It's probably less the number of probes we're sending, and more the general decrease in amount of Plutonium. PU hasn't been manufactured much since the end of the cold war; everybody is busy stepping down their weapon programs instead. Now, some of that former-warhead material is great for RTGs, but the stuff degrades. It has a moderately short half-life (it has to, or it wouldn't be active enough to passively generate the heat needed for an RTG) and a lot of the stuff that was viable for spacecraft 30 years ago is pretty cold now (see the Voyager probes, for example, which are running on extremely low power).
They can't just fix the problem by sending more, either; not only is it in short supply in general, but it's too heavy to send much on a spacecraft. Instead, they send enough to run the mission at full capacity for a few years, scaling back over time. That requires a supply of pretty fresh / pure Plutonium though, and that means making and separating more of it... except doing runs into a serious political problem. We *could* keep using RTGs (although they aren't perfect by any means, they get the job done) if we could convince people to let us manufacture their fuel source...
WASHINGTON (AP) ? Over objections from law enforcement officials, the Senate Judiciary Committee has approved legislation that would require police to obtain a search warrant from a judge before they can review a person's emails or other electronic communications.
The bill passed Thursday makes it slightly more difficult for the government to access the content of a consumer's emails and private files from Google, Yahoo, Facebook and other Internet providers. Under the current law, the 1986 Electronic Communications Privacy Act, a warrant is needed only for emails less than 6 months old.
The committee chairman and the bill's sponsor, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said digital files on a computer should have the same safeguards as paper files stored in a home. Americans "face even greater threats to their digital privacy, as we witness the explosion of new technologies and the expansion of the government's surveillance powers," Leahy said during the committee's vote.
The full Senate, which is in a lame-duck session, is not expected to vote on the legislation until it reconvenes early next year. The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee hasn't yet voted on a similar bill introduced by Democrats.
Passage of the bill comes just a few weeks after the stunning resignation of David Petraeus as the head of the CIA over an extramarital affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell. The case focused the public's attention on how easy it is for federal agents to access people's email accounts.
Privacy advocates and civil liberties groups applauded the committee's action, saying the law is outdated in an era of cloud computing, cheaper electronic storage, social networking and wireless phones. Such advances in technology have dramatically increased the amount of stored communications in ways no one anticipated a quarter of a century ago.
"We are very happy that the committee voted that all electronic content like emails, photos and other communications held by companies like Google and Facebook should be protected with a search warrant," said Chris Calabrese, legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union.
The Justice Department and other law enforcement groups had resisted changes to the law. The associate deputy attorney general, James Baker, urged the committee last year to consider the adverse impact on criminal and national security investigations if a warrant were the only means for law enforcement officials to obtain emails and other digital files.
Petraeus stepped down earlier this month after FBI agents examined messages between him and Broadwell. The FBI obtained a court order, signed by a judge, to read the contents of Broadwell's email account before she was notified she was under investigation. Investigators also used grand jury subpoenas to obtain information about other electronic communications related to threatening messages she is accused of sending to a Tampa socialite.
Sen. Charles Grassley, the committee's top Republican, complained that the bill was rushed through the committee without a rigorous debate over its impact. The bill could hamper investigations by civil agencies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, that are charged with protecting consumers against fraud, he said.
But setting the bar higher doesn't prevent law enforcement agencies from doing their jobs, according to current and former prosecutors, judges and attorneys who specialize in privacy issues. Federal law enforcement authorities in four Midwestern and Southern states have been working with the more demanding warrant requirement since 2010 after an appeals court ruled warrantless access to emails was unconstitutional. To get a warrant, a judge must have proof of probable cause that a crime is being committed.
"I don't see anything (in the Senate bill) that's going to seriously concern law enforcement in terms of our ability to request warrants and to get the contents of the material that we need," said Joseph Cassilly, the state's attorney in Harford County, Md., and a former president of the National District Attorneys Association. "Since you've already got to get warrants for the stuff that's less than 180 days, it's obviously not an insurmountable standard."
Nor does the legislation weaken other methods used by law enforcement for collecting electronic information. A subpoena signed by a federal prosecutor ? not a judge ? will continue to be sufficient for obtaining routing data from third-party Internet providers that can identify the sender of an email and the location where the message was sent.
Police also can use a judicial order to get the "to" and "from" addresses of an email, but not the contents. These orders must be issued by a judge, but the agency seeking one need only show there is reasonable suspicion of a crime ? a lower legal standard than probable cause.
