Review Jester Jackpots General Information Essay

Review 8 - Jester Jackpots Review Jester Jackpots General Information Introduced to the public by 888 Group, the name that brought you numerous other popular online gambling sites, Jester Jackpots is one of 2016’s newer casino online offerings. On seeing the big name behind this online casino, players are amped up for big rewards - with good reason of course. Jester Jackpots promises a truly vibrant and fun casino experience with amazing promotions and an incredible game selection, so players definitely won’t be let down with this one. After reading the aforementioned, you can see that the hype surrounding Jester Jackpots is nothing short of huge, but much like other online casino fans we have heard it all before. We could certainly forgive players for taking the press releases surrounding Jester Jackpots with a pinch of salt. Question is, does Jester Jackpots have what it takes to prove the doubters wrong? Can it really go on to become an online brand for the years? Jester Jackpots Lobby and Design On arriving at Jester Jackpots, the attractive design of the site appeals immediately to your visual senses. The colour scheme of the site ties in beautifully with its theme, and an array of fun graphics are at play. Shades of yellow and teal are first noticed in the navigation bar found at the top of your screen. Here, buttons for ‘Login’ and ‘Registration’ are found to the right, with the logo of Jester Jackpots to the far left. The logo combines simplicity and

Innate Ideas Essay - 653 Words

Innate Ideas Throughout the passage of time, philosophers have written and discussed many topics in philosophy. Sometimes, these philosophers agree on ideas or sometimes they make their own assumptions. There are two philosophers who had different ideas concerning where innate ideas come from and how we get these types of ideas. Rene Descartes and John Locke were these two philosophers with the opposing argument on innate ideas. The place where Descartes discusses his views were in the Meditations on First Philosophy and Lockes argument is located in An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. By using these sources I will be able to describe the difference between these two arguments on innate ideas. Rene Descartes was a†¦show more content†¦He specifically says he didnt draw it from his senses. He didnt make the idea of God he says the idea was imprinted on him. He makes the conclusion by stating, Thus the only option remaining is that this idea is innate in me just as the idea of myself is innate in me. God imprints the innate idea of Him on us at birth and that is why we know of God. An example of this is how a craftsman imprints his signature on his work. Descartes says he gets innate ideas from God because God instills the idea of himself onto us, which is an innate idea. The next argument on innate ideas comes from John Locke. He was a British Empiricist who believed in Imperialism. Imperialism means what is available to the senses. Lockes ideas come from the furniture of the mind-you dont come to earth with an idea; you are a blank tablet ready to absorb any idea that comes your way. Locke believes that ideas come from the senses. He states that you will see the world how it is unless something is wrong with your senses. The way you know the world is from your senses. He says in his argument that principles and ideas are not innate. As you live on the earth you get ideas through life experiences. If people believe that innate ideas exist, tha t must mean that there are innate ideas. Locke says there are two candidates for innate ideas: the law of identity (A=A) and the law of non-contradiction which means a thing is A or itShow MoreRelatedInnate Ideas Essay1444 Words   |  6 Pagestruth, Descartes used only his logic to identify his existence. He also proved that there is some type of knowledge that we are born with. â€Å"Some of our ideas seem to be â€Å"born with me,† some â€Å"invented† by me, whereas others â€Å"come from without† (Descartes, 2008, p. 211). Which means Descartes believed that we enter this world with some innate ideas that overtime helps us to develop understanding of our sense (invented by me) and through our experiences (comes from without). Descartes was a dualist;Read More Plato and Lockes Views on an Innate Idea Essay2118 Words   |  9 PagesPlato and Lockes Views on an Innate Idea      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   What is an innate idea?   This can be defined as some idea or mental representation that is produced by outside perception or created anew by our imagination. It exists in the mind in virtue of the nature of the human mind.   According to Plato most if not all of our knowledge is innate. However, John Locke feels that we do not have any innate ideas.   Then the question arises of who is right or are they both wrongRead MoreThe Existence Of Innate Ideas1275 Words   |  6 Pagesthe late 17th century. In Book 1 of An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, he presents many ideas of knowledge and its origins. He rejects the existence of innate ideas and proves his beliefs with many arguments, one being that â€Å"universal consent proves nothing innate† (Locke 630). Another argument is that children and idiots do not have this knowledge imprinted on their minds, which must prove innate knowledge to be nonexistent. I disagree with Locke because I believe we all have immortal soulsRead MorePlato, Locke, And The Question Of Innate Ideas1829 Words   |  7 PagesPlato, Locke and the Question of Innate Ideas Plato and Locke have opposite opinions on the matter of innate ideas. Plato argues that the recognition of truth in reality is derived from the recollection of truth in the soul. A necessary part of Platos argument is that recollection of Truth depends upon the existence of an immortal soul. Locke, on the other hand, rejects Platos argument by stating that the recognition of truth is not dependent on recollection but is rather self-evidentRead MoreLeibniz And Locke s Nature Of Innate Ideas1827 Words   |  8 Pagesargued back and forth about the nature of innate ideas and whether or not they could/do exist. Locke took the position that in order for innate ideas to exist, they must be universal and universally assented to by all people. Leibniz counters by distinguishing between contingent and necessary truths, pointing out that no amount of experience will give us insight to necessary truths and that they must be innate. He also brings up the example of innate moral knowledge th at most people know withoutRead MorePhilosophy: Do We Have Innate Ideas? Essay1491 Words   |  6 PagesDo we have innate ideas? Offer your view with reference to the work of Descartes and Locke I understand the concept of innate ideas alone means ideas that presents our mind at birth. Descartes and Locke both have their own views about innate ideas and their arguments are completely different to each other and the question remain to the human knowledge. Do innate ideas really exist? Descartes does not put experiences to his philosophy like the other philosophers, Bacon and Hobbes. He believes thatRead More Measure for Measure Essay: Immorality and Corruption1576 Words   |  7 Pagesdemonstrates that there is an innate immorality and corruption in the heart of man. Shakespeare illustrates that power does not cause corruption.   This is achieved by presenting the Duke, who has the most power in Vienna, as a moral hero, and conversely revealing the corruption of the powerless class through characters including Pompey, Mistress Overdone, and Barnadine.   Through all this, Shakespeare uses Lord Angelo in Measure for Measure to show that immorality and corruption is innate in mankind. ItRead More Measure for Measure Essay: Lord Angelos Hypocrisy1514 Words   |  7 Pagesmankinds corruption is not necessarily born by power, but rather already innate in humanity. Shakespeare argues that power is not a producer of corruption by presenting the Duke, who holds the most power, as a moral hero, and conversely revealing the corruption of the powerless class (through characters like, Pompey, Mistress Overdone, and Barnadine).   Shakespeare uses Lord Angelo in Measure for Measure to show that corruption is innate within mankind whilst Angelo is a symbolism for pharisaical fanaticismRead MoreThe Summary of and Response to â€Å"the Trouble with Talent† by Kathy Seal911 Words   |  4 Pagesthe Japanese kids still kept on their work. Stigler stated that Asian education focused to the hard work which they believed that is one of the important factors to gain successful things. Whereas, Americans thought that achievement was produced by innate intelligence. Moreover, Stigler researched the math-test scores between American and Asian schools and realized that the scores of Asian school were higher than the scores of American schools as a result of working hard. Also, Seal asserted AmericanRead MoreContemporary Civilizations : An Essential Part Of An Individual s Highest Level Of Achievement1461 Words   |  6 Pageslevel of achievement is primarily influenced by their internal nature and only secondarily reinforced by external circumstances. Teresa’s argument contradicts this idea. Since the purpose of this course is to discuss texts reexamine the values on which we establish our communities, it is crucial to incorporate these contradicting ideas within a shared conversation. Teresa de Cartagena’s writings are an essential part of the Contemporary Civilizations curriculum because she contradicts her predecessors

Microsoft Visual Studio Integrated Development Environment

Question: Discuss about theMicrosoft Visual Studiofor Integrated Development Environment. Answer: Introduction It is an application used for development of website and applications for windows desktop and mobile platform. It consists of integrated development environment (IDE) and there are many versions of the IDE of Visual Studio and are listed below: Visual Studio Visual Studio Code, and Visual Studio Online (VSO) The main goal of the different version of visual studio is to provide the developer a set of rich development tools that can be used on any platform for developing web, mobile, server and desktop interface (Gousset et al., 2014). It is the role of the development team to choose the version of visual studio for the development of the project. For small project the Community edition of the visual studio is the best available software using which the development can be done at a free of cost (de Kort, 2016). For development of the large project professional or enterprise version of the Microsoft Developers Network (MSDN) is required which have a license cost of $1,199 and $5,999 respectively. The IDE of visual studio provides option for the development team to select the development language like C#, objective C, PHP, Visual C++, JavaScript, etc (Sharp, 2013). The API used for the Microsoft development is termed as .NET Framework and it have the support for the interoperability of the l anguage. The visual studio code is used for the basic development and helps the developer to build cloud and web application. The visual studio code is also available for other platform like Linux and Mac operating system. The Visual Studio Online is used mainly for developing the mobile interface. The services for iOS, Android and Windows can be build and it provides the developer a one stop solution for building applications and manage the version or build service. It can also be used for integrating with different platform like for example integration of XCode in Android Studio. Advantages- The main advantage of the Microsoft visual studio is as follows: Enabling emerging trends- It can be used for cloud and parallel development. The use of Windows Azure tool helps the developer to debug, build and deploy different application and services for the cloud. A project model is included for faster development of the service and the applications (Gousset et al., 2014). Live developer portals are also included in the Azure tools for the deployment of the package in the cloud platform. Inspiration to the developer delight- It helps to improve the coding by providing coding support for understanding the code. Document Map margin would be used for rendering the graphical view of the source files and the information codes for custom viewing (de Kort, 2016). A new ASP.Net tools also allows the developers for using the TDD for building Model View Controller based websites. Development of SharePoint in visual studio- Visual studio is continuously improving according to the requirement of the developers and new tools are added using which the lists and other artifacts can be viewed from the SharePoint (Beard, 2016). The new SharePoint services project files can be shared for designing the project with web part designers. References Beard, B. (2016). Setup and Installation of R Tools for Visual Studio. InBeginning SQL Server R Services(pp. 33-71). Apress. de Kort, W. (2016). Introducing Azure and Visual Studio Team Services. InDevOps on the Microsoft Stack(pp. 9-16). Apress. Gousset, M., Hinshelwood, M., Randell, B. A., Keller, B., Woodward, M. (2014).Professional Application Lifecycle Management with Visual Studio 2013. John Wiley Sons Sharp, J. (2013).Microsoft Visual C# 2013 Step by Step. Pearson Education.

