How should I study to improve my academic performance in school Essay

Studying is not reading. It requires a more intense and organised effort. To study effectively, you must have good planning, memory, reading, note taking and time management skills. To study effectively you must master certain skills: planning, memorising, time management, note taking, and sometimes managing stress. Everyone has a different â€Å"learning style†. Consequently, everyone has a different â€Å"studying style†. But the way that you are studying right now might not be the best for you. How would you know? Easy: If your grades aren’t what you’d like them to be, then you probably need to change how you study! A). A Good Study Place Although studying in a sitting room or dormitory room (for students in boarding schools), is convenient, it is often a poor place to learn. The dorm/sitting room has a plethora of distractions including sweet voices of your singing friends. If you want to improve your concentration and efficiency as a student, learn to study from the class, library or any other quiet place. You need a good study place to be prepared to study. You should be able to answer YES to all of the following questions: 1. Is my study place free from interruptions? It is important to have uninterrupted study time. You must maintain silence in class. Research shows that most students study best in a quiet environment. Study at the same time and at the same place, devoted to study only. This helps you to associate the time and place with studying and concentrating. You will find that you get into a habit of studying as soon as you sit down. However, change of environment may help in managing stress. 2. Does my study place contain all the study materials I need? Be sure your study place includes reference sources and supplies such as pens and pencils, paper, ruler, calculator, and whatever else you might need. 3. Does my Study Space contain a clean desk or table? While working on an assignment or studying for a test, use a desk that is free from other distractive materials. Allow enough room for writing and try to avoid clutter. You need enough room to store your study materials. Be sure you have enough storage space to allow you to keep your desktop or other work surface clear of unnecessary materials that can get in the way. B) Manage Your Time Schooling is a full-time job. And managing your time is important. If you have an activity after class that you do just for fun or if you participate in co-curricular activities (whether school-related or not), keep your priorities in mind: Your academic work should come first! Set yourself a grade goal. If you don’t meet it, cut down on some of the activities you are involved in. C) Take Notes in Class & always Rewrite during prep time Good studying begins with good notes taken in class. Just as everyone has a different learning style, different teachers have different teaching styles: Some teachers lecture, some lead discussions, some â€Å"facilitate† individual work (as in a lab), etc. Consequently, different classroom settings will require different note-taking techniques. The following are some of the suggestions: i. Take Complete Notes The key idea of taking good notes in class is to write down as much as possible. There are several reasons to take notes that are as complete as possible: 1. It will force you to pay attention to what’s going on in class. 2. It will keep you awake (!) 3. There will be less that you’ll have to memorize that time since you have a reference. 4. It enhances understanding when you review your notes. But if you have incomplete notes, it will be hard for you to learn what you didn’t take notes on. ii. D) Ask questions and make comments If you have a question or something comes to mind as you’re taking notes, you have two choices: You can contribute to the class discussion by asking your question or making your comment. Or you can jot your question or comment down in your notes. I suggest always doing the latter, but also doing the former as often as possible. One reason that you should always put your question or comment in your notes is so that you won’t forget it; you can then always bring it up later, either in class or one-on-one with the teacher or a fellow student. By the way, if you have a question, especially if you need clarification of something that the teacher said or wrote (possibly because it was inaudible or illegible), ask it! Do not be embarrassed about asking it! I can guarantee you that there will be at least  one other student in the class (and often many more) who will be extremely grateful to you for having asked the very same question that they were too embarrassed to ask, and they will come to view you as wise and brave for having asked it. (So will the teacher!)

