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News
Industry News from IT Skills Research (Aug 06)
E-Learning Market Briefing from Kineo for
Aug 06
This month, Steve
Rayson reviews the impact that the increase in rapid e-learning is
having on the e-learning market. If you run a large production
company and don’t want to see the score, you might want to look away
now….
©2006 Kineo.co.uk
The e-Learning Marketplace Update from Just Learn (Aug 06)
IT Training Press Releases (Aug 06)
LearnShare LMS Adopts SCORM 2004 Standards (Aug 2)
WebEx and Cornerstone Partner for E-learning (Aug 2)
Horizon Wimba Releases Course Genie 2.1 (Aug 9)
eLearn Campus Moves to Open Access Model for eLearning Certificate
Program (Aug 9)
Many Employers See No Sign of Talent Shortage (Aug 9)
Deep South Holding LP Selects the Learn.com LearnCenter (Aug 11)
Thomson Prometric and SimCorp Announce Collaboration (Aug 11)
World Bank Global Development Learning Network Pilots Elluminate
Live (Aug 17)
Microsoft Sues Testing Materials Vendor (Aug 17)
Manpower partners with NAACP for computer training (Aug 18)
Pervasive Learning Solutions Partners With Axiom Consulting (Aug 21)
Covast Partners With Global IT Education Leader Unitek (Aug 22)
MCG Global Acquires Novations Group (Aug 22)
Brainvisa Unveils RapideL 3.1 (Aug 22)
Unicon Extends Multi-Year Relationship with the Cisco Learning
Institute (Aug 24)
Study Reveals Top Six Drivers for Business Success (Aug 24)
Author, Consultant Donald Kirkpatrick Partners with Majorium (Aug
24)
Horizon Technology Group Acquires WBT Systems (Aug 28)
Telephone Doctor Offers Free Trial of Web-Based Training System
(Aug 29)
Survey by eLearners.com Explores Myths about Online Learning
(Aug 29)
Back to top
Reviews and Current Trends
Analyst Review - NIIT and Element K Consummate the Perfect Marriage
(Jul 06)
On July 27, global
learning services provider NIIT,
headquartered in New Delhi, India announced that it had acquired
Rochester NY based Element K.
Combined the companies will have more than 3,000 employees
throughout the world with revenues in excess of US $250 million.
Instead of terming this an acquisition, I like to view it more as
the perfect marriage of two complementary organizations. The union
of the two companies has the ability to become one of the most
powerful companies in the corporate and educational marketplace.
©2006
TrainingOutsourcing.com
NIIT Acquires Element K - Is This the Start of a New Trend to Gain
Onshore Presence (Aug 06)
Some might say
with all the acquisition activity that’s gone on recently in the
business world, it is the time of the merger. Mergers traditionally
cause quite a bit of upset or at least some worry, not only for the
employees involved but for the customers who deal with the affected
organizations. However, that doesn’t have to be the case with NIIT.
NIIT Global, a leader in the IT and IT-assisted training space, will
finalize its acquisition of learning solutions provider Element K in
the next few weeks, and some say while favorable outcomes are not
firmly established, there are indications that the merger will
create a number of positive outcomes for old customers as well as
enhanced opportunities for new ones.
CLOmedia,
©2006 Media Tec Publishing
Do Networks Trump Training? Yes, Sometimes (Aug 06)
Work realities and training realities are increasingly at odds with
each other. How work is accomplished has changed dramatically in the
last 30 years, but most corporate training (and education, for that
matter) is based on how work was accomplished 30-plus years ago.
Training Directors’
Forum e-NET,
©2006 VNU Business Media
Competing in a “flat” world. Innovation and openness for lifelong
learning (Aug 06)
A new millennium
demand new learning skills. Richard Straub, Director of Learning
Solutions IBM Europe, Middle-East and Africa, talks about the skills
needed to approach the upcoming new ways of learning and how some
age groups will face an arduous road to success.
©2006 eLearning Industry Group
Best Practices in Learning Governance (Aug 06)
Many organizations now view learning less as a cost center and more
as a driver of enterprise value. With this shift in perception,
enterprise-learning governance becomes more important and more
strategic to an organization's ability to thrive.
