Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Why Are the Good Allowed to Suffer From Senecas On...

It is perhaps one of the most frequently asked questions of all time: if there are gods who have control over humans’ lives, why do they allow good followers to suffer? How can there be any justice in that kind of world? Philosophers and thinkers like Seneca and authors of the Bible have debated and written about these questions since ancient times. Perhaps because hardships affect every person, many people continue to debate the same topics today. Seneca writes extensively about the topic of suffering in his essay â€Å"On Providence,† which is contained in The Stoic Philosophy of Seneca. Likewise, Paul writes about how to face hardships in his letters to the Romans and the Corinthians, and the book of Job in the Old Testament contains†¦show more content†¦Although they provide different rationalizations for why gods allow humans to suffer, Seneca and writers in the Old Testament and New Testament all agree that suffering is always beneficial in the end. The writers agree that without suffering, humans would not be able to live successful lives. Seneca writes, â€Å"[Hardships] benefit the individuals to whose lot they fall, and, in the second place, they benefit the whole body of mankind† (â€Å"On Providence,† 32). Humans are at least partially responsible for this positive outcome, however. He further writes, â€Å"[Good men] must not shrink from hardship and difficulty or complain of fate; they should take whatever befalls in good part and turn it to advantage† (â€Å"On Providence,† 30). By identifying the greatest men who are best able to turn their sufferings into positives, the entire community will improve, according to Seneca. Without suffering hardships, humans are not able to live the best lives possible for them. Seneca uses soldiers as an example; â€Å"[T]hough those who returned from the fray unhurt may have fought as well,† he writes, â€Å"the man who brings back a wound is more respected† (â€Å"On Providence,† 37). In life, those who face the hardest struggles and still live productive lives should be honored and stand as an example to the whole community. Similar to Seneca’s belief that all suffering is beneficial, Christian writings in both the Old Testament and the New Testament

Monday, December 16, 2019

Product Features of Windows 2000 Free Essays

Have you ever wondered where Microsoft will go next with Windows, well now it is time for you to find out. Microsoft has almost completed Windows 2000, which will be the new era for software around the world. In the last year computers have grow dramatically, with the new Pentium II chip and processors with the speeds up to 450MHZ. We will write a custom essay sample on Product Features of Windows 2000 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Almost every family home in America today has at least one personal computer. Whether it is for business or pleasure, more and more people are realizing the significance of computers. I am going to unleash the information that will show you how Windows 2000 will work. Windows 2000 is an operating system that configures your hardware for you. With its structure based upon Windows 98 and NT, they have also introduced revolutionary interface enhancements. Power management for the latest desktop and notebook models. That has one interface for browsing local files, Intranets, and the Internet. A customizable console that lets you control computers, peripherals, users, security settings, from any desktop. Which can handle all the tasks of managing users, groups, shared peripherals, and security, it also allows you to do all this over worldwide networks. A new security system that will use smart cards and other physical keys to let you access the computer. The new Plug and Play will allow you to handle all your hardware chores from one central location without restarting your computer. And at the location you will also be able to inspect driver device settings, update drivers, or troubleshoot resource conflicts. I am sure that this will be extremely helpful to many people out in the computer world including myself. With this feature it will make looking for a program or installing one a breeze. The Internet has become one of the biggest things used in homes and companies. It allows people at home to go shopping, check the weather, buy stocks, and work without ever leaving the desk. Companies are using it to publicize and inform people about them and their products. They also use it internally to connect different floors together via e-mail. With new Internet settings you will be able to choose your Web-style views thus letting you control what comes up on the screen without you saying, â€Å"what the hell is that.† With current Window versions, there†s no way to find a file-using Explorer. Instead you having to open many confusing dialog boxes that would only confuse you even more. The new search page lets you find files without leaving an Explorer window. That way you can see where you went and how you got there. Today managing a network takes forever. Windows 2000 has an all-new management console that lets you snap together a custom set of management tools. That is right, that means no more wandering around in the control panel in search of the right utility. The Active Directory is the central store of information about authorized users and groups, printers, fax servers, and other objects. Earlier Windows versions scatter this information across the network making it harder for people to find it but the Active Directory brings it all together. This will allow personal and corporate computer users to get work done quicker and more suitable for what they are doing. Windows 2000 will include support for a smart card that will let only one person access certain files, which they have blocked off. Windows will decrypt your files only after you have provided both your smart card and private key. Removing the smart card from the slot locks the system and the only way back in is with the same smart card. This will be used in many corporate networks throughout the world to provide safety and security. In conclusion, the future of Windows will only be the gateway for new management systems. Later on we will have computers that we will just speak to us and will hold up a conversation to accomplish projects and make using the computer easier but until then Windows 2000 will be there for us. How to cite Product Features of Windows 2000, Essay examples

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Computer-Controlled Systems Theory and Design

