There’s even a Tumblr devoted to drone graffiti-proving, perhaps, that the graffiti of the future won’t necessarily require feet on the street. Since then, he’s gone on to make political messages with his tagging drone and make the open-source plans for his graffitibot available to would-be high-tech taggers. In 2015, reports Arthur Holland Michel for WIRED, graffiti artist KATSU hacked a drone to draw all over the face of a billboard featuring Kendall Jenner. That give and take is a chance to turn anonymous vertical spaces into a collaborative showcase, the firm writes on its website, and brighten up urban spaces along the way.ĭrones have actually already gotten into the graffiti game. The firm plans to commission large-scale graffiti projects that bring together artists and communities who contribute to the artwork via mobile device-a collaboration that turns the art into “more than the sum of its parts.” Summary: Youth who paint graffiti on businesses and public property, also called street taggers, say they don’t view their actions. It’s a cool concept, but for Ratti and his team it’s about more than art. Carlo Ratti tells Metcalfe that the technology will start with construction sites, but could soon be scaled to paint on “virtually any vertical surface.” Blu is the pseudonym of an Italian graffiti artist who conceals his real identity.He became famous in 1999 by painting a series of illicit graffiti in the historical center and suburbs of Bologna in Italy. I’m pretty sure I spotted a VO tag in a television show filmed in France, but it’s possible my mind was just filling in the background automatically with what it assumed would be there, cluttering up the scene. The system is pretty ingenious, Metcalfe writes: It’s governed by a central management system that dictates where and how each drone sprays a single color of CMYK paint onto the wall. If you sift through photos on this site, you’ll find the tag captured probably a dozen times most unintentionally. When they’re unleashed, swarms of drones will take to the skies to turn crowdsourced concepts into reality-putting a new spin on street art. The brainchild of international design firm Carlo Ratti Associati, the project will turn the facades of construction sites into canvases for drones starting this fall. It’s called “Paint by Drone,” and it does what it says on the tin. But as CityLab’s John Metcalfe reports, a new project proves that street art is another one of drones’ many talents. But you probably don’t think of them as being involved in the graffiti business. Murals - Research suggests that painting multi-colored designs or murals on surfaces will discourage graffiti, since tagging is more difficult. Drones can make people better at tennis and track what’s going on at sea.
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It is quiet too, at least in the lower revs. The new engine is lighter, more efficient, and thanks to a new common rail system that pushes out fuel at a higher 2000 bar of pressure, there’s no dearth of usable torque either. It is part of a new generation of modular engines that power both BMW and Mini cars. The engine, a 1995cc, 4-cylinder unit, might displace the same capacity as the older X1, but it is all new. The new BMW X1 only gets a diesel engine. Safety wise, it ticks enough boxes: six airbags, ABS, Cornering Brake Control, and stability and traction control come as standard on all trims. The X1 also gets parking sensors, but only for the rear. It gets a sunroof, besides two zone climate control, electric powered front seats with memory for the driver, a nice sounding audio system with Bluetooth, Aux and USB connectivity, a good assortment of storage spaces, cruise control and keyless start. The boot meanwhile is big too – over 500 litres – and with split and fold function for the rear backrest and a reasonably low loading lip height, the new X1 isn’t short on flexibility either.Īs far as equipment goes, this mid-level xLine trim is pretty sorted. The front seats though aren’t as impressive and could have been more accommodating. Add the increased knee, shoulder and headroom to the mix (compared to the older X1), and one can actually be chauffeured around in this one. The firmness is just right and with a reclining backrest, finding a comfy seating posture even on longer drives comes easy. These aren’t very large but they are supportive. Plus, the glass area all round is large leaving you feeling airy and less hemmed in something the Mercedes and even Audi can’t boast of in this class. It has a huge front windscreen, which aids both visibility and the feeling of space. The transverse engine layout has clearly worked wonders here. The SAV is visually more spacious, not just compared to the older car, but compared to its competition too. What also works in the new X1’s favour is the interior room. It might be part of BMW’s entry-level fleet, but it feels decently upmarket nonetheless. What’s also old-school BMW, and in a good way we might add, is the overalllevel of quality and fit and finish. Even the instrumentation is old-school BMW. Blame it on the aircon or the basic iDrive controls, or the power window and starter button, but almost everything that one touches on the new X1, seems borrowed. But, the feeling of familiarity is omnipresent inside the X1. The design for the dash, the gear shifter as well as the door inserts is new. And if we consider the M Sport variant, the new X1 looks more desirable too. We are no fans of how the new X1 looks from the front – it's a little dowdy if you ask us – but from the rear three quarter, with its wrap around LED tail lamps, the upward swooping shoulder line and tapering roof, not to mention the gorgeous 18-inch wheels, the new X1 does draw glances. As mentioned earlier, the new X1 is taller than the outgoing model, plus, it sits higher off the ground and is wider as well.And though it is shorter in both length and wheelbase compared to the older X1, it still manages to look bigger.