Among masked musicians, maintaining anonymity is the new fame – The Washington Post

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Cheap Contract Mobiles

“I can walk around my own gigs and no one recognizes me,” Jerome says over the phone from Atlanta a few days later. “it takes away that whole premise of you becoming more of a star than the music.”

As the hyper-connectivity of social media pulls our planet into a tighter huddle, Jerome is one in a growing number of vanguard pop artists flirting with the idea of anonymity. they often wear masks. Some conceal their names. A few refuse to perform in public altogether. Many make electronic music, including Deadmau5, the Bloody Beetroots, Redshape and Zomby.

And although artists and authors have worked under pseudonyms for centuries, protecting one’s anonymity today feels like an implicit protest against our increasingly Facebookish society. these artists are asserting their power by refusing to be identified, asking us to like them without clicking “Like.”

Jerome, who performs at the 9:30 Club on Friday, says he isn’t guarding his privacy so much as as trying to immerse listeners in his music. He decided on the name SBTRKT because it symbolized the idea of scrubbing his identity from his work. He says the approach affords him the psychic freedom to pursue music more directly — something he describes as an intrinsically “faceless medium.”

In the past decade, however, many musicians have become stars with the help of the artificial faces they’ve adopted. the robot helmets worn by French dance duo Daft Punk have become iconic. Rapper MF Doom performs disguised in a hunk of metal. British art-rockers Clinic cover their faces as if preparing for surgery. Members of nu-metal band Slipknot are always ready for Halloween. Before that, avant-rockers the Residents donned eyeball helmets, Gwar embraced gore and members of Kiss painted their faces like demonic mimes.

And masks pre-date pop music, of course — from ancient African masks worn in spiritual rituals to the Italian Bauta masks that allowed cheating hearts to gallivant anonymously around Venice.

“It’s a visual pseudonym,” said Aaron Cromie, a Philadelphia-based mask and puppet designer who has worked for Washington’s Studio, Folger and Shakespeare theaters. “People often feel a lot of freedom when their identity is hidden in that way.”

On 21st-century stages, Cromie says, masks help amplify the dialogue between performer and audience by allowing both sides to divorce from reality. In pop music, he sees a potent example in Gorillaz, the aughties supergroup that chose to portray themselves on album covers and in music videos as a gang of cartoon characters.

-cases & Pouches For Sagem - Column: Emergency crews storm golf course on family night - (3/15/2012)

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Cheap Contract Mobiles

Editor’s note: this column was originally published in the June 16, 2011, edition of the Free Press.

DISCLAIMER: In the following column, the term “putt-putt” will be used to describe the practice of hitting a golf ball with a putter on a miniature golf course. the correct term for this activity is “miniature golf,” but I’ve called it “putt-putt” for 38 years, and I refuse to switch horses this late in the race. the term “putt-putt” is not to be confused with “Putt-Putt,” which is a registered trademark of Putt-Putt Fun Center.

Last weekend was a weekend of firsts for the Dawson family. For starters, we took our 14-month-old daughter to the beach for the first time. we assumed that she’d give the ocean the ol’ hairy eyeball for a while and gradually ease up to it, but she ran toward it like a puppy toward a truck full of fire hydrants.

There is nothing like watching your baby squidge her little foot into the wet sand for the first time. She had the same look on her face that I had when I realized the drink machine in the Free Press break room didn’t know the difference between a quarter and the buttons from the coats in the lost and found.

The other big news is that I took our 6-year-old daughter on her first putt-putt/bumper-boat expedition. when we arrived at the Golfin’ Dolphin that fateful Friday evening, neither of us was aware of the epic journey that lay before us.

The first thing she had to do was choose the color of her putter. Naturally, she gravitated toward the pink, and she was puzzled as to why I didn’t want to get a pink one so we’d match. She was then fascinated by the fact that we could keep the pencil provided with the score card. I’ve spent hours searching for gifts that got half the reaction of that jinky little pencil, but I digress.

After a brief discussion of the rules, we teed off on the first hole. It was a par 3 and I think she had a quintuple bogey. Eventually, she realized putt-putt was less about swinging wildly like an airplane without wings, and more about finesse and planning ahead. She went on to make par on many holes, and she even got a birdie on the seventh hole. if you count the sea gull she accidentally winged while swinging her club, then she actually got two birdies.

Father and daughter were having a good time winding our way through the twists and turns of the course like coffee through a nervous bladder. all of that changed, however, when we came upon a mother/father/son trio that was ahead of us.

I don’t mean to get all Bob Ross up in here, but allow me to paint a word picture for you: It was obvious these folks weren’t from around here. the dad alone had three separate pouches attached to his belt — a belt that was holding up a pair of shorts. One pouch appeared to house a camera, the second probably a cell phone and the third, by my estimation, had to have been filled with some sort of hallucinogenic mushrooms and/or trail mix.

When we started there was no one even close to us, so by my estimation they had to have been on at least the fifth or sixth hole when we started. normally I’m the most impatient man on the planet, but the daughter kept me busy with plenty of questions (“What are golf balls made out of?,” “Why does Katie Couric have a career?”) and there was a pleasant ocean breeze, so I just relaxed and affixed my gaze on the family ahead of us in hopes they’d do something I could write about.

