If you want to install Windows 8 Release Preview - product keys

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/download

 

If you install Windows 8 Release Preview using the Windows 8 Release Preview Setup program, you won't need to enter a product key—the setup program automatically provides the product key. If you create installation media, start your PC from the media, and then install Windows 8 Release Preview, you'll need to enter this product key: TK8TP-9JN6P-7X7WW-RFFTV-B7QPF.

Windows Media Center is not preinstalled in Windows 8 Release Preview. If you want to use Windows Media Center, you need to add it by following these steps:

1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search.
   (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, and then click Search.)

2. Enter add features in the search box, and then tap or click Add features to Windows 8 .

3. Tap or click I already have a product key.

4. Enter this product key: MBFBV-W3DP2-2MVKN-PJCQD-KKTF7 and then click Next.

5. Select the checkbox to accept the license terms and then click Add features.

   Your PC will restart and Windows Media Center will now be on your PC and the tile will be pinned to the Start screen.

    

   http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/download

How do the new Sentencing Guidelines impact on cannabis offences - RELEASE

How do the new Sentencing Guidelines impact on cannabis offences

http://www.release.org.uk/comment/375-sentencing-guidelines-for-cannabis-offences

Copyright © 2012 Release Legal Emergency & Drugs Service Ltd. Registered charity number 801118.

Release 124-128 City Road, London EC1V 2N

We have received a number of emails from cannabis activists asking for clarification on how the new Sentencing Guidelines will impact on cannabis cultivation and possession. Release provided detailed advice to the Council and has welcomed many of the changes in the guidelines as an improvement on the previous regime, but in relation to cannabis, there has only been a slight shift in approach.

With regards to possession of cannabis, there has been very little change from the current Magistrates Sentencing Guidelines. The starting point for sentencing remains the same, that is, a Band B fine. The sentencing range has changed, previously it was Band A fine (A is lower than a B fine) to 12 weeks custody (this covers sentencing for both small and large possession offences). The new guidelines range from discharge (more lenient than before) to 26 weeks in custody (harsher than before). If someone comes before the court in respect of possession of cannabis for medicinal purposes that would mitigate the sentence, and if there were no other factors could reduce it down from a Band B fine. However, it is still a criminal conviction resulting in a criminal record even with an absolute or conditional discharge.

In terms of cultivation and production of cannabis there does seem to have been real movement, but this is primarily due to the recent guidelines in the Court of Appeal case of R v Auton. This case was decided only last summer and provided much harsher guidelines for sentencing cannabis production cases involving yields of approximately 1 kilo. The guidelines stated that:

• Where there is no element of supply the sentence range is likely to be between 9 – 18 months, depending on size of operation and the defendant’s personal circumstances;
• Where there is no evidence of commercial supply for profit but there is supply to others the range is likely to be 18 months to 3 years – operation and personal circumstances again relevant;
• Where the operation is a commercial one but falls below an industrial operation the range will be 3 to 6 years.

The new guidelines are certainly an improvement on R v Auton and sentencing will be determined through a two-step approach. The first step is to determine the role of the offender and there are three potential categories – lesser role, subordinate role or leading role. The second step is the quantity of drugs involved and there are four categories:

• Category 4 – 9 plants (presumed yield 40gram per plant)
• Category 3 – 28 plants (presumed yield 40 gram per plant)
• Category 2 – operation capable of producing significant quantities for commercial use
• Category 1 -  operation capable of producing industrial quantities for commercial use

The Court will then consider mitigating/aggravating factors.   

In relation to someone who is producing for their own purposes, or even where it is social supply, it is likely they will fall within the ‘lesser role’ category within the new guidelines. In terms of quantity 1kg (25 plants) would fall within category 3. This would lead to a sentencing starting point of a high level community order and a sentencing range of a low level community order to 26 weeks custody, again depending on mitigating and aggravating circumstances. This is definitely an improvement on Auton but there is still a risk of imprisonment especially where there is a previous conviction.

Where someone was growing a lesser quantity (9 plants) and falls within the lesser role the guidance suggests a starting point of Band C fine, with a sentencing range of a discharge through to a medium level community order.  This would then be increased/decreased through aggravating and mitigating factors.  Frankly, this is only a slight departure from current Magistrates guidelines which state that the starting point for small scale cultivation is a Band C fine and the range is Band B fine to low level community order.

So overall, whilst we are pleased that our advice has been followed to some degree and has impacted on other areas of sentencing, the general approach to cannabis offences has not shifted a huge amount, and cannabis activists should be aware that the offences remain criminal, and so can result in a criminal conviction. There is also no evidence to suggest that the police will de-prioritise the policing of cannabis cultivation.

