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A new breed of vehicle is appearing on American roads, and, well, it’s surprisingly straightforward: it’s a minivan that’s an actual mini van. Not the Honda Odyssey or the Toyota Sienna or any of those other bloated family-haulers that may technically be “vans” but are hardly mini, but rather old-fashioned boxes on wheels—low on amenities, high on utility. And as we’ve come to find out, they’re not that bad to drive either.
That’s certainly the case with the 2015 Ram Promaster City, which joins the Ford Transit Connect and the Nissan NV200/Chevrolet City Express twins in the Tiny Van Tousle of 2015. Essentially a slightly warmed over Fiat Doblo utility van that’s sold overseas, the Promaster City arrives in Ram dealerships now, both in cargo and five-passenger form, and we recently got our first chance to drive it on a media program in Austin, Texas.
Texas is a curious place to launch a “city” van, since practically nowhere in this great Union of ours do trucks and vans have as much room to grow to full size, like goldfish in an Olympic-size carp pool. The congested avenues and narrow alleys of New York City might have been a more obvious place to launch the Promaster City, but the appeal of small utility vans is not just about being the right size for their environment; it’s about possessing the right qualities. And the Promaster City has a lot of right qualities.
It starts with being eminently easy to drive. From behind the wheel, the Promaster City’s car-like driving position and surprisingly stylish, ergonomically sound dashboard are more like those of a tall station wagon than a cargo van. Particular helpful if the van is to be piloted by many different drivers is its uncomplicated Uconnect infotainment system with available touchscreen and wifi, which requires little or no learning curve to master, unlike the fussy Sync system in the Transit Connect. Large glass back windows on models so equipped (including all five-passenger versions, which also come with windows in the sliding door) dwarf the tiny airplane-size back windows in the NV200/City Express, blessing the Promaster City with a great view out back when it’s not loaded with stuff. And highly recommended on models with paneled windows is are bumper-saving rear backup camera and parking sensors.
The Promaster City’s front seats seem comfortable enough for long-distance drives and are covered in fabric that could handle a plumber’s wrath after Taco Tuesday. The 60/40 split fold-and-tumble rear seats in passenger models, however, are about as cushy as a park bench and have no armrests to speak of (those are highly underappreciated, as it turns out) and hence should be used infrequently and for short trips only.
As a compact van weighing about 3,600 lbs., the Promaster City is also is fully competent with just four cylinders underhood, even on Austin’s hilly roads. The 2.4-liter “Tigershark” inline-four’s 178 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque make it the most powerful mill in the segment, while a nine-speed automatic with manual shift control manages the shifting. Thus endowed, the Promaster City is no speed demon at full tilt, but nor should drivers be allowed to blame any late deliveries on their van being too slow. And just as important to the boss is the Promaster City’s impressive 21/29 mpg city/highway fuel economy, which exactly matches the long-wheelbase Transit Connect.
The Promaster City is also spectacularly maneuverable, boasting a turning circle that, at just 32 feet, is three feet tighter than a Mini Cooper’s. The steering wheel turns 2.9 times lock-to-lock, which may not seem too remarkable compared to regular cars, but if you’ve piloted a full-size van before, it’s a revelation. Even better, there’s no perceptible on-center dead spot at speed, just crisp, linear response. Ride quality, meanwhile, is downright heroic thanks to a fully independent rear suspension (the NV200/City Express have bumpy rear leaf springs and the Transit Connect has a twist beam rear axle), so if you’re in the business of transporting delicate items like wedding cakes or antiques, this should top your shopping list.
However small it drives, the Promaster City can carry a lot. Size wise, it’s very close to the NV200/City Express and the long-wheelbase Transit Connect, yet it manages to squeak more cubic feet into the cargo area: 131.7 cubes on cargo models versus 128.6 for the Ford and 122.7 for the Nissan/Chevy twins. The roof height is a tall 51.8 inches, and as with its competitors, the Promaster City’s rear doors open on double hinges for nearly 180 degrees of total swing, which makes loading wide and bulky items a cinch.
The Promaster City cargo model comes with a fully lined floor that is flat and expansive, measuring 87.2 inches from the seatbacks to the rear doors, 60.4 inches between the walls and 48.4 inches between the wheelwells, allowing a forklift to drop in a conventional pallet full of cargo. Up to 1883 pounds of payload can be loaded inside, then secured with its six standard D-rings (four on passenger models). So you don’t have to look it up, that’s 173 pounds more than the Transit Connect and 383 pounds more than the NV200/City Express. Max towing is 2,000 pounds, exactly matching the Ford.
Of course, most Promaster City buyers won’t leave their vans just as they came, so Mopar and other upfitters are at the ready to supply partitions, shelving units, and roof racks. The Promaster City also has a huge shelf above the front seats as well as a large open shelf in the passenger-side dash.
Prices for the Promaster City cargo model start at $24,125 and $25,125 for the passenger version. The SLT trim adds power mirrors, body-color bumpers, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, touchscreen infotainment, and cruise control to both, for an additional $1,525.
For many van customers, having a reasonable amount of well-organized space is more appealing than sheer immensity, and the Promaster City will fit that bill, especially if they plan to put their van in a garage or have limited operating budgets. The fact that it drives so well is icing on the cake.
The upheaval in the commercial van market continued in 2014 as the Ram ProMaster hit its stride, Ford introduced the Transit and GM added a small van, courtesy of Nissan.
In November, Eurovans (ProMaster, Transit, Sprinter) outsold traditional American vans from Ford, GM and Nissan by 187 units. The gap will only grow going forward as the ProMaster gains ground and the Ford E-Series van, long the major player in the full-size van market, is relegated to chassis-cabs and similar applications. This leaves GM as the only one still making a traditional van and the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savanna are nearly two decades old and don’t offer the space or fuel economy of the newer vans.
Thanks to an unusually strong month for the Ram Cargo Van, Ram brand beat Chevrolet brand van sales in November and was just 219 behind the combined total of Chevy and GMC.
Ram brand took a 19.1% share of the commercial van market in November, up 12 percentage points from its 7.1% share in November 2013. Year-to-date share for the Ram brand rose 4.5 percentage points, to 8.2% of the market.
Both Ford and Chevrolet have lost market share this year.
While they account for only about two percent of total U.S. light vehicle sales, growth in the segment has been strong this year. Sales of full-size vans are up 16.2% as of the end of November; sales of compact vans, including the Ram Cargo Van, have grown 25.3%. Both figures are well above the 5.5% year-to-date growth of the light vehicle market.
The growth in sales of compact vans bodes well for the rollout of the Ram ProMaster City that’s currently underway. While it’s more expensive than the Nissan NV, Chevy City Express and base Transit Connect, the ProMaster City beats all of them when it comes to capacity, power and configurations.
The ProMaster City is derived from the Fiat Doblò, but it isn’t just a clone of the Fiat. Different powertrains and suspension changes are among the modifications made to adapt the small van to the preferences and needs of North American buyers. At a recent event in Texas, Bob Hegbloom, Ram CEO, Joe Benson, head of Ram Commercial, and Mike Cairns, Ram Chief Engineer, presented some of the differences and were on hand to answer questions.
First, contrary to what we have seen, the ProMaster City will have the new styling recently unveiled for the Doblò. This improves the appearance, especially from the front.
As Allpar has reported previously, the ProMaster City is not a direct competitor to the Nissan NV200, base-model Ford Transit Connect, or the Chevrolet City Express (which is just an NV200 with a higher price tag). It also doesn’t compete with the base Ford Transit Connect. Based on size, capacity, and capability, the ProMaster’s direct competition is the long wheelbase version of the Transit Connect, which retails for almost the same amount as the ProMaster City.
The ProMaster City has best-in-class cargo capability with a 1,883-pound maximum payload, a new 9-speed transmission, and best-in-class horsepower and torque. It can tow up to 2,000 pounds. It also has a bi-link coil rear suspension, giving the ProMaster City the only true independent rear in its class.
All of these add up to a pretty nice little van.
The ProMaster City is sold in both cargo and passenger (wagon) forms; Nissan and Chevy don’t have a passenger configuration, although Nissan does have a special taxi version. The Transit Connect is available in both van and wagon styles, but there’s a big difference: Ford is marketing the wagon as a family passenger vehicle, a mini-minivan that Ford calls a crossover to avoid the minivan stigma. The ProMaster City passenger van is not marketed to minivan customers, but is intended for commercial use as a shuttle or crew vehicle.
Early the following morning, it was time to take the ProMaster City out for a spin. Ram had provided both cargo and passenger versions and Allpar got a little red wagon to play with.
Starting at the W Hotel in downtown Austin, we went out into the morning commuter traffic and immediately got a lot more experience than we wanted in driving the ProMaster in stop-and-go traffic. The small size and nimble handling were a real benefit when it came to changing lanes and the 2.4-liter Tigershark engine and 9-speed transmission worked well together, providing ample power to adjust to traffic and take advantage of opportunities to get around bottlenecks, something that’s important to van drivers with schedules to keep and deliveries to make – and I speak from experience.
Our route took us over city streets, suburban boulevards, county roads and even highways. The ProMaster City was comfortable and easy to drive the entire way.
At one point on our route, I was stopped next to a couple of fellow auto writers in another ProMaster City, and the passenger rolled down his window and challenged me to beat them to the next traffic light. Putting the shifter into manual mode, I am happy to say I shut them down.
The ProMaster City doesn’t provide the press-your-back-into-the-seat acceleration of a Challenger, or even a properly equipped Dart, but it does get up and go. I can think of a couple of medical labs and at least one blood bank that would appreciate that.
The rear suspension is a treat. Unloaded vans have light rear ends and they do tend to hop on poor pavement, but the ProMaster City was surefooted, even on a gravel road.
A couple of the vans had 600-pound payloads on pallets in the back, and they were also well controlled and responsive. I took one of those through an obstacle course set up at our destination, the Troublemaker Studios in East Austin.
Cab comfort and convenience are important to a driver who might spend hours each day behind the wheel, and the ProMaster City doesn’t disappoint.
Entry and exit from the cabin is easy and effortless: no climbing involved. The seat is comfortable and the controls are intelligently laid out. There are also plenty of spaces for paperwork and small items that might be needed during the day.
As commercial vehicles, both the ProMaster City van and wagon aren’t long on frills; their target market doesn’t want them and isn’t going to pay for them. But the basics are covered: A/C is standard, the front seats have adjustable backs, the steering wheel is adjustable, and there’s an AM/FM radio. Uconnect (cellphone control) is an option, as is cruise control, though there’s really no reason for standard cruise control on this type of vehicle; the driver would almost never use it. One option that might get some traction is a rearview camera, but the mirrors on the ProMaster City do a pretty good job in aiding backing up the van.
The one area that may be an issue is the rear seating in the wagon: Unless the driver is fairly short, rear seat passengers are going to be a bit cramped and the seat back angle isn’t quite as comfortable as it should be. The seat really needs to be about three inches farther back if a driver wants his passengers to think kindly of him at the end of the trip.
According to Ram, the seat positioning enables the ProMaster City wagon to offer gobs of luggage, tool or cargo space, but the small amount of additional room a more comfortable rear seat would require wouldn’t have that much impact on the load space.
It’s my belief that no Chrysler (FCA US LLC) vehicle should ever be released unless Klaus Busse can sit comfortably in the back seat. At 6’7”, Busse is the ideal template for passenger space.
As mentioned earlier, Ram had set up an obstacle course at Troublemaker Studios. There were tight curves, a skid pad and other challenges. The ProMaster City had no trouble with any of these, including a panic stop on the skid pad.
Sales of small commercial vans are a niche. Through the end of November, total sales within the segment came to 50,071, with the well-established Ford Transit Connect taking the lion’s share of the action. It remains to be seen whether strong entries like the ProMaster City can grow the market by persuading van buyers to downsize, especially at today’s gas prices.
Ram has done its homework. The ProMaster City is a very good base and Ram has been working with aftermarket suppliers to develop commercial interiors with shelves, bins and other vocational necessities for a variety of applications.
After all was said and done, our day with the Ram ProMaster City was a day well spent with a dandy little van.
Chrysler Group wants to benchmark its 2015 Ram ProMaster City against the popular Ford Transit Connect in every aspect, including price.
The Auburn Hills subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV on Wednesday announced pricing for the all-new cargo van and wagon that directly competes with Ford’s Transit Connect vehicles.
The starting prices of the Ram ProMaster City Cargo, primarily for commercial use, is $23,130, plus $995 destination. The 2015 Ram ProMaster City Wagon, for passenger use, starts at $24,130, plus $995 destination. Those compare to the Transit Connect Van and Wagon at $22,130 and $24,655, respectively.
Since the ProMaster City’s unveiling in June 2014, officials have touted the vehicle as a proven performer because it is based off of the Fiat Doblo — a two-time International Van of the Year winner with more than 1.3 million units sold.
“The new Ram ProMaster City enters the (small van) market with a long list of customer-focused, best-in-class features, including the highest available payload and cargo capacities,” said Bob Hegbloom, Ram Truck president and CEO in a statement.
With a 2.4-liter Tigershark and exclusive nine-speed automatic transmission, the ProMaster City delivers EPA fuel economy of up to 21 miles per gallon city, 29 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined. That compares to the Transit Connect that offers two engines, including an optional 1.6-liter EcoBoost with an EPA-estimated 30 mpg highway, 22 mpg city and 25 combined.
The ProMaster City is expected to arrive in U.S. dealerships around year’s end. It comes to market as redesigned and new products from General Motors Co., Nissan Motor Co. and Ford Motor Co. compete for sales in the growing segment.