While they were all peculiar, the dad seemed to be the ring leader. On more than one occasion I saw this man spend several minutes clearing the putting surface of teeny-tiny bits of pine straw that Horatio Cane would have overlooked. also, when the son accidentally knocked the ball out of bounds, instead of allowing a do-over, he pulled out his Blackberry so he could look up the official rules online.

According to the rules provided by the National Putt-Putt Association, the son could either take a penalty stroke or be smashed in the head with his own putter by those playing in his group. I admired the son’s moxy for taking that shot to the head, but by the looks of him, he was already a little slow on the draw.

Between the 12th and 13th holes the mom noticed a nest of newborn kittens under an adjacent bush. Whereas most earthlings would just say something like “how cute” and get on with their lives, these people set up camp. Apparently the dad went to high school with Mutual of Omaha’s Jim Fowler, because in no time a helicopter full of zoologists landed via helicopter on the 18th green. Within minutes, the kittens were spayed, neutered, washed and issued insurance policies.

Eventually we made it to the last hole, which as many seasoned putt-putters will know is equipped with a pipe that carries your ball away after it falls into the cup. the Family of Dr. Moreau, however, was new to this concept. the mom was so confused that she assumed she’d knocked her ball off the course and went up to the putt-putt hut to request another ball.

An incredibly patient employee explained that her ball had in fact fallen into the cup and through the miracle of PVC pipe been delivered back to the holding area. Father and son eventually finished their round, which allowed us to do the same.

After putt-putt, my daughter and I headed over to the bumper-boat area. I hadn’t been in a bumper boat since I was around 10 years old, and apparently those things are not made for 6-foot men who are on the north side of petite. I got in the boat fine, but my feet had to hang over the edge, which made it look like I was sitting on a giant motorized hemorrhoid pillow.

While we were in the middle of the bumper-boat pool — spinning in a circle at 30 mph — we discovered the boat’s water gun feature. the daughter promptly pulled the trigger and unleashed a water stream of tsunami proportions in the general direction of the Moreau Family.

Don’t worry though; the dad had a full pack of ponchos in his back pocket.

Jon Dawson’s columns appear every Tuesday and Thursday in the Free Press. Contact Jon at 252-559-1092 or jdawson@freedomenc.com. Check out Jon’s blog at jdawson.encblogs.com and his book ‘making Gravy in Public’ at jondawson.com.

Mobile Phone Data Cables - How to fix common PC problems - (3/8/2012)

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Cheap Contract Mobiles

We’ll start with a completely dead PC. before tearing open the case and rummaging around inside, it’s always worth ruling out any relatively simple causes. The first step is to work out whether there is any power getting to the computer. First, check that the problem isn’t with the power cable: the fuse in the plug may have blown, for example, or it could have developed a loose connection. Similarly, ensure the mains power socket it is plugged into is working; plugging in a different device, such as a lamp, is a good way to test this. It’s also worth checking the switch on the back of the computer – this is situated near the power socket and, if switched off, will prevent any power from getting to the PC.

If the PC does power up but nothing appears on the monitor, it could be the monitor itself that is the problem. First, make sure the monitor is switched on, then check that the cable between the PC and monitor is securely attached at both ends. Also, check the power cable to the monitor and, if possible, try a different power cable. Similarly, if you have a spare display, try attaching it to the PC. If the monitor’s power light is on, ensure that it is set to the correct input. This can usually be done using the monitor’s menu buttons, but you may have to consult the manual to find out which one to press. If in doubt as to which input is required, slowly cycle through them all.

If the monitor appears to be working but only displays a message stating that there is no input, the problem is likely to be with the computer. Try to work out whether it’s starting up normally by listening out for the usual sounds. A single beep followed by hard disk activity indicates Windows is launching normally, meaning it’s likely to be the monitor or graphics card at fault. However, if you hear a series of beeps in quick succession shortly after the PC is switched on, it’s a motherboard problem. The motherboard’s manual (most are available online) will explain what each set of beeps means.

If no beeps are heard, or you can’t find any reference to them in the motherboard’s manual, it’s worth opening up the PC. Make sure the power is disabled and the plug is switched off at the mains, then remove the side panel (you may need a screwdriver for this). We’d also advise wearing an anti-static wrist-strap before venturing inside. next, inspect each component in turn, ensuring they are securely inserted. If you feel confident doing this, it’s worth removing components such as the memory modules and then reinserting them to ensure all are securely in place. Then perform similar checks on the power and data cables within the case, particularly those connecting the hard disk(s) to the motherboard. most PCs will have some spare, unattached cables, so don’t assume every cable should be plugged in.

If the PC still doesn’t work, try removing any non-essential components, such as wireless network adapters; if one of these has developed a fault, it may be stopping the PC from starting up. Once you have removed them all, replace the side panel and turn on the computer. If Windows starts normally, you will know the problem is down to one of these devices. Switch the computer off, then reinsert one of the devices and switch the computer back on. Now repeat this process, adding in a new device each time. when the PC fails to start, you will know which device is causing the problem.

