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• Distribution upgrade problem "No new release found"

  - by fefe

  I'm using Ubuntu 11.04. The update manager once found the new release 'oneiric', and still shows up this screen when I log on use ssh: Welcome to Ubuntu 11.04 (GNU/Linux 2.6.38-14-generic x86_64) * Documentation: https://help.ubuntu.com/ 0 packages can be updated. 0 updates are security updates. New release 'oneiric' available. Run 'do-release-upgrade' to upgrade to it. Last login: Wed Apr 25 16:22:48 2012 from *** But I didn't upgrade then, and change my apt sources. And now I cannot upgrade to 'oneiric'. do-relase-upgrade shows: $ sudo do-release-upgrade Checking for a new ubuntu release No new release found $ And apt-get dist-upgrade shows: $ sudo apt-get dist-upgrade Reading package lists... Done Building dependency tree Reading state information... Done Calculating upgrade... Done 0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded. $ I can successfully update all my packages. File contents of source.list: $ cat /etc/apt/sources.list ## See sources.list(5) for more information, especialy # Remember that you can only use http, ftp or file URIs deb http://mirrors.tuna.tsinghua.edu.cn/ubuntu/ natty main universe restricted multiverse deb-src http://mirrors.tuna.tsinghua.edu.cn/ubuntu/ natty main universe restricted multiverse deb http://mirrors.tuna.tsinghua.edu.cn/ubuntu/ natty-security universe main multiverse restricted deb-src http://mirrors.tuna.tsinghua.edu.cn/ubuntu/ natty-security universe main multiverse restricted deb http://mirrors.tuna.tsinghua.edu.cn/ubuntu/ natty-updates universe main multiverse restricted deb-src http://mirrors.tuna.tsinghua.edu.cn/ubuntu/ natty-updates universe main multiverse restricted deb http://mirrors.tuna.tsinghua.edu.cn/ubuntu/ natty-backports universe main multiverse restricted deb-src http://mirrors.tuna.tsinghua.edu.cn/ubuntu/ natty-backports universe main multiverse restricted # deb http://ubuntu.dormforce.net/ubuntu/ lucid main universe restricted multiverse # deb-src http://ubuntu.dormforce.net/ubuntu/ lucid main universe restricted multiverse # deb http://ubuntu.dormforce.net/ubuntu/ lucid-security universe main multiverse restricted # deb-src http://ubuntu.dormforce.net/ubuntu/ lucid-security universe main multiverse restricted # deb http://ubuntu.dormforce.net/ubuntu/ lucid-updates universe main multiverse restricted # deb-src http://ubuntu.dormforce.net/ubuntu/ lucid-updates universe main multiverse restricted # CDROMs are managed through the apt-cdrom tool. # deb http://archive.canonical.com lucid partner # deb http://archive.canonical.com lucid-security partner # deb http://archive.canonical.com lucid-updates partner # deb-src http://archive.canonical.com lucid partner # deb-src http://archive.canonical.com lucid-security partner # deb-src http://archive.canonical.com lucid-updates partner #medibuntu repo # deb http://packages.medibuntu.org/ lucid free non-free # deb-src http://packages.medibuntu.org/ lucid free non-free # deb http://extras.ubuntu.com/ubuntu maverick main #Third party developers repository deb http://mirrors.sohu.com/ubuntu/ natty main restricted multiverse universe deb-src http://mirrors.sohu.com/ubuntu/ natty main universe restricted multiverse #Added by software-properties deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ natty-security universe main multiverse restricted deb-src http://mirrors.sohu.com/ubuntu/ natty-security universe main multiverse restricted deb http://mirrors.sohu.com/ubuntu/ natty-updates universe main multiverse restricted deb-src http://mirrors.sohu.com/ubuntu/ natty-updates universe main multiverse restricted File contents of /etc/update-manager/meta-release: $ cat /etc/update-manager/meta-release # default location for the meta-release file [METARELEASE] URI = http://changelogs.ubuntu.com/meta-release URI_LTS = http://changelogs.ubuntu.com/meta-release-lts URI_UNSTABLE_POSTFIX = -development URI_PROPOSED_POSTFIX = -proposed What may be the problem of this?

