7/21/2023 0 Comments Safe exam browser 2This facilitates secure exams especially on unmanaged computers like students' own laptops/tablets. Thanks to an elaborate authentication feature, the exam system can verify that a particular, unaltered SEB version and the correct exam settings are used for an examination. Starting version 2.0, SEB offers an individual configuration per exam, which is protected by a strong encryption against manipulation. Safe Exam Browser enables secure exams on unmanaged computers like students' own laptops and tablets as well as in managed environments on all three platforms Windows, macOS and iOS. Otherwise, SEB for macOS/iOS connect to the Learning Management Systems in the same way as the Windows version. It's using the WebKit engine, on which Safari and some open source browsers are based. In contrast to the Windows version, Safe Exam Browser for macOS and iOS is a monolithic application using a web browser framework instead of a browser runtime. The SEB browser doesn't contain a URL or search field and navigation controls (back/forward, reload) can be disabled. The SEB XUL browser application running on Firefox connects to the LMS, using a pre-configured start URL. The second part is Firefox, running in a so-called XUL runtime mode. Safe Exam Browser for Windows consists of the SEB kiosk application, which opens an own Windows desktop and blocks system commands like keyboard shortcuts (for example ALT+F4) and right mouse button clicks. These SEB LMS extensions, which originally had to be installed separately to achieve this connectivity with SEB, have been integrated into the LMS in recent versions of ILIAS and Moodle. An exam can also be configured to run only with SEB, not another browser. With these extensions the user interface of the LMS is reduced to just contain navigation for the exam (no links to other pages outside the quiz) and no other undesirable features like messaging. SEB relies on extensions/skins to the quiz modules in Moodle and ILIAS for secure exams. The learning management systems contain so-called quiz modules, which are used for online exams. SEB for macOS and iOS use the WebKit browser engine. The Windows version of SEB currently uses the Mozilla Gecko browser engine, either in the form of Firefox or XULRunner. The SEB browser loads and displays the LMS exam page using a preset URL and doesn't show any navigation elements like address bar, search engine field etc. Since this application has to control miscellaneous OS functions, it is designed very system specific. The kiosk application locks down the computer and starts the SEB browser plus optional third party applications. Optionally one or several third party application(s) can be allowed to run during an exam and are started by the SEB kiosk application. The third part of an SEB exam environment is build into the supported LMS. The illustration above shows the two internal components which SEB consists of, the kiosk application and the browser part. ![]() The kiosk application locks down the examination computer, the browser part communicates over the internet (or a LAN) with the quiz module of an LMS running on a server. SEB consists of a kiosk application and a browser part, which are running on an examination computer or tablet device. Some learning management systems (LMS) like for example Moodle, ILIAS, OpenOLAT and exam solutions as Inspera Assessment offer a quiz mode specifically compatible with SEB. Generally SEB works with any web based LMS and other kinds of web based exam systems. SEB runs on a local computer and it is connected via the internet to a learning management system (LMS) or an e-assessment system. ![]() It controls access to resources like system functions, other websites and applications and prevents unauthorized resources being used during an exam. Safe Exam Browser turns any computer temporarily into a secure workstation.
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7/21/2023 0 Comments Spanish translator![]() Upon completion of the program, students will have attained the following: The online format is ideal for professionals who, due to career and family obligations, cannot attend face-to-face classes. It is intended for bilingual (English-Spanish) speakers with no formal training in translation who wish to improve or expand their knowledge and skills in written translation. Who should take Spanish/English Translation? This three-course non-credit professional development certificate program is designed to train entry-level translators in Spanish to meet the needs of doctors' offices, hospitals, public health settings, courts, legal offices, schools, etc. Machine translation tends to sound awkward and robotic, which can make it hard to read at times.