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Volume 8, Issue 19 — October 13, 2011
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The Steve Jobs I Knew
By Molly Buckley
rAVe Staffer You're reading this, which means you know (unless you've been asleep). The inimitable Steve Jobs passed away last week at the age of 56.
As I lay in bed that night trying to fall asleep, I thought about writing about his passing. But then, I thought, "What do I have to say about the passing of such a visionary? I’m one person, and not a very influential person at that. On what grounds do I think that I can offer up a thought, let alone an opinion, on Steve Jobs?"
But then, because, much to my own demise, I’m an overly pensive person, that got me thinking even more. "Well, maybe, because I’m no Mashable, New York Times, or Huffington Post writer, just maybe, I’m the type of person that the general population would want to hear from."
Or maybe not.
Regardless, here I am, at my desk, writing, about the passing of Steve Jobs.
I didn’t know Steve personally. I never worked for Apple. I never saw him speak live. I’m merely a user of his products. Case in point, the picture (shown above) is my desk the day after his passing. An LCD screen powered by a Mac Mini, a MacBook Air, an iMac, an iPhone 4 and an iPad. All at my desk. Every single one of these products I am using today to work and communicate. Every single one of these products is the brain child of Steve.
Now, rather than continuing to recount all of my nerdiness, I will continue my first thought.
I am a part of the general population that uses his products. And, as privileged as I am to have been able to use these products, I think about the impact they’ve made on my life, and as a by-product, the impact he has made on my life.
Because I love lists, here are just some examples of the times where an Apple product has made an impact on my life:
1. 1992 – our first family computer was a Macintosh LC II. I learned how to type, I learned my multiplication tables, and I learned all about the Oregon Trail (and, unfortunately, what dysentery is).
2. 2002 – (Fast forward 10 years) After my mom passed away in November of that year, I went to the library one night and rewrote my college application essay on a blue iMac. It was that essay that actually got me into Christopher Newport University — I know this, because I remember reading the acceptance email from the admissions officer saying, “Your essay blew me away. Thank you for sharing it. Welcome to Christopher Newport University.”
3. Spring 2007 – As I was writing my senior seminar paper on my MacBook, my MacBook hard drive died. 37 pages of an essay. Gone. I’ve never freaked out so hard in my entire life. (Okay, that might be an exaggeration… but nevertheless, I was freaking out. I mean 37 PAGES.) In any event, I ended up having to purchase a whole new computer, and so I vividly remember rewriting said senior seminar paper in less than 27 hours on a new MacBook Pro. I backed the paper up this time. Probably every 3 minutes. I was paranoid.
4. Fall 2007 – I purchased my first iPhone. Life changing in and of itself.
5. June 2009 – I learned that Michael Jackson had died, via Twitter, on my iPhone.
6. May 2010 – I crossed the finish line of my first half marathon, with my iPod buds in my ear.
7. May 2011 – I learned that Osama Bin Laden had died, via Twitter, on my iPhone.
8. July 2011 – I got my first iPad and was able to document my mission trip to Kenya with pictures, videos and the WordPress app. I was able to take down and remember every little detail, every sight, every sound, everything of my amazing trip — and share it with my friends and family thousands of miles away — on this little portable device.
9. October 2011 – I learned that Steve Jobs had died, via my iPhone.
Sure, there are more instances along the way where an Apple product has been involved in a major life event — those are just a few.
So, to Steve, I just say, Thank You. We couldn’t have done it without you.
I want to know: comment with some of YOUR life events that either directly or indirectly involved an Apple product.
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On a side note – I just thought I’d give a little inspiration and share some of my favorite Steve Jobs quotes:
"Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the ones who think differently. While some may see crazy, we see genius."
"[Y]ou can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life."
— Stanford University commencement address, June 2005.
"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart… Stay hungry. Stay foolish."
— Stanford University commencement address, June 2005.
