When Steve Jobs adopted "think different" as Apple's mantra in the late 1990s, the company's ads featured Albert Einstein, Bob Dylan, Amelia Earhart and a constellation of other starry-eyed oddballs who reshaped society.
Nolan Bushnell never appeared in those tributes, even though Apple was riffing on an iconoclastic philosophy he embraced while running video game pioneer Atari in the early 1970s. Atari's refusal to be corralled by the status quo was one of the reasons Jobs went to work there in 1974 as an unkempt, contemptuous 19-year-old. Bushnell says Jobs offended some Atari employees so much that Bushnell eventually told Jobs to work nights when one else was around.
Bushnell, though, says he always saw something special in Jobs, who evidently came to appreciate his eccentric boss, too. The two remained in touch until shortly before Jobs died in October 2011 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
That bond inspired Bushnell to write a book about the unorthodox thinking that fosters the kinds of breakthroughs that became Jobs' hallmark as the co-founder and CEO of Apple Inc. Apple built its first personal computers with some of the parts from Atari's early video game machines. After Jobs and Steve Wozniak started Apple in 1976, Apple also adopted parts of an Atari culture that strived to make work seem like play. That included pizza-and-beer parties and company retreats to the beach.
"I have always been pretty proud about that connection," Bushnell said in an interview. "I know Steve was always trying to take ideas and turn them upside down, just like I did."
Bushnell, now 70, could have reaped even more from his relationship with Jobs if he hadn't turned down an offer from his former employee to invest $50,000 in Apple during its formative stages. Had he seized that opportunity, Bushnell would have owned one-third of Apple, which is now worth about $425 billion _ more than any other company in the world.
Bushnell's newly released book, "Finding The Next Steve Jobs: How to Find, Hire, Keep and Nurture Creative Talent," is the latest chapter in a diverse career that spans more than 20 different startups that he either launched on his own or groomed at Catalyst Technologies, a business incubator that he once ran.
He has often pursued ideas before the technology needed to support them was advanced enough to create a mass market. Bushnell financed Etak, an automobile mapping system created in 1983 by the navigator of his yacht and later sold to Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Bushnell also dabbled in electronic commerce during the 1980s by launching ByVideo, which took online orders through kiosks set up in airports and other locations. In his most costly mistake, Bushnell lost nearly all of a $28 million investment in Androbot, another 1980s-era startup. It developed 3-foot-(a meter)tall robots that were supposed to serve the dual role of companion and butler.
While at Atari, Bushnell began to break the corporate mold, creating a template that is now common through much of Silicon Valley. He allowed employees to turn Atari's lobby into a cross between a video game arcade and the Amazon jungle. He started holding keg parties and hiring live bands to play for his employees after work. He encouraged workers to nap during their shifts, reasoning that a short rest would stimulate more creativity when they were awake. He also promised a summer sabbatical every seven years.
2013年3月31日星期日
2013年3月28日星期四
W.Va. Senate panel OKs gambling bills
The casino would be built at a time of heavy competition within the industry. Casino gambling recently has expanded in neighboring Pennsylvania, Ohio and Maryland.
Casino analysts have described the industry in the region as a pie that is not increasing, but is being divided into more and more pieces. As a result, West Virginia’s lottery commission predicts that revenue for the four racetrack casinos will decrease by more than $200 million from 2012 to 2013. That would correspond to about an $80 million decrease in tax revenue.
The racetrack casino in Wheeling, located between newer casinos in Ohio and Pennsylvania, has said it expects to lose $1 million on table games this year. The casino indicated that if its $2.5 million table game fee was not lowered, it would be unlikely to renew it.
The bill advanced by the Senate would lower that fee for Wheeling and the three other racetrack casinos from $2.5 million to $1.5 million per year. The money from the fees currently goes to provide in-home health care services to seniors.
An amendment to the bill would recover that money by cutting the state subsidy that helps casinos buy new slot machines. The state currently pays for 50 percent of the costs of new Arcade parts. Under the amended bill, the state only would pay 25 percent of those costs.
State Sen. Herb Snyder proposed the amendment targeting the slot machine money. Snyder said because slot machines were the healthiest part of the casino business, it made sense to target them rather than table games or the struggling horse and dog tracks.
“You could not possibly fool with table game revenue,” said Snyder, D-Jefferson/Berkeley. “It’s not big enough. You go to the one that’s plump.”
John Cavacini, president of the West Virginia Racing Association, a group representing casinos, said the slot machine subsidies were important because they let the casinos update their facilities to stay competitive with other states.
Neighboring states do not offer similar subsidies to casinos. Tax rates on slot machine revenue are lower in Ohio than they are in West Virginia, but are much higher in Pennsylvania.
Supporters of the new proposed casino in Franklin told the committee that because of its location, it would not draw business away from existing West Virginia casinos.
The casino would hope to target Virginians, specifically from the Lynchburg and Richmond areas. Both Lynchburg and Richmond are nearly a three-hour drive from Franklin, and Richmond is closer to the casino in Charles Town, W.Va., than it is to Franklin.
The bill only would allow a casino to be built if the developers met certain stipulations intended to make it a destination resort. The developers must submit plans to build at least 1,000 home sites and a hotel with at least 150 rooms. And the total cost of the development must be at least $80 million. The development needs to be on at least 1,000 adjoining acres and it must include recreational activities.
Stephen Conrad, a resident of Pendleton County, where the casino would be located, said it would bring about 300 jobs to the area. A U.S. Naval facility in nearby Sugar Grove, W.Va., is scheduled to be repurposed in 2016 and take 330 jobs with it.
Casino analysts have described the industry in the region as a pie that is not increasing, but is being divided into more and more pieces. As a result, West Virginia’s lottery commission predicts that revenue for the four racetrack casinos will decrease by more than $200 million from 2012 to 2013. That would correspond to about an $80 million decrease in tax revenue.
The racetrack casino in Wheeling, located between newer casinos in Ohio and Pennsylvania, has said it expects to lose $1 million on table games this year. The casino indicated that if its $2.5 million table game fee was not lowered, it would be unlikely to renew it.