Global commercial vehicle sales are expected to grow by 4.8 million during the next several years to 21 million units annually by 2017.
The 2015 Ram ProMaster City is the brand’s second shared collaboration with Fiat Professional. The 2014 Ram ProMaster full-size van was the first.
With the 2015 ProMaster City, Ram will finally have a small cargo van designed for commercial use — something that’s been missing since the A-vans were dropped. Dodge and Ram have been selling a “cargo-ized” version of the minivans, but it was designed primarily for passengers and never took off among commercial buyers.
With power coming from a four-cylinder Chrysler engine, hooked up to a Chrysler-made, ZF nine-speed transmission, Ram claims best-in-class combined gas mileage, a 1,883 pound payload, and 132 cubic feet of cargo volume. The van is based on the new Fiat Doblò XL, an expanded version of the popular-in-Europe Doblò van.
Made in a two-seat cargo van or a five-passenger wagon (like the original Caravan), the ProMaster City has 48.4 inches of space between its wheel-wells, which, with an 87-inch cargo length, lets buyers easily load in pallets and such; the class-exclusive extra 0.4 inches help with loading and unloading.
Above the wheel wells, the ProMaster City has a best-in-class width of 60.4 inches and an interior roof height of 51.8 inches, for best-in-class volume of 131.7 cubic feet (cargo van). The sides are upfitter-friendly, to help buyers add shelves or storage racks. The roof is prepped for load rails or roof racks, with a weight capacity of 154 pounds.
The cargo van’s 87.2 inch long floor has six standard D-ring tie downs (the wagon has four) and an optional flush-fit, non-slip vinyl mat. The sliding doors latch in the open position, and have a 26-inch opening.
With the seats in place, the five-passenger ProMaster City Wagon has close to four feet of cargo length to the rear doors; with seats folded and tumbled, the wagon has nearly six feet of cargo length.
The rear has 60/40 split swing doors; the larger door swings open toward the traffic (driver) side of the van, making it easy to quickly access larger cargo items without blocking the path to the curb. Both rear doors swing open 90 degrees; with the press of a button, they can open to 180 degrees.
ram promaster engineThe ProMaster City is the first commercial van with a nine-speed automatic; the standard “948TE” has a wide gear ratio spread and 3.73:1 final-drive ratio. Its 4.70 first-gear ratio delivers 0-to-30 mph acceleration in 3.7 seconds and 0-to-60 mph in 9.8 seconds (estimated). Even without the wide range and nine gears, the fast-shifting nine-speed’s efficient design would make it a worthy choice.
The 2.4-liter Tigershark four-cylinder engine generates best-in-class 178 horsepower at 6,250 rpm, with peak torque (174 lb.-ft. at 3,900 rpm) greater than any standard engine in the segment and close to Ford’s optional turbocharged engine.
For durability, the engine has a forged steel crankshaft with 53 mm pin diameters, two-bolt main bearing caps, a cast-iron bearing beam to reduce flexing, piston oil squirters to prevent hot spots, powder-forged steel rods, and the ability to cross 12 inches of standing water (slowly) to prevent damage during sudden downpours. To increase efficiency, the engine has MultiAir 2, an electro-hydraulic valve lift and timing system that adjusts each cylinder individually.
Both the ProMaster City and Ram 1500 have variable a/c compressors, “smart alternators,” and pulse-width modulated (PWM) fuel pumps that operate on demand, cutting parasitic demand. The 160-amp “smart alternators” use moments of deceleration or braking to run the alternator at capacity, cutting the load during acceleration and improving fuel mileage.
Using front wheel drive cuts weight and the number of parts, provides more predictable emergency and low-traction handling, and eliminates the prop-shaft tunnel to allow a low, flat floor.
-Raising the ride height by 10 millimeters (0.4 inches), to manage the greater vertical loads of bad roads.
-Upgrading chassis components and anchor points for durability.
-Widening the engine box and front track to fit the bigger engine and the nine-speed transmission.
-Strengthening body structures to comply with safety rules.
-Using tires rated to handle higher weights.
The floor pan, cross members, side panels, and (fully boxed) frame rails are welded together for higher structural rigidity, cutting noise and vibration, and allowing better handling; unibody construction reduces weight.
The 12-inch front disc brakes include pad wear sensors; a larger pad-to-disc swept area, combined with thicker linings (compared with competitors) increase durability. The rear 10-inch drum brakes also have thicker long-wear linings.
The Ram ProMaster City’s MacPherson strut suspension was retuned for rougher North American roads, includes large-diameter shock absorbers, steel springs and a solid stabilizer bar. Stamped steel clamshell control arms are strong and weight efficient. The front suspension components are specifically tuned to handle the ProMaster City’s class-leading payload capacity. An optional package provides a 2,000 pound towing capacity.
While most Class 1 vans including the old Ram C/V use rear leaf springs, Ram ProMaster City has an independent, bi-link rear suspension to increase comfort, stability, and safety under all loads, while enabling the van’s low 21.5-inch step-in height.
The hydraulic-assist rack-and-pinion steering system is connected to a standard tilt and telescoping steering column.
A four-channel electronic stability control (ESC) is standard and includes antilock brakes. The setup uses the steering wheel angle sensor to minimize yaw, and has a brake-lock differential for side to side pressure control and sway control; integrated traction control; rollover prevention; and trailer sway control.
On low traction surfaces, there can be a difference in wheel speeds when the driver lifts off the throttle. Engine drag control senses that difference and sends more torque to the driven wheels to keep them at the same relative speed as the rear wheels to boost vehicle stability.
Using brake pedal sensing and the steering angle sensor, the ProMaster City also senses emergency braking and automatically lights and flashes the tail lamps to alert other drivers.
The van also has brake assist (to engage full braking earlier); and hill-start assist, which holds the van in place for up to two seconds after the brake is released on a hill.
Finally, an optional rear camera and backup alarm can prevent drivers from hitting pedestrians or other vehicles.
Although the cargo area is carry-over from the Fiat Doblò, from the front door cut forward, the Ram ProMaster City is new. Badges are large, chrome-finished, and three-dimensional. The driver can easily see the front corners, while cladding on the side and rear protect the body from knee-level bumps. Doors are durable yet lightweight, with handles designed for easy gripping with gloves. Optional oversized power side mirrors have adjustable wide-angle sections; the standard, segment-exclusive marker lights light dark areas on the side of the van when working from either side.
Step-in heights at the side (18.8 inches) and rear of the vehicle are among the lowest in their class at 21.5 inches. Key fobs have three buttons, for locking all doors, unlocking all doors, or unlocking just the cargo doors.
On the Tradesman, the bumpers and grille are black, with molded-in color to look the same even after being scratched. The SLT Wagon has body-colored bumpers, fog lamps, lower black molded-in-color trim at potential contact locations, optional body-color exterior mirrors, and a silver grille.
To cover both commercial and personal transport, there are three different 16” wheels. Tradesman has “revolver-hole silver” or black with a silver full-face cover steel wheels; SLT has the latter, with an optional aluminum wheel.
Three different window options are available on both trim levels. One has sheet metal everywhere but the front doors and windshield; one adds glass to both rear doors; and the third adds two side windows for passengers.
Colors include white, bright red, black metallic, silver metallic, deep red metallic, “blue night” metallic, gray metallic, “broom yellow” (fleets only), and brown (fleets only).
The wind tunnel helped optimize the mirror design, underbody aero shields, and spoilers to cut wind resistance, reducing noise and raising efficiency. The tires have low rolling resistance; 215/55R16XL tires have higher inflation pressures to handle larger loads; wheels are steel, for impact resistance, on Tradesman and SLT, with optional aluminum wheels on SLT.
Two seating insert materials are used, with different patterns and feels. The seats have ergonomic padding and many adjustments, including heat; the durable fabric is trench -seamed and designed to be easy to clean and long lasting. One interior is black with gray accents; a carpeted floor is standard.
There are nine forward storage compartments, including overhead storage. Available in urethane or optional leather-wrap, the standard tilt/telescoping steering wheel’s horizontal spokes can be fitted with optional controls for operating cruise and audio controls.
Ram claims to have made major gains in climate control and interior lighting; the elliptical main cluster, placed under an antiglare dome, is designed to reading under all lighting conditions. Amber backlighting prevents the loss of night vision. The gauge cluster includes temperature, speedometer, tachometer, and fuel gauges, with a trip computer including a clock, odometer, and trip odometer.
The shifter is in the center console; a secondary console contains two cupholders and two 12V power outlets.
The Ram ProMaster City HVAC system was retuned for the North Americans, with easily operated heat and air conditioning controls that were designed for use with gloves. The oversized handle on the driver-side door panel also enables easy opening with gloves; a large storage compartment at the forward base of the door.
The cargo compartment has acoustic-backed side wall and rear door moldings, and vertical mount locations for flexible up-fit capability. Optional partitions (with a window option) provide protection against load shifts. A high roof makes it easier to work in the cargo area. Wagons get four tie-down rings, a full length headliner and carpet, panel moldings over the rear of the cargo area, and more storage trays at seated shoulder level with retractable covers.
The base radio is a four-speaker AM/FM setup with a monochrome display; tweeters are in the pillars and mid-range speakers are in the front doors). The optional UConnect 5.0 system has a handsfree text-reply setup and hands-free calling, with a full-color five inch touch-screen aiding the navigation system and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. A USB port on the dash is for recharging, while a second port is used to play music from thumb drives. U.S. buyers can use the system as a mobile Internet hotspot.
Mopar claims to be selling towing accessories, roof racks and carriers, customizable graphics packages, theft tracking, a roadside safety kit, tool bags and totes, canvas seat-covers, cargo mats, standard floor mats, and slush mats.
The 2015 Ram ProMaster City will be built by TOFAS in Bursa, Turkey, at a 3.6-million squar foot (84 acre) WCM Gold plant, alongside the Fiat Doblò.
How far off were we?
Before the ProMaster City’s official launch, we said that it would be imported from Turkey, with an American powerplant — this was correct. We implied there was a chance it might be built elsewhere, because the Turkish joint venture company said they could not make it with modifications for the US — we were wrong. We predicted fold and flip seats, and thought that the British “XL” model would be sold here either as the standard model (it is) or as an option.
Our rendering was pretty far from the mark, though some may find it more pleasing.
The dashboard seen in our spy shots (well, KGP’s spy shots) turned out to be different in appearance, though not in content, from what we got here.
The Dodge Challenger, Jeep Wrangler and Ram ProMaster van were among the vehicles with the “Best Retained Value,” according to Edmunds.com.
The awards recognize brands and models that have the highest projected residual value after five years.
The Chrysler 300, Chrysler 200 Convertible, Ram 1500 and Chrysler Town & Country all received honorable mentions in their categories.
Vincentric has named the Ram ProMaster Diesel 1500 standard roof van with the 118-inch wheelbase its “Best Fleet Value” in the Full-Size 1/2-Ton Cargo Van category.
Vincentric, LLC, which celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2014, provides insight to the automotive industry. Based in Bingham Farm, Michigan, the company uses a proprietary cost-of-ownership database to measure and analyze the overall cost of owning and operating vehicles and its impact on the value provided to buyers.
In addition to the ProMaster, the Dodge Grand Caravan was named Best Fleet Value in the Minivan category for the third year in a row; the Dodge Journey pulled off its own three-peat in the Mid-Size Crossover as did the Jeep Patriot 2WD in the Entry-Level Crossover segment.
Late last month, the Jeep Wrangler won Vincentric’s “Best Value in America” award in the Compact SUV category for the third consecutive year and Ram 3500 brought home its second consecutive “Best Value in America” award in the one-ton pickup competition.
Are ProMaster diesel’s coming soon?
Buyers who have been holding out for a diesel engine in the Ram ProMaster van may be satisfied soon, as the company has told dealers that the engine, boasting 295 lb-ft of torque, 174 horsepower, and “phenomenal fuel efficiency,” is on the way.
The van market has long been in the doldrums, with buyers having a choice between ancient, fuel-hungry Fords and expensive Mercedes, but is now becoming hotly contested with new entries from Nissan (including one badged as a Chevrolet), Ford, and Ram. The Ram ProMaster has two powertrains, one already on sale — the Pentastar V6 coupled to a six-speed Chrysler automatic — and the other, a Fiat design, reportedly available for ordering this month. The latter is a four-cylinder diesel, created by Fiat Powertrain (FPT), confusing displacing the same 3.0 liters as the VM diesel in the Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Ram boasted that the Fiat engine has exceptional low-end torque and cold-start capability, with a forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods; 5%-biodiesel compatibility; best-in-class 18,500 mile oil change intervals; an efficient M40 six-speed automated manual transmission (which can be treated as though it’s a full automatic); and a standard towing/hauling package.
The package may be attractive not only to normal fleet buyers, but to the upfitters who have started making ProMaster passenger vans and campers.
As Sergio Marchionne flies back and forth between Turin and Auburn Hills, he doesn’t just bring Chryslers back with him to Italy to sell as Lancias. He also brings Fiat products to sell Stateside under various Chrysler labels, chief among them Ram.
The former Dodge truck brand launched the Fiat Ducato as the Ram ProMaster earlier this year, giving it Ram ProMaster City badgea greater foothold in the commercial vehicle market and a replacement for the Sprinter which Mercedes-Benz took back from its Chrysler-partnership days. Now Auburn Hills has announced that Ram will begin selling the Fiat Doblo on this side of the Atlantic as the Ram ProMaster City.
The Doblo, which was twice named International Van of the Year, has sold over 1.3 million units worldwide. Whether that includes the rebadged version which Vauxhall and Opel sell as the Combo is another matter, as is the question over how much longer Fiat and General Motors will continue that particular partnership as the ties between Fiat and Chrysler deepen.
The ProMaster City jumps into a newly hot competitive set with smaller commercial products like the Ford Transit Connect, Nissan NV200 and the Chevy City Express.


