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Obviously they mean discussions like, “hey guys, get your pirated files at (some specific URL address).” Imagine how hard it is to police that.

Yes it's so hard that even trying is pointless – so short of outlawing all communication you can't do it. Try extending the concept of talking about filesharing – even directly telling people where stuff is directly available – into the offline world and you'll see how ridiculous it is. Remember – ordinary word of mouth can transmit a message to the whole world in six steps.
And no, you can't just take people's stuff that they are selling and post it for your friends to get for free. If you want to give away stuff, make your own stuff and give it away… my guess is after all your own personal hard work, you won't feel so comfortable when people are taking your stuff (unless you intended to give it away, which is your right alone as yes! the copyright holder).

Copyright holders need to realise that the game is up. Technology has made their “property” undefendable. It can only be used now as a promotional tool.
(btw this does not mean that I approve of infringement – merly that I recognise that others will do it and they cannot be stopped.)

They should listen to an old evangelical saying:

“He is no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose!”

(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

DC3 Music Group Launched Creed’s Live Concert On The Cloud

// December 11th, 2009 // Community

Angela Bartels, Cloud Maven

If you are an Internet and music fan like I am, you’ve probably noticed the growing trend of bands streaming concerts live over the Internet. The music industry is realizing the impact of the Internet and how many more fans they can reach by expanding their concerts outside of the physical walls of a concert hall.

The Dave Matthews Band streamed their first live concert from New York’s Beacon Theater on June 1st, Weezer streamed live from the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco on Oct 21st (which I found out about via a tweet from @laughingsquid), U2 streamed live from the Rose Bowl on Oct 25th and FooFighters streamed live from their studio Oct 30th. Yes, it may be a bit different than being at the actual concert but at least you’re not missing out and can watch your favorite band live from the comfort of your own living room.

There’s a lot that goes into planning a live concert over the Internet from the promotions to the actual musical production to hosting it live - flawlessly. You have to do it right the first time around. DC3 Music Group specializes in exclusive live concerts and behind-the-scenes content from multi-platinum artists to be distributed through multiple distribution channels, including the latest mobile and digital technology through their website, www.Rockpit.com.

On September 25th, the same day they launched Rockpit, DC3 Music Group produced Creed’s Live Concert using Rackspace Cloud Servers to host the website and database, and Limelight Networks to stream the concert. They used a record breaking 237 cameras at the show and streamed it live on rockpit.com, watchcreedlive.com and 150 other online music portals. MSN aired the content on their homepage and AOL had homepage placement as well. To watch the concert, you had to log in, which was the database they spun up 12 Cloud Servers for.

When we spoke with Brian Lisi, DC3 Music Group Managing Director, regarding their experience, he said:

“The support was amazing! It was incredibly important that we partner with the right people for this event. We had one shot to make this right. We decided to launch our company in a really huge way. He had not one hiccup! The Rackspace Cloud was able to manage the load perfectly. We don’t have the exact numbers though the goal was 200,000 and we had at least 240,000.”

Outstanding! They have also turned Creed’s first live concert into DVD and it hit stores on December 8th. It’s no wonder high profile artists in the music industry and companies in the technology industry are both knocking on DC3 Music Group’s door.

Not new to the game, DC3 Music Group was formed by award-winning director and producer Daniel E. Catullo III (Nickelback, Godsmack, Black Eyed Peas, Smashing Pumpkins, Dave Matthews Band) and industry veterans Peter Bowers and Brian Lisi. They are also producing DVD projects with Alter Bridge, Godsmack, Chickenfoot, Mötley Crüe and more. They do everything from running the consumer based website Rockpit, serving as the producing company for the film and music business as well as syndicating the content.

Cloud computing is a perfect fit for streaming a live concert because you need hosting on demand, that can scale quickly and most importantly, perform well. You have one opportunity (a few hours) to reach millions of users and the last thing you want is to turn people away because the site is overloaded. Rock on!

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Fans of the Mercy Me Christian band and others sat back in shock when the news hit of the fatal bus crash. After reading the updated news reports this morning, I had to sit here and write about the Mercy Me bus crash and update my readers. Unfortunately, this update is even sadder than my initial report on the Mercy Me bus and car wreck.

Initial reports to the press of the Mercy Me bus wreck didn't mention how many fatalities or the names of the people in the car. The car crashing with the Mercy Me tour bus was horrible enough. Yet, the Mercy Me tragedy becomes sadder as the story continues to unfold.

The driver of the car that wrecked with the Mercy Me tour bus was a 18 year old female. According to press releases, Kara Klinker made a turn at the intersection causing her car to hit the Mercy Me tour bus. Kara Klinker was nearly nine months pregnant at the time of the Mercy Me bus and car crash. Her life will be altered permanently. She lost her baby because of the Mercy Me fatal crash.

I cannot begin to imagine the amount of pain and suffering this teen is going through with the loss of her baby, while she was the one driving. Bart Millard publically asked for prayers to go out to the Mercy Me crash victims and their families. Twitter is filled with Tweets of people reaching out and showing support for the families of the Mercy Me car and bus accident, as well as for the Mercy Me band.

The irony of the Mercy Me bus and car wreck is in 2001, Mercy Me became popular for their song, I Can Only Imagine. The song, ironically, is about life after death. Never could anyone have perceived that the song, I Can Only Imagine, by Mercy Me could now symbolize the death of a full-term baby.

Just thinking about the Mercy Me car wreck brings tears to my eyes. My heart so breaks for this teen's unborn baby. It's tough having a baby anytime. It's even tougher when you're a teen. Kara Klinker's life will never be the same after her baby was killed in the Mercy Me fatal bus wreck.

I'm not forgetting the other two victims of the Mercy Me bus wreck. I was just in such shock though when I read the news this morning and found out that the third fatality in the Mercy Me wreck was an unborn child. No-one deserves that type of pain. I can only imagine the amount of blame this teen must lay on herself. Not only did she lose her friends in the fatal Mercy Me car wreck, she lost her child. She was the driver. She was behind the wheel when she made the turn and hit the Mercy Me bus.

Join Bart Millard and others in offering your prayers for the four victims of the Mercy Me fatal bus wreck. Pray for the Mercy Me band. They're rescheduling their Six Flags concert until September. Pray for those that witnessed the fatal Mercy Me wreck. I cannot even begin to guess how witnesses now feel, if they read the news today and found out that the third fatality in the Mercy Me bus accident was an unborn child.

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On a good day, Tysons Corner — home to hundreds of defense contractors, management consulting companies and information technology firms — is a traffic nightmare. Throw in subway and road construction and crowds streaming to the region's hottest shopping area, and the daily commute starts to look like "Mission: Impossible."

With the work forecast to last three years, what to do?

Take the workers out of Tysons, or at least take them out of their cars.

The experts figure that keeping traffic moving during construction requires throwing money at the problem: $34 million to coax many of the area's workers to do their jobs from home or leave their cars in the garage. Planners from Fairfax County and a Virginia mobility program are knocking on the doors of Tysons businesses, offering to pay for vanpools for up to six months, match bus and subway subsidies and fund software and equipment that will help employees tele-work.

For those who must drive, the 9-to-5 day is becoming history, replaced by flexible hours that start at 5:30 a.m. The planners are helping match people in carpools, and a new express bus from Woodbridge is equipped with high-speed Internet service to lure commuters. A new free Tysons Connector shuttle loops around the malls and banks and restaurants at midday. And, starting next year, carpoolers will get points they can redeem at stores in Tysons, where 120,000 people work but only 17,000 live.