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• Policy Implementation is Damaging Organizations: Economist Intelligence Unit

  - by michael.seback

  Read new research revealing the hidden risks of inefficient policy implementation The frenetic pace of regulatory and legislative change means public and private sector organizations must continuously update internal policies - in particular, as associated with decision making and disbursements. Yet with policy management efforts alarmingly under-resourced and under-funded, the risk and cost of non-compliance - and their associated implications - are growing daily. To find out how inefficient policy management could be putting your business at risk, read your complimentary copy of the full EIU paper - Enabling Efficient Policy Implementation - today.

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• CSS Style Element if it does not contain another specific type of Element [migrated]

  - by Chris S

  My CSS includes the following: #mainbody a[href ^='http'] { background:transparent url('/images/icons/external.svg') no-repeat top right; padding-right: 12px; } This places an "external" icon next to links that start with "http" (all internal site links are relative). Works perfectly except if I link an Image, it also get this icon. For example: <a href='http://example.com'><img src='whatever.jpg'/></a> would also get the "external" icon next to the image. I can live with this if necessary, but would like to eliminate it. This must be implement in CSS (no JS); must not require any special IDs, Classes, styling in the html for the image or anchor around the image. Is this possible?

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• XNA - Drawing 2D Primitives (Boxes) and Understanding Matrices in Computer Graphics

  - by MintyAnt

  I have two issues which I wish to solve by creating 2D primitives in XNA. In my game, I wish to have a "debug mode" which will draw a red box around all hitboxes in the game (Red outline, transparent inside). This would allow us to see where the hitboxes are being drawn AND still have the sprite graphics being drawn. I wish to further understand how matrices work within computer graphics. I have a basic theoretical grasp of how they work, but I really just want to apply some of my knowledge or find a good tutorial on it. To do this, I wish to draw my own 2D primitives (With Vertex3's) and apply different transormation matrices to them. I was trying to find a tutorial on drawing primitives using Direct3D, but most tutorials are only for c++, and just tell me to use XNA's Spritebatch. I wish to have more control over my program than just with Spritebatch. Any Help on using Direct3D or any other suggestions would greatly be appreciated. Thank you.

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• Solaris Tips : Assembler, Format, File Descriptors, Ciphers & Mount Points

  - by Giri Mandalika

  .roundedcorner { border:1px solid #a1a1a1; padding:10px 40px; border-radius:25px; } .boxshadow { padding:10px 40px; box-shadow: 10px 10px 5px #888888; } 1. Most Oracle software installers need assembler Assembler (as) is not installed by default on Solaris 11.      Find and install eg., # pkg search assembler INDEX ACTION VALUE PACKAGE pkg.fmri set solaris/developer/assembler pkg:/developer/[email protected] # pkg install pkg:/developer/assembler Assembler binary used to be under /usr/ccs/bin directory on Solaris 10 and prior versions.      There is no /usr/ccs/bin on Solaris 11. Contents were moved to /usr/bin 2. Non-interactive retrieval of the entire list of disks that format reports If the format utility cannot show the entire list of disks in a single screen on stdout, it shows some and prompts user to - hit space for more or s to select - to move to the next screen to show few more disks. Run the following command(s) to retrieve the entire list of disks in a single shot. format 3. Finding system wide file descriptors/handles in use Run the following kstat command as any user (privileged or non-privileged). kstat -n file_cache -s buf_inuse Going through /proc (process filesystem) is less efficient and may lead to inaccurate results due to the inclusion of duplicate file handles. 4. ssh connection to a Solaris 11 host fails with error Couldn't agree a client-to-server cipher (available: aes128-ctr,aes192-ctr,aes256-ctr,arcfour128,arcfour256,arcfour) Solution: add 3des-cbc to the list of accepted ciphers to sshd configuration file. Steps: Append the following line to /etc/ssh/sshd_config Ciphers aes128-ctr,aes192-ctr,aes256-ctr,arcfour128,arcfour256,\ arcfour,3des-cbc Restart ssh daemon svcadm -v restart ssh 5. UFS: Finding the last mount point for a device fsck utility reports the last mountpoint on which the filesystem was mounted (it won't show the mount options though). The filesystem should be unmounted when running fsck. eg., # fsck -n /dev/dsk/c0t5000CCA0162F7BC0d0s6 ** /dev/rdsk/c0t5000CCA0162F7BC0d0s6 (NO WRITE) ** Last Mounted on /export/oracle ** Phase 1 - Check Blocks and Sizes ... ...