Fine Bands

Fine A – Starting point 50% of relevant weekly income; Category range 25% - 75% of relevant weekly income 
Fine B – Starting point 100% of relevant weekly income; Category range 75% - 125% of relevant weekly income 
Fine C – Starting point 150% of relevant weekly income; Category range 125% - 175% of relevant weekly income

If anyone has any questions on the new guidelines please feel free to comment below and we will respond as soon as possible.

If anyone needs legal advice please contact the helpline on 0845 4500 215 or 020 7324 2989. 
 

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Comments 

0#196 Max blunt 2012-06-01 15:21

Quoting john:

I'm slightly confused..what do they consider a proffesional grow or a repeat grow......let's say I had between 2 and 6 plants in a tent which I would only use for personal......where would that put me in terms of sentencing....confusing

If you had six plants in flower, with no bud found and nothing cropped off the plants, that would be Cultivation. If you had six plants, but say 2 were in flower and you had two cuttings and two mothers, well that would be Production.
If it was all in a purpose built room as well, then you would most likely get a custodial.
After the ruling from the appeal court it looks like the only way to grow and not get a custodial is to use a tent with 4 plants maximum, no cuttings and no mothers and most certainly no dried bud. [ Make sure you stash it damn well, and take nothing for granted.

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0#195 dave 2012-06-01 12:25

hi john that would put you in catagory 4, lesser role. unless there were many aggrivating factors but im confident you will be in those sentencing guidlines.

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0#194 john 2012-06-01 11:23

I'm slightly confused..what do they consider a proffesional grow or a repeat grow......let's say I had between 2 and 6 plants in a tent which I would only use for personal......where would that put me in terms of sentencing....confusing

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0#193 dave 2012-05-31 22:51

thanks guys ... i will check on here from time to time to try and help anyone else that finds themselves in a similar situation

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0#192 Max blunt 2012-05-31 15:27

It's the word 'capable', surely it is not the capability but the "intent & action" of the accused which can be punished. Otherwise, there exists an assumption of guilt.

Not my words I would like to add, but very well put.

I would be interested in your opinion.

Quote

0#191 Release 2012-05-31 15:22

Thanks for that article Max. Those comments are worrying as repeated grows isn't a criteria referred to in the guidelines. Though it seems they have had guidance from the Court of Appeal. 

In my opinion someone growing for their personal use, even with repeated grows, should still be considered as being in a lesser role.

Quote

0#190 Max blunt 2012-05-31 15:14

@ Release.

Oh yes, I do realise that, it is an absurd situation where we have people sent to Crown Court for a few plants though. Not sure if you have seen this? http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/local/fifty-cannabis-growers-convict...

Most signicantly, “One of the critical issues is going to be the issue of purpose-built rooms,” the judge told Sheffield Crown Court. 

“The public need to understand that people who set up growing areas CAPABLE OF PRODUCING REPEAT CROPS are going to be regarded by the courts as significant offenders, and they are all very likely going to go to prison - whether employed or not, a family man or not, of good character or not.”

My emphasis.

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0#189 Release 2012-05-31 15:08

Max, I agree it's not necessarily fair, but as I said to Dave previously this is pretty normal for this sort of offence so he hasn't been treated any differently to anyone else.

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0#188 Release 2012-05-31 15:07

That's great Dave - sounds like a good result.

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0#187 Max blunt 2012-05-31 15:06

Hi Dave, really glad you didn't get a custodial. I have to say though, there is nothing "fair and just" about being sent to Crown Court for a few plants.

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0#186 dave 2012-05-31 15:02

hi guys , went crown today, my barrister was brilliant five stars! he argued my case should be in lower cat 3, the judge accepted this mainly on my health plea. he nearly got me a conditional discharge! i ended up with a community order and gate way project with probation. all in all a fair and just result!

Quote

0#185 Max blunt 2012-05-24 17:24

To be honest, if I were to be arrested for growing again, and after the treatment I got off the muppets that pass for magistrates, I would opt for Crown Court anyway.
So take heart.

Max

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0#184 Max blunt 2012-05-24 17:19

Crown Court for 16 plants is outrageous on any level.
Best wishes.

Max

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0#183 dave 2012-05-24 17:14

thanks alot mate... yes it does seem like the cps at magistrates were excessive, ive got crown on the 31st of may ill let u know what happens

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Copyright © 2012 Release Legal Emergency & Drugs Service Ltd. Registered charity number 801118.