It's a dress rehearsal for the walkable city planners hope Tysons will become when four Metrorail stations open and developers get the go-ahead to build densely packed condo towers to help people live closer to their jobs.

"People are going to start feeling some real pain," said Chris Arabia, manager of mobility programs for the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, which is offering businesses with at least 250 workers $50,000 to start or expand tele-work programs and smaller ones up to $30,000. The money comes from a $94 million pot set aside to ease traffic congestion while the Dulles rail extension, high-occupancy toll lanes and three other road mega-projects are built in Northern Virginia. "We can't make it go away, but we can hopefully help," Arabia said.

Employee options expand

Many workers are buying the concept, as radical as it is for a place where most workers park for free and what sidewalks exist end as abruptly as they start.

"It's peace of mind," said Lisa Keefer, who makes an 87-mile drive from her home in Mercersburg, Pa., four days a week to her job as an executive assistant. The other day, she manages spreadsheets, proofreads reports and manages her boss's daily calendar from home. When she must come into LMI's offices on Corporate Ridge in McLean, she's in by 6:30 a.m. and gone by 3 p.m. Fifteen minutes later, and road construction slows everyone down. "People look at the work crews and the backup starts," she said.

As workers began grading for the subway in May, about 50 editors, designers and contractors on Booz Allen Hamilton's visual communications team reviewed their options. The senior manager came up with a plan: A minimum of two editors would need to show up at headquarters on Greensboro Drive every day, allowing the rest of the team to work from home on staggered days. So, Ingrida Kalnins created a home office off the living room of her apartment near the Arlington County border and began editing from a laptop two days a week.

"Being editors, all of our work is done through e-mail and phone anyway," she said. And she gets more work done. "When you have an office mate, the phone rings. People stop by. At home, it's dead quiet."

Wyn Ellis, an analyst at Numis, said: “The Harrison departure is a
surprise. Sceptics will assume is related to the boardroom spat over
strategy.”

Asked if that was a factor in Mr Harrison's departure, interim chairman Sir
David Michels, said: “No I think it was a catalyst for board changes –
both Colin's and Jeff's – but Andy will be leaving a year and a quarter
after that, so I don't think it was behind Andy's decision. But there is
always another dimension when a single shareholder speaks for around 40pc.”

Sir Stelios, who has since made a truce with the rest of the board after it
agreed to limit capacity growth to 7.5pc a year, declined to comment.

Mr
Harrison told the board, including Sir Mike Rake who takes over as
chairman on January 1, in recent days of his decision to go. EasyJet said Mr
Harrison, who earned a total £856,000 in the latest accounts, was leaving to “seek
new challenges”.

The carrier also disclosed that in May, following Mr Carr's departure, the
board had “amended the terms of Andy's service agreement” to
ensure he would stay to “at least the first quarter of 2010″.

In return Mr Harrison, who became chief executive in December 2005 and had a
six-month rolling contract, is due to receive a payment believed to be about
£750,000. It will now be topped up in the form of a “retention
arrangement to enable a smooth transition”.

Sir David, who reverts to senior non-executive director, said Mr Harrison had
indicated over the past “six to nine months” that he believed a
five-year stint in charge was probably enough.

“Andy was always going to leave at the end of 2010 or in 2010. Five years
is probably enough to be chief executive of easyJet. It's a very stressful
job and he's done an excellent job. It's one of the few airlines that made a
profit through the recession.”

Mr Harrison said: “I have loved being a part of easyJet's success but am
now looking forward to moving on to a new challenge.”

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Many television shows are set in the workplace. But, how do these fiction jobs and scenarios square up with real life? A few years ago, I chatted with a real-life crime lab tech and a talk-show host to find out how their jobs measured up with CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Fraiser.

CSI

CBS's huge hit, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is a slick crime drama focusing on crime scene investigation by the night forensics team in the Las Vegas police department's Criminalistics Bureau. The team of sleuths, headed by bug-loving Gil Grissom (William Peterson), relentlessly analyzes every detail of the crime scene, no matter how seemingly irrelevant or even grotesque, and prove that with science on their side, they will ultimately solve the case.

I found a local crime lab forensic scientist, Sandra Singer, to talk with us about the show, reality and what her and Grissom have in common.

Singer, who is a huge CSI fan and even videotapes missed episodes, claims the crime show to be quite realistic, with a little poetic license of course. She did note however that department protocol varies state to state, and in Pennsylvania, the crime scene investigators are not sworn police officers, don't carry guns and don't usually work in the field. Rather, the police officers collect the evidence and bring it to the labs for forensic scientists like Singer to analyze, and help nab the bad guys.

Singer says the tests performed by CSI's on the show would be what the Wyoming, Pennsylvania barracks crew would use as well. She also says the writers have the technical and scientific terms, as well as forensic jargon down to a science. That could be because a 15-year LA Country forensic scientist is paid well to review every script for credibility.

Singer does have one small gripe to shed light on. “When they use alternative light sources such as black lights and special glasses, that has to be done in the dark,” Singer said. “On the show, the sometimes perform this test in the day. Things don't fluoresce in daylight.”

Aside from that little nitpick, CSI makes for a very realistic and fascinating drama. No wonder so many millions are hooked.

Now, let's compare the two:

Gil Grissom, CSI Supervisor, Las Vegas Nevada

-BS in Biology from UCLA
-Science Geek
-Specializes in Entomology (insects)
-Very well read, and in fact, quotes Shakespeare and famed poets when cracking the case
-Deals better with dead people
-Unwinds on roller coasters

Sandra Singer, Forensic Scientist Supervisor, Crime Lab, PA State Police, Wyoming, PA

-BA in Chemistry from King's College, Masters in Forensic Science from George Washington University
-Science Geek
-Specializes in Serology (bodily fluids) “I don't like bugs!”
-Just states the facts
-Does quite well with living people
-Unwinds at rock concerts

FRASIER

This brilliant Cheers spin-off was said to in fact be the only successful television spin-off. That could be because rather than just taking an actor to a new show, NBC grabbed a character we all knew and loved, psychiatrist Frasier Crane, and returned him to his native Seattle, where he hosts a call-in radio show, lives with cranky father and is bothered by his fussy brother. The show boasts polished scripts, intelligent humor and makes for, as TV Guide calls it an 'elegant sitcom.' But does it measure up to real talk radio?

Fraiser has a lot in common with local talk show personality, Kevin Lynn, who hosted a call in show on the WILK Network weekdays from 9:00-11:45. While Lynn has 20 years worth of television and radio broadcasting experience, neither he nor Fraiser actually studied to be on the radio. Fraiser was first a doctor, and Lynn, a tennis pro/Yale tennis coach. So, should an athlete or a doctor helping the mentally ill really have an open mic?

“Fraiser and I are more alike than we appear. I believe it is a huge advantage to go into this business having been good at something else. It gives you confidence, and a reservoir of knowledge about how things are done successfully in another field,” Lynn said.

Lynn noted another common bond the two share. “Being self-absorbed and self-centered like Fraiser is probably an advantage. After all, he's a radio host, right? People know him. If you are going to be a local personality, you'd better have the personality for it!”

Let's compare the two:

Fraiser Crane, ficticious radio talk show host, KACL-AM, Seattle

-Judgemental, pompous and narcissistic
-Never takes his own advice
-Likes to stir up problems in his love life, or the life of his famil
-Enjoys fine wine
-Hangs out at the coffee house (or, when he's in Boston, you know where to find him
-Genuinely tries to do the right thing

Kevin Lynn, Radio talk show host, WILK-AM, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

-Competitive, profane and needling
-”I don't have to give advice. The world is better off that way.”
-Likes to stir up controversy on current issues on air
-Like imported draft beer and Rumpleminz
-Hangs out at Grotto Pizza in Harvey's Lake, Pa.
-Genuinely tries to do the right thing too…but life ain't a ½ hour ling sitcom!

