Microsoft' s Xbox Team Has Been Involved In The ... - Business Insider

At the end of July, former Window Phone manager Charlie Kindel wrote a post about why Microsoft is not a hardware company.

At the top of the post was this damning bit of news:

I know some of the people who drove the Xbox360 hardware design and supply chain management. They are now war scarred and seasoned experts. They are the type of people you want working on the next big thing. None of them even knew about Surface until it was announced. Typical Microsoft organizational silos.

We saw it when it was picked up at DaringFireball. The clear implication is that the Surface is going to be a disaster because Microsoft hasn't learned from the past.

Last week, I was on CNBC to defend Microsoft's decision to make the Surface. I believe Microsoft can't afford to let its partners try to beat Apple's iPad.?

The risk for Microsoft is that it pisses off its partners, like Acer. Sure enough, Acer CEO said Microsoft was making a big mistake that was bad for the ecosystem.

In my post, and in my appearance, I said Acer should be able to beat Microsoft. Considering the fact that Microsoft is basically a hardware startup, Acer should be able to beat Microsoft. (Acer can make its own Windows-based tablet.)

After writing that, I got an inbox full of criticism from an plugged-in industry observer. He said Microsoft isn't a hardware startup. It makes the Xbox.

When I call Microsoft a hardware startup, I mean it's a novice when it comes to PC hardware, which is very different than making a gaming console.

Still, point taken! Microsoft isn't a hardware novice because of the Xbox.

But, what about Kindel's post? If Microsoft is really operating in Silos, then all of its operational knowledge from the Xbox goes to waste.

We forwarded Kindle's story to our source. Our source asked around, and it turns out Kindel's post is bogus.

The corporate vice president at Microsoft, who is in charge of manufacturing and supply chain, and builds all of Microsoft's hardware was "intimately involved" in production of the Surface, says our source. This same person reports to Don Mattrick, who runs the Xbox group.

Further, the hardware designers that built the Surface were just one floor away from the people that build the Xbox.

So, Microsoft's Xbox team was aware of the Surface, contrary to what Kindel was reporting.

This is good news for Microsoft's burgeoning hardware hopes. It at least has some experience in supply chain management. The gaming market may not be as dynamic as the tablet market where Apple is refreshing the iPad on an annual basis, but it's better than starting from scratch.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/microsofts-xbox-team-has-been-involved-in-the-production-of-the-surface-2012-8

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Demoted policeman sues over Sheen escort in DC

WASHINGTON (AP) ? A D.C. police captain who was demoted after actor Charlie Sheen received a police escort to his comedy show last year has filed a multi-million dollar whistleblower lawsuit against the department.

Hilton Burton claims he was punished for telling the D.C. Council that police escorts for celebrities were a common practice, putting him at odds with Police Chief Cathy Lanier. The chief said Sheen's escort broke police protocol and that such escorts were generally reserved for government officials and dignitaries, but could be approved for others on a case-by-case basis.

"To me, it's all retaliatory because the chief did not like what I said before the city council," Burton said Wednesday.

Lanier has said the demotion was not connected to the escort or to Burton's remarks and was instead a reflection of his performance. Her spokeswoman, Gwendolyn Crump, said the department's lawyers had not yet reviewed the lawsuit and weren't available to comment.

Sheen's escort from Dulles International Airport to a concert hall attracted attention when the actor posted about it on Twitter with a photo of flashing emergency lights and a speedometer that appeared to be registering about 80 mph. Lanier at the time said the escort ran afoul of department policies, in part because emergency lights were used in a non-emergency situation and because the escort originated outside city lines. She also said the escort wasn't given the proper approval.

The escort was provided after one of Sheen's representatives, concerned the actor would be running late for his performance, contacted police and requested a ride to the concert hall. Two off-duty officers met Sheen at the airport and drove him to the venue. The promoter reimbursed the city for eight hours of overtime, at a cost of $445, police said.