LG Operation Strategy Final Report Essay Example

LG Operation Strategy Final Report Paper Domestic competition led them to restructure their operations in early ass, merging the two major business heads under a new name -? LEG Electronics. In 2006, they launched the now popular Blue Ocean Strategy to become one of the top 3 in the mobile handset market. However, heir strategic alliance with Microsoft did not give the dividends they expected. In other Segments Of the consumer electronics industry, they stand in the top 4 globally. Lags consistent revenue patterns can be attributed to their operational strategy, by means of which they have been able to keep costs down. In 2010 LEG entered the smartened industry. Following is a division wise breakup and the financial performance of the smartened division of LEG. Fig. 1 Division wise breakup Fig. 2 Financial Performance of smartened division of LEG Group 4 Final report for Proof. Kimono Kim Cassia MBA page 12 SOOT Analysis Strength Most of all, LEG Electronics has as many global network in sales and manufactures as Samsung Electronics. Its brand awareness can stand even with Samsung Electronics. For research and development, LEG Electronics maintains one of the most advanced technologies in smartened and home appliance. Its smartened and home appliance can compete against Samsung Electronics. Namely, strength in technology stems from robust research and development activity. 2. Weakness Due to huge spending in marketing promotion, its profits can plummets significantly in case sales amount is not sufficient. We will write a custom essay sample on LG Operation Strategy Final Report specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on LG Operation Strategy Final Report specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on LG Operation Strategy Final Report specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer More importantly, because f inappropriate management philosophy towards smartened industry consulted by McKinney LEG Electronics has small shares in global smartened market. And we can speculate that inappropriate management direction had been caused by high turnover in management. 3. Opportunity Increasing demand of high technology products, being lowered entry barriers to new regions, PTA, and fast growth of emerging economies are a critical chance for LEG Electronics to thrive in the future. But, those opportunities can be applied to other competitors, too. . Threat Severe competitions for new technology will be one of biggest burden to LEG Electronics in smartened and home appliance. For examples, during a few years, we cannot find innovative advances in smartened. On top of that, LEG Electronics should catch up two giant players: Apple and Samsung as soon as possible in smartened industry. If LEG Electronics cannot overtake them in a few years, its future might be eve similar to Sony. In addition, LEG Electronics needs to consider Chinas chase, for example Axiom. With cheaper price, Chinese competitors are pushing LEG Electronics in order to make LEG Electronics a loser in smartened industry. Cassia MBA Page 13 Evolution of Supply Chain from Mobile phone to Smart phone For studying the past changes in operational strategy of LEG we chose one of the factories in the Shagging province of China and compared the change of operation strategy from the days of mobile phone to smart phones. LEG, in 2001-2003, built two mobile phone factories in Shagging, the coastal province of China. 90% of its products were for export. The mobile phone factories in China could accomplish the end-toned process of mobile phone production, with the following process: Fig. 3 Pre smartened operational flow LEG used the most cost-efficient way to purchase the components. For high alee-added components like chips LEG imported from Korea and other countries; for the general components like shell or battery LEG purchased from Chinas local providers and for the packaging materials like box or cover, LEG purchased from nearby suppliers. But due to multiple supplier sources the problem of LEG was delivery of material; the too long time became the bottleneck of the whole process. Therefore, ensuring the delivery in time became a key challenge. Aiming to improve the process of the factories in China, LEG conducted the revolution in 3 aspects: Cancel Utilize HUB to delete the unnecessary logistic nodes and decrease frequency Of logistic. Change Change the processes during the supply chain and reinforce the shortage nodes. Collaborate Combine the storage with the management, focus on core processes and outsource the unprofessional processes. Page | 4 The diagram below shows the detailed change of the supply model of Lags factory in China Fig. Post smartened operational flow After the revolution, because of the hub, Lags whole lead time of the process before the manufacturing time decreased from 40 hours to about 20 hours, the efficiency sharply improved. Understanding SCM and ERP in LEG 1. Supply Chain Management The ultimate aim of Supply Chain Management is to provide higher quality consumer service and in the mean while cutting down the inventory cost and uni t cost. Supply Chain includes Buying the products, Movements of raw materials, Organizing manufacturing, Supplier management. Then the small change in customer demand it leads to bigger change in manufacturing unit this is called bullwhip effect. Symptoms of bullwhip effects are excessive stock of raw materials. Poor commodities forecast, insufficient or excessive capacity utilization and poor services to customer. These are the effect sand symptoms. SCM in LEG had been started in late ass. The SCM in LEG needs various manual certifications in each stage of operation. The SCM is implemented and then training is given to top management first and then training is provided to the internal staffs and also for its partners like vendors and suppliers. After that the company found to operate a smooth supply chain in raw material stage, work in process and finished good stage LEG is one of the players in the competitive electronic market and there are lots of good companies in the market and LEG has competitive advantage in supply chain management. It has competitive advantage in cost control because heir inventory cost is very less. Their inventory cost is less because they are placing fewer orders in order to reduce the cost of manufacturing. LEG avoids the cause of bullwhip effect by accurate demand forecasting, operating short Final report for proof. Kimono Kim page | 5 lead time, segmenting product line, reducing price fluctuation to local market. LEG has increased their productivity by 10 % with the use global Supply Chain Management and company checks the current status of product shipment and company has lots of options to reduce the inventory cost with the help of Supply Chain Management. A Company maintains Elasticity and Malleability to match their supply and demand for their products. Company still takes more initiatives to reduce the cost of manufacturing; inventory costs with the help of Global supply Chain Management. In LEG management gives more importance to Supply Chain department, in every unit company has one supply chain manager and he or she is the full responsible of that unit supply chain. In their company website they announced that company has reduced 1. 8 % manufacturing cost with the help of effective supply chain; hence company has effective supply chain and company has competitive advantages in their filed and company stands number one position in the market with the help of proper Supply Chain Management. Company forecasts very well and avoids the bullwhip effect in supply chain. LEG does regular market research for Bullwhip effect and company uses the resource properly and wisely. Company believes in partnerships for better supply chain process and company has chosen proper inventory control method to avoid excessive production cost. Hence it can be said that in reducing production cost and improving productivity Supply Chain Management plays vital role. If very organization use Supply chain Management they can also reduce the manufacturing cost. . Enterprise Resource Planning ERP is business term for the wide set of actions supported by multi module application that helps the organization to manage various functions and manage with a particular software and stored data with the help of memory. Various functions like purchasing, order placing, supplier details, customer details, guest details in hotels and operations. ERP also includes application modules like human resource manageme nt and financial. Typically ERR system integrates with a relational database system. ERP is a consistent platform it guarantees that there is no inconsistency in the information that is processed in the organization. ERP is essential for every firm in the world to get competitive advantage and it is necessary to train the people to use the ERR. The most important advantage of Enterprise Resource Planning is its accounting applications. ERP can integrate revenue information, profit analysis and cost of manufacturing and other financial. If a company wants to compete with global players, company should start implementing ERP. With use of ERP any organizations can get reduce the cost and lots of time will e saved. ERP in LEG Enterprise Resource Planning of LEG gives clear idea about their operational strategy. Currently company uses ORACLE ERP, they using this new ERP on August 2009. In LEG every year company spends $ 4 billion for their ERR implementation and giving training for their workers. They implemented ERP when they want to cut reporting and analysis period, improve performance, and reduce maintenance costs and to achieve complete visibility into global stock and marketing and sales costs. After implementing ERP their company moved to third place in Plasma TV market, and they positioned at 5th place in cell phone segment. Company maintains their all information in ERP. They are updating each and every outgoing and incoming raw material and finished goods unfinished goods. Company sends message to every department with the uses of ERR and company Chief IT Manager Mr.. Wang said that by using ERP company reduced their order placing times and order processing time and he added that now company are able to process their Order without errors. Since LEG is an electronic Group 4 Page 16 company they started using ERP before 8 years now company enjoys the benefits of Enterprise Resource Planning. Company delivers the product in mime they started using ERP because it gives clear cut information all supplies and finished products. With the use of ERP company utilizes their supply chain management and customer relationship management very well. Hence it is said that Enterprise Resource Planning helps company to save the time and to minimize the errors henceforth it leads to improve the performance Of organization and increases the profit of the organization. Challenges and Recommendations 1. Inability to find good partners LEG has traditionally failed to find good partners in both its upstream and downstream supply chain. One of the major reasons for its position in the smartened market is its initial collaboration with Microsoft Mobile SO. As the Windows Mobile SO tanked it took LEG with it. And LEG lost important first mover advantage. Similar is the story of its collaboration with Maxilla in 2012. Recommendation It is imperative that LEG chooses its SCM partners carefully. An example for the same is their collaboration with Google which resulted in Nexus. At kick units a month, it remains Elses highest selling smartened. 2. Timing of product release Samsung simultaneously launches products in arioso price ranges. Then they pour their products out in 150 countries worldwide through a tight and well-established supply chain. On the other hand, LEG held a large-scale promotional event for GO in New York in early August, but began selling the product only in mid September. LEG began selling GO in Europe only after October. Meanwhile, Apple released its phone AS on September 10 and began selling the new phones simultaneously in 9 countries beginning on September 20, and Samsung also began putting its Galaxy Note 3 in shops in October. Similarly, LEG started manufacturing smart ear 6 years after Samsung did. Recommendation -? Timing is everything. In the demand and fashion intensive market of smartness losing out the time race is losing the initiative and market competitiveness. 3. Growing inventory costs As Elses smartened innovations are few and erratic, this leads to huge inventory buildup and times and stock shortage at the others. A more stable market demand will help them stabilize their operations. Recommendation LEG should continue its move towards Lean Operating. Lean operating systems have four basic principles: (1) elimination of waste ND (2) reduced cost- see LEG and Inventory Management -? now more KIT and demand led, avoid stock piling costs from supply led strategies Group 4 Page | 7 (opportunity costs, waste, dated), the ideas board (cost reduction improvements savings KICK USED/month) and staff cost cutting (stop overtime); (3) Improved quality the ideas board (quality improvements) and (4) increased speed and response. . Stuck in the middle LEG lacks differentiation. Its not in the premium segment like Apple and Samsung, nor is it in the low cost segment like MicroVAX or Leno. Recommendation Should they go the Axiom way and mind a niche in hardware or go the Google way and develop a niche in software. Can they be the next big thing in smartened evolution? Can flex screens be the next thing in smartened? These are the questions LEG needs to evaluate. 5. Growing competition in the sub premium range There is a slew of low cost Memos around the globe. The competition has intensified with Telecoms providers also getting in the race of MOM. Recommendation The thing to do is to hang in there.

Free Essays on Prosperity And Depression

The good economic times of the 1920’s and the bad economic times if the 1930’s. The New Deal permanently increases the role of government in our lives. As the WWI end in 1918 and we failed to join the League of Nation in 1920. Also Harding was elected for president. This time was the post war depression and many social changes were made at this time. During this era, it was a time of prosperity changes on America or known at the roaring 20’s. Some of the social changes are: revolt in moral and manners changes for women (new industries)-behavior and appearance, home appliances, auto, airplane, radio, fads, sports, prohibition or also as stop the sell of alcohol-organized crime, big time movies, jazz, and Harlem Renaissance or as a rebirth of African American’s culture. Also in the 1920’s America return to normalcy or as return to the old ways. Then in 1923’s, President Harding dies. He was a horrible president and let big businesses ru n the country. During that period, the scandals with Harding, The Red Scare with communism coming to America, immigration restriction as in decreasing the number of immigrant going to this country and the Ku Klux Klan which is a white group with racial prejudice against other races. Then in 1925’s the Scope Trail. It was about this professor who teaches evolution in school and he was charge guilty for it. This was the biggest trial at the time. In 1927’s, Lindberg Flew across the Atlantic Ocean. He did this because it was a competition to see the first Solo man to fly across the ocean. He did this for money, not for fame. During the same year, the stock market was booming because new industries lead to overproduction so the prices are low and affordable. Then easy credit and advertising lead to overspending. After one year, Hoover is elected for president. After the second year of Hoover presidency, the stock market crashes in 1929’s. Then the depres sion begin or as bad... Free Essays on Prosperity And Depression Free Essays on Prosperity And Depression The good economic times of the 1920’s and the bad economic times if the 1930’s. The New Deal permanently increases the role of government in our lives. As the WWI end in 1918 and we failed to join the League of Nation in 1920. Also Harding was elected for president. This time was the post war depression and many social changes were made at this time. During this era, it was a time of prosperity changes on America or known at the roaring 20’s. Some of the social changes are: revolt in moral and manners changes for women (new industries)-behavior and appearance, home appliances, auto, airplane, radio, fads, sports, prohibition or also as stop the sell of alcohol-organized crime, big time movies, jazz, and Harlem Renaissance or as a rebirth of African American’s culture. Also in the 1920’s America return to normalcy or as return to the old ways. Then in 1923’s, President Harding dies. He was a horrible president and let big businesses ru n the country. During that period, the scandals with Harding, The Red Scare with communism coming to America, immigration restriction as in decreasing the number of immigrant going to this country and the Ku Klux Klan which is a white group with racial prejudice against other races. Then in 1925’s the Scope Trail. It was about this professor who teaches evolution in school and he was charge guilty for it. This was the biggest trial at the time. In 1927’s, Lindberg Flew across the Atlantic Ocean. He did this because it was a competition to see the first Solo man to fly across the ocean. He did this for money, not for fame. During the same year, the stock market was booming because new industries lead to overproduction so the prices are low and affordable. Then easy credit and advertising lead to overspending. After one year, Hoover is elected for president. After the second year of Hoover presidency, the stock market crashes in 1929’s. Then the depres sion begin or as bad...