Strategic Planning – Ibm 2009

CASE ANALYSIS: IBM IN 2009 Analysis Industry: Computer Services Industry Porter’s 5 Forces 1) Risk of entry by potential competitors The risk of entry by potential competitors is relatively low (+). This is due to the newly entrant competitors that need a large market capitalization, software materials, services and consulting; to gain consumer’s interests. If consumers are able to choose buying their products from a large company that are adequate in the computer hardware, services and consulting, other technological services, they would rather choose a large firm than a smaller firm that do not have adequate resources. ) The intensity of rivalry among established companies within an industry The intensity of rivalry among established companies within this industry is relatively high (-). This is because there are big firms such as Oracle that are neck in neck with other large firms such as IBM, trying to acquire every software there is that helps them gain a competiti ve advantage. 3) The bargaining power of buyers The bargaining power of buyers is relatively low (+). This is because in this industry that is supplying a particular product or service is not composed of many small companies and the buyers are large and few in number. Also, buyers are unable to purchase in quantity, because many of the firms in this industry offer services and consulting, and software that buyers use. 4) The bargaining power of suppliers The bargaining power of suppliers is relatively high (-). This is because the product that suppliers sell has few substitutes, and the profitability of suppliers is not significantly affected by the purchases of companies in this industry. Also, switching costs are great as consumers will need to move from their original product to another supplier. 5) The closeness of Substitutes to an industry’s product The closeness of substitutes to an industry’s product is relatively low (+). There are hardly any substitutes as for many consumers, the importance of the market for technology products and a source of high-tech workers for serving these types of software when consumers need help. The less technological advanced products are unable to satisfy similar customer needs. Forces – Conclusion: This industry is a 3 star industry. What IBM should do is: * IBM should use their competitive advantage to surpass their competitors, and be the monopoly in the industry, instead of being in a competition neck-in neck with other leading competitors * Since the product that suppliers sells has few substitutes, and the bargaining power is extremely high, IBM should acquire the supplying companies, to reduce their cos ts some more, and for suppliers not to have the bargaining power that they have currently. Life Cycle: Growth stage * E. G. In this industry, it is growing because consumers are becoming more and more familiar with the now technology-advanced products when technology in the world is advancing rapidly. Also, most of the large firms usually have control over technological knowledge as a barrier to entry which diminishes most of the smaller firms, which lessens the chance of a new entrant. The Value Chain IT Provides low cost-traditional IT services or value-creating, customizing consultant solutions depend on it having the distinctive competencies to develop state-of-the-art software applications across business processes and industries * Recent advances have increased the power of business intelligence software to identify ongoing changes and forecasts many events after acquiring Cognos (software) * Another advancement was that the IT department came up with a new initiative to make it easier for geographically dispersed people to interact and collaborate without the time a nd expense of in-person meetings. They were using virtual technology which other people inside and between companies to exchange instant messages, chat verbally, share real-time presentations, and virtual meetings Hardware * The systems and technology group put its resources into developing new kinds of mainframes and servers that would appeal to a wider number of customer groups and expand global sales. This will give them more power and flexibility for the IT product they buy from IBM * Currently IBM sells its mainframes directly to customers through its own sales force to protect lucrative software and service revenues that accompany these sales. By doing that, IBM’s mainframe installed base had doubled because IBM’s ability to deliver increasing amounts of processing power to customers at a decreasing cost * Such as self-contained server would eliminate the need for expensive IT consulting and service; it would offer companies with a low-cost alternative and companies could simply order as many of Cisco’s (one of the acquired software) server racks as needed to operate or expand their business Competitive Advantage Distinctive Competencies: are firm specific strengths that allow a company to differentiate its products from those offered by rivals and/or achieve substantially lower costs than its rivals. IBM’s distinctive competencies is acquiring the different servers and software to help the company gain a competitive advantage as the company integrated many technological advanced products that surpasses other firms in the industry Intangible Resources: are nonphysical entities that are created by managers and other employees, such as brand names, the reputation of the company, the knowledge that employees have gained through experience, and the intellectual property of the company, including that protected through patents, copyrights, and trademarks. The intangible source here is the brand name and reputation that IBM had built all these years, leading to one of the top companies in the computer service business. Capabilities: refer to a company’s skills at coordinating its reso urces and putting them to productive use. * IBM’s skills at coordinating its resources and putting them to good and productive use by the drive to focus the efforts of all IBM employees on satisfying the needs of clients was one of the capabilities that made IBM have this competitive advantage Functional-Level Strategies EFFICIENCY * The simplest measure of efficiency is the quantity of inputs that it takes to produce a given output; the more efficient a company is, the fewer the inputs required to produce a given output and the lower its cost structure will be. * E. G. In 2007, IBM spent $11. 8 billion to acquire 36 software and 18 service companies in the fields such as security, data management, and Web commerce * QUALITY * The CEO’s strategy was to focus on high-profit margin products that directly complemented its service and software offerings. IBM had sold off its PC business to Lenovo; its disk drive business to Hitachi, and its printer business to Ricoh. By doing this, IBM is able to focus on high-profit margin products and ditch the failing products in the company that are sold off to other companies * INNOVATION * By keeping up with the technology advancements, IBM had announced a new â€Å"virtual world† IT initiative to make it easier for geographical dispersed people to interact and collaborate without the time and expense of in-person meetings. These virtual worlds are interactive, immersive Web sites based on the use of three-dimensional graphics. This allows people to exchange instant messages, chat verbally, share real-time presentations and ideas in private, virtual meeting spaces that exist permanently in real time so people can meet on regular, periodic, or impromptu bases. * CUSTOMER RESPONSIVENESS * At this stage, the sales of its new mainframes of IBM were up by 25%; software revenue rose 5%, helped by increasing sales of its popular WebSphere software package that improves the performance of a company’s electronic commerce and business applications Building Competitive Advantage Through Business-Level Strategy Competitive Positioning High Market Segmentation * What IBM is doing is high market segmentation where they could choose to recognize the differences between customer groups and make a product targeted toward most or all of the different market segments. The customer responsiveness and high and products are being customized to meet the needs of customers in each group. * E. G. IBM had shifted its products to higher profit-margin services and automating traditional business processes such as procurement, finance and human resources which was leading to increasing numbers of long-term service contracts between large firms. Differentiators * Clearly, IBM is a differentiator. This is due to how IBM was able to acquire different software from companies which then was able to offer clients high profit-margin software application to satisfy their needs. IBM was able to differentiate their products from the leading competitors and satisfy consumers that the other competitors clearly could not Business-Level Strategy and the Industry Environment Main strategies that companies can adopt to deal with decline: * Leadership strategy The speed of decline and the intensity of competition in the declining industry are moderate. Through aggressive acquisitions, IBM was able to acquire much software to create high profit-margin products to satisfy customer needs and to also provide clients with their best service and consulting. The open standards approach that Gerstner’s approach was that as IBM’s consultants went from client to client assessing their needs; they were able to provide detailed feedback to IBM’s other divisions about whether their products were adequately meeting clients’ needs. Gerstner’s strong focus on being close to clients had the additional advantage of spurring innovation throughout the organization. Chaining * They establish networks of linked merchandising outlets that are interconnected by IT and function as one large company. The enormous buying power these companies possess through their chain of nationwide stores allows them to negotiate large price reductions with suppliers that promote their competitive advantage * With IBM, the company is able to link with other software companies and IT back up servers that could connect as one large company. By doing so, it allows IBM to create a competitive advantage in regards to price reduction from suppliers. Strategy & Technology Technological Paradigm Shifts * This occurs when new technologies come along that revolutionize the structure of the industry, dramatically alter the nature of competition, and require companies to adopt new strategies to survive. * E. G. When technology has been advancing, IBM innovated a new product that made geographical dispersed people to interact and collaborate without the time and expense of in-person meetings called the new â€Å"virtual world† from the IT department. Also, IBM had put its resources to good use by developing new kinds of mainframes and servers that would appeal to a wider number of customers groups and expand global sales. Proprietary standard * Establishing a proprietary standard as the industry standard may require the company to win a format war against a competing and incompatible standard. Strategies for doing this include producing complementary products, leveraging killer applications, using aggressive pricing and marketing, licensing the technology, and cooperating with competitors * E. G. IBM could produce complementary products, leverage killer software that they have been acquiring and perfecting it, also using aggressive pricing and marketing to let gain new consumers. Strategy in the Global Market By serving as a global market, a company can potentially utilize its production facilities more intensively, which leads to higher productivity, lower costs and greater profitability. Global sales also increase the size of the enterprise, so its bargaining power with suppliers increase, which may allow it to bargain down the cost of key inputs and boost more profitability. IBM made the investment to establish huge, low-cost service delivery centers for its global clients by improving the software necessary to automate the management of networks and data centers, and develop IT to improve telecommunications, especially Internet services. From India, IBM runs a whole range of IT services for its global customers. In Bangalore, IBM has a command center that monitors the ope ration of the database server networks of more than 16,000 clients. Through this, IBM was forced to eliminate 20,000 jobs in Europe and the US, and move these jobs to India as the cost of labour in India is significantly low. Corporate Level Strategy Vertical Integration * This could enable IBM to achieve a competitive advantage by helping build barriers to entry, facilitating investments in specialized assets, protecting product quality, and helping to improve scheduling between adjacent stages in the value chain * One of the disadvantages is that it increases bureaucratic costs if IBM’s supplier becomes lazy or inefficient, and it reduces flexibility when technology is changing fast or demand is uncertain Strategy Outsourcing By strategic outsourcing of value creation activities, it may allow a company to lower its costs, better differentiate its products, and make better use of scarce resources, while also enabling it to respond rapidly to changing market conditions * One of the disadvantages is that if IBM outsources important value creation activities or becomes too dependent on the key suppliers of those activities * IBM has invested in India to take advantage of its growing importance as a m arket for technology products and a source of high-technology workers. IBM made the investment to establish huge, low-cost service delivery centers for its global clients, improve the software necessary to automate the management of networks and data centers, and develop IT to improve telecommunications. IBM runs a whole range of IT services for its global customers, including software delivery services such as upgrading and maintaining client software and managing and protecting database centers in India. Also in Bangalore, IBM has a command center that monitors the operation of the database server networks. The largest of IBM’s three global IT service centers are in India, Brazil, and China. IBM’s scope was to expand traditional outsourcing operations and attract more and more global clients to compensate for reduced profit margins so it can still increase profits from this group. Related and Unrelated Diversification Acquisitions * Acquisitions are used to pursue vertical integration or diversification when a company lacks the distinctive competencies necessary to compete in the industry. Acquisitions are often perceived as being less risky than internal new ventures because they involve less commercial uncertainty. * IBM has done many acquisitions, such as Lotus, CenterPoint Energy, Phillippines PSBank, PTT Chemical Public Company of Thailand, Skynet in Lithuania, Cognos etc. which helps IBM increase its expertise in specialized IT services to strengthen its competitive advantage Corporate Performance, Governance, and Business Ethics ROIC 1) Participate in growing market 2) Take market share from competitors ) Consolidate industry through horizontal integration 4) International expansion, vertical integration or diversification * E. G. For IBM, pursing strategies to maximize profitability and profit growth helps a company to better satisfy the demands that several stakeholder groups place on it, not the other way around. Also, by maximizing returns to stockholders, IBM could boost its profitability and profit growth rate to be consistent in satisfying the claims of s everal other key stakeholder groups. Ethics * Despite the argument that maximizing long-run profitability and profit growth is the best way to satisfy the claims of several key stakeholder groups, a company must do so within the limits set by the law and in a manner consistent with societal expectations * It is incumbent on managers at IBM to make sure that the company is in compliance with these laws when pursuing strategies. Unfortunately, there is plenty of evidence that managers can be tempted to cross the line between the legal and illegal in their pursuit of greater profitability and profit growth. IBM could hold many various seminars on the topic of ethics and to try and implement ethical protocols when dealing with an issue that arises. Implementing Strategy in Companies that Compete in a Single Industry Strategic Reward Systems * Organizations strive to control employees’ behavior by linking reward systems to their control systems. Based on a IBM’s strategy (cost leadership or differentiation), strategic manager must decide which behaviors to reward. Selecting, Developing an Action/Implementation Plan * Disadvantage of acquisitions * Many acquisitions fail to increase the profitability of the acquiring company and may result in losses. Acquisition may fail to raise the performance of the acquiring companies suggesting that acquisitions usually destroy rather than create value. As IBM is acquiring many types of software to enhance its competitive advantage, but it may fail to raise the performance of the acquiring companies for four reasons * Companies frequently experience management problems when they attempt to integrate a different company’s organizational structure and culture into their own * Companies often overestimate the potential economic benefits from an acquisition * Acquisitions tend to be so expensive that they do not increase future profitability * Companies are often negligent in s creening their acquisition targets and fail to recognize important problems with their business models * IBM should be firm on their management organization structure to refrain any management problems with IBM makes an acquisition * IBM should weight out all the pros and cons to distinguish whether the acquisition is beneficial to the company or not. Also, when doing the acquisition, IBM should think of all the important problems that align with their current business model * Outsourcing * IBM will fail when their profitability is now substantially lower than the average profitability of its competitors; it has lost the ability to attract and generate resources, so its profit margins and invested capitals are shrinking rapidly. IBM will have to acquire many new software to keep their competitive advantage * IBM should incorporate quality control in those countries that they have outsourced their services and consulting to continue to attract and generate resources and have profit margins still high

Origin of the Ancient Egyptians Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Origin of the Ancient Egyptians - Essay Example They were rich in stone, wood, minerals, sand, and many kinds of vegetation 2. Predynastic technological developments can be divided into several distinct areas, each with its own specialized tools and techniques, but sometimes sharing other tools, methods and materials. In particular, the establishment of the tools and procedures for the large-scale manufacture of stone vessels during the Nagada II 3and the Nagada III/Dynasty 4 periods crucially contributed to the growth of other technologies in these periods, and in the Dynastic era. For example, the carving of the ceremonial schist palette of King Narmer, and Dynastic hard stone statuary, benefited from the skills and tools established for shaping earlier Predynastic hard stone vessels, stone hand-axes and mace heads. Also, it is possible that the Late Predynastic expansion in faience manufacture can be attributed to an increased availability of copper-contaminated quartz powders 5. Among the great sayings from the origin of ancient Egypt, a common anecdote resides that when the world's first historian, Herodotus visited Egypt in the fifth century B.C., he asked its priests the key to Egypt's greatness and he was replied by the answer that Egypt is the gift of the Nile. Egyptian civilization would never have accomplished its wonders had it not been for this gift of nature, so crucial to its people and so mysterious that they considered it divine. This is what Egypt has always been famous for. Egyptian Origin in Historical Context of Architecture Although pyramids and temples from ancient Egypt still impress us thousands of years after they were built, all that remains of the homes where people were born, grew to adulthood and died are occasional low mounds of mud outlines. Temples and tombs endure because Egyptians made a sharp distinction between their religious architecture, constructed of permanent stone for eternity, and all other buildings, even palaces and fortresses, which were built of less durable adobe 6. Many ancient cultures held similar beliefs about their ruler's divine afterlife and expended great energy creating special burials for their kings. Egypt's special contribution was a new tomb design first devised in about 2700 B.C. Architects for the pharaoh Zoser stacked six decreasingly smaller stone brick rectangles on top of each other to form a towering, 200-foot-high 'Step Pyramid'. This first large building ever raised in stone by humankind initiated a series of pyramids, structural feats that became the symbol of Egypt. "Three distinctive architectural elements were developed in ancient Egypt - the pyramid, the propylaeum or pylon, and the obelisk" 7. Ancient Egyptians had to contend with enormous temperature swings. At noon on a summer day, in this country surrounded by desert, the temperature could reach 120F; nevertheless, because the

