tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78520587875554599002024-03-18T23:26:34.486-04:00Under the FoldAn examination of news stories that should have had more of an impact.Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-81407362446666915942012-08-05T12:56:00.002-04:002012-08-05T13:06:09.098-04:00Signing Off<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We live in an age of information. Scientific advancements and technological developments are occurring at an unprecedented rate. Never before has a generation experienced the level of rapid progression that defines our society. The term 'global village' has also never been as literal a translation as it is today. Through the Internet, the world has become a much smaller place. We are connected to everyone. Everyone is connected to us. No longer are people defined by region or ethnicity, but rather are categorized by shared interests. This is not a naive statement claiming that prejudices are a sin of the past, but rather it is an observation of categorical trends still in development. The Internet has also given us information. More information than we know what to do with. The potential of self-improvement and global awareness is limitless. As is the possibility of descension.<br />
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With all of this knowledge available it's easy to get lost in the volumes of garbage that surrounds it. Don't get overly distracted by the stories of celebrities and entertainment. They're enjoyable in the same way that junk food is enjoyable, in small doses. Overindulgence is a sin everyone is guilty of, but awareness of it is key to moderation. Avoid websites dedicated to ideals which perpetuate a cynical world view. Things aren't perfect but they are markedly better than they are reported as being. Devote yourself to learning about the world. Understand what people are going through in times of struggle and strife. Identify with the suffering and unite with the repressed. Dedicate yourself to an ideal and transcend the individual.<br />
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I believe that anything worth doing is work. But the moment that something transitions from work to a chore is the moment it's no longer worthy of your time. Under the Fold has become a chore. The amount of time devoted to this platform is not beneficial to my self-improvement and not the best use of my time. I'll no longer be updating the site but will keep it active in order to keep the information I have provided available. After spending so much time writing and editing Under the Fold I felt a final message was appropriate. I didn't want the last entry to simply portray a regular update and leave things without closure. Currently, I'm in the process of researching new ideas for a revamped blog and will post the link to it once it's finalized.<br />
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'Wisdom is found only in truth.' - Johann Wolfgang von GoetheBrad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-24614313201707830372012-07-26T18:15:00.000-04:002012-07-26T18:15:56.296-04:00War on Drugs Driving HIV Transmission<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While preparing for today's entry I conducted preliminary research regarding the correlation between the war against drugs and the rise of HIV transmission. While I initially believed that the topic may provide enough information to fill half of a regular post, thus allowing a discussion detailing the conference to a greater degree than I have been able to thus far, I now realize that I need to devote the entirety of today's story to the topic. I'm doing this because the amount of information has exploded in the last week and I'd be doing a disservice to the topic by cutting it short. </div>
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<a name='more'></a> The reason that so many media outlets have committed their resources to such a well-documented connection is two-fold; first, the International AIDS Conference taking place in Washington this week has renewed interest in the struggle against HIV; and second, three major reports slamming the drug war were released in the last month, causing many people to cry foul of the continued war.<br />
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According to a post on <a href="http://neurobonkers.com/2012/06/26/two-major-reports-slamming-the-drug-war-released-in-one-day/" target="_blank">Neurobonkers.com</a>, the first report was released by the anti-drug-war multi-national organization <a href="http://www.countthecosts.org/" target="_blank">Count the Costs</a>, preempting the official UN Office on Drugs and Crime's 2012 World Drug Report (see below) and attempts to calculate the "full costs of the war on drugs". The <a href="http://www.countthecosts.org/sites/default/files/AWDR.pdf" target="_blank">Alternative World Drug Report</a> exposes the failure of governments and the UN to assess the costs of pursuing a global war on drugs, and calls for UN member states to count these costs and explore all alternatives, explains the official summary found on the website. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The GCDP report accuses the US, Russia and Thailand of ignoring scientific evidence about the relationship between law enforcement policies and HIV rates with devastating consequences.</td></tr>
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The description continues to say that the original goal of the of the war on drugs was to create a drug-free world. Instead, despite more than a trillion-dollars spent fighting the war, according to the UN office on Drugs and Crime, illegal drugs are used by an estimated 270 million people and organized crime profits from a trade with an estimated turnover of over $330 billion a year - the world's largest illegal commodity market.</div>
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The second report is by the <a href="http://www.globalcommissionondrugs.org/" target="_blank">Global Commission on Drug Policy</a> (GCDP), a collection of former government drug tsars, former world leaders and experts, and outlines the effect that of the drug war on the HIV pandemic, explains Neurobonkers. The report, entitled <a href="http://globalcommissionondrugs.org/wp-content/themes/gcdp_v1/pdf/GCDP_HIV-AIDS_2012_REFERENCE.pdf" target="_blank">The War on Drugs and HIV/AIDS</a>, also explains how the drug war fuels the HIV pandemic:</div>
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<li>Fear of arrest drives persons who use drugs underground, away from HIV testing and HIV prevention services and into high risk environments.</li>
<li>Restrictions on provision of sterile syringes to drug users result in increased syringe sharing.</li>
<li>Prohibitions or restrictions on opioid substitution therapy and other evidence-based treatment result in untreated addiction and avoidable HIV risk behaviour.</li>
<li>Conditions and lack of HIV prevention measures in prison lead to HIV outbreaks amoung incarcerated drug users.</li>
<li>Disruptions of HIV antiretroviral therapy result in elevated HIV viral load and subsequent HIV transmission and increased antiretroviral resistance.</li>
<li>Limited public funds are wasted on harmful and ineffective drug law enforcement efforts instead of being invested in proven HIV prevention strategies.</li>
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The GCDP held a media conference last month to talk about the commission and discuss the report in greater detail. They also fielded questions from members of the media and the public. The entire conference can be watched below:</div>
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People have long known that drug use is linked to disease, but this report is the first clear analysis of how our enforcement of drug laws condemns thousands to AIDS and other life-threatening ailments, explains <a href="http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20120720/OPINION/307200013/Repressive-War-Drugs-drives-HIV-transmission?nclick_check=1" target="_blank">Statesmanjournal</a>. "Based on the evidence highlighted in our report, we know that countries that treat addiction as a health issue are winning the fight against HIV," says Dr. Michel Kazatchikine, former Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and member of the GCDP. "On the other hand, the countries that have ignored scientific evidence and continue to resist the implementation of evidence-based HIV prevention programs are suffering devastating consequences."</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An international report on the global war on drugs and its role in perpetuating the HIV/AIDS pandemic notes falling infection rates in B.C., which allows safe injection sites. (Darryl Dick / CP)</td></tr>
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The <a href="http://www.unodc.org/unodc/index.html" target="_blank">United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime</a> (UNODC) is mandated to assist Member States to provide people who use drugs, prisoners and people vulnerable to human trafficking with evidence-informed comprehensive HIV prevention, treatment and care services, according to the organization's website. Their goal is to "avert HIV infections and related deaths, to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV, and to contribute to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, particularly to halt and reverse the AIDS epidemic." As I mentioned at the beginning of this entry, they released the <a href="http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/WDR2012/WDR_2012_web_small.pdf" target="_blank">World Drug Report 2012</a> after the Alternative World Drug Report was publicized.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impact of drug policies on recent HIV prevalence amoung people who inject drugs. From the GCDP report.</td></tr>
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The UNODC website states that the report begins with an overview of recent trends and the current situation in terms of production, trafficking and consumption and the consequences of drug use in terms of treatment, drug-related diseases and deaths. The second chapter presents a long-term perspective: it looks at the main characteristics of the contemporary drug problem, the ways it's changed over the last few decades, the driving factors that shaped this evolution, and the directions its likely to take in the future.</div>
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Related stories that may interest you:</div>
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<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/07/23/bc-aids-doctors-join-international-campaign-_n_1693977.html?utm_hp_ref=canada" target="_blank">B.C. 'War On Drugs:' Canadian AIDS Doctors Join International Campaign</a> - Huffington Post</div>
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<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/06/25/pol-war-on-drugs-hiv-global-commission-report.html" target="_blank">Failed War On Drugs Feeding HIV/AIDS, Former Leaders Say</a> - CBC </div>
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<a href="http://healthland.time.com/2012/06/28/how-the-global-war-on-drugs-drives-hiv-and-aids/" target="_blank">How the Global War On Drugs Drives HIV and AIDS</a> - Time</div>
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<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jul/26/hiv-aids-war-on-drugs" target="_blank">The End of HIV/AIDS May Not be Possible if the War On Drugs Continues</a> - Guardian</div>Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-45135707762296289302012-07-24T18:47:00.000-04:002012-07-24T20:25:16.565-04:00Drug-resistant AIDS Virus 'On the Rise'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A study published in <i><a href="http://www.thelancet.com/" target="_blank">The Lancet</a> </i>medical journal reveals that the new drug-resistant mutations of the AIDS virus is increasing in parts of Africa; a development which should be a clear warning to health watchdogs across the world. This rise in documented cases has researchers, doctors and patients urging the world's governments not to cut funding against the epidemic, reports <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2012/07/201272382635404224.html" target="_blank">Aljazeera</a>. The study couldn't be coming at a more appropriate time as the 19th International AIDS Conference is being held in Washington D.C. this week and brings together the international community to discuss what's been accomplished in the fight against the virus and what still needs to be done to create an AIDS-free generation.</div>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="text-align: left;"> The conference unites more than 20,000 scientists, doctors, people living with HIV and policy-makers from around the world in an effort to 'turn the tide' on the virus by applying recent scientific advances to practical protections. There's still no cure or vaccine for AIDS, but scientists believe they have the tools to stem the spread of the virus by using treatment not just to save patients but also make them less infectious, as well. An example of this strategy is the new application of Truvada, a daily AIDS medicine that healthy people can take to lower their risk of infection from a sexual partner. However, the drug may have </span><a href="http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2012/07/newly-approved-preventive-hiv-drug-truvada-costly-brings-own-risks.html" left;"="" target="_blank">health implications</a><span style="text-align: left;"> as studies have indicated that it may be linked to kidney and bone damage.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank, speaks at the opening session of the International AIDS Conference, in Washington, on Sunday July 22, 2012. The world's largest AIDS conference returned to the U.S. on Sunday with a plea against complacency at a time when the epidemic is at a critical turning point. (Jacquelyn Martin / AP Photo)</td></tr>
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Those attending the conference will be hearing from experts around the world as they discuss some of the challenges that are impeding progress against the virus; such as how to get the medicine to those who need it the most, especially in poorer countries with high infection rates. This is becoming a growing concern as the increase of resistant viruses in untreated people soared from one per cent to 7.3 per cent in Eastern Africa in an eight-year period. Aljazeera reports that similar increases have been recorded in other parts of Africa, as well as Latin America and the Caribbean.</div>
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Another objective of the conference is to get more HIV-infected pregnant women treated to protect their babies. The Aljazeera article concludes by stating that last year the world spent $16.8 billion fighting the AIDS virus in poor countries. This is still $7 billion a year short of the amount needed to double the eight million people getting life-saving drugs by world government's goal of 2015. "This gap is killing people," UNAIDS chief Michel Sidibe told the conference. "My friends, the end of AIDS is not free. It is not too expensive. It is priceless."</div>
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Due to the recession, funding is becoming increasingly difficult. This is especially true when countries that can afford treatment are being asked to help poorer countries that are still trying to get access to medicine. A story written by the <a href="http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/international-aids-conference-aims-to-finally-stem-spread-of-virus-1.888898" target="_blank">Associated Press</a> says it best, "Where's the money? What works best in different countries and cultures? And with HIV increasingly an epidemic of the poor and the marginalized, will countries find the will to invest in the most vulnerable?" </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Activists rallied on the streets of Washington D.C. at the opening of the 19th International AIDS Conference. (AFP)</td></tr>
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More than 1,000 people -- many of them living with HIV -- marched through Washington on Sunday to urge the public and policy-makers to pay attention to a disease that, in the U.S., doesn't get much publicity anymore, according to the same Associated Press story. Organizers said that the purpose of the "Keep the Promise" march was to remind world leaders that AIDS is still a threat to global health. <a href="http://www.aidshealth.org/" target="_blank">AIDS Healthcare Foundation</a> organized the march and calls for the funding of programs that fight the disease and lower prices on AIDS drugs.</div>
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I'll be continuing this discussion as the International AIDS Conference progresses throughout the week. Tomorrow will be spent looking at the conference in greater detail and talking about a controversial new campaign calling on world leaders to stop the spread of AIDS by ending the war on drugs.</div>Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-58911310027864633902012-07-23T19:38:00.000-04:002012-07-23T19:38:20.369-04:00Delay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today's post has been pushed back to tomorrow due to the amount of research I need to do to be able to properly discuss the topic. Sorry for any inconvenience.</div>
<br />Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-30428967491633384322012-07-22T14:56:00.000-04:002012-07-22T14:57:00.051-04:00US Military Allows Uniforms in Gay Pride Parade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Active duty members in all branches of the military were allowed to don their uniforms while marching in the San Diego Pride Parade yesterday. This is the first time that the military has granted such permissions since the September repeal of the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' (DADT) policy, under which gay individuals could only serve in the military if they did not divulge their sexual orientation. The move came after San Diego Pride Parade organizers announced this year's parade theme, America's Pride: Equality is an American Value. According to an article posted on <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2012/07/20127205506531551.html" target="_blank">Aljazeera</a> more than 400 military members signed up to march in the parade prior to the military's announcement. While an official report is not yet available, organizers believed that this number would increase after the allowance was made public.</div>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="text-align: left;"> The approval was given by Rene Bardorf, the deputy assistant secretary of defence for community and public Outreach. "It is our understanding that event organizers plan to have a portion of the parade dedicated to military members. We further understand organizers are encouraging service members to seek their commander's approval to march in uniform and to display their pride," Bardorf wrote in an internal memo. Citing national media attention, Bardorf granted permission for service members to participate, but limited that approval to yesterday's San Diego Pride Parade, according to the Aljazeera story.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Previously only armed service veterans were allowed to wear their uniforms at pride parades, not those on duty. (Getty)</td></tr>
