Monday, August 24, 2020

To compare the ways in which these poems display the horrors of war. Es

To look at the manners by which these sonnets show the revulsions of war. I have chosen three sonnets, The Soldier, by Rupert Brooke, Dulce et Dignity Est, and Anthem for Doomed Youth, both composed by Wilfred Owen. Think about how these sonnets show the abhorrences of World War 1. To think about the manners by which these sonnets show the abhorrences of war. I have chosen three sonnets, The Soldier, by Rupert Brooke, Dulce et Respectability Est, and Song of devotion for Doomed Youth, both composed by Wilfred Owen. I picked Hymn for Doomed Youth and Dulce et Decorum Est since they are fundamentally the same as and show the abhorrences of the war. On the other hand, I picked The Soldier since it is a finished difference furthermore, is about the recognition of the warriors, who are depicted as saints. Wilfred Edward Salter Owen was conceived on March 18, 1893. He was abroad educating until he visited an emergency clinic for the injured, he at that point chose to come back to England in 1915 and enrolled. Owen was harmed in March 1917 and was sent home. By august 1917 he was viewed as fit for obligation also, he at that point came back to the bleeding edges. Only seven days before the Peace negotiation he was shot dead by a German assault rifle aggressor. Owen was just a quarter century old. The title Dulce et Decorum Est is a piece of a Latin saying, Dulce et respectability est Pro patria mori, which implies it is sweet and fitting to pass on for one's nation. Be that as it may, utilizing this title it causes the sonnet to appear as on the off chance that it will commend the war and all the individuals who battled for Britain in it. Owen composes as a matter of fact and from inside a gathering of warriors. He shows this by utilizing comprehensive words like we. Owen expresses, we reviled through the slime. He likewise utilizes our furthermore, states, And towards our inaccessible rest ask... ...answers. Then again Dulce et Decorum Est is only a sonnet. The Soldier has a guidance and how to respect the perished troopers. Dulce et Decorum Est is a direct encounter of life on the front lines, as opposed to The Soldier which is from Rupert Brooke's psyche as he never battled in the war. The Soldier may have given groups of fighters trust, in logical inconsistency to Dulce et Decorum Est which may have caused tremendous measures of discussion and contempt towards Wilfred Owen. In considering the sonnets and contrasting them there is a last end. Wilfred Owens sonnets tend to be increasingly unequivocal and striking, while Rupert Brooke lauds the war and the troopers who battled in it. This is on the grounds that Wilfred Owen was emphatically against war and felt that individuals who were supporters of the war ought to comprehend what they needed to experience.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Jerusalem Essays - Neighbourhoods Of Jerusalem, Quarters

Jerusalem Jerusalem is situated in the core of Israel and is separated into three segments: the Old City, New City (West Jerusalem), and East Jerusalem. In the middle is the Old City which is separated into four primary segments: Muslim Quarter, Jewish Quarter, Christian Quarter, and the Armenian Quarter. Additionally, the Old City is the site of numerous strict and recorded tourist spots. Inside Jewish Quarters, the principle fascination is the Western (Wailing) Divider Wall). It's named the Howling Wall in light of the fact that numerous Jews come to implore there, and their petitions sound like moaning. The Wall is the little remaining piece of King Solomon's Temple. After the Jews were ousted from Sanctuary Mount, the Western Wall turned into the most consecrated spot of Judaism. There are two significant factions of Jews in this piece of the city. There is the Sephardic gathering, who originate from Spain, Africa, and the Mediterranean, and there is the Ashkenazic gathering, who originate from Northern Europe. Another segment of the Old City is the Christian Quarter. The inside of this piece of the city is The Church of the Holy Sepulcher. It is accepted that the Via Dolorosa, a road, was the site of the first Stations of the Cross. Besides, it is kept up that Jesus was initially covered at this site. The Church was reconstructed by Crusaders in 1099 CE, however it was initially worked in the fourth century. The St. James Cathedral is the focal point of consideration in the Armenian part. Numerous families who got away from the Armenian Holocaust in 1915 settled in the Old City. A significant number of the inhabitants of this piece of the Armenian Quarter practice the Greek Orthodox religion. The last area of the city is the Muslim Section. On the Temple Mount are the gold-domed Dome of the Rock (661 BCE) and the silver-domed al-Aqsa mosques. The Rock alluded to in Dome of the Rock is Mt.Zion. This is the place Abram went to forfeit Isaac and Muhammed climbed to paradise.

Friday, July 17, 2020

Great Independent Press Books Indie Press Round-Up From Nov. 2019

Great Independent Press Books Indie Press Round-Up From Nov. 2019 Im excited about the great independent press books Ive read in the last month. In the list below, youll find six books Ive read and loved, plus six more Im adding to my TBR list. My recommendations include several great conventionally-structured novels and one novel thats basically someones thoughts (a favorite form of mine). Ive included one work of speculative fiction, and one thats partly historical fiction. Youll also find one memoir and one nonfiction work Im not sure how to classify. Two of the books are in translation. There are so many great independent press books out there its hard to choose which ones to pick up. I hope this list helps you find something youll enjoy! Independent Press Books Ive Read and Loved In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado (Graywolf Press, November 5) Carmen Maria Machados follow-up to her wonderful story collection  Her Body and Other Parties  is a memoir about an abusive relationship. While in her MFA, Machado met and fell in love with a charismatic woman who later turned out to be full of rage.  In the Dream House  is a groundbreaking book, in part because of its portrayal of abuse in a queer relationship, a subject not often written about in literary history. Its also a formally inventive book. Machado has divided her memoir into short chapters, each inspired by a narrative trope, many of which come from fairytales and fables. This structure gives the emotionally wrenching story both literary depth and tonal variety. The work Machado does to reveal and fill in gaps in the stories that get told is essential. The Revisioners  by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton (Counterpoint, November 5) Margaret Wilkerson Sextons follow-up to her fabulous first novel  A Kind of Freedom  is a page-turning exploration of southern Black womens stories. The novel spans over 160 years. First, we meet Ava from 2017, struggling to establish independence for herself and her son. Then we meet Josephine, an elderly woman in 1924, who has found some measure of success and security on her farm. The story also jumps back to 1855 to follow Josephine as a young enslaved girl whose family dreams of freedom. Witnessing the way these stories intersect and speak to one another is one of the novels great pleasures. Sextons characters stick in your mind, and she makes you care deeply about their struggles and their triumphs. Its a powerful, sweeping novel of hardship, survival, and hope. The Crying Book  by Heather Christle (Catapult, November 5) Yes, this is a whole book on crying, and its sad and also beautiful. Its written in short sections that look at crying from many angles: personal, biological, historical, artistic, and psychological. The impetus for the book is the death of Heather Christles friend at the same time that she is struggling with depression and preparing to give birth to her first child. She writes about the fruits of her research into crying and describes her own moments of sadness and struggle. Its a gorgeous book. Everything from the cover to the ideas to the sentences is moving and sometimes, in spite of what you might expect given the subject matter, comforting. Readers who like the fragmentary style of Sarah Manguso and Maggie Nelson will want to get a copy. They Will Drown in Their Mothers Tears by Johannes Anyuru, Translated by Saska Vogel (Two Lines Press, November 5) This novel is a work of speculative fiction, looking at terrorism, Islamophobia, and anti-immigrant ideology. Its set in Sweden and opens with a violent attack on a bookstore hosting an author known for controversial drawings of the prophet Mohammed. One of the attackers turns out to be a visitor from an alternate future. Or at least she believes she is. Over the course of the novel she tells her story to a writer who tries to piece together what actually happened. This writer grapples with his status as a Muslim in a place that is less and less welcoming. The novels plot is complex and utterly absorbing, and the alternate future it depicts is a dystopian nightmare. They Will Drown in Their Mothers Tears  is a great story, full of memorable characters. It is also a powerful warning about what is possible when we give free rein to our worst impulses. Big Familia  by Tomas Moniz (Acre Books, November 15) This heartwarming novel tells the story of Juan Gutiérrez as he goes through a time of change. His daughter is about to move to college. His Berkeley neighborhood is gentrifying. Jared, his lover, wants a deeper commitment than he feels ready to make. Even his favorite dive bar is starting to become a popular destination for karaoke lovers. And his relationship with his parents is fraught, not least because they havent acknowledged his queerness. These are serious issues, and the novel gives them their due, but its also light in tone. Its focus is less on plot and more on character development. Watching Juan and his family and friends change and grow is enjoyable. Big Familia looks seriously at race, sexuality, class, and more, while never losing its warmth and charm. Seven Samurai Swept Away in a River  by Jung Young Moon, Translated by Yewon Jung (Deep Vellum, December 3) This short novel rambles and jumps from thought to thought, following the narrators mind wherever it wants to go. The premise is that the narratorâ€"who is sort of Jung Young Moon but sort of not, since this is a novelâ€"has traveled to Texas from his native Korea. He stays with friends and rambles around small towns and farms thinking about everything Texas signifies. His meditations range far and wide and include extended riffs on presidential assassinations, cowboy hats, churches, and much more. The narrator also considers what a novel is, what plot is, and what the point of writing is. He considers what the point of anything is. The book is a delightful adventure into the corners of one companionable, entertaining persons mind. More Independent Press Books For Your TBR And finally, here are some great independent press books out soon that Im adding to my TBR pile. The Living Days by Ananda Devi, translated by Jeffrey Zuckerman (The Feminist Press, November 5): a novel about post-9/11 London, xenophobia, nationalism. It tells the story of a relationship between a 75-year-old white woman and a 13-year-old Jamaican boy. Silence of the Chagos  by Shenaz Patel, translated by Jeffrey Zuckerman (Restless Press, November 5): a novel about activists from Diego Garcia, one of the islands of the Chagos archipelago in the Indian Ocean. They were forced to leave their homes and their island and told they could not return. Parade: A Folk Tale  by Hiromi Kawakami, translated by Allison Markin Powell (Soft Skull Press, November 5): a short novel set in a summer afternoon about a pair of tengu, creatures from Japanese folk tales. Some of Us Are Very Hungry Now  by Andre Perry (Two Dollar Radio, November 12): a collection of personal essays in a variety of formats about race, sexuality, culture, and more. Dead Heat  by Benedek Totth, translated by Ildikó Noémi Nagy (Biblioasis, November 19): a coming-of-age novel about misbehaving teenagers on a swim team in a Hungarian town. Fish Soup  by Margarita García Robayo, translated by Charlotte Coombe (Charco Press, December 3): a collection of slice-of-life stories and novellas set in Colombia about emotional turmoil and change. Want even more recommendations for great independent press books? Check out my round-ups from September and October.  