Question: Discuss about the Computer-controlled systems for theory and design? Answer: Introduction The most important equipment of a computer system are input and output devices. Input devices are used to insert some data into the system for the required calculation work. Output devices are used to obtain calculated data from the computer system in a desired format. Basic examples of input devices are keyboard, mouse, etc., and some basic output devices are monitor, printer and others (Baecker, 2014). All regular computer-human interactions require both input and output devices. In other words, input and output devices form a bridge between the real world and the computers system world comprising of collection of bits (Levy Eckhouse, 2014). The fundamental objective of input-output devices is the transfer of information between physical brain of human and the silicon brain of the computer. This research paper is based on the analysis of the working procedures of input and output devices and the methods to be followed to increase the speed and efficiency of human-computer interact ion (Gordon et al., 2012). Some recommendations are also provided to develop new devices to increase capabilities to perform more operations and applications as per requirements in a fast and efficient manner. Problem Statement There are two kinds of input-output devices local and remote. Local devices are directly connected to the main system and remote devices connect to the main system through some other devices like routers or through the wireless networks (Nanayakkara et al., 2013). Problems arise when a large number of input-output devices are connected to the system at once, especially in remote connections (Kim, 2012). When several inputs are inserted together through the input devices, the operations in the process may get slowed down or even cause errors. In addition, if there is a transmission failure, the remote input-output system may get closed down completely. Thus, the remote devices depend solely on the transmission medium for successful operation. Moreover, if there are no restrictions imposed, remote devices may be used for unauthorized activities (Helander, 2014). Problems also arise when a huge number of remote and local devices are connected to the system, which mainly due to the bulk amount of data transmission into the system. Research Goals The main goal of this research is to analyze the input and output devices and their operations. In addition, this research is connected to the efficiency and significances of the devices in the human-computer interaction process (Stair Reynolds, 2013). The main objectives are: Analysis of the benefits of input-output devices in computer system Analysis of internal characteristics of input-output devices Analysis of future usages of input and output devices and ways to increase their speed and efficiency Relevance of Research With the innovation of new hardware and software and evolution of the general computer system, the overall system configurations and the programming operations are getting more and more complex (Jain et al., 2012). Hence, a situation have arisen such that innovations must be made regarding the input and output devices in order to perform the changing requirements of operations. With the evolution of the software system and applications, there is need to upgrade the input and output devices to perform the required operations (Levy Eckhouse, 2014). This is why, there is a huge opportunity to conduct a research on input output devices to find ways to improve their operation speed and efficiency. In addition, research works can be conducted on the remote devices to innovate ways for their safe and fast operations (Helander, 2014). Literature Review Along with the storage device, the input and output devices are collectively termed as peripherals. After an input data is given to the system via an input device, the central processor makes calculations using data (Stair Reynolds, 2013). After that, the output data can be obtained via an output device. Thus, input and output devices are essential for the successful transmission and operation of the data. Some key input and output devices are discussed as follows. Input devices Keyboard This device is used to type a particular data in the computer screen needed for required calculation process. However, physical keyboards are becoming obsolete with the increasing popularity of hand-held and compact computer systems (Jain et al., 2012). Most of these systems have a touch screen feature in which, virtual keyboards are used for the input of text or numerical data. Mouse This particular device is used for selection operations in the system. The operation methods are selected using the input from the mouse. Use of mouse is getting more and more reduced nowadays since these operations can easily be done with the touch of a finger directly on the screen or a touchpad in some systems (Levy Eckhouse, 2014). Scanner This device is used to extract data from a printed source. The system automatically obtains data from the source and hence, no additional inputs are necessary (Isermann, 2013). Barcode and Card Reader These devices obtain encrypted data from a source and decrypt it within its system for conducting required operation (Kim, 2012). Many other input devices are used apart from these, which have their own functions. With the evolution of hardware and software of computer systems, the input methods have also undergone significant changes and many of conventional input devices are becoming more and more obsolete (Helander, 2014). New input methods are being introduced which are more compatible with modern day systems. Output devices Output devices is mainly a computer peripheral. Generally, there are two kinds of output devices, the softcopy device and the hardcopy device. The softcopy devices provide output in a sense receptive way, for example, audio (speakers) and visual (monitors) (Stair Reynolds, 2013). The hardcopy devices are those that provide output in a physical form like printout. The most significant output device is the printer. Nowadays, the softcopy devices are most useful since data exchange is mostly done in the wireless media. During conduction of this research, the researcher has analyzed the strength and weaknesses of each of the input and output devices (Levy Eckhouse, 2014). Input devices like keyboard and mouse are more useful in computer education level, although the proper use of keyboard requires typing proficiency (Jain et al., 2012). Sometimes, the mouse can also be tricky to use for the beginners. Other input devices like barcode reader, joystick, etc. require special software or interface. Some non-physical input devices like speech reader are also used but they have very limited database and vocabulary. Output devices are vital to obtain the calculated data needed for a particular requirement (Astrom Wittenmark, 2013). Physical device like printer is very important to obtain a hard copy of the obtained data. With the evolution of the computing system, lesser hard copies are used and calculated data are directly transmitted via wireless networks to save time and avoid casual errors (Jain et a l., 2012). This is why, physical output devices are finding lesser usage in the modern computing system. Since most of the conventional input and output devices are becoming obsolete, the more feasible and modern input and output techniques are to be developed and further upgraded to make them more compatible with modern computer systems (Stair Reynolds, 2013). The modern input and output devices, which involve transmission of data via public networks, are to be designed in such a way that they transmit data in a secure way (Isermann, 2013). In primitive computer systems, only physical input and output devices like a monitor, keyboard, mouse and CPU. In the prototype and the initial models, these devices consumed a large amount of space (Kim, 2012). In addition, data calculations were extremely slow and inaccurate (Helander, 2014). Thus, those primitive systems were very unreliable and hard to use. In modern computer system, devices are designed in such a way that they consume least amount of space and calculate data very accurately within the fraction of a second. What huge block of systems could not do, small microchips can perform it quickly and accurately (Levy Eckhouse, 2014). For further reduction of space and size of device, physical input and output devices are excluded from modern systems and virtual devices are introduced in which, input can be given and output can be obtained with the touch of a finger. Further research works are necessary to redesign and evolve the virtual devices in an even broader sense to increase their applications and feasibility in future computer systems (Kim, 2012). Synchronous and Asynchronous Operations of Input-Output System Synchronous and asynchronous input/output procedures are the two essential working modes for a specific input-output device system (Hinckley et al., 2014). During synchronous operation, the physical data exchanges are not synchronized or interlocked with