Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Festival: Chinese New Year and Tangy Pineapple Tart Essay

Malaysia is a land known of its multicultural and the diversity of religions. As this country is made up of different races, the people of Malaysia inevitably celebrates a variety of festivals. To the Chinese, the most important festival is the Chinese New Year, which usually falls on the month of January or February. Before the festival, throngs of shoppers head for shops in search of mandarin oranges, new year tit bits, new clothes, plants like bamboos, money plants or little kumquat trees that bear the prosperous meaning. Some families even get together to bake and prepare the new year delicacies like the yummy and tangy pineapple tart, almond cookies and so on. The Chinese also make it a point to settle all debts before the new year begins as it symbolizes bad luck to bring forward debts from the past. On the eve of the new year, family members get together for a special reunion dinner. Younger unmarried members of the families receive red packets containing money when they go around visiting friends and relatives. The Muslims celebrate Hari Raya Puasa which marks the end of the Muslim month of fasting. The festival begins with prayers at the mosque early in the morning. Some people visit the cemetery to pray for family members who have departed. After that, there are visits to relative’s house and feasts. The most popular dish during this time will be the ketupat which is made from rice, chicken or beef rendang, a dish that is cooked with a lot of coconut milk. Green packets containing money will also be distributed during this festival. Deepavali or the festival of lights is celebrated by the Hindus. Homes of Hindus are decorated with little colorful lamps which symbolize the victory of good over evil. On this auspicious day, Hindus dress in new clothes will go to the temple in the morning to pray. Then, they either visit their friends or invite friends over to their homes for feast. These festivals of different races have opened up chances for Malaysians to know and understand the cultures of others. This situation will definitely build up the spirit of unity among the people in this fortunate land.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Lending Decision

Coles Group Limited Formerly known as Coles Myer Limited. The Group's principal activities are carried out through the following business segments: Food, Liquor & Fuel, Kmart, Target and Office works. Food, Liquor & Fuel involves retailing grocery, liquor and fuel products. Kmart and Target involve retailing apparel and general merchandise. Office-works involves retailing office supplies. Major brands include Coles, Bi-Lo. Liquor-land, Vintage Cellars, 1st Choice, Theo's, Coles Express, Kmart, Target and Office-works. It operates around 2,600 stores in Australia and New Zealand. It also has branch offices located in China. On 31 March 2006, the Group acquired Sydney Drug Stores Pty Ltd (trading as Pharmacy Direct). On 2 June 2006, it disposed of its Myer business. On 14 June 2006, it completed the acquisition of the Hedley Hotel Group. On 9 November 2006, it divested its Mega-mart stores The most common claim with regard to the importance of money in our everyday life is the morally neutral if comically exaggerated claim that makes the world go round'. Equally exaggerated but showing a deeper insight is the biblical warning that ‘the love of money is the root of all evil', neatly transformed by George Bernard Shaw into the fear that it is rather the lack of money which is the root of all evil. However, whether it is the love or conversely the lack of money which is potentially sinful, the purpose of the statement in either case is to underline the overwhelming personal and moral significance of money to society in a way that gives a broader and deeper insight into its importance than simply stressing its basically economic aspects, as when we say that money makes the world go round'. Consequently whether we are speaking of money in simple, socalled primitive communities or in much more advanced, complex and sophisticated societies, it is not enough merely to examine the narrow economic aspects of money in order to grasp its true meaning. To analyze the significance of money it must be broadly studied in the context of the particular society concerned. It is a matter for the heart as well as for the head: feelings are reasons, too. National currencies are an inadequate form of world money, but at least their use in international transactions avoids the faults of commodity-money. A monetary standard based on strategic commodities, no matter whether gold alone or some combination of raw materials, will always suffer from their relatively inelastic and uncertain supply conditions. Producers of the money commodity will have an outright advantage over others in the marketplace. Even if we reduce the role of the money commodity to that of last-resort reserve and numeraire for exchange rates, as was the case with the gold exchange standard of Bretton Woods, such a hybrid system is prone to break down. Commodity-money and credit-money are essentially incompatible forms of money and do not coexist easily with each other. One or the other will dominate, and each form of dominance will cause its peculiar sources of instability (e.g., inadequate supply of liquidity, loss of convertibility, inequitably distributed adjustment burdens). National currencies are an inadequate form of world money, but at least their use in international transactions avoids the faults of commodity-money. A monetary standard based on strategic commodities, no matter whether gold alone or some combination of raw materials, will always suffer from their relatively inelastic and uncertain supply conditions. Producers of the money commodity will have an outright advantage over others in the marketplace. Even if we reduce the role of the money commodity to that of last-resort reserve and numeraire for exchange rates, as was the case with the gold exchange standard of Bretton Woods, such a hybrid system is prone to break down. Commoditymoney and credit-money are essentially incompatible forms of money and do not coexist easily with each other. One or the other will dominate, and each form of dominance will cause its peculiar sources of instability (e.g., inadequate supply of liquidity, loss of convertibility, inequitably distributed adjustment burdens). By some measures, the real backbone of world commerce and global employment is made up of the millions of unsung small enterprises that farm small plots of land, cook food, provide daycare for children, make clay pots or straw mats by hand, do piecework for apparel makers, and carry out the countless other tasks that larger businesses don't do. In the cities of developing countries, for example, a growing percentage of the working population – sometimes estimated as high as 50 percent – is engaged in microenterprise activity. In the seven countries of southern Africa, there is evidence that small, unregistered enterprises provide work for substantially more people than the â€Å"regular,† legal ones do. In Latin America and the Caribbean, more than 50 million microenterprises employ more than 150 million workers. Even in a wealthy country like the United States, more than a quarter of all employees work for establishments of fewer than 20 people, and those businesses constitute 87 percent of all U.S. business establishments. The tasks these businesses perform cover the whole range of human activity, from the basics of housing and farming to the luxuries of entertainment and tourism. In many parts of the world, microenterprises frequently have only one employee – who is also the owner – or they benefit from the work of family members who are not really employees at all. In wealthy countries, many microenterprises may be larger, up to 10 or 20 people, for example, but still small in comparison to many of their competitors. But throughout the world, what most of these businesses do have in common is a lack of access to resources. They get little help from lawyers or accountants; often they are not able to afford retail space; many of them are not even legally registered as businesses. At almost all American banks, the board delegates loan approval authority to the professional banking staff. Such delegation permits assistant branch managers up to the president to have varying loan authority, from $5,000-$10,000 unsecured to $250,000, $500,000, or even $1 million secured. On top of this, the board often delegates still-higher authorities to loan committees or combinations of loan officers. Using a hypothetical example, if the lending limit of the financial institution is $5 million per borrower, the directors may delegate from $1 up to $1 million to individual officers, officers in tandem, and loan committees. This leaves all loans above $1 million and under $5 million to be approved by the board itself. In essence, the board has set itself as approver of the most sophisticated, most risky, and most complex lending arrangements, while the professional loan staff handles the relatively inexpensive and less-risky loan approvals. Add to this the fact that if the loans go seriously wrong, and the board has approved the loans, then the state and federal regulatory agencies may take remedial actions against the directors. Many financial institutions adopt in-house lending limits which are significantly lower than the lending limit to any one borrower that is legally available. For example, prior to the sale of First of America Bancorp to National City in 1998, the legal lending limit of First of America was $180 million to any one borrower. On the other hand, its board refused to make any loans in excess of $24 million. The directors felt that $24 million was sufficient risk exposure. Several financial institutions have set their in-house lending limit equal to the professional loan committee's lending authority, thus for all intents and purposes eliminating the board as a source of loan approvals. Micro-enterprises are more flexible and mobile than the much larger, more complex and building-bound businesses. They provide part-time work to women and men who also have to take care of families, and seasonal work in places where crops have to be harvested. They require little capital, office space, or startup title. They can thrive in rural areas, thereby slowing the rush to urbanization. Jobs in microenterprises are accessible to immigrants and disenfranchised people who need to moonlight or share jobs. And they are run by women at least as often as men, helping to reverse a pervasive global inequity. Microenterprises also offer an alternative to the conventional strategy for bringing development to poor nations – making large loans to governments for massive power or infrastructure projects. Such project-oriented development has come under growing criticism from grassroots activists, who say the projects often benefit large contractors and central governments more than they help local people. More investment in smaller, local industries, they argue, could bring economic and social benefits at far less cost. Their view is reflected in an old Chinese saying, â€Å"many little things done in many little places by many little people will change the most of the world.† For years, the First National Bank of Omaha, Neb., had a board consisting exclusively of inside professional bankers who made all loan decisions. In these financial institutions the professionals make the loan approval decisions, not the amateurs. Finally, it is up to the board to set the loan authorities and to review such loan authorities per loan officer on an annual or more frequent basis. The board must also revise lending authority by type of lending function, depending upon the size of the financial institution, so as to protect the institution from risky, inappropriate lending by staff members. The board in these cases normally reacts to the recommendations of senior management, especially the senior lending officer, who is in charge of the entire lending function. As we transition away from the high growth years of the past two decades, it's an appropriate time to reflect upon the future of the banking industry. As the economy continues to slow from what has been a remarkable global expansion, the banking industry finds itself in the middle of a dramatic transformation. Several significant trends are impacting key decision-makers of traditional financial institutions, and many are grappling with their role in the New World economy even as they try to reinforce the traditional attributes that have made them competitive. Financial institutions also face challenges on the services-side as there has been a proliferation in the number of customer touch points with the growth of the Internet, wireless, as well as traditional channels such as branches and telephone banking. This has added further pressure on profitability and on increased efficiency. Many boards today are trying to reconcile the need for greater operating efficiency while realizing that traditional channels are not going away any time soon, and at the same time recognizing the need for newer distribution channels to serve the changing demographics. There is also the need to be more creative in offering traditional and non-traditional banking and other products. This need complements the need for new revenue streams particularly non-interest fee income sources. Additionally, there is a keen acknowledgement that banks must know a lot more about their customers so they can serve them better and more profitably. Most traditional institution brands are built around service, trust and community. These are fundamental attributes that financial institutions have enjoyed for over a century. Brand strength will become increasingly important as institutions compete for customers. Brand identity will become more important because choices among customers will increase, making it more important for your target audience to differentiate between competitors. Financial institutions will differentiate on service, trust or serving a particular community or demographic set. Their brand recognition and identity will be increasingly important to their customers and will enable them to filter through the competition. REFERENCES Micro-Enterprises, Magazine article by Hal Kane; World Watch, Vol. 9, March-April 1996 The Role of the Board in Lending, Part 1 of 3 Parts: Reexamining Directors' Role in the Lending Process, Journal article by Dr. Douglas V. Austin; ABA Banking Journal, Vol. 94, 2002. The Future of Banking and the Role of Technology, Journal article by Louis Hernandez Jr., Michael D. Nicastro; ABA Banking Journal, Vol. 93, 2001. The Role of Social Capital in Development: An Empirical Assessment, Book by Christiaan Grootaert, Thierry Van Bastelaer; Cambridge University Press, 2002 Competitive Industrial Development in the Age of Information: The Role of Cooperation in the Technology Sector , Book by Richard J. Braudo, Jeffrey G. Macintosh; Routledge, 1999   