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If you are a Vets or Veterinary Surgeons with a website & you would like to appear on page one of Google, please fill in the website enquiry form and we will get back to you with information on how we can help you achieve this.
SEO is an important part of the marketing & advertising strategy for a Vets or Veterinary Surgeons if they wish for their website to reach as many potential new visitors as possible. However, it is a competitive market, with many different websites all competing for only a handful of positions on page one of Google and the other top search engines.
Vets & Veterinary Surgeons need to ensure that their website is found when potential clients are searching for the service they offer. This means their site needs to appear high in Google and the other search engines with the right keywords such as ‘find a Veterinary Surgery’ that in turn brings the right sort of traffic to their website.
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industry_corpus2: Agriculture & Fisheries


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NEW BRITAIN - When it comes to owning and running a business in the New Britain area, it helps to be a member of the Greater New Britain Chamber of Commerce.
Located in the CCSU Institute of Technology & Business Development building, the membership-based organization has been the business voice of New Britain for over a half-century.
The Chamber is made up of various nonprofit, manufacturing, health care, educational services and small to mid-sized businesses, and provides its services to more than 400 businesses in the area.
The Chamber has a 27-member board that includes law professionals, educators, accountants and members of the communications and medical industries.
Posted in New Britain Herald, Business, on Tuesday, 13 November 2018 20:37. Updated: Tuesday, 13 November 2018 20:39.