Burton testified before the council two months later that escorts for celebrities were routinely provided and that there was no written rule against them. Other celebrities who have received police escorts in the last few years include Bill Gates, Jay-Z and Washington Wizards star John Wall, according to police records obtained by The Associated Press.

An inspector general's report concluded that the officers who provided the escort didn't break department rules. The report faulted the department for failing to establish and follow clear guidelines about the rides and said the casual manner in which they were handled opened the police force to liability if something went wrong.

Burton was later transferred out of the special operations division, which he led, and demoted two ranks from commander to captain. He was first transferred to the department's medical services branch, where according to the lawsuit he had "no real duties," and is now involved in internal affairs investigations for the fire department.

The police department, the suit alleges, "has demonstrated extreme, outrageous, and intolerable conduct that is beyond all bounds of decency."

Besides seeking at least $6 million punitive and compensatory damages, the suit also seeks for Burton to be reinstated to commander and to his prior position with the special operations division.

Burton has previously filed discrimination complaints against the department and had earlier accused Lanier of denying him promotions. He has said his superiors told him he was being demoted from commander because of his performance, but his lawyer said Wednesday it won't be easy for the department to prove that in court because his superiors didn't raise problems about his performance until after he had appeared before the D.C. Council.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2012-08-08-Charlie%20Sheen-Police%20Escort/id-300b4fe656dd417d9e95071e47908fd2

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Bellewood offers new service to families around state | Bellewood ...

Bellewood Home for Children announced that it received a grant from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services to provide in-home support and counseling to families in crisis.

The Family Preservation Program is a short-term, family-based crisis intervention program designed to assist families in crisis by improving parenting and family functioning while keeping children safe.

Kentucky?s preservation program has been successful in reducing re-entry into out-of-home care, accelerating family reunification and promoting family well-being. To qualify for FPP services, families must be at imminent risk of child removal or have a child in foster care returning home. Bellewood now offers preservation services for several counties including Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson and Warren.

?This new offering allows Bellewood to provide an expansion of services into the family continuum and helps us grow our service offering in an area with high levels of need,? said Kristy Watt, director of community-based services for Bellewood. ?The Family Preservation Program will impact a variety of children and families who just need guidance, love and support and help to advance stronger practices across the field in general.?

Watt said the grant will enable the Bowling Green office to add six new case managers.

Family preservation services may be provided to different types of families?birth or biological families, kinship families, foster families, and adoptive families?to help them address major challenges, stabilize the family, and enhance family functioning.

Bellewood serves abused, homeless and other troubled youths with offices in Louisville, Bowling Green, Lexington, Owensboro and Paducah. They provide residential treatment, foster care, independent living for young adults who have aged out of foster care and prevention services for unstable families.

For more information about Bellewood, visit www.bellewood.org.

Tagged: abuse , bellewood , bowling green , children , families , kentucky , lexington , Louisville , neglected , owensboro , paducah , short term , unstable

Source: http://www.bellewood.org/archives/2371

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Church of England sells $3M in News Corp. shares over media giant's phone-hacking scandal

LONDON - The Church of England says it has sold its shareholding in Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. because of findings that the media giant was involved in phone hacking.

The church says in a statement Tuesday it is not satisfied that News Corp. has shown, or is likely to show, a commitment to reform its business practices following evidence of illegal eavesdropping at the defunct News of the World newspaper.

Church official Andrew Brown says the decision to sell the 1.9 million pounds (US$3 million) in News Corp. shares followed a year of inconclusive dialogue between News Corp. executives and members of the church's ethical investment committee.

The Church of England has three funds holding assets worth 8 billion pounds ($12.5 billion).

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/church-england-sells-3m-news-corp-shares-over-184338799.html

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Vintage Cowgirl 1st Birthday Party ? Celebrations at Home

If a more casual party style is your thing, then I have an adorable 1st birthday party to show you today. This Vintage Cowgirl birthday party designed by Sarah of Cherry Blossom Events, was for her own daughter, and although it has a laid back feel, every detail is thoughtful and perfectly themed.

