Issued on: 02/05/2020 - 08:07

Havana (AFP)

These are hot, humid days in Havana. When the afternoon breeze sweeps in off the sea, William Roblejo steps onto the roof of his building, draws his bow across the strings of his violin, and runs through his repertoire of music to soothe an anxious city.

Access to a rooftop and a breeze is a coveted luxury in the Cuban capital, areas of which have been in lockdown over the coronavirus pandemic for several weeks.

On other Havana rooftops, the country's top ballet dancer rolls out a mat and runs through his positions and pirouettes, an Olympic pentathlete lunges at an imaginary rival with an epee, and a Greco-Roman wrestling champion pumps iron.

Cuba has imposed lockdowns only in certain barrios, but the government has called on people to stay home as the number of confirmed infections climbed above 1,500 this week with 64 deaths.

With temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, water shortages in some areas of the capital and long lines at food stores, Cubans have grown more anxious under weeks of confinement.

Adrian Sanchez, first soloist at the National Ballet of Cuba, fears above all that his muscles and his posture, used to a daily nine-hour training regime, will atrophy.

"When all this is over we have to return to the ballet, and if we come back untrained, that will be very hard," said Sanchez, 22.

He practices "two or three hours" a day on the roof of his building, reached through a skylight and overlooking the iconic Revolution Square.

"That way the time goes by faster, and I don't feel I'm being locked up so long," he says.

Like everyone else, a good part of his day is spent queueing up for food.

- Making do -

After decades of living under a US blockade, Cubans are adept at making do, even under the most difficult of circumstances -- not least their athletes and performers who now have to find a way to pursue their dreams during the uncertainty fueled by the pandemic.

Leydi Moya pulls out her epee to practice her fencing as part of her preparations for the next Olympic pentathlon event, whenever that may be.

Moya, youth Olympic champion in Singapore 2020 and triple-medallist at the Panamerican Games in Lima last year, was returning from a training camp in Mexico when the pandemic hit the region.

She knows that the makeshift training regimen she is reduced to at home is a far cry from Olympic-standard fitness training.

"Performance is going to drop," she admits.

It's a similar situation for Daniel Gregorich, a Panamerican champion in Greco-Roman wrestling at his 87 kg weight level, who made Cuba's Olympic team at a recent qualifying event in Ottawa, Canada.

"Sport is health, sport is life and at least it calms my anxiety," the 23-year-old said between sessions of lifting weights and doing push-ups.

- A little gratitude -

Roblejo, the musician, is at times frustrated by not having his usual concert audience because "musicians are used to delivering art live."

But he is also grateful for some of the quarantine's gifts as he plays on his rooftop above the deserted barrio of Playa, where the lulling sounds of the sea are more noticeable now there is no traffic.

"I have to thank this quarantine a little bit, because I studied a bit more and I think I've advanced in my music. Now I want this to be over so that I can show it," said RobLejo, head of the string section of Havana's Conservatory.

In many ways, he admits to being "very happy. I've been locked up and playing alone at home for 20 or 25 days now."

Psychologist Patricia Ares, writing in Granma, the daily of the ruling Communist Party, said "all of us will have to learn to live with adversity.

"We cannot avoid the wind, but we can build windmills."

2020 AFP

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Artists, athletes cling to their dreams on Havana's rooftops - RFI

I bought a house without an in-person viewing. When I signed the contract, I noticed something interesting

I grew up in Newmarket during the 1990s. We lived in Stonehaven, a neighbourhood with lots of young families, which meant there were always kids running around. It was a typical suburban upbringing. We hung out in parks with our dogs and, when we played road hockey on the street after school, cars would actually slow down. After high school, I took film studies at Queens University. Thats where I met my girlfriend, Hilary, who was in the nursing program.

In 2018, Hilary and I moved into a 700-square-foot condo at Lakeshore and Fort York. We liked the location. There were plenty of parks nearby, which made us feel close to nature, but we could also walk downtown in five minutes. Plus, it was pretty close to both of our workplaces. But after living there for a year, we decided we wanted more rooms and square footage. Well probably have a family in the future, so we needed to find something that we could grow into.

We knew one thing for sure: we wanted to move to Newmarket. Ive still got a bunch of family in the area and Hilary likes it there, too. Its got a small-town feel, with friendly neighbours and quiet streets. And nice-sized lots are affordable. Its about an hour-long drive from Newmarket to Toronto, just close enough if we want to drive in for concerts and sporting events. We realized that moving would complicate our work commute, but my schedule is fairly flexible and Hilary doesnt mind driving that much.

In late 2019, we officially started house-hunting. We set a budget around $550,000, with a maximum of $600,000, and started looking. We werent too picky about the number of bedrooms or bathrooms, since anything would be an upgrade from our tiny condo. Our ideal place: a detached home, with a big kitchen because we love to cook, and a spacious backyard where we could barbecue and get to know our neighbours.

We found a three-bedroom, three-bathroom semi in Newmarket with a beautiful kitchen and a long, rectangular yard. It was in our price range, too. We were pretty skittish, since it was our first time bidding on a home, but we submitted an offer. The sale became a bidding war and we backed off quickly. We were only willing to spend $560,000 and it ended up going for roughly $570,000. After that, nothing worked out. There were only a few places within our price range and everything seemed to get scooped off the market immediately. After a few months, by February 2020, we thought, Okay, this is just not going to happen right now. We have to wait until theres a bit of a lull.

On March 11, we took a week-long vacation to Cabo with my family. Everything felt relatively normal when we took off. But the day after we arrived, the bad news started coming in. I remember being out for dinner on our first night there, just enjoying the beautiful weather, when we happened to glance at our phones and see an alert about the NBA shutting down. Im not a huge basketball fan, but being a sports guy otherwise, I thought, Woah, this is real. In the days that followed, I received panicked messages from family, friends, and co-workers. A couple days before we were set to leave, I remember Prime Minister Trudeau looking very seriously at the camera during one of his public announcements and saying, Its time to come home. There were plenty of other Canadians vacationing in Cabo. We all wondered how things would be when we got back. Fortunately, given that we were Canadian citizens, we were allowed to return under the governments travel ban.

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When we arrived back in Toronto, on March 18, we immediately went into a 14-day quarantine, per the federal governments mandate. We figured that our house-buying dreams would be put on hold, at least for the moment, since everything was so chaotic and we figured we wouldnt be able to see anything in person anyway. But a couple days later, on March 22, we got a notice from our realtor about a three-bed, three-bath detached that recently hit the market for $579,000 in Newmarket. We could tell from the listing that the layout was just like the first home we bid on, with a big kitchen and a long backyard. It had these amazing half-century old trees, which shielded the house from the street and offered a sense of privacy. It also had some sentimental value, since it was located on the same street as Hollingsworth Arena, where I played hockey as a kid, and right near South Lake Hospital, where I was born.