"You've got to find what you love and that is as true for work as it is for lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking and don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you've found it.
— Stanford University commencement address, June 2005. Molly Buckley is Director of Marketing and New Business Development at rAVe [Publications]. Reach her at molly@ravepubs.com Leave a Comment Back to Top |
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Get Them To Sign On The Line Which Is Dotted
By Lee Distad
rAVe Columnist The economy may or may not be improving, depending on who you ask, and how his business happens to be doing. Regardless of how it’s doing at a macro level, at the dealer level, it’s important to be doing everything you can to make sure that your company continues to do well. There is still much that is within the control of your team.
Controlling expenses is obviously important, but even more important than managing the bottom line is driving the top line: sales. On the sales side, it’s imperative that integrators’ salespeople are closing on projects. And whether or not there are fewer qualified prospects out there, closing more of the prospects you do have is an obvious strategy to drive revenue. With that in mind, let’s refresh on the basics in increasing your closing ratio.
Bear in mind that when I say “close more” I don’t advocate the kind of bare knuckle treatment you would expect to receive in a used car lot. Instead, I’m talking about three steps in the sales process that are essential.
Take prospecting seriously. In sales manager parlance, “hunters” are the salespeople who have a knack for going out, cold calling and drumming up business. “Farmers” are salespeople who do better serving business that’s been put in front of them, whether it’s handling existing clients or dealing with people who walk in the door in a retail setting. Since you don’t always get to pick your battles, farmers need to learn to be hunters, even if it’s not their forte.
When prospecting, do the following: make a list of who you’re going to approach; law firms, restaurants, institutions, whoever. Be sure to tap existing clients for referrals. Then work that list from top to bottom. Make every effort to get in front of decision makers and make it happen. As the saying goes, the harder you work, the luckier you get.
Qualify for real. Don’t just learn what they think they need, also uncover hidden needs; hot buttons that will lead to buying signals, not to mention the oblique signals that lead you off on a profitable tangent you hadn’t initially sensed early on in the discussion.
Be genuine, and open up an honest dialogue. Years ago, I had a client who owned a car dealership. We often discussed sales skills, and he told me that his top producer, who sold more than three times as much as his other salesmen, was a Russian émigré who claimed to be a former KGB colonel.
His strength was his ability to build rapport with customers, and to elicit information from them that built trust into the relationship, which was a product of his experience grooming contacts and ferreting out intelligence, now turned towards free enterprise.
Follow up consistently. Based on my experience on both sides of the table, three out of five salespeople don’t follow up diligently with prospective clients. Whether or not the early bird actually gets the worm, the fact is that the salesman who calls people back gets the deal.
Just as integrators need to regularly revisit their company’s install best practices, so to do salesmen need their activities analyzed, and identify the weaknesses that are costing them (and you!) money. Fix those weaknesses, work the sales process and your company will see a higher closing ratio, plus increased revenue. Lee Distad is a rAVe columnist and freelance writer covering topics from CE to global business and finance in both print and online. Reach him at lee@ravepubs.com
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Western Digital Releases New Addition to Streaming Media Family, Plus Spotify
By Johnny Mota
rAVe Blogger Western Digital’s latest edition to its WD TV Live series is ready for your streaming media fix. This latest version comes with the company's latest UI, plus Spotify! If you’re not familiar with the best streaming audio service in the world, follow the link above and give it a whirl. It’s completely free (on your desktop), and you find out that the desktop format isn’t enough Spotify for you and your friends, you can always give the good people over at Spotify one Disco Hamilton a month and go mobile, not be bothered by ads, get higher quality music, etc. The only thing I see that may or may not be a downside to using Spotify is that you must have a Facebook account to use their service. And most people (that I know anyway) already have an account, but not everyone does, nor do they care to.
