tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24327021071102026392024-02-07T15:39:14.050-08:00Rince ArtScience, Space, Gaming, Travel...Rincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830081841459666368noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432702107110202639.post-68555852006947214122019-05-07T23:55:00.002-07:002019-05-07T23:55:38.922-07:00<center><b>Privacy Policy for Mars Timeline App</b></bl><br>
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/hu/app/mars-timeline/id1039647462">Mars Timeline on the App Store</a><br></center>
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<i>Gergely Kovacs built the Mars Timeline app as a Free app. This SERVICE is provided by Gergely Kovacs at no cost and is intended for use as is.<br>
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This page is used to inform visitors regarding my policies with the collection, use, and disclosure of Personal Information if anyone decided to use my Service.<br>
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If you choose to use my Service, then you agree to the collection and use of information in relation to this policy. The Personal Information that I collect is used for providing and improving the Service. I will not use or share your information with anyone except as described in this Privacy Policy.<br>
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The terms used in this Privacy Policy have the same meanings as in our Terms and Conditions, which is accessible at Mars Timeline unless otherwise defined in this Privacy Policy.</i><br>
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<b>Information Collection and Use</b><br>
For a better experience, while using our Service, I may require you to provide us with certain personally identifiable information, including but not limited to app crash logs. The information that I request will be retained on your device and is not collected by me in any way.<br>
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<b>Log Data</b><br>
I want to inform you that whenever you use my Service, in a case of an error in the app I collect data and information (through third party products) on your phone called Log Data. This Log Data may include information such as your device Internet Protocol (“IP”) address, device name, operating system version, the configuration of the app when utilizing my Service, the time and date of your use of the Service, and other statistics.<br>
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<b>Security</b><br>
I value your trust in providing us your Personal Information, thus we are striving to use commercially acceptable means of protecting it. But remember that no method of transmission over the internet, or method of electronic storage is 100% secure and reliable, and I cannot guarantee its absolute security.<br>
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<b>Children’s Privacy</b><br>
These Services do not address anyone under the age of 13. I do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under 13. In the case I discover that a child under 13 has provided me with personal information, I immediately delete this from our servers. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact me so that I will be able to do necessary actions.<br>
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<b>Changes to This Privacy Policy</b><br>
I may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. Thus, you are advised to review this page periodically for any changes. I will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page. These changes are effective immediately after they are posted on this page.<br>
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<b>Contact Us</b><br>
If you have any questions or suggestions about my Privacy Policy, do not hesitate to contact me at rince_art, hosted by yahoo.com.<br>
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<center><b>Mars Timeline Terms of Service</b><br></center>
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<b>1. Terms</b><br>
By accessing our app, Mars Timeline, you are agreeing to be bound by these terms of service, all applicable laws and regulations, and agree that you are responsible for compliance with any applicable local laws. If you do not agree with any of these terms, you are prohibited from using or accessing Mars Timeline. The materials contained in Mars Timeline are protected by applicable copyright and trademark law.<br>
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<b>2. Use License</b><br>
Permission is granted to temporarily download one copy of Mars Timeline per device for personal, non-commercial transitory viewing only. This is the grant of a license, not a transfer of title, and under this license you may not:<br>
- modify or copy the materials;<br>
- use the materials for any commercial purpose, or for any public display (commercial or non-commercial);<br>
- attempt to decompile or reverse engineer any software contained in Mars Timeline;<br>
- remove any copyright or other proprietary notations from the materials; or<br>
- transfer the materials to another person or "mirror" the materials on any other server.<br>
This license shall automatically terminate if you violate any of these restrictions and may be terminated by Gergely Kovacs at any time. Upon terminating your viewing of these materials or upon the termination of this license, you must destroy any downloaded materials in your possession whether in electronic or printed format.<br>
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<b>3. Disclaimer</b><br>
The materials within Mars Timeline are provided on an 'as is' basis. Gergely Kovacs makes no warranties, expressed or implied, and hereby disclaims and negates all other warranties including, without limitation, implied warranties or conditions of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement of intellectual property or other violation of rights.