Īdditionally, it has a better-defined design language. It has a buff front end, SUV overtones, and a marked improvement in street creed courtesy larger dimensions. The good news here isthat the new X1 looks more purposeful and SUV-like than the car it replaces one of the reasons the earlier X1 didn't do too well. But, you can have it in three trims – Expedition, xLine and M Sport. The new BMW X1, which goes head-on against the likes of the Audi Q3 and the Mercedes GLA, is still only available with one engine and gearbox combo – a 4 cylinder, 1995cc, diesel mated to a torque convertor 8-speed automatic. Plus, it is based on BMW's all new UKL front-wheel drive platform that also underpins the new Minis, so it is cost effective to produce, and possibly cost effective to run as well. The new X1 is taller with higher seating, comes with more equipment as standard, and has a higher claimed mileage tag as well. Now, with the new X1, with its more muscular design, higher ground clearance and an all-wheel drive system, it does get closer to SAV status. And, the BMW X1, which was hitherto only available with a rear-wheel drive configuration in India, wasn't even a proper SAV. Now, BMW prefers calling their SUVs, SAVs, for these are mainly designed for road use with a hint of off-roading ability thrown in. 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You were there, listening.Īnd even when I left the streets to perform on stages small or big, you would always be there, listening. Whenever I was performing on the street all by myself, you were there, always eager to listen to my every note.Įven when there wasn't a single Cookie left on the streets, or when the stores had all closed down and the moonlight was all I had. I bet it was amazing a-and beautiful, and absolutely breathtaking. But congrats on your first orchestra concert.! You see, there was a bunch of Cookies who needed help!Ī little Cookie needed a hand ith his newspapers, and then someone was lost, a-and, a Cake Hound r-ran away. I didn't see you at the concert, and I was worried that something might've happened to you. I hope you'll enjoy the grandiose sound of the orchestra and the forlorn yet beautiful melody of the violin in tonight's performance. Tonight, I will be playing 'The Peanutcracker Suite,' 'Hollyberrian Dance,' 'Sugar Swan Lake,' and last but not least, 'Cooquiem.' I've played the violin for as long as I can remember, but never have I performed at a grand stage like this. Welcome, Cookies of all flavors and sorts, to Mint Choco Cookie's first-ever symphonic concert. Let's give them the best performance of the year! Let's give them a fantastic performance tonight! It's time for us to hit the stage and dazzle everyone! She will come to see my performance, I just know it! Wait, has your guest of honor not arrived yet? I wish that every Cookie in this kingdom has a healthy and happy holiday this winter! Ho ho!ĭid you see the audience tonight? It's a FULL house! Now, let me put my wish on the tree as well. Thank you for taking me all the way here! Why if only my dough was fresher, I would've chased that mutt myself!ĪH YES! It's as beautiful and well-groomed like they say! You can't just take off with a Cookie's Jellies! These roads are too slippery for an old Cookie! That big tree over there is the Tree of Wishes! Maybe I can help her get there AND make it to the concert in time!) (But the Tree of Wishes isn't too far from here. If I help this lady, I might be late to the concert.) I'm trying to get to the Tree of Wishes, but I'm afraid I'm completely lost. WHY YES! Yes indeed! So kind of you to ask. SOMEONE! Help this old Cookie find her way! Have I gone crazy or has everything changed! The concert is gonna start any minute now! I hope you deliver all of your newspapers on time!Īlright then, I should get back to delivering!Įveryone must be waiting for the latest paper!Ĭookie Herald! Get your copy of the latest news to warm you up in this cold winter weather! Oh, I'm afraid I have to be somewhere else. It has all the latest news from the whole town! I'll grab this side and you can take this side! Well, I think the two of us can easily lift it together! I loaded it with a lots and lots of newpapers because I wanted to deliever the holiday news to every Cookie. The snow is gonna ruin the paper! Sugar ink stains are everywhere! I should get going if I don't want to be late!Īnd all the newspapers have fallen out. You've always been there for me from the start, and I'd love to see your friendly face in the crowd.ĭid Mint Choco Cookie really prepare this for me? "I would truly appreciate it if you could come to the concert. "It's all thanks to everyone's support and I'm thrilled to be playing at such a grand and impressive stage, not to mention playing with an orchestra for the first time." The Kingdom Philharmonic asked me to play with them in their upcoming winter concert." "I enjoy writing to you on any occasion, but today I have some news to share. I wonder if it's snowing there for you as well.