National Retail Solutions Partners to Grow New York Bodegas

National Retail Solutions, City Harvest, United Bodegas of America and the New York City Economic Development Corporation Kick-Off Program for New York City’s Family-Owned Bodegas.

Newark, NJ, Mar 03, 2020 -- National Retail Solutions (NRS), the operator of a leading point-of-sale (POS) network for independent retailers, announced that it will continue its exciting partnership with several leading institutions in New York City to support the city’s bodegas and independent, family-owned convenience stores.

NRS, City Harvest - New York City’s largest food rescue organization, the United Bodegas of America (UBA) and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYC/EDC) co-sponsored a Lunch & Learn program last week, for owners of New York City’s bodegas and convenience stores.

Last week’s Lunch & Learn session was held at Fairway Market’s facility in the Bronx. The program included presentations by NRS on its POS+ services for bodega owners, by City Harvest on expanded offerings of fresh and nutritious foods to-go, and by NYC/EDC on their programs and incentives for independent small businesses.

“New Yorkers appreciate the many ways in which neighborhood bodegas and convenience stores contribute to our local communities,” said Elie Y. Katz, founder & CEO of NRS. “These stores are places where neighbors take time to talk, catch up on local happenings and find foods and supplies for their favorite meals. The bodega owners who joined us at the first Lunch & Learn were excited to learn about powerful tools and strategies to help them build stronger businesses and compete successfully against larger retail chain stores.”

NRS operates a robust POS network plus NRS PAY merchant services for independent retailers across the U.S. Over 8,000 retailers use NRS’ POS platform to organize and manage their business, attract new customers and increase their revenue.

At the Lunch & Learn, NRS team members introduced their POS plus network with premium features and check-out solutions tailored for bodega owners. The Rev. Eric Cosentino, who serves on the Board of Directors of IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT), the parent company of NRS, said, “IDT is here to help bodega owners and smaller retailers. If there is something they need and we can provide it, we’ll always go the extra mile.”

Radames Rodriguez, President of United Bodegas of America (UBA) and a bodega owner in the Bronx, said, “Running a bodega in New York is a labor of love. It’s a tough business. We need better tools and offerings to bring in and retain new customers, and to operate more profitably. I hope that every bodega owner will take the time to learn how the UBA’s partnership with National Retail Solutions, City Harvest, and the City’s Economic Development Corporation can help our bodegas expand and thrive in New York.”

Last week’s Lunch & Learn is the first in a series for bodegas and other neighborhood retailers, according to Elie Y. Katz. “We are deeply committed to helping New York City’s bodegas prosper for the long run, and there is a lot going on to help these retailers prosper and expand. We are working with our co-sponsors on a second event to be held this summer that will introduce more fresh and interesting approaches for retailers. We welcome new organizations interested in participating in our next event to contact us. Please stay tuned for additional details.”

About National Retail Solutions (NRS):
NRS operates a point-of-sale (POS) terminal-based platform plus NRS PAY credit card processing for independent retailers and bodega owners nationwide. The platform provides a robust portfolio of tools to help these retailers compete more effectively, including inventory tracking, store statistics, user management, one-touch Boss Revolution® PIN-less recharge, and integration with the BR Club customer loyalty program. Consumer packaged goods (CPG) suppliers are able to leverage the NRS platform to provision promotions, coupons and special offers to independent retailers and their predominantly urban customer bases nationwide. NRS is a subsidiary of IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT).

Media Contact:
Elie Y. Katz
Founder & CEO / National Retail Solutions (NRS)
201-715-5179

Presentation Switches from ATEN Technology

Video Presentation Control App Allows Users to Join Meetings, Share Content and Collaborate from their Smartphones

 

IRVINE, CA – February 27, 2020ATEN Technology, Inc., the technology leader and global manufacturer of KVM and Pro AV connectivity solutions, today introduced several new professional AV presentation switches, enabling users to boost the efficiency and impact of their professional presentation environments. The new “VP” series switches are ideal for small to medium-sized meeting rooms and educational spaces, such as huddle rooms, classrooms, training rooms and other presentation environments, like exhibition galleries or hotels.