International Management Decision Making Assignment - 1

International Management Decision Making - Assignment Example To do market segmentation properly, Tesco collects demographic and psychographic data. Both these types of data are very crucial for the success of an organization. Demographic data is the kind of data which can be put into categories and labeled statistically. Demographic data includes age, race, income, religion, gender etc. It comprises of basic facts. For instance, Tesco finds out what age bracket visits their super market very regularly, which age bracket does not, what kind of products do they prefer, what is it that they don’t like, when do sales rise and when do sales dip. It then shapes up its promotional offers accordingly. On the other hand psychographic data cant be quantified it is used to understand consumer behavior, how target market feels, what they want and how they go about getting what they want in their daily lives. It helps them in their purchasing decisions. Tesco utilizes all this data, then analyzes it and comes up with reports to assist it in forecast ing demand and making promotional offers. J Sainsbury Plc was established in 1860. It is home to more than 872 stores and 537 super markets all over UK and has some 335 convenience stores. It currently owns Sainsbury’s Bank and LIoyd’s Banking Group. It has two joint ventures namely the Land Securities Group PLC and the British Land Company PLC. Sainsbury’s brand was built to offer a certain heritage to customers. They deliver healthy , safe, fresh and tasty food. The quality of their food is kept in tact and goes hand In hand with a reasonable approach to business. Their food is particularly known for fresh food and they continuously strive to improve products so that they are in line with customer needs. Sainsbury’s is currently serving 19 million customers per week and has a market share which is over 16%. They have more than 30,000 product s to

Research paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 7

Research paper - Essay Example Hence I chose to explore about health issues in adulthood. This is a vast topic and to discuss it is beyond the scope of this essay. Hence I chose to discuss a particular health related issue based on my personal experience. Recently, I was staying with my 55 year old aunt and her 60 year old husband during a short holiday. Though my aunts over all health appeared good, she was taking many pills for diabetes and high blood pressure. My uncle had no such problems and he was an active man. My aunt appeared obese and was not active. She would watch lot of television and would prefer not to move out of the house. One night, my uncle woke me up and told me that my aunt was sweating profusely and was having difficulty in breathing. He was in panic and did not know what to do. Even I did not have any experience in handling such situations. However, I called the emergency number and asked for help. Within 5 minutes a team of health professionals arrived and shifted my aunt to the hospital. In the hospital, me and my uncle were told that my aunt suffered from heart attack and any delay in shifting her to the hospital would have cost her life. My aunt was kept in the cardiac intensive care unit for a few days whe re many tests were done. Based on the reports of these tests, a procedure called cardiac catheterization was done. A few days later, she was discharged home. I am thankful to God and the team of doctors for keeping my aunt alive. This episode has a lasting impact in my mind. I have heard of many people suffering from heart attacks. But I visualized this heart attack. This episode made me do a little research on the subject. What I was most interested is What causes heart attack, how can it be prevented and how to identify it? Cardiovascular diseases are diseases and injuries of the heart and the blood vessels of the body. According to the WHO (2009), globally, cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of death. In the year 2005, it was estimated

Business profile of brazil Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business profile of brazil - Essay Example Along with this there are recommendations for investment in certain sectors and the government focuses upon these sectors with FDI policy. This report details out factors that are analysed for investment criteria in Brazil economy that will benefit investors and traders. Table of Contents Executive Summary 2 Introduction 4 Brazil Economy 4 GDP (Gross Domestic Product) Growth 6 Inflation Rate 7 Inflation and Interest Rates 9 Interest Rates 11 FDI Policy by Brazil Government and Investment in Automobile Sector 12 International Trade Theory & Investment Opportunity 13 Balance of Trade 14 Exchange Rate 15 Exchange Rate and Current Account 16 Economic Indicators 16 Better Investment Opportunity in Energy Sector in Brazil 17 Conclusion 21 References 22 Introduction The report illustrates the investment opportunity for a company that wants to invest in Brazilian economy. The potential of the Brazil’s economy will be provided in detail along with the sector that will benefit from the investment opportunity of the company. The report will be published in The Economist magazine so that the investment opportunity in Brazil can be highlighted to the general public for investment purpose. For the analysis of the investment opportunity, the economic aspects of the international economy along with Brazil’s economic conditions will be discussed. ... Brazil Economy In South America, Brazil is the biggest country and it is the fifth largest country in the world in terms of area. Brazil is well known for its raw materials production and has been able to contribute more to the world’s GDP. The economy of Brazil is largest in South America and it has been able to boost the development of mining, agriculture, manufacturing and service sectors (Economy Watch, 2011). The economy of Brazil outweighs other nations of South America and its economy is expanding and its presence can be felt in the international arena as well. Since 2003, the economy of Brazil has improved steadily with the macroeconomic stability, reduction in its debts and building up foreign reserves. According to CIA, it was in the year 2008 when Brazil became ‘net external creditor’ and was awarded in the investment category status related to its debt by two rating agencies. Even after the financial recession in 2008, the economy of Brazil was the fir st to recover quickly. In 2010, the ‘consumer and investor confidence index’ revived and grew. The high interest rate and the growth of the Brazil’s economy make it attractive for the purpose of investment. There was large inflow of foreign capital in the economy that raised the value of the currency and government has also increased the tax upon certain foreign investments (CIA, 2011). There has been a significant increase of 7.5% in the economy of Brazil. This was due to the stronger currency value during the year 2010 and is expected to grow. ‘A GDP of 3.675 trillion Reais was converted at the year’s average exchange rate into US $2.089 trillion’. This is the reason that Brazil economy overtook Italy’s economy and the per-capital income of Brazil exceeded than

How successful has the ANC been in addressing the key legacys of Essay

How successful has the ANC been in addressing the key legacys of apartheid - Essay Example The fact however was that the blacks were handicapped from exercising influence or any form of authority to issues concerning them in their immediate environment. Inferior treatments were meted out to the blacks in terms of the public services that were made available to them (Department of Health, 2004). Apartheid may have been a director consequence of British colonialism that sought to regulate the movement, of blacks to white occupied territories. More than ten different laws encapsulated the apartheid era. There was a laws prohibiting mixed marriages between whites and non-whites, it was considered a criminal act for a white to have sexual relations with other races. Citizens were registered on the basis of their skin colour. The country was partitioned into different areas with different governing structures put on ground for these different areas. There were further laws checking black migration to the cities and from sharing the same public amenities. Other laws mere the banks Education Act that brought black schooling directly under government control and thereby ending the running of schools by the missionaries, the law preventing i llegal squatting, the suppression of communism etc. These and many more characterized apartheid or â€Å"Separatism† by South Africa. The ANC is an acronym that stands for African National Congress and the currently ruling political party in South Africa with social-Democratic inclinations. South African blacks readily accepted this party as theirs because it had as it major mission, the welfare and the rights of South African Blacks. Formally called the South African native National congress, the ANC was founded in 1912 with initial founding members like John Lube and sole plaatje. The composition of the ANC at foundation included Local Chiefs, Representatives of the people, churches & etc with the

Comparative Data in Healthcare Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Comparative Data in Healthcare - Term Paper Example The use of such information can help healthcare funders as well as practitioners identify problem areas in clinical performance and enhance quality improvement strategies (Powell, Davies, & Thomson, 2003). On the other hand, patient benefit by having the capacity to make informed choices of a care provider based quality standards and competitive costs (Davies, & Marshall, 1999). There are several ways in which comparative data is useful in improving quality and performance in health care organizations (Powell, Davies, & Thomson, 2003). Comparative data is efficient in pointing out problems related to clinical performance. Even though, outcome of quality of care given to a patient is easily measured as a whole, analyzing performance data of an individual practitioner can shade some the light. Quality of clinical performance can also be measured using comparative data across departments of different hospitals. For instance survival or a recovery rate of patients admitted to cardiac and orthopaedic surgery across different hospitals can be compared to rate clinical performance (Goodroe, 2010). Comparative data is also useful in informing and driving quality improvement activities in a healthcare organization (Powell, Davies, & Thomson, 2003). Such data provides useful and specific information on quality improvement strategies used by best performing institutions. Even though quality improvement is a standard goal for all healthcare institution. (Davies, & Marshall, 1999)

The Construction of Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Essay Example for Free