In a Nov. 21 letter to Leahy, 30 former federal and state prosecutors and judges said the bill would provide "a much needed judicial check on when the government can access our private digital information." Concerns that the bill would keep law enforcement from acting quickly during emergencies are unfounded, they added, because the Senate bill does not change a provision in the existing law that compels third-party providers to give the government information in situations where lives are at risk or children are being exploited or abused.
Digital Due Process, a wide-ranging coalition that includes Google, Microsoft and Twitter, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union and Grover Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform, has mounted a public relations campaign supporting the Senate bill. The coalition says updating the law will clear the "murky legal landscape" for companies and consumers alike and provide the proper safeguards for the vast amounts of information stored in server farms.
There's money at stake, too. The global market for cloud computing via the Internet is estimated to be $240 billion by 2020. But the Business Software Alliance, a coalition member that represents Apple, Intel and Microsoft, said U.S. cloud providers are at a disadvantage unless online privacy and security laws are changed. If consumers aren't sure their information is being properly protected by U.S. firms on the remote, networked computer servers that make up the cloud, they'll take their business elsewhere.
PeopleBrowsr, the social analytics platform that derives substantially all its data (including its Kred scoring) from access to Twitter?s feed, has fallen victim to Twitter?s recent ambitions to rein in and exercise more control over its ecosystem. The company, which once promised an open platform and developer access to its data ?firehose,? has more recently tightened the rules surrounding use of its API.
PeopleBrowsr?s business is fundamentally threatened by these changes. And so it sought (and obtained) a temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing Twitter from cutting off its direct access to the API. Twitter wants PeopleBrowsr to work through designated data resellers Gnip, Topsy and DataSift; however the latter says that these resellers ?provide only a small fraction of the data provided by the Firehose, and are not sufficient to support PeopleBrowsr?s products.?
In court documents filed in support of its TRO, PeopleBrowsr is making an ?equitable? argument based on notions of fairness and irreparable injury: ?PeopleBrowsr built its technology to use the comprehensive data only available through the Twitter Firehose. It spent millions of dollars and over 30,000 hours building products that provide unique insight that cannot be replicated with a smaller data set.?
PeopleBrowsr also argues that Twitter has engaged in anti-competitive behavior by reducing access to its data. For its part Twitter argues that its contract with PeopleBrowsr has simply expired and the company exercised its right to terminate its direct relationship with the social analytics provider. Twitter argues basic legal principles of contract law dispose of the case.
Drawn from Twitter?s court filings, the following is the essence of Twitter?s argument:
The court wouldn?t have granted PeopleBrowsr?s TRO if there weren?t some potential merit to its contentions. However, Twitter is likely to eventually prevail on the basis of the above principles.
No doubt there has been a kind of ?bait and switch,? as many companies believed they could rely upon flexible, direct access to Twitter data perhaps indefinitely. PeopleBrowsr is expressing the indignation of many of those companies toward Twitter?s policy changes; but it?s also fighting for its life.
PeopleBrowsr made the fundamental mistake of relying too heavily on one company in designing and building its business. And now, unfortunately, it will probably suffer the consequences.
Related Topics: Legal: Antitrust | Legal: General | Social Media Marketing | Top News | Twitter | Twitter: Business Issues
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BEIJING (Reuters) - China's factory activity in November probably expanded at its fastest pace in seven months, reinforcing views that recovery in the world's second-largest economy is entrenched going into the final quarter of the year.
China's official purchasing managers' index (PMI) in November may have rebounded to 50.6 from October's 50.2, the median estimate of 11 economists polled by Reuters showed, the latest evidence a recovery in the vast manufacturing sector was gathering momentum on the back of a revival in domestic demand.
The 50-point line demarcates accelerating from slowing activity in PMI survey methodology.
"More signs are emerging that the economy is gaining strength and the recovery is durable. Therefore, the market has shown it has high expectations for November economic data," said Nie Wen, an analyst at Hwabao Trust in Shanghai.
"The strong readings of power output and cargo freight in recent weeks also cement this trend," he added.
China's economy has shown positive changes since September, with an array of economic indicators from factory output to retail sales and investment pointing to an uptick in the broader economy, as Beijing's pro-growth policies start to bite.
Analysts said the end of a destocking cycle and a quickening pace of investment would keep driving up domestic demand and extend the recovery trend into the final quarter of this year.
China's annual economic growth dipped to 7.4 percent in the third quarter, slowing for seven quarters in a row and leaving the economy on course for its weakest showing since 1999.