VP1420 (4 x 2 True 4K Presentation Matrix Switch)

The multi-in-one presentation switch integrates a video matrix, true 4K scaler, audio processor and analog-to-digital converter functions.

Key features:

  • Smooth Switching – Connect up to four sources (three HDMI, one VGA) to two HDMI outputs; smoothly switch between sources and display contents scaled perfectly to true 4K and 1080p simultaneously.
  • Streamline Operations with Multiple Control Options – Flexible control via front-panel pushbuttons, IR remote control, RS-232, contact closure and web-based GUI through Ethernet.
  • Superior Video Quality – True 4K resolutions up to 4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz (4:4:4) with HDR to deliver vivid content in every presentation.
  • Video Scaling – Supports video upscaling to 4K for display A and downscaling to 1080p for display B.
  • Audio Embedding/De-Embedding – Supports stereo audio embedding and HDMI audio de-embedding to different audio outputs to ease adaptation to the user’s preferred audio setup.

VP1421 (4 x 2 True 4K Presentation Matrix Switch with Scaling, DSP, and HDBaseT-Lite)

Similar to the VP1420, this multi-in-one presentation switch not only integrates a video matrix and true 4K scaler, but also allows for HDBaseT input/output, including an HDBaseT extender, audio DSP and analog-to-digital converter functions.

Key features:

  • Smooth Switching – Connect up to four sources (one HDBaseT, two HDMI, one VGA) to one HDBaseT and one HDMI output and support of audio DSP; smoothly switch between sources and display content scaled perfectly to true 4K and 1080p simultaneously.
  • Streamline Operations with Multiple Control Options – Flexible control via front-panel pushbuttons, IR remote control, RS-232, contact closure and web-based GUI through Ethernet.
  • Superior Video Quality – True 4K resolutions up to 4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz (4:4:4) with HDR to deliver vivid content in every presentation.
  • Video Scaling – Supports video upscaling to 4K for display A and downscaling to 1080p for display B.
  • Audio Embedding/De-Embedding – Supports stereo audio embedding into HDMI output or separation to audio line out and optical audio out. Users can extract HDMI and HDBaseT audio to different audio outputs to ease adaptation to their preferred audio setup.
  • HDBaseT Extended Transmission – Simplifies cabling and transmits AV, power and bi-directional RS-232 and IR control signals up to 460 feet via Cat 6/6a or ATEN 2L-2910Cat 6 cables (applying both HDBaseT input and output ports).
  • HDBaseT-Lite technology – Extends uncompressed AV, IR, RS-232 and power over one Cat 6/6a cable up to 230 feet.
  • Built-in Advanced Audio DSP – Supports microphone input with selectable 48V phantom power; allows microphone input to be mixed with program audio and embedded into display output while automatically reducing program audio to enhance speech audibility.

“Similar products on the market offer two video output ports, which are mirrored outputs, meaning the user must have the same video source on two displays. However, ATEN’s VP1420 and VP1421 solutions are true matrixes, allowing the user to have different video sources on two displays,” said YT Liang, senior product manager, ATEN Technology, Inc. “Additionally, the VP1421’s built-in audio DSP allows microphone input to be mixed with program audio and embedded into the display output.”

VP2120 (Seamless Presentation Switch with Quad View Multistreaming)

The seamless presentation switch integrates a video matrix switch, AV streaming, audio mixing and collaborative functions.

Key features:

  • Built-In Audio DSP – Mixes microphone input, HDMI input and the last streaming input for HDMI or audio output.
  • Stream Via Any BYOD Device – Participants can join meetings wirelessly from laptops and smartphones, making collaboration faster and easier.
  • Bi-directional Multistreaming – Content streaming among four participants simultaneously. Users can stream-in presentation content from their laptop or mobile device or stream-out presentation content in real-time to participants located in different rooms or separate floors.
  • Quad View Flexibility with Auto Layout – The built-in multi-view mode allows up to four streamed-in sources to be displayed in quad view on a single screen and can dynamically adjust its layout according to the number of sources available. Participants can select a streaming-in source to enlarge and make full-screen, enhancing the flexibility of spontaneous presentation adjustments to meet the needs of fast-moving discussions.
  • Data Protection with Secure Connections – The VP2120 connects to existing network infrastructure which ensures the layer of corporate IT security protection needed, especially when it comes to sharing wirelessly. Logins can be controlled by randomly generated room codes to ensure that only related people have access to the meeting and the data shared during it.