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• Please recommend a good book on general IT for junior developer

  - by Rachel

  I have just got a job as a junior java developer and I am finding learning the code fine as I taught myself to pass the interview tests, trouble is I have a biology degree and know little about general IT and computer /network jargon. I don't want to be seen as a total idiot and non - techie so please can you recommend a book I can read / study to quickly increase my general background knowledge so that I can compete on a level with IT graduates!

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• 10 Annoying Habits of a Geeky Spouse (GeekDad Wayback Machine)

  <b>Wired:</b> "Everyone has annoying habits, and a sizable part of every successful marriage is learning to live with those things each other does that annoy you. I think it&#8217;s safe to say, too, that geeks have some habits that we think are awesome, but that non-geeks find a little&#8230;less awesome."

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• Tout savoir sur le projet Webian Shell, l'OS-navigateur soutenu par Mozilla, son créateur répond aux questions de Développez.com

  Tout savoir sur le projet Webian Shell, l'OS-navigateur soutenu par Mozilla Son créateur répond aux questions de Développez.com Dévoilé il y a quelques semaines, Webian Shell fait partie de ces projets qui suscitent très tôt l'intérêt des médias, car ils s'annoncent comme des alternatives à des produits populaires (ou décriés), laissant place après ce sursaut de gloire éphémère non encore méritée, à l'essentiel du travail qui se fera loin des projecteurs. Ça vous rappel Diaspora ? Pas étonnant, car Webian Shell est à

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• Patrick Curran Session-Keynote at DOAG 2012

  - by Heather VanCura

  Patrick Curran, Chair of the  Java Community Process (JCP) and Director of the JCP Program Management Office, will be speaking this week at the DOAG 2012 event in Nuremberg Germany. Keynote Java: Restructuring the Java Community ProcessNovember, 22nd | 09:00-09:45 am The Java Community Process (JCP) plays a critical role in the evolution of Java.  This keynote will explain how the JCP is organized and how interested members of the Java community - commercial organizations, non-profits, Java user-groups, and individual developers - work together to advance the Java language and platforms. It will then discuss recent and upcoming changes to the JCP's structure and operating processes, and will explain how these changes ('JCP.next') will make the organization more efficient and will ensure that its work is carried out in a more open and more transparent manner.

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• Initializing Problem when using the Catalyst Control Center with fglrx

  - by Pierre

  I activated, or installed the Catalyst 11.8 driver, which is the non postrelease one, I think. When I go into Applications - Other - Catalyst Control Center, I get an error saying "There was a problem initializing Catalyst Control Center Linux edition..." Also, when I open up a terminal and use fglrxinfo I get a X error, it says BadRequest (invalid request code or no such operation). I'm not using Unity, I'm using Gnome Classic. Video card is a ATI Mobility Raedeon HD 5470.

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• Do I need to store a generic rotation point/radius for rotating around a point other than the origin for object transforms?

