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Googler, Jonathan Simon announced in the Google Webmaster Help forums that the +1 metrics section in Google Webmaster Tools may have issues over the next several days.

He said Google is working on "housekeeping" tasks for that section of Google Webmaster Tools, which implies to me that Google is doing some sort of upgrade in that area.

Jonathan said:

Over the next few days we're doing some housekeeping in the +1 Metrics section of Webmaster Tools. While this work is underway the data for +1 Metrics will be intermittently unavailable. We expect to have +1 Metrics back online by early next week. Thank you for your patience.

Here is a picture of how the +1 metrics may look for some:

Any guesses as to how major of an update we can expect? Any ideas or wish list items for this section?

We know Google is pouring a ton of resources into the Google+ and +1 products, so honestly, it can be anything. Plus we know it is SMX this week, so maybe an announcement is expected there?

Forum discussion at Google Webmaster Help.

Excerpt from:
Google Webmaster Tools +1 Metrics Maintenance

McCANDLESS (KDKA) — One person is dead after a vehicle crashed into a tree in the parking lot of a movie theater in the North Hills Sunday evening.

The accident happened at the Rave Motion Pictures theater on McKnight Road in McCandless.

KDKA’s Lynne Hayes-Freeland reports that sources say the person who was killed was at the nearby J. Clark’s restaurant before the crash.

According to sources, employees at the restaurant reported that they had called for a taxi for the person because they had allegedly been drinking; however, the person reportedly refused to take the cab and got into their own vehicle, taking off with no headlights.

That’s when the employees reportedly called 911.

Officials say the car crossed McKnight Road and reportedly struck two police cruisers before going through the parking lot of the theater, and then slamming into the tree.

“It was coming straight towards us and I didn’t know if he was going to stop or what he was doing,” said Leah Mueller, a witness. “He was going 70, 80 miles an hour. It was scary.”

“I just yelled lock the doors because I didn’t know if he was going to get out after it wrecked. I didn’t stick around to see what was going on,” said Brian Neurhour, another witness. “I just thought if he got out of the car, the first place he would run, if there’s open parking lot all around, was to go into the building.”

The person in the vehicle died at the scene, and has not yet been identified.

Allegheny County police are investigating.

Police remained on the scene into Sunday night as the investigation continued.

They were interviewing people inside the restaurant and in the parking lot of the theater.

Stay with KDKA for the latest details.

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1 Dead After Car Slams Into Tree In McCandless

Bangalore: The Bangalore police is expected to submit an official report on a court's orders on the Karnataka Assembly sleaze case. Three former BJP ministers were caught watching a porn clip on a mobile phone while the Assembly was in session.

Krishna Palemar, Lakshman Savadi and CC Patil resigned after the case came to light.

CC Patil and Lakshman Savadi were caught watching an obscene video on their mobile phones on Tuesday while the Assembly was in session. A regional TV channel aired the footage of the duo watching the clippings when the Assembly was debating the issue of hoisting of Pakistan national flag in a town in Bijapur district on the New Year's day.

Three former BJP ministers were caught watching a porn clip on a mobile phone while the Assembly was in session.

The footage showed Savadi watching the video and later joined by Patil for a brief while.

Savadi had earlier tried to explain away the controversy saying the video was a "value addition" for a discussion on the rave parties that happened during a tourism festival in coastal Karnataka.

"I have done nothing wrong and I will not resign. I was watching a foreign rave party scene sent by one of my colleague minister Krishna. I did it to understand what rave party means," Savadi had said.

Go here to read the rest:
Sleaze row: Bangalore Police to submit report

SALEM — The Salem County Cultural & Heritage Commission will host a free workshop on Internet marketing for artists in the at the Old Courthouse here Tuesday.

The workshop will be begin at 7 p.m. in the second floor conference room of the Old Courthouse on the corner of East Broadway and Market Street here.

 Bob Sheairs, proprietor of Sheairs Creative Solutions, will be the presenter.  Located in Pittsgrove Township, the firm specializes in website design and development for small businesses.

“Salem County’s creative sector has been noted as the fastest growing in the state,” said Freeholder Director Julie Acton, “and this new workshop is designed to help our artists reach wider audiences.”

The workshop, which will be very interactive, will provide a step-by-step overview of how to take advantage of Internet marketing opportunities, including the characteristics of a great art website, how to begin and how to build and retain on-line audiences.

“The Internet has become as necessary to any small business as a telephone listing, a mailing address, and a person behind the business who has a passion for getting the job done,” said Sheairs, a web marketing specialist with 17 years of experience.

Sheairs Creative Solutions provides marketing and web creation services to a group of South Jersey clients.  Sheairs holds an MBA from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and has taught marketing at Burlington County College through a joint program with NJIT.

“This workshop continues the Commission’s continuing education offerings for professional enrichment,” added Freeholder Beth Timberman, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Commission. “We encourage artists and arts organizations to take advantage of this opportunity.”

The workshop is free, however, advance registration is encouraged.

Free parking is available in the county lot immediately adjacent to the rear entrance to the Old Courthouse.  The lot entrance is on Grant Street.

To register or for more information contact James F. Turk, Director of Cultural Affairs and Tourism Information Services at (856) 935-7510 Ext. 8384 or via email at  james.turk@salemcountynj.gov.

Read more:
Free workshop on Internet marketing for artists being hosted by Salem County Cultural & Heritage Commission

COMMENTARY | In the words of Mark Twain, "Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak because a baby can't chew it." Knowing this, how can anyone not find it wrong that YouTube has adopted a policy of banning religiously offensive material, as I've just learned from the videographer "Thunderf00t?" Are we so hyper-sensitive and politically correct we should see the free market of ideas and discussion die in silence out of fear of being "offensive?"

Is it possible for any policy to be more offensive to the sensibilities of grown-ups? Not by much. YouTube has chosen to take on a guideline which cannot be fairly enforced. While some may find a small bit of solace in seeing those perspectives they disagree with squelched, they may also find their opinion silenced also. The nature of religion makes it impossible for any religious topic to not be offensive to someone.

It seems the most religious among us would feel the greatest threat from the new policy. While many might believe themselves glad to see Thunderf00t silenced or the likes of Dusty Smith allowed to speak no more, they must understand this decision also threatens their chance to evangelize, as in the case of " The 700 Club ," Billy Graham Evangelistic Association or even any myriad of new Islamic ministries . Every religion offends someone.

Were I to have any sort of a deity, it would not -- could not -- be one which is so weak and fearful as to resist any questioning, criticism or doubt. Were I to have ever chosen to place my life and my faith in any "higher power" I cannot envision it being one which would have created human intellect and curiosity, only to then punish that creation for using those faculties.

YouTube cannot be banning religiously offensive material for any reason other than fear of violence. And a free society cannot remain so if mere threats of violence prevent honest, rational discussion. I can't tell YouTube how to run their business or how to be a better bunch of cowards. All any of us can do is refuse to allow them to earn a single penny in advertising revenue as long as they're complicit in the stifling of the free exchange of knowledge, information, ideas and discussion. This is ridiculous.

Read more from the original source:
YouTube's Censorship of Religiously Offensive Material is Evil