the execution of a project's data operations. For instance, as cited by Boell Cecez-Kecmanovic (2012), a client using a typewriter will be permitted to sort messages into a definite framework before the execution of the read articulations, which will be utilized by them; and according to Patterson Hennessey (2013), each and every execution of a read proclamation just culls the next enduring message of a data buffer. This illustration of asynchronous information is similar to buffered read-ahead plans, which have been utilized with tapes, discs and so forth (Astrom Wittenmark, 2013). A sample of asynchronous yield is the gathering of yield in a central buffer until some physical record size is found (Helander, 2014). In the synchro nous mode, the physical exchange is connected with a project's input-output operation, and is done according to the given statement (Stair Reynolds, 2013), i.e., control does not come back to the system until the actual exchange is finished (Levy, 2014). For instance, according to Isermann (2013), a user, using a typewriter, would not be permitted to sort data (in case of locked keyboard) until the read explanation is found. As opined by Siewiorek Swarz (2014), for a specific stream, the input and output modes are autonomous; for instance, the input data may be interlocked but not the output. The modes are declarable both before and amid execution by calls to the UIM (Jain et al., 2012). Suitable translation of these modes seems feasible for numerous associated streams and gadgets. Foundation of a mode adds up to figuring out which framework module in the chain starts the return to the client program. Under most circumstances, asynchronous input-output procedure is the most profic ient (Vazirani Vidick, 2014). The synchronous or interlocked input-output data is valuable when an administrator or client attention is required, and most imperative when a client is communicating with an un-debugged, weird, or numerous expanded system (Isermann, 2013). The synchronous mode ought to be forced on a remote terminal at whatever point a stream is not connected with the terminal, i.e., when there is no system to receive transmitted messages. Research Methodology A most important part of any research work is the research methodology. A particular research strategy is important to determine the path in which the research will be conducted. In addition, following a definite research methodology helps in obtaining useful data without much effort (Booth, 2014). In this particular research, data has been obtained from reliable sources like journals and works of reputed researchers in this field. Related works of reputed researchers have been explored to analyze the subject to obtain the most useful data. Suitable acknowledgements have also been provided (Stair Reynolds, 2013). Many reputed scholars and researchers have explored the subject of input and output devices and provided possible solutions for the problems and improvements. These evaluations and analyses have been taken into account while conducting this research and further issues have been addressed (Aviram et al., 2012). For the main examination procedure of this research, online survey has been the main source for data gathering. Besides, the written work review is considered as the discretionary data for the examination. The researcher quantitative data collection technique for this research study. The subjective data assembled gives theoretical idea of examination technique while the quantitative data accumulated presents the accurate consequence of the examination (Venables Ripley, 2013). In this research, the essential information gathered from numerous sources can be considered for the further research on the same subject. Research Summary Input and output device is the computer peripheral which is used to input the data in a system and gating output from this system. All regular computer-human interactions require both input and output devices. This research work mainly focuses on the evolution and significance of input and output devices in modern computer systems. The original input and output devices are discussed in this research work as well as the modern day systems. Moreover, the significances and compatibilities of existing physical devices in current computing system are examined. The researcher present some previous research article to support this research study in the literature review section and clearly discussed the research process or methodology in the research methodology section. A close analysis has been done on the existing works on input and output devices and results of further studies are discussed as well as scope for even further studies are mentioned. Future Research This research paper can be further explored in future to develop better input and output devices, which will be more efficient in handling bulk data and help secure transmission of input and output data. Alternative input and output devices can be designed to meet requirements of changing software operations. This research paper may also act as a guide for the future researchers to understand the operations and significance of the working input and output devices and how they can be modified further. Modern day computers are evolving; more and more compact computer devices like laptops, palmtops and smartphones are being invented. These systems are easier to carry and use. These small devices are limiting the uses of conventional input devices like keyboard, mouse, etc. Hence, new compact input devices are to be invented to fit into these compact systems. Direct input methods like touch screen, and speech to text are becoming very popular lately, and hence, more research works can be conducted to increase the usability of touch screens and other direct input processes. Furthermore, researches can be conducted to replace physical connection between system and the devices with wireless connections. This research paper can be used as a basis for all the suggested future research works. Conclusion From this research, it can be concluded that the most important equipment of a computer system are the input and output devices without which, no data transmission can be conducted between the computer system and the physical world. Input and output devices can be connected to the main system via physical connection or wireless networks. Wireless connections are generally needed to establish remote connections. With the evolution of the basic programming and applications in the computer system, more advanced input and output devices are needed to perform required operations efficiently. With the growing popularity of compact computer systems, new input and output methods like touch screen are to be explored more to increase their usage and efficiency in daily operations. References Astrom, K. J., Wittenmark, B. (2013).Computer-controlled systems: theory and design. Courier Corporation. Aviram, A., Weng, S. C., Hu, S., Ford, B. (2012). Efficient system-enforced deterministic parallelism.Communications of the ACM,55(5), 111-119. Baecker, R. M. (Ed.). (2014).Readings in Human-Computer Interaction: toward the year 2000. Morgan Kaufmann. Boell, S. K., Cecez-Kecmanovic, D. (2012). Conceptualizing Information Systems: from'Input-Processing-output'Devices to Sociomaterial Apparatuses. InECIS(p. 20). Booth, P. (2014).An Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction (Psychology Revivals). Psychology Press. Chu, Y. (Ed.). (2014).High-level language computer architecture. Academic Press. Gordon, A., Amit, N., Har'El, N., Ben-Yehuda, M., Landau, A., Schuster, A., Tsafrir, D. (2012). ELI: bare-metal performance for I/O virtualization.ACM SIGPLAN Notices,47(4), 411-422. Helander, M. G. (Ed.). (2014).Handbook of human-computer interaction. Elsevier. Hinckley, K., Jacob, R. J., Ware, C., Wobbrock, J. O., Wigdor, D. (2014). Input/Output Devices and Interaction Techniques. Isermann, R. (2013).Digital control systems. Springer Science Business Media. Jain, R., Werth, J., Browne, J. C. (Eds.). (2012).Input/output in parallel and distributed computer systems(Vol. 362). Springer Science Business Media. Kim, J. W. (2012). Human Computer Interaction.Ahn graphics, Beaumont. Levy, H. M. (2014).Capability-based computer systems. Digital Press. Levy, H., Eckhouse, R. (2014).Computer programming and architecture: The VAX. Digital Press. Nanayakkara, S., Shilkrot, R., Yeo, K. P., Maes, P. (2013, March). EyeRing: a finger-worn input device for seamless interactions with our surroundings. InProceedings of the 4th Augmented Human International Conference(pp. 13-20). ACM. Patterson, D. A., Hennessy, J. L. (2013).Computer organization and design: the hardware/software interface. Newnes. Siewiorek, D., Swarz, R. (2014).Reliable Computer Systems: Design and Evaluatuion. Digital Press. Stair, R., Reynolds, G. (2013).Principles of information systems. Cengage Learning. Vazirani, U., Vidick, T. (2014). Fully device-independent quantum key distribution.Physical review letters,113(14), 140501. Venables, W. N., Ripley, B. D. (2013).Modern applied statistics with S-PLUS. Springer Science Business Media.

