcia

Mark Deutrom

All-time Rock legends kick off what will be their final ever tour.

Ahead of an appearance at DL2024 The Offspring unveil new music!

No further details available.

No further details available.

No further details available.

No further details available.

Some time ago I updated Mandrake 10.1 Official on my Sony Vaio PCG-NV309 to Mandriva LE 2005. The vaio page has been updated to reflect the changes.

As of Claws Mail 3.4.0 it supports png themes, therefore all the xpm files were replaced with png files. Get it from the Claws Mail themes download page or from allroy.de.

This posting outlines how I bound the (almost) complete works of Horace.

• Keywords: book binding; librarianship;
• Source: This posting was originally published as a part of Infomotions's Musings.

This blog posting describes how I have begun to use network graphs to illustrate ("read") texts.

• Keywords: network graphs; reading;
• Source: This posting was originally published as a part of Infomotions's Musings.

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