Monday, December 30, 2019

Understanding the Bush Doctrine

The term Bush Doctrine applies to the foreign policy approach that President  George W. Bush practiced during this two terms, January 2001 to January 2009. It was the basis for the American invasion of Iraq in 2003. Neoconservative Framework The Bush Doctrine grew out of  neoconservative dissatisfaction with President Bill Clintons handling of the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein in the 1990s. The U.S. had beaten Iraq in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. That wars goals, however, were limited to forcing Iraq to abandon its occupation of Kuwait and did not include toppling Saddam. Many neoconservatives  voiced concern that the U.S. did not depose Saddam. Post-war peace terms also dictated that Saddam  allow United Nations inspectors to periodically search Iraq for evidence of programs to build weapons of mass destruction, which could include chemical or nuclear weapons. Saddam repeatedly angered neo-cons as he stalled or prohibited U.N. inspections. Neoconservatives Letter to Clinton In January 1998, a group of neoconservative hawks, who advocated warfare, if necessary, to achieve their goals, sent a letter to Clinton calling for the removal of Saddam. They said that Saddams interference with U.N. weapons inspectors made it impossible to gain any concrete intelligence about Iraqi weapons. For the neo-cons, Saddams firing of SCUD missiles at Israel during the Gulf War and his use of chemical weapons against Iran in the 1980s erased any doubt about whether he would use any WMD he obtained. The group stressed its view that containment of Saddams Iraq had failed. As the main point of their letter, they said: Given the magnitude of the threat, the current policy, which depends for its success upon the steadfastness of our coalition partners and upon the cooperation of Saddam Hussein, is dangerously inadequate. The only acceptable strategy is one that eliminates the possibility that Iraq will be able to use or threaten to use weapons of mass destruction. In the near term, this means a willingness to undertake military action as diplomacy is clearly failing. In the long term, it means removing Saddam Hussein and his regime from power. That now needs to become the aim of American foreign policy. Signers of the letter included Donald Rumsfeld, who would become Bushs first secretary of defense, and Paul Wolfowitz, who would become undersecretary of defense. America First Unilateralism The Bush Doctrine has an element of America first unilateralism that revealed itself well before the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States, the so-called War on Terror or the Iraq War. That revelation came in March 2001, just two months into Bushs presidency, when he withdrew the United States from the U.N.s Kyoto Protocol  to reduce worldwide greenhouse gasses. Bush reasoned that transitioning American industry from coal to cleaner electricity or natural gas would drive up energy costs and force rebuilding of manufacturing infrastructures. The decision made the United States one of two developed nations not subscribing to the Kyoto Protocol. The other was Australia, which has since made plans to join protocol nations. As of January 2017, the U.S. still had not ratified the Kyoto Protocol. With Us or With the Terrorists After the al-Qaida terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, the Bush Doctrine took on a new dimension. That night, Bush told Americans that, in fighting terrorism, the U.S. would not distinguish between terrorists and nations that harbor terrorists. Bush expanded on that when he addressed a joint session of Congress on Sept. 20, 2001. He said: We will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime. In October 2001, U.S. and allied troops invaded Afghanistan, where intelligence indicated the Taliban-held government was harboring al-Qaida. Preventive War In January 2002, Bushs foreign policy headed toward one of preventive war. Bush described Iraq, Iran and North Korea as an axis of evil that supported terrorism and sought weapons of mass destruction. Well be deliberate, yet time is not on our side. I will not wait on events while dangers gather. I will not stand by as peril draws closer and closer. The United States of America will not permit the worlds most dangerous regimes to threaten us with the worlds most destructive weapons, Bush said. As Washington Post columnist Dan Froomkin commented, Bush was putting a new spin on traditional war policy. Pre-emption has in fact been a staple of our foreign policy for ages -- and other countries as well, Froomkin wrote. The twist Bush put on it was embracing preventive war: Taking action well before an attack was imminent -- invading a country that was simply perceived as threatening. By the end of 2002, the Bush administration was talking openly about the possibility of Iraq possessing WMD and reiterating that it harbored and supported terrorists. That rhetoric indicated that the hawks who had written Clinton in 1998 now held sway in the Bush Cabinet. A U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq in March 2003, quickly toppling Saddams regime in a shock and awe campaign. Legacy A bloody insurgency against the  American occupation of Iraq and the U.S. inability to quickly prop up a working democratic government damaged the credibility of the Bush Doctrine. Most damaging was the absence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Any preventive war doctrine relies on the support of good intelligence, but the absence of WMD highlighted a problem of faulty intelligence. The Bush Doctrine essentially died in 2006. By then the military force in Iraq was focusing on damage repair and pacification, and the militarys preoccupation with and focus on Iraq had enabled the Taliban in Afghanistan to reverse American successes there. In November 2006, public dissatisfaction with the wars enabled Democrats to reclaim control of Congress. It also forced Bush to usher the hawk -- most notably Rumsfeld -- out of his Cabinet.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

The Power of Love in Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice

In the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, a major theme is the power of love and its ability to overcome hardships. In this novel the protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet, yearns for a life with much more meaning than being dependent on a spouse for the rest of her life. Jane Austen wrote this novel in a time period in which women were expected to marry in order to attain financial security rather than marry for love. Mr. Darcy, a man of wealth and high social status, is initially loathed by Elizabeth due to his prejudice against her status and family’s lack of money and manners. Overcoming social barriers, Elizabeth and Darcy find that their true feeling towards each other was love. Austen utilizes the main protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet, as strong feminist who breaks away from her societal expectations and overcomes various hardships to be united with her true love. Love is a central theme in this novel which becomes the driving force behind Austen’s purpose of empower ing women to refuse social norm and follow their hearts despite social expectations. Austen establishes the theme of love throughout the novel by incorporating many characters that benefit Elizabeth socially. Yet due to her opposition to abide to social standards, she denies and turns them down. The author set this novel in the nineteenth century of English society which viewed women as another possession of men. The cult of domesticity was strictly set to social standard as it was worth praise to seeShow MoreRelatedNorthanger Abbey as a Precursor to Pride and Prejudice Essay1614 Words   |  7 PagesJane Austen’s Northanger Abbey is frequently described as a novel about reading—reading novels and reading people—while Pride and Prejudice is said to be a story about love, about two people overcoming their own pride and prejudices to realize their feelings for each other. If Pride and Prejudice is indeed about how two stubborn youth have misjudged each ot her, then why is it that this novel is so infrequently viewed to be connected to Austen’s original novel about misjudgment and reading one’s fellowsRead MoreJane Austen s Pride And Prejudice1693 Words   |  7 Pageshistorical and cultural contexts through the reflections of illicit and explicit similarities and differences in the values and attributes presented. Jane Austen’s 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice and Fay Weldon’s 1993 epistolary text Letters to Alice, both challenge the worth of their time as contexts change, but values are upheld. Weldon’s reflection on Austen’s nineteenth century environment, conveys to responders how marriage, gender roles and social class continue to be relevant issues in both regencyRead MoreJane Austen s Pride And Prejudice1697 Words   |  7 PagesElizabeth Bennett: Outspoken in an Oppressive Society Jane Austen once said, â€Å"it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife† (Austen 1). In other words, women of the nineteenth century were deemed dependent on men. They were to join an advantageous marriage to remain respectable and achieve a higher social class. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice concerns the social norms of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries—a patriarchalRead MorePride And Prejudice And Mansfield Park Essay1592 Words   |  7 Pageswrote about this process in her novels. This woman’s name is Jane Austen and through her novels Pride and Prejudice and Mansfield Park, we can read the fine print; allowing us to see a bit more of the path before us. Austen provides an option that all women have available to them; the power of the word no. In Austen’s day, women had limited authority when compared to men. However, when it came to courting women, respec tfully, had the power to doom or give birth to a courtship. When a man proposed,Read More Characterization of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy in Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice 1148 Words   |  5 PagesCharacterization of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy in Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice      Ã‚  Ã‚   Elizabeth Bennet, the heroine of Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice, is an authentic character, allowing readers to identify, sympathize, and grow with her. Unfortunately, Austen does not create a match for Elizabeth who is her equal in terms of characterization. Mr. Darcy, Elizabeths sometime adversary, beloved, and, finally, husband, is not so carefully crafted as she, for his character is somewhat undefinedRead MoreEssay on Jane Austen and Social Status1559 Words   |  7 PagesJane Austen essay outline Jane Austen, the English novelist, often spoke of what living under social classes was like with the status of women and their class during her time in the nineteenth century. Miss Austens novels all outlined this common link, during which she shows how it affects other peoples views of one another with respect. The upper class did not work, and contained some of the oldest families, in which most were titled aristocrats. Most of the income was received upon birthRead MoreMarriage in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Essay1386 Words   |  6 PagesMarriage In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen introduces the major thematic concept of marriage and financial wealth. Throughout the novel, Austen depicts various relationships that exhibit the two recurring themes. Set during the regency period, the perception of marriage revolves around a universal truth. Austen claims that a single man â€Å"must be in want of a wife.† Hence, the social stature and wealth of men were of principal importance for women. Austen, however, hints that the opposite may proveRead MoreJane Austen s Pride And Prejudice1649 Words   |  7 Pagesnovel, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen is pre-occupied with the theme of marriage. Marriage is a central issue of a woman’s life but it was even more crucial for the women of her society where women were largely dependent on the men in their lives. As a result, women pursued socio-economic stability through marriage. However, it is clear through the novel that Austen did not agree with this part of her society. In Pride and Prejudice, she gives preference to a marriage which is based on love and respectRead MoreThe Social Hierarchy Of Pride And Prejudice1708 Words   |  7 PagesMarch 2016 The Social Hierarchy in Pride and Prejudice â€Å"Lady Catherine will not think the worst of you for being simply dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved† (Austen 127). Distinction of social classes has been slowly fading away in today’s modern society, but contributed to create a society dominated by a ironclad hierarchy prior to the twentieth century. Jane Austen published Pride and Prejudice in 1813, which revolves around the love story between Elizabeth Bennet andRead MorePride And Prejudice: The Board Game Is A Fresh And Interactive1385 Words   |  6 PagesPride and Prejudice: The Board Game is a fresh and interactive way to either become introduced to Jane Austen or enjoy the story of Pride and Prejudice as it takes place. The goal of the game is to earn or buy all the needed tokens and then move your respective couple to the church for marriage. Important aspects of the game are the couples moving as a unit, appearances of the game characters, gaining regency life and novel tokens, and marriage, which is the object of the game. Just as â€Å"the business

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Loreal Marketing Free Essays