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Tips for Homeschooling Teens

Homeschooling teens is different than homeschooling younger students. They are becoming adults and crave more control and independence, yet they still need accountability.   I have graduated one student and Im currently schooling two high school students. Following are some tips for homeschooling teens that have worked well in my home. 1. Give them control of their environment. When my kids were younger, they  used to do the majority of their schoolwork at the dining room table. Now that they’re teens, I have only one who still chooses to work there. My son likes to do all of his written work and math at the table, but he prefers to read in his bedroom where he can sprawl across the bed or kick back in his comfy desk chair. My daughter, on the other hand, prefers to do all of her work in her bedroom. It doesn’t matter to me where they work, as long as the work gets done. My daughter also likes to listen to music while she works. Her brother, like me, needs quiet to concentrate. Let your teen have some control over their learning  environment. The couch, the dining room, their bedroom, or the porch swing – let them work wherever they’re comfortable as long as the work is completed and acceptable. (Sometimes a table is more conducive to neat written work.) If they like to listen to music while they work, let them as long as it isn’t a distraction. I do draw the line at watching TV while doing schoolwork. I contend that no one can really concentrate on school and watch TV at the same time. 2. Give them a voice in their curriculum. If you haven’t already been doing it, the teen years are an excellent time to begin handing the curriculum choices over to your students. Take them with you to the curriculum fairs. Let them ask questions of the vendors. Have them read the reviews. Allow them to choose their topics of study. Sure, you may need to have some guidelines in place, particularly if you don’t have an especially motivated student or one who has a certain college with specific requirements in mind, but there is usually some wiggle room even within those guidelines. For example, my youngest wanted to study astronomy for science this year instead of the typical biology. Colleges often like to see subject diversity and student passion as much as they like to see specific courses and stellar standardized test scores. And college may not even be in your student’s future. 3. Allow them to manage their time. Whether your teens will be entering college, the military, or the workforce after graduation, good time management is a skill they will need throughout life. High school is an excellent opportunity to learn those skills without such high stakes as might be encountered after graduation. Because they prefer it, I give my kids an assignment sheet each week. However, they know that, for the most part, the order in which the assignments arranged are just a suggestion. As long as all of their work is completed by the end of the week, I don’t particularly care how they choose to complete it. My daughter often transfers the assignments from the sheet I provide to her planner, shuffling them around based on her preferences. For example, sometimes she might choose to double up on assignments one day of the week to clear the following day for more free time or she may choose to work in blocks, doing a few days’ science lessons in one day and a few days in history another. 4. Don’t expect them to start school at 8 a.m. Studies have shown that a teenager’s circadian rhythm is different than a younger kid’s. Their bodies shift from needing to go to sleep around 8 or 9 p.m. to needing to go to sleep around 10 or 11 p.m. instead. This also means that their wake times need to shift. One of the best benefits of homeschooling is being able to adjust our schedules to meet our families’ needs. That’s why we don’t start school at 8 a.m. As a matter of fact, starting at 11 a.m. is a really good day for us. My teens typically don’t begin the bulk of their schoolwork until after lunch. Its not unusual for them to work on school at 11 or 12 at night, after the house is quiet and distractions are few. 5. Don’t expect them to go it alone all of the time. From the time theyre young, we’re working toward developing our students ability to work independently. That doesn’t mean, however, that we should expect them to go it alone all the time as soon as they reach middle or high school. Most teens  need the accountability of daily or weekly meetings to ensure that their work is being completed  and that they’re understanding it. Teens can also benefit from having you read ahead in their books  so that you’re prepared to help if they run into difficulty. It’s frustrating for you and your teen when you have to spend half the day trying to catch up on an unfamiliar topic in order to help them with a difficult concept. You may need to fill the role of tutor or editor. I plan time each afternoon for helping my teens with their arch nemesis, math. I have also served as editor for writing assignments, marking misspelled words or grammar errors for corrections or making suggestions on how to improve their papers. It’s all part of the learning process. 6. Embrace their passions. I am a huge fan of using the high school years to allow teens to explore their passions and give them elective credit for doing so. As much as time and finances will allow, provide your teen with opportunities to explore their interests. Look for opportunities in the form of local  sports and  classes, homeschool groups and co-ops, online courses, dual enrollment, and non-credit continuing education classes. Your kids may try an activity for a while and decide it’s not for them. In other cases, it could turn into a lifelong hobby or career. Either way, each experience  allows for growth opportunity and a better self-awareness for your teen. 7. Help them find opportunities to serve in their community. Help your teen discover volunteer opportunities that mesh with their interests and abilities. The teen years are a prime time for young people to begin becoming activity involved in their local community in meaningful ways. Consider: Volunteering at a nursing home, kids’ program, homeless shelter, or animal shelterInterning or volunteering opportunities at local businessBecoming involved in local or state politicsUsing their talents to serve others (such as painting sets for a community theater, playing an instrument at your place of worship, or taking back-to-school photos for your homeschool group) Teens may grumble about service opportunities at first, but most of the kids I know find that they enjoy helping others more than they thought they would. They enjoy giving back to their community. These tips can help you prepare your teens for life after high school and help them discover who they are as individuals.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

History of HAMAS - 717 Words

HAMAS: In this article regarding HAMAS, I will be writing about their origin, beliefs, failures, successes and how the group transformed from a religious organization to a political one. The group has been fighting for their beliefs for over two decades to an extent that they have become a political organization. Based on the research on the history of HAMAS, the organization took a political dimension from a religious one when it became victorious in the 2006 democratic elections. Consequently, rather than just being a religious organization, HAMAS is considered a political power since it won 76 seats of the 132 member parliament. HAMAS, which is also known as Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya, has a history that can be traced to the 1950s though its origin goes back to 1987 when it was founded as a Muslim brotherhood in Gaza by Sheikh Ahmad. The name of the group is derived from an Arabic acronym for Islamic resistance movement that means zeal, fire, and enthusiasm (HAMAS: History an d Present, 2006). In the 1950s, HAMAS was active in the Gaza Strip where it was largely recognized and gained influence is mosques and every social organization. This continued until the 1980s when it became a powerful political factor and was later founded in 1987. HAMAS basically believes that the land they have been fighting for over the last two decades is theirs. Since its derived from a Muslim brotherhood and unwilling to recognize the right of Israel to exist, the organizationShow MoreRelatedThe History of the Terrorist Group Hamas Essay1185 Words   |  5 PagesEast has brought the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to the attention of the world. These terrorist groups use murder, bombs, threats, and other violent acts to get their way politically. 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The First Contact in Apocalypse Now Free Essays

The First Contact in Apocalypse Now and Heart of Darkness In Apocalypse Now, Francis Ford Coppola obviously modifies and embellishes the characters, scenes and dialogue of Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness. However, with only minor modification Coppola powerfully represents Charlie Marlow’s first contact with Kurtz’ camp. Marlow is greeted by a completely unexpected young Russian adventurer who had become a part of Kurtz’s family. We will write a custom essay sample on The First Contact in Apocalypse Now or any similar topic only for you Order Now Although Coppola has changed the Russian adventurer into an American photojournalist he has kept the characterizations and dialogue very close to Conrad’s original. In doing so, the impact, theme and message of the cinematic and textual versions of the same scene are virtually parallel. Nonetheless several elements missing from the screen version causes it to be less than helpful in understanding the text version. The young Russian was Charlie Marlow’s first sight when he reached Kurtz’ camp and he looked at him â€Å"in astonishment. There he was before me, in motley, as though he had absconded from a troupe of mimes, enthusiastic, fabulous. His very existence was improbable, inexplicable, and altogether bewildering† (p. 119). Although not English like Marlow, he made immediate note of his commonality as a â€Å"brother sailor† (p. 116). Rather impetuously he requests some of Marlow’s â€Å"excellent English tobacco† while pointing out â€Å"your pilot-house wants a clean up!† (p. 115). Aware of Marlow’s potential peril at the hands of the natives, he advises him to keep the boat’s whistle ready; â€Å"one good screech will do more for you than all your rifles† (p. 115). The Russian took it upon himself, and appeared literally compelled to tell Marlow as much as possible of Kurtz and his relationship with him. He was clearly in awe of Kurtz and yet casually mentioned Kurtz had threatened to kill him. He described the great intellectual and emotional conversations they shared. He made no apologies for the obvious atrocities carried out under Kurtz’ command—human heads mounted on stakes. As an explanation he pleaded to Marlow â€Å"you don’t know how such a life tries a man like Kurtz† (p. 124). He denied Kurtz was mad; he protested â€Å"you can’t judge Mr. Kurtz as you would an ordinary man† (p. 121). In spite of it all—or perhaps because of it all—the Russian had nursed Kurtz through illnesses and tried to convince Kurtz to leave the jungle. But Kurtz remained: according to the Russian â€Å"this man suffered too much. He hated all this, and somehow he couldn’t get away† (p. 121). The Russian knew it was time to leave and perhaps time for Kurtz to leave as well, and Marlow gave him cartridges, tobacco and even shoes as he was leaving the camp. Upon leaving he exclaimed â€Å"you ought to have heard him recite poetry—his own, too†¦oh, he enlarged my mind!† (131). Coppola is very faithful to the original in his characterization of the American photojournalist who greets Willard on his arrival. The American, nameless as Conrad’s Russian, quickly establishes his commonality with Willard and the crew, crying out â€Å"American! I’m an American civilian!† Similarly he quickly boards the boat, stating happily â€Å"you got the cigarettes!† and exclaiming â€Å"This boat is a mess, man!† Willard is flabbergasted at his appearance, but just as grateful as Marlow when the American advises â€Å"just zap ‘em with your siren!† in reference to the hostile natives surrounding the boat. The American, like the Russian, is a â€Å"disciple† of Kurtz and takes it upon himself to tell Willard all he can about Kurtz and his relationship with him. He’s concerned Willard has â€Å"come to take him away† this â€Å"great man† who is â€Å"a poet warrior in the classic sense.† Like the Russian, the American has also been threatened with death by Kurtz but is loyal nonetheless. Willard, like Marlow, sees the grotesque heads on pikes and the American responds â€Å"you’re looking at the heads—sometimes he goes too far† and fears â€Å"you’re gonna call him crazy.† The two scenes are virtually parallel in theme and message. The appearance of both characters is completely unexpected and adds the suspense of â€Å"what else can be expected in this other-worldly place?† The unexpectedness is combined with the theme of being caught off-guard by the appearance of someone â€Å"familiar† in an unfamiliar environment. Is it safe or dangerous to trust this person? Additionally the characters provide Marlow/Willard with â€Å"interpretations† and defense of Kurtz, which is equally frightening when the profound effect of Kurtz upon the characters is revealed. It is a very effective way of giving substance to a man who has yet to be seen. The characters are very appropriate gatekeepers to the â€Å"Heart of Darkness† Marlow/Willard are about to enter. The message is the power Kurtz can exert on a fellow European/American and both reader and viewer are left to wonder what effect Kurtz will have on Marlow/Willard. Unfortunately Coppola’s scene does little to assist in understanding the scene as written by Conrad for a very simple reason: despite the dramatic jolt the American gives, he is an â€Å"incomplete† if not â€Å"throwaway† character. Conrad’s Russian is a man of his own adventure who had nursed Kurtz and urged him to leave; he clearly recognizes the time to move on, which helps put Kurtz and his influence on the Russian in perspective. Coppola’s American, by contrast, has not been of any assistance to Kurtz nor urged him to leave, and is not heard from after bringing Willard into the camp. The Russian has survived and thrown off the influence of Kurtz; whether the American survives is left to the imagination. Despite this, Coppola has provided the viewer a powerful visual representation of the entry into the Heart of Darkness. References Conrad, Joseph. (2003). Heart of Darkness. New York: Barnes Noble. Coppola, Francis F. Apocalypse Now. 1979. Zoetrope Studios. How to cite The First Contact in Apocalypse Now, Essay examples