industry_corpus2: Law & Justice


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Can’t find the user manual for your new IR DEFENSE? If you have lost or thrown out the CD with the IR DEFENSE manual and you need advice with settings, error messages or are just interested in the capabilities and different functions of your IR DEFENSE, then you can download a user manual from the IR DEFENSE website.
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industry_corpus2: Manufacturing


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Browse: Home / baking / Happy New Year!
Thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog, and for leaving comments – it means a lot to me!
Wishing you all a wonderful, happy, healthy, properous & creative 2009!
And a big Happy new Year to you! I hope you have a great year ahead of you – keep those paintings and drawings coming, I love seeing what you come up with.

industry_corpus2: Hospitality & Catering


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Well if you loved the cars from the 80s and may be thinking of adding one to a collection, Jay Leno’s got some advice for you. Don’t. Jay Leno explains why car collectors should avoid cars from the 80s.
“The cars had not caught up to the regulations. The government said, ‘You must be able to do this.’ Well, they just jury-rigged whatever they had to do,” said Leno in a CNBC report.
The report claims that the carburetors that cars from the 80s and early 90s used, were far more troublesome as they could cause cars to overheat. Meanwhile, the newer models used a fuel injection system that according to the report, has replaced the need for carburetors.
As a collector it looks like Leno is steering clear of the 80s, that is with the exception of the Lamborghini Countach. Who doesn’t like the flashy and edgy looking Countach?
The 80s were filled with some pretty awesome automobiles, however, if you’re looking for a collectible performance car, you might want to look elsewhere according to the host of Jay Leno’s Garage. Leno owns over 100 cars so we’d trust his opinion on the subject matter.
You’d also have to replace your tape deck with a CD player to keep up with the times. Who wants to replace something that gives you some of the best nostalgic moments you could ask for? We love the 80s, the music, the fashion, the shows and everything else, however, from Leno’s advice, we should probably learn to let go of the automobiles.
Is the Ferrari 288 GTO the Greatest 80s Sports Car?

industry_corpus2: Automobiles


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You are currently viewing the informational subsite of the Inagro-website (written in English). To go back to the entire website (written in Dutch), click here.
Inagro is the knowledge partner of agricultural and horticultural businesses in the areas of innovation and sustainability.
Within its own optimised professional research infrastructure, Inagro's scientific and technical teams devise farming and cultivation techniques ready for practical use. Our partners in these endeavours are universities, university colleges and businesses.
Inagro's advisers take the new know-how to the agricultural and horticultural businesses and guide the businesses in how to implement these insights, all of which is supported with professional communication tools.
Geographically speaking Inagro is located in the very intensive and innovation-driven agricultural and horticultural heart of the province of West Flanders in Belgium.
expertise in arable farming, open air horticulture, greenhouse horticulture, edible mushrooms, cattle farming and intensive livestock farming, organic farming, agricultural diversification and educationfocus on cultivation techniques and crop protection; soil, water and energy; innovation and diversification; the social and natural environment.
For an impression on our research and activities, we selected a number of interesting projects in a colourful publication.
Inagro vzw is an external privatized agency of Provincie West-Vlaanderen.


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We are always interested in quality, used engineering machinery and equipment.
Drop us a line and we may well be able to turn equipment you no longer need into money, whatever the location.
Send us details of what you have available with a brief description, manufacturer, age and so on, we will come back to you.


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So, here we are, at the next eclipse on November 3rd. This is the more powerful of the two that are occurring this season. That is because it’s closer to the node of the Moon and because it’s a New Moon in Scorpio with Saturn. It’s almost certain that you are feeling this by now, Saturn doesn’t waste any time. I am often asked why life feels so intense at this moment. And inevitably, the eclipses are the answer.
I must admit, they are not my favorite aspects in astrology. They bring forward a lot of heavy and intense emotions, they can cause people to over react to circumstances. They bring endings in lives and often these endings seem to come from out of the blue. Once they get together with a distant planet, such as Saturn, eclipses bring long lasting effects. Whatever is on the table in your life at the time of an eclipse seems to grow exponentially as the eclipse nears. If you were born around the time of an eclipse, you will definitely be sensitive to them.
The eclipse we are having now will especially affect the fixed signs – Scorpio, Leo, Taurus, Aquarius. If you have these energies in your chart, you will definitely feel the intensity of this aspect. It will most likely challenge you in whatever area of your chart it affects. And Saturn’s presence will make that certain. A message will be driven home and a commitment will be necessary, because that is the nature of Saturn – we don’t get off the hook so easily. We often feel as if we are on the move, going relentlessly without a break.
Meanwhile, the Uranus and Pluto square is happening right now. It became exact early Friday morning as we become aware of the next level of our evolutionary journey. We can begin to see where our life is headed, how it is changing and where we are moving forward and away from the past. This aspect will continue for another few years, we are truly in the middle of it now. Next spring will be a time of deep connection to these two planets and we should hopefully come to a greater understanding of the meaning of this evolution in our lives. There will be a strong push forward at that time from a connection to Mars.
And on Tuesday Nov 5, Venus will enter Capricorn where it will stay for several months due to its retrograde cycle. Notice the theme in your life that emerges this week, it will play out for the rest of 2013 and into 2014. The retrograde will begin on Dec 21 and finish on Jan 31. It’s not a time to meet someone new and start a new relationship. It’s better for talking through the one you currently have. If you aren’t in one, then it could be about finances, friendships or resolving anything that may be a barrier to having a relationship. This is absolutely the worst time to get any sort of serious beauty treatment done – such as reconstruction, plastic surgery or microdermabrasion treatments of the face. It wouldn’t turn out well!
Mercury continues to be retrograde in Scorpio until Nov 11. If you had a profound and meaningful conversation with someone in the last three weeks, you may feel a continuation of that experience between now and the end of November. During its long passage in Scorpio, Mercury would have visited Saturn three times, bringing up an important revelation and serious thought about a particular matter.
Lastly, here in NYC, we have an election for Mayor on Tuesday, Nov 5. It’s happening right along with these major aspects, so whoever wins will have a quite an intense term in office. This will be the first new Mayor in 12 years. Mercury retrograde during the election – some truths will come out about how the public is feeling. Both candidates are ruled by Venus, one is a Libra, one a Taurus. Venus entering its sign of retrograde on the day of the election should bring some financial issues to be resolved to the new Mayor’s position. He will be sworn in during the Venus retrograde on Jan 1, 2014. It will also raise some questions as to whether the people will actually like him for this next term. Any way you look at this – it won’t be dull!

industry_corpus2: Others


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A Cumberland tradition for 90 years!
The Arnold Mills July 4th Parade will be held on July 4th, 2019. It will start, as usual, at 11:00am on Nate Whipple Highway (Route 120) Cumberland, RI, close to the North Attleboro town line.
The theme for the 2019 parade is Let Freedom Ring. Please keep this theme in mind when planning your entry.
The parade, over 90 years old, has been known as the Horribles Parade. However, it now includes fire trucks, antique and custom cars, bands, clowns, decorated bicycles, Patriotic Walkers and floats. The success of the parade has been founded on the creativity and enthusiasm of people such as yourself. Therefore, can we count on your participation this year?
If building a float is not for you, then perhaps you or your organization can participate in some other way. Whatever you decide, we hope you will participate in the Annual Parade.
There is no charge to enter a float, car or wagon, or whatever you might want as long as it is family acceptable.
We can help with trailers or trucks if you need that type of help. Please contact us!
Call the parade formation chairperson at 401-766-2780 (days) or 401-333-1381 (evenings) with any questions.
Floats come in all sizes.... there is none too small or too large!
Children, adults and seniors as well as business owners are all welcome to take part.
Here is the Official Parade Entry Form – or download PDF version . Please fill it out to let us know about your float.
Prize money is awarded for the best floats. In addition, plaques will also be awarded in various categories. So, start planning your floats now. To guarantee inclusion in the judging for prizes, you should be present and ready to be judged by 9:30 A.M. Judging will begin promptly at 10:00AM.
As a safety precaution, please be advised that the throwing of candy or other objects from floats/cars is strictly forbidden. Help us keep our children safe.
The Arnold Mills Parade Association and the people of Cumberland hope to see you on July 4th. Thank you.
For more information about the Arnold Mills Parade, call Joyce A. Hindle Koutsogiane at (401) 333-1381.


text: STEP DOWN FROM THE ORIGINAL DR MODEL MADE FOR SMALLER WAVES WHILE KEEPING HE HIGH PERFORMANCE IN THE SHAPE. ORDER THIS BOARD 1 OR 2 INCHES SHORTER AND 1/4 TO 1/2 INCH WIDER AND A LITTLE THICKER. LOWER NOSE ROCKER ACCELERATED ROCKER OFF THE TAIL WITH DEEP TRIPLE CONCAVE GIVES THIS MODEL SPEED AND ABILITY TO FIT IN THE POCKET FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE SURING IN SMALLER WAVES.


