The leading open-source conversational system, ALICE, is now ten years old and has won the Loebner Prize three times. Dr Richard Wallace, creator of ALICE and its associated language AIML, will give a presentation and demonstrate the latest developments in this ongoing project. Read the full text of the colloquium announcement at http://www.alicebot.org/bbbbbbb.html..

Afterwards, the Dark Ages settled in; art and creativity seemed to have died, so did developments of calligraphy fonts. After the Dark Ages, with the rise of the Roman Catholic Church to power, the formal and elaborate font styles emerged. This font features the architectural designs of the Middle Ages. These fonts are known as "Gothic." Until printing mechanism disrupted handcrafting of prints, Gothic was the popular choice for fonts. When literacy was brought down to the level of common townsfolk, the demand for less complex fonts increased.

This plea for practicality gave birth to informal Gothic variants used in manually printed publications and documents.

As printing became more readily available, hand-lettering was designated to artists. The rest of the population wrote in cursives for their regular correspondences. Elaborate calligraphy, however, was still used for its decorative purpose in several formal documents?maps and invitations, for example. The complex calligraphy carried with it a sense of elegance and formality suited for high-level affairs and audiences.

Samples of the different calligraphy fonts are now housed in museums.

But software programmers have found a way to copy those font styles. So if you are feeling a little fancy, or when you are looking for an element that would bring a touch of elegance into your formal invitation or correspondence, you may want to check out the suppliers of these software programs. You are bound to find just the right one for your needs..

You'll also be able to send letters, birthday and Christmas cards to your sponsored child and even have the opportunity to visit them if you wish.If your child is able to read and write, you will receive written replies to your letters or cards if you choose to send them ? so you can witness the positive change through the eyes of your sponsored child.You'll also receive quarterly issues of World Vision's supporter magazine, 'Insight', which includes more information about our work to improve the lives of the world's poorest people.It is our mission to sponsor 2000 children before Christmas. Please sponsor a child now. You can save a life..

Mix it up. Do resolutions at different times of the year, not just New Year's. Your birthday and key anniversary dates are good times to examine your life to see which areas need extra attention.4. Don't give up. Too many people call it quits far too soon.

There are thousands of hours left in the year -- more than enough time to make terrific progress.5. Have fun with them. What could be more enjoyable than making positive changes in your life? Remember: resolutions are a gift you give yourself to achieve the life you want.6. Work with a success partner. Find a friend or relative who is working on a goal of their own.

Call or email each other once a week with your plans/goals for that week. Provide practical support and encouragement to each other..

Alienated by the punk scene, Rowland, together with Killjoys guitarist Al Archer, decided to form a new soul-influenced group, Dexys Midnight Runners.When Dexys disbanded in 1987, Rowland recorded a solo album called The Wanderer which, together with its three singles, was a commercial failure. His next release was not until 1999 when he recorded a collection of cover versions called My Beauty, the cover of which depicted a heavily made-up Rowland in drag. Despite critical acclaim, the album again failed to sell. In 2003, Rowland reformed Dexys Midnight Runners and embarked on a successful comeback tour backed up with a greatest hits album.The above information was compiled with the help of Wikipedia, and does not necessarily reflect the views of BMD Certificates. No copyright infringements have been intentionally made.Contact:BMD Certificates087000117006e-mail protected from spam bots.

He won four fights in a row, including another bout in Hamburg, and by the end of the year, he challenged Kevin Finnegan for the British Middleweight title, winning it by a 15 round decision. In 1976 he won six fights, to make it ten wins in a row. Among the boxers he beat were Billy Knight by a knockout in two and Finnegan once again, by decision in 15, both in defense of his British title, along with former world title challenger Tony Licata, knocked out in six, and American Olympic Games Gold medal winner Ray Seales, beaten in five. These wins gave Minter a ranking among the top ten Middleweight challengers of the time.In 1977, he won the European Middleweight title by beating Germano Valsecchi by a knockout in five in Italy. But in his next fight his winning streak ended when he lost to former world title challenger Ronnie Harris by a knockout in eight.