Įrrors are common, meaning that you may need multiple passes through your content to get it ready for publication.The certificate in Spanish/English Translation is designed to respond to the increasing local, national, and international demand for professionals, educators, and students interested in meeting the challenges of an increasingly multicultural and multilingual society. It can also work fairly well with general text but is not recommended for technical or creative writing. ![]() Machine translation works best with short texts – typically fewer than 500 words. It costs nothing upfront but has a number of disadvantages which we’ll explore in more detail below: Given these prices, what’s the best option? Let’s look at machine translation first. If you were to translate 20 pages of material, it would cost $20-$40, again without taking any additional fees into account. This means that if you have a one-page document in English to be translated into Spanish, it will cost between $18 and $30 dollars to get this translated – not including any other fees such as rush charges or editing services.Īnd that’s just a single page. One translator estimated that their rates range from $0.06 to $0.12 per word, depending on factors such as the complexity of the project or language pair. When we asked a group of translators how much they charge per word, the answer ranged from $0.04 to $0.08 cents per word. Some people charge per word, some charge by the hour and some will just give you an estimate. Technology Used (Bilingual Dictionaries, Machine Translation Services) When comparing prices with other professionals who provide similar services (i.e., freelance writers), translations by native speakers should not cost any more than those by non-native speakers. ![]() The industry average is typically less than this amount however, a few hours of translation work can still cost upwards of a thousand dollars. These documents often need to be translated into many different languages before they are completed and ready for use.Īn expert translator may charge up to $30 per hour for this type of translation. In addition to translating words from one language to another, an experienced Spanish translator also translates documents like marriage certificates or birth certificates into the appropriate language. Sometimes, people are surprised at how much translators charge for different types of work.įor example, translation rates can range from about $0.02 to $4 per word for translations of popular languages like English or Spanish into other languages such as French or German.
7/21/2023 0 Comments Xpostfacto macMacintosh II Apple Macintosh Portable Computer, apple, electronics, computer png 748x570px 446.92KB.Retrieved March 12, 2023.Non-commercial use, DMCA Contact Us Relevant png images ^ Technical specifications of Power Macintosh 9600/300 from Apple's knowledge base and from.^ Technical specifications of Power Macintosh 9600/200MP from Apple's knowledge base and from.^ Technical specifications of Power Macintosh 9600/200 from Apple's knowledge base and from.^ "Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty".^ a b Technical specifications of Power Macintosh 9600/233 from Apple's knowledge base and from.^ a b Technical specifications of Power Macintosh 9600/350 from Apple's knowledge base and from.^ Tafael, Kathy (January 1998), "Power Macintosh G3 Kicks Ass", MacAddict, p. 42.Timeline Timeline of Power Macintosh and Mac Pro models The 9600 was part of the final generation of Macs to ship with a SCSI hard drive as a standard feature subsequent Macs adopted IDE for the internal hard drive bus.Īll of these models are obsolete. ![]() Mac OS X 10.3 or 10.4 was only possible with a G3 processor upgrade installed, and OS X 10.5 was possible with a G4 upgrade. No version of OS X was officially supported by Apple on the 9600 its installation and use required the use of the third-party software solution XPostFacto. The Power Macintosh 9600/350 was the most powerful Mac ever in Apple's four-digit model numbering system, the last multiprocessor Mac for three years, and the last model with six or more expansion slots until the 2019 Mac Pro. Like its predecessor, the Power Macintosh 9600 has no built-in video instead, it shipped with an 8 MB IXMICRO TwinTurbo 128-bit PCI video card installed. While the G3 was faster, its expandability was only on par with the 8600, so the 9600 was kept available until March for users that required it. The 350 MHz model was initially discontinued in October due to CPU supply problems, but reintroduced on Febru when the 300 MHz model was discontinued in favor of the new Power Macintosh G3 Mini Tower. An updated Workgroup Server 9650 was introduced at the same time with a 350 MHz CPU, and could be ordered pre-configured as an application server, AppleShare server or Internet server, with prices ranging from $6,800 to $7,500 USD depending on the software package chosen. ![]() ![]() The line was updated in August 1997 with a single-processor 300 MHz or 350 MHz "Mach 5" 604ev with a larger L2 cache, priced at $4,500 and $5,300, respectively. When introduced, the Power Macintosh 9600 was available with three processor configurations: single-processor 200 MHz, dual-processor 200 MHz, and single-processor 233 MHz. The 9600 was replaced by the Power Macintosh G3 Mini Tower in Apple's product lineup in November 1997, with sales of the 9600 continuing until March 1998. It was introduced in February 1997 alongside the Power Macintosh 73, and replaced the Power Macintosh 9500 as Apple's flagship desktop computer. The Power Macintosh 9600 (also sold with additional server software as the Apple Workgroup Server 9650) is a personal computer that is a part of Apple Computer's Power Macintosh series of