The Construction of Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Essay The Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBN) is operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a government owned authority. The site is approximately ten miles south of Spring City, TN, approximately 1. 25 miles south of the Watts Bar Dam that it is named for, and on the west bank of the Tennessee River. There are two units, Unit 1 which is operational and Unit 2 which is unfinished. The Groundbreaking for Unit 1 took place in 1972, with major construction beginning in 1973 (TVA website). However Unit 1 did not begin commercial operation until 1996 – twenty-three years after major construction started and according to Munson (2002) at a cost of $7 billion – and Unit 2 has yet to be completed. Construction licenses for both units were awarded by the nuclear regulator of the time the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) in 1973, and construction of both units was supended in 1985. Unit 1 construction was restarted in 1990 and the full power operating license was issued in 1996. Unit 2 remained only partially constructed until 2007 when TVA announced it would resume construction. Detailed information about the original tender, construction process, numbers of workers, time scales and original budgets is not available for Unit 1 as the project began in the early 1970s and the information is archived and not easily retrievable (Johnson, personal communication). However Unit 1 is typical of the reactors of its time so some general information is available. For example, in terms of the plant overall, figures from 1974 (Peterson, 2003) indicate that the construction of a typical nuclear plant required 40 metric tons (MT) of steel and 190 cubic meters (m3) of concrete per average megawatt of electricity (MW(e)) generating capacity. With a capacity of over 1000 MWe, figures for the construction of Unit 1 can be estimated as over 40,000 MT of steel, and 190,000 m3 of concrete. Due to the geologic features of the site (see below), it is reasonable to assume that the real figures were even higher. There is some information with regards the restart of construction for Unit 2. Reactors Both units are Westinghouse Four-loop Pressurized-Water Reactor (PWR), as shown in the figure below (TVA website) capable of electrical output of 1125 MWe. A four-loop Westinghouse plant has four steam generators, four reactor coolant pumps, and a Pressurizer. There are 193 fuel assemblies arranged in a 17 x 17 array inside a reactor vessel that has an internal diameter of 173 inches. The reactor vessel is constructed of a manganese molybdenum steel, and all surfaces that come into contact with reactor coolant are clad with stainless steel to increase corrosion resistance. The reactor coolant flows to the steam generator (USNRC, 2003). Typically, PWR containments typically consist of heavily steel-reinforced concrete cylinders ranging in thickness from 3. 5 feet to 4. 5 feet, capped by a hemispherical dome of steel-reinforced concrete. The cylinder is typically 140 feet high, with a 140-foot diameter. Reinforcement bars that form a cage within the concrete are typically Grade 60 #18 steel bars on 12-inch to 15-inch centers. A #18 rebar is two and one-quarter inches in diameter (ABS Consulting, 2002). Additional reinforcement may be called for depending on the results of the seismic survey undertaken for the site. This was the case for the Watts Bar reactors. The Final Safety Analysis Report for WBN (TVA 1991), reported that the plant is located in the Valley and Ridge Province of the Appalachian Highlands, and the major geologic feature at the site is the Kingston thrust fault, which developed 250 million years ago. The fault has been inactive for many millions of years, and recurrence of movement is not expected. The fault lies to the northwest of the site area and is not involved in the foundation for any of the major plant structures. The SAR for the WBN states that it was designed based on the largest historic earthquake to occur in the Southern Appalachian Tectonic Province the 1897 Giles County, Virginia earthquake. This earthquake is estimated to have had a body wave magnitude of 5. 8. The Safe Shutdown Earthquake for the plant has been established as having a maximum horizontal acceleration of 0. 18 g and a simultaneous maximum vertical acceleration of 0. 12 g WBN Unit 2 Restart of Construction As Unit 2 is essentially identical to Unit 1, the scope of work for Unit 2 duplicates that of Unit 1 as much as possible with some additional scope for Unit 2 not included in the Unit 1 startup such as another cooling tower, transmission system, various upgrades and work completed since Unit 1 startup such as a process computer upgrade (Moll, 2007). Estimated cost of the project to complete startup is 2. 49 billion, over 54 months with commercial operation of the unit scheduled for early 2012 (Westinghouse, 2008). Moll reports that peak staffing is estimated at 2,300 craft and technical personnel. The project phases will include the Engineering and Analysis phase, which will include plant walk downs to establish the current condition of the plant, the engineering evaluations of program work and identification of design discrepancies. The second phase as outlined by Moll is the Design Production phase to correct identified deficiencies and design changes required to maintain consistency between units. The third phase is the implementation phase which will include the construction, the modifications required in supporting two units, the maintenance activities, testing, non-design repairs and clean up. Finally the Startup Test phase that will ensure the systems are capable of safe shutdown before the operations phase. Major Issues Affecting the Contruction of WBN Unit 1 Nuclear power reactors are regulated by federal and state laws to protect human health and the environment. These regulatory requirements are of paramount consideration in the construction of any nuclear facilities. Regulatory costs for the nuclear industry are a significant percentage of construction and on-going operating costs and as such regulatory considerations play a large role in dictating all aspects of the project from the chosen site to the reactor design to the management of on-going operations. The construction period of the Watts Bar reactors coincided with significant changes in the regulatory environment. The most significant nuclear regulatory authority in the US is United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (US NRC). The Watts Bar reactors were in the construction phase when the accidents occurred at Three Mile Island in 1979, and later, Chernobyl in 1986. Reaction to these events resulted in further and more stringent regulatory requirements. Environmental obligations have also become ever more important, and operators must also satisfy requirements for environmental impact statements. Construction of both units was suspended in 1985, primarily because numerous TVA staff made complaints that the construction process was inadequate and that there may be resulting safety risks (NRC, Safety Evaluation Report, 1995). On September 17, 1985 the NRC required TVA to address various deficiencies in its activities and TVA withdrew its certification that Unit 1 was ready to load fuel. The NRC Safety Evaluation Report notes the findings that there were significant problems in construction quality and quality assurance. Deficiencies in construction involved a number of systems and issues including the quality of welding and cabling. There were many staff concerns and complaints that also needed to be addressed. In the report the NRC itself recognises its own role in not providing sufficient regulatory oversight. The report notes the extensive corrective actions performed by TVA, which included a Nuclear Performance Plan to address material, design and programmatic deficiencies and included inspection and testing of the construction issues and programs to respond to staff concerns. Unit 1 construction was resumed in 1990. In terms of estimating and producing time lines for such a project, The Watts Bar example demonstrates that as well as being aware of industry codes and building standards it is crucial to understand the regulatory requirements for the relevant industry. Unforseen delays also need to be considered, as does whether risks of such are allocated to the contractor. If risks are allocated to the contractor, the risk of a long delay should be considered in the estimate. Some of this risk may be offset when components in a project can be worked on independently or concurrently with each other, rather than build components that need to be constructed sequentially. The Watts Bar Unit 1 reactor is a good example of unforseen events affecting the construction process (for example, discovery of the fault, the changes in the regulatory environment after the Three Mile Island accident in 1979). Although Unit 1 was on-line by September 11, 2001, security requirements for installations such as nuclear power stations were increased, and on-going construction projects for security sensitive projects were affected at that time. Changes to regulatory requirements, standards and codes need to be tracked for any project. Quality Assurance systems must be in place, and accounted for in the initial estimating process. References 1. TVA Website Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Retrieved April 3, 2008 from : http://www. tva. gov/power/nuclear/wattsbar. htm 2. Munson, Richard.The Electricity Journal, Vol:15, Issue:10, December 2002 pp76-80. 3. NRC, Partial Chronology WB Unit 2 (Table) (2007 August 23) Retrieved April 3, 2008 from: http://www. nrc. gov/reactors/plant-specific-items/watts-bar/watts-bar-partial-chronology. html 4. (Terry W Johnson, Communications, Tennessee Valley Authority, personal communication, April 5, 2008). 5. Peterson, F. â€Å"Will the United States Need a Second Geologic Repository? † The Bridge National Academy of Engineering Vol:33, No. 3, Fall 2003. 6. TVA Website (Figure of Reactor). Retrieved April 3 2008 from: http://www. tva. gov/sites/wattsbarnuc. htm# 7. USNRC Technical Training Center, Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) Systems 2003. Retrieved April 7, 2008 from: http://www. nrc. gov/reading-rm/basic-ref/teachers/04. pdf 8. ABS Consulting and ANATECH, Aircraft Crash Impact Analyses Demonstrate Nuclear Power Plant’s Structural Strength, December 2002. Retrieved April 7, 2008 from: http://www. stpnoc. com/EPRI%20study. doc 9. The Final Safety Analysis Report for WBN (TVA 1991), excerpt retrieved from: http://www. hanford. gov/rl/uploadfiles/ea/ea1210/section4. htm