Principles of Marketing L’Oreal 1. The core, tangible and augmented products L’Oreal sells. The core product of the hair care products sold by the company includes the customers feeling good about themself after using the product. We will write a custom essay sample on Loreal Marketing or any similar topic only for you Order Now The tangible is he physical hair care product e. g. bottle, what the product claims to do for e. g. more shiny hair. 2 L’Oreal’s marketing managers have key branding decisions they must make. These include selecting a brand name and going onto getting a brand strategy. L’Oreal would need to decide on the branding in terms of what name to use and the icon to go with it. Brand strategy includes: Multibrand, range branding, corporate branding, company and individual branding strategy. Multibrand strategy includes bringing out more than one product in one product category. Range branding strategy involves the company deciding to introduce more than one different product to the same category of products however having a different name for products in different areas of the market. Corporate branding involves the company choosing to include just one brand for all the products introduced to the market and company and individual branding strategy includes that the company brand is included on all the products in the market however each product also has its own brand name. L’Oreal would be required to make the decision of what marketing brand strategy to use, For e. g. they may choose to introduce a new hair care product to the market and use a corporate brand strategy where they use the L’Oreal brand all products. L’Oreal also have other branding decisions including the branding position, name selection, brand sponsorship and development. L’Oreal must decide on its brand positioning. This includes the products attributes, benefits and beliefs and attitudes of the product. The attributes include what the hair care products attributes are for e. g. the healthy ingredients in the hair care products. Benefits include what result the customers would expect from the attributes of the product. For e. g. L’Oreal’s benefits may be shiny hair due to the ingredients in the product. L’Oreal may however choose a brand positioning of beliefs and attitudes. L’Oreal would also need to make decisions on the brands name. This includes making decisions towards the brand name in order to ensure that the brand name is easy to memorise, say and identify. 3 The considerations L’Oreal faces in determining global product decisions include adapting their products to suit the various cultures of various countries the hair care products are being marketed in. For e. g. the pa How to cite Loreal Marketing, Papers

Friday, December 6, 2019

A Man For All Seasons A man Cannot Serve Two Masters Neither Thomas More or the Common Man are able to serve two masters Essay Example For Students

A Man For All Seasons A man Cannot Serve Two Masters Neither Thomas More or the Common Man are able to serve two masters Essay In the play A Man for All Seasons by Roger Bolt, The Spanish Ambassador Chapuys says to Steward, a role played by the common man, No man can serve two mastersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Bolt, 24. Within the play this statement is proven true for all the characters, especially for The Common Man and Sir Thomas More. The Common Man, shows himself time and again that he truly serves one master and that master is himself; whereas with More attempts to serve two masters. More attempt to serve King Henry of England, and God. By the end of the play it is shown that More cannot serve two masters despite all his efforts. We will write a custom essay on A Man For All Seasons A man Cannot Serve Two Masters Neither Thomas More or the Common Man are able to serve two masters specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now It is apparent within the play that the Common Man is serving himself as his only master and no one else. In the play it may seem that he is not a self-serving character due to the fact that he obeys what people tell him to do, for instance in his conversations with Cromwell, and Chapuys, they ask him for knowledge about his master, Sir Thomas More. Firstly Cromwell asks him information concerning Mores attitude towards the Kings divorce of his wife the Queen. The Common Man replies, Sir, Sir Thomas doesnt talk about ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦He doesnt talk about it to his wife, sirà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Sir, he goes white when its mentioned! Cromwell hands coin: All Right.Bolt, 23.. Later with his conversation with Chapuys he is asked about Mores spirituality, Sir Thomas rises at six, sir, and prays for an hour and a halfà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦During lent, sir he lived entirely on bread and waterà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦He goes to twice a week, sir. Parish Priest. Dominicanà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Bolt, 24. Chapuys then replies to the Common Man, Good, simple man. Here. Gives coin. Goingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Bolt, 24. As you can see he does what he wants for himself and no other especially divulging information for money. The Common Man also only holds loyalty unto himself and no other. At the first sign his needs will no longer be met to his satisfaction he leaves. For when More loses his job and no longer has an income, the Common Man collects his belongings and leaves, Now, damn me isnt that them all overà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦I nearly fell for ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦`Matthew, will you kindly take a cut in your wages? `No, Sir Thomas I will not.Bolt, 57. The Common Man is a very sly person, and holds nothing back when it comes to him and a job. This is evident as he acquires a position with Richard Rich, another very self- serving person by easily manipulating him. Richard Rich had no inclination to hire the Common Man; he was manipulated so well that the Common Man gets a job, Oh. Oh, I must contradict you there, sir; thats your imagination. In those days, sir, you still had your way to make. And a gentleman in that position often imagines these things. Then when hes  risen to his proper level, sir, he stops thinking about ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Well I dont think you find people `disrespectful nowadays, do you sir?Bolt, 61-62. Now, Sir Thomas More, through out the play tries to balance his life between God and King. More as he obeys God and King prays for his King, Dear Lord give us rest tonight, or if we must be wakeful, cheerful. Careful only for our souls salvation. For Christ sake. Amen. And bless our lord the King.Bolt, 8. To continue his service for both God and King, More is willing to sacrifice everything if it will allow him to serve both; There is my right arm. A practical position. Take your dagger and saw it from my shoulder, and I will laugh and be thankful, if by that means I can come with Your Grace with a clear conscience.Bolt, 31. For in the play More is forced with a choice, to either continue in his service to King Henry and go against the Catholic Church or quite his job and continue in his service to the King, If the Bishops in Convocation submitted this morning, Ill take it offà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Its no degradation.Bolt, 48. .u2221453acc16624efbc868d09c994551 , .u2221453acc16624efbc868d09c994551 .postImageUrl , .u2221453acc16624efbc868d09c994551 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u2221453acc16624efbc868d09c994551 , .u2221453acc16624efbc868d09c994551:hover , .u2221453acc16624efbc868d09c994551:visited , .u2221453acc16624efbc868d09c994551:active { border:0!important; } .u2221453acc16624efbc868d09c994551 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u2221453acc16624efbc868d09c994551 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u2221453acc16624efbc868d09c994551:active , .u2221453acc16624efbc868d09c994551:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u2221453acc16624efbc868d09c994551 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u2221453acc16624efbc868d09c994551 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u2221453acc16624efbc868d09c994551 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u2221453acc16624efbc868d09c994551 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u2221453acc16624efbc868d09c994551:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u2221453acc16624efbc868d09c994551 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u2221453acc16624efbc868d09c994551 .u2221453acc16624efbc868d09c994551-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u2221453acc16624efbc868d09c994551:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Lord of the Flies Argumentative EssayIn the play the Act of Supremacy is passed. The purpose of this act is to affirm that the King is the Supreme Head of the Church in England. If More were not to swear to this act he would be committing high treason against the King. Since More believes that he can serve two masters, he roots through the act looking for a loophole. A loophole that will allow him to continue serving his God and King. Supreme Head of the Church in England `so far as the law of God allow it remains a matter of opinion since the act doesnt state it.Bolt, 48 Only at the very end of his life, as he sits in a courtroom does he finally realize that he cannot se rve God and King. It is here that he realizes that he must choose, and he chooses God. After Richard Rich perjures himself to convict More in court, Cromwell offers More his last chance to choose between God and King, and More does choose God above all, To what purpose? I am a dead man. To Cromwell. You have your desire of me. What you have hunted me for is not my actions, but the thoughts of my heart. It is a long road you have opened. For first men will disclaim there hearts and presently they will have no hearts. God help the people whose Statesmen walk your road.Bolt, 95. It is evident that in the play A Man For All Seasons by Robert Bolt the characters in focus, The Common Man serves but one master himself. And Sir Thomas More who attempt to serve two masters is unable and in the end when he chooses to serve his King keep his life and lose his soul, or serve his God keep his soul and  lose his life. He chooses God. This play clearly shows that, no man can serve two masters.

Friday, November 29, 2019

Empowered Employees A New Team Concept Essays - Management

Empowered Employees a New Team Concept By Mary Hellinghausen and Jim Myers One of today's biggest buzzwords is Teams. Most companies are leaning toward a team concept. One way to enforce teams is by empowering employees. Many companies striving to edge their competition are turning to the empowered employee teams initiative. Most businesses want to achieve total customer satisfaction by anticipating and solving a problem before it occurs. Thus a new kind of team has emerged with the goal of insuring customer satisfaction from the start. Empowered teams are built with empowered people whom have the authority and autonomy to make significant changes within the organization. Instead of one individual making decisions, the group or team makes decisions collectively with the middle manager position eliminated or acting as the coach. The use of these empowered teams is to solve problems, lower costs, increase quality, and ultimately improve customer satisfaction. Throwing people together does not always mean they should be called a team. They must first be made up of the right people who understand and can define a task. The strength of the team depends on proper training, timing, and communication. The idea to change the cooperate culture must have full support from senior management. Before a team is created, the project to be completed must be defined, identify how much of empowerment is needed, and recruit the best people to work on the problem. The article mentions companies like McGraw-Hill, Motorola, and General Electric are examples of companies who empowered teams. McGraw-Hill, for example; defines a team composed of a staff member, designer, grammarian, production line personnel, and editor who serves as the team facilitator. Recruiting the right people insuring they represent the cross-section of disciplines required is very important. One person missing out of this formula can ruin a team. Motorola, a 1998 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Winner, has developed a culture of high standards. They conquered initiatives such as Six Sigma, Designing for Manufacturability, and Cycle Time Reduction. They are living proof that empowered people from the lowest position to highest position changes an organization dramatically. Six Sigma is a measure of quality performance on defects. It equates to 3.4 defects per 1 million opportunities. Empowered teams were a crucial element of the initiative success. General Electric Aircraft Engine Division (GEAE) brought in a team of Motorola facilitator's to help them setup empowered teams for their supplier improvement program. The 300 million-dollar investment is starting to deliver 600 million to 700 million dollars in savings. The teams covered all aspects from manufacturing, engineering, to outsourcing. GEAE's end result was improved products, service, and most importantly customer satisfaction. Within every team, a cross-functioning method must be used for the team to be successful. If one of the team members is hard to get along with, they still can be beneficial to the team. Everyone's input is important, the output of the team is greater than any individual's output. A strong facilitator is also needed on the team. The facilitator guides rather than leads. Usually middle management, this person is set equal to the other members of the team. The facilitator must recognize and understand each member's participation, as well as, coordinate the reporting progress. In order for team to be successful, senior management must be committed to recognize the team should be put in charge. This is done only when senior management defines a specific goal for the team to strive for. Too much management can kill a team. The team might spend more time on reporting the progress than the task that needs to be completed. Middle management is the biggest obstacle for teams. To be successful, middle management must surrender its power and let the team empower themselves. Setting time limits are also important to the team success. Never let a team go beyond six months, everyday should be treated as an important day. Training is also important for team to succeed. According to Eric Sakurai, a trained team member of GEAE mentions: GEAE is requiring higher-quality products from its suppliers and is willing to help them reach Six Sigma quality by providing the necessary training. Everyone in the organization including all suppliers must work together to improve customer satisfaction. Team rewards can be based on either