Given recent signs of recovery, many analysts expect the economy to snap out of its longest downward cycle since the global financial crisis and start to trend up in the fourth quarter.
A flash PMI published last week by HSBC showed China's factory sector saw its expansion accelerate in November for the first time in 13 months, signaling that the pace of economic growth has revived.
But economists also warned of downside risks from still cloudy external markets, considering the nagging European debt crisis and listless U.S. economy continued to crimp demand from China's two largest trade partners.
The central bank has moved cautiously in easing monetary policy to underpin economic growth, wary of reigniting inflation and fanning property prices which are still high.
It cut interest rates twice in June and July and lowered banks' reserve requirement ratio by 150 basis points in three steps since last November, but has refrained from further cuts since July. The authorities opted to inject liquidity via open market operations to pump short-term cash into money markets.
The official PMI generally paints a rosier picture of the factory sector than the HSBC PMI as the official survey focuses on big, state-owned firms, while the HSBC PMI targets smaller, private firms. There are also differing approaches to seasonal adjustment between the two surveys.
The official PMI survey will be released on Saturday at 0100 GMT (8 p.m. ET on Friday), ahead of the final HSBC PMI reading due at 0145 GMT.
(Reporting by Aileen Wang and Lucy Hornby; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
Businesses can reach customers they never dreamed of reaching only 20 years ago, all thanks to the Internet. Marketing, through email, will help you to build a relationship with your customers, and the tips you?ll read in this article are a great start for your campaign.
A successful marketing with email campaign has to grab people?s attention. This could involve some trial and error on your part. Changing components that aren?t working is key. Once you do find a successful technique, it is important to still seek out new strategies constantly.
Look at how spammers run their messages, for a lesson in what you should never do. Register for a new email address using a free client, use the address in several places online, and watch as your inbox collects spam. Educate yourself on how these spammers are incorrectly using marketing with email and go your own way. If you wish to have a brand that?s credible, take measures to be different from spammers.
TIP! As time passes, smartphones will become the medium that your subscribers use to read your emails. Many mobile devices have lower resolution than the average computer monitor.
If you plan to tackle marketing via email, you need to know you have to have the permission from all those you wish to include on your email list. If not, you will be looking at many spam complaints and loss of customers.
Have a succinct subject line. Short subject lines with less than 60 characters will grab your reader?s attention and make them more likely to open your email. Keep in mind that longer subjects will be truncated, so keep your most important information at the start of the subject.
Do not send emails that were unsolicited. If you send marketing materials to people who didn?t ask for them, they may mark your marketing messages as spam. Along with getting a bad reputation, you might find that your IP address gets blocked by certain ISPs if they get too many complaints.
TIP! A double opt-in list is a great way to ensure that anyone who signs up for your list actually wants to be there. Although this might seem unnecessary, this guarantees that this person wants to view your emails.
Whenever you include links in your messages, be sure to check each one before you send. There is no point to your email if your customers aren?t able to click on the link and see your website or products. It will also cost you credibility with your readers, because you can?t even write an email with a successful link.
With the Internet continuously expanding, it is very true that the potential for business is limitless. Among these new possibilities, email promoting is probably the best way to establish a solid relationship with a target audience. Employ this advice and get started with email marketing.
28 November 2012Last updated at 03:10 ETBy Jonathan AmosScience correspondent, BBC News
The UK company developing an engine for a new type of spaceplane says it has successfully demonstrated the power unit's enabling technology.
Reaction Engines Ltd (REL) of Culham, Oxfordshire, ran a series of tests on key elements of its Sabre propulsion system under the independent eye of the European Space Agency (Esa).
Esa's experts have confirmed that all the demonstration objectives were met.
REL claims the major technical obstacle to its ideas has now been removed.
"This is a big moment; it really is quite a big step forward in propulsion," said Alan Bond, the driving force behind the Sabre engine concept.
The company must now raise the ?250m needed to complete the next phase of development.
This would essentially take the project to the final designs that could be handed to a manufacturer.
Although the British government has put significant sums into REL's technology in the past, the company's preference is to pursue city finance.
"The project to date has been more than 90% privately funded, and we intend to continue with that type of structure," explained Tim Hayter, the CEO of Reaction Engines Ltd.
"Yes, we would encourage government money but we're not reliant on it and we're certainly not depending on it.
"What is more important to us is government endorsement. That gives everyone the confidence that the UK is behind this project."
