Web Development Live

Chief has adopted a new mount configurator on its site. As a complement to the MountFinder database, which links flat-panel and projectors with compatible mounts, MountBuilder helps visitors, mainly custom integrators, virtually build a set-up using the proper equipment.

MountBuilder automatically calculates things like weight capacity and drop distance as parts are added to a system. Integrators can create a log-in name and password, then save a configuration, and go back and edit parts or quantities at any time as the job changes. Once a configuration is completed, installers can create a PDF with a virtual image to include with a proposal, along with Chief’s Easy Bid Spec Form.

“We are often told by customers that we offer so many mount accessories and applications that it’s hard to know which accessories to choose for each application,” explained Laurie Englert, Director of Marketing at Chief Manufacturing. “With the goal of making this easier for the customer, the team went to work and came up with this incredible concept. We’ve shown it to customers and they are thrilled to get a visual tool of the many different options.”

Dressed in jeans and sneakers, Owen Thor Walker, 18, of Whitianga, looked young and scared when he appeared in Thames District Court yesterday to face six charges.
The FBI accused Walker, known online as Akill, of being the ringleader of a group of international programmers that set up a botnet - a network of hacked computers controlled by a single computer on the Internet.
FBI spokeswoman Cathy Milhoan said its cyber division had a partnership with New Zealand authorities and had kept an eye on international prosecutions.
Cyber crime is third on the list of priority for the head of FBI, behind counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence.
FBI director Robert Mueller said botnets were the weapon of choice of cyber criminals.
Walker - who has no formal computer training - pleaded guilty to two charges of accessing a computer for dishonest purpose, damaging or interfering with computer systems, possessing software for committing crime, and two charges of accessing computer systems without authorisation. All charges were laid under computer provisions of the Crimes Act.
Though some of the charges carry sentences of up to five years imprisonment, Judge Arthur Tompkins indicated he was not considering jailing Walker, who has Aspergers syndrome - a form of autism.
He was reportedly bullied at school and left in Year 9 to study by correspondence. He started experimenting with bot programmes and created his own code, continually developing, redesigning and adding to it.
International cyber crime investigators considered Walkers to be among the most advanced bot programming they had seen, the prosecution summary says.
His bot code contained a number of special features that protected it from discovery, allowing it to spread automatically and identify and destroy rival bot code.
One feature automatically disabled any anti-virus software on an infected computer and prevented the software from being updated.
Walker, also identified online as Snow Whyte and Snow Walker, set up the command and control of his botnet using computer servers outside New Zealand, mainly in Malaysia. He either leased server space or accessed servers illegally.
Prosecutors say the exact number of computers affected by his bot code may never be known, but it was tens of thousands.
Dutch authorities established that Walker was responsible for 1.3million illegal installations of adware - software which an Internet user unwittingly downloads that causes disruptive and unwanted advertising to appear in various programs.
His total income from this activity has been assessed at $36,174.65.
A statement read in court said Walkers parents knew he was making money from the Internet from their home in Whitianga. He had told them he was contracted to do computer programming and they didnt realise he was engaged in illegal activity.
It is believed Walker received 40 cents for every computer infected.
He was arrested in November after an 18-month investigation by New Zealand police, in collaboration with the FBI, secret service and Dutch authorities.
In bailing him to May 28 for reports, Judge Tompkins said the pre-sentence report would cover home detention, community detention, community work and a fine. He said he would not specify the sentencing outcome.
DEFINITIONS
*Adware: Software that causes disruptive and unwanted advertising to appear on users computer screen. Often downloaded unwittingly when user clicks on advert, downloads program or opens attachment.
* Bot: Malicious software with ability to log keystrokes and capture data %26ndash; for example copying bank account passwords %26ndash; or relay spam.
*Botnet: Collection of computers, also known as zombies or robots, that can be controlled remotely through bots by a bot-herder.
*Spam: Unsolicited or junk e-mail, often sent out in massive quantities and through zombie computers. E-mail users without anti- spam protection can find their inbox choked with unwanted adverts.