Monday, November 25, 2019

DNA Structure and Function Lab Report Essays

DNA Structure and Function Lab Report Essays DNA Structure and Function Lab Report Paper DNA Structure and Function Lab Report Paper Complementary bases Guanine is the complementary base of cytosine, and adenine is the implementers base of thymine in DNA and of oracular in RNA Double helix A pair of parallel helices intertwined about a common axis, especially that in the structure of the DNA molecule. EXERCISE 1 -DNA structure Which carbon atom (position) in the sugar forms a covalent bond with the nitrogen base? The 1 carbon Which carbon atoms of dextrose bond with the phosphate molecule? 4 carbon and 5 carbon Which bases will pair with one another? Adenine will pair only with Thymine Cytosine Guanine In the figure below, write the letters that stand for the complementary bases in the double-stranded DNA puzzle. Indicate the number of hydrogen bonds between the complementary base pairs by dotted lines. Complementary DNA nucleotide strands The phosphate group at the top on the left strand is attached to which carbon atom (position) in the sugar? Which carbon atom of ribose would be attached to the next phosphate group added to the bottom of the left strand? It is attached to the OH group on the 5-carbon. Bottom left -OH is attached to 3 carbon. Which carbon atom of ribose would be attached to the next phosphate group that will be added to the top of the right strand? Which carbon atom of ribose is attached to the bottom right phosphate group? Carbon on top, 5 on bottom. What do you notice about the direction in which each strand is oriented? The left strand is from 5 to 3 and the right strand runs from 3 to 5; they go in opposite directions. II. DNA Replication DNA replication During the S stage of enterprise, each molecule of DNA makes an exact copy of itself. Origin. The place where the enzymes open up the double helix strand of DNA. Semi- conservative replication Saving a half of the old strand and constructing a new one alongside. EXERCISE 2 DNA replication How much of the newly formed DNA molecule is new and how much is the original strand? What term is used for this type of replication? 8 original and 8 new. How often in the life of a cell does replication occur? Only once. Explain the purpose of replication. The purpose is for each cell to make exactly one copy of itself. In the figures below, write the letters A, T, C, G representing the nitrogen base compounds on the two replicated DNA molecules. Label the old and the new strands. Did the nitrogen base sequence change in DNA replication? No, it remained the same. Ill. RNA Structure RNA A type of nucleic acid. EXERCISE 3 comparison of DNA and RNA How are ribose and dextrose sugar molecules similar and different? Similar Both are sugar molecules. Different Ribose is a compound of RNA and dextrose is a component of DNA. Why is the sugar molecule in DNA called dextrose and the sugar in RNA called ribose? Note the number of oxygen atoms. Ribose has more oxygen. Which bases are included in the DNA molecule? CAT Which bases are included in the RNA molecule? JUG C What do you notice about the number of strands making up each molecule? RNA had 1 and DNA had 2 Record your findings comparing DNA and RNA. DNA Sugar 8 4 Bases Strands 2 IV. RNA Synthesis Genetic code Contained in the DNA molecule, the genetic code consists of three bases in a sequence along one strand of the DNA. Transcription The process of assembling RNA using a DNA molecule as a template. RNA Messenger RNA tarn Transfer RNA RNA Ribosomal RNA Triplet A series of three bases on the DNA molecule Code Each three base sequence on a strand of Mrs.. EXERCISE 4 RNA synthesis (transcription) Write in the DNA strand according to the instructions given. Next, write the letters for the base sequence of Mrs.. In the spaces below DNA c 5 Mrs.. 3 Considering the structure of the nuclear envelope, how does the Mrs.. Exit the nucleus? It t ravels out of the nucleus through the nuclear pores. To transcribe means to copy. Is the RNA transcribed from DNA an exact copy? If not, what are the differences? The transcribed RNA is not an exact copy. RNA is single and Oracular replaces the thymine base. What happens to the original DNA section after RNA is transcribed from it? The DNA will re-bond with its complementary bases. Distinguish between replication and transcription. Replication is the exact copy while transcription uses DNA as a template but the structures are different. V. Protein Synthesis Translation An Mrs.. Sequence is read using the genetic code, which is a set of rules that defines how an Mrs.. Sequence is to be translated into the 20-letter code of mini acids, which are the building blocks of proteins.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Communication & Psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Communication & Psychology - Essay Example In the project regarding issues of rising number of unwanted dogs, the advertising authority seeks to relay essential message to individuals engaging in unlicensed breeding of dogs. Awareness must be created upon the general public regarding the increasing numbers of unwanted dogs within the society. While the advertising authority undertakes a social duty for caring for these animals, the general public might be unconcerned about the welfare of these dogs. The message being conveyed seeks to gain the sympathy of the population upon the dogs (BBC 2013). This remains aimed at ensuring unlicensed breeders stop breeding, and the general public provides support to the organisation in rendering sufficient care to abandoned dogs. Support from the general public could come in form of donations or adoption of some dogs by caring individuals. The radio advertisement was chosen because of its wide coverage, which could be essential in reaching large numbers of target individuals. According to reliable sources, approximately 90% of the entire United Kingdom’s population tuned to different radio stations within the country. This signifies a large number of target individuals could be potentially reached through running radio advertisements. The communication method therefore, becomes easy and quick in execution as the target individuals become easily accessible through this medium. Statistics further indicate the numbers of individuals listening to radio will continue to increase in coming years. This medium of communication also appeals to different demographics of individuals, and the advertisement targets the general public. Through the utilisation of electronic media, the message becomes easily conveyed to the general public easily and quickly. While other forms of communication might have significant advantages over radio, the consideration of

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Principles of Accounting SLP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Principles of Accounting SLP - Essay Example At the same time, the consistent communication will enlighten the employees on their effect of choices on the company’s future and on their future. Opportunities for misstatement and fraud exist upon every line item on balance sheet and income statement. Therefore, the finance managers should able to identify the ‘red flags’ and ask the right kind of questions. (Mabry, 2007) The two components of a balance sheet and/or income statement can be used as a â€Å"red flag† to alert of potential fraudulent activity are An in-depth analysis of the ratios of the financial statements can be used to detect the fraudulent activities of the company. A change in ratio over a period of time or over one year should be rational and logical that can be explained properly. Any unusual ratio jump or fluctuations or extreme deviations from the industry average that cannot be explained rationally need to be investigated. This is how the analysis of ratios can be used as a method of fraud detection. (Harrington, 2005) Mabry, B. and Toivonen, S. (2007) "Detecting Financial Statement Fraud: What Every Corporate Manager Needs to Know - Oil & Gas Financial Journal." Oil & Gas Financial Journal- Coverage of Oil and Gas Markets, Companies and Stocks.. Web. 26 Mar. 2011. . Harrington, C. (2005) "Association of Certified Fraud Examiners." Association of Certified Fraud Examiners - Fraud Training & Education. Web. 26 Mar. 2011.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Enrons corporate ethics policies Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Enrons corporate ethics policies - Research Paper Example The ethical dilemma that faced Enron involved satisfying shareholders interests and the need to service all the corporate constituents. Satisfying shareholders would attract more investors and create a good public image for the company, but it would be difficult to meet fully the greedy needs of those who contribute to the company’s operations; hence, a point of equilibrium was desirable to balance the two parties’ requirements. The 64-page code of ethics for Enron was founded on respect, integrity, communication, and excellence. Critiques have described Enron as having the culture of arrogance (McLean & Elkind, 2003). This culture of arrogance lured people to believe that they had the potential for handling greater risks without encountering any danger of incurring losses. The culture of the company was characterized by laxity in promoting the values of respect and integrity. The undermining of these values is evidenced by the company’s emphasis on decentralization, employee performance appraisals, and the discriminatory compensation programs. The Houston Natural Gas and InterNorth were merged on 1985 to form Enron (Niskanen, 2005). During the early 1990s, Enron sold electricity at market prices, but soon after the United States approved the legislation to deregulate the sale of natural gas, the markets made it possible for companies such as Enron to sell energy at comparatively higher prices. The objective of Enron was to achieve further growth; the company, therefore, pursued a diversification strategy. This led to the company operating and operated a variety of businesses across the world, which allowed Enron for the proliferation of crony capitalism. The financial statements of Enron were characterized by complexity and confusing to both analysts and shareholders (Niskanen, 2005. Enron’s complex business model required the company to use accounting limitations in misrepresenting earnings and modifying the balance sheet to