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Social Selling Her Way to $250,000

SOCIAL SELLING HER WAY TO $250,000 It’s often said, â€Å"If you’re not online, then you essentially don’t exist.† According to a recent survey by Enquiro, 85.3 percent of buyers use the Internet before making a purchasing decision, and 77.7 percent of buyers say their research starts with Google. With the ever-growing population of businesses online, more specifically on social media, it can be hard to stand out from your competition. So is it still possible for a small business owner to find success on social media? Absolutely! Jessica Gordon, the owner of Three Little Darlings Designs, turned her custom bow business into a company grossing over $250,000 in less than three years primarily using Facebook. Like many businesses, Gordon’s company was conceived out of necessity. â€Å"When I found out I was pregnant with a little girl I knew I wanted to dress her up as girly as possible, especially after having a rough and tumble little boy. After she was born, I started purchasing hair accessories for her that were terrible quality! Thats when I decided I could make them myself. After making a few and having her wear them out, I was astounded at how many compliments we were getting and how many people were asking where I purchased them. Thats when I decided to start making and selling them,† she shared. Despite her busy schedule running a growing business, Gordon took the time to provide us with some insights about her experience and the strategies that helped lead her to such success. Did you start with a few products or offer a large variety right away? I started off small, but then after the first month, I realized I needed to increase the inventory and started making/selling about 100 new pieces each week. I knew I wanted to make ONE-OF-A-KIND pieces, but after a while, more and more people wanted the same items, so I then began making similar pieces to keep up with supply and demand. I pride myself on creating unique, one-of-a-kind pieces while still offering custom orders where people can make them however theyd like. How did you decide what your marketing plan was going to be? Honestly, I didnt have a marketing plan at all. I knew I would have to promote the business, but relied HEAVILY on word of mouth at first. Despite not having a marketing plan, Gordon knew from the beginning that she wanted to sell her products online rather than at festivals and craft fairs. In fact, she reported that 95 percent of her business comes from online sales. I initially started with a Facebook business page, expanded to Etsy, closed the Etsy after I realized how costly it was to sell on there, then moved most of my sales and business exchanges to a private closed business group on Facebook. Gordon’s Facebook page has over 28,000 likes and her Facebook group has over 5,000 members. Sales are made primarily via Facebook. To order, customers browse through photos of design options and comment on a photo with their email address. They finalize what they want to purchase by conversing with Jessica directly on the post, and they receive their invoice via PayPal. Did/do you use online ads? If so, what range of a budget did you start with? How did you learn to do them correctly? I didnt do much in the form of online advertising other than paying to promote posts on the Facebook business page. In the beginning, it was hard figuring out exactly what Facebook wanted me to do in regards to advertisement. Facebook business pages are tricky. The more people who like or comment on a photo or post, the more Facebook allows that post/photo to reach your entire audience. Sometimes, I would only reach about 100 people out of my 28,000 fans, which is how Facebook gets you to pay to promote. For me, paying Facebook to promote my posts was a big waste. Once she discovered that promoting her posts wasn’t the answer, Gordon made two major moves that had an incredible impact on her business. She participated in large group giveaways, as well as started a closed Facebook group to accompany her Facebook page. What helped a ton was being a part of massive group giveaways on Facebook. Giveaways were my biggest tool for increasing my online presence. People would have to like my page to be entered in the giveaway. After they had liked the page, I strived to reel them in and make them want to buy items [with discounts, rewards for purchasing or entrance into another giveaway as a ‘thank you’ for purchasing]. Budget-wise, I started with $400 $500/month, and I now budget only about $150 a month for advertising. Gordon initially split her budget between the product costs for the giveaways and about $100 for advertising on Facebook. Giveaways are easy to implement into your own online ventures. You can find group giveaway opportunities such as the ones mentioned  here and here, or you can run your contest on your own social media profiles or website. Be cautious, though, because there are several new Facebook rules and federal laws involved in running giveaways. Take the time to make sure you understand them. Texas blogger Taylor Bradford of Pink Heels, Pink Truck offers additional tips and suggestions for making sure you’re staying on the right side of the law with regards to giveaways. Gordon addressed the recent Facebook policy change and how her move to a closed group allowed her a way of getting around the restrictions: Up until last year, Facebook would allow LARGE group giveaways through Rafflecopter. One business would promote the giveaway and get TONS of other online boutiques to give away items, store credits, etc Then, when the giveaway contest opened, if people wanted to be entered, they would have to like every page via the Rafflecopter giveaway form in order to have their name submitted into the drawing. When the giveaway was over, Rafflecopter would randomly choose a winner for each prize. The winner would contact us and then they would get their prize. Once this method was banned from Facebook, we had to get creative and do giveaways another way. We still do big giveaways, but we have people join our Facebook groups (via a link in Rafflecopter or manually) rather than having to like a Facebook page to enter. Below is  an example of one of the large group giveaways Gordon participated in through Gleam. She posted about it on her Facebook page and noted that readers must follow the link in the comments to enter. Once someone followed the link, they were instructed that the way to enter the contest was to join Gordon’s group as well as to participate with the requests from the other businesses that were part of the giveaway. (Entry options are visible below the contest photo only when a giveaway campaign is open.) In addition to group giveaways, Gordon also does her own individual giveaways. When I conduct personal giveaways, its much more laid back. I just mention it on my page, and promote it in my group. For example, I just ran a giveaway in my group to celebrate reaching 5,000 customers – I gave away a $50 store credit and all people had to do to enter was make a purchase that week. I placed everyones name into random.org, created a randomized list, and the top person was the winner. I also do giveaways where I will ask people to invite their friends to the group to win a certain prize. This helps generate more customers. How do you make sure that people actually see your product and giveaway posts? This is one of the beauties of a group. Once I moved my business to a closed Facebook group, it made it so that EVERYONE sees my posts if theyre members, and I dont have to worry about posts NOT being in people’s Facebook timelines like I would if I just had a page. Once someone joins a group, they automatically start receiving notifications of new posts to the group. So, they never miss a post. Members can choose to stop receiving notifications, but this opt-out option is something they must do manually. On a side note, Gordon mentioned that there are additional benefits of having a group rather than just a page. I can be very selective with who I allow in my group, which helps me avoid any people trying to phish for my customers, steal my ideas, etc. Facebook groups can be set up by anyone and for almost any reason. It’s easy to learn how to set up a group properly, but keep in mind some Do’s and Don’ts of Facebook groups. For example, a major pet peeve for many users is when someone adds them to a group without their permission. Doing so could cause you to lose a potential new customer. So, if you don’t just automatically add people to groups without their permission, how are you able to get people to join your group? One way Gordon incentivizes people to join her group is to post about a prize via her Facebook page, which requires joining the closed group in order to enter the contest. Because she made the Facebook group a closed group, this means that you must be a member in order to see things that are posted in the group. So, if you’re not a member, you miss out. You won’t see what the current giveaway or sale is. Here’s an example of one of her recent incentive posts: To further emphasize the sense of exclusivity offered by joining the group, Gordon uses almost every post on her Facebook page to remind her audience that joining the Facebook group will give them access to new items and exclusive sales that aren’t visible on the Facebook page. She admits that it takes a bit more time to do separate posts, but that it’s worth it to spend the extra time trying to get people to join the group since you know they’re more likely to see your posts once they join. Speaking of time, how much time do you spend per day on social media promoting your company, engaging with customers, and providing customer service? Now, I spend about 2 hours a day promoting, engaging customers, answering emails, and discussing design ideas. She posts at least once a day on the page and multiple times per day in the group. Posts include giveaways, new product photos, and fun posts that illicit engagement, such as the light-hearted post pictured below. Do you outsource any of your business? I do EVERYTHING myself – design, production, shipping, invoicing, advertising, etc. Its a lot of work, but I love it. I do have an administrator who has recently started advertising for me on Instagram and helping to promote my page on Facebook. What tool do you use to create your posts? I use PicMonkey for collages, images, and designs. It’s a great online photo-editing tool. For a small fee each year, I can create virtually all of the graphics I need for my business without the hassle of Photoshop. Its VERY user-friendly and allows me to edit photos quickly and easily. Have you dealt with competitors being nasty online? Oh, let me tell you: When youre at the top, you have some haters, sadly Ive had to deal with my fair share of competitors, copycats, and even customers-turned-business-owners, who not only tried to steal my customers by inviting them to their new business page, but also tried to sell my hair accessories as their own. You name it; Ive dealt with it. But I pride myself on running a topnotch business and strive to have an open line of communication with my customers so when things like this happen, they are normally the first to message me to let me know. They have my back. Watermarks also help a ton, so people dont steal my pictures and use them as their own! What is something you wish everyone knew? Developing a successful online business takes a lot of hard work and dedication. In just three years, I have seen countless other businesses begin and end because of the amount of time it actually takes. Often, people forget that theres a person behind the computer like a real person, mom, wife, etc. who doesnt spend every waking minute on the computer or checking their phone to answer messages or make a sale. Having a supportive family/partner is key and setting a schedule for when you are going to work is extremely important and beneficial to the success of your business. Im a work-at-home mom and have a six-year-old and three-year-old. My six-year-old just started kindergarten this year, and I enrolled my daughter in preschool three days a week (just for 2.5 hours) so I get some extra time during the day to do some work. I also work after my children go to sleep until all hours of the night. Its not ideal, but it allows me to be with them during the day/evening and still bring in a substantial income for our family’s needs. Gordon has certainly done a great job bringing in that substantial income for her family and has great advice to share. She is a prime example of the amount of success that can come along with determination, hard work, great customer service, and a willingness to learn and adapt along the way.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