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Paleontology free essay sample

The ground is steaming and boiling under my knees. I have been here for three hours swashing down  ­water like a camel. Dust is forming little clouds around my fingers as I work. The shadow of my hat is my only protection against the blazing sun. This quarry in the Mongolian desert must be the inferno  ­described in Scriptures. I am obsessed. Brush in hand, I stroke the exposed bone protruding from the ground. Dust swishes into the air, sending puffs of ancient minerals to my nostrils. I need to dig deeper. I grab a pick and stab at the rock. Aha! A piece of shoulder bone, which looks to be around 60 million years old. It is just a fragment to the naked eye, but to me it is much more. This is it. This is where I’ve always wanted to be. This moment in time is what I dreamed about since I was a child. We will write a custom essay sample on Paleontology or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Yet it took so much to get here. It began with four long years of school with thousands of other students and hours of seminars. Each one I attended cheerfully like a child dancing in a park. But I would not be here now with just that. I spent two more years working on a massive paper, revising it again and again to absolute perfection. I defended it to the best of my ability, and it was accepted. It was worth having all those professors critique me, just to see my name published on the cover. Secretly I loved it. And now I am in school again with more pressure and more details. But it is different now. I not only understand the lecture, I am the lecture and the lecturer. I have all the experience and more to become the most educated professional of my time. But what is all this for? So I can dig around in the sand for old bones? No, I am doing so much more than that. I am discovering history, new life, and adventure. I am uncovering a creature that has not seen the light of day for millions of years. Better still, I am discovering information for the ages, for people, for life. This is what I am meant to do. Back to the fossil beneath me. I will have to foil and plaster it for presentation in front of millions of people in a national museum. No, in front of the world! My discovery will be the highlight of paleontology as we know it. My name will appear in every textbook in every classroom! I can feel the sun cooking my skin. But wait – what is this? A tooth imbedded into the shoulder blade? It cannot be. But it is. Yellow and tarnished from millions of years, it is the two-inch canine of a raptor. So this is not a raptor after all but its leftovers. That changes everything. I didn’t come all this way to find the prey. But maybe there’s more. A sandstorm is coming hard and fast. I can feel the wind increase and batter my skin with grains of sand. I must retreat to my tent now, but  ­tomorrow I will continue my search. Paleontology is defined as the study of prehistoric life. To me paleontology is not just a definition; it is a better way of understanding the future, especially mine. I know I will be that paleontologist, frustra ­ted and digging hard in the blazing sun; the one who has had six years of schooling and is working on two more; the one who will appear in every science textbook around the world. My education and perseverance are my keys to this golden lock of a future and I will stop at nothing to achieve it.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

101 Narrative Peer Review and Ideology Professor Ramos Blog

101 Narrative Peer Review and Ideology Revise Quick Write Have you ever had a good experience workshopping a paper? Why was it good? Why was it bad? Revise We are going to peer review first. I want to make sure you have enough time before the lesson for today. Before we peer review, I want you to take a look at your own draft. Add dialogue, find a spot to add in some dialogue. Add details  of a character or an artifact in your narrative. What can you describe or add details too? Are you giving enough context so the reader follows along? Add an image  to help tell the story. What image would help the reader? What image is related to your literacy? Effective Title. What should you title your essay? What would be a good title that makes your reader want to read the essay and prepares them for it.Fall Semester Examples Grading Criteria Narrative Peer Review This is the first of many peer reviews. Keep these things in mind. Peer edit the same way you revise your own work. Be specific in identifying problems or opportunities. Offer suggestions for improvement. Praise what is genuinely good in the paper. Quick Write Comment below with your plan of action for revising your draft. Be specific, give some details! What is ideology? A system of ideas and ideals, especially one that forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy. â€Å"the ideology of republicanism† In social studies, a political  ideology  is a certain ethical set of ideals, principles, doctrines, myths, or symbols of a social movement, institution, class, or large group that explains how society should work, and offers some political and cultural blueprint for a certain social order. The set of ideas and beliefs of a group or political party. Jonathan Haidt: Can a Divided America Heal? 20 Minutes. Jon Haidt is a Social Psychologist. Write down anything you think is important or that stands out to you. Write down any words you don’t know so we can make a list for everyone. So the first thing that you have to always keep in mind when you’re thinking about politics is that we’re tribal. We evolved for tribalism. One of the simplest and greatest insights into human social nature is the Bedouin proverb: â€Å"Me against my brother; me and my brother against our cousin; me and my brother and cousins against the stranger.†

