Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/274388191?client_source=feed&format=rss
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Thursday, January 3, 2013
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Dragon's Blade (for Windows Phone)
The best old-school RPG for Windows Phone 8, Dragon's Blade could be an even better game if it worked out some frustrating game-balance issues. As is, though, it's a pretty diverting pastime on a platform that doesn't have many alternatives.
Available in an ad-supported free version and a "clean" 99-cent version, Dragon's Blade has a pretty typical old-school console RPG setup. You get four characters who can choose between seven classes; three fighting types, three magic-users and a hybrid. They're represented by little sprites who wander along the screen in a dutiful line, through a two-scale world with an overworld map, towns and dungeons. You move around with a virtual D-pad and action button, and as this is a turn-based game, quick reflexes aren't needed.
The map is generally segmented into difficulty-level areas, with each difficulty level including a town that provides some quests, and the dungeons to do the quests in. While the game is technically nonlinear, the huge jumps between difficulty levels in the different areas make it basically linear. There's currently enough content to take you well past level 100, which I'd call dozens of hours in, and creator Nate Monster is constantly writing more.
Random monster encounters abound. Combat is turn-based, with shortcuts that let you tap on a creature to attack it or hit "auto" to repeat the last turn's attacks and spells. Spellcasting strategies rely heavily on time-limited buffing spells that you have to renew every ten turns or so.
Like my Editor's Choice iPad game Silversword, Dragon's Blade gets big points for going beyond the app. It has a cooperative online play mode with a built-in chat room and bonuses for working together. There's an active Web forum where the creator often weighs in, a blog about his further game development, and a player-created Wiki with maps and hints. That all compares very well with games like KEMCO's Android-based JRPGs, which have little or no out-of-game content to help you along.
A World Out of Balance
Where Dragon's Blade doesn't compare well is in plot and game balance.
Most great single-player RPGs have a plot, characters, and an overarching quest. There are variants on this theme. In JRPGs like the KEMCO games and later Final Fantasies, you tend to play a defined character; in old-school western RPGs your character is often more of a blank slate, but there's usually a big mystery to solve.
Dragon's Blade has neither plot nor characters, really.?There are a lot of little things to do, but it doesn't seem to build to anything, and your characters are ciphers. I got to level 23 and the third stage of the game, and I still haven't found an overarching quest.
The game also has a serious balance problem. A well-programmed RPG slopes gently along the length of its quest: as you get more powerful, your challenges get harder. Dragon's Blade moves in dramatic jumps. You'll complete one area and be nowhere near powerful enough to confront the next one, leaving you grinding out levels in a dull, repetitive, dynamically-generated proving ground called the Larkwood Mines. At 20 to 30 minutes per level, with a 5-10 level gap between completing one area and starting the next, it's a lot of unnecessary hacking and slashing.
Dragon's Blade wins back points for being one of very few similar games on the Windows Phone platform. The only decent alternative I've been able to find is the original Final Fantasy, for $6.99, and it's the original Final Fantasy. I'll be reviewing that one soon.
Old-school RPG lovers could do a lot worse than Dragon's Blade, especially if you're the patient type who likes to watch your levels rise as you slaughter monster after monster. I prefer a little more plot and character, but beggars can't be choosers. I'll keep playing Dragon's Blade until something better comes along.
For more Windows Phone App Reviews, see:
??? Dragon's Blade (for Windows Phone)
??? Microsoft Windows Phone 8
??? Skype 1.0 (for Windows Phone)
??? Facebook (for Windows Phone)
??? Microsoft Windows Phone 7.5 'Mango'
?? more
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/1aiQ1UyI3Jc/0,2817,2413613,00.asp
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Larry Hagman's Home Gets Another Price Cut | Zillow Blog
Source: IMDb
The stunning Ojai property that ?Dallas? star Larry Hagman called home has recently hit the price chopping block again.
Located at 9950 Sulphur Mountain Rd, Ojai, CA 93023, the spectacular ranch was first listed for sale by Hagman in 2009 for $11 million. In June 2011, the price was dropped to $8.45 million as Hagman began auctioning off some of his ?Dallas? memorabilia. The most recent price cut occurred just after Hagman?s recent death?? bringing the home down to $6.495 million.
The expansive hilltop property spans 43 acres with dramatic views of the valley and hills below and features resort-like amenities. Named ?Heaven? by Hagman?s wife, the main home is a 7-bedroom, 10-bath stucco-and-stone structure. The home takes advantage of the sprawling views and California sunshine with floor-to-ceiling windows, an open floor plan and an alfresco dining area. Green amenities include solar panels and on-site wells.
Also featured on Hagman?s property: an indoor pool and grotto, an outdoor pool and spa, a helicopter pad for easy access off the ranch, and the final touch, a full avocado-tree orchard.
