Estate Agents I.T. Problem Essay Example

Estate Agents I.T. Problem Essay Ward and Partners are an estate agents in Eynsford, Dartford and Gravesend. They advertise houses in their windows and in newspapers. However for a potential buyer looking for a house they will want specific things, e.g. 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. So basically what I am saying is that the estate agents cannot match a house perfectly to a persons needs, as they do not have all the information stored about every house in their memories. So I am going to design a working database/website that people can search for their perfect house on 24hours a day. There are many ways of solving this problem for the data handling and communications coursework. You could make a database to hold all of the information and quickly search through the records of the houses but a better way of performing this take would be to make the database a part of a web page so that people could access the system 24 hours a day. When looking to buy a house it is very time consuming having to visit the estate agents often to see the new houses on the market and to keep looking through 2 or 3 papers. So I am going to create a web site which includes a database which holds all the information about all the houses that the company has to offer. People can then search the database on the internet 24 hours a day. We will write a custom essay sample on Estate Agents I.T. Problem specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Estate Agents I.T. Problem specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Estate Agents I.T. Problem specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer To make this website I will have to find information about houses and input the information into the database. The website will be very user friendly so everyone can access it. Description Of Problem The system will be very simple , it will use peoples needs to find their ideal house. I am planning to do this by asking a few simple questions about what the user wishes their ideal house to be like. Once the user has input their information a list of the matching houses will appear on the screen with a picture and instructions of how to view the house and more information about it. At the moment the estate agents have all the information kept in files in filling drawers. The sellers information is kept on computer but not information about the house they wish to sell. It is not easy for the estate agents to remember all the details about every house they are offering and normally rely on people choosing houses from the pictures in the window or from the paper. But obviously they cannot advertise every house this way so by placing all their properties on a database there are many positive points such as:- * The database can hold information about EVERY property the agents are selling. * The database would be very easy to search * Estate agents can find properties matching the buyers needs very easily resulting in more sales * The database can be incorporated into a website which can be searched by people at home using the internet. This can be done 24 hours a day. * The estate agents will have more time getting new properties as they will not have to look through every profile for new buyers. The information system that I am planning to introduce will also be based on a computer, but everything, including the pictures, will be kept on the computer. Nothing will be on pieces of paper, the questionnaire about the customers needs will also be kept on the computer. It is clear that the use of I.T can be used in this example, I believe that its use will make this estate agency more efficient, able to cope with a larger amount of customers and so enable them to bring more money into their business. I am planning to produce web pages containing information about my company, Estate Limited, and a search facility to find the correct houses. The customer will have to answer a few very short questions, for example: * Number Of Bedrooms? 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. * Number Of Bathrooms?-1,2,3 * Type of property detached, semi-detached, terraced, flat, bungalow. * Price Range. * Extras e.g garage, double glazing. The questions will be multiple choice , the answers will be in a pull down list form to make the questionnaire easy to understand. The results of the search will appear along with a picture of the property, the location and the asking price. The system will not allow you to buy the house, it just gives you a list of possible properties according to the customers needs so the customer will be able to find out more information on their chosen property from the estate agent. Viewings can then be arranged and possibly follow on to a sale of the property. The website will be assessable 24 hours a day 7 days a week and so anyone who has access to a computer with a modem and internet access s will be able to search the database whenever they choose. INVESTIGATION ANALYSIS Planning To improve the system I will first have to find out about the current system in use so I will send a questionnaire to ward and partners asking them about the system they are using. I will be designing the system for a computer running windows. These are the questions I will use: * Does the current system use windows? * Is the system easy to use? * What information about the propertys do you keep on the system? * Can your customers access the information? * If yes how? * If there was a system available that would let your customers access details on all your properties would you feel it would benefit your business? I am going to design a system that lets potential buyers and customers of an estate agents to look at all the properties the estate agent has on file. They will be able to access this database from home as it will be available on the internet 24 hours a day 7 days a week. There will be a questionnaire for the customer to fill out, only a few questions about what they would like to have in their property from the information they give the database will then be searched and the computer will display any suitable houses. The information about the house will be a short description, the asking price , a picture and a number to contact for further information. Research I have researched the current system available at ward and partners a local estate agent and have found that the current system consists of the following steps: * The customer is asked to fill in a short questionnaire about the house they require. * The answers to the questionnaire are then put onto the computer and the database is searched for a suitable house. * The estate agent only has a few details about the property . there is no picture kept on file all the other information is kept in a filling draw and has to be searched for manually. This is a very time consuming process and of course the customer wont always be happy with the first house so the estate agent must be expected to repeat this process a numerous amount of times. The actual computers: * are between 2 and 3 years old * have a processor speed of 233MHz * probably have a small amount of memory, e.g. 16 or 32 Mb RAM (Random Access Memory) * run Windows 95 * have Microsoft Office 97 installed * have modems and an Internet connection Analysis The strengths and weaknesses of the current system are shown below. Strengths Weaknesses__ * Accurate. * Reliable. * All computers have a modem and an Internet connection. _ * Very Slow. * Difficult to use ,not user friendly. * Technology is out of date therefore the computers are relatively slow. * No web site for advertising * No search available for people to use at home. * Not used by all sorts of people, it is mainly used by couples and students. __ Feasibility It is possible to produce a better system for purchasing a house and I definitely think it is worthwhile, as there are many things that could be improved with the current system. The strengths and weaknesses of the current system are stated above and show that the weaknesses by far exceed the strengths. Specification Of Problem Based on my analysis of the problem, my system must: * be user friendly * be faster than the old system. * be designed to be used on a web site. * ask people questions about their ideal house and search to find the most appropriate houses. * be accurate and reliable. * be suitable for use by all sorts of people. * store all of the information on the computers so that there is no need for a filing cabinets. * Be quick to use. Design Of Solution Hardware This is the schools hardware system and it is quite a high specification, my webpage and database would run on a lower specification if needed. _ N14 N18 Processor PII 400mHz ; Celeron 700mHz Celeron 700mHz Hard drive 4.3GB-10GB 10GB Memory(RAM) 128 MB 128MB Monitor/VDU SVGA Hansol Inc ; SVGA Samtron Inc SVGA Samtron Inc CD-ROM 18x ; 52x 52x Zip drive 100MB 100MB Floppy drive Yes Yes Printers Brother Laser(mono) Brother Laser(Colour) Brother Laser(mono) Scanner 1200x600dpi Software The software that would be most appropriate to use,and I will use is Microsoft Front Page for the design of the website, Microsoft Excel for all the data and Microsoft word for the actual write up . Excel97 for the use in the database, I have found that it id the best package for this type of work and is easily used. It is also compatible with all Microsoft applications. Word97 for the use of word processing. I have found that it is very easy to use and the most popular word processing package, meaning that a client can take home contracts etc on disk and down load them onto his own computer as the chances are they too have Word 97. In order for me to create a prototype I need to know the information which it must display. To do this I asked one of the estate agents. She stated that the property pages must include the features the property has to offer, the asking price, a photo of the property and its location. She also stated that it would be helpful if they could tell how many people had accessed the web site and gain their details for the database via the Internet. * Application To meet the evaluation criteria and specification for my system, I need a software application that is suitable for designing and making web pages. From the web site, I must be able to search a list of houses and so I will require another suitable software application to do this. I have looked at the appropriate facilities of various applications and this is what I have found. Application_Facilities___Searching * _Web sites__Word-processor_Find words in a document_Hyperlinks * Tables * Backgrounds * Images * Text__Spreadsheet_Find words or formulae in a spreadsheet * Search for the same words in a column and display them together_Hyperlinks * Images__Database_Search through records to find matches for information_None__Web site editor_Find words in a web page_Backgrounds * Hyperlinks * Tables * Images * Animated images Text__Programming * language_None_Special effects * Backgrounds * Hyperlinks * Tables * Images * Animated images * Text __ From this table I can see that to search through records I should use a database or powerful spreadsheet and to make a web site I should use a web site editor or a programming language. * Software Packages Now that I know that I need to use a database or a powerful spreadsheet and a web page editor or programming language, I need to look at the different software packages and languages that are available for me to use. First the database. Software package_Facilities and information * __Microsoft Access_Database only, so will have more facilities * More commonly used than Microsoft Works * Very powerful tool * Difficult to use properly without proper training__Microsoft Works_Combined word-processor, spreadsheet, database and address book so will not have as many facilities as Microsoft Access or Excel * Less commonly used than Microsoft Access and Excel__Microsoft Excel_Designed to be a spreadsheet so it focuses on facilities for producing web pages however, it has basic database facilities * Easier to use than Microsoft Access * More commonly used than Microsoft works __ Now the web page editor. Software package_Facilities and information * __Microsoft Word_Doesnt support frames * Text can be easily inserted and formatted * Hyperlinks can be inserted between pages * HTML code cannot be seen * Forms can be inserted * Tables can be inserted * Backgrounds can be set easily * Word Art can be used * Creates a lot of unnecessary code__Microsoft Front Page Express_Doesnt support frames * Text can be easily inserted and formatted * Hyperlinks can be inserted between pages * HTML code can be viewed and altered if needed. * Forms can be inserted * Tables can be inserted * Backgrounds can be set easily * Web bot connections (time and date) can be inserted * Created a lot of unnecessary code __ Finally the programming language. Language_Facilities and information * __HTML (Hyper Text Mark-up Language)_All web pages use this code to tell the browser that the code is a web page * Can take a long time to learn and use quickly * Web pages can be made to look exactly as you want them to * Can be used with other programming languages e.g. JavaScript to create special effects * Text can be inputted and formatted * Images can be inputted * Backgrounds can be set * Hyperlinks can be inserted between pages and links can be inserted within documents * Forms can be inserted * Tables can be inserted * Frames can be created and viewed * Image maps can be drawn * Created by using tags, e.g. A and /A * Can be written in a small program like Notepad __ From these tables, I conclude that even though Access is a much more powerful database tool I will use Microsoft Excel as it is easier to use. I shall also use the programming language HTML instead of a web page editor as I can make the web site look exactly how I wish it to look and I can control the code that is used to make the web page, so that there is no unnecessary HTML. However, it is easier to use a web page editor if you do not know any HTML as the programmes often look like word processors however, they do restrict the types of data that you can put on the web pages and you cannot use frames to aid the navigation through the web site. Data Input I have obtained my data from a variety of different sources. Most of the data is from John Huttchingson estates website; this showed lots of different propertys at a wide range of prices.The data at the moment is either written down or is on the website I am using for ideas. It is now necessary for the information to be moved from the form it is in to the computer. There are various different ways this could be done: Advantages Disadvantages Scanning _The data can be easily scanned on to the computer and then a text converter used to turn the data into text on the screen._ALL of the data would have to be written in a very clear format in order for the scanner to be able to read all of the data__Typing Manually_Easy to do, and labour saving as you can just do it yourself._Time consuming, as with every new piece of information the typist must then enter the data.__Microphone_Does not involve any typing._Is still time consuming, as each word must b enunciated very clearly or the text converter will not detect the word correctly.__Sensors ; Data logging _There is less opportunity for mistakes _The system requires another program to convert the results into useful information__Optical character reader_The data can be entered with no typing_The optical character reader needs to be able read all of the data so it must be in readable format__Mouse_The data can be entered without typing_Some of the data would already have to be entered on to the computer. It is time consuming.__ My main choice will be the keyboard as it suits the task I need it to perform. * Data Input Format Because I am using a database, my data will be arranged in fields. The data that is entered into the fields can be restricted to text, numbers, time, etc. Field name_Data Type_Example_Field length_Other Info __Property Ref_Numbers_14_4_The number of the client /property__Address_Text and Numbers_14 apple close_200_The address of the property__Town_Text_Dartford_20_The location of the property__Value_Numbers_à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½200,000_10_The asking price of the property__Type______Number of Bedrooms_Text and numbers_DA2 7AZ_8_Postcodes are a maximum of 8 characters long__Garage_Numbers_01234 567890_11_Phone numbers are only 11 digits long__Garden_Text_Detached_13_Have to choose from a list__Number of Bathrooms_Numbers_20,000 30,000_15_Have to choose from a list 100,000 is the highest option__Double Glazing_Numbers_20,650_7_à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½100,000 is the highest value possible__Central Hating_Text_Yes_3_Yes or no Have to choose from a list__Status_Text_Yes_3_Yes or no Have to choose from a list__Parking_Text_Single_6_Have to choose from a list__Picture_Text_Yes_3_Yes or no Have to choose from a list__ * Data Validation and Verification It is very important that all of the data in my system is correct. This is because people could search for the wrong things in my database and receive the wrong matches. If the names and addresses are incorrect, people will go to the wrong house and the wrong house will be sold. On the web pages, it is not so important that the data is correct as it is most likely to be spelling mistakes, however, it makes a bad impression if words are spelt wrongly. The data that will be put into my system is: * Property Ref * Address * Town * Value * whether the house has a garden * whether the house has a garage * whether the house has central heating * whether the windows are double glazed * Type Of House * Number of bedrooms * Number of bathrooms * Status of the property * If the house has parking * Picture All the data types and field lengths are shown on the table above. The sorts of errors that are most likely are spelling and typing errors. Most of the data that I am putting into the database can be checked by validation by the computer as Microsoft Excel has a built-in validation check for spelling and I can program in many validation checks of my own, including macros. I have had to program most of my own validation checks to reduce the number of errors that people make when typing in data into the database. Microsoft Excel has a feature that allows you to validate cells easily and effectively to decrease the number of errors that are entered into the system. It allows you to set limits on a cell and allow lists of data which appear as a drop-down list on the cell. I have used different types of validation in my database. To set the validation for a cell, you click Data on the toolbar and select Validation from the list of options. (Data validation) After this, you can change the validation , enter an input message and enter an error message Drop-down lists I have mainly used drop-down lists to limit the possibilities that can be entered into the cells and also to prevent the words from being spelt wrongly. I have used this type validation to allow the type of property to be selected from a list of five words: * Semi-detached * Detached * Flat * Bungalow * Terrace _ This image shows that when you click on a cell with this type of validation a list appears underneath the cell and an input message appears next to the cell explaining how to enter data into the cell. I have set the validation for this cell to show a list and display an input message to explain how to enter the data. _ _ _This image shows that I have allowed a list to be shown. It also shows the source of the list, i.e. the cells that contain the list of words. This image shows the input message that I have entered for this cell to explain how to enter data into the cell. This image shows the error message that I have entered for this cell if the data that is entered is incorrect. _ I have used validation similar to this for allowing people to enter or select: * Price Range * Number of bedrooms required * Number of bathrooms required * The location of the house * Whether the house has a garden * Whether the house has double glazing. * Whether the house has central heating * Whether the house has parking facilities Limits The validation facility allows you to set limits on a cell. This can be used to specify a minimum and maximum number to be entered into a cell or to specify the minimum and maximum number of characters that can be entered into a cell. If the data entered is outside the limits defined by the validation, an error message is displayed on the screen which states the limits of the cell. _ This validation shows that a number between 1 and 5 can be entered into the cell before an error message appears. To validate peoples forenames and surnames, I allowed a number of characters to be entered into a cell. _ _ The maximum number of characters that can be entered into the cell is 15. So, if more than 15 characters are entered into the cell, an error message appears on the screen. Since all names have to be catered for, the only validation that I have used is that each field has to be at least two characters. * Database Microsoft Excel offers the feature of creating your own custom views so that you have one set of data, you can just choose to look at it in a number of different ways. You have to program them in by hiding rows and columns but once they are saved you dont have to re-format the workbook to look like it did. My database has a number of different views: * It has a view for all of the data so that, if needed, you can change the validation checks easily and you can add more views when they are needed. * It has a view for inputting information into the database so that you cannot easily change the validation checks yet you can still input data into the database easily. * Lastly, it has a view for people using the database to search. Unfortunately, if they change any of the data on the view, it will change the data until Excel is loaded again and it will therefore affect the searches and the wrong results will be received. All of the data No rows or columns have been hidden from view and the lists for the validation checks can be seen and edited. All of the data can be edited, but not searched. Enter new data This view shows all of the columns, but the rows with the lists for the validation checks have been hidden so that they cannot be changed. The macro allowing data that has been entered in a form has not been hidden so that if the people putting data into the database choose to enter the data in a form they can still validate the data easily and correct it where necessary. Documentation * Technical Documentation Minimum system requirements: * processor speed of 200 MHz * Memory * sound card * video card * CD-ROM drive * Windows 95 * Microsoft office 97 * Free hard disk space The hardware and an operating system usually comes already installed on most computers that have been bought, so this is not a problem. To install Microsoft Office 97 you will require a CR-ROM drive and a CD containing Office 97 on it. When the CD runs, the set-up will help you to install Office 97 onto the system. I could pass on my system and web site by burning the database, web pages and images onto a CD to allow easy storage, and protection. I could have used a 3.5 inch floppy disk, but data can easily be over-written and they can be damaged easily, whereas, CDs are more robust than floppy disks and cannot be over-written unless: a) The company, Ward and partners, has a CD re-writer and then, b) I burn the data onto a re-writable CD The CD would be inserted into the CD-ROM drive and all of the information on it copies onto the computers hard disk, so now there are two copies of the data, so that if one is lost, there is still a back-up copy of the data. The files can then be opened and edited Before my system can be used by a customer, real data about houses and their current owners must be inputted into the database, as I have made 99 sets of imaginary data just for demonstration purposes and to show that my system works properly and does the jobs that it is supposed to do.