REL's idea is for an 84m-long vehicle called Skylon that would do the job of a big rocket but operate like an airliner, taking off and landing at a conventional runway.
The vehicle would burn a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen but in the low atmosphere the oxygen would be taken from the air, in the same way that a jet engine breathes air.
Only once it had achieved very high speeds would Skylon switch to full rocket mode, burning onboard fuel supplies.
Taking its oxygen from the air in the initial flight phase would mean Skylon could fly lighter from the outset with a higher thrust-to-weight ratio, enabling it to make a single leap to orbit, rather than using and dumping propellant stages on the ascent - as is the case with current expendable rockets.
If such a vehicle could be made to work, its reusability should transform the costs of accessing space.
But its success depends on the Sabre engine's ability to manage the very hot air entering its intakes at high speed.
These gases have to be cooled prior to being compressed and burnt with the onboard hydrogen.
REL's solution is a module containing arrays of extremely fine piping that can extract the heat and plunge the inrushing air to minus 140C in just 1/100th of a second.
Ordinarily, the moisture in the air would be expected to freeze out rapidly, covering the piping in a blanket of frost and dislocating their operation.
But the company's engineers have also devised a means to control the frosting, permitting the Sabre engine to run in jet mode for as long as is needed before making the transition to full rocket mode to take the Skylon spaceplane into orbit.
It is the innovative helium cooling loop with its pre-cooler heat-exchanger that REL has been validating on an experimental rig.
"We completed the programme by getting down to -150C, running for 10 minutes," said Mr Bond. "We've demonstrated that the pre-cooler is behaving absolutely as predicted."
The UK Space Agency asked Esa's propulsion division to audit the tests, and the Paris-based organisation has declared its satisfaction with the outcome of the experimental programme.
"One of the major obstacles to developing air-breathing engines for launch vehicles is the development of the lightweight high-performance heat exchangers," it said in a statement.
"With this now successfully demonstrated by REL, there are currently no technical reasons why the Sabre engine programme cannot move forward into the next stage of development."
Dr Mark Ford, who heads the propulsion engineering group at the agency, added: "The gateway is now open to move beyond the jet age."
The next phase is a three-and-a-half-year project. It would see a smaller version of Sabre being built on a test rig. The demonstrator would not have the exact same configuration as the eventual engine but it would allow REL to prove Sabre's performance across its air-breathing and rocket modes.
"Its parts will be spread out slightly; there's no need for us to package it as we would a real engine," said Mr Bond.
"Also, we will want the ease of access to exchange parts, so it will look a little bit like an anatomy exhibition."
The UK government is currently assessing what shape any involvement it should have in the next phase of Skylon/Sabre.
In addition, Esa is keen to do some study work with REL. Although it is currently working on new versions of its Ariane rocket - a classic expendable vehicle - the agency also wants keep an eye on future launcher technologies.
REL itself is considering other applications for its technology. These could include incorporating Sabre-like heat-exchangers into existing gas turbine jet engines to improve their fuel-burn efficiency; and also into desalination plants.
Sabre engine: How the test campaign was conducted
Continue reading the main story
Our science editor David Shukman watches a pre-cooler test run
Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk and follow me on Twitter: @BBCAmos
Euro-zone finance ministers finally reached a deal to avert a Greek bankruptcy on Monday night, agreeing to the release of the next installment of credit and launching a package of measures to reduce the country?s debt. But they shied away from a debt haircut, the only move that could solve the Greek dilemma in the long term. WT news feed
ScienceDaily (Nov. 27, 2012) ? Given recent extreme weather events -- the summer's brutal heat and subsequent drought, followed by Superstorm Sandy's disastrous path -- newly green-conscious consumers may be wondering how to lessen their carbon footprint this holiday season. Plant biologist Clint Springer, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, says that buying a real Christmas tree may not solve the world's climate ills, but it is better than using an artificial one for a few years and tossing it.
"At this time of year, choosing a real Christmas tree is one way that an average person can make a difference in terms of climate change," Springer says. "A study as recent as 2009 (Ellipsos) concluded that a 7-foot cut tree's impact on climate is 60 percent less than a 7-foot artificial tree used for six years. So while cut trees are not carbon-neutral, in terms of carbon-use, they are better than artificial trees."
Springer acknowledges that many families choose artificial trees because they may not have easy access to real trees, they may be too costly, or because they have tree allergies.