So far we have looked at problems that prevent the computer from displaying anything on the monitor. If the display is working but Windows won’t start, look for on-screen error messages such as ‘HDD Controller Error’, ‘Parity Error’ or ‘Disk boot failure’. If you do see an error code, use another computer to research it online. If you are lucky there might be a simple remedy but, at worst, you should be able to find some useful information relating to the problem and, if necessary, use it to seek professional advice.

The next step is to detach all external devices from your computer, including peripherals such as printers, scanners, modems and external hard disks. It’s also worth removing any attached USB memory keys from the computer and ensuring the disc drive doesn’t have a disc in it; if the PC has a floppy disk drive, make sure that is empty too. Essentially, all that should be attached to the PC is the monitor, keyboard and power cable. Once you have removed all devices, restart the computer. If it works, use a process of elimination similar to that described in Step 6 to find out which device is causing the problem. If the PC still won’t start it’s worth checking the internal components, also described in Step 6.

If the computer switches on but fails to get past the first memory test stage, the problem could be with the Bios; this contains basic information that the PC needs to load before it can launch Windows. Occasionally, the Bios can become corrupted, and when this happens it will need to be reset. This is typically achieved by temporarily moving a jumper switch between three pins on the motherboard, but the process can vary, so you must consult the motherboard’s manual. Once reset, switch the PC back on. If the problem recurs, the battery on the motherboard may need replacing. The battery should pop out easily, allowing you to note down its model number (CR2302 types are the most common) before heading to the shops.

If the PC manages to get past the initial start-up (boot) screen but fails to load Windows, the problem is most likely software-related. The culprit could be a fault with Windows itself or an application that’s made some changes that are in turn preventing Windows from loading. To resolve the problem, restart the PC and tap the F8 key until the Advanced Options Menu appears. Select Safe Mode from the list; this is a diagnostic version of Windows that prevents all unnecessary software from loading. when Windows launches, system Restore can be used to restore the PC to a working state: click start button, then point to All Programs followed by Accessories, then choose system Tools and click system Restore.

If Windows won’t launch into Safe Mode, repeat Step 10, but this time pick the last known Good Configuration option. As its name suggests, this feature will check back to when the PC last worked properly and will try using the same settings to get it back on its feet. This includes settings in the all-important Windows Registry. Unlike system Restore, however, it will not remove any recently installed programs. it also won’t be able to repair corrupted or missing drivers. To do this, run system Restore as described in Step 10.

If neither the Safe Mode nor the last known Good Configuration options work, the next best step is to try running the Windows repair tool. in Vista and Windows 7, this option should automatically appear at the top of a list of options when Windows won’t load. If it doesn’t, insert a Windows installation CD into the appropriate drive, restart the PC and Startup Repair will appear alongside other options. XP users should restart with the Windows CD inserted, then select the Repair option from the setup menu. Windows will now attempt to diagnose and rectify problems that are preventing it from launching. Don’t worry about data stored on the hard disk – the repair feature will leave this intact.

Some computers, laptops especially, have restore features that might prove more successful than Windows’ built-in tools. This is often accessed by running in a repair mode, as in the previous step. Alternatively, you may see an instruction such as ‘Press F10 for recovery’ when the computer is first switched on. Once loaded, choose the appropriate option from the list (this is usually at the bottom of the list and called something like ‘Restore my PC’ or ‘Return Windows to original settings’). You’ll likely be asked whether you want to perform a partial restore (this will keep personal files intact) or a complete restore (this returns the PC to its factory settings, deleting all personal data in the process). Needless to say, the latter should be seen as a last resort.

-cases & Pouches For Sagem - D.C. Council renegotiates cellphone contract after $61,000 in bills - (3/4/2012)

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Cheap Contract Mobiles

Most council members and about 30 senior staff members use government-issued cellphones or BlackBerrys paid for through the council’s $19 million annual budget. Over the past 16 months, they spent about $61,000 talking, e-mailing and texting, according to the records.

For a majority of council and staff members, monthly bills were no greater than what many consumers pay for basic cellphone service, between $50 and $75 per month.

But some members’ bills regularly exceeded $100 a month, causing the council’s secretary, Nyasha Smith, to renegotiate the council’s contract with AT&T. The move is expected to lower bills by about a third.

“this is about all of us looking at different ways to save money and bringing down the cost of the government,” Brown said. “this is just one small piece . . . but anytime you can save 30 percent, that is significant.”

Under the new plan, which takes effect this month, the 40 people issued phones will share a pool of 18,000 voice minutes per month. they also will get unlimited data and text messaging within the continental United States.

Council officials were unable to provide details of the previous plan but said it did not appear to be a generous group rate for data and messaging. Compounding the costs, some members and staff were not keeping close tabs on roaming fees, Brown said.

Council member Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) had the highest average bill over the past 16 months. Last year, Bowser incurred $3,016 in charges, costing taxpayers about $251 per month. Bowser’s bill reached $734.45 in August, records show.

Bowser attributed the surge to “international roaming charges” when she was on vacation. Bowser, who sits on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority board, said she had to participate in a WMATA conference call during the trip.

“I am always on duty, check in with my office and available on my BlackBerry at all times, even while on vacation,” Bowser said.

In July, council member Michael a. Brown’s monthly bill reached $1,083. a month later, Brown’s cellphone cost taxpayers $409.09.

Brown (I-At Large) also was traveling last summer.