Related:
Source: http://www.zillow.com/blog/2013-01-02/larry-hagmans-home-gets-another-price-cut/
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Enhance Students - National Coalition of Education Activists
Children who are mentally retarded, autistic, and have mild to major learning difficulties need good quality education and care. People who have patience, empathy, and good motivation skills may work well with these types of children. They may already be teachers or have recently received their Bachelor?s, but with this in mind, it might be a good idea to consider going back to school. The field of Special Education teaching is always in need of good people, so a Master of Arts in Special Education should be a valued option.
The Master of Arts in Special Education is not for everyone. Not all those with teaching abilities and teaching background will enjoy teaching Special Education. They may find it too difficult, and it can be, at times, frustrating. The Master?s in Special Education is really for people who have a genuine concern for students that are not the average type. These people may be interested in finding improved ways in working with unique students. They may give healthy encouragement to those who are not as accepted by peers. They may be already familiar with many disabilities, and they may have found the difficulty in teaching them to be merely a challenge that, with this degree, they should be able to conquer. It is important that prospective students of the program consider these things carefully because Special Education is so challenging a field.
Most Master of Arts in Special Education programs require a Bachelor?s degree in Education. Rarely, a student may be accepted with a different Bachelor?s degree and a superior teaching background. A few years of teaching experience is often expected, or experience in another relevant education-related practice is acceptable. These things are required upon entrance to most programs.
The Special Education Master?s program has a diverse curriculum. It gives a background in school administration and issues in education. Then, it goes deeply into the possible disabilities expected to be in the classroom. Classes in developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and others give future teachers an in-depth background that will teach them how to confront these disabilities from a positive viewpoint. These classes are designed to prepare any instructor to handle the classroom well.
Those that are interested in a certain disability may want to choose a specialty. They may be able to specialize in hearing disabilities or a specific learning disorder. In such programs, they should become experts on those disabilities and will be better prepared to work with those children.
With a Master?s degree in Special Education, graduates may teach special education at public schools. They will be highly qualified to teach all age groups with all types of disabilities. There will also be career opportunities in special private schools and in programs just for special students. Salaries are higher than most regular teaching positions and even higher in private schools.
The traditional student will be right at home attending classes several days a week at a university; however, there are students nowadays who cannot do this. It may be due to a hectic family life or simply location, but it keeps them from attending school. There are now online programs that accommodate these students. Attending a university in an online program is a great idea for people who are restricted from taking classes regularly
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Tuesday, January 1, 2013
What health insurance am I eligible for?
I am currently 17 years old. I will be turning 18 in early November and my family does not have health insurance. I was wondering if I qualify for anything that will be able to get me low-cost braces or anything orthopedic. My family makes not that much money anf I am currwntly going to be a full-time college student. What insurance or health care would I qualify for? I have been needing braces for a while now and I am really self conscious about my teeth I hate to smile. Thank you on your help.
you can qualify for any private insurance you got money to pay for
Source: http://www.internationalstudenthealthinsurance.net/what-health-insurance-am-i-eligible-for/
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Oil rises as 'cliff' deadline approaches
NEW YORK (AP) ? Oil prices rose Monday with hopes that U.S. political leaders are getting closer to avoiding the "fiscal cliff" just hours before the deadline.
Negotiators for the White House and congressional Republicans in Congress, working against a midnight deadline, narrowed their differences Monday on legislation to avert across-the-board tax increases and spending cuts set to trigger on Tuesday.
But Republicans and Democrats remain divided, and it appears likely that financial markets will start 2013 without a clear picture of the budget policy of the U.S. economy ? the world's largest.
In afternoon trading benchmark oil rose 67 cents to $91.47 per barrel in New York. Oil has wavered in recent weeks along with the ups and downs of the budget negotiations. Through Friday oil had gained about 2 percent this month. Failure to reach a deal could eventually send the U.S. into another recession, which would drive down demand for energy.
Brent crude, used to price international varieties of oil, rose 35 cents to $110.97 a barrel.
The national average for gasoline hit $3.29 per gallon, well under the average of nearly $3.40 a month ago but 2 cents higher than a year ago.
In other energy futures trading:
Natural gas fell 11 cents, or 3.3 percent, to $3.37 per 1,000 cubic feet.
Wholesale gasoline rose 1 cent to $2.77 a gallon.
Heating oil gained a penny to $3.03 a gallon.
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Home Improvement: Upgrading the Thermostat How To (YTO 188 ...
I did a home improvement project last year (which shh, I never finished completely) where I wired my house from upstairs to downstairs with ethernet. This was before the orbit so I didn?t get it on video. Today though I upgraded my Thermostat?s to some units I got off the internet (a ritetemp 6025 from a wootoff if you must know). I upgraded both the upstairs and downstairs units but in order to bore you less I just got one on video 
Source: http://sangbayang.info/118-home-improvement-upgrading-the-thermostat-how-to-yto-188
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