  - by Casey

  I'm having trouble implementing a non-origin point rotation. I have a class Transform that stores each component separately in three 3D vectors for position, scale, and rotation. This is fine for local rotations based on the center of the object. The issue is how do I determine/concatenate non-origin rotations in addition to origin rotations. Normally this would be achieved as a Transform-Rotate-Transform for the center rotation followed by a Transform-Rotate-Transform for the non-origin point. The problem is because I am storing the individual components, the final Transform matrix is not calculated until needed by using the individual components to fill an appropriate Matrix. (See GetLocalTransform()) Do I need to store an additional rotation (and radius) for world rotations as well or is there a method of implementation that works while only using the single rotation value? Transform.h #ifndef A2DE_CTRANSFORM_H #define A2DE_CTRANSFORM_H #include "../a2de_vals.h" #include "CMatrix4x4.h" #include "CVector3D.h" #include <vector> A2DE_BEGIN class Transform { public: Transform(); Transform(Transform* parent); Transform(const Transform& other); Transform& operator=(const Transform& rhs); virtual ~Transform(); void SetParent(Transform* parent); void AddChild(Transform* child); void RemoveChild(Transform* child); Transform* FirstChild(); Transform* LastChild(); Transform* NextChild(); Transform* PreviousChild(); Transform* GetChild(std::size_t index); std::size_t GetChildCount() const; std::size_t GetChildCount(); void SetPosition(const a2de::Vector3D& position); const a2de::Vector3D& GetPosition() const; a2de::Vector3D& GetPosition(); void SetRotation(const a2de::Vector3D& rotation); const a2de::Vector3D& GetRotation() const; a2de::Vector3D& GetRotation(); void SetScale(const a2de::Vector3D& scale); const a2de::Vector3D& GetScale() const; a2de::Vector3D& GetScale(); a2de::Matrix4x4 GetLocalTransform() const; a2de::Matrix4x4 GetLocalTransform(); protected: private: a2de::Vector3D _position; a2de::Vector3D _scale; a2de::Vector3D _rotation; std::size_t _curChildIndex; Transform* _parent; std::vector<Transform*> _children; }; A2DE_END #endif Transform.cpp #include "CTransform.h" #include "CVector2D.h" #include "CVector4D.h" A2DE_BEGIN Transform::Transform() : _position(), _scale(1.0, 1.0), _rotation(), _curChildIndex(0), _parent(nullptr), _children() { /* DO NOTHING */ } Transform::Transform(Transform* parent) : _position(), _scale(1.0, 1.0), _rotation(), _curChildIndex(0), _parent(parent), _children() { /* DO NOTHING */ } Transform::Transform(const Transform& other) : _position(other._position), _scale(other._scale), _rotation(other._rotation), _curChildIndex(0), _parent(other._parent), _children(other._children) { /* DO NOTHING */ } Transform& Transform::operator=(const Transform& rhs) { if(this == &rhs) return *this; this->_position = rhs._position; this->_scale = rhs._scale; this->_rotation = rhs._rotation; this->_curChildIndex = 0; this->_parent = rhs._parent; this->_children = rhs._children; return *this; } Transform::~Transform() { _children.clear(); _parent = nullptr; } void Transform::SetParent(Transform* parent) { _parent = parent; } void Transform::AddChild(Transform* child) { if(child == nullptr) return; _children.push_back(child); } void Transform::RemoveChild(Transform* child) { if(_children.empty()) return; _children.erase(std::remove(_children.begin(), _children.end(), child), _children.end()); } Transform* Transform::FirstChild() { if(_children.empty()) return nullptr; return *(_children.begin()); } Transform* Transform::LastChild() { if(_children.empty()) return nullptr; return *(_children.end()); } Transform* Transform::NextChild() { if(_children.empty()) return nullptr; std::size_t s(_children.size()); if(_curChildIndex >= s) { _curChildIndex = s; return nullptr; } return _children[_curChildIndex++]; } Transform* Transform::PreviousChild() { if(_children.empty()) return nullptr; if(_curChildIndex == 0) { return nullptr; } return _children[_curChildIndex--]; } Transform* Transform::GetChild(std::size_t index) { if(_children.empty()) return nullptr; if(index > _children.size()) return nullptr; return _children[index]; } std::size_t Transform::GetChildCount() const { if(_children.empty()) return 0; return _children.size(); } std::size_t Transform::GetChildCount() { return static_cast<const Transform&>(*this).GetChildCount(); } void Transform::SetPosition(const a2de::Vector3D& position) { _position = position; } const a2de::Vector3D& Transform::GetPosition() const { return _position; } a2de::Vector3D& Transform::GetPosition() { return const_cast<a2de::Vector3D&>(static_cast<const Transform&>(*this).GetPosition()); } void Transform::SetRotation(const a2de::Vector3D& rotation) { _rotation = rotation; } const a2de::Vector3D& Transform::GetRotation() const { return _rotation; } a2de::Vector3D& Transform::GetRotation() { return const_cast<a2de::Vector3D&>(static_cast<const Transform&>(*this).GetRotation()); } void Transform::SetScale(const a2de::Vector3D& scale) { _scale = scale; } const a2de::Vector3D& Transform::GetScale() const { return _scale; } a2de::Vector3D& Transform::GetScale() { return const_cast<a2de::Vector3D&>(static_cast<const Transform&>(*this).GetScale()); } a2de::Matrix4x4 Transform::GetLocalTransform() const { Matrix4x4 p((_parent ? _parent->GetLocalTransform() : a2de::Matrix4x4::GetIdentity())); Matrix4x4 t(a2de::Matrix4x4::GetTranslationMatrix(_position)); Matrix4x4 r(a2de::Matrix4x4::GetRotationMatrix(_rotation)); Matrix4x4 s(a2de::Matrix4x4::GetScaleMatrix(_scale)); return (p * t * r * s); } a2de::Matrix4x4 Transform::GetLocalTransform() { return static_cast<const Transform&>(*this).GetLocalTransform(); } A2DE_END