Chief Learning
Officer,
©2006 Media Tec Publishing
Josh Bersin & Elliott Masie Dialogue About Learning (Aug 06)
Josh
Bersin, a leading learning researcher and analyst, recently visited
The MASIE Center. Elliott and Josh sat down and produced an
unrehearsed dialogue about the current state of Learning including:
Trends in Content and Compliance Management, Changing Marketplace
for Learning Products and Services, Myths about Learning , Talent
Management, Competencies and More”
©2006 The MASIE
Center
Table Talk (Aug 06)
Training
magazine sat down with six of the industry's best and brightest to
discuss the things that keep them up night, topics such as their
bosses, outsourcing and emerging technologies. The roundtable
discussion, which was moderated by Joseph Kornik, Training
magazine's editor-in-chief, was held in June at the Training
Directors Forum in Palm Springs, Calif.
©2006
MANAGESmarter, VNU eMedia Inc.
2006 Salary Survey - United States (Aug 06)
The eLearning Guild conducted the 2006
Salary Survey online between February 13th and March 31st 2006.
During this time the Guild received a total of 1,538 validated
responses. This report that follows is based on these data.
©2006 The
eLearning Guild
Back to top
Training
Manager/Director Development
How To Manage A Virtual Workforce (Jul 06)
But as the virtual
workforce grows, so do the managerial headaches. Many employees who
work virtually say they frequently feel isolated and don't know if
they're valued by their companies. Others say they don't feel like
they're part of a team.
©2006 Forbes.com
Managing External Trainers (Aug 06)
Guidance and tips on how to get the right return on your investment.
©2006 TrainingZONE
Downsizing Survival Preparedness (Aug 06)
Statistics show that many of us likely
will experience joblessness at one point in time, and possibly
without notice. Having an already thought-out plan will reduce the
fear, stress, and anxiety of being out of work.
ASTD Links,
©2006
ASTD
Tell the Story of Learning: Build a Business Case (Aug 06)
One
of the primary job tasks for the CLO is to leverage learning for
business advantage. At least, it should be. Of course, that’s often
much easier said than done, but clever CLOs are always on the look
out for ways to press the importance of the learning function upon
other senior-level executives in their organizations. It’s
necessary: If no one knows what learning does or sees its value, no
one will want to finance development activities. That means no
support, no resources, no funds and — eek! — no job. One way to
relay the value of learning is to build a business case.
CLOmedia,
©2006 Media Tec Publishing
How Much Business Is in Your Business Plan? (Aug 06)
Effective business plans also define and communicate how resources
support specific corporate and line-of-business objectives and set
targets for projected impact.
Chief Learning
Officer,
©2006 Media Tec Publishing
CLO Competencies: The Path for Future Learning Leaders (Aug 06)
Many of today's
CLOs are between the ages of 45 and 55. As this generation retires
and the next one moves in, what work experiences and competencies
will these new learning executives need? What is the definition of
the future CLO?
Chief Learning
Officer,
©2006 Media Tec Publishing
Thoughts on Leadership (Aug 06)
As you embark on your climb up the corporate ladder — a greasy
flagpole might be a more apt metaphor — toward that CIO, CTO, CISO
or other c-level acronym, keep the following points in mind to make
the journey as easy as possible.
Certification Magazine,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
Why Businesspeople Speak Like Idiots (Aug 06)
If the terms "internal action learning" and "a planful approach"
leave you baffled, you're not alone. The learning industry, possibly
more so than other industries, needs to learn how to avoid jargon
and speak in plain English.
Chief Learning
Officer,
©2006 Media Tec Publishing
Back to top
Selling and Marketing
Education
5 Ways to Increase Customer Referrals (Aug 06)
If you’ve been in training long, you know that
referrals are without question the best leads you can get. Usually,
when one of your clients refers you to a colleague, they are doing
it in response to an expressed need. In other words, their colleague
already needs the services your company provides. Plus, their
colleague’s company is often similar to their own – the same size,
same culture, and requiring the same types of training products.