Macintosh computers. Power Macintosh 9600 / Workgroup Server 9650ģ2 MB, expandable to 1.5 GB (70 ns 168-pin DIMM) 7/21/2023 0 Comments New balance fresh foam roavIn the rain, they tended to lose grip and my feet were soaked within seconds of being out in the rain. I tested them out in various weather conditions and surfaces. This material did alright when it came to traction but after only 70 miles on them, it started to wear down. On the outsole, they used rubber and NDurance with a flex groove pattern. This one-piece midsole does allow for an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride. The extra cushioning in the heel was greatly appreciated when I had to be on my feet all day. I would suggest this shoe to an individual whose heels strike first. When it comes to arch support, it’s almost non-existence in this shoe. The Fresh Foam did offer some comfort but did not guide my foot in the way I would expect in a running shoe. There didn’t seem to be a lot of structure to the shoe either. With the further distances, the Fresh Foam midsole would become not as responsive. When I took them for a longer run I would not notice the cushy midsole anymore. I enjoyed this fresh foam for shorter runs and cross-training workouts. The innovative midsole is created from a single piece of foam that provides a plush ride for the short runs or errands around town. The midsole unit of the Fresh Foam Roav uses New Balance’s signature Fresh Foam. The extra cushy midsole was noticed as soon as I put them on as well. It felt like it was giving my feet a nice tight hug. I did like the feeling that the mesh upper gave my foot from the first moment of putting them on. I knew right away that this shoe wasn’t going to be my friend for the long run I had planned in a few days. That is one of the first things I feel for when trying out new running shoes. I took a few steps in them and right away my heel would slip slightly. However, when I tried them on I immediately noted the unique heel cup. Seeing this shoe in person for the first time was impressive. The new design of this shoe is very modern. It instantly reminded me of an accordion. The thing that stood out to me at first was the Ultra Heel design. I have even thought about buying it in a different color. I love the look that this shoe gives to complete my outfit. New Balance offers the shoe in many other colors. The color was a little bold for me at first, but I warmed up to them fairly quickly. I would again, wear on dress-down days or trips to the playground with my kiddos. My initial thought was these look pretty sweet but they don’t look like my other typical running shoes. This pair was my first pair of running shoes from New Balance. The New Balance Classics 574’s were my go-to shoes for dress-down days in college. The only New Balance shoes I have ever worn have strictly been for fashion. ![]() ![]() New Balance Fresh Foam Roav First Impressions The Fresh Foam Sport’s are for everyday errands and they make the perfect travel shoe. The Fresh Foam Roav’s are the pick for you if you plan to do some light running and errands. When glancing at both pairs you wouldn’t be able to notice a huge difference, but try them on and it’s pretty obvious. If New Balance is your brand and you wanted something similar to the New Balance Fresh Foam Roav then I would tell you to take a look at the New Balance Fresh Foam Sport. Each of these shoes is engulfed in a breathable updated mesh upper that allows for your feet to stay comfortable all day. The Winflo 7 offers the same great cushioning at that bargain price. If I were to compare the New Balance Fresh Foam Roav to another brand, it would have to be Nike Air Zoom Winflo 7. I will discuss what all of this means throughout the rest of this review. The new technology tailored in this shoe is a breathable mesh upper, a Fresh Foam midsole, lace-up closure for a secure fit, NDurance rubber outsole, and the Ultra Heel design. It offers some updated technology that also validates this price point. I think it’s a reasonable price considering the many hats this shoe can wear. The New Balance Fresh Foam Roav weighs in at 8.7oz, has an 8mm drop, and will cost you about $80. I love the look and comfort this shoe offers. To me, I would use this shoe for short casual runs with friends and taking my kids to the playground for a playdate. I used this shoe for other workouts and it performed very well. ![]() ![]() When I would push past that distance, I would start to notice some minor discomforts. I took them out for various distance runs and felt comfortable with a 5k distance. This shoe is just for that, a few miles here or there. I was able to do a few miles in the morning and keep them on for the rest of my day with no issues. The fresh design of this shoe was a delight. After testing it out, I came to the same conclusion. This is the common phrase I came upon when researching this shoe. The New Balance Fresh Foam Roav shoe is designed for athletes who are on-the-go. 7/21/2023 0 Comments Anime gif live wallpaperChoose the individual file or directory, then click OK. Click on Screen Saver Options, and this dialog appears (see screenshot below): (Click “Select File or Directory” to choose your GIF or directory of GIFs).