Hilary and I knew it was a great price, and we thought hard about it. Within a few hours, our realtor got back to us and said someone else had bought the house. We figured wed be stuck living in the condo for a while. Then, on March 28, our realtor got back to us and said the place was back on the market because the first deal fell through. He asked if we were interested. Since we were still in quarantine, we thought, Lets just put an offer in, conditional on home inspection. At this point, wed only looked at the pictures online.

Some people might be anxious about buying a home without seeing it in person. We were comfortable, though, because wed seen nearly identical homes in the same neighbourhood. Having been through the process of bidding on those other homes, we knew what to expect in terms of things that might go wrong. For instance, the houses in that neighbourhood are a bit older, so theyre likely to have aluminum wiring, which is generally a no-no for insurance companies. But I have an electrician and an insurance broker in the family, so I figured wed be fine. And we didnt think we had the luxury of time to ask for a showingeven a virtual showing. We just jumped on it. That said, if we werent in the middle of a pandemic, we probably wouldnt have been so aggressive.

When I signed the offer, I noticed something interesting. The sellers name looked familiar. I asked the realtor if he could find out whether the seller used to teach at Stonehaven Elementary, where I went to school.

Back in elementary school, I loved telling stories. There are a lot of teachers who dont have the energy to deal with a kid who constantly wants to be performing for everyone else. Except for my homeroom teacher, who always encouraged me to express myself artistically. She was creative, too. In her class, we put on a 1970s adaptation of Macbeth, which included big hair, flared jeans and weird Star Wars references. Its one of my favourite memories. That teacher encouraged me to use my imagination, and shes a big reason why I went on to become a video game developer, a job that involves a lot of creativity. I liked her so much that, when I left her class, I gave her a set of wood and metal wind chimes.

Our realtor contacted the listing agent. It turned out that the seller had in fact been my old homeroom teacher. According to the realtor, she remembered me and said that I was one of her favourite students. When I finally saw her at the home inspection at the house, on April 2nd, we were giving each other air hugs because of the social distancing rules. She and her partner introduced us to their neighbours and showed us around their garden. It was such a warm feeling. Sure enough, dangling from a tree in the backyard, were a set of wood and metal wind chimes.

The home inspection was clean and the closing date is May 14. Hilary and I plan to move in at the end of May. Going back to Newmarket makes it feel like my life is coming full circle. Im not sure if my old teacher will take those wind chimes with her when she moves out. But if she leaves them behind, Ill be sure to buy her a new set.

As told to Liza Agrba

More here:
I bought a house without an in-person viewing. When I signed the contract, I noticed something interesting - Toronto Life

Issued on: 02/05/2020 - 04:12

Sydney (AFP)

The New Zealand Warriors have been cleared to fly into Australia as the National Rugby League moves further toward a season return.

Australian officials granted the team an exemption from a ban on international arrivals into the country on Saturday morning, taking a big step toward the planned May 28 resumption of the sport.

The NRL season was suspended on March 24 after just two rounds amid a government shutdown of all non-essential gatherings in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus.

"It has been a challenging and often frustrating time for all parties over the last few weeks with so many issues on the table but it has finally come together as of today," Warriors chief executive Cameron George said Saturday.

The Warriors are expected to land in the rural town of Tamworth on Sunday afternoon and begin a 14-day isolation in the town, about five hours drive from Sydney, before the start of the NRL.

George said a negotiation over player pay had been resolved and the team had also been given permission to train in Australia.

Australia's Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton confirmed 36 players and staff had been granted an exemption from the travel ban, clearing the flight to arrive in the country.

"This is an excellent outcome for rugby league and another step towards the competition resuming on May 28," Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V'landys said.

"The club will follow the strictest biosecurity protocols and, like all clubs, will participate in an education day about the protocols on Monday morning."

On Friday, the league cleared another hurdle after the Queensland government said players would be able to play, train and travel across borders currently locked down as part of coronavirus restrictions in the country.

"I said I was as keen as anyone else to see the NRL return and I meant it," Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

But after several players were caught breaching social distancing requirements earlier this week, V'landys warned players would have to be responsible to assure the league's return.

"It's up to the players -- if there's a slip-up... and they do the wrong thing -- that puts the whole rugby league season in doubt," he said.

Under plans thrashed out by the league and its broadcast partners this week, the season will be cut from 25 rounds to 20 -- including the two already played -- with a four-week playoff series ending in a Grand Final on October 25.

The three-match State of Origin series between New South Wales and Queensland, normally played mid-season, will shift to November for the first time.

2020 AFP

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NRL steps toward return as Warriors cleared to land - RFI

When do we draw the line between early adoption and, uh, regular adoption? With virtual reality, maybe its right now. Years of sluggish sales had me convinced that virtual reality might disappear with nary a whimper, but then the hardware got better, the games got better, and suddenly people are talking about VR again. And hey, being essentially trapped in your house for weeks on end doesnt hurt.

The hardware landscape has gotten a lot more confusing since the first-gen Oculus Rift and HTC Vive debuted in 2016. We have tethered and untethered headsets, different resolutions, different lensesand what the hell is MR anyway?

Were here to guide you in the right direction. Below youll find our recommendations, whether youre a first-timer or an early adopter looking to upgrade. And if youre looking to buy right now, youre probably going to have to settle for whatevers in stock. Headsets have been in short supply since the Half-Life: Alyx reveal in November. Still, lets pretend all these headsets are in stock for the moment, at least.

Well update this list periodically to accommodate new releases as well, though with the Valve Index and Oculus Quest less than a year old (at time of writing) it might be a while before we see better hardware worth buying.

It's pricey, but Valve's new virtual reality headset is the one to beat thanks to its crisp display and high field of view.

The Valve Index is the best all-around headset you can buy at the moment. Best optics, best audio, best comfort, best tracking, and (once you get used to them at least) best controllers. Best everythingexcept the price, which at $1,000 (for the headset, controllers, and base stations)Remove non-product link is bound to make even the most enthusiastic adopter wince.

Its 2880x1600 resolution and 130-degree field of view mean you can see the digital world clearer than ever, and more of it. The Index also supports up to a 144Hz refresh rate, though youll need a monster of a PC to hit that frame rate consistently.

But its the less immediately noticeable features that make the Index stand out to me. The tracking is rock-solid, just like withthe original HTC Vive. Valve still relies on base stations, which make the Index a pain to set up and dismantle, but ensure the system will almost never lose track of a controller or the headset. The audio is top-tier as well, replacing the old headphones method with two speakers that float over your ears, creating an ultra-realistic audio field that surrounds you instead of merely sounding like...well, headphones.