Monday, July 29, 2019

Strategic Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words - 1

Strategic Management - Essay Example The intention of this study is the Gulf Agency Company as a worldwide leading supplier of delivery, logistics marine, and solutions tasks in the world market. Since the company started its operations, it has expanded its region coverage to many worldwide customers through the provision of valuable and quality products and services. It is a world number one provider of significant shipping and marine industries in all geographical regions. The GAC provides the promises formulated on the mission statement of the company through the provision of the services that combine expertise and experience within the shipping, logistics and the company solution and marine fields. Great flexibility about the company approach methods used to strategic planning and the concepts of mission, objectives, and goals provide valuable information that gives the overall implementation guidelines about crucial elements of strategic action planning. The strategic of the GAC Company will analyze the goals using three different levels: 1. Strategic is the highest level of the organization, responsible for identifying the company goals and functioning strategic planning. In this level, we will aim at long-term goals. 2. Tactical or middle level is the middle level is responsible for linking the strategic and operational levels, defining tactical goals, and performing tactical planning on the selected goals. 3. Operational or low level is the basis of the planning and is associated to the actual accomplishment of tasks. In this level, operational planning defines the goals of the company. Formulating the Goals To accomplish strategic planning, the method used is the Balanced Score Card (BSC) that describes strategies and manages its execution, linking goals, action, and indicators. The BSC recommend an analysis of goals based on the performance indicators using the four perspectives: Financial Customer Internal Business process Learning and Growth To achieve an established strategic planning we have to implement the strategies at a lower level of the company. This requires the dividing strategic planning into tactical planning that understand and the middle level. In the GAC Company, the tactical goals will recount to issues like shipping, marketing, and training of the staff members. The tactical goals relating to shipping indicate that the company needs to improve its shipping process and products in the market. Therefore, in analyzing of the GAC goals, we will focus on tactical goals related to shipping as the company improvement goals. The actions allow the execut ion on the operational level that is operational processes and products. In the strategic planning, the company needs to define the company goals, the cost, and schedule and quality requirements of the company. In addition, it is vital to plan how to monitor and control the defined goals. In the GAC Company, the control of the goals depends on the shipping measures; thus, the company needs to plan how to measure their shipping processes and products. Defining and monitoring strategically aligned the GAC improvement goals. Figure 1: Adapted from Babar, Product-Focused Software Process Improvement Depending on the defined indicators, it can be

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Five court cases and how they have impacted the educational setting Case Study

Five court cases and how they have impacted the educational setting - Case Study Example It is a clause that calls for equal treatment to individuals by the law, and emphasizes on people being treated fairly, with no biasness based on their race, gender, economic background, wealth status among other characteristics (Stader, 2007). The equal protection and discrimination laws were developed many years ago. They were passed and put in the constitution in 1868, when Earl Warren was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. This period marked the end of a great Civil War, which meant that many slaves had finally acquired their freedom. These laws were put to cater for the fair treatment of all people, whether whites or blacks. There had been much discrimination against the black Americans and this was part of what necessitated this clause. It also extended to state the importance of the white people being treated by the law equally to the other Americans (Stader, 2007). The main intent of this clause was to promote fairness and equality, be it in employment, education, acquis ition of services, and application of the rule of law among others. The education sector has greatly applied the principles of equal protection and non- discrimination. ... The equal protection and discrimination laws are very important in any school since they ensure that students are not discriminated upon because of their gender, disability race or economic status. It ensures that students can access all programs in the school, whether one is female or male, black or white. They are also important in ensuring that a student can take part in any activity of their choice. However, exemption can be made when one is discriminated upon for their own benefit (Fenner, 1999). For instance, a group of students who do not perform well in class may be placed in a different classroom but in the same school so as to help monitor them closely, and pay more attention to them. Equal protection and discrimination laws protect against discrimination against the disabled people. Any student thus has a right to attend any school of their choice, whether they are black or white. There are many cases where one party has sued another on ground of unequal protection discrim ination. For instance, the case of Kansas City versus the US Supreme Court is a good example (Stader, 2007). In this case, Kansas City, which had a population of over 15000 school going population, spent huge amounts to maintain separate schools to accommodate the negroes and the Americans. However, the court ruled that this was a high level of discrimination and it was unconstitutional. This particular case showed the extent to which discrimination and unequal treatment has spread, where the two cultures could not integrate. The ruling in this particular case is important in demonstrating how important the law is in dealing with unequal protection and

Saturday, July 27, 2019

Term paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 2

Term Paper Example ation; thus, a speaker may mean one thing and the recipient hears something else, resulting in misunderstanding, frustration, and conflict (Grindstaff, 2011). Communication is more than just exchanging information; it involves the understanding of the emotion and intention behind the information. For communication to be effective, it must function as a two-way traffic where it involves not only conveying information, but also listening to make the other person feel heard. Other than the words used, effective communication combines a set of skills, which include; nonverbal communication, managing stress in the environment, engaged listening, assertive communication as well as the ability to understand personal emotions and the emotions of the recipient. Failure to understand the intention of communication can result in a conflict. This is because a skewed understanding of what is spoken or the intention of the communication can lead to action in a manner other than the directives of the information. Thus, to intrinsically understand communication and its aspects, this paper will analyze the subject through a focus on a film, â€Å"Romeo and Juliet, 1968† with categorical inference to the manner with which the characters in the film communicate, understand information and interpreted information from other characters. The paper will equally analyze conflict portrayed in the film owing to the nature of communication employed with a focus on interpersonal conflict, social conflict, conflict management and the psychological aspect of a conflict. Additionally, analysis of the film will help in understanding of nonverbal communication as aspects of communication. Romeo and Juliet is a British-Italian romance film produced in 1968 based on the tragic play by William Shakespeare of the same title between 1591 and 1595. The academic award winning production for the best cinematography was directed and co-written by Franco Zeffirelli and Leonard Whiting. The play begins in

Friday, July 26, 2019

Corporate Failure Rates and the Impact of the 1986 Insolvency Act Essay

Corporate Failure Rates and the Impact of the 1986 Insolvency Act - Essay Example Interest rates are important because they reflect the monetary policy manifestation. Increase in inflation rates also result in increase in failure rates. Lastly, the age of a business is important because the lesser the age of a business, the more chances are that it would not survive. It was assumed that the failure rates would have a positive relationship with interest rates, cost of use of capital, price levels and company formation and on the other hand, it would have a negative relationship with profits and credit availability. An error correction model was constructed which connected these variables with failure rates. Also, ADF test and PP test were carried out to find out the long term effects of the variables mentioned above. Regression analysis was also done on an equation formed by Johanson method (1982). The results from the Chow test show that the imposition of the Insolvency act of 1986 has had some effects on the failure rates. Also, the coefficient of the dummy variable was also negative and statistically important which makes it possible for us to conclude that the failure rates decreased since the introduction of the Insolvency act. Corporate Failure Rates and the Impact of the 1986 Insolvency Act is a very extensively researched case study. ... CritiqueCorporate Failure Rates and the Impact of the 1986 Insolvency Act is a very extensively researched case study. This study aims to find evidence of the effectiveness of the Insolvency Act of 1986 by studying time series data of failure rates after and before the act was introduced. It has studied previous studies, collected present data and carried out statistical analysis on that data and compared the results.The abstract in the beginning is concise and clear as it gives a brief account of what is in the paper. All the important points regarding the previous studies, procedure, results and conclusion are given. Next comes introduction and the introduction also sets a base that makes us ready for what is coming next. It briefly describes the Insolvency Act and its effects on businesses. This not only makes it very easy to grasp the main idea but it also makes it understandable to anyone who is studying the area under discussion for the first time. Technical terms such as 'wron gful trading' and many others that were used throughout the case study were straightforwardly defined right after they were used, which made the matter very comprehensible and easy to understand.The literature that is included in the case study is just enough to give good empirical evidence regarding the subject matter. Every fact that is given is either supported with a previous data, literature of present findings. This case study aims to see the effects of this act 11 years after its implementation therefore it will help us know its long term effects. The limitations of previous studies are also given when it was mentioned that 2 or 3 years is not a long enough time to adequately study the long term