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Imperial Restroom provides the cheapest, most affordable mobile restroom trailer rentals portable shower trailer rentals and porta potty rentals for weddings and large outdoor events for tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of people. Our bathroom trailers and porta potties are for high volume / high capacity use for up to 100,000 people per event. Imperial Restroom will have staff on hand such as day porters to keep the restrooms clean and to restock with toilet paper, soap, paper towels and other items necessary to keep the restroom trailer operational throughout the outdoor event. 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text: Samphire Found along coastlines of the UK and northern France near estuaries and rocky pools as well as marshland, Samphire has small green branches with tips - like a small salty asparagus, and is indeed often known as sea asparagus. Blanching or steaming removes some of the salty flavour. Fresh is best between May and September, after which it can be too woody. It is also pickled, which is available year round. Seaweed Seaweed is among the richest sources of vitamins on earth and retains a concentration of minerals, fibres and proteins. It is especially suited to accompany fish or shellfish and is very easy to use. Simply rinse 2/3 times in fresh, cold water and then soak for 5 minutes. There are about five and a half thousand species of Seaweed but here are the more popular types of edible Seaweed (all farmed in England, Ireland and France) most suited to cooking, classified in 3 colour categories - Brown, Red and Green. Brown (becomes green after cooking) Kombu - Also known as Neptune’s Belt or Kelp, Kombu is delicious in soups and its wide strands make it ideal for making papillotes and wrapping whole fish with to bring out some extra flavour. Wakame - Has an almost oyster flavour, suited to soups and salads and is the best-suited seaweed for serving as a vegetable dish. Used in Japanese miso soup. Sea Spaghetti - This long, almost flat, spaghetti-like seaweed is also known as ‘sea thong’! Pan-fried for a few minutes with garlic, salt and pepper, Sea Spaghetti makes a great accompaniment to a portion of fish and is great with scallops. Use like a green bean, they are ideal for mixing into pasta and salads. Red Dulse - Has a slightly crunchy, nutty taste and is very popular in Ireland, where it is called Dillisk. It can be served raw with a normal salad, added to a stir-fry, or used to enhance the flavours of a fish pie. Carrageen - Often called Irish Moss, Carrageen is very common around the European and American coastline. The colour is rich, dark red but, once dried in the open air, it bleaches to a creamy colour. Carrageen is well known for its gelling qualities, and is often used in place of gelatine in sorbets, ice cream, chocolate, cheese and instant soups. Nori - Also known as laver or purple laver, Nori belongs to the red seaweed family, but becomes black or green when dry. Dried and pressed, Nori is widely used by the Japanese in sushi, and of course it’s also used in the famous Welsh laver bread. Green Sea Lettuce - The most popular seaweed, sometimes known as green laver, it has a taste almost like sorrel, and is delicious in a salad or soup. Like Kombu, the wide leaf shape is good for wrapping round a portion of fish and gently steaming. You can deep-fry it too for some real crispy seaweed.


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I wrote a letter to the editor that appeared in the September 27th edition of the Albany Democrat Herald and the Corvallis Gazette Times. I called out the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for a proposal to kill even more cougars than are already allowed under the state’s quota system. This is, allegedly, in response to low and declining deer populations and to alleviate some human-cougar conflicts. The proposal, however, fails to consider new findings from wildlife ecologists and is indiscriminately cruel.
The 2016 Big Game Regulations … identify several target areas slated for an all-out attack on cougars. These target areas will add to the nearly 800 cougars already allowed to be killed through the state’s quota system.
Cougars in target areas are hunted with hounds and killed with snares and traps. Oregon voters have twice voted in opposition to hound-hunting. The department’s use of these violent methods blatantly disrespects the will of the voters and is indiscriminately cruel. These proposed regulations are terrible for cougars.


text: Explore the wonders of the human voice with the fun, magical activities in The Book of Pitch Exploration! Whether it's whooshing or shushing, hooting or booing, the human voice is capable of creating all kinds of sounds. This book allows children to discover these sounds through ideas, poems, stories, and songs that invite vocal participation from all involved. Not only are these activities fun, they also make excellent vocal warm-ups!

industry_corpus2: Subject Education


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Have you discovered a broken app? Follow these steps first to minimize the time you have to spend in a debugger.
Learn how to take advantage of the protections enabled with Windows Defender Exploit Guard Attack Surface Reduction.

industry_corpus2: Computing & Telecommunications


text: R.E.D. stands for Remember Everyone Deployed. Help us spread the R.E.D. Friday movement by wearing R.E.D. gear every Friday...and don't forget to take minute to remember and support our deployed military personnel while we are enjoying our freedoms stateside! Large, bold lettering on front reading, "R.E.D." with the bottom half of the Oscar Mike logo. Oscar Mike logo printed on left sleeve.


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Back in October, 4th Estate hosted a meeting of two brilliant, whip-smart and erratic minds, Lena Dunham and Caitlin Moran, in a sell out event at London’s Southbank Centre.
Each of these books explore what it feels like to not fit in- either by being so blatantly different that you can never go unnoticed, or by having to conceal who you really to the point that your very identity dissolves. Although gay marriage is now legalised across all American states and high profile celebrity transgender people such as Caitlin Jenner and Laverne Cox have grabbed the media attention, these four short books remind us that the struggle for equality for people of all genders and sexualities isn’t over.
For many of us (particularly if you were fortunate enough to be born in the 70s or 80s), America was introduced to us at a tender, impressionable age thanks to Hollywood’s far-reaching and never-ending power.
Peanut butter and marshmallows go so well together in these chewy cookies. Depending on your tastes, crunchy peanut butter can be used if you want added bite to your cookies. We’ve made these with white marshmallows, but you can also mix it up a little by adding some pink ones for extra colour.
And with it, the ever-present ice-cream jingle coaxing you out of the house, and sprawling, semi-clad bodies on yellowing patches of grass.
For so many of us, summer is about confronting our lack of confidence in our bodies, and the prospect of taking off our protective armour of clothing is actually quite terrifying.
Sali Hughes to the rescue, with this handy, straight-talking and utterly sensible edited extract from the chapter ‘Showing Some Skin’.
Our second Cover Reveal of July features another book with an enthusiastic recommendation from horrormeister Stephen King – Consumed, the debut novel from cult film director David Cronenberg.