The bill advanced by the Senate would lower that fee for Wheeling and the three other racetrack casinos from $2.5 million to $1.5 million per year. The money from the fees currently goes to provide in-home health care services to seniors.
An amendment to the bill would recover that money by cutting the state subsidy that helps casinos buy new slot machines. The state currently pays for 50 percent of the costs of new Arcade parts. Under the amended bill, the state only would pay 25 percent of those costs.
State Sen. Herb Snyder proposed the amendment targeting the slot machine money. Snyder said because slot machines were the healthiest part of the casino business, it made sense to target them rather than table games or the struggling horse and dog tracks.
“You could not possibly fool with table game revenue,” said Snyder, D-Jefferson/Berkeley. “It’s not big enough. You go to the one that’s plump.”
John Cavacini, president of the West Virginia Racing Association, a group representing casinos, said the slot machine subsidies were important because they let the casinos update their facilities to stay competitive with other states.
Neighboring states do not offer similar subsidies to casinos. Tax rates on slot machine revenue are lower in Ohio than they are in West Virginia, but are much higher in Pennsylvania.
Supporters of the new proposed casino in Franklin told the committee that because of its location, it would not draw business away from existing West Virginia casinos.
The casino would hope to target Virginians, specifically from the Lynchburg and Richmond areas. Both Lynchburg and Richmond are nearly a three-hour drive from Franklin, and Richmond is closer to the casino in Charles Town, W.Va., than it is to Franklin.
The bill only would allow a casino to be built if the developers met certain stipulations intended to make it a destination resort. The developers must submit plans to build at least 1,000 home sites and a hotel with at least 150 rooms. And the total cost of the development must be at least $80 million. The development needs to be on at least 1,000 adjoining acres and it must include recreational activities.
Stephen Conrad, a resident of Pendleton County, where the casino would be located, said it would bring about 300 jobs to the area. A U.S. Naval facility in nearby Sugar Grove, W.Va., is scheduled to be repurposed in 2016 and take 330 jobs with it.
2013年3月27日星期三
Harvard University team on mission to light up rural homes
Many Kenyans dream of getting their homes connected to the electric power grid. For many, this remains just that; a dream. But things may soon change if a team of engineers from Harvard University has its way.
These engineers are determined to see rural homes across Kenya gain access to affordable power and clean water from wells and boreholes.
One of the team experts, 26-year-old Sam Slaughter, the brains behind WindGen Power East Africa Limited, says the team aims to enable Kenyans to put the provision of energy in their own hands since access to electricity can transform the country.
“Renewable energy can be used for pumping water, powering completely off-grid homes, providing power backup from on-grids, and offering low-cost lighting solutions,” said Mr Slaughter.
WindGen Power, a project initiated two years ago, provides access to reliable and affordable renewable energy using the limitless power of the wind and the sun.
“We enable those living, working, and learning off-grid to enjoy the benefits of power,” he notes.
He says that the main power grid serves just 18 per cent of Kenya’s population, which means that an estimated 30 million people have to contend with environmental-damaging fuels like kerosene, firewood, charcoal, diesel, and dry cell batteries.
Mr Slaughter says renewable energy is an excellent option for people living off-grid since it is a comprehensive power solution that does not require an expensive, noisy, and polluting generator.
With a turnover of Sh15 million from Sh1 million seed capital, the company has made great strides in commercialising small Kenyan-made wind turbines. The station has 15 employees.
Mr Slaughter says the company has made 35 installations of renewable power stations in rural Kenya. Conversely, the wind turbines are designed based on the specific needs, budget, and site characteristics of the customer.
He says the company’s mission is to harness East Africa’s renewable energy using robust and affordable products to bring clean energy to homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses.
According to engineer Alastair Smith, an expert working for the energy firm, water pumping in particular is of crucial importance for the Kenyan economy, especially in agriculture.
“Water pumping with solar and in some cases wind, can be extremely efficient and cost-effective. Once installed, the system requires no refuelling, which saves immensely on operating costs and logistical challenges related to fuel transportation,” he said.
He says the systems are most useful in rural areas, where water is needed for domestic use and farming, but are not connected to the national grid.
Increased deployment of such systems, he adds, would go a long way in achieving Kenya’s development goals by increasing agricultural output, decreasing carbon emissions, and increasing renewable energy penetration.
A key advantage of the wind turbines is that they can operate for more than 20 years if well maintained. The water pumps are reliable and designed to operate with little or no maintenance and can run directly from the company’s turbine without the need for battery backup.
The wind turbines, he says, are more affordable than imports. Installation costs between Sh10,000 and Sh20,000, depending on size, type, and use.
These engineers are determined to see rural homes across Kenya gain access to affordable power and clean water from wells and boreholes.
One of the team experts, 26-year-old Sam Slaughter, the brains behind WindGen Power East Africa Limited, says the team aims to enable Kenyans to put the provision of energy in their own hands since access to electricity can transform the country.
“Renewable energy can be used for pumping water, powering completely off-grid homes, providing power backup from on-grids, and offering low-cost lighting solutions,” said Mr Slaughter.
WindGen Power, a project initiated two years ago, provides access to reliable and affordable renewable energy using the limitless power of the wind and the sun.
“We enable those living, working, and learning off-grid to enjoy the benefits of power,” he notes.
He says that the main power grid serves just 18 per cent of Kenya’s population, which means that an estimated 30 million people have to contend with environmental-damaging fuels like kerosene, firewood, charcoal, diesel, and dry cell batteries.
Mr Slaughter says renewable energy is an excellent option for people living off-grid since it is a comprehensive power solution that does not require an expensive, noisy, and polluting generator.
With a turnover of Sh15 million from Sh1 million seed capital, the company has made great strides in commercialising small Kenyan-made wind turbines. The station has 15 employees.
Mr Slaughter says the company has made 35 installations of renewable power stations in rural Kenya. Conversely, the wind turbines are designed based on the specific needs, budget, and site characteristics of the customer.
He says the company’s mission is to harness East Africa’s renewable energy using robust and affordable products to bring clean energy to homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses.