Words for our times - Emphasis

Words for our times Words for our times The latest version of the Collins English Dictionary has just been published, with some interesting new additions, including iPlayer, mankini (after Borats legendary garment), and Twitter. The words that officially enter the language no doubt reflect the influences and preoccupations of our times. So, after looking over this years new entries, I couldnt help but wonder: is the future of English completely ruled by television and technology? Well, not completely. The explosion of the social media trend definitely makes its mark: from the names of key sites to phonetically spelled words and phrases (surely more likely to be instant messaged than looked up) such as heh heh, mwah and soz. However, our cultures growing bent towards greener living is also represented, so we find out that an ecolodge is a sustainable hotel, and to be carborexic is to be a person obsessed with reducing their carbon footprint. Our fascination with celebrity-inspired trends combines neatly with the reality of living in the current economy in the word frugalista: a person who tries to stay fashionably dressed on a budget. This does beg the question: does anyone actually use these words? Or have the writers at Collins just been having fun making them up? Still, the question of technologys power over the way we write (and speak) could be greater than we realise. As a society increasingly melded to our PCs, iPhones and MacBooks, our use of grammar could come to be ruled by Microsoft Words occasionally erratic placing of squiggly lines. But thats another story

Petit Verdot - Red Wine Grape Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Petit Verdot - Red Wine Grape - Essay Example The distinct nature of this wine is its inherently tart taste. This is of course the direct result of the high levels of tannin that are represented within the fruit itself. As a function of the fact that the wine is red, a large component of the color as well as the taste is concentric upon the level to which the grape skin itself is involved in the process of creating the juice which will in turn be fermented (Cejudo-Bastante et al 2011). Likewise, as tannin usually specifically resides within the skin of the grape, a process that is heavily intensive on using the skins to differentiate the wine will likely lead to a darker and more tart rendition of the wine as compared to a process that does not extensively uses these tannin-laden skins (Bird 2011). Although many authors belabor the point with regards to tannin, complaining that too much causes a bitter and or unpalatable wine, this is not the case with petit verdot, as experienced by this author. Although the bottle that was sam pled exhibited a distinctly bitter aftertaste; however, this was not so much the case that a meaty food paring such as veal or a type of gamey fowl could not easily compliment this (Herdenstam et al 2001). Critics have claimed that the wine exhibits elements of flavor similar to an aged leather, banana chips, and/or pencil shavings. The personal experience of this author noticed that of these three distinct tastes, that of pencil shavings mixed with a distinctly floral aftertaste was what most defined the wine when sampled by itself. Having done a fair amount of research into this specific wine prior to actually buying a bottle to sample, I had come to the realization that the best food combinations would be concentric around very earthy and hearty standard fare as a way to counteract the nature of this particular wine. It is necessary to note that although petit verdot is a particular type of grape, it is almost always used as a way to differentiate a certain way (Martinez-Gil et a l 2012). In other words, elements of petit verdot are often added to a given wine as a way to give a more full body and varied or nuanced taste. Alternatively, fire scorched and grilled foods also help to differentiate the taste of the food when paired with petit verdot. Due to the particular nature of the fruit itself, it is amenable to being used in this complimentary way due to the fact that by itself it would likely be considered to be too tart for normal consumption and individual food pairings. What is equally interesting about this particular wine is the fact that due to the fact that it is neither widely known nor popular, food parings is not an issue that has been fully developed as compared to other much more popular and well known varieties. It was precisely this approach that this author has chosen to take with respect to pairing the wine with the best available food. As a way to enhance the experience, this author set out to cook a meal that would help to bring out the well-balanced nature of the wine as opposed to many of the more harsh attributes that many wine critics seem so oddly fixated upon (MacNeil 2001). In this way, a meal was prepared that featured grilled duck filets along with a medley of seasoned vegetables with grilled corn prepared on the same grill as the

Hypothetical disaster scenario Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Hypothetical disaster scenario - Essay Example Moreover, Al Ain has experienced intermittent water supply due to problems of transmission as well as distribution. The Al Ain nuclear power plant experienced some technical problems and this resulted in the leakage of radioactive materials in the environment. This situation raised fears of contamination by the radioactive materials among residents who fear for their lives and their livestock. Because of the environmental concerns relating to the effects of the radioactive materials, there was need to conduct research on the state of the environment to determine the extent and quantity of radioactive components within Al Ain region (Environmental Agency 1). This is because radioactive materials generated from nuclear plants due to accidents are dangerous and can have immense negative impact on the environment with extreme cases resulting in the death of various forms of biodiversity. In order to achieve this mission, there is need to collect data from the environment in order to use for examination of the situation. Data collection entailed sampling of water in the environment. First, with assistance from environmental experts and chemical analysts, ground water samples from the plant’s premises are collected for lab testing and further examination. Consequently, I would collect water samples from the neighboring regions. The aim of this step is to use the data for comparison and further analysis and decision-making (Bodansky 23). Afterwards, chemical experts take these samples into the lab for examination and analysis. After examination and analysis, the results obtained from the two samples indicate presence of radioactive materials in the environment. Water samples collected within the plant’s locality indicate high concentration of iodine – 131, a radioactive material compared to those collected some distance away from the nuclear plant (Nuclear world Association 1). Since the water table in Al Ain is close to

