Parking? Too Hard

September is finally over, and it's once again the time to laugh at someone who can't park a car. Enjoy!

Hopefully October will be a better month for us and the driver in this video.

Nadav

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Back to Driving

Since I came back home, I haven't driven even once, until Thursday. On that day I finally took a car, tried to start it without the immobilizer code (after being used to codeless rentals), then started it and drove away.

After such a long time, it took a while to get used to the brakes and accelerator. After all, I haven't touched this car in a long time and lost the "feel" of the pedals. But in a few seconds I regained my ability to accelerate and brake with the car.

Very soon I will resume driving fully, and hopefully gas prices will decline so it'll be possible to do it without going bankrupt.

Nadav

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Practice and Preparation Tips

It is once again the time for some driving test tips. Are you ready?

8 Tips for Preparing and Practicing for Your Driver's Exam

When taking your road exam, staying calm is easier said than done. If you are too nervous, you might end up failing. The best way to stay calm is to be confident in your abilities. Learn how to drive properly. Know all of the rules of the road, and you will be able to pass. The more practice you get, the better off you'll be. Practice every single day from the time you pass the writing test until you take the road exam.

Here are some tips on preparing for your test, and staying calm during the examination:

1. First things first, try some practice tests online. You can test your knowledge by taking online tests. If you get any answers wrong, find out why. Learn from your mistakes.

2. Know your weaknesses and work on them. Hopefully, you have a good, responsible adult practicing with you. The person with whom you practice should be able to point out your mistake, and offer some advice on how you can make improvements.

3. Spend a few minutes a day visualizing yourself taking the test and passing it. Just close your eyes and see yourself driving smoothly and confidently. Imagine how happy and proud you will feel once you pass.

4. Learn defensive driving. Always keep an eye out for hazards. Anticipate other drivers' movements before they make them. You can increase your own safety as well as those of other occupants if you know what to expect from other drivers.

5. Print out a copy of a driver's checklist so that you'll know everything on which you will be tested. A good checklist will include items such as how to stop, how to prepare for turns, how to signal properly, and so forth. Practice doing every single item on the list so that you will be able to impress your examiner.

6. Practice driving on a freeway. Know how to check traffic flow. Check mirrors and look over your shoulder before merging into traffic. You need to know ow to adjust your speed to match the road conditions and flow of traffic.

7. Know how to start the vehicle properly. Practice adjust the mirror and seat. Know where all of the controls are located. Make sure that your passenger has his or her seat belt.

8. Practice parking in empty parking lots. Set up a couple of boxes or orange cones and try parking in between them. You especially need to practice parallel parking. Practice parking as often as you can. Keep on parking until you are comfortable with it.

While these driving test tips will help you prepare for the big day, there is still a lot more you need to learn. You can find tons of useful resources and tools online. There are checklists, practice tips, and guides to help student drivers.

Getting your driver's license is not that hard. If you would like to pass your driving test without trying so hard, you should get yourself this amazing driving test guide.

I hope those tips will help you with your test.

Nadav

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First Time Driving: TJ Sanchez

Today's first time driver is TJ, a driver from San Jose who takes his first steps in driving with a manual transmission car. Here he is.

This video is from August 22, so TJ still has a long way to go until he can get his license. He does pretty well here, so I don't see any special issues for the driving test for him.

Good luck!

Nadav

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Top Gear $1000 Car Challenge: Part 2

Here is the second part of the Top Gear $1000 car challenge.

Enjoy!

Nadav

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Super Wheelie

Amazing! A motorcyclist was caught doing a wheelie at 103 mph (165 km/h). Click here to see the footage from BBC.

Needless to say, never do it.

Nadav

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The Cheap Insurance Guide

Today we have another article by Mack Rasur, once again about insurance and ways you can get it for low prices. Here it is.

Your Guide to Getting Cheap Car Insurance

Getting cheap auto insurance should be easy for everyone. Unfortunately, it is a pretty difficult task for most to attain affordable insurance. Check out these quick tips that you can use instantly to get cheap car insurance!