Īll I wish is that you're cozy and warm." "It's snowing outside as I write this letter. Hope you've been staying warm in this cold winter weather." I'm here to deliver an invitation for you, Cocoa Cookie. Where is my favorite cup? Time for some fresh hot cocoa! This Story tells of Cocoa Cookie's not-so-perfect adventure to see Mint Choco Cookie perform on stage. Progression in the Event unlocks segments of the Story. Cocoa Cookie's Unforgettable Winter is the Cookie Story of Cocoa Cookie and Mint Choco Cookie, releasing alongside the Mint Choco Cookie's Winter Concert Event in the Frost Witch and the Lantern in the Snow update ( v2.5). And this can lead to a lack of synergy that can destroy any sense of creativity and innovation in your company. A staff ranking system can also create an unhealthy culture based on unnecessary internal competition. This can make your employees feel unmotivated and disengaged. You are basically telling your employees that, no matter how hard they work, if their colleagues work harder then they might end up in the bottom 10% group and lose their jobs. A stack rank performance ranking system can have a hugely negative impact on employee morale and engagement.Here are some of the downsides of relying on a system of stack rankings: It can help you identify top performers, and increase productivity, profitability, and shareholder value.īut stack ranking employees can also be risky and controversial if you don’t implement a clear and balanced strategy. You don’t reward this group with raises, bonuses or training, and you may fire them for underperforming.Ī stack ranking performance review system can help large organizations to systemize their HR processes. C group: the “bottom” 10% are your least performing employees.You might reward this group with smaller raises and encourage them to improve. B group: the “middle” 70% who are not as engaged or motivated, but still important to your company’s success.You reward this group with raises, stock options, and training. These are your most engaged, motivated, committed and productive employees. A group: the “top” 20% who are the highest performers.The typical structure of a forced ranking performance evaluation system is based on dividing employees into three groups: With a forced ranking system, instead of evaluating performance against established employee performance metrics, standards, and expectations set by individual performance improvement plans, employee performance is measured against that of all other employees within the organization. This controversial method differs from other systems such as pay for performance or 9 box methods for optimizing performance. Stack ranking, also known as forced ranking, rank and yank, and the vitality model, is an HR ranking system used to rank and grade an employee’s performance. What is a Good Alternative to Stack Ranking?.Stack Racking Examples: Companies That Use Forced Ranking.We will also share a few stack ranking examples and discuss alternatives that can help you rank the performance of your employees in a fairer and more effective way. In this post we are going to take a look at the forced ranking performance evaluation system and why it can often be a problematic method for staff evaluations. Despite this fact, thirty percent of Fortune 500 companies are said to use stacked ranking to evaluate their employees. However, those against the approach claim that it creates an unhealthy culture that discourages cooperation and impacts employee morale. Supporters argue that a “rank and yank” approach motivates employees to perform better and clearly identifies underperformers. This employee performance management method is considered controversial by many people. In its traditional form, you reward the top 20% of performers and fire the bottom 10%. Stack ranking is a forced ranking performance management system where you measure employee performance against that of your entire workforce, rather than your established individual performance standards. In response to the billionaire and Tesla CEO that the congresswoman. Morning Report - What message did Tuesday’s voters send?ĭemocrat Andy Beshear wins reelection in Kentucky governor’s raceĬhristie says Cameron made ‘huge mistake’ by ‘selling his soul’ to. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., slammed billionaire Elon Musk on social media after he insulted her intelligence Wednesday. House censures Tlaib for Israel criticism ĭon’t roll Tuberville, GOP senator warns party leaders Virginia Democrats win full control of statehouse, dealing blow to GOP ahead of. Ivanka Trump to take center stage in fraud trial after leaving political world. The Tesla mogul, 52, and AOC, 33, have a longstanding. House GOP attempts to cut Buttigieg salary to $1 via spending bill Elon Musk has ignited a new war of words with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez after calling the firebrand congresswoman not that smart on X. Trump weighs in as daughter prepares to take stand: ‘Sad!’Ģ2 Democrats vote to censure Tlaib over Israel criticism Israel faces a daunting fight in Gaza City What does it mean if someone is censured? Virginia’s election result is a loss for Donald Trumpįive takeaways from a winning election night for Democrats This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Musk has received backlash for some of his controversial choices since purchasing Twitter, including a new approach to content moderation measures and the Twitter Blue program, which charges users to verify their account. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had an awkward Twitter interaction on Friday. “So I was informed via text that I seem to have gotten under a certain billionaire’s skin,” the progressive lawmaker tweeted at the time. She later claimed her Twitter mentions and notifications “conveniently” weren’t working. Shortly after Musk purchased Twitter in a $44 billion deal last fall, Ocasio scoffed at another user’s comparison between Twitter charging users a monthly fee and large media outlets’ subscription services. Senate puts NASA on notice over Mars mission.GOP senators rattled by radical conservative populism.Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Friday after she made a dig at a billionaire with an ego problem. Gaetz says he’ll offer bill to defund Jack Smith investigations of Trump T esla CEO Elon Musk teased New York Democratic Rep.Biden video mocking Marjorie Taylor Greene speech hit more than 30M views in 12 hours.Twitter, which no longer has a press office, did not reply to Fortune’s request for comment. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said he was taking a joyride, and condemned the Republican with him. Neither AOC’s office nor the owner of the parody account immediately replied to Fortune’s request for comment. Elon Musk was in Eagle Pass, Texas on Thursday to try and livestream from the struggling border town. AOC called on Musk to “take a beat and lay off the proto-fascism” and to try putting down his phone, to which he replied “You first lol.” She accused the Twitter CEO of “descending into abuse of power” after he had suspended the accounts of several journalists he claimed were revealing private information about his whereabouts. It isn’t the first run-in AOC has had on Twitter with Musk after a public spat in November. As Twitter prepared to erase legacy checkmarks in April, several celebrities including William Shatner and LeBron James pushed back and refused to pay for verification. A verified account was accompanied by a blue check mark.īut in a bid to monetize subscriptions at a company that was reportedly on the brink of bankruptcy, Musk revamped the system last year, requiring a paid fee for verification that has led to a flood of fake accounts and misinformation. Prior to Musk’s tenure, Twitter assumed the responsibility of confirming notable accounts’ identities, including for celebrities and journalists, through a system of identity checks and verification methods. While Twitter was home to parody accounts of public figures long before Musk was in charge, it’s become much easier for impersonators to create fake profiles that are harder for other users to verify since Musk overhauled the platform’s verification system. Students are becoming increasingly proficient at reading by the end of fifth grade. Check out Fry’s Sixth 100 Sight Words Flashcards for an extra nudge on this set.Īnything arms beautiful believe beside bill blue brother can’t cause cells center clothes dance describe developed difference direction discovered distance divided drive drop edge eggs energy Europe exercise farmers felt finished flowers forest general gone grass happy heart held instruments interest job kept lay legs length love main matter meet members million mind months moon paint paragraph past perhaps picked present probably race rain raised ready reason record region represent return root sat shall sign simple site sky soft square store subject suddenly sum summer syllables teacher test third train wall weather west whether wide wild window winter wish writtenĪs words get harder to both read and write, memorizing these lists can help students produce quality, grade-level work and read appropriate level texts with relative ease. Not struggling to read each individual word means students can retain more of the context of what they read. As these words become automatic, you will see a jump in fluency and comprehension of texts. Again, these students are in the 4th and 5th grade and are around 10-11 years old. Here is the next set students should focus on. able ago among ball base became behind boat box bread bring brought building built cannot carefully check circle class clear common contain correct course dark decided deep done dry English equation explain fact feel filled finally fine fly force front full game gave government green half heat heavy hot inches include inside island known language less machine material minutes note nothing noun object ocean oh pair person plane power produce quickly ran rest road round rule scientists shape shown six size special stars stay stood street strong surface system ten though thousands understand verb wait warm week wheels yes yet Although they may not be “instant” words, children are becoming more familiar with these words in educational and recreational texts. Practice their familiarity more with the help of our Fry’s Fifth 100 Sight Words Flashcards too. Children in these grades are 10-11 years old. The remaining six lists of Fry words are typically presented in 4th-5th grade and have been encountered many times already. Here’s another way to increase their familiarity with these words with our Fry’s Third 100 Sight Words Flashcards. The third 100 Fry words are: above add almost along always began begin being below between book both car carry children city close country cut don’t earth eat enough every example eyes face family far father feet few food four girl got group grow hard head hear high idea important Indian it’s keep last late leave left let life light list might mile miss mountains near never next night often once open own paper plant real river run saw school sea second seem side something sometimes song soon start state stop story talk those thought together took tree under until walk watch while white without young Although these words have likely appeared in texts already, increased recognition will help with reading fluency now and in the future. The age range for these grades is typically 8-9. Students in the late second grade through third grade are better at decoding words but memorizing this next set gives additional confidence in reading. Looking for additional practice when it comes to learning your Fry’s second 100 sight words? You can view it here. These are the second set of Fry words: after again air also America animal another