ICT Sample Work Welcome Centre Requirements Essay Example for Free

ICT Sample Work Welcome Centre Requirements Essay CLM (Christian Life Ministries) is a church based in Coventry City Centre. Being a registered charity, they wanted to look at ways in which they could raise money to help finance its various activities, many of which benefit the local and international community. In 2000, The Welcome Centre was launched, in which a team of people started using the building venue to provide a catering and hospitality service to paying customers, who were looking for somewhere where they could hold conferences and events, hire equipment and to have food served. The customers who pay to use the services of the Welcome Centre are either commercial customers, such as Coventry City Council, local schools or colleges, or other charity-based organisations. Charities would be able to use the facilities at a discounted rate compared to commercial customers. Customers hire the services of The Welcome Centre for many different types of events, from large conferences to training days and small meetings. The Welcome Centre has up to 4 rooms that can be hired (Grace Room, Grace Room 1, The Elegance Suite, The Serenity Suite), and each room has a capacity between 20 and 250 people. As well as hiring a room, customers have the option of hiring additional equipment, such as a data projector, video projector, OHP, PA equipment and Flip Charts. The price for hiring equipment is on a 1/2 day basis. An event may want a variety of catering options too. The Welcome Centre can provide beverages (e.g. tea, coffee, cold drinks), as well as various food options (Finger Buffet, Finger Buffet with Dessert, Hot Buffet with Dessert). Since opening, the success of the organisation has grown rapidly. This is due to the friendliness of the staff, as well as the level of service offered. As a result, the team has grown from 2 to 7 people. They are looking to expand, and with a future building project underway too, they hope to be able to offer even larger facilities for up to 650 people, as well as to grow their existing customer base. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION As the business is growing, the staff are getting increasingly busier. One of the key problems is that a manual booking system is used. A customer will call or email with a request for a conference. The staff will write down some basic details about the event such as the contacts name, event name and date and time of the conference. They will also ask the customer for the number of delegates, and therefore determine the number and size of rooms required. Catering requirements for food and beverages, as well as the hire of equipment will also be recorded. This information will all be recorded in a central paper-based diary, which can often become messy as customers sometimes phone to cancel or amend their booking, meaning that the handwriting can become unreadable. This could then lead to mistakes being made such as double-bookings, or not getting everyones requirements correct for a conference. Chris Ruck, one of the team, will sometimes word process the quotation onto a basic blank template produced in Word Processing software (MS Word). After creating the quotation, he will then save it onto his computer. He will sometimes do the same for invoices. The problem with this is that the same information is being entered up to three times; once in the diary, secondly on the quotation, and thirdly onto an invoice. Duplicating the information sometimes leads to small typing mistakes appearing on the documents. Also, it wastes Chris valuable time that could be used for other tasks, such as preparing rooms for conferences. Invoicing is a very important task for The Welcome Centre, as it is the way it requests payment from a customer once a conference has taken place. Tony will often to have to create 20 to 30 invoices at a time. Unfortunately, Tony Williams has very limited experience with computers. If Chris is not available and invoices have to be sent out, Tony will have to write out an invoice by hand into a blank template. This is very time consuming for him, and as the General Manager, he has many more important jobs that he could be doing. Also, handwritten invoices do not look very professional, and so these really should be created and printed from a computer to give a better corporate image. Tony sometimes has to handwrite quotations too for the same reasons. Scope The scope for this task is to find a way of entering booking details for conferences, and to create a quotation for that conference. Creating invoices will not be included in this task. Also, to simplify the task, we will focus on commercial customers only and not charity customers, as the prices are all different. DETAILS OF CLIENT, USER(S) AND AUDIENCE (IF APPLICABLE) IDENTIFICATION OF THE CLIENT The client for this project is Tony Williams, who is the General Manager of the Welcome Centre. Tonys role includes creating the rota of when his team are working, taking booking details from customers for future conferences and negotiating prices if applicable. Tony is also involved in creating quotations for a conference booking to inform the customer how much it will cost. He may also create invoices for a conference that has taken place to request payment. He will also need to keep track of payments for conferences by customers, and chase any outstanding payments. He is also very hands-on in his role, and he will support his staff with serving and room set-up when required. The solution for this task will need to meet Tonys requirements. IDENTIFICATION OF THE USER(S) The users of this solution will be the Tony Williams (the client), as well as Anita Fox and Chris Ruck. Anita and Chris are also responsible for entering details of customer bookings into the diary, and producing quotations and invoices for them. Therefore, they will actively use the solution by changing the customer and booking inputs and sending the quotation that is produced (output) to the customer. Anita also takes care of the accounts and organises the monthly payroll for the employees. IDENTIFICATION OF ANY AUDIENCE The Audience is anyone who may look at the outputs, but not change the content of the solution. The majority of this solution will be used by The Welcome Centre staff, and therefore these people will be users and not an audience. However, Quotations will be viewed by Customers as these are the target audience of this document. ASSESSMENT OF SKILLS OF USER(S) Tony will use the solution, but has very limited ICT skills. He is a complete novice at using computers. He will need introductory training that includes: * Logging in to the network * File Management (files and folders creating, renaming, moving, copying) * Word Processing (Use of word documents, file management opening/ saving, formatting) * Spreadsheets (Use of spreadsheets, file management opening/ saving, formatting, working with multiple worksheets) * Using the solution that is created Anita will also use the solution and is an intermediate user. She can login, organise files and folders, word process, use basic features of spreadsheet software, use a web browser to surf the internet, and can also use her accounts package. She will need training that includes: * Spreadsheets (Advanced course including the recording, use and management of macros, using formulae and functions) * Using the solution that is created Chris is more of an advanced user, and can do all of the above to a more complex level, as well as use graphics and multi-media packages for design work. He will need training that includes: * Spreadsheets (Advanced course including the recording, use and management of macros, using formulae and functions) * Using the solution that is created CLIENT INTERVIEW An initial interview was held with Tony Williams, and the following is a summary of what he said: 1. What is The Welcome Centre and can you give me some background information to the organisation? The Welcome Centre was launched in 2000, as a conference centre for commercial and charitable customers, offering them a hospitality service. The service includes room hire, equipment hire as well a catering options. Customers use the services provided by the Welcome Centre for various reasons from large conferences, to small meetings and training days. 2. Who are the staff at the Welcome Centre and what do they do? Tony Williams is the General Manager, whose role includes creating the rota of when his team are working, taking booking details from customers for future conferences and negotiating prices if applicable. Tony is also involved in creating quotations and invoices by hand. He also keeps track of payments for conferences by customers, and chases any outstanding payments. He is also very hands-on in his role, and he will support his staff with serving and room set-up when required. There are several other employees. Chris Ruck is the Assistant Manager of the complex, who takes bookings, sets up for conferences, and also types up quotations and invoices. He looks after the technical requirements of a conference such as IT needs and P.A. equipment. Anita Fax is the Administrator, who has responsibility for accounts and organising the monthly payroll for the employees. There are also 4 other part time staff, including a cleaner as well as conference assistants. 3. What are the problems that ICT could help to solve? One of the key problems is that a manual booking system is used, whereby booking information is recorded in a paper-based diary. The information is therefore not easily sharable and handwriting will become messy as bookings are amended or cancelled. Also, quotations and invoices are either typed into a blank template document or hand-written. This leads to a duplication of the booking information resulting in mistakes, as well as being time consuming. Hand written documents are not very professional. 4. What do you want the ICT solution to do? Tony would like the new solution to provide easy to use data entry forms for entering details about each conference. He would like a quotation to be produced immediately based upon the booking information that is entered. He would also like the quotation and booking information to be stored for future use, so that someone can view the information easily. 5. Who will use the solution and what ICT skills do they have? Tony will use the solution, but has very limited ICT skills. He is a complete novice at using computers. Anita will also use the solution and is an intermediate user. She can login, organise files and folders, word process, use basic features of spreadsheet software, use a web browser to surf the internet, and can also use her accounts package. Chris is more of an advanced user, and can do all of the above to a more complex level, as well as use graphics and multi-media packages for design work. 6. What hardware and software do you have at The Welcome Centre? In terms of hardware, The Welcome Centre has only just installed a network. Chris and Anita have their own PCs with access to the Network for file sharing. Laptops used for conferences are wireless enabled so that they can access the internet from any room if required. Each computer has Windows XP installed as the operating system, as have the Microsoft Office software suite package, that includes word-processing, spreadsheet, database, web browser, presentation and other software. 7. What data needs to be input into the solution? How? Customer Information: (Company name and address, contact details for event organiser) Event Details: (Event name, date, start finishing time, no. of delegates, room requirements, equipment to be hired, and catering requirements for beverages and food.) General Info.: (Catering items and prices, Equipment items for hire and 1/2 day charges, Room info. capacity, Full Day and 1/2 Day charges, and a VAT rate, in case legislation changes) 8. What processing (e.g. calculations, searches etc) need to be done? * Generate a unique 5 digit quotation no. * Calculate todays date automatically during the booking for the Quotation date * On different forms automatically look-up and display details previously entered, without having to re-enter * Calculate the Event Type (Full Day or 1/2 Day), based on the times entered. Used for pricing purposes. * For each room selected as part of the booking, search for and display the Capacity and the Unit Room Cost. The Unit Room Cost will be based on the Event Type for that room. * Calculate and display Total Room Costs for all rooms booked * For each item of equipment required for the booking, search for and display the Unit Equipment Cost. If the event type is a full day, then double the price. Calculate and display the Total Equipment Costs by multiplying the Unit Equipment Cost by the Quantity required. * Calculate and display the Total Cost of all Equipment * If beverages are required for the booking, search for and display the Price per Delegate for Beverages. Calculate Beverage Costs per Delegate by multiplying this price by the No. of Servings. Calculate the Total Beverage Costs as Beverage Costs per Delegate multiplied by No. of Delegates. * If food is required, search for and display the Price per Delegate for the food option. Calculate and display the Total Food Costs by multiplying the Food Costs per Delegate by the No. of Delegates. * Calculate the Net Quotation amount (the total amount of all the items booked, excluding VAT) * Look up the current VAT rate and calculate the VAT Amount for the quotation. * Calculate the Gross Quotation Amount * Save and store the event and quotation details 9. What output(s) is needed from the solution. The main output of the solution will be a quotation which is initially displayed on the screen, with an option to print a hard copy available. 10. What data needs to be stored? Customer Information: (Company name and address, contact details for event organiser) Event Details: (Event name, date, start finishing time, no. of delegates, total room costs, total equipment costs, total beverage costs, total food costs, Net Amount, VAT Amount, Gross Amount) Store in a table that can be easily viewed. CLIENT REQUIREMENTS After interviewing Tony, and focussing on the problems that he currently faces with creating quotations, we agreed upon the requirements that the new solution must meet. The new solution must: * Provide data entry forms for entering details about bookings. These forms must allow entry of Customer details and the Event details * Provide an additional data entry form to enter general information, including catering items and prices, equipment items for hire and 1/2 day charges, and room charges for full and 1/2 day. Allow the VAT rate to be changeable, in case legislation changes. * Ensure each data entry form is easy to use, complete with data validation and a graphical user interface to minimise data entry mistakes and reduce typing. * All data entry screens must show the Welcome Centre logo, and follow the house style of the organisation in terms of using a red and white colour scheme. * Search for and display information entered automatically, so that the user does not have to keep flicking between different screens to remind themselves of prices or what they have previously entered. * Automatically calculate certain fields to save time and to reduce data input. These fields are: o Generate a unique 5 digit quotation no. o Quotation date o Event Type (Full Day or 1/2 Day), based on the times entered. Used for pricing purposes. o For each room selected as part of the booking, search for and display the Capacity and the Unit Room Cost. The Unit Room Cost will be based on the Event Type for that room. o Total Room Costs for all rooms booked o For each item of equipment required for the booking, search for and display the Unit Equipment Cost. If the event type is a full day, then double the price. Calculate and display the Total Equipment Costs by multiplying the Unit Equipment Cost by the Quantity required. o The Total Cost of all Equipment required forth booking. o Beverage Costs Per Delegate o Total Beverage Costs o Food Costs per Delegate o Total Food Costs o The Net Amount, VAT Amount and Gross Amount on the Quotation. * On different data entry forms, automatically look-up and display details previously entered, without having to re-enter * Ensure all booking information should only be entered once, and the quotation must be produced immediately based upon the booking information being entered, * Produce a Quotation that is professionally formatted, and looks very similar to the quotations he uses today. It must be displayed on the screen with an option to print a hard-copy. * Store the quotation and booking information for future use, in a table format that is easy to read. * Be easy to back-up, and must also be secure, so only authorised users can access the solution. WHAT THE SOLUTION HAS TO PRODUCE The solution must produce a quotation based upon the customer and booking information that is entered. The quotation must be professionally formatted, and look very similar to the quotations he uses today. It must be displayed on the screen with an option to print a hard-copy. The solution must also store a copy of the quotation and booking information, in a table format that is easy to read. HOW THE SOLUTION IS TO WORK From these requirements, I can see that spreadsheet software would be an appropriate design tool to use to implement the solution. The worksheets can be formatted to give the appearance of data entry screens, and you can use validation techniques and a limited graphical user interface to reduce keying and ultimately mistakes. Also, a worksheet can be formatted to look like a Quotation, and a table could be set up to store details for future use. Macros can also be used to automate features of the solution such as navigation and copying data to the storage table. INPUT, PROCESSING AND OUTPUT REQUIREMENTS INPUT REQUIREMENTS CUSTOMER DETAILS Fields to be input: Title, First Name, Surname, Email Address, Telephone No., Company Name, Address Line 1, Address Line 2, Town, County, Postcode * Source of Data: From customers, either face-to-face, email, or telephone * Input Method: Typed using keyboard * Type/ Format of Data: All Text fields EVENT DETAILS Fields to be input: Event Name, Event Date, Start Time, End Time, No. of Delegates, Grace Room Required?, Grace Room 1 Required?, Elegance Suite Required?, Serenity Suite Required? Video Projector Screen Qty, Data Projector Screen Qty, Flip Chart Qty, OHP Qty, PA Equipment Qty, Beverage Required?, No. of Servings, Food Option * Source of Data: From customers, either face-to-face, email, or telephone * Input Method: Typed using keyboard * Type/ Format of Data: Dates will be short dates, Room requirements will be tick boxes, No. of Delegates, No. of Servings and Qty fields will be numbers, food option will be a drop down box GENERAL INFORMATION Catering Table. Fields to be input: Food Price per Delegate Equipment Table Fields to be input: Equipment Price per 1/2 Day Room Table Fields to be input: Max. Capacity, Full Day Commercial Rate, 1/2 Day Commercial Rate VAT Table Fields to be input: VAT Rate % * Source of Data: The Welcome Centre, Government (for VAT Rates) * Input Method: Typed using keyboard * Type/ Format of Data: All rates and prices will be currency fields, Max. Capacity will be numerical and VAT Rate % will be a percentage field. PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS Process Details Calculate unique 5 digit Quotation No. Quotation No. = (Look up highest quotation no. in quotation table) + 1 Calculate Quotation Date Quotation Date = Todays date On different forms, automatically look-up and display details previously entered, without having to re-enter Lookup the following customer fields and redisplay on New Event data entry form: Quotation Id, Title, First Name, Surname, Company Name Event Type If (End Time Start Time) 3 hours Then Event Type = Half Day Else Event type = Full Day Look-up and display Capacity and Unit Room Cost for each room required for the booking Show Capacity: Lookup and show the Max. Capacity from the Rooms Table Show Unit Room Cost: Lookup and show the Commercial Rate for the room from the Rooms Table, depending on the Event Type (1/2 Day or Full Day price) Calculate Total Room Costs Total Room Costs = Add up the Unit Room Cost for each room selected for the booking Calculate Unit Equipment Cost for each item of equipment required for the booking Unit Equipment Cost = Lookup and show the Price per 1/2 Day for item, from the Equipment Table. If the Event Type is Full Day, then double the figure shown. Calculate Total Equipment Costs for each item of equipment required for the booking Total Equipment Costs = Unit Equipment Cost *Qty Calculate Total Cost of all Equipment Total Cost of all Equipment = Add up the Total Equipment Costs for each item of equipment selected for the booking. Calculate Beverage Costs per Delegate Beverage Costs per Delegate = (Price per Delegate for Beverages from the Catering Table) * No. of Servings Calculate Total Beverage Costs Total Beverage Costs = Beverage Costs per Delegate * No. of Delegates Calculate Food Costs per Delegate Food Costs per Delegate = Price per Delegate for Food selected, from the Catering Table Calculate Total Food Costs Total Food Costs = Food Costs per Delegate * No. of Delegates VAT Rate VAT Rate = Search for current VAT Rate from VAT table Net Total Net Total = Total Venue Cost + Total Equipment Cost + Total Beverages Cost + Total Food Cost VAT Amount VAT Amount = VAT Rate * Net Total Gross Total Gross Total = Net Total + VAT Amount Save and store the event and quotation details Copy Customer fields to Quotation Table: (Quotation Id, Quotation Date, Title, First Name, Surname, Email Address, Telephone No., Company Name, Address Line 1, Address Line 2, Town, County, Postcode) Copy Event fields to Quotation Table: (Event Name, Event Date, Start Time, End Time, No. of Delegates, Total Room Costs, Total Equipment Costs, Total Beverage Costs, Total Food Costs, Net Amount, VAT Amount, Gross Amount) OUTPUT REQUIREMENTS QUOTATION The main output of the solution will be a quotation which is initially displayed on the screen, with an option to print a hard copy available. The quotation will be used by both the Welcome Centre and Customers. The Welcome Centre staff will use it to know what they will charge Customers for a particular booking, and it will therefore serve as the basis of the invoice. Customers will use it to know how much they are likely to pay for an event if nothing changes on the day. Details: The quotation must print on A4 paper, landscaped, and display the Welcome Centre logo, company registration no., registered office and contact details, VAT registration no., and VAT rate. Towards the bottom, it must clearly state: Please make cheques payable to C.L.M. Enterprises Ltd. The following fields must be shown on the Quotation: ADDRESS BLOCK: Title, First Name, Surname, Company Name, Address Line 1, Address Line 2, Town, County, Postcode EVENT DETAILS: Quotation No., Quotation Date, Event Name, Event Date, Start Time, End Time, No. of Delegates BOOKING DETAILS: Room names, Qty Required, Unit Cost, Subtotal Equipment, Qty Required, Unit Cost, Subtotal Beverages, No. of Delegates, Price per Delegate, Subtotal Food Option, No. of Delegates, Price per Delegate, Subtotal TOTALS: Net Total, VAT Amount, Gross Total STORAGE REQUIREMENTS The following Data needs to be stored in a single table: CUSTOMER DETAILS: Quotation No., Quotation Date, Title, First Name, Surname, Email Address, Telephone No., Company Name, Address Line 1, Address Line 2, Town, County, Postcode EVENT DETAILS: Event Name, Event Date, Start Time, End Time, No. of Delegates, Total Room Costs, Total Equipment Costs, Total Beverage Costs, Total Food Costs, Net Amount, VAT Amount, Gross Amount The data can be kept for up to 2 years before being archived. HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIRMENTS FOR THE USER HARDWARE The Welcome Centre has a variety of different hardware available to be used. They have only just installed a network, which has been set-up complete with user accounts and passwords, shared folders, as well as private folders for individual users. The Welcome Centre should save the solution onto the network, as this will certainly meet the requirement of being able to keep the solution secure. The network is also backed up on a daily basis, onto a removable hard disk drive. This is removed from the premises every night, in case of fire. This will meet the requirement of being able to back-up the solution. Tony currently does not have a PC, but has access to a laptop if needed. Chris and Anita have their own PCs with access to the Network for file sharing and saving work. Laptops used for conferences are wireless enabled so that they can access the internet from any room if required. Each PC and laptop has its own DVD re-writer, which can read both CD and DVD media. They also have plenty of USB ports, and so can also use portable devices such as pen drives. In terms of printers, Anita has a dedicated multi-function printer attached locally to her PC. The printer is both an A4 Flatbed scanner (input device), as well as a colour Ink Jet printer (output device). Anita uses this machine for most of her small printing needs. However, all PCs and laptops have access to a networked, colour photocopier (output device). The photocopier serves both as a printer and a photocopier, and can print in both back and white and full colour. All PCs have keyboard and mice as their main input devices. SOFTWARE In terms of software available to be used, each computer has Windows XP installed as the operating system, and has have the Microsoft Office software suite that includes word-processing, spreadsheet, database, web browser, presentation and other software. This applications software is generic software, and is used by the Welcome Centre staff for a variety of business uses. Anita does have some specific software, which is an accounting package called Sage. This is used to manage all accounts as well as to process the employees payroll. HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIRMENTS FOR THE DEVELOPER HARDWARE It makes sense for the solution to be developed on a standard PC, so that it imitates the environment in which the solution will be used. The processing power required to run the solution would be minimal, and so either a stand-alone PC/ laptop could be used to develop the solution or a networked PC. The PC must, however, have a monitor, mouse and keyboard. SOFTWARE The solution will be created in spreadsheet software called MS Excel. This software is generic software and can be used to effectively solve this problem. The users also have a good amount of experience in using the software, and so wont need a lot of additional training. Also, Excel is already installed on the end-users computers, and so there would be no further cost of buying more software. This spreadsheet software would be an appropriate design tool to use to implement the solution. The worksheets can be formatted to give the appearance of data entry screens, and you can use validation techniques and a limited graphical user interface to reduce keying and ultimately mistakes. Also, a worksheet can be formatted to look like a Quotation, and a table could be set up to store details for future use. Macros can also be used to automate features of the solution such as navigation and copying data to the storage table. This approach of using a software suite is more expensive than buying an integrated package. A software suite provides more functionality than an integrated package, such as being able to record macros and other more advanced features that may be needed to create the solution. Looking for a specific package isnt relevant in this case, as the requirements are too simple, but also very specialised. Therefore buying a specific package off the shelf would be an additional expense that the company doesnt really need.