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Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Brian Muse, our lead developer on You Rather. He’ll be guiding you through a three part journey of PHP applications over the next few days.

This tutorial is intended for readers who know the very basics of PHP and Object Oriented Programming (OOP) and would like to create a basic web application.

To make this a little bit clearer, I’ve split this tutorial up into three separate posts. Each post will cover a major step in setting up a basic PHP web application.

Series Overview

We’ve got a lot of ground to cover. Here’s a general outline about what to expect from each post in this series:

Part 1 – Setting up the project and creating your first class

• Creating an outline of the project
• Setting up your files and folders
• Creating a class to handle database operations: DB.class.php

Part 2 – Building the rest of the backend

• Creating a User class
• Creating a UserTools class
• Registration / Logging in / Logging out

Part 3 – Building the front end

• Forms
• Form Handling
• Displaying session data

Setting up the Project

Creating a Road Map

It’s always a good idea to know where you’re going. Before you start creating and coding files it’s best to set your goals, map out the project and make decisions about your folder structure and what files you’ll need to make to accomplish your goal. The goal for this project is fairly simple: Create a basic PHP web application with user registration, the ability to log in and out and a way for users to update their settings.

Files and Folder Structure

An OOP PHP project utilizes classes and objects to perform many of the operations that the application requires. When planning, you should think about what classes you will need. For this project we’ll be making three classes. The first is the User class, which will hold information about a particular user and a basic save() function. Another class, UserTools will contain functions that have to do with users, such as login(), logout(), etc. The final class is the first class we’ll be coding: the database class. This class will handle connecting to the database, updating, inserting new rows, retrieving rows, and more.

Aside from classes, we’ll utilize a file called global.inc.php. This file will be called on every page and will perform general operations that we commonly require. For example, it is this file that will handle connecting to the database on each page.

The rest of the files are the pages the user will navigate around. These include index.php, register.php, login.php, logout.php, settings.php and welcome.php.

The final directory structure should look like the image below:

Creating your database and users table

You must have MySQL installed on your server to continue. You’ll first have to create a new database for your application. Within that database to create the users table we’ll be using for this tutorial, use the following SQL:

CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS `users` (
`id` int(11) NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,
`username` varchar(50) NOT NULL,
`password` varchar(50) NOT NULL,
`email` varchar(50) NOT NULL,
`join_date` datetime NOT NULL,
PRIMARY KEY (`id`),
UNIQUE KEY `username` (`username`)
) ENGINE=MyISAM DEFAULT CHARSET=latin1;

The “id” field is used as the primary key and will be the main unique identifier that we’ll use to differentiate between users in the database. The “username” is also defined as a unique key. Other fields include “password” (which will be stored after it is hashed), “email”, and “join_date” (an sql datetime variable).

Creating DB.class.php

The first class we’ll be making for this project is one to handle database operations. The goal is simple: to take the work out of using our database so that we deal with as little SQL as possible and to have data organized and returned in a easily readable format.

Here is the code, with an explanation following:

<?php
//DB.class.php

class DB {

protected $db_name = 'yourdatabasename';
protected $db_user = 'databaseusername';
protected $db_pass = 'databasepassword';
protected $db_host = 'localhost';

//open a connection to the database. Make sure this is called
//on every page that needs to use the database.
public function connect() {
$connection = mysql_connect($this->db_host, $this->db_user, $this->db_pass);
mysql_select_db($this->db_name);

return true;
}

//takes a mysql row set and returns an associative array, where the keys
//in the array are the column names in the row set. If singleRow is set to
//true, then it will return a single row instead of an array of rows.
public function processRowSet($rowSet, $singleRow=false)
{
$resultArray = array();
while($row = mysql_fetch_assoc($rowSet))
{
array_push($resultArray, $row);
}

if($singleRow === true)
return $resultArray;

return $resultArray;
}

//Select rows from the database.
//returns a full row or rows from $table using $where as the where clause.
//return value is an associative array with column names as keys.
public function select($table, $where) {
$sql = “SELECT * FROM $table WHERE $where”;
$result = mysql_query($sql);
if(mysql_num_rows($result) == 1)
return $this->processRowSet($result, true);

return $this->processRowSet($result);
}

//Updates a current row in the database.
//takes an array of data, where the keys in the array are the column names
//and the values are the data that will be inserted into those columns.
//$table is the name of the table and $where is the sql where clause.
public function update($data, $table, $where) {
foreach ($data as $column => $value) {
$sql = “UPDATE $table SET $column = $value WHERE $where”;
mysql_query($sql) or die(mysql_error());
}
return true;
}

//Inserts a new row into the database.
//takes an array of data, where the keys in the array are the column names
//and the values are the data that will be inserted into those columns.
//$table is the name of the table.
public function insert($data, $table) {

$columns = “”;
$values = “”;

foreach ($data as $column => $value) {
$columns .= ($columns == “”) ? “” : “, “;
$columns .= $column;
$values .= ($values == “”) ? “” : “, “;
$values .= $value;
}

$sql = “insert into $table ($columns) values ($values)”;

mysql_query($sql) or die(mysql_error());

//return the ID of the user in the database.
return mysql_insert_id();

}

}

?>

The Code Breakdown

After the class definition you’ll see four variable declarations: $db_name, $db_user, $db_pass, and $db_host. These should be set accordingly, based on how you’ve set up your database. You’ll most likely leave $db_host as localhost. These variables are defined as “protected” and as such they will not be accessible from outside the class. From anywhere inside the class, however, they can be retrieved by using $this->db_name, $this->db_user, etc.

The first function is called connect(). This function uses those protected values to open up a database connection. This connection will remain open for usage anywhere on the current page (not just from within the class).

Here’s an usage example for this function from anywhere outside the class (pretty simple, right?):

//create and instance of the DB class
$db = new DB();

//connect to the database
$db->connect();

The second function is called processRowSet(). The purpose of this function is to take a mysql result object and convert it to an associative array, where the keys are the column names. The function loops through each row in the mysql result and the PHP function mysql_fetch_assoc() converts each row to an associative array. The row is then pushed onto an array which is ultimately returned by the function. This formatting makes the data far more readable and easier to use.

There is a second argument called $singleRow which has false as a default value. If set to true, only a single row will be returned instead of an array of rows. This is useful if you’re only expecting a single result to be returned (for example when selecting a user from the database by using their unique id).

The final three functions perform basic MySQL functions: select, insert, update. The goal of these functions is to minimalize the amount of SQL that needs to be written elsewhere in the application. Each basically builds an SQL query based upon the value passed in and executes that query. In the case of select(), the results are formatted and returned. In the case of update(), true is returned if it succeeded. In the case of insert(), the id of the newly inserted row is returned.

Here is a sample of how you might update a user in the database using the update() function:

//create an instance of the DB class
$db = new DB();

$data = array(
“username” => “'johndoe'”,
“email” => “'johndoe@email.com'”
);

//Find the user with id = 3 in the database and update the row
//the username to johndoe and the email to johndoe@email.com
$db->update($data, 'users', 'id = 3');

As you can see, the tables column names for the columns being updated are the keys and the values are the data that is being set in those columns.

Extra Credit

Try expanding the DB class to include a function for deleting a row from the database.

Expand the select() function to take an array of column names to select with a default of * to select all columns.

What’s up next?

This wraps up part 1 of the series. We’ve managed to organize our folder/file structure for the project and build our first class, the DB class.