WD’s latest set-top box will run you twenty of your hard earned Ninja Lincolns (Editor's note: that's $100 in Johnny Mota-speak), which isn’t that bad for what this little black box is capable of accomplishing. I personally don’t have this version of the box, but have many friends with their predecessors. The most common thing I have noticed with all of them, is that not only do they sell like hot cakes, but they also burn as hot (I burned my hand on one, yep, true story). Other than that, they are great for a slew of streaming media services. I just hope that these don’t run as hot as their siblings do.
The new UI is easy to navigate, and easy on the eyes, two of the most important things (in my opinion) to any system.
Like many other streaming media players for the creative currency price I mentioned above, it lacks a hard drive, and that makes me a sad panda. Luckily, WD just so happens to make some external hard drives for you to use and this would be a great reason to get one. So if you’re going to buy a WD TV Live, you might as well buy one of the company's drives too. Now you don’t have to buy WD’s drive — because this isn’t Highlander, and there are clearly more than one manufacturer for external hard drives. But I am going to go out on a limb here a say, an external hard drive is much like a moving buddy; if you don’t have one, get one. Leave a Comment Johnny Mota is an integrator at VSYS, tech geek, artist and tech blogger at rAVe [Publications]. Reach him at jm3@vsys.us or on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/jmota3 Back to Top |
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Have You Made Partners out of Design and Build Professionals? Reaching out to design and build professionals can help your bottom line. A recent survey of current CEDIA Registered Outreach Instructors (ROIs) found that the average ROI garners three projects per year from connections made from the ROI program, and the average size of these projects is over $36,000. That is a total gain of over $107,000 in new projects revenue per year. Shouldn’t you consider becoming an ROI? CEDIA’s ROI program enables CEDIA members to present relevant and timely education to industry partners while also gaining leads for future business. Start offering opportunities to your local industry partners to learn about home technology while also earning continuing education credit.
To become an ROI, you must be a CEDIA member and you must pass the “Train the Trainer” course. The next ROI “Train the Trainer” class will take place December 2 at the Lutron Experience Center in Plantation, FL.
CEDIA’s ROI courses focus on facilitating successful collaboration between architects, builders, interior designer and ESCs. Course titles include Hiding Technology, Building Quiet Environments and Lighting Control. Currently, CEDIA is an approved provider of continuing education for eight industry groups, including the American Institute of Architects, the American Society of Interior Designers, and the National Association of Home Builders. Visit www.cedia.org/outreach/become_roi.php to learn more about this program or to register. Questions? Email Peggy Ward at pward@cedia.org
Back to Top How to Add Energy Management to Your List of Services Consumers are becoming more and more interested in energy monitoring and energy management as energy costs continue to rise and environmental consciousness becomes more prevalent. This trend presents and opportunity for electronics systems contractors; 72 percent of respondents from the 2011 CEDIA Benchmarking Survey indicated that they will offer energy management products and services to their clients in the next 24 months. Energy management is a new arena for many ESC, and it requires a combination of specialized skills. In addition to the skills needed to install these systems, ESCs must be able to educate clients on the proper uses of the systems. What better way to jump into the world of energy management than to take a course on it?
CEDIA will be offering Designing Residential Energy Management Systems at Royal Systems in Melville, NY on November 15. This course will discuss the hardware and software requirements needed to manage and display power, water, and gas consumption within the home. This course will also cover specific areas of education that the ESC should provide the homeowner to maximize the results of their system and reduce their consumption.
Early bird pricing for this course is available until October 17. Click here for more information or to register.
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This Week from rAVe NOW's BlogSquad Back to Top Crestron's Mobile Pro for Android Now Available Crestron announced this week that the new Mobile Pro Control App for Android is finally available on the Android Market. Mobile Pro turns any Android device into a fully functional Crestron touch screen, displaying real-time status of room temperatures, shade positions, lighting levels and metadata including cover art, song and artist. You can even view streaming video from web-based security cameras right on your mobile device.