A spammer who has command and control over a botnet can send messages from thousands of computers.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. Consuming large amounts of caffeine during pregnancy by drinking coffee, soda, tea or hot chocolate increases the risk of miscarriage, a new study reveals.Women who ingest 200 milligrams or more of caffeine per day are twice as likely to miscarry as women who consume no caffeine, the study by Kaiser Permanente found.That equals about two cups of coffee daily or five 12-ounce cans of soda.”We recommend avoiding caffeine, but if people are compelled to have it, we tell them for sure to limit it,” said Dr. David Walton, Kaiser’s regional chief of perinatology.Previous studies have shown a link between caffeine and miscarriage. But critics questioned those findings, arguing that the results may have been skewed since many healthy pregnant women reduce their caffeine intake because of nausea and vomiting.The Kaiser study addressed that issue by examining both women whose caffeine consumption changed during pregnancy and those who had no change.It also adjusted for such factors as a mother’s age, race and income level, and whether she smoked, consumed alcohol, used a hot tub or had a previous miscarriage.The study appears online Monday in the Web site of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, www.ajog.org.”Caffeine crosses the placenta barrier easily,” said Dr. De-Kun Li, the study’s lead investigator.Once in the fetus, it may stay there longer because fetuses have an underdeveloped metabolic system, Li said.In large quantities, caffeine may also decrease placental blood flow and harm cell development, experts say.Not only should pregnant women limit their caffeine consumption, women who are attempting to become pregnant should consider doing so as well because the first 20 to 40 days after an egg is fertilized is a key time in its development, Walton said. As a result, harm could occur before a pregnancy is confirmed.The researchers examined caffeine use among 1,063 pregnant Kaiser members in the San Francisco area from October 1996 to October 1998.Interviewers asked the women about the frequency and amount of beverages they consumed and whether they changed their patterns after becoming pregnant.The researchers then estimated the amount of caffeine consumed by assuming that for every 150 milliliters of a beverage, coffee contains 100 milligrams of caffeine, tea 39 milligrams, soda 15 milligrams and hot chocolate 2 milligrams.Even decaffeinated coffee contains some caffeine. They estimated 2 milligrams.The researchers then compared caffeine use with rates of miscarriage during the first 20 weeks.”The increased risk of miscarriage appeared to be due to caffeine itself rather than other possible chemicals in coffee because caffeine intake from non-coffee sources showed the similarly increased risk of miscarriage,” the study found.While there was some indication that consuming less than 200 milligrams of caffeine daily might increase the risk, the numbers were not large enough to be statistically significant, and thus no conclusions could be drawn about smaller amounts of caffeine, Li said.Walton said he is concerned that women who had a miscarriage several years ago will now blame themselves because they drank coffee during their pregnancy. He noted that many other factors can lead to miscarriages.Kaiser urges pregnant women to drink no more than the equivalent of one or two cups of coffee per day, if they cannot avoid caffeine altogether.”What we’re trying to tell people is that a lot of times we use caffeine because we have bad lifestyles,” Walton said. “So if we can make our lifestyles better and exercise more and sleep better, then caffeine isn’t such a compelling part of our life.”We’re really trying to get across the message that healthy lifestyles can help us reduce our intake of things like caffeine.”Experts suggest seeking a natural energy boost by taking a brisk walk, doing yoga stretches, or snacking on dried fruits and nuts.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. Consuming large amounts of caffeine during pregnancy by drinking coffee, soda, tea or hot chocolate increases the risk of miscarriage, a new study reveals.Women who ingest 200 milligrams or more of caffeine per day are twice as likely to miscarry as women who consume no caffeine, the study by Kaiser Permanente found.That equals about two cups of coffee daily or five 12-ounce cans of soda.”We recommend avoiding caffeine, but if people are compelled to have it, we tell them for sure to limit it,” said Dr. David Walton, Kaiser’s regional chief of perinatology.Previous studies have shown a link between caffeine and miscarriage. But critics questioned those findings, arguing that the results may have been skewed since many healthy pregnant women reduce their caffeine intake because of nausea and vomiting.The Kaiser study addressed that issue by examining both women whose caffeine consumption changed during pregnancy and those who had no change.It also adjusted for such factors as a mother’s age, race and income level, and whether she smoked, consumed alcohol, used a hot tub or had a previous miscarriage.The study appears online Monday in the Web site