Explore Jane Austen’s attitude to marriage in Pride and Prejudice Essay

Explore Jane Austen’s attitude to marriage in Pride and Prejudice Looking at the social, historical and cultural context In the 19th century when Austen wrote ‘Pride and Prejudice’, the way in which marriage was viewed was very different. It would have been expected of a young woman to find a ‘suitable’ partner for marriage before they were thirty, as after this they could be seen as an embarrassment to their family. By suitable, it does not mean in the way in which marriage is viewed today. Today marriage is seen as an expression of deep love and respect for another person. In Austen’s time, a ‘good’ marriage was seen to be one where wealth and social status of the man and woman were socially suitable. There was very little, if nothing at all based on a good love match. This can be seen in Austen’s opening statement, ‘it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.’ Austen’s use of irony immediately indicates that she does not agree with this popular view of her time. Austen’s views are depicted throughout the book through the thoughts of characters, especially through the main character, Elizabeth Bennet. They seem to share the same view that social suitability is not enough for marriage, but it should be based on love and understanding. For Austen to hold this opinion in the time that she lived shows she was ahead of her time, as her opinion is the common view among today’s modern society. Austen illustrates two main examples of the ‘ideal state’ of marriage. These can be seen through the relationships and eventual engagements of Bingley and Jane, along with Elizabeth and Darcy. The way, in which Austen portrays these two relati... ...and compatibility and the feelings of the two people involved, were not high on the priority list for a good, successful marriage. However Austen thought this should be the other way around, as she believed that love and compatibility are one of the most important aspects of a good marriage and that money and social status should only play a part in marriage, not decide it. This can be seen where she shows her personal feelings towards each different type of marriage shown. In the marriages she sees as being ‘good’ marriages, we can assume that they will be happy when the marriage has been based on a balance of their personalities and their love. Throughout each she continually stresses the importance of love, equality and compatibility in a marriage. The reader is shown the alternatives to this, in both the positive and negative consequences of marriage.

Public school vs. cyber school Essay

Did you know you have more choices today about where your children attend public school? There is more to public schools than just the traditional â€Å"brick and mortar† schools you attended in past decades. Cyber schools are essentially public schools where students attend school full-time online at home or where ever they have an internet connection. Technology has made it easier than ever before to educate your child at home. According to NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS (2013). â€Å"From school year 1999-2000 to 2010-2011, the number of students enrolled in public charter schools increased from 0.3 million to 1. 8 million students. During this period, the percentage of all public schools that were public charter schools increased from 2 to 5 percent, comprising 5,300 schools in 2010-2011. † (Charter School Enrollment). Students have started to attend Cyber School because of a variety of reasons including: social anxieties, peer pressure, students who are under stimulated with curriculum, students behind in classes, and bullying. If you are saying to yourself that stuff like this only happens in middle and high school, you are kidding yourself. Bullying and Peer Pressure also happen at the elementary level. At third grade the main reason my nephew left public school was because of being bullied. He was the subject of humiliation, when an older student forcefully made him take chewing tobacco and put it in his mouth and keep it there until he got sick in front of other kids. This instance alone was enough for my sister and brother-in-law to pull their son out of public school and begin to Cyber School him at home. It is something like this that makes parents stop and think if traditional public education is the right choice. Families deciding the best option of a public education or cyber school for elementary children need to carefully consider the learning environment, their parental involvement and the academic benefits. The learning environment in which children learn is a determining factor as to whether a child should attend Cyber School or be sent to a traditional brick and mortar school. Public school teachers have classrooms full of fifteen to twenty-five students to provide attention to, which means your child is not getting the proper instruction they need to learn at their best and could lead to your child falling behind. I have seen this with my son who is in first grade, when he comes home I ask him what he learned. His response is â€Å"I don’t know. † Every night we work on homework and he struggles to do simple math facts and with reading sight words (words that students are expected to know in the grade they are in). After the first marking period my husband and I had a parent teacher conference with his teacher and I asked how he was doing in class and was concerned with his math and reading skills not being at the appropriate level. Her response was â€Å"Well he is slow at processing information and it takes a long time for him to get his worksheets done, we have to move on. † At this point in the conference I am thinking I could do a better job teaching him at home. I do not want my son to go unnoticed and fall through the cracks of the public education system and be promoted through grade levels because the teachers are too busy to stop and make sure every child understands the material before moving on. Students who stay at home to learn are in their home where it is a primarily safe and secure environment. Children do not have to deal with the peer pressure, bullying, worry about what clothes to wear or being in the right cliques. With Cyber School your child focuses on doing school work and advancing their education. A child enrolled in Cyber School can be just that- a child, and this alone will give your child the opportunity to focus on what he or she is learning that day. Some children are more productive and have better learning experiences when in the right environment; whether it be at home where they can get individual attention or in a large classroom full of noisy children trying to get the teachers attention. Parents have a choice in how involved they want to be with their child’s education. A public school teacher oversees the daily efforts of the students and parents get reports only if the student is failing or at report card time. Public school parents can be involved in other ways like: helping with homework or help study for a test; be there for plays, concerts and activities; and talk to the teacher and see what areas you can help your child achieve. While some parents want and need to work, making it so they have less time to spend being involved in their children’s education; other parent’s want that hands on approach to ensure their child’s success. Parents’ involvement in their child’s education is crucial in Cyber School while in public education you are leaving your child’s education up to the teacher. A parent would need to manage their child’s schedule, ensure child is completing work at a reasonable pace, while leaving the instructional experience to the teacher. Parents who decide to home school their children should find a way to integrate social aspects into their child’s daily structure; such as, signing him up for sports teams or community clubs like: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts with other children his age. This way students will be able to benefit from the social aspects, which are needed at every age. Parental involvement is important for the success in any child’s education whether in public school or in Cyber School. There are academic benefits to both public school and Cyber School; where public school students learn valuable social skills by attending classes with others their own age. The social interaction between children and between children and teachers give children the ability to learn to socialize well with other students and make friends. Children are taught at an early age to work together and problem-solve in groups with other children. Public education is a one-size-fits-all approach to education, teachers are to slow down the pace of their instruction to cater to the slowest students in the classroom, even though these are the ones that are sometimes overlooked. My neighbors’ son was overlooked, because when they tested him for Cyber School, they found he was actually not performing well in math. His test score was a whole grade level below where he should have been. With enrolling him in Agora Cyber Charter School he is able to get more help in the subject areas he needs to improve upon. By enrolling your child in Cyber School you are your child’s learning coach, by partnering with the teacher to ensure daily progress and academic achievement. Having your child learn at home with Cyber School will give him/her the individualized attention that the large class sizes in public schools fail to offer. An individualized curriculum will be one that is tailored to your child’s needs, learning style, and strengths and weaknesses. According to Agora Cyber Charter School (2014), â€Å"Agora’s individualized approach means your child can go as fast or slow as he needs to†. Cyber school students move at their own pace and have the ability to focus more time on harder subjects where needed. If a student has problems in addition facts but excels in telling time and counting money then the student can devote as much time as needed to develop those skills; therefore, the benefits of Cyber School leave no weak points in the child’s education. A decision whether to enroll your child in a cyber school or a traditional â€Å"brick and mortar† school involves many factors. Parents must carefully weigh these benefits and decide how important each of these points is to them when making their decision. Both public schools and Cyber schools hold specific and helpful opportunities for children to learn. Every parent should decide what is best for their child’s education; as each child is a unique individual, and their education should be just as unique as them. Works Cited NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS. (2013). The Condition of Education. Retrieved from http://nces. ed. gov/programs/coe/indicator_cgb. asp Agora Cyber Charter School. (2014). K-8 Curriculum. Retrieved from http://www. k12. com/agora/curriculum/k-8#. UxorwDiPLnM.