A Beginners Guide to Ruby Programming Language

A Beginners Guide to Ruby Programming Language Ruby is unique among object-oriented scripting languages. In a sense, its a purists language for those who love object-oriented languages. Everything, without exception, is automatically an object, whereas in other programming languages this isnt true. What is an object? Well, in a sense you can think of it in terms of building a car. If you have a blueprint for it, then an object is whats built from that blueprint. It contains all the attributes that the object holds (i.e. make, model, color) and the actions it can perform. But, even as a pure object-oriented language, Ruby doesnt sacrifice any usability or flexibility by leaving out features that arent expressly related to object-oriented programming. Designing Ruby Rubys architect Yukihiro Matsumoto (known simply as Matz on the web) designed the language to be simple enough for beginning programmers to use while also powerful enough for experienced programmers to have all the tools theyd need. It sounds contradictory, but this dichotomy is owed to Rubys pure object-oriented design and Matzs careful selection of features from other languages such as Perl, Smalltalk, and Lisp. There are libraries for building all types of applications with Ruby: XML parsers, GUI bindings, networking protocols, game libraries and more. Ruby programmers also have access to the powerful RubyGems program. Comparable to Perls CPAN, RubyGems makes it easy to import other programmers libraries into your own programs. What Is Ruby Not? Like any programming language, Ruby has its downsides. Its not a high-performance programming language. In that regard, Pythons virtual machine design has a huge advantage. Also, if youre not a fan of the object-oriented methodology then Ruby isnt for you. Though Ruby does have some features that fall outside the realm of object-oriented languages, its not possible to create a non-trivial Ruby program without using the object-oriented features. Ruby doesnt always perform as well as other similar scripting languages in raw computing tasks. That being said, future versions will address these problems and alternate implementations, such as JRuby, are available as a workaround for these issues. How Is Ruby Used? Ruby is used in typical scripting language applications such as text processing and glue or middleware programs. Its suitable for small, ad-hoc scripting tasks that, in the past, may have been solved with Perl. Writing small programs with Ruby is as easy as importing the modules you need and writing an almost BASIC-like sequence of events type of program. Like Perl, Ruby also has first-class regular expressions, which makes text processing scripts a snap to write. The flexible syntax also aides in small scripts. With some object-oriented languages, you can get bogged down with verbose and bulky code, but Ruby leaves you free to simply worry about your script. Ruby is also suitable for larger software systems. Its most successful application is in the Ruby on Rails web framework, software which has five major subsystems, numerous minor pieces and a plethora of support scripts, database backends, and libraries. To aid the creation of larger systems, Ruby offers several layers of compartmentalization, including the class and module. Its lack of superfluous features allows programmers to write and use large software systems without any surprises. What Skills Would Be Helpful for Learning Ruby? A solid understanding of object-oriented concepts. Ruby is an object-oriented language and the object-oriented features are used throughout. Without this critical skill, youll be struggling as a Ruby programmer.A bit of functional programming knowledge. This is a plus as Ruby uses the block or closure extensively. Not having this ability isnt insurmountable, though. Creating blocks is a feature that can be learned easily enough while learning Ruby.A bit of navigational know-how. The primary way of running a Ruby script is from the command-line. Knowing how to navigate directories, run scripts and redirect input and output are essential skills to Ruby programmers. Applications and Tools Needed for Ruby The Ruby interpreterA text editor such as Notepad, Scite, or Vim. Word processors such as Wordpad or Microsoft Word are not suitable.Command-line access. Though the details of this differ from platform to platform, Linux, Windows, and OSX all have this available without any extra downloads or software installation.

Monday, March 2, 2020

Mendelevium Facts - Element 101 or Md

Mendelevium Facts - Element 101 or Md Mendelevium is a radioactive synthetic element with atomic number 101 and element symbol Md. It is expected to be a solid metal at room temperature, but since it is the first element that cant be produced in large quantities by neutron bombardment, macroscopic samples of Md have not been produced and observed. Here is a collection of facts about mendelevium: Mendelevium is a synthetic element that has not been detected in nature. It was produced in 1955 by bombarding the element einsteinium (atomic number 99) with alpha particles to produce mendelevium-256. It was produced by Albert Ghiorso, Glenn T. Seaborg, Gregory Robert Choppin, Bernard G. Harvey, and Stanley G. Thompson at the University of California at Berkeley in 1955. Element 101 was the first element to be produced one atom at a time.According to Glenn Seaborg, the naming of the element was somewhat controversial. He said, We thought it fitting that there be an element named for the Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev, who had developed the periodic table. In nearly all our experiments discovering transuranium elements, wed depended on his method of predicting chemical properties based on the elements position in the table. But in the middle of the Cold War, naming an element for a Russian was a somewhat bold gesture that did not sit well with some American critics. Mendelevium wa s the first of the second hundred chemical elements. Seaborg requested and received permission to name the new element for a Russian from the U.S. government. The proposed element symbol was Mv, but the IUPAC changed the symbol to Md at their assembly in Paris in 1957. Mendelevium is produced by bombarding bismuth targets with argon ions, plutonium or americium targets with carbon or nitrogen ions, or einsteinium with alpha particles. Starting with einsteinium, femtogram samples of element 101 may be produced.Mendelevium properties are largely based on predictions and on the activity of homologous elements on the periodic table because bulk preparation of the element isnt possible. The element forms trivalent (3) and divalent (2) ions. These oxidation states have been shown experimentally in solution. The 1 state has been reported, as well. The density, state of matter, crystal structure, and melting point have been estimated based on the behavior of nearby elements on the table. In chemical reactions, mendelevium behaves much like other radioactive transition metals and sometimes like an alkaline earth metal.At least 16 isotopes of mendelevium are known, which have mass numbers ranging from 245 to 260. All of them are radioactive and unstable. The longest-lived isotope is Md-258, which has a half-life of 51.5 days. Five nuclear isotopes of the element are known. The most important isotope for research, Md-256, decays via electron capture about 90% of the time and alpha decay otherwise. Because only small amounts of mendelevium can be produced and its isotopes have short half-lives, the only uses for element 101 are scientific research into the elements properties and for the synthesis of other heavy atomic nuclei.Mendelevium serves no biological function in organisms. Its toxic because of its radioactivity. Mendelevium Properties Element Name: mendeleviumElement Symbol: MdAtomic Number: 101Atomic Weight: (258)Discovery: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory - USA (1955)Element Group: actinide, f-blockElement Period: period 7Electron Configuration:  [Rn] 5f13  7s2  (2, 8, 18, 32, 31, 8, 2)Phase: predicted to be a solid at room temperatureDensity:  10.3  g/cm3  (predicted near room temperature)Melting Point:  1100  K  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹(827  Ã‚ °C, ​1521  Ã‚ °F)  (predicted)Oxidation States:  2,  3Electronegativity: 1.3 on the Pauling scaleIonization Energy:  1st:  635  kJ/mol (estimated)Crystal Structure: face-centered cubic (fcc) predicted Sources Ghiorso, A.; Harvey, B.; Choppin, G.; Thompson, S.; Seaborg, G. (1955). New Element Mendelevium, Atomic Number 101. Physical Review. 98 (5): 1518–1519.David R. Lide (ed),  CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 84th Edition. CRC Press. Boca Raton, Florida, 2003; Section 10, Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics; Ionization Potentials of Atoms and Atomic Ions.Hulet, E. K. (1980). Chapter 12. Chemistry of the Heaviest Actinides: Fermium, Mendelevium, Nobelium, and Lawrencium. In Edelstein, Norman M.  Lanthanide and Actinide Chemistry and Spectroscopy.

Friday, February 14, 2020

Schopenhauer's will Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Schopenhauer's will - Essay Example The World as Representation or Idea: Platonic Idea - only adequate objectification of the will. It is the object of art and hence knowable as an object of perception. The platonic idea is an independent idea and independent of the principle of sufficient reason. Idealism is a theory of the ultimate reality. Knowledge may either be intuitive or abstract. Intuitive knowledge is derived from primary idea; abstract knowledge from secondary idea. We may know ourselves as willing, but we cannot know ourselves as knowing. A knowing subject cannot become a known subject. The act of willing arises from a need or desire for something and is therefore a manifestation of deprivation or suffering. The fulfillment of a wish terminates the act of willing. The gratification of a desire or wish is a negative condition. It provides only temporary deliverance from the need of suffering. The will cannot be guided by the intellect but the intellect can be guided by the will. The freedom of the will is negative. It is only a denial of necessity. The will wants everything for itself. Egoism concentrates the self interest of each one. Voluntary renunciation of egoism is achieved by a denial of the will to live. Justice is achieved when the affirmation of the will to live by one individual does not conflict with the will to live of another individual. Conscience constitutes our self-knowledge of how our action may manifest the reality of the will. Virtue may proceed from the intuitive knowledge. Denial of the will is seen in asceticism. Suicide is not a denial of the will to live because it is not a rejection of personal well-being. The will is free to deny itself or suspend. The denial of the will does not produce nothingness which is a negative of being....Known and unknown forces act to form sensations. In our mental state we encounter some thing phenomenal-that is our will. The will inner side is for immediate consciousness or willing and the outer for intelligence or bodily motion. The will is beyond the realm of space, time and causality. It is a blind incessant impulse independent of our perception-an inner consciousness of our own existence, our feelings and desires. It is a reality. According to Schopenhauer, reason is the faculty of producing or comparing concepts, understanding is the faculty for comparing perception. Concepts maybe thought of but not perceived. The effects of concepts are language, action and science. Platonic Idea - only adequate objectification of the will. It is the object of art and hence knowable as an object of perception. The platonic idea is an independent idea and independent of the principle of sufficient reason. Suicide is not a denial of the will to live because it is not a rejection of personal well-being. The will is free to deny itself or suspend. The denial of the will does not produce nothingness which is a negative of being. Ethical conduct is negative and requires a denial of the will to live. Concern for others is contrary to self-interest. Schopenhauer's views are pessimistic. His pessimistic pervades almost all areas of his work.