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• Another Way to Learn SQL Server

  - by RickHeiges

  Since 2004, I have been on the Advisory Board for several continuing education certificate programs for the University of Washington. You might know some of the other Advisory Board Memebrs - check it out. The Advisory Board meets very infrequently and is asked for "advice" (not direction) on various aspects of the program. Generally speaking, courses that are taught for a degree are non-platform specific. Continuing Education courses and certificate programs are more product focused. As you can...(read more)

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• Font rendering in Firefox is blurry

  - by Lambert

  A picture is worth a thousand words... so does anyone know how to fix this font blurriness in Firefox? (You'll need to right-click the picture below go to View Image to view it full-size; it's too small to see anything here.) Note: My other applications (and the Firefox non-client area, as you can see in the screen) are completely fine, so obviously going to System-Appearance and changing the font settings isn't fixing the situation.

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• Test interface implementation

  - by Michael

  I have a interface in our code base that I would like to be able to mock out for unit testing. I am writing a test implementation to allow the individual tests to be able to override the specific methods they are concerned with rather than implementing every method. I've run into a quandary over how the test implementation should behave if the test fails to override a method used by the method under test. Should I return a "non-value" (0, null) in the test implementation or throw a UnsupportedOperationException to explicitly fail the test?

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• La Release Candidate de Flash 10.1 devrait annoncer l'arrivée imminente de la version définitive

  Mise à jour du 08/04/10 La RC de Flash 10.1 Annonce l'arrivée imminente de la version définitive Adobe vient de mettre en ligne la RC (Release Candidate) de Flash Player 10.1. Pour mémoire, la future version de Flash introduit l'accélération matériel (en d'autres termes l'utilisation de la carte graphique et non plus du CPU) dans la technologie. Autre nouveauté, le support du format viéo H.264, le seul qui pourra bénéficier de l'accélération matérielle. La liste des cartes supportées est disponibles ici (pdf). Autre b...

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• Could I improve lyrics display in OSD Lyrics by adding other lyrics sources beside its default ones (ttPlayer and Xiami)?

  - by cipricus

  OSD Lyrics has a very good way of displaying lyrics but its sources seem poor - compared to what I experience in Windows with Foobar and in Ubuntu with CoverGloobus. The latter uses a small non-adjustable font, so I would rather prefer to use OSD Lyrics, were it not for this problem. Many people recommend OSD Lyrics as the best way to display lyrics, but in fact it couldn't even find lyrics for some songs of The Beatles, for example, not to mention other less popular artists.

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• Custommer Centric Wealth Management

  - by michael.seback

  While the world continues to search their way out of the recent financial turmoil and recession, it has no doubt churned out the inherent faults in the wealth management industry and the larger financial system. In order to counter these apprehensions, wealth management firms are now actively seeking and evaluating avenues to re-build the lost trust. They are looking at engaging their customers in managing their investments in a more collaborative and transparent manner. At the same time, wealth managers are also seeking to empower themselves with complete and comprehensive customer information in order to provide the best advice and the best solution at the right time. Read your copy of this new global White Paper on Wealth Management.