Employment Trends Services Industry Soars

Employment Trends Services Industry Soars For many job seekers, employment reports have indicated that jobs, particularly in the service industry, are plentiful. Recent unemployment numbers have held steady at 5.3 percent, representing a seven-year low. It is expected that the last two quarters will post a trend toward even more encouraging employment numbers. Sector GrowthSome sectors are posting an increase in the number of available jobs. For instance, growth in health care, retail, technology, professional services and finance jobs is encouraging. At the same time, some areas such as the energy sector posted lower job offerings, largely due to the glut in oil and decreased commodity prices. Overall, the service industry posted the largest gains. The biggest decrease was found  in the manufacturing sector.Service Sector and Retail Trade GrowthThe U.S. Department of Labor noted that the majority of job growth is related to the upswing in service sector jobs. Food service jobs grew by 376,000 in the past year, the leaderà ‚  in all sectors. This trend is the strongest and is positioned for greater growth. The growth of 322,000 jobs in the past year among retail workers is also encouraging. Creating a perfect retail resume is your first step to take if you want to apply for retail jobs.Other Sectors With GainsGains were seen in other sectors, with health care jobs adding 28,000 jobs for the month and 436,000 for the year. Jobs available in hospitals rose by 16,000. Computer design grew by a modest 9,000 jobs, while engineering and architectural jobs gained about 6,000 positions. Transportation-related jobs grew by 146,000 overall.Health Care JobsThe rise in health care jobs is related to demographic changes including an aging population and health insurance modification. These changes make  health care a good sector for aspiring job applicants.Dental and nurse practitioner jobs also offer a potential for rapid growth and an excellent salary base. Health care assistant jobs overall are plentiful.Look ing for a JobBeing aware of job offerings is the first step in gaining employment. Older methods of using job want ads are limited, and more applicants are turning to online searches to find work. TheJobNetwork provides you with a way to stay on top of jobs as they become available, letting you apply quickly before the position is filled.TheJobNetwork lets you search a vast database filled with opportunities obtained from various sources. This free-to-use database makes it easy by listing your job preferences and criteria as well as your qualifications. When matching jobs are found, an email alert is sent to you. Signing up with this job search platform enhances your chance of securing the type of employment you want.