Last but not least, the Index Controllers (or Knuckles) are the most advanced on the market today. The controllers strap over the backs of your hands and sensors embedded in the grips help track each individual finger, allowing you to open and close your hands, squeeze cans until theyre crushed, or (most likely) flip enemies the ol middle finger.

Nobody else allows you to do that. Maybe thats worth the $1,000 cost of entry on its own.

At $799 for just the headset, the HTC Vive Pro is probably destined to remain a niche product. Early adopters who've been pining for a resolution bump though will find it hard to go back after trying one out.

Valve isnt the only high-end headset in town. Though Valve is no longer partnered with HTC, the Vive Pro is still a solid alternative to the Index. It has the same 2880x1600 display and uses the same rock-solid Lighthouse tracking. The only real difference is that the Vive Pro uses headphones instead of speakers, and ships with the old Vive wands instead of the more futuristic Index Controllers. It also costs more than the Index ($1,200 vs. $1,000 for the whole system, sans PC), so theres really no reason to opt for the Vive Pro insteadunless of course the Index remains in scarce supply.

The Oculus Quest feels like the first virtual reality headset with true mass-market appeal, providing a room-scale experience without the need for a gaming PCor wires of any kind.

If you dont want to plunk down $1,000 for the Valve Index (and I dont blame you) then my next recommendation is the Oculus Quest. Why? Because its a VR headset youll actually use.

Quest is the first untethered headset thats actually worth a damn, by which I mean it provides a desktop-caliber experience without the need for a desktop PC. If youre simply looking to play Beat Saber or Job Simulator or The Room VR or any of a dozen other VR games with minimal fuss, Quest is the way to go. No wires means you can set it up anywhere youd like, or even take it on the road.

And as an added benefit, the Oculus Link Cable allows you to turn Quest into a full-fledged PC headset to rival the Oculus Rift. Sure, an $80 cable is ridiculous. I think we can all agree on that. The Quest/Link combo feels like magic though, enabling you to play top-tier VR games like Half-Life: Alyx and Lone Echo (and my favorite Google Earth VR) when you have a PC handy, and then return to your carefree wireless life when youre done. Its the best of both worlds.

Sure, theres some image compression when you use Link, and Quests tracking isnt quite as good as Oculuss tethered alternative, the Oculus Rift S. But its good enough, and youre essentially getting two headsets for the price of one. Even before Link, I wouldve probably recommended Quest to most people over one of the tethered headsets. With Link? Theres no contest.

That said, if youre really, absolutely, totally certain youll never want to use your VR headset away from your PC? Oculuss Rift S is a perfectly serviceable fallback. Again, I find it hard to recommend the Rift S personally, but thats only in comparison to its more capable cousin.

Side note: Its also worth noting that buying a Quest or Rift S is technically the only way to play Oculus exclusives, including Lone Echo, Asgards Wrath, Wilsons Heartbasically, a significant portion of the best VR games. Index and Vive owners can try LibreVR/Revive, but the results are sometimes lackluster and its very much a community-built workaround. Oculus has been pretty hands-off with Revive for a few years now, but theres always the chance you wake up and it simply no longer works.

If we chart the progression of video games from Spacewar and Zork all the way through to 2016, then the HTC Vive is the next logical step towards realism.

This is less of an official buy-it-here recommendation and more just a practical suggestion. If youre looking to get into VR on-the-cheap, keep an eye out for secondhand HTC Vives and Oculus Rifts. The Vive, in particular.

While its now 4-year-old hardware, the Vive is still a perfectly suitable entrypoint for VR. If youre playing in a living room or bedroom, the original Lighthouse tracking will be just as solid as the upgraded version that ships with the Valve Index. The Vive wands are also perfectly suitable, and the only thing youll probably want to replace is the faceplate (because gross) and the strap, assuming your secondhand unit comes with the original elastic instead of the superior Deluxe Audio Strap add-on.

After years of dev kits and prototypes and behind-closed-door demos, the Oculus Rift is finally ready for consumers. Welcome to VR.

On the Rift side, youll want to make sure your secondhand unit comes with the Oculus Touch controllers and at least two (but preferably three) of the cameras used for tracking. Room-scale support for the original Rift isnt nearly as good as with the Vive, but if you can find one for cheap, go for it.

And nows your chance, really. A lot of people are dumping their old Vive and Rift hardware to upgrade to the Quest, Rift S, and Index. You might be able to get in on-the-cheap if youre lucky.

A few years ago Microsoft decided it was also going to get into VRor rather, into all of the Rs. Combine virtual reality (VR) with augmented reality (AR) and you get...Mixed Reality, or MR. Or thats how Microsoft pitched it, at least.

But really, all of the MR headsets are just VR headsets. I know, its confusing, but Microsofts AR tech is still confined to HoloLens, which targets enterprise use cases. The consumer-focused Windows Mixed Reality headsetsby companies like Acer, Dell, and HP dont really do anything more than the rest of the competition.

They are really cheap though, which might make you wonder: Is this a good place to get into VR? If its your only option, sure, go for it. Just know that youre signing up for a compromised experience. Windows MR was the first platform to mount cameras on the headset to track both the players position and the controllers.

Being first out of the gate has drawbacks though. All of the Windows MR headsets are restricted to two front-facing cameras for tracking. This works fine if youre holding your hand out where the cameras can see, but the tracking is easily broken by any number of everyday actions: Hand behind your head, hands down at your sides, and so on.

Can you deal with it? Sure, and if its your first VR experience you probably wont know any better. Its a lesser experience though, and given how much prices have come down for the Oculus Quest and Rift S, the Windows MR headsets no longer seem like as much of a bargain. Hell, the $649 HP Reverb (the top-tier Windows MR headset at the moment) costs more than either the Quest or Rift S, and provides a lesser experience.

We used the headsets. And used them. And used them. And used them.

No, seriously. Whenever we review products at PCWorld, we use them for some period of time. I might put a keyboard through its paces for a few weeks, for instance. But Ive been covering VR since the early days, when all you could buy was the original Oculus Developer Kit.

With such a limited hardware pool, you can trust that Ive gotten a lot of use out of our VR headsets. The original Vive lasted two years until the Vive Pro came along. That, in turn, stayed on my desk until the Index arrived last year. And the first-gen Oculus Rift had the best run of all, making the trip in and out of my closet fairly regularly from 2016 until the Quest and Rift S released last yearand on the day I finally retired my original Rift, I celebrated, because I no longer needed to use four different USB ports for a single VR headset.

Point being, Ive put these headsets through their paces and feel confident speaking to the pros and cons of each, be it comfort, optics, the controllers, or even just the price.