Film Report Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Film Report - Movie Review Example The theme of the movie is the conflict between the two regions of the United States, the South being dominated by African-American slaves. The theme was clearly revealed, although there were already hints in the beginning that it involves war scenes, during the attack initiated by a black militia group to the houses owned by white Americans in the village, including the house of the Camerons. In emphasizing the central theme of the movie, Griffith used two separate families which supported different ideals, and the use of violence in the uprisings seen during the Civil War. 2) What were the choices made by the main characters and what were the consequences of those choices? Griffith is clear in his intentions that the choice of war was a result of aged-long slavery, and the use of violence to achieve the freedom that African-Americans longed was a way to depict superiority. Ben Cameron’s choice of engaging in a relationship with Elsie, instead of a woman from his place, and Ma rgaret’s love for the elder Stoneman, both resulted to a romance in between the war, and eventually led to love in between revenge against the African-Americans. In the end, it was a picture of an interracial relationship and marriage, and the desolation of death in wars. Moreover, Ben’s decision to organize a left wing group, though it paved way in forwarding their angst towards the demise of many white Americans, it created much more conflict, loss of lives, damages to property, and crisis in all sectors of society. Simply told, while both families chose to participate in a battle where nobody clearly wins, war did not create positive results at all. 3) What three or four sequences are most important in the film? Why? It is of personal intention to choose these important sequences in the movie that highlight its central theme. First scene was when the two Cameron ladies, Margaret and Flora, hurriedly went back to their home after noticing that chaos is happening. Bot h panicked while their family thought of the basement as a safe hiding place. The ransacks heated up the civilian wars. Next, the war fought by both Stonemans and Cameron took the life the younger Stoneman while Ben’s almost ended. The next sequence, Ben Cameron was brought to the hospital to be treated. The third scene, he met Elsie Stoneman who works as a nurse, with whom Cameron spent moments of admiration looking at the lady Stoneman’s photo. The two got married, a sign that amidst the impossibility, two people from different backgrounds can be at peace. Ben’s pardon to President Lincoln not to be punished culminated when, as the fourth sequence goes, Lincoln was assassinated. 4) Did the ?lm surprise you with anything unusual in its story, style, technique, or implications? Yes, it did. In fact, the film’s story is unique from the rest of black movies that highlight the miseries of African-American slaves. The movie chose to present the other way arou nd; the violence they asserted to the communities was highlighted that it aroused a negative impression of them. Moreover, the silent approach of Griffith in this movie introduced a new insight in understanding through visuals of the history. People may have a hard time appreciating his style, but it is a breakthrough from the usual that it made me watch it until

Thursday, July 25, 2019

The Strategic Route of Lexus Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The Strategic Route of Lexus - Term Paper Example There have been huge sales of Lexus brand in different categories like hybrid, midsize premium and others. There are several models of Lexus. The focus is on Lexus GS model that is available in two variants: GS 300 and GS 460. These two are the premium products and have the capability to attract the consumers (Lexus, 2010). There is huge potential in the global market of the brand Lexus and the opportunity can be captured properly with an appropriate marketing strategy. The company needs to identify the primary and selected market for attaining more sales of Lexus. The brand Lexus GS model will be discussed in this paper regarding its potential in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market. This research paper looks to determine the potential market of Lexus GS in the UAE market for the upcoming years (2011-2013). There are certain factors that have already been discussed and now it centers on the marketing strategy for Lexus GS. Marketing strategy is the key factor for the business success. There are two approaches i.e. primary and selective marketing strategies for the Lexus brand in the UAE market. The basic discussion of the paper is related to the type of demand that will be stimulated for the next three years. Both primary demand and selective demand will be focused upon the UAE market and one will be selected as a marketing strategy for Lexus. The UAE’s real growth for 2011 is expected to be 6.7%, 7% in 2012 and 6.7% in 2013. The per capita expected in 2011 is $43,030, $47330 in 2012 and $52160 in 2013. There is huge potential for Toyota Lexus market with increase in real growth and per capita income (Government of Ras Al Khaimah, 2009). According to Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), there were more than 1021880 registrations of new vehicles in the UAE market. The potential of the UAE market is estimated to be approximately 1542000.  

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

New testament paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

New testament paper - Essay Example It will be shown that in Luke, Satan is given more dialogue and arguably, more emphasis with regard to a number of elements. Conversely, in Matthew, Jesus is provided with more dialogue, more personality, and thus, greater emphasis as a figure. By no means can it therefore said that Satan is more important, both are uniformly championing the realm of spirit against the realm of matter or material. Rather, the difference in emphasis will be examined in regard to the respective impact for the very significance of this duality or contrast. The difference of emphasis between Satan and Jesus, can be discerned at a number of junctures with regard to dialogue. Literally, one can quantify the amount of words provided by each and discern a measurable difference that represents a further distinction in emphasis. For instance, in line 4 both books articulate the idea that â€Å"Man shall not live on bread alone†, but Mathew adds: â€Å"but on every word that comes from the mouth of godà ¢â‚¬ (Mathew 4:4 and Luke 4). Further, in the line that follows the temptation presented to Jesus from Satan from the mountain top – that is, where he takes him to the top of the mountain and offers him everything in the earthly realm, Jesus is also given more dialogue. ... He is issuing a forceful command. Similarly, Jesus is actually â€Å"fasting† (Mathew 4:1) in Mathew whereas in Luke he merely â€Å"ate nothing† (Luke 4:1). There are religious overtones to fasting, whereas not eating does not carry the same weight. Jesus piety, reverence and humility finds greater emphasis with the idea of fasting especially when we consider what he says about it later: â€Å"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting† (Mathew 6:16). Fasting carries with it, connotations like sincere humility, and this emphasized in Mathew over and against Luke. As mentioned, the converse is true in Luke. That is, Satan is given more dialogue and more emphasis in a number of significant passages. Most notably, Satan's personality is more prominent in the line about taking Jesus to the mountain top. Consider the difference of emphasis in Luke: â€Å"I will give you all their authority a nd splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.† (Luke 4:6-7). Not only is this a more flourished emphasis, the usage of personal pronouns is quite astounding for such a small passage or phrase. The usage of 'I' occurs three times, and the usage of 'me' occurs twice. This is quantitatively different than the emphasis in Mathew, but also qualitatively succinct too with regard to the impact. By emphasizing the individuality of the figure, Satan is isolated and made a more succinct figure. The duality between the kingdom of god and that of Satan becomes glaringly contrasted as a result. By contrast, in Mathew he merely asks Jesus to bow down and worship him. In Luke, his power is emphasized become of the articulation

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

ERP and Electronic Commerce Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

ERP and Electronic Commerce - Essay Example In the past, business entities concentrated more on fetching benefits through supply of standardized products to a stable and wide consumer markets. The role technology involved here was to optimize the well defined, discretely functioning areas within the enterprise. This was limited to the development and maintenance of individual software aimed at automating certain business activities. However the expansion of the realms of business made entities to indulge in varied range of activities. The scope of ecommerce in fact widened the variety in the business activities Curran A, T. Ladd A (2006, p.17-18). With reference to these developments, for the companies to respond better to the market demands, they have to adopt a business process orientation and a global supply chain perspective. The essential prerequisite for the optimization of varied activities involved in modern business scenarios like e-commerce is the integration of information system. This would allow the clear cut exploration of the possible value additions within the company and would aid the design of business process that would minimize cost and maximize the profits. However this process of integration of the multitude of business activities involved a number of challenges. These challenges made the business engineers think of the possibility of a single database clustering the data from different departments within itself and providing a tailor made query system. This resulted in the development of Enterprise Resource Planning systems and it gradually evolved and expanded to serve as a single window solution for business data and process management. It served as a single interface for data entry for people involved in the company, despite the variation in department or geographic position. The da ta entry was to be made only once making the whole