In part 2 we’ll build two more classes, User and UserTools. The User class will introduce class constructors. Additionally we’ll start to take a look at global.inc.php and what exactly we’ll be putting in there.

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Top Ten Attractions in Key West Florida #1: The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

In the early 1900s, Ernest Hemingway called Key West Florida home. This Key West attraction is a great way to learn more about the author and even see items that he used to own. Even if you're not interested in Ernest Hemingway, you may want to visit for another reason. The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is home to around sixty cats. This wonderful Key West attraction costs $10 for adults and $6 for children.

Top Ten Attractions in Key West Florida #2: Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum

Mel Fisher is best known for finding The Atocha. The Atocha was a shipwreck that contained gold, silver, and other valuable antiques. Mel Fisher spent most of his life looking for this treasure. Luckily he was able to live out the last years of his life in Key West Florida. I actually met Mel Fisher while visiting his museum in the mid 90s, right before his death. This attraction really is something to see. The gold bars are simply amazing. You can also buy jewelry that is crafted from the treasure found on the Atocha. This Key West attraction offers several exhibits, but the tickets only cost $11 for adults, $9.50 for students, and $6 for children.

Top Ten Attractions in Key West Florida #3: Key West Cemetery

The Key West Cemetery is located on the highest point of the island. The cemetery was moved to the highest point after a 1846 hurricane washed several corpses out of their graves. Now you may wonder why this is a top attraction in Key West Florida. Many people are simply fascinated by the cemetery, not to mention the stories that go along with it. There are approximately 60,000 to 100,000 people buried in this cemetery. The sight of all the above ground graves is truly creepy, but definitely worth a visit.

Top Ten Attractions in Key West Florida #4: Hard Rock Café

Hard Rock Cafes are known for their rock memorabilia and the Hard Rock Café in Key West Florida is no different. This Hard Rock location has memorabilia from several huge rock bands including The Beatles, The Doors, and The Rolling Stones. The food at this Key West attraction is also pretty rocking. The portions are huge and the prices are very affordable.

Top Ten Attractions in Key West Florida #5: Dream Catcher Charters Dolphin Experience

If you love dolphins, you must visit this Key West attraction. With this four hour trip you will get a snorkeling session, a eco tour, be able to interact with dolphins, and finish up with a light lunch. This experience will cost $85 per person or you can have a private charter for 6 or less people for $475.

Top Ten Attractions in Key West Florida #6: Key West Aquarium

There are two things I am horribly afraid of: spiders and sharks. While visiting the Key West Aquarium I was able to face one of those fears. I actually got to pet a nurse shark. Nurse sharks aren't very dangerous to humans, but it was still a step in the right direction. You can also pet sting rays and other aquatic animals. This wonderful Key West attraction only costs $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Top Ten Attractions in Key West Florida #7: Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum

If you love weird stuff, you'll love visiting this Key West attraction. Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum in Key West Florida features exhibits such as a car that is covered in 10,000 dimes and a white buffalo. But those are just two of the exhibits. This Ripley's Believe It or Not location has oven 500 exhibits. This fun attraction only costs $14.95 for adults and $11.95 for children (plus tax).

Top Ten Attractions in Key West Florida #8: Margaritaville

If you love Jimmy Buffett, you will love Margaritaville. This fun restaurant/gift shop is all about Jimmy Buffett and the perfect restaurant for Parrotheads. I loved this restaurant and its food. The Cheeseburger in Paradise is a must have for true fans.

Top Ten Attractions in Key West Florida #9: Boardwalk

While visiting Key West, you must visit this attraction. The Key West Boardwalk is the best place to view the sunset and trust me, Key West has one of the best sunsets in America. You will also see performers on the Boardwalk. There is a guy who has trained cats; there are also fire eaters, and sword swallowers. This really is a fun attractions and best of all it's free.

Top Ten Attractions in Key West Florida #10: Southernmost Point

Key West Florida is home to the Southernmost Point. You have to visit this attraction and get your picture taken, just so you can say you've been as far South as you can go on land.

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Mercuria Energy Group, one of the world’s five largest independent energy traders, will be the title sponsor of the National Cutting Horse Association’s 2009 and 2010 World Finals, as the initial phase of an ongoing sponsorship role.

The 2009 NCHA World Finals will be held November 24-28 in Fort Worth, Texas, as one of the spotlight events at the Borden Milk NCHA Futurity which runs from November 21 through December 13.

“We are delighted to become involved,” said Jeff Miller, Director for Upstream and Investments of Mercuria Energy, himself a Fort Worth resident. “There are a lot of cutting horse fans in the oil, gas and coal communities, including some in our own company, so NCHA sponsorship is a terrific fit for Mercuria.”

“Mercuria Energy has established itself as a global leader in the energy sector, so it’s fitting that they should support a competition that brings the world’s leading cutting horses together for a year-end showdown,” said Jeff Hooper, Executive Director of the National Cutting Horse Association.

Mercuria will also be the title sponsor of the 2010 NCHA World Series of Cutting, a series of eight events across the United States and Canada that draws the world’s best Open cutting horses and Non-Pro riders. Each of the World Series shows offers $25,000 in added money to both the Open and Non-Pro events.

“The NCHA World Series was a tremendous success in its inaugural year in 2009,” said Hooper. “It showcased the sport’s best older horses, and attracted tens of thousands of fans. With Mercuria’s support, we will be able to expand the program further, and present cutting to an even larger audience.”

Mercuria Energy trades in more than 50 countries, with global annual turnover of $47 billion in 2008. Products traded include crude oil and refined petroleum products, natural gas, coal, power, biodiesel, vegetable oils and carbon emissions. The Group owns assets ranging from oil exploration and production in the U.S., Canada and Argentina to product terminals in Europe and China, and a biofuels plant in Germany. It controls more than 30 million barrels of storage capacity globally.

The Mercuria Energy NCHA World Finals will be held November 24, 25, 27 and 28 in the Watt Arena in Fort Worth’s Will Rogers Memorial Complex. Start time is 7:00 p.m. each night, except the final night, which is 8:00 p.m. The event features the Top 15 Open horses and Top 15 Non-Pro riders, based on money won throughout the year, and it will be a factor in determining the World Champions of 2009.

The National Cutting Horse Association has more than 20,000 members from a wide range of backgrounds. Each year more than 2,200 NCHA-approved events are held throughout North America, with more than $43 million in prize money awarded.

By Abdulsalam MUHAMMED, Kano KANO —The Depart ment of Petroleum Resources would henceforth auction any hoarded or diverted petroleum products and remit the proceeds to the federal Government account. …

Continued here: 
DPR to auction diverted or hoarded petroleum products | Vanguard

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Most of us know that gasoline has something to do with oil, yet we have no idea how it is “created.” Many of us also believe that oil (aka petroleum) is only for the use of automobiles or large machines. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Petroleum is a naturally occurring earth material that is a mixture of hydrocarbon compounds. Of organic origin, it is found in some porous sedimentary rocks and in many parts of the world. Petroleum is refined to give such a variety of products as gasoline, kerosene, fuel oil, lubricating oils, greases, waxes, and many industrial chemicals.

Most geologists think that petroleum, and the natural gas found with it, developed from the remains of minute animals and plants that were buried in silt, clay, or lime deposits in shallow seas and on the ocean bottoms near continents. Later deposits covered the matieral containing the plant-and-animal remains. Over great lengths of time the pressure of overlying sediments, the action of bacteria, and increased temperature helped to change the plant-and-animal remains to petroleum and natural gas. Changes in the earth's crust have caused the rocks in which petroleum formed to be tilted, folded, broken, and buried beneath other rocks.