According to engineer Alastair Smith, an expert working for the energy firm, water pumping in particular is of crucial importance for the Kenyan economy, especially in agriculture.
“Water pumping with solar and in some cases wind, can be extremely efficient and cost-effective. Once installed, the system requires no refuelling, which saves immensely on operating costs and logistical challenges related to fuel transportation,” he said.
He says the systems are most useful in rural areas, where water is needed for domestic use and farming, but are not connected to the national grid.
Increased deployment of such systems, he adds, would go a long way in achieving Kenya’s development goals by increasing agricultural output, decreasing carbon emissions, and increasing renewable energy penetration.
A key advantage of the wind turbines is that they can operate for more than 20 years if well maintained. The water pumps are reliable and designed to operate with little or no maintenance and can run directly from the company’s turbine without the need for battery backup.
The wind turbines, he says, are more affordable than imports. Installation costs between Sh10,000 and Sh20,000, depending on size, type, and use.
2013年3月26日星期二
The evolution of video games
For kids who've grown up with game consoles equipped with cutting-edge motion-sensing technology, it's difficult to imagine that only a generation ago, playing video games meant popping a quarter in an Arcade parts in the corner of a restaurant.
Game On 2.0, an exhibition that opened on March 9 at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto, aims to chronicle the dramatic changes in the video game industry since 1962. It features more than 150 playable titles, from arcade games like Tron and Pac-Man to the massively multiplayer online game World of Warcraft.
"In the '80s and '90s, there was a big push for graphics … to basically have games catch up with our imagination. But now we've gone past that point — what we can think of, we can put in a game," said Mathieu Ranger, an educator at the Ontario Science Centre and spokesperson for the exhibition.
With the transition to social gaming and mature story lines, video games have evolved beyond the stereotype of mindless, "shoot-'em-up" entertainment. Instead, they help bring people — hardcore gamers and casual players alike — together by replicating an authentic human experience.
The game was not commercially successful, largely because of how complicated it was, but Ranger said making the game fun for players wasn't the focus of early developers.
"It was just like, 'Hey, we're pretty smart guys and we have this tech and I think we can make some game out of it, so let's just try playing around with it.' You know, it was kind of the sense of exploration with the technology," Ranger said.
But this focus on technological advancement over enjoyment left an opening for other developers, such as Atari.
Ranger, although more of a "Nintendo-and-after guy," reminded us about the time when Atari released the arcade version of the tennis sports game Pong in the early 1970s. It became so popular that machines at arcades often became unplayable, because they were jammed full with quarters.
Ranger said Pong owed its success to its simplicity and recognizability. Players could easily relate to the tennis- and ping pong-like game and understand the simple goal of scoring 15 points to win.
"It just hit on something that people had never quite experienced before, and it was a very simple experience that people love," said Ranger.
The latest version of the urban planning game SimCity, for example, requires all users to have an internet connection to play. Many speculate that this controversial move by its developer Electronic Arts is to combat piracy, but Ranger said the change has made waves in the gaming world.
He explained that this online dependency forces players to work with other online players as they build their cities. For example, when one person needs electricity to power their city's grid, they might ask another person who has a city elsewhere on the web for power. Or, if another player needs space to get rid of garbage, they might ask you to help out.
This shared online interaction is the future of video games, said Ranger.
Games on non-traditional gaming platforms, such as Zynga's farming simulation game FarmVille on Facebook, also capitalize on these social networks.
Independent video games, titles made by individuals or smaller teams, are also shifting the makeup of the video game industry. Commonly known as indie games, they are resetting the boundaries of what games can achieve by exploring different artistic styles and mature themes that mimic real-life situations.
Game On 2.0, an exhibition that opened on March 9 at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto, aims to chronicle the dramatic changes in the video game industry since 1962. It features more than 150 playable titles, from arcade games like Tron and Pac-Man to the massively multiplayer online game World of Warcraft.
"In the '80s and '90s, there was a big push for graphics … to basically have games catch up with our imagination. But now we've gone past that point — what we can think of, we can put in a game," said Mathieu Ranger, an educator at the Ontario Science Centre and spokesperson for the exhibition.
With the transition to social gaming and mature story lines, video games have evolved beyond the stereotype of mindless, "shoot-'em-up" entertainment. Instead, they help bring people — hardcore gamers and casual players alike — together by replicating an authentic human experience.
The game was not commercially successful, largely because of how complicated it was, but Ranger said making the game fun for players wasn't the focus of early developers.
"It was just like, 'Hey, we're pretty smart guys and we have this tech and I think we can make some game out of it, so let's just try playing around with it.' You know, it was kind of the sense of exploration with the technology," Ranger said.
But this focus on technological advancement over enjoyment left an opening for other developers, such as Atari.
Ranger, although more of a "Nintendo-and-after guy," reminded us about the time when Atari released the arcade version of the tennis sports game Pong in the early 1970s. It became so popular that machines at arcades often became unplayable, because they were jammed full with quarters.
Ranger said Pong owed its success to its simplicity and recognizability. Players could easily relate to the tennis- and ping pong-like game and understand the simple goal of scoring 15 points to win.
"It just hit on something that people had never quite experienced before, and it was a very simple experience that people love," said Ranger.
The latest version of the urban planning game SimCity, for example, requires all users to have an internet connection to play. Many speculate that this controversial move by its developer Electronic Arts is to combat piracy, but Ranger said the change has made waves in the gaming world.
He explained that this online dependency forces players to work with other online players as they build their cities. For example, when one person needs electricity to power their city's grid, they might ask another person who has a city elsewhere on the web for power. Or, if another player needs space to get rid of garbage, they might ask you to help out.
This shared online interaction is the future of video games, said Ranger.
Games on non-traditional gaming platforms, such as Zynga's farming simulation game FarmVille on Facebook, also capitalize on these social networks.
Independent video games, titles made by individuals or smaller teams, are also shifting the makeup of the video game industry. Commonly known as indie games, they are resetting the boundaries of what games can achieve by exploring different artistic styles and mature themes that mimic real-life situations.