ħ) This dialog allows you to set the animation rate of your GIF, set a background color, and even fill a directory with GIFs that the screen saver will randomly display at a pre-set interval. ![]() When the installation is complete, open System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver, then click on the Screen Saver tab (see screenshot below): (Click on the AnimatedGIF Screen Saver to select it.)Ħ) Now we need to select the GIF to use as our screen saver. (Choose whether the screensaver is installed for you or all users of the Mac.)ĥ) At this point you’re asked to enter your administrative password, since you’re making a change to the operating system. If you’re the only user of the Mac, go ahead and select “Install for all users of this computer” (see screenshot below), then click Install. Next, you’ll be asked if you wish to install the file for the current user only or for all users. Click Open.)Ĥ) As noted in the screenshot above, click Open to open the file. If you run into the issue of not being able to download your GIF as a GIF file, do a search for the meme using Google or your favorite search engine, then right-click on the GIF displayed and select “Download Image as…”.Įasy-peasy, right? Now comes the hard work.ġ) Download the Animated GIF Screensaver from Github.Ģ) Open your Downloads folder (or whatever folder you have set to save downloads from your browser), right-click the file and select Openģ) You’ll see the following warning dialog: (You’ll be warned that the screensaver file is from an unidentified developer. It can sometimes be difficult to download a GIF as a GIF file - particularly on Giphy! The GIF service has many ways to download files, usually as MP4 movie files. You can see this classic in all of its animated pixelated glory above. This is a really fun way to display your favorite family Live Photo when your Mac’s screen saver kicks in, and perfect for annoying or amusing co-workers with the latest internet meme.Ĭome on now, who hasn’t wanted to have the classic 2011 meme “ nyancat” as a screen saver? After a quick trip to the universal repository of all things GIF - I was able to locate the original “cat with a pop-tart body” nyancat GIF and download it to my Mac. Now if you think your screen saver is going to be Retina Display-worthy eye candy, you can lower your expectations it’s going to be a little more low-resolution. In today’s Quick Tip, you’ll learn how to bring some of that animated fun to your Mac in the form of a screen saver. A few weeks ago, we showed you how easy it is to set up a Live Photo or animated GIF as wallpaper on an iPhone. 7/21/2023 0 Comments Infinity insurance company![]() Zippia gives an in-depth look into the details of Infinity Insurance, including salaries, political affiliations, employee data, and more, in order to inform job seekers about Infinity Insurance. They also rave about the positive environment this company provides at work. Perks of Working at Infinity InsuranceEmployees at Infinity Auto love the great work environment, that is fast-paced, but with great coworkers. Of course we already knew that we were an "excellent, safe and stable" business for you to do business with - but it's always good to be recognized by others! But you do not have to believe our word Infinity maintains an "A" rating from AM Best, an independent rating agency that measures the financial strength of insurance companies. You can experience excellence in first-rate customer service, whether in person with an agent, on the phone with a service representative, or through a convenient online experience. The Organization’s Mission Whether through our agencies or our auto insurance policies online, we work to provide excellence to all our policyholders by offering excellent products and services designed to meet your needs at all the different stages of your life. A large insurance company with 2,400 employees and an annual revenue of $1.5B, Infinity Insurance is headquartered in Birmingham, AL. In comparison, some of its highest paying competitors, like The Hanover Insurance Group, Esurance, and Mercury Insurance, pay $71,343, $66,733, and $61,914, respectively. The average employee at Infinity Insurance makes $52,816 per year. ![]() Infinity Insurance has great employee retention with staff members usually staying with the company for 5.0 years. Employees seem to enjoy working in an otherwise diverse workplace that is dominated by members of the Democratic Party. It has an unusually high proportion of employees who are members of the Democratic Party, at 75.0%. Despite its diversity in other areas, Infinity Insurance employees are noticeably lacking in political diversity. The company is 52.1% female and 48.6% ethnic minorities. The staff at Infinity Insurance come from unusually diverse demographic backgrounds. It means endless possibilities, continuous customer care, all-encompassing policies, and an unwavering commitment to policy holders. They set very high standards for ourselves because they know what their name means for their customers. Power, AM Best and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.When they named their company "Infinity" they knew it was a bold title. Your own quotes will be different.