Steve Smith, founder and principal architect at Nimble Pros, joins host Jeff Doolittle for a conversation about software quality. The episode begins with a discussion of why software quality matters for businesses, customers, and developers. Steve explains some patterns and practices that help teams design for quality. They discuss in detail the practices of testing and quality assurance, and the conversation wraps up with suggestions for fostering a culture of quality in teams and organizations. Brought to you by IEEE Computer Society and IEEE Software magazine.

There are thousands upon thousands of PC games out there, and hundreds of good ones. However, some have stood out over the years, and cemented themselves as absolute must-haves in their respective genres. These are 15 titles we feel every PC gamer should have in their digital library.... [PCSTATS]

The distributed social network Mastodon has grown to 12.8 million user accounts, supporting itself through user donations and a lot of effort by the volunteers running servers. There's no CEO changing the network at whim, no ads and no algorithms that manipulate what you see to increase engagement. Just a scroll of posts by the people you follow pulled from all over the world.

Every Mastodon account has an RSS feed that can be found by going to the user's Mastodon page and adding ".rss" to the URL of that page. For example, the RSS feed for Bonaventure Software is at this address:

https://mastodon.online/@bonaventuresoft.rss

The feeds are valid RSS and use the Media-RSS and Webfeeds namespaces.

The Media-RSS content element contains the photo, audio or video included in the Mastodon post, if one is present:

<media:content url="https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/109/326/769/636/254/303/original/552ebb9fd3f30171.png" type="image/png" fileSize="49052" medium="image">
  <media:rating scheme="urn:simple">nonadult</media:rating>
  <media:description type="plain">Eli Lilly & Co stock performance graph over the last month, showing lower valuations than the one caused by the bogus announcement of free insulin.</media:description>
</media:content>

The Webfeeds icon element holds the URL of the user's avatar:

<webfeeds:icon>https://files.mastodon.online/accounts/avatars/109/298/336/948/075/673/original/e76dfce4df4bef76.gif</webfeeds:icon>

One potential improvement to the feed would be to add a link element from the Atom namespace to identify the URL of the RSS feed, as in this example:

<atom:link href="https://mastodon.online/@bonaventuresoft.rss" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />

That might not happen anytime soon. Mastodon is a frenetic open source project with 61 open issues and suggestions involving RSS.

If you publish an RSS feed, you should do a solid for the developers of RSS readers by including a guid in each item. The guid's job is to be a unique identifier that helps software downloading your feed decide whether it has seen that item before. Here's the guid for an item on the arts and technology blog Laughing Squid:

<guid isPermaLink="false">https://laughingsquid.com/?p=914660</guid>

No other item on Laughing Squid will ever have this guid value. It's a URL that loads a blog post with the title Playful Elephant Pretends to Eat Woman's Hat. If you load the guid's URL https://laughingsquid.com/?p=914660, it redirects to the permanent link of the post. Because the guid is not the permanent link, there's an isPermaLink attribute with a value of false.

Most guid values in RSS feeds are the permanent link of the item, as in this example from the world news site Semafor:

<guid>https://www.semafor.com/article/07/07/2023/us-jobs-data-what-experts-make-of-the-new-numbers</guid>

A drawback of using the permalink is that if any part of the URL changes -- such as the title text or the domain name -- the guid changes and RSS readers will think this is a new item to show the feed's subscribers, when it's actually a repeat.

A guid doesn't have to be a URL. It can be any string that the feed publisher has chosen to be unique. Here's the guid from the RSS Advisory Board's feed for this blog post:

<guid isPermaLink="false">tag:rssboard.org,2006:weblog.217</guid>

Our guid follows the TAG URI scheme, a simple way to assure uniqueness by putting these five components together in this order:

1. The text "tag"
2. A domain owned by the feed provider
3. A year the provider owned that domain
4. A short name for the feed different from any other feed on the site
5. The internal ID number of the post

There's different punctuation between each component. The year 2006 was when the board began using the domain rssboard.org. No one else used that domain that year, so any feed reader that stores "tag:rssboard.org,2006:weblog.217" as this item's guid should never encounter that value in any other item on any other feed.

To see how RSS 2.0 feeds are using guid, several thousand feeds were downloaded this evening from an RSS aggregator that publicly shares the OPML subscription lists of its users.

Category	Total	Percentage
Total number of feeds	4,954	--
Feed using guid	4,777	96.4%
Feeds using non-permalinks in guid	752	15.2%

The term guid means "globally unique identifier," but RSS 2.0 does not require global uniqueness in guids. Because the TAG URI scheme does a good job of serving that purpose, Blogger, Flickr, MetaFilter, SoundCloud and The Register are among the sites using it in their feeds.