Monday, July 22, 2019

Child Study Paper Essay Example for Free

Child Study Paper Essay The Child Study data I have gathered comes from the observation I have completed at Mission Bell Elementary School. Mission Bell Elementary School is a local school in Riverside. In the P. M preschool class there are 24 students, one teacher, and one assistant. The child I decided to observe is names Zoe. Zoe is 4 years and 10 months old. I immediately was drawn to Zoe because she had such a big personality, was very social, and smart. I am glad that I choose to observe Zoe because she was able to make my observation process smooth and easy. While observing her I had to pay close attention to her biosocial development, motor skills, cognitive skills, communication skills, emotional development, social interaction, and her self-esteem. As I share my observation data, I will give examples of Zoe’s skills and overall development thus far in her life. Biosocial Development: Physical Description According to biosocial development norms Zoe is average. She is just the size she is suppose to be according the growth chart and development norms. Zoe is tall and lean. She is on the skinny side and has long arms and legs and a flat stomach. Zoe weighs 36 pounds and is 39. 75 inches tall. On the growth chart Zoe is in the 50th percentile (CDC 2000) when it comes to her weight and is in the 25th percentile (CDC 200) when it comes to her height. From these percentages on the growth chart Zoe is falling right in the middle when it comes to her physical development, showing that she is growing at a normal expected rate. Zoe displays an above average activity level in comparison to her peers. She has such a high activity level compared to the other children because out of them all she is the one that keeps busy. When indoor play time comes around Zoe is sure to play at as many play stations as she can. Zoe averages about 5 to 6 play stations. Zoe chooses to play at a number of different areas, whereas, many of the other children just get around to two different play stations. At each station Zoe spends 41/2 to 5 minutes playing, showing that Zoe’s ratio of active running around periods out weight the inactive sitting and playing periods. Motor Skills Zoe does a does a good job at controlling her gross-motor skills as well as her fine motor skills. Zoe has good balance and speed for a 4 year old. When Zoe’s gross-motor skills are compared to her classmates you notice her advancement. She does not stumble over her feet or object such as the carpet, as much as her peers do. When Zoe is outside her favorite activity is to play on the jungle gym. This activity is able to show Zoe’s good development of gross-motor skills because of how she is able to climb up and down the stairs of the jungle gym and with such speed. â€Å"Many children by age 2 become smooth and rhythmic – secure enough that soon they leave the ground. (Berk, 2007, P. 224). Zoe has mastered her fine motor skills. Zoe is able to correctly hold writing objects such as markers and crayons; she also holds glue sticks in the writing position. She holds the maker or writing object in between her thumb and her middle finger and allows her index to help support her writing tool. By having this technique down Zoe is able to control the lines that she makes on her paper as well as how dark her lines will be. She is also able to manipulate how much glue is going to go onto her paper and where it will go. In comparison to Hayliegh (3-8), who is still holding her writing tool with her palm, Zoe shows she is more advance in her fine motor skill. While playing at one of her favorite indoor play stations, which is play dough, Zoe uses her hands to manipulate the play dough into various shapes and objects. The way she is able to grasp and squeeze the play dough shows her sensatory skills, which are in connection to her fine motor skills. These two examples show that Zoe has master over her hands and how they will work to her advantage. As Zoe continues to play her favorite activity, the jungle gym, with such balance and speed she shows that she is comfortable with her movements. This is one of her favorite activities because it allows her to run around and get out her energy. Zoe favorite game, and only game she plays, are the computer games. Zoe will avoid such games as board games but will go and play on the computer when she can. The games on the computer help her to learn how to control an object such as the mouse and pointer. This helps Zoe in the development of her fine motor skills. Zoe’s favorite table game is play dough. The play dough station is always the first station that Zoe goes to if she is picked to go their. At this station Zoe again uses her fine motor skills to create all different types of objects with her play dough. Cognitive Skills While closely observing Zoe’s cognitive skills she showed evidence of Piaget’s preoperational stage. Zoe’s cognitive development is shown through her make-believe play. â€Å"Piaget believed that through pretending, young children practice and strengthen newly acquired representational schemes. † (Berk, 2007, P 227). When Zoe plays with her play dough she pretend that she is making pizza. She begins by taking a handful of play dough and placing it on the table, she then get a small rolling pin to roll the play dough out flat. Once the play dough is rolled out completely flat she uses little Lego’s to represent the pepperoni that tops most pizzas. Next she takes the finished pizza and puts it on the side of the table and pretends to heat it in an oven. The takes the play dough and begins to feed her friends. When Zoe decides to not just feed herself but her friends as well she is showing development of no longer being self-centered. This whole make believe shows how far Zoe’s Cognitive skills have developed. She is able to take something she see and act it out and think about the order in which she acts out each piece. Zoe has knowledge of classification and seriation along with her representation skills. Zoe shows that she is capable of classifying objects as well as putting them in sequence. She shows evidence of classification during clean up time. When it is time to clean up each toy has its own space and toys that are a like go into spaces next to each other. Zoe is able to identify objects and according to the likely ness of one to the other she can tell weather or not the go in the same area. For example Zoe is able to identify that the blocks and the Lego’s go into the same area but that they are different. She is also able to recognize that the entire book are books but able to classify them according to their size. She put away all the big books on one side of the bookshelf where they belong and all of the smaller books on the oppsite side where they belong. Zoe also knows sequence of numbers. She shows this when she is called up to be the calendar girl for he day. Zoe takes down all the numbers from one to 15 off of the calendar. Then one by one puts them back up in sequence. She also recognizes the patter of the numbers. Each number is written on an insect. As she puts up the numbers she realizes that the patters of insects are caterpillar, lady bug, butterfly, caterpillar, lady bug, butterfly and so on. Zoe shows the ability to imitate real life through her play. When she creates pizza with play dough and Lego’s she is showing that she understands how to create something from what she has seen and experienced. She shows that she understands how something that is not the original object can symbolize or represent the original. Zoe also shows role play during her play. She does show by pretending to be the baby while her friend Savanna (3-11) plays the mother. This type of role play shows that Zoe understands the various roles that people play in life. Through this role play you are able to see her ideas on life. Zoe shows her perception of how a baby is to act and how they should respond to their mother. By Zoe crawls around on the floor and talks baby talk shows how she views babies. Lastly Zoe shows special interest in activities that involve imitation play. She likes to create things that she sees and experiences in her life. This ability to imitate reality shows her cognitive growth. Communication Zoe uses wide variations of communication. Zoe uses her body language, facial expressions, and verbal communication all at once when she is explaining or expressing herself. All these combined show off Zoes personality. When Zoe hurt her foot on the table Zoe used her body language to show that she was in pain. She immediately bends down to rub her foot in try to make it feel better. Then her wincing face showed that it was not helping. As Zoe dragged her body over to the teacher she then verbalized the pain that she was in. She expressed the teacher, â€Å"I hurt my foot†. Zoe is very good at exaggerating her expressions and really showing how she feels on her face. If she is happy she has a big simile, if she is shad she is frowning, and if she is hurt she is wincing and showing pain on her face. Her facial expressions do a lot of the verbal communication she might not do or it tells her feelings before her words do. When Zoe interacts with her friends she is very animated and humorous. She is very big in her movements and throws up her arms and puts out her hands as gestures when she is speaking. When she is very excited about what it is she is telling her peers she is very big in her gestures and when she is calm she uses one hand when gesturing. Zoe has a very good vocabulary and is the talkative one of the group. She is also known for her slang vocabulary. Sometimes this slang that she uses from time to time goes a little too far and she can get into trouble. Hector (3-5) did jus that told on Zoe and got her into trouble. Hector told the teacher that Zoe told him, â€Å"What the heck. † Zoe was then told that she should not use that word. Zoe is also very descriptive in her speech. She once told the teacher, â€Å"Mrs. Contreras, I made a red strawberry†. Zoe is extremely talkative and this helps aid her in learning and broadening her vocabulary, as well as learning how to express her self. Emotions Zoe is at the Initiative versus Guilt stage according to Erikson’s personality development theory (Berk, 2007). Evidence of this is show when Zoe is eager to join her class peers in various activities. In particular when it is library time Zoe likes to thumb through her book initially by herself like she is told to do but it excited when she is able to share her book with a few surrounding friends, or listen to a surrounding friend share their book with others. When it comes to creating a new picture or trying a new activity Zoe becomes excited to participate and learn something new. This took place when she had the opportunity to create a caterpillar. She learned how many circles she needed to make the caterpillar and where to glue on the legs of the caterpillar. Zoe also shows evidence of autonomy because she is able to use her mental development and sense to determine and recognize that she has to use the restroom. When it comes to Zoe’s Temperament she is not moody. She consistently is happy and friendly unless she gets hurt or someone copies her. She is usually very approachable and social with everyone. Her response positively when it comes to playing with someone new at each play station that she goes to. She also is good at sharing. For example, when Zoe goes to play on the computer she shares the mouse with the other student and takes turns clicking on the computer. She works together with her peer to find the right answer to the question on the computer. Since Zoe is good at sharing this makes her approachable and fun to play with. When it comes to Zoe’s intensity of her reactions she is directly in the middle. She is not a loud child but also not quiet. She also is good at having self control and not having tantrums. She does have very out there over the top facial expressions and gestures but not so much to make her an intense child. Zoe is also positive in her mood. If she is hurt or irritated she will tend to come down from her usually happy smiley mood. Zoe is usually happy and playful. Zoe is just about always in a very positive mood and a pleasure to be around. However, Zoe does show a broad range of emotions during her observation. She showed happiness while she was interacting with her peers, and she also displayed the feeling of being hurt, when she stubbed her toe on the table. Zoe displays knowledge of how to express herself emotionally. Social Interaction Zoe is very social and interacts with everyone. Zoe is always interacting with new peers when she is indoors going from one play station to the other. Zoe is a little different from the other girls in that she has no problem interacting with the boys. Around lunch time Zoe joins in when Dillon (4-7) is pretending to be a superhero. Zoe joins in and pretends to be a super cat. When Zoe does interact with her peers it is in a small group of maybe 3 at the most. Zoe never tends to be around large groups. Mostly you will see Zoe one on one with another peer. Zoe tends to go towards the sensatory play then the make believe play. When Zoe has a choice of an indoor play station she always goes for the play dough first. After that Zoe will do arts and crafts that involve gluing or draw a picture. By the end Zoe always ends up at the Sand table. These three types of play that Zoe consistently participates in are all dealing with her sensatory skills or fine motor skills. These are Zoe’s favorite types of play because she enjoys playing with things that involve her hands, since she is good at them. Zoe has a secure attachment to her mother, teachers, and peers. When Zoe’s mother came to visit the class she did not attach herself to her mother while she was present. Zoe recognized she was there and called on her if she needed help but she did not play at the table that her mom was at just because she wanted to be next to her. Zoe continued to do her own thing. Zoe is also not attached to any particular peer in the classroom. She demonstrates this by sitting at a new lunch table with someone new with each observation. She also plays with someone new at each play station. Some of the other children especially girls are attached to one another each observation. They will always sit together at lunch and play together in both indoor and outdoor play time, but not Zoe. Self Esteem Zoe displays confidence and high self-esteem. She indicates that she has a very positive outlook of herself through her expressions. When Zoe does something correct she wants everyone to know. For example when Zoe did a good job of cleaning up her mess and helping her peers pick up wooden blocks she went to the teacher Mrs. Contreras to show her what she had done. Zoe will not shy away form getting others to acknowledge her feelings weather positive or negative. This shows that Zoe is confident and knows when she is doing good and not doing well. Zoe is confident enough to speek up when she wants to. Zoe is her own motivation. She is a self starter and needs little direction. When it is reading time Zoe will get her book and begin reading. While most of her other peers need a reminder to sit quietly and look at their book, Zoe doesn’t. Zoe will also do things when she is asked and will not need a motivation to do it, like and incentive or a reason. Zoe might need some help with staying focused for more than five minutes on one task, but when it comes to starting a task Zoe will not waste time getting to it and starting it. Zoe usually needs little direction and makes up her mind fairly quick when it comes to deciding where she wants to play and what she wants to do. She needs little self direction and Zoe tends to play at areas where she will receive as less direction as possible. Zoe is independent and is able to handle her own. She has no problem with playing alone and being by herself. She enjoys the company from her peers but she is able to entertain herself. She doesn’t need to have other peers around her in order for her to have fun. She also is more of a leader and to be a leader you have to have an independent sprit. Zoe has other peers who follow her around and does what she wants to do. Since Zoe is not a follower she is showing she is not dependent on other but is independent. Conclusion Zoe displays a number of strengths as well as areas that she can improve. Zoe is strong in her fine motor skills. The way she is able to control her writing tool and where her lines will go on her paper and how dark they will be. She is also able to stay inside of the lines. These examples show that Zoe has done a good job of developing her fine motor skills. Zoe is also very good with her communication skills. She knows how to express herself correctly and clearly. She is able to not only use her body language and facial features to let show one know what she is feeling but she is able to verbalize it. Zoe can afford to improve on her attention span. Zoe tends to be easily distracted by the idea of moving on to something else. She needs to learn how to focus on one thing instead of trying them all. She needs to learn how to relax and be persistent in what she is working on. Overall I have enjoyed the opportunity of observing Zoe. She has taught me various things about the development of a preschooler. I plan on remembering this observation and using it as I go on to my future career working with children.