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Prior to this year, only retired armed service veterans, not those in active duty, were allowed to wear their uniforms in gay pride parades. Fernando Lopez, the director for public affairs for San Diego LGBT pride, said that commanders could give permission to individuals to participate but this is the first time such a blanket statement was given to those serving in the military. </div>
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<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/22/us-military-san-diego-pride" target="_blank">The Guardian</a> posted a story today discussing the impact of the permission on the LGBT military community. "Today is so important," said navy lieutenant, Brian McKinney, who marched with his partner, Hunter Hammonds, in Saturday's parade. "It's about putting on my uniform and taking pride in my service, my fellow service members, my family and myself. It's something I'm incredibly thankful for." This sentiment is matched by Commander Kent Blade, who will retire this fall after 26 years in the navy. Blade told the Guardian that being able march in uniform was a "perfect culmination of his career." </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The US defence department relaxed its ban on wearing uniforms in parades because San Diego organizers had encouraged personnel to march in their uniforms. (David Maung / EPA)</td></tr>
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The military's permission to allow uniforms in the gay pride parade is another victory for the LGBT community after the repeal of the DADT policy, a law which has been in effect for almost 18 years. The law banned openly gay Americans from serving in the armed forces and meant that those currently in active duty had to hide their sexual orientation or be discharged. According to Title 10 of the United States Code the policy prohibited people who 'demonstrate a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts' from serving in the armed forces, because their presence 'would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability." </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obama signs the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010.</td></tr>
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The 'Don't Ask' provision of the law stated that the military or appointed officials could not ask service members to reveal their sexual orientation. The 'Don't Tell' states that a member may be discharged for claiming to be homosexual or bisexual or making a statement indicating a tendency towards or intent to engage in homosexual activities. The law was contested on a number of occasions, and rightfully so. An example of this is the 2006 <a href="http://www.enotes.com/topic/Witt_v._Department_of_the_Air_Force" target="_blank">Witt v. Department of the Air Force</a>, in which Margaret Witt filed a suit seeking declaratory and injunctive relief on the grounds that DADT violates substantive due process, the Equal Protection Clause, and procedural due process.</div>
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<a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/09/20/140605121/with-repeal-of-dont-ask-dont-tell-an-era-ends" target="_blank">NPR</a> posted an interview they conducted in September 2011 with Aaron Belkin, a political science professor, and Air Force 1st Lt. Josh Seefried, co-founder of <a href="http://outserve.org/#" target="_blank">OutServe</a>, a Facebook-based network for gay Americans actively serving in duty. Belkin helped lead research and analysis of gay Americans in the military and of the effect of DADT on military capabilities. His e-book, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-We-Won-Progressive-ebook/dp/B005NDLMVK" target="_blank">How We Won: Progressive Lessons from the Repeal of "Don' Ask, Don't Tell"</a></i>, detailed the research, how it communicated with the military from the inside, and its deliberative media strategy. According the the NPR story Belkin believes that it was an accumulation of evidence that brought down the DADT policy.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A female sailor from USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) kisses her fiancée following the ships return to homeport after a three-month deployment in the Caribbean, December 2011. </td></tr>
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While the repeal of the DADT law was a step in the right direction there's still a lot of work that needs to be done. Realizing equal rights for the LGBT community is a complicated process which requires large changes to happen in society. A survey posted on the <a href="http://www.armytimes.com/news/2012/03/military-times-2012-poll-dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal-has-less-impact-than-expected-031212w/" target="_blank">Army Times</a> website shows that the repeal has less of an impact than expected. The poll was conducted by the Military Times and reported that 59 per cent of active-duty respondents said they did not believe they would be affected by the repeal. In fact 69 per cent said that in the last year they had felt no impact from the repeal. The report says that one reason for the underwhelming results could be that there haven't been a large number of those in active duty coming out. "Only one solider has come out of the closet at work since the repeal," Military Times reported. "The rest either said their unit members knew about their orientation before repeal, or they continue to keep their orientation private."</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Findings from the Military Times poll indicate that many active-duty respondents were unaffected by the repeal.</td></tr>
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If you are interested in more information about this topic or are looking for support click the links below:</div>
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<a href="http://outmilitary.com/" target="_blank">Out Military</a></div>
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<a href="http://outserve.org/" target="_blank">OutServe</a></div>
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<a href="http://sldn.3cdn.net/5d4dd958a62981cff8_v5m6bw1gx.pdf" target="_blank">Freedom to Serve: The Definitive Guide to LGBT Military Service</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2010/0610_dadt/" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Defence</a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tb60nFeJsNc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-77045499367227694682012-07-21T18:30:00.001-04:002012-07-21T18:32:47.035-04:00News in Photos: July 21, 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today is the final entry in this week's "News in Photos" template. While I enjoy covering a variety of topics, it isn't the reason that I started Under the Fold. By talking about the news of the day I'm missing the stories that were under reported. It's also difficult to really research and explain the details behind a story when I'm covering three in one post. The "News in Photos" design may be something I tweak for future posts but for right now I'm going to shelf it. Today's post will conclude this template by listing the top news headlines and provide an accompanying image and link. My reason for the short post is so that I can begin research into tomorrow's story.</div>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="text-align: left;">1) Japan to probe Tepco radiation cover-up claim Source: </span><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18936831" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">BBC News</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nine workers are reported to have put lead shields on their radiation dosimeters to disguise their total exposure.</td></tr>
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2) Rupert Murdoch quits as News International director Source: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/jul/21/rupert-murdoch-director-news-international-quits" target="_blank">The Guardian</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rupert Murdoch has stepped down as a director of News International, in a move that fuel speculation the media mogul is preparing to sell off his UK newspapers.</td></tr>
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3) Chile to probe schools in sex abuse claims Source: <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2012/07/201272193424251608.html" target="_blank">Aljazeera</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chile will investigate 61 schools in the country's capital for possible child sex abuse, the attorney general said in the latest governments step to address a sharp rise in reports of such crime. </td></tr>
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4) Colorado police using robot to detonate booby traps in James Holmes' apartment Source: <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/07/21/dark-knight-rises-shooting-apartment-2012/" target="_blank">National Post</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Holmes' apartment, second right, is booby-trapped with sophisticated explosives police said. The alleged gunman, shown above in a 2006 photo, was arrested shortly after the movie-theatre shooting that killed 12. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-36726060024947062812012-07-20T20:51:00.000-04:002012-07-21T15:40:35.510-04:00News in Photos: July 20, 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Police are reporting that 12 people have been killed in a shooting at a midnight screening of the new Batman movie in Denver. The suspect, James Holmes, 24, walked into the theatre dressed in body armour while carrying three weapons, including an assault rifle. Witnesses say that Holmes entered a side door of the theatre wearing a gas mask and set off two smoke devices before opening fire. In addition to the 12 people who died in the attack, another 59 were injured. The death toll may rise because some of the wounds are being reported as being "serious". Authorities believe that Holmes was acting alone but are puzzled by the shooting because he was apparently "not on anybody's radar screen - nothing." At first, those attending the midnight screening believed that Holmes was part of the show. A number of details are still unknown because the investigation is still in its early stages. (<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/21/us/shooting-at-colorado-theater-showing-batman-movie.html?pagewanted=all" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>)<br />
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<a name='more'></a>1) Mountie convicted of obstruction of justice in deadly B.C. crash discharged Source: </span><a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Mountie+convicted+obstruction+justice+deadly+crash+discharged/6965689/story.html" target="_blank">Vancouver Sun</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RCMP officer Cpl. Benjamin "Monty" Robinson arrives at court in New Westminister, B.C. Friday, March 23, 2012. Robinson has been discharged from the RCMP. (Jonathan Hayward / CP)</td></tr>
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Cpl. Benjamin Robinson, the disgraced RCMP officer who was involved in the death of Robert Dziekanski in 2007, voluntarily left the force on Friday. Robinson also faces obstruction of justice charges in a tragic accident that claimed the life of 21-year-old Orion Hutchinson. The officer's vehicle struck Hutchinson's motorcycle in Delta, south of Vancouver, in October 2008. In his obstruction of justice trial, the defendant claimed that he went home after the accident and did two shots of vodka to "calm his nerves." According to the article posted on the Vancouver Sun website, a judge concluded that Robinson was using his training as a RCMP officer in an attempt to fend of impaired driving accusations. The former officer is also facing charges in connection with their testimony at the public inquiry into Dziekanski's death at a Vancouver airport. The Polish man was a new immigrant who did not speak English and had been in the airport for over 10 hours. After so much time stuck in the terminal, Dziekanski began throwing furniture. The officers approached the man and repeatedly stunned him with a Taser gun.<br />
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I'm cutting today's post short due to time restraints but here are other top stories from today:
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<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18902961" target="_blank">Olympic torch: Flame makes dramatic arrival in London</a><br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/21/world/middleeast/clashes-continue-after-border-posts-fall-to-syrian-rebels.html?pagewanted=all" target="_blank">U.N. Extends Syria Mission as Violence Rises to New Heights</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18935976" target="_blank">Struggle to identify Bulgaria bus suicide bomber</a><br />
<a href="http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-07/20/c_123448782.htm" target="_blank">China pledges to work with ASEAN to safeguard peace in South China Sea</a>Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-60880872201936708902012-07-19T18:08:00.000-04:002012-07-19T18:09:03.252-04:00News in Photos: July 19, 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Reports have confirmed that Mehdi Ghezali, an ex-Guantanamo Bay detainee, was responsible for the bus blast in Bulgaria yesterday. Video surveillance in front of the airport showed that the suspect could not be identified amoung other traveling Israeli tourists because he looked like everyone else. Authorities have also confirmed that the bomber was carrying a fake drivers license from the state of Michigan. The airport has been closed all day so that police could conduct their investigation, a situation that has around 100 travelers waiting for their planes. They have been told that they would need to wait until midnight before they could use the airport again. Officials have set up tents and portable toilets for the stranded travelers and Bulgaria's parliament opened today with a moment of silence for those who lost their lives. (<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/19/bulgaria-bus-blast-suicide-bomber_n_1685211.html?utm_hp_ref=world" target="_blank">Huffington Post</a>)</div>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="text-align: left;">1) Syria conflict: West 'appalled' by Russia China UN veto Source: </span><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18914578" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">BBC</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Syrian state TV has broadcast the first images of President Assad since an attack which left three defense officials dead.</td></tr>
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BBC News has reported that a UN Security Council resolution proposing further sanctions on Syria has been vetoed by Russia and China, a move which has prompted an angry Western response. The Syrian military has gathered troops and given residents 48 hours to leave the parts of Damascus held by rebel forces before it strikes back. The rebels are reported to have taken a number of border posts including the Sarmada and Bab al-Hawa crossings. The BBC article states that the Damascus government would have been threatened with non-military sanctions under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter if it didn't move troops and heavy artillery away from populated areas. This is a plan that can no longer happen because of the veto.</div>
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2) Smuggling tunnel found under EU border with Ukraine Source: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/19/smuggling-tunnel-slovakia-ukraine" target="_blank">The Guardian</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slovakian border guards patrol along the Slovakia-Ukraine border. (David W. Cerny / Reuters)</td></tr>
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According to a story on the Guardian website "a 700-meter tunnel with its own train used for smuggling has been discovered between Slovakia and Ukraine." While officials believe that the tunnel may have been used to smuggle people into Slovakia, its main use was to illegally import cigarettes into the EU. The story continues by claiming that police sized more than 2.5m contraband cigarettes. The tunnel connected a warehouse in Slovakia with a house in the Ukraine. The warehouse has been under surveillance for weeks and the owner was arrested on site. The full details of this story are still being released as new information is discovered. Officials have confirmed that sophisticated mining equipment was used in the creation of the tunnel, which ran about six metres below ground.</div>
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3) UK police charge three for 'terror training' Source: <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2012/07/201271962019544541.html" target="_blank">Aljazeera</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Police has insisted the case has nothing to do with the Olympics, which begins on July 27. (Reuters)</td></tr>
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Aljazeera has reported that three British Muslims, including a former London police support officer, have been charged with traveling to Pakistan for terror training between 2010 and 2012. Scotland Yard said in a statement that the men had traveled to Pakistan "with the intention of committing acts of terrorism or assisting another to commit such acts." The statement also says that the men were providing council to others about how to travel to Pakistan, find training, and how to stay safe while in the country. Two others were charged with having material likely to be useful for terrorism. The article says that all five of the men had been arrested earlier in the month. Officials deny any connection between the terror training and the upcoming Olympic games at the end of July. While an increase of chatter amoung extremist groups is to be expected with the games approaching, intelligence officials state that there has been no specific threats targeting the Olympics. </div>Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-22220310944380530042012-07-18T20:06:00.000-04:002012-07-18T20:07:35.922-04:00News in Photos: July 18, 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Events in Damascus have escalated since yesterday's post due to an attack at the national security headquarters in Rawda district in the city. Three people in President Bashar Al Assad's inner circle were killed when a bomb was detonated in the building. President Bashar Assad's >deputy Gen. Assef Shawkat, who was also his brother-in-law, was one of the men killed in the explosion. Syria's rebel commander takes responsibility for the attack, which he denies was a suicide bombing and says that those who carried out the operation are "unharmed". This is easily the top reported story of the day. (<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/18/damascus-bombing-syria_n_1682365.html?utm_hp_ref=world" target="_blank">Huffington Post</a>)<br />