High-profile, disruptive protests can lead to increased polarization—but often still yield increased public support for the protest’s goals, even if the tactics are criticized.

The Tony Award-winning play, loosely based on Alicia Keys’ childhood, falls into the same trap much theatre does, failing to depict the nuances of Black trauma.

Regional waste-reduction programs hold lessons for communities across the globe.

Eva has been swimming come rain or shine for 366 days.

With less than a day to go until the 2024 US election - here's everything you need to know...

Nope you're not seeing double! Take a look at the new wax figure of Mary Earps at Madame Tussauds.

It's almost time for Children in Need day! And we want to hear about YOUR plans...

Follow us! @CareerTechTest

Nearly a year after releasing its Moments curation feature, Twitter Moments is now available to users.

Twitter Moments are curated stories about what’s happening around the world—powered by Tweets.  Originally, a user could click on Moments on their profile page to find curated stories, i.e News, Entertainment, Sports, and Fun, in a typical news format.

But now, it’s easy to create your own story with Twitter Moments.  I think this is a great way to share school events and activities and it could also assist with classroom discussion, especially when dealing with current events.

Either watch the video by Richard Byrne of Free Technology for Teachers or follow the directions from Twitter below:

How to create a Moment

There are three ways to begin creating your own Moment. You can access Moments through the Moments tab, your profile page, or through a Tweet detail. To get started all you need is a title, description, Tweets, and a selected cover image.

From the Moments tab:

1. From the Moments tab, click the Create new Moment button.
2. Click the Title your Moment field to give your Moment a name.Note: Titles can be up to 75 characters in length.
3. Click the Add a description field to type in a description for your Moment.Note: Descriptions can be up to 250 characters in length. 
4. Choose Tweets to add to your Moment: 
1. From the Add Tweets to your Moment section at the bottom of the page, quickly access content to select Tweets from Tweets I’ve liked, Tweets by account, Tweet link, and Tweet search prompts. 
2. To add a Tweet to your Moment, click on the checkmark icon 
5. Click Set cover to choose a cover image from one of your selected Tweets, or to upload an image from your computer. Drag your selected image to set a Mobile preview, click the Next button, then click the Save button.Note: To change your selected image, hover over the cover image and click on Change cover media. After you’ve set your cover media, the source will be credited below the image. 
6. Once you have Tweets in your collection, click on the up  or down arrow buttons  to the right of a Tweet to move it up or down.
7. Click on the delete button  to remove a Tweet from your Moment.
8. Click on the crop button  next to any of your selected Tweets to make an image selection for mobile viewing.
9. Click the Finish later button at the top of the page to save a draft.
10. When you are ready to make your Moment live, click on the Publish button at the top of the page.

From a Tweet:

1. Click the more button 
2. Select New Moment to add the Tweet to a new Moment.Note: Any completed Moments or Moments drafts you have in progress will also be listed in the drop-down to choose from.
3. Follow the directions above to complete your Moment.

From the Moments tab on your profile page:

1. Click on the Moments tab, then click the Create new Moment button to get started.
2. Follow the directions above to complete your Moment.

From the More menu at the top of the page:

1. Click on ••• More while in draft mode.
1. Select Choose mobile theme color if you’d like to apply one.
2. Select Mark that Moment contains sensitive material if appropriate.
3. Select Share Moment privately to copy and paste your Moment’s URL to share privately with others. Note: The Moment will only be visible to people who have the URL, it will not be visible on your profile page, or published on Twitter.
4. Select Unpublish Moment to unpublish a Moment you have previously published. 
5. Select Delete Moment to permanently remove the Moment from your profile and Twitter. Note: You will see a confirmation pop-up message to confirm the deletion.

After you’ve saved your Moment as a draft:

• You can click on the Edit button under the Moment description to continue editing your Moment.
• Click the Tweet button under the Moment description to share your Moment with your followers. Note: The Tweet compose box will pop up giving you an opportunity to edit or add to the auto-populated Moment title and link in the compose box.
• Click on the more button  under the Moment description to send your Moment via Direct Message, and to view the copy and embed links to your Moment. Note: As you scroll through your saved or published Moment you will see a menu pop-up on the left hand side to conveniently Edit, Tweet, or Message your Moment.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make my Moments private?
When creating a Moment, you can select Share Moment privately, which will only make the Moment available to those who have the link. If you would like to make previously published or shared Moments visible to only you, select Unpublish Moment.