Further, Gergely Kovacs does not warrant or make any representations concerning the accuracy, likely results, or reliability of the use of the materials on its website or otherwise relating to such materials or on any sites linked to Mars Timeline.<br>
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<b>4. Limitations</b><br>
In no event shall Gergely Kovacs or its suppliers be liable for any damages (including, without limitation, damages for loss of data or profit, or due to business interruption) arising out of the use or inability to use Mars Timeline, even if Gergely Kovacs or a Gergely Kovacs authorized representative has been notified orally or in writing of the possibility of such damage. Because some jurisdictions do not allow limitations on implied warranties, or limitations of liability for consequential or incidental damages, these limitations may not apply to you.<br>
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<b>5. Accuracy of materials</b><br>
The materials appearing in Mars Timeline could include technical, typographical, or photographic errors. Gergely Kovacs does not warrant that any of the materials on Mars Timeline are accurate, complete or current. Gergely Kovacs may make changes to the materials contained in Mars Timeline at any time without notice. However Gergely Kovacs does not make any commitment to update the materials.<br>
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<b>6. Links</b><br>
Gergely Kovacs has not reviewed all of the sites linked to its app and is not responsible for the contents of any such linked site. The inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by Gergely Kovacs of the site. Use of any such linked website is at the user's own risk.<br>
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<b>7. Modifications</b><br>
Gergely Kovacs may revise these terms of service for its app at any time without notice. By using Mars Timeline you are agreeing to be bound by the then current version of these terms of service.<br>
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<b>8. Governing Law</b><br>
These terms and conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Texas, USA and you irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in that State or location.<br>Rincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830081841459666368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432702107110202639.post-73640257527613752852016-09-30T00:00:00.000-07:002016-09-30T00:00:00.310-07:00Quote of the Month<meta content='space, science, nasa, star, nebula, planet, universe, space, science, reason, hubble, carlin, tyson, degrasse, asimov, bohr, hawking, newton, krauss, kaku, einstein, confucius, russell, bertrand, thomas, jefferson, randi, cox, washington, gervais' name='keywords'/>
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"With or without religion you would have good people doing good things
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and evil people doing evil things.
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But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion."
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- Steven Weinberg
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"We ignore public understanding of science at our peril."
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- Eugenie Clark
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</div>Rincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830081841459666368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432702107110202639.post-12621069135465863482016-07-31T00:00:00.000-07:002016-07-31T00:00:00.152-07:00Quote of the Month<meta content='space, science, nasa, star, nebula, planet, universe, space, science, reason, hubble, carlin, tyson, degrasse, asimov, bohr, hawking, newton, krauss, kaku, einstein, confucius, russell, bertrand, thomas, jefferson, randi, cox, washington, gervais' name='keywords'/>
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"The real truth about a lot of life's mysteries can be explained by science,
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but people don't want to get in bed with science because it's cold.
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They prefer religion, myth, drama."
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- David Duchovny
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"Ignorance might be bliss for the ignorant,
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but for the rest of us it’s a right fucking pain in the arse."
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- Ricky Gervais
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"There is but one straight course,
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and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily."
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- George Washington
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"The presence of those seeking the truth
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is infinitely to be preferred to the presence of those
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who think they've found it."
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- Terry Pratchett
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"...man, once surrendering his reason,
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has no remaining guard against absurdities the most monstrous,
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and like a ship without a rudder, is the sport of every wind.
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With such persons, gullibility which they call faith,
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takes the helm from the hand of reason,
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and the mind becomes a wreck."
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- Thomas Jefferson
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"To be scientifically literate
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is to empower yourself to know
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when someone is full of bullshit."
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- Neil deGrasse Tyson
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"I think the problem is that people often confuse skepticism with cynicism.
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I’m not a cynic, not at all.