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<a name='more'></a>1) Greece declares state of emergency as wildfires rage near city of Patras Source: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/18/greece-state-emergency-wildfires-city" target="_blank">The Guardian</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A helicopter drops water on a wildfire near Patras in Greece. (Giota Korbaki / EPA)</td></tr>
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Hundreds of people have fled Patras after Greek officials declared a state of emergency in the country's third largest city because of raging wildfires. According to the story, authorities said the fires were burning on three fronts, coming within six miles of the city, which is home to 220,000 people. The state of emergency allows Greek authorities to call in the military if they are needed. The article also states that nine planes and a helicopters are involved in the firefighting effort at Ano Kastritsi and at Argyra, dumping water on forests.<br />
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2) Dozens killed in Zanzibar ferry sinking Source: <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/07/201271814217312822.html" target="_blank">Aljazeera</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Witnesses said some unconscious victims were being carried on stretchers. (Reuters)</td></tr>
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At least 24 are dead after a ferry with at least 280 people on board capsized off the east African coast of the Zanzibar archipelago, the government reported today. Details are still scarce and the exact count of those who lost their lives in the accident is strictly speculation at this point. Search and rescue are currently searching the submerged vessel for the dozens of people still missing. "The rescue operations are continuing [...] 124 people have already been found alive and we hope that others will be saved," Tanzania's Interior Minister Emmanuel Nchimbi said. It's still unclear what caused the accident but preliminary reports indicate that strong winds and waves may have been a factor. </div>
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3) Bulgaria bus blast leaves 6 dead and dozens wounded Source: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/18/bulgaria-bus-blast-israeli-tourists_n_1683204.html?utm_hp_ref=world" target="_blank">Huffington Post</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoke rises into the sky after an explosion at Burgas airport on Wednesday, July 18, 2012. (AP Photo / Burgasinfo)</td></tr>
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A bomb exploded on a bus carrying Israeli youth in a Bulgarian resort, killing at least six and wounding 32 others, officials said. The Israeli Prime Minister is calling it an 'Iranian terror attack' and has promised a tough response, according to the story on the Huffington Post. The attack coincides with the 18th anniversary of the bombing of a Jewish community centre in Argentina that killed 85 people, an attack that an Argentine magistrate has already concluded that Iran was behind. The bomb went off after tourists boarded the bus from their charter flight. No group has stepped forward to claim responsibility for the attack.</div>Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-12576930518053146852012-07-17T19:54:00.000-04:002012-07-17T20:08:36.812-04:00News in Photos: July 17, 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week I'm going to do things a little differently by presenting a number of news stories from around the world through the use of images. I'll briefly describe the details of the story and provide a link to the original article for further information. The reason I'm changing my format is twofold; first, I need a breather after the amount of research and writing that went into the youth unemployment series, and second, I feel that by providing a brief summary of some of the events happening around the world you may be more enticed to research the events on your own. Independent research is a vital step to developing your awareness of the world around you and understanding the importance of the news. </div>
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<a name='more'></a><text-align: left;"="">1) HSBC 'sorry' for aiding Mexican drug lords, rouge states and terrorists Source: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/jul/17/hsbc-executive-resigns-senate" left;"="" target="_blank">The Guardian</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HSBC apologized for its lapse, said reforms has been put in place, and admitted it was 'horrified' by what it found. (Gary Cameron / Reuters)</td></tr>
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Executives for HSBC, Europe's biggest bank, were forced to answer a barrage of difficult questions by US senators today because of "revelations that staff at its global subsidiaries laundered billions of dollars for drug cartels, terrorists and pariah states." Reports found that these subsidiaries had transported billions of dollars worth of cash in armoured vehicles, cleared suspicious travellers' cheques worth billions, and allowed Mexican drug lords to buy planes with laundered money. According to the Guardian David Bagley, HSBC's head of compliance since 2002, resigned before the committee. The problems were reported to have happened because of poor oversight and compliance which was "fragmented". The bank was also subjected to harsh criticisms of its operations in Iran, Syria and Cuba.</div>
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2) Fighting spreads in Damascus; Syrian rebels see turning point Source: <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1227432--syria-uses-helicopters-to-battle-rebels-in-damascus" target="_blank">The Toronto Star</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Demonstrators raise Syrian opposition flags during a protest against Syria's President Bashar Assad in the Kfr Suseh area of Damascus on Monday. (Reuters)</td></tr>
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The fighting between security forces and rebels continued today in what was described as "the fiercest clashes to date reported in Damascus". This is the third consecutive day of attacks on Syria's capital and the 16th month of the civil conflict. According to Col. Qassim Saadeddine, Homs-based spokesman for the Joint Command of the rebel group, the fighting won't stop until the capital has been conquered, reported a Lebanese television station's website. The opposition says that the government retaliated by sending in attack helicopters and shelling to stop the rebels. Other opposition groups are appearing around Syria to fight to government but the state of the situation is difficult to judge because the Syrian government has restricted human rights monitors and journalists.</div>
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3) Taliban's vaccine ban may affect 280,000 children Source: <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/17/world/asia/pakistan-taliban-polio-vaccine/index.html?hpt=wo_c2" target="_blank">CNN</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUcSGl9Zg4OU9p1G0Xj4UO_4adscrcW-uS-Il-Y8iu1ap5lSW5gyslTFLfWteqmRZCeNheKhD5bSsZLido5HAEU1AkP96oHmBiC5NI7D3y7C6pPLymw-A8a1HDL_QM5YH_f2wYbwVDqOR/s1600/120717062305-pakistan-mother-baby-polio-story-top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUcSGl9Zg4OU9p1G0Xj4UO_4adscrcW-uS-Il-Y8iu1ap5lSW5gyslTFLfWteqmRZCeNheKhD5bSsZLido5HAEU1AkP96oHmBiC5NI7D3y7C6pPLymw-A8a1HDL_QM5YH_f2wYbwVDqOR/s320/120717062305-pakistan-mother-baby-polio-story-top.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A three-month-old infant receives polio vaccination drops from his mother at a camp in Jalozai, Pakistan on July 13. </td></tr>
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The World Health Organization estimates that 280,000 children could be affected by the polio vaccination ban imposed by Taliban militants. The ban was enacted last month and is in response to US drone strikes in the region. According to CNN a three-day nationwide effort to administer the vaccine failed to immunize children in North and South Waziristan. Throughout the rest of the country, 180,000 health workers and volunteers spread across communities in the attempt to immunize 34 million children, under the age of 5. The ban is highly criticized because it puts children at risk in an ill conceived attempt to use their lives as bargaining chips against the US government. An editorial from <a href="http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/editorials/15-Jul-2012/a-retrograde-step" target="_blank">The Nation</a>, a Pakistani newspaper, calls the ban "an act of extremist proportions that would earn the Taliban more public anger."</div>
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4) US FDA approves first drug shown to reduce risk of HIV infection Source: <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jul/16/fda-drug-hiv-infection" target="_blank">The Guardian</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The HIV 1 virus shown under a microscope. The US FDA has approved a drug shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection. (Institut Pasteur / AFP)</td></tr>
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Truvada, a drug which has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection, has been approved by the FDA. It's already being used for Aids treatment but is now being positioned for individuals with "extreme risk of HIV" because their partners are infected. The cost of the drug is $14,000 a year, an expense not many people may be able to afford, especially those without health insurance. The article explains that supporters of the drug hope that eventually it can be offered in Africa and the developing world. The manufacturer of the drug, Gilead Sciences, discounts Truvada in the developing world, bringing the price as low as $100 a year. This discount applies to the drug's current application of Aids treatment and not the newly promoted use of prevention. However, the Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) are accusing the FDA of being "reckless" because studies show that the drug could potentially cause kidney damage. The AHF also argues that the pill shouldn't be given unless an HIV test is undertaken or those already infected could find the virus become resistant to the drug. According to the article, Truvada is a combination of two antiretroviral drugs used in HIV treatment - emtricitabine and tenofovir.</div>Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-29839917654898715552012-07-16T10:00:00.000-04:002012-07-17T15:50:14.627-04:00Fighting the Youth Unemployment Crisis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/6paItEm2AF4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Today is an extension of the final entry in the five-part series discussing the youth unemployment crisis that has gripped the developed world. I refer to the developed world specifically because my research hasn't involved any statistics or articles reflecting the job levels in developing nations. This is an area that interests me and may be something that I look at in another post. I have also avoided talking about gender or minority differences when discussing the youth unemployment crisis, as this would likely require additional posts as well, something that may also come at a later date.<br />
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<a name='more'></a> The final entry will focus on three different topics, all related to improving the odds of finding a job or starting your career. The advice given here is applicable to any age group and will be pulled from a variety of websites and sources, all of which will be linked throughout the post for your reference. I'll begin by explaining the concept behind personal branding and discuss some strategies to ensure that you're making the most of your online presence. Next, I will discuss the importance of using social networking sites to aid in your job search. I'll conclude by offering a series of links which will provide career searching advice and interview tips applicable to any field.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyV3JXV-EmgugaJTajryIekFK553BdloIWTr7xzS1MLit4qi450az8xis6fDyqXx2yMi-1lD1je0Jk9b1DPdkUgm0YGBAAEAx7iYBMVpvPEjCUDeV36JkJ64C2oMmyRl_MQCLJRU6X4rpZ/s1600/brand-heart-300x293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyV3JXV-EmgugaJTajryIekFK553BdloIWTr7xzS1MLit4qi450az8xis6fDyqXx2yMi-1lD1je0Jk9b1DPdkUgm0YGBAAEAx7iYBMVpvPEjCUDeV36JkJ64C2oMmyRl_MQCLJRU6X4rpZ/s1600/brand-heart-300x293.jpg" /></a></div>
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Personal branding is the process by which we market ourselves to others. It isn't a new concept but it's never been as important as it is today. Because of the amount of information that's readily available online it's important to ensure that your virtual presence isn't damaging your odds of appealing to potential employers. A survey by <a href="http://www.careerbuilder.com/" target="_blank">CareerBuilder.com</a> found that 1 in 4 hiring managers used search engines to screen candidates. One in 10 also checked candidates' profiles on social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter. For the purpose of this post I'll be using the term "personal branding" in conjunction with the phrase "online identity management" because in today's online culture they are extremely interconnected. According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_identity_management" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a> there are three goals of online identity management:<br />
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<li>Maximize the appearances of positive online references about a specific person, targeting not only to users that actively search for that person on any Search Engine, but also to those that eventually can reach a person's reference while browsing the web.</li>
<li>Build an online identity in case the person's web presence is minimal or nonexistence.</li>
<li>Solve online reputation problems. In this case, the process can also be named online reputation management.</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_htkRlhY556U-slTjOlCW__w7vYWUP3EP3foNvua-7NSr6wc-ooXX1mzhENa586czix4U3BgwkLvFPaxqjxvaFxPR2YUfms8agY1Aa4GGa_nYrT4V-2EPxG2Tb_CXg0SsbwHZVgH4VIBL/s1600/Jobvite-social-recruiting-networks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_htkRlhY556U-slTjOlCW__w7vYWUP3EP3foNvua-7NSr6wc-ooXX1mzhENa586czix4U3BgwkLvFPaxqjxvaFxPR2YUfms8agY1Aa4GGa_nYrT4V-2EPxG2Tb_CXg0SsbwHZVgH4VIBL/s320/Jobvite-social-recruiting-networks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dan Schawbel, a writer for <a href="http://mashable.com/2009/02/05/personal-branding-101/" target="_blank">Mashable.com</a>, expresses the importance of personal branding, "Social media tools have leveled the playing ground and have enabled us to reach incredible heights." During the article Schawbel explains the proper method of creating and managing a personal brand by stating that the process begins with discovering your brand. "The single biggest mistake that people make is that they either brand themselves just for the sake of doing it or that they fail to invest time in learning about what's in their best interests," says Schawbel. Being successful means being paid for what you're passionate about. In order to accomplish this goal you need to discover your passion. Doing this correctly means that a fair amount of time is required for thinking and researching. Don't rush it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkr4i1s_7aYFckvaUfBcbzeNMPL3LFRWSrCA8OFiFqyxQJUlocDxyeuJy31se4syZ8KS5SNp0z8aGAGlHfFkYVMp_qaf3hrvOkk5eNcpuncJkLXpRCxqPwIR-ua6tB8oIPwkV2RFN0XWI/s1600/Personal_Brand_Footprint_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkr4i1s_7aYFckvaUfBcbzeNMPL3LFRWSrCA8OFiFqyxQJUlocDxyeuJy31se4syZ8KS5SNp0z8aGAGlHfFkYVMp_qaf3hrvOkk5eNcpuncJkLXpRCxqPwIR-ua6tB8oIPwkV2RFN0XWI/s320/Personal_Brand_Footprint_1.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
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The Mashable article also explains that brand discovery is about figuring out what you want to do for the rest of your life, setting goals, writing down a mission, vision and personal brand statement (what you do and who you serve), as well as creating a development plan. The way that others describe you (intelligent, funny) is a part of your brand as well. Schawbel states that to know if you've discovered your brand you need to make the following equation equal:<br />
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Your self-impression = How people perceive you</blockquote>