©2006 Training
Growth Innovations
Back to top
Learning Media
Low-Tech Tools: The Unsung Training Aids (Aug 06)
Andrea del Sarto, the “faultless”
Florentine painter whose career flourished from 1500 to 1525, once
said, “Less is more.” In some cases that statement rings true, like
when a graphic designer puts one too many photos in an already
vibrant, busy layout. In training, that statement also rings true.
Sometimes the best learning solutions are no-tech or low-tech tools,
devoid of batteries, cords, bells and/or whistles.
Training Prism,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
Review: Morae (Jul 06)
TechSmith's Morae software lets users test electronic
courseware during various stages of development for the cost of a
computer and the software.
Learning
Circuits,
©2006 ASTD
Rapid E-Learning Tool - Breeze Presenter (Aug 06)
The Kineo series
of rapid e-learning authoring tools continues this month. Last
month, they put Articulate through its paces. This month, in the
first of a two-part analysis, Mark Harrison examines what Macromedia
Breeze offers the rapid e-learning designer.
©2006 Kineo.co.uk
Review: Interact Now (Aug 06)
If live or pre-produced video is part of your online curriculum or
if your training audience routinely numbers in the hundreds per
course, Interact Now just may be the tool for you.
Learning
Circuits,
©2006 ASTD
Web Forum Software: Knowledge Tanks for Instant On-the-Job
Learning (Aug 06)
Learning organizations continuously
strive to shorten the time to working proficiency for employees
through education. Luckily, technology advancements have paved the
way for companies to do just that via training tools such as Web
conferencing, blogs and wikis, podcasts and Web forums. In a
nutshell, these delivery approaches are often employed as a way to
share employee knowledge across distance or in real-time. When
organizations employ Web-learning forums they create knowledge tanks
with the expertise that lives within their workforces and put it to
work to quickly train and educate employees on-the-job.
Training Prism,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
E-Books - Why They Matter for Distance Education (Aug 06)
For distance educators, e-books hold great potential to
revolutionize the process of reading and research. In addition to
being easily searchable and transmittable, e-books can allow for
interactive functions such as embedded study questions, direct
linking to cited works, reader annotation, and spaces for
collaborative discussion. Learning Circuits,
©2006 ASTD
Training on IPODs (Aug 06)
Readers of one of Training Magazines Newsletters describe
what they're doing with IPODs for training.
Online Learning
News and Reviews,
©2006 VNU Business Media
Are you ready for Podcasting? (Aug 06)
The
content you produce will be a reflection of the organization, and in
the context of learning, it will set the tone, the language, and the
level of professionalism expected at the workplace.
Chief Learning Officer,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
Video Production Vendors: Showcasing Customized, High-Impact
Training (Aug 06)
While generic, mass-produced training
videos can do an adequate job for sexual-harassment training,
fundamental compliance training, etc., pre-made videos are not
always the best solution – especially when the training revolves
around an organization’s unique practices and/or procedures, or
unique products and/or services.
Training Prism,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
2006 Survey of Learning Management Systems (Aug 06)
Here's
what readers had to say about how their organizations use LMSs.
(Results are based on 181 responses.) Learning Circuits,
©2006 ASTD
It Takes Two to Tango: Can Learning Executives Learn to Dance?
(Aug 06)
Contrary to popular belief, LMS software is only half of the
equation for success. To effectively automate organizational
learning using an LMS, it truly takes two to tango.
CLOmedia,
©2006 Media Tec Publishing
The Learning Horizon: Tomorrow’s Technologies (Aug 06)
In
the near future, technology will help CLOs streamline packages of
learning content, communication and integration. However, this
change will require collaboration within the industry and an
integration of the different technologies
corporations use around
the world.
CLOmedia,
©2006 Media Tec Publishing
Audio Round-up - E-learning Bugbears (Aug 06)
"We’ve interviewed
leading lights in the e-learning field from Berkeley to Brighton and
they all have one thing in common: they love talking about what
drives them crazy about e-learning and training. This month we
present a batch of bugbears (if you know the right collective noun,
let us know) from recent interviews. Caution: do not listen to when
driving if you’re prone to road rage….".