Want to delve into more detail? Check out the list of reviews below, where we go more in-depth on the products above, and a few more besides. Well keep updating this list on a regular basis (meaning whenever there are new headsets to cover) so be sure to check back in and see whats going on with VR.

The rest is here:
The best VR headsets for 2020: Every option reviewed and ranked - PCWorld

EDITORS CHOICE 06.04.20

Leigh Prather / Shutterstock.com

Climate change, environmental issues, global warming, carbon emissions, pollution these are all terms we hear every day in the news and something that is starting to be tackled across the world. Amy Wallington finds out how home automation can help reduce our carbon footprint.

Obviously, the best way to save energy is to use less, but that is not always easy. Consumers might think they are saving energy and money by having a smart meter in their home. That might be the case for some, but it is unlikely that people are using less energy than before just because they know their daily usage.

Instead, home technology can help homeowners save energy and reduce their carbon footprint. Often an initial expense will save money in the long run. However, Dean Reddy, product marketing specialist at ABB points out: There is often a misconception as homeowners think that a professionally installed home automation system would cost the earth. On average, a basic install will cost around two per cent of the overall value of the property. Studies have shown that you can save up to 30 per cent on utilities with an automation system compared to a conventional install.

This is a great opportunity for system integrators to use technology to create an efficient ecosystem in homes and actually make a difference. Yasemin Borg is the prescription manager at Schneider Electric and agrees: According to the 2019 Committee on Climate Change report, CO2 and hazardous gasses are mostly emitted from buildings. Considering that such systems and increasing awareness in society can help lower emissions, this is solid proof that a connected smart home is more beneficial than a normal home.

Climate change is a huge issue and we are starting to see the effects take shape through natural disasters, higher temperatures and melting ice caps, just to name a few. Most recently, we have seen the devastation in Australia caused by bushfires due to record high temperatures and no rainfall. Simon Johnson, UK sales manager at EnOcean recognises the problems: In view of the devastation climate change could have on the planet, we all need to do our bit and help reduce energy usage. Unfortunately, the majority of existing homes in the UK do not have any kind of active energy saving devices installed. New builds are improving with more stringent regulations on the actual construction, including better wall and loft insulation, more advanced door and window systems, and the drive away from fossil fuelled heating sources, but with regard to active controls, even new builds are a long way from being slightly clever, never mind smart.

Reddy thinks that the UK is behind the rest of Europe on standardising smart homes. He says: Unfortunately in the UK we are not building homes of the future that are adaptable or intelligent. We really do need to catch up with our European neighbours as they have been using home automation systems for the past 30 years.

R.Moore / Shutterstock.com

Using natural elementsIntegrator Adrian Brown, technical director of Alpha Touch Limited, thinks that home automation professionals are in a key position to take action against climate change. He recognises: As a tech industry, we should really be taking the lead in finding ways of making the best use of technology to make more efficient use of the energy available and particularly how we can harness the likes of sun, wind, water, and other natural elements.

Brown is experimenting with different smart energy technologies in his own home so that he knows what possibilities he can offer his customers to make their homes more efficient. In terms of smart energy, we have installed solar panels coupled with sonnen battery storage, discloses Brown. The solar panels are giving us free energy eventually, once [the investment is] paid back. Realistically that will probably take about 10 years. Yes, there is an upfront cost, but longer term, it will pay for itself.

In this particular case, Brown recognised that he could use a Loxone system to make more efficient use of the excess energy created from the solar panels. He explains: Rather than exporting the excess energy back to the grid, we can harness it and use it ourselves, and using Loxone, we can prioritise where it goes. Initially, when the solar panels are generating power, the primary source is whatever the house is currently consuming on a day to day basis. Once the house has met its demand from the solar panels, it is creating excess energy which can then be used to charge electric vehicles for example.

In our case, once the solar panels have recharged the battery and the house has met its consumption, we divert the excess energy to an immersion heater, he continues. Rather than heating up the hot water tank from oil which is fossil fuel based, we can use that excess energy to heat the immersion heater to get our hot water, and weve saved on the cost of the oil and its better for the environment.

According to Gavin Stokes, country manager UK, sonnen UK, Brown has the best solution for an energy efficient home: From our point of view, one of the most efficient solutions for a household to become sustainable and energy efficient is to produce its own energy. With a photovoltaic (PV) system, up to 75 per cent of the annual demand can be covered by clean solar power. Additional energy from the grid is only needed in case of long bad weather periods or on shorter days in the winter.

A battery storage system like the sonnenBatterie is the heart of this solution. It integrates a smart energy manager that optimises the usage of the self-produced energy. Therefore, the homeowner doesnt have to change their habits.

He continues: Coming from an energy perspective, the smart control of the sonnenBatterie and its own energy supply has clear advantages over a conventional system. After all, the aim of energy management is to enable households to generate as much solar power as possible themselves. To achieve this, the software synchronises itself with the current weather forecasts, for example, then decides when the electricity should be stored or if it should be consumed in the house. A smart control system can have a very strong positive influence on the efficiency and sustainability of a house.

Adrian Brown, Alpha Touch Limited, had solar panels installed into his own home.

When it comes to home automation and energy efficiency, a lot of the time, it can simply be down to how a system is programmed. Brown recognised Loxones strengths in automation and utilised this to create an efficient home system.

He explains: The most efficient way of running a Loxone system is for it to be zoned, so that rather than having a traditional radiator system which heats up the whole house on one circuit, the Loxone system is zoned so that heat is not diverted to rooms that are not being used. It all comes down to programming how the property is making use of its energy and diverting the energy to where its required the most. Integrators need to think very carefully about how people use their houses, while also making intelligent use of how that house is occupied.

Start with the basicsThe best and simplest way to start being energy smart using technology is by automating the basics, which not only makes the homeowners life easier, but also makes it more energy efficient without really trying. The aim of home automation is to facilitate processes at home in a smart way, while serving to individual taste, says Borg. You can start being more energy efficient by monitoring, controlling and programming your heating, ventilation, lighting and home entertainment systems.

Something as simple as motion sensors and PIRs can make a big difference when conserving energy in the home. With many of them being battery-less, its an even better solution to install into peoples homes.

Connected things allow people to easily automate tasks that were once manual, and this automation allows for objects to easily follow schedules or occupants based on sensing technologies, explains Chris LaPr, solutions architect, Zigbee Alliance. For example, using motion features of smart thermostats and switches, temperatures can be lowered or lights turned off when rooms are deemed unoccupied. Gone are the days when people waste energy by leaving lights or devices on when leaving a room or the house.