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I’m willing to be shown.
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All I ask for is the evidence."
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- James Randi
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</div>Rincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830081841459666368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432702107110202639.post-57424008816882461642015-12-31T00:00:00.000-08:002015-12-31T00:00:01.036-08:00Quote of the Month<meta content='space, science, nasa, star, nebula, planet, universe, space, science, reason, hubble, carlin, tyson, degrasse, asimov, bohr, hawking, newton, krauss, kaku, einstein, confucius, russell, bertrand' name='keywords'/>
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"So the universe is not quite as you thought it was.
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You’d better rearrange your beliefs, then.
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Because you certainly can’t rearrange the universe."
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<div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 25em;">
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- Isaac Asimov
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</div>Rincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830081841459666368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432702107110202639.post-4416019506801381562015-12-05T04:51:00.004-08:002015-12-05T04:51:33.601-08:00The Mars Timeline Mobile App (Free)<div style="text-align: justify;">
After years of research and about 6 months of development, a new project of mine has come to fruition: the Mars Timeline mobile app. It is a tribute to humanity's effort to conquer Mars, an encyclopedia containing every mission ever sent to the Red Planet.</br>
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downl;oad it and enjoy mission overviews, detailed technical information of spacecraft, and galleries of rare images. Enjoy the story of Mars exploration all for free and without advertisements, of course, as I believe that we should not put a price on knowledge.</div></br>
<center>
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mars-timeline/id1039647462" target=_blank><img src="https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/dfa87831240111.5659e02d3a1c1.jpg" width=480 ></a>
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mars-timeline/id1039647462" target=_blank>iTunes Link</a></br>
<a href="https://www.behance.net/gallery/31240111/Mars-Timeline" target=_blank>Behance Presentation</a>*</br>
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* Don't forget to appreciate it! ;)Rincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830081841459666368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432702107110202639.post-166872836414794202015-11-30T00:00:00.000-08:002015-11-30T00:00:14.162-08:00Quote of the Month<meta content='space, science, nasa, star, nebula, planet, universe, space, science, reason, hubble, carlin, tyson, degrasse, asimov, bohr, hawking, newton, krauss, kaku, einstein, confucius, russell, bertrand' name='keywords'/>
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"The problem with today’s world is that
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everyone believes they have the right to express their opinion
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AND have others listen to it.
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The correct statement of individual rights is that
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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everyone has the right to an opinion, but crucially,
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that opinion can be roundly ignored and even made fun of,
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particularly if it is demonstrably nonsense!"
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<div style="text-align: left; text-indent: 25em;">
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- Professor Brian Cox
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</div>Rincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830081841459666368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432702107110202639.post-45081642726179204122015-11-24T10:06:00.000-08:002015-11-24T10:11:02.888-08:00History Was Made Yesterday...... and not by SpaceX!</br>
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Although, to be fair, what SpaceX is trying to do from orbit (not from a mere 100 km) is infinitely harder. Still, kudos to Blue Origins!<br/>
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<center>
<iframe width="460" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9pillaOxGCo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</center>Rincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830081841459666368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432702107110202639.post-63564190465659545432015-11-21T00:49:00.000-08:002015-11-21T00:55:28.793-08:00Backpacking Guide for Japan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EkUSXr2uNKI/VlAmFfN4RPI/AAAAAAAAHjU/OImRm0_z0jo/s500-Ic42/japan_emblem.gif" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 0in;" width="180" />
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Backpacking is a fun and rewarding way to travel. It offers more opportunities, to immerse oneself in a foreign culture, than more traditional ways. Yet, for those who have never done it before, planning a backpacking trip may seem like a daunting task, especially if the target country is as exotic as Japan. Luckily, that is where this article comes in. Of course, I am by no means an expert, but I did go on an impromptu, month-long backpacking trip to Japan, during which I feel I had gained invaluable experiences that can be beneficial to others; especially if you, like me, go there for the first time. This is what this article is about.<br />