Statement of Intent Essays

Statement of Intent Essays Statement of Intent Essay Statement of Intent Essay Torvald Helmer and Willy Loman, the respective male protagonists from Ibsens A Dolls House and Millers Death of a Salesman, make interesting characters for comparison. Though for the must part they are complete opposites, both live in illusory worlds, an inevitable product of their masculine pride. Willy, out of place in a social environment he hates but wants desperately to belong to, is constantly fleeing to a heavily edited past for comfort, while systematically denying the reality around him.Helmer, though brashly self-assured in an environment he feels belongs to him, also lives an illusion, as his arrogance blinds him to the maturing woman inside the skylark he thinks is his wife. Through an imaginary conversation between the two men, I will try and show how their different characters and illusions comes out strongly in their language, in both cases a veritable rhetoric of the deluded. In recreating their very different dialects, I will examine how subtl e elements like tone and register are integral to characterization. I shall also include a little of each mans separate thought process to try and further develop their characters. Finally, I will interweave some important motifs of each play into this.We begin with a confused Torvald, mulling bitterly over why Nora left while nursing his bruised ego with self-pitying thoughts and lots of caffeine.1***It was hardly the kind of place he frequented often. Had it not been for the fact that he was in no mood to bump into anyone he knew, he would never have set foot in such a hovel. Eight years of marriage and it had come to this! How dare she leave him how would she manage onher own? This world was no place for a woman on her own. And what would people think? Could she not have spared his reputation a little thought at least? All that business with the money had been a terrible bore, but in retrospect it just showed how fragile and unsuitable to independence she was. Such a little songb ird, she could only come to harm without his protection.***Willy couldnt stop fidgeting. Everyone was laughing at him! He was sure of it. He shifted uncomfortably, feeling hemmed in by the cafes dark walls. The place had looked so open when he had walked past, full of flowers and air. But now more people had come in overpopulation it was and those flowers had turned out to be plastic. Everything was just walls and bricks, these days, just bricks and walls. It shouldnt be allowed! A man two tables across suddenly caught Willys attention. For a minute he thought it was that goddamn Howard. He looked the same age even had that same smarmy look on his face. Imagine! Hed named the man, hed helped the company grow, and now look what they do to him. Flustered, Willy clutched at the rough wood of the table, squeezing so hard it hurt. Something about the feel of that timber, so solid in his hands, made him feel all choked and, with a little cry, Willy stumbled up to leave.***A couple of t ables away a tragic-looking man clumsily got up, almost knocking down his chair. What a lumbering giant! So below him. Yet Torvald suddenly had a crazy desire to talk to this funny old man, with his Walrus-like, drooping face. He watched as the huge thing plodded across the floor looking self-consciously apologetic and completely lost. Have a seat, old fellow! Torvald boomed.He liked how the man jumped. The startled eyes, the immense, fidgeting hands which went immediately to straighten the cheap tie and then knotted themselves together frantically. He especially approved of how the man had obeyed immediately, and now sat staring at Torvald with obvious trepidation.You look like a man in a spot of trouble, if I may say so. Torvald was trying a little sensitivity here. Something about this mans abject apologeticness reminded him a little of the old Nora.Im strapped, Im strapped. I dont know what to do. The words escaped quickly from Willy. Hed been so sure the businessman had been la ughing at him! But he wanted to talk to him! How remarkable! The man was saying nothing, but had raised an eyebrow quizzically. Willy carried on talking quickly, words rumbling haphazardly out of his mouth. I was fired today. The woods are burning and that goddamn Howard fired me today.Oh dear. Torvald knew he should never have been compassionate; it was simply far too much bother. Still, business matters were his forte. Yes, its a wonderful thing to know that ones position is assured and that one has ample income, I quite agree, but arent you of retiring age, anyway? I say, which woods are burning exactly? I live rather near a forest.Retire? Why Im vital to the company! Im a people person, see. Open sesame for me it is but its not really the business, actually. My boys-they think Im a phony fake! But times are changing, and I dont understand. There used to be respect and comradeship and gratitude and now now theres nothing!Torvald was lost. Hadnt they just been talking business? What on earth was this fellow rambling on about? Still, loss of respect was something he could certainly relate to the man was still talking, honestly, there was no shutting him up.I put 34 years into the firm. Then-discarded like rotten fruit! There aint no respect these days, just people! People and no respect. Gee, how do we get back to those old times? Those light, open times!This was terribly hard to understand. Hed better try and clear things up a little before he got even more confused. Torvald hated confusion. And he was still worried about those woods. Now, calm down. Getting overexcited is useless; after all Im sure your boys will help you out.Theyre lazy, goddammit! They dont have respect either! Lazy when they could have gone so far. Theyre very attractive, yknow. Adonises they are Do you have boys?Oh yes, children. Another thing Miss Independent had forgotten in her foolishness. Torvald spoke slowly, painfully. I am left with three motherless children. Motherless, poiso ned children.Well, Willy wasnt sure how to react to that. Poisoned? Gee, that sounds badmaybe you should get a doctor?Oh, doctors Perhaps that Rank had something to do with the whole sorry business. Nora had been spending unsuitable amounts of time with him lately. But he found talking about his problems disarming. With a sigh he eased the conversation onto safer planes. Forget it. So what is it exactly that you do?Selling.Selling?Sure, selling. Why, they know me all round these parts and further! At the sound of my name they just let me through. Everywhere I go. Used to average a couple a hundred dollars a week boy, I knocked them dead!Ah, so then theres no problem, eh? Youll find another job in no time. Torvald was finding this rather incongruous conversation oddly cheering. The silly old mans pathetic suffering seemed to provide a dark background on which the sunlight of Torvalds success shone so hard he was blinded to all thoughts of Nora. Torvald stretched his arms, admiring h is fine shirtsleeves, and sent his cigar box toppling to the floor.Willy swooped immediately to pick up the mans cigars. Black Havanas they were. Now that was quality.Im liked, he suddenly blurted, Im well-liked. Just sometimes I become confused. I dont know where I am anymore, or what Im doing. I lose myself. I should have gone to Alaska!Oh dont be so theatrical, replied Torvald curtly, as he reclaimed his cigars with a vague nod of acknowledgement. Your problem is that you probably dont know how to save your money. You spend it on useless things. You must learn to economize.Yes. Economize. Sure. But, ysee the problem is I just dont know where I am anymore, Ben.Oh, dont make excuses, snapped Torvald. And its Helmer, not Ben whos Ben?Gee, there was a man that was something. He really knew what he was aboutwhat everything was about! A real miracle was Ben.So why dont you go and talk to him then? Honestly. Ungrateful fool and why was everybody so obsessed with miracles?Its a cutthroat world and Ben conquered it! Into the jungle without a penny, he went, and out with a fortune! What a miracle, heh? I often wonder hows it donecouldnt you tell me the answer?The miracle of miracles muttered Torvald. The sound of the door slamming as someone left the little cafe jolted him, and he stood up abruptly. Id really better go, old chap, he said quite dazedly.To Alaska? Great opportunities in Alaska. God, if only Id gone. Imagine the magnificence!Imagine, said Torvald. Imagine, he repeated, and he turned to follow the echo of the door.A Certain Private Conversation in One ActUnlike many imagined conversations offered for this option (2b), the participants here, Torvald Helmer and Willy Loman, are cannily chosen and the reasons for their choice are offered, as well as a clear focus on what is to be achieved. Features of style to be included are appropriately identified. Language in the piece is a fine complement to the intelligent characterization, while the handling of the d ialogue is both skilled and witty. Materials from both plays are deftly incorporated; the fictional personalities of the two men shine through in a credible conversation. 5555 (20)1 Torvald being not the kind of man to drink-at least probably not.

Function Prototypes in C and C++

Function Prototypes in C and C++ A function prototype is a declaration in C and C of a function, its name, parameters and return type  before its actual declaration. This enables the compiler to perform more robust type checking. Because the function prototype tells the compiler what to expect, the compiler is better able to flag any functions that dont contain the expected information. A function prototype omits the function body. Unlike a full function definition, the prototype terminates in a semi-colon. For example: intgetsum(float * value) ; Prototypes are most often used in header files- although they could appear anywhere in a program. This allows external functions in other files to be called and the compiler to check the parameters during compilation. Purposes A function prototype ensures that calls to a function are made with the correct number and types of arguments.A function prototype specifies the number of arguments.It states the data type of each of the passed arguments.It gives the order in which the arguments are passed to the function. The function prototype tells the compiler what to expect, what to give to the function and what to expect from the function. Benefits Prototypes save debugging time.Prototypes prevent problems that occur when you compile using functions that were not declared.When function overloading occurs, the prototypes distinguish which function version to call.