"Ultimately, people need to make the choice that makes the most sense for their family, but they should keep in mind that real Christmas trees do not trigger allergic reactions," Springer says. "Farm-raised trees are too young to be reproductive in most cases, so pollen is not an issue. It's possible, though, that some people might be sensitive to the natural scent of the trees." In that case, Springer recommends choosing pines over firs, which usually carry a weaker scent.
But the question remains for some: Do live Christmas trees bring mold into the home? "From what we know about household allergens like mold spores, a house with a real tree does not usually show a higher rate of indoor air pollution than a house with an artificial tree, because mold spores found on live trees do not usually become air-borne." (Wyse and Malloch, 1970.)
If buying a real tree is not an option, Springer says there are other ways for consumers to green their holiday celebrations.
? Consider using LED lights. A typical 50-light strand of C7 bulbs, often used for outdoor lighting, uses approximately 99 percent more energy than an LED strand of the same number of lights.
? Buy local and sustainably farmed produce for holiday gatherings. This lessens the use of fossil fuels for transportation, cutting down on carbon dioxide emissions, a major contributor to global climate change.
? Buy organic produce. Though pricey for some families, buying organic produce is an even better choice for party season. Organic food is not farmed with artificial fertilizers, which require a tremendous amount of fossil fuels to produce.
? Recycle whenever possible. Consider using wrapping paper or boxes made from recycled material and be sure to recycle them once the gift giving is over.
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Korg announces iPolysix App for iPad, recreates classic analog polyphonic synthesizer
MELVILLE, N.Y. /Music Industry Newswire/ ? Korg has unveiled the latest in its series of musical instrument apps. The new, intuitive iPolysix app evokes Korg?s legendary analog polyphonic synthesizer while taking full advantage of the iPad? interface. Up to eight instances of the synth can be used in conjunction with new features that include a sequencer, drum machine, multiple effects, Korg?s acclaimed Kaoss touch functionality for intuitive note and controller entry, and a complete automated mixer.
The original Polysix, a six-voice analog polyphonic synthesizer, launched in 1981. It quickly rose in popularity due to its combination of 6-note polyphony (a generous amount for the time) and a price that was nearly half of similarly-featured products. iPolysix uses Korg?s proprietary ?CMT? (Component Modeling Technology) to perfectly simulate the electronic circuits of the original instrument and its distinctively deep and rich pad sounds, pulsing basses, and crisp leads. Its layout offers beginners an easy way to start sound sculpting. It has also been expanded with music production functionality for enhanced musical possibilities.
Polyseq is iPolysix?s integrated polyphonic step sequencer that provides up to 64 steps for two dedicated synth instances and six poly-based drum instances ? all drawing on the Polysix engine and interface. Unique features include sequence mode functionality from Korg?s SQ-10 analog sequencer that allows users to play a sequence backward, or play back only the odd or even-numbered steps.
Users can call up either an onscreen keyboard for easy note entry, or two side by side Kaoss Pads that can be controlled simultaneously: one for note entry and one for control over the user?s choice of synth parameters. Musical phrases can be generated simply by rubbing a finger on the Kaoss Pad. This enables professional music production and creative performances, even for those who have no musical knowledge or have never played an instrument before. These Kaoss Pads have been customized for iPolysix to allow not only single-note performance, but also polyphonic playing.
Polystage is a platform on which iPolysix users can share their songs. iPolysix users can make their songs available to other users across the globe simply by uploading their song directly from the interface. iPolysix users can listen to and rate other user?s songs, or collaborate on a remix from rough ideas that have been uploaded.
Similarly, users can share their works via the popular SoundCloud feature from within the iPolysix app. SoundCloud provides a way to publish songs or to collaborate on new music with friends anywhere in the world via audio data export.
To celebrate the launch, the iPolysix app is available for download from Apple?s App Store at a special price of US $14.99 until December 31st, 2012. The regular price is US$29.99.
Also in celebration of the launch, Korg has announced a special half price offer on all Korg apps from November 26 through December 31, 2012.
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About Christopher Laird Simmons
Christopher Simmons has been writing about music since 1984 when he sold his first feature to Polyphony (now Electronic Musician) magazine. He has composed music for two TV cable shows, is a member of ASCAP and PRSA, and is the managing editor for Music Industry Newswire(TM), as well as the CEO of Neotrope(R) Entertainment. His 80s music can be found on iTunes, Amazon, and CDBaby, among others. He played in several electronica bands in the '80s, and currently tries to find time to play with his studio gear. He is also an award winning graphic designer, photographer, author of one book "Fractopia," and has created digital art for numerous national magazines. ? Christopher Laird Simmons. More at: ChristopherSimmons.com .