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<b>When do I want to go?</b></div>
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I think I can say it pretty confidently that the best time to visit Japan is in the Spring, starting from mid-March until late April. Weather is ideal at this time--neither too humid nor too hot--and you will catch the blossoming of the cherry trees, perhaps the most well-known attraction in all of Japan. Unfortunately, as anything else in life, Spring too has its downsides. Since the admiring of the cherry trees is a world-renowned festivity, it is probably the busiest season, attracting the most amount of tourists. This means you will likely encounter more people than in any other season and will need to prepare earlier as accommodations fill up incredibly quickly.<br />
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While we are on the subject of crowds, make sure you leave the country before the so called Golden Week starts, which is when most Japanese people go on vacation, rendering virtually every shrine and tourist attraction impossible to visit. Golden week starts on April 29 and, as its name suggests, last for a week.<br />
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Lastly, some people would argue that an equally good time to visit Japan is in the Fall. Although you will miss the cherry blossoms, you will gain the opportunity to witness the countryside turn to a beautiful array of Fall colors. Not only that, but by the the time fall arrives, the typically humid Japanese summer should also wind down, presenting cool and clear weather. It is, therefore, the perfect time to visit Japanese gardens and the mountainous regions of the country.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rinceart/15770008128/in/album-72157648592171740/" title="Cherry trees blossoming" target=_blank><img alt="Cherry trees blossoming" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7484/15770008128_e1877b47b9_k.jpg" width="460" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<b>How early do I need to start planning my trip?</b></div>
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Generally speaking: as early as possible! Lodgings fill up incredibly quickly--especially in the main tourist season--therefore, it is generally a smart idea to start booking months in advance; even a year might not be too early. We did our travel preparations fairly late, only two months before our departure, and our options were severely limited because of our late start. We often had to settle on less than ideal lodgings because the best hostels were already fully booked. Lastly, I do not think I have to tell anyone that plane tickets get more expensive the closer time gets to their departure date.<br />
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<b>What do I want to see?</b></div>
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Obviously, this is a question that is entirely up to you. Since you have decided to go to Japan, you should have at least a vague idea of what you want to see. One simple advice I can give you, however, is to try to mix up the places you visit. For instance, even if you are super into manga and anime, do not spend all your time in Tokyo or Osaka; include a few smaller towns and out-of-place destinations to get a better, more varied experience of the country. Still, for the unlikely event of having trouble deciding what to see, I recommend visiting the website <a href="http://www.japan-guide.com" target=_blank>www.japan-guide.com</a>, where you can browse between the most popular attractions broken down by region, type, and/or popularity. If nothing else, it should give you a solid foundation on which you can later build your itinerary.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rinceart/15024197403/in/album-72157648592171740/" title="The Pagoda of Senso-ji" target=_blank><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5612/15024197403_542b8f7aa5_k.jpg" width="460" alt="The Pagoda of Senso-ji"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br />
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<b>Where should I stay?</b></div>
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Since you are going backpacking, I am going to assume you won’t be staying in expensive hotels. Luckily, Japan is full of youth and backpacker hostels that are both affordable and comfortable. You can expect anywhere from 10 to 30 dollars a night for an average shared dormitory, and since these places cater exclusively for foreigners, you will always find English-speaking staff able to help you with everything. Reserving your beds can easily be done online, and for this I recommend <a href="http://www.hostelworld.com" target=_blank>www.hostelworld.com</a> and, to a degree, <a href="http://www.booking.com" target=_blank>www.booking.com</a>. <br />
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These sites are also helpful in choosing the right hostel. Since there are so many hostels in Japan, the level of comfort they provide fluctuates on a wide range. For the same amount of money you can be put into a dark hole with 15 other people with no air conditioning or a fairly comfortable small dormitory with lots of personal space. The rule of thumb is to always read the customer reviews as they can be invaluable in choosing the right hostel. My experience is that sometimes it is worth the extra 5-10 bucks to stay at a nicer and/or more conveniently located place than cheaping out and regretting later.<br />
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Also, make sure you stay at a place with security lockers. Although Japan is an incredibly safe place, hostels attract a lot of people from all around the world and, while most of them are super nice and upright fellows, you can never know who will occupy the bed next to yours. Keep your valuables safe!