You can download the App here: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.crestron.mobile.android&feature=search_result Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Global Cache Signs OEM Partner Global Caché and NavNet announced today they have signed an OEM agreement authorizing NavNet to modify and rebrand Global Caché iTach control system. You may know already that Global Cache's control is via Wi-Fi, with the AV gear being controlled via network-based software. NavNet, although considered a competitor in many respects to Global Cache, is known for having a much better user-interface experience than that of the Global Cache's so this partnership could work out well for both parties. However, we don't really think it will have much effect on either party's market share since all the leading control system manufacturers have launched their own network-based control systems in the last year or two.
If you want more information on Global Cache, go here: http://www.globalcache.com/
For more information on NavNet, go here: http://www.navnet.ca/ Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top SpectraCal and Klein Instruments Announce K-10 Cinema Pro Optimized for Home Theater Klein Instruments and SpectraCal announced this week the K-10 Cinema Pro – a new version of Klein’s heralded K-10 non-contact colorimeter, optimized for home theater video calibration. By removing features unneeded in home theater calibration, Klein was able to create an instrument that is even more accurate than previous K-10s, while costing less ($5,000). Among the features Klein removed in the Cinema Pro are the short focus aiming light option, the external aiming light switch, various calibration files not used in home theater, and Klein’s software utilities.
Interested in more details? Go here: http://store.spectracal.com/k-10-cinema-pro.html Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Kramer Ships HDMI Matrix Switchers Available in four different size options from 8×4 to 8×8, Kramer's new VS series HDMI Matrix Switchers are now shipping. Including features such as 2.25 Gbps switching, HDCP, HDMI 1.4 and EDID processing, the VS series has front panel, IR, RS232, IP-control plus support for 3D content. Available in 4×8, 8×4, 4×8 and 6×6 configurations, they are housed in 1U rack mountable enclosures. Full specs are here: http://www.kramerelectronics.com Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Sanus Debuts iOS Mount App Sanus will soon start shipping its Install Tool Kit iPhone App. Previously only available on the iPad, the SANUS Install Tool Kit features Sanus's industry leading MountFinder and HeightFinder tools, which is designed to simplify finding compatible mounts for any TV and get help with installation. In addition, the App includes ProSetLevel (a level tool designed to help calibrate and level any mount installation) and a notes function to organize installs in the field for future reference.
The iPhone version will be available on the Apple App Store by November.
To get the iPad version of the App, go here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sanus-install-tool-kit/id385366885?mt=8
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Share Article Back to Top Da-Lite Improves Viewing Cone and Uniformity of Dual Vision Line Market demand for Da-Lite's Dual Vision projection screen material is such that they've decided to increase the contrast on the screen fabric, reformulating it to have a viewing half angle of 65 degrees (formerly it was 50 degrees) thus providing a dramatic improvement in the viewing cone and increasing the image uniformity. Dual Vision offers a light grey tint for enhanced contrast and a 0.9 gain, which makes this screen surface an excellent choice for wide aspect ratio and multiple projector applications.
Dual Vision is a flexible projection fabric capable of both front and rear projection, ideal for video projection under controlled light conditions. With an exceptionally wide viewing cone and light grey tint, each seat in the audience will observe a uniform, sharp image with no color shift, according to Da-Lite. Dual Vision is available in seamless sizes up to 16’ in height.
See all the specs and options here: http://www.da-lite.com/whats_hot/ Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top CINEAK's Fortuny Chair Adds Materials and Exotic Finishes The CINEAK “Luxury Edition” of its FORTUNY theater chair has added a selection of exotic and unique materials and finishes. The FORTUNY model has been a CINEAK best seller for the past 10 years and now the company has added leathers (BOXMARK Imperial & Classic Country, STOLZ Select & Servo) in combination with Alcantara. Alcantara is a unique and innovative covering material used by some of the most exclusive automobile brands. The Alcantara material will be applied to the middle portion of the backrest and seat, as well as the inside of the armrests. The choice of rare wood veneers with a high-gloss finish: an exclusive, custom-made Tiger Eye wood, Mapa or Walnut Burl veneer or high gloss piano black finish.
