Websites targeting keyword they would rock

Since May 2015 the Babel-University project website has been down. Since then I have received a lot of emails from project supporters , So I've set up this page to provide some answers. What happened? The short answer is that my savings account went dry and I couldn't afford to keep the server up and running. The longer answer starts in March of 2013, when my wife and I made the decision to move back to the United States. As many of you may know, My wife is a Japanese national and we have two sons. Since both our boys were born in Japan, we wanted to return to the United States for a few years so that they could experience western culture. So we started my wife's visa application and began saving for our trip back to the states. Since my position at the Board of Education was based on an annual contract and we intended to move back to the U.S. mid 2014, I had to resign from my position in March of that year. Unfortunately the visa application process took far longer and cost far more than we had anticipated (15 months and $6000 USD to be exact). Although in March of 2015, we'd made it to the last stage of the visa application process, we were informed that since my income for the last three years was location dependent, unless I could show that I had more than $75,000 USD in savings, they couldn't approve my wife's visa. Since we'd been living off of our savings since my resignation and $75,000 was more than three times my annual income as a teacher, we abandoned our plans and hunkered down here in Japan. I had hoped that the Babel-University project would be able to sustain enough sales to pay for the dedicated server on which it was running. Due to security issues related to shared hosting, one of the requirements to be included in the Joomla Extensions Directory (JED) is that you host your download site on a dedicated server. However in January when I announced the development of Babel-U-Exams 2.0, sales flat lined and in May, I had to cancel my server subscription. Is the project dead? Although the Babel-University site is offline and I can't offer download access to the extension at the moment, I would like to revive the project, but before I can do that, I need to get back on my feet and figure out how to make it sustainable. I'm using Babel-U-Extension, what should I do now? If you are currently running a live site using Babel-U-Extensions, then you have a few options. Option One: Migrate The first option is to migrate to an alternative solution. I know there are several other extensions that offer similar functionality, so finding an alternative shouldn't be difficult. However migrating the database to a different extension isn't going to be easy. You'll need to either have a very strong mastery of SQL or hire a database administrator to handle the migration process. Option Two: Start Over If you don't mind losing the exam data you have, then you can always start over with an alternative extension. This is the most cost effective option, but it does require that you manually import exams and questions into whatever extension you choose. Option Three: Maintain it in-house The third option is to maintain the system in-house. I've worked very hard to insure that the code in all Babel-U-Extensions is clean, stable and well documented. So any proficient PHP developer that has experience with the Joomla CMS should be able work with the code. Option Four: Hire me (Highly Recommended) Truthfully I'm between a rock and a hard spot at the moment. The Babel-University project was how I established my credibility as a web developer, so since the site went down, my freelance income is hit and miss. Although I've been looking for something here in Japan, living in the boondocks limits the opportunities I have. So if you plan on sticking with Babel-U-Extensions then I'd be grateful for the opportunity to work with you. Contact Me

Although some may think of its name as a political statement, Liberal really got its name from a spirit of hospitality and generosity. In the 1880s, water was a rare commodity in southwest Kansas. Travelers and ranchers needed a place to rest their livestock and quench their thirst as they headed west. Available water was often very expensive.<br /> <br /> S.S. Rogers homesteaded this area, digging a well for his own use. Visitors were always granted permission to use the well and always offered to pay for the privilege. “Water is always free here,” was Rogers’ reply.<br /> <br /> Visitor’s replies of, “that’s mighty liberal of you,” helped the area become known as “The Liberal Well” and travelers were encouraged to stop. Just a few miles off the southern Santa Fe Trail route, Liberal became an important stop in the history of the westward migration. Rogers later added a goods store and some people decided to stay and farm this area. In 1886, he put a post office in his store and in 1888, the small community known as Liberal, KS was incorporated.<br /> <br /> Not long after, the railroad headed west and created a depot, bringing permanent commerce to the area. The two Rock Island Depot buildings, both fully restored, can still be enjoyed. The Greer Eating House, which was the restaurant and motel in the past, houses a restaurant and the VA Medical Clinic. The main depot building houses the Liberal Chamber of Commerce and includes an area dedicated to railroad memorabilia.<br /> <br /> Another piece of railroad history, 13 miles northeast of Liberal, is the Mighty Samson of the Cimarron, a 1,269 foot railroad bridge built in 1939 and considered an engineering marvel of its day.<br /> <br /> During World War II, Liberal was used as a training site for the U.S. Army Corps pilots. Planes would stop and refuel in Liberal in transit between the Pacific and Atlantic campaigns.