Kevin Kruse, 'E-learning Guru' - Meaningless jargon 2.0
Charles Jennings, Reuters - Just asking for 'training'
John Rogers, ex-Barclays - Spoon-feeding learners
Jay Cross, Internet Time Group - Idiots in the classroom
Jane Knight, E-learning Centre - Calling it a course...
Emma Goss, Learning Pool - Calling it 'e'...
©2006 Kineo.co.uk
The Big BlackBoard Gamble (Aug 06)
With the large number of e-learning providers in the market, the
past few years have seen much activity that has led to some
rationalisation, but as with any evolving market there are always
new ideas being brought forward and new products stemming from these
ideas. This means that competition continues to intensify.
©2006
Just-Learn.com
Project Management and E-Learning: MORE is Worse (Aug 06)
E-Learning projects are different than traditional learning
projects. In general, the key word that describes this difference is
MORE.
Learning
Circuits,
©2006 ASTD
Structuring E-Learning Development (Aug 06)
Following an e-learning roadmap will help streamline development
process and address issues that organizations face in their quest to
deliver e-learning projects on-time and under-budget.
Learning
Circuits,
©2006 ASTD
Maximize Training Content Potential with the LCMS (Aug 06)
Content is to
training what sugar is to candy – without one, the other is just
somehow not quite right. In fact, designing and developing content
is one of the most critical tasks a training manager can undertake,
and technology can create significant efficiencies in the process.
Training Prism,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
Courses are Dead (Aug 06)
Courses have a miserable track record when it comes to changing
behavior. The most common way of learning one's job comes not from
taking a course but from asking someone.
Chief Learning Officer,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
Hybrid Training: A Better Way to Train Online (Aug 06)
In an ideal
world, workers could receive training at a low cost in very limited
time and spend no time away from the job. Unfortunately, we don’t
live in that world. However hybrid training shows promise to limit
costs, increase flexibility and limit the time away from the job yet
not sacrifice learning or instructor interaction. Before reviewing
where hybrid training is effective, let’s review the background for
CD-based and online training.
Training Prism,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
The Simple Benefits of Asynchronous Web-based Training (Aug 06)
Organizations
have been shying away from their training comfort zone of
instructor-led courses and embracing Web-based training (WBT),
particularly the asynchronous kind. Using a form of Web-based
training, whether it is synchronous or asynchronous, allows the
organization to train larger groups, as well as have a consistent
and cohesive course outline.
Training Prism,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
The Learning Horizon - Tomorrow’s Technologies (Aug 06)
In the near future, technology will help CLOs streamline packages of
learning content, communication and integration. However, this
change will require collaboration within the industry and an
integration of the different technologies corporations use around
the world.
Chief Learning Officer,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
Back to top
Case Studies and Projects
Impacting Business with Online Training (Sep 05)
When companies initially started evaluating the benefits of moving
training online, the key consideration and value proposition were
the reduction of travel expenses and other related costs. This paper
explores how eight companies are using technology-based learning to
support business initiatives.
©2006 Bersin & Associates
VERTEX Delivers Blended Learning Solutions with OutStart Evolution
LCMS (Jul 06)
Implementing a SCORM-conformant LCMS solution from OutStart has
enabled VERTEX to streamline and develop internal courses while
simplifying employee projects from start to finish. Also, using the
LCMS as an authoring tool, VERTEX can now build learning and
performance support content for its clients.
Learning
Circuits,
©2006 ASTD
Enterprise-Wide Compliance at Odyssey HealthCare (Aug 06)
This month’s featured case study describes Odyssey HealthCare’s
deployment of a hosted LMS (LearnCenter) to provide training to more
than 5,000 employees in 30 states and to support federal and state
compliance requirements. This case study covers the planning,
content development, technology selections, and change management
that were involved in the transition from a model that focused
primarily on classroom-based training to one which uses a
centralized learning system for the delivery of e-learning and
blended learning programs.