Īdditional customer service ratings are from J.D. These rates were publicly sourced from insurer filings and should only be used for comparison. Average rates are based on thousands of quotes for a minimum coverage policy across every ZIP code in the state for a driver with a clean record, a speeding ticket, a car accident and a DUI.Īll quotes used auto insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services. We collected car insurance quotes from Infinity and top competitors for a 30-year-old male in California who has good credit and drives a 2015 Honda Civic EX. Drivers who have a speeding ticket pay an average of $58 per month for an Infinity policy, and after an accident, drivers pay an average of $83 per month. That's about average, and most people can get cheaper rates from Geico. Infinity car insurance costs an average of $46 per month for someone with a clean driving record buying minimum coverage. However, you can't make a new claim using the app. ![]() Mobile app: Review claim status using the company's mobile app. Phone: Call 80 (1-800-INFINITY) to report a new claim or accident or to check the status of an existing claim. Online: Log into your Infinity account to view your policy and current claim status, or check past claim information online. For third-party claims, all filing must be made through the service number. To file an Infinity auto insurance claim, policyholders can either log into their Infinity account or call the 24/7 service number. Although the company is likely still able to pay out claims, customers should be cautious if this rating drops lower. Based on the customer complaints, policyholders could face a difficult and lengthy claims process after an accident.Įven the company's financial strength, rated A- by AM Best, is not as good as other major insurance companies. 7/21/2023 0 Comments Fresh network booster app![]() Of course, the BlackBerry is now no more. ![]() I loved its squat, round shape, its built-in keyboard and even its arthritis-inflaming scroll wheel. But I still have a lingering fondness for my very first smartphone - a BlackBerry - which I was given for work back in 2006. Note that some of JuiceDefender’s most powerful features like the ability to switch from 4G to lower-power 2G/3G connections are not offered in the free app but only available in the paid Ultimate version.Like a lot of people, I'm a longtime iPhone user - in fact, I used an iPhone to record this very review. This extremely popular app features five free built-in power saving modes to choose from, as well as other options controlling the conditions for automatically turning Wi-Fi radios off and on. JuiceDefender is designed to add minutes or even hours the battery charge by implementing automatic power saving techniques for an Android device’s network, display, and CPU. The wireless network interfaces of a phone or tablet drain its battery life quickly. It uses a set of built-in network speed tweak techniques that run automatically when the app is launched, with no user configuration involved. The app won’t always be able to improve your connection in all cases, though. Designed to be used when the carrier’s signal is lost or weak, some reviewers claim the app improved some of their connections from zero or one bar to at least three bars. It automatically scans, resets and reconfigures your phone’s cellular connection attempting to increase its signal strength. This version 2 updates the original with additional device support. This app, formerly called “Fresh Network Booster”, has been billed as the "number one" cell signal booster for Android. This app is especially easy to use and includes some nice features like displaying thumbnail pictures for photos and movies, optional document encryption, and the ability to configure which devices are allowed to share with you. That’s why it’s essential to keep an app like Bluetooth File Transfer handy that supports file sync over Bluetooth connections with other mobile devices. Numerous Android apps allow you to share files over a Wi-Fi connection, but most are useless when no Wi-Fi is available. Especially useful for wireless file sharing, the app also allows you to manage Android text messages and phone calls. After installing the app and joining the device to a local Wi-Fi network, you can connect to the device from other computers through standard Web browsers. AirDroidĪirDroid supports wireless remote control of an Android device through its user interface. ConnectBot boasts many loyal followers who greatly appreciate its reliability, ease of use, and security features. Network professionals and remote access aficionados are always needing a good Secure Shell (SSH) client for system administration or scripting work on servers. Reviewers have noted that InSSIDer may not fully support scanning of 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi channels 12 and 13 that are popular outside of the U.S. InSSIDer offers similar wireless network scanning features to what Wifi Analyzer does, but some people prefer the user interface of InSSIDer over that of Wifi Analyzer. Its ability to scan and visually represent Wi-Fi signals by channel can be extremely helpful when troubleshooting wireless signal interference issues in a home or office environment. Many people consider Wifi Analyzer the best signal analyzer app for Android. An integrated connection speed test feature, data usage statistics, and social networking options are also useful in some scenarios. Depending on your location, the app can help you find where to stand to get optimal signal strength on your phone. Its database includes hundreds of thousands of cell towers around the world as submitted by users. ![]() OpenSignal has established itself as both a leading cellular coverage map and Wi-Fi hotspot finder. 