Saturday, November 16, 2019

The operations and competitive advantage of Tesco

The operations and competitive advantage of Tesco Brand marketing Nowadays, companies are most likely selling their brands before their product. Tesco which has a strong brand image with good quality, faith worthy goods that represent excellent value, the product and service development have also been significantly rebuild and providing better management of product lifecycles and more efficient delivery of wide ranges of products to customers. Tesco continuous innovation, efficient operations and strategic expansion has effectively become the largest and most successful retailers. In order to continue increase customers shopping experience, Tesco further improve their operational efficiency through adding new products,  new services and other capabilities. As Tesco is working on expanding to new areas, and store format, product mix and service characteristics and other factors will begin on the IT system architecture, legacy systems and business partners to assess the implementation of these plans in order to determine what the core and which mee t all the requirements of the system most.   Therefore, Tesco distinctly gained the core strategic advantage. Tesco is also very successful according to customer loyalty due to its loyalty cards system and its general approach to customizing services to the needs of every customer. Customer loyalty is the commitment to customers  loyal  to brands, stores, manufacturers, suppliers,  retailers and consumers. One of  the key factors  that Tesco  is so  favored by the market  which  the service  in its  series of loyal customers  and  to consolidate  as the  full  implementation of  consumer-oriented, comprehensive  care  services to  a single point of  access  mechanisms.This is truly evident in terms of incredible growth of on-line sales where the company has a strong platform to further develop this revenue stream. After considering the fact nowadays majority of people have less time for shopping, Tesco employed this on-line systems and now became the biggest online supermarket. Price and promotions The key to Tescos achieved competitive advantage is the development of retail low prices, high quality and experienced customer service has led to profit growth. With their years of experience and dominance in the market in providing retail products and service, this promotes the corporate image of Tesco to potential customers as one of trustworthiness and quality. They also gained competitive advantage of the organization is their ability to maintain market leadership in the UK even after the entrance of multinational companies in the same line of business with better technologies and more market scope. Value Chain Analysis The value chain approach introduced by Porter (1985) is for managers thinking about resources and systems which identify the key activities to provide competitive advantage for a company to maximize the value while minimizing costs. It is the contribution of each part in the overall added value of the business is made (Lynch, 2003).  In order to conduct the value chain analysis, it includes primary activities and support activities. The value chain of Tesco has been demonstrated in the following diagram: Inbound logistics These are placed at the first stage of the value chain and provide the earliest opportunity to create value. Hence, the elements of this stage include incoming materials, storage of goods, distributing the inputs to the product and service ensure that has been delivered on time and undamaged. Tesco tries to achieve and maintain the level of consumer choice in store as gained a benefit of low costs from its suppliers due to it has a leading market position, in the meantime, constantly upgrading the ordering system and in-store processes improves the efficiency of its distribution system as well as provides a great opportunity to minimize costs unfairly incurred by the company, therefore the cost of losses are not passed on to the consumer. Operations The core operations of Tesco is concerned with creating products or services which activities are service orientated. This involves machining, packing, maintaining the shelves and also replenishing the stock. Aiming of creating more appropriate and accurate ordering systems, thus diminish waste and improve availability of products with put into the right store. (Tesco.com) According to Tesco (2010), in order to gain future competitive advantage, the company has invested over  £76 million for their digital program which is the third generation ERP solution. Due to the introduction of this system, Tesco has gained an increased in profitability  £550 million during 2009 alone. Outbound logistics The third stage in the chain is concerned with location, opening hours, and queuing systems and also delivering of the product or service to the customer. According to the implementation of the trolley service that enable convenience for customers quicker to access therefore become more efficiently than other competitors. Home delivery service also could be achieved adding value in Tesco by saving customer time. Marketing and Sales At this stage which is about the promotion and advertising applies to products and services which inform and attract costumers. The Tesco Clubcard gives the offer of extra bonus points on certain products providing loyalty to customers. Promoting further discounts dissuade the customers from switching over to their competitors. Moreover, Tesco has introduced Greener Living Scheme therefore environmentally friendly products may also bring advantage of adding value for customers that buying those products could really help the environment. Services This is concerned with additional service improving or maintaining the product such as installation, repair and after-sales service. http://www.formjetinnovations.com/clients_Tesco_project.php Technology development This area of value chain considers technology with research and development relates to raw materials or components inputs and then goes pass the operational processes using IT forecasting and ordering the right amount of stock at the right time into each store to improve delivery and at last outputs to the customer. According to Tesco (2010), improving on-shelf availability, predicting how weather affect sales and reducing depot stockholding anticipate customer needs.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Gender Issues in Sophocles Antigone :: Antigone essays

Gender Issues in Antigone One of the most devastating problems for the Classical Greeks was the women's issue.   Women in Classical Greece were not citizens, held no property, and indeed were not even allowed out of the house except under guard.   Their status differed from that of the slaves of Greece only in name.   This alone, however was not a problem -- the problem was that the Greeks knew, in their hearts, that this was wrong.   Indeed, their playwrights harangued them about it from the stage of Athens continually.   All of the great Grecian playwrights -- Sophocles, Euripedes, Aristophenes -- dealt with the women's issue. All of them argued, in their various ways, that the women of Greece were not nearly as incapable and weak as the culture believed them to be.   All of them created female characters of strength and intelligence.   But in "Antigone," the discussion reached its peak.   Antigone herself, as she stands upon the Grecian stage, represents the highest ideals of human life -- courage and resp!   ect for the gods.   A woman, she is nevertheless the exemplum for her society.   But how are we to know this?   Does the author let the audience know that it is Antigone herself, not Creon, the "noble-eyed imperator" (453), who is to be believed?   It is almost inconceivable that the audience would be meant to ignore Creon's apparently skillful arguments, for he appears to represent all that the Athenian should strive for.   He stands for obedience to the State. Surely it is his voice we should obey. Sophocles does let us know where the truth lies, and he does this, amazingly, partly   through his characterization of Creon.   Though Creon seemingly says intelligent things, there are clues that he is not to be trusted.   One would be his discussion of incest with Ismene. Torn between her duty to God and her duty to the State, Ismene, in the third act, has run to Creon, planning to tell him of Antigone's actions in the graveyard: "O, not for me the dusty hair of youth, / But let us now unto the palace go" (465), she cries.   But Creon, ignoring the supposedly important information she has to tell -- he has, after all, emptied the Theban coffers, spending money on his advanced spy network in search of the miscreant -- asks her, instead, to come home with him.   "How long, O Princess, O!   How long!" he states, suggesting a time for their next meeting: "Upon the hour of noon, or / Not upon the hour of six."   To such a pass has the doomed line of Oedipus come.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Nike Promotion Essay

Another important factor in economy is the maturing market in athletic shoes. There is also a growing adverse demographic change in the marketplace brought about by the sweatshop expose that Nike has not overcome yet. Effects to Nike’s growth are also affected not only by domestic economy but also by the international economy. The continued weak Euro and Asian recession could potentially hurt Nikes international sales and growth. Nike’s extreme sports product line is seen as inferior quality compared to competitors and is hurting sales and brand image. CUSTOMERS In 1998, Americans spent $38 billion to buy over 1. 1 billion pairs of shoes. Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association revealed that athletic footwear makes up almost 35% of all footwear purchases. The existing domestic industry focus is on casual and comfortable shoes. Demand is up for the â€Å"brown shoe† casual footwear with a comfortable and rugged design. This is because of the increasing number of workplaces allowing casual dress codes. Multinational customers account for a large part of Nike’s sales. In 1995, Nike’s international operations accounted for 36. 6 of its total revenues. The company believes that demands from international markets will increase in future. Nike must cater to a large portion of the new generation that demands the latest trends and styles. Nike should take into account the changing US demographics due to the rising proportion of Hispanics, Asians, and African Americans. These groups have different preferences that Nike should be able to satisfy. Nike should identify the next generation of loyal customers and provide for their needs. COMPETITION Competition is very fierce due to the number of companies competing for sales. Lots of money goes to marketing and promotions using various channels to reach the young demographic group of consumers who spend the most money on Nike’s products. Growth is slowing down in the athletic footwear industry. But new markets are emerging with high growth rates. These markets include extreme sports market and the corporate merchandise market. Nike’s global market share was an impressive 30. 4% in 1998. The closest competitor, Adidas, held 15. 5% of the market share while Reebok held 11. 2%. The remaining competitors, including Fila, Timberland, Asics, Converse, and New Balance, among others, each hold approximately 3-5% of the remaining market share. MARKETING ASPECTS OBJECTIVES Nikebiz. com stated that Nike’s mission statement is â€Å"Through the adoption of business practices Nike is committed to securing intergenerational quality of life, restoring environment and increasing value for our customers, shareholders and business partners. † Nike shows passion for their company, products, and athletes. They are determined to provide consumers with comfort and assurance. They also find ways to innovate and create. They adhere to their five brand principles namely: inspire, innovate, focus, connect, and care. Another Nike’s objective is â€Å"to be the world’s leading sports and Fitness Company. † Nike’s mission statement is similar to a vision statement and is potentially a weakness. The mission identifies the sports and fitness industry business they are in, it does not specify as to what products and services they provide. The mission statement does not mention distribution channels and customers. However, it portrays management’s beliefs and the desire to be number one and remain in the leading position in sports and fitness shoe and apparel industry. STRATEGIES Corporate Strategies. The past two decades saw a change in economy from â€Å"standardized† to flexible†. Having a strict corporate organization used to be the rule, now it is common to have a flexible organization that uses subcontracting. The main reason Nike succeeded in competing in the footwear industry for a long time is because they remain flexible in an unpredictable market by subcontracting overseas in countries with low labor-cost. Another reason for Nike’s strength in competition is their product differentiation. Aside from athletic shoes, Nike’s product line now offers a broad range of clothing, equipment and accessories. TACTICS Nike’s distinctive tactics are found in the area of marketing, specifically in consumer brand awareness and brand power. Nike’s catch phrases like, â€Å"Just Do It,† and symbols like the Nike â€Å"Swoosh,† are reminders of the Nike empire. This tactic is effective because it could not be easily replicated and it offers value or benefit to consumers. Nike is becoming a part of American and world culture, the brand power becomes more difficult to replicate. The trademark and a slogan serves as the company’s fingerprints. Nike is able to capitalize the unique identity due because of its financial strength. Nike reaches millions of consumers through large-scale marketing campaigns. The public benefits from the strength of Nike’s image when they make a purchase. Consumers often associate Nike image with quality products. By associating star athletes and motivational slogans like, â€Å"Just Do It,† consumers identify their purchases with the prospect of achieving greatness. This image they create forms a tactic that competing companies can not easily duplicate by simply improving their products. PRODUCT Nike sells a huge variety of products, including shoes for running, basketball, cross training, Women and children. All of which are currently its top-selling product categories. Nike also sells shoes for outdoor activities such as tennis, golf, soccer, baseball, football, bicycling, volleyball, wrestling, cheerleading, aquatic activities, auto racing and other athletic and recreational uses. Nike began selling active sports apparel in 1979 as well as athletic bags and accessory items. The company sells a line of performance equipment under the Nike brand name, such as sport balls, timepieces, eyewear, skates, bats and other equipment. They also sell a line of dress and casual footwear and accessories for men, women and children under the brand name Cole Haan. The company markets headwear under the brand name Sports Specialties, through Nike Team Sports, Inc. They also sell small amounts of various plastic products to other manufacturers through Nike IHM, Inc. Bauer Nike Hockey Inc. manufactures and distributes ice skates, skate blades, in-roller skates, protective gear, hockey sticks and hockey jerseys and accessories under the Bauer and Nike brand names Pricing Strategies Nike uses vertical integration in pricing wherein they own participants at differing channel levels or engage in more than one channel level operations. This is also an attempt to control costs and influence pricing practices. PLACE Distribution channels and policy. Should additional channels be added, why? Nike sells its product to about 20,000 retail accounts in the U. S. and in approximately 110 countries around the world. Nike sells its products in international markets through independent distributors, licensees and subsidiaries. Independent distributors has little or no pressure for local adaptation because the 4Ps of marketing are managed by distributors. PROMOTION Nike has been one of the top retail industries for quite along time. This is because they sell quality products, customer loyalty, but most of all, its great marketing techniques. Nike has a number of famous athletes to create a great deal of attention to their products. Nike has signed the top athletes in many different sports such as the Brazilian Soccer Team (especially Ronaldino, Renaldo, and Roberto Carlos), Lebron James and Jermane O’Neal for basketball, Lance Armstrong for cycling, and Tiger Woods for Golf. Sponsoring of events is another great promotional technique for Nike. It brings attention Nike’s products. Web sites are a great promotional tool as they cover these events. Such events include Hoop It Up and The Golden West Invitational. Nike also personalizes websites. They make the websites exclusively for a sport such as nikebasketball. om , nikefootball. com , and nikegolf. com Marketing strategy: Nike’s marketing strategy is an important component of the company’s success. Nike is positioned as a premium-brand, selling well-designed and expensive products. Nike lures customers with a marketing strategy centering around a brand image which is attained by distinctive logo and the advertising slogan: â€Å"Ju st do it†. [35] Nike promotes its products by sponsorship agreements with celebrity athletes, professional teams and college athletic teams. However, Nike’s marketing mix contains many elements besides promotion. These are summarised below. Advertising From 1972 to 1982, Nike relied almost exclusively on print advertising in highly vertical publications including Track and Field News. Most of the early advertising was focused on a new shoe release, essentially outlining the benefits of the running, basketball or tennis shoe. In 1976, the company hired its first outside ad agency, John Brown and Partners, who created what many consider Nike’s first ‘brand advertising’ in 1977. A print ad with the tagline â€Å"There is no finish line† featured a lone runner on a rural road and became an instant classic. The success of this simple ad inspired Nike to create a poster version that launched the company’s poster business. In 1982, Nike aired its first national television ads, created by newly formed ad agency Wieden+Kennedy, during the New York Marathon. This would mark the beginning of a remarkably successful partnership between Nike and W+K that remains intact today. The Cannes Advertising Festival has named Nike its ‘advertiser of the year’ on two separate occasions, the first and only company to receive that honor twice (1994, 2003). 36] Nike also has earned the Emmy Award for best commercial twice since the award was first created in the 1990s. The first was for â€Å"The Morning After,† a satirical look at what a runner might face on the morning of January 1, 2000 if every dire prediction about Y2K came to fruition. [37] The second Emmy for advertising earned by Nike was for a 2002 spot called â€Å"Move,† which featured a series of famous and ever yday athletes in a stream of athletic pursuits. [38] In addition to garnering awards, Nike advertising has generated its fair share of Controversy. RANDOM: The short version of this is: Nike makes itself pop up everywhere, so that it’s well known. It associates with people that most of it’s consumers want to emulate (such as michael jordan, in the 1990’s) and creates products that will appeal to as wide of an audience as possible while using those celebrities it’s consumers want as bait (eg, michael jordan and the Air Jordan shoe line). This is just the marketing side: The business as a whole creates fast, easy assembly methods that allow it to use cheap labor in southeast asia and elsewhere to get cheap products (around 10 dollars) and sell them at extremely high prices (about 150 dollars). With nike, most of what you’re buying is image. Nike, Inc. is a marketer of sports apparel and athletic shoes. The American manufacturer, through its marketing strategy which rests on a favourable brand image, has evolved into a large multinational enterprise In keeping with the brand image is its association with the distinctive logo and its advertising slogan, â€Å"Just do it. † In order to maintain and sustain this image, the company makes huge investments in advertising and brand promotion. Its promotional activities include agreements for product sponsorship with professional athletic teams, celebrity athletes, and numerous college athletic teams. Nike is involved in the production of goods for a wide variety of sports, competing with every sports fashion brand in existence. Because of the absence of any single brand that rivals the products of Nike, the company has no direct competitors, with the exception of German company Adidas. This has helped popularize the brand worldwide in all areas of sport and sports fashion. When Nike first began as Blue Ribbon Sports they only sold one product (running shoes) and because of this they had to make the target audience large. However, because of the wide-range of products that Nike sells they now have different target-audiences for each product. For young people, Nike sponsors popular athletes that their customers want to emulate.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Free Essays on Leon Kass Essay Analysis