Minter returned to top ten challenger status by upsetting the former Welterweight and Jr. Middleweight world champion Emile Griffith with a ten round decision win in Monte Carlo, but then, he lost his European title to Gratien Tonna by a knockout in eight at Milan. He closed '77 with a third 15 round decision win over Finnegan to retain his British title.1978 was a sad year for Minter, although he won all three of his bouts. On February 15, at the Muhammad Ali-Leon Spinks I undercard in Las Vegas, he won his first bout in the United States by knocking out Sandy Torres in five. Then, he went to Italy once again, to regain his European Middleweight title by knocking out Angelo Jaccopucciy in twelve rounds.

Jacopucciy died a few days after the bout, in another boxing tragedy. Minter finished his year by avenging his loss to Tonna with a six round knockout.In 1979, Minter won all four of his fights, two of them by knockout, and in 1980, he was finally given the opportunity all fighters dream of: On March 16 of that year, in Las Vegas, Nevada, he was given a shot at champion Vito Antuofermo's world Middleweight title at the Caesars Palace. He won the title by a 15 round decision, and in a rematch, he retained the world title by a knockout in eight rounds. Minter's run as world champion came to an end on September 27 of that year, when he lost by a knockout in three to Marvin Hagler at Wembley Arena in London. After the fight was stopped, Minter's supporters caused a riot, throwing beer cans and glass into the ring and both boxers had to be ushered away by the police.Minter beat fringe contender Ernie Singletary in London, in 1981, but after losses to future Hagler challengers Mustafa Hamsho and Tony Sibson, both also in London, he retired for good.He left boxing with a record of 39 wins, 9 losses and 1 no contest, with 23 wins by knockout.The above information was compiled with the help of Wikipedia, and does not necessarily reflect the views of BMD Certificates.

No copyright infringements have been intentionally made.Contact:BMD Certificates087000117006e-mail protected from spam bots.

Education Development Opportunities hopes to fuel that spirit with this academic scholarship exchange program. We celebrate him on his 72nd birthday this July 13," said Osagie Enabulele, EDO founder and CEO. The program hopes to support the growing ties between African and American cultures. Those selected will receive a stipend, which is to help support them during their studies in the U.S. The honor is reserved for students who have exhibited outstanding academics and leadership qualities.

Ak? Scholars will receive a comprehensive internship in the U.S. by working with businesses that are owned and operated by minority owners. The training is to help promote better business practices and modernization in Africa, once the students return home. The scholarship is targeted to third and fourth year Nigerian students, from under-resourced communities who are studying one the following professional disciplines: literature, medicine, architecture and design, law, communications, engineering or finance. The plan is to broaden its outreach after the first year to include any international student/s in the perquisite discipline.

The scholarship program takes its name from Ak? The Years of Childhood, Soyinka's literary account of his formative years, published in the U.S. by Random House. He went on to be educated at the prestigious Government College in Ibadan and continued at the University of Leeds where he became a dramaturgist and accomplished writer at the Royal Court Theatre. EDO hosted the successful book signing and tribute to Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka in April at the African American Museum and Library at Oakland; bringing together over 500 politicians, business and community leaders. It was instrumental in working with Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown's Office to declare April 23rd, 2006 as Wole Soyinka Day.

Soyinka also received Special Congressional Recognition by Congresswoman Barbara Lee, along other awards. About Education Development Opportunities, Inc. EDO is fast becoming a dynamic leader and cultural trendsetter; developing relationships between Nigerians and African-Americans through forums, mentorships and education programs. The focus of the organization is to establish a learning bridge between Nigeria and the U.S. It hosted the successful book signing and tribute to Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka in April 2006; bringing together over 500 politicians, business and community leaders at the African-American Museum and Library at Oakland..