Can content in my Moment be reported?
Yes. Content displayed in a Moment, such as photos, videos, or Tweets can be reported. To learn about the various options for reporting components of a Moment, read our How to report violations article.

What happens if a Tweet I included in my Moment is reported?
If the cover or any of the individual Tweets of your Moment is reported to us and found to be in violation of the Twitter Rules, your account may be locked—even if you did not author the Tweet.

This technical article deals with the practical aspects of commercial and industrial electrical installation work. It is of the utmost importance that the practical task be done in the appropriate manner. Electrical installations in commercial and industrial settings are often... Read more

The post Seven golden foundations of good electrical installation work appeared first on EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal.

Not all existing electrical installations lack energy efficiency, but most of them do. Especially if they were built 15-20 years ago and older. Although it is generally acknowledged that substantial energy savings are possible in most existing installations, the process... Read more

The post Five actions to achieve excellent energy savings in old electrical installations appeared first on EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal.

Nowadays everybody speaks about power quality. For many reasons, I would say. Electrical energy is now polluted more than ever, and consumers are more sensitive to power disruptions and fluctuations than a small flower to the stronger wind. But, it... Read more

The post Five power quality devices that every commercial plant must have installed appeared first on EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal.

A lighting control system is to be developed. The system will be controlled by four switches, SWITCH1, SWITCH2, SWITCH3, and SWITCH4. These switches will control the lighting in a room based on the following criteria: Any of three of the... Read more

The post Let’s develop the simple PLC program for lighting control system appeared first on EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal.

This technical article we will go through a number of existing applications for conducting a wide range of electrical studies. However, the practice says that studies involving load flow and fault analyses are the most commonly utilized programs in power transmission... Read more

The post Eleven most important calculations you can perform with power system analysis software appeared first on EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal.

The audible sound radiated by transformers is generated by a combination of magnetostrictive deformation of the core and electromagnetic forces in the windings, tank walls and magnetic shields. Historically, the sound generated by the magnetic field inducing longitudinal vibrations in the... Read more

The post An Overview of IEC 60076-10 – Determination Of Sound Levels Of Power Transformers appeared first on EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal.

Instrumentation consumes large amounts of compressed air at many individual locations in a textile plant, but these uses are susceptible to leakage. Most such leaks are at threaded connection points, rubber hose connections, valves, regulators, seals, and in old pneumatic... Read more

The post Eleven energy-efficiency improvement opportunities in compressed air systems appeared first on EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal.

"Dark Steering" flirts subtly with the sounds of modern dubstep, mixing them with atmospheric squeals and detailed drum programming. The result is an unbelievably fitting soundtrack for a life-or-death motorcycle race through neon-lit city streets.

Oatmeal Month
Eye Care Month
Hot Tea Month
Thank-You Month

General recommendation is to properly design and implement the facility’s grounding system to avoid unwanted involvement of ground loops with the operation of the equipment. This kind of approach can also eliminate the need to consider equipment modifications and to... Read more

The post 8 tips to avoid ground loops when dealing with signal level circuits appeared first on EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal.

Reactive energy compensation is an essential process in improving energy efficiency. It reduces the power consumption and thus its cost, enables optimum use of installations by preventing them being oversized, and more generally it improves the quality of energy systems.... Read more

The post The theory behind reactive energy compensation that every engineer should know appeared first on EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal.

The first protection devices based on microprocessors were employed in 1985. The widespread acceptance of numerical technology by the customer and the experiences of the user helped in developing the second generation numerical relays in 1990. Modem power system protection... Read more

The post The facts about numerical relays that every electrical engineer should know appeared first on EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal.

The first part of this article series delved into the fundamentals of overcurrent protection, exploring the intricacies of relay coordination, the impact of source impedance, and the application of distance protection. These foundational concepts laid the groundwork for understanding how... Read more

The post Mastering Distance Protection and Calculations Part 2: Never Mess Up Protection Accuracy appeared first on EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal.

More information and audio clips from Film Education's screening of War Horse and Q&A with author Michael Morpurgo and actor Jeremy Irvine

Let’s start with basics you probably already know, but nevertheless. It’s important to explain the basics first. Electrostatic Discharge (or ESD) refers to the transfer of electrostatic charge between bodies at varied voltages that is caused by direct contact or... Read more

The post Never underestimate electrostatic discharge (ESD) while working with data networking equipment appeared first on EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal.

Virtual models help estimate losses and plan restoration after a disaster.

This edition of Ask Annissa offers ways to help employees deal with their mental wellbeing when working on jobs with emotional trauma. 

Insurer provides complimentary smart home kit, premium discount to customers.