Petroleum and natural gas commonly migrate upward through rocks until they come to some barrier they can neither penetrate nor avoid. Petroleum and gas accumulate beneath such barriers, and the places of accumulation are called oil traps. The impermeable rock over such an accumulation of oil is called a cap rock.

A reservoir rock commonly contains water, natural gas, and petroleum. In an oil trap the petroleum floats above water, and the natural gas occupies available space above the petroleum. The water is salt water (from the ancient sea).

The first step in finding oil is to study the geology of a region. If the geologic conditions are favorable for the formation and accumulation of oil, detailed exploration to find local oil traps is begun.

The most widely used method of exploration is the reflection technique of the seismic method. Small charges of dynamite are exploded in shallow holes to create small artificual earthquakes. The times taken by the shock waves to travel to a particular rock layer and back again are recorded by small seismographs. The depth of the rock layer can be determined from the travel time.

Two methods of oil drilling are employed: standard, or cable tool, drilling and rotary drilling. Rotary drilling is the common method. Cable tool drilling is used for drilling shallow wells and for corrective work on wells drilled with rotary equipment. For deep wells rotary drilling is much faster and more economical. The deepest oil wells are as much as 25,000 feet deep. The average depth of oil wells in the United States is about 4,000 feet.

A cable tool rig drills by the chipping action of a solid steel cylindrical bit raised and lowered by a cable to strike the bottom of the well hole. The chips of rock broken off mix with water or mud placed in the well hole and are removed at regular intervals by a bailer.

To drill an oil well with rotary equipment a derrick must be erected. A portable derrick, called a jack-knife derrick, may be used and removed when the well is drilled. THe derrick and related equipment are over a pit that contains blowout-prevention equipment. The power for drilling is transmitted from an engine to a rotary table. The rotary table, which is just above the floor of the derrick, is circular, with a square hole in its center.

Once a preliminary hole about a foot wide and a hundred feet deep has been drilled and lined with pipe set in cement, the main drilling operation begins. A bit is screwed onto a length of drill piope and is lowered into the hole. The drill pipe is attached to a square shaped hollow stem called a kelly. The kelly fits into the square hole in the rotary table and is attached to a swivel. The whole drill string is suspended from a hook attached to steel cables. The steel cables run over the top of the derrick and down to the draw works. When the rotary table turns, the kelly turns, and the drill pipe and bit down in the hole also turn. As the bit wears away rock in the well hole, the bit and drill string are lowered into the hole by the cable. Additional lengths of drill pipe are added to the drill string as needed.

During drilling a fluid, called drilling mud, is pumped into the swivel and through the hollow kelly and drill pipe to the bit. The mud is forced through jet holes in the bit and cuts soft rock and picks up drill cuttings. It also lubricates the bit and dissipates heat. It returns to the surface between the drill pipe and the well walls.

In a new well the expansion of gas mixed witht he petroleum or the pressure of water around the petroleum may force petroleum tot he surface. Such a well is called a flowing well. Most oil wells soon stop flowing unless this gas and water are reinjected (pressure maintenance). Otherwise the petroleum must be pumped out.

Petroleum is pumped from a well to temporary storage tanks at the well site. If the petroleum has a high gas content, it is passed through a separator tower, which separates the gas from the liquid. The gas may be sold, vented to the air and burned, or returned to the petroleum-producing formation.

Large quantities of crude petroleum are transported overland by pipelines. The pipelines run from major oilfields to large cities, to refineries, and to seaports.

Crude petroleum is a mixture of many hydrocarbon compounds. A hydrocarbon contains mostly hydrogen and carbon. Most petroleum comes from the ground as a black, greasy fluid, but some petroleums are green, brown, or light amber. A few crude petroleums are almost colorless. Besides simple hydrocarbons, crude petroleum may contain traces of nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen.

Crude petrolem itself is not a useful substance, but the products into which it can be separated are extremely useful. The process of separating parts of crude petroleum from each other is called refining.

In all refineries the crude petroleum is first subjected to fractional distillation. The petroleum is heated in a pipe still to about 700 degrees F., and most of the petroleum becomes vapor. The vapor is discharged into a fractionating tower. The petroleum vapors discharged into the bottom of the fractionating tower rises through holes in trayes covered by bubble caps. The parts of the crude petroleum that have the highest boiling points condense in the bottom trays. Uncondensed vapors rise to higher trays. The petroleum fractions with lower boiling points condense in trays farther up the tower.

The fractions with the lowest boiling points, gasoline and other volatile portions of the petroleum, leave the top of the fractionating tower as vapors. They are converted to liquid in a separate condenser. The liquid that condenses in each tray is removed from the tower by a pipe. Some of the separated products obtained by fractional distillation are naphtha, gasoline, kerosene, fuel oil, and diesel fuel. A residue of crude petroleum is removed from the bottom of the tower.

The residual crude petroleum may be sent to a thermal cracking unit in the refinery. In a thermal cracking unit the petroleum is subjected to such intense heat and pressure over a long period of time that many molecules divide into smaller molecules. Some of the products of thermal cracking are gasoline, wet gas and unstable naphtha, and heavy fuel oils or coke. THe gas and naphtha may be sent to a polymerization unit.

If lubricating oils are to be manufactured from the residual crude petroleum, the crude is sent to a unit where it undergoes fractional distillation in vacuum.

Fuel oils, or gas oils, from the original fractional-distillation process may be sent to a catalytic cracking unit in a refinery. The fuel oil and a hot catalyst are mixed, and the fuel oil molecules break up into smaller molecules. SOme of the products of a catalytic cracking unit are gases (such as propane and butane), gasolines, light fuel oil, and heavy fuel oil. High octane automobile gasoline and aviation gasoline are produced by this method.

Gasoline is the principal petroleum product. About 45 percent of the petroleum products of refineries in the United States is gasoline. Kerosene comprises about 5 percent of the products manufactured from crude petroleum. Before 1900 the only important product of petroleum was kerosene, which was used as lamp oil. About 37 percent of the crude petroleum refined in the United States is converted to different weights of fuel oils. Fuel oils include heating oils for domestic furnaces, diesel fuels, heavy oils for oil burners in factories, and bunker fuel, used in the boiler firing of ships. Lubricants, oils, and greases make up about 4 percent of petroleum products.

Many other petroleum products are important. Naphtha and benzene are used as solvents. Petroleum jelly, a highly refined grease, is used in medical ointments and cosmetics. About 94 percent of the wax made in the United States is made from petroleum. Petroleum coke, a byproduct of refining, is made into carbon electrodes used in the electrolytic production of aluminum. Asphalt is the solid or semi-solid residue from vacuum or steam distillation of asphalt-base crude petroleum. It is used in road paving mixtures and in roofing materials. Road oils, used for road surfacing, are heavy distillate oils and crude petroleum. Liquified refinery gases are used as raw materials by chemical plants.

Sources:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum

science.howstuffworks.com/gasoline2.htm

www.factsonfuel.org/gasoline/index.html

www.earthguide.ucsd.edu/fuels/uses.html

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In the 70's, I remember popular crafts like paper mache, decoupage, macramé, sand candles, geometric string-art, abstract spin-art and copper-wire trees. Although attention has shifted away from these now academic art forms, I thought I could marry two forms into something new. I chose wire trees because I believed they offered the best foundation for embellishment. After reviewing some of the more popular takes on the art form, I chose to embellish a wire tree with a decoupage-style, paper mache.