industry_corpus2: Literature & Emotions


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Save time, empower your teams and effectively upgrade your processes with access to this practical Multi-agent system Toolkit and guide. Address common challenges with best-practice templates, step-by-step work plans and maturity diagnostics for any Multi-agent system related project.
The latest quick edition of the Multi-agent system Self Assessment book in PDF containing 49 requirements to perform a quickscan, get an overview and share with stakeholders.
Featuring 636 new and updated case-based questions, organized into seven core areas of process design, this Self-Assessment will help you identify areas in which Multi-agent system improvements can be made.
Risk factors: what are the characteristics of Multi-agent system that make it risky?
Who needs to know about Multi-agent system ?
Cloud management for Multi-agent system do we really need one?
Activity Duration Estimates: Explain the four frames of organizations. How can they help Multi-agent system project managers understand the organizational context for their Multi-agent system projects?
Project Schedule: Is there a Schedule Management Plan that establishes the criteria and activities for developing, monitoring and controlling the Multi-agent system project schedule?
Project Portfolio management: If the PMO does not properly balance the portfolio of Multi-agent system projects, who will?
Schedule Management Plan: After initial schedule development, will the schedule be reviewed and validated by the Multi-agent system project team?
Step-by-step and complete Multi-agent system Project Management Forms and Templates including check box criteria and templates.
With this Three Step process you will have all the tools you need for any Multi-agent system project with this in-depth Multi-agent system Toolkit.
This Toolkit empowers people to do just that – whether their title is entrepreneur, manager, consultant, (Vice-)President, CxO etc… – they are the people who rule the future. They are the person who asks the right questions to make Multi-agent system investments work better.
Save time, empower your teams and effectively upgrade your processes with access to this practical Music technology Toolkit and guide. Address common challenges with best-practice templates, step-by-step work plans and maturity diagnostics for any Music technology related project.
The latest quick edition of the Music technology Self Assessment book in PDF containing 49 requirements to perform a quickscan, get an overview and share with stakeholders.
Featuring 687 new and updated case-based questions, organized into seven core areas of process design, this Self-Assessment will help you identify areas in which Music technology improvements can be made.
Meeting the challenge: are missed Music technology opportunities costing us money?
How do we accomplish our long range Music technology goals?
Who needs to know about Music technology ?
How do we maintain Music technology’s Integrity?
What tools and technologies are needed for a custom Music technology project?
Project Scope Statement: Will all Music technology project issues be unconditionally tracked through the issue resolution process?
Planning Process Group: Is the duration of the programme sufficient to ensure a cycle that will Music technology project the sustainability of the interventions?
Stakeholder Management Plan: Are Music technology project leaders committed to this Music technology project full time?
Step-by-step and complete Music technology Project Management Forms and Templates including check box criteria and templates.
With this Three Step process you will have all the tools you need for any Music technology project with this in-depth Music technology Toolkit.
This Toolkit empowers people to do just that – whether their title is entrepreneur, manager, consultant, (Vice-)President, CxO etc… – they are the people who rule the future. They are the person who asks the right questions to make Music technology investments work better.
Save time, empower your teams and effectively upgrade your processes with access to this practical Fourth Party System Toolkit and guide. Address common challenges with best-practice templates, step-by-step work plans and maturity diagnostics for any Fourth Party System related project.
The latest quick edition of the Fourth Party System Self Assessment book in PDF containing 49 requirements to perform a quickscan, get an overview and share with stakeholders.
Featuring 676 new and updated case-based questions, organized into seven core areas of process design, this Self-Assessment will help you identify areas in which Fourth Party System improvements can be made.
For your Fourth Party System project, identify and describe the business environment. is there more than one layer to the business environment?
How much are sponsors, customers, partners, stakeholders involved in Fourth Party System? In other words, what are the risks, if Fourth Party System does not deliver successfully?
What are the disruptive Fourth Party System technologies that enable our organization to radically change our business processes?
Cost Management Plan: Cost management – How will the cost of changes be estimated and controlled?
Issue Log: How do you reply to this question; I am new here and managing this major program. How do you suggest I build my network?
Closing Process Group: What is the overall risk of the Fourth Party System project to the organization?
Requirements Management Plan: Who is responsible for quantifying the Fourth Party System project requirements?
Procurement Management Plan: Is the assigned Fourth Party System project manager a PMP (Certified Fourth Party System project manager) and experienced?
Step-by-step and complete Fourth Party System Project Management Forms and Templates including check box criteria and templates.
With this Three Step process you will have all the tools you need for any Fourth Party System project with this in-depth Fourth Party System Toolkit.
This Toolkit empowers people to do just that – whether their title is entrepreneur, manager, consultant, (Vice-)President, CxO etc… – they are the people who rule the future. They are the person who asks the right questions to make Fourth Party System investments work better.
Save time, empower your teams and effectively upgrade your processes with access to this practical SCC compliant Toolkit and guide. Address common challenges with best-practice templates, step-by-step work plans and maturity diagnostics for any SCC compliant related project.
The latest quick edition of the SCC compliant Self Assessment book in PDF containing 49 requirements to perform a quickscan, get an overview and share with stakeholders.
Featuring 714 new and updated case-based questions, organized into seven core areas of process design, this Self-Assessment will help you identify areas in which SCC compliant improvements can be made.
Will SCC compliant deliverables need to be tested and, if so, by whom?
Does SCC compliant systematically track and analyze outcomes for accountability and quality improvement?
Who is the main stakeholder, with ultimate responsibility for driving SCC compliant forward?
How to deal with SCC compliant Changes?
Is the SCC compliant organization completing tasks effectively and efficiently?
Project Portfolio management: Why is SCC compliant project portfolio management (PPM) important?
Procurement Management Plan: Are milestone deliverables effectively tracked and compared to SCC compliant project plan?
Quality Audit: How does the organization know that its relationships with the community at large are appropriately effective and constructive?
Quality Metrics: What are the organizations expectations for its quality SCC compliant project?
Requirements Documentation: If applicable; are there issues linked with the fact that this is an offshore SCC compliant project?
Activity Duration Estimates: What are some crucial elements of a good SCC compliant project plan?
Step-by-step and complete SCC compliant Project Management Forms and Templates including check box criteria and templates.
With this Three Step process you will have all the tools you need for any SCC compliant project with this in-depth SCC compliant Toolkit.
This Toolkit empowers people to do just that – whether their title is entrepreneur, manager, consultant, (Vice-)President, CxO etc… – they are the people who rule the future. They are the person who asks the right questions to make SCC compliant investments work better.
Save time, empower your teams and effectively upgrade your processes with access to this practical Document classification Toolkit and guide. Address common challenges with best-practice templates, step-by-step work plans and maturity diagnostics for any Document classification related project.
The latest quick edition of the Document classification Self Assessment book in PDF containing 49 requirements to perform a quickscan, get an overview and share with stakeholders.
Featuring 928 new and updated case-based questions, organized into seven core areas of process design, this Self-Assessment will help you identify areas in which Document classification improvements can be made.
What are the business goals Document classification is aiming to achieve?
Do we all define Document classification in the same way?
Are improvement team members fully trained on Document classification?
What is Document classification’s impact on utilizing the best solution(s)?
Stakeholder Management Plan: Are there processes in place to ensure internal consistency between the source code components?
WBS Dictionary: Are all authorized tasks assigned to identified organizational elements?
Project Management Plan: Do the proposed changes from the Document classification project include any significant risks to safety?
WBS Dictionary: Are overhead cost budgets (or Document classification projections) established on a facility-wide basis at least annually for the life of the contract?
Project Charter: Document classification project Background: What is the primary motivation for this Document classification project?
Step-by-step and complete Document classification Project Management Forms and Templates including check box criteria and templates.
With this Three Step process you will have all the tools you need for any Document classification project with this in-depth Document classification Toolkit.
This Toolkit empowers people to do just that – whether their title is entrepreneur, manager, consultant, (Vice-)President, CxO etc… – they are the people who rule the future. They are the person who asks the right questions to make Document classification investments work better.
Service set: Why are Service set skills important?
Save time, empower your teams and effectively upgrade your processes with access to this practical Service set Toolkit and guide. Address common challenges with best-practice templates, step-by-step work plans and maturity diagnostics for any Service set related project.
The latest quick edition of the Service set Self Assessment book in PDF containing 49 requirements to perform a quickscan, get an overview and share with stakeholders.
Featuring new and updated case-based questions, organized into seven core areas of process design, this Self-Assessment will help you identify areas in which Service set improvements can be made.
Is the Service set scope manageable?
Why are Service set skills important?
Who are the Service set improvement team members, including Management Leads and Coaches?
How will you measure your Service set effectiveness?
Probability and Impact Matrix: Are staff committed for the duration of the Service set project?
Scope Management Plan: Is a PMO (Service set project Management Office) in place and provide oversight to the Service set project?
Cost Estimating Worksheet: What additional Service set project(s) could be initiated as a result of this Service set project?
Step-by-step and complete Service set Project Management Forms and Templates including check box criteria and templates.
With this Three Step process you will have all the tools you need for any Service set project with this in-depth Service set Toolkit.
This Toolkit empowers people to do just that – whether their title is entrepreneur, manager, consultant, (Vice-)President, CxO etc… – they are the people who rule the future. They are the person who asks the right questions to make Service set investments work better.
Computer user satisfaction: Why is Computer user satisfaction important for you now?
Save time, empower your teams and effectively upgrade your processes with access to this practical Computer user satisfaction Toolkit and guide. Address common challenges with best-practice templates, step-by-step work plans and maturity diagnostics for any Computer user satisfaction related project.
The latest quick edition of the Computer user satisfaction Self Assessment book in PDF containing 49 requirements to perform a quickscan, get an overview and share with stakeholders.
Featuring new and updated case-based questions, organized into seven core areas of process design, this Self-Assessment will help you identify areas in which Computer user satisfaction improvements can be made.
How can skill-level changes improve Computer user satisfaction?
How are the Computer user satisfaction’s objectives aligned to the group’s overall stakeholder strategy?
Why is Computer user satisfaction important for you now?
Who will be responsible for deciding whether Computer user satisfaction goes ahead or not after the initial investigations?
Schedule Management Plan: Have all documents been archived in a Computer user satisfaction project repository for each release?
Human Resource Management Plan: Has a Quality Assurance Plan been developed for the Computer user satisfaction project?
Schedule Management Plan: Has a provision been made to reassess Computer user satisfaction project risks at various Computer user satisfaction project stages?
Step-by-step and complete Computer user satisfaction Project Management Forms and Templates including check box criteria and templates.
With this Three Step process you will have all the tools you need for any Computer user satisfaction project with this in-depth Computer user satisfaction Toolkit.
This Toolkit empowers people to do just that – whether their title is entrepreneur, manager, consultant, (Vice-)President, CxO etc… – they are the people who rule the future. They are the person who asks the right questions to make Computer user satisfaction investments work better.
Community health: What is a feasible sequencing of reform initiatives over time?
Save time, empower your teams and effectively upgrade your processes with access to this practical Community health Toolkit and guide. Address common challenges with best-practice templates, step-by-step work plans and maturity diagnostics for any Community health related project.
The latest quick edition of the Community health Self Assessment book in PDF containing 49 requirements to perform a quickscan, get an overview and share with stakeholders.
Featuring new and updated case-based questions, organized into seven core areas of process design, this Self-Assessment will help you identify areas in which Community health improvements can be made.
Do those selected for the Community health team have a good general understanding of what Community health is all about?
What business benefits will Community health goals deliver if achieved?
Does Community health analysis show the relationships among important Community health factors?
Project Schedule: Why do you think schedule issues often cause the most conflicts on Community health projects?
Activity Duration Estimates: Describe Community health project integration management in your own words. How does Community health project integration management relate to the Community health project life cycle, stakeholders, and the other Community health project management knowledge areas?
Step-by-step and complete Community health Project Management Forms and Templates including check box criteria and templates.
With this Three Step process you will have all the tools you need for any Community health project with this in-depth Community health Toolkit.
This Toolkit empowers people to do just that – whether their title is entrepreneur, manager, consultant, (Vice-)President, CxO etc… – they are the people who rule the future. They are the person who asks the right questions to make Community health investments work better.
Cheese (software): What should we measure to verify effectiveness gains?
In a project to restructure Cheese (software) outcomes, which stakeholders would you involve?
What is the Cheese (software) sustainability risk?
To what extent does management recognize Cheese (software) as a tool to increase the results?
Is Supporting Cheese (software) documentation required?
Risk Register: Have other controls and solutions been implemented in other services which could be applied as an alternative to additional funding?
Schedule Management Plan: Are the Cheese (software) project team members located locally to the users/stakeholders?
Schedule Management Plan: Are enough systems & user personnel assigned to the Cheese (software) project?
Initiating Process Group: What were things that you did very well and want to do the same again on the next Cheese (software) project?
Resource Breakdown Structure: What is each stakeholders desired outcome for the Cheese (software) project?