Release 124-128 City Road, London EC1V 2N
J

Queen Put at Risk by Workfare Provider - eddie gillard

Queen Put at Risk by Workfare Provider

http://eddiegillard.wordpress.com/2012/06/03/queen-put-at-risk-by-workfare-provider/

At 2300 Saturday 2nd of June 2012, a coachload of Tired, untrained and ill equipped people left Bristol by coach for London and the Queens Jubilee.

At around 0240 they were dropped off by the side of a road with their Baggage and Tents and left stood for more than an hour along with 80 other people.

Having Had no sleep at 0415 these people were told that at 0500 they would be starting a 16 hour shift.

No these are not migrant workers, these are Security Staff for the Queen.

Ages ranging from 16 to 50 with one thing in common. Unpaid and on “work experience”.

Almost all of those that left Bristol last night were still not SIA qualified, Some had been told they would be paid for working and that they should “Sign Off” benefits before starting, which turned out to be a falsehood, mistake or lie, I cannot say which.

But at the very least I can say that Tomorrows People, the DWP Service provider, who handle these people, are Failing them Badly.

Tomorrows people Placed young claimants on an SIA style course with a company who Break DWP rules and Regulations on working Hours, Travel distance and Responsibility for Training and Equipment.

For some this will be the First experience of work, for some it is the First time they have been away from home, for all of them it will be one of the most depressing and soul destroying things they will have done.

So “Why do they do it?”

All those people have been promised Proper paid work at the Olympic Games with pay of up to £9000 for doing it.

Well a carrot like that to people who may not have worked in a long time if at all can make them do the most stupid things.

Tomorrows people Need to sort out their so called subcontractor.

The Organisors of the Jubilee need to vet their security subcontracters more carefully.

And the DWP need to make sure that All those promised paid work during the games are given it.

Hopefully none of the untrained security staff who have all been up for more than 12 hours so far will be called upon to protect  the Queen, because they will be unable to do anything due to exhaustion.

Additional.

Last night I drove  to a campsite just off the M11 and collected 2 of the people let down by CPuk, who, it turns out organised (if thats the right word) this clusterfck of Work experience.

When I arrived close to 2300 hours They were stood in a field soaking wet, shivering with cold and close to exhaustion. One was dressed only in Shirt and slacks as she had not been provided with any waterproof coat, save for a lightweight poncho and a hi vis vest for the jubilee event.

Some muppet had put up their tents with doors open and the insides were soaked along with their possessions, even if they had decided to stay they would have to have sleep in wet tents and sleeping bags.

At 0900 Sunday morning they had been given a paper bag with a Sandwich, Muffin and packet of crisps in and told ” dont eat that now its your lunch”. A paper bag, in heavy rain, 3 hours before lunchtime with no way of keeping it dry.

One of them had been refused use of toilet facilities  and hadnt been able to P for almost 24 hours, she had been forced to change into ” uniform” for the event in the open as there were no changing facilities with other male staff refusing to give her privacy, ” I had to change next to a van in public and a bloody red bus stopped almost right in front of me”..

This is a young woman , First time in london, first time away overnight without a member of her family trying to comply with DWP rules.

Well as far as I am concerned she did herself proud. While others had given up and left in the morning , she stuck it through til after the Queen had passed and the crowd dispersed before asking for help.

She has taken a couple of photos and has agreed to send them to me when she wakes for posting.

She slept almost all the way back to Bristol last night, and when she was helped into her home byan elder brother she was obviously finding it hard to walk.

I had only had to drive up and back and I felt like crap when I got into my home 20 minutes later.

As an additional comment I hope that Prince Philip gets better soon.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jun/04/jubilee-pageant-unemployed for Press cover.

It is a shame however that contrary to Close Protection uk statement that training had been completed, I know that some staff had not yet been trained in First Aid ( a requirement) or taught how to safely restrain people without causing injury ( a requirement).

To say that this was to weed out those unsuitable for working in the security industry is pure BS. Close Protection uk wanted free labour.

Under London Bridge where the Work Experience Kids had to spend the early hours of Sunday Morning before their long shift Staffing the Jubilee Celebrations

http://eddiegillard.wordpress.com/2012/06/03/queen-put-at-risk-by-workfare-provider/

Say goodbye to your mouse and keyboard. Leap represents an entirely new way to interact with your computers. It’s more accurate than a mouse, as reliable as a keyboard and more sensitive than a touchscreen. For the first time, you can control a comput

http://live.leapmotion.com/about.html

• PRE-ORDER
• ABOUT
• DEVELOPERS
• BLOG
• JOBS
• INVESTORS
• CONTACT

Read FAQs

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Say goodbye to your mouse and keyboard.