Instead of using a starch-based paste to apply paper to the wire tree, I decided to use clear-drying, white-glue and thin, white tissue paper. To make the tree, I twisted several bundles of medium gage, steel wire into a bonsai shape. Next, I stacked several layers of half-inch poly-foam board into a rocky-looking base. After attaching the wire tree by poking the roots into the foam base, I started the process of applying paper to the wire tree form.

Simply add several drops of water to an ounce of white glue and stir to make it thin enough to spread easily and allow more drying time. I used edging-shears with a jagged design to cut strips of tissue paper, roughly one inch thick and four inches long. I applied glue to a portion of the form, and then applied a few swatches of tissue in irregular, overlapping patterns. After covering a section, I went over it again with more glue to build up a tacky layer on top of the paper. I covered the entire tree and let it dry for several hours. The glue will dry clear and shrink, making the tissue translucent and exposing the wire form. Using a couple more layers of paper, I built up the wire tree form into a nicely textured, realistic looking bonsai tree.

I thought the unfinished tree looked great, but believed I could get more out of it, so I decided to paint the white tree a more realistic color. Since I wanted a dull, weathered finish, I chose to use water-based, edible colors to saturate the tissue paper with a blend of brown, black, grey and green. The colors bled into the tissue paper more readily than acrylic or granular watercolors, producing a wonderfully realistic effect.

The most challenging part of the project involved adding foliage that matched the realism of the tree itself. I researched a variety of options, from colored vinyl-foam to painted clusters of poly-foam beads and artificial blossoms. For now, I am enjoying the simple form of the leafless tree in much the same way I appreciated the basic wire tree form. Perhaps another marriage of art forms could provide a solution to my foliage design. Until then, I will keep looking for cleaver combinations of art forms to offer new takes on classic applications of art.

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He missed the game with a sprained right ankle. The Cardinals, however, did not miss a beat.

It helped that they didn't have to contend with Chicago's Tommie Harris after the three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle slugged offensive tackle Deuce Lutui in the head as they were on the ground on the game's first possession. He got ejected, and the Bears unraveled.

The Bears wasted a good effort by Jay Cutler, who threw for 369 yards while completing 29 of 47 passes. He got sacked four times for the second straight week and got shaken up on a hit early in the third quarter, dropping his helmet and taking a knee after he walked to the sideline.

He was fine. The Bears are far from it, and they have little time to regroup, with a Thursday night game at San Francisco.

The Bears then close out the month against Philadelphia and the first of two games against NFC North leader Minnesota, a difficult stretch for a team whose playoff hopes are hanging in the balance.

Things weren't looking good for the Bears after Harris got tossed for slugging Lutui near the face after they ended up on the ground following a run play. Things only got worse from there, and leading the way was Warner, who wound up signing with the Cardinals in 2005 in part because the Bears were committed to Rex Grossman.

His 11-yard touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald capped the opening drive, giving the Cardinals a 7-0 lead. The Bears quickly tied it thanks to two long passes by Cutler – a 42-yarder to Devin Hester and a 33-yard touchdown to Olsen – but the Cardinals wasted no time busting this game open.

Arizona responded with a 74-yard drive that Warner finished off with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Ben Patrick that made it 14-7 with 3:26 left in the first quarter.

(This version CORRECTS Cardinals 41, Bears 21. SUBS 5th graf to correct Warner's stats, reflecting changes in official statistics.)

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A short Poem of the Boston Bruins

The opened the gardens in 1924
They tore the building down in 1997
The official home of the Bruins was no more.

Now they have the fleetcenter a new era
A new time the Bruins enter.

Ah but remember the days when they first started out
Now that was something to shout about.

Everyone screamed when they retired Number 4
Everyone still loves Mr. Bobby Orr

Of Course would come others
Neeley, Bucyk, Borque and Espisito
All had their jerseys retired too.

Ah what a great team one of the original six
All of the wonderful players with some neat hat tricks.

You will recall in 1972 was the last time if you are a fan like me
The last time we got an official visit by our friend Lord Stanley?

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Oil and Gas Director Evita Legowo said the government`s kerosene-liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) conversion program was able to save Rp20 trillion.

“In 2007, the government provided subsidy of Rp37 trillion, but with the kerosene-LPG conversion program, the government only spends Rp17 trillion so that it is able to save Rp20 trillion,” the director general said here on Sunday.

She said that with the kerosene-gas conversion program the government was able to save Rp20 trillion on fuel oil subsidies while consumers or the people were able to save Rp20 to Rp25 thousand per month per family.

The director general said that the conversion program which was started in 2007 and was expected to be completed in 2010 targeted 42 more than 42 million families.
State-owned oil and gas firm Pertamina has set itself a target of accomplishing the conversion program in the middle of 2010.

According to Pertamina`s marketing deputy director Hanung Budya last month, up to the middle of October 2009, Pertamina had distributed 3 kg liquefied petroleum gas cylinder packages to 40 million families in its kerosene-to-gas conversion program throughout the country.

“We have the target that all the 52 million kerosene-to-gas conversion packages would have been distributed to the consumers in the middle of 2010,” Budya said.

Oil and Gas Director Evita Legowo said the government`s kerosene-liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) conversion program was able to save Rp20 trillion.

“In 2007, the government provided subsidy of Rp37 trillion, but with the kerosene-LPG conversion program, the government only spends Rp17 trillion so that it is able to save Rp20 trillion,” the director general said here on Sunday.

She said that with the kerosene-gas conversion program the government was able to save Rp20 trillion on fuel oil subsidies while consumers or the people were able to save Rp20 to Rp25 thousand per month per family.

The director general said that the conversion program which was started in 2007 and was expected to be completed in 2010 targeted 42 more than 42 million families.
State-owned oil and gas firm Pertamina has set itself a target of accomplishing the conversion program in the middle of 2010.

According to Pertamina`s marketing deputy director Hanung Budya last month, up to the middle of October 2009, Pertamina had distributed 3 kg liquefied petroleum gas cylinder packages to 40 million families in its kerosene-to-gas conversion program throughout the country.

“We have the target that all the 52 million kerosene-to-gas conversion packages would have been distributed to the consumers in the middle of 2010,” Budya said.

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Most of us know that gasoline has something to do with oil, yet we have no idea how it is “created.” Many of us also believe that oil (aka petroleum) is only for the use of automobiles or large machines. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Petroleum is a naturally occurring earth material that is a mixture of hydrocarbon compounds. Of organic origin, it is found in some porous sedimentary rocks and in many parts of the world. Petroleum is refined to give such a variety of products as gasoline, kerosene, fuel oil, lubricating oils, greases, waxes, and many industrial chemicals.

Most geologists think that petroleum, and the natural gas found with it, developed from the remains of minute animals and plants that were buried in silt, clay, or lime deposits in shallow seas and on the ocean bottoms near continents. Later deposits covered the matieral containing the plant-and-animal remains. Over great lengths of time the pressure of overlying sediments, the action of bacteria, and increased temperature helped to change the plant-and-animal remains to petroleum and natural gas. Changes in the earth's crust have caused the rocks in which petroleum formed to be tilted, folded, broken, and buried beneath other rocks.

Petroleum and natural gas commonly migrate upward through rocks until they come to some barrier they can neither penetrate nor avoid. Petroleum and gas accumulate beneath such barriers, and the places of accumulation are called oil traps. The impermeable rock over such an accumulation of oil is called a cap rock.

A reservoir rock commonly contains water, natural gas, and petroleum. In an oil trap the petroleum floats above water, and the natural gas occupies available space above the petroleum. The water is salt water (from the ancient sea).

The first step in finding oil is to study the geology of a region. If the geologic conditions are favorable for the formation and accumulation of oil, detailed exploration to find local oil traps is begun.