The first tip is to ask your agent if they offer any deals that require multiple vehicles. If you are able to provide multiple vehicles under an insurance plan, you may be able to save some major money. Try seeking multiple vehicle plans when searching for your cheap car insurance.

This has been mentioned before and is probably common sense for all, but having good credit can take you a long way when getting an insurance plan. Insurance agents like people who seem to be cautious with their credit and it provides a better comfort level with them when they decide to give you a plan.

Something else that will help you get good value with your insurance is to add anti-theft devices to your vehicle. The reason for this is because agencies are more likely to give you cheaper rates if you take care of your vehicle and do as much as you can to prevent it from getting damaged. Showing you take care of your vehicle and are responsible with it can help you out with your prices.

Some things to avoid when dealing with car insurance:

Try not to depend too much on getting your insurance plan online. Sometimes websites will require you to add way too much information about yourself. Dealing with an agent face to face is your best way to gain a trustworthy deal. You can search online, but you must know for sure the agency is reputable before you provide too much personal information.

Something else you need to do is not be too price dependent. Sure, you may get a cheap insurance plan, but are you getting a trustworthy one? Make sure you have the right balance of price and effectiveness. You may get a very cheap plan, but later run into many problems due to the lack of quality. Make sure you are getting a plan that is reasonable with price, but even more effective with results.

Hopefully this will help you get cheaper car insurance. It can be a very grueling process to get an affordable insurance plan that you can trust. Make sure to search vigorously for the best insurance plan and use the tips above. Before you know it, you will be on your way to finding the best car insurance plan.

Excellent Insurance wants you to save money! Check out our site for free tips and articles on getting cheap car insurance.

http://www.excellent-insurance.com/more-cheap-insurance-tips/

Source: EzineArticles.com.

Thank you Mack! That was another great article.

Nadav

nadavs

Signs for Lower Arm Bushing Replacement

Here is a video showing when your car's lower arm bushing needs to be replaced. Use it well!




Hopefully it helped,
Nadav

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Once Again, Hot

I am back home, and it's hot. After almost three months of cool weather (excluding Southern California, Arizona, and Utah), I am back to my very hot home.

This is unbearable, but I heard from family and friends that it was worse during the time I was gone. I know how hot it can get here, but after three wonderful months it's hard to get back to this weather.

Hopefully the winter will come soon and save us from these high temperatures.

Nadav

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Survive Your Driving Test

Taking a driving test isn't easy, but there are many survival guides for it. Here is another one by me.

A Guide to Surviving and Passing Your Driving Test

There are a number of reasons why people fail their driver's test. Some people fail because they didn't get enough practice as they should have. Some are just too nervous and can't focus on the road properly. And then there are those who are a little TOO confident that that overlook and neglect a few important things.

If you're getting ready to take the test, you need to avoid making some common mistakes. You need to be confident, but not to the point where you're SO sure of your abilities that you forget something.

Some of the common mistakes you need to avoid include:

• Poor judgment or observation at intersections.
• Giving incorrect signals.
• Not positioning properly.
• Steering too awkwardly.
• Stopping too soon or too late.
• Failure to pull out properly at the start.
• Not checking the mirrors or looking over shoulders at the right times.
• Failing to parallel park correctly.

Now that you know some of the common mistakes, here are some tips to help you pass the test:

• Make sure you eat a hearty breakfast the morning before your exam. Even if you're too nervous to eat, you should still try to eat something. You'll do a lot better if your stomach has some food in it. Get all of the papers you need together the night before. Leave in time so that you can arrive at the test center at least 15 or 20 minutes prior to the test.

• Practice for at least an hour a day, and take the test in the same vehicle you practice in. Familiarize yourself with the controls and instruments. Make sure the seat is adjusted to suit your size so that you can drive efficiently and comfortably.

• You need to practice parallel parking. You can begin by watching tutorial videos online. There are some great videos that show how to parallel park, step-by-step. When you begin to practice, signal properly. Keep an eye on the curb so that you don't hit it. Make sure there are no obstructions or other vehicles near you as you prepare.