Describe the performance of characteristics of eggs Essay Example for Free

Describe the performance of characteristics of eggs Essay Egg white and yolk contain protein. Ovalbumin is present in egg white, however globulin and albumin are also present in a very small amount. Whereas egg yolk contains protein in the form of lipoproteins, which are a combination of proteins and lipids. The most important complex lipid in egg yolk is lecithin. Lecithin gives the egg yolk the properties of a stable emulsion. The fat molecules in the egg yolk are held in an emulsion by lecithin. Eggs have three main performance characteristics and they a coagulation, which includes setting, binding, coating, thickening, enriching and glazing, secondly they can be whisked to create foams and aerate mixtures and called aeration and lastly emulsifiers. Coagulation is the process in which proteins change from their natural liquid state into a gel or a solid. This happens because each protein molecule is constructed from long chains of amino acids joined by peptide bonds. The bonds are weak and when heat, acid or mechanical action is applied they start to break. The changes are permanent. When the protein changes it physical structure when it coagulates is called denaturation. Syneresis can occur when the egg is overcooked. This is when the texture becomes porous as the protein shrinks and pockets of water are left in the product. Between 60-65C is the temperature which egg whites start to coagulate and the result of this the egg white changes appearance from transparent like to white and the texture will be from gel like to solid texture. Egg yolk starts to coagulate at a higher temperature than egg white, it begins coagulating at 65C and finish at 70C. From the darker yellow appearance of the egg yolk it will turn into a lighter yellow yolk and from runny yolk it can go to powdery solid yolk. There are a number of factors that will affect coagulation. A firmer set can be achieved at a lower temperature if an acid such as lemon juice is added. A looser set and higher coagulation temperature is achieved by the addition of sugar to the mixture. The quantity of egg yolk determines the strength of the set mixture. A higher proportion of egg yolks or whole eggs will produce firmer or thicker custard. A low heat achieves gentle heat transference, which produce perfect conditions for a coagulation. Aeration is when egg white is whisked. Foam is formed when air is dispersed through the liquid egg white. Egg whites can be aerated due to the ability of the ovalbu, in to stretch and hold air. When egg whites is whisked the proteins are denatures and uncoil. This forms a 3D air / liquid structure that can hold air when folded into food mixtures. The foam is stable but its properties can be affected by the use of additional ingredients or conditions. First factor that can affect foam formation is salt. It decreases the pH of the egg white and this increases the resistance to foam, so the time taken to foam is increased. It gives the foam more stable and it enhances the flavour. Second factor is sugar. Sugar interferes with the bonds that form as the egg whites uncoil. Therefore the whisking time is increased and the resulting foam is denser, however the foam is more stable. This factor is commonly used for meringues. Fat affects foam formation. Fat such as egg yolk prevents new bonds being formed in the structure. Fourthly alkalis will increase the pH of the foam, decreasing the foaming time but making the foam stable. Lastly will be acids. Acids such as tartaric and acetic will soften the foam. Because the fat in the egg yolk, it inhibits the aeration recipes are usually for egg whites. However sponge cakes do use whole eggs. They are whisked with sugar over a pan of hot water (double boiler method) it works because the whisking action causes the proteins to denature and the heat causes coagulate resulting in stable form. Emulsion is formed when one liquid is dispersed in the small droplets into a second liquid with which it will not normally mix. Egg yolk has emulsification properties, which means it has the ability to hold large quantities of fat in an emulsion. Lecithin is present in egg yolk, which has a hydrophobic (water hating) component and hydrophilic (water loving) component. Eggs have many other functions. An egg can give additional thickness to sauces; it can also be use as binding and coating agent. Eggs can also be used as an egg washed or sometimes called glazing and commonly used for the top of pastries and breads. It also add colour and enrichment.

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Process And Project Systems Construction Essay