Friday, November 22, 2019

How to Land a Column Writing Gig

How to Land a Column Writing Gig In the midst of scouting regular paying assignments, writers often neglect to consider the benefits of column writing. Regular columns bolster your confidence as a writer and provide credibility to your career. Weekly and monthly columns appear in a variety of publications and need writers. Columns provide established deadlines that keep you writing regularly and give you a boost when the paycheck arrives. Here are a few tips on how to find one suited for you. 1.  Ã‚     Read Local Publications Local and community publications are the easiest to break into, particularly if you have limited writing experience. When we moved to a new town recently, I browsed local magazines at the Chamber of Commerce and began reading every circular that hit our mailbox. Upon finding a monthly publication with articles I enjoyed, I queried the editor with suggestions for a column that matched the publication’s style and content and included links to previous articles I’d written. She suggested we begin a trial period of six months before determining if it was a fit. I’m thankful to report I’ve been writing for them for more than a year. 2.  Ã‚     Pay Attention to Magazine Details and the Needs of the Editor Querying an editor of a local women’s publication after noticing a change in the content helped me land my first column gig. I had been reading Women’s Inc. for more than a year when I noticed the Wellness column disappeared. I wrote the editor to inquire and learned the regular columnist had left the position. After I submitted a few samples, she asked me to write a guest column. Shortly after, I was hired as a monthly columnist. 3.  Ã‚     Capitalize on Your Expertise Find publications that have general content related to your interests and suggest a unique angle or subject matter that matches your expertise. Although I was not published when I queried Women’s Inc., I had a master’s degree in Psychology and Counseling. Once I proved I could write satisfactorily, it was a perfect fit for both of us. 4.  Ã‚     Network with Other Writers Online writing groups, critique groups, and writer’s conferences are great places to meet other writers who can help you find opportunities suited for your particular writing. Be bold in asking more established writers for help. Years ago, as an avid reader of Lifeway publications, I met an acquaintance at church who I learned wrote for the national organization. Longing for the chance to write for one of their magazines, I summoned my courage and called her on the phone to seek her advice. She invited me to lunch to learn more about my writing dreams. Soon after, she alerted me to a Lifeway blog and an editor seeking writers for my niche- blended families. I immediately contacted him and submitted a few posts for free before landing a regular paying column. I’ve now been writing a monthly column for Lifeway’s publication, Parenting Teens, for four years. 5.  Ã‚     Don’t Shy Away from National Publications With a few writing clips to show, national publications might be attainable. Many editors - particularly of national magazine - prefer a writer submit six columns as part of the â€Å"interviewing† process. Again, use your expertise, network with other writers who can offer advice on the publication you’re interested in, and determine an editor’s need to find one that’s a match. As one who began my writing career as a monthly columnist, I found identity as a writer after seeing my name in print month after month.   Exploring the world of column writing offers exciting opportunities that keep your creative energy flowing and enhance your writing career in the process.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 96

Journal - Essay Example Problems are likely to arise if some of the workers discover that they earn less than their counterparts regardless of performing the same work. Conflicts are likely to arise and these can impact negatively on the performance of the organization. Conflicts are counterproductive and they can pose a serious challenge to the human resource management. The other issue that should be considered is that collective bargaining should be advocated in the event of awarding a salary increase to the employees. This helps to prevent salary discrimination where some of the employees may earn more than others regardless of performing the same task. This strategy helps to create a sense of belongingness to the company among all the employees belonging to the same department. Essentially, employees need to be motivated so that they can put optimum effort in their performance. This can be achieved through promoting equality among

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Gun control Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Gun control - Essay Example This paper will argue that there is a need for national laws regulating the sale of fire arms in gun shows, flea markets, and conventions. The controversy between gun control and gun rights advocates starts with the gun casualty statistics in America. Gun control proponents cite spiraling casualties as the reason for government intervention, while gun rights proponents downplay the carnage. For instance, since the 1990s, statistics compiled that each day in the United States, a person dies by gunshot every eighteen minutes, totaling nearly 30,000 deaths per year: about half of these are suicides, another 11,000 are murders, and about 1,500 are gunshot accidents. (Crooker, p. 1) The Violence Policy Center has reported the following figures on firearms deaths and injuries: Firearms are the second leading cause of traumatic death to a consumer product in the United States and are the second most frequent cause of death overall for Americans ages 15 to 24. Since 1960, more than a million Americans have died in firearm suicide, homiides and unintentional injuries. (cited in Crooker, p. 2) Critics of gun control argue that a rather large empirical literature has failed to establish a consistent, statistically significant link between gun ownership and crime. According to William Shughart, it was even reported that there is a negative relationship (i.e., that gun ownership deters crime), (p. 157) The consensus finding – no statistically significant link – seems consistent with ordinary common sense: Criminals can use guns to prey on law-abiding citizens, but if guns were legal. Law-abiding citizens can also use guns to defend themselves from the criminal elements. It is possible, Harry Wilson (2006) wrote, that all citizens benefit from those who own guns if criminals are deterred because they think a potential victim might be armed. (p. 74) Indeed, there is probably no stopping the individual who is intent upon killing another

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Japan and Germany Essay Example for Free