“it is our understanding that those charges were for data usage for official e-mails he received while on travel,” Michael a. Brown’s office said in a statement. “I am always accessible to my colleagues, staff, and constituents who e-mail me at any time — regardless of time of day or location,” the council member said.

In addition to the chairman, Bowser and Michael a. Brown, Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3), David a. Catania (I-At Large), Vincent B. Orange (D-At Large), Yvette M. Alexander (D-Ward 7) and Phil Mendelson (D-At Large) are listed in records as having council-issued phones. their bills usually ranged from $50 to $150 per month.

Members can also request phones for staff members. In a few cases, some staff members were responsible for hundreds of dollars in monthly charges.

With the unlimited data under the new AT&T plan, Brown hopes to keep costs down without keeping members from answering constituents’ or staff members’ e-mails.

One thing won’t change under the plan: Council members will need to temporarily upgrade to an international plan before they travel outside the country — or risk those pesky roaming charges.

-adaptors Sim Cards - Alan Gross revelations could hamper campaign for his release - (2/24/2012)

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Cheap Contract Mobiles

By Ron Kampeas · February 21, 2012

WASHINGTON (JTA) – for the Jews of Cuba, it was the ultimate Internet connection.

The high-tech equipment that U.S. contractor Alan gross brought with him to Cuba in 2009 to help connect local Jews to the Internet reportedly included a SIM card that makes it almost impossible to track satellite signals and is generally unavailable to civilians, even in the United States.

That was one of the revelations in an Associated Press report earlier this month that has exacerbated concerns that Cuba will hang tough on its stated determination not to release gross, a 62-year-old Maryland Jewish man who was in Cuba to do work for the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID. gross is serving a 15-year prison sentence in Cuba for crimes described as “acts against the integrity of the state.”

Yet the AP report, apparently based on mission reports by gross, helps reinforce the claim that gross, his family, his employer and the State Department have made all along — that Gross’ mission was straightforward and not at all nefarious: he wanted to hook up Cuba’s Jews with their brethren worldwide.

The AP article “doesn’t change what we’re doing,” said Malcolm Hoenlein, the executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. “We never argued the matters that were raised” regarding Gross’ activities, he said.

According to the AP story, gross understood the dangers he faced. that is evident both in his reports — he called his enterprise “risky business in no uncertain terms” in one memo — and his actions. he recruited Jewish tourists to help bring in the devices, and the most damaging evidence, according to AP, was the sophisticated SIM card he has in his possession.

Yet the story also makes clear that gross, who was arrested on Dec. 3, 2009, hardly fits the profile of a spy, which is how Cuban President Raul Castro described him.

“Alan gross was working as a contractor for the U.S. government to promote democracy in Cuba,” said William Daroff, the Washington director for Jewish Federations of North America. “he was convicted by a court in a country that does not respect the rule of law. His now over two years in a Cuban prison is unjust and we demand the Cuban government release him and that the American government use all of its influence to bring him home.”

The Jewish Federations and the local Jewish Community Relations Council in Washington have taken the lead in pushing publicly for Gross’ release, including petitions and vigils outside the offices of Cuban representatives.

"it hasn’t had any impact at all, if anything it’s only strengthened peoples’ resolve," Ronald Halber, the director of the Washington JCRC said, of the AP story. the JCRC is set to launch on Wednesday a petition at FreeAlanGrossNow.com urging Pope Benedict XVI to make the case for Gross’ release when he visits Cuba next month.

Gross is said to be ill, having lost 100 pounds of the 250 pounds he weighed before his arrest. His daughter and mother have suffered bouts with cancer during his incarceration.

Those close to the case say privately that the AP’s revelations would not be news to the Cuban authorities. however, they are concerned that making them public will inhibit any Cuban willingness to release gross.

The AP story describes Gross’ mission as setting up hundreds of Cubans — particularly the island’s 1,500 Jews — with WiFi hotspots for unrestricted Internet access as part of the democracy promotion by USAID, a State Department program. the story depicts Gross’ interactions as primarily with Cuba’s Jews.

“he did nothing wrong other than to connect peaceful non-dissident Jewish communities to the Internet,” said Steven O’Connor, the spokesman for Development Alternatives Inc., the USAID contractor that hired gross.

Gross’ wife, Judy, addressed the AP story’s claims for the first time on Sunday in a breakfast with congregants at Congregation Chizuk Amuno in Baltimore.

“to suggest that Alan had any ulterior motive other than to help Cuba’s small Jewish community improve its access to information through the Internet and Intranet is categorically false,” she said in prepared remarks shared exclusively with JTA. “Unfortunately, in countries like Cuba, the free flow of information is forbidden, and therefore it should come as no surprise that Alan had to be careful and discreet while he was in Cuba.

She added, “that members of the media and the blogosphere continue to debate and analyze Alan’s work — a discussion in which the participants openly speculate as to his motives and his actions, despite having never met the man or even spoken with him — while he rots in a Cuban prison without the opportunity to freely and openly respond, is deplorable.”

Judy gross described her husband’s mission as setting up unfettered Internet access to communicate with Jews outside Cuba and an Intranet so the communities — some in remote areas — could communicate with one another, “allowing them to share things like recipes, prayers and even sports scores.”