Active euthanasia is defined as â€Å"painlessly putting individuals to death for merciful reasons, as when a doctor administers a lethal dose of medication to the patient.† (Beauchamp, Encarta) Leon Kass, a physician himself, believes that euthanasia is morally wrong. At the same time, if a patient voluntarily submits himself or herself to death, also known as voluntary euthanasia, can the physician be held responsible for murder, whereas if he was making the decision for someone who cannot make the decision, also known as non-voluntary euthanasia. At the same time, can it be that euthanasia is not morally wrong but yet, could be the saving grace for some people? The first part of the article Kass mentions about voluntary euthanasia and the belief that the doctors, out of respect for the patient, would be forced to abide by the requests of the patients. But yet in the next paragraph of the discussions, he mentions about non-voluntary euthanasia, and the pure belief that the doctor cannot make a decision based on medical terms. Yet Kass deems non-voluntary euthanasia to be completely illegal. If a person is suffering from massive internal bleeding and is bound to die, or is completely comatose for ten to fifteen years and shows no signs of change, why should a doctor be bound to treat these people, and our health-care professions be bound to keep these people alive, when there’s little to no hope for them. The choice must be used with regard and care for people surrounding the patient. Kass also makes recognition â€Å"about the healer cannot annihilate is he is truly a healer† (ACS Committee of Ethics Essay) as well as the comparison that a doctor can attempt to heal and very well end up killing the person. The reference that Kass makes is â€Å"Giving adequate morphine to control pain might induce respiratory depression leading to death.† (ACS Committee of Ethics Essay) If an attempt to heal a person would end up killing a ... Free Essays on Leon Kass Essay Analysis Free Essays on Leon Kass Essay Analysis Active euthanasia is defined as â€Å"painlessly putting individuals to death for merciful reasons, as when a doctor administers a lethal dose of medication to the patient.† (Beauchamp, Encarta) Leon Kass, a physician himself, believes that euthanasia is morally wrong. At the same time, if a patient voluntarily submits himself or herself to death, also known as voluntary euthanasia, can the physician be held responsible for murder, whereas if he was making the decision for someone who cannot make the decision, also known as non-voluntary euthanasia. At the same time, can it be that euthanasia is not morally wrong but yet, could be the saving grace for some people? The first part of the article Kass mentions about voluntary euthanasia and the belief that the doctors, out of respect for the patient, would be forced to abide by the requests of the patients. But yet in the next paragraph of the discussions, he mentions about non-voluntary euthanasia, and the pure belief that the doctor cannot make a decision based on medical terms. Yet Kass deems non-voluntary euthanasia to be completely illegal. If a person is suffering from massive internal bleeding and is bound to die, or is completely comatose for ten to fifteen years and shows no signs of change, why should a doctor be bound to treat these people, and our health-care professions be bound to keep these people alive, when there’s little to no hope for them. The choice must be used with regard and care for people surrounding the patient. Kass also makes recognition â€Å"about the healer cannot annihilate is he is truly a healer† (ACS Committee of Ethics Essay) as well as the comparison that a doctor can attempt to heal and very well end up killing the person. The reference that Kass makes is â€Å"Giving adequate morphine to control pain might induce respiratory depression leading to death.† (ACS Committee of Ethics Essay) If an attempt to heal a person would end up killing a ...

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Free Essays on Allusions Of Atheism

Allusions of Atheism â€Å"Faustus is the only ‘fantasy’ Marlow wrote, a fantasy set in a world surrounded and interpenetrated by a heaven and a hell, a devil and an incarnated Christian God (man love 77).† Don’t allow this â€Å"magical† world to be misleading. Although â€Å"no one will deny that Dr. Faustus works within an implicit Christian framework (Birje - Patil 17),† Dr. Faustus is all too unchristian. The religious turmoil in the time of Christopher Marlowe lead to a questioning of religious beliefs. Marlowe eventually succumbs to all of the chaos and rejects all of the popularly held beliefs. His play, Dr. Faustus subtly hints at those things that he cannot come out and say. The play reflects the religious mayhem of the time and leans towards renouncing religion altogether. During the fourteenth and fifteenth century, the British beliefs were in constant disarray and the works of the era reflect the unrest of the general population. Gerald M. Pinciss points out, in his book Forbidden Matter: Religion in the Drama of Shakespeare and his contemporaries, that in the time of Marlowe â€Å"disagreements in matters of religion were, of course, nothing new to the English (24).† He states that â€Å"many felt bewildered, estranged from their God (24).† They were searching for a better understanding and many new beliefs emerged from their search. In fact, according to Mike Pimcombe in his book Elizabethan Humanism: Literature and Learning in the later Sixteenth Century, a new philosophy was born from their uncertainty; humanism, as it is called (3-10) â€Å"should be understood to include [†¦] the two great divisions of knowledge: ‘humanity’- as opposed to ‘divinity’ - was the entire corpus of secular arts and sciences ( Pincombe 11).† Pincombe goes on to state that humanism â€Å"at it’s most intellectually elevated, aspires to the status of a philosophy of life, in which moral behaviour is predicated on an ... Free Essays on Allusions Of Atheism Free Essays on Allusions Of Atheism Allusions of Atheism â€Å"Faustus is the only ‘fantasy’ Marlow wrote, a fantasy set in a world surrounded and interpenetrated by a heaven and a hell, a devil and an incarnated Christian God (man love 77).† Don’t allow this â€Å"magical† world to be misleading. Although â€Å"no one will deny that Dr. Faustus works within an implicit Christian framework (Birje - Patil 17),† Dr. Faustus is all too unchristian. The religious turmoil in the time of Christopher Marlowe lead to a questioning of religious beliefs. Marlowe eventually succumbs to all of the chaos and rejects all of the popularly held beliefs. His play, Dr. Faustus subtly hints at those things that he cannot come out and say. The play reflects the religious mayhem of the time and leans towards renouncing religion altogether. During the fourteenth and fifteenth century, the British beliefs were in constant disarray and the works of the era reflect the unrest of the general population. Gerald M. Pinciss points out, in his book Forbidden Matter: Religion in the Drama of Shakespeare and his contemporaries, that in the time of Marlowe â€Å"disagreements in matters of religion were, of course, nothing new to the English (24).† He states that â€Å"many felt bewildered, estranged from their God (24).† They were searching for a better understanding and many new beliefs emerged from their search. In fact, according to Mike Pimcombe in his book Elizabethan Humanism: Literature and Learning in the later Sixteenth Century, a new philosophy was born from their uncertainty; humanism, as it is called (3-10) â€Å"should be understood to include [†¦] the two great divisions of knowledge: ‘humanity’- as opposed to ‘divinity’ - was the entire corpus of secular arts and sciences ( Pincombe 11).† Pincombe goes on to state that humanism â€Å"at it’s most intellectually elevated, aspires to the status of a philosophy of life, in which moral behaviour is predicated on an ...