Managing change paper III Essay Example for Free

Managing change paper III Essay Managing Change Part III Electronic Arts is one of the leading video game developers within the gaming culture. With development sites located in Canada, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana EA has arguably become the mainstay in the gaming world and should remain competitive within that market for years to come. During this essay members from Team A will discuss the appropriate change model that should be applied to Electronic Arts in regards to incorporating change within the organization. Next, the team will provide a step by step explanation of that model, and which model they selected for this organization. In addition, Team A will develop a communication plan for that change as well as how the three variables apply to EA. At the end of the essay the team will recap what was discussed. A change model is a tool that can be applied to the functioning of an organization. Change models capture the most important features that determine the function of an organization. Models are developed with specificity to an organizations culture. Models are useful in simplifying complex situations and making them more manageable. A model can also help identify areas within the organization that needs more attention (Akin, Dunford, Palmer, 2006). In relation to EA Sports, the most relevant to the current culture is the six-box model developed by Marvin Weisbord. Focus is placed on the relationship among the variables without singling out and concentrating on one individual part but on the entire model. The current culture of EA Sports is conducive to enhancing their employees work environment. Using the first three variables of the six-box model, which are purpose, structure, and rewards can further enhance the capabilities of the company to motivate employees and satisfy customers. These variables, such as the purposes states or defines what business the company is in. EA Sports is a gaming company that manufactures games for video gaming systems, such as Play Station, and Xbox 360. The structure helps to sort out the division of the work among teams to complete projects. EA Sports encourages employees to go big, take risks, and take the initiative to show leadership skills. The rewards variable can assist the company in recognizing what incentives should be given employees for what tasks and the scope of those incentives (EA corporate, 2013). Applying these three variables of the six-box model can help the company improve future operations. The six box model for Electronic Arts is as followed: Communication Change Plan: Six Box Organizational Model Electronic Arts Inc. Organization Planned Change Effort Purpose: Electronic Arts Inc. company communication for a planned change effort, this transition initiative will take place throughout the next six months all employees and departments participation and attention is required and effective dates will be announced in the up and coming future. Audience: All Electronic Arts Inc. employees and departments (corporate officials, managers, supervisors, and associates. Strategy: There is a good reason for this change or transition initiative. In the past years company corporate officials at EA Inc. have been experimenting and testing new processes for the Electronic Arts organization and for its 9,300 plus employees. After years of analysis and experimental studies results show us that a new initiative for the company called the six box organizational model is the most successfully tested model for company implementation. This model has been discussed with company officials, different groups of current associates, and many other managers and supervisors from each of the individual departments. Reasoning: †¢As managers—indeed as members of the Electronic Arts Inc. organization in any capacity—we carry around in our heads our own views as to â€Å"how things work,† â€Å"what causes what,† and so forth, within our organization. In this sense, diagnosis exists whether or not explicit diagnostic models are used (Akin, Dunford, Palmer, 2006). †¢Although these views may not be explicitly stated, as implicit models they still have a powerful capacity to guide how we think about situations that we face in our company, how we talk about those situations, and what we deem to be appropriate courses of action (Akin, Dunford, Palmer, 2006). †¢The apparent option of EA Inc. not using a model is not a real option; the choice is whether EA Inc. should use one that is explicit or one that is implicit. †¢While implicit models may  provide valuable insights based on accumulated experience, they do have limitations. First, they are likely to be based on the limited experience of one or a few employees at EA Inc.; thus, their generalizing ability may be uncertain. Second, because they are implicit, it is difficult for other employees to be aware of the framework/assumptions within which decisions are being made (Akin, Dunford, Palmer, 2006). Blueprint for New Structure of Change Six Box Organizational Model Representation 1.Purposes: What business are we in? The Business of Gaming. 2.Structure: How do we divide up the work? Teamwork through departmental cooperation. 3.Rewards: Do all tasks have incentives? Yes, EA prides itself on employee recognition. 4.Helpful mechanisms: Have we adequate coordinating technologies? The best the world has to offer and while making new progress with new technologies every day. 5.Relationships: How do we manage conflict among people? With technologies? EA Inc. manages conflict from the point of origin EA works with involved parties to insure the best resolution possible for the best of the parties involved and for the overall good of the company. Technological conflict is managed and monitored by our EA company officials working closely with our EA ethics department to insure that our clients and customers are happy with all products and safe from harm thanks to new and current regulations. 6.Leadership: Does someone keep the boxes in balance? This new implementation will have a new system of checks and balancing. This new system will also include positions for auditing which will be pursued through external sources that company officials have compiled. This transition will be modeled by all leadership within the company so no employee should feel left out. Example: EA Inc. recognizes a visual representation of the six box organizational model is as akin to a radar screen: â€Å"Just as air controllers use radar to chart the course of aircraft—height, speed, distance apart and weather—EA Inc. is seeking organizational improvement and must observe relationships among the boxes and not focus on any particular blip. † That is, while one variable might be identified as the department requiring the greatest attention, the systemic effect of any change must be noted (Akin, Dunford, Palmer, 2006). Future Formats: Alongside our visually appealing change plan model, we will, if necessary, employ more direct leadership both internally and externally to assist with any changes. We are very much interested in trying this more grassroots approach first, however, as we believe the outside-the-box qualities it possesses are perfect indicators of current company structure weakness. EA Inc. does not believe or foresee any company mishaps in this mass company endeavor. Closing: This project is a chance to let the EA Inc. organizational employee team and department’s creativity shine! Thinking of low-budget ways to improve company protocol shows leadership and effectiveness from all chain of command within the company. The departments with the best adaptability to the new company initiative will receive bonuses, rewards, and more. Weisbord’s last three variables are helpful mechanisms, relationships, and leadership. EA’s helpful mechanisms, which question their coordinating technologies, are one reason EA is of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world. EA has award winning interactive technology programs and cross-platform digital experiences. EA is an official Sports Technology Partner with Premier League and through this partnership and involvement with official match data; EA has developed unique match study tools to improve the knowledge and viewing experience of fans around the world. In addition, EA can measure player’s input to the success of his or her team using objective measures with an in-depth statistics matrix called Player Performance Index (Barclays Premier League, 2013). Dedicated to striving for excellence in technology, EA has also launched their new Ignite technology. This technological change is to build a code base for games to draw from when they are being developed. This will prevent the repeat of past events by adding specific codes to one of EA’s sports game series, like Madden, and many times that technology did not flow over to other game franchises because the team responsible for that specific game develops the changes to the game. EA will use Ignite technology for four next-generation sports titles, which are FIFA 14, EA Sports UFC, Madden NFL 25, and NBA Live (Dean, 2013). The next variable is relationships, which questions how EA manage conflict among people. As with any organization, EA do not tolerate conflict. If the parties involved cannot peacefully resolve conflict, certain employees are in place to handle any conflict that may arise. At EA, the parties involved determine who will handle the conflict. The first stage will be supervisors or department managers if the employees  are both of lower levels. Afterwards the problem will be the responsibility of human resources if the conflict involves management. It is in the best interest of the company and all parties involved to respond quickly to conflict and try to reach an acceptable solution (Scott, 2013). The management of technological conflict occurs among employees. When someone finds something wrong, this individual will report the problem to proper personnel. The last variable is leadership, which questions does someone keep the boxes in balance. At EA, every position is important to the organization. Regardless if it is the receptionist taking care of the customers or clients, the production coordinator working on a game, management trying to meet deadlines, or executive employees keeping up with the flow of the business; without each employee providing the skills at the highest level of excellence the company will not be what it is today. Therefore, the boxes are kept in place by the dedication of each employee not just one (Electronic Arts, 2008). This essay focused on the gaming company Electronic Arts. During this essay members of Team A provided a six box model to help incorporate any change that may be necessary for EA. The team also explained what a change model is and how it captures the most important features of a company. Next, the team provided an example of how the six box model would work with EA. Before concluding the team discussed Weisbord’s three variables (mechanisms, relationships, and leadership) and how they would fit within this organization. References: Akin, G., Dunford, R. Palmer, I., (2006). Managing organizational change: a multiple perspectives approach, 1e. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Barclays Premier League. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/commercial/ea-sports.html Dean. (2013). Nextpowerup Beta. Retrieved from http://www.nextpowerup.com/news/2981/eas-ignite-technology-to-improve-every-sports- game.html EA Corporate, (2013): Retrieved from: https://careers.ea.com/teams/corporate/ Electronic Arts. (2008). Retrieved from, http://jobsdev.ea.com/about/roles/role.aspx?id=8 Scott, S. (2013). Chron. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/human-resources-conflict-resolution-10432.html