answer any around ask away back because before big boy came change different does end even follow form found give good great hand help here home house just kind know land large learn letter line little live man me means men most mother move much must name need new off old only our over page picture place play point put read right same say sentence set should show small sound spell still study such take tell things think three through too try turn us very want well went where why work world years Reading these words should be automatic and easy, enabling students to focus on only unknown words in a text. Students in these grade levels are 7-8 years old. Building upon the previous list, the second set of words is generally mastered during the first and second-grade years. Rule violators will be warned and/or subsequently removed at the discretion of the moderation team. Violation of the Rules is best addressed using the Report function. To mark something spoilers (for story or other relevant purposes), use the following format exactly as it appears: "(/spoiler)"
In one case, she spoke with a man who said his 88-year-old father racked up hefty collections fees even though he doesn’t drive anymore. “I really felt that we really needed to take control, legally, and make sure that there was consumer protection.”Ī former TxTag customer service representative told KXAN she felt powerless while fielding calls from hundreds of frustrated drivers. “When you are unfairly hitting people with fees that they can’t pay at the end of the day, it creates a dislike for tolls and that's really what has caused so much dislike for toll authorities and toll roads,” Minjarez said. Minjarez said there’s still work to be done next session since she does not believe the amendment caps collections fees, which can amount to tens of thousands of dollars in fees. “It’s important to keep in mind, we are still in the planning stages. “The proposed rules don’t address this yet,” TxDOT spokesperson Veronica Beyer said earlier this month. The measure, also referred to as Senate Bill 312, isn’t expected to affect existing accounts and it’s still unclear if the cap on administrative fines will also limit collections fees. The amendment, which was adopted earlier this year as part of the TxDOT Sunset Bill, will go into effect by March 1, 2018. Ina Minjarez, D-San Antonio, filed an amendment to cap administrative fines for nonpayment of tolls at $6 per transaction and $48 a year. Recognizing the burden excess fees have on thousands of Texans, Rep. “We want to pay them the money that we owe them, not the crazy, sky-high, ridiculous fees that they, for some reason, feel that we owe.” We're practically stalking them to give them the money we owe them,” Louviere said. “They couldn't have been more unhelpful to us when trying to set up a payment arrangement. By the time a manager called her back, it was too late. She continued to call TxTag multiple times between April and June and spoke with representatives who told her to be patient. But when she realized her toll usage wasn’t being automatically debited from her account, she called customer service and an employee told her a manager would call to set up a payment plan at a later date. In hindsight, Louviere admits she shouldn’t have moved the TxTag from her old vehicle to her new one. Louviere said the escalation of fees on her account could have been prevented if she received adequate customer service when she first tried to pay her $412 bill. Weber resigned in October 2015 and in January of this year Xerox handed over customer service and billing to a new company, Conduent.īut, despite those changes, drivers say they’re still facing the similar frustrations. Joe Weber promised after an “unsatisfactory” audit rating. “I would just tell them that it's getting better and as a result of this audit and the action plans and some of the actions we've taken it's going to get better,” former TxDOT executive director Lt. Issues with TxTag customer service and billing have been ongoing for years and even resulted in TxDOT fining contractor Xerox in February 2015 for not meeting the terms of their agreement. “Now it’s come time where we still have no resolution and the cost of us to continue to pursue these – we have to be able to recoup some of those costs.” “(The collection letters) are advising the customers that we have made every attempt to collect this toll on their behalf without the fees,” said Linda Sexton, deputy division director of toll operations at TxDOT. And, the number of Texans affected could be even higher since the Texas Department of Transportation, which oversees TxTag, said each account could have more than one vehicle tied to it. This year, more than 2.2 million Texas toll accounts had a bill sent to the agency Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, who added nearly $1 billion in fees to drivers’ accounts, according to information obtained by KXAN through an open records request. According to a Houston-based collections agency, her account was overdue and she was hit with a $25 penalty for each individual toll. “There had to be something mistaken because we hadn’t done anything that was worth $6,000.” “We assumed there had to be some sort of computing error, human error, something,” said Louviere, of Pflugerville. The bill showed she owed $5,750 in administrative fees for only $412.85 in toll usage. TxTag Troubles: Nearly $1 billion added to TxTag accounts as billing woes continueīy Sarah Rafique, Brittany Glas, Josh Hinkle & Ben FribergĪUSTIN (KXAN) - Mela Louviere let out a laugh when she opened a collections letter for her TxTag toll account earlier in June. |
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