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• Security risks posed by specifying technologies used

  - by SabreWolfy

  I am developing online tools for non-commercial use, which are hosted on dedicated hardware. I would like to include logos indicating the technologies I used (Apache or Python for example), at the bottom of the page. What are the security risks/implications, if any, of "advertizing" this information? It is better not to reveal that the web server is Apache, and that I used Pyhton and jQuery, for example?

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• Firefox Fonts Blurry (Web Content ONLY, **NOT** Window Decorations or Other Programs)

  - by Lambert

  A picture is worth a thousand words... so does anyone know how to fix this font blurriness in Firefox? (You'll need to right-click the picture below go to View Image to view it full-size; it's too small to see anything here.) Note: My other applications (and the Firefox non-client area, as you can see in the screen) are completely fine, so obviously going to System-Appearance and changing the font settings isn't fixing the situation.

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• WCF Data Service Pipeline

  - by Daniel Cazzulino

  For documentation purposes, I just draw the following UML sequence diagrams for the “Astoria” pipeline, using Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate: For a single-entity (or non-batched) request, this is the sequence: For a batch request, this is the sequence instead: DataService component is your own DataService<T>-derived class, and DataService.ProcessingPipeline refers to its ProcessingPipeline property pipeline events.   /kzu

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• looking for a clock widget that is unaffected by the mouse

  - by Joshua Robison

  Between screenlets, cairo-dock widgets and plasma-widgets. One of them's gotta have this function; A widget that hovers above everything on the desktop but is completely unaffected by the mouse. I would use this by making a clock hover above everything and semi transparent. I also want to be able to click on windows underneath the clock. After some experimentation, the screenlets widgets do not do what I am asking. I can make them float above everything on the screen but I am not able to click on windows underneath them. I need the widget to be COMPLETELY unaffected by the mouse.

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• Why and when should I make a class 'static'? What is the purpose of 'static' keyword on classes?

  - by Saeed Neamati

  The static keyword on a member in many languages mean that you shouldn't create an instance of that class to be able to have access to that member. However, I don't see any justification to make an entire class static. Why and when should I make a class static? What benefits do I get from making a class static? I mean, after declaring a static class, one should still declare all members which he/she wants to have access to without instantiation, as static too. This means that for example, Math class could be declared normal (not static), without affecting how developers code. In other words, making a class static or normal is kind of transparent to developers.

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• As webdevelopment is it same to legal issues to make a sex dating sites?

  - by YumYumYum

  Like i have created many other normal sites which are not related to any dating/sexual content. Is it for a developer same rules and regulation while making a sex related dating sites? where people meet together, learn each others, for having a sex relaionship (you know what i mean), having also a feature of webcam sex but not explicitly a porno sites. Does those sites have any special legal terms and condition's for the developers comparing with non sexual/dating sites legal terms and conditions?

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• Is Financial Inclusion an Obligation or an Opportunity for Banks?