This equation needs to be followed by the discovery of a niche, whereby you can be the master of your domain; one where there aren't many competitors. It's also important to secure your domain name; even if you aren't ready to use it. The next step is to build your brand. There are a number of websites dedicated to offering information about building your personal brand. Schawbel addresses the process differently by focusing on traditional documents such as resumes, cover letters, and portfolios (both a hard copy and an online version). He also talks about creating a blog because it rates high in search engines, a step which should only be undertaken if you have the time to do it correctly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pKqecwaKwTxJas_FVSmfs16OsicjVB4WlHaXE65SUKuJpM2A5s4abXIZ0ZveBRY2mmaK79xA3YKddNZzlcIw1Fb3EGeMWrYWP5FhHBWLJphe-_Nd17XcMzL-cfKwcY_90XDKVu0lU8Qj/s1600/SocialMediaJobsLanded.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3pKqecwaKwTxJas_FVSmfs16OsicjVB4WlHaXE65SUKuJpM2A5s4abXIZ0ZveBRY2mmaK79xA3YKddNZzlcIw1Fb3EGeMWrYWP5FhHBWLJphe-_Nd17XcMzL-cfKwcY_90XDKVu0lU8Qj/s320/SocialMediaJobsLanded.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another important step is creating social media profiles. Social profiles are great for connecting with others and are also a good way to get yourself noticed. By using Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn you can also interact with organizations or people in your field of interest. These connections provide you with information in the form of videos, blog posts, and relevant news articles. Twitter is another great way to stay up to date with trends and developments in your field. For more information on establishing your brand visit <a href="http://www.business2community.com/branding/5-personal-branding-tips-your-online-identity-should-live-by-0180855" target="_blank">business2community.com</a>. Another resource is <a href="http://www.personalbrandingblog.com/">personalbrandingblog.com</a>. This website offers a variety of tips and tools to help you begin the process of branding yourself.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5w2WTJGjs94BdwGSic9vYUJy33UsXE2Ub37i8WVllHizeN2HwP9Pq20HLUPcfWan1AIBd_uPbbR8w2KL95Sz_6jaJDpDdyE2LUklKE6LNEl0vfQxy6CKzi_Eik0O1RV68kHzh39UHH57/s1600/How-job-seekers-are-finding-jobs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5w2WTJGjs94BdwGSic9vYUJy33UsXE2Ub37i8WVllHizeN2HwP9Pq20HLUPcfWan1AIBd_uPbbR8w2KL95Sz_6jaJDpDdyE2LUklKE6LNEl0vfQxy6CKzi_Eik0O1RV68kHzh39UHH57/s320/How-job-seekers-are-finding-jobs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Social media is a resource that's often underutilized by job seekers but because of the current job market it's important to change how a person searches for work. Another story on <a href="http://mashable.com/2009/01/05/job-search-secrets/" target="_blank">Mashable.com</a> lists seven secrets to getting a job using social media. The article address the importance of researching the organization you're interested in by finding current employees and contacting them through LinkedIn or email. This is a step that needs to be approached with commonsense and diplomacy. Facebook, for example, is a terrible way to contact people you don't know because of it's association with friends and not business.<br />
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Twitter is another important tool to use but you need to ensure that you have a complete profile with a professional photo in place. LinkedIn is the most important resource because it is the proven number one way to promote yourself to the business community. To do this successfully be sure to completely fill out your profile and receive a recommendation from a co-worker or colleague. Also be sure to connect with as many people as possible because this grows your network and potential contacts. LinkedIn also has a number of groups and associations you can join to become better acquainted with other professionals in your industry. This also makes you more recognizable to hiring managers.<br />
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In order to conserve space and ensure that this post doesn't drag on, I will now provide a series of links about <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryhannon/2011/08/24/want-an-unbeatable-resume-read-these-tips-from-a-top-recruiter/" target="_blank">resume</a> and <a href="http://jobsearch.about.com/od/coverlettertips/tp/coverlettertips.htm" target="_blank">cover letter</a> writing advice, <a href="http://www.rbc.com/careers/interview-tips.html" target="_blank">interview tips</a>, creating an <a href="http://the99percent.com/tips/7127/6-Steps-To-Creating-A-Knockout-Online-Portfolio" target="_blank">online portfolio</a>, and the top-rated <a href="http://www.quintcareers.com/top_10_sites.html" target="_blank">job search engines</a>. These websites are a great starting point, but it's important to conduct further research if any of these tips aren't working for you. YouTube also has a large library of videos dedicated to helping people improve their job-hunting stills and resume.<br />
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The youth unemployment crisis has impacted the way that young people search for jobs. They can no longer email a resume and hope for the best. Developing a personal brand and creating social profiles are key steps to showing employers the skills you have to offer. The advice and links provided in this post contain the information you need to fight the youth unemployment crisis.<br />
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This series has delved deep into the crisis so that you're able to understand the situation more completely. I believe that knowledge is key to creating change and I sincerely hope that the facts I've provided are able to bring that change for you or your loved ones. As always, it's important to do your own research if you're looking for a deeper understanding than what I've provided. The stories and studies I've linked to throughout the series are a great starting point for independent research. Also if you missed any of the previous parts of this series click below to be redirected:</span><br />
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Part One - <a href="http://www.underfold.blogspot.ca/2012/07/youth-unemployment-creating-lost.html" target="_blank">Youth Unemployment Creating a 'Lost Generation'</a><br />
Part Two - <a href="http://www.underfold.blogspot.ca/2012/07/youth-unemployment-crisis-ramifications.html" target="_blank">Youth Unemployment Crisis Ramifications</a><br />
Part Three - <a href="http://www.underfold.blogspot.ca/2012/07/youth-unemployment-crisis-and-germany.html" target="_blank">Youth Unemployment Crisis and Germany</a><br />
Part Four - <a href="http://www.underfold.blogspot.ca/2012/07/youth-unemployment-crisis-and-neets.html" target="_blank">Youth Unemployment Crisis and Neets</a><br />
Part Five - <a href="http://www.underfold.blogspot.ca/2012/07/youth-unemployment-crisis-and-labour.html" target="_blank">Youth Unemployment Crisis and the Labour Market</a>Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-70614510847039606192012-07-15T14:38:00.001-04:002012-07-15T15:01:00.868-04:00Youth Unemployment Crisis and the Labour Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today is the final entry of the five-part series discussing the youth unemployment crisis but before I conclude I want to briefly touch on the previous four entries. I began this series by talking about a warning that was given by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) that if the crisis was allowed to continue uninterrupted it would result in the creation of a "lost generation" of youth. The OECD warning was directed at policy-makers in the developed world in order to generate an appropriate change of course. I used this warning as a segue to discussing the crisis around the world and examine the reported statistics as provided by the OECD.<br />
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<a name='more'></a> The second installment of the series was spent looking into the ramifications of the crisis on both the individual and society. The resulting research that I came across was staggering in its possible predictions of the grim future that may be in store for future generations. The third part of the series focused on the reported success story that Germany has experienced in their youth employment. I talked about the duel training system the country employed in conjunction with their strongly regulated job market. This entry also examined the opposition to the system and the possibility that their reported success may in fact be a result of negative labour traits and youth "parked" in the training system.<br />
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Yesterday's post addressed the growing subgroup which some countries refer to as "Neet" (Not in Education, Employment or Training). While the classification of this segment of society fluctuates depending on the country, it's a situation made much more prevalent due to the youth unemployment crisis. As promised yesterday, I will be spending the final entry talking about the labour market in today's climate and presenting career searching advice that's applicable for any age group interested in any field. I will also touch on the importance of social media and personal branding when applying for work. A word of caution, this entry will likely be quite long as there is a lot of material to discuss. If I find the entry is too long I will split this into a two part conclusion, with the second part to be posted tomorrow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0wIrF560TBs/UAMKhT0NnkI/AAAAAAAAAg0/kqEjl5aErL8/s1600/0523labour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0wIrF560TBs/UAMKhT0NnkI/AAAAAAAAAg0/kqEjl5aErL8/s320/0523labour.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Demonstrators protest against labour reforms in Spain. (Andrea Comas / Reuters)</td></tr>
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When discussing the labour market in 2012 it's vital to refer to the International Labor Office (ILO). According to their website, the ILO is the international organization responsible for drawing up and overseeing international labour standards. It's the only 'tripartite' United Nations agency that brings together representatives of governments, employers and workers to jointly shape policies and programs promoting decent work for all. If you are interested in employment trends for 2012 there is no better document than the <a href="http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@dgreports/@dcomm/@publ/documents/publication/wcms_171571.pdf" target="_blank">Global Employment Trends 2012</a> report, a summary of which can be read <a href="http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/---publ/documents/publication/wcms_171679.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. For those who want information about the youth employment trends there is a separate report that discusses this trend. The findings summary can be found <a href="http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/documents/publication/wcms_180977.pdf" target="_blank">here</a> or you can read the document in its complete form <a href="http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/documents/publication/wcms_180976.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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In September of 2011 the <a href="http://www.economist.com/node/21528434" target="_blank">Economist</a> published an article entitled, "Labor-market trends: Winners and losers". The writer begins by discussing the latest <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/153161/unemployment-february.aspx" target="_blank">Gallup Unemployment Index</a> statistics, which at the time of this article stood at 19% of the global workforce. This percentage is made up of of the unemployed (7%) and those who have part-time jobs but would like to work more (12%). In addition to these numbers, the ILO reports that 1.53 billion people, roughly half the global workforce, were in "vulnerable employment", either working for themselves or in badly paid family jobs.
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As we have already seen the youth have suffered worse than anyone when it comes to the labour market. According to the Economist article a reason for this may be the increased use of contract work, "Flexible contracts, which make it easy to fire people, were introduced for new entrants to the labour market but not for people already in work, so when firms had to make cuts the axe fell disproportionately on those flexible younger workers." Another reason that young people are being impacted so strongly is that older workers are staying on longer due to laws preventing age discrimination spreading across the workforce and the evaporation of early-retirement packages.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowds at a recruitment fair in Chongqing on Feb. 4 China is facing both shortage of labour and a surplus, a contradictory situation brought about by structural change in the economy. (CFP)</td></tr>
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The article also says that firms are relying on temporary, contract, or part-time workers because of their flexibility. Outsourcing is also on the rise for a number of companies around the world as cheaper solutions to full-time employees are sought after. One reason for these trends could be the removal of traditional benefit and retirement packages that exist primarily for full-time, senior employees. "These trends don't necessarily affect the number of jobs, but they do the quality of jobs, the security of jobs, how much people are paid and the benefits they get," notes Mr Reich. David Autor, an economist at MIT. Traditional white-collar jobs are also being wiped out thanks to the increased use of technology to replace tasks of a routine nature.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More than one in three recent graduates are employed in a low skill job according figures released today by the Office for National Statistics. (Cathal McNaughton / PA)</td></tr>
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Michael Oneal, a reporter for the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/here-are-the-most-in-demand-jobs-around-the-world-right-now-2012-5" target="_blank">Chicago Tribune</a>, wrote an article in May that said "more than a third of all employers globally are facing a shortage of skilled workers, but they are reluctant to hire until the right people come along." Oneal also quotes Manpower Chairman Jeffrey Joerres, who says that "employers have gotten used to doing more with less and hesitate to hire until they see demand and can find talent with the specific skills they need." According to a survey conducted by Manpower the hardest jobs to fill globally are skilled trades workers, engineers and sales representatives. Also on the list are technicians, IT staff, drivers, chefs, and management.<br />
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<a href="http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2011/12/27/10-hot-careers-for-2012-and-beyond/" target="_blank">CNN</a> also released a list of the top careers for 2012, many of which are mirrored across other similar lists. The top entries include health care professionals, IT, salespeople, accounting and finance, discount retailers, and life sciences and biotech. In fact, both the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/30/the-11-fastest-growing-jo_n_1464264.html" target="_blank">Huffington Post</a> and <a href="http://www.forbes.com/pictures/efkk45fmhd/1-registered-nurses/#gallerycontent" target="_blank">Forbes</a> discuss the fastest growing careers in 2012 with results that are also similar. They list health care, tech support, and customer service as the fastest growing industries around the world. Forbes expands its list by looking at the jobs less likely to experience growth; in which it focuses on agriculture, data entry, postal service, and typists.<br />
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As I suspected, this post went longer than I had originally planned when laying out this series. In order to prevent information overload, I will present the second half of this conclusion tomorrow in which I will discuss career searching advice, personal branding, and the use of social media when applying for work.Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-40815848561740832552012-07-14T16:31:00.000-04:002012-07-14T16:31:58.866-04:00Youth Unemployment Crisis and Neets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The number of unemployed youth has grown by four million since 2007. More alarming is that millions more disconnected youth are giving up searching for a job entirely. The global youth jobless rate is stuck at critical levels and is expected to remain there until at least 2016, according to the International Labour Organization. Of primary concern are young people who are neither in employment, nor in education or training - referred to in many countries as Neet. An article posted on the <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/daily-mix/youth-unemployment-to-stay-at-crisis-peak-for-years-ilo/article2439625/" target="_blank">theglobeandmail.com</a> discusses this segment of the population as one that has been growing in recent years, especially in the developed world, reflecting a detachment from the labour market.</div>
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<a name='more'></a> The Neet group is not a uniform set of individuals. The term refers to different groups of people depending on the country in which it is used. For example, in the United Kingdom the classification comprises of people aged between 16 and 24; while in Japan the classification refers to people who are between 15 and 34. Also in Japan it refers to individuals who are unemployed, not engaged in housework, not enrolled in school or work-related training, and not seeking work.In fact the term can refer to those who are highly educated and unable to find work, as well as those who have no education and are unwilling or unable to work. It is a broad definition that is impossible to categorize aside from general age guidelines. No matter the variables it's a growing concern for governments and policy-makers, especially in light of the current unemployment crisis.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young woman is pulled away from Madrid's Puerta del Sol plaza last week as police broke up protests against austerity and unemployment that has hit one out of every four citizens in Spain. (Alberto Di Lolli / AP)</td></tr>
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There exists a negative stigmata surrounding the term Neet because it classifies a person as having no status. Simon Cox of BBC News said the word is the "latest buzzword for teenage dropouts". He says "Neets are 20 per cent more likely to commit a crime and 22 per cent more likely to become a teenage mother." Canada is not immune to this growing problem. According to Statistics Canada there are almost 904,000 Neets in the country. In fact, every developed country has seen an increase in the number of youth belonging to this group. It's not a new phenomenon but is made much more alarming because of the youth unemployment crisis, which makes battling the growth of Neets a primary concern of policy-makers.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neets in England - how many young people are not in Employment, Education or Training? (Alex Segre / Rex Features)</td></tr>