Process And Project Systems Construction Essay Influential Govt reports presented by Latham (Latham 1994) and Egan (Egan 1998) which stressed the need of change in construction industry, improving current practices and processes covering the lifecycle of the project. Despite various initiatives the industry still lags behind and demands of end users remain far from being achieved. The construction industry being a process based industry (Halpin 1993); Kagioglou et al. (1998) point out that these issues are related to process, and not product (Goulding and Alshawi 2002). On the said guidelines efforts are being carried out by standardizing the working processes, defining responsibilities not in just construction phase but from inception to post completion. The report aims to find out advantages and disadvantages of moving towards Generic Design and Construction Process Protocol in the context of CTG project. For the purpose evaluation the current processes and sub processes in CTG are mapped using firstly by RIBA plan of work revised 2007 version incorporating single stage design build contract; later the same processes are mapped by using Process Protocol. An effort has been made to apply 8 principles of Process Protocol to CTG project. 1.1 Introduction Construction is a process based industry (Halpin 1993). 1.2 Scope of the GTC Project: The brief shows that the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (client) needs a high-tech office complex (CTG) to house world class super computers for nuclear design staff. Selected site for the project is in Liverpool, Uk. As per the statistics: Total Building Cost: Â £ 50,000,000, Project Size: 20,000 sqm, Built Up Area: 10,000,000 sqft The activities that are involved to carried out the end result are; Pre-design/Planning Activities, Design Activities, Construction Activities and Operation / Maintenance Activities. 1.3 Project Objectives of CTG: Achieving following objectives is crucial for the success of CTG project, 1) Design-to achieve balance in safety, security efficiency, lifecycle costs and working conditions. 2) Accessibility-To achieve compliance with all state requirements. 3) Aesthetics-to generate excitement and enthusiasm in new staff recruits.4) Cost effectiveness-to achieve cost certainty. 5) Energy- efficiency as electricity used annually is: 7,000 KWh. 6) Security-to make sure that the world class facility to construct and test super computers is under an extremely secured environment. 7) Sustainability-To achieve environmental goals using recyclable materials and overcoming concerns in terms of water and power. 8) Quality to achieve quality in terms of design, function and service provided. 9) Time-to achieve completion of the project within two years, the time given by the client. Throughout the process mapping it has been taken care that these objectives are being achieved. Though through use of Process P rotocol it was very easy to see in the process map that these objectives are being satisfied but through process mapping of CTG through RIBA it was not. 1.4 Project and Processes in Construction and in CTG: Project: The project can be defined as a temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique product (PMBOK). Process: The process has been defined in number of ways and with perspectives, Hammer defines process as a related group of tasks that together create a result of value to a customer (Lecture Notes,2010). However (Koskela 2000) argues production processes, need to be analysed not only as transformations but also as flows and as value generation (Koskela 2000). 2. CHAPTER -2 RIBA Plan of work for Mapping a Process in CTG (from contructors point of view): (RIBA 2007; plan of work stages) 2.1 The reason for choosing RIBA Plan of work for Mapping: RIBA plan of work identifies the steps through which any construction project must pass (Hughes 2001), also it describes a logical sequence of action and describes duties of various parties at according to various stages of the project (Wilkinson and Gupta 2005). RIBA plan of work is widely used framework by the construction industry in UK and the updated 2007 plan incorporates various procurement practices (design build in CTG case) and risk management (Phillips,2008). 2.2 Introduction to RIBA plan of work: In an attempt to standardise the project process RIBA first introduced plan of work in 1963. The plan helps in organizing complete process in a sequence with required overlap where necessary. It starts right from appraisal stage through construction till end use, this process is divided into key work stages, depending upon the procurement method sequence of work stages may change and may overlap. RIBA 2007 plan of work stages are as follows: Preparation: a. Stage A Appraisal b. Stage B Design Brief Design: c. Stage C Concept d. Stage D Design Development e. Stage E Technical Design Preconstruction: f. Stage F Production Information Sub Stage F1 Acquiring necessary approvals, preparing details of production for tendering. Sub Stage F2 g. Stage G Tender Documentation h. Stage H Tender Action Sub Stage H1 Identification of potential contractors, consultants and suppliers. Sub Stage H2 Evaluating tenders and awarding contracts to the selected. Construction: i. Stage J Mobilization j. Stage K Construction to practical completion Use: k. Stage L Post practical completion Sub Stage L1 ensuring product delivered according to specification, and carrying out final inspections. Sub Stage L2 Review overall project performance, and the feedback provided by the end user. RIBA plan of work of single stage tender for Design and Build contract. Fig :RIBA Plan of Work for Design and Build contract, Single Stage Tender, (www.architcture.com) 2.3 Mapping the Process in CTG, using RIBA plan of work (from the Constructors point of view) Stage A Appraisal / Inception for CTG: Department for technology and skills (owner) appointed a cross functional teams to identify the clients needs and objectives, and possible constraints. Understanding the clients nature of business setting the requirements; safety, security, efficiency, lifecycle cost, working conditions, aesthetics, and future expansion needs (technological physical) Activities or Tasks: Identify procurement type (Single stage Design Build contract) Stage B Feasibility of CTG: Cross functional team and clients representatives prepare a project outline as per the clients requirement to meet the project objectives. Carrying out feasibility studies of the project from technical, functional and financial point of view. Activities or Tasks; As per project requirements study rules regulation, site conditions, neighbourhood surveys, market research, planning, costing, engage specialist consultant/s (computer expert) Stage C Concept / Outline Proposal of CTG: Parties involved: Design team, QS, engineers, specialist. Purpose of stage: Clarify clients ideas, suggesting or advising him better alternatives, giving client idea about the future developments in the project. Activities or Tasks: Stage D Design and Planning for the CTG: Parties involved: Design team and specialist contractor for check buildability of design, QS, IT consultant. Purpose of stage: Activities or Tasks: Stage G Tender Documentation and Bill of Quantities: Parties involved: Design team, QS, and client representative. Purpose of stage: Stage E Detail Design for CTG: Parties involved: Specialist design firm, QS, specialist contractor and client representative. Purpose of stage: Stage H Tender Action for CTG: Parties involved: a cross functional team, engineers, QS, design team, contractors, client representatives. Purpose of stage: Identify contractors to carry out the project. Activities or Tasks: Holding pretender briefing for prospective contractors on the project for putting forward expectation of client and clearing doubts of them. H1: Evaluation and identification of contractors to carry out CTG project. H2: contractors giving feedback / suggestions on tender or project to the client. Stage F Production Information: Parties involved: Architect, QS, specialist contractor, and engineers. Purpose of stage: Getting ready for onsite production and last gateway to make major changes in design. Activities or Tasks: finalizing the design and related specifications, obtaining the required permissions, detail costing and scheduling. Stage J Mobilization for CTG: Parties involved: Main contractor, sub contractors. Purpose of stage: gathering required resources to start the work on site. Activities or Tasks: Site preparation (clearing, fencing, establishing water/electricity, site office, residential facility for workers, health and safety unit). Preparing site conditions to commence the construction. Stage K Construction to Practical Completion of CTG: Parties involved: Main contractor, sub contractors, architect, QS, engineers, client representatives. Purpose of stage: Execute on site operations as per planned. Activities or Tasks : carrying out construction works till practical completion of CTG building. Stage L Post Practical Completion: Parties involved: Client representatives, contractor, sub contractor, QS, architect, engineers. Purpose of stage: Handing over of CTG facility completing all obligations. Activities or Tasks: clearing the site of any left behind materials, rectifying any defects, rechecking the facilities provided, and settling the accounts with client and sub contractor/suppliers, Stage M Feedback from CTG: Parties involved: Client representatives, employees working in CTG, sub contractors, supply chain. Purpose of stage: analyse the throughout project performance and learn from it (making of learning organization) Activities or Tasks: preparing reports evaluating delivered performances against planned. Checking whether project meets its objectives and client requirements. 3. Chapter 3 The Process Protocol 3.1 Introduction to Process Protocol: In an attempt Process Protocol is process-driven model of the design and construction process, which is primarily based on best practice manufacturing new product development (NPD) (Kagioglou, Cooper et al. 1999). Process Protocol consists of following ten phases covering life cycle of the project: a. Pre Project Stage: This stage relates to understanding the client and business needs. It also emphasises on issues such as need for This stage consist of following phases: 1) Phase 0- Demonstrating the need 2) Phase 1- Conception of need 3) Phase 2- Outline feasibility 4) Phase 3- Substantive feasibility study and outline financial authority. b. Pre Construction Stage: This stage consist of following phases 1) Phase 4- Outline conceptual design 2) Phase 5- Full conceptual design 3) Phase 6- Production design, procurement and full financial authority c. Construction Stage: This stage predominantly focuses on two phases 1) Phase 7- Production information 2) Phase 8- Construction d. Post Construction Stage: Phase 9- Operation and maintenance 3.2. Mapping the Process in CTG using Process Protocol: The computer aided software Microsoft Visio is used to draw Process Protocol maps, which is used to map the processes in CTG. The map includes activities carried out by cross functional team appointed by CTG which has carried out preliminary project work (phase0-5) and further (phase 6-9) activities undertaken by G C Ltd (appendix ). Hence phases (6-9) have been considered for mapping the sub processes. (appendix ) 3.3 Application of Eight Key Principles of Process Protocol in CTG: Whole Project View: CTG to house high tech computers for nuclear design staff, hence issues such as balance safety, security, working conditions along with lifecycle cost, sustainability, and need for flexibility to address advancement in technology need to be considered throughout the four stages of project to accomplish desired outcomes of the CTG Progressive Design Fixity: The phase review involves discussions, meetings, brainstorming sessions to review about accomplished work, this stage could contribute significantly in progressively fixing or finding design solutions also help in predicting the construction works and upcoming issues. A Consistent Process: Process protocol provides a standard approach to performance measurement, evaluation, and control will facilitate the process of continual improvement in design and construction which may benefit the future projects of CTG undertaken by G C Ltd. Stakeholder Involvement / Teamwork: As the value is determined by the customer, involvement of CTG representatives, employees who would be using the CTG should be involved in the design process along with other stakeholders such as municipal council, planning authority, defence committee, environmental dept, local community, fire and safety dept, international community need to be involved to have timely communication, foster team working, and building trust. Such involvement would reduce design alteration, rework failure to do so could lead to considerable budget escalation. Co-ordination: Addressing the fragmentation issue raised by Latham (1994), effective coordination between G C Ltd, sub contractor, suppliers, other specialist is important for improving overall productivity in CTG. Activity zones in PP help in achieving it through process manager represents the responsibility of each and every activity so it is easy to co-ordinate people for each particular activity. Feedback: process protocol helps in getting feedbacks in two ways : 1) Phase review: It records and update the project experiences throughout the process and inform next/later phases whether to increase or decrease resources next phase of CTG 2) Legacy archive: it records, documents the experiences throughout the process which aid in continual improvement in future projects of CTG and G C Ltd. Process flexibility Customizable process: It enables to bring in flexibility according to the objectives of CTG, issues such as security, sustainability could be added while some irrelevant processes could be deleted. 