Taking advantage of greener methods of creating power, Zigbee Alliance has a feature called Green Power, which allows battery-less devices to quickly join Zigbee PRO networks. These types of sensors that dont rely on batteries are extremely eco-friendly and keep waste out of landfills, LaPr says. Rather than relying on batteries, smart switches can be powered using energy resources that are often overlooked such as motion, light or vibration.

For example, Green Power takes advantage of the energy thats used to flip a light switch. That tiny burst of energy is actually powerful enough to send on/off commands to a wireless network, removing the need to use batteries. Today, we primarily see Green Power integrated into smart homes via smart switches, which can often be an easy retrofit option to have a switch wherever its desired.

Built around energy harvesting wireless technology, EnOcean also creates battery-less solutions for an eco-friendly home. Johnson agrees that sensors are a vital element of an eco-friendly home. EnOcean creates a sensor that is positioned near a window. It then senses that the window is open and doesnt allow the heating to be turned on until the window is closed. In Europe, and especially in Germany, thats common place. But in the UK, the amount of buildings you go into where the windows are open and the heating is on, its madness and it shouldnt be allowed to happen. Using a simple window contact that links back to an actuator on the boiler for example, means that if someone opens a window, it automatically turns the heating off. Its common sense when you think about it, but we are slow to adopt it in the UK.

Johnson also suggests that another basic and inexpensive thing to do is to have an ALL ON/OFF switch near the front door or near a bedroom for night use. This can be programmed to control everything that does not need to be on when youre not home or asleep realistically, anything other than the fridge freezer and security alarm as a simple way of turning all appliances off, rather than leaving them on standby.

From an integrators perspective, these solutions are not particularly expensive and it may not be a huge money maker, but these small and simple changes make ethical sense. It also opens the market up to the middle and lower ends, which could in turn increase your business.

Set it and forget itAs previously mentioned, despite containing a lot more technology, smart homes are naturally more eco-friendly and energy efficient than an un-smart home. LaPr agrees with this and thinks the set it and forget it system is the reason why.

He states: Evolving smart technologies brings a host of new possibilities to not only make humans more efficient with their energy use, but more efficient with their time around the home too. The ability to create rules such as, turn the light off in room after 30 minutes of no motion or, turn down the thermostat when an area is unoccupied for 30 minutes can reduce energy waste.

Adrian Brown's energy monitor shows how much energy is produced through solar panels.

Smart shades offer another option to save energy by automatically raising and drawing shades depending on the weather, temperature inside or outside, or time of day. This ability to set it and forget it delivers rewards in both energy savings, comfort and an overall satisfying smart home experience. Leveraging the convenience of your phone and the cloud, consumers can check on devices, or be alerted, and adjust accordingly. These are things you cannot do in a non-connected home.

The Internet of Things (IoT) plays a big part in energy efficient smart homes, and again, is more appealing to the lower ends of the market as a more affordable, off-the-shelf solution that can help them to reduce energy waste. This is also something that the government has recognised, hence the roll out of smart meters. Although smart meters wont necessarily save you energy and money, it does make homeowners more aware of what they are using.

The benefits of IoT in terms of sustainability and efficiency has increased greatly over the last 20 years, explains Borg. Our devices now communicate with each other as we communicate with them. This growth in connectivity is only expected to increase.

The home automation market is currently considered to be in an early high development growth stage, which is forecasted to grow by a further 50 per cent between 2019 and 2023. The government has also officially signed the Net Zero target, which is to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

She continues: There is over 400 million to be invested in public and private buildings, which includes the smart meters program and other innovations bringing energy efficient solutions to the residential space. While the government is publishing policies, investing in infrastructure development and technology is key to be part of this social change.Europe vs. USDont worry, this isnt going to become a political debate! But there is a point to be made that energy prices across Europe are a lot higher than in the US. That might sound like a bad thing to us on this side of the pond but it actually encourages consumers across Europe to invest in smart home technology to make it cheaper for themselves.

According to LaPr: Right now there is a dichotomy between Europe and America. Europeans pay three times as much for energy as the US, so an investment in smart devices for energy savings has a higher return of investment (ROI) for homeowners.

We have all heard Trumps fake news claims about climate change, but all the while the American government are subsidising energy costs, consumers are not encouraged to think about solutions to create a more energy efficient solution.

In countries like the US, the government subsidises much of the energy costs and Americans dont feel the savings impact right now, continues LaPr. If the subsidising stops for any reason in the future and energy prices skyrocket, Americans would probably become more aware and interested in smart energy device investments within their homes.

Statistics from the last few years show that Germany usually pays the most in Europe in energy costs. However it has one of the highest levels of energy efficiency in Europe, according to a 2018 KfW Research report.

Supporting this, Stokes explains how sonnen works in the country: In Germany, we digitally connect the households with each other, so that the surplus of energy which is not needed or stored by the households themselves can be shared with other households in the sonnenCommunity. The remaining grid electricity in return that the household cannot produce itself also comes from renewable energy sources. In recent years, the largest decentralised energy-sharing platform in the world has thus been grown.

We also use a virtual power plant to offer the available storage capacity of the digitally networked sonnenBatteries as a buffer for the power grid. This way, fluctuations in the production of renewable energy can be balanced out in a matter of seconds.

Regional variationsThe UK is also playing a big part in the race to being green, although more can be done. Sonnen recognises the fact that each country has different needs and policies. In principle, it is possible for a household to have its own energy supply with a PV system and a storage system all over Europe, explains Stokes. However, the regulations on the energy market are different in each country, so we adapt our offering.

In addition to Germany, we already have virtual power plants from decentralised home storage systems in Italy and the UK. In the UK we are working with Centrica as part of the local energy management project as well as with a wide range of other forward thinking companies.

One of the biggest things stopping people having smart energy in their homes is the cost, and many say that the government should be doing a lot more to utilise the technology and expertise to help in the fight against climate change.

Theres a lot in the news at the moment about climate change and I think its becoming more and more urgent that we do something, states Brown. As a tech industry, we should be taking the lead in harnessing technology in the best possible way, not just in this country but around the world, to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and make the best of renewables. I think technology can do that.

He continues: I think the government can do a lot more in helping the industry. We decided to install solar panels last summer because we knew that on the 1st October 2019, the VAT on renewables was going to increase from five per cent to 20 per cent. By very stark contrast, fossil fuels coal, oil, etc the VAT was going to stay the same. That doesnt give people an incentive to invest in technology to make their homes more eco-friendly. I strongly believe that the government could do a lot more and reverse that; either reduce the VAT back to where is was or abolish it altogether and put high VAT rates on coal and oil.