The most widely used method of exploration is the reflection technique of the seismic method. Small charges of dynamite are exploded in shallow holes to create small artificual earthquakes. The times taken by the shock waves to travel to a particular rock layer and back again are recorded by small seismographs. The depth of the rock layer can be determined from the travel time.

Two methods of oil drilling are employed: standard, or cable tool, drilling and rotary drilling. Rotary drilling is the common method. Cable tool drilling is used for drilling shallow wells and for corrective work on wells drilled with rotary equipment. For deep wells rotary drilling is much faster and more economical. The deepest oil wells are as much as 25,000 feet deep. The average depth of oil wells in the United States is about 4,000 feet.

A cable tool rig drills by the chipping action of a solid steel cylindrical bit raised and lowered by a cable to strike the bottom of the well hole. The chips of rock broken off mix with water or mud placed in the well hole and are removed at regular intervals by a bailer.

To drill an oil well with rotary equipment a derrick must be erected. A portable derrick, called a jack-knife derrick, may be used and removed when the well is drilled. THe derrick and related equipment are over a pit that contains blowout-prevention equipment. The power for drilling is transmitted from an engine to a rotary table. The rotary table, which is just above the floor of the derrick, is circular, with a square hole in its center.

Once a preliminary hole about a foot wide and a hundred feet deep has been drilled and lined with pipe set in cement, the main drilling operation begins. A bit is screwed onto a length of drill piope and is lowered into the hole. The drill pipe is attached to a square shaped hollow stem called a kelly. The kelly fits into the square hole in the rotary table and is attached to a swivel. The whole drill string is suspended from a hook attached to steel cables. The steel cables run over the top of the derrick and down to the draw works. When the rotary table turns, the kelly turns, and the drill pipe and bit down in the hole also turn. As the bit wears away rock in the well hole, the bit and drill string are lowered into the hole by the cable. Additional lengths of drill pipe are added to the drill string as needed.

During drilling a fluid, called drilling mud, is pumped into the swivel and through the hollow kelly and drill pipe to the bit. The mud is forced through jet holes in the bit and cuts soft rock and picks up drill cuttings. It also lubricates the bit and dissipates heat. It returns to the surface between the drill pipe and the well walls.

In a new well the expansion of gas mixed witht he petroleum or the pressure of water around the petroleum may force petroleum tot he surface. Such a well is called a flowing well. Most oil wells soon stop flowing unless this gas and water are reinjected (pressure maintenance). Otherwise the petroleum must be pumped out.

Petroleum is pumped from a well to temporary storage tanks at the well site. If the petroleum has a high gas content, it is passed through a separator tower, which separates the gas from the liquid. The gas may be sold, vented to the air and burned, or returned to the petroleum-producing formation.

Large quantities of crude petroleum are transported overland by pipelines. The pipelines run from major oilfields to large cities, to refineries, and to seaports.

Crude petroleum is a mixture of many hydrocarbon compounds. A hydrocarbon contains mostly hydrogen and carbon. Most petroleum comes from the ground as a black, greasy fluid, but some petroleums are green, brown, or light amber. A few crude petroleums are almost colorless. Besides simple hydrocarbons, crude petroleum may contain traces of nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen.

Crude petrolem itself is not a useful substance, but the products into which it can be separated are extremely useful. The process of separating parts of crude petroleum from each other is called refining.

In all refineries the crude petroleum is first subjected to fractional distillation. The petroleum is heated in a pipe still to about 700 degrees F., and most of the petroleum becomes vapor. The vapor is discharged into a fractionating tower. The petroleum vapors discharged into the bottom of the fractionating tower rises through holes in trayes covered by bubble caps. The parts of the crude petroleum that have the highest boiling points condense in the bottom trays. Uncondensed vapors rise to higher trays. The petroleum fractions with lower boiling points condense in trays farther up the tower.

The fractions with the lowest boiling points, gasoline and other volatile portions of the petroleum, leave the top of the fractionating tower as vapors. They are converted to liquid in a separate condenser. The liquid that condenses in each tray is removed from the tower by a pipe. Some of the separated products obtained by fractional distillation are naphtha, gasoline, kerosene, fuel oil, and diesel fuel. A residue of crude petroleum is removed from the bottom of the tower.

The residual crude petroleum may be sent to a thermal cracking unit in the refinery. In a thermal cracking unit the petroleum is subjected to such intense heat and pressure over a long period of time that many molecules divide into smaller molecules. Some of the products of thermal cracking are gasoline, wet gas and unstable naphtha, and heavy fuel oils or coke. THe gas and naphtha may be sent to a polymerization unit.

If lubricating oils are to be manufactured from the residual crude petroleum, the crude is sent to a unit where it undergoes fractional distillation in vacuum.

Fuel oils, or gas oils, from the original fractional-distillation process may be sent to a catalytic cracking unit in a refinery. The fuel oil and a hot catalyst are mixed, and the fuel oil molecules break up into smaller molecules. SOme of the products of a catalytic cracking unit are gases (such as propane and butane), gasolines, light fuel oil, and heavy fuel oil. High octane automobile gasoline and aviation gasoline are produced by this method.

Gasoline is the principal petroleum product. About 45 percent of the petroleum products of refineries in the United States is gasoline. Kerosene comprises about 5 percent of the products manufactured from crude petroleum. Before 1900 the only important product of petroleum was kerosene, which was used as lamp oil. About 37 percent of the crude petroleum refined in the United States is converted to different weights of fuel oils. Fuel oils include heating oils for domestic furnaces, diesel fuels, heavy oils for oil burners in factories, and bunker fuel, used in the boiler firing of ships. Lubricants, oils, and greases make up about 4 percent of petroleum products.

Many other petroleum products are important. Naphtha and benzene are used as solvents. Petroleum jelly, a highly refined grease, is used in medical ointments and cosmetics. About 94 percent of the wax made in the United States is made from petroleum. Petroleum coke, a byproduct of refining, is made into carbon electrodes used in the electrolytic production of aluminum. Asphalt is the solid or semi-solid residue from vacuum or steam distillation of asphalt-base crude petroleum. It is used in road paving mixtures and in roofing materials. Road oils, used for road surfacing, are heavy distillate oils and crude petroleum. Liquified refinery gases are used as raw materials by chemical plants.

Sources:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum

science.howstuffworks.com/gasoline2.htm

www.factsonfuel.org/gasoline/index.html

www.earthguide.ucsd.edu/fuels/uses.html

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Introduction

In our previous lesson (here) we considered basic Lateral Torsional Buckling and `used it' on a wood beam. Now let's look at a steel beam.

Another Example

Consider a steel beam W 12 x 40 of Fy 36 ksi steel simply spanning 30 ft.

Determine the allowable uniform load based on a) extreme fiber in (strong axis) bending yielding and FOS 1.6, and b) lateral torsional buckling and FOS of 1.6.

Solution

Part a)

M = Fy S

S = strong axis section mod = 51.9 in.3 from Manual of Steel Construction, …

Fy = 36 ksi

M = 36 ksi (51.9 in.3) = 1,868 k-in. = 156 k-ft.

M allow = M/FOS = 156 k-ft / 1.6 = 97 k-ft

And,

M = ω L2 / 8

ω allow = 8 M / L2 = 8 (97 k-ft)/(30 ft)2 = 0.865 k/ft = 865 plf

Part b)

From Manual of Steel Const., ASD, 9th ed. …

E = 29,000,000 psi

Iy = 44.1 in.4

G = 11,200,000 psi

J = 0.95 in.4

M critical = (π/Le)√(E Iy G J)

= (π/360 in.)√(29,000,000*44.1*11,200,000*0.95 in.4)

= 1,018,000 lb-in. = 84.8 k-ft

Dividing by FOS of 1.6 …

M allow = 53 k-ft

ω allow = 8 (53) / 302 = .471 k/ft = 471 plf …

So, we are limited by stability at 471 plf … about half the value based on extreme fiber in flexure.