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rinceart/15957410635/in/album-72157648592171740/" title="Private 'capsules' at a hostel" target=_blank><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7576/15957410635_988c02a222_k.jpg" width="460" alt="Private 'capsules' at a hostel"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br />
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<b>What and how do I need to pack?</b></div>
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Since you will likely be on the move all the time, naturally, you want to pack lightly. Ideally, you should have one large backpack for your regular items--clothes, etc--and a smaller “carry-on” for drinks, food, your camera and other small articles. Almost every place we stayed in Japan had laundry facilities--even the cheapest hostels--so, bringing clothes for more than a week--or even four or five days--is definitely overkill in my opinion. Aside from clothes, you might also want to pack rain gear, a warm sweater--in case it gets cold--hiking shoes, and a towel as not all hostels give you one. Also, if you are not a heavy sleeper, you might want to pack a lot of earplugs as those hostels can be quite noisy sometimes. We actually stayed in one that shared a wall with a private karaoke bar; yes, a karaoke bar! All in all, whatever you pack, just keep in mind that you have to carry everything on your back.<br />
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Before we move on, however, we also need to talk about medications as they can be the source of some trouble in Japan. Since Japan has much stricter rules regarding medications than most Western countries, you need to be extra careful what you bring with you. If you take medications regularly, make sure you check an official source regarding this issue, such as the <a href="http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-medimport.html" target=_blank>Tokyo U.S. Embassy’s website</a>. Even some run-of-the-mill cold and allergy medications can get you into trouble at customs; so, make sure you know what to expect!<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rinceart/15024195383/in/album-72157648592171740/" title="All packed for Japan" target=_blank><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5603/15024195383_764806b243_k.jpg" width="460" alt="All packed for Japan"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br />
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<b>What about credit cards and money?</b></div>
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Simply put, Japan is not a credit card friendly country. While some convenient stores do accept credit and debit cards, most places do not--including many hostels. So, it is imperative to exchange at least a couple days--if not a week--worth of Yens before you depart. How much you need in a day, however, depends largely on your expenditures. If you plan on eating out every day, for instance, obviously you should have more cash with you than if you are willing to subside on 100 Yen onigiri rice balls and instant ramen.<br />
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Once in Japan, if you ever run out of cash, you need to keep in mind that regular Japanese ATMs do not take foreign cards. If you need to withdraw money, you have to go to a 7 Eleven or a Post Office; they have ATMs that take foreign cards.<br />
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<b>Is Japan a safe country?</b></div>
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Yes; Japan is an incredibly safe country! Not only countless backpacker experiences support this argument, but virtually every global statistics involving crime. That, however, does not mean you can be careless. You will probably not get mugged on dark Tokyo street, but you still have to spend a considerable amount of time in hostels with people from all over the world. You should be careful and apply common sense, keeping your valuables with you at all times and, if it is not an option, using security lockers whenever available.<br />
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<b>I do not speak Japanese. Will I be okay?</b></div>
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For the most part, yes. Although Japan is not an English-friendly country--very few Japanese people speak English--signs, maps, and ticket machines usually have English options, which are generally enough for foreigners to get around; in big cities at least. As you travel farther from the metropolises, however, signs and other English language guides become scarcer, which might give you some headache. One advice I can give you is to always be prepared. Before you depart to your next destination, for instance, always check online how to get there--using the public transportation option of Google maps or <a href="http://www.japan-guide.com" target=_blank>www.japan-guide.com</a>, and even print out your itinerary if you can. It will be invaluable, should you find yourself alone and surrounded by Japanese signs and not a soul who understands you.<br />
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One personal note though: if you have the time and willingness, learning a little Japanese might not be a bad idea. Aside from giving you confidence, learning can be extremely fun. Before I went to Japan, I took the beginner courses at <a href="http://www.japanesepod101.com" target=_blank>Japanese Pod 101.Com</a>. For a few months before my trip, I used my morning commute to listen to the courses and managed to learn enough Japanese to ask for directions and carry out very basic conversations, all of which came handy during my trip. More than once, I was able to use my budding Japanese skill when we got lost and needed to ask for directions. Being able to speak a little Japanese also gave me confidence; I knew that, if everything else failed, I had something to fall back on; however limited it may may be.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><b>What do I need to know about public transportation?</b></div>