7/21/2023 0 Comments Medusa tattoosIn August 2022, the trend of showing off one's Medusa tattoos and spreading the word about their meanings saw an increase in popularity. ![]() On November 10th, Distractify published an article about the tattoos trending on TikTok. For example, on September 26th, 2021, TikToker posted a video of her tattoo telling others with Medusa tattoos that they're strong, garnering over 100,000 views in a year (shown below). ![]() In 2021, TikTokers began spreading the meaning behind Medusa tattoos and sharing their own examples of such tattoos. Medusa tattoos have taken on the same meanings, which are mentioned in articles by Thoughtful Tattoos and Tattoo Filter published in 20 respectively. In modern times, Medusa has become a symbol of female empowerment and the strength of sexual assault survivors, who see Medusa not as a monster but as a survivor. The Roman poet Ovid's interpretation of the story uses the Greek word "vitiasse" to describe this, which can roughly translate to "defiled." Many believe Posideon raped Medusa and see it as unfair that Medusa was punished for being assaulted. Each gives a unique glance back into Ancient Greece mythology with plenty of inspiration for ideas.In the Greek mythology story of Medusa, Medusa is a beautiful maiden who is turned into a "gorgon" with wings, snakes for hair and the curse of turning anyone who looks at her into stone after she is found having sex with Poseidon in Minerva's temple. Perhaps you’ll enjoy this collection of 80 Medusa tattoo designs for men below. ![]() There you have it, a lot of interesting bits about the story of Medusa. The insult was not taken lightly, and revenge was finally served by turning the king into stone. At an earlier date in time, he had been refused hospitality. I’m talking about the idea of revenge, as he later traveled to meet Atlas, the king of Mauretania. The same is true for his helm of darkness, which provided a safe passage of escape from the other two Gorgon sisters.Īnother interesting meaning revolves around what happened after Perseus had beheaded Medusa. Though, the meaning behind this design can greatly vary.įor starters, there’s the admiration of Perseus’ charming tale of heroism you could attribute it to a symbol of protection. In today’s times, a Medusa tattoo isn’t the most popular choice among men, however it’s still quite prevalent. Yet, that wouldn’t stop the hero Perseus (son of Zeus) from taking his chances at beheading her which, he did successfully of course. Should a man’s eyes wander away from her greenish tinted skin to her eyes, he would be turned to stone. He once gentle eyes transformed into blood-shot glazes that not only disgusted, but also struck intense fear into any onlooker. After forgetting her vows, she was dealt with the brutal punishment of having venomous snakes for hair. What was once a golden-haired maiden with a future of marriage to Poseidon, quickly turned sour. However, with a single glaze in the eyes any man would be immediately transformed into stone. With a head of snakes instead of hair, it’s hard to resist a look. ![]() Meet the female monster from Ancient Greece mythology, and one of the Gorgon sisters. 7/21/2023 0 Comments Electric light orchestra blue sky"Suddenly the sun shone and it was, 'Wow, look at those beautiful Alps.' I wrote 'Mr Blue Sky' and 13 other songs in the next two weeks." "It was dark and misty for two weeks, and I didn't come up with a thing," he told the BBC. Bruce Springsteen, Born in the U.S.A.Jeff Lynne has said that he wrote 'Mr Blue Sky' after locking himself away in a Swiss chalet, and attempting to write ELO's follow-up album to A New World Record.Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, Rattlesnakes (1984) January 31, 2019.The Kinks, Autumn Almanac (1967) February 21, 2019.The Housemartins, Happy Hour (1986) February 24, 2019.Looking backwards and upwards Most recent entries! Until 1979, which is the year punk broke wide open in Northampton. And Mr Blue Sky was my favourite song by my favourite band. And I knew which band member appeared where in the airbrushed inner sleeve illustration of the bridge of the logo spaceship. I joined the ELO Fan Club and memorised their names and taught myself how to draw them all that’s how much I loved them. If you know Out Of The Blue, you’ll know The Whale, for instance, a haunting instrumental for cetacean lovers, and Birmingham Blues, a personal hymn to home: just two examples of the band’s versatility and voracity. Having self-consciously forsaken ELO in my teens, and found some new bands of my own, I rediscovered Jeff, Bev, Hugh, Kelly, Mik, Richard and Melvyn in young adult life when all bets were off again, and I found that I really appreciated