How The Internet Changed Our Lives

How The Internet Changed Our Lives Electronic communication system is an array of systems that can help us transmit the information over long distances, in electronic format, i.e., in the form of flow of electronic current. Electronic communication can include the types of various forms of the communication types. They can be radio communication, internet communication, mobile phone communication, landline phone communication etc. The electronic communication is now an integral part of the human life and the scope of this communication is beyond limits. Electronic communication has brought the world too near and no corner is beyond the reach of one or the other communication forms. From Letters to e-mails and web communications, the progress is noteworthy. Television and radio communication have enabled the spread of mass media to a very large extent. The revolution of the electronic communication started with the invention of the telegraph. The only limiting factor in the case was the need of copper wires for transmission, which proved costly. But the advent of radio communication proved a boon in the case for far away and distant communications. After the expansion of the radio spectrums, the possibilities in the fields of the wireless communications have given various potentials for communication systems. The essence of making each and everything accessible, communicable, and reachable within a few clicks has been made possible by something known as INTERNET. This is the keyword of the topic of the term paper, and as such, much of the emphasis would be given on this topic, over the other forms of electronic communication systems. Internet has led to an economic prosperity, and the development of intelligent search engines has enabled man to search for any information within a few clicks and in a matter of micro seconds. The World Wide Web, which is known as www, is growing exuberantly. It already has billions of pages, and is growing at the rate of millions of pages per day. Hardly is there any sort of topic which has no finding on the internet. Computers are already an integral part of our life, and as such, the internet has enabled the users to connect on a worldwide level. Communication System A communication system has various channels which are staged in such a way that communication is carried out with the most possible efficiency. A typical communication system has the following channels: Transmitter Medium Receiver Transmitter: this unit mainly functions for the conversion of a signal into the form which can be transmitted over further distances. This may include Transducers, amplifiers, modulators etc. Medium: this is the channel in which the signal propagates. This is mostly air in wireless communications. While radio waves can propagate in any medium, including vacuum. This is sometimes referred to as PROPAGATION channel, or PHYSICAL channel. The most recent development is in the form of OFCs, the optic fibre cable, which as a high efficiency, and enormous speed. Receiver: this unit receives the signal, converts it to the desired form for reception, and presents it to the receiving end. This unit includes antenna assembly, amplifiers, demodulators, receiver units etc. There are some important aspects in the electronic communication systems which can be highlighted: Modulation: the process of imposition of weak signal over a strong carrier signal is known as modulation. Modulation generally requires the use of high frequency signals, as the low frequency signals cannot be transmitted over long distances. Modulation also helps in conversion of the digital signals to analog forms for transmission over a distance. AM, FM and PM are the forms of modulation. FM is the most used forms of modulations in the general forms of communications. Analog and Digital signals: these are the properties of signals which distinguish them b/w continuous of discrete signals. Analog signals are continuous signals, which are defined at each and every instant of time, while the digital signals are discrete signals. They are defined only after a particular interval of time. Here, the blue continuous lines represent the analog signal, while the red dotted patterns show the digital or discrete values of the signals. Types of modulation: Amplitude Modulation- AM works by varying the strength of the transmitted signal in relation to the information being sent. Frequency Modulation-It is the process of conveying the information over a carrier wave by varying its instantaneous frequency . Phase modulation-Phase modulation (PM) is a form of modulation that represents information as variations in the instantaneous phase of a carrier wave. Internet in our daily Life Now, I would start to emphasise on the main topic of the term paper, Use of internet in our daily life. Around 10 years ago, hardly the 20% of the population of India would have heard about this word. Yet a lesser quantity would have used the internet even once. But now, imagining the life without internet is something which is really beyond our scope. It is the internet which has revolutionized the each and every sphere of our day to day life. How internet works? This is the diagram which tells us how the internet communication takes place. The key factor here is the ISP which helps to link between the user and the Main internet. Major ISPs in India: An ISP or the Internet Service Provider is some agency which links a user, who can be an individual or a group. An ISP may provide internet access through a dedicated line, a telephone line or the Wireless modems. A list of major ISPs in India is as below: BSNL MTNL Bharti Airtel Connect Idea InfoTech SIFY Reliance Tata Indicom BSNL and MTNL are the government sector companies; they together occupy 56% of the total market share. Airtel is the leader amongst others. Channels of internet access: Narrow-band telephone line- This is a particularly dial up type connection which provides a low bandwidth connection. The speed of the internet communication is a maximum of 56 kbps in this type of connection. This type of system uses a PSTN or PUBLIC SWITCHED TELEPHONE NETWORK. The user has to dial a number from the computer to get connected. A dial up modem in the computer encodes and decodes the packet signals, which are known as Internet Packet signals. This is a type of dial up modem which is used in the computers for dial up connections. This type of modem is generally internally fitted in the computers. All telephone lines work at a maximum signal speed of 64 kbps. 8 kbps has to be excluded out for the transfer guard band. As a result, the maximum possible speed in a dial up network can be 56kbps. But the major factor in this regard is that if there are a number of users, there would be traffic in the telephone exchange. As a result the speed would gradually decrease. It was often noticed in earlier days that during peak hours, the speed used to be around 10-15kbps while in non-peak hours; the speed could reach to around 40kbps. But it hardly reached to the top notch of 50+. The major drawback in this system that lead to its failure was not only the speed. This type of connection was billed in the terms of duration of connection. That means, whether it is transmitting or not, it will cost the user, regardless of the speed and amount of data transfer. The user was charged for net connection, as well as the telephone cost as a result, it would cause a high rise in the telephone bills of the users. Costs to the users: Till date, only BSNL and Connect have provided the dial up connection to the users. BSNL charges Rs. 6 per hour for the connection, and rupees 2 per 15 minutes of call connection. This implies that for one hour, a person is charged rupees 14. If the average speed is 40 kbps, the person can download 18 MB of data in an hour. But speed hardly reaches till 40 kbps. As a result, the fluctuation in the bandwidth would result it to be too expensive to the user. Present Scenario: At present, only BSNL is providing a dial up service. But this service has a limited number of users, mostly in the areas where the broadband has not reached, or the users who do not want to buy broadband due to very less usage. A majority of the user group has upgraded to the broadband internet. Future: The only dial up connection provider BSNL has decided to continue the dial up networking till the broadband reaches to the most remote areas. There is no scope of improvement in this channel of internet communication as it has already reached its limits. There is no chance of defying these limits. Advantages: This channel has practically no advantages over other channels of internet transmission, if we compare it to other types. This was the first form of internet communication to the public. This paved the ways for other types of internet. Wired Broadband Internet: This is the most used form of internet in the world. This type of internet is the most versatile and the most wide channel one, which can be transmitted over a wide variety of lines. They include the telephone lines, the television cable, dedicated lines etc. A broadband connection is the one which has a minimum bandwidth of 256 kbps. It is the high speed channel of internet communication. The major advantage of this network is that the number of users in this type of networks generally does not affect the speed. Also, the phone lines through which the line has been connected can be used both for phone as well as the internet connection simultaneously. It does not affect the quality in each of the channels as both of them work on completely different bandwidths. How Broadband Works A broadband connection works on the Digital Subscriber Line system. In this system, the internet signals are sent through the telephone cable on a completely higher frequency. Indian ISPs mostly use ADSL (Asymmetric DSL) system. In this type of system, the uplink and downlink bandwidths are different. The downlink is always much more than the uplink one. Bandwidths: Indian service providers give a bandwidth with starts from 256 kbps and at the most they give it to 4 Mbps. This bandwidth is very low as compared to the other developed countries where the bandwidth goes to around 7-50 Mbps. In Sri Lanka itself, the minimum broadband bandwidth is 8 Mbps. India has a lot to go in this context. Modems: Currently, Indian markets have two types of modems: Type-1 ADSL Modems: These are the LAN cable connection modems. These types of modems are used for wired connections. These modems modulate and demodulate the internet packet signals at the uplink and downlink frequency. These modems are connected to the computers through an 8-wire LAN cable. These modems have a strong security system. The reason is that these modems can be connected only through a cable. As such, the unauthorised access can be prevented. Most of the ISPs provide the modems with the service. The chief brands of Type-1 modems available in the market are: Huawei- Its a Chinese brand, the cheapest and the least reliable. It costs in the range of around Rs 1200. This is not a good brand, YET BSNL is providing these modems to maximise its profit. D-Link- This is a Taiwan made brand, comparatively better. It has some added security features like PSK. The cost is around Rs. 1400. UT STARCOM- this is one of the best brands of this type of modems available here. It is totally user customisable, has an upgradable firmware system and the host security features. It costs around Rs. 1500. Type-2 ADSL Modems- These types of modems are the WLAN enabled modems. These modems are comparatively less secure as the other counterparts, but are more easy to use as well as they comprise a wireless broadband network. They are sometimes also called as Wi-Fi routers. They have a range of around 100 metres of wireless LAN communication. They can connect a maximum of 20 computers to the maximum. The chief brands available are: D-Link- as discussed earlier, this type of modem has better security features. Costs around 2000 Rs. UT STARCOM- This is the best brand. Costs around 2400 Rs. Has a totally upgradable firmware system. Plus, this is the only modem in the category which gives a 3-level security. These levels are: Admin level: Admin can access, edit, reset, change, and control all the other terminals. User Level: They can just access the main security module, but can change, edit or reset their own module only. Support Level: it has equal privileges of an Admin, but only with his permission. WIRELESS BROADBAND: This is the newest entry in the segment of public sector broadband connection. In this type of broadband, the ISPs provide the broadband over the mobile telephone frequency channels. A SIM card is given to the user, which can be inserted in the simcard slot of the laptop of the user, or he can purchase a USB modem which is configured for the purpose. Currently Reliance, Aritel, Tata Photon and BSNL are in this market. This type of broadband is mostly costly, and the speeds vary from 256 kbps-1Mbps at the most. This is usually not value for money. Reason being a typical plan costs from Rs. 700-3000, which is too costly for a normal user. The costs of USB modems are also very high. As per 18/10/10, the prices are: BSNL- Rs.3400 for modem, and plans start from Rs.300 Reliance- 2800 for the modem and plans start from 500. Tata- 2400 for the modem, plans start from 350. Airtel- 3000 for the modem, plans start from Rs. 900. So, we can imagine that the plans are too costly for the reach of common man. This is the main reason why this segment is not so popular with the people. 3G communication in mobile pioneered by BSNL has brought a cheaper version of mobile broadband. This has achieved a bandwidth of maximum of 512 kbps and still has a scope of improvement. The best advantage is that the Plans start from just Rs. 25. THE FUTURE- OPTICAL FIBRES This channel of the internet communication is still not available in the public domain. Optical fibres work on the principal of the modulation of signal with the carrier frequencies of that of the spectrum of light. Light travels at the speed of 3108 m/s. as such, the data transfer in this case would be at a very high speed. This channel of transmission has not even been utilised to calculate its limits. The reason behing this is that we do not have such equipments that can transmit at such a high speed. Till date, data has been transferred through this channel at a maximum speed of 4 Gbps (gigabits per second). This is still a fraction of its limit. A single OFC can transmit thousands of channels without a single noise. Also, this channel has a negligible resistance. As such, data loss rates are very very low. It has been estimated that the OFCs can transmit internet at the speed of around 40 Tbps (tera bits per second). This is still an estimate. The original figure may go even higher. Currently, no public sector company in India is providing the OFC internet. Only the defence forces (Indian Army and Air Force) are using it. Limiting factors in the use of OFC: The reason that the OFC internet communication system is still in the pipleine is that the technology needed to harness this channel speed to the maximum is still not available. Light travels at a speed of 300000000 m/s. if the signals are modulated to the suitable carrier, then the signal travelling at such a fast speed would practically give a really fast communication. How internet has changed our lives? Today we are living in 21st century i.e. In science era. Science and technology has modernised our lives and has made our life full of comforts. Means of Telecommunication and means of transportation are really a god gift for us..we cant imagine our lives without internet, television, etc. Internet has brought us together. It has united the wider gulfs across the oceans. we can have our access to any other part of world by just sitting at our home. It provides us various facilities. A student can have its access to internet as well as a person working can also use this internet in its own way. It is beneficial for all. Communication: We used to write letters to stay in touch with those far away, and if our correspondent was very special, we would use our trusty film camera to take some photos before taking the resultant film to the camera shop for developing waiting anywhere from an hour to a week to get the prints. Wed then hand over the cash, go home, put everything in the envelope, stick a stamp on it and post it off. Nowadays, we grab our digital camera, take as many shots as we want, upload them directly on to our PCs, attach a copy to an e-mail and send it off into the ether. We can store, share, and order prints for our photographs from the same service. Google, Yahoo, Facebook, Twitter and countless other websites have made social networking as easy as it could be. One cannot be too far away from his near and dear ones. People from all age groups spend time over these sites. Not only this, celebrities, VIP dignitaries, government officials etc. have their own portals on sites like twitter. Blogging is the trend of the new generation and with the help of your blog, you can share your likes and dislikes with the world . Reservation , banking : Now Internet can be also used for banking , reservation purposes . You can operate your bank account from your pc, view the account reports, report etc. by just sitting at your home . Even Railway and Airline reservation can be done with the help of   a click . Now there is no need to stand in queues and wait . Just open the site, click and book and your work is done.   Even shopping can be done by sitting at a desktop. Business: Internet is also used for expanding your business by the help of a website . Now you can target a large variety of consumers from around the world for your business if you have a properly maintained website. Various sites provide the online shopping facilities like www.ebay.in, www.tradus.in etc. Just a matter of click, and we can buy all what we want.