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Although Japanese public transportation can be a little daunting at first, you can get used to it fairly quickly. In general, your fare is always based on the distance you traveled. You validate your ticket at the station you depart, and your fee will be based on what station you get off. Not too difficult, right? Wrong! The problem arises from the fact that you usually need to purchase your ticket in advance, and for that, you need to know what station you want to get off. Station names, however, are rarely displayed in any language other than Japanese, so, unless you read kanji fluently, you will have a hard time buying tickets. Luckily, there is an easy way to avoid this hassle.<br />
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The first thing you should do when you arrive in Japan is to go to a ticket machine--they can be found in most major transportation hubs, including the airport--and buy yourself a Suica or a Pasmo card. These are rechargeable travel cards that you can use in most public transportation, including subways, buses, and most local trains. They provide a unified payment system the various public transportation operators all agreed to accept. You just put your card to the reader when you enter the transit area and do the same when you exit; the system will automatically deduct your fare. Aside from long distance trains and some very small, rural operators, the cards are accepted throughout Japan. You can even use them at some vending machines and convenient stores as a debit card. And, should you ever run out of funds on your card, you can top it up at any ticket machine that accepts it.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rinceart/15644705255/in/album-72157648592171740/" title="Ticket terminals at Osaka Airport" target=_blank><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3934/15644705255_0164325f32_k.jpg" width="460" alt="Ticket terminals at Osaka Airport"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br />
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<b>Should I buy that Japan Railway Pass everyone talks about?</b></div>
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First of all, the Japan Railway Pass--or JR Pass in short--is a foreign tourist-only pass that allows you to use trains operated by JR, one of the major railway companies in Japan. You can find more information on the official <a href="http://www.jrpass.com/" target=_blank>JR Pass website</a>. With that said, I am going to go against the crowd here and say that you should probably not buy it; or, at least consider it really carefully before you make the purchase. We did quite a thorough examination of our trip--especially since we moved around alot--and concluded it was not worth it--by quite a huge margin actually.<br />
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The problem with the JR Pass is that it is only good for JR operated trains. Most of the small local trains however--the ones you will likely use most of the time--are usually operated by small, local companies. In fact, the only time we used a JR line was when we traveled from Tokyo to Kyoto and back, and buying that ticket straight from the ticket office cost a fraction of the aforementioned pass.<br />
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Now, this is not to say that the Japan Rail Pass cannot be a good deal. If your route involves a lot of long distance, JR-operated lines than it might be well worth to buy the pass. Otherwise, I would just use local railways, most of which are a lot cheaper and more convenient than JR ones.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rinceart/15458829750/in/album-72157648592171740/" title="Tokaido Shinkansen" target=_blank><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3937/15458829750_ea5c4812eb_k.jpg" width="460" alt="Tokaido Shinkansen"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script><br />
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<b>What to do in an emergency?</b></div>
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Luckily, I cannot speak first hand regarding this issue, but common sense dictates that you check the instructions of the embassy of your home country and keep their emergency number with you at all times. They will be able to help you, especially when there is a language barrier to tackle.<br />
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</div>Rincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830081841459666368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432702107110202639.post-73923354489437008752015-10-31T00:00:00.000-07:002015-10-31T00:00:01.673-07:00Quote of the Month<meta content='space, science, nasa, star, nebula, planet, universe, space, science, reason, hubble, carlin, tyson, degrasse, asimov, bohr, hawking, newton, krauss, kaku, einstein, confucius, russell, bertrand' name='keywords'/>
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"Just because science doesn't know everything
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doesn't mean you can fill in the gaps
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with whatever fairytale most appeals to you."