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In 2011 Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, promoted a government scheme (not a negative term in the UK) to help prevent another "lost generation" of young jobless people. The initiative was designed to provide opportunities including job subsidies, apprenticeships and work experience placement for 500,000 unemployed people. The government agreed to subsidize 160,000 work places by offering money to any private sector business who was willing to hire an unemployed person aged 18 to 24 years old. Those who were hired were paid minimum wage but had to complete their placement of six months or they would be refused benefits, a threat which caused an uproar once it was announced. The stipulation has since been revoked because of threats by businesses involved in the scheme. For the full story click <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/nov/25/clegg-youth-jobs-generational-fairness" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Nick Clegg meets apprentices at decorating firm in London. He describes the million young people not in education, employment or training as a 'ticking time bomb'. (Stefan Rousseau / PA)</td></tr>
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Clegg's youth job scheme has also been criticized because it overlaps with over 30 other Government funding schemes to help the youth find work. It also runs through a number of different agencies, causing many officials to worry that participants may fall through the cracks and become more disengaged. In fact, the government has come under pressure from the shop workers' union to end long-term, unpaid labour for young unemployed people. John Hannett, the general secretary for the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, says that schemes should be voluntary, participants should receive the rate for the job, and there needs to be "transparent checks and balances in place". </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Britain faces a crisis in its communities unless it tackles high levels of youth unemployment, a report warns. Young Neets are documented to cost the economy 56,000 pounds each. (REX)</td></tr>
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The United States has also seen an increase in the number of Neet youth. A new report by the <a href="http://www.prb.org/Publications/PopulationBulletins/2011/us-economicsocialtrends-update1.aspx" target="_blank">Population Reference Bureau</a> shows that the percentage of young men ages 25 to 34 who are neither working nor attending school increased sharply between 2007 and 2010, from 14 per cent to 19 per cent. During the same period, the share of women who were not working or going to school remained steady at 26 per cent. The gender differences are explained by women's earlier age of marriage, compared with men. The report states that the decline in the economic prospects of youth has several negative consequences including; further declines in marriage and childbearing, young people living with their parents longer, and greater income inequality amoung generations.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">According to Stats Canada, men in their 20s have the hardest time finding work. They account for 200,000 of the 391,000 Neet youth who are seeking a job. (Thinkstock)</td></tr>
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Josh Dehaas recently wrote a story on <a href="http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2012/05/24/nearly-1-million-young-canadians-arent-working-or-in-school/" target="_blank">Macleans.com</a> which discussed the growing number of unemployed and out of school youth in Canada. In the article he compares the country with other G7 countries. Dehaas writes that "while 904,000 Neets is worrisome, Canada has fewer per capita than other G7 countries including France and the UK (15.6 per cent), the United States (16.9 per cent) and Italy (21.2 per cent). Germany is the exception, which sits at only 11.6 per cent of 15 to 29 years are Neets." While the number in Canada is still alarmingly high, studies show that those willing to look for work typically found it within six months.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Data from Canada and Mexico refer to the December 2010 quarter. Data for Australia and New Zealand are for the June 2011 quarter. All other countries are for the March 2011 quarter. All data is unadjusted and provisional. (OECD) </td></tr>
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The youth unemployment crisis has been made much more dire because of the rise in Neets around the world. This subgroup in society has been identified as at risk for destructive behaivour, which has many officials alarmed due to the growing number of youth identified in this category. The possibility of a disconnect from the labour market is also a concern, as is the likelihood that a delay in entering the workforce will have a negative impact on future earnings. Tomorrow is the fifth in a five-part series examining the youth unemployment crisis. In the last entry, I will talk about job market trends in 2012 and provide a number of well-documented ideas to ensure that you are able to best promote yourself.</div>Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-39754539369630155102012-07-13T22:14:00.001-04:002012-07-13T22:15:41.333-04:00Youth Unemployment Crisis and Germany<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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To what degree did the recession create the youth unemployment crisis? Clearly, the recession has a negative impact on the number of jobs that are available due to layoffs and closures. Also the individuals applying to those jobs are both new graduates with limited experience and established professionals reentering the workforce, further limiting availability. Another correlation between the recession and the unemployment crisis is the longer period of time that potential retirees are staying at their positions. Yet, these are issues that countries around the world are dealing with but not every country is failing as completely as Greece or Spain. Even the U.S. and Canada, while doing considerably better than the aforementioned countries, have nothing to brag about. Germany, however, has managed to outperform every other country in youth employment. So what is the variable that allows for some countries to successfully employ their youth while others can not?</div>
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<a name='more'></a> According to an article posted on the <a href="http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15917476,00.html" target="_blank">Deutsche Welle</a> the answer is their dual training system. The story was written by Dr. Hilmar Schneider who is the Director of Labor Policy at the Institute for the Study of Labor. Dr. Schneider wrote that through the program students "simultaneously earn academic credentials along with gaining work experience, rather than attending classes alone, like in many other countries." The benefits to this education system include bringing applicants closer to the job market and ensuring that current qualifications are more reliable. It also lets employers spend more time with potential employees in order to gain insight into their potential for development, thus reducing the risk to employers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metal-working apprentices train in Leipzig, Germany, in 2010. Germany has Europe's lowest youth unemployment rate, thanks in part to its ancient apprentice system, which trains about 1.5 million people each year. (Waltraud Grubitzsch)</td></tr>
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Germany has what is referred to as a strongly regulated job market, which means that companies are not able to easily fire employees. Typically this means that it's more difficult for young people to find jobs because fewer employers are willing to take a chance on a worker that has no experience. Dr. Schneider writes that Germany has managed to solve this issue with the adoption of the duel training system:</div>
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Without the duel training system, Germany's youth unemployment rate would likely be similar to that of France of Italy. It is the necessary answer to a strongly regulated job market. And without tight controls on firing workers, the duel training system would probably not exist because when companies have the ability to part with employees more or less at will, the risk of making bad personnel decisions becomes less weighty. The necessity of financing a costly internal training system evaporates. In Germany, job market regulations and the duel training system have apparently formed a fruitful symbiotic relationship.</blockquote>
This system may not be the only reason that Germany is prospering while other countries struggle. Ian Traynor, the Guardian's European editor, explains that labour in Germany is roughly 10% undervalued - while workers in Spain and Greece are paid 20% and 30% too much, respectively. Traynor writes, "radical welfare and benefits cuts and labour market reforms almost a decade ago [...] combined with the downward pressure on wages from cheap labour competition in central Europe have kept pay relatively low and employment high." The story goes on to explain a number of downsides to the country's success including; no minimum wage, low female participation in the workforce and an increase of working poor as a result of the boom of mini-jobs. In fact, a recent survey showed that half of the female workforce in Germany were in part-time, low pay sector jobs. For the full story visit the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/30/europa-jobs-crisis-spain-austria-germany" target="_blank">Guardian.co.uk</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This chart shows the basic path of the German education system, in which students have a variety of options leading to different career fields.</td></tr>
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NPR's Eric Westervelt recently wrote an article about the long-term benefits of Germany's duel training system, an educational path that 60 per cent of the country's high school graduates choose. In addition to on the site training, students are paid a portion of the starting wage that they can expect to earn upon graduation; typically 680 euros a month ($900). Westervelt also writes that Germany is one of the last Western countries to offer the majority of its skilled industrial workers the elusive "job for life", something that has long since vanished from other countries. The program has seen tremendous success as it trains 1.5 million people annually, with 90 per cent of apprentices successfully completing their training. The length of the program lasts anywhere from two to three-and-a-half years and according to Germany's records about half of the apprentices stay on with the company that trained them. Visit <a href="http://www.npr.org/2012/04/04/149927290/the-secret-to-germanys-low-youth-unemployment" target="_blank">NPR.org</a> for the full article.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ldc2lG6lDhk/UADTo2VAuzI/AAAAAAAAAfc/4lDgofMMBa4/s1600/Bildungsstreik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ldc2lG6lDhk/UADTo2VAuzI/AAAAAAAAAfc/4lDgofMMBa4/s320/Bildungsstreik.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Solidarity instead of rivalry", demonstration in 2009.</td></tr>
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Not everyone agrees with the benefits for the duel training program. Vincent Venus, editor-in-chief of the German edition and board member of JEF Germany, wrote that many young people in Germany are parked in the duel training system. He states that the system does not guarantee entry to the job market and that much more than the official 8.5 per cent of young people are at risk of unemployment. Venus also quotes the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation as saying that 40 per cent of the teenagers leave the system without being able to begin a proper professional training.<br />
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In the comments section of the article Venus addresses other issues with the apprenticeship program. He states that only 22.5% of firms have job opportunities for young people, in the industrial sector the number is only 11%. He goes on to write that some of the students are wasting their time because after they complete their apprenticeship they have to choose a second one or return to school. Venus concludes by stating that the lack of general education and the stratification of the education system makes it necessary to go to school again, which for many means double a secondary education. To read Venus' article visit <a href="http://www.thenewfederalist.eu/Youth-Unemployment-in-Germany-More-a-Sham-than-Success,04846" target="_blank">thenewfederalist.eu.</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAV2GFCg_XysiBarLiopP7s9rkg1XCNyJ4fm9ot-u_3FHw7IxSdZ-ln4pjjknExTnVPea1CA5BhSvY7BHiM5WebHa1jgVoHD65mFvzXAes-9rw5WTbg8nfMlYABRCCs4krfSD-3iO77pPC/s1600/germany_2019359c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAV2GFCg_XysiBarLiopP7s9rkg1XCNyJ4fm9ot-u_3FHw7IxSdZ-ln4pjjknExTnVPea1CA5BhSvY7BHiM5WebHa1jgVoHD65mFvzXAes-9rw5WTbg8nfMlYABRCCs4krfSD-3iO77pPC/s320/germany_2019359c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Germany is envied for its top notch system of vocational training, which develops young people with 'employable skills'.</td></tr>
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As you can see opinion on the success of the duel training program is divided. While some praise the education system for reducing unemployment amoung youth, others believe that it is an outdated and counter-productive program that leaves many searching for jobs. Venus writes that the reason the unemployment numbers are so low is because those enrolled in the system or repeating their secondary education are not included in the official report. It's difficult to know where to stand on the issue but it's clear that policy-makers need to begin looking outside of their comfort zones in order to find a solution to the unemployment crisis that remains unsolved and under-reported.Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-47789222707393763652012-07-11T22:35:00.001-04:002012-07-11T22:36:36.984-04:00Youth Unemployment Crisis Ramifications<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday was the start of a five-part series discussing the youth unemployment crisis. I spent a great deal of time explaining the background of the crisis and offered readers number of important links and statistics to better understand the situation. This discussion tied into a warning given by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD is cautioning policy-makers that youth are at risk of becoming a "lost generation" if the current crisis is not dealt with appropriately. If you missed part one click <a href="http://www.underfold.blogspot.ca/2012/07/youth-unemployment-creating-lost.html" target="_blank">here</a> to be redirected. Today's installment will examine the ramifications of the youth unemployment crisis on the individual as well as society.</div>
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<a name='more'></a> In 2010 the <a href="http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/10/11/consequences-increasing-youth-unemployment-rate.html" target="_blank">Jakarta Post</a> published an article written by Sudirman Nasir, a lecturer at Hasanuddin University, which discussed the consequences of increasing youth unemployment rates. In the article Nasir described the crisis perfectly: "Unemployment should also be considered not merely as a deprivation of income but also of dignity." There are numerous studies which agree that unemployment causes psychological problems and health issues. The problem, according to Nasir, is that unemployed people are likely to suffer from deprivation of "manifest functions" (the direct benefits of employment) and "latent functions" (the indirect benefits of employment). An example of manifest functions would be regular pay; while a latent function would include respect from the community.<br />
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Individuals who are unable to fulfill these functions are more likely to be depressed and frustrated, and therefore more inclined to act irrationally by taking risks they would otherwise avoid. This behavior often includes violence, drug use, and alcohol abuse. The disillusionment brought about by unemployment can be seen in many low-income neighbourhoods where the risk-taking behavior is most clearly on display. According to Nasir "direct and indirect benefits of employment have been identified as protective factors from heavy involvement in these risk-taking behaviours." Clearly not everyone who is unemployed and living in a lower-income neighbourhood is involved in this behaivour, but evidence shows that those who are unemployed are more susceptible to being drawn into these activities.</div>
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Another impact of the youth unemployment crisis is the disconnect it can create in job seekers who are unable to find work. According to a study conducted by the Institute for Labor Market Policy Evaluation (IFAU) the experience of being unemployed may "diminish young people's feeling of attachment to the labour market". This detachment is exasperated when young, unemployed people seek each others company because the group may 'reduce the stigma' of unemployment; which would result in the youth be less inclined to look for work. </div>
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The <a href="http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1224564--youth-unemployment-s-ripple-effect-why-young-workers-fall-behind-for-a-decade-or-more" target="_blank">Toronto Star</a> posted an article today that addresses some of the social concerns when dealing with the crisis. Madhavi Acharya-Tom Yew, a business reporter for the Star, quoted experts as saying "the risks range from social unrest to mass migration to a wage gap that can persist for a decade, or even longer." An example of the unrest that the experts refer to can be found in Greece where, according to Charles Beach who is an economic professor at Queen's University, the unemployment rate of youth is 50 per cent. Yew continued to quote Beach in the article:</div>
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If youth aren't getting that labour market experience, that has a scarring effect which can last a long time. Multiply that by thousands of young people, and there are implications for the wider economy. In the economy as a whole, there's less skill that's built up. That will have a long-term negative impact on the collective knowledge base and GDP growth. Individuals who have lower income and not as many opportunities may delay marriage and starting a family. Many young people decide to go abroad to find jobs.</blockquote>