Creating a Science Center Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Creating a Science Center - Essay Example The following information is derived from assessments that were conducted on three separate elementary classrooms. These evaluations were performed on the science centers of a Kindergarten, Third, and Fifth grade classroom. The first classroom science center that was evaluated was for a Kindergarten class at a local school. Kindergarten The Kindergarten classroom assessed had math centers and writing centers; however, no specified center for science. Even though there were several posters and charts on the wall pertaining to scientific information there were no project tables or observation areas, other than the window sill and a teacher’s work table. Several books on plants, animals, the Earth, and so forth were present; however, they were located in the same area as the other reading materials for other subjects and/or general reading. Materials such as magnifying glasses and measuring cups were in the classroom, but again, not in a specified science area. Although, the science material was minimal in this classroom and there was no science center, the student’s needs were still met by the materials that were brought in by the teacher on an â€Å"as needed†

Olympic Cities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Olympic Cities - Essay Example Burbank and Charles H. Heying (2001) titled â€Å"Olympic Cities: Lessons Learned from Mega Event Politics†. The objective of the essay is to observe the relationship between resident’s attitudes towards Tourism and tourism development options. Methodology As part of the survey methodology different cities were selected where the event already been held. The survey was conducted on three cities which have experienced bidding as well as staging the Olympic game in areas such as Atlanta, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. The focus in mainly on the Olympics as it has become the mega event during the global economic competition. The survey is conducted only on US cities due to the political economy of the federal system. The American cities are in a unique position with regards to hosting large events such as Olympics. Mega events occur with multi-dimensional and multipurpose of the aspect. The events in each city are examined over three key stages which involves, bidding for the game, organising and post games legacy. The three cities differ in terms of size, political history, social consumption and economic base. Therefore by comparing the cities the main aim is to identify the features of relationship between consumption based economic development and mega event strategy in urban politics. The journal Olympic cities: Lessons learned from mega events, which aim to address the challenges and opportunities in hosting the Olympic Games and focusing on cities of Salt Lake City, Atlanta and Los Angeles. The focus is mainly on the adoption of strategy to conduct the mega event and the effect it had on urban policy. To begin with an overview of consumption on economic development has been discussed which had two dimensions which includes building convention centres and sports development. Comparative Analysis The comparatively analysis is done on three cities where Olympic was held. The three factors that was taken into consideration was bidding for the gam e, staging and finally Olympic legacies. As per the rules of IOC only cities are allowed to bid for the Olympics and host the event. In bidding process, Los Angeles bid was mainly initiated by a group named pro growth by business leaders and civic notables who were operating in the Southern California Committee for the Olympics games (SCCOG). The group rose about $158,000 funds in order to finance the bid activities. The SCCOG was established in the year 1939 after the city hosted the summer games. The country bided for the Olympic in order to bring back the games in Los Angeles. The main reason in order to get back the games were the chances for the city to display on a global stage, increase the opportunity for high revenue and the intangibles that was likely to enhance the current position of the city. For the president of SCCOG, John Argue the goal was to bring the games to the city at no cost to taxpayer. After winning the bid Los Angeles did not have any competition at the int ernational level. In 1984 Los Angeles was the only viable choice to host the event of Olympics. Whereas unlike Loss Angeles, Atlanta did not6 have any organisation to initiate a bid for the Olympics. Although much of the initiative was taken by small group of lawyer and college football player named Billy Payne who represents the city as entrepreneur for Olympics. Only after the support for hosting the game was supported by Atlanta’s business and political elite, the city was able to bid for the Olympic. Atlanta was awarded the game in 1990 and it meant a lot for the city to host the event and what is meant to the residents of the city. Similar like Los Angles, the Salt Lake City had interest to host the Olympics since

Criminal Justice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 6

Criminal Justice - Essay Example This explains why the use of evidence-based policing will empower the police forces to make smarter decisions when controlling and solving crimes (Bueermann, 2012). Despite its advantages, there are cases wherein the police task force may not be knowledgeable enough to implement these strategies properly. For this reason, the process of continuously promoting evidence-based policing may only give the community members a wrong sense of safety and security (Alfredo, n.d.). For example, to reduce crime in Sacramento, the Sacramento Police Department conducted a â€Å"90-day Hot Spot study† between the 8th of February 2011 to the 8th of May 2011 (Sacramento Police Department, 2011). Based on the available crime records, the police highlighted â€Å"42 hot spots† wherein most crime occurred. Based on the research study findings, police visibility by simply patrolling around the hot spot areas for at least 15-minute period daily is effective in reducing crime rates in hot spot areas. Lum et al. (2010) conducted a randomized controlled trial to examine whether or not the use of license plate readers (LPR) can effectively prevent crime in hot spot areas. Throughout 30 hot spots across 2 jurisdictions, police patrols with LPR were assigned to monitor 15 hot spot areas using the â€Å"sweep and sit† approach within a 30-day experimental period. The research findings show that deploying a small number of police patrols with LPR is not sufficient to control crime. Alfredo, D. (n.d.). eHow. Retrieved October 21, 2012, from The Advantages & Disadvantages of Evidence-Based Policing: http://www.ehow.com/info_8495574_advantages-disadvantages-evidencebased-policing.html Lum, C., Merola, L., Willis, J., & Cave, B. (2010, September). Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy, George Mason University. Retrieved October 21, 2012, from License Plate

Advice for the Critique of an Academic Journal Article

Advice for the Critique of an Academic Journal - Article Example is, the emphasis is on collecting various manifestations of INV, which the authors divide into three groups: â€Å"born global,† â€Å"born again global,† and â€Å"born international.† (Gabrielsson et al., 2014, p. 450). In the given theoretical framework, the authors use data from several case studies from mostly developing firms in knowledge-intensive sector. So, it is crucial to discuss validity, reliability, and transferability of the given support to the main idea. Based on the presented theoretical assumptions, the discussion seems reasonable. In particular, the examples of real activity fit the theoretical assumptions of its entrepreneurial features. In other words, case studies make the findings on causal relationship between the enterprise and opportunism to be â€Å"really about what they appear to be about† (Saunders et al., 2009, p. 157). Although, the presented data has doubtful actuality. Even though the article was published in 2014, the authors finished their interviews with founders and CEOs before 2011 (Gabrielsson et al., 2014, p. 451). Thus, the data omits recent challenges; for instance, the impact of global economic crisis in 2012. Nevertheless, analysis is deep and comprehensive. In fact, the authors highly value their choice of multiple case studies as they â€Å"are expected to be valid† (Gabrielsson et al., 2014, p. 451). So, the illustrative capacity of above-mentioned evidence is strong, as it has convincin g literature basis and numerous sources of practical evidence; in fact, it seems to be a pioneer research combination in the field. As for reliability of the evidence, it reveals its limits. By being the only source of presented data, multiple interviews with key actors make the selection bias is inevitable. In this context, classification of paths imposes the limit on number of cases. At the same time, this approach increases an accuracy of presented data. Actually, authors achieved their aim to create â€Å"a more holistic and contextual

U.S. History (1865 - 1945) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

U.S. History (1865 - 1945) - Essay Example The history of the U.S is outlined by a number of events. The period between 1861 to 1865 was characterised by the American Civil War that clearly had a huge impact on the country, not just during the four years of the war, but after the war period as well.This is evident in the aftermath , between the years 1865 to 1945, to be precise.One of the biggest events that occurred during this period and that had a huge impact on the economy of the nation, and subsequently the world, was the Second Industrial Revolution. The Second Industrial Revolution took place between 1870 and 1914. This was before the initiation of the First World War.The Industrial Revolution truly revolutionized work culture and the very formulation and assimilation of industries. It led to globalised effects and impacted the whole world in terms of conditions and mode of work. The enhancement and growth of communication channels, the spreading of production and consumption across the world and the changing lifestyle s due to the influence and merging of cultures became the order of the day. "Despite America's natural wealth, the Industrial Revolution did not originate in the United States. The first technological breakthroughs occurred in Britain."[ 'The Industrial Revolution in America: A Primary Source History of America's Transformation Into an Industrial Society', Corona Brezina] It is impossible to talk about the Second Industrial Revolution, without taking into account the First Industrial Revolution. The first industrial revolution was brought about when the entire mode of work was revolutionized, with workers shifting massively from the agricultural fields to hard-core machine-equipped industrial units. This led to the dwindling of the agriculture and farming sector and machinery came to occupy an important position in man's life. The Second Industrial Revolution came about, when people started concentrating more on the services, rather than manufacturing per se. The invention of electricity, the growth of railways, and other such details. This period was marked by a change in the set-up of organisations and workplaces, that became quite different. This paradigm shift changed the equations once again and set the pace for a totally different kind of work system and environment. The rise of white-collar jobs and professionals and the catering to demand as per the demands of a country's economic disposition was seen. In addition to this, there was a general form of unemployment, with urban industrial workers taking the main seat. The organisations came to be characterised by a strong working class. For instance, the growth of labour unions and the laying down fo strong principles on the conditions of work, the voicing of opinions and the unification of the working class was commonly seen. Developments in the chemical, electrical and steel industries took place. Mass production was a main feature, leading to growing consumerism. Besides this, the advent of the era of cinema brought along entertainment and revolutionized employment. Increase in production led to greater importance being given to workers, who were by now, organized groups of people, with the desire to get their contribution acknowledged. Thus, evidently, the socio-economic effects were many. "New opportunities and evolving attitudes on the part of the growing manufacturing class, plus the excitement surrounding technological change and the resultant