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- Dara O'Briain
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</div>Rincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830081841459666368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432702107110202639.post-22429663808223258372015-09-30T00:00:00.000-07:002015-09-30T00:00:01.464-07:00Quote of the Month<meta content='space, science, nasa, star, nebula, planet, universe, space, science, reason, hubble, carlin, tyson, degrasse, asimov, bohr, hawking, newton, krauss, kaku, einstein, confucius, russell, bertrand' name='keywords'/>
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"If your plan is for one year, plant rice;
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If your plan is for ten years, plant trees;
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If your plan is for a hundred years, educate children."
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- Confucius
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</div>Rincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830081841459666368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432702107110202639.post-21868972639483081502015-08-31T00:00:00.000-07:002015-08-31T00:00:00.809-07:00Quote of the Month<meta content='space, science, nasa, star, nebula, planet, universe, space, science, reason, hubble, carlin, tyson, degrasse, asimov, bohr, hawking, newton, krauss, kaku, einstein, russell, bertrand' name='keywords'/>
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"The most dangerous phrase in the language is
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‘we’ve always done it this way’."
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- Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper
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</div>Rincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830081841459666368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432702107110202639.post-16770824926223464332015-07-31T00:00:00.000-07:002015-07-31T00:00:08.734-07:00Quote of the Month<meta content='space, science, nasa, star, nebula, planet, universe, space, science, reason, hubble, carlin, tyson, degrasse, asimov, bohr, hawking, newton, krauss, kaku, einstein, russell, bertrand' name='keywords'/>
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"Nothing in life is to be feared,
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it is only to be understood.
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Now is the time to understand more,
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so that we may fear less."
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- Marie Curie
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</div>Rincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830081841459666368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432702107110202639.post-6636379758295749532015-07-27T23:40:00.001-07:002015-11-20T23:46:50.496-08:00Rest in Peace Warhammer Fantasy<meta content='warhammer, fantasy, battle, games, workshop, games-workshop, age, of, sigmar, death, rip, citadel, paint, modeling, miniature, figure' name='keywords'/>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">The 11th of July, 2015 marked one of the saddest moments in tabletop and roleplaying games history: the death of the Warhammer Fantasy Battle tabletop game, and with it, the Old World, perhaps one of the most iconic fantasy universes ever created.<br/>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">For those of you who have not heard of Warhammer Fantasy, here is a brief recap. It all started in 1983 when Games Workshop released the first edition of Warhammer Fantasy Battle, the tabletop wargame that lifted the, then small, gaming company to world prominence. To accompany their new game, the guys at GW created a fantasy universe that, over the years, grew to be one of the most unique fantasy settings ever created, a dark and gritty world that inspired many, including Blizzard's well-known Warcraft series. Sadly, it all came to an end a few weeks ago when Games Workshop decided to kill their entire fantasy lineup in order to start fresh, with a new tabletop game and new a setting, both aimed for the casual player.<br/>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">Scrapping a well-made but admittedly complex game system in favor of a new, more streamlined party game is one thing (from a strictly financial perspective, it might even be understandable, although not any less sad). But, throwing away 32 years of lore and a game world that was one of the most original ones out there, a universe that had become part of the lives of tens of thousands from board and video gamers to roleplayers and tabletop wargamers, is a decision hard to come to terms with (I doubt I will ever be able to as it was a consistent part of my life since my early teens).<br/>
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<img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kjEZv-mESkQ/VbcdNbNQ_EI/AAAAAAAAHhc/jmHOHkO_8ks/s760-Ic42/warhammer_fantasy_battle_table.jpg" style="padding: 0px;" width="480" /><br/>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">If you have not heard of Warhammer Fantasy before, I highly recommend that you look it up and, if you like what you saw, maybe even buy a few novels or roleplay supplements while you still can. They will soon become hard to come by. And if you are someone who, like me, loved the Old World, hold on to your old Warhammer stuff; you are possessing true treasures, the mementoes of a glorious but now dead period of gaming history.<br/>
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<font style="font-size: 200%; color: firebrick;"><b>Rest in Peace<br/>
Warhammer Fantasy<br />
1983 - 2015</b>
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</center>Rincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830081841459666368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432702107110202639.post-29668219913347896402015-06-30T00:00:00.000-07:002015-06-30T00:00:01.128-07:00Quote of the Month<meta content='space, science, nasa, star, nebula, planet, universe, space, science, reason, hubble, carlin, tyson, degrasse, asimov, bohr, hawking, newton, krauss, kaku, einstein, russell, bertrand' name='keywords'/>
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"We've arranged a global civilization in which most crucial elements
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profoundly depend on science and technology.