  - by tushar.chitra

  Why should banks care about financial inclusion? First, the statistics, I think this will set the tone for this blog post. There are close to 2.5 billion people who are excluded from the banking stream and out of this, 2.2 billion people are from the continents of Africa, Latin America and Asia (McKinsey on Society: Global Financial Inclusion). However, this is not just a third-world phenomenon. According to Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC), in the US, post 2008 financial crisis, one family out of five has either opted out of the banking system or has been moved out (American Banker). Moving this huge unbanked population into mainstream banking is both an opportunity and a challenge for banks. An obvious opportunity is the significant untapped customer base that banks can target, so is the positive brand equity a bank can build by fulfilling its social responsibilities. Also, as banks target the cost-conscious unbanked customer, they will be forced to look at ways to offer cost-effective products and services, necessitating technology upgrades and innovations. However, cost is not the only hurdle in increasing the adoption of banking services. The potential users need to be convinced of the benefits of banking and banks will also face stiff competition from unorganized players. Finally, the banks will have to believe in the viability of this business opportunity, and not treat financial inclusion as an obligation. In what ways can banks target the unbanked For financial inclusion to be a success, banks should adopt innovative business models to develop products that address the stated and unstated needs of the unbanked population and also design delivery channels that are cost effective and viable in the long run. Through business correspondents and facilitators In rural and remote areas, one of the major hurdles in increasing banking penetration is connectivity and accessibility to banking services, which makes last mile inclusion a daunting challenge. To address this, banks can avail the services of business correspondents or facilitators. This model allows banks to establish greater connectivity through a trusted and reliable intermediary. In India, for instance, banks can leverage the local Kirana stores (the mom & pop stores) to service rural and remote areas. With a supportive nudge from the central bank, the commercial banks can enlist these shop owners as business correspondents to increase their reach. Since these neighborhood stores are acquainted with the local population, they can help banks manage the KYC norms, besides serving as a conduit for remittance. Banks also have an opportunity over a period of time to cross-sell other financial products such as micro insurance, mutual funds and pension products through these correspondents. To exercise greater operational control over the business correspondents, banks can also adopt a combination of branch and business correspondent models to deliver financial inclusion. Through mobile devices According to a 2012 world bank report on financial inclusion, out of a world population of 7 billion, over 5 billion or 70% have mobile phones and only 2 billion or 30% have a bank account. What this means for banks is that there is scope for them to leverage this phenomenal growth in mobile usage to serve the unbanked population. Banks can use mobile technology to service the basic banking requirements of their customers with no frills accounts, effectively bringing down the cost per transaction. As I had discussed in my earlier post on mobile payments, though non-traditional players have taken the lead in P2P mobile payments, banks still hold an edge in terms of infrastructure and reliability. Through crowd-funding According to the Crowdfunding Industry Report by Massolution, the global crowdfunding industry raised $2.7 billion in 2012, and is projected to grow to $5.1 billion in 2013. With credit policies becoming tighter and banks becoming more circumspect in terms of loan disbursals, crowdfunding has emerged as an alternative channel for lending. Typically, these initiatives target the unbanked population by offering small loans that are unviable for larger banks. Though a significant proportion of crowdfunding initiatives globally are run by non-banking institutions, banks are also venturing into this space. The next step towards inclusive finance Banks by themselves cannot make financial inclusion a success. There is a need for a whole ecosystem that is supportive of this mission. The policy makers, that include the regulators and government bodies, must be in sync, the IT solution providers must put on their thinking caps to come out with innovative products and solutions, communication channels such as internet and mobile need to expand their reach, and the media and the public need to play an active part. The other challenge for financial inclusion is from the banks themselves. While it is true that financial inclusion will unleash a hitherto hugely untapped market, the normal banking model may be found wanting because of issues such as flexibility, convenience and reliability. The business will be viable only when there is a focus on increasing the usage of existing infrastructure and that is possible when the banks can offer the entire range of products and services to the large number of users of essential banking services. Apart from these challenges, banks will also have to quickly master and replicate the business model to extend their reach to the remotest regions in their respective geographies. They will need to ensure that the transactions deliver a viable business benefit to the bank. For tapping cross-sell opportunities, banks will have to quickly roll-out customized and segment-specific products. The bank staff should be brought in sync with the business plan by convincing them of the viability of the business model and the need for a business correspondent delivery model. Banks, in collaboration with the government and NGOs, will have to run an extensive financial literacy program to educate the unbanked about the benefits of banking. Finally, with the growing importance of retail banking and with many unconventional players eyeing the opportunity in payments and other lucrative areas of banking, banks need to understand the importance of micro and small branches. These micro and small branches can help banks increase their presence without a huge cost burden, provide bankers an opportunity to cross sell micro products and offer a window of opportunity for the large non-banked population to transact without any interference from intermediaries. These branches can also help diminish the role of the unorganized financial sector, such as local moneylenders and unregistered credit societies. This will also help banks build a brand awareness and loyalty among the users, which by itself has a cascading effect on the business operations, especially among the rural and un-banked centers. In conclusion, with the increasingly competitive banking sector facing frequent slowdowns and downturns, the unbanked population presents a huge opportunity for banks to enhance their customer base and fulfill their social responsibility.

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• Operator of the Week - Spools, Eager Spool

  For the fifth part of Fabiano's mission to describe the major Showplan Operators used by SQL Server's Query Optimiser, he introduces the spool operators and particularly the Eager Spool, explains blocking and non-blocking and then describes how the Halloween Problem is avoided.

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