©2006 Bersin and
Associates
People, the Neglected Part of Technology (Aug 06)
Workplace technology has grown sharply in size and complexity over
the past 50 years. However, whether it is a typewriter, mimeograph
machine, PC or complex enterprise software system, employees
consistently need to adapt to change, turnover and evolution. CLOmedia,
©2006 Media Tec Publishing
How May I Train You? (Aug 06)
The people who answer when an outraged customer is on the line or a
disgruntled shopper is in the store can break your business fairly
easily. How they're trained is vital. If they're not taught to
empathize rather than argue, there will be few return guests,
shoppers or diners. Effective customer service training not only
makes a difference to the end users of your products or services;
it's also one of the clearest ways good instruction can boost the
bottom line.
©2006
MANAGESmarter, VNU eMedia Inc.
Back to top
Measuring Education Value
Are You Too Nice to Train? (Aug 06)
A little
evaluation can be a dangerous thing. Just ask Neil Rackham. Years
ago, the best-selling author of SPIN Selling and Major Account Sales
Strategy was asked by a European technology company to examine the
way it evaluated trainer performance. "They were using Level I
methods at the end of each program, which consisted of giving out a
questionnaire to students at the end of training that basically
asked, "How do you feel about the trainer?" and "Do you think he or
she was effective?"
Training Magazine,
©2006
VNU Business Media
Practical Tools to Measure Organizational Effectiveness (Aug 06)
CLOs should have a vested interest in ensuring that the impact of
learning can be measured effectively and efficiently. This requires
an infrastructure linking training to skills, skills to behaviors
and behaviors to results.
Chief Learning Officer,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
Putting that Smile Back into Smile Sheets (Aug 06)
OK, maybe those smile sheets aren't all
that bad after all. Sure, everybody's using them, but that doesn't
mean that everybody is using them correctly. Try these nine
suggestions for putting that smile back into your smile-sheet
evaluations.
©2006
MANAGESmarter, VNU eMedia Inc.
Data Analysis Software: Quantifying Training Measurement (Aug 06)
Today, gaining insight of overall
business operations, employee performance and the success of
specific initiatives is critical to staying ahead of the competition
and achieving set objectives. However, depending on the figures on
the table, analyzing qualitative and quantitative data can be
challenging—especially if you are a novice.
Training Prism,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
Back to top
Processes/Managing
Costs/Outsourcing
No
articles this month.
Back to top
Training Professional
Topics
Add Value to Your Training - Training Tips for New Trainers (Aug
06)
Before
you begin a training session, consider what you can do to make
your training a valuable learning experience for your learners and
incorporate it in the training. One good approach is to put your
self in learners' shoes.
ASTD Links,
©2006 ASTD
Using Effective External Resources to Develop Training (Aug 06)
The more
knowledgeable an organization is of the essential training design
and delivery options that suit their needs, the more effective a
program can be for its trainees. There are many different delivery
options available, but it is necessary for organizations to gather
thorough information about its workforce—often conducting research
in the field—to help decipher what training route will work best.
Training Prism,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
Time Management for the Busy Consultant (Aug 06)
Given that time and talent are a consultant’s best assets (money
is not — fortunes have been made with no money to start with, but
never with no time or talent), this is a problem. I suspect it’s
also a problem for some of you.
Certification Magazine,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
Getting New Clients: Three Easy Strategies for New Accounts (Sep
06)
“More
business.” It’s the credo of every consultant, for good reason:
New business has a funny way of paying the rent (or the mortgage,
or simply the down payment on the private island you’ve been
dreaming about.) Of course, finding new business is harder than it
sounds.
Certification Magazine,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
Positioning Yourself for Advancement (Aug 06)
If you’re hoping to move up within your current organization, the
timing is good. However, it takes proactive effort to stand out as
a promising candidate for a more senior role.
Certification Magazine,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
Split Decision: Evaluating Multiple Employment Offers (Sep 06)
Though some IT
professionals might still find it difficult to secure an
employment offer from the company of their choice, those with the
most in-demand skills could find themselves with two or more
offers from which to choose. It’s enviable to be courted by
multiple employers, but deciding which position to accept is no
simple task.
Certification Magazine,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
How Much Are You Worth? (Aug 06)
CertMag's
Virtual Village is a good place to mine for information regarding
your income.
