Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for processing an optical fiber includes: drawing an optical fiber through a draw furnace, conveying the optical fiber through a flame reheating device downstream from the draw furnace, wherein the flame reheating device comprises one or more burners each comprising: a body having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, an opening within the body extending from the top surface through the body to the bottom surface, wherein the optical fiber passes through the opening, and one or more gas outlets within the body; and igniting a flammable gas provided by the one or more gas outlets to form a flame encircling the optical fiber passing through the opening, wherein the flame heats the optical fiber by at least 100 degrees Celsius at a heating rate exceeding 10,000 degrees Celsius/second.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle waste disposal system is provided. The waste disposal system includes a conduit assembly having a proximal end connected to the sewer outlet of a sanitation unit, wherein the distal end of the waste disposal system is rotatable relative to and extendable from the proximal end. A user may rotate the conduit assembly between an operable position and a stored position directly under the RV's sanitation unit. The downstream portion defines an extension arrangement of a plurality of threaded conduit sections that may be optionally connected to allow an extended length to store two waste hoses if desired.

Abstract: A virtual network adapter or module intercepts an outgoing network resource request from a browser application and encrypts the request before transmitting it to a proxy server over a public network connection. In one embodiment, the proxy server decrypts the request and communicates with a target server to receive the requested network resource. In another embodiment, the proxy server encrypts the requested network resource before transmitting it back to the virtual network adapter or module over the public network connection.

Abstract: User identity is verified using license keys issued during a pre-registration process. In one embodiment, members of a defined community communicate with other members of the community using uniquely identifying PKI keys. In one embodiment, the identity of a user is assured by having a system-level administrator issue license keys and pre-register the user. In one embodiment, during a pre-registration process, a setup server may be accessed to generate a private license key that will be used to secure and encrypt all communication from one user to another.