Saturday, February 1, 2020

Design and Access Statement & Planning Policy application Essay

Design and Access Statement & Planning Policy application - Essay Example The rationale behind this programme is to support sustainability by recycling food waste and garden waste to produce fertiliser as well as biogas to be used in the generation of electricity. Therefore, the document seeks to state the principle policies that would necessitate permission to go ahead. This vision is designed to reduce environmental degradation by making better use of waste and sustainably generating electrical energy by reducing the carbon footprints in the process to complement the main grid and other sources. The proposed development will also allow citizens to learn the process of anaerobic digestion that will be used to recycle the food to produce both biogas and fertiliser. The National Policy Framework is a significant part of the government’s reforms to make the plans for projects less intricate and easier to comprehend. It immensely reduces the number of policy pages about planning (Parliament, Commons, & Committee, 2014, p. 9) The Framework lays down planning policies for United Kingdom (UK) and how they are projected to be functional. It provides direction for local planning authorities and decision-takers, both in drawing up plans and making decisions about planning applications. The Framework does not include specific waste policies, since national waste planning policy is published as part of the National Waste Management Plan for England (Britain & Government, 2012, p. 1). The Framework should be read in combination with the government’s planning policy for traveller sites. Local planning authorities preparing plans and making decisions on waste on travellers’ sites should also to take into account the policies in the Framework. The Secretary of State determines these according to the Planning Act 2008 and significant national policy statements for main infrastructure, as well as any other matters that are considered both vital and applicable (which may include the Framework

Friday, January 24, 2020

The Jazz Age Essay -- essays research papers

The Jazz music of the Big Band Era was the peak of over thirty years of musical development. Jazz was so innovative and different that it could literally sweep the world, changing the musical styles of nearly every country. Big band Jazz that makes the feet tap and the heart race with excitement that it is recognized with nearly every type of music. The musical and cultural revolution that brought about Jazz was a direct result of African-Americans pursuing careers in the arts following the United States civil war. As slaves African-Americans has learned few European cultural traditions. With more freedom to pursue careers in the arts and bringing African artistic traditions to their work, African-Americans changed music and dance, not only in the U.S., but all over the world. For after the war, African American dancers and musicians created work that was not similar by hundreds of years of musical and dance traditions brought from the peasant villages of Europe. The music of Europe had a more base structure. European music through the nineteenth century was melodically based, with a square or waltz rhythmic structure. Differently, much African music has an organization which is based around rhythm and accent, rhythms and accents that may actually shift and move in relation to each other as the music progresses. The big change that took place in music rhythmically was the shift away from the rhythmic structure. African musical tradition tends to count towards the accented beat so that an African may count 2 on the same beat a European would count 1. It is typical of West African music to have rhythms of different lengths overlapping each other, creating shifting accents, sort of like a mix. Which is to say that by the late 1920's African-American Jazz music had developed a tradition where musicians put a strong rhythmic accent on "2" and "4" and melodic accents anywhere BUT on "1." The first popular musical trend in the United States produced by this African-European combination was Ragtime, which first achieved popularity in the late 19th century. Ragtime musicians often used what are called "ragged" rhythms. Ragged rhythms were African-influenced rhythms, shortened so that the accent was "off" the beat, instead of in rhythm with the beat. Ragtime musicians also occasionally used what were called "bl... ...and. For the next several years Henderson arranged tunes for Goodman band in a Jazz/Swing style. Henderson's arrangements are credited with helping sweep the Goodman band to national popularity the following year at the finish of an apparently unsuccessful cross-country tour in California. As it turned out, the radio broadcasts of the tour were scheduled too late for people in the east and midwest. On the west coast, however, the broadcasts gained a devoted audience who, surprising the band, swarmed its final concerts. And it was with Benny Goodman that the Swing big band boom began, and our narrative on Jazz draws to a close. After Goodman's dramatic success ignited the Big Band craze, excellent musicians who had been working as sidemen for other bands found encouragement to start their own bands. Bands led by the Dorseys, Glenn Miller, Bunny Berrigan, Lionel Hampton, Harry James, and Gene Krupa sprang into being.With big band Swing music in full bloom, it was only logical that jitterbug dancing should also rocket to national popularity, which it did. Jazz music had an amazing affect on the â€Å"Roaring Twenties.† It tells many stories of sadness, experience and most of all, life.

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Another Brick in the Wall

This song was written by Pink Floy’d. It was recorded April-November 1979 and was released to the public on December 1979. The song can be found on â€Å"The Wall† album. The song is written with three parts: part one is referred to as reminiscing, part two is referred to as education, and part three is referred to as drugs. Part two is the most recognized part of the whole song. â€Å"Another Brick in the Wall† hit number fifty-seven on the disco chart. Part one of â€Å"Another Brick in the Wall† starts off with a soft and long guitar solo, this solo hits a few louder notes throughout this part. You can hear a teacher yelling at students. Floy’d comes in with soft vocals; he only gets louder in a few parts. All the vocals are softer than the other two parts. In all three parts the line â€Å"all in all it was just a brick in the wall† is repeated. This line is a symbol for people building up a wall to protect themselves from emotional harm. Part one is about Pink’s childhood life. This part is reminiscent about Pinks’s father; this is shown in the lines â€Å"daddy’s flown across the ocean and what did you leave for me. † The first line shows the separation from his father due to the military. His father was killed in Italy, so the separation from him was a great issue for him. Pink uses the word ocean as a metaphor for the afterlife that lies past a great body of water. He is both physically and mentally separated from his father. Reminiscing ends with another soft guitar solo. Part two, education, is the most famous part of â€Å"Another Brick in the Wall†. Floy’d tries to show his childhood struggles with cruel teachers whom he blames for adding more bricks in his wall. Since its release, there have been accounted stories of children and adults adopting this song as an anarchistic hymn. They use it to fight back against their years of educational oppression. The line â€Å"we don’t need no education† does not suggest that we do not need education, but, in fact it is a double negative which means the â€Å"don’t† and â€Å"no† cancel each other out producing we do need education. Part two has added the drums and a synthesizer to its musical items. The guitar is still used here. In a part of this song Floy’d has children singing the same stanza he sang earlier. This part of the song also ends with a guitar solo with the drums being played in the background. Part three â€Å"drugs† is much shorter than the previous two parts but it starts out with a sound of smashing then you hear a guitar and drums starting to play. At the same time, Floy’d starts singing with the line â€Å"I don’t need no arms around me. And I don’t need no drugs to calm me. † This part symbolizes his pain and how he dealt with it: drugs and loving arms around him. He uses part three as an attack against the world. He uses the line â€Å"I have seen the writing on the wall† as a metaphor for him seeing what life can throw at you and you have to stand strong if you want to survive. The song ends with the sound of the synthesizer fading into nothing.

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Financial And Non Financial Trade Organizations - 909 Words

Financial and non-financial trade organizations and institutions in Canada There are lots of different financial and non-financial organizations and institutions in Canada; however, the focus will be on several of them such as Global Affairs Canada, Ministry of International Trade, Enterprise Toronto, EDC, TFO etc. According to the Government of Canada (2017), Global Affairs Canada is a division of the Government of Canada, which is focused on relationships with other countries, managing Canada`s international trade policies while developing the country`s international affairs and proposing humanitarian aid to all the needed. Global Affairs Canada consists of three smaller departments such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry†¦show more content†¦The most popular are senior care services, yoga services, and general contracting (personal communication, January 21, 2016). According to Export Development Canada (n.d.), EDC is a self-financing commercial organization that offers all set of financial and non-financial services to Canadian investors and exporters in order to develop direct investment overseas and into Canada (para. 1-2). As TFO Canada (n.d.) explains, Trade Facilitation Office Canada is a non-financial institution with the aim to combat the poverty around the world and to promote an improvement in economic performance of poor regions (para. 1). TFO Canada was represented by Ms. Alma Farias who showed the opportunities for international students as well how to be involved in sustainable economic growth and to find the opportunities for an international trade. Canadian Manufacturers Exporters (CME) is the powerful association in Canadian industry with the aim to help its members to capture leading positions of exporters both in the domestic market and in abroad (CME, n.d., para. 1, 4). I.E. Canada is a non-profit association of importers and exporters focused on the development of efficient international trade (I.E. Canada, n.d., para. 1). In addition, there are several bilateral trade organizations such as Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce (BCCC), Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) etc. which promote the development of two-side trade and business investments (BCCC, n.d.,Show MoreRelatedHow Globalization Affects Developing Countries?1504 Words   |  7 Pagesprovide organizations a superior competitive position with lower operating costs, to gain greater numbers of products, services and consumers. This approach to competition is gained via diversification of resources, the creation and development of new investment opportunities by opening up additional markets, and accessing new raw materials and resources. Diversification of resources is a business strategy that increases the variety of business products and services within various organizations. DiversificationRead MoreGlobalization and the Multinational Corporation: Multiple Choice Questions1378 Words   |  6 PagesInternational Financial Management, 2e (Be kaert / Hodrick) Chapter 1 Globalization and the Multinational Corporation 1.1 Multiple Choice Easy 1) Which of the following was created in an effort to promote free trade? A) World Trade Organization B) the Sarbanes-Oxley Act C) multilateral development banks D) the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Answer: A 2) Which one of the following is an investment from which the payoff over time is derived from the performanceRead MoreFinancial Ratio Analysis : Victoria s Secret1706 Words   |  7 PagesFinancial Ratio Analysis In review of Victoria’s Secret’s financial ratios, it can be concluded that they are capable of fulfilling consumer demands and maintain financial stability. Liquidity Measures ratios advocates that Victoria’s Secret is also capable of sufficiently paying for its liabilities as well as invest assets in a tactical way. Net Working Capital to Total Assets show that Victoria’s Secret is able to turn assets and cover their short term liabilities efficiently. Fixed Asset TurnoverRead MoreInternational Financial Reporting System ( Ifrs ) Rules And Practices927 Words   |  4 PagesThis article introduces the International Financial Reporting System (IFRS) rules and practices, to the Czech Republic. The IFRS is a financial reporting system was established in an attempt to maintain stability throughout the financial community. Despite the conflicts with other countries’ accounting systems, the IFRS attempts to organize one financial standard system for b usinesses to report their financial statements. This article examines the relationship between domestic and global standardsRead MoreAnnotated Bibliography Of Employee Union998 Words   |  4 Pagesuniversity sector: Union strategy and non-union forms of employee participation: Journal of Industrial Relations: http://dx.doi.org/DOI: 10.1177/0022185613489414 This article examines union response to employee’s needs and concerns. The writers finding suggests that in the short term, unions adopted a strategy of compliance and requirement through the development of hybrid forms of voice, such as staff consultative committees. They further understand that non-union forms of employee representationRead MoreDodd Frank Reform And Consumer Protection Act1709 Words   |  7 Pagesdivided into sixteen titles that places major regulations on the financial industry with the purpose of restraining another major financial market collapse. The stated aim of the legislation is: â€Å"To promote the financial stability of the United States by improving accountability and transparency in the financial system, to end too big to fail, to protect the American taxpayer by ending bailouts, to protect consumers from abusive financial services practices, and for other purposes† (Thomas, 2010). DueRead MoreThe Growth Of Online Sales1278 Words   |  6 PagesToday, the traditional way of trade has undergone drastic changes. It is not possible to present the major retailers whose sales only in the store without online. More and more companies are changing their strategy towards online sales and move on to the combined sales channels. There are several main reasons for this phenomenon. The projected volume of online sales grows at double-digit, while the growth of not on-line sales slowed down dramatically. The retailing trade association estimates thatRead MoreGlobalization and Human Welfare1656 Words   |  7 Pages International free trade has become the foundation of neoliberal globalization. The main organizations for carrying out free trade are World Trade Organization (WTO) established on 1995, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB). The main aim was to promote development and trade. Trade has become the lens through which development is perceived, rather than the other way round . The concept of trade evolved right from Adam Smith and David Ricardo who introduced the concept of comparativeRead MoreThe Structure And Operation Of The Global Economy Essay1451 Words   |  6 PagesBITs, governments are aiming to assure non-discrimination, to discipline expropriation, to assure transferability of investment-related funds, to refine the imposition of performance requirements, to assure investors the ability to choose top managers, and to grant private investors the right to submit disputes with host governments to international arbitration, instead of local courts, (Baldwin 15; D avis 3). BITs can provide effective mechanisms by which trade and FDI can be regulated; however, simultaneouslyRead MoreGlobalizations Impact on Government Business Relations1845 Words   |  7 Pagesdue to increased trade and growth, and capital liberalization doesnt work in favor of the poor. Governments are supposed to reduce the negative financial market positions and not impose any such policies that would enhance those situations. Instability can cause deterrents for both firms and governments in the same manner. Interest rates being on a rise can reduce investment and a volatile currency will discourage exporters, especially the smaller firms that do not have any financial expertise to guide