Centrifugal fan failure Essay Example for Free

Centrifugal fan failure Essay Research conducted by (Reddy Gartling 2002) have historically illustrated that concurrence of towering order aural modes and occurrences within the fan housing and structural modes and occurrences of the impeller perform an integral aspect in vibrant loading of the impeller. Long understanding has proved that concurrence of the structural and aural dual joint diameter mode facades and frequencies is fastidiously lethal to the vibrant quivery loading of the impeller. The observable fact here is that a dual nodal diameter mode shape with its affiliated structural occurrence corresponds to the lowest shaft-self-sufficient impeller disk form considered most susceptible to pulsation. This report presents proof that the fan impeller was unsuccessful structurally owing to structural-acoustic blending, which emanates from a match in a dual nodal diameter form silhouettes and concurrencies. In the event to precluding such anomalies, overt happenstance, i.e., harmonizing of form prototype and concurrencies, ought to be shunned. The brunt of the compartment is not altering the acoustic concurrencies to any basic degree although, moderately, to deform the acoustic fashion figures adequately to lessen the extent of structural-acoustic pairing. (Reddy Gartling 2002) The composition forms of the impeller disk could interact in a special way with acoustic modes within the machine housing and, consequently, causing the disk to vibrate hence leading to a potential dysfunction. Nonetheless an exceptional condition of great apprehension is the state of absolute concurrence of composition and acoustic modes. The central structural forms susceptible on the impeller disk include; the plane diametral modes m, where m stands for the amount of complete structural brandish of the numeral of nodal breadths, the diametral form is collectively assimilated with the perimeter as well as the radial manner n, in addition to a complete mode order of m, n. the acoustic modes within a tube like machine housing are identified with diametral p, perimeter as well as radial q, and axial r mode orders, where p as well as q stands for the number of nodal diameters and nodal circles, repeatedly and r demonstrating the nodule hierarchy in the canister axial bearing. (Reddy Gartling 2002) Basis and Remedies of heat rise Functional temperature is a variable to consider in optimizing the viability of fan bearings. The functional temperature of wave bearing ought not to elongate far ahead of 200 degree centigrade. Uncharacteristic hotness smashes up bearing components, particularly the enclosure and fastens, and demeans the oil. Employing of comparatively stumpy thermal conductivity material could help to curtail the heat. Stainless steel for instance has low conductivity than carbon steel, hence could be the best material in minimizing the heat. Embedding a heat flinger; a diminutive centrifugal fan veer constructed from material with optimum thermal conductivity like aluminum to the tube flanking the fan housing and non drive end bearing also dissolves heat. (Kelecy, F 2005) Padded fan housing can also preclude heat emissions from blistering fan as well as heat shield. Insulation curtails on the exterior temperature of the casing perimeter, hence reducing radiation. A radiation guard, nonetheless, accumulates between the bearing and housing, securing the bearing assembly from direct emissions. The housing could be integrated into a protection for the flinger. Poorly maintained or even non-existent, insulation is a common anomaly visible in higher temperature applications. (Kelecy, F 2005) Other factors Low viscosity oil could be employed to curtail the heated emitted by friction within the bearing. However, the viscosity preclusion needed to lower the hotness proficiently could bring about an increase that is too light for adequate greasing. By and large, the lowest required (Kelecy, F 2005) viscosity at the bearing functional hotness is 70 SUS for sphere bearing and 100 SUS for spherical roller bearings. In conclusion, the functional bearing temperature differs almost directly measure for measure with ambient temperatures. Strategic fan positioning is the best way to control temperatures. Placing the fan in a cool region is preferred. Ceilings and corners should be avoided by all means possible since heat is highly concentrated at these points. (Eck S 1999) Maintaining proper lubrication Lubrication is an imperative aspect that maintains a proficient bearing operation. It’s important in the sense that is reduces friction at contact points in the bearing, protects the interior components from oxidation, thwart dusts as well as other impurities. (Eck S 1999) Monitoring vibration Vibration is also a supplementary aspect that could lead to fan dysfunction. Vibration hampers the fan rotor as well as the tube, creating fissures and eventually disastrous impairment. Bearing wear is also increased. Additional vibration is symptomatic (Eck S 1999) that the bearing may be supporting an excessive load and is put under hardships that finally break about the breakdown. References: Eck S (1999) Fans: Architecture and function. Oxford; London Press Kelecy, F (2005) Review illustrations and Model in Predicting Fan Behaviour; journal of articulate programme end users; Princeton University Press; Reddy Gartling (2002) The Finite Element Formulae in Radiation Transfer and Liquid Dynamics. Harvard University Press.

Analysis of the Coffee Industry in Ethiopia

Analysis of the Coffee Industry in Ethiopia SUMMARY Ethiopia is the home and basis of inherent resources and coffee Arabica diversities. It relies greatly on export of key agricultural products in which coffee is the major and significant crop. The country has a reputation of high quality coffee due to its branded varieties of coffee. But, most of the coffee farmers in Ethiopia are not capable of getting the benefits connected with production and marketing of a finest quality product due to production, institutional and organizational supports, storage and functioning of domestic and international market related constraints (ODI, 2009). Smallholder farmers are the main producers of coffee by contributing 95 percent of the total coffee output in Ethiopia. However, the different challenges faced by coffee farmers chiefly affect their livelihood and discourage them to engage actively in the process of coffee production and marketing which lead to a significantly decreases in the country’s foreign exchange. This suggests that it is very critical to study and monitor systematically the production and marketing systems in all coffee growing areas of the country for the sake of planning and designing suitable research and development interventions that are applicable to the specific systems. Thus, the purpose of the study is to analyze the trends of coffee sector in Ethiopia in general and generate baseline information on production and marketing of coffee in Mana woreda of Jimma zone, one of the coffee growing areas of Ethiopia in particular by concentrating on parameters like production, marketing, institutional and organizational support conditions and challenges and opportunities of the farm households. To achieve the objectives of the study, Mana woreda was purposefully selected. A two stage random sampling technique was applied for the study as there were two sample units, i.e., Kebeles (Peasant Associations) and farm households. In the first stage, four kebeles were selected randomly out of 27 kebeles in the study woreda. In the second stage, a total of 90 farm households were selected randomly from all of the four kebeles to generate a year round primary data on coffee production and marketing by means of semi-structured questionnaire. The required secondary data were also collected from relevant data sources. Microsoft Excel 2010 was used to enter the row data and exported to the statistical software called â€Å"SPSS version 20† to analyze the data for descriptive statistics method of analysis. The socio-economic characteristics of the sample respondents in the study area revealed that majority of coffee farm households were males (93.3%) whereas the remaining were females. The age of the farm household head ranges from 20 to 68 years. The average age of the coffee farmers was 42.23 years. About 90 percent lie within the most actively working age category (18-64 years). 92.2% of the farm households were married while the rest were widowed and single. The average family size of the farm households was 5.44. The distribution of household heads by their level of education showed that about 42.2% of farm household heads were illiterate and 27.8% can read and write. 24.4% had formal education up to grade 8, while 5.6% attained secondary education and above. An average dependency ratio of farmers is 0.71, which is better off compared to the national average, i.e., 0.97. All of the farm households in the study area were practicing farming activities, where cultivation of coffee took the major share. Coffee production (forest, semi-forest and garden coffee) is the main means of livelihood. Grain production (mainly Maize, Sorghum and Teff), Fruit production (especially Avocado) and Off-farm activities are also reported as the other means of income for the farm households. The coffee farmers have an average of 21 years of farming experience (ranging from 4 to 38 years) in coffee production. The majority of the sample farmers (82.2%) own the land between 1 ha and 3 ha. The average land holding in the study area was 1.84 ha per household (min. 0.5 ha and max. 6 ha) which is two times more than the national average (0.8 ha). About 67.8 percent of smallholder farmers acquired their land through inheritance from their families and 27.8 percent has got the land officially from the governed kebeles (Peasant Associations) through redistribution. The study found out that crop production is the primary farming activity in the study area where cultivation of coffee took the major share. Coffee production (forest, semi-forest and garden coffee) is the basis of livelihood for the farmers. Farm households allocate larger portion of their land for coffee production and used inter-cropping method of producing coffee with other crops mainly for consumption purposes and some of the crops helped to produce more coffee by serving as shade trees. Majority of the farmers owned forest and semi-forest coffees. Only 10 percent of the farmers cultivate garden coffee. The average yield of produced coffee was 13.33 quintal/ha which is larger than the national average (7.2 quintal/ha). All of the farmers produced both red cherry and sun dried coffee. The proportion of sun dried coffee (63%) is higher than that of the red cherry (37%). Farm households used different sources of labor for their coffee farm work (such as land clearing, planting and harvesting) in the study area. The major source of labor was family labor (75%). Traditional form (Debo) and hired labor were also the other sources. The entire coffee farmers were not used inorganic fertilizer, and chemical inputs like insecticide or pesticide for their coffee production. But majority (64.4%) of the farmers used traditional or organic manure instead of chemical inputs. This confirms that the type of coffee produced in the study area was naturally organic. They also have a habit of planting new coffee seedlings which are provided from their own nursery, local market and woreda ARDO. Coffee is harvested at the full maturity stage and stripping method of harvesting is mainly used since majority of the farmers owned forest/semi-forest coffees. Coffee farmers used traditional and temporary storage houses with poor storage facilities which affected negatively th e inherent qualities and appearance of the green coffee. Results about coffee marketing showed that coffee growers, local collectors, wholesalers and cooperatives participated in coffee marketing channels with an availability of market places near to villages and with easy road access and proximity to larger towns. Farmers sell their coffee in the form of red cherry during harvesting and in sun-dried form after storing for some months for cooperatives, local collectors and wholesalers. The prices of red cherry and sun-dried coffee in the market were not stable and fluctuating from time to time. Meanwhile, the trend of coffee market is apparently decreasing across time as a result of this fluctuation and volatility of coffee price. Cooperatives purchase the majority of the red cherry coffee and give better coffee prices more than the local traders. Farm households were forced to sell their coffee produce at a lower price to local traders who exclusively set the price when cooperatives are inactive in the market due to absence of collective bargaining power and lack of price and market information. The principal cost of the farmers was cost of transporting coffee to the market followed by labor cost. Regarding with institutional and organizational support schemes for coffee farmers, denial to formal credit is predominant for majority of the farm households despite the closeness to financial institutions in the study area due to restricted criteria or inappropriate loan terms (related to grace period, duration of payment and collective eligibility), high rate of interest and inaccessibility of credit agents. The extension services provided for farmers from DAs were not adequate and effective enough to support farmers in order to enhance their coffee production and marketing activities because of shortages of technical expertise, facilities as well as ineffective means of communication. Primary cooperative associations which deal with coffee are found in the study area and most of the coffee farmers (85.6%) are members. The members are mainly benefited from cooperatives in getting better price than other traders, accessibility to sell their coffee products, transportation, provision of credit and training services. Thus, cooperatives are playing a vital role in improving the production and marketing problems of coffee farmers. Coffee farm households in Mana woreda faced both production and marketing problems. One of the most frequent production problems encountered by coffee farmers was coffee berry disease. This is exacerbated since all of the farmers are producing organic coffee which excludes the use of fungicides and other chemicals. High number of old trees death and shortage of shade trees; absence of improved technologies or traditional way of production; inadequacy of appropriate extension services with qualified experts; change of weather condition; scarcity of land and shortage of improved seeds and its higher cost were the other production constraints faced by the coffee farmers. The most frequent marketing problem was coffee market price volatility. Transport facilities; lack of price and market information; absence of collective bargaining/price setting; lack of access and availability of credit; middle men interference; theft; and traditional storage facility and packing materials were also t he subsequent marketing problems of coffee farmers in the study area. Despite the challenges, there are also opportunities for coffee farmers in Mana woreda. Suitable agro-ecology, accumulated traditional or ancestral knowledge of farmers with experience; better access to infrastructure and proximity to local market places; variety of coffee types suitable for roasting industries; cheap provision of labor; growing domestic coffee consumption and a scope of value added niche product are the main opportunities. Therefore, relevant development programs that participates the farming community under the prevailing farming system should be planned and effectively executed. A number of actions need to be undertaken in order to promote the development of coffee market chain. This particularly includes, capacity building, technological applications and improved extension services. Institutional and organizational support condition is also a key to improve the coffee production and marketing constraints of farm households. In this ground, emphasis should be given to expand transportation system and storage facilities, offering formal credit and effective extension services and strengthen cooperative associations to support farmers in coffee production and marketing.