Boys like the Magic Party invitation, Race Car invitation, and Paintball Party invitation. For most orders, the invitations and matching envelopes are personalized, printed, and mailed within 48 to 72 hours. The cost is $2.50 per invitation for most designs including the matching personalized envelope. Each invitation design and corresponding order form is posted on the Parties Outside the Box web site: www.partiesoutsidethebox.com. Contact Parties Outside the Box (510) 794-3436 or visit the web site to see additional invitations.Many multicultural invitation designs are available, not only for children's parties, but also for special occasions such as Sweet Sixteen, Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, Anniversary and Engagement.

Parisian Invitations for a French theme party feature an Eiffel Tower Invitation design that is brightly colored for a Moulin Rouge Cabaret Party or sprinkled with red hearts for an engagement "L'amour" or dotted with pastel flowers for a "Viva La Bebe" Baby Shower. The Mardi Gras mask Invitation or Brazilian Carnival invitation is brightly colored for masquerade or costume parties. A Red Dragon invitation is perfect for a sushi party or Asian dinner party. For an elegant Japanese Garden Party or Tea Party, the Geisha invitation is beautifully illustrated and personalized inside with party details. Printed on parchment paper, a vibrant illustration of a mosque in an oasis is the newest Arabian Nights invitation for Middle Eastern theme parties.

Mexican Fiesta Invitations and custom designs featuring a Tahitian Sunset or Venetian gondola can be seen on the Parties Outside the Box web site. Artist, Adriane Dedic, welcomes requests for custom designs.A Gold Trophy invitation is her most requested item for events such as graduation or Bar Mitzvah. The Trophy statuette design can be sprinkled with gold glitter. Ranking second in popularity is the Movie Marquee invitation offering the ultimate in personalization. Customers select a movie title or message for the marquee and provide their own photos which are designed into the posters on the front of the invitation.

All invitations are designed by Adriane Dedic, an award winning professional artist and graphic designer who exhibits her work in galleries from California to New York. Adriane Dedic owns the copyrights and trademarks on all designs for the invitations, including artwork, and characters within artwork that appear on www.partiesoutsidethebox.com. All rights reserved. Contact Parties Outside the Box at (510) 794-3436 or FAX (510) 794-9429..

popular at Christmas, and we generally receive lots of invitations. If you want us over, we'd love to be invited, but would prefer it's because you like us, not because you think we need it.Myth #3: Single people don't know what to do for the holidays.Reality: On the contrary, we are used to planning our social lives actively, good at generating options, and used to making unilateral decisions. We're pros!Myth #4: Single people are available to perform certain social tasks during the holiday celebration. Reality: We like to be cherished guests. We don't like to be the steer among the bulls ? invited to get people who don't get along off of one another's throats.

If you don't like your family and friends, why would we? "Can you come over and help out with Aunt Edna?" is not an invitation. Myth #5: Single people are available to do certain physical tasks during the holiday celebration.Reality: Nor is this an invitation: "It's John's in-laws and I want to impress them. Can you come over and help with the hors d'oeuvres?" As best-friend, yes; as the only working-guest, absolutely not. Myth #6: Single people are misfits, outsiders.Reality: On the contrary, most of us have highly developed Emotional Intelligence skills; that's the reason we get the ?rescue us' invitations! Outsiders? It's about half the adult world now. Take another look!Myth #7: If a single person isn't part of a couple, or doesn't spend Christmas with a couple or family, they will be miserable.Reality: Come on now.

Is it so horrible to celebrate Christmas on a cruise to the Caribbean, coming back rested, tanned and relaxed? Myth #8: The only "happy" way to spend the holidays is if you are a couple or part of a family.Reality: If that were so, half the articles on the Internet this time of year wouldn't be about how to cope with the annual holiday dinner with the relatives, and the divorce rate in the US wouldn't be 50%.Myth #9: Single people have "nowhere to go" for the holidays.Reality: Nowhere to go? We have everywhere to go! I loved my years as Mrs. Santa. Now I'm on-the-go. I'm thinking about Germany this year. There are so many places to go I can't decide!!In fact I have so many neat ideas for spending Christmas on-your-own, if you're stuck I'll give you a FREE coaching session..