2013年3月25日星期一
Feasibility of regulating Internet cafes questioned
“Do we have access to the servers in Texas? Who is going to test these machines? It seems like it might be pretty cumbersome. If we certify a machine, once we leave, how hard is it to change software or flip a switch and have it change to something else? That would be a large task to try and regulate this.”
To get a job at an Ohio casino, all employees other than those in housekeeping and food service must pass a background check, be fingerprinted and submit an 18-page state application.
Top casino personnel must file a 66-page application requiring, among other things, the “names, residence addresses, dates of birth, and most-recent occupations of parents, parents-in-law, former parents-in-law, or legal guardians, living or deceased, as well as brothers and sisters and their spouses.” They must disclose their cash in the bank, vehicles and property owned, and all assets, pension and retirement accounts, loans and debts.
“No one can sell anything that is directly or indirectly regulated to games without being licensed in Ohio,” said Matt Schuler, executive director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission. “ You can’t sell table games, slot machines, playing cards, felt on the tables, bill changers and Arcade parts without going through the licensing-approval process.”
Slot machines and other games must meet 65 pages of standards and be inspected, tested and sealed by state agents, Schuler said.
By contrast, suppliers, owners and employees of Internet cafes do not have to submit to background checks. The machines and servers do not have to meet requirements, nor are they inspected.
Investigator Lockhart said he has watched gambling operators transform their businesses over the years to stay a step ahead of the law and keep the money rolling in.
When Ohio lawmakers slammed the door on instant-bingo parlors in 2003, the industry turned to so-called skill-based slot machines. When lawmakers clamped down on those games in 2007, operators found a new crack in the law and have been running slot-machine-like terminals they call sweepstakes. They feature dozens of game variations, including some that are nearly identical to video-poker machines found in casinos.
“The Senate is probably a little more regulation-leaning rather than banning,” said Sen. Dave Burke, R-Marysville, chairman of the Senate Government Oversight Committee, where the bill will be heard after the legislature’s spring break. “We’re going to have to work together to find common ground” and draft a bill that both parties can agree to.
Last week, the 8th District Court of Appeals upheld gambling convictions against a pair of sweepstakes-parlor owners in Cleveland, ruling that the businesses operated like casinos and were illegal. The owners planned to appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court.
Lockhart said state investigators are not permitted to formally inspect the sweepstakes parlors because alcohol is not consumed there. But he and other agents have checked out some places and found that in the southeastern Ohio district, a lot of those that call themselves sweepstakes parlors are running straight slot machines. In other areas of the state, the businesses tend to be more sweepstakes terminals.
The only way he and other agents can take action, Lockhart said, is if there is an agreement with local law enforcement.
To get a job at an Ohio casino, all employees other than those in housekeeping and food service must pass a background check, be fingerprinted and submit an 18-page state application.
Top casino personnel must file a 66-page application requiring, among other things, the “names, residence addresses, dates of birth, and most-recent occupations of parents, parents-in-law, former parents-in-law, or legal guardians, living or deceased, as well as brothers and sisters and their spouses.” They must disclose their cash in the bank, vehicles and property owned, and all assets, pension and retirement accounts, loans and debts.
“No one can sell anything that is directly or indirectly regulated to games without being licensed in Ohio,” said Matt Schuler, executive director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission. “ You can’t sell table games, slot machines, playing cards, felt on the tables, bill changers and Arcade parts without going through the licensing-approval process.”
Slot machines and other games must meet 65 pages of standards and be inspected, tested and sealed by state agents, Schuler said.
By contrast, suppliers, owners and employees of Internet cafes do not have to submit to background checks. The machines and servers do not have to meet requirements, nor are they inspected.
Investigator Lockhart said he has watched gambling operators transform their businesses over the years to stay a step ahead of the law and keep the money rolling in.
When Ohio lawmakers slammed the door on instant-bingo parlors in 2003, the industry turned to so-called skill-based slot machines. When lawmakers clamped down on those games in 2007, operators found a new crack in the law and have been running slot-machine-like terminals they call sweepstakes. They feature dozens of game variations, including some that are nearly identical to video-poker machines found in casinos.
“The Senate is probably a little more regulation-leaning rather than banning,” said Sen. Dave Burke, R-Marysville, chairman of the Senate Government Oversight Committee, where the bill will be heard after the legislature’s spring break. “We’re going to have to work together to find common ground” and draft a bill that both parties can agree to.
Last week, the 8th District Court of Appeals upheld gambling convictions against a pair of sweepstakes-parlor owners in Cleveland, ruling that the businesses operated like casinos and were illegal. The owners planned to appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court.
Lockhart said state investigators are not permitted to formally inspect the sweepstakes parlors because alcohol is not consumed there. But he and other agents have checked out some places and found that in the southeastern Ohio district, a lot of those that call themselves sweepstakes parlors are running straight slot machines. In other areas of the state, the businesses tend to be more sweepstakes terminals.
The only way he and other agents can take action, Lockhart said, is if there is an agreement with local law enforcement.
2013年3月24日星期日
Highland wind farm community benefit divvy-up in spotlight
THE construction phase of new wind farms in the Highlands will no longer be a factor when potentially lucrative rewards for communities are calculated.
Energy companies are encouraged by Highland Council to pay money into a community benefit fund when they construct major schemes.
The policy was only introduced by the local authority last year and the cash, which can amount to thousands of pounds, can be directed to communities for key local project or new facilities.
But councillors have now backed a move to axe the disruption or inconvenience caused by the “construction impact” as one of the factors used to work out which communities will benefit from the money.
It had been one of four different cash allocation factors, including the community’s proximity to the wind farm site, the visual impact and the number of households in the particular area.
The move, endorsed by the authority’s community safety committee in Inverness, was prompted following public feedback.
William Gilfillan, the council’s corporate manager, said “well-attended” community benefit workshops in Inverness, Wick, Lairg and Fort William last year saw participants question why the construction phase should be used.
“This issue came up quite strongly with communities,” he said.
“They were saying, ‘Why do we have it there? Why don’t we have it when we are constructing our schools, hospitals or care homes?’ The communities said we should concentrate more on the other factors.”