History of Beer :: Expository Essays Research Papers

History of Beer Between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago, some humans discontinued their nomadic hunting and gathering and settled down to farm. Grain was the first domesticated crop that started that farming process. The oldest proven records of brewing are about 6,000 years old and refer to the Sumerians. Sumeria lay between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers including Southern Mesopotamia. It is said that the Sumerians discovered the fermentation process by chance. No one knows today exactly how this occurred, but it could be that a piece of bread or grain became wet and a short time later, it began to ferment The Sumerians were able to repeat this process and are assumed to be he first civilized culture to brew beer. They had discovered a "divine drink" which certainly was a gift from the gods. The word beer comes from the Latin word bibere, meaning "to drink", and the Spanish word cerveza originates from the Greek goddess of agriculture, Ceres. A vitamin-rich porridge, used daily, beer is reported to have increased health and longevity and reduced disease and malnutrition. The self-medicating properties of alcohol-rich beer also eased the tensions and stresses of daily living in a hostile world. The use of yeast was not yet known at that time. The success of the fermentation process was left to chance, as the brewers unknowingly relied on yeast particles in the air. Considerable scientific research took place in breweries in the 19th century. A famous work from 1876 by Louis Pasteur was Studies Concerning Beer where he revealed his knowledge of micro-organisms. By establishing that yeast is a living microorganism, Pasteur opened the gates for accurately controlling the conversion of sugar to alcohol.

Comic and Tragic Elements in Kurt Vonneguts Slaughterhouse Five Essay

Comic and Tragic Elements in Slaughterhouse Five    Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., is the tale of a World War II soldier, Billy Pilgrim. His wartime experiences and their effects lead him to the ultimate conclusion that war is unexplainable. To portray this effectively, Vonnegut presents the story in two dimensions: historical and science-fiction. The irrationality of war is emphasized in each dimension by contrasts in its comic and tragic elements. The historical seriousness of the Battle of the Bulge and the bombing of Dresden are contrasted by many ironies and dark humor; the fantastical, science-fiction-type place of Tralfamadore is, in truth, an outlet for Vonnegut to show his incredibly serious fatalistic views. The surprising variations of the seriousness and light-heartedness allow Vonnegut to show effectively that war is absurd. The most important historical plot strand of Slaughterhouse-Five is Billy Pilgrim's war experience which occurs during the last six months of World War II. This plot strand follows Billy through the Battle of the Bulge and his presence as a POW during the bombing of Dresden, Germany. Vonnegut contrasts these documented milestones with incredible amounts of dramatic irony and dark humor. This provides the plot with not only comic relief, but examples of absurdities which parallel the message of the insanity of war. Billy, standing at a lanky six-foot two, is introduced in the middle of a Luxembourg forest during the Battle of the Bulge. He, along with two infantry scouts and an antitank gunner named Roland Weary, have been separated from their platoon and are alone in enemy territory. In contrast to the two scouts, who are quiet and swiftly moving through the fo... ...mbolized fatalism and the Garden of Eden. Vonnegut gives a compelling account of the horrors of war using intricate, clever story-telling techniques, bringing together the extremes between truth (historical facts) and science fiction (futuristic imagination). He uses the extraordinary technique of combining the dark humor of Billy's views of World War II with the serious message from the figment of madness of Tralfamadore to show the inexplicable occurrences of war and its repercussions. This ingenious combination leads to a unique tale that is timeless and interesting, that brings the story of Dresden, of Tralfamadore, and of Billy Pilgrim, into the public eye. Works and Sources Cited Merrill, Robert. ed. Critical Essays on Kurt Vonnegut.   Boston: G.K. Hall & Co., 1990. Vonnegut, Kurt.   Slaughterhouse-Five.   New York: Dell Publishing, 1968.

Cold War: Cuba and Latin America Essay

There were several motivations for United States policy in Latin America during the 1950’s and the 1960’s. Some of these motivations included the applying of the policy of containment in Latin American to stop the spread of communism. Another motivation was to stop the growing alliance between Cuba and the Soviet Union. All of these motivations were set in place to avoid the development of a second Cuba in Latin America. It was urgent for the United States to act since now there was Soviet Union presence in Latin America offering to be an ally. The United States had numerous justifications for the polices that it followed during it’s presence in Latin America. One of them being President John F. Kennedy’s Alliance for Progress. The United States offered Latin America countries that were developing economically aid; this was a method of applying the policy of containment. The United States need to stop communism motivated them to pass the Alliance for Progr ess. The United States justified the policy by arguing that they needed to have a policy in Latin America that went beyond the Roosevelt Corollary. After 1959, the United State was still devoted to ridding Fidel Castro’s presence from Cuba. The United States policy makers saw the alliance between Cuba and Soviet Union as dangerous thing, particularly after the critical Cuban Missile Crisis. In the Dominican Republic, the Johnson Administration justified the assassination of Rafael Trujillo since his dictatorship had become a liability to the United States. Trujillo was at one point a United States ally because he was willing to protect its interests but he was cruel to his own people and the United States feared he would spark a revolution in the Dominican Republic, much like the one that had brought Fidel Castro to power. There were many things that the United States ignored as it followed the polices that they had enacted. One, being the lack of evidence that there was a relationship between Castro and the Soviet Union before 1959. Another being that the Alliance for Progress was modeled on the Marshall Plan for Western Europe but Latin America was not Western Europe (92). There was also the contradiction between the Alliance for Progress, that it was nice than the method that it followed in Latin America during the 1960’s.

On the Importance of Physical Training Essay

Physical training has so many important benefits it is countless to comprehend. Not only is it condusive to a healthy and fit lifestyle. You live longer, you look better, you feel better; these things among others evident. Physical training affects you on so many levels and each level is more complex and interesting. I am going to explain myself clearly throughout this article. I write this as corrective training, but also a positive outlet for me to express myself. So a subject like physical training is defiantly as subject to talk about. It is a part of the Army life, and soldiers like to sham. So what exactly is shamming? Shamming is a verb describing an act of laziness or â€Å"escaping the situation† in light of events that demand some effort or benefit on your part in any way. Obviousily in today’s world, people sham in every area of life no matter the consequent. This is a very popular trend in today’s Army. So we have a mixture of Physical Training meets Sham. Basically, physical exercise is defined as any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellbeing. There or many reasons people work out. To build muscle, to fight disease, to build strength. Maybe pass that PT test. People work out to lose weight and to build those cardiovascular muscles. Frequent and regular physical exercise boosts the immune system, and helps prevent diseases such as heart disease, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. It also improves mental health and motor functions. It helps to prevent depression while promoting positive self-esteem. Childhood obesity is a growing global concern and physical exercise may help to decrease the effects of childhood obesity in developed countries. Health care providers often call exercise the â€Å"miracle† or â€Å"wonder† drug- eluding to the wide variety of proven benefits that it provides. FM 21-20 is the Army field manual that covers physical fitness training. FM 21-20 is directed at leaders who plan and conduct physical fitness training. It provides guidelines for developing programs which will improve and maintain physical fitness levels for all Army personnel. These programs will help leaders prepare their soldiers to meet the physical demands of war.  This manual can also be used as a source book by all soldiers. FM 21-20 was written to conform the principles outlined in FM 25-100, Training the Force. Types of Exercise Physical exercise is generally grouped into three types. They all have separate benefits to the body and the effects they have. I’m going to explain them as listed. Flexibility, Aerobic, Anaerobic. Flexibility exercises, such as stretching, improve the range of muscle and joints. This is an important aspect to physical training. Because lack of doing so could result in a later injury. Aerobic exercises consist of things like running, swimming, hiking, rucking. These exercises help increase your cardiovascular system and over strength of your heart. Anaerobic exercises consist of things such as pushups, weight training, and pull ups, the forward lunge, things that result in muscle failure. AR 350-15 specifies that vigorous physical fitness training will be conducted 3 to 5 times per week. For optimal results, commanders must strive to conduct 5 days of physical training per week. To obtain maximum gains in muscular strength, soldiers should have at least three strength training sessions per week.