The recliner and incliner versions include: - Dual motorized, independent control of the footrest and backrest
- Fully articulating headrest (adjust the headrest for viewing conditions and proper head and neck support)
- Motorized Articulating Headrest
- Steel-frame with German-engineered motors and drivers
- Integrated push-button control
- Hand-cut foam cushioning with ergonomic lumbar support
Want more details? Go here: http://www.cineak.com/?navigatieid=54 Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Artcoustic Debuts New Spitfire Speakers UK-based Artcoustic has debuted a totally new line of Spitfire speakers dubbed the Spitfire SL. The line includes four different models that are all 67 mm deep, up to 124db, weigh 15 pounds and install without pre- or post- install brackets. Unlike its other models, Artcoustic is aiming this line at BOTH the ProAV install as well as the HomeAV markets. Spec'd with a 40Hz to 180Khz frequency operating range at 220 watts with a 97dB max average at 8 ohms continuous power and are sized from 350 mm x 500 mm.
These are literally brand-new and aren't even on Artcoustic's website yet, but they've got a cool photo gallery here. Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top A Poster That's a Speaker? A poster showing a traditional loudspeaker that can play real music launched this week by the designer http://www.finnmagee.com. The poster is one of the first HomeAV products to feature UK-based Warwick Audio Technologies’ Flat and Flexible Loudspeakers, which have been incorporated into the back of the poster.
Because they are as thin and lightweight as a sheet of paper, the speakers have enabled Finn to pull off a neat visual trick: his poster looks like a regular picture, but a cable leaving the image can be connected to any music player, allowing viewers to become listeners.
The poster forms part of Finn’s “Flat Life” series, which also includes a working desk lamp and alarm clock presented in poster form.
Warwick Audio Technologies was set up to commercialize the innovative loudspeakers which were first developed at the University of Warwick. At between 0.25 and 1mm thick, the speakers can be contoured to fit into almost any space and the company is currently developing commercial product ideas with a wide range of companies, including car manufacturers and conference equipment manufacturers.
Want more details? Go here: http://www.warwickaudiotech.com/ Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Videotel Markets DVD Player for Digital Signage Dubbed the HD2600, Videotel's latest DVD player outputs 720p (and up-scaled 1080p) via HDMI and includes DS features such as auto starts, auto plays and auto repeats even after a power loss. This is an interesting concept for a low-cost DS system, but presents a management issue as changing content requires someone to change the DVDs on a regular basis. According to Videotel, the HD2600 DVD player is estimated to play continuously for 4+ years but is only backed by an 18-month warranty. For companies that require a looping video to play 24 hours a day, seven days a week, this one will do the job — no networked content here. Videotel has kind of a weird marketing pitch for the player, saying, "a unique feature of the HD2600 is that you only need to purchase a single unit once and if it eventually loses its life, you simply replace the internal loader for the investment of $168 and you will have a new player that is capable to run for another 4+ years making it the ultimate 'green' DVD player on the market." Huh?