Bad Credit Credit Card

With the buy-now-pay-later mentality of today's society, many people have fallen onto trap of bad credit. An increasing number of consumers are facing credit problems in recent years. For many reasons, some lenders face a high-debt-to-income ratio along with other credit problems. And, it will take several years to remove the bad credit card marks in you credit history. People with poor credit often find it difficult to be approved as well, for a regular credit card especially if he has low credit score and limited credit history.Through bad-credit credit card, bad credit history can still replaced with the good one. Bad-credit credit card is a good alternative to you regular credit card with bad debts. This is no different from any other credit card. It can also be used wherever credit cards were accepted. This is also generally intended to cater for the group of people who have had problems in the past or even to those who have no credit history. It is good way for consumers with a poor credit history to establish and rebuild a solid one. Bad-credit credit cards may also be known as secured credit cards.This type card is also intended for individuals whose credit is damaged and who have no credit history at all. They are secured by collateral in a form of funds deposited in a saving account with the bank that issues the credit card. The amount of money determines the credit limit. If the history of the credit card is good, the credit card issuer may extend you line of credit or offer an unsecured credit card, which are generally intended for people with good and excellent credit history. Reference: www. credircardcube. com

The Hydrologic Cycle and Water on Earth

The Hydrologic Cycle and Water on Earth Introduction The amount of water molecules in the earth is constant although the motion of water is continuous. This motion supports processes such as water purification, replenishing the land through precipitation, and movement of minerals from one location to another (Kalman, 2009). This paper will discuss the hydrologic cycle and the process that it triggers to affect land and climate.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Hydrologic Cycle and Water on Earth specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Water motion through the hydrologic cycle Precipitation occurs when water in the form of vapor falls on the earths surface. This occurs in the form of rain and snow. Once this water falls on the earth’s surface, it undergoes heating and changes to become gas. This occurs in the water bodies, on the surface of bodies of animals, and in plants during transpiration. Transpiration is the evaporation process that consequently m akes the water molecule light in weight for it to float in the atmosphere. Once in the atmosphere, the water is cooled down and condenses to become liquid forming clouds or fog. The water changes from this liquid form into vapor to repeat the process. This way, water remains in motion continuously (Bronstert, 2005). Ocean current systems and their impact on climate One of the major ocean currents is the California current. It moves water from the Gulf of Alaska into the north equatorial current that moves along the equator. Further, this current moves north to become the Kurishio current. It flows along the eastern of the Japanese coast, bends towards the east, and completes the loop as the north pacific current. This process forms one major current that causes the cold climate especially in the Hawaiian Islands, Canada, British Colombia, and Southern Canada (Neumann, 1968). The North pacific current is found on the Gulf of Alaska. This current moves northwards along the Alaskan coa st through the Aleutian Islands. It combines with the Oyashio current to form the Kurishio current. Another current is the South Equatorial current that flows in a similar direction as the North Equatorial current. When the two currents move in the same direction, they form the Equatorial counter current that flows in the middle of these two currents into the Mexican coast. This then diverges in the north to form the California counter current. Other major currents include the East Australian currents that flow westwards in the Antarctica. The south of the pacific is dominated by the Peru Current (Neumann, 1968). The ocean currents cause elnino and lanina which occur every 2 to 12 years. Once they occur, some regions experience excessive rains leading to floods and mudslides. Other areas experience dry spells that lead to drought periods that may last for more than a year. They also cause the cold climate experienced in areas where cool waters are transported (Carson, 2007).Advertis ing Looking for essay on geography? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Layers of the atmosphere and their effect on weather The atmosphere can be divided into four main layers. The first one is the troposphere, which is about 11 kilometers from the earth’s surface. It is the most aerated and misted compared to the layers. It makes up the atmosphere in which wildlife can thrive. This is where the weather is evident because air from the northern hemisphere mixes with air from the southern hemisphere. The next layer is the troposphere, which has no water vapor or dust. This layer does not support life. The other layer is the mesosphere, which forms the ozone layer. Its main function is to block ultraviolent rays from reaching the earth’s surface. The topmost layer is the thermosphere, which is very hot. This layer serves to absorb heat from the sun and supports the hydrologic process without drying up the ear th (Carson, 2007). How natural forces shape the land Erosion is the process in which loose top soil is moved by water, wind, ice and gravity away from its original location. This eventually leads to changes in shapes of rocks, formation of sand after rock breakage, and the breakage of minerals inside the rocks. Erosion exposes the inner layers of the earth leading to chemical changes that change the colors, texture, and shape of he inner layers (Kalman, 2009). Mass wasting involves movement of material downhill and along the slopes over a long period. This leads to the accumulation of sediment on some parts of the earth thus affecting the topography. This affects the flow of rivers and the morphological characteristics of the mountains and valleys (Kalman, 2009). Streams move sediments from higher regions to the lower regions to form columns, arches, or even caves. With time, these streams develop into rivers causing meandering due to the sediment that is deposited over time (Kalman , 2009). Oceans change the shape of the land through currents and winds. When these forces move, water masses keep moving in a similar direction over a long period. The sea line is extended, and some of the land is occupied by sea (Lisitzin, 1974). Glaciers are big masses of ice flow that have a slow movement which take bits of the earth with them. They wear away mountains and cause the formation of valleys on the land surface (Kalman, 2009).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Hydrologic Cycle and Water on Earth specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Conclusion The movement of water on the earth’s surface and atmosphere affect the ocean currents and climate. This happens due to changes in the atmosphere that are controlled by heat energy. This defines weather and the processes like erosion prevalent on the earth’s surface. References Bronstert, A. (2005). Coupled models for the hydrological cycle: Integrati ng atmosphere, biosphere and pedosphere; with 20 tables. Berlin [u.a.: Springer Carson, M.K. (2007). Weather projects for young scientists: Experiments and science fair ideas. Chicago: Chicago Review Press. Kalman, B. (2009). What shapes the land? New York: Crabtree Pub. Lisitzin, E. (1974). Sea-level changes. Amsterdam: Elsevier Scientific Pub. Co. Neumann, G. (1968). Ocean currents. Amsterdam [u.a.: Elsevier.

PhD at Boston University 8 Geography Dissertation Requirements You Have to Meet at Any Cost

PhD at Boston University 8 Geography Dissertation Requirements You Have to Meet at Any Cost PhD at Boston University: 8 Geography Dissertation Requirements You Have to Meet at Any Cost Interested in completing a PhD geography dissertation at Boston University? That’s great! We’re ready to provide you with all the information you could possibly need to know about its requirements. Firstly, Boston University is a great choice to do a geography PhD because is it a leading research institution. A PhD is considered to be prestigious, but it requires a lot of work and efforts to be completed the right way. Everyone has its own requirements. We’re going to introduce the PhD requirements at Boston University: According to the Geography program, students are to complete 16 courses. This works out to 64 credits. Credit transfers are possible and should be worked out with an advisor. As a part of the 64 credits, CAS GE 516 Multivariate Analysis for Geographers (or equivalent) must be taken. Two analytical methods courses are also a part of the core requirements for the geography dissertation. One course (preferably more) must be taken in a similar field outside of the department. Towards the end of the term of a coursework, students have to pass a qualifying exam. This exam is two-part. There is a written and oral examination. The written one is on two large fields of geography. The oral one is done after students’ work (papers, other coursework exams, theses, etc.) has been reviewed by a committee. In order to demonstrate their capability of an independent study, a dissertation must be finished. The research prospectus and a proposal for this are expected. Then, a final oral exam is given for a student to defend the dissertation. Sometime after six courses have been finished and before the entire 16 courses are complete, a research paper and its presentation must be given to the department. This is a separate stage from the dissertation but is still required. During this program, students are expected to give, at least, one colloquium presentation with the purpose of showing progress in their research. This is the outline of the requirements for getting a PhD in Geography at the Boston University. The dissertation is a necessary and important part of this process. And, you should be ready to follow all these rules. Each one has even further requirements, but don’t get overwhelmed. Take every one step by step; the staff and professors at the university are there to help you. Speak to your fellow students as well. They are going through the same thing and are a helpful source of the dissertation requirements. You could even make lifelong friends or networking connections for when you get out of school. A geography dissertation is a serious undertaking and we wish you the best of luck with it! To double-check that you have met all the requirements when you have finished writing your paper, you could get further help from a writing service to get custom written dissertations online.

English Legal Methods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

English Legal Methods - Essay Example The most authoritative decision is the [1996] AC 563 as it is the House of Lord’s decision. The House of Lord is the highest court in England. The doctrine of judicial precedent states that the decisions of this court are binding on the lower courts. Question 3 [6 marks available in total] What were the facts giving rise to Mr R’s criminal trial and what was the outcome of that trial? Mr R had a relationship with the mother of four children. They gave birth to two children and the other two were from a previous marriage. The father was Mr H, and C was the eldest daughter, who alleged that in September 1993, Mr R had raped her continuously when she was between 7 and 8 years. This continued for over 5 years. Mr R was then charged with rape. He was tried in October 1994. The allegation involved four charges of rape. The main witness in this case was the daughter C. Mr R was consequently acquitted of the charges. Question 4 [6 marks available in total] At the hearing of thi s case at first instance what, in summary, were the two key conclusions the judge reached in respect of D1’s allegations against Mr R? The judge made the following conclusions. The first substantive issue was whether D1 was sexually abused. The judge averred that D1had proved, in her statement, the fact that there was abuse. Her story was consistent and factual. Mr. R had lied that he had never had an opportunity to be alone with any of the children, which was proved by D1 testimony. The judge felt that that D1’s allegations were true. He felt that the evidence presented by her and her statement in court was true. Mr. R had not rebutted these assertions by his evidence or his behavior in court. He felt that the allegations of abuse by D, which were true were based on presentation of evidence. He believed the evidence tendered by the girl was true. Her statement could also be reasonably suspected to be true Question 5 [4 marks available in total] Summarise the issues ce rtified for Their Lordships’ consideration in this case. The issues before the Lordships are three, and they are as follows. The first issue is the standard of proof, which is to be proved where an allegation has been made that a child will suffer significant harm under the second part of 31(2) (a) of the Children Act. The second issue is in relation to the requirement of proof of sexual abuse, which is the standard of proof being higher than the normal civil standard of balance of probability, but lower than the criminal standard of proof. There is a question as to whether the evidence needed to prove the charge needs to be based on the seriousness of the charge. This means that the more serious the charge, the more evidence one needs to prove their case as opposed to a question of proving on a balance of probability. The final issue is where an allegation is made that a considerable injury is likely to impact on the child. The question raised here is: should one prove the l ikelihood to suffer harm on a balance of probability or does the presence of a substantial risk suffice instead of a speculative future risk? Question 6 [8 marks available in total] Summarise the submissions made before Their Lordships on behalf of: (a) The Local Authority (3marks) (b) The Guardian Ad Litem (2 marks) (c) The parents (3 marks) Submissions made on behalf of the Local Authority. The counsel submitted that the question of law to be addressed was on the

Autism in Qatar Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Autism in Qatar - Term Paper Example Despite various governments not heeding this noble advice, the effect of such ignorance presents easily foreseeable outcomes. Such inclusion is no doubt one of the many reasons through which poverty and social disruptions can be endured, in addition to reducing the burden of disability to the society. The arising question then is â€Å"can inclusion of the people with disability in various aspects of the society contribute to their empowerment and hence reduced level of depependence in Qatar.† Like many other nations in the Middle East and the world at large, the problem of autism in Qatar has attracted substantial attention. Autism, like other forms of disabilities has been touted to ramifications on both the social and economic aspects of various countries across the globe. Their non-inclusion in day to day activities, more especially social and economic activities has been found to not only have negative consequences on the affected individuals but also on the families as well as the community. Baron-Cohen & Bolton (1993) found that integration and accommodation of people with disabilities into the work force are a critical way of public expenditure reduction, reduction of cost incurred by the families, and also ensuring that the ASD affected persons are able to engage in productive work. Formulation of policies and plans that integrate persons with disabilities into each and every aspects of social and economic life, ranging from education, vocational rehabilitation a s well as employment will no doubt offer immense benefits to both that affected individuals and the society at large (Bertrand et al., 2001). The recent past has seen more and more people getting diagnosed with ASD and consequently extreme emphasis is being placed on their social inclusion and involvement in aspects of social and economic life. Sadly, in various nations, Qatar inclusive, the disabled persons among them the disabled, are

Managing Communication and Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Managing Communication and Change - Essay Example I had to go through the ordeal of learning new concepts which I wasn't too keen on. The worst part of this was the management's ineffective communication. This in effect didn't show any great results. The downside to it is the loss of a few team members as they found the change too much to deal with. The 'tipping point' comes into the picture here. Upon hearing that a particular company was not as 'experimental' as ours and that an employee had got a great salary along with a promise of better future prospects, several team members quit the company. This led to drastic measures being implemented to retain people and also had the management discuss the problem individually with all the employees identified to have been having problems adjusting to change. This new method of communication, to an extent, did succeed. Thing were back to normal after that and the organization didn't show poor results. I am still unhappy about the time I had to lose, because the organization believed it ha d to change just for the sake of it. The results were good even after continuing with the older practices. It is agreed in general that change is good for any organization but it is not true in all cases.