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

John Baxter Taylor 1st African-American Gold Medalist

John Baxter Taylor was the first African-American to win an Olympic Gold Medal and the first to represent the United States at an international sporting competition. At 5’11 and 160 pounds, Taylor was a tall, lanky and swift runner. In his short yet prolific athletic career, Taylor earned forty-five cups and seventy medals. Following Taylor’s untimely death just a few months after his Olympic wins, Harry Porter, the Acting President of the 1908 American Olympic Team described Taylor as â€Å"[...] More as the man (than the athlete) that John Taylor made his mark. Quite unostentatious, genial, (and) kindly, the fleet-footed, far-famed athlete was beloved wherever known...As a beacon of his race, his example of achievement in athletics, scholarship and manhood will never wane, if indeed it is not destined to form with that of Booker T. Washington. Early Life and a Budding Track Star Taylor was born on November 3, 1882, in Washington D.C. Sometime during Taylor’s childhood, the family relocated to Philadelphia. Attending Central High School, Taylor became a member of the school’s track team. During his senior year, Taylor served as the anchor runner for Central High School’s one mile-relay team at the Penn Relays. Although Central High School finished fifth in the championship race, Taylor was considered the best quarter-mile runner in Philadelphia. Taylor was the only African-American member of the track team. Graduating from Central High School in 1902, Taylor attended Brown Preparatory School. Not only was Taylor a member of the track team, he became the star runner. While at Brown Prep, Taylor was considered the best prep school quarter-miler in the United States. During that year, Taylor won the Princeton Interscholastics as well as the Yale Interscholastics and anchored the school’s track team at the Penn Relays. A year later, Taylor enrolled in the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania and again, joined the track team. As a member of University of Pennsylvania’s varsity track team, Taylor won the 440-yard run at the Intercollegiate Association of Amateur Athletes of America (IC4A) championship and broke the intercollegiate record with a time of 49 1/5 seconds. After taking a hiatus from school, Taylor returned to the University of Pennsylvania in 1906 to study veterinary medicine and his desire to run track was reignited at well. Training under Michael Murphy, Taylor won the 440-yard race with a record of 48 4/5 seconds. The following year, Taylor was recruited by the Irish American Athletic Club and won the 440-yard race at the Amateur Athletic Union championship. In 1908, Taylor graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine. An Olympic Competitor The 1908 Olympics were held in London. Taylor competed in the 1600-meter medley relay, running the 400-meter leg of the race and the United States’ team won the race, making Taylor the first African-American to win a gold medal. John Baxter Taylors Death Five months after making history as the first African-American Olympic Gold medalist, Taylor died at the age of twenty-six of typhoid pneumonia. He was buried in Eden Cemetery in Philadelphia. At Taylor’s funeral, thousands of people paid homage to the athlete and doctor. Four clergymen officiated his funeral and at least fifty carriages followed his hearse to Eden Cemetery. Following Taylor’s death, several news publications published obituaries for the gold medalist. In the Daily Pennsylvanian, the official newspaper for the University of Pennsylvania, a reporter described Taylor as one of the popular and respected students on campus, writing, â€Å"We can pay him no higher tribute—John Baxter Taylor: Pennsylvania man, athlete, and gentleman.† The New York Times was also present at Taylor’s funeral. The news publication characterized the service as â€Å"one of the greatest tributes ever paid a colored man in this city and described Taylor as â€Å"the world’s greatest negro runner.†

Monday, December 23, 2019

Machiavellis The Prince and its Role in Politics in the...

In the time of Renaissance, which has been characterized by the age of reawakening of humanism. The prince plays one of the most important role in the dramatic developing of political in the Renaissance period and still hold an universal impact on todays politicians. However its views points has been debating over time. Machiavelli maintain the thoughts which is the essential for the cruel to a successful leader. To those of view points according to Machiavellis thoughts are the arguments that a prince is to be clement or cruel, to be feared or loved. Those significance are appeared in his written and plays the main role in his viewpoints. It is common to every leaders that wants to be thought as clement but not the cruel in his†¦show more content†¦This book is a nightmarish prophecy to the Utopia as we know. But if we look through it in another angle of view, you can see how successful the leader in this book control his citizens. Everyone loves Big Brother because of fear. This book shows how does the leader use peoples fear to control their behavior and thoughts. To go back to Machiavellis prince. If there is one must be abandoned and it will be love. It is better to be feared not loved because will not ensure loyalty. It is much easier to turn against someone that you loved than you feared. Your military might promised to work for you because of love. Once the dangerous has to be faced. The fear to dangerous is strong enough to cover the love. Fear could ever leads people blind because of human nature also. This is why Big Brother controlled people so successfully. He is good at catch and obey humanity and utilize it. So the choice will be obey our human nature. If citizens are feared by his leader and even much more than the dangerous does. For instinct, they will turn slavery to the one that is most feared unconsciously. I dont think love is not as valuable as fear to the politic. But a smart leader would chose a easy way to govern his citizens. Then to concern to love and fear when two of those could be kept at the same time. A mighty leader should be able to measure the best balance to the love and fear. The love must not over the fear. As i said above,Show MoreRelatedNiccolà ² Machiavellis Acquisition of Power Essay1327 Words   |  6 PagesNiccolà ² Machiavelli is representative of Renaissance thinkers in his perception of government. No longer was government seen as an institution granted by God but rather governments were largely becoming arrangements or contracts between those that govern and the governed. Thinkers from Aristotle to Francis Bacon would expound on this idea of a social contract, but none would exemplify the realism and ruthlessness of modern politics like Machiavelli. While the word Machiavellian has become partRead MoreMachiavelli and the Use of Antiquity in The Prince and The Discourses1838 Words   |  7 Pages Machiavelli and the Use of Antiquity in The Prince and The Discourses The Renaissance was a time of classical revival and a turning point from the Middle Ages to the Early Modern period in the course of history. Ancient texts and artifacts became sources of inspiration for intellectuals and artists alike, and the desire to emulate—or even surpass the achievements of the past prompted them to study antiquities closely and saw them as models and guidance. People were consciously distinguishingRead MoreThe Dark Ages1647 Words   |  7 Pagesreligion. This was a prolonged era of stagnation, where anarchy and barbarianism roamed rampant. It wasn’t until the Italian Renaissance began, that people started to take interest in scientific, cultural, philosophical endeavors. This led to many large intellectual movements during this period of time, the largest of which, was Humanism . Pico della Mirandola, a renaissance philosopher, wrote a book called, Oration on the dignity of man , which humanists refer to as the humanist manifesto. This bookRead MorePolitical Action and Morality in Machiavellian Times1232 Words   |  5 PagesThe Renaissance era of Europe produced a great multitude of political thinkers. Among this plethora is perhaps the most controversial philosopher of his age, Niccolà ² Machiavelli. The Florentine politician, known most famously for his work, The Prince, discusses, among other things, the relationship between morality and political action. However, unlike the vast majority of his European predecessors, who often argued that political power should be in the hands of the morally virtuous ruler, MachiavelliRead More Cassirer, Nietzsche and Niccolà ² Machiavellis The Prince Essay1154 Words   |  5 PagesCassirer, Nietzsche and Niccolà ² Machiavellis The Prince When the word Renaissance is mentioned, an image of love for antiquity learning and fine arts usually springs to ones mind. Yet this perception, however legitimate it may be in many areas of Renaissance human achievements, shatters in the face of Niccolà ² Machiavellis masterpiece The Prince. Unlike his contemporary Baldassare Castiglione who exemplified subtlety, Machiavelli was ruthlessly practical, nonchalantly callous, and admirablyRead MoreThe Renaissance Prince Essay853 Words   |  4 PagesThe Renaissance, a revival of antiquity starting in Italy around the middle of the 14th century, had broad implications for the way western society would operate thereafter. It would no longer focus on the church and its dictates, although they would still play a part. It would no longer have its government seated in Rome, with small pawns of the church controlling the land, although the church would still have a hand in government. It would no longer shun the vast stores of knowledge c reatedRead MoreEssay on Machiavelli’s The Prince and the Modern Executive1943 Words   |  8 PagesThe Prince and the Modern Executive  Ã‚      Few question The Prince’s place in the canon of western literature. That it marks a turning point in our collective history, the origin of the study of politics as a science (Pollock 43), is alone enough to warrant its classification as a Great Book. Its author, Niccolo Machiavelli, a contemporary of Copernicus, is generally accepted as an early contributor to the scientific revolution, because he looked at power and the nature of sovereignty throughRead MoreEssay about Niccolo Machiavelli1653 Words   |  7 PagesAs a child during the Italian Renaissance life was very interesting. The Medici, the ruling family in Florence at the time, greatly influenced Machiavelli. The Medici had a weak military and no political strength in Europe and because of this Italy was invaded by France and Spain. Before and during Machiavelli’s life, his country was engaged in war and involved in cultural revolution, both impacting his way of thinking. There is not much recorded about Machiavelli’s childhood, but his early lifeRead MoreMachiavelli And Socrates Similarities1437 Words   |  6 Pagesmanner, the two philosophers tend to differ on several major ideas, namely the use of violence, political goals, and their method of research. Due to this polarization in ethical and political values, Socrates would have greatly disapproved of Machiavelli’s ideals, despite the identical backgrounds they share. The point that Machiavelli and Socrates differ on the most is the concept of violence and doing what needs to be done in a particular situation. According to Machiavelli, violence is warranted;Read MoreThe Prince and the Discourses on Livy Essay2137 Words   |  9 Pagesrevolutionary authors known throughout the centuries. His writings, distinct from other renaissance authors of the epoch, make emphasis on his personal views and his opinions on the political matters taking place in Florence, Italy. Further discussed in the text are two of Machiavelli’s most renowned works, The Prince and the Discourses on Livy. Both books comprehend Machiavelli’s understandings of politics and explicit analysis on the various methods of governments with respect to principalities