Just In Time :: essays research papers

Collaborate or Perish! The just-in-time supply model—an absolute requirement for e-commerce fulfillment—calls for closer collaboration with suppliers and partners than ever Today's corporations do not rely simply on brand loyalty. The sale now goes to companies that can implement a â€Å"just-in-time† business practice by quickly providing customized products. To do so, your organization can no longer be hierarchical. Instead, it must have an open-minded management team that can channel the necessary resources to meet demand. Consumer demand for customized products and services delivered quickly has forced retail outlets into a â€Å"We won't make it until you order it† mentality. What's more important, retailers are telling their suppliers, â€Å"We won't ask you to make it until our customers order it.† Consequently, recognizing and responding to customer demand must be instantaneous. Both vendors and suppliers require the ability to transfer information at fiber-optic speed across their distribution channel. However, speed is just one factor. Successful product management and distribution requires synchronization with suppliers at the fastest speed possible, creating a collaborative relationship with all suppliers down the chain. Your organization can no longer afford an â€Å"us vs. them† mentality with your suppliers—it must be â€Å"we.† Previously, the business model assumed that inventory existed or was in the manufacturing process, that is, â€Å"available to promise† (ATP). Today, executing the just-in-time model requires a â€Å"capable to promise† (CTP) value stream. In this article, I'll examine how your business can implement a CTP value stream and how doing so will affect relationships with suppliers. I'll also discuss the technology that is necessary to implement the just-in-time model internally as well as with multiple suppliers across the supply chain. Capable to Promise The ATP and CTP dates are extremely important, in that companies want to tell customers when they will receive their products. ATP is based on the premise that your company has a finished-goods inventory that contains fairly standard products. Companies build an inventory of products to sell, and perform an ATP calculation, providing the date for product delivery. A finished-goods inventory ensures that when the customer calls and says, â€Å"I'm looking to buy a car battery,† you have a standard supply of batteries ready for delivery. ATP also applies to goods that are in the production process. For example, your company may be in a situation where it does not immediately have the product in the finished-goods inventory, but is near enough to completion that it can guarantee delivery within a well-defined timeframe.

Eddie George :: essays research papers

The question for my report is, What impact has Eddie George had on sports. Eddie George played a big role in the world of football. He and Steve McNair led the Tennessee Titans to the Superbowl, but they lost. Eddie George was 8, just another young kid on the neighborhood playground who fantasized about winning the Heisman Trophy, when his mother, Donna, began to get his life in the order she wants him to grow up in. "Eddie would never stop," said Donna's mother, Jean McCarthy, whose yard in suburban Abington Township, served as one of her grandson's playgrounds. "His friends would be saying, come on, Eddie, we gotta rest, we gotta rest, but Eddie would say, no, no, we gotta play, we gotta play. "He was always running," Jean McCarthy said. "No surprise to me he turned out to be a running back."(7) As Eddie was growing up, he put team goals before his. He wanted to play football, he wanted to go to college by playing football, he wanted to win the Heisman Trophy, and he wanted to play in the pros. His mother Donna said, " to fulfill those goals, you have to build up your character." She was the "architect" in the family. Eddie, 22, and his sister Leslie, 25, who works for an insurance company in suburban Philadelphia, grew up in a single parent household, after their mother separated in 1980 from their largely absentee father, also named Eddie. They were later divorced, and Donna said that Eddie's relationship with his father remains distant. (5) However, "the single- parent" is misleading for despite the circumstances, Eddie and his sister were reared in a structured, loving and religious environment, not only by their mother, but by her parents Fred and Jean. Jean usually was there to help during the years that Donna worked two and sometimes three jobs. She was determined to do more than make ends meat. Their mother was a very busy woman; for the first nine years of Eddie's life, she was a production manager at Ford Aerospace during the day and a fashion model during the night. Later that year, she joined TWA to be a flight attendant and she left Ford Aerospace. In later years as her children became more expensive, she also took on extra work as a product importer and banquet caterer. Donna didn't do the fashion shows every night, but when she did, she used to take Eddie and Leslie to work with her and have them finish their homework until it was time to go.

College Is a Waste of Time and Money

In her article â€Å"College Is a Waste of Time and Money†, Caroline Bird attempts to pursued her readers that colleges are overflowing with students who don†t belong there. Her article first appeared in Psychology Today (May 1975). Since this material is outdated, I find it hard to believe that most of the responses by students and parents quoted in the article still hold true. The author has set out to pursue the readers that college is a bad and unnecessary choice for today†s youth. Yet the author holds a bachelors and a masters degree from two different universities. I would think that if she thought college was really a bad choice and a waste of time and money, she would not have gone back to get her masters degree. I am a college student myself and there were only two things in the whole article that I was in agreement with. One was that colleges try to market themselves. The other was her paragraph on how Americans are looking less and less for great paying jobs and are looking more for job that they like doing. This unfortunately is also a contradiction to her piece of writing, because college prepares, and helps you get a job that you will enjoy. Furthermore, the author†s main ideas were not well thought out or well supported. An example of this might be her money investment idea. She implies that if an eighteen year old invested his/hers college tuition money in a bank, and kept it there till he/she was sixty-four, they would be twice as rich as those who go to school, graduate and work in their field of study. What she fails to mention is that while their money is gathering interest, it can not be touched till their sixty-four, and in the mean time they have to be making a living in another job which they probably hate doing. Overall, Bird†s attempt to pursue her readers that college is a waste of time did not work on me. Students are in colleges because they are told to, or because they still want to be financially depend on their parents and not have to worry about growing up to face the real world. The author in her article writes such ideas. Furthermore, since colleges became a big industry in the 60†³s, and now the number of people attending has fallen, colleges use marketing skills to bring more students in. They try to make college sound as easy as possible to make more people register. Students, once in college are not happy and drop out, or just hang out and finish just because they think it is the right thing to do. The author feels that students are sad because they are unwanted young adults. Since the world is overpopulated, we stick the eighteen-year-olds in colleges to temporarily get rid of them. We also fool ourselves into believing that these actions are good for them. Most of these unwanted young adults eventually learn to like it, and those that don†t drop out. The conservative Carneigie Commission estimated that five to thirty percent of students are in College reluctantly. Also buy giving figures of some surveys that students took, the author states that students think education is less and less important. Parents believe their kids are too young and immature to make a decision by them selves, therefore they pressure their kids into attending college believing it is the best thing for them. The author does not agree with these actions and thinks that students should decide for themselves whether or not they want to continue their education. If students feel that college is not for them, they should not stay there just because somebody expects them to. Furthermore, she states that if everyone got a higher education everybody would be on the same intellectual level, and there would be no difference in people. Some say that college is the greatest investment one can make. The author argues this point by giving examples of investments that greatly outweigh the average income of a graduate. If for example a student were to take his money for a four-year college, and put it in a savings account, by the age of sixty-four he would have twice as much money then if he were to graduate and earn a living with the help of his degree. Another example, which she gives, is based on a supposed Princeton student who liked fixing cars. The student could have put his college money in a bank, and go work for a mechanics shop. And as he was learning all the necessary skills, the money would be gathering interest. In ten years, he would have enough to buy out his boss, and start his own business. Afterwards she states that, although all these scenarios look good on paper, it is hard to put a dollar value on education. Next, the author talks about status, and that this is what attracts some to colleges. Most students that graduate do not necessarily make more money than those without a degree. She states that most people do not go to college for the money but for a career and a job which they will like doing. She gives an example of a guy named Jerry Darring, who quit his well paying family operated job to go back to college and get a degree which will help to prepare him for a less paying job which he will like to do. Most college students, when talking about getting a good job after they graduate, mean a job that will be pleasant for them. This sort of phenomenon is called â€Å"psychic income. † Most jobs, which these graduates will want to be employed in, are scares though. The amount of students in law school studying to be layers is twice as much as is needed. On top of that, graduates might not even work in the same field as they were studying for. Teachers, Engineers, and others were interviewed by the author, and said that they rarely use the stuff that they learned in college. Some also reported that they perform jobs that bear very little to none resemblance of a job which they were preparing for in school. The key that opens a door full of jobs is what a college diploma used to be. Now that attendance in colleges has doubled, a diploma can not even guarantee a job. The author then goes on to identify false statements about college effects on people. She states that colleges do not make people â€Å"intelligent, ambitious, happy, or liberal. It is the other way around. Intelligent, ambitious, happy, or liberal people are attracted to higher education in the first place (49). † Next she talks about learning experience that change a student while he is in college. That these experiences are not though by the college, but through jobs, friends, and time. While concluding her article, Caroline Bird says † We ought to make it possible for these reluctant, unhappy students to find alternative ways of growing up, and more realistic preparation for the years ahead (49). † In the whole article I have found only two specific points that I am able to agree with. One example is the author†s description of colleges trying to market their education. When I was a senior in my high school, a lot of colleges came to recruit us. While talking to some selected recruiters, and asking them why I should pick their college to go to, they were giving me reasons which had nothing to do with getting a good education. A great football team, a huge recreation centers, and stores on campus, were some of the reason I had heard. The other point that I agree with is that Americans put more priority on jobs they like doing than the jobs income. Unfortunately there are far more things I do not agree with in Caroline Bird†s article. First of all, how can she write an article stating that college is a waste of time and money, if she herself is a graduate? Not only that, she graduated with a masters degree. I would understand if she only had a bachelors, her argument could have been that as long as she started college, she should at least get her bachelors. But if college is such a waste of time and money why would she go on to get her masters degree. Furthermore, some points which she uses in her argument are not enough to pursued me. One example would be when she says â€Å"we fool ourselves into believing that we are sending them there for their own best interest. â€Å"(42) In my opinion this is true, true in the case that parents want a better and easier way of life for their kids. My parents send me to college so that I could make more money doing an easier job than they have to do, because they lack a college diploma. She feels that eighteen-year-olds should make their own choice whether to go to college or not. I think that when a person is eighteen, they are too young to make their own decisions. I know this from my own experience. If I had a freedom of choice when I was eighteen, I would not be writing this critique, because I would not be in college. But now that I have grown up and did some thinking I want to stay and get my degree. I feel that kids should at least try college, learn and see a couple of things and then decide whether they should stay or go. Generally, parents without a college education are the ones who put the most emphasis on their kids going to college and making something of themselves, in order to have a better life then they had. The author then goes on to challenge her own ideas by saying that college does prepare you for a job that you actually might like doing, and that is what most Americans want. So then would not college be a good choice for most Americans?