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We have also arranged things so that
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almost no one understands science and technology.
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This is a prescription for disaster.
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We might get away with it for a while,
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but sooner or later this combustible mixture of ignorance and power
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is going to blow up in our faces."
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- Carl Sagan
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</div>Rincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830081841459666368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432702107110202639.post-69388556355333782282015-05-31T00:00:00.000-07:002015-05-31T00:00:03.535-07:00Quote of the Month<meta content='space, science, nasa, star, nebula, planet, universe, space, science, reason, hubble, carlin, tyson, degrasse, asimov, bohr, hawking, newton, krauss, kaku, einstein, russell, bertrand' name='keywords'/>
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"Where there is evidence,
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no one speaks of ‘faith’.
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We do not speak of faith that two and two are four
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or that the earth is round.
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We only speak of faith
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when we wish to substitute emotion for evidence."
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- Bertrand Russell
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</div>Rincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830081841459666368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432702107110202639.post-3754517183095255652015-04-30T00:00:00.000-07:002015-04-30T00:00:03.168-07:00Quote of the Month<meta content='space, science, nasa, star, nebula, planet, universe, space, science, reason, hubble, carlin, tyson, degrasse, asimov, bohr, hawking, newton, krauss, kaku, einstein, russel, bertrand' name='keywords'/>
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"A central lesson of science is that to understand complex issues (or even simple ones),
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we must try to free our minds of dogma and to guarantee the freedom to publish,
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to contradict, and to experiment.
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Arguments from authority are unacceptable."
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- Carl Sagan
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</div>Rincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830081841459666368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432702107110202639.post-73007787086139755852015-03-31T00:00:00.000-07:002015-03-31T00:00:09.596-07:00Quote of the Month<meta content='space, science, nasa, star, nebula, planet, universe, space, science, reason, hubble, carlin, tyson, degrasse, asimov, bohr, hawking, newton, krauss, kaku, einstein' name='keywords'/>
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"The skeptic does not mean him who doubts,
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but him who investigates or researches,
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as opposed to him who asserts and thinks that he has found."
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- Miguel de Unamuno
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</div>Rincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830081841459666368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2432702107110202639.post-24112248273351831632015-03-30T11:18:00.000-07:002015-03-30T11:19:11.027-07:00Reinventing the NASA Mobile App<center>
<a href="https://www.behance.net/gallery/22524837/Reinventing-the-NASA-App" target_blank><img src=https://mir-cdn.behance.net/v1/rendition/projects/202/22524837.54bfe5e53a7ab.png></a><br/>
For the Behance presentation, <a href="https://www.behance.net/gallery/22524837/Reinventing-the-NASA-App" target_blank>click on</a> the image!<br/>
(and do not forget to push the "appreciate this" button ;)
</center>Rincehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830081841459666368noreply@blogger.com0