3.4 Activity Zones in CTG: activity zones are multifunctional representing structured set of tasks and processes which support and guide works towards common objective. At the same time earlier identification and involvement of concerned parties throughout the lifecycle process of CTG contributes significantly to success (Kagioglou, Cooper et al. 1998) Development Management: is responsible for creating and maintaining business focus among CTG representatives, contractors, financers, other stakeholders, and GC Ltd. (Cooper, Aouad et al. 2005) Project Management: is an agent of the development management activity zone and is responsible for effective implementation of CTG project. This activity zone involves project management professionals of GC Ltd, and client representatives. Resource Management:Includes planning, co-ordination, procurement and monitoring of all financial, human and material resources in CTG. It involves (Development Management establishes the overall budget) Design Management: is responsible for design process and business case of CTG and its project brief into an appropriate product definition. Involving GC Ltd, suppliers of materials/components, sub contractors, cross functional design team, representatives from production, facility, development, project management and health and safety, statutory and legal management activity zones. Production Management: The activities all that are related to the execution of the building on the site, this activity zone effectively communicates with the other zones during this execution period (Cooper, Aouad et al. 2005). Facility management: Issues concerning the facilities eg. servers, computer systems during the project are dealt in this activity zone. Health and safety, Statutory and Legal Management: is responsible for the identification, consideration, and management of all regulatory, statutory and environmental aspects of CTG project. Process Management: develops and operationalises process protocol. It is responsible for planning and monitoring each phase in CTG. Change Management: is responsible for effectively communicating changes to all relevant activity zones for development and legacy archive in CTG. 3.4.1 Introduction of Sustainability Management in Activity Zones: The built environment contribute significantly to the climate change and health of environment through the materials used, decisions about site, electricity and water usage, and landscape surroundings (Younger, Morrow-Almeida et al. 2008) they go on further to suggest the built environment components may mitigate climate change, promote adaptation, and improve public health. SMAZ was developed first in the form of a table (Khalfan et. al., 2003) and then further refined into an activity zone within the Process Protocol, implementing it in the same format (Shelbourn, Bouchlaghem et al. 2006). Sustainability being one of the main objectives in CTG introduction of SMAZ could help in achieving it. 3.5 Deliverables in CTG 4. Chapter 4 (Potential advantages and disadvantages of moving towards Process Protocol) 4.1.1 Critical Appraisal of Current methods of working RIBA plan of work and Process Protocol The RIBA plan of work is looked as design and management framework considering architect in the lead role (Osmani, Glass et al. 2008). It perceives construction process from design team/s point of view hence it restricts from being generic enough for application of complex and large construction works such as CTG. Shortcomings of the plan in terms of activity zones, phase reviews, legal archive etc. were noticed while mapping the process for CTG. While Process Protocol presents a generic implementation guidelines.(Kagioglou, Cooper et al. 1998) it can be applied in a flexible manner across construction projects, teams and client needs with benefits being clearly measured(Tzortzopoulos, Sexton et al. 2005). RIBA plan of work represents a logical sequence of events and his linear fashion of management could not accommodate the concurrent working practice in construction projects (Learning package 3). 4.3 Advantages of moving towards Process Protocol: a. Stakeholders Involvement: In a large and complex project such as CTG involving number of professionals from different disciplines (architect, engineers, contractors, QS ) makes it essential to know whom they are and would be working with in the later stages of the project, this builds team work, trust, brings in transparency consequently reducing chances of stalemates and litigations. Also extending it to the employees of CTG which would be ultimately can contribute significantly to the success of project. b. Whole Process view and Progressive Design Fixity via Stage gate Approach: Process Protocol and RIBA suggest to look at the project from pre project, pre -construction, construction and post completion phases deviating from traditional methods where pre project and post completion phases received negligible attention. Design fixity via stage gate approach enables continuous planning and review procedures throughout the project (Cooper, Aouad et al. 2005) c. Phase Reviews: Reviewing the output after each phase before getting on with the subsequent phase helps in gathering feedback which is useful for making future decisions or to make appropriate resources available. They provide a good learning experience. RIBA plan of work lacks this characteristic of process protocol. d. Legacy Archive: This is another feature of Process protocol lacking in RIBA. Throughout the project huge amount of information is generated, legacy archive helps in storing and making it available when required. As (Aouad, Hinks et al. 1998) state the legacy archive ensures that best practice is captured and re-used which would benefit during the project and post project to G C Ltd. Disadvantages of moving towards Process Protocol: There are very few disadvantages of mapping the process through process protocol which are: 1) The use of PP proves too complex and unnecessary for small construction project (single house) where mapping of such depth is not required, not many parties are involved. 2) The awareness of such software at this stage in market is very low, not many companies in practice use or know how to use it, which put limitations if its use. 3) Like RIBA revised plan PP lacks special provision for various contracting methods, tendering process. 4) Too much detailing involved in each phase where not so important activity may get undue weight age which can be misleading. 5. Chapter 5 (Key production activities in CTG, identifying value adding and non value adding activities) 5.1 Introduction: In recent years production is viewed from transformation view and flow view these two major aspects, which many argue should be synthesized into a new theoretical view on construction (Koskela 1999). The production in CTG can be analyzed as waste and value Key Production Activities in CTG: a. Effective Planning: Making optimum use of the available resources. 2) Required specialist and material / products (pre fabricated components) are made available at right time. 3) keeping enough buffer periods between activities. 4) Managing overlaps using the principles of concurrent engineering. 5) Use of environmentally friendly materials, techniques are used which would benefit the environment and building in long run. 6) Review physical, financial progress, monitoring and controlling it. 7) Breakdown the work packages for managing the project. b. Cost Controlling during construction: Forecast the budget for executing the CTG project. 2) Estimate costs for key as well as small work packages. 3) Regular audits to check expenditure committed and needed to complete the works. c. Coordinating and Communicating 1) 5.2 Value adding activities in CTG Value is generated through a process of negotiation between customer ends and means (Ballard and Howell 1998). One of the ways in which value can be added is by increasing the function and at the same time keeping cost same (Egbu, 2009). G C have undertaken the value management from winning the contract through the lifecycle of the project. Capturing requirements in clearly defining objectives. 2) Checking track record using competitive tenders in selecting sub contractors and suppliers. 3) Clear allocation of responsibilities and risks to avoid any confusion and litigation in the future. 4) Planning effectively and efficiently so at no point work is halted due to any reason. 5) Keeping contingency plan for works and cost eg. 6) Using JIT for very expensive high tech computers and servers to avoid double handling and damage. 7) green architecture concepts to reduce energy consumption in building (appendix) 8) Use of photovoltaic cells, Blooms Energy Server (appendix) to reduce dependence on external supply of electricity. 9) Methods such as rainwater harvesting to be used, treated water (from water treatment plants) to be used to cool down servers, gardening. 9) Excavated soil to be used to create landscape which will provide zero waste. 10) suspended ceilings to be used to accommodate heavy electrical wiring. 11) CTG h old 40 hour workshop for its employees on value management. 5.3 Wasteful activities in CTG Waste is anything that creates no value for the owner/end-user (CTG), it is something designers, constructors and clients want to eliminate because it creates no value for the customer and yet it is a cost to them (Mossman, 2009). Despite the best efforts and utmost precautions taken by G C there are likely to be some wastes or factors leading to it. 1) Waste of time due to miscommunication. 2) Non working days such as national holidays ( eg. 3rd May), union strikes 3) Untimely events such as rain, storm could stop the work. 4) Incorrect offsite manufacturing order which mismatches onsite component. 5) Excess of material lying on site consumes space, resources, chances of damage/theft 6) incorrect drawings for production could cost huge financially, rework and then manufacturing could cause time delays. 5.4 Efficiency of Identified Production Activity 5.5 Tools and Principles Used for Value Adding and reducing Wasteful Activities Material Requirement Planning: In a complex project as CTG, involving number work packages requires huge quantity and various types of materials and products at necessary stages of construction. It avoids excessive (unnecessary) stack of inventory; by controlling the flow of inventory it optimizes the utilization of labour and machines used in the project (Waller 2003). Last Planner Lean production: Principles of lean production such as just in time which focuses on eliminating waste and producing or making available just when needed. Eliminating waste would help in driving up the overall quality of CTG and procuring just on time would help in reducing excess inventory save space in city surroundings of Liverpool. =7AIBx 6. Chapter 6 (Conclusion and Recommendation) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleListURL_method=list_ArticleListID=1262271380view=c_acct=C000047642_version=1_urlVersion=0_userid=8579047md5=b83cadfeeccb8117982b84fa9b7980a5 Aouad, G., J. Hinks, et al. (1998). An IT map for a generic design and construction process protocol. Journal of Construction Procurement 4(1): 132-151. Ballard, G. and G. Howell (1998). What kind of production is construction. Cooper, R., G. Aouad, et al. (2005). Process management in design and construction, Wiley-Blackwell. Egan, J. (1998). Rethinking Construction (the Egan Report). Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, HMSO. Goulding, J. and M. Alshawi (2002). Generic and specific IT training: a process protocol model for construction. Construction Management and Economics 20(6): 493-505. Halpin, D. (1993). Process-based research to meet the international challenge. Journal of construction engineering and management 119(3): 415-425. Hughes, W. (2001). Evaluating plans of work. Engineering Construction and Architectural Management 8(4): 272-283. Kagioglou, M., R. Cooper, et al. (1998). A generic guide to the design and construction process protocol. Kagioglou, M., R. Cooper, et al. (1999). Re-engineering the UK construction industry: The process protocol. Kagioglou, M., R. Cooper, et al. (1998). Cross-industry learning: the development of a generic design and construction process based on stage/gate new product development processes found in the manufacturing industry. Koskela, L. (1999). Management of production in construction: a theoretical view, Citeseer. Koskela, L. (2000). An exploration towards a production theory and its application to construction. VTT PUBLICATIONS. Latham, S. (1994). Constructing the Team: The Latham Report. HMSO, London. Osmani, M., J. Glass, et al. (2008). Architects perspectives on construction waste reduction by design. Waste management 28(7): 1147-1158. Shelbourn, M., D. Bouchlaghem, et al. (2006). Managing knowledge in the context of sustainable construction. ITcon 11: 57-71. Tzortzopoulos, P., M. Sexton, et al. (2005). Process models implementation in the construction industry: a literature synthesis. Engineering Construction and Architectural Management 12(5): 470. Waller, D. (2003). Operations management: a supply chain approach, International Thomson Business Press. Wilkinson, S. and S. Gupta (2005). The Adaptability of the RIBA Plan of Work with the Design and Build Procurement Option. Construction Information Quarterly 7(1): 6-9. Younger, M., H. Morrow-Almeida, et al. (2008). The Built Environment, Climate Change, and Health. Am J Prev Med 35(5). Mossman, A. (2009). Creating value: a sufficient way to eliminate waste in lean design and lean production. Lean Construction Journal, 13-23. www.processprotocol.com www.architecture.com http://www.ribapublishing.com/publications/practicemanagement/planworkmulti.asp Query and Assumption Sheet: Query Assumption Type of a Contract Stage of the Project Design and Build (Single Stage) Pre Construction stage including detail Design Appendix : Process Mapping in CTG using RIBA Plan of Work Appendix : Process Mapping in CTG using Process Protocol Blooms Energy Server (appendix). its a new invention that generate electricity Built with patented solid oxide fuel cell technology, Blooms Energy Server is a new class of distributed power generator, producing clean, reliable, affordable electricity at the site