• Try to stay calm when you get in the car with your examiner. Don't let him or her make you nervous. Good communication is key - if you don't understand any of the instructions you are given, ask for clarification.

• Grab a checklist of things examiners watch for. You will be able to prepare for the test better if you know exactly what you will be tested on. You will be less likely to make mistakes.

You can prepare for your driving exam by taking advantage of online resources. You can take an online driving course and learn everything you need to know for passing. These courses come with useful tools to help you prepare.

Getting your driver's license is not that hard. If you would like to pass your driving test without trying so hard, you should get yourself this amazing driving test guide.

I hope this article will help you survive your drving test,
Nadav

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First Time Driving: Sammy

Today's first time driver is Sammy who has a 9 minute video of her first time. Watch how she makes the classic beginners mistake of slamming the brakes before a stop sign.




This video is from September 7, so Sammy still has a long way to go until she can get her license. The video description says that it was smoother after the video ended, so hopefully Sammy does a little better and less nervously by now.

Good luck!
Nadav

nadavs

Top Gear $1000 Car Challenge: Part 1

This week we're turning into Top Gear USA. In this series, they are challenging several $1000 cars against each other to see which one is the best.




Enjoy!
Nadav

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Texting and Driving Simulator

Here is a very nice article about a simulator that shows the dangers of texting while driving. Read it here.

I hope you found it interesting,
Nadav

nadavs

Tips for Low Insurance Prices

Today Mack Rasur returns with another article about tips for finding low insurance prices for your car.

Quick and Easy Tips for Getting Cheap Car Insurance

The best action to take when searching for cheap auto insurance is to seek information from MANY car insurance agents. This way, you will be able to get a handful of quotes and rates from different companies.

There are many components that can help you get cheap car insurance. Check these out to be on your way to affordable rates!

Tip 1: Prove that you can keep your car free of damage. This means that your car is always parked somewhere secure and is kept in good condition. If an insurance agent gets any indication that your car has the potential of being easily damaged, he or she will be scared to give you cheaper rates.

Tip 2: Get good grades in school! If you are still a student, many insurance companies offer you cheap rates for your success with academics. Very easy way to get better car insurance rates, while boosting your education at the same time!

Tip 3: Drive slow. This is so crucial for not only your insurance rates, but your safety! If you have a vehicle that holds a reputation of being a fast car, then you will scare off insurance agents. Do you have a history of speeding tickets? If so, this will also influence an insurance agent the wrong way. Any hint of irresponsible driving and you can say goodbye to any affordable vehicle insurance rates. Why would they take a risk on you if you are likely to get your car damaged?

Tip 4: Look into multi-vehicle insurance plans. Many insurance agencies offer great discounts for plans that cover multiple vehicles. If you can get the opportunity to make a multi-vehicle insurance plan, you can save massive amounts of money.

Tip 5: Don't fall for too many additional add-ons to your insurance plan. There will be many additional features you can get when getting your car insurance, but don't become too attracted to these. Before you know it, what looked to be cheap car insurance becomes a huge financial roadblock.

Tip 6: Be aggressive with your search. This was stated earlier, but it is crucial! Get many quotes from different companies and make the right decision!

There are many other factors that will play a role in developing a car insurance rate. These are just some quick and easy ones you can use to help you out. If you want to get cheap car insurance, do your research and follow the tips above!

Excellent Insurance provides you with tips and advice on how to get cheap car insurance! For more on getting affordable rates, check out:

http://www.excellent-insurance.com/more-cheap-insurance-tips/

Source: EzineArticles.com.

Thank you Mack! That was another great article.

Nadav

nadavs

Use UV Lights for Leak Detection

If you suspect there is a leak somewhere in your car, here is a video that will help you find that leak using ultraviolet light.



Hope that helps,
Nadav

nadavs

I'm Back

After three very fun months, I'm back home. The flights went well (although the food was disgusting) and after exhausting 15 hours I've finally landed.

It's weird to be back after so much time, but I think I'll be OK. I have finally returned to my family, my friends, and my car. Too bad gas prices have doubled from the US to here, but I guess I'll just drive less.