Method Of Language Teaching: The Silent Way

Method Of Language Teaching: The Silent Way The Silent Way is the name of a method of language teaching devised by Caleb Gattegno. Gattegnos name is well known for his revival of interest in the use of coloured wooden sticks called cuisenaire rods and for his series Words in Colour, an approach to the teaching of initial reading in which sounds are coded by specific colours. His materials are copyrighted and marketed through an organization he operates called Educational Solutions Inc., in New York. The Silent Way represents Gattegnos venture into the field of foreign language teaching. It is based on the premise that the teacher should be silent as much as possible in the classroom and the learner should be encouraged to produce as much language as possible. Elements of the Silent Way, particularly the use of colour charts and the coloured cuisenaire rods, grew out of Gattegnos previous experience as an educational designer of reading and mathematics programs. (Cuisenaire rods were first developed by Georges Cuis ­enaire, a European educator who used them for the teaching of math. Gattegno had observed Cuisenaire and this gave him the idea for their use in language teaching.) The Silent Way shares a great deal with other learning theories and educational philosophies. Very broadly put, the learning hypotheses underlying Gattegnos work could be stated as follows: 1) Learning is facilitated if the learner discovers or creates rather than remembers and repeats what is to be learned. 2) Learning is facilitated by accompanying (mediating) physical objects. 3) Learning is facilitated by problem solving involving the material to be learned. Let us consider each of these issues in turn. 1. The educational psychologist and philosopher Jerome Bruner distinguishes two traditions of teaching that which takes place in the expository mode and that which takes place in the hypothetical mode. In the expository mode decisions covering the mode and pace and style of exposition are principally determined by the teacher as expositor; the student is the listener. In the hypothetical mode the teacher and the student are in a more cooperative position. The student is not a bench-bound listener, but is taking part in the play the principal role in it (Bruner 1966: 83), The Silent Way belongs to the latter tradition, which views learning as a problem-solving, creative, discovering activity, in which the learner is a principal actor rather than a bench-bound listener. Bruner discusses the benefits derived from discovery learning under four headings: (a) the increase in intellectual potency, (b) the shift from extrinsic to intrinsic rewards, (c) the learning of heuristics by discovering, and (d) the aid to conserving memory (Bruner 1966: 83). As we shall see, Gattegno claims similar benefits from learners taught via the Silent Way. 2. The rods and the coded-coded pronunciation charts (called Fidel charts) provide physical foci for student learning and also create mem ­orable images to facilitate student recall. In psychological terms, these visual devices serve as associative mediators for student learning and recall. The psychological literature on mediation in learning and recall is voluminous but, for our purposes, can be briefly summarized in a quote from Earl Stevick: If the use of associative mediators produces better retention than repetition does, it seems to be the case that the quality of the mediators and the stu ­dents personal investment in them may also have a powerful effect on mem ­ory. (Stevick 1976: 25) 3. The Silent Way is also related to a set of premises that we have called problem-solving approaches to learning. These premises are succinctly represented in the words of Benjamin Franklin: Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn. In the language of experimental psychology, the kind of subject involve ­ment that promotes greatest learning and recall involves processing of material to be learned at the greatest cognitive depth (Craik 1973) or, for our purposes, involving the greatest amount of problem-solving activity. Memory research has demonstrated that the learners memory benefits from creatively searching out, discovering and depicting (Bower and Winzenz 1970). In the Silent Way, the teachers strict avoidance of repetition forces alertness and concentration on the part of the learners (Gattegno 1972: 80). Similarly, the learners grappling with the problem of forming an appropriate and meaningful utterance in a new language leads the learner to realization of the language through his own perceptual and analytical powers (Selman 1977). The Silent Way student is expected to become independent, autonomous and responsible (Gattegno 1976) in other words, a good problem solver in language. Approach Theory of language Gattegno takes an openly sceptical view of the role of linguistic theory in language teaching methodology. He feels that linguistic studies may be a specialization, [that] carry with them a narrow opening of ones sensitivity and perhaps serve very little towards the broad end in mind (Gattegno 1972: 84). Gattegno views language itself as a substitute for experience, so experience is what gives meaning to language (Gattegno 1972: 8). We are not surprised then to see simulated experiences using tokens and picture charts as central elements in Silent Way teaching. Considerable discussion is devoted to the importance of grasping the spirit of the language and not just its component forms. By the spirit of the language Gattegno is referring to the way each language is composed of phonological and suprasegmental elements that combine to give the language its unique sound system and melody. The learner must gain a feel for this aspect of the target language as soon as possible, though how the learner is to do this is not altogether clear. By looking at the material chosen and the sequence in which it is presented in a Silent Way classroom, it is clear that the Silent Way takes a structural approach to the organization of language to be taught. Language is seen as groups of sounds arbitrarily associated with specific meanings and organized into sentences or strings of meaningful units by grammar rules. Language is separated from its social context and taught through artificial situations, usually represented by rods. Lessons follow a sequence based on grammatical complexity, and new lexical and structural material is meticulously broken down into its elements, with one element presented at a time. The sentence is the basic unit of teaching, and the teacher focuses on prepositional meaning, rather than communicative value. Students are presented with the structural patterns of the target language and learn the grammar rules of the language through largely inductive processes. Gattegno sees vocabulary as a central dimension of language learning and the choice of vocabulary as crucial. He distinguishes between several classes of vocabulary items. The semi-luxury vocabulary consists of expressions common in the daily life of the target language culture; this refers to food, clothing, travel, family life, and so on. Luxury vocabulary is used in communicating more specialized ideas, such as political or philosophical opinions. The most important vocabulary for the learner deals with the most functional and versatile words of the language, many of which may not have direct equivalents in the learners native tongue. This functional vocabulary provides a key, says Gattegno, to comprehending the spirit of the language. Theory of learning Like many other method proponents, Gattegno makes extensive use of his understanding of first language learning processes as a basis for deriving principles for teaching foreign languages to adults. Gattegno recommends, for example, that the learner needs to return to the state of mind that characterizes a babys learning surrender (Scott and Page 1982: 273). Having referred to these processes, however, Gattegno states that the processes of learning a second language are radically different from those involved in learning a first language. The second language learner is unlike the first language learner and cannot learn another language in the same way because of what he now knows (Gattegno 1972: 11). The natural or direct approaches to acquiring a second language are thus misguided, says Gattegno, and a successful second language approach will replace a natural approach by one that is very artificial and, for some purposes, strictly controlled (1972: 12). The artificial approach that Gattegno proposes is based on the principle that successful learning involves commitment of the self to language acquisition through the use of silent awareness and then active trial. Gattegnos repeated emphasis on the primacy of learning over teaching places a focus on the self of the learner, on the learners priorities and commitments. To speak requires the descent of the will into the voluntary speech organs and a clear grasp by ones linguistic self of what one is to do to produce definite sounds in definite ways. Only the self of the utterer can intervene to make objective what it holds in itself. Every student must be seen as a will capable of that work. (Gattegno 1976: 7) The self, we are told, consists of two systems a learning system and a retaining system. The learning system is activated only by way of intelligent awareness. The learner must constantly test his powers to abstract, analyse, synthesize and integrate (Scott and Page 1982: 273). Silence is considered the best vehicle for learning, because in silence students concentrate on the task to be accomplished and the potential means to its accomplishment. Repetition (as opposed to silence) con ­sumes time and encourages the scattered mind to remain scattered (Gattegno 1976: 80). Silence, as avoidance of repetition, is thus an aid to alertness, concentration, and mental organization. The retaining system allows us to remember and recall at will linguistic elements and their organizing principles and makes linguistic communication possible. Gattegno speaks of remembering as a matter of paying ogdens. An ogden is a unit of mental energy required to link permanently two mental elements, such as a shape and a sound or a label and an object. The forging of the link through active attention is the cost of remembering paid in ogdens. Retention by way of mental effort, awareness, and thoughtfulness is more efficient in terms of ogdens consumed than is retention attained through mechanical repetition. Again, silence is a key to triggering awareness and hence the preferred path to retention. Retention links are in fact formed in the most silent of periods, that of sleep: The mind does much of this work during sleep (Stevick 1980: 41). Awareness is educable. As one learns in awareness, ones powers of awareness and ones capacity to learn become greater. The Silent Way thus claims to facilitate what psychologists call learning to learn. Again, the process chain that develops awareness proceeds from attention, production, self-correction, and absorption. Silent Way learners acquire inner criteria, which play a central role in ones education throughout all of ones life (Gattegno 1976: 29). These inner criteria allow learners to monitor and self-correct their own production. It is in the activity of self-correction through self-awareness that the Silent Way claims to differ most notably from other ways of language learning. It is this capacity for self-awareness that the Silent Way calls upon, a capacity said to be little appreciated or exercised by first language learners. But the Silent Way is not merely a language teaching method. Gattegno sees language learning through the Silent Way as a recovery of innocence a return to our full powers and potentials. Gattegnos aim is not just second language learning; it is nothing less than the education of the spiritual powers and of the sensitivity of the individual. Mastery of linguistic skills are seen in the light of an emotional inner peace resulting from the sense of power and control brought about by new levels of awareness. Silent Way learning claims to consolidate the hu ­man dimensions of being, which include variety and individuality as essential factors for an acceptance of others as contributors to ones own life and even moves us towards better and more lasting solutions of present-day conflicts (Gattegno 1972: 84). Design Objectives The general objective of the Silent Way is to give beginning level students oral and aural facility in basic elements of the target language. The general goal set for language learning is near-native fluency in the target language, and correct pronunciation and mastery of the prosodic elements of the target language are emphasized. An immediate objective is to provide the learner with a basic practical knowledge of the grammar of the language. This forms the basis for independent learning on the learners part. Gattegno discusses the following kinds of objectives as appropriate for a language course at an elementary level (Gattegno 1972: 81-83). Students should be able to correctly and easily answer questions about themselves, their education, their family, travel, and daily events; speak with a good accent; give either a written or oral description of a picture, including the existing relationships that concern space, time and numbers; answer general questions about the culture and t he literature of the native speakers of the target language; perform adequately in the following areas: spelling, grammar (production rather than explanation), reading comprehension, and writing. Gattegno states that the Silent Way teaches learners how to learn a language, and the skills developed through the process of learning a foreign or second language can fee employed in dealing with unknowns of every type. The method, we are told, can also be used to teach reading and writing, and its usefulness is not restricted to beginning level stu ­dents. Most of the examples Gattegno describes, however, as well as the classes we have observed, deal primarily with a basic level of aural/ oral proficiency. The syllabus The Silent Way adopts a basically structural syllabus, with lessons planned around grammatical items and related vocabulary. Gattegno does not, however, provide details as to the precise selection and arrangement of grammatical and lexical items to be covered. There is no general Silent Way syllabus. But from observation of Silent Way programs developed by the Peace Corps to teach a variety of languages at a basic level of proficiency, it is clear that language items are introduced according to their grammatical complexity, their relationship to what has been taught previously, and the ease with which items can be presented visually. Typically, the imperative is the initial structure introduced, because of the ease with which action verbs may be demonstrated using Silent Way materials. New elements, such as the plural form of nouns, are taught within a structure already familiar. Numeration occurs early in a course, because of the importance of numbers in everyday life and the ease w ith which they can be demonstrated. Prepositions of location also appear early in the syllabus for similar reasons. Vocabulary is selected according to the degree to which it can be manipulated within a given structure and according to its productivity within the classroom setting. In addition to prepositions and numbers, pronouns, quantifiers, words dealing with temporal relations, and words of comparison are introduced early in the course, because they refer to oneself and to others in the numerous relations of everyday life (Stevick 1979). These kinds of words are referred to as the functional vocabulary of a language because of their high utility. The following is a section of a Peace Corps Silent Way Syllabus for the first ten hours of instruction in Thai. It is used to teach American Peace Corps volunteers being trained to teach in Thailand. At least 15 minutes of every hour of instruction would be spent on pronunciation. A word that is italicised can be substituted for by another word having the same function. Lesson Vocabulary 1. Wood colour red. wood, red, green, yellow, brown, pink, white, orange, black, colour 2. Using the numbers 1-10 one, two, ten 3. Wood colour red two pieces. take (pick up) 4. Take (pick up) wood colour red two pieces give, object pronouns 5. Take wood colour red two pieces hive him where, on, under, near, far, over, next to, here, there 6. Wood red where? Wood red on table. Question-forming rules. Yes. No. 7. Wood colour red on table, is it? Yes, on. Not on. adjectives of comparison 8. Wood colour red long. Wood colour green longer. Wood colour orange longest. 