Japan and Germany Essay From 1941 to 1946, American foreign policy was dominated by World War II and underwent an enormous change concerning the United States’ role in the world, as isolationism was discarded and America became the predominant power in the world over a course of just a few years. Prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, America played a very limited role in world affairs, the result of bitter memories of what many considered to be unacceptably high American sacrifices during World War I. From 1942 to 1945, however, America found itself at war both in Europe and throughout the Pacific. Quickly, isolationism seemed to be a distant memory. In the Pacific theater, the United States declared war on the Empire of Japan following the attack on Pearl Harbor. The United States later demanded an unconditional surrender from Japan, a decision which some argued would only prolong the war. Those who held this position felt that Japan would fight far longer and fiercer if there were no possibility of compromise. Unconditional surrender, however, was adopted as a policy. This surrender was brought about by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which followed the obliteration of Japan’s largest cities by conventional bombs. Many argue that the real intention in America’s nuclear bombing of Japan was to serve as a warning to the Soviet Union, America’s wartime ally but soon-to-be adversary. America also wanted to force Japan’s surrender quickly so that the Soviet Union would not invade and occupy northern Japan. If that had happened, the occupation would have been divided between the Soviets and the Americans, much like what happened in Germany. By forcing Japan’s surrender before the Soviet Union could commit large number of forces there, America ensured that Japan would be firmly in the American post-war sphere of influence. In Europe, America adopted an identical policy as it had in the Pacific; the war would not end until Nazi Germany surrendered unconditionally. In the European theater, America fought with allies far more than in the Pacific. As American and British forces closed in on Germany from the west, the Soviet Union advanced from Germany’s east. Eventually the Americans and Soviets would meet in Berlin, which had been captured by the Soviets. Much as in Japan, America had worn down Germany with carpet bombing of many of Germany’s largest cities. After Germany’s surrender in the spring of 1945, American set about planning its postwar occupation. The primary concern for the Americans was to ensure that the Soviets did not advance any further west than Berlin, as the Americans feared that the Soviet Union was an inherently aggressive nation that would roll over western Europe, just as Hitler had done, if the United States did not deter them with military forces and political support for its European allies. Almost immediately after World War II, the Cold War began as the Americans and Soviets consolidated their influence over areas of Europe that they had liberated from the Nazis. The United States sought to bolster its European allies by military alliance in the form of NATO and by economic aid in the form of the Marshall Plan. The years 1941 through 1946 represented the largest shift in American foreign policy in the history of the country. America went from a relatively isolationist country to one which produced half of the world’s wealth, had military personnel stationed all across the globe, and entered into official foreign alliances for the first time in its history. After the war, there was no return to isolationism, which is evidenced by the fact that American soldiers are stationed in Japan and Germany to this day.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Henry James’ Portrait of a Lady Essay -- Portrait Lady

Henry James’ Portrait of a Lady "On her long journey from Rome her mind had been given up to vagueness; she was unable to question the future. She performed this journey with sightless eyes and took little pleasure in the countries she traversed, decked out though they were in the richest freshness of spring. Her thoughts followed their course through other countries†¹strange-looking, dimly-lighted, pathless lands, in which there was no change of seasons, but only as it seemed, a perpetual dreariness of winter. She had plenty to think about; but it was neither reflexion nor conscious purpose that filled her mind. Disconnected visions passed through it, and sudden dull gleams of memory, of expectation. The past and the future came and went at their will, but she saw them only in fitful images, which rose and fell by a logic of their own."(606) This passage, from the last chapters of The Portrait of a Lady, strikes me as one of the most brutally sad moments in the entire novel. Here Isabel, who has defied Osmond ¹s wishes that she defer to the Å’sanctity ¹ of their marriage has, with a solemn and ghostly nod to the liberty and independence that has characterized her throughout, come to be beside her cousin Ralph as he dies. What makes the passage so effectively tragic is that in its tone, language and imagery, it picks up on notes that have been sounded again and again from the beginning of the novel; at the same time, however, we cannot fail to register the differences in the workings of our heroine ¹s mind as she tries to make sense of what has become of her. Much of the poignancy of the above-quoted lines comes from the way in which they contrast with James ¹ earlier descriptions of Isabel ¹s mentality. It is surely part of... ...he would come back in her weakness..."(607)†¹James only too vividly draws the contrast between Isabel ¹s initial freedom and her eventual imprisonment within the secretly and malevolently-built structure of her marriage. It is with one word that James sums up the central tragedy of Isabel ¹s story when, fitted with this new, terrible consciousness, she concludes: "The only thing to regret was that Madame Merle had been so†¹well, so unimaginable."(607) Once again, James strikes a note that has sounded again and again over the course of our reading. Indeed, imagination is in many ways the novel ¹s primary subject, as it is our heroine ¹s ruin; by the end of this almost unspeakably cruel and sad story, we can only hope that it will be her redemption and transcendence as well. Works Cited James, Henry. A Portrait of a Lady. 1908. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1963.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Neil – Dead Poet