Nadav

nadavs

Some Important Driving Points

When practicing for the driving test it's important to focus on several points. Here is an article I wrote about this.

Helpful Pointers for Practicing Your Driving Test and Getting Your Driver's License

A driving exam can be a huge challenge. Many people feel very nervous when they take their first test. Every little move you make - including mistakes - will be observed by the examiner.

Even though it seems scary, you can still overcome your anxiety if you practice everyday and prepare yourself. If you have confidence in your driving skills, you will have a better chance of passing and getting your driver's license.

Here are some tips for practicing for the road test:

• Take your practicing seriously. While driving can be fun, it also requires a great deal of responsibility. You should pay close attention to everything your teacher tells you. If you're not taking driver's education, then practice driving with a responsible adult who will help you understand your strengths and weaknesses.

• Make sure the car in which you practice is registered and insured. It should be inspected before you begin. The interior and exterior should be in good condition. You will only be wasting your time if the vehicle has something wrong with it.

• Check out online resources such as driving courses. An online driving course includes checklists, videos, practice quizzes, maps of the exam routes, and more. You can learn everything you need to know before leaving your house!

• Learn what all the signs and signals mean. Study them all in driving course books, and apply what you learn to your practice driving.

• Practice parallel parking, up-hill parking, downhill parking, and regular parking. Use boxes, crates, or orange cones. Set them up in an empty parking lot until you get the hang of parking. After awhile, you can begin practicing in parking lots with actual cars.

After you get practice, you will need to take the road exam. If you're feeling nervous on the morning of the test, relax your body for a few minutes and breathe deeply. When you're in the car with the examiner, try to control your nervousness. Always stay calm - even if you're having some trouble.

Whatever you do, don't try to argue with the examiner. Even if you disagree with something they say, arguing won't help at all. If you feel that you are being wronged, wait until later to see if you can file a complaint.

Communication is extremely important. If you are uncertain about any of your instructions, ask the examiner to explain. If you keep quiet, you might end up making things worse and messing up.

If you keep these pointers in mind, you should be able to pass your driving test.

The best thing you can do for yourself is take an online driving course. You will have all of the resources you need for passing at your fingertips. Online driving guides are very informative. They include checklists, videos, practice quizzes, and more.

Getting your driver's license is not that hard. If you would like to pass your driving test without trying so hard, you should get yourself this amazing driving test guide.

I hope this article helped you,
Nadav

nadavs

First Time Driving: John

Today's first time driver is John, who seems to have his first time drive in the desert.



This video was taken on Labor Day, September 3rd, so John still has a long way to go until he can get his license.

Good luck!
Nadav

nadavs

Top Gear - America's Best 4x4 Trucks: Part 5

Here is the fifth and final part of America's Best 4x4 Trucks by Top Gear.



Nadav

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Driving Costs Rise

Attenion Guernsey drivers-to-be - costs of driving tests are about to rise. Read it all in the BBC News.

Nadav

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The Relation of Safety and Low Prices

Insurance companies want to profit, but they also want to attract customers. They do it by lowering prices wherever possible, for example when you have a good safety record. Here is an article by Mack Rasur about this.

Safety and Cheap Car Insurance

We are always trying to find ways to get cheaper car insurance. Auto insurance is always something we don't want to pursue, but know we need it. So how do we get the best rates? Well, aside from aggressively searching for different quotes, it is important to examine the relationship between your vehicle insurance and safety.

Car insurance agents emphasize safety when determining your rates. There are many ways you can use safety to your advantage and get cheap car insurance. One way to validate your safety is to show you live in a neighborhood where crime is not likely to happen. Getting your car damaged or broken into is not something insurance agents want to happen. If you live in a safe neighborhood, and show that your car will be in a crime-free area at all times, you can get cheaper insurance.