She described testimony at Gross’ trial by an elderly Cuban Jewish man who needed assistance in getting to the stand.

“when the prosecutor asked him what Alan showed him on the Internet, he became emotional and said, ‘We saw the world!’ ” she recounted. “A bit taken aback by this response, the prosecutor asked the witness to explain further. he said that Alan used the Internet to show them places they had never seen before — pictures of the Western Wall in Jerusalem and the city of London. Clearly he did so through Google Earth, something we take so much for granted in our country.”

Gross’ backers still hold out hope that the Cubans may consider his release, although the news from last year is not good; his lawyers have exhausted the Cuban appeals system, up to and including a plea to President Castro.

Additionally, the reported Cuban request in exchange for Gross’ release — the release of the “Cuban Five,” U.S.-based Cuban intelligence officers arrested in 1998 and convicted in 2001 — would be difficult at the best of times. In an election year it is seen as impossible given the anti-Castro sentiments prevailing in Florida, a swing state.

Hoenlein said the Presidents Conference is continuing its appeal to figures and countries that may have influence with Cuba.

“We have approached other countries, religious leaders, those who have ties or are visiting Cuba,” he said. “We have tried all the different venues possible that might give some result.”

Daroff said the burden of securing Gross’ release was on the entity that sent him on his mission: the U.S. government.

USAID spokesmen did not return multiple requests for comment. State Department officials, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, have said that securing Gross’ release is a priority.

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-cases & Pouches For Siemens - Cold cases get a fresh look - (2/23/2012)

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Cheap Contract Mobiles

Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office cold Cases

Timothy Lynn Thomas Aug. 18, 2009

Thomas left for work around 5 a.m. but never made it out of his driveway. Authorities received the 911 call around 6:30 a.m. He was shot outside of his home at 1226 Mary’s Grove Church Road, Kings Mountain. Robbery didn’t appear to be a motive. Thomas left behind three sons.

Kimberly Frances Pagano Jan. 30, 2009

Pagano was found shot to death on her bathroom floor inside the trailer she shared with a boyfriend. Her boyfriend told police he returned home to find the trailer burglarized and Pagano dead. she was four months pregnant when she died.

Ricky Lee Mauney Dec. 15, 2008

Mauney’s body was found shot and lying in the middle of a street. He lived in van on the 2900 block of Philadelphia Church Road, Lawndale. Authorities initially thought the death was a result of a hit-and-run, but a bullet wound changed the direction of the investigation. In 2009, neighbors raised $1,600 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Justin Grant July 21, 2006

Grant’s decomposed body was found in a remote area of Lawndale a week after he went missing. Detectives said Grant was shot repeatedly, and the condition of his body made it unclear which bullet was fatal. a medium-caliber gun was used to kill Grant. He was shot multiple times in the head and once in the chest, according to a medical examiner and autopsy reports.

Jermaine McCluney and Bonita Shipp April 19, 2002

McCluney and Shipp were found beaten to death at 111 Goodall Drive in Kings Mountain. The case was ruled a double homicide.

Minnie Lee Brooks Sept. 6, 1997

A mother of six children, Brooks was found dead in the bushes on the side of Metcalf Road. she was 28 years old. a jogger found her body. Brooks was shot in her back, leg and stomach. Brooks, whose family admitted she had a crack cocaine addiction, had been missing for several days.

“no one deserves to die like that,” said Brenda Wimbush, Brooks’ sister.

Sept. 26, 1993

Porter was working a N.C. Department of Transportation job at a rest area near Kings Mountain when he was found tied up, shot in the chest and stuffed inside a utility room. The DOT demolished the site where Charles was found dead a few years ago.

Judith McMurray April 26, 1993

The victim worked at Penstar Mobile Home Sales on U.S. 74, formerly across from big Lots. Her husband talked to her earlier in the day, but she never came home. The husband found McMurray deceased at the office when he went to check on her. Capt. Joel Shores of the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office said McMurray died from a stab wound.

Asha Degree Feb., 14, 2000

Degree was last seen by her father around 2:30 a.m. before he went to bed. Two motorists said they last saw Degree alive walking alongside N.C. 18, around one mile from the Degree home in Shelby. Her book bag was unearthed in Burke County by a man bulldozing property along N.C. 18. every year since Asha’s disappearance, family and friends walk along N.C. 18 on Valentine’s Day where she was last seen.

Mouy Tang Sept. 3, 2008

Tang was 46 years old when she was last seen at Unique Living. a short time later, a Burns High teacher spotted her near the school. The Tang family announced in September 2009 that they believed she was dead. On may 9, 2011, her family was awarded $2 million in damages as a result of their civil suit against Unique Living for Mouy Tang’s disappearance.

What happens to a murder investigation when the crime scene disappears?

Gravel covers the patch of grass where a lifeless body once lay. Tips on possible suspects now lead to dead ends. Witnesses who gave statements have moved away. Some have died.

What does an investigator do next? Work around it. Find a connection. at the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office. that job falls to two detectives and a special agent.

The Sheriff’s Office cold Case Unit formed in early 2011. Retired Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Detective Jim Hollingsworth works with Detective Jimmy West, who retired from the Gastonia Police Department, and N.C. State Bureau of Investigation Special Agent John Kaiser on the unit.