 

Additionally, users can download ATEN’s free Video Presentation Control App via the Apple Store or Google Play to join meetings, share content and collaborate directly from their smartphone. The app features advanced online idea-sharing functions including real-time whiteboard annotation for idea exchange and synchronization, chat room, file sharing, video capture and control capabilities to help deliver smooth, engaging and productive meetings.

“Designed for flexible and spontaneous team collaboration, the VP2120, along with ATEN’s Video Presentation Control App, facilitates BYOD meetings with a straightforward user interface, giving users quick and easy access to any on-the-fly meeting,” said Liang. Participants simply use their own devices and access the private QR code or room code, or auto scan the local network to get an available room list to log in, even when they’re not physically in the same area.”

Pricing and Availability

 

Starting at $963 ATEN’s newest presentation switches are now available through the company’s distribution and reseller partners: http://www.aten.com/us/en/where-to-buy/.

For more information, product features and technical specifications, visit:

For more information about ATEN Technology’s complete line of professional AV presentation switches, visit: https://www.aten.com/us/en/products/professional-audiovideo/presentation-switches/.

About ATEN Technology, Inc.

ATEN Technology, Inc. is the technology leader and global manufacturer of KVM and Pro AV connectivity solutions, and the U.S. subsidiary of ATEN International Co., Ltd. (TWSE: 6277), established in 1979. A certified member of the HDBaseT Alliance, holding over 500 industry patents, ATEN offers integrated KVM, Professional Audio (Pro AV) and Intelligent Power solutions, across all industries including corporate, commercial, government, industrial, entertainment, educational and retail environments.

A technology-first company, ATEN’s advanced ability to quickly develop customized solutions in KVM, Pro AV, PDU, USB and data communication lines allows the company to build products that connect, manage and optimize electronics based on customer need. ATEN’s comprehensive portfolio of innovative, reliable products is available worldwide, with local U.S support.

For more information, visit: www.aten.com/us/en/ and follow @ATENConnect on Twitter.

Products, service names and company logos mentioned herein may be the registered trademarks of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

PR Contact:

Angela Tuzzo

MRB Public Relations for ATEN

+1 732.758.1100, x. 105

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Converse Auctions online only East Meets West Auction on March

The auction will be Internet-only but previews will be held in Converse Auctions’ new gallery located at 1 Spring Street in Paoli, Pa., just outside of Philadelphia.

Paoli, PA, USA, February 29, 2020 -- A striking oil portrait painting of a young girl by Russian artist Alexei Harlamoff, a handsome William Gilbert Jewelers wall regulator clock, a pair of fine elaborate zitan folding chairs with dragon arms, and a gorgeous bronze enamel censer in a presentation box are a taste of what’s in Converse Auctions’ East Meets West Auction on Friday, March 13th at 10 am EST.

The auction will be online-only, but previews will be held in Converse Auctions’ new gallery located at 1 Spring Street in Paoli, not far off Interstate 76 and just outside of Philadelphia, north and west of the city. Previews will be held Tuesday through Thursday, March 10-12, from 10-4 Eastern time. Internet bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. People can also register and bid online at www.ConverseAuctions.com (and enjoy a lower buyer’s premium in the process).

The auction is packed with 579 lots of fine American, European, African, Chinese and other Asian items – a tantalizing blend of objects from the East alongside items from the Western culture (hence the title ‘East Meets West’). All lots have a starting bid of $10, a tactic designed to encourage newcomers to the collecting world, and old pros as well, to bid early and bid often.

Items from the East include Chinese fine furniture, bronzes, carvings, glass, paintings, jewelry, wooden boxes and brush pots, textiles, vintage Japanese textile kimonos, robes, obis and accessories, scrolls, prints, porcelain, books and cryptomeria.

Items from the West will feature fine art paintings and prints by Vlaminck, Cope, Sobossek, Burliuk, Dauchot and others, plus Mexican child portraits and Haitian paintings, a torso attributed to Brancusi, furniture and sterling silver (including a Reed & Barton service for eight).