Priced at $286 for a single unit, the HD2600 DVD player's details are here: http://www.industrial-dvd.com/ Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Control4 Names Martin Plaehn President and CEO Control4 has announced that Martin Plaehn will become the company's new president and CEO. Former CEO Will West will become chairman of the board and chief strategy officer. Prior to joining Control4, Plaehn was SVP of product and service development at RealNetworks, CEO at Bungee Labs and CEO of Viewpoint Digital. To read the complete press release online, click here. | Back to Top Crestron Hosts Informational Tours and Training Courses for Students During AV Week Next week is AV Week and Crestron will be hosting daily tours of its Experience Center in Rockleigh, NJ, plus offering system design and programming training classes. The emphasis will be on educating local high school and college students about the AV industry, Crestron and career opportunities within. To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top RSH Series Custom Rackmounts Inducted Into CEDIA Product Hall of Fame Middle Atlantic Products' RSH Series Custom Rackmounts have become the second product from Middle Atlantic to be voted into the CEDIA Product Hall of Fame, after its AXS Equipment Access System was voted in in 2009. To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top Crestron Offers "Cash for Trash" Program to Encourage Digital Upgrades Crestron announced at CEDIA a "Cash for Trash" program that allowed dealers to trade in analog video distribution systems for a significant credit toward a brand-new Crestron Digital Media 8G+ system. Crestron says it has generated millions of dollars in new business for its dealers in the few months since the program was announced. To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top CE labs/Cable Electronics Joins D-Tools' Manufacturer Vantage Point Program D-Tools announced earlier this month that CE labs/Cable Electronics, a manufacturer of audio/video distribution products and electronic merchandising solutions, has joined its D-Tools Manufacturer Vantage Point (MVP) program. To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top ihiji Expands; Appoints Additional Independent Sales Representative Organizations ihiji, creator of the cloud-based remote monitoring and support system invision, has appointed several new independent sales reps in the U.S. and Canada. The newly appointed sales representative organizations are: - Stagg Ventures, Chris Stagg – Canada
- The Jarmac Group, Peter Dyroff – CT, MA, ME, NH, VT, Upstate NY
- River City Sales, Brett Phelps – IA, KS, MO, NE
- Elite Marketing, Dale Pugh – AR, LA, OK, TX
- AV Partners, Eric Leicht – Southern California
To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top VIZIO Updates Tablet, Includes Pre-Loaded Netflix App VIZIO this month announced that its 8" tablet will receive a firmware upgrade featuring Netflix as a pre-loaded App. To read the complete press release online, click here. | Back to Top PMA Launches New Website Pacific Media Associates, a market information and research company for front end projectors, has announced the launch of its new website. PMA has added three new blogs to cover three categories of projectors — New Era (sub 500 lumens), Mainstream (500 – 4999 lumens) and High-End (5000+ lumens). The new website is at http://www.pacificmediaassociates.com. To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe HomeAV Edition out there, hopefully you enjoyed another opinion-packed issue!
For those of you NEW to rAVe, you just read how we are — we are 100% opinionated. We not only report the news and new product stories of the high-end HomeAV industry, but we stuff the articles full of our opinions. That may include (but is not limited to) whether or not the product is even worth looking at, challenging the manufacturers on their specifications, calling a marketing-spec bluff and suggesting ways integrators market their products better. But, one thing is for sure, we are NOT a trade publication that gets paid for running editorial or product stories. Traditional trade publications get paid to run product stories — that’s why you see what you see in most of the pubs out there. We are different: we run what we want to run and NO ONE is going to pay us to write anything good (or bad).
Don’t like us, then go away — unsubscribe! Just use the link below.
To send me feedback, don't reply to this newsletter – instead, write directly to me at gary@ravepubs.com or for editorial ideas: Editor-in-Chief Sara Abrons at sara@ravepubs.com
A little about me: I graduated from Journalism School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where I am adjunct faculty). I’ve been in the AV-industry since 1987 where I started with Extron and eventually moved to AMX. So, I guess I am an industry veteran (although I don’t think I am that old). I have been an opinionated columnist for a number of industry publications and in the late 1990s I started the widely read KNews eNewsletter (the first in the AV market) and also created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue – which is now known as InfoComm IQ. rAVe Publications has been around since 2003, when we launched our original newsletter, rAVe ProAV Edition.
rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-published with CEDIA, launched in February, 2004.
To read more about my background, our team, and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com Back to Top Copyright 2011 – rAVe [Publications] – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact rAVe [Publications], 210 Old Barn Ln. – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – 919/969-7501. Email: sara@ravepubs.com
rAVe HomeAV Edition contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors. |
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