Developers are asked to pay a minimum of 5,000 per megawatt of generation capacity per year.
The cash is divvied up and awarded to the immediate and surrounding communities affected by major renewable developments and also directed towards a pan-Highland fund.
The council can promote the community payments but developers are not legally obliged to donate and there are no enforcement powers.
The recommendation to scrap the construction impact factor will be ultimately decided by the full council in May.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that offshore wind farm developers have so far refused to commit any cash to communities affected by their plans.
Committee chairman Drew Millar asked what efforts were being undertaken to persuade the developers behind huge offshore wind farms to direct cash to communities affected.
Councillor Millar said it had been brought into focus after the authority backed Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd offshore wind farm proposal in the Outer Moray Firth earlier this week.
Consent for up to 339 turbines across three offshore wind farms, located 13.5 miles from the Caithness coast, could be granted by the Scottish Government later this year and construction is scheduled start in early 2015.
Mr Gilfillan said companies behind offshore developments were reluctant to commit cash, claiming they were operating in an embryonic industry.
“At the moment developers are very reluctant to move on community benefit – very reluctant,” he said.
“The reason being is that they say this is still a developing industry, personally I feel it is the same [as onshore wind farms].”
But Mr Gilfillan said discussions with an unnamed developer connected with the Pentland Firth tidal energy proposals about community benefit were at an “advanced stage” but could not provide more details at this stage.
Energy companies are encouraged by Highland Council to pay money into a community benefit fund when they construct major schemes.
The policy was only introduced by the local authority last year and the cash, which can amount to thousands of pounds, can be directed to communities for key local project or new facilities.
But councillors have now backed a move to axe the disruption or inconvenience caused by the “construction impact” as one of the factors used to work out which communities will benefit from the money.
It had been one of four different cash allocation factors, including the community’s proximity to the wind farm site, the visual impact and the number of households in the particular area.
The move, endorsed by the authority’s community safety committee in Inverness, was prompted following public feedback.
William Gilfillan, the council’s corporate manager, said “well-attended” community benefit workshops in Inverness, Wick, Lairg and Fort William last year saw participants question why the construction phase should be used.
“This issue came up quite strongly with communities,” he said.
“They were saying, ‘Why do we have it there? Why don’t we have it when we are constructing our schools, hospitals or care homes?’ The communities said we should concentrate more on the other factors.”
Developers are asked to pay a minimum of 5,000 per megawatt of generation capacity per year.
The cash is divvied up and awarded to the immediate and surrounding communities affected by major renewable developments and also directed towards a pan-Highland fund.
The council can promote the community payments but developers are not legally obliged to donate and there are no enforcement powers.
The recommendation to scrap the construction impact factor will be ultimately decided by the full council in May.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that offshore wind farm developers have so far refused to commit any cash to communities affected by their plans.
Committee chairman Drew Millar asked what efforts were being undertaken to persuade the developers behind huge offshore wind farms to direct cash to communities affected.
Councillor Millar said it had been brought into focus after the authority backed Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd offshore wind farm proposal in the Outer Moray Firth earlier this week.
Consent for up to 339 turbines across three offshore wind farms, located 13.5 miles from the Caithness coast, could be granted by the Scottish Government later this year and construction is scheduled start in early 2015.
Mr Gilfillan said companies behind offshore developments were reluctant to commit cash, claiming they were operating in an embryonic industry.
“At the moment developers are very reluctant to move on community benefit – very reluctant,” he said.
“The reason being is that they say this is still a developing industry, personally I feel it is the same [as onshore wind farms].”
But Mr Gilfillan said discussions with an unnamed developer connected with the Pentland Firth tidal energy proposals about community benefit were at an “advanced stage” but could not provide more details at this stage.
2013年3月21日星期四
Wind-farm 'illnesses' blamed on negative publicity
Sickness blamed on silent wind-farm vibrations is caused by bad PR rather than solid science, New Zealand research shows.
Negative lobbying about the health effects of inaudible sound from wind farms leads to more reporting of symptoms, a new University of Auckland study has found.
Anti-wind farm activists claim bad vibrations from the low-frequency hum can cause everything from nausea and headaches to hot flushes and insomnia, but the study shows that bad publicity is at the heart of the problem.
"It's scaremongering in the sense that the symptoms are common in the community," lead author Keith Petrie, a health psychology professor, said.
"If you went round the office and said to people the new wi-fi system is causing symptoms, they would get a focus and will attribute symptoms they normally get to that environment."
Wind farms have been blamed for a range of common ailments, including itchiness, nausea, ringing in the ears and tiredness.
The effect was tied into people's concerns about modern technology and was made worse by media reports on claims of ill health from wind farms, the study said.
People's anxiety then increased, which in turn ramped up a focus on the symptoms and health problems.
In the study, 54 university students were split into two groups. One group was shown television footage of first-hand accounts by lay-people linking wind farms to health problems.
The other group was shown footage from experts giving the scientific position that wind-farm infrasound had no health effects.
Both groups were then subjected to 10 minutes of infrasound and 10 minutes of "sham" infrasound, or silence. In both cases, the students were told they were being exposed to real infrasound.
The "high expectancy" group shown negative footage showed significantly more concern than the other group, and later reported more symptoms.
"It increased people's expectations about symptoms and the health problems they report," Dr Petrie said.
Auckland University of Technology psychoacoustics lecturer Daniel Shepherd said that although he knew of no-one in New Zealand who had suffered health problems from wind-turbine infrasound, the issue was hotly contested in the scientific community.
The debate was not "black and white" and scientists needed to research whether infrasound was caused by the "voodoo effect" of bad publicity or the hum, he said.
"Communities throughout North Yorkshire are being bullied by wind companies, and money is being wasted. Will the Secretary of State meet me, and other North Yorkshire Members of Parliament, to discuss why the Liberal Democrat obsession with wind is not what North Yorkshire wants?"
Speaking after the debate, Mr Smith said he was concerned that the true cost of wind farm developments was not being openly acknowledged.