of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, www.ajog.org.”Caffeine crosses the placenta barrier easily,” said Dr. De-Kun Li, the study’s lead investigator.Once in the fetus, it may stay there longer because fetuses have an underdeveloped metabolic system, Li said.In large quantities, caffeine may also decrease placental blood flow and harm cell development, experts say.Not only should pregnant women limit their caffeine consumption, women who are attempting to become pregnant should consider doing so as well because the first 20 to 40 days after an egg is fertilized is a key time in its development, Walton said. As a result, harm could occur before a pregnancy is confirmed.The researchers examined caffeine use among 1,063 pregnant Kaiser members in the San Francisco area from October 1996 to October 1998.Interviewers asked the women about the frequency and amount of beverages they consumed and whether they changed their patterns after becoming pregnant.The researchers then estimated the amount of caffeine consumed by assuming that for every 150 milliliters of a beverage, coffee contains 100 milligrams of caffeine, tea 39 milligrams, soda 15 milligrams and hot chocolate 2 milligrams.Even decaffeinated coffee contains some caffeine. They estimated 2 milligrams.The researchers then compared caffeine use with rates of miscarriage during the first 20 weeks.”The increased risk of miscarriage appeared to be due to caffeine itself rather than other possible chemicals in coffee because caffeine intake from non-coffee sources showed the similarly increased risk of miscarriage,” the study found.While there was some indication that consuming less than 200 milligrams of caffeine daily might increase the risk, the numbers were not large enough to be statistically significant, and thus no conclusions could be drawn about smaller amounts of caffeine, Li said.Walton said he is concerned that women who had a miscarriage several years ago will now blame themselves because they drank coffee during their pregnancy. He noted that many other factors can lead to miscarriages.Kaiser urges pregnant women to drink no more than the equivalent of one or two cups of coffee per day, if they cannot avoid caffeine altogether.”What we’re trying to tell people is that a lot of times we use caffeine because we have bad lifestyles,” Walton said. “So if we can make our lifestyles better and exercise more and sleep better, then caffeine isn’t such a compelling part of our life.”We’re really trying to get across the message that healthy lifestyles can help us reduce our intake of things like caffeine.”Experts suggest seeking a natural energy boost by taking a brisk walk, doing yoga stretches, or snacking on dried fruits and nuts.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. Consuming large amounts of caffeine during pregnancy by drinking coffee, soda, tea or hot chocolate increases the risk of miscarriage, a new study reveals.Women who ingest 200 milligrams or more of caffeine per day are twice as likely to miscarry as women who consume no caffeine, the study by Kaiser Permanente found.That equals about two cups of coffee daily or five 12-ounce cans of soda.”We recommend avoiding caffeine, but if people are compelled to have it, we tell them for sure to limit it,” said Dr. David Walton, Kaiser’s regional chief of perinatology.Previous studies have shown a link between caffeine and miscarriage. But critics questioned those findings, arguing that the results may have been skewed since many healthy pregnant women reduce their caffeine intake because of nausea and vomiting.The Kaiser study addressed that issue by examining both women whose caffeine consumption changed during pregnancy and those who had no change.It also adjusted for such factors as a mother’s age, race and income level, and whether she smoked, consumed alcohol, used a hot tub or had a previous miscarriage.The study appears online Monday in the Web site of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, www.ajog.org.”Caffeine crosses the placenta barrier easily,” said Dr. De-Kun Li, the study’s lead investigator.Once in the fetus, it may stay there longer because fetuses have an underdeveloped metabolic system, Li said.In large quantities, caffeine may also decrease placental blood flow and harm cell development, experts say.Not only should pregnant women limit their caffeine consumption, women who are attempting to become pregnant should consider doing so as well because the first 20 to 40 days after an egg is fertilized is a key time in its development, Walton said. As a result, harm could occur before a pregnancy is confirmed.The researchers examined caffeine use among 1,063 pregnant Kaiser members in the San Francisco area from October 1996 to October 1998.Interviewers asked the women about the frequency and amount of beverages they consumed and whether they changed their patterns after becoming pregnant.The researchers then estimated the amount of caffeine consumed by assuming that for every 150 milliliters of a beverage, coffee contains 100 milligrams of caffeine, tea 39 milligrams, soda 15 milligrams and hot chocolate 2 milligrams.Even decaffeinated coffee contains some caffeine. They estimated 2 milligrams.The researchers then compared caffeine use with rates of miscarriage during the first 20 weeks.”The