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The Christmas tree might as well be an early holiday gift to your cats. Kitty can?t resist the urge to sniff, cheek rub, claw?and scale the branches to reach the highest possible perch. Don?t blame your cat. It?s normal for cats to compete for the top spot (literally and figuratively) to secure their place in kitty society.
Youngsters won?t care about social standing, but high energy kitten play turns the holiday tree into a jungle gym. Tree encounters of the kitty kind not only risks breaking your heirloom ornaments, your furred family members can be injured by chewing or swallow dangerous items.
Rather than fight a losing battle to keep cats at bay, create a second cat-safe tree with these 12 tips, so the fur-kids can enjoy the holidays as much as you do.
1. Put yourself in your cat?s ?paws.? Satisfy her desire to claw, lounge on branches, and trust that it won?t tip over under her assault. Match the tree size, sturdiness, base (perhaps add guy-wires for steadiness) to the activity level and number of cats.
2. Ditch the lights, and any ?fake-snow? flocking that can be chewed or swallowed. Instead, decorate with cotton balls or pillow-stuffing fleece for that snowy look on branches or around the base. If you?ve chosen a real tree, water with plain water and no additives in case kitty decides to drink.
3. Strings and garland look great on the tree, but prove deadly inside a cat when swallowed. Dried flowers like baby?s breath look lovely and are nontoxic even if clueless kittens nibble.
4. To increase the fun factor, insert a few sprigs of dried catnip?but be prepared for the cats to dismantle the tree!
5. Catnip toys make great kitty tree decorations and won?t be destroyed during the feline assaults. Use ?orphan? socks (singletons without a mate), fill with the ?nip, and knot the open end.
6. Jingle bells (quarter size or larger) can?t be swallowed and offer movement and sound when hung from ribbon on a branch. Put one inside the sealed catnip sock for more jingly fun.
7. Furry toy mice come in bright colors?or go with a standard white theme?and can be placed in the branches for your mouse-aholic feline.
8. Craft stores offer inexpensive bags filled with soft pompoms in a variety of colors and sizes?even sparkly ones. Cats love to play with these. Pompoms are so cheap you can fill the branches with one color theme, or a rainbow approach.
9. Many cats adore feathers, but remember they can chew and swallow these. As long as supervised, a few feathers placed in the tree can be a fun accent as well. How about a bright feather boa instead of garland?
10. Small stuffed toys?kitty theme or otherwise?appeal to many cats. Place around the base of the tree. Feline puzzle toys filled with special treats also are fun.
11. Don?t forget the ?cheap thrills.? Empty boxes, wads of holiday paper, and even paper shopping bags thrill cats. Remove bag handles so the cat won?t get hung around her neck.
12. Toss a few special kitty treats in the boxes or bags. The smellier the treat, the better cats like them.
Be prepared to re-decorate the tree after the cats have fun. But a ?Cat-mas? tree not only answers your kitty?s Santa Paws prayers, it means she?ll be more likely to leave your formal tree and decorations alone. That promotes a merry Christmas for the whole family, furry and otherwise.
Source: ?Amy Shojai is a certified animal behavior consultant and the award winning author of 23 pet care books on aging cats and dogs, first aid, natural healing, pit bulls, including Complete Kitten Care.
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PeopleBrowsr, the social analytics platform that derives substantially all its data (including its Kred scoring) from access to Twitter?s feed, has fallen victim to Twitter?s recent ambitions to rein in and exercise more control over its ecosystem. The company, which once promised an open platform and developer access to its data ?firehose,? has more recently tightened the rules surrounding use of its API.
Eternicom
The Christmas tree might as well be an early holiday gift to your cats. Kitty can?t resist the urge to sniff, cheek rub, claw?and scale the branches to reach the highest possible perch. Don?t blame your cat. It?s normal for cats to compete for the top spot (literally and figuratively) to secure their place in kitty society.
6. Jingle bells (quarter size or larger) can?t be swallowed and offer movement and sound when hung from ribbon on a branch. Put one inside the sealed catnip sock for more jingly fun.
Be prepared to re-decorate the tree after the cats have fun. But a ?Cat-mas? tree not only answers your kitty?s Santa Paws prayers, it means she?ll be more likely to leave your formal tree and decorations alone. That promotes a merry Christmas for the whole family, furry and otherwise.