We are not being honest about the economics of wind farm investment. Energy companies are attracted by the heavy subsidies for wind energy, he added.
"The more I look into the economics of wind energy the more I am concerned." "These companies get such a large chunk of tax-payers money it is worth their while to keep putting in planning applications."
He added: "Communities across my constituency are being frustrated by the actions of developers who want to build turbines that are blots on the natural beauty of our stunning landscape. I want the Secretary of State to do more to reduce the subsidies on offer to developers which tempts them to put in applications for increasing numbers of turbines across North Yorkshire. I will continue to make that case to the Government in the weeks and months ahead."
Negative lobbying about the health effects of inaudible sound from wind farms leads to more reporting of symptoms, a new University of Auckland study has found.
Anti-wind farm activists claim bad vibrations from the low-frequency hum can cause everything from nausea and headaches to hot flushes and insomnia, but the study shows that bad publicity is at the heart of the problem.
"It's scaremongering in the sense that the symptoms are common in the community," lead author Keith Petrie, a health psychology professor, said.
"If you went round the office and said to people the new wi-fi system is causing symptoms, they would get a focus and will attribute symptoms they normally get to that environment."
Wind farms have been blamed for a range of common ailments, including itchiness, nausea, ringing in the ears and tiredness.
The effect was tied into people's concerns about modern technology and was made worse by media reports on claims of ill health from wind farms, the study said.
People's anxiety then increased, which in turn ramped up a focus on the symptoms and health problems.
In the study, 54 university students were split into two groups. One group was shown television footage of first-hand accounts by lay-people linking wind farms to health problems.
The other group was shown footage from experts giving the scientific position that wind-farm infrasound had no health effects.
Both groups were then subjected to 10 minutes of infrasound and 10 minutes of "sham" infrasound, or silence. In both cases, the students were told they were being exposed to real infrasound.
The "high expectancy" group shown negative footage showed significantly more concern than the other group, and later reported more symptoms.
"It increased people's expectations about symptoms and the health problems they report," Dr Petrie said.
Auckland University of Technology psychoacoustics lecturer Daniel Shepherd said that although he knew of no-one in New Zealand who had suffered health problems from wind-turbine infrasound, the issue was hotly contested in the scientific community.
The debate was not "black and white" and scientists needed to research whether infrasound was caused by the "voodoo effect" of bad publicity or the hum, he said.
"Communities throughout North Yorkshire are being bullied by wind companies, and money is being wasted. Will the Secretary of State meet me, and other North Yorkshire Members of Parliament, to discuss why the Liberal Democrat obsession with wind is not what North Yorkshire wants?"
Speaking after the debate, Mr Smith said he was concerned that the true cost of wind farm developments was not being openly acknowledged.
We are not being honest about the economics of wind farm investment. Energy companies are attracted by the heavy subsidies for wind energy, he added.
"The more I look into the economics of wind energy the more I am concerned." "These companies get such a large chunk of tax-payers money it is worth their while to keep putting in planning applications."
He added: "Communities across my constituency are being frustrated by the actions of developers who want to build turbines that are blots on the natural beauty of our stunning landscape. I want the Secretary of State to do more to reduce the subsidies on offer to developers which tempts them to put in applications for increasing numbers of turbines across North Yorkshire. I will continue to make that case to the Government in the weeks and months ahead."
2013年3月20日星期三
Sheriff assists U.S. Homeland Security in illegal gambling raid
In one of the most extensive investigations in Canadian County in recent years, the Sheriff's Office helped the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in seizing hundreds of illegal slot machines, firearms and over three-quarters of a million dollars in cash from illegal gambling.
Canadian County Sheriff Randall Edwards said his department conducted a sweep of some businesses and establishments through Federal warrants in El Reno on Wednesday, March 6. He said they seized over 250 slot machines from two bars in El Reno, Gilmore's Pub and Charlie B's, the El Reno VFW and Elks lodge. He said they also seized machines from a warehouse at Manning and Highway 66 and from a residence on S. Banner Road.
Over 250 illegal firearms, including automatic weapons, were also seized, primarily from the warehouse and residence.
Although there were no arrests made in the seizures, Edwards said he expects Federal indictments to be handed down on individuals that not only possessed and played the machines, but those who knew about the illegal activity and did nothing about it.
"The last time the Feds busted someone for illegal gambling was in 1992, so this is something that has gone entirely unchecked for 21 years," Edwards said. "My focus in this investigation is on the public corruption of those who held public offices and turned a blind eye or deaf ear to these activities. This includes state, county and local officials."
The Canadian County Sheriff's Office teamed up with other agencies such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the El Reno Police Department in the investigation.
"This has been an ongoing investigation for about the last four years," Edwards said. "The Feds took the lead in the investigation and have been doing the majority of the work on it, but my department has assisted them in manpower and in investigations."
Edwards said illegal gambling is a county-wide problem. He said other establishments in other municipalities in the county may be involved in illegal gambling, but did not release any specific details because he said it could jeopardize the investigation.
"Illegal gambling is when you either possess or play a slot machine that is outside of a tribal gambling establishment," Edwards said. "It isn't just slot machines either. You cannot play an arcade game if you are playing for money. If a business gives you money for winnings, that is illegal."
For the past few years, Edwards said undercover agents went into to several establishments and received money from gambling.
He said he wants every person involved in the activity to face the consequences.
"We can't have illegal gambling here in Canadian County as long as we have had without anything being done about it," he said. "This has become an accepted culture in our county, but it is against the law. I want the Feds to pursue everyone that has been involved and prosecute them."
The punishment if convicted of illegal gambling ranges from misdemeanors to felonies.
According to Oklahoma State Statute 21-946, it is a felony for any keeper or manager of a house, room or place where prohibited games are taking place to continue.
"This is the largest investigation my agency has been a part of," he said. "It has taken thousands of hours of investigating and it could go on for another year or two."
Investigations of illegal gambling have spread to surrounding counties, including Caddo County.
Just last week, an Anadarko business owner and his wife were taken into custody after federal agents say they were involved an in illegal multi-million dollar gambling operation. According to the federal search warrant, the owner of the company supplied gambling software to internet casinos in Florida.