Monday, November 4, 2019

Existential Vacuum can be Overcome by Finding Meaning of Life Research Paper

Existential Vacuum can be Overcome by Finding Meaning of Life - Research Paper Example Frankl stresses on the importance of meaning of life repeatedly in his book â€Å"Man’s Search for Meaning† and how attaching a real meaning to life can save one from the clutches of existential vacuum and escape the path to nihilism forms the main bulk of this essay. Existential vacuum is basically a disturbed psychological condition that results when one deliberately negates the meaning of one’s own life, loses interest in life and willingly enough gives up all the radiant aspirations to build up a better future. Defiant rejection of meaning of life, which plays a major role in stimulating the development of existential vacuum. ... The state of a person suffering from existential vacuum can be related to the state of a person who is imprisoned in a closed cell for numberless days and is unable to think or function properly, let alone build constructive plans for the future. Existential vacuum cuts down all the thinking abilities of a person and leaves him/her to be utterly incapable of attaching a meaning to his/her life and trust his/her own instincts rather than copying other people or doing what others demand of him/her. In the present industrialized world, people have engrossed themselves in maintaining their high life standards to such level that concepts like individualism, meaning of life, sacrificing for others, embracing sufferings, and high moral standards have become more of old-fashioned despised fantasies than anything. This fake pattern adopted by people which results in negative take at things and development of existential vacuum, actually induces Frankl to lay phenomenal stress on searching for the meaning of life so that one can follow a right path that can help in achieving feats that are entirely unachievable when the meaning of life is deliberately stifled by oneself in futile pursuit of a self-centered life and worthless pleasures. Industrialization and loss of traditional values are identified by (Cox and Klinger) to be the most common causes of existential vacuum. According to Frankl, as the concept of individualism became significantly reduced, people became less reliant on social traditions and their own instincts which reinforced their behaviors, due to which they rarely know what to do themselves. This leads to a state of loss of confidence, paranoia, loss of

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Report of Air Pollution in Beijing Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Report of Air Pollution in Beijing - Case Study Example The paper will also go over the essential features and facts regarding the issue; the knowledge that one is required to have in order to understand the issue itself. Keywords: air, pollution, Beijing, China, factors, influences, misconceptions, impressions The Nature and Scope of the Report on Air Pollution in Beijing Pollution is a widespread, global issue that affects humans, plants, and animals alike. It causes issues with individual habitats, evolutionary changes, diseases, illness, and even death. Children learn about the topic of pollution each and every day in school, but in spite of what is learned, the lessons are not fully brought home, and the concept of the planet becoming more and more polluted, and even inhabitable in some cases, is completely lost on the individual, who continues to think of pollution as simply an abstract concept. Yet, for the children, men, and women who live in Beijing, China, the issue is far from an abstract one, as pollution, air pollution specif ically, continues to have lasting and adverse impacts on their day to day lives. Though many Americans are familiar with the concept of air pollution, and how it may have an effect on the environment itself, it is a topic that is hardly ever brought up, except perhaps in the context of whether or not their car is old enough to bypass the emissions check required for newer cars upon their yearly inspection. The American populace may read the occasional article on abc.net.au, or some other such site about the pressing concerns that the air quality in China has forced upon those who live there, however, again, it is an abstract concept, many people having never left the country, and even less who are considered knowledgeable about the cultures, practices, geography, or political climate in China. As such, it could be said that the knowledge of the American populace in regards to matters concerning China, and in regards to issues revolving around air pollution itself is that of limited depth and limited breadth. Due to this lack of knowledge, lack of familiarization with other cultures and countries, and as a result of the nebulous way of viewing the topic of air pollution, it is guaranteed that the American audience will have misconceptions in regards to the topic of air pollution in Beijing. One possible misconception that may arise is the assumption that the government in Beijing works in the same manner as it does here in America due to the fact that they too have a mayor. The associated assumptions that come with this viewpoint will cause the information provided by the mayor on February 10th to be viewed in a different light, making them appear more like empty campaign promises than actual decisive actions that will be taken in order to work to combat this particular issue (Kelly, 2013). In addition, due to the very nature of air pollution in America, and how it is viewed, â€Å"That’s a problem in x city, but it’s not an issue here in my city ,† the reader is likely to take the same cavalier attitude towards the issue, one of out of sight, out of mine; the idea that it is someone else’s problem. Due to this particular type of attitude, misconceptions may arise regarding how severe the particular issue is, and how pertinent it is for others to play their part in correcting the matter; for them to look back at the situation, see the cause and effect process, and be able to then turn and apply those selfsame

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Government Impact on Economy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Government Impact on Economy - Research Paper Example Some economists, such as William McChesney Martin, view the economy as inherently unstable while others, such as Milton Friedman, argue that it is naturally stable (Mankiw, 1997). Due to this argument, policymakers view economic stabilization as one of their primary responsibilities. So they make laws that will try to stabilize the economy. These lawmakers, together with many economists, believed that in the absence of an active government role in the economy, events like the Great Depression could occur regularly (Mankiw, 1997). Recessions are periods wherein the economy experiences high unemployment rate, as a result, there will be lower income and reduced economic well-being. Monetary and fiscal policies can prevent recessions by responding to the shocks in the aggregate demand and supply. Economists also view it wasteful if the policy instruments were not used to stabilize the economy. However, the economic stabilization would be easy if the impacts of both monetary and fiscal po licies were immediate because sometimes the lags between the implementation and effects of policies make stabilizing the economy more difficult. Then, the need for automatic stabilizers comes in. These are the policies designed to reduce the lags associated with stabilization policy. It is very clear that the government should and must take a hands-on approach to macroeconomic policy to affect the employment environment. They should take full control over the policies that would have impacts on the economy, especially in the employment environment.  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