Saturday, July 20, 2019

Periods of European History that Demonstrated Changing Attitudes Towards the Education of Women :: European Europe History

Periods of European History that Demonstrated Changing Attitudes Towards the Education of Women Throughout the early portion of modern European history, women were never encouraged to undertake any significant education. Though the problem lessened over time, it was still a strong societal force. There were three major time periods when substantial changes took place in attitudes towards women's education -- the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Seventeenth and the early Eighteenth centuries. The earliest time period, the Renaissance, may have actually been the most liberal time period for women's education. The church was the only force at this time that discouraged education. In Erasmus's book "The Abbot and the Learned Lady", The church's position on this issue says that education does not protect the chastity that was necessary for women. There were still, however, a certainty that women could and should be educated. For example, in Castiglione's book "The Courtier", it is stated that women are capable of everything that men are. Also, Roger Ascham has described his female student(the future Queen Elizabeth I) as equally bright as any other male student of his. Furthermore, in a letter by the poet Louise Labe`, she states a need for women to "raise their head above their spindles" and take up studying. The next age, the Reformation and the catholic Reformation, saw a dramatic and conservative change toward the attitudes of education for women. Martin Luther, a leader of the Reformation, was quoted as saying that God made men with broad shoulders to do all the intelligent, and women with broad hips to do the "sitting" and housework. Agreeing with Martin Luther, was Emond Auger, a French Jesuit, who said "there is no need for women to take time out from their work and read the Old and New Testament" and also that "Women must be silent in church". The third age of early modern European history is the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, in which men at large were still strongly against the education of women, but they had reached a compromise to some extent. They allowed women to be educated on a minor level, as Mme. de Maintenon(wife of Louis XIV) says "Educate your middle-class girls in the middle-class way, but don't embellish their minds", but a women could never go beyond that. It seemed also that some men had conflicting view points on this issue. In Moliere's play "The Learned Ladies", educated women are

Friday, July 19, 2019

Graduation Speech -- Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

The time has finally come. Fellow seniors, we are now on our own. It's time to take down our parking permits and clean out our binders one last time. Tonight is our graduation - a time to celebrate an end to a journey. Tonight is our commencement - the beginning of a new course. We've said goodbye to our teachers, signed yearbooks, paid our fines; now we celebrate 13 years of progress and friendship and we look forward to achieving our goals as we embark on a new odyssey. We've seen our last dance. We've yet to experience our first college lecture. We've heard our last announcements, now we eagerly look forward to making headlines. We've played in our last football game (in the Tacoma Dome), and now we are ready to start this game of life. Of all the institutions that structure American life, none are viewed with the combination of alarm and affection that high schools are. We invest them with tremendous and, perhaps, contradictory hopes: that they will nurture individual achievement as well as social development; that they will be havens from an often heartless world as well as preparation to enter it; that they will be sites of hard work as well as personal pleasure. We have finally gained our independence, and with that comes the opportunity to do anything we choose and head in any direction we wish. But with our newfound freedom comes anxiety and fear, sadness and reflection. Though our individual experiences at Sulzer are as unique as ourselves, we've all gained the fundamentals necessary to influence those around us. We shouldn't be afraid of what lies ahead because at 18, we can create our own destiny. We should look forward to the opportunities we how have as graduates. Though the world may seem unsettling, u... ... seen our last Mr. KHS and Gong Show, danced at our senior Prom, and acted in our last spring musical, but we have so much more to do. Though we are all reluctant to say goodbye to the friends we've made, we must look forward to the opportunities of the future. We have acquired traits during our tenure at Sulzer that will undoubtedly be useful in our future endeavors. We've been made great mathematicians, accomplished scientists, renowned writers, and famed actors. As first class students, we must seize the day, leave our footprints behind, and always reflect on our time and experiences shared at Sulzer. For those of you who still feel unprepared for the future, Dr. Seuss can reassure you. You have brains in your head; you have feet in your shoes; you can steer yourself any direction you choose. Thank you, congratulations, and happy father's day.

Ancient Egyptian Culture :: Egypt Ancient World Culture

Somewhere around 1375 years before the birth of Christ, an Egyptian pharaoh publicly changed his name. That change signalled a return to long-standing tradition, a hallmark of Egyptian culture that flourished for more than three thousand years peacefully in the rich Nile River valley. The king had been called Tutankhaton. The last portion of his name, aton, was the name for the sun-god, which, in the years before the king's reign, had achieved preeminence among the competing deities in Egyptian religious tradition. The king changed his name to the one by which he is known today -- TUTANKHAMEN or, more popularly, King Tut -- and ended the brief experiment in monotheism in favor of the older religion with its promise of an afterlife. And what an afterlife the pharaoh would have! Embalmed in order to endure the elements of disintegration, richly attired to attest to his fabulous earthly wealth, magnificently housed to remind all on-lookers of the towering greatness of the entombed human -- the pharaoh lived on in perpetual association with the stone structures that rose portentously out of the hot, barren sands of the desert so close to the life-giving, greening Nile. And the solemn bearing of these great structures reminds people today of the human hope for immortality and the way an entire culture fashioned a collective immortality in astonishing stone. Here was a culture that would persist, just as its pharaohs would live on in their silent palaces. More interesting, perhaps, is the collective underwriting of the PYRAMIDS. No fewer than 70,000 workers would have been needed to lug limestone blocks from desert miles away to the building sites. Yet there is little evidence that the pharaohs had to coerce their subjects to leave their fields and families in order to build a monument whose completion any single worker would certainly never see.

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Open Government Essay

The U.S. and UK present data to people in all sorts of diverse ways. One way is through internet traffic going to their different websites. This paper will look at four different websites, two from the US and two from the UK, and compare and contrast how the data is presented. It will analyze the impact the data has on professional, ethical, legal, security, cultural or social issues and responsibilities. The basic design of the sites, the ease of use, and the type of data presented will also be taken into account. The overall goal will be to get an idea of how these two governments present information to the population they serve. The first site web site is the WHITE HOUSE. When entering this site, the first thing the viewer will notice is the big weekly address topic panning through the top half of the page. This panning image with links to further information, changes with a few other topics of the day/week which also have links with photos/videos and more information. Another nice aspect is the lack of advertisement. This makes the site standout out as being very professional and important so the reader just focuses on the topics on the page instead of wondering off or getting distracted. There are the typical tabs above the panning topic which allow the viewer to dive deeper into different categories that are offered which relate to the White House such as a Blog section, Photos & Video, Briefing Room, Issues, the Administration, White House, and Government. When scrolled over, a drop down menu shows up with more in dept subcategories for that tab. Under the panning topics, there is a featured topic, with a small picture and a brief description. The option to browse through different topics in this featured section is available. Also underneath the panning topic, taking up a smaller portion of the screen on the right, there is a search engine. When the viewer searches for a word or phrase it basically takes them to a Bing search page with all the results, but all the results are from the WHITE HOUSE website, whether they are articles, relevant posting or blogs, all tied to the website. Scrolling further down the home page further, there’s links to several blog postings by White House correspondents, the White House schedule of events and featured legislation (the link actually takes you to the Bill) with the option to comment on pending legislation. Next to these on the right, there’s a place to create and sign petitions, the photo of the day, a spot to sign up for email alerts and a way to stay connected through Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Linkin, YouTube, etc. All these different avenues to venture down seem to be placed on the home page in accordance of relevance and popularity. Besides the panning topics, there seems to be a lot of emphases on the blog links. This site is easy to navigate through and there seems to be no wasted space or filler content and that the links all lead to topics of relevance and interest. Basically this site was designed for viewers to get an overview of what is going on in and around the White House. Topics are focused on current events and informative blog postings with White House perspectives through the blog writers with a little bit of posts that aim to strike peoples interests. Links to any information about the government and its components and what they are working on is also readily available. This site seems to be well run and designed for what it was intended to due which is to get information out there that is informative and a little bit of entertainment all relative to what the White House and their people are doing. The website Number 10 is the official site of the British Prime Minister’s Office. Like the WHITE HOUSE site, the main focus is a panning banner that has the top headlines rolling through and some tabs above to take the viewer to links on News, Policy, The Coalition, History & Tour, Transparency, and Take Part. There is also a search engine, but it looks to be run by the actual website itself. Under the panning topics taking up the majority of the screen, there’s a section, Policy by Department, with around 15 or so thumbnail pictures symbolizing different categories the viewer can click on from Afghanistan to business/economics to education to the environment, etc. The thumbnails take the viewer to a different web page on the same site with an in depth look at the category selected. When the page is scrolled down past the policies section there’s the Take Part section and a Transparency Section. Both have links to go further into whatever subtopic is selected. To the right side of these sections, taking up a little less screen space, there is options set up to follow Number 10 through Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, and their own app. Also, instead of using the tabs above the panning topics for some categories, they have little sections down the side to click on. Near the bottom, there are three more sections which reference Real Time Energy Use, Meet the PM, and Budget 2012. This was another website designed to give you information on want is going on in the government, more specifically, the Prime Minister’s office, like the WHITE HOUSE site for the UK. Focuses are on what they are doing and ways people can also contribute or â€Å"Take Part†. There also seems to be a theme of being open with their transparency section and the breakdown of energy use and the 2012 budget break down. The Number 10 site is also very user friendly and pretty self explanatory. Viewers can get their information with relative ease through the provided links. All four of these sites the focal point is on government. The first two (the WHITE HOUSE, Number 10) concentrate more on the office of who running the specified country, while the latter two circle around a broader spectrum of the two governments, the Senate and the Parliament. It’s easy to see the difference between the first two sites and the last two sites. The first two are more tailored towards the President and Prime Minister and are definitely more interactive with videos and pictures, making them more alluring to the viewers. The Senate and Parliament look to be more standardized, especially the Senator site.