Oscar Wilde Constanly Mocks Victorian Society Essay

Act III offers happy resolution to the problems of identity and marriage that drive much of the humor in the previous acts. Wilde continues to mock the social customs and attitudes of the aristocratic class. He relentlessly attacks their values, views on marriage and respectability, sexual attitudes, and concern for stability in the social structure. Wilde attacks social behavior with the continuation of speeches by his characters that are the opposite of their actions. While Cecily and Gwendolen agree to keep a dignified silence, Gwendolen actually states that they will not be the first ones to speak to the men. In the very next line she says, â€Å"Mr. Worthing, I have something very particular to ask you.† Wilde seems to be saying that people speak as if they have strong opinions, but their actions do not support their words. If actions truly do speak louder than words, Wilde has made his point: Society, literally, speaks volumes, but the words are meaningless. Wilde continues his criticism of society’s valuing style over substance when Gwendolen says, â€Å"In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing.† Lady Bracknell discusses Algernon’s marriage assets in the same light. She says, â€Å"Algernon is an extremely, I may almost say an ostentatiously, eligible young man. He has nothing, but he looks everything. What more can one desire?† Indeed, in a society where looks are everything and substance is discounted, Algernon is the perfect husband. What else do aristocrats value? They seem to esteem the appearance of respectability. Respectability means children are born within the context of marriage. Wilde once again mocks the hypocrisy of the aristocrats who appear to value monogamy but pretend not to notice affairs. Jack’s speech to Miss Prism, whom he believes to be his mother, is humorous in both its indignant defense of marriage and also its mocking of the loudly touted religious reformer’s virtues of repentance and forgiveness. He says to Miss Prism, â€Å"Unmarried! I do not deny that is a serious blow†¦. Mother, I forgive you.† His words are all the more humorous when Miss Prism indignantly denies being his mother. It was not at all unusual for aristocrats to have children born out of wedlock, but society turned its head, pretended not to know about those children, and did not condemn their fathers. The gulf between the upper class and its servants is explored in the scenes with Merriman and Prism. When Lady Bracknell unexpectedly shows up at Jack’s, Merriman coughs discretely to warn the couples of her arrival. One can only imagine his humorous thoughts as he watches the wealthy tiptoe around each other and argue about what should be important. When Lady Bracknell hears the description of Prism and recognizes her as their former nanny, she calls for Miss Prism by shouting â€Å"Prism!† without using a title in front of her name. Imperiously, Lady Bracknell divides the servant from the lady of the manor. Wilde’s audience would recognize this behavior on the part of the servants and the upper class. The stuffy class distinctions defined the society in which they lived. In an age of social registers, Lady Bracknell laments that even the Court Guides have errors. In the next breath, she discusses bribing Gwendolen’s maid to find out what is happening in her daughter’s life. In Act III she also reveals that her aristocratic brother’s family entrusted their most precious possession — Jack — to a woman who is more interested in her handbag and manuscript than in what happens to the baby in her charge. Wilde seems to be questioning the values of a society that believes in social registers, hires other people to neglectfully watch its children, and uses bribery to keep track of the children who are not missing. The death of Bunbury gives Wilde the opportunity to speak of aristocratic fears and have some continued fun with the upper class’s lack of compassion about death. The 1885 Trafalgar Square riots brought on ruling-class fears of insurrection, anarchism and socialism. Wilde humorously touches on these fears when he allows Algernon to explain the explosion of Bunbury. Lady Bracknell, fearing the worst, exclaims, â€Å"Was he the victim of a revolutionary outrage? I was not aware that Mr. Bunbury was interested in social legislation. If so, he is well punished for his morbidity.† Evidently, to Lady Bracknell’s acquaintances, laws that protect the welfare of those less fortunate are strictly morbid subjects. In fact, this attitude seems to contradict the upper-class concern for reform. However, in reality, Wilde is confirming the upper-class definition of social reform: conforming to the status quo. In Act III Wilde makes a comment on the value of being homosexual with a veiled reference to Lady Lancing. When Lady Bracknell asserts that Cecily needs to have a more sophisticated hairstyle, she recommends â€Å"a thoroughly experienced French maid† who can make a great deal of change in a very short time. She explains that such a change happened to an acquaintance of hers, Lady Lancing, and that after three months â€Å"her own husband did not know her.† Jack uses the opportunity to make a pun on the word know, using it in an aside — a comment only the audience can hear. Jack interprets know to mean they no longer had sex, insinuating Lady Lancing’s preference for the French maid. He says, â€Å"And after six months nobody knew her,† indicating that the homosexual experience made a new woman of her. Although homosexuality would have been seen as immoral to Wilde’s audience, Jack indicates that being homosexual might be a good thing — almost as a social commentary — directly to the audience. It seems a double life is necessary after one is married, whether it be bunburying or the homosexual life Wilde was experiencing in an increasingly public way. Wilde continues his assault on family life in Act III by mentioning its strange qualities in several conversations. It appears rather strange, for example, that Lady Bracknell cannot even recall the Christian name of her brother-in-law, Algy’s father. Algernon’s father died before Algernon was one, so stranger yet is Algernon’s comment, â€Å"We were never even on speaking terms.† He gives that as the reason he cannot remember his father’s name. Further assaulting family life, Wilde has Lady Bracknell describe Lord Moncrieff as â€Å"eccentric† but excuses his behavior because it â€Å"was the result of the Indian climate, and marriage, and indigestions, and other things of that kind.† Marriage is lumped together with things such as indigestion. In explaining Lord Moncrieff’s marriage, Lady Bracknell says that he was â€Å"essentially a man of peace, except in his domestic life.† Her description invites suspicion that the local constabulary might have visited because of domestic disturbances. Family life and domestic bliss do not get high marks in Wilde’s estimation. When Miss Prism humorously resolves the problem of Jack’s lineage, Wilde takes his hero of unknown origins and paints him as the aristocrat who will now be assimilated into his rightful place in the social structure. Through the sad melodrama of Jack’s handbag parentage, Wilde exaggerates the Victorian clichà © of the poor foundling who makes good. As soon as Jack is known to be a member of the established aristocracy, a Moncrieff in fact, he is seen as an appropriate person for Gwendolen to marry. They will, according to Wilde, live happily ever after in wedded bliss and continue the aristocratic blindness to anything that truly matters. The tag line of the play, spoken by Jack, is a familiar convention in Victorian farces. In discovering that he has been telling the truth all along — his name is Ernest, and he has a brother — Jack makes fun of the Victorian virtues of sincerity and honesty and asks Gwendolen to forgive him for â€Å"speaking nothing but the truth.† He now realizes the importance of being the person he is supposed to be. Wilde is saying perhaps that a new kind of earnestness exists, one that is different from the virtues extolled by the Victorians. Maybe it is possible to be honest and understand what should be taken seriously in life rather than being deceptive, hypocritical, and superficial. Some readers believe, however, that the ending shows Jack mockingly redefining Victorian earnestness as just the opposite: a life of lies, pleasure and beauty. Critics debate the interpretation of the last line. A curious stage direction occurs in Act III, revealing the concern Wilde had for the staging of his play to compliment his ideas. As his couples come together and move apart, he emphasizes the choreography of the pairs. He has them speak in unison, both the women together and the men together. It matters not who they are; they are interchangeable. Marriage is simply an institution that is a gesture, like a christening. The unison speaking is very stylistic, not meant to be realistic at all. It reveals Wilde’s attitude that what is important in Victorian marriage — names — really should not be as important as other considerations. In the end, Wilde leaves his audience thinking about the trivial social conventions they deem important. Their Victorian virtues perhaps need redefining. Institutions such as marriage, religion, family values and money should perhaps have new interpretations. The character of people, rather than their names and family fortunes, should weigh most heavily when considering their worth. Wilde was able to use humor to skewer these attitudes and convince his audience about the importance of being earnest.