Higher prices, increase in natural disasters drive up losses.

Learn how this initiative provides veterans with a 25% discount on franchising fees and opportunities to thrive in a growing industry, backed by the expertise and passion of Frank Torre and his commitment to service.

BluSky Restoration Contractors hosted its 14th annual "Clays for Kids" fundraiser, raising $15,000 for CASA of Larimer County.

BluSky Restoration Contractors, LLC, raised $150,000 for ALS research through its seventh annual Rakers Classic charity golf tournament, an event inspired by Lyle Rakers, an employee diagnosed with a rare form of ALS in 2017, which has become a cornerstone of the Lyle Rakers Charitable Foundation.

BELFOR Franchise Group announces the launch of the Claims Partnership Program, offering customized training for property claims professionals. This program aims to address the gap created by retiring veterans and new entrants in the claims industry.

Episode 2 of Unlocking Training Success with Lisa Lavender gives advice on training intervention, and taking your restoration company to new heights.

Lever360 has emerged to deliver innovation by combining the educational prowess of Restoration Technical Institute (RTI) with the comprehensive run-your-business system of iRestore, renowned for its restoration management software.

Transform every carpet into a vibrant, fresh space your clients can be proud of. This guide walks you through the steps to deliver professional-quality carpet cleaning results—every single time.

Title: Allergies: Signs of a Severe Allergic Reaction
Category: Slideshows
Created: 8/18/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/18/2022 12:00:00 AM

Associate Professor of Humanities Winston Chow from SMU’s School of Social Sciences has researched on the areas of urban vulnerability to climate change; sustainability in urban climatology; and perceptions of environmental and climate change in tourism. In recent years, he has published papers on the impact of weather extremes on urban resilience to hydro-climate hazards and trans-boundary variations of urban drought vulnerability and its impact on water resource management in Singapore and Johor, Malaysia. In this podcast, Associate Professor Chow will discuss the continued economic growth of a city by adopting sustainable urban development measures.

As the profile of businesses engaged in disputes is now more diverse than ever, there is a need for dispute resolution mechanisms that are culturally responsive as well as internationally robust. Mediation is one mechanism that offers a flexible and confidential forum for business to resolve their differences in an effective and efficient way. Interest in mediation to resolve cross-border disputes has increased dramatically in recent years due to increasing access to the Internet and the growing number of smaller enterprises doing business internationally. Nadja Alexander is Professor of Law at SMU School of Law. She also heads the Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy as its Director, and a prominent mediator, educator, consultant and writer. In a recent study, Prof Alexander had identified some of the top trends impacting the nature and practice of international mediation. She discusses these key trends and developments in this podcast.

Because of climate change, cities have been grappling with stronger and more frequent storms as well, most recently being Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam and Hurricanes Helene and Milton in America. But many people remain apathetic to climate change. SMU Associate Professor Terry Van Gevelt explains the intricacies of climate change communication and what needs to be done to get urbanites facing climate change to become more aware. . [About the SMU CP Podcast Series] SMU City Perspectives brings together researchers from Singapore Management University (SMU) for insightful conversations exploring the pivotal trends in digital transformation, growth in Asia, and sustainable living. Get inspired and discover solutions that will help you drive more impact in your work and shape the future of cities.

The Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA), the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and NürnbergMesse today announced that registration and housing are now open...

FPSA, IDFA, and NurenbergMesse announced that this year’s largest US food and beverage packaging and processing event - PROCESS EXPO, the International Dairy Show and Interbev - has exceeded 300,000 square feet for the show in September.

The Foundation of the Food Processing Suppliers Association (FFPSA) is pleased to announce the recipients of ten $5,000 Career Development Scholarships for the 2015-2016 academic year.

As the Packaging Strategies ranking of the largest beverage packaging companies demonstrates, the big just keep getting bigger. Since its merger with SAB Miller in late 2016, Anheuser-Busch InBev has become the undisputed king of the beverage world, leading the list for the second year in a row.

This year, we compiled an overall, more robust top food and beverage packaging companies list. The list may look different all in one, but there are the same placements near the top.

All three structures have been tested for recyclability according to the PTS RH 021/97 Cat II method.

An initiative from three of America's biggest beverage companies, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Keurig Dr. Pepper, aims to improve the recycling and processing of plastic bottles.

The novel coronavirus pandemic has seen various food and beverage trends change drastically from pre-COVID. Consumers didn’t take to it well in March, but mid-summer they have seemed to settle into the “next normal.” Here are some of the most notable trends from this year, along with the Top 100 List on the following pages.