Sarah incorporated rustic barrels, bails of hay, old doors, and western gear to set the scene for a day of fun for the kids and grown ups. Some of my favorite elements are the chalkboard signs, the hanging frame ?photo booth?, and the DIY burlap & fabric name banner. See all the details below as photographed by Elle Meredith Photography?

Here?s what Sarah says about the party: ?Braelyn?s first birthday was so special in so many ways. She is such a happy and loving little girl that I knew we needed to have a perfect party for this special little lady. From the moment the guests got their vintage cowgirl invite in the mail, they knew this was going to be a theme they wanted to partake in.

Whiskey barrels, straw bails, and barn doors set the western mood. Soft pink peonies and lace were the vintage cowgirl touch it needed. And the menu ? cowboy caviar and li?l smokies were a perfect compliment to the theme. Kids had fun in the tree and took a pony ride for 25 cents OK, well a rocking pony ride. The best part was when Grandpa Tom came all dressed up in his full cowboy costume!

As a co-owner of a wedding & event planning company it was so nice to be able to come up with fun ideas and design in my own backyard for a party which our own family & friends would get to enjoy. My husband got into it as well ? he couldn?t resist since this is right up his alley with the western theme ? he grew up on a farm and is a Dairy Farmer. At the end of the day, we said how it was such a beautiful time and we couldn?t believe our baby was one. Yee-Haw!?

Isn?t the party fabulous?!? It would even be great for a family reunion or pre-wedding party for a casual couple.

As I mentioned, I love the hanging frame photo area and the picture of the 3 children above cracks me up every time ? the little guy on the right is just CLASSIC!? I also love the mini barn with the animals inside and how the photographer captured it ? it almost?looks life size!

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Event Design - Cherry Blossom Events / Photography ? Elle Meredith Photography / Invitations ? Old Ways Fuss & Feathers / Cake - Craigs Cake Shop / Flowers - Garden Laurels / Rentals & Chalkboard ? A La Crate Vintage Rentals

For more inspiration, follow me on Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook. Cheers!

?

Source: http://celebrationsathomeblog.com/2012/08/vintage-cowgirl-1st-birthday-party.html

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Rapid Plans Of Snoring Research ? A Closer Look | articlereference ...

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Source: http://articlereference.net/reference-education/rapid-plans-of-snoring-research-a-closer-look.html

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How A Marketing Agency Can Help Your Business ? NUVE

A marketing agency can provide aid to business in several ways. It can analyze what promotion or advertising methods to utilize for the company. It can provide help determine the results of the campaign after its implementation. It also uses various new promotional techniques particularly content writing, social networking sites, search engine optimization and other internet promotions.

The advertising service can also make the brand more visible to customers. It makes the business name more popular to its intended market. Making the brand more popular is done by using several methods such as radio ads, TV ads, print ads, flyers and billboards.

Currently, an advertising service will most likely utilize the internet to market the company brand. Internet advertisement is fast becoming the most preferred method of promotions among agencies. The reason behind this is online promotions are effective in producing results as well as easier to implement also.

Internet promotions make it easy for business to reach out to customers outside national scope. The range and extent of promotional activities on the internet are basically unlimited.

Advertising services know the importance of utilizing traditional as well online methods of promotions. These methods help make the business more known by the intended audience. Internet promotions oftentimes include optimizing the search engine results of the company site, directory listing, using various social media, creating a blog and link building.

Viral promotions such as YouTube, if done right, can increase the sales of the company by up to millions of dollars. It is a gross error not to utilize the business opportunities presented by the internet. Also, most of these advertisement strategies online are done for free such as registering in popular social networking sites. To be able to get the best results for the company, the marketing agency should make use of both standard and online methods of promotions.

Are you looking to hire an advertising agency to promote your business. Come check out Hero Media Group?s website and see all of the marketing services they have to offer.

Source: http://nuve.com.au/online-advertising/how-a-marketing-agency-can-help-your-business/

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