These consequences are nothing new and have been studied extensively. Many studies support the claim that a delay in employment has a negative impact on future earnings. <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16156849" target="_blank">BBC News</a> posted a story on their website in 2011 that addressed the future cost of youth unemployment. The journalists who wrote the story state, "a year of youth unemployment reduces earnings 10 years later by 6% and means that individuals spend an extra month unemployed every year up to their mid-30s." The article continues, "These penalties not only harm people's lives but cost governments and society at large a lot of money, both currently in terms of higher unemployment benefits and lost tax revenue and also well into the future through long-term reduced productivity and earnings, and more unemployment."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In March this year, for the first time on record, more than half of the young people in Spain and Greece were counted as unemployed by the OECD. Three months later, the situation continues to get worse. (The Atlantic Cities)</td></tr>
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The ramifications of the youth unemployment crisis are staggering for individuals who are struggling to enter the workforce in order to begin their careers, and for society as a generation of workers are either unemployed or underemployed. While some political figures have been quick to blame the youth for not being willing to accept specific jobs or classified them as being unqualified, this is simply not the case. In fact many experts have stated that today's generation is more highly trained than any other generation preceding it. It's becoming more difficult to convince today's youth of the importance of a post-secondary education when most will graduate with a substantial debt and no job to show for it. Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-45067635064137792292012-07-10T21:21:00.001-04:002012-07-10T21:21:43.437-04:00Youth Unemployment Creating A Lost Generation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today is the first in a five-part series looking at the youth unemployment crisis that's impacting young adults around the world. I'm not an economist or an expert in job trends and will not be discussing the cause of the crisis itself. Instead I'll spend the next five days talking about the climate which has been created because of the high levels of unemployment and underemployment as a result of the crisis. I'll begin this discussion by looking at the impact of the crisis on young adults and the creation of a "Lost Generation", an argument which was presented by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).</div>
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<a name='more'></a> According to an <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/07/10/youth-unemployment-oecd_n_1662037.html?utm_hp_ref=canada" target="_blank">article</a> posted on the Huffington Post website, written by the Canadian Press, the OECD is urging policy-makers in Europe and the U.S. to take "urgent action" to prevent the jobless crisis from becoming a permanent problem for the countries. This warning was given in a <a href="http://www.keepeek.com/Digital-Asset-Management/oecd/employment/oecd-employment-outlook-2012_empl_outlook-2012-en" target="_blank">new report</a> that studied employment in the post-recession years. The report is broken down into four chapters which focus on the labour market in its current state; as well as how the labour market was impacted by the recession and what green growth could mean for workers. These chapters are preceded by an editorial which discusses the role of labour market policy in achieving a sustainable recovery.<br />
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Angel Gurria, the OECD's Secretary-General, said in a release of the report on Tuesday that the economic recovery has not resulted in "sufficient employment opportunities." Gurria went on to say that countries that were able to do so needed to "implement additional fiscal and monetary measures to support demand and boost job creation." These warnings aren't given lightly considering that youth unemployment in the 34-country area covered by the OECD is at 16.2 per cent.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young man enters the Labor Force Organization's office in Athens. The graffiti reads: 'Snow or rain, the jobless are always hungry. (Associated Press File)</td></tr>
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Canada is presented in the report as having an optimistic future for the youth looking for work. The OECD states that unemployment in the country sits at 7.2 per cent, the OECD average is 7.9 per cent. The 7.2 per cent is projected to decline by late 2013 to 6.4 per cent. However, according to Francis Fong, an economist for TD Bank, Canada's job market may not be so optimistic:</div>
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Youth unemployment is still at a very elevated level in Canada. The competitive challenges this generation faces is very unique, they are competing with graduates from (other countries), and in addition, they have all these older workers getting back into the labour force.</blockquote>
In March, Fong reported that of the 430,000 jobs lost during the recession, more than half were in the 15-24 age category and almost none of the jobs have been recovered. In fact, according to Statistics Canada unemployment has risen by almost 27,000 since March. In the OECD area there are still 47 million people unemployed, with some countries being worse than others.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The OECD is urging governments to take swift action to address stubbornly high unemployment, warning the slow recovery is creating conditions that could scar youth and some workers the rest of their lives. (Shutterstock photo).</td></tr>
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Paul Wiseman, a journalist for the Associated Press, wrote that youth unemployment is nearly 53 per cent in Greece, 51.5 per cent in Spain and 35 per cent in Italy. Germany seems to be the only country unscathed, where the unemployment for youth is only 7.9 per cent. <a href="http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20120710/BUSINESS/307100012/European-job-crisis-hits-young-people-hardest" target="_blank">Wiseman's article</a> mirrors the Canadian Press story's concerns about the creation of a "Lost Generation":<br />
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Economists fear that years of unemployment could produce a European version of Japan's "Lost Generation" - the young adults who looked in vain for jobs in the 1990s and today find themselves permanently locked out of good careers. The longer adults stay unemployed, the longer they contribute nothing to economic growth, consume government aid and increase the risk of social unrest.</blockquote>
<a href="http://younginvincibles.org/" target="_blank">Young Invincibles</a> is a national organization that represents the interests of 18 to 34 year-olds by making sure their perspective is heard whenever decisions are being made that impact that age group. They recently released a <a href="http://younginvincibles.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/No-End-In-Sight-7.9.12.pdf" target="_blank">report</a> that studies the long-term youth jobs gap and what it means for America. In the report they claim that even under optimistic conditions, it could take up to a decade for this generation to regain the ground lost from the recession. The report also estimates that the economy is missing 2.7 million youth jobs that would exist had the recession never occurred. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the youth labour force will never regain its pre-recession form.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqJVIPoQX9yygDx8exMkl0Xle5ZG-xl0r5iKFHcZ_lisXZGGrn0JdldgvoOCRvA6GlQMMNXOfjFvd7t4SddEObXg4yjr7Eel2KWgdK94TQJ91-8jx_u1h707764Is2GAfpHWBraifXlZY/s1600/Unemployment4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqJVIPoQX9yygDx8exMkl0Xle5ZG-xl0r5iKFHcZ_lisXZGGrn0JdldgvoOCRvA6GlQMMNXOfjFvd7t4SddEObXg4yjr7Eel2KWgdK94TQJ91-8jx_u1h707764Is2GAfpHWBraifXlZY/s320/Unemployment4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The process of rebuilding is being tackled in many different ways. The <a href="http://theyec.org/organization/" target="_blank">Young Entrepreneur Council</a> (YEC) is a nonprofit organization that promotes entrepreneurship as a means to overcome youth unemployment and underemployment. Their mission is to "spark an entrepreneurial revolution in America and help rebuild to economy in the process. Scott Gerber, a writer for the YEC, wrote an <a href="http://theyec.org/43-troubling-facts-about-the-youth-unemployment-crisis/" target="_blank">article</a> which discusses 43 troubling facts about the youth unemployment crisis. The story is an important resource when trying to understand what today's youth are facing.Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-83806971722988787832012-07-09T21:35:00.001-04:002012-07-09T21:39:58.942-04:00Bomber Command Finally Receives Recognition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, unveiled the Bomber Command Memorial on Thursday in a ceremony remembering 55,573 airmen who lost their lives during the Second World War. Over 6,000 people attended the dedication in order to honour the men who sacrificed everything to serve their country. Veterans and families of the deceased gathered together at the ceremony to see Bomber Command finally receive the recognition it deserves after the decades of controversy the unit has dealt with.<br />
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<a name='more'></a> The Royal Air Force Bomber Command controlled the RAF's bomber forces from 1936 to 1968. At the start of the Second World War they were instructed by President Roosevelt to strike only military targets. This changed after the German Rotterdam Blitz of May 1940 which resulted in the RAF Bomber Command gaining authorization to attack German targets east of the Rhine. Later in the War a number of strikes against Nazi Germany's industries and cities were carried out, the raids resulted in the loss of up to 600,000 civilian lives. An <a href="http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/1220418--bomber-command-heroes-finally-get-their-memorial" target="_blank">article</a> posted on the Toronto Star website talked about some of the controversy in greater detail:<br />
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Even during the War there was misgiving about the policy of saturation bombing of German cities adopted by Air Marshall Sir Arthur "Bomber" Harris. That grew into revulsion when it became clear that something like half a million German civilians had died - not as a result of what we now call "collateral damage," but due to deliberate targeting of city centres in an unsuccessful effort to break the will of the enemy.</blockquote>
These facts do nothing to take away from the heroism of the 125,000 men who served in Bomber Command, about 10,000 of which were Canadian. Their average age was only 22, and the young men were simply doing what they were instructed. The unit had a casualty rate of 60 per cent - the highest of any unit. Many of those in attendance felt that the memorial was a long time coming because of the political issue that surrounded Bomber Command. BBC News quotes Harry Pugh, 88, from County Durham, a bomb aimer, as saying: "It's right it's been done now but it's a great pity its been delayed. I would have preferred it much more if it had been done in the past rather than as ancient history." The <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18633791" target="_blank">article</a> continues to emphasize that the veterans are pleased to see the memorial realized at last.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bomber Command Memorial located at Green Park in London, England.</td></tr>
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The memorial will be maintained by the <a href="http://www.rafbf.org/" target="_blank">RAF Benevolent Fund</a>, an organization which supports RAF personnel, their partners, and their children. One inscription that's present on the memorial commemorates people "of all nations who lost their lives in the bombing". For a detailed look at Bomber Command be sure to visit BBC News <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18501658" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip talk to WWII veteran Ed Carter Edwards, a former member of Bomber Command from Canada, after unveiling the Bomber Command Memorial in London, England.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-87729313033777294482012-07-08T18:00:00.001-04:002012-07-08T18:03:06.321-04:00Redesigning Canada for the 21st Century<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Canadian brand has received a makeover thanks to a cross-border effort by Public Radio International and CBC Radio Q. The creative challenge was based on this question: how would you go about redesigning Canada and the United States? CBC Radio Q was in charge of redesigning the U.S. and did so by examining different aspects of the country each week, such as; their international image, their political rhetoric, the character of the country, and the American Dream. For the full results of this exercise in branding the U.S. click <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/q/redesignproject/topics/index.html" target="_blank">here</a>. According to Susan Delacourt from the Toronto Star, NPR enlisted the help of internationally renown firm, Bruce Mau Design (BMD), for its part in the exercise. </div>
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<a name='more'></a> Mau's firm describes the Canadian image as "cliche" and worn out. Icons which used to define Canada such as the beaver, hockey, and maple syrup were labeled "20th-century images". BMD offered a number of alternatives which better reflected the country in the 21st-century. Some of these icons include Arcade Fire, oilsands, legalizing gay marriage, and the Occupy Movement. In the video above you can see the logo design that BMD used to promote the modern Canada. Two bold, red bars surrounding more updated Canadian images. The logo was inspired by the Canadian flag, minus the maple leaf. The campaign was entitled "<a href="http://www.brucemaudesign.com/4817/618942/work/redesigning-canada-for-the-21st-century" target="_blank">Know Canada</a>" and according to the design firm, could be used in a number of ways; from passport stamps to free-standing sculptures surrounding Canadian landmarks.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is an example of how the "Know Canada" campaign could be implemented (Bruce Mau Design).</td></tr>
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The firm intends to bring this campaign to politicians in Canada, in order to see if they can develop the rebranding exercise into a full-fledged effort. The Toronto Star <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/1222900--does-the-canadian-brand-need-a-makeover" target="_blank">article</a> argues that this is going to be an issue because the Conservative government will have no interest in rebranding images that it embraces. Another point of contention, according to the article, is that the logo design focuses on the iconic red colour, which is often associated with the Liberal party. It's a shame that this is likely true because the symbols which used to define Canada no longer do. These icons are part of a country that no longer exists in the form that it once did and serve to undermine any progress the country has made in the last decade. A modern image that reflects its population would serve Canada much more proudly than out-dated symbols are able to. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NPR enlisted the help of its listeners to create a six-word tagline for Canada. After more than 750 submissions this slogan by David Fuller from Winnipeg was selected (Note the image is missing part of the slogan which reads: Canada: We're not just colder, we're cooler).</td></tr>
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The cross-border exercise was an interesting one because it showed how Canadians thought Americans could improve their image and vice versa. The emphasis that today's generation places on branding is unprecedented. Redesigning Canada would benefit the country by better explaining to the international community what it stands for. Canadians would feel better represented and the improvements and advances that Canada has made would be reflected properly. The country could have a healthy relationship with its past by placing a real emphasis on the present state of Canada. Ideals which the country stands for are still present but they aren't being explained in a way that today's Canadians deserve. If we place such importance on personal branding and a company's image, why not do the same for the place we call home?<br />
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This Monday will find Internet users across the globe left without a connection. The computers impacted will be those that are still infected with the now five-year-old DNS malware. According to Samantha Murphy from Mashable.com, the FBI is planning to shut down the DNS servers it used last November to keep infected computers connected to the internet. The use of these friendly servers was originally planned to last only four months but it was extended until this Monday because estimates of infected computers around the world is over still 250,000. Luckily there are a number of warnings for those who have the DNS malware on their computers, as well as easy ways to check to see if your system is infected.<br />
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<a name='more'></a> The easiest way to see if your computer has the malware is to visit the <a href="http://www.dns-ok.us/" target="_blank">DNS Changer Check-up site</a>. Once you enter the site your system will be checked with the results easily identifiable through a large image showing the results. If your computer tests positive to the malware detection, a group called DNS Changer Working Group has a list of <a href="http://www.dcwg.org/fix/" target="_blank">anti-virus tools</a> to remove the trojan. Obviously it's important to check your system prior to Monday as it will be considerably more difficult to install an anti-virus program without an Internet connection. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMkkxkDeC4nKV30HdeS_LARyDInHatjowed2CW0QHV8Sd6YKECBV-bMvpcf72kxmBb3UxtyI8UwQ1dwkiSasRdt6AYNJtEqzSFqTstNJyCQcegdSRsIJa9erX7QsvIvSYDhlF5sHlBG03/s1600/DNSChanger_warning_610x138.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMkkxkDeC4nKV30HdeS_LARyDInHatjowed2CW0QHV8Sd6YKECBV-bMvpcf72kxmBb3UxtyI8UwQ1dwkiSasRdt6AYNJtEqzSFqTstNJyCQcegdSRsIJa9erX7QsvIvSYDhlF5sHlBG03/s320/DNSChanger_warning_610x138.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A number of warnings have been given to infected computers in order to minimalize those who are left without an Internet connection on July 9.</td></tr>