Also offered will be clocks, European and American pottery and porcelain, Mid-Century Modern lots, art glass, decoys, insulators, African tribal artifacts, books, jewelry, vintage accessories (to include a lovely Hermés scarf), large Persian Tabriz and other rugs, and many other great items.

The oil on canvas portrait by Alexei Harlamoff (Russian, 1840-1925), depicts a young girl wearing traditional ethnic dress, her soulful eyes staring directly at the viewer as she delicately touches the flower garland that crowns her head. The 28 inch by 34 ½ inch painting is signed lower right “Harlamoff” (est. $6,000-$9,000). The William Gilbert Jewelers wall regulator, 80 inches tall, has a pinwheel time only escapement with grid iron pendulum (est. $5,000-$8,000).

The elaborately decorated gilt bronze lidded censer with beast handles, 16 ½ inches tall, has an estimate of $8,000-$12,000. It has colorful accent characters, bats, flowers and tendrils on the body and lid, plus a presentation box. The two zitan folding chairs boast heavily carved legs, arm rests and back, all in a dragon and cloud motif. The backsplat has a dragon carved into it and the back of the chair is carved in a ruyi with flaming pearl. The pair should finish at $3,000-$5,000.

A pair of oil on canvas portraits of young girls, each one rendered by a Mexican artist and with an estimate of $1,000-$1,500, is sure to get paddles wagging. One is a rare painting by Horacio Renteria Rocha (Mexican, 1912-1972). It shows a girl elaborately dressed, holding chicks in her uplifted apron, as hens, chicks and puppies play at her feet. The other, by an unknown artist, is of a girl in fancy clothes with a toy dog. Her name is in a banner: “Nina Delores Vakao, AD 1890.”

An elaborately carved huanghuali lotus cabinet, carved all over in three-dimensional designs, is expected to change hands for $2,000-$4,000. The three top doors lift up and slide in, and there are two drawers underneath. The drawers are carved in lotus blossoms and leaves. Also, a bronze Buddha with a well-worn patina, accented in gilt bronze and bezel set turquoise stones, has an estimate of $800-$1,200. The figure is on a lotus petal and is in a custom wood presentation box.

Two very different lots share identical estimates of $2,000-$4,000. One is a large Persian Tabriz Oriental rug, 108 ½ inches by 150 inches, executed in dark reds with central flower and tendril motifs surrounded by various flower and tendril borders on blue backgrounds. The other is a lovely carved marble torso of a female, done in a style consistent with Constantin Brancusi’s stylized, simplified art. The unauthenticated piece is signed on the plinth, “C. Brancusi 1943”.

A short black silk Japanese kimono, or Haori gown robe, made around 1970 and decorated with cranes and flowers, 48 inches by 55 inches, should gavel for $100-$200. Also, a complete set of eleven The Tale of Genji books by Murasaki Shikibu, in Japanese, translated by Tanizaki jun and published in 1950, each book individually slipcased, will be offered up as one lot (est. $40-$80).

An oil on board painting of a village scene overlooking the sea by Maurice de Vlaminck (French, 1876-1958), signed lower left but unauthenticated, unframed and measuring 17 inches by 13 ½ inches, carries a pre-sale estimate of $2,000-$3,000; while a pastel Parisian café scene by the French artist Gabriel Dauchot (1927-2005), featuring a beautifully dressed couchette sitting at a table while a server stands behind her, undated, 22 ½ inches by 28 inches, should hit $300-$500.

A mahogany slant-top desk with two over three drawers, plus a top cupboard with an arched top and Eastlake style brasses, likely marriage, with two adjustable shelves and two drawers, has an estimate of $800-$1,200. Also, a pair of vintage Mid-Century Modern Danish bent wood arm chairs, measuring 27 inches by 27 inches by 31 inches, will be sold as one lot (est. $500-$800).

For more information about Converse Auctions and the East Meets West Antiques Auction on Friday, March 13th, please visit www.ConverseAuctions.com. Updates are posted frequently.

About Converse Auctions:
Converse Auctions is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To consign an item, an estate or a collection, you may call them directly, at (610) 722-9004; or, you can send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Curious about an item’s value? Bring your items (or photos) to Free Appraisal Tuesdays, every Tuesday from 10 am to 4 pm at the new Paoli gallery. For more information, please visit www.converseauctions.com.