Canadian County Sheriff Randall Edwards said his department conducted a sweep of some businesses and establishments through Federal warrants in El Reno on Wednesday, March 6. He said they seized over 250 slot machines from two bars in El Reno, Gilmore's Pub and Charlie B's, the El Reno VFW and Elks lodge. He said they also seized machines from a warehouse at Manning and Highway 66 and from a residence on S. Banner Road.
Over 250 illegal firearms, including automatic weapons, were also seized, primarily from the warehouse and residence.
Although there were no arrests made in the seizures, Edwards said he expects Federal indictments to be handed down on individuals that not only possessed and played the machines, but those who knew about the illegal activity and did nothing about it.
"The last time the Feds busted someone for illegal gambling was in 1992, so this is something that has gone entirely unchecked for 21 years," Edwards said. "My focus in this investigation is on the public corruption of those who held public offices and turned a blind eye or deaf ear to these activities. This includes state, county and local officials."
The Canadian County Sheriff's Office teamed up with other agencies such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the El Reno Police Department in the investigation.
"This has been an ongoing investigation for about the last four years," Edwards said. "The Feds took the lead in the investigation and have been doing the majority of the work on it, but my department has assisted them in manpower and in investigations."
Edwards said illegal gambling is a county-wide problem. He said other establishments in other municipalities in the county may be involved in illegal gambling, but did not release any specific details because he said it could jeopardize the investigation.
"Illegal gambling is when you either possess or play a slot machine that is outside of a tribal gambling establishment," Edwards said. "It isn't just slot machines either. You cannot play an arcade game if you are playing for money. If a business gives you money for winnings, that is illegal."
For the past few years, Edwards said undercover agents went into to several establishments and received money from gambling.
He said he wants every person involved in the activity to face the consequences.
"We can't have illegal gambling here in Canadian County as long as we have had without anything being done about it," he said. "This has become an accepted culture in our county, but it is against the law. I want the Feds to pursue everyone that has been involved and prosecute them."
The punishment if convicted of illegal gambling ranges from misdemeanors to felonies.
According to Oklahoma State Statute 21-946, it is a felony for any keeper or manager of a house, room or place where prohibited games are taking place to continue.
"This is the largest investigation my agency has been a part of," he said. "It has taken thousands of hours of investigating and it could go on for another year or two."
Investigations of illegal gambling have spread to surrounding counties, including Caddo County.
Just last week, an Anadarko business owner and his wife were taken into custody after federal agents say they were involved an in illegal multi-million dollar gambling operation. According to the federal search warrant, the owner of the company supplied gambling software to internet casinos in Florida.
Survey reveals casino trends
More than ever, Massachusetts gamblers are putting money into slot machines in Rhode Island, according to a new gambling survey released Monday by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's Center for Policy Analysis.
The study, “Bring It On Home, An Overview of Gaming Behavior in New England,” says that 66 percent of the visitors to Twin River in Lincoln, R.I., were from Massachusetts, compared with 27 percent from Rhode Island.
The survey also shows that gamblers are spending less, traveling fewer miles and want amenities other than gambling when they visit a casino, Clyde Barrow, executive director for the UMass center, said after the study was released.
“Convenience gamblers don't care about bells and whistles, they want to play slot machines and they want to do it close to home,” Barrow said.
But increasingly casino venues are attracting nongamblers with amenities such as shopping, restaurants and entertainment.
“The results show that now about 20 percent of the visitors to Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun don't gamble at all,” said Barrow, who has been overseeing the survey on gambling habits for six years. “When we first asked the question, 7 percent said they didn't gamble. That's tripled in six years and that's really a national trend.”
That type of information could help guide decisions made by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission as it weighs proposals from developers in the Bay State, Barrow said. Destination casinos need a mix of retail, spas and entertainment beyond the games to compete, he said.
Stephen Crosby, chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, said developers proposing to build in Massachusetts understand their facilities need to offer attractions beyond slot machines and table games.
“We want Mass. casinos to be innovators,” he said.
The survey shows the number of visits by Massachusetts residents to Twin River increased by 261 percent from 2006 to 2012.
Improvements made at Twin River have attracted more gamblers and with the addition of table games this summer, the Rhode Island facility is likely to continue attracting gamblers from Massachusetts, he said.
The cumulative effect has been an overall reduction in the number of Massachusetts residents who gamble at either Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun, the two Indian casino giants in Connecticut.
Massachusetts residents account for 66 percent, of the decline in the number of visitors to Foxwoods from 2008 to 2012 and 28 percent of the decline in visitors to Mohegan Sun.
With three casinos and a slot parlor planned in Massachusetts, those Connecticut casinos will likely lose even more visitors in the coming years, Barrow said. Mohegan Sun is already feeling the pinch from a slot facility in New York City.
If the single slot parlor in Massachusetts is going to compete with Twin River, which will add table games in July, it will also need more than just an open floor filled with slot machines, he said. “It needs to be a top notch facility,” Barrow said.
Crosby said he's confident Massachusetts casinos can compete. “On the whole we will have our facilities spread out to maximize convenience and have high quality facilities to maximize the experience,” he said.
The study, “Bring It On Home, An Overview of Gaming Behavior in New England,” says that 66 percent of the visitors to Twin River in Lincoln, R.I., were from Massachusetts, compared with 27 percent from Rhode Island.
The survey also shows that gamblers are spending less, traveling fewer miles and want amenities other than gambling when they visit a casino, Clyde Barrow, executive director for the UMass center, said after the study was released.
“Convenience gamblers don't care about bells and whistles, they want to play slot machines and they want to do it close to home,” Barrow said.
But increasingly casino venues are attracting nongamblers with amenities such as shopping, restaurants and entertainment.
“The results show that now about 20 percent of the visitors to Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun don't gamble at all,” said Barrow, who has been overseeing the survey on gambling habits for six years. “When we first asked the question, 7 percent said they didn't gamble. That's tripled in six years and that's really a national trend.”