Note that if we used a higher strength steel, we'd still be limited at 471 plf.

In many real life applications whatever is delivering the distributed load (a floor system, roof, etc.) will also be counted upon to provide lateral bracing. Then we can use the full flexural capacity (865 plf in this example).

NOTE: THESE CALCULATIONS ARE FOR A MECHANICS OF MATERIALS CLASS AND NOT FOR THE DESIGN OF STRUCTURAL STEEL MEMBERS. FOR THE DESIGN OF STEEL MEMBERS IN BUILDINGS AND OTHER STRUCTURES USE THE PROVISIONS OF THE APPLICABLE BUILDING CODES FOR YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION.

Bracing Length

Now let us consider the maximum unbraced length for which we will have no reduction in bending capacity due to Lateral Torsional Buckling. Using the above example we will set the flexural and Lateral Torsional Buckling capacities equal, and solve for L. If the factors of safety for each are different we would have to decide on which side of the `FOS' we will do the calculation, but since they are equal we would get the same answer either way.

So,

M capacity, flex = M capacity, LTB

S Fy = (π/L)√(E Iy G J)

Plugging in the numbers,

(51.9 in.3)(36,000 lb/in.2) = (π/L)√(29,000,000*44.1*11,200,000*0.95 in.4)

L = (π)√(29,000,000*44.1*11,200,000*0.95 in.4) / [(51.9 in.3)(36,000 lb/in.2)]

L = 196 in. = 16.3 ft.

So, what this means is that if we provide bracing against LTB at intervals not exceeding 16.3 ft, we may use the full flexural tension capacity of the beam. In much of our construction we are able to get such bracing by `connecting' the top of the beam to joists or trusses or perhaps a deck on top the beam.

Note: we have considered beams in positive bending. If we have a beam in negative bending (whole or part) then the bracing against LTB needs to be on the bottom of the beam (the zone in compression).

Check:

M allowable, flexure = S Fy / 1.6 = 51.9 (36,000) / 1.6 = 1,168,000 lb-in. = 97 k-ft.

M allow, LTB = (π/196 in.)√(29,000,000*44.1*11,200,000*0.95 in.4) = 1,169,000 lb-in. = 97 k-ft.

Sweet.

Again, note: in the design of steel buildings and other structures, use `the Code'. It will be more complicated, and more precise, but the results should not be hugely different.

References

Stability of Beams, Jeff Filler, Associated Content

Manual of Steel Construction, ASD, 9thEdition, American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc., 1 East Wacker Drive, Suite 3100, Chicago, Illinois, 60601.

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A press release today announced the shock and sorrow of representatives of the bridge industry after the tragic bridge collapse in Minnesota yesterday. Conn Abnee, the Executive Director of the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA) delivered the statement. He said, “We pray for the speedy recovery of the survivors and applaud the excellent rescue and recovery efforts.”

There are approximately 175 members of the National Steel Bridge Alliance association. Members consist primarily of steel producers and fabricating companies. The press release stated that the NSBA would be ready to help the National Transportation Safety Board and any other federal or state organization with their investigations into the possible causes of the Minnesota tragedy.

NSBA will also be involved in attempting to restore the traffic flow in the areas affected by the collapse by placing temporary or permanent bridge structures along the Mississippi River as soon as possible.

Abnee further stated, “Whatever the eventual findings, this horrific event serves to remind us all about the decaying state of our country's infrastructure – not only bridges, but also roadways, railroads, power stations, and steam pipes under Manhattan.”

The NSBA promotes steel as the preferred building material when constructing bridges. They endorse steel through various marketing, technology, education, and political avenues. Recently, the NSBA recently participated in the bidding activity of the Missouri River's Yankton Bridge, happily reporting that the steel plate design of the bridge won out over the concrete design. The NSBA has also undertaken a significant research initiative that seeks to “invest in innovative steel bridge designs, technology, deployment, and training.”

The horrific events surrounding the Minneapolis bridge collapse have gotten a lot of people wondering. Many assumed that terrorism was somehow involved as collapsed bridges are quite the rarity in our American history. Authorities have ruled that possibility out for the most part. Others wondered why construction was taking place on the bridge. As the story unfolds, it seems that the construction was nothing more than routine maintenance and wasn't taking place because of any serious concern about the integrity of the bridge.

As the days and weeks move on, we will surely find out more about the factors that contributed to the bridge's collapse. It is comforting to know that organizations like the National Steel Bridge Alliance exist and are working to make certain that bridges are safe, innovative, and accessible. As authorities move forward with their investigations, let's hope that those hurt by this event can find healing and comfort.

Sources:

PR Newswire Press Release, http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/latest.jsp?beat=BEAT_ALL&view=LATEST&resourceid=3528766

NSBA Press Release, http://www.steelbridges.org/pdfs/YanktonBridge.pdf

NSBA Website, http://www.steelbridges.org/pages/background.html

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When the leaves begin to change color, and the air turns a bit cool, you know it's football season. You've got your team jersey, your HD TV, your popcorn and your beer. You're ready. Chicago Bears fans are happy. We never liked Rex Grossman, and Kyle Orton was just okay. However, we have high hopes for Jay Cutler. On Sunday, August 30, he'll be put to the test as he faces his former teammates, the Denver Broncos, at Invesco Field for preseason game number three.

There's nothing like a little drama to add to the excitement of a football game. The boos and hisses may be intense for Jay Cutler, not only because he left the Denver Broncos, but also because quarterback Kyle Orton, traded to the Broncos for Cutler, hasn't been performing that great. Although the official season doesn't open until September 13, all eyes will be on the 26 year old Cutler to see if he has the kahunas to keep his cool and play well in the city where he packed up and moved out of.

The source of the drama? Earlier this year, Jay Cutler, when he was a quarterback for the Denver Broncos, was angry at the fact that the Broncos had considered trading him for Matt Cassel of New England. Head coach Josh McDaniels assured Cutler that he would not be traded, but Cutler didn't trust him. In the end, Cutler went to the Bears and Kyle Orton ended up with the Broncos.

Was Jay Cutler a good trade for the Chicago Bears? Experts say yes. The Bears paid top dollar for Cutler, outbidding everyone else, and Cutler is the strongest quarterback in the league. According to sports analyst John Clayton of ESPN, the Bears could be the top team due to the Cutler deal. As reported in Larry Mayer's “Chalk Talk,” Jay Cutler has outperformed both Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman, the last two former Bears quarterbacks.

How does Jay Cutler feel about facing the Denver Broncos on Sunday? In a Chicago Bears press conference, replayed on the Chicago Bears website, Cutler said, “Get ready for a tough team.” He added that he feels bad for Kyle Orton, and that he believes Orton will get back on track. What about Brandon Marshall? The laid back Cutler had nothing bad to say about the wide receiver. But will Cutler go out of his way to interact with Josh McDaniels? As reported by Arnie Stapleton at Yahoo Sports, “I'm not going to seek him out. I've got business I've got to take care of there,” Cutler said. “I've got a game I've got to play in, so we'll see how it goes.”

Sources:

John Clayton, Cutler goes to Bears for Orton, picks , ESPN

Larry Mayers, Chalk Talk , Chicago Bears website

Jay Cutler, Cutler on Denver , Chicago Bears website

Arnie Stapleton, Cutler has good things to say about McDaniels, Yahoo Sports