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Smith Consulting Project Free Essays

string(230) " The work environment will suffer as the staff will also struggle to adapt to the software that is being used, ultimately not taking full advantage of the software or worst case scenario by abandoning the whole system altogether\." These reviews will bring awareness to the employees that their efforts (or lack of) have not gone unnoticed. They will realize that their performance level is directly proportional to the bonus, so instinctively, employees will strive to do their best in order to maximize the rewards. Encourage employees to further education, or seek professional certifications by offering tuition reimbursement, and bonus or salary perks for successful completion of degrees or certifications. We will write a custom essay sample on Smith Consulting Project or any similar topic only for you Order Now This will let the employee know that the company is willing to invest in him or her, and by extension, he or she is considered an asset. Form an employee relations committee which will plan social activities for employees to take part in. Possible events include: Potluck lunch, Christmas dinner, Charity endeavors (food, clothes, and book drives, etc. ), community cleanups, etc. This is an opportunity for staff members of varied levels to come together and socialize without the constraints of bureaucracy or company politics. Clients Engagement Approach can be extended to include the way that a company interacts with its Clients. Similar to the Employee Relationship, the company must find a way to keep Clients happy, and loyal. Failure to do this could result in negative reviews, loss of clients, loss of business, and loss of revenues. The trickle-down effect of this can be disastrous as the company may have to lay off staff in response to decreased income. With this in mind, it is extremely important to maintain good client relations. To achieve this, the company must be mindful to do the following: Obtain clear directives from the client in terms of their expectations. When in doubt, do not hesitate to follow up with the client for clarification. This ensures that both parties are on the same page and prevents miscommunication which can lead to inflict. Always communicate respectively with the client. Always keep an open line of communication. It is extremely frustrating when a client is unable to contact his or her service provider. Deliver products on time. This fosters reliability and loyalty. Software Development Definition The formal definition of software is a set of written computer interpreted instruction dictating how to process data input and output. The development of software is the process of creating the written set of instructions that meet the requested specification requirements according to customer need. The software development life cycle is the development model to achieve a practical product fitting the description of the specification requirements. The development end-goal is to produce a product that is easily maintainable, productive, and dependable. Methodologies Scrum is the principal software development methodology in practice by Smith Consulting for new software development requests. Scrum is an agile development methodology involving development teams working in unison independent of each other and at the same time interdependent on each team’s work (Tech Target, 2007). The Scrum methodology spawns developmental decisions as a result of active software creation, directing and guiding the development team task to keep on the project timeline and according to specification. The Lean Software Development approach is Smith Consulting secondary software development method in practice. The consideration of the Lean methodology for development is in regard to redevelopment or version upgrade to existing software products. The Lean methodology is a derivative of a project management approach originally developed by the Toyota Motor Corporation (MANS, 2012). The purpose of the Lean approach is to develop a more robust and efficient software product. The development technique is to achieve a reduction in processing overhead. Rework includes removing invaluable features and employing modern coding technique to improve overall program flow. Project Management Project management is a critical function because the prosperity of the entire organization depends on it. Since the success of project management depends on the leaders of this company, they should possess a clear business vision that includes IT and business experience. This vision should be established at the ginning of the project and should clarify what is in and outside the scope of the project. The most efficient engagement approach should be one that includes a good line of communication with stakeholders including end-users. These stakeholders should be tasked to show commitment to the project by agreeing to a contract. The project management process should be divided into manageable pieces that are easier to easier to understand and manage. Proper management also includes ensuring the required tools and manpower is available to the teams. The contract should clearly identify who has what responsibility and how they are to be accomplished. Other requirements include: Ensure each process has someone responsible for managing it Identify who is responsible for managing costs Identify who and how many analysts and what their functions are Identify contract programmer costs The project will be reviewed on a weekly basis to identify if the company is still on the correct course and if any additional changes or if any previously unknown problems have arrived. Reviews are also a good time to find if any of the key player’s ideas have changed and how to approach it if at all. For this project I recommend selecting omen independent of the project to conduct these reviews. Single systems not one-size-fits-all The reason why a single system is not likely to be a one-size-fits-all solution is because you for one have a lot of areas that needs to be addressed. Now, when you look at the legal field in today’s world it I becoming increasingly technical-dominated by the availability of technologies that are specific to the legal field as well as the tangible type improvements for both the efficiency and productivity when solutions are implemented in many firm’s especially law firms. For the firm’s broad services you ill have to come up with decisions to purchase and implement specific technologies because it’s a heavy part of them all, and the reason for this is because if you choose and well as put in the wrong solutions in place. The work environment will suffer as the staff will also struggle to adapt to the software that is being used, ultimately not taking full advantage of the software or worst case scenario by abandoning the whole system altogether. You read "Smith Consulting Project" in category "Papers" Another reason why a single system will not likely be a one-size- fits-all is because you will need different systems to be in place like: Practice Management Software, and Storing Information and Automation. The biggest reason why a single system is not likely to be a one-size-fits-all is because it will most likely lack the depth of functionality, so by this being said the firm will be looking to find more than one type of solution when it comes down to finding more than one practice area. One other difference is the level of customization because the one- size-fits-all provides for both front-end as well as back-end but lacks areas and you will need to find a better way to implement everything to work and function properly. Program Specification Guidelines This portion of the document should act as a guide for Smith Systems Consulting Software Developers to adhere to closely during the software development phase. This guide will help to streamline the company’s way of determining requirements, and incorporating them into the developing program. The uniformed approach will ensure that the same level of care and attention is bestowed on all of Smith Systems Consulting projects – no matter what size or budget. Stakeholders A project’s stakeholder is anyone who will be affected by, or who has an interest in the project’s progress and execution. Stakeholders in a systems development project usually include (but are not limited to) the project’s users, Information Technology department, the affected department(s)’s manager, members of the company’s upper management, the chief financial officer (SCOFF), and the company’s president. Prior to entering the requirements elicitation phase of the project, it is imperative for the development team to make a list of all stakeholders, as they will play an important role in defining the system’s requirements. User Requirements User requirements refer to the unique functionality aspects of a system that are accessory for the user to accomplish his or her Job. In order for the programmer or system developer to fully understand what the resulting program is meant to do, it is important to discuss the functionality details with those who know the operation best – the users. The users will provide in-depth and clear understanding of the inner- workings of the system as well as the crucial tools and functions that are necessary for optimal performance. The development team should be prepared to use various methods to elicit the requirements so that feedback is gathered from all of the users that were nitpicked for the task. Some common methods for gathering requirements are surveys and face to face interviews. Where necessary, the developer should also be prepared to offer an anonymous system to collect requirements in order to protect the identity of the user – should they so desire that mode. The users play a profound role in system development. By offering different avenues for feedback and requirements retrieval the company is maximizing the amount of data it receives and therefore ensuring that all bases are covered in the resulting product. Once the business development plan has been created it is important to consult with the users again. This ensures that the requested functionality and tools are accounted for and helps to prevent any costly misunderstandings in the future. System Security Requirements To describe the security requirements in the company’s policy it must first define in detail what data it is expected to handle. This requires working closely with the clients to gain an understanding of the confidentiality and importance of data. Once that is established, and then the types of employees who will have access to certain levels of data should be clearly described in terms of security levels. System Security sting will focus on the following tasks: Sign-on procedures This determines the security of passwords and defines when and how often users are expected to change them. Password reset methods will also be defined in the policy. In addition a method of accessing the system through back-door methods should be described as a means of access in case of an emergency. Database security Access to the database is described here. This highlights which users have access to applicable data and which are designed on a need to know basis. Physical security Here the physical security of the equipment associated with the business to include reward such as workstations and servers are described. Cameras will be installed at strategic locations along with bagged access points to minimize the possibility of the theft of physical property. Third-party tools Establish an understanding with vendors to ensure their continued partnership is dependent on their ability to match our system security standards. Test environment A secure test environment ensures that only required personnel have access to the testing environment. Additionally, a test environment is a safe environment to prepare changes before officially rolling them out to the company as a whole. The yester security of Smith Consulting will require compliance with semi-annual evaluations from an outside source to determine an evaluation of security precautions, procedures, and vulnerabilities. The results of the evaluation are to be maintained along with the policy instruction so that the requirements of future evaluations can be validated against past tests. Software Platform Compatibility Requirements Software compatibility is an important part of the process of software development. Compatibility is first determined by which operating system(s) the software to be developed will be designed to run on successfully. A determining factor may be what system the company is using now or what the computer they may be using in the future. For example, there may be some issues with Windows XP but the company may be set to release Windows 8 machines as part of the role-out of the new software. In this case it is best to design software compatibility for the Windows 8 machines. The same can be said with servers if the software will be network based. Additionally the company may consider running their services from the cloud. In this case the software compatibility may be no more than ensuring a compatible browser such as Internet Explorer, Firebox or Chrome. Each scenario is different and is precisely one of the reasons why each company will require a customized Software Platform Compatibility Requirement list. Database Application Testing Requirements This section will serve as a generic methodology of Smith Consulting approach to database application testing requirements. The objective is to document a reusable database performance evaluation strategy regardless of database vendor or design specification. Additional testing steps may be applicable per vendor recommendation. Any additional steps are a project plan requirement used in injunction with Smith Consulting guidelines of database verification. The intention of database examination is for conducting a systematic test to validate data structure and data integrity during user software application read write performance testing. Assumptions Database performance testing in conjunction with software application database read write operations assumes the database architecture and structure development is to specification and logically designed. An additional assumption is the development of indexes, views, triggers, stored procedures, and functions exist and the database is available for software unit testing. Data Mapping Data mapping is a validation process to ensure end-user data entry form fields correspond with the mapped database table fields. The expected result of the verification of the retrieved data from application input must be consistent with the outlined data model from the database data dictionary. The only acceptable result will prove data writes to the designated table or tables and is congruent with format, length, and type of the data definition. Stress Testing The purpose of stress testing a database is to understand the performance and reliability during heavy user interaction. Performing a high volume stress test assessment is essential to uncover database bottlenecks resulting in long response times and slow performance. A stress load is performed by simulation of a designated number of application users. The load variance selection shall simulate, according to project specification, the average number of end-users, below average number of end-users, slightly above average number of end-users, and five times the average number of end-users. The load simulation will create scenarios where users concurrently query against and write to the same table and numerous tables across he database. Result failure requires documentation and further evaluation for database optimization. Failure also warrants a hardware design team consultation to determine if the hardware is sufficient to handle the transaction load simulation. Transaction Isolation Transaction isolation verification tests the database reaction during the occurrence of multiple table transactions taking place at the same time. A realistic situation exists