Certification Magazine,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
Grace Under Pressure: Strategies to Pass the Test (Aug 06)
You might spend months studying up for your certification exam,
but unless you know how to keep your cool under pressure, all that
studying could go to waste. Learn what steps to take in the days
before your next exam so you'll test with confidence.
Certification Magazine,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
IT Career Navigation: Chart Your Way to Success (Sep 06)
IT used to be
a field professionals came to from other areas. But now, schools
offer a wide array of IT majors. With all these new paths, how do
you earn those salaries that IT magazines list as median income in
each category? How do you advance your career?
Certification Magazine,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
Instructional Designers - Are there Differences?
(Aug 06)
I can’t count the times I have been asked by education
instructional designers what steps they must take to become
business instructional designers. The last person who talked to me
about this issue was Betty. She was an excellent teacher in a
secondary education classroom with 15 years of experience. Betty
loved educating others, but felt she needed a change.
Training Prism,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
No Fear = No Budget (Aug 06)
One of the
areas I cover in my instructional design course is how to
understand the learner. Six levels of learner have emerged, and
each will use the highly interactive learning in a different way.
There is also a seventh emerging. Not every person falls into a
set category. There are always exceptions, and many will be on the
cusp between two groups. But for most of us creating training
courses whether in the classroom or in e-learning, understanding
the group you are trying to teach and then defining the learning
style of the group will impact how our finished training product
looks and feels.
Training Prism,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
Back to top
Education Administration
No
articles this month.
Back to top
Skills Gap/Technical
Certification
Certification in Academia (Sep 06)
There's a quiet
debate raging within colleges and corporations across the IT
industry about certification's place within college campuses.
Universities want to provide a broad IT education, corporations want
pre-trained, certified employees, and students just want to get
their degrees and get gainfully employed.
Certification Magazine,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
Certification and the Citrix Project Lifecycle (Aug 06)
As the most advanced and extensive tracks Citrix has built to date,
the Citrix Certified Integration Architect (CCIA) 4 and Citrix
Certified Enterprise Administrator (CCEA) 4 certifications uphold
their predecessors' reputations.
Certification Magazine,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
Motorola's Security Organization Communicates Business Success
(Aug 06)
To work within Motorola's IT department, prospective employees need
to know more than just the latest cell phone technology. They need
technical expertise, knowledge about other areas of IT and business
acumen.
Certification Magazine,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
Cisco Certified Network Professional Enhancements (Sep 06)
To meet the need for skilled professionals, Cisco Systems refreshed
its premier professional certification, CCNP, and integrated
next-generation Cisco Integrated Services Routers (ISRs). Cisco is
among the first to embed these technologies into a single routing
system.
Certification Magazine,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
Hitting the Hot Spots: NetAnalyst Certification (Aug 06)
The PMG NetAnalyst certification is a program designed to help IT
and networking professionals understand networking from the wire
level on up through the application. Learn about the NetAnalyst
program's roots in forensics and its three levels of certification.
Certification Magazine,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
LexisNexis’ IT Pros: Ensuring Instant Information Transfer (Sep 06)
As one of the largest providers of Web-based research and
information services, LexisNexis' 2,000 IT professionals play a
crucial role in supporting the real-time exchange of information to
more than 5 million subscribers in 100 countries.
Certification Magazine,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
RHCE: Learning the Linux Essentials (Sep 06)
The Red Hat
Certified Engineer (RHCE) is a performance-based test that measures
actual competency on live systems. So as a certificate holder,
you'll get more than a fancy title. Your title tells the world you
know what you're doing.
Certification Magazine,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
How Tech’s “Long Tail” Is Changing Business (Sep 06)
The term "Long Tail" refers to the lower end of distribution and
consumption in business. However, because of the impact of
technology, it’s getting a significant amount of attention these
days because apparently, there is a boatload of money to be made off
of that Long Tail.
Certification Magazine,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
IT Training: Cardinal Virtues and Deadly Sins (Aug 06)
Not all IT
training organizations are created equal: Some are virtuous and can
have positive effects on your career, and others can be sinful,
bringing detrimental results. Learn how to identify these
organizations before you get into a parable trap.
Certification Magazine,
©2006 Media Tec
Publishing
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