the craft. Little wonder if stands up so well to the test of cover versions, my favourites being one by the Delgados, and of course Jim Bob’s mournful take, which he recorded for my Radio 4 sitcom of the same name, and which I will always cherish. It takes a certain chutzpah to illustrate the line “running down the avenue” with a panting sound – and indeed to link the songs in the Rainy Day concerto with what sound like BBC rain sound effects but which Lynne actually recorded in Munich. From the clearly faked “radio announcement” and crude thump-thump-thump intro riff, through the cloudbursting joy of its verses (“don’t you know, it’s a beautiful new day, a-hey-hey”) and the punched-up chorus, they cook with gas for a full five minutes, using Vocoder and choral effects to tip a simple pop tune into sepulchral glory. Can you imagine how many times I’ll have heard it in the interim? (It used to be on Smooth 70s, for a while my default adult kitchen radio station, at least once a day.) It does not tarnish. ![]() I loved Mr Blue Sky then, when it became their seventh top 10 hit and I love it 45 years later. It was pop music played by rock musicians and a longhaired string section, wasn’t it? Nevertheless it electrified my 12-year-old ears and lit my fire. (I liked my Mum’s Elvis records, too.)ĮLO’s was pretty sophisticated symphonic rock – literally Dad rock, if you will – and a natural evolution from the asunder Beatles who’d enraptured Jeff Lynne’s generation so, but it wasn’t prog or metal, it wasn’t intellectual or visceral. I was being handed down my formative musical taste – and my first favourite band! – from a parent. ![]() (In the years hence, my younger brother Simon used to sneak into my bedroom to listen to my punk records when I was out.) I discovered ELO, and their classic sixth and seventh long-players A New World Record and Out Of The Blue, through my Dad. ![]() But if you’re the eldest, you’re the canary in the mineshaft, figuring it out for yourself. It’s inevitable that younger siblings absorb older music. As a consequence of having elders to follow, these second or third children developed a more “mature” taste in music, which for 70s boys generally meant progressive rock or heavy metal, and it meant LPs, not 45s. To generalise wildly, my recollection is that those with older sisters had a greater affinity for soul. I, meanwhile, could be found sitting cross-legged on the carpet of the family living room listening intently to the Concerto For A Rainy Day, which comprised Side Three of Out Of The Blue, a double LP whose generous gatefold sleeve, complete with lyrics, gave a 12-year-old something to get his head round while the lush, orchestral music flowed from the modest speakers attached to Mum and Dad’s “music centre”.Ĭrucially, I did not grow up with an older brother, as I was the eldest. Description: single album track, Out Of The Blueġ977 was the year punk broke wide open: God Save The Queen, Damned Damned Damned, Sid replacing Glenn Matlock, The Clash, Oh Bondage! Up Yours, Blank Generation, Never Mind The Bollocks. 7/20/2023 0 Comments Charles starkweather![]() ![]() The facts were not in dispute, and neither was Starkweather's culpability at issue was his mental state.Įarlier Starkweather had pointedly refused to cooperate with attempts to save his life through a plea of insanity, sneering, "Nobody remembers a crazy man." Now, when his chief counsel, T. He swaggered into court on May 5, 1958, before Judge Harry Spencer, to face a single count of murder, that of Robert Jensen. They were tried separately, Starkweather first. ![]() By this time Fugate had already washed her hands of him. When eventually arrested, Starkweather mugged for the cameras like some psychotic James Dean, cigarette droopingįrom his mouth-America's first rock 'n' roll killer had just been born. In that time they had gone on a killing binge across Nebraska, littering the highway with bodies, until their final tally reached 11 victims. But there was no sign of the wanted couple.Īnother week passed before they were captured. One week later, alerted by an anxious relative, police officers called at the house and uncovered the massacre. No one noticed anything out of the ordinary. In that time various people visited the house and met the two teenagers. Then, after pinning up a notice in the window that read "Every Body is Sick with the Flu," the couple hunkered down for the next six days, watching television, having sex, gorging themselves on fast food. Minutes later Fugate arrived home, at which point Starkweather stabbed her 2-year-old half-sister to death. Seconds later, Fugate's stepfather was similarly dispatched. When she tried to slap him, he grabbed a rifle and shot her. While awaiting her return, Starkweather got into an argument with Fugate's mother. This was the day when he visited the home of his girlfriend, Caril Fugate, aged 14. SIGNIFICANCE: Can a dysfunctional upbringing ever excuse homicide? That was the question facing jurors in this remarkable saga that changed forever the face of murder in America.Īlthough he had murdered a few weeks before, Charlie Starkweather, a diminutive 19-year-old garbage truck driver from Lincoln, Nebraska, didn't begin killing in earnest until January 21, 1958. |