Driving less will also help you save money with your insurance. Say someone has a 2-hour commute to work everyday compared to a 30-minute drive. Driving for 4 hours a day makes you much more vulnerable to get in an accident compared to only an hour of total drive time. This also brings up the parking factor. Where are you parking your car when you go to work? Do you have to park it on a street near many pedestrians, or do you park it in a secure and private garage? Well, you know the more risk your car is at to get damaged, the more expensive your car insurance will be. In order to get cheap car insurance, you need to make sure to take care of your car in all ways!

Aside from protecting you car, you also need to drive it responsibly. This can be shown with your driving record. If you have a clean driving record and possess no speeding tickets, it shows you are responsible and can keep your car free from accidents. Even if you have a clean record but drive a car known for it's speed, it can influence a car insurance agent in a negative way and he or she will think you are going to speed with the vehicle. Not only should you have a clean driving record, but drive a car that is known for it's safety.

There are more ways to save on car insurance, but safety is vital. If you can prove you are a safe and responsible driver, and that your car will be taken care of, you can save a great amount of money on your car insurance.

Excellent Insurance provides you with the best tips to save on car insurance! For more free advice and articles, check out:

http://www.excellent-insurance.com/more-cheap-insurance-tips/

Thank you Mark! That was very helpful.

Nadav

nadavs

Replacing an Exhaust Resonator

You may have seen or heard some cars with pipes instead of exhaust resonators. Here is a video showing what happens when you change them.



I hope it makes the idea clear.
Nadav

nadavs

Going Back

Today is my last day in the United States for this year. In a few hours I will be on a plane back home and will land in my destination tomorrow afternoon.

I am not a big fan of flying. Mainly because it's really boring. When I drive I can always make a stop, stretch my legs, listen to the radio, and talk on the phone (hands-free, of course). When I fly I can only hope for good food and not much more.

Hopefully I'll be able to sleep through the flights (that's one things I can't do while I drive), so they will be the least boring possible.

See you at home,
Nadav

nadavs

Another Checklist

Before taking the test, make sure to take a look at this checklist of things you should know before the test.

A Huge Driving Test Checklist to Help You Learn How to Drive

If you want to get your driver's license, you need to study useful material to help you get started. Check out some online checklists and practice quizzes. They will help you understand what you need to practice on in order to pass the test.

Here are some tips to get you started. These are important skills you need to practice if you want to get your driving license.

• Know where the following controls are located: headlights, horn, emergency brakes, parking brakes, windshield wipers, and all of the other instruments.

• Know how to start a vehicle properly. Understand the differences between "neutral" and "park".

• Practice making turns. Know when to turn on the signal and slow down. Recognize when you can accept a right-of-way.

• Always make sure that everyone, including yourself, is wearing their seat belt. It's the driver's responsibility to ensure that all of the occupants of the vehicle are wearing them.

• Place your hands on the steering wheel in the correct positions. They should be on opposite sides, and you should be holding on the wheel securely. However, you don't want to grip it TOO tightly.

• Practice backing out. Survey the surroundings before you begin. Check over your shoulders and glance at the mirrors while you are backing out.

• You'll need to know how to park in a variety of positions, with parallel being the most difficult. When parking along a curb, make sure the wheels are positioned properly. Set the parking brake.

• Practice in all sorts of weather conditions. Practice in bad weather, at night, in fog, etc.

• Practice on different types of road conditions. Can you drive on a two-way street? Freeway? Mountain road? Gravel road? Can you drive in busy traffic? Slow traffic?

• Speaking of freeways, make sure you know where to begin and end turns. A good driver will be able to keep up with the flow of traffic.

• Know when to enter a freeway. Be able to check traffic flow, and time your entry accordingly. Always adjust speed according to the road and traffic conditions.

• Learn defensive driving techniques. Keep your eyes moving at all times. Don't just stare straight ahead - keep a look at what's beside of you. Know what's behind you. Be able to predict potential hazards.

• It's essential that you know what to do in an emergency situation. If a collision occurs, what all do you need to do? Your instructor should take the time to explain the proper steps you should take in the event that you are involved in any type of accident - regardless of who is at fault.

Take this checklist with you when you practice driving, and you should be prepared to take - and pass - the driving test!