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The Internet servers that the FBI set up were a temporary measure initiated after a group of hackers allegedly began posing as Internet advertisers who were paid by the number of times an ad was clicked. The hackers figured out a way to beat the system by creating a piece of malware, called DNS Changer, that redirected millions of Internet users to sites they didn't search for. The sites advertised fake products and allowed the hackers to earn money from the sale of these products and the advertising. The process is referred to as click hijacking. This happened back in 2007 and reportedly infected more than 4 million computers. In addition to the FBI, both Google and Facebook have set up warnings for those who are still carrying this malware in their system. </div>
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The hackers went uncaught from 2007 until 2011 and brought in upwards of $14 million. While the warnings are difficult to miss due to their prominence, there are sure to be people who miss the warnings. If you know someone who has lost their Internet connection on Monday they will need to call their Internet Service Provider to resolve the issue. As always, it's best to make sure you have a reliable security program installed on your computer to protect you from infection. </div>Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-50703491583232794982012-07-06T20:52:00.000-04:002012-07-06T20:53:15.886-04:00Introducing the Nexus 7<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Nexus 7 was announced by Google at their I/O conference back in June and is the company's first Nexus-branded Android tablet. Reviews from technology sites such as <a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/google-nexus-7-16gb/4505-3126_7-35338334.html" target="_blank">CNET</a>, <a href="http://www.techspot.com/review/552-google-nexus-7/" target="_blank">TechSpot</a>, <a href="http://www.wired.com/reviews/2012/07/lucky-number-7/all/" target="_blank">Wired</a>, and <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/tablets/google-nexus-7-1087040/review" target="_blank">TechRadar</a> have been positive. Those who have tested the tablet praise Jelly Bean, which is the latest Android software and currently only available on the Nexus 7, as well as the value of the tablet when compared to other 7-inch models in the $199 price range. While the Nexus 7 may not be an iPad killer, it does offer a lot of features and power for its cost. Read on to discover what Google and ACER have included in the Nexus 7 to discover if the tablet is right for you.<br />
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<a name='more'></a> The Nexus 7 includes a 7-inch HD display with a resolution of 1280x800 (216 PPI). It's the first tablet to contain a 1.3 GHz Quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor accompanied by a 12-core graphics chip and 1 GB of RAM. Connectivity settings for the tablet include Near Field Communication (NFC), WiFi b/g/n, and Bluetooth. There's no option to use carrier network access for a data connection, an important consideration depending on WiFi availability. The Nexus 7 has doesn't have a camera on its back to be used as a camera but does have a front-facing camera for video calling through various applications. The built-in battery has a capacity of 4325 mAh, which Google states should last users up to 8 hours. This quote is obviously going to depend heavily on a number of variables such as usage and screen brightness.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nexus 7 features downloadable content ranging from magazines, movies, e books, games, and music. Unfortunately the availability of this content will depend on whether you live in the U.S. </td></tr>
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The tablet is available with either 8 GB or 16 GB of internal storage and is priced at $199 or $249 respectively and comes with a $25 credit for the Play Store. The Nexus 7 has no option for expandable memory so when looking at which model is right for you it's important to consider what you want to use the tablet for. Heavier users looking to load HD videos along with a large media collection will want to consider the 16 GB model, although considering the internal storage doubles for an extra $50 it may be a worthwhile investment for anyone interested in the tablet. One of the reasons that Google chose to not include expandable memory may be due to the company's interest in using its Cloud storage system. Unfortunately Cloud storage relies on connectivity to work and without WiFi you may find yourself stranded without the content you're looking for.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google Now is just one of the improvements offered by Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The Nexus 7 is currently the only device that runs the newest version of Google's OS.</td></tr>
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I won't go over the OS in detail here because I've recently written about Jelly Bean as well as the new features and benefits of the update (full story <a href="http://underfold.blogspot.ca/2012/07/android-41-jelly-bean.html" target="_blank">here</a>). The update has been reported to run as smoothly on the Nexus 7 as it does on the Galaxy Nexus with smooth animations and improved responsiveness. I'm currently running the OS on my Galaxy Nexus and have experienced the improvements as well as Google Now and the new voice command improvements. The difference between previous versions of Android compared to this release are night and day. Those who have used a tablet running the Honeycomb OS will be relieved to know that Jelly Bean perfects the Android experience across both tablets and phones.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXJwo2HrJleaa9Ssa2_v8mNsTnhM5XkMiqbzUJ5hfp92n7sXaF7D-nghrG3ur0eiDQFYR6DtLy3sfT8FAY6JGJU814aqPb-_8Rch4qo51kszV86T4kSkIx6Z-xBOJobgPlAL0xeT8Zzmt/s1600/Nexus-7-vs-Kindle-Fire-and-Others-Comparison-Chart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXJwo2HrJleaa9Ssa2_v8mNsTnhM5XkMiqbzUJ5hfp92n7sXaF7D-nghrG3ur0eiDQFYR6DtLy3sfT8FAY6JGJU814aqPb-_8Rch4qo51kszV86T4kSkIx6Z-xBOJobgPlAL0xeT8Zzmt/s320/Nexus-7-vs-Kindle-Fire-and-Others-Comparison-Chart.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google has entered the tablet market with a strong contender when compared to other offerings in the 7-inch market. This is especially true when considering the affordable price tag.</td></tr>
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Some of the criticisms against the tablet include the lack of expandable memory, no dedicated camera application, some issues with contrast levels on the display, and a shortage of tablet-designed applications in the Play Store. The most alarming problem that the Nexus 7 has for users outside of the U.S. is that a lot of the content that Google is promoting isn't available. Consumers from Canada, the U.K. and Australia who purchase the tablet are going to experience a limited selection of content due to international licensing agreements. This information comes from Zack Whittaker, a writer for CNET, who says that Google didn't say when the additional content would be available for international markets (full story <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57466593-94/non-u.s-google-nexus-7-users-to-miss-out-on-content/" target="_blank">here</a>). <br />
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The Nexus 7 is a powerful tablet that runs Google's most impressive version of Android to date. Transitions are reportedly smooth and the touch screen is easy to read and responsive. My only hesitation comes in storage concerns and possible connectivity issues when WiFi is unavailable. One possible solution to this problem could be by using your smartphone as a wireless router (if it is able to do so). This option should only be pursued on an unlimited data plan as the amount of bandwidth that would be consumed by doing this would be quite large. Nexus 7 may not be an iPad killer but it wasn't designed to be. The tablet targets the Kindle Fire and other 7-inch devices. In this respect, and in many others, it is a worthwhile investment and worth considering. If you are interested in ordering the Nexus 7 click <a href="http://www.google.ca/nexus/#/7" target="_blank">here</a>. Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-18331271022633011542012-07-05T20:09:00.001-04:002012-07-05T20:09:03.645-04:00Ultrabooks Gain Ground Against the MacBook Air<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Brooke Crothers, editor at CNET News, has <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57463370-92/retail-sales-of-pricey-ultrabooks-up-vie-with-macbook/?tag=txt;title" target="_blank">reported</a> that sales of the expensive ultrabooks are on the rise at retailers. This is a sign that Apple's popular MacBook line may finally be facing competition as the company has held a monopoly in the high-end laptop market since they launched the MacBook back in May 2006. Intel took steps to enter the market when they announced a fund to support the development of new technologies in line with the company's concept for next generation notebooks. It's been a year since Intel committed $300 million to the fund; which was projected to last for three to four years in related ultrabook developments. Let's take a look at what Intel has accomplished with the introduction of the ultrabook and discuss what's next for the high-end laptops.</div>
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<a name='more'></a> In order for a laptop to be described as an ultrabook it must be less than 2.1 cm thick and weigh no more than 3.3 lbs; the dimensions also can't compromise the performance or battery life of the computer. Ultrabooks use low-power Intel chips with integrated graphics and a unibody chassis to fit larger batteries into smaller cases. Due to the thinness of the ultrabook some may not possess traditional inputs such as USB or an Ethernet port.<br />
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The price for an ultrabook will vary depending on the model and manufacturer but can range anywhere from $799 to $1500, with the majority of models being over $1000. This is a point of contention for Intel as they were hoping the price of the ultrabooks would be more competitive. According to two presidents from Acer and Compal, this goal won't be achieved as long as Intel's chips cost as much as they do. However an <a href="http://blog.laptopmag.com/tech-to-watch-2012-year-of-the-ultrabook" target="_blank">article</a> on laptopmag.com claims that the price of ultrabooks is expected to drop by the back to school season in the fall. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Asus Zenbook UX21 measures 7 millimeters thick at its widest point and 3 millimeters at its thinnest. This ultrabook's base configuration will retail at $999 when released. </td></tr>
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The ultrabook is designed to change the way that consumers use their laptops by being portable while retaining the speed and power of a larger computer. An <a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/explore/thin-light-laptops" target="_blank">article</a> on the Microsoft website claims that the new laptops have startup times as low as three seconds and have an impressive amount of power for either gaming or working. The ultrabooks are also described as being a pleasure to use and can easily be carried anywhere. Other tech writers have echoed this claim in numerous <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2397811,00.asp" target="_blank">reviews</a> which look at a variety of different models. The emergence of these premium PCs has been a long time coming for consumers looking for an alternative to the mainly out-dated machines that have been offered until now.</div>
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It's important to do research when considering any purchase, a point that is especially true when it comes to buying a new computer because of the speed with which technology becomes out of date. To get an idea of what to look for when shopping around for an ultrabook click <a href="http://blog.laptopmag.com/ultrabook-buying-guide-6-things-to-look-for-in-a-super-slim-laptop" target="_blank">here</a>. This guide expresses the importance of reviewing touchpads, design elements, resolution, and battery life when deciding on a computer. By understanding the modifications coming to ultrabooks, it's possible to prevent purchasing a computer before a big release; such as those currently being developed by ultrabook manufacturers.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An ultrabook running Windows 8, Microsoft's upcoming software release which will take advantage of touchscreen technology through its Metro start menu.</td></tr>
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Some of the modifications that ultrabooks will see include touchscreens, voice recognition, longer battery life and lower prices. Microsoft is deeply invested in ultrabooks adapting touchscreens in order to promote its upcoming release of Windows 8; software that takes full advantage of a tablet-like interface in its Metro start menu. According to an <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/247579/intel_says_future_ultrabooks_will_come_with_touchscreens_voice_recognition.html" target="_blank">article</a> by Agam Shah (IDG News), Intel is hoping that the addition of these new features will help aid the slumping PC market, which is being devastated by tablet sales. The article quotes Mooly Eden, general manager of the PC client group at Intel, who says that future ultrabooks will also come in hybrid designs with screens that can be flipped down so that the device mimics a tablet. </div>
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Intel is looking to bring real options to consumers who are interested in an alternative to the MacBook Air with the continued development of ultrabooks. Apple has taken notice of the intrusion and taken steps to ensure that their design is not copied. The company's usual tact of obtaining U.S. patents to combat ultrabook manufacturers has begun in their most recent acquisition (details <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/258774/taiwan_worries_new_apple_patent_could_target_ultrabooks.html" target="_blank">here</a>). However Apple chooses to address their competition, choice has never been better for those looking to upgrade to a new laptop with more power and speed. Intel has committed to improving ultrabooks and is sure to attract consumers looking to have the portability of a tablet with the power of a laptop. There's never been a better time to shop for a new computer; just be sure to do your research before taking the plunge.</div>Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-39701187868944129462012-07-04T19:48:00.000-04:002012-07-04T19:50:53.890-04:00Apple Announcing iPad 'Mini' this Fall?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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According to sources cited by the <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120704-703673.html" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal</a>, Apple is developing an iPad Mini to combat the newly-released Nexus 7 and the upcoming Kindle Fire 2. The smaller iPad is rumoured to be priced within the same range as its competitors (both the Kindle Fire 2 and the Nexus 7 will sell for $199) in order to capitalize on the more price-conscious market that the current iPad eludes. Speculation regarding new Apple products has always been high and the rumours surrounding the iPad Mini should be read with caution. However, tech sites across the internet seem to be increasingly convinced that the new product is in development and will be coming to consumers this holiday season. The question now is whether Amazon or Google have any chance of making an impact on the tablet market, especially considering it's a market that was created by Apple.<br />
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<a name='more'></a> Though speculation remains high, a number of sources agree that the iPad Mini would need to sacrifice screen quality in order to reduce the cost of the device. This would mean that the highly-promoted "Retina Display" would be abandoned and replaced with a cheaper alternative. Adrian Diaconescu, a writer from Android Authority, recently discussed possible screen modifications developed by Apple. He states that it's possible for the iPad Mini display to have a 7.85 Sharp IGZO panel with a 330 ppi density. According to Diaconescu, who got his information from a MyDrivers' <a href="http://news.mydrivers.com/1/233/233054.htm" target="_blank">report</a>, IGZO technology allows thin-film transistor screens to be thinner than usual but just as reliable. For the full article click <a href="http://www.androidauthority.com/new-rumors-ipad-mini-7-85-inch-sharp-igzo-display-cost-249-299-99420/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The iPad Mini may not boast the Retina-display of the regular-sized iPad 3 (Cnet.com).</td></tr>
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However, not everyone is convinced that Apple plans to release a smaller iPad, as is shown in a <a href="http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/12517779-there-will-be-no-7inch-ipad-i-guarantee-it" target="_blank">recent post</a> by Joseph Thomas. Thomas argues that the company has no need to compete with the smaller tablets because the compact devices are "in a class of their own" and targeted to a different market than the iPad. He continues that support his post by claiming that possible fragmentation, as seen in Android devices, is a risk that Apple would not be willing to take by releasing a smaller, less powerful tablet. He concludes by stating that the company simply does not care about targeting the market that's interested in the cheaper Kindle Fire or Nexus 7. While he raises a number of good points, fragmentation concerns in particular, I believe that he is mistaken. By releasing an iPad Mini for $299 Apple would be able to capture those consumers who are unable to afford their higher priced tablets. They've done this before by releasing iPods of varying cost and capabilities and are sure to do so again in order to compete with other 7-inch tablets.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kindle Fire 2 supports a resolution of 1280x800 and has an internal memory of 8GB. The tentative release date for the tablet is stated for July 31 2012.</td></tr>