Leap represents an entirely new way to interact with your computers. It’s more accurate than a mouse, as reliable as a keyboard and more sensitive than a touchscreen.  For the first time, you can control a computer in three dimensions with your natural hand and finger movements.

This isn’t a game system that roughly maps your hand movements.  The Leap technology is 200 times more accurate than anything else on the market — at any price point. Just about the size of a flash drive, the Leap can distinguish your individual fingers and track your movements down to a 1/100th of a millimeter.

This is like day one of the mouse.  Except, no one needs an instruction manual for their hands.

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Get ready, get set, go.

We asked one simple question: ‘What feels natural?’. Using a Leap is easy.  And the next thing you know, a swipe in the air leads to a swipe of the page.  So that nice LED display remains clean and untouched, as it should be.

Setup is just as intuitive.  Plug the LEAP into a USB port.  Load the Leap Motion software. Do a quick wave to calibrate. That’s it.

In minutes, you’ll be able to interact with your desktop using natural hand and finger movements.

It sounds too good to be true, we know.  But, that’s what we specialize in around here.

 

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We are changing the world

Two or three hundred thousands lines of code later, we’ve figured out how to use the Leap to create an interaction space around your computer, in 3D.  Able to distinguish thumbs from fingers, and even handheld items like pencils.  This allows users to interact like never before, using only natural movements.

And we went a step further. You will be able to create custom gestures that fit how you want to use your computer. You can even network more than one Leap device, to create even larger interaction areas.

We’ve been able to link Leap to dozens of applications and operating systems.

But this is just the beginning.  As our development community builds, who knows what the future holds?

---

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FAQs

GENERAL

What exactly is The Leap?

The Leap is a small iPod sized USB peripheral that creates a 3D interaction space of 8 cubic feet to precisely interact with and control software on your laptop or desktop computer. It’s like being able to reach into the computer and pull out information as easily as reaching into a cookie jar.

The Leap senses your individual hand and finger movements independently, as well as items like a pen. In fact, it’s 200x more sensitive than existing touch-free products and technologies. It’s the difference between sensing an arm swiping through the air and being able to create a precise digital signature with a fingertip or pen.

What can I do with The Leap? 

The possibilities are endless, really. Computer power has grown exponentially over the years, but the way we interact with those computers has not. With LEAP, virtually every kind of application, across every industry, can be re-imagined.

Art. Healthcare. Engineering. Operating Systems.  Gaming. If you can imagine it, we’re pretty confident there’s a remarkable member of our developer community who is already working to create it.

What is Leap Motion technology?

Leap Motion technology is a breakthrough in computer interaction, using a patented mathematical approach to 3D, touch-free motion sensing and motion control software that’s unlike anything that currently exists on the market or in academia. Developed over the past 4 years, Leap Motion moves far beyond the current technologies designed for distant arm waving.

How much does The Leap cost?

The Leap will retail for $69.99, and a limited number are currently available for pre-order at LeapMotion.com.

How does The Leap impact computing?

For decades people have been given a dream of what computers would be – from Star Trek holosuites to Tom Cruise swiping through Minority Report’s 3D computer interface. But it’s never made it out of the lab and into real life – until now. The ability to control any computer with nuanced hand and finger movements will fundamentally transform the way people interact with computers.

Who is The Leap ideal for?

Everyone! We envision a day in the near future when our motion control technology will be used in most consumer products – not just computers, but cars, appliances, medical devices, light switches and more. There are already many great uses for a variety of people.

• Artists and creative types can use The Leap to emulate a stylus or easily create 3D images.
• Anyone can use The Leap to interact with Windows 7/8 or Mac OS X by clicking, grabbing, scrolling and using familiar gestures like pinch to zoom in 3D space.
• Users pointing a pen at the signature line of a document to sign it in space.
• Engineers can interact more easily with 3D modeling software.
• Gamers can play more easily and many will modify with Leap in mind.
• Surgeons can control 3D medical data with their hands without taking off their gloves.

Who is LEAP? How did you get started?

The original inspiration behind Leap came from our frustration with 3D modeling— something that took 10 seconds in real life would take 30 minutes with a computer.  Molding virtual clay with a computer should be as easy as molding clay in the real world. The mouse and keyboard were simply getting in the way.

Could we figure out a way to control computers in a better, more natural way—and without settling for the limitations of available technology? After four years of hard work, we’ve got the answer. Now it’s time to have fun.

What makes Leap Motion stand out?

Leap Motion is the only technology focused on bringing motion control to the desktop – rather than trying to take what’s been built for TV (large gesture sensing) and make it work for computers. We incorporate natural motions and finger tracking in far greater detail and sensitivity, than any product on the market. The Leap is ~100x more accurate than any other motion sensing/natural user interface on Earth.