As cool as they are, drones are a dime a dozen these days. If you're a drone manufacturer and you want your gizmos to stand out, they better have something special: compactness, a superb camera, affordability or, y'know, rockets. Drones from the Chinese company DJI seem to have all of the above, except the rockets, which is why they've been dominating the market for some time now. Their Mavic Pro is somewhat of a standard-setter for consumer drones, the Phantom 4 Pro challenges other companies to up their specifications game, and the Spark satisfies the needs of mobile users who want a portable drone. So, what is it that the DJI Mavic Air hopes to accomplish that the company hasn't already done? Look past the small size and you'll see impressive innards We've got plenty of praise for DJI drones here, but they're not all perfect. The Phantom Pro brings power, but at a prohibitive cost for some – this refers to both the price, which can go up to $1800, and the massive size. In contrast, the Spark's tradeoff in size and relative cheapness leaves some users wanting more range, flight time and a better camera. This left the Mavic Pro as the company's flagship model for all-purpose use. The Mavic Air clearly wants to overtake this spot, and it has everything needed to do so. The 6.2 x 2.7 x 2.7 inch size and 0.95 lb weight place it right between the Spark and the Mavic Pro. While the latter was already seen as a reasonably-sized drone, the Mavic Air is going to give users who need portability exactly that. Although the Spark gave up a lot of its recording power to shrink (with only a 2.1 MP, 30-FPS 1080p camera), the DJI Mavic Air makes no such sacrifices. Its ability to capture at 8.8 megapixels and 4K resolution places it right beside the Mavic Pro and the Phantom 4 Pro, and the camera's 1080p frame rate actually beats the Mavic Pro's by a significant margin (120 to 96 FPS). This brings a somewhat awkward question: where does the newest model leave the Mavic Pro? Yes, it has a range of 7000 meters compared to the Mavic Air's 4000, and much has been said about this. But how far are hobbyists really flying these drones? The truth is that most users won't find the extra range noteworthy, which doesn't make it much of a competition considering the Mavic Air's superior specs and $200 lower price. How does the DJI Mavic Air fare against its rivals? As noted, the Mavic Air has already beaten one of its major competitors, the Mavic Pro. This leaves the Parrot Bebop 2 and the Xiro Xplorer V as the drone's main competition outside the company. Bebop 2 and its kits remain a popular alternative to DJI and have no doubt taken their market share. One of the main perks is the price, which starts at $550 for the Bebop 2 versus $800 for the Mavic Air. However, many Parrot users find themselves needing to upgrade their drone with the FPV pack, which brings the cost to the Mavic Air's range. Once there, it's really not much of a contest – the Bebop 2's 1080p recording limitation makes the Mavic Air worth the extra money in almost every scenario, and its inability to avoid obstacles doesn't help its case. The Xiro Xplorer V's strongest point is its design. The thing looks straight out of a black budget project whereas most drones look clunky and tame by comparison. Although its camera options are similar to the Parrot Bebop 2 and therefore significantly lesser than the Mavic Air's, its looks and the $300 entry price tag will continue to make this an extremely popular acquisition for novice drone enthusiasts, albeit not with more serious users. The reviewers are in agreement: this is the drone to look out for Early reviews of the drone, including showcases of its tremendous camera, are pretty much what you would expect. TrustedReviews thinks this drone has what it takes to topple last year's best-buy, the DJI Mavic Pro, while Techradar calls it "the pocketable 4K drone you want in 2018". We'll go ahead and disagree with TrustedReviews a bit. To us, the Mavic Air has already toppled the Mavic Pro and then some – with a significant upgrade in every stat besides range, which it still has plenty of, the Mavic Air has everything it takes to leave DJI's current top pick in the previous year. It seems likely that this drone is going to widen the already-considerable gap between DJI and other manufacturers. The price remains less-than-ideal for some who are just looking to fly a drone around, but anyone wanting features will be ready to shell out $800 and not look back for a while. The only thing we can imagine raining down on the Mavic Air's parade would be debilitating faults with the drone, the likes of which we aren't used to from DJI, or an over-reliance on upgrades that would bring its price closer to $1000. That's the worst-case scenario, and we aren't willing to bet on it. If you still aren't as hyped for the Mavic Air as we are, check out these aerial shots that show just what a 4K camera can do compared to a 1080p one, which seemed awesome just a few years back.