Monday, October 28, 2019

Thesis on video games Essay Example for Free

Thesis on video games Essay A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or modified computer system that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device (a television, monitor, etc. ) to display a video game. The term video game console is used to distinguish a machine designed for consumers to buy and use solely for playing video games from a personal computer, which has many other functions, or arcade machines, which are designed for businesses that buy them and then charge others to play. I. PLAYSTATION 3 The PlayStation family is the worlds highest-selling video game system. Sony Computer Entertainment released the PlayStation in 1995, followed by the PlayStation 2 in 2000, PlayStation Portable in 2004, and PlayStation 3 in 2006. Sonys first foray into the video game market,the PlayStation (codenamed PSX during development, now known as PS one), was initially designed as an add-on for Nintendo’s Super (Super Famicom) video game console as an answer to Segas Sega CD. When the prospect of releasing the system as an add-on dissolved, Sony transformed it into the standalone PlayStation video game console. Sonys follow-up console, the PlayStation 2 (PS2), currently the worlds best-selling console in history, was released in Japan on March 4, 2000 and in North America on October 26, 2000. The PSP or PlayStation Portable is a handheld game console made by Sony Computer Entertainment; a first foray into the handheld gaming market which was previously dominated by Nintendo. Though it has not had as much as of an impact as the PlayStation home consoles, the PSP is noted as being the most successful competitor to Nintendos handheld range yet. The newest console in the PlayStation series is Sonys entry in the seventh generation of consoles, the PlayStation 3 (PS3), which launched in November 2006. It uses a unique processing architecture called the Cell microprocessor, a technology jointly developed by Sony, Toshiba, and IBM. The graphics processing unit, the RSX Reality Synthesizer, was co-developed by NVIDIA and Sony. It is currently behind its competitors, the Xbox 360 and Wii in terms of sales. II. Xbox 360 The Xbox 360 is the video game console produced by Microsoft, and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Nintendos Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles. A prominent feature of the Xbox 360 is its integrated Xbox Live service that allows players to compete online and download content such as arcade games, game demos, trailers, TV shows, and movies. Major features of the console include its Windows Media Center multimedia capabilities, mandatory support of high definition in all games, movie rentals and game downloads from its online marketplace and the ability to watch HD DVD movies with an add-on drive. The Xbox 360 was officially unveiled on MTV on May 12, 2005, with detailed launch and game information divulged later that month at the Electronic. The console sold out completely upon release in all regions except in Japan, and, as of January 5, 2009, 28 million units have been sold worldwide, according to Microsoft. The Xbox 360 is currently available in three configurations: the Arcade, the Pro, and the Elite console, each with its own selection of accessories. III. Nintendo Wii The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsofts Xbox 360 and Sonys PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of both. As of December 31, 2008 the Wii leads the generation over the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in worldwide sales. A distinguishing feature of the console is its wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which can be used as a handheld pointing device anddetect movement in three dimensions. Another distinctive feature of the console is WiiConnect24, which enables it to receive messages and updates over the Internet while in standby mode. The Wii is Nintendos fifth home console, the direct successor to the Nintendo GameCube, and able to play all official GameCube games. Nintendo first spoke of the console at the 2004 E3 press conference and later unveiled the system at the 2005 E3. Satoru Iwata revealed a prototype of the controller at the September 2005 Tokyo Game Show. At E3 2006, the console won the first of several awards. By December 8, 2006, it had completed its launch in four key markets. 1. 1. 2 GPU (Graphics Processing Units). A graphics processing unit or GPU (also occasionally called visual processing unit or VPU) is a specialized processor that offloads 3D graphics rendering from the microprocessor. It is used in embedded systems, mobile phones, personal computers, workstations, and game consoles. Modern GPUs are very efficient at manipulating computer graphics, and their highly parallel structure makes them more effective than general-purpose CPUs for a range of complex algorithms. In a personal computer, a GPU can be present on a video card, or it can be on the motherboard. More than 90% of new desktop and notebook computers have integrated GPUs, which are usually far less powerful than those on a dedicated video card. I. NVIDIA NVIDIA a multinational corporation which specializes in the development of graphics processing units and chipset technologies for workstations, personal computers, and mobile devices. Based in Santa Clara, California, the company has become a major supplier of integrated circuits (ICs) such as graphics processing units (GPUs) and chipsets used in graphics cards, and of video-game consoles and personal-computer motherboards. Notable Nvidia product-lines include the GeForce series for gaming, the Quadro series for computer-aided design and for digital content creation on workstations, and the nForce series of integrated motherboard chipsets. II. RADEON ATI Radeon is a brand of graphics processing units (GPU) that since 2000 has been manufactured by ATI Technologies and subsequently AMD and is the successor to their Rage line. There are four different groups, which can be differentiated by the DirectX generation they support. More specific distinctions can also be followed, such as the HyperZ version, the number of pixel pipelines, and of course, the memory andprocessor clock speeds. 1. 2PROBLEM STATEMENT: â€Å"EXTREME GAMERS’ DEMAND PLAYSTATION 3 RATHER THAN PCs† * Is there sufficient demand and awareness for the higher end console like Sony Play station 3 * Is it better to face the competition with previous Play Station 2 and X box that are already in the market * Is there any know how of Blue-ray technology among the young generation that are more towards console gaming. * How difficult is to grab the existing market of PC gamers to feedt them with Game consoles. 1. 3SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY: * This study evaluates all aspects of the economic viability of the business venture including a description and analysis of your business prospects. * It serves as a benchmark against which, actual performance can be measured and reviewed. * It serves as a helpful tool to uncover weaknesses in the planning process for a gaming business. * It helps the management and / or an entrepreneur to clarify, focus and research their business’s or project’s development and prospects. * It serves as a basis for discussion with third parties such as banks, investors, lenders etc. The major focus of investors is on the risk and return on the investments. This research study would increase their awareness of the major factors that directly or indirectly affect the risk and return on their investments. 1. 4SCOPE AND DELIMITATION: The study has been undertaken to explore the potential customers’ preference between Game Consoles or Gaming PCs in Karachi. Primary data would be collected through prospective Gamers residing in Karachi only. I. LIMITING FACTORS: * Bias opinion of the respondents * Time limitation * PC Gamers II. DELIMITATIONS: The factors that delimit the findings of the study are: * The expected fierce competition from existing DVD 9 and DVD supported consoles and other HD-CD consoles * Lack of awareness from Game titles as most of the titles of Playstation 3 are built upon Direct X 10. 0, where as other consoles are using Direct X 9. 0c * 1. 5DEFINITIONS: Sony Computer Entertainment Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. is a video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a full subsidiary of Sony. The company was established on November 16, 1993 in Tokyo, Japan prior to the launch of the original PlayStation video game system. The logo has been used since 1994. SCE is also a developer and publisher of video game titles, and is comprised of biggest markets in: North America, Europe, Oceania and Asia. DirectX Microsoft DirectX is a collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming and video, on Microsoft platforms. Originally, the names of these APIs all began with Direct, such as Direct3D, DirectDraw, DirectMusic, DirectPlay, DirectSound, and so forth. DirectX, then, was the generic term for all of these APIs and became the name of the collection Blu-ray Blu-ray Disc (also known as Blu-ray or BD) is an optical disc storage medium designed by Sony to supersede the standard DVD format. Its main uses are high-definition video and data storage with 50GB per disc. The disc has the same physical dimensions as standard DVDs and CDs. Video game console A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or electronic device that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device (a television, monitor, etc.) to display a video game. The term video game console is used to distinguish a machine designed for consumers to buy and use solely for playing video games from a personal computer, which has many other functions, or arcade machines, which are designed for businesses that buy and then charge others to play. Seventh generation In the history of video games, the seventh generation primarily focuses on the consoles released since 2004 by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony. PlayStation Portable The PlayStation Portable (PSP) is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. Development of the console was first announced during 2003, and it was unveiled on May 11, 2004 at a Sony press conference. The system was released in Japan on December 12, 2004, in North America on March 24, 2005, and in the PAL region on September 1, 2005 Nintendo DSi The Nintendo DSi is the third iteration of the Nintendo DS handheld developed and manufactured by Nintendo. The handheld was unveiled on October 2, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan during the Nintendo Conference. It was released in Japan on November 1, 2008, Australia on April 2, 2009, Europe on April 3, 2009 and North America on April 5, 2009. Nvidia Nvidia is a multinational corporation specializing in the development of units and chipset technologies for workstations, personal computers, and mobile devices. Based in Santa Clara, California, the company has become a major supplier of integrated circuits (ICs) such as graphics processing units (GPUs) and chipsets used in graphics cards, and video-game consoles and personal-computer motherboards. Radeon ATI Radeon is a brand of graphics processing units (GPU) that since 2000 has been manufactured by ATI Technologies and subsequently AMD and is the successor to their Rage line. There are four different groups, which can be differentiated by the DirectX generation they support. More specific distinctions can also be followed, such as the HyperZ version, the number of pixel pipelines, and of course, the memory and processor clock speeds. RSX Reality Synthesizer The RSX Reality Synthesizer graphics processing unit is a graphics chip design co-developed by NVIDIA and Sony for the PlayStation 3 gaming console. Unless otherwise noted, the following specifications are based on a press release by Sony at the E3 2005 conference, slides from the same conference, and slides from a Sony presentation at the 2006 Game Developers Conference E3 The Electronic Entertainment Expo, commonly known as E3, is an annual trade show for the computer and video games industry presented by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). It is used by many video game developers to show off their upcoming games and game-related hardware. The new E3 Expo is run by International Data Group (IDG) instead of by ESA. CHAPTER # 2 RESEARCH- METHODOLOGIES 2. 1RESEARCH DESIGN I. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: An exploratory study is being undertaken for research on â€Å"The intense Gamers’ Demand Game Consoles Rather Then Gaming PCs† which would help in identifying market of the gamers about their preferences and affordability between a Game console and a PC. II. EXTENT OF RESEARCHER INTERFERENCE: Since this study is conducted in the natural environment, the extent of researcher interference is minimal or rather negligible. III. UNIT OF ANALYSIS: Unit of analysis for this research study includes: * Individuals: * PC Gamers * Console Gamers IV. TIME HORIZON: For my research report, data would be gathered just once, therefore the time horizon is cross-sectional study. 2. 2RESPONDENTS OF THE STUDY For this research study, the questionnaire is filled by 100 individuals (University Students, Gamers at Game Arenas) and unstructured interview is taken from two Extreme Gamers. The respondents of the study include: * Potential Gamers: Teenagers and Early 20s, residing at Karachi. * Extreme Gamers: PC and Console preferred. 2. 3RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS Two instruments would be used for this research: * Questionnaires * Unstructured interviewing 2. 4SAMPLING Sampling would be done randomly on basis of users of Console and PC gamers. 2. 5SOURCE OF DATA I. PRIMARY DATA Primary data would be collected through questionnaire filled by potential gamers i. e. the target market and unstructured interviews from intense Gamers. II. SECONDARY DATA Secondary data would be comprised of sources like magazines, newspapers, internet etc, which will help in understanding the topic more. 2. 6TREATMENT OF DATA Data that is collected through the research is analyzed qualitatively as well as quantitatively. The data is shifted and organization is a presentable shape through pie charts and tables, with comprehensive explanatory notes to make it easy to understand. The financial plan contains projected financial statements as well as other financial tools to support the analysis. CHAPTER # 3 REVIEW OF LITERATURE 3. 1FOREIGN LITERATURE 3. 1. 