Take advantage of internet resources such as driving courses and how-to videos. This checklist is just the start - there is so much more information available to help you learn. You can pass your driver's test if you make good use of all of these resources.

Getting your driver's license is not that hard. If you would like to pass your driving test without trying so hard, you should get yourself this amazing driving test guide.

I hope this article helped you,
Nadav

nadavs

First Time Driving: Brandon

It's unbelievable, but we have a boy's name repeat in the first time driving videos. Meet Brandon.



This video is from June of 2011, so Brandon probably already has his license. If not, he should be very close by now.

Good luck!
Nadav

nadavs

Top Gear - America's Best 4x4 Trucks: Part 4

The Top Gear guys continue in their efforts to find America's best 4x4 truck.



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How Old Is Too Old?

The following article is about a topic too important to discuss here, but it involves the story of an accident of a 100-year-old man. Yes, one hundred years old.

Read it here.

Nadav

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Insurance In Texas

ticAs with every US state, Texas has its own laws about driving and insurance. Here is an article by Stephanie Bentley about this topic.

Why Drivers in Texas Need Auto Insurance

As most of us know; In Texas, the law states that a person may not operate a motor vehicle unless financial responsibility is established for that vehicle. This can be established by purchasing an auto liability policy, which will cover other drivers during an at-fault accident. This willpay to repair or replace the other driver's car and/or pay for their medical expenses in the event of an accident. In addition to liability insurance required by law, there are other coverage's available for purchase: collision and comprehensive; medical payments; personal injury protection; uninsured/underinsured motorist; towing and labor; and rental reimbursement. Because the price of cars as well as how expensive medical care is the minimum amounts may not be quite enough to pay all of another driver's expenses, if you were to get into an accident. It is wise to consider purchasing more than just liability in case you are to find yourself in this unfortunate event.Once you decide what coverages are best suited for you, then you are ready to sign up for an insurance policy. Remember, your insurance company must send you a copy with your policy. It's very important to read over your policy and documents so you understand your rights and responsibilities under Texas law.

In Texas, 1 out of every 5 vehicles is uninsured. Today, getting away without having auto liability insurance is hard to do. Did you know there is a vehicle insurance verification system that law enforcement officials and tax assessor collectors can access at any time to check if your vehicle is insured?

That's right. This system is known as TexasSure. It was created in order to reduce the number of uninsured motorists. Thus, eliminating a route that some choose by signing up for a policy and then immediately cancelling that policy after receiving their proof of insurance card. That being said, it is crucial to have auto liability insurance in order to avoid that annoying, and very expensive $350 uninsured motorist ticket; as well as any other fees assessed. If you are caught without liability insurance again, a second time offense could cost you up to a $1000 fine, as well as a 2 year driver license suspension. So make sure you are insured, so you don't have to be inconvenienced with these consequences.

Finding this insurance isn't always the easiest thing to do. The rates for liability insurance vary, so it can be hard to know where to start with all of the existing insurance companies, to get the best rates and required coverage in Austin, TX. Everyone wants to find affordable auto insurance without having to do a lot of shopping around and with a company that they can count on.

EZ Auto Insurance in Austin, TX offers this required auto insurance, as well as other insurance needs. They can provide you with the best rates in Austin, TX and have been in business for over 20 years. They offer free online quotes as well as policies. You can also be served at one of their 5 conveniently located offices.

Source: EzineArticles.com.

Thank you very much Stephanie!

Nadav

nadavs

Check for Loose Muffler

If you suspect your car's muffler is loose, you may want to check out this video.



I hope it helps,
Nadav

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Rain Driving, a Little Early

September starts today, but apparently the rain season starts early in Maryland. I am used to a very hot and sunny August, but Maryland has a different weather. When I needed it the most, the sun was hidden by clouds.

I visited Six Flags America on Sunday, and unfortunately the sun was not in my favor. Rain and lightning conquered the park, causing the coasters to close down for four hours. On the bright side, the park was nearly empty and there were virtually no lines.

Soon I'll be back to insane temperatures and no rain. I guess rain will arrive late October or early November, but heavy rain in August is not something I'll see in a while.

Nadav

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