text:
For information about the Evaluation board look here.
One difference is that the CPU voltage limits are specified variably from 400MHz (1.5V) to 50MHz (1V) the current at these speeds is not mentioned. The FreeRunner includes a variant that can be clocked up to 500MHz, however a) current consumption is insane at this frequency and b) various other components can't cope with the peripheral clock at this speed. It is therefore safe to assume that the highest frequency for the Neo FreeRunner is 400MHz.
It should also be possible to use host mode with externally-provided power. This will allow the FreeRunner to be connected to a USB device and be powered and charging the battery if present at the same time.
This page was last modified on 8 March 2010, at 14:43.


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As soon as you think email marketing most people cringe and think of spam – ‘BEST DEALS’ – ‘SPECIAL OFFERS!’ and the like, making you simultaneously wretch and search wildly for the delete button.
We’re talking about something else. The use of targeted emails, with concise and informative content. You likely possess some knowledge that your clients (both existing and potential) would like to have, here is the time to give it to them, and reap the rewards in return.
So, you’ve got your list of people to email, or you have a ‘subscribe to our newsletter’ box added to your website that has been rigorously promoted and you’ve got a handful of contacts that is growing steadily over time. What now? Here are some starter tips for your email marketing campaign.
Sounds obvious right? This bit is so commonly overlooked, but SO IMPORTANT. Do your clients want to read about how well your business is doing? Let’s be honest. Probably not. Do they want to read about a new piece of technology, a new technique or some new legislation that might impact their business? Almost certainly.
Creating an eshot is not like creating a website. For a website there are a handful of browsers across a handful of devices. For email display there are LOADS! Around a hundred variations or more in wide circulation. In short this limits what can be done with email design, and requires significant testing. Check out Emails on Acid, or Mailchimps email testing service.
As with anything online, it’s always best to monitor responses, opens, forwards, and any click activity. Then future mail shots can be optimised for improved engagement and your marketing activity will get better and better.


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What is the best price for a return flight from Houston George Bush Intercntl. to Columbia Metropolitan?
How many airlines fly direct from Houston George Bush Intercntl. to Columbia Metropolitan?
There are 2 airlines who fly direct from Houston George Bush Intercntl. to Columbia Metropolitan.
How many flights are there a week from Houston George Bush Intercntl. to Columbia Metropolitan?
There are 7 flights per week from Houston George Bush Intercntl. to Columbia Metropolitan, as of March 2019.
How long does it take to fly from Houston George Bush Intercntl. to Columbia Metropolitan?
2h 15min is average flight time from Houston George Bush Intercntl. to Columbia Metropolitan.
Which airline is the most popular from Houston George Bush Intercntl. to Columbia Metropolitan in March 2019?
United is most popular airline from Houston George Bush Intercntl. to Columbia Metropolitan in March 2019.
How many airports are there in Columbia Metropolitan?
There is 1 airport in Columbia Metropolitan.

industry_corpus2: Transportation


text:
Great took for the less experiences ones like me. I can finaly add blocks all over my magento website without learning the complex code. it's really a great product.
I bought the Highlighted Blocks and it is one of my favorite extension. Very smooth and easy to manage block contend from backend without touching any template file. Recommend to every magento store.
Very good extension and working very well as described. There is an error after installation but because of my mistake. The support team helped and solved the problem, after that everything works properly. I recommend this extension!
Bought the extension but we encountered some issues with installing but the service was great and resolved in no time!! I recommend this company because they are very good in support and useful extensions.
Very nice extension now it is pretty easy to create different blocks. This extension helps so much with content management. It's a must have for every store.
What I love most Highlighted Blocks is the complete power that I have over my page content. I can select where certain blocks show up, rotate them for a dynamic feel, and schedule them so I can do a lot of management at one time, and have stuff pop up when it is appropriate.
This extension has saved me hours of programming time and made the magento web shop up to date and keep looking fresh because it supports 10 featured product widgets. Moreover, all blocks can be schedule to come on and turn off automatically. This extensions is really perfect!
The Highlihted Bolcks is a great extension. This extension has fantastic flexibility and options. It allows me managing and displaying all static blocks and featured products without touching the layout files! Highly recommended.


text:
Leap into action and join Spider-Man for a day of web slinging adventure. Ideal for playing inside or out, this pop up play tent features a fold down door, 3D skyscraper features and a peek-through spiderweb roof. Plus it's easy to pop up or put away. Plan your next adventure in your very own Spider-Man den. This pop up tent will keep little ones entertained for hours and will not only help to develop imaginative play but also encourage role-play.
Traditional play tent, which promotes physical activity, encourages role-play and helps develop imaginative play.
It is quick and easy to assemble, you just need to pop it up. It folds away compactly too for easy storage.
It folds away compactly too for easy storage.
Great for indoors or outdoor play.

industry_corpus2: Gaming


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BackYou are here: Int'l Campaign Solidarity Statements Indonesia: Solidarity Message to the Indian People’s Struggle!
We would like to assert our strong protest against Operation Green Hunt that is being conducted by the Government of India to escalate military intervention against the indigenous people in the forested regions of East-Central India. The Green Hunt military operation already endangers the lives and livelihoods of millions of the poorest people living in those areas, resulting in massive displacement, destitution and human rights violations of ordinary citizens, especially the indigenous people.
People all over the world are aware of the fact that the territory where the Green Hunt military offensive is taking place is very rich in natural resources like minerals, forest wealth and water, and has been the target of large scale appropriation by several Indian and foreign corporations. The resistance of the local indigenous people against their displacement and dispossession has in many cases prevented the government-backed corporations from making inroads into these areas and has thankfully impeded the setting-up of ecologically disastrous industries. We fear that the government's on-going military offensive is an attempt to crush such popular resistance in order to facilitate the entry and operation of these corporations and to pave the way for unbridled exploitation of the natural resources and the people of these regions.
1) Stop the Operation Green Hunt and withdraw all armed forces from East-Central India.
2) The Government of India should engage with the civil society mediated initiatives for peace negotiations with representatives of civil society organization in order to address the grievances of the common people.
3) Cancellation all Memoranda of Understanding (MoU-s) signed with different corporations, for the extraction of natural resources from the vast areas of East-Central India.
4) Repeal all of repressive laws like Unlawful Activity (Prevention) Act, Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act, and Armed Forces Special Powers Act!
5) Release all political prisoners!
6) Disband all state-assisted vigilante groups like the Salwa Judum in Chhattisgarh and Harmad Bahini in West Bengal.
7) Uphold the law and democratic right of the people for humane treatment and better people's lives and livelihood!
Support the resistance of people in India!
Down with the imperialists and their puppets!


text: I love this show! I used to think I was over the top during my deliveries, carrying on about the pain and groaning loudly etc. then I watch this show and see that it’s normal and I was quite mild in comparison. Hubby can’t watch it though!