That type of information could help guide decisions made by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission as it weighs proposals from developers in the Bay State, Barrow said. Destination casinos need a mix of retail, spas and entertainment beyond the games to compete, he said.
Stephen Crosby, chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, said developers proposing to build in Massachusetts understand their facilities need to offer attractions beyond slot machines and table games.
“We want Mass. casinos to be innovators,” he said.
The survey shows the number of visits by Massachusetts residents to Twin River increased by 261 percent from 2006 to 2012.
Improvements made at Twin River have attracted more gamblers and with the addition of table games this summer, the Rhode Island facility is likely to continue attracting gamblers from Massachusetts, he said.
The cumulative effect has been an overall reduction in the number of Massachusetts residents who gamble at either Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun, the two Indian casino giants in Connecticut.
Massachusetts residents account for 66 percent, of the decline in the number of visitors to Foxwoods from 2008 to 2012 and 28 percent of the decline in visitors to Mohegan Sun.
With three casinos and a slot parlor planned in Massachusetts, those Connecticut casinos will likely lose even more visitors in the coming years, Barrow said. Mohegan Sun is already feeling the pinch from a slot facility in New York City.
If the single slot parlor in Massachusetts is going to compete with Twin River, which will add table games in July, it will also need more than just an open floor filled with slot machines, he said. “It needs to be a top notch facility,” Barrow said.
Crosby said he's confident Massachusetts casinos can compete. “On the whole we will have our facilities spread out to maximize convenience and have high quality facilities to maximize the experience,” he said.
2013年3月15日星期五
Wind farm proponent gets planning extension
The Buloke Shire Council has approved an 18-month planning permit extension for a 16-turbine wind farm in northern Victoria.
Acciona Australia was originally granted approval for the planned site at Berrimal in 2007 but is seeking to update its plans to include 23 turbines. The company expected to submit an updated plan to the council in July.
Mayor Reid Mather says he would like to see some progress on the site after six years but a new application gives community members another chance to voice any concerns.
"Look, I really hope that we get something moving soon but, again, really when this comes into us, we need to process it," he said.
"We need to make sure all the steps are followed so that if there are objections that people get the opportunity to have their say."
However, he says an extension gives the company the opportunity to provide a stronger business case. "I think that their business case is probably better with a larger amount of turbines," he said.
"One of the issues we have with renewable energy, in our shire at least, is to be able to have the infrastructure - the higher capacity cables - to be able to take the electricity to the grid.
"That's been one of the stumbling blocks for Acciona to really make their business case stack up."
Meanwhile, environmental groups are disappointed Victorian Premier Denis Napthine has confirmed he will not be changing the Government's wind farm policy.
Yesterday, Dr Napthine said he was keeping the current wind farm restrictions, including that all wind turbine towers be at least two kilometres from houses.
Leigh Ewbank, from the group Yes 2 Renewables, says wind tower setback limits should be based on science rather than an arbitrary rule.
"They should be determined on a case-by-case basis ... you need to take into account turbine size, topography, all of those other factors when you make a determination about the appropriate distance between a turbine and a residence," he said.
The inspector who conducted the appeal inquiry said a light engineering company and a plasterer worked from the site and both spoke on Mr Moore's behalf.
Five jobs are based there, he said, but the plasterer used little electricity and there was no feed from the turbine to the National Grid.
Against the scheme was the "charm and quality" of the view which would be considerably reduced by the turbine. Viewed from Nene Parade it would be "clearly visible and out of place".
Public footpaths run along both banks of the Nene that passes the appeal site and the turbine would an "overbearing effect on walkers." Boats passing would get the same effect.
When the application came before planners Mr Moore had claimed it would provide "longevity to the site and create more jobs than all the other turbines in Fenland altogether."
But Councillor Jan French disputed his claim that the turbine would be a catalyst for business and said the land was needed for housing.
She said: "I support local businesses but I cannot see any justification that this wind turbine would support local business, especially due to the economic climate."
Acciona Australia was originally granted approval for the planned site at Berrimal in 2007 but is seeking to update its plans to include 23 turbines. The company expected to submit an updated plan to the council in July.
Mayor Reid Mather says he would like to see some progress on the site after six years but a new application gives community members another chance to voice any concerns.
"Look, I really hope that we get something moving soon but, again, really when this comes into us, we need to process it," he said.
"We need to make sure all the steps are followed so that if there are objections that people get the opportunity to have their say."
However, he says an extension gives the company the opportunity to provide a stronger business case. "I think that their business case is probably better with a larger amount of turbines," he said.
"One of the issues we have with renewable energy, in our shire at least, is to be able to have the infrastructure - the higher capacity cables - to be able to take the electricity to the grid.
"That's been one of the stumbling blocks for Acciona to really make their business case stack up."
Meanwhile, environmental groups are disappointed Victorian Premier Denis Napthine has confirmed he will not be changing the Government's wind farm policy.
Yesterday, Dr Napthine said he was keeping the current wind farm restrictions, including that all wind turbine towers be at least two kilometres from houses.
Leigh Ewbank, from the group Yes 2 Renewables, says wind tower setback limits should be based on science rather than an arbitrary rule.
"They should be determined on a case-by-case basis ... you need to take into account turbine size, topography, all of those other factors when you make a determination about the appropriate distance between a turbine and a residence," he said.
The inspector who conducted the appeal inquiry said a light engineering company and a plasterer worked from the site and both spoke on Mr Moore's behalf.
Five jobs are based there, he said, but the plasterer used little electricity and there was no feed from the turbine to the National Grid.
Against the scheme was the "charm and quality" of the view which would be considerably reduced by the turbine. Viewed from Nene Parade it would be "clearly visible and out of place".
Public footpaths run along both banks of the Nene that passes the appeal site and the turbine would an "overbearing effect on walkers." Boats passing would get the same effect.
When the application came before planners Mr Moore had claimed it would provide "longevity to the site and create more jobs than all the other turbines in Fenland altogether."
But Councillor Jan French disputed his claim that the turbine would be a catalyst for business and said the land was needed for housing.
She said: "I support local businesses but I cannot see any justification that this wind turbine would support local business, especially due to the economic climate."
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