Media Contact:
Todd Converse
Converse Auctions
1 Spring Street
Paoli, PA, USA 19301
610-722-9004
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http://www.converseauctions.com

Laalsa Business Insights today launched their food delivery app Yumzy

Laalsa Business Insights today launched their food delivery app ‘Yumzy’ for an enhanced user experience. The newer version boasts some major updates that are aimed at providing their partner restaurants more control over their business by helping them leverage the latest marketing strategies. Yumzy is the eco-system that empowers restaurants to make them independent and self-sustained without depending on third party aggregators any more.

Laalsa Group – A Hyderabad Based Conglomerate presents to you the first of its Kind Application “YUMZY” – An Application – A need of the hour and a solution for the rising problems of Restaurateurs/ Restauranpreneurs, Etc.

Yumzy is the eco-system that empowers restaurants to make them independent and self sustained witout depending on third party aggregators any more. Its ironic that the online ordering platforms these days charge steep rates as commissions and restaurants spend additional charges towards click ads and discounts to get the visibility and conversions from huge list of restaurants listed in the app. These online food ordering and delivery companies charge delivery fees from the customers as well as extract commission from the restaurateurs. In the end restaurants never make money but live with the hope that one day they will meet the cost and gain profits. Mr. Suresh Redyam CEO - Yumzy.

What’s worse is the fact that the restaurants also lose their existing consumer base, unaware of who their loyal and frequent customers are. In order to compensate for the charges, the restaurants land up inflating the prices or reducing the quantity of the dishes or even compromise on quality. Now this is something that hampers the brand and consumer loyalty that Restaurants are not realize. They are kind of stuck now and for them Yumzy is their helping buddy..Mr. Suresh added.

“We want Yumzy to become a seamless and multi-dimensional food platform that caters to the needs of the food industry and consumers. We envision to project food with all of its characteristics like taste, feel, lifestyle, health, etc., and to make it as relevant to a particular individual given any location, weather and time; so a consumer sees a complete 360° perspective to match his desired result.Our mission to create an organized food platform for the food industry to enable them to find the right consumers to their products; AND provide an enhanced consumer centric atmosphere where he or she has complete freedom to choose the right product for their needs at a fair price,”said Suresh Redyam

Currently, Yumzyisonboarding restaurants at a pace of 120 restaurants per day from 4 cities. In fact, it has on-boarded more than2000 restaurants in less than 3 months. With a positive acceptance and response rate of more than 70%, the company is looking to targeting 20,000 restaurants in next 6 month and 65000 in next 2 years with covering of more than 24 cities.

When asked about how technology is helping Yumzy to find right restaurant partner, Akash Shah, the Heading Technology at Laalsa said, “As a platform there was a huge challenge in front of us to identify the best restaurants out there. We wanted to make sure that the restaurants listed on our platform should be the ones focused on parameters like quality, hygiene & customer loyalty.”

He also added, “We wanted to filter the best out of the rest; this includes popular as well as new restaurants. Yumzy came with the innovative idea by combining technologies of data science & artificial intelligence with market analytics which helps in picking the right restaurants from each category and cuisine per area”.

Regarding the role of Yumzy in helping the restaurants to reach out their consumers & gain back control, Zaki, Product Heat at Laalsa, said, “Yumzy is continuously innovating to help restaurants using it technological advancements. Yumzy empowers all the restaurant partners with the tool to reach out their customers. This helps the restaurants to not only reach out their lost customers but also with the market analytics for making the smart decisions on their offering and serve their customers better.”

CEO’s profile:Suresh is the Founder and CEO of Laalsa, a product development company began its journey in 2016, when it started developing a food-tech platform designed to help resolve the day-to-day issues faced by the restaurants and foodies in India. He understands the day-to-day issues faced by the restaurateurs in India. Through Yumzy he wants to provide a platform where food businesses can operate more independently, efficiently, and profitably.

The company has successfully built the product and gained immense traction in the market. At present, the company’s workforce has grown to the size of 100+ motivated, skilled, and creative individuals. When you build something significant out of nothing, the world looks at you with respect and admiration.