Character Review – Dead Poets Society Neil Perry 1. Neil Perry relationship with his father is one with a lack of communication and misunderstanding. Thought the film, Neil and his father are conflicted. We see this first when Mr. Perry tell Neil and he is no longer allowed to work for the school’s paper. His father is controlling, and strongly believes in tradition, and if he allowed Neil to work on the paper he would be going against his own parenting. I believe that the pressure and strict lifestyle that Mr. Perry has put on Neil is what lead him to his suicide.Neil’s life within a classroom is far from a struggle. He is able to achieve straight A’s, and doesn’t question the teaching strategies Mr. Keating introduces to his English class. In fact, he welcomes them. Neil’s relationship with Mr. Keating allows him to embrace his fears. It is Mr. Keating that encourages Neil to talk to his father about acting in the play. 2. Neil is a tall, n ot very athletic looking young man and if he were to be placed into a stereotype, he would be depicted as a nerd. Neil wears his school uniform in a classic manner, which symbolizes his self-discipline as a student.There is a certain awkwardness that comes with Neil’s character, and I think it has to do with that fact that he is trying to find himself. Neil is constantly conflicted with doing as he is told, or doing what he wants to do, and it awkwardly stuck in between the two. Neil’s tone of voice while talking to his peers is one of confidence. Whatever he says to them, he says without a hint of doubt. For example, during a meeting of the Dead Poet’s Society, Neil reads aloud his poem with poise. On the other hand, while Neil is talking to his father, he no longer speaks with confidence.His tone becomes weak and vulnerable. On several occasions Neil tries to rebel against his father by standing up for himself, however, each time his father doesn’t allo w it. Showing how controlled Neil is by his father, and how he tries to escape it. 3. Neil’s driving goal thought-out the film is to become an actor. He faces obstacles with his father along the way. We see Neil’s dedication to this play when he is willing to lie to his father, and head master—by doing so he is risking being expelled from Welton. Once his father finds out about Neil’s role in the play, he immediately restricts Neil from participating.As an audience we feel as though Neil has given up, and he won’t be fighting against his father for this. This is where Mr. Keating has, I think, the biggest impact on Neil. In Mr. Keating office, Neil is told that by not standing up to his father, he is pretending to be someone else—he is acting for his father. This is the peak for Neil, where he realizes that at one point in his life, he is going to have to tell his father â€Å"no†. 4. To achieve his goal, Neil had to lie to his parent s and Mr. Nolan the head mater at Welton.During the scene where he decides to write a permission Todd, Neil’s roommate, tries to convince him that lying is not the best way to go. The passion for Neil’s acting it first demonstrated here, because he is clearly aware of the risks that lying can have. 5. Neil’s weakness’s all have to do with his father. When his father does not hold Neil back there is not much that he will let stop him. In fact, I think because of his father, Neil is encouraged to achieve more and push harder to become a better person on his own, as if to show his father that there is more than one path of life.It’s only when Mr. Perry tells Neil that he cannot do something that Neil feels worthless. For example, on the night after the play, Neil and his parents are fighting, here, Mr. Perry tells Neil that is going to be a doctor, no argument. Neil is weakened by his father’s authority, and doesn’t stand up for himself once again. Unfortunately, this weakness got the better of him, and because of it, it lead to his suicide. 6. The greatest strength Neil has is his ability to lead his peers. He is the first one to question what the Dead Poet’s Society, the first to call Mr.Keating â€Å"Captain†, and one of the first to rip out the pages of their textbook in Mr. Keating’s class. I believe that Neil can affectively lead a group because he knows what it’s like to be controlled (his father). As a leader Neil doesn’t force anyone to do anything, unlike his father. He takes his role as a leader, as a way for him to make his own choices, something it doesn’t normally get a chance to do. 7. Because Neil is an affective leader, he is able to help the rest of the characters grow as people. For example, when Knox is having troubles with Chris, Neil kindly offers him advice and encourages him to call her.Also, on Todd’s birthday, when he received the same gift from his parents that he got last year, Neil helped Todd feel more confident by leading him outside of his personal box, and convincing him to throw the desk set his parents got him over the wall. Without Neil, there would be no Dead Poets Society, and I don’t think the boys would have grown as much as they did if Neil didn’t impact them. 8. A visual symbol that is associated with Neil is his crown from his role of Puck in A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream. 9.The crown that Neil wears in his play, and during his suicide represents freedom. I think that when Neil is wearing it he is free. For example, while in the play, he is given the opportunity to become someone else for a short while. His father does not control him when he is acting, and he doesn’t have to do what he says. He can become whomever he wants while again. He is also free after his suicide. He is no longer under the control of his father, and he is at peace. 10. I believe that at the begin ning of the film Neil understands that he will do whatever his father tells him to.No part of him comprehends that he has the power to say â€Å"no† to his father. Then he meets Mr. Keating; he changes Neil’s life instantly. He shows Neil that it’s okay to be original, and it’s okay to see the world is a different way than his father. As the film moves on we see Neil begin to accept himself, and start to fall apart from his father. The peak of his character is when Neil auditions for the play without his father’s permission; it shows that Neil can make his own choices. However the consequences that were caused by that choice were extremely negative.Although I don’t believe that Neil lying to his parents was the cause of his suicide, it was what caused his father to cross the line. As contradicting as it sounds, I think that Neil represents confidence and courage. Thought-out the film he struggles with his father, but in the end it was his co nfidence and courage that helped him succeed his goal of acting. It also took a lot of courage to decide and go though with his suicide. Neil played a large part in the development of all the characters in the film, and because of his lead they are all stronger and more confident people.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Personal Profile

I will be discussing the four steps that an organization should take to change its personnel profile. These steps include; performance appraisal, staff training and development, career development, and termination. The first step I will be talking about is performance appraisal. This is usually an annual event for every employee, and sometime contains quarterly and Simi-annual progress reports. It’s useful to mangers and administrations because they are able to determine employee skills and productivity profiles.This helps supervisor and employees to get the highest performers in the main positions. For example, a supervisor would be able to look at; an employee’s work performed strengths, weakness, and level of performance though scoring systems, charting, and comparisons. The second step is staff training and development. This contains the options of in-service training provided by the agency, or out-services training workshops and institutes, which is earned through professional organizations and other groups.The third step is career development. This is set out to assist employees in achieving higher level responsibilities through on the job training and monitoring. This is done by a supervisor and employee coming together, and planning the employee’s short and long term career goals. Fourth, is termination, and is to be used in extreme circumstances. If not done correctly, it can become very costly for the agency. It is a time consuming process for the agency, and can be traumatic for both the employee and agency.Despite this unfortunate feeling it is important for an employer to remember that ignoring a poor performed employee can have a negative effect on how other staff member may view your judgment and authority. For example, employees might see that you are tolerating an employee who is not meeting par standards, and because of that might develop new minimum standards for performance that is incorrect. In conclusion, I believe tha t even though each of these steps serves a different meaning and purpose, they each contribute n some way to changing an organization personal profile.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

The Grudge, give a review of 2004 film.