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While Apple has dominated tablet sales thanks to their successful iPad, competition has spiked among the lower cost tablets. The successful Kindle Fire is being succeeded by the Kindle Fire 2, a device which has an HD display, camera and physical volume buttons (which is actually a big deal). Another new entry to the 7-inch tablet market is Google's Nexus 7. The specs of the Nexus 7 include a 1280x800 display with a pixel density of 216 ppi, a quad-core processor with 1024MB of RAM, video calling, HTML 5 support; as well as WiFi and Bluetooth technology. The tablet also uses Google's newest release of the Android platform, 4.1 Jelly Bean. Microsoft has also declared their claim to enter the tablet race with the announcement of Surface, a larger and more robust tablet that can include a 128GB hard drive. The Surface uses Windows 8 as its OS and is designed to bridge the gap between tablet and laptop. </div>
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Although speculation has been taking place since 2011, it seems likely that Apple is preparing itself to launch into the 7-inch tablet war. The popularity of the Kindle Fire, in conjunction with Google's recently released Nexus 7, has unveiled a market that Apple has been unable to capitalize on with their more expensive iPad models. By releasing a smaller, and more affordable tablet, Apple will be able to fill the demand that it created back in 2010. They will also be able to ensure that their only real competition, Google, is unable to gain any ground in the tablet market. This is all speculation until confirmation is received but the reality of a smaller, cheaper, iPad is becoming more certain every day.</div>Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-57776883944799611042012-07-03T19:00:00.000-04:002012-07-03T19:00:29.644-04:00Windows 8 Upgrades Will Cost $39.99<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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According to Microsoft, consumers looking to upgrade to Windows 8 (working title) will have the opportunity to do so at the reduced rate of $39.99 from <a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/home">Windows.com</a> once it launches to the public. The discounted price is for PC users who have a computer running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 and will be available until January 31 2012. Those looking to purchase a computer between June 2, 2012 and January 31, 2013 will be able to upgrade for $14.99, a cost that Microsoft has traditionally waived in the past for consumers purchasing a PC so close to the release of a new OS. The price of upgrading has been reduced drastically from previous updates such as Windows 7 which cost $119 for the Home Premium version or $199 for Windows 7 Professional. But is Microsoft's new pricing strategy enough to bring their PC users over to the radically different interface?</div>
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<a name='more'></a> Microsoft has completely redesigned the Windows experience with an interface it calls Metro, a visually pleasing start screen that features a variety of rectangular tiles which provide updates and notifications depending on the application assigned to it. Metro is Microsoft's attempt to bring consistency to its PCs in much the same way that Apple has managed to with its products. The design of Metro is aimed predominately at touch screens; such as tablets, supported monitors and select laptops. Those familiar with Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 will instantly recognize the design and functions of the tiles in Metro because the smartphones use the same design.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Metro Start Screen in the Windows 8 release preview. The tiles can be moved and customized to the users content.</td></tr>
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For those who aren't comfortable giving up the more traditional Windows experience you can easily leave Metro and return to the more familiar design with a simple click of the mouse. The new OS brings with it a number of features such as a redesigned lock screen that provides notifications for emails or instant messages as well as upcoming appointments. It also displays a background image which can be changed, WiFi strength and battery levels. Microsoft has also changed its Main Menu (which it now calls Charms). By clicking your mouse or dragging your finger from the right of the screen you are greeted with a number of options which include Search, Share, Home, Device, and Settings. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Windows 8 Lock Screen which displays useful information such as the time and battery levels.</td></tr>
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Microsoft has also included a feature that allows two apps to run side-by-side, a useful tool when watching a video on one app while using Twitter at the same time. Some of the apps that are featured in Windows 8 include news, People, music, Messaging, Internet Explorer, videos, Gallery, Maps, and the Xbox Companion. Those who are using an Xbox 360 will be pleased to know that the Companion app lets them stream media content, such as videos or music, from their PC to their console. Set up is also done automatically as long as your PC and Xbox 360 use the same WiFi connection. Apps will be available from the Windows Store, an upcoming digital market which will allow developers to create apps for Windows 8. New software from the store could be bought, downloaded for free, or run on a trial basis before costing consumers. The store will be the only way of distributing Metro-style applications to users as Microsoft tests and approves of all applications before they are presented to the public.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windows 8 on display using the multiple monitor technology that Microsoft has improved for the new OS. </td></tr>
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Internet Explorer will also see an update with the release of Windows 8 and will bring with it a number of changes in order to compete with the ever popular Google Chrome and Firefox browsers. The most significant change comes in the form of "Flip Ahead", a feature which predicts the page you most likely want to visit next. The feature is useful for reading related articles of a news story and is based on user activity and page data. Internet Explorer will also begin to support Flash content, however, because the version of Flash used in Metro is highly customized, websites will need to submit themselves for approval to be able to work with Windows 8. This means that not all sites will be supported.</div>
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The requirements to run Windows 8 are purposely light so that Microsoft can bring as many PC users to the new OS as soon as possible. The hardware requirements are as follows: </div>
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By designing Windows 8 to run on computers that use Windows XP (Microsoft's most popular OS) the company is ensuring that minimal fragmentation takes place in the transition to its newest Windows version. This hope is also reflected in the new pricing strategy that Microsoft has adopted as well as the safe approach they're taking in blending the new (Metro) with the old. While Windows 8 seems to be optimized for touch screens, the company hasn't abandoned traditional input devices such as the keyboard or mouse. To learn tips to optimize the usage of Windows 8 with your keyboard and mouse read this <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2401143,00.asp">story</a> by Michael Muchmore from PC Magazine.<br />
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If you're interested in using Windows 8 before it officially launches it's available <a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/release-preview">here</a>. Just remember that some of the features may not work because it's only a release preview and not the final version. To keep up to date with all of the developments in Windows 8 be sure to check out the official blog <a href="http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/">here</a>. Also be sure to watch for the official launch date when Microsoft announces it in the near future.</div>Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-7793933513230569012012-07-02T23:20:00.000-04:002012-07-03T15:17:15.743-04:00This Holiday Season: Nintendo's Wii U<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Due to the Ultimate Blog Challenge that I'm involved in, I decided to do things a little differently this week. Starting yesterday, I began a tech week here at Under the Fold. This means that for the next six days I'll be looking at the latest news stories and developments around the tech world. Depending how this theme approach goes I may start incorporating it more often into my posts. Today I'm going to talk about the first next-gen console to hit consumers this holiday season, the Wii U.</div>
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<a name='more'></a><text-align: left;"=""> Nintendo is once again the first to come to the market with a next-gen system, having previously beaten both Sony and Microsoft with the launch of the Wii back in 2006. By releasing a new system ahead of their competitors Nintendo has the advantage of early innovation to present to consumers, a position they used well in their positioning of the Wii. The company has gotten into the pattern of focusing on their hardware improvements in the past decade to promote their products, rather than heavily advertise their software library. It's a strategy that's worked well for Nintendo in the past, particularly because their target audience has steadily shifted from the hardcore gamer to a more family friendly consumer. A shift that Nintendo is looking to rectify with the release of the Wii U.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The controller can be used to interact with the game on screen in a number of different ways.</td></tr>
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According to Nintendo's Charlie Scibetta the Wii U is a system that's targeted at gamers in all ranges. He has acknowledged that the new console is difficult to understand because of the revolutionary controller and it's more complex design. Scibetta went on to say that the Wii U can be a console for the hardcore gamers because the system will be able to do things no other console is able to. He also made reference to the amount of third party support the system is receiving from developers. A few of the third-party games that are planed for the console include Mass Effect 3, Assassin's Creed 3, Arkham City, Call of Duty and Ghost Recon. This isn't including first-party games such as the expected New Super Mario Bros. U, Pikmin 3, a new Mario Kart and the next installment in the Super Smash Bros. series. In addition to this library the Wii U will also be backwards compatible with most Wii games.<br />
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Even with the promise of an improved game lineup and high definition graphics, the focus of the new system is the Wii U GamePad. The controller uses traditional input methods (analog sticks, buttons and a directional pad) in conjunction with a touch screen. The image on the screen is going to be different depending on whether the game is being played individually or in a multi-player setting. Nintendo has also shown that if the TV is turned off or the channel is changed then the GamePad will resume the game on its touchscreen for uninterrupted play. The GamePad will also compliment games by providing alternative functionality, such as a tee for golfing games. Julianne Pepitone from CNN recently spent some time with the Wii U and wrote about some of the key features of the new system <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2012/06/29/technology/nintendo-wii-u/index.htm" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nintendo's Wii U GamePad controller. It will support NFC technology for a number of new functions.</td></tr>
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As impressive as the GamePad sounds, it's important to remember that the system will support more traditional controllers as well and the player is not bound to using the new hardware. Nintendo is taking more care with the launch of their upcoming system by focusing on what the consumer wants. They have released a statement to the press claiming that they will not overprice the new system (a problem they had with the release of the 3DS which was originally priced at $270). The company has also said that any online functionality that the Wii U performs will be free. Some gamers are wary of the new system because of a concern that it doesn't have enough power to run third-party games that are going to be developed for Sony and Microsoft's next systems. For an in-depth look at this concern read the full story <a href="http://kotaku.com/5920931/the-wii-us-power-problem" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Nintendo has a lot of work to do if they are going to reclaim the hardcore gamer. While the Wii did have its Zeldas and Marios, it left a lot to be desired for a loyal fan base. If the company hopes to compete with Microsoft and Sony when they release their next-gen consoles they need to ensure they garner third-party support while at the same time improving their online portal. Nintendo will take the lead this holiday season but their ability to retain it in the years to come may be much too limited.</div>Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852058787555459900.post-14621672760772464032012-07-01T17:42:00.000-04:002012-07-01T17:53:20.568-04:00Android 4.1 Jelly Bean<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Google I/O, the company's annual developer-focused conference, was held late last week and introduced a number of innovations for Google's various projects. Some of those that were on display include; the Nexus 7, the Nexus Q, Project Glass, Google Chrome updates, and most significantly, <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/28/android-4-1-jelly-bean-review-a-look-at-whats-changed-in-googl/" target="_blank">Android 4.1</a>. While early reviews have been positive; the question remains whether the new software is enough to bring consumers to Google's Galaxy Nexus smartphone. Google will also need to contend with Apple's recent injunction, which blocks the sale of the popular handset in the U.S. (for more details on that story click <a href="http://phys.org/news/2012-07-apple-block-samsung-smartphone-sales.html" target="_blank">here</a>). Litigation aside, let's take a closer look at Android update 4.1, more popularly referred to as Jelly Bean.<br />
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<a name='more'></a> Many people speculated that the Jelly Bean update would bring the version number for Android from 4.0 to 5.0, a move which Google has postponed until it's next major overhaul of their operating system. While the version number may seem like a minor detail when discussing the update, it's key to understanding the developments which were implemented in the new software. The overall look of the OS is very similar to Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS), in fact when placed next to a device running 4.0 the average consumer would have a difficult time distinguishing between the two. Through the Jelly Bean update, Google has refocused it's efforts on a smoother running OS, a vital improvement that was sorely lacking when compared to both Windows 7 and the IPhone.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Jelly Bean update will be coming to consumers mid-July. It will also be preloaded on the upcoming Galaxy 7 tablet.</td></tr>
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The importance of an OS that runs smoothly throughout a handset can not be understated. Consistent fluidity is one of the reasons that the IPhone continues to be such a success today. Android has received harsh criticism in the past for problems with device lag and consistent performance within a handset. Google has addressed these concerns through Project Butter, software which lets the CPU and graphics run in parallel. Project Butter has a huge impact on the speed of a device, allowing the interface to run at 60 frames per second. Graphics are also triple-buffered so that transitions and scrolling moves along quickly. Jelly Bean also includes the developer-friendly Systrace, which diagnoses performance and helps eliminate any remaining bugs in the OS. Systrace is also a part of the Jelly Bean SDK, so that coders can get their apps running in conjunction with the update.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Google I/O 2012 developer conference held from June 27-29 in San Francisco.</td></tr>
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Some of the other features included are an updated gallery, a new predictive keyboard, offline maps and homescreen tweaks. The notification bar has also been given a new look and now provides users with a lot more information such as; email details and news updates complete with images. While these changes greatly improve the OS, it's important to devote some time to Google Now, the feature most likely to garner buzz around Jelly Bean. While the software is likely to gather comparisons between it and Apple's Siri, Google Now actually goes much further than Siri does and is an improvement in nearly every way.<br />
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Google Now uses your search history, calender and location to give you the information you need when you need it. By holding down the home key and swiping up you activate the service and entire an entirely new portal on your phone. When you're working within Google Now you'll see a list of scrollable "Cards" which provide you with information such as news, weather, sports scores, transportation schedules, navigation routes or appointments. The more you use the service the better it gets at predicting what information you need when. Some of these results come from what you search for, such as a favorite sports team, while others are location based. The Cards can populate on their own, such as when retrieving weather, or can be configured while you're on the move, such as train station schedules. Google Now watches what you do online and uses that knowledge to become smarter and more reliable at predicting what information you need.<br />
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Jelly Bean may not be the complete overhaul that ICS was months ago, but it doesn't need to be. The update brings along much needed changes to the OS and improves on ICS in almost every way possible. The new notification tray gives users more information and the ability to respond to emails and share images directly within it. The keyboard has modeled itself after SwiftKey and is much better because of it, while Project Butter has given new life and speed to Android's devices. Google Now has the potential to change the way that people interact with their phones and how they get the information they need. Jelly Bean is here and with it comes a bounty of treats for Android users.Brad A. Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926815380193484469noreply@blogger.com0