How do I pre-order a LEAP?

We have a limited number available for our first shipment this winter. Early birds catch the worm – so click here to order. We won’t charge you until the product is ready to ship.

How can I get a free developer kit?

We’re distributing thousands of kits to qualified developers, because, well, we want to see what kinds of incredible things you can all do with our technology. So wow us. Actually, register to get the SDK and a free Leap device first, and then wow us.

Do you support windows?

Yes! We also support native touch emulation for Windows 8.

How about Linux?

Linux support is on the agenda.

When do dev-kits ship

Depending on which batch you’re in; anywhere from 1-3 months.

What are the tech specifications for the LEAP?

TBD.

What if I have a question that is not covered here?

We have full-time staff dedicated to community outreach. Write community@leapmotion.com.

Why does Leap Motion matter? What problem do you solve?

Computers have always been remarkable. The ways we’ve connected to those computers, however, have always struck us as clunky. Typing? Seriously? That’s fine for writing a novel. But it’s hardly the most natural, intuitive way to communicate.

It may seem unorthodox, but remember: all the big innovations have been viewed that way, too. Wireless. The horseless carriage.

Who are your partners?

Our partners include many of the world’s largest companies. In the consumer electronics space for example, we expect to integrate our technology into tablets, smart phones, laptops and game systems.

Tell me about the Leap Motion team.

Our initial technology breakthrough came from co-founder and CTO David Holz. David was working on a PhD in mathematics from UNC Chapel Hill and left to pursue Leap Motion. Before that, he was conducting research for NASA on fluid mechanics.

Michael Buckwald is the CEO and co-founder. Prior to founding Leap Motion, Michael was the CEO of Zazuba.com.

Michael and Dave are childhood friends from Florida.

Windows 8 Release Preview: Now ready for you If you move quickly, before servers all over the world start groaning under the load, you can get an early official copy of Windows 8 Release Preview By Woody Leonhard | InfoWorld Follow @woodyleonhard

MAY 31, 2012

Windows 8 Release Preview: Now ready for you

http://www.infoworld.com/t/microsoft-windows/windows-8-release-preview-now-ready-you-194527

If you move quickly, before servers all over the world start groaning under the load, you can get an early official copy of Windows 8 Release Preview

By Woody Leonhard | InfoWorld

Follow @woodyleonhard

Print|2 Comments

. What's this?

 

Microsoft promised to deliver Windows 8 Release Preview during the first week in June. It's early: The bits are ready to download now. Here are the direct links to the Microsoft download sites for the three consumer versions (Core, Pro, and Pro with Windows Media Center), all of which are in the same .iso file:

• Windows 8 Release Preview 64-bit U.S. English
• Windows 8 Release Preview 32-bit U.S. English

Microsoft's Windows 8 download page has other language versions available.

What's changed between the Windows 8 Consumer Preview and the Win 8 Release Preview? Quite a bit, actually.

The usual user interface changes won't get too many people excited: The Aero UI has been modified a bit, with a larger palette for the Metro Start screen background and some new cursors and wallpaper. But of course we all know the big news, that Microsoft's going to change the window chrome again -- and axe Aero Glass -- for the final shipping version. There's no hint yet as to what other changes may come as a result of that decision; for example, we don't know if the legacy Control Panel's Window Color and Appearance applet will disappear.

Apparently, Flash will make it into the Release Preview's Metro version of Internet Explorer.

But the biggest change in the release preview has to be the built-in Metro apps. Screenshots of Release Preview Metro apps that look very little like their older Consumer Preview counterparts have surfaced all over the Web, in multiple languages.

One has to wonder: If Microsoft's changing the window chrome in RTM, will it change the Metro apps' chrome as well? We probably won't know until the final release-to-manufacturing (RTM) version hits -- which most bets say will be in mid to late August. We also don't know if Microsoft will release the RTM version to the unwashed masses as a download much before its appearance in new Windows 8 computers.

In previous versions of Windows, going back at least as far as Windows 3.0, release candidates have preceded the final product. But the Release Preview really isn't a release candidate -- there are big changes coming for Windows 8, even if they're "only" cosmetic (I say that with tongue firmly in cheek). The internal workings of Windows shouldn't change between now and RTM, though. The major features are all locked in. Or out, depending on how you look at it.

This story, "Windows 8 Release Preview: Now ready for you," was originally published atInfoWorld.com. Get the first word on what the important tech news really means with the InfoWorld Tech Watch blog. For the latest developments in business technology news, follow InfoWorld.com on Twitter.