This is a story... Well, more of an interview and insight to an artist.  One who has a story covering more miles than your average musician but one who's journey started as all of ours do. By finding that almost sacred and symbiotic relationship with our instruments.    From one of his earliest memories James Kirby remembers strumming his guitar as his father played away at the keys of a piano and his brother held the rhythm on the drums. But the six string that he now comes to play so magnificently was not his first instrument. From the age of four, James was encouraged to play more classical themed instrumentation such as the Piano, Cello and Viola. Though in hindsight he expresses a thought of not being "as good" at these in comparison to the drums and (of course) the guitar, which were both introduced to him at the age of eight.   The man is a multi-instrumentalist and the refined method in which he now plays (knowingly or not) salutes his introduction to his earlier and more formal instrumentation.   And music, seemingly for him, was not just a stay at home pass time.  Even in earlier days James has been a part of choirs, orchestras and Jazz/Rock and Indie bands. All these styles, settings and genres aided his understanding and development in music... But they were aided too by his natural, almost perfect pitch ear for music and dynamics.    As life went on James came in to the world we all know. One of four letters that binds our lives to paper and restricts our dreams... Work. His music continued as an overlay to the 9-5 lifestyle with regular gigs 5 times a week between Kent and London. Exhausted and shattered from the fine lines between what he did (work) and what he was (a musician) the then suppressed flame of his passion burst beyond its confinement. It was time for for a change and a time to be all that he was. He pushed his music, utilising the 9-5 to get him where he needed.  His efforts were rewarded with a contract to play full time for 18 months in bars, clubs and restaurants in Spain and the middle east. With every note played it seemed he took another step forward and with his new found knowledge and experience a life on the road became a reality rather than a dream. The doors to the UK/Europe tour were opening.    Though playing for a living is James' dream he is a modest and realistic character. He of all people will express that it's not all bright lights and 5 stars... And most of all, it isn't easy.    "It's been an incredible experience! but to say I'm 'Living the dream' is a stretch from the imagination!   The only reason I managed to line up a UK tour off my own back was because I met such amazing people during my time away."    James has no management, no tour group, no investors and no label. He is a man with determination and talent and more so he is one who gives thanks to those who got him where he is  .   So I asked him how he sees today in contrast to how he was when he started out  "I never thought I would ever be doing my music full time, even looking back 2 years ago when I was sat working in an office."  And though there is a surprised and positive shock in the distance travelled to achieve his goals James then brought forward a side so many dismiss from the world of music. At what cost do achieving our dreams come at?  "I gave up everything, a secure job, a nice apartment, relationship and time with family, friends to follow a dream (excuse the cliche) I've had since as long as I can remember."    ladies and gentlemen,  James Kirkby holds a story so many don't see.  Here we have a man who I actually refuse to call a "Guitarist" even with all this hard work in practice and talent... James Kirby IS a Musician! He is a Composer and an Artist!  And he is his own. He has made what once may have seemed impossible an actual life.  Hard work, determination and as you have read, sacrifice.  Admittedly it is not a life of glamour, more so one of a diary, equipment and petrol receipts.   It is a world James himself built and though he gives great thanks and appreciation to those along the way, if you look deep into the core of what he has done, he has done it alone.    This man alone (to me) separates those who want to be musicians from those who actually are! And he is a beacon to those who hold the passion of music as close as each and every drawing breath, that there is a life that can be achieved. And you don't need to bombard labels to do it nor sell your soul. So drop the glam, roll up your sleeves,  definitely drop the ego and get some good old hard graft in.  Throughout history the artists (within and outside the world of music) worth remembering are those who ignored the quick fixes... And James Kirby dare I say... Has right to stand amongst them. If not only for his talent but how he has brought his talent to others.   Again on a personal note his talent and journey always give me pride simply through the fact we share our names.    And there is more to come from James in the near future, from collaborations with other artists to his  own EP and album... And not forgetting another self made European Tour.  So I implore you to look him up, to listen and see him do what he does.  Because by the time he's restrung his guitars, loaded up his equipment he'll be off again effortlessly entertaining the world he's made himself.