Reddy agrees but also thinks builders should play a part too. He states: Although we work with various departments to ensure the technology is considered for government projects, we would certainly like to see the government driving this change. We would welcome a change in legislation so all new builds and rewires have to include an element of control. People are more conscious of the environment and are always looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Homeowners are also becoming more aware and accepting of technology and the benefits it can bring. In the future, I see home automation systems being installed as standard by developers alongside smart appliances.

Stokes thinks the investment in self-sufficient energy supplies is worthwhile. A current generation sonnenBatterie can be used for up to 20 years and a PV system for more than 30 years. In Germany, the investment is paid off after 9-12 years for the average household. After that, they produce and use their clean electricity free of charge.

He continues: There are regional subsidy programmes that provide financial support for investing in own energy supplies. The background to such government support is often that storage is the key technology for a successful energy transition in every country. This is because they can balance out fluctuations in the production of wind and solar energy in a matter of seconds and thus make renewable energy suitable for base load to some extent.

Old habits die hardThe move to have more smart energy in homes is definitely beginning to happen. It needs more development, investment and education but its certainly starting to take some sort of shape. Our everyday devices and utilities are now being built with energy saving features or some sort of intelligence to make it more eco-friendly and efficient.

Johnson points out: I think a lot of appliances going forward will have some sort of intelligence built in. Appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers, fridge freezers and so one will become intelligent and turn themselves on or off depending on when they are most likely to be used, for example.

He also thinks that old habits die hard and we need to work harder to educate consumers about home automation and the environment. Ultimately, I think cost will always hold people back. We are also very traditional in the way we wire houses so I think anyone who tries to divert too much away from the standard system that we have got will probably struggle because we are frightened of change. If we can use an existing system and just stick bits on to make it intelligent, I think thats probably the way to go. Maybe in the future, houses will be wired totally different, but history would say probably not; we have been doing it this way for 50-60 years. I think the way forward is sticking things to the end that will make it intelligent, I dont think anything will change with regard to that.

However, technology companies are recognising the issues and finding ways they can make a difference. Many are entering into partnerships to create new innovations that will make new technologies that are energy efficient.

Apart from the legislation driving home energy automation, 24 of the largest and most innovative electrotechnical manufacturing companies, including Schneider Electric, are announcing a major commitment to reduce their emissions to net zero by 2050, Borg admits. This is an industry-wide campaign and will influence market trends of the future.

Ultimately, as Borg says: To reduce the effects of climate change, home automation will become a serious requirement, rather than being a luxury investment.

Original post:
Saving the planet one smart home at a time - HiddenWires

Issued on: 09/04/2020 - 03:44

Rio de Janeiro (AFP)

There are no good options these days in City of God.

Venture out in this densely populated Rio de Janeiro favela, and residents risk exposing themselves to coronavirus.

Stay in, and many have nothing to eat.

The Brazilian slum rose to fame in 2002, when an acclaimed film of the same name chronicled the violence, crime and stark choices facing young people growing up on its streets.

"If you run, the beast will get you. If you stay, the beast will eat you," went the film's tagline.

It could just as well apply to the era of COVID-19.

Like 40 percent of Brazil's labor force, people in favelas tend to work in the informal sector, the kind of jobs that become impossible under the stay-at-home measures adopted to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

"A lot of them are self-employed. They style hair, give manicures, collect cans to recycle, guard people's cars, sell things at the beach," says Samantha Messiades, founder of a charitable organization called Ligacao Cultural (Cultural Connection).

"All these people have lost their income. And they urgently need help," she says, wearing a pink face mask as she watches workers hand out food to needy residents in the slum of 37,000 people.

- A shadow of itself -

Rio de Janeiro is a shadow of itself under coronavirus isolation measures. A hush reigns over its usually jam-packed streets, and authorities have closed non-essential businesses, as well as the city's iconic beaches and tourist attractions.

That means hard times for the 1.5 million people who live in favelas -- a quarter of the city's population.

Messiades originally launched her organization to bring music, theater, dance and other cultural opportunities to children in City of God.

But now she has reinvented it as a food pantry to help people get through the coronavirus crisis.

It is supplying food, soap and basic hygiene supplies to 800 families, thanks to donations from churches, associations and private citizens.

"This is very important and valuable to people here," says Monica Oliveira da Silva, a cleaner among those waiting in a closely-packed line, many with babies and young children.

"The poor have no income and no savings. My children aren't working because they can't. They work in transportation. Everyone needs help," says Maria de Fatima Santos, a retiree.

Favela residents are also living in fear of the destruction a big outbreak could bring to their crowded, under-served communities.

On a street outside the community center where workers handed out boxes of food, a banner gives the global death toll and urges: "Stay home and save lives."

City of God has confirmed only one case of the new virus so far, authorities say.

2020 AFP

Read the original:
Coronavirus adds to struggles in City of God favela - RFI

Tuesday has brought another welcome rise across global stock markets. The FTSE 100 is up by triple-digits as I type as infection rates slow and there are hopes that the world economy might not be hit as badly as first feared.

It still pays to dig out top defensive shares to protect your portfolio though. Those with resilient profits that should be able to ride out the worst of the coronavirus crisis. A growth hero with such characteristics Id be happy to buy today is Homeserve (LSE: HSV). And fresh financials released today illustrate why.

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Profits have been powering higher at the emergency callout specialist despite severe Covid-19-related lockdowns in many of its territories. Homeserve says that adjusted pre-tax profits are expected to have soared 12% during the fiscal year to March 2020, to 181m. This is also above analysts expectations.

The FTSE 250 growth stock continues to operate resolutely despite the coronavirus crisis. It has resisted the temptation to either furlough or make redundant its employees, it said. Around 6,000 of its office-based workers are now operating from home, while its emergency repair teams continue to answer around 150 callouts every hour.

The safe-haven appeal of utilities stocks is no secret. It doesnt matter how badly the economy is performing or whatever political chaos is raging. It also matters not whether other crises like public health disasters are developing. We all need running water to wash, electricity to boil the kettle and gas to put the heating on. And this keeps profits rising at these growth heroes. Its what makes the likes of FTSE 100 giants National Grid and Severn Trent such brilliant buys for turbulent times like these, I feel.

Its clear, too that Homeserve can be added to the list. If your plumbing is blocked or leaking, your boiler is kaput, or your homes wiring system shorts out, this companys services remain in demand, whatever troubles are going on outside.

The essential nature of its services has helped keep annual earnings barrelling higher at Homeserve in recent times. But this is not the only story. Through a steady stream of acquisitions and partner agreements, customer numbers continue to boom, rising by 100,000 year-on-year to stand at 8.3m as of March. It is making huge waves in the gigantic North American marketplace in particular. Its client base here swelled to 4.4m from 4m over the same period.