Gatsby’s Attraction to Daisy Essay

In the novel ‘The Great Gatsby’, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the main character – Gatsby – is in love with Daisy Buchannan. Moreover, the protagonist’s love for the young woman is the result of the objectifying and romanticizing of the latter. Throughout the novel, Nick shows Gatsby as the epitome of grandeur and the American Dream. Gatsby’s greatness, however, lies in his ability to pursue his dreams and, from them, create realities. This is the very case with Daisy. The main character feels attracted to her because she represents everything he ever wanted: wealth, glory and a high-class status. Without question, Gatsby is driven to desire Daisy because she is â€Å"dressed in white† (pg. 65) and other officers â€Å"demanded the privilege of monopolizing her† (pg. 65). It is important to note how Fitzgerald uses the word monopolizing instead of others that would set a more romantic tone. This is, however, because, in Gatsby’s eyes, Daisy is a trophy or a prize. And, thus, Daisy being such a big reward or achievement for Gatsby, he tries to attract her with exuberant parties. Furthermore, the fact that Daisy is so used to the upper class and ridiculous amounts of money also makes Gatsby find her â€Å"excitingly desirable† (pg. 28). It is not Daisy’s beauty or smile that wakens Gatsby’s heart; it’s the fact that her mansion was a thing â€Å"as casual to her as his tent out at camp to him† (pg. 128). We can see that Fitzgerald is trying to show to the reader why is that all the extravagant qualities Daisy possesses are so attractive to Gatsby; she, like money, represents the American Dream- the illusion of greatness and superiority. It is also important to see the words Fitzgerald uses when Gatsby describes Daisy. The fact that many others also desired the young lady, the main character says, â€Å"increased her value in his eyes† (pg. 128). The word value is, in a way, the summary of how the protagonist sees Mrs. Buchannan. It is not her beauty, her kindness or her personality – which behind Gatsby’s illusion is completely amoral and unethical –that makes Gatsby so interested in her. It’s her value; as if she were an expensive piece of jewelry to buy as a collection or a business to invest in. Nonetheless, it is what attracts Daisy that also attracts Gatsby. Because she’s attracted to â€Å"pomp and circumstance† (pg. 66), it adds to her value. Since he was very young, Gatsby fell in love with wealth and high-class standards, and though he never belonged there, he also desired the supposed ‘greatness’ that came with them. Daisy, in the main character’s eyes, is the representation of these very things. In conclusion, we can see that Gatsby, after creating an unreal version of Daisy, wants her more as an object than as an actual woman. Thus, the protagonist is attracted to her social hierarchy, her wealthy lifestyle and her popularity.

A Beginners Guide to Yoga essays

A Beginners Guide to Yoga essays Increasing back pain, raging stress, the onset of a migraine . . .who hasnt experienced some or all of these sensations at some time? Finding a cure for these discomforts would immortalize their discoverer and virtually ensure sainthood. Although not a panacea, yoga is a near cure-all for achieving relaxation and inner peace. Yoga, which means union or balance (1), dates back further than 2,500 years ago to the sacred Hindu religion. The ancient Rig-Veda (Knowledge of Praise) contains hymns created by kavi (seer-poets) able to look beyond their five senses. The hymns detail their ecstasies and insights, and form the basis of archaic Yoga (2). Devotees of Yoga today still seek these ecstasies and insights, and have various forms of Yoga to pursue to help them achieve them. Just like a flower can have many petals that extend from one stem, Yoga has many types that all share basic fundamentals. The four forms follow: 3. Raja Yoga (the science of mental control) 4. Gyana Yoga (the path of knowledge) While these forms of Yoga may appear disparate, in reality they complement each other. Raja Yoga, the science of mental control, contains three subdivisions, MantraYoga, Kundalini Yoga, and Hatha Yoga (3). All of these modes of Yoga target control of mental modifications and achieving the absolute. Hatha Yoga, the best known among them, seeks a transformation through physical purification and strengthening. The goal of Hatha Yoga is to magnify the awareness of the body and mind. Evolving from two Sanskrit words, Hatha literally consists of two planets: ha, which means sun, and tha, meaning moon. These two planets symbolize the two halves of the body and mind. Hatha Yoga aims to equalize these two halves to create a fully functioning individual. Conflict emerges, however, when one side typically overpowers the other yet is never completely liberated of its counterpart. Most people have been trained to favo...

The Annual Inflation Rate Essays - Monetary Policy, Inflation

The Annual Inflation Rate Essays - Monetary Policy, Inflation The Annual Inflation Rate The Annual Inflation Rate Just about everything we do as a nation lends to the annual inflation rate. In this article, though, I have chosen four of the most important variables that influence inflation the most. Inflation is the sustained increase in prices, or in other words, a steady decline in the buying power of the dollar. I have come up with an equation that includes the following variables: the unemployment rate, the federal funds interest rate, per capita income, and new home sales. These variables consistently have shown a relationship to the inflation rate and aggregately may help to explain the cause of inflation. The first variable I chose was the unemployment rate. This is the annual average of persons 15 years of age or older, actively seeking and available for work, but unemployed. (BLS). The relationship between unemployment and inflation provides evidence of a short-run trade-off between the two variables known as the short-run Phillips curve (BLS). The relationship suggests that by accepting higher inflation levels, the Fed can use monetary policy to stimulate the economy and temporarily reduce unemployment. When prices go up, the wages are affected also. This occurs because if no adjustments are made, then the same wages will buy less goods and services, which affects consumer spending. Less spending means less profits, which ends in layoffs and higher unemployment. The flip side reveals the effect of unemployment on inflation. The hypothesis for this variable is that as the unemployment rate decreases, the annual inflation rate will increase. The reasoning here is that if more people are employed and have money, there is more spending, more demand, and therefore prices will rise. The second variable I chose was the federal funds interest rate. Federal funds are the Feds channel of affecting the economy through the banks. The Fed aims to maintain a steady economy with steady growth and stable prices. Too much money results in price increases, or inflation. Too little money slows growth. To increase money, the Fed buys bank-owned government securities. It pays with deposits, which enable more loans, which enable more deposits, and so on. To reduce money, the Fed sells government securities, and banks pay from their Fed accounts. This reduces reserves, forcing banks to reduce loans. So they raise interest rates to consumers and businesses. While reducing loans, a bank may find that its reserves are less than allowed under Fed regulations. To stay legal, it phones for a one-night loan from a bank with excess reserves. The borrowed funds move from one banks Fed account to anothers, thus the name federal funds (Fedpoint15, p.2). The federal fund interest rate is a good indicator of what aims the Fed has for the economy and what state we are currently in. The hypothesis for this variable is that if the Fed raises interest rates, there must be too much money in the economy. The Fed is predicting a rise in inflation rates. So a rise in federal fund interest rates will reveal a rise in the inflation rate. The next variable I chose to explain inflation was per capita income. When consumers have and are spending more money, prices will continue to climb. Income though, plays another role in inflation. A rise in per capita income is a good indicator of higher wages. Wage escalation is a direct result of low unemployment rates. The more people working the more money is being made and spent, more demand and thus higher prices. Take a look from a different angle. (Lonski, p.1). The hypothesis here is that as per capita income increases, inflation will also increase. More money means more spending and more demand, as stated previously. Thus, prices will inflate. Other factors may also play a role such as when interest rates are raised to combat inflation. Will we then see the opposite effect take place? The fourth and final variable I chose to help explain inflation was new home sales. Construction spending is a good indicator of our nations economy, but the actual purchase of new homes is probably a better indicator of consumer spending. If the houses are built and no one is buying, it does not help the economy. Volume of sales

Biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald

Biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald F. Scott Fitzgerald, born Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald (September 24, 1896 – December 21, 1940) was an American author whose works became synonymous with the Jazz Age. He moved in the major artistic circles of his day but failed to garner widespread critical acclaim until after his death at the age of 44. Fast Facts: F. Scott Fitzgerald Full Name: Francis Scott Key FitzgeraldKnown For:  American authorBorn:  September 24, 1896 in St. Paul, MinnesotaDied:  December 21, 1940 in Hollywood, CaliforniaSpouse:  Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald (m. 1920-1940)Children:  Frances Scottie Fitzgerald (b. 1921)Education: Princeton UniversityNotable Works: This Side of Paradise, The Great Gatsby, Tender Is the Night, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Early Life F. Scott Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, to a well-off upper-middle-class family. His parents were Edward Fitzgerald, a former Marylander who moved north after the Civil War, and Molly Fitzgerald, the daughter of an Irish immigrant who made a fortune in the grocery industry. Fitzgerald was named after his distant cousin, Francis Scott Key, who famously wrote â€Å"The Star-Spangled Banner.† Only a few months before his birth, two of his sisters died suddenly. The family did not spend his early life in Minnesota, however. Edward Fitzgerald worked mostly for Proctor and Gamble, so the Fitzgeralds spent most of their time living in upstate New York and in West Virginia, following Edward’s job demands. Nevertheless, the family lived quite comfortably, thanks to a wealthy aunt and Molly’s inheritance from her own rich family. Fitzgerald was sent to Catholic schools and proved to be a bright student with a particular interest in literature. In 1908, Edward Fitzgerald lost his job and the family returned to Minnesota. When F. Scott Fitzgerald was 15 he was sent away from home to attend a prestigious Catholic prep school, the Newman School, in New Jersey. College, Romances, and Military Life After graduating from Newman in 1913, Fitzgerald decided to stay in New Jersey to continue working on his writing, rather than returning to Minnesota. He attended Princeton and became heavily involved with the literary scene on campus, writing for several publications and even joining a theatre troupe, the Princeton Triangle Club. During a visit back to St. Paul in 1915, Fitzgerald met Ginevra King, a debutante from Chicago, and they began a two-year romance. They conducted their romance mostly through letters, and she was reportedly the inspiration for some of his most iconic characters, including The Great Gatsby’s Daisy Buchanan. In 1917, their relationship ended, but Fitzgerald kept the letters she’d written to him; after his death, his daughter sent them to King, who kept them and never showed them to anyone. F. Scott Fitzgerald in his military uniform in 1918; he never saw action in the war.   Time Life Pictures / Getty Images Fitzgerald’s writing-related activities took up the bulk of his time, which meant he neglected his actual studies to the point of being on academic probation. In 1917, he officially dropped out of Princeton and joined the Army instead, as the U.S. was just joining World War I. He was stationed under the command of Dwight D. Eisenhower, whom he despised, and feared that he would die in the war without ever having become a published author. The war ended in 1918, before Fitzgerald was ever actually deployed overseas. New York and Europe in the Jazz Age While stationed in Alabama, Fitzgerald met Zelda Sayre, the daughter of a state Supreme Court justice and a Montgomery socialite. They fell in love and became engaged, but she broke it off, worried that he would be unable to support them financially. Fitzgerald revised his first novel, which became This Side of Paradise; it sold in 1919 and was published in 1920, becoming a quick success. As a direct result, he and Zelda were able to resume their engagement and were married that same year in New York City at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Their only daughter, Frances Scott Fitzgerald (known as â€Å"Scottie†) was born in October 1921. The Fitzgeralds became staples of New York society, as well as the American expatriate community in Paris. Fitzgerald formed a close friendship with Ernest Hemingway, but they came into conflict over the subject of Zelda, who Hemingway openly hated and believed was holding Fitzgerald’s career back. During this time, Fitzgerald supplemented his income by writing short stories, since only his first novel was a financial success during his lifetime. He wrote The Great Gatsby in 1925, but although it’s regarded as his masterpiece now, it was not a success until after his death. Much of his writing was tied to the â€Å"Lost Generation,† a phrase coined to describe the disillusionment in post-WWI years and often associated with the group of expatriate artists with which Fitzgerald mingled. Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald, circa 1921. Time Life Pictures / Getty Images   In 1926, Fitzgerald had his first movie offer: to write a flapper comedy for the United Artists studio. The Fitzgeralds moved to Hollywood, but after Fitzgerald’s affair with actress Lois Moran, their marital difficulties necessitated a move back to New York. There, Fitzgerald began working on a fourth novel, but his heavy drinking, financial difficulties, and Zelda’s declining physical and mental health got in the way. By 1930, Zelda was suffering from schizophrenia, and Fitzgerald had her hospitalized in 1932. When she published her own semi-autobiographical novel, Save Me the Waltz, in 1932, Fitzgerald was furious, insisting that their lives together were â€Å"material† that only he could write about; he even managed to get edits made to her manuscript before publication. Later Years and Death In 1937, after Zelda’s final hospitalization, Fitzgerald found himself financially unable to decline an offer from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to move to Hollywood and write exclusively for their studio. During that time, he had a high-profile live-in affair with gossip columnist Sheilah Graham, and he wrote a series of short stories mocking himself as a Hollywood hack. His hard living began to catch up with him, as he had been an alcoholic for decades. Fitzgerald claimed to suffer from tuberculosis–which he very well may have–and he suffered at least one heart attack by the end of the 1930s. On December 21, 1940, Fitzgerald suffered another heart attack at his home with Graham. He died almost instantly, aged 44. His body was taken back to Maryland for a private funeral. Since he was no longer a practicing Catholic, the Church refused to allow him a burial in the Catholic cemetery; he was instead interred at Rockville Union Cemetery. Zelda died eight years later, in a fire at the asylum where she was living, and she was buried next to him. They remained there until 1975, when their daughter Scottie successfully petitioned to have their remains moved to the family plot at the Catholic cemetery. Legacy Fitzgerald left behind an unfinished novel, The Last Tycoon, as well as a prolific output of short stories and four completed novels. In the years after his death, his work became more praised and more popular than it ever was during his life, especially The Great Gatsby. Today, he’s regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century. Sources Bruccoli, Matthew Joseph. Some Sort of Epic Grandeur: The Life of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press, 2002.Curnutt, Kirk, ed. A Historical Guide to F. Scott Fitzgerald. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.

Definition of Cisman or Cisgender Man

Definition of Cisman or Cisgender Man Pronunciation: siss-man Also Known As: cissexual man, cisgender man, cisguy, natural-born man (offensive) Antonyms: transwoman Definition: A cisman, shorthand for cissexual man or cisgender man, is non-transsexual man- a man whose assigned gender is male, and whose assigned male gender is more or less consistent with his personal sense of self. This distinguishes him from transmen, shorthand for transgender men- men who were initially assigned a female gender, but who now have a male identity. If you identify as a man but are not a transgender man, youre a cisman.Cisgender and transgender identity are grounded in gender roles, but because gender roles are socially constructed and gender is not a very clearly-defined concept, the argument could be made that nobody is completely cisgender or transgender- that these are relative terms representing individual experiences of what gender is. As Ashley Fortenberry, a local transwoman, explains: Gender cannot be defined by anyone other than the individual... Gender is personal and is based on ideas and characteristics that usually pertain to a specific sex. The simp le fact is that everyone has characteristics of the opposite gender.

Should Accounting Rules be Global Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Should Accounting Rules be Global - Essay Example The multinational companies have been required following the systems and accounting standards followed in the various economies of their operation for the preparation and reporting of financial statements. The companies have also faced difficulties in explaining their financial position to the investors due to the difference in the accounting systems in different countries that reflects various financial situations of the business (Basu, 1997). A globalized accounting system requires the establishment of harmonious accounting standards such as International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) that can help the users of accounting information to apply the same rule during preparation and interpretation of the accounting information. Various companies have gradually engaged in the establishment of "accounting standards that can be applied in more than one country" (Heidhues & Patel, 2012, p. 39). Some of the factors that influence the accounting system of the economy could be broadly categorized under the country’s historical origin, socio-economic demands, culture, institutional environment and many non-accounting factors such as values and beliefs (Gaffikin, 2007). These factors are different for every country. Also, the accounting systems of the countries vary from one another. The recent cause of suggestion for establishment of uniform accounting standards has been the expansion of businesses into the international economies (Gaffikin, 2007, p. 3). Having uniform global accounting standards will help businesses to compete effectively and compare the performances of affiliate businesses across the globe using standard information. The variation of accounting standards has affected number of sectors of the economy that require harmonization of accounting standards to make them operate smoothly (Zimmerman & Werner, 2013, p. 117). The operation of capital markets is affected by accounting principles since

Islamic Studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Islamic Studies - Essay Example I t is consisted of everything that the prophet has spoken of, his decisions on important matters, his opinions and his answers to the queries and doubts raised by his followers and believers. The Hadiths literature which consists of the narrations of the life of the prophet also has played major role in the shaping of Islamic faith. The fact that the Hadith were recorded after the death of the prophet make many to doubt the authenticity and the validity of the Hadith. There are people who consider the Hadith merely as a history book having not much of religious significance. The essay attempts to unearth the understanding of Hadith in Islam religion, and it tries to bring out the differences in the understanding and the practice of Hadith soon after the death of Prophet Mohammed with a special reference to the changed political scenario after the Prophets death. The Hadith assumed greater significance after the death of Mohammed as the believers could no longer ask their questions or clear their doubts from the prophet. So wherever they did not have a specific guideline in the Quran, they sought for it in the Hadith. The hadiths very often acted as the guiding principle for the Muslim way of life along with the Koran. One should not forget the fact that the Hadith was transmitted by the companions of the prophet (his contemporaries and witnesses to his teaching) to the next generation through oral tradition in the initial stages. Therefore, many attempts have been undertaken by the scholars to assess the reliability and authenticity of Hadith. The Hadith was judged based on their content, the degree in which they did not contradict the Quran and the extend to which they resonated divine wisdom. Thus, they were categorized into authentic, good or weak. Hadith were collected and confirmed or proved to be authentic by many scholars; however on e cannot negate the influence of personal bias or prejudices in the process. There was also the risk of interpreting the personal responses of the prophet as having general implications to the Islamic teachings. In the eighth century there was a considerable division in the Islamic thought due to the diversity of thought that the Hadith were not reliable and authentic. This division of thought prompted Muhammad ibh Idris al-Shafi to make a common methodology for all schools of Islamic faith by the end of 9th century. He identified four sources of Islamic law- the Quran, the sunnas or the tradition of the prophet, reasoning by analogies and unanimous agreement. The Muslim community strongly believed that Allah has sent His prophets and messengers to keep them united with Him and Mohammed for them is the last of the prophets. Mohammed proved himself to be a strong religious leader for the Muslims and after his time the Islam community really lacked strong spiritual leaders even though they did have some powerful rulers in the caliphs who succeeded Mohammed. After the death of Mohammed, there weren't any undisputable leaders for the Muslims and one comes across a series of struggle for power and control over the Muslim community and it is interesting to note how this struggle affected the Muslim belief and their way of life. It is these struggles that led to the formation of Sunnism and Shiism, and the underlying reason for most of the conflicts and struggles within Islam can be attributed to these struggles. The original version of the Hadiths suffered various setbacks at the hands of