“what got these men to the table was their work ethic,” Norman said. “These families deserve closure.”

Ground truth

The earth sciences define “ground truth” as facts found when a location is field-checked; in other words, finding facts when visiting a location.

Hollingsworth uses the technique when investigating crimes.

“Some things aren’t obvious and you won’t get unless you physically go out there,” he said.

A patron found Charleen Simons, 49, dead inside The Log Cabin, her tavern and home. Then-sheriff Dan Crawford told The Star she died from stab wounds on June 21, 1995.

The Kings Mountain gaming tavern is gone. Now, a fenced-in business stands in its place.

Hollingsworth said in this case, the unit relies on previous sketches, maps and diagrams to reconstruct crime scenes. He drove to the place where the cabin once stood.

“once I see and feel it, it makes it easier,” Hollingsworth said. “I like to stand on that ground.”

Hollingsworth said he’ll drive different routes to a crime a scene. He’ll gauge how long it takes to arrive and leave a scene, trying to pinpoint a suspect’s route.

The murder of Charleen Simons was the first case solved by the unit this year.

The Sheriff’s Office charged three men, from Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina, with murdering Simons.

From DNA to Facebook

Crimes happen every day, from robberies, assaults, to home break-ins.

An officer’s case load never ends. one case closes as another opens.

Time is the cold Case Unit’s advantage, West said, clutching a white sheet of paper. The words, typed in black letters, listed the nine open homicide and two missing person cases under the Sheriff’s Office’s jurisdiction.

The unsolved cases on the list are the only ones the unit investigates.

West said the unit feeds off of the original investigations to make progress.

“what I don’t see, Hollingsworth could catch (and vice versa),” West said.

Hollingsworth said since his career started in 1980, he’s amazed by the technological advances made with DNA connected to evidence.

“back then, for me to get good DNA, I would need an entire hair strand, a good amount of skin or blood,” he said. “Now, I need a molecule sample.”

The National DNA Database allows law enforcement to submit DNA from a crime scene to see if a registered offender matches the sample.

West called the database “huge” to solving cases, but finding a missing person presents its own obstacles.

“you have physical evidence at a crime scene, but with a missing person, you don’t have a starting point,” West said.

The cases of Asha Degree, who went missing at 9 years old in 2000, and Mouy Tang, who vanished in 2008, are still open.

West noted that social networking sites like Facebook are tools law enforcement can use to locate suspects and individuals reported missing.

“It’s harder to disappear; to live completely off the grid,” West said. “Technology allows us to find people that might have moved away or changed their names.”

Not like TV

An oval wooden table sits in a control room on the first floor of the Sheriff’s Office.

Here, West said, is where the unit examines the county’s cold cases for countless hours.

The cold Case Unit works part-time, sometimes more, Norman said.

West carried four thick notebooks into the room. Taped interview transcripts, suspect information, maps, sketches, lab reports and anything case-related are sealed in the binder’s slots.

West carried binders labeled “The Log Cabin.”

Only half of Simons’ case was in the binders.

“It’s more of an analytical process,” West said, explaining how the unit approaches each case. “We go through each case, suspect information, contact past investigators and look at lab reports.

West, Hollingsworth and Kaiser check each other’s work. what one doesn’t catch, another one can.

“a new set of eyes sees things differently,” West said. “We try to be objective and not get tunnel vision. It’s hard. When you focus on one thing, like a suspect or clue, you could miss something else.”

West said the team is unlikely to solve a case by the time one episode of “CSI” finishes.

“Some people have unreal expectations. TV is TV. Time is compressed,” West said. “It doesn’t happen that way in real life.”

Hollingsworth said the unit can’t promise to solve every case, but the detectives vow to give each 100 percent of their investigative efforts.

Detectives never close the books on a murder case — no matter how old — until it’s solved.

Reach reporter Alicia Banks at 704-669-3338.

See archived ‘Local News’ stories »

Mobile Phone Chargers - Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX Review - (2/20/2012)

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Cheap Contract Mobiles

There’s one complaint I’ve made with every smartphone I’ve ever tested. It’s something that every manufacturer, from Apple to Sony Mobile and every company in between, has struggled with: battery life. If you use your phone for more than the infrequent text message, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Most phones don’t last a full day of moderate use, let alone heavy use with plenty of phone calls and occasional gaming.

The Droid RAZR MAXX offers an inelegant solution to the problem of battery life. Motorola took the Droid RAZR (which Scott reviewed a few months back), still the slimmest and one of the fastest phones to date, and filled that empty space with battery. The RAZR MAXX has a preposterously sized battery, 3300mAh, more than double the iPhone 4S’ 1432mAh battery and still larger than Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Note, a tablet/smartphone with a 5.4” screen. The battery in the MAXX is a monster.

Let me give you a sense of scale, just to clarify how massive the battery is. Because the RAZR MAXX runs Android 2.3.6 and the software isn’t optimized for the enormous battery, it gives users a warning when the phone reaches 20% battery life. 20% of 3300mAh is 660mAh remaining. If you had that much power left in your iPhone 4S, it would be nearly half charged, 46%. it would be 40% battery life remaining on the Samsung Galaxy S II, and 37% on the Droid RAZR. The iPad 2 has a battery almost double that size, 6930mAh, and would be 10% remaining on the tablet. That’s easily another hour or two of use.