City analysts expect earnings at the growth stock to rise 8% in fiscal 2021, and by 15% the following year. And this creates expectations of more meaty dividend growth, resulting in yields of 2.2% and 2.5% for this year and next. It might be expensive on paper, sure. At current prices Homeserve commands a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 26.1 times. I consider this to be a fair price considering its exceptional defensive characteristics and ambitious growth plans, however.

Savvy investors like you wont want to miss out on this timely opportunity

Heres your chance to discover exactly what has got our MotleyFoolUK analyst all fired up about this pure-play online business.

Not only does this company enjoy a dominant market-leading position

But its capital-light, highly scalable business model has been helping it deliver consistently high sales, astounding near-70% margins, and rising shareholder returns in fact, in 2019 alone it returned a whopping 151.1m to shareholders in dividends and buybacks!

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We think now could be the perfect time for you to start building your own stake in this exceptional businessespecially given the two potentially lucrative expansion opportunities on the horizon that our analyst has highlighted.

Click here to claim your copy of this special report now and well tell you the name of this TopGrowth Stock free of charge!

Royston Wild has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Homeserve. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

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Here's a growth stock I'd buy and hold for 10 years - Motley Fool UK

What You Should Know:

Scammers may be trafficking counterfeit or faulty protective equipment (PPE) duringCOVID-19 in what is now known as the grey market.

Premier outlines five common types of COVID-19 grey market scams for hospitals to avoid and key best practices to avoid them as hospital brace for the surge in COVID-19 patients.

Healthcare providers are working around the clock to safelycare for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic,and the last thing they need to worry about is whether their protectiveequipment (PPE) are reliable, safe and legitimate. Premier, a healthcare improvementcompany finds that scammers are now preying on hospitals by peddling counterfeitor faulty PPE includingsurgical masks, face shields, surgical gloves and gowns, isolation gowns, capsand shoe covers.

Defining Grey Market

Premier defines gray market as a supply channel that isunofficial, unauthorized or unintended by the original manufacturer. In marketswhere the products are scarce or in short supply, gray markets may crop up to sellthe item at any price the market will bear. In the case of COVID-19, where morethan 2,000 unique stock-keeping units (SKUs) are on allocation fromdistributors, gray market vendors are attempting to capitalize on providersneeds, offering difficult to obtain supplies at a 50X markup.

According to a survey of our members, 60 percent of facilities have received at least one of these offers, and Premier itself has received hundreds of these solicitations. Regardless of the form, these scams typically end with providers losing time, money and/or resources. Others find themselves the recipients of substandard or unsafe products if they receive anything at all.

5 Common Types of COVID-19 Grey Market Scams

Premieroutlinethe following five common types of COVID-19 grey market scams for hospitals:

1. Pay ahead.A broker requests and receives a deposit from hospitals for PPE such as medical-grade N95 masks. After wiring the funds, the broker vanishes, ceasing all communications.

2. One certificate, infinite masks.Multiple brokers have suggested they have millions (upon millions) of masks and all point to the same fraudulent certification documents.

3. Or just infinite masks.One broker reached out to Premier with the promise of a number of masks so high, that when we called the manufacturer to check the claim, we were told that it would have taken years of dedicated, international production without a single sale to reach that kind of stockpile.

4. Product exists, but it doesnt work.Weve had members pay for and receive products, as advertised, only to learn that the entire batch has to be discarded after they fail basic quality and authenticity tests.

5. Welcome to their humble abode.Solicitations sometimes come with an address. A quick Google Earth check will show that more often than not, the address isnt for a factory, a warehouse or even an office. Its usually home. That should serve as a warning that the product being offered is illegitimate if it even exists.

4 Best Practices for Hospitals to Avoid COVID-19 Grey Market Scams

In order for hospitals to avoid these common COVID-19 grey market scams, Premier recommends the following best practices:

1. Demand access to the physical item before paying for it.Not only does this require the seller to send proof that the item exists, it also allows an opportunity to vet the product through a trusted partner like Premier or the manufacturer to confirm its legitimacy.

2. Do homework on parties involved.Google their addresses, check with peers or Premier on the legitimacy of goods theyve delivered and ask questions. Err on the side of caution and be skeptical; if the seller has trouble answering questions or seems cagey in responses, walk away immediately.

3. Thoroughly vet vendors,including checking registrations with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Be wary of links embedded in email offers, which could be aphishing cyber scam.

4. Take monetary precautions.For those that choose to buy, at a minimum provide funds via an escrow account to avoid theft.

The rest is here:
5 Common Types of COVID-19 Grey Market Scams for Hospitals to Avoid - HIT Consultant

Bobby Berk may not be home, but hes making the most of his situation.

Today, the Queer Eye starcaught up with Daily Pops Justin Sylvester over Instagram Live. While chatting about the current Coronavirus pandemic, the famed interior designer confirmed hes sheltering-in-place in Austin, TX.

Why? Well, as Berk explained, his Netflix show was down in the Lone Star State filming season six when everything began shutting down.

So, we were here filming season sixand we got through almost one episode when production got shut down, Berk shared with Sylvester. Me and a few of the other boys just decided to stay here, because we didnt really know how long we were gonna be shut down.

In hindsight, Berk said he feels like he maybe shouldve head home. Nonetheless, Berk couldnt be happier in Austin, a city which he really like[s]. In fact, per Berk, the rental hes in looks and feels like my house.

It probably helps that Berks husband Dewey Do is social distancing with him in Austin. As Berk noted, his doctor spouse had been in New York for work and Queer Eyes design expert demanded he come to Texas.

He went to New York for work. Hes a doctor, he goes back and teaches at Elmhurst Hospital once a month, Berk detailed. He was supposed to be there a week longer and I made him leave and come here to Austin. So, hes been here with me, which is great. Luckily, we werent quarantined separately.

As E! readers surely know, Berk and Do have been together for 16 years. Thus, it wasnt surprising when Berk said he didnt have any qualms about being with his spouse all day, every day.

His advice? Fight the pressure to constantly be engaged, its ok to sit in silence.

As for what people can do in their homes during this time? Berk encouraged viewers to organize and clean.

Organize it! Clean it! You know, you dont need to buy anything to do that, Berk wisely expressed. Get rid of the stuff that you dont need, go through those drawers and those closets and under the bed. All those things that youre like, Ah! One day when I have time, Im gonna do that! All you have is time now.

However, if you are looking for inspiration, be sure to check out BobbyBerk.com!

Be sure to catch Berks full chat with Sylvester on the Daily Pops Instagram account, which you can find HERE.

Read the original:
Queer Eye's Bobby Berk Reveals the One Thing You Should Be Doing at Home - Brinkwire

The NBA has used the shot clock since the 1950s and the colleges abide by a 30-second shot clock, for high school basketball its a wild west of possessions that can see a score end 5-4 if they wanted. In todays game of up and down offense, you dont see it too much, but you do see the stall game work its way into todays game.