About Laalsa:

Laalsa is an organization which is technically evolving in the food delivery business. The organization workforce considers themselves to be Food Engineers who transform and outline the food trends of tomorrow, Yumzy uses Artificial Intelligence to create taste profiles and discovers the way demography’s of the nation eats. Laalsa’s technical solutions on blending with Food Sciences and Machine Learning render solutions that are an elixir for the F&B Industry. Laalsa presently holds around 100+ employees, the company plans to create more than 10,000 Direct & Indirect employment in next 6 months. 

Chris Comet and The Tribe Reaching New Horizons Independent USA Import

Canyon Lake, TX, Mar 01, 2020 -- From out of nowhere this sensational Melodic Rockalbum was delivered at my house address and I am so glad it did, because we have something special here for sure. CHRIS COMET is a producer/composer/arranger/keyboardplayer/drummer who came to the USA 32 years ago, where he landed in Hollywood and started playing and producing in famous studios such as Westlake, A&M, Record Plant, Fantasy, Jackson family private studio and so on… He worked with many well-known session musicians, but eventually moved to Texas where he has his own studios called SOARING EAGLE. Here he recorded a really great record along with a bunch of other musicians and singers called THE TRIBE, consisting of Rudiger, Lead Singer & Backup Vocals, Paul Slade, Lead Singer, Composer, Acoustic Guitar, Kevin Reeves, Backup Vocals, Tony McElveen, Lead Singer and Backup Vocals, Marcello Vieira, Lead Singer and Backup Vocals, Glenn DeLaune, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar and Backup Vocals, Kamil Rustam, Electric Guitar and Acoustic Guitar, Claudio Tristano, Electric Guitar and Acoustic Guitar, Nick Miller, Electric Guitar, Jack Haigh, Acoustic Guitar, Chris West, Brass Section, Blake Mohler, Banjo and Pedal-Steel Guitar and Charles Berthoud, Bass and Fretless Bass.
 
The result is Reaching new horizons, an album featuring 11 state-of-the-art tunes that should be on the list of any must-have releases of the AOR/Melodic Rockfans out there. If we only just have a look at the first couple of songs it is clear we are dealing here with a sensational and original record that easily beats the FRONTIERS RECORDS releases. The music is prime-time pure Melodic Rock, with a focus on a major production and catchy melodies, while especially the guitarwork and vocals are simply fantastic. Opener Here comes the sun is a lovely well-thought uptempo melodic rocker that sounds like a cross between FAIR WARNING and ZENO. Next track What I'm waiting for is a superb AOR/Melodic Power (Semi) Rockballad in the classic tradition, somehow reminding me of MAGNUM. More classic 80s bombastic big time sounding Melodic Hardrock comes in the shape of Reaching new horizons that sounds like a perfect cross between LUCIFER'S FRIEND (circa their album Sumogrip), HOUSE OF LORDS and a bit of AORIsh ROXUS and ROX DIAMOND.
 
Thankfully the whole CD continues this Melodic Rocksound, even during the PROCOL HARUM cover A whiter shade of pale, because for example Down the corner is classic 80s Melodic Rock like TOBRUK, 80s BON JOVI, PHANTOM'S OPERA melted together. it doesn't really matter who sings, because each of the 4 singers has a strong and original voice, perfectly suitable for this kind of pure Melodic Rock. Every words we say is yet another classic HOUSE OF LORDS/GIUFFRIA/DAVID GLENN EISLEY/JAMES CHRISTIAN ish Power AOR Ballad and so is Without you that also reminds me of classic ROKO. Pure 80s AOR/Pop/Rock in the style of ERIC MARTIN, BE TAYLOR GROUP, STEVE PERRY, STARSHIP and such can be found during the midtempo You can count on me. There's actually no weak song to be found here, so this could well be one of the 2020 highlights in the Melodic Rock/AOR world!
 
Overall it also feels a bit like the legendary PHENOMENA snd INTELLIGENT MUSIC PROJECTS, yet with a very authentic classic Melodic Rocksound in the 80s traditional way, without sounding dated. Do not miss this gem and check it out at: http://www.chriscomet.com/about.htm

Media Contact:
Chris Comet Music
210-667-3716
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http://www.chriscomet.com