9. Wood colour green taller. Wood colour red is it? 10. Review. Students use structures taught in new situations, such as comparing the heights of stu ­dents in the class. (Joel Wiskin, personal communication) Types of learning and teaching activities Learning tasks and activities in the Silent Way have the function of encouraging and shaping student oral response without direct oral instruction from or unnecessary modelling by the teacher. Basic to the method are simple linguistic tasks in which the teacher models a word, phrase, or sentence and then elicits learner responses. Learners then go on create their own utterances by putting together old and new information. Charts, rods, and other aids may be used to elicit learner responses. Teacher modelling is minimal, although much of the activity may be teacher directed. Responses to commands, questions, and visual cues thus constitute the basis for classroom activities. Learner roles Gattegno sees language learning as a process of personal growth re ­sulting from growing Student awareness and self-challenge. The learner first experiences a random or almost random feeling of the area of activity in question until one finds one or more cornerstones to build on. Then starts a systematic analysis, first by trial and error, later by directed experiment with practice of the acquired sub areas until mastery follows (Gattegno 1972: 79). Learners are expected to develop independence, autonomy, and responsibility. Independent learners are those who are aware that they must depend on their own resources and realize that they can use the knowledge of their own language to open up some things in a new language or that they can take their knowledge of the first few words in the new language and figure out additional words by using that knowledge (Stevick 1980: 42). The autonomous learner chooses proper expressions in a given set of circumstances and situations. The teacher c ultivates the students autonomy by deliberately building choices into situations (Stevick 1980: 42). Responsible learners know that they have free will to choose among any set of linguistic choices. The ability to choose intelligently and carefully is said to be evidence of responsibility. The absence of correction and repeated modelling from the teacher requires the students to develop inner criteria and to correct themselves. The absence of explanations requires learners to make generalizations, come to their own conclusions, and formulate whatever rules they themselves feel they need. Learners exert a strong influence over each others learning and, to a lesser degree, over the linguistic content taught. They are expected to interact with each other and suggest alternatives to each other. Learners have only themselves as individuals and the group to rely on, and so must learn to work cooperatively rather than competitively. They need to feel comfortable both correcting each other and being corrected by each other. In order to be productive members of the learning group, learners-thus have to play varying roles. At times one is an independent individual, at other times a group member. A learner also must be a teacher, a student, part of a support system, a problem solver, and a self-evaluator. And it is the student who is usually expected to decide on what role is most appropriate to a given situation. Teacher roles Teacher silence is, perhaps, the unique and, for many traditionally trained language teachers, the most demanding aspect of the Silent Way. Teach ­ers are exhorted to resist their long standing commitment to model, remodel, assist, and direct desired student responses, and Silent Way teachers have remarked upon the arduousness of self-restraint to which early expedience of the Silent Way has subjected them. Gattegno talks of subordinating teaching to learning, but that is not to suggest that the teachers role in Silent Way is not critical and demanding. Gattegno anticipates that using the Silent Way would require most teachers to change their perception of their role. Stevick defines the Silent Way teachers tasks as (a) to teach, (b) to test, and (c) to get out of the way (Stevick 1980: 56). Although this may not seem to constitute a radical alternative to standard teaching practice, the details of the steps the teacher is expected to follow are unique to the Silent Way. By teaching is meant the presentation of an item once, typically using nonverbal clues to get across meanings. Testing follows immediately and might better be termed elicitation and shaping of student production, which, again, is done in as silent a way as possible. Finally, the teacher silently monitors learners interactions with each other and may even leave the room while learners struggle with their new linguistic tools and pay their ogdens. For the most part, Silent Way teachers manuals are unavailable (however, see Arnold 1981), and teachers are responsible for designing teaching sequences and creating individual lessons and lesson elements. Gattegno emphasizes the importance of teacher-defined learning goals that are clear and attainable. Sequence and timing in Silent Way classes are more important than in many kinds of language teaching classes, and the teachers sensitivity and man ­agement of them is critical. More generally, the teacher is responsible for creating an environment that encourages student risk taking and that facilitates learning. This is not to say that the Silent Way teacher becomes one of the group. In fact, observers have noted that Silent Way teachers often appear aloof or even gruff with their students. The teachers role is one of neutral observer, neither elated by correct performance nor discouraged by error. Students are expected to come to see supportive but emotionally uninvolved. The teacher uses gestures, charts, and manipulates in order to elicit and shape student responses and so must be both facile and creative as a pantomimist and puppeteer. In sum, the Silent way teacher, like the complete dramatist, writes the script, chooses the props, sets the mood, models the action, designates the players, and is critic for the performance. The role of instructional materials The Silent Way is perhaps as well known for the unique nature of its teaching materials as for the silence of its teachers. The materials consist mainly of a set of coloured rods, coded-coded pronunciation and vocabulary wall charts, a pointer, and reading/writing exercises, all of which are used to illustrate the relationships between sound and meaning in the target language. The materials are designed for manipulation by the students as well as by the teacher, independently and cooperatively, in promoting language learning by direct association. The number of languages and contain symbols in the target language for all of the vowel and consonant sounds of the language. The symbols are colour coded according to pronunciation; thus, if a language possesses two different symbols for the same sound, they will be coloured alike. Classes often begin by using Fidel charts in the native language, colour coded in an analogous manner, so that students learn to pair a sound with its associate d colour. There may be from one to eight of such charts, depending upon the language. The teacher uses the pointer to indicate a sound symbol for the students to produce. Where native-language Fidels are used, the teacher will point to a symbol on one chart and then to its analogue on the Fidel in the other language. In the absence of native-language charts, or when introducing a sound not present in the native language, the teacher will give one clear, audible model after indicating the proper Fidel symbol in the target language. The charts are hung on the wall and serve to aid in remembering pronunciation and in building new words by sounding out sequences of symbols as they are pointed to by the teacher or student. Just as the Fidel charts are used to visually illustrate pronunciation, the coloured cuisenaire rods are used to directly link words and structures with their meanings in the target language, thereby avoiding translation into the native language. The rods vary in length from one to ten centimetres, and each length has a specific colour. The rods may be used for naming colours, for size comparisons, to represent people build floor plans, constitute a road map, and so on. Use of the rods is intended to promote inventiveness, creativity, and interest in forming communicative utterances on the part of the students, as they move from simple to more complex structures. Gattegno and his proponents believe that the range of structures that can be illustrated and learned through skilful use of the rods is as limitless as the human imagination. When the teacher or student has difficulty expressing a desired word or concept, the rods can be supplemented by referring to the Fidel charts, or to t he third major visual aid used in the Silent Way, the vocabulary charts. The vocabulary or word charts are likewise colour coded, although the colours of the symbols will not correspond to the phonetics of the Fidels, but rather to conceptual groupings of words. There are typically twelve such charts containing 500 to 800 words in the native language and script. These words are selected according to their ease of application in teaching, their relative place in the functional or luxury vocab ­ulary, their flexibility in terms of generalization and use with other words, and their importance in illustrating basic grammatical structures. The content of word charts will vary from language to language, but the general content of the vocabulary charts (Gattegno 1972) is paraphrased below: Chart 1: the word rod, colours of the rods, plural markers, simple im ­perative verbs, personal pronouns, some adjectives and question words Charts 2, 3: remaining pronouns, words for here and there, of, for, and name Chart 4: numbers Charts 5, 6: words illustrating size, space, and temporal relationships, as well as some concepts difficult to illustrate with rods, such as order, causality, condition, similarity and difference Chart 7: words that qualify, such as adverbs Charts 8, 9: verbs, with cultural references where possible Chart 10: family relationships Charts 11, 12: words expressing time, calendar elements, seasons, days, week, month, year, etc. Other materials that may be used include books and worksheets for practicing reading and writing skills, picture books, tapes; videotapes, films, and other visual aids. Reading and writing are sometimes taught from the beginning; and students are given assignments to do outside the classroom at their own pace. These materials are of secondary im ­portance, and are used to supplement the classroom use of rods and charts. Choice and implementation depends upon need as assessed by teachers and/or students. Procedure A Silent way lesson typically follows a standard format. The first part of the lesson focuses on pronunciation. Depending on student level, the class might work on sounds, phrases, or even sentences designated on the Fidel chart. At the beginning stage, the teacher will model the appropriate sound after pointing to a symbol on the chart. Later, the teacher will silently point to individual symbols and combinations of symbols, and on monitor student utterances. The teacher may say a word and have a student guess what sequence of symbols compromised the word. The pointer is used to indicate stress, phrasing, and intonation. Stress can be shown by touching certain symbol more forcibly than others when pointing out a word. Intonation and phrasing can be demonstrated by tapping on the chart to the rhythm of the utterance. After practice with the sounds of the language, sentence patterns, structure, and vocabulary are practiced. The teacher models an utterance while creating a visual realization of it with the coloured rods. After modelling the utterance, the teacher will have a student attempt to produce the utterance and will indicate its acceptability. If a response is incorrect, the teacher will attempt to reshape the utterance or have another student present the correct model. After a structure is introduced and understood, the teacher will create a situation in which the students can practice the structure through the manipulation of the rods. Vari ­ations on the structural theme will be elicited from the class using the rods and charts. The sample lesson that follows illustrates a typical lesson format. The language being taught is Thai, for which this is the first lesson. 1. Teacher empties rods onto the table. . 2. Teacher picks up two or three rods of different colours, and after each rod is picked up says: [mai]. 3. Teacher holds up one rod of any colour and indicates to a student that a response is required. Student says: [mai]. If response is incorrect, teacher elicits response from another student, who then models for the first student. 4. Teacher next picks up a red rod and says: [mai sti daeng]. 5. Teacher picks up a green rod and says: [mai sii khiawj. 6. Teacher picks up either a red or green rod and elicits response from stu ­dent, If response is incorrect, procedure in step 3 is followed (student modeling). 7. Teacher introduces two or three other colors in the same manner. 8. Teacher shows any of the rods whose forms were taught previously and elicits student response. Correction technique is through student model ­ing, or the teacher may help student isolate error and self-correct. 9. When mastery is achieved, teacher puts one red rod in plain view and says: [mai sii daeng nung an]. 10. Teacher then puts two red rods in plain view and says: [mai sii daeng song an]. 11. Teacher places two green rods in view and says [mai sii khiaw song an]; 12. Teacher holds up two rods of a different color and elicits student response. 13. Teacher introduces additional numbers, based on what the class can comfortably retain. Other colors might also be introduced. 14. Rods are put in a pile. Teacher indicates, through his or her own ac ­tions, that rods should be picked up, and the correct utterance made. All die students in the group pick up rods and make correction is encouraged. 15. Teacher then says: [kep mai sii daeng