The Arkansas Activities Association received permission from the NFHS to use a 35-second shot clock for Class 6A games next year as run for the next three seasons.

Many want a shot clock. Its what they are accustomed to when watching Kansas, Kansas State or Wichita State basketball play. There are a lot of hurdles to get said shot clock. Arkansas has been using a shot clock for non-postseason tournaments for two seasons now. The transition to the full season shot clock seemed to be all but inevitable.

What about Kansas? Where does the shot clock fit into our game that we dearly love?

You get situations where teams run four-corners and stall out the game, draining the clock until either the defense steps up and forces the ball out of the handlers hands or the team scores.

Nine other states currently have a shot clock implemented - Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, Rhode Island, North and South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, and California.

"I think for our game in South Dakota, its helped make it more fun," Assistant Executive Director Joe Auch said. "Weve had little to no complaints since weve implemented the shot clock."

The state of South Dakota had been using the shot clock in their largest class for two seasons before adding it to the entire state. The SDHSAA uses a 35-second shot clock at all levels.

"We had some stall tactics and some low scoring games," Auch said. "Its been a breath of fresh air having the shot clock. Games are higher scoring; coaches are finding new ways to win games and fans are enjoying it. Its a win all around."

While statistics are boring, the Butler County Times-Gazette re-watched 10 basketball games via the NFHS Network and the average possession within those games was 36.5 seconds. The only time the possession drew longer was in the final minutes of the game when the score difference was within 10. Possessions that were off a basket and not a foul or turnover, were on average 22 seconds long.

Andover, a team that had been known for pace and threes, held the ball up top for 30 seconds on multiple possessions in the fourth quarter, before initiating its offense. BV Southwest used the stalled offense to get back into the game. Andover would eventually prevail over BV Southwest.

"Sometimes the defense doesnt let you do the things you want to do," Andover head coach Martin Shetlar said after his teams first-round win over Blue Valley Southwest in the Class 5A State Tournament.

For a majority of the season, the Trojans averaged under 20 seconds per possession for the first half 32.5 seconds in the second half on games available via NFHS Network.

When the game entered the fourth quarter, possessions for the winning team increased by six seconds and the trailing team decreased by five seconds. The rush to beat the clock when trailing had an obvious effect on how the trailing team operated their offense due to them not having a potential opportunity of never seeing the ball again if the opposing team wanted to stall.

There are coaches who support the shot clock, however it may come about.

"Basketball is fun for people to watch and for kids to play because it is a fast pace game," Andover Central head coach Stana Jefferson said. "Lets keep it moving and for the kids moving on to the next level."

When the Butler County Times-Gazette re-watched four of Andover Centrals games, the Jaguars averaged 29 seconds per possession when you excluded fouls and turnovers.

There are some major hurdles when it comes to getting prepared and implementing shot clocks before you even consider the materials and installation. You have to get labor first and foremost and find those who are competent enough to run a shot clock.

There are typically 3-4 workers at a table. You have your scoreboard operator, who sometimes manages the game clock as well; the official scorebook; public address announcer; and sometimes there will be a person solely responsible for the start and stop of the game clock.

The latter is tough to find. While at bigger schools you may see it, you dont see it at smaller schools, such as Flinthills where the book runs the scoreboard, too. The PA will run the game clock. Now, youll have to find a third person to run a shot clock.

"There are always passionate people who love sports and want to be involved," Auch. "You have to properly vet they are capable enough and as educators and administrators, thats what we do every day. It would be no different in this sense."

In Maryland, they have been using a shot clock for some time and as one reporter put it, give people credit. Thats fine in Maryland to find competent people. However, what about a 1A school when they have a different clock operator every game? Even at El Dorado, a 4A school, they split scoreboard operators during tournaments this season.

"Outside of our first season with the shot clock, we have not had many complaints about errors in their use," Auch said. "We put out a crash course for officials and table workers."

When an official has to stop, reset the shot clock and put or take off time, those seconds add up to minutes and we have not begun to add it into other functions of the game.

The cost might be the most prohibiting thing to KSHSAA adopting a shot clock. While the shot clocks themselves start just over $5,000, on the personnel side, that can add up.

Andover Central pays their table workers $20-25 per game and typically will do 3-4 games on game night. When you break that down to add in a shot clock operator as Andover Central runs three at their scorers table, with nine regular season home games, that is almost $2,900 to pay your table workers.

Then, finding someone competent enough to run the shot clock. It has to be hit at the right time and not early or reset late. The delays could push a game beyond the anticipated ending time.

When it comes to adding the shot clock, your initial costs shoot sky high. There are plenty of questions that have to be answered: What type of shot clock? Is the scoreboard that is currently installed compatible with the shot clock? The venue, layout, installation, and wiring are also things you have to consider when you plan to install a shot clock.

"The up-front cost was not nearly a concern as you would think," Auch said. "Daktronics worked with us on the pricing as the entire state was installing them at the time."

According to a sales representative with Daktronics, the estimated starting cost for two shot clocks for the main gym is around $6,000. Then, if your gym is not compliant with the shot clocks and you have to re-wire or add a new scoreboard, your local school could end up adding an additional $6,000. This does not include the schools secondary gymnasium. Pricing would double in that case. All but one school in Butler County utilizes multiple gyms when hosting a varsity night.

When it comes to implementation of the shot clock, there is more than just cost and concern within the schools, the state association has to look out for themselves. When you implement the shot clock, you lose your seat on rule committees. As for South Dakota, they can make recommendations, but they cannot serve on those rule committees.

"Every year there are proposals on the shot clock," Auch said. "Its something we sacrificed for our game."

While you are not on those committees, associations can still recommend certain rule changes.

If you ask some athletic directors, there are bigger things to worry about than the shot clock for the state of Kansas.

"Id rather see the block/charge circle under the basket before a shot clock," Augusta Athletic Director Travis Olive said.

Kansas isnt getting the shot clock next season and probably not any time soon if the votes keep coming up negative. However, state adoption is the way to go. With the NFHS voting each year to give each state their adoption of rules, that would be the entry for Kansas to allow classes to use the shot clock.

"The rabbit hole of allowing states to adopt their own rules opens up a pandoras box of issues," Auch said.

That could give states their ability to adopt any sort of rules, really changing the game of basketball and not only the shot clock.

While Kansas continues to make their decision, the rest of the nation presses on. While what they do may be best for their state, the question continues to loom: is this what is right for Kansas?

Original post:
To shot clock or not: Is it time for Kansas to head that route? - The Hutchinson News