increased risk of miscarriage appeared to be due to caffeine itself rather than other possible chemicals in coffee because caffeine intake from non-coffee sources showed the similarly increased risk of miscarriage,” the study found.While there was some indication that consuming less than 200 milligrams of caffeine daily might increase the risk, the numbers were not large enough to be statistically significant, and thus no conclusions could be drawn about smaller amounts of caffeine, Li said.Walton said he is concerned that women who had a miscarriage several years ago will now blame themselves because they drank coffee during their pregnancy. He noted that many other factors can lead to miscarriages.Kaiser urges pregnant women to drink no more than the equivalent of one or two cups of coffee per day, if they cannot avoid caffeine altogether.”What we’re trying to tell people is that a lot of times we use caffeine because we have bad lifestyles,” Walton said. “So if we can make our lifestyles better and exercise more and sleep better, then caffeine isn’t such a compelling part of our life.”We’re really trying to get across the message that healthy lifestyles can help us reduce our intake of things like caffeine.”Experts suggest seeking a natural energy boost by taking a brisk walk, doing yoga stretches, or snacking on dried fruits and nuts.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. Consuming large amounts of caffeine during pregnancy by drinking coffee, soda, tea or hot chocolate increases the risk of miscarriage, a new study reveals.Women who ingest 200 milligrams or more of caffeine per day are twice as likely to miscarry as women who consume no caffeine, the study by Kaiser Permanente found.That equals about two cups of coffee daily or five 12-ounce cans of soda.”We recommend avoiding caffeine, but if people are compelled to have it, we tell them for sure to limit it,” said Dr. David Walton, Kaiser’s regional chief of perinatology.Previous studies have shown a link between caffeine and miscarriage. But critics questioned those findings, arguing that the results may have been skewed since many healthy pregnant women reduce their caffeine intake because of nausea and vomiting.The Kaiser study addressed that issue by examining both women whose caffeine consumption changed during pregnancy and those who had no change.It also adjusted for such factors as a mother’s age, race and income level, and whether she smoked, consumed alcohol, used a hot tub or had a previous miscarriage.The study appears online Monday in the Web site of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, www.ajog.org.”Caffeine crosses the placenta barrier easily,” said Dr. De-Kun Li, the study’s lead investigator.Once in the fetus, it may stay there longer because fetuses have an underdeveloped metabolic system, Li said.In large quantities, caffeine may also decrease placental blood flow and harm cell development, experts say.Not only should pregnant women limit their caffeine consumption, women who are attempting to become pregnant should consider doing so as well because the first 20 to 40 days after an egg is fertilized is a key time in its development, Walton said. As a result, harm could occur before a pregnancy is confirmed.The researchers examined caffeine use among 1,063 pregnant Kaiser members in the San Francisco area from October 1996 to October 1998.Interviewers asked the women about the frequency and amount of beverages they consumed and whether they changed their patterns after becoming pregnant.The researchers then estimated the amount of caffeine consumed by assuming that for every 150 milliliters of a beverage, coffee contains 100 milligrams of caffeine, tea 39 milligrams, soda 15 milligrams and hot chocolate 2 milligrams.Even decaffeinated coffee contains some caffeine. They estimated 2 milligrams.The researchers then compared caffeine use with rates of miscarriage during the first 20 weeks.”The increased risk of miscarriage appeared to be due to caffeine itself rather than other possible chemicals in coffee because caffeine intake from non-coffee sources showed the similarly increased risk of miscarriage,” the study found.While there was some indication that consuming less than 200 milligrams of caffeine daily might increase the risk, the numbers were not large enough to be statistically significant, and thus no conclusions could be drawn about smaller amounts of caffeine, Li said.Walton said he is concerned that women who had a miscarriage several years ago will now blame themselves because they drank coffee during their pregnancy. He noted that many other factors can lead to miscarriages.Kaiser urges pregnant women to drink no more than the equivalent of one or two cups of coffee per day, if they cannot avoid caffeine altogether.”What we’re trying to tell people is that a lot of times we use caffeine because we have bad lifestyles,” Walton said. “So if we can make our lifestyles better and exercise more and sleep better, then caffeine isn’t such a compelling part of our life.”We’re really trying to get across the message that healthy lifestyles can help us reduce our intake of things like caffeine.”Experts suggest seeking a natural energy boost by taking a brisk walk, doing yoga stretches, or snacking on dried fruits and nuts.