The Grudge, give a review of 2004 film. In the tradition of "Ringu" (which shares producer Taka Ichise), Japanese horror has emerged as popular fodder for American remakes. Here Takashi Shimizu re-imagines the third film from his own "Ju-On" franchise, which started out as a straight-to-video series but quickly ended up in Japanese theatrical release thanks to word-of-mouth. Although the two movies are at times strikingly similarsome of Shimizu's sets and even shots are constructed exactly the samethe American version had the budget for slicker special effects and has clarified the non-linear plot for an audience that requires a more definitive resolution.Karen (Sarah Michelle Gellar, who's already battled her share of supernatural creepy-crawlies in TV's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and the "Scooby-Doo" franchise) is an American exchange student studying social work in Tokyo who agrees to fill in for a nurse who hasn't shown up for her shift. When she makes the house call, she finds the elderly American woman in her care ca tatonic in a house that is deserted and disheveled.Gellar in Dubai in December 2004.What she discovers next is the metaphysical incarnation of the Japanese belief that when someone dies on the grip of a powerful rage, a curse is left behind, infecting anyone who comes in contact with it.Gellar is billed as the flick's above-the-line star, but the truth is "The Grudge" is more of an ensemble piece that consists of several storylines of which she is not the center, including one featuring Bill Pullman. Shimizu retained "Ju-On's" Japanese setting but, in order to appeal to American audiences, peopled many of the main characters with American facesa device that feels contrived even while adding an interesting thematic layer about the alienation of living abroad.What worked about the original remains intactthat freaky-deaky signature sound effect and specters who aren't apparitions but rather corporeal, including the...

Monday, November 4, 2019

Bikin for Bruises

â€Å"Oh man,† my friend moaned. â€Å"Look at her bike!† He motioned towards a girl in a bright yellow running shirt, obviously one of the more experienced bikers. She was walking a shiny, expensive blue bike through the parking lot. But the entire left pedal was shattered†¦completely gone, except for a stub of black metal. â€Å"Geez†¦are you sure we’re up for this?† I ask. It was our first time mountain biking. We had no idea what we were getting into. â€Å"I dunno, man,† he said. â€Å"Let’s try it out. How hard could it be?† I climbed into the back of his beat up, silver pickup to unload the bikes. â€Å"I think we might need these,† he said, emerging from the truck with our helmets. â€Å"Haha, I hope not.† After making sure the strap was tight enough, I climbed on my green Trek and set off down the beaten path. The forest rushed past as we bumped along the dirt trail. For a half-mile, my eyes were set on my friend’s back tire and the occasional rock. Then, the trail got narrower and the turns became sharper. The first hill rose ahead, its top barely visible through the foliage. But after sweaty palms and burning thighs, we finally clambered to the summit. â€Å"You ready for this?† I ask, observing the trail ahead. It was no more than two feet wide and followed a slight curve with rocks, roots, and squirrels all over. â€Å"No turning back now, bro. Ladies first.† â€Å"Ha, funny,† I said sarcastically, â€Å"See you at the bottom†¦if you’re lucky.† I pushed of the forest floor and started down the slope. The trees raced past as I picked up speed. I felt every rock and root through my bike, through the seat and through the handlebars. Suddenly, I was jamming the brakes the whole way, doing everything in my power to not wipe out. Standing o n the pedals moved my center of balance forward, so every bump threatened to buck me off. Finally, the end of the hill approached. The ground flattened and I stopped accelerating. I could hear shouts of adrenaline as my friend started the decent. In the middle of the path, about 20 feet ahead, there was a stone. Three inches in diameter, it was no different than all the others on the way. I ignored this particular rock, because I figured I could handle it. It was just another bump. But this was a BIG MISTAKE. I hit the rock, still crouching on the pedals, close to the end of the hill. And then I went right over the handle bars. The world spun as my bike vanished beneath me. Somehow I ended up clearing the bike and landing on my feet—perfectly fine, but shaken. My friend cheered. â€Å"Hey, you okay?† he asked. â€Å"That looked nasty from back here.† He sounded concerned, but I can tell he’s still laughing on the inside. â€Å"Yeah, I’m alrigh t. Let’s do it again.† Whether on the mountain bike course, in the classroom, or at work, I bring a strong work ethic, adventurousness, and, most importantly, the ability to get back on the bike and keep going.

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Marketing Strategy of Vodafone Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Marketing Strategy of Vodafone - Research Paper Example Strategies of an organization should well be able to detail themselves as per the needs of the environment while planning for the future. A framework for any program can well be preferred if it is deeply affinitive to the generalization of a venture or enterprise keeping in mind the quality of methodizing. The one concept firmly oriented towards the creation of values for its customers will conclude with excellence in the target market. Vodafone uses its familiar red logo and retains themes of togetherness, fashion joy, and enjoyment throughout its marketing communications. The same uniformity is maintained and followed by Fanta, Microsoft, Nike, Sony and host of other companies. What should be the rationale behind this Is it for fun Integrated marketing communications see the elements of the communications mix 'integrated' into a coherent whole. As the fight of market shares and a quest for product success continue, marketers are employing all the necessary tactics, and methods to g ive their product a breakthrough, or remain competitive (Brennan, Baines, and Garneau, 2003, Rowley J 2004). One way of doing this is through differentiation, making your product outstanding, by having your values and image (Zineldin M., and Philipson S., 2007). This is known as the marketing communications mix and forms the basis of marketing (Pelsmacher& Kitchen., 2005) This paper examined the importance of marketing to Vodafone, it current and future market challenges using certain analytical tools and models. Part one of the paper lay emphasis on these models while part three looks at the resources and capabilities that distinguished Vodafone from its competitors.     The PESTEL framework can only be used to look at the future impact of environmental factors and that this impact might be different from the past. Thus an understanding of how the factors in the above framework may drive change is only a starting point1.There is a need for an understanding of the key change dri vers and this will be explained below. Looking at the PESTEL framework shown above one can observe that the Vodafone is affected by all the environmental factors in the framework. Under political factors, Vodafone is affected by both taxation and social welfare policies.