In my battery test Benchmark, which stresses the phone’s processor in a number of different apps, only low-power Android smartphones like the T-Mobile myTouch or LG Doubleplay matched the longevity of the MAXX. every other high-end Android phone scored half the runtime or worse. nothing with the sort of power today’s high-end smartphones offer even comes close.

Out in the real world, the difference is remarkably clear. Spending a day traveling, bouncing between 4G LTE networks and Wi-Fi, constantly streaming music and using the GPS, intermittently making and receiving calls…the MAXX doesn’t even bat an eye. it boasts 21.5 hours of continuous talk time, and in my testing that is fairly accurate. In two weeks I only recharged the phone five times, even with all notifications active and using it as my sole phone during that duration.

The only potential problem with such a massive battery is the amount of time it takes to recharge. On average to fully charge the phone (from 0-100%) it takes three hours and 50 minutes with the included charger. I don’t see this as a serious issue because the battery life is so long that I expect most users to charge the phone nightly anyways. The real benefit of this battery is if you forget to charge it one night, it will still have enough power for the next day, even under heavy use. Of course, if you forget to charge it after two days, giving the MAXX a few minutes to recoup isn’t going to help.

The major change to the Droid RAZR MAXX from the Droid RAZR is the thickness. at 9mm, it’s still thinner than the iPhone 4/4S (9.1mm), but significantly thicker than the Droid RAZR (7.1mm). In reality, the size difference between the Droid RAZR and Droid RAZR MAXX is barely noticeable. In the hand the RAZR MAXX is huge, as large as the Galaxy Nexus though with a screen .35” smaller. just like the Droid RAZR, the MAXX has a large bezel and frame surrounding the AMOLED display.

Because the MAXX is otherwise identical to the Droid RAZR, both are otherwise the same when it comes to performance and use. The MAXX provides clear and crisp audio for calls and is one of the fastest Android phones on the market today (barely slower than the Galaxy Nexus). The camera takes decent photos and 1080p video. Read more on general use and performance in our Droid RAZR review.

The slight differences include minor UI updates to how some settings look, as well as a software patch to the camera to correct the sometimes poor focusing mechanic. Now autofocus works much better and faster.

My only issue with the Droid RAZR MAXX is the lack of Android 4.0, which Motorola promises to make available in the coming months. with a battery life as long lasting and as potent as the MAXX, Motorola’s smartphone can easily overshadow the Galaxy Nexus in nearly every way. The Nexus will be better suited for users who want immediate access to the latest Android updates. For everyone else, the Droid RAZR MAXX provides not only the best battery life users can find anywhere, on any smartphone, but one of the fastest handsets out too. If you live on your phone, or just hate always charging it and worrying about the battery dying, there is no better handset than the MAXX.

Mobile Phones - RadioShack announces new Mobile Low Price Guarantee, will match competitor’s pricing - (2/14/2012)

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Cheap Contract Mobiles

RadioShack has announced a new deal that will guarantee customers purchasing a mobile phone the lowest price in town. Through the Mobile low Price Guarantee, the Shack will match a competitor’s lower price for any postpaid or no-contract phone on the day of sale or up to 30 days later. To qualify customers must bring a print ad from a competing retailer to a RadioShack store where it will be verified and the discount will be applied. Sorry, but it sounds like online deals and the like are excluded from this particular promotion. Guess it’s time to start scouring the weekly circulars for the lowest price in town.

RadioShack Introduces Mobile low Price Guarantee for Wireless Phones

FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 1, 2012 — RadioShack has introduced a new low price ad match guarantee for mobile phone purchases, giving consumers even more confidence when purchasing their mobile phone from one of the leading national retailers of innovative mobile and technology products, services and accessories.

Starting now, nearly 4,500 company-operated RadioShack stores nationwide will match competitors’ newspaper and circular pricing on identical postpaid and no-contract mobile phones at the time of purchase and for up to 30 days after.

“In a fast-changing and increasingly complex mobility marketplace, it is vitally important for consumers to have the assurance that they have made the right choice. at RadioShack, customers can find the best, most iconic phones, the top carriers and plans, and friendly, expert assistance, all supported by our new low price guarantee,” said Scott E. Young, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer for RadioShack Corp.

“In this challenging economy, RadioShack is focused on delivering our customers greater peace of mind as they consider where and when to buy this essential tool for navigating daily life,” Young said. RadioShack’s mobile low price ad match guarantee is the newest offer in a compelling lineup of mobility value drivers for consumers. with RadioShack’s Trade & Save program, customers can trade in used working mobile phones and other devices in stores for immediate credit toward their next purchase (read more about Trade & Save at radioshack.com/tradein). and RadioShack’s new Mobile Product Support provides customers who purchase a phone or tablet in-store with free specialist support to resolve issues with their mobile phones or tablets, available via phone, live chat, email or online forums at no additional cost for the life of the device (read more about Mobile Product Support at radioshack.com/mobileproductsupport).