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← So that’s a pound of dice.
Gamescience pound of dice report!
21x d4s. They’re all the clipped-points style. One of them is oversized! There’s nearly a complete set of oversized standard polyhedrals in the bag, just missing a d10 and a d6. This assortment is making me lust for an oversized set.
10x d6es. Ehh…They’re okay. Numbers not pips, and I’m a pips partisan. Three of them have custom “1”s.
10x d8s. One oversized! One glittery. Four opaque, and one of them is really cheap/soft with clipped corners.
27x d10s but lots of face variety. Since they’re uninked, it’s hard to eyeball what all is in there. Three 10-50s, four 00-40 (?), a couple 10-00, six 1-5s, and two blanks. Blanks! I have no idea what to do with them but they’re pretty. The rest are standard, with one glittery one. You can get close to a complete glittery set!
21x d12s, one of them oversized. They all look standard. No glitter, this is the missing link.
31x d20s, two of them oversized. Two glittery ones and they’re unreadable without ink. The majority (15, so a plurality I guess) are of the 1-10/+1-+10 style, 9 are the (0-9)x2 style (never got the point, just roll a d10), and the last 8 are standard d20s. There are a couple glow in the dark ones! Again, a set I didn’t know I needed but I sure do now.
9x itty bitty d20s, all different colors, all ‘dorbs and all in the 0-9 style whyyyyy.
A complete polyhedral set in kind of a tiger eye style. Quite beautiful.
And a selection of dWTFs: two d24s, four d16s, a d14 (with the days of the week above the numbers!), a three sided “rock paper scissors” die (?), and an extremely clever d5 that doesn’t look like it should produce an even distribution but maybe it does? Looks like a fat triangle, and sure enough it lands on an edge as often as not.
Some really weird dice in there!
Dollars to donuts, you’ll find some 10-sided d5s, d10s number 00-40 or 10-50, and d6s that top out at 5 in your mix.
I’m with you on wanting an oversized set. I came close in my assortment, too!
I’m curious if there is an application for the dWTF dice outside of gaming that is…unheard of in most circles but gives companies like GameScience reason to create them?
Adam Day I understand Dungeon Crawl Classics uses the dWTF set.
Huh. I had no idea! Shows what I know about DCC.
I purchased a couple of the d3’s a few years ago just because they looked neat and, as you mention, have Rock-Paper-Scissors indicators. I figured it was a novelty and could be useful for the odd roll in AD&D, if I ever broke that workhorse out again.
Ed McW yeah but that hasn’t been true since like 1990 or something. Is there still a need/demand? I mean there must be, right? The colonel wouldn’t make them if there wasn’t. Who’s buying/using the 0-9 dice?!
Apparently, some people also feel that D10s don’t roll well enough to be an effective randomizer, and therefore prefer the 0-9 D20s.
Weirdly, I wrote my second comment without seeing your reply, but it totally looks like a direct response to your comment.
As a practical matter, playing on a crowded table in a coffee shop, the fact that GS dice stop sooner, on average, is one of the things I love about them.
I didn’t say I thought D10s didn’t roll well enough. Good point, though.
Also, Game Science dude = Lou Zocchi.
Check that d8 with the clipped corners. I bet it’s numbered 1-4 twice. They used to market it with its own ads as “a d4 that rolls”.
I really want some of the dWTFs now. I have no current use for them, but hey, more and different weirdo dice.
Hm, how easy are these things to get hold of in the UK? I shall investigate!
Ulf Bengtsson Then what are the double 0-9 d20s for? I assumed it was a randomization reason vs d10s as well.
Paul Mitchener There’s a UK site, The Dice Shop Online, that has a pretty good stock of GS dice. Not the pound, of course, but lots of individual dice.
Noah Tucker They can of course be used as d10s. Or you can colour the two sets differently (so that Blue 5 is actually 15 and Blue 0 is actually 20, whereas Red 0 is really 10 and Red 5 is… Standing by?), to create a d20 that is marginally more balanced than a regular one (two digits = more material carved away on half of the sides). Also rolling two of these they’re easier to use as d100s than regular d20s.
Paul Mitchener I’m already thinking hard about those d24s! Hours in the day are obvious; there are other 24s out there on the tip of my tongue, too.
The d5 is neat and so weird. And we typically have 5 players on board game night. Finally the long nightmare of not knowing who goes first will come to an end.
Double 0-9 were the predominant 20s of my earliest D&D days and of my collection still the ones I have the most feels for. Haven’t rolled d20s in a long time but if I were to need one, I’d instinctively reach for the double 0-9. Mine were relatively easy to read and we only colored one set of 0-9, usually red and those were the high side.
As soon as I’ve got time travel dialed in I’ll go back and change that. But then this thread will never happen and I’ll never invent time travel!
Lots of the GS 0-9ers have a little + next to one set of numbers. Not all, though.
Good news Paul, you actually do invent time travel. You just swung by, checked out my old d20s, but said it was still kind of lame and wasn’t going to bother going back to teach 11yo you any of it. You also told me not to tell but, what’s the worst that can happen?
Martin Ralya the ones with the little + are sharp. I like that. But now I’m thinking the two-toned inking/waxing is the most elegant solution.
I spot a white d6 with Grimtooth on it, I have a couple of those.


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I just couldn't stop, really. It was one night, that the snow locked me up in my studio. I had wet down some large sheets of watercolor, and stretched them on my wall. I dipped into India Ink and let it drip. I was aware of my posture, like one is in their yoga practice or at their desk. I knew when I bent over with the brush, the composition went with it. I was so aware of what was happening with gravity, composition, posturing, and proportion, it took years to realize what it actually meant.
I did these grids for almost a full year, as my personal life reconfigured, and my professional life overshadowed my life's changes. I had a woman, both artist and mentor, flippantly say, as a critique, "Of course, the grids are about finding structure and stability. Isn't it obvious?"
No, it wasn't obvious. I was too close to it all.
How many handmade squares I made is unknown. Most of the pieces are off in a portfolio somewhere in my archives. The larger pieces are rolled up in my shed.
Much like that time in my life.
But this was an essential time in my life, to grow from numb reflection.


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A complete suspension mountain bicycle allows you to drive off-road trails with an increase of convenience and control than you’d have from a hardtail hill cycle. With a suspension fork at the front associated with the cycle and a shock absorber at the rear, the rims can progress and over lumps, lumps, origins and rocks, smoothing out the path ahead. Thanks to the additional stability and control through the suspension system, full suspension system hill bicycles can start the opportunity to explore more challenging terrain and hurdles.
Browse through the range of complete suspension system bikes we now have at Evans rounds and you’ll observe that they normally use various framework products, wheel sizes, and appear in all sorts of forms. There are alternatives of atmosphere or coil sprung surprise absorbers with different quantities of suspension travel. So what's the most useful complete suspension hill bicycle for you? To work that out, it is generally speaking simplest to separate your lives the sort of riding the bicycles were created for because of the level of vacation obtained being offered.
Light, ‘cross-country’ full suspension hill bikes will usually boast around 100mm (3.9in) of suspension travel additionally the lightest (and a lot of costly) use carbon fibre structures - like BMC Fourstroke. The idea listed here is to use the sting regarding lumps and add some comfort toward trip without hampering pedalling effectiveness or including excess fat in which it isn’t required. Cross-country hill bikes are designed to be ridden uphill as fast because they are downhill. Nowadays they tend to sport 29in tires or perhaps the more recent 27.5in (650b) wheel dimensions.
Up the travel ever so slightly, and also you come into the field of the ‘trail’ complete suspension system hill bike. Trail bicycles use between 120 - 140mm (4.7 – 5.5in) of suspension travel. In comparison to faster vacation cross-country bicycles, trail bicycles like Norco Sight will let you handle rougher terrain with better control and security, and at higher rates.
Even more vacation tends to suggest the overall body weight for the bicycle creeps up, but the suspension's design guarantees the effort you put through your pedals however gets efficiently utilized in the rear wheel. Path complete suspension mountain bicycles can be found with 26in, 27.5in (650b) and 29in tires, with steel, aluminium and carbon fibre frames. For basic biking at trail centers, these bicycles are perfect.
To get more aggressive tracks with larger lumps, greater speeds, falls and jumps, all-mountain/enduro bicycles like Mondraker Dune provide 150 - 160mm (5.9 - 6.3in) of vacation. They’re somewhat heavier than path bicycles, but they are created to resist even more misuse and deal with tougher terrain. To simply help boost stability, they're slightly longer than trail and cross-country bikes, but uses larger bars and faster stems to get more reactive steering. All-mountain/Enduro complete suspension system bikes are often offered with 27.5in (650b) or 29in tires, & most have structures made out of aluminium or carbon fibre. If you’re seeking to take on more challenging surface every now and then, this is the most useful full suspension system mountain cycle for you.
Regarding downhill complete suspension system mountain bicycles, weight is less of a concern because durability and strength take concern. Suspension travel jumps around an astonishing 200 - 220mm (7.9 - 8.7in), which lets the bike gobble up huge lumps and drops. Don’t be alarmed if you see the suspension fork in front for the cycle getting a supplementary fork crown making it stiffer and more powerful. Economical bicycles have coil sprung surprise absorbers, while more expensive ones use environment sprung products in lowering weight.

industry_corpus2: Sports