where various read write requests will be present concurrently. While the scenario is unavoidable in a multi-user environment the state of the database is at risk during a existing read write request. The performance outcome ought to appear as though each database demand executes one right after the other. Depending on the applied transaction isolation level, record locks are set in accordance with the transaction call (Microsoft SQL Server, 2012). The importance of testing transaction isolation validates read and write record locking, how long the locks are held, and the on-screen response time of the simultaneous operations. The transaction isolation testing is a sub-set testing situation of the database load testing. Isolation result documentation hall include the number of transactions, the response time of the transaction, and note the accuracy of the data read write. Data integrity errors must be reported to the database design team as well as the software design team for evaluation. Required submission includes the detailed steps of the data integrity inaccuracy for reproduction of the error. Budgetary Constraints Testing is the most widely used approach to ensure software quality but it also can be the most cost and time-consuming. To ensure the project for Smith Consulting stays in the green for budget concerns the project is scheduled with strict deadlines. Some cost overruns are normal for any project but the goal is to minimize the impact. Wars to accomplish these goals include defining clearly the responsibility of everyone involved with the project with clear methods of holding them accountable for their parts. Setting a financial goal is the best method to maintain a budget constraint. The project budget estimate should be accurately documented for management and the estimate should include when and how to handle costs associated with manpower in the event more help is required. The project statement should include a scope that is clearly defined in the beginning of the project. In situations where budget cuts may affect the ability to complete the project, managers should always start with physical resources before staff cuts. In more dire situations (where personnel are at risk) the standard remedy is to fill necessary positions with staff covering other potions to fill in until the financial situation has recovered. This design will ensure the impact on the project for the customer is minimal and will also prove our procedures are detailed. Software Testing To qualify new software for production the development team performs a multitude of readiness tests. Qualified software must pass the following tests: Integration, Compatibility, Functionality, Usability, Security, Load/Stress, Documentation, Implementation, Automation, Support, and, Debugging. The following sections will highlight the various testing methods that Smith Systems Consulting uses to ensure product reliability and competency. Performance Testing Meeting the needs of a company and client is a performance requirement of software engineering. Performance testing is a routine performance evaluation that determines how the system will behave. The behavior corresponds with the terms of responsiveness along with execution stability under a system initiated workload. One major thing that performance testing can serve well in is to measure, validate, investigate, or even verify all other attributes that are set up within the system such as: the reliability, resource usage, and scalability. To monitor the system’s performance, it is important to perform the steps that are highlighted in the following sections. Integration Testing While software is generally produced to perform specific Job functions, it is important and efficiency encouraging to incorporate integration with other applications. For example, an accounting information system would benefit from company database integration, as well as Microsoft Excel and Adobe Acrobat report saving integrations. Lately, it has become commonplace for programs to include software integrations as they incorporate the Software Oriented Architecture platform. With this in mind, it is extremely important for the development team to iron out the integration kinks before the software is released. To ensure that product integrations are functioning properly, the program testers have to: Identify all of the integrated programs and software Determine the associated version numbers that the program is being tested on. For ACH integration, perform in-depth testing. If the integration is not working well, the tester will have to troubleshoot, and possibly contact the product team of the integrated product or service. When the integration is working properly, the version number should be noted. When the program is released to the public, the integrated programs’ version numbers that the program has passed the integration tests for should be displayed within its documentation as verification of compliance. Compatibility Testing Within an organization, there are many different platforms and software at use. In order for the company to be successful, all of the information systems must be able to communicate with their respective devices. The company’s architecture must be built so that this wide web of services, and products are working in tandem with each other, and are able to co-exist in an unobtrusive manner. Ensuring this prevents software incompatibility issues, which can prove to be very costly. As an example, if an organization is only using Microsoft Windows devices, it would not make sense to purchase Office for MAC or other proprietary Apple software that do not integrate with the Microsoft Windows platform. Similarly, if a seer wanted to use the Microsoft Skydive feature which allows them to connect to a remote PC, they will be unhappy to learn that Microsoft Windows 8. 1 does not support this. Performing compatibility testing showcases the limitations of the software and allows the programmer to compile a list of programs and versions which works with the system. Compatibility testing involves: Determining the software that the program is required to maintain compatibility with. Performing thorough compatibility testing. If the system is found to be incompatible with the software already in place at the organization, the programmer just reevaluate, troubleshoot, and redo the section in question to make sire, Once the software is deemed compatible, the version numbers must be noted for inclusion in the project description documentation. Usability Testing One important factor when running an analysis on a potential client for Smith Systems Consulting is usability. Usability, by definition, are asking the questions is this â€Å"capable of being used† or is it â€Å"convenient and practicable for use† (Usable, 2014). Each organization that SC approaches will answer this question differently. What one company deems as an important and commonly used featured may be impolitely ignored by the next. This is why usability is so important. Another way of looking at usability is trimming the fat. If a company doesn’t need certain features than it really should be noted as not needing to be produced. This cuts down on production times and overall costs to the client making a more efficient project in the end. Functionality Testing To follow up with this of course it must be determined what is to be used most commonly and ensure that this is how the client envisioned. What is most important is that organization Smith Systems Consulting is working with feels they are getting apt attention and one certain way to do that is make the client feel as though they’ve been listened to in the usability and functionality fields. Functionality is defined as â€Å"the particular use or set of uses for which something is designed† (Functionality, 2014). In this notion it is clear that functionality is heavily tied to usability. How something is used is in relation to how it is designed. When Smith Systems Consulting designs their products it is important to keep the user and usability in mind. These are both best accomplished by performing speaking with users who will e using the product – especially those who may assist in any beta testing. If the end users and stakeholders provide a clear vision then the project should be nothing less than a success when the developers attain that goal. Load/Stress Testing Each organization that Smith System Consulting will be working with will have their own unique technology environment they will be operating in. The more that SC knows of these environments the more they can consider potential benefits or weakness that can be considered. Once these have been considered then a test environment can be established. What makes a good test environment is running the intended software in mock environment, ideally on a system with near identical computer specs. This would include running on the same operating system and using the same amount of RAM, processing power, and hard drive utilization. Once these parameters have been set then a server / client test can be run – ideally in a virtual environment. Once the program is operating on the network with an average number of computers connected and using the software then it can be fair to say this running a load test – that is a test within normal operating parameters. To fully stress the system would be to mimic running the network at high capacity. This may include either a high number of concurrently connected users or the server carry a high load of responsibilities, such as sharing heavy SQL queries in addition to the software testing. Debugging Debugger or debugging tool is a computer created software program that allows the programmer to test as well as debug other types of programs. Therefore, with debugging the software plays a major factor because when a program is debugged, the programmer will find errors such as missing coding areas when creating the program. For example imagine that a developer created a weeping and he or she wanted to place a picture on it but wondered why the picture wouldn’t display. Debugging the program can assist the developer with diagnosing and fixing the problem that is causing the program to malfunction. This goes to show that having a debugger is a worth tool for correcting programming errors. Software Security Assessment The purpose of a software security assessment is to identify and expel code vulnerabilities prior to customer delivery. Identifying the presence of a code-layer exposed vulnerability is a fundamental action for conforming to a high standard. A good quality assurance model involves proactive steps to extinguish security flaws. Smith Consulting must guarantee the customer a secure product release and reduce the risk of threat exploitation via a thorough security testing regiment. Definition Software Security Assessment refers to testing criteria to establish threat resistant software. Testing shall demonstrate the software’s ability to withstand the attempts of infiltration with mall-intentions. Strategy Examination and assessment validate the absence of typical security errors exposing subjection to threat according to the Common Weakness Enumeration (The MITER Corporation, 2011). Black Box Testing The black box testing strategy involves the use of a testing group with no working knowledge of the software code structure, engineering, or implementation plan (Michael, Van Wok, Radicchio, 2005). Black box testers employ hostile approach to penetrate an application’s security to identify bounds unknown during OSDL design and implementation phases. White Box Testing The white box testing strategy involves an orderly one-to-one validation source code is according to design specification and expected security components exist. The key preference from the black box testing is the assessor possesses an intimate knowledge of application code and construction (Mono, No Date). Analysis scans source code for common development faults identified from the Common Weakness Enumeration. The tester also keeps a lookout for seemingly harmless routines that can act as a back door for intrusion. Authentication Testing Authentication testing is a method of determining if a process or end-user is legitimate. The objective is to understand how the authentication process behaves and use that information to circumnavigate the authentication mechanism. Types of authentication tests are as follows: 1 User Enumeration – a brute force test using a valid user credential to determine if uncovering the authenticating password is possible (SPAS, 2012). Dictionary Testing – a method for determining common words found in a dictionary exist in a user passers (SPAS, 2012). 3 Password Recovery – the method to test the authenticity of a password reset or forgotten password request (SPAS, 2012). 4 Race Condition Testing – identification of multiple processes executing simultaneously that modify the same data (SPAS, 2012). Documentation A good method of documenti ng processes in Smith Consulting products is to mirror the practices of life-cycle management tools that are in compliance with the Serbians-Cooley Act. A sound business in today’s environment should focus their efforts on automation development and documentation processes. Smith Consulting documentation procedures will involve in audit process that will identify who has accessed code and what changes have been made. The documentation process will also include the ability to track what testing and assurance of quality has occurred during the construction of the project. In addition, the procedures will also include the ability to change parts of an existing project that have been determined to fall out of the scope of the goal of the business vision. The idea behind aligning documentation testing procedures with the described Act is to yield rewards such as rework reduction by automating change management aspects of programming within a project (Heavenliest, 2006). In doing so, the replacement of old paper-based software development tools with change management and code-management tools that allow Smith Consulting to monitor change request within the software development process by attaching electronic signatures to the software. This further alps the rework elimination process by verifying that the documentation changes in line with the goals of the business. The different documentation types are listed as: Source Code Unit Test Report Software Test Procedure (provides instruction on how to test each component of a project) Code Explanation Report Implementation At times, in the implementation of test procedures it may become necessary to perform target testing to prove critical functions and reduce the risk of large amounts of rework. Prior to the testing of each unit the developer is required to update the test procedure for conducting each test and record the results as scribed in the documentation procedure. In situation where more tests are required they will be completed as needed in order to satisfy those implementation requirements. Developers are required to implement and test development projects in accordance with coding standards and methods outline in the Software Engineering Manual. All unit test results are maintained in the Unit Test Report. Automation The automation method requires that the development framework is separate from the test automation tools. The framework as designed is flexible enough to adapt to changes that the environment or the project may bring. The purpose of utilizing this method is because it is low costing. Implementing the test automation is a full- time effort that requires significant time and up-front investment. Automated tests are scheduled at 1,250, every other day. The only change to the automation procedure is if there is an unforeseen change to the business requirement that suggests a change should be made. Since automation is such an exhaustive task, it is reserved for projects on an enterprise level that expect multiple releases. The approach that Smith Consulting will use for its development projects is Test How to cite Smith Consulting Project, Papers