With RadioShack’s mobile low price guarantee*, customers can present a print ad from a newspaper or circular with retail competitor’s lower advertised price for an identical postpaid or no-contract phone in store to a RadioShack associate, who will validate the offer and match the lower price. Up to 30 days after purchase, customers also may present a competitors’ lower advertised newspaper or circular price in store to a RadioShack associate, who will validate the offer and immediately refund the difference. RadioShack’s low price ad match guarantee will not match online offers and does not apply to advertised prices for unactivated handsets. other restrictions apply. See stores or radioshack.com for details starting Jan. 29.

-batteries For Sony Ericsson - Intex IN8809: This Phone Projects! - (2/10/2012)

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Cheap Contract Mobiles

MANILA, Philippines — Smartphones equals functionality, and it is not surprising that they pack just about anything that could be crammed into their relatively small dimension, but here’s a question:

What function that top of the line models such as the Apple’s Iphone, Samsung Galaxy Note, and Sony Ericsson’s Xperia S does not have that Intex’s IN8809 has? Here’s a hint, the answer has very little to do with the functions of a smartphone or for that matter any typical phone.

It has something more unusual and at the same time practical, such as projecting images on a smooth flat surface. with Intex’s IN8809, a phone is not only a one on one communications device, but also presentation and screening device that communicates ideas and visuals to a broader audience. It is a projector!

As a phone, the IN8809 acts and functions like any decent device. Although it has a bulkier and heavier, it fares no different from other phones. the keypad is big and is easy to type on. Thankfully, this phone functions well when texting fast. the typing configuration is similar to Nokia phones so it’s easy to adapt to and grow on.

The only qualm I have in sending mail or text with this phone is that the there are only two settings in typing— capital and small letters.

There’s nothing in between, so if you have to write something in caps, such as after a period, you have to change the setting. This is kind of a bummer especially when all other phones have this function.

The proverbial icing on the cake in this gadget is its projector. despite having a small size, the phone does its job well in fulfilling its role as a projector.

To go to projector mode, just select the multimedia menu, turn on the projector, adjust the lens, and voila! Instant pocket projector! It is capable of projecting a clear and vivid image while being two meters away from the screen or wall.

This phone can be quite handy especially when you have movies or films inside your phone that you want your friends to see. just a simple switch to projector mode and the whole gang can enjoy what you are watching. Similarly, this device can also be useful for school or business presentations.

One sad thing about the phone is that it turns off its main screen once the projector is on. you may have to navigate the innards of the phone using the projector as your main screen and with the phone tilted to the right. There are no way whatsoever to tilt the image projected unless you tilt the phone. but for prolonged viewing, Intex has included a stand as part of the whole package.

On the audio department, the phone is good in blasting waves, but its limitation as a phone restricts it in making things louder and deeper. a portable stereo is recommended just in case you want to have this device as an all-in-one entertainment system.

Once you have the Intext IN8809 in your pocket, you can don the magician’s hat and pull off a hat trick or two at the office, class, or house. For sure, people will flock to see the gadget. one attribute worth mentioning is that it has a decent battery life, with two days of average texting, and less than a day for a non-stop projection.

True, it’s not much smart phone in a strict sense but, it’s definitely not an ‘idiot phone” either. It functions well as a communication device and gets the job done. So if you want to be the next star of the party, you might want to try getting an Intex IN8809.

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Sim Cards - Carlos Slim Shows Users How to Switch IPhones Away From AT&T - (2/8/2012)

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Cheap Contract Mobiles

February 07, 2012, 5:49 AM EST

By Crayton Harrison and Scott Moritz

Feb. 3 (Bloomberg) — Billionaire Carlos Slim’s U.S. mobile-phone carrier is instructing users how to switch their iPhones from AT&T Inc. to his prepaid calling plans.

The site for Slim’s Straight Talk service, sold through Wal-Mart Stores Inc., directs users of the Apple Inc. device who have trouble switching away from AT&T to a website that provides instructions. AT&T has a 9 percent stake in Straight Talk’s parent, America Movil SAB, and has members on the board of Slim’s wireless carrier.

America Movil, the biggest U.S. prepaid wireless carrier, is using Straight Talk plans with smartphones to attract users from Verizon Wireless and AT&T. The iPhone instructions are part of Straight Talk’s plan to begin in the next 30 days to offer small chip cards, known as SIM, that users can insert into phones bought from retailers, AT&T or T-Mobile USA, said Walter Piecyk, a BTIG Inc. analyst in New York.

“There is certainly a healthy inventory of used iPhones that consumers can buy at a low cost on EBay, but we believe Straight Talk’s new rate plan could also attract consumers using brand new iPhones,” Piecyk said in a research note today noting the switching instructions.

AT&T sells the iPhone and other smartphones at a loss to get customers to sign up for contracts that typically run for two years. to try to prevent customers from leaving during that period, AT&T “locks” the phones using software so that they only work on its own network. many other carriers also use the same strategy.

An official of Mexico City-based America Movil who can’t be named under company policy declined to comment, as did Ashley Zandy, a spokeswoman for Dallas-based AT&T. Kristin Huguet, an Apple spokeswoman, didn’t immediately return a phone message. Officials of Wal-Mart couldn’t immediately be reached.

–Editors: Ville Heiskanen, Jeffrey Tannenbaum

To contact the reporters on this story: Crayton Harrison in Mexico City at ; Scott Moritz in New York at

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Peter Elstrom at

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