1PC vs. Console By Dave Spohn, About. com Guide Feb 10 2009 It wasnt that long ago that the PC was the only choice you had if you wanted to play games online. The first console that included a modem for online play was the Sega Dreamcast, which launched in Japan in 1998. The Dreamcast wasnt a big success, however, and went out of production in 2001. It wasnt until the second half of 2002 that PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube introduced online capabilities. Naturally, the latest generation of consoles all has features that use the Internet to enhance game play. Today, online console games are quite common, with Microsofts Xbox Live service leading the way. Sony also has big plans for online content for the PlayStation 3, and consoles are now starting to get game downloads and other applications formerly only available on the PC, such as Web browsers. A few titles can now be played across platforms, such as Final Fantasy XI, in which PS2, Xbox 360, and PC users explore the same online world. That said, PCs still offer the largest selection of online games, and some of the most popular online games, such as World of War craft, are exclusive to the PC. Of course, there are many things to consider before deciding on a gaming platform. Foremost among these is deciding which games you want to play, how much money you want to spend, and whether or not you need a PC for other purposes. Ideally I suppose we would all have both a console and a PC, but if thats not an option, here is quick comparison of the two. Console Advantages The most obvious advantage consoles have over PCs is cost. The majority of consoles sell for well under $500, often with a couple games in the bundle. A PC adequate for running the latest games can easily cost twice that much. The second most obvious advantage is simplicity. Lets face it, PC gaming can be a technical nightmare compared to console gaming. People can actually take a console home and be playing a game within minutes. No operating systems to configure or drivers to update, and better still, no purchasing a game only to find out that it isnt compatible with your PC for some obscure reason. Multiplayer gaming is also made easy with companies like Microsoft offering online services for their product. The Xbox, which came equipped with a network card, raised the bar for consoles in this regard, making it a simple matter to hook it up to a DSL or Cable Internet connection and get into a multiplayer game on Xbox Live, complete with voice chat. Another appealing thing about consoles is that many people prefer to play games sitting on the couch, or they want to play with friends in the same room. While these things are possible on a PC, consoles are extremely well-suited for this right out of the box. Console games are more readily rented than PC games, and more easily returned to the retailer if youre not satisfied with them. Generally speaking, it is difficult to return PC games because they are easy to copy. Console games tend to have a relatively low learning curve. You might need fast thumbs, but you certainly wont need to spend hours in a tutorial trying to learn how to operate basic game functions. Console Disadvantages Although sealing everything into one unit does keep it simple, when some of the components inside the box become dated theres no way to solve the problem without replacing the entire console. In most cases, upgrades that could prolong the life of the system are not an option. Consoles perform only one task really well, where PCs can be used for an extremely wide range of things. Some console manufacturers are trying to make them a little more flexible, but it will clearly be a long time before they support the staggering variety of applications that can be found for PCs. There is a distinct lack of inter-connectivity between the different console brands. Many games are available for one type of console but not others, and when it comes to online play, each is typically restricted to its own network. This means that people with Xboxes can usually only play against other people with Xboxes, so, for example, there is no way for console gamers to jump into a fray on one of the countless PC Counter-Strike servers available. The PS2 has made some progress in this area, forging the way for cross-platform gaming between PS2 and PC users, but only a few titles support this right now. While the PS2 network adapter supports both 56K modem and broadband connections to the Internet, broadband is required for Xbox online play. As well, Microsoft charges a yearly fee for use of the Xbox Live service. PC Advantages One of the biggest advantages the PC has over consoles right now is that there are a lot more games available for the PC than there are for consoles, particularly when it comes to multiplayer online games. Not only are the vast majority of MMOGs designed for the PC, but PC gamers also have the option to play MUDs, email games, browser games, and a wide variety of titles that are distributed digitally or available as free downloads. As mentioned above, another clear advantage PCs have over consoles is that you can use them for a lot more than playing games. Furthermore, if you like to modify games or edit maps for them, a PC is essential, and you have to take a break from gaming sometime to read gaming sites. PCs are always on the cutting edge of gaming technology. The current generation of consoles with high-definition capabilities did briefly narrow the gap, but well-equipped PCs continue to offer superior graphics. Computer monitors can be found with considerably higher resolutions than HDTVs, and the latest multi-core processors and dual GPU solutions make it possible to build a remarkably powerful game system. Even if a console offers incredible technology upon its release, there is no way for it to compete with the rapid hardware advancements that have become a way of life in the computer industry. When it comes online gaming, PCs give people a variety of ways to connect to the Internet, and to each other, which arent restricted to proprietary services or software. Different brands of computer and event different operating systems generally communicate very well with one another. This is quite different from services like Xbox Live, for example, which is the only option available to Xbox users that want to play online, and is closed to everyone that doesnt have an Xbox. Finally, as your PC ages, there is a reasonable chance of extending its gaming life with a component upgrade, although it can get a bit messy. PC Disadvantages While PCs have come down considerably in price over the years, they are still quite expensive compared to consoles. There ways to economize on a PC, such as building it yourself, but its not easy to get the cost of a PC down to a price comparable to even the most expensive console. Computers are also getting a little more user friendly, but eventually every PC gamer will encounter some technical complication that interferes with their gaming, be it a device driver that needs updating or components that are simply incompatible. PCs are also much more vulnerable to viruses and other security breaches. The truth is, installing a game on your computer is always a bit of a gamble. You never really know if its going to work until youre actually playing the game, and even then, in the back of your mind, youre expecting it to crash at any moment. Unlike most console games, PC games have the potential to get ridiculously complicated. This can give a game depth, but it can also result in tedious arrays of keyboard commands and lengthy tutorials which one must endure to learn how to play. PC games are often not well-suited for playing on the couch, especially given that the mouse and keyboard are the preferred PC game controllers. Unlike console games, you also wont find many PC games that support two players on one machine at the same time. Final Thoughts The latest round of consoles has a lot to offer online gamers, and if youre into sports and racing titles, consoles are a good way to go. If you like massively multiplayer games and online shooters, there are a great deal more to choose from on the PC. Online play options for consoles are getting better all the time, but proprietary networks and fees for services like Xbox Live make them a bit less attractive. For the most part, PCs are still the dominant platform for online gaming, and that appears likely to continue for a while yet. 3. 1. 23rd Generation Xbox Specs for 2011 Published: November 9, 2009 by Chairman Steve Its early enough to start speculating on the next Xbox (Xbox 3, Xbox 720). Well need a timeframe for the launch before estimating specs. Q4 2010 would be the earliest, while Q4 2011 I think is the most likely. So lets say Q4 2010 to Q4 2012. Anything in that range would have similar specs. The goals should be (1) low-cost reliable hardware with enough performance and (2) great tools for game developers. In other words, dont put a furnace in the box, dont stuff it with costly unnecessary features, and dont expect developers to fumble with a million threads each with its own 1K local memory. Keep it simple on both ends. I think Microsoft will stick with PowerPC CPU and ATI GPU. There is no reason to switch unless another solution allows lower cost for the hardware and/or software. Maybe AMD could offer a nice deal for a CPU/GPU combo, but PowerPC would allow simple backward compatibility with Xbox 360. The Main Processor The CPU will obviously be multi-core and at least triple-core. I think quad-core is enough with 2MB L2 shared cache. Combine that with an array of smaller cores accessed via an API similar to a PPU or GPU. 16MB eDRAM (or Z-RAM) cache may be something to consider to meet the bandwidth requirement of all those cores. The alternative would be 8 main cores, 4MB L2, and no smaller cores. The Graphics Processor An evolution of Radeon HD (R600) and the Xbox 360 GPU (Xenos) would be fine. Add more shader and texture pipes/processors. Increase the clock speed. And update the shader model (6. 0? ). eDRAM should be enough to fit 19201080 32-bit with 2x MSAA without tiling. Thats 32MB. Memory Advancing memory is simple. Increase capacity and bandwidth. Well need 2GB to 4GB of high-speed main memory. 2GB fast GDDR5/GDDR6 plus 512MB (or 1GB) slower RAM could be interesting. Not everything needs blistering speed. A relatively slow auxiliary memory could be a cost-effective way to maximize the use of main memory. Storage Drives Some next generation big budget games could use more space than DVD, and HD-DVD with a speed of 4x or 6x may be economical in 2011, as long as the format still exists. A holographic format is doubtful but would please the tech nerds on the Net. As for disc bandwidth, 6x HD-DVD would be the equivalent of 19. 5x DVD and not a large leap over 12x DVD from Xbox 360. Too slow for the load time nerds? Games may need large RAM, some auxiliary RAM, or a drive cache to help decrease the number of disc accesses. An option to install to the HDD would be nice. A hard disk drive I expect will be optional and swappable again, but all systems may come with some storage, HDD or Flash. HDD sizes may start at 250GB, while an Elite model has 750GB. Communication Ethernet and WiFi for networking should be standard. USB is the obvious choice for wired peripherals. What about wireless devices (controllers, etc. )? They could use the same proprietary protocol from Xbox 360 and/or Wireless USB. Controller Were you waiting for this part? The decision for what will be the standard controller can wait. Microsoft has time to gauge what consumers want. For now, Ill pencil in a wireless traditional game controller with some improvements such as TouchSense Vibration. A motion sensing wand could also be available separately packed with a casual game. Other options are a standard two-piece (or three with headset) motion controller or a standard 3D camera. Spec Summary 32nm Chip Process Technology IBM CPU at 4. 8GHz (4 Main Cores + Many Small Cores) ATI GPU at 800MHz 2GB GDDR5 Main RAM (~80 GB/sec) 512MB Auxiliary RAM HD-DVD 6x Drive (216Mbps) 250GB 2. 5-inch HDD Ethernet, WiFi, USB Flash Memory Unit Slots 3. 1. 3NVIDIA Tegra Provides The Multimedia Muscle In Zune HD World’s First Ultra-Low-Power HD Processor Behind Microsoft’s Next-Generation Portable Digital Media Player Wednesday, May 15, 2009 NVIDIA today announced that Microsoft’s new Zune HD portable media player is powered by the NVIDIA Tegra processor, which gives it exceptional multimedia capabilities. The Zune HD player, which Microsoft recently announced is available for preorder, is the first portable media player to combine HD-compatible video, HD Radio receiver, full-screen Internet browsing, an organic light emitting diode touch screen, and Wi-Fi. These features will connect consumers to a whole new world of entertainment, while delivering excellent battery life. Working closely with Microsoft and optimizing the Tegra processor, NVIDIA has played an important role in helping to bring the next-generation Zune HD portable digital media player to market. â€Å"Tegra provides the multimedia muscle in Zune HD,† said Michael Rayfield, general manager of NVIDIA’s mobile business. â€Å"Users will love the device’s new design, amazing multimedia features and HD video out capability. Zune HD is a must-have for anyone looking for the best portable digital media player on the market. † Key to Tegra’s rich multimedia features are eight independent processors, each designed for a specific class of tasks among them are an HD video processor, an audio processor, a graphics processor, and two ARM cores. The processors can work together or independently to minimize power consumption. The Microsoft Zune HD uses the following NVIDIA Tegra technology to deliver a unique visual experience: * an HD video processor dedicated to HD video, providing unprecedented picture quality and ultra-smooth, vivid movie playback with low power consumption * an ultra-low power graphics processor for a compelling and intuitive user interface. * NVIDIA nPower technology, which optimizes system power use and enables extended HD video and MP3 playback time Based on NVIDIA’s decade of graphics leadership, Tegra processor has been engineered over the past five years to bring high performance and low power capabilities to the next generation of mobile computing devices such as portable media players, smartphones, smartbooks, netbooks and tablets. Tegra processor-based devices are delivering the experiences that today’s mobile consumers demand, with HD video playback, always-on HD Internet, and intuitive 3D user interfaces. There are 50 active Tegra processor-based design projects currently in the works today. SOURCE: NVIDIA 3. 1. 4Xbox 360 First Gaming System to reach 10 Million in U. S. Console Sales Xbox LIVE tops 12 million members globally as Xbox 360 console sales hit more than 19 million worldwide. July 15, 2009 Microsoft today announced that the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system has sold over 10 million units in the U. S. , making it the first current-generation gaming console to break the 10 million mark in the U. S. The U. S. install base contributes to global sales of over 19 million. â€Å"This year will be the largest in the history of the video game industry, with Xbox 360 leading the charge in the U. S. and abroad,† said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. â€Å"History has shown us that the first company to reach 10 million in console sales wins the generation battle. We are uniquely positioned to set a new benchmark for the industry. † This announcement comes on the heels of one of the biggest entertainment launches in history, â€Å"Grand Theft Auto IV,† on April 29, 2008. Gamers eager to experience â€Å"Grand Theft Auto IV† online helped boost Xbox LIVE global membership to over 12 million this month. Fueled by an unparalleled combination of access to friends and family, the best online gaming features, and the best entertainment content, the Xbox LIVE service has doubled in membership in only one year’s time. â€Å"Reaching an installed base of 10 million consoles in the U. S. is a significant achievement and an essential milestone on the road to market leadership,† said Billy Pidgeon, research manager at IDC. â€Å"Perhaps more important is the Xbox 360 worldwide online base — 12 million Xbox LIVE gamers is the largest community in the connected console games sector, which represents the greatest growth opportunity in the console market and where Microsoft has been the leader for two generations. † Xbox 360 leads with the industry’s highest software attach rate, more than any other console this generation, and is home to the best-selling games. With the launch of â€Å"Grand Theft Auto IV† in April, Xbox 360 is now the home to more than 16 platinum titles that have sold through 1 million units or more, including hits such as â€Å"Halo 3,† â€Å"Madden NFL 07† and â€Å"Madden NFL 08,† â€Å"Gears of War,† â€Å"Guitar Hero II† and â€Å"Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock,† and â€Å"Call of Duty 2,† Call of Duty 3† and â€Å"Call of Duty. 4: Modern Warfare,† giving Xbox 360 two times more platinum-selling titles than the Wii and a 16:2 lead over the PlayStation 3 in game titles topping one million in sales. Games not only sell better on the Xbox 360, they play better, too: Xbox 360 has 91 titles with a Metacritic review score of 80 or higher, compared with just 22 titles for Wii and 50 titles for PlayStation 3. SOURCE: Microsoft 3. 1. 5Nintendo Wii Fit Makes Fitness Fun pat